EXHIBIT 2.2
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
THIS STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as
of June 26, 2001, by and between Park Meridian Financial Corporation, a North
Carolina corporation ("Issuer"), and Regions Financial Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Grantee").
WHEREAS, Grantee and Issuer have entered into that certain Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of June 26, 2001 (the "Merger Agreement"), providing
for, among other things, the merger of Issuer with and into Grantee, with
Grantee as the surviving entity; and
WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to Grantee's execution of the Merger
Agreement, Grantee has required that Issuer agree, and Issuer has agreed, to
grant Grantee the Option (as defined below);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger
Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Issuer and Grantee agree as
follows:
1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms which are used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement.
2. Grant of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an irrevocable option (the "Option") to purchase
up to 556,816 shares (as adjusted as set forth herein, the "Option Shares,"
which shall include the Option Shares before and after any transfer of such
Option Shares) of common stock, $.01 par value per share ("Issuer Common
Stock"), of Issuer at a purchase price per Option Share (subject to adjustment
as set forth herein, the "Purchase Price") equal to $13.50; provided, however,
that in no event shall the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock for which
this Option is exercisable exceed the lesser of (i) 19.9% of the Issuer's issued
and outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock without giving effect to any
shares subject to or issued pursuant to the Option and (ii) that minimum number
of shares of Issuer Common Stock which when aggregated with any other shares of
Issuer Common Stock beneficially owned by Grantee or any Affiliate thereof would
cause the provisions of any Takeover Laws of the NCBCA to be applicable to the
Merger.
3. Exercise of Option.
(a) Provided that (i) Grantee or Holder (as hereinafter defined), as
applicable, shall not be in material breach of its agreements or covenants
contained in this Agreement or the Merger Agreement, and (ii) no
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order against the delivery of
shares covered by the Option issued by any court of competent jurisdiction
in the United States shall be in effect, Holder may exercise the Option, in
whole or in part, at any time and from time to time following the
occurrence of a Purchase Event and prior to the termination of the Option.
The Option shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the
earliest to occur of (A) the Effective Time, (B) termination of the Merger
Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof prior to the occurrence of a
Purchase Event or a Preliminary Purchase Event (other than a termination of
the Merger Agreement by Grantee pursuant to (i) Section 10.1(b) thereof
(but only if such termination was a result of a willful breach by Issuer)
or (ii) Section 10.1(c) thereof (each a "Default Termination")), (C) 12
months after a Default Termination, and (D) 12 months after any termination
of the Merger Agreement following the occurrence of a Purchase Event or a
Preliminary Purchase Event. Any purchase of shares upon exercise of the
Option shall be subject to compliance with applicable law, including,
without limitation, the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the
"BHC Act"). The term "Holder" shall mean the holder or holders of the
Option from time to time, which initially is the Grantee. The rights set
forth in Section 8 shall terminate when the right to exercise the Option
terminates (other than as a result of a complete exercise of the Option) as
set forth herein.
(b) As used herein, a "Purchase Event" means any of the following
events subsequent to the date of this Agreement:
(i) without Grantee's prior written consent, Issuer shall have
authorized, recommended, publicly proposed or publicly announced an
intention to authorize, recommend or propose, or
entered into an agreement with any person (other than Grantee or any
Subsidiary of Grantee) to effect an Acquisition Transaction (as defined
below). As used herein, the term Acquisition Transaction shall mean (A)
a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving Issuer or any
of its Subsidiaries (other than transactions solely between Issuer's
Subsidiaries and transactions involving Issuer or any Subsidiary in
which the voting securities of Issuer outstanding immediately prior
thereto continue to represent (by either remaining outstanding or being
converted into securities of the surviving entity or the parent thereof)
at least 75% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of
the Issuer or the surviving entity or the parent thereof outstanding
immediately after the consummation of the transaction), (B) except as
permitted pursuant to Section 7.1 of the Merger Agreement, the
disposition, by sale, lease, exchange or otherwise, of Assets of Issuer
or any of its Subsidiaries representing in either case 20% or more of
the consolidated assets of Issuer and its Subsidiaries, or (C) the
issuance, sale or other disposition of (including by way of merger,
consolidation, share exchange or any similar transaction) securities
representing 20% or more of the voting power of Issuer or any of its
Subsidiaries (any of the foregoing, an "Acquisition Transaction"); or
(ii) any person (other than Grantee or any Subsidiary of Grantee)
shall have acquired beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in
Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), of or the right to acquire beneficial
ownership of, or any "group" (as such term is defined under the Exchange
Act), other than a group of which Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries is
a member, shall have been formed which beneficially owns or has the
right to acquire beneficial ownership of, 20% or more of the
then-outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock.
