def14a
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT
NO. )
FILED BY THE REGISTRANT þ FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT o
Check the appropriate box:
o Preliminary Proxy Statement
o Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
þ Definitive Proxy Statement
o Definitive Additional Materials
o Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
PAYMENT OF FILING FEE (CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX):
þ No fee required.
o Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
o Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and
identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing
by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
10M Commerce Way
Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
April 18, 2005
Dear Stockholder:
I am pleased to invite you to the 2005 Special Meeting of
Stockholders in Lieu of Annual Meeting of MicroFinancial
Incorporated (MicroFinancial), which will be held on
Monday, May 16, 2005, at 4:00 p.m., at
Edwards & Angell, LLP, 101 Federal Street, Boston,
Massachusetts.
The accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and
proxy statement contain the matters to be considered and acted
upon. Please read these materials carefully.
Matters scheduled for consideration at the Special Meeting are
the election of two directors for three-year terms and the
ratification of the selection of independent auditors for 2005.
I hope you will be able to attend the meeting, but if you cannot
do so, it is important that your shares be represented and
voted. ACCORDINGLY, I URGE YOU TO MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN
THE ENCLOSED PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE RETURN ENVELOPE PROVIDED.
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Very truly yours, |
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PETER R. BLEYLEBEN |
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Chairman |
MicroFinancial Incorporated
10M Commerce Way
Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
IN LIEU OF ANNUAL MEETING
April 18, 2005
The Special Meeting of Stockholders in Lieu of Annual Meeting of
MicroFinancial Incorporated, a Massachusetts corporation
(MicroFinancial), will be held Monday, May 16,
2005, at 4:00 p.m., at Edwards & Angell, LLP, 101
Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts for the purpose of
considering and voting upon:
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1. |
The election of two directors for three-year terms. |
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2. |
The ratification of the selection of Vitale, Caturano &
Co. as independent auditors for MicroFinancial for 2005. |
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3. |
The transaction of such other business as may properly come
before the Special Meeting. |
The record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice
of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting is the close of business
on April 11, 2005. MicroFinancials transfer books
will not be closed.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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RICHARD F. LATOUR |
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Clerk |
Woburn, Massachusetts
April 18, 2005
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL
THE ENCLOSED PROXY AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE, USING THE
RETURN ENVELOPE ENCLOSED WITH THE PROXY. IF YOU ATTEND THE
SPECIAL MEETING, YOU MAY VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU WISH, EVEN IF YOU
HAVE PREVIOUSLY RETURNED YOUR PROXY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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i
MicroFinancial Incorporated
10M Commerce Way
Woburn, Massachusetts 01801
Telephone 781-994-4800
2005 SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
IN LIEU OF ANNUAL MEETING
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL
The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors
(MicroFinancial Board) of MicroFinancial
Incorporated (MicroFinancial or the
Corporation) in connection with the Special Meeting
of Stockholders in Lieu of Annual Meeting (the Special
Meeting) to be held on May 16, 2005. This proxy
statement and the enclosed proxy are first being sent to
stockholders on or about April 18, 2005. The proxy will be
voted at the Special Meeting in accordance with the instructions
indicated on the proxy by the stockholder. If no instructions
are indicated, all shares represented by valid proxies received
pursuant to this solicitation (and not revoked before they are
voted) will be voted FOR Proposal No. 1 and FOR
Proposal No. 2.
The record date for determining stockholders entitled to vote at
the Special Meeting is the close of business on April 11,
2005. On this date, there were outstanding and entitled to vote
13,195,145 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share, of the Corporation (the Common Stock), each
of which is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on
at the Special Meeting. The presence (in person or by proxy) of
a majority of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding and entitled to vote on the record date is necessary
to constitute a quorum at the Special Meeting. Abstentions and
broker non- votes will be counted as present at the
Special Meeting for purposes of determining whether there is a
quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or
other nominee, holding shares for a beneficial owner, has not
received voting instructions on a matter from such owner and is
barred by stock exchange rules from exercising discretionary
authority to vote on the matter.
Management is not aware of any matter to be considered at the
Special Meeting other than those referred to in this proxy
statement. If any other business should properly come before the
Special Meeting, the persons named in the proxy will vote
according to their best judgment.
VOTING PROCEDURES
A plurality of votes of the shares of Common Stock represented
at the Special Meeting is required to elect directors. In voting
for the election of directors, stockholders may cast their votes
in favor of or against, but abstentions may not be specified.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
represented at the Special Meeting and entitled to vote is
required to ratify the selection of auditors. If a brokers
authority to vote on a particular matter is limited, thus
resulting in a broker non-vote, such broker non-vote will not be
counted in determining the number of votes cast or entitled to
vote at the Special Meeting. Abstentions are counted for this
purpose. Since a brokers authority is not limited with
respect to Proposals No. 1 and 2, MicroFinancial does
not expect to receive any broker non-votes with respect to the
Special Meeting.
A stockholder of record may revoke a proxy by delivering written
notice of revocation to Richard F. Latour, Clerk of
MicroFinancial, at the address set forth above, by filing a duly
executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Special
Meeting in person, notifying the Clerk, and voting by ballot at
the Special Meeting. Any stockholder of record attending the
Special Meeting may vote in person whether or not a proxy has
been previously given, but the mere presence (without notifying
the Clerk) of a stockholder at the Special Meeting will not
constitute revocation of a previously given proxy. In addition,
stockholders whose shares of Common Stock are not registered in
their own name will need additional documentation from the
record holder of the shares to vote in person at the Special
Meeting.
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3
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information as of
February 28, 2005 with respect to the beneficial ownership
of Common Stock of each person known by the Corporation to be
the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the
13,201,416 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of such
date (not including treasury stock), each director and executive
officer of the Corporation and all directors and executive
officers of the Corporation as a group. Each person named has
sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares
indicated, except as otherwise stated in the notes to the table.
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Number of Shares | |
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Percentage of Outstanding | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficially Owned(1)(2) | |
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Common Stock(2) | |
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Torrence C. Harder(3)
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1,751,229 |
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13.1 |
% |
675 Sudbury Road |
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Concord, Massachusetts 01742 |
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Peter R. Bleyleben(4)
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1,611,810 |
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12.0 |
% |
66 Norfolk Road |
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Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02464 |
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Brian E. Boyle(5)
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1,504,200 |
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11.3 |
% |
11 Whispering Lane |
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Weston, Massachusetts 02493 |
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Alexander Fleiss(6)
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1,351,300 |
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10.2 |
% |
1030 Fifth Avenue, Apartment 3W |
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New York, New York 10028-0136 |
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Wasatch Advisors, Inc.(7)
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915,099 |
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6.9 |
% |
150 Social Hall Avenue |
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Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 |
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Richard F. Latour(8)
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907,550 |
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6.6 |
% |
11 Stillbrook Lane |
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Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048 |
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Royce & Associates, LLC(9)
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701,700 |
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5.3 |
% |
1414 Avenue of the Americas |
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New York, NY 10019 |
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Alan J. Zakon(10)
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249,500 |
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1.9 |
% |
32 Cardinal Lane |
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Ocean Reef Club |
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Key Largo, Florida 33037 |
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Fritz von Mering(11)
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25,000 |
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* |
50 Robin Hood Road |
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Winchester, MA 01890 |
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James R. Jackson, Jr.
