LVPAI GROUP Ltd - Quarter Report: 2009 October (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
ý
|
QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For
the quarterly period ended October 31,
2009
|
or
o
|
TRANSITION
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
|
For
the transition period from
to
|
Commission
File No. 033-20966
Finotec Group,
Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
|
76-0251547
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
|
228 East
45 Street, Suite 1801, New York, NY 10017
(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
718-513-3620
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1)
has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90
days. Yes x No
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has
submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405
of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such
files). Yes o
No o
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 “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller
reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer
|
o |
Accelerated
filer
|
o |
Non-accelerated
filer
|
o (Do not
check if a smaller reporting company)
|
Smaller
reporting company
|
x |
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common
equity, as of the latest practicable date: - Common Series 0.001 par
value
Documents
incorporated by reference: None.
FINOTEC
GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
PART
I. FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
Item
1. Financial Statements:
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets October 31, 2009 (Unaudited) and January 31,
2009
|
1 |
Consolidated
Statements of Operations Three Months and Nine Months ended October
31, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited)
|
2 |
Statements
of Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended October 31, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited)
|
3 |
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
4-6
|
Item
2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations
|
7 |
|
|
Item
3T Controls and Procedures
|
15 |
PART
II. OTHER
INFORMATION
|
|
Item
1. Legal Proceedings
|
17 |
Item
2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
|
18 | |
Item
3. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security
Holders
|
|
18 | |
Item
4. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
|
|
Signature
|
18 |
Consolidated Financial Statements: | |
|
|
Balance Sheets – October 31, 2009 (Unaudited) and January 31, 2009 | 1 |
|
|
Statements of
Operations – Three Months and Nine Months Ended October 31, 2009 and 2008
(Unaudited)
|
2 |
|
|
Statements of Cash Flows – Nine Months Ended October 31, 2009 and 2008 (Unaudited) | 3 |
|
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) | 4-6 |
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
U.S
Dollars
|
|||||||||
October
31 ,
2009
|
January
31 ,
2009
|
||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
(Audited)
|
||||||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||||
Current
Assets
|
|||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
8,455,327 | 5,108,144 | |||||||
Securities
|
- | - | |||||||
Prepaid
and other current assets
|
329,572 | 472,662 | |||||||
Total
Current Assets
|
8,784,899 | 5,580,806 | |||||||
Property
and Equipment, Net
|
473,124 | 599,879 | |||||||
Forward
transaction-Hedging
|
299,620 | 441,090 | |||||||
Total
Assets
|
9,557,642 | 6,621,775 | |||||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|||||||||
Current
Liabilities
|
|||||||||
short
term bank credit
|
- | 216 | |||||||
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses
|
904,177 | 995,820 | |||||||
Customers
deposits
|
3,125,042 | 4,924,316 | |||||||
Forward
transaction-Customers and Hedging
|
42,940 | 27,649 | |||||||
Provision
for severance
|
261,063 | 261,063 | |||||||
Total
current Liabilities
|
4,333,222 | 6,209,064 | |||||||
Stockholders'
Equity
|
|||||||||
Common
stock, $0.001 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized,
|
|||||||||
121,030,936
shares
issued and outstanding
|
126,407 | 92,098 | |||||||
Treasury
stock
|
|||||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
13,223,250 | 5,858,059 | |||||||
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
|
(629,573 | ) | (732,344 | ) | |||||
Retained
earnings
|
(7,495,664 | ) | (4,805,102 | ) | |||||
Total
Stockholders' Equity
|
5,224,420 | 412,711 | |||||||
Total
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
|
9,557,642 | 6,621,775 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
1
UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Nine
months ended
|
Three
months ended
|
|||||||||||||||
Oct
31
|
Oct
31
|
Oct
31
|
Oct
31
|
|||||||||||||
2009
|
2008
|
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||||||||
U.S
Dollars
|
U.S
Dollars
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenues
|
||||||||||||||||
Net
(losses) gain from foreign currency future operations
|
1,702,537 | 1,547,408 | 416,111 | 929,225 | ||||||||||||
Consulting
|
2,760 | 2,967 | 715 | (37 | ) | |||||||||||
Total
Revenues
|
1,705,297 | 1,032,987 | 416,827 | 929,188 | ||||||||||||
Operating
Expenses
|
||||||||||||||||
General
and Administrative
|
340,147 | 824,486 | (99,983 | ) | 239,577 | |||||||||||
Salaries
|
2,067,402 | 2,106,902 | 592,062 | 312,730 | ||||||||||||
Rent
and office
|
466,009 | 0 | 466,009 | 0 | ||||||||||||
Research
and Development
|
0 | 368,681 | (68,640 | ) | 161,606 | |||||||||||
Technology
and computer
|
310,408 | 566,284 | 141,494 | 319,655 | ||||||||||||
Commissions
Brokers
|
0 | 193,355 | 0 | 94,735 | ||||||||||||
Bonuses
& cash back-witholding
|
0 | 411,643 | 0 | 54,787 | ||||||||||||
Marketing
|
421,475 | 1,415,237 | 124,915 | 255,122 | ||||||||||||
Professional
fees
|
545,597 | 537,601 | 213,870 | 166,949 | ||||||||||||
Financial
datas
|
90,086 | 179,778 | 10,370 | 29,488 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation
|
179,194 | 207,274 | 60,912 | 64,701 | ||||||||||||
