AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER By and Between OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP., And CENTRAL JERSEY BANCORP Dated as of May 26, 2009
Exhibit
2.1
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
By and
Between
OCEANFIRST
FINANCIAL CORP.,
And
Dated as
of May 26, 2009
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
|
||
ARTICLE
I. THE MERGER
|
2
|
|
Section
1.1.
|
Consummation
of Merger; Closing Date
|
2
|
Section
1.2.
|
Effect
of Merger
|
2
|
Section
1.3.
|
Tax
Consequences
|
3
|
Section
1.4.
|
Further
Assurances
|
3
|
Section
1.5.
|
Directors
and Officers
|
3
|
ARTICLE
II. CONVERSION OF CONSTITUENTS’ CAPITAL SHARES
|
4
|
|
Section
2.1.
|
Manner
of Conversion of Central Jersey Shares
|
4
|
Section
2.2.
|
RESERVED
|
5
|
Section
2.3.
|
Central
Jersey Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights
|
5
|
Section
2.4.
|
Fractional
Shares
|
6
|
Section
2.5.
|
Effectuating
Conversion
|
6
|
Section
2.6.
|
Determination
of Alternative Structures
|
8
|
Section
2.7.
|
Laws
of Escheat
|
8
|
Section
2.8.
|
Dissenting
Shares
|
8
|
ARTICLE
III. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CENTRAL JERSEY
|
9
|
|
Section
3.1.
|
Corporate
Organization
|
9
|
Section
3.2.
|
Capitalization
|
10
|
Section
3.3.
|
Financial
Statements; Filings
|
10
|
Section
3.4.
|
Loan
Portfolio; Reserves
|
11
|
Section
3.5.
|
Certain
Loans and Related Matters
|
11
|
Section
3.6.
|
Authority;
No Violation
|
12
|
Section
3.7.
|
Consents
and Approvals
|
13
|
Section
3.8.
|
Broker’s
Fees
|
13
|
Section
3.9.
|
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events
|
13
|
Section
3.10.
|
Legal
Proceedings; Etc.
|
13
|
Section
3.11.
|
Taxes
and Tax Returns
|
14
|
Section
3.12.
|
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
15
|
Section
3.13.
|
Title
and Related Matters
|
18
|
Section
3.14.
|
Real
Estate
|
18
|
Section
3.15.
|
Environmental
Matters
|
19
|
Section
3.16.
|
Commitments
and Contracts
|
20
|
Section
3.17.
|
Regulatory
Matters
|
22
|
Section
3.18.
|
Registration
Obligations
|
22
|
Section
3.19.
|
Antitakeover
Provisions
|
22
|
Section
3.20.
|
Insurance
|
22
|
Section
3.21.
|
Labor
|
23
|
Section
3.22.
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
23
|
Section
3.23.
|
Transactions
with Management
|
24
|
Section
3.24.
|
Derivative
Contracts
|
24
|
Section
3.25.
|
Deposits
|
25
|
Section
3.26.
|
Accounting
Controls; Disclosure Controls
|
25
|
Section
3.27.
|
Deposit
Insurance
|
25
|
Section
3.28.
|
Intellectual
Property
|
26
|
Section
3.29.
|
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities
|
26
|
Section
3.30.
|
Reports
|
26
|
Section
3.31.
|
Fairness
Opinion
|
27
|
Section
3.32.
|
Investment
Securities
|
27
|
Section
3.33.
|
Proxy
Materials
|
27
|
Section
3.34.
|
Ownership
of OceanFirst Common Stock
|
27
|
Section
3.35.
|
Transactions
With Affiliates
|
27
|
Section
3.36.
|
Indemnification
|
27
|
Section
3.37.
|
Voting
Agreements
|
27
|
Section
3.38.
|
Untrue
Statements and Omissions
|
28
|
ARTICLE
IV. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF OCEANFIRST
|
28
|
|
Section
4.1.
|
Organization
and Related Matters of OceanFirst
|
28
|
Section
4.2.
|
Capitalization
|
29
|
Section
4.3.
|
Authorization
|
29
|
Section
4.4.
|
Financial
Statements
|
29
|
Section
4.5.
|
Consents
and Approvals
|
30
|
Section
4.6.
|
Proxy
Materials
|
30
|
Section
4.7.
|
Regulatory
Matters
|
30
|
Section
4.8.
|
Untrue
Statements and Omissions
|
31
|
Section
4.9.
|
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events
|
31
|
Section
4.10.
|
Legal
Proceedings; Etc.
|
31
|
Section
4.11.
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
31
|
Section
4.12.
|
Antitakeover
Provisions
|
32
|
Section
4.13.
|
Accounting
Controls; Disclosure Controls
|
32
|
Section
4.14.
|
Deposit
Insurance
|
33
|
Section
4.15.
|
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities
|
33
|
Section
4.16.
|
Reports
|
33
|
Section
4.17.
|
Fairness
Opinion
|
34
|
ARTICLE
V. COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
|
34
|
|
Section
5.1.
|
Conduct
of the Business of Central Jersey and OceanFirst
|
34
|
Section
5.2.
|
Current
Information
|
37
|
Section
5.3.
|
Access
to Properties; Personnel and Records
|
37
|
Section
5.4.
|
Approvals
of Shareholders
|
38
|
Section
5.5.
|
No
Other Bids
|
39
|
Section
5.6.
|
Notice
of Deadlines
|
40
|
Section
5.7.
|
Maintenance
of Properties
|
41
|
Section
5.8.
|
Conforming
Accounting and Reserve Policies
|
41
|
Section
5.9.
|
Bank
Merger Agreement
|
41
|
ARTICLE
VI. ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
|
41
|
|
Section
6.1.
|
Reasonable
Best Efforts; Cooperation
|
41
|
Section
6.2.
|
Regulatory
Matters
|
41
|
Section
6.3.
|
Employment
and Employee Benefits Matters
|
42
|
Section
6.4.
|
Indemnification
|
44
|
Section
6.5.
|
Registration
Statement
|
45
|
Section
6.6.
|
Press
Releases
|
46
|
Section
6.7.
|
Nasdaq
Listing
|
46
|
Section
6.8.
|
RESERVED
|
46
|
Section
6.9.
|
Notification
of Certain Matters
|
46
|
Section
6.10.
|
Affiliates
|
46
|
ARTICLE
VII. MUTUAL CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
|
47
|
|
Section
7.1.
|
Shareholder
Approvals
|
47
|
Section
7.2.
|
Regulatory
Approvals
|
47
|
Section
7.3.
|
Litigation
|
47
|
Section
7.4.
|
Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and Registration Statement
|
47
|
Section
7.5.
|
Tax
Opinion
|
47
|
ARTICLE
VIII. CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF OCEANFIRST
|
48
|
|
Section
8.1.
|
Representations
and Warranties
|
48
|
Section
8.2.
|
Performance
of Obligations
|
48
|
Section
8.3.
|
Certificate
Representing Satisfaction of Conditions
|
48
|
Section
8.4.
|
Consents
Under Agreements
|
48
|
Section
8.5.
|
Material
Condition
|
49
|
Section
8.6.
|
Receipt
of Option Cancellation Agreements
|
49
|
Section
8.7.
|
Receipt
of Voting Agreements
|
49
|
Section
8.8.
|
No
Pending Governmental Actions
|
49
|
Section
8.9.
|
Dissenting
Shares
|
49
|
Section
8.10.
|
Termination
of the Central Jersey 401(k) Plan
|
49
|
ARTICLE
IX. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF CENTRAL JERSEY
|
49
|
|
Section
9.1.
|
Representations
and Warranties
|
49
|
Section
9.2.
|
Performance
of Obligations
|
50
|
Section
9.3.
|
Certificate
Representing Satisfaction of Conditions
|
50
|
Section
9.4.
|
Consents
Under Agreements
|
50
|
Section
9.5.
|
OceanFirst
Shares
|
50
|
Section
9.6.
|
Receipt
of Voting Agreements
|
50
|
Section
9.7.
|
Employment
|
50
|
ARTICLE
X. TERMINATION, WAIVER AND AMENDMENT
|
51
|
|
Section
10.1.
|
Termination
|
51
|
Section
10.2.
|
Effect
of Termination; Termination Fee
|
52
|
Section
10.3.
|
Amendments
|
53
|
Section
10.4.
|
Waivers
|
53
|
Section
10.5.
|
Non-Survival
of Representations, Warranties and Covenants
|
53
|
ARTICLE
XI. MISCELLANEOUS
|
53
|
|
Section
11.1.
|
Definitions
|
53
|
Section
11.2.
|
Entire
Agreement
|
56
|
Section
11.3.
|
Notices
|
56
|
Section
11.4.
|
Severability
|
57
|
Section
11.5.
|
Costs
and Expenses
|
57
|
Section
11.6.
|
Captions
|
57
|
Section
11.7.
|
Counterparts
|
57
|
Section
11.8.
|
Persons
Bound; No Assignment
|
58
|
Section
11.9.
|
Governing
Law
|
58
|
Section
11.10.
|
Exhibits
and Schedules
|
58
|
Section
11.11.
|
Waiver
|
58
|
Section
11.12.
|
Construction
of Terms
|
58
|
Section
11.13.
|
Entire
Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries
|
58
|
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
By
and Between
OCEANFIRST
FINANCIAL CORP.
AND
This
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of the 26th day of May, 2009 (this
“Agreement”), by and between OCEANFIRST FINANCIAL CORP, a Delaware corporation
(“OceanFirst”), and CENTRAL JERSEY BANCORP, a New Jersey corporation (“Central
Jersey”) (collectively, the “Parties”).
WITNESSETH
THAT:
WHEREAS,
the Boards of Directors of OceanFirst and Central Jersey deem it in the best
interests of OceanFirst and Central Jersey, respectively, and of their
respective shareholders, that OceanFirst acquire all of the outstanding common
stock of Central Jersey by means of a merger of Central Jersey with and into
OceanFirst (the “Merger”) pursuant to this Agreement in a transaction that
qualifies as a reorganization pursuant to Section 368 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (as amended, the “Code”);
WHEREAS,
Central Jersey owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Central
Jersey Bank, National Association, a federally chartered national bank (“Central
Jersey Bank”) and, OceanFirst owns all of the issued and outstanding capital
stock of OceanFirst Bank, a federally chartered savings bank, and it is
contemplated that, subsequent to the Merger and pursuant to the terms of a
certain Agreement and Plan of Bank Merger (the “Bank Merger Agreement”), Central
Jersey Bank will be merged with and into OceanFirst Bank; and
WHEREAS,
as an inducement and condition to OceanFirst entering into this Agreement,
certain of the directors and executive officers of Central Jersey have entered
into Voting Agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-1 with
OceanFirst pursuant to which they have agreed to vote their Central Jersey
Shares (as defined herein) in favor of approval of the Agreement;
and
WHEREAS,
as an inducement and condition to Central Jersey entering into this Agreement,
certain of the directors and executive officers of OceanFirst have entered into
Voting Agreements in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-2 with
Central Jersey pursuant to which they have agreed to vote their OceanFirst
Shares (as defined herein) in the favor of the approval of the
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants,
representations, warranties and agreements herein contained and intending to be
legally bound hereby, the Parties agree that Central Jersey will be merged with
and into OceanFirst and that the terms and conditions of the Merger, the mode of
carrying the Merger into effect, including the manner of converting the shares
of common stock of Central Jersey, $0.01 par value per share, into shares of
common stock of OceanFirst, $0.01 par value per share (the “OceanFirst Shares”),
and as further described herein, shall be as hereinafter set forth.
1
ARTICLE
I.
THE
MERGER
Section
1.1. Consummation
of Merger; Closing Date.
(a) Subject
to the provisions hereof, including, without limitation, Section 2.6 hereof
respecting the possible restructuring of the transaction under certain
circumstances, Central Jersey shall be merged with and into OceanFirst (which
has heretofore and shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Merger”) pursuant to
the laws of the States of Delaware and New Jersey, and OceanFirst shall be the
surviving corporation (sometimes hereinafter referred to as “Surviving
Corporation”).
(b) The
Merger shall become effective on the date and at the time specified in the
Certificate of Merger to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State pursuant
to the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) and in the Certificate of
Merger to be filed with the State of New Jersey, Department of the Treasury
pursuant to the New Jersey Business Corporation Act (“NJBCA”) (such time is
hereinafter referred to as the “Effective Time”). Subject to the
terms and conditions hereof, unless otherwise agreed upon by OceanFirst and
Central Jersey, the Effective Time shall occur on the tenth (10th) business day
following the later to occur of (i) the effective date (including expiration of
any applicable waiting period) of the last required Consent (as defined herein)
of any Regulatory Authority (as defined herein) having authority over the
transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the satisfaction or waiver of
all of the other terms and conditions of this Agreement (other than the filing
of a Certificate of Merger) and (ii) the date on which the shareholders of
Central Jersey and OceanFirst Bank approve the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, or such other time as the Parties may agree.
(c) The
closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of
OceanFirst Financial Corp., 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000, at
10:00 a.m. local time on the day that the Effective Time occurs, or such other
date, time and place as the Parties hereto may agree (the “Closing
Date”). Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at the Closing
there shall be delivered to each of the Parties hereto the opinions,
certificates and other documents and instruments required to be so delivered
pursuant to this Agreement.
Section
1.2. Effect of
Merger. At the Effective Time, Central Jersey shall be merged with
and into OceanFirst and the separate existence of Central Jersey shall
cease. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of OceanFirst, as
in effect on the date hereof and as otherwise amended prior to the Effective
Time, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation until further amended as provided therein and in accordance with
applicable law.
The
Surviving Corporation shall have all the rights, privileges, immunities and
powers and shall be subject to all the duties and liabilities of a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and shall thereupon and
thereafter possess all other privileges, immunities and
2
franchises
of a private, as well as of a public nature, of each of the constituent
corporations. All property (real, personal and mixed) and all debts
on whatever account, including subscriptions to shares, and all choses in
action, all and every other interest, of or belonging to or due to each of the
constituent corporations so merged shall be taken and deemed to be transferred
to and vested in the Surviving Corporation without further act or
deed. The title to any real estate, or any interest therein, vested
in any of the constituent corporations shall not revert or be in any way
impaired by reason of the Merger. The Surviving Corporation shall
thenceforth be responsible and liable for all the liabilities and obligations of
each of the constituent corporations so merged and any claim existing or action
or proceeding pending by or against either of the constituent corporations may
be prosecuted as if the Merger had not taken place or the Surviving Corporation
may be substituted in its place. Neither the rights of creditors nor
any liens upon the property of any constituent corporation shall be impaired by
the Merger.
Section
1.3. Tax
Consequences. It is intended that the Merger constitute a reorganization within
the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and that this Agreement shall
constitute a “plan of reorganization” for the purposes of Section 368 of
the Code.
Section
1.4. Further
Assurances. From and after the Effective Time, as and when requested by the
Surviving Corporation, the officers and directors of Central Jersey last in
office shall execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered in the
name of Central Jersey such deeds and other instruments and take or cause to be
taken such further or other actions as shall be necessary in order to vest or
perfect in or confirm of record or otherwise to the Surviving Corporation title
to and possession of all of the property, interests, assets, rights, privileges,
immunities, powers, franchises and authority of Central Jersey.
Section
1.5. Directors
and Officers. The directors of OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank prior to the
Effective Time shall be the directors of Ocean First and OceanFirst Bank
immediately after the Effective Time, except that effective as of the Effective
Time two members who are serving on the Central Jersey Board of Directors at the
Effective Time, who are “non-officer directors”, and who are designated by the
Central Jersey Board prior to that time shall be appointed and shall serve as
directors on the board of directors of OceanFirst and OceanFirst
Bank. One of the Central Jersey Designees (as defined herein) shall
initially have a term on the board of directors of OceanFirst until the 2010
annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor has been elected and
qualified, and the second of the Central Jersey Designees shall initially have a
term on the board of directors of OceanFirst until the 2011 annual meeting of
stockholders and until his successor has been elected and
qualified. OceanFirst shall, subject to fiduciary requirements of its
board of directors, its governing documents, including the charter and
nomination policies and procedures of the Corporate Governance/Nominating
Committee and applicable law, include the Central Jersey Designees among the
director nominees of OceanFirst to be voted on at the 2010 and 2011 annual
meetings of stockholders, respectively. The Central Jersey Designees
to the OceanFirst Bank Board of Directors shall both serve until the 2010 annual
meeting of stockholders at which time they shall be redesignated as members of
the class of directors whose terms expire at the 2010 and 2011 annual
stockholders meeting. “Central Jersey Designees” shall mean the
persons selected by the Central Jersey Board of Directors from among the
directors serving on the Central Jersey Board of Directors on the date hereof,
who qualify as “non-officer directors”, and who continue to serve as of the
Effective
3
Time and
who comply with the director qualification requirements of OceanFirst, including
its director retirement policy.
The
directors of Central Jersey shall resign at the Effective Time.
The
executive officers of OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank prior to the Effective Time
shall be the executive officers of OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank immediately
after the Effective Time. The executive officers of Central Jersey
shall resign at the Effective Time, and beginning at the Effective Time, those
executive officers appointed by OceanFirst shall serve as executive officers of
OceanFirst or OceanFirst Bank. At the Effective Time, OceanFirst Bank
will appoint Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, President and Chief Executive Officer of Central
Jersey (“Xxxxxxx”), as Executive Vice President and a member of the senior
executive management team of OceanFirst Bank.
ARTICLE
II.
CONVERSION
OF CONSTITUENTS’ CAPITAL SHARES
Section
2.1. Manner of
Conversion of Central Jersey Shares. Subject to the provisions hereof, as of the
Effective Time and by virtue of the Merger and without any further action on the
part of OceanFirst, Central Jersey or the holder of any shares of either of
them, the shares of the constituent corporations shall be converted as
follows:
(a) Each
share of capital stock of OceanFirst outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall, after the Effective Time, remain outstanding and
unchanged.
(b) Each
share of common stock of Central Jersey (the “Central Jersey Shares”) held by
Central Jersey or by OceanFirst (or any of their subsidiaries), other than such
shares held in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts previously
contracted, shall be canceled and retired and no consideration shall be paid or
delivered in exchange therefor.
(c) Each
Central Jersey Share outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other
than such shares the holders of which become entitled to fair value under
Section 14A:11-1 of the New Jersey Business Corporation Act (“Dissenting
Shares”), shall be converted into the right to receive, 0.50 OceanFirst Shares
(such number of OceanFirst Shares, as may be adjusted as provided herein, is
hereinafter referred to as the “Per Share Stock
Consideration”). Thereafter, subject to Sections 2.3, 2.5, 2.7 and
2.8, each outstanding certificate representing a Central Jersey Share shall
represent solely the right to receive the Per Share Stock
Consideration.