(c) As used herein, a "Preliminary Purchase Event" means any of the
following events:
(i) any person (other than Grantee or any Subsidiary of Grantee)
shall have commenced (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the
Exchange Act), or shall have filed a registration statement under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") with respect
to, a tender offer or exchange offer to purchase any shares of Issuer
Common Stock such that, upon consummation of such offer, such person
would own or control 15% or more of the then-outstanding shares of
Issuer Common Stock (such an offer being referred to herein as a "Tender
Offer" or an "Exchange Offer," respectively); or
(ii) the holders of Issuer Common Stock shall not have approved the
Merger Agreement at the meeting of such shareholders held for the
purpose of voting on the Merger Agreement, such meeting shall not have
been held or shall have been canceled prior to termination of the Merger
Agreement, or Issuer's Board of Directors shall have withdrawn or
modified in a manner adverse to Grantee the recommendation of Issuer's
Board of Directors with respect to the Merger Agreement, in each case
after it shall have been publicly announced that any person (other than
Grantee or any Subsidiary of Grantee) shall have (A) made a proposal to
engage in an Acquisition Transaction, (B) commenced a Tender Offer or
filed a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to
an Exchange Offer, or (C) filed an application (or given a notice),
whether in draft or final form, under any federal or state statute or
regulation (including a notice filed under the HSR Act and an
application or notice filed under the BHC Act, the Bank Merger Act, or
the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978) seeking the Consent to an
Acquisition Transaction from any federal or state governmental or
regulatory authority or agency.
As used in this Agreement, "person" shall have the meaning specified
in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
(d) In the event Holder wishes to exercise the Option, it shall send
to Issuer a written notice (the date of which being herein referred to as
the "Notice Date") specifying (i) the total number of Option Shares it
intends to purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a place and date not
earlier than three business days nor later than 30 business days from the
Notice Date for the closing (the "Closing") of such purchase (the "Closing
Date"). If prior Consent of any governmental or regulatory agency or
authority is required in connection with such purchase, Issuer shall
cooperate with Holder in the filing of the required notice or application
for such Consent and the obtaining of such Consent and the Closing shall
occur immediately following receipt of such Consents (and expiration of any
mandatory waiting periods).
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, in no event shall:
(i) Holder's (taking into account all other Holders) Total Profit
(as defined below) exceed $2.0 million and, if it otherwise would exceed
such amount, Holder, at its sole election, shall either (A) reduce the
number of shares of Issuer Common Stock subject to the Option, (B)
deliver to Issuer for cancellation without consideration Option Shares
previously purchased by Holder, (C) pay cash to Issuer, or (D) any
combination of the foregoing, so that Holder's actually realized Total
Profit (together with the Total Profit realized by all other Holders)
shall not exceed $2.0 million after taking into account the foregoing
actions; and
(ii) the Option be exercised for a number of shares of Issuer
Common Stock as would, as of the date of exercise, result in Holder's
(taking into account all other Holders) Notional Total Profit (as
defined below) of more than $2.0 million; provided, that nothing in this
clause (ii) shall restrict any exercise of the Option permitted hereby
on any subsequent date.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Total Profit" shall mean the
aggregate sum (prior to the payment of taxes) of the following: (i) the
amount received by Holder pursuant to Issuer's repurchase of the Option (or
any portion thereof) pursuant to Section 8; (ii)(x) the amount received by
Holder pursuant to Issuer's repurchase of Option Shares pursuant to Section
8, less (y) Holder's purchase price for such Option Shares; (iii)(x) the
net cash amounts received by Holder pursuant to the sale of Option Shares
(or any other securities into which such Option Shares shall be converted
or exchanged) to any unaffiliated person, less (y) Holder's purchase price
of such Option Shares; and (iv) any amounts received by Grantee on the
transfer of the Option (or any portion thereof) to any unaffiliated person.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Notional Total Profit" with
respect to any number of shares of Issuer Common Stock as to which Holder
may propose to exercise the Option shall be the Total Profit determined as
of the date of such proposed exercise, assuming that the Option were
exercised on such date for such number of shares and assuming that such
shares, together with all other Option Shares held by Holder and its
affiliates as of such date, were sold for cash at the closing sale price
per share of Issuer Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq National Market
(or, if Issuer Common Stock is not then quoted on the Nasdaq National
Market, the highest bid price per share as quoted on the principal trading
market or securities exchange on which such shares are traded as reported
by a recognized source chosen by Holder) as of the close of business on the
preceding trading day (less customary brokerage commissions).
The provisions of this Section 3(e) shall apply to any Substitute
Option (as defined below).
4. Payment and Delivery of Certificates.
(a) On each Closing Date, Holder shall (i) pay to Issuer, in
immediately available funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated
by Issuer, an amount equal to the Purchase Price multiplied by the number
of Option Shares to be purchased on such Closing Date, and (ii) present and
surrender this Agreement to the Issuer at the address of the Issuer
specified in Section 13(f) hereof.
