Document:

NOTE

    

    
      	
               $3,000,000

            	
               Date:
                August 18,
                2006

            

    

     

    FOR
      VALUE
      RECEIVED, on August 18, 2007, the undersigned, FREEDOM
      FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.,
      a
      Delaware corporation, and T.C.G. - THE
      CREDIT GROUP INC.,
      a
      Manitoba, Canada corporation, jointly and severally (“Maker”), promise to pay to
      the order of HEARTLAND BANK (hereinafter, together with any holder hereof,
      called “Holder”), at St. Louis, Missouri (or such other place as the Holder may
      designate in writing to the undersigned), in lawful money of the United States
      of America in immediately available funds, the principal sum of Three Million
      and No/100 Dollars ($3,000,000.00), or such amount thereof as has been advanced
      hereunder, together with interest thereon from the date hereof, at the rate
      or
      rates hereinafter specified, as follows:

     

    The
      Maker
      will pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Advance for each day
      from the day such Advance was made until such Loan is paid (whether at maturity,
      by reason of acceleration or otherwise), at a rate per annum equal to the sum
      of
      three percent (3.00%) plus the Base Rate, payable monthly in arrears on each
      Interest Payment Date and when such Loan is due in full (whether at maturity
      or
      on the Termination Date, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise).

     

    This
      Note
      shall be payable as follows: 

     

    
      	 	
              a.

            	
              Commencing
                on the first day of the first month after the Initial Advance, and
                on the
                first day of each month thereafter to and including the first day
                of
                August, 2007, the Maker shall pay to the Payee monthly installments
                of
                interest at the rate of interest as
                aforesaid.

            

    

     

    
      	 	
              b.

            	
              On
                August 18, 2007, the Maker shall pay to the Payee a final installment
                of
                principal and interest in an amount equal to the sum of the then
                outstanding principal balance of this Note together with accrued
                and
                unpaid interest thereon.

            

    

     

    It
      is
      contemplated that the principal sum evidenced by this Note may be reduced from
      time to time and that additional Advances may be made from time to time, as
      provided in the Revolving Credit Loan and Security Agreement between the
      undersigned and Holder dated of even date herewith (the “Loan
      Agreement”); provided, however, that the outstanding principal amount evidenced
      by this Note shall not exceed the Borrowing Base provided in the Loan
      Agreement.

     

    This
      Note
      is subject to the terms and conditions of, and entitled to the benefit of the
      Collateral described in, the Loan Agreement. Capitalized terms not defined
      herein shall have the meanings given in the Loan Agreement.

     

    No
      delay
      or failure on the part of the Holder in the exercise of any right or remedy
      hereunder, under the Loan Agreement, the Security Documents or at law or in
      equity, shall operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise
      by
      the Holder of any right or remedy hereunder, under the Loan Agreement, the
      Security Documents, or at law or in equity shall preclude or estop another
      or
      further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or
      remedy.

     

    The
      undersigned and all endorsers waive presentment, notice of dishonor and
      protest.

     

    Time
      is
      of the essence of this Note and, in case this Note is collected by law or
      through an attorney at law, or under advice therefrom, the undersigned agrees
      to
      pay all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys’ fees if collected
      by or through an attorney.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        1

        
          

        

      

      
        
        

      

    

    

     

    The
      provisions of this Note shall be construed and interpreted and all rights and
      obligations of the parties hereunder determined in accordance with the laws
      of
      the State of Missouri.

     

    IN
      WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Note to be executed, sealed
      and
      delivered in St. Louis, Missouri, in its corporate name, by and through its
      respective duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first above
      written.

     

    
      	 FREEDOM FINANCIAL GROUP,
              INC.	 	 	 T.C.G. – 
THE
              CREDIT GROUP INC.
	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 
	By: 
              /s/  Jerald L. Fenstermaker	 	 	By: 
              /s/ Jerald L. Fenstermaker
	
              
                

              

            	 	 	
              
                

              

            
	Name:
              Jerald L.
              Fenstermaker 
Title: President	 	 	Name:
              Jerald L.
              Fenstermaker 
Title: CEO

    

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        2STOCK
      PLEDGE AGREEMENT

    

    This
      Agreement is made and entered into as of the 18th
      day of
      August, 2006, by and between HEARTLAND
      BANK,
      a
      federal savings bank (“Pledgee”), and Freedom Financial Group, Inc., a Delaware
      corporation (“Pledgor”).

