10-Q 1 nete20200630_10q.htm FORM 10-Q nete20190331_10q.htm
 

 

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020

 

OR

 

☐     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission file number: 001-34887

 

 

Net Element, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

     

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation

or organization)

90-1025599

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

   

3363 NE 163rd Street, Suite 705

North Miami Beach, Florida

(Address of principal executive offices)

33160

(Zip Code)

 

(305) 507-8808

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

NETE

The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (Nasdaq Capital Market)

 

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 ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☒ 

 

   

Accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☒

Emerging growth company ☐

     

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

 

The number of outstanding shares of common stock, $.0001 par value, of the registrant as of August 13, 2020 was 4,596,709.

 

 
 

 

Net Element, Inc.

 

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

    Page No.
  PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
     
  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets – at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 3
     
 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss – for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

4
     
  Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 5
     
  Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 6
     
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 17
     
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 28
     
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures 28
     
  PART II — OTHER INFORMATION 28
     
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings 28
     
Item 1A.  Risk Factors 28
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 28
     
Item 6.   Exhibits 29
     
  Signatures 30

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1 — Financial Statements

 

 

NET ELEMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

 

   

June 30, 2020

   

December 31, 2019

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash

  $ 865,812     $ 486,604  

Accounts receivable, net

    5,855,538       6,560,928  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    1,530,625       1,621,144  

Total current assets, net

    8,251,975       8,668,676  

Intangible assets, net

    4,703,406       5,678,649  

Goodwill

    7,681,186       7,681,186  

Operating lease right-of-use asset

    316,118       380,986  

Other long term assets

    730,185       629,651  

Total assets

  $ 21,682,870     $ 23,039,148  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 5,360,103     $ 6,037,833  

Accrued expenses

    2,121,161       1,800,344  

Deferred revenue

    1,291,703       1,401,117  
    Notes payable (current portion)     936,391       909,086  

Operating lease liability (current portion)

    68,859       133,727  

Due to related party

    81,591       126,662  
Total current liabilities     9,859,808       10,408,769  

Operating lease liability (net of current portion)

    247,259       247,259  
Notes payable (net of current portion)     8,986,881       8,342,461  
Total liabilities     19,093,948       18,998,489  
                 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Series A Convertible Preferred stock ($.0001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019)

    -       -  

Common stock ($.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized 4,195,670 and 4,111,082 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)

    419       410  

Paid in capital

    185,496,940       185,297,069  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (2,209,363 )     (2,274,187 )

Accumulated deficit

    (180,442,122 )     (178,750,634 )

Non-controlling interest

    (256,952 )     (231,999 )

Total stockholders' equity

    2,588,922       4,040,659  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 21,682,870     $ 23,039,148  

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Unaudited Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

NET ELEMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (UNAUDITED)

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

 
                                 

Net revenues

                               

Service fees

  $ 13,718,609     $ 16,487,311     $ 29,556,175     $ 31,534,494  

Total Revenues

    13,718,609       16,487,311       29,556,175       31,534,494  
                                 

Costs and expenses:

                               

Cost of service fees

    11,536,787       13,901,365       24,837,195       26,161,512  

Selling, general and administrative

    1,385,329       2,299,070       3,701,221       4,683,936  

Non-cash compensation

    7,500       2,005,840       45,900       2,020,847  

Bad debt expense

    33,310       143,190       476,088       482,498  

Depreciation and amortization

    772,402       747,347       1,551,844       1,598,567  

Total costs and operating expenses

    13,735,328       19,096,812       30,612,248       34,947,360  

Loss from operations

    (16,719 )     (2,609,501 )     (1,056,073 )     (3,412,866 )

Interest expense

    (341,020 )     (252,582 )     (689,433 )     (497,635 )

Other income

    19,325       1,284,411       29,065       1,198,018  

Net loss from continuing operations before income taxes

    (338,414 )     (1,577,672 )     (1,716,441 )     (2,712,483 )

Income taxes

    -       -       -       -  

Net loss from continuing operations

    (338,414 )     (1,577,672 )     (1,716,441 )     (2,712,483 )

Net loss attributable to the non-controlling interest

    13,724       40,225       24,953       54,191  

Net loss attributable to Net Element, Inc. stockholders

    (324,690 )     (1,537,447 )     (1,691,488 )     (2,658,292 )

Foreign currency translation

    (65,990 )     (5,537 )     64,824       (20,099 )

Comprehensive loss attributable to common stockholders

  $ (390,680 )   $ (1,542,984 )   $ (1,626,664 )   $ (2,678,391 )
                                 

Loss per share - basic and diluted

  $ (0.08 )   $ (0.37 )   $ (0.41 )   $ (0.68 )
                                 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

    4,175,148       4,199,076       4,146,396       3,908,872  

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

NET ELEMENT, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2020

   

2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities

               

Net loss attributable to Net Element, Inc. stockholders

  $ (1,691,488 )   $ (2,658,292 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

               

Non-controlling interest

    (24,953 )     (54,191 )

Share based compensation

    45,899       2,020,847  

Deferred revenue

    (109,414 )     (1,046,398 )

Provision for bad debt

    (8,668 )     (8,927 )

Depreciation and amortization

    1,551,844       1,598,567  

Non cash interest

    46,552       21,711  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    700,506       1,165,261  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    (287,386 )     668,646  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    (538,178 )     (2,305,202 )

Net cash used in operating activities

    (315,286 )     (597,978 )
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Client acquisition costs

    (359,350 )     (1,210,278 )

Purchase of equipment and changes in other assets

    (35,666 )     (468,287 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (395,016 )     (1,678,565 )
                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               
    Proceeds from SBA Loans     651,392       -  
    Proceeds from indebtedness     174,314       1,116,500  

Repayment of indebtedness

    -       (209,084 )

Lease liability

    (64,868 )     442,094  

Related party advances

    159,432       166,561  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    920,270       1,516,071  
                 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    14,589       6,271  

Net increase (decrease) in cash

    224,557       (754,201 )
                 

Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period

    1,116,255       2,249,551  

Cash and restricted cash at end of period

  $ 1,340,812     $ 1,495,350  
                 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

               

Cash paid during the period for:

               

Interest

  $ 336,120     $ 475,924  

Taxes

  $ -     $ 103,841  

 

See Accompanying Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

NET ELEMENT, INC.

 

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

The accompanying June 30, 2020 interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations, but we believe the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein. These statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full fiscal year or any other periods.

 

The condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements contained in this report include the accounts of Net Element, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

 

NOTE 2. ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS

 

Net Element, Inc. (collectively with its subsidiaries, “Net Element”, “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”) is a financial technology-driven group specializing in payment acceptance and value-added solutions across multiple channels in the United States and selected international markets. We are differentiated by our proprietary technology which enables us to provide a broad suite of payment products and end-to-end transaction processing services. Our transactional services business enables merchants to accept credit cards as well as other forms of payment, including debit cards, checks, gift cards, loyalty programs and alternative payment methods in traditional card-present or swipe transactions, as well as card-not-present transactions, such as those conducted over the phone or through the Internet or a mobile device. We operate in two reportable business operating segments: (i) North American Transaction Solutions, and (ii) International Transaction Solutions.

 

We are able to deliver our services across multiple points of access, or “multi-channel,” including brick and mortar locations, software integration, e-commerce, mobile operator billing, mobile and tablet-based solutions. In the United States, via our U.S. based subsidiaries, we generate revenues from transactional services and other payment technologies for small and medium-sized businesses. Through PayOnline, we provide transactional services, mobile payment transactions, online payment transactions and other payment technologies in emerging countries in the Eurasian Economic Community ("EAEC"), Europe and Asia.

 

Our transactional services business enables merchants to accept credit cards as well as other forms of payment, including debit cards, checks, gift cards, loyalty programs and alternative payment methods in traditional card-present or swipe transactions, as well as card-not-present transactions, such as those conducted over the phone or through the Internet or a mobile device. We market and sell our services through both independent sales groups (“ISGs”), which are non-employee, external sales organizations and other third-party resellers of our products and services, and directly to merchants through electronic media, telemarketing and other programs, including utilizing partnerships with other companies that market products and services to local and international merchants. We have agreements with several banks that sponsor us for membership in the Visa ®, MasterCard ®, American Express ®, and Discover ® card associations and settle card transactions for our merchants. These sponsoring banks include Citizens Bank, Esquire Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. From time to time, we may enter into agreements with additional banks. We perform core functions for merchants such as application processing, underwriting, account set-up, risk management, fraud detection, merchant assistance and support, equipment deployment and chargeback services.

 

Our Mobile Solutions business, PayOnline, provides relationships and contracts with mobile operators that gives us the ability to offer our clients in-app, premium SMS (short message services, which is a text messaging service), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)-click, one click and other carrier billing services. PayOnline provides flexible high- tech payment solutions to companies doing business on the Internet or in the mobile environment. PayOnline specializes in integration and customization of payment solutions for websites and mobile apps. In particular, PayOnline arranges payment on the website of any commercial organization, which increases the convenience of using the website and helps maximize the number of successful transactions. In addition, PayOnline is focused on providing online and mobile payment acceptance services to the travel industry through direct integration with leading Global Distribution Systems (“GDS”), which include Amadeus® and Sabre®. Key geographic regions that PayOnline serves include Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Western Europe, North America and Asia major sub regions. The PayOnline office is located in Moscow, Russia.

 

Also part of our transactional services business, Aptito is a proprietary, cloud-based payments platform for the hospitality industry, which creates an online consumer experience in offline commerce environments via tablet, mobile and all other cloud-connected devices. Aptito’s easy to use point-of-sale (“POS”) system makes things easier by providing a comprehensive solution to the hospitality industry to help streamline management and operations. Orders placed tableside by customers directly speed up the ordering process and improve overall efficiency. Aptito's mobile POS system provides portability to the staff while performing all the same functions as a traditional POS system.

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE 3. LIQUIDITY AND GOING CONCERN

 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. We sustained a net loss of approximately $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and have an accumulated deficit of $180.4 million and a negative working capital of $1.6 million at June 30, 2020.

 

The continuing spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) is currently impacting countries, communities, supply chains and markets, global financial markets, as well as, the largest industry group serviced by our Company. The Company cannot predict, at this time, whether COVID-19 will continue to have a material impact on our future financial condition and results of operations due to understaffing in the service sector and the decrease in revenues and profits, particularly restaurants, and any possible future government ordinances that may further restrict restaurant and other service or retail sectors operations.

 

During March 2020, our Company evaluated its liquidity position, future operating plans, and its labor force, which included a reduction in the labor force and compensation to executives and other employees, in order to maintain current payment processing functions, capabilities, and continued customer service to its merchants. We are also seeking sources of capital to pay our contractual obligations as they come due, in light of these uncertain times. Management believes that its operating strategy will provide the opportunity for us to continue as a going concern as long as we are able to obtain additional financing. At this time, due to our continuing losses from operations, negative working capital, and the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot predict the impact of these conditions on our ability to obtain financing necessary for the Company to fund its future working capital requirements. Our Company has also decided to explore strategic alternatives and potential options for its business, including sale of the Company or certain assets, licensing of technology, spin-offs, or a business combination. There can be no assurance, at this time, regarding the eventual outcome of our planned strategic alternatives.  In most respects, it is still too early in the COVID-19 pandemic to be able to quantify or qualify the longer-term ramifications on our merchant processing business, our merchants, our planned strategic alternatives to enhance current shareholder value, our current investors, and/or future potential investors.

 

As part of our Company's plan to obtain capital to fund future operations, on March 27, 2020, our Company entered into a Master Exchange Agreement, (the “ESOUSA Agreement”) with ESOUSA Holdings, LLC ("ESOUSA"), a related party. Prior to entering into the ESOUSA Agreement, ESOUSA agreed to acquire an existing promissory note that had been previously issued by the Company, of up to $2,000,000 in principal amount outstanding and unpaid interest due to RBL Capital Group, LLC ("RBL"). Pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement, the Company has the right, at any time prior to March 27, 2021, to request ESOUSA, and ESOUSA agreed upon each such request, to exchange this promissory note in tranches on the dates when the Company instructs ESOUSA, for such number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) as determined under the ESOUSA Agreement based upon the number of shares of Common Stock (already in ESOUSA’s possession) that ESOUSA sold in order to finance its purchase of such tranche of the promissory note from RBL.  ESOUSA will purchase each tranche of the promissory note equal to 88% of the gross proceeds from the shares of Common Stock sold by ESOUSA to finance the purchase of such exchange amount from RBL. Each such tranche shall be $148,000 unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and ESOUSA. On April 23, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the ESOUSA Agreement with ESOUSA. The Amendment increased from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement. The Company has the right, pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement (as amended by the Amendment), to request ESOUSA to exchange in tranches such promissory notes for shares of the Company’s common stock on the terms and conditions and subject to the limitations set forth in the ESOUSA Agreement. On August 3, 2020, our Company entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Agreement. The Second Amendment increased from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL, in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement. Our Company has the right pursuant to the Agreement (as amended by the Amendment) to request ESOUSA to exchange in tranches such promissory notes for shares of the Company’s common stock on the terms and conditions and subject to the limitations set forth in the Agreement. 

 

The Company received its first tranche of approximately $148,000 on March 27, 2020, less any fees. In April 2020, ESOUSA exchanged the promissory note for shares in our Company's common stock which has been reflected in our stockholders" equity section. (Refer to  Note 11. Stockholders" Equity). The Company received a second tranche of approximately $143,000 on April 28, 2020, less any fees, which is reflected in accrued expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2020. No shares of the Company's common stock have been issued as of this date in connection with this tranche. On August 11, 2020, the Company received a third tranche of approximately $707,000 from RBL, less any fees. The Company issued 66,190 shares of its' common stock to ESOUSA in connection with this transaction.

 

On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note (the “Note”) evidencing an unsecured loan (the “Loan”) in the amount of $491,493 made to the Company under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”). The Note matures on May 7, 2022 and bears interest at a rate of 1% per annum. Beginning December 7, 2020, the Company is required to make 17 monthly payments of principal and interest, with the principal component of each such payment based upon the level amortization of principal over a two-year period from May 7, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of the CARES Act and the PPP, the Company may apply to the Lender for forgiveness for the amount due on the Loan. The amount eligible for forgiveness is based on the amount of Loan proceeds used by the Company (during the eight-week period after the Lender makes the first disbursement of Loan proceeds) for the payment of certain covered costs, including payroll costs (including benefits), interest on mortgage obligations, rent and utilities, subject to certain limitations and reductions in accordance with the CARES Act and the PPP. No assurance can be given, at this time, that the Company will obtain forgiveness of the Loan in whole or in part. (Refer to Note 7. Notes Payable).

 

On May 18, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note in the amount of $159,899 made to the Company by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. (Refer to Note 7. Notes Payable).