Exceptional
|
0 | (40,562 | ) | 0 | (51,165 | ) | ||||||||||
Other
expense
|
75,729 | 552,897 | 40,886 | 168,823 | ||||||||||||
Total
Operating Expenses
|
4,496,047 | 5,506,569 | 1,481,895 | 1,817,007 | ||||||||||||
Operating
P&L
|
(2,790,750 | ) | (4,885,382 | ) | (1,065,068 | ) | (887,819 | ) | ||||||||
Financing
Expenses
|
||||||||||||||||
Interest
(expense) income
|
3,493 | 54,563 | 3,493 | 11,642 | ||||||||||||
Finance
Charges
|
239,722 | (23,197 | ) | (52,944 | ) | 116,236 | ||||||||||
Financing
P&L
|
243,215 | 31,366 | (49,451 | ) | 127,878 | |||||||||||
Profit
& Loss before income taxes
|
(2,547,534 | ) | (5,741,835 | ) | (710,809 | ) | (759,941 | ) | ||||||||
0 | ||||||||||||||||
Income
tax expense
|
0 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||||
Net Income
(Loss)
|
(2,547,534 | ) | (5,741,835 | ) | (710,809 | ) | (759,941 | ) | ||||||||
Weighted
average number of shares outstanding
|
||||||||||||||||
Basic
|
121,030,936 | 73,197,381 | 121,030,936 | 65,315,741 | ||||||||||||
Net
Income per common share- Basic
|
$ | -0.021 | $ | -0.028 | $ | -0.006 | $ | -0.012 |
See
accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
2
UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
U.S
Dollars
|
||||||||
For
the nine months ended
|
Oct 31
|
Oct 31
|
||||||
2009
|
2008
|
|||||||
Cash
Flows from Operating Activities
|
||||||||
Net
Income ( Loss)
|
(2,547,534 | ) | (5,741,835 | ) | ||||
Adjustment
to reconcile Net Loss to
|
||||||||
Net
cash Used in Operating Activities
|
||||||||
Depreciation
|
254,847 | 207,274 | ||||||
Loss
on sold assets
|
18,119 | |||||||
Changes
in Operating Assets and Liabilities
|
||||||||
Decrease
(increase) in prepaid and other current assets
|
143,090 | (189,666 | ) | |||||
Increase
in accrued expenses
|
(91,644 | ) | (163,836 | ) | ||||
Decrease
in other current liabilities
|
35,849 | |||||||
Increase
in accrued severance payable
|
(0 | ) | (7,859 | ) | ||||
Increase
(decrease) in receivable forward Clients Trs
|
141,470 | (182,388 | ) | |||||
Increase
(decrease) in payable forward Hedging Trs/option
|
15,291 | 0 | ||||||
Decrease
(increase) in marketable securities
|
0 | 486,153 | ||||||
Increase
(decrease) in customers Deposits
|
(1,799,274 | ) | (736,704 | ) | ||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) Operating Activities
|
(3,883,754 | ) | (6,274,893 | ) | ||||
Cash
Flows from Investing Activities
|
||||||||
Purchase
of fixed Assets
|
(128,092 | ) | (167,408 | ) | ||||
Selling
of fixed Assets
|
32,823 | |||||||
Net
cash provided by Investing Activities
|
(128,092 | ) | (134,585 | ) | ||||
Cash
Flows from Financing Activities
|
||||||||
Short
term bank credit
|
(216 | ) | 5,023 | |||||
Proceeds
from treasury shares
|
||||||||
Stock
issuance
|
7,399,500 | 4,490,400 | ||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) Financing Activities
|
7,399,284 | 4,495,423 | ||||||
Effect
of Foreign Currency Translation
|
(40,258 | ) | (21,015 | ) | ||||
Net
increase (decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalent
|
3,347,183 | (1,935,070 | ) | |||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents- beginning of year
|
5,108,144 | 9,135,591 | ||||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents- Ending
|
8,455,327 | 7,200,521 |
3
FINOTEC
GROUP, INC.
(A
DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. Summary of
Significant Accounting Policies
|
Interim
Financial
lnformation
|
The
accompanying un-audited consolidated financial statements of the Company
(as defined below) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto filed with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the
fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. In the opinion of
management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all
adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary to present
fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated
subsidiaries at July 31, 2009, and the results of their operations and
their cash flows for the three months ended October 31, 2009 and October
31, 2008. The results of interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending January
31, 2010.
|
|
Description
of
Business
|
Finotec
Group, Inc. (“Finotec, Inc.), a Nevada corporation, is principally
engaged, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, in offering foreign
currency market trading to professionals and retail clients over its
web-based trading system.
|
|
Shares
in Finotec began trading on the Over the Counter Bulletin Board
listings. (OTCBB: FTGI).
|
|
Finotec
Group's United Kingdom subsidiary, Finotec Trading UK, Limited, has been
authorized by the UK’s Financial Services Authority (FSA) to act as a
Market Maker, as defined by the FSA, in the United Kingdom. As of November
9, 2007, Finotec Trading UK, Limited, is approved by the FSA as a Market
Maker and Principal, and thus Finotec Trading UK, Limited, may now offer
UK clients certain regulated investment instruments such as Commodity
Futures, Commodity options and options on commodity futures, Contract for
Differences, Futures, Options, Rights to or interests in investments,
Rolling spot forex contracts, and Spread
Bets.
|
|
Risk
Management
|
These
Finotec Group activities give rise to risks which are monitored and
managed as
follows:
|
4
|
Credit
risk
|
Clients
are required to deposit cleared funds as margin before they can trade. If
the client margin falls below the minimum required to maintain a position,
they will be notified that they are on margin call and can only reduce
their positions or provide additional funds. At any time the client is on
margin call, the company may, at its discretion, liquidate some or all of
that client's positions in order to bring them back into line with their
margin requirements.
|
|
|
The
company also has potential credit risk exposure to market counterparties
with which it hedges and with banks. The company has a defined risk
appetite for exposure to each market counterparty and bank to which it has
credit exposure.
