SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
----------------------------------
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 29, 1999
----------
THCG, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Utah 0-26072 87-0415597
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
650 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10022
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 223-0440
<PAGE>
Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
On December 29, 1999, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated
as of December 29, 1999 (the "Merger Agreement") by and among the Registrant,
Coast Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a newly-formed, wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Registrant ("Newco"), Mercury Coast Inc., a Delaware
corporation ("Mercury Coast"), and the stockholders of Mercury Coast, Newco
merged with and into Mercury Coast (the "Merger"), with Mercury Coast being the
surviving corporation. As a result of the Merger, Mercury Coast became a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Registrant.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of common
stock of Mercury Coast was converted into and exchanged for 466.67 shares of
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Registrant (the "THCG Common
Stock"). A total of 700,005 shares of THCG Common Stock were issued in this
transaction. In addition, each of the three stockholders of Mercury Coast
entered into three-year employment agreements with the Registrant, pursuant to
which they were each granted a five-year option to purchase 310,000 shares of
THCG Common Stock at an exercise price of $6.00 per share.
Larry Smith, the President and one of the stockholders of Mercury
Coast, was appointed President and a director of the Registrant in connection
with the completion of the transaction.
Mercury Coast was founded in June 1999 and provides consulting and
other professional services to e-commerce and internet related businesses. The
Registrant intends to continue the business currently performed by Mercury Coast
as a subsidiary of the Registrant.
The Merger is intended to be a tax-free transaction under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
The foregoing description of the terms and provisions of the Merger
Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
Merger Agreement which is filed herewith and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
(a) Financial statements of business acquired. It is presently
impracticable to provide the financial statements required to be included in
this Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to the business acquired. Such
financial statements will be filed by amendment as soon as practicable, but in
any event within 75 days after the consummation of the Merger.
(b) Pro forma financial information. It is presently impracticable to
provide the pro forma financial information required to be included in this
Current Report on Form 8-K. Such pro forma financial statement will be filed by
amendment as soon as practicable, but in any event within 75 days after the
consummation of the Merger.
<PAGE>
(c) Exhibits
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated
as of December 29, 1999, by and
among the Registrant, Coast
Acquisition Corp., Mercury Coast
Inc. and the stockholders of Mercury
Coast.
2.2 Employment Agreement dated December 29, 1999
between Registrant and Larry Smith.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: December 29, 1999
THCG, INC.
By: /s/ Joseph D. Mark
------------------------------------
Name: Joseph D. Mark
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
Exhibit 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND AMONG
THCG, INC.,
COAST ACQUISITION CORP.,
MERCURY COAST INC.
AND THE
STOCKHOLDERS OF MERCURY COAST INC.
DATED DECEMBER 29, 1999
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
ARTICLE 1 THE MERGER.................................................1
SECTION 1.1 The Merger..............................................1
SECTION 1.2 Closing.................................................2
SECTION 1.3 Effective Time..........................................2
SECTION 1.4 Effects of the Merger...................................2
SECTION 1.5 Certificate of Incorporation............................2
SECTION 1.6 By-laws.................................................2
SECTION 1.7 Directors and Officers..................................3
ARTICLE 2 CONVERSION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE CONSTITUENT
CORPORATIONS...............................................3
SECTION 2.1 Effect on Capital Stock.................................3
SECTION 2.2 Exchange of Certificates................................3
SECTION 2.3 Tax Consequences........................................5
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTROLLING
STOCKHOLDERS...............................................6
SECTION 3.1 Authority; No Conflict..................................6
SECTION 3.2 Ownership of Shares.....................................6
SECTION 3.3 Legal Proceedings.......................................7
SECTION 3.4 Investment Representations of the Controlling
Stockholders............................................7
ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY..............8
SECTION 4.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries............8
SECTION 4.2 Capitalization of the Company...........................8
SECTION 4.3 Authority Relative to this Agreement; Board Action......9
SECTION 4.4 Consents and Approvals; No Violations...................10
SECTION 4.5 Financial Statements....................................10
SECTION 4.6 No Undisclosed Liabilities; Absence of Changes..........11
SECTION 4.7 No Litigation...........................................11
SECTION 4.8 Compliance with Applicable Law..........................12
SECTION 4.9 Employees...............................................12
SECTION 4.10 Employee Benefits and ERISA.............................12
SECTION 4.11 Environmental Laws and Regulations......................13
SECTION 4.12 Tax Matters.............................................13
SECTION 4.13 Material Contracts......................................14
SECTION 4.14 Title to Properties; Encumbrances.......................15
SECTION 4.15 Condition and Sufficiency of Assets.....................15
SECTION 4.16 Intellectual Property...................................16
SECTION 4.17 Year 2000...............................................16
SECTION 4.18 Securities Owned........................................16
-i-
<PAGE>
Page
----
SECTION 4.19 Brokers.................................................16
SECTION 4.20 Insurance...............................................16
SECTION 4.21 Transactions with Affiliates............................17
SECTION 4.22 Books and Records.......................................17
SECTION 4.23 Disclosure..............................................17
ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THCG AND NEWCO...........18
SECTION 5.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries............18
SECTION 5.2 Capitalization..........................................18
SECTION 5.3 Authority Relative to this Agreement; Board Action......18
SECTION 5.4 SEC Filings.............................................19
SECTION 5.5 Consents and Approvals; No Violations...................19
SECTION 5.6 Absence of Changes......................................20
SECTION 5.7 No Litigation...........................................20
SECTION 5.8 Ownership of Newco......................................20
SECTION 5.9 Brokers.................................................21
SECTION 5.10 Disclosure..............................................21
ARTICLE 6 COVENANTS..................................................21
SECTION 6.1 Conduct of Business of the Company......................21
SECTION 6.2 Employment Agreements...................................23
SECTION 6.3 Covenant Not to Compete and Other Covenants.............24
SECTION 6.4 Press Releases..........................................24
SECTION 6.5 Access to Information; Confidentiality..................24
SECTION 6.6 Commercially Reasonable Efforts; Further Action.........24
SECTION 6.7 Notification of Certain Matters.........................25
SECTION 6.8 Tax Treatment...........................................25
SECTION 6.9 Board Representation....................................25
SECTION 6.10 Appointment of Officers.................................25
SECTION 6.11 Committee Appointments..................................26
SECTION 6.12 Satisfaction of Liabilities.............................26
SECTION 6.13 Agreements with Respect to Affiliates...................26
ARTICLE 7 CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER...................26
SECTION 7.1 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company............26
SECTION 7.2 Conditions to the Obligations of THCG and Newco.........28
ARTICLE 8 TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER; FEES AND EXPENSES..........29
SECTION 8.1 Termination.............................................29
SECTION 8.2 Procedure for and Effect of Termination.................30
SECTION 8.3 Amendment; Extension Waiver.............................30
-ii-
<PAGE>
Page
----
SECTION 8.4 Fees and Expenses.......................................30
ARTICLE 9 INDEMNIFICATION............................................31
SECTION 9.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties..............31
SECTION 9.2 Indemnification by the Company and the Controlling
Stockholders............................................31
SECTION 9.3 Indemnification by THCG or Newco........................32
SECTION 9.4 Procedure for Indemnification...........................32
SECTION 9.5 Limitation on Remedies..................................33
ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS..............................................33
SECTION 10.1 Entire Agreement; Assignment............................33
SECTION 10.2 Notices.................................................34
SECTION 10.3 Parties in Interest.....................................34
SECTION 10.4 Severability............................................35
SECTION 10.5 Counterparts............................................35
SECTION 10.6 Interpretation..........................................35
SECTION 10.7 Governing Law and Venue.................................35
SECTION 10.8 Waiver of Jury Trial....................................35
SECTION 10.9 Certain Definitions.....................................36
-iii-
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated December 29, 1999 (this
"Agreement"), by and among (i) THCG, Inc., a Utah corporation ("THCG"), (ii)
Coast Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly-owned
subsidiary of THCG ("Newco"), (iii) Mercury Coast Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and (iv) Larry Smith, Ed Tedeschi and Michael Gegenheimer
(collectively, the "Controlling Stockholders"), who together own of record and
beneficially 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock
(as hereinafter defined). Certain other capitalized terms used in this Agreement
have the meanings given them in Section 10.9.
WHEREAS, the boards of directors of THCG, Newco and the
Company, deeming it advisable and in the best interests of their respective
stockholders, have each approved this Agreement pursuant to which, among other
things, Newco will be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger") on the
terms and conditions contained herein and in accordance with the Delaware
General Corporation Law (the "DGCL");
WHEREAS, the parties hereto intend, by approving resolutions
authorizing this Agreement, to adopt this Agreement as a plan of reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and
that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement be undertaken pursuant to
such plan;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger, each outstanding share of
common stock, no par value, of the Company (the "Company Common Stock") shall be
automatically converted into the right to receive the consideration specified in
Article 2 upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, upon consummation of the Merger, the Company will be
a wholly-owned subsidiary of THCG;
WHEREAS, THCG, Newco, the Company and the Controlling
Stockholders desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements in connection with the Merger and to prescribe various conditions
precedent to the Merger;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
respective agreements herein contained and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by
each of the parties hereto, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound,
hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
THE MERGER
SECTION 1.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth
in this Agreement, and in accordance with the DGCL, at the Effective Time, Newco
shall be merged with and into the Company. Following the Merger, the separate
corporate existence of Newco
<PAGE>
shall cease and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation (the
"Surviving Corporation") under the name "Mercury Coast Inc."
SECTION 1.2 Closing. The closing of the Merger contemplated hereby shall take
place at the offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, 919 Third Avenue,
New York, New York (the "Closing") as soon as practicable after all of the
conditions to the Closing set forth in Article 7 have been satisfied or waived,
unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is hereinafter referred to
as the "Closing Date."
SECTION 1.3 Effective Time. As soon as practicable following the Closing, the
parties hereto shall cause the Merger to be consummated by (i) filing a
certificate of merger (the "Certificate of Merger") in such form as is required
by and executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL, and (ii)
making all other filings or recordings required under the DGCL. The Merger shall
become effective at such time as the Certificate of Merger is duly filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such subsequent time as
the parties shall agree and shall be specified in the Certificate of Merger (the
date and time the Merger becomes effective being the "Effective Time").
SECTION 1.4 Effects of the Merger. At and after the Effective Time, the Merger
will have the effects set forth in this Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and
the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time all the property, rights,
privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Newco shall vest in the
Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and
Newco shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving
Corporation.
SECTION 1.5 Certificate of Incorporation. Unless otherwise determined by THCG
prior to the Effective Time, at the Effective Time, the certificate of
incorporation of the Company, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time, shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation,
unless and until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein or in
accordance with applicable Law.
SECTION 1.6 By-laws. Unless otherwise determined by THCG prior to the Effective
Time, at the Effective Time, the by-laws of the Company, as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the by-laws of the Surviving
Corporation, unless and until thereafter changed or amended as provided therein
or in the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation or by
applicable Law.
SECTION 1.7 Directors and Officers. At the Effective Time, the directors of
Newco immediately prior to the Effective Time (who are identified in Schedule
1.7) shall become the directors of the Surviving Corporation to serve until the
earlier of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified. At the Effective Time, the officers
of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time (who are identified in
Schedule 1.7) shall become the officers of the Surviving Corporation until the
earlier of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified.
-2-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 2
CONVERSION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF
THE CONSTITUENT CORPORATIONS
SECTION 2.1 Effect on Capital Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any shares of Company
Common Stock or any shares of capital stock of Newco:
(a) Conversion of Capital Stock of Newco. Each share of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of Newco (the "Newco Common Stock") issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and
exchanged for one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of
common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) Conversion of Company Common Stock. Subject to the provisions of
Section 2.2, the Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be converted into and exchanged for an aggregate of
700,005 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of THCG (the "THCG
Common Stock") as follows: each share of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and
exchanged for 466.67 shares of THGC Common Stock.
(c) Treasury Shares. Each share of Company Common Stock and each share of
Newco Common Stock held in treasury by the Company and Newco, respectively,
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled and retired and cease
to exist, without any conversion thereof.
SECTION 2.2 Exchange of Certificates.
(a) Exchange Procedures. Promptly, after the Effective Time, THCG shall
cause to be delivered to each holder of record of a certificate or certificates
which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock (each a "Certificate") whose shares were converted into the
right to receive THCG Common Stock pursuant to Section 2.1(b), against receipt
of a Certificate, a certificate evidencing the number of whole shares of THCG
Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.1(b), and
the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. Until so
surrendered, each outstanding Certificate that, prior to the Effective Time
evidenced shares of Company Common Stock will be deemed from and after the
Effective Time, for all corporate purposes, other than the payment of dividends
or other distributions, to evidence the ownership of the number of whole shares
of THCG Common Stock into which such shares of Company Common Stock shall have
been so converted pursuant to Sections 2.1(b).