(b) At each Closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds and surrender of this Agreement as provided in Section
4(a), (i) Issuer shall deliver to Holder (A) a certificate or certificates
representing the Option Shares to be purchased at such Closing, which
Option Shares shall be free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and
encumbrances of any kind whatsoever and subject to no pre-emptive rights,
and (B) if the Option is exercised in part only, an executed new agreement
with the same terms as this Agreement evidencing the right to purchase the
balance of the shares of Issuer Common Stock purchasable hereunder, and
(ii) Holder shall deliver to Issuer a letter agreeing that
Holder shall not offer to sell or otherwise dispose of such Option Shares
in violation of applicable federal and state law or of the provisions of
this Agreement.
(c) In addition to any other legend that is required by applicable
law, certificates for the Option Shares delivered at each Closing shall be
endorsed with a restrictive legend which shall read substantially as
follows:
THE TRANSFER OF THE STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS
SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ARISING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED, AND PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF A STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT DATED AS
OF JUNE 26, 2001. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE
HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE UPON RECEIPT BY THE ISSUER OF A WRITTEN
REQUEST THEREFOR.
It is understood and agreed that: (i) the references in the above
legend to resale restrictions of the Securities Act shall be removed by
delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference if Holder
shall have delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff of the
SEC, or an opinion of counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to Issuer and its counsel, to the effect that such legend is not required
for purposes of the Securities Act; (ii) the references in the above legend
to the provisions of this Agreement shall be removed by delivery of
substitute certificate(s) without such reference if the shares have been
sold or transferred in compliance with the provisions of this Agreement and
under circumstances that do not require the retention of such reference;
and (iii) the legend shall be removed in its entirety if the conditions in
the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied.
5. Representations and Warranties of Issuer. Issuer hereby represents and
warrants to Grantee as follows:
(a) Issuer has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and, subject to any approvals referred to herein, to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the
part of Issuer. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
Issuer.
(b) Issuer has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize and
reserve and to permit it to issue, and, at all times from the date hereof
until the obligation to deliver Issuer Common Stock upon the exercise of
the Option terminates, will have reserved for issuance, upon exercise of
the Option, the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock necessary for
Holder to exercise the Option, and Issuer will take all necessary corporate
action to authorize and reserve for issuance all additional shares of
Issuer Common Stock or other securities which may be issued pursuant to
Section 7 upon exercise of the Option. The shares of Issuer Common Stock to
be issued upon due exercise of the Option, including all additional shares
of Issuer Common Stock or other securities which may be issuable pursuant
to Section 7, upon issuance pursuant hereto, shall be duly and validly
issued, fully paid, and nonassessable, and shall be delivered free and
clear of all liens, claims, charges, and encumbrances of any kind or nature
whatsoever, including any preemptive rights of any shareholder of Issuer.
6. Representations and Warranties of Grantee. Grantee hereby represents
and warrants to Issuer that:
(a) Grantee has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and, subject to any approvals or consents referred to
herein, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
action on the part of Grantee. This Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by Grantee.
(b) This Option is not being, and any Option Shares or other
securities acquired by Grantee upon exercise of the Option will not be,
acquired with a view to the public distribution thereof and will not be
transferred or otherwise disposed of except in a transaction registered or
exempt from registration under the Securities Laws.
7. Adjustment upon Changes in Capitalization, etc.
(a) In the event of any change in Issuer Common Stock by reason of a
stock dividend, stock split, split-up, recapitalization, combination,
exchange of shares or similar transaction, the type and number of shares or
securities subject to the Option, and the Purchase Price therefor, shall be
adjusted appropriately, and proper provision shall be made in the
agreements governing such transaction, if any, so that Holder shall
receive, upon exercise of the Option, the number and class of shares or
other securities or property that Holder would have received in respect of
Issuer Common Stock if the Option had been exercised immediately prior to
such event, or the record date therefor, as applicable. If any additional
shares of Issuer Common Stock are issued after the date of this Agreement
(other than pursuant to an event described in the first sentence of this
Section 7(a) or pursuant to this Option), the number of shares of Issuer
Common Stock subject to the Option shall be adjusted so that, after such
issuance, it, together with any shares of Issuer Common Stock previously
issued pursuant hereto, shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 19.9% of the
number of shares of Issuer Common Stock then issued and outstanding,
without giving effect to any shares subject to or issued pursuant to the
Option and (ii) that minimum number of shares of Issuer Common Stock which
when aggregated with any other shares of Issuer Common Stock beneficially
owned by Grantee or any Affiliate thereof would cause the provisions of any
Takeover Laws of the NCBCA to be applicable to the Merger.
