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EXHIBIT 1.2
HOME LOAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
2,248,250 Shares
COMMON SHARES
(No Par Value)
Subscription Price $10.00 Per Share
AGENCY AGREEMENT
January 27, 1998
Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Company, a Division of
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxx 00000-0000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Home Loan Financial Corporation, an Ohio corporation (the "Company"),
and The Home Loan Savings Bank, Coshocton, Ohio, a mutual savings and loan
association incorporated under Ohio law (the "Bank") (references to the "Bank"
include the Bank in the mutual or stock form, as indicated by the context), with
its deposit accounts insured by the Savings Association Insurance Fund ("SAIF")
administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC")), hereby
confirm their agreement with Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Company, a Division of Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc. ("Xxxx", "KBW" or "the Agent"), as follows:
SECTION 1. THE OFFERING. The Bank, in accordance with its plan of
conversion adopted by its Board of Directors (the "Plan"), intends to convert
from a mutual savings and loan association incorporated under Ohio law to a
stock savings and loan association incorporated under Ohio law, and will issue
all of its issued and outstanding capital stock to the Company. In addition,
pursuant to the Plan, the Company will offer and sell up to 2,248,250 of its
common shares, no par value per share (the "Shares" or "Common Shares"), in a
subscription offering (the "Subscription Offering") to (1) depositors of the
Bank with Qualifying Deposits (as defined in the Plan) as of September 30, 1996
("Eligible Account Holders"), (2) the Home Loan Financial Corporation Employee
Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP"), (3) depositors of the Bank with Qualifying
Deposits as of December 31, 1997 ("Supplemental Eligible Account Holders") and
(4) the Bank's Other Eligible Members (as defined in the Plan). Subject to the
prior subscription rights of the above-listed parties, the Company is offering
for sale in a community offering (the "Community Offering" and when referred to
together with the Subscription Offering, the "Subscription and Community
Offering") conducted concurrently with the Subscription Offering, the Shares not
subscribed for or ordered in the Subscription Offering to members of the general
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public to whom a copy of the Prospectus (as hereinafter defined) is delivered
with a preference given to natural persons who reside in Coshocton County, Ohio.
It is anticipated that shares not subscribed for in the Subscription and
Community Offering will be offered to certain members of the general public on a
best efforts basis through a selected dealers agreement (the "Syndicated
Community Offering") (the Subscription Offering, Community Offering and
Syndicated Community Offering are collectively referred to as the "Offering").
It is acknowledged that the purchase of Shares in the Offering is subject to the
maximum and minimum purchase limitations as described in the Plan and that the
Company and the Bank may reject, in whole or in part, any orders received in the
Community Offering or Syndicated Community Offering. Collectively, these
transactions are referred to herein as the "Conversion."
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-42483) (the
"Registration Statement") containing a prospectus relating to the Offering for
the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933
Act"), and has filed such amendments thereof and such amended prospectuses as
may have been required to the date hereof. The term "Registration Statement"
shall include any documents incorporated by reference therein and all financial
schedules and exhibits thereto, as amended, including post-effective amendments.
The prospectus, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the
Registration Statement initially became effective is hereinafter called the
"Prospectus," except that if any Prospectus is filed by the Company pursuant to
Rule 424(b) or (c) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933
Act (the "1933 Act Regulations") differing from the prospectus on file at the
time the Registration Statement initially becomes effective, the term
"Prospectus" shall refer to the prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) or (c)
from and after the time said prospectus is filed with the Commission.
In accordance with Title 12, Part 563b of the Code of Federal
Regulations (the "Conversion Regulations") and the laws and regulations of the
State of Ohio and the Division of Financial Institutions of the Department of
Commerce of the State of Ohio (the "Division"), the Bank has filed with the
Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS") and the Superintendent of the Division
an Application for Conversion (the "Conversion Application"), including the
Prospectus and the Conversion Valuation Appraisal Report prepared by Xxxxxx &
Company (the "Appraisal") and has filed such amendments thereto as may have been
required by the OTS and the Division. The Conversion Application has been
approved by the OTS and the Superintendent of the Division and the related
Prospectus has been authorized for use by the OTS and the Superintendent of the
Division. In addition, the Company has filed with the OTS its application on
Form H-(e)1-S (the "Holding Company Application") to become a registered savings
and loan holding company under the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended ("HOLA");
and it has been approved.
SECTION 2. RETENTION OF AGENT; COMPENSATION; SALE AND DELIVERY OF THE
SHARES. Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company and
the Bank hereby appoint the Agent as their exclusive financial advisor and
marketing agent (i) to utilize its best efforts to solicit subscriptions for
Common Shares and to advise and assist the Company and the Bank with respect to
the Company's sale of the Shares in the Offering and (ii) to participate in the
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Offering in the areas of market making, research coverage and in syndicate
formation (if necessary).
On the basis of the representations, warranties, and agreements herein
contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Agent
accepts such appointment and agrees to consult with and advise the Company and
the Bank as to the matters set forth in the letter agreement, dated October 31,
1997, between the Bank and Xxxx (a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit
A). It is acknowledged by the Company and the Bank that the Agent shall not be
required to purchase any Shares or be obligated to take any action which is
inconsistent with all applicable laws, regulations, decisions or orders.
The obligations of the Agent pursuant to this Agreement (other than
those set forth in Section 2(a) and (d) hereof) shall terminate upon the
completion or termination or abandonment of the Plan by the Company or upon
termination of the Offering, but in no event later than 45 days after the
completion of the Subscription Offering (the "End Date"). All fees or expenses
due to the Agent but unpaid will be payable to the Agent in next day funds at
the earlier of the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) or the End Date. In the
event the Offering is extended beyond the End Date, the Company, the Bank and
the Agent may agree to renew this Agreement under mutually acceptable terms.
In the event the Company is unable to sell a minimum of 1,445,000
Shares within the period herein provided, this Agreement shall terminate and the
Company shall refund to any persons who have subscribed for any of the Shares
the full amount which it may have received from them plus accrued interest, as
set forth in the Prospectus; and none of the parties to this Agreement shall
have any obligation to the other parties hereunder, except as set forth in this
Section 2 and in Sections 6, 8 and 9 hereof.
In the event the Offering is terminated for any reason not attributable
to the action or inaction of the Agent, the Agent shall be paid the fees due to
the date of such termination pursuant to subparagraphs (a) and (d) below.
If all conditions precedent to the consummation of the Conversion,
including, without limitation, the sale of all Shares required by the Plan to be
sold, are satisfied, the Company agrees to issue, or have issued, the Shares
sold in the Offering and to release for delivery certificates for such Shares on
the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) against payment to the Company by any
means authorized by the Plan; provided, however, that no funds shall be released
to the Company until the conditions specified in Section 7 hereof shall have
been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent and their
counsel. The release of Shares against payment therefor shall be made on a date
and at a place acceptable to the Company, the Bank and the Agent. Certificates
for shares shall be delivered directly to the purchasers in accordance with
their directions. The date upon which the Company shall release or deliver the
Shares sold in the Offering, in accordance with the terms herein, is called the
"Closing Date."
The Agent shall receive the following compensation for its services
hereunder:
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(a) A management fee of $25,000; payable in four consecutive
monthly installments of $6,250. Such fees shall be deemed to
have been earned when due. Should the Conversion be terminated
for any reason not attributable to the action or inaction of
the Agent, the Agent shall have earned and be entitled to be
paid fees accruing through the stage at which the termination
occurred, including any accrued legal fees expended by the
Agent.
(b) A Success Fee of 1.30% of the aggregate Purchase Price of
Common Shares sold in the Subscription Offering and Community
Offering, excluding shares purchased by the Bank's officers,
directors, or employees (or members of their immediate
families) plus any ESOP, tax-qualified or stock-based
compensation plans (except IRA's) or similar plans created by
the Bank or the Company for some or all of its directors or
employees. The management fee described in subparagraph 2(a)
shall be applied and credited against the Success Fee
described in this subparagraph 2(b).
(c) If any of the Common Shares remain available after the
Subscription Offering, at the request of the Bank, Xxxx will
seek to form a syndicate of registered broker-dealers
("Selected Dealers") to assist in the sale of such Common
Shares on a best efforts basis, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the selected dealers agreement. Xxxx
will endeavor to distribute the Common Shares among the
Selected Dealers in a fashion which best meets the
distribution objectives of the Bank and the Plan. Xxxx will be
paid a fee not to exceed 5.5% of the aggregate Purchase Price
of the Shares sold by the Selected Dealers. Xxxx will pass
onto the Selected Dealers who assist in the Syndicated
Community Offering an amount competitive with gross
underwriting discounts charged at such time for comparable
amounts of stock sold at a comparable price per share in a
similar market environment. Fees with respect to purchases
affected with the assistance of Selected Dealers shall be
transmitted by Xxxx to such Selected Dealers. The decision to
utilize Selected Dealers will be made by the Bank upon
consultation with Xxxx. In any event, with respect to any
purchases of Shares, fees paid pursuant to this subparagraph
2(c) shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, payment
pursuant to subparagraph 2(a) and 2(b).
(d) The Agent will not request reimbursement for any out-of-pocket
expenses relating to travel, lodging and meal expenses. The
Bank and Company shall reimburse the Agent for fees and
expenses of counsel up to $30,000. The Bank will bear the
expenses of the Offering customarily borne by issuers
including, without limitation, OTS, SEC, "Blue Sky," and NASD
filings and registration fees; the fees of the Bank's
accountants, conversion agent, attorneys, appraiser, transfer
agent and registrar, printing, mailing and marketing expenses
associated with the conversion; and the fees set forth under
this Section 2.
Full payment of Agent's actual and accountable expenses, advisory fees
and compensation shall be made in next day funds on the earlier of the Closing
Date or a determination by the Bank to terminate or abandon the Plan.
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SECTION 3. PROSPECTUS; OFFERING. The Shares are to be initially offered
in the Offering at the Purchase Price as defined and set forth on the cover page
of the Prospectus.