(b) Distributions With Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or
other distributions or payments declared or made after the Effective Time with
respect to shares of THCG Common Stock with a record date after the Effective
Time will be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to
the shares of THCG Common Stock evidenced thereby until the holder of record of
such Certificate shall surrender such Certificate pursuant to
-3-
<PAGE>
this Section 2.2. Subject to applicable Law, following surrender of any such
Certificate, there shall be paid to the record holder of the certificates
evidencing whole shares of THCG Common Stock issued in exchange therefor,
without interest, at the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or
other distributions or payments with a record date after the Effective Time
theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of THCG Common Stock.
(c) Transfers of Ownership. If any certificate for shares of THCG Common
Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Certificate
surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it will be a condition of the
issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered will be properly endorsed
and otherwise in proper form for transfer, accompanied by all documents required
to evidence and effect such transfer pursuant to this Section 2.2, and that the
Person requesting such transfer will have paid to THCG or any agent designated
by it any fees or transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the issuance of
a certificate for shares of THCG Common Stock in any name other than that of the
registered holder of the THCG Certificate surrendered, or established to the
satisfaction of THCG or any agent designated by it that such fees and Taxes have
been paid or are not payable.
(d) No Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section
2.2, neither the Surviving Corporation nor THCG shall be liable to any holder of
shares of Company Common Stock for any amount properly paid to a public official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.
(e) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All shares of
THCG Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of shares of Company
Common Stock in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been
issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of Company
Common Stock which were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If,
after the Effective Time, Certificates are presented to the Surviving
Corporation for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in
this Section 2.2.
(f) Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event any Certificate
evidencing shares of Company Common Stock shall have been lost, stolen or
destroyed, THCG may require, before issuing certificates in respect of the
shares of THCG Common Stock evidenced thereby, such affidavits and indemnities
and bonds in support thereof as it or any agent designated by it may reasonably
require with respect to such loss, theft or destruction.
(g) Withholding Rights. THCG or any agent designated by it shall be
entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable
pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Company Common Stock such amounts as
THCG or such agent is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making
of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax
Law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted and withheld by THCG or any
agent designated by it, such deducted and withheld amounts shall be treated for
all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of Company
Common Stock in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by THCG
or such agent.
(h) No Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement
to the contrary, neither certificates nor scrip for fractional shares of THCG
Common Stock shall be
-4-
<PAGE>
issued in connection with the Merger, but in lieu thereof each holder of shares
of Company Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fraction of a share of THCG
Common Stock pursuant to the provisions of 2.1(b) shall receive one whole share
of THCG Common Stock in respect of such fraction. If more than one Certificate
shall be surrendered for the account of the same Company Stockholder, the number
of whole shares of THCG Common Stock for which such Certificates shall be
exchanged pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be computed on the basis of the
aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock evidenced by such
Certificates.
SECTION 2.3 Tax Consequences. It is intended by the parties hereto that the
Merger shall constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of
the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The parties hereto hereby
adopt this Agreement as a "plan of reorganization" within the meaning of
Sections 1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the United States Treasury Regulations
with respect to the Merger.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CONTROLLING STOCKHOLDERS
Each Controlling Stockholder separately for himself, but not jointly,
represents and warrants to THCG and Newco as to himself as follows:
SECTION 3.1 Authority; No Conflict.
(a) Such Controlling Stockholder has the right, power, authority and
capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to
which such Controlling Stockholder is a party, to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which such
Controlling Stockholder is party, and to perform his obligations under this
Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which such Controlling Stockholder is
a party. This Agreement has been duly authorized and approved, executed and
delivered by such Controlling Stockholder and constitutes a legal, valid,
binding and enforceable obligation of such Controlling Stockholder in accordance
with its terms, and, at the Closing, each of the Transaction Documents to which
such Controlling Stockholder is a party will have been duly authorized and
approved, executed and delivered by such Controlling Stockholder and will then
constitute a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of such
Controlling Stockholder in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium and
other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting
creditors' rights generally, and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless
of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(b) Neither the execution, delivery and performance by such Controlling
Stockholder of this Agreement or the Transaction Documents to which such
Controlling Stockholder is a party, nor the consummation by such Controlling
Stockholder of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Transaction Documents to which such Controlling Stockholder is a party will
result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or
lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination,
amendment, cancellation or acceleration or Lien) under, any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any Contract
-5-
<PAGE>
or obligation to which such Controlling Stockholder is a party or by which such
Controlling Stockholder's properties or assets are bound.
SECTION 3.2 Ownership of Shares. Such Controlling Stockholder owns, of record
and beneficially, and has good, valid and indefeasible title to and the right to
transfer that number of the shares of Company Common Stock set forth opposite
his name in Schedule 4.2(A), free and clear of any and all Liens of any kind or
nature whatsoever. Such Controlling Stockholder, together with the other
Controlling Stockholders, own 100% of the outstanding Company Common Stock.
There are no voting trusts, stockholder agreements or any other Contracts or
understandings to which such Controlling Stockholder is a party with respect to
the issuance, sale, transfer, voting or registration of the capital stock of the
Company.
SECTION 3.3 Legal Proceedings. There is no pending Proceeding against such
Controlling Stockholder that challenges, or may have the effect of preventing,
delaying or making illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of the
transactions contemplated hereby and by the Transaction Documents and, to the
Knowledge of such Controlling Stockholder, no such Proceeding has been
threatened, and no event or circumstance exists that is reasonably likely to
give rise to or serve as a basis for the commencement of any such Proceeding.
SECTION 3.4 Investment Representations of the Controlling Stockholders
(a) The THCG Common Stock is being acquired by such Controlling
Stockholder for his own account, and not for any other Person, for investment
only and with no intention of distributing or reselling (and such Controlling
Stockholder will not distribute or resell) such THCG Common Stock or any part
thereof or interest therein in any transaction that would violate the securities
Laws of the United States of America, or any state, without prejudice, however,
to the rights of such Controlling Stockholder at all times to sell or otherwise
dispose of all or any part of the THCG Common Stock under an effective
registration statement or applicable exemption from registration under the
Securities Act and any applicable state securities Law, subject to this
Agreement and any other Contract to which such Controlling Stockholder is a
party. Such Controlling Stockholder has no Contract or arrangement with any
Person to sell, transfer or pledge to such Person the THCG Common Stock, any
interest therein, or any part thereof, and such Controlling Stockholder has no
present plans to enter into any such Contract or arrangement.
(b) Such Controlling Stockholder is an accredited investor as that term is
defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act, and has such knowledge and
experience in financial and business matters that he is capable of evaluating
the merits and risks of an investment in the THCG Common Stock. Such Controlling
Stockholder is able to bear the risks associated with an investment in the THCG
Common Stock.
(c) Such Controlling Stockholder has read this Agreement and all other
documents provided by THCG in connection herewith, including the SEC Reports,
and fully understands the terms under which the THCG Common Stock is being
issued to him pursuant hereto. THCG has made available to such Controlling
Stockholder the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from THCG
concerning THCG, the Merger and the terms and conditions under which the THCG
Common Stock will be issued to him and to obtain any additional information
which
-6-
<PAGE>
THCG possesses or can acquire without unreasonable effort or expense that is
necessary to verify the accuracy of information furnished in connection with
this Agreement or in response to any request for information. Such Controlling
Stockholder is satisfied with such answers and information.
(d) Such Controlling Stockholder agrees that, so long as required by Law,
certificates evidencing the THCG Common Stock and any securities issued in
exchange for or in respect thereof shall bear a legend to the following effect:
"THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
"SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND MAY
NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN APPLICABLE
EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES
ACT AND SUCH LAWS."
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company and the Controlling Stockholders, jointly and severally,
hereby represent and warrant to THCG and Newco as follows:
SECTION 4.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.
(a) Each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has been duly
organized and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, and has
the requisite corporate or other power and authority to own, lease and operate
its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries is duly qualified or licensed to do
business, and is in good standing, in each jurisdiction where the character of
the properties owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of its business
makes such qualification or licensing necessary. Except for the Company
Subsidiaries and except as disclosed on Schedule 4.19, the Company has never
had, nor does it presently have, any Subsidiaries, nor has it owned, nor does it
presently own, any capital stock or other proprietary interest, directly or
indirectly, in any company, association, trust, partnership, joint venture or
other entity. The Company Subsidiary is a single member, limited liability
company organized in the state of New York, the sole member of which is the
Company.
(b) The Company has delivered to THCG true, correct and complete copies of
the Organizational Documents of the Company and each of the Company
Subsidiaries. The Organizational Documents of the Company and each of the
Company Subsidiaries are in full force and effect on the date hereof. Neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in violation of any provision of its
Organizational Documents.
-7-
<PAGE>
SECTION 4.2 Capitalization of the Company.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 1,500
shares of Company Common Stock, of which 1,500 shares are issued and
outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable
and free of preemptive rights. None of the issued and outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock was issued in violation of the registration requirements of
any federal or state securities laws. Schedule 4.2(A) sets forth a complete and
correct list of all of the Company Stockholders and the number of shares of
Company Common Stock owned, of record and beneficially, by each such Company
Stockholder. Schedule 4.2(B) sets forth a complete and correct list of (i) the
Persons to whom Options have been granted by the Company, (ii) the number of
shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Options, (iii) the exercise price
for Options held by each such Person, (iv) the number of vested and unvested
Options and (v) the termination dates of such Options. Except as set forth on
Schedule 4.2(B) no Options have been granted by the Company to any Person.
Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2(A), there are outstanding (i) no shares of
capital stock or other voting securities of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary, (ii) no securities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or
voting securities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, (iii) no Options to
acquire from the Company or any Company Subsidiary, and no obligations of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary to issue, any capital stock, voting securities
or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for capital stock
or voting securities of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, (iv) no equity
equivalents, interests in the ownership or earnings of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary or other similar rights (including stock appreciation rights)
(the items listed in subclauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of this sentence being
referred to, collectively, as "Company Securities") and (v) no obligations of
the Company or any Company Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
any Company Securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2(C), there are no
stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to
which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound
relating to the voting or registration of any shares of capital stock of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary, and there is no Contract between the Company,
any Company Subsidiary or any Controlling Stockholder, on the one hand, and any
Person, on the other hand, with respect to the issuance or transfer of any
Company Securities.
(b) The Company directly owns, of record and beneficially, and has good,
valid and indefeasible title to and the right to transfer all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock or interests of each of the Company Subsidiaries, free
and clear of any Lien or any other limitation or restriction.
SECTION 4.3 Authority Relative to this Agreement; Board Action. The Company has
all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to
which it is a party, and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and the
Transaction Documents Agreements to which it is a party. The execution and
delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which
it is a party and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a
party have been
-8-
<PAGE>
duly authorized and approved by the board of directors of the Company (the
"Company Board") and the stockholders of the Company, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of the Company are, or will be, necessary to authorize
this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party or to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party. Each of this Agreement and each of the
Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party have been, or will be at
the Closing, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the same
by each of the other parties hereto or thereto, duly and validly executed and
delivered by the Company and constitutes, or will constitute at the Closing, a
valid, legal and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium and other similar
laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally, and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether
considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
SECTION 4.4 Consents and Approvals; No Violations.
(a) No filing, registration or submission with or notice to, and no
permit, authorization, consent or approval of or with (collectively, "Filings
and Approvals"), any Governmental Entity is, or will be, necessary for the
execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party or the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents to
which it is a party, except the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
(b) No consent or approval of any third party is, or will be, necessary
for the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the
Transaction Documents to which it is a party or the consummation by the Company
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents
to which it is a party.
(c) Neither the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this
Agreement or the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, nor the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or the Transaction Documents to which it is a party will (i) conflict with or
result in any breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary, (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or
constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or
give rise to any right of termination, amendment, cancellation or acceleration
or Lien) under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract or
obligation to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which
their respective properties or assets are bound, or (iii) assuming that all
Filings and Approvals have been made or obtained, violate any Law or any
Governmental Order applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary or their
respective properties or assets.
SECTION 4.5 Financial Statements. The financial statements of the Company have
never been audited by an independent accounting firm. The unaudited consolidated
financial statements of the Company for the period from the inception of the
Company through December 20, 1999 (the "Company Financial Statements"), provided
to THCG by the Company, were
-9-
<PAGE>
prepared from the books and records of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as at the respective date thereof
and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for the period
then ended.
SECTION 4.6 No Default. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in
material violation, breach or default (and no event has occurred which with due
notice or the lapse of time or both would constitute a violation, breach or
default), after the expiration of all applicable grace periods, of or under any
term, condition or provision of (i) the Organizational Documents of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary, (ii) any Contract or other obligation to which the
Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which any of their respective
properties or assets are bound, or (iii) any Governmental Order applicable to
the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or
assets.
SECTION 4.7 No Undisclosed Liabilities; Absence of Changes.
(a) Except as reflected in, reserved against or otherwise described in the
Company Financial Statements (including the notes thereto), as of December 20,
1999, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary had any Liabilities which
would be required by GAAP to be reflected in, reserved against or otherwise
described in the Company Financial Statements (including the notes thereto). As
of the Closing Date, the Company's Liabilities will not exceed $180,000, in the
aggregate, all of which are owed to the Controlling Stockholders (the "Company
Liability").
