abl-20241231
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024
OR
For the transition period from _____ to _____
Commission file number 001-39403
Abacus Global Management, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(800) 561-4148
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share ABL The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
9.875% Fixed Rate Senior Notes due 2028 ABLLL The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes☐Nox
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.Yes☐Nox
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yesx Noo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). YesxNoo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See 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 o Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company x
Emerging growth company x
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to§240.10D-1(b).☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes oNox
APPLICABLE ONLY TO REGISTRANTS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS:
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.oYesoNo
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
The aggregate market value of shares of common stock held by non-affiliates at June 30, 2024, was $108,967,000.
The registrant had 96,853,039 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, outstanding as of March 26, 2025.
Documents Incorporated by Reference: Certain portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
Table of Contents
ABACUS GLOBAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
PART I
Item 1. Business 1
Item 1A. Risk Factors 11
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 34
Item 1C. Cybersecurity 34
Item 2. Properties 35
Item 3. Legal Proceedings 35
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 35
PART II
Item 6. [Reserved] 36
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 65
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 66
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures 132
Item 9B. Other Information 132
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections 133
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 133
Item 11. Executive Compensation 133
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services 133
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules 134
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Part I
Item 1. Business
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding our expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition to historical financial analysis, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based upon current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words “believe(s),” “estimate(s),” “expect(s),” “predict(s),” “project(s),” “forecast(s),” “may,” “might,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “seek(s),” “plan(s),” “scheduled,” “possible,” “continue,” “potential,” “anticipate(s)” or “intend(s)” or similar expressions; provided that the absence of these does not means that a statement is not forward-looking.
All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Actual results and timing of selected events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the potential impact of our business relationships, including with our employees, customers and competitors; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; weakness or adverse changes in the level of activity in our sector or the sectors of our affiliated companies, which may be caused by, among other things, high or increasing interest rates, or a weak U.S. economy; significant competition that our operating subsidiaries face; compliance with extensive government regulation; and other risks detailed in the those set forth under “Risk Factors” or elsewhere in this document and in our other public filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Business Combination
On June 30, 2023, (the “Merger Closing Date”), ERES, LMA and Abacus consummated the combining of the companies as contemplated by a merger agreement (“Merger”). In connection with the closing of the Merger, ERES was renamed Abacus Life, Inc. (the foregoing transaction is referred to as the “Business Combination”) and subsequently renamed to Abacus Global Management, Inc. in February 2025.
On December 2, 2024 (“Acquisition Closing Date”), we completed the previously announced acquisitions of Carlisle Management Company S.C.A., a corporate partnership limited by shares established under the laws of Luxembourg (“CMC”), Carlisle Investment Group S.A.R.L., a private limited liability company incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg (“CIG,” and together with CMC, “Carlisle”), a leading Luxembourg-based investment manager in the life settlement space (“Carlisle Acquisition”) and of FCF Advisors, LLC (“FCF Advisors” or “FCF”), a New York based asset manager and index provider specializing in free cash flow-focused investment strategies (“FCF Acquisition”). Refer to Note 3 Business Combinations of the consolidated financial statements in Part II, Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional information.
We operate through four principle subsidiaries:
•Abacus Settlements, LLC (“Abacus Settlements”), which was formed as a New York limited liability company in 2004. In 2016, Abacus Settlements was licensed in Florida as a life settlement broker and became a Florida limited liability company. We are not an insurance company, are not licensed or regulated as an insurance company, and therefore do not underwrite insurable risks for our own account.
•Longevity Market Assets, LLC (“LMA”), which was formed in 2017 as a Florida limited liability company
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•Carlisle incorporated in 2008 in Luxembourg
•FCF incorporated in 2016 in New York
Our Mission
Abacus Global Management Inc.’s (“Abacus Global Management” or “Abacus” or the “Company”) mission is to revolutionize financial services through expert asset management and data-driven lifespan insights, leveraging advanced technology to deliver personalized solutions that optimize financial well-being across every stage of life.
Strategic Vision
“Abacus envisions a future where financial decisions are transformed by the powerful intersection of technology, longevity data, and expert asset management. Through our four integrated verticals—Life Solutions, Asset Management, Private Wealth Management, and Health and Longevity Technology—we strive to be the premier financial partner that helps institutional investors, financial advisors, and clients harness untapped value in lifespan metrics, creating investment strategies that stand the test of time.”
- Jay Jackson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Abacus Global Management, Inc.
Abacus Overview
Abacus Global Management (NASDAQ: ABL) is a leading financial services company specializing in alternative asset management, data-driven wealth solutions, technology innovations, and institutional services. With a focus on longevity-based assets and personalized financial planning, Abacus leverages proprietary data analytics and decades of industry expertise to deliver innovative solutions that optimize financial outcomes for individuals and institutions worldwide.
The company’s expanded business model now operates through four distinct yet complementary divisions:
Abacus Life Solutions––Since 2004, Abacus has purchased over $10 billion in face value of life insurance policies, helping thousands of clients maximize the value of their life insurance assets. The Life Solutions division specializes in helping consumers achieve financial security through retirement products while serving as a solutions provider to institutions. The institutional business assists insurance carriers and reinsurers in optimizing legacy liabilities and creating innovative consumer-facing products through data-based solutions.
Abacus Asset Group––The asset management division serves primarily institutional investors alongside select private clients, providing excess returns across the risk-reward spectrum. Abacus Asset Group specializes in uncorrelated and longevity-based assets, fixed-income replacement strategies, and free-cash flow based investment solutions. This division leverages proprietary analytics and market insights to identify unique opportunities through distinct investment strategies that deliver consistent performance through various market cycles while maintaining a disciplined approach to risk management.
ABL Tech––Building on decades of experience and proprietary health and longevity data sets, ABL Tech creates technology products that are revolutionizing the life planning industry. These innovations deliver tremendous benefits for pension funds, government agencies, and insurance-related businesses. The division has developed platforms that conduct real-time mortality verification, locate missing participants, and service the secondary life insurance market with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
ABL Wealth––Leveraging more than two decades of proprietary data and algorithms, ABL Wealth is redefining wealth management through a transparent, cutting edge, data-driven approach. The division helps financial advisors create customized plans based on clients' health, longevity, and overall financial wellbeing, moving beyond one-size-fits-all planning to develop financial strategies tailored to each individual.
Policy Origination | Abacus Life Solutions
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As one of the leading buyers of life insurance policies in the United States for over 20 years, we sit at the heart of the life settlements industry. We leverage our strong market position, highly efficient origination platform and proprietary technology to drive our revenue and profitability. The Company and its executive team have deep experience in the life settlement industry. The Company’s guidelines are designed to allow the Company to target the life insurance policies that it believes have the most upside potential to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns to the Company through either its hold or trade portfolio. Currently, the Company principally invests in non-variable universal life insurance policies and retains the discretion to invest in whole life or convertible term life insurance policies.
Underwriting
Abacus’ origination guidelines focus on the age, gender and health of the insured, the duration, mortality risk and face value of the underlying life insurance policy, the projected internal rate of return of the investment in the underlying life insurance policy after taking into account the cost of making continued premium payments, and the ultimate amount and timing of the death benefit. These guidelines are designed to allow the Company to target the life insurance policies that it believes will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns. The Company invests primarily in non-variable universal life insurance policies.
Origination
Our proven policy origination process, known as “origination services” first locates policies and screens them for eligibility for a life settlement. This process includes verifying that the policy is in force, obtaining consent forms, and making disclosures to, policy owners, and obtaining or generating life expectancy estimates.
We generate fees on the policies we originate, which are sourced from three channels: (i) a network of approximately 30,000 financial advisors and agents, (ii) direct-to-consumer and (iii) a number of traditional life settlements intermediaries that submit policies to us on behalf of a financial advisor, agent or other client.
Portfolio Management
Once identified, we utilize our proprietary “heat-map” technology platform to determine the initial risk and viability of policies. Thereafter, a purchased policy is “actively managed,” whereby we consistently monitor the policy risk to optimize revenue by choosing to either (x) trade the policy to a third-party institutional investor (i.e., receive a trade spread) or (y) hold the policy over time (i.e., pay premiums and receive payout). Additionally, we service policies on behalf of third parties for which we receive fee-based revenue based on a percentage of policy value. Our multi-faceted and dynamic revenue model is made possible by the fact that we sit at the heart of the entire life settlements industry.
Our revenue generation platform and economic model is best summarized below:
1.Origination (fees based on a percentage of the face value or net death benefit of the acquired policies)
2.Active Management (spreads for traded policies and realized returns for held policies)
3.Third Party Portfolio Servicing (fees based on a percentage of the total asset value serviced)
Asset Management
During December 2024, we added two asset management companies in connection with two business acquisitions described above. Starting in December 2024, we manage alternative investment funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETF”). The alternative investment funds primarily invest in insurance policy settlement contracts that cater to investors seeking risk-adjusted returns with low correlation to other asset classes. The ETFs primarily invest in equity securities using a suite of core and thematic free cash flow equity strategies and offers over 50 customizable free cash flow index strategies covering eight global equities allocation categories available in separately managed accounts. Asset Management fees are based on a
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percentage of total asset value under management. We also realize performance fees based on a percentage of returns over certain hurdle rates for the managed alternative investment funds.
Technology Services
Starting in February 2024, we utilize proprietary technology based on health and longevity data sets to provide solutions to pension funds, government agencies, insurance-related businesses, as well as other entities that benefit from real-time mortality verification, missing participant verification, and other services specific to the life insurance market. Technology Services fees are based on fixed annual contracts. During the fourth quarter of 2024 we began recognizing Technology Service revenue generated by ABL Tech.
The Life Settlement Industry
Large Addressable Market with Meaningful Growth Potential
We operate within a large, growing and currently under-penetrated market. The face value of all in force U.S. life insurance industry policies is approximately $13 trillion. Historically, more than 90% of life insurance policies in force did not pay a claim. Based on industry forecasts, approximately 75% of policyholders over the age of 65 will either cancel their policies or allow their coverage to lapse, forfeiting the right to ever receive a full payout. The life settlements industry helps solve this problem by allowing policyholders the opportunity to monetize their policies.
We are currently a leader in the life settlements industry. The Company has approximately a 26% market share based on our 2023 capital invested/total industry capital invested and data compiled in a 2024 report by The Deal and Life Settlements Report, a U.S. life settlements industry news source. Data for the report was aggregated from each state based on 2023 annual reporting. We have a proven track record of growth and strong asset returns. Furthermore, we are currently operational in 49 states, which is a key differentiator in an industry with high barriers to entry due to significant regulatory requirements. Our business is supported by over 125 employees and an innovative leadership team, with an average of over 20 years of experience in the industry.
The combination of the large U.S. life insurance market and the high percentage of policies that never pay a claim creates a considerable opportunity for Abacus and the broader life settlements industry. Specifically, the scale of the life settlements market opportunity is $233 billion each year. However, in 2021, the life settlements industry only captured $4 billion, or approximately 2% of the annual market of lapsed life insurance policies. We believe there is a significant opportunity to increase this market penetration, primarily by driving awareness and education regarding the ability to monetize life insurance policies by utilizing our services.