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85,558 |
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* |
6 Hickory Ridge Road |
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Plaistow, New Hampshire 03865 |
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Carolina Salvo(12)
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64,916 |
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3 Woodridge Road |
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Medfield, Massachusetts 02052 |
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Number of Shares | |
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Percentage of Outstanding | |
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
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Beneficially Owned(1)(2) | |
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Common Stock(2) | |
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Steven J. LaCreta
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20,815 |
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* |
78 Main Street |
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Hampstead, NH 03841 |
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Stephen Constantino
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27,978 |
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* |
205 Pleasant Street |
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Norwell, MA 02061 |
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All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons)
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6,248,556 |
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42.9 |
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(1) |
Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, each of the
stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment
power with respect to the shares of Common Stock shown as
beneficially owned by such stockholder, except to the extent
that authority is shared by spouses under applicable law. |
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For purposes of this table, the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding, the number of shares beneficially owned and the
percentage of outstanding Common Stock do not include the
following transactions that occurred after February 28,
2005: (a) the exercise by Dr. Bleyleben of options to
purchase 32,500 shares, under which he received
12,614 shares after surrender of the remainder in
satisfaction of the exercise price and payment of taxes due with
respect to the transaction; (b) the exercise by
Mr. Latour of options to purchase 400,000 shares,
under which he received 174,269 shares after surrender of
the remainder in satisfaction of the exercise price and payment
of taxes due with respect to the transaction; (c) the sale
by Mr. LaCreta of 10,000 shares of Common Stock; and
(d) the exercise by FSC Corporation of warrants to
purchase 24,736 shares, under which it received
20,586 shares after surrender of the remainder in
satisfaction of the exercise price. Since 150,000 of
Mr. Latours options were not vested as of the date of
exercise, the acceleration of vesting was approved by the Board
of Directors in accordance with the terms of the
Corporations 1998 Equity Incentive Plan. |
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(3) |
Includes 159,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options issued to Mr. Harder which vest on or
before May 1, 2005; 92,200 shares of Common Stock held
in trust for Mr. Harders daughter, Lauren E. Harder,
over which Mr. Harder retains sole voting and investment
power as the sole trustee and for which Mr. Harder
disclaims beneficial ownership; 92,200 shares of Common
Stock held in trust for Mr. Harders daughter, Ashley
J. Harder, over which Mr. Harder maintains voting and
investment power as the sole trustee and for which
Mr. Harder disclaims beneficial ownership; and
276,045 shares of Common Stock owned by Entrepreneurial
Ventures, Inc. over which Mr. Harder retains shared voting
and investment power through his ownership in, and positions as
President and Director of, Entrepreneurial Ventures, Inc. |
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(4) |
Includes 232,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options issued to Dr. Bleyleben which vest on
or before May 1, 2005. See footnote (2) for a
discussion of Dr. Bleylebens exercise of options
after February 28, 2005. |
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(5) |
Includes 159,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options issued to Dr. Boyle which vest on or
before May 1, 2005. |
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(6) |
The number of shares and the following information is as of
December 31, 2004 and is contained in the
Schedule 13G/ A filed by Mr. Fleiss with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Includes 214,700 shares
beneficially owned by Karen Fleiss, Mr. Fleiss
mother, pursuant to a power of attorney held by Mr. Fleiss
with respect to such shares; and 475,600 shares directly
beneficially owned by KMF Partners, of which Ms. Fleiss
serves as general partner, pursuant to an agreement by which
Mr. Fleiss advises KMF Partners concerning the voting of
such shares. KMF Partners is not under any obligation |
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to vote its shares in accordance with the advice of
Mr. Fleiss. Ms. Fleiss and KMF Partners have the right
to receive and the power to direct the receipt of dividends
from, or the proceeds from the sale of, their respective shares. |
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The number of shares is as of December 31, 2004 and is
contained in the Schedule 13G/ A filed by Wasatch Advisors,
Inc. with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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(8) |
Includes 642,000 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options granted to Mr. Latour which vest on or
before May 1, 2005, of which options as to
260,000 shares were exercised after February 28, 2005.
See footnote (2) above. |
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(9) |
The number of shares is contained in a Schedule 13G filed
by Royce & Associates, LLC on February 3, 2003. |
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(10) |
Includes 159,500 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exercise of options granted to Mr. Zakon which vest on or
before May 1, 2005. |
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(11) |
Consists of 25,000 shares of restricted stock over which
Mr. von Mering has sole voting power. The stock may not be
transferred by Mr. von Mering until the shares are vested,
and are forfeited if he leaves the Board of Directors of the
Corporation other than for reason of death or disability. The
restricted stock vested 20% upon grant, and vests 5% on the
first day of each quarter after the grant date. |
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(12) |
Includes 15,000 shares of Common Stock held jointly by
Ms. Salvo and her husband over which Ms. Salvo shares
voting and investment power with her husband. |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as
amended, the Exchange Act) requires the
Corporations directors, officers and persons who
beneficially own more than ten percent (10%) of the Common
Shares (each, a Reporting Person) to file reports of
ownership and changes of ownership with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Copies of all filed reports are required to
be furnished to the Corporation pursuant to Section 16(a)
of the Exchange Act. Mr. von Mering reported receipt of his
25,000 shares of restricted stock late because they were
erroneously reported on his timely-filed initial Form 3 and
not as required on a Form 4. Other than Mr. von
Mering, and based solely upon a review of Forms 3 and 4 and
amendments thereto furnished to the Corporation pursuant to
Rule 16a-3(e) of the Exchange Act during fiscal year ending
December 31, 2004 and on written representations from
Reporting Persons, the Corporation believes that each other
Reporting Person complied with all applicable filing
requirements during its fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
5
GOVERNANCE OF THE CORPORATION
Members of the Board of Directors and their Committee
Assignments
The members of the Board of Directors on the date of this proxy
statement, and the committees of the Board on which they serve,
are identified below:
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Audit | |
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Nominating and Corporate | |
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Compensation and | |
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Credit Policy | |
Director |
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Governance Committee | |
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Benefits Committee | |
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Committee | |
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Peter R. Bleyleben
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Brian E. Boyle
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Torrence C. Harder
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Richard Latour
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Fritz von Mering
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Alan Zakon
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** |
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Description of the Roles of the Committees
The Board of Directors has standing Audit, Nominating and
Corporate Governance and Compensation and Benefits and Credit
Policy Committees.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is appointed by the
Board of Directors to assist the Board in monitoring
(1) the integrity of the financial statements of the
Corporation, (2) compliance by the Corporation with legal
and regulatory requirements, (3) the independent
auditors qualifications and independence,
(4) performance of the Corporations internal and
independent auditors, and (5) the business practices and
ethical standards of the Corporation. The Audit Committee is
also directly responsible for the appointment, compensation,
retention and oversight of the work of the Corporations
independent auditors, and the preparation of the audit committee
report included in this proxy statement.
MicroFinancial is required by the rules of the SEC and the NYSE
to satisfy certain requirements with respect to its Audit
Committee. In conformity with those requirements, the
MicroFinancial Board has approved the Audit Committees
written charter which was included as an appendix to the
Corporations 2004 proxy statement and may be found on the
Corporations web site at www.microfinancial.com.
All of the members of the Audit Committee are independent and
financially literate within the meaning of SEC regulations, the
listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the
Corporations Corporate Governance Guidelines.
Mr. von Mering is qualified as an audit committee financial
expert within the meaning of SEC regulations and the Board has
determined that he has accounting and related financial
management expertise within the meaning of the listing standards
of the NYSE.
The Audit Committee met six times during fiscal 2004.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is appointed by
the Board of Directors to assist the Board in identifying
qualified individuals to become directors, recommend to the
Board qualified director nominees for election at the
stockholders annual meeting, determine membership on the
Board committees, recommend a set of Corporate Governance
Guidelines, oversee annual self-evaluations by the Board and
evaluate itself annually, and report annually to the Board on
the Chief Executive Officer succession plan.
6
MicroFinancial is required by the rules of the SEC and the NYSE
to satisfy certain requirements with respect to its Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee. In conformity with those
requirements, the MicroFinancial Board has approved the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees written
charter which may be found on the Corporations web site at
www.microfinancial.com.
All of the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee are independent within the meaning of the listing
standards of the New York Stock Exchange and the
Corporations Corporate Governance Guidelines.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met once
during fiscal 2004.
Compensation and Benefits Committee. The Compensation and
Benefits Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to
discharge the Boards responsibilities relating to
compensation of the Corporations directors and officers.
The committee has overall responsibility for approving and
evaluating the director and officer compensation plans, policies
and programs of the Corporation. The committee is also
responsible for producing the annual report on executive
compensation that is included in this proxy statement.
MicroFinancial is required by the rules of the SEC and the NYSE
to satisfy certain requirements with respect to its Compensation
and Benefits Committee. In conformity with those requirements,
the MicroFinancial Board has approved the Compensation and
Benefits Committees written charter which may be found on
the Corporations web site at www.microfinancial.com.
All of the members of the Compensation and Benefits Committee
are independent within the meaning of the listing standards of
the New York Stock Exchange and the Corporations
Corporate Governance Guidelines.
The Compensation and Benefits Committee met once during fiscal
2004.
Credit Policy Committee. The Credit Policy Committee is
appointed by the Board to discharge the Boards
responsibilities relating to oversight of the Corporations
credit policies. The Committee has responsibility for approving
and evaluating the Corporations policies and programs
relating to customer credit scoring parameters, including
industry segments, product lines, and overall strategic
direction. The Committee will evaluate managements
recommendations consistent with those parameters, as established
from time to time, and further as consistent with the
Corporations legal and regulatory requirements.
The Boards Presiding Director
In January 2004, the Board created a new position of presiding
director, whose primary responsibility is to preside over
periodic executive sessions of the Board in which management
directors and other members of management do not participate.
The presiding director also advises the Chairman of the Board
and, as appropriate, Committee chairs with respect to agendas
and information needs relating to Board and Committee meetings,
provides advice with respect to the selection of Committee
chairs and performs other duties that the Board may from time to
time delegate to assist the Board in the fulfillment of its
responsibilities.
Director Alan Zakon was selected by the non-management members
of the Board to serve in this position until the
Corporations 2005 annual meeting of stockholders. His
successor will be selected by the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee and confirmed by the Board at the meeting
to be held on the day following the 2005 Special Meeting.
7
Selection of Nominees for the Board of Directors
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers
candidates for Board membership suggested by its members and
other Board members, as well as management and stockholders. A
stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for
the Board should notify the Corporations Corporate
Secretary or any member of the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee in writing with whatever supporting
material the stockholder considers appropriate. The Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee will also consider whether to
nominate any person nominated by a stockholder pursuant to the
provisions of the Corporations bylaws relating to
stockholder nominations.
