As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 6, 2001
Registration No. 333-43550
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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NEWTEK CAPITAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEW YORK 11-3504638
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
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1500 HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE
EAST MEADOW, NEW YORK 11554
(516) 390-2260
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of Registrant's principal executive offices)
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BARRY SLOANE
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
NEWTEK CAPITAL, INC.
1500 HEMPSTEAD TURNPIKE
EAST MEADOW, NEW YORK 11554
(516) 390-2260
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
area code, of agent for service of process)
Copies To:
MATTHEW G. ASH, ESQ.
KUTAK ROCK LLP
1101 CONNECTICUT A VENUE, N.W., SUITE 1000
WASHINGTON, DC 20036-4374
(202) 828-2400 (PHONE)
(202) 828-2488 (FAX)
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APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE OF SECURITIES TO THE PUBLIC:
As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
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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. [X]
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 the delivery of the Prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF AMOUNT TO BE OFFERING PRICE PER AGGREGATE OFFERING AMOUNT OF
SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED REGISTERED SHARE(1) PRICE(1) REGISTRATION FEE
----------------------------------- --------------- --------------------- -------------------- ------------------
Common Stock, $0.02 par value...... 375,750 $3.10 $3.10 $295.00
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(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) solely for the purpose of calculating
the registration fee, based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
registrant's common stock on the American Stock Exchange on March 2, 2001. The
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part also shall cover any
additional shares of common stock which become issuable in connection with the
shares registered for sale hereby by reason of any stock dividend, stock split,
recapitalization or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of
consideration which results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares
of common stock.
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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 OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION,
ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
================================================================================
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The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may
not sell 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 it is not soliciting an offer to buy these
securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
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375,750 SHARES
[NEWTEK CAPITAL, INC. LOGO]
NEWTEK CAPITAL, INC.
COMMON STOCK
---------------------------------
This Prospectus relates to the offering of 375,750 shares of our common
stock, par value $0.02 per share. These shares may be sold from time to time by
some of our current stockholders, each of whom acquired these shares from us in
a private placement.
The selling stockholders may sell the shares at prices determined by the
prevailing market price for the shares or in negotiated transactions. We will
not receive any proceeds from the sale of these shares.
Our common stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol
"NKC". On March 2, 2001, the last reported sale price of our common stock was
$3.10 per share.
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BEFORE BUYING ANY SHARES YOU SHOULD READ THE DISCUSSION OF MATERIAL RISKS
OF INVESTING IN OUR COMMON STOCK IN "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 4.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES, OR DETERMINED IF
THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this Prospectus is March 6, 2001
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION;
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy,
upon payment of a fee set by the SEC, any document that we file with the SEC at
its public reference rooms in Washington, D.C. (450 Fifth Street, N.W., 20549),
New York, New York (Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, Suite 1300, 10048) and
Chicago, Illinois (Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, 14th Floor, Suite
1400, 60661). You may also call the SEC at 1-800-432-0330 for more information
on the public reference rooms. Our filings are also available to the public on
the Internet, through the SEC's EDGAR database. You may access the EDGAR
database at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.
The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" into this Prospectus the
information we file with them. This means that we can disclose important
business, financial and other information in our SEC filings by referring you to
the documents containing this information. All information incorporated by
reference is part of this Prospectus, unless that information is updated and
superseded by the information contained in this Prospectus or by any information
filed subsequently that is incorporated by reference or by any prospectus
supplement. Any prospectus supplement or any information that we subsequently
file with the SEC that is incorporated by reference will automatically supersede
any prior information that is part of this Prospectus or any prior prospectus
supplement. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the termination of this offering:
* Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2000.
* The description of our Common Stock contained in our Registration
Statement on Form 8-A, dated September 18, 2000, which registered our
common stock under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
This Prospectus is part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 we have
filed with the SEC relating to our common stock registered under the Securities
Act of 1933. As permitted by SEC rules, this Prospectus does not contain all of
the information contained in the Registration Statement and accompanying
exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration
statement, the exhibits and schedules for more information about us and our
common stock. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are also
available at the SEC's public reference rooms or through its EDGAR database on
the internet.
You may obtain a copy of these filings at no cost by writing to us at
Newtek Capital, Inc., 845 Third Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY, Attention:
Ellen Merryman, or by telephoning us at (212) 826-9022. In order to obtain
timely delivery, you must request the information no later than five business
days prior to the date you decide to invest in our common stock.
You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this Prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized
anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of
these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not
assume that the information in this Prospectus or any prospectus supplement is
accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this Prospectus.
SPECIAL NOTE OF CAUTION REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in (i) this Prospectus, (ii) any applicable
prospectus supplement and (iii) the documents incorporated by reference into
this Prospectus, may constitute "forward-looking statements within the meaning
of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on our
management's beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future economic
performance, taking into account the information currently available to them.
These statements are not statements of historical fact. Forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results,
performance or financial condition to be materially different from the
expectations of future results,
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performance or financial condition we express or imply in any forward-looking
statements. Some of the important factors that could cause our actual results,
performance or financial condition to differ materially from our expectations
are:
* The performance of our partner companies, aspects of which are outside our
control.
* Losses by the capcos due to investments in riskier early-stage and start up
businesses could make it significantly more difficult for the capcos to meet
minimum state statutory investment benchmarks and thus subject the capcos to
decertification and further financial loss.
* The degree and nature of our competition and that of our partner companies.
* The lack of widespread acceptance of the commercial use of the Internet.
* Our ability, and that of our partner companies, to attract and retain key
managerial and technical personnel.
* Changes in government regulation of our business and those of our partner
companies.
When used in our documents or oral presentations, the words "anticipate",
estimate", "expect", objective", "projection", "forecast", "goal", or similar
words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We qualify any such
forward-looking statements entirely by these cautionary factors.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus.
It is not complete and does not contain all of the information that you should
consider before investing in the shares. You should read the entire Prospectus
carefully and you should consider the information set forth under "Risk
Factors".
We use the term "our" or "the Company" to refer to Newtek Capital, Inc., a
business corporation organized under New York law.
THE COMPANY
Newtek Capital, Inc. resulted from the combination of the businesses
previously owned by BJB Holdings, Inc. and REXX Environmental Corporation. This
combination was closed on September 19, 2000 and followed the approval of the
transaction by the stockholders of both companies. Prior to the combination, the
principal operating business of REXX was sold, and the Company is the BJB
businesses under its own name. For ease of reference in this document, we refer
to "Newtek" the "Company" to include both the business of BJB prior to September
19, 2000 and of Newtek Capital, Inc. following that date.