Life insurance is often a senior citizen’s largest asset and one that can be used to alleviate retirement challenges, but it is rarely treated in this way. This can be partially attributed to the fact that almost half of all financial advisors are not aware that selling a life insurance policy is an option for their clients. We help financial advisors and their clients understand that a life insurance policy is personal property and selling it for a fair market value is a legitimate, safe and viable choice that creates more investment options for the client. While less than 1% of financial advisors and agents transact in the life settlements market, based on research conducted by the Life Insurance Settlement Association, the primary industry trade association for the U.S. life settlements industry, we believe approximately 90% of senior citizens who let their life insurance policies lapse or surrendered their policies, would have considered this alternative if they had been made aware of it before lapsing or surrendering their policies. The reference to this study can be found at the Life Insurance Settlement Association—https://www.lisa.org/life-settlements-industry-will-grow-as-more-seniors-are-informed-of-their-options-say-experts-at-lisa-conference/.
Selling a life insurance policy is a valuable transaction and for those consumers who transact, the benefits can be substantial. On average, life settlements companies pay sellers nearly eight times more than the current cash value of a policy. Selling a life insurance policy not only alleviates the requirement for a policyholder to pay premiums but creates a meaningful and immediate monetization event. Sellers use these proceeds in a variety of ways, including to support their retirement, transfer wealth and pay medical bills.
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Generally Uncorrelated Alternative Asset Class with Institutional Investment Grade Counterparts
While selling life insurance policies at a fair market value can have significantly positive impacts on a person’s life, it is a mutually beneficial transaction. The underlying life insurance policy is a highly attractive asset that has minimal payout risk and generally uncorrelated returns. The counterparties to these transactions are generally high-quality investment grade insurance companies. In fact, greater than 90% of our carriers have an “A Rating” or better. Additionally, these life insurance policies are cash backed by the carriers, which means they are required to pay policy claims ahead of any other contractual obligation, including senior debt.
In addition to counterparty quality, this is a largely acyclical asset class. A life insurance policy is sometimes described as a “mortality-driven zero-coupon bond” because its underlying value will appreciate over time as it approaches maturity (i.e., as the policyholder ages). This is best demonstrated when comparing our historical risk-adjusted returns relative to other benchmark asset classes.
We are at the Heart of the Life Settlements Industry
Abacus’ Origination Model
Our “Origination Process” is core to our entire business and drives our economics. We’re paid a percentage of face value in origination fees on policies and have spent the last 20 years developing three high quality origination channels (financial advisors or agents, direct to consumer and life settlements brokers).
An example of our target market includes policyholders over 75 years old whose insurance need for life insurance is outweighed by the benefit of immediate cash. We then focus our origination process on these targeted individuals, developing processes and procedures for identifying and screening policies that have attractive potential returns.
We have three distinct origination channels to reach this target market.
1.Financial Advisor or Agent—Our largest origination channel involves working directly with financial advisors to facilitate the sale of client policies. Since our founding, we have been at the forefront of developing this market and are now ingrained in a network of over 30,000 financial advisors. We are currently on multiple national financial advisory platforms, we present at conferences, and we develop marketing tools to help advisors efficiently present the benefits of life insurance settlements to their clients. As we highlighted earlier, just under half of financial advisors are unaware this financial option exists and less than 1% have completed a life settlement transaction. This origination channel has driven our significant growth over the last five years, and we believe it will continue to be a priority for our future growth.
2.Direct to Consumer—We have been building this channel for several years and have focused heavily on increasing broad consumer awareness and education regarding life insurance settlements. We have been active in a variety of common direct-to-consumer advertisement channels, including radio and television advertisements in particular. In addition, we have created a unique online “Policy Value Calculator” so that individuals can receive an instant valuation on their life insurance policies. The direct-to-consumer channel has historically driven origination on smaller face value policies than through our financial advisor or agent channel, thereby expanding the scope of policies we are able to value and acquire.
3.Traditional Life Settlements Intermediaries—Within this channel, we engage with life settlements intermediaries or “brokers” who submit policies to us on behalf of an advisor or client, for which the life settlement intermediary earns a commission. We intend to slowly reduce our reliance on these intermediaries over time and focus our efforts on building out the technology required to educate and gain access to both the financial advisor and direct-to-consumer channels.
We intend to continue to fuel origination growth by expanding our team and outreach. In order to drive awareness across all origination channels, we plan to expand our marketing and launch national television advertising campaigns.
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Abacus’ Policy Acquisition Process
A life settlement transaction is the process by which a third-party intermediary acquires an existing life insurance policy for an amount greater than its current cash surrender value. Upon closing of the life settlement transaction, the insured receives an immediate cash payment, and the third-party intermediary receives ownership of the policy. Thus, the third-party intermediary becomes the beneficiary of the insured’s claim payout but is now solely responsible for all future premium payments. Our company functions as this third-party intermediary.
The process of acquiring a policy is highly regulated and policyholder friendly. Unique licenses are mandatory to operate and significant disclosures are required to be made available to consumers. We originate these policies through three distinct channels (i.e., financial advisors / agents, direct-to-consumer and traditional life settlements intermediaries). We first screen each policy to ensure it is eligible for a life settlement, including verifying the policy is in force, obtaining appropriate consents, providing disclosures, and submitting cases for medical underwriting and life expectancy estimates. In connection with this process, we use our proprietary analytics and risk-rating systems to determine an estimated market value for each individual policy.
The Company has established policies and guidelines with respect to its purchase of life insurance policies. These guidelines focus on the age of the insured, the sex of the insured, the duration of the underlying life insurance policy, the expected mortality risk of the underlying life insurance policy, the projected internal rate of return of the investment in the underlying life insurance policy and the amount of the death benefit of the underlying life insurance policy. The Company excludes making investments in life insurance policies based on certain types of the primary health impairment associated with the underlying insured to ensure that all policies are purchased in accordance with established industry standards and state law requirements.
Following the origination, underwriting and valuation processes, we formally present our proposed purchase price to the policyholder or advisor. If agreed upon, the settlement closing process begins. Appropriate closing documents are reviewed by our in-house counsel, and we send funds to an independent escrow agent. Simultaneously, change of ownership and beneficiary documentation is sent to the underlying insurance carrier. Once the changes are confirmed by the carrier, the escrow agent sends the proceeds to the appropriate party, and we become responsible for the underlying insurance policy (i.e., paying premiums and receiving claim). The proceeds from the escrow agent will also include the commission(s) we owe to the broker and / or agent as well as our fee for completing the origination services.
While the transaction is deemed closed, it is important to note that the policy owner may generally rescind the life settlement contract within 30 days from execution of the agreement or 15 days from the receipt of cash proceeds by the owner. As such, revenue is not recorded until this rescission period is over.
Once the transaction is closed, the policy enters our active portfolio management whereby we determine whether a policy should be sold to a third-party institutional investor or held on our balance sheet. In certain cases, we identify a purchaser prior to the close of a transaction, in which case the policy is transferred directly to the purchaser at closing.
Proprietary Technology Platforms Support Our Business
We have and continue to develop a comprehensive suite of technology products that helps drive origination, underwriting and trading. Specifically, we have created:
1.Risk Rating Heat Map—Using the large amount of data we have gathered over time, we have developed a proprietary risk-rating platform that measures the risk of life insurance contracts on a range from 1–5 (low–high risk, respectively). This risk score is calculated on a wide range of factors, including (i) duration and extension risk, (ii) policy face value and purchase type, (iii) policy type, (iv) carrier rating, (v) life expectancy (“LE”) and LE extension ratios, (vi) age and age on LE date and (vii) survival probability. We believe this platform is a key differentiating factor relative to our competitors as it gives us a meaningful advantage when valuing and purchasing life insurance policies.
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2. Policy Value Creator—Our “Policy Value Calculator” drives origination by using proprietary data to instantly value policies for both individuals and financial advisors. This easy-to-use online tool only requires four pieces of information: (i) gender, (ii) age, (iii) face value and (iv) policy type. These data points then generate a valuation range that advisors and individuals can use to quickly assess the current value of their policy.
3. Innovations in “InsurTech”—More recently, we have begun developing “Abacusmarketplace.com”, which is a blockchain tertiary trading, servicing and valuation platform. Given we will be able to see a large suite of data gathered by this website, we believe it will help us maintain our leading market position and keep us at the heart of the life settlements industry. We added the ability for investors to directly purchase policies in the third quarter of 2023. Abacusmarketplace.com is still in the early stages of development and we do not currently expect that Abacusmarketplace.com will have a material impact on the Company’s future financial results.
Active Portfolio Management Strategy
With meaningful support from our proprietary risk rating heat map, we consistently evaluate policies (at origination and throughout the lifecycle) to generate essentially uncorrelated risk adjusted returns. Upon acquiring a policy, we have the option to either (i) trade that policy to a third-party institutional investor (i.e., generating a spread on each trade) or (ii) hold that policy on our balance sheet until maturity (i.e., paying the premiums over time and receiving the final claim / payout). This process is predicated on driving the best economics for Abacus.
1. Traded Portfolio—Our traded portfolio returns are driven by (i) the spread we generate by selling policies to third-party institutional investors and (ii) our ability to quickly recycle capital. Our trade spreads average above cost basis depending on the contract and we recycle our capital annually. These two metrics are driven by our ability to effectively originate new policies (supply) and the underlying market interest for the policies (demand).
2. Hold Portfolio—Relative to our traded portfolio, our hold portfolio has the potential to generate a higher estimated annual return than our traded portfolio but requires approximately a 3 to 4 times greater capital investment, which is driven by the need to hold policies, rather than recycle the policies in trading, and to fund premium payments during the holding period for a policy. To the extent that we are not able to commit the required capital, we then focus efforts more on our traded portfolio. Our origination platform and proprietary risk rating heat map has allowed us to hold only what we determine to be the highest quality policies which have our lowest risk ratings.
Policy Servicing
In addition to generating economics on the policies we directly originate and actively manage, we have a dynamic platform to service bundles of policies for a variety of third-party institutions. We generate revenue by charging a base servicing fee of approximately 0.5% of the total asset value of the portfolio. We have experience servicing a large number of policies for highly sophisticated institutions, including policies for large asset managers. Beyond our fees, servicing policies at scale supports our data analytics and keeps us at the heart of the life settlements industry. We have a sophisticated team of professionals solely focused on servicing these policies.
Prospects for Future Growth
Continued Maturation of the Life Settlements Industry
As described above, there is approximately $200 billion in policy value that lapses on an annual basis. However, the life settlements industry captured only approximately 2% of the potential market in 2021, which leaves significant runway for future growth for industry participants. The total face value of life insurance policies is expected to grow from approximately $6 billion in 2022 to approximately $8 billion in 2028, which is a 5% compounded annual growth rate. Given our position at the heart of the life settlements industry, we believe that we are well positioned to capitalize on this anticipated market growth.
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Focus on Growing the Origination Process
Our ability to originate policies is essential to scale our business over time. In order to support this expected growth, we continue to invest in our technology and marketing infrastructure. In general, we expect our efforts will continue to focus on driving education and awareness of life settlements. In order to meet this growing demand, we have increased our total employee headcount.
Continued Innovation in Technology
Using technology to improve our analytics, market liquidity and velocity of capital use is a key priority. Certain key technology elements are:
1. Analytics (Abacus Analytics)—the standard pricing and valuation platform for policy valuation and portfolio assessment that we believe will allow us to obtain visibility into every transaction in the industry.
2. Liquidity (Abacusmarketplace.com)—tertiary trading, servicing and valuation platform (added direct purchase in 2023). Abacusmarketplace.com is a proprietary technology platform that has been designed in order to facilitate tertiary trading, servicing and valuation for the life settlement industry. This platform is intended to increase the trading volume for the entire industry by removing intermediaries and improving the efficiency and security of the transactions. The Company expects to realize future revenue through licensing agreements with Abacusmarketplace.com. However, Abacusmarketplace.com is still in the early stages of development, and we do not currently expect that Abacusmarketplace.com will have a material impact on the Company’s future financial results.