(d) If
OceanFirst declares a change in the number of OceanFirst Shares issued and
outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, or similar transaction with respect to such stock,
and the record date therefore (in the case of a stock dividend) or the effective
date thereof (in the case of a stock split or similar recapitalization for which
a record date is not established) shall be at or prior to the Effective Time, or
announces a special extraordinary cash dividend with
4
a record
date at or prior to the Effective Time, the Per Share Stock Consideration shall
be proportionately adjusted.
(e) Each
share of preferred stock of Central Jersey (the “Central Jersey Preferred
Stock”) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted
into one share of preferred stock of OceanFirst which shall have such rights,
preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions,
taken as a whole, that are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof
than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and
restrictions of the Central Jersey Preferred Stock immediately prior to the
Effective Time, taken as a whole.
(f) The
warrant for Central Jersey Shares issued to the United States Treasury
Department if outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be
converted into the right to receive OceanFirst Shares in accordance with the
terms thereof.
Section
2.2. RESERVED
Section
2.3. Central
Jersey Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) As
of and immediately prior to the Effective Time, (i) all rights with respect to
stock options (“Central Jersey Options”) granted by Central Jersey under the
Central Jersey Stock Option Plans set forth in Schedule 2.3 (the “Central Jersey
Stock Option Plans”), each of which are listed and described on Schedule 2.3 and
which are outstanding at the Effective Time, and (ii) all rights with respect to
Central Jersey Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”) granted by Central Jersey
under the Central Jersey Stock Option Plans each of which are listed and
described on Schedule 2.3 and which are outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time, shall be canceled effective at the Effective Time and shall be
converted into the right to receive such number of shares of Central Jersey
Stock, to be paid by Central Jersey to the optionholder or SAR holder at or
immediately prior to the Effective Time, subject to applicable withholding
taxes, equal to the product of (1) a fraction the numerator of which is
difference between (A) the fair market value of the Central Jersey Stock
immediately prior to the Effective Time and (B) the per share exercise price of
each such option or SAR and the denominator of which is the fair market value of
the Central Jersey Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time and
(2) multiplied by the number of shares that may be purchased pursuant
to such option or the number of shares for which rights were granted pursuant to
such SAR. At the Effective Time, the shares of Central Jersey Stock
paid to the optionholder and SAR holder pursuant to this section shall be
converted into the Per Share Stock Consideration at the Effective
Time. The cancellation of Central Jersey Options and SARs in exchange
for the consideration described in this section shall be deemed a release of any
and all rights the holder had or may have had in respect of such Central Jersey
Options and SARs. Prior to the Effective Time, Central Jersey shall
take all actions necessary to cancel the outstanding Central Jersey Options and
SARs as of the Effective Time.
(b) Prior
to the Effective Time, Central Jersey shall take or cause to be taken all
actions required under the Central Jersey Stock Option Plans to provide for
the
5
actions
set forth in Section 2.3(a). Central Jersey shall cause the
termination, effective as of the Effective Time, of all Central Jersey Stock
Option Plans.
Section
2.4. Fractional
Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each holder of
Central Jersey Shares converted pursuant to the Merger who would otherwise have
been entitled to receive a fraction of an OceanFirst Share (after taking into
account all certificates delivered by such holder), shall receive, in lieu
thereof, cash (without interest) in an amount equal to such fractional part (to
the nearest thousandth) of the fair market value of the Per Share Stock
Consideration immediately prior to the Effective Time. No such holder
will be entitled to dividends, voting rights or any other rights as a
shareholder in respect of any fractional share.
Section
2.5. Effectuating
Conversion.
(a) Immediately
prior to the Effective Time, OceanFirst will deliver or cause to be delivered to
the exchange agent the number of OceanFirst Shares issuable and the amount of
cash payable by OceanFirst for Central Jersey Shares. As promptly as
practicable after the Effective Time but in no event later than five business
days, the exchange agent shall send or cause to be sent to each former holder of
record of Central Jersey Shares who did not previously submit a properly
completed Election Form (other than holders of Dissenting Shares) transmittal
materials (the “Letter of Transmittal”) for use in exchanging their certificates
formerly representing Central Jersey Shares for the consideration provided for
in this Agreement. The Letter of Transmittal will contain
instructions with respect to the surrender of certificates representing Central
Jersey Shares and the receipt of the consideration contemplated by this
Agreement and will require each holder of Central Jersey Shares to transfer good
and marketable title to such Central Jersey Shares to OceanFirst, free and clear
of all liens, claims and encumbrances.
(b) At
the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of Central Jersey shall be closed
as to holders of Central Jersey Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time
and no transfer of Central Jersey Shares by any such holder shall thereafter be
made or recognized and each outstanding certificate formerly representing
Central Jersey Shares shall, without any action on the part of any holder
thereof, no longer represent Central Jersey Shares. If, after the
Effective Time, certificates are properly presented to the exchange agent, such
certificates (other than dissenting Shares) shall be exchanged for the
consideration contemplated by this Agreement into which Central Jersey Shares
represented thereby were converted in the Merger.
(c) In
the event that any holder of record as of the Effective Time of Central Jersey
Shares (other than Dissenting Shares) is unable to deliver the certificate which
represents such holder’s Central Jersey Shares, OceanFirst, in the absence of
actual notice that any Central Jersey Shares theretofore represented by any such
certificate have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser shall deliver to such
holder the consideration contemplated by this Agreement and the amount of cash
representing fractional OceanFirst Shares to which such holder is entitled in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement upon the presentation of all of
the following:
6
(i)
An affidavit or other evidence to the reasonable
satisfaction of OceanFirst that any such certificate has been lost, wrongfully
taken or destroyed;
(ii)
Such security or indemnity as may be reasonably
requested by OceanFirst to indemnify and hold OceanFirst harmless in respect of
such stock certificate(s); and
(iii)
Evidence to the satisfaction of OceanFirst that such holder is the owner of
Central Jersey Shares theretofore represented by each certificate claimed by
such holder to be lost, wrongfully taken or destroyed and that such holder is
the person who would be entitled to present each such certificate for exchange
pursuant to this Agreement.
(d) If
the delivery of the consideration contemplated by this Agreement is to be made
to a person other than the person in whose name any certificate representing
Central Jersey Shares surrendered is registered, such certificate so surrendered
shall be properly endorsed (or accompanied by an appropriate instrument of
transfer), with the signature(s) appropriately guaranteed, and otherwise in
proper form for transfer, and the person requesting such delivery shall pay any
transfer or other taxes required by reason of the delivery to a person other
than the registered holder of such certificate surrendered or establish to the
satisfaction of OceanFirst that such tax has been paid or is not
applicable.
(e) No
holder of Central Jersey Shares shall be entitled to receive any dividends or
distributions declared or made with respect to the OceanFirst Shares with a
record date before the Effective Time. Neither the consideration
contemplated by this Agreement nor any dividend or other distribution with
respect to OceanFirst Shares where the record date thereof is on or after the
Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered certificate or
certificates representing Central Jersey Shares, and OceanFirst shall not be
obligated to deliver any of the consideration contemplated by this Agreement or
any such dividend or other distribution with respect to OceanFirst Shares until
such holder shall surrender the certificate or certificates representing Central
Jersey Shares as provided for by the Agreement. Subject to applicable
laws, following surrender of any such certificate or certificates, there shall
be paid to the holder of the certificate or certificates then representing
OceanFirst Shares issued in the Merger, without interest at the time of such
surrender, the consideration contemplated by this Agreement and the amount of
any dividends or other distributions with respect to OceanFirst Shares to which
such holder is entitled as a holder of OceanFirst Shares.
(f) Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Certificates surrendered for
exchange by any affiliate, within the meaning of Rule 145 promulgated under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), of Central Jersey
(“Central Jersey Affiliate”) shall not be exchanged for certificates
representing the OceanFirst Shares to which such Central Jersey Affiliate is
entitled pursuant to the terms of this Agreement until OceanFirst has received
an Affiliate Letter (as defined in Section 6.10 hereof) from such person as
specified in Section 6.10 hereof.
7
Section
2.6. Determination
of Alternative Structures. Central Jersey hereby agrees that OceanFirst may at
any time change the method of effecting the Merger; provided, however, that no
such changes shall (a) alter or change the amount or kind of consideration to be
issued to holders of the capital stock of Central Jersey as provided for in this
Agreement (the “Merger Consideration”), (b) materially impede or delay
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (c)
adversely affect the tax treatment of Central Jersey’s shareholders with respect
to the Merger Consideration received pursuant to this Agreement.
Section
2.7. Laws of
Escheat. If any of the Merger Consideration due or other payments to be paid or
delivered to the holders of Central Jersey Shares is not paid or delivered
within the time period specified by any applicable laws concerning abandoned
property, escheat or similar laws, and if such failure to pay or deliver such
consideration occurs or arises out of the fact that such property is not claimed
by the proper owner thereof, OceanFirst or the exchange agent shall be entitled
to dispose of any such consideration or other payments in accordance with
applicable laws concerning abandoned property, escheat or similar
laws. Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, none of
Central Jersey, OceanFirst, the exchange agent, nor any other Person acting on
behalf of any of them shall be liable to a holder of Central Jersey Shares for
any amount paid or property delivered in good faith to a public official
pursuant to and in accordance with any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar law.
Section
2.8. Dissenting
Shares.
(a) Any
holders of Dissenting Shares shall be entitled to payment for such shares only
to the extent permitted by and in accordance with the provisions of the NJBCA;
provided, however, that if, in accordance with the NJBCA, any holder of
Dissenting Shares shall forfeit such right to payment of the fair value of such
shares, such shares shall thereupon be deemed to have been converted into and to
have become exchangeable for, as of the Effective Time, the right to receive the
Per Share Stock Consideration without interest from OceanFirst. Dissenting
Shares shall not, after the Effective Time, be entitled to vote for any purpose
or receive any dividends or other distributions and shall be entitled only to
such rights as are afforded in respect of Dissenting Shares pursuant to the
NJBCA.
(b) Central
Jersey shall give OceanFirst (i) prompt notice of any written objections to the
Merger and any written demands for the payment of the fair value of any shares,
withdrawals of such demands, and any other instruments served pursuant to the
NJBCA received by Central Jersey and (ii) the opportunity to participate in all
negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands under the NJBCA.
Central Jersey shall not voluntarily make any payment with respect to any
demands for payment of fair value and shall not, except with the prior written
consent of OceanFirst, settle or offer to settle any such demands.
8
ARTICLE
III.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF CENTRAL JERSEY
Central
Jersey hereby represents and warrants to OceanFirst as follows as of the date
hereof and as of all times up to and including the Effective Time (except as
otherwise provided)(for purposes of this Article III, the representations and
warranties of Central Jersey which relate to periods prior to January 1, 2009
include the predecessor companies of Central Jersey):
Section
3.1. Corporate
Organization.
(a) Central
Jersey is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of New Jersey. Central Jersey has the
corporate power and authority to own or lease all of its properties and assets
and to carry on its business as such business is now being conducted, and is
duly licensed or qualified to do business in New Jersey and in each jurisdiction
in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location
of the properties and assets leased by it makes such licensing or qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified (or steps
necessary to cure such failure) would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Central Jersey
is duly registered as a bank holding company. True and correct copies
of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws of Central Jersey, each as
amended to the date hereof, have been made available to OceanFirst.
(b) Central
Jersey Bank is a national bank duly organized and validly existing under the
laws of the United States. Central Jersey Bank has the corporate
power and authority to own or lease all of its assets and to carry on its
business as such business is now being conducted. True and correct
copies of the Articles of Association and Bylaws of Central Jersey Bank have
been made available to OceanFirst.
(c) Each
direct or indirect subsidiary of Central Jersey (hereinafter referred to as a
“subsidiary” or “subsidiaries”) is a corporation, limited liability company or
partnership duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization. Each subsidiary
has the corporate or requisite power and authority to own or lease all of its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as such business is now being
conducted, and is duly licensed or qualified to do business in all such places
where the nature of the business being conducted by each subsidiary or the
character or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by each
subsidiary make such qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so
licensed or qualified (or steps necessary to cure such failure) would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
(d) Central
Jersey and each of its subsidiaries has in effect all federal, state, local and
foreign governmental, regulatory, securities brokerage, and other
authorizations, permits and licenses necessary for each of them to own or lease
its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, the
absence of which, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material
Adverse Effect on Central
9
Jersey
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole. True and correct copies of the
charter or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of each subsidiary have been
made available to OceanFirst.
(e) Schedule
3.1(e) lists all subsidiaries of Central Jersey and all entities (whether
corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships or similar
organizations), including the corresponding percentage ownership, in which
Central Jersey owns, directly or indirectly, any of the ownership interests as
of the date of this Agreement, excluding equity interests in Central Jersey
Bank’s investment portfolio, and indicates for each subsidiary or other entity
as of such date, its jurisdiction of organization and the jurisdiction(s)
wherein it is qualified to do business. All of such subsidiaries and other
entities are in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations
relating to direct investment in equity ownership interests. Central
Jersey owns either directly or indirectly, all of the outstanding capital stock
of each of its subsidiaries. With the exception of Central Jersey
Bank, no subsidiary of Central Jersey is an “insured depositary institution” as
defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended, and the applicable
regulations thereunder. All of the shares of capital stock of each of
the subsidiaries of Central Jersey are duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable and not subject to any preemptive rights and are owned
by Central Jersey free and clear of any claims, liens, encumbrances or
restrictions (other than those imposed by applicable federal and state
securities laws), and there are no agreements or understandings with respect to
the voting or disposition of any such shares.
(f) The
respective minute books of Central Jersey and each subsidiary of Central Jersey
contain complete and accurate records in all material respects of all meetings
and other corporate actions held or taken by its shareholders and Boards of
Directors (including all committees thereof).
Section
3.2. Capitalization.
The authorized capital stock of Central Jersey consists of 100,000,000 Central
Jersey Shares, of which 9,104,699 are issued and outstanding as of the date
hereof (exclusive of any such shares held in the treasury of Central Jersey) and
10,000,000 shares of serial preferred stock, liquidation value $1,000.00 per
share, $0.01 par value per share of which 11,300 shares are issued and
outstanding as of the date hereof. All of the issued and outstanding
Central Jersey Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and all such
shares are fully paid and nonassessable. As of the date hereof, there
are no outstanding options, warrants, commitments, or other rights or
instruments to purchase or acquire any shares of capital stock of Central
Jersey, or any securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for shares
of capital stock of Central Jersey, except for options to purchase 1,185,780
Central Jersey Shares and 115,763 Stock Appreciation Rights under the Central
Jersey Option Plan. Schedule 3.2(a) sets forth the name of each holder of a
Central Jersey option, the number of shares each such individual may acquire
pursuant to the exercise of such options, the grant, vesting and expiration
dates, the exercise price as adjusted and whether the Central Jersey option is
an incentive stock option or a nonqualified stock option. Schedule
3.2(b) sets forth the name of each holder of a Central Jersey SAR, the number of
rights each holder has, the grant, vesting and expiration dates and the exercise
price of each right as adjusted.
Section
3.3. Financial
Statements; Filings.
10
(a) Central
Jersey has previously made available to OceanFirst copies of the audited
consolidated financial statements of Central Jersey as of and for the years
ended December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007 and unaudited consolidated
financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, and Central Jersey
shall deliver to OceanFirst, as soon as practicable following the preparation of
additional consolidated financial statements for each subsequent calendar
quarter (or other reporting period) or year of Central Jersey, the additional
consolidated financial statements of Central Jersey as of and for such
subsequent calendar quarter (or other reporting period) or year (such financial
statements, unless otherwise indicated, being hereinafter referred to
collectively as the “Financial Statements of Central Jersey”).
(b) Each
of the Financial Statements of Central Jersey (including the related notes,
where applicable) have been or will be prepared in all material respects in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which principles have
been or will be consistently applied during the periods involved, except as
otherwise noted therein, and the books and records of Central Jersey have been,
are being, and will be maintained in all material respects in accordance with
applicable legal and accounting requirements and reflect only actual
transactions. Each of the Financial Statements of Central Jersey
(including the related notes, where applicable) fairly present or will fairly
present the financial position of Central Jersey on a consolidated basis, as
applicable, as of the respective dates thereof and fairly present or will fairly
present the results of operations of Central Jersey on a consolidated basis, as
applicable, for the respective periods therein set forth.
Section
3.4. Loan
Portfolio; Reserves. All evidences of indebtedness reflected as
assets in the Financial Statements of Central Jersey were (or will be, as the
case may be) as of such dates in all respects the binding obligations of the
respective obligors named therein in accordance with their respective terms, and
were not subject to any defenses, setoffs, or counterclaims, except (i) as may
be provided by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws or by general principles
of equity and (ii) the allowances for possible loan losses shown on the
Financial Statements of Central Jersey were, and the allowance for possible loan
losses to be shown on the Financial Statements of Central Jersey as of any date
subsequent to the execution of this Agreement will be, as of such dates,
adequate to provide for possible losses, net of recoveries relating to loans
previously charged off, in respect of loans outstanding (including accrued
interest receivable) of Central Jersey and other extensions of credit (including
letters of credit or commitments to make loans or extend credit).
Section
3.5. Certain
Loans and Related Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.5, neither Central
Jersey nor any of its subsidiaries is a Party to any written: (i) loan
agreement, note or borrowing arrangement under the terms of which the obligor is
sixty (60) days delinquent in payment of principal or interest or, to the
Knowledge of Central Jersey, in default of any other provision as of the date
hereof; (ii) loan agreement, note or borrowing arrangement which has been
classified by Central Jersey or any Regulatory Authority as “substandard,”
“doubtful,” “loss,” “other loans especially mentioned,” “other assets especially
mentioned,” “special mention,” “credit risk assets,” “classified,” “criticized,”
“watch list,” “concerned loans” or any
11
comparable
classifications by such persons; or (iii) loan agreement, note or borrowing
arrangement, including any loan guaranty, with any director or executive officer
of Central Jersey or any Central Jersey subsidiary or any five percent (5%)
shareholder of Central Jersey or any Central Jersey subsidiary, or any person,
corporation or enterprise controlling, controlled by or under common control
with any of the foregoing.
Section
3.6.
Authority; No Violation.
