UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
|
[X]
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
|
|
For
the quarterly period ended September30,
2008
|
|
[
]
|
TRANSITION
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT
|
For the
transition period from ____________ to ______________
Commission
file number: 000-49724
ACIES
CORPORATION
(Name of
registrant in its charter)
|
Nevada
|
7389
|
91-2079553
|
|
(State
or jurisdiction
|
(Primary
Standard
|
(IRS
Employer
|
|
of
incorporation or
|
Industrial
|
Identification
No.)
|
|
organization)
|
Classification
|
|
|
|
Code
Number)
|
|
132
West 36th Street,
3rd
Floor
New York, New York
10018
(Address
of principal executive offices)
14
Wall Street, Suite 1620
New York, New York
10005
(Former
Address of principal executive offices)
(646)
214-2880
(Registrant's
telephone number)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, and
accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”
“accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
|
Large
accelerated filer ¨
|
Accelerated
filer ¨
|
|
Non-accelerated
filer ¨
|
Smaller
reporting company x
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨
No x
As of
November 14, 2008, the registrant had 73,984,095 shares of common stock, $0.001
par value per share, outstanding.
PART
I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
ACIES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
September 30, 2008
|
|
|
March
31, 2008
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$ |
1,943 |
|
|
$ |
41,398 |
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
663,509 |
|
|
|
1,083,705 |
|
|
Other
current assets
|
|
|
5,432 |
|
|
|
16,295 |
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
670,884 |
|
|
|
1,141,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other assets
and deposits
|
|
|
72,643 |
|
|
|
67,921 |
|
|
Fixed
assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $39,193 and $35,892,
respectively
|
|
|
15,215 |
|
|
|
18,516 |
|
|
Merchant
Terminal Equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $222,267
and $187,317, respectively
|
|
|
13,484 |
|
|
|
48,435 |
|
|
Total
Assets
|
|
$ |
772,226 |
|
|
$ |
1,276,270 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
payable - current portion
|
|
$ |
468,239 |
|
|
$ |
800,677 |
|
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
929,339 |
|
|
|
1,360,280 |
|
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
32,077 |
|
|
|
96,233 |
|
|
Merchant
equipment deposits
|
|
|
18,810 |
|
|
|
18,810 |
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
1,448,465 |
|
|
|
2,276,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long
– term notes payable to officer
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long
– term notes payable – Pinnacle Three Corporation
|
|
|
183,653 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
Long
- term portion of notes payable
|
|
|
30,330 |
|
|
|
102,010 |
|
|
Deferred
rent and other obligations
|
|
|
65,251 |
|
|
|
70,694 |
|
|
Total
Liabilities
|
|
|
1,912,699 |
|
|
|
2,448,704 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commitment
and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders'
Deficit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock, $0.001 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized,
73,984,095
and 51,469,095 shares issued and outstanding
|
|
|
73,984 |
|
|
|
51,469 |
|
|
Additional
paid-in capital
|
|
|
5,341,181 |
|
|
|
4,891,729 |
|
|
Accumulated
deficit
|
|
|
(6,555,938
|
) |
|
|
(6,115,632
|
) |
|
Total
Shareholders' Deficit
|
|
|
(1,140,473
|
) |
|
|
(1,172,434
|
) |
|
Total
Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficit
|
|
$ |
772,226 |
|
|
$ |
1,276,270 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
ACIES
CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three
Months and Six Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
Six Months Ended
September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
2,439,323 |
|
|
$ |
3,272,356 |
|
|
$ |
5,649,446 |
|
|
$ |
6,645,494 |
|
|
Cost
of revenues
|
|
|
2,187,592 |
|
|
|
2,927,790 |
|
|
|
5,021,975 |
|
|
|
5,926,278 |
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
251,731 |
|
|
|
344,566 |
|
|
|
627,471 |
|
|
|
719,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General,
administrative and selling
|
|
|
466,457 |
|
|
|
547,605 |
|
|
|
992,743 |
|
|
|
1,127,739 |
|
|
Operating
loss
|
|
|
(214,726
|
) |
|
|
(203,039
|
) |
|
|
(365,272
|
) |
|
|
(408,523
|
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
(33,902
|
) |
|
|
(36,065
|
) |
|
|
(74,734
|
) |
|
|
(67,875
|
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(248,628 |
) |
|
$ |
(239,104 |
) |
|
$ |
(440,006 |
) |
|
$ |
(476,398 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
per share – Basic and diluted
|
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.01 |
) |
|
Weighted
average shares
outstanding
– Basic and diluted
|
|
|
70,068,443 |
|
|
|
51,263,660 |
|
|
|
60,819,587 |
|
|
|
51,216,636 |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
ACIES
CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
For the
Six Months Ended September 30, 2008
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
Common
Stock
|
|
|
Additional
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid-in
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Amount
|
|
|
Capital
|
|
|
Deficit
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Balance,
March 31, 2008
|
|
|
51,469,095 |
|
|
$ |
51,469 |
|
|
$ |
4,891,729 |
|
|
$ |
(6,115,632 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,172,434 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based
compensation - restricted stock
|
|
|
22,515,000 |
|
|
|
22,515 |
|
|
|
427,785 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
450,300 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based
compensation - restricted stock
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,667 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based
compensation – option expense
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(440,006
|
) |
|
|
(440,006
|
) |
|
Balance,
September 30, 2008
|
|
|
73,984,095 |
|
|
$ |
73,984 |
|
|
$ |
5,341,181 |
|
|
$ |
(6,555,938 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,140,473 |
) |
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
ACIES
CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Six
Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
Six Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$ |
(440,006 |
) |
|
$ |
(476,398 |
) |
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based
compensation
|
|
|
21,667 |
|
|
|
51,191 |
|
|
Depreciation
expense
|
|
|
38,252 |
|
|
|
46,001 |
|
|
Changes
in assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable
|
|
|
420,196 |
|
|
|
(14,805
|
) |
|
Other
current assets
|
|
|
10,863 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
Other
assets and deposits
|
|
|
(4,722
|
) |
|
|
(12,281
|
) |
|
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
|
|
(245,641
|
) |
|
|
82,047 |
|
|
Deferred
revenue
|
|
|
(64,156
|
) |
|
|
(63,751
|
) |
|
CASH
USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
(268,990
|
) |
|
|
(387,996
|
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchases
of fixed assets
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(6,839
|
) |
|
CASH
USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(6,839
|
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH
FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds
from notes payable
|
|
|
733,653 |
|
|
|
910,000 |
|
|
Repayment
of notes payable
|
|
|
(504,118
|
) |
|
|
(282,232
|
) |
|
Repayment
of loan from officer
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
(40,042
|
) |
|
CASH
PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
229,535 |
|
|
|
587,726 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET
CHANGE IN CASH
|
|
|
(39,455
|
) |
|
|
192,891 |
|
|
Cash,
beginning of period
|
|
|
41,398 |
|
|
|
1,827 |
|
|
Cash,
end of period
|
|
$ |
1,943 |
|
|
$ |
194,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental
disclosures:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
paid for interest and debt-related fees
|
|
$ |
34,201 |
|
|
$ |
67,875 |
|
|
Cash
paid for income taxes
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-cash
investing and financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note
payable to officer issued for accounts payable and accrued
expenses
|
|
$ |
185,000 |
|
|
$ |
- |
|
|
Conversion
of debt and accrued interest to common stock
|
|
|
450,300 |
|
|
|
- |
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
ACIES
CORPORATION
(Unaudited)
NOTE
1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The
accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of Acies Corporation
("Acies" or the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and should be read in
conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto contained in
Acies' Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended March
31, 2008. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position
and the results of operations for the interim periods presented have been
reflected herein. The results of operations for the interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Notes to
the financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosure
contained in the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2008
as reported in the 10-K have been omitted. Our fiscal year ends on March 31.
References to a fiscal year refer to the calendar year in which such fiscal year
ends.
Summary
of Significant Accounting Policies
The
accounting policies of Acies are contained in the March 31, 2008 Form 10-K. The
following are the more significant policies.
Revenue
recognition. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and
collectability is reasonably assured. Substantially all of Acies’ revenue is
derived from providing credit and debit card processing services, and it is
recognized when the services are rendered. Revenue is deferred and recorded over
the required service period if all revenue criteria have not been met when the
fee is received. When a merchant has a business transaction for processing
(e.g., purchases of goods or services for which payments are accepted using
credit or debit cards), the amount that is discounted from the transaction
amount prior to the merchant receiving net proceeds is the amount that Acies
recognizes as revenue. Revenue is recognized on a gross basis (i.e., prior to
deducting expenses paid to third parties for outsourced processing and
settlement services), with such determination based on Acies’ review and
interpretation of current accounting promulgations, including but not limited to
Emerging Issues Task Force Memorandum 99-19 “Reporting Revenue Gross as
Principal versus Net as an Agent” (“EITF 99-19”). The indicators of gross
revenue reporting which led to our determination included, but were not limited
to, the extent to which Acies has latitude in establishing price, our credit
risk and our discretion in supplier selection. Any revenue relating to services
to be performed in the future is deferred and recognized on a straight-line
basis over the period during which the services will be performed.
Use of
estimates. In preparing financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles, management makes estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Acies has
limited capital resources and has incurred significant historical losses and
negative cash flows from operations. Acies believes that funds on hand combined
with funds that will be available from its operations and existing financing
will not be adequate to finance its operating requirements and its financial
obligations under its notes payable for the next twelve months. Acies has
obtained additional financing of $100,000 through the existing loan and security
agreement and $450,000 in June 2008 through the execution of a promissory note,
which was subsequently converted into shares of Acies common stock (see Note
3). During the months of August and September 2008, Acies executed
another convertible promissory note with Pinnacle Three Corporation for an
additional $183,653. Acies believes this will only alleviate its short-term
capital needs. Acies believes that it can secure additional capital
through debt and/or equity financing, and has received proposals from potential
lenders, which are currently in negotiation. Acies does not, however,
have any commitments or identified sources of additional capital from third
parties or from its officers, directors or majority
shareholders. There is no assurance that additional financing will be available
on favorable terms, if at all. If Acies is unable to raise such additional
financing, it would have a materially adverse effect upon its operations and its
ability to fully implement its business plan, which would limit Acies ability to
continue as an on-going business. Failure of Acies operations to generate
sufficient future cash flow and failure to raise additional financing could have
a material adverse effect on Acies' ability to continue as a going concern and
to achieve its business objectives. These conditions raise substantial doubt
about Acies’ ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial
statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of the
carrying amount of recorded assets or the amount of liabilities that might
result should Acies be unable to continue as a going concern.
