- Release Date: 23/10/12 19:04
- Summary: MEETING: GFL: Special Meeting
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GFL 23/10/2012 17:04 MEETING REL: 1704 HRS GFNZ Group Limited MEETING: GFL: Special Meeting GFNZ GROUP LIMITED Notice of Special Meeting Notice is given that a special meeting of shareholders of GFNZ Group Limited (Geneva) will be held at Amway of New Zealand, 6a Pacific Rise, Mt Wellington, Auckland on Tuesday 6 November 2012 commencing at 2pm. SPECIAL BUSINESS 1 Approval of Rights Issue To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as an ordinary resolution of Geneva: "In accordance with Listing Rules 7.3.1 and 7.5, to approve the issue of up to 56,174,657 new ordinary shares at 2.75 cents per share, and the grant of up to 37,449,771 options to acquire further new ordinary shares in the future, each pursuant to a non-renounceable rights issue and on the terms as more particularly described in the explanatory notes to, and Simplified Disclosure Prospectus accompanying, this notice of meeting (the Rights Issue)." 2 Approval of underwriting agreement with Federal Pacific Group Limited To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as an ordinary resolution of Geneva: "In accordance with Listing Rules 7.5 and 9.2.1 and Rule 7(d) of the Takeovers Code, to ratify, confirm and approve entry into, and performance of, the underwriting agreement dated 20 July 2012 as amended between Federal Pacific Group Limited (FedPac) and Geneva in relation to the Rights Issue as described in the Simplified Disclosure Prospectus accompanying this notice of meeting and to approve the issue of shares to FedPac under the underwriting agreement and on exercise of the options issued to FedPac pursuant to the Rights Issue and the underwriting agreement." 3 Approval of director's investment in Professional Investor Scheme To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as an ordinary resolution of Geneva: "In accordance with Listing Rule 9.2.1, to approve the non-executive directors of Geneva and any Associated Person (as defined in the Listing Rules) of a non-executive director (but excluding David O'Connell and any of his Associated Persons) investing in the Professional Investor Scheme on terms as more particularly described under "Proposed terms of investment" in the explanatory notes to this notice of meeting." EXPLANATORY NOTES Majority required The resolutions required for agenda items 1, 2 and 3 are ordinary resolutions. Ordinary resolutions will be passed if greater than 50% of the votes that are cast by shareholders entitled to vote on the resolution and voting, vote in favour of the resolution. Quorum The shareholder's meeting will proceed if at least 5 shareholders having the right to vote at the meeting are present in person or by proxy. Exercise of votes On a show of hands, each shareholder has one vote. On a poll, each shareholder has one vote for each share held. Voting of jointly held shares If your shares are jointly held, only the vote of the shareholder whose name appears first in the register of shareholders will be counted to the exclusion of the other joint holder. Voting by corporations In order to vote at the meeting (other than by proxy), a corporation that is a holder of shares must appoint a person to act as its representative. Proxies and Representatives You may exercise your right to vote at the meeting either by being present in person or by appointing a proxy to attend and vote in your place. A proxy need not be a shareholder of Geneva. You may appoint the chairperson of the meeting to be your proxy. If you do not indicate how the chairperson will vote, the chairperson will vote in favour of the resolutions. A body corporate shareholder may appoint a representative to attend the meeting on its behalf. A proxy form is enclosed with this notice of meeting. If you wish to vote by proxy you must complete the form and send it to Link Market Services Limited, so as to ensure that it is received by 5 pm, on Sunday. 4 November 2012. Details of where to send the completed proxy form are set out in the voting instructions attached to this notice of meeting. Voting Restrictions Under NZAX Listing Rule 9.3, Federal Pacific Group Nominees Limited and any shareholder of Geneva associated with it, is not permitted to vote their existing shares in Geneva on resolutions 1 and 2. Additionally rule 17 of the Takeovers Code also prohibits Federal Pacific Group Nominees Limited and any shareholder of Geneva associated with it, from voting their existing shares in Geneva on resolution 2. Under NZAX Listing Rule 9.3, each of Geneva's non-executive directors, and any shareholder of Geneva associated with them, is not permitted to vote their existing shares in Geneva on resolution 3. Disqualified persons may not act as a discretionary proxy but may vote in accordance with express instructions of a shareholder who is not disqualified from voting. Voting and Subscription by other Associated Parties. The directors have advised Geneva that they and their associated parties intend to vote in favour of Resolutions 1 and 2 and may subscribe for their respective entitlements under the Rights Issue. Listing Rules, Companies Act and Takeovers Code Geneva is listed on the NZAX market operated by NZX Limited, and must comply with the NZAX Listing Rules and the Takeovers Code. In addition, various provisions of the NZAX Listing Rules are incorporated in Geneva's Constitution. The Companies Act, the Takeovers Code, Geneva's Constitution and the NZAX Listing Rules contain specific requirements which are relevant