Once the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has
identified a prospective nominee, the Committee makes an initial
determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the
candidate. This initial determination is based on whatever
information is provided to the Committee with the recommendation
of the prospective candidate, as well as the Committees
own knowledge of the prospective candidate, which may be
supplemented by inquiries to the person making the
recommendation or others. The preliminary determination is based
primarily on the need for additional Board members to fill
vacancies or expand the size of the Board and the likelihood
that the prospective nominee can satisfy the evaluation factors
described below. If the Committee determines, in consultation
with the Chairman of the Board and other Board members as
appropriate, that additional consideration is warranted, it may
gather additional information about the prospective
nominees background and experience. The Committee then
evaluates the prospective nominee against the standards and
qualifications set out in the Corporations Corporate
Governance Guidelines, including:
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the ability of the prospective nominee to represent the
interests of the stockholders of the Corporation; |
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the prospective nominees standards of integrity,
commitment and independence of thought and judgment; |
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the prospective nominees ability to dedicate sufficient
time, energy and attention to the diligent performance of his or
her duties, including the prospective nominees service on
other public company boards, as specifically set out in the
Corporations Corporate Governance Guidelines; |
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the extent to which the prospective nominee contributes to the
range of talent, skill and expertise appropriate for the
Board; and |
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the extent to which the prospective nominee helps the Board
reflect the diversity of the Corporations stockholders,
employees, customers and communities. |
The Committee also considers such other relevant factors as it
deems appropriate, including the current composition of the
Board, the balance of management and independent directors, the
need for Audit Committee expertise and the evaluations of other
prospective nominees. In connection with this evaluation, the
Committee determines whether to interview the prospective
nominee, and if warranted, one or more members of the Committee,
and others as appropriate, interview prospective nominees in
person or by telephone. After completing this evaluation and
interview, the Committee makes a recommendation to the full
Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board,
and the Board determines the nominees after considering the
recommendation and report of the Committee.
Determination of Director Independence
In January 2004, the Board and the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines
for the Corporation. The Guidelines adopted by the
Board meet or exceed
8
the listing standards required by the New York Stock Exchange,
and may be found on the Corporations web site at
www.microfinancial.com.
Pursuant to the Guidelines, the Board undertook a review
of director independence in March, 2004. During this review, the
Board considered transactions and relationships between each
director or any member of his or her immediate family and the
Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including those
reported under Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions below. The Board also examined
transactions and relationships between directors or their
affiliates and members of the Corporations senior
management or their affiliates. As provided in the
Guidelines, the purpose of this review was to determine
whether any such relationships or transactions were inconsistent
with a determination that the director is independent.
As a result of this review, the Board affirmatively determined
that all of the directors, including those nominated for
election at the annual meeting, are independent of the
Corporation and its management under the standards set forth in
the Corporate Governance Guidelines, with the exception
of Peter Bleyleben and Richard Latour who are considered inside
directors because of their employment by the Corporation.
Meetings of the Board of Directors during Fiscal 2004
During 2004, the MicroFinancial Board met seven times and acted
by unanimous written consent one time. In 2004, all
MicroFinancial Board members attended over 75% of the aggregate
of the meetings of the MicroFinancial Board and its committees
on which they served. Four of the six Board members attended the
2004 Special Meeting of Stockholders in Lieu of Annual Meeting.
Compensation of Directors
The MicroFinancial Board is comprised of six Directors, two of
whom, Peter Bleyleben and Richard F. Latour, are salaried
employees of the Corporation who receive no additional
compensation for services rendered as Directors. The members of
the MicroFinancial Board who were not employees of the
Corporation (Non-Employee Directors) received stock
options to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock in
1999 and stock options to purchase 50,000 shares of
Common Stock in 2000 for their service on the MicroFinancial
Board. In 2001, the Non-Employee Directors each received stock
options to purchase 25,000 shares of Common Stock. In
February 2002, the options granted in 2001 were voluntarily
cancelled, and the Directors received new options to
purchase 45,000 shares of Common Stock. In November
2002, the Non-Employee Directors each received stock options to
purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock and in March
2003, Mr. Zakon received 50,000 shares of restricted
stock, all of which had vested as of December 31, 2003.
Upon his appointment to the Board in February 2004, Fritz von
Mering received 25,000 shares of restricted stock, 20% of
which vested immediately and the remainder of which vests
5% per quarter thereafter until fully vested. Directors
also are reimbursed for out-of-state travel expenses incurred in
connection with attendance at meetings of the MicroFinancial
Board and committees thereof. In addition, in 2004, the
Corporation paid a portion of Messrs. Harder, Boyle and
Zakons health care insurance coverage in the amounts of
$11,418. $12,385, and $8,724, respectively.
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions
Involving Directors
On November 6, 2002, Dr. Bleyleben, the Chairman and a
Director of the Corporation, loaned the Corporation $100,000 in
the form of a term note which bore interest at a rate of
7.5% per annum and which originally matured in November
2004. Because of restrictions imposed by the Corporations
senior credit facility, the maturity date was extended to
February 1, 2005. Upon payment in full of this facility,
this note was paid in full in December 2004. On May 1, 2001
he also loaned $200,000 in the form of a subordinated
9
note. This note matures on May 1, 2006 (with a one-year
optional extension by the Corporation) and bears interest at a
rate of 12% per annum.
On November 6, 2002, Dr. Boyle, a Director of the
Corporation, loaned the Corporation $100,000 in the form of a
term note which bore interest at a rate of 7.5% per annum
and which originally matured in November 2004. Because of
restrictions imposed by the Corporations senior credit
facility, the maturity date was extended to February 1,
2005. Upon payment in full of this facility, this note was paid
in full in December 2004. On May 1, 2001 he also loaned
$200,000 in the form of a subordinated note. This note matures
on May 1, 2006 (with a one-year optional extension by the
Corporation) and bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum.
On November 6, 2002, Mr. Harder, a Director of the
Corporation, loaned the Corporation $50,000 in the form of a
term note which bore interest at a rate of 7.5% per annum
and,which originally matured in November 2004. Because of
restrictions imposed by the Corporations senior credit
facility, the maturity date was extended to February 1,
2005. Upon payment in full of this facility, this note was paid
in full in December 2004. On May 1, 2001 he also loaned
$100,000 in the form of a subordinated note. This note matures
on May 1, 2006 (with a one-year optional extension by the
Corporation) and bears interest at a rate of 12% per annum.
Mr. Latour, President, Chief Executive Officer, Treasurer,
Clerk, Secretary and Director of the Corporation loaned the
Corporation $75,000 in the form of a subordinated note on
May 1, 2001. This note matured on May 1, 2003, but
payment was prohibited until all of the Corporations
obligations under its senior credit facility were paid in full.
Upon payment in full of this facility, this note was paid in
full in November 2004. The note paid interest at a rate of
9% per annum through May 1, 2002, and at the prime
rate plus 3% thereafter.
On December 1, 1998, Fritz Froelich,
Dr. Bleylebens father-in-law, loaned the Corporation
$35,000 in the form of a subordinated note. The note bears
interest at a rate of 8% per annum. This note matured on
December 1, 2003, but payment was prohibited until all of
the Corporations obligations under its senior credit
facility were paid in full. Upon payment in full of this
facility, this note was paid in full in November 2004.
All of the foregoing transactions were on terms at least as
favorable as those that would have been obtained through
arms-length negotiations.
Communications with the Board of Directors
Stockholders and other parties interested in communicating
directly with the non-management directors may do so by writing
to any non-management director, c/o MicroFinancial
Corporation, 10-M Commerce Way, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801.
Effective March 15, 2004, the Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee of the Board approved a process for
handling letters received by the Corporation and addressed to
non-management members of the Board. Under that process, the
Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation reviews all such
correspondence and regularly forwards to the Board a summary of
all such correspondence and copies of all correspondence that,
in the opinion of the Chief Financial Officer, deals with the
functions of the Board or committees thereof or that he
otherwise determines requires their attention. Directors may at
any time review a log of all correspondence received by the
Corporation that is addressed to members of the Board and
request copies of any such correspondence. Concerns relating to
accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are
immediately brought to the attention of the Corporations
internal audit department and handled in accordance with
procedures established by the Audit Committee with respect to
such matters.
10
The Corporations Code of Ethics
The Corporation has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics, which is applicable to all directors and employees
of the Corporation, including the principal executive officer,
the principal financial officer and the principal accounting
officer. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may be
found on the Corporations web site at
www.microfinancial.com. The Corporation intends to post
amendments to or waivers from its Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics (to the extent applicable to its chief executive
officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting
officer) at this location on its website.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of
the Corporations previous filings under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act that might incorporate
future filings, including this proxy statement, in whole or in
part, the following Audit Committee Report set forth herein
shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings and
shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
In connection with the preparation and filing of the
Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004, the Audit Committee
(i) reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements
with management, (ii) discussed with Vitale,
Caturano & Co., the Corporations independent
auditors (Vitale), the matters required to be
discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards 61 (as modified or
supplemented) and (iii) received the written disclosures
and the letter from Vitale required by Independence Standards
Board Standard No. 1 (as modified or supplemented) and
discussed the independence of Vitale with the auditors. Based on
the review and discussions referred to above, among other
things, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of
Directors that the audited financial statements be included in
the Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004.
