Exhibit 10.14

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

Dated as of March 10, 2006

by and among

EMPIRE FINANCIAL HOLDING COMPANY

and

THE PURCHASERS LISTED ON EXHIBIT A

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ARTICLE I		Purchase and Sale of Units			1
	Section 1.1		Purchase and Sale of Units.		1
	Section 1.2		Purchase Price and Closing		1
ARTICLE II		Representations and Warranties			2
	Section 2.1		Representations and Warranties of the Company		2
	Section 2.2		Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers	13
ARTICLE III		Covenants		15
	Section 3.1		Securities Compliance	15
	Section 3.2		Registration and Listing	15
	Section 3.3		Inspection Rights	16
	Section 3.4		Compliance with Laws	16
	Section 3.5		Keeping of Records and Books of Account	16
	Section 3.6		Reporting Requirements	16
	Section 3.7		Other Agreements	17
	Section 3.8		Use of Proceeds	17
	Section 3.9		Reporting Status	17
	Section 3.10		Disclosure of Transaction	17
	Section 3.11		Disclosure of Material Information	17
	Section 3.12		Form D	17
	Section 3.13		No Integrated Offerings	17
	Section 3.14		Pledge of Securities	18

	Section 3.15		Application for Listing of Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares	18
	Section 3.16		Delivery of Shares and Warrants	18
ARTICLE IV		Registration Rights		18
	Section 4.1		Piggyback Registration	18
	Section 4.2		Registration Procedures	18
	Section 4.3		Furnish Information	20
	Section 4.4		Registration Expenses	21
	Section 4.5		Underwriting Requirements	21
	Section 4.6		Delay of Registration	21
	Section 4.7		Indemnification	21
	Section 4.8		Permitted Transferees	22
	Section 4.9		Termination of Registration Rights	23

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ARTICLE V Conditions 23

	Section 5.1		Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Company to Close and to Sell the Units	23
	Section 5.2		Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Purchasers to Close and to Purchase the Units	24
ARTICLE VI		Certificate Legend		25
	Section 6.1		Legend	25
ARTICLE VII		Indemnification		26
	Section 7.1		General Indemnity.	26
	Section 7.2		Indemnification Procedure	27
	Section 7.3		Indemnification Unavailable	28
ARTICLE VIII		Miscellaneous		28
	Section 8.1		Fees and Expenses	28
	Section 8.2		Specific Performance; Consent to Jurisdiction; Venue.	28
	Section 8.3		Entire Agreement; Amendment	29
	Section 8.4		Notices	29
	Section 8.5		Waivers	30
	Section 8.6		Headings	30
	Section 8.7		Successors and Assigns	30
	Section 8.8		No Third Party Beneficiaries	30
	Section 8.9		Governing Law	30
	Section 8.10		Survival	30
	Section 8.11		Counterparts	31
	Section 8.12		Publicity	31
	Section 8.13		Severability	31
	Section 8.14		Further Assurances	31

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

This SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is dated as of March 10, 2006 by and among Empire Financial Holding Company, a Florida corporation (the “Company”), and the purchasers listed on Exhibit A hereto (each a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Rule 506 of Regulation D (“Regulation D”) promulgated thereunder, the Company desires to issue and sell to each Purchaser, and each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, desires to purchase from the Company, Units (the “Units”) of the Company with each Unit consisting of (a) two (2) shares of Series F Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Shares”), and (b) one (1) Warrant to purchase shares of Common Stock, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (each a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”), on the Closing Date as more fully described in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and each Purchaser agrees as follows:

ARTICLE I

PURCHASE AND SALE OF UNITS

Section 1.1Purchase and Sale of Units. Upon the following terms and conditions, the Company shall issue and sell to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers shall purchase from the Company, up to 431,538 Units at a price per Unit of $6.50 for an aggregate purchase price of up to $2,805,000 (the “Purchase Price”). Each Purchaser shall invest a minimum of $50,000 provided that the Company may accept investments of less than $50,000 in its sole discretion. Any shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”) issuable upon conversion of the Preferred Stock (and such shares when issued) are herein referred to as the “Conversion Shares”. Any shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (and such shares when issued) are herein referred to as the “Warrant Shares”. The Shares, the Conversion Shares, the Warrants and the Warrant Shares are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Securities”.

Section 1.2Purchase Price and Closing. In consideration of and in express reliance upon the representations, warranties, covenants, terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to issue and sell to the Purchasers and, in consideration of and in express reliance upon the representations, warranties, covenants, terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Purchasers, severally but not jointly, agree to purchase the number of Units set forth opposite their respective names on Exhibit A. The closing of the purchase and sale of the Units to be acquired by the Purchasers from the Company under this Agreement shall take place at the offices of Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP, 1065 Avenue of the Americas, New York,

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New York 10018 (the “Closing”) at 10:00 a.m. on March 10, 2006 or at such time and on such date as the Purchasers and the Company may agree upon (the “Closing Date”“), provided, that all of the conditions set forth in Article V hereof and applicable to the Closing shall have been fulfilled or waived in accordance herewith. At the Closing, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Purchaser (a) a certificate registered in the name of the Purchaser representing the number of Shares as is set forth opposite the name of such Purchaser on Exhibit A, (b) a Warrant registered in the name of the Purchaser to purchase such number of Warrant Shares as is set forth opposite the name of such Purchaser on Exhibit A and (c) any other deliveries as required by Article V. Each Purchaser understands that none of the Conversion Shares or the Warrant Shares will be issued until they have been approved for listing by the American Stock Exchange. At the Closing, each Purchaser shall deliver its portion of the Purchase Price by wire transfer to an account designated by the Company.

ARTICLE II

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 2.1Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchasers as follows, as of the date hereof and the Closing Date, except as set forth on the Schedule of Exceptions attached hereto with each numbered Schedule corresponding to the section number herein:

(a)Organization, Good Standing and Power. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Florida and has the requisite corporate power to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted. The Company does not have any Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 2.1(g)) or own securities of any kind in any other entity except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(g) hereto. The Company and each such Subsidiary (as defined in Section 2.1(g)) is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary except for any jurisdiction(s) (alone or in the aggregate) in which the failure to be so qualified will not have a Material Adverse Effect. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” means any effect on the business, results of operations, prospects, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company that is material and adverse to the Company and its subsidiaries and/or any condition, circumstance, or situation that would prohibit or otherwise materially interfere with the ability of the Company from entering into and performing any of its obligations under the Transaction Documents (as defined below) in any material respect.

(b)Authorization; Enforcement. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement, the Preferred Stock, the Warrants and the Escrow Agreement by and among the Company, the Purchasers and the escrow agent, dated as of the date hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto (the “Escrow Agreement” and, together with the Preferred Stock, the Warrants and this Agreement, the “Transaction Documents”) and to issue and sell the Units in accordance with the terms hereof and to complete the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The execution,

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delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action and no further consent or authorization of the Company, its Board of Directors or stockholders is required. When executed and delivered by the Company, each of the Transaction Documents shall constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors’ rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application.

(c)Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company as of March 10, 2006 is set forth on Schedule 2.1(c) hereto. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock and any other outstanding securities of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and were issued in accordance with the registration or qualification provisions of the Securities Act, or pursuant to valid exemptions therefrom. Except as set forth in this Agreement and as set forth on Schedule 2.1(c) hereto, no shares of Common Stock or any other security of the Company are entitled to preemptive rights, registration rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights and there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, call or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital stock of the Company. Furthermore, except as set forth in this Agreement and as set forth on Schedule 2.1(c) hereto, there are no contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements by which the Company is or may become bound to issue additional shares of the capital stock of the Company or options, securities or rights convertible into shares of capital stock of the Company. Except for customary transfer restrictions contained in agreements entered into by the Company in order to sell restricted securities or as provided on Schedule 2.1(c) hereto, the Company is not a party to or bound by any agreement or understanding granting registration or anti-dilution rights to any person with respect to any of its equity or debt securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(c), the Company is not a party to, and it has no knowledge of, any agreement or understanding restricting the voting or transfer of any shares of the capital stock of the Company.

