Fathom Holdings Inc S-3, filed Dec 29, 2023
Fathom Holdings Inc. (FTHM)
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 29, 2023
Registration Statement No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
FATHOM HOLDINGS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| North Carolina | 82-1518164 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300
Cary, North Carolina 27518
Telephone: 888-455-6040
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Marco Fregenal
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer
Fathom Holdings Inc.
2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300
Cary, North Carolina 27518
888-455-6040
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
Donald R. Reynolds, Esq.
Alexander M. Donaldson, Esq.
Shin Song, Esq.
Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 300
Raleigh, North Carolina 27607
Telephone: (919) 781-4000
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions 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 þ | Smaller reporting company þ |
| Emerging growth company þ |
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 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. þ
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This registration statement contains two prospectuses:
| · | Offering Prospectus: A base prospectus covering the offering, issuance and sale (i) by us of up to $100,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, rights to purchase common stock, or units for any combination of those securities, and (ii) the resale by the selling shareholder of up to 4,402,761 shares of our common stock if such sale is part of an underwritten or best efforts offering affected by an underwriter or placement agent for the selling shareholder and which sale might be included with an underwritten or best efforts offering affected by an underwriter or placement agent for us; and |
| · | Resale Prospectus: A prospectus to be used for the resale by the selling shareholder of up to 4,402,761 shares of our common stock (these are the same shares as noted in the bullet above; they are to be available for sale under both the Offering Prospectus and the Resale Prospectus). |
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. Neither we nor the selling shareholder may sell these securities or accept an offer to buy these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and neither we nor the selling shareholder are soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated December 29, 2023
PROSPECTUS
$100,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights and/or
Units
Up to 4,402,761 Shares of Common Stock Offered by the Selling Shareholder
We may offer and sell from time to time up to $100,000,000 of our shares of common stock; shares of preferred stock; debt securities; warrants; rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units; or units that include any of these securities, in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of offering.
The selling shareholder named in this prospectus may offer and sell up to an aggregate of 4,402,761 shares of our common stock from time to time in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of such offerings. We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of our common stock by the selling shareholder.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of our common stock that we and the selling shareholder may offer as well as other securities that we may offer. A prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the securities being offered and the offering, including the compensation of any underwriter, agent or dealer, will accompany this prospectus to the extent required. In the case of an offering by the selling shareholder, information about the selling shareholder, including the relationship between the selling shareholder and us, will also be included in the applicable prospectus supplement. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If information in any prospectus supplement is inconsistent with the information in this prospectus, then the information in that prospectus supplement will apply and will supersede the information in this prospectus. You should carefully read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described in “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference”, before you invest in our securities.
The aggregate market value of our outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates as of the date of this prospectus is $44.4 million, based on 20,624,967 shares of outstanding common stock held by non-affiliates, and a per share price of $3.70, based on the closing sale price of our common stock on December 21, 2023 (a date within 60 days of the date hereof). Pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3, in no event will we sell securities registered on the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part in a public primary offering with a value exceeding more than one-third of our public float in any 12-month period if our public float, measured in accordance with such instruction, remains below $75.0 million. As of the date hereof, we have not offered any securities pursuant to General Instruction I.B.6 of Form S-3 during the 12 calendar months prior to and including the date of this prospectus.
We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and, as such, we are subject to reduced public company disclosure standards.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, to read about factors you should consider before investing in our securities.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FTHM”. The last reported sale price of our common stock on December 27, 2023 was $3.72 per share. We recommend that you obtain current market quotations for our common stock prior to making an investment decision.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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This prospectus is part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process or continuous offering process. By using a shelf registration statement, we and/or the selling shareholder to be named in a prospectus supplement to this prospectus may, from time to time, offer shares of our common stock; and we may, from time to time, offer shares of our preferred stock, debt securities, warrants for such securities, rights to purchase our securities, and/or units that include any of these securities, in one or more offerings, up to a total dollar amount of $100,000,000.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we and/or the selling shareholder may offer. Each time we and/or the selling shareholder offer securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering.
We and/or the selling shareholder may sell the securities (a) through agents; (b) through underwriters or dealers; (c) directly to one or more purchasers; or (d) through a combination of any of these methods of sale. See “Plan of Distribution” on page 10. A prospectus supplement, which we will provide to you each time we and/or the selling shareholder offer securities using this registration statement, will provide the names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents involved in the sale of the securities, and any applicable fee, commission or discount arrangements with them.
This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For a more complete understanding of the offering of the securities, you should refer to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness. This prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplements and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, will include material information relating to the offering. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, the information and documents incorporated herein by reference and the additional information under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” before making an investment decision.
You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. Neither we nor the selling shareholder have authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated herein by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus and any prospectus supplement or any sale of a security.
To the extent there are inconsistencies between this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any documents incorporated by reference, the document with the most recent date will control.
This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of our securities, unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “Fathom,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” “our Company” and “our business” refer to Fathom Holdings Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
This prospectus contains references to our trademarks and to trademarks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other company.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this prospectus regarding our strategy, future operations, future product research or development, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “goals,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” “forecast” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus are subject to a number of risks, including, but are not limited to:
| · | the risks associated with government spending, inflation, the Federal Reserve’s policies and rate increases, and the unprecedented rapid increase in mortgage interest rates; |
| · | our ability to remain an innovative leader in the real estate industry; |
| · | whether or not we are able to effectively manage rapid growth in our business; |
| · | our failure to prevent security breaches, cybersecurity incidents, and interruptions, delays and failures in our systems and operations; |
| · | the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| · | our ability to grow in the various local markets that we serve or expand into adjacent markets; |
| · | whether or not we are successful in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities; |
| · | our value proposition for agents, including allowing them to keep more of their commissions than traditional companies do, and receive equity in our Company; |
| · | our ability to make sure agents understand our value proposition so that we can attract, retain and incentivize agents; |
| · | our ability to attract and retain additional qualified agents and other personnel; |
| · | our ability to compete effectively with existing and new companies in the real estate industry; |
| · | the risks associated with making meaningful comparisons of successive quarters; |
| · | our non-GAAP operating performance, as reported using Adjusted EBITDA, which is not equivalent to net income (loss) as determined under GAAP; |
| · | our ability to protect the privacy of employees, independent contractors, or consumers or personal information that they share with us so that we do not harm our reputation and business; |
| · | our failure to be able to expand, maintain and improve the systems and technologies upon which we rely on to operate; |
| · | if we fail to maintain compliance with the law and regulations of federal, state, foreign, county governmental authorities, or private associations and governing boards, including anti-trust laws that are the subject of ongoing litigation in a number of states, such as Texas where we have been named as a defendant; |
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| · | our ability to sell originated loans; |
| · | our ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund the origination of mortgage loans and grow our mortgage business; |
| · | our ability to establish and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting; |
| · | the risks associated with the failure of our mortgage business to sell its originated loans; |
| · | the risks associated with the loss of our current executive officers or other key management; |
| · | the risks associated with employee or agent litigation and unfavorable publicity; |
| · | our failure to protect intellectual property rights; |
| · | our ability to be able to evaluate potential vendors, suppliers and other business partners for acquisition in order to accelerate growth; |
| · | our ability to integrate our recently acquired businesses; |
| · | our future revenues and growth prospects and our dependence on other contractors; |
| · | our potential need to acquire additional capital to support business growth, which might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all; |
| · | our ability to obtain sufficient additional capital on reasonable terms in order to grow our business; |
| · | the risks associated with litigation filed by or against us, and adverse results therefrom; |
| · | our ability to manage technology that is currently being developed in foreign countries, including Brazil, which makes us subject to certain risks associated with foreign laws and regulations; and |
| · | other factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement and in any document incorporated herein or therein by reference. |
We might not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included more detailed disclosure about important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus, particularly under “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. The environment in which we operate is highly competitive and rapidly changing and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, as new risks emerge from time to time, such as the unprecedented increases in interest rates and the anti-trust litigation against many participants in the real estate industry in a number of states, including Texas where we have been named as a defendant.
You should read this prospectus and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to this prospectus completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments. You should therefore not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this prospectus. You also should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Before deciding to purchase our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in this prospectus.
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Overview
Fathom Holdings Inc. is a technology-driven, real estate services platform integrating residential brokerage, mortgage, title, insurance, and SaaS offerings to brokerages and agents by leveraging its proprietary cloud-based software, intelliAgent. The Company's brands include Fathom Realty, Dagley Insurance, Encompass Lending, intelliAgent, Real Results, and Verus Title, with operations in over 30 states across the United States.
In exchange for our real estate services, we are compensated by commission income earned upon closing of the sale of a property or execution of a lease. Typically, within the brokerage industry, all brokers involved in a sale are compensated based on commission rates negotiated in a listing agreement. Agents on the “buy” and “sell” sides of each transaction share the total commission identified in the listing agreement. We may provide services to the buyer, seller, or both parties to a transaction.
Our commission model is designed to empower real estate agents to build a more profitable business by allowing them to keep a higher percentage of their commission without sacrificing support, technology, or training. We believe that by simply joining our Company, agents from traditional model brokerages can increase their income by over 25% on average. More importantly, agents are able to take that increase and reinvest it into their marketing thereby increasing their number of transactions and revenue.
As we attract more agents to our low-cost real estate brokerage, we have more opportunities to capture additional revenue from the transactions through mortgage, title, and insurance offerings.
Generally speaking, there are only two ways to make more money in real estate: increase revenue or decrease expenses. Our low flat transaction fee model provides agents with more money to outspend their competition on marketing while netting the same amount of money as an agent at a traditional brokerage. Traditional brokerage companies retain between 20% and 50% in commission splits from their agents. Below is an example of a traditional brokerage company’s commission model assuming a 30% split, versus our commission model. This is an example of potential commission savings, and results similar to the example below are not guaranteed.
We believe our commission model also allows agents to directly compete against discount brokerages and other disruptive new competitors. The flat transaction fee that we charge to our agents allows them to charge whatever commission they need to be highly competitive.
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We recognize revenue from the brokerage business primarily through the commissions that our agents charge their clients. In fiscal 2023, through December 31, 2023, from the gross commission revenue, we keep a flat transaction fee of $550 and the remainder is paid to the agent. Annually for each agent, this $550 transaction fee is charged for the agent’s first 15 sales per agent’s anniversary year and then $150 per sale for the rest of their anniversary year. For leases, we recognize revenue through lease commissions negotiated between our agents and landlords, and we retain $85 per transaction and the remainder is paid to the agent. Each year, every agent also pays a fee of $600 on their first sale (recognized in Cost of Revenue over the year), which helps cover our operating costs such as technology, errors and omissions insurance, training, and oversight. In 2023, our average cost to recruit a new agent was $950 and our annual costs associated with each agent was $425, so we break even in an agent’s first year if he or she closes just two sales.
Beginning January 1, 2024, the annual fee on an agent’s first transaction will increase to $700. In addition, we will collect a new High-Value Property fee on sales of properties over $600,000. This new High-Value Property fee will consist of an additional $200 on properties priced between $600,000 and $999,999. Then, there will be an additional fee of $250 charged for each $500,000 over a $1,000,000 property price.
In just ten years since we launched our Company, we have grown rapidly with operations in over 37 states or districts. We have been included in the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing businesses in the United States each year from 2014 through 2017, and the Inc. 5000 for 2018 and 2019 prior to taking the Company public. In March of 2021, we were ranked as the 9th largest independent real estate brokerage firm and the 11th overall largest brokerage firm in the United States. These rankings were published by The Real Trends Five Hundred based on several criteria including transaction sides, sales volume, affiliation, top movers, core services, and others. Fathom has also been listed in the top three spots for the Top 100 Places to Work in Dallas Fort Worth four years in a row by the Dallas Morning News.
As of September 30, 2023, we had approximately 11,333 agent licenses. This figure represents growth of approximately 13.4% year-over-year.
In November of 2020, we finalized our acquisition of Verus Title Inc., a technology-based provider of title insurance services for the residential real estate market (“Verus”). Verus currently operates in 30 states, utilizing a virtual model with minimal offices, with plans for a full U.S. rollout over the long-term. We believe this acquisition has the potential to increase our revenue per agent and per transaction as we integrate Verus into our various markets across the United States.
In March of 2021 we, through our wholly owned subsidiary IntelliAgent, LLC, completed the acquisition of technology platform Naberly Solutions to reduce Fathom’s reliance on third-party technology providers and offer more robust technology to agents to help them grow their businesses.
In March of 2021, we also finalized the acquisition of Red Barn Real Estate, an approximately 230 agent real estate brokerage located in the Atlanta, Georgia market.
In April 2021, we purchased 100% of the outstanding capital stock of E4:9 Holdings, Inc., a holding company with three operating subsidiaries, Encompass Lending Group (mortgage), Dagley Insurance Agency (home, auto, and other insurance) and Real Results (lead generation). These companies are expected to provide agents and associates with new opportunities to grow their businesses, while giving consumers a one-stop-shop for all of their housing needs.
Also in April 2021 we purchased 100% of outstanding capital stock of LiveBy, Inc., a SaaS business with a technology platform that offers competitive, hyper-local tools for real estate professionals.
In June 2021 we completed the acquisition of the real estate brokerage business of Epic Realty, LLC, a growing regional brokerage based in greater Boise, Idaho, with approximately 350 agents.
Recent Developments
As previously reported by us in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 28, 2023, we have been named as a defendant in a purported class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Sherman Division, filed on November 13, 2023, by plaintiffs QJ Team, LLC and Five Points Holdings, LLC, individually and on behalf of all other persons similarly situated. A second purported class action complaint was filed on December 14, 2023, by plaintiffs Julie Martin, Mark Adams and Adelaida Matta in the same court, naming us as a defendant along with others, many of whom are also named in the first lawsuit. These lawsuits are purportedly brought on behalf of a class consisting of all persons who listed properties on a Multiple Listing Service in Texas (the “MLS) using a listing agent or broker affiliated with one of the defendants named in the lawsuits and paid a buyer broker commission beginning on November 13, 2019. The lawsuits allege unlawful conspiracy in violation of federal antitrust law and, against certain defendants (but not us) deceptive trade practices under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. We expect additional lawsuits to be filed, given the breadth of the residential real estate industry and the volume of participants in the residential real estate industry in Texas and the rest of the United States.
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Though we intend to vigorously defend ourselves as we believe the lawsuits are particularly without merit with respect to us because of our flat fee business model, we cannot predict with certainty the cost of our defense, the cost of prosecution, insurance coverage, or the ultimate outcome of the lawsuits and any others that might be filed in the future, including remedies or damage awards. Adverse results in such litigation might harm our business and financial condition. Moreover, defending these lawsuits, regardless of their merits, could entail substantial expense and require the time and attention of our key management personnel.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated under the laws of the state of North Carolina on May 5, 2017 as a private company. We completed our initial public offering in July 2020.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300, Cary, North Carolina, NC 27518 and our telephone number is (888) 455-6040. Our corporate website address is www.fathomrealty.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act will be made available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The contents of our website are not incorporated into this prospectus and our reference to the URL for our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act and therefore we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements. As an “emerging growth company”:
| · | we will present no more than two years of audited financial statements and no more than two years of related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations; |
| · | we will avail ourselves of the exemption from the requirement to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (this exemption was recently extended indefinitely for smaller reporting companies, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, with revenue of less than $100 million); |
| · | we will provide less extensive disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements; and |
| · | we will not require shareholder non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements. |
However, we have chosen to irrevocably opt out of the extended transition periods available under the JOBS Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, although we will cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of (1) December 31, 2025, (2) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues are $1.07 billion or more, (3) the date on which we have, during the previous rolling three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities, and (4) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in the Exchange Act.
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described herein and in “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, in each case as these risk factors are amended or supplemented by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K that have been or will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular offering of our securities may also discuss certain risks of investing in that offering. The risks incorporated herein by reference and set forth or incorporated by reference in any prospectus supplement are those which we believe are the material risks that we face. The occurrence of any of such risks may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common stock could decline, the value of any other securities we may issue could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.
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We cannot assure you that we will receive any proceeds in connection with securities offered by us pursuant to this prospectus. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities by us under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, including financing growth by obtaining agents at a faster pace, developing new services and funding capital expenditures, acquisitions, and investments, and general and administrative expenses. We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement our intended use for the net proceeds received from the sale of any securities by us. Pending the application of any net proceeds, we intend to invest the net proceeds generally in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities. In the case of a sale of shares of our common stock by the selling shareholder, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of those shares of our common stock.
