CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORP \GA\
S-8 POS, 1998-01-09
BUSINESS SERVICES, NEC
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<PAGE>   1
     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 9, 1998


                                                       Registration No. 33-98440

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                               ------------------

                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-8
             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                               ------------------

                         CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

            Delaware                                    58-2360335
  (State or other jurisdiction                       (I.R.S. Employer
 of incorporation or organization)                   Identification No.)

                           4411 East Jones Bridge Road
                             Norcross, Georgia 30092
              (Address of Registrant's principal executive offices)

                             ----------------------

                         CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                      1983 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
                            (Full Title of the Plan)

                             ----------------------

                                 Peter J. Kight
                Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer
                         CheckFree Holdings Corporation
                           4411 East Jones Bridge Road
                             Norcross, Georgia 30092
                                 (770) 441-3387
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                             ----------------------

                          Copies of Correspondence to:
                             Robert J. Tannous, Esq.
                         Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur
                              41 South High Street
                              Columbus, Ohio 43215




<PAGE>   2



                   POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-8

         This post-effective amendment is being filed pursuant to Rule 414 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), to reflect the
adoption by CheckFree Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("CheckFree"), of a
holding company form of organizational structure. The holding company
organizational structure was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Merger (the "Merger Agreement") among CheckFree, CheckFree Holdings Corporation,
a Delaware corporation (the "Registrant"), and CheckFree Merger Corporation, a
Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Registrant ("Merger
Corporation"). The Merger Agreement provides for, among other things, the merger
(the "Merger") of Merger Corporation with and into CheckFree, with CheckFree as
the surviving corporation. Pursuant to Section 251(g) of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware, stockholder approval of the Merger was not
required.

         As a result of the Merger, which was consummated at 11:59 p.m. on
December 22, 1997, CheckFree became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the
Registrant. Each share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of CheckFree
(with rights attached) issued and outstanding was converted into and exchanged
for one share of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Registrant (with
rights attached).

         In accordance with Rule 414 under the Securities Act, the Registrant,
as successor issuer to CheckFree, hereby expressly adopts this registration
statement as its own for all purposes of the Securities Act and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The CheckFree Corporation Second Amended and
Restated 1983 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan to which this registration
statement relates (the "Plan") shall be known as the CheckFree Holdings
Corporation Amended and Restated 1983 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan.
Subsequent to the holding company reorganization, the Plan will continue to
cover employees of CheckFree. However, shares of stock issued in accordance with
the Plan shall be shares of stock of the Registrant rather than shares of
CheckFree.

         The applicable registration fees were paid at the time of the original
filing of this registration statement.



                                      - 1 -


<PAGE>   3



                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Norcross, State of Georgia, on January
5, 1998.

                               CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                               By: /s/ Peter J. Kight
                                   -------------------------------------------
                                   Peter J. Kight, Chairman, President, and 
                                   Chief Executive Officer


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              SIGNATURE                                   TITLE                                      DATE
              ---------                                   -----                                      ----

<S>                                          <C>                                               <C>
          /s/ Peter J. Kight                 Chairman of the Board of                   )      January 5, 1998
- ------------------------------------------   Directors, President, and Chief            )
          Peter J. Kight                     Executive Officer                          )
                                             (Principal Executive Officer)              )
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
         *Mark A. Johnson                    Vice Chairman, Corporate                   )      January 5, 1998
- ------------------------------------------   Development and Marketing, Director        )
         Mark A. Johnson                                                                )
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
         *James A. Douglass                  Executive Vice President, Chief            )      January 5, 1998
 -----------------------------------------   Financial Officer and Treasurer            )
         James S. Douglass                   (Principal Financial Officer)              )
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
         *Gary A. Luoma, Jr.                 Vice President, Chief Accounting           )      January 5, 1998
- ------------------------------------------   Officer and Assistant Secretary            )
         Gary A. Luoma, Jr.                  (Principal Accounting Officer)             )
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
         *George R. Manser                   Director                                   )      January 5, 1998
- ------------------------------------------                                              )
         George R. Manser                                                               )
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
         *Eugene F. Quinn                    Director                                   )      January 5, 1998
- ------------------------------------------                                              )
         Eugene F. Quinn                                                                )
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
         *Jeffrey M. Wilkins                 Director                                   )      January 5, 1998
- ------------------------------------------                                              )
         Jeffrey M. Wilkins                                                             )
</TABLE>

