Exhibit (a)(1)(B)

 

 

 

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

To Tender Shares of Common Stock

of

THE FEMALE HEALTH COMPANY

Pursuant to the Offer to Purchase Dated March 30, 2007

by

RED OAK FUND, L.P.

 

THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK TIME, ON APRIL 30, 2007 UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED.

 


The Depositary for the Offer to Purchase is:

 


 

 

 

By Mail:

By Facsimile Transmission:

 

 

By Overnight Courier:

Computershare

c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions

P.O. Box 859208

Braintree, MA 02185-9208

For Eligible Institutions Only:

(781) 380-3388

 

For Confirmation Only Telephone:

(781) 930-4900

Computershare

c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions

161 Bay State Drive

Braintree, MA 02184

 

 

Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal to an address other than as set forth above does not constitute a valid delivery.

 

The instructions set forth in this Letter of Transmittal should be read carefully before this Letter of Transmittal is completed.

 

DESCRIPTION OF SHARES TENDERED

Name(s) and address(es) of
Registered Holder(s)

(Please fill in, if blank, exactly as name(s) appear(s) on Share certificate(s))

Shares Tendered

(Attach Additional Signed List if Necessary)

 

Certificate

Number(s)*

Total Number of Shares Represented by Certificate(s)*

Number of Shares Tendered**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Shares

 

 

 

* Need not be completed if transfer is made by book-entry transfer.

** Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all Shares described above are being tendered. See Instruction 4.

 

 

 

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            This Letter of Transmittal is to be used either if certificates for Shares (as defined below) are to be forwarded herewith or, unless an agent’s message (as defined in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase (as defined below)) is utilized, if delivery of Shares is to be made by book-entry transfer to an account maintained by the Depositary (as defined below) at the book-entry transfer facility (as described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase) pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Tendering stockholders whose certificates for Shares are not immediately available or who cannot deliver either the certificates for, or a book-entry confirmation (as described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase) with respect to, their Shares and all other documents required hereby to the Depositary prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in Section 1 of the Offer to Purchase) must tender their Shares in accordance with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. See Instruction 2.

 

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE DEPOSITARY.

 

o

 

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

 

 

Name of Tendering Institution: 

 

 

Account Number: 

 

 

Transaction Code Number: 

 

o

 

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

 

Name(s) of Registered Owners(s): 

 

Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: 

 

Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery: 

 

If delivered by book-entry transfer, check box:  

o

 

Name of Tendering Institution: 

 

Account Number: 

 

Transaction Code Number: 

 

IF ANY OF THE CERTIFICATES REPRESENTING SHARES THAT YOU OWN HAVE BEEN LOST OR DESTROYED, SEE INSTRUCTION 11.

 

NOTE: SIGNATURES MUST BE PROVIDED BELOW

PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

 

 

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Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned hereby tenders to Red Oak Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Purchaser”), the above-described shares of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Shares”), of The Female Health Company, a Wisconsin corporation (“FHCO”) on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchaser’s Offer to Purchase dated March 30, 2007 (the “Offer to Purchase”), and this Letter of Transmittal (which, together with the Offer to Purchase and any amendments or supplements thereto, collectively constitute the “Offer”), receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. The undersigned understands that the Purchaser reserves the right to transfer or assign, in whole or in part, from time to time, to one or more of its affiliates the right to purchase all or any portion of Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer.

 

The undersigned understands that, under the terms of the Offer, the Purchaser will be obligated to purchase up to 1,200,000 Shares for payment under the Offer.

 

Subject to and effective on acceptance for payment of, and payment for, the Shares tendered herewith in accordance with the terms of the Offer, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Purchaser, all right, title and interest in and to all the Shares that are being tendered hereby (and any and all non-cash dividends, distributions, rights, other Shares or other securities issued or issuable in respect thereof on or after the expiration date of the Offer (collectively, “Distributions”)) and irrevocably constitutes and appoints Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Depositary”), the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact of the undersigned, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest), to the full extent of the undersigned’s rights with respect to such Shares (and any and all Distributions), to (a) deliver certificates for such Shares (and any and all Distributions) or transfer ownership of such Shares (and any and all Distributions) on the account books maintained by the book-entry transfer facility, together, in any such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity to, or upon the order of the Purchaser, (b) present such Shares (and any and all Distributions) for transfer on FHCO’s books and (c) receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Shares (including any and all Distributions), all in accordance with the terms of the Offer.