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The Company and the Bank
jointly and severally represent and warrant to and agree with the Agent as
follows:
(a) The Registration Statement which was prepared by the Company
and the Bank and filed with the Commission was declared
effective by the Commission on ___________, 1998. At the time
the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus contained
therein (including any amendment or supplement), became
effective, the Registration Statement contained all statements
that were required to be stated therein in accordance with the
1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations, complied in all
material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and
the 1933 Act Regulations and the Registration Statement,
including the Prospectus contained therein (including any
amendment or supplement thereto), and any information
regarding the Company or the Bank contained in Sales
Information (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof)
authorized by the Company or the Bank for use in connection
with the Offering, did not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, and at the time any Rule 424(b) or (c) Prospectus
was filed with the Commission and at the Closing Date referred
to in Section 2, the Registration Statement, including the
Prospectus contained therein (including any amendment or
supplement thereto), and any information regarding the Company
or the Bank contained in Sales Information (as such term is
defined in Section 8 hereof) authorized by the Company or the
Bank for use in connection with the Offering will contain all
statements that are required to be stated therein in
accordance with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and
will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that the
representations and warranties in this Section 4(a) shall not
apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company
or the Bank by the Agent or its counsel expressly regarding
the Agent for use in the Prospectus under the caption "The
Conversion-Plan of Distribution" or statements in or omissions
from any Sales Information or information filed pursuant to
state securities or blue sky laws or regulations regarding the
Agent.
(b) The Conversion Application which was prepared by the Company
and the Bank and filed with the OTS and the Division was
approved by the OTS on ___________, 1998 and by the
Superintendent of the Division (or his
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duly-qualified appointee) on ______________, 1998 and the
related Prospectus has been authorized for use by the OTS and
the Superintendent of the Division. At the time of the
approval of the Conversion Application, including the
Prospectus (including any amendment or supplement thereto), by
the OTS and the Superintendent of the Division and at all
times subsequent thereto until the Closing Date, the
Conversion Application, including the Prospectus (including
any amendment or supplement thereto), will comply in all
material respects with the Conversion Regulations, except to
the extent waived in writing by the OTS and the Superintendent
of the Division. The Conversion Application, including the
Prospectus (including any amendment or supplement thereto),
does not include any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
provided, however, that the representations and warranties in
this Section 4(b) shall not apply to statements or omissions
made in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company or the Bank by the Agent
or its counsel expressly regarding the Agent for use in the
Prospectus contained in the Conversion Application under the
caption "The Conversion-Plan of Distribution" or statements in
or omissions from any sales information or information filed
pursuant to state securities or blue sky laws or regulations
regarding the Agent. The Holding Company Application for
approval pursuant to the HOLA and the regulations promulgated
thereunder (the "Control Act Regulations") has been prepared
by the Bank and the Company in material conformity with the
requirements of the Control Act Regulations and has been filed
with and approved by the OTS. A conformed copy of the Holding
Company Application has been delivered to the Agent.
(c) The Company has filed with the OTS the Holding Company
Application, and such Application was deemed complete by the
OTS. As of the Closing Date, approval of the Company's
acquisition of the Bank will have been obtained from the OTS.
(d) No order has been issued by the OTS, the Division, or the FDIC
(hereinafter any reference to the FDIC shall include the SAIF)
preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus, and no
action by or before any such government entity to revoke any
approval, authorization or order of effectiveness related to
the Conversion is, to the best knowledge of the Company or the
Bank, pending or threatened.
(e) At the Closing Date, the Plan will have been adopted by the
Boards of Directors of both the Company and the Bank and
approved by the members of the Bank, and the offer and sale of
the Shares will have been conducted in all material respects
in accordance with the Plan, the
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Conversion Regulations, and all other applicable laws,
regulations, decisions and orders, including all terms,
conditions, requirements and provisions precedent to the
Conversion imposed upon the Company or the Bank by the OTS,
the Division, the Commission, or any other regulatory
authority and in the manner described in the Prospectus. No
person has sought to obtain review of the final action of the
OTS in approving the Plan or in approving the Conversion or
the Holding Company Application pursuant to the HOLA or any
other statute or regulation.
(f) The Bank has been organized and is a validly existing savings
and loan association incorporated under Ohio law in mutual
form of organization and upon the Conversion will become a
duly organized and validly existing savings and loan
association incorporated under Ohio law in permanent capital
stock form of organization, in both instances duly authorized
to conduct its business and own its property as described in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; the Bank has
obtained all material licenses, permits and other governmental
authorizations currently required for the conduct of its
business; all such licenses, permits and governmental
authorizations are in full force and effect, and the Bank is
in all material respects complying with all laws, rules,
regulations and orders applicable to the operation of its
business; the Bank is existing under the laws of the State of
Ohio and the regulation of the Division and is duly qualified
as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good
standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership of
property or leasing of property or the conduct of its business
requires such qualification, unless the failure to be so
qualified in one or more of such jurisdictions would not have
a material adverse effect on the condition, financial or
otherwise, or the business, operations or income of the Bank.
The Bank does not own equity securities or any equity interest
in any other business enterprise except as described in the
Prospectus or as would not be material to the operations of
the Bank. Upon completion of the sale by the Company of the
Shares contemplated by the Prospectus, (i) all of the
authorized and outstanding capital stock of the Bank will be
owned by the Company and (ii) the Company will have no direct
subsidiaries other than the Bank. The Conversion will have
been effected in all material respects in accordance with all
applicable statutes, regulations, decisions and orders; and,
except with respect to the filing of certain post-sale,
post-Conversion reports, and documents in compliance with the
1933 Act Regulations, the OTS's and the Division's resolutions
or letters of approval, all terms, conditions, requirements
and provisions with respect to the Conversion imposed by the
Commission, the OTS, the Division and the FDIC, if any, will
have been complied with by the Company and the Bank in all
material respects or appropriate waivers will have been
obtained and all material notice and waiting periods will have
been satisfied, waived or elapsed.
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(g) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing
as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State
of Ohio with corporate power and authority to own, lease and
operate its properties and to conduct its business as
described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
and at the Closing Date the Company will be qualified to do
business as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in
which the conduct of its business requires such qualification,
except where the failure to so qualify would not have a
material adverse effect on the condition, financial or
otherwise, or the business, operations or income of the
Company. The Company has obtained all material licenses,
permits and other governmental authorizations currently
required for the conduct of its business; all such licenses,
permits and governmental authorizations are in full force and
effect, and the Company is in all material respects complying
with all laws, rules, regulations and orders applicable to the
operation of its business.
(h) The Bank has no subsidiaries.
(i) The Bank is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of
Cincinnati ("FHLB-Cincinnati"). The deposit accounts of the
Bank are insured by the FDIC up to the applicable limits, and
no proceedings for the termination or revocation of such
insurance are pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company
or the Bank, threatened. Upon consummation of the Conversion,
the liquidation account for the benefit of Eligible Account
Holders will be duly established in accordance with the
requirements of the Conversion Regulations.
(j) The Company and the Bank have good and marketable title to all
real property and good title to all other assets material to
the business of the Company and the Bank, taken as a whole,
and to those properties and assets described in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus as owned by them, free
and clear of all liens, charges, encumbrances or restrictions,
except such as are described in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus, or are not material to the business of the Company
and the Bank, taken as a whole; and all of the leases and
subleases material to the business of the Company and the
Bank, taken as a whole, under which the Company or the Bank
hold properties, including those described in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus, are in full force and effect.
(k) The Company and the Bank have received an opinion of their
special counsel, Vorys, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx LLP, with
respect to the federal and Ohio income tax consequences of the
Conversion; all material aspects of the opinion of Vorys,
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx LLP are accurately summarized in the
Registration Statement and will be accurately summarized in
the Prospectus; and further represent and warrant that the
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facts upon which such opinion is based are truthful, accurate
and complete.
(l) The Company and the Bank have all such power, authority,
authorizations, approvals and orders as may be required to
enter into this Agreement, to carry out the provisions and
conditions hereof and to issue and sell the Shares to be sold
by the Company as provided herein and as described in the
Prospectus, except approval or confirmation by the OTS of the
final appraisal of the Bank. The consummation of the
Conversion, the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein
contemplated have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and the
Bank and this Agreement has been validly executed and
delivered by the Company and the Bank and is the valid, legal
and binding agreement of the Company and the Bank enforceable
in accordance with its terms (except as the enforceability
thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium,
reorganization or similar laws relating to or affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally or the rights of
creditors of savings and loan holding companies, the accounts
of whose subsidiaries are insured by the FDIC, or by general
equity principles, regardless of whether such enforceability
is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law, and except
to the extent, if any, that the provisions of Sections 8 and 9
hereof may be unenforceable as against public policy).
(m) Neither the Company nor the Bank are in violation of any
directive received from the OTS, the Division, the FDIC, or
any other agency to make any material change in the method of
conducting their businesses so as to comply in all material
respects with all applicable statutes and regulations
(including, without limitation, regulations, decisions,
directives and orders of the OTS, the Division and the FDIC)
and, except as may be set forth in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus, there is no suit or proceeding or charge
or action before or by any court, regulatory authority or
governmental agency or body, pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company or the Bank, threatened, which might materially
and adversely affect the Conversion, the performance of this
Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
in the Plan and as described in the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus or which might result in any material adverse
change in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings,
capital or properties of the Company or the Bank, or which
would materially affect their properties and assets.
