Related Parties |
12 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Mar. 31, 2026 | |
| Related Party Transactions [Abstract] | |
| Related Parties | Related Parties The Company considers its employees, directors, as well as beneficial owners of more than 5% of any class of the Company’s voting securities to be related parties. A “Related Entity” or “Related Entities” include certain trusts that are directly or indirectly controlled by, or operate for the benefit of, Mr. Heppner or his family, and those entities directly or indirectly held by, or that are under common control with, such trusts, and in which he and his family members are among classes of economic beneficiaries, whether or not Mr. Heppner is entitled to economic distributions from such trusts. Mr. Heppner is a beneficiary of the trust that is the sole shareholder of BHI. Mr. Heppner resigned as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors on June 19, 2025; however, Mr. Heppner continues to control, either directly or indirectly, a significant amount of other equity interests in the Company and its subsidiaries. Relationship with Beneficient Management Counselors, L.L.C. For periods prior to the conversion of BCG to a Nevada corporation, Ben Management was the general partner of Ben and Ben Management was governed by a board of directors. The governing document of Ben Management provided that Beneficient Management Counselors, L.L.C. (“BMC”), wholly owned by one of several Related Entities, determined the directors of Ben Management who filled 49% of the Board seats. BMC was also entitled to select (a) 50% of the membership of the Ben Management’s Nominating Committee and Executive Committee and appoint the chair of each of these committees, and (b) 50% of the membership of the Community Reinvestment Committee (the “CRC”) and the CRC’s chairperson and lead committee member. Certain decisions with respect to Ben’s charitable giving program were delegated to the CRC, including certain decisions on behalf of BFF as a Kansas TEFFI. Decisions regarding appointment and removal of Ben Management’s directors, other than directors appointed by BMC, were delegated, with certain exceptions, to the Nominating Committee of Ben Management of which our former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman was a member and Chairman. In the event of a tie vote of the Nominating Committee on a vote for the appointment or removal of a director, the majority of the then total number of directors serving on the board of directors would break the tie; provided that upon and following a “trigger event” (as defined in Ben Management’s governing document) the chair of the Nominating Committee may cast the tie-breaking vote. Subsequent to the conversion of BCG to a Nevada corporation, Beneficient is governed by a board of directors and Beneficient’s common equity holders are entitled to vote on all matters on which stockholders generally are entitled to vote as described in Note 13, Equity. Services Agreement with Bradley Capital Company, L.L.C. BCG and BCH entered into an agreement with Bradley Capital Company, L.L.C. (“Bradley Capital”) and BMC effective June 1, 2017 (the “Bradley Capital Agreement”), which was then amended and restated effective January 1, 2022 (the “A&R Bradley Capital Agreement”). Bradley Capital is a Related Entity. Under the Bradley Capital Agreement and the A&R Bradley Capital Agreement, Bradley Capital is entitled to a current base fee of $0.4 million per quarter for executive level services provided by an executive of Bradley Capital, who, prior to BCG’s conversion to a Nevada corporation on June 7, 2023, was our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Ben Management’s Board of Directors and was our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors, until his resignation on June 19, 2025, together with a current supplemental fee of $0.2 million per quarter for administrative and financial analysis, with both the base fee and supplemental fee, subject to an annual inflation adjustment. The base fee may be increased by the provider up to two times the initial base fee per quarter to cover increases in the cost of providing the services, or in the event of an expansion of the scope of the services, with the approval of the Executive Committee of the Board of Ben Management prior to June 7, 2023 and the Executive Committee of our Board subsequent to June 7, 2023, of which our former CEO and Chairman was a member and Chairman. Our former CEO and Chairman received an annual salary from the Company of $0.2 million and both he and other employees of Bradley Capital could participate in equity incentive plans sponsored by the Company. The Bradley Capital Agreement and the A&R Bradley Capital Agreement