The Company's business originated in 1998 in the organization and operation
of what are now seven certified capital companies, or "capcos". Since 1998, the
business of Newtek has focused on the deployment of these capco funds and the
receipt of related tax credit income described below. In this process, Newtek
has determined that the capcos provide a base for the structuring, development
and acquisition of further businesses, particularly early-stage,
technology-oriented companies focused on Internet related commerce, or
"e-commerce." Since the last quarter of 1999, the Company has been working to
expand its business development activities, and its goal is to be a premier
business partner for its acquired or affiliated companies by helping them
implement their business strategies in a manner consistent with Newtek's
objectives. Through the capco programs and otherwise, the Company is operating
as a holding company for a network of partner companies in a collaborative and
coordinated effort to develop successful businesses in a number of existing as
well as emerging, technological business lines.
The management of the Company believes that there will be substantial
long-term growth in business-to-business e-commerce that creates significant
market opportunities for well positioned, managed and funded emerging companies.
Many new companies, including spin-offs from traditional businesses, are
currently being formed and funded to develop technologies and solutions to
support the new business-to-business e-commerce market. Business-to-business
solutions are being rapidly adopted to facilitate the continuous exchange of
information among business partners, to large customer audiences, and to allow
businesses to interact more efficiently with suppliers, distributors, and
service providers. The Company, through its network of partner companies, is
participating in this industry.
In addition, the Company seeks to identify business opportunities in less
technologically-oriented areas with strong fundamentals in products and or
markets, particularly, those as to which the application of e-commerce
technology, or the other business development services which could be provided
by the Company, would provide a material improvement in results.
To date, the majority of Newtek's acquisitions and other business
development efforts have been undertaken through the capcos that the Company
controls. As of December 31, 2000, Newtek had provided business development
services, including in some cases funding, for 13 companies, of which nine are
majority owned or primarily controlled and represent $12,613,734 or 80% of its
investments other than Government securities.
HOW TO CONTACT US
Our principal executive offices are located at 1500 Hempstead Turnpike,
East Meadow, New York 11554, and our telephone number is (516) 390-2260. We were
incorporated in 1999 in New York.
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RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, you should
carefully consider the following factors in evaluating an investment in the
shares of our common stock.
RISKS RELATING TO US:
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THIS SECTION DESCRIBES RISKS RELATING US AND OUR BUSINESS OPERATIONS. OTHER
MATERIAL RISKS RELATING TO OUR PARTNER COMPANIES AND TO THE INTERNET INDUSTRY
ARE MORE FULLY DESCRIBED BELOW UNDER "RISKS RELATING TO OUR PARTNER COMPANIES"
AND "RISKS RELATING TO THE INTERNET INDUSTRY".
BECAUSE WE HAVE A LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY, YOUR INVESTMENT DECISION WILL BE
BASED ON LIMITED AVAILABLE INFORMATION.
We have primarily engaged in the creation and operation of certified
capital companies, or capcos, and have a limited operating history as an
Internet holding company upon which you may evaluate our business and prospects.
Our business and prospects must be considered in view of the risk, expense and
competition frequently encountered by companies in early stages of development,
particularly companies in new and rapidly evolving markets such as e-commerce.
DESPITE NET INCOME FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000, WE INCURRED A NET
LOSS OF APPROXIMATELY $3,425,000 FOR YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000, AND THERE IS
A RISK THAT WE AND OUR PARTNER COMPANIES MAY NEVER BECOME PROFITABLE.
There is a risk that we and our partner companies may never become
profitable. We incurred a net loss of approximately $3,425,000 for the year
ended December 31, 2000, despite net income of approximately $576,000 in the
fourth quarter. In addition, we reported negative cash flows from operating
activities for each of years ended December 31,1999 and 2000. Our partner
companies are, and we expect that our future partner companies will be, in early
stages of development and will have limited or no revenues. Because e-commerce
companies, even if successful, typically generate significant losses while they
grow, we do not expect our partner companies to generate income for the
foreseeable future, and they may never generate income. Further, the income, if
any, generated by partner companies may be offset by losses of other partner
companies. Moreover, the continuing acquisition by us of interests in
early-stage partner companies may further delay profitability. Our short-term
success will depend heavily on the operations of our capcos.
BECAUSE WE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER THAN MANY OF OUR COMPETITORS, WE MAY LACK
THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES NEEDED TO CAPTURE INCREASED MARKET SHARE OR EXPAND OUR
BUSINESS.
Many of our current and potential competitors have longer operating
histories, greater name recognition and substantially greater operational,
financial, marketing and other resources than the Company. If capital markets
were to weaken for an extended period of time, our larger competitors might
then, in part due to having greater financial resources, have easier access to
expand their businesses. Therefore, they may be able to respond more quickly
than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards or
customer requirements.
IF WE CANNOT ACQUIRE INTERESTS IN PARTNER COMPANIES, OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY WILL
FAIL.
If we cannot acquire interests in attractive partner companies our business
strategy will not succeed. We may be unable to acquire an interest in businesses
for a number of reasons, including:
* lack of sufficient capital;
* failure to agree on terms of the acquisition, such as extent or price of
acquisition;
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* competition from other acquirers;
* unwillingness of the target company to partner with us; or
* incompatibility of vision and strategy between us and the management of a
target company;
These factors create the possibility that our opportunities to acquire
interests in new partner companies may be limited, in which case our business
strategy would fail.
THE VALUE OF OUR COMMON STOCK WOULD LIKELY BE ADVERSELY IMPACTED BY THE NEGATIVE
PERFORMANCE OF OUR PARTNER COMPANIES, ASPECTS OF WHICH MAY BE OUTSIDE OUR
CONTROL.
Each of our partner companies may be impacted by economic, governmental,
industrial and internal company factors outside our control. If our partner
companies do not succeed, the value of our assets and the price of our stock
would decline.
BECAUSE OUR CAPCOS ARE SUBJECT TO VARIOUS STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS, A FAILURE OF
ANY OF THEM TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS COULD SUBJECT THE CAPCO AND OUR
STOCKHOLDERS TO SERIOUS FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES.
Involuntary decertification of all or substantially all of our capcos would
result in material loss to the Company and its stockholders. In general, capcos
issue debt and equity instruments, generally warrants, to insurance company
investors and the capcos then acquire interests in companies in accordance with
applicable state statutes. In return, the states issue tax credits to the
capcos, which are available to and used by the insurance company investors to
reduce their state tax liabilities. In order to maintain its status as a capco
and to avoid the recapture of the tax credits granted, each capco must meet a
number of state requirements. A key requirement in order to continue capco
certification is that a capco must comply with minimum investment schedules that
benchmark both the timing and type of required investments. A final involuntary
loss of capco status, that is decertification as a capco, will result in loss of
the tax credits for us and our insurance investors and have a serious negative
impact on our business strategy.