(b) In the event that Issuer shall enter in an agreement: (i) to
consolidate with or merge into any person, other than Grantee or one of its
Subsidiaries, and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of
such consolidation or merger; (ii) to permit any person, other than Grantee
or one of its Subsidiaries, to merge into Issuer and Issuer shall be the
continuing or surviving corporation, but, in connection with such merger,
the then outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock shall be changed into or
exchanged for stock or other securities of Issuer or any other person or
cash or any other property or the outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock
immediately prior to such merger shall after such merger represent less
than 50% of the outstanding shares and share equivalents of the merged
company; or (iii) to sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of
its Assets to any person, other than Grantee or one of its Subsidiaries,
then, and in each such case, the agreement governing such transaction shall
make proper provisions so that the Option shall, upon the consummation of
any such transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, be
converted into, or exchanged for, an option (the "Substitute Option"), at
the election of Grantee, of either (x) the Acquiring Corporation (as
defined below) or (y) any person that controls the Acquiring Corporation
(in each case, such person being referred to as the "Substitute Option
Issuer").
(c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option,
provided that, if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal
reasons, be the same as the Option, such terms shall be as similar as
possible and in no event less advantageous to Grantee. The Substitute
Option Issuer shall also enter into an agreement with the then-holder or
holders of the Substitute Option in substantially the same form as this
Agreement, which shall be applicable to the Substitute Option.
(d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of
shares of the Substitute Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) as is equal
to the Assigned Value (as hereinafter defined) multiplied by the number of
shares of the Issuer Common Stock for which the Option was theretofore
exercisable, divided by the Average Price (as hereinafter defined). The
exercise price of the Substitute Option per share of the Substitute Common
Stock (the "Substitute Purchase Price") shall then be equal to the Purchase
Price multiplied by a fraction in which the numerator is the number of
shares of the Issuer Common Stock for which the Option was theretofore
exercisable and the denominator is the number of shares for which the
Substitute Option is exercisable.
(e) The following terms have the meanings indicated:
(i) "Acquiring Corporation" shall mean (x) the continuing or
surviving corporation of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other
than Issuer), (y) Issuer in a merger in which Issuer is the continuing
or surviving person, and (z) the transferee of all or any substantial
part of the Issuer's assets (or the assets of its Subsidiaries).
(ii) "Substitute Common Stock" shall mean the common stock issued
by the Substitute Option Issuer upon exercise of the Substitute Option.
(iii) "Assigned Value" shall mean the highest of (x) the price per
share of the Issuer Common Stock at which a Tender Offer or Exchange
Offer therefor has been made by any person (other than Grantee), (y) the
price per share of the Issuer Common Stock to be paid by any person
(other than the Grantee) pursuant to an agreement with Issuer, and (z)
the highest last sale price per share of Issuer Common Stock quoted on
the Nasdaq NMS (or if Issuer Common Stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq
NMS, the highest bid price per share on any day as quoted on the
principal trading market or securities exchange on which such shares are
traded as reported by a recognized source chosen by Grantee) within the
six-month period immediately preceding the agreement; provided, that in
the event of a sale of less than all of Issuer's assets, the Assigned
Value shall be the sum of the price paid in such sale for such assets
and the current market value of the remaining assets of Issuer as
determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected
by Grantee (or by a majority in interest of the Grantees if there shall
be more than one Grantee (a "Grantee Majority")) and reasonably
acceptable to Issuer, divided by the number of shares of the Issuer
Common Stock outstanding at the time of such sale. In the event that an
exchange offer is made for the Issuer Common Stock or an agreement is
entered into for a merger or consolidation involving consideration other
than cash, the value of the securities or other property issuable or
deliverable in exchange for the Issuer Common Stock shall be determined
by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by Grantee
and reasonably acceptable to Issuer (or if applicable, Acquiring
Corporation). (If there shall be more than one Grantee, any such
selection shall be made by a Grantee Majority.)
(iv) "Average Price" shall mean the average closing price of a
share of the Substitute Common Stock for the one year immediately
preceding the consolidation, merger or sale in question, but in no event
higher than the last sale price of the shares of the Substitute Common
Stock on the day preceding such consolidation, merger or sale; provided
that if Issuer is the issuer of the Substitute Option, the Average Price
shall be computed with respect to a share of common stock issued by
Issuer, the person merging into Issuer or by any company which controls
or is controlled by such merger person, as Grantee may elect.
(f) In no event pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs shall the
Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the aggregate of
the shares of the Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of
the Substitute Option. In the event that the Substitute Option would be
exercisable for more than 19.9% of the aggregate of the shares of
Substitute Common Stock but for this clause (f), the Substitute Option
Issuer shall make a cash payment to Grantee equal to the excess of (i) the
value of the Substitute Option without giving effect to the limitation in
this clause (f) over (ii) the value of the Substitute Option after giving
effect to the limitation in this clause (f). This difference in value shall
be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected
by Grantee (or a Grantee Majority) and reasonably acceptable to the
Acquiring Corporation.
(g) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in
subsection (b) of this Section 7 unless the Acquiring Corporation and any
person that controls the Acquiring Corporation assume in writing all the
obligations of Issuer hereunder and take all other actions that may be
necessary so that the provisions of this Section 7 are given full force and
effect (including, without limitation, any action that may be necessary so
that the shares of Substitute Common Stock are in no way distinguishable
from or have lesser economic value than other shares of common stock issued
by the Substitute Option Issuer).