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This prospectus also relates to the possible resale by one of our shareholders of up to an aggregate of 4,402,761 shares of our common stock (plus an indeterminate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued upon stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions in accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act) that were previously acquired by selling shareholder as founder’s shares in connection with our formation, through private offerings prior to our initial public offering, as equity compensation in the form of restricted shares or restricted share units pursuant to the Company’s 2017 Stock Plan and/or the Company’s 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan. Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this prospectus, “selling shareholder” includes the selling shareholder named in the table below and his affiliates, donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares received from the selling shareholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer after the date of this prospectus, and any such persons will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling shareholder to offer the shares for resale from time to time.
The selling shareholder is Joshua Harley, our founder and formerly our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company. The selling shareholder is not an affiliate of any broker-dealer.
The following table, based upon information currently known by us, sets forth as of December 29, 2023: (i) the number of shares of common stock held of record or beneficially by the selling shareholder as of such date (as determined below); and (ii) the number of shares that may be offered under this prospectus by the selling shareholder. The beneficial ownership of the common stock set forth in the following table is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. This table is based upon information supplied to us by the selling shareholder and information filed with the SEC. Each selling shareholder may sell or transfer all or a portion of his or her shares of our common stock pursuant to any available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The address for the selling shareholder is c/o Fathom Holdings Inc., 2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300, Cary, North Carolina. Applicable percentage ownership is based on 20,624,964 shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 22, 2023.
| Name and Address | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering (1) | Number of Shares Registered for Sale | Number of Shares to be Owned after the Offering | Percent of the Offering |
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| Joshua Harley | 4,745,793 | (2) | 4,402,761 | (3) | 343,032 | (4) | * | % | |||||||
| (1) | We do not know when or in what amounts the selling shareholder will offer shares for sale, if at all. The selling shareholder may sell any or all of the shares included in and offered by this prospectus. Because the selling shareholder may offer all or some of the shares pursuant to this offering, we cannot estimate the number of shares that will be held by the selling shareholder after completion of this offering. However, for purposes of this table, we have assumed that after completion of this offering, none of the shares included in and covered by this prospectus will be held by the selling shareholder. |
| (2) | Consists of (i) 1,846,295 shares held by Mr. Harley; (ii) 9,558 shares under a restricted stock award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; 4,426 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 1, 2024; 18,466 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on November 30, 2024; 29,616 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; 31,888 shares under a restricted award that vested in full on December 14, 2023; 47,170 shares under a restricted award that vested in full on December 14, 2023; 58,140 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; and 58,824 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on August 30, 2024; (iii) 225,000 shares issuable under restricted stock units that vest in full on September 10, 2024; (iv) an aggregate of 1,710,346 shares held by three trusts for which Mr. Harley serves as a trustee and one of which he is a beneficiary; (v) 363,032 shares held in trust for Mr. Harley’s wife in which Mr. Harley has voting control; and (vi) 343,032 shares that are held in trust for Mr. Harley’s brother-in-law in which Mr. Harley has voting control. |
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| (3) | Consists of (i) 1,846,295 shares held by Mr. Harley; (ii) 9,558 shares under a restricted stock award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; 4,426 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 1, 2024; 18,466 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on November 30, 2024; 29,616 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; 31,888 shares under a restricted award that vested in full on December 14, 2023; 47,170 shares under a restricted award that vested in full on December 14, 2023; 58,140 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; and 58,824 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on August 30, 2024; (iii) 225,000 shares issuable under restricted stock units that vest in full on September 10, 2024; (iv) an aggregate of 1,710,346 shares held by three trusts for which Mr. Harley serves as a trustee and one of which he is a beneficiary; (v) 363,032 shares held in trust for Mr. Harley’s wife in which Mr. Harley has voting control. |
| (4) | Consists of 343,032 shares that are held in trust for Mr. Harley’s brother-in-law in which Mr. Harley has voting control. |
We and/or the selling shareholder, if applicable, may sell securities pursuant to this prospectus from time to time pursuant to underwritten public offerings, negotiated transactions, block trades or a combination of these methods. We and/or the selling shareholder may sell the securities to or through underwriters or dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more purchasers. The securities may be distributed from time to time in one or more transactions:
| · | at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed; |
| · | at market prices prevailing at the time of sale; |
| · | at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or |
| · | at negotiated prices. |
In addition, we may issue the securities as a dividend or distribution or in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders.
We and/or the selling shareholder may directly solicit offers to purchase securities, or agents may be designated to solicit such offers. In the prospectus supplement relating to such offering, we will name any agent that could be viewed as an underwriter under the Securities Act and describe any commissions that we must pay to any such agent. Any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment or, if indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, on a firm commitment basis. This prospectus may be used in connection with any offering of our securities through any of these methods or other methods described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
A prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
| · | the name or names of any selling shareholder, and their relationship to us; |
| · | the name or names of the underwriters, if any; |
| · | the purchase price of the securities or other consideration therefor, and the proceeds and use of proceeds, if any, we will receive from the sale; |
| · | any public offering price; |
| · | any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; |
| · | any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; |
| · | any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and |
| · | any securities exchange or market on which the securities may be listed. |
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If any underwriters or agents are used in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we and/or the selling shareholder will enter into an underwriting agreement, sales agreement or other agreement with them at the time of sale, and we and/or the selling shareholder will set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering the names of the underwriters or agents and the terms of the related agreement with them.
In connection with the offering of securities, we and/or the selling shareholder may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional securities with an additional underwriting commission, as may be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement. If such option is granted, the terms of such option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such securities.
If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities in respect of which the prospectus is delivered, we and/or the selling shareholder will sell such securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer, who may be deemed to be an “underwriter” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale.
If we offer securities in a subscription rights offering to our existing security holders, we may enter into a standby underwriting agreement with dealers, acting as standby underwriters. We may pay the standby underwriters a commitment fee for the securities they commit to purchase on a standby basis. If we do not enter into a standby underwriting arrangement, we may retain a dealer-manager to manage a subscription rights offering for us.
Agents, underwriters, dealers and other persons may be entitled under agreements which they may enter into with us and/or the selling shareholder to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.
If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we and/or the selling shareholder will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our and/or the selling shareholder’s agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. Each contract will be for an amount not less than, and the aggregate amount of securities sold pursuant to such contracts shall not be less nor more than, the respective amounts stated in the prospectus supplement. Institutions with whom the contracts, when authorized, may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and other institutions, but shall in all cases be subject to our and/or the ’ approval. Delayed delivery contracts will not be subject to any conditions except that:
| · | the purchase by an institution of the securities covered under that contract shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which that institution is subject; and |
| · | if the securities are also being sold to underwriters acting as principals for their own account, the underwriters shall have purchased such securities not sold for delayed delivery. The underwriters and other persons acting as our and/or the selling shareholder’s agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of delayed delivery contracts. |
Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us and/or the selling shareholder. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and/or the selling shareholder and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with their remarketing of offered securities.
Certain agents, underwriters and dealers, and their associates and affiliates, may be customers of, have borrowing relationships with, engage in other transactions with, or perform services, including investment banking services, for us and/or the selling shareholder or one or more of our or the selling shareholder’s respective affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
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In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, any underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on such securities. Specifically, any underwriters may over allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position for their own accounts. In addition, to cover overallotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any such other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any such other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. Any such underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time.
We may engage in at the market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
The securities may be new issues of securities and may have no established trading market. The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. We can make no assurance as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any of the securities.
The specific terms of any lock-up provisions in respect of any given offering will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us and/or the selling shareholder, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.
The anticipated date of delivery of offered securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to each offer.
The selling shareholder may also sell securities under Rule 144 under the Securities Act, if available, or pursuant to other available exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, rather than under this prospectus. Registration of the common stock covered by this prospectus does not mean that any shares of common stock will be offered or sold.
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following description summarizes the material terms of our capital stock as of the date of this prospectus. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description of our capital stock, you should refer to our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, and to the provisions of applicable North Carolina law.
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock with no par value, of which 20,624,964 shares were issued and outstanding as of December 22, 2023. Our common stock may be issued from time to time without prior approval by our shareholders. Our common stock may be issued for such consideration as may be fixed from time to time by our Board of Directors (the “Board”).
Common Stock
Our Company, a North Carolina corporation, is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock with no par value per share. Each share of common stock has one vote per share for all purposes. The holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of our shareholders. Our common stock does not provide preemptive, subscription or conversion rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions or rights. Our common shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting for election of our Board. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets remaining after payment of liabilities.
Holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our Board out of funds legally available therefor as well as any distributions to the common shareholders. We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock, and do not expect to pay such dividends in the foreseeable future.
Options and Restricted Stock Units
As of December 22, 2023, we had outstanding (i) options to purchase an aggregate of 147,707 shares of our common stock, with a weighted average exercise price of $11.87 per share, and (ii) 1,977,495 shares reserved for issuance under outstanding unvested restricted stock units, under our 2017 Stock Plan and 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.
Warrants
As of December 22, 2023, we had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 240,100 shares of our common stock, exercisable at a per share exercise price of $11.00, and exercisable at any time through August 4, 2025.
Charter, Bylaw and Statutory Provisions Having Potential “Anti-takeover” Effects
The following paragraphs summarize certain provisions of our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws and North Carolina law that may have the effect, or be used as a means, of delaying or preventing attempts to acquire us, take control of our Company, or to remove or replace incumbent directors, that are not first approved by our Board, even if those proposed actions are favored by our shareholders.
| · | Authorized Shares. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, currently authorize the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of common stock. Our Board is authorized to approve the issuance of shares of our common stock from time to time. This provision gives our Board flexibility to effect, among other transactions, financings, acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and grants of stock options. However, our Board’s authority also could be used, consistent with our Board’s fiduciary duty, to deter future attempts to gain control of the Company by issuing additional common stock to persons friendly to management in order to attempt to block a tender offer, merger or other transaction by which a third party seeks to gain control. |
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| · | Advance Notice of Director Nominations. Our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for advance notice procedures with respect to shareholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors. Pursuant to these provisions, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must meet certain requirements with respect to its content and be received at our principal executive offices, addressed to the secretary of our Company, within the proscribed time periods. These provisions may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed. These provisions may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our Company. |
| · | Special Meetings of Shareholders. Our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that special meetings of our shareholders may be called only by or at the direction of (a) our Board, (b) the Chairman of our Board, or (c) our President of the Company or (d) shareholders holding a majority of outstanding common stock. |
| · | Amendment of Bylaws. Subject to certain limitations under North Carolina law, our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws may be amended or repealed by either our Board or our shareholders. Therefore, our Board is authorized to amend or repeal bylaws without the approval of our shareholders. However, a bylaw adopted, amended or repealed by our shareholders may not be readopted, amended or repealed by our Board alone unless our articles of incorporation or a bylaw adopted by our shareholders authorizes our Board to adopt, amend or repeal that particular bylaw or the bylaws generally. |
| · | Action by Written Consent. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide that no action by written consent of our shareholders can be taken without a meeting. |
Choice of Forum
Our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, North Carolina state court is, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for:
| · | any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; |
| · | any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s shareholders; |
| · | any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act or the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time); or |
| · | any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine. |
The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with any action, a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action. These provisions would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, Securities Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to these provisions. Our exclusive forum provision will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our shareholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.
This provision of our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that shareholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
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Trading Market
Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “FTHM”.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent of our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Their address is 1 State Street Plaza, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
As of December 22, 2023, no shares of preferred stock had been issued or were outstanding and we are not authorized to issue any shares of preferred stock; however, it is possible that we could amend our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, to authorize the issuance of shares of preferred stock.
We will file as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of any certificate of designation or amendment to our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, that describes the terms of any series of preferred stock we are offering before the issuance of that series of preferred stock. This description will include, but not be limited to, the following: (i) the title and stated value; (ii) the number of shares we are offering; (iii) the liquidation preference per share; (iv) the purchase price; (v) the dividend rate, period and payment date and method of calculation for dividends; (vi) whether dividends will be cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends will accumulate; (vii) the provisions for a sinking fund, if any; (viii) the provisions for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, and any restrictions on our ability to exercise those redemption and repurchase rights; (ix) whether the preferred stock will be convertible into our common stock, and, if applicable, the conversion price, or how it will be calculated, and the conversion period; (x) whether the preferred stock will be exchangeable into debt securities, and, if applicable, the exchange price, or how it will be calculated, and the exchange period; (xi) voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock; (xii) preemptive rights, if any; (xiii) restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any; (xiv) a discussion of any material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock; (xv) the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs; (xvi) any limitations on the issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights if we liquidate, dissolve or wind up our affairs and (xvii) any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the preferred stock.
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus and any related warrant agreement and warrant certificate. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer, we will describe the specific terms of any series of warrants in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we indicate in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any warrants offered under that prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. Specific warrant agreements will contain additional important terms and provisions as follows and will be filed, along with a form of warrant certificate, as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC:
| · | the specific designation and aggregate number of, and the price at which we will issue, the warrants; |
| · | the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; |
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| · | if applicable, the exercise price for shares of our common stock or preferred stock and the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock to be received upon exercise of the warrants; |
| · | in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise; |
| · | the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will begin and the date on which that right will expire or, if warrant holders may not continuously exercise the warrants throughout that period, the specific date or dates on which the warrant holders may exercise the warrants; |
| · | whether the warrants will be issued in fully registered form or bearer form, in definitive or global form or in any combination of these forms, although, in any case, the form of a warrant included in a unit will correspond to the form of the unit and of any security included in that unit; |
| · | any applicable material U.S. federal income tax consequences; |
| · | the identity of the warrant agent for the warrants and of any other depositaries, execution or paying agents, transfer agents, registrars or other agents; |
| · | the proposed listing, if any, of the warrants or the common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants on any securities exchange; |
| · | if applicable, the date from and after which the warrants and the common stock or preferred stock will be separately transferable; |
| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the warrants that may be exercised at any one time; |
| · | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| · | the anti-dilution provisions of the warrants, if any; |
| · | the redemption or call provisions, if any; |
| · | whether the warrants are to be sold separately or with other securities as parts of units; and |
| · | any additional terms of the warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the warrants. |
Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:
| · | in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or |
| · | in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any. |
Each warrant will entitle the holder of the warrant to purchase for cash, or via net exercise, an amount of securities at the exercise price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Holders may exercise warrants at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will be void.
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The transfer agent and registrar, if any, for any warrants will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes the material terms and provisions of any debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we offer, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities we may offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. For any debt securities that we offer, an indenture (and any relevant supplemental indenture), if required, will contain additional important terms and provisions, the form of which we filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and is incorporated herein by reference. We will file any definitive indenture as an exhibit to reports that we file with the SEC and incorporate by reference in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement. Any indenture would be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
With respect to any debt securities that we issue, we will describe in each prospectus supplement the following terms relating to a series of debt securities:
| · | the title; |
| · | the principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding; |
| · | any limit on the amount that may be issued; |
| · | whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, and if so, the terms and who the depository will be; |
| · | the maturity date; |
| · | the principal amount due at maturity; |
| · | whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts; |
| · | the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates; |
| · | whether or not the debt securities will be convertible into shares of our common stock or our preferred stock and, if so, the terms of such conversion; |
| · | whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured by some or all of our assets, and the terms of any secured debt; |
| · | the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt; |
| · | the place where payments will be payable; |
| · | restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any; |
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| · | our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period; |
| · | the date, if any, after which and the conditions upon which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions; |
| · | the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or analogous fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable; |
| · | whether the indenture will restrict our ability to pay dividends, or will require us to maintain any asset ratios or reserves; |
| · | whether we will be restricted from incurring any additional indebtedness, issuing additional securities, or entering into a merger, consolidation or sale of our business; |
| · | a discussion of any material or special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the debt securities; |
| · | information describing any book-entry features; |
| · | any provisions for payment of additional amounts for taxes; |
| · | whether the debt securities are to be offered at a price such that they will be deemed to be offered at an “original issue discount” as defined in paragraph (a) of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; |
| · | the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; |
| · | events of default; |
| · | whether we and/or the indenture trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders; |
| · | the form of debt security and how it may be exchanged and transferred; |
| · | description of the indenture trustee and paying agent, and the method of payments; and |
| · | any other specified terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations. |
We summarize below the material terms of the form of indenture, if required, or indicate which material terms will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The indenture:
| · | does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue; |
| · | allows us to issue debt securities in one or more series; |
| · | does not require us to issue all of the debt securities of a series at the same time; |
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| · | allows us to reopen a series to issue additional debt securities without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series; and |
| · | provides that the debt securities may be secured or unsecured, as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. |
The following is a general description of the terms of the rights we may issue from time to time unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Particular terms of any rights we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such rights.