(b) Since December 20, 1999, the business of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries has been carried on only in the ordinary course and in a manner
consistent with past practice and there has been no material adverse change in
the business, properties, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or
otherwise), results of operations or prospects of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
has incurred any Liabilities, except in the ordinary course of business and in a
manner consistent with past practice. Since December 20, 1999, there has not
been (i) any material change by the Company in its accounting methods,
principles or practices, (ii) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any
dividend or distribution in respect of shares of the capital stock of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary or any redemption, purchase or other
acquisition of any of the Company Securities, or (iii) any increase in the
compensation or benefits or establishment of any bonus, insurance, severance,
deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit sharing, stock option
(including, without limitation, the granting of stock options, stock
appreciation rights, performance awards, restricted stock awards or similar
awards), stock purchase or other employee benefit plan, or any other increase in
the compensation payable or to become payable, or the Company's obligations in
respect of any program or arrangement for, officers or other key employees of
the Company or any Company Subsidiary.
SECTION 4.8 No Litigation . There is no suit, claim, action, investigation,
litigation, arbitration or other proceeding ("Proceeding") pending or, to the
Knowledge of the Company or any of the Controlling Stockholders, threatened
against the Company or any Company Subsidiary which (a) relates to the business
of, or any of the assets or properties owned or used by, the Company or any
Company Subsidiary or any of the shares of the Company and which
-10-
<PAGE>
could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities,
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or prospects of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (b) questions the
validity of this Agreement or any Transaction Document to which the Company is a
party or any action to be taken by the Company in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any
Transaction Document to which the Company is a party or could otherwise prevent,
delay, make illegal or otherwise interfere with the consummation of such
transactions. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to any
outstanding Governmental Order.
SECTION 4.9 Compliance with Applicable Law.
(a) The Company and each Company Subsidiary have made or have obtained and
hold all material registrations, filings, submissions, certificates,
determinations, permits, licenses, variances, exemptions, orders and approvals
of all Governmental Entities (collectively, "Permits") necessary for the lawful
conduct of their respective businesses. Schedule 4.9 to this Agreement sets
forth a complete and accurate list of each Permit that is held by the Company or
any Company Subsidiary or that otherwise relates to the business of, or to any
of the assets or properties owned or used by, the Company or any Company
Subsidiary. With respect to such Permits, (i) the Permits of the Company and any
Company Subsidiary are valid and in full force and effect, (ii) neither the
Company nor any Company Subsidiary is in default under, and no condition exists
that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default under, such
Permits, and (iii) none of such Permits will be terminated or impaired or become
terminable, in whole or in part, as a result of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement or the Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party.
(b) The businesses of the Company and each Company Subsidiary have been
conducted in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws. No
material investigation or review by any Governmental Entity with respect to the
Company or any Company Subsidiary is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company
or any of the Controlling Stockholders, threatened, nor, to the Knowledge of the
Company or any of the Controlling Stockholders, has any Governmental Entity
indicated an intention to conduct the same.
SECTION 4.10 Employees.
Larry Smith, Ed Tedeschi and Michael Gegenheimer are the only
employees of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries. None of Messrs. Smith,
Tedeschi, and Geggenheimer is a party to any Contract with the Company or any
Company Subsidiary, and none of Messrs. Smith, Tedeschi and Geggenheimer is
bound by any Contract with any other Person that is violated or breached by his
performance of the services he is performing for the Company or the Company
Subsidiaries.
SECTION 4.11 Employee Benefits and ERISA. The Company does not have any employee
benefit plan, policy, program, practice, agreement, understanding, arrangement
or commitment providing compensation, benefits or perquisites of any kind to any
current or former officer, employee or consultant (or to any dependent or
beneficiary thereof) of the Company, which is now maintained by, contributed to,
by or with respect to which an obligation to contribute exists
-11-
<PAGE>
or existed on the part of any of the Company, its predecessors, or any other
trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which, together with the
Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code (such
other trades or businesses, collectively, the "Commonly Controlled Company
Entities") or with respect to which the Company or any Commonly Controlled
Company Entity has or may have any liability (including any liability arising
out of an indemnification, guarantee, hold harmless or similar agreement)
including all material employment or consulting agreements, incentive, bonus,
deferred compensation, pension, profit sharing, vacation, holiday, cafeteria,
medical, disability, stock purchase, stock option, stock appreciation, phantom
stock, restricted stock or other stock-based compensation plans, policies,
programs, practices or arrangements and any "employee benefit plan" within the
meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time ("ERISA"), whether or not subject to ERISA.
SECTION 4.12 Environmental Laws and Regulations. To the extent applicable, the
Company and each Company Subsidiary are in compliance, in all material respects,
with all Laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the
environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground
water, land surface or subsurface strata) (collectively, "Environmental Laws"),
which compliance includes, but is not limited to, the possession by the Company
and each Company Subsidiary of all material Permits and other governmental
authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws, and compliance with
the terms and conditions thereof. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
has received written notice of, or, to the Knowledge of the Company or any of
the Controlling Stockholders, is the subject of, any material action, cause of
action, claim, investigation, demand or notice by any Person or entity alleging
liability under or non-compliance with any Environmental Law.
SECTION 4.13 Tax Matters.
(a) The Company and each Company Subsidiary have timely and accurately
filed, or caused to be timely and accurately filed, all Tax Returns (as
hereinafter defined) required to be filed by them, and have paid, collected or
withheld, or caused to be paid, collected or withheld, all amounts of Taxes (as
hereinafter defined) required to be paid, collected or withheld, other than such
Taxes for which adequate reserves have been established or which are being
contested in good faith. There are no claims or assessments pending against the
Company or any Company Subsidiary for any alleged deficiency in any Tax, there
are no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company or any of the Controlling
Stockholders, threatened audits or investigations for or relating to any
liability in respect of any Taxes of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, and
neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has been notified in writing of
any proposed Tax claims or assessments against the Company or such Company
Subsidiary (other than claims or assessments for which adequate reserves have
been established or which are being contested in good faith or are immaterial in
amount).
(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Tax" shall mean any United
States or non-United States federal, national, state, provincial, local or other
jurisdictional income, gross receipts, property, sales, use, license, excise,
franchise, employment, payroll, alternative or add-on minimum, ad valorem,
transfer or excise tax, or any other tax, custom, duty, governmental fee or
other like assessment or charge imposed by any Governmental Entity, together
with any interest or penalty imposed thereon. The term "Tax Return" shall mean a
report, return, amended return or other information (including any attached
schedules or any amendments to such report, return
-12-
<PAGE>
or other information) required to be supplied to or filed with a Governmental
Entity with respect to any Tax, including an information return, claim for
refund, amended return or declaration of estimated Tax.
(c) Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is liable for Taxes of
any other Person, or is currently under any contractual obligation to indemnify
any Person with respect to Taxes (except for customary agreements to indemnify
lenders or security holders in respect of Taxes other than income Taxes), or is
a party to any Tax sharing agreement or any other agreement providing for
payments by the Company or any Company Subsidiary with respect to Taxes. There
are no outstanding powers of attorney enabling any party to represent the
Company or any Company Subsidiary with respect to Tax matters. The Company and
each Company Subsidiary have withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been
withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,
independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or other third Person. Neither the
Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a personal holding company within the
meaning of Section 542 of the Code. Neither the Company nor any Company
Subsidiary is a party to any joint venture, partnership or other arrangement or
contract which could be treated as a partnership for Tax purposes. Neither the
Company nor any Company Subsidiary has agreed to nor is required, as a result of
a change in method of accounting or otherwise, to include any adjustment under
Section 481 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or
foreign Law) in taxable income. The Company has qualified for and properly
elected S corporation status within the meaning of Section 1361(a)(1) of the
Code (and any corresponding provisions of state law) with respect to its entire
period of existence for federal and state income tax purposes. The Company
Subsidiary has not made and will not make an election on Form 8332 to be
classified as an association taxable as a corporation. Schedule 4.13(c) contains
a list of all jurisdictions to which any Tax is properly payable or in which any
Tax Return is required to be filed by the Company and any Company Subsidiary,
and no written claim has ever been made by any Tax authority in any other
jurisdiction that the Company or its Subsidiary is subject to taxation in such
jurisdiction.
SECTION 4.14 Material Contracts.
(a) Schedule 4.14(a) to this Agreement sets forth a correct and complete
list of each of the following Contracts (and all amendments, modifications and
supplements thereto and all related letters to which the Company or any Company
Subsidiary is a party affecting the obligations of any party thereunder) to
which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which any of their
respective properties or assets are bound, correct and complete copies of which
have been delivered to THCG: (i) each employment, consulting, non-competition,
severance or indemnification Contract; (ii) each Contract under which the
Company or any Company Subsidiary has a continuing obligation to provide
financial advisory or other consulting services; (iii) Contracts granting a
right of first refusal or first negotiation; (iv) each partnership or joint
venture Contract; (v) each Contract for the acquisition, sale, lease or license
of properties or assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or by the
Company or any Company Subsidiary (by merger, purchase or sale of assets or
stock or otherwise), including Contracts to make an investment by the Company or
any Company Subsidiary, in which the aggregate amount to be paid or received by
the Company or any Company Subsidiary is equal to or in excess of $25,000; (vi)
each Contract with any Governmental Entity; (vii) each Contract
-13-
<PAGE>
relating to indebtedness of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or guarantees
of indebtedness by the Company or any Company Subsidiary in excess of $25,000;
(viii) each noncompetition, exclusivity or other Contract restricting the
ability of the Company or any Company Subsidiary to hire any Person or operate
its business as now, or contemplated to be, conducted; (ix) each Contract
between the Company or any Company Subsidiary and any of their respective
officers, directors, holders of 5% of the outstanding Company Common Stock or
other Affiliates of the Company or any Company Subsidiary; (x) each Contract
that contains a "change of control" provision; (xi) any Contract which encumbers
or places a Lien on any assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary; and
(xii) all commitments and agreements to enter into any of the foregoing
(collectively, the "Company Material Contracts").
(b) Each Company Material Contract is in full force and effect on the date
hereof and there is no material default, after the expiration of all applicable
grace periods, under any Company Material Contract either by the Company or any
Company Subsidiary or, to the Knowledge of the Company or any of the Controlling
Stockholders, by any other party thereto, and no event has occurred that with
the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default
thereunder by the Company or any Company Subsidiary or, to the Knowledge of the
Company or any of the Controlling Stockholders, any other party.
(c) No party to any such Company Material Contract has given notice to the
Company or any Company Subsidiary of or made a claim against the Company or any
Company Subsidiary with respect to any breach or default thereunder.
SECTION 4.15 Title to Properties; Encumbrances. Except for an oral sublease of a
portion of the 14th floor at 105 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, for $10,500
per month, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries do not own, lease or have
any other interest in real property. The Company and each Company Subsidiary
have good title or other ownership interest in or to all of the properties and
assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible, they own or purport to own,
including those reflected on their respective books and records and in the
Company Financial Statements (except for accounts receivable collected and
materials and supplies disposed of in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice after the date of the Company Financial Statements). All
properties and assets owned, leased or used by the Company and any Company
Subsidiary are free and clear of all Liens, except for (a) Liens for current
Taxes not yet due, (b) workmen's, common carrier and other similar Liens arising
in the ordinary course of business, none of which materially detracts from the
value or materially impairs the use of the property or asset subject thereto, or
materially impairs the operations of the Company or such Company Subsidiary, (c)
Liens disclosed in the Company Financial Statements, and (d) such imperfections
of title and other Liens, if any, which do not individually or in the aggregate
materially interfere with the value or the use of such properties or assets.
SECTION 4.16 Condition and Sufficiency of Assets. All of the properties and
assets owned, leased or used by the Company and any Company Subsidiary are in
good operating condition and repair (normal wear and tear excepted), are
suitable for the purposes used and are adequate and sufficient for all current
operations of the Company and each Company Subsidiary. Following the Effective
Time, the Surviving Corporation will be able to conduct the business of the
Company and each Company Subsidiary as it was conducted prior thereto.
-14-
<PAGE>
SECTION 4.17 Intellectual Property. Neither the Company nor any Company
Subsidiary owns or licenses or uses in the conduct of its business any patents,
copyrights, trademarks, service marks and trade names, including any
registrations or applications for registration of any of the foregoing, trade
secrets, know-how, proprietary computer software programs or applications,
Internet domain names or other proprietary information or materials.
SECTION 4.18 Year 2000. To the Knowledge of the Company or any of the
Controlling Stockholders, the software and hardware of the Company and each
Company Subsidiary, when used or operated in accordance with their printed
documentation and in conjunction with computer hardware and software that itself
correctly processes date-related data, is free of defects in programming and
operation and will continue to operate after December 31, 1999, with the same
level of functionality as the software operated prior thereto, including
correctly storing, processing and presenting calendar dates falling on or after
December 31, 1999. To the Knowledge of the Company or any of the Controlling
Stockholders, the software will be free from logic and other errors attributable
to dates falling on or after December 31, 1999 and will not be responsible for
any error associated with any date falling on or after December 31, 1999.