also includes a payment from Ben of $0.2 million per year, paid in equal quarterly installments, to cover on-going employee costs for retired and/or departed employees of predecessor entities prior to September 1, 2017, which on-going costs were assumed by Bradley Capital, as well as a further payment to Bradley Capital in respect of the cost of health and retirement benefits for current employees of Bradley Capital all of which are reimbursed by Ben. The Bradley Capital Agreement and the A&R Bradley Capital Agreement requires Ben to reimburse Bradley Capital or its affiliates for taxes, fees, and expenses, including legal fees and related costs, relating to the contributions by affiliates of Bradley Capital of equity or debt interests in Ben to public charitable trusts in connection with the 2017-18 Exchange Trusts, as well as the contribution of beneficial interests in customer trusts administered by Ben. The A&R Bradley Capital Agreement further requires that Ben indemnify and hold Bradley Capital harmless against any and all losses, damages, costs, fees and any other expenses incurred by Bradley Capital such as air travel expenses owed in connection with the operation of the aircraft identified in the Aircraft Sublease (as defined below) for periods prior to January 1, 2022. Additionally, the Company provides office space and access to needed technology systems and telephone services. Payments by Ben to Bradley Capital and its affiliates are guaranteed and subject to enforcement by the state courts in Delaware in the event of default. The A&R Bradley Capital Agreement extended through December 31, 2022, with an automatic annual one-year renewal provision thereafter. Prior to June 7, 2023, the A&R Bradley Capital Agreement could have been terminated by the mutual agreement of the parties, by the unanimous approval of the Executive Committee of the Board of Ben Management of which an executive of a Related Entity is a member, or without such approval if the Related Entity no longer holds the lesser of $10.0 million of Ben’s securities or 1% of the aggregate fair market value of Ben on both December 31, 2022, or any applicable extension date, and the date of termination. On June 7, 2023 BCG’s existing Bradley Capital Agreement, was replaced by a Second Amended and Restated Services Agreement (the “Second A&R Bradley Capital Agreement”) with the Company as a party. The Second A&R Bradley Capital Agreement is substantially similar to the then existing Bradley Capital Agreement, subject to certain changes as follows. The Executive Committee (as defined in the Second A&R Bradley Capital Agreement) reference was revised to refer to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, and the Second A&R Bradley Capital Agreement expressly states that it shall in no way limit the authority of Board to appoint and remove officers of the Company, including its chief executive officer. The term of the Second A&R Bradley Capital Agreement currently extends through December 31, 2026, and is subject to an annual one-year renewal provision thereafter. The termination provision was revised so that the agreement may be terminated upon the approval of all members of the Executive Committee, excluding Brad K. Heppner if he is then serving on the Executive Committee. The base fee was increased to $0.5 million per quarter and the supplemental fee was increased to $0.2 million per quarter, with each fee remaining subject to an annual inflation adjustment. In addition, revisions were made to the limitation of liability and indemnification provisions to reflect the applicability of the corporation laws of Nevada to Beneficient. No services are currently being provided under this agreement. During the years ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, the Company recognized expenses totaling $2.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively, related to this services agreement. As of March 31, 2026 and 2025, $6.8 million and $3.9 million, respectively, was owed to Bradley Capital related to the employment-related aspects of this services agreement. In addition, prior to the Aircraft Sublease with Bradley Capital discussed below, we also reimbursed Bradley Capital for certain costs, including private travel, for our former chief executive officer, including family members. During the year ended March 31, 2026, the Company paid no amounts related to this services agreement. During the year ended March 31, 2025, the Company paid $2.5 million related to accrued amounts owed under this services agreement. In addition to the above, the Company incurred legal fees on behalf of Mr. Heppner under certain indemnification provisions. During the years ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, these legal fees totaled approximately $8.