(a) Central
Jersey has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and, subject to the approval of the shareholders of Central Jersey and
OceanFirst and to the receipt of the Consents of the Regulatory Authorities, to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The Board of
Directors of Central Jersey has duly and validly approved this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, has authorized the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, has directed that this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby be submitted to Central Jersey’s shareholders for approval
at a meeting of such shareholders and, except for the adoption of such Agreement
by its shareholders and the shareholders of OceanFirst and the execution and
filing of the Certificate of Merger, no other corporate proceeding on the part
of Central Jersey is necessary to consummate the transactions so
contemplated.
(b) This
Agreement (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by OceanFirst),
constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Central Jersey, and will be
enforceable against Central Jersey in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, receivership or similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and except that the availability of
the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to
the discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be
brought.
(c) Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Central Jersey nor the
consummation by Central Jersey of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor
compliance by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries with any of the terms or
provisions hereof, will (i) violate any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Central Jersey or the organizational documents of its
subsidiaries, (ii) to the Knowledge of Central Jersey, assuming that the
Consents of the Regulatory Authorities and approvals referred to herein are duly
obtained, violate any statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment,
order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to Central Jersey or its
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, or (iii) violate,
conflict with, result in a breach of any provisions of, constitute a default (or
an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a
default) under, result in the termination of, accelerate the performance
required by or result in the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or
other encumbrance upon any of the respective properties or assets of Central
Jersey or any of its subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any material note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust,
license, permit, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which
Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or by which it or any of
its properties or assets may be bound or affected except such violations,
breaches or defaults that would not, individually or in the
12
aggregate
have a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
Section
3.7. Consents
and Approvals. Except for (i) the requisite approvals of the shareholders of
Central Jersey and OceanFirst pursuant to the joint proxy statement and
Prospectus of Central Jersey and OceanFirst relating to the meetings of the
shareholders of Central Jersey and OceanFirst at which the Merger is to be
considered (the “Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus”); (ii) the Consents of the
Regulatory Authorities; (iii) the filing of Certificate of Merger with the
States of Delaware and New Jersey; and (iv) as set forth in Schedule 3.7, no
consents or approvals by, or filings or registrations with, any third Party or
any public body, agency or authority are necessary in connection with the
execution and delivery by Central Jersey of this Agreement, and the consummation
of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
Section
3.8. Broker’s
Fees. Except for Sandler X’Xxxxx + Partners, L.P., whose engagement letter is
set forth in Schedule 3.8, neither Central Jersey, any of its subsidiaries nor
any of their respective officers or directors, has employed any broker or finder
or incurred any liability for any broker’s fees, commissions or finder’s fees in
connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section
3.9. Absence of
Certain Changes or Events. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.9, since March 31,
2009, there has not been any (a) declaration, payment or setting aside of any
dividend or distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of
Central Jersey Shares, (b) increase in the wages, salaries, compensation,
pension, or other fringe benefits or perquisites payable to any executive
officer, employee, or director from the amount thereof in effect as of March 31,
2009 (which amounts have been previously disclosed to OceanFirst), (c) grant of
any severance or termination pay, entry into any contract to make or grant any
severance or termination pay, (d) grant of any Central Jersey Options or other
derivative security or paid any bonus (e) strike, work stoppage, slow-down,
or other labor disturbance, (f) actions of the type set forth in
Section 5.1 hereof, or (g) change or any event involving a prospective
change in the condition of Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a whole
or a combination of any such change(s) and any such event(s) which has had, or
is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect on the condition of
Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section
3.10. Legal Proceedings;
Etc.
(a) Schedule
3.10(a) sets forth a true and correct summary description as of the date hereof
of any pending, or to Central Jersey’s Knowledge, threatened legal,
administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental
or regulatory investigations of any nature against Central Jersey and its
subsidiaries, including the venue, the parties thereto, the subject matter
thereof and the amount of damages claimed or other remedies sought, other than
foreclosure and other collection proceedings.
(b) Neither
Central Jersey nor any of its subsidiaries, is a party to any, and there are no
pending or, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey and each Central Jersey
subsidiary, threatened, judicial, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings,
claims,
13
actions,
causes of action or governmental investigations against Central Jersey in which
there is a reasonable probability of any material recovery or other Material
Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a whole or
challenging the validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; no judgment, decree, injunction, rule or order of any court,
governmental department, commission, agency, instrumentality or arbitrator is
outstanding against Central Jersey which has had, or is reasonably likely to
have, a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as
a whole, and there is no default by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries
under any material contract or agreement to which Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries is a Party which has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
(c) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.10(c), (i) to Central Jersey’s Knowledge, there
are no actions, suits, claims, proceedings, investigations or assessments of any
kind pending or threatened against any of the directors or officers of Central
Jersey or any of its subsidiaries in their capacities as such, and (ii) no
director or officer of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries currently is
being indemnified or seeking to be indemnified by Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries pursuant to applicable law or their governing
documents.
Section
3.11. Taxes and Tax
Returns.
(a) Central
Jersey has previously made available to OceanFirst copies of the
federal, state and local income tax returns of Central Jersey and, if
consolidated returns do not exist for all periods, of each of its subsidiaries,
for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 and all schedules and exhibits thereto, and
such returns have not been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”)
or any other taxing authority. Central Jersey and its subsidiaries have duly
filed in correct form all federal, state and local information returns and tax
returns required to be filed on or prior to the date hereof, unless subject to a
validly filed extension of time for filing that has not yet expired, and all
such tax returns are true and complete in all material
respects. Central Jersey and its subsidiaries have duly paid or made
adequate provisions for the payment of all taxes and other governmental charges
which are owed by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries to any federal,
state or local taxing authorities, whether or not reflected in such returns
(including, without limitation, those owed in respect of the properties, income,
business, capital stock, deposits, franchises, licenses, sales and payrolls of
Central Jersey and any of its subsidiaries), other than taxes and other charges
which (i) are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith, (ii) have
not been finally determined, or (iii) would not, individually or in the
aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole. The amounts set forth as liabilities
for taxes on the Financial Statements of Central Jersey are sufficient, in the
aggregate, for the payment of all unpaid federal, state and local taxes
(including any interest or penalties thereon), whether or not disputed, accrued
or applicable, for the periods then ended, and have been computed in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles. Neither Central Jersey
nor any of its subsidiaries is responsible for the taxes of any other person
other than Central Jersey and any of its respective subsidiaries under Treasury
Regulation 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of federal, state or foreign
law.
14
(b) No
federal, state, or local audits, examinations, investigations or other
administrative proceedings or court proceedings are presently pending with
regard to any taxes or tax returns filed by or on behalf of the
Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries. Except as
disclosed in Schedule 3.11(b), neither of Central Jersey nor any of its
subsidiaries has executed an extension or waiver of any statute of limitations
on the assessment or collection of any federal, state or local taxes due that is
currently in effect, and deferred taxes of Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries, have been adequately provided for in the Financial Statements of
Central Jersey.
(c) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.11(c), neither Central Jersey nor any of its
subsidiaries has made any payment, is obligated to make any payment or is a
Party to any contract, agreement or other arrangement that could obligate it to
make any payment that would be disallowed as a deduction under Section 280G or
162(m) of the Code.
(d) There
has not been an ownership change, as defined in Section 382(g) of the Code, of
Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries that occurred during or after any
taxable period in which Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries incurred an
operating loss that carries over to any taxable period ending after the fiscal
year of Central Jersey immediately preceding the date of this
Agreement.
(e) Neither
Central Jersey nor any of its subsidiaries is required to include in income any
adjustment pursuant to Section 481(a) of the Code, no such adjustment has been
proposed by the IRS and no pending request for permission to change any
accounting method has been submitted by Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries.
(f) To
the Knowledge of Central Jersey, Central Jersey and its subsidiaries have
withheld and paid over to taxing authorities all taxes required to be withheld
from those workers who would be treated as employees, and any deferred
compensation plans are in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
Section
3.12. Employee
Benefit Plans.
(a) Schedule
3.12(a) sets forth a complete list of all Employee Benefit
Plans. Central Jersey and its subsidiaries have, with respect to each
such plan, made available to OceanFirst true and complete copies of: (i) all
current plan texts and agreements and related trust agreements or annuity
contracts and any amendments thereto; (ii) all current summary plan
descriptions; (iii) the Form 5500 filed in each of the most recent three plan
years (including all schedules thereto and the opinions of independent
accountants); (iv) the most recent actuarial valuation (if any); (v) the most
recent annual and periodic accounting of plan assets; and (vi) if the plan is
intended to qualify under Section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code, the most recent
determination letter received from the IRS, or in the case of a prototype or
volume submitter plan document, a copy of the most recent favorable opinion
letter from the IRS; and (vii) copies of any IRS or U.S. Department of Labor
notices that assert any material deficiency, penalty, or excise tax with respect
to any such plan.
15
(b) At
no time has Central Jersey, any of its ERISA Affiliates ever maintained,
established, sponsored, participated in or contributed to an employee benefit
plan subject to Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended (“ERISA”).
(c) Each
Employee Benefit Plan, other than any 401(k) plan, can be terminated or
otherwise discontinued after the Effective Time in accordance with its terms
without liability to OceanFirst or any subsidiary (other than ordinary
administrative expenses typically incurred in a termination event).
(d) All
Employee Benefit Plans have been administered in accordance with their terms and
comply in all material respects with the provisions of ERISA and the Code that
are applicable, including, but not limited to, COBRA, HIPAA and any similar
state law. Neither Central Jersey nor any of its subsidiaries has any
material liability under any such plan that is not reflected in the Financial
Statements of Central Jersey. For purposes of this Agreement, “COBRA”
means the provision of Section 4980B of the Code and the regulations thereunder,
and Part 6 of the Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and any regulations thereunder,
and “HIPAA” means the provisions of the Code and ERISA as enacted by the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
(e) No
prohibited transaction (which shall mean any transaction prohibited by Section
406 of ERISA and not exempt under Section 408 of ERISA) has occurred with
respect to any Employee Benefit Plan which would result in the imposition,
directly or indirectly, of a material excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code
or a material civil penalty under Section 502(i) of ERISA; and no actions have
occurred which could result in the imposition of a material penalty under any
section or provision of ERISA.
(f) Except
as described in Schedule 3.12(f), neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i)
result in any payment or obligation (including, without limitation, severance,
bonus, deferred compensation, retirement, unemployment compensation, golden
parachute or otherwise) becoming due to any director or any officer or employee
of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries under any Employee Benefit Plan or
otherwise, (ii) materially increase any benefits or obligations otherwise
payable under any Employee Benefit Plan, (iii) result in any acceleration of the
time of payment or vesting of any such benefits or obligations or (iv) result in
a violation of Section 111 of the Emergency Economic Recovery Act of 2008
(“EESA”), as amended by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(“ARRA”), and regulations adopted thereunder by the United States Department of
the Treasury (together referred to as the “Section 111 Rules”).
(g) No
Employee Benefit Plan is a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 414(f) of
the Code or Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. Central Jersey and
its subsidiaries and any ERISA Affiliate have never been a party to or
participant in a multiemployer plan.
16
(h) There
are no actions, liens, suits or claims pending or, to the Knowledge of Central
Jersey, threatened (other than routine claims for benefits) with respect to any
Employee Benefit Plan or against the assets of any Employee Benefit Plan. No
assets of Central Jersey or its subsidiaries are subject to any lien under
Section 302(f) of ERISA or Section 412(n) of the Code.
(i) Each
Employee Benefit Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) or
403(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS to
the effect that it so qualifies and its related trust is exempt from taxation
under Section 501(a) of the Code or a favorable opinion letter from the IRS with
respect to any Employee Benefit Plan that is set forth in a prototype or volume
submitter plan document. To the Knowledge of Central Jersey, no event
has occurred or circumstance exists that will or could give rise to a
disqualification or loss of tax-exempt status of any such plan or
trust.
(j) No
Employee Benefit Plan is a multiple employer plan within the meaning of Section
413(c) of the Code or Section 4063, 4064 or 4066 of ERISA. No
Employee Benefit Plan is a multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in
Section 3(40) of ERISA.
(k) Each
employee pension benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, that is not
qualified under Section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code is exempt from Part 2, 3
and 4 of Title I of ERISA as an unfunded plan that is maintained primarily for
the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management
or highly compensated employees, pursuant to Section 201(2), 301(a)(3) and
401(a)(1) of ERISA. No assets of Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries are allocated to or held in a grantor trust or “rabbi trust” or
similar funding vehicle.
(l) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.12(l), no Employee Benefit Plan provides benefits to
any current or former employee of Central Jersey or its subsidiaries following
the retirement or other termination of service (other than coverage mandated by
COBRA, the cost of which is fully paid by the current or former employee or his
or her dependents).
(m) With
respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, there are no funded benefit obligations
for which contributions have not been made or properly accrued and there are no
unfunded benefit obligations that have not been accounted for by reserves or
otherwise properly footnoted in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles on the Financial Statements of Central Jersey. All
contributions or premiums owed by Central Jersey or any subsidiary with respect
to Employee Benefit Plans under law, contract or otherwise have been made in
full and on a timely basis.
(n) No
Employee Benefit Plan is under IRS or U.S. Department of Labor examination or
has received notice that such an examination is pending nor has any Employee
Benefit Plan been submitted to a voluntary IRS or U.S. Department of Labor
correction program.
17
Section
3.13. Title and
Related Matters.
(a) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.13(a), each of Central Jersey and its subsidiaries
has good title, and as to owned real property, has good and marketable title in
fee simple absolute, to all assets and properties, real or personal, tangible or
intangible, reflected as owned by or leased or subleased by or carried under the
name of any of them on the Financial Statements of Central Jersey or acquired
subsequent thereto (except to the extent that such assets and properties have
been disposed of for fair value in the ordinary course of business since March
31, 2009), free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, mortgages, security
interests, restrictions, pledges or claims, except for (i) those liens,
encumbrances, mortgages, security interests, restrictions, pledges or claims
reflected in the Financial Statements of Central Jersey or incurred in the
ordinary course of business after Xxxxx 00, 0000, (xx) statutory liens for
amounts not yet delinquent or which are being contested in good faith, and (iii)
liens, encumbrances, mortgages, security interests, pledges, claims and title
imperfections that would not in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect on
Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(b) All
agreements pursuant to which Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries leases,
subleases or licenses material real or material personal properties from others
are valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms,
and there is not, under any of such leases or licenses, any existing default or
event of default, or any event with respect to Central Jersey which with notice
or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default or force majeure, or
provide the basis for any other claim of excusable delay or nonperformance,
except for defaults which individually or in the aggregate would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13(b), Central Jersey and
its subsidiaries have all right, title and interest as a lessee under the terms
of each lease or sublease, free and clear of all liens, claims or encumbrances
(other than the rights of the lessor) as of the Effective Time, and shall have
the right to transfer each lease or sublease pursuant to this
Agreement.
(c) Except
as set forth in Schedule 3.13(c), (i) all of the buildings, structures and
fixtures owned, leased or subleased by Central Jersey and its subsidiaries are
in good operating condition and repair, subject only to ordinary wear and tear
and/or minor defects which do not interfere with the continued use thereof in
the conduct of normal operations, and (ii) all of the material personal
properties owned, leased or subleased by Central Jersey and its subsidiaries are
in good operating condition and repair, subject only to ordinary wear and tear
and/or minor defects which do not interfere with the continued use thereof in
the conduct of normal operations.
Section
3.14. Real
Estate.
(a) Schedule
3.14(a) identifies each parcel of real estate or interest therein owned, leased
or subleased by Central Jersey or its subsidiaries or in which Central Jersey or
its subsidiaries has any ownership or leasehold interest.
18
(b) Schedule
3.14(b) lists or otherwise describes each and every written or oral lease or
sublease, together with the current name, address and telephone number of the
landlord or sublandlord and the landlord’s property manager (if any), under
which Central Jersey is the lessee of any real property and which relates in any
manner to the operation of the businesses of Central Jersey.
(c) As
to each parcel of real property owned or used by Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries, Central Jersey has not received notice of any pending or, to the
Knowledge of Central Jersey, threatened condemnation proceedings, litigation
proceedings or mechanic’s or materialmen’s liens.
Section
3.15. Environmental
Matters.
(a) To
the Knowledge of Central Jersey, each of Central Jersey, its subsidiaries, the
Participation Facilities (as defined below), and the Loan Properties (as defined
below) are, and have been, in material compliance, and there are no present
circumstances that would prevent or interfere with the continuation of such
material compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules,
regulations and ordinances, and with all applicable decrees, orders and
contractual obligations relating to pollution or the protection of the
environment or the discharge of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials (as defined
herein) in the environment or workplace except for violations which,
individually or in the aggregate, will not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(b) There
is no litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries, threatened before any court, governmental agency or board or other
forum in which Central Jersey or, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey, any
Participation Facility, has been or, with respect to threatened litigation, may
be, named as defendant (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any
predecessor), with respect to any Environmental Law (as defined herein) or (ii)
relating to the release into the environment of any Hazardous Material (as
defined herein), whether or not occurring at, on or involving a site owned,
leased or operated by Central Jersey, any of its subsidiaries, or any
Participation Facility except for litigation that would not, individually or in
the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(c) There
is no litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries, threatened before any
court, governmental agency or board or other forum in which any Loan Property
(or Central Jersey in respect of such Loan Property) has been or, with respect
to threatened litigation, may be, named as a defendant or potentially
responsible Party (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor)
with any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the release into the environment
of any Hazardous Material, whether or not occurring at, on or involving a Loan
Property except for litigation that would not, individually or in the aggregate
have a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
19
(d) To
the Knowledge of Central Jersey, there is no reasonable basis for any litigation
of a type described in Section 3.15(b) and Section 3.15(c) of this
Agreement.
(e) To
the Knowledge of Central Jersey, during the period of (i) ownership or operation
by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries of any of its current properties,
(ii) participation by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries in the
management of any Participation Facility, or (iii) holding by Central Jersey or
any of its subsidiaries of a security interest in any Loan Property, there have
been no releases of Hazardous Material in, on, under or affecting such
properties except for releases that would not, individually or in the aggregate
have a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
(f) Prior
to the period of (i) ownership or operation by Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries of any of its current properties, (ii) participation by Central
Jersey or any of its subsidiaries in the management of any Participation
Facility, or (iii) holding by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries of a
security interest in any Loan Property, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey or
any of its subsidiaries, there were no releases of Hazardous Material or oil in,
on, under or affecting any such property, Participation Facility or Loan
Property except for releases that would not, individually or in the aggregate
have a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
Section
3.16. Commitments and
Contracts.