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Audit Committee: |
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Fritz von Mering, Chairman, |
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Brian E. Boyle, |
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Torrence C. Harder |
11
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Executive Compensation Summary Table
The following table sets forth the compensation of
(i) Mr. Latour, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Corporation and (ii) Messrs. Jackson, Constantino and
LaCreta and Ms. Salvo, the four most highly compensated
executive officers, other than Mr. Latour, who were serving
as executive officers of the Corporation as of December 31,
2004 (collectively, the Named Executive Officers),
in each case for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003
and 2002. Determination of the most highly compensated executive
officers is based upon compensation for the Corporations
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 and does not
necessarily reflect the most highly compensated executive
officers for the Corporations fiscal years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002.
Summary Compensation Table(1)
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Long Term Compensation Awards | |
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| |
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Annual Compensation | |
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Securities | |
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| |
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Restricted | |
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Underlying | |
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All Other | |
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus(2) | |
|
Stock Awards($) | |
|
Options (*) | |
|
Compensation | |
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| |
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| |
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| |
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| |
Richard F. Latour
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2004 |
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|
$ |
260,000 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
8,684 |
(3) |
|
President, Chief Executive |
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2003 |
|
|
$ |
251,539 |
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|
$ |
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
200,000 |
|
|
$ |
6,291 |
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Officer, Treasurer, Clerk, |
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2002 |
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|
$ |
232,077 |
|
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$ |
236,560 |
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|
0 |
|
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|
300,000 |
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$ |
6,291 |
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Secretary and Director |
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James R. Jackson, Jr.
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2004 |
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$ |
187,200 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
0 |
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|
0 |
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|
$ |
4,212 |
(4) |
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Vice President and Chief |
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2003 |
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|
$ |
181,108 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
67,249 |
(4) |
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0 |
|
|
$ |
3,143 |
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Financial Officer |
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2002 |
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$ |
104,769 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
0 |
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150,000 |
(4) |
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$ |
0 |
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Carolina Salvo
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2004 |
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$ |
147,420 |
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$ |
69,046 |
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$ |
0 |
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0 |
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|
$ |
5,526 |
(5) |
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Vice President, Legal |
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2003 |
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|
$ |
142,622 |
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$ |
0 |
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|
$ |
39,234 |
(5) |
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|
0 |
|
|
$ |
4,383 |
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2002 |
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$ |
138,183 |
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$ |
73,698 |
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$ |
0 |
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90,000 |
(5) |
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$ |
4,359 |
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Stephen Constantino
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2004 |
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$ |
120,120 |
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$ |
47,235 |
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$ |
0 |
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0 |
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$ |
4,190 |
(6) |
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Vice President, |
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2003 |
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$ |
116,211 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
31,002 |
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0 |
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$ |
3,130 |
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Human Resources |
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2002 |
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$ |
110,571 |
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$ |
50,970 |
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$ |
0 |
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60,000 |
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$ |
4,292 |
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Steven J. LaCreta
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2004 |
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$ |
107,100 |
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$ |
31,852 |
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$ |
0 |
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0 |
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$ |
1,389 |
(7) |
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Vice President, |
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2003 |
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$ |
105,323 |
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$ |
0 |
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$ |
20,291 |
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0 |
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$ |
1,053 |
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Lessee Relations |
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2002 |
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$ |
100,519 |
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$ |
26,797 |
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$ |
0 |
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50,000 |
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$ |
1,273 |
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(1) |
Columns required by the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission that contain no entries have been
omitted. |
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(2) |
For fiscal years 2004 and earlier, bonuses were paid over a
three-year period, with one-third payable each year. The
remaining two-thirds was subject to discretionary review by the
Corporation and, therefore, did not vest to the employee. The
bonus amount set forth for 2002 and 2003 thus represents the
amount actually paid for such fiscal year, plus amounts relating
to the prior two fiscal years. The bonus amounts paid in 2004
relate to the payment of promissory notes issued by the
Corporation in March 2003 to cover profit-sharing plan payments
owed from prior years that were contingent upon the Corporation
repaying its previous lenders in full. |
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(3) |
Amounts for Mr. Latour include: (a) contributions by
the Corporation under the Corporations 401(k)
retirement/profit sharing plan in 2004 ($5,850), 2003 ($3,200)
and 2002 ($3,200) and (b) executive disability insurance
policy premiums paid by the Corporation in 2004 ($2,834), 2003
($3,091) and 2002 ($3,091). |
12
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(4) |
Amounts for Mr. Jackson include contributions by the
Corporation under the Corporations 401(k)
retirement/profit sharing plan in 2004 ($4,212), 2003 ($3,143)
and 2002 ($0). |
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In February 2003, all options outstanding to Mr. Jackson
were cancelled, and replaced by 85,558 shares of restricted
stock. The value of such shares at December 31, 2004, using
the closing stock price of the Corporations Common Stock
of $3.75 on such date, was $320,843. As of December 31,
2004, all of such shares had vested.
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(5) |
Amounts for Ms. Salvo include: (a) contributions by
the Corporation under the Corporations 401(k)
retirement/profit sharing plan in 2004 ($4,871), 2003 ($3,673)
and 2002 ($3,673); and (b) executive disability insurance
policy premiums paid by the Corporation in 2004 ($655), 2003
($710) and 2002 ($686). |
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In February 2003, all options outstanding to Ms. Salvo
were cancelled, and replaced by 49,916 shares of restricted
stock. The value of such shares at December 31, 2004, using
the closing stock price of the Corporations Common Stock
of $3.75 on such date, was $187,185. As of December 31,
2003, all of such shares had vested.
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(6) |
Amounts for Mr. Constantino include: (a) contributions
by the Corporation under the Corporations 401(k)
retirement/profit sharing plan in 2004 ($3,765), 2003 ($2,681)
and 2002 ($3,858) and (b) executive disability insurance
policy premiums paid by the Corporation in 2004 ($425) 2003
($449) and 2002 ($434). |
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In February 2003, all options outstanding to
Mr. Constantino were cancelled, and replaced by
39,442 shares of restricted stock. The value of such shares
at December 31, 2004, using the closing stock price of the
Corporations Common Stock of $3.75 on such date, was
$147,908. As of December 31, 2003, all of such shares had
vested.
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(7) |
Amounts for Mr. LaCreta include contributions by the
Corporation under the Corporations 401(k)
retirement/profit sharing plan in 2004 ($1,389), 2003 ($1,053)
and 2002 ($1,273). In February 2003, all options outstanding to
Mr. LaCreta were cancelled, and replaced by
25,815 shares of restricted stock. The value of such shares
at December 31, 2004, using the closing stock price of the
Corporations Common Stock of $3.75 on such date, was
$96,806. As of December 31, 2003, all of such shares had
vested. |
13
Option Grants in 2004
The Corporation did not grant any options to the Named Executive
Officers in 2004.
Option Exercises and Values at Year-End
The following table indicates the fiscal year-end option values
for options held by the Named Executive Officers at
December 31, 2004.
Aggregated Option/ SAR Exercises and
Fiscal Year-End Option Values
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Number of Securities | |
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Value of Unexercised | |
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Underlying Unexercised | |
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In-the-Money | |
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Options/SARs at Fiscal | |
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Options/SARs at Fiscal | |
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Year-End(#) | |
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Year-End($)(1) | |
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Shares Acquired | |
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Value | |
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Name |
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on Exercise(#) | |
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Realized($) | |
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Exercisable | |
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Unexercisable | |
|
Exercisable | |
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Unexercisable | |
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Richard F. Latour(2)
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0 |
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$ |
0 |
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554,000 |
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|
|
286,000 |
|
|
$ |
577,700 |
|
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$ |
433,300 |
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James R. Jackson, Jr.
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|
0 |
|
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$ |
0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Carolina Salvo
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0 |
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$ |
0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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0 |
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Stephen Constantino
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0 |
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$ |
0 |
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|
0 |
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0 |
|
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0 |
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0 |
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Steven J. LaCreta
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|
0 |
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$ |
0 |
|
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0 |
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|
0 |
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|
0 |
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|
0 |
|
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(1) |
Value based on $3.75, the closing price of the Common Stock on
December 31, 2004, minus the exercise price. The exercise
price of Mr. Latours 324,000 exercisable options and
116,000 unexercisable options exceeded the closing price of the
Common Stock on December 31, 2004. |
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The value of unexercised in-the-money stock options at
December 31, 2004 is presented to comply with regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual amount
realized upon exercise of stock options (if any) will depend
upon the excess of the fair market value of the Common Stock
over the exercise price at the time the stock option is
exercised. There is no assurance that the values of unexercised
stock options reflected in this table will be realized.
