AmBase Corp - Annual Report: 2012 (Form 10-K)

 

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "accelerated filer", "large accelerated filer", and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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).

At February 28, 2013, there were 42,980,913 shares of registrant's Common Stock outstanding.  At June 30, 2012, the aggregate market value of registrant's voting securities (consisting of its Common Stock) held by nonaffiliates of the registrant, based on the average bid and asking price on such date of the Common Stock of $1.85 per share was approximately $47.7 million.  The Common Stock constitutes registrant's only outstanding class of security.

Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which Proxy Statement the registrant intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its fiscal year, is incorporated by reference with respect to certain information contained therein, in Part III of this Annual Report.

The Exhibit Index is located in Part IV, Item 15, Page 35.

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AmBase Corporation

Annual Report on Form 10-K

December 31, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

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PART I

AmBase Corporation (the "Company" or "AmBase") is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated in 1975.  AmBase is a holding company that, through a wholly owned subsidiary, owns one commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut that is managed and operated by the Company.  The building is approximately 14,500 square feet; with approximately 3,500 square feet utilized by the Company for its executive offices; the remaining space is currently unoccupied and available for lease. The executive office of the Company is located at 100 Putnam Green, Third Floor, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.

The Company's assets currently consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, and real estate. The Company earns non-operating revenue principally consisting of investment earnings on investment securities and cash equivalents. The Company continues to evaluate a number of possible acquisitions, and is engaged in the management of its assets and liabilities, including the contingent assets associated with its legal claims, as described in Part II - Item 8 - Notes 9 and 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements. Discussions and negotiations are ongoing with respect to certain of these matters.

In October 2012, the Company received $180,650,000 (one hundred eighty million, six hundred fifty thousand dollars) pursuant to the Supervisory Goodwill Settlement Agreement between the Company, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-Receiver ("FDIC-R") and the Department of Justice ("DOJ") on behalf of the United States of America (the "United States").  As part of the Settlement Agreement, the Company is also entitled to a tax-gross-up in an amount to be determined if and when any federal taxes should be imposed on the settlement amount.  See Part II – Item 8 – Note 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Supervisory Goodwill proceedings and related Settlement Agreement.

From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries may be named as a defendant in various lawsuits or proceedings. The Company intends to aggressively contest all litigation and contingencies, as well as pursue all sources for contributions to settlements. The Company had 6 employees at December 31, 2012.

Background

In August 1988, the Company acquired Carteret Bancorp Inc., through its principal wholly owned subsidiary, Carteret Savings Bank, FA was principally engaged in retail and consumer banking, and mortgage banking including mortgage servicing. On December 4, 1992, the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") placed Carteret Savings Bank, FA  in receivership under the management of the Resolution Trust Corporation ("RTC") and a new institution, Carteret Federal Savings Bank, was established to assume the assets and certain liabilities of Carteret Savings Bank, FA . Following the seizure of Carteret, the Company was deregistered as a savings and loan holding company by the OTS, although the OTS retains jurisdiction for any regulatory violations prior to deregistration. See Part II - Item 8 - Note 10   to the Company's consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the settlement of the Supervisory Goodwill legal proceedings.

In December 1997, the Company formed a new wholly owned subsidiary, SDG Financial Corp. ("SDG Financial"), to pursue merchant banking activities. SDG Financial purchased an equity interest in SDG, Inc. ("SDG") and was granted the exclusive right to act as the investment banking/financial advisor to SDG, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Company also purchased convertible preferred and common stock in AMDG, Inc. ("AMDG"), a majority owned subsidiary of SDG. SDG and AMDG are development stage pharmaceutical companies.  The Company remains a shareholder in SDG and AMDG and will continue to monitor the status of SDG and its subsidiary, AMDG, Inc. These investments have no current carrying value, as the Company's original cost basis was previously written off.

STOCKHOLDER INQUIRIES

Stockholder inquiries, including requests for the following: (i) change of address; (ii) replacement of lost stock certificates; (iii) Common Stock name registration changes; (iv) Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q; (v) Annual Reports on Form 10-K; (vi) proxy material; and (vii) information regarding stockholdings, should be directed to:

As the Company does not maintain a website, copies of Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Proxy Statements can also be obtained directly from the Company free of charge by sending a request to the Company by mail as follows:

 

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The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Accordingly, the Company's public reports, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Proxy Statements, can be obtained through the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") EDGAR Database available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Materials filed with the SEC may also be read or copied by visiting the SEC's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

The Company is subject to various risks, many of which are beyond the Company's control, which could have a negative effect on the Company and its financial condition. As a result of these and other factors, the Company may experience material fluctuations in future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis which could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, operating results and stock price. An investment in the Company's stock involves various risks, including those mentioned below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (this "Annual Report"), and those that are detailed from time to time in the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, before you decide whether to purchase the Company's common stock.

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The Company is subject to risks inherent in owning and leasing real estate.

The Company is subject to varying degrees of risk generally related to leasing and owning real estate, many of which are beyond the Company's control. In addition to general risks related to owning commercial real estate, the Company's risks include, among others:

Each of these factors could cause a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.  In addition, real estate investments are relatively illiquid, which means that the Company's ability to promptly sell the Company's property in response to changes in economic and other conditions may be limited.

