| 1. | The Company is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the
PRC laws, with a registered capital of RMB20 million, of which RMB11 million were contributed
by Party B, representing 55% of the equity interests in the Company, and RMB9 million were
contributed by Party C, representing 45% of the equity interests in the Company. As of the
date of execution of this Agreement, Party B and Party C lawfully enjoy all the shareholders
rights underlying their
capital contributions to the Company. |
| 2. | Party B is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the PRC
laws. It intends to transfer all of its 55% equity interests in the Company to Party A. |
| 3. | Party A is a limited liability company duly incorporated and validly existing under the PRC
laws. It intends to acquire the 55% equity interests in the Company currently held by Party B. |
| 4. | Party C agrees that Party B may transfer all of its 55% equity interests in the Company to
Party A. It also undertakes to invest RMB20 million into the capital reserve of the Company. |
| 5. | The Original Shareholders guarantee the Companys performance targets for the years 2009 to
2010 in favor of Party A, and agree to provide a security deposit and adjust the equity
interests in connection with such guarentee. |
| 1. | Definition and Interpretation |
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| 2. | Equity Transfer and Consideration |
| 2.1 | Party B intends to transfer all of its 55% equity interests in the Company to
Party A, and Party A agrees to acquire the said equity interests. |
| 2.2 | Each of Party A and Party B confirms that the consideration for the Equity
Transfer shall be RMB11 million, which Party A shall pay in full within
sixty (60) business days after the Closing Date. |
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| 2.3 | After the Closing, the proportion of each Partys contribution in the registered
capital of the Company shall be: |
| 3. | Capital Reserve |
| 4. | Performance Guarantee |
| 4.1 | The Original Shareholders undertake that the annual net profit of the Company
shall not be less than RMB10 million, RMB30 million and RMB80 million in 2009, 2010 and
2011, respectively. |
| 4.2 | Party A and the Original Shareholders agree that the above-mentioned net profit
refers to the sum of the net profit as presented in the consolidated financial
statements of the Company prepared in accordance with the U.S. GAAP, plus the consulting
fees, trademark licensing fees and other fees which the Company and its subsidiaries pay
to Party A and its related companies in the year. |
| 4.3 | The Original Shareholders agree to adjust their equity interests according to the
actual result of the above-mentioned performance targets, and to provide a security
deposit as a guarantee. Annex 2 hereto sets forth the details of the equity adjustment
and the security deposit. |
| 5. | Corporate Governance |
| 5.1 | Party A shall support Party C to continue to serve as the chairman of the board of
directors of the Company, whose term shall be governed by the Articles of Association of
the Company. |
| 5.2 | The shareholders, the board of directors and the management of the Company shall
operate the Company in accordance with their respective terms of reference set out in the
Articles of Association of the Company (see Annex 3). |
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| 5.3 | The board of directors of the Company shall consist of seven (7) members, of whom
four (4) shall be designated by Party A and three (3) shall be designated by Party C. An
audit committee of the board of directors shall be established and shall consist of three
(3) members, two (2) of whom shall be designated by Party A and one (1) shall be
designated by Party C. The chairman of the audit committee shall be designated by Party
A. The audit committee shall be responsible for establishing the budget management system
and accounting management procedures of the Company and its subsidiaries. |
| 5.4 | The Company and its subsidiaries shall strictly observe the Nasdaq Marketplace
Rules to which Nasdaq-listed companies are subject and Sarbanes-Oxley Act. |
| 6. | Profits Distribution |
| 7. | Closing |
| 7.1 | The Closing is subject to the following conditions: |
| 7.1.1 | In accordance with the relevant laws, regulations, administrative
rulings and the respective articles of association, the internal authority of each
Party has made their respective resolution and has agreed upon the Equity Transfer
contemplated under this Agreement; |
| 7.1.2 | The government authorities have duly approved (if necessary) the
change of shareholders of the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and the Parties
agree to use their best efforts to work with such authorities and provide the
necessary material and information; |
| 7.1.3 | All representations and warranties made by the Parties hereunder
have continued to be true, complete and accurate, and there have been no material
misrepresentations or omissions, until the Closing Date; |
| 7.1.4 | The Parties have performed their obligations hereunder in
accordance with this Agreement by the Closing Date; |
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| 7.1.5 | The Parties shall have duly prepared a complete inventory of all
