Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Accounting Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Accounting Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024 are effective to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Accounting Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management. Our disclosure controls and procedures include components of our internal control over financial reporting. Management's assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is expressed at the level of reasonable assurance that the control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the control system's objectives will be met.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for our Company. Internal control over financial reporting is 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 management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 based on criteria established in “Internal Control—Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this assessment, our management concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Accounting Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all controls issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
On November 26, 2024 , Louis Hoch , Usio’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer entered into a 10b5 - 1 trading plan (the “Plan”). The Plan expires on November 15, 2025 and relates to the sale of 136,891 shares of our common stock. Mr. Hoch will have no control over the timing of the stock sales under the Plan, and all transactions under the Plan will be reported by Mr. Hoch through individual Form 4 and Form 144 filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Plan is intended to comply with the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5 - 1 (c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Company’s insider trading policy. Rule 10b5 - 1 allows corporate insiders to establish prearranged written stock trading plans.
A Rule 10b5 - 1 plan must be entered into in good faith at a time when the insider is not aware of material, non-public information. Subsequent receipt by the insider of material, non-public information will not prevent prearranged transactions under Rule 10b5 - 1 from being executed. Using a Rule 10b5 - 1 Plan, individuals can prudently and gradually diversify their investment portfolios over an extended period of time.
ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS.
Not applicable.
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the definitive proxy statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, or the 2025 Proxy Statement.
Item 405 of Regulation S-K requires the disclosure of, based upon our review of the forms submitted to us during and with respect to our most recent fiscal year, any known failure by any director, officer, or beneficial owner of more than ten percent of any class of our securities, or any other person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or reporting person, to file timely a report required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. This disclosure is contained in the section entitled “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the 2024 Proxy Statement.
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, and persons performing similar functions. Our code of ethics was filed as Exhibit 14.1 to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 on August 14, 2015. We will provide a copy of our code of ethics to any person without charge, upon request. Requests should be addressed to: Usio, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations Department, 3611 Paesanos Parkway, Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas 78231.
Procedure for Nominating Directors
We have not made any material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors.
We consider recommendations for director candidates from our directors, officers, employees, stockholders, customers and vendors. Stockholders wishing to nominate individuals to serve as directors may submit such nominations, along with a nominee's qualifications, to our Board of Directors at Usio, Inc., 3611 Paesanos Parkway, Suite 300, San Antonio, Texas, 78231, and the Board of Directors will consider such nominee. The Board of Directors selects the director candidates slated for election. We have a designated Nominations and Corporate Governance Committee, which reviews and make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to proposed director candidates.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the 2025 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the 2025 Proxy Statement.
The information required to be disclosed by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K, “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans,” appears under the caption “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the 2025 Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference into this report.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the 2025 Proxy Statement.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the 2025 Proxy Statement.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a)(1) Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following documents are filed in Part II, Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K:
Report of current Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C.
Report of former Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - ADKF, P.C.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules.
All financial statement schedules have been omitted as they are not required, not applicable, or the required information is otherwise included.
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(a)(3) Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (included as exhibit 3.1 to the Form 10-KSB filed March 31, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (included as exhibit A to the Schedule 14C filed April 18, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.3
Certificate of Change Filed Pursuant to NRS 78.209 (included as exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed July 23, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.4
Certificate of Amendment of Restated Articles of Incorporation of Usio, Inc., as amended, effective June 26, 2019 (included as exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed July 1, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.5
Amended and Restated By-laws (included as exhibit 3.1 to the Form 8-K filed December 1, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.1
Description of Securities
10.1*
Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis A. Hoch, dated February 27, 2007 (included as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed March 2, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.2*
First Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis A. Hoch, dated November 12, 2009 (included as exhibit 10.16 to the Form 10-Q filed November 16, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.3*
Second Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis A. Hoch, dated April 12, 2010 (included as exhibit 10.17 to the Form 10-K filed April 15, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.4
Bank Sponsorship Agreement between the Company and University National Bank, dated August 29, 2011 (included as exhibit 10.18 to the Form 10-K filed April 3, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.5*
Third Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis A. Hoch, dated January 14, 2011 (included as exhibit 10.20 to the Form 10-K filed April 3, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.6*
Fourth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis A. Hoch, dated July 2, 2012 (included as exhibit 10.19 to the Form 10-Q filed August 20, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.7
Bank Sponsorship Agreement between the Company and Metropolitan Commercial Bank, dated December 11, 2014 (included as exhibit 10.26 to the Form 10-K filed March 30, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.8*
Fifth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis A. Hoch, dated August 3, 2016 (included as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed August 9, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.9*
Sixth Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis A. Hoch, dated September 8, 2016 (included as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed September 14, 2016, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.10*
Independent Director Agreement between the Company and Brad Rollins, dated May 5, 2017 (included as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K, filed May 11, 2017, and incorporated herein by reference).
