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Exhibit 10.24
ESCROW AGREEMENT
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This ESCROW AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of ___________, 1998, by
and between Cygnet Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Cygnet") and
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association ("Escrow Agent").
RECITALS
A. At a meeting held on August 31, 1998, the shareholders of Ugly
Duckling Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("UDC"), approved the separation of
UDC and its existing subsidiaries into two publicly-held corporate groups (the
"Split-up").
B. In connection with the Split-up, UDC and Cygnet have executed a
Capitalization Agreement, dated as of ___________, 1998 (the "Capitalization
Agreement"), which sets forth the terms and conditions of certain major aspects
of the Split-up.
C. Pursuant to the Capitalization Agreement, Cygnet will make a rights
offering (the "Rights Offering") to the existing shareholders of UDC and will
distribute to such shareholders transferable rights (the "Rights") to purchase
shares of the common stock, $.001 par value of Cygnet (the "Cygnet Common
Stock"), for a subscription price of $7.00 per share (the "Subscription Price").
Each stockholder of record on the record date for the Rights Offering will
receive one (1) Right for every four (4) shares of UDC common stock, $.001 par
value, held.
D. Pursuant to the Rights Offering, the holders of the Rights will have
[twenty (20)] days, unless extended (the "Exercise Period") after commencement
of the Rights Offering to exercise such Rights.
E. The Rights Offering will commence when all conditions thereto have
been satisfied and Cygnet mails the certificates representing the Rights (the
"Rights Certificates") to shareholders of UDC (the "Commencement Date"), and the
Exercise Period will expire at 5:00 p.m. Minnesota time on the [20th] day
following the Commencement Date or such later date to which the Rights offering
is extended (the "Expiration Date").
F. In order to exercise the Rights, holders of the Rights, other than
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, XX ("Xxxxxx") or any corporation or other entity controlled by
Xxxxxx (an "Affiliate"), must surrender the Rights Certificates evidencing the
Rights to be exercised, with the form of election to purchase thereon duly
executed to Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, the distribution agent
for the Rights Offering (the "Distribution Agent"), at the principal office of
the Distribution Agent, together with payment of the Subscription Price in
lawful money of the United States by certified check or money order payable to
the Escrow Agent for each share of Cygnet Common Stock as to which the Rights
are exercised, on or prior to the Expiration Date or thereafter pursuant to a
Notice of Guaranteed Delivery in the form approved by the Company (a "Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery") and received on or prior to the Expiration Date.
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G. Each Rights holder who elects to exercise all of his Rights may elect
to purchase an additional number of shares of Cygnet Common Stock up to the
number of shares of Cygnet Common Stock purchased upon exercise of such
holder's Rights, out of the pool of Cygnet Common Stock offered pursuant to the
Rights Offering ("Offered Shares") and not purchased upon exercise of the
Rights (the "Over-Subscription Election"). The Over-Subscription Election may be
exercised concurrently with the exercise of the related Rights by a holder
(other than Xxxxxx or his Affiliates) duly executing the form of
Over-Subscription Election contained in the Rights Certificate, together with
payment in full of the Subscription Price in lawful money of the United States
by certified check or money order payable to the Escrow Agent for all shares of
Cygnet Common Stock for which the Over-Subscription Election is exercised, on
or prior to the Expiration Date or thereafter pursuant to a Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery received on or prior to the Expiration Date.
H. If the number of shares of Cygnet Common Stock elected for purchase
pursuant to all Over-Subscription Elections properly effected by holders of the
Rights (including the Over-Subscription Election, if any, of Xxxxxx and his
Affiliates ("Xxxxxx Over-Subscription Elections") advised to the Escrow Agent
pursuant to Section 4.A(iv) of this Agreement) shall exceed the excess of (a)
the number of Offered Shares over (b) the number of shares purchased pursuant to
the Rights (assuming that Xxxxxx and his Affiliates will exercise all Xxxxxx
Rights (defined below) held by them as advised to the Escrow Agent pursuant to
Section 4.A(iv) of this Agreement and excluding shares designated for purchase
pursuant to Over-Subscription Elections) (such excess being the "Unpurchased
Allotment"), each holder who makes an Over-Subscription Election (including
Xxxxxx and his Affiliates) shall be authorized to purchase a pro rata portion of
the Unpurchased Allotment determined by calculating the product of (a) a
fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the number of shares of Cygnet
Common Stock as to which the Over-Subscription Election of a holder is exercised
or, in the case of Xxxxxx or his Affiliates, will be exercised, as advised to
the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 4.A(iv) of this Agreement, and the
denominator of which is the total number of shares of Cygnet Common Stock as to
which all Over-Subscription Elections are exercised or, in the case of Xxxxxx or
his Affiliates, will be exercised, as advised to the Escrow Agent pursuant to
Section 4.A(iv) of this Agreement, and (b) the Unpurchased Allotment (the "Pro
Rata Allocation").
