AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT June ___, 2009 ALPHA BANK A.E. and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS as Depositary and HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
Exhibit (a)
AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
June ___, 2009
ALPHA BANK A.E.
and
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
as Depositary
and
HOLDERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents | Page | |||
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
Section 1.1 American Depositary Shares |
1 | |||
Section 1.2 Commission |
1 | |||
Section 1.3 Custodian |
1 | |||
Section 1.4 Deposit Agreement |
1 | |||
Section 1.5 Depositary’s Office |
2 | |||
Section 1.6 Deposited Securities |
2 | |||
Section 1.7 Holder |
2 | |||
Section 1.8 Receipts |
2 | |||
Section 1.9 Securities Act of 1933; Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
2 | |||
Section 1.10 Shares |
2 | |||
ARTICLE II
FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, EXECUTION AND TRANSFER OF
RECEIPTS AND
WITHDRAWAL OF
DEPOSITED SECURITIES |
2 | |||
Section 2.1 Form and Transferability of Receipts |
2 | |||
Section 2.2 Deposit of Shares |
3 | |||
Section 2.3 Execution and Delivery of Receipts |
4 | |||
Section 2.4 Transfer, Combination and Split-up of Receipts |
4 | |||
Section 2.5 Withdrawal of Deposited Securities |
4 | |||
Section 2.6 Limitations on Execution and Delivery and Transfer of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities |
5 | |||
Section 2.7 Substitution of Receipts |
6 | |||
Section 2.8 Cancellation and Destruction of Receipts |
6 | |||
ARTICLE III CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS |
6 | |||
Section 3.1 Information |
6 | |||
Section 3.2 Liability of Holder for Taxes |
6 | |||
Section 3.3 Warranties on Deposit of Shares |
7 | |||
Section 3.4 Disclosure of Interests |
7 | |||
Section 3.5 Compliance with Greek Notification Requirements |
7 | |||
ARTICLE IV DEPOSITED SECURITIES |
8 | |||
Section 4.1 Cash Distributions |
8 | |||
Section 4.2 Share Distributions |
8 | |||
Section 4.3 Rights Distributions |
9 | |||
Section 4.4 Other Distributions |
9 | |||
Section 4.5 Conversion of Foreign Currency |
10 | |||
Section 4.6 Fixing of Record Date |
10 | |||
Section 4.7 Voting of Deposited Securities |
10 | |||
Section 4.8 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities |
11 | |||
Section 4.9 Withholding |
11 | |||
ARTICLE V THE DEPOSITARY AND THE COMPANY |
12 |
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Contents | Page | |||
Section 5.1 Maintenance of Depositary’s Office and Register; Certain Agents of the Depositary; Lists of Holders |
12 | |||
Section 5.2 Prevention or Delay in Performance |
13 | |||
Section 5.3 Obligations Limited |
13 | |||
Section 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary |
14 | |||
Section 5.5 The Custodian |
14 | |||
Section 5.6 Notices and Reports to Holders |
15 | |||
Section 5.7 Issuance of Additional Shares, etc. |
15 | |||
Section 5.8 Indemnification |
16 | |||
Section 5.9 Charges of Depositary |
16 | |||
Section 5.10 Statutory Reports |
17 | |||
Section 5.11 Available Information to the Commission |
18 | |||
ARTICLE VI AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION |
18 | |||
Section 6.1 Amendment |
18 | |||
Section 6.2 Termination |
18 | |||
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS |
19 | |||
Section 7.1 Counterparts |
19 | |||
Section 7.2 No Third Party Beneficiaries |
19 | |||
Section 7.3 Severability |
19 | |||
Section 7.4 Holders Parties; Binding Effect |
19 | |||
Section 7.5 Notices |
19 | |||
Section 7.6 Governing Law; Jurisdiction |
20 | |||
EXHIBIT A TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT |
A-1 | |||
1 The Deposit Agreement |
A-1 | |||
2 Withdrawal of Deposited Securities |
X-0 | |||
0 Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx-xxx and Combinations |
A-2 | |||
4 Certain Limitations |
A-2 | |||
5 Liability of Holder for Taxes |
A-3 | |||
6 Warranties by Depositor |
A-3 | |||
7 Disclosure of Interests |
A-4 | |||
8 Charges of Depositary |
A-4 | |||
9 Title to Receipts |
A-6 | |||
10 Validity of Receipt |
A-6 | |||
11 Available Information |
A-6 | |||
12 Distributions Upon Deposited Securities |
A-8 | |||
13 Record Dates |
A-9 | |||
14 Voting of Deposited Securities |
A-9 | |||
15 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities |
A-10 | |||
16 Reports; Inspection of Register |
A-10 | |||
17 Withholding |
A-10 | |||
18 Liability of the Company and the Depositary |
A-11 | |||
19 Resignation and Removal of Depositary; the Custodian |
A-12 | |||
20 Amendment of Deposit Agreement and Receipts |
X-00 | |||
00 Xxxxxxxxxxx of Deposit Agreement |
A-13 | |||
22 Compliance with Greek Notification Requirements |
A-13 |
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Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement (“Deposit Agreement”) dated as of June ___, 2009 among ALPHA
BANK A.E. (f/k/a Credit Bank A.E.), a corporation organized under the laws of Greece and its
successors (the “Company”), DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, a New York corporation, as
depositary hereunder and any successor as depositary hereunder (the “Depositary”), and all holders
from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder, amending and restating the
deposit agreement, dated as of November 15, 1992, by and among Alpha Bank A.E. (f/k/a Credit Bank
A.E.), Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (as successor to Xxxxxx Guaranty Trust Company of New
York), as depositary, and all holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued
thereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H:
Whereas, the Company desires to provide for the deposit of Shares of the Company from time to time
with the Depositary or the Custodian and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary
Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited; and
Whereas, the American Depositary Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed
hereto;
Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and among the parties hereto as
follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 American Depositary Shares
The term “American Depositary Shares” shall mean the rights evidenced by the Receipts executed and
delivered hereunder, including the interests in the Deposited Securities granted to the Holders of
Receipts pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement. Each American Depositary
Share shall represent rights to receive one-fourth of one Share until there shall occur a
distribution upon Deposited Securities referred to in Section 4.2 or a change in Deposited
Securities referred to in Section 4.8 with respect to which additional Receipts are not executed
and delivered, and thereafter each American Depositary Share shall represent the right to receive
the Deposited Securities specified in such Sections.
Section 1.2 Commission
The term “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any
successor governmental agency.
Section 1.3 Custodian
The term “Custodian” shall mean one or more agent or agents of the Depositary (singly or
collectively, as the context requires) named as Custodian in Exhibit A annexed hereto and any
additional or substitute Custodian appointed pursuant to Section 5.5.
Section 1.4 Deposit Agreement
The term “Deposit Agreement” shall mean this Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to
time in accordance with the provisions hereof.
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Section 1.5 Depositary’s Office
The term “Depositary’s Office” shall mean the office of the Depositary for the administration of
depositary receipts.
Section 1.6 Deposited Securities
The term “Deposited Securities” as of any time shall mean all Shares at such time deposited under
this Deposit Agreement and any and all other Shares, securities, property and cash received at any
time by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect or in lieu of such deposited Shares and other
Shares, securities, property and cash at such time held hereunder.
Section 1.7 Holder
The term “Holder” shall mean the person or persons in whose name a Receipt is registered on the
register maintained by the Depositary for such purpose.
Section 1.8 Receipts
The term “Receipts” shall mean the American Depositary Receipts executed and delivered hereunder,
in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, evidencing American Depositary Shares, as the same
may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 1.9 Securities Act of 1933; Securities Exchange Act of 1934
The term “Securities Act of 1933” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time
to time amended. The term “Securities Exchange Act of 1934” shall mean the United States Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.
Section 1.10 Shares
The term “Shares” shall mean the Common Voting Shares of the Company and shall include rights to
receive Shares.
