XML 51 R38.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.0.1
Note 31 - Related Party Transactions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Notes to Financial Statements  
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

31. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company has identified the following related party transactions for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019. The transactions are listed by related party and, unless otherwise noted in the text of the description, the amounts are disclosed in the tables at the end of this section.

 

A. The Bancorp, Inc. (“TBBK”)

 

TBBK is identified as a related party because Daniel G. Cohen was the chairman of TBBK through October 31, 2021.  Thereafter, TBBK will no longer be treated as a related party by the Company.

   

As part of the Company’s broker-dealer operations, the Company from time to time purchased securities from third parties and sold those securities to TBBK. The Company also purchased securities from TBBK and ultimately sold those securities to third parties. In either of the cases listed above, the Company included the trading revenue earned (i.e. the gain or loss realized, commission or interest earned) by the Company for the entire transaction in the amounts disclosed as part of net trading in the table at the end of this section.

 

From time to time, the Company will enter into repo agreements with TBBK as its counterparty.  As of December 31, 2021, and 2020, the Company had no repo agreements with TBBK as the counterparty therefore, no interest expense was incurred related to repo agreement with TBBK as it counterparty for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. 

 

B. Daniel G. Cohen/Cohen Bros. Financial, LLC (“CBF”)/ EBC 2013 Family Trust (“EBC”)

 

On December 30, 2019, Daniel G.  Cohen contributed 370,881 common shares of IMXI to the Operating LLC.  In exchange for these shares, the Operating LLC issued 12,549,273 newly issued units of membership interests in the Operating LLC and 12,549,273 shares of newly issued Series F Preferred Stock.  The Company included the value of the IMXI shares in other investments at fair value. See notes 4 and 21. In connection with the IMXI share contribution, the Company paid $6 for legal fees on behalf of Daniel G. Cohen, which is not included in the table at the end of this section.

 

In December 2019, the Company acquired a 45% interest in CK Capital Partners B.V. ("CK Capital"). The Company purchased this interest for $18 (of which $17 was paid to an entity controlled by Daniel G. Cohen).  CK Capital is a private company incorporated in the Netherlands and provides asset and investment advisory services relating to real estate holdings.  In addition, the Company also acquired a 10% interest in Amerisfoot Office Investment I Cooperatief U.A. ("AOI"), a real estate holding company, for $1 from entities controlled by Daniel G. Cohen.  See note 12.

 

CBF has been identified as a related party because (i) CBF is a non-controlling interest holder of the Company and (ii) CBF is wholly owned by Daniel G. Cohen. On September 29, 2017, CBF also invested $8,000 of the initial $10,000 total investment in the Company’s Redeemable Financial Instrument – DGC Trust / CBF pursuant to the CBF Investment Agreement.  The Company incurred interest expense on this instrument, which is disclosed as part of interest expense incurred in the table at the end of this section.  In March 2021, October 2020 and 2019, payments of $4,000, $2,500 and $1,500 were made by the Company to CBF, which reduced the redeemable financial instrument balance to zero.  See notes 19 and 20.

 

EBC has been identified as a related party because Daniel G. Cohen is a trustee of EBC and has sole voting power with respect to all shares of the Company held by EBC. In September 2013, EBC, as an assignee of CBF, made a $4,000 investment in the Company. The Company issued $2,400 in principal amount of the 2013 Convertible Notes and $1,600 of the Common Stock to EBC. On September 25, 2019, the 2013 Convertible Notes were amended and restated and, subsequent to this amendment, are referred to as the 2019 Senior Notes.  On September 25, 2020 the 2019 Senior Notes were amended again to extend their maturity date until September 25, 2021. The Company fully paid and extinguished the 2019 Notes on September 24, 2021. See note 20.  The Company incurred interest expense on this debt, which is disclosed as part of interest expense incurred in the table at the end of this section.

 

C. The Edward E. Cohen IRA  

 

On August 28, 2015, $4,386 in principal amount of the 2013 Convertible Notes originally issued to Mead Park Capital in September 2013 was purchased by Pensco Trust Company, Custodian fbo Edward E. Cohen of which Edward E. Cohen is the benefactor.  Edward E. Cohen is the father of Daniel G. Cohen.  On September 25, 2019, the 2013 Convertible Notes were amended and restated by the 2019 Senior Notes. See note 20 for a description of amendments related to the 2019 Senior Notes and the 2013 Convertible Notes. On February 3, 2020, the $4,386 of the 2019 Senior Notes, representing all of the Senior Notes held by the Pensco Trust Company, Custodian fbo Edward E. Cohen were fully repaid. The Company incurred interest expense on this debt, which is disclosed as part of interest expense incurred in the table at the end of this section.  

