DEFC14A 1 doc1.txt UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) --- Filed by the Registrant [_] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [x] Check the appropriate box: [_] Preliminary Proxy Statement [_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [x] Definitive Proxy Statement [_] Definitive Additional Materials [_] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sec.240.14a-12 CYBERNET INTERNET SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) MFC BANCORP LTD. AND VENTEGIS CAPITAL AG (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check appropriate box): [x] No fee required. [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: 5) Total fee paid: [_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: 3) Filing Party: 4) Date Filed: ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF CYBERNET INTERNET SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 4, 2001 PROXY STATEMENT OF MFC BANCORP LTD. AND VENTEGIS CAPITAL AG IN OPPOSITION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CYBERNET INTERNET SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. This proxy statement and the enclosed YELLOW proxy card are being furnished to you, the stockholders of Cybernet Internet Services International, Inc. ("Cybernet" or the "Company"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by MFC Bancorp Ltd. ("MFC") and Ventegis Capital AG ("Ventegis", and collectively with MFC, the "Shareholders Group") for use at the meeting of stockholders to elect directors of Cybernet, and at any adjournments, postponements or reschedulings thereof (the "Stockholders Meeting"). Management of Cybernet has nominated two Class C directors for election at the Stockholders Meeting. Management of Cybernet originally additionally nominated one Class B director for election at the Stockholders Meeting. However, such nominee has resigned as a director of Cybernet and will not stand for re-election. Management's proxy statement dated August 17, 2001, as amended November 16, 2001, states that no substitute nominee will be designated by the board of directors of Cybernet at the Stockholders Meeting. We intend to nominate two Class C directors for election at the Stockholders Meeting: Michael J. Smith and Eduard Seligman. In the event that the election of a Class B director is a matter to be voted upon at the Stockholders Meeting, we may nominate Roy Zanatta as a Class B director nominee. The Shareholders Group is soliciting proxies to take the following actions at the Stockholders Meeting: (1) to elect Michael J. Smith and Eduard Seligman as Class C directors of Cybernet to serve until the 2004 annual meeting of stockholders of Cybernet; (2) to reject the approval of the Cybernet 1998 Stock Incentive Plan; (3) to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young Deutsche Allgemeine Treuhand AG as corporate auditors of Cybernet for the 2000 and 2001 calendar years; and (4) to transact such other business as may properly come before the Stockholders Meeting. The Stockholders Meeting is currently scheduled to be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2001 at 11:00 a.m. local time at Cybernet's office at Stefan-George-Ring 19-23, 81929 Munich, Germany. Cybernet has currently set August 7, 2001 as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Stockholders Meeting. On November 13, 2001, Cybernet's Chief Executive Officer applied for and received an order from the Court of Chancery (the "Court") of the State of Delaware in the United States scheduling the Stockholders Meeting for December 4, 2001 and waiving all quorum requirements (the "Delaware Action"). Management of Cybernet retained the original August 7, 2001 record date for the Stockholders Meeting. We were not provided notice of such application despite Cybernet's awareness of our interest in board representation and our demands for a stockholders meeting. On November 16, 2001, we moved to intervene in the Delaware Action and have asked the Court, inter alia, to vacate its order dated November 15, 2001 that set December 4, 2001 as the date for the Stockholders Meeting and to set November 13, 2001 as the record date for the Stockholders Meeting. The current date of the Stockholders Meeting and the current record date are subject to the results of our requests for relief in the Delaware Action. Information concerning the Shareholders Group, its nominees and other persons who are participants in its solicitation of proxies is provided in this proxy statement under the headings "Election of Directors" and "Information About the Participants" and in Annex A. -------- A PROXY MAY BE GIVEN BY ANY PERSON WHO HELD SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OR SHARES OF SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK OF CYBERNET ON AUGUST 7, 2001, THE CURRENT RECORD DATE FOR THE STOCKHOLDERS MEETING (SUBJECT TO THE OUTCOME OF THE DELAWARE ACTION). WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE STOCKHOLDERS MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED YELLOW PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. YOUR LATEST-DATED PROXY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COUNTS, SO YOU MAY RETURN THE YELLOW PROXY CARD EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY DELIVERED A PROXY. WE URGE YOU NOT TO RETURN ANY PROXY SENT TO YOU BY CYBERNET. --- The date of this proxy statement is December 3, 2001. This proxy statement and the enclosed YELLOW proxy card are first being sent or given to stockholders of Cybernet on or about December 3, 2001. INDEX TO THE PROXY STATEMENT
ITEM PAGE ---- ---- Introduction 4 Why We Believe the Current Board of Directors of Cybernet Must be Changed 5 Objectives of the Shareholders Group 7 The Right Leadership for Cybernet 7 Intent of the Shareholders Group 7 Background to the Solicitation 7 Commitment of the Shareholders Group 9 Election of Directors 10 Information About Our Nominees 10 Approval of Cybernet 1998 Stock Incentive Plan 12 Ratification of Appointment of Corporate Auditors 12 Voting Procedures 13 Proxy Solicitation and Expenses 15 Information About the Participants 16 Information About Cybernet 16 Other Matters to be Voted Upon 17 Annex A - Information Concerning the Shareholders Group and Other Participants A-1 Security Ownership A-1 Transactions in Cybernet Securities A-2 Arrangements, Interests and Transactions A-3 Additional Information About the Nominees of the Shareholders Group A-4 Appendix - Yellow Proxy Card
