UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
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INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
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Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12
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INNOVATIVE PAYMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required.
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc.
56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT
Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921
November 6, 2023
NOTICE OF 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To the Stockholders of Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc.:
We hereby notify you that the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 beginning at 9:00 am Pacific time. The Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting, which will be conducted via live webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting:
https://www.virtualmeetingportal.com/ipsipay/2023.
You may also attend in listen-only mode via telephone at 1(800) 450-7155 within the U.S and Canada, and +1(857) 999-9155 internationally and enter conference ID 9065943#. The Annual Meeting is being held for the following vote on the following proposals (the “Proposals”):
(1) to elect four (4) nominees for director named herein to our Board of Directors (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) to hold office until our next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified (the “Election of Directors”);
(2) to ratify the appointment by our Board of Directors of RBSM LLP (“RBSM”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023; and
(3) to transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting.
Our Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote FOR each of the Proposals.
The matters listed in this notice of meeting are described in detail in the accompanying proxy statement. Our Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 30, 2023 (the “Record Date”) as the record date for determining those stockholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment or postponement of thereof. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The list of the stockholders of record as of the Record Date will be made available for inspection will be available for the ten days preceding the Annual Meeting at the Company’s offices located at 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921.
On or about November 7, 2023, we will begin mailing this proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. These materials will also be available on our website at https://investor.ipsipay.com/.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting virtually, please submit a proxy to have your shares voted as promptly as possible by using the internet, or by signing, dating and returning by mail the proxy card enclosed with the proxy materials. If you do not receive the proxy materials in printed form and would like to submit a proxy by mail, you may request a printed copy of the proxy materials and such materials will be sent to you.
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Please note: If you hold your shares in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, your nominee may determine to vote your shares at its own discretion, absent instructions from you. However, due to voting rules that may prevent your bank or broker from voting your uninstructed shares on a discretionary basis in the election of directors and other non-routine matters, it is important that you cast your vote. Instructions for voting on the matters presented at the Annual Meeting are contained in the accompanying proxy statement (see “How to Vote” on page 2 of the proxy statement).
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By Order of the Board of Directors,
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/s/ William Corbett
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William Corbett
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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Carmel by the Sea, California
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November 6, 2023
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Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc.
56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT
Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921
PROXY STATEMENT
For the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on November 30, 2023
GENERAL INFORMATION
We are providing these proxy materials to holders of shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., a Nevada corporation (referred to as “IPSI,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”), in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of IPSI (the “Board” or “Board of Directors”) of proxies to be voted at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023, beginning at 9 a.m. Pacific Time via live webcast, and at any adjournment or postponement of our Annual Meeting. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting:
https://www.virtualmeetingportal.com/ipsipay/2023.
You may also attend in listen-only mode via telephone at (800) 450-7155 within the U.S and Canada, and +1 (857) 999-9155 internationally and enter conference ID 9065943#.
The purpose of the Annual Meeting and the matters to be acted on are stated in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors knows of no other business that will come before the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors is soliciting votes (1) FOR each of the four (4) nominees named herein for election to the Board of Directors; (2) FOR the ratification of the appointment of RBSM as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023;
The Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting, which will be conducted via live webcast. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting online and submit your questions during the meeting by visiting https://www.virtualmeetingportal.com/ipsipay/2023. If you need assistance with voting your shares, contact our Corporate Secretary Richard Rosenblum at (866) 477-4729.
All share and per share figures shown in this proxy statement give effect to a 1-for-30 reverse split of our common stock which was implemented on August 24, 2023.
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HOW TO VOTE
Stockholders of Record
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Nevada Agency & Transfer Company, you are considered the “stockholder of record” of those shares and the proxy statement is being sent directly to you by IPSI. Shareholders of record (that is, shareholders who hold their shares in their own name) can only vote by mail. If your shares are held in “street name” (that is, in the name of a bank or broker or other holder of record), you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow in order for your shares to be voted. Internet voting will also be offered to shareholders owning shares through most banks and brokers.
Vote by Mail
If you choose to submit your proxy by mail, simply mark, date and sign your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided.
Vote by Internet
Registered Holders
If you choose to submit a proxy by internet, go to https://stocktransfersolo.com/Vote to complete an electronic proxy card. Have your proxy card or voting instruction card in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. Your internet or telephonic proxy must be received by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on November 29, 2023 to be counted.
Beneficial Owners of Shares Held in Street Name
If your shares are held in a brokerage account or with a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in street name, and the proxy statement is being forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee, who is considered the stockholder of record of those shares. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee on how to vote the shares held in your account. However, since you are not a stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares virtually at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a legal proxy from your broker or other agent.
Voting at the Annual Meeting
Submitting a proxy by mail or internet will not limit your right to vote at the Annual Meeting if you decide to attend virtually.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Q: How can I attend and vote at the Annual Meeting?
A. We will be hosting the Annual Meeting live via audio webcast. Any stockholder can attend the Annual Meeting live online at:
https://www.virtualmeetingportal.com/ipsipay/2023 or via telephone at (800) 450-7155 within the U.S and Canada, and +1 (857) 999-9155 internationally and use conference ID 9065943#. A summary of the information you need to attend the Annual Meeting online is provided below:
• Instructions on how to attend and participate via the Internet are posted at https://www.virtualmeetingportal.com/ipsipay/2023.
• Assistance with questions regarding how to attend and participate via the Internet will be provided via telephone at (917) 262-2373 or email cst@virtualmeetingportal.com on the day of the Annual Meeting.
• Webcast starts at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
• Stockholders with valid control numbers may submit questions while attending the Annual Meeting via the Internet.
• Webcast replay of the Annual Meeting will be available until December 31, 2023.
• If you attend the Annual Meeting online and wish to vote at the Annual Meeting, you will be able to do so even if you have previously returned your proxy card.
Q: What information is contained in the proxy statement?
A: The information included in this proxy statement relates to the proposals to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, the voting process, the compensation of our directors and executive officers, and other required information.
Q: How do I get electronic access to the proxy materials?
A: This proxy statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and the proxy card for this meeting are available at https://www.investor.ipsipay.com/.
Q: What items of business will be voted on at the Annual Meeting?
A: The two (2) items of business scheduled to be voted on at the 2023 Annual Meeting are: (1) the election of the four (4) nominees named herein for election to the Board of Directors; and (2) the ratification of the appointment of RBSM as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023. We will also consider any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting.
Q: How does the Board of Directors recommend that I vote?
A: The Board of Directors is soliciting votes (1) FOR each of the four (4) nominees named herein for election to the Board of Directors; (2) FOR the ratification of the appointment of RBSM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023.
Q: What shares can I vote?
A: You may vote or cause to be voted all shares owned by you as of the close of business on the Record Date. These shares include: (1) shares held directly in your name as a stockholder of record; and (2) shares held for you, as the beneficial owner, through a broker or other nominee, such as a bank.
Q: What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
A: Most of our stockholders hold their shares through a broker or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.
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Record Holder. If your shares are registered directly in your name on the Company’s books maintained with our transfer agent, Nevada Agency & Transfer Company, you are considered the “record holder” of those shares, and the proxy statement is sent directly to you by the Company. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant a proxy to someone to vote your shares or to vote virtually at the Annual Meeting.