SECTION 4.19 Securities Owned. Schedule 4.19 sets forth a complete and correct
list of all securities (including warrants) beneficially owned by the Company
and each Company Subsidiary on the date hereof. The Company and such Company
Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all such securities, free and
clear of any Lien. Such securities are valued on the books of the Company in
accordance with GAAP.
SECTION 4.20 Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any
brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the Merger
based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any of the
Controlling Stockholders.
SECTION 4.21 Insurance. Schedule 4.21 sets forth a list of all policies or
binders of fire, liability, workmen's compensation or other insurance held by or
on behalf of the Company (specifying the insurer, the policy number or covering
note number with respect to binders). Correct and complete copies of such
policies or binders have been delivered or made available to THCG. The Company
(i) is not in default with respect to any material provision contained in any
such policy or binder, after the expiration of all applicable grace periods, and
(ii) has not received a notice of cancellation or non-renewal of any such policy
or binder. All of such insurance is in full force and effect and all premiums
due and payable thereon have been paid.
SECTION 4.22 Transactions with Affiliates. Since March 11, 1999, except for
agreements between the Company and any Company Subsidiary, no stockholder,
officer, director or Affiliate of the Company or any Company Subsidiary has
entered into any transaction with or is a party to any Contract with the Company
or any Company Subsidiary. No stockholder, officer, director or Affiliate of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary owns any direct or indirect interest of any
kind in, or controls or is a stockholder, director, officer, employee or partner
of, or consultant to, or lender or borrower from or has the right to participate
in the profits of, any Person which is a competitor, client, landlord, tenant,
creditor or debtor of the Company or any Company Subsidiary. All of the assets
and properties owned, leased, used or useful in the business of the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries are owned or leased by the Company and such
-15-
<PAGE>
Company Subsidiaries and not by any stockholder, officer, director or Affiliate
of the Company or such Company Subsidiary.
SECTION 4.23 Books and Records. All constituent documents, business licenses,
minute books, stock certificate books, stock transfer ledgers and other records
of the Company and each Company Subsidiary (collectively, the "Company Records")
have been maintained in accordance with reasonable business practices and
applicable legal requirements. The Company Records, all of which have been made
available to THCG, are complete and correct in all material respects and contain
all material matters required to be reflected in such Company Records. At the
Closing, the Company Records will be in the possession of THCG.
SECTION 4.24 Disclosure. The representations and warranties by the Company and
the Controlling Stockholders contained in this Agreement and in any Schedule or
certificate furnished or to be furnished by any of them pursuant hereto do not
contain or will not, as of the Closing Date, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact, and do not omit or will not, as of the Closing Date, omit to
state any fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties contained in this
Section 4.24 or elsewhere in this Agreement or in any Schedule or certificate
furnished or to be furnished as aforesaid pursuant hereto shall not be affected
or deemed waived by reason of the fact that THCG or Newco or their respective
representatives know or should have known that any such representation or
warranty is or might be inaccurate in any respect.
ARTICLE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THCG AND NEWCO
THCG and Newco, jointly and severally, hereby represent and
warrant to the Company and the Controlling Stockholders as follows:
SECTION 5.1 Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries . Each of THCG and
Newco has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has the requisite
corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Each of THCG and Newco is
duly qualified or licensed to do business, and is in good standing, in each
jurisdiction where the character of the properties owned, leased or operated by
it or the nature of its business makes such qualification or licensing
necessary, except for such failures to be so qualified or licensed and in good
standing that are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a THCG Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, "THCG
Material Adverse Effect" means any change, event or effect (i) in, on or
relating to the business of THCG and its Subsidiaries that is, or is reasonably
likely to be, materially adverse to the business, properties, assets,
liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of THCG
and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, other than any change or effect arising
out of general economic conditions in the United States; or (ii) that may
prevent or materially delay performance of this Agreement or the Transaction
Documents by THCG or Newco or the consummation by any of THCG or Newco of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement
-16-
<PAGE>
and the Transaction Documents, including the issuance of THCG Common Stock
pursuant to this Agreement.
SECTION 5.2 Capitalization.
(a) The authorized capital stock of THCG consists of (i) 50,000,000 shares
of THCG Common Stock, of which 11,039,108 shares are issued and outstanding as
of December 20, 1999, and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no par
value, of which no shares are issued or outstanding. The THCG Common Stock
issuable as a result of the Merger has been duly authorized and upon the
Effective Time will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(b) The authorized capital stock of Newco consists of 100 shares of Newco
Common Stock, of which 10 shares are issued and outstanding. All of the issued
and outstanding shares of Newco Common Stock have been duly authorized and
validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.
All of the issued and outstanding shares of Newco Common Stock are owned by
THCG, free and clear of any Lien.
SECTION 5.3 Authority Relative to this Agreement; Board Action. Each of THCG and
Newco has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver
this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party, to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party, and to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party. The execution
and delivery by each of THCG and Newco of this Agreement and the Transaction
Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by each of THCG and Newco
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents
to which it is a party have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of
Directors of THCG (the "THCG Board") and the Board of Directors of Newco (the
"Newco Board") and the sole stockholder of Newco, and no other corporate or
other proceedings on the part of THCG or Newco are, or will be, necessary to
authorize this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which THCG or Newco is
a party or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Transaction Documents. Each of this Agreement and each of the Transaction
Documents to which THCG or Newco is a party has been, or will be at the Closing,
assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery of the same by each of
the other parties hereto or thereto, duly and validly executed and delivered by
THCG and Newco and constitutes, or will constitute at the Closing, a valid,
legal and binding agreement of THCG and Newco, enforceable against them in
accordance with their respective terms, subject to (x) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, fraudulent conveyance or transfer, moratorium and other similar
laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally and (y) general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered
in a proceeding at law or in equity).
SECTION 5.4 SEC Filings. THCG has furnished to the Company and each of the
Controlling Stockholders a complete copy (including exhibits) of: (i) the Annual
Report on Form 10-K of Walnut Financial Services, Inc. ("Walnut") for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1998 (the "Annual Report"), (ii) Walnut's Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1999, June 30, 1999 and
September 30, 1999 (the "Quarterly Reports"), (iii) Walnut's Definitive Proxy
Statement on Schedule 14A, filed September 30, 1999 (the "Proxy Statement"), and
(iv) THCG's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 1, 1999
-17-
<PAGE>
(collectively with the Annual Report, the Quarterly Reports, the Proxy
Statement, the "SEC Reports"). The SEC Reports, at the respective time that each
such document was filed with the SEC, (a) complied as to form in all material
respects with the rules and regulations of the SEC under the Exchange Act, and
(b) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.
SECTION 5.5 Consents and Approvals; No Violations.
(a) No Filings and Approvals to, of or with any Governmental Entity are,
or will be, necessary for the execution and delivery by THCG or Newco of this
Agreement or the Transaction Documents to which either of them is a party or the
consummation by THCG or Newco of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
or the Transaction Documents to which either of them is a party, except for
those required (i) under the DGCL with respect to the filing of the Certificate
of Merger, (ii) under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and (iii) such
Filings and Approvals that, if not made or obtained, are not reasonably likely
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a THCG Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No consent or approval of any third party is, or will be, necessary
for the execution and delivery by THCG or Newco of this Agreement or any
Transaction Documents to which either of them is a party or the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents to
which either of them is a party.
(c) Neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or
any Transaction Documents by THCG or Newco or the consummation by THCG or Newco
of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents
will (i) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the
Organizational Documents of THCG or Newco, (ii) result in a violation or breach
of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a
default (or give rise to any right of termination, amendment, cancellation or
acceleration or Lien) under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any
Contract or other obligation to which THCG or Newco is a party or by which any
of their respective properties or assets is bound, or (iii) assuming that all
Filings and Approvals have been made or obtained, violate any Law or any
Governmental Order applicable to THCG or Newco or any of their respective
properties or assets, except in the cases of clauses (ii) or (iii) for
violations, breaches or defaults which are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a THCG Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 5.6 Absence of Changes. Except as disclosed in writing to the Company or
otherwise publicly disclosed by THCG, since November 1, 1999, the business of
THCG and its Subsidiaries has been carried on only in the ordinary course and in
a manner consistent with past practice, neither THCG nor any of its Subsidiaries
has incurred any Liabilities, except in the ordinary course of business, none of
which are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a THCG
Material Adverse Effect, and there has not been any event, condition or
occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted or which is
reasonably likely to result in, a THCG Material Adverse Effect.
-18-
<PAGE>
SECTION 5.7 No Litigation. There is no Proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge
of THCG, threatened against THCG, Newco or any other Subsidiary of THCG which
questions the validity of this Agreement, any Transaction Document or any action
to be taken by THCG or Newco in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or
could otherwise prevent, delay, make illegal or otherwise interfere with the
consummation of such transactions.
SECTION 5.8 Ownership of Newco.
(a) Newco is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of THCG. Newco was formed
solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(b) As of the date hereof and the Effective Time, except for Liabilities
incurred in connection with its incorporation and the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and except for this Agreement
and the Transaction Documents, Newco has not or will not have incurred, directly
or indirectly, through any Subsidiary or Affiliate, any obligation or liability
or engaged in any business activity of any type or kind whatsoever or entered
into any agreement or arrangement with any Person, except for liability for
corporate franchise taxes and other incorporation expenses.
SECTION 5.9 Brokers. Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.9, no broker, finder or
investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or other fee or
commission in connection with the Merger based upon arrangements made by or on
behalf of THCG or any of its Affiliates.
SECTION 5.10 Disclosure. The representations and warranties by THCG and Newco
contained in this Agreement and in any Schedule or certificate furnished or to
be furnished by them pursuant hereto do not contain or will not, as of the
Closing Date, contain any untrue statement of a material fact, and do not omit
or will not, as of the Closing Date, omit to state any fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements herein or therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The
representations and warranties contained in this Section 5.10 or elsewhere in
this Agreement or in any Schedule or certificate furnished or to be furnished as
aforesaid pursuant hereto shall not be affected or deemed waived by reason of
the fact that the Company or its representatives or the Controlling Stockholders
know or should have known that any such representation or warranty is or might
be inaccurate in any respect.
ARTICLE 6
COVENANTS
The parties, as applicable, hereby covenant and agree as follows:
SECTION 6.1 Conduct of Business of the Company.
(a) From the date hereof until the Effective Time, the Company shall, and
shall cause each Company Subsidiary to, and the Controlling Stockholders shall
use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to: (i) maintain
its corporate existence in good standing; (ii) maintain the general character of
its business; (iii) maintain in effect all of its presently
-19-
<PAGE>
existing insurance coverage (or substantially equivalent insurance coverage);
(iv) preserve its business organization intact, preserve its good will, keep
available to the Company the services of its current officers and employees and
preserve its present business relationships with its customers, clients and
other Persons with which the Company has business relations; and (v) in all
respects conduct its business only in the usual and ordinary manner consistent
with past practice and perform in all material respects all Company Material
Contracts or other obligations with banks, customers, clients, employees and
others.
(b) Without limiting the provisions of Section 6.1(a), from the date
hereof until the Effective Time, the Company shall not, and the Company shall
not permit any Company Subsidiary to, and the Controlling Stockholders shall
not, except as contemplated by this Agreement, permit the Company or any Company
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, do, or propose to do, any of the
following without the prior written consent of THCG:
(i) amend or otherwise modify its Organizational Documents;
(ii) issue, sell, dispose of or encumber or authorize the issuance,
sale, disposition or encumbrance of, or grant or issue any Option to acquire or
make any agreement of the type referred to in Section 4.2 with respect to, any
shares of its capital stock or any other of its securities or any security
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for any such shares or
securities, or alter any term of any of its outstanding securities or make any
change in its outstanding shares of capital stock or its capitalization, whether
by reason of a reclassification, recapitalization, stock split, combination,
exchange or readjustment of shares, stock dividend or otherwise;
(iii) encumber any material assets or properties of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary;
(iv) declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other
distribution to any stockholder with respect to its capital stock;
(v) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any Company Securities;
(vi) increase the compensation or other remuneration or benefits
payable or to become payable to any director or executive officer of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary, or increase the compensation or other remuneration or
benefits payable or to become payable to any of its other employees or agents,
except, with respect to such other employees or agents only, for increases in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;
(vii) adopt or (except as otherwise required by Law) amend or make any
unscheduled contribution to any employee benefit plan for or with employees, or
enter into any collective bargaining agreement;
(viii) terminate or modify any Company Material Contract requiring
future payments to or from the Company or any Company Subsidiary, individually
or in the aggregate, in excess of $10,000, except for terminations of Company
Material Contracts upon their expiration during such period in accordance with
their terms;
-20-
<PAGE>
(ix) create, incur, assume or otherwise become liable for any
indebtedness in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000 or guarantee or endorse
any obligation or the net worth of any Person, except for endorsements of
negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business in a
manner consistent with past practice;
(x) pay, discharge or satisfy any claim or Liability in an aggregate
amount in excess of $10,000, except for liabilities incurred prior to the date
hereof in the ordinary course of business in a manner consistent with past
practice;
(xi) sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any of its assets
or properties, except in the ordinary course of business in a manner consistent
with past practice and for a cash consideration equal to the fair value thereof
at the time of such sale, transfer, lease or other disposition;
(xii) cancel, compromise, release or waive any material debt, claim or
right;
(xiii) make any loan or advance to any Person other than travel and
other similar routine advances in the ordinary course of business in a manner
consistent with past practice, or acquire the capital stock or other securities
or any ownership interest in, or substantially all of the assets of, any other
business enterprise;
(xiv) make any material capital investment or expenditure or capital
improvement, addition or betterment;
(xv) change its method of accounting or the accounting principles or
practices utilized in the preparation of the Company Financial Statements, other
than as required by GAAP;
(xvi) institute or settle any Proceeding before any Governmental
Entity relating to it or its assets or properties;
(xvii) adopt a plan of dissolution or liquidation with respect to the
Company or any Company Subsidiary;
(xviii) enter into any Contract, except Contracts made in the ordinary
course of business in a manner consistent with past practice;
(xix) make any new election with respect to Taxes or any change in
current elections with respect to Taxes, or settle or compromise any federal,
state, local or foreign Tax liability or agree to an extension of a statute of
limitations; or
(xx) enter into any commitment to do any of the foregoing, or any
action which would make any of the representations or warranties of the Company
or any of the Controlling Stockholders contained in this Agreement untrue or
incorrect in any material respect (subject to the Knowledge and materiality
limitations set forth therein) or cause any covenant, condition or agreement of
the Company or any of the Controlling Stockholders in this Agreement not to be
complied with or satisfied in any material respect.