                                      - 2 -


<PAGE>   4



<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>                                               <C>
                                                                                        )
                                                                                        )
         *William P. Boardman                Director                                   )      January 5, 1998
- ------------------------------------------                                              )
         William P. Boardman                                                            )
</TABLE>

*By:    /s/ Peter J. Kight
     -------------------------------------
       Peter J. Kight, attorney-in-fact
       for each of the persons indicated







                                      - 3 -


<PAGE>   5



                            Registration No. 33-98440


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                              --------------------

                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                              --------------------


                         CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                              --------------------

                                    EXHIBITS

                              --------------------



<PAGE>   6



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit                                           Exhibit
Number                                          Description
- ------                                          -----------

<S>        <C>       <C>
4(a)       *         Checkfree Holdings Corporation Amended and Restated 1983 Non-statutory
                     Stock Option Plan.

4(b)                 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Checkfree Holdings
                     Corporation (Exhibit 4(b) to Form S-8 Registration Statement (Reg. No. 33-
                     98446), and incorporated herein by reference).

4(c)                 By-Laws of Checkfree Holdings Corporation (Exhibit 4(c) to Form S-8
                     Registration Statement (Reg. No. 33-98446), and incorporated herein by
                     reference).

5          *         Opinion of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur regarding legality.

23(a)                Consent of Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur (included in Exhibit 5 filed
                     herewith).

23(b)      *         Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

24         *         Powers of Attorney.
</TABLE>


- ---------------
* Filed with this Registration Statement








<PAGE>   1






                         CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION



                           --------------------------

                                  Exhibit 4(a)

                           --------------------------





<PAGE>   2


                         CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                              --------------------
                      1983 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
                      ------------------------------------


         WHEREAS, CheckFree Corporation, a Delaware corporation, adopted the
CheckFree Corporation 1983 Non- Statutory Stock Option Plan (the "1983 NSO
Plan") as an incentive and to encourage certain key associates and directors who
render service to CheckFree Corporation; and

         WHEREAS, effective December 22, 1997, CheckFree Corporation was
reorganized and pursuant to the reorganization, CheckFree Corporation became the
wholly owned subsidiary of CheckFree Holdings Corporation (the
"Reorganization"); and

         WHEREAS, the common stock of CheckFree Corporation was exchanged on an
equal basis for the common stock of CheckFree Holdings Corporation on the
effective date of the Reorganization; and

         WHEREAS, CheckFree Holdings Company, pursuant to the Reorganization
adopted the 1983 NSO Plan and desires to restate and amend the 1983 NSO Plan to
reflect the Reorganization.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the 1983 NSO Plan is
hereby amended and restated, effective December 22, 1997, in its entirety as
follows:

          1. PURPOSE. The purpose of this Amended and Restated 1983
Non-statutory Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to advance the interests of
CheckFree Holdings Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), by
providing an opportunity to selected key associates and directors of the
Company, and any subsidiaries thereof, to purchase stock of the Company through
the exercise of options granted under the Plan. By encouraging such stock
ownership, the Company seeks to attract, retain, and motivate key associates and
directors of training, experience, and ability.

          2. EFFECTIVE DATE. The Plan shall become effective on December 19,
1983 (the "Plan Effective Date").

          3. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. The shares that may be granted under the
Plan shall not exceed in the aggregate Ten Thousand (10,000) shares of the $.01
par value common stock of the Company. Any shares subject to an option which for
any reason expires or is terminated unexercised as to such shares may again be
the subject of an option under the Plan. The shares delivered upon exercise of
options under the Plan, in whole or in part, may be either authorized but
unissued shares or issued shares reacquired by the Company.