The Company is in a competitive business.

The real estate industry is highly competitive.  The Company competes for tenants for its unoccupied rental space with a large number of real estate property owners and other companies that sublet properties.  The Company's principal means of competition are rents charged in relation to the income producing potential of the location.  In addition, the Company expects other major real estate investors, some with much greater resources than the Company has, may compete with the Company for attractive acquisition opportunities.  These competitors include REITs, investment banking firms and private institutional investors.  This competition has increased prices for commercial properties and may impair the Company's ability to make suitable property acquisitions on favorable terms in the future.

 

 

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The Company may not be able to insure certain risks economically.

The Company may experience economic harm if any damage to the Company's property is not covered by insurance. The Company cannot be certain that the Company will be able to insure all risks that the Company desires to insure economically or that all of the Company's insurers will be financially viable if the Company makes a claim. The Company may suffer losses that are not covered under the Company's insurance policies. If an uninsured loss or a loss in excess of insured limits should occur, the Company could lose capital invested in a property, as well as any future revenue from the property.

Changes in the composition of the Company's assets and liabilities through acquisitions, divestitures or corporate restructuring may affect the Company's results.

The Company may make future acquisitions or divestitures of assets or changes in how such assets are held. Any change in the composition of the Company's assets and liabilities or how such assets and liabilities are held could significantly affect the Company's financial position and the risks that the Company faces.

The Company may not be able to generate sufficient taxable income to fully realize the Company's deferred tax asset.

Because the Company from time to time maintains a majority of its assets in securities, the Company may in the future be deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 resulting in additional costs and regulatory burdens.

Currently, the Company believes that either it is not within the definition of "Investment Company" as the term is defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") or, alternatively, may rely on one or more of the 1940 Act's exemptions. The Company intends to continue to conduct its operations in a manner that will exempt the Company from the registration requirements of the 1940 Act. If the Company were to be deemed to be an investment company because of the Company's investments securities holdings, the Company would be required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act.  The 1940 Act places significant restrictions on the capital structure and corporate governance of a registered investment company, and materially restricts its ability to conduct transactions with affiliates. Compliance with the 1940 Act could also increase the Company's operating costs.  Such changes could have a material adverse affect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.

Terrorist attacks and other acts of violence or war may affect the market, on which the Company's common stock trades, the markets in which the Company operates the Company's operations and the Company's results of operations.

Terrorist attacks or armed conflicts could affect the Company's business or the businesses of the Company's tenants. The consequences of armed conflicts are unpredictable, and the Company may not be able to foresee events that could have an adverse effect on the Company's business. More generally, any of these events could cause consumer confidence and spending to decrease or result in increased volatility in the U.S. and worldwide financial markets and economy. They also could be a factor resulting in, or a continuation of, an economic recession in the U.S. or abroad. Any of these occurrences could have a significant adverse impact on the Company's operating results and revenues and may result in volatility of the market price for the Company's common stock.

None.

The Company, through a wholly owned subsidiary, owns one commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut. The building is approximately 14,500 square feet and is available for lease to unaffiliated third parties with approximately 3,500 square feet utilized by the Company for its executive offices.

 

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For a discussion of the Company's legal proceedings, including the Company's Supervisory Goodwill litigation, see Part II - Item 8 - Note 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Not applicable.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Each executive officer is elected to serve in the executive officer capacity set forth opposite his respective name until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Other than those noted below, the Company is not aware of any family relationships between any of the executive officers or directors of the Company.

Set forth below is a list of executive officers of the Company at December 31, 2012:

 

Mr. Bianco was elected a director of the Company in January 1991, and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 1991. On January 26, 1993, Mr. Bianco was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. He served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Carteret, then a subsidiary of the Company, from May 1991 to December 1992.

Mr. Ferrara was elected to the position of Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Controller of the Company in December 1995, having previously served as Acting Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Vice President and Controller since January 1995; as Assistant Vice President and Controller from January 1992 to January 1995; and as Manager of Financial Reporting from December 1988 to January 1992.

Mr. J. Bianco was elected to the position of Treasurer of the Company in January 1998. He has dedicated his career to the financial services and investment industry.  Prior to his employment with the Company in 1996, he worked for Merrill Lynch & Co. ("Merrill") as Vice President, responsible for Sales and Marketing in the Merrill Global Securities Clearing from 1983 to 1996. Mr. Joseph R. Bianco and Mr. Richard A. Bianco are related.

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Common Stock of the Company trades through one or more market makers, with quotations made available in the "pink sheets" published by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. ("Pink Sheets"), under the symbol ABCP. The sales prices per share for the Company's Common Stock represent the range of the reported high and low bid quotations as indicated in the Pink Sheets or as communicated orally to the Company by market makers. Such prices reflect interdealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission, and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.

