AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER BY AND BETWEEN FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND GREAT LAKES BANCORP, INC. SEPTEMBER 9, 2007
BY
AND BETWEEN
FIRST
NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
AND
GREAT
LAKES BANCORP, INC.
SEPTEMBER
9, 2007
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TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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ARTICLE I CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
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1
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1.1.
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Certain Definitions.
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1
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ARTICLE II THE MERGER
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8
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2.1.
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Merger.
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8
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2.2.
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Effective Time.
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8
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2.3.
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Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws.
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8
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2.4.
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Directors and Officers of Surviving
Corporation.
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8
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2.5.
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Advisory Board.
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9
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2.6.
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Effects of the Merger.
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9
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2.7
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Tax Consequences.
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9
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2.8.
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Possible Alternative Structures.
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9
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2.9.
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Bank Merger
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9
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2.10.
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Additional Actions
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10
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ARTICLE III CONVERSION OF SHARES
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10
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3.1.
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Conversion of GLB Common Stock; Merger
Consideration.
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10
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3.2.
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Election Procedures.
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12
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3.3.
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Procedures for Exchange of GLB Common
Stock.
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15
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3.4
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Reservation of Shares.
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17
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ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF
GLB
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17
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4.1.
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Standard.
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18
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4.2.
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Organization.
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18
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4.3.
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Capitalization.
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19
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4.4.
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Authority; No Violation.
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19
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4.5.
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Consents.
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20
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4.6.
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Financial Statements.
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21
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4.7.
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Taxes.
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22
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4.8.
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No Material Adverse Effect.
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23
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4.9.
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Material Contracts; Leases; Defaults.
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23
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4.10.
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Ownership of Property; Insurance
Coverage.
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25
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4.11.
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Legal Proceedings.
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26
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4.12.
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Compliance With Applicable Law.
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26
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4.13.
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Employee Benefit Plans.
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27
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4.14.
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Brokers, Finders and Financial
Advisors.
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30
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4.15.
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Environmental Matters.
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30
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4.16.
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Loan Portfolio.
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31
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4.17.
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Securities Documents.
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32
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4.18.
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Related Party Transactions.
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33
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4.19.
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Deposits.
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33
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4.20.
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Antitakeover Provisions Inapplicable;
Required
Vote.
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33
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4.21.
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Registration Obligations.
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33
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4.22.
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Risk Management Instruments.
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33
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4.23.
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Fairness Opinion.
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34
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4.24.
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Trust Accounts
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34
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4.25.
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Intellectual Property
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34
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(i)
4.26.
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Labor Matters
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34
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4.27.
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GLB Information Supplied
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35
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ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF
FNFG
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35
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5.1.
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Standard.
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35
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5.2.
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Organization.
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36
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5.3.
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Capitalization.
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36
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5.4.
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Authority; No Violation.
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37
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5.5.
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Consents.
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37
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5.6.
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Financial Statements.
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38
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5.7.
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Taxes.
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39
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5.8.
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No Material Adverse Effect.
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39
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5.9.
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Ownership of Property; Insurance
Coverage.
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40
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5.10.
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Legal Proceedings.
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40
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5.11.
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Compliance With Applicable Law.
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40
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5.12.
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Employee Benefit Plans.
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41
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5.13.
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Environmental Matters.
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43
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5.14.
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Loan Losses.
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43
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5.15.
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Securities Documents
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43
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5.16.
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Brokers, Finders and Financial
Advisors
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43
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5.17.
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FNFG Common Stock
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44
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5.18.
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FNFG Information Supplied
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44
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ARTICLE VI COVENANTS OF GLB
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44
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6.1.
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Conduct of Business.
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44
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6.2.
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Current Information.
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48
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6.3.
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Access to Properties and Records.
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49
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6.4.
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Financial and Other Statements.
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50
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6.5.
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Maintenance of Insurance.
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51
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6.6.
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Disclosure Supplements.
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51
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6.7.
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Consents and Approvals of Third
Parties.
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51
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6.8.
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All Reasonable Efforts.
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51
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6.9.
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Failure to Fulfill Conditions.
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51
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6.10.
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No Solicitation.
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51
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6.11.
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Reserves and Merger-Related Costs.
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54
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6.12.
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Board of Directors and Committee
Meetings.
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55
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ARTICLE VII COVENANTS OF FNFG
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55
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7.1.
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Conduct of Business.
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55
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7.2.
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Current Information.
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55
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7.3.
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Financial and Other Statements.
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56
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7.4.
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Disclosure Supplements.
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56
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7.5.
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Consents and Approvals of Third
Parties.
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56
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7.6.
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All Reasonable Efforts.
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56
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7.7.
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Failure to Fulfill Conditions.
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56
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7.8.
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Employee Benefits.
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56
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7.9.