          4. ADMINISTRATION. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of
Directors of the Company, unless the Board of Directors shall designate such
administration to a committee (the "Stock Option Committee") consisting of not
less than two (2) or more directors, who shall be eligible to participate in the
Plan. The Stock Option Committee shall be appointed by and shall serve at the
pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Company. Subject to the provisions of
the Plan, the Stock Option Committee shall have full power to construe and
interpret the Plan and to establish, amend, and rescind rules and regulations
for its administration. If the Board of Directors does not appoint a Stock
Option Committee, any reference in the Plan to the Stock Option Committee shall
mean the Board of Directors.

        5. ELIGIBLE ASSOCIATES. Options may be granted by the Board of Directors
to such key associates of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and to members
of the Board of Directors of the Company and any of its subsidiaries whether or
not they also are employed by the Company.

        6. DURATION OF THE PLAN. The Plan shall terminate ten (10) years from
the Plan Effective Date, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 11
hereafter, and no options may be granted thereafter.



<PAGE>   3



        7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. Options granted under the Plan shall
be evidenced by stock option agreements in such form and not inconsistent with
the Plan as the Stock Option Committee shall approve from time to time, which
agreements shall include, but are not limited to, the following terms and
conditions:

                (a) PRICE. Each option agreement shall specify the purchase
       price per share of stock payable upon the exercise of each option granted
       hereunder, as determined by the Board of Directors.

                (b) NUMBER OF SHARES. Each option agreement shall specify the
       number of shares to which it pertains.

                (c) EXERCISE OF OPTIONS. Each option shall be exercisable for
       the full amount or for any part thereof and at such intervals or in such
       installments as the Board of Directors may determine at the time it
       grants such option; provided, however, that no option shall be
       exercisable with respect to any shares later than ten (10) years after
       the date of the grant of such option.

                (d) NOTICE OF EXERCISE AND PAYMENT. An option shall be
       exercisable only by delivery of a written notice to the Stock Option
       Committee, any member of the Stock Option Committee, the Company's
       Treasurer, or any other officer of the Company designated by the Stock
       Option Committee to accept such notices on its behalf, specifying the
       number of shares for which it is exercised. If said shares are not at the
       time effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the
       optionee shall include with such notice a letter containing
       representations and warranties, in form and substance satisfactory to the
       Company and counsel for the Company, confirming that the shares are being
       purchased for the optionee's own account for investment and not with a
       view to distribution. Payment shall be made in full at the time of
       delivery to the optionee of a certificate or certificates covering the
       number of shares for which the option was exercised. Payment shall be
       made either by (i) cashier's or certified check; (ii) by delivery and
       assignment to the Company of shares of the Company's stock, if permitted
       by a vote of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by a combination of (i) and
       (ii). The value of the Company's stock for such purpose shall be its fair
       market value as of the date the option is exercised, as determined in
       accordance with procedures to be established by the Stock Option
       Committee.

                (e) NON-TRANSFERABILITY. No option shall be transferable by the
       optionee except by will or the laws of descent or distribution. During
       the optionee's lifetime, each option shall be exercisable only by the
       optionee.

                (f) RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER. The optionee shall have no rights as
       a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by the optionee's option
       until the date of issuance of a stock certificate to the optionee for
       such shares.

        8. STOCK DIVIDENDS; STOCK SPLITS; STOCK COMBINATIONS; RECAPITALIZATIONS.
Appropriate adjustment shall be made in the maximum number of shares of common
stock subject to the Plan and in the number, kind, and option price of shares
covered by outstanding options granted hereunder to give effect to any stock
dividends or other distributions, stock splits, stock combinations,
recapitalizations, and other similar changes in the capital structure of the
Company after the Plan Effective Date.

