Exhibit (a)(1)(B)

Letter of Transmittal to Tender Shares of Class A Common Stock

of

BBX CAPITAL, INC.

at $10.00 Net Per Share in Cash Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase dated November 22, 2022 by

BBX CAPITAL, INC.

The undersigned represents that I (we) have full authority to surrender without restriction the certificate(s) listed below. You are hereby authorized and instructed to deliver to the address indicated below (unless otherwise instructed in the boxes in the following page) a check representing a cash payment for shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of BBX Capital, Inc. (collectively, the “Shares”) tendered pursuant to this Letter of Transmittal, at a price of $10.00 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase, dated November 22, 2022, by BBX Capital, Inc. (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase” and, together with this Letter of Transmittal, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer”).

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED (SUCH DATE AND TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION TIME”) OR EARLIER TERMINATED.

Method of delivery is at the option and risk of the shareholder.    See Instruction 2.

Mail or deliver this Letter of Transmittal, together with all other required documents, to:

 

 

LOGO

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

Pursuant to the offer of BBX Capital, Inc. (the “Company”) to purchase up to 1,000,000 Shares, the undersigned encloses herewith and tenders the following shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company:

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED

Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Owner(s)

(If blank, please fill in exactly as name(s) appear(s) on share certificate(s))

 

Shares Tendered

(attached additional list if necessary)

     Certificated Shares**     
    

Certificate

Number(s)*

 

Total Number

of Shares

Represented by

Certificate(s)*

  Number of
Shares
Tendered**
  Book Entry
Shares
Tendered

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           

    

 

    

           
   

Total Shares

           
   

* Need not be completed by book-entry shareholders.

** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all shares of Class A Common Stock represented by certificates described above are being surrendered hereby.

 


PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS ACCOMPANYING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR ANY OF THE OTHER OFFERING DOCUMENTS, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE INFORMATION AGENT, LAUREL HILL ADVISORY GROUP, LLC, AT 888-742-1305.

You have received this Letter of Transmittal in connection with the offer by BBX Capital, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (collectively, the “Shares”), at a price of $10.00 per Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, as described in the Company’s Offer to Purchase, dated November 22, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase” and, together with this Letter of Transmittal, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer”).

If you desire to tender Shares for purchase in the Offer, you should use this Letter of Transmittal to deliver to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Depositary”) the Shares for tender. If you are delivering your Shares by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Depositary at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC” or the “book-entry transfer facility”), you must use an Agent’s Message (as defined in Instruction 2 below). Shareholders who deliver their Shares through book-entry transfer are referred to as “Book-Entry Shareholders.”

If you cannot deliver all required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time or you cannot complete the book-entry transfer procedures prior to the Expiration Time, you may nevertheless tender your Shares according to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2 below. Delivery of documents to DTC will not constitute delivery to the Depositary. If you want to retain all of the Shares that you own, you do not need to take any action.


CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE DEPOSITARY WITH DTC AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (ONLY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE PARTICIPANTS IN DTC MAY DELIVER SHARES BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER):

 

Name of Tendering Institution:    
DTC Participant Number:    
Transaction Code Number:    

 

CHECK HERE IF TENDERED SHARES ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE DEPOSITARY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (PLEASE ENCLOSE A PHOTOCOPY OF SUCH NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY):

 

Name(s) of Registered Owner(s):     
Window Ticket Number (if any) or DTC Participant Number:     
Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery:     
Name of Institution which Guaranteed Delivery:     

NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned hereby tenders to BBX Capital, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), the above-described shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (collectively, the “Shares”), at a price of $10.00 per Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Company’s Offer to Purchase, dated November 22, 2022 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Offer to Purchase”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and this Letter of Transmittal (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, this “Letter of Transmittal” and, together with the Offer to Purchase, the “Offer”).

Subject to and effective on acceptance for payment of, and payment for, the Shares tendered with this Letter of Transmittal in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company, all right, title and interest in and to all the Shares that are being tendered hereby and irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Company, the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to the full extent of the undersigned’s rights with respect to such Shares, to (a) deliver such Shares or transfer ownership of such Shares on the account books maintained by the book-entry transfer facility, together, in any such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of the Company, (b) present such Shares for cancellation and transfer on the Company’s books and (c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares, all in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants to the Company that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares tendered, and that, when the same are accepted for payment by the Company, the Company will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all security interests, liens, restrictions, claims, encumbrances, conditional sales agreements and other obligations relating to the sale or transfer of the Shares, and the same will not be subject to any adverse claim or right. The undersigned will, on request by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “Depositary”) or the Company, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Shares tendered, all in accordance with the terms of the Offer.

IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE SHARES AND ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC) IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND THAT THE RISK OF LOSS OF SUCH SHARES AND DOCUMENTS SHALL PASS ONLY AFTER THE DEPOSITARY HAS ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE SHARES (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION (AS DEFINED BELOW)). IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED EFFECTIVEAND RISK OF LOSS AND TITLE WILL PASS FROM THE OWNER ONLY WHEN RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by delivery of this Letter of Transmittal shall be binding on the successors, assigns, heirs, personal representatives, executors, administrators and other legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. Except as stated in the Offer to Purchase, this tender is irrevocable.

The undersigned understands that the Company’s acceptance for payment of Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

It is a violation of Rule 14e-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) for a person acting alone or in concert with others, directly or indirectly, to tender Shares for such person’s own account unless at the time of tender and at the Expiration Time such person has a “net long position” in (a) the Shares that is equal to or greater than the amount tendered and will deliver or cause to be delivered such Shares for the purpose of tendering to the Company


within the period specified in the Offer or (b) other securities immediately convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable into Shares (“Equivalent Securities”) that is equal to or greater than the amount tendered and, upon the acceptance of such tender, will acquire such Shares by conversion, exchange or exercise of such Equivalent Securities to the extent required by the terms of the Offer and will deliver or cause to be delivered such Shares so acquired for the purpose of tender to the Company within the period specified in the Offer. Rule 14e-4 also provides a similar restriction applicable to a tender on behalf of another person. A tender of Shares made pursuant to any method of delivery set forth in this Letter of Transmittal will constitute the undersigned’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer, as well as the undersigned’s representation and warranty to the Company that (a) the undersigned has a “net long position” in Shares or Equivalent Securities at least equal to the Shares being tendered within the meaning of Rule 14e-4, and (b) such tender of Shares complies with Rule 14e-4.

The undersigned understands that all Shares properly tendered and not properly withdrawn will, subject to the conditions of the Offer, including the closing of the Offer, be purchased at the purchase price of $10.00 per share, net to the undersigned in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, upon the terms of the Offer, including its proration provisions, and that the Company will return at its expense all other Shares, including Shares not purchased because of proration promptly following the Expiration Time.

Unless otherwise indicated herein under “Special Payment Instructions,” the undersigned instructs that the check for payment of the purchase price and/or the return of any Shares not tendered or accepted for payment be issued in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” Similarly, unless otherwise indicated herein under “Special Delivery Instructions,” the undersigned instructs that the check for payment of the purchase price and/or the return of any Shares not tendered or accepted for payment (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) be mailed to the address(es) of the registered holder(s) appearing under “Description of Shares Tendered.” In the event that both the “Special Delivery Instructions” and the “Special Payment Instructions” are completed, the undersigned instructs that the check for payment of the purchase price and/or the return of any Shares not tendered or accepted for payment be issued in the name(s) of, and such check and any accompanying documents, as appropriate, be delivered to, the person(s) so indicated. The undersigned instructs that any Shares tendered herewith by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for payment be credited to the account at the book-entry transfer facility designated above. The undersigned recognizes that the Company has no obligation pursuant to the “Special Payment Instructions” to transfer any Shares from the name of the registered holder(s) thereof if the Company does not accept for payment any of the Shares so tendered.

NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW.

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY


SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7)

To be completed ONLY if Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price in consideration of Shares accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned or if Shares tendered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for payment are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at DTC other than that designated above.

Issue:   ☐   Check and/or   ☐   Share Certificates to:

 

Name:      
(Please Print)
Address:      

    

    

    

    
(Include Zip Code)

    

    
(Tax Identification or Social Security Number)

  Credit Shares tendered by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for payment to the DTC account set forth below.

 

 

(DTC Account Number)

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS

(See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7)

To be completed ONLY if Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for the purchase price of Shares accepted for payment are to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above.