ARTICLE II
FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES,
EXECUTION AND TRANSFER OF RECEIPTS AND
WITHDRAWAL OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES
FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES,
EXECUTION AND TRANSFER OF RECEIPTS AND
WITHDRAWAL OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES
Section 2.1 Form and Transferability of Receipts
(a) | Form Receipts shall be engraved or printed or lithographed on steel-engraved borders and shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions as hereinafter provided. Receipts may be issued in denominations of any number of American Depositary Shares. Receipts shall be executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary. Unless so executed, no Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. The Depositary shall maintain a register in which each Receipt so executed and delivered as hereinafter provided and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of anyone who was at any time a duly authorized officer of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such officer has ceased to hold such office prior to the delivery of such Receipts. The Receipts may, with the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be |
2
unreasonably withheld), be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary in respect of its obligations hereunder or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or regulations or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which Receipts may be traded or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise. | |||
(b) | Transferability Title to a Receipt (and to the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby), when properly endorsed or accompanied by properly executed instruments of transfer, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided that the Company and the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Holder thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to any distribution or notice and for all other purposes. |
Section 2.2 Deposit of Shares
(a) | Deposit with Custodian Shares may be deposited under this Deposit Agreement by delivery thereof to the Custodian, properly endorsed or accompanied by a duly executed instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Custodian, together with any other documents and payments required under this Deposit Agreement, and a written order directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing such deposited Shares. At the request, risk and expense of any holder of Shares, and for the account of such holder, the Depositary may receive certificates for Shares to be deposited, together with any other documents and payments required under this Deposit Agreement, for the purpose of forwarding such Share certificates to the Custodian for deposit hereunder. | ||
(b) | Assignment and Proxy If required by the Depositary, Shares presented for deposit at any time, whether or not any register of Shareholders of the Company is closed, shall also be accompanied by (1) an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, which will provide for the prompt transfer to the Custodian or its nominee of any dividend or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property which any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited Shares, or in lieu thereof such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary, and (2) if the Shares are registered in the name of the person on whose behalf they are presented for deposit, a proxy or proxies entitling the Custodian to vote such deposited Shares for any and all purposes until the Shares are registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee. | ||
(c) | Registration and Holding Upon each delivery to the Custodian of a certificate or certificates for Shares (or other Deposited Securities pursuant to Section 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.8) in registered form to be deposited hereunder, together with any other documents and payments required under this Deposit Agreement, the Custodian shall as soon as practicable present such certificate or certificates for registration of transfer of the |
3
Shares (or other Deposited Securities) being deposited in the name of the Custodian or its nominee at the cost and expense of the person making such deposit (or for whose benefit such deposit is made) and shall obtain evidence satisfactory to it of such registration. Deposited Securities shall be held by the Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary at such place or places as the Depositary shall determine. |
Section 2.3 Execution and Delivery of Receipts
After the deposit of any Shares pursuant to Section 2.2, the Custodian shall notify the Depositary
of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts
are deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced
thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter, first class airmail postage prepaid, or, at the
request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex or facsimile
transmission. After receiving such notice from the Custodian, the Depositary, subject to this
Deposit Agreement, shall as promptly as practicable execute and deliver at the Depositary’s Office
to or upon the order of the person or persons named in the notice delivered to the Depositary, a
Receipt or Receipts, registered in the name or names requested by such person or persons, and
evidencing in the aggregate the number of American Depositary Shares to which such person or
persons are entitled. The Depositary shall execute and deliver Receipts only in accordance with
this Section 2.3 and with Sections 2.4, 2.6, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.8.
Section 2.4 Transfer, Combination and Split-up of Receipts
The Depositary, subject to this Deposit Agreement, shall register transfers of Receipts in the
Receipt register from time to time upon any surrender of a Receipt at any of its designated
transfer offices by the Holder in person or by duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or
accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, and duly stamped as may be required by applicable
law. Thereupon the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and deliver the same to or
upon the order of the person entitled thereto evidencing the same aggregate number of American
Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the Receipts surrendered. The Depositary, subject to this
Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender at any of its designated transfer offices of a Receipt or
Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts,
execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary
Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as those
evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered. The Depositary may close the register at any time
or from time to time, when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties
hereunder or at the request of the Company.
Section 2.5 Withdrawal of Deposited Securities
Upon surrender of a Receipt (properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of
transfer in blank, to the extent required by the Depositary), at the Depositary’s Office or at such
other offices as it may designate, together with the Holder’s written order directing the
Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Receipt to be withdrawn and delivered to or upon the written order of the person
or persons designated in such order, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to deliver without
unreasonable delay, subject to this Deposit Agreement and to the provisions of or governing
Deposited Securities, to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in such
order, the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced
by such Receipt, and the Custodian shall so deliver such Deposited Securities, at the office of the
Custodian, except that the Depositary may, in
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its discretion, at the request, risk and expense of the Holder make delivery of such Deposited
Securities without unreasonable delay to such person or persons at the Depositary’s Office or at
any other place specified by the Holder in such order. Directions shall be given by letter or, at
the request, risk and expense of the Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Delivery of
Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery of certificates, to the extent such Deposited
Securities may be represented by certificates, which, if required by law, shall be properly
endorsed or accompanied by properly executed instruments of transfer, and if such certificates may
be so registered, registered in the name of such Holder, or as ordered by such Holder or properly
endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer. Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian
shall deliver Deposited Securities to any person except pursuant to this Section 2.5 or Sections
4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.8, 5.4, 5.5 or 6.2. Notwithstanding any provision of this Deposit Agreement
or the Receipts, the Depositary may restrict withdrawals of Deposited Securities only for the
reasons set forth in General Instruction I.A.(1) of Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933.
Section 2.6 Limitations on Execution and Delivery and Transfer of Receipts and Withdrawal of
Deposited Securities
As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfer,
split-up or combination of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon or, subject to the
last sentence of Section 2.5, the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, the
Company or the Custodian may require of the Holder, the presentor of the Receipt or the depositor
of Shares: (a) payment of a sum sufficient to pay or reimburse it for payment of (i) any stock
transfer or other tax or other governmental charge with respect thereto, (ii) any stock transfer or
registration fees for the registration of transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities upon
any applicable register and (iii) any charges of the Depositary upon delivery of Receipts against
deposits of Shares and upon withdrawal of Deposited Securities against surrender of Receipts set
forth in paragraph (8) of the Receipt attached as Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement; (b) the
production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and as
to any other matter contemplated by Section 3.1; and, (c) compliance with such reasonable
regulations, if any, as the Depositary and the Company may establish consistent with the provisions
of this Deposit Agreement. The delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares may be suspended,
deposits of Shares may be refused, or the registration of transfer of Receipts, their split-up or
combination or, subject to the last sentence of Section 2.5, the withdrawal of Deposited Securities
may be suspended, in particular instances or generally, when the Receipt register or any register
for Shares or other Deposited Securities is closed, or any time or from time to time when any such
action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company for any reason, including
without limitation any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission,
any provision of this Deposit Agreement or the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, any
meeting of Shareholders or any payment of dividends. The Depositary may issue Receipts against
rights to receive Shares from the Company, or any registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or
other entity recording Share ownership or transactions. The Depositary will not issue Receipts
against other rights to receive Shares unless (x) such Receipts are fully collateralized (marked to
market daily) with cash or U.S. government securities until such Shares are deposited, (y) the
applicant for such Receipts represents in writing that it owns such Shares and will deliver them
upon the Depositary’s request (no evidence of ownership is required or time of delivery specified)
and (z) all such Receipts represent not more than 20% of Shares actually deposited. Such
collateral, but not the earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders. The
Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation for the issuance of Receipts against
5
such other rights to receive Shares, including without limitation earnings on the collateral
securing such rights. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly
accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be registered pursuant to
the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, unless a registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 is in effect as to such Shares. The Depositary will use reasonable efforts to comply
with written instructions of the Company to not accept for deposit hereunder any Shares identified
in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in
such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with the securities laws in the
United States.
Section 2.7 Substitution of Receipts
In case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall execute and
deliver a new Receipt of like tenor, in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon
cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed or lost or stolen
Receipt, unless the Depositary has notice that such Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, upon the Holder thereof filing with the Depositary (a) a request for such execution and
delivery and (b) a sufficient indemnity bond and satisfying any other reasonable requirements
imposed by the Depositary, including, without limitation, evidence satisfactory to the Depositary
of such destruction or loss or theft of such Receipt, the authenticity thereof and the Holder’s
ownership thereof.
Section 2.8 Cancellation and Destruction of Receipts
All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is
authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled.
ARTICLE III
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS
Section 3.1 Information
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Holder of a Receipt may be required from time to
time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof as to citizenship, residence, exchange
control approval, legal or beneficial ownership of Receipts, Deposited Securities or other
securities, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, all applicable provisions of or
governing Deposited Securities, and the terms of this Deposit Agreement, or other information, and
to execute and deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian such certificates, including such
representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper or as the Company
may require by written request to the Depositary or the Custodian. The Depositary may withhold the
delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or any distribution on any Deposited Securities
represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt until the foregoing is
accomplished to the Company’s and the Depositary’s satisfaction.
Section 3.2 Liability of Holder for Taxes
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by or on behalf of the Custodian or
the Depositary with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented by the American
Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable
by the Holder of such Receipt, who shall pay the amount thereof to the Depositary. The Depositary
may refuse to effect registration of transfer of such Receipt or any split-up or combination
thereof or any withdrawal of such Deposited Securities until such payment is made, and may withhold
or deduct from any distributions on such Deposited Securities or may sell for the account of the
Holder
6
thereof any part or all of such Deposited Securities (after attempting by reasonable means to
notify such Holder prior to such sale), and may apply such cash or the proceeds of any such sale in
payment of such tax or other governmental charge, the Holder of such Receipt remaining liable for
any deficiency.
