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): November 25, 2008
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.
Amendment to FirstCity Subordinated Delayed Draw Credit Agreement.
On December 12, 2008, FirstCity and BoS(USA) Inc., as agent for the lenders and as lender, entered into Amendment No. 14 dated December 12, 2008, to the Subordinated Delayed Draw Credit Agreement dated as of September 5, 2007 (the Subordinated Credit Agreement) to (1) amend and restate Section 8.18(a)(i) to change the ratio of indebtedness to tangible net worth from being equal to or less than 3.0 to 1.00 to being equal to or less than 5.25 to 1.00, provided that such ratio shall reduce to 5.00 to 1.00 effective upon FirstCitys certification to the lenders, and the lenders written approval of such certification, that FirstCity has received Litigation Proceeds of at least $3,500,000, (2) amend and restate Section 8.18(a)(iii) to reduce the required tangible net worth from being equal to or greater than $85,000,000 to being equal to or greater than $50,000,000, provided that the tangible net worth requirement will be increased upon receipt of any Litigation Proceeds by the amount of the Litigation Proceeds received, and (3) revise the definition of the base rate interest so that the rate would be as at least high as the adjusted one month LIBOR Rate in effect for each day. The foregoing description of Amendment No. 14 is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Amendment No. 14 attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
Amendment to FH Partners LLC Revolving Credit Agreement.
On December 12, 2008, FH Partners LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FirstCity, and Bank of Scotland, as agent for the lenders and as lender, entered into Amendment No. 7 dated December 12, 2008, to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2005 (the FH Partners Credit Agreement) to (1) amend and restate Section 8.18A(a)(i) to change the ratio of indebtedness to tangible net worth from being equal to or less than 3.0 to 1.00 to being equal to or less than 5.25 to 1.00, provided that such ratio shall reduce to 5.00 to 1.00 effective upon FirstCitys certification to the lenders, and the lenders written approval of such certification, that FirstCity has received Litigation Proceeds of at least $3,500,000, (2) amend and restate Section 8.18A(a)(iii) to reduce the required tangible net worth from being equal to or greater than $85,000,000 to being equal to or greater than $50,000,000, provided that the tangible net worth requirement will be increased upon receipt of any Litigation Proceeds by the amount of the Litigation Proceeds received, and (3) revise the definition of the base rate interest so that the rate would be at least as high as the adjusted one month LIBOR Rate in effect for each day. The foregoing description of Amendment No. 7 is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Amendment No. 7 attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
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Nature of Material Relationship with Bank of Scotland.
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 a revolving credit loan facility 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. This facility is secured by all of the assets of FirstCity and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and is guaranteed by certain of the wholly-owned subsidiaries. The outstanding balances under this facility were converted to loans under the revolving credit agreement between FirstCity and the Bank of Scotland dated November 12, 2004, which amended and restated the revolving loan facility and increased the loan facility to a maximum loan amount of $96,000,000. This revolving facility was most recently amended on August 22, 2007, to increase the maximum available commitment under the revolving credit facility from $175,000,000 to $225,000,000.
On August 26, 2005, FH Partners LLC and Bank of Scotland entered into the FH Partners Credit Agreement which provided a $50,000,000 revolving loan facility to be used to finance portfolio and asset purchases made by FH Partners LLC. The FH Partners Credit Agreement was amended on August 22, 2007, to increase the maximum loan amount under the revolving loan facility to $100,000,000. The FH Partners Credit Agreement is secured by all of the assets of FH Partners LLC. The obligations of FH Partners LLC under the FH Partners Credit Agreement are guaranteed by FirstCity and the primary wholly-owned subsidiaries of FirstCity.
On September 5, 2007, FirstCity and BoS(USA), Inc. entered into the Subordinated Credit Agreement which provides a $25,000,000 loan facility to FirstCity. This $25,000,000 loan facility can be used to finance equity investments in new ventures approved by BoS(USA) Inc. to be funded under the facility, the senior debt and equity portion of portfolio and asset purchases, to provide for the issuance of letters of credit and for working capital loans. The Subordinated Credit Agreement is secured by all of the assets of FirstCity and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and is guaranteed by certain of the wholly-owned subsidiaries.