Liquidity
risk
The
company has significant net cash balances as at the balance sheet date and
continually monitors its capital adequacy.
Foreign
currency risk
The
company has financial instruments which are denominated predominantly in
US dollars. The gains and losses arising from the company's exposure are
recognised in the profit and loss account.
Market
price risk
Market
risk arises from open contracts with customers and counterparties.
Exposure to market risk is closely monitored in accordance with limits and
reduced through
hedging.
|
|
Principles
of
Consolidation
|
The
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Finotec Inc. and
its wholly owned subsidiaries, Finotec Trading, Inc. (“Finotec Trading”)
and its owned subsidiary Finotec Trading Cyprus Ltd., Finotec Ltd.,
Finotec USA Inc., Fino Consullting Ltd, Finotec Trading UK Ltd, and
Finotec Ltd.’s 99.7% owned subsidiary, FinoLogic Ltd (formerly Forexcash
Global Trading Ltd). (“Forexcash”) (collectively referred to as the
“Company”, unless otherwise indicated). All material inter
company transactions and balances have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Since the liabilities of FinoLogic Ltd exceed its
assets, and the owner of the 0.3% minority interest has no obligation to
supply additional capital, no minority interest has been recorded in the
consolidated financial statements.
|
|
Use of
Estimates
|
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported
amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
|
5
1. Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies (Continued)
Earning Per Common
Share
|
Basic
earnings per share is based on the weighted effect of all common shares
issued and outstanding, and is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by
the weighted average shares outstanding during the
period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing
net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares used in
the basic earnings per share calculation plus the number of common shares
that would be issued assuming exercise or conversion of all stock
options. The dilutive effect of stock options was not assumed
for the three months ended October 31, 2009 and 2008, because the effect
of these securities is
anti-dilutive.
|
Marketable
Securities
|
Marketable
securities consist principally of corporate stocks. Management
has classified the Company’s marketable securities as available for sale
securities in the accompanying consolidated financial
statements. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair
value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component
of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on
available-for-sale securities are included in interest
income. Gains and losses, both realized and unrealized, are
measured using the specific identification method. Market value
is determined by the most recently traded price of the security at the
balance sheet date. As of October 31, 2009 the market value of the
security equals its cost.
|
2. Property and
Equipment
|
Property and equipment consist of the
following:
|
Estimated
Useful
Life
|
October
31 , 2009
|
January
31 , 2009
|
||||||||||
years
|
(un-audited)
|
(audited)
|
||||||||||
Computer
equipment
|
3 | $ | 949,810 | $ | 862,272 | |||||||
Purchased
software
|
3 | $ | 238,630 | $ | 222,647 | |||||||
Office
furniture and
equipment
|
7 | $ | 229,760 | $ | 234,909 | |||||||
Leasehold
improvements
|
10 | $ | 135,634 | $ | 117,666 | |||||||
Total
Property and Equipment at Cost
|
$ | 1,553,833 | $ | 1,437,494 | ||||||||
Less
accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
$ | 1,080,710 | $ | 837,615 | ||||||||
Property
and Equipment - Net
|
$ | 473,124 | $ | 599,879 |
6
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
3. Legal
Proceedings
In the
normal course of business, a few Finotec clients have claims for alleged
trading profits or losses that these clients are considered to due to
them. The current amounts in question are in no more than US$
200,000. Finotec’s view is that there is in-sufficient basis for these
claims
Management
does not expect any of these claims to have a material effect on the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
ISSUANCES
OF EQUITY SECURITIES
On
September 2, 2009, the Company entered into a definitive agreements for the sale
of 17,218,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.25 per share. The shares of
Common Stock sold in the private placement offering have not been registered
under the Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an
applicable exemption from such registration requirements. All such shares are
subject as well to a registration rights agreement. The summary description of
the financing described above does not purport to be complete and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the Stock Purchase Agreement filed as an Exhibit
hereto.
On July
31st 2009, the Company entered into a definitive agreement for the sale
of 11,111,111 Common Shares at a price of $0.18 per share as well as
2,780,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.25 per share. The shares of Common
Stock sold in the private placement offering have not been registered under the
Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an applicable
exemption from such registration requirements. All such shares are subject as
well to a registration rights agreement. The transaction closed on July 31st
2009.
ITEM
2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
This
discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial
Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Finotec Group,
Inc. and its subsidiaries contained herein. The results of operations for an
interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the year, or for
any subsequent period.
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
THREE
MONTHS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
NET
GAINS (LOSSES) FROM FOREIGN
CURRENCY FUTURE OPERATIONS
Net gains
from foreign currency future operations are comprised primarily of spread-based
brokerage fees earned from our clients' brokerage transactions. Total net
revenue from foreign currency future operations was $416,111 for the three
months ended October 31, 2009, as compared to a net gain from foreign currency
future operations of $929,225 for the three months ended October 31, 2008 This
decrease of $ 513,114 is attributable to a variety of factors, including the
general global downturn in the financial markets,.