Access to Capital Markets Provides More Attractive Financing
We believe that as a publicly traded company, we will have access to a lower cost of capital, which will optimize our per policy revenue and allow us to fund additional investment in infrastructure. Additionally, as discussed in more detail below, access to additional capital will enable us to increase our balance sheet hold portfolio, which we believe may drive higher long-term returns.
Transitioning Our Business Model as Our Capital Base Scales
As our capital base scales, we have the ability to increase the proportion of policies that we hold on our balance sheet. One of the most obvious benefits to a larger hold portfolio is that it may increase the predictability of returns (i.e., held policies typically increase in value over time, largely independent of trading market conditions). Additionally, with a larger hold portfolio, there is a unique opportunity to begin securitizing policies. In the long-term, we believe securitized portfolios can drive an even lower cost of capital and can be sold in scale to third parties at a significant multiple.
Proven Ability to Deploy Capital and Scale
Over the past few years, we managed a $150 million capital base via a joint venture with a large alternative asset manager. This joint venture was terminated on June 30,2023, in connection with the Company’s merger with East Resources Acquisition Company ("ERES”), a blank check company incorporated in Delaware on May 22, 2020. Under GAAP the financial results of the entire joint venture are not included in our financial statements as the joint venture is not under common control and neither Abacus Settlements nor LMA have a direct ownership interest or investment in the joint venture. The financial impacts of the joint venture recognized in the financial statements solely relate to the services provided by Abacus Settlements and LMA to the joint venture and are discussed in the respective related party transaction notes in the financial statements.
Competition
We compete with numerous life insurance settlement originators, servicers, and investors, alternative asset managers, wealth advisors as well as mortality verification companies. Our primary competitors in each of our business lines differ significantly from those in our other business lines principally because few companies
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compete against us in all business segments in which we operate. Competition is high in all our business lines, in particular life insurance settlement origination where competitors have invested significantly in marketing and acquisitions.
The risks associated with our competitors are further discussed in Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors.
Our Employees
As of December 31, 2024, we had 157 employees, none of whom are subject to any collective bargaining agreement or represented by a labor union. 25 of our employees are based outside of the United States. To date, we have not experienced any work stoppages and we consider our employee relations to be good. We believe that our employees are critical to our long-term success.
Intellectual Property
Our business depends, in part, on our ability to develop and maintain the proprietary aspects of its core technology. We rely on trademarks to protect our intellectual property.
We have been issued a federal registration for our “Abacus Settlements” and “Abacus Life” trademarks. We also hold various domain names for websites that we use in our business. Additionally, we have developed and maintain proprietary software for our internal use to aid in pricing, valuation and risk analysis of life settlement policies.
Regulatory Overview
We are subject to various laws, regulations and licensing requirements in the United States which may expose us to liability, increase costs or have other adverse effects that could harm our business. These laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, data privacy and data localization, healthcare, insurance, copyright or similar laws, anti-spam, consumer protection, employment and taxation. Compliance with such laws can require changes to our business practices and significant management time and effort. Additionally, as we continue to develop and improve consumer-facing products and services, and as those offerings grow in popularity, the risk that additional laws and regulations will impact our business will continue to increase. We believe that we are in material compliance with all such laws, regulations and licensing requirements.
Data Privacy Laws and Regulations
Because we receive, use, transmit, disclose and store personal data, we are subject to numerous state and federal laws and regulations that address privacy, data protection and the collection, storing, sharing, use, transfer, disclosure and protection of certain types of data. We are subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) which restricts the making of telemarketing calls and the use of automatic telephone dialing systems. Violators of the TCPA face regulatory enforcement action, substantial civil penalties, injunctions, and in some states, private lawsuits for damages.
Privacy and data security regulation in the U.S. is rapidly evolving. For example, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), which came into force in 2020. The CCPA and related regulations give California residents expanded rights to access and request deletion of their personal information, opt out of certain personal information sharing and receive detailed information about how their personal information is used and shared. The CCPA allows for the California Attorney General to impose civil penalties for violations, as well as providing a private right of action for certain data breaches. California voters also recently passed the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”), which will take effect on January 1, 2023. The CPRA significantly modifies the CCPA, including by imposing additional obligations on covered companies and expanding California consumers’ rights with respect to certain personal information. The CCPA’s restrictions on “sales” of personal information may restrict our use of cookies and similar technologies for advertising purposes, as well as increasing our compliance costs and potential liability. The CCPA excludes information covered by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California
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Financial Information Privacy Act from the CCPA’s scope, but the CCPA’s definition of “personal information” is broad and may encompass other information that we maintain.
The passage of the CCPA likely marked the beginning of a trend toward more stringent privacy legislation in the U.S., and multiple states have enacted or proposed similar laws. For example, in 2020, Nevada enacted SB 220 which restricts the “selling” of personal information and, in 2021, Virginia passed the Consumer Data Protection Act which is set to take effect on January 1, 2023 and creates new privacy rights for Virginia residents. There is also discussion in Congress of new comprehensive federal data protection and privacy law to which we likely would be subject if it is enacted.
Various regulators are interpreting existing state consumer protection laws to impose evolving standards for the online collection, use, dissemination and security of other personal data. Courts may also adopt the standards for fair information practices which concern consumer notice, choice, security and access. Consumer protection laws require us to publish statements that describe how we handle personal information and choices individuals may have about the way we handle their personal data.
Our failure to comply with these privacy laws or regulations could expose us to significant fines and penalties imposed by regulators and has in the past and could in the future expose us to legal claims by buyers, or other relevant stakeholders. Some of these laws, such as the CCPA, permit individual or class action claims for certain alleged violations, increasing the likelihood of such legal claims. Similarly, many of these laws require us to maintain an online privacy policy, terms of service and other informational pages that disclose our practices regarding the collection, processing and disclosure of personal information. If these disclosures contain any information that a court or regulator finds to be inaccurate, we could also be exposed to legal or regulatory liability. Any such proceedings or violations could force us to spend money in defense or settlement of these proceedings, result in the imposition of monetary liability or demanding injunctive relief, divert management’s time and attention, increase our costs of doing business and materially adversely affect our reputation.
Insurance Laws and Regulations
We operate as a life settlement producer in forty-nine (49) states. We have a strong track record with each state in which we are licensed and have not had any reportable incidents. Our in-house counsel and compliance staff reviews every life insurance policy we consider acquiring for compliance with applicable state regulations. We file an annual report with each state in which it operates and each state has the ability to request an audit at its discretion. Currently, 42 states have regulations that support the sale of life insurance policies to a third party, like our Company. Each state also has its own policyholder-facing disclosure requirements that we comply with in the ordinary course of its business.
We focus on acquiring and trading non-variable, non-fractionalized life insurance policies. These life insurance policies are deemed to be personal property of the owner based upon the Supreme Court decision Grigsby v. Russell in 1911. Furthermore, non-variable, non-fractionalized life insurance policies are not deemed to be securities under the federal securities laws, and so the Company is not required to register as an investment adviser or an investment company under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended or the Investment Company Act, respectively.
The Company may, in the future, purchase some amount of variable life insurance policies or interests in the death benefit of underlying life insurance policies. The Company has recently acquired a limited purpose broker dealer, which the Company intends to license to engage in transactions for variable and fractionalized life insurance policies. Abacus expects that any transactions in variable or fractionalized life insurance policies will represent less than 20% of the life insurance policies acquired by the Company at any time. The Company does not, and does not in the future intend to, engage in any life insurance securitization.
Regulated Entities Outside of the U.S.
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Carlisle and the funds it manages are licensed and have authorizations to operate in Luxembourg. These licenses and authorizations relate to providing investment management, administration of funds, marketing of the funds, and other regulated activities. Failure to comply with the laws and regulations could expose us to liability and/or damage our reputation.
The risks associated with our regulated entities outside of the U.S. are further discussed in Part I, Item 1A Risk Factors.
Available Information
Our investor relations website address is https://ir.abacuslife.com/. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and any and all amendments thereto are available free of charge through our investor relations website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These materials are also accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following discussion of "Risk Factors" identifies factors that may adversely affect our business, operations, financial condition or future performance. This information should be read in conjunction with "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations" and the consolidated financial statements and related notes. The following discussion of risks is not all-inclusive but is designed to highlight what we believe are the material factors to consider when evaluating our business and expectations. These factors could cause our future results to differ materially from our historical results and from expectations reflected in forward-looking statements.
Risk Factors Summary
Risks Related to the Business and Regulatory Matters
•The Company’s valuation of life insurance policies is uncertain as many life insurance policies’ values are tied to their actual maturity date and any erroneous valuations could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
•The Company could fail to accurately forecast life expectancies. There may also be changes to life expectancies generally, resulting in people living longer in the future, which could result in a lower return on the Company’s life settlement policies.
•The Company’s policy acquisitions are limited by the market availability of life insurance policies that meet the Company’s eligibility criteria and purchase parameters, and failure to secure a sufficient number of quality life insurance policies could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
•The Company may experience increased competition from originating life insurance companies, life insurance brokers, and investment funds which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
•Historically, there has been a negative public perception of the life settlement industry that could affect the value and/or liquidity of the Company’s investments and the life settlement industry faces political
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opposition from life insurance companies which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
•The Company or third parties the Company relies upon could fail to accurately evaluate, acquire, maintain, track, or collect on life settlement policies, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s revenues.
•There is a risk of fraud in the origination of the original life insurance policy or in subsequent sales of the life insurance policy that could adversely affect the Company’s returns which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
•The Company may become subject to claims by life insurance companies, individuals and their families, or regulatory authorities which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
•Life settlements in which we invest are not currently regulated under the federal securities laws, but if deemed to be securities would require further compliance with federal and state securities laws, which could result in significant additional regulatory burdens on the Company, and limit the Company’s investments, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business and results of operations.
•Life settlements in which we invest are not currently regulated under the federal securities laws, but if deemed to be securities would require further compliance with federal and state securities laws, which could result in significant additional regulatory burdens on the Company, and limit the Company’s investments, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business and results of operations.
•The Company could in the future be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act or could have to substantively change its business model in order to fit within an applicable exemption from such registration requirement.
•The Company faces privacy and cyber security risks related to its maintenance of proprietary information, including information regarding life settlement policies and the related insureds, and any adverse impact related to such risks could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
•The Company is subject to U.S. privacy laws and regulations. Failure to comply with such obligations could lead to regulatory investigations or actions; litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of operations; reputational harm; loss of revenue or profits; and other adverse business consequences.
•The Company’s business may be subject to additional or different government regulation in the future, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
•There is currently no direct legal authority regarding the proper federal tax treatment of life settlements and potential future rulings from the IRS may have significant tax consequences on the Company.
•There have been lawsuits in various states questioning whether a purchaser of a life insurance policy has the requisite “insurable interest” in the policy which would permit the purchaser to collect the insurance benefits and an adverse finding in any of these lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
•The failure of the Company to accurately and timely track and pay premium payments on the life insurance policies it holds could result in the lapse of such policies which would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
•The originating life insurance company may increase the cost of insurance premiums, which would adversely affect the Company’s returns.
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•The Company may not be able to liquidate its life insurance policies which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
•The Company assumes the credit risk associated with life insurance companies and may not be able to realize the full value of insurance company payouts which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s profits.
•The Company’s success is dependent upon the services of its experienced management and talented employees. If the Company is unable to retain management and/or key employees, its ability to compete could be harmed.
•The Company’s intellectual property rights may not adequately protect the Company’s business.
•The Company may become subject to intellectual property disputes, which are costly and may subject the Company to significant liability and increased costs of doing business.