        9. MERGER; SALE OF ASSETS; DISSOLUTION. In the event of a change of the
common stock resulting from a merger or similar reorganization as to which the
Company is the surviving corporation, the number and kind of shares which
thereafter may be optioned and sold under the Plan and the number and kind of
shares then subject to options granted hereunder and the price per share thereof
shall be appropriately adjusted in such manner as the Stock Option Committee, in
its sole discretion, may deem equitable to prevent substantial dilution or
enlargement of the rights available or granted hereunder. In the event of a
merger or similar reorganization which the Company does not survive, or a sale
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the Company shall

                                        2

<PAGE>   4



repurchase, at the effective date of the merger, reorganization, or sale, all of
the Shares remaining unexercised under options granted and then outstanding
under the Plan at a purchase price equal to the difference between the exercise
price of the Shares and the fair market value of the Shares, as determined by
the Company in its sole discretion, and options under the Plan shall terminate
at such time.


       10. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors at any
time may terminate the Plan or make such changes in or additions to the Plan as
it deems advisable, provided that no such termination or amendment shall
adversely affect or impair any then outstanding option without the consent of
the optionee holding such option.

       11. DEFINITIONS.

                (a) The term "key associates" means those executive,
       administrative, operational, or managerial employees of the Company or
       any subsidiary thereof who are determined by the Stock Option Committee
       to be eligible for options under the Plan.

                (b) The term "optionee" means a key associate or a director to
       whom an option is granted under the Plan or, in the event of a transfer
       pursuant to Section 7(e), the optionee's estate, personal representative,
       or beneficiary, as the case may be.

                (c) The term "parent" shall have, for purposes of the Plan, the
       meaning ascribed to it under Section 425(e) of the Code.

                (d) The term "subsidiary" shall have, for purposes of the Plan,
       the meaning ascribed to it under Section 425(f) of the Code.



                                        3

<PAGE>   5




                                    EXHIBIT A



                                                                    NSO NO._____


                         CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                    UNDER THE
                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                      1983 NON-STATUTORY STOCK OPTION PLAN
                      ------------------------------------


                  CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION (the "Company") hereby grants,
effective _______, 199__ (the "Effective Date") to _______________ (the
"Optionee") an option to purchase a maximum of ____________ shares of its Common
Stock, $.01 par value, at a price of ___________ Dollars ($_____) per share (the
"Shares"), subject to the following:

                 1. RELATIONSHIP TO THE PLAN. This option is granted pursuant to
the Company's Amended and Restated 1983 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, a copy
of which is attached as Exhibit A hereto (the "Plan"), and is in all respects
subject to the terms, conditions, and definitions of the Plan. The Optionee
hereby accepts this option subject to all the terms and provisions of the Plan
(including without limitation provisions relating to non-transferability,
termination of the option, adjustment of the number of shares subject to the
option, and the exercise price of the option). The Optionee further agrees that
all decisions under and interpretations of the Plan by the Stock Option
Committee (the "Committee") established under the Plan and as from time to time
constituted shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon the Optionee and his or
her heirs.

                 2. VESTING AND TIME OF EXERCISE. This option may not be
exercised prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date. It thereafter
may be exercised, from time to time, in full or in part, by the Optionee based
upon the number of full years the Optionee has served as an employee or director
of the Company (the "Vested Percentage") and shall remain exercisable (subject
to the provisions herein and the Plan) until it has been exercised as to all of
the Shares or the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, whichever occurs
first. The Optionee shall be entitled to exercise this option to the extent of
the percentage of, and not to exceed in the aggregate, the maximum number of the
Shares, based upon the Vested Percentage, from time to time, which shall be
determined in accordance with the following schedule:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Full Years of Employment
                           or Directorship             Vested Percentage
                           ---------------             -----------------

<S>                                                             <C>
                                  1                              20%
                                  2                              40%
                                  3                              60%
                                  4                              80%
                                  5                             100%
</TABLE>

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this option may not be exercised if, in the
opinion of counsel for the Company, the issuance of the Shares pursuant hereto,
either alone or in combination with the issuance with other securities by the
Company, would constitute a violation of applicable federal or state securities
laws or regulations or orders thereunder. In the event this option otherwise may
not be exercised by reason of the foregoing sentence, the

                                        4

<PAGE>   6


Company shall use its best efforts to register said Shares with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on Form S-8 (or successor form) as soon as practicable
after said form may be used by the Company and, concurrently therewith, to take
such steps as may be necessary to comply with applicable state securities laws
in connection with such issuance.