If you do not wish to vote virtually or you will not be attending the Annual Meeting, you may have your shares voted by submitting a proxy using the internet or by mail. Please visit https://stocktransfersolo.com/Vote.
Beneficial Owner of Shares Held in Street Name. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in street name (also called a “street name” holder), and the proxy statement is forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote the shares held in your account. However, since you are not a stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares virtually at the Annual Meeting unless you provide to the Company in advance of the Annual Meeting a legal proxy from the stockholder of record. A legal proxy may be obtained from your broker, bank or nominee. If you do not wish to vote virtually or you will not be attending the Annual Meeting you may instruct your broker, bank or nominee to vote your shares pursuant to voting instructions you will receive from your broker, bank or nominee describing the available processes for voting your stock.
If you hold your shares through a broker and you do not give instructions to the record holder on how to vote, the record holder will be entitled to vote your shares in its discretion on certain matters considered routine, such as the ratification of the appointment of independent auditors. The uncontested election of directors are not considered routine matters; and, therefore, brokers do not have the discretion to vote on those proposals. If you hold your shares in street name and you do not instruct your broker how to vote in these matters not considered routine, no votes will be cast on your behalf. These “broker non-votes” will be treated as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but not as shares entitled to vote on a particular proposal.
Q: Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?
A: You may change your vote or revoke your proxy at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting. To change your vote or revoke your proxy if you are the record holder, you may (1) notify our Corporate Secretary in writing at Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., 56B 5th Street, Lot 1, #AT Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921; (2) submit a later-dated proxy (either by mail or internet or telephonically), subject to the voting deadlines that are described on the proxy card or voting instruction form, as applicable; (3) deliver to our Corporate Secretary another duly executed proxy bearing a later date; or (4) by appearing at the Annual Meeting virtually and voting your shares. Attendance at the meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy unless you specifically so request.
For shares you hold beneficially, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker or nominee or, if you have obtained a valid proxy from your broker or nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the Annual Meeting and voting virtually.
Q: Who can help answer my questions?
A: If you have any questions about the Annual Meeting or how to vote or revoke your proxy, or you need additional copies of this proxy statement or voting materials, you should contact the Company’s Corporate Secretary, Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., at 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921, or by phone at (866) 477-4729.
Q: How are votes counted?
A: If you provide specific instructions, your shares will be voted as you instruct. If you are a record holder and you sign your proxy card or voting instruction card with no further instructions, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors, namely (1) FOR each of the four (4) nominees named herein for election to the Board of Directors; (2) FOR the ratification of the appointment of RBSM as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023. If any other matters properly arise at the meeting, your proxy, together with the other proxies received, will be voted at the discretion of the proxy holders.
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Q: What is a quorum and why is it necessary?
A: Conducting business at the meeting requires a quorum. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, present virtually or represented by proxy constitutes a quorum. Abstentions are treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker, bank or other nominee) or if you vote virtually at the Annual Meeting. Broker non-votes (which result when your shares are held in “street name”, and you do not tell the nominee how to vote your shares and the nominee does not have discretion to vote such shares or declines to exercise discretion) are treated as present for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present at the meeting.
Q: What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?
A: For Proposal 1 (the election of directors), the four (4) persons named herein receiving the highest number of FOR votes (from the holders of votes of shares present virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors) will be elected. Only votes FOR or WITHHELD will affect the outcome. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote as long as each nominee receives at least one FOR vote. You do not have the right to cumulate your votes.
To be approved, Proposal 2, which relates to the ratification of the appointment of RBSM as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2023, must receive FOR votes from the holders of a majority of the votes of the shares of common stock present virtually or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will have the same effect as an AGAINST vote. Although none are expected to exist in connection with Proposal 2 since this is a routine matter for which brokers have discretion to vote if beneficial owners do not provide voting instructions, broker non-votes, if any, are not votes considered to be present virtually or by proxy at the meeting and therefore will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. This vote is advisory, and therefore is not binding on us or the Board of Directors. If our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Board of Directors will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Board of Directors in its discretion may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
If your shares are held in “street name” and you do not indicate how you wish to vote, your broker is permitted to exercise its discretion to vote your shares on certain “routine” matters. The only routine matter to be submitted to our stockholders at the Annual Meeting is Proposal 2. None of our other proposals are routine matters. Accordingly, if you do not direct your broker how to vote for such proposal your broker may not exercise discretion and may not vote your shares on that proposal.
For purposes of Proposals 1 and 2, broker non-votes are not considered to be “present virtually or by proxy” at the meeting. As such, broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on Proposals 1and 2.
Q: What should I do if I receive more than one proxy statement?
A: You may receive more than one proxy statement. For example, if you are a stockholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy statement. Please follow the voting instructions on all of the proxy statements to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
Q: Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
A: We intend to announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and publish final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we expect will be filed within four (4) business days of the Annual Meeting. If final voting results are not available to us in time to file a Current Report on Form 8-K within four (4) business days after the Annual Meeting, we intend to file a Current Report on Form 8-K to publish results as to matters for which we have final votes and, within four (4) business days after the final results are known to us, file an additional Current Report on Form 8-K to publish the final results.
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Q: What happens if additional matters are presented at the Annual Meeting?
A: Other than the two (2) items of business described in this proxy statement, we are not aware of any other business to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting. If you grant a proxy, the persons named as proxy holders, Mr. William Corbett, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, and Mr. Richard Rosenblum, our President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director, or either of them, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the meeting.
Q: How many shares are outstanding and how many votes is each share entitled?
A: Each share of our common stock that is issued and outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date is entitled to be voted on all items being voted on at the Annual Meeting, with each share being entitled to one vote on each matter. As of the Record Date, 13,030,034 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding.
Q: Who will count the votes?
A: Richard Rosenblum, our President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, has been appointed as inspector of election for the Annual Meeting and will tabulate the votes.
Q: Is my vote confidential?
A: Proxy instructions, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify individual stockholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed, either within IPSI or to anyone else, except: (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements; (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote; or (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation.
Q: Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the Annual Meeting?
A: The Board of Directors is making this solicitation on behalf of IPSI, which will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing, and distributing these proxy materials. Certain of our directors, officers, and employees, without any additional compensation, may also solicit your vote in person or by electronic communication. On request, we will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to stockholders. In addition to the use of the mail, proxies may be solicited by personal interview, telephone, telegram, facsimile and advertisement in periodicals and postings, in each case by our directors, officers and employees without additional compensation. We may request by telephone, facsimile, mail, electronic mail or other means of communication the return of the proxy cards. Please contact Corporate Secretary Richard Rosenblum at (866) 477-4729 with any questions you may have regarding our proposals.
Q: When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s Annual Meeting?
A: To be considered for inclusion in next year’s Annual Meeting proxy materials pursuant to SEC Rule 14a-8, your proposal must be submitted in writing by September 12, 2024, to the attention of the Corporate Secretary of Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc. at 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921. If you wish to submit a proposal (including a director nomination) at the meeting that is not intended to be included in next year’s proxy materials prepared by IPSI, you must do so in accordance with IPSI’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”), which contain additional requirements about advance notice of stockholder proposals and director nominations. See also “Stockholder Proposals for the Annual Meeting” elsewhere in this proxy statement.