INTRODUCTION Management of Cybernet has nominated two directors for election as Class C directors at the Stockholders Meeting. Management of Cybernet originally additionally nominated one Class B director for election at the Stockholders Meeting. However, such nominee has resigned as a director of Cybernet and will not stand for re-election. Management's proxy statement dated August 17, 2001, as amended November 16, 2001, states that no substitute nominee will be designated by the board of directors of Cybernet at the Stockholders Meeting. We intend to elect two nominees as Class C directors of Cybernet: Michael J. Smith and Eduard Seligman. In the event that the election of a Class B director is a matter to be voted upon at the Stockholders Meeting, we may nominate Roy Zanatta as a Class B director nominee. If the slate of directors nominated by the Shareholders Group is elected, it may constitute a change of control(1) under Cybernet's bond indentures relating to bonds with total outstanding principal of approximately $160 million. A change of control may trigger an acceleration of the bonds which could result in the bankruptcy of Cybernet. However, both management of Cybernet and the Shareholders Group have a strong incentive to avoid a change of control. In addition, both management of Cybernet and the Shareholders Group have the ability to avoid a change of control. To avoid a change of control, we believe that two-thirds of the incumbent board of directors of Cybernet could simply approve of one of the nominees of the Shareholders Group for election as a director of Cybernet while maintaining its own slate of nominees. On the other hand, the Shareholders Group has the ability to avoid a change of control by, among other things, voting its own shares for one of the nominees of management of Cybernet rather than one of its own nominees. However, there is no assurance that either the management of Cybernet or the Shareholders Group will take the necessary actions to avoid a change of control. The Shareholders Group has provided written notice to Cybernet of its intent to nominate its nominees for election to Cybernet's board of directors at the Stockholders Meeting and has requested that Cybernet waive the 30 day notice requirement for director nominations contained in Cybernet's Bylaws. It has also notified Cybernet that the Court has scheduled a hearing on December 3, 2001 to consider the Shareholders Group's requests for relief in the Delaware Action. If Cybernet fails to waive the 30 day notice requirement prior to the December 3, 2001 hearing, the Shareholders Group may request the Court to waive such requirement. If the 30 day notice requirement is not waived by Cybernet or the Court, the Shareholders Group may be precluded from nominating directors for election at the Stockholders Meeting. The Shareholders Group is soliciting your proxy in support of the election of our slate of nominee directors of Cybernet. For more information regarding the nominees of the Shareholders Group, see "Election of Directors - Information About Our Nominees". ------------------- (1) The applicable definition of "change of control" as it appears in section 1.1 of each bond indenture is as follows: "change of control" means such time as. . . (ii) individuals who at the beginning of any period of two consecutive calendar years constituted the Board of Directors (together with any directors who are members of the Board of Directors on the date hereof and any new directors whose election by the Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors then still in office who either were members of the Board of Directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of such Board of Directors then in office. . . YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT SO PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL YOUR YELLOW PROXY CARD AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. If you have any questions concerning this proxy statement or need help voting your shares, please call Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG, at (49 30) 20 94 58 00. WHY WE BELIEVE THE CURRENT BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CYBERNET MUST BE CHANGED Cybernet has not held an election of directors since May 17, 1999 and stockholders of Cybernet have not voted to elect directors of Cybernet for more than two and a half years. WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS TIME TO CHANGE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CYBERNET. WE BELIEVE THAT CYBERNET IS CURRENTLY IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS. * Ernst & Young Deutsche Allgemeine Treuhand AG, Cybernet's independent auditors, have recognized the state of Cybernet's financial crisis and have reported on Cybernet's consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2000 the following: "[T]he Company has incurred recurring operating losses and used significant amounts of cash to operate the Company. These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company's --------------------------------------------------------------- ability to continue as a going concern." (Emphasis added) --------------------------------------- Cybernet has confirmed and reiterated such concerns in its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001 stating the following: "Investors in the Company should review carefully the report of Ernst & Young. There can be no assurance that we will be able ----------------------------------------------- to continue as a going concern." (Emphasis added) ------------------------------- . . . "We believe that our cash and cash equivalents will provide adequate liquidity to fund our normal operating activities over the next four months." (Emphasis added) ----------- * Since December 31, 1998, Cybernet's total debt has risen from euro 10.4 million to euro 180.1 million as at September 30, 2001, an increase of approximately 1,632%.(2) [GRAPH] DEBT(2) (EUROS, IN THOUSANDS) December 31, 1998 10,357 December 31, 1999 218,041 December 31, 2000 182,618 September 30, 2001 180,121 * Since December 31, 1998, Cybernet's shareholders' equity has eroded dramatically. As at September 30, 2001, Cybernet's liabilities exceeded its assets by euro 27.8 million.(2) [GRAPH] SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)(2) (EUROS, IN THOUSANDS) December 31, 1998 57,724 December 31, 1999 68,448 December 31, 2000 13,203 September 30, 2001 (27,751) ------------------ (2) Source: Cybernet's annual reports on Form 10-K for the periods ended December 31, 1998, 1999 and 2000, respectively, and Cybernet's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001. * Cybernet's share price as quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board in the United States has fallen from a high of $47.00 on January 20, 1999 to $0.68 on November 15, 2001.(3) The following chart demonstrates Cybernet's declining monthly closing share price from December 30, 1998 to October 31, 2001.(3) [GRAPH] COMMON STOCK PRICE(3) (U.S.