Blend Labs Inc

Previous wording

•The holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote on an as-converted to Class A common stock basis and have rights to approve certain actions. Additionally, Haveli may exercise influence over us through its ability to designate a member of our board of directors;

Current wording

•The holders of our Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote on an as-converted to Class A common stock basis and have rights to approve certain actions. Additionally, Haveli may exercise influence over us through its ability to designate a member of our board of directors;

Previous wording

March 2023 Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”), Signature Bank, Silvergate Capital Corp. and First Republic Bank have each entered receivership and Credit Suisse Group AG was acquired to prevent its failure. These events, and others have resulted in significant uncertainty, including concerns about systemic risks and we cannot predict the impacts on the financial services industry. Certain of our financial services customers have experienced downturns, which may impact the amount they spend with us. To the extent our financial services customers or potential customers fail or experience further downturns due to challenges in the general macroeconomic environment or adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets, these firms may decrease the amount of money they spend with us, or stop spending with us entirely. In addition, increased competition to financial services firms from challenger banks and technology disruptors as well as decreases in consumer demand in the financial services industry in general could adversely affect the demand for our product and, in turn, the number of customers and their consumers using our platform.

Current wording

A substantial majority of the transactions enabled through our platform and title orders processed relate to mortgage loans and refinances, and our financial prospects depend significantly on the financial services industry ecosystem. Recently, there has been significant volatility and instability among banks and financial institutions. For example, in March 2023 Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”), Signature Bank, Silvergate Capital Corp. and First Republic Bank have each entered receivership and Credit Suisse Group AG was acquired to prevent its failure. These events, and others have resulted in significant uncertainty, including concerns about systemic risks and we cannot predict the impacts on the financial services industry. Certain of our financial services customers have experienced downturns, which may impact the amount they spend with us. To the extent our financial services customers or potential customers fail or experience further downturns due to challenges in the general macroeconomic environment or adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets, these firms may decrease the amount of money they spend with us, or stop spending with us entirely. In addition, increased competition to financial services firms from challenger banks and technology disruptors as well as decreases in consumer demand in the financial services industry in general could adversely affect the demand for our product and, in turn, the number of customers and their consumers using our platform.

Previous wording

The mortgage market is heavily influenced by government policies and overall economic conditions. The real estate environment, including interest rates and the general economic environment, typically impacts demand for mortgage and mortgage-related products. Increases in interest rates due to efforts by the Federal Reserve to manage rising inflation, combined with ongoing supply constraints, resulted in a decline in mortgage origination activity in 2022 and a further decline in 2023. Industry forecasters expect conditions to improve in 2024, and they estimate mortgage origination activity increased in the first quarter of 2024 when compared to the same period last year. As a large portion of our revenue is driven by mortgage and mortgage-related transaction volumes, changes in mortgage origination volumes have had, and are likely to continue to have, material effects on our business. The number of mortgage loans and refinances has been and may continue to be affected by negative trends in the general economy in the United States and abroad, including conditions resulting from changes in gross domestic product, financial and credit market fluctuations, the potential recessionary environment and macroeconomic uncertainty, increased interest rates, the availability and cost of credit, reductions in business and consumer confidence, stock market volatility, increased unemployment, political turmoil, pandemics, natural catastrophes, warfare, such as the current war in Ukraine and the potential effects of sanctions, the current conflict in Israel, and terrorist attacks on the United States, Europe, the Middle East region, the Asia Pacific region or elsewhere, and any such decrease in mortgage origination volumes is likely to have an adverse impact on our business.

Current wording

The mortgage market is heavily influenced by government policies and overall economic conditions. The real estate environment, including interest rates and the general economic environment, typically impacts demand for mortgage and mortgage-related products. Increases in interest rates due to efforts by the Federal Reserve to manage rising inflation, combined with ongoing supply constraints, resulted in a decline in mortgage origination activity in 2022 and a further decline in 2023. Due to the continued uncertainty around if and when the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates, forecasters differ on the magnitude and timing of activity during the remainder of the year. As a large portion of our revenue is driven by mortgage and mortgage-related transaction volumes, changes in mortgage origination volumes have had, and are likely to continue to have, material effects on our business. The number of mortgage loans and refinances has been and may continue to be affected by negative trends in the general economy in the United States and abroad, including conditions resulting from changes in gross domestic product, financial and credit market fluctuations, the potential recessionary environment and macroeconomic uncertainty, increased interest rates, the availability and cost of credit, reductions in business and consumer confidence, stock market volatility, increased unemployment, political turmoil, pandemics, natural catastrophes, warfare, such as the current war in Ukraine and the potential effects of sanctions, the current conflict in Israel, and terrorist attacks on the United States, Europe, the Middle East region, the Asia Pacific region or elsewhere, and any such decrease in mortgage origination volumes is likely to have an adverse impact on our business.

Previous wording

Increasing interest rates have adversely impacted the spending levels of consumers and their ability and willingness to borrow money. In most cases, higher interest rates have led to higher loan rates charged to consumers, which has adversely affected the ability of our customers to generate volume and in turn, the number of transactions enabled through our platform and thus our ability to generate revenue from such transactions. The U.S. Federal Reserve raised the federal funds interest rates an aggregate of 5.25% since the beginning of 2022. As a result of such interest rate increases, consumers and financial services firms have been less inclined to borrow money for mortgages, and to refinance existing mortgages, which has resulted in less engagement with our platform and/or our services. We have experienced, and may continue to experience, a reduction in the volume of transactions enabled through our platform and the value of title orders processed. In addition, while we have cut expenses to align our business to the operating environment, revenue generated from such transactions may decline faster than our ability to reduce expenses, and such declines have and may continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Current wording

