Exhibit 4
SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT
THIS SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of March 28, 2000,
is between RMH Teleservices, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"),
and R-T Investors, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Shareholder").
WHEREAS, pursuant to an option agreement (the "Option Agreement") dated
February 17, 2000, Shareholder (i) paid Advanta Partners LP ("Advanta") an
option fee to acquire a total of 2,658,456 shares of Common Stock (as defined
below) upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, (ii) on March 7, 2000,
purchased 398,000 shares of Common Stock from Advanta and (iii) on March 28,
2000, purchased 2,260,456 shares of Common Stock from Advanta;
WHEREAS, by separate agreement dated March 1, 2000, R-T purchased 1,415,000
shares of Common Stock from Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Investment Co. on March 30, 2000;
WHEREAS, certain members of the Company's management have purchased 126,315
shares of Common Stock from Advanta; and
WHEREAS, in connection therewith, Shareholder has agreed to certain
restrictions on the conduct of Shareholder with respect to the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained herein and in the Stock Purchase Agreement and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Definitions
Definitions. Except as otherwise specified herein, defined terms used in
this Agreement shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the
Stock Purchase Agreement. Unless otherwise specified all references to "days"
shall be deemed to be references to calendar days. For purposes of this
Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
Affiliate. An "Affiliate" of a Person shall have the meaning set forth in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof. In addition, for
purposes of this Agreement, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, members of his family and their
respective Affiliates shall each be deemed to be Affiliates of Shareholder.
Beneficial Owner. A Person shall be deemed to "beneficially own," or to
have "beneficial ownership" of, Voting Securities as the term "beneficial
ownership" is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the
date hereof; provided that notwithstanding
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the foregoing a Person shall also have "beneficial ownership" of securities
which such Person has the right to acquire (irrespective of whether such right
is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time, including the
passage of time in excess of sixty days) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement
or understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights,
warrants or options, or otherwise. For purposes of this Agreement, Shareholder
shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Securities beneficially owned by
its Affiliates or any Group of which Shareholder or any such Affiliate is a
member.
Board of Directors. "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors
of the Company.
CEO. "CEO" shall mean the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Closing. "Closing" shall mean the Closing as such term is defined in the
Stock Purchase Agreement.
Common Stock. "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, without par
value, of the Company.
Excess Shares. "Excess Shares" means, as to any matter being voted upon by
the Company's shareholders, the Voting Securities of the Company beneficially
owned by Shareholder and its Affiliates that represent Voting Power in excess of
32% of the votes entitled to be cast in respect of such matter.
Exchange Act. "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
Group. "Group" shall mean a "group" as such term is used in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the date hereof.
Independent Director. "Independent Director" means a director of the
Company who is not (apart from such directorship) (i) an officer, director,
Affiliate, employee, shareholder, consultant or partner of Shareholder or any
Affiliate of Shareholder or of any entity that was dependent upon Shareholder or
any Affiliate of Shareholder for more than 5% of its revenues or earnings in its
most recent fiscal year, or (ii) an officer, employee, consultant or partner of
the Company or any Affiliate of the Company or an officer, employee,
shareholder, consultant or partner of an entity that was dependent upon the
Company or any Affiliate of the Company for more than 5% of its revenues or
earnings in its most recent fiscal year.
Person. "Person" shall mean any individual, Group, corporation, general or
limited partnership, limited liability company, governmental entity, joint
venture, estate, trust, association, organization or other entity of any kind or
nature.
Securities Act. "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
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Takeover Proposal. "Takeover Proposal" means (i) any tender or exchange
offer, (ii) any other proposal to takeover control of the Company or a merger,
share exchange, other business combination, recapitalization, restructuring,
liquidation or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its material
subsidiaries, or any proposal or offer to acquire in any manner Voting
Securities of the Company representing more than 20% of the Total Voting Power
of the Company or any of its material subsidiaries, a substantial equity
interest in any of the Company's material subsidiaries or a substantial portion
of the assets of the Company or any of its material subsidiaries, (iii) any
waiver or opt out of any anti-takeover statutes or other anti-takeover
provisions applicable to the Company, or (iv) a proposal having similar effect.
Total Voting Power. The term "Total Voting Power" shall mean the total
combined Voting Power in the general election of directors of the Company, on a
fully diluted basis, of all the Voting Securities then outstanding. For purposes
of determining Total Voting Power under this Agreement, a Voting Security which
is convertible into or exchangeable for a Voting Security shall be counted as
having the greater of (i) the number of votes to which such Voting Security is
entitled prior to conversion or exchange and (ii) the number of votes to which
the Voting Security into which such Voting Security is convertible or
exchangeable is entitled.
Voting Power. The term "Voting Power" shall mean the voting power of the
Voting Securities then outstanding entitled to vote upon any such matter, and
shall be calculated for each Voting Security by reference of the maximum number
of votes such Voting Security is or would be entitled to cast with respect to
such matter.