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Directors and Officers Indemnification
and
Insurance.
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58
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7.10.
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Stock Listing.
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59
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7.11.
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Stock and Cash Reserve.
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59
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(ii)
ARTICLE VIII REGULATORY AND OTHER
MATTERS
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59
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8.1.
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GLB Shareholder Meeting.
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59
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8.2.
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Proxy Statement-Prospectus.
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59
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8.3.
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Regulatory Approvals.
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61
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8.4.
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Affiliates.
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61
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ARTICLE IX CLOSING CONDITIONS
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61
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9.1.
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Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations under
this Agreement.
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61
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9.2.
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Conditions to the Obligations of FNFG
under
this Agreement.
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62
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9.3.
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Conditions to the Obligations of GLB
under
this Agreement.
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63
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ARTICLE X THE CLOSING
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64
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10.1.
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Time and Place.
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64
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10.2.
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Deliveries at the Pre-Closing and
the
Closing.
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64
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ARTICLE XI TERMINATION, AMENDMENT
AND
WAIVER
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64
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11.1.
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Termination.
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64
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11.2.
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Effect of Termination.
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67
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11.3.
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Amendment, Extension and Waiver.
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68
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ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS
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68
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12.1.
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Confidentiality.
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68
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12.2.
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Public Announcements.
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68
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12.3.
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Survival.
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69
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12.4.
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Notices.
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69
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12.5.
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Parties in Interest.
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70
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12.6.
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Complete Agreement.
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70
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12.7.
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Counterparts.
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71
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12.8.
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Severability.
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71
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12.9.
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Governing Law.
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71
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12.10.
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Interpretation.
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71
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12.11.
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Specific Performance.
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71
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(iii)
This
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) is dated as of September 9,
2007, by and between First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“FNFG”), and Great Lakes Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“GLB”).
WHEREAS,
the Board of Directors of each of FNFG and GLB (i) has determined that this
Agreement and the business combination and related transactions contemplated
hereby are in the best interests of their respective companies and shareholders
and (ii) has determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby are consistent with and in furtherance of their respective business
strategies, and (iii) has adopted a resolution approving this Agreement and
declaring its advisability; and
WHEREAS,
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, GLB will merge with
and
into FNFG (the “Merger”), and immediately thereafter Greater Buffalo Savings
Bank, a New York chartered stock savings bank and wholly owned subsidiary
of GLB
(“GBSB”), will be merged with and into First Niagara Bank, a federally chartered
stock savings bank and wholly owned subsidiary of FNFG (“First Niagara Bank”);
and
WHEREAS,
as a condition to the willingness of FNFG to enter into this Agreement, each
of
the directors of GLB has entered into a Voting Agreement, substantially in
the
form of Exhibit A hereto, dated as of the date hereof, with FNFG (the “GLB
Voting Agreements”), pursuant to which each such director has agreed, among
other things, to vote all shares of common stock of GLB owned by such person
in
favor of the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, upon the terms aznd subject to the conditions set forth in the GLB
Voting Agreements; and
WHEREAS,
the parties intend the Merger to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
and that this Agreement be and is hereby adopted as a “plan of reorganization”
within the meaning of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code; and
WHEREAS,
the parties desire to make certain representations, warranties and agreements
in
connection with the business transactions described in this Agreement and
to
prescribe certain conditions thereto.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations,
warranties and agreements herein contained, and of other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the
parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS
1.1. Certain
Definitions.
As
used
in this Agreement, the following terms have the following meanings (unless
the
context otherwise requires, references to Articles and Sections refer to
Articles and Sections of this Agreement).
1
“Affiliate”
means any Person who directly, or indirectly, through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control
with,
such Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes
any
executive officer or director of such Person and any Affiliate of such executive
officer or director.
“Agreement”
means this agreement, and any amendment hereto.
“Applications”
means the applications for regulatory approval that are required by the
transactions contemplated hereby.
“Bank
Merger” shall mean the merger of GBSB with and into First Niagara Bank, with
First Niagara Bank as the surviving institution, which merger shall occur
immediately following the Merger.
“Bank
Regulator” shall mean any Federal or state banking regulator, including but not
limited to the OTS, the FRB, the FDIC and the Department, which regulates
First
Niagara Bank or GBSB, or any of their respective holding companies or
subsidiaries, as the case may be.
“BHCA”
shall mean the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
“Cash
Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.
“Cash
Election” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.
“Cash
Election Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.
“Certificate”
shall mean certificates evidencing shares of GLB Common Stock.
“Closing”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“Closing
Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
“COBRA”
shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as
amended.
“Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Confidentiality
Agreement” shall mean the confidentiality agreement referred to in Section 12.1
of this Agreement.
“Department”
shall mean the Banking Department of the State of New York, and where
appropriate shall include the Superintendent of Banks of the State of New
York
and the Banking Board of the State of New York.