(h) The provisions of Sections 8, 9, 10, and 11 shall apply, with
appropriate adjustments, to any securities for which the Option becomes
exercisable pursuant to this Section 7 and, as applicable, references in
such sections to "Issuer," "Option," "Purchase Price" and "Issuer Common
Stock" shall be deemed to be references to "Substitute Option Issuer,"
"Substitute Option," "Substitute Purchase Price" and "Substitute Common
Stock," respectively.
(i) The fees and expenses of any nationally recognized investment
banking firm retained by Grantee pursuant to Section 7(e)(iii) or Section
7(f) shall be paid by Grantee.
8. Repurchase at the Option of Holder.
(a) Subject to Section 3(e) and to the last sentence of Section 3(a),
at the request of Holder at any time commencing upon the first occurrence
of a Repurchase Event (as defined in Section 8(d)) and ending 18 months
immediately thereafter, Issuer shall repurchase from Holder the Option and
all shares of Issuer Common Stock purchased by Holder pursuant hereto with
respect to which Holder then has beneficial ownership. The date on which
Holder exercises its rights under this Section 8 is referred to as the
"Request Date." Such repurchase shall be at an aggregate price (the
"Section 8 Repurchase Consideration") equal to the sum of:
(i) the aggregate Purchase Price paid by Holder for any shares of
Issuer Common Stock acquired by Holder pursuant to the Option with
respect to which Holder then has beneficial ownership;
(ii) the excess, if any, of (x) the Applicable Price (as defined
below) for each share of Issuer Common Stock over (y) the Purchase Price
(subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7), multiplied by the number
of shares of Issuer Common Stock with respect to which the Option has
not been exercised; and
(iii) the excess, if any, of the Applicable Price over the Purchase
Price (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7) paid (or, in the
case of Option Shares with respect to which the Option has been
exercised but the Closing Date has not occurred, payable) by Holder for
each share of Issuer Common Stock with respect to which the Option has
been exercised and with respect to which Holder then has beneficial
ownership, multiplied by the number of such shares.
(b) If Holder exercises its rights under this Section 8, Issuer shall,
within ten business days after the Request Date, pay the Section 8
Repurchase Consideration to Holder in immediately available funds, and
contemporaneously with such payment Holder shall surrender to Issuer the
Option and the certificates evidencing the shares of Issuer Common Stock
purchased thereunder with respect to which Holder then has beneficial
ownership, and Holder shall warrant that it has sole record and beneficial
ownership of such shares and that the same are then free and clear of all
liens, claims, charges and encumbrances of any kind whatsoever.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that prior notification to or
Consent of any governmental or regulatory agency or authority is required
in connection with the payment of all or any portion of the Section 8
Repurchase Consideration, Holder shall have the ongoing option to revoke
its request for repurchase pursuant to Section 8, in whole or in part, or
to require that Issuer deliver from time to time that portion of the
Section 8 Repurchase Consideration that it is not then so prohibited from
paying and promptly file the required notice or application for Consent and
expeditiously process the same (and each party shall cooperate with the
other in the filing of any such notice or application and the obtaining of
any such Consent). If any governmental or regulatory agency or authority
disapproves of any part of Issuer's proposed repurchase pursuant to this
Section 8, Issuer shall promptly give notice of such fact to Holder. If any
governmental or regulatory agency or authority prohibits the repurchase in
part but not in whole, then Holder shall have the right (i) to revoke the
repurchase request or (ii) to the extent permitted by such agency or
authority, determine whether the repurchase should apply to the Option
and/or Option Shares and to what extent to each, and Holder shall thereupon
have the right to exercise the Option as to the number of Option Shares for
which the Option was exercisable at the Request Date less the sum of the
number of shares covered by the Option in respect of which payment has been
made pursuant to Section 8(a)(ii) and the number of shares covered by the
portion of the Option (if any) that has been repurchased. Holder shall
notify Issuer of its determination under the preceding sentence within five
business days of receipt of notice of disapproval of the repurchase.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all of Holder's
rights under this Section 8 shall terminate on the date of termination of
this Option pursuant to Section 3(a).