 

On August 4, 2020, our Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Mullen Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (“Mullen”), and Mullen Acquisition, Inc., a California corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Mullen (the “Merger”), with Mullen continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger. After Mullen’s completion and delivery to our Company, of the audited financial statements for Mullen and its subsidiaries and affiliates required to be included in a registration statement, the Company intends to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 (together with all amendments thereto, the “Registration Statement”) in which the proxy statement will be included as a part of the prospectus, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of Parent Shares to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement contains termination rights for each of the Company and Mullen, including, among others, (i) in the event that the Merger has not been consummated by December 31, 2020, (ii) in the event that the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders is not obtained upon a vote thereon, (iii) in the event that any governmental authority shall have taken action to restrain, enjoin or prohibit the consummation of the Merger, which action shall have become final and non-appealable and (iv) in the event that there is a breach by the other party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, which breach is sufficiently material and not timely cured or curable. In addition, Mullen may terminate the Merger Agreement if, prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders, the Company’s board of directors shall have changed their recommendation in respect of the Merger. Further, the Company may terminate the Merger Agreement prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement). 

 

Consummation of the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement and the other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, is subject to customary conditions including, among others, the approval of the Company’s stockholders. There is no guarantee that the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement or the other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement will be completed. 

 

As contemplated by the Merger Agreement, on August 11, 2020, our Company as lender, entered into an unsecured Promissory Note, dated August 11, 2020 (the “Note”), with Mullen. Pursuant to the Note, Mullen borrowed from the Company $500,000. Prior to maturity of the loan, the principal amount of the loan will carry an interest rate of 14% per annum compounded monthly and payable upon demand. This loan will mature on the earlier of (i) the date that the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason by any party thereto and (ii) the Merger Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

 

These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

 

 

 

NOTE 4. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Significant accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, and potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The Company’s significant accounting policies are described below.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and pursuant to the reporting and disclosure rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Net Element, Inc. and our subsidiary companies. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Cash

 

We maintain our U.S. dollar-denominated cash in several non-interest bearing bank deposit accounts. All U.S. non-interest bearing transaction accounts are insured up to a maximum of $250,000 at FDIC insured institutions. The bank balances exceeded FDIC limits by approximately $162,000 and $134,000 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. We maintained approximately $39,000 and $30,000 in uninsured bank accounts in Russia and the Cayman Islands at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

 

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash represents funds held-on-deposit with processing banks pursuant to agreements to cover potential merchant losses. It is presented as other long-term assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets since the related agreements extend beyond the next twelve months. Following the adoption of ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash (Topic 230), the Company includes restricted cash along with the cash balance for presentation in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The reconciliation between the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of cash flows is as follows:

 

   

June 30, 2020

   

December 31, 2019

 

Cash on consolidated balance sheet

  $ 865,812     $ 486,604  

Restricted cash

    475,000       629,651  

Total cash and restricted cash

  $ 1,340,812     $ 1,116,255  

 

Accounts Receivable and Credit Policies

 

Accounts receivable consist primarily of uncollateralized credit card processing residual payments due from processing banks requiring payment within thirty days following the end of each month. Accounts receivable also include amounts due from the sales of our technology solutions to its customers. The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts, if necessary, which reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. The allowance is estimated based on management’s knowledge of its customers, historical loss experience and existing economic conditions. Accounts receivable and the allowance are written-off when, in management’s opinion, all collection efforts have been exhausted.

 

Other Current Assets

 

Other current assets consist of point-of-sale equipment which we use to service both merchants and independent sales agents ("ISG"). Often, we will provide the equipment as an incentive for merchants and independent sales agents to enter into a merchant contracts with us. The term of these contracts have an average length of three years and the cost of the equipment plus any setup fees will be amortized over the contract period. If the merchants terminate their contract with us early, they are obligated to either return the equipment or pay for it.

 

 

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets acquired, either individually or with a group of other assets (but not those acquired in a business combination), are initially recognized and measured based on fair value. Goodwill acquired in business combinations is initially computed as the amount paid in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. We did not acquire any businesses during the year ended December 31, 2019 or the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 

The cost of internally developing, maintaining and restoring intangible assets (including goodwill) that are not specifically identifiable, that have indeterminate lives, or that are inherent in a continuing business and related to an entity are recognized as an expense when incurred.

 

Intangible assets include acquired merchant relationships, recurring cash flow portfolios, referral agreements, trademarks, tradenames, website development costs and non-compete agreements. Merchant relationships represent the fair value of customer relationships purchased by us. Recurring cash flow portfolios give us the right to retain a greater share of the cash flow, in the form of paying less commissions to an independent sales agent, related to certain future transactions with the agent referred sales partners. Referral agreements represent the right to exclusively obtain referrals from a partner for their customers' credit card processing services.

 

We amortize definite lived identifiable intangible assets using a method that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are expected to be consumed or otherwise utilized. The estimated useful lives of our customer-related intangible assets approximate the expected distribution of cash flows on a straight-line basis from each asset. The useful lives of contract-based intangible assets are equal to the terms of the agreement.

 

Management evaluates the remaining useful lives and carrying values of long-lived assets, including definite lived intangible assets, at least annually, or when events and circumstances warrant such a review, to determine whether significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that a change in the useful life or impairment in value may have occurred. There were no impairment charges during the six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019.

 

Goodwill

 

In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, we test goodwill for impairment for each reporting unit on an annual basis, or when events or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value.

 

Our goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net identifiable assets acquired in business combinations. The goodwill generated from the business combinations is primarily related to the value placed on the employee workforce and expected synergies. Judgment is involved in determining if an indicator or change in circumstances relating to impairment has occurred. Such changes may include, among others, a significant decline in expected future cash flows, a significant adverse change in the business climate, and unforeseen competition.

 

We have the option of performing a qualitative assessment of impairment to determine whether any further quantitative testing for impairment is necessary. The option of whether or not to perform a qualitative assessment is made annually and may vary by reporting unit. Factors we consider in the qualitative assessment include general macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance of our reporting units, events or changes affecting the composition or carrying amount of the net assets of its reporting units, sustained decrease in its share price, and other relevant entity specific events. If the management determines on the basis of qualitative factors that the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not less than the carrying value, then we perform a quantitative test for that reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill. Subsequent to the adoption on January 1, 2017 of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we recognize an impairment equal to the excess carrying value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

 

At December 31, 2019, our management determined that an impairment charge of approximately $1.3 million was necessary to reduce the goodwill relating to the acquisition of PayOnline which is part of our International Transaction Solutions segment . We did not recognize any impairment charge to goodwill during the six months ended June 30, 2020

 

For a discussion of the estimate methodology and the significance of various inputs, please see the subheading below titled “Use of Estimates.”

 

Capitalized Customer Acquisition Costs, Net

 

Capitalized customer acquisition costs consist of up-front cash payments made to ISG’s for the establishment of new merchant relationships. Capitalized customer acquisition costs represent incremental, direct customer acquisition costs that are recoverable through gross margins associated with merchant contracts. The up-front cash payment to the ISG is based on the estimated gross margin for the first year of the merchant contract. The deferred customer acquisition cost asset is recorded at the time amounts are receivable but not yet earned and the capitalized acquisition costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of approximately four years. These capitalized costs, net of amortization expense, are included in intangible assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (See Note 5 – item labeled “Client Acquisition Costs”).

 

 

Accrued Residual Commissions

 

We record commissions as a cost of revenues in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. We pay agent commissions to ISGs and independent sales agents based on the processing volume of the merchants enrolled. The commission obligations are based on varying percentages of the volume processed by us on behalf of the merchants. Percentages vary based on the program type and transaction volume of each merchant.

  

Fair Value Measurements

 

Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash, accounts receivables, accounts payables, and a note payable. The carrying values of these financial instruments are considered to be representative of their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying amount of notes payable of approximately $9.9 million and $9.3 million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, approximates fair value because current borrowing rates do not materially differ from market rates for similar bank borrowings. The notes payable are classified as a Level 2 item within the fair value hierarchy.

 

We measure certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use a three-level fair value hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used to measure fair value and maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

 

Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date

 

Level 2 — Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data

 

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data

 

These non-financial assets and liabilities include intangible assets and liabilities acquired in a business combination as well as impairment calculations, when necessary. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the PayOnline acquisition, were measured at fair value by us at the acquisition date. The fair values of our merchant portfolios are primarily based on Level 3 inputs and are generally estimated based upon independent appraisals that include discounted cash flow analyses based on our most recent cash flow projections, and, for years beyond the projection period, estimates based on assumed growth rates. Assumptions are also made regarding appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, and capital expenditures, among others. In certain circumstances, the discounted cash flow analyses are corroborated by a market-based approach that utilizes comparable company public trading values, and, where available, values observed in private market transactions. The inputs used by management for the fair value measurements include significant unobservable inputs, and therefore, the fair value measurements employed are classified as Level 3. Goodwill impairment is primarily based on observable inputs using company specific information and is classified as Level 3.

 

Leases

 

Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) which supersedes the lease accounting requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 840, Leases (Topic 840). Please refer to Recent Accounting Pronouncements below for additional information on the adoption of Topic 842 and the impact upon adoption to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Under Topic 842, we applied a dual approach to all leases whereby we are a lessee and classify leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the Company. Lease classification is evaluated at the inception of the lease agreement. Regardless of classification, we record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. Our lease, for the premises we occupy for the North American Transaction Solutions segment's U.S. headquarters, was classified as an operating lease as of January 1, 2019. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

 

We identify leases in our contracts if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. We do not allocate lease consideration between lease and non-lease components and record a lease liability equal to the present value of the remaining fixed consideration under the lease. Any interest rate implicit in our leases are generally not readily determinable. Accordingly, we use our estimated incremental borrowing rate at the commencement date of the lease to determine the present value discount of the lease liability. We estimate the incremental borrowing rate for each lease based on an evaluation of our expected credit rating and the prevailing market rates for collateralized debt in a similar economic environment with similar payment terms and maturity dates commensurate with the term of the lease. The right-of-use asset for each lease is equal to the lease liability, adjusted for unamortized initial direct costs and lease incentives. We exclude options to extend or terminate leases from the calculation of the lease liability unless it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised.

 

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

 

We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met: (1) the parties to the contract have approved the contract and are committed to perform their respective obligations, (2) we can identify each party’s rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred, (3) we can identify the payment terms for the goods or services to be transferred, (4) the contract has commercial substance, and (5) it is probable that we will collect substantially all of the consideration to which we will be entitled in exchange for the goods or services that will be transferred to the customer. We consider persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement to be the receipt of a billable transaction from aggregators, signed contract or the processing of a credit card transaction. Collectability is assessed based on a number of factors, including transaction history with the customer and the credit worthiness of the customer. If it is determined that the collection is not reasonably assured, revenue is not recognized until collection becomes reasonably assured, which is generally upon receipt of cash. We record cash received in advance of revenue recognition as deferred revenue. Revenue consists primarily of fees generated through the electronic processing of payment transactions and related services and is recognized as revenue during the period the transactions are processed or when the related services are performed.

 

 

Our transactional processing fees are generated primarily from TOT Group doing business as Unified Payments, which is our North American Transaction Solutions segment, PayOnline, which is our International Transaction Solutions segment, and Aptito, which is our point of sale solution for restaurants.

 

We work directly with payment card networks and banks so that our merchants do not need to manage the complex systems, rules, and requirements of the payments industry. We satisfy our performance obligations and therefore recognize the transactional processing service fees as revenue upon authorization of a transaction by the merchant’s customer’s bank.

 

The majority of our revenues is derived from volume-based payment processing fees ("discount fees”) and other related fixed transaction or service fees. Discount fees represent a percentage of the dollar amount of each credit or debit transaction processed. Discount fees are recognized at the time the merchants’ transactions are processed. Generally, where we have control over merchant pricing, merchant portability, credit risk and ultimate responsibility for the merchant relationship, revenues are reported at the time of sale on a gross basis equal to the full amount of the discount charged to the merchant. This amount includes interchange fees paid to card issuing banks and assessments paid to payment card networks pursuant to which such parties receive payments based primarily on processing volume for particular groups of merchants. Revenues generated from merchant portfolios where we do not have control over merchant pricing, liability for merchant losses or credit risk or rights of portability are reported net of interchange and other fees.

 

Revenues are also derived from a variety of fixed transaction or service fees, including authorization fees, convenience fees, statement fees, annual fees, and fees for other miscellaneous services, such as handling chargebacks. Revenues derived from service fees are recognized at the time the services are performed and there are no further performance obligations. Revenue from the sale of equipment is recognized upon transfer of ownership and delivery to the customer, after which there are no further performance obligations.

 

We primarily report revenues gross as a principal versus net as an agent. Although some of our processing agreements vary with respect to specific terms, the transactional processing service fees collected from merchants generally are recognized as revenue on a gross basis as we are the principal in the delivery of the managed payments solutions to the sellers. The gross fees we collect are intended to cover the interchange, assessments and other processing and non-processing fees which are included and are part of our gross margin.

 

We have primary responsibility for providing end-to-end payment processing services for our clients. Our clients contract us for all credit card processing services, including transaction authorization, settlement, dispute resolution, data/transmission security, risk management, reporting, technical support and other value-added services. We have concluded that we are the principal because we control the services before delivery to the merchant, and are primarily responsible for the delivery of the services, have discretion in setting prices charged to merchants, and responsible for losses. We also have pricing latitude and can provide services using several different network options.

 

Net Loss per Share

 

Basic net loss per common share is computed by dividing net loss applicable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net loss per common share is determined using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, consisting of shares issuable upon exercise of common stock options or warrants. In periods when losses are reported, the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding excludes common stock equivalents because their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect.

 

Income Taxes

 

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

We recognize net deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.

 

We account for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. We classify the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as current to the extent we anticipate payment (or receipt) of cash within one year. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized and recorded as necessary in the provision for income taxes. Our evaluation of uncertain tax positions was performed for the tax years ended December 31, 2012 and forward, the tax years which remain subject to examination at June 30, 2020.

 

Interchange, Network Fees and Other Cost of Services

 

Interchange and network fees consist primarily of fees that are directly related to discount fee revenue. These include interchange fees paid to issuers and assessment fees payable to card associations, which are a percentage of the processing volume we generate from Visa and Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover, as well as fees charged by card-issuing banks. Other costs of services include costs directly attributable to processing and bank sponsorship costs, which may not be based on a percentage of volume. These costs also include related costs such as residual payments to sales groups, which are based on a percentage of the net revenues generated from merchant referrals. In certain merchant processing bank relationships we are liable for chargebacks against a merchant equal to the volume of the transaction. Losses resulting from chargebacks against a merchant are included in other cost of services or as a bad debt expense, determined on the timing and nature of the specific transaction, on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. We evaluate the risk for such transactions and our potential loss from chargebacks based primarily on historical experience and other relevant factors.

 

 

 

 Advertising and Promotion Costs

 

Advertising and promotion costs are expensed as incurred and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss.

