UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024

☐ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission file number 1-7265

AMBASE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
  
95-2962743
(State of incorporation)
  
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

7857 WEST SAMPLE ROAD, SUITE 134
CORAL SPRINGS, Florida 33065
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)
(201) 265-0169
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered

None.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES
 ☒  
NO
 ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
☒
  Yes

☐ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer
  ☐  
Accelerated Filer
  ☐  
Non-Accelerated Filer
  ☒  
Smaller Reporting Company
 ☒
                       
 
Emerging Growth Company
  ☐
                  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
YES
 ☐  
NO
 ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES
 ☐
  
NO
 ☒

At April 30, 2024, there were 84,938,211 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share.
 
AmBase Corporation

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
March 31, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
  
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Page
       
Item 1.
  
1
       
Item 2.
  
19
       
Item 4.
  
23
       
PART II
  
OTHER INFORMATION
  
       
Item 1.
  
23
       
Item 1A.
  
23
       
Item 2.
  
23
       
Item 3.
  
23
       
Item 4.
  
23
       
Item 5.
  
23
       
Item 6.
  
24
       
   
24

Table of Contents
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)
   
Three Months Ended March 31,
  
   
2024
    
2023
  
Operating expenses:
            
Compensation and benefits
  
$
359
    
$
385
  
Professional and outside services
    
1,311
      
728
  
Property operating and maintenance
    
4
      
8
  
Insurance
    
32
      
58
  
Other operating
    
19
      
13
  
Total operating expenses
    
1,725
      
1,192
  
Operating income (loss)
    
(1,725
)
    
(1,192
)
                 
Interest income
    
-
      
1
  
Interest expense
     (114 )     (29 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
    
(1,839
)
    
(1,220
)
                 
Income tax expense (benefit)
    
-
      
-
  
Net income (loss)
  
$
(1,839
)
  
$
(1,220
)
                 
Net income (loss) per common share - basic
  
$
(0.05
)
  
$
(0.03
)
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
    
40,738
      
40,738
  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)

(in thousands, except per share data)

Assets:
  
March 31,
2024
    
December 31,
2023
  
Cash and cash equivalents
  
$
6
    
$
78
  
                 
Other assets
    
-
      
-
  
Total assets
  
$
6
    
$
78
  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit):
                
Liabilities:
                
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  
$
4,642
    
$
3,225
  
Loan(s) payable – related party
     3,548       3,198  
                 
Total liabilities
    
8,190
      
6,423
  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
            
                 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit):
                
Common stock ($0.01 par value, 85,000 authorized in 2024 and 85,000 authorized in 2023, 46,410 issued and 40,738 outstanding in 2024 and 46,410 issued and 40,738 outstanding in 2023)
    
464
      
464
  
Additional paid-in capital
    
548,304
      
548,304
  
Accumulated deficit
    
(551,784
)
    
(549,945
)
Treasury stock, at cost – 2024 - 5,672 shares; and 2023 - 5,672 shares
    
(5,168
)
    
(5,168
)
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    
(8,184
)
    
(6,345
)
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  
$
6
    
$
78
  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

2
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(Unaudited)

(in thousands)
  
Common
stock
    
Additional
paid-in
capital
    
Accumulated
deficit
    
Treasury
stock
    
Total
  
                               
January 1, 2024
  
$
464
    
$
548,304
    
$
(549,945
)
  
$
(5,168
)
  
$
(6,345
)
Net income (loss)
    
-
      
-
      
(1,839
)
    
-
      
(1,839
)
March 31, 2024
  
$
464
    
$
548,304
    
$
(551,784
)
  
$
(5,168
)
  
$
(8,184
)

(in thousands)
  
Common
stock
    
Additional
paid-in
capital
    
Accumulated
deficit
    
Treasury
stock
    
Total
  
                               
January 1, 2023
  
$
464
    
$
548,304
    
$
(544,674
)
  
$
(5,168
)
  
$
(1,074
)
Net income (loss)
    
-
      
-
      
(1,220
)
    
-
      
(1,220
)
March 31, 2023
  
$
464
    
$
548,304
    
$
(545,894
)
  
$
(5,168
)
  
$
(2,294
)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
  
(in thousands)
  
2024
    
2023
  
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
            
Net income (loss)
  
$
(1,839
)
  
$
(1,220
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities
                
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                
Other assets
    
-
      
30
  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    
1,417
      
585
  
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
    
(422
)
    
(605
)
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                
Proceeds from loan(s) payable – related party
     350       300  
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
     350       300  
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    
(72
)
    
(305
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    
78
      
349
  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  
$
6
    
$
44
  
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
                
Income taxes refunded (paid)
   $ -     $ -  
Interest expense paid on accounts payable
  
$
-
    
$
-
  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 – The Company and Basis of Presentation and Going Concern

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of AmBase Corporation and subsidiaries (“AmBase” or the “Company”) are unaudited and subject to year-end adjustments. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments unless otherwise disclosed, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that it deems reasonable, that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from such estimates and assumptions. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein are condensed and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements filed in its Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
 
A fundamental principle of the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP is the assumption that an entity will continue in existence as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations and the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities occurring in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with this requirement, the Company has prepared its accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.

The Company has incurred operating losses and used cash for operating activities for the past several years. The Company has continued to keep operating expenses at a reduced level; however, there can be no assurance that the Company’s current level of operating expenses will not increase or that other uses of cash will not be necessary.  The Company believes that based on its current level of operating expenses, its existing cash and cash equivalents may not be sufficient to cover operating cash needs through the twelve month period from the financial statement reporting date. Based on the above factors, management determined there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include adjustments to the carrying value of assets and liabilities, which might be necessary should the Company not continue in operation.

In order to continue as a going concern, the Company must take steps to manage its current level of cash and cash equivalents, through various ways, including but not limited to, raising additional capital through the sale of equity or debt securities or long term borrowings, which may include additional borrowings from affiliates of the Company, litigation funding agreements, reducing operating expenses, and seeking recoveries from various sources. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to adequately implement these cash management measures, in whole or in part or raise capital or obtain financing on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all.

On April 1, 2024, the Company completed the issuance and sale, of all the shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Shares”) in the private placement offering (the “Equity Offering”) on the previously disclosed terms and conditions, including Shares purchased by an institutional investor not affiliated with the Company and Shares purchased by BARC Investments, LLC, an affiliate of the Company owned and controlled by two of the Company’s directors and their sibling. The offer and sale of the shares in the Equity Offering was completed in reliance on the exemption from registration under Rule 506(c) of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See Note 9 for additional information.

The Company will continue to consider and explore other litigation funding agreements with third party litigation funders that it could enter into for portions of the litigation costs for up to $5 million of funding, at market terms to be agreed upon at such times. In general, litigation funding agreements are structured so that the litigation funder would receive back their initial funding amount first (i.e. before any recovery is received by the Company), plus an additional multiple ranging from 1.0 times to 3.5 times the amount funded (depending on various factors), plus depending on the funder, additional fees, expenses, interest and potentially an additional percentage of the total recovery received. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to secure any such additional litigation funding on acceptable terms or at all.

5
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57th Street in New York, New York (the “111 West 57th Property”). The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with regard to the 111 West 57th Property.  Despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken in connection with the “Strict Foreclosure”, (as defined and as further discussed herein), the Company recorded an impairment for the full amount of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in 2017. Prior to the Strict Foreclosure, the carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company’s assets and net equity value.

For additional information regarding the Company’s recording of an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in 2017 and the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the 111 West 57th Property, including the Company’s challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, see Note 3 and Note 6.

While the Company’s management is evaluating future courses of action to protect and/or recover the value of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property, the adverse developments make it uncertain as to whether any such courses of action will be successful. Any such efforts are likely to require sustained effort over a period of time and substantial additional financial resources. Inability to recover all or most of such value would, in all likelihood, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and future prospects. The Company can give no assurances with regard if it will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

New accounting pronouncements

There are no new accounting pronouncements that would likely materially affect the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 – Investment in 111 West 57th Partners LLC

In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in the 111 West 57th Property.  The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with regard to the 111 West 57th Property. Despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken in connection with the “Strict Foreclosure”, (as defined below and as further discussed herein), the Company recorded an impairment for the full amount of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in 2017.

For additional information regarding the Company’s 111 West 57th Property equity investment, events leading up to the Strict Foreclosure, the Company’s recording of an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property and the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the 111 West 57th Property, including the Company’s challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, see herein below and Note 6.