$) December 30, 1998 $ 36.875 January 29, 1999 $ 40.50 February 26, 1999 $ 33.50 March 31, 1999 $ 28.00 April 30, 1999 $ 24.75 May 28, 1999 $ 20.00 June 30, 1999 $ 19.00 July 29, 1999 $ 15.75 August 31, 1999 $ 15.00 September 30, 1999 $ 15.25 October 29, 1999 $ 15.375 November 30, 1999 $ 11.00 December 31, 1999 $ 8.75 January 31, 2000 $ 11.00 February 29, 2000 $ 15.50 March 31, 2000 $ 11.50 April 28, 2000 $ 9.00 May 31, 2000 $ 6.50 June 29, 2000 $ 5.5625 July 28, 2000 $ 4.75 August 31, 2000 $ 4.00 September 28, 2000 $ 4.4375 October 31, 2000 $ 4.50 November 30, 2000 $ 3.25 December 28, 2000 $ 1.8125 January 31, 2001 $ 2.625 February 23, 2001 $ 2.00 March 30, 2001 $ 1.0938 April 30, 2001 $ 0.90 May 31, 2001 $ 0.95 June 29, 2001 $ 0.72 July 30, 2001 $ 0.60 August 30, 2001 $ 0.55 September 26, 2001 $ 0.40 October 31, 2001 $ 0.49 ------------------ (3) Source: Blomberg. OBJECTIVES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP FOR CYBERNET We represent the right to vote approximately 26% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Cybernet. To provide what we believe is the right leadership for the future of Cybernet, we have assembled a slate of director nominees comprised of people who have public company experience. For more information regarding the nominees of the Shareholders Group, see "Election of Directors - Information About Our Nominees". INTENT OF THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP We intend to elect a slate of directors to lead a restructuring of Cybernet. The newly elected board members intend to work with continuing board members and management to develop and formulate the appropriate plans and strategies to carry out such a restructuring and preserve and enhance shareholder value. There is no assurance that the Shareholders Group will be successful in the implementation of these objectives. BACKGROUND TO THE SOLICITATION MFC and Holger Timm have a prior relationship which predates any involvement of MFC with Ventegis or Cybernet. Holger Timm introduced MFC to Ventegis, a company in which Holger Timm is a minority shareholder and a member of the supervisory board of directors. MFC is a public corporation that operates in the financial services industry, specializing in merchant banking internationally. Ventegis and Holger Timm are significant shareholders of Cybernet, a company experiencing financial difficulties and a declining share price, and believed that the representatives of MFC had the appropriate experience in restructuring companies to work in some capacity to attempt to improve Cybernet's financial condition. Accordingly, Ventegis and Holger Timm referred MFC to Cybernet. On September 19, 2001, MFC submitted a preliminary draft, non-binding proposal to Cybernet. MFC proposed to act as the merchant bank for Cybernet and provide corporate finance services in connection with a restructuring of Cybernet's long-term debt. MFC's preliminary draft proposal was submitted independently of Ventegis and Holger Timm, and Ventegis and Holger Timm were not to derive any benefit from the implementation of MFC's preliminary draft proposal, other than indirectly through any resulting increase in Cybernet's share price. Despite a series of written correspondence and meetings involving Cybernet and the members of the Shareholders Group in September and October, 2001, Cybernet did not decide to engage MFC and the preliminary draft proposal was not further advanced. To date, MFC has not received any fees from Cybernet in connection with its preliminary draft proposal. The Shareholders Group believed that Cybernet's existing board of directors was incapable of successfully leading a restructuring of Cybernet and that a board of directors including representatives of MFC was more likely to successfully lead a restructuring and thereby potentially preserve and enhance shareholder value. Accordingly, on October 31, 2001, the Shareholders Group sent a letter to the board of directors of Cybernet requesting that Michael J. Smith, Eduard Seligman and Roy Zanatta be appointed to the board of directors of Cybernet and that any three existing directors resign, other than Andreas Eder who should continue as a board member. Such request was not resolved. On November 2, 2001, MFC, Holger Timm, Ventegis, and Consors Bank AG (the "Depositary") entered into an agreement (the "Agreement") dated for reference October 29, 2001 pursuant to which MFC was granted voting rights for the term of the Agreement with respect to in aggregate 6,872,796 shares of common stock of Cybernet deposited by Holger Timm and Ventegis with the Depositary. MFC will retain such voting rights until the shares deposited with the Depositary are delivered to the holders of voting trust certificates representing such shares upon the termination of the Agreement. Ventegis and Holger Timm granted MFC voting power over shares of common stock of Cybernet to allow MFC to actively influence the strategy and policy of Cybernet, including potentially electing MFC's slate of directors who may be able to preserve and enhance shareholder value more effectively than the current directors of Cybernet. The Agreement grants MFC a right of first refusal such that in the event either Holger Timm or Ventegis wishes to sell his or its shares of Cybernet to a third party, MFC has the right to either match the offer of the third party and purchase the shares, or allow the shares to be sold to the third party. Also under the Agreement, Ventegis is obligated to pay MFC 30% of any increase after one year in the total value of the shares of Cybernet held by Ventegis which are subject to the Agreement. The term of the Agreement is 18 months to be renewed automatically for further three month periods unless terminated by the parties. If Holger Timm and Ventegis acquire any additional common stock of Cybernet during the term of the Agreement, such shares will also be subject to the Agreement. In addition, if MFC acquires all of the issued and outstanding 14% senior notes, due 2009 of Cybernet (the "Notes"), MFC will offer to sell the Notes to Cybernet at its cost. If MFC acquires less than all of the Notes and subsequently disposes of any Notes, MFC will divide the net proceeds among MFC, Ventegis and Holger Timm based upon their proportionate percentage interests in the outstanding common stock of Cybernet. In addition, on October 31, 2001, MFC and Ventegis entered into an agreement dated for reference October 29, 2001 pursuant to which MFC engaged Ventegis to provide consulting and informational services to MFC with relation to Cybernet in consideration of euro 10,500. Ventegis agreed to support the engagement of MFC as a financial advisor to Cybernet in the restructuring of its debt in consideration for Ventegis receiving an agency fee of 15% of the fees actually received by MFC for such services rendered. On November 13, 2001, Cybernet's Chief Executive Officer applied for and received an order from the Court scheduling the Stockholders Meeting for December 4, 2001 and waiving all quorum requirements. The Shareholders Group was not provided notice of such application despite Cybernet's awareness of its interest in board representation and its demands for a stockholders meeting. On November 16, 2001, the Shareholders Group moved to intervene in the Delaware Action and has asked the Court, inter alia, to vacate its order dated November 15, 2001 that set December 4, 2001 as the date for the Stockholders Meeting and to set November 13, 2001 as the record date for the Stockholders Meeting. On November 21, 2001, the Shareholders Group sent a letter to Cybernet providing formal written notice to Cybernet of its intent to nominate its nominees for election to Cybernet's board of directors at the Stockholders Meeting and requesting that Cybernet waive the 30 day notice requirement for director nominations contained in Cybernet's Bylaws. It also notified Cybernet that the Court has scheduled a hearing on December 3, 2001 to consider the Shareholders Group's requests for relief in the Delaware Action. If the nominees of the Shareholders Group are elected as directors of Cybernet at the Stockholders Meeting, Cybernet may engage MFC or its affiliates to provide financial and other advisory services to Cybernet in connection with any restructuring on an as-and-when needed basis