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the "Applicable Price" means the
highest of (i) the highest price per share of Issuer Common Stock paid for
any such share by the person or groups described in Section 8(d)(i), (ii)
the price per share of Issuer Common Stock received by holders of Issuer
Common Stock in connection with any merger or other business combination
transaction described in Section 7(b)(i), 7(b)(ii) or 7(b)(iii), or (iii)
the highest last sale price per share of Issuer Common Stock quoted on the
Nasdaq NMS (or if Issuer Common Stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq NMS, the
highest bid price per share as quoted on the principal trading market or
securities exchange on which such shares are traded as reported by a
recognized source chosen by Holder) during the 60 business days preceding
the Request Date; provided, however, that in the event of a sale of less
than all of Issuer's Assets, the Applicable Price shall be the sum of the
price paid in such sale for such assets and the current market value of the
remaining assets of Issuer as determined by an independent nationally
recognized investment banking firm selected by Holder (and the fees and
expenses of which shall be paid by Holder) and reasonably acceptable to
Issuer (which determination shall be conclusive for all purposes of this
Agreement), divided by the number of shares of the Issuer Common Stock
outstanding at the time of such sale. If the consideration to be offered,
paid or received pursuant to either of the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii)
shall be other than in cash, the value of such consideration shall be
determined in good faith by an independent nationally recognized investment
banking firm selected by Holder and reasonably acceptable to Issuer, which
determination shall be conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) As used herein, a "Repurchase Event" shall occur if (i) any person
(other than Grantee or any subsidiary of Grantee shall have acquired
beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated
under the Exchange Act), or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, or
any "group" (as such term is defined under the Exchange Act) shall have
been formed which beneficially owns or has the right to acquire beneficial
ownership of 50% or more of the then-outstanding shares of Issuer Common
Stock, or (ii) any of the transactions described in Section 7(b)(i),
7(b)(ii), or 7(b)(iii) shall be consummated.
9. Registration Rights.
(a) Issuer shall, subject to the conditions of subparagraph (c) below,
if requested by any Holder, including Grantee and any permitted transferee
("Selling Holder"), as expeditiously as possible prepare and file a
registration statement under the Securities Laws if necessary in order to
permit the sale or other disposition of any or all shares of Issuer Common
Stock or other securities that have been acquired by or are issuable to
Selling Holder upon exercise of the Option in accordance with the intended
method of sale or other disposition stated by Holder in such request (it
being understood and agreed that any such sale or other disposition shall
be effected on a widely distributed basis so that, upon consummation
thereof, no purchaser or transferee shall beneficially own more than 5% of
the shares of Issuer Common Stock then outstanding), including, without
limitation, a "shelf" registration statement under Rule 415 under the
Securities Act or any successor provision, and Issuer shall use its best
efforts to qualify such shares or other securities for sale under any
applicable state securities laws. Each such Holder shall provide all
information reasonably requested by Issuer for inclusion in any
registration statement to be filed hereunder.
(b) If Issuer at any time after the exercise of the Option, but prior
to the termination of the Option, proposes to register any shares of Issuer
Common Stock under the Securities Laws in connection with an underwritten
public offering of such Issuer Common Stock, Issuer will promptly give
written notice to Holder of its intention to do so and, upon the written
request of Holder given within 30 days after receipt of any such notice
(which request shall specify the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock
intended to be included in such underwritten public offering by Selling
Holder), Issuer will use all reasonable efforts to cause all such shares,
the holders of which shall have requested participation in such
registration, to be so registered and included in such underwritten public
offering; provided, that Issuer may elect to not cause any such shares to
be so registered (i) if the underwriters in good faith determine that the
inclusion of such shares would interfere with the successful marketing of
the shares of Issuer Common Stock for the account of Issuer, or (ii) in the
case of a registration solely to implement a dividend reinvestment or
similar plan, an employee benefit plan or a registration filed on Form S-4
or any
successor form, or a registration filed on a form which does not permit
registrations of resales; provided, further, that such election pursuant to
clause (i) may only be made once. If some but not all the shares of Issuer
Common Stock, with respect to which Issuer shall have received requests for
registration pursuant to this subparagraph (b), shall be excluded from such
registration, Issuer shall make appropriate allocation of shares to be
registered among Selling Holders and any other person (other than Issuer or
any person exercising demand registration rights in connection with such
registration) who or which is permitted to register their shares of Issuer
Common Stock in connection with such registration pro rata in the
proportion that the number of shares requested to be registered by each
Selling Holder bears to the total number of shares requested to be
registered by all persons then desiring to have Issuer Common Stock
registered for sale (other than Issuer or any person exercising demand
registration rights in connection with such registration).
(c) Issuer shall use all reasonable efforts to cause the registration
statement referred to in subparagraph (a) above to become effective and to
obtain all consents or waivers of other parties which are required therefor
and to keep such registration statement effective, provided, that Issuer
may delay any registration of Option Shares required pursuant to
subparagraph (a) above for a period not exceeding 90 days, provided Issuer
shall in good faith determine that any such registration would adversely
affect an offering or contemplated offering of other securities by Issuer.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Issuer shall not
be required to register Option Shares under the Securities Laws pursuant to
subparagraph (a) above:
(i) prior to the occurrence of a Purchase Event;
(ii) more than twice;
(iii) within 90 days after the effective date of a registration
referred to in subparagraph (b) above pursuant to which the Selling
Holders concerned were afforded the opportunity to register such shares
under the Securities Laws and such shares were registered as requested;
and
(iv) unless a request therefor is made to Issuer by Selling Holders
holding at least 15% or more of the aggregate number of Option Shares
then outstanding or the right to acquire at least 15% of the Option
Shares.