 

Equity-based Compensation

 

We account for grants of equity awards to employees in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. This standard requires compensation expense to be measured based on the estimated fair value of the share-based awards on the date of grant and recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

We are subject to exchange rate risk in our foreign operations in Russia, the functional currency of which is the Russian ruble, where we generate service fee revenues, interest income or expense, incur product development, engineering, website development, and selling, general and administrative costs and expenses. Our Russian subsidiaries pay a majority of their operating expenses in their local currencies, exposing us to exchange rate risk.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting period. Such estimates include, but are not limited to, the value of purchase consideration paid and identifiable assets acquired and assumed in acquisitions, amortization of intangible assets, goodwill and asset impairment review, valuation reserves for accounts receivable, valuation of acquired or current merchant portfolios, incurred but not reported claims, revenue recognition for multiple element arrangements, loss reserves, assumptions used in the calculation of equity-based compensation and in the calculation of income taxes, and certain tax assets and liabilities, as well as, the related valuation allowances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Below is a summary of the Company’s critical accounting estimates for which the nature of management’s assumptions are material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change, and for which the impact of the estimates and assumptions on financial condition or operating performance is material.

 

 

Goodwill

 

The Company tests goodwill for impairment using a fair value approach at least annually, absent some triggering event that would require an interim impairment assessment.

 

Significant estimates and assumptions are used in our goodwill impairment review and include the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. Our assessment of qualitative factors involves significant judgments about expected future business performance, general market conditions, and regulatory changes. In a quantitative assessment, the fair value of each reporting unit is determined based largely on the present value of projected future cash flows, growth assumptions regarding discount rates, estimated growth rates and our future long-term business plans. Changes in any of these estimates or assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and the associated goodwill impairment charge for each reporting unit.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Adoption of ASU 2016-02, Leases

 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” which, for operating leases, requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in its balance sheet. The standard also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, on a generally straight-line basis. The ASU is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted Topic 842 using the modified retrospective transition method. Under this method, we applied Topic 842 to the lease for the premises we occupy for our North American Transaction Solutions segment's U.S. headquarters. There was no cumulative impact adjustment necessary with the adoption to our accumulated deficit on January 1, 2019. Our consolidated financial statements for periods ending after January 1, 2019 are presented in accordance with the requirements of Topic 842, while comparative prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with Topic 840. Please refer to "Leases" above for a description of our lease accounting policies upon the adoption on Topic 842.

 

Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The amendments in this update changed how companies measure and recognize credit impairment for many financial assets. The new expected credit loss model will require companies to immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of the financial assets (including trade receivables) that are within the scope of the update. The update also made amendments to the current impairment model for held-to-maturity and available-for-sale debt securities and certain guarantees. The guidance was effective for us on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

NOTE 5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The Company had approximately $4.7 million and $5.7 million in intangible assets, net of amortization, at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Shown below are the details of the components that represent these balances.

 

Intangible assets consisted of the following as of June 30, 2020

 

   

Cost

   

Accumulated Amortization

   

Carrying Value

 

Amortization Life and Method

                           

IP Software

  $ 2,378,248     $ (2,306,565 )   $ 71,682  

3 years - straight-line

Portfolios and Client Lists

    7,714,665       (6,195,599 )     1,519,066  

4 years - straight-line

Client Acquisition Costs

    8,625,568       (5,512,910 )     3,112,658  

4 years - straight-line

PCI Certification

    449,000       (449,000 )     -  

3 years - straight-line

Trademarks

    703,586       (703,586 )     -  

3 years - straight-line

Domain Names

    437,810       (437,810 )     -  

3 years - straight-line

Total

  $ 20,308,876     $ (15,605,470 )   $ 4,703,406    


Intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31, 2019

 

   

Cost

   

Accumulated Amortization

   

Carrying Value

 

Amortization Life and Method

                           

IP Software

  $ 2,343,888     $ (2,240,695 )   $ 103,193  

3 years - straight-line

Portfolios and Client Lists

    7,714,665       (5,614,880 )     2,099,785  

4 years - straight-line

Client Acquisition Costs

    8,238,018       (4,762,347 )     3,475,671  

4 years - straight-line

PCI Certification

    449,000       (449,000 )     -  

3 years - straight-line

Trademarks

    703,586       (703,586 )     -  

3 years - straight-line

Domain Names

    437,810       (437,810 )     -  

3 years - straight-line

Total

  $ 19,886,966     $ (14,208,317 )   $ 5,678,649    

 

Amortization expense for the intangible assets was approximately $679,000 and $649,000 for the three months June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Amortization expense for each of the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was approximately $1.4 million.

 

The following table presents the estimated aggregate future amortization expense of intangible assets:

 

2020 (remainder of year)

  $ 567,754  

2021

    1,135,508  

2022

    1,135,508  

2023

    1,123,561  

2024

    741,075  

Balance June 30, 2020

  $ 4,703,406  

  

 

NOTE 6. ACCRUED EXPENSES

 

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, accrued expenses amounted to approximately $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively. Accrued expenses represent expenses that are owed at the end of the period or are estimates of services provided that have not been billed by the provider or vendor. The following table reflect the balances outstanding as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

   

June 30, 2020

   

December 31, 2019

 

Accrued professional fees

  $ 283,071     $ 276,239  

PayOnline accrual

    -       69,039  

Accrued interest

    89,573       43,021  

Accrued bonus

    1,516,808       1,318,060  

Accrued foreign taxes

    863       2,064  

Other accrued expenses

    230,846       91,921  

Total accrued expenses

  $ 2,121,161     $ 1,800,344  

  

Included in accrued bonus are non-discretionary compensation due to our Chairman and CEO, which was approximately $1.2 million and $1.0 million at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and approximately $362,000 and $339,000 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, for discretionary performance bonuses due to certain employees.

 

Included in other accrued expenses at June 30, 2020 is approximately $136,000 in connection with a tranche received from ESOUSA pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement, which was subsequently paid through the issuance of common shares of our Company.

 

 

 

NOTE 7. NOTES PAYABLE

 

Notes payable consist of the following:

 

   

June 30, 2020

   

December 31, 2019

 

RBL Capital Group, LLC

  $ 9,431,157     $ 9,431,157  
SBA Loan - EIDL     159,899       -  
SBA Loan - PPP     491,493       -  

Subtotal

    10,082,549       9,431,157  

Less: deferred loan costs

    (159,277 )     (179,610 )

Subtotal

    9,923,272       9,251,547  

Less: current portion

    (936,391 )     (909,086 )

Long term debt

  $ 8,986,881     $ 8,342,461  

 

RBL Capital Group, LLC

 

Effective June 30, 2014, TOT Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries as co-borrowers, TOT Payments, LLC, TOT BPS, LLC, TOT FBS, LLC, Process Pink, LLC, TOT HPS, LLC and TOT New Edge, LLC (collectively, the “co-borrowers”), entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Credit Facility”) with RBL Capital Group, LLC (“RBL”), as lender (the “RBL Loan Agreement”). The original terms provided us with an 18-month, $10 million credit facility with interest at the higher of 13.90% per annum or the prime rate plus 10.65%. On May 2, 2016, we renewed our Credit Facility with RBL, increasing the facility from $10 million to $15 million and extending the term through February 2019.

 

The co-borrowers’ obligations to RBL pursuant to the RBL Loan Agreement are secured by a first priority security interest in all of the co-borrowers’ tangible and intangible assets, including but not limited to their merchants, merchant contracts and proceeds thereof, and all right title and interest in co-borrowers’ processing contracts, contract rights, and portfolio cash flows with all processors of the co-borrowers.

 

On December 19, 2019, in connection with an addendum to those certain term notes made by TOT Group, Inc.in favor of RBL, the Credit Facility referred to above, we received funding of $1,000,000 and new terms were negotiated for the total outstanding notes payable amount of $9,431,157. This total loan amount bears interest at 14.19%. On January 20, 2020, we are required to make one (1) payment of interest only for $117,329, followed by five (5) payments of interest only in the amount of $111,523. Effective July 20, 2020, we are required to make forty-eight (48) monthly payments, which includes principal and interest for $258,620, until March 20, 2024 the date this term note matures. In the event any of the installments or other payment required to be made is not received by or on behalf of RBL in full within ten (10) days after the due date thereof, and the same subsequently is received and accepted by or on behalf of RBL, the Company shall pay on demand a late charge in the amount of five percent (5%) of the amount of the delinquent payment. In the event of the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Loan Agreement), the entire unpaid balance of principal and interest of the Loan shall become due and payable immediately, without notice or demand, at the election of the Note holder, provided that the holder shall endeavor (but is not required) to provide notice to the Company of any such acceleration. The Company waives demand, presentment for payment, protest, notice of protest and notice of nonpayment or dishonor of the Note. The Company shall not have any right to prepay this loan except as expressly provided in the Loan Agreement.

 

On March 27, 2020, our Company entered into a Master Exchange Agreement, (the “ESOUSA Agreement”) with ESOUSA Holdings, LLC ("ESOUSA"), a related party. Prior to entering into the ESOUSA Agreement, ESOUSA agreed to acquire an existing promissory note that had been previously issued by the Company, of up to $2,000,000 in principal amount outstanding plus interest due to RBL Capital Group, LLC. Pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement, the Company has the right, at any time prior to March 27, 2021, to request ESOUSA, and ESOUSA agreed upon each such request, to exchange this promissory note in tranches on the dates when the Company instructs ESOUSA, for such number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) as determined under the ESOUSA Agreement based upon the number of shares of Common Stock (already in ESOUSA’s possession) that ESOUSA sold in order to finance its purchase of such tranche of the promissory note from RBL Capital Group, LLC. ESOUSA will purchase each tranche of the promissory note equal to 88% of the gross proceeds from the shares of Common Stock sold by ESOUSA to finance the purchase ofsuch Exchange Amount from RBL Capital Group, LLC. Each such tranche to be $148,000 unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and ESOUSA. The Company received its first tranche of approximately $148,000 on March 27, 2020, less any fees. In April 2020, ESOUSA exchanged the promissory note for shares in our Company's common stock which has been reflected in our stockholders" equity section. (Refer to  Note 11. Stockholders" Equity).

 

On April 23, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the ESOUSA Agreement. The Amendment increased from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement. The Company received a second tranche of approximately $143,000 on April 28, 2020, less any fees, which is reflected in accrued expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2020. No shares of the Company's common stock have been issued as of this date in connection with this tranche.

 

On August 3, 2020, our Company entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the ESOUSA Agreement. The Second Amendment increased from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement. 

 

On August 11, 2020, the Company received a third tranche of approximately $707,000 from RBL, less any fees. The Company issued 66,190 shares of its' common stock to ESOUSA in connection with this tranche.

 

SBA Loans

 

On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note (the “Note”) evidencing an unsecured loan (the “Loan”) in the amount of $491,493 made to the Company under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”). The Note matures on May 7, 2022 and bears interest at a rate of 1% per annum. Beginning December 7, 2020, the Company is required to make 17 monthly payments of principal and interest, with the principal component of each such payment based upon the level amortization of principal over a two-year period from May 7, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of the CARES Act and the PPP, the Company may apply to the Lender for forgiveness for the amount due on the Loan. The amount eligible for forgiveness is based on the amount of Loan proceeds used by the Company (during the eight-week period after the Lender makes the first disbursement of Loan proceeds) for the payment of certain covered costs, including payroll costs (including benefits), interest on mortgage obligations, rent and utilities, subject to certain limitations and reductions in accordance with the CARES Act and the PPP. No assurance can be given, at this time, that the Company will obtain forgiveness of the Loan in whole or in part. (Refer to Note 7. Notes Payable).

 

On May 18, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note (the "Note") in the amount of $159,899 made to the Company by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. Monthly installment payments on the Note will begin twelve months from the date of the Note, with the balance of any accrued principal and interest at 3.75% annually, payable thirty years from the date of the Note.

 

Scheduled notes payable principal repayment at June 30, 2020 is as follows:

 

2020 (remainder of year)

  $ 936,391  
2021     2,353,216  
2022     2,470,767  
2023     3,418,653  
2024     763,380  
thereafter     140,141  

Balance June 30, 2020

  $ 10,082,549  

 

 

 

NOTE 8. CONCENTRATIONS

 

Our credit card processing revenues are from merchant customer transactions, which were processed primarily by two third-party processors (greater than 5%) and our own dedicated bank identification number ("BIN")/Interbank Card Association ("ICA") number during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020, we processed 33% of our total revenue with Priority Payment Systems, 46% from our own dedicated BIN/ICA with Esquire Bank, and 10% with First Data Corp. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, we processed 49% of our total revenue with Priority Payment Systems, 35% from our own dedicated BIN/ICA with Esquire Bank, and 7% from First Data Corp.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2020, we processed 27% of our total revenue with Priority Payment Systems, 50% from our own dedicated BIN/ICA with Esquire Bank, and 10% with First Data Corp. During the three months ended June 30, 2019, we processed 46% of our total revenue with Priority Payment Systems, 38% from our own dedicated BIN/ICA with Esquire Bank, and 8% from First Data Corp.

 

 

NOTE 9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Employment Agreement

 

On February 25, 2020, as per approval of the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the board of directors of the board of directors of the Company, the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Agreement”) with Steven Wolberg, the Company's Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. The Agreement provides for continuation of the current base salary of $250,000. The term of the Agreement is 5 years, with subsequent 1-year renewals. The Agreement provides for a sign in bonus of 10,000 shares of Company’s common stock, to be granted to Mr. Wolberg pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plan, the severance in the amount of two times annual base salary of Mr. Wolberg if Mr. Wolberg’s employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” (as defined in the Agreement) or Mr. Wolberg terminates the employment for “good reason” (as defined in the Agreement). For each fiscal year during the term of the Agreement, the Agreement provides for a bonus arrangement equal to 50% of Mr. Wolberg’s base salary, payable in the Company’s shares of common stock or, at the Company’s discretion, in cash. Further, for each fiscal year during the term of the Agreement, Mr. Wolberg will be eligible to receive long-term equity incentive awards, as determined by the Committee at the time of grant, pursuant to the Company’s equity incentive plan.

 

Minimum Billing Processing Fees Commitment

 

We have non-exclusive agreements with two of our processors to provide services related to processing. The agreements require us to submit a minimum number of  billable processing fees. If we submit an amount that is lower than the minimum, we are required to pay to each processor the fees it would have received if we had submitted the required minimum number of billable processing fees. As of June 30, 2020, the aggregate minimum monthly processing fees for these processors amounts to approximately $150,000 per month.

 

Leases

 

North American Transaction Solutions

 

During May 2013, we entered into a lease agreement, for approximately 4,101 square feet of office space located at 3363 N.E. 163rd Street, Suites 705 through 707, North Miami Beach, Florida 33160. The term of the lease agreement was from May 1, 2013 through December 31, 2016, with monthly rent increasing from $16,800 per month at inception to $19,448 per month (or $233,377 per year) for the period from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. The lease was extended for a period of five years commencing August 1, 2017 and expiring July 31, 2022 with equal monthly base rent installments of $14,354 ($172,248 per year) plus sales tax.

 

On September 26, 2019, we entered into a lease for additional office space in the building that our current office space is located for our North American Transactions Solutions. The space is for 5,875 square feet and the term is for 5 years commencing on September 23, 2019 and expiring on September 30, 2024. The monthly base rent is $16,156 ($193,875 per year) plus sales tax. In consideration of our Company foregoing its rights to credits towards the cubicle installation, the lease was amended. The amended lease requires the Company to begin paying $11,500 effective July 7, 2020, with the original monthly rent payment of $16,156 commencing on January 1, 2021. In addition, commencing on March 1, 2021, our Company will begin making up the difference between the original monthly lease payment of $16,156 and the amended monthly lease payment of $11,500, the deferred monthly rent, by paying the landlord an additional $2,000 per month until the deferred portion of the rent is fully repaid. The Company is expected to occupy these premises in the near future.