(n) The financial statements, schedules and notes related thereto
which are included in the Prospectus fairly present the
balance sheet, income statement, statement of members' equity
and statement of cash flows of the Bank at the respective
dates indicated and for the respective periods
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covered thereby and comply as to form in all material respects
with the applicable accounting requirements of Title 12 of the
Code of Federal Regulations and generally accepted accounting
principles (including those requiring the recording of certain
assets at their current market value). Such financial
statements, schedules and notes related thereto have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles consistently applied through the periods involved,
present fairly in all material respects the information
required to be stated therein and are consistent with the most
recent financial statements and other reports filed by the
Bank with the OTS or the Division. The other financial,
statistical and pro forma information and related notes
included in the Prospectus present fairly the information
shown therein on a basis consistent with the audited and
unaudited financial statements of the Bank included in the
Prospectus, and as to the pro forma adjustments, the
adjustments made therein have been properly applied on the
basis described therein.
(o) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
the Registration Statement including the Prospectus: (i) there
has not been any material adverse change, financial or
otherwise, in the condition of the Company or the Bank and its
subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, or in the
earnings, capital or properties of the Company or the Bank,
whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business;
(ii) there has not been any material increase in the long-term
debt of the Bank or in the principal amount of the Bank's
assets which are classified by the Bank as substandard,
doubtful or loss or in loans past due 90 days or more or real
estate acquired by foreclosure, by deed-in-lieu of foreclosure
or deemed in-substance foreclosure or any material decrease in
retained earnings or total assets of the Bank, nor has the
Company or the Bank issued any securities (other than in
connection with the incorporation of the Company) or incurred
any liability or obligation for borrowing other than in the
ordinary course of business; (iii) there have not been any
material transactions entered into by the Company or the Bank;
(iv) there has not been any material adverse change in the
aggregate dollar amount of the Bank's deposits or its
consolidated net worth or spread; (v) there has been no
material adverse change in the Company's or the Bank's
relationship with its insurance carriers, including, without
limitation, cancellation or other termination of the Company's
or the Bank's fidelity bond or any other type of insurance
coverage; (vi) except as disclosed in the Prospectus, there
has been no material change in management of the Company or
the Bank, neither of which has any material undisclosed
liability of any kind, contingent or otherwise; (vii) neither
the Company nor the Bank has sustained any material loss or
interference with its respective business or properties from
fire, flood, windstorm, earthquake, accident or other
calamity, whether or not covered by insurance; (viii) neither
the Company nor the Bank is in default in the payment of
principal or interest on any outstanding debt obligations;
(ix) the capitalization,
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liabilities, assets, properties and business of the Company
and the Bank conform in all material respects to the
descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus; and (x)
neither the Company nor the Bank has any material contingent
liabilities, except as set forth in the Prospectus. All
documents made available to or delivered or to be made
available to or delivered by the Bank or the Company or their
representatives in connection with the issuance and sale of
the Shares, including records of account holders, depositors,
borrowers and other members of the Bank, or in connection with
the Agent's exercise of due diligence, except for those
documents which were prepared by parties other than the Bank,
the Company or their representatives, to the best knowledge of
the Bank and the Company, were on the dates on which they were
delivered, or will be on the dates on which they are to be
delivered, true, complete and correct in all material
respects.
(p) As of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date, neither the
Company nor the Bank is (i) in violation of its articles of
incorporation or code of regulations or charter or bylaws,
respectively (and the Bank will not be in violation of its
charter or bylaws in capital stock form upon consummation of
the Conversion), or (ii) in default in the performance or
observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant, or
condition contained in any material contract, lease, loan
agreement, indenture or other instrument to which it is a
party or by which it or any of its property may be bound. The
consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not:
(i) conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under,
or result in the creation of any material lien, charge or
encumbrance (with the exception of the liquidation account
established in the Conversion) upon any of the assets of the
Company or the Bank pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation
and Code of Regulations of the Company or the Amended Articles
of Incorporation and Amended Constitution of the Bank (in
either mutual or capital stock form) or any material contract,
lease or other instrument in which the Company or the Bank has
a beneficial interest, or any applicable law, rule, regulation
or order; (ii) violate any authorization, approval, judgement,
decree, order, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the
Company or the Bank, except for such violations which would
not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition
and results of operations of the Company and the Bank on a
consolidated basis; or (iii) with the exception of the
liquidation account established in the Conversion, result in
the creation of any material lien, charge or encumbrance upon
any property of the Company or the Bank.
(q) No default exists, and no event has occurred which with notice
or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default on the
part of the Company or the Bank in the due performance and
observance of any term, covenant or condition of any
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, bank loan or credit
agreement or any other instrument or agreement to which the
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Company or the Bank is a party or by which any of them or any
of their property is bound or affected, except such defaults
which would not have a material adverse affect on the
financial condition or results of operations of the Company
and the Bank on a consolidated basis; such agreements are in
full force and effect; and no other party to any such
agreements has instituted or, to the best knowledge of the
Company and the Bank, threatened any action or proceeding
wherein the Company or the Bank would or might be alleged to
be in default thereunder.
(r) Upon consummation of the Conversion, the authorized, issued
and outstanding equity capital of the Company will be within
the range set forth in the Prospectus under the caption
"Capitalization," and no Shares have been or will be issued
and outstanding prior to the Closing Date (other than in
connection with the incorporation of the Company); the Shares
will have been duly and validly authorized for issuance and,
when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to the Plan
against payment of the consideration calculated as set forth
in the Plan and in the Prospectus, will be duly and validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable, except for shares
purchased by the ESOP with funds borrowed from the Company to
the extent payment therefor in cash has not been received by
the Company; except to the extent that subscription rights and
priorities pursuant thereto exist pursuant to the Plan, no
preemptive rights exist with respect to the Shares; and the
terms and provisions of the Shares will conform in all
material respects to the description thereof contained in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus. To the best
knowledge of the Company and the Bank, upon the issuance of
the Shares, good title to the Shares will be transferred from
the Company to the purchasers thereof against payment
therefor, subject to such claims as may be asserted against
the purchasers thereof by third-party claimants.
(s) No approval of any regulatory or supervisory or other public
authority is required in connection with the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or the issuance of the Shares,
except for the approval of the Commission, the OTS, the
Division and any necessary qualification, notification,
registration or exemption under the securities or blue sky
laws of the various states in which the Shares are to be
offered, and except as may be required under the rules and
regulations of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD") and/or The Nasdaq Stock Market.
(t) Xxxxx, Xxxxxx and Company LLP, which has certified the audited
financial statements and schedules of the Bank included in the
Prospectus, has advised the Company and the Bank in writing
that they are, with respect to the Company and the Bank,
independent public accountants within the meaning of the Code
of Professional Ethics of the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants and Title 12 of the Code of Federal
Regulations and Section 571.2(c)(3).
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(u) Xxxxxx & Company, Inc., which has prepared the Bank's
Conversion Valuation Appraisal Report as of November 28, 1997
(as amended or supplemented, if so amended or supplemented)
(the "Appraisal"), has advised the Company in writing that it
is independent of the Company and the Bank within the meaning
of the Conversion Regulations.
(v) The Company and the Bank have timely filed all required
federal, state and local tax returns; the Company and the Bank
have paid all taxes that have become due and payable in
respect of such returns, except where permitted to be
extended, have made adequate reserves for similar future tax
liabilities and no deficiency has been asserted with respect
thereto by any taxing authority.
(w) The Bank is in compliance in all material respects with the
applicable financial record-keeping and reporting requirements
of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of
1970, as amended, and the regulations and rules thereunder.
(x) To the knowledge of the Company and the Bank, neither the
Company, the Bank nor employees of the Company or the Bank has
made any payment of funds of the Company or the Bank as a loan
for the purchase of the Shares or made any other payment of
funds prohibited by law, and no funds have been set aside to
be used for any payment prohibited by law.
(y) Prior to the Conversion, neither the Company nor the Bank has:
(i) issued any securities within the last 18 months (except
for notes to evidence other bank loans and reverse repurchase
agreements or other liabilities in the ordinary course of
business or as described in the Prospectus, and except for any
shares issued in connection with the incorporation of the
Company); (ii) had any material dealings within the 12 months
prior to the date hereof with any member of the NASD, or any
person related to or associated with such member, other than
discussions and meetings relating to the proposed Offering and
routine purchases and sales of United States government and
agency securities; (iii) entered into a financial or
management consulting agreement except as contemplated
hereunder; and (iv) engaged any intermediary between the Agent
and the Company and the Bank in connection with the offering
of the Shares, and no person is being compensated in any
manner for such service. Appropriate arrangements have been
made for placing the funds received from subscriptions for
Shares in a special interest-bearing account with the Bank
until all Shares are sold and paid for, with provision for
refund to the purchasers in the event that the Conversion is
not completed for whatever reason or for delivery to the
Company if all Shares are sold.
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(z) The Company and the Bank have not relied upon the Agent or its
legal counsel or other advisors for any legal, tax or
accounting advice in connection with the Conversion.
(aa) The Company is not required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(bb) Any certificates signed by an officer of the Company or the
Bank pursuant to the conditions of this Agreement and
delivered to the Agent or their counsel that refers to this
Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty
by the Company or the Bank to the Agent as to the matters
covered thereby with the same effect as if such representation
and warranty were set forth herein.
SECTION 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
KBW represents and warrants to the Company and the Bank that:
(i) It is a corporation and is validly existing in good
standing under the laws of the State of New York and licensed to
conduct business in the State of Ohio and that Xxxx is an
unincorporated division thereof with full power and authority to
provide the services to be furnished to the Bank and the Company
hereunder.
(ii) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Agent,
and this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by
the Agent and is a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Agent,
enforceable in accordance with its terms.
(iii) Each of the Agent and its employees, agents and
representatives who shall perform any of the services hereunder shall
be duly authorized and empowered, and shall have all licenses,
approvals and permits necessary to perform such services.
(iv) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the
Agent, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will not conflict with,
or result in a breach of, any of the terms, provisions or conditions
of, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of
time or both would constitute a default) under, the Articles of
Incorporation of the Agent or any agreement, indenture or other
instrument to which the Agent is a party or by which it or its property
is bound.
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(v) No approval of any regulatory or supervisory or other
public authority is required in connection with the Agent's execution
and delivery of this Agreement, except as may have been received.
