In a Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 4, 2010, Champion Industries, Inc. (“Champion”) advised that pursuant to a Forbearance Agreement dated December 29, 2009 among Fifth Third Bank, as Administrative Agent for Lenders under Champion’s Credit Agreement dated September 14, 2007, Champion and Marshall T. Reynolds, Marshall T. Reynolds was required to lend to Champion $3,000,000 in exchange for a subordinated unsecured promissory note in like amount. This subordinated unsecured promissory note is dated December 29, 2009, bears interest at the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate and matures September 14, 2014 (the “Note”).
On July 18, 2011, Champion and Marshall T. Reynolds entered into and consummated an Exchange Agreement dated July 18, 2011 (the “Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which the Note, together with the $147,875 of interest accrued thereon but unpaid at June 30, 2011, was exchanged for common stock of Champion at a conversion ratio based upon the $2.40 per share book value of Champion common stock as of April 30, 2011, the date of the most recent filing of financial information by Champion with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, Mr. Reynolds transferred, assigned and conveyed to Champion the Note, together with all interest thereon accrued, in exchange for 1,311,615 shares of Champion common stock, par value $1.00. The ratio of exchange was $2.40 of principal and accrued interest for one share of common stock.
Marshall T. Reynolds is the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer and largest shareholder of Champion.
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n accordance with Champion’s disinterested director policy, the Exchange Agreement was approved by the independent and disinterested members of Champion’s board of directors, who determined that the transactions provided for in the Exchange Agreement are on terms no less favorable to Champion than those generally available from unaffiliated third parties.
The shares of Champion common stock issued in the exchange were issued under an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) as a private placement exempt under Section 4(2) of the Act.
The foregoing summary of certain provisions of the Exchange Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete Exchange Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto, which is incorporated herein by reference.