General
We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock, debt securities or units. Rights may be issued independently or together with other securities and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering to our shareholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting, backstop or other arrangements with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering. In connection with a rights offering to our shareholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the rights and a prospectus supplement to our shareholders on or about the record date that we set for receiving rights in such rights offering.
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms of any rights we may issue, including some or all of the following:
| · | the title and aggregate number of the rights; |
| · | the subscription price or a formula for the determination of the subscription price for the rights and the currency or currencies in which the subscription price may be payable; |
| · | if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the rights are issued and the number of rights issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security; |
| · | the number or a formula for the determination of the number of the rights issued to each shareholder; |
| · | the extent to which the rights are transferable; |
| · | in the case of rights to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one right; |
| · | in the case of rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the type of stock and number of shares of stock purchasable upon exercise of one right; |
| · | in the case of rights to purchase units, the type and number of securities comprising the units, and the number of units purchasable upon exercise of one right; |
| · | the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence, and the date on which the rights will expire (subject to any extension); |
| · | if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of the rights that may be exercised at any one time; |
| · | the extent to which such rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; |
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| · | if applicable, the procedures for adjusting the subscription price and number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of each right upon the occurrence of certain events, including stock splits, reverse stock splits, combinations, subdivisions or reclassifications of common stock or preferred stock; |
| · | the effect on the rights of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business; |
| · | the terms of any rights to redeem or call the rights; |
| · | information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; |
| · | the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the rights; |
| · | if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting, backstop or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the rights offering; |
| · | if applicable, a discussion of material U.S. federal income tax considerations; and |
| · | any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights. |
We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of rights agreement and rights certificate that describe the terms of the rights we are offering before the issuance of rights.
Exercise of Rights
Each right will entitle the holder to purchase for cash or other consideration such shares of stock or principal amount of securities at the subscription price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the rights offered thereby. Rights may be exercised as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement beginning on the date specified therein and continuing until the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the rights offered thereby. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised rights will become void.
Upon receipt of payment and a rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchased upon such exercise. If less than all of the rights represented by such subscription certificate are exercised, a new subscription certificate will be issued for the remaining rights. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the rights may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for rights.
We may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to shareholders, to persons other than shareholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting, backstop or other arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Prior to exercising their rights, holders of rights will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon subscription, including, in the case of rights to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights or, in the case of rights to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture.
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We may issue units comprised of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, or rights in any combination and in one or more series. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
We may choose to evidence each series of units by unit certificates that we would issue under separate agreements. If we choose to evidence the units by unit certificate, we will enter into unit agreements with a unit agent and will indicate the name and address of the unit agent in the applicable prospectus supplement related to the particular series of units. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement, unit certificate, as may be applicable, and any supplemental agreements that describe the terms of the units we are offering before the issuance of the units.
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The validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon by Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP, Raleigh, North Carolina. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us, the selling shareholder or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. As appropriate, legal counsel representing the underwriters, dealers or agents will be named in the accompanying prospectus supplement and may opine to certain legal matters.
The financial statements of Fathom Holdings Inc. incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We also filed a registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, but does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement or the exhibits. You can find our public filings with the SEC on the internet at a web site maintained by the SEC located at www.sec.gov.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The documents incorporated by reference are:
| · | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023, as amended on May 1, 2023; |
| · | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2023; |
| · | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 10, 2023; |
| · | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on November 9, 2023; |
| · | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 10, April 14, June 28, July 6, August 28, November 13, November 28 and December 4, 2023; and |
| · | the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on July 28, 2020 pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
In addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof and thereof from the date of filing of such documents. However, any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including without limitation any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K, shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
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Any statement in a document incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon such person’s written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Requests should be directed to the Secretary at Fathom Holdings Inc., 2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300, Cary, North Carolina 27518, phone (888) 455-6040. You may also find these documents in the “Investors” section of our website, fathomrealty.com. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling shareholder may sell these securities or accept an offer to buy these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and the selling shareholder is soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to completion, dated December 29, 2023
PROSPECTUS
Up to 4,402,761 Shares of Common Stock Offered by the Selling Shareholder
This prospectus relates to the sale or other disposition from time to time of up to 4,402,761 shares of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share, owned by the selling shareholder named in this prospectus, including his transferees, pledgees, donees or successors. We are not selling any shares of common stock under this prospectus and will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the selling shareholders.
The selling shareholder named in this prospectus may offer and sell up to an aggregate of 4,402,761 shares of our common stock from time to time in one or more offerings in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of such offerings. We are not selling any shares of common stock under this prospectus and will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock by the selling shareholders.
The selling shareholder may sell or otherwise dispose of the shares of common stock covered by this prospectus in a number of different ways and at varying prices. We provide more information about how the selling shareholder may sell or otherwise dispose of their shares of common stock in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 10. The selling shareholder will pay all brokerage fees and commissions and similar expenses. We will pay all expenses (except brokerage fees and commissions and similar expenses) relating to the registration of the shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission. No underwriter or other person has been engaged to facilitate the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering.
We are an “emerging growth company” under the federal securities laws and, as such, we are subject to reduced public company disclosure standards.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus, in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, to read about factors you should consider before investing in our securities.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FTHM”. The last reported sale price of our common stock on December 27, 2023 was $3.72 per share. We recommend that you obtain current market quotations for our common stock prior to making an investment decision.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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You should rely only on the information we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Neither we nor the selling shareholder have authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representation. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front of the document and that any information we have incorporated herein by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security.
To the extent there are inconsistencies between this prospectus and any documents incorporated by reference, the document with the most recent date will control.
We urge you to carefully read this prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Documents by Reference.”
Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this prospectus, the terms “Fathom,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “the Company,” “our Company” and “our business” refer to Fathom Holdings Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.
This prospectus contains references to our trademarks and to trademarks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other company.
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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this prospectus regarding our strategy, future operations, future product research or development, future financial position, future revenues, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “goals,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” “forecast” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements in this prospectus are subject to a number of risks, including, but are not limited to:
| · | the risks associated with government spending, inflation, the Federal Reserve’s policies and rate increases, and the unprecedented rapid increase in mortgage interest rates; |
| · | our ability to remain an innovative leader in the real estate industry; |
| · | whether or not we are able to effectively manage rapid growth in our business; |
| · | our failure to prevent security breaches, cybersecurity incidents, and interruptions, delays and failures in our systems and operations; |
| · | the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| · | our ability to grow in the various local markets that we serve or expand into adjacent markets; |
| · | whether or not we are successful in identifying and pursuing new business opportunities; |
| · | our value proposition for agents, including allowing them to keep more of their commissions than traditional companies do, and receive equity in our Company; |
| · | our ability to make sure agents understand our value proposition so that we can attract, retain and incentivize agents; |
| · | our ability to attract and retain additional qualified agents and other personnel; |
| · | our ability to compete effectively with existing and new companies in the real estate industry; |
| · | the risks associated with making meaningful comparisons of successive quarters; |
| · | our non-GAAP operating performance, as reported using Adjusted EBITDA, which is not equivalent to net income (loss) as determined under GAAP; |
| · | our ability to protect the privacy of employees, independent contractors, or consumers or personal information that they share with us so that we do not harm our reputation and business; |
| · | our failure to be able to expand, maintain and improve the systems and technologies upon which we rely on to operate; |
| · | if we fail to maintain compliance with the law and regulations of federal, state, foreign, county governmental authorities, or private associations and governing boards, including anti-trust laws that are the subject of ongoing litigation in a number of states, such as Texas where we have been named as a defendant; |
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| · | our ability to sell originated loans; |
| · | our ability to obtain sufficient financing to fund the origination of mortgage loans and grow our mortgage business; |
| · | our ability to establish and maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting; |
| · | the risks associated with the failure of our mortgage business to sell its originated loans; |
| · | the risks associated with the loss of our current executive officers or other key management; |
| · | the risks associated with employee or agent litigation and unfavorable publicity; |
| · | our failure to protect intellectual property rights; |
| · | our ability to be able to evaluate potential vendors, suppliers and other business partners for acquisition in order to accelerate growth; |
| · | our ability to integrate our recently acquired businesses; |
| · | our future revenues and growth prospects and our dependence on other contractors; |
| · | our potential need to acquire additional capital to support business growth, which might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all; |
| · | our ability to obtain sufficient additional capital on reasonable terms in order to grow our business; |
| · | the risks associated with litigation filed by or against us, and adverse results therefrom; |
| · | our ability to manage technology that is currently being developed in foreign countries, including Brazil, which makes us subject to certain risks associated with foreign laws and regulations; and |
| · | other factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus and in any document incorporated by reference. |
We might not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements we make. We have included more detailed disclosure about important factors in the cautionary statements included in this prospectus, particularly under “Risk Factors” on page 7 of this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein that we believe could cause actual results or events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements that we make. The environment in which we operate is highly competitive and rapidly changing and it is not possible for our management to predict all risks, as new risks emerge from time to time, such as the unprecedented increases in interest rates and the anti-trust litigation against many participants in the real estate industry in a number of states, including Texas where we have been named as a defendant.
You should read this prospectus and the documents that we have filed as exhibits to this prospectus completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect.
Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or future events or developments. You should therefore not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this prospectus. You also should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Before deciding to purchase our securities, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in this prospectus.
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Overview
Fathom Holdings Inc. is a technology-driven, real estate services platform integrating residential brokerage, mortgage, title, insurance, and SaaS offerings to brokerages and agents by leveraging its proprietary cloud-based software, intelliAgent. The Company's brands include Fathom Realty, Dagley Insurance, Encompass Lending, intelliAgent, Real Results, and Verus Title, with operations in over 30 states across the United States.
In exchange for our real estate services, we are compensated by commission income earned upon closing of the sale of a property or execution of a lease. Typically, within the brokerage industry, all brokers involved in a sale are compensated based on commission rates negotiated in a listing agreement. Agents on the “buy” and “sell” sides of each transaction share the total commission identified in the listing agreement. We may provide services to the buyer, seller, or both parties to a transaction.
Our commission model is designed to empower real estate agents to build a more profitable business by allowing them to keep a higher percentage of their commission without sacrificing support, technology, or training. We believe that by simply joining our Company, agents from traditional model brokerages can increase their income by over 25% on average. More importantly, agents are able to take that increase and reinvest it into their marketing thereby increasing their number of transactions and revenue.
As we attract more agents to our low-cost real estate brokerage, we have more opportunities to capture additional revenue from the transactions through mortgage, title, and insurance offerings.
Generally speaking, there are only two ways to make more money in real estate: increase revenue or decrease expenses. Our low flat transaction fee model provides agents with more money to outspend their competition on marketing while netting the same amount of money as an agent at a traditional brokerage. Traditional brokerage companies retain between 20% and 50% in commission splits from their agents. Below is an example of a traditional brokerage company’s commission model assuming a 30% split, versus our commission model. This is an example of potential commission savings, and results similar to the example below are not guaranteed.
Updated graphic to be provided
We believe our commission model also allows agents to directly compete against discount brokerages and other disruptive new competitors. The flat transaction fee that we charge to our agents allows them to charge whatever commission they need to be highly competitive.
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We recognize revenue from the brokerage business primarily through the commissions that our agents charge their clients. In fiscal 2023, through December 31, 2023, from the gross commission revenue, we keep a flat transaction fee of $550 and the remainder is paid to the agent. Annually for each agent, this $550 transaction fee is charged for the agent’s first 15 sales per agent’s anniversary year and then $150 per sale for the rest of their anniversary year. For leases, we recognize revenue through lease commissions negotiated between our agents and landlords, and we retain $85 per transaction and the remainder is paid to the agent. Each year, every agent also pays a fee of $600 on their first sale (recognized in Cost of Revenue over the year), which helps cover our operating costs such as technology, errors and omissions insurance, training, and oversight. In 2023, our average cost to recruit a new agent was $950 our annual costs associated with each agent was $425, so we break even in an agent’s first year if he or she closes just two sales.
Beginning January 1, 2024, the annual fee on an agent’s first transaction will increase to $700. In addition, we will collect a new High-Value Property fee on sales of properties over $600,000. This new High-Value Property fee will consist of an additional $200 on properties priced between $600,000 and $999,999. Then, there will be an additional fee of $250 charged for each $500,000 over a $1,000,000 property price.
In just ten years since we launched our Company, we have grown rapidly with operations in over 37 states or districts. We have been included in the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing businesses in the United States each year from 2014 through 2017, and the Inc. 5000 for 2018 and 2019 prior to taking the Company public. In March of 2021, we were ranked as the 9th largest independent real estate brokerage firm and the 11th overall largest brokerage firm in the United States. These rankings were published by The Real Trends Five Hundred based on several criteria including transaction sides, sales volume, affiliation, top movers, core services, and others. Fathom has also been listed in the top three spots for the Top 100 Places to Work in Dallas Fort Worth four years in a row by the Dallas Morning News.
As of September 30, 2023, we had approximately 11,333 agent licenses. This figure represents growth of approximately 13.4% year-over-year.
In November of 2020, we finalized our acquisition of Verus Title Inc., a technology-based provider of title insurance services for the residential real estate market (“Verus”). Verus currently operates in 30 states, utilizing a virtual model with minimal offices, with plans for a full U.S. rollout over the long-term. We believe this acquisition has the potential to increase our revenue per agent and per transaction as we integrate Verus into our various markets across the United States.
In March of 2021 we, through our wholly owned subsidiary IntelliAgent, LLC, completed the acquisition of technology platform Naberly Solutions to reduce Fathom’s reliance on third-party technology providers and offer more robust technology to agents to help them grow their businesses.
In March of 2021, we also finalized the acquisition of Red Barn Real Estate, an approximately 230 agent real estate brokerage located in the Atlanta, Georgia market.
In April 2021, we purchased 100% of the outstanding capital stock of E4:9 Holdings, Inc., a holding company with three operating subsidiaries, Encompass Lending Group (mortgage), Dagley Insurance Agency (home, auto, and other insurance) and Real Results (lead generation). These companies are expected to provide agents and associates with new opportunities to grow their businesses, while giving consumers a one-stop-shop for all of their housing needs.
Also in April 2021 we purchased 100% of outstanding capital stock of LiveBy, Inc., a SaaS business with a technology platform that offers competitive, hyper-local tools for real estate professionals.
In June 2021 we completed the acquisition of the real estate brokerage business of Epic Realty, LLC, a growing regional brokerage based in greater Boise, Idaho, with approximately 350 agents.
Recent Developments
As previously reported by us in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 28, 2023, we have been named as a defendant in a purported class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Sherman Division, filed on November 13, 2023, by plaintiffs QJ Team, LLC and Five Points Holdings, LLC, individually and on behalf of all other persons similarly situated. A second purported class action complaint was filed on December 14, 2023, by plaintiffs Julie Martin, Mark Adams and Adelaida Matta in the same court, naming us as a defendant along with others, many of whom are also named in the first lawsuit. These lawsuits are purportedly brought on behalf of a class consisting of all persons who listed properties on a Multiple Listing Service in Texas (the “MLS) using a listing agent or broker affiliated with one of the defendants named in the lawsuits and paid a buyer broker commission beginning on November 13, 2019. The lawsuits allege unlawful conspiracy in violation of federal antitrust law and, against certain defendants (but not us) deceptive trade practices under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. We expect additional lawsuits to be filed, given the breadth of the residential real estate industry and the volume of participants in the residential real estate industry in Texas and the rest of the United States.
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Though we intend to vigorously defend ourselves as we believe the lawsuits are particularly without merit with respect to us because of our flat fee business model, we cannot predict with certainty the cost of our defense, the cost of prosecution, insurance coverage, or the ultimate outcome of the lawsuits and any others that might be filed in the future, including remedies or damage awards. Adverse results in such litigation might harm our business and financial condition. Moreover, defending these lawsuits, regardless of their merits, could entail substantial expense and require the time and attention of our key management personnel.
Corporate Information
We were incorporated under the laws of the state of North Carolina on May 5, 2017 as a private company. We completed our initial public offering in July 2020.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300, Cary, North Carolina, NC 27518 and our telephone number is (888) 455-6040. Our corporate website address is www.fathomrealty.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Exchange Act will be made available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The contents of our website are not incorporated into this prospectus and our reference to the URL for our website is intended to be an inactive textual reference only.
Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company
We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the JOBS Act and therefore we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various public company reporting requirements. As an “emerging growth company”:
| · | we will present no more than two years of audited financial statements and no more than two years of related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations; |
| · | we will avail ourselves of the exemption from the requirement to obtain an attestation and report from our auditors on the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (this exemption was recently extended indefinitely for smaller reporting companies, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, with revenue of less than $100 million); |
| · | we will provide less extensive disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements; and |
| · | we will not require shareholder non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements. |
However, we have chosen to irrevocably opt out of the extended transition periods available under the JOBS Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. We will remain an “emerging growth company” for up to five years, although we will cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of (1) December 31, 2025, (2) the last day of the first fiscal year in which our annual gross revenues are $1.07 billion or more, (3) the date on which we have, during the previous rolling three-year period, issued more than $1 billion in non-convertible debt securities, and (4) the date on which we are deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” as defined in the Exchange Act.
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Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described herein and in “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, in each case as these risk factors are amended or supplemented by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K that have been or will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The risks incorporated herein by reference are those which we believe are the material risks that we face. The occurrence of any of such risks may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and future prospects. In such an event, the market price of our common stock could decline, the value of any other securities we may issue could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment.
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The 4,402,761 shares of common stock that are being offered for resale by the selling shareholder or his affiliates, transferees, pledgees, donees or successors will be sold for the account of the selling shareholder or the respective affiliates, transferees, pledgees, donees or successors. As a result, all proceeds from the sales of the 4,402,761 shares of common stock offered for resale hereby will go to the selling shareholder or the respective affiliates, transferees, pledgees, donees or successors and we will not receive any proceeds from the resale of those shares of common stock by the selling shareholder.
We will incur all costs associated with this prospectus and the registration statement of which it is a part.
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The selling shareholder is Joshua Harley, our founder and formerly our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company. Mr. Harley remains in our employment. Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this prospectus, “selling shareholder” includes the selling shareholder named in the table below and his affiliates, donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares received from the selling shareholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer after the date of this prospectus. The selling shareholder is not an affiliate of any broker-dealer.
We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling shareholder to offer the shares for resale from time to time. The shares of our common stock offered hereby were previously acquired by selling shareholder as founder’s shares in connection with our formation, through private offerings prior to our initial public offering, as equity compensation in the form of restricted shares or restricted share units pursuant to the Company’s 2017 Stock Plan and/or the Company’s 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the selling shareholder and the shares of common stock beneficially owned by him, which information is available to us as of December 29, 2023. The selling shareholder may offer the shares under this prospectus from time to time and may elect to sell under this prospectus some, all or none of the shares offered for resale by this prospectus. However, for the purposes of the table below, we have assumed that, after completion of the offering, none of the shares covered by this prospectus will be held by the selling shareholder. In addition, the selling shareholder may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of his shares of common stock since the date on which the selling shareholder provided information for this table. We have not made independent inquiries about such transfers or dispositions. See the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 10.
Unless the context otherwise requires, as used in this prospectus, “selling shareholder” includes the selling shareholder named in the table below and his affiliates, donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares received from the selling shareholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer after the date of this prospectus, and, if required under applicable rules, any such persons will be named in a prospectus supplement. We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling shareholder to offer the shares for resale from time to time.
The beneficial ownership of the common stock set forth in the following table is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. This table is based upon information supplied to us by the selling shareholder and information filed with the SEC. Each selling shareholder may sell or transfer all or a portion of his or her shares of our common stock pursuant to any available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The address for the selling shareholder is c/o Fathom Holdings Inc., 2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300, Cary, North Carolina. Applicable percentage ownership is based on 20,624,964 shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 22, 2023.
| Name and Address | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering (1) | Number of Shares Registered for Sale | Number of Shares to be Owned after the Offering | Percent of the Offering |
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| Joshua Harley | 4,745,793 | (2) | 4,402,761 | (3) | 343,032 | (4) | * | % | |||||||
| (1) | We do not know when or in what amounts the selling shareholder will offer shares for sale, if at all. The selling shareholder may sell any or all of the shares included in and offered by this prospectus. Because the selling shareholder may offer all or some of the shares pursuant to this offering, we cannot estimate the number of shares that will be held by the selling shareholder after completion of this offering. However, for purposes of this table, we have assumed that after completion of this offering, none of the shares included in and covered by this prospectus will be held by the selling shareholder. |
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| (2) | Consists of (i) 1,846,295 shares held by Mr. Harley; (ii) 9,558 shares under a restricted stock award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; 4,426 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 1, 2024; 18,466 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on November 30, 2024; 29,616 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; 31,888 shares under a restricted award that vested in full on December 14, 2023; 47,170 shares under a restricted award that vested in full on December 14, 2023; 58,140 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; and 58,824 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on August 30, 2024; (iii) 225,000 shares issuable under restricted stock units that vest in full on September 10, 2024; (iv) an aggregate of 1,710,346 shares held by three trusts for which Mr. Harley serves as a trustee and one of which he is a beneficiary; (v) 363,032 shares held in trust for Mr. Harley’s wife in which Mr. Harley has voting control; and (vi) 343,032 shares that are held in trust for Mr. Harley’s brother-in-law in which Mr. Harley has voting control. |
| (3) | Consists of (i) 1,846,295 shares held by Mr. Harley; (ii) 9,558 shares under a restricted stock award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; 4,426 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 1, 2024; 18,466 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on November 30, 2024; 29,616 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; 31,888 shares under a restricted award that vested in full on December 14, 2023; 47,170 shares under a restricted award that vested in full on December 14, 2023; 58,140 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on July 2, 2024; and 58,824 shares under a restricted award that will vest in full on August 30, 2024; (iii) 225,000 shares issuable under restricted stock units that vest in full on September 10, 2024; (iv) an aggregate of 1,710,346 shares held by three trusts for which Mr. Harley serves as a trustee and one of which he is a beneficiary; (v) 363,032 shares held in trust for Mr. Harley’s wife in which Mr. Harley has voting control. |
| (4) | Consists of 343,032 shares that are held in trust for Mr. Harley’s brother-in-law in which Mr. Harley has voting control. |
*Less than one percent.
The selling shareholder, which, as used herein, includes his affiliates, donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock received after the date of this prospectus from a selling shareholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of their shares of common stock or interests in shares of common stock on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which the shares are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.
The selling shareholder may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of shares or interests therein:
| · | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; | |
| · | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; | |
| · | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; | |
| · | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; | |
| · | privately negotiated transactions; | |
| · | short sales effected after the date the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC; | |
| · | through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise; | |
| · | broker-dealers may agree with the selling shareholder to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; |
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| · | a combination of any such methods of sale; and | |
| · | any other method permitted by applicable law. |
The selling shareholder may, from time to time, pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the shares of common stock owned by him and, if he defaults in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock, from time to time, under this prospectus, or under an amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act amending the list of selling shareholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors-in-interest as a selling shareholder under this prospectus. The selling shareholder also may transfer the shares of common stock in other circumstances, in which case the transferees, pledgees or other successors-in-interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
In connection with the sale of our common stock or interests therein, the selling shareholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions, which may in turn engage in short sales of the common stock in the course of hedging the positions they assume. The selling shareholder may also sell shares of our common stock short and deliver these securities to close out his short positions, or loan or pledge the common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell these securities. The selling shareholder may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of shares offered by this prospectus, which shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus (as supplemented or amended to reflect such transaction).
The aggregate proceeds to the selling shareholder from the sale of the common stock offered by him will be the purchase price of the common stock less discounts or commissions, if any. The selling shareholder reserves the right to accept and, together with his agents from time to time, to reject, in whole or in part, any proposed purchase of common stock to be made directly or through agents. We will not receive any of the proceeds from this offering.
The selling shareholder also may resell all or a portion of the shares in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act, provided that he meets the criteria and conform to the requirements of that rule.
The selling shareholder and any underwriters, broker-dealers or agents that participate in the sale of the common stock or interests therein may be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any discounts, commissions, concessions or profit they earn on any resale of the shares may be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. A selling shareholder who is an “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.
To the extent required, the shares of our common stock to be sold, the names of the selling shareholders, the respective purchase prices and public offering prices, the names of any agents, dealer or underwriter, any applicable commissions or discounts with respect to a particular offer will be set forth in an accompanying prospectus supplement or, if appropriate, a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, if applicable, the common stock may be sold in those jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the common stock may not be sold unless it has been registered or qualified for sale or an exemption from registration or qualification requirements is available and is complied with.
We have advised the selling shareholder that the anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares in the market and to the activities of the selling shareholder and his affiliates. In addition, to the extent applicable we will make copies of this prospectus (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time) available to the selling shareholder for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. The selling shareholder may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the shares against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
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We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock, including, without limitation, SEC filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws; provided, however, that the selling shareholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any, and any related legal expenses incurred by him.
DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
The following description summarizes the material terms of our capital stock as of the date of this prospectus. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description of our capital stock, you should refer to our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, and to the provisions of applicable North Carolina law.
General
Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock with no par value, of which 20,624,964 shares were issued and outstanding as of December 22, 2023. Our common stock may be issued from time to time without prior approval by our shareholders. Our common stock may be issued for such consideration as may be fixed from time to time by our Board of Directors (the “Board”).
Common Stock
Our Company, a North Carolina corporation, is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock with no par value per share. Each share of common stock has one vote per share for all purposes. The holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of our shareholders. Our common stock does not provide preemptive, subscription or conversion rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions or rights. Our common shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting for election of our Board. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our Company, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all of our assets remaining after payment of liabilities.
Holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our Board out of funds legally available therefor as well as any distributions to the common shareholders. We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock, and do not expect to pay such dividends in the foreseeable future.
Options and Restricted Stock Units
As of December 22, 2023, we had outstanding (i) options to purchase an aggregate of 147,707 shares of our common stock, with a weighted average exercise price of $11.87 per share, and (ii) 1,977,495 shares reserved for issuance under outstanding unvested restricted stock units, under our 2017 Stock Plan and 2019 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan.
Warrants
As of December 22, 2023, we had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of 240,100 shares of our common stock, exercisable at a per share exercise price of $11.00, and exercisable at any time through August 4, 2025.
Charter, Bylaw and Statutory Provisions Having Potential “Anti-takeover” Effects
The following paragraphs summarize certain provisions of our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws and North Carolina law that may have the effect, or be used as a means, of delaying or preventing attempts to acquire us, take control of our Company, or to remove or replace incumbent directors, that are not first approved by our Board, even if those proposed actions are favored by our shareholders.
| · | Authorized Shares. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, currently authorize the issuance of 100,000,000 shares of common stock. Our Board is authorized to approve the issuance of shares of our common stock from time to time. This provision gives our Board flexibility to effect, among other transactions, financings, acquisitions, stock dividends, stock splits and grants of stock options. However, our Board’s authority also could be used, consistent with our Board’s fiduciary duty, to deter future attempts to gain control of the Company by issuing additional common stock to persons friendly to management in order to attempt to block a tender offer, merger or other transaction by which a third party seeks to gain control. |
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| · | Advance Notice of Director Nominations. Our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide for advance notice procedures with respect to shareholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors. Pursuant to these provisions, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must meet certain requirements with respect to its content and be received at our principal executive offices, addressed to the secretary of our Company, within the proscribed time periods. These provisions may have the effect of precluding the conduct of certain business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed. These provisions may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of our Company. |
| · | Special Meetings of Shareholders. Our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that special meetings of our shareholders may be called only by or at the direction of (a) our Board, (b) the Chairman of our Board, or (c) our President of the Company or (d) shareholders holding a majority of outstanding common stock. |
| · | Amendment of Bylaws. Subject to certain limitations under North Carolina law, our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws may be amended or repealed by either our Board or our shareholders. Therefore, our Board is authorized to amend or repeal bylaws without the approval of our shareholders. However, a bylaw adopted, amended or repealed by our shareholders may not be readopted, amended or repealed by our Board alone unless our articles of incorporation or a bylaw adopted by our shareholders authorizes our Board to adopt, amend or repeal that particular bylaw or the bylaws generally. |
| · | Action by Written Consent. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, provide that no action by written consent of our shareholders can be taken without a meeting. |
Choice of Forum
Our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, North Carolina state court is, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for:
| · | any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company; |
| · | any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s shareholders; |
| · | any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company arising pursuant to any provision of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act or the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time); or |
| · | any action asserting a claim against the Company or any director or officer or other employee of the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine. |
The enforceability of similar choice of forum provisions in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with any action, a court could find the choice of forum provisions contained in our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in such action. These provisions would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, Securities Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to these provisions. Our exclusive forum provision will not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our shareholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations.
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This provision of our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that shareholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.
Trading Market
Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “FTHM”.
Transfer Agent
The transfer agent of our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company. Their address is 1 State Street Plaza, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004.
The validity of the securities being offered hereby will be passed upon by Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP, Raleigh, North Carolina. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us, the selling shareholder or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement. As appropriate, legal counsel representing the underwriters, dealers or agents will be named in the accompanying prospectus supplement and may opine to certain legal matters.
The financial statements of Fathom Holdings Inc. incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We also filed a registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of that registration statement, but does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement or the exhibits. You can find our public filings with the SEC on the internet at a web site maintained by the SEC located at www.sec.gov.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The documents incorporated by reference are:
| · | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2023, as amended on May 1, 2023; |
| · | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 11, 2023; |
| · | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on August 10, 2023; |
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| · | our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2023, filed with the SEC on November 9, 2023; |
| · | our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 10, April 14, June 28, July 6, August 28, November 13, November 28 and December 4, 2023; and |
| · | the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on July 28, 2020 pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description. |
In addition, all documents subsequently filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof and thereof from the date of filing of such documents. However, any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including without limitation any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K, shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
Any statement in a document incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein or therein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus is delivered, upon such person’s written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Requests should be directed to the Secretary at Fathom Holdings Inc., 2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300, Cary, North Carolina 27518, phone (888) 455-6040. You may also find these documents in the “Investors” section of our website, fathomrealty.com. The information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth all costs and expenses paid or payable by us in connection with the sale of the securities being registered.
| SEC registration fee | $ | 17,054 | |
| Legal fees and expenses | $ | * | |
| Accounting fees and expenses | $ | * | |
| Printing expenses | $ | * | |
| Miscellaneous | $ | * | |
| Total | $ | * | |
| * These fees and expenses depend on the securities offered and the number of issuances, and accordingly cannot be estimated as of the date of this prospectus. | |||
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Sections 55-8-50 through 55-8-58 of the North Carolina General Statutes permit a corporation to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents (not our real estate agents, but those acting as “agents” of the corporation as defined in the North Carolina General Statutes) under either or both a statutory or nonstatutory scheme of indemnification. Under the statutory scheme, a corporation may, with certain exceptions, indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation who was, is, or is threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed legal action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative, because of the fact that such person was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise. This indemnity may include the obligation to pay any judgment, settlement, penalty, fine (including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan) and reasonable expenses incurred in connection with a proceeding (including counsel fees), but no such indemnification may be granted unless such director, officer, employee or agent (i) conducted himself or herself in good faith, (ii) reasonably believed (a) that any action taken in his or her official capacity with the corporation was in the best interest of the corporation or (b) that in all other cases his or her conduct at least was not opposed to the corporation’s best interest, and (iii) in the case of any criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Whether a director has met the requisite standard of conduct for the type of indemnification set forth above is determined by the board of directors, a committee of directors, special legal counsel or the shareholders in accordance with Section 55-8-55. A corporation may not indemnify a director under the statutory scheme in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the corporation in which the director was adjudged liable to the corporation or in connection with a proceeding in which a director was adjudged liable on the basis of having received an improper personal benefit.
In addition to, and separate and apart from the indemnification described above under the statutory scheme, Section 55-8-57 of the North Carolina General Statutes permits a corporation to indemnify or agree to indemnify any of its directors, officers, employees or agents against liability and expenses (including attorney’s fees) in any proceeding (including proceedings brought by or on behalf of the corporation) arising out of their status as such or their activities in such capacities, except for any liabilities or expenses incurred on account of activities that were, at the time taken, known or believed by the person to be clearly in conflict with the best interests of the corporation. The Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company provide for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by law for persons who serve as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or at the request of the Company serve as a director, officer, employee or agent for any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or as a trustee or administrator under an employee benefit plan. Accordingly, the Company may indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents in accordance with either the statutory or nonstatutory standards.
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Sections 55-8-52 and 55-8-56 of the North Carolina General Statutes require a corporation, unless its articles of incorporation provide otherwise, to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent who has been wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which such director, officer, employee or agent was a party. Unless prohibited by the articles of incorporation, a director, officer, employee or agent also may make application and obtain court-ordered indemnification if the court determines that such director, officer, employee or agent is fairly and reasonably entitled to such indemnification as provided in Sections 55-8-54 and 55-8-56.