The
Company had net losses of $710,809 for the three months ended October 31, 2009,
as compared to a net loss of $759,941 for the three months ended October 31,
2008, a decrease of $ 49,132. This increase is primarily attributable to a
reduction in operating expenses.
7
OPERATING
EXPENSES
Operating
expenses were $1,481,895 for the three months ended October 31, 2009, as
compared to $1,817,007 for the three months ended October 31, 2008. This
decrease of $335,113 was due management efforts to reduce costs.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The
Company’s cash balance increased by $3,347,183 from a cash balance as
of January 31, 2009 of $ 5,108,144 to $8,455,327 as of October 31,
2009. This increase is primarily attributable new shares issues less the
Company’s losses during the nine months ended October 31, 2009.
Net cash
used in operating activities amounted to $3,883,754 for the nine months ended
October 31, 2009, compared to net cash used in operating activities of
$6,274,893 for the nine months ended October 31, 2008. Although the
Net cash used is lower, market conditions remain difficult – mainly attributable
to a variety of factors, including the general global downturn in the financial
markets and client reactions to market uncertainties,
Net cash
provided in financing activities for the nine months ended October 31, 2009,
was
$
7,399,284 as compared to net provided in investing activities of $ 4,495,423 for
the nine months ended October 31, 2008.. This cash was provided by the issuance
of new shares.
Future capital requirements and the
adequacy of available funds will depend on numerous factors, including the
successful commercialization of our products, competing technological and market
developments, and the development of strategic alliances for the development and
marketing of our products. Following the completion of the private placements
described below, the Company will have sufficient funds to satisfy their cash
requirements until September 2010 assuming monthly expenses of the Company at
$500,000 and no revenue generation by the Company. The Company has identified
new strategies and opportunity which should start to provide revenue in the
quarter ending April 31, 2010.
The
Company received new Investments during this last period and the aim of these
Funds are to capitalize Finotec Trading UK Ltd and on the strong
market presence of Finotec Brand Name in order to expand the
activities:
Hire
senior executives who will oversee :
o
|
Expansion
of our market share in our retail FX, CFD
activities
|
o
|
The
set up of an Institutional brokerage trading activity for the same
products
|
o
|
The
set up of a Commodity Trading Business - Metals and
Energy
|
o
|
The
set up of a Capital Management Division which will be FSA
regulated.
|
On the
technology side, the activities are re-branded as under the FinoLogic Brand Name
and the proposed activities are to “
o
|
Continue
to improve the platform and solutions
offered
|
o
|
To
develop an ECN (matching order
system)
|
o
|
To
create an easy white label version of our retail margin trading
solution
|
Finotec
expects that it will take 6-12 months before the effect of the will show a
positive impact on its cash flow and operations.
8
ISSUES,
UNCERTAINTIES AND RISK FACTORS
The
Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this report should be read and
evaluated together with the issues, uncertainties and risk factors relating to
our business described below. While we have been and continue to be confident in
our business and business prospects, we believe it is very important that anyone
who reads this report consider the issues, uncertainties and risk
factors described below, which include business risks relevant both to our
industry and to us in particular. These issues, uncertainties and risk factors
are not intended to be exclusive. This report also contains statements that are
forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as
Amended.
These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this
report, the words "believes," "plans," "estimates," "expects," "intends,"
"designed," "anticipates," "may," "will," "should," "could," "become,"
"upcoming," "potential," "pending," and similar expressions, if and to the
extent used, are intended to identify the forward-looking statements. All
forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and beliefs
concerning future events that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from the results suggested in this report. Factors
that may cause or contribute to such differences, and our business risks and
uncertainties generally, include, but are not limited to, the items described
below, as well as in other sections of this report and in our other public
filings and our press releases.
THERE
ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT MAY CAUSE FLUCTUATIONS IN OUR QUARTERLY OPERATING
RESULTS, WHICH WOULD LIKELY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT VOLATILITY IN OUR STOCK
PRICE
Causes of
such significant fluctuations may include, but are not limited to:
·
|
cash
flow problems that may occur;
|
·
|
the
quality and success of, and potential continuous changes in, sales or
marketing strategies (which have undergone significant changes recently
and are expected to continue to evolve) and the costs allocated to
marketing campaigns and the timing of those
campaigns;
|
·
|
the
timing, completion, cost and effect of our development and launch of
planned enhancements to the Finotec trading
platform;
|
·
|
the
size and frequency of any trading errors for which we ultimately suffer
the economic burden, in whole or in
part;
|
·
|
changes
in demand for our products and services due to the rapid pace in which new
technology is offered to customers in our
industry;
|
·
|
demand
of customers to transact business on our
platform;
|
·
|
actions
taken by our competitors, including new product introductions, fee
schedules, pricing policies and
enhancements;
|
·
|
costs
or adverse financial consequences that may occur with respect to
regulatory compliance or other regulatory issues, particularly relating to
laws, rules or regulations that may be enacted with
a focus on the active trader market;
and
|
·
|
General
economic and market factors that affect active trading, including changes
in the securities and financial
markets.
|
9
OUR
SUCCESS IS DEPENDENT UPON OUR RECEIPT AND MAINTENANCE OF REGULATORY APPROVALS IN
THE MAJOR CUSTOMER MARKETS AROUND THE WORLD.