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(2) |
In February 2005, the Compensation Committee approved the
acceleration of vesting and the cashless exercise by
Mr. Latour of options to purchase 400,000 shares,
under which he received 174,269 shares after surrender of
the remainder in satisfaction of the exercise price and payment
of taxes due with respect to the transaction. Of the 400,000
options, (a) 200,000 had an exercise price of $0.86 and
200,000 had an exercise price of $1.585, and (b) 150,000
had not vested. The Compensation Committee had the power to take
such actions under the provisions of the 1998 Equity Incentive
Plan. |
14
Equity Compensation Plans
The following table summarizes information, as of
December 31, 2004, relating to equity compensation plans of
the Corporation pursuant to which grants of options, restricted
stock, restricted stock units or other rights to acquire shares
may be granted from time to time.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
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Number of Securities | |
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Remaining Available for | |
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Future Issuance Under | |
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Number of Securities to | |
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Weighted-Average | |
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Equity Compensation | |
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be Issued Upon Exercise | |
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Exercise Price of | |
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Plans (Excluding | |
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of Outstanding Options, | |
|
Outstanding Options, | |
|
Securities Reflected in | |
|
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Warrants and Rights | |
|
Column (a)) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Plan Category |
|
(a) | |
|
(b) | |
|
(c) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
|
|
|
1,675,000 |
|
|
$ |
7.139 |
(2) |
|
|
2,325,000 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,675,000 |
|
|
$ |
7.139 |
(2) |
|
|
2,325,000 |
|
|
|
(1) |
This plan is the Corporations 1998 Equity Incentive Plan
(which was approved by stockholders at the 2001 special meeting
of stockholders in lieu of annual meeting). |
|
(2) |
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options; excludes
restricted stock. Does not take into account the exercise after
December 31, 2004 of 432,500 options, of which 200,000 had
an exercise price of $0.86 and 232,500 had an exercise price of
$1.585. |
Profit Sharing Plan and Discretionary Board of Director Bonus
Programs
The Corporation pays annual bonuses and makes profit sharing
payments as determined by the Compensation Committee of the
MicroFinancial Board. For years 2004 and earlier, the
Compensation Committee would indicate to the executive officers
the percentage of the following years pre-tax profits on
which profit sharing plan payments would be based. Upon the
conclusion of the audit of the prior years financial
results, the Compensation Committee would determine the total
percentage of pre-tax profits eligible for profit-sharing plan
payments, and award payments to all Named Executive Officers. To
enhance long-term retention of these executives, only one-third
of the amount awarded was paid at that point in time. The
remaining two-thirds was eligible to be paid out over the next
two years in the discretion of the Compensation Committee and
was subject to separate annual approvals of the Compensation
Committee. In March 2003, the Board of Directors voted to issue
promissory notes to these executives to cover profit-sharing
plan payments owed from prior years that were contingent upon
the Corporation repaying its previous lenders in full.
Beginning in 2005, the President and Chief Executive Officer
would be eligible for a bonus of between 50% and 100% of base
salary to be determined by the Compensation Committee based upon
the Corporations financial performance goals and
qualitative goals. The bonus would be paid 50% in cash and 50%
in restricted stock. Both sets of goals are to be prepared by
the President and Chief Executive Officer for review and
approval by the Compensation Committee.
Also beginning in 2005, the Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer would be eligible for a bonus of between 33% to 50% of
base salary to be determined by the President and Chief
Executive Officer based upon
15
performance goals to be prepared by the President and Chief
Executive Officer and approved by the Compensation Committee.
The bonus would be paid 50% in cash and 50% in restricted stock.
The other management members, including the other Named
Executive Officers, would be eligible for a bonus of between 20%
and 33% of base salary to be determined by the President and
Chief Executive Officer based upon performance goals to be
prepared by the President and Chief Executive Officer and
approved by the Compensation Committee. The bonus would be paid
50% in cash and 50% in restricted stock.
Employment Agreements
The Corporation entered into Employment Agreements with
Dr. Bleyleben and Mr. Latour for a three-year period
commencing June 12, 1998, subject to automatic successive
one-year renewals unless terminated pursuant to the terms
thereof. In the event of a termination of the Employment
Agreements by the Corporation without cause, or by
Dr. Bleyleben or Mr. Latour for specified good reason,
the Employment Agreements provide for three years of severance
payments to Dr. Bleyleben and Mr. Latour,
respectively, on the basis of their highest base salary during
the employment period. In addition, Dr. Bleyleben and
Mr. Latour would also be entitled to a prorated payment of
base salary and bonus to the date of termination, and the
acceleration of deferred compensation and accrued but unpaid
amounts under the Corporations bonus and/or profit sharing
plans. Dr. Bleylebens and Mr. Latours
current base salaries, respectively, are $130,000 and $260,000.
The bonus for the current fiscal year will be determined by the
MicroFinancial Board. If, in connection with a payment under
their Employment Agreement, either Dr. Bleyleben or
Mr. Latour shall incur any excise tax liability on the
receipt of excess parachute payments as defined in
Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, the Employment Agreements provide for gross-up payments
to return them to the after-tax position they would have been in
if no excise tax had been imposed. As used in each Employment
Agreement, for good reason means the assignment to
the executive of duties inconsistent with the executives
position, authority, duties or responsibilities; the failure by
the Corporation to pay the agreed base salary and provide the
executive with benefits; moving the executive to a location
outside of the metropolitan Boston, Massachusetts area; and the
failure by the Corporation to require a successor to assume all
obligations under the Employment Agreement.
The Corporation has also entered into separate employment
agreements with Messrs. Jackson, Constantino and LaCreta
and Ms. Salvo, as well as three other employees, which are
designed to provide an incentive to each executive to remain
with the Corporation pending and following a Change in Control
(as defined below). Each employment agreement has an initial
term of one year following a Change in Control, with automatic
extensions upon the expiration of the initial one-year term for
successive one-month periods (such expiration date and each
one-month anniversary, the Renewal Date). Pursuant
to each employment agreement, the executive will be entitled to
receive an annual base salary of not less than twelve times the
highest monthly base salary paid or payable to the executive
within the twelve months preceding the Change in Control. If the
employment agreement is terminated by the MicroFinancial Board
other than for cause, death or disability, or is terminated by
the executive for specified good reason, the Corporation shall
pay to the executive, the aggregate of the following amounts:
(i) one times annual base salary in the case of
Messrs. Jackson and LaCreta and one and one-half times
annual base salary in the case of Ms. Salvo and
Mr. Constantino; (ii) any other compensation or bonus
previously deferred by the executive, together with any accrued
interest or earnings thereon; and (iii) any accrued
vacation pay. Pursuant to each employment agreement, if the
Executives employment is terminated during the Change of
Control employment period, the Corporation shall pay the amounts
referenced above to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within
30 days after the date of termination. If the
Executives employment is terminated prior to the first day
of the Change of Control employment period, the Corporation is
obligated to pay the amounts referenced above, however, payments
of the Executives annual base salary would be payable over
twelve months, in the case of
16
Messrs. Jackson and LaCreta and eighteen months in the case
of Ms. Salvo and Mr. Constantino with payment to be
made at the same time that the Corporation pays other peer
executives of the Corporation.
Change in Control means (i) the acquisition by
any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of
Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 50% or more of either the
then outstanding shares of Common Stock or the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors; (ii) individuals who, as of the date of the
original employment agreements constitute the MicroFinancial
Board, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of
the MicroFinancial Board or are divested of possession by
appointment of a trustee pursuant to Chapter 7 or 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code, except with respect to any
director who was approved by a vote of at least a majority of
the directors then comprising the MicroFinancial Board;
(iii) approval by the stockholders of the Corporation or,
in the instance of proceedings for the Corporation pursuant to
Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code, approval by the bankruptcy judge, of a
reorganization, merger or consolidation, in each case, unless,
following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, more
than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization,
merger or consolidation and the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors continues to be
owned by the stockholders who were the beneficial holders of
such stock prior to such transaction; or (iv) approval by
the stockholders or, in the instance of proceedings for the
Corporation pursuant to Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code, approval by the bankruptcy judge,
of the Corporation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of
the Corporation or the sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of
the Corporations previous or future filings under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act that
might incorporate future filings, including this proxy
statement, in whole or in part, the following Compensation and
Benefits Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference
into any such filings and shall not otherwise be deemed filed
under such Acts.
Overview and Philosophy
The Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of
Directors (the Compensation Committee) is composed
of three members, all of whom are non-employee, independent
directors of the Corporation. The Compensation Committee
provides overall guidance on the Corporations compensation
and benefits philosophy. In addition, the Compensation Committee
approves and monitors the Corporations:
|
|
|
|
|
executive compensation and benefits programs; |
|
|
|
executive employment agreements, if any; and |
|
|
|
1998 Equity Incentive Plan. |
The primary objectives of the Compensation Committee are to
assure that the Corporations executive compensation and
benefits programs:
|
|
|
|
|
reflect the Corporations entrepreneurial orientation; |
|
|
|
are competitive with other growing companies of similar size and
business; |
17
|
|
|
|
|
safeguard the interests of the Corporation and its stockholders; |
|
|
|
are effective in driving performance to achieve financial goals
and create stockholder value; |
|
|
|
foster teamwork on the part of management; |
|
|
|
are cost-efficient and fair to employees, management and
stockholders; and |
|
|
|
are well communicated to and understood by program participants. |
The Committees executive compensation policies are
designed to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified
executive officers who can enhance stockholder value, and to
support a performance-oriented environment that rewards
achievement of the Corporations financial goals. The
Compensation Committee meets at least once and usually several
times during each fiscal year to review the Corporations
existing compensation and benefits programs and to consider
modifications that seek to provide a direct relationship between
executive compensation and sustained corporate performance.
The Corporation compensates its executive officers through four
principal types of compensation: annual base salary,
profit-sharing payments, board bonus payments, and long-term
incentive awards through stock options or restricted stock. The
Committee, as a matter of policy, places substantial emphasis on
both the profit sharing plan and long-term stock options and
restricted stock since the Corporation believes that rewarding
executive officers with both annual financial performance of the
Corporation and long-term share valuation is in the best
interest of the shareholders.