On September 21, 2004, FirstCity, FirstCity Consumer Corporation (Consumer Corp.), FirstCity Funding LP (Funding LP) and FirstCity Funding GP (Funding GP), all affiliates of FirstCity, entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the 2004 Securities Purchase Agreement) to sell a 31% beneficial ownership interest in Drive Financial Services, L.P. 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), all affiliates of Bank of Scotland. In the 2004 Securities Purchase Agreement, FirstCity, Consumer Corp., Funding LP and Funding GP made various representations and warranties concerning (i) their respective organizations, (ii) their power and authority to enter into the 2004 Securities Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein, (iii) the ownership of the limited partnership interests in Drive by Funding LP, (iv) the ownership of membership interests in Drive-GP by Consumer Corp., and (iv) the capital structure of Funding LP. FirstCity, Consumer Corp., Funding LP and Funding GP also agreed to indemnify BoS (USA), IFA-GP, IFA-LP and MG-LP from damages resulting from a breach of any representation or warranty contained in the 2004 Securities Purchase Agreement or otherwise made by FirstCity, Consumer Corp. or Funding LP in connection with the transaction. The indemnity obligations under the 2004 Securities Purchase Agreement survive for a maximum period of five (5) years from November 1, 2004. Neither FirstCity, Consumer Corp., Funding LP, or Funding GP is required to make any payments as a result of the indemnity provided under the 2004 Securities Purchase Agreement until the aggregate amount payable exceeds $25,000, and then only for the amount in excess of $25,000 in the aggregate; however certain representations and warranties are not subject to this $25,000 threshold. On November 1, 2004, FirstCity and certain of its subsidiaries completed the sale of a 31% beneficial
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ownership interest in Drive and its general partner, Drive GP LLC, to IFA-GP, IFA-LP and 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. The proceeds of the sale were used in part to pay indebtedness owed to the Bank of Scotland 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.
Settlement of Lawsuit Related to Demutualization Proceeds.
On November 25, 2008, FirstCity, FCLT Loans Asset Corporation and Tony J. Blair, individually and as representative of a class of former employee beneficiaries, accepted a mediators proposal for settlement of the claims in the interpleader suit styled Prudential Financial, Inc. v. JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association, et. al. (the Interpleader Suit). The Interpleader Suit was originally filed by Prudential Financial, Inc. (Prudential) to determine the ownership of stock and dividends that became available as a result of the demutualization of Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential Insurance). Pursuant to an order of the trial court on January 27, 2005, the Prudential stock and dividends were liquidated, and the proceeds are being held by JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association (JP Morgan) pending resolution of the conflicting claims. According to JP Morgan, at the time of the mediation, the demutualization proceeds held by JP Morgan totaled approximately $18.6 million.
Pursuant to the mediators proposal, each of the parties will receive 25% of the demutualization proceeds (approximately $4,650,000 each) upon approval of the settlement by the trial court and the remaining 25% ($4,650,000) will be held pending the determination of the appeal by the Court of Appeals. The remaining 25% will be distributed to FirstCity if the Court of Appeals affirms the summary judgment granted by the trial court in favor of FirstCity; in the event of any other result, the remaining 25% will be split one-third to each party (approximately $1,550,000 each). In the event that the Court of Appeals affirms the summary judgment granted by the trial court in favor of FirstCity, FirstCity will receive 50% of the demutualization proceeds (approximately $9,300,000). If the Court of Appeals does not affirm the decision of the trial court, FirstCity will receive 33.3% of the demutualization proceeds (approximately $6,200,000).
Pursuant to the mediators proposal, the parties to the Interpleader Suit will request the Court of Appeals to refrain from ruling on the appeal until the settlement process is completed, including the trial courts approval or disapproval of the settlement on behalf of the class of former employees. The parties will agree, subject to approval of the Court of Appeals, upon the procedure to be followed as the Court of Appeals has jurisdiction of the suit and the trial courts approval of the settlement is necessary. If the trial court does not approve the settlement the parties will be restored to their positions in the suit prior to the acceptance of the mediators proposal.
The mediators proposal provides that the parties will enter into a more detailed settlement agreement including mutual releases of all parties. The settlement is subject to approval of the procedure for the settlement by the Court of Appeals and the preliminary approval of the terms of the settlement by the trial court, notice to the class of the action, and final approval by the trial court after hearings on the fairness of the settlement with respect to the class of former employees.
The foregoing description of the settlement set forth in the mediators proposal is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Mediators Proposal attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and is incorporated herein by this reference.
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Section 8 Other Events.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
FirstCity has issued the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 which is incorporated by reference herein.