Deliver:   ☐   Check(s) and/or   ☐   Share Certificates to:

 

Name:      
(Please Print)
Address:      

    

    

    

    
(Include Zip Code)


IMPORTANT—SIGN HERE

(U.S. Holders Please Also Complete the Enclosed IRS Form W-9)

(Non-U.S. Holders Please Obtain and Complete IRS Form W-8BEN or Other Applicable IRS Form W-8)

 

    
(Signature(s) of Shareholder(s))

Dated:                     , 202__

(Must be signed by registered owner(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on the applicable security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered owner(s) by documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title and see Instruction 5. For information concerning signature guarantees, see Instruction 1.)

 

Name(s):     
(Please Print)
Capacity (full title):     
Address:     

    

    
(Include Zip Code)
Area Code and Telephone Number:     
Email Address:     
Tax Identification or Social Security No.:     

GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(For use by Eligible Institutions only;

see Instructions 1 and 5)

 

Name of Firm:     

    

    
(Include Zip Code)
Authorized Signature:     
Name:     

    

    
(Please Type or Print)
Area Code and Telephone Number:     

Dated:                     , 202__

 

             
Place medallion guarantee in space below:


INSTRUCTIONS

Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer

1. Guarantee of Signatures. Except as otherwise provided below, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by a financial institution (including most commercial banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses) that is a member in good standing of a recognized Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc., including the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program (each, an “Eligible Institution”). Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal need not be guaranteed (a) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) (which term, for purposes of this document, includes any participant in any of DTC’s systems whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares) of Shares tendered herewith and such registered owner has not completed the box titled “Special Payment Instructions” or the box titled “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) if such Shares are tendered for the account of an Eligible Institution. See Instruction 5. If you have any questions regarding the need for a signature guarantee, please call the Information Agent at 888-742-1305.

2. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal and Book-Entry Confirmations. Unless the notice of guaranteed delivery procedures are complied with, for a valid tender of Shares, confirmation of any book-entry transfer into the Depositary’s account at DTC of Shares tendered by book-entry transfer (“Book Entry Confirmation”), as well as this Letter of Transmittal properly completed and duly executed with any required signature guarantees, or an Agent’s Message in the case of a book-entry transfer, and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Depositary at its address set forth herein prior to the Expiration Time. If tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for tender by book-entry transfer set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase, an Agent’s Message must be utilized. A manually executed facsimile of this document may be used in lieu of the original.

Shareholders who cannot deliver all required documents to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time or who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer prior to the Expiration Time may nevertheless tender their Shares by properly completing and duly executing a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedure: (a) such tender must be made by or through an Eligible Institution, (b) a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form provided by the Company must be received by the Depositary prior to the Expiration Time, and (c) a Book Entry Confirmation with respect to such Shares, this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an Agent’s Message), and all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, if any, must be received by the Depositary within two New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date of execution of such Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.

The term “Agent’s Message” means a message, transmitted through electronic means by DTC to, and received by, the Depositary and forming part of a Book-Entry Confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the Shares which are the subject of such Book-Entry Confirmation that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of this Letter of Transmittal and that the Company may enforce such agreement against the participant. The term “Agent’s Message” also includes any hard copy printout evidencing such message generated by a computer terminal maintained at the Depositary’s office.

THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THE SHARES, THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC, IS AT THE ELECTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER. DELIVERY OF ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS WILL BE DEEMED MADE AND RISK OF LOSS SHALL PASS ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY (INCLUDING, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, BY BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION). IF SUCH DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS BE SENT BY PROPERLY INSURED REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. IN ALL CASES, SUFFICIENT TIME SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY.

No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted and no fractional Shares will be purchased. All tendering shareholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their Shares for payment.


3. Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the number of Shares should be listed on a separate schedule attached hereto and separately signed on each page thereof in the same manner as this Letter of Transmittal is signed.

