ITEM 1.
BUSINESS.
General
Merci, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “Merci,” or the “Company”) was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 20, 1997. To date, the Company's only activities have been organizational ones, directed at developing its business plan, raising its initial capital, and entering into a share exchange agreement as discussed below. The Company has not commenced any commercial operations. The Company has no full-time employees and owns no real estate.
The Company is currently a "shell" company with no or nominal operations and no or nominal assets. The Company’s current business plan is to identify, evaluate and investigate various companies with the intent that, if such investigation warrants, a reverse merger transaction be negotiated and completed pursuant to which the Company would acquire a target company with an operating business, with the intent of continuing the acquired company's business as a publicly held entity. The Company has limited capital with which to provide the owners of the target company with any significant cash or other assets and, as such, the Company will only be able to offer owners of a target company the opportunity to acquire a controlling ownership interest in the Company.
As reported on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2010, on February 22, 2010, the Company terminated a Share Exchange Agreement (the "Exchange Agreement") with L.J. Loeffler Inc., ("Loeffler") a New York corporation, and the shareholders of Loeffler (the "Shareholder"). At the present time, the Company has not identified any business opportunity that it plans to pursue.
The Company will continue to seek out other business opportunities. It is anticipated that the Company's officers, directors, and non-management principal shareholders named herein will contact broker-dealers and other persons with whom they are acquainted who are involved in corporate finance matters to advise them of the Company's existence and to determine if any companies or businesses they represent have a general interest in considering a merger or acquisition with a development stage company. No assurance can be given that the Company will be successful in finding or acquiring a desirable business opportunity, given the limited funds that are expected to be available for acquisitions, or that any acquisition that occurs will be on terms that are favorable to the Company or its stockholders.
The Company's search will be directed toward small and medium-sized enterprises which have a desire to become public corporations and which are able to satisfy, or anticipate in the reasonably near future being able to satisfy, the minimum asset requirements in order to qualify shares for trading on NASDAQ or on an exchange such as the American Stock Exchange. (See "Investigation and Selection of Business Opportunities").
The Company anticipates that the business opportunities presented to it will (i) either be in the process of formation, or be recently organized with limited operating history, or a history of losses attributable to under-capitalization or other factors; (ii) be experiencing financial or operating difficulties; (iii) be in need of funds to develop a new product or service or to expand into a new market; (iv) be relying upon an untested product or marketing concept; or (v) have a combination of the characteristics mentioned in (i) through (iv). The Company intends to concentrate its acquisition efforts on properties or businesses that it believes to be undervalued or that it believes may realize a substantial benefit from being publicly owned. Given the above factors, investors should expect that any acquisition candidate may have little or no operating history, or a history of losses or low profitability.
The Company does not propose to restrict its search for investment opportunities to any particular geographical area or industry, and may, therefore, engage in essentially any business, to the extent of its limited resources. This includes industries such as service, finance, natural resources, manufacturing, high technology, product development, medical, communications and others. The Company's discretion in the selection of business opportunities is unrestricted, subject to the availability of such opportunities, economic conditions, and other factors.
Any entity which has an interest in being acquired by, or merging into the Company, is expected to be an entity that desires to become a public company and establish a public trading market for its securities. In connection with such a merger or acquisition, it is highly likely that an amount of stock constituting control of the Company would either be issued by the Company or be purchased from the current principal shareholders of the Company by the acquiring entity or its affiliates. If stock is purchased from the current shareholders, the transaction is very likely to be a private transaction rather than a public distribution of securities. The sale of a controlling interest by certain principal shareholders of the Company could occur at a time when the other shareholders of the Company remain subject to restrictions on the transfer of their shares.
Depending upon the nature of the transaction, the current officers and directors of the Company may resign their management positions with the Company in connection with a change in control of the Company or its acquisition of a business opportunity. In the event of such a resignation, the Company's current management would not have any control over the conduct of the Company's business following the change in control or the Company's combination with a business opportunity.
It is anticipated that business opportunities will come to the Company's attention from various sources, including its officers and directors, its other stockholders, professional advisors such as attorneys and accountants, securities broker-dealers, venture capitalists, members of the financial community, and others who may present unsolicited proposals. The Company has no plans, understandings, agreements, or commitments with any individual for such person to act as a finder of opportunities for the Company.