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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors has nominated for annual election as director each of the individuals identified below, all of whom are incumbent directors.
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Age
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Position
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William Corbett
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director
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Richard Rosenblum
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President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director
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Madisson Butler
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Director
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Clifford Henry
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84
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Director
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David Rios
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Director
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Currently, the Board of Directors consists of five (5) members: William Corbett (Chairman), Richard Rosenblum, Madisson Butler, Clifford Henry and David Rios. All of the current members have been nominated by our Board of Directors for election as directors at the Annual Meeting, except for Clifford Henry, who voluntarily elected to not stand for re-election at the Annual Meeting but will serve out his current term as a director until the date of the Annual Meeting.
The Board of Directors believes that it is in the best interests of IPSI to elect the above-described nominees, each to serve as a director until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. All the nominees have consented to being named in this proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected. At the time of the Annual Meeting, if any of the nominees named above is not available to serve as director (an event that the Board of Directors does not currently have any reason to anticipate), all proxies may be voted for any one or more other persons that the Board of Directors designates in their place. It is the intention of the persons named as proxies to vote all shares of common stock for which they have been granted a proxy for the election of each of such replacement nominees. Directors elected at the Annual Meeting shall serve as a director until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
The Board of Directors believes that each of the nominees is highly qualified to serve as a member of the Board of Directors and each has contributed to the mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications of the Board of Directors. When evaluating candidates for election to the Board of Directors, our directors seek candidates with certain qualities that it believes are important, including experience, skills, expertise, personal and professional integrity, character, business judgment, time availability in light of other commitments, dedication, those criteria and qualifications described in each director’s biography below and such other relevant factors that the directors consider appropriate in the context of the needs of the Board of Directors.
The following information pertains to the members of our Board and executive officers, their principal occupations and other public company directorships for at least the last five years and information regarding their specific experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills:
William Corbett, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Mr. Corbett has been serving as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and a Director since August 6, 2019 and as its Chairman since February 22, 2021. He was also the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer from August 6, 2019 to July 22, 2021.
William Corbett has over thirty years of Wall Street experience. Starting with Bear Stearns in the mid-eighties he became an associate director responsible for managing over 50 brokers and was subsequently hired by Lehman Brothers where he was one of the top producers in the 1990’s. In 1995, he co-founded and became CEO of The Shemano Group, a San Francisco investment banking boutique, which developed into one of the leading banks for funding small cap companies. Mr. Corbett was a managing director at Paulson Investment Co. from October 2013 until October 2016, responsible for West Coast investment banking activities. He also has served as CEO of DPL a lending company, and a wholly owned subsidiary of DPW Holdings, Inc., from October of 2016 until May 2019.
Mr. Corbett’s financial experience on Wall Street, specifically with micro-cap companies, we believe provides him with the attributes that make him a valuable member of the Company’s Board of Directors.
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Richard Rosenblum, President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director
Mr. Rosenblum has been serving as the Company’s President, Chief Financial Officer and a Director since July 22, 2021. Mr. Rosenblum has also served as the Secretary of the Company since August 26, 2021.
Richard Rosenblum has been, since its founding in 1994, Chief Executive Officer and Principal at Harborview Capital Advisors LLC (“Harborview”), which provided strategic advisory services in the areas of capital formation, merchant banking and management consulting. Additionally, Mr. Rosenblum has been the owner of Harborview Property Management (“HPM”) for over twenty-five (25) years, where he invests and manages domestic and international commercial real-estate, and multi-family real-estate assets. From 2008 to 2014, Mr. Rosenblum was a Director, President and Executive Chairman of Alliqua Biomedical Inc. (NASDAQ: ALQA), which developed and marketed hydrogel manufacturing technology in the wound care sector. His philanthropic and community-centered activities include being a founding board member of the Dr. David Feit Memorial Foundation (“DFM”), which for over 15 years raised money for the benefit and support of youth activities. Effective January 17, 2022, Mr. Rosenblum was appointed as an independent director to the board of H-Cyte, (now Innoveren Scientific, Inc. (“Innoveren”)) Innoveren is a medical biosciences company with a mission to become a leader in next-generation, cellular therapeutics for the treatment of chronic health conditions. In January 2023, Mr. Rosenblum joined the board of Vicapsys Life Sciences Inc., a public biopharmaceutical company. Mr. Rosenblum graduated Summa Cum Laude from SUNY Buffalo with a B.A. in Finance & Accounting.
Mr. Rosenblum’s experience as an executive of a publicly traded company and his financial experience, including in investment banking and as an investor in publicly traded companies, we believe provide him with the attributes that make him a valuable member of the Company’s Board.
Madisson Butler, Director
Ms. Madisson Butler was appointed to our Board of Directors in May 2021. Ms. Butler has extensive experience in sales and built the sales development organizations at Series A-C tech companies. Ms. Butler’s career in sales began in San Diego, overseeing global sales and marketing at the top surf wax company in the US. Ms. Butler then worked at the International Surfing Association, recognized by the International Olympic, Committee and helped introduce surfing to the Olympics in 2020. After her time in San Diego, Ms. Butler began working for various Y Combinator companies including payroll & benefits platform, Gusto, hiring software, Lever, and mental health start up, Modern Health. Presently, Ms. Butler works for fintech start-up, Brex.com and has been with the company over the last two years. She built out the entire sales development organization from scratch and oversaw top of funnel production for the Go To Market Team at Brex.com. Ms. Butler managed the increase of recurring annual revenue from $20,000,000 to $100,000,000 in just 18 months and her team accounted for 85% of the net new revenue generated during the period.
We chose Ms. Butler to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to her extensive business and finance experience, which makes her a valuable member of our Board of Directors.
Clifford W. Henry, Director (not a candidate of election at the Annual Meeting)
Mr. Clifford W. Henry was appointed to our Board of Directors in May 2021. Mr. Henry is Chairman and CIO of CWH Associates, an investment management and consulting firm he founded in 1989. CWH is the owner and General Partner of Worthington Growth, LP, one of the earliest thematic focused, research-driven investment funds specializing in small and mid-cap companies. In addition to his investment work, Mr. Henry has served a number of companies as a director or advisor. He is also involved extensively in pro bono work most recently as a Chairman of the Indian River (Florida) Cultural Council and was a founding Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Clay Art Center in Port Chester New York.
We chose Mr. Henry to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive business and finance experience, which makes him a valuable member of our Board of Directors.
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David Rios, Director
David Rios was appointed to our Board of Directors on July 22, 2021. Mr. Rios is a currently a philanthropist. Prior to turning to philanthropy approximately ten years ago, Mr. Rios was the founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of D.F. Rios Construction, Inc., the largest framing construction company in the state of California, for over 30 years. Mr. Rios was also President of the California Framers Association and on the Board of Carpenters. Additionally, Mr. Rios sat on the Board of Pan Pacific Bank where he was instrumental in closing its acquisition by California Bank of Commerce in December 2015.