“DGCL”
shall mean the Delaware General Corporation Law.
“Dissenting
Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.4.
“Dissenting
Shareholder” shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1.4.
2
“Effective
Time” shall mean the date and time specified pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof as
the effective time of the Merger.
“Election
Deadline” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.3.
“Election
Form” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.2.
“Election
Form Record Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.2.2.
“Environmental
Laws” means any applicable Federal, state or local law, statute, ordinance,
rule, regulation, code, license, permit, authorization, approval, consent,
order, judgment, decree, injunction or agreement with any governmental entity
relating to (1) the protection, preservation or restoration of the environment
(including, without limitation, air, water vapor, surface water, groundwater,
drinking water supply, surface soil, subsurface soil, plant and animal life
or
any other natural resource), and/or (2) the use, storage, recycling, treatment,
generation, transportation, processing, handling, labeling, production, release
or disposal of Materials of Environmental Concern. The term Environmental
Law
includes without limitation (a) the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §9601, et seq; the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §6901, et seq; the
Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §7401, et seq; the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. §1251, et seq; the Toxic Substances Control
Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. §2601, et seq; the Emergency Planning and Community
Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. §11001, et seq; the Safe Drinking Xxxxx Xxx, 00
X.X.X. §000x, et seq; and all comparable state and local laws, and (b) any
common law (including without limitation common law that may impose strict
liability) that may impose liability or obligations for injuries or damages
due
to the presence of or exposure to any Materials of Environmental
Concern.
“ERISA”
shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
“Exchange
Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Exchange
Agent” shall mean Mellon Investor Services, LLC, or such other bank or trust
company or other agent designated by FNFG, and reasonably acceptable to GLB,
which shall act as agent for FNFG in connection with the exchange procedures
for
converting Certificates into the Merger Consideration.
“Exchange
Fund” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.3.1.
“Exchange
Ratio” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.
“FDIA”
shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended.
“FDIC”
shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any successor
thereto.
“FHLB”
shall mean the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.
3
“First
Niagara Bank” shall mean First Niagara Bank, a federally chartered stock savings
association, with its principal offices located at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx,
P.O.
Box 514, Lockport, New York, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of
FNFG.
“First
Niagara Commercial Bank” shall mean the wholly owned, commercial bank subsidiary
of First Niagara Bank that is chartered under the laws of the State of New
York
and is limited to those activities set forth in Section 2(a)(5)(E)(ii) of
the
BHCA.
“FNFG”
shall mean First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with
its
principal executive offices located at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx
Xxxx 00000.
“FNFG
Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
FNFG.
“FNFG
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE” shall mean a written disclosure schedule delivered by FNFG
to GLB specifically referring to the appropriate section of this
Agreement.
“FNFG
Financial Statements” shall mean the (i) the audited consolidated statements of
condition (including related notes and schedules) of FNFG and subsidiaries
as of
December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the consolidated statements of income,
comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows (including
related notes and schedules, if any) of FNFG and subsidiaries for each of
the
three years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, as set forth in FNFG’s
annual report for the year ended December 31, 2006, and (ii) the unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements of FNFG and subsidiaries as of
the end
of each calendar quarter following December 31, 2006, and for the periods
then
ended, as filed by FNFG in its Securities Documents.
“FNFG
Regulatory Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
5.11.3.
“FNFG
Stock Benefit Plans” shall mean the 1999 Stock Option Plan, the 1999 Recognition
and Retention Plan and the 2002 Long-Term Incentive Stock Benefit
Plan.
“FNFG
Subsidiary” means any corporation, of which more than 50% of the capital stock
is owned, either directly or indirectly, by FNFG or First Niagara Bank, except
any corporation the stock of which is held in the ordinary course of the
lending
activities of First Niagara Bank.
“FRB”
shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and, where
appropriate, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
“GAAP”
shall mean accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
of
America, consistently applied with prior practice.
“GBSB”
shall mean Greater Buffalo Savings Bank, a New York chartered stock savings
bank, with its principal offices located at 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx,
00000, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of GLB.
“GLB”
shall mean Great Lakes Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with its principal
offices located at 0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, 00000.
4
“GLB
Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
GLB.
“GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE” shall mean a written disclosure schedule delivered by GLB
to FNFG specifically referring to the appropriate section of this
Agreement.
“GLB
Financial Statements” shall mean (i) the audited consolidated balance sheets
(including related notes and schedules, if any) of GLB and subsidiaries as
of
December 31, 2006 and 2005 and the consolidated statements of operations,
stockholders’ equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if
any) of GLB and subsidiaries for each of the three years ended December 31,
2006, 2005 and 2004, as set forth in GLB’s annual report for the year ended
December 31, 2006, and (ii) the unaudited interim consolidated financial
statements of GLB and subsidiaries as of the end of each calendar quarter
following December 31, 2006 and for the periods then ended, as filed by GLB
in
its Securities Documents.
