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): August 22, 2007
FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware |
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033-19694 |
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76-0243729 |
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(State of incorporation) |
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(Commission File No.) |
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(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
6400 Imperial Drive
Waco, Texas 76712
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (254) 761-2800
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Section 1 - Registrants Business and Operations
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Amendment to FirstCity Revolving Credit Agreement.
On and effective August 22, 2007, FirstCity Financial Corporation (FirstCity) and Bank of Scotland, as agent for the lenders and as lender, entered into an Amendment No. 10 to Revolving Credit Agreement (the Amendment). The Amendment amended the existing revolving credit facility entered into on November 12, 2004 (Revolving Credit Agreement), to increase the maximum available commitment under the revolving credit facility to $225,000,000.
The Amendment made the following changes to the Revolving Credit Agreement that is used to finance the senior debt and equity portion of portfolio and asset purchases made by FirstCity and to provide for the issuance of letters of credit and working capital loans: (i) increased the maximum outstanding amount of loans and letters of credit issued under the loan facility that may be outstanding under the loan facility from $175,000,000 to $225,000,000; (ii) increased the maximum value for assets that can be included in the borrowing base from the acquisition of portfolio assets in certain countries as follows (a) Mexico increased to $40,000,000, (b) Brazil increased to $10,000,000, and (c) Chile to $25,000,000; (iii) provided for inclusion in the borrowing base of loans made to the FirstCity Denver Investment Corp. to be advanced to FC Crestone 07 Corp. for the purpose of investing in distressed debt, special loan originations, leveraged buyouts and other special opportunities and revised other terms and provisions of the facility to allow acquisition loans under the facility to be loaned to FC Crestone 07 Corp. for those purposes; (iv) added provisions allowing loans to be made for investments in new ventures, including American Pioneer Bank, with inclusion of the equity investments in the borrowing base based on forty percent (40%) of the equity interest in each new venture; (v) provided for inclusion in the borrowing base of certain loans made by FirstCity subsidiaries to non-affiliated entities that are secured by real estate; (vi) added provisions allowing for subordinated debt facility to be provided by BoS(USA), Inc., an affiliate of the Bank of Scotland, and for waterfall of payments to include payments on the subordinated debt; (vii) increased the tangible net worth covenant from $75,000,000 to $85,000,000; and (vii) provided for an additional upfront fee paid to Bank of Scotland in the amount of $500,000. The obligations of FirstCity under the Revolving Credit Agreement are guaranteed by substantially all of the wholly-owned subsidiaries of FirstCity and are secured by security interests in substantially all of the assets of FirstCity and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The foregoing description of the Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amendment attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by this reference.
Amendment to FH Partners, L.C.C. Loan Facility.
On and effective August 22, 2007, FH Partners, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned affiliate of FirstCity, and Bank of Scotland, as agent for the lenders and as lender, entered into an Amendment No. 3 and Consent to Revolving Credit Agreement (the FH Partners Amendment). The FH Partners Amendment amended the existing revolving credit facility entered into on August 26, 2005 (FHP Revolving Credit Agreement), to increase the maximum available commitment under the revolving credit facility to $100,000,000.
The FH Partners Amendment made the following changes to the FHP Revolving Credit Agreement, which is used to finance portfolio and asset purchases made by FH Partners, LLC: (i) increased the maximum outstanding amount of loans that may be outstanding under the loan facility from $50,000,000 to $100,000,000; (ii) added a new covenant that FH Partners, LLC must maintain a ratio of Cumulative Current Recovered and Projected Collections to Cumulative Original Projected Collections of not less than 0.90 to 1.00; (iii) added a provision for loans under the facility to be used for purposes other than the acquisition of portfolios or assets with the advance approval of the agent; (iv) increased the tangible net worth covenant from $75,000,000 to $85,000,000; (v) added a loan to value ratio for each asset pool not to exceed seventy percent (70%) and an aggregate loan to value ratio for all asset pools not to exceed sixty-five percent (65%); (vi) increased the utilization fee to 0.50% of the amount of each loan made, with the total utilization fees not to exceed $375,000; (vii) provided for an additional upfront fee paid to be paid to
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Bank of Scotland in the amount of $350,000; and (viii) extended the maturity date for the loan facility to November 12, 2010. The obligations of FH Partners, LCC under the FHP Revolving Credit Agreement are guaranteed by FirstCity and the primary wholly-owned subsidiaries of FirstCity and are secured by a security interest in all of the assets of FH Partners, LCC. The foregoing description of the FH Partners Amendment is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the FH Partners Amendment attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by this reference.
FirstCity has had a significant relationship with Bank of Scotland and The Governor and The Company of the Bank of Scotland (BoS-UK) and their subsidiaries since September 1997. FirstCity and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have entered into loan agreements with Bank of Scotland, BoS (USA) Inc. and BoS-UK from time to time since 1997.
Since December 2002, the Bank of Scotland has provided to FirstCity and its subsidiaries a loan facility under the Revolving Credit Agreement consisting of (i) a revolving acquisition loan facility providing for a maximum principal balance of loans outstanding at any time of $45,000,000, and (ii) a revolving loan facility in the maximum principal amount of $5,000,000 for corporate purposes. These facilities were secured by all of the assets of FirstCity and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The outstanding balances under those facilities were converted to loans under the revolving credit agreement between FirstCity and the Bank of Scotland dated November 12, 2004, which is being amended by the Amendment.
On August 26, 2005, FH Partners, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned affiliate of FirstCity, and Bank of Scotland entered into the FHP Revolving Credit Agreement, which is being amended by the FH Partners Amendment. The FHP Revolving Credit Agreement provides a $100,000,000 revolving portfolio acquisition facility for FH Partners, LLC to be secured by all of the assets of FH Partners, LLC. The loan facility is used by FH Partners, LLC to finance portfolio and asset purchases. The obligations of FH Partners, LLC under the FHP Revolving Credit Agreement are guaranteed by FirstCity and the primary wholly-owned subsidiaries of FirstCity.
In December 2002, in connection with an exchange offer to the holders of FirstCitys New Preferred Stock, BoS-UK provided a non-recourse loan in the amount of $16,000,000 to FirstCity, which was used to pay the cash portion of the exchange offer to the holders of the New Preferred Stock, to pay expenses of the exchange offer and recapitalization, and to reduce FirstCitys debt to Bank of Scotland and BoS (USA) Inc. (the Senior Lenders). The $16,000,000 loan was secured by a 20% interest in Drive Financial Services LP (Drive) (64.51% of FirstCitys remaining 31% interest in Drive) and other assets of FirstCity Consumer Corporation (Consumer Corp.) as were necessary and only to the extent to allow BoS-UK to realize the security interest in the 20% interest in Drive. In connection with the $16,000,000 loan, FirstCity agreed to pay a contingent fee to BoS-UK equal to 20% of all amounts received by FirstCity and Consumer Corp. upon any sale of the 20% interest in Drive or any receipt of distributions from Drive related to the 20% ownership interest, once such payments exceeded $16,000,000 in the aggregate. The outstanding principal and accrued interest of $16,003,947 under the $16,000,000 loan was paid in full on November 1, 2004, in connection with the sale of the 31% beneficial interest in Drive.