•Pandemics, along with rising interest rates and inflation, may disrupt the ability of the Company and its providers to originate life settlement policies which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position.
•Failure to maintain adequate financial, information technology and management processes and controls could result in material weaknesses and lead to errors in our financial reporting, which could adversely affect our business as a public company.
•Our ability to timely raise capital in the future may be limited, or may be unavailable on acceptable terms, if at all. Our failure to raise capital when needed could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Debt issued to raise additional capital may reduce the cash flow available to make required payments with respect to the notes and affect our ability to execute our investment strategy or impact the value of our investments.
•Because a portion of our business is conducted in currency other than U.S. dollar, we have significant foreign currency risk.
•We are an “emerging growth company.” The reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our securities less attractive to investors.
•Failure to maintain adequate financial, information technology and management processes and controls could result in material weaknesses and lead to errors in our financial reporting, which could adversely affect our business as a public company.
•Changes in tax regulations or their interpretation could negatively impact our cash flows and results of operations.
•Our use of different estimates and assumptions in the application of our accounting policies could result in material changes to our reported financial condition and results of operations, and changes in accounting standards or their interpretation could significantly impact our reported results of operations.
Risks Related to our Recent Acquisitions
•The Company may not realize the anticipated benefits of the Carlisle Acquisition and the FCF Acquisition, which may adversely affect the Company’s business results and negatively impact the value of the Company’s Common Stock.
•Our international operations pose additional risks that may adversely impact our financial results and operations.
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•Any disruption to Carlisle Management’s distribution channels may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.
•Because a portion of our business is conducted in currency other than U.S. dollar, we have significant foreign currency risk.
•Litigation and other claims and liabilities have arisen and may arise with respect to the acquisitions that we consummate or the businesses acquired, including our recently completed acquisitions, and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
•Our stock repurchase program may not enhance long-term stockholder value and could increase the volatility of the market price of our common stock and diminish our cash.
•Upon the expiration of the lockup agreements entered into by the Carlisle sellers, the Company, our directors, executive officers and holders of 5% or more of our Common Stock, as applicable, a substantial number of shares of Common Stock will be eligible for resale into the public market, a portion of which shares are being offered in this prospectus.
•Our Board has broad discretion to issue additional securities, and in order to raise sufficient funds to expand our operations, we may have to issue securities at prices which may result in substantial dilution to our stockholders.
•If we issue additional debt securities, our operations may be restricted, we will be exposed to additional risk and the market price of our Common Stock could be adversely affected.
•If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our Common Stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
•The trading price of our Common Stock has been, and is likely to continue to be, volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control.
•Future sales of our Common Stock, or the perception that such future sales may occur, may cause our stock price to decline.
•We have not paid cash dividends in the past and do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return on your investment may be limited to increases in the market price of our Common Stock.
•Investing in our Common Stock may involve a significant degree of risk.
Risks Related to our Debt
•Our outstanding and any future indebtedness could adversely affect our financial and operational flexibility.
Risks Related to the Business and Regulatory Matters
The Company’s valuation of life insurance policies is uncertain as many life insurance policies’ values are tied to their actual maturity date and any erroneous valuations could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
The valuation of life insurance policies involves inherent uncertainty (including, without limitation, the life expectancies of insureds and future increases in premium costs to keep the policies in force). The Company utilizes a multitude of inputs to determine the fair value of the policies it holds, which may include life
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expectancy reports generated by a company in which the Company holds a minority ownership interest. The Company uses its own underwriting practices, origination protocols, and proprietary technology. There is no guarantee that the value determined with respect to a particular life settlement policy by the Company will represent the value that will be realized by the Company on the eventual disposition of the related investment or that would, in fact, be realized upon an immediate disposition of the investment. In addition, there can be no guarantee that such valuation accurately reflects the current present value of such life insurance policy at its actual maturity. Uncertainties as to the valuation of life insurance policies held by the Company could require adjustments to reported net asset values and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business. Uncertainties as to the valuation may also result in the Company being less competitive in the market for originating new life settlement policies and could adversely affect the profits the Company realizes on life settlements purchased and sold.
The Company could fail to accurately forecast life expectancies. There may also be changes to life expectancies generally, resulting in people living longer in the future, which could result in a lower return on the Company’s life settlement policies.
Prices for life insurance policies and annuities that may be obtained by the Company depend, in large measure, upon the life expectancy of the underlying insureds. The returns of the Company’s hold portfolio is almost entirely dependent upon how accurate the actual longevity of an insured is as compared to the Company’s expectation for that insured. Life expectancies are estimates of the expected longevity or mortality of an insured. In determining the life expectancy of an insured, the Company relies on medical underwriting conducted by various medical underwriting firms. The medical underwriting process underlying life expectancy estimates is highly subjective, and mortality and longevity estimates are inherently uncertain. In addition, there can be no assurance that the applicable medical underwriting firm received accurate or complete information regarding the health of an insured under a life insurance policy, or that such insured’s health has not changed since the information was received. Different medical underwriting firms use different methods and may arrive at materially different mortality estimates for the same individual based on the same information, thus causing a life insurance policy’s value to vary. Moreover, as methods of calculating mortality estimates change over time, a mortality estimate prepared by any medical underwriting firm in connection with the acquisition of a life insurance policy may be different from a mortality estimate prepared by the same person at a later time. The valuation of the life insurance policies will vary depending on the dates of the related mortality estimates and the medical underwriting firms that provide the supporting information.
Other factors, including, but not limited to, better access to health care, better adherence to treatment plans, improved nutritional habits, improved lifestyle, an improved economic environment and a higher standard of living could also lead to increases in the longevity of the insureds under the life insurance policies. In addition to other factors affecting the accuracy of life expectancy estimates, improvements in medicine, disease treatment, pharmaceuticals and other medical and health services may enable insureds to live longer.
The actual longevity of an insured may be materially different than the predicted mortality estimate. If the actual maturity date of life insurance policies are longer than projected, it would delay when the Company could expect to receive a return on its investment and the Company may be unable to meet its investment objectives and goals. For example, a term life insurance policy in which the Company may invest have a stated expiration date on the date at which the underlying insured reaches a certain attained age and, beyond such date, the issuing insurance company may not be obligated to pay the face value, but rather only the cash surrender value which is usually maintained at a low value by investors, if any, in accordance with the terms of such life insurance policy. Therefore, if the underlying insured survives to the stated maturity date set forth in the terms of the life insurance policy, the issuing insurance company may only be obligated to pay an amount substantially less than the face value, which could have an adverse effect on the performance of the Company.
The medical underwriting and other firms that provide information for the Company’s forecasts of life expectancies are generally not regulated by the U.S. federal or state governments, with the exception of the states of Florida and Texas, which require life expectancy providers to register with their respective offices of insurance regulation. There can be no assurance that this business will not become more broadly regulated and,
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if so, that any such regulation would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of the Company to establish appropriate life expectancies in connection with the purchase or sale of policies.
The Company’s policy acquisitions are limited by the market availability of life insurance policies that meet the Company’s eligibility criteria and purchase parameters, and failure to secure a sufficient number of quality life insurance policies could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
The life insurance policy secondary market has grown substantially in the past several years, however, as to whether and how it will continue to develop is uncertain. There are only a limited number of life insurance policies available in the market from time to time. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to source life insurance policies on terms acceptable to the Company. As more investment funds flow into the market for life insurance policies, margins may be squeezed and the value of the collateral may become comparatively more expensive to purchase or subject to greater competition on the purchase side. There can be no assurance that secondary market life insurance policies will be available to the Company on satisfactory or competitive terms.
The supply of life insurance policies available in the market may be reduced by, among other things: (i) improvement in the economy, resulting in higher investment returns to insureds and other owners of life insurance policies from their investment portfolios; (ii) improvements in health insurance coverage, limiting the need of insureds to obtain funds to pay the cost of their medical treatment by selling their life insurance policies; (iii) the entry into the market of less reputable third-party brokers who submit inaccurate or false life insurance policy information to the Company; (iv) the establishment of new licensing requirements for market participants and a delay in complying or an inability to comply with such new requirements; or (v) refusal of the carrier that issued a life insurance policy to consent to its transfer. A change in the availability of life insurance policies could adversely affect the Company’s ability to execute its strategy and meet its objectives.
The Company may experience increased competition from originating life insurance companies, life insurance brokers, and investment funds which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
Life insurance companies have begun offering to repurchase their own in-force life insurance policies from their current policyholders by offering “enhanced cash surrender value payments” above the amount of the net cash surrender value provided under the life insurance contracts’ terms and thus compete directly with the Company and other life settlement providers. The life settlements industry has challenged the legal validity of the life insurance companies’ actions, and some state insurance regulators have declared that these repurchase offers are unlawful while other state insurance regulators have approved them. To the extent that life insurance companies can seek to repurchase their own in-force life insurance policies, they present competition to the Company in acquiring policies.
In addition, the Company is subject to significant competition from other life settlement brokers and investment funds for the purchase of life settlement policies. Increased competition for life settlement policies may result in the Company being unable to access the number of life settlement policies that it desires for its business at prices that it deems acceptable.
Historically, there has been a negative public perception of the life settlement industry that could affect the value and/or liquidity of the Company’s investments and the life settlement industry faces political opposition from life insurance companies which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
Many regulators, lawmakers and other governmental authorities, as well as many insurance companies and insurance industry organizations, are hostile to or otherwise concerned about certain aspects of the longevity-contingent asset markets. The life settlement industry and some of its participants have also been, and may continue to be, portrayed negatively in a number of widely read publications and other forms of media. These opponents regularly contend that life settlement transactions are contrary to public policy by promoting financial speculation on human life and often involve elements of fraud and other wrongdoing. Continued public opposition to the life settlement industry, as well as actual or alleged wrongdoing by participants in the
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industry, could have a material adverse effect on the Company and its investors, including on the value and/or liquidity of the Company’s investments.
In March 2010, the American Council of Life Insurers, an insurance carrier trade association, issued a press release calling for a complete ban on life settlement securitization. While that effort was not successful, any such federal or state legislation, if passed, could have the effect of severely limiting or potentially prohibiting the continued operation of the Company’s life settlement purchasing operations. All of the foregoing could adversely affect the Company’s ability to execute its investment strategy and meet its investment objectives.
The Company or third parties the Company relies upon could fail to accurately evaluate, acquire, maintain, track, or collect on life settlement policies, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s revenues.
The Company relies on third party data for tracking and servicing its life settlement policies. This includes the origination and servicing of life settlement policies by the servicing and tracking agent, market counterparties and other service providers, and the Company may not be in a position to verify the risks or reliability of such third-party data and systems. Failures in the systems employed by the Company and other service providers, counterparties, and other parties could result in mistakes made in the evaluation, acquisition, maintenance, tracking and collection of life settlement policies and other longevity-linked investments. This could result in the Company overpaying for life settlement policies it acquires or underpricing life settlement policies it sells. In addition, disruptions in the Company’s operations as a result of a failure in a third party system may cause the Company to suffer, among other things, financial loss, the disruption of its business, liability to third-parties, regulatory intervention or reputational damage. Any of the foregoing failures or disruptions could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
There is a risk of fraud in the origination of the original life insurance policy or in subsequent sales of the life insurance policy that could adversely affect the Company’s returns which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
The Company faces the risk that an original owner of a life insurance policy, the related insured, the insurance agent involved in the issuance of such life insurance policy, or other party may have committed fraud, or misstated or failed to provide material information in connection with the origination or subsequent sale of that life insurance policy. While most life insurance policies may not be challenged for fraud after the end of the two-year contestability period, there may be situations where such fraud in connection with the issuance of a life insurance policy may survive the contestability period. If an issuing insurance company successfully challenges a life insurance policy acquired by the Company on the grounds of fraud, the Company may lose its entire investment in that life insurance policy. Furthermore, if the age of an insured was misstated, the Company may receive lower death benefits than expected. In addition, there may be information directly relevant to the value of a life insurance policy, including, but not limited to, information relating to the insured’s medical or financial condition, to which the Company will not have access. It is not possible to verify the accuracy or completeness of each piece of information or the completeness of the overall information supplied by such parties. Any such misstatement or omission could cause the Company to rely on assumptions which turn out to be inaccurate. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the seller of a life insurance policy in the tertiary market properly acquired that policy from the former owner, or that a former beneficiary or other interested party will not attempt to challenge the validity of the transfer. The occurrence of any one or more of these factors could adversely affect the Company’s performance and returns.