NOTE
3 - NOTES PAYABLE
On
October 31, 2006, Acies entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with RBL
Capital Group, LLC (“RBL”). The Loan and Security Agreement provides a term loan
facility with a maximum borrowing of $2,000,000. Each borrowing under this
facility is to be repaid in 18 equal monthly installments from the date of the
borrowing, each of which includes amortization of the principal amount of the
borrowing as calculated using the interest method. A tri-party agreement between
Acies, RBL and Chase Alliance Partners, LLC (“Chase”, to whom Acies outsources
certain processing services for the majority of its merchant accounts) arranges
for monthly installments to be paid such that Chase forwards to RBL the entire
monthly amounts due to Acies and, after deducting the monthly installment, the
balance is remitted to Acies within 24 hours. The Loan and Security Agreement
requires that accelerated payments of 150% of the monthly installment are
required to be paid if certain cash flow ratios are not maintained. Borrowings
generally bear interest at a fixed rate per annum of prime at the time of the
borrowing plus 8.90%. Each borrowing under the facility has been at an interest
rate of 17.15%, except for September and December 2007, and February, March and
April 2008 drawdowns, which bear interest at 16.65%, 16.15%, 14.90%, 14.18% and
15.01%, respectively.
In
addition, the Loan and Security Agreement contains customary affirmative and
negative covenants for credit facilities of this type, including covenants with
respect to liquidity, disposition of assets, liens, other indebtedness,
investments, shareholder distributions, transactions with affiliates, officers’
compensation, and the transfer or sale of our merchant base, and that there are
no significant changes in our business. In addition, should Acies sell more than
25% of its merchant accounts for which certain processing services are
outsourced to Chase, that event would require that borrowings under the facility
be repaid in full. Also, should Acies transfer the outsourcing of certain
processing services for merchant accounts for which Chase currently provides
such services to a different third-party, that event would require either an
agreement between Acies, RBL and the third-party similar to the agreement
currently in place between Acies, RBL and Chase, or that borrowings under the
facility be repaid in full.
The Loan
and Security Agreement additionally provides for customary events of default
with corresponding grace periods, including the failure to pay any principal or
interest when due, failure to comply with covenants, material
misrepresentations, certain bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership events,
imposition of certain judgments and the liquidation or merger of Acies. Acies’
obligations under the Loan and Security Agreement are secured by substantially
all of Acies’ assets, including future remittances relating to its portfolio of
merchant accounts. Proceeds from loans under this facility have been used to
fund general working capital needs, and to repay loans from officers of
Acies.
Acies’
borrowings under this agreement during the six months ended September 30, 2008
were $100,000 in April 2008. With the April 2008 drawdown on this
facility, the Company has fully utilized this capacity and has no remaining
availability on this facility. At September 30, 2008, our aggregate
remaining principal outstanding from these borrowings was $498,569. The
principal repayment schedule for notes payable as of September 30, 2008 was as
follows:
|
Fiscal
Period Ending September 30:
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
$
|
468,239
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
23,099
|
|
|
2011
|
|
|
7,231
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
498,569
|
|
In June
2008, Acies borrowed $450,000 through the execution of a convertible promissory
note with Pinnacle Three Corporation (“Pinnacle”), bearing interest at a rate of
8% per annum, with principal and all accrued interest payable in November
2010. On June 6, 2008, Acies received a conversion letter from
Pinnacle requesting conversion of the principal and accrued interest into
22,515,000 shares of Acies common stock at a price of $0.02 per share, per the
terms of the Note agreement. On July 17, 2008, Acies issued
22,515,000 shares to Pinnacle in exchange for the Settlement Agreement and
Mutual Release between Pinnacle and Acies.
During
the months of August and September 2008, Acies borrowed $172,653 through the
execution of a convertible promissory note with Pinnacle Three Corporation
(“Pinnacle”), bearing interest at a rate of 18% per annum, with principal and
all accrued interest payable on September 23, 2009. The Pinnacle note
is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of
$0.02 per share at any time prior to the Maturity Date.
NOTE
4 – NOTE PAYABLE TO OFFICER
On
September 23, 2008, Acies entered into an 18% Convertible Promissory Note in
favor of Oleg Firer, Acies’ Chief Executive Officer to evidence the amount of
$185,000 owed by Acies to Mr. Firer in connection with various expenses paid by
Mr. Firer on Acies’ behalf and reimbursements he is owed dating back to April
2006. Under the terms and conditions of the note, Acies promised to
pay to Mr. Firer a principal sum in the amount of $185,000, together with
accrued and unpaid interest at the rate of 18% per annum, on September 23, 2009.
The note is convertible into shares of Acies’ common stock at an exercise price
of $0.02 per share at any time prior to the maturity date. The note is
redeemable by Acies by payment of the entire principal and interest outstanding
under the note to Mr. Firer. Acies must provide 30 days notice to Mr. Firer
prior to redemption.
NOTE
5 - STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS
Acies
does not currently have an equity compensation plan in place. Acies has,
however, issued options which have not been approved by our
shareholders.
During
the six months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, Acies recognized stock-based
compensation expense related to options in the amount of $18,000 and $45,691,
respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense on the non-vested
portion of the options at September 30, 2008 was approximately $27,000, which is
expected to be expensed over a weighted average period of 0.75
years.
No
options were granted during the three months ended September 30,
2008.
|
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
Number
of
Shares
|
|
Remaining
life
|
|
Exercisable
Number
of
Shares
|
|
| $ |
1.00 |
|
|
|
2,306,981
|
|
1.0
year
|
|
|
2,306,981
|
|
| $ |
1.00 |
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
1.2
years
|
|
|
91,667
|
|
| $ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
1,300,000
|
|
2.8
years
|
|
|
975,000
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
3,706,981
|
|
|
|
|
3,373,648
|
|
Options
outstanding as of September 30, 2008 have a $0 intrinsic value.
Warrants
outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2008:
|
Exercise
Price
|
|
|
Number
of
Shares
|
|
Remaining
life
|
|
Exercisable
Number
of
Shares
|
|
| $ |
0.25 |
|
|
|
7,590,000
|
|
1.6
years
|
|
|
7,590,000
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
7,590,000
|
|
|
|
|
7,590,000
|
|
There
were no warrants issued during the six months ended September 30, 2008.
NOTE
6 - COMMON STOCK
In
September 2007, Acies granted a total of 300,000 shares of restricted common
stock to its three independent directors, which vested on June 30,
2008. The market value on the date of issuance was $12,000, which was
expensed ratably over the vesting period. For the six months ended September 30,
2008, Acies recognized $3,667 of stock-based compensation expense in connection
with the vested portion of restricted stock awards issued in the aforementioned
grant.
In May
2006, Acies granted a total of 300,000 shares of restricted common stock to its
three independent directors, which vested one year from the grant date. The
market value on the date of issuance was $27,000, which was expensed ratably
over the vesting period. During the six months ended September 30, 2007, Acies
recognized a total of $4,500 of stock-based compensation expense in connection
with the vested portion of restricted stock awards issued in the aforementioned
grant, which are now fully vested.
On July
17, 2008, Acies issued 22,515,000 shares to Pinnacle in exchange for the
$450,000 convertible promissory note and accrued interest.
NOTE
7 - LOSS PER SHARE
Stock
options and warrants in the aggregate amount of 11,296,981 are not included in
the computation of diluted loss per share, as they are anti-dilutive for the six
months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.
NOTE
8 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On
October 20, 2008, Acies entered into a non-binding term sheet with I-Toss
Acquisition, Inc. a Delaware corporation (“I-Toss”). Pursuant to the term sheet,
upon the receipt of certain approvals required to be obtained on the part of
I-Toss, Acies and I-Toss agreed to use their best efforts to draft and finalize
a share exchange agreement between Acies, I-Toss and its shareholders, whereby
I-Toss and its shareholders will exchange all of the then outstanding shares of
I-Toss for 44,340,000 post-reverse split shares of Acies’ common stock, which
shares will be issued pro rata to I-Toss’s shareholders and will represent not
less than 98.46% of Acies’ then fully-diluted outstanding shares of common
stock. A required term of the exchange is the assumption by Acies of all the
outstanding warrants to purchase shares of common stock of I-Toss on similar
terms as are currently outstanding. Assuming the exchange is consummated, I-Toss
will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acies.
Prior to
the parties affecting the exchange, I-Toss is required to acquire all of the
outstanding securities of L.A. Digital Post, Inc. (“LADP”) and Electronic
Picture Solutions, Inc. (“EPS”).
Following
the acquisitions of LADP and EPS, and prior to the closing of the exchange, the
term sheet contemplates Acies filing and distributing an Information Statement
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and receiving shareholder approval
for the consummation of the exchange, approving a 1 for 100 reverse stock split
with all shareholders owning less than 100 shares being rounded up to own 100
shares, approving a name change to a name to be determined by I-Toss, at its
sole discretion, and approving the spin off, described below. Pursuant to the
term sheet, the cost and expenses incurred by Acies in connection with the
Information Statement will be paid by I-Toss.
Assuming
the exchange is consummated, the term sheet contemplates Acies, immediately
after the effective time of the exchange and with the assistance of I-Toss,
effecting a spin-off of Acies’ wholly owned subsidiary, to a stand-alone private
company solely owned by Acies’ current Chief Executive Officer. The spin-off
will effectively spin off Acies’ current operations as a payment services
company and Acies’ sole business focus following the spin-off will be the
operations of I-Toss. As consideration for Acies agreeing to the spin-off, it is
contemplated that Mr. Firer will cancel 5,000,000 pre-split shares of common
stock of Acies that he currently beneficially owns and Mr. Firer will assume the
then outstanding amount of Acies’ RBL Capital Group, LLC loan facility. Further,
it is contemplated that Acies will agree to relinquish any and all rights to
ownership of Acies’ current operations and any associated assets in
consideration for the spin-off and the assumption of the RBL loan
facility.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
CERTAIN
STATEMENTS IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q (THIS "FORM 10-Q"), CONSTITUTE
"FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS" WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED, AND THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF
1995 (COLLECTIVELY, THE "REFORM ACT"). CERTAIN, BUT NOT NECESSARILY ALL, OF SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF FORWARD-LOOKING
TERMINOLOGY SUCH AS "BELIEVES", "EXPECTS", "MAY", "SHOULD", OR "ANTICIPATES", OR
THE NEGATIVE THEREOF OR OTHER VARIATIONS THEREON OR COMPARABLE TERMINOLOGY, OR
BY DISCUSSIONS OF STRATEGY THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS INVOLVE KNOWN AND UNKNOWN RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND
OTHER FACTORS WHICH MAY CAUSE THE ACTUAL RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS OF
ACIES CORPORATION AND ITS PRINCIPAL SUBSIDIARY, ACIES, INC. (COLLECTIVELY, "THE
COMPANY", "WE", “ACIES,” "US" OR "OUR") TO BE MATERIALLY DIFFERENT FROM ANY
FUTURE RESULTS, PERFORMANCE OR ACHIEVEMENTS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED BY SUCH
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. REFERENCES IN THIS FORM 10-Q, UNLESS ANOTHER DATE IS
STATED, ARE TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2008.