(d)Issuance of Shares and Warrants. The Shares and Warrants to be issued at the Closing have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and, when paid for and issued in accordance with the terms hereof, the Shares and the Warrants will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and rights of refusal of any kind. When the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares are issued and paid for in accordance with the respective terms of the Conversion Shares and the Warrants, such shares will be duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and rights of refusal of any kind and the holders shall be entitled to all rights accorded to a holder of Common Stock.

(e)No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby do not and will not (i) violate any provision of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation (the “Articles”) or Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), each as amended to date, or any Subsidiary’s comparable charter documents, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an

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event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, note, bond, license, lease agreement, instrument or obligation to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries’ respective properties or assets are bound, or (iii) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations) applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or affected, except, in all cases, other than violations pursuant to clauses (i) or (iii) (with respect to federal and state securities laws) above, except, for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, acceleration, cancellations and violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is required under federal, state, foreign or local law, rule or regulation to obtain any consent, authorization or order of, or make any filing or registration with, any court or governmental agency in order for it to execute, deliver or perform any of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or issue and sell the Units in accordance with the terms hereof (other than any filings, consents and approvals which may be required to be made by the Company under applicable state and federal securities laws, rules).

(f)Commission Documents, Financial Statements. The Common Stock of the Company is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and, except as disclosed on Schedule 2.1(f) hereto, the Company has timely filed all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including pursuant to Sections 13, 14 or 15(d) thereof (all of the foregoing and all exhibits included therein and financial statement and schedules thereto, including filings incorporated by reference therein being referred to herein as the “Commission Documents”). At the times of their respective filings, the Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005 (collectively, the “Form 10-Q”) and the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (the “Form 10-K”) complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, and the Form 10-Q and Form 10-K at the time of their respective filings did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of their respective dates, the financial statements of the Company included in the Commission Documents were complete and correct in all material respects and complied with applicable accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the Commission or other applicable rules and regulations with respect thereto. Such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except (i) as may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the Notes thereto or (ii) in the case of unaudited interim statements, to the extent they may not include footnotes or may be condensed or summary statements), and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).

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(g)Subsidiaries. Schedule 2.1(g) hereto sets forth each Subsidiary of the Company, showing the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and showing the percentage of each person’s ownership of the outstanding stock or other interests of such Subsidiary. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation or other entity of which at least 50% of the securities or other ownership interest having ordinary voting power (absolutely or contingently) for the election of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time owned directly or indirectly by the Company and/or any of its other Subsidiaries. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable. There are no outstanding preemptive, conversion or other rights, options, warrants or agreements granted or issued by or binding upon any Subsidiary for the purchase or acquisition of any shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary or any other securities convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the rights to subscribe for any shares of such capital stock. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of the capital stock of any Subsidiary or any convertible securities, rights, warrants or options of the type described in the preceding sentence except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(g) hereto. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is party to, nor has any knowledge of, any agreement restricting the voting or transfer of any shares of the capital stock of any Subsidiary.

(h)No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2004, the Company has not experienced or suffered any Material Adverse Effect, except as disclosed on Schedule 2.1(h) hereto.

(i)No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as disclosed on Schedule 2.1(i) hereto, since December 31, 2004, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities, obligations, claims or losses (whether liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries respective businesses or which, individually or in the aggregate, are not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2004, except as disclosed in Commission Documents, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has participated in any transaction material to the condition of the Company which is outside of the ordinary course of its business.

(j)No Undisclosed Events or Circumstances. Since December 31, 2004, except as disclosed on Schedule 2.1(j) hereto, no event or circumstance has occurred or exists with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, properties, operations or financial condition, which, under applicable law, rule or regulation, requires public disclosure or announcement by the Company but which has not been so publicly announced or disclosed.

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(k)Indebtedness. Schedule 2.1(k) hereto sets forth as of the date hereof all outstanding secured and unsecured Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary, or for which the Company or any Subsidiary has commitments. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Indebtedness” shall mean (a) any liabilities for borrowed money or amounts owed in excess of $100,000 (other than trade accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (b) all guaranties, endorsements and other contingent obligations in respect of liabilities for borrowed money of others in excess of $100,000, whether or not the same are or should be reflected in the Company’s balance sheet (or the notes thereto), except guaranties by endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the present value of any lease payments in excess of $25,000 due under leases required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary is in default with respect to any Indebtedness.

(l)Title to Assets. Each of the Company and the Subsidiaries has good and valid title to all of its real and personal property reflected in the Commission Documents, free and clear of any mortgages, pledges, charges, liens, security interests or other encumbrances, except for those indicated on Schedule 2.1(l) hereto or such that, individually or in the aggregate, do not cause a Material Adverse Effect. All said leases of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting and in full force and effect.

(m)Actions Pending. There is no action, suit, claim, investigation, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution proceeding or other proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary which questions the validity of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or thereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(m) hereto, there is no action, suit, claim, investigation, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution proceeding or other proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets, which individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There are no outstanding orders, judgments, injunctions, awards or decrees of any court, arbitrator or governmental or regulatory body against the Company or any Subsidiary or any officers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary in their capacities as such, which individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(n)Compliance with Law. The business of the Company and the Subsidiaries has been and is presently being conducted in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local governmental laws, rules, regulations and ordinances, except as set forth in the Commission Documents or on Schedule 2.1(n) hereto or such that, individually or in the aggregate, the noncompliance therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have all franchises, permits, licenses, consents and other governmental or regulatory authorizations and approvals necessary for the conduct of its business as now being conducted by it unless the failure to possess such franchises, permits, licenses, consents and other governmental or regulatory authorizations and approvals, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

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(o)Taxes. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(o) hereto, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries has accurately prepared and filed all federal, state and other tax returns required by law to be filed by it, has paid all taxes shown to be due and all additional assessments, and adequate provisions have been and are reflected in the financial statements of the Company and the Subsidiaries for all current taxes and other charges to which the Company or any Subsidiary is subject and which are not currently due and payable. Except as disclosed on Schedule 2.1(o) hereto, none of the federal income tax returns of the Company or any Subsidiary has been audited by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company has no knowledge of any additional assessments, adjustments or contingent tax liability (whether federal or state) of any nature whatsoever, whether pending or threatened against the Company or any Subsidiary for any period, nor of any basis for any such assessment, adjustment or contingency.

(p)Certain Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(p) hereto, the Company has not employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage or investment banking fees, commissions, finders’ structuring fees, financial advisory fees or other similar fees in connection with the Transaction Documents.

(q)Disclosure. Neither this Agreement or the Schedules hereto nor any other documents, certificates or instruments furnished to the Purchasers by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made herein or therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made herein or therein, not misleading.

(r)Operation of Business. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(r) hereto, the Company and each of the Subsidiaries owns or possesses the rights to use all patents, trademarks, domain names (whether or not registered) and any patentable improvements or copyrightable derivative works thereof, websites and intellectual property rights relating thereto, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses and authorizations which are necessary for the conduct of its business as now conducted without any conflict or infringement with the rights of others.

