Exhibit 99.1
NET.B@NK, INC.
and
SUNTRUST BANK
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of January 20, 2000
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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Exhibit A Form of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation
of Net.B@nk, Inc. setting forth the terms of the
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.......... A-1
Exhibit B Form of Right Certificate....................................... B-1
Exhibit C Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred
Shares................................................. C-1
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of January 20, 2000 (this "Agreement"), is
made and entered into by and between NET.B@NK, INC., a Georgia corporation (the
"Company"), and SUNTRUST BANK (the "Rights Agent").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, on January 20, 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company
authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one right ("Right") for each
share of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (a "Common
Share") outstanding as of the Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on
February 4, 2000 (the "Record Date"), each Right initially representing the
right to purchase one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share (as hereinafter
defined), upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth, and
further authorized and directed the issuance of one Right with respect to each
Common Share issued or delivered by the Company (whether originally issued or
delivered from the Company's treasury) after the Record Date but prior to the
earlier of the Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined) and the Expiration
Date (as hereinafter defined).
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person (other than the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit or stock ownership plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common Shares
for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) who or which, together with all
Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the Beneficial Owner of 15%
or more of the Common Shares then
outstanding; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a Person shall not be deemed to have become
an Acquiring Person solely as a result of a reduction in the number of Common
Shares outstanding unless and until (i) such time as such Person or any
Affiliate or Associate of such Person shall thereafter become the Beneficial
Owner of any additional Common Shares, other than as a result of a stock
dividend, stock split or similar transaction effected by the Company in which
all holders of Common Shares are treated equally, or (ii) any other Person who
is the Beneficial Owner of any Common Shares shall thereafter become an
Affiliate or Associate of such Person.
(b) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings ascribed
to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Exchange Act, as in effect on the date of this Agreement.
(c) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and to
"beneficially own," any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates,
directly or indirectly, has the right to acquire (whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing), or
upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants
or options, or otherwise (in each case, other than upon exercise or
exchange of the Rights); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a Person shall not be
deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, securities tendered
pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person
or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered
securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; or
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates,
directly or indirectly, has the right to vote or dispose of, including
pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in
writing); or
(iii) of which any other Person is the Beneficial Owner, if such Person or
any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates has any agreement,
arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) with such other
Person (or any of such other Person's Affiliates or Associates) with
respect to acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of any securities of the
Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a Person shall not be deemed the
Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, any security (A) if such
Person has the right to vote such security pursuant to an agreement,
arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) which (1) arises
solely from a revocable proxy given to such Person in response to a public
proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the
applicable rules and regulations of the Exchange Act and (2) is not also
then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any comparable
or successor report), or (B) if such beneficial ownership arises solely as
a result of such Person's status as a "clearing agency", as defined in
Section 3(a)(23) of the Exchange Act; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that nothing
in this paragraph (c) shall cause a Person engaged in business as an
underwriter of securities to be the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially
own, any securities acquired through such Person's participation in good
faith in an underwriting syndicate until the expiration of 40 calendar days
after the date of such acquisition, or such later date as the Board of
Directors of the Company may determine in any specific case.
(d) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a
day on which banking institutions in the State of Georgia (or such other state
in which the principal
office of the Rights Agent is located) are authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close.
(e) "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 P.M., Eastern
time, on such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if such date is not a Business Day
it shall mean 5:00 P.M., Eastern time, on the next succeeding Business Day.
(f) "Common Shares" when used with reference to the Company shall mean the
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that, if the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation in a transaction
described in Section 11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a)(ii) hereof, "Common Shares" when
used with reference to the Company shall mean the capital stock or equity
security with the greatest aggregate voting power of the Company. "Common
Shares" when used with reference to any corporation or other legal entity, other
than the Company, including an Issuer, shall mean the capital stock or equity
security with the greatest aggregate voting power of such corporation or other
legal entity.
(g) "Company" shall mean Net.B@nk, Inc., a Georgia corporation.
(h) "Distribution Date" shall mean the earliest of: (i) the Close of
Business on the tenth Business Day (or, unless the Distribution Date shall have
previously occurred, such later date as may be specified by the Board of
Directors of the Company) after the Share Acquisition Date, (ii) the Close of
Business on the tenth Business Day (or, unless the Distribution Date shall have
previously occurred, such later date as may be specified by the Board of
Directors of the Company) after the date of the commencement of a tender or
exchange offer by any Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company or any employee benefit or stock ownership plan of the Company or of any
Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to
the terms of any such plan), if upon the consummation thereof such Person would
be the Beneficial Owner of 15%
or more of the outstanding Common Shares, and (iii) the Close of Business on the
tenth Business Day after the first date of public announcement by the Company or
an Acquiring Person (by press release, filing made with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or otherwise) of the first occurrence of a Triggering Event;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the earliest of such dates would otherwise occur
prior to the Record Date, the Distribution Date shall mean the Close of Business
on the Record Date.
(i) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(j) "Expiration Date" shall mean the earliest of (i) the Close of Business
on the Final Expiration Date, (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as
provided in Section 23 hereof, and (iii) the time at which all exercisable
Rights are exchanged as provided in Section 27 hereof.
(k) "Final Expiration Date" shall mean the tenth anniversary of the Record
Date.
(l) "Flip-in Event" shall mean any event described in clauses (A), (B) or
(C) of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(m) "Flip-over Event" shall mean any event described in subsections (i),
(ii) or (iii) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(n) "Issuer" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(b) hereof.
(o) "NASDAQ" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. Automated Quotation System.
(p) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other legal
entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.
(q) "Preferred Shares" shall mean shares of Series A Junior Participating
Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Company having the rights and
preferences set
forth in the Form of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit A.
(r) "Purchase Price" shall mean initially $150.00 per one one-thousandth of
a Preferred Share and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as
provided in this Agreement.
(s) "Redemption Price" shall mean $0.01 per Right, subject to adjustment by
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company to reflect any stock split,
stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date hereof.
(t) "Right" shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this
Agreement.
(u) "Right Certificates" shall mean certificates evidencing the Rights, in
substantially the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.
(v) "Rights Agent" shall mean SunTrust Bank, unless and until a successor
Rights Agent shall have become such pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and
thereafter, "Rights Agent" shall mean such successor Rights Agent.
(w) "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(x) "Share Acquisition Date" shall mean the first date of public
announcement by the Company or an Acquiring Person (by press release, filing
made with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise) that an Acquiring
Person has become such.
(y) "Subsidiary" when used with reference to any Person shall mean any
corporation or other legal entity of which a majority of the voting power of the
voting equity securities or equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly,
by such Person; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that for purposes of Section 13(b) hereof,
"Subsidiary" when used with reference to any Person shall mean any corporation
or other legal entity of which at least 20% of the voting power of the voting
equity securities or equity interests is owned, directly or indirectly, by such
Person.
(z) "Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares" shall mean the Summary
of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares, in substantially the form of Exhibit C
attached hereto.
(aa) "Trading Day" shall mean any day on which the principal national
securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted to trading
is open for the transaction of business or, if the Common Shares are not listed
or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, a Business Day.
(bb) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Flip-in Event or Flip-over Event.