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively. Substantially all of these legal fees have or are expected to be eligible for reimbursement by the directors and officers insurance carriers. Aircraft Sublease with Bradley Capital Effective January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023, The Beneficient Company Group (USA), L.L.C. (“Beneficient USA”), a subsidiary of BCH, as sublessee, Bradley Capital, as sublessor, and BCG, solely as it relates to the guarantee it makes to Bradley Capital as set forth therein, entered into an Aircraft Sublease Agreement (the “Aircraft Sublease”). Pursuant to the Aircraft Sublease, Bradley Capital subleased the aircraft described therein, without a crew, to Beneficient USA for discrete periods of use. Beneficient USA was required to pay a quarterly rental of $1.4 million plus direct operating expenses incurred for Ben’s use of the aircraft. Beneficient USA was also required to provide its own pilot(s) and crew. The term of the Aircraft Sublease was (1) year. Additionally, BCG agrees to unconditionally guarantee, for the benefit of Bradley Capital, all of the obligations of Beneficient USA to Bradley Capital under the Aircraft Sublease. The Aircraft Sublease expired on January 1, 2024. No amounts have been paid to Bradley Capital related to the Aircraft Sublease through March 31, 2026. As of each March 31, 2026 and 2025, $10.8 million of accrued costs related to the sublease is reflected in the accounts payable and accrued expenses line item on the consolidated statements of financial condition. As discussed below, BHI, a Related Entity, entered into a Contribution Agreement with BCH and BCG pursuant to which BHI has agreed to reimburse BCG for a significant portion of the costs incurred by Beneficient USA under the Aircraft Sublease. Relationship with Beneficient Holdings, Inc. Beneficient USA, a subsidiary of BCH, entered into with BHI, a Related Entity, a Services Agreement effective July 1, 2017 (the “BHI Services Agreement”). BHI pays an annual fee of $30,000 to Ben for the provision of trust administration services for Related Entities and all trusts affiliated with its family trustee as that term is defined in the governing documents for a Related Entity. Beneficient USA also is required to provide any other services requested by BHI, subject to any restrictions in the operating agreement of BHI, at cost. The term of the BHI Services Agreement extends for the longer of (i) five years past the expiration or termination of the Bradley Capital Agreement, or (ii) seven years after the family trustee of the Related Entity is no longer a primary beneficiary of any trust affiliated with the family trustee. The Company recognized nominal income during the years ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, in accordance with the BHI Services Agreement. The BHI Services Agreement was terminated by the Company on January 17, 2026 for non-payment of services following a 60-day cure period as required by the BHI Services Agreement. In conjunction with the execution of the Aircraft Sublease, BHI, a Related Entity, BCH, and BCG entered into a Contribution Agreement effective as of January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023 (the “Contribution Agreement”). Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, BHI agrees to pay to BCH, on the last business day of each calendar quarter, any amounts paid by BCH during the quarter for the use of an aircraft under the Aircraft Sublease, or any similar lease or sublease, which would include the quarterly rental under the Aircraft Sublease. In addition, BHI agrees to pay to BCH any amounts paid related to fixed monthly or quarterly costs incurred in connection with such aircraft lease or sublease in an amount not to exceed $250,000 per year. This additional payment is intended to partially cover flight crew costs and other related costs. Each contribution is conditioned upon (i) the effectiveness of the Aircraft Sublease, and (ii) BCH’s timely payment to BHI of the guaranteed payment to be made to holders of BCH Preferred A-0 for the respective quarter in which such contribution is to be paid (whether or not waived in accordance with the terms of the BCH LPA); provided, that if such guaranteed payment is not timely paid, or is only paid in part, for any given quarter, then any contributions contemplated under the Contribution Agreement for such quarter will not be owed. In the event such guaranteed payment is subsequently paid in full, then any previously unfunded contributions for the applicable quarter under the Contribution Agreement will become immediately due and payable on the last business day of the calendar quarter in which