4. Determinations; Waiver of Conditions; Irregularities. All questions as to the number of Shares to be accepted and the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares will be determined by the Company, in its sole discretion, and the Company’s determination will be final and binding on all parties, except as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a subsequent judicial proceeding if the Company’s determination is challenged by shareholders. The Company reserves the absolute right prior to the Expiration Time to reject any or all tenders it determines not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of or payment for which may, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, be unlawful. The Company also reserves the absolute right, subject to applicable law, to waive any conditions of the Offer with respect to all shareholders or any defect or irregularity in any tender with respect to any particular Shares or any particular shareholder whether or not the Company waives similar defects or irregularities in the case of other shareholders. No tender of Shares will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects or irregularities relating thereto have been cured or waived. None of the Company, the Information Agent, the Depositary nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. The Company’s interpretation of the terms of and conditions of the Offer, including this Letter of Transmittal and these instructions, will be final and binding on all parties, except as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a subsequent judicial proceeding if the Company’s interpretation is challenged by shareholders. By tendering Shares to the Company, each tendering shareholder agrees to accept all decisions the Company make concerning these matters and waives any right the shareholder might otherwise have to challenge those decisions.

5. Signatures on Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) of the registered owner(s) without alteration or any other change whatsoever.

If any Shares tendered hereby are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.

If any tendered Shares are registered in the names of different holder(s), it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate Letters of Transmittal (or facsimiles thereof) as there are different registrations of such Shares.

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority so to act must be submitted.

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Shares listed and transmitted hereby, no stock powers are required unless payment is to be made to, or Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of, a person other than the registered owner(s), in which case the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal must be accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case, signed exactly in the name(s) of the registered owner(s). Signatures on such stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Share(s) listed, this Letter of Transmittal must be accompanied by appropriate stock powers signed exactly in the name or names of the registered owner(s). Signatures on such stock powers must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution.

6. Transfer Taxes. The Company will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of Shares to it pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the purchase price is to be made to, or if Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be registered in the name of, any person(s) other than the registered


holder(s), or if Shares tendered hereby are registered in the name(s) of any person(s) other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder(s) or such person(s)) payable on account of the transfer to such person(s) will be deducted from the purchase price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.

Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Shares tendered by this Letter of Transmittal.

7. Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check for the purchase price is to be issued, and/or Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued or returned to, a person other than the signer(s) of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown in the box titled “Description of Shares Tendered” above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed. Shareholders delivering Shares tendered hereby or by Agent’s Message by book-entry transfer may request that Shares not purchased be credited to an account maintained at DTC as such shareholder may designate in the box titled “Special Payment Instructions” herein. If no such instructions are given, all such Shares not purchased will be returned by crediting the same account at DTC as the account from which such Shares were delivered.

8. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions or requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent at its address and telephone number set forth below or to your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company. Additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery and other tender offer materials may be obtained from the Information Agent as set forth below.

9. Backup Withholding. Under U.S. federal income tax laws, the Depositary will be required to withhold a portion of the amount of any payments made to certain shareholders pursuant to the Offer. In order to avoid such backup withholding, each tendering shareholder or payee that is a United States person (for U.S. federal income tax purposes), must provide the Depositary with such shareholder’s or payee’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and certify that such shareholder or payee is not subject to such backup withholding by completing the attached Form W-9. Certain shareholders or payees (including, among others, corporations, non-resident foreign individuals and foreign entities) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. A tendering shareholder who is a foreign individual or a foreign entity should complete, sign, and submit to the Depositary the appropriate Form W-8. A Form W-8BEN may be obtained from the Depositary or downloaded from the Internal Revenue Service’s website at the following address: http://www.irs.gov. Failure to complete the Form W-9 will not, by itself, cause Shares to be deemed invalidly tendered, but may require the Depositary to withhold a portion of the amount of any payments made for Shares pursuant to the Offer.

NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF A PORTION OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE “IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION” SECTION BELOW.

IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL (OR A MANUALLY SIGNED FACSIMILE OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL), TOGETHER WITH ANY REQUIRED SIGNATURE GUARANTEES, OR, IN THE CASE OF A BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, AN AGENT’S MESSAGE, AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE DEPOSITARY PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION TIME, OR THE TENDERING SHAREHOLDER MUST COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES FOR GUARANTEED DELIVERY.


IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION

Under United States federal income tax law, a shareholder that is a non-exempt United States person (for U.S. federal income tax purposes) whose tendered Shares are accepted for payment, is required by law to provide the Depositary (as payer) with such shareholder’s correct TIN on Form W-9 below. If such shareholder is an individual, the TIN is such shareholder’s social security number. If the Depositary is not provided with the correct TIN, the shareholder may be subject to penalties imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and payments that are made to such shareholder with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding.