We chose Mr. Rios to serve as a member of our Board of Directors due to his extensive business experience, which makes him a valuable member of our Board of Directors.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast, either virtually or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of these nominees as directors. You may vote “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” authority to vote for each of the nominees for director. If you “WITHHOLD” authority to vote with respect to one or more nominees, such vote will have no effect on the election for such nominees. Broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the outcome of the vote as long as each nominee receives at least one FOR vote. Shares represented by properly executed proxies will be voted, if specific instructions are not otherwise given, in favor of each nominee.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE YOUR SHARES “FOR” THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THESE NOMINEES
Corporate Governance
Code of Ethics and Conduct
Effective as of May 12, 2016, we adopted a Code of Ethics and Conduct that applies to, among other persons, our president or chief executive officer as well as the individuals performing the functions of our chief financial officer, corporate secretary and controller. As adopted, our Code of Ethics and Conduct sets forth written standards that are designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
• honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships;
• full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with, or submit to regulatory agencies, including the SEC;
• the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics and Conduct to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code of Ethics and Conduct; and
• accountability for adherence to the Code of Ethics and Conduct.
Our Code of Ethics and Conduct requires, among other things, that all of our personnel be afforded full access to our president or chief executive officer with respect to any matter which may arise relating to the Code of Ethics and Conduct. Further, all of our personnel are to be afforded full access to our Board of Directors if any such matter involves an alleged breach of the Code of Ethics and Conduct by our president or chief executive officer.
In addition, our Code of Ethics and Conduct emphasizes that all employees, and particularly managers and/or supervisors, have a responsibility for maintaining financial integrity within our company, consistent with generally accepted accounting principles, and federal, provincial and state securities laws. Any employee who becomes aware of any incidents involving financial or accounting manipulation or other irregularities, whether by witnessing the incident or being told of it, must report it to his or her immediate supervisor or to our president or chief executive officer. If the incident involves an alleged breach of the Code of Ethics and Conduct by our president or chief executive officer, the incident must be reported to any member of our Board of Directors or use of a confidential and anonymous hotline phone number. Any failure to report such inappropriate or irregular conduct of others is to be treated as a severe disciplinary matter. It is against our company policy to retaliate against any individual who reports in good faith the violation or potential violation of our Code of Ethics and Conduct by another. Our Code of Ethics and Conduct is
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available, free of charge, to any stockholder upon written request to our Corporate Secretary at Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921. A copy of our Code of Ethics and Conduct can be found at www.ipsipay.com.
Composition of the Board
In accordance with our Articles of Incorporation, our Board is to be elected annually as a single class.
Board Committees
We currently do not have a separate Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee or Compensation Committee, however, we intend at the appropriate time to expand the size of our Board of Directors and create such committees. Our full board currently serves as our Audit Committee, Compensation and Nominating and Governance Committee. Due to the size of our Board of Directors and our company, we believe it is appropriate at this time for us not to have a separate Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Compensation Committee. All members of the Board participate in the consideration of director nominees, including any recommendations and proposals submitted by stockholders in respect of director nominees. Other than Mr. Rosenblum (a non-independent member of the Board), the Board does not have a member who is an “audit committee financial expert” for purposes of applicable securities laws.
We reimburse all directors for any expenses incurred in attending directors’ meetings provided that we have the resources to pay these fees. We will provide officers and directors liability insurance. Further, our current policy is to provide cash compensation of $1,500 per month to each of our non-employee directors.
Leadership Structure
The chairman of our Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer positions are currently the same person, Mr. Corbett. Our Bylaws do not require our Board of Directors to separate the roles of chairman and chief executive officer but provides our Board of Directors with the flexibility to determine whether the two roles should be combined or separated based upon our needs. Our Board of Directors believes that due to our size the combination of the chairman and the chief executive officer roles is the appropriate structure for our company at this time. Our Board of Directors believes the current leadership structure serves as an aid in the Board of Directors’ oversight of management and it provides us with sound corporate governance practices in the management of our business.
Risk Management
The Board of Directors discharges its responsibilities, and assesses the information provided by our management and the independent auditor, in accordance with its business judgment. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the Company’s financial statements, and management is responsible for conducting business in an ethical and risk mitigating manner where decisions are undertaken with a culture of ownership. Our Board of Directors oversees management in their duty to manage the risk of our company and each of our subsidiaries. Our Board of Directors regularly reviews information provided by management as management works to manage risks in the business. Our Board of Directors intends to establish Board Committees to assist the full Board of Directors’ oversight by focusing on risks related to the particular area of concentration of the relevant committee.
Director Independence
Although our common stock is not listed on any national securities exchange, for purposes of independence we use the definition of independence applied by The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). The Board has determined that each of Clifford Henry and David Rios is “independent” in accordance with such definition and that none of Mr. Corbett, Mr. Rosenblum or Ms. Butler is independent.
Family Relationships
Except for Madisson Butler, who is the daughter of William Corbett, there are no family relationships between the directors of the board or any of the executive officers of the Company.
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Communication with Directors
Historically, the Company has not provided a formal process related to stockholder communications with the Board of Directors. Nevertheless, every effort has been made to ensure that the views of stockholders are heard by the Board of Directors or individual directors, as applicable, and that appropriate responses are provided to stockholders in a timely manner. The Company believes its responsiveness to stockholder communications to the Board of Directors has been excellent.
Stockholders and interested parties who wish to communicate with the Board of Directors, non-management members of the Board of Directors as a group or a specific member of the Board of Directors may do so by letters addressed to the attention of our Corporate Secretary.
The address for these communications is: Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and our other equity securities. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to our officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners were complied with.
Hedging Policy
The Company does not currently have in place an express policy that prohibits short sales, hedging, and transactions in derivatives of the Company’s securities for all of the Company’s personnel, including officers, directors and employees, independent contractors and consultants. In addition, we do not currently have in place an express policy that prohibits pledging of our securities as collateral by the Company’s directors and executive officers.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes all compensation earned in each of IPSI and its subsidiaries during its last two fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 by: (i) its principal executive officer; and (ii) its most highly compensated executive officer other than the principal executive officer who was serving as an executive officer of IPSI as of the end of the last completed fiscal year. The tables below reflect the compensation for the IPSI executive officers who are also named executive officers of the combined company.
Name and principal position
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus
|
|
Stock awards
|
|
Option awards
|
|
All other comp.