such guaranteed payment is paid in full. All payments made by BHI to BCH pursuant to the Contribution Agreement shall be treated as capital contributions, as defined in the BCH LPA, by BHI to BCH and shall be added to BHI’s sub-capital account related to its BCH Class S Ordinary Units. BCH further agrees to specially allocate to BHI’s sub-capital account related to its BCH Class S Ordinary Units any expenses or deductions derived from amounts paid or accrued by BCH for use of the aircraft to the extent such expenditures are offset by the contributions made by BHI pursuant to the Contribution Agreement. There have been no contributions from BHI related to this agreement, which is expected and will continue to occur until the guaranteed payments to BCH Preferred A-0 holders are no longer deferred. BHI owns the majority of the Company’s Class B common stock, and the BCH Class S Ordinary Units, BCH Class S Preferred Units, BCH Preferred A-0, BCH Preferred A-1, and FLP Subclass 1 and Subclass 3 Unit Accounts issued by BCH. HCLP Nominees, L.L.C. HCLP is an indirect subsidiary of Highland Consolidated, L.P. (“Highland”). Ben’s former Chairman and CEO (who resigned on June 19, 2025) is a beneficiary and trust investment advisor of the trusts that control, and are the partners of, Highland. Loans to and investments with or in the Related Entities have been and may be made by Highland, or its affiliates, as applicable, using proceeds from loan repayments made by Ben to HCLP in its capacity as lender to Ben. Ben is not a party to these loans or transactions between Highland and the Related Entities, nor has it secured or guaranteed the loans. Certain of the prior loans include terms that grant Highland the right to transfer the real property that was transferred pursuant to the in-kind property payment(s) back to certain of the Related Entities, in exchange for a BCH Preferred A-1 capital account balance in BCH in an amount equal to the loan balances satisfied by the in-kind property payment(s), with such exchange to be satisfied from existing BCH Preferred A-1 that are held by such Related Entities. The Company incurred legal fees estimated to be approximately $1.6 million and $1.9 million on behalf of HCLP pursuant to the indemnification obligations under the HCLP credit agreements during the years ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. On July 30, 2025, HCLP delivered written notice that events of default occurred with respect to the Second A&R Agreements and provide that all amounts owed under those agreements are immediately due and payable. Due to Mr. Heppner’s conviction and the facts established in the related proceedings, the Company is evaluating the validity of its obligations under the Second A&R Agreements and the liens securing the HCLP Loan and is considering all options that it may pursue related to this conduct, including counter claims and litigation against Mr. Heppner, HCLP and any direct or indirect control parties of HCLP. Relationship with The Heppner Endowment for Research Organizations, L.L.C. (“HERO”) and Research Ranch Operating Company, L.L.C (“RROC”). HERO and RROC are indirectly owned by The Highland Investment Holdings Trust, The Highland Great Plains Trust and The Highland Partner Holdings Trust. Mr. Heppner is a permissible beneficiary of The Highland Investment Holdings Trust and The Highland Partner Holdings Trust, but he is not a beneficiary of The Highland Great Plains Trust. Mr. Heppner’s family members are potential beneficiaries of each of these three trusts. HERO was created to (i) to serve as an advisor to National Philanthropic Trust (“NPT”), an unrelated third-party charitable organization, regarding the disbursement of grants to qualifying organizations, and (ii) to serve as an advisor to NPT regarding the administration of charitable contributions made for the benefit of such qualifying organizations. Although HERO can advise on these matters, NPT possessed all final decision-making authority on charitable contributions and complete control over the proceeds received by the charitable organizations. The charitable accounts administered by NPT (“Charitable Accounts”), the beneficiaries of which have historically been multiple Texas universities, have historically received proceeds from certain trusts settled and funded by Customers of Ben, in support of their charitable initiatives. HERO does not receive any proceeds from trusts settled and funded by Customers of Ben. RROC’s purpose is to provide funding and operational support for the research activities conducted by the qualified charities. The funding received by RROC, from proceeds of trusts settled and funded by Customers of Ben, may be used, in RROC’s discretion, to (i) provide appropriate