HISTORY
The
Company was originally incorporated in the State of Nevada on October 11,
2000. On October 1, 2003, the Company changed its name to Atlantic
Synergy, Inc. (“Atlantic”). Our principal subsidiary, Acies, Inc.,
was incorporated in the State of Nevada on April 22, 2004 as GM Merchant
Solutions, Inc., and changed its name to Acies, Inc. on June 23,
2004. On June 28, 2004, Acies, Inc. purchased substantially all of
the assets of GM Merchant Solutions, Inc., a New York corporation ("GM-NY") and
GMS Worldwide, LLC, a New York limited liability company ("GMS-NY"), including
cash, accounts receivable, office equipment, furniture, computer hardware and
software, and goodwill and other intangible property (including customer lists,
leases, and material contracts) in exchange for Acies, Inc. common stock (the
“Acies, Inc. Stock”). Mr. Oleg Firer, our current Chief Executive
Officer and Director, Mr. Yakov Shimon, our former Vice President of Technology
and Data Management, and Mr. Miron Guilliadov, our former Vice President of
Sales, had been engaged in the payment processing business through GM-NY and
GMS-NY.
On July
2, 2004, Atlantic acquired approximately 99.2% of the issued and outstanding
common stock of Acies, Inc. in exchange for approximately 26,150,000 newly
issued shares of Atlantic's common stock (the "Exchange"). In connection with,
and subsequent to, the Exchange, Atlantic transferred all of its assets held
immediately prior to the Exchange, subject to all of Atlantic's then existing
liabilities, to Terence Channon, Atlantic's former President and Chief Executive
Officer, in consideration for Mr. Channon's cancellation of 4,285,000 shares of
Atlantic's common stock and the cancellation of 200,000 shares of Atlantic's
common stock held by a third party. The transaction was accounted for as a
reverse merger. In connection with this transaction, the Acies, Inc.
Stock was exchanged for common stock of Atlantic.
In
November 2004, Atlantic changed its name to Acies Corporation (“Acies” or the
“Company”).
DESCRIPTION
OF PRINCIPAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
The
Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Acies, Inc., is engaged in the
business of providing payment processing solutions to small and medium size
merchants across the United States. Through contractual relationships with third
parties to whom we outsource the providing of certain services, Acies is able to
offer complete solutions for payment processing, whereby we consult with
merchants to best determine their hardware and software needs; provide
transaction authorization, settlement and clearing services; perform merchant
acceptance and underwriting functions; program, deploy and install traditional
and next-generation point-of-sale (POS) terminals; assist in the detection of
fraudulent transactions; and provide customer and technical support and service
on an on-going basis. We are a registered member service provider of JP Morgan
Chase Bank and a Strategic Partner of Chase Paymentech Solutions,
LLC. Chase Paymentech Solutions, LLC is a joint venture between
JPMorgan Chase & Co. and First Data Corp., and is the surviving parent
entity of a business combination between Chase Merchant Services, LLC and
Paymentech, LP. On May 27, 2008, JPMorgan
Chase and First Data Corp. announced that they have agreed to end their joint
venture, Chase Paymentech Solutions, LLC, by the end of 2008. In the
interim, the two companies will continue to operate their joint venture and
continue to provide services to their customers. After the
transition, First Data Corp. will assume management of the full-service ISO and
Bank unit of the joint venture’s assets and continue to provide services to the
joint ventures customers. The Company is currently negotiating new
processing agreements with JPMorgan Chase and First Data Corp.
The
Company’s payment processing services enable merchants to process Credit, Debit,
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), Check Conversion, and Gift & Loyalty
transactions. Our card processing services enable merchants to accept
traditional card-present transactions, including "swipe" and contactless
transactions, as well as card-not-present transactions made by Internet or by
mail, fax or telephone.
We
outsource certain services to third parties, including the receipt and
settlement of funds. In addition, we outsource for a fee certain underwriting
and acceptance functions, effectively insuring against risk for entire processed
transaction amounts relating to merchant fraud (while retaining the risk related
to the fees representing our revenue stream and associated costs). By doing so,
we intend to maintain an efficient operating structure which allows us to expand
our operations without having to significantly increase fixed costs or retain
certain risks associated with acceptance and underwriting of merchant
accounts.
We derive
the majority of our revenues from fee income related to transaction processing,
which is primarily comprised of a percentage of the dollar amount of each
transaction processed, as well as a flat fee per transaction. In the event that
we have outsourced any of the services provided in the transaction, we remit a
portion of the fee income to the third parties that have provided such
outsourced services.
We market
and sell our services primarily through an indirect sales channel, i.e., through
independent sales agents and organizations. In addition, we market services
through our direct channel, which is comprised of a limited in-house sales
team.
Our cost
of revenues is comprised principally of interchange and association fees which
are paid to the card-issuing bank and card association, and fees paid to third
parties that have provided outsourced services. The fees paid are based upon
fixed pricing schedules (certain detailed costs are fixed on a per transaction
and/or event basis, while others are fixed as a percentage of the dollar volume
of the transaction), which are subject to periodic revision, and are without
regard to the pricing charged to the merchant. Fee structures with third parties
providing outsourced services are reviewed, renegotiated and/or revised on a
periodic basis, and are based on mutually agreed-to expectations relating to,
for instance, minimum new business volume placed within specified periods which,
if not met, would result in additional charges to be paid by the
Company.
Although
the Company initiates and maintains the primary relationships with the merchants
whose transaction processing results in our revenues, including generally having
control over pricing and retaining risk as it relates to the fees comprising our
revenue stream, merchants do not have written contracts with the Company, and
instead have contractual agreements with the third-party processor (e.g., Chase
Paymentech) to whom we outsource, and rely on to perform, certain services on
our behalf.
Our
fiscal year ends on March 31. References to a fiscal year refer to the calendar
year in which such fiscal year ends.
MARKET
OVERVIEW
The
payment processing industry is an integral part of today's worldwide financial
structure. The industry is continually evolving, driven in large part by
technological advances. The benefits of card-based payments allow merchants to
access a broader universe of consumers, enjoy faster settlement times and reduce
transaction errors. By using credit or debit cards, consumers are able to make
purchases more conveniently, whether in person, over the Internet, or by mail,
fax or telephone, while gaining the benefit of loyalty programs, such as
frequent flyer miles or cash back, which are increasingly being offered by
credit or debit card issuers.
Consumers
are also beginning to use card-based and other electronic payment methods for
purchases at an earlier age in life, and increasingly for small dollar amount
purchases. Given these advantages of card-based payment
systems to both merchants and consumers, favorable demographic trends, and the
resulting proliferation of credit and debit card usage, we believe businesses
will increasingly seek to accept card-based payment systems in order to remain
competitive.
Our
management believes that cash transactions are becoming progressively obsolete.
The proliferation of bank cards has made the acceptance of bank card payments a
virtual necessity for many businesses, regardless of size, in order to remain
competitive. In addition, the advent and growth of e-commerce have marked a
significant new trend in the way business is being conducted. E-commerce is
dependent upon credit and debit cards, as well as other cashless payment
processing methods.
The
payment processing industry continues to evolve rapidly, based on the
application of new technology and changing customer needs. We intend to continue
to evolve with the market to provide the necessary technological advances to
meet the ever-changing needs of our market place. Traditional players in the
industry must quickly adapt to the changing environment or be left behind in the
competitive landscape.
COMPETITIVE
BUSINESS CONDITIONS
We are
committed not only to servicing clients' current processing needs, but also to
being amongst the first to make available new technologies that may improve our
merchants’ respective competitive positions. We are committed to gaining the
expertise and relationships to adopt and implement new technologies that we
believe may differentiate our service offerings.
The
credit, charge and debit card transaction processing services business is highly
competitive. Many of our current and prospective competitors have substantially
greater financial, technical and marketing resources, larger customer bases,
longer operating histories, more developed infrastructures, greater name
recognition and/or more established relationships in the industry than we have.
Because of this our competitors may be able to adopt more aggressive pricing
policies than we can, develop and expand their service offerings more rapidly,
adapt to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements more
quickly, take advantage of acquisitions and other opportunities more readily,
achieve greater economies of scale, and devote greater resources to the
marketing and sale of their services. Because of the high levels of competition
in the industry and the fact that other companies may have greater resources, it
may be impossible for us to compete successfully. However, we seek to
differentiate the Company through our consultative approach, recommending and
implementing the best possible overall payment processing solutions, tailored to
merchants’ specific needs.
We
provide services principally to small and medium-size merchants in retail,
restaurant, supermarket, petroleum and hospitality sectors located across the
United States. The small merchants we serve typically process on average in
excess of $20,000 a month in credit card transactions and have an average
transaction value of approximately $50.00 per transaction. These merchants have
traditionally been underserved by larger payment processors. As a result, these
merchants have historically paid higher transaction fees than larger merchants
and have not been provided with tailored solutions and on-going services that
larger merchants typically receive from larger processors.
We
believe that we have developed significant expertise in industries that we
believe present relatively low risk as customers are generally present and the
products and/or services are generally delivered at the time the transaction is
processed. These industries include “brick and mortar” retailers, hospitality,
automotive repair shops, food stores, petroleum distributors and professional
service providers. As of March 31, 2008, the end of our last fiscal year,
approximately 18% of our merchants were professional service providers, 18% were
hospitality merchants, 11% were food stores, 9% were gas stations and petroleum
distributors, 8% were automotive sales and repair shops, 6% were apparel stores,
22% were other “brick and mortar” retailers and 8% were other
industries.
DISTRIBUTION
METHODS
We have
adopted what we believe to be an uncomplicated sales strategy enabling us to
establish additions to our sales force in a quick, inexpensive manner. We market
and sell our services primarily through relationships with independent
sales agents and organizations. These agents and organizations act as a
non-employee, external sales force in communities throughout the United
States.
Our
independent sales agents and organizations are principally compensated by
receiving on-going monthly residual payments based on a percentage of
transaction-based revenues less expenses relating to merchant accounts they have
brought to the Company. This stream of residual payments is paid to them
indefinitely, assuming that the merchant is still processing through Acies, and
that the agent continues to serve the merchant’s needs.
RECENT
MATERIAL AGREEMENTS
I-Toss
Acquisition
On or
about October 20, 2008, the Company entered into a non-binding Term Sheet with
I-Toss Acquisition, Inc. a Delaware corporation (“I-Toss”), as reported in the
Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 29,
2008. Pursuant to the Term Sheet, upon the receipt of certain
approvals required to be obtained on the part of I-Toss, the Company and I-Toss
agreed to use their best efforts to draft and finalize a share exchange
agreement between the Company, I-Toss and its shareholders (the “Exchange”),
whereby I-Toss and its shareholders will exchange all of the then outstanding
shares of I-Toss for 44,340,000 post-Reverse Split (as described below) shares
of the Company’s common stock, which shares will be issued pro rata to I-Toss’s
shareholders and will represent not less than 98.46% of the Company’s then
fully-diluted outstanding shares of common stock. A required term of
the Exchange is the assumption by Acies of all of the outstanding warrants to
purchase shares of common stock of I-Toss on similar terms as are currently
outstanding. Assuming the Exchange is consummated, I-Toss will become
a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Prior to
the parties effecting the Exchange, and the other transactions described below
(including the Reverse Split, the Name Change and the Spin Off, as described
below), I-Toss is required to acquire all of the outstanding securities of L.A.