On November 1, 2004, FirstCity and certain of its subsidiaries completed the sale of a 31% beneficial ownership interest in Drive and its general partner, Drive GP LLC, to IFA Drive GP Holdings LLC (IFA-GP), IFA Drive LP Holdings LLC (IFA-LP) and Drive Management LP (MG-LP) for a total purchase price of $108,478,300 in cash, which resulted in distributions and payments to FirstCity and Consumer Corp. in the aggregate amount of $86,800,000 in cash, from various sources. As is noted above, the proceeds of the sale were used in part to pay indebtedness owed to the Senior Lenders and BoS-UK.
BoS (USA) Inc. has a warrant to purchase 425,000 shares of FirstCitys voting Common Stock at $2.3125 per share, which is subject to adjustment in the number of shares in the event of certain changes in the Common Stock, grants of options or issuance of convertible securities by FirstCity or certain corporate changes or reorganizations. The warrant will expire on August 31, 2010, if it is not exercised prior to that date.
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Section 2 Financial Information
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation of the Registrant.
Amendment to FirstCity Revolving Credit Agreement.
On August 22, 2007, FirstCity and Bank of Scotland, as agent for the lenders and as lender, entered into the Amendment. The Amendment amended the Revolving Credit Agreement to increase total commitment under the revolving credit facility to $225,000,000, the obligations of which are guaranteed by substantially all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries of FirstCity. The information provided under Item 1.01 of this report related to the Amendment is incorporated herein by reference.
Amendment to FH Partners, LLC Loan Facility.
On August 22, 2007, FH Partners, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned affiliate of FirstCity, and Bank of Scotland, as agent for the lenders and as lender, entered into the FH Partners Amendment to FHP Revolving Credit Agreement. The FH Partners Amendment amended the FHP Revolving Credit Facility to increase the total available commitment under the revolving credit facility to $100,000,000. The information provided under Item 1.01 of this report related to the FH Partners Amendment is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
The following information is furnished pursuant to Item 7.01, Regulation FD Disclosures.
On August 28, 2007, FirstCity issued a press release announcing that FirstCity and the Bank of Scotland had entered into the Amendment to increase the maximum available commitment under the Revolving Credit Agreement from $175,000,000 to $225,000,000, that FH Partners, LLC, an indirect wholly-owned affiliate of FirstCity, and Bank of Scotland, had entered into the FH Partners Amendment to increase the total available commitment under the FHP Revolving Credit Facility from $50,000,000 to $100,000,000, and certain other information. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. The foregoing description is qualified by reference to such exhibit.
The information contained in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and such information shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits.
10.1 Amendment No. 10 to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2007, among FirstCity Financial Corporation, as borrower, and the lenders named therein, as lenders, and Bank of Scotland, as agent.
10.2 Amendment No. 3 and Consent to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2007, among FH Partners, L.L.C., as borrower, and the lenders named therein, as lenders, and Bank of Scotland, as agent.
99.1 Text of press release of FirstCity Financial Corporation issued on August 28, 2007.
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SIGNATURES
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.
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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION |
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Date: August 28, 2007 |
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By: |
/s/ J. Bryan Baker |
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J. Bryan Baker |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
10.1 Amendment No. 10 to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2007, among FirstCity Financial Corporation as Borrower and the Lenders named therein, as Lenders, and Bank of Scotland, as Agent.
10.2 Amendment No. 3 and Consent to Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2007, among FH Partners, L.L.C., as borrower, and the lenders named therein, as lenders, and Bank of Scotland, as agent.
99.1 Text of press release of FirstCity Financial Corporation issued on August 28, 2007.
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Exhibit 10.1
Execution Copy
AMENDMENT NO. 10 AND CONSENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT AND CONSENT (this Amendment), dated as of August 22, 2007, among FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the Borrower), the financial institutions which are parties to the Agreement hereinafter referred to (each a Lender and collectively, the Lenders), and BANK OF SCOTLAND, as agent for the Lenders under such Agreement (in such capacity, the Agent), to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2004, among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent (the Agreement).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that certain amendments set forth herein be made to the Agreement;
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions contained below, the Agent and the Lenders are willing to so amend the Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed:
Crestone Portfolio Entity shall mean FC Crestone 07 Corp. and any other entity organized by FirstCity Denver Investment Corp, for the purpose of originating or acquiring Assets.
Crestone Facility shall mean a $20 million line of credit to be provided by FirstCity Denver Investment Corp. to FC Crestone 07 Corp. or other Crestone Portfolio Entities to be used exclusively for the acquisition and origination of Assets and payment of expenses related to those Assets which is to be secured by a first priority lien on all
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assets of the Crestone Portfolio Entities and a $2 million line of credit to be provided by FirstCity Denver Investment Corp. to FirstCity Crestone LLC to be used exclusively for working capital purposes.
Crestone Notes shall mean the promissory notes issued from time to time under the Crestone Facility, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time with the prior written consent of the Lenders.
FC Holdings Real Property Financing Loans shall mean (i) the FCS Fischer Loan, and (ii) FCS Lancaster Loan.
FCS Fischer Loan shall mean that certain loan amended on December 29, 2006, having a balance consisting of principal, capitalized interest and accrued interest as of December 26, 2006, not in excess of $5,098,798.05 made by FC Holdings to FCS Fischer, Ltd.
FCS Lancaster Loan shall mean that certain loan in an original principal amount not in excess of $2,200,000.00 made by FC Holdings to FCS Lancaster, Ltd. on or about December 29, 2005.
New Ventures shall mean Franklin Client Management, a to-be-formed entity, American Pioneer Bank, a Utah industrial bank, and an investment in a De Novo bank.
New Ventures Borrowing Base shall mean an amount equal to (A) the sum of (i) all capital contributions paid in cash to any New Venture for the equity of such new Venture plus (ii) retained earnings, if any, minus (B) the sum of (i) accumulated deficit, if any, plus (ii) such other reserves as Agent shall from time to time deem, in good faith, to be appropriate, which is not otherwise taken into account in determining the New Ventures Borrowing Base. Once determined, the New Ventures Borrowing Base shall remain in effect until the earlier of the next Borrowing Date or the next Payment Date.
Subordinated Agent shall mean BoS (USA) Inc., acting as Agent under the Subordinated Debt.