facilities and properties for the charitable organizations to utilize as part of their charitable initiatives (those properties and facilities being owned by a Related Entity), and (ii) provide fee revenue to RROC. RROC is granted such rights and authority pursuant to trust instruments entered into between a Customer and subsidiaries of Ben as well as an agreement with NPT. Ben’s subsidiaries provide financing to the Customer ExAlt Trusts and Ben is paid as an agent of the trustees for administrative services it provides to the trusts. Ben has certain outstanding payables, including accrued interest, to RROC and the Charitable Accounts (for the benefit of the Texas universities as discussed above) of $2.4 million and $2.3 million as of March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. There were no payments made during the years ended March 31, 2026 and 2025. Due to changes in the Customer ExAlt Trust agreements, no incremental amounts are expected to be allocated to RROC or the Charitable Accounts other than those amounts already provided by certain prior trust agreements. Beneficient Heartland Foundation, Inc.; Initial Charitable Initiative In connection with each of Ben’s liquidity transactions following the adoption of the TEFFI legislation and BFF’s receipt of a fully-operational trust company charter under the Kansas TEFFI Act, pursuant to Section 28 of the TEFFI Act, a “Qualified Distribution” is made for the benefit of certain economic growth zones and rural communities in the State of Kansas (each, a “Charitable Distribution”). In January 2022, Ben announced its initial $15.4 million Charitable Distribution. The Charitable Distribution was allocated as follows: $2.7 million of cash for the benefit of, and to be received by, the Kansas Department of Commerce to be used at the department’s discretion for development projects and the promotion and growth of the TEFFI industry in Kansas; $0.2 million of cash and assets for the benefit of public charities dedicated to economic development within Mr. Heppner’s hometown of Hesston, Kansas, and surrounding Harvey County, Kansas, as outlined in the TEFFI Act; and $12.5 million in cash and assets to the Beneficient Heartland Foundation, Inc. (“BHF”) as described below. Mr. Heppner’s hometown is Hesston, Kansas and certain of his family members continue to live and/or work in Hesston and other areas of Harvey County, Kansas and may be considered to be direct and indirect beneficiaries of the portions of the initial Charitable Distribution provided to Hesston and Harvey County and to BHF. On January 20, 2022, BHF was formed as a Kansas nonprofit corporation to receive economic growth contributions pursuant to the TEFFI legislation. BHF is currently governed by an eleven-member board of directors, seven of whom are community leaders within the Hesston, Kansas community and four of whom are Ben employees or individuals otherwise affiliated with Ben. BHF is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Its purpose is to provide grants and other support to benefit growth, development and expansion of opportunities in rural Kansas communities with populations of 5,000 residents or less, including job and income growth, main street revitalization, educational facility improvements, construction and development, healthcare facility enhancements, senior facility improvements, and support for post-secondary institutions. BHF has the exclusive decision-making authority over all of the economic growth contributions it receives. BFF is the sole member of BHF and, prior to an amendment to the bylaws in July 2025 described below, had the right to appoint up to eleven members of BHF’s Board of Directors. The remaining two board members were appointed by BMC. On July 21, 2025, the bylaws of BHF were amended to remove the directors appointed by BMC, eliminate the board appointment rights of BMC, and change the composition of the BHF board of directors to eleven members from the community and two members, who are Ben employees. Pursuant to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, BFF’s governing documents prohibit any of BHF’s assets or earnings from inuring to the benefit of BFF, BMC, or any director, officer or other private individual. In April 2026, Beneficient Heartland Foundation, Inc. was renamed to Kansas Horizon Foundation, Inc. The Kansas TEFFI Economic Growth Trust The Kansas Economic Growth Trust (the “EGT”) is a common law trust formed on December 7, 2021 by and between an individual as independent trustee, Ben Custody as administrator, and BCH as advisor. The purpose of the EGT is to receive the proceeds of the Customer ExAlt Trusts that are allocable to the Charitable Beneficiaries and to allocate such proceeds between the