Section 2. APPOINTMENT OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders of the Rights (who,
in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall also be, prior to the Distribution
Date, the holders of the Common Shares) in accordance with the terms and
conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment and
hereby certifies that it complies with the requirements of the New York Stock
Exchange governing transfer agents and registrars. The Company may from time to
time act as Co-Rights Agent or appoint such Co-Rights Agents as it may deem
necessary or desirable. Any actions which may be taken by the Rights Agent
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement may be taken by any such Co-Rights
Agent. To the extent that any Co-Rights Agent takes any action pursuant to this
Agreement, such Co-Rights Agent shall be entitled to all of the rights and
protections of, and subject to all of the applicable duties and obligations
imposed upon, the Rights Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
Section 3. ISSUE OF RIGHT CERTIFICATES. (a) Until the Distribution Date,
(i) the Rights shall be evidenced by the certificates representing Common Shares
registered in the names of the record holders thereof (which certificates
representing Common Shares shall also be deemed to be Right Certificates),
together with a copy of the Summary of Rights, (ii) the Rights shall be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying Common
Shares, and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates evidencing
Common Shares in
respect of which Rights have been issued, with or without a copy of the Summary
of Rights, shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with the
Common Shares evidenced by such certificates.
(b) As promptly as practicable after the Record Date, the Company shall
send a copy of a Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares in substantially
the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, by first-class, postage prepaid mail, to
each record holder of Common Shares as of the close of business on the Record
Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the Company as of
such date.
(c) Rights shall be issued by the Company in respect of all Common Shares
(other than Common Shares issued upon the exercise or exchange of any Right)
issued or delivered by the Company (whether originally issued or delivered from
the Company's treasury) after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date and the Expiration Date. Certificates evidencing such Common
Shares shall have stamped on, impressed on, printed on, written on or otherwise
affixed to them the following legend or such similar legend as the Company may
deem appropriate and as is not inconsistent with the provisions of this
Agreement, or as may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any
rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any
stock exchange or transaction reporting system on which the Common Shares may
from time to time be listed or quoted, or to conform to usage:
This Certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
certain Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement between Net.B@nk,
Inc. and SunTrust Bank, dated as of January 20, 2000 (the "Rights
Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference and a copy of which is on file at the principal executive
offices of Net.B@nk, Inc. Under certain circumstances, as set forth in
the Rights Agreement, such Rights may be redeemed, may expire, may be
amended or may be evidenced by separate certificates and no longer be
evidenced by this Certificate. Net.B@nk, Inc. will mail to the holder
of this Certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement without charge
promptly after receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain
circumstances as set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights
beneficially owned
by an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring
Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement) may become
null and void.
(d) As promptly as practicable after the Distribution Date, the Company
shall prepare and execute, the Rights Agent shall countersign and the Company
shall send or cause to be sent (and the Rights Agent shall, if requested, send),
by first-class, insured, postage prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common
Shares as of the Close of Business on the Distribution Date, at the address of
such holder shown on the records of the Company, a Right Certificate, evidencing
one Right for each Common Share so held, subject to adjustment. As of and after
the Distribution Date, the Rights shall be evidenced solely by such Right
Certificates.
Section 4. FORM OF RIGHT CERTIFICATES. The Right Certificates (and the form
of election to purchase and form of assignment to be printed on the reverse
thereof) shall be substantially in the form set forth as Exhibit B hereto with
such changes, marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries
or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be required to
comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant
thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange or transaction
reporting system on which the Rights may from time to time be listed or quoted,
or to conform to usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 22 hereof, the
Right Certificates, whenever issued, on their face shall entitle the holders
thereof to purchase such number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as
shall be set forth therein at the Purchase Price set forth therein, but the
Purchase Price, the number and kind of securities issuable upon exercise of each
Right and the number of Rights outstanding shall be subject to adjustment as
provided herein.
Section 5. COUNTERSIGNATURE AND REGISTRATION. (a) The Right Certificates
shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer, either manually or by
facsimile signature, and shall have affixed thereto the Company's seal or a
facsimile thereof which shall be attested by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature. The Right
Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and shall not
be valid for any purpose unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the
Company who shall have signed any of the Right Certificates shall cease to be
such officer of the Company before countersignature by the Rights Agent and
issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may
be countersigned by the Rights Agent, and issued and delivered by the Company
with the same force and effect as though the person who signed such Right
Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Right
Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the
actual date of the execution of such Right Certificate, shall be a proper
officer of the Company to sign such Right Certificate, although at the date of
the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent shall keep or cause
to be kept, at the principal office of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose and at such other offices as may be required to comply with any
applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant thereto or with any
rule or regulation of any stock exchange or any transaction reporting system on
which the Rights may from time to time be listed or quoted, books for
registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder. Such books
shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right
Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right
Certificates and the date of each of the Right Certificates.
Section 6. TRANSFER, SPLIT UP, COMBINATION AND EXCHANGE OF RIGHT
CERTIFICATES; MUTILATED, DESTROYED, LOST OR STOLEN RIGHT CERTIFICATES. (a)
Subject to the provisions of Sections 7(d) and 14 hereof, at any time after the
Close of Business on the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, any
Right Certificate or Right Certificates representing exercisable Rights may be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for another Right Certificate or
Right Certificates, entitling the registered holder to purchase a like number of
one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share (or other securities, as the case may
be) as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then entitled
such holder (or former holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase. Any
registered holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any such
Right Certificate shall make such request in writing delivered to the Rights
Agent, and shall surrender the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be
transferred, split up, combined or exchanged at the principal office of the
Rights Agent designated for such purpose. Thereupon or as promptly as
practicable thereafter, subject to the provisions of Sections 7(d) and 14
hereof, the Company shall prepare, execute and deliver to the Rights Agent, and
the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver a Right Certificate or Right
Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be
imposed in connection with any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of
Right Certificates.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of a Right
Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of indemnity or
security reasonably satisfactory to them, and reimbursement to the Company and
the Rights Agent of all reasonable expenses incidental thereto, and upon
surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of the Right Certificate if
mutilated, the Company shall prepare, execute and deliver a new Right
Certificate of like tenor to the Rights Agent and the Rights Agent shall
countersign and deliver such new Right
Certificate to the registered holder in lieu of the Right Certificate so lost,
stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
Section 7. EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE; EXPIRATION DATE OF RIGHTS.
(a) The registered holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the Rights
evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in part at
any time after the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, upon
surrender of the Right Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the
reverse side thereof duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the office or offices
of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, together with payment in cash,
in lawful money of the United States of America by certified check or bank draft
payable to the order of the Company, equal to the sum of (i) the exercise price
for the total number of securities as to which such surrendered Rights are
exercised and (ii) an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax required to be
paid by the holder of such Right Certificate in accordance with the provisions
of Section 9 hereof. In lieu of the cash payment referred to in the immediately
preceding sentence, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event the
registered holder of a Right Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced
thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in part upon surrender
of the Right Certificate as described above together with an election to
exercise such Rights without payment of cash on the reverse side thereof duly
completed. With respect to any Rights as to which such an election is made, the
holder shall receive a number of Common Shares or other securities having a
value equal to the difference between (i) the value of the Common Shares or
other securities that would have been issuable upon payment of the cash amount
as described above, and (ii) the amount of such cash payment. For purposes of
this Section 7(a), the value of any security shall be the current per share
market price of thereof (or of the security as to which such security is deemed
for purposes of this Agreement to be an equivalent),
determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of Section 11(d) hereof, on the
Trading Day immediately preceding the date of the first occurrence of a
Triggering Event.