existing assets and financial resources of the Company before the Closing Date; |
| 7.1.6 | Party C shall have formed a management team, established the
functional departments of the Company, and formulated the operational model,
internal policies and procedures and the financial budget model of the Company. |
| 7.2 | After the Closing, the equity interests of Party B, together with the rights and
obligations thereof, shall be transferred to Party A, and Party A shall enjoy the rights
and bear the obligations in accordance with the Articles of Association of the Company. |
| 7.3 | In the event that all of the conditions listed above have not been satisfied or
waived in writing by Party A, and the Closing has not occurred, by the end of the three
(3)-month period beginning from the Execution Date, this Agreement shall be terminated
immediately, unless the Parties agree in writing to defer the termination to a date no
later than six (6) months after the Execution Date. |
| 8. | Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Parties |
| 8.1 | Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Party A |
| 8.1.1 | Party A is a company duly incorporated and validly existing under
the PRC laws; |
| 8.1.2 | Party A has full right and power, and has obtained all internal and
external authorizations necessary, for the execution of and performance of the
obligations under this Agreement; |
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| 8.1.3 | When executed by the Parties hereto, this Agreement shall constitute
a valid and binding agreement of Party A. The execution and performance of this
Agreement by Party A will not violate any law, regulation, rule, administrative
decision, legal judgment or arbitral award that is binding upon Party A, its
articles of association or
board resolutions, breach the terms, conditions and covenants in any agreement
with any third party, or otherwise cause any conflicts of interest; |
| 8.1.4 | Party A has sufficient funds and has made adequate financial
arrangements to enable it to fulfill its payment obligations pursuant to the terms
and conditions hereof. |
| 8.2 | Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Party B |
| 8.2.1 | Party B is a company duly incorporated and validly existing under
the PRC laws. Party B is a shareholder of the Company duly registered at the
Administration for Industry and Commerce and lawfully owns the equity interests
that it intends to transfer to Party A. Party B is the sole owner of such equity
interests; |
| 8.2.2 | Party B has not, for its own benefit or for the benefit of any third
party, placed any mortgage, pledge, guarantee, lien, trust or any other
encumbrance that may subject the equity interests to any claims by any third
party; |
| 8.2.3 | Party B has full right and power, and has obtained all internal and
external authorizations necessary, for the execution of and performance of the
obligations under this Agreement; |
| 8.2.4 | When executed by the Parties hereto, this Agreement shall constitute
a valid and binding agreement of Party B. The execution and performance of this
Agreement by Party B will not violate any law, regulation, rule, administrative
ruling, legal judgment, arbitral decision that is binding upon Party B, breach the
terms, conditions or covenants of any agreement with any third party or otherwise
cause any conflicts of interest; |
| 8.2.5 | Except for this Agreement, there is no binding agreement, decision
or third partys right with respect to the sale, transfer, allocation, guarantee
or disposal in any other manner of such equity interests held by Party B; |
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| 8.2.6 | The financial information, technical information, managerial
information and other material information disclosed by Party B is complete
and accurate in all material respects, and there are no material
misrepresentations or omissions; |
| 8.2.7 | Except as expressly disclosed to Party A (see Annex 4), the Company
has not provided any form of guarantee to any other party, and there is no
litigation, investigation, penalty or arbitration caused or likely to be caused by
any guarantee or improper transaction; |
| 8.2.8 | Except for the liabilities and defects of titles as expressly
disclosed to Party A (see Annex 3), the Company has full title and right to the
properties, assets, real properties and the interests therein, and intangible
assets and the rights therein, free of any encumbrance; |
| 8.2.9 | Except as expressly disclosed to Party A (see Annex 4), there are no
litigations, claims, arbitrations, or other legal or administrative proceedings
pending against the Company; no claims have been threatened against the Company
that could affect any of its properties, assets or businesses, and there exist no
facts or circumstances that could give rise to such claims; |
| 8.2.10 | Except as expressly disclosed to Party A (see Annex 4), there is no existing
default under any material agreement or commitment by the Company, nor is there
any circumstance, event or act that could give rise to such default. |
| 8.3 | Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Party C |
| 8.3.1 | Party C is a PRC citizen with full civil capacity under the PRC
laws; |
| 8.3.2 | Party C has full right and power, and has obtained all
authorizations necessary for the execution of and performance of the obligations