In June 2013, 111 West 57th Investment LLC (“Investment LLC”), a then newly formed subsidiary of the Company, entered into a joint venture agreement (as amended, the “JV Agreement”) with 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), pursuant to which Investment LLC invested (the “Investment”) in a real estate development property to purchase and develop the 111 West 57th Property.  In consideration for making the Investment, Investment LLC was granted a membership interest in 111 West 57th Partners LLC (“111 West 57th Partners”), which indirectly acquired the 111 West 57th Property on June 28, 2013 (the “Joint Venture,” and such date, the “Closing Date”).  The Company also indirectly contributed an additional amount to the Joint Venture in exchange for an additional indirect interest in the Joint Venture.  Other members and the Sponsor contributed additional cash and/or property to the Joint Venture. The Company recorded its investment in 111 West 57th Partners utilizing the equity method of accounting. The Joint Venture plans were to redevelop the 111 West 57th Property into a luxury residential tower and retail project.

Amounts relating to the Company’s initial June 2013 investment and other information relating to the 111 West 57th Property follow:

($ in thousands)
      
Company’s aggregate initial investment
  
$
57,250
  
Company’s aggregate initial membership interest %
    
60.3
%

6
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
The JV Agreement and related operating agreements generally provide that all distributable cash shall be distributed as follows: (i) first, 100% to the members in proportion to their percentage interests until Investment LLC has received distributions yielding a 20% internal rate of return as calculated; (ii) second, 100% to the Sponsor as a return of (but not a return on) any additional capital contributions made by the Sponsor on account of manager overruns; and (iii) thereafter, (a) 50% to the members in proportion to their respective percentage interests at the time of such distribution, and (b) 50% to the Sponsor.

In March 2014, the Company entered into an amended and restated operating agreement for Investment LLC (the “Amended and Restated Investment Operating Agreement”) to grant a 10% subordinated participation interest in Investment LLC to the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Office, Mr. Richard A. Bianco (“Mr. R.A. Bianco”), as a contingent future incentive for Mr. R.A. Bianco’s past, current and anticipated ongoing role to develop and commercialize the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property.  Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Investment Operating Agreement, Mr. R.A. Bianco has no voting rights with respect to his interest in Investment LLC, and his entitlement to receive 10% of the distributions from Investment LLC is subject to the Company first receiving distributions equal to 150% of the Company’s initial aggregate investment in Investment LLC and the Joint Venture, plus any additional investments by the Company, and only with respect to any distributions thereafter. At the current time, the Company has not expensed nor accrued any amounts relating to this subordinated participation interest, as no amount or range of amounts can be reasonably estimated or assured.

During 2014, in connection with the funding of additional capital calls under the JV Agreement for required borrowing and development costs for the 111 West 57th Property, the Company’s management and its Board of Directors concluded that, given the continuing development risks of the 111 West 57th Property and the Company’s financial position, the Company should not at that time increase its already significant concentration and risk exposure to the 111 West 57th Property.  Nonetheless, the Company sought to limit dilution of its interest in the Joint Venture resulting from any failure to fund the capital call requirements, but at the same time wished to avoid the time, expense and financial return requirements (with attendant dilution and possible loss of voting rights) that obtaining a replacement third-party investor would require. The Company, therefore, entered into a second amended and restated operating agreement for Investment LLC (“Second Amended and Restated Investment Operating Agreement”) pursuant to which Capital LLC was admitted as a member of Investment LLC. In exchange for Capital LLC contributing toward Investment LLC capital calls in respect of the 111 West 57th Property, available cash of Investment LLC will be distributed first to Capital LLC until it has received a 20% internal rate of return (calculated as provided for in the JV Agreement as noted above), second to the Company until it has received 150% of its capital, and, thereafter, available cash is split 10/90, with 10% going to Mr. R.A. Bianco as the subordinated participation interest noted above and 90% going to Capital LLC and the Company pari-passu, with Capital LLC receiving one-half of its pro-rata share based on capital contributed and the Company receiving the balance. No other material changes were made to the Amended and Restated Investment Operating Agreement, and neither Mr. R.A. Bianco nor Capital LLC has any voting rights with respect to their interest and investment in Investment LLC.

In accordance with the JV Agreement, shortfall capital contributions may be treated either as a member loan or as a dilutive capital contribution as set forth in the JV Agreement. The Sponsor deemed the shortfall capital contributions as dilutive capital contributions to the Company.  The Company disagrees with the Sponsor’s investment percentage calculations. The Sponsor has taken the position that the capital contribution requests, if taken together, would have caused the Company’s combined ownership percentage to be diluted below the Company’s initial membership interest percentage. The parties have a dispute with regard to the calculation of the revised investment percentages resulting from the capital contribution requests, along with the treatment and allocation of these shortfall capital contribution amounts.

On June 30, 2015, 111 West 57th Partners obtained financing for the 111 West 57th Property.  The financing was obtained in two parts: (i) a first mortgage construction loan with AIG Asset Management (US), LLC (along with its affiliates “AIG”); and (ii) a mezzanine loan with Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (along with its affiliates “Apollo”), as detailed herein.  Both loans initially had certain repayment term dates with extension option(s) subject to satisfying certain conditions.  The loan agreements (the “Loan Agreements”) also include customary events of default and other customary terms and conditions.  Simultaneously with the closing of the AIG and the Apollo financing, 111 West 57th Partners repaid all outstanding liabilities and obligations to Annaly CRE, LLC under the initial mortgage and acquisition loan agreement, dated June 28, 2013, between the joint venture entities and Annaly CRE, LLC.  The remaining loan proceeds were to be drawn down and used as necessary for construction and related costs, loan interest escrow and other related project expenses for development of the 111 West 57th Property.

7
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
In April 2016, the Company initiated a litigation in the New York State Supreme Court for New York County (the “NY Court”), Index No. 652301/2016, (“AmBase v. 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, et al.”) (the “Sponsor Action”).  The defendants in that litigation include 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, Kevin Maloney, Michael Stern, and various members and affiliates, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company (collectively, “Defendants”) and nominal defendants 111 West 57th Partners LLC and 111 West 57th Mezz 1 LLC.  For additional information with regard to the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the 111 West 57th Property, see Note 6.

In December 2016, the Sponsor proposed for approval a “proposed budget” (the “Proposed Budget”), which the Sponsor claims reflected an increase in other costs resulting in the need for additional funding in order to complete the project. The Company disputes, among other items, the calculation of the percentage increase of hard costs shown in the Proposed Budget. The Company believes the aggregate projected hard costs in the Proposed Budget exceed a contractually stipulated limit as a percentage of the hard costs set forth in the prior approved budget, thus allowing Investment LLC the option to exercise its equity put right as set forth in the JV Agreement (the “Equity Put Right”). Consequently, subsequent to the Sponsor’s presentation of the Proposed Budget, Investment LLC notified the Sponsor that it was exercising its Equity Put Right pursuant to the JV Agreement. The Sponsor refused to honor the exercise of Investment LLC’s Equity Put Right. The Sponsor claims, among other things, that the conditions precedent were not met because it claims that the increase in aggregate hard costs in the Proposed Budget does not exceed the contractually stipulated limit that would allow the exercise of the Equity Put Right.

The Company further contends that a portion of the Proposed Budget increases are manager overruns (as defined in the JV Agreement) and thus should be paid for by the Sponsor. The Sponsor denies that the Proposed Budget increases were manager overruns. The Company continues to challenge the nature and substance of the Proposed Budget increases and how they should be treated pursuant to the JV Agreement.

The Sponsor claimed that additional borrowings were needed to complete the project. Shortly thereafter, the Sponsor informed the Company that Apollo had indicated that due to budget increases, it believed the current loan was “out of balance” (meaning, according to Apollo, the projected budget exceeds the original budget approved in connection with the loan); and thus 111 West 57th Partners LLC, or its subsidiaries would need additional funding in order to bring the loan back into balance. The Company considered approving the additional financing but informed the Sponsor that it had concerns about the Proposed Budget and the implications of the Proposed Budget, as well as other questions which needed to be addressed first.

Around this time, Apollo provided loan forbearances to the borrowers and guarantors to allow the Sponsor time (while the building continued to be built) to raise the additional financing that Sponsor claimed would be needed to complete the 111 West 57th project. This forbearance period ended on June 29, 2017. Around this date, the Company was advised that Apollo sold a portion of the mezzanine loan—broken off as a junior mezzanine loan—to an affiliate of Spruce Capital Partners LLC (“Spruce”) (the “Junior Mezzanine Loan”).