LOSSES BY THE CAPCOS DUE TO INVESTMENTS IN RISKIER EARLY-STAGE, START UP AND
POTENTIALLY HIGH GROWTH BUSINESSES COULD MAKE IT SIGNIFICANTLY MORE DIFFICULT
FOR THE CAPCOS TO MEET MINIMUM STATE STATUTORY INVESTMENT BENCHMARKS AND THUS
SUBJECT THE CAPCOS TO DECERTIFICATION AS A CAPCO AND FURTHER FINANCIAL LOSS.
In accordance with our investment objectives, the Company and the capcos
will acquire interests in early-stage, technology-oriented companies which are
riskier than some other investments. If significant losses occur due to these
investments, one or more of the capcos could find that it has diminished
resources with which to meet applicable minimum investment benchmarks. If we
fail to meet minimum investment benchmarks it is likely that the capco's
certified status would be withdrawn and our stockholders would experience
significant losses. Decertification could require that the capco make
compensatory payments to its investors or suffer the assumption of control of
the capco by the capco's financial insurer.
IN THE EVENT OF A THREAT OF DECERTIFICATION BY A STATE, THE CAPCO FINANCIAL
INSURER IS AUTHORIZED (ABSENT APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION BY THE CAPCO) TO
ASSUME UP TO COMPLETE CONTROL OF A CAPCO WHICH WOULD LIKELY RESULT IN FINANCIAL
LOSS TO THE CAPCO AND POSSIBLY US AND OUR STOCKHOLDERS.
Under the terms of insurance policies purchased by the capcos for the
benefit of the investors, the capco insurer is authorized, in the event of a
threat of decertification by a state, and absent appropriate corrective action
by the capco, to assume up to complete control of a capco so as to avoid final
decertification and interest payments. While avoiding final decertification,
control by the insurer would result in significant disruption of the capco's
business and likely result in financial loss to the capco and possibly us and
our stockholders.
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IN THE ABSENCE OF FUNDS FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN THE CAPCOS, OUR ABILITY TO MAKE
INVESTMENTS IN PARTNER COMPANIES WILL BE LIMITED TO THOSE PERMISSIBLE TO THE
CAPCOS.
Absent other funding sources, our ability to invest in or acquire partner
companies is limited to investments permissible to the various capcos. This
limitation may require us to forego attractive or desirable partner company
investments, which could adversely affect or prevent implementation of our
business strategy. In the programs under which the capcos operate, investments
by a capco may only be made in the state in which the particular capco operates
and the target company must meet certain requirements, as to size, employment of
state residents and possible relocation.
IN THE ABSENCE OF THE ADOPTION OF NEW CAPCO PROGRAMS, WE WILL BE UNABLE TO
DERIVE ANY NEW INCOME FROM TAX CREDITS, WHICH TO DATE REPRESENTS SUBSTANTIALLY
ALL OF OUR INCOME.
Virtually all of our income for the years ended December 31, 1999 and
December 31, 2000, was derived from the recognition of income related to tax
credits available under current certified capital company programs. We will
recognize additional income related to tax credits over the next four to ten
years from these programs. Thereafter, unless additional capco programs are
adopted and we are able to participate in them, we will derive no income from
additional capco programs. The adoption of new state capco programs in the
future could be materially and adversely affected by adverse changes in the
current relatively good economic conditions. When an adverse change occurs, the
willingness of state governments to provide capco tax credits would likely be
materially diminished. This could have a material adverse affect on the Company.
BECAUSE OUR METHOD OF RECOGNITION OF INCOME DERIVED FROM THE CAPCO TAX CREDITS
CAUSES MOST OR ALL SUCH INCOME TO BE RECEIVED IN THE FIRST FIVE (5) YEARS OF THE
PROGRAMS, IN THE ABSENCE OF INCOME FROM OTHER SOURCES, THE COMPANY AND ITS
CAPCOS COULD SUSTAIN MATERIAL LOSSES IN LATER YEARS.
In all capco programs, we recognize the majority of our income from the tax
credits in the first five years of the ten-year programs. In the absence of
income from other sources, we and our capcos would likely sustain material
losses. Although we will not be recognizing tax credit income in the second half
of the ten-year program, we will continue to incur costs for the administration
of the capcos.
BECAUSE OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY REQUIRES PARTNER COMPANIES TO SHARE RELEVANT
INFORMATION WHICH MAY BE CONFIDENTIAL, WE AND COMPETING PARTNER COMPANIES MAY BE
UNABLE TO BENEFIT FROM THE SHARING OF RELEVANT INFORMATION, AND OUR BUSINESS
STRATEGY MAY BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED.
Our business strategy depends in part on our ability to share relevant
information within our network of partner companies, while at the same time
maintaining appropriate confidentiality. There could arise a situation where we
compete with some of our partner companies or some of our partner companies
compete with each other. If competition develops among our partner companies, we
and our partners may be unable to benefit fully from the sharing of information.
If we cannot convince partner companies of the value of this business model, our
ability to attract new companies may be adversely affected, and our strategy of
building a collaborative network may not succeed.
BECAUSE WE DEPEND ON OUR ABILITY AND THE ABILITY OF OUR PARTNER COMPANIES TO
ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY PERSONNEL, ANY LOSS OF, OR INABILITY TO ATTRACT THESE
PERSONNEL COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT US.
Our success depends upon the continued service of each member of our senior
management and upon our ability and the ability of our partner companies to
attract and retain qualified personnel. Competition for qualified employees is
intense. If we or our partner companies lose the services of key personnel or
officers, or are unable to attract additional qualified personnel, the business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of us or one or more
of our partner companies, could be materially adversely affected. It can take a
significant period of time to identify and hire personnel with the combination
of skills and attributes required in carrying out our strategy. We have
employment
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agreements only with Messrs. Sloane, Wasserman and Rubin, and we do not
currently maintain key-man life insurance policies on any of these individuals.
BECAUSE EXPENSES ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE AS WE BUILD AN INFRASTRUCTURE AND
IMPLEMENT OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY, WE MAY INCUR ADDITIONAL LOSSES IN THE FUTURE.
Because our expenses are expected to increase as we build an infrastructure
and implement our business strategy, we will likely incur significant additional
losses in the near future. We expect the additional expenses to result primarily
from our plans to:
* expand existing systems;
* broaden partner company support capabilities;
* continue to explore acquisition opportunities and alliances; and
* facilitate business arrangements among partner companies.
IF WE ARE DEEMED TO BE AN INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF
1940, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXECUTE SUCCESSFULLY OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY.