(b) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable Rights
with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by either
payment as described above or a duly completed election to exercise without
payment of cash, the Rights Agent shall promptly (i) requisition from any
transfer agent of the Preferred Shares (or make available, if the Rights Agent
is the transfer agent) certificates representing the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share to be purchased (and the Company hereby
irrevocably authorizes and directs its transfer agent to comply with all such
requests), or, if the Company shall have elected to deposit Preferred Shares
issuable upon exercise of the Rights hereunder with a depositary agent,
requisition from the depositary agent depositary receipts representing such
number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share as are to be purchased (and
the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs such depositary agent to
comply with all such requests), (ii) after receipt of such certificates (or
depositary receipts, as the case may be), cause the same to be delivered to or
upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate, registered in
such name or names as may be designated by such holder, (iii) when appropriate,
requisition from the Company or any transfer agent therefor (or make available,
if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent) certificates representing the number
of equivalent common shares to be issued in lieu of the issuance of Common
Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, (iv)
when appropriate, after receipt of such certificates, cause the same to be
delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right
Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such
holder, (v) when appropriate, requisition from the Company the amount of cash
to be paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in accordance with
the provisions of Section 14 hereof or in lieu of the issuance of Common
Shares in accordance
with the provisions of Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, (vi) when appropriate,
after receipt, deliver such cash to or upon the order of the registered
holder of such Right Certificate, and (vii) when appropriate, deliver any due
xxxx or other instrument provided to the Rights Agent by the Company for
delivery to the registered holder of such Right Certificate as provided by
Section 11(l) hereof.
(c) In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall exercise
less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, the Company shall prepare, execute
and deliver a new Right Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights
remaining unexercised and the Rights Agent shall countersign and deliver such
new Right Certificate to the registered holder of such Right Certificate or to
his duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the
Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with
respect to any purported transfer, split up, combination or exchange of any
Right Certificate pursuant to Section 6 hereof or exercise of a Right
Certificate as set forth in this Section 7 unless the registered holder of such
Right Certificate shall have (i) completed and signed the certificate following
the form of assignment or the form of election to purchase, as applicable, set
forth on the reverse side of the Right Certificate surrendered for such
transfer, split up, combination, exchange or exercise and (ii) provided such
additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former
Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall have
reasonably requested.
Section 8. CANCELLATION AND DESTRUCTION OF RIGHT CERTIFICATES. All Right
Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer, split up,
combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or to any of its
stock transfer agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in
cancelled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be
cancelled by it, and no Right Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof
except as expressly permitted by this Agreement. The Company shall deliver to
the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so
cancel and retire, any other Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the
Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver
all cancelled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written
request of the Company, destroy such cancelled Right Certificates, and in such
case shall deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.
Section 9. COMPANY COVENANTS CONCERNING SECURITIES AND RIGHTS. The Company
covenants and agrees that:
(a) So long as the Preferred Shares (and, following the occurrence of a
Triggering Event, Common Shares and/or other securities) issuable upon the
exercise of the Rights may be listed on NASDAQ or on a national securities
exchange, it shall endeavor to cause, from and after such time as the Rights
become exercisable, all securities reserved for issuance upon the exercise of
Rights to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such
exercise.
(b) It shall take all such action as may be necessary to ensure that all
Preferred Shares (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common
Shares and/or other securities) delivered upon exercise of Rights, at the time
of delivery of the certificates for such securities, shall be (subject to
payment of the Purchase Price) duly and validly authorized and issued, fully
paid and nonassessable securities.
(c) It shall pay when due and payable any and all federal and state
transfer taxes and charges that may be payable in respect of the issuance or
delivery of the Right Certificates and of any certificates representing
securities issued upon the exercise of Rights; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Company shall not be required to pay any transfer tax or charge which may be
payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Right Certificates to a person
other than, or the issuance or delivery of certificates or depositary receipts
representing securities issued upon the exercise of Rights in a name other than
that of, the registered holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights
surrendered for exercise, or to issue or deliver any certificates or depositary
receipts representing securities issued upon the exercise of any Rights until
any such tax or charge shall have been paid (any such tax or charge being
payable by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or
until it has been established to the Company's reasonable satisfaction that no
such tax is due.
(d) It shall use its best efforts (i) to file on an appropriate form, as
soon as practicable following the later of the first occurrence of a Triggering
Event or the Distribution Date, a registration statement under the Securities
Act with respect to the securities issuable upon exercise of the Rights, (ii) to
cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as practicable
after such filing, and (iii) to cause such registration statement to remain
effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Act)
until the earlier of (A) the date as of which the Rights are no longer
exercisable for such securities and (B) the Expiration Date. The Company shall
also take such action as may be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with,
the securities or "blue sky" laws of the various states in connection with the
exercisability of the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period
of time after the date set forth in clause (i) of the first sentence of this
Section 9(d), the exercisability of the Rights in order to prepare and file such
registration statement and to permit it to become effective. Upon any such
suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended, as well as a public
announcement at such time as the suspension is no longer in effect. In addition,
if the Company shall determine that a registration statement should be filed
under the Securities Act or any state securities laws following the Distribution
Date, the Company may temporarily suspend the exercisability of the Rights in
each relevant jurisdiction until such time as a registration statement has been
declared effective and, upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a
public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been
temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the
suspension is no longer in effect. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to
the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the
requisite registration or qualification in such jurisdiction shall not have been
effected or the exercise of the Rights shall not be permitted under applicable
law.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to contrary, after the
Distribution Date it shall not, except as permitted by Section 23 or Section 26
hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at the time such
action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action will eliminate or
otherwise diminish the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.
(f) In the event that the Company is obligated to issue other securities of
the Company and/or pay cash pursuant to Sections 11, 13 or 14 hereof, it shall
make all arrangements necessary so that such other securities and/or cash are
available for distribution by the Rights Agent, if and when appropriate.
Section 10. RECORD DATE. Each Person in whose name any certificate
representing Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other securities, as the
case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be
deemed to have become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares (or Common
Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) represented thereby on, and
such certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate
evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of the Purchase Price
(and all applicable transfer taxes) was made; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
date of such
surrender and payment is a date upon which the Preferred Shares (or Common
Shares and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the
Company are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder
of such securities on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next succeeding
Business Day on which the Preferred Shares (or Common Shares and/or other
securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company are open. Prior to
the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the holder of a Right Certificate
shall not be entitled to any rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect
to securities for which the Rights shall be exercisable, including, without
limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to
exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice
of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.
Section 11. ADJUSTMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE, NUMBER AND KIND OF SECURITIES OR
NUMBER OF RIGHTS. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of securities issuable
upon exercise of each Right and the number of Rights outstanding are subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 11.