 

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Shares tendered hereby and all Distributions and, when the same are accepted for payment by the Purchaser, the Purchaser will acquire good and marketable title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, claims and encumbrances, and the same will not be subject to any adverse claim or right. The undersigned will, on request by the Depositary or the Purchaser, execute any additional documents deemed by the Depositary or the Purchaser to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Shares tendered hereby (and any and all such other Shares or other securities or rights), all in accordance with the terms of the Offer. In addition, the undersigned shall remit and transfer promptly to the Depositary for the account of the Purchaser all Distributions in respect of Shares tendered hereby, accompanied by appropriate documentation of transfer, and pending such remittance and transfer or appropriate assurance thereof, the Purchaser shall be entitled to all rights and privileges as owner of each such Distribution and may withhold the entire purchase price of Shares tendered hereby, or deduct from such purchase price, the amount or value of such Distribution as determined by the Purchaser in its sole discretion.

 

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

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably appoints David Sandberg and any other designees of the Purchaser, the attorneys-in-fact and proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote at any annual, special or adjourned meeting of FHCO’s stockholders or otherwise in such manner as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or his/her substitute shall in his/her sole discretion deem proper, to execute any written consent concerning any matter as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or his/her substitute shall in his/her sole discretion deem proper, and to otherwise act as each such attorney-in-fact and proxy or his/her substitute shall in his/her sole discretion deem proper, with respect to the Shares tendered hereby that have been accepted for payment by the Purchaser prior to the time any such action is taken and with respect to which the undersigned is entitled to vote. This appointment is effective when, and only to the extent that, the Purchaser accepts for payment such Shares as provided in the Offer to Purchase. This power of attorney and proxy is irrevocable and is granted in consideration of the acceptance for payment of such Shares and is coupled with an interest in Shares tendered hereby in accordance with the terms of

 

 

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the Offer. Upon such acceptance for payment, all prior powers of attorney, proxies and consents given by the undersigned with respect to such Shares will, without further action, be revoked and no subsequent powers of attorney, proxies, consents or revocations may be given (and, if given, will not be effective) by the undersigned.

 

The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Shares pursuant to any of the procedures described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Purchaser on the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer. It is a violation of Rule 14e-4 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for a person acting alone or in concert with others, directly or indirectly, to tender Shares for such person’s own account unless at the time of tender and at the expiration date such person has a “net long position” in (a) the Shares that is equal to or greater than the amount tendered and will deliver or cause to be delivered such Shares for the purpose of tender to the Purchaser within the period specified in the Offer, or (b) other securities immediately convertible into, exercisable for or exchangeable into Shares (“Equivalent Securities”) that is equal to or greater than the amount tendered and, upon the acceptance of such tender, will acquire such Shares by conversion, exchange or exercise of such Equivalent Securities to the extent required by the terms of the Offer and will deliver or cause to be delivered such Shares so acquired for the purpose of tender to the Purchaser within the period specified in the Offer. Rule 14e-4 also provides a similar restriction applicable to the tender or guarantee of a tender on behalf of another person. A tender of Shares made pursuant to any method of delivery set forth herein will constitute the tendering stockholder’s representation and warranty to the Purchaser that (a) such stockholder has a “net long position” in Shares or Equivalent Securities being tendered within the meaning of Rule 14e-4, and (b) such tender of Shares complies with Rule 14e-4. The undersigned understands that the valid tender of Shares pursuant to any one of the procedures described in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase and in the Instructions hereto will constitute the undersigned’s acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Offer. The Purchaser’s acceptance of such Shares for payment will constitute a binding agreement between the undersigned and the Purchaser upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer.