On June 30, 2017, Spruce declared an event of default under the Junior Mezzanine Loan and demanded immediate payment of the full outstanding balance of the Junior Mezzanine Loan.  Spruce then gave notice to the junior mezzanine borrower that it proposed to accept the pledged collateral (including the joint venture members’ collective interest in the property) in full satisfaction of the joint venture’s indebtedness under the Junior Mezzanine Loan (i.e., a “Strict Foreclosure”).

On July 25, 2017, the Company filed a complaint against Spruce and the Sponsor and requested injunctive relief halting the Strict Foreclosure from the New York State Supreme Court for New York County, (the “NY Court”) Index No. 655031/2017, (the “Lender Action”). The defendants in the Lender Action were 111 W57 Mezz Investor, LLC, Spruce Capital Partners LLC, 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, Michael Z. Stern, and Kevin P. Maloney (collectively, “Defendants”) and nominal defendants 111 West 57th Partners LLC and 111 West 57th Mezz 1 LLC. The Company has since voluntarily discontinued its claims against Sponsor, Stern, and Maloney, without prejudice to reinstating them in the Lender Action or any other action. For additional information with regard to the Lender Action, see Note 6.

8
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
On August 30, 2017, Spruce issued a Notice of Retention of Pledged Collateral in Full Satisfaction of Indebtedness. By purporting to accept the pledged collateral, pursuant to a Strict Foreclosure process, Spruce claims to have completed the retention of the collateral pledged by the junior mezzanine borrower, and therefore, the Company’s interest in the 111 West 57th Property (the “Strict Foreclosure”). Despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken in connection with the Strict Foreclosure, the Company recorded an impairment for the full amount of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in 2017. Prior to the Strict Foreclosure, the carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company’s assets and net equity value.

For additional information regarding the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the 111 West 57th Property, including the Company’s challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, see Note 6.
 
With respect to its disputes and litigation relating to its interest in the 111 West 57th Property, the Company is pursuing, and will continue to pursue, other options to realize the Company’s investment value, various legal courses of action to protect its legal rights, recovery of its asset value from various sources of recovery, as well as considering other possible economic strategies, including the possible sale of the Company’s interest in and/or rights with respect to the 111 West 57th Property; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

The Company can give no assurances regarding the outcome of the matters described herein, including as to the effect of Spruce’s actions described herein, whether the Sponsor will perform their contractual commitments to the Company under the JV Agreement, as to what further action, if any, the lenders may take with respect to the project, as to the ultimate resolution of the ongoing litigation proceedings relating to the Company’s investment interest in the 111 West 57th Property, as to the ultimate effect of the Sponsor’s, the Company’s or the lenders’ actions on the project, as to the completion or ultimate success of the project, or as to the value or ultimate realization of any portion of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property.

While the Company’s management is evaluating future courses of action to protect and/or recover the value of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property, the adverse developments make it uncertain as to whether any such courses of action will be successful. Any such efforts are likely to require sustained effort over a period of time and substantial additional financial resources. Inability to recover all or most of such value would, in all likelihood, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and future prospects. The Company can give no assurances with regard to if it will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

Note 4 - Savings Plan

The Company sponsors the AmBase 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Savings Plan”), which is a “Section 401(k) Plan” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Savings Plan permits eligible employees to make contributions of a percentage of their compensation, which are matched by the Company at a percentage of the employees’ elected deferral.  Employee contributions to the Savings Plan are invested at the employee’s discretion in various investment funds. The Company’s matching contributions are invested in the same manner as the compensation reduction contributions.  All contributions are subject to the maximum limitations contained in the Code.

The Company’s matching contributions to the Savings Plan, charged to expense, were as follows:

($ in thousands)
  
Three Months Ended
  
   
March 31,
2024
   
March 31,
2023
 
Company matching contributions
  
$
52
    
$
51
  
Employer match %
    
100
%
    
100
%

9
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 5 - Income Taxes

The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Company recognizes both the current and deferred tax consequences of all transactions that have been recognized in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, calculated based on the provisions of enacted tax laws, including the tax rates in effect for current and future years. Net deferred tax assets are recognized immediately when a more likely than not criterion is met; that is, a greater than 50% probability exists that the tax benefits will actually be realized sometime in the future.


The Company has a deferred tax asset arising primarily from NOL carryforwards. The Company has a full valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset amounts, as management has no basis to conclude that realization is more likely than not.  Management does not believe that any significant changes in unrecognized income tax benefits are expected to occur over the next year.
 
The Company’s management is continuing to work closely with outside advisors on the Company’s various federal tax return matters for the numerous interrelated tax years.  The IRS typically has broad discretion to examine taxpayer tax returns, even after refunds have been paid to taxpayers, which could result in adjustments to AMT credit carryforward amounts refunded. The AMT credit carryforward amounts from prior tax years and related refund(s) received could potentially be subject to IRS or other tax authority audits. The Company cannot predict whether or not the IRS and/or other tax authorities will review the Company’s tax returns filed, to be filed and/or as filed in prior years, and/or if they will seek repayment from the Company of any amounts already refunded as a result of an IRS review, if any.  Moreover, applicable provisions of the Code and IRS regulations permit the IRS to challenge Company tax positions and filed returns and seek recovery of refunded amounts or of additional taxes for an extended period of time after such returns are filed.

There is risk relating to assumptions regarding the outcome of tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; risk relating to potential unfavorable decisions in tax proceedings; and risks regarding changes in, and/or interpretations of federal and state income tax laws. The Company can give no assurances as to the final outcome of any IRS review, if any, of the AMT credit carryforward refunds received.

The Company was a plaintiff in a legal proceeding seeking recovery of damages from the United States Government for the loss of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Carteret Savings Bank, F.A. (the “SGW Legal Proceedings”).  A settlement agreement in the SGW Legal Proceedings between the Company, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Receiver (“FDIC-R”) and the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) on behalf of the United States of America (the “United States”), was executed (the “SGW 2012 Settlement Agreement”) which was approved by the United States Court of Federal Claims (the “Court of Federal Claims”) in October 2012.  On August 6, 2013, Senior Judge Smith issued an opinion which addressed the relief sought by AmBase. In summary, the court held that the Settlement Agreement is a contract and that it entitles the Company to receive both “(1) the amount of the tax consequences resulting from taxation of the damages award plus (2) the tax consequences of receiving the first component.”  But the Court of Federal Claims did not award an additional amount for the second component at that time given the remaining uncertainty surrounding the ultimate tax treatment of the settlement proceeds and the gross-up, as well as uncertainty relating to the Company’s future income.  The Court of Federal Claims indicated that either the Company or the government is entitled to seek further relief “if, and when, the facts justify it.”

10
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 6 - Legal Proceedings

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries may be named as a defendant in various lawsuits or proceedings.  At the current time except as set forth below, the Company is unaware of any legal proceedings pending against the Company.  The Company intends to aggressively contest all litigation and contingencies, as well as pursue all sources for contributions to settlements. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

The Company is a party to material legal proceedings as follows:

AmBase Corp., et al. v. 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, et al. In April 2016, AmBase and certain of its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”) initiated a litigation in the New York State Supreme Court for New York County (the “NY Court”), Index No. 652301/2016, (“AmBase v. 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, et al.”) (the “Sponsor Action”).  The defendants in that litigation include 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”), Kevin Maloney, Michael Stern, and various members and affiliates, (collectively, “Defendants”) and nominal defendants 111 West 57th Partners LLC and 111 West 57th Mezz 1 LLC. In the current version of the complaint, AmBase alleges that Defendants violated multiple provisions in the JV Agreement, including by failing to honor the exercise of AmBase’s contractual “equity put right” as set forth in the JV Agreement (the “Equity Put Right”) and by not objecting to the 2017 foreclosure of the junior mezzanine loan on the project. AmBase is seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages, indemnification and equitable relief, including a declaration of the parties’ rights, and an accounting. The Company has also demanded from the Sponsor access to the books and records for the 111 West 57th Property which the Sponsor refused, claiming they have provided all books and records as required.