(a) (i) In the event that the Company shall at any time after the date of
this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Shares payable in
Preferred Shares, (B) subdivide the outstanding Preferred Shares, (C) combine
the outstanding Preferred Shares into a smaller number of Preferred Shares or
(D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Preferred
Shares (including any such reclassification in connection with a consolidation
or merger in which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation), the
Purchase Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or of
the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification, and/or
the number and/or kind of shares of capital stock issuable on such date upon
exercise of a Right, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any
Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to receive upon payment of the
Purchase Price then in effect the aggregate number
and kind of shares of capital stock which, if such Right had been exercised
immediately prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred Shares transfer
books of the Company were open, the holder of such Right would have owned upon
such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such dividend,
subdivision, combination or reclassification. If an event occurs which would
require an adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof or Section 13 hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section
11(a)(i) shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment
required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) or Section 13 hereof.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of Section 27 hereof, in the event
that:
(A) any Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of any
Acquiring Person, at any time after the date of this Agreement, directly or
indirectly, shall (1) merge into the Company or otherwise combine with the
Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of
such merger or combination (other than in a transaction subject to Section
13 hereof), (2) merge or otherwise combine with any Subsidiary of the
Company, (3) in one or more transactions (other than in connection with the
exercise or exchange of Rights or the exercise or conversion of securities
exercisable for or convertible into shares of any class of capital stock of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) transfer any assets to the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries in exchange (in whole or in part) for shares of
any class of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or for
securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of any class of
capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or otherwise
obtain from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, with or without
consideration, any additional shares of any class of capital stock of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or securities exercisable for or
convertible into shares of any class of capital stock of the Company or any
of its
Subsidiaries (other than as part of a pro rata distribution to all holders
of such shares of any class of capital stock of the Company, or any of its
Subsidiaries), (4) sell, purchase, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge,
transfer or otherwise dispose (in one or more transactions), to, from, with
or of, as the case may be, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other
than in a transaction subject to Section 13 hereof), assets, including
securities, on terms and conditions less favorable to the Company than the
Company would be able to obtain in arm's-length negotiation with an
unaffiliated third party, (5) receive any compensation from the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries other than compensation as a director or for
full-time employment as a regular employee, in either case, at rates in
accordance with the Company's (or its Subsidiaries') past practices, or (6)
receive the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a
stockholder), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other
financial assistance or any tax credits or other tax advantage provided by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or
(B) during such time as there is an Acquiring Person, there shall be
any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or
recapitalization of the Company, or any merger or consolidation of the
Company with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction or series of
transactions involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or
not with or into or otherwise involving an Acquiring Person), other than a
transaction subject to Section 13 hereof, which has the effect, directly or
indirectly, of increasing by more than 1% the proportionate share of the
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities or of securities
exercisable for or convertible into equity securities of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries of which an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or
Associate of any Acquiring Person, is the Beneficial Owner; or
(C) any Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company or any employee benefit or stock ownership plan of the Company or
of any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common Shares for or
pursuant to the terms of any such plan) who or which, together with all
Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall at any time after date of
this Agreement, become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Common
Shares then outstanding (other than pursuant to any transaction set forth
in Section 13(a) hereof); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a Person shall not be
deemed to have become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the Common
Shares then outstanding for the purposes of this Section 11(a)(ii)(C)
solely as a result of a reduction in the number of Common Shares
outstanding unless and until such time as (1) such Person or any Affiliate
or Associate of such Person shall thereafter become the Beneficial Owner of
any additional Common Shares other than as a result of a stock dividend,
stock split or similar transaction effected by the Company in which all
holders of Common Shares are treated equally, or (2) any other Person who
is the Beneficial Owner of any Common Shares shall thereafter become an
Affiliate or Associate of such Person, then, and in each such case, proper
provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, except as provided
below, shall thereafter have a right to receive, upon exercise thereof in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement at an exercise price per Right
equal to the product of the then-current Purchase Price multiplied by the
number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was
exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Triggering
Event, in lieu of Preferred Shares, such number of Common Shares as shall
equal the result obtained by (x) multiplying the then-current Purchase
Price by the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a
Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a
Triggering Event, and dividing that
product by (y) 50% of the current per share market price of the Common
Shares (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date of the
first occurrence of a Triggering Event. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, from and after the later of the Distribution
Date and the first occurrence of a Flip-in Event, (1) any Rights that are
or were acquired or beneficially owned by any Acquiring Person (or any
Affiliate or Associate of such Acquiring Person) shall be void and any
holder of such Rights shall thereafter have no right to exercise such
Rights under any provision of this Agreement, (2) no Right Certificate
shall be issued pursuant to this Agreement that represents Rights
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate
thereof, (3) no Right Certificate shall be issued at any time upon the
transfer of any Rights to an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate
thereof or to any nominee of such Acquiring Person or Affiliate or
Associate thereof, and (4) any Right Certificate delivered to the Rights
Agent for transfer to an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate
thereof shall be cancelled.
(iii) Upon the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, if there shall not be
sufficient Common Shares authorized but unissued or issued but not outstanding
to permit the issuance of all the Common Shares issuable in accordance with
subsection (ii) hereof upon the exercise of a Right, the Board of Directors of
the Company shall use its best efforts promptly to authorize and, subject to the
provisions of Section 9(d) hereof, make available for issuance additional Common
Shares or other equity securities of the Company having equivalent voting rights
and an equivalent value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors
of the Company) to the Common Shares (for purposes of this Section 11(a)(iii),
"equivalent common shares"). In the event that equivalent common shares are so
authorized, upon the exercise of a Right in accordance with the provisions of
Section 7 hereof, the registered holder shall be entitled to receive (A) Common
Shares, to the extent any are available and
(B) a number of equivalent common shares, which the Board of Directors of the
Company shall have determined in good faith to have a value equivalent to the
excess of (x) the aggregate current per share market value of all the Common
Shares issuable in accordance with subsection (ii) hereof upon the exercise of a
Right (the "Exercise Value") over (y) the aggregate current per share market
value of any Common Shares available for issuance upon the exercise of such
Right; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if at any time after 90 calendar days after the
first occurrence of a Flip-in Event, there shall not be sufficient Common Shares
and/or equivalent common shares available for issuance upon the exercise of a
Right, then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the surrender of
such Right and without requiring payment of the Purchase Price, Common Shares
(to the extent available), equivalent common shares (to the extent available)
and then cash (to the extent permitted by applicable law and any agreements or
instruments to which the Company is a party in effect immediately prior to the
first occurrence of any Flip-in Event), which securities and cash shall have an
aggregate value equal to the excess of (1) the Exercise Value over (2) the
product of the then-current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Triggering Event. To the extent
that any legal or contractual restrictions prevent the Company from paying the
full amount of cash payable in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the
Company shall pay to holders of the Rights as to which such payments are being
made all amounts which are not then restricted on a pro rata basis and shall
continue to make payments on a pro rata basis as funds become available until
the full amount due to each such Rights holder has been paid.
(b) In the event that the Company shall fix a record date for the issuance
of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Shares entitling them
(for a period expiring within 45 calendar days after such record date) to
subscribe for or purchase
Preferred Shares (or securities having equivalent rights, privileges and
preferences as the Preferred Shares (for purposes of this Section 11(b),
"equivalent preferred shares")) or securities convertible into Preferred Shares
or equivalent preferred shares at a price per Preferred Share or equivalent
preferred share (or having a conversion price per share, if a security
convertible into Preferred Shares or equivalent preferred shares) less than the
current per share market price of the Preferred Shares (determined pursuant to
Section 11(d) hereof) on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect
after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in
effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of
which shall be the number of Preferred Shares outstanding on such record date
plus the number of Preferred Shares which the aggregate offering price of the
total number of Preferred Shares and/or equivalent preferred shares so to be
offered (and/or the aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible
securities so to be offered) would purchase at such current per share market
price and the denominator of which shall be the number of Preferred Shares
outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional Preferred Shares
and/or equivalent preferred shares to be offered for subscription or purchase
(or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are initially
convertible). In case such subscription price may be paid in a consideration
part or all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such
consideration shall be as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of
the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with
the Rights Agent. Preferred Shares owned by or held for the account of the
Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of any such computation.
Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed;
and in the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the
Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would then be in
effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(c) In the event that the Company shall fix a record date for the making of
a distribution to all holders of Preferred Shares (including any such
distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing or surviving corporation) of evidences of
indebtedness, cash (other than a regular periodic cash dividend), assets, stock
(other than a dividend payable in Preferred Shares) or subscription rights,
options or warrants (excluding those referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the
Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by
multiplying the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such record date
by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the current per share market
price of the Preferred Shares (as determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof)
on such record date or, if earlier, the date on which Preferred Shares begin to
trade on an ex-dividend or when-issued basis for such distribution, less the
fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the
Rights Agent) of the portion of the evidences of indebtedness, cash, assets or
stock so to be distributed or of such subscription rights, options or warrants
applicable to one Preferred Share, and the denominator of which shall be such
current per share market price of the Preferred Shares. Such adjustments shall
be made successively whenever such a record date is fixed; and in the event that
such distribution is not so made, the Purchase Price shall again be adjusted to
be the Purchase Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not
been fixed.