The
Company believes that its success, in large part, depends upon its ability to
receive and retain regulatory approvals in the major markets around the
world. Such approvals both expand the variety of services which the
Company can offer and bolster the Company’s reputation among potential
customers.
In
November 2007, Finotec UK received authorization from the FSA to offer certain
financial services in the UK. In connection therewith, Finotec has received
regulatory approval to offer cross border investment services in the various
European countries, from its UK office. In order to retain its FSA
authorization, the Company must comply with numerous requirements, including
financial covenants as well as those related to its ongoing
operations. The Company’s failure to meet these ongoing obligations
could lead to the loss of its FSA authorization which would have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its operations.
In
addition, in the United States, Finotec USA Inc. has applied for registration
with the National Futures Association ("NFA") as a Futures Commission Merchant
(FCM). Such application is currently pending. Failure to receive such
authorization could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to
expand its operations. In addition, if such authorization is received, in order
to retain its NFA authorization, the Company must comply with numerous
requirements, including financial covenants as well as those related to its
ongoing operations. The Company’s failure to meet these ongoing
obligations could lead to the loss of its NFA authorization which would have a
material adverse effect on the Company and its operations.
WE
MUST MAINTAIN POSITIVE BRAND NAME AWARENESS.
We
believe that establishing and maintaining our brand names is essential to
expanding business. We also believe that the importance of brand name
recognition will increase in the future because of the growing number of online
companies that will need to differentiate themselves. Promotion and enhancement
of our brand names will depend largely on our ability to provide consistently
high quality software and related technology. If we are unable to provide
software and technology of comparable or superior quality to those of our
competition, the value of our brand name may suffer.
THE
INTERNATIONAL NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS ADDS ADDITIONAL
COMPLEXITY
AND RISKS TO OUR BUSINESS.
The
nature of the foreign currency business brings us into contact with different
countries and markets. We hope to expand further in international markets. Our
international business may be subject to a variety of risks,
including:
o market
risk or loss of uncovered transactions;
o governmental
regulation and political instability;
o collecting
international accounts receivable and income;
o the
imposition of barriers to trade and taxes; and
o difficulties
associated with enforcing contractual obligations and
intellectual
property rights.
These
factors may have a negative effect on any future international operations
and may adversely affect our business and operations.
10
INSTABILITY
IN THE MIDDLE EAST REGION MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS
Political,
economic and military conditions in Israel directly affect the Company's
operations. The Company could be adversely affected by hostilities involving
Israel, the interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading
partners, or a significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of
Israel. These conditions could disrupt the Company's operations in Israel and
its business, financial condition and results of operations could
be
adversely
affected.
The
Company's costs of operations have at times been affected by changes in the cost
of its operations in Israel, resulting from changes in the value of the Israeli
shekel relative to the United States dollar, and from difficulties in attracting
and retaining qualified scientific, engineering and technical personnel in
Israel, where the availability of such personnel has at times been severely
limited. Changes in these cost factors have from time to time been significant
and difficult to predict, and could in the future have a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations.
OUR
INDUSTRY IS INTENSELY COMPETITIVE, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO ATTRACT AND
RETAIN CUSTOMERS
The
markets for online brokerage services, client software and Internet-based
trading tools, and real-time market data services are intensely competitive and
rapidly evolving, and there has been substantial consolidation of those three
products and services occurring in the industry. We believe that competition
from large online brokerage firms and smaller brokerage firms focused on active
traders, as well as consolidation, will substantially increase and intensify in
the future. Competition may be further intensified by the size of the active
trader market, We believe our ability to compete will depend upon many factors
both within and outside our control. These include: price pressure; the timing
and market acceptance of new products and services and enhancements developed by
us and our competitors; the development and support of efficient, materially
error-free Internet-based systems; product and service functionality; data
availability and cost; clearing costs; ease of use; reliability; customer
service and support; and sales and marketing decisions and efforts.
WE
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ADEQUATELY PROTECT OR PRESERVE OUR RIGHTS IN INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY
Our
success is and will continue to be heavily dependent on proprietary technology,
including existing trading-tool, Internet, Web-site and order-execution
technology, and those types of technology currently in development. We view our
technology as proprietary, and rely, and will be
relying,
on a combination of trade secret and trademark laws, nondisclosure agreements
and other contractual provisions and technical measures to protect our
proprietary rights. Policing unauthorized use of our products and services is
difficult, however, and we may be unable to prevent, or unsuccessful in attempts
to prevent, theft, copying or other unauthorized use or exploitation of our
product and service technologies. There can be no assurance that the
steps
taken by
us to protect (or defend) our proprietary rights will be adequate or that our
competitors will not independently develop technologies that are substantially
equivalent or superior to our technologies or products and
services.
THE
NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS RESULTS IN POTENTIAL LIABILITY TO CUSTOMERS
Many
aspects of the securities brokerage business, including online trading services,
involve substantial risks of liability. In recent years there has been an
increasing incidence of litigation involving the securities brokerage industry,
including class action and other suits that generally seek substantial damages,
including in some cases punitive damages. In particular, our proprietary order
routing technology is designed to automatically locate, with immediacy, the best
available price in completing execution of a trade triggered by programmed
market entry and exit rules. There are risks that the electronic communications
and other systems upon which these products and services rely, and will continue
to rely, or our products and services they, as a result of flaws or other
imperfections in their designs or performance, may operate too slowly, fail or
cause confusion or uncertainty to the user. Major failures of this kind may
affect all customers who are online simultaneously. Any such litigation could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects.