 

D. JKD Investor

 

The JKD Investor is an entity owned by Jack J. DiMaio, the vice chairman of the board of directors and vice chairman of the Operating LLC's board of managers and his spouse.  On October 3, 2016, JKD Investor invested $6,000 in the Operating LLC.  Additional investments were made in January 2017 and January 2019 in the amounts of $1,000 and $1,268, respectively.  See notes 19 and 20. The interest expense on this investment is disclosed as part of interest expense incurred in the table at end of this section

 

On January 31, 2020, JKD Investor purchased $2,250 of the 2020 Senior Notes.  See note 20.  The Company incurred interest expense on this debt, which is disclosed as part of interest expense incurred in the table at the end of this section.

 

E. DGC Trust 

 

DGC Trust has been identified as a related party because Daniel G. Cohen's children are the beneficiaries of the trust and the trust was established by Daniel G. Cohen, chairman of the Company’s board of directors and chairman of the Operating LLC’s board of managers. Daniel G. Cohen does not have any voting or dispositive control of securities held in the interest of the trust.  

 

On December 30, 2019, the DGC Trust contributed 291,480 shares of IMXI common stock with a fair value of $3,428 to the Operating LLC.  In exchange for these shares, the Operating LLC issued to the DGC Trust 9,880,268 newly issued units of membership interests in the Operating LLC and the Company issued to the DGC Trust 9,880,268 shares of newly issued Series F Preferred Stock.  The Company included the value of the shares of IMXI common stock in other investments, at fair value. See note 21.  In March 2017, the 2017 Convertible Note was issued to the DGC Trust.  See note 20.  The Company incurred interest expense on the 2017 Convertible Note, which is disclosed as part of interest expense incurred in the table below.  On September 29, 2017, the DGC Trust also invested $2,000 of the initial $10,000 total investment in the Company’s Redeemable Financial Instrument – DGC Trust / CBF pursuant to the DGC Trust Investment Agreement.  The Company redeemed the DGC Trust Redeemable Financial Instrument in full by making payment of $2,000 on September 30, 2020.  See notes 19 and 20.  Interest incurred on this instrument is disclosed in the table below.  

 

F.  Duane Morris, LLP (“Duane Morris”)

 

Duane Morris is an international law firm and serves as legal counsel to the Company.  Duane Morris is considered a related party because a partner at Duane Morris is a member of the same household as a director of the Company.  Expense incurred by the Company for services provided by Duane Morris is included within professional fees and operating expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and are disclosed in the table below. 

 

G. FinTech Masala, LLC

 

FinTech Masala, LLC (formerly Bezuco Capital, LLC) is a related party because Betsy Cohen, the mother of Daniel G. Cohen, is a member of FinTech Masala, LLC.  Daniel G. Cohen is also a member of Fintech Masala, LLC.    The Company engaged Betsy Cohen as an agent of FinTech Masala, LLC as a consultant to provide certain services related to the Insurance SPAC. The Company agreed to pay a consultant fee of $1 per month, which commenced July 1, 2019 and continued through the Insurance SPAC Merger.  Betsy Cohen made a $2 investment in the Insurance SPAC Sponsor Entities in March 2019 which is included as a component of non-controlling interest in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.  The expense incurred by the Company for the consulting services provided by FinTech Masala, LLC are included within professional fees and operating expense in the consolidated income statement and are disclosed in the table below. 

 

The Company engaged Betsy Cohen as an agent of FinTech Masala, LLC as a consultant to provide certain services related to the Insurance SPAC II. The Company agreed to pay a consultant fee of $1 per month, which commenced on October 1, 2020, and continued through February 2021. Betsy Cohen made a $1 investment in the Insurance SPAC II Sponsor Entities  which is included as a component of non-controlling interest in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.  The expense incurred by the Company for the consulting services provided by FinTech Masala, LLC is included within professional fees and operating expense in the consolidated income statement and are disclosed in the table below. 