in the future. The scope of such services will be determined by the board of directors of Cybernet and may include the restructuring of Cybernet's debt. The fees for such services will be based upon fees customarily charged by MFC or its affiliates to third parties and as approved by the directors of Cybernet who are not affiliated with MFC. MFC operates in the financial services industry, specializing in merchant banking internationally, and regularly provides financial and other advisory services to its clients. In connection with the rendering of services by MFC to Cybernet, MFC may, from time to time, engage Ventegis to assist it in providing consulting and other advisory services to Cybernet on an as-and-when needed basis in the future. COMMITMENT OF THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP The Shareholders Group is dissatisfied with the performance of the current board of directors of Cybernet. The nominees of the Shareholders Group are wholly independent of Cybernet's current management and are committed to salvaging Cybernet and preserving stockholder value. No assurance can be given that electing the nominees of the Shareholders Group will enhance stockholder value. The nominees of the Shareholders Group, if elected, are committed to acting in the best interest of Cybernet's stockholders and, subject to their fiduciary duties as directors of Cybernet, will pursue any restructuring of Cybernet diligently and promptly. No stockholder vote may be required for implementation of the objectives of the Shareholders Group and none is specifically contemplated. WE URGE YOU TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED YELLOW PROXY CARD (AND NOT TO RETURN ANY PROXY CARD SENT TO YOU BY CYBERNET). ELECTION OF DIRECTORS In accordance with the terms of Cybernet's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, the terms of office of the board of directors are divided into three classes: Class A, whose term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2002; Class B, whose term will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders held in 2003; and Class C, whose term will expire at the Stockholders Meeting. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting will be elected to serve from the time of the annual meeting until the third annual meeting following their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. Management of Cybernet has nominated two Class C directors for election at the Stockholders Meeting. Management of Cybernet originally additionally nominated one Class B director for election at the Stockholders Meeting. However, such nominee has resigned as a director of Cybernet and will not stand for re-election. Management's proxy statement dated August 17, 2001, as amended November 16, 2001, states that no substitute nominee will be designated by the board of directors of Cybernet at the Stockholders Meeting. We intend to nominate two Class C directors for election at the Stockholders Meeting: Michael J. Smith and Eduard Seligman. In the event that the election of a Class B director is a matter to be voted upon at the Stockholders Meeting, we may nominate Roy Zanatta as a Class B director nominee. There are currently two vacant Class B directors positions (out of six total directorships). These vacancies may be filled by the four directors of Cybernet as constituted following the Stockholders Meeting. Based on their business and professional experience, we believe that our nominees are qualified to serve as directors of Cybernet. Each nominee of the Shareholders Group has consented to serve as a director of Cybernet if elected and to be named in this proxy statement and in any other soliciting materials of the Shareholders Group as a nominee of the Shareholders Group. We have provided written notice to Cybernet of our intent to nominate our nominees for election to Cybernet's board of directors at the Stockholders Meeting and have requested that Cybernet waive the 30 day notice requirement for director nominations contained in Cybernet's Bylaws. We have also notified Cybernet that the Court has scheduled a hearing on December 3, 2001 to consider the Shareholders Group's requests for relief in the Delaware Action. If Cybernet fails to waive the 30 day notice requirement prior to the December 3, 2001 hearing, the Shareholders Group may request the Court to waive such requirement. If the 30 day notice requirement is not waived by Cybernet or the Court, the Shareholders Group may be precluded from nominating directors for election at the Stockholders Meeting. INFORMATION ABOUT OUR NOMINEES Each nominee of the Shareholders Group has furnished the information about him that is provided in this proxy statement. We have included information with respect to Roy Zanatta, as he may be nominated as a Class B director of Cybernet in the event that the election of a Class B director is a matter to be voted upon at the Stockholders Meeting.
NAME AND BUSINESS PRESENT PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND ADDRESS AGE FIVE YEAR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE -------- --- -------------------------------- Michael J. Smith 53 Mr. Smith is the President, Chief Executive 17 Dame Street Officer and a director of MFC. Mr. Smith has Dublin 2, Ireland been the President and Chief Executive Officer of MFC since 1996 and a director since 1986. Mr. Smith is also a director of TriMaine Holdings, Inc., Drummond Financial Corporation and Euro Trade & Forfaiting, Inc. and a member of the management board of Digitale Telekabel AG. Formerly, Mr. Smith was the Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and a trustee of Mercer International Inc. from 1985 to 1996. Mr. Smith was one of the founding members of the Prentiss Howard Group, a company organized in 1979 which assists domestic and international companies with investments, mergers and acquisitions. Eduard Seligman 36 Mr. Seligman is a Vice-President of MFC Merchant Bank Cours de rive 6 S.A., a fully licensed Swiss bank. Mr. Seligman has 1211 Geneva, been an employee of MFC Merchant Bank S.A. since 1998. Switzerland Mr. Seligman is also a member of the management board of Digitale Telekabel AG. Formerly, Mr. Seligman held the position of co-manager of a private fund with Performance Plus S.A. (Switzerland) from 1996 to 1998 and worked in the commercial department of Credit Suisse from 1993 to 1995. Mr. Seligman is a Certified Financial Analyst and earned a lic. Oec. HSG. degree in 1992 from the St. Gallen University for Business Administration, Law and Social Studies (Switzerland). Roy Zanatta 37 Mr. Zanatta is the Secretary, Vice-President and a 1620 - 400 Burrard director of MFC. Mr. Zanatta has been an employee of Street MFC since 1993 and has been the Secretary, Vice-President Vancouver, and a director of MFC since 1996. Mr. Zanatta is also a British Columbia director of TriMaine Holdings, Inc. Formerly, Mr. Zanatta Canada V6C 3A6 consulted for and held positions with the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, the Canadian Standards Association and Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. Mr. Zanatta earned a B.A.Sc. degree in 1987 from the University of British Columbia (Canada) and an MBA in 1991 from McGill University (Canada).