(s)Environmental Compliance. Except as disclosed on Schedule 2.1(s) hereto, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have obtained all material approvals, authorization, certificates, consents, licenses, orders and permits or other similar authorizations of all governmental authorities, or from any other person, that are required under any Environmental Laws. “Environmental Laws” shall mean all applicable laws relating to the protection of the environment including, without limitation, all requirements pertaining to reporting, licensing, permitting, controlling, investigating or remediating emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, chemical substances, pollutants, contaminants or toxic substances, materials or wastes, whether solid, liquid or gaseous in nature, into the air, surface water, groundwater or land, or relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of hazardous substances, chemical substances, pollutants, contaminants or toxic substances, material or wastes, whether solid, liquid or gaseous in nature. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(s) hereto, the Company has all necessary governmental approvals required under all Environmental Laws and used in its

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business or in the business of any of its Subsidiaries, except for such instances as would not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are also in compliance with all other limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, requirements, schedules and timetables required or imposed under all Environmental Laws. Except for such instances as would not individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, there are no past or present events, conditions, circumstances, incidents, actions or omissions relating to or in any way affecting the Company or its Subsidiaries that violate or would be reasonably likely to violate any Environmental Law after the Closing or that would be reasonably likely to give rise to any environmental liability, or otherwise form the basis of any claim, action, demand, suit, proceeding, hearing, study or investigation (i) under any Environmental Law or (ii) based on or related to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage (including, without limitation, underground storage tanks), disposal, transport or handling, or the emission, discharge, release or threatened release of any hazardous substance.

(t)Books and Records; Internal Accounting Controls. The records and documents of the Company and its Subsidiaries accurately reflect in all material respects the information relating to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the location and collection of their assets, and the nature of all transactions giving rise to the obligations or accounts receivable of the Company or any Subsidiary. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate actions are taken with respect to any differences and (v) accounts, notes and other receivables and inventory are recorded accurately, and proper and adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a current and timely basis. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(t) hereto, there are no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information, and there is no fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or, to the knowledge of the Company, other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls and the Company has provided to the Purchaser copies of any written materials relating to the foregoing.

(u)Material Agreements. Except for the Transaction Documents (with respect to clause (i) only) or as set forth on Schedule 2.1(u) hereto, or as would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have performed all obligations required to be performed by them to date under any written or oral contract, instrument, agreement, commitment, obligation, plan or arrangement, filed or required to be filed with the Commission (the “Material Agreements”), (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of default under any Material Agreement and, (iii) to the best of the Company’s knowledge, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any Material Agreement.

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(v)Transactions with Affiliates. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(v) hereto, there are no loans, leases, agreements, contracts, royalty agreements, management contracts or arrangements or other continuing transactions between (i) the Company, any Subsidiary or any of their respective customers or suppliers on the one hand, and (ii) on the other hand, any officer, employee, consultant or director of the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person owning any capital stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or any member of the immediate family of such officer, employee, consultant, director or stockholder or any corporation or other entity controlled by such officer, employee, consultant, director or stockholder, or a member of the immediate family of such officer, employee, consultant, director or stockholder which, in each case, is required to be disclosed in the Commission Documents or in the Company’s most recently filed definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, that is not so disclosed in the Commission Documents or in such proxy statement.

(w)Securities Act. Based in material part upon the representations and warranties of the Purchasers contained in Section 2.2 hereof, the Company has complied and will comply with all applicable federal and state securities laws in connection with the offer, issuance and sale of the Units hereunder. Neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf, directly or indirectly, has or will sell, offer to sell or solicit offers to buy any of the Units or similar securities to, or solicit offers with respect thereto from, or enter into any negotiations relating thereto with, any person, or has taken or will take any action so as to bring the issuance and sale of any of the Units under the registration provisions of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, and neither the Company nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with the offer or sale of any of the Units.

(x)Governmental Approvals. Except for the filing of any notice prior or subsequent to the Closing that may be required under applicable state and/or federal securities laws (which if required, shall be filed on a timely basis), no authorization, consent, approval, license, exemption of, filing or registration with any court or governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, is or will be necessary for, or in connection with, the execution or delivery of the Securities, or for the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Transaction Documents.

(y)Employees; Labor Relations. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any collective bargaining arrangements or agreements covering any of its employees, except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(y) hereto. Except as set forth on Schedule 2.1(y) hereto, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any employment contract, agreement regarding proprietary information, non-competition agreement, non-solicitation agreement, confidentiality agreement, or any other similar contract or restrictive covenant, relating to the right of any officer, employee or consultant to be employed or engaged by the Company or such Subsidiary required to be disclosed in the Commission Documents that is not so disclosed. Since December 31, 2004, no officer, consultant or key employee of the Company or any Subsidiary whose termination, either individually or in the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, has terminated or, to the knowledge of the Company, has any present intention of terminating his or her employment or engagement with the Company or any Subsidiary. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice, (ii) there is no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or contract.

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(z)Absence of Certain Developments. Except as provided on Schedule 2.1(z) hereto, since December 31, 2004, neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has:

(i)issued any stock, bonds or other corporate securities or any right, options or warrants with respect thereto;

(ii)borrowed any amount in excess of $100,000 or incurred or become subject to any other liabilities in excess of $100,000 (absolute or contingent) except current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business which are comparable in nature and amount to the current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business during the comparable portion of its prior fiscal year, as adjusted to reflect the current nature and volume of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(iii)discharged or satisfied any lien or encumbrance in excess of $100,000 or paid any obligation or liability (absolute or contingent) in excess of $100,000, other than current liabilities paid in the ordinary course of business;

(iv)declared or made any payment or distribution of cash or other property to stockholders with respect to its stock, or purchased or redeemed, or made any agreements so to purchase or redeem, any shares of its capital stock, in each case in excess of $50,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate;

(v)sold, assigned or transferred any other tangible assets, or canceled any debts or claims, in each case in excess of $100,000, except in the ordinary course of business;

(vi)sold, assigned or transferred any patent rights, trademarks, trade names, copyrights, trade secrets or other intangible assets or intellectual property rights in excess of $100,000, or disclosed any proprietary confidential information to any person except to customers in the ordinary course of business or to the Purchasers or their representatives;

(vii)suffered any material losses or waived any rights of material value, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, or suffered the loss of any material amount of prospective business;

(viii)made any changes in employee compensation except in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices;

(ix)made capital expenditures or commitments therefor that aggregate in excess of $100,000;

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(x)entered into any material transaction, whether or not in the ordinary course of business;

(xi) made charitable contributions or pledges in excess of $10,000;

(xii)suffered any material damage, destruction or casualty loss, whether or not covered by insurance;

(xiii)experienced any material problems with labor or management in connection with the terms and conditions of their employment; or

(xiv)entered into an agreement, written or otherwise, to take any of the foregoing actions.

(aa)Public Utility Holding Company Act and Investment Company Act Status. The Company is not a “holding company” or a “public utility company” as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. The Company is not, and as a result of and immediately upon the Closing will not be, an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(bb)ERISA. No liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has been incurred with respect to any Plan by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which is or would be materially adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the issuance and sale of the Units will not involve any transaction which is subject to the prohibitions of Section 406 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provided that, if any of the Purchasers, or any person or entity that owns a beneficial interest in any of the Purchasers, is an “employee pension benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA) with respect to which the Company is a “party in interest” (within the meaning of Section 3(14) of ERISA), the requirements of Sections 407(d)(5) and 408(e) of ERISA, if applicable, are met. As used in this Section 2.1(bb), the term “Plan” shall mean an “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3 of ERISA) which is or has been established or maintained, or to which contributions are or have been made, by the Company or any Subsidiary or by any trade or business, whether or not incorporated, which, together with the Company or any Subsidiary, is under common control, as described in Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code.

(cc)Anti-takeover Device. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any outstanding shareholder rights plan or “poison pill” or any similar arrangement. There are no provisions of any anti-takeover or business combination statute applicable to the Company, the Articles and the Bylaws which would preclude the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents.