Investigation and Selection of Business Opportunities
To a large extent, a decision to participate in a specific business opportunity may be made upon management's analysis of the quality of the other company's management and personnel, the anticipated acceptability of new products or marketing concepts, the merit of technological innovations, the perceived benefit the business opportunity will derive from becoming a publicly held entity, and numerous other factors which are difficult, if not impossible, to analyze through the application of any objective criteria. In many instances, it is anticipated that the historical operations of a specific business opportunity may not necessarily be indicative of the potential for the future, because of the possible need to shift marketing approaches substantially, expand significantly, change product emphasis, change or substantially augment management, or make other changes. The Company will be dependent upon the owners of the business opportunity to identify any such problems which may exist and to implement, or be primarily responsible for the implementation of, required changes. Because the Company may participate in a business opportunity with a newly organized firm or with a firm which is entering a new phase of growth, the Company will incur further risks, because management in many instances will not have proven its abilities or effectiveness, the eventual market for the products or services of the business opportunity will likely not be established, and the business opportunity may not be profitable when acquired.
It is anticipated that the Company will not be able to diversify, but will essentially be limited to one such venture because of the Company's limited financing. This lack of diversification will not permit the Company to offset potential losses from one business opportunity against profits from another, and should be considered
an adverse factor affecting any decision to purchase the Company's securities.
It is emphasized that management of the Company may effect transactions having a potentially adverse impact upon the Company's shareholders pursuant to the authority and discretion of the Company's management to complete acquisitions without submitting any proposal to the stockholders for their consideration.
Holders of the Company's securities should not anticipate that the Company necessarily will furnish such holders, prior to any merger or acquisition, with financial statements, or any other documentation, concerning a target company or its business. In some instances, however, the proposed participation in a business opportunity may be submitted to the stockholders for their consideration, either voluntarily by such directors to seek the stockholders' advice and consent or because state law so requires.
The analysis of business opportunities will be undertaken by or under the supervision of the Company's officers and directors, none of whom are professional business analysts. Although there are no current plans to do so, Company management might hire an outside consultant to assist in the investigation and selection of business opportunities, and might pay a finder's fee. Since Company management has no current plans to use any outside consultants or advisors to assist in the investigation and selection of business opportunities, no policies have been adopted regarding use of such consultants or advisors, the criteria to be used in selecting such consultants or advisors, the services to be provided, the term of service, or regarding the total amount of fees that may be paid. However, because of the limited resources of the Company, it is likely that any such fee the Company agrees to pay would be paid in stock and not in cash. Otherwise, the Company anticipates that it will consider, among other things, the following factors:
(1) Potential for growth and profitability, indicated by new technology, anticipated market expansion, or new products;
(2)
The Company's perception of how any particular business opportunity will be received by the investment community and by the Company's stockholders;
(3) Whether, following the business combination, the financial condition of the business opportunity would be, or would have a significant prospect in the foreseeable future of becoming sufficient to enable the securities of the Company to qualify for listing on an exchange or on a national automated securities quotation system;
(4)
Capital requirements and anticipated availability of required funds to be provided by the Company or from operations, through the sale of additional securities, through joint ventures or similar arrangements, or from other sources;
(5)
The extent to which the business opportunity can be advanced;
(6)
Competitive position as compared to other companies of similar size and experience within the industry segment as well as within the industry as a whole;
(7)
Strength and diversity of existing management, or management prospects that are scheduled for recruitment;
(8)
The cost of participation by the Company as compared to the perceived tangible and intangible values and potential; and
(9)
The accessibility of required management expertise, personnel, raw materials, services, professional assistance, and other required items.
No one of the factors described above will be controlling in the selection of a business opportunity, and management will attempt to analyze all factors appropriate to each opportunity and make a determination based upon reasonable investigative measures and available data. Potentially available business opportunities may occur in many different industries and at various stages of development, all of which will make the task of comparative investigation and analysis of such business opportunities extremely difficult and complex.
Potential investors must recognize that, because of the Company's limited capital available for investigation and management's limited experience in business analysis, the Company may not discover or adequately evaluate adverse facts about the opportunity to be acquired.
The Company is unable to predict when it may participate in a business opportunity. It expects, however, that the analysis of specific proposals and the selection of a business opportunity may take several months or more.