No corporation or organization identified in the preceding table is an affiliate of Cybernet. The present principal occupation of each director nominee is the first occupation described in his biography. MFC has agreed to pay each nominee of the Shareholders Group any out-of-pocket expenses and/or losses incurred by such nominee that arise from investigating or defending any claim brought against him with respect to actions taken in connection with the solicitation of proxies to which this proxy statement relates, other than claims resulting from the nominee's bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence. Each of the nominees of the Shareholders Group, if elected, will be entitled to receive compensation customarily paid by Cybernet to its independent directors, which is described in the Schedule 14A filed by Cybernet on August 17, 2001. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees of the Shareholders Group will be disqualified or unwilling or unable to serve if elected. The Shareholders Group reserves the right to nominate substitute persons if Cybernet makes or announces any changes to its Bylaws or takes or announces any other action that has, or if consummated would have, the effect of disqualifying any of the nominees of the Shareholders Group. In addition, if any additional directorships are to be voted upon at the Stockholders Meeting, the Shareholders Group reserves the right to nominate additional persons to fill the added positions. SHARES REPRESENTED BY PROXIES GIVEN TO US WILL BE VOTED FOR ANY SUBSTITUTE OR ADDITIONAL NOMINEES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP. THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP BELIEVES THAT IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF STOCKHOLDERS OF CYBERNET TO ELECT THE NOMINEES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP AT THE STOCKHOLDERS MEETING. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP. APPROVAL OF CYBERNET 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN At the Stockholders Meeting, the management of Cybernet is asking stockholders to approve the Cybernet 1998 Stock Incentive Plan. A copy of the Cybernet 1998 Stock Incentive Plan is attached to the registration statement on Form S-1/A filed by Cybernet on November 5, 1998 and a description of the Cybernet 1998 Stock Incentive Plan is included in the Schedule 14A filed by Cybernet on August 17, 2001. Reference is hereby made to such information pursuant to Rule 14a-5(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The mandate of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan should be assessed and reviewed in the context of the compensation arrangements of Cybernet in its entirety by directors independent of management. THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "AGAINST" THE APPROVAL OF THE CYBERNET 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF CORPORATE AUDITORS At the Stockholders Meeting, the management of Cybernet is asking stockholders to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young Deutsche Allgemeine Treuhand AG as corporate auditors of Cybernet for the 2000 and 2001 calendar years. Ernst & Young Deutsche Allgemeine Treuhand AG served as Cybernet's independent auditors for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1999 and December 31, 2000. Cybernet has approved and engaged Ernst & Young Deutsche Allegemeine Treuhand AG to serve as Cybernet's auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2001. THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG DEUTSCHE ALLGEMEINE TREUHAND AG AS CORPORATE AUDITORS OF CYBERNET FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 CALENDAR YEARS. * * * * * * WHEN YOU RETURN THE YELLOW PROXY CARD, YOU WILL BE VOTING "FOR" THE NOMINEES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS OF CYBERNET, "AGAINST" THE APPROVAL OF THE CYBERNET 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN AND "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG DEUTSCHE ALLGEMEINE TREUHAND AG AS CORPORATE AUDITORS OF CYBERNET FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 CALENDAR YEARS, UNLESS YOU APPROPRIATELY INDICATE OTHERWISE. YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES YOU OWN. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE STOCKHOLDERS MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE ENCLOSED YELLOW PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. VOTING PROCEDURES To support the nominees of the Shareholders Group at the Stockholders Meeting, please sign and date the enclosed YELLOW proxy card and return it to Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG, Charlottenstrasse 59, D-10117 Berlin, Germany in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. Submitting a proxy will not affect your right to attend the Stockholders Meeting and vote in person. HOW DO I VOTE IF I HOLD SHARES AT MY BANK OR BROKERAGE FIRM? If you held shares on August 7, 2001, the current date (subject to the outcome of the Delaware Action), in the name of a brokerage firm, bank nominee or other institution, only it can give a proxy with respect to your shares. You may have received either a blank, executed proxy card from the record holder (which you can complete and send directly to Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG) or an instruction card (which you can complete and return to the record holder to direct its voting of your shares). If the record holder has not sent you either a blank, executed proxy card or an instruction card, you may contact the record holder directly to provide it with instructions. If you need assistance, please contact Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG, at (49 30) 20 94 58 00. If you do not have record ownership of your shares and want to vote in person at the Stockholders Meeting, you may obtain a document called a "legal proxy" from the record holder of your shares and bring it to the Stockholders Meeting. If you need assistance, please contact Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG, at (49 30) 20 94 58 00. HOW DO I VOTE IF I HOLD SHARES IN MY OWN NAME? If you owned shares in your own name on August 7, 2001, the current record date (subject to the outcome of the Delaware Action), you may attend the Stockholders Meeting and vote in person. If you are not the record holder of your shares, please refer to the discussion following the question "How do I vote if I hold shares at my bank or brokerage firm?" To vote by proxy, you should complete, sign and date the enclosed YELLOW proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. To be able to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions at the Stockholders Meeting, we must receive your proxy as soon as possible but in any event prior to their being voted at the Stockholders Meeting. You may vote your shares without submitting a proxy to us if you vote in person, submit a proxy to the Secretary of Cybernet or, in some cases, if you provide appropriate instructions to the record holder of your shares. If you need assistance, please contact Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG, at (49 30) 20 94 58 00. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE A WHITE PROXY CARD? Proxies on the white proxy card are being solicited by the incumbent board of directors of Cybernet. If you submit a proxy to us by signing and returning the enclosed YELLOW proxy card, do not sign or return the white proxy card or follow any voting instructions provided by Cybernet unless you intend to change your vote, because only your latest-dated proxy will be counted. If you have already sent a white proxy card to Cybernet, you may revoke it and provide your support to the nominees of the Shareholders Group by signing, dating and returning the enclosed YELLOW proxy card. WHAT IF I WANT TO REVOKE MY PROXY? If you give a proxy, you may revoke it at any time before it is voted on your behalf. You may do so in three ways: * By delivering a later-dated proxy to either Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG, or the Secretary of Cybernet; or * By delivering a written notice of revocation to either Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG, or the Secretary of Cybernet; or * By voting in person at the Stockholders Meeting. If you choose to revoke a proxy by giving written notice or a later-dated proxy to the Secretary of Cybernet, we would appreciate if you would assist us in representing the interests of stockholders on an informed basis by sending us a copy of your revocation or proxy or by calling Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG, at (49 30) 20 94 58 00. REMEMBER, YOUR LATEST-DATED PROXY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT COUNTS. IF I PLAN TO ATTEND THE STOCKHOLDERS MEETING, SHOULD I STILL SUBMIT A PROXY? Whether you plan to attend the Stockholders Meeting or not, we urge you to submit a proxy. Returning the enclosed YELLOW proxy card will not affect your right to attend the Stockholders Meeting and vote. WHO CAN VOTE? You are eligible to vote or to execute a proxy only if you owned Cybernet common stock or Series B preferred stock on August 7, 2001, the current record date for the Stockholders Meeting (subject to the outcome of the Delaware Action). Even if you sell your shares after the record date, you will retain the right to execute a proxy in connection with the Stockholders Meeting. It is important that you grant a proxy regarding shares you held on the record date, or vote those shares in person, even if you no longer own those shares. Based upon the management proxy statement of Cybernet dated August 17, 2001, 26,495,448 shares of Cybernet common stock and no shares of Cybernet Series B preferred stock were outstanding on the record date for the Stockholders Meeting. With respect to each matter to be considered at the Stockholders Meeting, each stockholder will have one vote for each share of Cybernet common stock held by it on the record date. HOW WILL MY SHARES BE VOTED? If you give a proxy on the accompanying YELLOW proxy card, your shares will be voted as you direct. If you submit a proxy to us without instructions, our representatives will vote your shares in favor of our nominees as directors of Cybernet, against the approval of the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan of Cybernet and in favor of the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young Deutsche Allegemeine Treuhand AG as corporate auditors of Cybernet for the 2000 and 2001 calendar years. Submitting a YELLOW proxy card will entitle our representatives to vote your shares in accordance with their discretion on matters not described in this proxy statement that may arise at the Stockholders Meeting. Unless a proxy specifies otherwise, it will be presumed to relate to all shares held of record on the record date by the person who submitted it. WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH PROPOSAL AND HOW WILL VOTES BE COUNTED? Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of Cybernet common stock present in person or by proxy and actually voting at the Stockholders Meeting. This means that the two nominees as Class C directors of Cybernet receiving the highest number of votes will be elected as directors. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes do not have the effect of a vote against the election of any nominees. Each proposal other than the election of directors will be adopted if a majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal are voted in its favor. Accordingly, abstentions on each such proposal will have the same effect as a vote against the proposal. Broker non-votes will not have the effect of a vote for or against any such proposal. HOW CAN I RECEIVE MORE INFORMATION? If you have any questions about giving your proxy or about our solicitation, or if you require assistance, please call Marlene Bryl, of MFC Capital Partners AG, at (49 30) 20 94 58 00. PROXY SOLICITATION AND EXPENSES The following persons are or may be deemed to be participants (the "Participants" and, each, a "Participant") in the solicitation of proxies in support of electing the nominees of the Shareholders Group to the board of directors of Cybernet: (i) MFC; (ii) Ventegis; (iii) Holger Timm; and (iv) the nominees of the Shareholders Group: Michael J. Smith, Eduard Seligman and Roy Zanatta. The Participants may solicit proxies in person and by mail, press release, advertisements in newspapers, magazines and/or trade publications, telephone, telecopier, telegraph, electronic mail, Internet (World Wide Web) publication, television, radio and newspapers. No person identified above has or will receive compensation for soliciting proxies. The Participants will ask banks, brokers, custodians, nominees, other institutional holders and other fiduciaries to forward all soliciting materials to the beneficial owners of the shares that those institutions hold of record. The Shareholders Group will reimburse those institutions for reasonable expenses that they incur in connection with forwarding our materials. The entire expense of our proxy solicitation is being borne by the Shareholders Group. The Shareholders Group may, particularly if the nominees of the Shareholders Group are elected to Cybernet's board of directors, seek reimbursement of expenses from Cybernet. The Shareholders Group does not intend to seek stockholder approval of any such reimbursement. Costs related to the solicitation of proxies include expenditures for printing, postage, legal services and other related items. Total expenditures are expected to be approximately $400,000. Total payment of costs to date in furtherance of our proxy solicitation is approximately $100,000. INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS The Participants are or may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies by the Shareholders Group for the Stockholders Meeting within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Information related to the Participants, including their beneficial ownership of Cybernet common stock, is set forth in Annex A to this proxy statement and is incorporated into this proxy -------- statement by reference. Except as set forth in Annex A, none of the ------- Participants is party to any commercial dealing with Cybernet or its subsidiaries that is required to be discussed in this proxy statement by the federal securities laws. Information in this proxy statement about each Participant was provided by that Participant. INFORMATION ABOUT CYBERNET Based upon Cybernet's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2001, the mailing address of the principal executive offices of Cybernet is Stefan-George-Ring 19-23, 81929 Munich, Germany. The Schedule 14A filed by Cybernet on August 17, 2001 was required to set forth information regarding (i) the beneficial ownership of securities of Cybernet by (A) any person known to Cybernet to beneficially own 5% or more of any class of voting securities of Cybernet; (B) each director and executive officer of Cybernet; and (C) all directors and executive officers of Cybernet as a group; (ii) information concerning Cybernet's directors and management, including information relating to management compensation; and (iii) information concerning the procedures for submitting stockholder proposals for consideration at the 2002 annual meeting of stockholders of Cybernet. Except as otherwise disclosed herein, reference is hereby made to such afore-mentioned information which, to the extent it may be deemed required, is incorporated herein pursuant to Rule 14a-5(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Except as otherwise noted herein, the information in this proxy statement concerning Cybernet has been taken from or is based upon documents and records on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and other publicly available information. Although the Shareholders Group does not have any knowledge indicating that any statement contained herein is untrue, we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of statements taken from public documents and records that were not prepared by or on behalf of the Shareholders Group, or for any failure by Cybernet to disclose events that may affect the significance or accuracy of such information. OTHER MATTERS TO BE VOTED UPON Subject to the outcome of the Delaware Action, except for the election of directors of Cybernet, the approval of the Cybernet 1998 Incentive Option Plan and the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young Deutsche Allgemeine Treuhand AG as the corporate auditors of Cybernet for the 2000 and 2001 calendar years, the Shareholders Group is not aware of any other matter to be presented for consideration at the Stockholders Meeting. However, if