The Company may become subject to claims by life insurance companies, individuals and their families, or regulatory authorities which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
The secondary market for life insurance policies has been subjected to allegations of fraud and misconduct as reflected in certain litigated cases. Some of these cases, some of which have been brought by regulatory authorities, involve allegations of fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, bid rigging, non-disclosure of material facts and associated misconduct in life settlement transactions. Cases have also been brought by the life insurance
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companies that challenge the legality of the original issuance of the life insurance policies based on lack of insurable interest, fraud and misrepresentation grounds.
Further, both federal and U.S. state statutes safeguard an insured’s private health information. In addition, insureds frequently have an expectation of confidentiality even if they are not legally entitled to it. Even if the Company properly obtains and uses otherwise private health information, but fails to maintain the confidentiality of such information, the Company may be the subject of complaints from the affected individuals, their families and relatives and, potentially, interested regulatory authorities. Because of the uncertainty of applicable laws, it is not possible to predict the outcome of those disputes. It is also possible that, due to a misunderstanding regarding the scope of consents that a transaction party possesses, the Company may request and receive from health care providers, information that it in fact did not have a right to request or receive. If the Company finds itself to be the recipient of complaints for these acts, it is not possible to predict what the results will be. This uncertainty also increases the likelihood that a transaction party may sell, or cause to be sold, life insurance policies in violation of applicable law, which could potentially result in additional costs related to defending claims or enduring regulatory inquiries, rescinding such transactions, possible legal damages and penalties and probable reduced market value of the affected life insurance policies. Each of the foregoing factors may delay or reduce the return on the policies and adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations.
Life settlements in which we invest are not currently regulated under the federal securities laws, but if deemed to be securities would require further compliance with federal and state securities laws, which could result in significant additional regulatory burdens on the Company, and limit the Company’s investments, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business and results of operations.
The origination and trading in whole, non-variable life insurance policies has historically been understood to not involve transactions in securities. However, on February 22, 2019, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in a case captioned In the Matter of Living Benefits Asset Management, LLC, vs. Kestrel Aircraft Company, Incorporated, case No. 18-10510, concluded that whole, non-variable life insurance policies, when offered for sale to an investor, were securities for purposes of the Investment Company Act. If this same conclusion were to be reached in other circuits or at the Supreme Court and extended to the Securities Act, there would be significant changes to our industry and it would materially impact the Company’s ability to conduct its business.
In 2002, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals reached a similar conclusion with respect to fractionalized death benefits payable under non-variable policies in SEC v. Mutual Benefits Corp., but the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals reached a contrary result with respect to fractionalized death benefits in SEC v. Life Partners which was decided in 1996. The Company does not presently transact in fractionalized death benefits, i.e. buying or selling a part of, but not all of, a life settlement policy, nor does it currently plan to transact in fractionalized death benefits.
On July 22, 2010, the SEC released a staff report that recommended that Congress clearly define life settlements to be securities, so that the investors in life settlements transactions would be protected under the U.S. federal securities laws. To date, the SEC has not made another such recommendation to Congress nor has Congress acted on the SEC staff’s report. If the statutory definitions of “security” were to be amended to encompass life settlements involving non-variable life insurance policies, or if the Supreme Court or other Circuit Courts were to conclude that non-variable life insurance policies are securities for purposes of the Securities Act, the Company could become subject to additional extensive regulatory requirements under the federal securities laws. Those regulatory requirements would include the obligation to register the Company’s sales and offerings of life settlements with the SEC as public offerings under the Securities Act. Also, if the resale of non-variable life insurance policies were to be considered securities, the Company’s ownership of those policies as a percentage of its assets or source of income could be limited as it would likely manage its business to avoid being required to register as an “investment company” pursuant to the Investment Company Act. Those limitations could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. Any legislation or court or regulatory interpretations leading to that regulatory change or a change in the transactions that are
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characterized as life settlement transactions could lead to significantly increased compliance costs and increased liability risk to the Company, and could adversely affect the Company’s ability to acquire or sell life insurance policies in the future. This could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, which in turn could materially and adversely affect the performance of the Company.
The Company cannot assure you as to the ultimate content, timing, or effect of changes, nor is it possible at this time to estimate the impact of any such potential change in administration or new legislation on the Company’s business, financial condition, or results of operations and consequently, any potential material and adverse effect on the performance of the Company.
The Company may be subject to certain U.S. state securities laws, and failure to comply with applicable requirements may result in fines, sanctions and rescission of purchase or sale transactions.
Certain U.S. state laws specifically characterize life settlements as securities transactions. Thus, in some U.S. states, purchases and sales of life insurance policies by the Company may be subject to applicable U.S. state blue sky laws or other U.S. state securities laws. The Company intends to comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws. However, this will not necessarily exempt the Company from compliance with U.S. federal or state broker-dealer laws. The failure to comply with applicable securities laws in connection with the purchase or sale of life settlement policies could result in the Company being subject to fines, administrative and civil sanctions and rescission of life settlement policy purchase or sales transactions. Each of the foregoing factors could materially and adversely affect the performance of the Company.
The Company could in the future be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act or could have to substantively change its business model in order to fit within an applicable exemption from such registration requirement.
The Company’s sales of life insurance policies and investment and financing programs of which the purchase or sale of a life insurance policy is a part are subject to an evolving regulatory landscape. Depending on the facts and circumstances attending such sales or programs, U.S. state and federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act could be implicated, and it is possible that the Company could in the future be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. The Company would not be able to continue to operate its business as it does today if required to register as an investment company. In such event, the Company would have to substantively change its business model to avoid registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. If the Company were required to change its business model in order to fit within an exemption from registration, it would have a material adverse effect on the performance of the Company.
The Company faces privacy and cyber security risks related to its maintenance of proprietary information, including information regarding life settlement policies and the related insureds, and any adverse impact related to such risks could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
The Company relies on data processing systems to price and close transactions, to evaluate investments, to monitor its portfolio and capital, and to generate risk management and other reports that are critical to oversight of the Company’s activities. Further, the Company relies on information systems to store sensitive information about the Company, its affiliates, and its investments, including life settlement policies and information about the related insured individuals and others. While the Company is not aware of security breaches or proceedings related to the processing of information, the loss or improper access, use or disclosure of the Company’s proprietary information could adversely impact the Company. For example, the Company could suffer, among other things, financial loss, the disruption of its business, liability to third parties, regulatory intervention or reputational damage. Any of the foregoing events could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
Additionally, the Company collects information related to life insurance, including nonpublic personal information (“NPI”) and protected health information (“PHI”), and information from its website, such as contact information and high-level policy information. The Company also collects information from its employees, such as standard HR information, and business contact information from third party employees. The
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Company shares information with its service providers, and has entered into non-disclosure and business association agreements, where appropriate. Although the Company has, and believes that each service provider has, procedures and systems in place that it believes are reasonably designed to protect such information and prevent data loss and security breaches, such measures cannot guarantee absolute security.
Furthermore, the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access to data, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently with increasing sophistication and may be difficult to detect for long periods of time. For example, hardware or software acquired from third parties may contain defects in design or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security. Network connected services provided by third parties to the Company may be susceptible to compromise, leading to a breach of the Company’s network and/or business interruptions. The Company’s systems or facilities may be susceptible to employee error or malfeasance, government surveillance, or other security threats.
The Company is subject to U.S. privacy laws and regulations. Failure to comply with such obligations could lead to regulatory investigations or actions; litigation; fines and penalties; disruptions of operations; reputational harm; loss of revenue or profits; and other adverse business consequences.
Due to the type of information the Company collects, including personal, medical, and financial information on the underlying insureds, and the nature of its services, the Company is subject to privacy laws. In the United States, federal, state and local governments have enacted numerous data privacy and security laws to address privacy, data protection and collection, and the processing and disclosure of certain types of information. Obligations related to these laws are quickly changing, becoming increasingly stringent and creating regulatory uncertainty. In addition, these obligations may be subject to differing applications and interpretations, which can result in inconsistency or conflict among jurisdictions. Among these laws, the Company is likely subject to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act (“GLBA”), and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”).
The Company may be considered a financial institution under the GLBA, and is subject to the GLBA through the NPI it collects. The GLBA regulates, among other things, the use of certain information about individuals (NPI) in the context of the provision of financial services. The GLBA includes both a “Privacy Rule,” which imposes obligations on financial institutions relating to the use or disclosure of NPI, and a “Safeguards Rule,” which imposes obligations on financial institutions, and indirectly, their service providers, to implement and maintain physical, administrative and technological measures to protect the security of NPI.
The Company has certain business components that are subject to HIPAA. HIPAA imposes privacy, security and breach notification obligations on “covered entities” and “business associates.” Furthermore, HIPAA requires “covered entities” and “business associates” to develop and maintain policies with respect to the protection of PHI. If in violation of HIPAA, the Company may be subject to significant civil, criminal and administrative fines and penalties and/or additional reporting and oversight obligations. HIPAA also authorizes state Attorneys Generals to file suit on behalf of their residents. Courts may award damages, costs and attorneys’ fees related to violations of HIPAA in such cases. While HIPAA does not create a private right of action allowing individuals to sue the Company in civil court for violations of HIPAA, its standards have been used as the basis for duty of care in state civil suits such as those for negligence or recklessness in the misuse or breach of PHI.
Because of the complexity of the various data privacy laws the Company may be subject to, compliance can be costly. The Company has taken general steps to comply with data privacy and security laws. For example, the Company has implemented a number of policies, including policies regarding access controls, customer data privacy, secure data disposal, and incident response and risk assessments. Despite these efforts, the Company may at times fail in its efforts due to the complexity and evolving nature of these laws. Failure to comply with relevant data privacy laws could negatively impact the Company’s operations, including subject the Company to possible government enforcement actions which could result in investigations, fines, penalties, audits, inspection, litigation, additional reporting requirements and/or oversight.
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The Company’s business may be subject to additional or different government regulation in the future, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
The Company is currently licensed and operating in 49 states. Increased regulation (whether promulgated under insurance laws or any other applicable law) and regulatory oversight of and changes in law applicable to life settlements may restrict the ability of the Company to carry on its business as currently conducted. This could also impose additional administrative burdens on the Company, including responding to examinations and other regulatory inquiries and implementing policies and procedures. Regulatory inquiries often are confidential in nature, may involve a review of an individual’s or a firm’s activities or may involve studies of the industry or industry practices, as well as the practices of a particular institution.
There is currently no direct legal authority regarding the proper federal tax treatment of life settlements and potential future rulings from the IRS may have significant tax consequences on the Company.
There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper U.S. federal income tax treatment of life settlements, and the Company does not plan to request a ruling from the IRS. Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Company’s assets are uncertain, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the Company’s treatment of life settlements as prepaid financial contracts that are not debt. If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment, the tax consequences of ownership and disposition of life settlements could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, in 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting public comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. Any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in life settlements, possibly with retroactive effect.