Base Salary
The annual base salary of each executive officer is based on the
scope of his or her responsibility and accountability within the
Corporation, as well as on performance and experience criteria.
In addition, the Compensation Committee considers the prior
years base salary in determining base salary for the
current year. The Compensation Committee determines and makes
final decisions regarding base salary of executives on an annual
basis. The Compensation Committee recognizes that, to some
degree, the determination of an executive officers base
salary involves subjective considerations.
Profit Sharing and Bonus Plans
A significant component of an executive officers total
cash compensation may consist of a profit sharing plan or bonus
payment, which is intended to make the executive officers
compensation dependent on the Corporations performance and
to provide executive officers with incentives to achieve the
Corporations goals, increase stockholder value, and work
as a team.
For purposes of determining profit sharing or bonus payments,
the Corporation, since the early days of its existence, has
placed a heavy emphasis on financial profits achieved by the
Corporation. For fiscal years 2004 and earlier, the Compensation
Committee would indicate to the executive officers the
percentage of the following years pre-tax profits on which
profit sharing plan payments would be based. Upon the conclusion
of the audit of the prior years financial results, the
Compensation Committee would determine the total percentage of
pre-tax profits eligible for profit-sharing plan payments, and
award payments, if any, to the executive officers of the
Corporation. To enhance long-term retention of these executives,
only one-third of the amount awarded was paid at that point in
time. The remaining two-thirds was eligible to be paid out over
the next two years in the discretion of the Compensation
Committee and was subject to separate annual approvals of the
Compensation Committee.
To enhance the retention of other senior personnel and to foster
a spirit of teamwork, the Compensation Committee also
established a pool, using the same philosophy used for executive
officers, and delegated to the
18
President and Chief Executive Officer the decision as to how and
to whom to allocate the approved funds. Any such bonuses were
also determined and paid upon completion of the
Corporations annual audit.
Beginning in 2005, the President and Chief Executive Officer
will be eligible for a bonus of between 50% and 100% of base
salary to be determined by the Compensation Committee based upon
the Corporations financial performance goals and
qualitative goals. The bonus would be paid 50% in cash and 50%
in restricted stock. Both sets of goals are to be prepared by
the President and Chief Executive Officer for review and
approval by the Compensation Committee.
Also beginning in 2005, the Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer will be eligible for a bonus of between 33% to 50% of
base salary to be determined by the President and Chief
Executive Officer based upon performance goals to be prepared by
the President and Chief Executive Officer and approved by the
Compensation Committee. The bonus would be paid 50% in cash and
50% in restricted stock.
The other management members, including the other Named
Executive Officers, would be eligible for a bonus of between 20%
and 33% of base salary to be determined by the President and
Chief Executive Officer based upon performance goals to be
prepared by the President and Chief Executive Officer and
approved by the Compensation Committee. The bonus would be paid
50% in cash and 50% in restricted stock.
Long Term Equity Compensation
The Compensation Committee believes that providing key
employees, including executive officers, with the opportunity to
acquire stock ownership over time is the most desirable way to
align their interests with those of the Corporations
stockholders. Stock options and restricted stock awarded under
the Plan provide an incentive that focuses the attention of
executive officers on managing the Corporation from the
perspective of an owner with an equity interest in the business.
In addition, stock options and restricted stock are a key part
of the Corporations program for motivating and rewarding
managers and other employees over the long term. Through the
grant of stock options and restricted stock, the Corporation has
encouraged its managers and other employees to obtain and hold
the Corporations stock. The value that employees will
receive upon the sale of shares underlying stock options and the
sale of restricted stock granted to employees is tied to future
performance of the Corporations stock.
The Compensation Committee determines and makes final decisions
regarding stock option and restricted stock awards made under
the Plan. Such factors as performance and responsibilities of
individual managers and the management team as a whole, as well
as general industry practices, play an integral role in the
determination of the number of options and shares of restricted
stock awarded to a particular executive officer or employee. In
determining the size of the individual award, the Compensation
Committee also considers the number of options and shares of
restricted stock outstanding and previously granted, the amount
of options and shares of restricted stock remaining available
for grant under the Plan, the aggregate amount of current
awards, and the amount necessary to retain qualified personnel.
In accordance with its business strategy and compensation
philosophy, the Corporation has granted stock options and
restricted stock to key executives and managers to afford them
an opportunity to participate in the Corporations future
growth and to focus them on the contributions which are
necessary for the financial success and business growth of the
Corporation and, thereby, the creation of value for its
stockholders.
Stock options and restricted stock are typically awarded based
on an assessment of each recipients ongoing contribution
to overall corporate performance. The Corporations Chief
Executive Officers input for the size and timing of option
and restricted stock grants to other executives and managers is
an important determinant of the actual grants given. As a means
to encourage a recipient to remain in service with the
Corporation, stock option and restricted stock awards vest over
a period of five years from the date of grant,
19
unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee. All
incentive stock options have exercise prices at least equal to
the fair market value of the Corporations stock on the
date of grant.
2004 Compensation for the Chief Executive Officer
The general policies described above for the compensation of the
executive officers also apply to the compensation approved by
the Compensation Committee with respect to the 2004 compensation
for Richard F. Latour, the Corporations Chief Executive
Officer.
Mr. Latours base salary was $260,000 in 2004,
$250,000 in 2003 and $250,000 in 2002. Mr. Latour was paid
a profit sharing plan payment in 2004 of $0, in 2003 of $0 and
in 2002 of approximately $237,000 and an additional board bonus
of $0, $0, and $0, respectively, for the same years. During the
same time period, the Corporations pre-tax profits
(losses) were $(30.7) in 2004, $(26.1) million in 2003 and
$(36.8) million in 2002.
At December 31, 2004, Mr. Latour had options to
purchase 840,000 shares of Common Stock. Options to
acquire 150,000 shares of common stock were granted to him
on February 25, 1999 at an exercise price equal to the then
fair market value of $12.313 per underlying share. Options
to acquire 100,000 shares of common stock were granted to
him on February 24, 2000 at an exercise price equal to the
then fair market value of $9.781 per underlying share.
Options to acquire 90,000 shares of common stock were
granted to him on February 20, 2001 at an exercise price
equal to the then fair market value of $13.10 per
underlying share. Options to acquire 100,000 shares of
common stock were granted to him on February 28, 2002 at an
exercise price equal to the then fair market value of
$6.70 per underlying share. Options to acquire
200,000 shares were granted to him on November 25,
2002 at an exercise price equal to the then fair market value of
$1.585 per underlying share. Options to acquire
200,000 shares were granted to him on January 28, 2003
at an exercise price equal to the then fair market value of
$0.86 per underlying share. He was not granted any options
or restricted stock in 2004. In February 2005, the Compensation
Committee approved the acceleration of vesting and the cashless
exercise by Mr. Latour of options to
purchase 400,000 shares, under which he received
174,269 shares after surrender of the remainder in
satisfaction of the exercise price and payment of taxes due with
respect to the transaction. Of the 400,000 options, 200,000 had
an exercise price of $0.86 and 200,000 had an exercise price of
$1.585, and 150,000 had not vested. The Compensation Committee
had the power to take such actions under the provisions of the
1998 Equity Incentive Plan.
Due to the relatively large number of shares held and options
granted to and exercised by Mr. Latour in the past, the
Compensation Committee is of the opinion that the financial
incentive of Mr. Latour is fully aligned with those of all
other shareholders.
Mr. Latour continues to fulfill a central and critical role
in the development of the Corporation as a whole, including but
not limited to the achievement of the Corporations 2005
goals, and it is the Compensation Committees expectation
that he will continue to have an important influence on the
Corporations goals outlined for 2005. The Compensation
Committee believes that Mr. Latours compensation
arrangement reflects the above-described compensation philosophy
of the Corporation designed to align management compensation
closely with financial performance and increased stockholder
value, and that his total compensation (and, in the case of the
severance and change-in-control scenarios, the potential
payouts) in the aggregate to be reasonable and not excessive.
IRS Matters
Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations promulgated thereunder, deductions for employee
remuneration in excess of $1 million which is not
performance-based are disallowed for publicly traded companies.
Since levels of compensation paid by the Corporation are
expected to be
20
significantly below $1 million, the Compensation Committee
has determined that it is unnecessary at this time to seek to
qualify the components of its compensation program as
performance-based compensation within the meaning of
Section 162(m).
Review of all Components of CEO Compensation and the
Committees Conclusion
The Compensation Committee has reviewed all components of
Mr. Latours compensation, including salary, bonus,
profit-sharing, equity and long-term incentive compensation,
accumulated realized and unrealized stock option and restricted
stock gains and losses, the dollar value to the executive and
cost to the Corporation of all perquisites and other personal
benefits and the actual projected payout obligations under
several potential severance and change-in-control scenarios. A
tally sheet setting forth all the above components was prepared
and reviewed affixing dollar amounts under the various payout
scenarios.