|
|
Total
|
William Corbett,
|
|
2022
|
|
$
|
360,000
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
251,064
|
(a)
|
|
$
|
1,090,201
|
(b)
|
|
$
|
15,632
|
(d)
|
|
$
|
1,716,897
|
Chairman of the Board and
|
|
2021
|
|
$
|
359,640
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
251,064
|
(a)
|
|
$
|
910,019
|
(c)
|
|
$
|
4,327,899
|
(e)
|
|
$
|
5,848,622
|
Chief Executive Officer(1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard Rosenblum
|
|
2022
|
|
$
|
216,000
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
(f)
|
|
$
|
111,510
|
(h)
|
|
$
|
22,645
|
(j)
|
|
$
|
460,155
|
Chief Financial Officer and
|
|
2021
|
|
$
|
108,000
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
194,000
|
(g)
|
|
$
|
381,006
|
(i)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
683,006
|
President(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Andrey Novikov
|
|
2022
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
Chief Technology Officer(3)
|
|
2021
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
45,804
|
(k)
|
|
$
|
83,500
|
(l)
|
|
$
|
129,304
|
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table lists the outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers at December 31, 2022:
|
|
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
|
|
|
OPTION AWARDS
|
|
STOCK AWARDS
|
Name
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable*
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable*
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options*
|
|
Option Exercisable Price*
|
|
Option Expiration Date
|
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock that have Not Vested
|
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock that have not Vested
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that have Not Vested
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights that have Not Vested
|
William Corbett
|
|
481,482
|
|
185,182
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
4.50
|
|
8/16/2031
|
|
170,792
|
|
$
|
61,485
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
500,000
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
4.50
|
|
7/11/2032
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Richard Rosenblum
|
|
240,741
|
|
92,592
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
4.50
|
|
8/16/2031
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Andrey Novikov(1)
|
|
3,333
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
123.00
|
|
12/27/2028
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
6,944
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
7.20
|
|
2/22/2031
|
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Agreements with Named Executive Officers
William Corbett
The Company entered into an executive employment agreement with William Corbett effective June 24, 2020 (as amended, the “Corbett Employment Agreement”) which provided that Mr. Corbett be (i) employed as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for a term of three (3) years, provide for a base salary of $12,500 per month, (ii) granted a signing bonus of $25,000, (iii) receive a bonus of up to 50% of his the annual base salary upon the Company’s achievement of $2,000,000 EBITDA and additional performance bonus payments as may be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors and (iv) provide for severance in the event of a termination without cause in amount equal to equal to fifty percent (50%) of his annual base salary rate then in effect, provided that if such termination without cause occurs after an Acquisition of the Company (as defined in the agreement), Mr. Corbett will be entitled to receive severance in an amount equal to equal to 100% of his annual base salary rate then in effect.
Further, pursuant to the Corbett Employment Agreement the Company granted Mr. Corbett 170,792 (post-split) shares of the Company’s common stock, which are fully vested and not subject to forfeiture.
On June 24, 2020, the Company entered into a restricted stock agreement with Mr. Corbett pursuant to which the Company granted him a restricted stock award of 512,375 (post-split) shares of the Company’s common stock, with such shares are subject to forfeiture and which forfeiture restriction lapse 33%, 33% and 34%, respectively, on the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant.
On June 24, 2020, the Company entered into an indemnification agreement with Mr. Corbett to indemnify him, in connection with his position of employment with the Company and in the discharge of his duties and responsibilities to the Company, to the maximum extent allowed under the laws of the State of Nevada. The Company is not required or obligated to indemnify Mr. Corbett to extent it would violate the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), or the rules and regulations thereunder.
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On December 14, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the Corbett Employment Agreement whereby the Company agreed to increase Mr. Corbett’s base salary to $20,000 per month and to pay Mr. Corbett a bonus of $20,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020.
On February 22, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed William Corbett, its Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, as its Chairman of the Board and issued him a five-year warrant to purchase 666,667 (post-split) shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $7.20. The Board also agreed to increase Mr. Corbett’s monthly base salary to $30,000.
On August 16, 2021, the Company and Mr. Corbett entered into an Executive Employment Agreement that replaced and superseded the previous executive employment agreement (the “August 2021 Corbett Employment Agreement”). The purpose of the August 2021 Corbett Employment Agreement was to provide a replacement grant for warrants previously granted to Mr. Corbett under the terms of his previous employment agreement with the Company. Pursuant to the August 2021 Corbett Employment Agreement, Mr. Corbett would continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer on a full time basis effective as of the date of the August 2021 Corbett Employment Agreement until the close of business on December 31, 2024. Mr. Corbett’s base salary will be $30,000 per month, which shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practice for its executives, managers and salaried employees. In addition, the August 2021 Corbett Employment Agreement provides that: (1) Mr. Corbett will be eligible for a cash bonus as determined by the Board to the extent the Company achieves (or exceeds) annual revenue or other financial performance objectives established by the Board, in its sole discretion, from time to time; (2) the Company will grant to Mr. Corbett options to purchase 666,667 (post-split) shares of common stock of the Company at a per share exercise price of $4.50; and (3) a car allowance for Mr. Corbett in the amount of $800 per month. Fifty percent (50%) of the shares subject to the options shall vest on the grant date and the other 50% of the shares subject to the option shall vest at the rate of 1/36 per month over a three-year period. The options will be exercisable for a period of ten years after the date of grant and the Company shall provide for cashless exercise of the option. The options are being granted pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”).
On July 11, 2022, Mr. Corbett was granted a 10-year option to purchase 500,000 (post-split) shares of common stock with an exercise price of $4.50 per share pursuant to the 2021 Plan.
In addition, the Company and Mr. Corbett entered into an Indemnification Agreement on August 16, 2021 (the “August 2021 Corbett Indemnification Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to indemnify Mr. Corbett to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by or under the Nevada Corporation Law in respect of claims, including third-party claims and derivative claims and provides for advancement of expenses. The August 2021 Corbett Indemnification Agreement amends the indemnification agreement in effect prior to entering into the August 2021 Corbett Indemnification Agreement to provide that unless Company shall pay Mr. Corbett’s attorneys’ fees and costs, including the compensation and expenses of any arbitrator, unless the arbitrator or the court determines that (a) Company has no liability in such dispute, or (b) the action or claims by Executive are frivolous in nature. In any other case or matter, the Company and Mr. Corbett shall each bear its or his own attorney fees and costs.
Richard Rosenblum
On July 22, 2021, the Company appointed Richard Rosenblum as President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. In addition, Mr. Rosenblum was elected to the Board of Directors. Mr. Rosenblum was appointed as the Company’s Secretary on August 26, 2021.
On July 27, 2021, the Company and Mr. Rosenblum entered into an Executive Employment Agreement (the “Employment Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Rosenblum will serve as the Company’s President and Chief Financial Officer on a full time basis effective as of July 1. The effectiveness of the Employment Agreement is subject to the approval of the Employment Agreement by the Board, unless earlier terminated as provided in the Employment Agreement. The term of the Employment Agreement is until December 31, 2024. Mr. Rosenblum’s base salary will be $18,000 per month. In addition, the Employment Agreement provides that: (1) Mr. Rosenblum will be eligible for a cash bonus as determined by the Board to the extent the Company achieves (or exceeds) annual revenue or other financial performance objectives established by the Board, in its sole discretion, from time to time; and (2) the Company will grant to Mr. Rosenblum options to purchase 333,333 (post-split) shares of common stock of the Company at a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock, as reflected in the closing price of
14
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the Company’s common shares on the OTC exchange or, in the event the stock is up listed, on the NASDAQ exchange, on the date of grant (the “Options”)”. Fifty percent (50%) of the shares subject to the Options shall vest on the grant date and the other 50% of the shares subject to the Option shall vest at the rate of 1/36 per month over a three-year period. The Options will be exercisable for a period of ten (10) years after the date of grant and the Company shall provide for cashless exercise of the Option by Executive. The Options are being granted pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Plan.
If Mr. Rosenblum’s employment with Company is terminated at any time during the term of the Employment Agreement other than for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement), or due to voluntary termination, retirement, death or disability, then Mr. Rosenblum shall be entitled to severance equal to fifty percent (50%) of his annual base salary rate in effect as of the date of termination. If Mr. Rosenblum’s employment with Company is terminated at any time during the term of the Employment Agreement other than for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement), or due to voluntary termination, retirement, death or disability, within 12 months following an Acquisition (as defined in the Employment Agreement), then Mr. Rosenblum shall be entitled to severance equal to 100% of his annual base salary rate in effect as of the date of termination. Severance payments shall be subject to execution and delivery of a general release in favor of the Company.