There have been lawsuits in various states questioning whether a purchaser of a life insurance policy has the requisite “insurable interest” in the policy which would permit the purchaser to collect the insurance benefits and an adverse finding in any of these lawsuits could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
All states require that the initial purchaser of a new life insurance policy insuring the life of another individual have an insurable interest in that individual’s life at the time of the original issuance of the policy. An “insurable interest” is an economic stake in an event for which a person or entity purchases an insurance policy. An insurance policy may only be initially purchased by a person or entity who has an insurable interest in the insured. For example, if a spouse purchases an insurance policy on his or her spouse or a company purchases an insurance policy on an employee. In addition, some states may require that the Company have an insurable interest in the insured. Whether an insurable interest exists in the context of the purchase of a life insurance policy is critical because in the absence of a valid insurable interest, life insurance policies are unenforceable under the laws of most states. Where a life insurance policy has been issued to a policy holder without an insurable interest in the life of the insured, the life insurance company may not be required to pay the face value under the policy and may also be entitled to retain the premiums paid. Generally, there are two forms of insurable interest in the life of an individual, familial and financial. Additionally, an individual is deemed to have an insurable interest in his or her own life. Insurable interest is determined at the inception of the policy. The definition of exactly what constitutes “insurable interest” tends to vary by state. Some cases have also been initiated by life insurance companies, challenging the legality of the original issuance of policies on insurable interest grounds and asserting that such policies constitute “Stranger-Originated Life Insurance” or “STOLI,” which is defined as a practice or plan to initiate a life insurance policy for a third-party investor who, at the time of policy origination, has no insurable interest in the insured. Some states (such as Utah and New York) permit the heirs and beneficiaries of an insured to recover the face value under such STOLI policies rather than the policy owner which lacked insurable interest.
While the Company does not believe it has invested in any STOLI polices, and has policies and procedures in place to identify potential STOLI policies, there can be no guarantee that the Company will identify all STOLI policies. As such, the Company may acquire certain life insurance policies that may be deemed by an issuing
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insurance company to be STOLI policies, whether purposefully, if the Company deems such life insurance policy to be an attractive investment even after taking into account the insurable interest risk, or inadvertently, where the true nature of such life insurance policy is not discovered prior to its acquisition by the Company. Should an issuing insurance company successfully challenge the validity of a life insurance policy acquired by the Company, the Company will lose its investment in such life insurance policy. Furthermore, the Company will also suffer losses if a family member of an insured is successful in asserting a claim that he or she, and not the Company, is entitled to the face value payable under a life insurance policy.
The failure of the Company to accurately and timely track and pay premium payments on the life insurance policies it holds could result in the lapse of such policies which would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business.
In order to realize gains on its investment in life insurance policies, the Company must ensure that the life insurance policies remain in force until they mature or are sold by the Company. Failure by the Company to pay premiums on the life insurance policies when due will result in termination or “lapse” of the life insurance policies and will result in the loss of the Company’s investment in such life insurance policies.
The originating life insurance company may increase the cost of insurance premiums, which would adversely affect the Company’s returns.
For any life insurance policies that may be obtained by the Company, the Company will be responsible for maintaining the policies, including paying insurance premiums. If a life insurance company increases the cost of insurance charged for any of the life insurance policies held by the Company, the amounts required to be paid for insurance premiums due for these life insurance policies may increase, requiring the Company to incur additional costs for the life insurance policies which may reduce the value of such life insurance policies and consequently affect the returns available on such policies.
Life insurance companies have in the past materially increased the cost of insurance charges. There can be no assurance that life insurance policies acquired by the Company will not be subject to cost of insurance increases. If any such life insurance policies are affected by a cost of insurance increase, the value of such life insurance policy may be materially reduced and the Company may decide or may be forced to allow such life insurance policy to lapse, resulting in a loss to the Company.
In the event an insurance company experiences significantly higher than anticipated expenses associated with operation and/or policy administration, or, in some instances, lower investment returns, the insurance company may have the right to increase the charges to each of its policy owners, but not beyond guaranteed maximums. While the insurance companies did not specify the reason for the increases, it is generally believed that the low interest rate environment was a significant contributing factor in the decision to raise the cost of insurance.
The Company may not be able to liquidate its life insurance policies which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
In the ordinary course of its business, the Company engages in the purchase and sale of life insurance policies. The liquidation value of these life insurance policies is important where, for example, it becomes necessary to sell life insurance policies from the Company’s hold portfolio in order to meet the Company’s cash flow needs, including the payment of future premiums.
In many cases liquidations may not be a viable option to meet the Company’s liquidity because of, among other things: (1) the lack of a market for such life insurance policies at the time; (2) the uncertainties surrounding the liquidation value of an individual life insurance policy; (3) the extensive amount of time and effort it might take to sell a life insurance policy; (4) the effect excessive sales of life insurance policies may have on transactions and future cash flows; and (5) the tax consequences.
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The Company assumes the credit risk associated with life insurance companies and may not be able to realize the full value of insurance company payouts which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s profits.
The Company will assume the credit risk associated with life insurance policies issued by various life insurance companies. The failure or bankruptcy of any such life insurance company could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s ability to achieve its investment objectives. A life insurance company’s business tends to track general economic and market conditions that are beyond its control, including extended economic recessions, interest rate changes, the subprime lending market crisis or changes in investor perceptions regarding the strength of insurers generally and the life insurance policies or annuities they offer. Adverse economic factors and volatility in the financial markets may have a material adverse effect on a life insurance company’s business obligation to pay the face value of policies.
The insolvency of any insurance company or a downgrade in the ratings of an insurance company could have a material adverse impact on the value of the related life insurance policies, the collectability of the related face value, cash surrender value or other amounts agreed to be paid by such insurance company. In the event that a life insurance carrier becomes insolvent or is placed into receivership, most state guaranty associations place a $300,000 or lower cap on face value for policies per insured. In addition to the limitations on the amount of coverage, which vary by state, there are limitations on who may make claims under such coverage and the Company may not be eligible to make claims under U.S. state guarantee funds as most U.S. state guarantee fund laws were enacted with the stated goal of assisting policyholders residing in such states. Even if available to the Company, guarantee fund coverage limits are typically smaller than the face values of some of the life insurance policies that the Company will acquire. There can be no assurance that as more life settlement transactions are undertaken, legislators will not adopt additional restrictions on the availability of U.S. state guaranty funds.
The Company’s success is dependent upon the services of its experienced management and talented employees. If the Company is unable to retain management and/or key employees, its ability to compete could be harmed.
The success of the Company is dependent upon the talents and efforts of highly skilled individuals employed by the Company and the Company’s ability to identify and willingness to provide acceptable compensation to attract, retain and motivate experienced management, talented investment professionals and other employees. Most of the shares registered for sale by the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part are owned by our founders who are also key members of management of the Company.
There can be no assurance that the Company’s management and professionals will continue to be associated with the Company, and the failure to attract or retain such professionals could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to execute on its business plan. Competition in the financial services industry for qualified management and employees is intense and there is no guarantee that, if lost, the talents of the Company’s professionals could be replaced.
The Company’s intellectual property rights may not adequately protect the Company’s business.
To be successful, the Company must protect its technology, know-how and brand through means, such as trademarks, trade secrets, patents, copyrights, service marks, contractual restrictions, and other intellectual property rights and confidentiality procedures in the U.S. and outside of the U.S. Despite the Company’s efforts to implement these protections, they may not adequately protect its business for a variety of reasons, including:
•inability to successfully register or obtain patents and other intellectual property rights for important innovations that sufficiently protect the full scope of such innovations;
•inability to maintain appropriate confidentiality and other protective measures to establish and maintain the Company’s trade secrets;
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•uncertainty in, and evolution of, legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights;
•potential invalidation of the Company’s intellectual property rights through administrative processes or litigation; and
•other practical, resource, or business limitations on the Company’s ability to detect and prevent infringement or misappropriation of our rights and to enforce our rights.
Litigation may be necessary to enforce the Company’s intellectual property or proprietary rights, protect the Company’s trade secrets, or determine the validity and scope of proprietary rights claimed by others. Any litigation, whether or not resolved in the Company’s favor, could result in significant expense to the Company, and divert the time and efforts of the Company’s technical and management personnel. If the Company is unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon, violating or misappropriating the Company’s intellectual property or is required to incur substantial expenses defending the Company’s intellectual property rights, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.
The Company may become subject to intellectual property disputes, which are costly and may subject the Company to significant liability and increased costs of doing business.
The Company may in the future become subject to intellectual property disputes. The Company’s success depends, in part, on the Company’s ability to operate without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating the intellectual property rights of third parties. However, the Company may not be aware that its practices are infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating third-party intellectual property rights, and such third parties may bring claims against the Company or its business partners alleging such infringement, misappropriation or violation.
Any claims of intellectual property infringement, even those without merit, may be time-consuming and expensive to resolve, divert management’s time and attention, cause the Company to cease using or incorporating the asserted challenged intellectual property rights expose it to other legal liabilities, or require it to enter into licensing agreements to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property. Although the Company carries general liability insurance, it may not cover potential claims of this type or may not be adequate to indemnify the Company for all liability that may be imposed. The Company cannot predict the outcome of lawsuits and cannot ensure that the results of any such actions will not have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in the Company’s favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert the resources of the Company’s management and harm the Company’s business and results of operations.
Pandemics, along with rising interest rates and inflation, may disrupt the ability of the Company and its providers to originate life settlement policies which could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position.
Pandemics, particularly in the United States, could have a material and adverse effect on our business operations. These could include disruptions or restrictions on our ability to source life settlement policies, as well as temporary closures of our facilities and the facilities of our third-party service providers. Any disruption or delay of our third-party service providers would likely impact our operating results. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of the United States and throughout the world, resulting in an economic downturn that could affect demand for the life insurance policies and significantly impact the Company’s operating results. Adverse changes in the perceived or actual economic climate, including higher
unemployment rates, declines in income levels, inflation, and recession may shift the timing and volume of transactions, or the number of customers using our services for a prolonged period.
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Failure to maintain adequate financial, information technology and management processes and controls could result in material weaknesses and lead to errors in our financial reporting, which could adversely affect our business as a public company.
As a public company, we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal controls. Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.Maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and is important in helping to prevent financial fraud.
Our current controls and any new controls that we develop may become inadequate because of poor design and changes in our business, including increased complexity resulting from any expansion. Any failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could adversely affect the results of assessments by our independent registered public accounting firm and their attestation reports.
If we are unable to certify the effectiveness of our internal controls, or if our internal controls have a material weakness, we may not detect errors in a timely fashion, our consolidated financial statements could be misstated, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny and a loss of confidence by stakeholders, which could harm our business and adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Failure to comply with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley could potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the SEC, FINRA or other regulatory authorities, as well as increase the risk of liability arising from litigation based on securities law.
Our ability to timely raise capital in the future may be limited, or may be unavailable on acceptable terms, if at all. Our failure to raise capital when needed could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Debt issued to raise additional capital may reduce the cash flow available to make required payments with respect to the notes and affect our ability to execute our investment strategy or impact the value of our investments.
We have funded our operations since inception primarily through our origination, active management and holding of life settlement policies. We cannot be certain when or if our operations will generate sufficient cash to fund our ongoing operations or the growth of our business.
We intend to continue to make investments to support our business and may require additional funds. Additional financing may not be available on favorable terms, if at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to invest in future growth opportunities, which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. If we incur debt, the debt holders could have rights senior to holders of the notes to make claims on our assets.