In addition to the foregoing, Issuer shall not be required to maintain
the effectiveness of any registration statement after the expiration of 120
days from the effective date of such registration statement. Issuer shall
use all reasonable efforts to make any filings, and take all steps, under
all applicable state securities laws to the extent necessary to permit the
sale or other disposition of the Option Shares so registered in accordance
with the intended method of distribution for such shares, provided, that
Issuer shall not be required to consent to general jurisdiction or qualify
to do business in any state where it is not otherwise required to so
consent to such jurisdiction or to so qualify to do business.
(d) Except where applicable state law prohibits such payments, Issuer
will pay all expenses (including without limitation registration fees,
qualification fees, blue sky fees and expenses (including the fees and
expenses of Issuer's counsel), accounting expenses, printing expenses,
expenses of underwriters, excluding discounts and commissions but including
liability insurance if Issuer so desires or the underwriters so require,
and the reasonable fees and expenses of any necessary special experts) in
connection with each registration pursuant to subparagraph (a) or (b) above
(including the related offerings and sales by Selling Holders) and all
other qualifications, notifications or exemptions pursuant to subparagraph
(a) or (b) above. Underwriting discounts and commissions relating to Option
Shares and any other expenses incurred by such Selling Holders in
connection with any such registration (including expenses of Selling
Holders' counsel) shall be borne by such Selling Holders.
(e) In connection with any registration under subparagraph (a) or (b)
above Issuer hereby agrees to indemnify the Selling Holders, and each
underwriter thereof, including each person, if any, who controls such
holder or underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities
Act, against all expenses, losses, claims, damages and liabilities caused
by any untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any registration statement or prospectus (including any
amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused
by any omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as
such expenses, losses, claims, damages or liabilities of such indemnified
party are caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or any
omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with,
information furnished in writing to Issuer by such indemnified party
expressly for use therein, and Issuer and each officer, director and
controlling person of Issuer shall be indemnified by such Selling Holder,
or by such underwriter, as the case may be, for all such expenses, losses,
claims, damages and liabilities caused by any untrue, or alleged untrue,
statement or omission made in reliance upon, and in conformity with,
information furnished in writing to Issuer by such holder or such
underwriter, as the case may be, expressly for such use.
Promptly upon receipt by a party indemnified under this subparagraph
(e) of notice of the commencement of any action against such indemnified
party in respect of which indemnity or reimbursement may be sought against
any indemnifying party under this subparagraph (e), such indemnified party
shall notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of such
action, but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party shall not
relieve it of any liability which it may otherwise have to any indemnified
party under this subparagraph (e), except to the extent such failure to
notify materially prejudices the indemnifying party. In case notice of
commencement of any such action shall be given to the indemnifying party as
above provided, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in
and, to the extent it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly notified, to assume the defense of such action at its own
expense, with counsel chosen by it and reasonably satisfactory to such
indemnified party. The indemnified party shall have the right to employ
separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof,
but the fees and expenses of such counsel (other than reasonable costs of
investigation) shall be paid by the indemnified party unless (i) the
indemnifying party either agrees to pay the same, (ii) the indemnifying
party falls to assume the defense of such action with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party, or (iii) the indemnified party has
been advised by counsel that one or more legal defenses may be available to
the indemnifying party that may be contrary to the interest of the
indemnified party, in which case the indemnifying party shall be entitled
to assume the defense of such action notwithstanding its obligation to bear
fees and expenses of such counsel; provided, however, that the indemnifying
party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one firm of counsel
for all indemnified parties in any jurisdiction. No indemnifying party
shall be liable for any settlement entered into without its consent, which
consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
If the indemnification provided for in this subparagraph (e) is
unavailable to a party otherwise entitled to be indemnified in respect of
any expenses, losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein,
then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such party otherwise
entitled to be indemnified, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable
by such party to be indemnified as a result of such expenses, losses,
claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative benefits received by Issuer, all Selling Holders and
the underwriters from the offering of the securities and also the relative
fault of Issuer, all Selling Holders and the underwriters in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such expenses, losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the
expenses, losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to above shall
be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably
incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any
action or claim; provided, that in no case shall any Selling Holder be
responsible, in the aggregate, for any amount in excess of the net offering
proceeds attributable to its Option Shares included in the offering. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Any
obligation by any Holder to indemnify shall be several and not joint with
other Holders.
In connection with any registration pursuant to subparagraph (a) or
(b) above, Issuer and each Selling Holder (other than Grantee) shall enter
into an agreement containing the indemnification provisions of this
subparagraph (e).
(f) Issuer shall use its best efforts to comply with all reporting
requirements and will do all such other things as may be necessary to
permit the expeditious sale at any time of any Option Shares by Holder in
accordance with and to the extent permitted by any rule or regulation
promulgated by the SEC from time to time, including, without limitation,
Rules 144 and 144A.