Section 3.3 Warranties on Deposit of Shares
Every person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent
and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued and outstanding,
fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, that the person making such deposit is
duly authorized so to do and that such Shares are not “restricted securities” as such term is
defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations and warranties shall
survive the deposit of Shares and the execution and delivery of Receipts therefor.
Section 3.4 Disclosure of Interests
To the extent that provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities may require the disclosure
of beneficial or other ownership of Deposited Securities, other Shares and other securities to the
Company and may provide for blocking transfer and voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure
or limit such ownership, the Depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to comply with Company
instructions as to Receipts in respect of any such enforcement or limitation and Holders shall
comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and shall cooperate with the
Depositary’s compliance with such Company instructions.
Section 3.5 Compliance with Greek Notification Requirements
Greek law provides that any individual or entity (including a Holder of American Depositary
Shares), acting alone or in concert with others, that acquires or disposes of the voting rights of
the Company, and as a result of such acquisition or disposal holds greater than or equal to
one-twentieth, one-tenth, three-twentieths, one-fifth, one-fourth, one-third, one-half or
two-thirds of the voting rights of the Company, or whose holdings fall below any such level, or in
the case of a holder of more than 10% of the voting rights of the Company whose holding increases
or decreases by 3% or more of the voting rights of the Company, must notify the Company and the
Hellenic Capital Markets Commission (“HCMC”). The notification must be in writing, made within
three trading days of exceeding or falling below any of the levels describe above and state the
number of Shares held by the Holder, the number of other equity securities giving access to the
voting rights of the Company and the percentage and total number of voting rights attached thereto.
Any Holder who fails to comply with the notification requirements to the HCMC may be subject to
administrative sanctions and fines by the competent Greek authorities.
In addition, as the Company is a Greek credit institution, any individual or entity (including a
Holder of American Depositary Shares) that intends to (i) acquire a direct or indirect interest
greater than or equal to 5% of the issued share capital or the voting rights of the Company, (ii)
acquire or dispose of the voting rights of the Company, and as a result of such acquisition or
disposal would hold greater than or equal to one-twentieth, one-tenth, three-twentieths, one-fifth,
one-fourth, one-third, one-half or two-thirds of the voting rights of the Company, or whose
holdings fall below any such level, or (iii) acquire control or cease to have control over the
Company, must submit a written notification to the Bank of Greece prior to any such acquisition or
disposal. Such notification must contain the percentage of the share capital or voting rights of
the Company proposed to be acquired and, in the case of a legal entity, the identity of the private
individuals that directly or indirectly control the Holder.
7
Upon receiving the notification, the Bank of Greece is required to approve or reject any such
acquisition or disposal within three months. Failure to comply with the notification requirements
to the Bank of Greece will result in the automatic suspension of the voting rights attached to the
Shares exceeding the thresholds mentioned above held by such Holder. In addition, any Holder who
fails to comply with the notification requirements to the Bank of Greece may be subject to
administrative sanctions and fines by the competent Greek authorities. Holders shall be responsible
for consulting with their Greek counsel in order to ascertain and comply with any Greek
notification requirements applicable to their respective holdings.
ARTICLE IV
DEPOSITED SECURITIES
DEPOSITED SECURITIES
Section 4.1 Cash Distributions
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution
upon any Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, after any necessary conversion of such
distribution into U.S. dollars pursuant to Section 4.5 and after fixing a record date in respect
thereof pursuant to Section 4.6, subject to this Deposit Agreement, distribute as promptly as
practicable the amount thus received, by checks drawn on a bank in the United States, to the
Holders on such record date of Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such
Deposited Securities, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such
Deposited Securities held by each of them respectively; provided that the Depositary shall make
appropriate adjustments in the amounts so distributed in respect of (a) any of such Deposited
Securities being not entitled, by reason of its date of issuance or otherwise, to receive all or
any portion of such distribution or (b) any amounts (i) required to be withheld by the Company, the
Custodian or the Depositary from any such distribution on account of taxes, or (ii) charged by the
Depositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars pursuant to
Section 4.5. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount as can be distributed without
distributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributable shall be
held by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and become
part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to Holders of Receipts then
outstanding.
Section 4.2 Share Distributions
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution
of, Shares, the Depositary may or shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to this Deposit
Agreement, distribute as promptly as practicable to the Holders on a record date fixed pursuant to
Section 4.6 of Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited
Securities, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited
Securities held by each of them respectively, additional Receipts for an aggregate number of
American Depositary Shares representing the number of Shares received as such dividend or free
distribution. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in the case
of any such distribution, the Depositary shall sell the amount of Shares represented by the
aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds of such sale as in the case of a
distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1. If additional Receipts are not so
distributed, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent its proportionate
interest in the additional Shares so distributed upon such Deposited Securities.
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Section 4.3 Rights Distributions
If the Company shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any
rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any nature, the Depositary shall, after
consultation with the Company, have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such
rights available to the Holders or in disposing of such rights and distributing the net proceeds
thereof as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1; provided that
the Depositary shall, if requested by the Company, subject to this Deposit Agreement take action as
follows: (a) if at the time of the offering of any such rights the Depositary determines that it is
lawful and feasible to make such rights available to Holders by means of warrants or otherwise, the
Depositary shall distribute such warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it may
determine to the Holders on a record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.6 of Receipts evidencing
American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities, in proportion to the number of
American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by each of them
respectively, or employ such other method as it may deem feasible in order to facilitate the
exercise, sale or transfer of rights by such Holders; or (b) if at the time of any such offering of
any such rights the Depositary determines that it is not lawful or not feasible to make such rights
available to Holders by means of warrants or otherwise, or if the rights represented by such
warrants or such other instruments are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the
Depositary in its discretion may sell such rights or such warrants or other instruments at public
or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper, and may
allocate the proceeds of such sales for account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such rights,
warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any
distinctions among such Holders because of exchange restrictions, or the date of delivery of any
Receipt or Receipts, or otherwise, and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent
practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1. The
Depositary will not offer such rights to Holders having an address in the United States, unless the
Company furnishes to the Depositary (i) evidence that a registration statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 covering such offering is in effect or (ii) an opinion of counsel for the Company in
the United States satisfactory to the Depositary to the effect that such offering does not require
registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
Section 4.4 Other Distributions
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive any distribution other than cash, Shares or
rights upon any Deposited Securities, subject to this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall cause
securities or property to be distributed as promptly as practicable to the Holders on a record date
fixed pursuant to Section 4.6 of Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such
Deposited Securities, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such
Deposited Securities held by each of them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may deem
equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided that if in the opinion of
the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Holders entitled thereto,
or if for any other reason (including any tax withholding or securities laws requirement) the
Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may adopt such method as it
may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including the
sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof,
and the distribution by the Depositary to the Holders of the net proceeds of any such sale as in
the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1; provided, however, that no
distribution to Holders pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be unreasonably delayed by any action of
the Depositary.
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Section 4.5 Conversion of Foreign Currency
Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive foreign currency, as a cash dividend or
other distribution or as the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, which,
in the judgment of the Depositary can then be converted on a reasonable basis into U.S. dollars
which can then be transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be
converted as promptly as practicable, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such
foreign currency into U.S. dollars and shall transfer the resulting U.S. dollars (net of its
charges and expenses in effecting such conversion) to the United States. Such U.S. dollars shall be
distributed to the Holders entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any
warrants or other instruments that entitle the holders thereof to such U.S. dollars, then to the
holders of such warrants or instruments, as applicable, upon surrender thereof for cancellation.
Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any
distinctions among Holders on account of exchange restrictions or otherwise. If such conversion or
distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof,
the Depositary shall file as promptly as practicable such application for approval or license, if
any, as it may deem desirable. If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment
any foreign currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into U.S.
dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any governmental
authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the
Depositary is not obtainable at a reasonable cost or within a reasonable period, the Depositary
shall in its discretion, but subject to applicable laws and regulations, either distribute the
foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency)
to, or hold such foreign currency (without liability for interest thereon) for the respective
accounts of, the Holders entitled to receive the same. If any such conversion of foreign currency,
in whole or in part, can be effected for distribution to some but not all of the Holders entitled
thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make such conversion and distribution in U.S. dollars
to the extent permissible to the Holders entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the
foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance (without liability for
interest thereon) for the respective accounts of, the Holders entitled thereto for whom such
conversion and distribution is not practicable.