-21-
<PAGE>
SECTION 6.2 Employment and Non-Competition Agreements. At the Closing, each of
the Controlling Stockholders and THCG shall enter into employment agreements
(the "Employment Agreements") and non-competition agreements (the
"Non-competition Agreements"), substantially in the forms attached hereto as
Exhibits A and B, respectively.
SECTION 6.3 Registration Rights Agreement. At the Closing, each of the
Controlling Stockholders and THCG shall enter into a registration rights
agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit C.
SECTION 6.4 Press Releases. No party will issue or cause the publication of any
press release or other public announcement with respect to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents,
without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto; provided,
however, that nothing herein will prohibit any party from issuing or causing
publication of any such press release or public announcement to the extent that
such party determines such action to be required by Law, in which case the party
making such determination will allow the other parties reasonable time to
comment on such release or announcement in advance of its issuance.
SECTION 6.5 Access to Information; Confidentiality. Upon reasonable written
notice, the Company and THCG each shall afford to the officers, employees,
accountants, counsel and other representatives of the other reasonable access,
during the period prior to the Effective Time, to all its and its Subsidiaries'
facilities, properties, assets, books, contracts and records and, during such
period, the Company and THCG each shall furnish promptly to the other all
information concerning its and its Subsidiaries' business, facilities,
properties, assets and personnel as such other party may reasonably request, and
each shall make available to the other the appropriate individuals (including
officers, employees, accountants, counsel and other professionals) for
discussion of the other's and its Subsidiaries' business, facilities,
properties, assets and personnel as either the Company or THCG may reasonably
request. Each party shall keep such information confidential in accordance with
the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement.
SECTION 6.6 Commercially Reasonable Efforts; Further Action. Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, each of the parties
hereto agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be
taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate
with the other parties in doing, or causing to be done, all things necessary,
proper or advisable to fulfill all conditions applicable to such party pursuant
to this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and to consummate and make
effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents,
including (i) the obtaining of all necessary actions or nonactions, waivers,
consents and approvals from Governmental Entities and the making of all
necessary registrations and filings and the taking of all reasonable steps as
may be necessary to make or obtain a Filing and Approval to, of or with, or to
avoid an action or Proceeding by, any Governmental Entity; (ii) the obtaining of
all necessary consents, approvals, waivers or exemption from non-governmental
third parties; and (iii) the execution and delivery of any additional
instruments necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by, and to
fully carry out the purposes and intent of, this Agreement and the Transaction
Documents.
-22-
<PAGE>
SECTION 6.7 Notification of Certain Matters. The Company and the Controlling
Stockholders shall give prompt notice to THCG, and THCG and Newco shall give
prompt notice to the Company, of (i) the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any
event the occurrence or nonoccurrence of which would be likely to cause any
representation or warranty contained in this Agreement to be untrue or
inaccurate in any material respect at or prior to the Effective Time, (ii) any
material failure of the Company or any Controlling Stockholders or THCG or
Newco, as the case may be, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or
agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this Agreement or any
Transaction Document, (iii) any notice of, or other communication relating to, a
default or event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a
default, received by it or any of its Subsidiaries subsequent to the date of
this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time, under any Contract or agreement
material to the businesses, properties, assets, liabilities, condition
(financial or otherwise) or results of operations of it and its Subsidiaries
taken as a whole to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which
any of their respective properties or assets is bound, (iv) any notice or other
communication from any third party alleging that the consent of such third party
is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the Transaction Documents; provided, however, that the delivery of
any notice pursuant to this Section 6.9 shall not cure such breach,
non-compliance or non-satisfaction or limit or otherwise affect the remedies if
any, available hereunder to the party receiving such notice.
SECTION 6.8 Tax Treatment. Each of the parties hereto shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause the Merger to qualify, and will not (either before
or after consummation of the Merger) knowingly take any actions, or fail to take
any action, that might reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from
qualifying as a reorganization under the provisions of Section 368 of the Code.
THCG shall, and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Surviving
Corporation to, report, to the extent required by the Code, the Merger for
United States federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368 of the Code.
SECTION 6.9 Board Representation. At the Effective Time, the THCG Board will be
increased from nine to ten directors and Larry Smith shall be appointed by the
THCG Board as a Class I director to fill the resulting vacancy until the next
annual meeting of the stockholders of THCG after the Merger.
SECTION 6.10 Appointment of Officers.
(a) At the Effective Time, Larry Smith shall be appointed as the President
of THCG to serve until the earlier of his death, resignation, removal or until
his successor is duly elected and qualified.
(b) At the Effective Time, Ed Tedeschi and Michael Gegenheimer shall be
appointed managing directors of THCG and the co-directors of THCG's Business
Creation unit, to serve until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal
or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
SECTION 6.11 Committee Appointments. At the Effective Time, Larry Smith, Ed
Tedeschi and Michael Gegenheimer shall be appointed as full voting members of
the Operating
-23-
<PAGE>
Committee of THCG, to serve until the earlier of their death, resignation or
removal or until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
SECTION 6.12 Satisfaction of Liabilities. At the Closing, THCG shall cause the
Company to (a) pay $30,000 to each of the Controlling Stockholders in partial
satisfaction of the Liability, and (b) deliver to each of the Controlling
Stockholders a promissory note in the principal amount of $30,000, which note
shall bear interest at a rate of 6.5% per annum and shall be payable on the
first anniversary of the Closing Date in full satisfaction of the Company
Liability. Any amounts owed by the Company to the Controlling Stockholders in
excess of $180,000 shall be release prior to the Closing.
SECTION 6.13 Agreements with Respect to Affiliates. The Company shall deliver to
THCG, prior to the Effective Time, a letter (the "Affiliate Letter") identifying
all Persons who are, at the time of the action by the stockholders of the
Company or immediately prior to the Effective Time, anticipated to be
"Affiliates" of the Company for purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act
("Rule 145"). The Company shall cause each Person who is identified as an
"Affiliate" in the Affiliate Letter to deliver to THCG as promptly as
practicable a written agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (an
"Affiliate Agreement") in connection with restrictions on Affiliates under Rule
145. THCG shall be entitled to place appropriate legends on the certificates
evidencing any THCG Common Stock to be received by Affiliates of the Company,
and to issue appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer agent for
THCG Common Stock, consistent with the terms of such Affiliate Agreements.
ARTICLE 7
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
SECTION 7.1 Conditions to the Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the
Company and the Controlling Stockholders to consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the
following conditions:
(a) the representations and warranties of THCG and Newco set forth in this
Agreement or in any Schedule or certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall be
true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and shall be deemed repeated
as of the Closing Date and shall then be true and correct, except that and the
representations and warranties of THCG and Newco set forth in this Agreement or
in any Schedule or certificate delivered pursuant hereto that are not so
qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct in all material respects
as of the Closing Date, except to the extent a representation or warranty is
expressly limited by its terms to another date;
(b) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or
injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any
Governmental Entity which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or restricts the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Transaction Documents or which subjects any Controlling Stockholder to
substantial damages as a result of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents;
-24-
<PAGE>
(c) THCG and Newco shall have obtained all required consents, approvals,
waivers and authorizations of any Governmental Entity or Regulatory Agency which
are necessary in order for them to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and the Transaction Documents;
(d) THCG and Newco shall have obtained the consent, approval or waiver of
each non-governmental Person whose consent, approval or waiver shall be required
in order for them to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the Transaction Documents;
(e) each of the covenants and obligations of THCG and Newco to be
performed at or before the Effective Time pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement shall have been duly performed in all material respects at or before
the Effective Time;
(f) the Company and the Controlling Stockholders shall have received the
opinion of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, counsel to THCG and Newco, dated
the Closing Date and addressed to the Company and the Controlling Stockholders,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E;
(g) the Company and the Controlling Stockholders shall have received a
certificate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it, signed by the
Secretary of THCG and Newco, certifying (i) that full and complete copies of the
following are attached thereto: (A) resolutions or similar documents evidencing
the authorization and approval by the THCG Board, the Newco Board and the sole
stockholder of Newco of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, and
(B) the Organizational Documents of THCG and Newco; and (ii) as to the
incumbency and specimen signature of each representative of THCG and Newco
signing this Agreement, the Transaction Documents and any other document in
connection herewith or therewith;
(h) the Transaction Documents to which THCG or Newco is a party shall have
been duly executed and delivered to the Company and the Controlling
Stockholders;
(i) the Company and the Controlling Stockholders shall have received a
certificate of an executive officer of THCG and Newco, dated the Closing Date,
certifying as to the matters set forth in Sections 7.2 (a) and (e) as of the
Closing Date.
SECTION 7.2 Conditions to the Obligations of THCG and Newco. The obligations of
THCG and Newco to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents are subject to the satisfaction,
at or prior to the Effective Time, of each of the following conditions:
(a) the representations and warranties of the Company and the Controlling
Stockholders set forth in this Agreement or in any Schedule or certificate
delivered pursuant hereto shall be true and correct as of the date of this
Agreement and shall be deemed repeated as of the Closing Date and shall then be
true and correct, except that the representations and warranties of the Company
and the Controlling Stockholders set forth in this Agreement or in any Schedule
or certificate delivered pursuant hereto that are not so qualified as to
materiality
-25-
<PAGE>
shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date,
except to the extent the representation or warranty is expressly limited by its
terms to another date;
(b) no statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or
injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any
Governmental Entity which prohibits, restrains, enjoins or restricts the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the
Transaction Documents or which subjects THCG or the Surviving Corporation to
substantial damages as a result of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents;
(c) the Company and the Controlling Stockholders shall have obtained all
required consents, approvals, waivers and authorizations of any Governmental
Entity or Regulatory Agency which are necessary in order for them to consummate
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents;
(d) the Company and the Controlling Stockholders shall have obtained the
consent, approval or waiver of each non-governmental Person whose consent,
approval or waiver shall be required in order for the Company and the
Controlling Stockholders to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which they are a party;
(e) each of the covenants and obligations of the Company and the
Controlling Stockholders to be performed at or before the Effective Time
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement shall have been duly performed in all
material respects at or before the Effective Time;
(f) THCG and Newco shall have received the opinion of the Law Offices of
Steven Rosenfeld, P.C., counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date and
addressed to THCG and Newco, substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit F;
(g) THCG and Newco shall have received a certificate, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to THCG, signed by the Secretary of the
Company, certifying (i) that full and complete copies of the following are
attached thereto: (A) resolutions or similar documents evidencing the
authorization and approval by the Company Board and the stockholders of the
Company of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, and (B) the
Organizational Documents of the Company and each Company Subsidiary; and (ii) as
to the incumbency and specimen signature of each representative of the Company
signing this Agreement and any Transaction Documents to which it is a party and
any other document in connection herewith or therewith;
(h) since December 20, 1999, no change or event shall have occurred which
has had or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets,
liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or
prospects of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries taken as to whole;
(i) the Transaction Documents to which the Company or any Controlling
Stockholders is a party shall have been duly executed and delivered to THCG or
the Surviving Corporation; and
-26-
<PAGE>
(j) THCG and Newco shall have received a certificate of each Controlling
Stockholder and an executive officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date,
certifying as to the matters set forth in Sections 7.2 (a), (e) and (h) as of
the Closing Date.