“GLB
Option Plans” shall mean the GLB 2000 Stock Option, the GLB 2002 Stock Option
Plan and the Bay View Capital Corporation 1995 Stock Option and Incentive
Plan,
and any amendments thereto.
“GLB
Option” shall mean an option to purchase shares of GLB Common Stock granted
pursuant to the GLB Option Plans and as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
4.3.1.
“GLB
Recommendation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.1.
“GLB
Regulatory Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.12.3.
“GLB
Regulatory Reports” means the Call Reports of GBSB and accompanying schedules,
as filed with the FDIC, for each calendar quarter beginning with the quarter
ended March 31, 2007, through the Closing Date, and all Reports filed with
the
FDIC by GLB from March 31, 2007 through the Closing Date.
“GLB
Shareholders Meeting” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
8.1.1.
“GLB
Subsidiary” means any corporation, of which more than 50% of the capital stock
is owned, either directly or indirectly, by GLB or GBSB, except any corporation
the stock of which is held in the ordinary course of the lending activities
of
GBSB.
“Governmental
Entity” shall mean any Federal or state court, administrative agency or
commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality.
“HOLA”
shall mean the Home Owners’ Loan Act, as amended.
“IRS”
shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Knowledge”
as used with respect to a Person (including references to such Person being
aware of a particular matter) means those facts that are known or should
have
been known by the executive officers and directors of such Person, and includes
any facts, matters or circumstances set forth in any written notice from
any
Bank Regulator or any other material written notice received by that
Person.
5
“Material
Adverse Effect” shall mean, with respect to FNFG or GLB, respectively, any
effect that (i) is material and adverse to the financial condition, results
of
operations or business of FNFG and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or
GLB and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, respectively, or (ii) does or would
materially impair the ability of either GLB, on the one hand, or FNFG, on
the
other hand, to perform its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise
materially threaten or materially impede the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; provided that “Material Adverse Effect” shall
not be deemed to include the impact of (a) changes in laws and regulations
affecting banks or thrift institutions or their holding companies generally,
or
interpretations thereof by courts or governmental agencies, (b) changes in
GAAP
or regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to financial
institutions and their holding companies, (c) actions and omissions of a
party
hereto (or any of its Subsidiaries) taken with the prior written consent
of the
other party, (d) the impact of the announcement of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, and compliance with this Agreement on the
business, financial condition or results of operations of the parties and
their
respective subsidiaries, including the expenses incurred by the parties hereto
in consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (e) changes
in
national or international political or social conditions including the
engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to
the
declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military
or
terrorist attack upon or within the United States, or any of its territories,
possessions or diplomatic or consular offices or upon any military installation,
equipment or personnel of the United States, unless it uniquely affects either
or both of the parties or any of their Subsidiaries (f) any change in the
value
of the securities or loan portfolio, or any change in the value of the deposits
or borrowings, of FNFG or GLB, or any of their Subsidiaries, respectively,
resulting from a change in interest rates generally, or (g) any charge or
reserve taken by GLB at the request of FNFG pursuant to Section 6.11 of this
Agreement.
“Materials
of Environmental Concern” means pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic
substances, petroleum and petroleum products, and any other materials regulated
under Environmental Laws.
“Merger”
shall mean the merger of GLB with and into FNFG (or a subsidiary thereof)
pursuant to the terms hereof.
“Merger
Consideration” shall mean the cash or FNFG Common Stock, or combination thereof,
in an aggregate per share amount to be paid by FNFG for each share of GLB
Common
Stock, as set forth in Section 3.1.
“Merger
Registration Statement” shall mean the registration statement, together with all
amendments, filed with the SEC under the Securities Act for the purpose of
registering shares of FNFG Common Stock to be offered to holders of GLB Common
Stock in connection with the Merger.
“Nasdaq”
shall mean the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
“OTS”
shall mean the Office of Thrift Supervision or any successor
thereto.
“PBGC”
shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any successor
thereto.
6
“Pension
Plan” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.13.2.
“Person”
shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association,
trust or “group” (as that term is defined under the Exchange Act).
“Proxy
Statement-Prospectus” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
8.2.1.
“Regulatory
Approvals” means the approval of any Bank Regulator that is necessary in
connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger and the related
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Rights”
shall mean warrants, options, rights, convertible securities, stock appreciation
rights and other arrangements or commitments which obligate an entity to
issue
or dispose of any of its capital stock or other ownership interests or which
provide for compensation based on the equity appreciation of its capital
stock.
“SEC”
shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor
thereto.
“Securities
Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Securities
Documents” shall mean all reports, offering circulars, proxy statements,
registration statements and all similar documents filed, or required to be
filed, pursuant to the Securities Laws.