 

The undersigned understands that all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for payment of any tender of Shares will be determined by the Purchaser in its sole discretion. This determination will be final and binding on all parties. The Purchaser reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders that it determines not to be in proper form or the acceptance for payment of which may be unlawful. The Purchaser also reserves the absolute right, in its sole discretion, to waive any defect or irregularity in any tender of Shares of any particular stockholder, whether or not similar defects or irregularities are waived in the case of other stockholders. A tender of Shares will not have been made until all defects and irregularities have been cured or waived. None of the Purchaser or any of its affiliates or assigns, the Depositary, or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or notices of objection or incur any liability for failure to give any notification. The Purchaser’s interpretation of the terms of, and conditions to, the Offer (including the Letter of Transmittal, the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, and the instructions thereto) will be final and binding.

 

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

 

 

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SPECIAL PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7)

 

To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for payment of the purchase price of Shares accepted for payment are to be issued in the name of someone other than the undersigned.

 

 

Issue:     o Check

o Certificate(s) to:

 

Name   

(Please Print)

 

Address   

 

 

(Include Zip Code)

 

 

(Employer Identification or Social Security Number)

SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
(See Instructions 1, 5, 6 and 7)

 

To be completed ONLY if certificates for Shares not tendered or not accepted for payment and/or the check for payment of the purchase price of Shares accepted for payment are to be sent to someone other than the undersigned or to the undersigned at an address other than that above.

 

Issue:     o Check

o Certificate(s) to:

 

Name   

(Please Print)

 

Address   

 

 

(Include Zip Code)

 

 

(Employer Identification or Social Security Number)

 

 

SIGN HERE

(Also Complete Substitute Form W-9 Enclosed Herewith)

 


 


(Signature(s) of Stockholder(s))

 

Dated:  _____________________________________________

 

(Must be signed by registered holder(s) exactly as name(s) appear(s) on stock certificate(s) for the Shares or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by certificates and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please provide the following information and see Instruction 5.)

 

Name(s):  

 

 

(Please Print)

 

Capacity (Full Title):  

 

Address:  

 

 

(Include Zip Code)

 

Daytime Area Code and Telephone Number:  

 

Employer Identification or Social Security Number: 

 

(Complete Accompanying Substitute Form W-9)

 

 

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GUARANTEE OF SIGNATURE(S)

(If Required—See Instructions 1 and 5)

 

Authorized Signature:  

 

Name:  

(Please Print)

 

Name of Firm:  

 

Title:  

 

Address:  

 

 

(Include Zip Code)

 

Daytime Area Code and Telephone Number:  

 

Dated:  _________________________________________

, 200__

 

 

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INSTRUCTIONS

 

Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer

 

1.   Guarantee of Signatures. No signature guarantee is required on this Letter of Transmittal (a) if this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for purposes of this Instruction 1, includes any participant in the book-entry transfer facility’s system whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of the Shares) of Shares tendered herewith, unless such registered holder(s) has completed either the box entitled “Special Payment Instructions” or the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” on this Letter of Transmittal or (b) if such Shares are tendered for the account of a firm that is a member in good standing of a recognized Medallion Program approved by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc., including the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program, or is otherwise an “eligible guarantor institution,” as that term is defined in Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (each, an “eligible institution”). In all other cases, all signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an eligible institution. See Instruction 5.

 