 

Net Element Software, our subsidiary, currently leases approximately 1,654 square feet of office space in Yekaterinburg, Russia, where we develop value added services, mobile applications, smart terminals applications, sales central ERP system development and marketing activities, at an annual rent of approximately $21,000.The lease term expired on June 1, 2019 and was renewed with indefinite terms.

 

International Transaction Solutions

 

The Company occupies an office in Moscow, Russia with approximately 1600 square feet at an annual rent of $50,900, which lease expired on February 10, 2020. This lease was renewed with indefinite terms.

 

We believe that our current facilities are suitable and adequate for our present purposes, and we anticipate that we will be able to extend our existing leases on terms satisfactory to us or move to new facilities on acceptable terms.

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the undiscounted future minimum lease payments, under the lease for the premises we occupy for our North American Transaction Solutions segment's U.S. headquarters, to the amounts reported as operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2020:

 

   

Operating Lease

 

Undiscounted future minimum lease payments:

       

2020 (remainder of year)

  $ 86,124  

2021

    172,248  

2022

    100,478  

Total

  $ 358,850  

Amount representing imputed interest

    (42,732 )

Total operating lease liability

    316,118  

Current portion of operating lease liability

    (68,859 )

Operating Lease Liability, non-current

  $ 247,259  

 

   

As of June 30, 2020

 

Remaining term on Lease

    2.00  

Incremental borrowing rate

    12 %

 

As of June 30, 2020, the future minimum lease payments under other operating leases, not subject to Topic 842, are approximately $122,000 for the remainder of the year. 

 

Litigation, Claims, and Assessments

 

With respect to all legal, regulatory and governmental proceedings, and in accordance with ASC 450-20, Contingencies—Loss Contingencies, we consider the likelihood of a negative outcome. If we determine the likelihood of a negative outcome with respect to any such matter is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we record an accrual for the estimated amount of loss for the expected outcome of the matter. If the likelihood of a negative outcome with respect to material matters is reasonably possible and we are able to determine an estimate of the amount of possible loss or a range of loss, whether in excess of a related accrued liability or where there is no accrued liability, we disclose the estimate of the amount of possible loss or range of loss. However, management in some instances may be unable to estimate an amount of possible loss or range of loss based on the significant uncertainties involved in, or the preliminary nature of, the matter, and in these instances we will disclose the nature of the contingency and describe why we are unable to determine an estimate of possible loss or range of loss.

 

In addition, we are involved in ordinary course legal proceedings, which include all claims, lawsuits, investigations and proceedings, including unasserted claims, which are probable of being asserted, arising in the ordinary course of business and otherwise not described below. We have considered all such ordinary course legal proceedings in formulating our disclosures and assessments, which are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Aptito.com, Inc.

 

On August 6, 2014, our subsidiary (Aptito, LLC) filed a lawsuit against Aptito.com, Inc. and the shareholders of Aptito.com, Inc., in state court in the 11th Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County. This is an interpleader action in regards to 125,000 shares of our stock. Aptito, LLC acquired Aptito.com, Inc. in exchange for, among other things, 125,000 shares (prior to adjustment for two one-for-ten reverse stock splits) of our stock. There has been disagreements among the Aptito.com, Inc. shareholders as to proper distribution of the 125,000 shares (prior to adjustment for two one-for-ten reverse stock splits). To avoid any liability in regards to improper distribution, Aptito, LLC filed the interpleader action so as to allow the Defendants to litigate amongst themselves as to how the shares (prior to adjustment for two one- for-ten reverse stock splits) should be distributed. Aptito.com, Inc. opposed the motion to interplead and filed counterclaims relative to Aptito, LLC for non-delivery of the 125,000 shares (prior to adjustment for two one-for-ten reverse stock splits).

 

On July 18, 2017, the Court granted Aptito LLC’s motion to interplead and also indicated that Aptito, LLC could not be held liable for any alleged damages relative to the purported non- delivery of the 125,000 shares after the interpleader action was filed on August 6, 2014.

 

In March 2018, a new Judge in the case ruled that Aptito.com, Inc. was entitled to receive 125,000 newly issued shares of our common stock, but indicated that he was not ruling that we were required to issue such shares. We plan to appeal this ruling, and our legal counsel is addressing the counterclaims filed by Aptito.com, Inc. in this matter.

 

In July 2018, our counsel was disqualified due to a conflict of interest. We engaged a new law firm to represent our ongoing interests in this case. Since that time, there have been multiple Motions and claims brought by Aptito.com, Inc., including the request for rescission of the asset purchase agreement that gave rise to the share issuance obligation. All of these Motions and claims are being vigorously defended.

 

A court ordered mediation conference was held on April 24, 2019 but the parties were unable to reach a settlement. On May 1, 2019 the Court denied Aptito.com, Inc.’s Motion for Summary Judgement and further hearings on a variety of Motions were scheduled in this matter.

 

On August 14, 2019, the court granted final Summary Judgment in favor of the Company, removing Net Element as a party to the lawsuit and denying Aptito.com, Inc’s Motion for rehearing and reconsideration of this matter. Aptito, LLC, in which the Company has a majority ownership interest, remains a Defendant in this litigation. On September 17, 2019, the court granted the Company’s Motion for sanctions against the attorney representing Aptito.com, Inc. in this matter. The Company is pursuing collection of legal fees incurred from the Plaintiff and their attorney. This matter was pending a special set hearing to be held on March 23, 2020. That hearing was postponed and rescheduled for hearing in July 2020. On July 23, 2020, the Court entered a judgement against the attorney representing Aptito.com and awarded attorney fees to the Company. The attorney stated on the record he will be filing for bankruptcy. The Company intends pursuing recovery from the attorney.

 

Gene Zell

 

In June 2014, we, as plaintiff, commenced an action in the Miami-Dade Circuit Court, Florida against Gene Zell ("Zell") for defamation of our Company and CEO and tortious interference with our business relationships. In October 2014, the court granted a temporary injunction against Zell enjoining him from posting any information about our Company and CEO on any website and enjoining him from contacting our business partners or investors. Zell violated the Court Order and the Court granted a Motion imposing sanctions against Zell. We continue to seek enforcement of the Court Order.

 

In April 2015, Zell filed a Motion to set aside the Court Order alleging he was unaware of the Court Proceedings. The Court, on August 26, 2015, dismissed Zell’s Motion to dissolve the injunction. In March 2017 the Court dismissed another Motion brought by Zell to dissolve the injunction. Accordingly, the injunction order prohibiting Zell from making further defamatory posts remains in place.

 

In 2018, we filed a motion to enforce the injunction and contempt orders against Zell. The court upheld the injunction and we continue to vigorously protect its interests. We are pursuing an action for damages sustained as a result of the defamation.

 

On September 20, 2019, the Court granted a Permanent Injunction against Zell. The Company is evaluating pursuing actions against Zell for collection of legal fees and damages.

 

A trial was scheduled for April 2020 on the issue of Net Element’s damages. However, Zell recently filed bankruptcy, so that trial and all further legal proceedings involving Zell will be stayed as a result of the automatic bankruptcy stay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTE 10. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, agent commissions resulting from merchant processing of approximately and $18,000 were paid to Prime Portfolios, LLC, an entity owned by Oleg Firer, our Chairman and CEO, and Steven Wolberg, our Chief Legal Officer. In addition, key members of management owned companies received similar commissions and/or reimbursement for equipment purchased on the Company’s behalf, which amounted to approximately $186,000 and $195,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, agent commissions resulting from merchant processing of approximately $58,000 and $36,000, respectively,were paid to Prime Portfolios, LLC, an entity owned by Oleg Firer, our Chairman and CEO, and Steven Wolberg, our Chief Legal Officer. In addition, key members of management owned companies received similar commissions and/or reimbursement for equipment purchased on the Company’s behalf, which amounted to approximately $412,000 and $365,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

 

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had accrued expenses of approximately $61,000 and $127,000, respectively, which consisted primarily of various travel, professional fees, and other expenses paid and charged for by our CEO on his personal credit cards. This is reflected as due to related party on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In addition, approximately $74,000 of various travel, professional fees, and other expenses paid and charged for by our CEO on his personal credit cards, are included in accounts payable.

 

On March 27, 2020, our Company entered into a Master Exchange Agreement, (the “ESOUSA Agreement”) with ESOUSA Holdings, LLC ("ESOUSA"), a related party. Prior to entering into the ESOUSA Agreement, ESOUSA agreed to acquire an existing promissory note that had been previously issued by the Company, of up to $2,000,000 in principal amount outstanding plus interest due to RBL Capital Group, LLC. Pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement, the Company has the right, at any time prior to March 27, 2021, to request ESOUSA, and ESOUSA agreed upon each such request, to exchange this promissory note in tranches on the dates when the Company instructs ESOUSA, for such number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) as determined under the ESOUSA Agreement based upon the number of shares of Common Stock (already in ESOUSA’s possession) that ESOUSA sold in order to finance its purchase of such tranche of the promissory note from RBL Capital Group, LLC. ESOUSA will purchase each tranche of the promissory note equal to 88% of the gross proceeds from the shares of Common Stock sold by ESOUSA to finance the purchase ofsuch Exchange Amount from RBL Capital Group, LLC. Each such tranche to be $148,000 unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and ESOUSA. The Company received its first tranche of approximately $148,000 on March 27, 2020, less any fees. In April 2020, ESOUSA exchanged the promissory note for shares in our Company's common stock which has been reflected in our stockholders" equity section. (Refer to  Note 11. Stockholders" Equity).

 

On April 23, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the ESOUSA Agreement with ESOUSA. The Amendment increased from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement. The Company received a second tranche of approximately $143,000 on April 28, 2020, less any fees, which is reflected in accrued expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2020. No shares have been issued as of this date in connection with this tranche.

 

On August 3, 2020, our Company entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Agreement. The Second Amendment increased from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement. 

 

On August 11, 2020, the Company received a third tranche of approximately $707,000 from RBL, less any fees. The Company issued 66,190 shares of its' common stock to ESOUSA in connection with this tranche.

 

 

NOTE 11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

On October 5, 2017, we effected a one-for-ten reverse stock split of our common stock. Our condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures reflect these changes in capital structure for all periods presented.

 

On June 12, 2015 and June 13, 2016, our shareholders approved 100,000,000 increases in our authorized common stock to 300,000,000 and 400,000,000, respectively. On October 2, 2017, our shareholders approved a 300,000,000 decrease in our authorized common stock to 100,000,000.

 

 

The following table represents the change in our stockholders' equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

 

   

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 
   

Common Stock

   

Paid in

   

Accumulated Other

   

Non-controlling

   

Accumulated

   

Total

 
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

Comprehensive Loss

   

interest

   

Deficit

   

Stockholder's Equity

 

Balance December 31, 2018

    3,863,019     $ 386.30     $ 183,246,232     $ (2,232,163 )   $ (125,737 )   $ (172,292,252 )   $ 8,596,466  

Share based compensation

    2,448       0.24       15,006       -       -       -       15,006  

Net loss

    -       -       -       -       (13,966 )     (1,120,847 )     (1,134,813 )

Comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation

    -       -       -       (14,561 )     -       -       (14,561 )

Balance March 31, 2019

    3,865,467     $ 386.55     $ 183,261,238     $ (2,246,724 )   $ (139,703 )   $ (173,413,099 )   $ 7,462,098  

Share based compensation

    319,047       23.90       2,005,816                               2,005,840  

Net loss

    -       -       -               (40,225 )     (1,537,447 )     (1,577,672 )

Comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation

    -       -       -       (5,537 )                     (5,537 )

Balance June 30, 2019

    4,184,514     $ 410.45     $ 185,267,054     $ (2,252,261 )   $ (179,928 )   $ (174,950,546 )   $ 7,884,729  

 

   

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 
   

Common Stock

   

Paid in

   

Accumulated Other

   

Non-controlling

   

Accumulated

   

Total

 
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

Comprehensive Loss

   

interest

   

Deficit

   

Stockholder's Equity

 

Balance December 31, 2019

    4,111,082     $ 410.66     $ 185,297,069     $ (2,274,187 )   $ (231,999 )   $ (178,750,634 )   $ 4,040,660  

Share based compensation

    14,672       1.47       45,896       -       -       -       45,897  

Expenses paid in connection with ESOUSA transaction

    -       -       (5,000 )     -       -       -       (5,000 )

Net loss

    -       -       -       -       (11,228 )     (1,366,798 )     (1,378,026 )

Comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation

    -       -       -       130,813       -       -       130,813  

Balance March 31, 2020

    4,125,754     $ 412.13     $ 185,337,965     $ (2,143,374 )   $ (243,227 )   $ (180,117,432 )   $ 2,834,345  

Share based compensation

    4,054       0.41       7,500                               7,500  

ESOUSA transaction

    65,862       6.59       151,475                               151,482  

Net loss

    -       -       -               (13,724 )     (324,690 )     (338,414 )

Comprehensive loss - foreign currency translation

    -       -       -       (65,990 )                     (65,990 )

Balance June 30, 2020

    4,195,670     $ 419.13     $ 185,496,940     $ (2,209,364 )   $ (256,951 )   $ (180,442,122 )   $ 2,588,923  

 

Equity Incentive Plan Activity

 

On December 5, 2013, our shareholders approved the Net Element International, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended to date, the “2013 Plan”). Awards under the 2013 Plan may be granted in any one or all of the following forms: (i) incentive stock options meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; (ii) non-qualified stock options (unless otherwise indicated, references to “Options” include both Incentive Stock Options and Non-Qualified Stock Options); (iii) stock appreciation rights, which may be awarded either in tandem with Options or on a stand-alone basis; (iv) shares of common stock that are restricted; (v) units representing shares of common stock; (vi) units that do not represent shares of common stock but which may be paid in the form of common stock; and (vii) shares of common stock that are not subject to any conditions to vesting.

 

On November 27, 2018, our shareholders approved an amendment to the 2013 Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance by 178,900 shares resulting in the aggregate of 773,000 shares authorized for issuance under the 2013 Plan. 

 

On October 23, 2019, our shareholders approved an amendment to the 2013 Plan to increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for issuance by 177,000 shares resulting in the aggregate of 950,000 shares authorized for issuance under the 2013 Plan.

 

The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock available for award under the 2013 Plan at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 153,709 and 252,436, respectively. The 2013 Plan is administered by the compensation committee.

 

2013 Equity Incentive Plan - Shares and Stock Options

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, we issued common stock pursuant to the 2013 Plan to the members of our Board of Directors and recorded a compensation charge of $7,500 and $15,000, respectively. 

 
During the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, we issued common stock pursuant to the 2013 Plan to the members of our Board of Directors and recorded a compensation charge of approximately $15,000 and $30,000, respectively. 
 