                 3. METHODS OF EXERCISE. This option shall be exercisable by a
written notice in the form adopted by the Committee which specifies the number
of the Shares to be purchased. Upon receipt of payment for the Shares the
Company thereafter will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Optionee (or if
any other individual or individuals are exercising this option, to such
individual or individuals) at the office of the Company, a certificate or
certificates for the number of the Shares with respect to which this option is
being exercised, registered in the name or names of the individual or
individuals exercising the option, provided, however, that if any law or
regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other body
having jurisdiction in the premises shall require the Company or Optionee (or
other individual or individuals exercising this option) to take any action in
connection with the Shares then being purchased, the delivery of the certificate
or certificates for the Shares shall be delayed for the period necessary to take
and complete such action.

                 4. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT. This option is granted on the
condition that the purchase of the Shares shall be for the account of the
Optionee (or other individual or individuals exercising this option) for
investment purposes and not with a view of resale or distribution, except that
such condition shall be inoperative if the offering of the Shares is registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, or if in the opinion of counsel for the
Company the Shares may be resold without registration. At the time of any
exercise of the option, the Optionee (or other individual or individuals
exercising this option) will execute such further agreements as the Company may
require to implement the foregoing condition and to acknowledge the Optionee's
(or such other individual's) familiarity with restrictions on the resale of the
Shares under applicable securities laws.

                 5. OPTION TO PURCHASE UPON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR DEATH.
Upon the termination of the Optionee's employment with the Company, whether such
termination be voluntary or involuntary and for whatever cause, or upon the
death of the Optionee, the Company shall have the option to purchase the Shares,
now owned or hereafter acquired by the Optionee, and to which the Optionee shall
be entitled. The Company within sixty (60) days of the Optionee's termination or
death, at its option, may give notice of its election to purchase, in whole or
in part, the Shares then owned by the Optionee. The Company shall exercise its
election to purchase by giving notice thereof to the Optionee or the legal
representative of the Optionee's estate. Such notice shall specify the number of
the Shares to be purchased and the date for the closing of the purchase which
shall be not more than sixty (60) days after the date of the giving of such
notice.

                The purchase price of the Shares to be purchased hereunder
because of the termination or death of the Optionee shall be the price set forth
in Section 7 below. The closing shall take place at the principal office of the
Company and the purchase price shall be paid as set forth in Section 8 below.

                 6. OPTION TO PURCHASE UPON TRANSFER. The Optionee shall not
transfer or encumber the Shares, in whole or in part, to any person, firm, or
corporation without the prior written consent of the Company and only thereafter
if the Optionee shall have first made the offer to sell the Shares to the
Company as hereinafter described and such offer shall not have been accepted.

                (a) OFFER BY THE OPTIONEE - The offer shall be given to the
        Company and shall consist of an offer to sell all of the Shares owned by
        the Optionee intended to be transferred or encumbered, to which shall be
        attached a statement of intention to transfer or encumber, as the case
        may be, the name and address of such prospective purchaser or lienor,
        the number of shares involved in the proposed transfer or encumbrance,
        and the terms of such transfer or encumbrance.

                (b) ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER - Within sixty (60) days after the
        receipt of such offer, the Company, at its option, may elect to
        purchase, in whole or in part, the Shares on either the same 


                                        5

<PAGE>   7


        terms as those offered to the prospective purchaser or lienor, or upon
        the terms as set forth in Section 8 below. The Company shall exercise
        its election to purchase by giving notice thereof to the Optionee. Such
        notice shall specify a date for the closing of the purchase which shall
        be not more than sixty (60) days after the date of the giving of such
        notice.