any other matter properly comes before the Stockholders Meeting, the persons named as proxies by the Shareholders Group will exercise their discretionary authority to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgement. If the Shareholders Group becomes aware a sufficient time in advance of the Stockholders Meeting that Cybernet's management intends to present for stockholder vote at the Stockholders Meeting any matter not included on the enclosed YELLOW proxy card, the Shareholders Group intends to either (i) refrain from voting on any such matter (in which case stockholders will only be able to vote on such matter on the proxy card furnished by Cybernet's management); or (ii) revise the YELLOW proxy card in order to include any such additional matter thereon. The Shareholders Group may also furnish stockholders with additional proxy materials describing any such additional matter. If stockholders voted or vote on the original YELLOW proxy card which does not include such additional matter, the persons named as proxyholders on the enclosed YELLOW proxy card will exercise their discretionary authority with respect to such additional matter and the Shareholders Group will advise stockholders as to how the proxyholders will use such discretionary authority. If a stockholder wishes to specify the manner in which his or her shares are to be voted on any such additional matter, the stockholder will have the opportunity to vote on a revised YELLOW proxy card. Submission of any properly executed proxy card will revoke all prior proxy cards. * * * * * * Questions or requests for additional copies of this proxy statement should be directed to: MARLENE BRYL MFC CAPITAL PARTNERS AG CHARLOTTENSTRASSE 59 D-10117 BERLIN, GERMANY TEL: (49 30) 20 94 58 00 FAX: (49 30) 20 94 58 11 WE URGE YOU TO VOTE YOUR SHARES IN FAVOR OF THE NOMINEES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP, AGAINST THE APPROVAL OF THE CYBERNET 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN AND IN FAVOR OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG DEUTSCHE ALLGEMEINE TREUHAND AG AS CORPORATION AUDITORS OF CYBERNET FOR THE 2000 AND 2001 CALENDAR YEARS BY SIGNING, DATING AND RETURNING THE ENCLOSED YELLOW PROXY CARD IN THE POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. Sincerely, MFC BANCORP LTD. VENTEGIS CAPITAL AG PER: /S/ MICHAEL J. SMITH PER: /S/ KARSTEN HAESEN ----------------------- -------------------- MICHAEL J. SMITH KARSTEN HAESEN PRESIDENT AND CHIEF BOARD MEMBER EXECUTIVE OFFICER December 3, 2001 ANNEX A ------- INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS The following persons are or may be deemed to be participants (the "Participants" and, each, a "Participant") in the solicitation of proxies in support of electing the nominees of the Shareholders Group to the board of directors of Cybernet: (i) MFC; (ii) Ventegis; (iii) Holger Timm; and (iv) the nominees of the Shareholders Group: Michael J. Smith, Eduard Seligman and Roy Zanatta. Information set forth herein about each Participant was provided by that Participant. MFC is a public corporation organized under the laws of the Yukon Territory, Canada with its common shares quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. MFC operates in the financial services industry, specializing in merchant banking internationally, and has an address at 17 Dame Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Ventegis is venture capital company, focusing on the biotechnology and information and communication fields. Ventegis is a German corporation with principal executive offices at Cicerostrasse 21, 10709 Berlin, Germany. Holger Timm is a member of the board of Berliner Effektengesellschaft AG. Mr. Timm has a business address at Kurfurstendamm 119, 10711 Berlin, Germany. A description of each nominee of the Shareholders Group, including name, business address, age, present principal occupation and five year business experience, is described in the proxy statement of the Shareholders Group under the heading "Election of Directors". SECURITY OWNERSHIP The beneficial ownership of securities of Cybernet by the Participants is described in the following table. No Participant and no associate of any Participant (within the meaning of the federal proxy rules) beneficially owns any securities of Cybernet other than common stock as described in the following table. No Participant beneficially owns any securities of any parent or subsidiary of Cybernet. No Participant has record but not beneficial ownership with respect to any securities of Cybernet.
APPROXIMATE SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED PERCENTAGE OF CLASS NAME COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK ---- ------------------------- ------------------- MFC Bancorp Ltd.(1) 6,872,796(2) 25.9% 17 Dame Street Dublin 2, Ireland
------------------ (1) MFC is a public corporation with its common shares quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market and on the Franfurt Stock Exchange. Based solely upon public records and filings, Peter Kellogg directly and/or indirectly owns approximately 25% of the common shares of MFC. Mr. Kellogg disclaims beneficial ownership of approximately 92% of such common shares.
APPROXIMATE SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED PERCENTAGE OF CLASS NAME COMMON STOCK COMMON STOCK ---- ------------------------- ------------------- Ventegis Capital 5,577,396(2) 21.0% AG (formerly Cybermind Interactive Europe, AG)(3) Kurfurstendamm 119 10711 Berlin, Germany Holger Timm(4) 1,295,400(2) 4.9% Cicerostrasse 21 10709 Berlin, Germany
------------------ (2) On November 2, 2001, MFC was granted voting rights over 1,295,400 and 5,577,396 shares of common stock of Cybernet beneficially owned by Holger Timm and Ventegis, respectively, pursuant to an agreement among MFC, Holger Timm, Ventegis, and Consors Capital Bank AG dated for reference October 29, 2001. (3) The dispositive power over the shares of Cybernet beneficially owned by Ventegis is exercised by the directors and executive officers of Ventegis. The executive board of Ventegis is comprised of Karsten Haesen and Carsten Dujesiefken and the supervisory board of Ventegis is comprised of Holger Timm, Klaus Gerd Kleversaat and Wolfgang Hermanni. (4) Holger Timm is a minority shareholder of Ventegis and a member of its supervisory board of directors. However, Holger Timm disclaims beneficial ownership of any securities of Cybernet beneficially owned by Ventegis. TRANSACTIONS IN CYBERNET SECURITIES Other than the transactions described below, no Participant has purchased or sold any securities of Cybernet in the past two years. TRANSACTIONS IN CYBERNET SECURITIES BY MFC ------------------------
NUMBER AND TYPE OF DATE OF TRANSACTION NATURE OF TRANSACTION SECURITIES OF CYBERNET ------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- November 2, 2001 Was granted voting rights 6,872,796 over shares beneficially owned by Holger Timm and Ventegis pursuant to an agreement dated for reference October 29, 2001
TRANSACTIONS IN CYBERNET SECURITIES BY VENTEGIS ------------------------
NUMBER AND TYPE OF DATE OF TRANSACTION NATURE OF TRANSACTION SECURITIES OF CYBERNET ------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- January 10, 2000 Converted preferred stock, 1,440,000 shares of series A and preferred stock, common stock series B into common stock on a one-for-one basis January 2, 2001 Converted preferred stock, 2,880,000 shares of series A and preferred stock, common stock series B into common stock on a one-for-one basis November 2, 2001 Granted voting rights over 5,577,396 shares of common stock to MFC common stock pursuant to an agreement dated for reference October 29, 2001
TRANSACTIONS IN CYBERNET SECURITIES BY HOLGER TIMM -------------------------
NUMBER AND TYPE OF DATE OF TRANSACTION NATURE OF TRANSACTION SECURITIES OF CYBERNET ------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- December 31, 1999 Sold common stock in 43,000 shares of a private transaction common stock January 10, 2000 Converted preferred stock, 30,375 shares of series A into common common stock stock on a one-for-one basis November 9, 2000 Acquired common stock 172,000 shares of at a price of DM 0.28 common stock per share pursuant to a stock purchase agreement dated April 28, 1997 in which such shares were sold to an employee of Cybernet and were to revert back to Holger Timm upon termination of the employee's employment contract January 2, 2001 Converted preferred stock, 60,750 shares of series A into common stock common stock on a one-for-one basis November 2, 2001 Granting voting rights 1,295,400 shares of over common stock to common stock MFC pursuant to an agreement dated for reference October 29, 2001