Increasing interest rates have adversely impacted the spending levels of consumers and their ability and willingness to borrow money. In most cases, higher interest rates have led to higher loan rates charged to consumers, which has adversely affected the ability of our customers to generate volume and in turn, the number of transactions enabled through our platform and thus our ability to generate revenue from such transactions. The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by an aggregate of 525 basis points since the beginning of 2022. As a result of such interest rate increases, consumers and financial services firms have been less inclined to borrow money for mortgages, and to refinance existing mortgages, which has resulted in less engagement with our platform and/or our services. We have experienced, and may continue to experience, a reduction in the volume of transactions enabled through our platform and the value of title orders processed. In addition, while we have cut expenses to align our business to the operating environment, revenue generated from such transactions may decline faster than our ability to reduce expenses, and such declines have and may continue to adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Previous wording

We offer our digital lending platform and products to financial institutions through software-as-a-service agreements where fees are assessed for each completed transaction, such as a funded loan, new account opening, or API call. For those products that involve a loan or deposit account application we do not charge for abandoned applications or rejected applications, even though they cause us to incur costs. Our customers have the ability to access our platform, including Blend Builder Platform, our configurable platform, under (a) subscription arrangements, in which customers commit to a minimum number of completed transactions at specified prices over the contract term, (b) under usage-based arrangements, in which customers pay in arrears a variable amount for completed transactions at a specified price, (c) a fixed price platform fee, allowing the use of multiple products and services, including those on Blend Builder Platform, or (d) consumption arrangements, in which customers commit to a certain amount of consumption at specified prices and prepay a fixed amount in advance of their consumption. We may earn additional overage fees if the number of completed transactions exceeds contractual minimums for customers who elect to enter into subscription or consumption agreements in which a minimum number of transactions are completed at specified prices. Additionally, other than our usage-based agreements pursuant to which customers pay for a variable amount of completed transactions, our subscription and consumption agreements are generally non-cancellable during the contract term. Our usage-based arrangements generally can be terminated at any time by the customer. We recognize revenue ratably for our subscription arrangements because the customer receives and consumes the benefits of our platform throughout the contract period. We recognize fees for usage-based and consumption arrangements as the completed transactions are processed using our platform.

Current wording

We offer our digital lending platform and products to financial institutions through software-as-a-service agreements where fees are assessed for each completed transaction, such as a funded loan, new account opening, closing transaction or API call. For those products that involve a loan or deposit account application we do not charge for abandoned applications or rejected applications, even though they cause us to incur costs. Our customers have the ability to access our platform, including Blend Builder Platform, our configurable platform, under (a) subscription arrangements, in which customers commit to a minimum number of completed transactions at specified prices over the contract term, (b) under usage-based arrangements, in which customers pay in arrears a variable amount for completed transactions at a specified price, (c) a fixed price platform fee, allowing the use of multiple products and services, including those on Blend Builder Platform, or (d) consumption arrangements, in which customers commit to a certain amount of consumption at specified prices and prepay a fixed amount in advance of their consumption. We may earn additional overage fees if the number of completed transactions exceeds contractual minimums for customers who elect to enter into subscription or consumption agreements in which a minimum number of transactions are completed at specified prices. Additionally, other than our usage-based agreements pursuant to which customers pay for a variable amount of completed transactions, our subscription and consumption agreements are generally non-cancellable during the contract term. Our usage-based arrangements generally can be terminated at any time by the customer. We recognize revenue ratably for our subscription arrangements because the customer receives and consumes the benefits of our platform throughout the contract period. We recognize fees for usage-based and consumption arrangements as the completed transactions are processed using our platform.

Previous wording

•difficulty in accurately forecasting and accounting for the financial impact of an acquisition transaction, including accounting charges, write-offs of deferred revenue under purchase accounting, and integrating and reporting results for acquired companies that have not historically followed U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”);

Current wording

•difficulty in accurately forecasting and accounting for the financial impact of an acquisition transaction, including accounting charges, write-offs of deferred revenue under purchase accounting, and integrating and reporting results for acquired companies that have not historically followed U.S. generally accepted accounting principles;

Previous wording

In particular, failure to realize the full extent of the anticipated benefits of our acquisition of Title365 has and could continue to have an adverse effect on our revenue, level of expenses, and results of operations. In addition, the integration process has resulted in and could in the future result in the loss of key employees, errors or delays in the implementation of shared services, the disruption of our ongoing business, or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures, and policies that may adversely affect our ability to maintain relationships with other employees and customers or to achieve the anticipated benefits of our acquisition of Title365.

Current wording

In particular, failure to realize the full extent of the anticipated benefits of our acquisition of Title365 has and could continue to have an adverse effect on our revenue, level of expenses, and results of operations.

Previous wording

We are increasingly dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure to operate our business. In the ordinary course of our business, we collect, receive, use, transmit, store, and otherwise process large amounts of sensitive information, including personal information, credit information, and other sensitive and confidential information of consumers. It is critical that we do so in a manner designed to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of such sensitive information. Additionally, in the ordinary course of our business, we collect, store, transmit, and otherwise process large amounts of confidential business information, including intellectual property, proprietary corporate and business information, and other confidential information. We also have arrangements in place with certain of our partners, vendors, and other service providers that require us to share certain information we maintain and otherwise process, including consumer information, with them. Certain elements of our operations (including elements of our information technology infrastructure) rely on third parties, and as a result, we use numerous third-party service providers that may have access to our computer networks and sensitive or confidential information. In addition, many of those third parties may subcontract or outsource some of their responsibilities to other third parties. Our information technology systems, including the functions of third parties that are involved with or have access to those systems, are large and complex, with many points of entry and access. Our systems and those of our third-party service providers are potentially vulnerable to and may be subject to unintentional, inadvertent, or malicious, internal and external cyberattacks and other means of compromising the security, integrity, or availability of systems and data, including hacking, intrusions, malware, ransomware and other malicious code, social engineering attacks, phishing and spearphishing attempts, fraudulent inducement, electronic fraud (including attempts to misrepresent personal or financial or information to obtain loans or other financial products), wire fraud attempts to overload our servers with distributed denial-of-service attacks, employee theft, error, or malfeasance, unauthorized access by third parties (including foreign governments or state actors with significant financial and technological resources) or internal actors, or other attacks, and other types of disruptions, exposure, and security breaches and incidents. Any vulnerabilities can be exploited from inadvertent or intentional actions of our employees, partners, vendors, service providers, customers, or by malicious third parties. For example, in December 2021, a vulnerability in a popular logging software, Log4j, was publicly announced. If left unpatched, the Log4j vulnerability could be exploited to allow unauthorized actors to execute code remotely on a system using Log4j. We h…