Digital Post, Inc. (“LADP”) and Electronic Picture Solutions, Inc.
(“EPS”).
Following
the acquisition of LADP and EPS, and prior to the closing of the Exchange, the
Term Sheet contemplates the Company filing and distributing an Information
Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission and receiving shareholder
approval for the consummation of the Exchange, approving a 1 for 100 reverse
stock split (the “Reverse Split”) with all shareholders owning less than 100
shares being rounded up to own 100 shares, approving a name change (the “Name
Change”) to a name to be determined by I-Toss, at its sole discretion, and
approving the Spin Off, described below. Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the cost
and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Information
Statement will be paid by I-Toss.
Assuming
the Exchange is consummated, the Term Sheet contemplates the Company,
immediately after the effective time of the Exchange and with the assistance of
I-Toss, effecting a spin-off (the “Spin Off”) of Acies, Inc., a Nevada
corporation and the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, to a stand alone private
company solely owned by the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer and
Director, Oleg Firer. The Spin-Off will effectively spin off the
Company’s current operations as a payment services company (the “Acies
Operations”) and the Company’s sole business focus following the Spin Off will
be the operations of I-Toss. As consideration for the Company
agreeing to the Spin-Off, it is contemplated that Mr. Firer will cancel
5,000,000 pre-split shares of common stock of the Company that he currently
beneficially owns and Mr. Firer will assume the then outstanding amount of the
Company’s RBL Capital Group, LLC (“RBL”) loan facility. Further, it
is contemplated that the Company will agree to relinquish any and all rights to
ownership of the Acies Operations and any associated assets in consideration for
the Spin Off and the assumption by Acies, Inc., of the RBL loan
facility.
In
connection with the Exchange, it is contemplated that the Company’s current
officers and Directors will resign and new officers and Directors to be
determined by I-Toss and/or the former shareholders of I-Toss in their sole
discretion will be appointed.
The
Company and I-Toss agreed to use their best good faith efforts to execute a
definitive agreement to effect the Exchange and the related transactions
discussed above as soon as practicable after the transactions contemplated by
the Term Sheet have been approved by I-Toss’s shareholders. Pursuant to the Term
Sheet, I-Toss will
be responsible for the payment of all legal, accounting and other expenses
incurred in connection with the Exchange and the other related transactions
discussed above. The Company and I-Toss are currently discussing the
definitive terms of the Exchange agreement and awaiting audited financial
statements of LADP and EPS and the Company does not have a definitive time table
for finalizing the Exchange, filing the Information Statement and affecting the
other transactions contemplated by the Term Sheet.
The
Company is currently discussing the possibility of changing the terms of the
Term Sheet with I-Toss and potentially affecting the Exchange prior to receiving
shareholder approval for the corporate actions which will require shareholder
approval; however neither I-Toss or the Company have formally agreed to any
changes in the terms of the Term Sheet as of the filing of this
report.
Lease
Termination
On or
about November 10, 2008, the Company entered into a Lease Termination Agreement
with CRP/Capstone 14 W Property Owner, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company (“CRP”) and the landlord and owner of the Company’s office space at 14
Wall Street, New York, New York. Pursuant to the Lease Termination
Agreement the Company and CRP agreed to terminate the lease agreement for the
Company’s office space at 14 Wall Street, New York, New York. The
Company entered into the lease agreement on June 4, 2004, and the Company
vacated the premises on September 30, 2008. The Lease Termination
Agreement has an effective date of September 30, 2008. As
consideration for allowing termination of the lease agreement, the Company
agreed to pay CRP a total of $12,500 prior to November 28, 2008, which amount
has not been paid to date, and relinquish all rights to any security deposits
held by CRP. The Lease Termination Agreement also provides a mutual
release of liability provision whereby the Company and CRP agreed to release and
discharge each other from all claims and liability arising out of or in
connection with the lease agreement.
PLAN
OF OPERATION FOR THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS
Moving
forward, we anticipate finalizing the Exchange with I-Toss, as described
above. Shortly after our entry into the Exchange, we anticipate
filing an Information Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to
receive shareholder approval for the consummation of the Exchange and the
related actions and transactions described above. Until such time as
the Exchange is effected, of which there can be no assurances, we will continue
to engage in the business of providing payment processing solutions to small and
medium size merchants across the United States, and will use our best efforts to
expand our client base and/or improve the Company’s
profitably. Assuming the Exchange is consummated, of which there can
be no assurance, our operations will change to those of I-Toss.
We have
incurred losses and experienced negative operating cash flow each year since we
have become a public reporting company. For the six months ended September 30,
2008, we had net loss of $440,006, and had an accumulated deficit of $6,555,938
and negative working capital of $777,881 as of September 30, 2008.
The
Company received a going concern opinion from its auditors on its audited
financial statements for fiscal 2008 and its unaudited financial statements for
the six month period ended September 30, 2008. Our auditors have stated that due
to our lack of profitability and our negative working capital, there is
"substantial doubt" about our ability to continue as a going concern. This
substantial doubt may limit our ability to access certain types of financing, or
may prevent us from obtaining financing on acceptable terms.
We
anticipate needing to raise additional capital in the short term to continue our
operations in addition to the previous notes we sold in August
2008. We anticipate the need for approximately $2,000,000 of
additional capital to support our operations for the next 12
months. We may attempt to sell debt and/or equity securities in the
future to raise additional funds to continue our business operations until we
can complete the Exchange, if ever, which funds may not be available on
favorable terms, if at all. If we are unable to raise additional
funding in the future, we may be unable to consummate the Exchange and/or may be
forced to curtail our business operations, change our business focus, cease our
periodic filings, sell our assets, file for bankruptcy protection or dissolve
the Company.
COMPARISON
OF OPERATING RESULTS
FOR
THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008, COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
Revenues
decreased $883,003 or 25.5% to $2,439,323 for the three months ended September
30, 2008, as compared to revenues of $3,272,356 for the three months ended
September 30, 2007. The decrease in revenues was principally due to lower then
expected revenue primarily as a consequence of the downturn in the economy which
resulted in lower merchant processing fees from our merchant bank card
processing.
Cost of
revenues decreased $740,198 or 25.3% to $2,187,592 for the three months ended
September 30, 2008, as compared to cost of revenues of $2,927,790 for the three
months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease in cost of revenues was
principally attributable to the decrease in merchant processing costs that
resulted from a decrease in merchant processing revenues.
Gross
margin decreased $92,835 or 26.9% to $251,731 for the three months ended
September 30, 2008, as compared to gross margin of $344,566 for the three months
ended September 30, 2007.
Cost of
revenues as a percentage of revenues was 89.6% for the three months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to 89.5% for the six months ended September 30,
2007, an increase in cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues of 0.1% from
the prior period.
General,
administrative and selling ("G&A") expense decreased $81,148 or 14.8% to
$466,457 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to G&A
expense of $547,605 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The decrease
in G&A expense was principally attributable to decreased personnel
costs.
During
the three months ended September 30, 2008, we incurred interest expense of
$33,902 related to our notes payable compared to $36,065 for three month period
of the prior year, a decrease of $2,163 or 6% from the prior
period.
We had a
net loss of $248,628 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared
to a net loss of $239,104 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, an
increase in net loss of $9,524 or 4%.
FOR
THE SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008, COMPARED TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007
We had
revenues of $5,649,446 for the six months ended September 30, 2008, compared to
revenues of $6,645,494 for the six months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease
in revenues from the prior period of $966,048 or 15.0%. The decrease in revenues
was principally due to lower then expected revenue primarily as a consequence of
the downturn in the economy which resulted in lower merchant processing fees
from our merchant bank card processing. We anticipate our revenues being lower
for fiscal 2009 versus fiscal 2008 due to the overall downturn in the economy
and reduced consumer spending, which in turn reduces the merchant processing
fees we receive.
We had
cost of revenues relating to direct production costs of $5,021,975 for the six
months ended September 30, 2008, compared to cost of revenues relating to direct
production costs of $5,926,278 for the six months ended September 30, 2007, a
decrease in cost of revenues from the prior period of $904,303 or
15.3%. The decrease in cost of revenues was principally attributable
to the decrease in merchant processing costs that resulted from a decrease in
merchant processing revenues.
Cost of
revenues as a percentage of revenues were 88.9% for the six months ended
September 30, 2008, compared to 89.2% for the six months ended September 30,
2007, a decrease in cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues of 0.3% from
the prior period.
We had
gross profit of $627,471for the six months ended September 30, 2008, compared to
gross profit of $719,216 for the six months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease
in gross profit of $91,745 or 12.8% from the prior period attributable to
decreased revenues.
We had
general, administrative and selling expenses of $992,743 for the six months
ended September 30, 2008, compared to general, administrative and selling
expenses of $1,127,739 for the six months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease
in general, administrative and selling expenses of $134,996 or 12.0% from the
prior period. The decrease in general, administrative and selling
expenses was primarily the result of decreased personnel costs offset by higher
professional fees and travel expenses during the six months ended September 30,
2008, compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007.
We had
loss from operations of $365,272 for the six months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to a loss from operations of $408,523 for the six months ended
September 30, 2007, a decrease in loss from operations of $43,251 or 10.6% from
the prior period. The decrease in loss from operations was mainly attributable
to the $134,996 or 12.0% decrease in general, administrative and selling
expenses, offset by the $91,745 or 12.8% decrease in gross profit for the six
months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the six months ended September 30,
2007.
We had
interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2008, of $74,734,
compared to interest expense of $67,875 for the six months ended September 30,
2007, an increase in interest expense of $6,859 or 10.1% from the prior
period. The increase in interest expense was mainly attributable to
increased borrowings under the Loan and Security Agreement dated October 31,
2006 with RBL, as described below. The Company also incurred
additional drawdowns on this credit facility during fiscal 2009, which led to
increased interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2008, compared
to the six months ended September 30, 2007.
We had a
net loss of $440,006 for the six months ended September 30, 2008, compared to
$476,398 for the six months ended September 30, 2007, a decrease net loss of
$36,392 or 7.63% from the prior period. The decrease was primarily attributable
to the $43,251 or 10.6% decrease in loss from operations offset by the $6,859 or
10.1% increase in interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2008,
compared to the six months ended September 30, 2007.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of
September 30, 2008, we had total current assets of $670,884, and total current
liabilities of $1,448,465 resulting in negative working capital of
$777,881. This compares to negative working capital of $1,134,602 at
March 31,
2008.
We had a
total accumulated deficit of $6,555,938 as of September 30, 2008. The
Company believes that the existing financing and expected earnings will not meet
its current working capital and debt service requirements for the next twelve
months, assuming the Exchange with I-Toss is not effected. These
issues raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going
concern. The accompanying financial statements do not include any
adjustments relating to the recoverability of the carrying amount of recorded
assets or the amount of liabilities that might result should the Company be
unable to continue as a going concern.