The Company has a series of warrants outstanding (collectively the “Warrants”), which include: (i) warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) originally issued in connection the Company’s initial public offering (the “Company IPO”) to purchase up to 7,120,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), issuable upon the exercise, at an exercise price of $11.50 per share; (ii) warrants issued in connection with the Closing of the Business Combination to purchase up to 1,780,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, at an exercise price of $11.50 per share; (iii) warrants (the “Public Warrants”) issued in connection with the Company IPO to purchase up to 17,250,000 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, of the public warrants. We receive no capital until the Warrants are exercised, which do not expire until 2028. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
We are an “emerging growth company.” The reduced public company reporting requirements applicable to emerging growth companies may make our securities less attractive to investors.
We qualify as an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. While we remain an emerging growth company, we are permitted and plan to rely on exemptions from certain disclosure requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. These provisions include: (1) an
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exemption from compliance with the auditor attestation requirement in the assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, (2) not being required to comply with any requirement that may be adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report providing additional information about the audit and the financial statements, (3) reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation arrangements in our periodic reports, registration statements and proxy statements and (4) exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. As a result, the information we provide will be different than the information that is available with respect to other public companies that are not emerging growth companies. In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company can take advantage of the exemption from complying with new or revised accounting standards provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act as long as we are an emerging growth company. An emerging growth company can therefore delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies, but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected to irrevocably opt out of such extended transition period, which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we will adopt the new or revised standard at the time public companies adopt the new or revised standard. This may make comparison of our financial statements with another emerging growth company that has not opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.
We cannot predict whether investors will find our securities less attractive if we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our securities less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our securities. The market price of our securities may be more volatile.
Failure to maintain adequate financial, information technology and management processes and controls could result in material weaknesses and lead to errors in our financial reporting, which could adversely affect our business as a public company.
As a public company, we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal controls. Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.Maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and is important in helping to prevent financial fraud.
Our current controls and any new controls that we develop may become inadequate because of poor design and changes in our business, including increased complexity resulting from any expansion. Any failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could adversely affect the results of assessments by our independent registered public accounting firm and their attestation reports.
If we are unable to certify the effectiveness of our internal controls, or if our internal controls have a material weakness, we may not detect errors in a timely fashion, our consolidated financial statements could be misstated, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny and a loss of confidence by stakeholders, which could harm our business and adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Failure to comply with Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley could potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the SEC, FINRA or other regulatory authorities, as well as increase the risk of liability arising from litigation based on securities law.
Changes in tax regulations or their interpretation could negatively impact our cash flows and results of operations.
Changes in tax and other revenue raising laws, regulations and policies in the jurisdictions where we do business could impose new restrictions, costs or prohibitions on our practices and negatively impact our results of operations. In addition, interpretation of tax regulations requires us to exercise our judgment and taxing authorities or our independent registered public accounting firm may reach conclusions about the application of
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such regulations that differ from our conclusions. Changes to US tax laws, regulations, or interpretations could impact the tax treatment of our earnings and adversely affect our cash flows and financial results.
We are subject to audit in various jurisdictions, and these jurisdictions may assess additional taxes against us. Developments in an audit, litigation, or laws, regulations, administrative practices, principles, and interpretations could have a material effect on our operating results or cash flows. The final outcome of tax audits, investigations, and any related litigation could be materially different from our historical tax provisions and accruals.
Our use of different estimates and assumptions in the application of our accounting policies could result in material changes to our reported financial condition and results of operations, and changes in accounting standards or their interpretation could significantly impact our reported results of operations.
Our accounting policies are critical to the manner in which we present our results of operations and financial condition. Many of these policies, including policies relating to the recognition of revenue, are highly complex and involve many assumptions, estimates and judgments. We are required to review these assumptions, estimates and judgments regularly and revise them when necessary. Our actual results of operations vary from period to period based on revisions to these estimates. See the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section of Part II, Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further information. In addition, the regulatory bodies that establish accounting and reporting standards, including the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, periodically revise or issue new financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Changes to these standards or their interpretation could significantly impact our reported results in future periods.
Risks Related to our Recent Acquisitions
The Company may not realize the anticipated benefits of the Carlisle Acquisition and the FCF Acquisition, which may adversely affect the Company’s business results and negatively impact the value of the Company’s Common Stock.
An inability to realize the full extent of the anticipated benefits of the Carlisle Acquisition and the FCF Acquisition, as well as any future delays encountered in the integration process, could have an adverse effect upon the revenues, level of expenses and operating results of the Company, which may adversely affect the value of the Company’s Common Stock. Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Carlisle Acquisition and the FCF Acquisition will depend, to a large extent, on our ability to integrate our business with Carlisle’s business and with FCF Advisors’ business in a manner that facilitates growth opportunities and achieves the anticipated benefits. In addition, some of the anticipated synergies are not expected to occur for a significant time period following the completion of the acquisitions and will require substantial capital expenditures to achieve. There can be no guarantee we will achieve any of these benefits on the anticipated timeframe or at all.
It is possible that the integration process could ultimately result in the loss of key employees, the loss of customers, the disruption of any of the companies’ or all of the companies’ ongoing businesses, inconsistencies in standards, controls (including internal controls over financial reporting), procedures and policies, unexpected integration issues, higher than expected integration costs and an overall post-completion integration process that takes longer than originally anticipated. We expect to face numerous challenges as we integrate the operations of the Company, Carlisle, and FCF Advisors in order to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions, including:
•combining the business of the Company, Carlisle and FCF Advisors and meeting the capital requirements, in a manner that permits the combined company to achieve any cost savings or other synergies, the failure of which would result in the anticipated benefits of the Carlisle Acquisition and the FCF Acquisition not being realized in the time frame currently anticipated or at all;
•integrating and unifying the offerings and services available to customers;
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•adopting mechanisms to address and comply with new regulatory and legal requirements associated with new business lines of the Company in a highly regulated industry;
•identifying and eliminating redundant and underperforming functions and assets;
•maintaining existing agreements with customers, suppliers, distributors and vendors, avoiding delays in entering into new agreements with prospective customers, suppliers, distributors and vendors, and leveraging relationships with such third parties for the benefit of the combined company;
•consolidating the companies’ information technology infrastructure;
•difficulties in managing the expanded operations of a larger and more complex company; and
•potential unknown liabilities, adverse consequences and unforeseen increased expenses associated with the integration of Carlisle and FCF Advisors into our business.
In addition, at times the attention of certain members of the Company’s management and respective resources may in the future be focused on the integration of the businesses and diverted from day-to-day business operations or other opportunities that may have been beneficial to such Company, which may disrupt the business of the Company.
Many of these factors are outside of our control and any of them could result in lower revenues and higher costs, which could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, even if the operations of the companies are integrated successfully, the full benefits of the Carlisle Acquisition and the FCF Acquisition may not be realized, including, among others, the synergies, cost savings or sales or growth opportunities that are expected. As a result, it cannot be assured that the Carlisle Acquisition and the FCF Acquisition will result in the realization of the full benefits expected within the anticipated time frames, or at all.
Our international operations pose additional risks that may adversely impact our financial results and operations.
Following the Carlisle Acquisition, we derive a portion of our revenues from sources located outside of the U.S. We are subject to a number of risks due to our international operations, including:
•difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;
•coordinating our information and data processing systems, communications, policies and logistics across geographic distances, multiple time zones and in different languages;
•changes in tax regulations or practice, and rates in both U.S. and foreign countries;
•lost business or financial harm due to protectionism in the United States and in countries around the world, including adverse trade policies, price controls or economic sanctions,
•government actions affecting the flow of goods, services and currency,
•governmental restrictions on the transfer of funds to us and from our operations outside the United States;
•changes in the geopolitical environment, wars, conflicts, or trade barriers or blockades in Luxembourg and/or in the EU, which may adversely affect business activity and economic conditions globally and could contribute to instability in global financial and foreign exchange markets, as well as disrupt the free movement of goods, services, and people between countries;
•cash balances held in foreign banks and institutions where governments have not specifically enacted formal guarantee programs;
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•differences in the availability and terms of financing;
•Luxembourg and EU regulatory reforms exposing the Company to increasing regulatory scrutiny as well as regulatory uncertainty; and
•epidemics or pandemics on a regional or global level.
We must comply with differing labor practices and foreign laws, including data privacy requirements, licensing regulations, anti-money laundering, counter terrorist-financing, and anti-corruption rules and laws and regulations applicable to U.S. business operations abroad, any or all of which will impose administrative burdens on the Company. Violations of these laws and regulations could result in fines and penalties, criminal sanctions, tariffs or duties, restrictions on our business conduct and on our ability to offer our services in one or more countries, and could also materially adversely affect our reputation, our ability to attract and retain employees, our international operations, our business and our operating results.
The EU General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”) is a comprehensive regulation applying across all EU member states. All our business units (regardless of whether they are located in the EU) may be subject to the GDPR when personal data is processed in relation to the offer of goods and services to individuals within the EU. The GDPR is complex and compliance may be costly. Our failure to comply with GDPR and other countries’ privacy or data security-related laws, rules or regulations could result in significant penalties imposed by regulators which could have an adverse effect on our business financial condition and results of operations.
Carlisle is regulated by the Luxembourg supervisory authority (Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier or “CSSF”) and is subject to the Luxembourg’s and the European Union's Alternative Investment Fund Managers (“AIFM”) Directive which regulates investment advisors domiciled in Luxembourg and in the European Union and investment advisors that manage investment funds domiciled or marketed in Luxembourg and in the European Union. The AIFM Directive imposes certain requirements and restrictions on such investment advisors, which differ based on the domicile of the applicable investment advisor and investment fund and the circumstances under which an investment fund is marketed in Luxembourg and in the European Union. Such requirements and restrictions may include disclosure and transparency obligations, capital adequacy, valuation and depositary requirements, leverage and investment restrictions, other conduct of business requirements and tax requirements. As a result of the AIFM Directive, an investment advisor may be restricted from marketing investment funds in Luxembourg and in the European Union, may incur potentially significant increased operating costs, may be unable to engage in certain activities that it otherwise would have and/or may be subject to other adverse consequences. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect the performance of the Company.
The Company’s business and operating activities are subject to increasing regulatory oversight outside the U.S. and Carlisle may be affected by several proposed or implemented reform initiatives in Luxembourg and in the EU as well as volatility associated with international regulatory uncertainty. International regulatory reforms could require the Company to alter its future business or operating activities, which could be time-consuming and costly, increase regulatory compliance costs, result in litigation, impede the Company’s growth, and cause its assets under management (“AUM”), revenue and earnings to decline. Regulatory reform may also impact the Company’s clients, which could cause them to change their investment strategies or allocations in manners that may be adverse to the Company. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect the performance of the Company.
Any disruption to Carlisle Management’s distribution channels may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.
Carlisle relies on a number of third parties to provide distribution and business introduction servicing for certain of its investment management products through its various distribution channels. Carlisle’s ability to maintain strong relationships with its distributors may impact the Company’s future performance, and its relationships with distributors are subject to periodic renegotiation that may result in increased distribution costs and/or reductions in the number of products and services being marketed or distributed. Moreover, new fiduciary regulations could lead to significant shifts in distributors' business models and more limited product offerings, potentially resulting in reduced distribution and/or marketing of certain of the Carlisle’s products. If Carlisle is
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unable to distribute its products successfully or if it is unable to replace or renew existing distribution arrangements, the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings may decline. In addition, improper activities, as well as inadequate and improper execution of controls in the context of anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing, could create additionally reputational and regulatory harm to Carlisle. In the context of the management of its products, Carlisle’s obligations include having a proper due diligence process on its delegates to ensure that third-party distributors conduct ongoing checks on its contracting parties.