Kansas Department of Commerce and qualified charitable organizations (including the Beneficient Heartland Foundation, Inc.) in accordance with the requirements of the TEFFI legislation. The proceeds received by the EGT are dedicated exclusively to charitable purposes and the trust agreement prohibits any of the EGT’s assets or earnings from inuring to the benefit of Ben Custody, BCH, any director, officer or other private individual. As noted above, Ben Custody provides administrative and accounting services to the EGT, and BCH serves as advisor to the trustee with respect to the administration and distribution of the trust. Neither Ben Custody nor BCH charges a fee for these services. Ben has an outstanding payable to EGT of $0.2 million and $0.4 million as of March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. Ben paid $2.2 million and $0.4 million during the years ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, related to allocable proceeds to Charitable Beneficiaries. Additionally, during the year ended March 31, 2023, Ben sold its Kansas properties to the EGT in exchange for a $1.4 million promissory note, which is in the other assets line item on the consolidated statements of financial condition as of March 31, 2026 and 2025. The EGT made a prepayment on the promissory note of $0.2 million during the year ended March 31, 2025, principally in return for the promissory note being extended by two years, until September 30, 2028. Hicks Holdings, L.L.C. Hicks Holdings, L.L.C., an entity associated with one of Ben’s former and current directors, is one of the owners and serves as the manager of a limited liability company (“SPV”). A Related Entity also has ownership in the SPV. The SPV holds BCH Preferred A-0 and BCH Preferred A-1 among its investment holdings. Hicks Holdings, L.L.C. is also the sole member of HH-BDH, the lender on outstanding term loans with a subsidiary of Ben. Hicks Holdings Operating, LLC (“Hicks Holdings”), an entity associated with one of Ben’s former and current directors, has historically held BCH Preferred A-0, BCH Preferred A-1, BCH Class S Ordinary Units, BCH Class S Preferred Units and Class B common stock of Beneficient. Hicks Holdings was granted its BCH Preferred A-1 and BCH Class S Ordinary Units as compensation for services provided in 2018. Hicks Holdings was granted its BCH Preferred A-0 when a portion of the existing BCH Preferred A-1 converted to BCH Preferred A-0 in 2021. Hicks Holdings converted a portion of its existing BCH Preferred A-1 to BCG Class B Common Units in June 2023 in connection with the recapitalization of BCG described in Note 4. In connection with the letter agreement described below, in October 2023, Hicks Holdings assigned the BCH Preferred A-0, BCH Preferred A-1, BCH Class S Ordinary Units, and BCH Class S Preferred Units to HH-BDH. As discussed in Note 13, on October 15, 2025, all of the BCH Preferred A-1 held by HH-BDH was converted to 11,560,705 shares of Class A common stock. HH-BDH also received 149,904 shares of Class A common stock in March 2026 in partial settlement of accrued interest and fees owed under the HH-BDH Credit Agreement. The total preferred equity of BCH, BCH Class S Preferred Units and BCH Class S Ordinary Units balance as of March 31, 2026 and 2025, was $15.2 million and $25.4 million, respectively (amounts disclosed here are based on their GAAP capital accounts). Additionally, Hicks Holdings held 2,066 shares of Class B common stock as of March 31, 2026 and 2025. Further, during the year ended March 31, 2025, Thomas O. Hicks and an entity controlled by Mr. Hicks purchased a total of 12,500 shares of Class A common stock for a purchase price of approximately $0.2 million. The Company has outstanding payable amounts primarily related outstanding interest and fees under the HH-BDH Credit Agreement totaling approximately $1.0 million and $0.8 million as of March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, which is reflected in the other liabilities line item in the consolidated statement of financial condition. The remaining outstanding interest and fees under the HH-BDH Credit Agreement are to be paid within four business days following September 30, 2026. Letter Agreement with Hicks Holdings In connection with the HH-BDH Credit Agreement and the Financing, on October 19, 2023, the Guarantor, Ben LLC, and Hicks Holdings entered into a letter agreement (the “2023 Letter Agreement”). In connection with the Financing, Hicks Holdings agreed to assign to HH-BDH (which is wholly-owned by Hicks Holdings) all of its rights, title and interest in and to the following partnership interests of the Guarantor: BCH Preferred A-0 with a capital account balance of $15.3 million as of June 30, 2023, BCH Preferred