     

    Recitals

     

    A. Pledgee,
      T.C.G. - The Credit Group Inc., a Manitoba, Canada corporation (the “Company”),
      and Pledgor have entered into that certain Loan and Security Agreement of even
      date herewith (as the same may be renewed, extended, amended, restated, replaced
      or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”) whereby Pledgee
      has extended a revolving credit facility available to the Company and Pledgor
      in
      the principal face amount of $3,000,000.

     

    B. Pledgor
      owns 1,100 shares of common stock, par value $ N/A
      per
      share, of the Company, representing on the date hereof 100% of the issued and
      outstanding voting common stock of the Company.

     

    C. Pledgor
      and Pledgee desire to secure the payment of all of the obligations of the
      Company and Pledgor to Pledgee arising from time to time under the Loan
      Agreement (collectively, the “Secured Obligations”).

     

    In
      consideration of the foregoing, the agreements below and other sufficient
      consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, Pledgor and Pledgee
      agree as follows:

     

    1. Pledge
      and Grant of Security Interest.

     

    a. To
      secure
      the due and punctual payment and performance of all the Secured Obligations,
      Pledgor hereby grants to Pledgee a security interest in 1,100 shares of voting
      common stock of the Company (said interests of Pledgor in the voting stock
      of
      the Company, together with such additional shares of common stock of the Company
      as may from time to time be pledged by Pledgor hereunder as provided by the
      Loan
      Agreement, are hereinafter collectively called the “Shares” and individually a
“Share”). Delivered herewith are the original certificates for the Shares and
      stock powers for the Shares executed in blank by Pledgor.

     

    
      b. In
        addition, Pledgor hereby grants to Pledgee a security interest in the following
        (which shall be deemed included in the term “Shares”): (i) all dividends, cash,
        securities, distributions, instruments and other property from time to time
        paid, payable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any
        or
        all of such Shares, (ii) any and all distributions made in respect to the
        Shares, whether in cash or in kind, by way of dividends or stock splits,
        or
        pursuant to a merger or consolidation or otherwise, or any substitute security
        issued upon conversion, reorganization or otherwise, (iii) any and all other
        property hereafter delivered to Pledgor or Pledgee in substitution for or
        in
        addition to any of the foregoing (including without limitation all securities
        issued pursuant to any shareholder agreement, stock purchase agreement, stock
        purchase rights or other agreement with respect to Shares to which the Pledgor
        may now or hereafter be a party), all certificates and instruments representing
        or evidencing such property and all cash, securities, interest, dividends,
        rights, promissory notes and other property at any time and from time to
        time
        received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange
        for
        any or all thereof, and (iv) any and all proceeds of any of the foregoing.
        If
        any of the foregoing shall be received by Pledgor, contrary to the terms
        hereof
        or the Loan Agreement, or during the continuance of an Event of Default,
        they
        shall immediately deliver the same to Pledgee or its designated nominee,
        accompanied, if appropriate, by proper instruments of assignment and/or stock
        powers executed by Pledgor in accordance with Pledgee’s instructions, to be held
        subject to the terms of this Agreement.

    

    
      
        
        

      

      
        
        

        
          

        

      

       

    

     

    2. Representations
      and Warranties.
      Pledgor
      represents and warrants that:

     

    a. Pledgor
      owns the Shares, free of all Liens (as those terms are defined in the Loan
      Agreement) and shareholders’ agreements, cross-sell agreements, buy-sell
      agreements and similar contractual restrictions concerning the sale, assignment
      or pledge of the Shares, except for the restrictions applicable under Rule
      144
      of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933.
      The information concerning the capital structure of the Company as shown on
      Schedule
      1
      attached
      is accurate.

     

    b. The
      delivery of the original certificates for the Shares to Pledgee concurrently
      with the execution of this Agreement shall create a valid and fully perfected
      security interest in the Shares, securing the payment of the Secured
      Obligations.

     

    c. No
      consent of any third party (including, without limitation, any stockholder
      or
      creditor of Pledgor) and no governmental approval is required for the exercise
      by Pledgee of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement or
      the
      remedies in respect of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement (except as may
      be
      required in connection with such disposition by laws affecting the offering
      and
      sale of securities generally).