 

The Company engaged Betsy Cohen as an agent of  of FinTech Masala, LLC as a consultant to provide certain services related to the Insurance SPAC III. The Company agreed to pay a consultant fee of $1 per month, which commenced on December 1, 2020, and continues through the earlier of (i) the date that is thirty days following the closing of the Insurance SPAC III's Initial Business Combination and (ii) the date on which the Company or Betsy Cohen terminates the consulting agreement. Betsy Cohen made a $1 investment in the Insurance SPAC III Sponsor Entities, which is included as a component of non-controlling interest in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 and December 2020, respectively.  The expense incurred by the Company for the consulting services provided by FinTech Masala, LLC is included within professional fees and operating expense in the consolidated income statement and are disclosed in the table below. 

 

The Company has a sublease agreement as sub-lessor for certain office space with FinTech Masala, LLC.  The Company received payments under this sublease agreement which payments are recorded as a reduction in rent expenses.  This sublease agreement commenced on August 1, 2018 and has a term that automatically renews for one year periods if not cancelled by either party upon 90 days’ notice prior to the end of the then-existing term.  The income earned pursuant to this sublease agreement is included as a reduction in rent expense in the consolidated statements of income and is disclosed in the table below.

 

 H.  Investment Vehicle and Other

 

FlipOs (previously Stoa USA, Inc.)

 

FlipOs is a related party because Daniel Cohen is a director. As of December 31, 2021 the Company made cumulative investments of $566 in FlipOs.  The fair value of this investment is included in other investments, at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets; any realized and unrealized gains on this investment are included in principle transactions and other income on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. This amount is included in the table below.

 

CK Capital and AOI

 

CK Capital and AOI are related parties as they are equity method investments of the Company.  In December 2019, the Company acquired a 45% interest in CK Capital.  The Company purchased this interest for $18 (of which $17 was paid to an entity controlled by Daniel G. Cohen).  In addition, in December 2019, the Company also acquired a 10% interest in AOI, a real estate holding company, for $1 from entities controlled by Daniel G. Cohen.  Income earned, or loss incurred by the Company on the equity method investments in CK Capital and AOI is included in the tables below.  In accordance with the CK Capital shareholders agreement, the Company may receive fees for consulting services provided by the Company to CK Capital.  Any fees earned for such consulting services are included in principal transactions and other income in the table below. See Note 12. 

 

Insurance SPAC 

 

Prior to October 13, 2020, the date of the Insurance SPAC Merger, the Insurance SPAC was considered a related party as it was an equity method investment of the Company. The Operating LLC was the manager of the Insurance SPAC Sponsor Entities and the Company consolidated the Insurance SPAC Sponsor Entities. Prior to the Insurance SPAC Merger, the Company owned 26.5% of the equity in the Insurance SPAC. Income earned or losses incurred on equity method investment in the Insurance SPAC is included in the tables below. The Operating LLC and the Insurance SPAC entered into an administrative services agreement, dated March 19, 2019, pursuant to which the Operating LLC and the Insurance SPAC agreed that, commencing on the date that the Insurance SPAC’s securities were first listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market through the earlier of the Insurance SPAC’s consummation of a business combination and its liquidation, the Insurance SPAC would pay the Operating LLC $10 per month for certain office space, utilities, secretarial support, and administrative services.  Revenue earned by the Company from such administrative services agreement is included as part of principal transactions and other income in the tables below.  The Company also agreed to lend the Insurance SPAC $750 for operating and acquisition related expenses, of which $650 was borrowed by the Insurance SPAC from the Company. On October 13, 2020 in connection with the Insurance SPAC Merger, the Insurance SPAC made a payment of $650 to the Company extinguishing the loan balance in full.  See notes 4. 

 

Insurance SPAC II

 

Prior to February 9, 2021, the date of the Insurance SPAC II merger, Insurance SPAC II was considered a related party as it was an equity method investment of the Company.  The Operating LLC was the manager of the Insurance SPAC II Sponsor entities and the Company consolidated the Insurance SPAC II Sponsor Entities. Prior to the Insurance SPAC II Merger, the Company owned 46.1% of the equity in Insurance SPAC II.  Income earned, or loss incurred on the equity method investment in Insurance SPAC II is included in the table below.  The Operating LLC and the Insurance SPAC II entered into an administrative services agreement, dated September 2, 2020, pursuant to which the Operating LLC and the Insurance SPAC II agreed that, commencing on the date that the Insurance SPAC II’s securities were first listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market through the earlier of the Insurance SPAC II’s consummation of a business combination and its liquidation, the Insurance SPAC II would pay the Operating LLC $20 per month for certain office space, utilities, secretarial support, and administrative services.  Revenue earned by the Company from such administrative services agreement is included as part of principal transactions and other income in the tables below.  The Company also agreed to lend the Insurance SPAC II $750 for operating and acquisition related expenses as a sponsor of Insurance SPAC II; no amounts have been borrowed as of December 31, 2021. See notes 4 and 12.