(vi) There is no suit or proceeding or charge or action before
or by any court, regulatory authority or government agency or body or,
to the knowledge of the Agent, pending or threatened, which might
materially adversely affect the Agent's performance of this Agreement.
SECTION 5.L COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE BANK. The Company and the
Bank hereby jointly and severally covenant with KBW as follows:
(a) The Company will not, at any time after the date the
Registration Statement is declared effective, file any
amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement without
providing the Agent and its counsel an opportunity to review
such amendment or supplement or file any amendment or
supplement to which amendment or supplement the Agent or its
counsel shall reasonably object.
(b) The Bank will not, at any time after the Conversion
Application is approved by the OTS or the Division, file any
amendment or supplement to such Conversion Application without
providing the Agent and its counsel an opportunity to review
such amendment or supplement or file any amendment or
supplement to which amendment or supplement the Agent or its
counsel shall reasonably object.
(c) The Company will not, at any time before the Holding Company
Application is approved by the OTS, file any amendment or
supplement to such Holding Company Application without
providing the Agent and its counsel an opportunity to review
the nonconfidential portions of such amendment or supplement
or file any amendment or supplement to which amendment or
supplement the Agent or its counsel shall reasonably object.
(d) The Company and the Bank will use their best efforts to cause
any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement to
be declared effective by the Commission and any post-effective
amendment to the Conversion Application to be approved by the
OTS and the Division and will immediately upon receipt of any
information concerning the events listed below notify the
Agent: (i) when the Registration Statement, as amended, has
become effective; (ii) when the Conversion Application, as
amended, has been approved by the OTS and the Division; (iii)
any comments from the Commission, the Division, the OTS, the
Division or any other governmental entity with respect to the
Conversion or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
(iv) of the request by the Commission, the OTS, the Division
or any other governmental entity for any amendment or
supplement to the Registration Statement, the Conversion
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Application or for additional information; (v) of the issuance
by the Commission, the OTS, the Division or any other
governmental entity of any order or other action suspending
the Offering or the use of the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus or any other filing of the Company or the Bank
under the Conversion Regulations, or other applicable law, or
the threat of any such action; (vi) the issuance by the
Commission, the OTS, the Division or any authority of any stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or of the initiation or threat of initiation or
threat of any proceedings for that purpose; or (vii) of the
occurrence of any event mentioned in paragraph (h) below. The
Company and the Bank will make every reasonable effort (i) to
prevent the issuance by the Commission, the OTS, the Division
or any other state authority of any such order and, if any
such order shall at any time be issued, (ii) to obtain the
lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
(e) The Company and the Bank will deliver to the Agent and to its
counsel two conformed copies of the Registration Statement,
the Conversion Application and the Holding Company
Application, as originally filed and of each amendment or
supplement thereto, including all exhibits. Further, the
Company and the Bank will deliver such additional copies of
the foregoing documents to counsel to the Agent as may be
required for any NASD and "blue sky" filings.
(f) The Company and the Bank will furnish to the Agent, from time
to time during the period when the Prospectus (or any later
prospectus related to this offering) is required to be
delivered under the 1933 Act or the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "1934 Act"), such number of copies of such
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) as the Agent may
reasonably request for the purposes contemplated by the 1933
Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the 1934 Act or the rules and
regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act (the "1934 Act
Regulations"). The Company authorizes the Agent to use the
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented, if amended or
supplemented) in any lawful manner contemplated by the Plan in
connection with the sale of the Shares by the Agent.
(g) The Company and the Bank will comply with any and all material
terms, conditions, requirements and provisions with respect to
the Conversion and the transactions contemplated thereby
imposed by the Commission, the OTS, the Division or the
Conversion Regulations, and by the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act
Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations to be
complied with prior to or subsequent to the Closing Date and
when the Prospectus is required to be delivered, and during
such time period the Company and the Bank will comply, at
their own expense, with all material requirements imposed upon
them by the Commission, the OTS, the Division or the
Conversion Regulations, and by the 1933 Act, the 1933
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Act Regulations, the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations,
including, without limitation, Rule 10b-5 under the 1934 Act,
in each case as from time to time in force, so far as
necessary to permit the continuance of sales or dealing in the
Common Shares during such period in accordance with the
provisions hereof and the Prospectus.
(h) If, at any time during the period when the Prospectus relating
to the Shares is required to be delivered, any event relating
to or affecting the Company or the Bank shall occur, as a
result of which it is necessary or appropriate, in the opinion
of counsel for the Company and the Bank or in the reasonable
opinion of the Agent's counsel, to amend or supplement the
Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the
Registration Statement or Prospectus not misleading in light
of the circumstances existing at the time the Prospectus is
delivered to a purchaser, the Company and the Bank will
immediately so inform the Agent and prepare and file, at their
own expense, with the Commission, the OTS and the Division and
furnish to the Agent a reasonable number of copies of an
amendment or amendments of, or a supplement or supplements to,
the Registration Statement or Prospectus (in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel
after a reasonable time for review) which will amend or
supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus so that as
amended or supplemented it will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances existing at the time the Prospectus is
delivered to a purchaser, not misleading. For the purpose of
this Agreement, the Company and the Bank each will timely
furnish to the Agent such information with respect to itself
as the Agent may from time to time reasonably request.
(i) The Company and the Bank will take all necessary actions in
cooperating with the Agent and furnish to whomever the Agent
may direct such information as may be required to qualify or
register the Shares for offering and sale by the Company or to
exempt such Shares from registration, or to exempt the Company
as a broker-dealer and its officers, directors and employees
as broker-dealers or agents under the applicable securities or
blue sky laws of such jurisdictions in which the Shares are
required under the Conversion Regulations to be sold or as the
Agent and the Company and the Bank may reasonably agree upon;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to
file any general consent to service of process, to qualify to
do business in any jurisdiction in which it is not so
qualified, or to register its directors or officers as
brokers, dealers, salesmen or agents in any jurisdiction. In
each jurisdiction where any of the Shares shall have been
qualified or registered as above provided, the Company will
make and file such statements and reports in each fiscal
period as are or may be required by the laws of such
jurisdiction.
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(j) The liquidation account for the benefit of Eligible Account
Holders and Supplemental Eligible Account Holders will be duly
established and maintained in accordance with the requirements
of the OTS, and such Eligible Account Holders and Supplemental
Eligible Account Holders who continue to maintain their
savings accounts in the Bank will have an inchoate interest in
their pro rata portion of the liquidation account, which shall
have a priority superior to that of the holders of the Common
Shares in the event of a complete liquidation of the Bank.
(k) The Company and the Bank will not sell or issue, contract to
sell or otherwise dispose of, for a period of 90 days after
the Closing Date, without the Agent's prior written consent,
any of their common shares, other than the Shares or other
than in connection with any plan or arrangement described in
the Prospectus, including existing stock benefit plans.
(l) The Company shall register its Common Shares under Section
12(g) of the 1934 Act concurrently with the Offering and shall
request that such registration be effective prior to or upon
completion of the Conversion. The Company shall maintain the
effectiveness of such registration for not less than three
years or such shorter period as may be required by the OTS or
the Division.
(m) During the period during which the Common Shares are
registered under the 1934 Act or for three (3) years from the
date hereof, whichever period is greater, the Company will
furnish to its shareholders as soon as practicable after the
end of each fiscal year an annual report of the Company
(including a consolidated balance sheet and statements of
consolidated income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of
the Company and its subsidiaries as at the end of and for such
year, certified by independent public accountants in
accordance with Regulation S-X under the 1933 Act and the 1934
Act).
(n) During the period of three years from the date hereof, the
Company will furnish to the Agent: (i) as soon as practicable
after such information is publicly available, a copy of each
report of the Company furnished to or filed with the
Commission under the 1934 Act or any national securities
exchange or system on which any class of securities of the
Company is listed or quoted (including, but not limited to,
reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and all proxy statements
and annual reports to stockholders), (ii) a copy of each other
non-confidential report of the Company mailed to its
shareholders or filed with the Commission, the OTS or any
other supervisory or regulatory authority or any national
securities exchange or system on which any class of securities
of the Company is listed or quoted, each press release and
material news items
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and additional documents and information with respect to the
Company or the Bank as the Agent may reasonably request; and
(iii) from time to time, such other nonconfidential
information concerning the Company or the Bank as the Agent
may reasonably request.
(o) The Company and the Bank will use the net proceeds from the
sale of the Shares in the manner set forth in the Prospectus
under the caption "Use of Proceeds."
(p) Other than as permitted by the Conversion Regulations, the
HOLA, the 1933 Act, the 1933 Act Regulations, the Division and
its rules and regulations and the laws of any state in which
the Shares are registered or qualified for sale or exempt from
registration, neither the Company nor the Bank will distribute
any prospectus, offering circular or other offering material
in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.
(q) The Company will use its best efforts to (i) encourage and
assist a market maker to establish and maintain a market for
the Shares and (ii) list and maintain quotation of the Shares
on a national or regional securities exchange or on The NASDAQ
Stock Market effective on or prior to the Closing Date.
(r) The Bank will maintain appropriate arrangements for depositing
all funds received from persons mailing subscriptions for or
orders to purchase Shares in the Offering on an
interest-bearing basis at the rate described in the Prospectus
until the Closing Date and satisfaction of all conditions
precedent to the release of the Bank's obligation to refund
payments received from persons subscribing for or ordering
Shares in the Offering in accordance with the Plan and as
described in the Prospectus or until refunds of such funds
have been made to the persons entitled thereto or withdrawal
authorizations canceled in accordance with the Plan and as
described in the Prospectus. The Bank will maintain such
records of all funds received to permit the funds of each
subscriber to be separately insured by the FDIC (to the
maximum extent allowable) and to enable the Bank to make the
appropriate refunds of such funds in the event that such
refunds are required to be made in accordance with the Plan
and as described in the Prospectus.