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(dd)Independent Nature of Purchasers. The Company acknowledges that the obligations of each Purchaser under the Transaction Documents are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under the Transaction Documents and the Company shall not be excused from performance of its obligations to any Purchaser under the Transaction Documents as a result of nonperformance or breach by any other Purchaser. The Company acknowledges that the decision of each Purchaser to purchase Units pursuant to this Agreement has been made by such Purchaser independently of any other purchaser and independently of any information, materials, statements or opinions as to the business, affairs, operations, assets, properties, liabilities, results of operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Company or of its Subsidiaries which may have made or given by any other Purchaser or by any agent or employee of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser or any of its agents or employees shall have any liability to any Purchaser (or any other person) relating to or arising from any such information, materials, statements or opinions. The Company acknowledges that nothing contained herein, or in any Transaction Document, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company acknowledges that each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of the other Transaction Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose. The Company acknowledges that for reasons of administrative convenience only, the Transaction Documents have been prepared by counsel for one of the Purchasers and such counsel does not represent all of the Purchasers but only such Purchaser and the other Purchasers have retained their own individual counsel with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby. The Company acknowledges that it has elected to provide all Purchasers with the same terms and Transaction Documents for the convenience of the Company and not because it was required or requested to do so by the Purchasers. The Company acknowledges that such procedure with respect to the Transaction Documents in no way creates a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(ee)No Integrated Offering. Neither the Company, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has directly or indirectly made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to buy any security under circumstances that would cause the offering of the Units pursuant to this Agreement to be integrated with prior offerings by the Company for purposes of the Securities Act which would prevent the Company from selling the Units pursuant to Regulation D and Rule 506 thereof under the Securities Act, or any applicable exchange-related stockholder approval provisions, nor will the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries take any action or steps that would cause the offering of the Units to be integrated with other offerings if such other offering, if integrated, would cause the offer and sale of the Units not to be exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation D and Rule 506 thereof under the Securities Act. The Company does not have any registration statement pending before the Commission or currently under the Commission’s review and, except as disclosed in Schedule 2.1(z), since August 31, 2005, the Company has not offered or sold any of its equity securities or debt securities convertible into shares of Common Stock.

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(ff)Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The Company is in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, that are effective and for which compliance by the Company is required as of the date hereof and intends to comply with other applicable provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, upon the effectiveness of such provisions or the date by which compliance therewith by the Company is required.

Section 2.2Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers. Each of the Purchasers hereby represents and warrants to the Company with respect solely to itself and not with respect to any other Purchaser as follows as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date:

(a)Organization and Standing of the Purchasers. If the Purchaser is an entity, such Purchaser is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization.

(b)Authorization and Power. Such Purchaser has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform the Transaction Documents and to purchase the Units being sold to it hereunder. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by such Purchaser and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership or other action, and no further consent or authorization of such Purchaser or its Board of Directors, stockholders, partners or members, as the case may be, is required. When executed and delivered by the Purchasers, the other Transaction Documents shall constitute valid and binding obligations of such Purchaser enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor’s rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application.

(c)No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by such Purchaser and the consummation by such Purchaser of the transactions contemplated thereby and hereby do not and will not (i) violate any provision of such Purchaser’s charter or organizational documents, (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, note, bond, license, lease agreement, instrument or obligation to which such Purchaser is a party or by which such Purchaser’s respective properties or assets are bound, or (iii) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations) applicable to such Purchaser or by which any property or asset of such Purchaser are bound or affected, except, in all cases, other than violations pursuant to clauses (i) or (iii) (with respect to federal and state securities laws) above, for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations and violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, materially and adversely affect such Purchaser’s ability to perform its obligations under the Transaction Documents.

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(d)Acquisition for Investment. Such Purchaser is purchasing the Securities solely for its own account and not with a view to or for sale in connection with distribution. Such Purchaser does not have a present intention to sell any of the Securities nor a present arrangement (whether or not legally binding) or intention to effect any distribution of any of the Securities, to or through any person or entity; provided, however, that by making the representations herein, such Purchaser does not agree to hold the Securities for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Securities at any time in accordance with federal and state securities laws applicable to such disposition. Such Purchaser acknowledges that it (i) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters such that Purchaser is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of Purchaser’s investment in the Company, (ii) is able to bear the financial risks associated with an investment in the Securities and (iii) has been given full access to such records of the Company and the Subsidiaries and to the officers of the Company and the Subsidiaries as it has deemed necessary or appropriate to conduct its due diligence investigation.

(e)Rule 144. Such Purchaser understands that the Securities must be held indefinitely unless such Securities are registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from registration is available. Such Purchaser acknowledges that such person is familiar with Rule 144 of the rules and regulations of the Commission, as amended, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), and that such Purchaser has been advised that Rule 144 permits resales only under certain circumstances. Such Purchaser understands that to the extent that Rule 144 is not available, such Purchaser will be unable to sell any Securities without either registration under the Securities Act or the existence of another exemption from such registration requirement.

(f)General. Such Purchaser understands that the Securities are being offered and sold in reliance on a transactional exemption from the registration requirements of federal and state securities laws and the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of such Purchaser set forth herein in order to determine the applicability of such exemptions and the suitability of such Purchaser to acquire the Securities. Such Purchaser understands that no United States federal or state agency or any government or governmental agency has passed upon or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Securities.

(g)No General Solicitation. Such Purchaser acknowledges that the Securities were not offered to such Purchaser by means of any form of general or public solicitation or general advertising, or publicly disseminated advertisements or sales literature, including (i) any advertisement, article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media, or broadcast over television or radio, or (ii) any seminar or meeting to which such Purchaser was invited by any of the foregoing means of communications. Such Purchaser, in making the decision to purchase the Securities, has relied upon independent investigation made by it and the representations, warranties and agreements set forth in the Transaction Documents and has not relied on any information or representations made by third parties.

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(h)Accredited Investor. Such Purchaser is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D), and such Purchaser has such experience in business and financial matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Securities. Such Purchaser is not required to be registered as a broker-dealer under Section 15 of the Exchange Act and such Purchaser is not a broker-dealer. Such Purchaser acknowledges that an investment in the Securities is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Such Purchaser has completed or caused to be completed the Investor Questionnaire Certification attached hereto as Exhibit E certifying as to its status as an “accredited investor” and understands that the Company is relying upon the truth and accuracy of such information set forth therein to determine the suitability of such Purchaser to acquire the Securities.

(i)Certain Fees. The Purchasers have not employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage or investment banking fees, commissions, finders’ structuring fees, financial advisory fees or other similar fees in connection with the Transaction Documents.

(j)Independent Investment. No Purchaser has agreed to act with any other Purchaser for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of the Securities purchased hereunder for purposes of Section 13(d) under the Exchange Act, and each Purchaser is acting independently with respect to its investment in the Securities.

(k)Short Sales. Each Purchaser covenants that neither it nor any affiliates acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it will execute any Short Sales (as defined below) during the period after the date that such Purchaser first received a term sheet from the Company or any other person or entity setting forth the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereunder until the date that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are first publicly announced as described in Section 3.10. For purposes hereof, “Short Sales” shall include all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act.

ARTICLE III

COVENANTS

The Company covenants with each Purchaser as follows, which covenants are for the benefit of each Purchaser and their respective permitted assignees.

Section 3.1Securities Compliance. The Company shall notify the Commission in accordance with its rules and regulations, of the transactions contemplated by any of the Transaction Documents and shall take all other necessary action and proceedings as may be required and permitted by applicable law, rule and regulation, for the legal and valid issuance of the Shares to the Purchasers, or their respective subsequent holders.