(a) Except
for this Agreement or as set forth in Schedule 3.16(a), none of Central Jersey
or any of its subsidiaries is a party or subject to any of the
following:
(i) any
agreement, contract, arrangement, commitment, or understanding (whether written
or oral) that is material to the financial condition, results of operations or
business of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries when taken as a
whole;
(ii) any
employment, consulting or severance contract or arrangement with any officer,
director or employee, except for oral “at will” arrangements;
(iii) any
plan, arrangement or contract providing for bonuses, pensions, options,
restricted stock, deferred compensation, retirement payments, profit sharing or
similar arrangements for or with any officers, directors or employees of Central
Jersey or any of its subsidiaries;
(iv) any
collective bargaining agreement with any labor union relating to employees of
Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries;
(v) any
agreement which by its terms limits the payment of dividends by Central Jersey
or any of its subsidiaries;
20
(vi) any
material instrument evidencing or related to indebtedness for borrowed money
whether directly or indirectly, by way of purchase money obligation, conditional
sale, lease purchase, guaranty or otherwise, in respect of which Central Jersey
or any of its subsidiaries is an obligor to any person, which instrument
evidences or relates to indebtedness other than loans extended by Central
Jersey, advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), deposits, repurchase
agreements, bankers acceptances, and “treasury tax and loan” accounts
established in the ordinary course of business and transactions in “federal
funds,” or which contain financial covenants or other restrictions (other than
those relating to the payment of principal ad interest when due) which would
become applicable on or after the Effective Time to Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries;
(vii) any
contract limiting the freedom of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries to
engage in any type of bank or banking-related business permissible under
law;
(viii) any
contract relating to the acquisition of any business that has not been fully
formed, including when contingent compensation remains to be paid;
(ix) any
contract or agreement pursuant to which Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries is obligated to make payments in excess of $25,000 on an annual
basis that cannot be terminated by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries
without penalty upon 90 days or less notice; and
(x) any
other contract or agreement which would be required to be disclosed in reports
filed by Central Jersey with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (“FRB”), the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or the Office of Comptroller of the Currency (the
“OCC”) and which has not been so disclosed.
(b) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.16(b), (i) neither the execution of this Agreement
nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in
termination of any of the material service contracts (including leases,
agreements or licenses) to which Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries is a
party (“Service Contracts”), or modification or acceleration of any of the terms
of such Service Contracts; and (ii) no consents are required to be obtained and
no notices are required to be given in order for the Service Contracts to remain
effective, without any modification or acceleration of any of the terms thereof,
following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(c) Schedule
3.16(c) lists the deadlines for extensions or terminations of any material
leases, agreements or licenses (including specifically data processing
agreements) to which Central Jersey is a Party.
21
(d) Neither
Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries is in default in any material respect
under any material contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement, lease,
insurance policy or other instrument to which it is a party, by which its
assets, business or operations may be bound or affected, or under which it or
its assets, business or operations receive benefits, and there has not occurred
any event that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, would
constitute such default.
(e) True
and correct copies of material contracts, leases, agreements, plans,
arrangements and instruments referred to in Section 3.16(a), (b), or (c) have been
provided to OceanFirst on or before the date hereof, as listed in the respective
disclosure schedules and are in full force and effect on the date
hereof.
(f) To
the Knowledge of Central Jersey, there are no voting agreements, voting trusts
or other agreements among shareholders of Central Jersey.
Section
3.17. Regulatory Matters.
None of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take
any action or has any Knowledge of any fact or has agreed to any circumstance
that would materially impede or delay receipt of any Consents of any Regulatory
Authorities referred to in this Agreement including, matters relating to the
Community Reinvestment Act and protests thereunder.
Section
3.18. Registration
Obligations. Central Jersey is not under any obligation, contingent or
otherwise, which will survive the Merger to register any of its securities under
the Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities laws.
Section
3.19. Antitakeover
Provisions. Central Jersey has taken all actions required to exempt Central
Jersey, this Agreement and the Merger from any provisions of an antitakeover
nature contained in their organizational documents, and the provisions of any
federal or state “antitakeover,” “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share
acquisition” or similar laws or regulations, including, without limitation, the
New Jersey Shareholders Protection Act.
Section
3.20. Insurance. Central
Jersey and its subsidiaries are presently insured as set forth on Schedule 3.20,
and during each of the past three calendar years have been insured, for such
amounts against such risks as companies or institutions engaged in a similar
business and of a similar size would, in accordance with good business practice,
customarily be insured. To the Knowledge of Central Jersey, the
policies of fire, theft, liability and other insurance maintained with respect
to the assets or businesses of Central Jersey and each Central Jersey subsidiary
provide adequate coverage against loss, and the fidelity bonds in effect as to
which Central Jersey is named an insured are sufficient for their
purpose. Such policies of insurance are listed and described in
Schedule 3.20 and are in full force and effect. Neither Central
Jersey nor any of its subsidiaries are in material default thereunder and all
claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion.
22
Section
3.21. Labor.
(a) No
work stoppage involving Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries is pending as
of the date hereof or, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey and its subsidiaries,
threatened. None of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries is
involved in, or, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey and its subsidiaries,
threatened with or affected by, any proceeding asserting that Central Jersey or
any of its subsidiaries has committed an unfair labor practice or any labor
dispute, arbitration, lawsuit or administrative proceeding which might
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and
its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. No union represents or, to the
Knowledge of Central Jersey, claims to represent any employees of Central Jersey
or its subsidiaries, and, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey and its
subsidiaries, and, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey, no labor union is
attempting to organize employees of Central Jersey or its
subsidiaries.
(b) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.21(b), the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not cause OceanFirst to incur or suffer any liability
relating to, or obligation to pay, severance, termination or other payments to
any person or entity. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16(a) hereto,
no employee of Central Jersey or its subsidiaries has any contractual right to
continued employment by Central Jersey.
(c) To
the Knowledge of Central Jersey, Central Jersey and its subsidiaries are in
material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations relating to
employment or the workplace, including, without limitation, provisions relating
to wages, hours, collective bargaining, safety and health, work authorization,
equal employment opportunity, immigration and the withholding of income taxes,
unemployment compensation, workers compensation, employee privacy and right to
know and social security contributions.
(d) Except
as set forth on Schedule 3.21(d) hereto, there has not been, there is not
presently pending or existing and to the Knowledge of Central Jersey there is
not threatened any proceeding against or affecting Central Jersey or its
subsidiaries relating to the alleged violation of any legal requirement
pertaining to labor relations or employment matters, including any charge or
complaint filed by an employee or union with the National Labor Relations Board,
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any comparable governmental body,
organizational activity, or other labor or employment dispute against or
affecting Central Jersey or its subsidiaries.
Section
3.22. Compliance with Laws. Each
of Central Jersey and its subsidiaries has conducted its business in accordance
in all material respects with all applicable federal, state and local laws,
regulations and orders, and each is in material compliance with such laws,
regulations and orders. Except as disclosed in Schedule 3.22, Central
Jersey and each of its subsidiaries:
(a) are
not in violation of any laws, orders or permits applicable to its business or
the employees or agents or representatives conducting its business (other than
where such violation will not, alone or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole),
23
(b) has
not received a notification or communication from any agency or department of
any federal, state or local governmental authority or any Regulatory Authority
or the staff thereof (i) asserting that Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries are not in compliance with any laws or orders which such
governmental authority or Regulatory Authority enforces except where such
noncompliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) threatening to revoke any permit or license,
(iii) requiring Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries to enter into any
cease and desist order, formal agreement, commitment or memorandum of
understanding, or to adopt any resolutions or similar undertakings, or (iv)
directing, restricting or limiting, or purporting to direct, restrict or limit
in any material manner, the operations of Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries, including, without limitation, any restrictions on the payment of
dividends, or that in any manner relates to such entity’s capital adequacy,
credit policies, management or business (other than regulatory restrictions
applicable to similarly-situated companies and their subsidiaries, including
restrictions applicable to participants in the TARP Program (as hereinafter
defined)), and
(c) has
no Knowledge of, has not been advised of, and has no reason to believe that any
facts or circumstances exist, which would cause Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries: (i) to be deemed to be operating in violation in any material
respect of the federal Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, and its implementing
regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 103), the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56
(the “USA PATRIOT Act”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder, any order
issued with respect to anti-money laundering by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any other applicable anti-money
laundering statute, rule or regulation; as well as the provisions of the
information security program adopted by Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries pursuant to 12 C.F.R. Part 208. Furthermore, the Board
of Directors of Central Jersey has adopted and Central Jersey has implemented an
anti-money laundering program that contains adequate and appropriate customer
identification verification procedures that comply with Section 326 of the USA
PATRIOT Act and such anti-money laundering program meets the requirements in all
material respects of Section 352 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the regulations
thereunder.
Section
3.23. Transactions with
Management. Except for (a) deposits, all of which are on terms and conditions
comparable to those made available to other customers of Central Jersey at the
time such deposits were entered into, (b) the loans listed on Schedule 3.5 or
arm’s length loans to employees entered into in the ordinary course of business,
(c) obligations under Employee Benefit Plans of Central Jersey and its
subsidiaries set forth in Schedule 3.12 or any employment contract set forth in
Schedule 3.16(a), (d) any loans or deposit agreements entered into in the
ordinary course with customers of Central Jersey, and (e) except as set forth in
Schedule 3.23, there are no contracts with or commitments to directors, officers
or employees involving the expenditure of more than $5,000 as to any one
individual, including, with respect to any business directly or indirectly
controlled by any such person, or $5,000 for all such contracts for commitments
in the aggregate for all such individuals.
Section
3.24. Derivative Contracts.
Neither Central Jersey nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to and have not
agreed to enter into an exchange-traded or over-the-counter swap,
24
forward,
future, option, cap, floor or collar financial contract or agreement, or any
other contract or agreement not included in Financial Statements of Central
Jersey which is a financial derivative contract (including various combinations
thereof) (“Derivative Contracts”), except for those Derivative Contracts set
forth in Schedule 3.24.
Section
3.25. Deposits. None of the
deposits of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries are “brokered” deposits as
such term is defined in the Rules and Regulations of the FDIC or are subject to
any encumbrance, legal restraint or other legal process (other than
garnishments, pledges, set off rights, escrow limitations and similar actions
taken in the ordinary course of business), and no portion of such deposits
represents a deposit of any affiliate of Central Jersey’s.
Section
3.26. Accounting
Controls; Disclosure Controls.
(a) Central
Jersey has devised and maintained systems of internal accounting control
sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) all material transactions
are executed in accordance with general or specific authorization of the Board
of Directors and the duly authorized executive officers of Central Jersey and
its subsidiaries; (ii) all material transactions are recorded as necessary to
permit the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles consistently applied with respect to institutions
such as Central Jersey and its subsidiaries or any other criteria applicable to
such financial statements, and to maintain proper accountability for items
therein; (iii) access to the material properties and assets of Central Jersey
and its subsidiaries is permitted only in accordance with general or specific
authorization of the Board of Directors and the duly authorized executive
officers of Central Jersey and its subsidiaries; and (iv) the recorded
accountability for items is compared with the actual levels at reasonable
intervals and appropriate actions taken with respect to any
differences.
(b) Since
December 31, 2008, there have been no significant changes in the internal
controls utilized by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries (“Internal
Controls”) with respect to their financial records or in other factors that
could significantly affect the Internal Controls, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weakness. There are no significant deficiencies in the design or
operation of the Internal Controls which would adversely affect the ability of
Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries to record, process, summarize and
report financial data, and there are no material weaknesses in the Internal
Controls. Central Jersey is not aware of any fraud or suspected
fraud, whether or not material, which involves management or other employees who
have a significant role in preparing Central Jersey’s consolidated financial
statements.
Section
3.27. Deposit Insurance.
The deposit accounts of Central Jersey Bank are insured by the FDIC in
accordance with the provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (the
“Act”). Central Jersey has paid all regular premiums and special
assessments and filed all reports required under the Act.
25
Section
3.28. Intellectual
Property. Schedule 3.28 sets forth all (i) trademarks, tradenames, service marks
or other trade rights, whether or not registered, and all pending applications
for any such registrations, (ii) copyrights, copyrightable materials or pending
applications therefore, (iii) trade secrets, (iv) inventions, discoveries,
designs and drawings, (v) computer software, and (vi) patents and patent
applications owned, licensed or otherwise used by Central Jersey and any of its
subsidiaries (collectively the “Intellectual Property Rights”). Neither Central
Jersey nor any of its subsidiaries has granted to any Person any license, option
or other rights to use in any manner any of the Intellectual Property Rights,
whether requiring the payment of royalties or not. The Intellectual
Property Rights will not cease to be the rights of Central Jersey, or its
successor, or be impaired by reason of performance of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. No other Person
(i) has notified Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries that such Person
claims any ownership or right of use of the Intellectual Property Rights or,
(ii) to the Knowledge of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries, is
infringing upon any Intellectual Property Rights of Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries. To the Knowledge of Central Jersey and its
subsidiaries, the use of the Intellectual Property Rights does not conflict
with, infringe upon or otherwise violate the valid rights of any
Person. No written notice has been received and not fully resolved
and no action has been instituted or, to the Knowledge of Central Jersey and its
subsidiaries, threatened against Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries
alleging that the use of the Intellectual Property Rights infringes upon or
otherwise violates the rights of any Person.
Section
3.29. Absence of
Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for those liabilities that are fully reflected
or reserved against on the financial statements included in the Central Jersey
Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2009, and for liabilities incurred in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices or in connection
with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or as set forth in
Schedule 3.29, since March 31, 2009, neither Central Jersey nor any of its
subsidiaries has paid or incurred any obligation or liability (contingent or
otherwise) that, either alone or when combined with all similar liabilities, has
had or is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Central
Jersey and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section
3.30. Reports. Since
December 31, 2007, Central Jersey and each of its subsidiaries have timely
filed, and subsequent to the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective
Time will timely file, all reports, registrations and statements, together with
any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that were and are
required to be filed with (i) the SEC, including, but not limited to, Forms
10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K, proxy statements and all communications mailed by
Central Jersey to its shareholders, and (ii) any federal or state bank
regulatory authority, including the OCC, FRB and the FDIC (collectively, the
“Central Jersey Reports”). As of the respective dates, the Central
Jersey Reports complied and, with respect to filings made after the date of this
Agreement, will at the date of filing comply, in all material respects with all
of the rules and regulations of the SEC or such federal or state banking
authority to the extent applicable thereto, and all such reports, filings and
proxy materials did not and will not, at the time of their filing, contain 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 in which they were made, not misleading.
26
Section
3.31. Fairness
Opinion. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Central Jersey Board has
received the written opinion of Central Jersey’s financial advisor, Sandler
X’Xxxxx + Partners, L.P., to the effect that as of the date hereof, and based
upon and subject to the matters set forth herein, the exchange ratio as set
forth in Section 2.1(b) is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
shareholders of Central Jersey. Such opinion has not been amended or
rescinded as of the date of this Agreement.
Section
3.32. Investment
Securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.32, no Central Jersey investment
security or mortgage backed security held by Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries, were it to be held as a loan, would be classified as
“substandard,” “doubtful,” “loss,” “other loans especially mentioned,” “other
assets especially mentioned,” “special mention,” “credit risk assets,”
“classified,” “criticized,” “watch list,” “concerned loans” or any comparable
classifications.
Section
3.33. Proxy
Materials. None of the information relating to Central Jersey to be included in
the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus which is to be mailed to the shareholders
of Central Jersey and OceanFirst in connection with the solicitation of their
approval of this Agreement will, at the time such Joint Proxy
Statement/Prospectus is mailed or at the time of the meetings of shareholders to
which such Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relates, be false or misleading with
respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make a statement therein not false or misleading.
Section
3.34. Ownership of
OceanFirst Common Stock. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.34, none of Central
Jersey, its subsidiaries or their respective directors or executive officers,
(i) beneficially own, directly or indirectly, or (ii) are a party to
any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring,
holding, voting or disposing of, in each case, any shares of capital stock of
OceanFirst.
Section
3.35. Transactions
With Affiliates. All “covered transactions” between Central Jersey and an
“affiliate” within the meaning of Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve
Act and the regulations thereunder have been in compliance with such
provisions.
Section
3.36. Indemnification.
Except as set forth in Schedule 3.36(a) and except as provided in its
indemnification agreement with Sandler, or the Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws of Central Jersey, Central Jersey is not a party to any indemnification
agreement with any of its present or future directors, officers, employees,
agents or other persons who serve or served in any other capacity with any other
enterprise at the request of Central Jersey (a “Covered Person”), and, except as
set forth in Schedule 3.36(b), to Central Jersey’s Knowledge, there are no
claims for which any Covered Person would be entitled to indemnification under
the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Central Jersey, or under the
governing documents of any of Central Jersey’s subsidiaries, applicable law,
regulation or any indemnification agreement.
Section
3.37. Voting
Agreements. The Central Jersey directors and officers set forth in Schedule
3.37, have entered into a Voting Agreement, the form of which is attached in
Exhibit A-1, hereto.
27
Section
3.38. Untrue
Statements and Omissions. No representation or warranty contained in Article 3
of this Agreement or in the Schedules of Central Jersey and its subsidiaries
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
ARTICLE
IV.
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF OCEANFIRST
OceanFirst
hereby represents and warrants to Central Jersey as follows as of the date
hereof and as of all times up to and including the Effective Time (except as
otherwise provided):
Section
4.1. Organization
and Related Matters of OceanFirst.
(a) OceanFirst
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware. OceanFirst has the corporate power and
authority to own or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as now conducted, or as proposed to be conducted pursuant to this
Agreement, and OceanFirst is licensed or qualified to do business in each
jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by OceanFirst, or the
character or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by OceanFirst
makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be
so licensed or qualified (or steps necessary to cure such failure) would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank taken as a
whole. OceanFirst is a savings and loan holding company duly
registered with the OTS under the Home Owners Loan Act of 1934, as
amended. True and correct copies of the Certificate of Incorporation
of OceanFirst and the Bylaws of OceanFirst, each as amended to the date hereof,
have been made available to Central Jersey.
(b) OceanFirst
Bank is a federally chartered savings association duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of the United
States. OceanFirst Bank has the corporate power and authority to own
or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now
conducted, or as proposed to be conducted pursuant to this Agreement, and
OceanFirst Bank is licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in
which the nature of the business conducted by OceanFirst Bank, or the character
or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by OceanFirst Bank
makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be
so licensed or qualified (or steps necessary to cure such failure) would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank taken as a
whole. True and correct copies of the Charter of OceanFirst Bank and the Bylaws
of OceanFirst Bank, each as amended to the date hereof, have been made available
to Central Jersey.
(c) OceanFirst
has in effect all federal, state, local and foreign governmental, regulatory and
other authorizations, permits and licenses necessary for it to own or lease its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as now
conducted,
28
the
absence of which, either individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material
Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank taken as a whole.