ARTICLE 8
TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER; FEES AND EXPENSES
SECTION 8.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be
abandoned at any time, but prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding approval
thereof by the stockholders of the Company:
(a) by mutual written consent of the parties hereto;
(b) by either THCG or the Company, if the Effective Time shall not have
occurred on or before January 31, 2000; provided, however, that the right to
terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b) shall not be available to the
party whose failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement shall have
been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur on
or before January 31, 2000;
(c) by either THCG or the Company, if any final order, decree or ruling
permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been entered by any
Governmental Entity and shall have become final and nonappealable;
(d) by the Company or any Controlling Stockholder, if THCG or Newco has
materially breached any material representation or warranty or failed to perform
any material covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement, which breach has
not been cured on or prior to 30 days following delivery of written notice of
such breach by the non-breaching parties to the breaching party; or
(e) by THCG or Newco, if the Company or any Controlling Stockholder has
materially breached any material representation or warranty or failed to perform
any material covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement, which breach has
not been cured on or prior to 30 days following delivery of written notice of
such breach by the non-breaching parties to the breaching party.
SECTION 8.2 Procedure for and Effect of Termination. In the event that this
Agreement is terminated and the Merger is abandoned pursuant to Section 8.1,
written notice of such termination and abandonment shall forthwith be given to
the other parties and this Agreement shall terminate and the Merger shall be
abandoned without any further action. If this Agreement is terminated as
provided herein, no party hereto and none of their respective Subsidiaries or
any of the officers or directors of any of them shall have any liability of any
nature whatsoever hereunder, or in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby, except that Sections 6.4, the last sentence of Section 6.5, 8.4, Article
9 and Article 10 shall survive any termination of this Agreement, and no such
termination shall relieve any party of the consequences of any breach of this
Agreement.
-27-
<PAGE>
SECTION 8.3 Amendment; Extension Waiver.
(a) This Agreement may be amended by action taken by the parties hereto at
any time before or after approval of the Merger by the stockholders of the
Company and Newco but, after any such approval, no amendment shall be made which
requires the approval of such stockholders under applicable Law without such
approval. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of the parties hereto.
(b) At any time prior to the Effective Time, each party hereto may (i)
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of
the other party, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and
warranties of the other party contained herein or in any document, certificate
or writing delivered pursuant hereto or (iii) waive compliance by the other
party with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein. Any agreement
on the part of either party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be
valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such
party. The failure of either party hereto to assert any of its rights hereunder
shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
SECTION 8.4 Fees and Expenses. The Company, THCG and Newco shall each bear its
respective fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. At the Closing, THCG shall reimburse the Controlling Stockholders
$50,000 in the aggregate for their out-of-pocket accounting, legal and other
expenses in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution and
consummation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.
ARTICLE 9
INDEMNIFICATION
SECTION 9.1 Survival of Representations and Warranties.
(a) The representations and warranties of the Company and the Controlling
Stockholders made herein or pursuant hereto or in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby shall survive the Closing and continue in
effect until the second anniversary of the Closing Date unless specifically
provided otherwise herein, and no claim thereon may be first asserted after such
time; provided, however, that a claim asserted within such time may continue
beyond any such time limit and provided, further, that no such time limit shall
apply to bar any claim based on a misrepresentation or breach of warranty with
respect to Sections 3.2, 3.4, 4.2, 4.3, 4.20 or 4.22 or based on the Company's
or any Controlling Stockholder's fraud or intentional misrepresentation.
(b) The representations and warranties of THCG and Newco contained in this
Agreement shall survive the Closing and continue in effect until the second
anniversary of the Closing Date unless specifically provided otherwise herein,
and no claim thereon may be first asserted after such time; provided, however,
that a claim asserted within such time may continue beyond such time limit; and
provided, further, that no such time limit shall apply to bar any claim based on
a misrepresentation or breach of a warranty with respect to Section 5.3 or 5.9
or based on THCG's or Newco's fraud or intentional misrepresentation.
-28-
<PAGE>
SECTION 9.2 Indemnification by the Company and the Controlling Stockholders.
Subject to the limitations, conditions and terms of this Article 9, the Company
and the Controlling Stockholders hereby agree, jointly and severally, to defend,
indemnify and hold harmless THCG, Newco, the Surviving Corporation and their
respective Representatives from and against any Loss occasioned or caused by,
resulting from or arising out of:
(a) any failure by the Company or any Controlling Stockholder to perform
any of their respective covenants or obligations as set forth in this Agreement,
the Transaction Documents or in any certificate or Schedule delivered to THCG,
Newco or their respective Representatives in connection therewith or pursuant
thereto;
(b) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty of the
Company or any Controlling Stockholder contained in this Agreement, the
Transaction Documents or in any certificate or Schedule delivered to THCG, Newco
or their respective Representatives in connection therewith or pursuant thereto;
and
(c) any and all Proceedings or liabilities of whatever nature arising out
of any of the foregoing.
The Controlling Stockholders agree, jointly and severally, upon demand
by THCG, to pay THCG or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, the
amount that would put THCG or the Surviving Corporation in the position it would
have been in had such covenant or obligation been performed or such
representation or warranty had not been breached. Since following the Closing
the Company will be owned by THCG, the parties to this Agreement agree that the
Controlling Stockholders will have no right of reimbursement or contribution
against the Company with respect to any right of recovery pursuant to this
Section 9.2.
SECTION 9.3 Indemnification by THCG or Newco. Subject to the limitations,
conditions and terms of this Article 9, THCG and Newco hereby agree, jointly and
severally, to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Controlling
Stockholders and their respective Representatives from and against any Loss
occasioned or caused by, resulting from or arising out of:
(a) any failure by THCG or Newco to perform any of their respective
covenants or obligations as set forth in this Agreement, the Transaction
Documents or in any certificate or Schedule delivered to the Company, the
Controlling Stockholders or their respective Representatives in connection
therewith or pursuant thereto;
(b) any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty of THCG
or Newco contained in this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or in any
certificate or Schedule delivered to the Company, the Controlling Stockholders
or their respective Representatives in connection therewith or pursuant thereto;
(c) any and all Proceedings or liabilities of whatever nature arising out
of any of the foregoing.
-29-
<PAGE>
SECTION 9.4 Procedure for Indemnification.
(a) The party entitled to indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") shall
promptly notify the party obligated to provide indemnification (the
"Indemnifying Party") of any claim for which indemnification is sought pursuant
to this Article 9 ("Indemnified Claim") in writing and in reasonable detail and
accompanied by reasonable supporting documentation and within any applicable
time limits specified in this Agreement; provided, however, that the failure of
an Indemnified Party to give such notice shall not affect such Indemnified
Party's rights to indemnification under this Article 9, except and only to the
extent that the Indemnifying Party actually incurred an incremental out of
pocket expense (in which case recovery shall be reduced by such expense) or was
materially prejudiced by such failure.
(b) The Indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate in the
prosecution or defense of an Indemnified Claim and, at its option, jointly with
any other Indemnifying Party which so elects, elect to assume control of such
Indemnified Claim, including the filing and prosecution, or defense, of any
action in connection with such Indemnified Claim; provided, however, that the
Indemnifying Party shall have acknowledged in writing its obligation to
indemnify in respect of such Indemnified Claim. Subsequent to such assumption of
control, (i) the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party
for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party
in connection with such Indemnified Claim; and (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall
control such Indemnified Claim; provided, however that (i) the Indemnified Party
shall have the right to participate in the prosecution or defense of such
Indemnified Claim, and to be represented, solely at its expense, by counsel
selected by it; and (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall not settle any such
Indemnified Claim without the consent of the Indemnified Party if any relief,
other than the payment of money damages, would be granted by such settlement or
if such settlement does not include the unconditional release of the Indemnified
Party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Indemnifying Party shall have no right
to so assume control of and defend such Indemnified Claim if such claim involves
or could result in a criminal action, seeks injunctive or other equitable relief
or otherwise could result in a THCG Material Adverse Effect.
(c) The Indemnified Party will, at the expense of the Indemnifying Party,
cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in the investigation, preparation,
prosecution or defense of an Indemnified Claim and shall furnish any documents
and endeavor to make available any employees under its control.
(d) The Indemnified Party shall not admit any liability with respect to,
or settle, compromise or discharge, any Indemnified Claim without the prior
written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that if the defense of any
proceeding in respect of an Indemnified Claim has been assumed by an
Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party shall consent to any settlement,
compromise or discharge of such Indemnified Claim which the Indemnifying Party
may recommend, so long as such settlement, compromise or discharge by its terms
obligates the Indemnifying Party to pay all of the Losses of such Indemnified
Party arising from such Indemnified Claim, releases such Indemnified Party from
any and all liabilities and obligations it may have in connection with such
Indemnified Claim, and does not otherwise adversely affect such Indemnified
Party.
-30-
<PAGE>
(e) For purposes of this Agreement, "Losses" shall mean any and all
losses, settlements, claims, damages and liabilities, joint or several, and
costs and expenses (including attorney fees and disbursements and other costs of
litigation, arbitration and settlement) suffered or incurred by an Indemnified
Party in respect of an Indemnified Claim. Losses shall include (i) punitive
damages awarded to a third party and (ii) consequential damages (but only if the
Closing has occurred).
SECTION 9.5 Limitation on Remedies.
(a) The remedies provided in this Article 9, subject to the limitations
set forth in this Agreement, shall be the exclusive remedies available to a
party to this Agreement for any breach or violation of this Agreement by the
other party hereto, except for any remedies available to such party as a result
of fraud or willful breach.
(b) No Indemnified Party shall seek or be entitled to, or accept payment
of any award or judgment for, punitive damages from an Indemnifying Party,
except for fraud or willful breach.
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 10.1 Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement, together with the
Transaction Documents, constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior
agreements and understandings (other than the Confidentiality Agreement), both
written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise.
-31-
<PAGE>
SECTION 10.2 Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be
deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in Person, by cable,
telegram, facsimile or telex, or by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid, return receipt requested), to the other party as follows:
if to the Company: Mercury Coast Inc.
105 Madison Avenue
14th Floor
New York, New York 10016
Attention: Michael Gegenheimer
Facsimile: (212) 727-0660
with a copy to: Law Office of Steven E. Rosenfeld, P.C.
369 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Steven E. Rosenfeld, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 867-1914
if to THCG:
or Newco to: THCG, Inc.
650 Madison Avenue
21st Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Joseph D. Mark
Facsimile: (212) 223-0161
with a copy to: Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Peter S. Kolevzon, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 715-8000
or to such other address, facsimile number or Person's attention as the Person
to whom notice is given may have previously furnished to the other in writing in
the manner set forth above.
SECTION 10.3 Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
solely to the benefit of each party hereto and its successors and permitted
assigns, and nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or
shall confer upon any other Person any rights, benefits or remedies of any
nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.
-32-
<PAGE>
SECTION 10.4 Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, all other provisions of this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect so long as the economic or legal substance of
the transactions contemplated hereby is not affected in any manner materially
adverse to any party.
SECTION 10.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
SECTION 10.6 Interpretation.. The table of contents and headings herein are for
convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and
shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.
Where a reference in this Agreement is made to a Section, Article, Schedule or
Exhibit, such reference shall be to a Section or Article of or Schedule or
Exhibit to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. Where the reference
"hereof," "hereby" or "herein" appears in this Agreement, such reference shall
be deemed to be a reference to this Agreement as a whole. Whenever the words
"include," "includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be
deemed to be followed by the words "without limitation." Words denoting the
singular include the plural, and vice versa, and references to it or its or
words denoting any gender shall include all genders.
SECTION 10.7 Governing Law and Venue. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE
IN AND IN ALL RESPECTS SHALL BE INTERPRETED, CONSTRUED AND GOVERNED BY AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT
OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
SECTION 10.8 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ALL RIGHTS TO TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR
OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
SECTION 10.9 Certain DefinitionsFor the purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Section 10.9:
(1) "Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person;
(2) "Company Subsidiary" means Mercury Coast, LLC.
(3) "Confidentiality Agreement" means the Confidentiality Agreement, dated
December 13, 1999, by and between THCG and the Company.
(4) "Contract" means any agreement, contract, obligation, promise, commitment or
undertaking (whether written or oral and whether express or implied), other than
those that have been terminated.
(5) "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor law.
-33-
<PAGE>
(6) "GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied.
(7) "Governmental Entity" means any federal or national, state or provincial,
municipal or local government, governmental authority, regulatory or
administrative agency (including the NASD), governmental commission, department,
board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, political subdivision, court,
tribunal, official arbitrator or arbitral body, in each case whether domestic or
foreign.
(8) "Governmental Order" means any order, writ, rule, judgment, injunction,
decree, stipulation, determination, decision, consent, agreement or award
entered into by or with any Governmental Entity.
(9) "Knowledge" means (i) with respect to the Company, the actual knowledge of
any executive officer of the Company after conducting a reasonable investigation
and (ii) with respect to THCG, the actual knowledge of any executive officer of
THCG.