to the proposed resolutions set out in this notice of meeting. These requirements are addressed in these Explanatory Notes. What happens if either Resolution 1 or 2 is not passed? If Resolution 1 is not passed, there will not be a Rights Issue and Resolution 2 will not be put to the vote. If Resolution 1 is passed but Resolution 2 is not passed, the Rights Issue will proceed but will not be underwritten. Resolution 1 - Approval of the Rights Issue Reason for the Rights Issue In February 2012, Geneva issued 44,939,000 shares to Federal Pacific Group Limited (FedPac). At the time the directors announced that Geneva would make a rights issue to shareholders which would enable all shareholders to acquire additional shares in Geneva at the same price as the shares were issued to FedPac. Subsequently FedPac offered to underwrite the rights issue and Geneva accepted that offer. This assured Geneva that it would receive $1,544,800 from the Rights Issue which will assist with funding Geneva's business and repayment of its Moratorium debenture stock as outlined in the Simplified Disclosure Prospectus enclosed with this notice of meeting. Main Terms of the Rights Issue The main terms of the Rights Issue are as follows: o Geneva will issue up to 56,174,657 shares at 2.75 cents per share (payable in full in cash on application); o the Rights Issue is scheduled to open on 23 October 2012 and to remain open until 12 November 2012; o the Rights Issue is subject to the approval of the shareholders by ordinary resolution (this Resolution 1); o the shareholders are offered 1 new share for every 4 shares held at 19 October 2012 (the Record Date) (with fractions rounded down); o Geneva will issue up to 37,449,771 options (Options) to subscribers of the new shares (no payment is made for the Options); o for every three new shares subscribed for, Geneva will issue two Options (with fractions rounded down); o each Option will entitle the holder to subscribe for one new share in approximately 3 years at 8 cents per share; o the new shares issued under the Rights Issue and on exercise of the Options will rank equally in all respects, including as to dividends and voting, with the existing shares; o Rights are non-renounceable, which means that shareholders may not sell or transfer any of their Rights; o shareholders can apply for more than their entitlement. In the event that more shares are subscribed for than are available under the Rights Issue, the directors will scale applications, first, after allocating entitlements, and thereafter in a manner the directors determine is equitable. For example, if a shareholder currently holds 1000 shares, the shareholder will be entitled to subscribe for 250 new shares under the Rights Issue for a total price of $6.87. If the shareholder does subscribe for those shares, the shareholder will receive 166 Options entitling the shareholder to subscribe for 166 new shares in approximately 3 years' time for a total price of $13.28. Thus if the shareholder subscribes for its full entitlement of 250 shares and exercises all its Options, the shareholder will receive an additional 416 shares for the payment of an aggregate price of $20.15. There has only been one sale of the Shares sold on the NZAX during the 6 weeks ending on 5 October 2012. This sale was on 18 September 2012 and the sale price was 2.5 cents per Share. The Option exercise price of 8 cents per share is 5.5 cents more than that sale price. Accompanying this notice of meeting is a Simplified Disclosure Prospectus detailing the terms of the Rights Issue and a Rights Entitlement and Acceptance Form setting out the number of Rights to which each shareholder is entitled, determined in accordance with the number of shares held on the Record Date. Requirements for Resolution 1 Resolution 1 is required by NZAX Listing Rule 7.3.1 which provides that Geneva cannot issue shares unless the precise terms and conditions of the issue are approved by an ordinary resolution of shareholders or the issue is specifically permitted by another Listing Rule. No other Listing Rule permits a pro rata rights issue to all shareholders where the issue is non-renounceable. Additionally Resolution 1 is required by NZAX Listing Rule 7.5 for the reasons stated below under "Requirements for Resolution 2". Resolution 2 - Approval of underwriting agreement with Federal Pacific Group Limited The underwriter for the Rights Issue is Federal Pacific Group Limited (FedPac), a shareholder in Geneva which currently holds 19.99% of the shares in Geneva. It is likely that the percentage of shares held by FedPac will increase as a result of its underwriting of the Rights Issue. Shareholder approval by ordinary resolution is sought in accordance with the Takeovers Code and the Listing Rules of NZX Limited for Geneva to enter into the underwriting agreement with FedPac, and for the allotment of shares to FedPac under the Rights Issue and the potential allotment of shares to FedPac under underwriting agreement, which may result in FedPac holding or controlling in excess of 20% of the voting rights of Geneva. Principal terms of the underwriting agreement FedPac has agreed to underwrite the Rights Issue on the following basis: o FedPac will accept its full rights entitlement of 11,234,750 new shares on the basis of FedPac's current holding of 44,939,000 shares; o FedPac will subscribe for, at the issue price of 2.75 cents per share and in cleared funds on the first business day after the Closing Date and receipt of written notification of the shortfall or 30 November 2012 (whichever is later), any shortfall