To
alleviate the effects of our previously reported working capital deficits and
negative cash flows from operations, the Company succeeded in securing financing
on October 31, 2006, when we entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the
“Loan Agreement”) with RBL Capital Group, LLC (“RBL”). The Loan Agreement
provided a term loan facility with a maximum borrowing of $2,000,000. With the
April 2008 drawdown on this facility, the Company has fully utilized this
capacity and has no remaining availability on this facility.
At
November 14, 2008, the aggregate remaining principal outstanding from our RBL
facility borrowings was $376,661. As of September 30, 2008, the
aggregate borrowings under the facility were $498,569. The amounts
borrowed from RBL bear interest at varying interest rates from between 14.18%
and 17.15% per annum.
In June
2008, the Company borrowed $450,000 through the execution of a Convertible
Promissory Note (the “Note”), with Pinnacle Three Corporation (“Pinnacle”),
bearing interest at a rate of 8% per annum, with principal and all accrued
interest payable in November 2010. On June 6, 2008, the Company
received a conversion letter from Pinnacle requesting conversion of the
principal and accrued interest into 22,515,000 shares of Acies common stock at a
price of $0.02 per share, per the terms of the Note agreement. On
July 17, 2008, the Company issued 22,515,000 shares to Pinnacle in exchange for
a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release between Pinnacle and the
Company.
On
September 23, 2008, the Company entered into an 18% Convertible Promissory Note
in favor of Pinnacle for $172,653 to evidence loans advanced to the Company by
Pinnacle during the months of August and September 2008. Together
with principal and all accrued interest, the note is due and payable on
September 23, 2009. The note is convertible into shares of the
Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.02 per share at any time prior
to the maturity date.
On
September 23, 2008, the Company entered into an 18% Convertible Promissory Note
in favor of Mr. Oleg Firer, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Director
of the Company, to evidence the amount of $185,000 owed by the Company to Mr.
Firer in connection with various expenses paid by Mr. Firer on the Company’s
behalf and reimbursements he is owed dating back to April 2006. The note is due
and payable together with accrued and unpaid interest on September 23, 2009, and
is convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of
$0.02 per share at any time prior to the maturity date.
The
Company’s recent borrowing will only alleviate our short-term capital
needs. Acies will need to secure additional capital through debt
and/or equity financing, of which there can be no assurance to continue its
business operations. Further, in the event the Exchange with I-Toss
and other related transactions, described above under “I-Toss Acquisition,” are
finalized, the Company would be able to transfer the $2,000,000 of debt under
the RBL Loan Agreement out of the Company, assuming such transfer is approved by
RBL. We do not, however, have any commitments or identified sources
of additional capital from third parties or from our officers, directors or
significant shareholders. There is no assurance that additional financing will
be available on favorable terms, if at all, or that the Exchange with I-Toss
will ever be finalized. If we are unable to raise such additional financing or
finalize the Exchange with I-Toss, it would have a materially adverse effect
upon our operations and our ability to fully implement our business plan, which
would limit our ability to continue as an on-going business. Assuming
the Exchange with I-Toss is not finalized, the Company estimates that it will
need
approximately $2,000,000 of additional financing to continue its business
operations, including administrative and other costs, for the next 12
months.
We had
net cash used by operating activities of $268,990 for the six months ended
September 30, 2008, which was mainly due to $440,006 of net loss, $245,641 of
decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, $64,156 of decrease in
deferred revenue, and $4,722 decrease in other assets and deposits offset by
$10,863 of increase in other current assets, $21,667 of stock-based
compensation, $38,252 of depreciation expense and $420,196 of decrease in
accounts receivable.
We had
$229,535 of net cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended
September 30, 2008, which represented $733,653 in proceeds from notes payable,
offset by $504,118 of repayment of notes payable.
Cash
Requirements
Our
business is such that our revenues are generally recurring. Once we add a new
account, which generally entails up-front expenditures, whether it be salaries
for direct (i.e., Acies-employed) salespersons, or an investment in merchant
terminal equipment, we typically receive revenue relating to that account for as
long as the merchant is our customer. If we employ a strategy of utilizing
independent sales agents and organizations, who are not salaried and are paid on
a performance-based basis, the up-front costs are even less; however,
commissions payable to these independent sales agents are higher.
Our
strategy is flexible, whereby we attempt to employ funds that are available to
us to profitably grow the business as rapidly as possible, albeit in a
controlled fashion, with an eye toward maintaining customer service levels and
minimizing risk in order to retain merchants and have a long-term revenue
stream. Assuming the Exchange with I-Toss is not finalized, funding may be
necessary to grow the business significantly, especially through direct sales
channels which would require the addition of salaried employees. In the absence
of such funding, we believe that we can continue to grow at modest levels,
relying more heavily on the indirect (i.e., independent sales agent)
channel.
Most of
our expenses are variable and are a function of our revenue stream, while other
expenses are of a more fixed nature, but are still controllable. Moreover, our
fixed expenses which reflect the on-going cost of our infrastructure would not
need to be increased significantly as our revenue base increases. We estimate
that over the next twelve months, to maintain a minimal rate of growth, we would
have corporate operating expenses on a cash basis, excluding our cost of
revenues which is variable, of approximately $2,000,000, assuming the Exchange
with I-Toss is not finalized. This would include our personnel costs, rent,
professional fees, insurance, utilities and other office expenses. At our
current revenue growth rate, assuming no improvement over historical margins, we
believe that operating cash flow would not be sufficient to cover our
expenditures, unless we are able to obtain additional financing.
We have
no current commitment from our officers and Directors or any of our shareholders
to supplement our operations or provide us with financing in the future. If we
are unable to finalize the Exchange with I-Toss or raise additional capital from
conventional sources and/or additional sales of stock in the future, we may be
forced to curtail or cease our operations. Even if we are able to continue our
operations, the failure to obtain financing could have a substantial adverse
effect on our business and financial results.
In the
future, we may be required to seek additional capital by selling debt or equity
securities, selling assets, or otherwise be required to bring cash flows in
balance when we approach a condition of cash insufficiency. The sale of
additional equity or debt securities, including the proposed Exchange with
I-Toss, if accomplished, may result in dilution to our then shareholders. We
provide no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms
acceptable to us, or at all.
Off
Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not
have any off balance sheet arrangements.
Critical
Accounting Policies
Our
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is
based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation
of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that
affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and
related disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going
basis, we evaluate our estimates. We base our estimates on various assumptions
that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which
form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and
liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may
differ from these estimates under different assumptions or
conditions.
We
believe the following critical accounting policy affects our more significant
estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial
statements:
Revenue
recognition. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and
collectability is reasonably assured. Substantially all of Acies’ revenue is
derived from providing credit and debit card processing services, and it is
recognized when the services are rendered. When a merchant has a business
transaction for processing (e.g., purchases of goods or services for which
payments are accepted using credit or debit cards), the amount of the processing
fees due from the merchant that is discounted from the transaction amount prior
to the merchant receiving net proceeds is the amount that Acies recognizes as
revenue.
Revenue
is recognized on a gross basis (i.e., prior to deducting expenses paid to third
parties for outsourced processing and settlement services), with such
determination based on Acies’ review and interpretation of current accounting
promulgations, including but not limited to Emerging Issues Task Force Consensus
99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as Principal versus Net as an Agent” (“EITF
99-19”). We believe that most of the indicators of gross revenue reporting
discussed in EITF 99-19 support our revenue recognition policy. Factors which
were critical in our determination included, but were not limited to, the extent
to which Acies has latitude in establishing price, credit risk and discretion in
supplier selection.
Acies has
very broad latitude in negotiating and setting the pricing paid by the merchants
for electronic transactions, including all fees relating to merchants’
acceptance of credit and debit card payments. Pricing generally is unique to
each merchant, and is principally based upon the merchant’s tailored needs,
competitive pricing issues and a satisfactory profit margin for Acies. Although
pricing varies by merchant, Acies’ costs relating to these transactions, paid to
third-party processors and others to whom Acies outsources certain functions,
are generally fixed and are based upon predetermined cost schedules which apply
regardless of the pricing agreed to by the merchant. Acies control of pricing is
critical to the determination of profitability as it relates to any given
merchant.
Acies has
credit risk relating to the revenue it recognizes. Should there be a problem
with any given transaction, or with fraudulent conduct by any given merchant,
Acies is not generally liable for the underlying value of a transaction (i.e.,
the amount paid by a consumer of a product or service paid for by credit or
debit card). We are, however, generally liable for the transaction costs (as
described above), even if we do not receive the revenue relating to the
transaction.
Although
Acies is generally not a formal party to a merchant agreement, we do have a
choice of third-party processors and servicers to whom we may outsource certain
on-going functions relating to any given merchant account and its related
transactions. In most cases, we have the contractual authority with our
third-party processors to switch a merchant account from one third-party
processor to another, assuming that the merchant agrees to do so.
The above
factors, along with Acies being the primary point of contact in the acquiring
and on-going servicing of its merchants, as well as the full spectrum of
services that Acies provides to its merchants, have led Acies to the judgment
that gross revenue reporting is the most appropriate accounting treatment. In
addition, we believe that based on our business model, our investors and other
readers of our financial statements benefit greatly from this presentation as it
exhibits the impact on profitability of the Company’s pricing policies.
Stock
based Compensation. We account for share-based payments under SFAS 123R, which
requires that share-based payments be reflected as an expense based upon the
grant-date fair value of those awards. The expense is recognized over the
remaining vesting periods of the awards. The Company estimates the fair value of
these awards, including stock options and warrants, using the Black-Scholes
model. This model requires management to make certain estimates in the
assumptions used in this model, including the expected term the award will be
held, volatility of the underlying common stock, discount rate and forfeiture
rate. We develop our assumptions based on our past historical trends as well as
consider changes for future expectations.
Recently issued accounting
pronouncements. The Company does not expect the adoption of any recently
issued accounting pronouncements to have a significant impact on the Company’s
results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND
QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Pursuant
to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.305(e)), the Company is not required to
provide the information required by this Item as it is a “smaller reporting
company,” as defined by Rule 229.10(f)(1).
ITEM 4T. CONTROLS AND
PROCEDURES
Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Management
of the Company, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and acting
Chief Financial Officer, Oleg Firer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design
and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of
September 30, 2008. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive
Officer, who is also the acting Chief Financial Officer has concluded
that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of
September 30, 2008, because of the material weakness in internal control over
financial reporting described below.
The
matters involving internal controls and procedures that the Company's
management considered to be material weaknesses under the standards of the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board were: (1) inadequate segregation of
duties consistent with control objectives; (2) insufficient written policies and
procedures for accounting and financial reporting with respect to the
requirements and application of GAAP and SEC disclosure requirements; and (3)
ineffective controls over period end financial disclosure and reporting
processes. The aforementioned material weaknesses were identified by the
Company's management in connection with the financial statements as of September
30, 2008.
We will
continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of our internal controls and
procedures and our internal controls over financial reporting on an ongoing
basis and are committed to taking further action and implementing additional
enhancements or improvements, as necessary and as funds allow.