If backup withholding applies, the Depositary is required to withhold 24% of any payments of the offer price made to the shareholder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may be obtained from the IRS provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

Form W-9

To prevent backup withholding on payments that are made to a United States shareholder with respect to Shares purchased pursuant to the Offer, the shareholder is required to notify the Depositary of such shareholder’s correct TIN by completing a Form W-9 certifying, under penalties of perjury, (i) that the TIN provided on Form W-9 is correct (or that such shareholder is awaiting a TIN), (ii) that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding because (a) such shareholder has not been notified by the IRS that such shareholder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, (b) the IRS has notified such shareholder that such shareholder is no longer subject to backup withholding or (c) such shareholder is exempt from backup withholding, and (iii) that such shareholder is a U.S. person.

What Number to Give the Depositary

Each United States shareholder is generally required to give the Depositary its social security number or employer identification number. If the tendering shareholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a number or intends to apply for a number in the near future, the shareholder should write “Applied For” in Part I, and sign and date the Form W-9. Notwithstanding that “Applied For” is written in Part I, the Depositary will withhold 24% of all payments of the offer price to such shareholder until a TIN is provided to the Depositary. Such amounts will be refunded to such tendering shareholder if a TIN is provided to the Depositary within 60 days.

Please consult your accountant or tax advisor for further guidance regarding the completion of IRS Form W-9, IRS Form W-8BEN, or another version of IRS Form W-8 to claim exemption from backup withholding, or contact the Depositary.


PAYER’S NAME:    American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

 

 

SUBSTITUTE

 

FORM    W-9

 

Department of the

Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

  Part 1 — PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR TIN IN THE BOX AT RIGHT AND CERTIFY BY SIGNING AND DATING BELOW  

 

Social Security Number

 

OR

 

Employer Identification

Number

 

Part 2 — Check appropriate box for federal tax classification; check only one:

 

  Individual/Sole Proprietor       C Corporation       S Corporation

 

  Partnership      Trust/estate   Limited Liability Company:            

 

  Other (please specify)                                                  

 

For Limited Liability

Companies, please enter

the appropriate tax

classification on the line

provided next to the phrase

“Limited Liability Company”:

 

C = C Corporation

 

S = S Corporation

 

P =Partnership

 

   

Part 3 FOR PAYEES EXEMPT FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING

(See Page 2 of enclosed Guidelines)

 

 

                                 

 

Payer’s Request for

Taxpayer

Identification

Number (TIN) and

Certification

 

Part 4 — Certification Under Penalties of Perjury, I certify that:

 

(1)   The number shown on this form is my current taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me),

 

(2)   I am not subject to backup withholding either because I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of failure to report all interest or dividends, or the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding and

 

(3)   I am a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).

 

(4)   The FATCA code(s) entered on this form (if any) indicating that I am exempt from FATCA reporting is correct.

 

 

 

Part 5 —

 

Awaiting TIN

 

   

Certification instructions — You must cross out item (2) in Part 4 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding because of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However, if after being notified by the IRS that you are subject to backup withholding you receive another notification from the IRS stating that you are no longer subject to backup withholding, do not cross out item (2).

 

   

 

SIGNATURE                                                                                 DATE                                                          

   

 

NAME                                                                                                                                                                 

   

 

ADDRESS                                                                                                                                                          

   

 

CITY                                                              STATE                   ZIP CODE                                                   

     

 

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU

CHECK THE BOX IN PART 5 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9


PAYER’S NAME: American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

I certify, under penalties of perjury, that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either (a) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (b) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number before payment is made, a portion of such reportable payment will be withheld.

 

     

    

     

  
Signature      Date            
       
       

NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF A PORTION OF ANY PAYMENT MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.


GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION

NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payer — Social Security Numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-0000. Employer Identification Numbers have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payer.