Finally, Section 55-8-57 of the North Carolina General Statutes provides that a corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of an individual who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against certain liabilities incurred by such persons, whether or not the corporation is otherwise authorized by the North Carolina Business Corporation Act to indemnify such party. The Company has purchased a directors’ and officers’ liability policy which, subject to certain limitations, indemnifies the Company and its officers and directors for damages they become legally obligated to pay as a result of any negligent act, error, or omission committed by directors or officers while acting in their capacity as such.
As permitted by North Carolina law, Article V of the Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company limits the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breaches of duty as a director arising out of any legal action whether by or in the right of the Company or otherwise, provided that such limitation will not apply to (i) acts or omissions that the director at the time of such breach knew or believed were clearly in conflict with the best interests of the Company, (ii) any liability under Section 55-8-33 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, or (iii) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit (which does not include a director’s reasonable compensation or other reasonable incidental benefit for or on account of his or her service as a director, officer, employee, independent contractor, attorney, or consultant of the Company).
Item 16. Exhibits.
| EXHIBIT NO. |
DESCRIPTION | FILED HEREWITH |
FORM | EXHIBIT | FILING DATE | |||||
| 1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement. | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| 3.1 | Restated Articles of Incorporation of Fathom Holdings Inc. | S-1 | 3.1 | January 17, 2020 | ||||||
| 3.1.1 | Articles of Amendment to the Restated Articles of Incorporation of Fathom Holdings Inc., effective July 27, 2020. | 8-K | 3.1 | August 4, 2020 | ||||||
| 3.2 | Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Fathom Holdings Inc. | S-1/A | 3.2 | July 16, 2020 | ||||||
| 4.1 | Underwriter Warrant issued August 4, 2020. | 8-K | 4.1 | August 4, 2020 | ||||||
| 4.2 | Description of Securities. | 10-K | 4.2 | March 24, 2021 | ||||||
| 4.3 | Form of Senior Secured Convertible Promissory Note | 8-K | 4.1 | April 14, 2023 | ||||||
| 4.4* | Form of Articles of Amendment Establishing a Series of Preferred Stock. | -- | -- | -- |
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| 4.5 | Form of Indenture. | X | -- | -- | -- | |||||
| 4.6* | Form of Note. | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| 4.7* | Form of Common Stock Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate. | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| 4.8* | Form of Preferred Stock Agreement and Preferred Stock Certificate. | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| 4.9* | Form of Debt Securities Warrant Agreement and Warrant Certificate. | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| 4.10* | Form of Rights Agreement and Rights Certificate. | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| 4.11* | Form of Unit Agreement and Unit Certificate. | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| 5.1 | Opinion of Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton, LLP. | X | -- | -- | -- | |||||
| 8.1* | Opinion of Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP as to certain U.S. federal income tax matters. | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| 23.1 | Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. | X | -- | -- | -- | |||||
| 23.2 | Consent of Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1). | X | -- | -- | -- | |||||
| 24.1 | Power of Attorney (included on signature page to this Registration Statement on Form S-3). | X | -- | -- | -- | |||||
| 25.1+ | Statement of Eligibility of Trustee. | -- | -- | -- | ||||||
| 107 | Filing fee table. | X |
| * | To be filed, if necessary, by amendment to the Registration Statement or as an exhibit to a report filed under the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference herein. |
| + | To be filed separately pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, if applicable. |
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Item 17. Undertakings
| (a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
| (1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
| (i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
| (ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; |
| (iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by registrant pursuant to Section 13 and Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
| (2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
| (5) | That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser: |
| (A) | Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
| (B) | Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
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| (6) | That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities: |
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
| (i) | Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
| (ii) | Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant; |
| (iii) | The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and |
| (iv) | Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser. |
| (b) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (h) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
| (i) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that: |
| (1) | For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and |
| (2) | For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
| (j) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act. |
II-5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Cary, State of North Carolina, on December 29, 2023.
| FATHOM HOLDINGS INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Marco Fregenal | |
| Marco Fregenal | ||
|
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | ||
KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Marco Fregenal as his or her true and lawful agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to (i) act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement together with all schedules and exhibits thereto and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) act on, sign and file such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, (iii) act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in this registration statement or any such amendment or any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and (iv) take any and all actions, which may be necessary or appropriate to be done, as fully for all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby approving, ratifying and confirming all that such agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact or any of his or her substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||
| /s/ Marco Fregenal | Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer and Director | December 29, 2023 | ||
| Marco Fregenal | (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |||
| /s/ Stephen Murray | Director | December 29, 2023 | ||
| Stephen Murray | ||||
| /s/ Scott Flanders | Director | December 29, 2023 | ||
| Scott Flanders | ||||
| /s/ Ravila Gupta | Director | December 29, 2023 | ||
| Ravila Gupta | ||||
| /s/ David Hood | Director | December 29, 2023 | ||
| David Hood | ||||
| /s/ Glenn Sampson | Director | December 29, 2023 | ||
| Glenn Sampson | ||||
| /s/ Jennifer Venable | Director | December 29, 2023 | ||
| Jennifer Venable |
Exhibit 4.5
FATHOM HOLDINGS INC.
and
, as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of , 202__
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| PAGE | ||
| ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE | 1 | |
| 1.1. | DEFINITIONS | 1 |
| 1.2. | OTHER DEFINITIONS | 4 |
| 1.3. | INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT | 4 |
| 1.4. | RULES OF CONSTRUCTION | 4 |
| ARTICLE 2 THE SECURITIES | 5 | |
| 2.1. | ISSUABLE IN SERIES | 5 |
| 2.2. | ESTABLISHMENT OF TERMS OF SERIES OF SECURITIES | 5 |
| 2.3. | EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION | 7 |
| 2.4. | REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT | 8 |
| 2.5. | PAYING AGENT TO HOLD ASSETS IN TRUST | 8 |
| 2.6. | SECURITYHOLDER LISTS | 9 |
| 2.7. | TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE | 9 |
| 2.8. | REPLACEMENT SECURITIES | 9 |
| 2.9. | OUTSTANDING SECURITIES | 10 |
| 2.10. | WHEN TREASURY SECURITIES DISREGARDED; DETERMINATION OF HOLDERS’ ACTION | 10 |
| 2.11. | TEMPORARY SECURITIES | 10 |
| 2.12. | CANCELLATION | 10 |
| 2.13. | PAYMENT OF INTEREST; DEFAULTED INTEREST; COMPUTATION OF INTEREST | 11 |
| 2.14. | CUSIP NUMBER | 11 |
| 2.15. | PROVISIONS FOR GLOBAL SECURITIES | 11 |
| 2.16. | PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS | 12 |
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| ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION | 12 | |
| 3.1. | NOTICES TO TRUSTEE | 12 |
| 3.2. | SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED | 13 |
| 3.3. | NOTICE OF REDEMPTION | 13 |
| 3.4. | EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION | 14 |
| 3.5. | DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE | 14 |
| 3.6. | SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART | 14 |
| ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS | 14 | |
| 4.1. | PAYMENT OF SECURITIES | 14 |
| 4.2. | SEC REPORTS | 14 |
| 4.3. | WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS | 15 |
| 4.4. | COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE | 15 |
| 4.5. | CORPORATE EXISTENCE | 15 |
| ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSOR CORPORATION | 16 | |
| 5.1. | LIMITATION ON CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS | 16 |
| 5.2. | SUCCESSOR PERSON SUBSTITUTED | 16 |
| ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES | 16 | |
| 6.1. | EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 16 |
| 6.2. | ACCELERATION | 17 |
| 6.3. | REMEDIES | 18 |
| 6.4. | WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 18 |
| 6.5. | CONTROL BY MAJORITY | 18 |
| 6.6. | LIMITATION ON SUITS | 18 |
| 6.7. | RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT | 19 |
| 6.8. | COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE | 19 |
| 6.9. | TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM | 19 |
| 6.10. | PRIORITIES | 19 |
| 6.11. | UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS | 20 |
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| ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE | 20 | |
| 7.1. | DUTIES OF TRUSTEE | 20 |
| 7.2. | RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE | 21 |
| 7.3. | INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE | 21 |
| 7.4. | TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER | 22 |
| 7.5. | NOTICE OF DEFAULT | 22 |
| 7.6. | REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS | 22 |
| 7.7. | COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY | 22 |
| 7.8. | REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE | 23 |
| 7.9. | SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR CONVERSION | 23 |
| 7.10. | ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION | 24 |
| 7.11. | PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY | 24 |
| 7.12. | PAYING AGENTS | 24 |
| ARTICLE 8 AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS | 24 | |
| 8.1. | WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS | 24 |
| 8.2. | WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS | 25 |
| 8.3. | COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT | 26 |
| 8.4. | REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS | 26 |
| 8.5. | NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES | 26 |
| 8.6. | TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC. | 26 |
| ARTICLE 9 DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE | 27 | |
| 9.1. | DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE | 27 |
| 9.2. | LEGAL DEFEASANCE | 27 |
| 9.3. | COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 27 |
| 9.4. | CONDITIONS TO LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE | 28 |
| 9.5. | DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | 29 |
| 9.6. | REINSTATEMENT | 29 |
| 9.7. | MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT | 29 |
| 9.8. | MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE | 30 |
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| ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS | 30 | |
| 10.1. | TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS | 30 |
| 10.2. | NOTICES | 30 |
| 10.3. | COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS | 31 |
| 10.4. | CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 31 |
| 10.5. | STATEMENT REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE AND OPINION | 31 |
| 10.6. | RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS | 32 |
| 10.7. | BUSINESS DAYS; LEGAL HOLIDAYS; PLACE OF PAYMENT | 32 |
| 10.8. | GOVERNING LAW | 32 |
| 10.9. | NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS | 32 |
| 10.10. | NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS | 32 |
| 10.11. | SUCCESSORS | 32 |
| 10.12. | MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS | 32 |
| 10.13. | TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC. | 32 |
| 10.14. | SEVERABILITY | 33 |
| 10.15. | SECURITIES IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY OR IN EUROS | 33 |
| 10.16. | JUDGMENT CURRENCY | 33 |
4
INDENTURE, dated as of , 202__, by and between Fathom Holdings Inc., a North Carolina corporation, as Issuer (the “Company”) and , a organized under the laws of , as Trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE COMPANY
The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the “Securities”), as herein provided, up to such principal amount as may from time to time be authorized in or pursuant to one or more resolutions of the Board of Directors or by supplemental indenture.
All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company in accordance with its terms have been done, and the execution and delivery thereof have been in all respects duly authorized by the parties hereto.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities of a Series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
| 1.1. | DEFINITIONS. |
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person which, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by or is under common control with, such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, co-registrar or agent for service of notices and demands.
“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee duly authorized to act therefor.
“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification which has been delivered to the Trustee.
“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock, partnership interests or any other participation, right or other interest in the nature of an equity interest in such Person or any option, warrant or other security convertible into any of the foregoing.
“Company” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces such party pursuant to Article 5 of this Indenture, and thereafter means the successor and any other primary obligor on the Securities.
“Company Order” means a written order signed in the name of the Company by two Officers, one of whom must be its Chief Executive Officer or its Chief Financial Officer.
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“Company Request” means any written request signed in the name of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any Vice President, its Chief Financial Officer or its Treasurer and attested to by its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.
“Default” means any event that is, or that with the passing of time or giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
“Depository” means, with respect to the Securities of any Series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depository for such Series by the Company, which Depository shall be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, until a successor Depository shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depository” shall mean each Person who is then a Depository hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, such Persons.
“Dollars” means the currency of the United States of America.
“Euro” means the single currency of participating member states of the economic and monetary union as contemplated in the Treaty on European Union.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Foreign Currency” means any currency or currency unit issued by a government other than the government of the United States of America.
“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to Securities that are denominated in a Foreign Currency, (i) direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by, or acting as an agency or instrumentality of, such government, the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government, which, in either case under clauses (i) and (ii), are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied as in effect in the United States of America from time to time.
“Global Security” or “Global Securities” means a Security or Securities, as the case may be, in the form established pursuant to Section 2.2, evidencing all or part of a Series of Securities issued to the Depository for such Series or its nominee, and registered in the name of such Depository or nominee, and bearing the legend set forth in Section 2.15(c) (or such other legend(s) as may be applied to such Securities in accordance with Section 2.2(24)).
“Holder” or “Securityholder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.
“Indebtedness” means (without duplication), with respect to any Person, any indebtedness at any time outstanding, secured or unsecured, contingent or otherwise, which is for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), or evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, or representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property (excluding any balances that constitute accounts payable or trade payables, and other accrued liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business), if and to the extent any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended, restated or supplemented from time to time.
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“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
“Lien” means, with respect to any property or assets of any Person, any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien, charge, easement, encumbrance, preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or assets (including, without limitation, any capitalized lease obligation, conditional sales or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).
“Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security, or an installment of principal, becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, notice of option to elect payment or otherwise.
“Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company, or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors, as the case may be.
“Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President or any Senior or Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or any Treasurer of such Person, that shall comply with applicable provisions of this Indenture.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel, which counsel is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government (including any agency or political subdivision thereof).
“Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Indenture.
“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the corporate trust department or division of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as constituted from time to time, or any successor performing substantially the same functions.
“Securities” means the securities that are issued under this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Series” or “Series of Securities” means each series of debentures, notes or other debt instruments of the Company created pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2.
“Significant Subsidiary” means (i) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof, or (ii) any group of direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together as a group, would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof.
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“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security, or such installment of principal or interest, is due and payable, and when used with respect to any other Indebtedness, means the date specified in the instrument governing such Indebtedness as the fixed date on which the principal of such Indebtedness, or any installment of interest thereon, is due and payable.
“Subsidiary” of any specified Person means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association or other business entity, whether now existing or hereafter organized or acquired, (i) in the case of a corporation, of which more than 50% of the total voting power of the Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors thereof is held, directly or indirectly, by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries; or (ii) in the case of a partnership, joint venture, association or other business entity, with respect to which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries has the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such entity by contract or otherwise, or if in accordance with GAAP such entity is consolidated with such Person for financial statement purposes.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture (except as provided in Section 8.3).
“Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it pursuant to this Indenture, and thereafter means the successor, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any Series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that Series.
“U.S. Government Obligations” means direct non-callable obligations of, or non-callable obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the payment of which obligation or guarantee the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.
| 1.2. | RESERVED. |
| 1.3. | INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF TRUST INDENTURE ACT. |
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the portion of such provision required to be incorporated herein in order for this Indenture to be qualified under the TIA is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“Commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture securityholder” means a Holder or Securityholder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor on the indenture securities” means the Company.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined in the TIA by reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule have the meanings therein assigned to them.
| 1.4. | RULES OF CONSTRUCTION. |
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it herein, whether defined expressly or by reference;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
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(3) “or” is not exclusive;
(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
(5) words used herein implying any gender shall apply to each gender; and
(6) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.
ARTICLE 2
THE SECURITIES
| 2.1. | ISSUABLE IN SERIES. |
The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is $[ ]. The Securities may be issued in one or more Series. All Securities of a Series shall be identical except as may be set forth in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate detailing the adoption of the terms thereof pursuant to the authority granted under a Board Resolution. In the case of Securities of a Series to be issued from time to time, the Board Resolution, Officers’ Certificate or supplemental indenture may provide for the method by which specified terms (such as interest rate, Stated Maturity, record date or date from which interest shall accrue) are to be determined. Securities may differ between Series in respect of any matters, PROVIDED, that all Series of Securities shall be equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.
| 2.2. | ESTABLISHMENT OF TERMS OF SERIES OF SECURITIES. |
At or prior to the issuance of any Securities within a Series, the following shall be established (as to the Series generally, in the case of Subsection 2.2(1) and either as to such Securities within the Series or as to the Series generally in the case of Subsections 2.2(2) through 2.2(24)) by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, in each case, pursuant to authority granted under a Board Resolution:
(1) the title of the Series (which shall distinguish the Securities of that particular Series from the Securities of any other Series);
(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the Series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the Series pursuant to Section 2.7, 2.8, 2.11, 3.6 or 8.5);
(3) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which the Securities of the Series will be issued;
(4) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the Series is payable;
(5) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or, if applicable, the method used to determine such rate or rates (including, but not limited to, any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the Securities of the Series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest, if any, shall accrue, the date or dates on which such interest, if any, shall commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;
(6) the place or places where the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of the Series shall be payable, or the method of such payment, if by wire transfer, mail or other means;
5
(7) if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which the Securities of the Series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase the Securities of the Series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the Series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(9) the dates, if any, on which and the price or prices at which the Securities of the Series will be repurchased by the Company at the option of the Holders thereof, and other detailed terms and provisions of such repurchase obligations;
(10) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which the Securities of the Series shall be issuable;
(11) the forms of the Securities of the Series in bearer (if to be issued outside of the United States of America) or fully registered form (and, if in fully registered form, whether the Securities will be issuable as Global Securities);
(12) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the Series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.2;
(13) the currency of denomination of the Securities of the Series, which may be Dollars or any Foreign Currency, including, but not limited to, the Euro, and, if such currency of denomination is a composite currency other than the Euro, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;
(14) the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of the Series will be made;
(15) if payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities of the Series are to be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which such Securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments will be determined;
(16) the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of the Series will be determined, if such amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;
(17) the provisions, if any, relating to any collateral provided for the Securities of the Series;
(18) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Articles 4 or 5 that applies to Securities of the Series;
(19) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to any Securities of the Series, and any change in the right of the Trustee or the requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable pursuant to Section 6.2;
(20) the terms and conditions, if any, for conversion of the Securities into or exchange of the Securities for shares of common stock or preferred stock of the Company that apply to Securities of the Series;
(21) any depositories, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to Securities of such Series if other than those appointed herein;
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(22) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which the Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to other Indebtedness of the Company;
(23) if applicable, that the Securities of the Series, in whole or any specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Article 9; and
(24) any other terms of the Securities of the Series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 8.1, but which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such Series).