     

    3. Additional
      Liens.
      Pledgor
      agrees that he will not (i) sell or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option
      with respect to, any of the Shares, (ii) create or permit to exist any Lien
      upon
      or with respect to any of the Shares, except for the security interest under
      this Agreement, or (iii) enter into any other contractual obligations which
      may
      restrict or inhibit Pledgee’s rights or ability to sell or otherwise dispose of
      the Shares or any part thereof after the occurrence and during the continuance
      of an Event of Default hereunder.

     

    4. Default.
      Any one
      or more of the following shall constitute a default hereunder (an “Event of
      Default”):

     

    a. An
      Event
      of Default under the Loan Agreement; or

     

    b. A
      violation by Pledgor of any of the provisions or conditions of this
      Agreement.

     

    5. Custody
      and Preservation of the Collateral.
      Pledgee
      shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and
      preservation of any Shares in its possession (even if it fails to sell or
      convert Shares which are falling in market value) provided the Pledgee acts
      in a
      commercially reasonable manner. The failure of Pledgee to preserve or protect
      any rights with respect to any of the Shares against other parties shall not
      be
      deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care in the custody or preservation
      of
      such Shares.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        2

        
          

        

      

       

    

     

    6. Remedies.
      Upon
      the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default:

     

    a. Pledgee
      may at any time exercise the rights and pursue the remedies provided under
      Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as currently effective in, or as
      hereafter amended by, the State of Missouri, including but not limited to
      selling the Shares at any public sale or at private sale without advertisement
      if in Pledgee’s reasonable judgment such private sale would result in a greater
      sale price than a public sale. The parties agree that in the event Pledgee
      elects to proceed with respect to the Shares, whenever applicable provisions
      of
      the Uniform Commercial Code require that notice be reasonable, ten (10) days’
notice shall be deemed reasonable. Pledgee shall not be obligated to make any
      sale of the Shares regardless of notice of sale having been given. Pledgee
      may
      adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the
      time
      and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made
      at
      the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Pledgee may bid and become
      a
      purchaser at any such sale, if public, and upon any such sale Pledgee may
      collect, receive, and hold and apply, as provided herein, the proceeds thereof
      to the payment of the Secured Obligations, and assign and deliver the Shares
      and
      the certificate therefor to the purchaser at any such sale. The proceeds from
      any such sale shall be applied first to the payment of all legal and other
      costs
      and expenses incurred in connection with the sale and next to the payment of
      the
      Secured Obligations. The balance, if any, of such proceeds remaining after
      such
      application shall be paid as provided by law.

     

    b. Upon
      the
      occurrence and continuation of an Event of Default, in the event that Pledgee
      determines that it is advisable to register under or otherwise comply in any
      way
      with the Securities Act of 1933 or any similar federal or state law, or if
      such
      registration or compliance is required with respect to the Shares prior to
      the
      sale thereof by Pledgee, Pledgor will use its best efforts to cause such
      registration to be effectively made, at no expense to Pledgee, and to continue
      such registration effective for such time as may be reasonably necessary in
      the
      opinion of Pledgee, and will reimburse Pledgee for any reasonable expense
      incurred by Pledgee including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ and
      accountants’ fees and expenses in connection therewith; and should Pledgee
      determine that, prior to any public offering of any of the Shares, such
      securities should be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or
      registered or qualified under any other federal or state law, and that such
      registration and/or qualification is not practical, then the Pledgor agrees
      that
      it will be commercially reasonable to arrange a private sale so as to avoid
      a
      public offering, even though the sales price established and/or obtained may
      be
      substantially less than might have been obtained through a public offering.
      The
      Pledgor further acknowledges the impossibility of ascertaining the amount of
      damages which would be suffered by Pledgee by reason of the failure by the
      Pledgor to perform any of the covenants contained in this paragraph and,
      consequently, agrees that, if the Pledgor shall fail to perform any of such
      covenants, Pledgor shall pay, as damages and not as a penalty, an amount equal
      to the value of the Shares on the date Pledgee shall demand compliance
      herewith.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        3

        
          

        

      

       

    

     

    7. Right
      to Vote Shares.
      Until
      the Secured Obligations are fully paid, Pledgee shall have the right to vote
      the
      Shares with regard to any proposed amendment to the articles of incorporation
      or
      by-laws of Company which would result in a change in the voting rights and
      power
      of the Shares. Otherwise, Pledgor shall have the sole right to vote the Shares
      unless there is an Event of Default that is continuing hereunder, in which
      event
      Pledgee shall have the sole right to vote the Shares.