As of February 28, 2013, there were approximately 12,300 beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock.  On December 10, 2012, the Company paid a cash dividend of $2.00 per share of common stock to common shareholders of record.  No dividends were declared or paid on the Company's Common Stock in 2011.  The Company has no current plans to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

For information concerning the Company's stockholder rights plan, see Part II - Item 8 - Note 6 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

In January 2002, the Company announced a common stock repurchase plan (the "Repurchase Plan") which allows for the repurchase by the Company of up to 10 million shares of its common stock in the open market.

The Repurchase Plan is conditioned upon favorable business conditions and acceptable prices for the common stock. Purchases under the Repurchase Plan may be made, from time to time, in the open market, through block trades or otherwise. Depending on market conditions and other factors, purchases may be commenced or suspended any time or from time to time without prior notice.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, which are contained in Part II - Item 8, herein.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

AmBase Corporation (the "Company") is a holding company which, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, owns a commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut. The Company previously owned an insurance company and a savings bank.

In February 1991, the Company sold its ownership interest in The Home Insurance Company and its subsidiaries. On December 4, 1992, Carteret Savings Bank, FA was placed in receivership by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS").

The Company's assets currently consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, investment securities, an indemnification asset, and real estate owned. The Company earns non-operating revenue consisting principally of investment earnings on investment securities and cash equivalents. The Company continues to evaluate a number of possible acquisitions and is engaged in the management of its assets and liabilities, including the contingent assets associated with its legal claims, as described in Part I – Item 1. Discussions and negotiations are ongoing with respect to certain of these matters. From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries may be named as a defendant in various lawsuits or proceedings. The Company intends to aggressively contest all litigation and contingencies, as well as pursue all sources for contributions to settlements.

 

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FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

On December 10, 2012, the Company paid a cash dividend of $2.00 per share of common stock to common shareholders.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, cash of $1,735,000 was used by operations, including the payment of operating expenses and prior year accruals; partially offset by the receipt of interest income and investment earnings. The cash needs of the Company for 2011 were principally satisfied by the Company's financial resources and to a lesser extent the receipt of investment earnings on investment securities and cash equivalents.

Real estate owned consists of one commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut which the Company owns and manages. The building is approximately 14,500 square feet; approximately 3,500 square feet is utilized by the Company for its executive offices; the remaining space is currently unoccupied and available for lease.  Although the portion of the building not being utilized by the Company is currently unoccupied and available for lease, based on the Company's analysis, including but not limited to current market rents in the area, leasing values, and comparable property sales, the Company believes the property's fair value exceeds the property's current carrying value.  Therefore, the Company believes the carrying value of the property as of December 31, 2012, has not been impaired.  For additional information see Part II – Item 8 – Note 4 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

There are no material commitments for capital expenditures as of December 31, 2012. Inflation has had no material impact on the business and operations of the Company.

The Company continues to evaluate a number of possible acquisitions, and is engaged in the management of its assets and liabilities, including the contingent assets associated with its legal claims as described in Part I – Item 1. Discussions and negotiations are ongoing with respect to certain of these matters. From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries may be named as a defendant in various lawsuits or proceedings. The Company intends to aggressively contest all litigation and contingencies, as well as pursue all sources for contributions to settlements.  For a discussion of lawsuits and proceedings, including a discussion of the Supervisory Goodwill legal proceedings and related Settlement Agreement, see Part II - Item 8 – Note 9 and Note 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Professional and outside services increased to $472,000 in 2012 from $306,000 in 2011.  The increase in 2012 as compared to 2011 is principally the result of a higher level of legal fees incurred in connection with the Supervisory Goodwill Settlement Agreement.  The Company has no contingent fee agreements in place with its attorneys or any outside advisor in connection with the Supervisory Goodwill legal proceedings or award.  See Part II - Item 8 - Note 10 to the Company's consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Supervisory Goodwill litigation proceedings.

Property operating and maintenance expenses were $89,000 in 2012 and $91,000 in 2011.  Property operating and maintenance expenses have been maintained at consistent levels over the last several years despite the general increases in utility costs as a result of overall cost containment measures.

Insurance expenses increased to $44,000 in 2012, compared with $33,000 in 2011.  The increase is due to increased insurance costs.

Interest income was $39,000 in 2012 and $9,000 in 2011.  The increase in 2012 compared to 2011 is principally due to a higher level of cash equivalents and investment securities.

Realized gains on sales of investment securities were $38,000 in 2012 and $19,000 in 2011.  The gains are the result of the realization of gains on sales due to market appreciation.

 

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APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which require us to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and the accompanying notes. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. The determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and any such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. We believe that the following accounting policies, which are important to our consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations, require a higher degree of judgment and complexity in their application and represent the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. If different assumptions or conditions were to prevail, the results could be materially different from our reported results. For a summary of all our accounting policies, including the accounting policies discussed below, see Part II - Item 8 - Note 2 to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Investment securities:  Securities that the Company has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity investments and are carried at amortized cost (which includes accrued interest).  Investment securities - held to maturity consist of U.S. Treasury Bills and are carried at amortized cost (which includes accrued interest) based upon the Company's intent and ability to hold these investments to maturity.  Investment securities – trading consist of investments in equity securities held for trading purposes and are carried at fair value with net unrealized gains and losses recorded directly in the consolidated statement of operations.