                (c) RELEASE FROM RESTRICTION - If the offer to sell to the
        Company is not accepted, the Optionee may make a bona fide transfer or
        encumbrance to the prospective purchaser or lienor named in the
        statement attached to the offer, such sale or encumbrance to be made
        only in strict accordance with the terms therein stated. However, if the
        Optionee shall fail to make such transfer or encumbrance within thirty
        (30) days following the expiration of the time herein provided for the
        election by the Company, such Shares shall again be subject to all the
        restrictions of this Agreement.

                 7. PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price of the Shares to be
purchased hereunder because of the termination of employment or death of the
Optionee, as set forth under Section 5, or because of the Company exercising its
right to purchase the Shares upon the terms set forth herein, as set forth under
Section 6, shall be the fair market value of the Shares. "Fair market value" of
the Shares as used in this Section 7 shall be determined as follows:

                (a) If there is a public market for the common stock of the
        Company, the fair market value of the Shares shall be the lowest closing
        bid price on the date of the Company's election or, if no trades are
        made on such date, the most recent trade date prior thereto.

                (b) If there is no public market for the common stock of the
        Company, the fair market value shall be the price mutually agreed upon
        by the Company and the Optionee or the Optionee's legal representative.

                (c) If there is no public market for the common stock of the
        Company and the parties cannot mutually agree upon a price within
        forty-five (45) days following the date on which the Company accepts the
        offer, the fair market value of the Shares shall be determined as
        follows: The Company or the Optionee or the Optionee's legal
        representative shall each select an appraiser. These two appraisers
        shall select a third appraiser. The three appraisers shall determine a
        price per share which represents the fair market value. If the three
        appraisers cannot agree, the average of the three appraisers shall
        control. All costs of such appraisal shall be borne equally by the
        Company and the Optionee or the Optionee's estate.

                 8. PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price to be paid in
the event the Company exercises its option to purchase the Shares pursuant to
Section 5 or Section 6 (if upon the terms set forth herein) shall be paid in
five (5) equal successive annual installments commencing sixty (60) days after
the closing of the purchase of the Shares, which shall be evidenced by the
delivery of a negotiable promissory note (the "Note") from the Company payable
to the order of the Optionee, or the legal representative of the Optionee's
estate. The Note shall bear interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum
and the Company shall have the right to prepay the Note at any time without
penalty. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company's minimum annual installment
payable under the Note shall be the lesser of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000) or
the total amount then due under the Note. Upon the delivery of the Note to the
Optionee, the Optionee or the legal representative of the Optionee's estate
shall assign and deliver to the Company the certificates for the Shares.

                 9. ENDORSEMENT ON STOCK CERTIFICATE. In addition to any other
legends, the certificate for the Shares shall bear the following legend in
conspicuous type:




                                        6

<PAGE>   8

        THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST
        REFUSAL OPTION GRANTED TO THE COMPANY PURSUANT TO A STOCK OPTION
        AGREEMENT DATED THE ___ DAY OF _______, 19__.

                10. TERMINATION OF OPTION TO PURCHASE. The Company's options to
purchase the Shares under Sections 6 and 7 of this Agreement shall terminate 90
days after the effective date that the Company is required, with respect to its
Common Stock, $.01 par value, to file periodic reports with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

                11. GENERAL. This Stock Option Agreement shall be construed as a
contract under the laws of the State of Ohio. It may be executed in several
counterparts, all of which shall constitute one agreement. It shall bind and,
subject to the terms of the Plan, benefit the parties and their respective
successors, assigns, and legal representatives.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Optionee have caused
this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

                                                CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION



                                                By
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                Its
                                                   ----------------------------

                                                OPTIONEE:


                                                --------------------------------




                                        7





<PAGE>   1







                         CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                            -----------------------

                                    Exhibit 5

                            -----------------------


<PAGE>   2



                         PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR
                              41 South High Street
                              Columbus, Ohio 43215
                                 (614) 227-2096