2.   Requirements of Tender. This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by stockholders either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or, unless an agent’s message (as defined below) is utilized, if delivery of Shares is to be made pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. For a stockholder to validly tender Shares pursuant to the Offer, either (a) a Letter of Transmittal (or a facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, together with any required signature guarantees, or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an agent’s message, and any other required documents, must be received by the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth on the back of this Letter of Transmittal prior to the expiration date and either certificates for tendered Shares must be received by the Depositary at one of such addresses or Shares must be delivered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth herein (and a book-entry confirmation must be received by the Depositary), in each case prior to the expiration date, or (b) the tendering stockholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth below and in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Stockholders whose certificates for Shares are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their certificates and all other required documents to the Depositary or complete the procedures for book-entry transfer prior to the expiration date may tender their Shares by properly completing and duly executing the notice of guaranteed delivery pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. Pursuant to such procedures, (a) such tender must be made by or through an eligible institution, (b) a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form provided by the Purchaser, must be received by the Depositary prior to the expiration date and (c) the certificates for all tendered Shares in proper form for transfer (or a book-entry confirmation with respect to all such Shares), together with a Letter of Transmittal (or facsimile thereof), properly completed and duly executed, with any required signature guarantees, or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an agent’s message, and any other required documents, must be received by the Depositary, in each case within three trading days after the date of execution of such notice of guaranteed delivery as provided in Section 3 of the Offer to Purchase. A “trading day” is any day on which the Nasdaq is open for business. The term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted by the book-entry transfer facility to, and received by, the Depositary and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that such book-entry transfer facility has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in the book-entry transfer facility tendering the Shares that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the Letter of Transmittal and that the Purchaser may enforce such agreement against such participant.

 

The method of delivery of Shares, this Letter of Transmittal and all other required documents, including delivery through the book-entry transfer facility, is at the sole election and risk of the tendering stockholder. Shares will be deemed delivered only when actually received by the Depositary (including, in the case of a book-entry transfer, by book-entry confirmation). If delivery is by mail, registered mail with return receipt requested, properly insured, is recommended. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to ensure timely delivery.

 

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

 

3.   Inadequate Space. If the space provided herein is inadequate, the certificate numbers and/or the number of Shares should be listed on a separate schedule attached hereto.

 

 

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                4.   Partial Tenders (Not Applicable to Stockholders Who Tender by Book-Entry Transfer). If fewer than all the Shares represented by any certificate submitted to the Depositary are to be tendered, fill in the number of Shares that are to be tendered in the box entitled “Number of Shares Tendered.” In any such case, new certificate(s) for the remainder of the Shares that were evidenced by the old certificate(s) will be sent to the registered holder(s), unless otherwise provided in the appropriate box on this Letter of Transmittal, as soon as practicable after the acceptance for payment of, and payment for, the Shares tendered herewith. All Shares represented by certificates delivered to the Depositary will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated.

 

5.    Signatures on Letter of Transmittal, Stock Powers and Endorsements. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) without any change whatsoever.

 

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

 

If any Shares tendered hereby are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate letters of transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates.

 

If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificate or stock power is signed by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer of a corporation or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such person should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to the Purchaser of the authority of such person so to act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.

 

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered owner(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate stock powers are required unless payment of the purchase price is to be made, or certificates for Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be issued, to a person other than the registered owner(s). Signatures on any such certificates or stock powers must be guaranteed by an eligible institution.

 

If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered owner(s) of the Shares tendered hereby, the certificate(s) representing such Shares must be properly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered owner(s) appear(s) on the certificates(s). The signature(s) on any such certificate(s) or stock power(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible institution.

 

6.    Stock Transfer Taxes. The Purchaser will pay any stock transfer taxes with respect to the transfer and sale of Shares to it pursuant to the Offer. If, however, payment of the purchase price is to be made to, or if Shares not tendered or accepted for payment are to be registered in the name of, any person(s) other than the registered owner(s), or if Shares tendered hereby are registered in the name(s) of any person(s) other than the person(s) signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of any stock transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered owner(s) or such person(s)) payable on account of the transfer to such person(s) will be deducted from the purchase price unless satisfactory evidence of the payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.

 

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

 

7.    Special Payment and Delivery Instructions. If a check for the purchase price of any Shares accepted for payment is to be issued in the name of, and/or certificates for any Shares not accepted for payment or not tendered are to be issued in the name of and/or returned to, a person other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or if a check is to be sent, and/or such certificates are to be returned, to a person other than the signer of this Letter of Transmittal or to an address other than that shown above, the appropriate boxes on this Letter of Transmittal should be completed.

 

8.    Waiver of Conditions. The Purchaser reserves the right, subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to waive any of the specified conditions of the Offer, in whole or in part, in the case of any Shares tendered.