under this Agreement; |
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| 8.3.3 | When executed by the Parties hereto, this Agreement shall constitute
a valid and binding agreement of Party C. The execution and performance of this
Agreement by Party C will not violate any law, regulation, rule, administrative
ruling, legal judgment, arbitral decision that is binding upon Party C, breach the
terms, conditions
or covenants of any agreement with any third party or otherwise cause any
conflicts of interest; |
| 8.3.4 | Party C has sufficient funds and has made adequate financial
arrangements to enable it to fulfill its obligations pursuant to the terms and
conditions hereof. |
| 9. | Treatment of Credits and Liabilities |
| 9.1 | Except as otherwise provided hereunder, all credits and liabilities of the
Company that exist as of the Closing Date shall continue to be enjoyed and borne by the
Company. |
| 9.2 | The following liabilities that exist as of the Closing Date, or that result from
events that occurred before the date of the Closing shall not continue to be borne by
the Company: |
| 9.2.1 | Liabilities of the Company that has not been disclosed expressly to
Party A; |
| 9.2.2 | Taxes and fees payable that has not been disclosed expressly to
Party A; |
| 9.2.3 | Obligations and responsibilities of the Company in accordance with
agreements to which the Company is a party that have not been disclosed expressly
to Party A. |
| 9.3 | In the event that the Company assumes the liabilities set forth in Article 9.2,
Party A is entitled to be indemnified by the Original Shareholders, who shall be jointly
and severally liable for such indemnifications. |
| 10. | Transition Period Arrangement |
| 10.1 | The transition period hereunder refers to the period from the Execution Date to
the Closing Date. |
| 10.2 | During the transition period, the Original Shareholders shall ensure that Party A
enjoys the following rights with respect to the Company: |
| 10.2.1 | Party A will have the right to assign a financial employee to supervise the
operational and financial condition of the Company for the purposes of ensuring
that the operational and financial condition of the Company will not fall below
the level on the Execution Date; |
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| 10.2.2 | Party A will have the right to assign an observer to the Company,
who will have the right to attend meetings of the board of directors and
meetings of senior management of the Company. |
| 10.3 | During the transition period, the Original Shareholders covenant that: |
| 10.3.1 | The Company will conduct its business in the same manner as it does on the
Execution Date, will not dispose of any assets or businesses out of its ordinary
course of business, and will not enter into any agreement or take any other
similar action that could cause adverse changes to the operational and financial
condition of the Company. |
| 10.3.2 | They will cooperate with the observer by promptly reporting to the observer the
operational and financial condition of the Company, and providing relevant
materials, such as financial statements, balance sheets, income statements and
statements of changes in financial condition. The Original Shareholders shall
provide necessary explanations to the relevant materials as requested by the
observer. |
| 11. | Confidentiality |
| 11.1 | Each Party hereto agrees that it and its employees and consultants shall keep
confidential, and shall not disclose to any third party or use for other purposes, any
and all business, technical, and financial information and other related documents,
materials, information and data provided by the other Party in connection with the
negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement. |
| 11.2 | Section 11.1 is not applicable to the following information: |
| 11.2.1 | Information that has already been publicly disclosed or can be obtained in other
manners in accordance with this Agreement; |
| 11.2.2 | Information that has been obtained by a Party in a manner that does not violate
the obligations of confidentiality; |
| 11.2.3 | Information that is required to be disclosed in accordance with applicable laws; |
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| 11.2.4 | Information that is disclosed by CNinsure Inc, a related party of Party A, in
accordance with the laws of the United States; |
| 11.2.5 | Information that is disclosed for the purpose of performing the
obligations hereunder. |
| 11.3 | The confidentiality obligations hereunder shall be binding upon the relevant
persons for a period of three years commencing from the date when such person becomes
aware of, gets hold of, knows, or comes into contact with the confidential information. |
| 12. | Non-competition |
| 13. | Expenses and Taxes |
| 13.1 | Each of the Parties shall be responsible for its/his own expenses incurred for
the engagement of legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, financial advisers and other
professionals. |
| 13.2 | Each of Party A and Party B shall be responsible for its own tax liabilities
incurred in connection with the Equity Transfer in compliance with the laws. |
| 13.3 | All the other expenses incurred, including without limitation filing fees for the