(10) "Law" means all applicable provisions of all constitutions, treaties,
statutes, laws (including, but not limited to, common law), rules, regulations,
ordinances codes or orders of any Governmental Entity."
(11) "Liabilities" means any liability or obligation of any nature, whether
accrued, contingent or otherwise, and whether due or to become due or asserted
or unasserted.
(12) "Liens" means any mortgage, lien, debt, pledge, security interest,
encumbrance, assessment, restriction, charge or other adverse claim or interest
of every nature.
(13) "Options" means any right, option, warrant or agreement to purchase or
subscribe for any securities of another Person.
(14) "Organizational Documents" means (a) the articles or certificate of
incorporation and the by-laws or code of regulations of a corporation; (b) the
partnership agreement and any statement of partnership of a general partnership;
(c) the limited partnership agreement and the certificate of limited partnership
of a limited partnership; (d) the articles or certificate of formation and
operating agreement of a limited liability company; (e) any charter, trust
certificate or document or similar document adopted or filed in connection with
the creation, formation or organization of a Person; and (e) any and all
amendments to any of the foregoing.
(15) "Person" means any individual, corporation (including any non-profit
corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint
venture, estate, trust, association, organization, labor union or other entity
or governmental body or Governmental Entity.
(16) "Regulatory Agency" means any regulatory, self-regulatory and trade
agencies, boards, commission, organizations, departments and entities.
-34-
<PAGE>
(17) "Representatives" of any Person means its Affiliates, officers, directors,
employees, representatives, agents or professional advisors.
(18) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(19) "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any
successor law.
(20) "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries" of any Person means any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity of which such
Person, either directly or indirectly through one or more any other
Subsidiaries, owns more than 50% of the stock or other equity interests the
holders of which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of
directors or other governing body of such legal entity.
(21) "Transaction Documents" means the Employment Agreements, the
Non-competition Agreements, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Affiliate
Letter, the Affiliate Agreement and the other agreements, documents or
instruments executed and delivered by a party hereto as contemplated under this
Agreement.
(b) Other terms set forth below are defined in the Section of this Agreement set
forth opposite such term:
Term Section
- ---- -------
Affiliate Agreement.........................................................6.13
Affiliate Letter............................................................6.13
Agreement...............................................................Recitals
Annual Report................................................................5.4
Certificate of Merger........................................................1.3
Certificates..............................................................2.2(a)
Closing......................................................................1.2
Closing Date.................................................................1.2
Code....................................................................Recitals
Company.................................................................Recitals
Company Board.............................................................4.3(a)
Company Common Stock....................................................Recitals
Commonly Controlled Company Entities........................................4.11
Company Financial Statements.................................................4.5
Company Liability.........................................................4.7(a)
Company Material Contracts...............................................4.14(a)
Company Records.............................................................4.23
Company Securities........................................................4.1(a)
Controlling Stockholders................................................Recitals
DGCL....................................................................Recitals
Effective Time...............................................................1.3
Employment Agreements........................................................6.2
Environmental Laws..........................................................4.12
-35-
<PAGE>
ERISA.......................................................................4.11
Filings and Approvals........................................................4.4
Indemnified Claim.........................................................9.4(a)
Indemnified Party.........................................................9.4(a)
Indemnifying Party........................................................9.4(a)
Intellectual Property.......................................................4.17
Losses....................................................................9.4(e)
Merger..................................................................Recitals
Newco...................................................................Recitals
Newco Board..................................................................5.3
Newco Common Stock........................................................2.1(a)
Non-competition Agreements ..................................................6.2
Permits......................................................................4.9
Proceeding...................................................................4.8
Proxy Statement..............................................................5.4
Quarterly Report.............................................................5.4
Registration Rights Agreement ...............................................6.3
Rule 145....................................................................6.15
SEC Reports..................................................................5.4
Surviving Corporation........................................................1.1
Tax Returns..............................................................4.13(b)
Taxes....................................................................4.13(b)
THCG....................................................................Recitals
THCG Board...................................................................5.3
THCG Common Stock.........................................................2.1(b)
THCG Material Adverse Effect.................................................5.4
Walnut.......................................................................5.4
-36-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.
THCG, INC.
By:__________________________________
Name:
Title:
COAST ACQUISITION CORP.
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
MERCURY COAST INC.
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
CONTROLLING STOCKHOLDERS:
-------------------------------------
Larry Smith
-------------------------------------
Ed Tedeschi
-------------------------------------
Michael Gegenheimer
-37-
Exhibit 2.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of
December 29, 1999 (the "Effective Date") by and between THCG, INC., a Utah
corporation (the "Company"), and Larry Smith (the "Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive, and the
Executive desires to accept such employment, in the capacities and on the terms
and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants
hereinafter contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Employment; Term.
(a) The Company hereby employs the Executive, and the
Executive hereby accepts employment by the Company, in accordance with and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
(b) The term of this Agreement shall commence on the
Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated in accordance with Paragraph 5
hereof, shall terminate on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the
"Initial Term"). Thereafter, this Agreement shall automatically be extended for
one or more additional annual periods unless the Executive or the Company gives
written notice, no less than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the Initial
Term or any extension thereof (together, the "Term"), of his or its election not
to renew this Agreement.
2. Duties.
(a) During the Term, the Executive shall serve as the
President of the Company and shall report to the Chief Executive Officer(s) of
the Company.
(b) The Executive shall have such authority and
responsibility as is customary for such position or positions in businesses
comparable in size and function to the Company, and such other responsibilities
as may reasonably be assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer(s) or the
board of directors of the Company (the "Board").
(c) During the period the Executive is employed by
the Company, the Executive shall devote his full business time and best efforts
to the business and affairs of the Company and its subsidiaries; provided,
however, the Executive may engage in outside business activities with the
consent of the Chief Executive Officer(s), provided that such consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed. It shall not be considered a violation of
the foregoing for the Executive to serve on corporate, industry, civic or
charitable boards or committees, or to invest, and to supervise the investment
of, his own personal assets so long as such activities do
<PAGE>
not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this
Agreement.
(d) The Executive's services shall be performed
primarily at the Company's principal place of business, located in New York, New
York. The Executive recognizes that his duties will require, from time-to-time
and at the Company's expense, travel to domestic and international locations.
3. Compensation.
(a) The Company shall pay the Executive a base salary
(the "Base Salary") of $150,000 per annum, or such greater sum as may from time
to time be fixed by the Compensation Committee of the Board, provided that any
such greater sum shall become the minimum rate of compensation for so long as
the Executive shall be employed by the Company. Payments of Base Salary to the
Executive shall be made in equal semi-monthly installments and subject to all
legally required and customary withholdings.
(b) The Executive shall be entitled to a bonus in
respect of the year 2000 in a minimum amount of $50,000 as determined by the
Compensation Committee of the Board; thereafter the Executive shall be entitled
to bonus compensation (the "Bonus Compensation") in accordance with a bonus
scheme based on the operating profit of the business unit(s) of the Company for
which the Executive is responsible, as devised in good faith by the Compensation
Committee of the Board.
(c) The Executive shall receive an option to purchase
310,000 shares of the common stock of the Company, at an exercise price of $6.00
per share. Such option shall vest pro-rata in twelve equal quarterly
installments commencing on January 1, 2001. In the event the Executive's
employment hereunder is terminated prior to the end of the Term by the Company
without Cause pursuant to paragraph 5(d) hereof or by the Executive for Good
Reason pursuant to Paragraph 5(e) hereof, then any unvested shares of common
stock under the option shall accelerate and become fully exercisable as of the
date of such termination of employment. The shares of common stock under the
option shall terminate on December 31, 2004. The option shall be subject to the
same provisions as are contained in The 1999 Walnut Financial Services, Inc.
Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"); however, the option shall not be issued
pursuant to the Plan. The option shall be included in the Company's registration
statement on Form S-8, the most recent draft of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit A. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare
and file such registration statement as promptly as practicable following the
Effective Date and to cause such registration statement to become effective.
4. Benefits.
(a) The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive for
all reasonable travel, business entertainment and other business expenses
incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties under
this Agreement. Such reimbursements shall be made by the Company on a timely
basis upon submission by the Executive of proper accounts therefor in accordance
with the Company's standard procedures.
-2-
<PAGE>
(b) The Executive shall be entitled to participate in
any and all life insurance (up to $1 million), medical insurance, group health,
disability insurance, and other benefit plans and programs which are made
generally available by the Company to its most senior executives. If the
Executive elects to participate in any such benefit plan and/or program, the
Company agrees to pay the premiums for the coverage elected by the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall be entitled to participate
fully in the Company's group pension, profit-sharing and employee benefit
programs now or hereafter made available to employees of the Company generally.
(d) The Executive shall not be limited to the general
vacation policy and program of the Company as a whole, but, in view of his
position and stature with the Company, shall be entitled to such vacation time
as may be reasonably appropriate to the Company and its clients, and the proper
performance of his duties and responsibilities.
(e) The Company shall lease or purchase an automobile
of make and model as the Executive shall specify for the sole use of the
Executive; provided, however, that the Executive may, at his own option, lease
an automobile in his own name and at Company expense. The Executive shall cause
the vehicle to be properly insured and maintained. The Company shall pay or
reimburse the Executive for all purchase or lease costs, parking costs, toll
fees, costs of insurance, routine maintenance, service and repair of the
vehicle, provided that the Company's obligation pursuant to this Paragraph 4(e)
shall not exceed $500 per month. At the expiration of this Agreement, the
Company shall, if requested by the Executive, exercise its purchase option under
any lease agreement and grant the Executive an option to purchase the vehicle
upon the same terms and conditions offered to the Company by the leasing
company.
(f) The Company shall pay for the Executive's use of
computers, e-mail, facsimile, access to Internet and cellular phones for both
the Executive's office use and for use in his home for business purposes.
(g) The Company agrees to reimburse the Executive for
personal tax preparation and financial planning assistance in a total amount not
to exceed $2,500 per year.
(h) The Executive shall be indemnified by the Company
to the greatest extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware, but
only if and to the extent permitted under the laws of the State of Utah.
(i) The Executive shall be entitled to any other
benefits or perquisites on terms no less favorable than those pursuant to which
such benefits or perquisites are made available to any other executive or
employee of the Company.
5. Termination.
(a) Death. The Executive's employment hereunder shall
terminate upon the Executive's death.
(b) Total Disability. The Company may terminate the
Executive's employment hereunder at any time after the Executive becomes
"Totally Disabled." For
-3-
<PAGE>
purposes of this Agreement, "Totally Disabled" means that the Executive has been
unable, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days, to perform
the Executive's duties under this Agreement as a result of physical or mental
illness or injury. A termination of the Executive's employment by the Company
for Total Disability shall be communicated to the Executive by written notice
and shall be effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the
Executive (the "Total Disability Effective Date"), unless the Executive returns
to full-time performance of the Executive's duties before the Total Disability
Effective Date.
(c) Termination by the Company for Cause. The Company
may terminate the Executive's employment hereunder for Cause. For purposes of
this Agreement, the term "Cause" shall mean any of the following: (i) conviction
of a felony; (ii) perpetration of an intentional and knowing fraud against or
adversely affecting the Company or any customer, client, agent or employee
thereof; (iii) willful breach of a covenant set forth in Paragraph 7 hereof; or
(iv) willful and substantial failure of the Executive to perform his duties
hereunder (other than as a result of total or partial incapacity due to physical
or mental illness or injury); provided, however, that a termination pursuant to
clause (iv) shall not become effective unless the Executive fails to cure such
failure to perform within thirty (30) days after written notice from the
Company, such notice to describe such failure to perform and identify what
reasonable actions shall be required to cure such failure to perform.
No act or failure to act on the part of the Executive
shall be considered "willful" under this Paragraph 5(c) unless it is done, or
omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief
that the Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the
Company. Any act or failure to act that is based upon authority given pursuant
to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the advice of counsel for the
Company, shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by
the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.
(d) Termination by the Company Without Cause. The
Company may terminate the Executive's employment hereunder at any time for any
reason or no reason by giving the Executive thirty (30) days prior written
notice of the termination.