 

Insurance SPAC III
 

Insurance SPAC III is a related party as it is an equity method investment of the Company.  The Operating LLC, is the manager of the Insurance SPAC III Sponsor Entities and the Company consolidates the Insurance SPAC III Sponsor Entities. As of December 31, 2021, Insurance SPAC III Sponsor Entities owns 47.3% of the equity in Insurance SPAC III Sponsor Entities. Income earned, or loss incurred on the equity method investment in the Insurance SPAC III is included in the table below.  The Operating LLC and the Insurance SPAC III entered into an administrative services agreement, dated December 17, 2020, pursuant to which the Operating LLC and the Insurance SPAC III agreed that, commencing on the date that the Insurance SPAC III’s securities were first listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market through the earlier of the Insurance SPAC III’s consummation of a business combination and its liquidation, the Insurance SPAC III would pay the Operating LLC $20 per month for certain office space, utilities, and shared personnel support as may be requested by Insurance SPAC III.  Revenue earned by the Company from the administrative services agreement is included as part of principal transactions and other income in the tables below. The Company also agreed to lend Insurance SPAC III $810 for operating and acquisition related expenses, of which $500 was borrowed by Insurance SPAC III from the Company as of December 31, 2021. In the first quarter of 2022, the Operating LLC advanced an additional $310 to Insurance SPAC III.  See notes 4 and 12.

 

 

Sponsor Entities of Other SPACs

 

In general, a SPAC is initially funded by a sponsor and that sponsor invests in and receives private placement and founder shares of the SPAC.  The sponsor  may be organized as a single legal entity or multiple entities under common control.  In either case, the entity or entities is referred in this section as the sponsor of the applicable SPAC.  The Company has had the following transactions with various sponsors of SPACs that are related parties and which the Company does not consolidate.  

 

Fintech Acquisition Corp. III ("FTAC III") was a SPAC.  The sponsor of FTAC III ("FTAC III Sponsor") is a related party because Daniel G. Cohen was the manager of the FTAC II Sponsor.   In December 2018, the Operating LLC entered into an agreement with FTAC III Sponsor whereby the Company will provide certain accounting and administrative services and in exchange the Company received 23,300 founder shares of FTAC III.  The revenue earned on this arrangement is disclosed in Principle transactions and other income, SPAC Sponsor Entities in the tables below.

 

Fintech Acquisition Corp. IV ("FTAC IV") was a SPAC.  The sponsor of Fintech Acquisition Corp. IV ("FTAC IV Sponsor") is a related party as it is an equity method investment of the Company.  The Company made a sponsor investment in FTAC IV Sponsor, receiving a final allocation of 81,825 founder shares of Fintech Acquisition IV stock for $1.  In addition, on September 29, 2020, the Operating LLC entered into a letter agreement with FTAC IV Sponsor whereby the Operating LLC will provide personnel to serve as the chief financial officer as well as other accounting and administrative services to FTAC IV Sponsor for a period not longer than 24 months.  As consideration for these services, the Company received an allocation of an additional 24,547 founder shares of Fintech Acquisition IV stock to the Operating LLC and recorded an equity method investment of $40 for the valuation of these services. The revenue earned on this arrangement is disclosed in Principle transactions and other income, SPAC Sponsor Entities in the tables below.

 

Fintech Acquisition Corp. V ("FTAC V") is a SPAC.  The sponsor of Fintech Acquisition Corp. V ("FTAC V Sponsor") is a related party as it is an equity method investment of the Company.  The Company made a sponsor investment in FTAC V Sponsor, receiving an allocation of 140,000 founder shares. On December 14, 2020, the Operating LLC entered into a letter agreement with FTAC V Sponsor whereby the Operating LLC will provide personnel to serve as the chief financial officer as well as other accounting and administrative services to FTAC V Sponsor for a period not longer than 24 months.  As consideration for these services, the Company received an allocation of 35,000 founder shares of FTAC V stock to the Operating LLC and recorded an equity method investment of $40 for the valuation of these services. The revenue earned on this arrangement is disclosed in Principle transactions and other income, SPAC Sponsor Entities in the tables below.