change of registration with the administration for industry and commerce, shall be borne
by the Company. |
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| 14. | Liabilities for Breach |
| 14.1 | A Party hereto is in breach of this Agreement if such Party: |
| 14.1.1 | fails to perform any obligation hereunder; |
||
| 14.1.2 | violates any representation, warranty or covenant hereunder; |
||
| 14.1.3 | makes any false or misleading representation and warranty hereunder. |
| 14.2 | In the event of an aforesaid breach, the observing party will have the right to
require the breaching party to take remedial measures within 30 days and, if the
breaching party fails to remediate the breach within the specified period, to terminate
this Agreement and seek damages from the breaching party. |
| 14.3 | Each Party agrees that, without compromising or limiting the observing partys
rights to assert claims and seek damages for breach of the covenants, warranties or
obligations under this Agreement, the breaching party shall indemnify the observing
party as requested by the observing party: |
| 14.3.1 | No less than RMB1 million to have the Parties conditions restored to those that
existed before the breach; |
| 14.3.2 | Reasonable fees and expenses the observing party directly and indirectly
incurred as a result of the breach, including but not limited to reasonable
expenses for litigation, arbitration and/or attorneys fees. |
| 15. | Force Majeure |
| 15.1 | Should any Party fail to perform its obligations pursuant to the terms and
conditions under this Agreement due to Force Majeure, such Party may seek exemption from
liabilities for breach, to the extent such breach was caused by Force Majeure, in
accordance with applicable laws and this Agreement. |
| 15.2 | In order to be exempted from liabilities for breach in reliance on Section 15.1,
the Party that claims to be unable to perform its obligations hereunder due to Force
Majeure shall perform the following obligations: |
| 15.2.1 | take all necessary measures to minimize or remove the effects of Force Majeure
so that the losses caused by Force Majeure are minimized; otherwise such Party
shall be responsible for the excess losses caused by Force Majeure; |
| 15.2.2 | notify the other Party promptly and in any event no later than fifteen (15) days
after the occurrence of Force Majeure; |
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| 15.2.3 | use reasonable effort to resume performance of the obligation(s) affected by
Force Majeure as soon as possible; |
| 15.2.4 | provide sufficient evidence of the existence and duration of the event of Force
Majeure. |
| 15.3 | Performance in the Event of Force Majeure |
| 15.3.1 | During the period when one or more Parties are unable to perform part or all of
the obligations under this Agreement due to Force Majeure, the Parties shall
continue to perform the other obligations set forth in this Agreement; |
| 15.3.2 | Should the event of Force Majeure continue for a period of more than ninety (90)
days, the Parties may, through amicable consultations, decide how to continue with
the performance of this Agreement, or seek other equitable ways and use all
reasonable efforts to minimize the effects of the event of Force Majeure. |
| 16. | Governing Laws |
| 17. | Dispute Resolution |
| 17.1 | Any dispute arising from or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved
by the Parties through amicable consultation. |
| 17.2 | If the Parties cannot resolve the dispute through amicable consultation within
sixty (60) days after the occurrence thereof, such dispute shall be submitted for
arbitration to the China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission. The
seat of the arbitration shall be in Beijing. |
| 17.3 | If any provision hereof is held invalid under applicable laws, such invalidity
will not affect the validity and enforceability of the other provisions of this
Agreement. |
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| 18. | Miscellaneous |
| 18.1 | This Agreement constitutes the entire representations and agreement between the
Parties and supersedes all oral or written representations, warranties, understandings
and agreements concerning the subject matters hereof between the Parties made or reached
prior to the execution hereof. The Parties acknowledge and agree that any
representation or warranty not explicitly included herein do not constitute the basis of
this Agreement, and
therefore will not serve as the basis for the determination of the rights and
obligations of the Parties and the interpretation of the terms and conditions hereof. |
| 18.2 | All provisions of this Agreement are independent and severable. If any provision
of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable by any government,
governmental agency, judicial authority or arbitration institution, the validity of the
other provisions of this Agreement will not be affected thereby. |
| 18.3 | The Parties agree that they may engage in further negotiations on issues not
covered herein, and enter into a supplemental agreement in writing, after the execution
of this Agreement. Such supplemental agreement will constitute an integral part of this
Agreement. |
| 18.4 | No Party may assign its rights hereunder without the prior written consent of the
other Party. This Agreement will be binding upon the respective successors and permitted