There is a risk that the Securities and Exchange Commission or a court
might conclude that we fall within the definition of investment company, and
unless an exclusion were available, we would be required to register under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Compliance with the Investment Company Act, as a
registered investment company, would cause us to alter significantly our
business strategy, impair our ability to operate as planned and seriously harm
our business. If we fail to comply with the requirements of this Act, we would
be prohibited from engaging in business or selling securities, and could be
subject to civil and criminal actions for doing so. In addition, our contracts
would be voidable and a court could appoint a receiver to take control of and
liquidate our business. However, registration under the Investment Company Act
would make us subject to the significant operations which are inconsistent with
our strategy of participating in the management and development of partner
companies.
The SEC has adopted Rule 3a-1 that provides an exclusion from registration
as an investment company if a company meets both an asset and an income test and
is not otherwise primarily engaged in an investment company business by, among
other things, holding itself out to the public as such or by taking controlling
interests in companies with a view to realizing profits through subsequent sales
of these interests. A company satisfies the asset test of Rule 3a-1 if it has no
more than 45% of the value of its total assets (adjusted to exclude U.S.
Government securities and cash) in the form of securities other than interests
in majority-owned subsidiaries and companies which it primarily and actively
controls. A company satisfies the income test of Rule 3a-1 if it has derived no
more than 45% of its net income for its last four fiscal quarters combined from
securities other than interests in majority owned subsidiaries and primarily and
actively controlled companies.
IF TO AVOID REGISTRATION UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT WE ARE FORCED TO SELL,
BUY OR RETAIN CERTAIN ASSETS THAT WE WOULD NOT OTHERWISE SELL, BUY OR RETAIN,
THE SUCCESSFUL EXECUTION OF OUR BUSINESS STRATEGY MAY BE DELAYED OR PREVENTED
AND THE STRENGTH OF OUR COLLABORATIVE NETWORK COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED.
To avoid registration under the Investment Company Act, we may need to sell
assets which we would otherwise want to retain and may be unable to sell assets
which we would otherwise want to sell. If we were forced to sell assets, we may
not receive maximum value for our interest. If we were forced to acquire
additional, or to retain existing, income-generating or loss-generating assets
which we would not otherwise have acquired or retained, we may need to forego
opportunities to acquire interests in attractive companies that would benefit
our business. If we were forced to sell, buy or retain assets in this manner, we
may be prevented from successfully executing our current business strategy and
the strength of our collaborative network could be adversely affected.
Our ability to sell partner company interests to generate income or to
avoid regulation under the Investment Company Act may be limited especially
where there is no public market for a partner
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company's stock. Market, regulatory, contractual and other conditions largely
beyond our control will affect:
* our ability to sell our interests in partner companies;
* the timing of these sales; and
* the amount of proceeds from these sales.
If we divest all or part of our interest in a partner company, we may not
receive maximum value for that interest, and we may sell the interest for less
than the amount we paid to acquire it or at less than its maximum value. Even if
a partner company has publicly-traded stock, we may be unable to sell our
interest in that company at then-quoted market prices. In addition, we may be
required to buy assets in order to avoid excessive income from non-controlled
businesses, or we may be required to ensure that we retain a more than 25%
ownership interest in a partner company after an equity offering.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR PARTNER COMPANIES
BECAUSE WE ACQUIRE INTERESTS IN PRIVATE, NON-REPORTING EARLY STAGE AND START-UP
COMPANIES, STOCKHOLDERS WILL HAVE LIMITED OR NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPERATIONS
AND FINANCIAL RESULTS OF THESE COMPANIES.
Separate financial statements or additional disclosure relating to the
partner companies will be provided by us only to the extent required by
applicable accounting requirements and may not be otherwise available to
stockholders. Stockholders may have difficulty evaluating the results of our
individual partner companies. If our strategy does not result in successful
business ventures, the value of our assets and the price of our common stock
would likely decline. This risk is increased due to our plan to concentrate on
the acquisition of early-stage, technology-oriented companies.
IF THE COMPANY AND ITS PARTNER COMPANIES ARE UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE RESOURCES
REQUIRED BY THE PARTNER COMPANIES FOR THEIR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, THE PARTNER
COMPANIES WILL BE HIGHLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE, WHICH WOULD DIRECTLY AFFECT OUR
PROFITABILITY AND VALUE.
If the Company and its partner companies are unable to obtain the resources
the partner companies require for their growth and development, the partner
companies will be highly susceptible to failure, which would directly affect our
profitability and value. Early-stage businesses often fail due to their limited
material and human resources. The success of our business model is dependent
upon the ability of the partner companies, with assistance from us, to arrange
for the managerial, capital and other resources which they usually require in
order to become and remain profitable.
OUR PARTNER COMPANIES MAY FAIL IF THEIR COMPETITORS PROVIDE SUPERIOR
INTERNET-RELATED OFFERINGS OR CONTINUE TO HAVE GREATER RESOURCES.
Competition for Internet products and services is intense, and is expected
to continue to intensify. Barriers to entry are minimal, and competitors can
offer products and services at a relatively low cost. Our partner companies'
competitors may develop Internet products or services that are superior to, or
have greater market acceptance than, the solutions offered by our partner
companies. If our partner companies are unable to compete successfully against
their competitors, they will likely fail.
Many of our partner companies' competitors have greater brand recognition
and greater financial, marketing and other resources than its partner companies.
As a result, our partner companies may be at a disadvantage in responding to
competitors' initiatives.
WE MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL BEYOND THE CAPCO PROGRAMS, WHICH MAY NOT
BE AVAILABLE ON SATISFACTORY TERMS, OR AT ALL.
To the extent permissible under applicable state laws, we intend to utilize
the capco programs to fund the growth and operations of our partner companies.
If these funds are not available or are available
-6-
but not sufficient, the Company or its partner companies will have to access the
private or public capital markets from which they, as new and unprofitable
Internet and high technology companies, may be excluded. In recent months, the
capital markets for Internet and high technology companies generally have
weakened and may remain so for an extended period of time. If access to these
markets is not available or is available but on unacceptable terms, the Company
and its partner companies may lack the funds necessary to expand their
operations, become profitable or execute their business strategy. The inability
to raise funds in the capital markets may result in a material loss to us and
our partner companies.
TO THE EXTENT THAT OUR PARTNER COMPANIES GROW RAPIDLY, AND AS WE ACQUIRE MORE
AND LARGER INTERESTS IN PARTNER COMPANIES, THE RESOURCES WE ALLOCATE TO ASSIST
OUR PARTNER COMPANIES MAY BECOME STRAINED.
We have made a number of strategic acquisitions, and we intend to continue
to make acquisitions in furtherance of our business plan. We may not, however,
be able to identify or complete acquisitions that we believe will achieve these
goals at prices that we deem acceptable. Additionally, each acquisition involves
a number of risks. These risks include:
- the diversion of our management's attention to the assimilation and
ongoing assistance with the operations and personnel of the acquired
business, which could strain the management resources we have
available;
- the potential for our partner companies to grow rapidly and adversely
effect our ability to assist our partner companies as intended;
- possible adverse effects on our results of operations; and
- possible inability by us to achieve the intended objective of the
acquisition.