At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had 154,005 incentive stock options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $10.73 and a weighted average remaining contract term of 7.58 years at June 30, 2020 and 8.08 years at December 31, 2019, respectively. All of the stock options were anti-dilutive at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

 

 

 

NOTE 12. WARRANTS AND OPTIONS

 

Options

 

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had fully vested options outstanding to purchase 314,218 shares of common stock at exercise prices ranging from $3.27 to $134.00 per share. 

 

Due to the high level of volatility in the stock price of our common stock, our management determined the grant date fair value of the options using the then quoted stock price at the grant date.

 

Warrants

 

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had warrants outstanding to purchase 728,583 shares of common stock. At June 30, 2020 the warrants had a weighted average exercise price of $6.18 per share purchased and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 2.50 years. At December 31, 2019, the warrants had a weighted average exercise price of $6.18 per share purchased and a weighted average remaining contractual term of 3.00 years.

 

Non-Incentive Plan Options

 

At June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had 323,498 non-incentive options outstanding with a weighted-average exercise price of $21.84. The non-incentive options have a remaining contract term of .42 years at June 30, 2020. These options were out of the money at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and had no intrinsic value.

 

 

NOTE 13. SUBSEQUENT EVENT

 

On August 3, 2020, our Company entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Agreement. The Second Amendment increased from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement. On August 11, 2020, the Company received a third tranche of approximately $707,000 from RBL, less any fees. The Company issued 66,190 shares of its' common stock to ESOUSA shares in connection with this tranche.

 

On August 4, 2020, our Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Mullen Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (“Mullen”), and Mullen Acquisition, Inc., a California corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Mullen (the “Merger”), with Mullen continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger. After Mullen’s completion and delivery to our Company, of the audited financial statements for Mullen and its subsidiaries and affiliates required to be included in a registration statement, the Company intends to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 (together with all amendments thereto, the “Registration Statement”) in which the proxy statement will be included as a part of the prospectus, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of Parent Shares to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement contains termination rights for each of the Company and Mullen, including, among others, (i) in the event that the Merger has not been consummated by December 31, 2020, (ii) in the event that the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders is not obtained upon a vote thereon, (iii) in the event that any governmental authority shall have taken action to restrain, enjoin or prohibit the consummation of the Merger, which action shall have become final and non-appealable and (iv) in the event that there is a breach by the other party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, which breach is sufficiently material and not timely cured or curable. In addition, Mullen may terminate the Merger Agreement if, prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders, the Company’s board of directors shall have changed their recommendation in respect of the Merger. Further, the Company may terminate the Merger Agreement prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement). 

 

As contemplated by the Merger Agreement, on August 11, 2020, our Company as lender, entered into an unsecured Promissory Note, dated August 11, 2020 (the “Note”), with Mullen. Pursuant to the Note, Mullen borrowed from the Company $500,000. Prior to maturity of the loan, the principal amount of the loan will carry an interest rate of 14% per annum compounded monthly and payable upon demand. This loan will mature on the earlier of (i) the date that the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason by any party thereto and (ii) the Merger Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion should be read and evaluated in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Report") and the Risk Factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (the "Annual Report") and in Part II, Item 1A of this Report.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

As used in this Report, unless the context otherwise indicates, the references to “we”, “us,” “our” or the “Company” refers to Net Element, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context suggests otherwise.

 

This Report and other written or oral statements made from time to time by us may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can sometimes identify forward looking-statements by our use of the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “forecast,” “guidance” and similar expressions. Some of the statements we use in this report contain forward-looking statements concerning our business operations, economic performance and financial condition, including in particular: our business strategy and means to implement the strategy; measures of future results of operations, such as revenue, expenses, operating margins, and earnings per share; other operating metrics such as shares outstanding and capital expenditures; our success and timing in developing and introducing new products or services and expanding our business, including with respect to joint ventures; the successful integration of future acquisitions; our future responses to and the anticipated impact of novel coronavirus COVID-19 ("COVID-19"); and the potential Merger between the Company and Mullen and the related transactions, including the planned Divestiture.

 

Although we believe that the plans and expectations reflected in or suggested by our forward-looking statements are reasonable, those statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, cannot be foreseen and reflect future business decisions that are subject to change. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee you that our plans and expectations will be achieved. Our actual results, including actual revenues, revenue growth rates and margins, other results of operations and shareholder values, could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements as a result of known and unknown factors, many of which are beyond our ability to predict or control. These factors include, but are not limited to, those set forth in Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors of this Report and in our Annual Report, those set forth elsewhere in this report and those set forth in our press releases, reports and other filings made with the SEC, including under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements” in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 5, 2020, as amended.  In particular, these statements also depend on the duration, severity, and evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and related risks, and its effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. These cautionary statements qualify all of our forward-looking statements, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

 

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing our plans and expectations as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update or revise forward-looking statements at some time in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to our forward-looking statements.

 

Company Overview

 

Net Element is a global technology and value-added solutions group that supports electronic payments acceptance in a multi-channel environment including point-of- sale (POS), ecommerce and mobile devices. The Company operates two business segments as a provider of North American Transaction Solutions and International Transaction Solutions.

 

We offer a broad range of payment acceptance and transaction processing services that enable merchants of all sizes to accept and process over 100 different payment options in more than 120 currencies, including credit, debit, prepaid and alternative payments. We also provide merchants with value-added services and technologies including integrated payment technologies, POS solutions, fraud management, information solutions and analytical tools.

 

 

We are differentiated by our technology-centered value-added service offerings built around our payments ecosystem and our diversified business model, which enables us to provide our varied customer base with a broad range of transaction-processing services from a single source across numerous channels and geographic markets. We believe these capabilities provide several competitive advantages that will enable us to continue to penetrate our existing customer base with complementary new services, win new customers, develop new sales channels and enter new markets. We believe these competitive advantages include:

 

 

Our ability to provide competitive products through use of proprietary technologies;

 

Our ability to provide in one package a range of services that traditionally had to be sourced from different vendors;

 

Our ability to provide a single agnostic on-boarding and merchant management platform to our indirect non-bank sales force ("Sales Partners");

 

Our ability to provide management and optimization tools to our Sales Partners amongst multiple networks and platforms;

 

Our ability to serve customers with disparate operations in several geographies with technology solutions that enable them to manage their business as one enterprise; and

 

Our ability to capture and analyze data across the transaction processing value chain and use that data to provide value-added services that are differentiated from those offered by pure-play vendors that serve only one portion of the transaction processing value chain (such as only merchant acquiring or POS).

 

We have operations and offices located within the United States (“U.S.”) (domestic) and outside of the U.S. (international) where sales, customer service and/or administrative personnel are based. Through U.S. based subsidiaries, we generate revenues from transactional services, valued-added payment services and technologies that we provide to SMBs. Through wholly owned subsidiaries, we focus on transactional services, mobile payment transactions, online payment transactions, value-added payment services and technologies in selected international markets.

 

Our business is characterized by transaction related fees, multi-year contracts, and a diverse client base, which allows us to grow alongside our clients. Our multi-year contracts allow us to achieve a high level of recurring revenues with the same clients. While the contracts typically do not specify fixed revenues to be realized thereunder, they do provide a framework for revenues to be generated based on volume of services provided during such contracts’ term.

 

Products and Services Information

 

Our broad suite of services spans the entire transaction processing value chain of commerce enabling services and technologies and includes a range of front-end customer-facing solutions, as well as back-end support services and account reconciliation. We deliver our value-added solutions from a suite of proprietary technology products, software, cloud-based applications, processing services, fraud management offerings, and customer support programs that we configure to meet our client’s individual needs.

 

Many of our payment solutions are technology-enabled in that they incorporate or are incorporated into innovative, technology-driven solutions, including enterprise software solutions, designed to enable merchants to better manage their businesses.

 

Integrated and Vertical Markets. Our integrated and vertical market solutions provide advanced payments technology that is deeply integrated into business enterprise software solutions either owned by us or by our partners. We grow our business when new merchants implement our enterprise software solutions and when new or existing merchants enable payments services through enterprise software solutions sold by us or by our partners. Our primary technology-enabled solutions include integrated and vertical markets, ecommerce and multi-channel solutions, each as described below:

 

 

Unified Payments – doing business as Unified Payments, we provide businesses of all sizes and types throughout the United States with a wide range of fully- integrated payment acceptance solutions, value-added POS and business process management services;

 

PayOnline – through our subsidiary, PayOnline Systems (“PayOnline”), we provide a wide range of value-added online solutions in the selected international markets utilizing our fully-integrated, agnostic electronic commerce platform that simplifies complex enterprise online transaction processing challenges from payment acceptance and processing through risk prevention and payment security via point-to-point encryption and tokenization solutions;

 

Pay-Travel – integrated payment processing solutions to the travel industry, which includes integrations with various Global Distribution Systems (“GDS”) such as Amadeus®, Galileo®, Sabre®, additional geo filters and passenger name record (PNR) through Pay-Travel service offered by PayOnline;

 

Aptito POS Platform – an integrated POS platform developed on Apple’s® iOS and Android® mobile operating systems for the hospitality, retail, service and on the go industries. Our goal with Aptito is to create an easy to use POS and business management solution, which incorporates everything a small business needs to help streamline every-day management, operations and payment acceptance;

 

Restoactive – utilizing Aptito POS Platform architecture, we have developed and launched Restoactive, which seamlessly plugs into a current restaurant environment through integrations with some of the biggest POS and restaurant management platforms available on the market today;

 

Unified m-POS – mobile POS application makes accepting payments on the go easy and secure. Mobile application is EMV-compliant, accepts traditional and contactless transactions such as Apple Pay®. Unified m-POS application is available for download in Apple’s App Store and Google Play;

 

Zero Pay – zero-fee payment acceptance program for SMB merchants in the United States. Zero Pay program saves merchants costs involved in accepting credit and debit cards using mobile POS;

 

Netevia – our internally developed future-ready multi-channel payments and merchant management platform. Connecting and simplifying payments across sales channels through a single integration point, Netevia delivers end-to-end payment processing through easy-to-use APIs. The Netevia platform is the core of the company’s technology stack.

 

 

Recent Developments


The outbreak and continuing spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected businesses across the globe, in particular the service industry, which includes restaurants, a significant part of our business, as well as disrupted global supply chains and workforce participation, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets. Further, this has resulted in government authorities around the world implementing numerous measures to try to reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, “shelter-in-place,” “stay-at-home” or similar orders, business limitations or total shutdowns. For example, many of our restaurant merchants that we service located within mainland United States, as well as hospitality and retail sector merchants, have been temporarily closed, have shortened operating hours and/or have otherwise been adversely affected by the impact continuing spread of COVID-19. These merchants have experienced significant sales declines or no sales at all due to closure of their business. Additionally, the COVID-19 outbreak has negatively impacted our employee productivity, including affecting the availability of employees reporting for work.

 

Since March 2020, we have taken initiatives to help minimize the risks to our business and protect our shareholders. Our management team’s experience during the 2008 financial crisis is proving to be very valuable in dealing with the current crisis. Our entire staff is fully committed and working diligently to support our merchants through these difficult times. Most of our merchants have contactless payment acceptance capabilities through their POS solutions, as well as, e-commerce and mobile contactless payment acceptance capabilities to eliminate the need for physical payments to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The following initiatives, including an extensive business continuity plan, have been implemented:

 

Risk Management:

 

● Enhanced risk controls and safeguards have been put in place for merchants that sell products with an extended delivery time frame, products paid in advance, catering, ticketing, transportation and travel related merchants
● Onboarding of new merchants in the above categories has been put on hold until further notice
● For those employees that will be working from home, we have implemented a “remote work” policy and provided employees with the technology necessary to do so
● For those employees that require office attendance, we are taking significant steps to ensure seamless service delivery while safeguarding employees health

 

Contactless Payments:


● Most of our merchants have contactless payment acceptance capabilities through their POS devices from equipment manufacturers such as PAX, Poynt and Verifone which are fully integrated into Netevia and Aptito platforms
● We launched an initiative to deploy contactless payment acceptance equipment to merchants that don’t currently have it
● Mobile contactless payment acceptance is available through our Unified mPOS App which can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store and Google’s Google Play Apps
● Online ecommerce payments through shopping carts allow our merchants to sell their products and services to customers that prefer to shop from the convenience of their homes

 

During March 2020, our Company evaluated its liquidity position, future operating plans, and its labor force, which included a reduction in the labor force and compensation to executives and other employees, in order to maintain current payment processing functions, capabilities, and continued customer service to its merchants. We are also seeking sources of capital to pay our contractual obligations as they come due, in light of these uncertain times. Management believes that its operating strategy will provide the opportunity for us to continue as a going concern as long as we are able to obtain additional financing. At this time, due to our continuing losses from operations, negative working capital, and the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot predict the impact of these conditions on our ability to obtain financing necessary for the Company to fund its future working capital requirements. Our Company has also decided to explore strategic alternatives and potential options for its business, including sale of the Company or certain assets, licensing of technology, spin-offs, or a business combination. Accordingly, on August 4, 2020, the Company entered into a merger agreement in connection with the contemplated merger (the “Merger”) with Mullen Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (“Mullen”), and certain related transactions, including a divestiture of the Company’s existing business operations.  See “—Recent Developments—Mullen Merger and Related Transactions” for additional information. There can be no assurance, at this time, regarding the eventual outcome of our planned strategic alternatives, including the Merger and the related transactions. In most respects, it is still too early in the COVID-19 pandemic to be able to quantify or qualify the longer-term ramifications on our merchant processing business, our merchants, our planned strategic alternatives to enhance current shareholder value, our current investors, and/or future potential investors.

 

As part of our Company's plan to obtain capital to fund future operations, on March 27, 2020, our Company entered into a Master Exchange Agreement, (the “ESOUSA Agreement”) with ESOUSA Holdings, LLC ("ESOUSA"), a related party. Prior to entering into the ESOUSA Agreement, ESOUSA agreed to acquire an existing promissory note that had been previously issued by the Company, of up to $2,000,000 in principal amount outstanding and unpaid interest due to RBL Capital Group, LLC ("RBL"). Pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement, the Company has the right, at any time prior to March 27, 2021, to request ESOUSA, and ESOUSA agreed upon each such request, to exchange this promissory note in tranches on the dates when the Company instructs ESOUSA, for such number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) as determined under the ESOUSA Agreement based upon the number of shares of Common Stock (already in ESOUSA’s possession) that ESOUSA sold in order to finance its purchase of such tranche of the promissory note from RBL.  ESOUSA will purchase each tranche of the promissory note equal to 88% of the gross proceeds from the shares of Common Stock sold by ESOUSA to finance the purchase of such exchange amount from RBL. Each such tranche shall be $148,000 unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and ESOUSA. On April 23, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the ESOUSA Agreement. The Amendment increased from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement. The Company has the right, pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement (as amended by the Amendment), to request ESOUSA to exchange in tranches such promissory notes for shares of the Company’s common stock on the terms and conditions and subject to the limitations set forth in the ESOUSA Agreement. On August 3, 2020, our Company entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the ESOUSA Agreement. The Second Amendment increased from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL 

 

On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note (the “Note”) evidencing an unsecured loan (the “Loan”) in the amount of $491,493 made to the Company under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”). The Note matures on May 7, 2022 and bears interest at a rate of 1% per annum. Beginning December 7, 2020, the Company is required to make 17 monthly payments of principal and interest, with the principal component of each such payment based upon the level amortization of principal over a two-year period from May 7, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of the CARES Act and the PPP, the Company may apply to the Lender for forgiveness for the amount due on the Loan. The amount eligible for forgiveness is based on the amount of Loan proceeds used by the Company (during the eight-week period after the Lender makes the first disbursement of Loan proceeds) for the payment of certain covered costs, including payroll costs (including benefits), interest on mortgage obligations, rent and utilities, subject to certain limitations and reductions in accordance with the CARES Act and the PPP. No assurance can be given, at this time, that the Company will obtain forgiveness of the Loan in whole or in part.