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Current wording

We are increasingly dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure to operate our business. In the ordinary course of our business, we collect, receive, use, transmit, store, and otherwise process large amounts of sensitive information, including personal information, credit information, and other sensitive and confidential information of consumers. It is critical that we do so in a manner designed to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of such sensitive information. Additionally, in the ordinary course of our business, we collect, store, transmit, and otherwise process large amounts of confidential business information, including intellectual property, proprietary corporate and business information, and other confidential information. We also have arrangements in place with certain of our partners, vendors, and other service providers that require us to share certain information we maintain and otherwise process, including consumer information, with them. Certain elements of our operations (including elements of our information technology infrastructure) rely on third parties, and as a result, we use numerous third-party service providers that may have access to our computer networks and sensitive or confidential information. In addition, many of those third parties may subcontract or outsource some of their responsibilities to other third parties. Our information technology systems, including the functions of third parties that are involved with or have access to those systems, are large and complex, with many points of entry and access. Our systems and those of our third-party service providers are potentially vulnerable to and may be subject to unintentional, inadvertent, or malicious, internal and external cyberattacks and other means of compromising the security, integrity, or availability of systems and data, including hacking, intrusions, malware, ransomware and other malicious code, social engineering attacks, phishing and spearphishing attempts, fraudulent inducement, electronic fraud (including attempts to misrepresent personal or financial or information to obtain loans or other financial products), wire fraud attempts to overload our servers with distributed denial-of-service attacks, employee theft, error, or malfeasance, unauthorized access by third parties (including foreign governments or state actors with significant financial and technological resources) or internal actors, or other attacks, and other types of disruptions, exposure, and security breaches and incidents. Any vulnerabilities can be exploited from inadvertent or intentional actions of our employees, partners, vendors, service providers, customers, or by malicious third parties. While we take steps to ensure any such vulnerabilities are patched in our systems, but we cannot guarantee that all vulnerabilities have been patched in every system upon which we are dependent or that additional vulnerabilities of other software upon wh…

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Previous wording

We have incorporated and may continue to incorporate additional AI technology into our platform and otherwise within our business, and AI technology may become more important to our operations or to our future growth over time. We expect to rely on AI to help drive future growth in our business, but there can be no assurance that we will realize the desired or anticipated benefits from AI technology or at all. We may also fail to properly implement or market our use of AI technology. Our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI technology into their products, offerings, and solutions more quickly or more successfully than us, which could impair our ability to compete effectively and adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, our use of AI technology may expose us to additional claims, demands, and proceedings by private parties and regulatory authorities and subject us to legal liability as well as brand and reputational harm. For example, if the outputs that our AI technology assists in producing are or are alleged to be deficient, inaccurate, or biased, or if such outputs or their development or deployment, including the collection, use, or other processing of data used to train or create such AI technology, are held or alleged to infringe upon or to have misappropriated third-party intellectual property rights or to violate applicable laws, regulations, or other actual or asserted legal obligations to which we are or may become subject, our business, operating results, financial condition, and growth prospects could be adversely affected. The legal, regulatory, and policy environments around AI technology are evolving rapidly, and we may become subject to new and evolving legal and other obligations. For example, in the European Union, the European Council and Parliament reached political agreement in December 2023 on the Artificial Intelligence Act (“AI Act”), which the European Parliament approved on March 13, 2024. The AI Act will impose substantial obligations related to the sale and use of AI-related systems. These and other developments may require us to make significant changes to our use of AI technology, including by limiting or restricting our use of AI technology, and which may require us to make significant changes to our policies and practices, which may necessitate expenditure of significant time, expense, and other resources, the use of AI technology also presents emerging ethical issues that could harm our reputation and business if our use of AI technology becomes controversial.

Current wording

We have incorporated and may continue to incorporate additional AI technology into our platform and otherwise within our business, and AI technology may become more important to our operations or to our future growth over time. We expect to rely on AI to help drive future growth in our business, but there can be no assurance that we will realize the desired or anticipated benefits from AI technology or at all. Some of our customers, especially those in highly regulated industries, may be reluctant or unwilling to adopt products using AI technology. Accordingly, adoption of AI features in our products and marketing could reduce or delay customer adoption. We may also fail to properly implement or market our use of AI technology. Our competitors or other third parties may incorporate AI technology into their products, offerings, and solutions more quickly or more successfully than us, which could impair our ability to compete effectively and adversely affect our results of operations.

Previous wording

Certain of the metrics presented herein are calculated using internal company data that has not been independently verified, data from third-party attribution partners, or unaudited financial information of companies that we have acquired or partnered with. While these metrics and figures are based on what we believe to be reasonable calculations for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent challenges in measuring these metrics and figures across our client base and user base. Additionally, certain figures relating to our strategic acquisitions and partnerships are based on unaudited financial information that has been prepared by the management of such companies and has not been independently reviewed or audited. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information was independently reviewed or audited. We regularly review and may adjust our processes for calculating our metrics and other figures to improve their accuracy, but these efforts may not prove successful and we may discover material inaccuracies. In addition, our methodology for calculating these metrics may differ from the methodology used by other companies to calculate similar metrics and figures. We may also discover unexpected errors in the data that we are using that resulted from technical or other errors. If we determine that any of our metrics or figures are not accurate, we may be required to revise or cease reporting such metrics or figures. Any real or perceived inaccuracies in our metrics and other figures could adversely affect our reputation and our business.