Any strain on our ability to assist our partner companies as intended or to
successfully acquire and integrate businesses under our business plan would
likely have a negative impact on our operations.
RISKS RELATING TO THE INTERNET INDUSTRY
---------------------------------------
CONCERNS REGARDING SECURITY OF TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSMITTING CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF BUSINESS AND POTENTIAL
LEGAL EXPENSES.
We believe that concerns regarding the security of confidential information
transmitted over the Internet prevent many potential customers from engaging in
online transactions. If our partner companies that depend on online transactions
do not add sufficient security features to their future product releases, their
products may not gain market acceptance or there may be additional legal
exposure to them.
The infrastructure of each partner company is potentially vulnerable to
physical or electronic break-ins, viruses or similar problems. If a person
circumvents the security measures imposed by any one of our partner companies,
he or she could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruption in
operations of the partner company. Security breaches that result in access to
confidential information could damage the reputation of any one of our partner
companies and expose the partner company affected to a risk of loss or
liability. Some of our partner companies may be required to make significant
investments and efforts to protect against or remedy security breaches.
Additionally, as e-commerce becomes more widespread, our partner companies'
customers will become more concerned about security. If our partner companies
are unable to address these concerns adequately, they may be unable to sell
their goods and services.
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES MAY PREVENT OUR PARTNER COMPANIES FROM REMAINING
CURRENT WITH THEIR TECHNICAL RESOURCES AND MAINTAINING COMPETITIVE PRODUCT AND
SERVICE OFFERINGS.
-7-
The markets in which our partner companies operate are characterized by
rapid technological change, frequent new product and service introductions and
evolving industry standards. Significant technological changes could render
their existing Web site technology or other products and services obsolete. The
e-commerce market's growth and intense competition exacerbate these conditions.
If our partner companies are unable to respond successfully to these
developments or do not respond in a cost-effective way, our business, financial
condition and operating results will be adversely affected. To be successful,
our partner companies must adapt to their rapidly changing markets by
continually improving the responsiveness, services and features of their
products and services and by developing new features to meet the needs of their
customers. Our success will depend, in part, on our partner companies' ability
to license leading technologies useful in their businesses, enhance their
existing products and services and develop new offerings and technology that
address the needs of their customers. Our partner companies will also need to
respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards in a
cost-effective and timely manner.
THE SUCCESS OF SOME OF OUR PARTNER COMPANIES DEPENDS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
INTERNET, WHICH IS UNCERTAIN.
If widespread commercial use of the Internet does not develop, or if the
Internet does not develop as an effective medium for providing products and
services, some of our partner companies may not succeed.
Our long-term success with certain partner companies depends on widespread
market acceptance of the Internet. A number of factors could prevent acceptance
of the Internet, including:
* the unwillingness of businesses to shift from traditional processes to
e-commerce processes;
* the necessary network infrastructure and telecommunications services for
substantial growth in usage of e-commerce may not develop adequately;
* increased government regulation or taxation of e-commerce may adversely
affect its viability; and
* the security of e-commerce transactions.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND LEGAL UNCERTAINTIES MAY PLACE FINANCIAL BURDENS ON
OUR BUSINESS AND THE BUSINESSES OF OUR PARTNER COMPANIES.
There are currently few laws or regulations directed specifically at
e-commerce. However, because of the Internet's popularity and increasing use,
new laws and regulations may be adopted. These laws and regulations may cover
issues such as the collection and use of data from Web site visitors and related
privacy issues, pricing, content, copyrights, online gambling, distribution and
quality of goods and services. The enactment of any additional laws or
regulations may impede the growth of the Internet and e-commerce, which could
decrease the revenue of our partner companies and place additional financial
burdens on our business and the businesses of partner companies.
-8-
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering all 375,750 shares on behalf of the selling
stockholders. The selling stockholders named in the table below or pledgees,
donees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling shares received from
a named selling stockholder as a gift, partnership distribution or other
non-sale-related transfer after the date of this Prospectus may sell the shares
from time to time. The selling stockholders may also decide not to sell all the
shares they are allowed to sell under this Prospectus. The selling stockholders
will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing,
manner and size of each sale. The sales may be made on one or more exchanges or
in the over-the-counter market or otherwise, at prices and at terms then
prevailing or at prices related to the then current market price, or in
negotiated transactions. The selling stockholders may effect such transactions
by selling the shares to or through broker-dealers. Our common stock may be sold
by the selling stockholders in one or more of, or a combination of, the
following transactions:
- a block trade in which the broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell
our common stock 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 such
broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this Prospectus,
- an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of such exchange,
- ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker
solicits purchasers, and
- in privately negotiated transactions.
To the extent required, this Prospectus may be amended or supplemented from
time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. In effecting sales,
broker-dealers engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other
broker-dealers to participate in the resales.
The selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with
broker-dealers in connection with distributions of our common stock or
otherwise. In such transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the
shares in the course of hedging the positions they assume with selling
stockholders. The selling stockholders also may sell shares short and redeliver
our common stock to close out such short positions. The selling stockholders may
enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the
delivery to the broker-dealer of our common stock. The broker-dealer may then
resell or otherwise transfer such shares pursuant to this Prospectus. The
selling stockholders also may loan or pledge the shares to a broker-dealer. The
broker-dealer may sell our common stock so loaned, or upon a default the
broker-dealer may sell the pledged shares pursuant to this Prospectus.
Broker-dealers or agents may receive compensation in the form of
commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling stockholders.
Broker-dealers or agents may also receive compensation from the purchasers of
our common stock for whom they act as agents or to whom they sell as principals,
or both. Compensation as to a particular broker-dealer might be in excess of
customary commissions and will be in amounts to be negotiated in connection with
our common stock. Broker-dealers or agents and any other participating
broker-dealers or the selling stockholders may be deemed to be "underwriters"
within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection
with sales of the shares. Accordingly, any such commission, discount or
concession received by them and any profit on the resale of our common stock
purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts or commissions
under the Securities Act of 1933. Because selling stockholders may be deemed to
be "underwriters" within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act of
1933, the selling stockholders will be subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. In addition, any securities covered
by this Prospectus which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under
the Securities Act of 1933 may be sold under Rule 144 rather than pursuant to
this Prospectus. The selling stockholders have advised us that they have not
entered into any agreements, understandings or arrangements with any
underwriters or
-9-
broker-dealers regarding the sale of their securities. There is no underwriter
or coordinating broker acting in connection with the proposed sale of shares by
selling stockholders.