I. If a Rights holder who has made an Over-Subscription Election is
unable to purchase the full number of shares subscribed for pursuant to such
Over-Subscription Election due to the Pro Rata Allocation, the Subscription
Price paid with respect to the shares such holder is unable to purchase (the
"Overpaid Funds") will be returned to the electing Rights holder.
J. Successful completion of the Rights Offering is contingent upon,
among other things, the purchase of at least 75% of the Offered Shares (the
"Required Purchase Amount").
X. Xxxxxx has agreed to exercise all of his Rights and to cause his
Affiliates to exercise all of their Rights, and through the Over-Subscription
Election related to his or their Rights and/or a standby purchase obligation
(the "Standby Purchase Obligation"), Xxxxxx or his Affiliates will purchase
additional shares of Cygnet Common Stock available pursuant to the Rights
Offering sufficient to satisfy the Required Purchase Amount.
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L. All Rights held by Xxxxxx or his Affiliates immediately following the
Expiration Date may be referred to herein as the "Xxxxxx Rights". Xxxxxx or his
Affiliates will exercise the Xxxxxx Rights and any Xxxxxx Over-Subscription
Elections concurrently with the satisfaction of the Standby Purchase Obligation
on the closing date of the Split-up (the "Closing Date") and will pay the
subscription funds therefor ("Xxxxxx Funds") directly to Cygnet on the Closing
Date pursuant to procedures established in the Capitalization Agreement.
M. Certified checks and money orders constituting the Subscription Price
for all Cygnet Common Stock offered pursuant to the Rights Offering upon
exercise of the Rights and related Over-Subscription Elections by all holders of
Rights other than Xxxxxx and his Affiliates are herein referred to as the
"Subscription Funds."
N. Pursuant to this Agreement, Cygnet desires to establish an escrow
account maintained with the Escrow Agent in which the Subscription Funds will
be deposited pending the Closing Date.
O. The purpose of this Agreement is to comply with the provisions of
Rules 10b-9 and 15c2-4 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and with the applicable securities laws of all states in which the
Rights Offering is made.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties contained herein, and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereby covenant and agree as follows:
1. Establishment of Escrow. Effective as of the date of this Agreement,
Cygnet hereby establishes an escrow account with the Escrow Agent (the "Escrow
Account"). Escrow Agent, by its signature hereon, accepts the escrow agency
created by this Agreement, and agrees to carry out its duties as Escrow Agent
hereunder pursuant to the terms and conditions contained herein.
2. Deposits into the Escrow Account. All Subscription Funds received
by the Distribution Agent from subscribers to the Cygnet Common Stock pursuant
to the Rights Offering on or prior to the Expiration Date or thereafter pursuant
to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery delivered on or prior to the Expiration Date
will be deposited with the Escrow Agent by three o'clock of the next business
day after receipt of said monies, together with or followed promptly by a
written account of each subscription (each a "Subscription Account"), which
Subscription Accounts shall set forth, among other things, the subscriber's name
and address, Social Security or taxpayer identification number, the number of
shares purchased, the amount paid therefor, the form of subscription payment
(which must be either a certified check or money order), the date of said check
or money order, and the date received and delivered to the Escrow Agent. There
shall also be deposited with the Escrow Agent a copy of each Over-Subscription
Election executed by a Rights holder (other than Xxxxxx or his Affiliates). All
monies so deposited in the Escrow Account are hereinafter referred to as the
"Escrow Amount." Cygnet will instruct subscribers to Cygnet Common Stock to make
subscription payments directly to the Distribution Agent by
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certified check or money order payable to "NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, AS ESCROW AGENT FOR CYGNET FINANCIAL CORPORATION." Subscription
Funds received that are payable to "Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, as Escrow Agent," or to "Cygnet Financial Corporation," or similar
designations are also acceptable. Any Subscription Funds received that are made
payable to a party other than the Escrow Agent or Cygnet shall be promptly
returned by the Escrow Agent to the subscriber who submitted the payment. The
Escrow Agent will promptly deposit all Subscription Funds received by it into
the Escrow Account.