Section 9 Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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(d) |
Exhibits. |
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10.1 |
Amendment No. 27 dated December 12, 2008 between FirstCity Financial Corporation and Bank of Scotland |
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10.2. |
Amendment No. 14 dated December 12, 2008 between FirstCity Financial Corporation and BoS(USA) Inc. |
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10.3 |
Amendment No. 7 dated December 12, 2008 between FH Partners LLC and Bank of Scotland |
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10.4 |
Mediators Proposal dated November 20, 2008. |
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99.1 |
Press Release dated December 15, 2008. |
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: December 15, 2008 |
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/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
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10.1 |
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Amendment No. 27 dated December 12, 2008 between FirstCity Financial Corporation and Bank of Scotland |
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10.2. |
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Amendment No. 14 dated December 12, 2008 between FirstCity Financial Corporation and BoS(USA) Inc. |
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10.3 |
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Amendment No. 7 dated December 12, 2008 between FH Partners LLC and Bank of Scotland |
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10.4 |
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Mediators Proposal dated November 20, 2008. |
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99.1 |
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Press Release dated December 15, 2008. |
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Exhibit 10.1
AMENDMENT NO. 27 TO REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT (this Amendment), dated as of December 12, 2008, 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 PLC, acting through its New York branch, 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, as such agreement has been amended in writing from time to time prior to this Amendment (the Agreement).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower anticipates receiving cash proceeds from a judgment in certain litigation in which the Borrower has been engaged; and
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that certain amendments set forth herein be made to the Agreement to reflect certain agreements the Lenders and the Borrower have reached, including with respect to the treatment of the proceeds from such litigation; and
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions contained below, the Agent and the Lenders are willing so to amend the Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed:
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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 as of the date first shown.
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BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, acting through |
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its New York branch, as Agent and as Lender |
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By |
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Title: |
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FIRSTCITY FINANCIAL CORPORATION |
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By |
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[Signature Page to Amendment No. 27 to Revolving Credit Agreement]
Annex A
CONFIRMING CONSENT
Reference is hereby made to the foregoing Amendment No. 27 (the Amendment) to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of December 12, 2008 among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent; said agreement, as previously amended and modified from time to time prior to the Amendment, 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 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 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 10.2
AMENDMENT NO. 14
Amendment No. 14 to Subordinated Delayed Draw Credit Agreement (this Amendment), dated as of December 12, 2008, among FirstCity Financial Corporation (the Borrower) and the financial institutions (each a Lender and collectively, the Lenders) party to that certain Subordinated Delayed Draw Credit Agreement, dated as of September 5, 2007 (as heretofore amended or otherwise modified, the Loan Agreement), among the Borrower, the Lenders and BoS(USA) Inc., as Agent for the Lenders (the Agent).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Borrower anticipates receiving cash proceeds from a judgment in certain litigation in which the Borrower has been engaged; and
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that certain amendments set forth herein be made to the Agreement to reflect certain agreements the Lenders and the Borrower have reached, including with respect to the treatment of the proceeds from such litigation; and
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions contained below, the Agent and the Lenders are willing so to amend the Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed:
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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 as of the date first shown and to be effective as of the date first set forth above.
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BoS(USA) Inc., as Agent and as a Lender |
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By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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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 |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 14]
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Annex A
CONFIRMING CONSENT
Reference is hereby made to the foregoing Amendment No. 14 (the Amendment) to the Subordinated Delayed Draw Credit Agreement dated as of December 12, 2008 among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent (said agreement, as from time to time amended or otherwise modified, the Agreement).
Each Guarantor hereby consents to the terms and provisions of the Amendment and confirms and acknowledges that:
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the same meanings as in the 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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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 OF |
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MINNESOTA |
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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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3
Exhibit 10.3
AMENDMENT NO. 7
Amendment No. 7 (this Amendment), dated as of December 12, 2008, among FH Partners LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the Borrower) and the financial institutions (each a Lender and collectively, the Lenders) party to that certain Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of August 26, 2005 (as heretofore amended or otherwise modified, the Loan Agreement), among the Borrower, the Lenders and Bank of Scotland plc, as Agent for the Lenders (the Agent).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Borrower anticipates receiving cash proceeds from a judgment in certain litigation in which the Borrower has been engaged; and
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that certain amendments set forth herein be made to the Agreement to reflect certain agreements the Lenders and the Borrower have reached, including with respect to the treatment of the proceeds from such litigation; and
WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions contained below, the Agent and the Lenders are willing so to amend the Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed:
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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 as of the date first shown.
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BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC, acting through its |
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New York branch as Agent and as a Lender |
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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: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
[Signature Page to Amendment No. 7]
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Annex A
CONFIRMING CONSENT
Reference is hereby made to the foregoing Amendment No. 7 (the Amendment) to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of December 12, 2008 among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent (said agreement, as from time to time amended or otherwise modified, the Agreement).
