Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Factors That May Affect Future Results

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company's future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This quarterly report on Form 10-Q and other written and oral statements that we make from time to time contain such forward-looking statements that set out anticipated results based on management's plans and assumptions regarding future events or performance. We have tried, wherever possible, to identify such statements by using words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will" and similar expressions in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. In particular, these include statements relating to future actions, future performance or results of current and anticipated sales efforts, expenses, the outcome of contingencies, such as legal proceedings, and financial results. Factors that could cause our actual results of operations and financial condition to differ materially are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as filed with the SEC on January 7, 2022.

We caution that these factors could cause our actual results of operations and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements we make and that investors should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of such factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.





Overview


Bantec, Inc. is a distributor, construction, environmental and drone company. Through Howco Distributing Co, Bantec provides product procurement, distribution, and logistics services, to the United States Department of Defense and Defense Logistics Agency. The Company established Bantec Sanitizing in fiscal 2021, which offers sanitizing products and equipment through its new store bantec.store. Bantec Sanitizing is currently offering Bantec Sanitizing franchises for sale. The Company has operations based in Little Falls, New Jersey and Vancouver, Washington. The Company continues to seek strategic acquisitions and partnerships with distributor, construction, environmental and drone firms that offer growth opportunities in well established markets, as well as acquisitions and partnerships with firms that have complementary technologies, services, products and infrastructure.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2022 we had $632,608 in current assets, including $243,126 in cash, compared to $1,205,058 in current assets, including $985,953 in cash, at September 30, 2021. Current liabilities at June 30, 2022, totaled $16,296,493 compared to $15,914,650, at September 30, 2021. The decrease in current assets from September 30, 2021 to June 30, 2022 is primarily due to decreases in: cash of $742,827, and prepaid expenses $24,219, partially offset by increases of approximately $153,000 and $41,000 in accounts receivable and inventory, respectively. The increase in current liabilities from September 30, 2021 to June 30, 2022, of approximately $382,000, is primarily due to the increases in accrued expenses of approximately $740,000. While we have revenues from UAV sales as of this date, no significant UAV revenues are anticipated until we have implemented our full plan of operations, specifically, initiating sales campaigns for our UAV internet and social media platforms. We must raise cash to implement our strategy to grow and expand per our business plan. We anticipate over the next 12 months the cost of being a reporting public company will be approximately $250,000.

We are currently issuing shares under the S-1 offering but expect to raise additional proceeds with debt securities, and/or more loans, however if sufficient funding is not available, we would be required to cease business operations. As a result, investors would lose all of their investment. Under the terms of our credit agreement with TCA, all potential new investments must first be reviewed and approved by TCA, which may constrain our options for new fundraising. However, we have been in contact with the receiver for the TCA management companies and funds and do not expect any such objections over investment opportunities. We are currently in discussion to undertake a second S1 offering.

We anticipate our short-term liquidity needs to be approximately $5,000,000 which will be used to satisfy certain of our existing current liabilities and we expect gross profits of approximately $500,000. To meet these needs, we intend to complete our equity financing and refinance or restructure certain existing liabilities. Once this is completed, and we implement our sales and marketing plan to sell UAV products, we anticipate minimal long-term liquidity needs which we expect to meet through equity financing or short-term borrowings.

Additionally, we will have to meet all the financial disclosure and reporting requirements associated with being a publicly reporting company. Our management will have to spend additional time on policies and procedures to make sure it is compliant with various regulatory requirements, especially that of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. This additional corporate governance time required of management could limit the amount of time management has to implement the business plan and may impede the speed of its operations.





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The Impact of COVID-19


The Company is a wholesale vendor to the Department of Defense through its wholly owned subsidiary Howco's business has been affected due to the COVID-19 social distancing requirements mandated by the federal, state and local governments where the Company's operations occur. For some businesses, like the Company's, core business cannot always be done through "virtual" means, and even when this is possible, it requires significant capital and time to achieve. During the nine months ended June 30, 2022 sales and shipments at Howco have continued at a lower rate than during the nine months ended June 30, 2021. It is expected that COVID-19 restrictions had an impact on the Company's operations during the nine months ended June 30, 2022, however the Company cannot assess the financial impact of the related COVID-19 restrictions as compared to other economic and business factors.