(d) OceanFirst
has no direct or indirect subsidiaries except for OceanFirst Bank; Columbia Home
Loans, LLC; OceanFirst REIT Holdings, Inc.; OceanFirst Services, LLC, OFB
Reinsurance, Ltd. and OceanFirst Realty Corp.
Section
4.2. Capitalization.
The authorized capital stock of OceanFirst consists of 55,000,000 shares of
common stock, $0.01 par value of which 12,369,543 shares are issued and
outstanding as of the date hereof, and 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock,
$1,000 liquidation preference value, $0.01 par value, of which 38,263 shares are
issued and outstanding as of the date hereof. All issued and
outstanding shares of OceanFirst are duly authorized and validly issued and all
such shares are fully paid and non-assessable and free of preemptive
rights.
Section
4.3. Authorization.
The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby and in any related agreements, have been
duly authorized by the Board of Directors of OceanFirst, and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of OceanFirst are or will be necessary to authorize this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement is
the valid and binding obligation of OceanFirst enforceable in accordance with
its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors rights generally and except that the availability of
the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to
the discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be
brought. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i)
violate any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of
OceanFirst or the organizational documents of its subsidiaries or, (ii) (A)
violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provisions of, constitute a
default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would
constitute a default) under, result in the termination of, accelerate the
performance required by or result in the creation of any lien, security
interest, charge or other encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of
OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license,
permit, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which OceanFirst
or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or by which OceanFirst or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets may be bound or affected, or
(B) violate any statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order,
writ, decree or injunction applicable to OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries
or any of their material properties or assets, except such violations that would
not individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on
OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section
4.4. Financial
Statements.
(a) OceanFirst
has made available to Central Jersey copies of audited consolidated financial
statements of OceanFirst as of and for the years ended December 31, 2008 and
2007 and unaudited consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March
31, 2009, and OceanFirst will make available to Central Jersey, as soon as
practicable following the preparation of additional consolidated financial
statements for
29
each
subsequent calendar quarter or year of OceanFirst, the consolidated financial
statements of OceanFirst as of and for such subsequent calendar quarter or year
(such consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise indicated, being
hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Financial Statements of
OceanFirst”).
(b) Each
of the Financial Statements of OceanFirst (including the related notes) have
been or will be prepared in all material respects in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, which principles have been or will be
consistently applied during the periods involved, except as otherwise noted
therein, and the books and records of OceanFirst have been, are being, and will
be maintained in all material respects in accordance with applicable legal and
accounting requirements and reflect only actual transactions. Each of
the Financial Statements of OceanFirst (including the related notes) fairly
presents or will fairly present the consolidated financial position of
OceanFirst on a consolidated basis as of the respective dates thereof and fairly
presents or will fairly present the results of operations of OceanFirst on a
consolidated basis for the respective periods therein set forth.
(c) Since
March 31, 2009, OceanFirst has not incurred any obligation or liability
(contingent or otherwise) that has or might reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole. Since March 31, 2009, OceanFirst
has not incurred or paid any obligation or liability which would be material to
OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except as may have been
incurred or paid in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past
practices.
Section
4.5. Consents
and Approvals. Except for (i) the Consents of the Regulatory Authorities; (ii)
approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of Central Jersey and OceanFirst
pursuant to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus; and (iii) the filing of a
Certificate of Merger with the State of Delaware and the filing of a Certificate
of Merger with the State of New Jersey, no consents or approvals by, or filings
or registrations with, any third Party or any public body, agency or authority
are necessary in connection with the execution and delivery by OceanFirst of
this Agreement, and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby.
Section
4.6. Proxy
Materials. None of the information relating solely to OceanFirst and its
subsidiaries to be included or incorporated by reference in the Joint Proxy
Statement/ Prospectus which is to be mailed to the shareholders of Central
Jersey and OceanFirst in connection with the solicitation of their approval of
this Agreement will, at the time such Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus is mailed
or at the time of the meetings of shareholders of Central Jersey and OceanFirst
to which such Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus relates, be false or misleading
with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary
in order to make a statement therein not false or misleading.
Section
4.7. Regulatory
Matters. OceanFirst has not agreed to take any action, has no Knowledge of any
fact or has agreed to any circumstance that would materially impede or delay
receipt of any Consent from any Regulatory Authority referred to in this
Agreement including matters relating to the Community Reinvestment
Act.
30
Section
4.8. Untrue
Statements and Omissions. No representation or warranty contained in Article 4
of this Agreement or in the Schedules of OceanFirst contain any untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading.
Section
4.9. Absence of
Certain Changes or Events. Since March 31, 2009, there has not been any change
or any event which has had, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse
Effect on OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, or a combination of
such changes or events which has had, or is reasonably likely to have, a
Material Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a whole and
no fact or condition exists as of the date hereof which might reasonably be
expected to cause any such change or event in the future.
Section
4.10. Legal
Proceedings; Etc.
(a) Except
as asset forth on Schedule 4.10(a), neither OceanFirst nor any of its
subsidiaries is a party to any, and there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of
OceanFirst, threatened legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings,
claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations of any nature
against OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries, including the venue, the parties
thereto, the subject matter thereof and the amount of damages claimed or other
remedies sought, other than foreclosure and other collection
proceedings.
(b) Neither
OceanFirst nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any, and there are no
pending or, to the Knowledge of OceanFirst, threatened, judicial,
administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions, causes of action
or governmental investigations against OceanFirst and its subsidiaries in which
there is a reasonable probability of any material recovery or other Material
Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; no judgment,
decree, injunction, rule or order of any court, governmental department,
commission, agency, instrumentality or arbitrator is outstanding against
OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries which has had, or is reasonably likely to
have, a Material Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole and there is no default by OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries under any
material contract or agreement to which OceanFirst is a party which has had or
is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section
4.11. Compliance with Laws.
Each of OceanFirst and its subsidiaries has conducted its business in accordance
with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders, and
each is in material compliance with such laws, regulations and
orders. Neither OceanFirst nor any of its subsidiaries:
(a) is
in violation of any laws, orders or permits applicable to its business or the
employees or agents or representatives conducting its business (other than where
such violation will not, alone or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect on OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a whole), and
31
(b) has
received a notification or communication from any agency or department of any
federal, state or local governmental authority or any Regulatory Authority or
the staff thereof (i) asserting that OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries is
not in compliance with any laws or orders which such governmental authority or
Regulatory Authority enforces except where such noncompliance would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a whole,
(ii) threatening to revoke any permit or license, (iii) requiring OceanFirst or
any of its subsidiaries to enter into any cease and desist order, formal
agreement, commitment or memorandum of understanding, or to adopt any
resolutions or similar undertakings, or (iv) directing, restricting or limiting,
or purporting to direct, restrict or limit in any material manner, the
operations of OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries, including, without
limitation, any restrictions on the payment of dividends, or that in any manner
relates to such entity’s capital adequacy, credit policies, management or
business (other than regulatory restrictions applicable to similarly-situated
companies and their subsidiaries, including restrictions applicable to
participants in the TARP Program).
(c) has
Knowledge of, has been advised of, and has reason to believe that any facts or
circumstances exist, which would cause OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries:
(i) to be deemed to be operating in violation in any material respect of the
federal Bank Secrecy Act, as amended, and its implementing regulations (31
C.F.R. Part 103), the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (the “USA
PATRIOT Act”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder, any order issued with
respect to anti-money laundering by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office
of Foreign Assets Control, or any other applicable anti-money laundering
statute, rule or regulation; as well as the provisions of the information
security program adopted by OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to 12
C.F.R. Part 570. Furthermore, the Board of Directors of OceanFirst
has adopted and OceanFirst has implemented an anti-money laundering program that
contains adequate and appropriate customer identification verification
procedures that comply with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and such
anti-money laundering program meets the requirements in all material respects of
Section 352 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the regulations thereunder.
Section
4.12. Antitakeover
Provisions. OceanFirst has taken all actions required to exempt OceanFirst, this
Agreement and the Merger from any provisions of an antitakeover nature contained
in its organizational documents, and the provisions of any federal or state
“antitakeover,” “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition” or
similar laws or regulations.
Section
4.13. Accounting
Controls; Disclosure Controls.
(a) OceanFirst
has devised and maintained systems of internal accounting control sufficient to
provide reasonable assurances that: (i) all material transactions are executed
in accordance with general or specific authorization of its Board of Directors
and the duly authorized executive officers of OceanFirst and its subsidiaries;
(ii) all material transactions are recorded as necessary to permit the
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied with respect to institutions such as
OceanFirst and its subsidiaries or
32
any other
criteria applicable to such financial statements, and to maintain proper
accountability for items therein; (iii) access to the material properties and
assets of OceanFirst and its subsidiaries is permitted only in accordance with
general or specific authorization of the Board of Directors and the duly
authorized executive officers of OceanFirst and its subsidiaries; and (iv) the
recorded accountability for items is compared with the actual levels at
reasonable intervals and appropriate actions taken with respect to any
differences.
(b) Since
December 31, 2008 there have been no significant changes in the internal
controls utilized by OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries (“OceanFirst Internal
Controls”) with respect to its financial records or in other factors that could
significantly affect the OceanFirst Internal Controls, including any corrective
actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material
weakness. There are no significant deficiencies in the design or
operation of the OceanFirst Internal Controls which would adversely affect the
ability of OceanFirst or any of its subsidiaries to record, process, summarize
and report financial data, and there are no material weaknesses in the
OceanFirst Internal Controls. OceanFirst is not aware of any fraud or
suspected fraud, whether or not material, which involves management or other
employees who have a significant role in preparing OceanFirst Bank’s
consolidated financial statements.
Section
4.14. Deposit
Insurance. The deposit accounts of OceanFirst Bank are insured by the FDIC in
accordance with the provisions of the Act. OceanFirst Bank has paid
all regular premiums and special assessments and filed all reports required
under the Act.
Section
4.15. Absence of
Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for those liabilities that are fully reflected
or reserved against on the financial statements included in the OceanFirst Form
10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2009 and for liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practices or in connection with
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, since March 31, 2009,
neither OceanFirst nor any of its subsidiaries has incurred any obligation or
liability (contingent or otherwise) that, either alone or when combined with all
similar liabilities, has had or is reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect on OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Section
4.16. Reports. Since
December 31, 2007, OceanFirst and each of its subsidiaries have timely filed,
and subsequent to the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time
will timely file, all reports, registrations and statements, together with any
amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that were and are required
to be filed with (i) the SEC, including, but not limited to, Forms 10-K, Forms
10-Q, Forms 8-K, proxy statements and all communications mailed by OceanFirst to
its shareholders, and (ii) the OTS (collectively, the “OceanFirst
Reports”). As of the respective dates, the OceanFirst Reports
complied and, with respect to filings made after the date of this Agreement,
will at the date of filing comply, in all material respects with all of the
rules and regulations under the Exchange Act to the extent applicable thereto,
and all such reports, filings and proxy materials did not and will not, at the
time of their filing, contain 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 in which they were made, not
misleading.
33
Section
4.17. Fairness
Opinion. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the OceanFirst Board has
received the written opinion of OceanFirst’s financial advisor, Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx
& Xxxxx, Inc., to the effect that as of the date hereof, and based upon and
subject to the matters set forth herein, the Merger Consideration is fair, from
a financial point of view, to the shareholders of OceanFirst. Such
opinion has not been amended or rescinded as of the date of this
Agreement.
Section
4.18. Voting
Agreements. The OceanFirst directors and officers set forth in Schedule 4.18,
have entered into a Voting Agreement, the form of which is attached in Exhibit
A-2, hereto.
ARTICLE
V.
COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS
Section
5.1. Conduct
of the Business of Central Jersey and OceanFirst.
(a) During
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, each of
Central Jersey and OceanFirst shall, and shall cause their respective
subsidiaries to, (i) conduct its business in the usual, regular and ordinary
course consistent with past practice and prudent banking principles and in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and regulations,
(ii) use reasonable best efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business
organization, employees, goodwill with customers and advantageous business
relationships and retain the services of its officers and key employees, (iii)
preserve the goodwill of its customers and its subsidiaries and others with whom
business relationships exist, (iv) except as required by law or regulation, take
no action which would adversely affect or delay the ability of the Parties to
obtain any Consent from any Regulatory Authority or other approvals required for
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or to perform its
respective covenants and agreements under this Agreement, (v) not take any
action that is intended or may reasonably be expected to result in any of the
conditions to the Merger set forth in Article 7 not being satisfied, (vi)
knowingly commit any act or omission which constitutes a material breach or
default under any agreement with any Regulatory Authority or under any material
contract to which any of them is a party or by which any of them or their
respective Parties is bound, (vii) knowingly take any action that would, or
would reasonably be expected to, prevent the Merger from qualifying as a
“reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, (ix) enter into
any new material line of business; change its material lending, investment,
underwriting, risk and assets/liability management and other material banking
and operating policies, except as required by applicable law, regulation or
policies imposed, or (x) knowingly take any action or fail to take any action
that is intended or is reasonably likely to result in any of its representations
and warranties set forth in this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any
material respect at any time at or prior to the Effective Time, or a material
violation of any provision of this Agreement, except in each case as may be
required by applicable law or regulation.
34
(b) During
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, except as
required by law or regulation or the terms of this Agreement, Central Jersey
shall not, and it shall not permit any Central Jersey subsidiary, without the
prior written consent of OceanFirst (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld), to:
(i) change,
delete or add any provision of or to the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws
of Central Jersey or the organizational documents of any
subsidiary;
(ii) except
for the issuance of Central Jersey Shares pursuant to the terms of the Central
Jersey Options and SARs outstanding on the date hereof and disclosed in Schedule
3.2(a) and 3.2(b), change the number of shares of the authorized, issued or
outstanding capital stock of Central Jersey, including any issuance, purchase,
redemption, split, combination or reclassification thereof, or issue, grant or
modify any option, warrant, call, commitment, subscription, right or agreement
to purchase relating to the authorized or issued capital stock of Central
Jersey, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution with
respect to the outstanding capital stock of Central Jersey;
(iii) incur
any material liabilities or material obligations (other than deposit
liabilities, FHLB borrowings and short-term borrowings in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice), whether directly or by way of
guaranty, including any obligation for borrowed money, or whether evidenced by
any note, bond, debenture, or similar instrument;
(iv) make
any capital expenditures not included in Central Jersey’s capital expenditures
budget, attached hereto as Schedule 5.1(b)(iv), in excess of $25,000
individually or $100,000 in the aggregate;
(v) sell,
transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of any real property (including “other
real estate owned”) or interest therein except in the ordinary course of
business;
(vi) except
as provided in Schedule 5.1(b)(vi), pay any bonuses to any employee, officer,
director other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices or grant any salary increases to officers except for merit-based or
annual salary increases in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices, provided that notwithstanding any provision of this Section
5.1(b)(vi), Central Jersey may not pay any bonus in violation of the Section 111
Rules;
(vii) enter
into or extend any agreement, lease or license relating to real property (other
than capital expenditures permitted under (iv) above), personal property, data
processing or bankcard functions relating to Central Jersey;
35
(viii) acquire
five percent (5%) or more of the assets or equity securities of any Person or
acquire direct or indirect control of any Person;
(ix) originate,
purchase, extend or grant any loan other than in the ordinary course of
business;
(x)
file any applications or make any contract with respect
to branching by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries (whether de novo,
purchase, sale or relocation) or acquire or construct, or enter into any
agreement to acquire or construct, any interest in real property, other than in
connection with foreclosing proceedings;
(xi) form
any new subsidiary or cause or permit a material change in the activities
presently conducted by any subsidiary of Central Jersey or make additional
investments in subsidiaries;
(xii) increase
or decrease the rate of interest paid on time deposits or on certificates of
deposit, except in a manner and pursuant to policies consistent with Central
Jersey’s past practices;
(xiii) change
any method of accounting principles or practices other than changes required by
applicable law or United States generally accepted accounting principles or
regulatory accounting principles;
(xiv) enter
into, establish, adopt, amend, modify or terminate (except (i) as may be
required by or to make consistent with applicable law, subject to the provision
of prior written notice to and consultation with respect thereto with
OceanFirst, or (ii) to satisfy contractual obligations existing as of the date
hereof and set forth on Schedule 5.1(b)(xiv)), any employment, change of
control, pension, retirement, supplemental executive retirement, stock option,
stock purchase, savings, profit sharing, deferred compensation, consulting,
bonus, group insurance or other employee benefit, incentive or welfare contract,
plan or arrangement, or any trust agreement (or similar arrangement) related
thereto, in respect of any current or former director, officer or employee of
Central Jersey or its subsidiaries or take any action to accelerate the vesting
or exercisability of stock options (other than as a result of the execution of
this Agreement or consummation of the Merger), restricted stock or other
compensation or benefits payable thereunder, provided that notwithstanding any
provision of this Section 5.1(b)(xiv), Central Jersey may not make any payment
in violation of the Section 111 Rules; or
(c) During
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, Central Jersey
shall have the right to redeem all shares of preferred stock and warrants
issued, and to repay in full all amounts raised, pursuant to the United States
Department of Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program (“TARP Program”).
36
Section
5.2. Current
Information. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Time or the time of termination or abandonment of this Agreement, to the extent
permitted by law, the Parties will each cause one or more of their designated
representatives to confer on a regular and frequent basis and to report to the
other the general status of their ongoing operations. Each of the
Parties will promptly notify the others of any material change in the normal
course of its business or its operations or properties, any governmental
complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that the
same may be contemplated), the institution of material litigation, claims,
threats or causes of action, and will keep the other fully informed of such
events. Central Jersey and OceanFirst will each furnish to the other,
promptly after the preparation and/or receipt thereof, copies of its audited or
unaudited periodic financial statements for the applicable periods then ended,
and such financial statements shall, upon delivery by Central Jersey to
OceanFirst, be treated, for purposes of Section 3.3 hereof, as among the
Financial Statements of Central Jersey and upon delivery by OceanFirst to
Central Jersey, be treated, for purposes of Section 4.4 hereof as among the
Financial Statements of OceanFirst.
Section
5.3. Access
to Properties; Personnel and Records.