Each Guarantor hereby consents to the terms and provisions of the Amendment and confirms and acknowledges that:
Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined have the same meanings as in the 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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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 HOLDINGS CORPORATION OF |
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MINNESOTA |
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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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Name: James C. Holmes |
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Title: Executive Vice President |
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[Signature Page to Confirming Consent to Amendment No. 7]
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BOSQUE ASSET CORP. |
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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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[Signature Page to Confirming Consent to Amendment No. 7]
Exhibit 10.4
CASE NO. 01-06-00798-CV
IN THE FIRST COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Timothy J. Blair, Class Representative,
and
FCLT Loans Asset Corporation
Appellant
v.
FirstCity Financial Corporation
Appellee
On Appeal from the 152nd
Judicial District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 2005-04492
MEDIATORS PROPOSAL
CONFIDENTIAL
NOT TO BE FILED WITH THE COURT UNLESS ACCEPTED
I, Michael S. Wilk, as mediator appointed by the Court of Appeals for the First District for the State of Texas (Appellate Court) and agreed to by the FCLT Loans Asset Corporation (FCLT), FirstCity Financial Corporation (WACO), Timothy J. Blair, Class Representative of former employees of FirstCity Bancorporation of Texas, Inc. (Employees), and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., successor trustee, (Trustee) hereby propose that the lawsuit above referenced presently pending be settled pursuant to the following terms and conditions:
1. The parties will act together in advising the Appellate Court of the settlement and requesting that the Appellate Court refrain from ruling until the settlement process has been completed, including the District Courts approval or disapproval of the settlement.
2. The settlement would be in two payments, one payment before the Appellate Court rules and the second and final payment after the Appellate Court rules. The Parties and their able counsel will cooperate with each other to determine and agree to the procedure to be followed since the Appellate Court has jurisdiction and District Courts approval to the settlement is necessary. If the District Court does not approve the settlement the parties will be restored to their current positions, without prejudice.
1
3. If the District Court approves the settlement, the District Courts Order will contain appropriate provisions approving the settlement, authorizing the Trustee to make the first payment, the second and final payment and releasing and discharging of the Trustee.
4. The first payment would be made by the Trustee as soon as possible after the District Courts Order approving the settlement becomes final and non-appealable.
5. The first payment would be in the amount equal to 75% of the total funds available (the total funds being approximately $18,600,000, less expenses and reserves, if any). The payment would be paid 1/3rd of 75% amount each to FCLT, WACO and the Employees.
6. The second and final payment would be made as follows:
A. If WACOs trial court judgment is affirmed by the Appellate Court, the Trustee would pay to WACO the balance of the amount held by the Trustee, less final expenses.
B. If WACOs trial court judgment is not affirmed by the Appellate Court (i.e., the judgment is reversed and remanded or reversed and rendered for either FCLT or the Employees or otherwise not affirmed), the Trustee would pay the balance of the amount held by the Trustee, less final expenses, 1/3rd of such balance each to WACO, FCLT and the Employees.
The result would be that if WACOs trial court judgment is affirmed the fund would be shared 50% to WACO, 25% to FCLT and 25% to the Employees. If WACOs trial court judgment is not affirmed the fund would be shared 33.3% to WACO, 33.3% to FCLT and 33.3% to the Employees.
7. No party could appeal from the ruling by the Appellate Court.
8. Each party will pay their own attorneys fees and costs incurred in the litigation.
9. Appropriate mutual releases would be executed by the parties to this litigation (with the members of the Class Action being handled pursuant to the applicable rules).
10. Counsel for WACO, FCLT, the Employees and the Trustee shall work together to prepare formal settlement documents for execution by all parties by December 31, 2008. The formal settlement documents will be executed prior to, but subject to, approval by the District Court.
11. If all parties accept this proposal, the proposal shall become a mediation settlement agreement (the Agreement). If any dispute arises in connection with the formal settlement documents or with regard to the interpretation and/or performance of the
2
Agreement, of any of its provisions, the parties agree to schedule a full day mediation with the Mediator to resolve the disputes and to share the costs of same equally.
12. The parties hereby acknowledge as follows:
(a) The mediator is not the attorney of any party; and
(b) They have been advised by their respective attorney
with regard to this Agreement.
Please indicate you acceptance or rejection of the Proposal by indicating your decision below.