All Securities of any one Series need not be issued at the same time, and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate referred to above, however, the authorized principal amount of any Series may not be increased to provide for issuances of additional Securities of such Series, unless otherwise provided in such Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate.
| 2.3. | EXECUTION AND AUTHENTICATION. |
The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by two Officers of the Company or an Officer and an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Each such signature may be either manual or facsimile. The Company’s seal, if any, may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or reproduced on the Securities and may be in facsimile form.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall nevertheless be valid.
A Security shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. The Trustee shall at any time, and from time to time, authenticate Securities for original issue in the principal amount provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate, upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Order. Such Company Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
The aggregate principal amount of Securities of any Series outstanding at any time may not exceed any limit upon the maximum principal amount for such Series set forth in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2, except as provided in Section 2.8.
Prior to the issuance of Securities of any Series, the Trustee shall have received and (subject to Section 7.1) shall be fully protected in relying on: (a) the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the form of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series and the terms of the Securities of that Series or of Securities within that Series, (b) an Officers’ Certificate complying with Section 10.4, and (c) an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 10.4.
The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of any Series: (a) if the Trustee, being advised in writing by outside counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken; or (b) if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or vice-presidents shall reasonably determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability, or cause it to have a conflict of interest with respect to Holders of any then outstanding Series of Securities.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Any appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by an authorized officer of the Trustee, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Company. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.
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| 2.4. | REGISTRAR AND PAYING AGENT. |
The Company shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any Series of Securities (i) an office or agency where such Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”), (ii) an office or agency where such Securities may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”) (PROVIDED that the Company shall at all times maintain a Paying Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, State of New York (the “New York Paying Agent”), and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the register for the Securities maintained by the Registrar), and (iii) an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served (“Service Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office, or to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee as set forth in Section 10.2. If the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it for the payment of principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company may change any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or any other Agent without notice to any Securityholder.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes, and may from time to time rescind such designations; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any Series for such purposes. The Company hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as such office of the Company. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of such designation or rescission, and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such Agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, or agent for service of notices and demands, or fails to give the foregoing notice, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company hereby appoints the Trustee as the initial Registrar, Paying Agent and Service Agent for each Series unless another Registrar, Paying Agent or Service Agent, as the case may be, is appointed prior to the time Securities of that Series are first issued. The Company designates , as the New York Paying Agent, with offices at .
| 2.5. | PAYING AGENT TO HOLD ASSETS IN TRUST. |
The Trustee as Paying Agent shall, and the Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that each Paying Agent shall, hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of any Series of Securities or the Trustee all assets held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Series of Securities (whether such assets have been distributed to it by the Company or any other obligor on such Series of Securities), and the Company and the Paying Agent shall notify the Trustee in writing of any Default by the Company (or any other obligor on such Series of Securities) in making any such payment. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to distribute all assets held by it to the Trustee and account for any assets disbursed, and the Trustee may, at any time during the continuance of any payment default with respect to any Series of Securities, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent to distribute all assets held by it to the Trustee and to account for any assets distributed. Upon distribution to the Trustee of all assets that shall have been delivered by the Company to the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for such assets.
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| 2.6. | SECURITYHOLDER LISTS. |
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee as of each regular record date for the payment of interest on the Securities of a Series and before each related Interest Payment Date, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Securityholders of each Series of Securities.
| 2.7. | TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE. |
When Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar with a request to register the transfer thereof, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of applicable law are met, and when such Securities of a Series are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of other authorized denominations of Securities of the same Series, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested. To permit transfers and exchanges, upon surrender of any Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 2.4, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s request.
If Securities are issued as Global Securities, the provisions of Section 2.15 shall apply.
All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Registrar or a co-registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar or a co-registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge, except that the Company may require payment by the Holder of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation to a transfer or exchange, but this provision shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.11, 3.6 or 8.5. The Trustee shall not be required to register transfers of Securities of any Series, or to exchange Securities of any Series, for a period of 15 days before the record date for selection for redemption of such Securities. The Trustee shall not be required to exchange or register transfers of Securities of any Series called or being called for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of such Security being redeemed in part.
| 2.8. | REPLACEMENT SECURITIES. |
If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security presents evidence to the satisfaction of the Company and the Trustee that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same Series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding. An indemnity bond may be required by the Company or the Trustee that is sufficient in the reasonable judgment of the Company or the Trustee, as the case may be, to protect the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company may charge such Holder for the Company’s out-of-pocket expenses in replacing a Security, including the fees and expenses of the Trustee. Every replacement Security shall constitute an original additional obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that Series duly issued hereunder.
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| 2.9. | OUTSTANDING SECURITIES. |
Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee, except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.9 as not outstanding.
If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.8 (other than a mutilated Security surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding until the Company and the Trustee receive proof satisfactory to each of them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser. A mutilated Security ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Security and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.8.
If a Paying Agent holds on a Redemption Date or the Stated Maturity money sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on, Securities payable on that date, and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders thereof pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (PROVIDED, that if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made), then on and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
A Security does not cease to be outstanding solely because the Company or an Affiliate holds the Security.
| 2.10. | WHEN TREASURY SECURITIES DISREGARDED; DETERMINATION OF HOLDERS’ ACTION. |
In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any Series have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, the Securities of any Series owned by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities, or by any Affiliate of any of them, shall be disregarded, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities of such Series which the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities of such Series so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to the Securities of such Series and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor on the Securities of such Series, or an Affiliate of any of them.
| 2.11. | TEMPORARY SECURITIES. |
Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate, temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form, and shall carry all rights, of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate, definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities without charge to the Holder.
| 2.12. | CANCELLATION. |
All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption or registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any sinking fund payment, shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent, and no one else, shall cancel, and at the written request of the Company shall dispose of, all Securities surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation. If the Company shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to this Section 2.12. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section 2.12, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.
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| 2.13. | PAYMENT OF INTEREST; DEFAULTED INTEREST; COMPUTATION OF INTEREST. |
Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.2 with respect to any Series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest, as provided in the Board Resolution, supplemental indenture hereto or Officers’ Certificate establishing the terms of such Series.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it shall pay the defaulted amounts, plus any interest payable on defaulted amounts pursuant to Section 4.1, to the Persons who are Securityholders on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be the 15th day next preceding the date fixed by the Company for the payment of defaulted interest, or the next succeeding Business Day if such date is not a Business Day. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed to each Securityholder, with a copy to the Trustee, a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest, and interest payable on such defaulted interest, if any, to be paid.
Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2 for Securities of any Series, interest on the Securities of each Series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
| 2.14. | CUSIP NUMBER. |
The Company in issuing the Securities may use one or more “CUSIP” numbers, and, if the Company does so, the Trustee shall use the CUSIP number(s) in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders, PROVIDED, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number(s) printed in the notice or on the Securities, and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and that any such redemption or exchange shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of any such numbers.
| 2.15. | PROVISIONS FOR GLOBAL SECURITIES. |
(a) A Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate shall establish whether the Securities of a Series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, and the Depository for such Global Securities or Securities.
(b) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Section 2.7 and in addition thereto, if, and only if the Depository (i) at any time is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global Security or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and (ii) a successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the date the Company is so informed in writing or becomes aware of the same, the Company promptly will execute and deliver to the Trustee definitive Securities, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of such definitive Securities (which the Company will promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee) and an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable, will authenticate and deliver definitive Securities, without charge, registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depository shall direct in writing (pursuant to instructions from its direct and indirect participants or otherwise) in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security with like tenor and terms. Upon the exchange of a Global Security for definitive Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Securities, as provided in this Section 2.15(b), a Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository with respect to such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository, by a nominee of such Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.
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(c) Any Global Security issued hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
“This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to, and is registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository. This Security is exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depository or its nominee only in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository, by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such a successor Depository.”
(d) The Depository, as a Holder, may appoint agents and otherwise authorize participants to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action which a Holder is entitled to give or take under the Indenture.
(e) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Indenture, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.2, payment of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, any Global Security shall be made to the Depository or its nominee in its capacity as the Holder thereof.
(f) Except as provided in Section 2.15(e) above, the Company, the Trustee and any Agent shall treat a Person as the Holder of such principal amount of outstanding Securities of any Series represented by a Global Security as shall be specified in a written statement of the Depository (which may be in the form of a participants’ list for such Series) with respect to such Global Security, for purposes of obtaining any consents, declarations, waivers or directions required to be given by the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, PROVIDED, that until the Trustee is so provided with a written statement, it may treat the Depository or any other Person in whose name a Global Security is registered as the owner of such Global Security for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, and any premium and (subject to Section 2.13) any interest on, such Global Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
| 2.16. | PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. |
Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any agent of the Company, the Registrar or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of, and any premium and (subject to Section 2.13) any interest on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Registrar or any agent of the Company, the Trustee or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
ARTICLE 3
REDEMPTION
| 3.1. | NOTICES TO TRUSTEE. |
The Company may, with respect to any Series of Securities, reserve the right to redeem and pay the Series of Securities, or may covenant to redeem and pay the Series of Securities or any part thereof, prior to the Stated Maturity thereof at such time and on such terms as provided for in such Securities or the related Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate. If a Series of Securities is redeemable and the Company elects to redeem all or part of such Series of Securities, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed at least 45 days (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) before the Redemption Date. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any Holder, and shall thereby be void and of no effect.
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| 3.2. | SELECTION BY TRUSTEE OF SECURITIES TO BE REDEEMED. |
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series of Securities by a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture or an Officers’ Certificate, if fewer than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities of a Series to be redeemed pro rata, by lot or by any other method that the Trustee considers fair and appropriate (unless the Company specifically directs the Trustee otherwise) and, if such Securities are listed on any securities exchange, by a method that complies with the requirements of such exchange.
The Trustee shall make the selection from Securities of a Series outstanding and not previously called for redemption, and shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Security selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed at least 35 but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date. Securities of a Series in denominations of $1,000 may be redeemed only in whole. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities of a Series that have denominations larger than $1,000. Securities of a Series and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or, with respect to Securities of any Series issuable in other denominations pursuant to Section 2.2(10), the minimum principal denomination for each Series and integral multiples thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption.
| 3.3. | NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. |
Unless otherwise indicated for a particular Series by Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, at least 30 days, and no more than 60 days, before a Redemption Date, the Company shall mail, or cause to be mailed, a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at his or her last address as the same appears on the registry books maintained by the Registrar. The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:
(1) the Redemption Date;
(2) the redemption price, and that such redemption price shall become due and payable on the Redemption Date;
(3) if any Security of a Series is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security of a Series to be redeemed and that, after the Redemption Date and upon surrender of such Security of a Series, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued;
(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(5) that Securities of a Series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price, and the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for such payment;
(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on the Securities of a Series called for redemption ceases to accrue on the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Securities is to receive payment of the redemption price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;
(7) if fewer than all of the Securities of a Series are to be redeemed, the identification of the particular Securities of a Series (or portion thereof) to be redeemed, as well as the aggregate principal amount of Securities of a Series to be redeemed and the aggregate principal amount of Securities of a Series to be outstanding after such partial redemption;
(8) the CUSIP number, if any, printed on the Securities being redeemed; and
(9) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.
At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s sole expense.
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| 3.4. | EFFECT OF NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. |
Once the notice of redemption described in Section 3.3 is mailed, Securities of a Series called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the redemption price, plus interest, if any, accrued to the Redemption Date. Upon surrender to the Trustee or Paying Agent, such Securities of a Series shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date; PROVIDED, that if the Redemption Date is after a regular interest payment record date and on or prior to the next Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the Holder of the redeemed Securities registered on the relevant record date, as specified by the Company in the notice to the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.1.
| 3.5. | DEPOSIT OF REDEMPTION PRICE. |
On or prior to the Redemption Date (but no later than 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time on such date), the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.
On and after any Redemption Date, if money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on, Securities called for redemption shall have been made available in accordance with the preceding paragraph and the Company and the Paying Agent are not prohibited from paying such moneys to Holders, the Securities called for redemption will cease to accrue interest and the only right of the Holders of such Securities will be to receive payment of the redemption price of and, subject to the proviso in Section 3.4, accrued and unpaid interest on such Securities to the Redemption Date. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid, interest will be paid, from the Redemption Date until such redemption payment is made, on the unpaid principal of the Security and any interest or premium, if any, not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate and in the manner provided in the Securities.
| 3.6. | SECURITIES REDEEMED IN PART. |
Upon surrender of a Security of a Series that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate, for a Holder a new Security of the same Series equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.
ARTICLE 4
COVENANTS
| 4.1. | PAYMENT OF SECURITIES. |
The Company shall pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, each Series of Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in such Securities and this Indenture.
An installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay such installment and is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders pursuant to the terms of this Indenture or otherwise.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal, and overdue interest, to the extent lawful, at the rate specified in the Series of Securities.
| 4.2. | SEC REPORTS. |
The Company will deliver to the Trustee within 15 days after the filing of the same with the SEC, copies of the quarterly and annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports, if any, which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that each such report or document will be deemed to be so delivered to the Trustee if the Company files such report or document with the SEC through the SEC’s EDGAR database no later than the time such report or document is required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will file with the SEC, to the extent permitted, and provide the Trustee with, such quarterly and annual reports and such information, documents and other reports specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company will also comply with the other provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
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| 4.3. | WAIVER OF STAY, EXTENSION OR USURY LAWS. |
The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead (as a defense or otherwise) or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension, usury or other law which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion of the principal of, and/or interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company hereby expressly waives (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
| 4.4. | COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. |
(a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate which complies with TIA Section 314(a)(4) stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during such fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and that there is no default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities is prohibited, or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
(b) (i) If any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (ii) if any Holder seeks to exercise any remedy hereunder with respect to a claimed Default under this Indenture or the Securities, within five Business Days after the Company becoming aware of such occurrence the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying such event, notice or other action and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
| 4.5. | CORPORATE EXISTENCE. |
Subject to Article 5, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, in accordance with the organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company and the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or its corporate existence, if the Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.
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ARTICLE 5
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION
| 5.1. | LIMITATION ON CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS. |
(a) The Company will not, in any transaction or series of transactions, merge or consolidate with or into, or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets (as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in one transaction or a series of related transactions), to any Person or Persons, unless at the time of and after giving effect thereto (i) either (A) if the transaction or series of transactions is a merger or consolidation, the Company shall be the surviving Person of such merger or consolidation, or (B) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which the properties and assets of the Company are transferred (any such surviving Person or transferee Person being the “Surviving Entity”) shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or a corporation or comparable legal entity organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and shall expressly assume by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, all of the obligations of the Company (including, without limitation, the obligation to pay the principal of, and premium and interest, if any, on, the Securities and the performance of the other covenants) under the Securities of each Series and this Indenture, and in each case, this Indenture shall remain in full force and effect; and (ii) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Indebtedness incurred or anticipated to be incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(b) In connection with any consolidation, merger or transfer of assets contemplated by this Section 5.1, the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer, and the supplemental indenture in respect thereto, comply with this Section 5.1, and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction or transactions have been complied with.
| 5.2. | SUCCESSOR PERSON SUBSTITUTED. |
Upon any consolidation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1 above, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company is merged or to which such transfer is made, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter (except with respect to any such transfer which is a lease) the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE 6
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
| 6.1. | EVENTS OF DEFAULT. |
“Events of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any Series, means any one of the following events, unless in the establishing Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, it is provided that such Series shall not have the benefit of said Event of Default:
(1) there is a default in the payment of any principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Securities when the same becomes due and payable at Maturity, upon acceleration, redemption or otherwise;
(2) there is a default in the payment of any interest on any Security of a Series when the same becomes due and payable, and the Default continues for a period of 30 days;
(3) the Company defaults in the observance or performance of any other covenant in the Securities of a Series or in this Indenture for 60 days after written notice from the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding, which notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default”;
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(4) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case,
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;
(5) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary; or
(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary, and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 consecutive days; or
(6) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that Series, which is specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate, in accordance with Section 2.2(19).