Section 4.6 Fixing of Record Date
Whenever any distribution is being made upon any Deposited Securities or any meeting of holders of
Shares or other Deposited Securities is being held or whenever the Depositary shall find it
necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or
any other matter, the Depositary shall, after consultation with the Company, if practicable, fix a
record date for the determination of the Holders of Receipts evidencing the American Depositary
Shares representing such Deposited Securities who shall be entitled to receive such distribution or
the net proceeds of the sale thereof, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any
such meeting, to receive such notice or solicitation or to act in respect of such other matter.
Subject to this Deposit Agreement, only such Holders at the close of business on such record date
shall be entitled to receive any such distribution or proceeds, to give such voting instructions,
to receive such notice or solicitation or to act in respect of any such other matter.
Section 4.7 Voting of Deposited Securities
As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting or solicitation of consents or
proxies of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall mail to Holders a
notice containing (a) such information as is contained in such notice and in the solicitation
materials, if any,
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(b) a statement that each Holder at the close of business on a specified record date will be
entitled, subject to the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, to instruct the
Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities
represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Holders’ Receipts, and (c) a
statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given, including an express indication
that instructions may be given (or be deemed given in accordance with the last sentence of this
Section if no instruction is received) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person
designated by the Company. Upon the written request of a Holder on such record date, received on or
before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor
insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities to
vote or cause to be voted (or to grant a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company
to vote) the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such
Holder’s Receipts in accordance with any instructions set forth in such request. The Depositary
shall not itself exercise any voting discretion over any Deposited Securities. If no instructions
are received by the Depositary from any Holder with respect to any of the Deposited Securities
represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Holder’s Receipts on or before the
date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall deem such Holder to have
instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with
respect to such Deposited Securities and the Depositary shall give a discretionary proxy to a
person designated by the Company to vote such Deposited Securities, provided that no such
instruction shall be deemed given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to
any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to provide such
information promptly in writing) that (x) the Company does not wish such proxy given, (y)
substantial opposition exists or (z) materially affects the rights of holders of Shares.
Section 4.8 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities
Upon any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or any other reclassification
of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or
sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities that shall be
received by the Depositary in exchange for, or in conversion, replacement, or otherwise in respect
of, Deposited Securities shall be treated as Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, and
the Receipts shall thenceforth evidence American Depositary Shares representing the right to
receive the Deposited Securities including the securities so received to the extent additional
Receipts are not delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may
with the Company’s approval, and shall if the Company shall so request, subject to this Deposit
Agreement, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a dividend of Shares, or call
for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing
such newly received Deposited Securities.
Section 4.9 Withholding
In connection with any distribution to Holders, the Company will remit to the appropriate
governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld by the Company and
owing to such authority or agency by the Company; and the Depositary and the Custodian will remit
to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld
and owing to such authority or agency by the Depositary or the Custodian. The Depositary will
forward to the Company such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to
enable the
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Company to file necessary reports with governmental authorities or agencies, and either the Company
or the Depositary may file any such reports necessary to obtain benefits under any applicable tax
treaties for Holders. If the Depositary determines that any distribution in property other than
cash (including Shares or rights) on Deposited Securities is subject to any tax that the Depositary
or the Custodian is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such
property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to
pay such taxes, by public or private sale, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of
any such sale or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the Holders
entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution pursuant to Section 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4.
ARTICLE V
THE DEPOSITARY AND THE COMPANY
THE DEPOSITARY AND THE COMPANY
Section 5.1 Maintenance of Depositary’s Office and Register; Certain Agents of the Depositary;
Lists of Holders
(a) | Depositary’s Office The Depositary or its agent shall maintain at its transfer office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, facilities for the delivery and surrender of Shares, the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfer, combination and split-up of Receipts and the withdrawal of Deposited Securities all in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement. | ||
(b) | The Register The Depositary or its agent shall keep at its transfer office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, a register for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts that at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Holders and the Company; provided that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Holders in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts. The Depositary shall temporarily close the transfer books upon the reasonable written request of the Company. | ||
(c) | Receipt Registrars and Co-Transfer Agents If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more stock exchanges in the United States, the Depositary or its agent shall act as Receipt registrar or, upon the written request or with the written approval of the Company, appoint a Receipt registrar or one or more co-registrars to register Receipts and transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts and to countersign Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchange or exchanges and with the terms of any such appointment. Such Receipt registrar or co-registrars may be removed and a substitute or substitutes appointed by the Depositary upon the written request or with the written approval of the Company. The Depositary, upon the written request or with the written approval of the Company, may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. Such co-transfer agents may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary upon the written request or with the written approval of the Company. Each Receipt registrar, co-registrar or co-transfer agent appointed under this Section 5.1 (other than Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas) shall give notice in writing to the |
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Company and the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit Agreement. | |||
(d) | Lists of Holders At the expense of the Company, the Company shall have the right to inspect transfer and registration records of the Depositary or its agent, take copies thereof and require the Depositary or its agent, the Receipt registrar and any co-transfer agents or co-registrars to supply copies of such portions of such records as the Company may request. The Depositary or its agent shall furnish to the Company promptly upon the written request of the Company, a list as of a recent date of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares by all Holders as of a recent date within seven days of the date of such request. | ||
(e) | Depositary’s Agent The Depositary may perform its obligations under this Section 5.1 through any agent appointed by it, provided that the Depositary shall notify the Company of such appointment and shall remain responsible for the performance of such obligations as if no agent were appointed. |
Section 5.2 Prevention or Delay in Performance
Neither the Depositary, its agents nor the Company or its agents shall incur any liability if, by
reason of any present or future law, the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities, act
of God, war or other circumstances beyond its control, the Depositary, its agents or the Company
shall be prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty on account of,
or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it
is provided shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary, its agents or the Company or its
agents incur any liability to any Holder or other person by reason of any nonperformance or delay,
caused as aforesaid, in performance of any act or thing that by the terms of this Deposit Agreement
it is provided shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to
exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement.
Section 5.3 Obligations Limited
The Company assumes no obligation and shall be subject to no liability under this Deposit Agreement
or the Receipts to Holders or other persons, except to perform such obligations as are specifically
set forth and undertaken by it to perform in this Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or bad
faith. Each of the Depositary and its agents assumes no obligation and shall be subject to no
liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or other persons, except to
perform such obligations as are specifically set forth and undertaken by it to perform in this
Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or bad faith. Without limitation of the preceding
sentences, none of the Depositary, its agents or the Company shall be (a) under any obligation to
appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited
Securities or the Receipts that in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless
indemnity satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all expense and liability be furnished
as often as may be required, or (b) liable for any action or inaction by it in reliance upon the
advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit,
any Holder, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information.
The Depositary, its agents and the Company may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any
written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been
signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Depositary and its agents shall not be
responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote
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any of the Deposited Securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast or for the effect of
any such vote. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any
distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information
submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any
translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited
Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that
may result from the ownership of the American Depositary Shares, Shares or Deposited Securities,
for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of
this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company. None of
the Depositary, its agents or the Company shall be liable for any action or non action by it in
reliance upon the opinion, advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person
representing Shares for deposit, any Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be
competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for
any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or
omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or
resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such
potential liability arises the Depositary performed it obligations without gross negligence or bad
faith while it acted as Depositary. The Depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of
securities of the Company and its affiliates and in Receipts. No disclaimer of liability under the
Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
Section 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election to
do so delivered to the Company or be removed as Depositary by the Company by written notice of such
removal delivered to the Depositary, such resignation or removal to take effect upon the
appointment of and acceptance by a successor depositary as hereinafter provided. In case at any
time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best
efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and
deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment
hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become
fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor; but such
predecessor, nevertheless, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the
Company shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and
powers of such predecessor hereunder, and such predecessor shall thereupon duly assign, transfer
and deliver all right, title and interest in the Deposited Securities to such successor, and shall
deliver to such successor a list of the Holders. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail
notice of its appointment to the Holders. Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be
merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of
any document or any further act.
Section 5.5 The Custodian
The Depositary, upon the written request or with the written approval of the Company, may from time
to time appoint one or more agents to act for it as Custodian hereunder. Each Custodian so
appointed (other than Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas) shall give notice in writing to the
Company and the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable
terms hereof. Any Custodian in acting hereunder shall be subject at all times and in all respects
to the directions of
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the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. Any Custodian may resign from its duties
hereunder by notice of such resignation delivered to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the
date on which such resignation is to become effective. The Depositary may discharge any Custodian
at any time upon notice to the Custodian being discharged. Any Custodian ceasing to act hereunder
as Custodian shall deliver all Deposited Securities held by it to a Custodian continuing to act
upon the instruction of the Depositary. The Depositary shall give notice in writing to all Holders
of the name and location of the appointment of any Custodian not named in the Receipts. Upon the
appointment of any successor depositary hereunder, any Custodian then acting hereunder shall
forthwith become, without any further act or writing, the agent hereunder of such successor
depositary and the appointment of such successor depositary shall in no way impair the authority of
any Custodian hereunder; but the successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the
written request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may
be proper to give to the Custodian full and complete power and authority as agent hereunder of such
successor depositary.