Our common stock will be sold only through registered or licensed brokers
or dealers if required under applicable state securities laws. In addition, in
certain states our common stock may not be sold unless they have been registered
or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the
registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, any person engaged in the distribution of our common stock may not
simultaneously engage in market making activities with respect to our common
stock for a period of two business days prior to the commencement of such
distribution. In addition, each selling stockholder will be subject to
applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the associated
rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including
Regulation M, which provisions may limit the timing of purchases and sales of
shares of our common stock by the selling stockholders. We will make copies of
this Prospectus available to the selling stockholders and have informed them of
the need for delivery of copies of this Prospectus to purchasers at or prior to
the time of any sale of our common stock.
We will file a supplement to this Prospectus, if required, pursuant to Rule
424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 upon being notified by a selling
stockholder that any material arrangement has been entered into with a
broker-dealer for the sale of shares through a block trade, special offering,
exchange distribution or secondary distribution or a purchase by a broker or
dealer. Such supplement will disclose:
- the name of each such selling stockholder and of the participating
broker-dealer(s),
- the number of shares involved,
- the price at which such shares were sold,
- the commissions paid or discounts or concessions allowed to such
broker-dealer(s), where applicable,
- that such broker-dealer(s) did not conduct any investigation to verify
the information set out or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, and
- other facts material to the transaction.
We will bear all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the
registration of our common stock. The selling stockholders will bear all
commissions and discounts, if any, attributable to the sales of the shares. The
selling stockholders may agree to indemnify any broker-dealer or agent that
participates in transactions involving sales of the shares against certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth the name of each of the selling
stockholders, the number of shares owned by each of the selling stockholders as
of March 5, 2001, and the number of shares of our common stock expected to be
owned by each of the selling stockholders after this offering is completed. The
number of shares in the column "Number of Shares Being Offered" represents all
of the shares that each selling stockholder may offer under this Prospectus. We
do not know how long the selling stockholders may offer under this Prospectus.
We do not know how long the selling stockholders will hold the shares before
selling them, and we currently have no agreements, arrangements or
understandings with any of the selling stockholders regarding the sale of any of
the shares. The shares being offered by this Prospectus may be offered from time
to time by the selling stockholders named below.
-10-
SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED
PRIOR TO OFFERING AFTER OFFERING
NAME OF -------------------------------- NUMBER OF SHARES ----------------------------
STOCKHOLDER NUMBER PERCENT BEING OFFERED NUMBER PERCENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph David Ells Revocable 4,750 * 3,750 1,000 *
Trust dated 12/13/00
Thomas L. Mulcahy, Jr. 5,000 * 5,000 -- --
John Feith 11,000 * 11,000 -- --
F & M Trust Services DTC 55,000 * 19,000 36,000 *
Account # 2669
Jeffrey V. Williams 5,000 * 5,000 -- --
Lawrence A. Cianciola 4,000 * 4,000 -- --
James A. Froemming 2,500 * 2,500 -- --
Mark Fenlon 6,500 * 1,000 5,500 *
R. William Breece Revocable 2,500 * 2,500 -- --
Living Trust of 3/6/96
F. Anderson Stone 2,000 * 2,000 -- --
Steven R. Kahnmuench SEP IRA 5,000 * 5,000 -- --
David T. Martin 12,500 * 12,500 -- --
Ronald F. Krantz 20,000 * 20,000 -- --
Richard Tock 10,000 * 10,000 -- --
Cutler Mill Partners, LLC 125,000 * 125,000 --
Richard Hayes IRA Rollover 7,500 * 7,500 --
Martin L. Keating 10,000 * 10,000 -- --
Stifel, Nicholaus & Company 25,000 * 25,000 -- --
Pamela F. O'Connor 40,000 * 40,000 -- --
Robin Arkin 40,000 * 40,000 -- --
C. Rodney O'Connor 20,000 * 20,000 -- --
David Brindley 5,000 * 5,000 -- --
* Less than 1 percent.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Newtek Capital, Inc. will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of
the shares by the selling stockholders.
-11-
BUSINESS
OVERVIEW AND BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's business originated in 1998 in the organization and operation
of what are now seven certified capital companies, or "capcos". Since 1998, the
business of Newtek has focused on the deployment of these capco funds and the
receipt of related tax credit income described below. In this process, Newtek
has determined that the capcos provide a base for the structuring, development
and acquisition of further businesses, particularly early-stage,
technology-oriented companies focused on Internet related commerce, or
"e-commerce." Since the last quarter of 1999, the Company has been working to
expand its business development activities, and its goal is to be a premier
business partner for its acquired or affiliated companies by helping them
implement their business strategies in a manner consistent with Newtek's
objectives. Through the capco programs and otherwise, the Company is operating
as a holding company for a network of partner companies in a collaborative and
coordinated effort to develop successful businesses in a number of existing as
well as emerging, technological business lines.
The management of the Company believes that there will be substantial
long-term growth in business-to-business e-commerce that creates significant
market opportunities for well positioned, managed and funded emerging companies.
Many new companies, including spin-offs from traditional businesses, are
currently being formed and funded to develop technologies and solutions to
support the new business-to-business e-commerce market. Business-to-business
solutions are being rapidly adopted to facilitate the continuous exchange of
information among business partners, to large customer audiences, and to allow
businesses to interact more efficiently with suppliers, distributors, and
service providers. The Company, through its network of partner companies, is
participating in this industry.
In addition, the Company seeks to identify business opportunities in less
technologically-oriented areas with strong fundamentals in products and or
markets. Particularly, those as to which the application of e-commerce
technology, or the other business development services which could be provided
by the Company, would provide a material improvement in results.
To date, the majority of Newtek's acquisitions and other business
development efforts have been undertaken through the capcos that the Company
controls. As of December 31, 2000, Newtek had provided business development
services, including in some cases funding, for 13 companies, of which nine are
majority owned or primarily controlled and represent $12,613,734 or 80% of its
investments other than Government securities.
CERTIFIED CAPITAL COMPANIES
OVERVIEW. A capco is a "certified capital company," either a corporation or
a limited liability company, established in and chartered by one of the five
states currently with authorizing legislation (Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, New
York and Wisconsin). A capco will issue debt and equity instruments exclusively
to insurance companies, and the capcos then are authorized, under the respective
state statutes, to make targeted acquisitions of interests in companies which
may be majority owned or primarily controlled by the capcos after the
acquisition is consummated.
THE ROLE OF CAPCOS IN THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS STRATEGY. Management of the
Company has determined that the features of the capco programs facilitate the
use of the capco funds in the support of its development as the holding company
for a network of collaborative businesses focused on technology and e-commerce.