in the issue below 56,174,885 shares (which includes FedPac's entitlement of 11,234,750 new shares); o Geneva will pay an underwriting fee to FedPac of $15,488 being equal to 1% of the total issue price of the shares offered under the Rights Issue; o FedPac's underwriting commitment is conditional on: o the shareholders approving the terms of the Rights Issue and the issue of shares pursuant to the Rights Issue and any regulatory or stock exchange approvals necessary for the Rights Issue being obtained on terms reasonably acceptable to FedPac; o the Rights Issue being completed not later than 30 November 2012; o NZX accepting the new shares for quotation; o NZX not suspending the quotation of shares during the offer period; o the directors of Geneva not withdrawing or terminating the Rights Issue; o the Simplified Disclosure Prospectus not being or becoming false or misleading in a material particular by reason of failing to refer, or give proper emphasis, to adverse circumstances whether occurring before or after the date of the Prospectus, and no material adverse change occurring in the position or prospects of Geneva; and o None of the following occurring after 20 July 2012 but before the Rights Issue is completed: o an event or series of events occurs, or FedPac first becomes aware of any matter or information which it could not reasonably have been aware of before the date of the underwriting agreement, which in the reasonable opinion of FedPac: (i) has, or is likely to have, or once publicly disclosed, will have a material adverse effect on Geneva or a Geneva group company or on its business or prospects; (ii) has given rise to or is likely to give rise to a contravention by FedPac of, or FedPac being involved in a contravention of, the Securities Act, the Listing Rules, the Takeover Code or any other applicable law or regulation; or (iii) there is a general moratorium on commercial banking activities and financing activities in Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America or the United Kingdom declared by the relevant central banking authority in any of those countries, or there is a material disruption in commercial banking or security settlements or clearance services in any of those countries; o trading in all securities quoted or listed on the NZAX being suspended or limited in a material respect for at least 2 days on which that exchange is open for trading except when such trading is suspended or limited by a technical glitch; or o any adoption by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand or the Reserve Bank of Australia of a significant change in any policy or direction in respect of which there has not been a detailed announcement prior to the date of the underwriting agreement which will or may have a material adverse effect on the New Zealand economy. If any condition listed above is not fulfilled, or ceases to be fulfilled, or Geneva breaches any provision of the underwriting agreement, or any warranty given by Geneva in the underwriting agreement is incorrect, FedPac may terminate the underwriting agreement by written notice to Geneva. Requirements for Resolution 2 Resolution 2 is required by: o NZAX Listing Rule 9.2.1, which provides that an issuer such as Geneva cannot enter into a "Material Transaction" if a "Related Party" such as FedPac is or is likely to become a direct or indirect party to the Material Transaction, unless the Material Transaction has first been approved by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders of Geneva. The underwriting agreement constitutes a Material Transaction with a Related Party if Geneva issues shares having a market value in excess of 10% of the Average Market Capitalisation (as that terms is defined in the NZAX Listing Rules) to FedPac under its underwriting agreement; o NZAX Listing Rule 7.5 which states that an issuer such as Geneva cannot issue securities if there is a significant likelihood that the issue will result in any person, such as FedPac, materially increasing its ability to exercise effective control of the issuer, where that person is already entitled to exercise not less than 1% of the total votes attaching to the issuer's securities, unless the precise terms and conditions of the issue have first been approved by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders of the issuer; and o Rule 7(d) of the Takeovers Code which allows a person such as FedPac to take an allotment of voting securities which increases their voting rights in a code company, such as Geneva, only if the allotment of voting securities is approved by an ordinary resolution of the shareholders of Geneva. Takeovers Code Exemption It is likely that FedPac will be required to take up further shares under the underwriting agreement resulting in FedPac holding or controlling in excess of 20% of the voting rights of Geneva, thereby materially increasing its ability to exercise effective control of Geneva. Rule 16(b) of the Takeovers Code requires disclosure of the number of shares which FedPac will acquire under the underwriting agreement. However it is not possible to state: o the precise number of shares that will be allotted to FedPac under the underwriting agreement; or o the exact percentage of voting rights that will be held or controlled by FedPac after the allotment of those shares to it until the offer closes and the Options held by it are either exercised or expire, because the number of shares which will be allotted to FedPac will depend on the number of shares other shareholders of Geneva subscribe for and whether FedPac