Current wording

Certain of the metrics that we present, including herein are calculated using internal company data that has not been independently verified, data from third-party attribution partners, or unaudited financial information of companies that we have acquired or partnered with. While these metrics and figures are based on what we believe to be reasonable calculations for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent challenges in measuring these metrics and figures across our client base and user base. Additionally, certain figures relating to our strategic acquisitions and partnerships are based on unaudited financial information that has been prepared by the management of such companies and has not been independently reviewed or audited. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information was independently reviewed or audited. We regularly review and have in the past, and may in the future, adjust our processes for calculating our metrics and other figures to improve their accuracy, but these efforts may not prove successful and we may discover material inaccuracies. In addition, our methodology for calculating these metrics may differ from the methodology used by other companies to calculate similar metrics and figures. We may also discover unexpected errors in the data that we are using that resulted from technical or other errors, or we may determine that third party date we relied upon is not accurate or does not accurately reflect our business. If we determine that any of our metrics or figures are not accurate, we may be required to revise or cease reporting such metrics or figures. Any real or perceived inaccuracies in our metrics and other figures could adversely affect our reputation and our business.

Previous wording

We have certain operations outside of the United States and are considering expanding our presence internationally. In addition, in connection with our acquisition of Title365, we acquired Title365’s India operations. Operating outside of the United States requires significant management attention to oversee operations over a broad geographic area with varying cultural norms and customs, in addition to placing strain on our finance, analytics, compliance, legal, engineering, and operations teams. We may incur significant operating expenses and may not be successful in our international expansion for a variety of reasons, including:

Current wording

We have certain operations outside of the United States and weare considering expanding our presence internationally. In addition, in connection with our acquisition of Title365, we acquired Title365’s India operations. Operating outside of the United States requires significant management attention to oversee operations over a broad geographic area with varying cultural norms and customs, in addition to placing strain on our finance, analytics, compliance, legal, engineering, and operations teams. We may incur significant operating expenses and may not be successful in our international expansion for a variety of reasons, including:

Previous wording

In addition, a number of participants in the consumer financial and real estate settlement services industries have been the subject of putative class action lawsuits, state attorney general actions, other state regulatory actions, and federal regulatory enforcement actions, including actions relating to alleged unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices, violations of state licensing and disclosure laws and actions alleging discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, or other prohibited bases. The current regulatory environment, increased regulatory compliance efforts, and enhanced regulatory enforcement have resulted in us undertaking significant time-consuming and expensive operational and compliance efforts, which may delay or preclude our ability to provide certain new products and services to our customers and/or delay adoption of new products and services by our customers. There is no assurance that these regulatory matters or other factors will not, in the future, affect how we conduct our business and, in turn, have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In particular, legal proceedings brought under state consumer protection statutes or under several of the various federal consumer financial services statutes may result in a separate fine assessed for each statutory and regulatory violation or substantial damages from class action lawsuits, potentially in excess of the amounts we earned from the underlying activities.

Current wording

In addition, a number of participants in the consumer financial and real estate settlement services industries have been the subject of putative class action lawsuits, state attorney general actions, other state regulatory actions, and federal regulatory enforcement actions, including actions relating to alleged unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices, violations of state licensing and disclosure laws and actions alleging discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, or other prohibited bases. The current regulatory environment, increased regulatory compliance efforts, and enhanced regulatory enforcement have resulted in us undertaking significant time-consuming and expensive operational and compliance efforts, which may delay or preclude our ability to provide certain new products and services to our customers and/or delay adoption of new products and services by our customers. Additionally, recent rulings from the Supreme Court, including to overrule their decision in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, have caused additional uncertainty regarding federal administrative authority. There is no assurance that these regulatory matters or other factors will not, in the future, affect how we conduct our business and, in turn, have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In particular, legal proceedings brought under state consumer protection statutes or under several of the various federal consumer financial services statutes may result in a separate fine assessed for each statutory and regulatory violation or substantial damages from class action lawsuits, potentially in excess of the amounts we earned from the underlying activities.

Previous wording

The CCPA went into effect on January 1, 2020, and, among other things, requires new disclosures to California consumers and affords such consumers new data privacy rights. The California Attorney General can enforce the CCPA, including seeking an injunction and civil penalties of up to $7,500 per violation. The CCPA also provides a private right of action for certain data breaches that may increase data breach litigation. Additionally, the CPRA was approved by California voters in November 2020, and significantly modifies the CCPA, including expanding California consumers’ rights with respect to certain personal information and creating a new state agency to oversee implementation and enforcement efforts. The CPRA created obligations relating to consumer data beginning on January 1, 2022 and it became effective on January 1, 2023. Numerous states have proposed, and in certain cases enacted, legislation addressing privacy and data security that in many cases are similar to the CCPA and CPRA. For example, Connecticut, Virginia, Colorado, and Utah have enacted legislation similar to the CCPA and CPRA that took effect in 2023; Florida, Montana, Oregon, and Texas have enacted similar legislation that takes effect in 2024; Delaware, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Iowa have enacted similar legislation that will take effect in 2025; and Indiana has enacted similar legislation that will take effect in 2026. The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (“CAADCA”), which expands the CPRA for businesses with websites that are likely to be accessed by children, was signed into law on September 15, 2022 and goes into effect on July 1, 2024.