 

On May 18, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note in the amount of $159,899 made to the Company by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

 

Mullen Merger and Related Transactions

 

On August 4, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Mullen and Mullen Acquisition, Inc., a California corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”).  Pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Mullen, with Mullen continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger.   The parties to the Merger Agreement intend that the number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding immediately after the Merger effective time on a fully diluted and fully converted basis will not exceed 75,000,000, with 15% of such common stock outstanding immediately after the Merger effective time on a fully diluted and fully converted basis to be allocated to the persons that hold shares of the Company common stock immediately prior to the Merger effective time (the “Parent Pre-Merger Stockholders”) (subject to upward adjustment described below).

 

The parties to the Merger Agreement intend that, subject to the Company’s stockholders’ approval, the Company will effect a private placement of the Company common stock prior to the Merger effective time (the “Private Placement”) and to loan at 14% annual interest rate compounding monthly all or a portion of the net proceeds of the Private Placement to Mullen on an unsecured basis. In connection with such financing, for every one dollar of loan funding (including all accrued interest on such loans) provided by the Company to Mullen prior to the Merger effective time, the Parent Pre-Merger Stockholders will retain an additional 0.00000067% of the shares of the Company common stock to be outstanding on a fully diluted basis immediately after the Merger effective time.

 

The Parties to the Merger Agreement intend that, prior to the Merger effective time but, subject to and after the Company’s stockholders’ approval, the Company will divest itself of its existing business operations to another party, and will cause such party to assume all liabilities of the Company directly related to its operations of its existing business immediately prior to the closing of such divestiture (the “Divestiture”).

 

As contemplated by the Merger Agreement, on August 11, 2020, our Company as lender, entered into an unsecured Promissory Note, dated August 11, 2020 (the “Note”), with Mullen. Pursuant to the Note, Mullen borrowed from the Company $500,000. Prior to maturity of the loan, the principal amount of the loan will carry an interest rate of 14% per annum compounded monthly and payable upon demand. This loan will mature on the earlier of (i) the date that the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason by any party thereto and (ii) the Merger Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

Consummation of the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement and the other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, is subject to customary conditions including, among others, the approval of the Company’s stockholders. There is no guarantee that the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement or the other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement will be completed.  

 

Our Mission and Vision

 

Our mission is to power global commerce and allow our clients to conduct business globally through a centralized solution. We believe that understanding consumer behavior and the needs of our merchants is the most effective and, ultimately, the most profitable means to accomplish our mission and create long-term value for all stakeholders.

 

We drive client growth through our in-depth knowledge of global transactional services and related value-added service offerings which separate us from the competition.

 

Our vision is to set the standard for multi-channel payments acceptance and value-added service offerings with focus on the creation of a unified global transaction acceptance ecosystem. We believe in disruptive emerging technologies and, as such, we have developed Netevia, our future-ready multi-channel payments platform to support development of value-added solutions designed for everyday commerce. Moving forward, we believe exciting projects and disruptive technologies like blockchain, IoT, biometric payments and artificial intelligence will provide us the opportunity to continue developing innovative payments solutions, which will provide value to our clients.

 

In order to achieve this vision, we seek to further develop single on-boarding, global transaction acceptance ecosystem. Manifesting this vision requires scaling our direct and indirect connectivity to multiple payment and mobile networks internationally. By implementing this vision, we believe that we will be able to provide centralized, global multi-channel transactional platform to our clients internationally.

 

Our Strategy

 

Our strategy is to capitalize on consumer appetite for digital payment methods, the perceived movement towards a cashless society. To continue to grow our business, our strategy is to focus on providing merchants with the ability to process a variety of electronic transactions across multiple channels. We seek to leverage the adoption of and transition to card, electronic and digital-based payments by expanding our market share through our distribution channels and services innovations. We also seek growth through strategic acquisitions to improve our offerings, scale and geography. We intend to continue to invest in and leverage our technology infrastructure and our people to increase our penetration in existing markets.

 

Key elements of our business strategy include:

 

 

Continued investment in our core technology and new technology offerings;

 

Allocation of resources and expertise to grow in commerce and payments segments;

 

Grow and control distribution by adding new merchants and partners;

 

Leverage technology and operational advantages throughout our global footprint;

 

Expansion of our cardholder and subscriber customer base;

 

Continue to develop seamless multinational solutions for our clients;

 

Increase monetization while creating value for our clients;

 

Focus on continued improvement and operation excellence; and

 

Pursue potential domestic and international acquisitions of, investments in, and alliances with companies that have high growth potential, significant market presence or key technological capabilities.

 

With our existing infrastructure and supplier relationships, we believe that we can accommodate expected revenue growth. We believe that our available capacity and infrastructure will allow us to take advantage of operational efficiencies and increased margin as we grow our processing volume and expand to other geographical territories.

 

Market Overview

 

The financial technology and transaction processing industry is an integral part of today’s worldwide financial structure. The industry is continually evolving, driven in large part by technological advances. The benefits of card-based payments allow merchants to access a broader universe of consumers, enjoy faster settlement times and reduce transaction errors. By using credit or debit cards, consumers are able to make purchases more conveniently, whether in person, over the Internet, or by mail, fax or telephone, while gaining the benefit of loyalty programs, such as frequent flyer miles or cash back, which are increasingly being offered by credit or debit card issuers.

 

In addition, consumers are also beginning to use card-based and other electronic payment methods for purchases at an earlier age in life, and increasingly for small dollar amount purchases. Given these advantages of card-based payment systems to merchants and consumers, favorable demographic trends, and the resulting proliferation of credit and debit card usage, we believe businesses will increasingly seek to accept card-based payment systems in order to remain competitive.

 

 

We believe that cash transactions are becoming progressively obsolete. The proliferation of bankcards has made the acceptance of bankcard payments a virtual necessity for many businesses, regardless of size, in order to remain competitive. In addition, the advent and growth of e-commerce and crypto-currencies have marked a significant new trend in the way business is being conducted. E-commerce is dependent upon credit and debit cards, as well as other cashless payment processing methods.

 

The payment processing industry continues to evolve rapidly, based on the application of new technology and changing customer needs. We intend to continue to evolve with the market to provide the necessary technological advances to meet the ever-changing needs of our market place. Traditional players in the industry must quickly adapt to the changing environment or be left behind in the competitive landscape.

 

The recent outbreak and continuing spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) is currently impacting countries, communities, supply chains and markets, global financial markets, as well as, the largest industry group serviced by our Company. The Company cannot predict, at this time, whether COVID-19 will
continue to have a material impact on our future financial condition and results of operations due to understaffing in the service sector and the decrease in revenues and profits, particularly restaurants, and any possible future government ordinances that may further restrict restaurant and other service or retail sectors operations.

 

Business Segments

 

We operate two reportable business operating segments: (i) North American Transaction Solutions and (ii) International Transaction Solutions. Our segments are designed to establish lines of businesses that support our client base and further globalize our solutions. Management determines the reportable segments based on the internal reporting used by our Chief Operating Decision Maker to evaluate performance and to assess where to allocate resources. The principal revenue stream for all segments comes from service and transaction related fees.

 

North American Transaction Solutions

 

North American Transaction Solutions is currently our largest segment, where through our subsidiary TOT Payments, LLC, doing business as Unified Payments, we provide businesses of all sizes and types with a wide range of fully-integrated payment acceptance solutions at the point of sale, including Merchant Acquiring, e-commerce, mobile commerce, POS and other business solutions. Our largest service in this segment is Merchant Acquiring, which facilitates the acceptance of cashless transactions at the POS, whether a retail transaction at a physical business location, a mobile commerce transaction through a mobile or tablet device, which includes m-POS acceptance, Android Pay™, Apple Pay™ and Samsung Pay or an electronic commerce transaction over the web. Geographical presence for this segment is North America.

 

International Transaction Solutions

 

Through our subsidiary, PayOnline, we provide a wide range of value-added online and mobile solutions utilizing our fully-integrated, platform agnostic electronic commerce offering that simplifies complex enterprise online transaction processing challenges from payment acceptance and processing through risk prevention and payment security via point-to-point encryption and tokenization solutions. Our proprietary SaaS suite of solutions for electronic and mobile commerce gateway and payment processing platform is compliant at Level 1 of PCI DSS, streamlines the order-to-cash process, improves electronic payment acceptance and reduces the scope of burden of PCI DSS compliance. PayOnline holds a potential leadership position in the Russian Federation as one of the largest independent Internet Payment Services Providers (“IPSP”).

 

Segment Summary Information

 

The following tables present financial information of the Company’s reportable segments at and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. The “corporate and eliminations” column includes corporate expenses and intercompany eliminations for consolidated purposes.

 

Three months ended June 30, 2020

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corp Exp & Eliminations    

Total

 

Net revenues

  $ 12,977,536     $ 741,073     $ -     $ 13,718,609  

Cost of revenues

    11,016,028       520,759       -       11,536,787  

Gross Margin

    1,961,508       220,314       -       2,181,822  

Gross margin %

    15 %     30 %     -       16 %

Selling, general and administrative

    720,538       125,785       539,006       1,385,329  

Non-cash compensation

    -       -       7,500       7,500  

Provision for bad debt

    31,755       1,555       -       33,310  

Depreciation and amortization

    765,823       6,579       -       772,402  

Interest expense, net

    341,020       -       -       341,020  

Other expense

    (17,846 )     9,289       (10,768 )     (19,325 )

Net (loss) income for segment

  $ 120,218     $ 77,106     $ (535,738 )   $ (338,414 )

Goodwill

    6,671,750       1,009,436       -       7,681,186  

Other segment assets

    13,545,980       455,704       -       14,001,684  

Total segment assets

  $ 20,217,730     $ 1,465,140     $ -     $ 21,682,870  

 

Three months ended June 30, 2019

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corp Exp & Eliminations    

Total

 

Net revenues

  $ 15,737,998     $ 749,313     $ -     $ 16,487,311  

Cost of revenues

    13,444,074       457,291       -       13,901,365  

Gross Margin

    2,293,924       292,022       -       2,585,946  

Gross margin %

    15 %     39 %     -       16 %

Selling, general and administrative

    669,730       248,213       1,381,127       2,299,070  

Non-cash compensation

    48,433       -       1,957,407       2,005,840  

Provision for bad debt

    141,827       1,363       -       143,190  

Depreciation and amortization

    738,117       9,230       -       747,347  

Interest expense, net

    252,582       -       -       252,582  

Other (income) expense

    295,939       (1,164,554 )     (415,796 )     (1,284,411 )

Net (loss) income for segment

  $ (647,040 )   $ (8,248,059 )   $ 8,103,532     $ (1,577,672 )

Goodwill

    6,671,750       2,336,002       -       9,007,752  

Other segment assets

    13,888,723       354,620       -       14,243,343  

Total segment assets

  $ 20,560,473     $ 2,690,622     $ -     $ 23,251,095  

 

20

 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2020

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corp Exp & Eliminations    

Total

 

Net revenues

  $ 28,131,616     $ 1,424,559     $ -     $ 29,556,175  

Cost of revenues

    23,840,300       996,895       -       24,837,195  

Gross Margin

    4,291,316       427,664       -       4,718,980  

Gross margin %

    15 %     30 %     -       16 %

Selling, general and administrative

    1,590,103       536,760       1,574,358       3,701,221  

Non-cash compensation

    -       -       45,900       45,900  

Provision for bad debt

    475,018       1,070       -       476,088  

Depreciation and amortization

    1,537,065       14,779       -       1,551,844  

Interest expense, net

    689,433       -       -       689,433  

Other expense (income)

    (17,846 )     (451 )     (10,768 )     (29,065 )

Net (loss) income for segment

  $ 17,543     $ (124,494 )   $ (1,609,490 )   $ (1,716,441 )

Goodwill

    6,671,750       1,009,436       -       7,681,186  

Other segment assets

    13,545,980       455,704       -       14,001,684  

Total segment assets

  $ 20,217,730     $ 1,465,140     $ -     $ 21,682,870  

 

Six months ended June 30, 2019

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corp Exp & Eliminations    

Total

 

Net revenues

  $ 30,101,504     $ 1,432,990     $ -     $ 31,534,494  

Cost of revenues

    25,212,812       948,700       -       26,161,512  

Gross Margin

    4,888,692       484,290       -       5,372,982  

Gross margin %

    16 %     34 %     -       17 %

Selling, general and administrative

    1,286,166       521,618       2,876,152       4,683,936  

Non-cash compensation

    48,433       -       1,972,414       2,020,847  

Provision for bad debt

    491,147       (8,649 )     -       482,498  

Depreciation and amortization

    1,580,658       17,909       -       1,598,567  

Interest expense, net

    497,635       -       -       497,635  

Other (income) expense

    295,939       (1,177,160 )     (316,797 )     (1,198,018 )

Net (loss) income for segment

  $ 688,714     $ 1,130,572     $ (4,531,769 )   $ (2,712,483 )

Goodwill

    6,671,750       2,336,002       -       9,007,752  

Other segment assets

    13,888,723       355,008       -       14,243,731  

Total segment assets

  $ 20,560,473     $ 2,691,010     $ -     $ 23,251,483  

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

We reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of approximately $300,000 or $0.08 per share loss for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to a net loss of approximately $1.5 million or $0.37 per share loss for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in net loss attributable to stockholders of approximately $1.2 million was primarily due to the reorganization of the labor force, including lay-offs, which reduced our selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

The following table sets forth our sources of revenues, cost of revenues and the respective gross margins for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

   

Three

           

Three

                 
   

Months Ended

           

Months Ended

           

Increase /

 

Source of Revenues

 

June 30, 2020

   

Mix

   

June 30, 2019

   

Mix

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 12,977,536       94.6 %   $ 15,737,998       95.5 %   $ (2,760,462 )

International Transaction Solutions

    741,073       5.4 %     749,313       4.5 %     (8,240 )

Total

  $ 13,718,609       100.0 %   $ 16,487,311       100.0 %   $ (2,768,702 )

 

   

Three

           

Three

                 
   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Increase /

 

Cost of Revenues

 

June 30, 2020

   

revenues

   

June 30, 2019

   

revenues

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 11,016,028       84.9 %   $ 13,444,074       85.4 %   $ (2,428,046 )

International Transaction Solutions

    520,759       70.3 %     457,291       61.0 %     63,468  

Total

  $ 11,536,787       84.1 %   $ 13,901,365       84.3 %   $ (2,364,578 )

 

   

Three

           

Three

                 
   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Increase /

 

Gross Margin

 

June 30, 2020

   

revenues

   

June 30, 2019

   

revenues

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 1,961,508       15.1 %   $ 2,293,924       14.6 %   $ (332,416 )

International Transaction Solutions

    220,314       29.7 %     292,022       39.0 %     (71,708 )

Total

  $ 2,181,822       15.9 %   $ 2,585,946       15.7 %   $ (404,124 )

 

Net revenues consist primarily of service fees from transaction processing. Net revenues were approximately $13.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to $16.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in net revenues in our North American Transaction Solutions segment was primarily driven by the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our end-to-end payment volumes and gateway transactions.