 

 

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                9.    28% Backup Withholding. In order to avoid backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax with respect to payments of cash payable under the Offer, a stockholder surrendering Shares in the Offer must, unless an exemption applies, provide the Depositary with such stockholder’s correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) on Substitute Form W-9 below in this Letter of Transmittal and certify under penalties of perjury that such TIN is correct and that such stockholder is not subject to or is exempt from backup U.S. federal income tax withholding. If a stockholder does not provide such stockholder’s correct TIN or fails to provide the certifications described above, the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may impose a $50 penalty on such stockholder and payment of cash to such stockholder pursuant to the Offer may be subject to backup withholding of 28%.

 

Backup withholding is not an additional income tax. Rather, the amount of the backup withholding can be credited against the U.S. federal income tax liability of the person subject to the backup withholding, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of tax, a refund can be obtained by the stockholder upon filing an income tax return.

 

A tendering stockholder is required to give the Depositary the TIN (i.e., social security number or employer identification number) of the record owner of the Shares being tendered. If the Shares are held in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed “Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9” for additional guidance on which number to report.

 

The box in part 3 of the Substitute Form W-9 may be checked if the tendering stockholder has not been issued a TIN and has applied for a TIN or intends to apply for a TIN in the near future. If the box in part 3 is checked, the stockholder or other payee must also complete the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number below in order to avoid backup withholding. Notwithstanding that the box in part 3 is checked and the Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Depositary will withhold 28% on all payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is provided to the Depositary. However, such amounts will be refunded to such stockholder if a TIN is provided to the Depositary within 60 days.

 

Certain stockholders (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals and entities) are not subject to backup withholding. Noncorporate foreign stockholders should complete and sign the main signature form and the appropriate Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status, a copy of which may be obtained from the Depositary, in order to avoid backup withholding. See the enclosed “Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9” for more instructions. You should consult with your tax advisor regarding the foregoing.

 

10.    Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions and requests for assistance or additional copies of the Offer to Purchase, this Letter of Transmittal, the notice of guaranteed delivery and the Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 may be directed to Red Oak Capital Partners, LLC at its address set forth on the last page of this Letter of Transmittal.

 

11.    Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. If any certificate representing Shares has been lost, destroyed or stolen, the stockholder should promptly notify FHCO’s transfer agent, Computershare Investor Services at (781) 575-3120. The stockholder will then be instructed by the transfer agent as to the steps that must be taken in order to replace the certificate. This Letter of Transmittal and related documents cannot be processed until the procedures for replacing lost, destroyed or stolen certificates have been followed.

 

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

 

 

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PAYER’S NAME:     _________________________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUBSTITUTE

Form W-9

 

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

 

Payer’s Request for Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”)

 

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

 


Social Security Number(s)

OR


Employer Identification
Number(s)

 

 

Part 2—Certifications—Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:

(1)    The number shown on this form is my correct Taxpayer Identification Number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me);

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

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

 

 

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

 

Signature:                                      Date:                     

Name (Please Print):                                                     

Address (Please Print):                                                

 

Part 3

Awaiting TIN    o

 

 

 

 

NOTE:

 

FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 MAY RESULT IN BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 28% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

 

YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART 3 OF SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9.

 

CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

 

I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me and that either (1) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (2) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number to the Depositary by the time of payment, 28% of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld.

 

 

 

 

 

Signature:                                                                                       

  

Date:                                               

 

 

 

10

 


 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

 

Information For Substitute Form W-9

 

GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

 

Purpose of Form

 

A person who is required to file an information return with the IRS must obtain your correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) to report, for example, income paid to you, real estate transactions, mortgage interest you paid, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA.

U.S. person. Use Form W-9 only if you are a U.S. person (including a resident alien), to provide your correct TIN to the person requesting it (the requester) and, when applicable, to:

 

1.

 

Certify that the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued);

 

 

 

2.

 

Certify that you are not subject to backup withholding; or

 

 

 

3.

 

Claim exemption from backup withholding if you are a U.S. exempt payee.

 

          Note: If a requester gives you a form other than Form W-9 to request your TIN, you should use the requester’s form. However, this form must meet the acceptable specifications described in Pub. 1167, General Rules and Specifications for Substitute Tax Forms and Schedules.