The Defendants filed a motion to dismiss an earlier complaint, and on January 12, 2018, the NY Court issued an opinion allowing some of AmBase’s claims to go forward and dismissing others (“2018 Order”). Among other claims that the NY Court declined to dismiss was AmBase’s claim that the Defendants violated the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by frustrating AmBase’s Equity Put Right. Claims that the NY Court dismissed included AmBase’s claim that the Defendants breached their contract with AmBase by financing capital contributions for the project through funds obtained from third parties. On January 16, 2018, some of the Defendants wrote to the NY Court suggesting that the opinion contained certain clerical errors and was missing a page. On January 18, 2018, the NY Court removed its previous opinion from the docket and on January 29, 2018, posted a revised opinion. On April 13, 2018, AmBase filed a notice of appeal of the 2018 Order to the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Judicial Department (the “Appellate Division”). On January 22, 2020, the Company filed a motion with the Appellate Division seeking to enlarge the time to perfect the Company’s appeal of the 2018 Order, in light of an intervening removal to and remand from federal court. On July 2, 2020, the Appellate Division granted AmBase’s motion and enlarged the time to perfect the Company’s appeal to the October 2020 Term of the Appellate Division. On April 29, 2021, the Appellate Division affirmed Justice Bransten’s dismissal of the claims on appeal, while the claims that were not previously dismissed remain pending in the trial court.

On April 27, 2018, the Company filed a third amended complaint adding federal RICO claims, and new claims for declaratory judgment, breach of contract, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty, based on information discovered during the course of discovery and events that have transpired since the Company filed its previous complaint in the Sponsor Action. On June 18, 2018, Defendants removed the complaint to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Federal Court”), where it was docketed as case number 18-cv-5482-AT.

On October 25, 2018, the Federal Court issued an order granting Defendants’ motion to dismiss the Company’s RICO claims and declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the Company’s state-law claims, dismissing the latter claims without prejudice. On August 30, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the Federal Court’s dismissal of the federal RICO claims, vacated the Federal Court’s dismissal of the state-law claims, and remanded with instructions for the Federal Court to remand those claims to the NY Court. On September 25, 2019, the Federal Court remanded the case to the NY Court, where it was assigned to the Honorable O. Peter Sherwood.

11
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
On June 11, 2020, Defendants filed a motion with the NY Court to dismiss some of the state law claims asserted by the Company in the third amended complaint. On July 28, 2020, Plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to amend the third amended complaint, which Defendants opposed. The proposed complaint added, among other things, claims arising from certain defendants’ role in the 2017 foreclosure of the junior mezzanine loan on the project. On July 22, 2021, the NY Court granted Plaintiffs leave to amend and denied the motion to dismiss without prejudice as moot in light of the Court’s decision granting Plaintiffs leave to amend.


On July 29, 2021, Plaintiffs filed their fourth amended complaint. On September 3, 2021, Defendants submitted a motion to dismiss the fourth amended complaint in part, which Plaintiffs opposed. On May 9, 2022, the NY Court issued a Decision and Order on Defendants’ motion to dismiss, allowing some of AmBase’s claims to go forward and dismissing others (“May 9, 2022 Order”). The NY Court declined to dismiss AmBase’s claims that the Defendants breached their contracts with AmBase by permitting transfers or encumbrances upon 111 West 57th Control LLC’s membership interests in connection with third-party financing without seeking or obtaining prior written approval.  The Court also declined to dismiss AmBase’s claim that Defendants breached their obligations under the Development Agreement by, among other things, failing to use “commercially reasonable efforts” to plan, design, develop, construct, and obtain permits for the Property in a timely manner and failing to devote sufficient time and attention to its obligations under the Development Agreement.



Claims that the NY Court dismissed included AmBase’s claims that Defendants breached their contract with AmBase by making capital contributions to Sponsor from third parties; consenting to the strict foreclosure without obtaining AmBase’s prior written approval in violation of the “Major Decisions” provision; refusing to cooperate and share information with AmBase’s construction consultant; and engaging in fraud and intentional misconduct in violation of Joint Venture Agreement section 8.5. The NY Court also dismissed AmBase’s claim that Defendants made fraudulent misrepresentations or omissions (as duplicative of the breach of contract claims) and other claims whose dismissal was compelled by a prior decision of the First Department, namely, AmBase’s claims that Sponsor, Stern, and Maloney breached their fiduciary duties of loyalty; to impose a constructive trust on the insurance loss fund; and to impose a constructive trust on Stern’s, Maloney’s, JDS’s, PMG’s, and the construction manager’s construction management fees and Stern’s and Maloney’s equity interest in the Project.  Finally, the Court dismissed AmBase’s current allegations that piercing certain of Defendants’ corporate veils is warranted. On January 18, 2023, the Company filed a notice of appeal appealing the May 9, 2022 Order with regard to all defendants in the Sponsor Action and perfected the appeal on July 10, 2023.



On November 28, 2023, the Appellate Division First Department issued its decision modifying the NY Court’s decision in part and affirming the NY Court’s decision in part. The First Department modified the NY Court’s decision by reinstating Plaintiffs’ breach of contract claim based on Defendants’ refusing to cooperate and share information with AmBase’s construction consultant and one part of Plaintiffs’ fraudulent misrepresentation or omission claim asserted against one of the individual defendants. The First Department otherwise affirmed the NY Court’s decision.


Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company (“Liberty Mutual Defendants”) were named as defendants in the fourth amended complaint. On September 30, 2021, the Liberty Mutual Defendants answered the fourth amended complaint and filed a counterclaim against the Company’s subsidiaries for specific performance of a pledge agreement securing certain insurance policies issued for the Project. Plaintiffs replied to those counterclaims on October 20, 2021. On March 14, 2024, the parties filed a Stipulation of Discontinuance Against Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Liberty Mutual Fire Insurance Company whereby all causes of action, counterclaims, and crossclaims by and against the Liberty Mutual Defendants were discontinued without prejudice.  The Court entered the Stipulation on March 15, 2024.

Matthew Phillips was also named as an individual defendant in the fourth amended complaint.  Following the First Department’s reinstatement of one part of Plaintiffs’ fraudulent misrepresentation or omission claim as asserted against Phillips, on March 26, 2024, the parties filed a Stipulation of Discontinuance Against Matthew Phillips whereby Plaintiffs AmBase Corporation and 111 West 57th Investment LLC discontinued their Fifth Claim for Relief for fraudulent misrepresentation or omission only against Phillips, with prejudice.



On January 30, 2023, Sponsor, Stern, Maloney, and various defendant members and affiliates filed their answer and asserted counterclaims against the Company’s subsidiaries for breach of the Joint Venture Agreement in connection with a proposed refinancing of the Project in 2016. Plaintiffs replied to those counterclaims on February 21, 2023. Discovery in the case is currently ongoing. For additional information with regard to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property, including the foreclosure, see Note 3.


12
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
AmBase Corp., et al. v. Spruce Capital Partners, et al. In July 2017, the Company initiated a second litigation in the NY Court, Index No. 655031/2017, (the “Lender Action”). The defendants in the 111 West 57th Spruce action were 111 W57 Mezz Investor, LLC (“Spruce”), Spruce Capital Partners LLC, 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, Michael Z. Stern, and Kevin P. Maloney and nominal defendants 111 West 57th Partners LLC and 111 West 57th Mezz 1 LLC. The Company has since voluntarily discontinued its claims against Sponsor, Stern, and Maloney, without prejudice to reinstating them in the 111 West 57th Spruce Action or any other action.

Spruce had given notice to the junior mezzanine borrower that it proposed to accept the pledged collateral (including the joint venture members’ collective interest in the property) in full satisfaction of the joint venture’s indebtedness under the Junior Mezzanine Loan (i.e., a “Strict Foreclosure”). After the Sponsor refused to object to Spruce’s proposal on behalf of the junior mezzanine borrower, and Spruce refused to commit to honor Investment LLC’s objection on its own behalf, the Company initiated the 111 West 57th Spruce Action to obtain injunctive relief halting the Strict Foreclosure. For additional information on the events leading to this litigation see Note 3.

On July 26, 2017, the NY Court issued a temporary restraining order barring Spruce from accepting the collateral, pending a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for August 14, 2017. Spruce and the Sponsor subsequently filed papers in opposition to the request for a preliminary injunction and cross-motions to dismiss and quash subpoenas. On August 14, 2017, the NY Court postponed the hearing until August 28, 2017, keeping the temporary restraining order preventing a Strict Foreclosure in effect until the August 28, 2017 hearing. Subsequently, the Company filed a response brief in support of their request for injunctive relief halting the Strict Foreclosure process and in opposition to the motions to quash the subpoenas.