(s) The Company will promptly take all necessary action to
register as a savings and loan holding company under the HOLA.
(t) The Company and the Bank will take such actions and furnish
such information as are reasonably requested by the Agent in
order for the Agent to ensure compliance with the NASD's
"Interpretation Relating to Free Riding and Withholding."
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(u) Neither the Company nor the Bank will amend the Plan of
Conversion without notifying the Agent prior thereto.
(v) The Company shall assist the Agent, if necessary, in
connection with the allocation of the Shares in the event of
an oversubscription and shall provide the Agent with any
information necessary to assist the Company in allocating the
Shares in such event and such information shall be accurate
and reliable.
(w) Prior to the Closing Date, the Company and the Bank will
inform the Agent of any event or circumstances of which it is
aware as a result of which the Registration Statement and/or
Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, would contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading.
(x) Subsequent to the date the Registration Statement is declared
effective by the Commission and prior to the Closing Date,
except as otherwise may be indicated or contemplated therein
or set forth in an amendment or supplement thereto, neither
the Company nor the Bank will have: (i) issued any securities
or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent,
for borrowed money, except borrowings from the same or similar
sources indicated in the Prospectus in the ordinary course of
its business, or (ii) entered into any transaction which is
material in light of the business and properties of the
Company and the Bank, taken as a whole.
(y) The facts and representations provided to Vorys, Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx LLP by the Bank and the Company and upon
which Vorys, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx LLP will base its
opinion under Section 7(c)(1) are and will be truthful,
accurate and complete.
SECTION 6. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. Whether or not the Conversion is
completed or the sale of the Shares by the Company is consummated, the Company
and the Bank jointly and severally agree to pay or reimburse the Agent for: (a)
all filing fees in connection with all filings related to the Offering with the
NASD; (b) any stock issue or transfer taxes which may be payable with respect to
the sale of the Shares; (c) all reasonable expenses of the Conversion, including
but not limited to the Company's and the Bank's, and the Agent's attorneys' fees
(not to exceed $30,000 without the Bank's consent) and expenses, blue sky fees,
transfer agent, registrar and other agent charges, fees relating to auditing and
accounting or other advisors and costs of printing all documents necessary in
connection with the Conversion; provided, however, there will be no
out-of-pocket expenses charged by the Agent for expenses such as travel, lodging
and meals. In the event the Company is unable to sell a minimum of 1,445,000
Shares or the Conversion is terminated or otherwise abandoned, the Company and
the Bank shall promptly reimburse the Agent in accordance with Section 2(d)
hereof.
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SECTION 7. CONDITIONS TO THE AGENT'S OBLIGATIONS. The obligations of
the Agent hereunder, as to the Shares to be delivered at the Closing Date, are
subject, to the extent not waived in writing by the Agent, to the condition that
all representations and warranties of the Company and the Bank herein are, at
and as of the commencement of the Offering and at and as of the Closing Date,
true and correct in all material respects, the condition that the Company and
the Bank shall have performed all of their obligations hereunder to be performed
on or before such dates, and to the following further conditions:
(a) At the Closing Date, the Company and the Bank shall have
conducted the Conversion in all material respects in
accordance with the Plan, the Conversion Regulations, all
requirements of Ohio law, including the rules and regulations
of the Division, and all other applicable laws, regulations,
decisions and orders, including all terms, conditions,
requirements and provisions precedent to the Conversion
imposed upon them by the OTS and the Division.
(b) The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective
by the Commission and the Conversion Application approved by
the OTS and the Division not later than 5:30 p.m. on the date
of this Agreement, or with the Agent's consent at a later time
and date; and at the Closing Date, no stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have
been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefore
initiated or threatened by the Commission or any state
authority, and no order or other action suspending the
authorization of the Prospectus or the consummation of the
Conversion shall have been issued or proceedings therefore
initiated or, to the Company's or the Bank's knowledge,
threatened by the Commission, the OTS, the Division, the FDIC,
or any other state authority.
(c) At the Closing Date, the Agent shall have received:
(1) The favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date
and addressed to the Agent and for its benefit, of
Vorys, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx LLP, special counsel
for the Company and the Bank, in form and substance
to the effect that:
(i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation under the laws of the State
of Ohio.
(ii) The Company has corporate power and
authority to own, lease and operate its properties
and to conduct its business as described in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
(iii) The Bank is a validly existing savings
and loan association incorporated under Ohio law in
mutual form and immediately following the completion
of the Conversion will be a validly existing savings
and loan association incorporated under Ohio law in
permanent capital stock
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form of organization, in both instances duly
authorized to conduct its business and own its
property as described in the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus. All of the outstanding capital
stock of the Bank upon completion of the Conversion
will be duly authorized and, upon payment therefor,
will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable
and will be owned by the Company, to such counsel's
Actual Knowledge, free and clear of any liens,
encumbrances, claims or other restrictions.
(iv) The Bank is a member of the
FHLB-Cincinnati. The deposit accounts of the Bank are
insured by the FDIC up to the maximum amount allowed
under law and no proceedings for the termination or
revocation of such insurance are pending or, to such
counsel's Actual Knowledge, threatened; the
description of the liquidation account as set forth
in the Prospectus under the captions "The
Conversion-Liquidation Account," to the extent that
such information constitutes matters of law and legal
conclusions, has been reviewed by such counsel and is
accurately described in all material respects.
(v) Immediately following the consummation
of the Conversion, the authorized, issued and
outstanding Common Shares of the Company will be
within the range set forth in the Prospectus under
the caption "Capitalization," and, except for shares
issued upon incorporation of the Company, no Common
Shares have been issued prior to the Closing Date; at
the time of the Conversion, the Shares subscribed for
pursuant to the Offering will have been duly and
validly authorized for issuance, and when issued and
delivered by the Company pursuant to the Plan against
payment of the consideration calculated as set forth
in the Plan and Prospectus, will be duly and validly
issued and fully paid and non-assessable, except for
shares purchased by the ESOP with funds borrowed from
the Company to the extent payment therefor in cash
has not been received by the Company; except to the
extent that subscription rights and priorities
pursuant thereto exist pursuant to the Plan, the
issuance of the Shares is not subject to preemptive
rights and the terms and provisions of the Shares
conform in all material respects to the description
thereof contained in the Prospectus. To such
counsel's Actual Knowledge, upon the issuance of the
Shares, good title to the Shares will be transferred
from the Company to the purchasers thereof against
payment therefor, subject to such claims as may be
asserted against the purchasers thereof by
third-party claimants.
(vi) The Bank and the Company have full
corporate power and authority to enter into the
Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated thereby and by the Plan. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby have been
duly and validly authorized by all necessary action
on the part of the Company and the Bank; and this
Agreement is a valid and binding
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obligation of the Company and the Bank, enforceable
against the Company and the Bank in accordance with
its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may
be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, conservatorship,
receivership or other similar laws now or hereafter
in effect relating to or affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally or the rights of
creditors of Ohio savings institutions, (ii) general
equitable principles, (iii) laws relating to the
safety and soundness of insured depository
institutions, and (iv) applicable law or public
policy with respect to the indemnification and/or
contribution provisions contained herein, including
without limitations the provisions of Sections 23A
and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and except that no
opinion need be expressed as to the effect or
availability of equitable remedies or injunctive
relief (regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
(vii) The Conversion Application has been
approved by the OTS and the Superintendent of the
Division (or his duly qualified delegate, who shall
be so identified) and the Prospectus has been
authorized for use by the OTS. The OTS has approved
the Holding Company Application and the purchase by
the Company of all of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of the Bank and no action has been
taken, and to such counsel's Actual Knowledge, none
is pending or threatened, to revoke any such
authorization or approval.
(viii) The Plan has been duly adopted by the
required vote of the directors of the Company and the
Bank, and based upon the certificate of the
inspectors of election, by the members of the Bank.
(ix) Subject to the satisfaction of the
conditions to the OTS's and the Division's approval
of the Conversion, no further approval, registration,
authorization, consent or other order of any federal
regulatory agency is required in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
issuance of the Shares and the consummation of the
Conversion, except as may be required under the
securities or blue sky laws of various jurisdictions
(as to which no opinion need be rendered) and except
as may be required under the rules and regulations of
the NASD and/or The Nasdaq Stock Market (as to which
no opinion need by rendered).
(x) The Registration Statement is effective
under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the
effectiveness has been issued under the 1933 Act or
proceedings therefor initiated or, to such counsel's
Actual Knowledge, threatened by the Commission.
(xi) At the time the Conversion Application,
including the Prospectus contained therein, was
approved by the OTS or the Division,
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the Conversion Application, including the Prospectus
contained therein, complied as to form in all
material respects with the requirements of the
Conversion Regulations, federal and state law and all
applicable rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder (other than the financial statements, the
notes thereto, and other tabular, financial,
statistical and appraisal data included therein, as
to which no opinion need be rendered).
(xii) At the time that the Registration
Statement became effective, (i) the Registration
Statement (as amended or supplemented, if so amended
or supplemented) (other than the financial
statements, the notes thereto, and other tabular,
financial, statistical and appraisal data included
therein, as to which no opinion need be rendered),
complied as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
Regulations, and (ii) the Prospectus (other than the
financial statements, the notes thereto, and other
tabular, financial, statistical and appraisal data
included therein, as to which no opinion need be
rendered) complied as to form in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act, the
1933 Act Regulations, the Conversion Regulations and
federal law.
(xiii) The terms and provisions of the
Shares of the Company conform, in all material
respects, to the description thereof contained in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, and the form
of certificate used to evidence the Shares is in due
and proper form.
(xiv) There are no legal or governmental
proceedings pending, or to such counsel's Actual
Knowledge, threatened which are required to be
disclosed in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus, other than those disclosed therein.