Subordinated Debt shall mean all indebtedness and obligations to be evidenced by that certain Subordinated Delayed Draw Credit Agreement being negotiated as of the Amendment Closing Date among the Borrower, the financial institutions party thereto and BoS (USA) Inc., as Agent.
Subordinated Lenders shall mean the lenders from time to time party to the documents evidencing the Subordinated Debt.
Traditional Borrowing Base shall mean, as of any date of calculation an amount equal to, determined as of the immediately preceding Payment Date but giving effect to all subsequent Asset acquisitions by Portfolio Entities and consequent changes in values determined pursuant to clauses (A), (B) and (C) below:
The Aggregate Net Present Equity Value less
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(A) the sum of (i) the amount by which the Net Present Equity Value of all Portfolio Entities located in, or with Assets which originated in Mexico exceeds $40,000,000, (ii) the amount by which the Net Present Equity Value of all Portfolio Entities located in, or with Assets which originated in Brazil exceeds $10,000,000, (iii) the amount by which the Net Present Equity Value of all Portfolio Entities located in, or with Assets which originated in Chile exceeds $25,000,000, (iv) the amount by which the Net Present Equity Value of all Portfolio Entities with Assets located in, or which originated in Argentina or Uruguay exceeds $6,000,000, (v) reserves as Agent shall from time to time deem, in good faith to be appropriate, which is not otherwise taken into account in determining the Net Present Value of an Asset or the Net Present Equity Value of a Portfolio Entity, (vi) the Aggregate Net Present Equity Value of each Portfolio Entity whose Equity Interests are owned by any Subsidiary which has undertaken or is subject to any event described in clauses (i) through (vii) of Section 9.8 of the Agreement, and (vii) the REO Excess Value Adjustment, and less
(B) the sum of the Net Present Equity Values of each Portfolio Entity for which any Loan Party has not completed all actions requested by Agent to ensure the perfection and priority of its Liens on the Equity Interests issued by such Portfolio Entity (including the perfection and priority of Liens on Equity Interests in the country of organization of any Foreign Portfolio Entity, including, if so requested, furnishing an opinion of counsel in such country with respect to such perfection and priority, satisfactory to Agent in form and substance) within ninety (90) days after the Funding Date of any Related Acquisition Loan, plus
(C) the sum of (a) for the FC Commercial Real Property Financing Loan: the lesser of $30,000,000, or the then outstanding balance thereof; (b) for the FC Holdings Real Property Financing Loans, the sum of: (i) the lesser of $6,500,000, or the then outstanding balance of the FCS Fischer Loan, and (ii) the lesser of $3,650,000, or the then outstanding balance of the FCS Lancaster Loan, and (c) the aggregate principal amount of the Crestone Notes then outstanding, reduced by the outstanding balance of any working capital loans under the Crestone Facility.
Once determined, the Traditional Borrowing Base shall remain in effect until the earlier of the next Borrowing Date or the next Payment Date
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Aggregate Undistributed Funds shall mean, on any date of determination, the sum of the amounts determined by multiplying (i) the FC Percentage of each Portfolio Entity, times (ii) the amount of funds held by such Portfolio Entity (which for purposes of this definition shall include the operating funds of the general partner of any limited partnership which is the Portfolio Entity) which are not (w) held in a lockbox account, nor (x) held by such Portfolio Entity for the payment (a) of indebtedness to a Permitted Portfolio Company Creditor of such Portfolio Entity due within the next 30 days or (b) Portfolio Protection Expenses, nor (y) retained by such Portfolio Entity to satisfy a leverage covenant imposed thereon by the Permitted Portfolio Company Creditor thereof pursuant to a covenant under a loan agreement between such creditor and such Portfolio Entity as in effect on the Execution Date, of which Agent has been given written notice, nor (z) held by ABL or any New Venture.
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Borrowing Base shall mean, as of any date of calculation, an amount equal to the sum of (A) the Traditional Borrowing Base plus (B) the New Ventures Borrowing Base.
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Total Loan Commitment shall mean the sum of the Loan Commitments of all of the Lenders, as from time to time reduced pursuant to Section 2.6, which as of the Amendment Closing Date shall be $225,000,000.
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Section 4.3 Utilization Fee. Borrower agrees to pay to Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender (based upon the percentage that each Lenders Loan Commitment represents of the Total Loan Commitment) a utilization fee equal to 1% of the amount of each Acquisition Loan made and each Letter of Credit (Acquisition) issued, such fee to be due and payable on each date on which a Loan is made or a Letter of Credit (Acquisition) is issued (each such fee, a Utilization Fee); provided, however, in no event shall the aggregate amount of Utilization Fees payable during the term of this Agreement exceed $600,000. The Existing Term Loans shall not be subject to the Utilization Fee. The Agent acknowledges that the maximum aggregate Utilization Fee of $600,000 has been paid in full.
Section 4.4 Upfront Fee. Borrower agrees to pay to Agent, for the ratable account of each Lender (based upon the percentage that each Lenders Loan Commitment represents of the Total Loan Commitment) an upfront fee on the increase in the Total Loan Commitment effected on the Amendment Closing Date (the Upfront Fee) in the amount of $500,000, which fee shall be due and payable on the Amendment Closing Date.
5.3 Payment Date and Distribution of Funds.
(a) Until such time as Agent or the Subordinated Agent, as the case may be, has exercised control over the Cash Flow Cash Collateral Account and the Cash Collateral Account-Servicing in accordance with the Loan Documents, all funds in such accounts shall be distributed by Borrower on the fourth to last Business Day of each month (each, a Payment Date) pursuant to the distribution statement approved in writing by Agent or the Subordinated Agent, as the case may be (or at any other times as may be
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agreed upon from time to time by Borrower, Agent, Subordinated Agent and Lenders) to be paid and applied as follows:
(i) First, to the payment to Agent, for the account of Lenders, of all interest on the Loans which is then due and payable;
(ii) Second, to the payment to Agent, for the account of Lenders, of any Commitment Commission and any Letter of Credit Fee payable pursuant to Section 2A.3(a);
(iii) Third, to the payment to Subordinated Agent, for the account of Subordinated Lenders, of all interest on the Subordinated Debt which is then due and payable;
(iv) Fourth, to the payment to Subordinated Agent, for the account of Subordinated Lenders, of any commitment fee in respect of Subordinated Debt which is due and owing;
(v) Fifth, to the payment to Agent, for the account of Lenders, as a principal payment, any mandatory prepayment which is then due and payable pursuant to Section 2.4(a) and 2.4(b);
(vi) Sixth, to the payment to Subordinated Agent, for the account of Subordinated Lenders, as a principal payment, any mandatory prepayment which is then due and payable on the Subordinated Debt;
(vii) Seventh, to the payment to Agent, for the account of Lenders, an amount equal to all of any fees, late charges and other fees and expenses which are then due and payable to Agent and/or Lenders under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or which will become so due and payable on or before the last day of the calendar month in which the Payment Date in question occurs;
(viii) Eighth, to the payment to Subordinated Agent, for the account of Subordinated Lenders, an amount equal to all of any fees, late charges and other fees and expenses which are then due and payable to Subordinated Agent and/or Subordinated Lenders under the Subordinated Debt;
(ix) Ninth, to the payment to Agent, for the account of Lenders, as a principal payment, an amount equal to the amount (if any) of any voluntary prepayment which Borrower elects to pay pursuant to Section 2.5 and any Commitment Commission payable pursuant to Section 2.6(c);
(x) Tenth, to the payment to Subordinated Agent, for the account of Subordinated Lenders, as a principal payment, an amount equal to the amount (if any) of any voluntary prepayment which Borrower elects to pay on the Subordinated Debt;
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(xi) Eleventh, to the payment to Borrower of any remaining balance of the funds in the Cash Flow Cash Collateral Account and the Cash Collateral Account-Servicing.