 

Fintech Acquisition Corp. VI ("FTAC VI") is a SPAC.  The sponsor of Fintech Acquisition Corp. VI ("FTAC VI Sponsor") is a related party as it is an equity method investment of the Company.  On June 26, 2021, the Operating LLC entered into a letter agreement with FTAC VI Sponsor whereby the Operating LLC will provide personnel to serve as the chief financial officer as well as other accounting and administrative services to FTAC VI Sponsor for a period not longer than 24 months.  As consideration for these services, the Company received an allocation of 35,000 founder shares of FTAC VI stock to the Operating LLC and recorded an equity method investment of $40 for the valuation of these services. The revenue earned on this arrangement is disclosed in Principle transactions and other income, SPAC Sponsor Entities in the tables below.

 

FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp ("FTAC Olympus") was a SPAC.  The sponsor of FTAC Olympus Acquisition Corp. ("FTAC Olympus Sponsor") is a related party as it is an equity method investment of the Company.  The Company made a sponsor investment in FTAC Olympus Sponsor, receiving a final allocation of 399,741 founder shares of FTAC Olympus stock.  In addition, on September 8, 2020, the Operating LLC entered into a letter agreement with FTAC Olympus Sponsor whereby the Operating LLC will provide personnel to serve as the chief financial officer as well as other accounting and administrative services to FTAC Olympus Sponsor for a period not longer than 24 months.  As consideration for these services, the Company received an allocation of an additional 19,987 founder shares of FTAC Olympus stock to the Operating LLC and recorded an equity method investment of $40 for the valuation of these services. The revenue earned on this arrangement is disclosed in Principle transactions and other income, SPAC Sponsor Entities in the tables below.

 

FTAC Athena Acquisition Corp. ("FTAC Athena") is a SPAC.  The sponsor of FTAC Athena Acquisition Corp. ("FTAC Athena Sponsor") is a related party as it is an equity method investment of the Company.  On February 26, 2021, the Operating LLC entered into a letter agreement with FTAC Athena Sponsor whereby the Operating LLC will provide personnel to serve as the chief financial officer as well as other accounting and administrative services to FTAC Olympus Sponsor for a period not longer than 24 months.  As consideration for these services, the Company received an allocation of 35,000 founder shares of FTAC Athena stock to the Operating LLC and recorded an equity method investment of $40 for the valuation of these services. The revenue earned on this arrangement is disclosed in Principal transactions and other income, SPAC Sponsor Entities in the tables below.

 

FTAC Hera Acquisition Corp. ("FTAC Hera") is a SPAC.  The sponsors of FTAC Hera Acquisition Corp. ("FTAC Hera Sponsors") is a related party as it is an equity method investment of the Company.  On March 5, 2021, the Operating LLC entered into a letter agreement with FTAC Hera Sponsors whereby the Operating LLC will provide personnel to serve as the chief financial officer as well as other accounting and administrative services to FTAC Hera Sponsors for a period not longer than 24 months.  As consideration for these services, the Company received an allocation of 35,000 founder shares of FTAC Hera stock to the Operating LLC and recorded an equity method investment of $40 for the valuation of these services. The revenue earned on this arrangement is disclosed in Principal transactions and other income, SPAC Sponsor Entities in the tables below.

 

FTAC Parnassus Acquisition Corp. ("FTAC Parnassus") is a SPAC.  The sponsors of FTAC Parnassus Acquisition Corp. ("FTAC Parnassus Sponsors") is a related party as it is an equity method investment of the Company.  On March 15, 2021, the Operating LLC entered into a letter agreement with FTAC Parnassus Sponsors whereby the Operating LLC will provide personnel to serve as the chief financial officer as well as other accounting and administrative services to FTAC Parnassus Sponsors for a period not longer than 24 months.  As consideration for these services, the Company received an allocation of 35,000 founder shares of FTAC Parnassus stock to the Operating LLC and recorded an equity method investment of $40 for the valuation of these services. The revenue earned on this arrangement is disclosed in Principal transactions and other income, SPAC Sponsor Entities in the tables below.