(xv) To such counsel's Actual Knowledge,
there are no material contracts, indentures,
mortgages, loan agreements, notes, leases or other
instruments required to be described or referred to
in the Conversion Application, the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or required to be filed
as exhibits thereto other than those described or
referred to therein or filed as exhibits thereto in
the Conversion Application, the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus. The description in the
Conversion Application, the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus of such documents and exhibits is
accurate in all material respects and fairly presents
the information required to be shown.
(xvi) The Plan complies in all material
respects with all applicable federal and Ohio laws,
rules, regulations, decisions and orders including,
but not limited to, the Conversion Regulations; no
order has been issued by the OTS, the Division, the
Commission, the FDIC, or any state authority to
suspend the Offering or the use of the Prospectus,
and no
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action for such purposes has been instituted or, to
such counsel's Actual Knowledge, threatened by the
OTS, the Division, the Commission, the FDIC, or any
other state authority and, to such counsel's Actual
Knowledge, no person has sought to obtain regulatory
or judicial review of the final action of the OTS or
the Division approving the Plan, the Conversion
Application, the Holding Company Application or the
Prospectus.
(xvii) To such counsel's Actual Knowledge,
the Company and the Bank have obtained all material
licenses, permits and other governmental
authorizations currently required for the conduct of
their businesses and all such licenses, permits and
other governmental authorizations are in full force
and effect, and the Company and the Bank are in all
material respects complying therewith.
(xviii) To such counsel's Actual Knowledge,
neither the Company nor the Bank is in violation of
its Articles of Incorporation and Code of Regulations
or its Amended Articles of Incorporation and Amended
Constitution, as appropriate or, to such counsel's
Actual Knowledge, in default or violation of any
obligation, agreement, covenant or condition
contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan
agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which
it is a party or by which it or its property may be
bound, except for such defaults or violations which
would not have a material adverse impact on the
financial condition or results of operations of the
Company and the Bank on a consolidated basis; to such
counsel's Actual Knowledge, the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, the incurrence of the
obligations herein set forth and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated herein will not
conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default
under, or result in the creation or imposition of any
lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or
assets of the Company or the Bank pursuant to any
material contract, indenture, mortgage, loan
agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which
the Company or the Bank is a party or by which any of
them may be bound, or to which any of the property or
assets of the Company or the Bank are subject (other
than the establishment of the liquidation account);
and, such action will not result in any violation of
the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or
Code of Regulations of the Company or the Amended
Articles of Incorporation or the Amended Constitution
of the Bank or, to such counsel's Actual Knowledge,
result in any violation of any applicable federal or
state law, act, regulation (except that no opinion
with respect to the securities and blue sky laws of
various jurisdictions or the rules or regulations of
the NASD and/or The NASDAQ Stock Market) or order or
court order, writ, injunction or decree.
(xix) The Company's Articles of
Incorporation and Code of Regulations comply in all
materials respects with the laws of the State of
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Ohio. The Bank's Amended Articles of Incorporation or
the Amended Constitution comply in all material
respects with Ohio law and the Rules and Regulations
of the Division.
(xx) To such counsel's Actual Knowledge,
neither the Company nor the Bank is in violation of
any directive from the OTS, the Division or the FDIC
to make any material change in the method of
conducting its respective business.
(xxi) The information in the Prospectus
under the captions "Regulation," "The Conversion,"
"Restrictions on Acquisition of the Company and the
Bank and Anti-takeover Provisions" and "Description
of Authorized Shares," to the extent that such
information constitutes matters of law, summaries of
legal matters, documents or proceedings, or legal
conclusions, has been reviewed by such counsel and is
correct in all material respects. The description of
the Conversion process in the Prospectus under the
caption "The Conversion" to the extent that such
information constitutes matters of law, summaries of
legal matters, documents or proceedings, or legal
conclusions, has been reviewed by such counsel and
fairly describes such process in all material
respects. The descriptions in the Prospectus of
statutes or regulations are accurate summaries and
fairly present the information required to be shown.
The information under the caption "The
Conversion-Principal Effects of the Conversion--Tax
Consequences" has been reviewed by such counsel and
fairly describes the opinions rendered by them to the
Company and the Bank with respect to such matters.
In addition, such counsel shall state that
during the preparation of the Conversion Application,
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, they
participated in conferences with certain officers of,
the independent public and internal accountants for,
and other representatives of, the Company and the
Bank, at which conferences the contents of the
Conversion Application, the Registration Statement
and the Prospectus and related matters were discussed
and, while such counsel have not confirmed the
accuracy or completeness of or otherwise verified the
information contained in the Conversion Application,
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and do
not assume any responsibility for such information,
based upon such conferences and a review of documents
deemed relevant for the purpose of rendering their
opinion (relying as to materiality as to factual
matters on certificates of officers and other factual
representations by the Company and the Bank), nothing
has come to their attention that would lead them to
believe that the Conversion Application, the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus, or any
amendment or supplement thereto (other than the
financial statements, the notes thereto, and other
tabular, financial, statistical and appraisal data
included therein as to which no view need be
rendered) contained an untrue statement of a
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material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
In giving such opinion, such counsel may
rely as to all matters of fact on certificates of
officers or directors of the Company and the Bank and
certificates of public officials. Such counsel's
opinion shall be limited to matters governed by
federal laws and by the laws of the State of Ohio.
The term "Actual Knowledge" as used herein shall have
the meaning set forth in the Legal Opinion Accord of
the American Bar Association Section of Business Law.
For purposes of such opinion, no proceedings shall be
deemed to be pending, no order or stop order shall be
deemed to be issued, and no action shall be deemed to
be instituted unless, in each case, a director or
executive officer of the Company or the Bank shall
have received a copy of such proceedings, order, stop
order or action. In addition, such opinion may be
limited to present statutes, regulations and judicial
interpretations and to facts as they presently exist;
in rendering such opinion, such counsel need assume
no obligation to revise or supplement it should the
present laws be changed by legislative or regulatory
action, judicial decision or otherwise; and such
counsel need express no view, opinion or belief with
respect to whether any proposed or pending
legislation, if enacted, or any proposed or pending
regulations or policy statements issued by any
regulatory agency, whether or not promulgated
pursuant to any such legislation, would affect the
validity of the Conversion or any aspect thereof.
Such counsel may assume that any agreement is the
valid and binding obligation of any parties to such
agreement other than the Company or the Bank.
(d) At the Closing Date, the Agent shall have received
the favorable opinion, dated as of the Closing Date,
of Silver, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxx, L.L.P., the Agent's
counsel, with respect to such matters as the Agent
may reasonably require. Such opinion may rely upon
the opinions of counsel to the Company and the Bank,
and as to matters of fact, upon certificates of
officers and directors of the Company and the Bank
delivered pursuant hereto or as such counsel shall
reasonably request.
(e) At the Closing Date, the Agent shall receive a
certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and the
Principal Accounting Officer of the Company and the
Bank in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Agent's Counsel, dated as of such Closing Date,
to the effect that: (i) they have carefully examined
the Prospectus and, in their opinion, at the time the
Prospectus became authorized for final use, the
Prospectus did not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; (ii) since the date the
Prospectus became authorized for final use, no event
has occurred
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which should have been set forth in an amendment or
supplement to the Prospectus which has not been so
set forth, including specifically, but without
limitation, any material adverse change in the
condition, financial or otherwise, or in the
earnings, capital, properties or business of the
Company or the Bank and the conditions set forth in
this Section 7 have been satisfied; (iii) since the
respective dates as of which information is given in
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there
has been no material adverse change in the condition,
financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, capital
or properties of the Company or the Bank
independently, or of the Company and the Bank
considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising
in the ordinary course of business; (iv) the
representations and warranties in Section 4 are true
and correct with the same force and effect as though
expressly made at and as of the Closing Date; (v) the
Company and the Bank have complied in all material
respects with all agreements and satisfied all
conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied
at or prior to the Closing Date and will comply in
all material respects with all obligations to be
satisfied by them after the Conversion; (vi) no stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement has been initiated or, to the
best knowledge of the Company or the Bank, threatened
by the Commission or any state authority; (vii) no
order suspending the Offering, the Conversion, the
acquisition of all of the shares of the Bank by the
Company or the effectiveness of the Prospectus has
been issued and no proceedings for that purpose are
pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company or
the Bank, threatened by the OTS, the Commission, the
FDIC, or any state authority; and (viii) to the best
knowledge of the Company or the Bank, no person has
sought to obtain review of the final action of the
OTS approving the Plan.
(f) Prior to and at the Closing Date: (i) in the
reasonable opinion of the Agent, there shall have
been no material adverse change in the condition,
financial or otherwise, or in the earnings or
business of the Company or the Bank independently, or
of the Company and the Bank considered as one
enterprise, from that as of the latest dates as of
which such condition is set forth in the Prospectus,
other than transactions referred to or contemplated
therein; (iii) the Company or the Bank shall not have
received from the OTS, the Division or the FDIC any
direction (oral or written) to make any material
change in the method of conducting their business
with which it has not complied (which direction, if
any, shall have been disclosed to the Agent) or which
materially and adversely would affect the business,
operations or financial condition or income of the
Company and the Bank taken as a whole; (iv) neither
the Company nor the Bank shall have been in default
(nor shall an event have occurred which, with notice
or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default)
under any provision of any agreement or instrument
relating to any outstanding indebtedness; (v) no
action, suit or proceeding, at law or in equity or
before or by any federal or state commission, board
or other
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29
administrative agency, shall be pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company or the Bank, threatened
against the Company or the Bank or affecting any of
their properties wherein an unfavorable decision,
ruling or finding would materially and adversely
affect the business, operations, financial condition
or income of the Company or the Bank taken as a
whole; and (vi) the Shares shall have been qualified
or registered for offering and sale or exempted
therefrom under the securities or blue sky laws of
the jurisdictions as the Agent shall have reasonably
requested and as agreed to by the Company and the
Bank.