Prior to making a decision to participate in a business opportunity, the Company will generally request that it be provided with written materials regarding the business opportunity containing such items as a description of products, services and company history; management resumes; financial information; available projections, with related assumptions upon which they are based; an explanation of proprietary products and services; evidence of existing patents, trademarks, or services marks, or rights thereto; present and proposed forms of compensation to management; a description of transactions between such company and its affiliates during relevant periods; a description of present and required facilities; an analysis of risks and competitive conditions; a financial plan of operation and estimated capital requirements; audited financial statements, or if they are not available, unaudited financial statements, together with reasonable assurance that audited financial statements would be able to be produced within a reasonable period of time not to exceed 60 days following completion of a merger transaction; and other information deemed relevant.
As part of the Company's investigation, the Company's executive officers and directors may meet personally with management and key personnel, may visit and inspect material facilities, obtain independent analysis or verification of certain information provided, check references of management and key personnel, and take other reasonable investigative measures, to the extent of the Company's limited financial resources and management expertise.
Company management believes that various types of potential merger or acquisition candidates might find a business combination with the Company to be attractive. These include acquisition candidates desiring to create a public market for their shares in order to enhance liquidity for current shareholders, acquisition candidates which have long-term plans for raising capital through the public sale of securities and believe that the possible prior existence of a public market for their securities would be beneficial, and acquisition candidates which plan to acquire additional assets through issuance of securities rather than for cash, and believe that the possibility of development of a public market for their securities will be of assistance in that process. Acquisition candidates which have a need for an immediate cash infusion are not likely to find a potential business combination with the Company to be an attractive alternative.
Form of Acquisition
It is impossible to predict the manner in which the Company may participate in a business opportunity. Specific business opportunities will be reviewed as well as the respective needs and desires of the Company and the promoters of the opportunity and, upon the basis of that review and the relative negotiating strength of
the Company and such promoters, the legal structure or method deemed by management to be suitable will be selected. Such structure may include, but is not limited to, leases, purchase and sale agreements, licenses, joint ventures and other contractual arrangements. The Company may act directly or indirectly through an interest in a partnership, corporation or other form of organization. Implementing such structure may require the merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with other corporations or forms of business organization. In addition, the present management and stockholders of the Company most likely will not have control of a majority of the voting shares of the Company following a merger or reorganization transaction. As part of such a transaction, the Company's existing directors may resign and new directors may be appointed without any vote by stockholders.
The Company will participate in a business opportunity only after the negotiation and execution of a written agreement. Although the terms of such agreement cannot be predicted, generally such an agreement would require specific representations and warranties by all of the parties thereto, specify certain events of default, detail the terms of closing and the conditions which must be satisfied by each of the parties thereto prior to such closing, outline the manner of bearing costs if the transaction is not closed, set forth remedies upon default, and include miscellaneous other terms.
As a general matter, the Company anticipates that it, and/or its principal shareholders will enter into a letter of intent with the management, principals or owners of a prospective business opportunity prior to signing a binding agreement. Such a letter of intent will set forth the terms of the proposed acquisition but will not bind any of the parties to consummate the transaction.
Execution of a letter of intent will by no means indicate that consummation of an acquisition is probable. Neither the Company nor any of the other parties to the letter of intent will be bound to consummate the acquisition unless and until a definitive agreement concerning the acquisition as described in the preceding paragraph is executed. Even after a definitive agreement is executed, it is possible that the acquisition would not be consummated should any party elect to exercise any right provided in the agreement to terminate it on specified grounds.
It is anticipated that the investigation of specific business opportunities and the negotiation, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial management time and attention and substantial costs for accountants, attorneys and others. If a decision is made not to participate in a specific business opportunity, the costs theretofore incurred in the related investigation would not be recoverable. Moreover, because many providers of goods and services require compensation at the time or soon after the goods and services are provided, the inability of the Company to pay until an indeterminate future time may make it impossible to procure goods and services.
Competition
The Company expects to encounter substantial competition in its efforts to locate attractive opportunities, primarily from business development companies, venture capital partnerships and corporations, venture capital affiliates of large industrial and financial companies, small investment companies, and wealthy individuals. Many of these entities will have significantly greater experience, resources and managerial capabilities than the Company and will therefore be in a better position than the Company to obtain access to attractive business opportunities. The Company also will experience competition from other public "blind pool" companies, many of which may have more funds available than does the Company.
Administrative Offices
The Company maintains a mailing address at P.O. Box 110310, Naples, Florida 34108-0106. Other than this mailing address, the Company does not currently maintain any other office facilities, and does not anticipate the need for maintaining office facilities at any time in the foreseeable future. The Company pays no rent for the use of this mailing address.