The following is a summary of the Company's cash flows provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities:





                                                                Nine Months       Nine Months
                                                                   Ended             Ended
                                                                 June 30,          June 30,
                                                                   2022              2021
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities            $  (1,240,506 )   $    (911,075 )
Net Cash Used in Investing                                                 -                 -
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities            $     497,679     $     871,956
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash                                $    (742,827 )   $     (39,119 )

2022, Net cash used in operating activities of $1,240,506, is largely the result of net losses of $2,032,933, partially offset by non-cash charges for premiums on stock settled debt, debt discount amortization, non-cash charges for services and increases to accrued expenses (interest).

2022, Cash provided by financing activities of $497,679 is largely the result of stock sales for cash of $699,589 and cash received from issuance of convertible notes totaling $101,250, somewhat offset by repayments of various debts including bank loan and other financing arrangements at Howco.

Refer also to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in the financial statement section of this report.





Results of Operations


Three months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

We generated sales of $750,756 and $622,423 for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, an increase of approximately $128,000, or 21%. For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, we reported cost of goods sold of $629,023 and $494,107, respectively, an increase of approximately $135,000, or 27%. The increase in sales and cost of goods sold for the 2022 period as compared to the 2021 period is due to higher sales in current period due to increased Department of Defense spending and lessening COVID 19 restrictions. While management's focus on increasing gross margins has impacted sales levels, we believe that the Company is situated to capture greater sales without incurring significant fixed costs through three initiatives. Gross margins were 16% and 21% for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Gross margin contractions were due to increased direct sales as packaging services have decreased. Efforts are underway to market an expanded suite of Howco product lines on the east coast. We are expanding product offerings with high tech tactical gear to regular federal government entities (Howco lines of business), adding the high-tech tactical gear to our traditional drone assemblies along with newer more rapidly deployed drones focused on municipalities and lastly, we are adding construction contracting and sanitizing services.

For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, we reported selling, general, and administrative expenses of $470,612 as compared to $790,539, a decrease of approximately $320,000, or 40%. For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, selling, general, and administrative expenses consisted of the following:





                                                                  For the            For the
                                                                Three Months       Three Months
                                                                   ended              ended
                                                                  June 30,           June 30,
                                                                    2022               2021
Compensation and related benefits                              $      259,605     $      384,580
Professional fees                                                     159,336            291,081
Other selling, general and administrative expenses                     51,671            114,878
Total selling, general and administrative expenses             $      470,612     $      790,539

The decrease in selling, general, and administrative costs for the 2022 period as compared to the 2021 period was due to the decrease in compensation, professional fees and in other selling, general and administrative costs stemming from lower levels of management and staff at Howco and general decreased operations (also at Howco).





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For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, depreciation expense amounted to $0 and $2,458, respectively, and related to the depreciation of demonstration drones in the 2021 period. The demonstration drones were fully depreciated as of September 30, 2021.

Amortization expense for intangibles was $6,698 for the three months ended June 30, 2022, as the Company began amortization during the current quarter.

For the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, other income (expense) amounted to ($101,680) and ($299,001), respectively, a decrease of approximately $197,000. The decrease was attributable gains on debt extinguishment of $159,846 and decrease in interest expense of approximately $78,000 during the current period compared to three months ended June 30, 2021. This was offset by and increase in fair market value of derivatives charge of approximately $40,000.

As a result, we reported net losses of $457,257, or $0.00 per common share, and $963,682, or $0.00 per common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Nine months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

We generated sales of $1,522,781 and $2,034,327 for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, a decrease of approximately $512,000, or 25%. For the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, we reported cost of goods sold of $1,258,376 and $1,229,348, respectively, an increase of approximately $29,000, or 2%. The increase in sales is largely due to increased Department of Defense spending and lessening of the COVID 19 restrictions. The increase in cost of goods sold for the 2022 period as compared to the 2021 period is due to higher direct sales, and lower sales of packaging services. While management's focus on increasing gross margins has impacted sales levels, we believe that the Company is situated to recapture sales without incurring significant fixed costs through three initiatives. Gross margins were 17% and 40% for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Efforts are underway to market an expanded suite of Howco product lines on the east coast. We are expanding product offerings with high tech tactical gear to regular federal government entities (Howco lines of business), adding the high tech tactical gear to our traditional drone assemblies along with newer more rapidly deployed drones focused on municipalities and lastly we are adding construction contracting.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, we reported selling, general, and administrative expenses of $1,672,437 as compared to $2,277,418, a decrease of approximately $605,000, or 27%. For the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, selling, general, and administrative expenses consisted of the following:





                                                                 For the          For the
                                                               Nine Months      Nine Months
                                                                  ended            ended
                                                                 June 30,         June 30,
                                                                   2022             2021
Compensation and related benefits                              $    900,026     $  1,301,925
Professional fees                                                   618,879          726,986
Other selling, general and administrative expenses                  153,532          248,507
Total selling, general and administrative expenses             $  1,672,437     $  2,277,418

The decrease in selling, general, and administrative costs for the 2022 period as compared to the 2021 period was due to decreases: in compensation of approximately 31% professional fees of 15% and other selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately 38%.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, depreciation expense amounted to $0 and $7,374, respectively, and related to the depreciation of demonstration drones in the 2021 period. The demonstration drones were fully depreciated as of September 30, 2021.

Amortization expense for intangibles was $6,698 for the nine months ended June 30, 2022, as the Company began amortization during the current period.

For the nine months ended June 30 2022 and 2021, other income (expense) amounted to ($618,203), and $326,691, respectively, a change of approximately $945,000. The increase to other loss was attributable to gains recognized on debt and other liability extinguishment of approximately $1,366,000 in the prior period, compared to approximately $235,000 in the current period.

As a result, we reported a net loss of $2,032,933 or $0.00 per common share, and $1,153,122 or $0.00 per common share, for the nine months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.





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Going Concern


The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the recoverability of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. For the nine months ended June 30, 2022, the Company has incurred a net loss of $2,032,933 and used cash in operations of $1,240,506. The working capital deficit, stockholders' deficit and accumulated deficit was $15,663,885, $15,588,253 and $34,989,773, respectively, at June 30, 2022. Furthermore, on September 6, 2019 the Company received a default notice on its payment obligations under the senior secured credit facility agreement (see Note 10), defaulted on its Note Payable - Seller in September 2017 and has since defaulted on other promissory notes. As of June 30, 2022 the Company has received demands for payment of past due amounts from several consultants and service providers. It is management's opinion that these matters raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of twelve months from the issuance date of this report. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon management's ability to further implement its business plan and raise additional capital as needed from the sales of stock or debt. The Company has continued to implement cost-cutting measures and restructuring or setting up payment plans with vendors and service providers and plans to raise equity through a private placement, and restructure or repay its secured obligations. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might be required should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Accounting Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.

We regularly evaluate the accounting policies and estimates that we use to prepare our consolidated financial statements. In general, management's estimates are based on historical experience, and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the facts and circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates made by management.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the allowance for bad debt on accounts receivable, reserves on inventory, valuation of intangible assets for impairment analysis, valuation of the lease liability and related right-of-use asset, valuation of stock-based compensation, the valuation of derivative liabilities and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

We have identified the accounting policies below as critical to our business operations.





Accounts Receivable



Trade receivables are recorded at net realizable value consisting of the carrying amount less the allowance for doubtful accounts, as needed. Factors used to establish an allowance include the credit quality of the customer and whether the balance is significant. The Company may also use the direct write-off method to account for uncollectible accounts that are not received. Using the direct write-off method, trade receivable balances are written off to bad debt expense when an account balance is deemed to be uncollectible.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company acquired a patent for a new product during the year ended September 30, 2021. The Company capitalized acquisition and related legal fees related to the patent totaling $44,650. The capitalized amount will be amortized over the five years, following the commencement of related sales. Impairment will be tested annually or as indicators of impairment are available.





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Long-Lived Assets


Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment is determined by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from use of the assets and their ultimate disposition. In instances where impairment is determined to exist, the Company writes down the asset to its fair value based on the present value of estimated future cash flows.





Revenue Recognition


The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue From Contracts With Customers, which has a five-step process: a) Determine whether a contract exists; b) Identify the performance obligations; c) Determine the transaction price; d) Allocate the transaction price; and e) Recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied.

The Company sells a variety of products to government entities. The purchase orders received specifies each item and its manufacturer; the Company only needs to fulfill the performance obligation by shipping the specified items. No other performance obligations exist under the terms of the contracts. The Company recognizes revenue for the agreed upon sales price when the product is shipped to the customer, which satisfies the performance obligation.