exercises its Options in accordance with their terms. Accordingly Geneva will rely on the exemption in clause 10A of the Takeovers Code (Class Exemptions) Notice (No 2) 2001 (the Exemption Notice). Particulars of voting securities that may be allotted to FedPac The number of shares which will be allotted to FedPac will depend on the number of shares applied for by other shareholders under the Rights Issue. The maximum number of shares and the maximum percentage shareholding that FedPac may hold have been calculated as at the date of this notice of meeting (known as the "calculation date" in the Exemption Notice) based on the the number of Geneva shares on issue at the date of this notice of meeting and assuming: o none of the other shareholders take up any of their entitlement under the Rights Issue and therefore FedPac subscribes for all 56,174,657 shares; o FedPac exercises all of its Options on the Option Expiry Date; and o there is no change to the total number of Geneva's shares from the number of shares on issue at the date of this notice of meeting other than as a result of the Rights Issue and subsequent exercise of the Options. Under these assumptions the number of shares issued to or held by FedPac and the proportion that those shares bear to the total shares on issue immediately after the Rights Issue and then immediately after the Option Expiry Date are as follows: After the Rights Issue (i) The maximum number of shares that can be issued to FedPac under the Rights Issue and its underwriting agreement is 51,174,657 shares. (ii) 51,174,657 shares is 20% of the shares on issue after the Rights Issue. (iii) Together with the 44,939,000 shares FedPac already holds, the maximum number of shares which FedPac could hold after the Rights Issue is 101,113,567 shares which is 36% of the shares which would be on issue after the Rights Issue. (iv) The maximum percentage of the shares on issue after the Rights Issue which could be held by FedPac excluding its exempt associates (of which there are none at the date of this notice of meeting) is also 36%. (v) The maximum percentage of the shares on issue after the Rights Issue which could be held by FedPac and its associates (of which there are none at the date of this notice of meeting) is also 36%. After the Option Expiry Date (i) The maximum number of shares that can be issued to FedPac on exercise of its Options is 37,449,771 shares. (ii) 37,449,771 shares is 11.76% of the shares on issue after exercise of the Options. (iii) Together with the maximum number of 101,113,567 shares which FedPac could hold after the Rights Issue, the maximum number of shares which FedPac could hold after exercise of the Options is 138,563,428 shares which is 43.6% of the shares which would be on issue after exercise of the Options. (iv) The maximum percentage of the shares on issue after exercise of the Options which could be held by FedPac excluding its exempt associates (of which there are none at the date of this notice of meeting) is also 43.6%. (v) The maximum percentage of the shares on issue after exercise of the Options which could be held by FedPac and its associates (of which there are none at the date of this notice of meeting) is also 43.6%. Takeovers Code - Rule 16 Pursuant to rule 16 of the Takeovers Code (with sub-paragraphs below corresponding to sub-paragraphs in rule 16), Geneva advises as follows: (a) FedPac (through its nominee Federal Pacific Nominees Limited) is the proposed allottee of shares carrying voting rights, which may be issued to it under the Rights Issue and the underwriting agreement; (b) the particulars of the voting securities to be issued, as modified by the exemption in clause 10A of the Exemption Notice, are set out above; (c) not applicable (as the voting securities to be allotted are not securities of a body corporate other than a code company); (d) the issue price: (i) for the shares under the Rights Issue is 2.75 cents per share, payable in full on application; and (ii) for shares acquired under the underwriting agreement, is 2.75 cents per share, payable on the first business day after the closing date of the Rights Issue and notification of the shortfall; (e) the potential allotment of shares to FedPac arises from its commitment under the underwriting agreement. Geneva's reasons for the Rights Issue are described above; (f) the allotments of shares to FedPac under the Rights Issue, if approved, will be permitted under rule 7(d) of the Takeovers Code as an exception to rule 6 of the Takeovers Code. The directors note that the disclosures made in this notice of meeting have been modified in reliance on the exemption set out in clause 10A of the Exemption Notice; (g) Geneva has been advised by FedPac that, except for under the underwriting agreement, no agreements or arrangements have been, or are intended to be, entered into between FedPac and any other person relating to: o the allotment, holding or control of the ordinary shares to be allotted to FedPac; or o the exercise of voting rights in Geneva. (h) this notice of meeting is accompanied by an independent adviser report from Armillary Private Capital on the merits of the proposed allotment of voting securities to FedPac. The report states that the Rights Issue and underwrite has merit for Geneva's shareholders not associated with FedPac. (i) the directors of Geneva recommend approval of the proposed allotment of voting securities to FedPac on the grounds that the Fedpac underwrite will ensure that new equity of $1,544,800 is received which is an increase of 14.7% of Geneva's current equity and thus