 

Foreign person. If you are a foreign person, use the appropriate Form W-8 (see Pub. 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities).

 

Nonresident alien who becomes a resident alien. Generally, only a nonresident alien individual may use the terms of a tax treaty to reduce or eliminate U.S. tax on certain types of income. However, most tax treaties contain a provision known as a “saving clause.” Exceptions specified in the saving clause may permit an exemption from tax to continue for certain types of income even after the recipient has otherwise become a U.S. resident alien for tax purposes.

 

If you are a U.S. resident alien who is relying on an exception contained in the saving clause of a tax treaty to claim an exemption from U.S. tax on certain types of income, you must attach a statement that specifies the following five items:

 

1.

 

The treaty country. Generally, this must be the same treaty under which you claimed exemption from tax as a nonresident alien.

 

 

 

2.

 

The treaty article addressing the income.

 

 

 

3.

 

The article number (or location) in the tax treaty that contains the saving clause and its exceptions.

 

 

 

4.

 

The type and amount of income that qualifies for the exemption from tax.

 

 

 

5.

 

Sufficient facts to justify the exemption from tax under the terms of the treaty article.

 

          Example. Article 20 of the U.S.-China income tax treaty allows an exemption from tax for scholarship income received by a Chinese student temporarily present in the United States. Under U.S. law, this student will become a resident alien for tax purposes if his or her stay in the United States exceeds 5 calendar years. However, paragraph 2 of the first Protocol to the U.S.-China treaty (dated April 30, 1984) allows the provisions of Article 20 to continue to apply even after the Chinese student becomes a resident alien of the United States. A Chinese student who qualifies for this exception (under paragraph 2 of the first protocol) and is relying on this exception to claim an exemption from tax on his or her scholarship or

 


 

fellowship income would attach to Form W-9 a statement that includes the information described above to support that exemption.

 

If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, give the requester the appropriate completed Form W-8.

 

What is backup withholding? Persons making certain payments to you must under certain conditions withhold and pay to the IRS 28% of such payments. This is called “backup withholding.” Payments that may be subject to backup withholding include interest, dividends, broker and barter exchange transactions, rents, royalties, nonemployee pay, and certain payments from fishing boat operators. Real estate transactions are not subject to backup withholding.

 

You will not be subject to backup withholding on payments you receive if you give the requester your correct TIN, make the proper certifications, and report all your taxable interest and dividends on your tax return.

 

 

Payments you receive will be subject to backup withholding if:

 

1.

 

You do not furnish your TIN to the requester;

 

 

 

2.

 

You do not certify your TIN when required (see the Part II instructions on page 2 for details);

 

 

 

3.

 

The IRS tells the requester that you furnished an incorrect TIN;

 

 

 

4.

 

The IRS tells you that you are subject to backup withholding because you did not report all your interest and dividends on your tax return (for reportable interest and dividends only); or

 

 

 

5.

 

You do not certify to the requester that you are not subject to backup withholding under 4 above (for reportable interest and dividend accounts opened after 1983 only).

 

          Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding. See the instructions below and the separate Instructions for the Requester of Form W-9.

 

Penalties

Failure to furnish TIN. If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.

 

Civil penalty for false information with respect to withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis that results in no backup withholding, you are subject to a $500 penalty.

 

Criminal penalty for falsifying information. Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.

 

Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of Federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

 

Specific Instructions

 

Name

If you are an individual, you must generally enter the name shown on your social security card. However, if you have changed your last name, for instance, due to marriage without informing the Social Security Administration of the name change, enter your first name, the last name shown on your social security card, and your new last name.

 

If the account is in joint names, list first, and then circle, the name of the person or entity whose number you entered in Part I of the form.

 


 

Sole proprietor. Enter your individual name as shown on your social security card on the “Name” line. You may enter your business, trade, or “doing business as (DBA)” name on the “Business name” line.

 

Limited liability company (LLC). If you are a single-member LLC (including a foreign LLC with a domestic owner) that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner under Treasury regulations section 301.7701-3, enter the owner’s name of the “Name” line. Enter the LLC’s name on the “Business name” line.