Current wording

The CCPA went into effect on January 1, 2020, and, among other things, requires new disclosures to California consumers and affords such consumers new data privacy rights. The California Attorney General can enforce the CCPA, including seeking an injunction and civil penalties of up to $7,500 per violation. The CCPA also provides a private right of action for certain data breaches that may increase data breach litigation. Additionally, the CPRA was approved by California voters in November 2020, and significantly modifies the CCPA, including expanding California consumers’ rights with respect to certain personal information and creating a new state agency to oversee implementation and enforcement efforts. The CPRA created obligations relating to consumer data beginning on January 1, 2022 and it became effective on January 1, 2023. Numerous states have proposed, and in certain cases enacted, legislation addressing privacy and data security that in many cases are similar to the CCPA and CPRA. For example, Connecticut, Virginia, Colorado, and Utah have enacted legislation similar to the CCPA and CPRA that took effect in 2023; Florida, Montana, Oregon, and Texas have enacted similar legislation that took effect on July 1, 2024; Delaware, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Iowa have enacted similar legislation that will take effect in 2025; and Indiana has enacted similar legislation that will take effect in 2026. The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (“CAADCA”), which expands the CPRA for businesses with websites that are likely to be accessed by children, was signed into law on September 15, 2022 and went into effect on July 1, 2024. The New York governor signed a bill into law in June 2024 that, upon becoming effective on June 20, 2025, would, among other things, prohibit covered “operators” from collecting, using, sharing, and selling personal data of individuals under 18 years of age unless it is strictly necessary, as specified in such legislation, or where informed consent is obtained in accordance with specified requirements. This includes, in the case of individuals under 13 years of age, obtaining parental consent in a manner compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”).

Previous wording

The CCPA, CPRA, CAADCA, other new and evolving state legislation, and other changes in laws or regulations relating to privacy, data protection, and information security, particularly any new or modified laws or regulations, or changes to the interpretation or enforcement of laws or regulations, that require enhanced protection of certain types of data or new obligations with regard to data retention, transfer, or disclosure, could add additional complexity and variations in requirements, restrictions, and legal risks, greatly increase the cost of providing our platform, require significant changes to our operations and additional investment of resources, impact strategies and the availability of previously useful data for processing, or prevent us from providing our platform in jurisdictions in which we currently operate and in which we may operate in the future. Certain other state laws impose similar privacy, data protection, and information security obligations and we also expect that more states may enact new legislation to provide consumers with new privacy rights and increase the privacy, data protection, and information security obligations of entities handling certain personal information of such consumers. In addition, some jurisdictions, such as New York, Massachusetts, and Nevada have enacted more generalized information security laws that apply to certain data that we process. The U.S. federal government also has proposed legislation relating to privacy and data security. We cannot yet fully determine the impact these or future laws, rules, regulations, and industry standards may have on our business or operations. Any such laws, rules, regulations, and industry standards may be inconsistent, subject to differing interpretations, or may conflict, or be alleged to conflict, with our current or future practices. Additionally, our customers may be subject to differing privacy laws, rules, and legislation, or self-regulatory principles, codes, or other obligations, which may cause them to require us to be bound by varying contractual requirements, including certain requirements applicable to other jurisdictions. Adherence to such contractual requirements may impact our collection, use, storage, sharing, disclosure, and processing of various types of information and may mean we become bound by, or voluntarily comply with, self-regulatory or other industry standards, or other actual or asserted obligations, relating to these matters that may further change as laws, rules, and regulations evolve. Complying with these requirements and other actual or asserted obligations, and changing our policies and practices may be onerous and costly, and we may not be able to respond quickly or effectively to regulatory, legislative and other developments. These changes may in turn impair our ability to offer our existing or planned products and services and/or increase our cost of doing business.

Current wording

The CCPA, CPRA, CAADCA, COPPA, other new and evolving state legislation, and other changes in laws or regulations relating to privacy, data protection, and information security, particularly any new or modified laws or regulations, or changes to the interpretation or enforcement of laws or regulations, that require enhanced protection of certain types of data or new obligations with regard to data retention, transfer, or disclosure, could add additional complexity and variations in requirements, restrictions, and legal risks, greatly increase the cost of providing our platform, require significant changes to our operations and additional investment of resources, impact strategies and the availability of previously useful data for processing, or prevent us from providing our platform in jurisdictions in which we currently operate and in which we may operate in the future. Certain other state laws impose similar privacy, data protection, and information security obligations and we also expect that more states may enact new legislation to provide consumers with new privacy rights and increase the privacy, data protection, and information security obligations of entities handling certain personal information of such consumers. In addition, some jurisdictions, such as New York, Massachusetts, and Nevada have enacted more generalized information security laws that apply to certain data that we process. The U.S. federal government also has proposed legislation relating to privacy and data security. We cannot yet fully determine the impact these or future laws, rules, regulations, and industry standards may have on our business or operations. Any such laws, rules, regulations, and industry standards may be inconsistent, subject to differing interpretations, or may conflict, or be alleged to conflict, with our current or future practices. Additionally, our customers may be subject to differing privacy laws, rules, and legislation, or self-regulatory principles, codes, or other obligations, which may cause them to require us to be bound by varying contractual requirements, including certain requirements applicable to other jurisdictions. Adherence to such contractual requirements may impact our collection, use, storage, sharing, disclosure, and processing of various types of information and may mean we become bound by, or voluntarily comply with, self-regulatory or other industry standards, or other actual or asserted obligations, relating to these matters that may further change as laws, rules, and regulations evolve. Complying with these requirements and other actual or asserted obligations, and changing our policies and practices may be onerous and costly, and we may not be able to respond quickly or effectively to regulatory, legislative and other developments. These changes may in turn impair our ability to offer our existing or planned products and services and/or increase our cost of doing business.

Previous wording

Although state insurance regulators have primary responsibility for administering and enforcing insurance regulations in the United States, such laws and regulations are further administered and enforced by a number of additional governmental authorities, each of which exercises a degree of interpretive latitude, including state securities administrators, state attorneys general as well as federal agencies including the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Insurance Office and the U.S. Department of Justice. Consequently, compliance with any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may not result in compliance with another’s interpretation of the same issue, particularly when compliance is judged in hindsight.

Current wording

Although state insurance regulators have primary responsibility for administering and enforcing insurance regulations in the United States, such laws and regulations are further administered and enforced by a number of additional governmental authorities, each of which exercises a degree of interpretive latitude, including state securities administrators, state attorneys general as well as federal agencies including the Federal Reserve, the Federal Insurance Office and the U.S. Department of Justice. Consequently, compliance with any particular regulator’s or enforcement authority’s interpretation of a legal issue may not result in compliance with another’s interpretation of the same issue, particularly when compliance is judged in hindsight.