(a) For
so long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, each Party and its
subsidiaries shall permit the other Party or its agents reasonable access,
during normal business hours, to its properties, and shall disclose and make
available (together with the right to copy) to the other Party and to its
internal auditors, loan review officers, attorneys, accountants and other
representatives, all books, papers and records relating to the assets, stock,
properties, operations, obligations and liabilities of such Party, including all
books of account (including the general ledger), tax records, minute books of
directors’ and shareholders’ meetings (other than minutes of meetings at which
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby are discussed),
organizational documents, bylaws, contracts and agreements, filings with any
regulatory agency, correspondence with regulatory or taxing authorities,
documents relating to assets, titles, abstracts, appraisals, consultant’s
reports, plans affecting employees, and any other assets, business activities or
prospects in which the other Party has a reasonable interest, and each Party and
its subsidiaries shall use their reasonable best efforts to provide the other
Party and its representatives access to the work papers of such Party’s and its
subsidiaries’ accountants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither
Party nor any of its subsidiaries shall be required to provide access to or to
disclose information where such access or disclosure would contravene any law,
rule, regulation, order or judgment or would violate any confidentiality
agreement entered into by such Party or any of its subsidiaries prior to the
date hereof. The foregoing rights granted to OceanFirst and Central
Jersey shall not, whether or not and regardless of the extent to which the same
are exercised, affect the representations and warranties made in this Agreement
to them by the other Party.
(b) During
the period of time from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time or the
time of termination or abandonment of this Agreement, Central Jersey shall allow
one (1) representative designated by OceanFirst to attend all meetings of
Central Jersey’s Board of Directors in a nonvoting capacity, and in connection
therewith, Central Jersey shall give such representative copies of all notices,
minutes,
37
consents
and other materials, financial or otherwise, which Central Jersey provides to
its Board of Directors. Central Jersey shall also allow one
representative of OceanFirst to attend all meetings of the Central Jersey loan
committee in a nonvoting capacity, and in connection therewith, Central Jersey
shall give such representative copies of all notices, minutes, consents and
other materials, financial or otherwise, which Central Jersey provides to its
loan committee, provided, however, that Central Jersey may exclude the
representative of OceanFirst from access to any meeting or materials, or portion
thereof, if a majority of the Central Jersey board of directors determines, in
good faith, that such exclusion is reasonably necessary to (i) preserve
attorney-client privilege or (ii) to protect confidential or proprietary
information that OceanFirst does not contractually have the right to have access
to under the terms of this Agreement. Any such OceanFirst
representative shall at the request of the Central Jersey Board of Directors,
any committee thereof, or any officers of Central Jersey, as the case may be,
excuse himself or herself from any such meeting in the event that this Agreement
or any Acquisition Proposal is the subject of discussion.
(c) All
information furnished by the Parties hereto pursuant to this Agreement shall be
treated as the sole property of the Party providing such information until the
consummation of the Merger contemplated hereby and, if such transaction shall
not occur, the Party receiving the information shall return to the Party which
furnished such information, all documents or other materials containing,
reflecting or referring to such information, shall use its best efforts to keep
confidential all such information, and shall not directly or indirectly use such
information for any competitive or other commercial purposes. The
obligation to keep such information confidential shall continue for two (2)
years from the date the proposed transactions are abandoned but shall not apply
to (1) any information which (A) the Party receiving the information was already
in possession of prior to disclosure thereof by the Party furnishing the
information, (B) was then available to the public, or (C) became available to
the public through no fault of the Party receiving the information; or (2)
disclosures pursuant to a legal requirement or in accordance with an order of a
court of competent jurisdiction or regulatory agency; provided, however, the
Party which is the subject of any such legal requirement or order shall use its
best efforts to give the other Party at least ten (10) business days prior
notice thereof. Each Party hereto acknowledges and agrees that a
breach of any of their respective obligations under this Section 5.3 would cause
the other irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law, and
that, accordingly, each is entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief for
the enforcement thereof in addition to damages or any other relief available at
law. Without the consent of the other Party, neither Party shall use
information furnished to such Party other than for the purposes of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section
5.4. Approvals
of Shareholders. Central Jersey and OceanFirst will submit to their shareholders
this Agreement and any other matters required to be approved or adopted by
shareholders in order to carry out the intentions of this
Agreement. In furtherance of that obligation, each of Central Jersey
and OceanFirst will take, in accordance with applicable law and its certificate
of incorporation and bylaws, all action necessary to call, give notice of,
convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders (the “Shareholder Meeting”) as
promptly as practicable (but no sooner than 60 days) for the purpose of
considering and voting on approval
38
and
adoption of this Agreement and the transactions provided for in this
Agreement. Each of Central Jersey’s Board of Directors and
OceanFirst’s Board of Directors will use all reasonable best efforts to obtain
from its shareholders a vote approving this Agreement. Except as
provided in this Agreement, (i) each of Central Jersey’s Board of Directors
and OceanFirst’s Board of Directors shall recommend to its shareholders approval
of this Agreement, (ii) the Proxy Statement-Prospectus shall include a
statement to the effect that each of Central Jersey’s Board of Directors and
OceanFirst’s Board of Directors have recommended that its shareholders vote in
favor of the approval of this Agreement and (iii) neither Central Jersey’s
Board of Directors nor any committee thereof nor OceanFirst’s Board of Directors
or any committee thereof shall withdraw, amend or modify, or propose or resolve
to withdraw, amend or modify, the recommendation of Central Jersey’s Board of
Directors or OceanFirst’s Board of Directors that its shareholders vote in favor
of approval of this Agreement or make any statement in connection with the
Shareholder Meeting inconsistent with such recommendation (collectively, a
“Change in Recommendation”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
(x) Central Jersey has complied in all material respects with its
obligations under Section 5.5,
(y) Central Jersey (1) has received an unsolicited bona fide written
Acquisition Proposal from a third party that Central Jersey’s Board of Directors
concludes in good faith constitutes a Superior Proposal after giving effect to
all of the adjustments that may be offered by OceanFirst pursuant to clause
(3) below, (2) has notified OceanFirst, at least five business days in
advance, of it is intention to effect a Change in Recommendation, specifying the
material terms and conditions of any such Superior Proposal and furnishing to
OceanFirst a copy of the relevant proposed transaction documents, if such exist,
with the person making such Superior Proposal, and (3) during the period of
not less than five business days following Central Jersey’s delivery of the
notice referred to in clause (2) above and prior to effecting such Change in
Recommendation, has negotiated, and has used reasonable best efforts to cause
its financial and legal advisors to negotiate, with OceanFirst in good faith (to
the extent that OceanFirst desires to negotiate) to make such adjustments in the
terms and conditions of this Agreement so that such Acquisition Proposal ceases
to constitute a Superior Proposal and (z) Central Jersey’s Board of
Directors, after consultation with and based on the advice of counsel,
determines in good faith that it would result in a violation of its fiduciary
duties under applicable law to recommend this Agreement, then in submitting this
Agreement to shareholders at the Shareholder Meeting it may submit this
Agreement without recommendation, or following submission of the Agreement to
shareholders it may withdraw, amend or modify its recommendation, in which case
the Central Jersey Board of Directors may communicate the basis for its lack of
a recommendation, or the withdrawal, amendment or modification of its
recommendation, to the shareholders in the Proxy Statement-Prospectus or an
appropriate amendment or supplement thereto to the extent required by
law.
Section
5.5. No Other
Bids. (a) Except as permitted by this Agreement, Central Jersey shall not, and
shall cause its subsidiaries and any of its subsidiaries’ officers, directors or
employees and any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or
other representative retained by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries not
to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage (including
by way of furnishing non-public information), or take any other action to
facilitate, any inquiries, discussions or the making of any proposal that
constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal,
(ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations, or otherwise
communicate in any way with any person (other than OceanFirst), regarding an
Acquisition Proposal, (iii) enter into or consummate any agreement,
arrangement or understanding requiring it to abandon, terminate or fail
to
39
consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby, (iv) except as to employees who are not
executive officers, make any public statement critical of OceanFirst or any of
its subsidiaries, its board of directors, its management or the Merger or
(v) except as to employees who are not executive officers, join with or
assist any person or entity, directly or indirectly, in opposing or making any
statement in opposition to, the Merger. Without limiting the
foregoing, it is understood that any violation of the restrictions set forth in
the preceding sentence by any officer, director or employee of Central Jersey or
any of the subsidiaries or any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney,
accountant or other representative retained by Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 5.5 by Central
Jersey. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Central Jersey may, in response to a
Superior Proposal that has not been withdrawn and that did not otherwise result
from a breach of this Section 5.5,
(x) furnish non-public information with respect to Central Jersey to the
person who made such Superior Proposal pursuant to a confidentiality agreement
on terms no more favorable to such person than the confidentiality agreement
between Central Jersey and OceanFirst and (y) participate in discussions or
negotiations with such person regarding such Superior Proposal, if and so long
as Central Jersey’s Board of Directors determines in good faith, after
consultation with and based upon the advice of its outside legal counsel, that
failing to take such action would constitute a breach of its fiduciary duties
under applicable law.
(b) Central
Jersey will notify OceanFirst immediately orally (within one day) and in writing
(within three days) of receipt of any Acquisition Proposal, any request for
non-public information that could reasonably be expected to lead to an
Acquisition Proposal, or any inquiry with respect to or that could reasonably be
expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, including, in each case, the
identity of the person making such Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry and
the terms and conditions thereof, and shall provide to OceanFirst any written
materials received by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries in connection
therewith. Central Jersey will keep OceanFirst informed of any
developments with respect to any such Acquisition Proposal, request or inquiry
immediately upon the occurrence thereof.
(c) Central
Jersey will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing
activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted prior to the
date of this Agreement with respect to any of the foregoing. Central
Jersey will take the necessary steps to inform the appropriate individuals or
entities referred to in the first sentence of Section 5.5(a) of the
obligations undertaken in this Section 5.5. Central
Jersey will promptly request each person (other than OceanFirst) that has
executed a confidentiality agreement in the 12 months prior to the date
hereof in connection with its consideration of a business combination with
Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries to return or destroy all confidential
information previously furnished to such person by or on behalf of Central
Jersey or any of its subsidiaries. Central Jersey shall not release
any third party from, or waive any provisions of, any confidentiality agreements
or standstill agreement to which it or any of its subsidiaries is a
party.
Section
5.6. Notice of
Deadlines. Schedule 3.16(c) lists the deadlines for extensions or terminations
of any material leases, agreements or licenses (including specifically real
property leases and data processing agreements) to which Central Jersey or any
of its subsidiaries is a party.
40
Section
5.7. Maintenance
of Properties. Central Jersey and its subsidiaries will maintain their
respective properties and assets in satisfactory condition and repair for the
purposes for which they are intended, ordinary wear and tear
excepted.
Section
5.8. Conforming
Accounting and Reserve Policies. Upon written confirmation from OceanFirst that
all conditions to closing set forth in Articles 8 and 9 have been satisfied or
waived, at the request of OceanFirst, Central Jersey shall immediately prior to
Closing establish and take such reserves and accruals as OceanFirst reasonably
shall request to conform Central Jersey’s loan, accrual, reserve and other
accounting policies to the policies of OceanFirst.
Section
5.9. Bank
Merger Agreement. Prior to the Effective Time, OceanFirst Bank and Central
Jersey Bank shall have executed and delivered the Bank Merger Agreement
substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit C.
ARTICLE
VI.
ADDITIONAL
COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
Section
6.1. Reasonable Best Efforts;
Cooperation. Subject to the terms and conditions herein provided, each of the
Parties hereto agrees to use reasonable best efforts promptly to
take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all
things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations, or
otherwise, including attempting to obtain all necessary Consents, to consummate
and make effective, as soon as practicable, the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
Section
6.2. Regulatory
Matters.
(a) As
promptly as practicable following the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
but in no event more than sixty (60) days from the date hereof, OceanFirst and
Central Jersey shall cause to be prepared and filed all required applications
and filings with the Regulatory Authorities which are necessary or contemplated
for the obtaining of the Consents of the Regulatory Authorities or consummation
of the Merger. Such applications and filings shall be in such form as
may be prescribed by the respective government agencies and shall contain such
information as they may require. The Parties hereto will cooperate
with each other and use their best efforts to prepare and execute all necessary
documentation, to effect all necessary or contemplated filings and to obtain all
necessary or contemplated permits, consents, approvals, rulings and
authorizations of government agencies and third parties which are necessary or
contemplated to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
including, without limitation, those required or contemplated from the
Regulatory Authorities, and the shareholders of Central Jersey and
OceanFirst. Each of the Parties shall have the right to review any
filing, to the extent permitted by law, made
41
with, or
written material submitted to, any government agencies in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) Each
Party hereto will furnish the other Party with all information concerning
itself, its subsidiaries, directors, trustees, officers, shareholders and
depositors, as applicable, and such other matters as may be necessary or
advisable in connection with any statement or application made by or on behalf
of any such Party to any governmental body in connection with the transactions,
applications or filings contemplated by this Agreement. The Parties
hereto will promptly furnish each other with copies of written communications
received by them or their respective subsidiaries from, or delivered by any of
the foregoing to, any governmental body in respect of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
Section
6.3. Employment
and Employee Benefits Matters.
(a) The
Parties acknowledge that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as
constituting an employment agreement between OceanFirst, OceanFirst Bank or any
of their affiliates and any director, officer or employee of Central Jersey or
any of its subsidiaries or an obligation on the part of OceanFirst, OceanFirst
Bank or any of their affiliates to employ any such directors, officers or
employees; provided, however, that at the Effective Time, Xxxxxxx will be
appointed as an Executive Vice President and a member of the senior executive
management team of OceanFirst Bank; and provided further that it
shall be a condition to Central Jersey’s obligation to close under Article IX of
this Agreement that OceanFirst Bank and Xxxxxxx enter into and deliver a
mutually agreed upon change in control agreement which shall be effective as of
the Effective Time and which shall provide, among other things, that the
benefits that would otherwise be payable to Xxxxxxx upon termination of his
employment at the Effective Time under his Central Jersey change of control
agreement shall be payable by OceanFirst in the event of termination of
Xxxxxxx'x employment by OceanFirst within 30 months following the Effective
Time, other than (i) in the event of a termination for cause (as such term is
defined in OceanFirst's Two Year Change in Control Agreements currently in
effect), or (ii) in the event of a change in control of OceanFirst pursuant to
which Xxxxxxx will receive payment under his change in control agreement with
OceanFirst.
(b) The
Parties agree that appropriate steps shall be taken to terminate all employee
benefit plans of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries, including but not
limited to any of its severance plans, immediately prior to, at or as soon as
administratively feasible following the Effective Time, provided that the
conditions of this Subsection (b), Subsection (d) and of paragraphs (i)-(ii)
below are then met and provided further that all employees of Central Jersey or
any of its subsidiaries who continue employment with OceanFirst or any
subsidiary following the Effective Time and who were participating immediately
prior to the Merger in Employee Benefit Plans of Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries for which OceanFirst or OceanFirst Bank maintains a corresponding
plan shall commence participation in OceanFirst’s or OceanFirst Bank’s
corresponding plan upon the later of the Effective Time or the date of
termination of coverage under the Employee Benefit Plans of Central Jersey or
any of its subsidiaries without any gap or interruption in coverage (including
any gap affecting any
42
of
Central Jersey employee’s dependents), whether a gap in time of coverage or in
waiting or elimination periods. Subject to Section 6.3(c) hereof and
except as otherwise specifically provided below, OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank
agree that the officers and employees of Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries who OceanFirst or OceanFirst Bank employ shall be eligible to
participate in OceanFirst’s or OceanFirst Bank’s employee benefit plans,
including, without limitation, welfare and fringe benefit plans, sick leave,
vacation, holiday pay and similar payroll practices, on the same basis as and
subject to the same conditions as are applicable to any newly-hired employee of
OceanFirst or OceanFirst Bank; provided, however, that:
(i) with
respect to each OceanFirst Health Plan, OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank shall
waive all waiting periods under said plans for pre-existing conditions;
and
(ii) credit
for each such employee’s past service with Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time (“Past Service Credit”) shall be given
by OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank to continuing Central Jersey employees for
purposes of establishing eligibility for participation in and vesting under
OceanFirst’s and OceanFirst Bank’s welfare, fringe benefit and retirement plans,
provided however that such Past Service Credit shall not be given for purposes
of accrual of benefits under such plans or for any purpose under OceanFirst
Bank’s employee stock ownership plans.
(c) Any
employee of Central Jersey whose employment with OceanFirst or OceanFirst Bank
is involuntarily terminated by OceanFirst or OceanFirst Bank, absent termination
for cause in accordance with policies of OceanFirst or OceanFirst Bank, shall
receive severance payments in accordance with the policy and years of service
information set forth at Schedule 6.3(c). Any employee of Central
Jersey whose employment is terminated voluntarily, either before or after the
Effective Time, or who is terminated for cause under policies of Central Jersey
prior to Effective Time or under the policies of OceanFirst after the Effective
Time, shall not be entitled to receive severance payments.
(d) Effective
no later than the day immediately preceding the Closing, Central Jersey and any
subsidiaries and ERISA Affiliates, as applicable, shall terminate any and all
Employee Benefit Plans that are plans intended to include a Code Section 401(k)
arrangement (each a “Central Jersey 401(k) Plan”) (unless OceanFirst provides
written notice to Central Jersey that such 401(k) plan(s) shall not be
terminated). Unless OceanFirst provides written notice to Central
Jersey no later than five (5) business days prior to the Closing, Central Jersey
shall provide OceanFirst with evidence that such Central Jersey 401(k) Plans
have been terminated (effective no later than the day preceding the Closing)
pursuant to resolutions of the Central Jersey Board of Directors, or otherwise
as required by the terms of the Central Jersey 401(k) Plans. The form
and substance of such resolutions shall be subject to reasonable review and
approval of OceanFirst. Central Jersey shall take all such actions in
furtherance of terminating such plans as OceanFirst may reasonably
require.
43
(e) OceanFirst
shall assume and honor all Central Jersey and Central Jersey Bank’s obligations
under any Employment Agreement or Change of Control Agreement; provided,
however, prior to the Effective Time, those Central Jersey officers that have an
Employment Agreement or a Change of Control Agreement and any individual deemed
to be a “Specified Employee” of Central Jersey or Central Jersey Bank within the
meaning of Section 409A of the Code and regulations promulgated thereunder, will
execute and deliver to OceanFirst an agreement substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibits 6.3(e), respectively (a “Settlement Agreement”)
setting forth the manner in which his or her rights under any Employment
Agreement, Change of Control Agreement, Severance Agreement or other
Compensation or Employee Benefit Plan shall be settled by Central Jersey,
Central Jersey Bank, OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank or assumed and honored by
OceanFirst, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Agreement, no payment shall be made to any person in violation of the Section
111 Rules.
(f) Central
Jersey and Central Jersey Bank and any of its affiliates shall terminate any
severance/retention plan for employees and shall not enter into any agreements,
contracts or understandings with any officer or employee under any such
plan.