Employees
The Company is a development stage company and currently has no employees. Management of the Company expects to use consultants, attorneys and accountants as necessary, and does not anticipate a need to engage and full-time employees so long as it is seeking and evaluating business opportunities. The need for employees and their availability will be addressed in connection with the decision whether or not to acquire or participate in specific business opportunities. No remuneration will be paid to the Company's officers except as set forth under "Executive Compensation" and under "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions."
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES.
The Company currently has no investments in real estate, real estate mortgages, or real estate securities. The Company maintains a mailing address at P.O. Box 110310, Naples, Florida 34108-0106. Other than this mailing address, the Company does not currently maintain any other office facilities, and does not anticipate the need for maintaining office facilities at any time in the foreseeable future. The Company pays no rent for the use of this mailing address. However, the policy of the Company with respect to investment in real estate assets could be changed in the future without a vote of security holders.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings, and no such proceedings are known to be contemplated. No director, officer or affiliate of the Company, and no owner of record or beneficial owner of more than 5.0% of the securities of the Company, or any associate of any such director, officer or security holder is a party adverse to the Company or has a material interest adverse to the Company in reference to pending litigation.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4.
(REMOVED AND RESERVED).
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
No public trading market exits for the Company’s securities. As of the date of this Form 10-K, the Company’s securities are held of record by a total of approximately 29 persons. No dividends have been paid to date and the Company’s Board of Directors does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. There have been no previously unreported sales of unregistered securities.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
Not. Applicable.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION.
SPECIAL NOTE OF CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
CERTAIN STATEMENTS IN THIS REPORT, INCLUDING STATEMENTS IN THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION, ARE WHAT ARE KNOWN AS "FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS", WHICH ARE BASICALLY STATEMENTS ABOUT THE FUTURE. FOR THAT REASON, THESE STATEMENTS INVOLVE RISK AND UNCERTAINTY SINCE NO ONE CAN ACCURATELY PREDICT THE FUTURE. WORDS SUCH AS "PLANS," "INTENDS," "WILL," "HOPES," "SEEKS," "ANTICIPATES," "EXPECTS "AND THE LIKE OFTEN IDENTIFY SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS, BUT ARE NOT THE ONLY INDICATION THAT A STATEMENT IS A FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT. SUCH FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS INCLUDE STATEMENTS CONCERNING OUR PLANS AND OBJECTIVES WITH RESPECT TO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY, AND STATEMENTS WHICH EXPRESS OR IMPLY THAT SUCH PRESENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS WILL OR MAY PRODUCE REVENUES, INCOME OR PROFITS. NUMEROUS FACTORS AND FUTURE EVENTS COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY TO CHANGE SUCH PLANS AND OBJECTIVES OR FAIL TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT SUCH PLANS OR ACHIEVE SUCH OBJECTIVES, OR CAUSE SUCH PRESENT AND FUTURE OPERATIONS TO FAIL TO PRODUCE REVENUES, INCOME OR PROFITS. THEREFORE, THE READER IS ADVISED THAT THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN LIGHT OF THE DISCUSSION OF RISKS AND OTHER FACTORS CONTAINED IN THIS REPORT ON FORM 10-K AND IN THE COMPANY'S OTHER FILINGS WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. NO STATEMENTS CONTAINED IN THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE CONSTRUED AS A GUARANTEE OR ASSURANCE OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR FUTURE RESULTS.
Plan of Operation
Merci, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 20, 1997. To date, the Company's only activities have been organizational ones, directed at developing its business plan and raising its initial capital. The Company has not commenced any commercial operations. The Company has no full-time employees and owns no real estate. The Company is currently a "shell" company with no or nominal operations and no or nominal assets. The Company’s current business plan is to identify, evaluate and investigate various companies with the intent that, if such investigation warrants, a reverse merger transaction be negotiated and completed pursuant to which the Company would acquire a target company with an operating business, with the intent of continuing the acquired company's business as a publicly held entity. The Company has limited capital with which to provide the owners of the target company with any significant cash or other assets and, as such, the Company will only be able to offer owners of a target company the opportunity to acquire a controlling ownership interest in the Company.