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Section 3.2Registration and Listing. The Company shall cause its Common Stock to continue to be registered under Sections 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, to comply in all respects with its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act, to comply with all requirements related to any registration statement filed pursuant to this Agreement, and to not take any action or file any document (whether or not permitted by the Securities Act or the rules promulgated thereunder) to terminate or suspend such registration or to terminate or suspend its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act or Securities Act, except as permitted herein. The Company will take all action necessary to continue the listing or trading of its Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange (“AMEX”) or any successor market. Subject to the terms of the Transaction Documents, the Company further covenants that it will take such further action as the Purchasers may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable the Purchasers to sell the Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. Upon the request of the Purchasers, the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

Section 3.3Inspection Rights. The Company shall permit, during normal business hours and upon reasonable request and reasonable notice, each Purchaser or any employees, agents or representatives thereof, so long as such Purchaser shall be obligated hereunder to purchase the Units or shall beneficially own any Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, for purposes reasonably related to such Purchaser’s interests as a stockholder to examine and make reasonable copies of the records and books of account of, and visit and inspect the properties, assets, operations and business of the Company and any Subsidiary, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company and any Subsidiary with any of its officers, consultants, directors, and key employees.

Section 3.4Compliance with Laws. The Company shall comply, and shall cause each Subsidiary to comply, with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, noncompliance with which would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 3.5Keeping of Records and Books of Account. The Company shall keep and shall cause each Subsidiary to keep adequate records and books of account, in which complete entries will be made in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, reflecting all financial transactions of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

Section 3.6Reporting Requirements. If the Company ceases to file its periodic reports with the Commission, or if the Commission ceases making these periodic reports available via the Internet without charge, then the Company shall, promptly after filing with the Commission, furnish the following to each Purchaser so long as such Purchaser shall be obligated hereunder to purchase the Units or shall beneficially own Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares:

(a) Quarterly Reports filed with the Commission on Form 10-Q;

(b) Annual Reports filed with the Commission on Form 10-K; and

(c)Copies of all notices, information and proxy statements in connection with any meetings, that are, in each case, provided to holders of shares of Common Stock, contemporaneously with the delivery of such notices or information to such holders of Common Stock.

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Section 3.7Other Agreements. The Company shall not enter into any agreement in which the terms of such agreement would restrict or impair the right or ability of the Company or any Subsidiary to perform its obligations under any Transaction Document.

Section 3.8Use of Proceeds. The net proceeds from the sale of the Units will be used by the Company only for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Section 3.9Reporting Status. So long as a Purchaser beneficially owns any of the Securities, the Company shall timely file all reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, and the Company shall not terminate its status as an issuer required to file reports under the Exchange Act even if the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder would permit such termination.

Section 3.10Disclosure of Transaction. The Company shall issue a press release describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Press Release”) as soon as practicable after the Closing but in no event later than twenty-four hours after the Closing; provided, however, that if the Closing occurs after 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time on any Trading Day, the Company shall issue the Press Release no later than 9:00 A.M. Eastern Time on the first Trading Day following the Closing Date. The Company shall also file with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Form 8-K”) describing the material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby (and attaching as exhibits thereto this Agreement, the Certificate of Designation of the Preferred Stock as attached hereto as Exhibit B, the Form of Warrant as attached hereto as Exhibit C and the Escrow Agreement) as soon as practicable following such Closing Date but in no event more than two (2) Trading Days following such Closing Date, which Press Release and Form 8-K shall be subject to prior review and comment by the Purchasers. “Trading Day” means any day during which AMEX (or other principal exchange on which the Common Stock is traded) shall be open for trading.

Section 3.11Disclosure of Material Information. The Company covenants and agrees that neither it nor any other person acting on its behalf has provided or will provide any Purchaser or its agents or counsel with any information that the Company believes constitutes material non-public information, unless prior thereto such Purchaser shall have executed a written agreement regarding the confidentiality and use of such information. The Company understands and confirms that each Purchaser shall be relying on the foregoing representations in effecting transactions in securities of the Company.

Section 3.12Form D. The Company agrees to file a Form D with respect to the Units as required by Rule 506 under Regulation D and to provide a copy thereof to the Purchasers promptly after such filing.

Section 3.13No Integrated Offerings. The Company shall not make any offers or sales of any security (other than the Units being offered or sold hereunder) under circumstances that would require registration of the Units being offered or sold hereunder under the Securities Act.

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Section 3.14Pledge of Securities. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Securities may be pledged by a Purchaser in connection with a bonafide margin agreement or other loan or financing arrangement that is secured by the Securities. The pledge of the Securities shall not be deemed to be a transfer, sale or assignment of the Securities hereunder, and no Purchaser effecting a pledge of the Securities shall be required to provide the Company with any notice thereof or otherwise make any delivery to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or any other Transaction Document; provided that a Purchaser and its pledgee shall be required to comply with the provisions of Article VI hereof in order to effect a sale, transfer or assignment of the Securities to such pledgee. At the Purchasers’ expense, the Company hereby agrees to execute and deliver such documentation as a pledgee of the Securities may reasonably request in connection with a pledge of the Securities to such pledgee by a Purchaser.

Section 3.15Additional Listing of Conversion Shares and Warrant Shares. Promptly after Closing the Company shall file an additional listing application for the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares to be listed on AMEX and provide a copy thereof to the Purchasers promptly after such filing. Upon AMEX providing the Company notice approving the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares for listing on AMEX the Company shall promptly provide a copy of such notice to the Purchasers.

Section 3.16Delivery of Shares and Warrants. Within five (5) business days after the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to the Purchasers certificates representing the Shares and Warrants being acquired by the Purchasers at the Closing.

ARTICLE IV

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Section 4.1Piggyback Registration. The Company agrees that if, at any time, and from time to time, after the Closing, the Board of Directors of the Company shall authorize the filing of a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act (other than on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or their then equivalent forms relating to equity securities to be issued solely in connection with an acquisition of any entity or business or equity securities issuable in connection with employee benefit plans) in connection with the proposed offer of any of its securities by it or any of its stockholders, the Company shall: (i) promptly notify the Purchaser that the Registration Statement will be filed and that the Conversion Shares and the Warrant Shares (the “Registrable Securities”) then held by the Purchaser will be included in the Registration Statement; and (ii) cause the Registration statement to cover the resale of all of the Registrable Securities.

Section 4.2Registration Procedures. Whenever required under this Article IV to include Registrable Securities in a Registration Statement, the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:

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(a)Use its best efforts to (i) cause the Registration Statement to become effective, and (ii) cause the Registration Statement to remain effective until the earliest to occur of (A) such date as the sellers of Registrable Securities (the “Selling Shareholders”) have completed the distribution described in the Registration Statement and (B) such time that all of the Registrable Securities are no longer, by reason of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act, required to be registered for the sale thereof by such Selling Shareholders. The Company will also use its best efforts to, during the period that the Registration Statement is required to be maintained hereunder, file such post-effective amendments and supplements thereto as may be required by the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder or otherwise to ensure that the Registration Statement does not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; provided, however, that if applicable rules under the Securities Act governing the obligation to file a post-effective amendment permits, in lieu of filing a post-effective amendment that (i) includes any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act or (ii) reflects facts or events representing a material or fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement, the Company may incorporate by reference information required to be included in (i) and (ii) above to the extent such information is contained in periodic reports filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act in the Registration Statement.

(b)Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement, and the prospectus used in connection with the Registration Statement, as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by the Registration Statement.

(c)Furnish to the Selling Shareholders such numbers of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus as amended or supplemented from time to time, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as they may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities owned by them.

(d)Use best efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by the Registration Statement under such other federal or state securities laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Selling Shareholders.

(e)In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing underwriter of such offering. Each Selling Shareholder participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under such an agreement.

(f)Notify each Selling Shareholder at any time (i) when the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment and supplement thereto has become effective; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or the initiation of proceedings for that purpose (in which event the Company shall make every effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending effectiveness of the Registration Statement at the earliest possible time or prevent the entry thereof); (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the

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initiation of any proceeding for such purpose; and (iv) of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in the Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing.