(d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current per
share market price" of Common Shares on any date shall be deemed to be the
average of the daily closing prices per share of such Common Shares for the 30
consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
in the event that the current per share market price of the Common Shares is
determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of such
Common Shares of (A) a dividend or distribution on
such Common Shares payable in such Common Shares or securities convertible into
such Common Shares (other than the Rights) or (B) any subdivision, combination
or reclassification of such Common Shares, and prior to the expiration of 30
Trading Days after the ex-dividend date for such dividend or distribution, or
the record date for such subdivision, combination or reclassification, then, and
in each such case, the current per share market price shall be appropriately
adjusted to take into account ex-dividend trading or to reflect the current per
share market price per Common Share equivalent. The closing price for each day
shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place
on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in
either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting
system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York
Stock Exchange or, if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on
the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal
national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed or admitted
to trading or, if the Common Shares are not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the
average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as
reported by NASDAQ or such other system then in use, or, if on any such date the
Common Shares are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the
closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker making
a market in the Common Shares selected by the Board of Directors of the Company.
If the Common Shares are not publicly held or not so listed or traded, or not
the subject of available bid and asked quotes, "current per share market price"
shall mean the fair value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement
filed with the Rights Agent.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, the "current
per share market price" of the Preferred Shares shall be determined in the same
manner as set forth above for Common Shares in Section 11(d)(i) hereof, other
than the last sentence thereof. If the current per share market price of the
Preferred Shares cannot be determined in the manner provided above, the "current
per share market price" of the Preferred Shares shall be conclusively deemed to
be an amount equal to the current per share market price of the Common Shares
multiplied by 1,000 (as such number may be appropriately adjusted to reflect
events such as stock splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar
transactions relating to the Common Shares occurring after the date of this
Agreement). If neither the Common Shares nor the Preferred Shares are publicly
held or so listed or traded, or the subject of available bid and asked quotes,
"current per share market price" of the Preferred Shares shall mean the fair
value per share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
Company, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the
Rights Agent. For all purposes of this Agreement, the current per share market
price of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share shall be equal to the current
per share market price of one Preferred Share divided by 1,000.
(e) Except as set forth below, no adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be
required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at
least 1% in such price; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any adjustments which by reason
of this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and
taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under this
Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest one ten-millionth
of a Preferred Share or one ten-thousandth of a Common Share or other security,
as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this Section 11(e),
any adjustment required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the
earlier of (i) three
years from the date of the transaction which requires such adjustment and (ii)
the Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 11(a) hereof,
the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive
any securities of the Company other than Preferred Shares, thereafter the number
of such other securities so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be
subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly
equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Preferred Shares
contained in this Section 11, and the provisions of Sections 7, 9, 10 and 13
hereof with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply on like terms to any
such other securities.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the right to
purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share issuable from time to time hereunder upon exercise of the
Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in
Section 11(i) hereof, upon each adjustment of the Purchase Price as a result of
the calculations made in Section 11(b) and Section 11(c) hereof with respect to
a distribution of subscription rights, options or warrants applicable to
Preferred Shares, each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such
adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted
Purchase Price, that number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share
(calculated to the nearest one ten-millionth of a Preferred Share) obtained by
(i) multiplying (x) the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share
issuable upon exercise of a Right immediately prior to this adjustment by (y)
the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment of the
Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the product so
obtained by the Purchase Price in effect immediately after such adjustment of
the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect, on or after the date of any adjustment of the
Purchase Price, to adjust the number of Rights in substitution for any
adjustment in the number of one one-thousandths of a Preferred Share issuable
upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights outstanding after such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable for the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable
immediately prior to such adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such
adjustment of the number of Rights shall become that number of Rights
(calculated to the nearest one ten-thousandth) obtained by dividing the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by the
Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase Price. The
Company shall make a public announcement of its election to adjust the number of
Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment, and, if known at the
time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may be the date
on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter, but, if the Right
Certificates have been issued, shall be at least 10 calendar days later than the
date of the public announcement. If Right Certificates have been issued, upon
each adjustment of the number of Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the
Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of
record of Right Certificates on such record date Right Certificates evidencing,
subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which
such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option
of the Company, shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in
substitution and replacement for the Right Certificates held by such holders
prior to the date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof if required by the
Company, new Right Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders
shall be entitled after such
adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed shall be issued, executed
and countersigned in the manner provided for herein (and may bear, at the option
of the Company, the adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the
names of the holders of record of Right Certificates on the record date
specified in the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or the
number or kind of securities issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right
Certificates theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the
Purchase Price and the number and kind of securities which were expressed in the
initial Right Certificate issued hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment reducing the
Purchase Price below one one-thousandth of the then par value, if any, of the
Preferred Shares or below the then par value, if any, of any other securities of
the Company issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take any
corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary in order
that the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable
Preferred Shares or such other securities, as the case may be, at such adjusted
Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that an adjustment
in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date for a specified
event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such event the
issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date the number
of Preferred Shares or other securities of the Company, if any, issuable upon
such exercise over and above the number of Preferred Shares or other securities
of the Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase
Price in effect prior to such adjustment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company
shall deliver to such holder a due xxxx or other appropriate instrument
evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional Preferred Shares or
other securities upon the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.
(m) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company
shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Purchase Price, in addition to
those adjustments expressly required by this Section 11, as and to the extent
that in its good faith judgment the Board of Directors of the Company shall
determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation or subdivision of
the Preferred Shares, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of Preferred Shares at less
than the current per share market price therefor, (iii) issuance wholly for cash
of Preferred Shares or securities which by their terms are convertible into or
exchangeable for Preferred Shares, (iv) stock dividends, or (v) issuance of
rights, options or warrants referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by
the Company to holders of its Preferred Shares shall not be taxable to such
stockholders.
(n) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the
event that the Company shall at any time after the date of this Agreement and
prior to the Distribution Date (i) declare a dividend on the outstanding Common
Shares payable in Common Shares, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Shares,
(iii) combine the outstanding Common Shares into a smaller number of shares, or
(iv) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the
outstanding Common Shares (including any such reclassification in connection
with a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing or
surviving corporation), the number of Rights associated with each Common Share
then outstanding, or issued or delivered thereafter but prior to the
Distribution Date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the number of
Rights thereafter associated with each Common Share following any such event
shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated
with each Common Share immediately prior to such event by a fraction the
numerator of which shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding
immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the denominator of which
shall be the total number of Common Shares outstanding immediately following the
occurrence of such
event. The adjustments provided for in this Section 11(n) shall be made
successively whenever such a dividend is paid or such a subdivision, combination
or reclassification is effected.
Section 12. CERTIFICATE OF ADJUSTED PURCHASE PRICE OR NUMBER OF SECURITIES.
Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 or Section 13 hereof,
the Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate setting forth such
adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment,
(b) file with the Rights Agent and with each transfer agent for the Preferred
Shares and the Common Shares, a copy of such certificate, and (c) if such
adjustment is made after the Distribution Date, mail a brief summary of such
adjustment to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25
hereof.
Section 13. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS OR EARNING
POWER.