Changes
in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
PART II - OTHER
INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
On
December 4, 2006, the Company received a complaint filed in the Supreme Court of
the State of New York, County of New York, by a merchant, which named as
co-defendants Acies, several of our strategic partners, and a third-party
bank. The dispute relates to bank accounts used by the merchant to
process credit and debit card transactions. The Company believes that
the probability of any material loss is remote, especially when considering that
we are contractually indemnified by a partner for the type of loss which would
result from such a claim.
Other
than the above mentioned dispute, we are not currently involved in legal
proceedings that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect
on our business, prospects, financial condition or results of operations. We may
become involved in material legal proceedings in the future.
ITEM 1A. RISK
FACTORS
An
investment in our common stock is highly speculative, and should only be made by
persons who can afford to lose their entire investment in us. You should
carefully consider the following risk factors and other information in this
quarterly report before deciding to become a holder of our common stock. If any
of the following risks actually occur, our business and financial results could
be negatively affected to a significant extent.
RISKS
RELATED TO OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AND BUSINESS
IF
THE SHARE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT WITH I-TOSS ACQUISITION, INC. IS FINALIZED, THE
COMPANY WILL EFFECT A SPIN-OFF OF ITS OPERATIONS AS A PAYMENT SERVICES
COMPANY
On or
about October 20, 2008, the Company entered into a non-binding Term Sheet with
I-Toss Acquisition, Inc. (“I-Toss”). Pursuant to the Term Sheet, upon
the receipt of certain approvals required to be obtained on the part of I-Toss,
the Company and I-Toss agreed to use their best efforts to draft and finalize a
share exchange agreement between the Company, I-Toss and its shareholders (the
“Exchange”), whereby I-Toss and its shareholders will exchange all of the then
outstanding shares of I-Toss for shares of the Company’s common
stock. Pursuant to and in connection with the Exchange, if finalized,
the Company will affect a spin-off (the “Spin Off”) of Acies, Inc., a Nevada
corporation and the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, to a stand alone private
company solely owned by the Company’s current Chief Executive Officer and
Director, Oleg Firer. The Spin-Off will effectively spin off the
Company’s current operations as a payment services company (the “Acies
Operations”) and the Company’s sole business focus following the Spin Off will
be the operations of I-Toss. Upon stockholder approval, the Company
will affect the Spin-Off immediately after the Exchange with I-Toss is
effected. As consideration for the Company agreeing to the Spin-Off,
Mr. Firer will cancel 5,000,000 pre-split shares of common stock of the Company
that he currently beneficially owns and Mr. Firer and/or Acies, Inc. will assume
the then outstanding amount of the Company’s RBL Capital Group, LLC (“RBL”) loan
facility. Further, the Company will agree to relinquish any and all
rights to ownership of the Acies Operations and any associated assets in
consideration for the Spin Off and the assumption by Acies, Inc., of the RBL
loan facility. Upon closing of the Spin-Off, the Company will no
longer operate as a payments services company and will solely focus on the
current business and operations of I-Toss. As such, the Spin-Off will
have a material effect on the business, revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities,
and cash flows of the Company. While the Spin-Off will not change
stockholder’s ownership interest in the Company, stockholders should be aware
that the Company they own an interest in will have materially changed, including
the operations of the Company, the officers and Directors and the business
focus.
WE
HAVE HAD LOSSES SINCE WE HAVE BECOME A PUBLIC REPORTING COMPANY.
We have
incurred losses and experienced negative operating cash flow each year since we
have become a public reporting company in April 2002. For our fiscal years ended
March 31, 2008 and March 31, 2007, we had a net loss of $668,140 and $1,130,717,
respectively, and we have had negative operating cash flow of $453,081
and $474,181, respectively for such periods. We had a net loss of
$440,006 and negative operating cash flows of $268,990 for the six months ended
September 30, 2008. We had a total accumulated deficit of $6,555,938
as of September 30, 2008.
Continued
losses may require us to seek additional debt or equity financing. If debt
financing is available and obtained, our interest expense may increase and we
may be subject to the risk of default, depending on the terms of such financing.
If equity financing is available and obtained it may result in our shareholders
experiencing significant dilution. If such financing is unavailable we may be
required to restrict growth by decreasing future marketing expenditures and/or
investment in our infrastructure.
DEPENDENCY
ON ADDITIONAL FINANCING.
As
mentioned above, we have experienced negative operating cash flow and there is
no assurance that we will have positive operating cash flow in the future. We
have relied upon borrowings under the Loan and Security Agreement described in
detail in the section “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” and in Note 2 to
the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in order to satisfy our
liquidity needs. The borrowing capacity afforded us under this agreement has
been fully utilized based on the eighteen months term of the Loan and Security
Agreement. The Company needs to obtain additional financing to
maintain liquidity and continue its business operations over the next twelve
months, assuming the Exchange with I-Toss is not finalized.
OUR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2008 INCLUDE A GOING CONCERN OPINION FROM OUR INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS.
The
Company received a going concern opinion from its auditors on its financial
statements for fiscal 2008. Our auditors have stated that due to our lack of
profitability and our negative working capital, there is "substantial doubt"
about our ability to continue as a going concern. This substantial doubt may
limit our ability to access certain types of financing, or may prevent us from
obtaining financing on acceptable terms.
MAJORITY
VOTING CONTROL OVER THE COMPANY IS IN THE HANDS OF ONLY TWO
SHAREHOLDERS.
Voting
together, Pinnacle Three Corporation, which holds 22,515,000 or 30% of our
outstanding shares of common stock and our CEO, Oleg Firer, who can vote
27,530,009 shares of common stock representing 37.2% of the outstanding shares
of common stock have voting control over the Company. Mr. Firer holds
proxies for six (6) different stockholders of the Company, holding an aggregate
of 17,895,723 shares of the Company’s common stock. The stockholders
that entered into Proxy Agreement with Mr. Firer include Rite Holdings, Inc
(7,190,331 shares), Yakov Shimon (8,932,510 shares), Leonid Shimon (266,907
shares), Arkady Khavulya (1,423,175 shares), Stanislav Pavlenko (7,800 shares),
and G.R. Woitzik (75,000 shares). Mr. Firer also personally
holds voting rights to 8,949,910 shares of common stock which he personally
beneficially owns. Pinnacle Three Corporation holds 22,515,000 shares
of our common stock. In addition, both Mr. Firer and Pinnacle Three Corporation
hold convertible promissory notes in the amounts of $185,000 and $172,653,
respectively in September 2008, which notes are convertible at the option of
such holders into approximately 9,250,000 and 8,632,650 shares of our common
stock, respectively, at a conversion price of $0.02 per share. As a
result, Pinnacle Three Corporation and Mr. Firer will exercise control in
determining the outcome of all corporate transactions or other matters,
including the election of directors, mergers, consolidations, the sale of all or
substantially all of our assets, and also the power to prevent or cause a change
in control. The interests of Pinnacle Three Corporation and Mr. Firer, who are
unrelated and have not agreed to vote together on any shareholder matters, may
differ from the interests of the other stockholders and thus result in corporate
decisions that are adverse to other shareholders. Further, to date,
Mr. Firer and Pinnacle Three Corporation have both indicated that they will vote
for the Exchange with I-Toss (as described above under “I-Toss Acquisition”),
and the related actions and transactions, including the Spin-Off.
WE
DEPEND ON VISA AND MASTERCARD REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTION SPONSORS
AND WE MUST COMPLY WITH THEIR STANDARDS TO MAINTAIN REGISTRATION. THE
TERMINATION OF OUR REGISTRATION COULD REQUIRE US TO STOP PROVIDING PROCESSING
SERVICES ALTOGETHER.
Our
designation with Visa and MasterCard as a member service provider is dependent
upon the sponsorship of member clearing banks, including JP Morgan Chase, and our
continuing adherence to the standards of the Visa and MasterCard credit card
associations. In the event we fail to comply with these standards, Visa or
MasterCard could suspend or terminate our designation as a member service
provider. If these sponsorships are terminated and we are unable to secure
another bank sponsor, we will not be able to process bankcard transactions.
Because of the fact that the vast majority of the transactions we process
involve Visa or MasterCard, the termination of our registration or any changes
in the Visa or MasterCard rules that would impair our registration could require
us to stop providing processing services altogether. This would severely impact
our revenues, and with that the value of our Company.
WE
DEPEND ON SALES AGENTS THAT DO NOT SERVE US EXCLUSIVELY AND HAVE THE RIGHT TO
REFER MERCHANTS TO OUR COMPETITORS.
We rely
primarily on the efforts of independent sales agents ("Sales Agents") to market
our services to merchants seeking to establish an account with a payment
processor in order to accept Credit, Debit, Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT),
Check Conversion and Gift & Loyalty transactions. Sales Agents are
classified as either individuals or companies that seek to introduce both newly
established and existing small, medium and large businesses including retailers,
restaurants, supermarkets, petroleum stations and e-commerce retailers. Most of
the Sales Agents that refer merchants to us are non-exclusive to us and
therefore most of them have the right to refer merchants to other service
providers. Our failure to maintain our relationships with our existing and
future Sales Agents, and to recruit and establish new relationships with other
Sales Agents, could adversely affect our revenues and growth, and increase our
merchant attrition. This would lead to an increase in cost of revenues for us
which would adversely impact net income.
INCREASES
IN INTERCHANGE RATES MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.
Visa and
MasterCard routinely increase their respective interchange rates each year.
Interchange rates are also known as discount rates that are charged for
transactions processed through Visa and MasterCard. Although we historically
have reflected these increases in our pricing to merchants, there can be no
assurance that merchants will continue to assume the entire impact of future
increases or that transaction processing volumes will not decrease and merchant
attrition increase as a result of these increases. If interchange rates increase
to a point where it becomes unprofitable for us to enable merchants to accept
Visa and MasterCard it would cause an increase in our cost of revenues and
potentially make it unprofitable for us to continue without a change in our
business plan.
INCREASES
IN PROCESSING COSTS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR PROFITABILITY.
We are
subject to certain contractual volume obligations that if not met, will cause
our processing costs to increase and may therefore adversely affect our ability
to attain and retain new and existing merchants. More information about our
contractual obligations is located in the section of “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis” entitled "Liquidity and Capital Resources".
HIGH
LEVELS OF COMPETITION MAY HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS,
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The
credit, charge and debit card transaction processing services business is highly
competitive. Many of our current and prospective competitors have substantially
greater financial, technical and marketing resources, larger customer bases,
longer operating histories, more developed infrastructures, greater name
recognition and/or more established relationships in the industry than we have.
Because of this our competitors may be able to adopt more aggressive pricing
policies than we can, develop and expand their service offerings more rapidly,
adapt to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements more
quickly, take advantage of acquisitions and other opportunities more readily,
achieve greater economies of scale, and devote greater resources
to the marketing and sale of their services. Because of the high levels of
competition in the industry and the fact that other companies may have greater
resources, it may be impossible for us to compete successfully.
MAINTAINING
CURRENT REVENUE LEVELS IS DEPENDENT UPON FACTORS IMPACTING THE PETROLEUM
INDUSTRY.