On August 28, 2017, the NY Court held a preliminary injunction hearing, lifted the temporary restraining order, denied Plaintiffs’ request for a preliminary injunction, and granted Defendants’ cross-motions. In order to prevent the Strict Foreclosure process from going forward, the Company immediately obtained an interim stay from the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Judicial Department (“Appellate Division”). That stay remained in place until August 29, 2017, permitting the Company to obtain an appealable order, notice an appeal, and move for a longer-term stay or injunctive relief pending appeal. The Appellate Division held a hearing on August 29, 2017, to consider the Company’s motion for an interim stay or injunctive relief pending appeal, both of which it denied, thus allowing the purported Strict Foreclosure to move forward.

In January 2019, the Appellate Division issued a decision that resolves the Company’s appeal from the order denying a preliminary injunction and dismissing its claims. The Appellate Division affirmed the decision below in part and otherwise dismissed the appeal. It noted that the Company should be allowed to move for leave to amend to state claims for damages and/or the imposition of a constructive trust, as the dismissal of the Company’s claims was without prejudice.

On May 3, 2019, the Company’s subsidiary, Investment LLC, entered into a stipulation with Spruce to amend the complaint in the Lender Action to state claims against Spruce for breaches of the Uniform Commercial Code and Pledge Agreement and various torts. The amended complaint sought the entry of a declaratory judgment, the impression of a constructive trust, permanent injunctive relief restraining Spruce from disposing of or encumbering the 111 West 57th Property, and damages, including punitive damages. The amended complaint did not name the Company as a plaintiff or Spruce Capital Partners as a defendant. On May 31, 2019, Spruce filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On January 29, 2020, the Court entered a decision and order granting in part and denying in part Spruce’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On February 26, 2020, Spruce filed a notice of appeal to the Appellate Division seeking the appeal of the January 29, 2020 order. On March 4, 2020, Investment LLC filed a notice of cross-appeal to the Appellate Division, seeking to appeal the January 29, 2020 order to the extent the NY Court dismissed some of Investment LLC’s claims. On March 30, 2021, the Appellate Division issued a decision and order revising the January 29, 2020, order by reinstating Investment LLC’s derivative claim for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and dismissing the remaining claims.
While the appeal was pending, the parties to the Lender Action conducted discovery. On April 13, 2021, Investment LLC moved for leave to file a Second Amended Complaint to (1) bolster its factual allegations against the existing Defendant, (2) add claims against Spruce Capital Partners, Joshua Crane, and Robert Schwartz (“Spruce Defendants”), Arthur Becker and his affiliates (“Atlantic Defendants”), Apollo and its affiliates (“Apollo Defendants”), and AIG and its affiliates (“AIG Defendants”). On September 30, 2021, the Court granted the motion, and Investment LLC filed its Second Amended Complaint on the same day. On November 22, 2021, the various defendants filed separate motions to dismiss the claims against them. On December 13, 2021, Investment LLC filed a combined opposition to the motions. The defendants filed their replies on January 7, 2022.

13
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
On May 17, 2022, Plaintiff in the Lender Action filed a motion requesting that the court hold oral argument on the pending motions to dismiss. The court granted the motion and heard argument on July 22, 2022. During argument, counsel for Plaintiff made an oral motion to amend the complaint to add an express allegation that Defendants committed the tort of interference with contractual relations by procuring Sponsor’s breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in the JV Agreement. The court called for supplemental briefs on the issue, which were filed on August 5, 2022.

On December 15, 2022, the NY Court issued a decision and order granting in part and denying in part the motions to dismiss (“December 15, 2022 Order”). Specifically, the NY Court declined to dismiss Plaintiff’s claims against Spruce and ACREFI Mortgage Lending, LLC, Apollo Credit Opportunity Fund III AIV I LP, and AGRE Debt 1 – 111 W 57, LLC (“Apollo Lenders”) for breach of the Pledge Agreement in connection with the strict foreclosure. The NY Court dismissed Plaintiff’s claims for tortious interference with contract against the Spruce Defendants, AIG Defendants, and Apollo Defendants, and Plaintiff’s claim for unjust enrichment against the Atlantic Defendants.

On January 3, 2023, the Apollo Lenders filed a notice of appeal to the Appellate Division seeking review of the December 15, 2022 Order. On January 18, 2023, the Company filed notices of appeal and cross-appeal appealing the December 15, 2022, Order with regard to all Defendants. On August 9, 2023, pursuant to mutual agreement with the Company and the AIG Defendants, the Company filed a stipulation to withdraw its appeal against the AIG Defendants.  Following briefing and oral argument, the Appellate Division First Department issued its decision on October 5, 2023.  The First Department modified the NY Court’s decision to dismiss Plaintiff’s claim against the Apollo Lenders for breach of the Pledge Agreement in connection with the strict foreclosure, and otherwise affirmed the NY Court’s decision.  On November 3, 2023, Plaintiff filed motions for leave to appeal the First Department’s decision to the Court of Appeals in both the First Department and the Court of Appeals. On December 19, 2023, the First Department denied Plaintiff’s motion for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals, which concerned Plaintiff’s claim against the Apollo Lenders for breach of the Pledge Agreement in connection with the strict foreclosure and Plaintiff’s claims against the Spruce Defendants and Apollo Lenders for tortious interference with contract.  On April 23, 2024, the Court of Appeals denied Plaintiff’s motion for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals, which concerned Plaintiff’s claims against Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. and Apollo Global Management, Inc. for tortious interference with contract.

On January 13, 2023, the Apollo Lenders filed their answer and affirmative defenses to the Company’s Second Amended Complaint together with crossclaims against 111 W57th Mezz Investor LLC, Spruce Capital Partners LLC, Joshua Crane, Robert Schwartz, Michael Stern, Kevin Maloney, 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, 111 West 57th Control LLC, and 111 West 57th Manager LLC (the “Crossclaim Defendants”). The crossclaims are for (1) contribution against all Crossclaim Defendants; (2) indemnification against 111 W57th Mezz Investor LLC, Spruce Capital, Crane, and Schwartz; and (3) a declaratory judgment that 111 W57th Mezz Investor LLC, through Spruce Capital, Crane, and Schwartz, has indemnified the Apollo Lenders against any and all loss that the Apollo Lenders have incurred or may incur in defending against this case. On January 23, 2023, the Apollo Lenders filed a notice of voluntary discontinuance without prejudice, voluntarily discontinuing their first crossclaim for contribution only as it is brought against Stern, Maloney, Sponsor, 111 West 57th Control LLC, and 111 West 57th Manager LLC. On April 30, 2024, the Apollo Lenders filed a motion for an order of discontinuance of their crossclaims.

On January 30, 2023, Defendant 111 W57 Mezz Investor LLC filed its answer to Plaintiff’s Second Amended Complaint. Because the Court has resolved the motions to dismiss, discovery has recommenced, and Plaintiffs are actively seeking the production of documents.

Since the Company is not a party to the Loan Agreements, it does not have access to communications with the lenders, except for those individual communications that the Sponsor has elected to share or that have been produced in the ongoing litigation.  The Company has continued to demand access to such information, including access to the books and records for the 111 West 57th Property both under the JV Agreement and as part of the Sponsor Action and the Lender Action. For additional information with regard to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property and the Company’s recording of an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in 2017, see Note 3.

14
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
111 West 57th Investment LLC, et al. v. Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, et al., No. 151139/2024 (N.Y. Sup. Ct.). On February 6, 2024, 111 West 57th Investment LLC, derivatively on behalf of 111 West 57th Partners LLC and 111 West 57th Mezz 1 LLC, and 111 West 57th Manager Funding LLC, derivatively on behalf of 111 West 57th Manager LLC (collectively, “Plaintiffs”), filed a Summons with Notice against Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP and Douglas B. Heitner (collectively, “Defendants”) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. Plaintiffs’ claims arise out of Defendants’ representation of 111 West 57th Partners LLC, 111 West 57th Mezz 1 LLC, and 111 West 57th Manager LLC in connection with the real estate development project of 111 West 57th Street (the “Project”) and related financing and other transactions, while simultaneously representing persons and entities with interests adverse to and in conflict with 111 West 57th Partners LLC’s, 111 West 57th Mezz 1 LLC’s, and 111 West 57th Manager LLC’s interests (and the interests of other members of these represented entities), including but not limited to: 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, 111 West 57th Control LLC, 111 West 57th Developer LLC, 111 Construction Manager LLC, Michael Stern, JDS Construction Group LLC, and JDS Development LLC.  Specifically, in representing 111 West 57th Partners LLC, 111 West 57th Mezz 1 LLC, and 111 West 57th Manager LLC throughout the restructuring of the financing and the raising of capital for the Project, including, without limitation, the New York Uniform Commercial Code “strict foreclosure” in 2017 on the Project, Defendants acted to the detriment of these clients to benefit their other, longtime clients, resulting in 111 West 57th Partners LLC losing an extremely valuable asset in the strict foreclosure.  Plaintiffs seek to recover money damages, improperly paid legal fees, costs, attorneys’ fees, and such other relief as is just and proper (together with interest thereon).  Plaintiffs allege that they have suffered damages and demand relief of no less than $100 million, improperly paid legal fees, and Plaintiffs’ own attorneys’ fees and costs.  For additional information with regard to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property, see Note 3.