(g) Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement,
the Agent shall receive a letter from Xxxxx, Xxxxxx
and Company LLP dated as of the date of the
Prospectus and addressed to the Agent: (i) confirming
that Xxxxx, Xxxxxx and Company LLP is a firm of
independent public accounts within the meaning of
Rule 101 of the Code of Professional Ethics of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
and applicable regulations of the OTS and stating in
effect that in its opinion the financial statements,
schedules and related notes of the Bank as of
September 30, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the
three years in the period ended June 30, 1997,
included in the Prospectus and covered by their
opinion included therein, comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements and related published rules and
regulations of the OTS and the 1933 Act; (ii) stating
in effect that, on the basis of certain agreed upon
procedures (but not an audit in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards) consisting of
a reading of the latest available unaudited interim
financial statements of the Bank prepared by the
Bank, a reading of the minutes of the meetings of the
Board of Directors and members of the Bank and
consultations with officers of the Bank responsible
for financial and accounting matters, nothing came to
their attention which caused them to believe that:
(A) the unaudited financial statements included in
the Prospectus are not in conformity with the 1933
Act, applicable accounting requirements of the OTS
and generally accepted accounting principles applied
on a basis substantially consistent with that of the
audited financial statements included in the
Prospectus; or (B) during the period from the date of
the latest unaudited financial statements included in
the Prospectus to a specified date not more than
three business days prior to the date of the
Prospectus, except as has been described in the
Prospectus, there was any increase in borrowings,
other than normal deposit fluctuations, by the Bank;
or (C) there was any decrease in the net assets of
the Bank at the date of such letter as compared with
amounts shown in the latest unaudited balance sheets
included in the Prospectus; and (iii) stating that,
in addition to the audit referred to in their opinion
included in the Prospectus and the performance of the
procedures referred to in clause (ii) of this
subsection (g), they have compared with the general
accounting records of the Bank, which are subject to
the internal controls of the Bank, the accounting
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30
system and other data prepared by the Bank, directly
from such accounting records, to the extent specified
in such letter, such amounts and/or percentages set
forth in the Prospectus as the Agent may reasonably
request; and they have reported on the results of
such comparisons.
(h) At the Closing Date, the Agent shall receive a letter
dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Agent,
confirming the statements made by Xxxxx, Xxxxxx and
Company LLP in the letter delivered by it pursuant to
subsection (g) of this Section 7, the "specified
date" referred to in clause (ii) of subsection (g) to
be a date specified in the letter required by this
subsection (h) which for purposes of such letter
shall not be more than three business days prior to
the Closing Date.
(i) At the Closing Date, the Agent shall receive a letter
from Xxxxxx & Company, Inc. dated the Closing Date
thereof and addressed to counsel for the Agent (i)
confirming that said firm is independent of the
Company and the Bank and is experienced and expert in
the area of corporate appraisals within the meaning
of Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
Section 563b.7(f)(1)(i), (ii) stating in effect that
the Appraisal prepared by such firm complies in all
material respects with the applicable requirements of
Title 12 of the Code of Federal Regulations, and
(iii) further stating that its opinion of the
aggregate pro forma market value of the Company and
the Bank expressed in its Appraisal dated as of
November 28, 1997, and most recently updated, remains
in effect.
(j) The Company and the Bank shall not have sustained
since the date of the latest financial statements
included in the Prospectus any material loss or
interference with its business from fire, explosion,
flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by
insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or
governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than
as set forth or contemplated in the Registration
Statement and Prospectus and since the respective
dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, there shall
not have been any change in the long-term debt of the
Company or the Bank other than debt incurred in
relation to the purchase of Shares by the Bank's
eligible plans, or any change, or any development
involving a prospective change, in or affecting the
general affairs, management, financial position,
shareholders' equity or results of operations of the
Company or the Bank, otherwise than as set forth or
contemplated in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case
described above, is in Xxxx'x reasonable judgment
sufficiently material and adverse as to make it
impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the
Subscription Offering or the delivery of the Shares
on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the
Prospectus.
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31
(k) At or prior to the Closing Date, the Agent shall
receive: (i) a copy of the letters from the OTS and
the Division approving the Conversion Application and
authorizing the use of the Prospectus; (ii) a copy of
the order from the Commission declaring the
Registration Statement effective; (iii) a certificate
from the State of Ohio evidencing the good standing
of the Bank; (iv) a certificate of good standing from
the State of Ohio evidencing the good standing of the
Company; (v) a certificate from the FDIC evidencing
the Bank's insurance of accounts; (vi) a certificate
from the FHLB-Cincinnati evidencing the Bank's
membership thereof; (vii) a copy of the letter from
the OTS approving the Company's Holding Company
Application; and (viii) a certified copy of the
Bank's Amended Articles of Incorporation and Amended
Constitution.
(l) Subsequent to the date hereof, there shall not have
occurred any of the following: (i) a suspension or
limitation in trading in securities generally on the
New York Stock Exchange or in the over-the-counter
market, or quotations halted generally on The Nasdaq
Stock Market, or minimum or maximum prices for
trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices
for securities have been required by either of such
exchanges or the NASD or by order of the Commission
or any other governmental authority; (ii) a general
moratorium on the operations of commercial banks,
Ohio or federal savings and loan associations or a
general moratorium on the withdrawal of deposits from
commercial banks or Ohio or federal savings and loan
associations declared by federal or state
authorities; (iii) the engagement by the United
States in hostilities which have resulted in the
declaration, on or after the date hereof, of a
national emergency or war; or (iv) a material decline
in the price of equity or debt securities if the
effect of such a declaration or decline, in the
Agent's reasonable judgement, makes it impracticable
or inadvisable to proceed with the Offering or the
delivery of the Shares on the terms and in the manner
contemplated in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus.
(m) At or prior to the Closing Date, counsel to the Agent
shall have been furnished with such documents and
opinions as they may reasonably require for the
purpose of enabling them to pass upon the sale of the
Shares as herein contemplated and related proceedings
or in order to evidence the occurrence or
completeness of any of the representations or
warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the
conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings
taken by the Company or the Bank in connection with
the Conversion and the sale of the Shares as herein
contemplated shall be satisfactory in form and
substance to Xxxx and its counsel.
SECTION 8. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) The Company and the Bank jointly and severally agree
to indemnify and hold harmless the Agent, its
respective officers and directors, employees
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32
and agents, and each person, if any, who controls the
Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933
Act or Section 20(a) of the 1934 Act, against any and
all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
whatsoever (including, but not limited to, settlement
expenses), joint or several, that the Agent or any of
them may suffer or to which the Agent and any such
persons may become subject under all applicable
federal or state laws or otherwise, and to promptly
reimburse the Agent and any such persons upon written
demand for any expense (including reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Agent or
any of them in connection with investigating,
preparing or defending any actions, proceedings or
claims (whether commenced or threatened) to the
extent such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
actions: (i) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Registration Statement
(or any amendment or supplement thereto), preliminary
or final Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), the Conversion Application (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), the Holding Company
Application or any instrument or document executed by
the Company or the Bank or based upon written
information supplied by the Company or the Bank filed
in any state or jurisdiction to register or qualify
any or all of the Shares or to claim an exemption
therefrom or provided to any state or jurisdiction to
exempt the Company as a broker-dealer or its
officers, directors and employees as broker-dealers
or agent, under the securities laws thereof
(collectively, the "Blue Sky Application"), or any
document, advertisement, oral statement or
communication ("Sales Information") prepared, made or
executed by or on behalf of the Company or the Bank
with their consent or based upon written or oral
information furnished by or on behalf of the Company
or the Bank, whether or not filed in any
jurisdiction, in order to qualify or register the
Shares or to claim an exemption therefrom under the
securities laws thereof; (ii) arise out of or are
based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
in any of the foregoing documents or information a
material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading; or (iii) arise from any theory of
liability whatsoever relating to or arising from or
based upon the Registration Statement (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), preliminary or
final Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), the Conversion Application (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), any Blue Sky
Application or Sales Information or other
documentation distributed in connection with the
Conversion; provided, however, that no
indemnification is required under this paragraph (a)
to the extent such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon
any untrue material statement or alleged untrue
material statement in, or material omission or
alleged material omission from, the Registration
Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto),
preliminary or final Prospectus (or any amendment or
supplement thereto), the Conversion Application, any
Blue Sky
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Application or Sales Information made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to the Company or the Bank by the Agent or
its counsel regarding the Agent, provided, that it is
agreed and understood that the only information
furnished in writing to the Company or the Bank by
the Agent regarding the Agent is set forth in the
Prospectus under the caption "The Conversion--Plan of
Distribution"; and, PROVIDED FURTHER, that such
indemnification shall be to the extent not prohibited
by the Commission, the OTS, the Division, the FDIC
and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve.
(b) The Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and the Bank, their directors and officers
and each person, if any, who controls the Company or
the Bank within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933
Act or Section 20(a) of the 1934 Act against any and
all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
whatsoever (including but not limited to settlement
expenses), joint or several, which they, or any of
them, may suffer or to which they, or any of them may
become subject under all applicable federal and state
laws or otherwise, and to promptly reimburse the
Company, the Bank, and any such persons upon written
demand for any expenses (including reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel) incurred by them, or
any of them, in connection with investigating,
preparing or defending any actions, proceedings or
claims (whether commenced or threatened) to the
extent such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
actions: (i) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in the Registration Statement
(or any amendment or supplement thereto), the
Conversion Application (or any amendment or
supplement thereto), the preliminary or final
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto),
any Blue Sky Application or Sales Information, (ii)
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state in any of the foregoing documents a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, or (iii) arise from any theory of
liability whatsoever relating to or arising from or
based upon the Registration Statement (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), preliminary or
final Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), the Conversion Application (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), or any Blue Sky
Application or Sales Information or other
documentation distributed in connection with the
Conversion; provided, however, that the Agent's
obligations under this Section 8(b) shall exist only
if and only to the extent (i) that such untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement was made in, or
such material fact or alleged material fact was
omitted from, the Registration Statement (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), the preliminary or
final Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), the Conversion Application (or any
amendment or supplement thereto), any Blue Sky
Application or Sales Information in reliance upon and
in conformity with information furnished in writing
to the Company or the Bank by the Agent or its
counsel regarding the Agent, provided, that it is
agreed and understood that the only information
furnished
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in writing to the Company or the Bank by the Agent
regarding the Agent is set forth in the Prospectus
under the caption "The Conversion--Plan of
Distribution."