If the aggregate Subscription Price paid by the holder is insufficient to
purchase the aggregate number of shares subscribed for, then such holder will
be deemed to have exercised first, the Rights and second, the Over-Subscription
Election to the full extent of the payment tendered. If the aggregate
Subscription Price paid by the holder exceeds the amount necessary to purchase
the number of shares for which the holder has indicated an intention to
subscribe, then the holder will be deemed to have exercised first, the Rights
and second, the Over-Subscription Election to the full extent of the excess
payment tendered.
Subscriptions made after the expiration of the Exercise Period except
pursuant to a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery delivered prior to the expiration
of the Exercise Period shall be returned to the subscriber.
Unless and until the Exercise Period has expired and the Required Purchase
Amount has been achieved and the Escrow Amount is disbursed to Cygnet hereunder
on the Closing Date, such funds shall not be, nor shall such funds be
considered to be, assets or property of Cygnet, UDC, or any of their
affiliates, or be subject to the debts of Cygnet, UDC or any of their
affiliates.
3. Escrow Period. The period for the existence of the escrow (the
"Escrow Period") shall begin on the Commencement Date of the Rights Offering
and shall terminate upon Escrow Agent's disbursement of all funds in the Escrow
Account in accordance with Section 5 hereof, following the earlier to occur of
the following dates:
A. The Closing Date;
B. Thirty (30) days following expiration of the Exercise Period
(the "Drop Dead Date"); or
C. The date upon which a determination is made by Cygnet and UDC to
withdraw or terminate the Rights Offering and/or the Split-up with notice of
such determination being given to Escrow Agent (the "Termination Date").
4. Report and Notices.
A. Cygnet shall advise the Escrow Agent in writing of (i) the
Commencement Date no later than one business day following the Commencement
Date; (ii) the Expiration Date and any extension thereof no later than one
business day following (x) the Commencement Date or (y)
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each extension of the Expiration Date; (iii) the Closing Date no later than
three business days prior thereto unless the Escrow Agent shall accept a shorter
notice period; (iv) the number of Xxxxxx Rights and the amount of any Xxxxxx
Over-Subscription Elections no later than one business day following the
Expiration Date; (v) the acceptance or rejection of all subscriptions as soon as
possible following the receipt by Cygnet of documentation evidencing such
subscriptions; and (vi) its receipt on the Closing Date of the Xxxxxx Funds and
of the satisfaction of all conditions to the Split-up, along with instructions
to the Escrow Agent to disburse the Escrow Amount to Cygnet in accordance with
Section 5.C. hereof.
B. Within one business day following the Expiration Date, Escrow
Agent will advise Cygnet of (i) the number of Rights exercised and of the amount
of Over-Subscription Elections, (ii) the number of Rights and Over-Subscription
Elections subject to Notices of Guaranteed Delivery, and (iii) the amount of
Subscription Funds held in the Escrow Account and of any amounts therein that
are not then in the form of collected funds. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "collected funds" shall mean all funds received by the Escrow Agent which
have cleared normal banking channels and are in the form of cash. Based on the
subscription funds so held and assuming (i) the exercise by Xxxxxx and his
Affiliates of 100% of the Xxxxxx Rights and Xxxxxx Over-Subscription Elections
and the delivery and payment of all subscription certificates and monies
required to be delivered and paid pursuant to Notices of Guaranteed Delivery, no
later than two business days following the Expiration Date the Escrow Agent
shall determine the amount of additional subscription monies required to satisfy
the Required Purchase Amount and shall so advise Cygnet.
C. No later than two business days following the Expiration Date,
the Escrow Agent shall calculate and shall advise Cygnet of the total
Unpurchased Allotment and of the Pro Rata Allocation, if any, to each holder of
Rights who shall have exercised an Over-Subscription Election, including any
exercise of the Xxxxxx Over-Subscription Elections, and of the Overpaid Funds
due to each holder from the Escrow Account. This calculation shall be
reconfirmed by Cygnet and the Escrow Agent on the date following the third
business day after the Expiration Date when all funds held in the Escrow Account
are held in the form of collected funds (the "Over-Subscription Determination
Date").
5. Disbursements from the Escrow Account. Escrow Agent will disburse
monies from the Escrow Account as follows:
A. Not later than two business days following the Over-Subscription
Determination Date, the Escrow Agent shall refund any Overpaid Funds to each
holder entitled thereto, without interest thereon, and the Escrow Agent shall
notify Cygnet of its distribution of such funds.
B. Not later than two business days following the Termination Date
or the Drop Dead Date, the Escrow Agent shall promptly notify each subscriber of
such fact and refund to each subscriber the amount received from such
subscriber, without deduction, penalty, or expense to the
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subscriber, and without interest, and the Escrow Agent shall notify Cygnet of
its distribution of the funds.