(b) Upon the exercise by Agent, or the Subordinated Agent, as the case may be, of its right to control the Cash Flow Cash Collateral Account and the Cash Collateral Account-Servicing in accordance with the Loan Documents, all funds in the Cash Flow Cash Collateral Account and the Cash Collateral Account-Servicing may be applied by Agent, or the Subordinated Agent, as the case may be, to Obligations in the following order of priority: (i) to any amounts not otherwise listed in this Section 5.2 then due and payable by Borrower under this Agreement, the Notes or the Security Documents, (ii) to any interest on the Notes (pro rata according to the aggregate amount of interest then due and payable on the Notes) then due and payable, (iii) to any Commitment Commission then due and payable pursuant hereto, (iv) to any other fees then due and payable pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement, pro rata according to the aggregate amount of fees then due and payable, (v) to any principal amount then due under the Notes, (vi) to any interest on the Subordinated Debt then due and payable, (vii) to any commitment fee then due and payable on the Subordinated Debt, (viii) to any other fees then due and payable on the Subordinated Debt, (ix) to any principal amount then due under the Subordinated Debt, (x) to any amounts not then due under the Notes, unless otherwise provided herein and (xi) to any amounts not then due under the Subordinated Debt.
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9.19. Closing of Subordinated Debt. Borrower shall have failed to execute and deliver by no later than September 5, 2007 documents evidencing and effecting a closing under the Subordinated Debt.
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In reliance upon the representations, warranties, and agreements set forth herein, the Agent hereby consents to the execution and delivery of the Indemnity.
The Agent consents to the loans to be made by FC Commercial to FirstCity Denver Investment Corp. to enable it to make loans under the Crestone Facility. The Agent also consents to the pledge of Assets by each Crestone Portfolio Entity to secure the Crestone Facility and the assignment of those liens and security interests by FirstCity Denver Investment Corp. to FC Commercial.
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[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers.
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BANK OF SCOTLAND, |
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Individually and as Agent |
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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION |
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[Signature Page to Amendment No. 10 to Revolving Credit Agreement]
Annex A
CONFIRMING CONSENT
Reference is hereby made to the foregoing Amendment (the Amendment) to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 22, 2007 among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent; said agreement, as amended and modified by the Amendment and from time to time hereafter further amended or otherwise modified, the Amended Agreement.
Each Guarantor hereby consents to the terms and provisions of the Amendment and confirms and acknowledges that:
(a) its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party remain in full force and effect and the terms Obligations and Secured Obligations used in such Loan Documents include all Obligations of the Borrower under the Amended Agreement; and
(b) its consent and acknowledgement hereunder is not required under the terms of such Loan Documents and any failure to obtain its consent or acknowledgment to any subsequent amendment to the Agreement or the Amended Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents will not affect the validity of its obligations under the aforesaid Loan Documents or any other Loan Document, and this consent and acknowledgement is being delivered for purposes of form only.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the same meanings as in the Amended Agreement. This Consent is dated as of the Amendment Closing Date (as defined in the Amendment).
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FIRSTCITY COMMERCIAL CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FC CAPITAL CORP. |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY CONSUMER LENDING |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY EUROPE CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY HOLDINGS CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY HOLDINGS CORPORATION OF |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY MEXICO, INC. |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY SERVICING CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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BOSQUE ASSET CORP. |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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BOSQUE LEASING, L.P. |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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BOSQUE LEASING GP CORP. |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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EXHIBIT 1
KPMG INDEMNITY
June 5, 2007
Private
C.P.A. Enrique Moran
FirstCity Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Francisco de Quevedo 117, Piso 2
Col. Arcos Vallarta 44130
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Dear Enrique:
We are pleased to submit our proposal for professional services regarding transfer pricing to Administracion de Carteras Empresariales S. de R.L. de C.V., Administracion de Carteras Nacionales S. de R.L. de C.V., Administracion de Carteras Nacionales II S. de R.L. de C.V., Cartera en Administracion y Cobranza S. de R.L. de C.V., Cobranza Internacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V., Cobranza Nacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V. FirstCity Mexico S.A. de C.V., Integracion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V., Notmex, S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Recuperacion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V., Recuperacion de Carteras Mexicanas S. de R.L. de C.V., Residencial Oeste S. de R.L. de C.V., Residencial Oeste 2 S. de R.L. de C.V., Solucion de Activos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V., Solucion de Activos Residenciales S. de R.L. de C.V., Solucion de Creditos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V. and Servicios Efectivos de Recuperacion S.A. de C.V. (hereinafter referred to as The Companies). By this mean we confirm the terms and conditions of the agreement that KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. (hereinafter KPMG), will perform to assist The Companies to comply with their transfer pricing obligations regarding the transactions performed by The Companies with its foreign based related parties; and the opinion letters regarding the transactions performed in Mexico between The Companies during fiscal year 2006.
I. Background
It is our understanding that The Companies is a group of Mexican entities primarily engaged in the recovery of overdue loans. It is also our understanding that The Companies performed the following transactions with foreign and Mexican related parties, during fiscal year 2006:
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Company |
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Main Activity |
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Operations with foreign |
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Integracion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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· Financing*. · Payment of administrative services. |
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Servicios Efectivos de Recuperacion S.A. de C.V. |
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Rendering of administrative services |
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a Payment of commissions*. · Rendering of administrative services. a Payment of technical assistance. |
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Recuperacion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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· Financing*. · Payment of administrative services. |
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Firstcity Mexico S.A. de C.V. |
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Rendering of administrative services |
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a Financing*. a Rendering of administrative services. a Payment of technical assistance. |
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Solucion de Activos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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a Financing*. a Payment of administrative services. |
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Solucion de Activos Residenciales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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a Financing*. |
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Notmex, S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR |
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Finance Society of Multiple Object. |
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a Financing*. |
*Transaction performed with foreign based related parties.