A-1 with a capital account balance of $48.1 million as of June 30, 2023, 1 BCH Class S Preferred Units and 455 BCH Class S Ordinary Units held by HH-BDH (the “Pledged Guarantor Interests”). Hicks Holdings’ membership interest in HH-BDH (collectively with the Pledged Guarantor Interests, the “Pledged Equity Interests”) and the Pledged Guarantor Interests serve as collateral for the Financing (together, the “Lender Pledge”). Pursuant to the terms of the 2023 Letter Agreement, the parties thereto agreed that if the Borrower and/or Guarantor default under the HH-BDH Credit Agreement and such default results in a foreclosure on, or other forfeiture of, the Pledged Equity Interests, the Guarantor will promptly issue to Hicks Holdings, BCH Preferred A-0 with a capital account balance of $15.3 million, BCH Preferred A-1 with a capital account balance of $48.1 million (subsequently converted to Class A common stock as described in Note 13), 1 BCH Class S Preferred Units and 455 BCH Class S Ordinary Units (subject to a tax gross-up as provided in the 2023 Letter Agreement), or, in the discretion of Hicks Holdings, equivalent securities of equal fair market value to the value of the security interests at the time of the applicable foreclosure or other loss (such newly issued equity interests referred to as the “Replacement Equity Interests”); provided, however that, if less than all Pledged Equity Interests have been foreclosed on or forfeited, the foregoing capital account balances and numbers of units comprising the Replacement Equity Interests shall be reduced on a class-by-class and subclass-by-subclass basis, as applicable, to the extent necessary to ensure that Hicks Holdings and its affiliates do not receive additional value relative to the value held by Hicks Holdings and its affiliates immediately prior to the foreclosure or forfeiture. Furthermore, Ben LLC shall cause a Ben LLC Unit (as defined in the BCH LPA) to be issued for each BCH Class A Unit issued to the Hicks Holdings pursuant to the 2023 Letter Agreement. Additionally, the Guarantor agreed to indemnify Hicks Holdings and its affiliates and hold each of them harmless against any and all losses which may arise directly or indirectly in connection with, among other things, the HH-BDH Credit Agreement, the Term Loan, the Financing and the Lender Pledge. In connection with the repayment in January 2026 described in Note 11 of all outstanding principal amounts and related interest owed on the third-party financing that HH-BDH used to fund the amounts borrowed by the Company under the HH-BDH Credit Agreement, the Pledged Guarantor Interests are no longer required to serve as collateral for the remaining interest and fees owed to HH-BDH. Consulting agreements with certain Board members During fiscal 2024, the Company entered into consulting agreements with certain non-management Board members. Pursuant to the consulting agreements, Thomas O. Hicks (a board member through December 2025), Richard W. Fisher (a board member through March 2024) and Bruce W. Schnitzer agreed to mentor, advise and support Beneficient and its related entities regarding its business of providing services, insurance, liquidity and financing for alternative asset holders and each receive an annual cash fee of $150,000 per year. Such consulting fee is in addition to the annual cash retainer these Board members receive under the director compensation program. The consulting agreements have an initial term of (1) year and automatically renew for successive (1) year terms unless sooner terminated in accordance with their terms. In the event the initial or any renewal term is terminated before it expires due to a removal or because Messrs. T. Hicks, Fisher and Schnitzer is not re-elected or re- appointed, in each case without cause (as defined in the consulting agreement), the annual consulting fee will continue to be paid through the end of the initial or renewal term, as applicable. For each consulting agreement, the associated expense is recognized ratably each month over the annual term. Mr. Fisher retired from our Board effective March 15, 2024 and thus his above referenced consulting agreement terminated during fiscal 2024. Mr. Tom Hicks passed away on December 6, 2025 and thus his above referenced consulting agreement terminated during fiscal 2026. Subscription agreements with an entity associated with a certain Board member During the year ended March 31, 2025, an entity associated with Peter T. Cangany, Jr., a member of our Board, purchased a total of 32,813 shares of Class A common stock from the Company for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $0.5 million on various dates during the fiscal year.
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