C. On the Closing Date, following the notice and instructions to
the Escrow Agent by Cygnet required pursuant to Section 4.A(vi) hereof, the
Escrow Agent shall disburse the Escrow Amount (after any prior disbursements
pursuant to Section 5.A and Section 6 hereof) to Cygnet. In no event will the
Escrow Amount be released to Cygnet until such amount is received by the Escrow
Agent in collected funds.
D. Escrow Agent shall also make any disbursements required by
Section 6 and Section 9 hereof.
E. All funds returned to a subscriber pursuant to this Agreement
shall be free and clear of any and all claims of Cygnet, UDC or any of their
affiliates or creditors.
6. Collection Procedure; Acceptance and Rejection of Subscriptions. The
Escrow Agent is hereby authorized to deposit all Subscription Funds in the
Escrow Account and to forward each certified check and money order for
collection and, upon collection of the proceeds of each, deposit the collected
proceeds in the Escrow Account. Any check returned unpaid to the Escrow Agent
shall be returned to the subscriber. In such cases, the Escrow Agent will
promptly notify Cygnet of such return and Escrow Agent will be reimbursed by
Cygnet for any expenses so incurred.
Cygnet shall have the ability to reject the subscription of any person in
whole or in part if it shall determine that such subscription is not in proper
form, and each such determination shall be final and binding on all parties.
Cygnet will certify in writing to the Escrow Agent the fact of any rejection of
any subscription, including the name of the subscriber whose subscription is
rejected in whole or in part, the amount of funds submitted by the subscriber
and the portion thereof that has been rejected. If Cygnet rejects any
subscription or portion thereof for which the Escrow Agent has already
collected funds, the Escrow Agent shall promptly issue a refund check to the
rejected subscriber for the portion of his subscription so rejected. If Cygnet
rejects any subscription or portion thereof for which the Escrow Agent has not
yet collected funds but has submitted the subscriber's check or money order for
collection, the Escrow Agent shall promptly issue a check in the amount of the
subscriber's check, or portion thereof so rejected, to the rejected subscriber
after the Escrow Agent has cleared such funds. If the Escrow Agent has not yet
submitted a rejected subscriber's check or money order for collection and the
subscription is rejected in whole, the Escrow Agent shall promptly remit the
subscriber's check directly to the subscriber. If the Escrow Agent has not yet
submitted a rejected subscriber's check or money order for collection and the
subscription is rejected in part only, the Escrow Agent will submit the
subscriber's check or money order for collection and will promptly issue a
check for the rejected portion of the subscriber's subscription to the rejected
subscriber after the Escrow Agent has cleared such funds. All funds returned to
a rejected subscriber shall be without interest.
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7. Termination of the Rights Offering. In the absence of any notification
by Cygnet of the Termination Date in accordance with Section 3.C hereof, Escrow
Agent shall assume the Rights Offering and Split-up have not been terminated.
8. Instructions to the Escrow Agent. Escrow Agent shall not accept
instructions regarding the funds in the Escrow Account or the Rights Offering
other than from an authorized representative of Cygnet. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, XX,
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx are currently the authorized
representatives of Cygnet. Cygnet may notify Escrow Agent in writing of the
designation of any substitute or additional authorized representative. Escrow
Agent shall be entitled to rely on the written instructions of any authorized
representative or of any substitute.
9. Investment of Escrow Amount. Unless otherwise agreed by Cygnet and
the Escrow Agent, the Escrow Agent will invest the Escrow Amount in .
Following the termination of the Escrow Period, Escrow Agent shall deliver to
Cygnet in a single, lump-sum payment all interest earned on funds in the Escrow
Account. The amount of interest earned shall be calculated by the Escrow Agent
and provided to Cygnet at the closing of the Escrow Account.
10. Compensation of Escrow Agent. Cygnet shall pay the Escrow Agent a fee
for its escrow services as previously agreed to by the parties in a transfer
agent agreement. However, no such fee or any monies whatsoever shall be paid out
of or chargeable to the funds on deposit in the Escrow Account.
11. Resignation of Escrow Agent. Escrow Agent may resign at any time and
be discharged from its duties as escrow agent hereunder by giving Cygnet at
least thirty (30) days' notice in accordance with Section 14.A. If a successor
escrow agent is not appointed within the 30-day period following such notice,
Escrow Agent may petition any court of competent jurisdiction to name a
successor escrow agent. As soon as practicable after its resignation, Escrow
Agent shall turn over to a successor escrow agent appointed by Cygnet all monies
and property held hereunder upon presentation to Escrow Agent of the document
appointing the new escrow agent and its acceptance of such appointment and will
be released from any further responsibility or obligation in connection with the
Escrow Account on this Agreement.