Previous wording

Our exposure to regulation and residential real estate transaction activity may be greater in California and Texas, where we source a significant proportion of our premiums.

Current wording

Our exposure to regulation and residential real estate transaction activity may be greater in Texas, California and Florida, where we source a significant proportion of our premiums.

Previous wording

Competition in the title insurance industry is intense, particularly with respect to price, service, and expertise. Larger residential mortgage originators also look at the size and financial strength of a title insurance agency. Although we provide title settlement services to large commercial and residential customers and mortgage originators, there are other title insurance agencies that have substantially greater capital than we do, especially those affiliated with large title insurance underwriters. The size and number of title insurance agencies varies in the geographic areas in which we conduct our title business. settlement services to large commercial and residential customers and mortgage originators, there are other title insurance agencies that have substantially greater capital than we do, especially those affiliated with large title insurance underwriters. The size and number of title insurance agencies varies in the geographic areas in which we conduct our title business. Our existing competitors may expand their title insurance business and, although we are not aware of any current initiatives to reduce regulatory barriers to entering our industry, any such reduction could result in new competitors, including financial institutions, entering the title insurance business. From time to time, new entrants enter the marketplace with alternative products to traditional title insurance, although many of these alternative products have been disallowed by title insurance regulators. Further, advances in technologies could, over time, significantly disrupt the traditional business model of financial services and real estate-related companies, including title insurance. These alternative products or disruptive technologies, if permitted by regulators, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Current wording

Competition in the title insurance industry is intense, particularly with respect to price, service, and expertise. Larger residential mortgage originators also look at the size and financial strength of a title insurance agency. Although we provide title settlement services to large commercial and residential customers and mortgage originators, there are other title insurance agencies that have substantially greater capital than we do, especially those affiliated with large title insurance underwriters. The size and number of title insurance agencies varies in the geographic areas in which we conduct our title business. Our existing competitors may expand their title insurance business and, although we are not aware of any current initiatives to reduce regulatory barriers to entering our industry, any such reduction could result in new competitors, including financial institutions, entering the title insurance business. From time to time, new entrants enter the marketplace with alternative products to traditional title insurance, although many of these alternative products have been disallowed by title insurance regulators. Further, advances in technologies could, over time, significantly disrupt the traditional business model of financial services and real estate-related companies, including title insurance. These alternative products or disruptive technologies, if permitted by regulators, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Previous wording

We rely on a wide variety of data sources to provide our services and products, including data collected from applicants and borrowers, credit bureaus, payroll providers, data aggregators, and unaffiliated third parties. If we are unable to access and use data collected from or on behalf of applicants and borrowers, or other third-party data, or our access to such data is limited, our ability to provide our services and enable our customers to verify applicant data would be compromised. Any of the foregoing could negatively impact the consumer experience of our platform, the volume of loans enabled through our platform, the delivery of closing services like title and settlement services, and the degree of automation in our application process and on our platform.

Current wording

We rely on a wide variety of data sources to provide our services and products, including data collected from applicants and borrowers, credit bureaus, payroll providers, data aggregators, and unaffiliated third parties. If we are unable to access and use data collected from or on behalf of applicants and borrowers, or other third-party data, or our access to such data is limited, our ability to provide our services and enable our customers to verify applicant data would be compromised. Any of the foregoing could negatively impact the consumer experience of our platform, the volume of loans enabled through our platform, the delivery of certain services, including closing services like title and settlement services, and the degree of automation in our application process and on our platform.

Previous wording

Our Class A common stock has one vote per share, our Class B common stock has 40 votes per share, and our Class C common stock has no voting rights, except as otherwise required by law. As of December 31, 2023, Nima Ghamsari, Head of Blend, Co-Founder, and Chair of our board of directors, beneficially owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock. As of March 31, 2024, the shares beneficially owned by Mr. Ghamsari represented approximately 61% of the total voting power of our outstanding capital stock, which voting power may increase over time as Mr. Ghamsari exercises equity awards and exchanges them for our Class B common stock under the Equity Exchange Agreement. If all such equity awards held by Mr. Ghamsari (including the Co-Founder and Head of Blend Long-Term Performance Award) had been exercised for cash as of March 31, 2024, Mr. Ghamsari would hold approximately 86% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock. As a result, for the foreseeable future, Mr. Ghamsari will be able to control matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of members of our board of directors, the adoption of amendments to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other major corporate transaction. Mr. Ghamsari may have interests that differ from yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and which may be adverse to your interest. The concentration of control will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future and could have the effect of delaying, preventing, or deterring a change in control of our company, could deprive you and other holders of Class A common stock of an opportunity to receive a premium for your Class A common stock as part of a sale of our company and could negatively affect the market price of our Class A common stock. In addition, this may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our capital stock that you may feel are in your best interest as one of our stockholders.

Current wording

Our Class A common stock has one vote per share, our Class B common stock has 40 votes per share, and our Class C common stock has no voting rights, except as otherwise required by law. As of December 31, 2023, Nima Ghamsari, Head of Blend, Co-Founder, and Chair of our board of directors, beneficially owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of our Class B common stock. As of June 30, 2024, the shares beneficially owned by Mr. Ghamsari represented approximately 42% of the total voting power of our outstanding capital stock, which voting power may increase over time as Mr. Ghamsari exercises equity awards and exchanges them for our Class B common stock under the Equity Exchange Agreement. If all such equity awards held by Mr. Ghamsari (including the Co-Founder and Head of Blend Long-Term Performance Award) had been exercised for cash as of June 30, 2024, Mr. Ghamsari would hold approximately 83% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock. As a result, for the foreseeable future, Mr. Ghamsari will be able to significantly influence matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election of members of our board of directors, the adoption of amendments to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other major corporate transaction. Mr. Ghamsari may have interests that differ from yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and which may be adverse to your interest. The concentration of control will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future and could have the effect of delaying, preventing, or deterring a change in control of our company, could deprive you and other holders of Class A common stock of an opportunity to receive a premium for your Class A common stock as part of a sale of our company and could negatively affect the market price of our Class A common stock. In addition, this may prevent or discourage unsolicited acquisition proposals or offers for our capital stock that you may feel are in your best interest as one of our stockholders.