Over 40%
of the Company’s revenue is derived from merchants in the petroleum
industry. The Company therefore has a risk of revenue being adversely
impacted by significant decreases in gasoline prices, increases in merchant
strategies to have more consumers pay in cash, or other negative factors which
adversely affect the petroleum industry.
INCREASED
MERCHANT ATTRITION MAY HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
We
experience attrition in our merchant base in the ordinary course of business
resulting from several factors, including business closures and losses to
competitors. Despite our retention efforts, increased merchant attrition may
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of
operations. If we are unable to gain merchants to replace the ones we lose, we
may be forced to change, curtail or abandon our business plan.
OUR
OPERATING RESULTS ARE SUBJECT TO SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN CONSUMER SPENDING
PATTERNS.
We have
experienced in the past, and expect to continue to experience, seasonal
fluctuations in our revenues as a result of consumer spending patterns.
Historically, revenues have been weaker during the first two quarters of the
calendar year and stronger during the third and fourth quarters. If, for any
reason, our revenues are below seasonal norms during the third or fourth
quarter, our net income could be lower than expected. This could lead to a
decrease in the value of our common stock.
WE
MAY BECOME SUBJECT TO CERTAIN STATE TAXES FOR CERTAIN PORTIONS OF OUR FEES
CHARGED TO MERCHANTS.
We, like
other transaction processing companies, may be subject to state taxation of
certain portions of our fees charged to merchants for our services. Application
of this tax is an emerging issue in the transaction processing industry and the
states have not yet adopted uniform guidelines. If in the future we are required
to pay such taxes and are not able to pass this expense on to our merchant
customers, our financial results could be adversely affected.
WE
MAY BE SUBJECT TO LIABILITY DUE TO SECURITY RISKS BOTH TO USERS OF OUR MERCHANT
SERVICES AND TO THE UNINTERRUPTED OPERATION OF OUR SYSTEMS.
Security
and privacy concerns of users of electronic commerce such as our merchant
services may inhibit the growth of the Internet and other online services as a
means of conducting commercial transactions. We rely on secure socket layer
technology, public key cryptography and digital certificate technology to
provide the security and authentication necessary for secure transmission of
confidential information. However, various regulatory and export restrictions
may prohibit us from using the strongest and most secure cryptographic
protection available and thereby expose us to a risk of data interception. While
we believe that our business model minimizes our accessing, transmitting and
storing consumer information, because some of our activities may involve the
storage and transmission of confidential personal or proprietary information,
such as credit card numbers, security breaches and fraud schemes could damage
our reputation and expose us to a risk of loss and possible liability. In
addition, our payment transaction services may be susceptible to credit card and
other payment fraud schemes perpetrated by hackers or other criminals. If such
fraudulent schemes become widespread or otherwise cause merchants to lose
confidence in our services, or in Internet payments systems generally, our
revenues could suffer.
WE
RELY ON THE INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE, AND ITS CONTINUED COMMERCIAL VIABILITY,
OVER WHICH WE HAVE NO CONTROL. ITS FAILURE COULD SUBSTANTIALLY UNDERMINE OUR
BUSINESS STRATEGY.
Our
success depends, in large part, on other companies maintaining the Internet
system infrastructure, including maintaining a reliable network backbone that
provides adequate speed, data capacity and security and to develop products that
enable reliable Internet access and services. If the Internet continues to
experience significant growth in the number of users, frequency of use and
amount of data transmitted, the infrastructure of the Internet may be unable to
support the demands placed on it, and as a result the Internet's performance or
reliability may suffer. Because we rely heavily on the Internet, this would make
our business less profitable.
WE
MAY BE SUBJECT TO POTENTIAL LIABILITY FOR INFORMATION POSTED ON OUR CORPORATE
WEBSITE.
The legal
obligations and potential liability of companies which provide information by
means of the Internet are not well defined and are evolving. Any liability of
our company resulting from information posted on, or disseminated through, our
corporate website could have a material adverse effect on our business,
operating results and financial condition.
NEW
AND POTENTIAL GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS DESIGNED TO PROTECT OR LIMIT ACCESS TO
CONSUMER INFORMATION COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES
WE PROVIDE OUR MERCHANTS.
Due to
the increasing public concern over consumer privacy rights, governmental bodies
in the United States and abroad have adopted, and are considering adopting
additional laws and regulations restricting the purchase, sale and sharing of
personal information about customers. The laws governing privacy generally
remain unsettled and it is difficult to determine whether and how existing and
proposed privacy laws will apply to our business. Several states have proposed
legislation that would limit the uses of personal information gathered using the
Internet. Congress has also considered privacy legislation that could further
regulate use of consumer information obtained over the Internet or in other
ways. If legislation is passed by the individual states or Congress it would
likely raise our cost of revenues, which would decrease our net
profit.
OUR
SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS ARE VULNERABLE TO DAMAGE OR INTERRUPTION FROM FIRE,
FLOOD, POWER LOSS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS FAILURE, BREAK-INS, EARTHQUAKE AND SIMILAR
EVENTS OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL.
Our
success depends, in part, on the performance, reliability and availability of
our services. If our systems were to fail or become unavailable, such failure
would harm our reputation, result in a loss of current and potential customers
and could cause us to breach existing agreements. Our systems and operations
could be damaged or interrupted by fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications
failure, Internet breakdown, break-in, earthquake and similar events, and we
would face significant damage as a result. In addition, our systems use
sophisticated software which may in the future contain viruses that could
interrupt service. For these reasons, we may be unable to develop or
successfully manage the infrastructure necessary to meet current or future
demands for reliability and scalability of our systems. If this happens, it is
likely that we would lose customers and revenues would decrease.
WE
RELY ON KEY MANAGEMENT.
Our
success depends upon the personal efforts and abilities of Oleg Firer, our
President and Chief Executive Officer. Our ability to operate and implement our
business plan is heavily dependent on the continued service of Mr. Firer, as
well as our ability to attract, retain and motivate other qualified personnel,
particularly in the areas of sales, marketing and management for our company. We
face aggressive and continued competition for such personnel. We cannot be
certain that we will be able to attract, retain and motivate such personnel in
the future.
We do not
maintain key-man insurance on the life of Mr. Firer. If Mr. Firer were to resign
or die, the loss could result in loss of sales, delays in new product and
service development and diversion of management resources, and we could face
high costs and substantial difficulty in hiring qualified successors and could
experience a loss
in
productivity while any such successor obtains the necessary training and
experience. The loss of Mr. Firer, and our inability to hire, retain and
motivate qualified sales, marketing and management personnel for our company
would have a material adverse effect on our business and
operations.
OUR
REVENUES ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE TO OVERALL CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY AND CONSUMER
SPENDING PATTERNS IN GENERAL.
As we
receive a greater number of payment processing fees the more consumers spent at
the locations of the merchants who are our clients, we are highly susceptible to
downturns in the overall economy and changes in consumer
spending. Due to the downturns in the credit markets, bankruptcies of
several large employers, as well as overall layoffs in the global economy and
general malaise in the global consumer economy, we expect our revenues for the
near future to be highly volatile and most likely lower than for the same
periods of fiscal 2008. As a result, our results of operations and
the value of our securities could decline in value and/or become
worthless.
STOCKHOLDERS
WILL INCUR SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION IF A SHARE EXCHANGE AGREEMENT WITH I-TOSS
ACQUISION, INC. IS FINALIZED
On or
about October 20, 2008, the Company entered into a non-binding Term Sheet with
I-Toss Acquisition, Inc. (“I-Toss”). Pursuant to the Term Sheet, upon
the receipt of certain approvals required to be obtained on the part of I-Toss,
the Company and I-Toss agreed to use their best efforts to draft and finalize a
share exchange agreement between the Company, I-Toss and its shareholders (the
“Exchange”), whereby I-Toss and its shareholders will exchange all of the then
outstanding shares of I-Toss for 44,340,000 post-Reverse Split (as described
above under “I-Toss Acquisition”) shares of the Company’s common stock, which
shares will be issued pro rata to I-Toss’s shareholders and will represent not
less than 98.46% of the Company’s then fully-diluted outstanding shares of
common stock. Therefore as a result of the Exchange and related
transactions, stockholders of the Company will incur substantial dilution of
their ownership interest in the Company and will have a substantially reduced
ability to influence corporate matters.
THE
MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY DECLINE BECAUSE THERE ARE A SUBSTANTIAL
NUMBER OF OPTIONS AND WARRANTS OUTSTANDING AND THE SALE OF THE UNDERLYING SHARES
MAY DEPRESS THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK.
The
market price of our common stock may decline because there are a large number of
options and warrants that are available for exercise, and the sale of shares
underlying these options and warrants may depress the market price of our common
stock. As of September 30, 2008, we had 73,984,095 shares of common stock issued
and outstanding. Although the holders may not exercise or convert our
outstanding warrants if such conversion or exercise would cause them to own more
than 9.99% of our outstanding common stock, this restriction does not prevent
the holders from converting and/or exercising some of their holdings. Exercise
of these options and warrants would dilute the proportionate equity interest and
voting power of holders of our common stock.
OUR
HISTORIC STOCK PRICE HAS BEEN VOLATILE AND THE FUTURE MARKET PRICE FOR OUR
COMMON STOCK IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO BE VOLATILE DUE IN PART TO THE LIMITED
MARKET FOR OUR SHARES, WHICH MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO SELL OUR COMMON
STOCK FOR A POSITIVE RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT.
The
public market for our common stock has historically been very volatile. Any
future market price for our shares is likely to continue to be very volatile.
This price volatility may make it more difficult for you to sell shares when you
want at prices you find attractive. We do not know of any one particular factor
that has caused volatility in our stock price. However, the stock market in
general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have often
been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies.
Broad market factors, general economic and political conditions, and the
investing public's negative perception of our business may reduce our stock
price, regardless of our operating performance. Further, the market for our
common stock is limited and we cannot assure you that a larger market will ever
be developed or maintained.
IF
WE ARE LATE IN FILING OUR QUARTERLY OR ANNUAL REPORTS WITH THE SEC, WE MAY BE
DE-LISTED FROM THE OVER-THE-COUNTER BULLETIN BOARD.
Pursuant
to Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board ("OTCBB") rules relating to the timely filing
of periodic reports with the SEC, any OTCBB issuer which fails to file a
periodic report (Form 10-Q's or 10-K's) by the due date of such report (not
withstanding any extension granted to the issuer by the filing of a Form
12b-25), three (3) times during any twenty-four (24) month period is
automatically de-listed from the OTCBB. Such removed issuer would not be
re-eligible to be listed on the OTCBB for a period of one-year, during which
time any subsequent late filing would reset the one-year period of de-listing.
Furthermore, any issuer delisted from the OTCBB more than one (1) time in any
twenty-four (24) month period for failure to file a periodic report would be
ineligible to be re-listed for a period of one-year year, during which time any
subsequent late filing would reset the one-year period of
de-listing. As we were late in filing our 10-K for the period ended
March 31, 2008, if we are late in our filings two more times in the current
twenty-four (24) month period, or three times in any subsequent twenty-four (24)
month period and are de-listed from the OTCBB, or if our securities are
de-listed from the OTCBB two
times in any twenty-four (24) month period for failure to file a periodic
report, our securities may become worthless and we may be forced to curtail or
abandon our business plan.