12. Duty and Liability of the Escrow Agent; Indemnification. The sole duty
of the Escrow Agent, other than as herein specified, shall be to receive funds
hereunder and hold them subject to release, in accordance herewith, and the
Escrow Agent shall be under no duty to determine whether Cygnet is complying
with the requirements of this Agreement. The Escrow Agent may conclusively rely
upon and shall be protected in acting upon any statement, certificate, notice,
request, consent, order, or other document believed by it to be genuine and to
have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Escrow Agent
shall have no duty or liability to verify any such statement, certificate,
notice, request, consent, order, or other document, and its sole
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responsibility shall be to act only as expressly set forth in this Agreement.
The Escrow Agent shall be under no obligation to institute or defend any
action, suit, or proceeding in connection with this Agreement unless first
indemnified to its satisfaction. The Escrow Agent may consult with counsel in
respect of any question arising under this Agreement and the Escrow Agent shall
not be liable for any action taken or omitted in good faith upon advice of such
counsel.
Cygnet hereby indemnifies and holds harmless the Escrow Agent from and
against, any and all loss, liability, cost, damage, and expense, including,
without limitation, reasonable counsel fees, which the Escrow Agent may suffer
or incur by reason of any action, claim, or proceeding brought against the
Escrow Agent arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement or any
transaction to which this Agreement relates unless such action, claim, or
proceeding is the result of the negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow
Agent. Within fifteen (15) days following the receipt by Escrow Agent of notice
of any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit, or proceeding
relating to this Agreement for which indemnification will be claimed hereunder,
the Escrow Agent shall notify the Company in writing in accordance with the
notification provisions of this Agreement. The Company may defend Escrow Agent
with counsel reasonably satisfactory to it against any such demand or claim if
it so notifies Escrow Agent within fifteen (15) days following receipt of a
notice from Escrow Agent as described above.
13. Maintenance of Records. The Escrow Agent shall maintain the
Subscription Accounts provided to the Escrow Agent pursuant to Section 2 hereof
and a record of all payments returned and disbursements made from the Escrow
Account as provided in this Agreement. Cygnet and the Escrow Agent shall agree
from time to time on the regular reports and the timing thereof that shall be
made by the Escrow Agent regarding the Escrow Account. The Escrow Agent shall
also provide Cygnet on reasonable request, from time to time in accordance with
its normal procedures, such other information as shall be in the possession of
the Escrow Agent as a result of its duties hereunder.
14. Miscellaneous.
A. Notices. All notices, reports, instructions, requests, and other
communications given under this Agreement ("Notices") shall be in writing,
delivered by hand, by facsimile with confirmation of receipt, by receipted
mail, or by delivery service, and shall be deemed given when received. Notices
shall be addressed to the parties hereto at their addresses or facsimile
numbers listed on the signature pages hereof. A party may change its address or
numbers for Notices by giving notice to the other party in accordance with this
paragraph.
B. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona
(without taking into consideration its choice of law provisions).
C. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any exhibits
and/or schedules referred to herein, constitutes the entire agreement among the
parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and
contemporaneous agreements and undertakings of the parties in connection
herewith.
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D. Assignment. All of the terms, covenants, conditions, and provisions
of this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto
and to their respective representatives, successors, and assigns.
E. Captions; Headings. The captions and paragraph headings included in
this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and do not constitute a
part of this Agreement.
F. Recitals. The recitals herein are made by Cygnet only.
G. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and
the same document.
H. Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may be amended or modified, and
any of the terms, covenants, representations, warranties, or conditions hereof
may be waived, only by a written instrument executed by the parties hereto, or
in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. Any waiver by any
party of any condition, or of the breach of any provision, term, covenant,
representation, or warranty contained in this Agreement, in any one or more
instances, shall not be deemed to be nor construed as a further or continuing
waiver of any such condition, or of the breach of any other provision, term,
covenant, representation, or warranty of this Agreement.
I. Severability. The invalidity of any provision hereof shall in no way
affect the validity of any other provision hereof. Each of the parties shall at
the request of the other party, deliver to the requesting party all further
documents or other assurances as may reasonably be necessary or desirable in
connection with this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Cygnet and the Escrow Agent have entered into this
Agreement on the date first set forth above.
CYGNET FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:_____________________________________
Name:___________________________________
Title:__________________________________
Address for Notices:
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (602)____________________
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XXXXXXX XXXX, XXXXXXXXX, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION, AS ESCROW AGENT
By:____________________________________
Name:__________________________________
Title:_________________________________
Address for Notices:
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Facsimile:_____________________________
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