                                 January 5, 1998


CheckFree Holdings Corporation
4411 East Jones Bridge Road
Norcross, Georgia 30092

         Re:      Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on 
                  Form S-8
                  CheckFree Holdings Corporation Amended and Restated 1983 
                  Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan, as amended (the "Plan")

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel for CheckFree Holdings Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("CheckFree"), in connection with the preparation of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No.
33-98440) (the "Registration Statement"), filed by CheckFree with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), with respect to the adoption of the Plan by CheckFree, pursuant to Rule
414 of the Act, as a successor issuer of CheckFree Corporation.

         In connection with this opinion, we have examined such corporate
records, documents and other instruments of CheckFree as we have deemed
necessary.

         Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares issued
under the Plan will, when issued and paid for in accordance with the provisions
of the Plan, be legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and entitled to
the benefits of the Plan.

         We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       /s/  Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur

                                       PORTER, WRIGHT, MORRIS & ARTHUR









<PAGE>   1












                         CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                            -----------------------

                                  Exhibit 23(b)

                            -----------------------





<PAGE>   2
                                                                  EXHIBIT 23(b)



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Post-Effective Amendment No. 1
to Registration Statement No. 33-98440 of CheckFree Holdings Corporation on Form
S-8 of our report dated August 8, 1997, except for Note 17 as to which date is
August 29, 1997, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CheckFree
Holdings Corporation, as successor issuer to CheckFree Corporation, for the year
ended June 30, 1997.


         /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Atlanta, Georgia
January 5, 1998

<PAGE>   1






                         CHECKFREE HOLDINGS CORPORATION



                            ------------------------

                                   Exhibit 24

                            ------------------------


<PAGE>   2

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

         Each of the undersigned officers and directors of CheckFree Holdings
Corporation (the "Corporation") hereby appoints Peter J. Kight, Mark A. Johnson,
and Curtis A. Loveland as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, or any of them,
with power to act without the others, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact,
in his name and on his behalf, and in any and all capacities stated below, to
sign and to cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), the Corporation's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), pursuant to
Rule 414 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), for
the purpose of adopting the predecessor corporation's registration statement on
Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 20, 1995,
as amended (Registration No. 33-98440), registering under the Securities Act
26,307 authorized and unissued shares of the Common Stock, $.01 par value, of
the Corporation to be sold and distributed by the Corporation pursuant the
Corporation's 1983 Amended and Restated Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan (the
"Plan") and such other number of shares as may be issued under the anti-dilution
provisions of the Plan, and any and all amendments, including post-effective
amendments, to the Registration Statement, hereby granting to such attorneys in
fact, and to each of them, full power and authority to do and perform in the
name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, and in any and all such
capacities, every act and thing whatsoever necessary to be done in and about the
premises as fully as the undersigned could or might do in person, hereby
granting to such attorney-in-fact full power of substitution and revocation, and
hereby ratifying all that any such attorney-in-fact or his substitute may do by
virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have signed these presents this
22nd day of December, 1997.



<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
/s/ Peter J. Kight                                            Chairman of the Board of Directors, President
- -------------------------------                               and Chief Executive Officer
Peter J. Kight                 


/s/ Mark A. Johnson                                           Vice Chairman, Corporate Development and Marketing,
- -------------------------------                               Director
Mark A. Johnson                


/s/ James S. Douglass                                         Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
- -------------------------------                               and Treasurer
James S. Douglass              


/s/ Gary A. Luoma, Jr.                                        Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and
- -------------------------------                               Assistant Secretary
Gary A. Luoma, Jr.             


/s/ George R. Manser                                          Director
- -------------------------------
George R. Manser


/s/ Eugene F. Quinn                                           Director
- -------------------------------
Eugene F. Quinn


/s/ Jeffrey M. Wilkins                                        Director
- -------------------------------
Jeffrey M. Wilkins


/s/ William P. Boardman                                       Director
- -------------------------------
William P. Boardman
</TABLE>









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