For example, the business plan for a capco in the State of Louisiana must
contain a mission statement described as follows.
"The mission statement shall state that the [capco's] purpose
is to encourage and assist in the creation, development, and expansion
of Louisiana businesses and to provide maximum opportunities for the
employment of Louisiana residents, by making equity investments, or
-12-
financing assistance as a licensed [capco], available to Qualified
Louisiana Businesses as stated under [applicable statutes]."
The authorizing statutes in each of the states in which the Company
operates explicitly allow and encourage the capcos to take equity interests,
which may include majority or controlling interests, in companies pursuant to
the programs. Consequently, the Company may, consistent with its business
objectives, acquire interests in companies through its capcos and provide
management and other services to these companies as parts of its collaborative
network. The Company intends the interests of each of its capcos to consist
mainly of interests in majority-owned or primarily controlled partner companies,
as it does currently with a substantial majority of its placed funds.
THE CAPCO PROGRAMS; TAX CREDITS. In return for making investments in the
targeted companies, the states provide tax credits which are available for use
by insurance companies that provide the funds to the capcos to reduce the
insurance companies' state tax liabilities. In order to maintain its status as a
capco, and to avoid the recapture or forfeiture of the tax credits, each capco
must meet a number of specific investment requirements, including a minimum
investment schedule. A final loss of capco status, that is decertification as a
capco, results in loss or possible recapture of the tax credit. The agreements
entered into by the Company's capcos with their funding insurance companies
provide, in the event of decertification, for payments by the capco or, as
described below, by the capco insurer to the insurance companies in the nature
of compensatory payments to replace the lost tax credit.
Investment Requirements. Each of the state capco programs has a requirement
that a capco, in order to maintain its certified status, must meet certain
investment benchmarks. For example, in New York the capco must invest at least
25% of its "certified capital" (the amount of the original funding of the capco
by the insurance companies) by 24 months from the initial investment date, and
40% by 36 months and 50% by 48 months. The various states, which administer
these programs through their insurance, banking or commerce departments, conduct
periodic reviews and on site examinations of the capcos in order to verify that
the capcos have met applicable investment requirements and are otherwise acting
in conformance with the statutes and rules. Requirements include limitations on
the initial size of the recipients of the capco funds, including the number of
their employees, the location within the respective state of the recipients and
the recipients' commitment to remain therein for a specified period of time, the
types of business conducted by the recipients (which generally exclude real
estate, financial services, and professional services such as medical or legal
practices), and the terms of the investments in the recipients. All of the capco
programs permit the capcos to take majority or controlling interests in
companies or joint ventures, as the Company has done and intends to continue to
do in appropriate situations consistent with its strategy to invest in or
acquire companies which add to its collaborative network. capcos are required to
maintain detailed records so as to demonstrate to state examiners compliance
with all applicable requirements.
Capco Insurance. Under the terms of the insurance purchased by the capcos
for the benefit of their insurance company investors, the capco insurer assumes
the obligation to repay the insurance companies the principal amount of their
debt as well as make compensatory payments in the event of a loss of the
availability of the related tax credits. The capco insurer, an international
insurance company with a AAA credit rating, would be authorized, in the event of
a threat of or final decertification by a state, to assume partial or complete
control of the business of the capco so as to ensure compliance with investment
requirements or other requirements. This would likely avoid final
decertification and the necessity of insurance or interest payments. However,
control by the insurer would also result in significant disruption of the
capco's business and likely result in significant financial loss to the capco.
Decertification would also likely impair the Company's ability to obtain
certification for capcos in additional states as legislation makes other
opportunities available. In order to address this risk of decertification, which
may be eliminated entirely in all states in which the Company now operates by
meeting a 100% of capital investment threshold, the Company has structured its
investment program as aggressively as is consistent with safe and sound
operations to meet the investment benchmarks as early as possible. The detail of
these investments is set out in the Notes to the Company's financial statements,
which are included with this Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
-13-
During 2000, Newtek established three new capcos, Wilshire New York
Advisors II, LLC, Wilshire Louisiana Partners II, LLC and Wilshire New York
Partners III, LLC. These companies received a total of $56.5 million in funding
from 13 insurance companies during 2000.
The Company's Ability to Compete. The Company's capcos have competed in
their offerings with the four or five other capcos sponsored by various national
financial organizations as well as those locally sponsored companies in one or
another state. The Company's management believes it has been successful in
raising funds because of:
* the manner in which it has structured the participation by the
insurance companies;
* the insurance which it has been able to obtain to cover the loss of
the tax credits and the obligation to repay principal;
* the previous business experience of its principals;
* the national marketing of its product; and
* the extensive contacts which its management has as a result of
previous experience in the financial community.
The Company has structured these securities as debt instruments and
warrants for participation in the equity of the particular capco. The warrants
issued by each capco entitle the holders to between 4% and 20% of the equity of
the particular capco at a nominal exercise price. The warrants have a 10-year
term but are not exercisable for 5 years from issue and presently are not
exchangeable for any securities other than the particular capcos. The warrants
do not provide for any control over the capcos' operations; any such control by
an insurance company would be in violation of the state capco statutes.
These capco programs are, in the view of the Company's management, a
complement to the Company's long-term strategy to develop and hold a majority
position in or control of early-stage companies principally focused on
technology, particularly the Internet and e-commerce. A significant factor in
evaluating potential acquisition opportunities is a candidate's ability to
support and help other partner company operations. All current capco statutes
permit equity as well as debt investments, and seek to have the capco management
provide more than simply investment capital to the emerging businesses in the
state. Based upon the experience of it management, the Company determined early
in the operations of the capcos that the targeted new and small businesses
required much more than just the funds available in the capcos. These businesses
also require and the Company has provided administrative, managerial, technical,
legal and financial management help in structuring and building the businesses.
All three of the principal stockholders of the Company have direct and in-depth
experience with early-stage businesses. This hands-on management approach of the
Company facilitates the accomplishment of the general objectives of the capco
programs of economic development, while at the same time permitting the Company,
through its capcos, to develop a network of long-term and synergistic
investments in related, partner companies.