 

Cost of revenues represents direct costs of generating revenues, including commissions, mobile operator fees, interchange expense, processing, and non-processing fees. Cost of revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were approximately $11.5 million as compared to approximately $13.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. This decrease is in line with the decrease in revenues for the three months ending June, 30, 2020.

 

 

The gross margin for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was approximately $2.2 million, or 15.9%, as compared to approximately $2.6 million, or 15.7%, for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The gross margin percentage was in line with the results from the previous comparable period.

 

Operating Expenses Analysis:

 

Operating expenses were approximately $2.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to $5.2 million for three months ended June 30, 2019. Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2020 primarily consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $1.4 million,and depreciation and amortization of approximately $0.8 million. Operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2019, primarily consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $2.3 million, non-cash compensation of $2.0 million, and depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $0.7 million.

 

The components of our selling, general and administrative expenses are reflected in the table below.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of operating expenses not otherwise delineated in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, as follows:

 

Three months ended June 30, 2020

                               
                                 

Category

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 536,915     $ 91,825     $ 118,574     $ 747,314  

Professional fees

    55,336       39,537       241,288       336,161  

Rent

    13,070       13,325       39,093       65,488  

Business development

    32,228       -       3,805       36,033  

Travel expense

    638       9,373       39,894       49,905  

Filing fees

    -       -       15,525       15,525  

Transaction gains

    -       (80,512 )     -       (80,512 )

Office expenses

    41,976       3,759       16,879       62,614  

Communications expenses

    40,083       46,374       15,863       102,320  

Insurance expense

    -       -       42,000       42,000  

Other expenses

    292       2,104       6,085       8,481  

Total

  $ 720,538     $ 125,785     $ 539,006     $ 1,385,329  

 

Three months ended June 30, 2019

                               
                                 

Category

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 318,487     $ 95,231     $ 799,417     $ 1,213,135  

Professional fees

    133,316       72,497       345,723       551,536  

Rent

    -       15,277       51,277       66,554  

Business development

    56,184       489       4,944       61,617  

Travel expense

    35,511       5,084       33,299       73,894  

Filing fees

    1,078       -       17,704       18,782  

Transaction losses

    -       (12,974 )     -       (12,974 )

Office expenses

    83,122       4,147       12,990       100,259  

Communications expenses

    41,746       65,717       18,447       125,910  

Insurance expense

    -       -       36,267       36,267  

Other (income) expenses

    286       2,745       61,059       64,090  

Total

  $ 669,730     $ 248,213     $ 1,381,127     $ 2,299,070  

 

Variance

                               
                                 

Category

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 218,428     $ (3,406 )   $ (680,843 )   $ (465,821 )

Professional fees

    (77,980 )     (32,960 )     (104,435 )     (215,375 )

Rent

    13,070       (1,952 )     (12,184 )     (1,066 )

Business development

    (23,956 )     (489 )     (1,139 )     (25,584 )

Travel expense

    (34,873 )     4,289       6,595       (23,989 )

Filing fees

    (1,078 )     -       (2,179 )     (3,257 )

Transaction gains

    -       (67,538 )     -       (67,538 )

Office expenses

    (41,146 )     (388 )     3,889       (37,645 )

Communications expenses

    (1,663 )     (19,343 )     (2,584 )     (23,590 )

Insurance expense

    -       -       5,733       5,733  

Other (income) expenses

    6       (641 )     (54,974 )     (55,609 )

Total

  $ 50,808     $ (122,428 )   $ (842,121 )   $ (913,741 )

 

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments, and professional fees decreased by approximately $0.7 million on a consolidated basis for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019. This was due to the staffing reductions necessary due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations.

 

Segment

 

Salaries and benefits for the three months ended June 30, 2020

   

Salaries and benefits for the three months ended June 30, 2019

   

Increase / (Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 536,915     $ 318,487     $ 218,428  

International Transaction Solutions

    91,825       95,231       (3,406 )

Corporate Expenses & Eliminations

    118,574       799,417       (680,843 )

Total

  $ 747,314     $ 1,213,135     $ (465,821 )

 

 

Three months ended June 30, 2020

                               
                                 

Professional Fees

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

General Legal

  $ -     $ -     $ 13,284     $ 13,284  

SEC Compliance Legal Fees

    -       -       35,390       35,390  

Accounting and Auditing

    -       -       98,264       98,264  

Consulting

    55,336       39,537       94,350       189,223  

Total

  $ 55,336     $ 39,537     $ 241,288     $ 336,161  

 

Three months ended June 30, 2019

                               
                                 

Professional Fees

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

General Legal

  $ 6,157     $ 18,177     $ 53,058     $ 77,392  

SEC Compliance Legal Fees

    -       -       35,662       35,662  

Accounting and Auditing

    -       -       97,500       97,500  

Tax Compliance and Planning

    -       -       6,000       6,000  

Consulting

    127,159       54,320       153,503       334,982  

Total

  $ 133,316     $ 72,497     $ 345,723     $ 551,536  

 

Variance

                               
                                 

Professional Fees

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Increase / (Decrease)

 

General Legal

  $ (6,157 )   $ (18,177 )   $ (39,774 )   $ (64,108 )

SEC Compliance Legal Fees

    -       -       (272 )     (272 )

Accounting and Auditing

    -       -       764       764  

Consulting

    (71,823 )     (14,783 )     (59,153 )     (145,759 )

Total

  $ (77,980 )   $ (32,960 )   $ (104,435 )   $ (215,375 )

 

All other operating expenses were relatively in line with the previous comparable quarter.

 

Other Income and Expenses Delineated in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss:

 

Non-cash Compensation:

 

Non-cash compensation expense was approximately $7,500 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to approximately $2.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in expense during the three months ended June 30, 2020 was the result of no grants of shares and stock options to named executives, certain employees, and certain consultants during the three months ended June 30, 2020.

 

Bad Debt Expense Analysis:

 

We reflected a bad debt expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, which represents uncollected fees of approximately $33,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, compared to bad debt expense, representing uncollected fees of approximately $143,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in bad debt expense was primarily due to billing adjustments relating to chargebacks made by our processors that settled during the three months ended June 30, 2020.

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense:

 

Depreciation and amortization expense consists primarily of the amortization of merchant portfolios in connection with residual buyout arrangements and client acquisition costs.  Depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $772,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to approximately $747,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2019

 

Interest Expense:

 

Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows;

 

Funding Source

  Three months ended June 30, 2020     Three months ended June 30, 2019     Increase / (Decrease)  

RBL Notes

  $ 330,853     $ 237,963     $ 92,890  

Other

    10,167       14,619       (4,452 )

Total

  $ 341,020     $ 252,582     $ 88,438  

 

Total interest expense increased due to the increase in borrowings as compared to the prior period.

 

Other Income:

 

Other income decreased from approximately $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 to approximately $19,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020, primarily due to a one time reversal of approximately $1.1 million in accrued expenses relating to merchant reserves recorded in a previous year deemed not to be an obligation during 2019.

 

Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 Compared to the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

We reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of approximately $1.7 million or $0.41 per share loss for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to a net loss of approximately $2.7 million or $0.68 per share loss for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in net loss attributable to stockholders was primarily due to the issuance of non-cash compensation (shares and options) valued, at the date of grant, at approximately $2.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2020 which was partially offset by decreases of approximately $1.0 million in selling, general and administrative expenses.


The following table sets forth our sources of revenues, cost of revenues and the respective gross margins for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

   

Six

           

Six

                 
   

Months Ended

           

Months Ended

           

Increase /

 

Source of Revenues

 

June 30, 2020

   

Mix

   

June 30, 2019

   

Mix

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 28,131,616       95.2 %   $ 30,101,504       95.5 %   $ (1,969,888 )

International Transaction Solutions

    1,424,559       4.8 %     1,432,990       4.5 %     (8,431 )

Total

  $ 29,556,175       100.0 %   $ 31,534,494       100.0 %   $ (1,978,319 )

 

   

Six

           

Six

                 
   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Increase /

 

Cost of Revenues

 

June 30, 2020

   

revenues

   

June 30, 2019

   

revenues

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 23,840,300       84.7 %   $ 25,212,812       83.8 %   $ (1,372,512 )

International Transaction Solutions

    996,895       70.0 %     948,700       66.2 %     48,195  

Total

  $ 24,837,195       84.0 %   $ 26,161,512       83.0 %   $ (1,324,317 )

 

   

Six

           

Six

                 
   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Months Ended

   

% of

   

Increase /

 

Gross Margin

 

June 30, 2020

   

revenues

   

June 30, 2019

   

revenues

   

(Decrease)

 

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 4,291,316       15.3 %   $ 4,888,692       16.2 %   $ (597,376 )

International Transaction Solutions

    427,664       30.0 %     484,290       33.8 %     (56,626 )

Total

  $ 4,718,980       16.0 %   $ 5,372,982       17.0 %   $ (654,002 )

 

Net revenues consist primarily of service fees from transaction processing. Net revenues were approximately $29.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to approximately $31.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in net revenues for the comparable period was primarily due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our end-to-end payment volumes and gateway transactions.
 
Cost of revenues represents direct costs of generating revenues, including commissions, mobile operator fees, interchange expense, processing, and non-processing fees. Cost of revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2020 were approximately $24.8 million as compared to approximately $26.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. This decrease is in line with the decrease in revenues for the six months ending June, 30, 2020.

 

The gross margin for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was approximately $4.7 million, or 16.0%, as compared to approximately $5.4 million, or 17.0%, for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in gross margin was primarily the result of the competitive pressure in our industry, relating to costs that can be passed through to our merchants.

 

 

Operating Expenses Analysis:

 

Operating expenses were approximately $5.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020, as compared to $8.8 million for six months ended June 30, 2019. Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2020 primarily consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $3.7 million, bad debt expense of approximately $0.5 million and depreciation and amortization of approximately $1.6 million. Operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 primarily consisted of selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $4.7 million, non-cash compensation of $2.0 million, bad debt expense of approximately $0.5 million, and depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $1.6 million.

 

The components of our selling, general and administrative expenses are reflected in the table below.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 consisted of operating expenses not otherwise delineated in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, as follows:

 

Six months ended June 30, 2020

                               
                                 

Category

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 1,085,541     $ 204,967     $ 669,295     $ 1,959,803  

Professional fees

    161,578       88,428       496,948       746,954  

Rent

    17,643       30,158       91,508       139,309  

Business development

    111,349       17       5,907       117,273  

Travel expense

    5,309       34,496       95,526       135,331  

Filing fees

    -       -       37,338       37,338  

Transaction losses (gains)

    -       76,499       -       76,499  

Office expenses

    119,485       10,728       44,975       175,188  

Communications expenses

    88,770       89,364       35,871       214,005  

Insurance expense

    -       -       80,685       80,685  

Other expenses

    427       2,103       16,307       18,837  

Total

  $ 1,590,102     $ 536,760     $ 1,574,360     $ 3,701,222  

 

Six months ended June 30, 2019

                               
                                 

Category

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 622,477     $ 276,022     $ 1,564,965     $ 2,463,464  

Professional fees

    274,346       127,962       847,383       1,249,691  

Rent

    -       34,097       105,290       139,387  

Business development

    93,168       1,116       10,114       104,398  

Travel expense

    59,647       13,485       65,368       138,500  

Filing fees

    1,078       -       39,834       40,912  

Transaction losses (gains)

    -       (44,091 )     -       (44,091 )

Office expenses

    158,181       10,025       26,314       194,520  

Communications expenses

    79,704       97,067       41,874       218,645  

Insurance expense

    -       -       70,514       70,514  

Other expenses

    (2,435 )     5,935       104,496       107,996  

Total

  $ 1,286,166     $ 521,618     $ 2,876,152     $ 4,683,936  

 

Variance

                               
                                 

Category

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments

  $ 463,064     $ (71,055 )   $ (895,670 )   $ (503,661 )

Professional fees

    (112,768 )     (39,534 )     (350,435 )     (502,737 )

Rent

    17,643       (3,939 )     (13,782 )     (78 )

Business development

    18,181       (1,099 )     (4,207 )     12,875  

Travel expense

    (54,338 )     21,011       30,158       (3,169 )

Filing fees

    (1,078 )     -       (2,496 )     (3,574 )

Transaction losses (gains)

    -       120,590       -       120,590  

Office expenses

    (38,696 )     703       18,661       (19,332 )

Communications expenses

    9,066       (7,703 )     (6,003 )     (4,640 )

Insurance expense

    -       -       10,171       10,171  

Other income

    2,862       (3,832 )     (88,189 )     (89,159 )

Total

  $ 303,936     $ 15,142     $ (1,301,792 )   $ (982,714 )

 

 

Salaries, benefits, taxes and contractor payments, and professional fees decreased by approximately $1.0 million on a consolidated basis for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019. This was due to the staffing reductions necessary due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operations.

 

Segment

  Salaries and benefits for the six months ended June 30, 2020     Salaries and benefits for the six months ended June 30, 2019     Increase / (Decrease)  

North American Transaction Solutions

  $ 1,085,541     $ 622,477     $ 463,064  

International Transaction Solutions

    204,967       276,022       (71,055 )

Corporate Expenses & Eliminations

    669,295       1,564,965       (895,670 )

Total

  $ 1,959,803     $ 2,463,464     $ (503,661 )

 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2020

                               
                                 

Professional Fees

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

General Legal

  $ 2,600     $ 64     $ 19,708     $ 22,372  

SEC Compliance Legal Fees

    -       -       80,776       80,776  

Accounting and Auditing

    -       -       196,621       196,621  

Consulting

    158,978       88,364       199,843       447,185  

Total

  $ 161,578     $ 88,428     $ 496,948     $ 746,954  

 

Six months ended June 30, 2019

                               
                                 

Professional Fees

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Total

 

General Legal

  $ 21,116     $ 21,633     $ 217,810     $ 260,559  

SEC Compliance Legal Fees

    -       -       93,091       93,091  

Accounting and Auditing

    -       -       195,000       195,000  

Tax Compliance and Planning

    -       -       6,000       6,000  

Consulting

    253,230       106,329       335,482       695,041  

Total

  $ 274,346     $ 127,962     $ 847,383     $ 1,249,691  

 

Variance

                               
                                 

Professional Fees

  North American Transaction Solutions     International Transaction Solutions     Corporate Expenses & Eliminations    

Increase / (Decrease)

 

General Legal

  $ (18,516 )   $ (21,569 )   $ (198,102 )   $ (238,187 )

SEC Compliance Legal Fees

    -       -       (12,315 )     (12,315 )

Accounting and Auditing

    -       -       1,621       1,621  

Consulting

    (94,252 )     (17,965 )     (135,639 )     (247,856 )

Total

  $ (112,768 )   $ (39,534 )   $ (350,435 )   $ (502,737 )

 

All other operating expenses were relatively in line with the previous comparable quarter.