WE
MAY INCUR SIGNIFICANT EXPENSES AS A RESULT OF BEING QUOTED ON THE OVER THE
COUNTER BULLETIN BOARD, WHICH MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR FINANCIAL
PERFORMANCE.
We incur
significant legal, accounting and other expenses as a result of being listed on
the Over the Counter Bulletin Board. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as
related rules implemented by the Commission has required changes in corporate
governance practices of public companies. We expect that compliance with these
laws, rules and regulations, including compliance with Section 404 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 as discussed in the following risk factor, may
substantially increase our expenses, including our legal and accounting costs,
and make some activities more time-consuming and costly. As a result, there may
be a substantial increase in legal, accounting and certain other expenses in the
future, which would negatively impact our financial performance and could have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial
condition.
OUR
INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING ARE NOT CONSIDERED EFFECTIVE, WHICH
COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF INVESTOR CONFIDENCE IN OUR FINANCIAL REPORTS AND IN
TURN HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR STOCK PRICE.
Pursuant
to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, beginning with our annual
report for the year ended March 31, 2008, we were required to furnish a report
by our management on our internal controls over financial reporting. Such report
is required to contain, among other matters, an assessment of the effectiveness
of our internal controls over financial reporting as of the end of the year,
including a statement as to whether or not our internal controls over financial
reporting are effective. This assessment must include disclosure of any material
weaknesses in our internal controls over financial reporting identified by
management. Beginning with the year ended March 31, 2010; this report will also
contain a statement that our independent registered public accounting firm has
issued an attestation report on management's assessment of internal controls. As
we were unable to assert that our internal controls were effective as of March
31, 2008, and if in future years our independent registered public accounting
firm is unable to attest that our management's report is fairly stated or they
are unable to express an opinion on our management's evaluation or on the
effectiveness of our internal controls, investors could lose confidence in the
accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which in turn could cause
our stock price to decline.
The
Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 15g-9 which establishes the
definition of a "penny stock," for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity
security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an
exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For
any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules
require:
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·
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that
a broker or dealer approve a person's account for transactions in penny
stocks; and
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·
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the
broker or dealer receive from the investor a written agreement to the
transaction, setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to
be purchased.
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In order
to approve a person's account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or
dealer must:
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·
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obtain
financial information and investment experience objectives of the person;
and
|
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·
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make
a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are
suitable for that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and
experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of
transactions in penny stocks.
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The
broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a
disclosure schedule prescribed by the Commission relating to the penny stock
market, which, in highlight form:
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·
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sets
forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability
determination; and
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·
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that
the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the
investor prior to the transaction.
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Generally,
brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the
"penny stock" rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of
our common stock and cause a decline in the market value of our
stock.
Disclosure
also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public
offerings and in secondary trading and about the commissions payable to both the
broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the
securities and the rights and remedies available to an investor in cases of
fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly statements have to be sent
disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and
information on the limited market in penny stocks.
WE
CURRENTLY HAVE A SPORADIC, ILLIQUID, VOLATILE MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK, AND
THE MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK MAY REMAIN SPORADIC, ILLIQUID, AND VOLATILE IN
THE FUTURE.
We
currently have a highly sporadic, illiquid and volatile market for our common
stock, which market is anticipated to remain sporadic, illiquid and volatile in
the future and will likely be subject to wide fluctuations in response to
several factors, including, but not limited to:
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(1)
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actual
or anticipated variations in our results of operations;
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(2)
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our
ability or inability to generate new revenues;
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(3)
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the
number of shares in our public float;
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(4)
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increased
competition; and
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(5)
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conditions
and trends in the economy for consumer goods and credit card
services.
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Furthermore,
because our common stock is traded on the over the counter bulletin board, our
stock price may be impacted by factors that are unrelated or disproportionate to
our operating performance. These market fluctuations, as well as general
economic, political and market conditions, such as recessions, interest rates or
international currency fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our
common stock. Additionally, at present, we have a very limited number of shares
in our public float, and as a result, there could be extreme fluctuations in the
price of our common stock. Further, due to the limited volume of our shares
which trade and our limited public float, we believe that our stock prices (bid,
asked and closing prices) are entirely arbitrary, are not related to the actual
value of the Company, and do not reflect the actual value of our common stock
(and in fact reflect a value that is much higher than the actual value of our
common stock). Shareholders and potential investors in our common stock should
exercise caution before making an investment in the Company, and should not rely
on the publicly quoted or traded stock prices in determining our common stock
value, but should instead determine value of our common stock based on the
information contained in the Company's public reports, industry information, and
those business valuation methods commonly used to value private
companies.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES
OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
In June
2008, the Company borrowed $450,000 through the execution of a Convertible
Promissory Note (the “Note”) with Pinnacle Three Corporation, bearing interest
at a rate of 8% per annum, with principal and all accrued interest payable in
November 2010. On June 6, 2008, the Company received a conversion
letter from Pinnacle Three Corporation requesting conversion of the principal
and accrued interest into 22,515,000 shares of Acies common stock at a price of
$0.02 per share, per the terms of the Note agreement. On July 17,
2008, the Company issued 22,515,000 shares to Pinnacle Three Corporation in
exchange for the Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release between Pinnacle Three
Corporation and the Company.
On
September 23, 2008, the Company entered into an 18% Convertible Promissory Note
(the "Pinnacle Note") in favor of Pinnacle Three Corporation ("Pinnacle") to
evidence $172,653 of loans advanced to the Company by Pinnacle during the months
of August and September 2008. Under the terms and conditions of the
Pinnacle Note, the Company promised to pay to Pinnacle a principal sum in the
amount of the $172,653, together with accrued and unpaid interest at the rate of
18% per annum, on September 23, 2009 (the “Maturity Date”). The Pinnacle Note is
convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of
$0.02 per share at any time prior to the Maturity Date.
On
September 23, 2008, the Company entered into an 18% Convertible Promissory Note
(the "Note") in favor of Oleg Firer, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and a
Director of the Company, to evidence the amount of $185,000 owed by the Company
to Mr. Firer in connection with various expenses paid by Mr. Firer on the
Company’s behalf and reimbursements he is owed dating back to April
2006. Under the terms and conditions of the Note, the Company
promised to pay to Mr. Firer a principal sum in the amount of $185,000, together
with accrued and unpaid interest at the rate of 18% per annum, on September 23,
2009 (the “Note Maturity Date”). The Note is convertible into shares of the
Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $0.02 per share at any time prior
to the Note Maturity Date.
For the
issuances above, we claim an exemption from registration afforded by Section
4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, since the foregoing issuances
did not involve a public offering, the recipients will take the shares for
investment and not resale, the recipients were “accredited investors” and we
took appropriate measures to restrict transfer. No underwriters or agents were
involved in the foregoing issuances and no underwriting discounts or commissions
were paid by us.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR
SECURITIES.
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF
MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
ITEM 5. OTHER
INFORMATION
None.
ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number Description of
Exhibit
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3.1
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Articles
of Incorporation of TerenceNet, Inc. dated October 11, 2000. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3 to TerenceNet, Inc.'s Form 10-SB, as amended,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5,
2002).
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3.2
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Bylaws
of TerenceNet, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to TerenceNet,
Inc.'s Form 10-SB, as amended, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 5, 2002).
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3.3
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Certificate
of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 3 to Atlantic Synergy, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on July 9,
2004).
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4.1
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Form
of Series A Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to investors pursuant to
the February 3, 2005 private placement (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on February 8,
2005).
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|
10.1
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Exchange
Agreement by and between Acies, Inc. and Atlantic Synergy, Inc. dated as
of July 2, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to Atlantic
Synergy, Inc.'s Form 8-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 12, 2004).
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10.2
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Year
2004 Stock Award Plan of Atlantic Synergy, Inc. (Incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4 to Atlantic Synergy, Inc.'s Form S-8 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on August 31,
2004).
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10.3
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Year
2004 Officer/Director/Employee Stock Award Plan of Atlantic Synergy, Inc.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Atlantic Synergy, Inc.'s Form
S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 13,
2004).
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|
10.4
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Form
of Subscription Agreement by and between Atlantic Synergy, Inc. and the
purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto dated as of September
2, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement
on Form SB-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4,
2005).
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10.5
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Investor
Relations Agreement by and between Acies, Inc. and Investor Relations
Network dated as of December 3, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission on March 4,
2005).
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|
10.6
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Securities
Purchase Agreement by and between the Company and the purchasers
identified on the signature pages thereto dated as of February 3, 2005
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 8-K filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8,
2005).
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10.7
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Registration
Rights Agreement by and between the Company and the purchasers identified
on the signature pages thereto dated as of February 3, 2005 (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Form 8-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8,
2005).
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10.8
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Employment
Agreement by and between the Company and Oleg Firer dated as of May 5,
2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12,
2006).
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|
10.9
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Employment
Agreement by and between the Company and Yakov Shimon dated as of July 1,
2004 (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on
Form SB-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4,
2005).
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|
10.10
|
Employment
Agreement by and between the Company and Miron Guilliadov dated as of July
1, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement
on Form SB-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4,
2005).
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10.11
|
Form
of Subscription Agreement by and between GM Merchant Solutions, Inc. and
the purchasers identified on the signature pages thereto dated as of June
2, 2004 (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement
on Form SB-2 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4,
2005).
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10.12
|
Employment
Agreement by and between the Company and Jeffrey A. Tischler dated as of
May 5, 2006 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12,
2006).
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10.13
|
Loan
and Security Agreement by and between the Company and RBL Capital Group,
LLC, dated October 31, 2006, providing a Term Loan Facility with a maximum
borrowing of $2,000,000.00 (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s
Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6,
2006).
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10.14
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Convertible
Promissory Note with Pinnacle Three Corporation (Incorporated by reference
to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on July 21, 2008).
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10.15
|
Settlement
Agreement and Mutual Release Between Pinnacle Three Corporation and the
Company (Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 21,
2008).
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10.16
|
Convertible
Promissory Note with Pinnacle Three Corporation (Incorporated by reference
to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on September 29, 2008).
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10.17
|
Convertible
Promissory Note with Oleg Firer (Incorporated by reference to the
Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
September 29, 2008).
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10.18
|
Lease
Termination Agreement between CRP/Capstone 14 W Property Owner, L.L.C. and
the Company (filed herewith).
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16.1
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Letter
from Amper, Politziner & Mattia, P.C. (Incorporated by reference to
the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on July 30, 2008).
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31
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Certification
by Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Sarbanes-Oxley Section 302 (filed
herewith).
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32
|
Certification
by Chief Executive Officer and acting Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (filed
herewith).
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SIGNATURES
In
accordance with the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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ACIES
CORPORATION
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Date:
November 17, 2008
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By:
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/s/
Oleg
Firer
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Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer
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