For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2011, the Company anticipates that it will continue to seek out other business transactions. During the next twelve (12) months, the Company will require additional capital in order to pay the costs associated with carrying out its plan of operations and the costs of compliance with its continuing reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. This additional capital will be required whether or not the Company is able to complete a business combination transaction during the current fiscal year. Furthermore, once a business combination is completed, the Company’s needs for additional financing are likely to increase substantially.
No specific commitments to provide additional funds have been made by management or other stockholders, and the Company has no current plans, proposals, arrangements or understandings to raise additional capital through the sale or issuance of additional securities prior to the location of a merger or acquisition candidate.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance that any additional funds will be available to the Company to allow it to cover its expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, to the extent that additional funds are required, the Company anticipates that it will either continue to rely on its majority shareholder to pay expenses on its behalf, or it will seek to raise capital through the private placement of restricted securities. The majority shareholders are under no obligation to pay such expenses. If the Company is unable to raise additional funds, it will not be able to pursue its business plan. In addition, in order to minimize the amount of additional cash which is required in order to carry out its business plan, the Company might seek to compensate certain service providers by issuances of stock in lieu of cash.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2010, the Company remains in the development stage. As of December 31, 2010, the Company’s balance sheet reflects total assets of $nil and total current liabilities of $52,863. The Company has cash on hand of $nil and a deficit accumulated in the development stage of $60,671.
The Company does not have sufficient assets or capital resources to pay its on-going expenses while it is seeking out business opportunities, and it has no current plans to raise additional capital through sale of securities. As a result, although the Company has no agreement in place with its shareholders or other persons to pay expenses on its behalf, it is anticipated that the Company will continue to rely on its majority shareholders to pay expenses on its behalf at least until it is able to consummate a business transaction. The majority shareholders are under no obligation to pay such expenses.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The financial statements of the Company required by Article 8 of Regulation S-X are attached to this report.
MERCI, INC.
(A Development Stage Company)
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010
INDEX
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Balance sheet
Statements of operations
Statements of stockholder’s (deficit)/ equity
15-16
Statements of cash flows
Notes to financial statements
18 - 21
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Merci, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Merci, Inc. (a development stage enterprise)(the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity/(deficit), and cash flows for the years then ended, and for the period from August 20, 1997 (inception) through December 31, 2010. These financial statements are the responsibility of the company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. The financial statements as of December 31, 2004 and for the year ended December 31, 2004 were audited by other auditors whose report dated March 24, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. Our opinion on the statements of operations, cash flows and stockholders' deficit for the period since August 20, 1997 (Date of Inception) to December 31, 2010 insofar as it relates to amounts for the prior periods through December 31, 2004 is based on the report of the other auditors.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Merci, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended and the period August 20, 1997 (inception) through December 31, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed further in Note 3, the Company has been in the development stage since its inception (August 20, 1997) and continues to incur significant losses. The Company's viability is dependent upon its ability to obtain future financing and the success of its future operations. These factors raise substantial doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plan in regard to these matters is also described in Note 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Lake & Associates CPA’s LLC
Lake & Associates CPA’s LLC
Schaumburg, Illinois
February 4, 2011
MERCI, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FROM INCEPTION (August 20, 1997) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010
NOTE 1 ORGANIZATION
Merci, Inc. (the "Company") is currently a development stage company under the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 915 “Development Stage Entities”, which was previously Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Statement No. 7, and was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 20, 1997. The Company’s activities to date have been primarily directed towards the raising of capital and seeking business opportunities.
NOTE 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation - Development Stage Company
The Company has not earned any revenue from operations. Accordingly, the Company's activities have been accounted for as those of a "Development Stage Enterprise" as set forth in FASB ASC 915. Among the disclosures required by FASB ASC 915 are that the Company's financial statements be identified as those of a development stage company, and that the statements of operations, stockholders' equity/(deficit) and cash flows disclose activity since the date of the Company's inception.
Accounting Method
The Company's financial statements are prepared using the accrual method of accounting. The Company has elected a fiscal year ending on December 31.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes as outlined in FASB ASC 740 “Income Taxes”, which was previously FASB 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes." Under FASB ASC 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Under FASB ASC 740, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. There were no current or deferred income tax expense or benefits due to the Company not having any material operations for the period ended December 31, 2010.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
MERCI, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FROM INCEPTION (August 20, 1997) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Determination of fair values involves subjective judgment and estimates not susceptible to substantiation by auditing procedures. Accordingly, under current auditing standards, the notes to our financial statements will refer to the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our financial statements.