AmBase Corp. et al. v. 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC et al., No. 651782/2024 (N.Y. Sup. Ct.). On April 4, 2024, AmBase Corporation, 111 West 57th Manager Funding LLC, and 111 West 57th Investment LLC, on behalf of itself and derivatively on behalf of 111 West 57th Partners LLC and 111 West 57th Mezz 1 LLC (collectively, “Plaintiffs”), filed a Summons with Notice against 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC, 111 West 57th Control LLC, 111 West 57th Developer LLC, Kevin Maloney, Michael Stern, JDS Construction Group LLC, JDS Development LLC, PMG Construction Group LLC, Property Markets Group, Inc., 111 Construction Manager LLC, Manager Member 111W57 LLC, and John and Jane Does 1–10 (collectively, “Defendants”) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. Plaintiffs’ claims arise out of alleged fraudulent transfers by, between, and/or to Defendants before and during the pendency of the underlying litigation AmBase Corp. et al. v. 111 West 57th Sponsor LLC et al., Index No. 652301/2016.  Specifically, despite knowing of contractual agreements, obligations, and/or claims between Plaintiffs and the Defendants, following the commencement of the suit by Plaintiffs, Defendants allegedly continued to make transfers and/or incur obligations in violation of the law, for no consideration or equivalent value, which rendered the transferor(s) insolvent (or when they were already insolvent), and rendering the transferor(s) unable to meet debts as they become due, unable to pay actual or future creditors, unable to meet business/transaction obligations as they arise, and/or with the actual intent to hinder, delay, and/or defraud Plaintiffs and other creditors.  The Summons with Notice further states that, upon information and belief, the scheme included the transfer to one or more insider(s) and or their affiliates, principals, and/or agents.  The scheme was allegedly concealed from Plaintiffs, who were not given the opportunity to consent or to dissent.  Plaintiffs allege that they have suffered damages and demand relief of no less than $100 million plus Plaintiffs’ own attorneys’ fees and costs, as well as restitution, constructive trust, the voiding of the fraudulent conveyances, statutory remedies, and such other and further relief as the Court deems proper.  For additional information with regard to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property, see Note 3.

AmBase Corp., et al. v. ACREFI Mortgage Lending LLC, et al. In June 2018, the Company initiated another litigation in the NY Court, Index No. 655031/2017, (the “Apollo Action”). The defendants in the Apollo Action were ACREFI Mortgage Lending, LLC, Apollo Credit Opportunity Fund III AIV I LP, AGRE Debt 1 – 111 W 57, LLC, and Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (collectively, the “Apollo Defendants”). In the Apollo Action, the Company alleged that the Apollo Defendants aided and abetted the Sponsor, Stern, and Maloney in breaching their fiduciary duties to the Company in connection with the 111 West 57th Property and tortiously interfered with the JV Agreement. The Company was seeking damages as well as punitive damages for tortious interference with the JV Agreement and aiding and abetting the Sponsor’s breaches of their fiduciary duties to the joint venture. The Apollo Defendants filed a motion to dismiss on August 17, 2018. On October 22, 2019, the NY Court entered an order dismissing the Company’s complaint in the Apollo Action in its entirety. On November 8, 2019, the NY Court entered judgment (the “Apollo Dismissal”) dismissing the Apollo Action in favor of the Apollo Defendants. On December 10, 2019, the Company filed a notice of appeal seeking the appeal of the Apollo Dismissal. On August 7, 2020, the Company perfected its appeal of the Apollo Dismissal. After Investment LLC filed its motion to amend the complaint in the Lender Action to add claims against Apollo, the parties to the Apollo Action filed a stipulation to withdraw the appeal in the Apollo Action. For additional information with regard to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property, see Note 3.

15
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
AmBase Corp., et al. v. Custom House Risk Advisors, Inc., et al. On April 2, 2020, the Company initiated litigation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Case No. 1:20-cv-02763-VSB (the “Custom House Action”). The defendants in the Custom House Action were Custom House Risk Advisors, Inc. and Elizabeth Lowe (collectively, the “Custom House Defendants”). In the Custom House Action, the Company alleged that the Custom House Defendants (a) aided and abetted Sponsor, Stern, and Maloney in breaching their fiduciary duties to the Company by structuring an insurance policy to the personal benefit of Sponsor, Stern and Maloney and the detriment of the 111 West 57th Project and concealing the structure and ownership of the insurance policy from the Company and (b) committed fraud by making material misrepresentations about the terms of the policy to the Company, inducing the Company to contribute additional capital to the 111 West 57th Project to cover the costs of the insurance policy. The Company sought damages as well as disgorgement of profits the Custom House Defendants earned from their wrongful conduct. On April 10, 2020, the Custom House Defendants waived service of process. The Custom House Defendants were required to respond to the complaint by June 8, 2020. The Custom House Defendants have not responded to the Company’s complaint. In an agreement dated July 31, 2020, the Company and the Custom House Defendants agreed to certain terms for a settlement and entered into a settlement agreement which requires that the Custom House Defendants satisfy certain conditions prior to any dismissal of the Custom House Action. On December 6, 2021, the Court approved a stipulation dismissing the Company’s claims and agreed to retain jurisdiction to enforce the settlement agreement.   For additional information with regard to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property, see Note 3.

With respect to its disputes and litigation relating to its interest in the 111 West 57th Property, the Company is pursuing, and will continue to pursue, other options to realize the Company’s investment value, various legal courses of action to protect its legal rights, recovery of its asset value from various sources of recovery, as well as considering other possible economic strategies, including the possible sale of the Company’s interest in and/or rights with respect to the 111 West 57th Property; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

The Company can give no assurances regarding the outcome of the matters described herein, including as to the effect of Spruce’s actions described herein, whether the Sponsor will perform their contractual commitments to the Company under the JV Agreement, as to what further action, if any, the lenders may take with respect to the project, as to the ultimate resolution of the ongoing litigation proceedings relating to the Company’s investment interest in the 111 West 57th Property, as to the ultimate effect of the Sponsor’s, the Company’s or the lenders’ actions on the project, as to the completion or ultimate success of the project, or as to the value or ultimate realization of any portion of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property. For additional information with regard to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property, see Note 3.

While the Company’s management is evaluating future courses of action to protect and/or recover the value of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property, the adverse developments make it uncertain as to whether any such courses of action will be successful. Any such efforts are likely to require sustained effort over a period of time and substantial additional financial resources. Inability to recover all or most of such value would, in all likelihood, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and future prospects. The Company can give no assurances with regard to if it will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

Note 7 – Litigation Funding Agreement

In 2017, the Company entered into a Litigation Funding Agreement (the “2017 LFA”) with Mr. R.A. Bianco, to provide litigation funding to the Company for litigation costs in connection with the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property.

In 2019, after receiving approval from the Special Committee, the Company and Mr. R.A. Bianco entered into an amendment to the 2017 LFA (the “2019 LFA Amendment”). In summary the 2019 LFA Amendment provided for the release of Mr. R.A. Bianco from all further funding obligations under the 2017 LFA and that, in the event the Company receives any litigation proceeds from the 111 West 57th Litigation, such litigation proceeds shall be distributed as follows:


(i)
first, 100% to the Company in an amount equal $7,500,000; and


(ii)
thereafter, any additional amounts shall be distributed (a) 75% to the Company and (b) 25% to Mr. R.A. Bianco.
16
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 8 – Loan(s) Payable – Related Party



The Company and Mr. R.A. Bianco entered into an agreement(s) for Mr. R.A. Bianco to provide senior loan(s) to the Company for working capital. The loan(s) are due on the earlier of the date the Company receives funds from any source, (excluding funds received by the Company by any litigation funding entity to fund any of the 111 West 57th legal proceedings), sufficient to pay all amounts due under the loan(s), including all accrued interest thereon, including without limitation, from a settlement of the 111 West 57th legal proceedings or (b) the date(s) indicated herein.