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FCLT: |
Yes: |
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No: |
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WACO: |
Yes: |
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No: |
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Employees: |
Yes: |
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No: |
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Trustee: |
Yes: |
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No: |
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3
Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE
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Contact: |
Suzy W. Taylor |
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866-652-1810 |

FirstCity Financial (NASDAQ: FCFC) Agrees to Settle Lawsuit
FirstCity to Receive Between $6.2 and $9.3 Million of Proceeds
and
FirstCity Financial To Take a Non-Cash Charge to Write Down Deferred Tax Asset
Waco, Texas, December 15, 2008 FirstCity Financial Corporation today announced that it has reached a preliminary agreement to settle the lawsuit involving the disputed ownership of approximately $18.6 million of proceeds from the demutualization of Prudential Insurance Company. A court-ordered mediation was held on November 18, 2008 and following the unsuccessful mediation the mediator submitted the mediators proposal to the three claimants. The mediators proposal accepted by the claimants on November 25, 2008 provides for each of the parties to receive 25% of the demutualization proceeds (approximately $4,650,000 each) upon approval of the settlement by the trial court, and for the remaining 25% ($4,650,000) to be held pending the determination of the appeal by the Court of Appeals. The remaining 25% will be distributed to FirstCity if the Court of Appeals affirms the summary judgment granted by the trial court in favor of FirstCity. In the event of any other ruling by the Court of Appeals, the remaining 25% will be split one-third to each party (approximately $1,550,000 each).
The trial courts approval of the settlement is necessary. If the trial court does not approve the settlement the parties will be restored to their positions in the suit prior to the acceptance of the mediators proposal.
The effect of the agreement is that FirstCity would receive in total approximately $9,300,000 of the demutualization proceeds (50%), if the Court of Appeals affirms the summary judgment granted in 2006 by the trial court in favor of FirstCity, and alternatively, if the Court of Appeals does not affirm the decision in favor of FirstCity, FirstCity will receive $6,200,000 (33.3%) of the demutualization proceeds. Details of the lawsuit and settlement are more fully described in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC today. The mediators proposal provides that the initial $4,650,000 of proceeds will be distributed to FirstCity upon approval of the settlement by the trial court, with the remaining proceeds payable to FirstCity (either $1,550,000 or $4,650,000) distributed upon issuance of a decision by the Court of Appeals.
Separately, the Company disclosed today that it expects to recognize a non-cash charge by increasing its valuation allowance against its deferred tax asset in its fourth quarter of 2008. While the amount of the increase in the valuation allowance has not yet been determined, FirstCity expects it to approximate substantially the entire $20.1 million asset amount on the balance sheet at September 30, 2008.
The financial covenants in Companys lending facilities with the Bank of Scotland and BoS (USA) have been amended to take into account this non-cash charge. The amendments to the loan facilities are detailed in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC today.
James T. Sartain, President and CEO, said, In connection with the preparation of fourth quarter financial statements, we conducted a review of FirstCitys deferred tax asset and identified the need to increase the valuation allowance against it. The increase in the valuation allowance will likely result in a substantial non-cash charge to income, but the charge will not adversely impact FirstCitys operations, our credit facilities, or our relationship with our primary lender. Furthermore, a valuation allowance does not affect FirstCitys net operating loss carry forwards, as we still retain $231 million of these carry forwards and can use them to off-set future taxable income.
FirstCity Financial Corporation is a diversified financial services company with operations dedicated primarily to portfolio asset acquisition and resolution with offices in the U.S. and with affiliate organizations in Europe and Latin America. FirstCity common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ: FCFC).
Forward-Looking Statements
FirstCity may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in this press release, FirstCitys filings with the SEC, in its reports to stockholders and in other FirstCity communications. These statements relate to the Companys strategic objectives and future performance, which are not historical facts, and may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, as well as any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words expect, intend, plan, anticipate, estimate, believe, may, could, would, should, will likely result, indication, outlook, projects and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, our forward-looking statements.
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 Companys continued need for financing; availability of the Companys credit facilities; ability to obtain additional financing from the Bank of Scotland or any other lender; the impact of certain covenants in loan agreements of the Company and its subsidiaries; the ability of the Company to utilize NOLs; uncertainities related to and liabilities resulting from litigation, including costs, expenses, settlements and judgments; and factors more fully discussed and identified in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed with the SEC on March 17, 2008 (including those discussed under Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations), as well as in other SEC filings of the Company. Many of these factors are beyond the Companys control. In addition, it should be noted that past financial and operational performance of the Company is not necessarily indicative of future financial and operational performance. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by applicable law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation or intention 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 future events, conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.
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.