On August 16, 2021, the Company entered into an amendment to the Rosenblum Executive Employment Agreement (the “First Amendment”) with Mr. Rosenblum. Under the terms of the Executive Employment Agreement, the Company had agreed to grant to Mr. Rosenblum an option to purchase 333,333 (post-split) (three hundred and thirty three thousand three hundred and thirty three) common shares of Company Stock at a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock, as reflected in the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the OTC exchange or, in the event the stock is uplisted, on the NASDAQ exchange, on the date of grant (the “Option”).” The First Amendment provided that the Option was granted on August 31, 2021 at an exercise price of $4.50.
On July 11, 2022, Mr. Rosenblum was granted 66,667 (post-split) shares of common stock pursuant to the 2021 Plan.
In addition, the Company and Mr. Rosenblum entered into an Indemnification Agreement, pursuant to which the Company agreed to indemnify Mr. Rosenblum to indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by or under the Nevada Corporation Law in respect of claims, including third-party claims and derivative claims and provides for advancement of expenses.
Pay Versus Performance
The following pay versus performance disclosure is new this year, as required by rules recently adopted by the SEC in the fall of 2022. The disclosure required for smaller reporting companies such as ours consists of a pay versus performance table and a reconciliation of the information reported in the table. The SEC believes this disclosure will help stockholders better evaluate the link between executive pay and performance, both for our company on a stand-alone basis and as compared to other publicly traded companies.
The pay versus performance table is highly regulated and requires pay disclosure that is significantly different than what we have customarily provided in the Summary Compensation Table and the other executive compensation tables in prior years. The table currently provides SEC mandated compensation data for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 for our named executive officers (“NEOs”), along with certain financial performance measures. In reviewing the table, our stockholders should note the following:
• The amounts in columns (b) and (d) of the table are taken from or derived directly from the total compensation paid to the relevant NEOs as reported in this year’s or prior years’ Summary Compensation Tables;
• The “compensation actually paid” in columns (c) and (e) represents a new type of compensation disclosure mandated by the SEC, the intent of which is to try and isolate the amount of compensation earned by the relevant NEO(s) in each year. To calculate “compensation actually paid,” we are required to start with the totals for that year as reported in the Summary Compensation Table, deduct the Summary Compensation Table values for stock and option awards, and then add back amounts for new and previously outstanding
15
Table of Contents
stock and option awards in a manner mandated by the SEC. The disclosure and calculations are complex and can be confusing, and the amounts determined in accordance with the rules often bear no relation to the money or the economic value received or monetized by a particular NEO in the given year. We therefore caution that the term “compensation actually paid” should not be read literally and may not actually reflect the “take home” amounts received by our NEOs in the years presented; and
• The SEC rules require that we include in the pay versus performance table information regarding our U.S. GAAP net income results. U.S. GAAP net income was not a performance metric in any of our compensation programs and did not affect the compensation awarded to our NEOs for the years covered by the pay versus performance table shown below. We are nonetheless required to include such information in the table, and we urge our investors to keep in mind that U.S. GAAP net income did not drive the amount of pay awarded to or realized by our NEOs.
Pay Versus Performance Table
Year
|
|
Summary compensation table total for PEO(1)
|
|
Compensation actually paid to PEO
|
|
Average summary compensation table total for non-PEO named executive officers
|
|
Average compensation actually paid to non-PEO named executive officers
|
|
Net income
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
|
(d)
|
|
(e)
|
|
(h)
|
2022
|
|
$
|
1,716,897
|
|
$
|
1,093,534
|
|
$
|
460,155
|
|
$
|
319,762
|
|
$
|
0
|
2021
|
|
$
|
5,848,622
|
|
$
|
1,337,845
|
|
$
|
406,155
|
|
$
|
888,323
|
|
$
|
0
|
Year
|
|
Non-PEO NEOs During Each Year
|
2022
|
|
Richard Rosenblum
|
2021
|
|
Richard Rosenblum, Andrey Novikov
|
|
|
2021
|
|
2022
|
Summary Compensation Table total for PEO for the covered year
|
|
$
|
5,848,622
|
|
|
$
|
1,716,897
|
|
Less Stock and option awards as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the covered year
|
|
$
|
5,488,982
|
|
|
$
|
1,341,265
|
|
Plus Fair value of stock and option awards granted during the covered fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of that covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
212,782
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Plus Change in fair value as of the end of the covered fiscal year of stock and option awards granted in any prior fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
(133,218
|
)
|
|
$
|
(128,308
|
)
|
Plus Fair value of stock and option awards that are granted and vest in the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
832,032
|
|
|
$
|
823,854
|
|
Plus Change in fair value as of the vesting date of any stock or option awards granted in a prior fiscal year that vest during the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
66,609
|
|
|
$
|
22,356
|
|
Less Fair value as of the end of the prior fiscal year of all stock and option awards forfeited during the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Plus The dollar value of all dividends or dividend equivalent amounts paid on awards in the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO for the covered year
|
|
$
|
1,337,845
|
|
|
$
|
1,093,534
|
|
16
Table of Contents
|
|
2021
|
|
2022
|
Summary Compensation Table total for NEO’s for the covered year
|
|
$
|
812,310
|
|
|
$
|
460,155
|
|
Less Stock and option awards as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the covered year
|
|
$
|
(704,310
|
)
|
|
$
|
(221,510
|
)
|
Plus Fair value of stock and option awards granted during the covered fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of that covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
106,398
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Plus Change in fair value as of the end of the covered fiscal year of stock and option awards granted in any prior fiscal year that are outstanding and unvested as of the end of the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(33,410
|
)
|
Plus Fair value of stock and option awards that are granted and vest in the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
673,925
|
|
|
$
|
110,000
|
|
Plus Change in fair value as of the vesting date of any stock or option awards granted in a prior fiscal year that vest during the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
4,527
|
|
Less Fair value as of the end of the prior fiscal year of all stock and option awards forfeited during the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Plus The dollar value of all dividends or dividend equivalent amounts paid on awards in the covered fiscal year
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Compensation Actually Paid to NEO’s for the covered year
|
|
$
|
888,323
|
|
|
$
|
319,762
|
|
Compensation for Employee Members of the Board
The employee members of the Board of Directors were not paid any fees for their service as directors; however, during the last two years (as applicable), each of Messrs. Corbett, Rosenblum and Novikov received compensation for service as officers of the Company.
Compensation for Non-Employee Members of the Board
The following table sets forth information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 regarding the compensation of our directors who on December 31, 2022 were not also employees of the Company.
Name
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
Other
|
|
Total
|
Clifford Henry(1)(4)
|
|
|
27,000
|
|
|
7,993
|
|
|
31,500
|
|
|
66,493
|
Madisson Butler(2)(4)
|
|
|
27,000
|
|
|
7,993
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
34,993
|
David Rios(3)(4)
|
|
$
|
27,000
|
|
$
|
7,993
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
34,993
|
Name
|
|
Stock Awards*
|
Clifford Henry(1)
|
|
73,333
|
Madisson Butler(2)
|
|
73,333
|
David Rios(3)
|
|
40,000
|
17
Table of Contents
On September 13, 2022, the Company granted Mr. Rios, a director of the Company, an option to purchase 6,667 (post-split) shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share.