11
WE
DO NOT HAVE A LONG OPERATING HISTORY AS AN ONLINE BROKERAGE FIRM
We
launched the Forexcash direct access online trading platform during the first
quarter of 2002. Prior to that, our operations consisted mainly of developing
the software and technology. Accordingly, the online brokerage business, as
currently conducted, has a very short operating history. This lack of operating
history, and our lack of historical profitable results, should be taken into
account when evaluating our financial condition and results of
operations.
WE
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY WITH OTHER PROVIDERS OF E-COMMERCE
SERVICES
Competition
for Internet products and services and e-commerce business is intense. If the
market for e-commerce grows, we expect that competition will intensify, and
Finotec will continue to compete with other technology companies and traditional
service providers that seek to integrate on-line business technologies with
their traditional service mix. Barriers to entry into the e-commerce
environment are minimal, and competitors can launch websites and offer products
and services at relatively low costs. The companies with which Finotec competes
often have significantly greater name recognition and financial, marketing and
other resources than Finotec which may place our e-commerce marketplaces at a
disadvantage in responding to competitors' pricing strategies, technological
advances, advertising campaigns, strategic partnerships and other initiative. If
Finotec fails to differentiate itself from other Internet industry participants,
the value of its brand name could decline, it may be unable to attract a
critical mass of buyers and sellers, and its prospects for future growth would
diminish, which could materially and adversely
affect
our business and operations.
CONCERNS
REGARDING SECURITY OF TRANSACTIONS AND TRANSMITTING CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR E-COMMERCE
BUSINESS
We
believe that concern regarding the security of confidential information
transmitted over the Internet, including, for example, business requirements,
credit card numbers and other forms of payment methods, prevents many potential
customers from engaging in online trading. If we do not add sufficient security
features to future product releases, our services may not gain market acceptance
or we may face additional legal exposure.
Despite
the measures we have taken in the areas of encryption and password or other
authentication software devices, our infrastructure, like others, is potentially
vulnerable to physical or electronic break-ins, computer viruses, hackers or
similar problems caused by employees, customers or other Internet users. If a
person circumvents our security measures, that person could misappropriate
proprietary information or cause interruptions in our operations. Security
breaches that result in access to confidential information could damage our
reputation and expose us to a risk of loss or liability. These risks may require
us to make significant investments and efforts to protect against or remedy
security breaches, which would increase the costs of maintaining our
websites.
12
OUR
E-COMMERCE CAPABILITY DEPENDS ON REAL-TIME ACCURATE PRODUCT INFORMATION
We
may be responsible for loading information into our database and categorizing
the information for trading purposes. This process entails a number of risks,
including dependence on our suppliers both to provide us in a timely manner with
accurate, complete and current information and to update this information
promptly when it changes. If our suppliers do not provide us in a timely manner
with accurate, complete and current information, our database may be less
useful to our customers and users and may expose us to liability. We cannot
guarantee that the information available in our database will always be
accurate, complete and current or comply with governmental regulations either
due to third-party or internal errors. This could expose us to liability or
result in decreased acceptance of our products and services, which could have a
material and adverse affect on our business and operations. We are aware of
cases in which the data provided to us by third parties has not been
consistently accurate and, as a result of which, we have experienced customer
dissatisfaction and lawsuits by customers. In addition, our contracts
with the third-party data suppliers must be renewed on a regular basis and the
costs for such information may increase, with the Company having little or no
negotiating influence in such a situation.
OUR
MARKET IS CHARACTERIZED BY RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE, AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO
KEEP UP WITH SUCH CHANGE IN A COST-EFFECTIVE WAY
The
e-commerce market is characterized by rapid technological change and frequent
new product announcements. Significant technological changes could render our
existing technology obsolete. If we are unable to respond successfully to these
developments or do not respond in a cost-effective way, our business and
operations will suffer. To be successful, we must adapt to our rapidly
changing market by continually improving the responsiveness, services and
features of our products and services, by developing or acquiring new features
to meet customer needs and by successfully developing and introducing new
versions of our Internet-based e-commerce business software on a timely basis.
The life cycles of the software used to support our e-commerce services are
difficult to predict because the market for our e-commerce is new and
emerging
and is characterized by changing customer needs and industry
standards. The introduction of on-line products employing new
technologies and industry standards could render our existing system obsolete
and unmarketable. If a new software language becomes the industry standard, we
may need to rewrite our software to remain competitive, which we may not
successfully accomplish in a timely and cost-effective manner.
In
addition, as traffic in our e-commerce business increases, we may need to expand
and upgrade our technology, transaction processing systems and network hardware
and software. We may not be able to project accurately the rate of growth in our
on-line businesses. We also may not be able to expand and upgrade our systems
and network hardware and software capabilities to accommodate increased use of
our on-line businesses, which would have a material and adverse affect on our
business and operations.
An
unexpected event, such as a power or telecommunications failure, fire or flood,
or physical or electronic break-in at any of our facilities or those of any
third parties on which we rely, could cause a loss of critical data and prevent
us from offering services. If our hosting and information technology services
were interrupted, including from failure of other parties' software that we
integrate into our technology, our business and the businesses of our e-commerce
marketplaces using these services would be disrupted, which could result in
decreased revenues, lost customers and impaired business reputation for us and
them. As a result, we could experience greater difficulty attracting new
customers. A failure by us or any third parties on which we rely to provide
these services satisfactorily would impair our ability to support the operations
of our services and could subject us to legal claims.