(a) In the event that, following the Share Acquisition Date, directly or
indirectly:
(i) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with or into, any other
Person and the Company shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation
of such consolidation or merger; or
(ii) any Person shall consolidate with the Company, or merge with or into
the Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving
corporation of such merger or consolidation and, in connection with such
merger or consolidation, all or part of the Common Shares shall be changed
into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person or cash
or any other property; or
(iii) the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its
Subsidiaries shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one or more
transactions, assets or earning power (including, without limitation,
securities creating any obligation on the part of the Company and/or any of
its Subsidiaries) representing in the aggregate more than 50%
of the assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken
as a whole) to any Person or Persons,
then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that (A) each
holder of a Right (except as otherwise provided herein) shall thereafter have
the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement at an exercise price per Right equal to the product of the
then-current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one one-thousandths of a
Preferred Share for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first
occurrence of a Triggering Event, such number of validly authorized and issued,
fully paid, nonassessable and freely tradable Common Shares of the Issuer, free
and clear of any liens, encumbrances and other adverse claims and not subject to
any rights of call or first refusal, as shall be equal to the result obtained by
(x) multiplying the then-current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-thousandths of a Preferred Share for which a Right is exercisable
immediately prior to the first occurrence of a Triggering Event and dividing
that product by (y) 50% of the current per share market price of the Common
Shares of the Issuer (determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof), on the date
of consummation of such Flip-over Event; (B) the Issuer shall thereafter be
liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of the consummation of such Flip-over
Event, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this Agreement;
(C) the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to the Issuer; and
(D) the Issuer shall take such steps (including, without limitation, the
reservation of a sufficient number of its Common Shares to permit the exercise
of all outstanding Rights) in connection with such consummation as may be
necessary to assure that the provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable,
as nearly as reasonably may be possible, in relation to its Common Shares
thereafter deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights.
(b) For purposes of this Section 13, "Issuer" shall mean (i) in the case of
any Flip-over Event described in Sections 13(a)(i) or (ii) above, the Person
that is the continuing, surviving, resulting or acquiring Person (including the
Company as the continuing or surviving corporation of a transaction described in
Section 13(a)(ii) above), and (ii) in the case of any Flip-over Event described
in Section 13(a)(iii) above, the Person that is the party receiving the greatest
portion of the assets or earning power (including, without limitation,
securities creating any obligation on the part of the Company and/or any of its
Subsidiaries) transferred pursuant to such transaction or transactions;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, in any such case, (A) if (1) no class of equity
security of such Person is, at the time of such merger, consolidation or
transaction and has been continuously over the preceding 12-month period,
registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, and (2) such Person is a
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of another Person, a class of equity
security of which is and has been so registered, the term "Issuer" shall mean
such other Person; and (B) in case such Person is a Subsidiary, directly or
indirectly, of more than one Person, a class of equity security of two or more
of which are and have been so registered, the term "Issuer" shall mean whichever
of such Persons is the issuer of the equity security having the greatest
aggregate market value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Issuer in any of
the Flip-over Events listed above is not a corporation or other legal entity
having outstanding equity securities, then, and in each such case, (x) if the
Issuer is directly or indirectly wholly owned by a corporation or other legal
entity having outstanding equity securities, then all references to Common
Shares of the Issuer shall be deemed to be references to the Common Shares of
the corporation or other legal entity having outstanding equity securities which
ultimately controls the Issuer, and (y) if there is no such corporation or other
legal entity having outstanding equity securities, (i) proper provision shall be
made so that the Issuer shall create or otherwise make available for purposes of
the exercise of the Rights in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, a
kind or kinds of security or securities having a fair market value at least
equal to the economic value of the Common Shares which each holder of a Right
would have been entitled to receive if the Issuer had been a corporation or
other legal entity having outstanding equity securities; and (ii) all other
provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the issuer of such securities as if
such securities were Common Shares.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any Flip-over Event, unless the Issuer
shall have a sufficient number of authorized Common Shares (or other securities
as contemplated in Section 13(b) above) which have not been issued or reserved
for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in accordance with
this Section 13 and unless prior to such consummation the Company and the Issuer
shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental agreement
providing for the terms set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 13
and further providing that as promptly as practicable after the consummation of
any Flip-over Event, the Issuer shall:
(i) prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act,
with respect to the Rights and the securities issuable upon exercise of the
Rights on an appropriate form, and shall use its best efforts to cause such
registration statement to (A) become effective as soon as practicable after
such filing and (B) remain effective (with a prospectus at all times
meeting the requirements of the Securities Act) until the Expiration Date;
(ii) take all such action as may be appropriate under, or to ensure
compliance with, the securities or "blue sky" laws of the various states in
connection with the exercisability of the Rights; and
(iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical financial statements for
the Issuer and each of its Affiliates which comply in all respects with the
requirements for registration on Form 10 under the Exchange Act.
(d) The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive
mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event that a
Flip-over Event occurs at any time after the occurrence of a Flip-in Event, the
Rights which have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter become
exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a) hereof.
Section 14. FRACTIONAL RIGHTS AND FRACTIONAL SECURITIES.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Rights or to
distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of such
fractional Rights, the Company shall pay as promptly as practicable to the
registered holders of the Right Certificates with regard to which such
fractional Rights otherwise would be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the
same fraction of the current market value of a whole Right. For the purposes of
this Section 14(a), the current market value of a whole Right shall be the
closing price of the Rights for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on
which such fractional Rights otherwise would have been issuable. The closing
price for any day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such
sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices,
regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to
trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Rights are not listed or
admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on
the principal national securities exchange on which the Rights are listed or
admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on
any national securities exchange, the last quoted price or, if not so quoted,
the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market,
as reported by NASDAQ or such other system then in use or, if on any such date
the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing
bid and asked
prices as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the Rights
selected by the Board of Directors of the Company. If on any such date no such
market maker is making a market in the Rights the fair value of the Rights on
such date as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company
shall be used.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of Preferred
Shares (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-thousandth
of a Preferred Share) upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates
which evidence fractional Preferred Shares (other than fractions which are
integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share). Fractions of
Preferred Shares in integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred
Share may, at the election of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts
pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Company and a depositary
selected by it, provided that such agreement shall provide that the holders of
such depositary receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences
to which they are entitled as beneficial owners of the Preferred Shares
represented by such depositary receipts. In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares
that are not integral multiples of one one-thousandth of a Preferred Share, the
Company may pay to any Person to whom or which such fractional Preferred Shares
would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current market value of one Preferred Share. For purposes of this Section 14(b),
the current market value of one Preferred Share shall be the closing price of
the Preferred Shares (as determined in the same manner as set forth for Common
Shares in the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day
immediately prior to the date of such exercise; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
closing price of the Preferred Shares cannot be so determined, the closing price
of the Preferred Shares for such Trading Day shall be conclusively deemed to be
an amount equal to the closing price of the Common Shares (determined pursuant
to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for such Trading Day
multiplied by 1,000 (as
such number may be appropriately adjusted to reflect events such as stock
splits, stock dividends, recapitalizations or similar transactions relating to
the Common Shares occurring after the date of this Agreement); and PROVIDED
FURTHER, however, that if neither the Common Shares nor the Preferred Shares are
publicly held or listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange, or the subject of available bid and asked quotes, the current market
value of one Preferred Share shall be determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors of the Company.
(c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Company shall not
be required to issue fractions of Common Shares or other securities issuable
upon exercise or exchange of the Rights or to distribute certificates which
evidence any such fractional securities. In lieu of issuing any such fractional
securities, the Company may pay to any Person to whom or which such fractional
securities would otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of the current market value of one such security. For purposes of this
Section 14(c), the current market value of one Common Share or other security
issuable upon the exercise or exchange of Rights shall be the closing price
thereof (as determined in the same manner as set forth for Common Shares in the
second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately
prior to the date of such exercise or exchange; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if
neither the Common Shares nor any such other securities are publicly held or
listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, or the
subject of available bid and asked quotes, the current market value of one
Common Share or such other security shall be determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company.