Voting Securities. "Voting Securities" shall mean, without duplication, (x)
any securities entitled, or which may be entitled, to vote as to any matter
which is the subject of shareholder action and shall include without limitation
the shares of Common Stock, (y) any securities convertible or exercisable into
or exchangeable for such securities (whether or not the right to convert,
exercise or exchange is subject to the passage of time or contingencies or
both), or (z) any direct or indirect rights or options to acquire any such
securities.
In addition, the following terms have the definitions specified in the
Sections noted:
Term Section
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Advanta recitals
Advanta Shares recitals
Agreement recitals
Company recitals
Common Stock recitals
Moving Party 5.4
Shareholder recitals
Stock Purchase Agreement recitals
Transactions recitals
Unaffiliated Shares 4.2
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Representations, Warranties and Covenants of the Company
Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, Shareholder as
follows:
The Company is a corporation validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Pennsylvania.
The Company has full corporate power and corporate authority to make,
execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to carry out all of the
transactions provided for herein.
The Company has taken such corporate action as is necessary or appropriate
to enable it to perform its obligations hereunder, and this Agreement
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with its terms.
Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Shareholder
Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Shareholder.
Shareholder represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, the
Company that:
Shareholder is a limited liability company, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Nevada. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx owns 4% of the
ownership interest in Shareholder, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx owns 4% of the ownership
interest in Shareholder, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx owns 20% of the ownership interest in
Shareholder and each of Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxx
own 18% of the ownership interest in Shareholder. The capital structure of
Shareholder was determined among the owners for personal financial and tax
planning purposes and there are no agreements, other than the operating
agreement, among the owners for allocations of profits or distribution of assets
of Shareholder.
Shareholder has full legal right, power and authority to make, execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement and to carry out all of the transactions
provided for herein.
Shareholder has taken such action as is necessary or appropriate to enable
it to perform its obligations hereunder, and this Agreement constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of Shareholder, enforceable against
Shareholder in accordance with its terms. No approval, waiver, consent or
clearance is required from any third party or governmental authority in
connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by
Shareholder.
Other Covenants and Representations
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Corporate Governance. The Company agrees that it will cause two
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persons designated by Shareholder and reasonably acceptable to the Board of
Directors to be elected to the Board of Directors upon the resignation of
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxx X. Xxxxx on the Closing. Shareholder and the
Company agree that after the Closing the Board of Directors shall consist (and
Shareholder and the Company shall use their respective best efforts to cause the
Board of Directors to consist) of (i) two persons designated by Shareholder and
reasonably acceptable to the Board of Directors, (ii) the CEO and (iii) at least
three other persons who are Independent Directors. The Board of Directors will
nominate directors thereafter consistent with the preceding sentence. The
parties contemplate that Shareholder's two nominees will initially be Xxxx
Xxxxxx and an industry figure selected by Shareholder with the assistance of the
CEO of the Company. The provisions of this paragraph shall terminate in the
event Shareholder and its Affiliates beneficially own Voting Securities
representing less than 15% of the Voting Power in respect of the general
election of directors of the Company.
Restrictions on Business Combinations. Shareholder agrees that it
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and its Affiliates will not (and Shareholder agrees that it will cause its
Affiliates not to) consummate any tender offer, exchange offer, merger or other
business combination, recapitalization or similar transaction involving the
Company or any of its subsidiaries unless approved by (i) a majority of members
of a special committee consisting of all of the Independent Directors and (ii) a
majority of the shares voted by holders of shares of Common Stock (or other
Voting Securities) of the Company not owned by Shareholder or its Affiliates
(the "Unaffiliated Shares") or, in the case of a tender offer or exchange offer,
the offer has a minimum condition that a majority of the Unaffiliated Shares
shall have been validly tendered and not withdrawn and the offer provides that
it will be extended for 10 business days after Shareholder has publicly
announced that such minimum condition has been satisfied. In the event of a
Takeover Proposal initiated by a third party and recommended by the Company's
Board of Directors, Shareholder agrees that it and its Affiliates will vote the
Excess Shares in the same proportion as the Unaffiliated Shares are voted on
such Takeover Proposal.
Bylaws. Shareholder and the Company agree that the Company's
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bylaws shall be amended to provide that the approval of at least a majority of
the Company's Independent Directors shall be required to approve any amendment
to the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company that would contravene
or otherwise alter this Agreement.
Amendments. Shareholder and the Company agree that at least a
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majority of the Company's Independent Directors shall be required to approve any
amendment to, or waiver of, this Agreement, including amendments of the defined
terms used herein.
Miscellaneous
Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
required or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery,
registered first-class mail, telex, fax or air courier guaranteeing delivery:
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If to the Company, to:
RMH Teleservices, Inc.
00 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chairman of the Board
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
(with copies to):
Dechert Price & Xxxxxx
4000 Xxxx Atlantic Tower
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
or to such other person or address as the Company shall furnish to Shareholder
in writing;
If to Shareholder, to:
R-T Investors, LLC
c/o Xxxxx Xxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
(with copies to):
Xxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
0000 Xxxx 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Telecopy: (000) 000-0000
or to such other person or address as Shareholder shall furnish to the Company
in writing.
All such notices, requests, demands and other communications shall be
deemed to have been duly given: at the time of delivery by hand, if personally
delivered; five (5) business days after being deposited in the mail, postage
prepaid, if mailed domestically in the United States;
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when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on
the business day for which delivery is guaranteed, if timely delivered to an air
courier guaranteeing such delivery.