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
The Trustee may withhold notice of any Default (except in the payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities) to the Holders of the Securities of any Series in accordance with Section 7.5. When a Default is cured, it ceases to exist.
| 6.2. | ACCELERATION. |
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default arising under Section 6.1(4) or (5)) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by written notice to the Company, or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of that Series then outstanding by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare that the entire principal amount of all the Securities of that Series then outstanding plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of acceleration are immediately due and payable, in which case such amounts shall become immediately due and payable; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that after such acceleration but before a judgment or decree based on such acceleration is obtained by the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of that Series may rescind and annul such acceleration and its consequences if (i) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, interest or premium, if any, that has become due solely because of the acceleration, have been cured or waived, (ii) to the extent the payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid and (iii) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto. In case an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(4) or (5) with respect to the Company occurs, such principal, premium, if any, and interest amount with respect to all of the Securities of that Series shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities of that Series.
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| 6.3. | REMEDIES. |
If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of the principal of, or interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of that Series, or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of that Series or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities of that Series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
| 6.4. | WAIVER OF PAST DEFAULTS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT. |
Subject to Sections 6.2, 6.7 and 8.2, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series then outstanding have the right to waive any existing Default or Event of Default with respect to such Series or compliance with any provision of this Indenture (with respect to such Series) or the Securities of such Series. Upon any such waiver, such Default with respect to such Series shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default with respect to such Series arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereto. This Section 6.4 shall be in lieu of TIA Section 316(a)(1)(B), and TIA Section 316(a)(1)(B) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture and Section as permitted by the TIA.
| 6.5. | CONTROL BY MAJORITY. |
Subject to Sections 6.2, 6.7 and 8.2, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any Series then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee by this Indenture with respect to such Series. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, or that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Securityholder, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; PROVIDED, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. This Section 6.5 shall be in lieu of TIA Section 316(a)(1)(A), and TIA Section 316(a)(1)(A) is hereby expressly excluded from this Indenture and Section as permitted by the TIA.
| 6.6. | LIMITATION ON SUITS. |
Subject to Section 6.7, a Securityholder may not institute any proceeding or pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of a Series unless:
(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that Series;
(2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense to be incurred in compliance with such request;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
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(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such Series then outstanding.
A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder, or to obtain a preference or priority over another Securityholder.
| 6.7. | RIGHTS OF HOLDERS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT. |
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security of a Series to receive payment of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Security of such Series on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security of such Series, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional, and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
| 6.8. | COLLECTION SUIT BY TRUSTEE. |
If an Event of Default in payment of principal, interest or premium, if any, specified in Section 6.1(1) or (2) with respect to Securities of any Series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities of that Series) for the whole amount of unpaid principal and premium, if any, and accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue installments of interest, in each case at the rate then borne by the Securities of that Series, and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, as set forth in Section 7.7.
| 6.9. | TRUSTEE MAY FILE PROOFS OF CLAIM. |
The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents, and take other actions (including sitting on a committee of creditors), as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities), any of their respective creditors or any of their respective property, and the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after deduction of its charges and expenses to the extent that any such charges and expenses are not paid out of the estate in any such proceedings, and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.
Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to, or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder, any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of a Series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceedings.
| 6.10. | PRIORITIES. |
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.7;
SECOND: to Securityholders for amounts then due and unpaid for the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities in respect of which, or for the benefit of which, such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities; for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: to the Company.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
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| 6.11. | UNDERTAKING FOR COSTS. |
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of a Series then outstanding.
ARTICLE 7
TRUSTEE
| 7.1. | DUTIES OF TRUSTEE. |
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the same circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no covenants or obligations shall be implied in this Indenture against the Trustee.
(2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture, but, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(1) This paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.1.
(2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.
(3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Sections 6.2 and 6.5.
(d) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds, or otherwise incur any financial liability, in the performance of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(e) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 7.1 shall govern every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee.
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(f) The Trustee and Paying Agent shall not be liable for interest on any money received by either of them, except as the Trustee and Paying Agent may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by the law.
(g) The Paying Agent, the Registrar and any authenticating agent shall be entitled to the protections, immunities and standard of care set forth in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) of this Section 7.1 and in Section 7.2 with respect to the Trustee.
| 7.2. | RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE. |
(a) Subject to Section 7.1:
(1) The Trustee may rely on, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(2) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, or both, which shall conform to the provisions of Section 10.5. The Trustee shall be protected and shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.
(3) The Trustee may act through agents and attorneys, and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed by it with due care.
(4) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it reasonably believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers.
(5) The Trustee may consult with counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, which may be counsel to the Company, and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(6) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby.
(7) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any fact or matter (including, without limitation, a Default or Event of Default) unless such fact or matter is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.
(8) Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or in the Securities of a Series or the related Board Resolution, supplemental indenture or Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall not have any responsibility with respect to reports, notices, certificates or other documents filed with it hereunder, except to make them available for inspection, at reasonable times, by Securityholders, it being understood that delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (except as set forth in Section 4.4).
| 7.3. | INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF TRUSTEE. |
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities, and may make loans to, accept deposits from, perform services for or otherwise deal with the Company, or any Affiliate thereof, with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee, however, shall be subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.
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| 7.4. | TRUSTEE’S DISCLAIMER. |
The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities (except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture and authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder), and the Trustee shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the sale of Securities or any money paid to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its certificates of authentication.
| 7.5. | NOTICE OF DEFAULT. |
If a Default or an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any Series, and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the Securities of that Series notice of the Default or the Event of Default, as the case may be, within 90 days after it occurs or, if later, after a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has knowledge of such Default or Event of Default (except if such Default or Event of Default has been validly cured or waived before the giving of such notice). Except in the case of a Default or an Event of Default in payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, any Security of any Series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the Board of Directors of the Trustee, the executive committee or any trust committee of such board and/or its Responsible Officers in good faith determine(s) that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Securityholders of that Series.
| 7.6. | REPORTS BY TRUSTEE TO HOLDERS. |
If and to the extent required by the TIA, within 60 days after April 1 of each year, commencing the April 1 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of such April 1 that complies with TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Sections 313(b) and 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall be filed with the SEC and any stock exchange on which the Securities of that Series are listed. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Securities of any Series are listed on any stock exchange or any delisting thereof, and the Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 313(d).
| 7.7. | COMPENSATION AND INDEMNITY. |
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee within 45 days after receipt of request for all reasonable out-of-pocket disbursements and expenses incurred or made by it in connection with its duties under this Indenture, including the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless against, any and all loss or liability incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or performance of its duties under this Indenture including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim asserted against the Trustee for which it may seek indemnity.
The failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not however relieve the Company of its obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company need not reimburse the Trustee for any expense or indemnify it against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through its negligence or bad faith. To secure the payment obligations of the Company in this Section 7.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities of any Series on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee except such money or property held in trust to pay the principal of, interest and premium, if any, on particular Securities of that Series.
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When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(4) or (5) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
For purposes of this Section 7.7, the term “Trustee” shall include any trustee appointed pursuant to this Article 7.
| 7.8. | REPLACEMENT OF TRUSTEE. |
The Trustee may resign with respect to the Securities of one or more Series by so notifying the Company in writing at least 90 days in advance of such resignation.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of any Series may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series by notifying the removed Trustee in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee with respect to that Series with the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may remove the Trustee with respect to that Series at its election if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with, or ceases to be eligible under, Section 7.10;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent, or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee, under any Bankruptcy Law;
(3) a Custodian or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property;
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting; or
(5) If the Trustee resigns or is removed, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee, with respect to any Series of Securities for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint, by Board Resolution, a successor Trustee.
If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Securityholder of the applicable Series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately following such delivery, (i) the retiring Trustee with respect to one or more Series shall, subject to its rights under Section 7.7, transfer all property held by it as Trustee with respect to such Series to the successor Trustee, (ii) the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and (iii) the successor Trustee with respect to such Series shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series shall mail notice of its succession to each Securityholder of such Series.
| 7.9. | SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE BY CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR CONVERSION. |
If the Trustee, or any Agent, consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another corporation, subject to Section 7.10, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee or Agent, as the case may be.
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| 7.10. | ELIGIBILITY; DISQUALIFICATION. |
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), (2) and (5) in every respect. The Trustee (or in the case of a Trustee that is a Person included in a bank holding company system, the related bank holding company) shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(b), including the provision in Section 310(b)(1). In addition, if the Trustee is a Person included in a bank holding company system, the Trustee, independently of such bank holding company, shall meet the capital requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(2). If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.10, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Article 7.
| 7.11. | PREFERENTIAL COLLECTION OF CLAIMS AGAINST COMPANY. |
The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
| 7.12. | PAYING AGENTS. |
The Company shall cause each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to it and the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 7.12:
(1) that it will hold all sums held by it as agent for the payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Company or by any obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of Holders of the Securities or the Trustee;
(2) that it will at any time during the continuance of any Event of Default, upon written request from the Trustee, deliver to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by it together with a full accounting thereof; and
(3) that it will give the Trustee written notice within three Business Days after any failure of the Company (or by any obligor on the Securities) in the payment of any installment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, the Securities when the same shall be due and payable.
ARTICLE 8
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS
| 8.1. | WITHOUT CONSENT OF HOLDERS. |
The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:
(1) to comply with Section 5.1;
(2) to provide for certificated Securities in addition to uncertificated Securities;
(3) to comply with any requirements of the SEC under the TIA;
(4) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to make any other change herein or in the Securities that does not materially and adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;
(5) to provide for the issuance of, and establish the form and terms and conditions of, Securities of any Series as permitted by this Indenture; or
(6) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more Series, and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee.
The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Company in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which adversely affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture.
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| 8.2. | WITH CONSENT OF HOLDERS. |
(a) The Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of one or more Series with the written consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series affected by such amendment or supplement without notice to any Securityholder. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Securities of each such Series affected by such amendment or supplement may waive compliance by the Company in a particular instance with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of such Series without notice to any Securityholder. Subject to Section 8.4, without the consent of each Securityholder affected, however, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not:
(1) reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver to this Indenture or the Securities;
(2) reduce the rate of, or change the time for payment of, interest on any Security;
(3) reduce the principal, or change the Stated Maturity, of any Security, or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation;
(4) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the Security;
(5) change the amount or time of any payment required by the Securities, or reduce the premium payable upon any redemption of the Securities, or change the time before which no such redemption may be made;
(6) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, any Security (except a rescission of acceleration of the Securities of any Series by the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such Series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);
(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security, or change any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of any Securities;
(8) make any changes in Section 6.6 or this Section 8.2, except to increase any percentage of Securities the Holders of which must consent to any matter; or
(9) take any other action otherwise prohibited by this Indenture to be taken without the consent of each Holder affected thereby.
(b) Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the receipt by the Trustee of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Securityholders as aforesaid and of the documents described in Section 8.6, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of such supplemental indenture, unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture.
(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment or supplement under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing the amendment or supplement. Any failure of the Company to mail any such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any supplemental indenture.
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| 8.3. | COMPLIANCE WITH TRUST INDENTURE ACT. |
Every amendment to, or supplement of, this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.
| 8.4. | REVOCATION AND EFFECT OF CONSENTS. |
Until an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Security is a continuing consent conclusive and binding upon such Holder and every subsequent Holder of the same Security or portion thereof, and of any Security issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in place thereof, even if notation of the consent is not made on any such Security. Any such Holder or subsequent Holder, however, may revoke the consent as to his Security or portion of a Security, if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective.
The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver, which record date shall be at least 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent. If a record date is fixed, then, notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver, or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date.
After an amendment, supplement, waiver or other action becomes effective, it shall bind every Securityholder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 8.2. In that case, the amendment, supplement, waiver or other action shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security; PROVIDED, that any such waiver shall not impair or affect the right of any Holder to receive payment of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, a Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates without the consent of such Holder.
| 8.5. | NOTATION ON OR EXCHANGE OF SECURITIES. |
If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security of any Series, the Trustee may request the Holder of such Security to deliver it to the Trustee. In such case, the Trustee shall place an appropriate notation on such Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, the Company, in exchange for such Security, may issue, and the Trustee shall authenticate, a new security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Security shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
| 8.6. | TRUSTEE TO SIGN AMENDMENTS, ETC. |
The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 8 if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment, supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject to Section 7.1, shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplement until the Board of Directors of the Company approves it.
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ARTICLE 9
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
| 9.1. | DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE. |
The Company may terminate its obligations under the Securities of any Series and this Indenture with respect to such Series, except the obligations referred to in the last paragraph of this Section 9.1, if there shall have been canceled by the Trustee, or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, all Securities of such Series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Securities of such Series that are asserted to have been destroyed, lost or stolen and that shall have been replaced as provided in Section 2.8) and the Company has paid all sums payable by it hereunder or deposited all required sums with the Trustee.
After such delivery the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in a writing prepared by or on behalf of the Company the discharge of the Company’s obligations under the Securities of such Series and this Indenture, except for those surviving obligations specified below.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Company in Sections 7.7, 9.5 and 9.6 shall survive.
| 9.2. | LEGAL DEFEASANCE. |
The Company may at its option, by Board Resolution, be discharged from its obligations with respect to the Securities of any Series on the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 9.4 below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Securities of such Series and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall, subject to Section 9.6, execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, as are delivered to it by the Company), except for the following, which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities of such Series to receive solely from the trust funds described in Section 9.4 and as more fully set forth in such section, payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of such Series when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities of such Series under Sections 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8 and 2.9, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder (including claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.7) and (D) this Article 9. Subject to compliance with this Article 9, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 9.2 with respect to the Securities of any Series notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 9.3 below with respect to the Securities of such Series.
| 9.3. | COVENANT DEFEASANCE. |
At the option of the Company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, the Company shall be released from its obligations with respect to the outstanding Securities of any Series under Sections 4.2 through 4.5, inclusive, and Section 5.1, with respect to the outstanding Securities of such Series, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 9.4 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified section or portion thereof, whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such specified Section or portion thereof or by reason of any reference in any such specified section or portion thereof to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Securities of any Series shall be unaffected thereby.
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| 9.4. | CONDITIONS TO LEGAL DEFEASANCE OR COVENANT DEFEASANCE. |
The following shall be the conditions to application of Section 9.2 or Section 9.3 to the outstanding Securities of a Series:
(1) the Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article 9 applicable to it) as funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Securities, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of, and accrued interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding Securities of such Series at the Stated Maturity of such principal, interest or premium, if any, or on dates for payment and redemption of such principal, interest and premium, if any, selected in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of the Securities of such Series;
(2) no Event of Default or Default with respect to the Securities of such Series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit, or shall have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit or, if longer, ending on the day following the expiration of the longest preference period under any Bankruptcy Law applicable to the Company in respect of such deposit as specified in the Opinion of Counsel identified in paragraph (8) below (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);
(3) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the TIA with respect to any securities of the Company;
(4) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound;
(5) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that, as a result of such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, neither the trust nor the Trustee will be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
(6) in the case of an election under Section 9.2, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling to the effect that or (ii) there has been a change in any applicable Federal income tax law with the effect that, and such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such Series or Persons in their positions will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes solely as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner, including as a result of prepayment, and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(7) in the case of an election under Section 9.3, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of the outstanding Securities of such Series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance, and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(8) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Article 9 relating to either the Legal Defeasance under Section 9.2 or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 9.3 (as the case may be) have been complied with;
(9) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit under clause (1) was not made by the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company or others; and
(10) the Company shall have paid, or duly provided for payment under terms mutually satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee, all amounts then due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.7.