 

Other Income and Expenses Delineated in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss:

 

Non-cash Compensation:

 

Non-cash compensation expense was approximately $46,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to approximately $2.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in expense during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was the result of no grants of shares and stock options to named executives, certain employees, and certain consultants during the six months ended June 30, 2020.

 
Bad Debt Expense Analysis:

 

We reflected a bad debt expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, representing uncollected fees of approximately $0.5 million for each of the six months ended June 30, 2020 and  June 30, 2019

 

 

Depreciation and Amortization Expense:

 

Depreciation and amortization expense consists primarily of the amortization of merchant portfolios in connection with residual buyout arrangements and client acquisition costs.  Depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $1.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019.

 

Interest Expense:

 

Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2019 is as follows;

 

Funding Source

  Six months ended June 30, 2020     Six months ended June 30, 2019     Increase / (Decrease)  

RBL Notes

  $ 669,100     $ 468,703     $ 200,397  

Other

    20,334       28,932       (8,598 )

Total

  $ 689,434     $ 497,635     $ 191,799  

 

Total interest expense increased due to the increase in borrowings compared to the prior period.

 

Other Income:

 

Other income decreased from approximately $1.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to approximately $30,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2020, which was primarily due to the Company recognizing a one time charge to other income of approximately $1.1 million relating to merchant reserves recorded in a previous year deemed not to be an obligation at June 30, 2020.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Total assets at June 30, 2020 were approximately $21.7 million compared to approximately $23.0 million at December 31, 2019. The primary reason for the net decrease in total assets was the result of the amortization of our intangible assets.

 

At June 30, 2020, we had total current assets of approximately $8.2 million and approximately $8.7 million at December 31, 2019. The primary reason for the decrease in current assets was due to an increase in cash on hand to fund operations of approximately $676,000 which was offset by a decrease of approximately $705,000 in our accounts receivable.

 

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. We sustained a net loss of approximately $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and $6.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 and have an accumulated deficit of $180.4 million and a negative working capital of $1.6 million at June 30, 2020.

 

During March 2020, our Company evaluated its liquidity position, future operating plans, and its labor force, which included a reduction in the labor force and compensation to executives and other employees, in order to maintain current payment processing functions, capabilities, and continued customer service to its merchants. We are also seeking sources of capital to pay our contractual obligations as they come due, in light of these uncertain times. Management believes that its operating strategy will provide the opportunity for us to continue as a going concern as long as we are able to obtain additional financing. At this time, due to our continuing losses from operations, negative working capital, and the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot predict the impact of these conditions on our ability to obtain financing necessary for the Company to fund its future working capital requirements. Our Company has also decided to explore strategic alternatives and potential options for its business, including sale of the Company or certain assets, licensing of technology, spin-offs, or a business combination. There can be no assurance, at this time, regarding the eventual outcome of our planned strategic alternative.  In most respects, it is still too early in the COVID-19 pandemic to be able to quantify or qualify the longer-term ramifications on our merchant processing business, our merchants, our planned strategic alternatives to enhance current shareholder value, our current investors, and/or future potential investors.

 

As part of our Company's plan to obtain capital to fund future operations, on March 27, 2020, our Company entered into a Master Exchange Agreement, (the “ESOUSA Agreement”) with ESOUSA Holdings, LLC ("ESOUSA"), a related party. Prior to entering into the ESOUSA Agreement, ESOUSA agreed to acquire an existing promissory note that had been previously issued by the Company, of up to $2,000,000 in principal amount outstanding and unpaid interest due to RBL Capital Group, LLC ("RBL"). Pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement, the Company has the right, at any time prior to March 27, 2021, to request ESOUSA, and ESOUSA agreed upon each such request, to exchange this promissory note in tranches on the dates when the Company instructs ESOUSA, for such number of shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”) as determined under the ESOUSA Agreement based upon the number of shares of Common Stock (already in ESOUSA’s possession) that ESOUSA sold in order to finance its purchase of such tranche of the promissory note from RBL.  ESOUSA will purchase each tranche of the promissory note equal to 88% of the gross proceeds from the shares of Common Stock sold by ESOUSA to finance the purchase of such exchange amount from RBL. Each such tranche shall be $148,000 unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and ESOUSA. On April 23, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the ESOUSA Agreement with ESOUSA. The Amendment increased from $2,000,000 to $5,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL in connection with the ESOUSA Agreement. The Company has the right, pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement (as amended by the Amendment), to request ESOUSA to exchange in tranches such promissory notes for shares of the Company’s common stock on the terms and conditions and subject to the limitations set forth in the ESOUSA Agreement. On August 3, 2020, our Company entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to the Agreement. The Second Amendment increased from $5,000,000 to $15,000,000 the principal amount and unpaid interest of one or more promissory notes of the Company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries that ESOUSA either purchased in whole or has an irrevocable right to purchase in tranches from RBL Our Company has the right pursuant to the Agreement (as amended by the Amendment) to request ESOUSA to exchange in tranches such promissory notes for shares of the Company’s common stock on the terms and conditions and subject to the limitations set forth in the Agreement. The Company received its first tranche of approximately $148,000 on March 27, 2020, less any fees. In April 2020, ESOUSA exchanged the promissory note for shares in our Company's common stock which has been reflected in our stockholders" equity section. (Refer to  Note 11. Stockholders" Equity). The Company received a second tranche of approximately $143,000 on April 28, 2020, less any fees, which is reflected in accrued expenses on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2020. No shares of the Company's common stock have been issued as of this date in connection with this tranche. On August 11, 2020, the Company received a third tranche of approximately $707,000 from RBL, less any fees. The Company issued 66,190 shares of its common stock to ESOUSA in connection with this tranche.

 

On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note (the “Note”) evidencing an unsecured loan (the “Loan”) in the amount of $491,493 made to the Company under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”). The Note matures on May 7, 2022 and bears interest at a rate of 1% per annum. Beginning December 7, 2020, the Company is required to make 17 monthly payments of principal and interest, with the principal component of each such payment based upon the level amortization of principal over a two-year period from May 7, 2020. Pursuant to the terms of the CARES Act and the PPP, the Company may apply to the Lender for forgiveness for the amount due on the Loan. The amount eligible for forgiveness is based on the amount of Loan proceeds used by the Company (during the eight-week period after the Lender makes the first disbursement of Loan proceeds) for the payment of certain covered costs, including payroll costs (including benefits), interest on mortgage obligations, rent and utilities, subject to certain limitations and reductions in accordance with the CARES Act and the PPP. No assurance can be given, at this time, that the Company will obtain forgiveness of the Loan in whole or in part.

 

On May 18, 2020, the Company entered into a promissory note in the amount of $159,899 made to the Company by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

 

On August 4, 2020, our Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Mullen Technologies, Inc., a California corporation (“Mullen”), and Mullen Acquisition, Inc., a California corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”). Pursuant to, and on the terms and subject to the conditions of, the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Mullen (the “Merger”), with Mullen continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger. After Mullen’s completion and delivery to our Company, of the audited financial statements for Mullen and its subsidiaries and affiliates required to be included in a registration statement, the Company intends to prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 (together with all amendments thereto, the “Registration Statement”) in which the proxy statement will be included as a part of the prospectus, in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the shares of Parent Shares to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement contains termination rights for each of the Company and Mullen, including, among others, (i) in the event that the Merger has not been consummated by December 31, 2020, (ii) in the event that the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders is not obtained upon a vote thereon, (iii) in the event that any governmental authority shall have taken action to restrain, enjoin or prohibit the consummation of the Merger, which action shall have become final and non-appealable and (iv) in the event that there is a breach by the other party of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements, which breach is sufficiently material and not timely cured or curable. In addition, Mullen may terminate the Merger Agreement if, prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders, the Company’s board of directors shall have changed their recommendation in respect of the Merger. Further, the Company may terminate the Merger Agreement prior to receipt of the requisite approval of the Company’s stockholders to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal (as such term is defined in the Merger Agreement). 

 

As contemplated by the Merger Agreement, on August 11, 2020, our Company as lender, entered into an unsecured Promissory Note, dated August 11, 2020 (the “Note”), with Mullen. Pursuant to the Note, Mullen borrowed from the Company $500,000. Prior to maturity of the loan, the principal amount of the loan will carry an interest rate of 14% per annum compounded monthly and payable upon demand. This loan will mature on the earlier of (i) the date that the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason by any party thereto and (ii) the Merger Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

Consummation of the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement and the other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, is subject to customary conditions including, among others, the approval of the Company’s stockholders. There is no guarantee that the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement or the other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement will be completed.  

 

Consummation of the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement and the other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, is subject to customary conditions including, among others, the approval of the Company’s stockholders. There is no guarantee that the Merger, the Divestiture, the Private Placement or the other transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement will be completed.  


These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is unable to continue as a going concern.

 

The net loss attributable to Net Element, Inc. stockholders was approximately $325,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 compared to approximately $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019.

 

The net loss attributable to Net Element, Inc. stockholders was approximately $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to approximately $2.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Operating activities used approximately $0.3 million of cash for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to approximately $600,000 of cash used for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Investing activities used approximately $0.4 million in cash for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to approximately $1.7 million used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The decrease in cash used in investing activities of approximately $1.3 million was primarily due to a decrease of approximately $0.9 million in client acquisition costs and a decrease of approximately $0.4 million in changes in other assets relating to the right-of-use asset relating to the premises occupied by the Company.

 

Financing activities provided approximately $0.9 million in cash for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to approximately $1.5 million of cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was primarily the result of proceeds received from the Small Business Administration.

 

 

Off-balance sheet arrangements

 

At June 30, 2020, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

As of the end of the period covered by this Report, our management conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")).

 

Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Commission’s (the “Commission”) rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not deemed effective due to the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f )and Rule 15d-15(f ) under the Exchange Act), as discussed in Item 9A. Controls and Procedures of the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, under the heading “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”

 

Changes in Internal Control 

 

As of June 30, 2020, the material weaknesses disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 have not yet been fully remediated; however, significant progress were made during 2019 in remediating certain material weaknesses. Several steps taken in improving and remediating internal controls over financial reporting have included retaining a financial reporting manager, the formation of a disclosure committee, as well as, formal education and training of our Board members. Remediation activities for our material weaknesses include:

 

 

Risk Assessment. We are continuing the process of designing and implementing an improved enterprise wide risk management process that follows the COSO 2013 framework and one aspect of this process will focus on identifying and mitigating risks to our business that could have an impact on our internal control over financial reporting. Our process includes periodic updates of the enterprise risk universe through the consideration of current and historical risks, periodic input from executive management, and our domestic and international segment local management. Each time a new potential risk is identified, we will evaluate if any additional controls are required to mitigate risks to our internal control over financial reporting. During the year ended December 31, 2019, management sent a consultant to Russia in an effort to fully understand, implement, train, and eventually test the internal controls relating to our International Transaction Solution's segment’s internal control over financial reporting. The local management team in our International Transaction Solution's segment is continuing in the process of documenting processes, controls, and recommendations provided under the guidance and assistance of the Company's consultant.

 

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has had to allocate resources to mitigate risks with its current merchant accounts and evaluated its operational plans to eliminate any potential exposure to its disclosure controls and procedures. Pending the outcome of this uncertainty, including health concerns and travel restrictions to Russia, we cannot determine how or when we expect to remediate the material weaknesses noted above, including the allocation of appropriate resources to department heads during 2020.

 

Except as stated above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in management’s evaluation pursuant to Rules 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) of the Exchange Act during our quarter ended June 30, 2020 that are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures 

 

Control systems, no matter how well conceived and operated, are designed to provide a reasonable but not an absolute level of assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. Because of the inherent limitations in any control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal proceedings

 

For a discussion of legal proceedings, Refer to Note 9. "Commitments and Contingencies” in the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this Report, which section is incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to the information set forth in this Report, you should read and consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results of operation. The risks described in such report are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may eventually prove to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or future operating results.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Sale of Unregistered Securities

 

Information required by Item 701 of Regulation S-K as to other unregistered equity securities we sold during the period covered by this Report that were not registered under the Securities Act has been previously reported in the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission in addition to the following:

 

On April 28, 2020, we issued 65,862 shares of our common stock in exchange for a tranche of $148,000 aggregate amount of certain RBL promissory notes purchased by ESOUSA pursuant to the ESOUSA Agreement. Such shares of common stock were issued to ESOUSA under an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in reliance upon Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act. See Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Exhibit

Description

     

3.1

 

Certificate of Corporate Domestication of Cazador, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 2, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 5, 2012)

     

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Net Element International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 2, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 5, 2012)

     

3.3

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws of Net Element International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 5, 2012)

     

3.4

 

Certificate of Merger, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on October 2, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 5, 2012)

     

3.5

 

Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated December 5, 2013, changing the Company’s name from Net Element International, Inc. to Net Element, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 6, 2013)

     

3.6

 

Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated December 16, 2014, to increase authorized common stock to 200 million shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on December 17, 2014)

     

3.7

 

Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 1, 2015)

 

3.8

 

Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated June 15, 2015, to increase authorized common stock to 300 million shares (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 16, 2015)

     

3.9

 

Amendment No. 1 to the Bylaws of the Company, dated June 15, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 16, 2015)

     

3.10

 

Amendment No. 2 to the Bylaws of the Company, dated July 10, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 10, 2015)

     

3.11

 

Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated May 24, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s second Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 24, 2016)

     

3.12

 

Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated June 15, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 16, 2016)

     

3.13

 

Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated October 4, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 4, 2017)

     
10.1   Amendment, dated as of April 23, 2020, to Master Exchange Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2020 between Net Element, Inc. and ESOUSA Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 24, 2020) 
     
10.2   Promissory Note, dated as of May 7, 2020, between Net Element, Inc. and Truist Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on May 15, 2020) 
     
10.3   Binding Letter of Intent, dated June 12, 2020, between Net Element, Inc. and Mullen Technologies, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 15, 2020) 
     
10.4   Promissory Note, dated as of August 11, 2020, between Net Element, Inc. and Mullen Technologies, Inc.
     
31.1 *   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
     
31.2 *   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
     
32.1*   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350

 

 

101.INS* XBRL Instance Document

 

101.SCH* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

101.CAL* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

101.DEF* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

101.LAB* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

101.PRE* XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* Filed herewith (furnished herewith with respect to Exhibit 32.1).

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

  Net Element, Inc.
     
Date: August 13, 2020 By: /s/ Oleg Firer
    Name: Oleg Firer
   

Title: Chief Executive Officer

  (Principal Executive Officer)

     
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey Ginsberg
   

Name: Jeffrey Ginsberg

Title: Chief Financial Officer

  (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

30