“Securities
Laws” shall mean the Securities Act; the Exchange Act; the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended; the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended;
the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of
the
SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Shortfall
Number” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.5.
“Significant
Subsidiary” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X of
the SEC.
“Stock
Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.
“Stock
Conversion Number” shall have the meaning set forth in Section
3.2.1.
“Stock
Election” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.
“Stock
Election Number” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.4.
“Stock
Election Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.3.
“Surviving
Corporation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1
hereof.
“Termination
Date” shall mean June 30, 2008.
7
“Treasury
Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.2.
Other
terms used herein are defined in the preamble and elsewhere in this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
II
THE
MERGER
2.1. Merger.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time: (a)
GLB
shall merge with and into FNFG, with FNFG as the resulting or surviving
corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”); and (b) the separate existence of GLB
shall cease and all of the rights, privileges, powers, franchises, properties,
assets, liabilities and obligations of GLB shall be vested in and assumed
by
FNFG. As part of the Merger, each share of GLB Common Stock (other
than Dissenting Shares and Treasury Stock) will be converted into the right
to
receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to the terms of Article III
hereof. Immediately after the Merger, GBSB shall merge with and into
First Niagara Bank, with First Niagara Bank as the resulting
institution.
2.2. Effective
Time.
The
Closing shall occur no later than the close of business on the fifth business
day following the latest to occur of (i) the receipt of all
Regulatory Approvals, (ii) GLB shareholder approval of the Merger, or (iii)
the passing of any applicable waiting periods; or at such other date or time
upon which FNFG and GLB mutually agree (the “Closing”). The Merger shall be
effected by the filing of a certificate of merger with the Delaware Office
of
the Secretary of State on the day of the Closing (the “Closing Date”), in
accordance with the DGCL. The “Effective Time” means the date and
time upon which the certificate of merger is filed with the Delaware Office
of
the Secretary of State, or as otherwise stated in the certificate of merger,
in
accordance with the DGCL.
2.3. Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws.
The
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of FNFG as in effect immediately
prior
to the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
of
the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter amended as provided therein and
by
applicable law.
2.4. Directors
and Officers of Surviving Corporation.
The
directors of FNFG immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial
directors of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance
with
the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation. The officers of FNFG immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be the initial officers of Surviving Corporation, in each case
until
their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and
qualified.
8
2.5. Advisory
Board.
Effective
immediately after the Effective Time, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
shall be appointed to the currently existing Western New York Advisory Board
of
First Niagara Bank (the “Advisory Board”).
2.6. Effects
of the Merger.
At
and
after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the effects as set forth
in the
DGCL.
2.7. Tax
Consequences.
It
is
intended that the Merger shall constitute a reorganization within the meaning
of
Section 368(a) of the Code, and that this Agreement shall constitute a “plan of
reorganization” as that term is used in Sections 354 and 361 of the
Code. From and after the date of this Agreement and until the
Closing, each party hereto shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause
the
Merger to qualify, and will not knowingly take any action, cause any action
to
be taken, fail to take any action or cause any action to fail to be taken
which
action or failure to act could prevent the Merger from qualifying as a
reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code. Following the
Closing, neither FNFG, GLB nor any of their affiliates shall knowingly take
any
action, cause any action to be taken, fail to take any action or cause any
action to fail to be taken, which action or failure to act could cause the
Merger to fail to qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Code. FNFG and GLB each hereby agrees to deliver certificates
substantially in compliance with IRS published advance ruling guidelines,
with
customary exceptions and modifications thereto, to enable counsel to deliver
the
legal opinion contemplated by Section 9.1.6, which certificates shall be
effective as of the date of such opinion.
2.8. Possible
Alternative Structures.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, prior to the Effective
Time FNFG shall be entitled to revise the structure of the Merger or the
Bank
Merger, including without limitation, by merging GLB into a wholly owned
subsidiary of FNFG, provided that (i) any such subsidiary shall become a
party to, and shall agree to be bound by, the terms of this Agreement
(ii) there are no adverse Federal or state income tax consequences to GLB
shareholders as a result of the modification; (iii) the consideration to
be paid
to the holders of GLB Common Stock under this Agreement is not thereby changed
in kind, value or reduced in amount; and (iv) such modification will not
delay
materially or jeopardize the receipt of Regulatory Approvals or other consents
and approvals relating to the consummation of the Merger and the Bank Merger
or
otherwise cause any condition to Closing set forth in Article IX not to be
capable of being fulfilled. The parties hereto agree to appropriately
amend this Agreement and any related documents in order to reflect any such
revised structure.