Section
6.4. Indemnification.
(a) For
a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, OceanFirst shall indemnify,
defend and hold harmless each person entitled to indemnification from Central
Jersey (each an “Indemnified Party”) against all liability arising out of
actions or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including,
without limitation, transactions contemplated by this Agreement) to the same
extent and subject to the conditions set forth in Central Jersey’s
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, in each case as in effect as of the date
hereof.
(b) After
the Effective Time, directors, officers and employees of Central Jersey, except
for the indemnification rights provided for in this Section 6.4 above, shall
have indemnification rights having prospective application
only. These prospective indemnification rights shall consist of such
rights to which directors, officers and employees of OceanFirst and OceanFirst
Bank would be entitled under the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
OceanFirst, the Charter and Bylaws of OceanFirst Bank or the particular
subsidiary for which they are serving as officers, directors or employees and
under such directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy as OceanFirst or
OceanFirst Bank may then make available to officers, directors and employees of
OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank.
(c) OceanFirst
and OceanFirst Bank, or Central Jersey and Central Jersey Bank shall use their
best efforts (and Central Jersey shall cooperate prior to the Effective Time) to
maintain in effect for a period of up to six years after the
Effective Time Central Jersey’s existing directors’ and officers’ liability
insurance policy or a tail policy written with respect to Central Jersey's
existing directors' and officers' liability insurance policy (provided that
OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank may substitute therefor
44
(i)
policies with comparable coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions
which are substantially no less advantageous or (ii) with the consent of Central
Jersey (given prior to the Effective Time) any other policy with respect to
claims arising from facts or events which occurred prior to the Effective Time
and covering persons who are currently covered by such insurance); provided,
that OceanFirst and OceanFirst Bank or Central Jersey and Central Jersey Bank
shall not make premium payments for such six year period in respect
of such policy (or coverage replacing such policy) which exceed, for the portion
related to Central Jersey’s directors and officers, $360,000 (the “Maximum
Amount”). If the amount of premium that is necessary to maintain or
procure such insurance coverage exceeds the Maximum Amount, OceanFirst shall use
its reasonable efforts to maintain the most advantageous policies of director’s
and officer’s liability insurance obtainable for a premium equal to the Maximum
Amount.
(d) If
OceanFirst, OceanFirst Bank or any of their successors and assigns shall
consolidate with or merge into any other person and shall not be the continuing
or surviving person of such consolidation or merger, or shall transfer all or
substantially all of its assets to any person, then, in each case, proper
provisions shall be made so that the successors and assigns of OceanFirst or
OceanFirst Bank shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section
6.4.
(e) The
provisions of this Section 6.4 are intended for the benefit of, and shall be
enforceable by each Indemnified Party, and each Indemnified Party’s heirs and
representatives.
Section
6.5. Registration
Statement.
(a) OceanFirst
shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be
filed with the SEC within sixty (60) days of the date hereof and shall use its
best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective under
the Securities Act, which Registration Statement, at the time it becomes
effective, and at the Effective Time, shall in all material respects conform to
the requirements of the Securities Act and the general rules and regulations of
the SEC promulgated thereunder. The Registration Statement shall
include the form of Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus for the meetings of Central
Jersey’s and OceanFirst’s shareholders to be held for the purpose of having such
shareholders vote upon the approval of this Agreement. The Parties
shall cooperate with each other and use their respective reasonable best efforts
to promptly supply the information required to be included in the Registration
Statement with respect to each Party’s business and affairs before it is filed
with the SEC and again before any amendments are filed. The Parties
shall cooperate with each other and use their respective best efforts to
promptly request and obtain all appropriate opinions, consents, and letters from
financial advisors and independent auditors in connection with the Registration
Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus of both Central Jersey and
OceanFirst. OceanFirst shall take all actions required to qualify or
obtain exemptions from such qualifications for the OceanFirst Shares to be
issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under
applicable state blue sky securities laws, as appropriate.
45
(b) Each
of OceanFirst and Central Jersey shall promptly advise the other of the receipt
of any comments on the Registration Statement, the time when the Registration
Statement has become or will become effective or any supplement or amendment has
been filed, of the issuance of any stop order or suspension of the qualification
of OceanFirst common stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the
initiation or, to the extent either Party is aware thereof, threat of any
proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment
or supplement of the Registration Statement or for additional
information.
Section
6.6. Press Releases.
OceanFirst and Central Jersey agree that they will not issue any press release
or other public disclosure related to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, without first consulting with the other Party as to the
form and substance of such disclosures which may relate to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, provided, however, that nothing contained herein
shall prohibit either Party, following notification to the other Party, from
making any disclosure which is required by law or regulation.
Section
6.7. Nasdaq
Listing. OceanFirst shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
OceanFirst Shares to be issued in the Merger to be approved for listing for
quotation on the Nasdaq Global Market, subject to official notice of issuance,
as of the Effective Time.
Section
6.8. RESERVED
Section
6.9. Notification
of Certain Matters. Each Party shall give prompt notice to the others of (a) any
event, condition, change, occurrence, act or omission which causes any of its
representations hereunder to cease to be true in all material respects (or, with
respect to any such representation which is qualified as to materiality, causes
such representation to cease to be true in all respects); (b) any event,
condition, change, occurrence, act or omission which causes the failure of it to
comply in any material respect or satisfy in any material respect any covenant,
condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it under this
Agreement; or (c) any event, condition, change, occurrence, act or omission
which individually or in the aggregate has, or which, so far as reasonably can
be foreseen at the time of its occurrence, is reasonably likely to have, a
Material Adverse Effect on such Party. Each of Central Jersey and
OceanFirst shall give prompt notice to the other Party of any notice or other
communication from any third Party alleging that the consent of such third Party
is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
Section
6.10. Affiliates. Central
Jersey shall use its reasonable best efforts to identify those persons who may
be deemed to be Central Jersey Affiliates and to cause each person so identified
to deliver to OceanFirst as soon as practicable, and in any event 10 days prior
to the date of the Central Jersey Shareholders Meeting, a written agreement to
comply with the requirements of Rule 145 under the Securities Act in connection
with the sale or other transfer of OceanFirst Common Stock received in the
Merger, which agreement shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the
“Affiliate Letter”).
46
ARTICLE
VII.
MUTUAL
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
The
obligations of OceanFirst, on the one hand, and Central Jersey, on the other
hand, to consummate the transactions provided for herein shall be subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived as hereinafter provided
for:
Section
7.1. Shareholder
Approvals. The Merger shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the
shareholders of Central Jersey and of OceanFirst.
Section
7.2. Regulatory
Approvals. All necessary Consents of the Regulatory Authorities shall have been
obtained and all notice and waiting periods required by law to pass after
receipt of such Consents shall have passed, and all conditions to consummation
of the Merger set forth in such Consents shall have been satisfied.
Section
7.3. Litigation.
There shall be no actual or threatened causes of action, investigations or
proceedings (i) challenging the validity or legality of this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or (ii) seeking
damages in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or
(iii) seeking to restrain or invalidate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, which, in the case of (i) through (iii), and in the reasonable
judgment of OceanFirst or Central Jersey, based upon advice of counsel, would
have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the interests of OceanFirst or
Central Jersey, as the case may be. No judgment, order, injunction or
decree (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) issued by any court or
agency of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraints or prohibition
preventing the consummation of Merger or any of the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect. No statute, rule,
regulation, order, injunction or decree (whether temporary, preliminary or
permanent) shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any
Regulatory Authority that prohibits, restricts, or makes illegal the
consummation of the Merger.
Section
7.4. Proxy
Statement/Prospectus and Registration Statement. The Registration Statement
shall have been declared effective by the SEC, no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued, no action,
suit, proceeding or investigation by the SEC to suspend the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been initiated, and OceanFirst shall have
received all state securities laws, or “blue sky” permits or other
authorizations, or confirmations as to the availability of exemptions from
registration requirements, as may be necessary to issue the OceanFirst Shares
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Section
7.5. Tax
Opinion. Central Jersey and OceanFirst shall have received an opinion of
OceanFirst’s counsel, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Central
Jersey and OceanFirst, to the effect that the Merger will constitute a
reorganization under Section 368 of the Code and the shareholders of Central
Jersey will not recognize any gain or loss to the extent that such shareholders
exchange their Central Jersey Shares for OceanFirst Shares. Each of
Central Jersey and OceanFirst shall upon request execute and deliver to such
counsel a
47
certificate
or certificates setting forth certain factual matters necessary for the basis
for such opinions.
ARTICLE
VIII.
CONDITIONS
TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF OCEANFIRST
The
obligations of OceanFirst to consummate the Merger are subject to the
fulfillment of each of the following conditions, unless waived as hereinafter
provided for:
Section
8.1. Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Central Jersey set forth
in this Agreement and in any certificate or document delivered pursuant hereto
shall be true and correct in all material respects (or where any statement in a
representation or warranty expressly contains a standard of materiality, such
statement shall be true and correct in all respects taking into consideration
the standard of materiality contained therein) as of the date of this
Agreement and as of all times up to and including the Effective Time (as though
made on and as of the Effective Time), except to the extent such representations
and warranties are by their express provisions made as of a specified date and
except for changes therein contemplated by this Agreement. For
purposes of this paragraph, such representations and warranties shall be deemed
to be true and correct unless the failure of such representations and warranties
to be true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate and without
giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect
set forth in such representations and warranties, will have or is reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Central Jersey and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole. Notwithstanding the immediate preceding sentence,
the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.2 shall be deemed
untrue and incorrect if not true and correct except to an immaterial (relative
to Section 3.2 taken as a whole) extent.
Section
8.2. Performance
of Obligations. Central Jersey shall have performed in all material respects all
covenants, obligations and agreements required to be performed by it under this
Agreement prior to the Effective Time.
Section
8.3. Certificate
Representing Satisfaction of Conditions. Central Jersey shall have delivered to
OceanFirst a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of Central Jersey dated
as of the Closing Date as to the satisfaction of the matters described in
Section 8.1 and Section 8.2 hereof, and such certificate shall be deemed to
constitute additional representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements of
Central Jersey under Article 3 of this Agreement.
Section
8.4. Consents Under
Agreements. Central Jersey shall have obtained the consent or approval of each
Person (other than the Consents of the Regulatory Authorities) whose consent or
approval shall be required in order to permit the succession by the Surviving
Corporation to any obligation, right or interest of Central Jersey under any
loan or credit agreement, note, mortgage, indenture, lease, license, or other
agreement or instrument, except those for which failure to obtain such consents
and approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect on the Surviving Corporation or upon the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
48
Section
8.5. Material
Condition. There shall not be any action taken, or any statute, rule, regulation
or order enacted, entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the Merger by any
Regulatory Authority which, in connection with the grant of any Consent by any
Regulatory Authority, imposes, in the judgment of OceanFirst, any material
adverse requirement upon OceanFirst or any OceanFirst Subsidiary, including,
without limitation, any requirement that OceanFirst sell or dispose of any
significant amount of the assets of Central Jersey and its subsidiaries, or any
other OceanFirst Subsidiary.
Section
8.6. Receipt
of Option Cancellation Agreements. If required, Central Jersey shall
have delivered executed Option and SAR Cancellation Agreements from all holders
of Central Jersey Options and SARs at or prior to the Effective
Time.
Section
8.7. Receipt
of Voting Agreements. Central Jersey shall have delivered executed voting
agreements on the date of this Agreement from its executive officers and
directors listed on Schedule 3.37 of the Central Jersey Disclosure
Schedules.
Section
8.8. No
Pending Governmental Actions. No proceeding initiated by any
Governmental Entity seeking an Injunction shall be pending.
Section
8.9. Dissenting
Shares. Dissenting Shares shall not represent 10% or more of the outstanding
Central Jersey Common Stock.
Section
8.10. Termination of
the Central Jersey 401(k) Plan. Central Jersey shall have terminated each
Central Jersey 401(k) plan in accordance with Section 6.3.
Section
8.11. Receipt of
Settlement Agreements. OceanFirst
shall have received the Settlement Agreements as set forth in Section
6.3(e).
ARTICLE
IX.
CONDITIONS
TO OBLIGATIONS OF CENTRAL JERSEY
The
obligation of Central Jersey to consummate the Merger as contemplated herein is
subject to each of the following conditions, unless waived as hereinafter
provided for:
Section
9.1. Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of OceanFirst contained in
this Agreement and in any certificate or document delivered pursuant to the
provisions hereof will be true and correct, in all material respects (or where
any statement in a representation or warranty expressly contains a standard of
materiality, such statement shall be true and correct in all respects taking
into consideration the standard of materiality contained therein), as of the
date of this Agreement and as of all times up to and including the Effective
Time (as though made on and as of the Effective Time), except to the extent such
representations and warranties are by their express provisions made as of a
specified date and except for changes therein contemplated by this
Agreement. For purposes of this paragraph, such representations and
warranties shall be deemed to be true and correct unless the failure of such
representations and warranties to be true and correct, either individually or in
the aggregate and without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality
or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such
49
representations
and warranties, will have or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on OceanFirst and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole. Notwithstanding the immediate preceding sentence, the
representations and warranties contained in Section 4.2 shall be deemed untrue
and incorrect if not true and correct except to an immaterial (relative to
Section 4.2 taken as a whole) extent.
Section
9.2. Performance
of Obligations. OceanFirst shall have performed in all material respects all
covenants, obligations and agreements required to be performed by it and under
this Agreement prior to the Effective Time.
Section
9.3. Certificate
Representing Satisfaction of Conditions. OceanFirst shall have delivered to
Central Jersey a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer of OceanFirst dated
as of the Effective Time as to the satisfaction of the matters described in
Section 9.1 and Section 9.2 hereof, and such certificate shall be deemed to
constitute additional representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements of
OceanFirst under Article 4 of this Agreement.
Section
9.4. Consents
Under Agreements. OceanFirst shall have obtained the consent or approval of each
Person (other than the Consents of the Regulatory Authorities) whose consent or
approval is required in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
under any loan or credit agreement, note, mortgage, indenture, lease, license,
or other agreement or instrument, except those for which failure to obtain such
consents and approvals would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a
Material Adverse Effect on OceanFirst or upon the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section
9.5. OceanFirst
Shares. The OceanFirst Shares to be issued in connection with the Merger shall
be duly authorized and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable, issued
free of preemptive rights and free and clear of all liens and encumbrances
created by or through OceanFirst and shall have been approved for listing on
Nasdaq Global Market.
Section
9.6. Receipt
of Voting Agreements. OceanFirst shall have delivered executed Voting Agreements
on the date of this Agreement from its executive officers and directors listed
on Schedule 4.18 of the OceanFirst Disclosure Schedules.
Section
9.7. Employment.
OceanFirst Bank shall have delivered to Central Jersey a Certificate of the
Secretary of OceanFirst Bank, dated as of the closing date, certifying the
resolutions of the Board of Directors of OceanFirst Bank which appoint Xxxxxxx
as Executive Vice President and a member of the senior executive management team
of OceanFirst Bank, effective as of the Effective Time, and OceanFirst Bank and
Xxxxxxx shall have entered into and delivered a fully executed change in control
agreement which shall be effective as of the Effective Time and which shall
provide, among other things, that the benefits that would otherwise be payable
to Xxxxxxx upon termination of his employment at the Effective Time under his
Central Jersey change of control agreement shall be payable by OceanFirst in the
event of termination of Xxxxxxx'x employment by OceanFirst within 30 months
following the Effective Time, other than (i) in the event of a termination for
cause (as such term is defined in OceanFirst's Two Year Change in Control
Agreements currently in effect), or (ii) in the event of a change in control of
OceanFirst pursuant to which Xxxxxxx will receive payment under his change in
control agreement with OceanFirst.
50
ARTICLE
X.
TERMINATION,
WAIVER AND AMENDMENT
Section
10.1. Termination.
This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time prior to
the Effective Time:
(a) by
the mutual consent in writing of OceanFirst and Central Jersey; or
(b) by
the Board of Directors of OceanFirst or the Board of Directors of Central Jersey
if the Merger shall not have occurred on or prior to December 31, 2009 or other
mutually agreed upon date, provided that the failure to consummate the Merger on
or before such date is not caused by any breach of any of the representations,
warranties, covenants or other agreements contained herein by the Party electing
to terminate pursuant to this Section 10.1(b); or
(c) by
the Board of Directors of OceanFirst or the Board of Directors of Central Jersey
(provided that the terminating Party is not then in breach of any representation
or warranty contained in this Agreement under the applicable standard set forth
in Section 8.1 of this Agreement in the case of Central Jersey and Section 9.1
in the case of OceanFirst or in breach of any covenant or agreement contained in
this Agreement) in the event of an inaccuracy of any representation or warranty
of the other Party contained in this Agreement which cannot be or has not been
cured within thirty (30) days after the giving of written notice to the
breaching Party of such inaccuracy and which inaccuracy would provide the
terminating Party the ability to refuse to consummate the Merger under the
applicable standard set forth in Section 8.1 of this Agreement in the case of
Central Jersey and Section 9.1 of this Agreement in the case of OceanFirst or
OceanFirst Bank; or
(d) by
the Board of Directors of OceanFirst or the Board of Directors of Central Jersey
(provided that the terminating Party is not then in breach of any representation
or warranty contained in this Agreement under the applicable standard set forth
in Section 8.1 of this Agreement in the case of Central Jersey and Section 9.1
in the case of OceanFirst or in breach of any covenant or other agreement
contained in this Agreement) in the event of a material breach by the other
Party of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement which cannot be
or has not been cured within thirty (30) days after the giving of written notice
to the breaching Party of such breach; or
(e) by
the Board of Directors of OceanFirst or the Board of Directors of Central Jersey
in the event (i) any Consent of any Regulatory Authority required for
consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been denied by final nonappealable action of such authority or if any
action taken by such authority is not appealed within the time limit for appeal,
or (ii) the shareholders of Central Jersey or OceanFirst fail to vote their
approval of this Agreement and the Merger and the transactions contemplated
hereby as required by applicable law at Central Jersey’s shareholders’ meeting
or the OceanFirst shareholders’ meeting as the case may
51
be where
the transactions were presented to such shareholders for approval and voted
upon; or
(f) by
the Board of Directors of OceanFirst or the Board of Directors of Central
Jersey, (i) if the other Party fails to hold its shareholder meeting to vote on
the Agreement within the time frame set forth in Section 5.4 hereof, or (ii) in
the case of OceanFirst only, if Central Jersey’s Board of Directors either (A)
fails to recommend, or fails to continue its recommendation, that the
shareholders of Central Jersey vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement,
or (B) modifies, withdraws or changes in any manner adverse to OceanFirst its
recommendation that the shareholders of Central Jersey vote in favor of the
adoption of this Agreement; or
(g) by
the Board of Directors of Central Jersey, if, after it has received a Superior
Proposal in compliance with Section 5.5 and otherwise complied with all of its
obligations under Section 5.5, Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries enter
into a definitive agreement with respect to, or consummates a transaction which
is the subject of, an Acquisition Proposal; provided further, however, that this
Agreement may only be terminated in accordance with this Section 10.1(g) and a
new definitive agreement entered into by Central Jersey with a third party not
earlier than 72 hours following written notice to OceanFirst advising OceanFirst
that the Board of Directors of Central Jersey is prepared to accept such
Superior Proposal.