 

Other 

 

The Company invests in sponsor entities of SPACS, either directly or through its interest in the SPAC Series Funds, that are not otherwise affiliated with the Company but are considered related parties because they are accounted for under the equity method.  As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned 11.3% of these entities in the aggregate. Income earned or loss incurred on the equity method investment in the SPAC Sponsor Entities is included in the tables below.   

 

SPAC Fund

 

The SPAC Fund is considered a related party because it is an equity method investment. The Company has an investment in and a management contract with the SPAC Fund.  Income earned or loss incurred on the investment are included as part of principal transactions and other income.  Revenue earned on the management contract are included as part of asset management in the table below.  As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned 1.8% of the equity of the SPAC Fund.

  

U.S. Insurance JV 

 

U.S. Insurance JV is considered a related party because it is an equity method investment. The Company has an investment in and a management contract with the U.S. Insurance JV.  Income earned or loss incurred on the investment are included as part of principal transactions and other income.  Revenue earned on the management contract are included as part of asset management in the table below.  As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned 3.1% of the equity of the U.S. Insurance JV.

 

CREO JV

 

CREO JV is considered a related party because it is an equity method investment. The Company has an investment in and a management contract with CREO JV.  Income earned or loss incurred on the investment are included as part of principal transactions and other income.  Revenue earned on the management contract are included as part of asset management in the table below.  As of December 31, 2021, the Company owned 7.5% of the equity of CREO JV.

  

The following tables display the routine transactions recognized in the statements of operations from identified related parties that are described above.

 

 

Related Party Transactions

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

  

For the Years Ended December 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

  

2019

 

Net trading

            

TBBK

 $-  $-  $14 
             

Asset management

            

EuroDekania

  -   -   236 

SPAC Fund

  4,327   2,406   331 

Other SPAC Entities

  319      - 

U.S. Insurance JV

  525   368   303 
  $5,171  $2,774  $870 

Principal transactions and other income

            

EuroDekania

  -   -   279 

Dutch Real Estate Entities

  137   147   - 

Insurance SPAC

  -   95   95 

Insurance SPAC II

  40   80   - 

Insurance SPAC III

  240   20   - 

FlipOS

  1,805   -   - 

Other SPAC Entities

  132   23   10 

SPAC Fund

  474   183   30 

U.S. Insurance JV

  142   222   150 
  $2,970  $770  $564 

Income (loss) from equity method affiliates

            

Dutch Real Estate Entities

  (137)  639   - 

Insurance SPAC

  -   (3,138)  (553)

Insurance SPAC II

  (107)  (486)  - 

Insurance SPAC III

  (1,200)  (34)  - 

Other SPAC Entities

  37,453   63   - 
  $36,009  $(2,956) $(553)
             

Operating expense (income)

            

Duane Morris

  925   1,194   462 

Fintech Masala, LLC

  (54)  (44)  (34)
  $871  $1,150  $428 

Interest expense (income)

            

CBF

  197   1,191   912 

DGC Trust

  1,534   1,804   1,725 

EBC

  211   289   218 

Edward E. Cohen IRA

  -   47   398 

JKD Investor

  1,985   2,131   699 
  $3,927  $5,462  $3,952 

 

The following related party transactions are non-routine and are not included in the tables above.

 

I. Directors and Employees

 

The Company has entered into employment agreements with Daniel G. Cohen, its chairman, and Joseph W. Pooler, Jr., its chief financial officer.  The Company has entered into its standard indemnification agreement with each of its directors and executive officers.

 

The Company maintains a 401(k)-savings plan covering substantially all of its employees.  The Company matches 50% of employee contributions for all participants not to exceed 3% of their salary.  Contributions made to the plan on behalf of the Company were $287, $270, and $265 for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.

 

 On October 21, 2019, the Company purchased 23,000 shares from a former member of the board of directors for $230 or $10.00 per share and on  November 7, 2019, the Company purchased 1,000 shares from the chief financial officer for $5 or $4.50 per share.

 

 The Company leases office space from Zucker and Moore, LLC.  Zucker and Moore, LLC is partially owned by Jack DiMaio, Jr., the vice chairman of the Company's board of directors. The lease agreement automatically renews each  June unless it is terminated with 120 days' notice.  The Company recorded $96 of rent expense related to this agreement for each of the three years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.