Basic Loss Per Common Share
Basic loss per common share has been calculated based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period after giving retroactive effect to stock splits. There are no dilutive securities at December 31, 2010 for purposes of computing fully diluted earnings per share.
Share-Based Payments
The Company adopted FASB ASC 718 “Compensation - Stock Compensation”, which codified Statement of Financial Accounting standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (Revised December 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including stock options, employee stock purchases related to an employee stock purchase plan and restricted stock units based on estimated fair values of the awards over the requisite employee service period. SFAS No. 123R supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB No. 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, which the company previously followed in accounting for stock-base awards. In March 2005, the SEC issued Staff Bulletin No. 107(“SAB No. 107”), to provide guidance on SFAS 123R. The Company has applied SAB No. 107 in its adoption of SFAS No. 123R.
Under SFAS No. 123R, stock-base compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized on a straight-line basis as expense over the employee’s requisite service period. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R in its fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, using the modified prospective application method. The valuation provisions of SFAS 123R apply to new awards and to awards that are outstanding on the effective date (or date of adoption) and subsequently modified or cancelled; prior periods are not revised for comparative purposes. Estimated compensation expense for awards outstanding on the effective date will be recognized over the remaining service period using the compensation cost calculated for pro forma disclosure under FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”.
Fair value of Financial Instruments
Financial instruments consist principally of cash, trade and related party payables, accrued liabilities, short-term obligations and notes payable. The carrying amounts of such financial instruments in the accompanying balance sheets approximate their fair values due to their relatively short-term nature. It is management’s opinion that the Company is not exposed to any significant currency or credit risks arising from these financial instruments.
MERCI, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FROM INCEPTION (August 20, 1997) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010
Related Parties
Related parties, which can be a corporation, individual, investor or another entity are considered to be related if the party has the ability, directly or indirectly, to control the other party or exercise significant influence over the Company in making financial and operating decisions. Companies are also considered to be related if they are subject to common control or common significant influence. The Company has these relationships.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
The company has adopted all recently issued accounting pronouncements. The adoption of the accounting pronouncements, including those not yet effective, is not anticipated to have a material effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
Subsequent Events
We evaluated subsequent events through the date and time our financial statements were issued.
NOTE 3 GOING CONCERN
The Company's financial statements are prepared using accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to a going concern that contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has not established any source of revenue to cover its operating costs. The Company will engage in very limited activities without incurring any liabilities that must be satisfied in cash until a source of funding is secured. The Company will offer noncash consideration and seek equity lines as a means of financing its operations. If the Company is unable to obtain revenue producing contracts or financing or if the revenue or financing it does obtain is insufficient to cover any operating losses it may incur, it may substantially curtail or terminate its operations or seek other business opportunities through strategic alliances, acquisitions or other arrangements that may dilute the interests of existing stockholders.
NOTE 4 INCOME TAXES
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statement of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.
There is no provision for income taxes due to continuing losses. At December 31, 2010, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes of approximately $60,700, which expire through 2030. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance that fully offsets deferred tax assets arising from net operating
MERCI, INC.
(A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY)
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FROM INCEPTION (August 20, 1997) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010
loss carryforwards because the likelihood of the realization of the benefit cannot be established. The Internal Revenue Code contains provisions that may limit the net operating loss carryforwards available if significant changes in stockholder ownership of the Company occur.
NOTE 5 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A shareholder of the Company has paid expenses on behalf of the Company in exchange for a payable bearing no interest and due on demand. Amounts payable to the shareholder at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $49,863 and $42,152, respectively.
The Company does not lease or rent any property. Office space and services are provided without charge by an officer / shareholder. Such costs are immaterial to the financial statements and, accordingly, have not been reflected therein. The officers and directors of the Company are involved in other business activities and may, in the future, become involved in other business opportunities. If a specific business opportunity becomes available, such persons may face a conflict in selecting between the Company and their other business interests. The Company has not formulated a policy for the resolution of such conflicts.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
As reported on Form 8/K filed with the SEC on 7/15/2008, the Company changed its auditors. There have been no disagreements with our accountants on accounting and financial disclosure.