During the year ended September 30, 2021 and the nine months ended June 30, 2022, the Company through its subsidiary Howco entered into contracts to package products for a third-party company servicing the same government customer base. The contracts were on job lot basis as shipped to Howco for packaging. The customer was billed upon completion each job lot at which time revenue was recognized.

The Company sells drones and related products manufactured by third parties to various parties, primarily local government entities. The Company also offers technical services related to drone utilization and performs other services. Contracts for drone related products and services sales will be evaluated using the five-step process outline above. There have been no material sales for drone products or other services for which full compliance with performance obligations has not been met. Upon significant sales for drone products and services and insulation jackets, the Company will disaggregate sales by these lines of business and within the lines of business to the extent that the product or service has different revenue recognition characteristics.

The Company began sales of sanitizing products and services during the nine months ended June 30, 2022. Revenue for this line of business is recognized upon shipment and delivery of training services (as applicable).





Stock-Based Compensation


Stock-based compensation is accounted for based on the requirements of ASC 718 - "Compensation -Stock Compensation", which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments over the period the employee or director is required to perform the services in exchange for the award (presumptively, the vesting period). The ASC also requires measurement of the cost of employee and director services received in exchange for an award based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The Company utilizes the Black-Sholes option pricing model and uses the simplified method to determine expected term because of lack of sufficient exercise history. Additionally, effective October 1, 2016, the Company adopted the Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09 ("ASU 2016-09"), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. Among other changes, ASU 2016-09 permits the election of an accounting policy for forfeitures of share-based payment awards, either to recognize forfeitures as they occur or estimate forfeitures over the vesting period of the award. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur and the cumulative impact of this change did not have any effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

As of October 1, 2018, the Company has early adopted ASU 2018-7 Compensation-Stock Compensation which conforms the accounting for non-employees to the accounting treatment for employees. The new standard replaces using a fair value as of each reporting date with use of the calculated fair value as of the grant date. The implementation of the standard provides for the use of the fair market value as of the adoption date, rather than using the value as of the original grant date. Therefore, the values calculated and reported at September 30, 2018 become a proxy for the grant date value. The Company utilizes the Black-Sholes option pricing model and uses the simplified method to determine expected term because of lack of sufficient exercise history. There was no cumulative effect on the adoption date.





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Derivative Liabilities


The Company has certain financial instruments that are derivatives or contain embedded derivatives. The Company evaluates all its financial instruments to determine if those contracts or any potential embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for in accordance with ASC 810-10-05-4 and 815-40. This accounting treatment requires that the carrying amount of any derivatives be recorded at fair value at issuance and marked-to-market at each balance sheet date. In the event that the fair value is recorded as a liability, as is the case with the Company, the change in the fair value during the period is recorded as either other income or expense. Upon conversion, exercise or repayment, the respective derivative liability is marked to fair value at the conversion, repayment or exercise date and then the related fair value amount is reclassified to other income or expense as part of gain or loss on extinguishment.

Convertible Notes with Fixed Rate Conversion Options

The Company may enter into convertible notes, some of which contain, predominantly, fixed rate conversion features, whereby the outstanding principal and accrued interest may be converted by the holder, into common shares at a fixed discount to the market price of the common stock at the time of conversion. This results in a fair value of the convertible note being equal to a fixed monetary amount. The Company records the convertible note liability at its fixed monetary amount by measuring and recording a premium, as applicable, on the Note date with a charge to interest expense in accordance with ASC 480 - "Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity".





Net Loss Per Share


Basic loss per share is calculated by dividing the loss attributable to stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that shared in the earnings (loss) of the Company. Diluted loss per share is computed by dividing the loss available to stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period and dilutive potential shares outstanding unless such dilutive potential shares would result in anti-dilution.





Lease Accounting


In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on leases. The new standard, among other changes, required lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases. The lease liability will be measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The right-of-use asset will be measured at the lease liability amount, adjusted for lease prepayments, lease incentives received and the lessee's initial direct costs (e.g. commissions). The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. The adoption will require a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest period presented.

The Company's subsidiary has renewed the lease for the warehouse and office facility in Vancouver, Washington in May 2020 effective June 1, 2020, which extends through May 30, 2023, and is accounted for under ASC 842. The corporate office is an annual arrangement which provides for a single office in a shared office environment and is exempt from ASC 842 treatment.





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