(c) Each indemnified party shall give prompt written
notice to each indemnifying party of any action,
proceeding, claim (whether commenced or threatened),
or suit instituted against it in respect of which
indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so
notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have on account of
this Section 8 or otherwise. An indemnifying party
may participate at its own expense in the defense of
such action. In addition, if it so elects within a
reasonable time after receipt of such notice, an
indemnifying party, jointly with any other
indemnifying parties receiving such notice, may
assume defense of such action with counsel chosen by
it and approved by the indemnified parties that are
defendants in such action, unless such indemnified
parties reasonably object to such assumption on the
ground that there may be legal defenses available to
them that are different from or in addition to those
available to such indemnifying party. If an
indemnifying party assumes the defense of such
action, the indemnifying parties shall not be liable
for any fees and expenses of counsel for the
indemnified parties incurred thereafter in connection
with such action, proceeding or claim, other than
reasonable costs of investigation. In no event shall
the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and
expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys
(and any special counsel that said firm may retain)
for each indemnified party in connection with any one
action, proceeding or claim or separate but similar
or related actions, proceedings or claims in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general
allegations or circumstances.
(d) The agreements contained in this Section 8 and in
Section 9 hereof and the representations and
warranties of the Company and the Bank set forth in
this Agreement shall remain operative and in full
force and effect regardless of: (i) any investigation
made by or on behalf of the Agent or its officers,
directors or controlling persons, agent or employees
or by or on behalf of the Company or the Bank or any
officers, directors or controlling persons, agent or
employees of the Company or the Bank; (ii) delivery
of and payment hereunder for the Shares; or (iii) any
termination of this Agreement.
SECTION 9. CONTRIBUTION. In order to provide for just and equitable
contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in
Section 8 is due in accordance with its terms but is for any reason held by a
court to be unavailable from the Company, the Bank or the Agent, the Company,
the Bank and the Agent shall contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages
and liabilities (including any investigation, legal and other expenses incurred
in
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35
connection with, and any amount paid in settlement of, any action, suit or
proceeding, but after deducting any contribution received by the Company, the
Bank or the Agent from persons other than the other parties thereto, who may
also be liable for contribution) in such proportion so that the Agent is
responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the fees paid to
the Agent pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement (not including expenses) bears
to the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Shares in the
Offering, and the Company and the Bank shall be responsible for the balance. If,
however, the allocation provided above is not permitted by applicable law, then
each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such
relative fault of the Company and the Bank on the one hand and the Agent on the
other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions, proceedings or claims in
respect thereto), but also the relative benefits received by the Company and the
Bank on the one hand and the Agent on the other from the Offering (before
deducting expenses). The relative fault shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Company and/or the Bank on the one hand or the Agent
on the other and the parties' relative intent, good faith, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company, the Bank and the Agent agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro-rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 9. The amount
paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions, proceedings or claims in respect thereof)
referred to above in this Section 9 shall be deemed to include any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action, proceeding or claim. It is expressly
agreed that the Agent shall not be liable for any loss, liability, claim, damage
or expense or be required to contribute any amount which in the aggregate
exceeds the amount paid (excluding reimbursable expenses) to the Agent under
this Agreement. It is understood that the above stated limitation on the Agent's
liability is essential to the Agent and that the Agent would not have entered
into this Agreement if such limitation had not been agreed to by the parties to
this Agreement. No person found guilty of any fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 0000 Xxx) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not found guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The obligations of the Company, the Bank and the Agent under
this Section 9 and under Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which
the Company, the Bank and the Agent may otherwise have. For purposes of this
Section 9, each of the Agent's, the Company's or the Bank's officers and
directors and each person, if any, who controls the Agent or the Company or the
Bank within the meaning of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act shall have the same
rights to contribution as the Agent, the Company or the Bank. Any party entitled
to contribution, promptly after receipt of notice of commencement of any action,
suit, claim or proceeding against such party in respect of which a claim for
contribution may be made against another party under this Section 9, will notify
such party from whom contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify
such party shall not relieve the party from whom contribution may be sought from
any other obligation it may have hereunder or otherwise than under this Section
9.
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SECTION 10. SURVIVAL OF AGREEMENTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND INDEMNITIES.
The respective indemnities of the Company, the Bank and the Agent and the
representations and warranties and other statements of the Company, the Bank and
the Agent set forth in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation of this
Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agent, the Company,
the Bank or any controlling person referred to in Section 8 hereof, and shall
survive the issuance of the Shares, and any successor or assign of the Agent,
the Company, the Bank, and any such controlling person shall be entitled to the
benefit of the respective agreements, indemnities, warranties and
representations.
SECTION 11. TERMINATION. The Agent may terminate this Agreement by
giving the notice indicated below in this Section 11 at any time after this
Agreement becomes effective as follows:
(a) In the event the Company fails to sell the required
minimum number of the Shares by December 31, 1998,
and in accordance with the provisions of the Plan or
as required by the Conversion Regulations, and
applicable law, this Agreement shall terminate upon
refund by the Company to each person who has
subscribed for or ordered any of the Shares the full
amount which it may have received from such person,
together with interest as provided in the Prospectus,
and no party to this Agreement shall have any
obligation to the other hereunder, except as set
forth in Sections 2(a), 6, 8 and 9 hereof.
(b) If any of the conditions specified in Section 7 shall
not have been fulfilled when and as required by this
Agreement, unless waived in writing, or by the
Closing Date, this Agreement and all of the Agent's
obligations hereunder may be cancelled by the Agent
by notifying the Company and the Bank of such
cancellation in writing or by telegram at any time at
or prior to the Closing Date, and any such
cancellation shall be without liability of any party
to any other party except as otherwise provided in
Sections 2(a), 6, 8 and 9 hereof.
(c) If the Agent elects to terminate this Agreement as
provided in this Section, the Company and the Bank
shall be notified promptly by telephone or telegram,
confirmed by letter.
The Company and the Bank may terminate this Agreement in the event the
Agent is in material breach of the representations and warranties or covenants
contained in Section 5 and such breach has not been cured after the Company and
the Bank have provided the Agent with notice of such breach.
This Agreement may also be terminated by mutual written consent of the
parties hereto.
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SECTION 12. NOTICES. All communications hereunder, except as herein
otherwise specifically provided, shall be mailed in writing and if sent to the
Agent shall be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to Xxxxxxx Xxxx &
Company, 000 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxx 00000-0000, Attention: Xxxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
(with a copy to Silver, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxx, L.L.P., Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx,
P.C. and, if sent to the Company and the Bank, shall be mailed, delivered or
telegraphed and confirmed to the Company and the Bank at 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000-0000, Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, President (with a
copy to Vorys, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx LLP, Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx.
SECTION 13. PARTIES. The Company and the Bank shall be entitled to act
and rely on any request, notice, consent, waiver or agreement purportedly given
on behalf of the Agent when the same shall have been given by the undersigned.
The Agent shall be entitled to act and rely on any request, notice, consent,
waiver or agreement purportedly given on behalf of the Company or the Bank, when
the same shall have been given by the undersigned or any other officer of the
Company or the Bank. This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of, and
shall be binding upon, the Agent, the Company, the Bank, and their respective
successors and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have
any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by
virtue of this Agreement or any provision herein contained. It is understood and
agreed that this Agreement is the exclusive agreement among the parties hereto,
and supersedes any prior agreement among the parties and may not be varied
except in writing signed by all the parties.
SECTION 14. CLOSING. The closing for the sale of the Shares shall take
place on the Closing Date at such location as mutually agreed upon by the Agent
and the Company and the Bank. At the closing, the Company and the Bank shall
deliver to the Agent in next day funds the commissions, fees and expenses due
and owing to the Agent as set forth in Sections 2 and 6 hereof and the opinions
and certificates required hereby and other documents deemed reasonably necessary
by the Agent shall be executed and delivered to effect the sale of the Shares as
contemplated hereby and pursuant to the terms of the Prospectus.
SECTION 15. PARTIAL INVALIDITY. In the event that any term, provision
or covenant herein or the application thereof to any circumstance or situation
shall be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remainder hereof and
the application of said term, provision or covenant to any other circumstances
or situation shall not be affected thereby, and each term, provision or covenant
herein shall be valid and enforceable to the full extent permitted by law.
SECTION 16. CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement shall be construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
SECTION 17. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in separate
counterparts, each of which so executed and delivered shall be an original, but
all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
If the foregoing correctly sets forth the arrangement among the
Company, the Bank and the Agent, please indicate acceptance thereof in the space
provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter and the Agent's
acceptance shall constitute a binding agreement.
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SECTION 18. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including schedules and
exhibits hereto, which are integral parts hereof and incorporated as though set
forth in full, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining
to the subject matter hereof superseding any and all prior or contemporaneous
oral or prior written agreements, proposals, letters of intent and
understandings, and cannot be modified, changed, waived or terminated except by
a writing which expressly states that it is an amendment, modification or
waiver, refers to this Agreement and is signed by the party to be charged. No
course of conduct or dealing shall be construed to modify, amend or otherwise
affect any of the provisions hereof.
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HOME LOAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By Its Authorized
Representative:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President
THE HOME LOAN SAVINGS BANK
By Its Authorized
Representative:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
President
XXXXXXX XXXX & COMPANY, A DIVISION OF
XXXXX, XXXXXXXX & XXXXX, INC.
By Its Authorized
Representative:
Xxxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx
Executive Vice President
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