On the other side, it is also our understanding that The Companies performed the following transactions only with Mexican related parties, during fiscal year 2006:
2
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Company |
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Main Activity |
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Operations with |
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Administracion de Carteras Nacionales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Administracion de Carteras Nacionales II S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Administracion de Carteras Empresariales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Cobranza Internacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Cobranza Nacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Recuperacion de Carteras Mexicanas S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Residencial Oeste S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Cartera en Administracion y Cobranza S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Solucion de Creditos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Residencial Oeste 2 S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
Due to the previously mentioned, the intercompany transactions by which it is required to know if they comply with transfer pricing regulations are the following:
· Financing,
· Rendering of administrative services,
· Payment of commissions, and
· Payment of technical assistance.
3
II. Scope of Engagement
Our work will be performed based on the information provided by you and we will not issue any opinion regarding the reasonability of the figures involved, every time that the procedures to apply do not constitute an audit of the financial statements or the information provided to us in order to fulfill our work.
The purpose of our work will be to assist The Companies to fulfill its transfer pricing documentation obligations, and to evaluate if the prices, amounts of compensation or profit margins of the transactions performed by The Companies with its foreign related parties are similar those which would have been agreed between independent parties in comparable transactions, according to Articles 86-XII and 215 of the Mexican Income Tax Law (MITL), during fiscal year 2006, and to determine if the prices, amounts of compensation or profit margins of the transactions performed by The Companies with its Mexican related parties, are similar to those which would have been agreed between independent parties in comparable transactions, according to Article 86-XV of the MITL.
This proposal covers only the elaboration of the transfer pricing analysis for the transactions performed with the related parties mentioned in the Background section, and does not include the filing for an advanced pricing agreement with the tax authorities, in order to obtain a transfer pricing ruling. In such case, a request for an advanced pricing agreement would be evaluated once the transfer pricing study is concluded.
According to Article 86-XII of the MITL for fiscal year 2006, the transfer pricing analysis with respect to the transactions carried out with foreign related parties, must be performed for each type of transaction (sales, purchases, services, among others). Also, the informative tax return regarding transactions with foreign related parties requires that the information of these transactions be filed per type of transaction. Therefore, in order to support the information that will be filed in the informative tax return for fiscal year 2006, as well as to fulfill the applicable tax provisions for said fiscal year, our work will consist of analyzing separately each type of transaction performed by The Companies with its foreign related parties, during fiscal year 2006. The transfer pricing analysis of the transactions performed between The Companies and its Mexican related parties will be performed on the same basis.
4
We will keep in strict confidentiality any documentation and information that may be furnished to us in order to perform our work, as well as the results obtained in the analysis. No information will be disclosed to any other party unless it is specifically requested by The Companies.
The scope of our work will be limited to prepare a transfer pricing studies for fiscal year 2006, which will include the transactions carried out by The Companies with its foreign related parties, mentioned in the Background section, and to determine if the prices, amounts of compensation or profit margins of these transactions are similar to those which would be agreed between independent parties in comparable transactions. At the end, we will provide you with a report that will consist of the following:
Section I: Introduction
Section II: Business Overview
Section III: Transactions with Foreign Related Parties
Section IV: Economic Analysis
Section V: Conclusions
Section VI: Appendixes
Likewise, regarding the transactions performed with the Mexican related parties mentioned in the Background section of this proposal, we will provide opinion letters containing the following:
Section I: Introduction
Section II: Business Overview
Section III: Analysis and Results
Section IV: Conclusions
III. Work Plan
We anticipate that the project will take approximately twelve weeks to carry out and deliver the transfer pricing report for fiscal year 2006, once we have all the information required to perform our work. This timetable depends on a timely support from The Companies personnel to our information requirements, as well as on the quality of such information. During the elaboration of the project, we will make our best effort to deliver it on the time stipulated in this engagement letter. Unanticipated events may require some modification of the timetable as well as of our fees. We will notify you of these events as soon as they arise.
5
Startup of the project will be scheduled once we receive a signed copy with your approval of our proposal.
Our work will be performed according to the following stages:
Information requirement: An information requirement will be submitted to The Companies personnel in order to obtain the information necessary to start the transfer pricing studies.
Data gathering: A meeting with The Companies personnel will be carried out in order to gather and to review the information required in the previous stage.
Functional analysis/Background: With the information obtained, we will carry out the functional analysis of The Companies, which consists of a detailed description of its functions and transactions with its foreign related parties. Regarding the opinion letters, we will prepare a description of the intercompany transactions performed with Mexican related parties.
Transfer pricing methodology: We will apply the best transfer pricing methodology for each type of transaction performed with related parties, including the comparable companies search, the economic adjustments that may apply and the results.
Transfer pricing report and opinion letter: We will prepare the drafts for discussion purposes of the report and the opinion letters, which will contain the functional analysis, the economic analysis, the results and our conclusions, as well as the appendixes, which support the work performed.
Draft review: We will deliver the drafts for discussion purposes, for your review and comments. If necessary, we will schedule a meeting to go over the work performed, as well as the results obtained.
Final version: Once The Companies has reviewed the drafts and provided us its comments, we will prepare and deliver the final versions of the transfer pricing reports, and the opinion letters.
6
As a result of our work we will issue opinions which will be based on the current applicable Mexican regulations in force. Such regulations may be modified or abrogated at any moment. As a result, such changes may affect the future validity of our conclusions, which would be updated in the event that The Companies requests it from us, causing additional fees. Our comments will not constitute a resolution of mandatory application. Thus, third parties may not agree with them.
IV. Staffing
The success of our transfer pricing projects is attributable to the team work of our specialized staff. KPMG has a professional team with experience in serving the needs of corporations with respect to transfer pricing. In this analysis we will incorporate economical and fiscal issues with transfer pricing applications. The successful synergy of these two perspectives is our signature and what we believe makes us different from our competitors.
Our project team will consist of myself, Partner of the Tax Practice, Jose Casas, Transfer Pricing Partner, Alma Gutierrez, Transfer Pricing Manager, as well as members from our staff specialized in this area. I will be responsible for the project, while Alma Gutierrez will direct the project on a day-to-day basis.
V. Fees
Our professional fees for the transfer pricing report and opinion letter of 2006 will be of $30,000 US dollars, plus Value Added Tax (VAT). We will require a 60% advanced payment at the beginning of our work, 20% will be invoiced the following month and the rest will be required once we deliver the draft for discussion purposes. Any out-of-pocket expenses will be charged separately, previous authorization of The Companies before incurring them.
Our fees are based on the degree of responsibility and skills involved and the time necessary to conduct the work. Circumstances encountered during the rendering of our services that warrant additional time and expense may cause us to be unable to deliver them within the time and amount listed above. We will notify you of any circumstances as they are assessed.