13
In
addition, to a large extent, the Company’s profits are dependent upon the
operation of its internal risk management system. There is no
guarantee that such system will operate successfully in every
eventuality.
LIMITED INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE MAY
AFFECT SERVICE.
The
accelerated growth and increasing volume of Internet traffic may cause
performance problems, slowing the adoption of our Internet-based services. The
growth of Internet traffic due to very high volumes of use over a relatively
short period of time has caused frequent periods of decreased Internet
performance, delays and, in some cases, system outages. This decreased
performance
is caused by limitations inherent in the technology infrastructure supporting
the Internet and the internal networks of Internet users. In addition, recently,
there have been several instances of entire countries losing Internet access as
a result of natural disasters or accidents. If Internet usage continues to grow
rapidly, the infrastructure of the Internet and its users may be unable to
support the demands of growing e-commerce usage, and the Internet's performance
and reliability may decline. If our existing or potential customers experience
frequent or continuing outages or delays on the Internet, the adoption or use of
our Internet-based products and services may grow more slowly than we expect or
even decline. Our ability to increase the speed and reliability of our
Internet-based business model is limited by and depends upon the reliability of
both the Internet and the internal networks of our existing and potential
customers. As a result, if improvements in the infrastructure supporting both
the Internet and the internal networks of our customers and suppliers are not
made in a timely fashion, we may have difficulty obtaining new customers, or
maintaining our existing customers, either of which could reduce our potential
revenues and have a negative impact on our business and operations.
INTERNET GOVERNANCE, REGULATION AND
ADMINISTRATION ARE UNCERTAIN AND MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR
BUSINESS.
The
future success of our business is dependent on our ability to use the Internet
to implement our e-commerce growth strategy. Because the original role of the
Internet was to link the government's computers with academic institutions'
computers, the Internet was historically administered by organizations that were
involved in sponsoring research. Over time, private parties have assumed larger
roles in the enhancement and maintenance of the Internet infrastructure.
Therefore, it is unclear what organization, if any, will govern the
administration of the Internet in the future, including the authorization of
domain names.
The
lack of an appropriate organization to govern the administration of the Internet
infrastructure and the legal uncertainties that may follow pose risks to the
commercial Internet industry and our specific website business. In addition, the
effective operation of the Internet and our business is also dependent on the
continued mutual cooperation among several organizations that have widely
divergent interests, including the government, Internet service providers and
developers of system software and software language. These organizations may
find that achieving a consensus may become difficult, impossible, time-consuming
and costly.
CHANGES IN THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
GOVERNING THE INTERNET, EITHER IN THE US OR ABROAD, COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT
EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS
We
cannot predict whether or to what extent any new regulation affecting e-commerce
will occur. New regulations could increase our costs or restrict our activities
in a materially adverse manner. One or more states or countries may seek to
impose sales tax collection obligations on out-of-state/foreign companies like
ours that engage in or facilitate e-commerce. A successful
assertion
by one or more states or any foreign country that we should collect sales and
other taxes on our system could increase costs that we could have difficulty
recovering from users of our websites.
14
Governmental
agencies and their designees regulate the acquisition and maintenance of web
addresses generally. For example, in the United States, the National Science
Foundation had appointed Network Solutions, Inc. as the exclusive registrar for
the ".com," ".net" and ".org" generic top-level addresses. Although Network
Solutions no longer has exclusivity, it remains the
dominant
registrar. The regulation of web addresses in the United States and in foreign
countries is subject to change. As a result, we may not be able to acquire or
maintain relevant web addresses in all countries where we conduct business that
are consistent with our brand names and marketing strategy. Furthermore, the
relationship between regulations governing website addresses and
laws protecting trademarks is unclear.
WE MAY BE SUBJECT TO LEGAL LIABILITY
FOR PUBLISHING OR DISTRIBUTING CONTENT
OVER THE INTERNET
Our
e-commerce businesses may be subject to legal claims relating to the content of
our on-line websites, or the distribution of content. Providers of Internet
products and services have been sued in the past, sometimes successfully, based
on the content of material. The representations as to the origin and ownership
of licensed content that we generally obtain may not adequately protect
us.
In
addition, we draw some of the content provided in our on-line business
communities from data compiled by other parties. This data may have errors. If
our content is improperly used or if we supply incorrect information, it could
result in unexpected liability. Our insurance may not cover claims of this type
or may not provide sufficient coverage. We are aware of cases in which the data
provided to us by third parties has not been consistently accurate and, as a
result of which, we have experienced customer dissatisfaction and lawsuits by
customers. Costs from these claims could damage our business and
limit our financial resources. In addition, there can be no assurance that we
will not make internal errors that could result in liability.
ITEM
4T CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a)
|
Evaluation
of Disclosure Controls and
Procedures
|
Management
of the Company, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer (who also
serves as the Chief Financial Officer), evaluated the effectiveness of the
design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act), as of July
31, 2009. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer (who also
serves as the Chief Financial Officer) has concluded that the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of July 31, 2009 due to
the material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting as
described below.
(b)
|
Management’s
Report on Internal Control Over Financial
Reporting
|
Management
of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal
control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the
Exchange Act. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over
financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections
of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk
that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may
deteriorate.