Survival of Representations and Warranties. The representations
and warranties made herein shall survive through the term of this Agreement.
Legends. If requested in writing by the Company, Shareholder shall
present or cause to be presented promptly all certificates representing Voting
Securities beneficially owned by Shareholder or any of its Affiliates, for the
placement thereon of a legend substantially to the following effect, which
legend will remain thereon as long as such Voting Securities are beneficially
owned by Shareholder or an Affiliate:
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND
MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED WITHOUT REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR
STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, SATISFACTORY TO THE
COMPANY, THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE
HOLDER SPECIFIED THEREIN. A COPY OF WHICH AGREEMENT IS ON FILE AT THE
PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE COMPANY. THE SALE, TRANSFER OR OTHER DISPOSITION
OF THE SECURITIES IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF SUCH AGREEMENT AND THE
SECURITIES ARE TRANSFERABLE ONLY UPON PROOF OF COMPLIANCE THEREWITH.
The Company may enter a stop transfer order with the transfer order with
the transfer agent or agents of Voting Securities against any transfer of Voting
Securities not in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement.
Enforcement. Shareholder on the one hand, and the Company, on the
other hand, acknowledge and agree that irreparable injury to the other party
would occur in the event any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached and
that such injury would not be adequately compensable in damages. It is
accordingly agreed that, in addition to any other remedies which may be
available at law or in equity, each party hereto (the "Moving Party") shall be
entitled to specific enforcement of, and injunctive relief to prevent any
violation of, the terms hereof, and the other party hereto will not take action,
directly or indirectly, in opposition to the Moving Party seeking such relief on
the grounds that any other remedy or relief is available at law or in equity.
The parties further agree that no bond shall be required as a condition to the
granting of any such relief.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, and the Stock Purchase Agreement
constitute the
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entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. This Agreement may be amended only
by a written instrument duly executed by the parties or their respective
successors or assigns.
Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of this
Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this
Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under
any applicable law, rule or regulation in any jurisdiction, such invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or portion of
any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement will be reformed,
construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or
unenforceable provision or portion of any provision shall have been replaced
with a provision which shall, to the maximum extent permissible under such
applicable law, rule or regulation, give effect to the intention of the parties
as expressed in such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision.
Headings. Descriptive headings contained in the Agreement are for
convenience only and will not control or affect the meaning or construction of
any provision of this Agreement.
Counterparts. For the convenience of the parties, any number of
counterparts of this Agreement may be executed by the parties, and each such
executed counterpart will be an original instrument.
No Waiver. Any waiver by any party of a breach of any provision of
this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any other
breach of such provision or any breach of any other provision of this Agreement.
The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this
Agreement on one or more occasions shall not be considered a waiver or deprive
that party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term
or any other term of this Agreement.
Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
respective successors and assigns of the parties, provided that Shareholder
agrees that it and its Affiliates shall not transfer any Voting Securities to
any Person who has not agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of the
Agreement as if it were Shareholder or an Affiliate of Shareholder.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shareholder and its Affiliates shall not be
required to obtain such written agreement from any transferee of Voting
Securities if such transfer is (i) pursuant to a bona fide public offering, (ii)
pursuant to transactions effected in accordance with Rule 144 under the
Securities Act or (iii) a block transfer that will result in the transferee
beneficially owning Voting Securities representing less than 10% of the Voting
Power in respect of the general election of directors of the Company.
Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed
and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
Further Assurances. From time to time on and after the date
hereof, the Company and
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Shareholder, as the case may be, shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
other party hereto such further documents and instruments and shall do and cause
to be done such further acts as the other party hereto shall reasonably request
to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to
evidence compliance herewith or to assure that it is protected in acting
hereunder.
Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Any legal action
or proceeding with respect to this Agreement or any matters arising out of or in
connection with this Agreement, and any action for enforcement of any judgment
in respect thereof shall be brought exclusively in the Court of Common Pleas of
Philadelphia County in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and, by execution and
delivery of this Agreement, the Company and Shareholder each irrevocably consent
to service of process out of any of the aforementioned courts in any such action
or proceeding by the mailing of copies thereof by registered or certified mail,
postage prepaid, or by recognized international express carrier or delivery
service, to the Company or Shareholder at their respective addresses referred to
herein. The Company and the Shareholder each hereby irrevocably waives any
objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any of
the aforesaid actions or proceedings arising out of or in connection with this
Agreement brought in the courts referred to above and hereby further irrevocably
waives and agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, not to plead or
claim in any such court that any such action or proceeding brought in any such
court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Nothing herein shall affect the
right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
Confidentiality. All information gained by the Company and
Shareholder regarding the business and affairs of the other shall be kept
confidential, except for information in the public domain, information which was
previously known to the receiving party, or such information as is required, in
the good faith determination of the party's counsel, to be disclosed by any law,
regulation or governmental agency.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date first referred to above.
R-T Investors, LLC
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
President
RMH Teleservices, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
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Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Chief Executive Officer
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