Each director is reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending board of director and committee meetings.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The purpose of our equity incentive plans is to promote the interests of our company and our stockholders by providing directors, officers, employees and consultants of our company with appropriate incentives and rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue in the employ or service of our company, to acquire a proprietary interest in our long-term success and to reward the performance of individuals in fulfilling long-term corporate objectives.
On June 18, 2018, we established our 2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan terminates after a period of ten years in June 2028. The Plan is administered by our board of directors, or a committee appointed by our board of directors who have the authority to administer the Plan and to exercise all the powers and authorities specifically granted to it under the Plan.
The maximum number of securities available under the Plan is 26,667 (post-split) shares of Common Stock. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock awarded to any individual during any fiscal year may not exceed 100,000 shares of Common Stock.
On October 22, 2021, our board of directors and stockholders established our 2021 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan terminates after a period of ten years in August 2031.
The maximum number of securities available under the 2021 Plan is 1,766,667 (post-split) shares of Common Stock.
18
Table of Contents
Under the 2021 Plan, we may award the following: (i) non-qualified stock options; (ii)) incentive stock options; (iii) stock appreciation rights; (iv) restricted stock; (v) restricted stock unit; and (vi) other stock-based awards.
Plan Category
|
|
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options*
|
|
Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options*
|
|
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))*
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
(b)
|
|
(c)
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2018 Equity Incentive Plan
|
|
17,222
|
|
$
|
6.90
|
|
9,445
|
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
|
|
1,526,667
|
|
|
4.50
|
|
240,000
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
Total
|
|
1,543,889
|
|
$
|
4.50
|
|
249,445
|
Board Meeting Attendance
During our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Board of Directors held five (5) meetings. Each of our incumbent directors that were directors during our fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 attended no less than 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors.
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Table of Contents
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors has selected RBSM, an independent registered accounting firm, to audit the books and financial records of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2023. IPSI is asking its stockholders to ratify the appointment of RBSM as its independent registered public accounting firm for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Ratification of the appointment of RBSM by our stockholders is not required by law, our bylaws or other governing documents. As a matter of policy, however, the appointment is being submitted to our stockholders for ratification at the Annual Meeting. If our stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Board will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Board, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of different independent auditors at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present virtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting will be required to approve the ratification of the appointment of IPSI’s registered public accounting firm. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against and broker-non-votes, if any, see above (although none are anticipated since this is a routine matter for which brokers may vote in their discretion if beneficial owners of our stock do not provide voting instructions not directed by stockholders how to vote), will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF RBSM LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2022.
Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees including expenses billed to us for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 by RBSM LLP.
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2022
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2021
|
Audit fees and expenses
|
|
$
|
130,500
|
|
$
|
88,000
|
Taxation preparation fees
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
—
|
Audit related fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
Other fees
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
140,500
|
|
$
|
88,000
|
Audit-Related Fees; Tax Fees and All Other Fee. There were no audit-related fees, other fees paid to RBSM during fiscal years 2022 and no audit related fees, tax fees or other fees paid to RBSM during fiscal year 2021.
In considering the nature of the services provided by RBSM the Board determined that such services are compatible with the provision of independent audit services. The Board discussed these services with RBSM and IPSI’s management to determine that they are permitted under the rules and regulations concerning auditor independence promulgated by the SEC to implement the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
20
Table of Contents
Pre-Approval Policy
Consistent with SEC policies regarding auditor independence, the full Board, which serves as our Audit Committee, has responsibility for appointing, setting compensation and overseeing the work of the independent registered public accounting firm. In recognition of this responsibility, the Board has established a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm.
Prior to the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for the next year’s audit, management will submit a list of services and related fees expected to be rendered during that year for audit services, audit-related services, tax services and other fees to the Board for approval.
The Board pre-approves the independent registered public accounting firm’s services within each category. The fees are budgeted and the Board requires the independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus budget periodically throughout the year by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval categories. In those instances, the Board requires specific pre-approval before engaging the independent registered public accounting firm.
The Board has adopted procedures for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, including the fees and terms of such services. These procedures include reviewing detailed back-up documentation for audit and permitted non-audit services. The documentation includes a description of, and a budgeted amount for, particular categories of non-audit services that are recurring in nature and therefore anticipated at the time that the budget is submitted. Board approval is required to exceed the pre-approved amount for a particular category of non-audit services and to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for any non-audit services not included in those pre-approved amounts. For both types of pre-approval, the Board considers whether such services are consistent with the rules on auditor independence promulgated by the SEC and the PCAOB. The Board also considers whether the independent registered public accounting firm is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service, based on such reasons as the auditor’s familiarity with our business, people, culture, accounting systems, risk profile, and whether the services enhance our ability to manage or control risks, and improve audit quality. The Board may form and delegate pre-approval authority to committees consisting of one or more members of the Board, and such committees must report any pre-approval decisions to the Board at its next scheduled meeting. All of the services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm were pre-approved by the Board.
Report of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors, acting as the Company’s Audit Committee, hereby reports as follows:
(1) Management has the primary responsibility for the Company’s financial statements and reporting process, including its system of internal accounting controls. The Audit Committee, in its oversight role, has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with the Company’s management.
(2) The Audit Committee has discussed with the Company’s independent audit firm the overall scope of, and plans for, its audits. The Audit Committee discussed with the independent audit firm the Company’s financial reporting process in addition to other matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) in Rule 3200T, as may be modified or supplemented.
(3) The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from RBSM LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB concerning independence, and has discussed with RBSM LLP, its independence.
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Table of Contents
(4) Based on the matters and discussions referred to in paragraphs (1) through (3) above, the Board of Directors has approved the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(5) After considering RBSM LLP’s experience and independence, the Board of Directors recommends that the Company (a) retain RBSM LLP as the Company’s independent audit firm to perform the audit of the financial statements as of and for the year ending December 31, 2023 and (b) submit to shareholders the ratification of RBSM LLP, as the Company’s independent audit firm at the 2023 annual meeting.
Submitted by the Board of Directors
William Corbett (Chairman)
Richard Rosenblum
Madisson Butler
Clifford Henry
David Rios
22
Table of Contents
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors knows of no other business that will be presented to the Annual Meeting. If any other business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the persons named therein.
NO DISSENTERS’ RIGHTS
The corporate actions described in this proxy statement will not afford stockholders the opportunity to dissent from the actions described herein or to receive an agreed or judicially appraised value for their shares.
DISTRIBUTION AND COSTS
We will pay the cost of preparing, printing and distributing this Proxy Statement. Only one Proxy Statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address, unless contrary instructions are received from one or more of such stockholders. Upon receipt of a written request at the address noted above, we will deliver a single copy of this Proxy Statement and future stockholder communication documents to any stockholders sharing an address to which multiple copies are now delivered.