Section 5.6 Notices and Reports to Holders
On or before the first date on which the Company gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any
meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such
holders, or of the taking of any action by such holders other than at a meeting, the Company shall
transmit to the Custodian a copy of the notice thereof in the form given or to be given to holders
of Shares or other Deposited Securities. The Depositary will, at the Company’s expense, arrange for
the prompt transmittal by the Custodian to the Depositary of such notices and of any reports and
other communications that are made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares or
other Deposited Securities and arrange for the mailing, at the Company’s expense, of copies thereof
to all Holders or, at the request of the Company, make such notices, reports and other
communications available to all Holders on a basis similar to that for holders of Shares or other
Deposited Securities, or on such other basis as the Company may advise the Depositary may be
required by any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange requirement. The Company has delivered
to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the provisions of or governing the Shares and any
other Deposited Securities issued by the Company or any affiliate of the Company, and promptly upon
any amendment thereto or change therein, the Company shall deliver to the Depositary and the
Custodian a copy of such provisions as so amended or changed. The Depositary may rely upon such
copy for all purposes of this Agreement. The Depositary will, at the expense of the Company, make
such copy and such notices, reports and other communications available for inspection by Holders at
the Depositary’s Office, at the office of the Custodian and at any other designated transfer
offices.
Section 5.7 Issuance of Additional Shares, etc.
Neither the Company nor any company controlling, controlled by or under common control with the
Company shall issue additional Shares, rights to subscribe for Shares, securities convertible into
or exchangeable for Shares, or rights to subscribe for any such securities or shall deposit any
Shares under this Deposit Agreement, except under circumstances complying in all respects with the
Securities Act of 1933. The Depositary will use reasonable efforts to comply with written
instructions of the Company not to accept for deposit hereunder any Shares identified in such
instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such
instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with securities laws in the United
States.
15
Section 5.8 Indemnification
The Company shall indemnify, defend and save harmless the Depositary, the Custodian, and each of
their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates, and any Receipt registrar,
co-transfer agent, co-registrar or any other agent of the Company or the Depositary appointed
hereunder (the “indemnified persons”) against any loss, liability, tax, costs, claims judgments,
proceedings, actions, demands and any charges or expense (including reasonable fees and expenses of
counsel, and in each case, value added tax and any similar tax charged or otherwise imposed in
respect thereof) that may arise (a) out of acts performed or omitted in connection with this
Deposit Agreement and the Receipts, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time
to time, (i) by such indemnified person, except to the extent such loss, liability or expense is
due to the negligence or bad faith of such indemnified person, or (ii) by the Company or any of its
agents (other than the indemnified persons), or (b) out of or in connection with any offer or sale
of Receipts, American Depositary Shares, Shares or other Deposited Securities or any registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933 in respect thereof, except to the extent such loss,
liability or expense arises out of information (or omissions from such information) relating to
such indemnified person, furnished in writing to the Company by such indemnified person expressly
for use in a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. Each indemnified person shall
indemnify, defend and save harmless the Company and its respective directors, officers, employees,
agents and affiliates against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Company in connection
with this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts due to the negligence or bad faith of such indemnified
person. The obligations set forth in this Section 5.8 shall survive the termination of this Deposit
Agreement and the succession or substitution of any indemnified person. Notwithstanding the above,
in no event shall the Depositary, the Custodian, the Company or any of their respective directors,
officers, employees, agents or affiliates be liable for any special, punitive or consequential
damages. Any indemnified person shall notify the Company of the commencement of any indemnifiable
action or claim promptly after such indemnified person becomes aware of such commencement (provided
that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such indemnified person’s rights to
indemnification except to the extent the Company is materially prejudiced by such failure) and
shall consult in good faith with the Company as to the conduct of the defense of such action or
claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder, which defense shall be reasonable under the
circumstances. No indemnified person shall compromise or settle any action or claim that may give
rise to an indemnity hereunder without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
Section 5.9 Charges of Depositary
The Company, the Holders and persons depositing Shares or surrendering American Depositary Shares
for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities shall be required to pay to the Depositary
the Depositary’s fees and related charges identified as payable by them respectively as provided
for under paragraph (8) of the Receipt; provided, however, that no fees shall be payable upon
distribution of cash dividends so long as the charging of such fee is prohibited by the exchange,
if any, upon which the American Depositary Shares are listed. All fees and charges so payable may,
at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and the Company,
but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders, only in the manner contemplated in Section
6.1. The Depositary shall provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone
upon request.
16
The Depositary and the Company may reach separate agreement in relation to the payment of any
additional remuneration to the Depositary in respect of any exceptional duties which the Depositary
finds necessary or desirable and agreed by both parties in writing in the performance of its
obligations hereunder and in respect of the actual costs and expenses of the Depositary in respect
of any notices required to be given to the Holders in accordance with Section 6.1 hereof and
paragraph (20) of the Receipt.
In connection with any payment by the Company to the Depositary:
(i) all fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses which are payable by the Company shall be
paid or be procured to be paid by the Company (and any such amounts which are paid by the
Depositary shall be reimbursed to the Depositary by the Company upon demand therefor); and
(ii) such payment shall be subject to all necessary Greek exchange control and other consents and
approvals having been obtained. The Company undertakes to use its reasonable endeavors to obtain
all necessary approvals that are required to be obtained by it in this connection;
The Company agrees to promptly pay to the Depositary such other expenses, fees and charges and to
reimburse the Depositary for such out-of-pocket expenses as the Depositary and the Company may
agree to from time to time. Responsibility for payment of such charges may at any time and from
time to time be changed by agreement between the Company and the Depositary. Unless otherwise
agreed, in the discretion of the Depositary, the Depositary shall present its statement for such
expenses and fees or charges to the Company upon receipt or payment of any relevant invoice by the
Depositary, once every three months.
All payments under this Section 5.9 shall be paid without set-off or counterclaim, and free and
clear of and without deduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future taxes,
levies, imports, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature, imposed by law,
rule, regulation, court, tribunal or by any department, agency or other political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof or therein, and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with
respect thereto.
The right of the Depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above
shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the
resignation or removal of such Depositary as described in Section 5.4 hereof, such right shall
extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation
or removal.
Section 5.10 Statutory Reports
The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Holders at the Depositary’s Office, at the
office of the Custodian and at any other designated transfer offices any reports and communications
received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian or the
nominee of either as the holder of Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the
holders of Deposited Securities by the Company. In addition, if the Depositary shall have received
notice to the effect that the Company has not furnished the Commission or any other securities
regulatory authority or stock exchange with any public report, document or information required by
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Depositary shall promptly furnish to the Commission or to
such securities regulatory authority or stock exchange a copy of any such public report, document
or other information that the Depositary, the Custodian or the nominee of either has received as
the holder of the Deposited Securities from the Company and that has not otherwise been furnished
to the Commission or such other securities regulatory authority or stock exchange. In connection
with any
17
registration statement relating to the Receipts or with any undertaking contained therein, the
Company and the Depositary shall each furnish to the other and to the Commission such information
as shall be required to make such filings or comply with such undertakings.
Section 5.11 Available Information to the Commission
The Company publishes and agrees to continue publishing the information in English required to
maintain the exemption from registration under Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 on its Internet Web site (xxxx://xxx.xxxxx.xx/xxxx/xxxxxxx.xxx?xxx0&xxx00) or through an
electronic information delivery system generally available to the public in its primary trading
market. Should the Company become subject to the periodic reporting or other informational
requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, it will be required in accordance therewith
to file reports and other information with the Commission. The Depositary does not assume any duty
to determine if the Company is complying with the current requirements of Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to take any action if the Company is not complying with those
requirements.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Section 6.1 Amendment
The Receipts and any provisions of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be
amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary without consent of the Holders in any
respect. Any amendment that shall impose or increase any fees or charges or that shall otherwise
prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders, shall not, however, become effective as to
outstanding Receipts until the expiration of 30 days after notice of such amendment shall have been
given to the Holders. Every Holder at the expiration of 30 days after such notice shall be deemed
by holding such Receipt to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit
Agreement or the Receipts as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of
the Holder of any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities
represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law.