Interest and dividends on investment securities are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities – held for trading are calculated using an average cost basis for determining the cost basis of the securities. The fair value of publicly traded investment securities is determined by reference to current market quotations.

The Company continually reviews its investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is other than temporary. If the decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair market value and the amount of the write down is included in the consolidated statement of operations.

Legal Proceedings:  From time to time the Company and its subsidiaries may be named as a defendant in various lawsuits or proceedings. The Company presently is not aware of any pending or threatened litigation which could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements presented herein. Management of the Company, in consultation with outside legal counsel, continually reviews the likelihood of liability and associated costs of pending and threatened litigation including the basis for the calculation of any litigation reserves which may be necessary. The assessment of such reserves includes an exercise of judgment and is a matter of opinion. The Company intends to aggressively contest all threatened litigation and contingencies, as well as pursue all sources for contributions to settlements. For a discussion of lawsuits and proceedings, see Part II - Item 8 - Note 10.

Income Tax Audits:  The Company's federal, state and local tax returns, from time to time, may be audited by the tax authorities, which could result in proposed assessments or a change in the net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards currently available. The Company's federal income tax returns for the years subsequent to 1992 have not been reviewed by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") or state authorities except for tax year 2007 which was reviewed by the IRS, and which has been concluded.  The accrued amounts for income taxes reflect management's best judgment as to the amounts payable for all open tax years.

 

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New Accounting Pronouncements

There are no new accounting pronouncements that would materially affect the Company's financial statements or results of operations for the periods reported herein.

Cautionary Statement for Forward-Looking Information

Undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements, which are applicable only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this Annual Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the Company's expectations will be realized.

 

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REPORT OF

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity

Years Ended December 31, 2012 and 2011

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1 - Organization

AmBase Corporation ("AmBase" or the "Company") is a holding company which, through a wholly owned subsidiary, owns a commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut. The Company previously owned an insurance company and a savings bank.

In February 1991, the Company sold its ownership interest in The Home Insurance Company and its subsidiaries. On December 4, 1992, Carteret Savings Bank, FA was placed in receivership by the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS").

On October 11, 2012, the United States Court of Federal Claims (the "Court of Federal Claims") issued an order approving the Settlement Agreement in the Supervisory Goodwill legal proceedings between AmBase, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation–Receiver ("FDIC-R") and the Department of Justice ("DOJ") on behalf of the United States of America (the "United States").  The Settlement Agreement was subject to approval by the Court of Federal Claims.  On October 19, 2012, the United States paid $180,650,000 (one hundred eighty million, six hundred fifty thousand dollars) directly to AmBase.  As part of the Settlement Agreement, the Company is also entitled to a tax gross-up in an amount to be determined if and when any federal taxes should be imposed on the settlement amount. The Company has no contingent fee agreements in place with its attorneys or any outside advisor in connection with the Supervisory Goodwill legal proceedings or award. For additional information see Notes 9 and 10.

The Company currently earns non-operating revenue consisting principally of investment earnings on investment securities and cash equivalents. The Company continues to evaluate a number of possible acquisitions, and is engaged in the management of its assets and liabilities, including the contingent assets associated with its legal claims, as described in Notes 9 and 10.  Discussions and negotiations are ongoing with respect to certain of these matters. From time to time, the Company and its subsidiaries may be named as a defendant in various lawsuits or proceedings. The Company intends to aggressively contest all litigation and contingencies, as well as pursue all sources for contributions to settlements.

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Accounting

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").

Use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions, that it deems reasonable, 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 such estimates and assumptions.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements are comprised of the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Cash and cash equivalents

Highly liquid investments, consisting principally of funds held in short-term money market accounts, with original maturities of less than three months, are classified as cash equivalents.

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Investment securities

Securities that the Company has both the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are classified as held to maturity investments and are carried at amortized cost (which includes accrued interest).  Investment securities - held to maturity consist of U.S. Treasury Bills and are carried at amortized cost (which includes accrued interest) based upon the Company's intent and ability to hold these investments to maturity.  Investment securities – trading consist of investments in equity securities held for trading purposes and are carried at fair value with net unrealized gains and losses recorded directly in the consolidated statement of operations.

Interest and dividends on investment securities are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities – held for trading are calculated using an average cost basis for determining the cost basis of the securities. The fair value of publicly traded investment securities is determined by reference to current market quotations.

The Company continually reviews its investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is other than temporary. If the decline in fair value is judged to be other than temporary, the cost basis of the security is written down to fair market value and the amount of the write down is included in the consolidated statement of operations.

Income taxes

The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. The Company recognizes both the current and deferred tax consequences of all transactions that have been recognized in the financial statements, calculated based on the provisions of enacted tax laws, including the tax rates in effect for current and future years. Net deferred tax assets are recognized immediately when a more likely than not criterion is met; that is, a greater than 50% probability exists that the tax benefits will actually be realized sometime in the future.