23
Table of Contents
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE COMPANY
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of October 30, 2023 for:
• each of our directors and nominees for director;
• each of our named executive officers;
• all of our current directors and executive officers as a group; and
• each person, entity or group, who beneficially owned more than 5% of each of our classes of securities.
We have based our calculations of the percentage of beneficial ownership on 13,030,034 shares of our common stock October 30, 2023. We have deemed shares of our common stock subject to options and warrants that are currently exercisable within sixty (60) days of October 30, 2023, to be outstanding and to be beneficially owned by the person holding the warrant or restricted stock unit for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of that person. We did not deem these, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the principal business address for each of the individuals and entities listed below is 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921.
We have not deemed shares of common stock to be outstanding for variable priced convertible notes for the purposes of calculating beneficial ownership.
The information provided in the table is based on our records, information filed with the SEC, and information provided to us, except where otherwise noted.
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
|
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership Common Stock Included*
|
|
Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned
|
William Corbett (Chief Executive Officer)
|
|
1,775,761
|
(1)
|
|
12.6
|
%
|
Richard Rosenblum (President and Chief Financial Officer)
|
|
429,631
|
(2)
|
|
3.2
|
%
|
Clifford Henry (Director)
|
|
73,334
|
(3)
|
|
**
|
|
Madisson Butler (Director)
|
|
73,334
|
(4)
|
|
**
|
|
David Rios (Director)
|
|
40,001
|
(5)
|
|
**
|
|
All officers and directors as a group (5 persons)
|
|
2,392,060
|
|
|
16.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% or more shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jimmy J. Gibbs
|
|
633,098
|
(6)
|
|
4.9
|
%
|
24
Table of Contents
AVAILABILITY OF REPORT ON FORM 10-K
Our audited consolidated financial statements are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Upon your written request, we will provide to you a complimentary copy of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC. Your request should be mailed to the Corporate Secretary, Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921. A complimentary copy may also be obtained at the internet website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov, and by visiting our website at www.ipsipay.com and clicking on “Investors,” then on “Annual Meeting Materials.”
NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF STOCKHOLDER DOCUMENTS (“HOUSEHOLDING” INFORMATION)
The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (e.g., brokers) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements or other Annual Meeting materials with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement or other Annual Meeting materials addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially means extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies and intermediaries. A number of brokers and other intermediaries with account holders who are our stockholders may be householding our proxy materials, including this Proxy Statement. In that event, a single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from your broker or other intermediary that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent, which is deemed to be given unless you inform the broker or other intermediary otherwise when you receive or received the original notice of householding. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement and other Annual Meeting materials, please notify your broker or other intermediary to discontinue householding and direct your written request to receive a separate proxy statement and other Annual Meeting materials to the Corporate Secretary, Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921or by calling us at (866)477-4729. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the Proxy Statement at their addresses and would like to request householding of their communications should contact their broker or other intermediary.
25
Table of Contents
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2024 ANNUAL MEETING
Inclusion of Proposals in our Proxy Statement Pursuant to SEC Rules
Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. To be eligible for inclusion in our 2024 proxy statement, any such proposals must be delivered in writing to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices no later than August 1, 2024 and must meet the requirements of Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. The submission of a stockholder proposal does not guarantee that it will be included in our proxy statement.
Stockholder Submission of Nominations
In addition, our Bylaws have an advance notice procedure with regard to nominations for the election of directors to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders by any stockholder. In general, the Company will consider nominations for directors submitted by any stockholder only if such stockholder has given timely notice in proper written form of such nomination or nominations, setting forth certain specified information. To be timely, notice must be received by the Secretary of the Company at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the 45th day nor earlier than the 75th day before the one-year anniversary of the date on which the corporation first mailed its proxy materials or a notice of availability of proxy materials (whichever is earlier) for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting, then, for notice by the stockholder to be timely, it must be so received by the secretary not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting, or (ii) the tenth day following the date of a Public Announcement. “Public Announcement” is defined as the first disclosure of the date of the annual meeting of the stockholders in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by our company with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act. For the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, notice must be received no later than August 15, 2024. Notices of intent to nominate candidates for election as directors or other stockholder communications should be submitted to: Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921. Any proxy granted with respect to the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will confer on the proxy holders discretionary authority to vote with respect to a stockholder proposal or director nomination if notice of such proposal or nomination is not received by our Corporate Secretary within the timeframe provided above.
Other Stockholder Proposals
For other stockholder proposals to be properly presented at our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our bylaws provide that the Company must receive notice of such proposal at least 45 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date of mailing of the prior year’s proxy statement or if no annual meeting was held in the preceding year, then not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (i) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting, or (ii) the tenth day following the date of a Public Announcement. As such, the deadline for these proposals is August 15, 2024.
Stockholder Communications
Stockholders may communicate with our Board of Directors or any individual director by sending correspondence addressed to the intended recipient at the following address: Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc., 56B 5th Street, Lot 1 #AT, Carmel by the Sea, CA 93921. Your communications should indicate whether you are a stockholder of the Company. Depending on the subject matter, we will either forward the communication to the director or directors to whom it is addressed or attempt to handle the inquiry directly. If the communication is unduly hostile, threatening, illegal, does not reasonably relate to the Company or its business or is similarly inappropriate, we will not forward the communication.
26
Table of Contents
MISCELLANEOUS
Our Board knows of no other business to be presented at the Annual Meeting. If, however, other matters properly do come before the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the proxies in the accompanying form will be voted thereon in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons holding such proxies.
YOU ARE URGED TO CAST YOUR VOTE AS INDICATED IN THE PROXY MATERIALS. PROMPT RESPONSE WILL GREATLY FACILITATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING, AND YOUR COOPERATION WILL BE APPRECIATED.
27
Table of Contents
INNOVATIVE PAYMENT SOLUTIONS, INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AT 9:00 A.M. PACIFIC TIME ON NOVEMBER 30, 2023
PROXY: WILLIAM B. CORBETT and RICHARD ROSENBLUM, are hereby appointed by the undersigned as attorney and proxy with full power of substitution, to vote at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Innovative Payment Solutions, Inc. and at any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) of that meeting.
WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER THAT SHOULD PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS THAT IS NOT SPECIFIED HEREIN, THIS PROXY, WILL BE VOTED IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDER. PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY OR VOTE VIA THE INTERNET BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS SET FORTH BELOW.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THE PROXY SHALL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE LISTED NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS AND FOR ALL OTHER PROPOSALS SET FORTH ON THIS PROXY CARD.
VOTE BY INTERNET
It is fast, convenient, and your vote is immediately confirmed and posted.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF INNOVATIVE PAYMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. RECOMMENDS
THAT YOU VOTE FOR PROPOSALS 1, AND 2. FURTHERMORE,
PROPOSAL 1. Election of Directors.
(1) William B. Corbett
(2) Richard Rosenblum
(3) Madisson Butler
(4) David Rios
FOR ALL
|
WITHHOLD ALL
|
FOR ALL EXCEPT
|
|
|
|
PROPOSAL 2. To ratify the appointment of RBSM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our fiscal year ending on December 31, 2023.
Signature: ________
|
|
Date: ________
|
|
|
|
Signature, if held jointly: _________
|
|
Date: ________
|
Note: Please sign exactly as your name or name(s) appear on this proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as an executor, administrator, attorney or trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.