assigns of the Parties hereto. |
| 18.5 | This Agreement will become effective upon the execution and affixing of corporate
seal by the Parties. |
| 18.6 | All notices specified in this Agreement shall be in writing, in Chinese, and
delivered via registered mail, facsimile or other electronic means of communication. A
notice is deemed to have been duly given when it is delivered to the registered address
of the receiving Party. If the notice is sent by registered mail, it will be deemed to
have been duly given on the delivery date noted on the return receipt thereof. If the
notice is transmitted by facsimile, it will be deemed to have been duly given upon the
receipt of the confirmation of such transmission from the fax machine. |
| 18.7 | This Agreement shall be written in Chinese and executed in eight originals. Each
Party shall hold one original, and the remaining originals shall be filed for approval
or registration with applicable government agencies. Each original shall have equal
legal effect. |
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| Insurance | Conversion | |||||||
| category | Payment period | rate | Remarks | |||||
Traditional personal life insurance |
Single payment and under 5 years | 10 | % | The aggregate amount of premiums from traditional personal life insurance policies with one single premium payment or a payment period of less than 5 years (excluding five years), universal life insurance and investment-linked insurance policies with one single premium payment and their respective additional and supplemental parts shall not exceed 10% of the total standard premiums. | ||||
| 5 years to 9 years | 35 | % | ||||||
| 10 years to 14 years | 65 | % | ||||||
| 15 years to 19 years | 80 | % | ||||||
| more than 20 years | 100 | % | ||||||
Universal life insurance |
Single payment, and the additional and supplemental parts | 5 | % | |||||
| Basic part | 50 | % | ||||||
Investment-linked insurance |
Single payment, and additional and supplemental parts | 5 | % | |||||
| Basic part | 50 | % | ||||||
| 1. | Scope of Investment |
| 2. | Adjustment of Equity Interests |
| 2.1 | If the Company achieves lower than 50% of the net profit target of any of the years
2009, 2010 and 2011, the Original Shareholder shall transfer 15% of the equity interests
in the Company held by them to Party A at a consideration of RMB 1.00. If the Company
achieves higher than 50%, but lower than 60% of the net profit target in any of the three
years mentioned above, the Original Shareholders shall transfer 10% of the equity
interests in Datong held by them to Party A at a consideration of RMB 1.00. |
| 2.2 | If the actual total net profit of the Company for the years 2009 to 2011 is less
than RMB96 million, the Original Shareholders shall transfer 15% of the equity interests
in the Company held by them to Party A at a consideration of RMB 1.00. However, if the
Company achieves lower than 60% of the net profit target for any year, the Original
Shareholders may transfer 5% less of the equity interests that they otherwise are
required to transfer to Party A for that year. |
| 2.3 | The actual fulfillment of the aforesaid performance targets shall be confirmed
jointly by Party A and Party C. |
| 3. | Security Deposit |
| 3.1 | The Original Shareholders agree to irrevocably provide RMB180 million as a security
deposit to Party A within six (6) months after the Closing Date. Party A has the right
to return the security deposit to the Original Shareholders in installments based on the
number of sales teams, the number of productive sales agents and the monthly Standard
Premiums with a Payment Period of more than 5 Years of the Company and its subsidiaries,
provided, however, that each installment may not exceed RMB20 million. The particulars
are set forth in the following table: |
| Time | Installments | Conditions | ||
Before December 31,
2011
|
First Installment | 1) 10 sales teams, 2) 200 productive sales agents, 3) 2 million standard premiums per month | ||
| Second Installment | 1) 20 sales teams, 2) 500 productive sales agents, 3) 5 million standard premium per month | |||
| Third Installment | 1) 30 sales teams, 2) 900 productive sales agents, 3) 9 million standard premiums per month | |||
| Fourth Installment | 1) 40 sales teams, 2) 1,300 productive sales agents, 3) 13 million standard premiums per month | |||
| Fifth Installment | 1) 50 sales teams, 2) 1,700 productive sales agents, 3) 17 million standard premiums per month | |||
| Sixth Installment | 1) 60 sales teams, 2) 2,100 productive sales agents, 3) 21 million standard premiums per month | |||
| Seventh Installment | 1) 70 sales teams, 2) 2,500 productive sales agents, 3) 25 million standard premiums per month | |||
| Eighth Installment | 1) 80 sales teams, 2) 2,900 productive sales agents, 3) 29 million standard premiums per month | |||
| Ninth Installment | 1) 90 sales teams, 2) 3,300 productive sales agents, 3) 33 million standard premiums per month |
| 3.2 | If Party A does not return all the security deposit to the Original Shareholders
due to the Companys failure to meet all of the above-mentioned requirements before
December 31, 2009, Party A will be entitled to keep the remaining amount of the security
deposit and will no longer be obligated to return it. |