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10.11
Lease Agreement between the Company and Blauners Paesanos Parkway LP, dated February 9, 2018 (included as exhibit 10.43 to the Form 10-K filed March 30, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.12
Lease Agreement between the Company and RP Circle 1 Building, LLC, dated December 11, 2017 (included as exhibit 10.44 to the Form 10-K filed March 30, 2018, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.13*
Independent Director Agreement between the Company and Blaise Bender, dated April 1, 2019 (included as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed April 3, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.14*
2015 Equity Incentive Plan (included as Appendix B to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on June 5, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.15
Warrant Agreement between the Company and University FanCards, LLC dated August 21, 2018 (included as exhibit 10.41 to the form 10-Q filed on November 12, 2020, and incorporated by reference)
10.16*
Independent Director Agreement dated August 29,2020, by and between the Company and Ernesto Beyer (included as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2020, and incorporated by reference)
10.17+
Asset Purchase Agreement between the Company and Information Management Solutions, LLC dated December 15, 2020 (included as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference)
10.18+
Warrant Agreement between the Company and Information Management Solutions, LLC dated December 15, 2020, (included as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2020, and incorporated herein by reference)
10.19
Lease agreement between Information Management Systems, LLC and Industrial Properties Corp. dated June 16, 2011 (included as exhibit 10.40 to the Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.20
First amendment to lease between Information Management Systems, LLC and Industrial Properties Corp. dated April 4, 2013 (included as exhibit 10.41 to the Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.21
Second amendment to lease between Information Management Systems, LLC and Industrial Properties Corp. dated March 5, 2018 (included as exhibit 10.42 to the Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.22
Third amendment to lease between the Company as successor to Information Management Systems, LLC and ICON IPC TX Property Owner Pool 6 West/Southwest, LLC, dated December 22, 2020 (included as exhibit 10.43 to the Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.23
Lease agreement between the Company and Smartyfi, LLC for Austin offices dated January 1, 2021 (included as exhibit 10.44 to the Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.24
First amendment to lease between the Company and Paesanos Office Building, LLC for San Antonio offices dated March 15, 2021 (included as exhibit 10.45 to the Form 10-K filed on March 30, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.25*
Seventh Amendment to Employment Agreement between the Company and Louis A. Hoch, dated April 18, 2021 (included as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.26
Second Amendment to Lease agreement between the Company and Paesanos Office Building, LLC for San Antonio offices, dated October 19, 2021 (included as exhibit 10.43 to the Form 10-Q filed on November 10, 2021, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.27*
Independent Director Agreement dated June 16, 2022, by and between the Company and Michelle Miller (Included as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K file on June 22, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.28*
Eighth Amendment to Employment Agreement between Usio, Inc. and Louis A. Hoch, dated June 29, 2022 (included as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2022, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.29*
Employment Agreement Dated February 17, 2023 between Usio Inc and Greg Carter, the Company's Executive Vice President of Payment Acceptance (included as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on February 21, 2023, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.30*
Usio, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (included as Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on June 2, 2023 and incorporated herein by reference).
10.31*
Ninth Amendment to Employment Agreement between Usio, Inc. and Louis A. Hoch, dated February 1, 2024 (included as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on February 1, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.32*
Tenth Amendment to Employment Agreement Dated to be effective as of March 3, 2025 by and between the Company and Louis A. Hoch (included as exhibit 10.1 to the Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference).
10.33*
First Amendment to Employment Agreement Dated to be effective as of March 3, 2025 by and between the Company and Greg Carter (included as exhibit 10.2 to the Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2025, and incorporated herein by reference).
14.1
Code of Ethics (included as exhibit 14.1 to the Form 10-Q filed August 14, 2015, and incorporated herein by reference).
16.1
Letter from ADKF dated April 17, 2024 (included as exhibit 16.1 to the Form 8-K filed on April 17, 2024, and incorporated herein by reference).
19.1
Amended and Restated Insider Trading Policy (filed herewith)
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21.1
Subsidiaries of the Company (filed herewith).
23.1
Consent of ADKF, P.C. (filed herewith).
23.2
Consent of Pannell Kerr and Forster of Texas, P.C. (filed herewith)
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and the /Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
97.1
Clawback Policy (filed herewith)
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document (filed herewith).
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith).
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith).
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
†
Confidential treatment has been granted for portions of this agreement.
+
The schedules to the exhibit have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company will furnish copies of any such schedules to the SEC upon request.
*
Management Compensatory Plan or Arrangement
Copies of the above exhibits not contained herein are available to any stockholder, upon written request to: Chief Accounting Officer, Usio, Inc., 3611 Paesanos Parkway, Suite 300, San Antonio, TX 78231.
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ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Usio, Inc.
Date: March 26, 2025
By:
/s/ Louis A. Hoch
Louis A. Hoch
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: March 26, 2025
By:
/s/ Michael White
Michael White
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Date: March 26, 2025
By:
/s/ Michael White
Michael White
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date: March 26, 2025
By:
/s/ Louis A. Hoch
Louis A. Hoch
Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: March 26, 2025
By:
/s/ Blaise Bender
Blaise Bender
Director
Date: March 26, 2025
By:
/s/ Ernesto Beyer
Ernesto Beyer
Director
Date: March 26, 2025
By:
/s/ Bradley Rollins
Bradley Rollins
Director
Date: March 26, 2025
By:
/s/ Elizabeth Michelle Miller
Elizabeth Michelle Miller
Director
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