 

 

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") exclude dilution and are computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of EPS that could occur if options to issue common stock were exercised.  Options were anti-dilutive in 2011.  There were no stock options outstanding at December 31, 2012.

Stock-based compensation

Under the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1993 Plan"), the Company may grant to officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, stock options ("Options"), stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock awards ("Restricted Stock"), merit awards ("Merit Awards") and performance share awards ("Performance Shares"), through May 28, 2018.  A pre-determined number of shares of the Company's Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the 1993 Plan (upon the exercise of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, upon awards of Restricted Stock and Performance Shares); however, only a portion of such shares shall be available for issuance for Restricted Stock Awards and Merit Awards. Shares issued pursuant to the 1993 Plan shall be authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. Options may be granted as incentive stock options ("ISOs") intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment under Federal tax law or as nonqualified stock options ("NQSOs"). SARs may be granted with respect to any Options granted under the 1993 Plan and may be exercised only when the underlying Option is exercisable. The 1993 Plan requires that the exercise price of all Options and SARs be equal to or greater than the fair value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant of that Option. The term of any NQSO, ISO or related SAR cannot exceed terms under federal tax law and/or as prescribed in the 1993 Plan.  Subject to the terms of the 1993 Plan and any additional restrictions imposed at the time of grant, Options and any related SARs ordinarily will become exercisable pursuant to a vesting period prescribed at the time of grant.  In the case of a "Change of Control" of the Company (as defined in the 1993 Plan), options granted pursuant to the 1993 Plan may become fully exercisable as to all optioned shares from and after the date of such Change in Control in the discretion of the Committee or as may otherwise be provided in the grantee's Option agreement. Death, retirement, or absence for disability will not result in the cancellation of any Options.

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Stock-based compensation expense for all stock-based compensation awards for which vesting is based solely on employment service, are based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The Company recognizes these compensation costs for only those shares expected to vest, on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the option vesting term.  Compensation expense relating to stock options is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with a corresponding increase in additional paid-in capital in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity.  See Note 8 herein for a further discussion of stock-based compensation.

Depreciation

Depreciation expense for the Company's owned building is recorded on a straight-line basis over 39 years.  Tenant improvements if any, would be depreciated over the lesser of the remaining life of the tenants' lease or the estimated useful lives of the improvements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

There are no new accounting pronouncements that would likely materially affect the Company's financial statements.

Note 3 - Investment Securities

Investment securities - held to maturity consist of the following:

Investment securities – trading consist of the following:

 

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The gross unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities - held to maturity consist of the following:

(in thousands)

Unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities - trading are as follows:

(in thousands)

Realized gains (losses) on the sales of investment securities – trading are as follows:

(in thousands) 

Note 4 – Real Estate Owned

The Company owns one commercial office building in Greenwich, Connecticut that contains approximately 14,500 square feet. The Company utilizes approximately 3,500 square feet for its executive offices; the remaining space is currently unoccupied and available for lease.

Although the portion of the building not being utilized by the Company is currently unoccupied and available for lease, based on the Company's analysis, the Company believes the property's fair value exceeds the property's current carrying value.  The Company's impairment analysis includes a comprehensive range of factors including but not limited to:  the location of the property; property condition; current market conditions; comparable sales; current market rents in the area; new building zoning restrictions; raw land values; new building construction costs; building operating costs; leasing values; and cap rates for comparable buildings in the area.  Varying degrees of weight are given each factor.  Based on the Company's analysis these factors taken together and/or considered individually form the basis for the Company's analysis that no impairment condition exists.

The Company performs impairment tests if events or circumstances indicate that the property's carrying value may not be recoverable.  As noted above, based on the Company's analysis the Company believes the carrying value of the property as of December 31, 2012, has not been impaired and; therefore, the carrying value of the asset is fully recoverable by the Company.  The building is carried at cost, net of accumulated depreciation.

 

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 5 - Savings Plans

The Company sponsors the AmBase 401(k) Savings Plan (the "Savings Plan"), which is a "Section 401(k) Plan" within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The Savings Plan permits eligible employees to make contributions of a percentage of their compensation, which are matched by the Company at a percentage of the employees' elected deferral.  Employee contributions to the Savings Plan are invested at the employee's discretion, in various investment funds. The Company's matching contributions are invested in the same manner as the compensation reduction contributions.  All contributions are subject to maximum limitations contained in the Code.  

 

The Company's matching contributions to the Savings Plan, charged to expense, were as follows:

Note 6 - Stockholders' Equity

Changes in the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company are as follows:

Changes in the treasury shares of Common Stock of the Company are as follows:

Common stock reserved for issuance under the Company's stock option and other employee benefit plans is as follows:

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Stockholder Rights Plan

On January 29, 1986, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of one right for each outstanding share of Common Stock of the Company. The rights, as amended, which entitle the holder to purchase from the Company a common share at a price of $75.00, are not exercisable until either a person or group of affiliated persons acquires 25% or more of the Company's outstanding common shares or upon the commencement or disclosure of an intention to commence a tender offer or exchange offer for 20% or more of the common shares. The rights are redeemable by the Company at $0.05 per right at any time until the earlier of the tenth day following an accumulation of 20% or more of the Company's shares by a single acquirer or group, or the occurrence of certain Triggering Events (as defined in the Stockholder Rights Plan). In the event the rights become exercisable and thereafter, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination, or in certain other circumstances, each right will entitle the holder to purchase from the surviving corporation, for the exercise price, Common Stock having a market value of twice the exercise price of the right. The rights are subject to adjustment to prevent dilution and expire on February 10, 2016.