7
***********
We are pleased to have the opportunity to submit our proposal of professional services, and express our commitment to deliver a high quality service. If you accept this proposal, we would ask you to sign where indicated and send us a copy for our files.
Our advice is for the sole benefit of The Companies based upon your specific facts and circumstances. It should not be relied upon by others. In the event that a third party takes legal action, resulting from the use or possession of KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C.s advice, The Companies will compensate KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. for such legal action, the derived contingencies and costs.
In connection with this engagement, you agree that the liability to The Companies of KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C., (its partners, directors, employees and agents under statute otherwise) for any loss or damage suffered by you arising out of or in connection with our work, however the loss or damage is caused, including our negligence but nor our willful default, shall be limited to the amount of the fees established in this engagement letter.
We are currently carrying out the internal process that our international policies require to document our understanding and evaluation of professional risk for the acceptance of new clients based on information provided to us by the management of The Companies that is being verified by our specialists. We do not anticipate any change derived from this procedure; nevertheless, in the case that some circumstance exists which obliges us to modify our preliminary evaluation of risk and that has some impact in this proposal, and as such, we have to resign from rendering our services, we will promptly contact you.
The Companies authorizes KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. to use electronic mail (e-mail) and other electronic methods to transmit and receive information related to our services mentioned in this proposal letter, including confidential information between KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. and The Companies, and between KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. and entities and external specialists, contracted by KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. or by FirstCity Mexico.
8
KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. does not assume any responsibility with respect to the loss of information or legal action taken for the loss of confidentiality, related to communication through the Internet.
For the interpretation, execution and fulfillment of this engagement letter, the parties appearing before the courts of Mexico City, the Federal District and to the competent federal authorities under federal laws, and expressly renounce to any other statute that some of the parties have or have come to consider by reason of its present or future residence or by any other reason.
This engagement letter, together with its appendixes, if any, forms the entire agreement and understanding between KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. and The Companies with respect to the subject matter hereof. This engagement letter supersedes all previous arrangements and understandings between the parties with respect to the subject of this engagement letter, which shall cease to have any further force or effect. Any variation to the terms of this proposal letter shall be made in writing and will not be effective unless signed by a partner of KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. and by a duly authorized representative of The Companies.
This engagement letter is subject to the authorization policies of The Companies, as well as to KPMGs policies of risk evaluation and authorization of service.
If you require further information or clarification, please contact us.
Sincerely,
KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C.
Leopoldo Velazquez
Tax Partner
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c.c.p.: C.P. Jose Casas |
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KPMG |
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C.P. Luis Enrique Guzman |
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KPMG |
9
VI. Approval
I have read and understand the terms and conditions expressed in this engagement letter, and I agree to and accept them.
Administracion de Carteras Empresariales S. de R.L. de C.V. Administracion de Carteras Nacionales S. de R.L. de C.V. Administracion de Carteras Nacionales II S. de R.L. de C.V. Cartera en Administracion y Cobranza S. de R.L. de C.V. Cobranza Internacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V. Cobranza Nacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V.
FirstCity Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Integracion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V. Notmex, S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR
Recuperacion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V. Recuperacion de Carteras Mexicanas S. de R.L. de C.V. Residencial Oeste S. de R.L. de C.V.
Residencial Oeste 2 S. de R.L. de C.V.
Servicios Efectivos de Recuperacion S.A. de C.V.
Solucion de Activos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V. Solucion de Activos Residenciales S. de R.L. de C.V. Solucion de Creditos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C
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10
Exhibit 10.2
EXECUTION COPY
AMENDMENT NO. 3 AND CONSENT TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT AND CONSENT (this Amendment), dated as of August 22, 2007, among FH PARTNERS LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the Borrower), the financial institutions which are parties to the Agreement hereinafter referred to (each a Lender and collectively, the Lenders), and BANK OF SCOTLAND, as agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the Agent) under the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2005, among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent (the Agreement).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that certain amendments set forth herein be made to the Agreement;
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions contained below, the Agent and the Lenders are willing to so amend the Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed:
1
2
In reliance upon the representations, warranties, and agreements set forth herein, the Agent hereby consents to the execution and delivery of the Indemnity.
Agent consents to the filing of the amendment to Certificate of Formation on July 30, 2007, to change of the name of FH Partners Investments LLC to FH Partners LLC.
3
4
5
6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers.
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BANK OF SCOTLAND, |
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Individually and as Agent |
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By |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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FH PARTNERS LLC |
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By |
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Name: |
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[Signature Page to Amendment No. 3 to Revolving Credit Agreement]
Annex A
CONFIRMING CONSENT
Reference is hereby made to the foregoing Amendment dated as of August 22, 2007 (the Amendment) to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2005 among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent; said agreement, as amended and modified by the Amendment and from time to time hereafter further amended or otherwise modified, the Amended Agreement.
Each Guarantor hereby consents to the terms and provisions of the Amendment and confirms and acknowledges that:
(a) its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party remain in full force and effect and the terms Obligations and Secured Obligations used in such Loan Documents include all Obligations of the Borrower under the Amended Agreement; and
(b) its consent and acknowledgement hereunder is not required under the terms of such Loan Documents and any failure to obtain its consent or acknowledgment to any subsequent amendment to the Agreement or the Amended Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents will not affect the validity of its obligations under the aforesaid Loan Documents or any other Loan Document, and this consent and acknowledgement is being delivered for purposes of form only.
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the same meanings as in the Amended Agreement. This Consent is dated as of the Amendment Closing Date (as defined in the Amendment).
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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY COMMERCIAL CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY EUROPE CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY HOLDINGS CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY MEXICO, INC. |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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FIRSTCITY SERVICING CORPORATION |
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By: |
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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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EXHIBIT 1
KPMG INDEMNITY
June 5, 2007
Private
C.P.A. Enrique Moran
FirstCity Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Francisco de Quevedo 117, Piso 2
Col. Arcos Vallarta 44130
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Dear Enrique:
We are pleased to submit our proposal for professional services regarding transfer pricing to Administracion de Carteras Empresariales S. de R.L. de C.V., Administracion de Carteras Nacionales S. de R.L. de C.V., Administracion de Carteras Nacionales II S. de R.L. de C.V., Cartera en Administracion y Cobranza S. de R.L. de C.V., Cobranza Internacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V., Cobranza Nacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V. FirstCity Mexico S.A. de C.V., Integracion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V., Notmex, S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR, Recuperacion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V., Recuperacion de Carteras Mexicanas S. de R.L. de C.V., Residencial Oeste S. de R.L. de C.V., Residencial Oeste 2 S. de R.L. de C.V., Solucion de Activos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V., Solucion de Activos Residenciales S. de R.L. de C.V., Solucion de Creditos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V. and Servicios Efectivos de Recuperacion S.A. de C.V. (hereinafter referred to as The Companies). By this mean we confirm the terms and conditions of the agreement that KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. (hereinafter KPMG), will perform to assist The Companies to comply with their transfer pricing obligations regarding the transactions performed by The Companies with its foreign based related parties; and the opinion letters regarding the transactions performed in Mexico between The Companies during fiscal year 2006.