Section
10.2. Effect of
Termination; Termination Fee.
(a) In
the event of the termination and abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 10.1 of this Agreement, the Agreement shall terminate and have no
effect, except as otherwise provided herein and except that the provisions of
this Section 10.2, Section 10.5 and Article 11 of this Agreement shall survive
any such termination and abandonment.
(b) If,
after the date of this Agreement, (i) Central Jersey terminates this Agreement
in accordance with Section 10.1(g), or (ii)(A) an Acquisition Proposal (as
defined below) is offered, presented or proposed to Central Jersey or its
shareholders, and thereafter this Agreement and the Merger are disapproved by
Central Jersey or by the shareholders of Central Jersey, or (B) OceanFirst
terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1(f)(ii) hereof, (each of (i)
and (ii) being a “Trigger Event”), then immediately upon the occurrence of a
Trigger Event Central Jersey shall pay OceanFirst or OceanFirst Bank a cash
amount of $2,400,000 as
an agreed-upon termination fee to OceanFirst (the “Termination Fee”) in lieu of
any other damages or reimbursement for its expenses incurred in negotiation and
pursuit of the Agreement and the related transactions contemplated thereunder
(including but not limited to fees and expenses of its legal counselors,
investment advisors, accountants and related professionals and costs associated
with such transaction and process).
(c) Central
Jersey and OceanFirst agree that the Termination Fee is fair and reasonable in
the circumstances. If a court of competent jurisdiction shall
nonetheless, by a final, nonappealable judgment, determine that the amount of
any such
52
Termination
Fee exceeds the maximum amount permitted by law, then the amount of such
Termination Fee shall be reduced to the maximum amount permitted by law in the
circumstances, as determined by such court of competent
jurisdiction.
Section
10.3. Amendments.
To the extent permitted by law, this Agreement may be amended by a subsequent
writing signed by each of OceanFirst and Central Jersey.
Section
10.4. Waivers.
Subject to Section 11.10 hereof, prior to or at the Effective Time, OceanFirst,
on the one hand, and Central Jersey, on the other hand, shall have the right to
waive any default in the performance of any term of this Agreement by the other,
to waive or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by the other of
any and all of the other’s obligations under this Agreement and to waive any or
all of the conditions to its obligations under this Agreement, except any
condition, which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any law or
any applicable governmental regulation.
Section
10.5. Non-Survival of
Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations, warranties,
covenants or agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered by
OceanFirst or Central Jersey shall not survive the Effective Time of Merger,
except that Section 5.3(c) and Sections 6.3(b), (c), (e), and 6.4 shall survive
the Effective Time, and any representation, warranty or agreement in any
agreement, contract, report, opinion, undertaking or other document or
instrument delivered hereunder in whole or in part by any person other than
OceanFirst or Central Jersey (or directors and officers thereof in their
capacities as such) shall survive the Effective Time of Merger; provided that no
representation or warranty of OceanFirst or Central Jersey contained herein
shall be deemed to be terminated or extinguished so as to deprive OceanFirst, on
the one hand, and Central Jersey, on the other hand, of any defense at law or in
equity which any of them otherwise would have to any claim against them by any
person, including, without limitation, any shareholder or former shareholder of
either Party. No representation or warranty in this Agreement shall
be affected or deemed waived by reason of the fact that OceanFirst or Central
Jersey and/or its representatives knew or should have known that any such
representation or warranty was, is, might be or might have been inaccurate in
any respect.
ARTICLE
XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section
11.1. Definitions.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized terms set forth below (in
their singular and plural forms as applicable) shall have the following
meanings:
“Acquisition
Proposal” means any proposal or offer by any Person or group of Persons with
respect to any of the following: (i) any merger, consolidation, share exchange,
business combination, recapitalization, liquidation or dissolution or other
similar transaction involving Central Jersey or any subsidiary of Central Jersey
whose assets, individually or in the aggregate constitute more than 10% of the
consolidated assets of Central Jersey; (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage,
pledge (except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice), transfer or other disposition of assets (including for this purpose
the outstanding capital stock of any subsidiary of Central Jersey and the
capital stock of any entity surviving any merger
53
or
business combination involving any subsidiary of Central Jersey) and/or
liabilities that constitute 10% or more of the assets of Central Jersey and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole in a single transaction or series of transactions;
(iii) any purchase or other acquisition of or tender offer or exchange offer
that if consummated would result in such Person(s) beneficially owning 10% or
more of the outstanding stock of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries whose
assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute more than 10% of the
consolidated assets of Central Jersey; or (iv) any public announcement by any
Person (which shall include any regulatory application or notice, whether in
draft or final form) of a proposal, plan or intention to do any of the foregoing
or any agreement to engage in any of the foregoing, in each case other than (x)
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (y) any transaction referred
to in clause (i) or (ii) involving only Central Jersey and one of its
subsidiaries, or involving two or more of its subsidiaries, provided that such
transactions are not entered into in violation of the terms of this
Agreement.
“Affiliate”
of a person shall mean (i) any other person directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries controlling, controlled by or under common control of
such person, (ii) any officer, director, partner, employer or direct or indirect
beneficial owner of any 10% or greater equity or voting interest of such person
or (iii) any other persons for which a person described in clause (ii) acts in
any such capacity.
“Consent”
shall mean a consent, approval or authorization, waiver, clearance, exemption or
similar affirmation by any person pursuant to any lease, contract, permit, law,
regulation or order.
“Employee
Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA and any other plan, fund, program, arrangement or agreement (including
employment agreements) providing for medical, health, disability, life, bonus,
incentive compensation, stock, stock options or stock-based rights, retirement,
deferred compensation, severance, change in control, salary continuation,
vacation, sick leave, fringe or other benefits, that is maintained by,
contributed to or required to be contributed to by Central Jersey or any of its
subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates for the benefit of any current or former
independent contractors, consultants, agents, employees, officers or directors
of Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates.
“Environmental
Law” means any applicable federal, state or local law, statute, ordinance, rule,
regulation, code, license, permit, authorization, approval, consent, order,
judgment, decree or injunction relating to (i) the protection, preservation or
restoration of the environment (including, without limitation, air, water vapor,
surface water, groundwater, drinking water supply, surface soil, subsurface
soil, plant and animal life or any other natural resource), and/or (ii) the use,
storage, recycling, treatment, generation, transportation, processing, handling,
labeling, production, release or disposal of any substance presently listed,
defined, designated or classified as hazardous, toxic, radioactive or dangerous,
or otherwise regulated, whether by type or by substance as a
component.
“ERISA
Affiliate” a trade or business that is treated as a single employer with the
Central Jersey within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the
Code.
54
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
“Knowledge”
means, with respect to any Person, those facts that are known by the executive
officers and directors of such Person and includes any facts, matters, or
circumstances set forth in any written notice received by an executive officer
or director of that Person.
“Loan
Property” means any property owned by Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries,
or in which Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries holds a security interest,
and, where required by the context, includes the owner or operator of such
property, but only with respect to such property.
“Hazardous
Material” means any pollutant, contaminant, or hazardous substance within the
meaning of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 9601 et seq., or any similar federal, state or local
law. Hazardous Material shall include, but not be limited to, (i) any
hazardous substance, hazardous material, hazardous waste, regulated substance,
or toxic substance (as those terms are defined by any applicable Environmental
Laws) and (ii) any chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, petroleum
products, or oil (and specifically shall include asbestos requiring abatement,
removal, or encapsulation pursuant to the requirements of governmental
authorities and any polychlorinated biphenyls).
“Material
Adverse Effect” with respect to any Party, shall mean any event, change or
occurrence which, individually or together with any other event, change or
occurrence, has a material adverse impact on (i) the financial condition,
business or results of operation, financial performance or prospects of such
Party and their respective subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the ability of
such Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided,
however, that “Material Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include (i) the
impact of actions or omissions of a Party taken with the prior written consent
of the other Party in contemplation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, (ii) changes in laws and regulations or interpretations thereof that
are generally applicable to the banking or savings institutions industries,
(iii) changes in generally accepted accounting principles, (iv) expenses
incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Merger including payments to
be made pursuant to employment, change in control and severance agreements and
the termination of other benefit plans, or (v) changes attributable to or
resulting from changes in general economic conditions generally affecting
financial institutions including changes in interest rates.
“Participation
Facility” means any facility in which Central Jersey or any of its subsidiaries
has engaged in Participation in the Management of such facility, and, where
required by the context, includes the owner or operator of such facility, but
only with respect to such facility.
“Participation
in the Management” of a facility has the meaning set forth in 40 C.F.R. ss.
300.1100(c).
55
"Person”
means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership,
association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.
“Regulatory
Authorities” shall mean, collectively, the Federal Trade Commission, the United
States Department of Justice, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, the OTS, the OCC, the FDIC and all state regulatory agencies having
jurisdiction over the Parties, the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., all national securities exchanges and the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
“Superior
Proposal” means an unsolicited, bona fide written offer made by a third party to
consummate an Acquisition Proposal that (i) Central Jersey’s Board of
Directors determines in good faith, after consulting with its outside legal
counsel and its financial advisor, would, if consummated, result in a
transaction that is more favorable to the shareholders of Central Jersey than
the transactions contemplated hereby (taking into account all legal, financial,
regulatory and other aspects of the proposal and the entity making the
proposal), (ii) is not conditioned on obtaining financing (and with respect
to which OceanFirst has received written evidence of such person’s ability to
fully finance its Acquisition Proposal), (iii) is for at least 50% of the
outstanding shares of Central Jersey Common Stock and (iv) Central
Jersey’s financial advisor has advised Central Jersey that the terms and
conditions of the Acquisition Proposal are more favorable to the shareholders of
Central Jersey from a financial point of view than the transactions contemplated
hereby (including any adjustments to the terms and conditions of such
transactions proposed by OceanFirst in response to such Acquisition
Proposal).
Section
11.2. Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein contain the
entire agreement among OceanFirst and Central Jersey with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereunder and this Agreement supersedes all prior
arrangements or understandings with respect thereto, whether written or
oral. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the Parties hereto and their respective
successors. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is
intended to confer upon any person, firm, corporation or entity, other than the
Parties hereto and their respective successors, any rights, remedies,
obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
Section
11.3. Notices. All
notices or other communications which are required or permitted hereunder shall
be in writing and sufficient if delivered personally or sent by first class or
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, telegram or telex or other
facsimile transmission addressed as follows: If to OceanFirst:
OCEANFIRST
BANK
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx
Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Chairman, President and CEO
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
With a
copy to:
Xxxxx
Lord Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP
000 0xx
Xxxxxx, XX
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
56
If to
Central Jersey, then to:
0000
Xxxxxxx 00
Xxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Chairman, President and CEO
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
With a
copy to:
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, P.C.
000 Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxx
X.X. Xxx
000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
All such
notices or other communications shall be deemed to have been delivered upon
receipt when delivery is made (i) by hand, (ii) on the third (3rd) business day
after deposit in the United States mail when delivery is made by first class,
registered or certified mail, and (iii) upon transmission when made by telegram,
telex or other facsimile transmission if evidenced by a sender transmission
completed confirmation.
Section
11.4. Severability.
If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Agreement is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other competent authority to be
invalid, void or unenforceable or against public or regulatory policy, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions contained in this
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and in no way shall be affected,
impaired or invalidated, if, but only if, pursuant to such remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions the Merger may be consummated in
substantially the same manner as set forth in this Agreement as of the later of
the date this Agreement was executed or last amended.
Section
11.5. Costs and
Expenses. Expenses incurred by Central Jersey on the one hand and OceanFirst on
the other hand, in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation
and execution of this Agreement, the solicitation of shareholder approval and
all other matters related to the closing of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, counsel and
accountants employed by either such Party or its affiliates, shall be borne
solely and entirely by the Party which has incurred same.
Section
11.6. Captions. The
captions as to contents of particular articles, sections or paragraphs contained
in this Agreement and the table of contents hereto are inserted only for
convenience and are in no way to be construed as part of this Agreement or as a
limitation on the scope of the particular articles, sections or paragraphs to
which they refer.
Section
11.7. Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
57
one and
the same document with the same force and effect as though all Parties had
executed the same document.
Section
11.8. Persons Bound;
No Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective successors, distributees, and
assigns, but notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may not be assigned
by any Party hereto unless the prior written consent of the other Parties is
first obtained.
Section
11.9. Governing Law.
This Agreement is made and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of Delaware (without respect to its conflicts of laws
principles) except to the extent federal law may apply.
Section
11.10. Exhibits and Schedules.
Each of the exhibits and schedules attached hereto is an integral part of this
Agreement and shall be applicable as if set forth in full at the point in the
Agreement where reference to it is made.
Section
11.11. Waiver. The waiver by any Party
of the performance of any agreement, covenant, condition or warranty contained
herein shall not invalidate this Agreement, nor shall it be considered a waiver
of any other agreement, covenant, condition or warranty contained in this
Agreement. A waiver by any Party of the time for performing any act
shall not be deemed a waiver of the time for performing any other act or an act
required to be performed at a later time. The exercise of any remedy provided by
law, equity or otherwise and the provisions in this Agreement for any remedy
shall not exclude any other remedy unless it is expressly excluded. The waiver
of any provision of this Agreement must be signed by the Party or Parties
against whom enforcement of the waiver is sought. This Agreement and
any exhibit, memorandum or schedule hereto or delivered in connection herewith
may be amended only by a writing signed on behalf of each Party
hereto.
Section
11.12. Construction of Terms.
Whenever used in this Agreement, the singular number shall include the plural
and the plural the singular. Pronouns of one gender shall include all
genders. Accounting terms used and not otherwise defined in this
Agreement have the meanings determined by, and all calculations with respect to
accounting or financial matters unless otherwise provided for herein, shall be
computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied. References herein to articles, sections,
paragraphs, subparagraphs or the like shall refer to the corresponding articles,
sections, paragraphs, subparagraphs or the like of this
Agreement. The words “hereof”, “herein”, and terms of similar import
shall refer to this entire Agreement. Unless the context clearly
requires otherwise, the use of the terms “including”, “included”, “such as”, or
terms of similar meaning, shall not be construed to imply the exclusion of any
other particular elements.
Section
11.13. Entire Agreement; No Third
Party Beneficiaries.This Agreement (including the documents and the instruments
referred to herein) (a) constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof, and (b) is not intended to
confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies
hereunder.
58
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
and delivered, and their respective seals hereunto affixed, by their officers
thereunto duly authorized, and have caused this Agreement to be dated as of the
date and year first above written.
[CORPORATE
SEAL]
OCEANFIRST
FINANCIAL CORP.
By: /s/ Xxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxx X.
Xxxxxxxxx
Its
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
ATTEST:
/s/ Xxxx X.
Xxxxx
Xxxx X.
Xxxxx
Its
Corporate Secretary
[CORPORATE
SEAL]
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
Its
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
ATTEST:
/s/ Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Its
Corporate Secretary
59
INDEX OF EXHIBITS AND
SCHEDULES
|
|
Exhibits
|
|
Exhibit
|
Description
|
A-1
|
Form
of Voting Agreement of Central Jersey’s Directors and Executive
Officers
|
A-2
|
Form
of Voting Agreement of OceanFirst’s Directors and Executive
Officers
|
B
|
Form
of Affiliate Agreement of Central Jersey’s Affiliates
|
C
|
Agreement
and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 26, 2009, by and between Central
Jersey Bank, N.A. and OceanFirst Bank
|
6.3(e)
|
Form
of Settlement Agreement
|
Central
Jersey Schedules
|
|
Schedule
|
Description
|
2.3
|
Stock
Option Plans
|
3.1(e)
|
Subsidiaries
|
3.2(a)
|
Outstanding
Stock Options
|
3.2(b)
|
Stock
Appreciation Rights
|
3.5
|
Loan
Arrangements
|
3.7
|
Consents
|
3.8
|
Engagement
Letter of Sandler X’Xxxxx & Partners
|
3.9
|
Absence
of Certain Changes
|
3.10(a)
|
Central
Jersey Legal Proceedings
|
3.10(c)
|
Actions
Against Officers and Directors
|
3.11(b)
|
Tax
Matters
|
3.11(c)
|
Excess
Payments
|
3.12(a)
|
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
3.12(f)
|
Impact
of Merger on Employee Benefit Plans
|
3.12(l)
|
Payments
to Employees Upon Retirement or Termination
|
3.13(a)
|
Title
to Property
|
3.13(b)
|
Leasehold
Interests
|
3.13(c)
|
Condition
of Property
|
3.14(a)
|
Real
Property
|
3.14(b)
|
Leases
|
3.16(a)
|
Commitments
and Contracts
|
3.16(b)
|
Service
Contracts
|
3.16(c)
|
Deadlines
for Leases
|
3.20
|
Insurance
|
3.21(b)
|
Liability
for Payments
|
3.21(d)
|
Labor
Disputes
|
3.22
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
3.23
|
Related
Party Transactions
|
3.24
|
Derivative
Contracts
|
3.28
|
Intellectual
Property
|
60
3.29
|
Material
Liabilities
|
3.32
|
Investment
Securities
|
3.34
|
Ownership
of OceanFirst Capital Stock
|
3.36(a)
|
Indemnification
Agreements
|
3.36(b)
|
Indemnification
Claims
|
3.37
|
Voting
Agreements
|
5.1(b)(iv)
|
Capital
Expenditures
|
5.1(b)(vi)
|
Permitted
Payments
|
5.1(b)(xiv)
|
Permitted
Changes to Employee Benefit Plans
|
OceanFirst
Schedules
|
|
Schedule
|
Description
|
4.10(a)
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
4.18
|
Voting
Agreements
|
6.3(c)
|
Severance
Policy
|
All
exhibits and schedules have been omitted. Upon the request of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, Central Jersey Bancorp and OceanFirst
Financial Corp. agree to furnish copies of the exhibits and schedules listed
above.
61