Section 6.2 Termination
The Depositary shall at any time at the direction of the Company terminate this Deposit Agreement
by giving notice of such termination to the Holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in
such notice for such termination. The Depositary may terminate this Deposit Agreement, upon the
notice set forth in the preceding sentence of this Section 6.2, at any time after 90 days after the
Depositary shall have delivered to the Company its written resignation, provided that no successor
depositary shall have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 before
the end of such 90 days. After the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary and its agents
shall perform no further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except to advise Holders of such
termination, to receive and hold distributions on Deposited Securities (or sell property or rights
or convert Deposited Securities into cash as provided in this Deposit Agreement) and to deliver
Deposited Securities in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary. As soon as practicable
after the expiration of six months from the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary shall
sell the Deposited Securities and may thereafter (so long as it may lawfully do so) hold in a
segregated account the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it
hereunder, without liability for interest, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of
Receipts that have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall
be discharged from all obligations in respect of the Receipts and this Deposit
18
Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash. After the date so fixed for
termination, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement
except for its obligations to the Depositary and its agents under Sections 5.8 and 5.9.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1 Counterparts
This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed
an original and all of such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of
this Deposit Agreement shall be filed with the Depositary and the Custodian and shall be open to
inspection by any Holder during business hours.
Section 7.2 No Third Party Beneficiaries
This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the Company, the Depositary and, to the
extent contemplated hereby, the Holders, and their respective successors hereunder, and shall not
give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person.
Section 7.3 Severability
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts
should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected,
prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
Section 7.4 Holders Parties; Binding Effect
The Holders and owners of Receipts from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and
shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts by acceptance thereof.
Section 7.5 Notices
(a) | To the Company Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail, first class airmail postage prepaid, or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission in each case confirmed by letter, addressed to Alpha Bank A.E., 00, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX-000 00, Xxxxxx, Attention: Xx. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, or any other address which the Company may specify in writing to the Depositary. | ||
(b) | To the Depositary Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail, first class airmail postage prepaid, or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission in each case confirmed by letter, addressed to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, XXX, Attention: ADR Department, telephone (000) 000 000-0000, fax (000) 000 000 0000, which is the location of the Depositary’s Office on the date of this Deposit Agreement, or any other address which the Depositary may specify in writing to the Company. | ||
(c) | To the Holders Any and all notices to be given to any Holder shall be duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail, first class airmail postage prepaid, or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission in each case confirmed by letter, addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of |
19
the Depositary, or, if such Holder shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Holder be mailed to some other address, at the address designated in such request. | |||
(d) | General Notice given as aforesaid, (i) to the Company or the Depositary, shall be deemed to be effected when received, and (ii) to a Holder by mail or by cable, telex or facsimile transmission, shall be deemed to be effected at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex or facsimile transmission) is deposited, first class airmail postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box. The Depositary or the Company may act upon any cable, telex or facsimile transmission received by it from the other or from any Holder, notwithstanding that such cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed as aforesaid. |
Section 7.6 Governing Law; Jurisdiction
This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with, and all rights
hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by, the laws of the
State of New York without reference to the principles of choice of law thereof. Except as set forth
in the following paragraph of this Section 7.6, the Company and the Depositary agree that the
federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any
suit, action or proceeding and to settle any dispute between them that may arise out of or in
connection with this Deposit Agreement and, for such purposes, each irrevocably submits to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Company hereby irrevocably designates, appoints and
empowers Xxxxxxx & Associates (the “Process
Agent”) now at 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx of America, as its authorized agent to receive and accept for and on
its behalf, and on behalf of its properties, assets and revenues, service by mail of any and all
legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any suit, action or proceeding
brought against the Company in any federal or state court as described in the preceding sentence or
in the next paragraph of this Section 7.6. If for any reason the Process Agent shall cease to be
available to act as such, the Company agrees to designate a new agent in the City of New York on
the terms and for the purposes of this Section 7.6 reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary. The
Company further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the service of any and all legal process,
summons, notices and documents in any suit, action or proceeding against the Company, by service by
mail of a copy thereof upon the Process Agent (whether or not the appointment of such Process Agent
shall for any reason prove to be ineffective or such Process Agent shall fail to accept or
acknowledge such service), with a copy mailed to the Company by registered or certified air mail,
postage prepaid, to its address provided in Section 7.5 hereof. The Company agrees that the failure
of the Process Agent to give any notice of such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way
the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary and the Company unconditionally agree that in the
event that a Holder brings a suit, action or proceeding against (a) the Company, (b) the Depositary
in its capacity as Depositary under this Deposit Agreement or (c) against both the Company and the
Depositary, in any state or federal court of the United States, and the Depositary or the Company
have any claim, for indemnification or otherwise, against each other arising out of the subject
matter of such suit, action or proceeding, then the Company and the Depositary may pursue such
claim against each other in the state or federal court in the United States in which such suit,
action, or proceeding is
20
pending, and for such purposes, the Company and the Depositary irrevocably submit to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Company agrees that service of process upon the
Process Agent in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be effective service upon it
for any suit, action or proceeding brought against it as described in this paragraph.
The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any
objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any actions, suits or
proceedings brought in any court as provided in this Section 7.6, and hereby further irrevocably
and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action,
suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
Each party to this Deposit Agreement, (including, for the avoidance of doubt, each Holder) hereby
irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a
trial by jury in any legal proceeding directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to the
Shares or other Deposited Securities, the American Depositary Shares or the Receipts, this Deposit
Agreement or any transaction contemplated herein (whether based on contract, tort or any other
theory).
The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive any termination of this Deposit Agreement, in
whole or in part.
21
In witness whereof, ALPHA BANK A.E. and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS have duly executed
this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth and all holders of Receipts
shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of Receipts issued in accordance with the terms
hereof.
ALPHA BANK A.E. | ||||
By: |
||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer | ||||
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS | ||||
By: |
||||
Title: Vice President | ||||
By: |
||||
Title: Vice President |
22
CUSIP Number: 00000X000 | ||
ISIN: US02071M1018 | ||
American Depositary Shares (Each | ||
American Depositary Share | ||
representing one-fourth (1/4) of one | ||
(1) Fully Paid | ||
Common Share) |
EXHIBIT A
TO
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
TO
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
[FORM OF FACE OF RECEIPT]
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
evidencing
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
COMMON VOTING SHARES
of
ALPHA BANK A.E.
(Incorporated under the laws of Greece)
No.
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as depositary (the “Depositary”), hereby certifies that [
] is the owner of [ ] American Depositary Shares, representing deposited Common
Voting Shares, including rights to receive such Common Voting Shares (“Shares”), of ALPHA BANK
A.E., a corporation organized under the laws of Greece (the “Company”). At the date hereof, each
American Depositary Share represents one-fourth of one Share deposited under the Deposit Agreement
(hereinafter defined) at the Athens office of ALPHA BANK A.E. as Custodian (the “Custodian”).
Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them
in the Deposit Agreement.