ITEM 9A
ITEM 9A CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Securities and Exchange Commission defines the term “disclosure controls and procedures” to mean a company's controls and other procedures of an issuer that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company maintains such a system of controls and procedures in an effort to ensure that all information which it is required to disclose in the reports it files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under the SEC's rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to principal executive and principal financial officers to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving the objectives of timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic SEC reports and of ensuring that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported with the time periods specified. Our chief executive officer and chief financial officer also concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to provide reasonable assurance of the achievement of these objectives.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of the Company is responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and related financial information appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The financial statements and notes have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The management of the Company also is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. A company's internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the issuer are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, does not expect that the Company's disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, over time control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
With the participation of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, our management evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 based upon the framework in Internal Control -Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on that evaluation, our management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company's registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by the Company's registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management's report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the last fiscal quarter, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
The directors and executive officers currently serving the Company are as follows:
The directors named above will serve until the next annual meeting of the Company's stockholders. Thereafter, directors will be elected for one-year terms at the annual stockholders' meeting. Officers will hold their positions at the pleasure of the board of directors, absent any employment agreement, of which none currently exists or is contemplated. There is no arrangement or understanding between any of the directors or officers of the Company and any other person pursuant to which any director or officer was or is to be selected as a director or officer, and there is no arrangement, plan or understanding as to whether non-management shareholders will exercise their voting rights to continue to elect the current directors to the Company's board. There are also no arrangements, agreements or understandings between non-management shareholders and management under which non-management shareholders may directly or indirectly
participate in or influence the management of the Company's affairs.
The directors and officers will devote their time to the Company's affairs on an "as needed" basis, which, depending on the circumstances, could amount to as little as two hours per month, or more than forty hours per month, but more than likely will fall within the range of five to ten hours per month. There are no agreements or understandings for any officer or director to resign at the request of another person, and none of the officers or directors are acting on behalf of, or will act at the direction of, any other person.
Biographical Information
Jose Acevedo - Jose Acevedo is 48 years old and holds a Bachelor’s degree in finance from Trinity University. Mr. Acevedo serves as our president, chief executive officer, chief financial officer and director. In addition to the work he performs for the Company, Mr. Acevedo is currently a Supervisor in a State run detention facility. Mr. Acevedo was employed by Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company from 1977 through 1999. During that period, Manufacturers Hanover Trust merged with Chemical Bank, and subsequently Chase Manhattan Bank, to become the nations largest bank. At Chase Manhattan, Mr. Acevedo held a management position where he managed portfolios valued at $34 million dollars. From 1999-2005, Mr. Acevedo was a free-lance corporation consultant.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between any of the current directors or officers of the Company.
Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
None of our officers, directors, promoters or control persons has been involved in the past five (5) years in any of the following:
(1)
Any bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time;
(2)
Any conviction in a criminal proceedings or being subject to a pending criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses);
(3)
Being subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, or any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; or
(4)
Being found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC or the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities laws or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended, or vacated.
Directorships
In addition to serving as a director of the Company, Jose Acevedo serves as a director of Our Glass, Inc., and Tranquility, Inc.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership of Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such officers, directors and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely upon a review of the forms submitted to the Company with respect to its most recent fiscal year, the Company believes that Form 3 Initial Statements of Beneficial Ownership for Jose Acevedo, Mid-Continental Securities Corp., and Glen Little, have not been filed as required.
Code of Ethics
The Company has not yet adopted a code of ethics. The Company intends to adopt a code of ethics in the near future.
Audit Committee Expert
The Company does not have an Audit Committee because the Company does not currently have any material operations. Because the Company does not have an Audit Committee it does not currently have a financial expert serving on an Audit Committee.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
No officer or director received any remuneration from the Company during the fiscal year. Until the Company acquires additional capital, it is not intended that any officer or director will receive compensation from the Company other than reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the Company. The Company has no stock option, retirement, pension, or profit-sharing programs for the benefit of directors, officers or other employees, but the Board of Directors may recommend adoption of one or more such programs in the future.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2010, the ownership of each person known by the Company to be a beneficial owner of 5% or more of its common stock. Except as otherwise noted, each person listed below is a sole beneficial owner of the shares and has sole investment and voting power as to such shares. No person listed below has any options, warrants or other right to acquire additional securities of the Registrant except as may be otherwise noted.
Security Ownership of Management
The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2010, the ownership of each executive officer and director of the Company, and of all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. Except as otherwise noted, each person listed below is a sole beneficial owner of the shares and has sole investment and voting power as to such shares. No person listed below has any options, warrants or other right to acquire additional securities of the Company except as may be otherwise noted.