(g)Cooperate with the Selling Shareholders and the managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates will not bear any restrictive legends; and enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriters, if any, shall request at least two business days prior to any sale of the Registrable Securities to the underwriters.

(h)In connection with an underwritten offering, cause the officers of the Company to provide reasonable assistance in the preparation of any “road show” presentation to potential investors as the managing underwriter may determine.

(i)Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and make generally available to its security holders earning statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 50 calendar days after the end of any 3-month period (or 105 calendar days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Registrable Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts underwritten offering, and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the Company, after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements shall cover said period.

(j)If the offering is underwritten and at the request of any Selling Shareholder, use its best efforts to furnish on the date that Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale pursuant to such registration: (i) opinions dated such date of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, addressed to the underwriters and the transfer agent for the Registrable Securities so delivered, respectively, to the effect that such Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act and such Registrable Securities are freely tradable, and covering such other matters as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel delivered to underwriters and transfer agents in underwritten public offerings and (ii) a letter dated such date from the independent public accountants who have certified the financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement or the prospectus, covering such matters as are customarily covered in accountants’ letters delivered to underwriters in underwritten public offerings.

Section 4.3Furnish Information. It shall be a condition precedent to the obligation of the Company to take any action pursuant to this Article IV with respect to the Registrable Securities of any Selling Shareholder that such Selling Shareholder shall furnish to the Company such information regarding the Selling Shareholder, the Registrable Securities held by the Selling Shareholder, and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be reasonably required by the Company to effect the registration of such Selling Shareholder’s Registrable Securities.

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Section 4.4Registration Expenses. The Company shall bear and pay all Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration, filing or qualification of Registrable Securities with respect to registrations pursuant to Section 4.1 for each Purchaser, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions relating to Registrable Securities and excluding any professional fees or costs of accounting, financial or legal advisors to any of the Purchasers.

Section 4.5Underwriting Requirements. In connection with any offering involving an underwriting of shares of the Company’s capital stock, the Company shall not be required under Section 4.1 to include any of the Purchaser’s Registrable Securities in such underwriting unless the Purchaser accepts the terms of the underwriting as agreed upon between the Company and the underwriters selected by it (or by other persons entitled to select the underwriters), and then only in such quantity as the underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize the success of the offering by the Company. If the total amount of securities, including Registrable Securities, requested by stockholders to be included in such offering exceeds the amount of securities sold other than by the Company that the underwriters determine in their sole discretion is compatible with the success of the offering, then the Company shall be required to include in the offering only that number of such securities, including Registrable Securities, which the underwriters determine in their sole discretion will not jeopardize the success of the offering (the securities so included to be apportioned pro rata among the selling shareholders according to the total amount of securities entitled to be included therein owned by each selling shareholder or in such other proportions as shall mutually be agreed to by such selling shareholders). For purposes of the preceding parenthetical concerning apportionment, for any selling shareholder who is a holder of Registrable Securities and is a partnership or corporation, the partners, retired partners and shareholders of such holder, or the estates and family members of any such partners and retired partners and any trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing persons shall be deemed to be a single “selling shareholder,” and any pro-rata reduction with respect to such “selling shareholder” shall be based upon the aggregate amount of shares carrying registration rights owned by all entities and individuals included in such “selling shareholder,” as defined in this sentence.

Section 4.6Delay of Registration. No Purchaser shall have any right to obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any Registration Statement as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Article.

Section 4.7Indemnification. In the event that any Registrable Securities are included in a Registration Statement under this Article IV:

(a)To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Purchaser and each person, if any, who controls such Purchaser or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or

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several) to which they may become subject under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a “Violation”): (i) any untrue statement of a material fact contained in such Registration Statement, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto, (ii) the omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, and the Company will pay to each such Purchaser, underwriter or controlling person, as incurred, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 4.7(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), nor shall the Company be liable in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection with such registration by any such Purchaser, underwriter or controlling person.

(b)To the extent permitted by law, each Purchaser will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, each of its officers, each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, any underwriter, any other Purchaser selling securities in such Registration Statement and any controlling person of any such underwriter or other Purchaser, against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which any of the foregoing persons may become subject, under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any Violation, in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by such Purchaser expressly for use in connection with such registration; and each such Purchaser will pay, as incurred, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any person intended to be indemnified pursuant to this Section 4.7(b), in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability, or action; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 4.7(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided, further, that, in no event shall any indemnity under this Section 4.7(b) exceed the greater of the cash value of the (i) gross proceeds from the sale of Securities received by such Purchaser or (ii) the portion of the Purchase Price of such Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement as set forth in Exhibit A hereto.

(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing and the indemnification procedures pursuant to Article VII, to the extent that the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in an underwriting agreement entered into in connection with an underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in such underwriting agreement shall control.

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Section 4.8Permitted Transferees. The rights to cause the Company to register Registrable Securities granted to the Purchasers by the Company under this Article IV may be assigned in full by a Purchaser in connection with a transfer by such Purchaser of its Registrable Securities if: (a) such Purchaser gives prior written notice to the Company; (b) such transferee agrees to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement; (c) such transfer is otherwise in compliance with this Agreement; and (d) such transfer is otherwise effected in accordance with applicable securities laws. Except as specifically permitted by this Section 4.8, the rights of a Purchaser with respect to Registrable Securities as set out herein shall not be transferable to any other Person, and any attempted transfer shall cause all rights of such Purchaser therein to be forfeited.

Section 4.9Termination of Registration Rights. The right of any Purchaser to request inclusion in any registration pursuant to Section 4.1 shall terminate if all shares of Registrable Securities held by such Purchaser may immediately be sold under Rule 144(k).

ARTICLE V

CONDITIONS

Section 5.1Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Company to Close and to Sell the Units. The obligation hereunder of the Company to close and issue and sell the Units to the Purchasers on the Closing Date is subject to the satisfaction or waiver, at or before the Closing of the conditions set forth below. These conditions are for the Company’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole discretion.

(a)Accuracy of the Purchasers’ Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of each Purchaser shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though made at that time, except for representations and warranties that are expressly made as of a particular date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date.

(b)Performance by the Purchasers. Each Purchaser shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by such Purchaser at or prior to the Closing Date.

(c)No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(d)Delivery of Purchase Price. The Purchasers shall have delivered to the Company the Purchase Price for the Units to be purchased by each Purchaser.

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(e)Delivery of Transaction Documents. The Transaction Documents to which the Purchasers are a party shall have been duly executed by the Purchasers and delivered to the Company.

(f)Escrow Agreement. The Escrow Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by the Purchasers and the escrow agent to the Company.

Section 5.2Conditions Precedent to the Obligation of the Purchasers to Close and to Purchase the Units. The obligation hereunder of each Purchaser to purchase the Units and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction or waiver, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the conditions set forth below. These conditions are for the Purchaser’s sole benefit and may be waived by the Purchaser at any time in its sole discretion.

(a)Accuracy of the Company’s Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though made at that time, except for representations and warranties that are expressly made as of a particular date, which shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date.

(b)Performance by the Company. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the Closing Date.

(c)No Suspension, Etc. Trading in the Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the Commission or AMEX (except for any suspension of trading of limited duration agreed to by the Company, which suspension shall be terminated prior to the Closing), and, at any time prior to the Closing Date, trading in securities generally as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets (“Bloomberg”) shall not have been suspended or limited, or minimum prices shall not have been established on securities whose trades are reported by Bloomberg, or on the New York Stock Exchange, nor shall a banking moratorium have been declared either by the United States or New York State authorities.