ARRANGEMENTS, INTERESTS AND TRANSACTIONS Except as otherwise disclosed herein, no Participant is, or was within the past year, a party to any contract, arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any securities of Cybernet, including, but not limited to, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees against loss or guarantees of profit, division of losses or profits, or the giving or withholding of proxies. Except as otherwise disclosed herein, no Participant, no associate of any Participant and no person who is a party to any arrangement or understanding pursuant to which a nominee of the Shareholders Group is proposed to be elected has any arrangement or understanding with any person with respect to any future employment by Cybernet or its affiliates or with respect to any future transactions to which Cybernet or any of its affiliates will or may be a party. MFC, Ventegis and Holger Timm have or may be deemed to have interests in the solicitation of proxies in support of the nominees of the Shareholders Group from beneficial ownership of the common stock of Cybernet. Participants who are nominees of the Shareholders Group are expected to receive customary compensation from Cybernet in exchange for their services as directors, if elected. The nominees of the Shareholders Group also have an interest in the solicitation through the forms of compensation described in the proxy statement of the Shareholders Group under the heading "Election of Directors". There has been no transaction or series of similar transactions since the beginning of Cybernet's last completed fiscal year, and there is no currently proposed transaction or series of similar proposed transactions, to which Cybernet or any of its subsidiaries was or is to be a party, in which the amount involved exceeds $60,000 and in which any Participant or any associate of any Participant had, or will have, a direct or indirect material interest. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE NOMINEES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS GROUP No nominee of the Shareholders Group presently holds any position with Cybernet. Other than the arrangements described in the preceding paragraph and the agreements described in the proxy statement of the Shareholders Group under the heading "Election of Directors", there is no arrangement or understanding between any nominee of the Shareholders Group and any other person pursuant to which the nominee of the Shareholders Group was selected as a nominee. There is no family relationship (within the meaning of the federal securities laws) between any nominee of the Shareholders Group and (i) any other nominee of the Shareholders Group; or (ii) any director of Cybernet, executive officer of Cybernet or person nominated by Cybernet to become a director or executive officer. There is, and has been, no legal or other proceeding involving any nominee of the Shareholders Group that is required to be disclosed under the federal proxy rules. No nominee of the Shareholders Group (i) has any business relationship that is required to be disclosed by the federal proxy rules; (ii) has had any such relationship since the beginning of Cybernet's most recently completed fiscal year; or (iii) has, since the beginning of Cybernet's last completed fiscal year, been indebted to Cybernet or any of its subsidiaries in an amount that exceeds $60,000. No nominee of the Shareholders Group and no associate of any nominee of the Shareholders Group has received any compensation from Cybernet as a director or executive officer of Cybernet. Had the nominees of the Shareholders Group been directors of Cybernet and members of the compensation committee of Cybernet's board of directors during Cybernet's last completed fiscal year, there would have been no compensation committee interlocks within the meaning of the federal proxy rules. No nominee of the Shareholders Group has failed to file reports related to Cybernet that are required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. APPENDIX -------- YELLOW PROXY CARD CYBERNET INTERNET SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC. PROXY FOR THE MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO ELECT DIRECTORS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 4, 2001 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY MFC BANCORP LTD. AND VENTEGIS CAPITAL AG (NOT BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CYBERNET INTERNET SERVICES INTERNATIONAL, INC.) The undersigned stockholder of Cybernet Internet Services International, Inc. ("Cybernet") hereby appoints Michael J. Smith and Eduard Seligman, and each of them, as attorneys and proxies, each with full power of substitution and revocation, acting unanimously or by either of them if only one be present and acting, to represent the undersigned at the meeting (the "Meeting") of Stockholders to elect directors of Cybernet currently scheduled to be held on December 4, 2001, and at any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof, with authority to vote all shares held or owned by the undersigned in accordance with the directions indicated herein. Receipt of the Proxy Statement relating to the Meeting is hereby acknowledged. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL CAUSE YOUR SHARES OF CYBERNET WHICH YOU WOULD BE ENTITLED TO VOTE IF PERSONALLY PRESENT AT THE MEETING TO BE VOTED AS YOU DIRECT. IF YOU RETURN THIS PROXY, PROPERLY EXECUTED, WITHOUT SPECIFYING A CHOICE, YOUR SHARES OF CYBERNET WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE IN PROPOSAL 1, AGAINST THE APPROVAL OF THE CYBERNET 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN IN PROPOSAL 2 AND IN FAVOR OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG DEUTSCHE ALLGEMEINE TREUHAND AG IN PROPOSAL 3. (Continued and to be signed on the reverse side) See reverse side PROPOSAL 1. To elect the director nominees listed below: Class C nominee: Mr. Michael J. Smith FOR WITHHOLD AUTHORITY --- --- Class C nominee: Mr. Eduard Seligman FOR WITHHOLD AUTHORITY --- --- PROPOSAL 2. To approve the Cybernet 1998 Stock Incentive Plan: FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN --- --- --- PROPOSAL 3. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young Deutsche Allgemeine Treuhand AG as corporate auditors for the 2000 and 2001 calendar years: FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN --- --- --- MFC BANCORP LTD. AND VENTEGIS CAPITAL AG RECOMMEND A VOTE "FOR" THE NOMINEES LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 ABOVE, "AGAINST" THE APPROVAL OF THE CYBERNET 1998 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN IN PROPOSAL 2 ABOVE AND "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG DEUTSCHE ALLGEMEINE TREUHAND AG IN PROPOSAL 3 ABOVE. IN THEIR DISCRETION, THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY BE PRESENTED TO THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT, POSTPONEMENT OR RESCHEDULING THEREOF AND IS UNKNOWN TO MFC BANCORP LTD. OR VENTEGIS CAPITAL AG AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES A REASONABLE TIME BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY MFC BANCORP LTD. AND VENTEGIS CAPITAL AG. Please mark, date and sign this Proxy, and return it in the enclosed return-addressed envelope. No postage is necessary. PLEASE RETURN PROXY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE Dated: , 2001 --------------------------------- (Be sure to date your Proxy) ---------------------------------------------- Name(s) of Stockholder(s) ---------------------------------------------- Signature(s) of Stockholder(s) NOTE: Signatures must correspond exactly with the name or names appearing on the stock certificate(s). If stock is held in the name of more than one person, all holders should sign. When stock is held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. The signer hereby revokes all proxies previously given by the signer to vote at the Meeting of Cybernet, and any adjournment, postponement or rescheduling thereof.