PARTNER COMPANIES
MAJORITY-OWNED OR PRIMARILY CONTROLLED PARTNER COMPANIES. Newtek refers to
its "partner companies" as those companies in which it owns 50% or more of the
outstanding voting securities, or "majority-owned partner companies," and those
companies in which it owns more than 25%-but less than 50% of the outstanding
securities, and exercises more control over the company than any other
stockholder, or "primarily controlled partner companies." The Company provides
its partner companies business development services, funding and active
participation in management. However, the Company does not act as an agent or
legal representative for any of its partner companies, the Company have the
power or authority to bind them legally, and does not generally have the types
of liabilities for its partner
-14-
companies that a general partner of a partnership would have. Currently, all of
the investments in the partner companies are accounted for under the equity
method of accounting. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
At December 31, 2000, the Company had eight majority-owned partner
companies, all of which were as a result of investments through the capco
programs. The majority-owned companies were BizBrokerNet, LLC, Merchant Data
Systems Sales & Marketing, LLC, DTE Technologies, LLC, Merchant Data Systems,
Starphire, LLC, NicheDirectories, LLC, AIDA, LLC, and Direct Creations, LLC and
represent a total investment as of December 31, 2000 of $10,113,734, or 65% of
its capco qualified investments. In addition, the Company considers its interest
in CB Real Net, LLC to be a primarily controlled partner company. The Company's
capco contributed $2,500,000 to CB Real Net, LLC during the quarter ended March
31, 2000. In addition to these partner companies, at December 31, 2000, Newtek
had 14 other capco-qualified investments, which were not partner companies, and
which represented a total investment of $3,030,781, or 20% of its capco
qualified investments. All qualified capco investments at December 31, 2000
totaled $15,644,515.
For majority-owned partner companies, Newtek will generally actively direct
much of their operating activities. For primarily-controlled partner companies,
Newtek will generally have significant involvement in and influence over their
operating activities, including rights to participate in material management
decisions. For those companies in which Newtek's equity ownership and voting
power is less than 25%, Newtek is generally not actively involved in their
management or day-to-day operations, but offers them advisory services or
assistance with particular projects, as well as the collaborative services of
its network of companies. In pursuing business objectives, Newtek intends to
hold a decreasing portion of its total assets in companies in which it has
voting power of less than 25%.
MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low
closing sales prices of the common stock as reported on the American Stock
Exchange since the Company's listing on the Exchange. These prices reflect
inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not
necessarily represent actual transactions.
Price Range
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Period High Low
------ ---- ---
Third Quarter: September 20, 2000 $6.38 $6.00
through September 30, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fourth Quarter: October 1, 2000 $5.75 $2.88
through December 31, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Quarter: January 1, 2001 $5.75 $2.88
through March 1, 2001
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
LEGAL MATTERS
Kutak Rock LLP, Washington, D.C., will pass on the validity of our common
stock being registered.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Newtek Capital, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999, and for each of the
years then ended, have been incorporated by
-15-
reference herein and in the Registration Statement in reliance upon the report
of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent certified public accountants,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
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YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. WE
HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION DIFFERENT FROM THAT
CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THE SELLING STOCKHOLDERS ARE OFFERING TO SELL, AND
SEEKING OFFERS TO BUY SHARES OF NEWTEK CAPITAL, INC. COMMON STOCK ONLY IN
JURISDICTIONS WHERE OFFERS AND SALES ARE PERMITTED. THIS INFORMATION CONTAINED
IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS,
REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SALE OF THE
COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION;
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE i
SPECIAL NOTE OF CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS i
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY 1
RISK FACTORS 2
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION 9
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS 10
USE OF PROCEEDS 11
BUSINESS 12
MARKET PRICE AND DIVIDEND INFORMATION 15
LEGAL MATTERS 16
EXPERTS 16
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
The following table sets forth the estimated expenses in connection with
the sale and distribution of the securities being registered hereby, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions. All such expenses are to be paid by the
Registrant:
SEC registration fee................................. $300
Stock transfer agent fees and certificates........... 1,000
Blue Sky filing fees and expenses.................... 300
Accounting fees and expenses......................... 10,000
Legal fees and expenses.............................. 17,500
Printing, postage and mailing........................ 7,500
Other................................................ 1,400
Total................................................ $38,000
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation contain a provision,
authorized by the New York Business Corporation Law ("NBCL"), designed to
eliminate in certain circumstances the personal liability of officers and
directors for monetary damages to Newtek or its stockholders for breach of their
fiduciary duty as officers directors. This provision, however, does not limit
the liability of any officer or director who breached his or her duty of loyalty
to the Company or its stockholders, acted in bad faith, or whose actions were
the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and were material to the cause of
action to be adjudicated, or that he or she personally gained in fact a
financial profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled.
This provision will not limit or eliminate the rights of the Company or any
stockholder to seek an injunction or any other nonmonetary relief in the event
of a breach of an officer or director's duty of care. In addition, this
provision applies only to claims against an officer or director arising out of
his or her role as officer or director and does not relieve an officer or
director from liability unrelated to his fiduciary duty of care or from a
violation of statutory law such as certain liabilities imposed on officers and
directors under the federal securities laws.
The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation and Restated Bylaws also
provide that the Company shall indemnify all directors and officers of the
Company to the full extent permitted by the NBCL. Under the provisions of the
NBCL, any director or officer who, in his or her capacity as such, is made or
threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding, may be indemnified if
the Board determines such director or officer acted in good faith and in a
manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Company or its stockholders, and in criminal actions or
proceedings, in addition had no reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was
unlawful.
Officers and directors are covered within specified monetary limits by
insurance against certain losses arising from claims made by reason of their
being directors or officers of the Company or of the Company's subsidiaries and
the Company's officers and directors are indemnified against such losses by
reason of their being or having been directors or officers of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the
Company's or its subsidiaries' request.
II-1
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Registration
Statement and also serves as the Exhibit Schedules:
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------ -----------
5 Opinion of Kutak Rock regarding legality of securities being registered
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.2 Consent of Kutak Rock (contained in Exhibit 5)
24 Powers of Attorney (see the signature page of this Registration
Statement)
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes as follows:
(a) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) 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 related 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.
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, when 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.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
for 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 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.
II-2
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New
York, on the 5th day of March, 2001.
NEWTEK CAPITAL, INC.
By: /s/ Barry Sloane
-----------------
Barry Sloane
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Representative)
Each person whose signature appears below hereby appoints Barry Sloane his
true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with power to act and with full power of
substitution, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments
(including post-effective amendments) to the Registration Statement and file the
same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act
requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agents, or their substitutes, may
lawfully cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons (including a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Registrant) in the capacities and on
the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Barry Sloane Chairman of the Board and Chief March 5, 2001
---------------------- Executive Officer and Secretary
Barry Sloane
/s/ Jeffrey G. Rubin President, Chief Investment Officer and March 5, 2001
---------------------- Director
Jeffrey G. Rubin
/s/ Brian A. Wasserman Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and March 5, 2001
---------------------- Director
Brian A. Wasserman
/s/ John Cox Director March 5, 2001
----------------------
John Cox
/s/ Steven A. Shenfeld Director March 5, 2001
----------------------
Steven A. Shenfeld
March 5, 2001
/s/ Matthew Burns Director
----------------------
Matthew Burns