Previous wording

Because of the 40-to-one voting ratio between our Class B and Class A common stock, even if Mr. Ghamsari transfers or sells a significant number of shares of Class A common stock, he will continue to control a significant portion of the voting power of our capital stock based on his current ownership. Future transfers by Mr. Ghamsari and his affiliates of Class B common stock will generally result in those shares converting into shares of Class A common stock, subject to limited exceptions, such as certain transfers effected for estate planning or charitable purposes. In addition, each share of Class B common stock will convert automatically into one share of Class A common stock upon (i) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the first date following the completion of our initial public offering (“IPO”), on which the number of shares of our capital stock, including Class A common stock, Class B common stock, and Class C common stock, and any shares of capital stock underlying equity securities or other convertible instruments, held by Mr. Ghamsari and his affiliates is less than 35% of the number of shares of Class B common stock held by Mr. Ghamsari and his affiliates as of immediately following the completion of our IPO, which we sometimes refer to herein as the 35% Ownership Threshold; (ii) 12 months after the death or total disability of Mr. Ghamsari, during which 12-month period the shares of our Class B common stock shall be voted as directed by a person designated by Mr. Ghamsari and approved by our board of directors (or if there is no such person, then our secretary then in office); (iii) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the date on which Mr. Ghamsari is terminated for cause (as defined in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation); (iv) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the date upon which (A) Mr. Ghamsari is no longer providing services to us as an officer or employee and (B) Mr. Ghamsari is no longer a member of our board of directors, either as a result of Mr. Ghamsari’s voluntary resignation or as a result of a request or agreement by Mr. Ghamsari at a meeting of our stockholders for Mr. Ghamsari not to be renominated as a member of our board of directors; or (v) the 50-year anniversary of the completion of our IPO. We refer to the date on which such final conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B common stock pursuant to the terms of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation occurs as the Final Conversion Date.

Current wording

Because of the 40-to-one voting ratio between our Class B and Class A common stock, even if Mr. Ghamsari transfers or sells a significant number of shares of Class A common stock, he will continue to control a significant portion of the voting power of our capital stock based on his current ownership. Transfers by Mr. Ghamsari and his affiliates of Class B common stock generally result in those shares converting into shares of Class A common stock, subject to limited exceptions, such as certain transfers effected for estate planning or charitable purposes. In addition, each share of Class B common stock will convert automatically into one share of Class A common stock upon (i) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the first date following the completion of our initial public offering (“IPO”), on which the number of shares of our capital stock, including Class A common stock, Class B common stock, and Class C common stock, and any shares of capital stock underlying equity securities or other convertible instruments, held by Mr. Ghamsari and his affiliates is less than 35% of the number of shares of Class B common stock held by Mr. Ghamsari and his affiliates as of immediately following the completion of our IPO, which we sometimes refer to herein as the 35% Ownership Threshold; (ii) 12 months after the death or total disability of Mr. Ghamsari, during which 12-month period the shares of our Class B common stock shall be voted as directed by a person designated by Mr. Ghamsari and approved by our board of directors (or if there is no such person, then our secretary then in office); (iii) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the date on which Mr. Ghamsari is terminated for cause (as defined in our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation); (iv) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the date upon which (A) Mr. Ghamsari is no longer providing services to us as an officer or employee and (B) Mr. Ghamsari is no longer a member of our board of directors, either as a result of Mr. Ghamsari’s voluntary resignation or as a result of a request or agreement by Mr. Ghamsari at a meeting of our stockholders for Mr. Ghamsari not to be renominated as a member of our board of directors; or (v) the 50-year anniversary of the completion of our IPO. We refer to the date on which such final conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B common stock pursuant to the terms of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation occurs as the Final Conversion Date.

Previous wording

No shares of our Class C common stock, which entitle the holder to zero votes per share (except as otherwise required by law), were issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and we have no current plans to issue shares of Class C common stock. These shares will be available to be used in the future to further strategic initiatives, such as financings or acquisitions, or issue future equity awards to our service providers. Over time the issuance of shares of Class A common stock will result in voting dilution to all of our stockholders and this dilution could eventually result in Mr. Ghamsari and his affiliates holding less than a majority of our total outstanding voting power. Once Mr. Ghamsari and his affiliates own less than a majority of our total outstanding voting power, Mr. Ghamsari would no longer have the unilateral ability to elect all of our directors and to determine the outcome of any matter submitted for a vote of our stockholders. Because the shares of Class C common stock have no voting rights (except as required by law), the issuance of such shares will not result in further voting dilution, which would prolong the voting control of Mr. Ghamsari. Further, the issuance of such shares of Class C common stock to Mr. Ghamsari would also delay the final conversion of all of our outstanding Class B common stock because shares of Class C common stock issued to Mr. Ghamsari would be counted when determining whether the 35% Ownership Threshold has been met. As a result, the issuance of shares of Class C common stock could prolong the duration of Mr. Ghamsari’s control of our voting power and his ability to elect all of our directors and to determine the outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. In addition, we could issue shares of Class C common stock to Mr. Ghamsari and, in that event, he would be able to sell such shares of Class C common stock and achieve liquidity in his holdings without diminishing his voting control. Sales of significant amounts of stock by Mr. Ghamsari or changes in our capital structure, including as a result of the Final Conversion Date, could result in a change of control or cause volatility in our stock price and uncertainty. Any future issuances of shares of Class C common stock will not be subject to approval by our stockholders except as required by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Current wording