Section 15. RIGHTS OF ACTION. All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement, excepting the rights of action given to the Rights Agent under
Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered holders of the Right
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, the registered holders of the Common Shares); and any registered holder of
any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common
Shares), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other
Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the holder of any
Common Shares), may in his own behalf and for his own benefit enforce, and may
institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company to
enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his right to exercise the Rights
evidenced by such Right Certificate or Common Share certificate in the manner
provided in such Right Certificate and in this Agreement. Without limiting the
foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is specifically
acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law
for any breach of this Agreement and shall be entitled to specific performance
of the obligations under this Agreement, and injunctive relief against actual or
threatened violations of the obligations of any Person subject to this
Agreement.
Section 16. AGREEMENT OF RIGHTS HOLDERS. Every holder of a Right by
accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent and
with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) Prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights shall be transferable only
in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares;
(b) After the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates are transferable
only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if surrendered at the principal
office of the Rights Agent designated for such purpose, duly endorsed or
accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer;
(c) The Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose
name the Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated
Common Share certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and of the
Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership or writing
on the Right Certificate or the
associated Common Share certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the
Rights Agent) for all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the
Rights Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary;
(d) Such holder expressly waives any right to receive any fractional Rights
and any fractional securities upon exercise or exchange of a Right, except as
otherwise provided in Section 14 hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the
Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability to any holder of a Right
or other Person as a result of its inability to perform any of its obligations
under this Agreement by reason of any preliminary or permanent injunction or
other order, decree or ruling issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or by
a governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any
statute, rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by any
governmental authority, prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such
obligation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall use its best efforts to
have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as soon as
possible.
Section 17. RIGHT CERTIFICATE HOLDER NOT DEEMED A STOCKHOLDER. No holder,
as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote, receive dividends
or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred Shares or any other
securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable upon the exercise of
the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any
Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right
Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any
right to vote for the election of Directors or upon any matter submitted to
stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
stockholders (except as provided in Section 24 hereof), or to receive dividends
or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced
by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement or exchanged pursuant to the provisions of Section
27 hereof.
Section 18. CONCERNING THE RIGHTS AGENT. (a) The Company agrees to pay to
the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it
hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, its reasonable
expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration
and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties
hereunder. The Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to
hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, suit, action, proceeding or
expense, incurred without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on
the part of the Rights Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent
in connection with the acceptance and administration of this Agreement,
including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability
arising therefrom, directly or indirectly.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability for or
in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with its
administration of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate or
certificate evidencing Preferred Shares or other securities of the Company,
instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit,
letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or
document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and, where
necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.
Section 19. MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OR CHANGE OF NAME OF RIGHTS AGENT. (a)
Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be
merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from
any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust
business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent, shall be the
successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto, provided that such corporation would be eligible for
appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21
hereof. In case at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the
agency created by this Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the
countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right
Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Right
Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may
countersign such Right Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights
Agent or in the name of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such
Right Certificates shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates
and in this Agreement.
(b) In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed and
at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not
delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name
and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of
the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may
countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed
name; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full force
provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.
Section 20. DUTIES OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent undertakes the duties
and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following terms and
conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right Certificates,
by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be legal
counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel shall be full and
complete authorization
and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in
good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the
Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by any one of the Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial Officer of the Company and
delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full authorization
to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it under
the provisions of this Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own negligence,
bad faith or willful misconduct.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the
statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Right
Certificates (except its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the
same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been
made by the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of
the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the
due execution and delivery hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the
validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature
thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any
covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate;
nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment required under the provisions of
Section 11 or Section 13 hereof (including any adjustment which results in
Rights becoming void) or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any
such adjustment or the
ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment
(except with respect to the exercise of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates
after actual notice of any such adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder
be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or
reservation of any shares of stock or other securities to be issued pursuant to
this Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to whether any shares of stock or
other securities will, when issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid
and nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such
further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required
by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of
the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any
one of the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief
Financial Officer of the Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or
instructions in connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any
action taken or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with
instructions of any such officer.
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of
the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or other securities
of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the
Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or
otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this
Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any
other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers
hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through
its attorneys
or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any
act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any
loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct,
provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued employment
thereof. The Rights Agent shall not be under any duty or responsibility to
insure compliance with any applicable federal or state securities laws in
connection with the issuance, transfer or exchange of Right Certificates.
(j) If, with respect to any Right Certificate surrendered to the Rights
Agent for exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange, the certificate
attached to the form of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case
may be, has either not been completed or indicates an affirmative response to
clause 1 or 2 thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with
respect to such requested exercise, transfer, split up, combination or exchange
without first consulting with the Company.
Section 21. CHANGE OF RIGHTS AGENT. The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this Agreement
upon 30 calendar days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to each
transfer agent of the Preferred Shares and the Common Shares by registered or
certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates by first-class
mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon
30 calendar days' notice in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor
Rights Agent, as the case may be, and to each transfer agent of the Preferred
Shares and the Common Shares by registered or certified mail, and to the holders
of the Right Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign
or be removed or shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall
appoint a successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such
appointment within a period of 30 calendar days after giving notice of such
removal or after it has been notified in writing of such
resignation or incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by
the holder of a Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right
Certificate for inspection by the Company), then the registered holder of any
Right Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed
by the Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized and doing
business under the laws of the United States or of the States of Georgia or New
York (or of any other state of the United States so long as such corporation is
authorized to do business as a banking institution in the States of Georgia or
New York), in good standing, having a principal office in the States of Georgia
or New York, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust
powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million. After appointment, the
successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and
responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without
further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer
to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and
execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for
the purpose. Not later than the effective date of any such appointment, the
Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent
and each transfer agent of the Preferred Shares and the Common Shares, and mail
a notice thereof in writing to the registered holders of the Right Certificates.
Failure to give any notice provided for in this Section 21, however, or any
defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or
removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as
the case may be.
Section 22. ISSUANCE OF NEW RIGHT CERTIFICATES. Notwithstanding any of the
provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary, the Company may,
at its option,
issue new Right Certificates evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved
by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change in the Purchase
Price per share and the number or kind of securities issuable upon exercise of
the Rights made in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. In
addition, in connection with the issuance or sale by the Company of Common
Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date, the
Company (a) shall, with respect to Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to
the exercise or conversion of securities issued prior to the Distribution Date
which are exercisable for, or convertible into Common Shares, and (b) may, in
any other case, if deemed necessary, appropriate or desirable by the Board of
Directors of the Company, issue Right Certificates representing an equivalent
number of Rights as would have been issued in respect of such Common Shares if
they had been issued or sold prior to the Distribution Date, as appropriately
adjusted as provided herein as if they had been so issued or sold; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that (i) no such Right Certificate shall be issued if, and to the
extent that, in its good faith judgment the Board of Directors of the Company
shall have determined that the issuance of such Right Certificate could have a
material adverse tax consequence to the Company or to the Person to whom or
which such Right Certificate otherwise would be issued, and (ii) no such Right
Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment
otherwise shall have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.