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| 9.5. | DEPOSITED MONEY AND U.S. AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS TO BE HELD IN TRUST; OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. |
All money, U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.4 in respect of the outstanding Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, accrued interest and premium, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations and Foreign Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 9.4 or the principal, interest and premium, if any, received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities.
Anything in this Article 9 to the contrary notwithstanding, but subject to payment of any of its outstanding fees and expenses, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held by the Trustee as provided in Section 9.4 which, in the opinion of a nationally-recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
| 9.6. | REINSTATEMENT. |
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations in accordance with Section 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 or 9.4 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 9 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 or 9.4; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, or accrued interest or premium, if any, on, any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money, U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
| 9.7. | MONEYS HELD BY PAYING AGENT. |
In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, all moneys then held by any Paying Agent under the provisions of this Indenture shall, upon demand of the Company, be paid to the Trustee, or, if sufficient moneys have been deposited pursuant to Section 9.1, to the Company, and thereupon such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys.
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| 9.8. | MONEYS HELD BY TRUSTEE. |
Any moneys deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or then held by the Company in trust for the payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, any Security that are not applied but remain unclaimed by the Holder of such Security for two years after the date upon which the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Security shall have respectively become due and payable shall be repaid to the Company upon Company Request, or if such moneys are then held by the Company in trust, such moneys shall be released from such trust; and the Holder of such Security entitled to receive such payment shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for the payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money shall thereupon cease; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Trustee or any such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may, at the expense of the Company, either mail to each Securityholder affected, at the address shown in the register of the Securities maintained by the Registrar, or cause to be published once a week for two successive weeks, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published each Business Day and of general circulation in the City of New York, New York, a notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such mailing or publication, any unclaimed balance of such moneys then remaining will be repaid to the Company. After payment to the Company or the release of any money held in trust by the Company, Securityholders entitled to the money must look only to the Company for payment as general creditors, unless applicable abandoned property law designates another Person.
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
| 10.1. | TRUST INDENTURE ACT CONTROLS. |
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the TIA which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.
| 10.2. | NOTICES. |
Any notice or communication shall be given in writing and delivered in Person, sent by facsimile (and receipt confirmed by telephone or electronic transmission report), delivered by commercial courier service or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Company:
Fathom Holdings Inc.
2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300
Cary, NC 27518
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Copy to:
Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 300
Raleigh, NC 27607
Fax: (919) 781-4000
Attention: Andrew J. Gibbons, Esq.
If to the Trustee:
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The Company or the Trustee by written notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications. Any notice or communication to the Company or the Trustee shall be deemed to have been given or made as of the date so delivered if personally delivered; when receipt is confirmed by telephone or electronic transmission report, if sent by facsimile; and three Business Days after mailing if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (except that a notice of change of address shall not be deemed to have been given until actually received by the addressee).
Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed to such Securityholder by first-class mail, postage prepaid, at such Securityholder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.
Failure to mail, or any defect in, a notice or communication to a Securityholder shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders. If a notice or communication to a Securityholder is mailed in the manner provided above, it shall be deemed duly given, three Business Days after such mailing, whether or not the addressee receives it.
In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice as required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.
In the case of Global Securities, notices or communications to be given to Securityholders shall be given to the Depository, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time.
In addition to the manner provided for in the foregoing provisions, notices or communications to Securityholders shall be given by the Company by release made to Reuters Economic Services and Bloomberg Business News.
| 10.3. | COMMUNICATIONS BY HOLDERS WITH OTHER HOLDERS. |
Securityholders of any Series may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Securityholders of that Series or any other Series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities of that Series or any other Series. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and any other Person shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).
| 10.4. | CERTIFICATE AND OPINION AS TO CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. |
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 10.5 below) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 10.5 below) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
| 10.5. | STATEMENT REQUIRED IN CERTIFICATE AND OPINION. |
Each certificate and opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 4.4) shall include:
(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, it or he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable it or him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such covenant or condition has been complied with.
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| 10.6. | RULES BY TRUSTEE AND AGENTS. |
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at meetings of Securityholders. The Registrar and Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
| 10.7. | BUSINESS DAYS; LEGAL HOLIDAYS; PLACE OF PAYMENT. |
A “Business Day” is a day that is not a Legal Holiday. A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday, a federally-recognized holiday or a day on which banking institutions are not authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to be open in the State of New York.
If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. “Place of Payment” means the place or places where the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Securities of a Series are payable as specified as contemplated by Section 2.2. If the regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.
| 10.8. | GOVERNING LAW. |
THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
| 10.9. | NO ADVERSE INTERPRETATION OF OTHER AGREEMENTS. |
This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan, security or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof. No such indenture, loan, security or debt agreement may be used to interpret this Indenture.
| 10.10. | NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. |
A director, officer, employee, stockholder or incorporator, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or the Indenture. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. Such waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Securities.
| 10.11. | SUCCESSORS. |
All covenants and agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind the Company’s successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee, any additional trustee and any Paying Agents in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors and assigns.
| 10.12. | MULTIPLE COUNTERPARTS. |
The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture. Each signed counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together represent one and the same agreement.
| 10.13. | TABLE OF CONTENTS, HEADINGS, ETC. |
The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
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| 10.14. | SEVERABILITY. |
Each provision of this Indenture shall be considered separable, and if for any reason any provision which is not essential to the effectuation of the basic purpose of this Indenture or the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and a Holder shall have no claim therefor against any party hereto.
| 10.15. | SECURITIES IN A FOREIGN CURRENCY OR IN EUROS. |
Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, a supplemental indenture hereto or an Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.2 with respect to a particular Series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all Series or all Series affected by a particular action at the time outstanding and, at such time, there are outstanding Securities of any Series which are denominated in a coin or currency other than Dollars (including Euros), then the principal amount of Securities of such Series which shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate at such time. For purposes of this Section 10.15, “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in New York City for cable transfers of that currency as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in the case of Euros, Market Exchange Rate shall mean the rate of exchange determined by the Commission of the European Union (or any successor thereto) as published in the Official Journal of the European Union (such publication or any successor publication, the “Journal”). If such Market Exchange Rate is not available for any reason with respect to such currency, the Trustee shall use, in its sole discretion and without liability on its part, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or, in the case of Euros, the rate of exchange as published in the Journal, as of the most recent available date, or quotations or, in the case of Euros, rates of exchange from one or more major banks in New York City or in the country of issue of the currency in question or, in the case of Euros, in Luxembourg or such other quotations or, in the case of Euros, rates of exchange as the Trustee, upon consultation with the Company, shall deem appropriate. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a Series denominated in currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
All decisions and determinations of the Trustee regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph shall be in the Trustee’s sole discretion, and shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive to the extent permitted by law for all purposes and irrevocably binding upon the Company and all Holders.
| 10.16. | JUDGMENT CURRENCY. |
The Company agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, or other amount on, the Securities of any Series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Business Day, in which instance, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which, in accordance with normal banking procedures, the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (whether or not entered in accordance with subsection (a)) in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
| FATHOM HOLDINGS INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [Name of Trustee] | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
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Exhibit 5.1
December 29, 2023
Board of Directors
Fathom Holdings Inc.
2000 Regency Parkway Drive, Suite 300
Cary, North Carolina 27518
| Re: | Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3 |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Fathom Holdings Inc., a North Carolina corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). The Registration Statement relates to the proposed issuance and sale from time to time of up to $100,000,000 of one or more of the following securities by the Company pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act: (i) shares of common stock, no par value per share, of the Company, which may include shares of common stock that constitute a part of or that are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of other Securities (as defined herein) in the Registration Statement (“Common Stock”); (ii) preferred stock, no par value per share, of the Company, which may include shares of preferred stock that constitute a part of or that are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of other Securities in the Registration Statement (“Preferred Stock” and together with Common Stock, “Equity Securities”); (iii) one or more series of debt securities of the Company and/or convertible debt securities of the Company, which may include convertible debt securities of the Company that constitute a part of or that are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of other Securities in the Registration Statement (“Debt Securities”); (iv) warrants covering Equity Securities and/or Debt Securities, which may include warrants that constitute a part of or that are issuable upon the conversion or exercise of other Securities in the Registration Statement (“Warrants”); (v) rights to purchase shares of Equity Securities, and rights to purchase Debt Securities and/or Units (as defined below) (“Rights”); and (vi) units consisting of Equity Securities, Warrants, Debt Securities and/or Rights (“Units”). Such Equity Securities, Warrants, Debt Securities, Rights and Units are referred to collectively in this opinion as “Securities.” Additionally, the Registration Statement registers for resale an aggregate of 4,402,761 shares of Common Stock from time to time held by the selling shareholder named therein (the “Shares”). The Shares may be resold as set forth in the Registration Statement, any amendments thereto, and the prospectus contained therein filed pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated under the Act.
This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 16 of Form S-3 and Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K.
Fathom Holdings Inc.
December 29, 2023
Page 2 of 6
In connection with the foregoing, we have relied upon, among other things, our examination of such documents, records of the Company and certificates of its officers and public officials as we deemed necessary for purposes of the opinions expressed below. In our examination of documents for purposes of this opinion, we have assumed, and express no opinion as to, the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals and completeness of all documents submitted to us as copies, the legal capacity of all persons or entities executing the same, the genuineness of all signatures, the lack of any undisclosed termination, modification, waiver, or amendment to any document reviewed by us, and the due authorization, execution, and delivery of all documents by the Company’s shareholders where due authorization, execution, and delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof.
In expressing the opinions set forth below, we also have assumed the following:
| 1) | Prior to the issuance of (a) any Equity Securities that are not outstanding as of the date hereof or (b) any Warrants covering the Equity Securities, the Company will have available for issuance, under its Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and as may be further amended from time to time and as in effect at the time thereof, the requisite number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock; |
| 2) | At the time of the issuance, sale, and delivery, as applicable, of any Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights or Units: (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the indenture in substantially the form of Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement and any supplemental indenture thereto (any such indenture, together with any applicable supplemental indenture, the “Indenture”), warrant agreement, rights agreement or unit agreement (collectively, the “Documents”), as applicable, and all actions necessary for the issuance of the applicable Securities, and the form and terms thereof, will comply with all requirements and restrictions, if any, applicable to the Company, whether imposed by any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or by any court or other governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company; (b) the Company will have duly authorized, executed, and delivered any such Document and will have duly authorized the issuance of any such Security, and none of such authorizations will have been modified or rescinded, and there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity, legally binding character, or enforceability thereof; and (c) with respect to any Document executed or to be executed by any party other than the Company, such party has, or will have, duly authorized, executed, and delivered the Documents to which it is a party and each such Document is, or will be, the valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms; |
| 3) | The Registration Statement and any additional amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective, will be effective, and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities or the Shares are offered or issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement; |
| 4) | A prospectus supplement, if applicable, will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities or the Shares offered thereby and will comply with all applicable laws; |
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| 5) | Any Securities or Shares being offered will be issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement and, if applicable, a related prospectus supplement; |
| 6) | There shall not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity of the Securities or the Shares; and |
| 7) | The Company will remain duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of North Carolina. |
We render this opinion only with respect to, and express no opinion herein concerning the application or effect of, the laws of any jurisdiction other than the existing laws of the State of North Carolina and reported judicial decisions relating thereto.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and the additional limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth below, it is our opinion that:
| 1) | With respect to the Equity Securities: (a) when the Company’s board of directors or any duly designated committee thereof has adopted resolutions approving the issuance and sale of Equity Securities at a specified price or pursuant to a specified pricing mechanism; (b) if Equity Securities are to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten offering or in a best efforts placement offering, an underwriting agreement or placement agency agreement with respect to such Equity Securities has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (c) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; (d) when a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, relating to any Preferred Stock has been duly executed and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina; (e) when certificates representing the Equity Securities have been duly executed by appropriate officers of the Company or appropriate book entries have been made in the records of the Company; (f) when the Equity Securities have been duly and properly sold, paid for, and delivered as contemplated in the Registration Statement, and the prospectus supplement relating thereto and setting forth the terms of any Preferred Stock and, if applicable, in accordance with the applicable underwriting or other purchase agreement, and (g) if applicable, the Equity Securities have been issued against payment therefor in accordance with any applicable agreement governing the issuance of Equity Securities pursuant to the exercise or conversion of any Warrant, Right or Unit, then the Equity Securities will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable. |
| 2) | With respect to the Debt Securities: (a) when the Company’s board of directors or any duly designated committee thereof has adopted resolutions approving the issuance and sale of Debt Securities at a specified price or pursuant to a specified pricing mechanism; (b) if the Debt Securities are to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten offering or in a best efforts placement offering, an underwriting agreement or placement agency agreement with respect to such Debt Securities has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (c) the Indenture has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of the Company and a trustee qualified to act as such under applicable law and such Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (d) all necessary corporate action has been taken by the Company to authorize the form, terms, execution, and delivery of the Debt Securities; (e) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; and (f) such Debt Securities have been duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the applicable trustee in accordance with the Indenture and have been duly issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with such corporate action and applicable law and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement setting forth the terms of the Debt Securities and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, the Debt Securities will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights, and subject to general equity principles and to limitations on availability of equitable relief, including specific performance. |
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| 3) | With respect to the Warrants: (a) when the Company’s board of directors or any duly designated committee thereof has adopted resolutions approving the issuance and sale of Warrants at a specified price or pursuant to a specified pricing mechanism; (b) if the Warrants are to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten offering or in a best efforts placement offering, an underwriting agreement or placement agency agreement with respect to such Warrants has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (c) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; (d) any shares of Equity Securities or any Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of the Warrants, as applicable, have been duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance and sale; (e) when a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, relating to any Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants has been duly executed and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina; and (f) the warrant agreements have been duly executed and the Warrants duly sold by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with any applicable warrant agreement, and in accordance with such corporate action and applicable law and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement setting forth the terms of the Warrants and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights, and subject to general equity principles and to limitations on availability of equitable relief, including specific performance. |
| 4) | With respect to the Rights: (a) when the Company’s board of directors or any duly designated committee thereof has adopted resolutions approving the issuance and sale of Rights at a specified price or pursuant to a specified pricing mechanism; (b) if the Rights are to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten offering or in a best efforts placement offering, an underwriting agreement or placement agency agreement with respect to such Rights has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (c) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations, and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; (d) any shares of Equity Securities, and any Debt Securities and/or Units to be issued pursuant to such Rights have been duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance and sale; (e) when a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, relating to any Preferred Stock included in or issuable under the Rights has been duly executed and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina; and (f) the rights agreements have been duly executed and the Rights duly sold by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with any applicable rights agreement, and in accordance with such corporate action and applicable law and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement setting forth the terms of the Rights and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, the Rights will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights, and subject to general equity principles and to limitations on availability of equitable relief, including specific performance. |
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| 5) | With respect to the Units: (a) when the Company’s board of directors or any duly designated committee thereof has adopted resolutions approving the issuance and sale of Units at a specified price or pursuant to a specified pricing mechanism; (b) if the Units are to be sold in a firm commitment underwritten offering or in a best efforts placement offering, an underwriting agreement or placement agency agreement with respect to such Units has been duly authorized, executed, and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (c) any legally required consents, approvals, authorizations, and other orders of the Commission and any other regulatory authorities have been obtained; (d) any shares of Equity Securities, and any Debt Securities, Warrants and/or Rights to be issued pursuant to such Units have been duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance and sale; (e) when a Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, relating to any Preferred Stock included in or issuable under the Units has been duly executed and filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina; and (f) the unit agreements have been duly executed and the Units duly sold by the Company against payment therefor in accordance with the unit agreements, and in accordance with such corporate action and applicable law and as contemplated in the Registration Statement and the prospectus supplement setting forth the terms of the Units and the plan of distribution, then, upon the happening of such events, the Units will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights, and subject to general equity principles and to limitations on availability of equitable relief, including specific performance. |
| (6) | With respect to the Shares: we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. |
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus included therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the Commission.
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This opinion is intended solely for use in connection with the sale of the Securities and the Shares subject to the Registration Statement and is not to be relied upon for any other purpose. This opinion is rendered as of the date first written above and based solely on our understanding of facts in existence as of such date after the aforementioned examination.
We assume no obligation to advise you of any fact, circumstance, event or change in the law or the facts that may hereafter be brought to our attention whether or not such occurrence would affect or modify any of the opinions expressed herein.
Sincerely,
/s/ Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated March 30, 2023, relating to the financial statements of Fathom Holdings Inc., appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Fathom Holdings Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2022. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Raleigh, North Carolina
December 29, 2023