 

Other entities. Enter your business name as shown on required Federal tax documents on the “Name” line. This name should match the name shown on the charter or other legal document creating the entity. You may enter any business, trade, or DBA name on the “Business name” line.

 

Note: You are requested to check the appropriate box for your status (individual/sole proprietor, corporation, etc.).

 

Exempt From Backup Withholding

 

If you are exempt, enter your name as described above and check the appropriate box for your status, then sign and date the form.

 

Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are not exempt from backup withholding. Corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, such as interest and dividends.

 

Note: If you are exempt from backup withholding, you should still complete this form to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding.

 

Exempt payees. Backup withholding is not required on any payments made to the following payees:

 

1.

 

An organization exempt from tax under section 501 (a), any IRA, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7) if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2);

 

 

 

2.

 

The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities;

 

 

 

3.

 

A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any of their political subdivisions or instrumentalities;

 

 

 

4.

 

A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities; or

 

 

 

5.

 

An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities.

 

 

 

 

 

Other payees that may be exempt from backup withholding include:

 

 

 

6.

 

A corporation;

 

 

 

7.

 

A foreign central bank of issue;

 

 

 

8.

 

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

 

 

 

9.

 

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

 

 

 

10.

 

A real estate investment trust;

 

 

 

11.

 

An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

12.

 

A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a);

 

 

 

13.

 

A financial institution;

 

 

 

14.

 

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

 

 

 

15.

 

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

          The chart below shows types of payments that may be exempt from backup withholding. The chart applies to the exempt recipients listed above, 1 through 15.

 

 

 

If the payment is for...

 

THEN the payment is exempt for...

Interest and dividend payments

 

All exempt recipients except for 9

Broker transactions

 

Exempt recipients 1 through 13. Also, a person registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 who regularly acts as a broker

Barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends

 

Exempt recipients 1 through 5

Payments over $600 required to be reported and direct sales over $5,0001

 

Generally, exempt recipients 1 through 72

 

 

 

 

1

 

See Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and its instructions.

 

 

 

2

 

However, the following payments made to a corporation (including gross proceeds paid to an attorney under section 6045(f), even if the attorney is a corporation) and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: medical and health care payments, attorneys’ fees; and payments for services paid by a Federal executive agency.

 

Part 1. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Enter your TIN in the appropriate box. If you are a resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible to get an SSN your TIN is your IRS individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN). Enter it in the social security number box. If you do not have an ITIN, see How to get a TIN below.

If you are a sole proprietor and you have an EIN, you may enter either your SSN or EIN. However, the IRS prefers that you use your SSN.

 

If you are a single-owner LLC that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner (see Limited liability company (LLC) on page 1), enter your SSN (or EIN, if you have one). If the LLC is a corporation, partnership, etc., enter the entity’s EIN.

 

Note: See the chart on page 4 for further clarification of name and TIN combinations.

 

How to get a TIN. If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for a SSN, get Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, from your local Social Security Administration office or get this form on-line at www.ssa.gov/online/ss5.html. You may also get this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an ITIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can get Forms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) or from the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov.

 

If you are asked to complete Form W-9 but do not have a TIN, write “Applied For” in the space for the TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the requester. For interest and dividend payments, and certain payments made with respect to readily tradable instruments, generally you will have 60 days to get a TIN and give it to the requester before you are subject to backup withholding on payments. The 60-day rule does not apply to other types of payments. You will be subject to back-up withholding on all such payments until you provide your TIN to the requester.

 


 

Note: Writing “Applied For” means that you have already applied for a TIN or that you intend to apply for one soon.

 

Caution: A disregarded domestic entity that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.

 

Part 2. Certification

 

To establish to the withholding agent that you are a U.S. person, or resident alien, sign Form W-9. You may be requested to sign by the withholding agent even if items 1, 3, and 5 below indicate otherwise.

For a joint account, only the person whose TIN is shown in Part I should sign (when required). Exempt recipients, see Exempt from backup withholding above.