1 | The Deposit Agreement This American Depositary Receipt is one of the receipts (the “Receipts”) executed and delivered pursuant to the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement dated as of June ___, 2009 (as amended from time to time, the “Deposit Agreement”) by and among the Company, the Depositary and all registered holders (“Holders”) from time to time of |
A-1
Receipts, each of whom by accepting a Receipt becomes a party thereto, bound by all applicable terms and provisions thereof and hereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights of Holders and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property and cash, collectively, the “Deposited Securities”). Copies of the Deposit Agreement and of the Company’s provisions of or governing Deposited Securities are on file at the Depositary’s Office, the office of the Custodian and at any other designated transfer office. The statements made on the face and the reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions thereof. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. | ||
2 | Withdrawal of Deposited Securities Upon surrender of this Receipt and payment of the fee of the Depositary provided for in paragraph (8) of this Receipt at the Depositary’s Office or at such other offices as it may designate, subject to the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, the Holder hereof is entitled to the delivery without unreasonable delay at the office of the Custodian to such Holder or upon such Holder’s order of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt. At the request, risk and expense of the Holder hereof, the Depositary may deliver such Deposited Securities at the Depositary’s Office or at such other place as may have been requested by the Holder. Delivery of Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery of certificates to the extent such Deposited Securities may be represented by certificates. Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall deliver Deposited Securities to any person except pursuant to this paragraph (2) or paragraphs (12), (15), (17), (19), (20) or (21). Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, the Depositary may restrict the withdrawal of Deposited Securities only for the reasons set forth in General Instruction I.A.(1) of Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933. | |
3 | Transfers, Split-ups and Combinations Subject to paragraph (4), this Receipt is transferable on the register maintained by the Depositary by the Holder hereof in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Receipt at any designated transfer office properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer and duly stamped as may be required by applicable law; provided that the Depositary may close the Receipt register at any time or from time to time when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties under the Deposit Agreement or at the request of the Company. This Receipt may be split into other Receipts or may be combined with other Receipts into one Receipt, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered. | |
4 | Certain Limitations Prior to the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, the Company or the Custodian may require: (a) payment of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge with respect thereto, (ii) any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable charges as provided in paragraph (8) of this Receipt; |
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(b) the production of proof satisfactory to it of the identity and genuineness of any signature and of such other information (including without limitation information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, or legal or beneficial ownership of any securities) as it may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may require; and (c) compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement. The delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares may be suspended, deposits of Shares may be refused, or the registration of transfer of Receipts, their split-up or combination or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2), the withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the Receipt register or any register for Shares or other Deposited Securities is closed or when any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company. The Depositary may issue Receipts against rights to receive Shares from the Company, or any registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity recording Share ownership or transactions. The Depositary will not issue Receipts against other rights to receive Shares unless (x) such Receipts are fully collateralized (marked to market daily) with cash or U.S. government securities until such Shares are deposited, (y) the applicant for such Receipts represents in writing that it owns such Shares and will deliver them upon the Depositary’s request (no evidence of ownership is required or time of delivery specified) and (z) all such Receipts represent not more than 20% of Shares actually deposited. Such collateral, but not the earnings thereon, will be held for the benefit of the Holders. The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation for the issuance of Receipts against such other rights to receive Shares, including without limitation earnings on the collateral securing such rights. The Depositary will execute and deliver Receipts only in accordance with Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement and paragraphs (3), (4), (12) and (15). The Depositary will not knowingly accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and not so registered; the Depositary may refuse to accept for such deposit any Shares identified by the Company in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with securities laws in the United States. | ||
5 | Liability of Holder for Taxes If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable by or on behalf of the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to this Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holder hereof, who shall pay the amount thereof to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect any registration of transfer of this Receipt or any split-up or combination hereof or any withdrawal of such Deposited Securities until such payment is made, and may withhold or deduct from any distributions on such Deposited Securities, or may sell for the account of the Holder hereof any part or all of such Deposited Securities (after attempting by reasonable means to notify the Holder hereof prior to such sale), and may apply such cash or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge, the Holder hereof remaining liable for any deficiency. | |
6 | Warranties by Depositor Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, nonassessable and free of pre-emptive rights, that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do and that such Shares are not “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts. |
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7 | Disclosure of Interests To the extent that provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities may require the disclosure of beneficial or other ownership of Deposited Securities, other Shares and other securities to the Company and may provide for blocking transfer and voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limit such ownership, the Depositary has agreed to use its reasonable efforts to comply with Company instructions as to Receipts in respect of any such enforcement or limitation and Holders and all persons taking and holding Receipts thereby agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and to cooperate with the Depositary in the Depositary’s compliance with such Company instructions. | |
8 | Charges of Depositary The Depositary shall charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that no fees shall be payable upon distribution of cash dividends so long as the charging of such fee is prohibited by the exchange, if any, upon which the American Depositary Shares are listed: | |
(i) to any person to whom American Depositary Shares are issued or to any person to whom a distribution is made in respect of American Depositary Share distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash), a fee not in excess of U.S.$5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or fraction thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement to be determined by the Depositary; | ||
(ii) to any person surrendering American Depositary Shares for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities including, inter alia, cash distributions made pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal, a fee not in excess of U.S.$5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or fraction thereof) so surrendered; | ||
(iii) to any Holder of American Depositary Shares, a fee not in excess of U.S.$2.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares held for the distribution of cash proceeds, including cash dividends or sale of rights and other entitlements, not made pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal; | ||
(iv) to any Holder of American Depositary Shares, a fee not in excess of U.S.$5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights; | ||
(v) to any Holder of American Depositary Shares, an annual fee not in excess of U.S.$2.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares for the operation and maintenance costs associated with the administration of such American Depositary Shares, provided, however, that if the Depositary imposes a fee under this clause (v), then the total of fees assessed under this clause (v), combined with the total of fees assessed under clause (iii) above, shall not exceed U.S.$2.00 per 100 ADS in any calendar year; and | ||
(vi) for the expenses incurred by the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective agents in connection with inspections of the relevant share register maintained by the local registrar and/or performing due diligence on the central securities depository for Greece: an annual fee of U.S.$1.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (such fee to be assessed against Holders of record as at the date or dates set by the Depositary as it sees fit and collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders for such fee or by deducting such fee from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions). |
A-4
In addition, Holders, persons depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering American Depositary Shares for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges: | ||
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges; | ||
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities with the foreign registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively; | ||
(iii) such cable, telex , facsimile and electronic transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing Shares or Holders of American Depositary Shares; | ||
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency; | ||
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, American Depositary Shares and American Depositary Receipts; | ||
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities, including any fees of a central depository for securities in the local market, where applicable; and | ||
(vii) any additional fees, charges, costs or expenses that may be reasonably incurred by the Depositary from time to time. | ||
Any other charges and expenses of the Depositary under this Deposit Agreement will be paid by the Company upon agreement between the Depositary and the Company. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders, only in the manner contemplated by paragraph (20) of this Receipt. |
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9 | Title to Receipts Title to this Receipt (and to the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced hereby), when properly endorsed or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer, is transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the register maintained by the Depositary as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to any distribution or notice and for all other purposes. | |
10 | Validity of Receipt This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary. | |
11 | Available Information The Company publishes and agrees to continue publishing the information in English required to maintain the exemption from registration under Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on its Internet Web site (xxxx://xxx.xxxxx.xx/xxxx/xxxxxxx.xxx?xxx0&xxx00) or through an electronic information delivery system generally available to the public in its primary trading market. Should the Company become subject to the periodic reporting or other informational requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, it will be required in accordance therewith to file reports and other information with the Commission. The Depositary does not assume any duty to determine if the Company is complying with the current requirements of Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to take any action if the Company is not complying with those requirements. |
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Dated:
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, | ||||
as Depositary | ||||
By: |
||||
Title: | ||||
By: |
||||
Title: |
The address of the Depositary’s Office is 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, XXX, Attention:
ADR Department.
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[FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
12 | Distributions Upon Deposited Securities Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution upon any Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, subject to the Deposit Agreement, distribute the amount thus received, by checks drawn on a bank in the United States, to the Holders on the record date set by the Depositary therefor of Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by each of them respectively; provided that the Depositary shall make appropriate adjustments in the amounts so distributed in respect of (a) any of the Deposited Securities being not entitled, by reason of its date of issuance or otherwise, to receive all or any portion of such distribution or (b) any amounts (i) required to be withheld by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary on account of taxes or (ii) charged by the Depositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars. Cash distributions and cash proceeds from sales of non-cash distributions in foreign currency will be converted by sale or such other manner as the Depositary may determine into U.S. dollars (net of the Depositary’s charges and expenses in effecting such conversion) before distribution to Holders. If in the judgment of the Depositary amounts received in foreign currency may not be converted on a reasonable basis into U.S. dollars transferable to the United States, or may not be so convertible for all of the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make such conversion and distribution in U.S. dollars to the extent reasonable and permissible to the Holders entitled thereto and may distribute the balance in foreign currency to the Holders entitled thereto or hold such balance or all such foreign currency for the Holders entitled thereto (without liability for interest thereon). If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may or shall if the Company shall so request, subject to the Deposit Agreement, distribute to the Holders on a record date set by the Depositary therefor of Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by each of them respectively, additional Receipts for an aggregate number of Depositary Shares representing the number of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in the case of any such distribution, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds to the Holders entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash. If additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent its proportionate interest in the additional Shares so distributed upon such Deposited Securities. If the Company shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any nature, the Depositary shall have discretion as to whether and how such rights are to be made available to the Holders; provided that the Depositary will, if requested by the Company, either (y) make such rights available to Holders by means of warrants or otherwise, if lawful and feasible, or (z) if making such rights available is not lawful or not feasible, or if such rights or warrants are not exercised and appear to be about to lapse, sell such rights or warrants at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as the Depositary may deem proper, and allocate the proceeds of such sales for |