a significant strengthening of Geneva's financial position. Resolution 3 - Approval of directors' investment in Professional Investor Scheme Geneva has established a professional investor scheme under a Deed Poll dated 4 April 2012 (as amended) (the Deed Poll) whereby professional investors will provide funding to Geneva by purchasing a share in specified loans owned by Geneva. Participation in the scheme is only available to professional investors. The key elements of this scheme are described on page 23 of the Simplified Disclosure Prospectus accompanying this notice of meeting. Brief details are as follows: (i) Geneva will sell a share (likely to be 80%) in certain performing loans to professional investors. Geneva will receive the sale price of 80% share in cash and will retain ownership of the other 20% share. (ii) The loans sold into the scheme will continue to be managed and collected by Geneva. All payments made by borrowers under the loans during each month must be applied by Geneva at the end of the month in accordance with the agreed order of payment. In essence this order of payments allows Geneva to receive a monthly collection fee and then requires Geneva to pay all further cash to the professional investors until all their principal with interest at an agreed rate, is repaid in full. Once the investors are repaid in full, Geneva will receive all further cash received from the loans. If there is a shortfall in the amount owed to the investors, Geneva will not have any obligation to make good the shortfall. (iii) Unless Geneva's banker and its trustee agree otherwise, the maximum aggregate amount of receivables sold under all transactions under the scheme cannot exceed $7.5 million, allowing Geneva to raise a maximum funding amount of $6 million (on a 80/20 basis), and interest payable to investors must not exceed 11.25% per annum. (iv) Each transaction under the scheme cannot be longer than 4 years and must provide for repayment of principal and interest to the professional investor either by monthly instalments of interest only (but limited to a 24 month period) or by instalments of principal and interest or a combination of both. Geneva's non-executive directors (being David Smale, Robin King and Peter Francis) have indicated their willingness to invest in the Professional Investor Scheme. They will invest as a group with other unrelated professional investors and will receive the same return as the unrelated professional investors. This will ensure that the terms of the transaction are commercial arms-length terms. The board hold the view that the non-executive directors' participation in the Professional Investor Scheme is positive for all Geneva's stakeholders because raising new funding is essential to Geneva's future and non-executive directors investing their personal funds on the same terms as other investors gives other investors confidence in the performance of the scheme and increases the likelihood of this funding initiative being successful. One or more of the non-executive directors may invest in the Professional Investor Scheme through an Associated Person such as a family trust or an investment company controlled by the non-executive director. Accordingly Resolution 3 allows a non-executive director to invest in that way. Proposed terms of investment The board are seeking shareholders' approval for non-executive directors and their Associated Persons to participate in the scheme on the following terms applying to each transaction to which a non-executive director or directors or Associated Person are a party: 1 The non-executive director or directors or Associated Person must invest jointly with other unrelated professional investors on the basis that the terms of investment are the same for all investors and that the other unrelated professional investors provide at least 30% of the investment amount. 2 The share of the loans purchased from Geneva by the investors must be not less than 80%. 3 The interest rate payable to the investors must not exceed 11.25% per annum (non-compounding). 4 The period of the transaction must comply with paragraph (iv) above. 5 The transaction must comply with all other terms of the Deed Poll. Requirements for Resolution 3 Resolution 3 is required by NZAX Listing Rule 9.2.1 which provides that Geneva cannot enter into a Material Transaction with a Related Party unless the investment is approved by an ordinary resolution of shareholders. A Material Transaction in the context of the Professional Investor Scheme is a transaction where the value of the loans sold exceeds 10% of Geneva's Average Market Capitalisation. For a particular transaction under the Professional Investor Scheme to be viable for Geneva, the book value of loans sold needs to be more than $1m. Geneva's Average Market Capitalisation is currently approximately $5.6m. Thus any transaction will exceed 10% of Geneva's Average Market Capitalisation and will therefore be a Material Transaction All Geneva's non-executive directors are Related Parties. Any Associated Person of a non-executive director will also be a Related Party. Accordingly investment by any non-executive director or an Associated Person of a non-executive directorin the Professional Investor Scheme will constitute a Material Transaction with a Related Party requiring shareholder approval. Dated 19 October 2012 By order of the Board MANAGING DIRECTOR INVITATION: At the conclusion of the meeting, afternoon tea will be served. End CA:00228769 For:GFL Type:MEETING Time:2012-10-23 17:04:48
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