(d)No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(e)No Proceedings or Litigation. No action, suit or proceeding before any arbitrator or any governmental authority shall have been commenced, and no investigation by any governmental authority shall have been threatened, against the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of the officers, directors or affiliates of the Company or any Subsidiary seeking to restrain, prevent or change the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or seeking damages in connection with such transactions.

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(f)Secretary’s Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to the Purchasers a secretary’s certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, as to (i) the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors approving the transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) the Articles, (iii) the Bylaws, each as in effect at the Closing, and (iv) the authority and incumbency of the officers of the Company executing the Transaction Documents and any other documents required to be executed or delivered in connection therewith.

(g)Officer’s Certificate. On the Closing Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Purchasers a certificate signed by an executive officer on behalf of the Company, dated as of such Closing Date, confirming the accuracy of the Company’s representations, warranties and its compliance with covenants as of the Closing Date and confirming the compliance by the Company with the conditions precedent set forth in paragraphs (b)-(e) and (h) of this Section 5.2 as of the Closing Date (provided that, with respect to the matters in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this Section 5.2 and such confirmation shall be based on the knowledge of the executive officer after due inquiry).

(h)Material Adverse Effect. No Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred at or before the Closing Date.

(i)Deliver of Agreements. As of the Closing Date, the Company shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to the Purchasers and the Company and the escrow agent shall have executed and delivered the Escrow Agreement to the Purchasers.

ARTICLE VI

CERTIFICATE LEGEND

Section 6.1Legend. Each certificate representing the Securities shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend substantially in the following form (in addition to any legend required by applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws):

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE (THE “SECURITIES”) HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR EMPIRE FINANCIAL HOLDING COMPANY SHALL HAVE RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL THAT REGISTRATION OF SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS IS NOT REQUIRED.

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The Company agrees to reissue certificates representing any of the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, without the legend set forth above if at such time, prior to making any transfer of any such Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, such holder thereof shall give written notice to the Company describing the manner and terms of such transfer and removal as the Company may reasonably request. Such proposed transfer and removal will not be effected until: (a) either (i) the Company has received an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that the registration of the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares under the Securities Act is not required in connection with such proposed transfer, (ii) a Registration Statement under the Securities Act covering such proposed disposition has been filed by the Company with the Commission and has become and remains effective under the Securities Act, (iii) the Company has received other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company that such registration and qualification under the Securities Act and state securities laws are not required, or (iv) the holder provides the Company with reasonable assurances that such security can be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act; and (b) either (i) the Company has received an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to the effect that registration or qualification under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any state is not required in connection with such proposed disposition, or (ii) compliance with applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws has been effected or a valid exemption exists with respect thereto. The Company will respond to any such notice from a holder within five (5) business days. In the case of any proposed transfer under this Section 6.1, the Company will use reasonable efforts to comply with any such applicable state securities or “blue sky” laws, but shall in no event be required, (x) to qualify to do business in any state where it is not then qualified, or (y) to take any action that would subject it to tax or to the general service of process in any state where it is not then subject. The restrictions on transfer contained in this Section 6.1 shall be in addition to, and not by way of limitation of, any other restrictions on transfer contained in any other section of this Agreement. Whenever a certificate representing the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares is required to be issued to a Purchaser without a legend, in lieu of delivering physical certificates representing the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares, provided the Company’s transfer agent is participating in the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer program, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its transfer agent to electronically transmit the Conversion Shares or Warrant Shares to a Purchaser by crediting the account of such Purchaser’s Prime Broker with DTC through its Deposit Withdrawal Agent Commission system (to the extent not inconsistent with any provisions of this Agreement).

ARTICLE VII

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1General Indemnity. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Purchasers (and their respective directors, officers, affiliates, agents, successors and assigns) from and against any and all losses, liabilities, deficiencies, costs, damages and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, charges and disbursements) incurred by the Purchasers and their directors, officers, affiliates, agents, successors and assigns as a result of any inaccuracy in or breach of the representations, warranties or covenants made by the Company herein. Each Purchaser severally but not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors, officers, affiliates, agents, successors and assigns from and against any and all losses, liabilities, deficiencies, costs, damages and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, charges and disbursements) incurred by the Company and its directors, officers, affiliates, agents, successors and assigns as a direct result of any inaccuracy in or breach of the representations, warranties or covenants made by such Purchaser herein. The maximum aggregate liability of each Purchaser pursuant to its indemnification obligations under this Article VII shall not exceed the portion of the Purchase Price paid by such Purchaser hereunder.

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Section 7.2Indemnification Procedure. Any party entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 4.7 and/or this Article VII (an “indemnified party”) will give written notice to the indemnifying party of any matters giving rise to a claim for indemnification; provided, that the failure of any indemnified party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under Section 4.7 or this Article VII except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action, proceeding or claim is brought against an indemnified party in respect of which indemnification is sought hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, unless in the reasonable judgment of the indemnifying party a conflict of interest between it and the indemnified party exists with respect to such action, proceeding or claim (in which case the indemnifying party shall be responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of one separate counsel for the indemnified parties), to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. In the event that the indemnifying party advises an indemnified party that it will not contest such a claim for indemnification hereunder, or fails, within thirty (30) days of receipt of any indemnification notice to notify, in writing, such person of its election to defend, settle or compromise, at its sole cost and expense, any action, proceeding or claim (or discontinues its defense at any time after it commences such defense), then the indemnified party may, at its option, defend, settle or otherwise compromise or pay such action or claim. In any event, unless and until the indemnifying party elects in writing to assume and does so assume the defense of any such claim, proceeding or action, the indemnified party’s costs and expenses arising out of the defense, settlement or compromise of any such action, claim or proceeding shall be losses subject to indemnification hereunder. The indemnified party shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the indemnified party which relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the indemnified party fully apprised at all times as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. If the indemnifying party elects to defend any such action or claim, then the indemnified party shall be entitled to participate in such defense with counsel of its choice at its sole cost and expense. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Notwithstanding anything in Section 4.7 or this Article VII to the contrary, the indemnifying party shall not, without the indemnified party’s prior written consent, settle or compromise any claim or consent to entry of any judgment in respect thereof which imposes any future obligation on the indemnified party or which does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the giving by the claimant or the plaintiff to the indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect of such claim. The indemnification required by Section 4.7 and this Article VII shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expense, loss, damage or liability is incurred, so long as the indemnified party irrevocably agrees to refund such moneys if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such party was not entitled to indemnification. The indemnity agreements contained herein shall be in addition to (a) any cause of action or similar rights of the indemnified party against the indemnifying party or others, and (b) any liabilities the indemnifying party may be subject to pursuant to the law.

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Section 7.3Indemnification Unavailable. If the indemnification provided for in Section 4.7 and/or this Article VII is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1Fees and Expenses. Each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisors, counsel, accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses, incurred by such party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, provided that the Company shall pay all actual attorneys’ fees and expenses (including disbursements and out-of-pocket expenses) up to a maximum of $15,000 for one counsel to the Purchasers incurred by the Purchasers in connection with (a) the preparation, negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereunder, which payment shall be made at Closing, and (b) any amendments, modifications or waivers of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents. In addition, the Company shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Purchasers in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents, including, without limitation, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses.

Section 8.2 Specific Performance; Consent to Jurisdiction; Venue.

(a)The Company and the Purchasers acknowledge and agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof or thereof, this being in addition to any other remedy to which any of them may be entitled by law or equity.

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(b)The parties agree that venue for any dispute arising under this Agreement will lie exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New York County, New York, and the parties irrevocably waive any right to raise forum non conveniens or any other argument that New York is not the proper venue. The parties irrevocably consent to personal jurisdiction in the state and federal courts of the state of New York. The Company and each Purchaser consent to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this Section 8.2 shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law. The Company and the Purchasers hereby agree that the prevailing party in any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Securities, this Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement, shall be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable legal fees from the non-prevailing party.