Common Stock Repurchase Plan

In January 2002, the Company announced a common stock repurchase plan (the "Repurchase Plan") which allows for the repurchase by the Company of its common stock in the open market.

The Repurchase Plan is conditioned upon favorable business conditions and acceptable prices for the common stock.  Purchases under the Repurchase Plan may be made, from time to time, in the open market, through block trades or otherwise.  Depending on market conditions and other factors, purchases may be commenced or suspended any time or from time to time without prior notice.

Pursuant to the Repurchase Plan the Company repurchased shares of common stock from unaffiliated parties at various dates at market prices at their time of purchase, including broker commissions, as detailed below.

 

Information relating to the Repurchase Plan is as follows:

 

 

 

(in thousands)		December 31, 2012
Total number of common shares authorized for repurchase			10,000
Total number of common shares repurchased			3,680
Total number of common shares that may still be repurchased			6,320

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 7 - Earnings Per Share

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share, including the effect of dilutive securities is as follows:

(in thousands, except per share data)

Options to purchase shares of common stock which were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to the effect of being antidilutive in the computation of earnings per share were as follows:

Note 8 - Incentive Plans

Under the Company's 1994 Senior Management Incentive Compensation Plan (the "1994 Plan"), any executive officer of the Company whose compensation is required to be reported to stockholders under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Participants") and who is serving as such at any time during the fiscal year as to which an award is granted, may receive an award of a cash bonus ("Bonus"), in an amount determined by the Personnel Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Committee") and payable from an annual bonus fund (the "Annual Bonus Pool"). The Committee may award Bonuses under the 1994 Plan to Participants not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year (the "Reference Year").

If the Committee grants a Bonus under the 1994 Plan, the amount of the Annual Bonus Pool will be an amount equal to the sum of (i) plus (ii), where:

(i) a percentage of the amount by which the Company's Total Stockholders' Equity, as defined, on the last day of a Reference Year increased over the Company's Total Stockholders' Equity, as defined, on the last day of the immediately preceding Reference Year; and

(ii) a percentage of the amount by which the Company's market value, as defined, on the last day of the Reference Year increased over the Company's market value on the last day of the immediately preceding Reference Year.

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 1994 Plan provides that in the event of a decrease in either or both of items (i) and/or (ii) above, the Annual Bonus Pool is determined by reference to the last Reference Year in which there was an increase in such item.   If the Committee determines within the time period to award a Bonus, the share of the Annual Bonus Pool to be allocated to Participants shall be pursuant to percentages of the Annual Bonus Pool as set forth in the 1994 Plan to the Company's Chief Executive Officer, and a percentage of the Annual Bonus Pool shall be allocated pro rata to each of the Company's Participants as determined by the Committee.  The Committee in its discretion may reduce the percentage of the Annual Bonus Pool to any Participant for any Reference Year, and such reduction shall not increase the share of any other Participant. The 1994 Plan is not the exclusive plan under which the Executive Officers may receive cash or other incentive compensation or bonuses.  In 2012, a portion of the compensation paid to Mr. Bianco is intended to qualify for deduction under the 1994 Plan.  No bonuses were paid attributable to the 1994 Plan for 2011.

Under the Company's 1993 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1993 Plan"), the Company may grant to officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, stock options ("Options"), stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock awards ("Restricted Stock"), merit awards ("Merit Awards") and performance share awards ("Performance Shares") through May 28, 2018.  A pre-determined number of shares of the Company's Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the 1993 Plan (upon the exercise of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, upon awards of Restricted Stock and Performance Shares); however, only a portion of such shares are available for issuance for Restricted Stock Awards and Merit Awards. Such shares shall be authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock. Options may be granted as incentive stock options ("ISOs") intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment under Federal tax law or as nonqualified stock options ("NQSOs"). SARs may be granted with respect to any Options granted under the 1993 Plan and may be exercised only when the underlying Option is exercisable. The 1993 Plan requires that the exercise price of all Options and SARs be equal to or greater than the fair value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant of that Option. The term of any NQSO, ISO or related SAR terms under Federal tax law and/or as prescribed in the 1993. Subject to the terms of the 1993 Plan and any additional restrictions imposed at the time of grant, Options and any related SARs ordinarily will become exercisable pursuant to a vesting period prescribed at the time of grant.  In the case of a "Change of Control" of the Company (as defined in the 1993 Plan), options granted pursuant to the 1993 Plan may become fully exercisable as to all optioned shares from and after the date of such Change in Control in the discretion of the Committee or as may otherwise be provided in the grantee's Option agreement. Death, retirement, or absence for disability will not result in the cancellation of any Options.