A
material weakness represents a significant deficiency (as defined in the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board’s Auditing Standard No. 5), or a
combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote
likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial
statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
15
Management
conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting as of October 31, 2009 based on the framework published
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Tread way Commission, Internal Control —
Integrated Framework. Management has identified the following material
weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of
October 31, 2009.
Material
weaknesses identified in Finotec Group, Inc. Management has commenced steps to
remediate these weaknesses:
Entity Level
Controls:
·
|
The
Audit Committee is inactive.
|
·
|
There
is no internal audit function.
|
·
|
Management
does not perform a periodic check of the access rights of all users to
ensure that their access is suitable to their positions and
functions.
|
Remediation
Plan:
·
|
The
Audit Committee is in the process of being
activated.
|
·
|
The
Company is in the process of setting up an internal audit
function.
|
·
|
The
CFO will extract from the information system an access list for all
employees and ensure that each function, screen and field is suitable to
the employee's job description.
|
·
|
The
CFO will ensure that the access rights are adequately
segregated.
|
Treasury and Cash
Management:
·
|
The
CEO can sign checks for an unlimited amount, with no second signature
required.
|
·
|
Lack
of documentation in the Treasury and Cash Management process creates the
potential of the occurrence of a material error occurring in the financial
statements.
|
Remediation
Plan:
·
|
All
material financial transactions with 3rd parties will be authorized by two
authorized signatories of the Company, such as the CEO and the
CFO.
|
·
|
The
Company will retain evidence of all the controls performed in the
process.
|
Revenue:
·
|
Lack
of documentation in the Order to Cash process creates the potential of the
occurrence of a material error occurring in the financial
statements.
|
Remediation
Plan:
·
|
The
Company will retain evidence of all the controls performed in the
process.
|
Human Resources &
Payroll:
·
|
Lack
of documentation in the human resources and payroll processes creates the
potential of the occurrence of a material error occurring in the financial
statements.
|
Remediation
Plan:
·
|
The
Company will retain evidence of all the controls performed in the
process.
|
16
Information
Technology:
·
|
The
passwords of accounts with privileged access are not limited or
unique.
|
·
|
The
Company does not have permission and access right table specifying group
authorizations. Some employees have more authorizations than their role
definition. There is no authorization
procedure.
|
·
|
The
same read-only password is valid for all the IT employees. There is no
requirement to change the password within a limited period of
time.
|
·
|
The
Company does not have password complexity procedure. User passwords do not
require any complexity, and there is no requirement for password
change.
|
·
|
Segregation
of duties is inadequate.
|
·
|
No
Formal system development, acquisition and program change policies and
procedures exist for development/acquisitions of new systems and changes
to existing systems.
|
·
|
The
developers have access to the
production.
|
Remediation
Plan:
·
|
Users
and passwords will be unique and limited to all the
systems.
|
·
|
The
Company will examine and minimize user rights and will prepare permissions
table and access rights that includes group permissions and prepare access
to programs and data procedures.
|
·
|
The
Company will apply a different user id/password for every employee. The
Company will document each request and authorization. The Company will set
an expiration date to each password upon
creation.
|
·
|
The
Company will prepare "Access to Programs and Data" procedure. Passwords to
the database will be managed and
complex.
|
·
|
The
Company will create a formal position for Information Security role. IT
manager and IT Security roles will be held by different employees.
Development and testing will carried out by different employees. The
Company will create a formal position for quality assurance manager is
necessary.
|
·
|
The
Company will write a methodology for system development, acquisitions and
change management.
|
·
|
The
Company will prevent the developers from accessing the production
environment.
|
PART II - OTHER
INFORMATION
ITEM
1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In the
normal course of business, a few Finotec clients have claims for alleged
trading profits or losses that these clients are considered to due to
them. The current amounts in question are in no more than US$
200,000. Finotec’s view is that is in-sufficient basis for these
claims
Management
does not expect any of these claims to have a material effect on the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
ITEM
2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
(A) SALES
OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
On
September 2, 2009, the Company entered into a definitive agreements for the sale
of 17,218,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.25 per share. The shares of
Common Stock sold in the private placement offering have not been registered
under the Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an
applicable exemption from such registration requirements. All such shares are
subject as well to a registration rights agreement. The summary description of
the financing described above does not purport to be complete and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the Stock Purchase Agreement filed as an Exhibit
hereto.
17
On July
31st 2009, the Company entered into a definitive agreement for the sale
of 11,111,111 Common Shares at a price of $0.18 per share as well as
2,780,000 Common Shares at a price of $0.25 per share. The shares of Common
Stock sold in the private placement offering have not been registered under the
Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or an applicable
exemption from such registration requirements. All such shares are subject as
well to a registration rights agreement. The transaction closed on July 31st
2009.
ITEM
3. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
On
July 16, 2008, a majority of the Company’s shareholders provided their written
consent to increase the authorized capital of the Company from 100 million
shares to 300 million shares of Common Stock.
ITEM
4. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(A) THE
FOLLOWING EXHIBITS ARE FILED AS PART OF THIS REPORT:
31.1
Section 302 certification
31.2
Section 302 certification
32.1
Section 906 certification
32.2
Section 906 certification
SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
Finotec Group, Inc. | |||
Registrant | |||
Date:
December 15, 2009
|
/s/ Didier Essemini | ||
Didier Essemini | |||
Chief Executive Officer | |||
18