Section 8.3Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement and the Transaction Documents contain the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the matters covered hereby and, except as specifically set forth herein or in the other Transaction Documents, neither the Company nor any Purchaser make any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters, and they supersede all prior understandings and agreements with respect to said subject matter, all of which are merged herein. Following the Closing, no provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by a written instrument signed by the Company and the Purchasers holding at least a majority of all Shares then held by the Purchasers. Any amendment or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 8.3 shall be binding upon each Purchaser (and their permitted assigns) and the Company.

Section 8.4Notices. Any notice, demand, request, waiver or other communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective (a) upon hand delivery by telecopy or facsimile at the address or number designated below (if delivered on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur. The addresses for such communications shall be:

If to the Company: Donald A. Wojnowski Jr.

c/o Empire Financial Holding Company

2170 West State Road 434, Suite 100

Longwood, Florida 32779

Tel. No.: (407) 774-1300

Fax No.: (___) ___-____

with copies to: ______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

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Tel. No.: (___) ___-____

Fax No.: (___) ___-____

If to any Purchaser: At the address of such Purchaser set forth on Exhibit A to this Agreement.

with copies to (which shall not constitute notice):

Sichenzia Ross Friedman Ference LLP

1065 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10018

Attention: Marc J. Ross

Tel No.: (212) 930-9700

Fax No.: (212) 930-9725

Any party hereto may from time to time change its address for notices by giving written notice of such changed address to the other parties hereto.

Section 8.5Waivers. No waiver by any party of any default with respect to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any other provision, condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of any party to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such right accruing to it thereafter.

Section 8.6Headings. The article, section and subsection headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose and shall not be deemed to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.

Section 8.7Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and assigns. After the Closing, the assignment by a party to this Agreement of any rights hereunder shall not affect the obligations of such party under this Agreement. Subject to Sections 4.8 and 6.1 hereof, the Purchasers may assign the Securities and its rights under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and any other rights hereto and thereto without the consent of the Company.

Section 8.8No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is intended for the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced by, any other person.

Section 8.9Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any of the conflicts of law principles which would result in the application of the substantive law of another jurisdiction. This Agreement shall not be interpreted or construed with any presumption against the party causing this Agreement to be drafted.

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Section 8.10Survival. The representations and warranties of the Company and the Purchasers shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and the Closing until the third anniversary of the Closing Date except the agreements and covenants set forth in Articles I, III, VI, VII and VIII of this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and the Closing.

Section 8.11Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other parties hereto, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.

Section 8.12Publicity. Except as discussed in the Registration Statement, the Company agrees that it will not disclose, and will not include in any public announcement, the names of the Purchasers without the consent of the Purchasers, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, or unless and until such disclosure is required by law, rule or applicable regulation, and then only to the extent of such requirement.

Section 8.13Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and, in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that any one or more of the provisions or part of the provisions contained in this Agreement shall, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or part of a provision of this Agreement and this Agreement shall be reformed and construed as if such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of such provision, had never been contained herein, so that such provisions would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

Section 8.14Further Assurances. From and after the date of this Agreement, upon the request of the Purchasers or the Company, the Company and each Purchaser shall execute and deliver such instruments, documents and other writings as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to confirm and carry out and to effectuate fully the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date first above written.

EMPIRE FINANCIAL HOLDING COMPANY

By: _____________________________________

Name:

Title:

PURCHASER:

By: _____________________________________

Name:

Title:

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EXHIBIT A

LIST OF PURCHASERS

Names and Addresses	Number of Shares and
of Purchasers	Warrants Purchased

EXHIBIT B

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF

SERIES F 4% CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

EXHIBIT C

FORM OF WARRANT

EXHIBIT D

ESCROW AGREEMENT

EXHIBIT E

INVESTOR QUESTIONNAIRE CERTIFICATION

EMPIRE FINANCIAL HOLDING COMPANY

INVESTOR QUESTIONNAIRE

(ALL INFORMATION WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY)

To: Empire Financial Holding Company

This Investor Questionnaire (“Questionnaire”) must be completed by each potential investor in connection with the offer and sale of the shares of restricted common stock and warrants to purchase shares of common stock of Empire Financial Holding Company (the “Securities”). The Securities are being offered and sold by Empire Financial Holding Company (the “Company”) without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and the securities laws of certain states, in reliance on the exemptions contained in Section 4(2) of the Act and on Regulation D promulgated thereunder and in reliance on similar exemptions under applicable state laws. The Company must determine that a potential investor meets certain suitability requirements before offering or selling Securities to such investor. The purpose of this Questionnaire is to assure the Company that each investor will meet the applicable suitability requirements. The information supplied by you will be used in determining whether you meet such criteria, and reliance upon the private offering exemptions from registration is based in part on the information herein supplied.

This Questionnaire does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Your answers will be kept strictly confidential. However, by signing this Questionnaire, you will be authorizing the Company to provide a completed copy of this Questionnaire to such parties as the Company deems appropriate in order to ensure that the offer and sale of the Securities will not result in a violation of the Act or the securities laws of any state and that you otherwise satisfy the suitability standards applicable to purchasers of the Securities. All potential investors must answer all applicable questions and complete, date and sign this Questionnaire. Please print or type your responses and attach additional sheets of paper if necessary to complete your answers to any item.

A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Name: ________________________________________________________________________

Address of Principal Residence (or Principal Place of Business if investor is an entity):

____________________________________________________________________________

(Number and Street)

____________________________________________________________________________

(City) (State) (Zip Code)

Telephone Number: _____________________________

If an individual:

Age: _______ Citizenship: ____________

If a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity:

Type of entity: __________________________________________________________________

State of formation:______________________ Date of formation: ____________________

Social Security or Taxpayer Identification No._________________________________________

B. STATUS AS ACCREDITED INVESTOR

The undersigned is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D under the Act, and at the time of the offer and sale of the Securities the undersigned falls and will fall within one or more of the following categories ( Please initial one or more, as applicable): ¹

____ (1)              a bank as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Act, or a savings and loan association or other institution as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Act whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity; a broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; an insurance company as defined in Section 2(13) of the Act; an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a business development company as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of that Act; a Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; a plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000; an employee benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, if the investment decision is made by a plan fiduciary, as defined in Section 3(21) of such Act, which is either a bank, savings and loan association, insurance company, or registered investment adviser, or if the employee benefit plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000 or, if a self-directed plan, with the investment decisions made solely by persons that are accredited investors;

____ (2)              a private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940;

____ (3)             an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000;

____ (4)               a natural person whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with that person’s spouse, at the time of such person’s purchase of the Securities exceeds $1,000,000;

____ (5)               a natural person who had an individual income in excess of $200,000 in each of the two most recent years or joint income with that person’s spouse in excess of $300,000 in each of those years and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year;

____ (6)               a trust, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Securities offered, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person as described in Rule 506(b)(2)(ii) of Regulation D; and

____ (7) an entity in which all of the equity owners are accredited investors (as defined above).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Questionnaire this ____ day of __________, 2006, and declares under oath that it is truthful and correct.

__________________________________________

Print Name

By: ______________________________________

Signature

Title: _____________________________________

(required for any purchaser that is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity)

_______________

¹ As used in this Questionnaire, the term “net worth” means the excess of total assets over total liabilities. In computing net worth for the purpose of subsection (4), the principal residence of the investor must be valued at cost, including cost of improvements, or at recently appraised value by an institutional lender making a secured loan, net of encumbrances. In determining income, the investor should add to the investor’s adjusted gross income any amounts attributable to tax exempt income received, losses claimed as a limited partner in any limited partnership, contributions to an IRA or KEOGH retirement plan, alimony payments, and any amount by which income from long-term capital gains has been reduced in arriving at adjusted gross income.