(e) Termination by the Executive For Good Reason.
i. The Executive may terminate his
employment hereunder for "Good Reason" for (1) a Change in
Control of the Company; (2) the assignment to the Executive of
any duties inconsistent in any significant respect with
Paragraph 2 hereof, or any other action by the Company that
results in a material diminution in the Executive's position,
authority, duties or responsibilities; (3) any failure by the
Company to comply with Paragraph 3 or 4 hereof, other than an
isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure that is not
taken in bad faith and is remedied by the Company promptly
after receipt of notice thereof from the Executive; (4) a
change in the Executive's location of employment to a place of
employment outside the New York Metropolitan Area; (5) any
purported termination of the Executive's employment by the
Company for a reason or in a manner not expressly permitted by
this Agreement; (6) any failure
-4-
<PAGE>
by the Company to comply with Paragraph 10(c) hereof; or (7)
any other substantial breach of this Agreement by the Company.
ii. "Change in Control of the Company" shall
be conclusively deemed to have occurred if any of the
following shall have taken place:
(1) a change in control of a nature
that would be required to be reported in response to
Item 5(f) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
("Exchange Act") shall have occurred, unless such
change in control results in control by the
Executive, his designee(s) or "affiliate(s)" (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) or any
combination thereof;
(2) any "person" (as such term is
used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
Act), other than the Executive, his designee(s) or
"affiliate(s)" (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the
Exchange Act), or any "person" who was a shareholder
as of the Effective Date or any combination thereof,
is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing
fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding securities;
(3) during any period of two (2)
consecutive years during this Agreement, individuals
who at the beginning of such period constitute the
Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, unless the election of each
director who was not a director at the beginning of
such period has been approved in advance by directors
representing at least a majority of the directors
then in office who were directors at the beginning of
the period;
(4) the stockholders of the Company
approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with
any other corporation, other than a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by
remaining outstanding or by being converted into
voting securities of the surviving entity) more than
fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of
the voting securities of the Company or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such
merger or consolidation; provided, however, that a
merger or consolidation effected to implement a
recapitalization of the Company (or similar
transaction) in which no "person" (as hereinabove
defined) acquires more than twenty five percent (25%)
of the combined voting power of the Company's then
outstanding securities shall not constitute a Change
in Control of the Company; or
-5-
<PAGE>
(5) the stockholders of the Company
approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company
or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
Company of, or the Company sells or disposes of, all
or substantially all of the Company's assets.
iii. If an event should occur that would
allow the Executive to terminate his employment hereunder for
Good Reason, the Executive shall have a period of ninety (90)
days from the date on which the Executive first becomes aware
of such event in which to elect to terminate his employment
for Good Reason. If the Executive elects to terminate his
employment for Good Reason, he shall provide the Company with
a written notice.
(f) Termination by the Executive Without Good Reason.
The Executive may terminate his employment hereunder for any reason or no reason
by giving the Company sixty (60) days prior written notice of the termination.
6. Compensation Following Termination Prior to the End of the
Term.
(a) Termination by Reason of Death or Total
Disability; Termination by the Company for Cause; Termination by the Executive
Without Good Reason. In the event that the Executive's employment hereunder is
terminated prior to the end of the Term (i) by reason of the Executive's death
or Total Disability pursuant to Paragraph 5(a) or 5(b) hereof, (ii) by the
Company for Cause pursuant to Paragraph 5(c) hereof or (iii) by the Executive
without Good Reason pursuant to Paragraph 5(f) hereof, the Company shall pay the
following amounts to the Executive (or to the Executive's estate, as the case
may be):
i. Any accrued but unpaid Base Salary (as
determined pursuant to Paragraph 3(a) hereof) for
services rendered to the date of termination;
ii. Any declared but unpaid bonus (as
determined pursuant to Paragraph 3(b) hereof); and
iii. Any accrued but unpaid expenses
required to be reimbursed pursuant to Paragraph 4
hereof.
(b) Termination by the Company Without Cause;
Termination for Good Reason. In the event the Executive's employment hereunder
is terminated prior to the end of the Term by the Company without Cause pursuant
to Paragraph 5(d) hereof or by the Executive for Good Reason pursuant to
Paragraph 5(e) hereof, the Company shall pay the following amounts to the
Executive:
i. Any accrued but unpaid Base Salary (as
determined pursuant to paragraph 3(a) hereof) for
services rendered to the date of termination;
ii. Any declared but unpaid bonus (as
determined pursuant to Paragraph 3(b) hereof);
-6-
<PAGE>
iii. Any accrued by unpaid expenses required
to be reimbursed pursuant to Paragraph 4 hereof; and
iv. Any unvested options shall accelerate
and become fully exercisable pursuant to Paragraph
3(c) hereof.
(c) No Duty to Mitigate. In the event that the
Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the Executive's Total
Disability Pursuant to Paragraph 5(b) hereof, the Executive's employment is
terminated by the Company without Cause pursuant to Paragraph 5(d) hereof, or
the Executive's employment is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason
pursuant to Paragraph 5(e) hereof, the Executive shall not be required to seek
other employment to mitigate damages.
(d) No Other Benefits or Compensation. Except as may
be provided under this Agreement, under the terms of any incentive compensation,
employee benefit or fringe benefit plan applicable to the Executive at the time
of the termination of the Executive's employment prior to the end of the Term,
the Executive shall have no right to receive any other compensation, or to
participate in any other plan, arrangement or benefit, with respect to any
future period after such termination.
7. Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation; Nondisclosure of
Proprietary Information; Surrender of Records.
(a) Noncompetition and Nonsolicitation. In view of
the unique and valuable services it is expected the Executive will render to the
Company, the Executive's knowledge of the clients, trade secrets, and other
proprietary information relating to the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates and its clients and suppliers, and in consideration
of compensation to be received hereunder, the Executive agrees that during his
employment hereunder, and for one year thereafter in the event the Executive's
employment hereunder is terminated prior to the end of the Term by the Company
for Cause pursuant to Paragraph 5(c) hereof or by the Executive without Good
Reason pursuant to Paragraph 5(f) hereof, the Executive will not compete with or
be engaged in any business (whether as an officer, director, employee, agent,
proprietor, stockholder, partner, member or otherwise) which is engaged in the
business of (i) evaluating, structuring and building e-commerce and
Internet-based businesses, including, without limitation, the marketing,
branding and funding of such e-commerce and Internet-based businesses, or (ii)
providing investment banking services and related financial advisory services,
including, without limitation, the services of capital raising, financial
restructuring, and identifying and structuring mergers and acquisitions. The
provisions of this Paragraph 7(a) will not be deemed breached merely because the
Executive owns less than ten percent (10%) of the outstanding common stock of a
publicly-traded company or is a passive investor who owns less than ten percent
(10%) of the outstanding common stock of a privately-held company.
In further consideration of the compensation to be
received hereunder, the Executive agrees that during the Term, and for a period
of one year subsequent to any termination hereunder, the Executive shall not (i)
directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit any of the employees,
agents, consultants or representatives of the Company or of the
-7-
<PAGE>
Company's clients to terminate his, her or its relationship with the Company or
such client; (ii) directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to solicit any of
the employees, agents, consultants or representatives of the Company or of the
Company's clients to become employees, agents, consultants or representatives of
any other person or entity; (iii) directly or indirectly solicit or attempt to
solicit, persuade or seek to persuade any customer, vendor or distributor of the
Company or of any of the Company's clients to cease to do business or to reduce
the amount of business which any customer, vendor or distributor has customarily
done or contemplates doing with the Company or any such client whether or not
the relationship between the Company or any such client and such customer,
vendor or distributor was originally established in whole or in part through the
Executive's efforts. Any reference in this Paragraph 7(a) to the "Company" shall
mean and include the Company's subsidiaries and affiliates.
(b) Proprietary Information. The Executive
acknowledges that during the course of his employment with the Company he will
necessarily have access to and make use of proprietary information and
confidential records of the Company and the Company's subsidiaries and
affiliates. The Executive covenants that he shall not during the Term or at any
time thereafter, directly or indirectly, use for his own purpose or for the
benefit of any person or entity other than the Company, nor otherwise disclose,
any such proprietary information to any individual or entity, unless such
disclosure has been authorized in writing by the Company or is otherwise
required by law.
For purposes of this Paragraph 7, "proprietary
information" shall not include information which is or becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement by
the Executive.
(c) Confidentiality and Surrender of Records. The
Executive shall not during the Term or at any time thereafter (irrespective of
the circumstances under which the Executive's employment by the Company
terminates), except as required by law, directly or indirectly publish, make
known or in any fashion disclose any confidential records to, or permit any
inspection or copying of confidential records by, any individual or entity other
than in the course of such individual's or entity's employment or retention by
the Company, nor shall he retain, and will deliver promptly to the Company, any
of the same following termination of his employment hereunder for any reason or
upon request by the Company. For purposes hereof, "confidential records" means
all correspondence, memoranda, files, manuals, books, lists, financial,
operating or marketing records, magnetic tape or electronic or other media or
equipment of any kind which may be in the Executive's possession or under his
control or accessible to him which contain any proprietary information of the
Company or the Company's subsidiaries or affiliates or clients referred to in
Paragraph 7(b). All confidential records shall be and remain the sole property
of the Company, or, as applicable, the Company's subsidiaries, affiliates or
clients during the Term and thereafter.
(d) Inventions and Patents. Any interest in patents,
patent applications, inventions, copyrights, developments, business methods,
trade secrets and processes ("Inventions") which the Executive develops during
his employment with the Company and which relates to the fields in which the
Company or the Company's subsidiaries is then engaged shall belong to the
Company, or, as applicable, the Company's subsidiaries. Upon request, the
Executive shall execute all such assignments and other documents and take all
such
-8-
<PAGE>
other action as the Company may reasonably request in order to vest in the
Company, or, as applicable, a subsidiary of the Company all his right, title,
and interest in and to such Inventions.
(e) Enforcement.
i. The Executive agrees that the remedy at
law for any breach or threatened breach of any covenant
contained in this Paragraph 7 would be inadequate and that the
Company, in addition to such other remedies as may be
available to it at law or in equity, shall be entitled to
institute proceedings in any court or courts of competent
jurisdiction to obtain damages for breach of this Paragraph 7
and injunctive relief without proving damages or that damages
would be inadequate and without posting any bond.
ii. In no event shall any asserted violation
of any provision of this Paragraph 7 constitute a basis for
deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the
Executive under this Agreement.
8. Key Man Insurance. The Executive recognizes and
acknowledges that the Company or its affiliates may seek and purchase one or
more policies providing key man life insurance with respect to the Executive,
the proceeds of which would be payable to the Company or such affiliate. The
Executive hereby consents to the Company or its affiliates seeking and
purchasing such insurance and will provide such information, undergo such
medical examinations (at the Company's expense), execute such documents and
otherwise take any and all actions necessary or desirable in order for the
Company or its affiliates to seek, purchase and maintain in full force and
effect such policy or policies.
9. Notices. Any notice, consent, request or other
communication made or given in accordance with this Agreement shall be in
writing either (i) by personal delivery to the party entitled thereto, (ii) by
facsimile with confirmation of receipt, or (iii) by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested. The notice, consent request or other
communication shall be deemed to have been received upon personal delivery, upon
confirmation of receipt of facsimile transmission, or, if mailed, three days
after mailing. Any notice, consent, request or other communication made or given
in accordance with the Agreement shall be made to those listed below at their
following respective addresses or at such other address as each may specify by
notice to the others:
To the Company:
THCG, Inc.
650 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, New York 10022
Attention:
Facsimile No.: (212) 223-0161
-9-
<PAGE>
with a copy to:
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Peter S. Kolevzon, Esq.
Facsimile No.: (212) 715-8000
To the Executive:
Larry Smith
222 West 14th Street, Apt. 9E
New York, New York 10011
Facsimile No.: (212) ___-____
with a copy to:
Law Offices of Steven E. Rosenfeld, P.C.
369 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Steven E. Rosenfeld, Esq.
Telecopier No.: (212) 867-1914
10. Successors.
(a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and,
without the prior written consent of the Company, shall not be assignable by the
Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's
heirs and legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and
be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company shall require any successor (whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to
assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would have been required to perform if no such
succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean both
the Company as defined above and any such successor that assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.
11. Complete Understanding; Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement
constitutes the complete understanding between the parties with respect to the
employment of the Executive and supersedes all other prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof, and no statement, representation, warranty or covenant
has been made by either party with respect thereto except as expressly set
-10-
<PAGE>
forth herein. This Agreement shall not be altered, modified, amended or
terminated except by a written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.
Any waiver of any term or provision hereof, or of the application of any such
term or provision to any circumstances, shall be in writing signed by the party
charged with giving such waiver. Waiver by either party hereto of any breach
hereunder by the other party shall not operate as a waiver of any other breach,
whether similar to or different from the breach waived. No delay on the part of
the Company or the Executive in the exercise of any of their respective rights
or remedies shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise
by the Company or the Executive of any such right or remedy shall preclude other
or further exercise thereof.
12. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement shall
be held invalid or unenforceable in part, the remaining portion of such
provision, together with all other provisions of this Agreement, shall remain
valid and enforceable and continue in full force and effect to the fullest
extent consistent with law.
13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be wholly performed within that State,
without regard to the principles of conflict of laws.
14. Waiver of Jury Trial. Each of the parties hereto
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all rights to trial
by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim (whether based upon contract,
tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to this Agreement.
15. Titles and Captions. All paragraph titles or captions in
this Agreement are for convenience only and in no way define, limit, extend or
describe the scope or intent of any provision hereof.
16. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all such
counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
-11-
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has executed this Employment
Agreement and, pursuant to the authorization of the Board of Directors, the
Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf,
all as of the date above written.
THCG, INC.
By: /s/ Joesph D. Mark
-----------------------------------
Name: Joesph D. Mark
Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer
EXECUTIVE:
/s/ Larry Smith
--------------------------------------
Larry Smith