 

Signature requirements. Complete the certification as indicated in 1 through 5 below.

 

1.

 

Interest, dividend, and barter exchange accounts opened before 1984 and broker accounts considered active during 1983. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

 

 

 

2.

 

Interest, dividend, broker, and barter exchange accounts opened after 1983 and broker accounts considered inactive during 1983. You must sign the certification or backup withholding will apply. If you are subject to backup withholding and you are merely providing your correct TIN to the requester, you must cross out item 2 in the certification before signing the form.

 

 

 

3.

 

Real estate transactions. You must sign the certification. You may cross out item 2 of the certification.

 

4.

 

Other Payments. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification unless you have been notified that you have previously given an incorrect TIN. “Other payments” include payments made in the course of the requester’s trade or business for rents, royalties, goods (other than bills for merchandise), medical and health care services (including payments to corporations), payments to nonemployee for services, payments to certain fishing boat crew members and fishermen, and gross proceeds paid to attorneys (including payments to corporations).

 

 

 

5.

 

Mortgage interest paid by you, acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, qualified tuition program payments (under section 529), IRA or Archer MSA contributions or distributions, and pension distributions. You must give your correct TIN, but you do not have to sign the certification.

 

What Name and Number To Give the Requester

 

 

 

 

 

For this type of account:

 

Give name and SSN of:

1.

 

Individual

 

The individual

 

 

 

 

 

2.

 

Two or more individuals (joint account)

 

The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account1

 

 

 

 

 

3.

 

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

 

The minor2

 

 

 

 

 

4.

 

a. The usual revocable savings trust (grantor is also trustee)
b. So-called trust account that is not a legal or valid trust under state law

 

The grantor-trustee1
The actual owner

 

 

 

 

 

5.

 

Sole proprietorship or single-owner LLC

 

The owner3

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

For this type of account:

 

Give name and EIN of:

6.

 

Sole proprietorship or single-owner LLC

 

The owner3

 

 

 

 

 

7.

 

A valid trust, estate, or pension trust

 

Legal entity4

 

 

 

 

 

8.

 

Corporate or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8837

 

The corporation

 

 

 

 

 

9.

 

Association, club, religious, charitable, educational, or other tax-exempt organization

 

The organization

 

 

 

 

 

10.

 

Partnership or multi-member LLC

 

The partnership

 

 

 

 

 

11.

 

A broker or registered nominee

 

The broker or nominee

 

 

 

 

 

12.

 

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

 

The public entity

 

 

 

 

1

 

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

 

 

 

2

 

Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN.

 

 

 

3

 

You must show your individual name, but you may also enter your business or “DBA” name. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one).

 

 

 

4

 

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

 

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

 

Privacy Act Notice

 

Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to provide your correct TIN to persons who must file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, and certain other income paid to you, mortgage interest you paid, the acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA or Archer MSA. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your tax return. The IRS may also provide this information to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation, and to cities, states, and the District of Columbia to carry out their tax laws. We may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, or to Federal and state agencies to enforce Federal nontax criminal laws and to combat terrorism.

 

You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Payers must generally withhold 28% of taxable interest, dividend, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply.

 


 

                The Letter of Transmittal, certificates for Shares and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each stockholder of FHCO or such stockholder’s bank, broker, dealer, trust company or other nominee to the Depositary at one of its addresses set forth below.

 

The Depositary for the Offer is:

 

 

 

By Mail:

By Facsimile Transmission:

 

 

By Overnight Courier:

Computershare

c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions

P.O. Box 859208

Braintree, MA 02185-9208

For Eligible Institutions Only:

(781) 380-3388

 

For Confirmation Only Telephone:

(781) 930-4900

Computershare

c/o Voluntary Corporate Actions

161 Bay State Drive

Braintree, MA 02184

 

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

 

Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of this Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and the notice of guaranteed delivery may be directed to:

 

Red Oak Capital Partners LLC

145 Fourth Avenue, Suite 15A

New York, New York 10003

(212) 614-8952

 

You may also contact your bank, broker, dealer, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offer.