I. Background
It is our understanding that The Companies is a group of Mexican entities primarily engaged in the recovery of overdue loans. It is also our understanding that The Companies performed the following transactions with foreign and Mexican related parties, during fiscal year 2006:
|
Company |
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Main Activity |
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Operations with foreign |
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Integracion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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· Financing*. · Payment of administrative services. |
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Servicios Efectivos de Recuperacion S.A. de C.V. |
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Rendering of administrative services |
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a Payment of commissions*. · Rendering of administrative services. a Payment of technical assistance. |
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Recuperacion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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· Financing*. · Payment of administrative services. |
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Firstcity Mexico S.A. de C.V. |
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Rendering of administrative services |
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a Financing*. a Rendering of administrative services. a Payment of technical assistance. |
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Solucion de Activos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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a Financing*. a Payment of administrative services. |
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Solucion de Activos Residenciales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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a Financing*. |
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Notmex, S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR |
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Finance Society of Multiple Object. |
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a Financing*. |
*Transaction performed with foreign based related parties.
On the other side, it is also our understanding that The Companies performed the following transactions only with Mexican related parties, during fiscal year 2006:
2
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Company |
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Main Activity |
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Operations with |
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Administracion de Carteras Nacionales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans. |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Administracion de Carteras Nacionales II S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Administracion de Carteras Empresariales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Cobranza Internacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Cobranza Nacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Recuperacion de Carteras Mexicanas S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Residencial Oeste S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Cartera en Administracion y Cobranza S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Solucion de Creditos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
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Residencial Oeste 2 S. de R.L. de C.V. |
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Recovery of overdue loans |
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· Payment of administrative services. |
Due to the previously mentioned, the intercompany transactions by which it is required to know if they comply with transfer pricing regulations are the following:
· Financing,
· Rendering of administrative services,
· Payment of commissions, and
· Payment of technical assistance.
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II. Scope of Engagement
Our work will be performed based on the information provided by you and we will not issue any opinion regarding the reasonability of the figures involved, every time that the procedures to apply do not constitute an audit of the financial statements or the information provided to us in order to fulfill our work.
The purpose of our work will be to assist The Companies to fulfill its transfer pricing documentation obligations, and to evaluate if the prices, amounts of compensation or profit margins of the transactions performed by The Companies with its foreign related parties are similar those which would have been agreed between independent parties in comparable transactions, according to Articles 86-XII and 215 of the Mexican Income Tax Law (MITL), during fiscal year 2006, and to determine if the prices, amounts of compensation or profit margins of the transactions performed by The Companies with its Mexican related parties, are similar to those which would have been agreed between independent parties in comparable transactions, according to Article 86-XV of the MITL.
This proposal covers only the elaboration of the transfer pricing analysis for the transactions performed with the related parties mentioned in the Background section, and does not include the filing for an advanced pricing agreement with the tax authorities, in order to obtain a transfer pricing ruling. In such case, a request for an advanced pricing agreement would be evaluated once the transfer pricing study is concluded.
According to Article 86-XII of the MITL for fiscal year 2006, the transfer pricing analysis with respect to the transactions carried out with foreign related parties, must be performed for each type of transaction (sales, purchases, services, among others). Also, the informative tax return regarding transactions with foreign related parties requires that the information of these transactions be filed per type of transaction. Therefore, in order to support the information that will be filed in the informative tax return for fiscal year 2006, as well as to fulfill the applicable tax provisions for said fiscal year, our work will consist of analyzing separately each type of transaction performed by The Companies with its foreign related parties, during fiscal year 2006. The transfer pricing analysis of the transactions performed between The Companies and its Mexican related parties will be performed on the same basis.
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We will keep in strict confidentiality any documentation and information that may be furnished to us in order to perform our work, as well as the results obtained in the analysis. No information will be disclosed to any other party unless it is specifically requested by The Companies.
The scope of our work will be limited to prepare a transfer pricing studies for fiscal year 2006, which will include the transactions carried out by The Companies with its foreign related parties, mentioned in the Background section, and to determine if the prices, amounts of compensation or profit margins of these transactions are similar to those which would be agreed between independent parties in comparable transactions. At the end, we will provide you with a report that will consist of the following:
Section I: Introduction
Section II: Business Overview
Section III: Transactions with Foreign Related Parties
Section IV: Economic Analysis
Section V: Conclusions
Section VI: Appendixes
Likewise, regarding the transactions performed with the Mexican related parties mentioned in the Background section of this proposal, we will provide opinion letters containing the following:
Section I: Introduction
Section II: Business Overview
Section III: Analysis and Results
Section IV: Conclusions
III. Work Plan
We anticipate that the project will take approximately twelve weeks to carry out and deliver the transfer pricing report for fiscal year 2006, once we have all the information required to perform our work. This timetable depends on a timely support from The Companies personnel to our information requirements, as well as on the quality of such information. During the elaboration of the project, we will make our best effort to deliver it on the time stipulated in this engagement letter. Unanticipated events may require some modification of the timetable as well as of our fees. We will notify you of these events as soon as they arise.
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Startup of the project will be scheduled once we receive a signed copy with your approval of our proposal.
Our work will be performed according to the following stages:
Information requirement: An information requirement will be submitted to The Companies personnel in order to obtain the information necessary to start the transfer pricing studies.
Data gathering: A meeting with The Companies personnel will be carried out in order to gather and to review the information required in the previous stage.
Functional analysis/Background: With the information obtained, we will carry out the functional analysis of The Companies, which consists of a detailed description of its functions and transactions with its foreign related parties. Regarding the opinion letters, we will prepare a description of the intercompany transactions performed with Mexican related parties.
Transfer pricing methodology: We will apply the best transfer pricing methodology for each type of transaction performed with related parties, including the comparable companies search, the economic adjustments that may apply and the results.
Transfer pricing report and opinion letter: We will prepare the drafts for discussion purposes of the report and the opinion letters, which will contain the functional analysis, the economic analysis, the results and our conclusions, as well as the appendixes, which support the work performed.
Draft review: We will deliver the drafts for discussion purposes, for your review and comments. If necessary, we will schedule a meeting to go over the work performed, as well as the results obtained.
Final version: Once The Companies has reviewed the drafts and provided us its comments, we will prepare and deliver the final versions of the transfer pricing reports, and the opinion letters.