(g) Issuer will pay all stamp taxes in connection with the issuance
and the sale of the Option Shares and in connection with the exercise of
the Option, and will save Holder harmless, without limitation as to time,
against any and all liabilities, with respect to all such taxes.
10. Quotation; Listing. If Issuer Common Stock or any other securities to
be acquired upon exercise of the Option are then authorized for quotation or
trading or listing on the Nasdaq NMS or any other securities exchange or any
automated quotations system maintained by a self-regulatory organization,
Issuer, upon the request of Holder, will promptly file an application, if
required, to authorize for quotation or trading or listing the shares of Issuer
Common Stock or other securities to be acquired upon exercise of the Option on
the Nasdaq NMS or any other securities exchange or any automated quotations
system maintained by a self-regulatory organization and will use its best
efforts to obtain approval, if required, of such quotation or listing as soon as
practicable.
11. Division of Option. This Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) are
exchangeable, without expense, at the option of Holder, upon presentation and
surrender of this Agreement at the principal office of Issuer for other
Agreements providing for Options of different denominations entitling the holder
thereof to purchase in the aggregate the same number of shares of Issuer Common
Stock purchasable hereunder. The terms "Agreement" and "Option" as used herein
include any other Agreements and related Options for which this Agreement (and
the Option granted hereby) may be exchanged. Upon receipt by Issuer of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
this Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of reasonably
satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of this
Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a new Agreement of like
tenor and date. Any such new Agreement executed and delivered shall constitute
an additional contractual obligation on the part of Issuer, whether or not the
Agreement so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated shall at any time be
enforceable by anyone.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9, each of the
parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or
on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder,
including fees and expenses of its own financial consultants, investment
bankers, accountants and counsel.
(b) Waiver and Amendment. Any provision of this Agreement may be
waived at any time by the party that is entitled to the benefits of such
provision. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or
supplemented except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto.
(c) Entire Agreement; No Third-Party Beneficiary; Severability. This
Agreement, together with the Merger Agreement and the other documents and
instruments referred to herein and therein between Grantee and Issuer (a)
constitutes the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof and (b) is not intended to confer upon any person
other than the parties hereto (other than any transferees of the Option
Shares or any permitted transferee of this Agreement pursuant to Section
12(h) and other than as provided in the Merger Agreement) any rights or
remedies hereunder. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this
Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or a federal or
state governmental or regulatory agency or authority to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and
restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and
shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any reason
such court or regulatory agency determines that the Option does not permit
Holder to acquire, or does not require Issuer to repurchase, the full
number of shares of Issuer Common Stock as provided in Sections 3 and 8 (as
adjusted pursuant to Section 7), it is the express intention of Issuer to
allow Holder to acquire or to require Issuer to repurchase such lesser
number of shares as may be permissible without any amendment or
modification hereof.
(d) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to any
applicable conflicts of law rules.
(e) Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings contained herein
are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(f) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied
(with confirmation) or mailed by registered or certified mail (return
receipt requested) to the parties at the addresses set forth in the Merger
Agreement (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by
like notice).
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be
executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be considered one and the
same agreement and shall become effective when both counterparts have been
signed, it being understood that both parties need not sign the same
counterpart.
(h) Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder or under the Option shall be assigned by
any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise)
without the prior written consent of the other party, except that Grantee
may assign this Agreement to a wholly owned Subsidiary of Grantee and
Grantee may assign its rights hereunder in whole or in part after the
occurrence of a Purchase Event. Subject to the preceding sentence, this
Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the parties and their respective successors and assigns.
(i) Further Assurances. In the event of any exercise of the Option by
Holder, Issuer and Holder shall execute and deliver all other documents and
instruments and take all other action that may be reasonably necessary in
order to consummate the transactions provided for by such exercise.
(j) Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that this
Agreement may be enforced by either party through specific performance,
injunctive relief and other equitable relief. Both parties further agree to
waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection
with the obtaining of any such equitable relief and that this provision is
without prejudice to any other rights that the parties hereto may have for
any failure to perform this Agreement.
(k) Confidentiality Agreements. The parties hereto agree that this
Agreement supersedes any provision of the Confidentiality Agreement that
could be interpreted to preclude the exercise of any rights or the
fulfillment of any obligations under this Agreement, and that none of the
provisions included in the Confidentiality Agreement will act to preclude
Holder from exercising the Option or exercising any other rights under this
Agreement or act to preclude Issuer from fulfilling any of its obligations
under this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Issuer and Grantee have caused this Stock Option
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
all as of the day and year first written above.
ATTEST: PARK MERIDIAN FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx III By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx III Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Executive Vice President President and Chief Executive Officer
[CORPORATE SEAL]
ATTEST: REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx. By: /s/ Xxxx. X. Xxxxx, Xx.
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx.
Corporate Secretary President and Chief Executive Officer
[CORPORATE SEAL]