(1) Person listed is officer and/or director
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
No officer, director, promoter, or affiliate of the Company has, or proposes to have, any direct or indirect material interest in any asset proposed to be acquired by the Company through security holdings, contracts, options, or otherwise. The Company has adopted a policy under which any consulting or finder's fee that may be paid to a third party for consulting services to assist management in evaluating a prospective business opportunity would be paid in stock rather than in cash. Any such issuance of stock would be made on an ad hoc basis. Accordingly, the Company is unable to predict whether, or in what amount, such a stock issuance might be made.
It is not currently anticipated that any salary, consulting fee, or finder's fee shall be paid to any of the Company's directors or executive officers, or to any other affiliate of the Company except as described under "Executive Compensation" above.
The Company does not maintain an office, but it does maintain a mailing address at P.O. Box 110310, Naples, Florida 34108-0106, for which it pays no rent, and for which it does not anticipate paying rent in the future. It is likely that the Company will not establish an office until it has completed a business acquisition transaction, but it is not possible to predict what arrangements will actually be made with respect to future office facilities.
Director Independence
The NASDAQ Stock Market has instituted director independence guidelines that have been adopted by the Securities & Exchange Commission. These guidelines provide that a director is deemed “independent” only if the board of directors affirmatively determines that the director has no relationship with the company which, in the board’s opinion, would interfere with the director’s exercise of independent judgment in carrying out his or her responsibilities. Significant stock ownership will not, by itself, preclude a board finding of independence.
For NASDAQ Stock Market listed companies, the director independence rules list six types of disqualifying relationships that preclude an independence filing. The Company’s board of directors may not find
independent a director who:
1.
is an employee of the company or any parent or subsidiary of the company;
2.
accepts, or who has a family member who accepts, more than $60,000 per year in payments from the company or any parent or subsidiary of the company other than (a) payments from board or committee services; (b) payments arising solely from investments in the company’s securities; (c) compensation paid to a family member who is a non-executive employee of the company’ (d) benefits under a tax qualified retirement plan or non-discretionary compensation; or (e) loans to directors and executive officers permitted under Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act;
3.
is a family member of an individual who is employed as an executive officer by the company or any parent or subsidiary of the company;
4.
is, or has a family member who is, a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, any organization to which the company made, or from which the company received, payments for property or services that exceed 5% of the recipient’s consolidated gross revenues for that year, or $200,000, whichever is more, other than (a) payments arising solely from investments in the company’s securities or (b) payments under non-discretionary charitable contribution matching programs;
5.
is employed, or who has a family member who is employed, as an executive officer of another company whose compensation committee includes any executive officer of the listed company; or
6.
is, or has a family member who is, a current partner of the company’s outside auditor, or was a partner or employee of the company’s outside auditor who worked on the company’s audit.
Based upon the foregoing criteria, our Board of Directors has determined that both Jose Acevedo is not an independent director under these rules as Jose Acevedo is also employed as an officer of the Company.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Audit Fees
(1)
The aggregate fees billed by Lake and Associates CPAs LLC for audit of the Company's financial statements were $4,500 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and $4,500 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
Audit Related Fees
(2)
Lake and Associates CPAs LLC did not bill the Company any amounts for assurance and related services that were related to its audit or review of the Company’s financial statements during the fiscal years ended 2010 and 2009.
Tax Fees
(3)
The aggregate fees billed by Lake and Associates CPAs LLC for tax compliance, advice and planning were $300 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and $300.00 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.
All Other Fees
(4)
Lake and Associates CPAs LLC did not bill the Company for any products and services other than the foregoing during the fiscal years ended 2010 and 2009.
Audit Committee=s Pre-approval Policies and Procedures
(5)
Merci, Inc., a blind pool reporting company which is not yet publicly traded, does not have an audit committee per se. The current board of directors functions as the audit committee.
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a)
Audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.
(b)
Exhibits.
3(i)
Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference from Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2005).
3(ii)
Bylaws (incorporated by reference from Registration Statement on Form 10-SB filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2005).
31.1
Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2
Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1
Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2
Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
* Filed Herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
MERCI, INC.
By: /S/ Jose Acevedo
Jose Acevedo, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director
Date: February 28, 2011
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
By: /S/ Jose Acevedo
Jose Acevedo, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Director
Date: February 28, 2011