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As a result of our work we will issue opinions which will be based on the current applicable Mexican regulations in force. Such regulations may be modified or abrogated at any moment. As a result, such changes may affect the future validity of our conclusions, which would be updated in the event that The Companies requests it from us, causing additional fees. Our comments will not constitute a resolution of mandatory application. Thus, third parties may not agree with them.
IV. Staffing
The success of our transfer pricing projects is attributable to the team work of our specialized staff. KPMG has a professional team with experience in serving the needs of corporations with respect to transfer pricing. In this analysis we will incorporate economical and fiscal issues with transfer pricing applications. The successful synergy of these two perspectives is our signature and what we believe makes us different from our competitors.
Our project team will consist of myself, Partner of the Tax Practice, Jose Casas, Transfer Pricing Partner, Alma Gutierrez, Transfer Pricing Manager, as well as members from our staff specialized in this area. I will be responsible for the project, while Alma Gutierrez will direct the project on a day-to-day basis.
V. Fees
Our professional fees for the transfer pricing report and opinion letter of 2006 will be of $30,000 US dollars, plus Value Added Tax (VAT). We will require a 60% advanced payment at the beginning of our work, 20% will be invoiced the following month and the rest will be required once we deliver the draft for discussion purposes. Any out-of-pocket expenses will be charged separately, previous authorization of The Companies before incurring them.
Our fees are based on the degree of responsibility and skills involved and the time necessary to conduct the work. Circumstances encountered during the rendering of our services that warrant additional time and expense may cause us to be unable to deliver them within the time and amount listed above. We will notify you of any circumstances as they are assessed.
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We are pleased to have the opportunity to submit our proposal of professional services, and express our commitment to deliver a high quality service. If you accept this proposal, we would ask you to sign where indicated and send us a copy for our files.
Our advice is for the sole benefit of The Companies based upon your specific facts and circumstances. It should not be relied upon by others. In the event that a third party takes legal action, resulting from the use or possession of KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C.s advice, The Companies will compensate KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. for such legal action, the derived contingencies and costs.
In connection with this engagement, you agree that the liability to The Companies of KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C., (its partners, directors, employees and agents under statute otherwise) for any loss or damage suffered by you arising out of or in connection with our work, however the loss or damage is caused, including our negligence but nor our willful default, shall be limited to the amount of the fees established in this engagement letter.
We are currently carrying out the internal process that our international policies require to document our understanding and evaluation of professional risk for the acceptance of new clients based on information provided to us by the management of The Companies that is being verified by our specialists. We do not anticipate any change derived from this procedure; nevertheless, in the case that some circumstance exists which obliges us to modify our preliminary evaluation of risk and that has some impact in this proposal, and as such, we have to resign from rendering our services, we will promptly contact you.
The Companies authorizes KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. to use electronic mail (e-mail) and other electronic methods to transmit and receive information related to our services mentioned in this proposal letter, including confidential information between KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. and The Companies, and between KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. and entities and external specialists, contracted by KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. or by FirstCity Mexico.
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KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. does not assume any responsibility with respect to the loss of information or legal action taken for the loss of confidentiality, related to communication through the Internet.
For the interpretation, execution and fulfillment of this engagement letter, the parties appearing before the courts of Mexico City, the Federal District and to the competent federal authorities under federal laws, and expressly renounce to any other statute that some of the parties have or have come to consider by reason of its present or future residence or by any other reason.
This engagement letter, together with its appendixes, if any, forms the entire agreement and understanding between KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. and The Companies with respect to the subject matter hereof. This engagement letter supersedes all previous arrangements and understandings between the parties with respect to the subject of this engagement letter, which shall cease to have any further force or effect. Any variation to the terms of this proposal letter shall be made in writing and will not be effective unless signed by a partner of KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C. and by a duly authorized representative of The Companies.
This engagement letter is subject to the authorization policies of The Companies, as well as to KPMGs policies of risk evaluation and authorization of service.
If you require further information or clarification, please contact us.
Sincerely,
KPMG Cardenas Dosal, S.C.
Leopoldo Velazquez
Tax Partner
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c.c.p.: C.P. Jose Casas |
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KPMG |
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C.P. Luis Enrique Guzman |
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KPMG |
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VI. Approval
I have read and understand the terms and conditions expressed in this engagement letter, and I agree to and accept them.
Administracion de Carteras Empresariales S. de R.L. de C.V. Administracion de Carteras Nacionales S. de R.L. de C.V. Administracion de Carteras Nacionales II S. de R.L. de C.V. Cartera en Administracion y Cobranza S. de R.L. de C.V. Cobranza Internacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V. Cobranza Nacional de Carteras S. de R.L. de C.V.
FirstCity Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Integracion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V. Notmex, S.A. de C.V. SOFOM ENR
Recuperacion de Activos Mexicanos S. de R.L. de C.V. Recuperacion de Carteras Mexicanas S. de R.L. de C.V. Residencial Oeste S. de R.L. de C.V.
Residencial Oeste 2 S. de R.L. de C.V.
Servicios Efectivos de Recuperacion S.A. de C.V.
Solucion de Activos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C.V. Solucion de Activos Residenciales S. de R.L. de C.V. Solucion de Creditos Comerciales S. de R.L. de C
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Exhibit 99.1
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N E W S R E L E A S E
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Suzy W. Taylor |
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866-652-1810 |

FirstCity Financial Corporation (NASDAQ FCFC) Increases Its Lending Facilities By $100 Million
Waco, Texas August 28, 2007 FirstCity Financial Corporation announced today that the Company and Bank of Scotland have amended FirstCitys existing corporate credit facility to increase the maximum available commitment under the revolver from $175 million to $225 million. This increase, along with a $50 million increase in the borrowing facility to FH Partners to finance portfolio and asset purchases represents total increased borrowing capacity for FirstCity of $100 million.
James T. Sartain, President and CEO of FirstCity stated, The increased funding available under our bank lending facilities will allow FirstCity to continue the strong growth in its earning asset base by capitalizing on opportunities in the markets.
Additional information regarding the amended facilities is detailed in an 8-K filed with the SEC today.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, which are not historical fact, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words expect, intend, plan, estimate, believe, will be, will continue, will likely result, and similar expressions. Such statements inherently are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. There are many important factors that could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of certain covenants in loan agreements of the Company and its subsidiaries; the continued availability of the Companys credit facilities; the performance of the Companys subsidiaries and affiliates; factors more fully discussed and identified under Item 7 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, risk factors and other risks identified in the Companys current report on Form 10-K, filed July 24, 2007, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of the date of this release. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the Companys expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.
FirstCity Financial is a diversified financial services company with operations dedicated to portfolio asset acquisition and resolution with offices in the U.S. and with affiliate organizations in Europe and Latin America. Its common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market System under the symbol FCFC.