2.9. Bank
Merger
FNFG
and
GLB shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause the merger of GBSB with
and
into First Niagara Bank, with First Niagara Bank as the surviving institution,
to occur as soon as practicable after the Effective Time. In
addition, following the execution and delivery of
9
this
Agreement, FNFG will cause First Niagara Bank, and GLB will cause GBSB, to
execute and deliver a mutually acceptable Plan of Bank Merger.
2.10. Additional
Actions
If,
at
any time after the Effective Time, FNFG shall consider or be advised that
any
further deeds, assignments or assurances in law or any other acts are necessary
or desirable to (i) vest, perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in
FNFG its right, title or interest in, to or under any of the rights, properties
or assets of GLB, GBSB, or (ii) otherwise carry out the purposes of this
Agreement, GLB and its officers and directors shall be deemed to have granted
to
FNFG an irrevocable power of attorney to execute and deliver, in such official
corporate capacities, all such deeds, assignments or assurances in law or
any
other acts as are necessary or desirable to (a) vest, perfect or confirm,
of record or otherwise, in FNFG its right, title or interest in, to or under
any
of the rights, properties or assets of GLB or (b) otherwise carry out the
purposes of this Agreement, and the officers and directors of the FNFG are
authorized in the name of GLB or otherwise to take any and all such
action.
ARTICLE
III
CONVERSION
OF SHARES
3.1. Conversion
of GLB Common Stock; Merger Consideration.
At
the
Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
of
FNFG, GLB or the holders of any of the shares of GLB Common Stock, the Merger
shall be effected in accordance with the following terms:
3.1.1. Each
share of FNFG Common Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior
to
the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding following the Effective
Time and shall be unchanged by the Merger.
3.1.2. All
shares of GLB Common Stock held in the treasury of GLB (“Treasury Stock”) and
each share of GLB Common Stock owned by FNFG immediately prior to the Effective
Time (other than shares held in a fiduciary capacity or in connection with
debts
previously contracted) shall, at the Effective Time, cease to exist, and
the
certificates for such shares shall be canceled as promptly as practicable
thereafter, and no payment or distribution shall be made in consideration
therefor.
3.1.3. Subject
to the provisions of this Article III, each share of GLB Common Stock issued
and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Treasury
Stock
and Dissenting Shares) shall become and be converted into, as provided in
and
subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the right to receive
at
the election of the holder thereof as provided in Section 3.2, the following,
without interest:
(A) for
each share of GLB Common Stock with respect to which an election to receive
cash
has been effectively made and not revoked or lost, pursuant to Section 3.2
(a
“Cash Election”), cash from FNFG in an amount equal to $14.00 (the “Cash
Consideration”) (collectively, “Cash Election Shares”);
10
(B) for
each share of GLB Common Stock with respect to which an election to receive
FNFG
Common Stock has been effectively made and not revoked or lost, pursuant
to
Section 3.2 (a “Stock Election”), .993 shares (“the Exchange Ratio”) of FNFG
Common (the “Stock Consideration”) (collectively, the “Stock Election
Shares”);
(C) a
combination of the Cash Consideration and the Stock Consideration (a “Mixed
Election” and collectively the “Mixed Election Shares”); and
(D) for
each share of GLB Common Stock other than shares as to which a Cash Election,
a
Stock Election or a Mixed Election has been effectively made and not revoked
or
lost, pursuant to Section 3.2 (collectively, “Non-Election Shares”), such Stock
Consideration and/or Cash Consideration as is determined in accordance with
Section 3.2.
3.1.4. Each
outstanding share of GLB Common Stock the holder of which has perfected his
right to dissent under the DGCL and has not effectively withdrawn or lost
such
right as of the Effective Time (the “Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted
into or represent a right to receive the Merger Consideration hereunder,
and the
holder thereof shall be entitled only to such rights as are granted by the
DGCL. GLB shall give FNFG prompt notice upon receipt by GLB of any
written demand for payment of the fair value of such shares of GLB Common
Stock
and of withdrawals of such notice and any other instruments provided pursuant
to
applicable law (any shareholder duly making such demand being hereinafter
called
a “Dissenting Shareholder”), and FNFG shall have the right to participate in all
negotiations and proceedings with respect to any such demands. GLB
shall not, except with the prior written consent of FNFG, voluntarily make
any
payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such demand for
payment, or waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for appraisal
or the taking of any other action by such Dissenting Shareholder as may be
necessary to perfect appraisal rights under the DGCL. Any payments made in
respect of Dissenting Shares shall be made by the Surviving
Company.
3.1.5. If
any Dissenting Shareholder shall effectively withdraw or lose (through failure
to perfect or otherwise) his right to such payment at or prior to the Effective
Time, such holder’s shares of GLB Common Stock shall be converted into a right
to receive cash or FNFG Common Stock in accordance with the applicable
provisions of this Agreement. If such holder shall effectively
withdraw or lose (through failure to perfect or otherwise) his right to such
payment after the Effective Time (or the Election Deadline), each share of
GLB
Common Stock of such holder shall be treated as a Non-Election
Share.