As a condition to any award of Restricted Stock or Merit Award under the 1993 Plan, the Committee may require a participant to pay an amount equal to, or in excess of, the par value of the shares of Restricted Stock or Common Stock awarded to him or her. Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered during a "Restricted Period", which in the case of grants to employees shall not be less than one year from the date of grant. The Restricted Period with respect to any outstanding shares of Restricted Stock awarded to employees may be reduced by the Committee at any time, but in no event shall the Restricted Period be less than one year. Except for such restrictions, the employee as the owner of such stock shall have all of the rights of a stockholder including, but not limited to, the right to vote such stock and to receive dividends thereon as and when paid. In the event that an employee's employment is terminated for any reason, an employee's Restricted Stock will be forfeited; provided, however, that the Committee may limit such forfeiture in its sole discretion. At the end of the Restricted Period, all shares of Restricted Stock shall be transferred free and clear of all restrictions to the employee. In the case of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the 1993 Plan), an employee may receive his or her Restricted Stock free and clear of all restrictions in the discretion of the Committee, or as may otherwise be provided pursuant to the employee's Restricted Stock award.

Performance Share awards of Common Stock under the 1993 Plan shall be earned on the basis of the Company's performance in relation to established performance measures for a specific performance period. Such measures may include, but shall not be limited to, return on investment, earnings per share, return on stockholder's equity, or return to stockholders. Performance Shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered during the relevant performance period. Performance Shares may be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock or shares of Restricted Stock in such portions as the Committee may determine. An employee must be employed at the end of the performance period to receive payments of Performance Shares; provided, however, in the event that an employee's employment is terminated by reason of death, disability, retirement or other reason approved by the Committee, the Committee may limit such forfeiture in its sole discretion. In the case of a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the 1993 Plan), an employee may receive his or her Performance Shares in the discretion of the Committee, or as may otherwise be provided in the employee's Performance Share award.

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Incentive plan activity is summarized as follows:

Information relating to the 1993 Plan is as follows:

The fair value of option awards are estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model ("Black-Scholes") utilizing certain assumptions at the time of valuation. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company's stock.  The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercises and employee terminations within the valuation model.  The expected term of options granted is estimated based on the contractual lives of option grants, option vesting period and historical data and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury bond yield in effect at the time of grant.

The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock-based award and stock price volatility. The assumptions utilized represent management's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management's judgment. As a result, if other assumptions had been used, our recorded stock-based compensation expense could have been materially different from the amounts recorded. In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognize expense for those shares expected to vest. If the actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the share-based compensation expense could be materially different. The Company believes that the use of the Black-Scholes model meets the fair value measurement objectives of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and reflects all substantive characteristics of the instruments being valued.

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options, which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, and given the substantial changes in the price per share of the Company's Common Stock, in management's opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.

On December 30, 2011, the Company extended the option expiration date of outstanding option agreements aggregating 200,000 shares for an additional two (2) years, to an expiration date of January 2, 2014, from the prior expiration date of January 2, 2012.  As a result of the extension of the stock options expiration date, the exercise price of the stock options was changed to $1.11 per share from the prior exercise price of $1.09 per share.

The per share grant date weighted average estimated values of employee stock option grants under the 1993 Plan, as well as the assumptions used to calculate such values granted were as follows:

Compensation expense relating to stock options is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, with a corresponding increase to additional paid in capital in the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity.  There were no stock option grants in 2012.

 

 

Note 10 - Legal Proceedings

The Company is or has been a party in a number of lawsuits or proceedings, including the following:

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Federal income tax refund suit on Carryback Claims.  In March 2000, the Company filed with the IRS several claims and amendments to previously filed claims with respect to the Carryback Claims, seeking refunds from the IRS of alternative minimum tax and other federal income taxes paid by the Company in prior years, plus applicable IRS interest, based on the filing of the 1992 Amended Return.  In February 2005, the IRS formally disallowed the Carryback Claims.  On April 29, 2008, the Company filed suit with respect to the Carryback Claims in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, seeking federal tax refunds for tax year 1989, plus interest.  On September 29, 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice (the "DOJ"), representing defendant United States in the suit, filed a Motion to Dismiss.  In response, on October 19, 2009, the Company filed its opposition to the DOJ's Motion to Dismiss, as well as the Company's own Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.  In June 2010, the Court issued a Memorandum Decision conditionally granting the DOJ's Motion to Dismiss the case but allowing the Company to conduct limited discovery to establish whether the Court has jurisdiction. On August 30, 2010, the Company filed a Motion to Set Aside the Court's Conditional Order of Dismissal.  On February 28, 2011, the Court granted the Company's motion and issued a Memorandum of Decision concluding that the Company had timely filed a refund claim for tax year 1992 seeking to adjust the amount of bad debt deduction and that the case should not be dismissed.  In March 2011, the Company filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment based on the Court's ruling that the Company's refund claims were timely filed.  In May 2011, the DOJ filed a Cross Motion for Summary Judgment and an opposition to the Company's Summary Judgment Motion.  In June 2011, the Company filed a Memorandum in Opposition to the DOJ's Cross Motion for Summary Judgment and a Reply to the DOJ's Opposition to the Company's Summary Judgment Motion, and the DOJ in June 2011, subsequently filed a response brief.  The Court granted the Company's motion in part and denied it in part, in a Memorandum Decision dated November 30, 2011.  On January 26, 2012, the Company filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to the amount of additional bad debt deduction that should be allowed.  On February 16, 2012, the DOJ filed an Opposition to the Company's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.  On February 28, 2012, the Company filed a Reply to the DOJ's Opposition to the Company's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.  On May 23, 2012, the Court issued an order denying the Company's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.  Under the Court's rulings, the Company would not be entitled to recover a tax refund.  On July 5, 2012, the Court entered its final judgment and order determining that the Company is not entitled to a refund.  In December 2012, the Company filed an appeal of the adverse judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, where the matter is pending.  The Company can give no assurances as to the final amount of refunds, if any, or when they might be received.  The accompanying financial statements include no legal fees in connection with the Carryback Claims proceedings as these legal fees are payable pursuant to a contingent fee arrangement with the attorneys upon a final recovery received.  See Note 9 – Income Taxes for further information.