Because a portion of our business is conducted in currency other than U.S. dollar, we have significant foreign currency risk.
Our results of operations and financial condition are affected by fluctuations in exchange rates between the Euro and the U.S. dollar. The exchange rates between the Euro against the U.S. dollar have fluctuated significantly in recent years and may fluctuate significantly in the future. In the future we may hedge a portion of our foreign currency exposure with the purchase of forward exchange contracts or through other hedging techniques. Hedge contracts only mitigate the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates that occur during the term of the related contract period and carry risks of counterparty failure. There can be no assurance that we will enter into such hedges or that our hedges will have their intended effects.
Litigation and other claims and liabilities have arisen and may arise with respect to the acquisitions that we consummate or the businesses acquired, including our recently completed acquisitions, and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
We may face litigation or other claims as a result of the terms and conditions of our acquisition agreements, stock purchase agreements, tender offers and other agreements to purchase equity interests in target companies, such as earnout payments or closing net asset adjustments. Shareholder litigation may arise as a result of proposed acquisitions. Acquired businesses may have liabilities, pre-existing compliance issues or deficiencies, or be subject to claims, litigation, or investigations that we did not anticipate or which exceed our estimates at the time of the acquisition. These liabilities and claims will increase expenses, may cause a delay in completing an acquisition, and may disrupt our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
Businesses we have recently acquired, including Carlisle, have included litigation and claims by investors such as those relating to asset valuations, distributions and other matters. Such litigation and claims and any similar future claims may result in a loss of investors, reduced management fees, increased costs, damage to our reputation, and diversion of management’s time, and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
Our stock repurchase program may not enhance long-term stockholder value and could increase the volatility of the market price of our common stock and diminish our cash.
Our stock repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any shares of our Common Stock. The timing and amount of any repurchases depend upon several factors, including market conditions, business conditions, statutory and contractual restrictions, the trading price of our Common Stock and the nature of other investment opportunities available to us. In addition, repurchases of our Common Stock could affect our stock price and increase its volatility. The existence of a stock repurchase program could cause our stock price to be higher than it would be absent the program and could reduce market liquidity for our stock. Use of our funds to repurchase stock could diminish our cash reserves, which may impact our ability to finance growth, pursue strategic opportunities, and discharge liabilities. Our stock repurchases may not enhance stockholder value because the market price of our Common Stock may decline below the prices at which we repurchased stock and short-term stock price fluctuations could reduce the program’s effectiveness.
Upon the expiration of the lockup agreements entered into by the Carlisle sellers, the Company, our directors, executive officers and holders of 5% or more of our Common Stock, as applicable, a substantial
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number of shares of Common Stock will be eligible for resale into the public market, a portion of which shares are being offered in this prospectus.
Each of the selling securityholders (other than Manorhaven) have executed a share lockup and standstill agreement providing that each selling securityholder will not (subject to certain customary exceptions) transfer such selling securityholders’ shares through July 3, 2025, and that each selling securityholder will not transfer more than 15% of the Shares held on the Acquisition Closing Date, December 2, 2024, within any 30-day period. In addition, each selling securityholder agreed, for 12 months following the Acquisition Closing Date, not to initiate or participate in any acquisition of the Company’s securities that would result in (i) such selling securityholder and its affiliates and associates beneficially owning 10% or more of the Company’s voting securities or (ii) any group beneficially owning 20% or more of the Company’s voting securities.
We have also entered into lock-up agreements in connection with the Business Combination, pursuant to which certain directors, executive officers, holders of 5% or more of our Common Stock have agreed with the Company, subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose of or hedge any of our or their shares of Common Stock from the date of such agreements until the agreed-upon date of termination of the lock-up. On November 21, 2024, the Company released certain restricted shares of Common Stock held by Jay Jackson, our chief executive officer, from the transfer and other restrictions applicable to such shares. Upon the expiration or early termination or waiver of the lock-up agreements, those shares will be eligible for resale unless such shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions. The resale of these shares in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could harm the prevailing market price of shares of our Common Stock. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also may make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price we or the Selling Securityholders deem appropriate.
In addition, we have entered into registration rights agreements with certain stockholders of the Company, including East Sponsor, LLC, Thomas W. Corbett, Jr., Jay Jackson, Scott Kirby, Sean McNealy, and Matthew Ganovsky as well as with the Selling Securityholders, providing the parties thereto with certain registration rights relating to the shares of our Common Stock which they beneficially own, including certain demand and piggyback registration rights, in each case, subject to certain requirements and customary conditions. The registration rights agreements set forth customary registration procedures, including an agreement by us to make appropriate officers available to participate in roadshow presentations and cooperate as reasonably requested in connection with any underwritten offerings. These registration rights would facilitate the resale of such securities into the public market, and any such resale would increase the number of shares of our Common Stock available for public trading.
Our Board has broad discretion to issue additional securities, and in order to raise sufficient funds to expand our operations, we may have to issue securities at prices which may result in substantial dilution to our stockholders.
We are entitled under the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Charter”) to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 (“Preferred Stock”), although these amounts may change in the future subject to stockholder approval. Shares of our Preferred Stock provide our board of directors broad authority to determine voting, dividend, conversion and other rights. Any additional stock issuances could be made at a price that reflects a discount or premium to the then-current market price of our Common Stock. In addition, in order to raise capital, we may need to issue securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for a significant amount of our Common Stock. Our board of directors may generally issue those shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock, or convertible securities to purchase those shares, without further approval by our stockholders. Any Preferred Stock we may issue could have such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as may be designated from time to time by our board of directors, including preferential dividend rights, voting rights, conversion rights, redemption rights and liquidation provisions. We may also issue additional securities to our directors, officers, employees and consultants as compensatory grants in connection with their services, both in the form of stand-alone grants or under our stock incentive plans. Additionally, we have a series of warrants outstanding (collectively, the “Warrants”) which include: (i) warrants issued in connection with the initial public offering of
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East Resources Acquisition Company (the “ERES IPO”) to purchase up to 7,120,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, at an exercise price of $11.50 per share; (ii) warrants issued in connection with the closing of the Business Combination to purchase up to 1,780,000 shares of our Common Stock issuable upon the exercise, at an exercise price of $11.50 per share; and (iii) warrants issued in connection with the ERES IPO to purchase up to 17,250,000 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (16,654,140 of which were outstanding as of January 6, 2025). The exercise of such Warrants and the issuance of additional securities may cause substantial dilution to our stockholders.
If we issue additional debt securities, our operations may be restricted, we will be exposed to additional risk and the market price of our Common Stock could be adversely affected.
If we decide to issue debt securities in the future, it is likely that such securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants that may restrict our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our Common Stock. Holders of debt securities may also be granted specific rights, including, but not limited to, the right to hold a perfected security interest in certain of our assets, the right to accelerate payments due under the indenture, rights to restrict dividend payments and rights to approve the sale of assets. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities and shares of Preferred Stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our Common Stock.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our Common Stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
The trading market for our Common Stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our Company downgrades our Common Stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.
The trading price of our Common Stock has been, and is likely to continue to be, volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, some of which are beyond our control.
The market price of our Common Stock may be volatile because of numerous factors, including:
•our operating and financial performance and prospects;
•quarterly variations in operating results;
•changes in financial estimates by us or securities analysts who may cover our stock or by our failure to meet the estimates made by securities analysts;
•conditions that impact demand for products and/or services;
•future announcements concerning our business, our clients’ businesses or our competitors’ businesses;market and industry perception of our success, or lack thereof, in pursuing our growth strategy;
•changes in market valuations of other similar companies;
•changes in laws or regulations applicable to our business;
•additions or departures of key personnel;
•changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of debt, equity and equity-linked securities, including secured lending arrangements and securitizations;
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•short sales, hedging and other derivative transactions involving our capital stock;
•our limited public float and the relatively thin trading market for our Common Stock;
•transactions in our Common Stock, by directors, officers, affiliates and other major investors;
•strategic actions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;
•changes in laws or regulations which adversely affect our industry or us;
•adverse resolution of new or pending litigation against us; and
•changes in general market, economic and political conditions in the United States and global economies or financial markets, including those resulting from inflation, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, acts of war and responses to such events.
Furthermore, from time to time, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies.
These broad market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions or interest rate changes, may negatively impact the market price of our Common Stock. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock have been subject to securities class action litigation. Any future securities litigation against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, and harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Future sales of our Common Stock, or the perception that such future sales may occur, may cause our stock price to decline.
Sales of substantial amounts of our Common Stock, including Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of our outstanding Warrants, in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline. In addition, the sale of such shares, or the perception that such sales may occur, could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional Common Stock or Preferred Stock. Except for any shares purchased by our affiliates, all of the shares of Common Stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable.
We have not paid cash dividends in the past and do not expect to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any return on your investment may be limited to increases in the market price of our Common Stock.
We have not paid any cash dividends on our Common Stock to date. We may retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and have no current plans to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board may deem relevant. In addition, our ability to pay dividends may be limited by covenants of any existing and future indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur.
Investing in our Common Stock may involve a significant degree of risk.
The investments we make in accordance with our investment objectives may result in a higher amount of risk when compared to alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments may be highly speculative and aggressive, and therefore an investment in our Common Stock may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance and investors in our Common Stock may experience losses and volatility.
Risks Related to our Debt
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Our outstanding and any future indebtedness could adversely affect our financial and operational flexibility.
As of December 31, 2024, we had indebtedness outstanding of approximately $381 million, including $100 million of borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and excluding approximately $143 million of indebtedness of consolidated variable interest entities. In addition, we have an additional committed Delayed Draw Facility with up to $50 million available to be drawn subject to certain conditions. We expect to incur additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the indenture under which the Notes are issued do not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness. Our debt service obligations will require us to use a portion of our cash flow to pay interest and principal on debt instead of for other corporate purposes, including funding future expansion. If our cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to service our debt obligations, we may be forced to seek extraordinary dividends from our subsidiaries, sell assets, seek additional equity or debt capital or restructure our debt. However, these measures might be unsuccessful or inadequate in permitting us to meet scheduled debt service obligations.
Our Credit Agreement subjects us to restrictive covenants that could affect our financial and operational flexibility. Our breach or failure to comply with any of these covenants could result in a default under our credit agreement. In addition, our Senior Secured Credit Facility matures in 2030. We may not be able to refinance this debt on favorable terms or at all at maturity.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Management is responsible for mitigating the Company’s risks, including cybersecurity.The Board of Directors has the oversight responsibility for the Company’s risk management and has delegated its responsibility over cybersecurity to the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee periodically reviews the Company’s cybersecurity policy and programs established by management to mitigate cybersecurity and data risks. The periodic reviews take place on a quarterly basis and include reports from the Company’s cybersecurity team led by the Company’s Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”) who has over 10 years of data security experience. The quarterly report provides an overview of cybersecurity threats, key measures in place to mitigate cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities, provides a status of ongoing security projects to strengthen the Company’s cybersecurity posture, as well as plans and resource needs for addressing possible future cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities. The Company’s cybersecurity policy is centered on mitigating risks related to cybersecurity, privacy, physical security, and information security risk management.
The Company’s cybersecurity risk management approach is reviewed for alignment with the Company’s overall risk tolerance. The Company has a dedicated cybersecurity team led by the CISO who is responsible for executing the risk strategy and policies developed in coordination with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, Presidents, and the Vice Presidents of Finance and Capital Markets.