3.1.6. After
the Effective Time, shares of GLB Common Stock shall be no longer outstanding
and shall automatically be canceled and shall cease to exist, and shall
thereafter by operation of this section represent the right to receive the
Merger Consideration (or as to Dissenting Shares, such rights as provided
by the
DGCL) and any dividends or distributions with respect thereto or any dividends
or distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time that were
declared or made by GLB on such shares of GLB Common Stock in accordance
with
the terms of this Agreement on or prior to the Effective Time and which remain
unpaid at the Effective Time.
11
3.1.7. In
the event FNFG changes (or establishes a record date for changing) the number
of, or provides for the exchange of, shares of FNFG Common Stock issued and
outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, reclassification, or similar transaction with
respect to the outstanding FNFG Common Stock and the record date therefor
shall
be prior to the Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately
and
appropriately adjusted; provided, that no such adjustment shall be
made with regard to FNFG Common Stock if FNFG issues additional shares of
Common
Stock and receives fair market value consideration for such shares.
3.2. Election
Procedures.
3.2.1. Holders
of GLB Common Stock may elect to receive shares of FNFG Common Stock or cash
(in
either case without interest) in exchange for their shares of GLB Common
Stock
in accordance with the procedures set forth herein; provided that, in the
aggregate, and subject to the provisions of 3.2, 50% of the total number
of
shares of GLB Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective Time,
including any Dissenting Shares but excluding any Treasury Shares (the “Stock
Conversion Number”), shall be converted into the Stock Consideration and the
remaining outstanding shares of GLB Common Stock shall be converted into
the
Cash Consideration. Shares of GLB Common Stock as to which a Cash
Election (including, pursuant to a Mixed Election) has been made are referred
to
herein as “Cash Election Shares.” Shares of GLB Common Stock as to
which a Stock Election has been made (including, pursuant to a Mixed Election)
are referred to as “Stock Election Shares.” Shares of GLB Common
Stock as to which no election has been made (or as to which an Election Form
is
not returned properly completed) are referred to herein as “Non-Election
Shares.” The aggregate number of shares of GLB Common Stock with
respect to which a Stock Election has been made is referred to herein as
the
“Stock Election Number.” Any Dissenting Shares shall be deemed to be
Cash Election Shares, and the holders thereof shall in no event receive
consideration comprised of FNFG Common Stock with respect to such shares;
provided; however, that for purposes of making the proration calculations
provided for in this Section 3.2, only Dissenting Shares as existing at the
Effective Time shall be deemed Cash Election Shares.
3.2.2. An
election form and other appropriate and customary transmittal materials (which
shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title
to the
Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of such Certificates to
the
Exchange Agent), in such form as GLB and FNFG shall mutually agree (“Election
Form”), shall be mailed no more than 40 business days and no less than 20
business days prior to the anticipated Effective Time or on such earlier
date as
FNFG and GLB shall mutually agree (the “Mailing Date”) to each holder of record
of GLB Common Stock as of five business days prior to the Mailing Date (the
“Election Form Record Date”). Each Election Form shall permit such
holder, subject to the allocation and election procedures set forth in this
Section 3.2, (i) to elect to receive the Cash Consideration for all of the
shares of GLB Common Stock held by such holder, in accordance with Section
3.1.3, (ii) to elect to receive the Stock Consideration for all of such shares,
in accordance with Section 3.1.3, (iii) elect to receive the Stock Consideration
for a part of such holder’s GLB Common Stock and the Cash consideration for the
remaining part of such holder’s GLB Common Stock, or (iv) to indicate that such
record holder has no preference as to the receipt of cash or FNFG Common
Stock
for such shares. A holder of record of shares of GLB Common Stock who
holds such shares as nominee, trustee or in another representative
capacity
12
(a
“Representative”) may submit multiple Election Forms, provided that each such
Election Form covers all the shares of GLB Common Stock held by such
Representative for a particular beneficial owner. Any shares of GLB
Common Stock with respect to which the holder thereof shall not, as of the
Election Deadline, have made an election by submission to the Exchange Agent
of
an effective, properly completed Election Form shall be deemed Non-Election
Shares.