 

For this type of account:  

Give the SOCIAL

SECURITY number of —

      For this type of account:  

 

Give the EMPLOYER
IDENTIFICATION number of —

 

1. An individual’s account

 

 

The individual

   

 

8.   Sole proprietorship account

 

 

The owner(4)

2. Two or more individuals (joint account)

  The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account(1)    

9.   A valid trust, estate or pension trust

  The legal entity(5)

3. Husband and wife (joint account)

  The actual owner of the account or, if joint funds, the first individual on the account (1)    

10.  Corporate account

  The corporation

4. Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act)

  The minor(2)    

11.  Religious, charitable, or educational organization account

  The organization

5. Adult and minor (joint account)

  The adult or, if the minor is the only contributor, the minor(1)    

12.  Partnership account held in the name of the business

  The partnership

6. Account in the name of guardian or committee for a designated ward, minor, or incompetent person

  The ward, minor, or incompetent person(3)    

13.  Association, club, or other tax-exempt organization

  The organization

7. a. The usual revocable savings trust account (grantor is also trustee)

  The grantor-trustee(1)    

14.  A broker or registered nominee

  The broker or nominee

b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law

  The actual owner(1)    

15.  Account with the Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a state or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments

 

  The public entity

 

  (1)

List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has a social security number, that person’s number must be furnished.

  (2)

Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s social security number.

  (3)

Circle the ward’s, minor’s or incompetent person’s name and furnish such person’s social security number.

  (4)

You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or “doing business as” name. You may use either your social security number or employer identification number (if you have one).

  (5)

List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate, or pension trust. Do not furnish the taxpayer identification number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.

 

  Note:

If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed.


GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION

NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

Page 2

Obtaining a Number

If you do not have a taxpayer identification number or if you do not know your number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for Social Security Card, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, at the local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and apply for a number. Section references in these guidelines refer to sections under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding include:

 

   

An organization exempt from tax under Section 501(a), an individual retirement account (IRA), or a custodial account under Section 403(b)(7), if the account satisfies the requirements of Section 401(f)(2).

 

   

The United States or a state thereof, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or a political subdivision or wholly-owned agency or instrumentality of any one or more of the foregoing.

 

   

An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof.

 

   

A foreign government or any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof.

Payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:

 

   

A corporation.

 

   

A financial institution.

 

   

A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Colombia, or a possession of the United States.

 

   

A real estate investment trust.

 

   

A common trust fund operated by a bank under Section 584(a).

 

   

An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

   

A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian.

 

   

A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

 

   

A foreign central bank of issue.

 

   

A trust exempt from tax under Section 664 or described in Section 4947.

Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:

 

   

Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under Section 1441.

 

   

Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. and which have at least one nonresident alien partner.

 

   

Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in money.

 

   

Payments made by certain foreign organizations.

 

   

Section 404(k) payments made by an ESOP.

Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the following:

 

   

Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is paid in the course of the payer’s trade or business and you have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payer.


GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION

NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9

Page 3

 

   

Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under Section 852).

 

   

Payments described in Section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens.

 

   

Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under Section 1451.

 

   

Payments made by certain foreign organizations.

 

   

Mortgage or student loan interest paid to you.

Exempt payees described above should file Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYER, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE “EXEMPT” IN PART 2 OF THE FORM, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYER.

Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, which are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under Sections 6041,6041A, 6045, 6050A and 6050N.

Privacy Act Notice. — Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividend, interest, or certain other income to give taxpayer identification numbers to payers who must report the payments to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of tax returns. The IRS may also provide this information to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states and the District of Columbia to carry out their tax laws. The IRS may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, or to Federal and state agencies to enforce Federal nontax criminal laws and to combat terrorism. Payers must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payers must generally withhold a portion of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.

Penalties

(1) Penalty for Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number. — If you fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payer, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

(2) Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to Withholding. — If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.

(3) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information. — Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

(4) Misuse of Taxpayer Identification Numbers.—If the requester discloses or uses taxpayer identification numbers in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.


The Depositary for the Offer to Purchase is:

 

 

LOGO

The address of the Depositary is:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC

Operations Center

Attn: Reorganization Department

6201 15th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11219

DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

Any questions or requests for assistance, or requests for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase and the Letter of Transmittal, may be directed to the Information Agent at its telephone number and address listed below. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.

The Information Agent for the Offer is:

 

 

LOGO

You may obtain information regarding the Offer

from the Information Agent as follows:

Laurel Hill Advisory Group, LLC

2 Robbins Lane

Jericho, NY 11753

Banks, Brokers and Shareholders

Call Toll-Free: 888-742-1305