Imperial Holdings Announces Resolution to Federal Probe
BOCA RATON, Fla.-- Imperial Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: IFT) announced today that they entered into a Non-Prosecution Agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire (“USAO”) relating to investigation into Imperial’s premium finance business.
Under the terms of the agreement the USAO has agreed not to prosecute Imperial for any crimes in regards to the misrepresentations on life insurance applications. In addition, they agreed not to prosecute Imperial for any potential securities fraud claims related to its premium finance business.
According to the company’s press release,” Imperial acknowledged that, in connection with a portion of its retail operation that began in December 2006 and was discontinued in January 2009, in certain circumstances where Imperial employees were also licensed life insurance agents who wrote the underlying insurance policies, the Company facilitated and/or made misrepresentations regarding premium financing on life insurance applications for elderly individuals and failed to take appropriate precautions to prevent other misrepresentations that may have been made on life insurance applications by employees, prospective insureds and external agents and brokers. “
As a result Imperial of the agreement Imperial will pay a penalty of $8 million. The agreement does not resolve the investigation of the company by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the shareholder lawsuits stemming from when the stock plunge after the FBI raid still continue.
Imperial also announced today that it has terminated the employment of President and COO, Jonathan Neuman. Mr. Neuman had been on a leave of absence from his position since January 30, 2012 has stepped down from the Imperial’s board of directors and is no longer an employee.
Imperial’s stock rose 32% today after the announcement. Chairman and Chief Executive Anthony Mitchell stated that the company plans to focus strictly on traditional life settlements and structured settlements.
Imperial’s legal woes hinder its ability to file an annual report
Imperial Holdings (NYSE: IFT) has announced it cannot file its annual report on time because it was unable value its assets, according to South Florida Business Journal. The Boca Raton based company has been under investigation by the FBI, who raided their offices in September. This investigation is hindering their ability to establish a fair value for the insurance premium loans.
Also the SEC is investigating Imperial for possible securities fraud violations for their alleged misrepresentation to life insurance carriers. Until the company is able to resolve their legal issues and determine a value of their assets, they stated that they will not be able to file its annual report.
Imperial has cancelled its annual shareholder meeting and has not scheduled a new date because of the annual report filing delay. As a result Opportunity Partners has filed a lawsuit against them demanding that they hold the meeting. Recently, NY based Bulldog Investors sent a letter demanding the resignation of two members from Imperial’s board. If the shareholder meeting happens, a vote on the appointment of new directors could take place.
Imperial denies the allegations and the structured settlement business is not under investigation.
In addition to the FBI and SEC investigations, Imperial is facing numerous shareholder class action suits and has seen two major investors bail on them.
CFO and Chief Credit Officer Richard O’Connell Jr. signed a severance agreement with the company on February 15, 2012. President and COO, Jonathan Neuman, a target of the FBI investigation, took a leave of absence from the company back in January.
Got cash flow problems? Rescue Capital has got your cure.
Sometimes stuff happens that is out of your control and you need money fast. Perhaps you thought of using a payday loan, title loan or refund anticipation loan to get yourself out of a jam. What most people find is that they only dig themselves deeper into their financial hole because these loans are so expensive and risky.
What if I told you there was a way to get the money you need now without having risk of high interest loans with reoccurring payments? It is really a very simple concept that can give you access to your future money today, in the convenience of a lump sum payment. So what’s the catch? Well you need to have periodic payments from a structured settlement annuity, divorce settlement, a single premium immediate annuity, life insurance policy, inheritance, royalties, or a pension in order to take advantage of this program.
With the Illiquid Asset Purchase Program from Rescue Capital, you can sell some of your future payments for a lump sum cash payment. Rescue Capital has an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau and offers the best rates around. They’re rates are much lower than high interest loans and credit cards. There are no income requirements or credit checks because selling your future payments isn’t a loan. There is no affect to your credit score and you can’t default. You do not have to pay any of the money back either.
According to John Zepeda at Rescue Capital, "In our current economic climate we are seeing many people who living paycheck to paycheck. So when an emergency happens they’re in a real bind. Luckily, they can use a portion of their future payments to get the money without incurring more debt."
Rescue Capital’s team of experts will guide you through the entire process to ensure all your financial goals are met. Many individuals think that they have to sell all their payments and they don’t know about other options such as deferment. With a deferment you can delay selling your payments for several years, which allows you to get the cash now but your periodic payments won’t be reduced until later.
According to Rescue Capital, COO Maureen Healy, “Sometimes you need a small amount of money to get back on your feet such as money to move or start a business. In those cases a deferment makes a lot of sense.”
Rescue Capital can provide you with a free market analysis of your asset as well as no-obligation written quote.
Resolutions aren’t solutions for financial problems
How lifestyle changes can improve your bottom line
Another year comes to an end and many of you are starting to think about 2012. Perhaps you may try to come up with resolutions like getting out of debt, quitting smoking or losing weight. Every year approximately 45% of American adults will make 1 or more resolution. However within 6 months almost half of those resolutions were abandoned.
There are many reasons why these resolutions fail including unrealistic goals, not having a plan in place goals that are too broad and no accountability. According to some experts, resolutions are about taking something away, leaving a person feeling deprived. By accentuating the positive you change the whole mindset. Instead of making a resolution, make a commitment to change in the New Year.
Whether it is looking better, feeling better or breaking the cycle of debt you need to look at what are the underlying cause of the problem and address it first. By breaking habits such as shopping when you are depressed, not taking account small daily purchases and stop impulsive spending you will be headed in the right direction.
Another issue is that consumers are often too optimistic about potential earnings. For example, relying on a tax refund, future raises or selling future annuity payments to pay for items later can be dangerous to your finances. If you do not get the amount of money you need to pay off your purchases you leave yourself open to huge interest rates or penalties.
So maybe you decided you want to make a change but you’re not sure how to get started. The best way to start is to define what you want to accomplish and make a plan. Make sure you develop obtainable, measurable goals and develop rewards for when you accomplish your goals. Below are some suggestions on how to get started.
- Define your financial goal. Whether it is to become debt free by 2013, create an emergency fund or go back to school put it in writing.
- Determine what is holding you back from accomplishing those goals. Is your spending getting in the way of your dreams, perhaps you are not sure.
- Create a spending diary to see where your money is going. Track every purchase you make no matter how small it is. Identify places you can make small changes that can really add up.
- Create a budget and stick to it. Don’t forget to save money too. It will help you avoid the debt roller coaster when emergencies happen.
- Reward yourself. Give yourself little treats that won’t derail you when you hit milestones.
- Don’t let setbacks derail you. If you have a setback, don’t quit trying to obtain your goal. Just regroup and move on.
- Change your relationship with money. Avoid triggers like shopping your way out of a better mood and spending mindlessly by developing better habits such as exercising when you’re depressed or leaving your credit cards at home.
- Get organized. Late fees and penalties waste money and they are damaging to your credit score. Develop a system that works for you and pay your bills on time.
- Get professional help. Sometimes you are in over your head. Perhaps you need professional credit counseling or financial advisors who can help you develop a system that works for you.
- Keep your options open. Sometimes your financial situation requires a more drastic approach such as selling some of your future annuity payments to avoid foreclosure or to pay off high interest debt. Remember to research all your options and don’t make hasty decisions.
If you have periodic payments from a structured settlement annuity, a divorce settlement, a single premium immediate annuity, life insurance policy, inheritance, royalties, or even a pension and you want to know more about selling some your future payments, call Rescue Capital at 866.688.3532. With today’s lower rates, your future payments could be worth more than ever before.
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