No shares of our Class C common stock, which entitle the holder to zero votes per share (except as otherwise required by law), were issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2024 and we have no current plans to issue shares of Class C common stock. These shares will be available to be used in the future to further strategic initiatives, such as financings or acquisitions, or issue future equity awards to our service providers. Over time the issuance of shares of Class A common stock will result in voting dilution to all of our stockholders and this dilution could eventually result in Mr. Ghamsari and his affiliates holding a lower percentage of our total outstanding voting power. Because the shares of Class C common stock have no voting rights (except as required by law), the issuance of such shares will not result in further voting dilution, which would prolong the significant voting influence of Mr. Ghamsari. Further, the issuance of such shares of Class C common stock to Mr. Ghamsari would also delay the final conversion of all of our outstanding Class B common stock because shares of Class C common stock issued to Mr. Ghamsari would be counted when determining whether the 35% Ownership Threshold has been met. As a result, the issuance of shares of Class C common stock could prolong the duration of Mr. Ghamsari’s significant influence on the election of our directors and outcome of most matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. In addition, we could issue shares of Class C common stock to Mr. Ghamsari and, in that event, he would be able to sell such shares of Class C common stock and achieve liquidity in his holdings without diminishing his voting control. Sales of significant amounts of stock by Mr. Ghamsari or changes in our capital structure, including as a result of the Final Conversion Date, could result in a change of control or cause volatility in our stock price and uncertainty. Any future issuances of shares of Class C common stock will not be subject to approval by our stockholders except as required by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Previous wording

•sales of shares of our Class A common stock by us or our stockholders, including sales by or on behalf of Nima Ghamsari, Head of Blend, Co-Founder and Chair of our board of directors, to reduce or satisfy the outstanding amounts under his personal loans as required or permitted under his loan documentation with certain lenders (including as a result of foreclosure), under which he has pledged shares of his Class B common stock to secure certain personal indebtedness, or for any other reason;

Current wording

•sales of shares of our Class A common stock by us or our stockholders, including sales by or on behalf of Nima Ghamsari, Head of Blend, Co-Founder and Chair of our board of directors, to reduce or satisfy the outstanding amounts under his personal loans as required or permitted under his loan documentation with certain lenders (including as a result of foreclosure), under which he has pledged shares of his Class A common stock and Class B common stock to secure certain personal indebtedness, or for any other reason;

Previous wording

(the “Voting Threshold Date”), our stockholders will only be able to take action by written consent if such action is first recommended or approved by our board of directors, and after the Voting Threshold Date, our stockholders will only be able to take action at a meeting of stockholders and will not be able to take action by written consent for any matter;

Current wording

•until the first date on which the outstanding shares of our Class B common stock represent less than a majority of the total combined voting power of our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock (the “Voting Threshold Date”), our stockholders will only be able to take action by written consent if such action is first recommended or approved by our board of directors, and after the Voting Threshold Date, our stockholders will only be able to take action at a meeting of stockholders and will not be able to take action by written consent for any matter;

Previous wording

The holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote on an as-converted to Class A common stock basis and have rights to approve certain actions. Additionally, Haveli may exercise influence over us through their ability to designate a member of our board of directors.

Current wording

The holders of our Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote on an as-converted to Class A common stock basis and have rights to approve certain actions. Additionally, Haveli may exercise influence over us through their ability to designate a member of our board of directors.

Previous wording

Subject to the expiration or earlier termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (“HSR Approval”), the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote with the holders of our Class A common stock on all matters submitted for a vote of holders of shares of Class A common stock (voting together with the holders of shares of Class A common stock as a single class) on an as-converted basis.

Current wording

The holders of our Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote with the holders of our Class A common stock on all matters submitted for a vote of holders of shares of Class A common stock (voting together with the holders of shares of Class A common stock as a single class) on an as-converted basis.

Previous wording

Pursuant to the Investment Agreement (the “Investment Agreement”), by and between the Company and Haveli Brooks Aggregator, L.P. (“Haveli”), Haveli has the right to designate one candidate for nomination for election to our board of directors for so long as Haveli and its permitted transferees maintain minimum aggregate holdings of our stock as described in further detail in the Investment Agreement. Notwithstanding the fact that all of our directors are subject to fiduciary duties to us and to applicable law, the interests of the director designated by Haveli may differ from the interests of our securityholders as a whole or of our other directors.

Current wording

Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, Haveli has the right to designate one candidate for nomination for election to our board of directors for so long as Haveli and its permitted transferees maintain minimum aggregate holdings of our stock as described in further detail in the Investment Agreement. Notwithstanding the fact that all of our directors are subject to fiduciary duties to us and to applicable law, the interests of the director designated by Haveli may differ from the interests of our securityholders as a whole or of our other directors.

Previous wording

Following receipt of HSR approval, the holders of our Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote, on an as-converted basis, together with holders of our Class A common stock on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our Class A common stock, which reduces the relative voting power of the holders of our Class A common stock. In addition, the conversion of our Series A Preferred Stock into Class A common stock or the exercise of the warrant issued to Haveli to purchase up to 11,111,112 shares of Class A common stock, at a purchase price of $4.50 per share of Class A common stock (the “Warrant”), would dilute the ownership interest of existing holders of our Class A common stock, and any conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock or exercise of the Warrant would increase the number of shares of our Class A common stock available for public trading, and which may adversely affect prevailing market prices of our Class A common stock.

Current wording

The holders of our Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, on an as-converted basis, together with holders of our Class A common stock on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our Class A common stock, which reduces the relative voting power of the holders of our Class A common stock. In addition, the conversion of our Series A Preferred Stock into Class A common stock or the exercise of the warrant issued to Haveli to purchase up to 11,111,112 shares of Class A common stock, at a purchase price of $4.50 per share of Class A common stock, would dilute the ownership interest of existing holders of our Class A common stock, and any conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock or exercise of the Warrant would increase the number of shares of our Class A common stock available for public trading, and which may adversely affect prevailing market prices of our Class A common stock.