Based on this review, the Committee finds that
Mr. Latours total compensation (and, in the case of
the severance and change-in-control scenarios, the potential
payouts) in the aggregate to be reasonable and not excessive.
|
|
|
Compensation and Benefits Committee: |
|
|
Alan J. Zakon, Chairman, |
|
Brian E. Boyle and |
|
Fritz von Mering |
21
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of
the Corporations previous filings under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act that might incorporate
future filings, including this proxy statement, in whole or in
part, the following Performance Graph shall not be incorporated
by reference into any such filings and shall not otherwise be
deemed filed under such Acts.
The following graph illustrates a comparison of cumulative total
returns for the Corporations Common Stock, the NYSE Stock
Index and the S&P Mid-Cap Financials Index from
February 5, 1999 through December 31, 2004. Cumulative
total return for the periods shown in the Performance Graph is
measured assuming an initial investment of $100 on
February 5, 1999, and the reinvestment of dividends, if any.
Note: Management cautions that the historic stock price
performance information shown in this graph may not be
indicative of current stock price levels or future stock price
performance.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
As of the date of this proxy statement, the MicroFinancial Board
consists of 6 persons. The MicroFinancial Board is divided into
three classes, with each class serving staggered terms of three
years, so that only one class is elected in any one year. Two
directors are to be elected at the Special Meeting to serve
until the 2008 annual meeting and until their successors are
elected and have qualified. The nominees for this class of
directors are Torrence C. Harder and Fritz von Mering. A
Director is elected by a plurality of votes of
22
the shares of Common Stock, present in person or represented by
proxy, and entitled to vote at the Special Meeting when there is
a quorum. The nominees for director are presently directors of
MicroFinancial. They have consented to being named a nominee in
this proxy statement and have agreed to serve as a director if
elected at the Special Meeting. In the event that the nominees
are unable to serve, the persons named in the proxy have
discretion to vote for other persons if those other persons are
designated by the MicroFinancial Board. The MicroFinancial Board
has no reason to believe that the nominees will be unavailable
for election.
THE MICROFINANCIAL BOARD RECOMMENDS
A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS
DIRECTORS.
Nominees for Director
|
|
|
Nominee, Age and |
|
Principal Occupation and |
Committee Membership |
|
Other Information |
|
|
|
Terms To Expire in 2008
|
|
|
|
Torrence C. Harder, 61
Chairman, Credit Policy Committee; Audit Committee |
|
Torrence C. Harder has served as a Director of the Corporation
since 1986, served as Chairman of the Credit Policy Committee
since January 2005, and has been a member of the Audit Committee
since 1997. He has been the President and Director of Harder
Management Corporation, Inc., a registered investment advisory
firm, since its establishment in 1971. He has also been the
President and Director of Entrepreneurial Ventures, Inc., a
private equity investment firm, since its founding in 1986.
Mr. Harder is a Director of RentGrow, Inc., Trade Credit
Corporation and UpToDate in Medicine, Inc., a privately held
company. Mr. Harder earned an M.B.A. from the Wharton
School of the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. with honors
from Cornell University. |
|
Fritz von Mering, 52
Chairman, Audit Committee; Compensation and Benefits Committee;
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
|
Fritz von Mering has served as a Director of the Corporation,
Chairman of the Audit Committee since January 2005 and a member
since 2004, and a member of the Compensation and Benefits
Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
since January 2005. He is currently the Vice President of
Corporate Development and a Director of Boston Communications
Group, Inc. (Boston Communications), a Boston-based
provider of call processing to the global wireless industry. He
has also served as the Chief Financial Officer of Boston
Communications from 1989 to 1999. Prior to joining Boston
Communications, Mr. von Mering was the Chief Financial
Officer of Massachusetts Gas & Electric from 1986 to
1989. Before joining Massachusetts Gas & Electric,
Mr. von Mering was regional vice president and general
manager for Metromedias paging division from 1980 to 1986.
Prior to Metromedia, Mr. von Mering held various positions
at Coopers & Lybrand, where he earned his C.P.A.
Mr. von Mering earned his B.S. in Accounting from Boston
College and an M.B.A from Babson College. |
23
Continuing Directors
|
|
|
Director, Age and |
|
Principal Occupation and |
Committee Membership |
|
Other Information |
|
|
|
Terms Expiring in 2006
|
|
|
|
Brian E. Boyle, 57
Chairman, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; Audit
Committee; Compensation and Benefits Committee; Credit Policy
Committee |
|
Brian E. Boyle, the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation
from 1985 to 1987 and Chairman of the MicroFinancial Board from
1985 to 1995, has served as a Director of the Corporation or its
predecessor since 1985 and has been a member of the Audit
Committee and the Compensation Committee since 1997, the
Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
since January 2004 and a member of the Credit Policy Committee
since January 2005. He is currently the Vice Chairman and a
Director of Boston Communications. He also served as Chairman of
GoldK, Inc. from 1999 to March of 2003, and was the Chief
Executive Officer of GoldK, Inc. from 1999 until November 2002.
Prior to joining Boston Communications, Dr. Boyle was the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Credit Technologies,
Inc., a Massachusetts-based provider of credit decision and
customer acquisition software, from 1989 to 1993. From 1995 to
1999 he was a Director of Saville Systems, a global
telecommunications billing software company, with its United
States headquarters in Burlington, Massachusetts, and served as
a member of its Compensation Committee from 1995 to October
1999. Dr. Boyle is also a director of several private
companies. Dr. Boyle earned his A.B. in Mathematics and
Economics from Amherst College and a B.S. in Electrical
Engineering and Computer Science, an M.S. in Operations
Research, an E.E. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
and a Ph.D. in Operations Research, all from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. |
|
Alan J. Zakon, 69
Chairman, Compensation and Benefits Committee; Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee |
|
Alan J. Zakon has served as a Director of the Corporation since
1988, on the Compensation and Benefits Committee since 1997 and
its Chairman since January 2005 and on the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee since January 2004.
Dr. Zakon served as Managing Director of Bankers Trust
Corporation from 1989 to 1995 where he was Chairman of the
Strategic Policy Committee. Dr. Zakon is a Director of
Arkansas-Best Freight Corporation, a nationwide commercial
transportation and trucking company and a Director of InfraRedx,
a privately held medical research and development company.
Dr. Zakon holds a B.A. from Harvard University, an M.S. in
Industrial Management from the Sloan School at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Economics and Finance
from the University of California at Los Angeles. |
24
|
|
|
Director, Age and |
|
Principal Occupation and |
Committee Membership |
|
Other Information |
|
|
|
|
Terms Expiring in 2007
|
|
|
|
Peter R. Bleyleben, 52
Credit Policy Committee |
|
Peter R. Bleyleben serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Corporation and on the Credit Policy Committee since
January 2005. He served as President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director of the Corporation or its predecessor since June
1987 until January 2002, and Chief Executive Officer until
October 2002. He is also a director of UpToDate in Medicine,
Inc. and of Apres Health and Fitness, Inc., privately held
companies. Before joining the Corporation, Dr. Bleyleben
was Vice President and Director of the Boston Consulting Group,
Inc. (BCG) in Boston. During his more than eight
years with BCG, Dr. Bleyleben focused his professional
strategic consulting practice on the financial services and
telecommunications industries. Prior to joining BCG,
Dr. Bleyleben earned an M.B.A. with distinction and honors
from the Harvard Business School, an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in
Business Administration and Economics, respectively, from the
Vienna Business School in Vienna, Austria and a B.S. in Computer
Science from the Vienna Institute of Technology. |
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Richard F. Latour, 51
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Richard F. Latour has served as President, Chief Executive
Officer, Treasurer, Clerk and Secretary of the Corporation since
October 2002 and as President, Chief Operating Officer, Chief
Financial Officer, Treasurer, Clerk and Secretary, as well as a
director of the Corporation, since February 2002. From 1995 to
January 2002, he served as Executive Vice President, Chief
Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Clerk and
Secretary. From 1986 to 1995 Mr. Latour served as Vice
President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to
joining the Corporation, Mr. Latour was Vice President of
Finance for eleven years with Trak Incorporated, an
international manufacturer and distributor of consumer goods,
where he was responsible for all financial and operational
functions. Mr. Latour earned a B.S. in accounting from
Bentley College in Waltham, Massachusetts. |
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF
MICROFINANCIALS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The selection of Vitale Caturano & Co.
(Vitale) to serve as independent auditors of
MicroFinancial for the current fiscal year ending
December 31, 2005, will be submitted to the stockholders of
the Corporation for ratification at the Special Meeting.
Representatives of Vitale will be present at the Special
Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they
so desire and will be available to answer appropriate questions.
Vitale has advised MicroFinancial that neither it nor any of its
members has any direct financial interest in MicroFinancial as a
promoter, underwriter, voting trustee, director, officer or
employee. All professional services rendered by Vitale during
the year ended December 31, 2004 were furnished at
customary rates.
The ratification of the selection of independent auditors
requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
Common Stock, present in person or represented by proxy, and
entitled to vote thereon at the Special Meeting when there is a
quorum.
THE MICROFINANCIAL BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THIS PROPOSAL
WHICH IS IDENTIFIED AS PROPOSAL 2 ON THE ENCLOSED
PROXY.