     

    8. Preservation
      and Perfection of Liens.
      Pledgor
      shall promptly, upon the request of Pledgee and at Pledgor’s expense, execute,
      acknowledge and deliver, or cause the execution, acknowledgment and delivery
      of,
      and thereafter, if applicable, register, file or record in an appropriate
      governmental office, any document or instrument supplemental to or confirmatory
      of this Agreement, and give such further assurances as may otherwise be
      necessary or desirable for the creation, preservation and/or perfection of
      the
      liens created by this Agreement.

     

    9. Release
      of Shares.
      Whenever the full amount of the Secured Obligations have been finally and
      unconditionally paid to Pledgee, Pledgee shall return to Borrower any
      certificates representing the Shares held by Pledgee with the stock powers
      or
      assignments executed by Pledgor attached, and such Shares shall be deemed
      released from any Lien hereunder.

     

    10. Counterparts.
      This
      Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile),
      each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall be
      deemed to be one and the same instrument.

     

    11. Severability.
      Any
      provision of this Agreement which is prohibited, unenforceable or not authorized
      in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent
      of such prohibition, unenforceability or nonauthorization without invalidating
      the remaining provisions hereof or affecting the validity, enforceability or
      legality of such provision in any other jurisdiction unless the ineffectiveness
      of such provision would result in such a material change as to cause completion
      of the transactions contemplated hereby to be unreasonable.

     

    12. Notices.
      All
      notices, consents, requests and demands to or upon the respective parties hereto
      shall be given in the manner required for notices under the Loan
      Agreement.

     

    13. Dividends.
      So long
      as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Pledgor shall be entitled
      to receive ordinary cash dividends declared and paid by the Company from time
      to
      time.

     

    14. Attorney-In-Fact.
      Pledgor
      hereby irrevocably appoints Pledgee as Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact effective
      during the continuance of an Event of Default, with full authority in the place
      and stead of Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor, Pledgee or otherwise, from
      time
      to time in Pledgee’s sole discretion to take any action (including completion
      and presentation of any proxy) and to execute any instrument that Pledgee may
      reasonably deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this
      Agreement, including, without limitation (but subject to the other provisions
      hereof), to (i) receive, endorse and collect all instruments made payable to
      Pledgor representing any dividend or other distribution in respect of the Shares
      or any part thereof; (ii) exercise the voting and other consensual rights
      pertaining to the Shares; and (iii) sell, transfer, pledge, make any agreement
      with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Shares as fully and completely
      as though Pledgee was the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and to do,
      at
      Pledgee’s option and Pledgor’s expense, at any time or from time to time, all
      acts and things that Pledgee reasonably deems necessary to protect, preserve
      or
      realize upon the Shares. Pledgor hereby ratifies and approves all acts of
      Pledgee made or taken pursuant to this Section 14. This power of attorney,
      being
      coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable until all Secured Obligations
      shall have been paid in full and the Loan Agreement shall have been
      terminated.

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        4

        
          

        

      

       

    

    15. Governing
      Law.
      This
      Agreement shall be governed and construed under the internal laws of the State
      of Missouri.

     

    IN
      WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of the date
      first above written.

     

     

    
      	 	 	 
	 	PLEDGOR
	 
 	
                
Freedom
                Financial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation,

               

            
	 	 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Jerald
              L.
              Fenstermaker
	 	
              Name:

            	
              
 Jerald
              L. Fenstermaker
	 	Title:	 President

      	 	 	 
	 	PLEDGEE
	 	 
	 	HEARTLAND BANK
	 
 	 
 	 
 
	 	By:  	/s/ Kenneth
              C. MacDonell
	 	 	
              

            
	 	Name:	 Kenneth MacDonell
	 	Title:	 Senior Vice President
	 	
            

    

         

    
      
        
        

      

      
        5

        
          

        

      

       

    

    

    Schedule
      1

    T.C.G.
      - The Credit Group Inc.

     

    
      	 
	
              Total
                Shares of Common 

              Stock
                Outstanding (as of 7/31/06):  

                

              

              1,100
                shares

               

            
	
              Total
                Shares of Common Stock 

              Owned
                by Pledgor 

              
                

              

              1,100
                shares

               

            
	 
	
              %
                of Outstanding Shares of 

              Common
                Stock Owned by Pledgor

              
                

              

              100%

            
	 
	
              Certificate
                Nos. for Shares of 

              Common
                Stock Owned by Pledgor and
                Pledged to Pledgee 

              
                

              

              #1C/03

            

    

    

     

    
      
        
        

      

      
        6

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