Section 23. REDEMPTION. (a) Prior to the Expiration Date, the Board of
Directors of the Company may, at its option, redeem all but not less than all of
the then-outstanding Rights at the Redemption Price at any time prior to the
Close of Business on the later of (i) the Distribution Date and (ii) the Share
Acquisition Date.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company
ordering the redemption of the Rights, and without any further action and
without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights shall terminate and the
only right thereafter of the holders of
Rights shall be to receive the Redemption Price. Promptly after the action of
its Board of Directors ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company shall
publicly announce such action, and within 10 calendar days thereafter, the
Company shall give notice of such redemption to the holders of the
then-outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to all such holders at their last
addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Company; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the failure to give, or any defect in, any such notice shall not
affect the validity of the redemption of the Rights. Any notice which is mailed
in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder
receives the notice. The notice of redemption mailed to the holders of Rights
shall state the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be
made. The Company may, at its option, pay the Redemption Price in cash, Common
Shares (based upon the current per share market price of the Common Shares
(determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) at the time of redemption) or any
other form of consideration deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors of the
Company (based upon the fair market value of such other consideration,
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith) or any
combination thereof.
(c) At any time following the Share Acquisition Date, the Board of
Directors of the Company may relinquish the right to redeem the Rights under
this Section 23 by duly adopting a resolution to that effect. Immediately upon
adoption of such resolution, the rights of the Board of Directors of the Company
to redeem the Rights shall terminate without further action and without any
notice. Promptly after adoption of such a resolution, the Company shall publicly
announce such action; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure to give, or any defect
in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of the action of the Board of
Directors of the Company.
Section 24. NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. (a) In case, after the Distribution
Date, the Company shall propose (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any
class to the holders of Preferred Shares or to make any other distribution to
the holders of Preferred Shares (other than a regular periodic cash dividend),
(ii) to offer to the holders of Preferred Shares rights, options or warrants to
subscribe for or to purchase any additional Preferred Shares or shares of stock
of any class or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any
reclassification of its Preferred Shares (other than a reclassification
involving only the subdivision of outstanding Preferred Shares), (iv) to effect
any consolidation or merger into or with, or to effect any sale or other
transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale or
other transfer), in one or more transactions, of assets or earning power
(including, without limitation, securities creating any obligation on the part
of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries) representing more than 50% of the
assets and earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
to any other Person or Persons, (v) to effect the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Company, or (vi) to declare or pay any dividend on the Common
Shares payable in Common Shares or to effect a subdivision, combination or
reclassification of the Common Shares then, in each such case, the Company shall
give to each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 25
hereof, a notice of such proposed action, which shall specify the record date
for the purposes of such stock dividend, distribution or offering of rights,
options or warrants, or the date on which such reclassification, consolidation,
merger, sale, transfer, liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place
and the date of participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares and/or
Preferred Shares, if any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so
given, in the case of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above, at least
10 calendar days prior to the
record date for determining holders of the Preferred Shares for purposes of such
action, and, in the case of any such other action, at least 10 calendar days
prior to the date of the taking of such proposed action or the date of
participation therein by the holders of the Common Shares and/or Preferred
Shares whichever shall be the earlier.
(b) In case any Triggering Event shall occur, then, in any such case, the
Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter give to the Rights Agent and
each holder of a Right Certificate, in accordance with Section 25 hereof, a
notice of the occurrence of such event, which shall specify the event and the
consequences of the event to holders of Rights.
Section 25. NOTICES. (a) Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to
be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any Right Certificate
to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:
Net.B@nk, Inc.
Royal Centre Three, Suite 100
11475 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 21 hereof, any notice or demand
authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder
of any Right Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given
or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another
address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:
SunTrust Bank
P. O. Xxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Department Manager
(c) Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by
the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Right Certificate (or, if
prior the
Distribution Date, to the holder of any certificate evidencing Common Shares)
shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the
registry books of the Company.
Section 26. SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. Prior to the Distribution Date and
subject to the last sentence of this Section 26, if the Company so directs, the
Company and the Rights Agent shall supplement or amend any provision of this
Agreement without the approval of any holders of certificates representing
Common Shares. From and after the Distribution Date and subject to the last
sentence of this Section 26, if the Company so directs, the Company and the
Rights Agent shall supplement or amend this Agreement without the approval of
any holders of Right Certificates, so long as the duties, liabilities and
indemnification of the Rights Agent are not affected, in order (i) to cure any
ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which
may be defective or inconsistent with any other provisions herein, (iii) to
shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder, or (iv) to supplement or amend
the provisions hereunder in any manner which the Company may deem desirable,
including, without limitation, the addition of other events requiring adjustment
to the Rights under Sections 11 or 13 hereof or procedures relating to the
redemption of the Rights, which supplement or amendment shall not, in the good
faith determination of the Board of Directors of the Company, adversely affect
the interests of the holders of Right Certificates (other than an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person). Upon the delivery
of a certificate from an officer of the Company which states that the proposed
supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 26, the
Rights Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the failure or refusal of the Rights Agent to execute such supplement or
amendment shall not affect the validity of any supplement or amendment adopted
by the Company, any of which shall be effective in accordance with the terms
thereof.
Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no supplement or
amendment shall be made which decreases the stated Redemption Price or the
period of time remaining until the Final Expiration Date or which modifies a
time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the
Rights are not then redeemable.
Section 27. EXCHANGE. (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its
option, at any time after the later of the Distribution Date and the first
occurrence of a Triggering Event, exchange all or part of the then-outstanding
and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights that have become void
pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) for Common Shares at an
exchange ratio of one Common Share per Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect
any stock split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date
hereof (such exchange ratio being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange
Ratio"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors shall not be
empowered to effect such exchange at any time after any Person (other than the
Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company
or any such Subsidiary, or any entity holding Common Shares for or pursuant to
the terms of any such plan), who or which, together with all Affiliates and
Associates of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the
Common Shares then outstanding.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the Company
ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to Section 27(a) hereof, and
without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise such
Rights shall terminate and the only right with respect to such Rights thereafter
of the holder of such Rights shall be to receive that number of Common Shares
equal to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the
Exchange Ratio. Promptly after the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company ordering the exchange of any Rights pursuant to Section 27(a) hereof,
the Company shall publicly announce such action, and within 10 calendar days
thereafter shall
give notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at their
last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall
not affect the validity of such exchange. Any notice which is mailed in the
manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives
the notice. Each such notice of exchange shall state the method by which the
exchange of the Common Shares for Rights will be effected and, in the event of
any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial
exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other than
Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof) held by each holder of Rights.
(c) In any exchange pursuant to this Section 27, the Company, at its
option, may substitute for any Common Share exchangeable for a Right, (i)
equivalent common shares (as such term is used in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof),
(ii) cash, (iii) debt securities of the Company, (iv) other assets, or (v) any
combination of the foregoing, in any event having an aggregate value which the
Board of Directors of the Company shall have determined in good faith to be
equal to the current market value of one Common Share (determined pursuant to
Section 11(d) hereof) on the Trading Day immediately preceding the date of
exchange pursuant to this Section 27.
Section 28. SUCCESSORS; CERTAIN COVENANTS. All the covenants and provisions
of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall
bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns
hereunder.
Section 29. BENEFITS OF THIS AGREEMENT. Nothing in this Agreement shall be
construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, the Common Shares)
any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this
Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights
Agent and the registered holders of the Right Certificates (or prior to the
Distribution Date, the Common Shares).
Section 30. SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
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.
Section 31. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and each Right Certificate issued
hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the internal substantive
laws of the State of Georgia and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws of such State
applicable to contracts to be made and performed entirely within such State.
Section 32. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to
be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the same instrument.
Section 33. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.
[SEAL]
Attest: NET.B@NK, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ X.X. Xxxxxx
-------------------- ------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx X.X. Xxxxxx
Secretary Vice Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
[SEAL]
Attest: SUNTRUST BANK
By: /s/ Xxx Xxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
-------------------- ------------------
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Assistant Vice President Assistant Vice President