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Fees to Independent Auditors for Fiscal 2004 and 2003
Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed by Vitale for
professional services rendered for the audit of the
Corporations annual financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2004 and for the reviews of the
financial statements included in the Corporations
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for that fiscal year and for
services provided in connection with statutory or regulatory
filings or engagements were $135,000.
The aggregate fees billed by the Corporations former
independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP and its
affiliates (collectively, Deloitte &
Touche), for professional services rendered for the audit
of the Corporations annual financial statements for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2003 and December 31,
2004 and for the reviews of the financial statements included in
the Corporations Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for
that fiscal year and for services provided in connection with
statutory or regulatory filings or engagements were $238,700 and
$123,350, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed by Vitale
for assurance and related services reasonably related to
employee benefit plan audits and due diligence and consultation
on a business transaction and not reported under the foregoing
Audit Fees section rendered to the Corporation for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 were $14,500.
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche for
assurance and related services reasonably related to employee
benefit plan audits and due diligence and consultation on a
business transaction and not reported under the foregoing
Audit Fees section rendered to the Corporation for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 were $33,500.
Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed by Vitale for
professional services related to the review of the
Corporations tax returns rendered to the Corporation for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 were $2,500.
The aggregate fees billed by Deloitte & Touche for
professional services related to the review of the
Corporations tax returns rendered to the Corporation for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 were $15,510.
All Other Fees. There were no other fees billed by Vitale
for services rendered to the Corporation, other than the
services described under Audit Fees,
Audit-Related Fees, and Tax Fees for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
There were no other fees billed by Deloitte & Touche
for services rendered to the Corporation, other than the
services described under Audit Fees,
Audit-Related Fees, and Tax Fees for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 2003.
Change in the Corporations Certifying Accountants.
Effective May 24, 2004, the Corporation dismissed
Deloitte & Touche LLP (Deloitte) as its
independent accountants. The Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Registrant approved the decision to change
independent accountants. The reports of Deloitte on the
Corporations financial statements for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 did not contain an adverse
opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or
modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting
principles. In addition, during the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002, and through May 24, 2004,
there were no disagreements with Deloitte on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement
disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure which, if not
resolved to the satisfaction of Deloitte, would have caused
Deloitte to make reference to the subject matter of the
disagreement(s) in its reports on the financial statements for
such years. Finally, during the fiscal years ended
December 3, 2003 and 2002, and through
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May 24, 2004, there were no differences of opinion on the
following matters between the Corporation and Deloitte that were
not resolved to Deloittes satisfaction prior to their
dismissal (a reportable event): (i) the
existence of adequate internal controls; (ii) Deloitte
having advised the Corporation that it is no longer able to rely
on managements financial statements; (iii) Deloitte
having advised the Corporation of the need to significantly
expand the scope of their audit or that information had come to
its attention, that if further investigated, may materially
impact the fairness or reliability of either a previously issued
audit report or the underlying financial statements or cause
Deloitte to be unwilling to rely on managements
representations or be associated with the Corporations
financial statements; or (iv) Deloitte having advised the
Corporation that information had come to its attention that
materially impacts the fairness or reliability of either a
previously issued audit report or the underlying financial
statements or the financial statements issued or to be issued
covering the fiscal period subsequent to the date of the most
recent financial statements covered by an audit report.
The Corporation provided a copy of the foregoing disclosure to
Deloitte and Deloitte issued a letter to the Securities and
Exchange Commission dated May 28, 2004 indicating that it
did not disagree with this disclosure.
Effective May 24, 2004, the Corporation engaged Vitale as
its new independent accountants. The Corporation had not
consulted Vitale during the fiscal years ending
December 31, 2003 and 2002, or through May 24, 2004,
with regard to either (i) the application of accounting
principles to a specified transaction, either completed or
proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on
the Corporations financial statements; or (ii) any
matter that was either the subject of a disagreement or a
reportable event.
Approval by Audit Committee
The charter of the Audit Committee requires that the Committee
approve in advance any audit or permissible non-audit engagement
or relationship between the Corporation and the independent
auditors. The Committee has delegated to the Chairman of the
Audit Committee the authority to approve in advance all
audit-related or non-audit services to be provided by the
independent auditor if presented to the full Committee at the
next regularly scheduled meeting of the Audit Committee. The
Committee also determined that pre-approval was not required on
any items which individually would total less than $50,000.
Under this policy, the Audit Committee approved all of
Vitales and Deloitte & Touches audit fees
but was not required to approve any of the other services
described above.
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not know of any matters which will be brought
before the Special Meeting other than those specified in the
Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders. However, if any other
matters properly come before the Special Meeting, the persons
named in the form of proxy, or their substitutes, will vote on
such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
2006 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of stockholders to be included in the proxy statement
and form of proxy for the Corporations 2006 annual meeting
of stockholders must be received by December 19, 2005.
Stockholders who wish to make a proposal at the aforementioned
meeting of stockholders, other than one that will be included in
the Corporations proxy materials, must notify the
Corporation no later than January 18, 2006 of such a
proposal. If a stockholder makes such a timely notification, the
proxies solicited by the MicroFinancial Board will confer
discretionary voting authority on the persons named as attorneys
in the proxy and such persons may exercise
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discretionary voting authority under circumstances consistent
with the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. If a
stockholder who wishes to present a proposal fails to notify the
Corporation by January 18, 2006, the stockholder shall not
be entitled to present the proposal at the meeting.
Notwithstanding the failure to timely notify the Corporation, if
the proposal is brought before the meeting, then the proxies
solicited by the MicroFinancial Board will confer discretionary
voting authority on the persons named as attorneys in the proxy.
Proposals should be mailed to Richard F. Latour, Clerk of
MicroFinancial, at 10M Commerce Way, Woburn, Massachusetts 01801.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND CERTIFICATION
The financial statements of the Corporation are contained in the
Corporations Annual Report on Form 10-K for its
fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 that was filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2005, a
copy of which is included with this proxy statement. Such report
and the financial statements contained therein are not to be
considered as a part of this soliciting material.
The Corporation has filed with the New York Stock Exchange the
most recent Annual CEO Certification as required by
Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed
Manual.
MISCELLANEOUS
All the expenses of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing
the material used in the solicitation of proxies by the Board
will be paid by the Corporation. In addition to the solicitation
of proxies by use of the mails, officers and regular employees
of the Corporation may solicit proxies on behalf of the Board by
telephone, telegram or personal interview, the expenses of which
will be borne by the Corporation. Arrangements may also be made
with brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries to forward soliciting materials to the beneficial
owners of stock held of record by such persons at the expense of
the Corporation.
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Submitted by Order of the Board of Directors, |
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RICHARD F. LATOUR |
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Clerk |
Woburn, Massachusetts
April 18, 2005
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SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS IN LIEU OF ANNUAL MEETING OF
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
Monday, May 16, 2005
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
â Please detach and mail in the envelope provided. â
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE
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Election of the following directors for three-year terms. |
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FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES |
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FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) |
NOMINEES
¡ Torrence C. Harder
¡ Fritz von Mering
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INSTRUCTION: |
To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL EXCEPT and fill in
the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as
shown here: l |
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To change the address on your account, please check
the box at right and indicate your new address in
the address space above. Please note that changes
to the registered name(s) on the account may not be
submitted via this method. |
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FOR
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Ratification of the appointment by the Board of Directors of the
firm of Vitale, Caturano & Co. as independent auditors of the
Corporation for the year ending December 31, 2005.
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE
ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR FOR THREE-YEAR TERMS AND FOR
THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF VITALE, CATURANO & CO. AS THE
CORPORATIONS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
2005.
PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING
ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
MARK HERE IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING. o
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Date: |
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Signature of Stockholder |
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Note: |
This proxy must be signed exactly as the name appears hereon. When shares are held jointly,
each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by
duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in
partnership name by authorized person. |
PROXY
MICROFINANCIAL INCORPORATED
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS IN LIEU OF ANNUAL MEETING
TO BE HELD ON MAY 16, 2005, OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF.
THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THEIR STOCKHOLDER(S).
The undersigned stockholder of MicroFinancial Incorporated (the Corporation) hereby appoints
Peter R. Bleyleben and Richard F. Latour (each a Proxy Agent), jointly and severally with full
power of substitution to each as proxies for and on behalf of the undersigned, to attend the
Special Meeting of Stockholders in Lieu of Annual Meeting of MicroFinancial Incorporated, to be
held at Edwards & Angell, LLP, 101 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts on Monday, May 16, 2005,
at 4:00 P.M., or any adjournments thereof, and to vote as directed below all stock of the
Corporation which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present.
By acceptance, each Proxy Agent agrees that this Proxy will be voted in the manner directed by the
stockholder giving this Proxy. If no direction is specified, the Proxy will be voted FOR the
election of the nominees for Director for three-year terms and FOR the ratification of the
appointment of Vitale, Caturano & Co. as the Corporations independent auditors for the year ending
December 31, 2005, each as set forth on the reverse. Discretionary authority is hereby conferred
as to all other matters which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.
This Proxy, if properly executed and delivered, will revoke all other Proxies.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR FOR
THREE-YEAR TERMS AND FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF VITALE, CATURANO & CO. AS THE
CORPORATIONS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2005.
CONTINUED, AND TO BE SIGNED, ON REVERSE SIDE