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account of the Holders otherwise entitled thereto upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among such Holders because of exchange restrictions, or the date of delivery of any Receipt or Receipts, or otherwise, and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the Holders entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash. The Depositary will distribute to Holders on the record date set by it therefor any distribution on Deposited Securities other than cash, Shares or rights in any manner that the Depositary deems equitable and practicable; provided if in the opinion of the Depositary any distribution other than cash, Shares or rights upon any Deposited Securities cannot be made proportionately among the Holders entitled thereto, or if for any other reason the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may adopt such method as it may deem equitable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including the sale (at public or private sale) of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale will be distributed by the Depositary to the Holders entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash. The Depositary need not distribute securities, Receipts or rights unless the Company furnishes certain evidence or opinions in respect of United States securities laws (which the Company has no obligation to do). | ||
13 | Record Dates Whenever any distribution is being made upon any Deposited Securities or any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities is being held or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the Depositary will, after consultation with the Company, if practicable, fix a record date for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive such distribution or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, to receive such notice or solicitation or act in respect of such other matter, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement. | |
14 | Voting of Deposited Securities As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting or solicitation of consents or proxies of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall mail to Holders a notice containing (a) such information as is contained in such notice and in the solicitation materials, if any, (b) a statement that each Holder at the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Holders’ Receipts and (c) a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given, including an express indication that instructions may be given (or be deemed given in accordance with the last sentence of this paragraph if no instruction is received) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Upon the written request of a Holder on such record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor insofar as practicable and permitted under the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities to vote or cause to be voted (or to grant a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote) the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Holder’s Receipts in accordance with any instructions set forth in such request. The Depositary will not itself exercise any voting discretion over any Deposited Securities. If no instructions are received by the Depositary from any Holder with respect to any of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Holder’s |
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Receipts on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary will deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to such Deposited Securities and the Depositary will give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote such Deposited Securities, provided that no such instruction shall be deemed given and no such discretionary proxy shall be given with respect to any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to so inform promptly in writing) that (x) the Company does not wish such proxy given, (y) substantial opposition exists or (z) materially affects the rights of holders of Shares. | ||
15 | Changes Affecting Deposited Securities Upon any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, cancellation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities that shall be received by the Depositary in exchange for, or in conversion, replacement or otherwise in respect of, Deposited Securities shall be treated as Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement; and, the Depositary may with the Company’s approval, and shall if the Company shall so request, execute and deliver additional Receipts in respect of such securities as in the case of a dividend of Shares or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, reflecting such securities, and to the extent that such additional or new Receipts are not delivered this Receipt shall thenceforth evidence American Depositary Shares representing the right to receive the Deposited Securities including the securities so received. | |
16 | Reports; Inspection of Register The Depositary will make available for inspection by Holders at the Depositary’s Office, at the office of the Custodian and at any other designated transfer offices any reports and communications received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian or the nominee of either as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of Deposited Securities by the Company. The Depositary will also mail or make available to Holders copies of such reports when furnished by the Company as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary will keep, at its transfer office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, a register for the registration of Receipts and their transfer that at all reasonable times will be open for inspection by the Holders and the Company; provided that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Holders in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts. | |
17 | Withholding In connection with any distribution to Holders, the Company will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld by the Company and owing to such authority or agency by the Company; and the Depositary and the Custodian will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld by the Company and owing to such authority or agency by the Depositary or the Custodian. If the Depositary determines that any distribution in property other than cash (including Shares or rights) on Deposited Securities is subject to any tax that the Depositary or the Custodian is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes, by public or private sale, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the Holders entitled thereto. |
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18 | Liability of the Company and the Depositary Neither the Depositary, its agents nor the Company shall incur any liability if, by reason of any present or future law, the provisions of or governing any Deposited Security, act of God, war or other circumstance beyond its control, the Depositary, its agents or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or subjected to any civil or criminal penalty on account of, or delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall be done or performed. Each of the Company, the Depositary and its agents assumes no obligation and shall be subject to no liability under the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to Holders or other persons, except to perform such obligations as are specifically set forth and undertaken by it to perform in the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or bad faith. Neither the Depositary, its agents nor the Company will be (a) under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or this Receipt that in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability be furnished as often as may be required or (b) liable for any action or inaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary, its agents and the Company may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. The Depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, for the manner in which any such vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of the American Depositary Shares, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company. None of the Depositary, its agents or the Company shall be liable for any action or non action by it in reliance upon the opinion, advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person representing Shares for deposit, any Holder or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. The Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed it obligations without gross negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary. The Depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates and in Receipts. The Company has agreed to indemnify the Depositary, the Custodian, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates, and any Receipt registrar, co-transfer agent, co-registrar or other agent of the Depositary appointed under the Deposit Agreement (the “indemnified persons”) against any loss, liability, tax, costs, claims, judgments, |
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proceedings, actions, demands and any charges or expense (including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel, and in each case, value added tax and any similar tax charged or otherwise imposed in respect thereof) that may arise (a) out of acts performed or omitted in connection with the Deposit Agreement and the Receipts, (i) by any indemnified person, except to the extent that any such loss, liability or expense is due to the negligence or bad faith of such indemnified person, or (ii) by the Company or any of its agents, or (b) out of or in connection with any offer or sale of Receipts, American Depositary Shares, Shares or any other Deposited Securities or any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 in respect thereof, except to the extent such loss, liability or expense arises out of information (or omissions from such information) relating to such indemnified person, furnished in writing to the Company by such indemnified person expressly for use in a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933. Each indemnified person shall indemnify, defend and save harmless the Company against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Company in connection with the Deposit Agreement and the Receipts due to the negligence or bad faith of such indemnified person. Notwithstanding the above, in no event shall the Depositary, the Custodian, the Company or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents or affiliates be liable for any special, punitive or consequential damages. Any indemnified person shall notify the Company of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such indemnified person becomes aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such indemnified person’s rights to indemnification except to the extent the Company is materially prejudiced by such failure) and shall consult in good faith with the Company as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder, which defense shall be reasonable under the circumstances. No indemnified person shall compromise or settle any action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. | ||
19 | Resignation and Removal of Depositary; the Custodian The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company or be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal delivered to the Depositary, such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of and acceptance by a successor depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may, upon written request or written approval of the Company, at any time appoint substitute or additional Custodians and the term “Custodian” refers to each Custodian or all Custodians as the context requires. | |
20 | Amendment of Deposit Agreement and Receipts The Receipts and the Deposit Agreement may be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary. Any amendment that shall impose or increase any fees or charges or that shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of 30 days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Holders. Every Holder at the expiration of such 30 days shall be deemed by holding such Receipt to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement or the Receipt as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Holder hereof to surrender this Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented hereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. |
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00 | Xxxxxxxxxxx of Deposit Agreement The Depositary will at any time at the direction of the Company terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement, upon the notice set forth in the preceding sentence, at any time after 90 days after the Depositary shall have resigned, provided that no successor depositary shall within such 90 days have been appointed and accepted its appointment within such 90 days. After the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary will perform no further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except to advise Holders of such termination, receive and hold distributions on Deposited Securities (or sell property or rights or convert Deposited Securities into cash) and deliver Deposited Securities being withdrawn. As soon as practicable after the expiration of six months from the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary shall sell the Deposited Securities and shall thereafter (as long as it may lawfully do so) hold in a segregated account the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it under the Deposit Agreement, without liability for interest, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of Receipts not theretofore surrendered. | |
22 | Compliance with Greek Notification Requirements | |
Greek law provides that any individual or entity (including a Holder of American Depositary Shares), acting alone or in concert with others, that acquires or disposes of the voting rights of the Company, and as a result of such acquisition or disposal holds greater than or equal to one-twentieth, one-tenth, three-twentieths, one-fifth, one-fourth, one-third, one-half or two-thirds of the voting rights of the Company, or whose holdings fall below any such level, or in the case of a holder of more than 10% of the voting rights of the Company whose holding increases or decreases by 3% or more of the voting rights of the Company, must notify the Company and the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission (“HCMC”). The notification must be in writing, made within three trading days of exceeding or falling below any of the levels describe above and state the number of Shares held by the Holder, the number of other equity securities giving access to the voting rights of the Company and the percentage and total number of voting rights attached thereto. Any Holder who fails to comply with the notification requirements to the HCMC may be subject to administrative sanctions and fines by the competent Greek authorities. | ||
In addition, as the Company is a Greek credit institution, any individual or entity (including a Holder of American Depositary Shares) that intends to (i) acquire a direct or indirect interest greater than or equal to 5% of the issued share capital or the voting rights of the Company, (ii) acquire or dispose of the voting rights of the Company, and as a result of such acquisition or disposal would hold greater than or equal to one-twentieth, one-tenth, three-twentieths, one-fifth, one-fourth, one-third, one-half or two-thirds of the voting rights of the Company, or whose holdings fall below any such level, or (iii) acquire control or cease to have control over the Company, must submit a written notification to the Bank of Greece prior to any such acquisition or disposal. Such notification must contain the percentage of the share capital or voting rights of the Company proposed to be acquired and, in the case of a legal entity, the identity of the private individuals that directly or indirectly control the Holder. Upon receiving the notification, the Bank of Greece is required to approve or reject any such acquisition or disposal within three months. Failure to comply with the notification requirements to the Bank of Greece will result in the automatic suspension of the voting rights attached to the Shares exceeding the thresholds |
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mentioned above held by such Holder. In addition, any Holder who fails to comply with the notification requirements to the Bank of Greece may be subject to administrative sanctions and fines by the competent Greek authorities. Holders shall be responsible for consulting with their Greek counsel in order to ascertain and comply with any Greek notification requirements applicable to their respective holdings. |
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