The Company and Mr. R.A. Bianco further agreed that amounts due pursuant to the loan(s) plus interest can be converted by Mr. R.A. Bianco, at his option, into a litigation funding agreement pari-pasu with any litigation funding agreement entered into by the Company with a litigation funding entity.



Information regarding the loan(s) payable is as follows: ($ in thousands)


 Date of loan(s)
  
Rate
  
 Due Date
  
March 31,
2024
    
December 31,
2023
  
February 2023
   
6.50
%
February 28, 2025
 
$
300
    
$
300
  
April 2023     6.50 % April 30, 2025     325       325  
May 2023     6.50 % May 31, 2025     310       310  
June 2023     7.00 % June 30, 2025     330       330  
July 2023     7.00 % July 31, 2025     333       333  
August 2023     7.00 % August 31, 2025     250       250  
October 2023
     7.00 %
October 31, 2025
    
300
       300  
November 2023
     7.00 %
November 30, 2025
     450       450  
December 2023
     7.00 %
December 31, 2025
     600       600  
January 2024
     7.00 %
January 31, 2026
     100       -  
February 2024
     7.00 %
February 28, 2026
     50       -  
February 2024
     7.00 %
February 28, 2026
     100       -  
March 2024
     7.00 %
March 31, 2026
     100       -  
                  $ 3,548     $ 3,198  



Information regarding accrued interest expense on the loan(s) payable is as follows:


 
(in thousands)
  
March 31,
2024
   
December 31,
2023
 
Accrued interest expense
  
$
142
    
$
85
  



In April 2024, with funds received from the Equity Offering, the Company repaid Mr. R.A. Bianco the full amount of the loan(s) payable outstanding plus accrued interest. For additional information, see Note 9.



For additional information regarding the Company’s litigation funding effort, see Note 1. For additional information regarding the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the 111 West 57th Property, including the Company’s challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, see Note 3 and Note 6.

17
AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 9 - Subsequent Events

The Company has performed a review of events subsequent to the balance sheet dated March 31, 2024, through the filing of these interim financial statements.  Other than as discussed herein, the Company has no events, subsequent to March 31, 2024, and through the date these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were issued.

As disclosed in the Company’s periodic financial reports, as previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), on February 28, 2024, the Company commenced a private placement offering (the “Equity Offering”) of shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Shares”).

On April 1, 2024, the Company completed the issuance and sale of all the Shares in the Equity Offering in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof, including Shares purchased by an institutional investor not affiliated with the Company and Shares purchased by BARC Investments, LLC, an affiliate of the Company owned and controlled by two of the Company’s directors and their sibling.  The offer and sale of the Shares in the Equity Offering was completed in reliance on the exemption from registration under Rule 506(c) of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  The Equity Offering is more fully described in the Equity Offering documents and disclosed in the Company’s reports as previously filed with the SEC.

Summary information of private placement Equity Offering is as follows:

($ in thousands, except per share data)
  
   
Number of Shares purchased by BARC
    
42,950,460
  
Number of Shares purchased by others
    
1,250,000
  
Total number of shares offered and purchased
    
44,200,460
  
Equity Offering – purchase price per Share
  
$
0.20
  
Total proceeds received from the Equity Offering
  
$
8,840
  

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Item 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Cautionary Statement for Forward-Looking Information

This quarterly report together with other statements and information publicly disseminated by the Company may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or make oral statements that constitute forward-looking statements. The Company intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted or quantified. The forward-looking statements may relate to such matters as anticipated financial performance, future revenues or earnings, business prospects, projected ventures, anticipated market performance, anticipated litigation results or the timing of pending litigation, and similar matters. When used in this Quarterly Report, the words “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  The Company cautions readers that a variety of factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company’s forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, include, but are not limited to those set forth in “Item 1A, Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the Company’s other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including, but not limited to: (i) risks with regard to the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern; (ii) assumptions regarding the outcome of legal and/or tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; (iii) risks arising from unfavorable decisions in tax, legal and/or other proceedings; (iv) transaction volume in the securities markets; (v) the volatility of the securities markets; (vi) fluctuations in interest rates; (vii) risks inherent in the real estate business, including, but not limited to, insurance risks, tenant defaults, risks associated with real estate development activities, changes in occupancy rates or real estate values; (viii) changes in regulatory requirements which could affect the cost of doing business; (ix) general economic conditions; (x) risks with regard to whether or not the Company’s current financial resources will be adequate to fund operations over the next twelve months from financial statement issuance date and/or continue operations; (xi) changes in the rate of inflation and the related impact on the securities markets; (xii) changes in federal and state tax laws and (xiii) additionally, there is risk relating to assumptions regarding the outcome of tax matters, based in whole or in part upon consultation with outside advisors; risk relating to potential unfavorable decisions in tax proceedings; risks regarding changes in, and/or interpretations of federal and state income tax laws; and risk of IRS and/or state tax authority assessment of additional tax plus interest. These are not the only risks that we face. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know of or that we currently believe are immaterial which could also impair our business and financial position.

Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are applicable only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this Quarterly Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company’s expectations will be realized.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, which follows, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are contained in Part I - Item 1, herein and in Part II – Item 8 in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

AmBase Corporation (the “Company” or “AmBase”) is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated in 1975.  AmBase is a holding company.  At March 31, 2024, the Company’s assets consisted primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company is engaged in the management of its assets and liabilities.

In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in a real estate development property through a joint venture agreement to purchase and develop real property located at 105 through 111 West 57th Street in New York, New York (the “111 West 57th Property”). The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with regard to the 111 West 57th Property. Despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken in connection with the “Strict Foreclosure”, (as defined and further discussed herein), the Company recorded an impairment for the full amount of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in 2017. Prior to the Strict Foreclosure, the carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company’s assets and net equity value.

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For additional information concerning the Company’s recording of an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property in 2017 and the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the 111 West 57th Property, including the Company’s challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, see Part I – Item 1 – Note 3 and Note 6 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

The Company’s assets at March 31, 2024, aggregated $6,000, consisting of cash and cash equivalents of $6,000.  At March 31, 2024, the Company’s liabilities aggregated $8,190,000.  Total stockholders’ deficit was $8,184,000.

A fundamental principle of the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP is the assumption that an entity will continue in existence as a going concern, which contemplates continuity of operations and the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities occurring in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with this requirement, the Company has prepared its accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.

The Company has incurred operating losses and used cash for operating activities for the past several years. The Company has continued to keep operating expenses at a reduced level; however, there can be no assurance that the Company’s current level of operating expenses will not increase or that other uses of cash will not be necessary.  The Company believes that based on its current level of operating expenses, its existing cash and cash equivalents may not be sufficient to cover operating cash needs through the twelve month period from the financial statement reporting date.  Based on the above factors, management determined there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include adjustments to the carrying value of assets and liabilities, which might be necessary should the Company not continue in operation.

In order to continue as a going concern, the Company must take steps to manage its current level of cash and cash equivalents, through various ways, including but not limited to, raising additional capital through the sale of equity or debt securities or long-term borrowings, which may include additional borrowings from affiliates of the Company, litigation funding agreements, reducing operating expenses, and seeking recoveries from various sources.  There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to adequately implement these cash management measures, in whole or in part or raise capital or obtain financing on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all.

In June 2013, the Company purchased an equity interest in the 111 West 57th Property. The Company is engaged in material disputes and litigation with regard to the 111 West 57th Property. Despite ongoing litigation challenging the legitimacy of the actions taken in connection with the “Strict Foreclosure”, (as defined and further discussed herein), in accordance with GAAP, the Company recorded an impairment for the full amount of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property of $63,745,000 in 2017.  Prior to the Strict Foreclosure, the carrying value of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property represented a substantial portion of the Company’s assets and net equity value.