Note 11 - Fair Value Measurements

The Company applies fair value standards for recurring financial assets and liabilities only.  The accounting framework for determining fair value includes a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to measure fair value, which enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements.

 

 The fair value hierarchy consists of three tiers as follows:

The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents are based on Level 1 criteria approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.  The fair value of investment securities held to maturity and investment securities held for trading are based on current market quotations and therefore are based on Level 1 criteria.

None.

 

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ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company's Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based on the definition of "disclosure controls and procedures" in Rule 13a-15(e). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company completed an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Company's Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)).  Based upon that evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level in timely alerting them to material information relating to us which is required to be included in our periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Evaluation of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  The Company's internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to the Company's management and board of directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) as of December 31, 2012.  In making this assessment, it used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework.  Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of December 31, 2012, the Company's internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

Not applicable.

 

 

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PART III

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information concerning executive officers required by this item is set forth following Item 3 of Part I of this report under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant", pursuant to General Instruction G to Form 10-K. For the information required to be set forth by the Company in response to this item concerning directors of the Company, see the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 6, 2013, under the captions "Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors" and  "Information Concerning the Board and its Committees", which is incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its 2012 fiscal year.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other senior officers.  A copy of the Code of Ethics was filed with the SEC as Exhibit 14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

For the information required to be set forth by the Company in response to this item, see the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 6, 2013, under the captions "Executive Compensation," "Employment Contracts," and "Compensation of Directors" which are incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its 2012 fiscal year.

The following table summarizes information about securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans of the Company at December 31, 2012 as follows:

 

 

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Plan not approved by stockholders

The Company has 110,000 shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the AmBase Corporation Stock Bonus Plan (the "Stock Bonus Plan"), which was approved by the Board of Directors of the Company in 1989. The purpose of the Stock Bonus Plan is to encourage individual performance and to reward eligible employees whose performance, special achievements, longevity of service to the Company or suggestions make a significant improvement or contribution to the growth and profitability of the Company. The Stock Bonus Plan is administered by the Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors. Members of the Personnel Committee are not eligible for an award pursuant to the Stock Bonus Plan. The Company's President may also designate eligible employees to receive awards, which are not to be in excess of 100 shares of Common Stock. No fees or expenses of any kind are to be charged to a participant. Any employee of the Company, except for certain officers or directors of the Company, is eligible to receive shares under the Stock Bonus Plan. Distributions of shares may be made from authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or shares purchased on the open market.

For other information required to be set forth by the Company in response to this item, see the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 6, 2013, under the caption "Stock Ownership", which is incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its 2012 fiscal year.

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

For the information required to be set forth by the Company in response to this item, see the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 6, 2013, under the captions "Proposal No. 1 - Election of Directors" and "Information Concerning the Board and its Committees," which are incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its 2012 fiscal year.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information concerning Principal Accounting Fees and Services is set forth by the Company under the heading "Proposal 2 - Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 6, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference, which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the close of its 2012 fiscal year.

 

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Exhibits, except as otherwise indicated above, are filed herewith.

 

 

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AMBASE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE III. REAL ESTATE AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION

December 31, 2012

(dollars in thousands)

[Additional columns below]

[Continued from above table, first column(s) repeated]

[a] Reconciliation of total real estate carrying value is as follows:

[b] Reconciliation of accumulated depreciation as follows:

 

 

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DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Board of Directors
Richard A. Bianco Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer AmBase Corporation	Jerry Y. Carnegie Private Investor	Salvatore Trani Private Investor	Alessandra F. B. Halloran Senior Officer BARC Investments, LLC
Theodore T. Horton, Jr. Private Investor	Kenneth M. Schmidt Private Investor
AmBase Officers
Richard A. Bianco Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer	John P. Ferrara Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Controller	Joseph R. Bianco Treasurer

 

 

 

INVESTOR INFORMATION