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CEO funds AmBase (ABCP) with $100,000 note amid litigation push

Filing Impact
(Moderate)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

AmBase Corporation entered into a $100,000 Senior Promissory Note with its Chairman, President and CEO, Richard A. Bianco, who is lending the company funds at 6.5% annual interest for working capital. The note is due on the earlier of the company receiving sufficient funds from any source to repay all amounts owed (with a potential exclusion for certain litigation funding tied to the 111 West 57th legal proceedings) or January 31, 2029. Mr. Bianco may instead convert the amount owed, plus interest, into a litigation funding agreement on the same terms as any such agreement the company signs with a third-party litigation funder.

The company reiterates that its financial statements include a going concern qualification and that it is actively considering a range of funding and financing options to support operations and the 111 West 57th Property litigation. Potential sources include third parties, existing shareholders and management, through structures such as litigation funding agreements, equity or debt securities, or loans. AmBase explains that litigation funding arrangements typically return the funder its initial capital first, plus an additional multiple of about 1.0x to 3.5x, and possibly extra fees, expenses, interest and a share of any recovery. The company also continues to explore options to realize value or sell its interest and rights in the 111 West 57th Property, while cautioning there is no assurance it can secure funding or prevail in its legal claims.

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 29, 2025 (January 28, 2025)

AMBASE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
1-07265
95-2962743
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)

7857 WEST SAMPLE ROAD, SUITE 134
CORAL SPRINGS, FLORIDA  33065
 (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(201) 265-0169
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):


Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)).

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

Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
 
 
None.
   
  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).    Emerging growth company
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
 


Item 1.01
Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.

In January 2025, AmBase Corporation (the “Company”) and Mr. Richard A. Bianco, the Company’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (“Mr. R. A. Bianco”) entered into a Senior Promissory Note for Mr. R. A. Bianco to provide a loan to the Company of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) at an interest rate of 6.5% per annum, (the “Promissory Note”), for working capital.

The Promissory Note is due on the earlier of the date the Company receives funds from any source, (but potentially excluding funds received by the Company by any litigation funding entity to fund any of the 111 West 57th legal proceedings), sufficient to pay all amounts due under this this Note, including all accrued interest thereon, including without limitation, from a settlement of the 111 West 57th legal proceedings or (b) January 31, 2029.

The Company and Mr. R. A. Bianco further agreed that amounts due pursuant to the Promissory Note plus interest can be converted by Mr. R. A. Bianco, at his option, into a litigation funding agreement pari-pasu with any litigation funding agreement entered into by the Company with a litigation funding entity.

A copy of the Promissory Note is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

As previously disclosed in the reports filed by the Company under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Company’s financial statements have expressed a qualification about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
 
In order to provide the necessary cash resources to continue operations and continue the litigation related to the 111 West 57th Property, the Company continues to consider and evaluate various strategic funding and/or financing alternatives. Such additional funding may be provided by a variety of sources, including but not limited to third parties, existing shareholders of the Company and/or Company management, and may take in the form of litigation funding agreements, equity or debt securities, loans, or any combination thereof. Any sale of securities by the Company may not be offered or sold absent registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), or an applicable exemption from such registration, which may include exemptions pursuant to Rules 506(b) or 506(c) of Regulation D under the Act.
 
The Company will also continue to consider and explore other litigation funding agreements with third party litigation funders that it could enter into for portions of the litigation costs at market terms to be agreed upon at such times. In general, litigation funding agreements are structured so that the litigation funder would receive back their initial funding amount first (i.e. before any recovery is received by the Company), plus an additional multiple ranging from 1.0 times to 3.5 times the amount funded (depending on various factors), plus depending on the funder, additional fees, expenses, interest and potentially an additional percentage of the total recovery received. There can be no assurance that the Company would be able to secure any such additional litigation funding on acceptable terms or at all.

The terms and conditions of any such funding and/or financing agreements may take several months to negotiate and finalize. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to secure any such funding and/or financing arrangements on acceptable terms or at all.

With respect to its disputes and litigation relating to its interest in the 111 West 57th Property, the Company is pursuing, and will continue to pursue, other options to realize the Company’s investment value, various legal courses of action to protect its legal rights, recovery of its asset value from various sources of recovery, as well as considering other possible economic strategies, including the possible sale of the Company’s interest in and/or rights with respect to the 111 West 57th Property; however, there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail with respect to any of its claims.

For additional information concerning the Company’s legal proceedings relating to the 111 West 57th Property, see the description of legal proceedings in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and the Company’s periodic filings on Form 10-Q, (collectively, the “Prior Periodic Reports”).


The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K should be read in conjunction with the Prior Periodic Reports. A more complete discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operations are also set forth in the Prior Periodic Reports, including without limitation the disclosures under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement for Forward-Looking Information.”

Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Number
 
Exhibit Title
     
10.1
 
Senior Promissory Note for $100,000, between Richard A. Bianco (“Mr. R. A. Bianco”) and the Company.
     
104.1  
The Cover Page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


AMBASE CORPORATION

 

By
/s/ John Ferrara

John Ferrara

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Controller

AmBase Corporation

Date: January 29, 2026



FAQ

What did AmBase Corporation (ABCP) disclose in this 8-K filing?

AmBase disclosed a new $100,000 Senior Promissory Note from its CEO, Richard A. Bianco, to provide working capital. It also reiterated its going concern qualification and outlined ongoing efforts to secure funding and pursue litigation related to its interest in the 111 West 57th Property.

What are the key terms of AmBase’s $100,000 promissory note from its CEO?

The note provides AmBase with a $100,000 loan at 6.5% annual interest for working capital. It matures on the earlier of sufficient funds to repay all amounts owed or January 31, 2029, and may be converted by the CEO into a litigation funding agreement on matching terms.

Why is AmBase Corporation seeking additional funding and financing alternatives?

AmBase’s financial statements include a going concern qualification, indicating uncertainty about its ability to continue operations. To support ongoing operations and litigation over the 111 West 57th Property, the company is evaluating funding options including litigation funding, equity or debt securities, loans, and potential support from shareholders and management.

How does AmBase describe potential litigation funding arrangements for the 111 West 57th Property case?

AmBase explains that litigation funders usually receive repayment of their initial funding first, plus a multiple of about 1.0 to 3.5 times the amount funded. Depending on the funder, they may also receive additional fees, expenses, interest and potentially a percentage of the total litigation recovery.

What options is AmBase considering regarding its interest in the 111 West 57th Property?

AmBase is pursuing legal actions to protect its rights and recover asset value tied to the 111 West 57th Property. It is also considering other economic strategies, including a possible sale of its interest and/or rights in the property, while cautioning there is no assurance it will succeed on any claims.

What ongoing risks and uncertainties does AmBase highlight in this disclosure?

AmBase reiterates a going concern qualification and notes there is no assurance it can obtain additional funding or financing on acceptable terms. It also warns there is no guarantee it will prevail in its legal claims related to the 111 West 57th Property or realize the value of its investment.
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