For additional information concerning the Company’s recording of an impairment of its equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property and the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the 111 West 57th Property, including the Company’s challenge to the Strict Foreclosure, see Part I – Item 1 – Note 3 and Note 6 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

With respect to its disputes and litigation relating to its interest in the 111 West 57th Property, the Company is pursuing, and will continue to pursue, other options to realize the Company’s investment value, various legal courses of action to protect its legal rights, recovery of its asset value from various sources of recovery, as well as considering other possible economic strategies, including the possible sale of the Company’s interest in and/or rights with respect to the 111 West 57th Property; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

The Company can give no assurances regarding the outcome of the matters described herein, including as to the effect of Spruce’s actions described herein, whether the Sponsors will perform their contractual commitments to the Company under the JV Agreement, as to what further action, if any, the lenders may take with respect to the project, as to the ultimate resolution of the ongoing litigation proceedings relating to the Company’s investment interest in the 111 West 57th Property, as to the ultimate effect of the Sponsors’, the Company’s or the lenders’ actions on the project, as to the completion or ultimate success of the project, or as to the value or ultimate realization of any portion of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Street. For additional information with regard to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property and the legal proceedings related thereto, see Part I – Item 1 – Note 3 and Note 6 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

20
While the Company’s management is evaluating future courses of action to protect and/or recover the value of the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property, the adverse developments make it uncertain as to whether any such courses of action will be successful. Any such efforts are likely to require sustained effort over a period of time and substantial additional financial resources. Inability to recover all or most of such value would in all likelihood have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and future prospects.  The Company can give no assurances with regard to if it will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

As previously disclosed in a Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2024, AmBase Corporation (the “Company”) commenced a private placement offering (the “Equity Offering”) of up to 44,200,460 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) for $0.20 per share of Common Stock.

On April 1, 2024, the Company completed the issuance and sale of all 44,200,460 Shares in the Equity Offering on the previously disclosed terms and conditions, including 1,250,000 Shares purchased by an institutional investor not affiliated with the Company and 42,950,460 Shares purchased by BARC Investments, LLC, an affiliate of the Company owned and controlled by two of the Company’s directors and their sibling.  The offer and sale of the Shares in the Equity Offering was completed in reliance on the exemption from registration under Rule 506(c) of Regulation D promulgated under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Loan(s) payable – related party was $3,548,000 as of March 31, 2024, compared to $3,198,000 as of December 31, 2023, relating to loans made to the Company from Mr. R.A. Bianco, for working capital.  In April 2024, with funds received from the Equity Offering, the Company repaid Mr. R.A. Bianco the full amount of the loan(s) payable outstanding plus accrued interest. For additional information, see Part I – Item 1 – Note 8 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

The Company will continue to consider and explore other litigation funding agreements with third party litigation funders that it could enter into for portions of the litigation costs for up to $5 million of funding, at market terms to be agreed upon at such times.  In general, litigation funding agreements are structured so that the litigation funder would receive back their initial funding amount first (i.e. before any recovery is received by the Company), plus an additional multiple ranging from 1.0 times to 3.5 times the amount funded (depending on various factors), plus depending on the funder, additional fees, expenses, interest and potentially an additional percentage of the total recovery received. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to secure any such additional litigation funding on acceptable terms or at all.

In 2017, the Company entered into a Litigation Funding Agreement (the “LFA”) with Mr. R.A. Bianco. Pursuant to the LFA, Mr. R.A. Bianco agreed to provide litigation funding to the Company, to satisfy actual documented litigation costs and expenses of the Company, including attorneys’ fees, expert witness fees, consulting fees and disbursements in connection with the Company’s legal proceedings related to the Company’s equity investment in the 111 West 57th Property. In 2019, the Company and Mr. R.A. Bianco entered into an amendment to the LFA (the “Amendment). For additional information including the terms of the Litigation Funding Agreement, as amended by the Amendment, see Part I – Item 1 – Note 7 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, cash of $422,000 was used by operations as a result of the payment of operating expenses.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, cash of $605,000 was used by operations as a result of the payment of operating expenses and prior year accruals.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities as of March 31, 2024, increased from December 31, 2023, principally relating to the timing of payments and an increase in current period accruals for legal expenses in connection with the 111 West 57th Property litigations.

Loan(s) payable – related party was $3,548,000 as of March 31, 2024, compared to $3,198,000 as of December 31, 2023, relating to loans made to the Company from Mr. R.A. Bianco for working capital.  For additional information, see Part I – Item I – Note 8 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

There are no other material commitments for capital expenditures as of March 31, 2024.  Inflation has had no material impact on the business and operations of the Company.

21
Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024, vs. the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

The Company recorded a net loss of $1,839,000 or $0.05 per share in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to a net loss of $1,220,000, or $0.03 per share in the respective 2023 period.

Compensation and benefits decreased slightly to $359,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $385,000 in the respective 2023 period.  The decrease in the 2024 three month period versus the respective 2023 period is due to a decrease in compensation related expenses recorded in the 2024 period.

Professional and outside services increased to $1,311,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $728,000 in the respective 2023 period.  The increase in the 2024 period as compared to the 2023 period is principally the result of a higher level of legal and professional fees incurred in 2024 in connection with the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property.  For additional information with regard to the Company’s investment in the 111 West 57th Property and the legal proceedings related thereto, see Part I – Item 1 – Note 3 and Note 6 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Property operating and maintenance expenses decreased to $4,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to $8,000 in the respective 2023 period principally due to timing of payments in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the respective March 31, 2023, period.

Insurance expenses decreased to $32,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared with $58,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023.  The decrease is generally due to a decrease in certain policy coverages in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the respective 2023 period.

Other operating expenses increased to $19,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared with $13,000 in the respective 2023 period, due to a higher level of other expenses in the 2024 period.

Interest income in the three months ended March 31, 2024, was $-, compared with $1,000 in the respective 2023 period.  The decreased interest income in the March 31, 2024, three month period is due to a lower level of cash and cash equivalents in the 2024 period versus the respective 2023 period.

Interest expense was $114,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared with $29,000 in the respective 2023 period.  Interest expense for the 2024 and 2023 periods is attributable to interest expense to a professional firm for outstanding and unpaid professional fees and interest expense relating to the loan(s) payable – related party.  For additional information see Part I – Item 1 – Note 8 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Income taxes applicable to operating income (loss) are generally determined by applying the estimated effective annual income tax rates to pretax income (loss) for the year-to-date interim period.  Income taxes applicable to unusual or infrequently occurring items are provided in the period in which such items occur. For additional information including a discussion of income tax matters, see Part I – Item 1 – Note 5 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

22
Item 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our disclosure controls and procedures include our controls and other procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed in this and other reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to ensure that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods.

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2024.  Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act) are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported with adequate timeliness.

There have been no changes during the most recent fiscal quarter in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For a discussion of the Company’s legal proceedings, see Part I - Item 1 - Note 6 to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 1A.
RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, in response to Item 1A of Part I of Form 10-K.

Item 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
a. Not applicable
b. Not applicable
c. None

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

The Company’s common stock repurchase plan (the “Repurchase Plan”) allows for the repurchase by the Company of up to 10 million shares of its common stock in the open market.  The Repurchase Plan is conditioned upon favorable business conditions and acceptable prices for the common stock. Purchases under the Repurchase Plan may be made, from time to time, in the open market, through block trades or otherwise.  Depending on market conditions and other factors, purchases may be commenced or suspended any time or from time to time without prior notice.  No common stock repurchases have been made pursuant to the Repurchase Plan during the year to date 2024 period.

Item 3.
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not Applicable.

Item 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not Applicable.

23
Item 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.

Item 6.
EXHIBITS

Senior Promissory Note for $100,000, between Richard A. Bianco, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“Mr. R.A. Bianco”) and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on January 26, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference).
Senior Promissory Note for $50,000, between Richard A. Bianco, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“Mr. R.A. Bianco”) and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on February 8, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference).
Senior Promissory Note for $100,000, between Richard A. Bianco, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“Mr. R.A. Bianco”) and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on February 27, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference).
Senior Promissory Note for $100,000, between Richard A. Bianco, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“Mr. R.A. Bianco”) and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on March 11, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Subscription Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 18, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference).
Standby Purchase Agreement dated February 28, 2024, between BARC Investments LLC and the Company (filed as Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 18, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference).
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
101.1*
The following financial statements from AmBase Corporation’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 formatted in XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited); (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited); (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (unaudited); (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) (unaudited); and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
104.1*
The Cover Page from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in Inline XBRL.

*
filed herewith

24
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 thereunto duly authorized.

AMBASE CORPORATION

 
/s/ John Ferrara
By
JOHN FERRARA
 
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Controller
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
   
Date:
May 9, 2024


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