3.2.3. To
be effective, a properly completed Election Form shall be submitted to the
Exchange Agent on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the 20th day following
the
Mailing Date (or such other time and date as FNFG and GLB may mutually agree)
(the “Election Deadline”); provided, however, that the Election Deadline may not
occur on or after the Closing Date. GLB shall use its reasonable best
efforts to make available up to two separate Election Forms, or such additional
Election Forms as FNFG may permit, to all persons who become holders (or
beneficial owners) of GLB Common Stock between the Election Form Record Date
and
the close of business on the business day prior to the Election
Deadline. GLB shall provide to the Exchange Agent all information
reasonably necessary for it to perform as specified herein. An
election shall have been properly made only if the Exchange Agent shall have
actually received a properly completed Election Form by the Election
Deadline. An Election Form shall be deemed properly completed only if
accompanied by one or more Certificates (or customary affidavits and
indemnification regarding the loss or destruction of such Certificates or
the
guaranteed delivery of such Certificates) representing all shares of GLB
Common
Stock covered by such Election Form, together with duly executed transmittal
materials included with the Election Form. If an GLB shareholder
either (i) does not submit a properly completed Election Form in a timely
fashion or (ii) revokes its Election Form prior to the Election Deadline
(without later submitting a properly completed Election Form prior to the
Election Deadline), the shares of GLB Common Stock held by such shareholder
shall be designated as Non-Election Shares. Any Election Form may be
revoked or changed by the person submitting such Election Form to the Exchange
Agent by written notice to the Exchange Agent only if such notice of revocation
or change is actually received by the Exchange Agent at or prior to the Election
Deadline. FNFG shall cause the Certificate or Certificates relating
to any revoked Election Form to be promptly returned without charge to the
person submitting the Election Form to the Exchange Agent. Subject to
the terms of this Agreement and of the Election Form, the Exchange Agent
shall
have discretion to determine when any election, modification or revocation
is
received and whether any such election, modification or revocation has been
properly made. All elections shall be revoked automatically if the
Exchange Agent is notified in writing by FNFG or GLB, upon exercise by FNFG
or
GLB of its respective or their mutual rights to terminate this Agreement
to the
extent provided under Article XI, that this Agreement has been terminated
in
accordance with Article XI.
3.2.4. If
the aggregate number of shares of GLB Common Stock with respect to which
Stock
Elections shall have been made (the “Stock Election Number”) exceeds the Stock
Conversion Number, then all Cash Election Shares and all Non-Election Shares
of
each holder thereof shall be converted into the right to receive the Cash
Consideration, and Stock Election Shares of each holder thereof will be
converted into the right to receive the Stock Consideration in respect of
that
number of Stock Election Shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying
(x)
the number of Stock Election Shares held by such holder by (y) a fraction,
the
numerator of which is the Stock Conversion Number and the denominator of
which
is the Stock Election
13
Number,
with the remaining number of such holder’s Stock Election Shares being converted
into the right to receive the Cash Consideration.
3.2.5.
If the Stock Election Number is less than the Stock Conversion Number (the
amount by which the Stock Conversion Number exceeds the Stock Election Number
being referred to herein as the “Shortfall Number”), then all Stock Election
Shares shall be converted into the right to receive the Stock Consideration
and
the Non-Election Shares and Cash Election Shares shall be treated in the
following manner:
(A) If
the Shortfall Number is less than or equal to the number of Non-Election
Shares,
then all Cash Election Shares shall be converted into the right to receive
the
Cash Consideration and the Non-Election Shares of each holder thereof shall
convert into the right to receive the Stock Consideration in respect of that
number of Non-Election Shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying
(x)
the number of Non-Election Shares held by such holder by (y) a fraction,
the
numerator of which is the Shortfall Number and the denominator of which is
the
total number of Non-Election Shares, with the remaining number of such holder’s
Non-Election Shares being converted into the right to receive the Cash
Consideration; or
(B) If
the Shortfall Number exceeds the number of Non-Election Shares, then all
Non-Election Shares shall be converted into the right to receive the Stock
Consideration and Cash Election Shares of each holder thereof shall convert
into
the right to receive the Stock Consideration in respect of that number of
Cash
Election Shares equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the number
of
Cash Election Shares held by such holder by (y) a fraction, the numerator
of
which is the amount by which (1) the Shortfall Number exceeds (2) the total
number of Non-Election Shares and the denominator of which is the total number
of Cash Election Shares, with the remaining number of such holder’s Cash
Election Shares being converted into the right to receive the Cash
Consideration.
3.2.6. Adjustment
to Preserve Tax Treatment. Notwithstanding anything in this Article III to
the contrary, if the aggregate value of the Stock Consideration to be delivered
as of the Effective Time, less the amount of cash paid in lieu of fractional
shares of FNFG Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.2.7 (the “Stock Value”), is
less than 40% of the sum of (i) the aggregate value of the Merger Consideration
to be delivered as of the Effective Time, plus (ii) the value of any
consideration described in Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(e)(1)(ii),
plus
(iii) cash paid to holders of Dissenting Shares, plus (iv) the value of any
consideration paid by FNFG or any of its Subsidiaries (or any “related person”
to FNFG or any of its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Treasury Regulations
Section 1.368-1(e)(3)) to acquire shares of GLB Common Stock prior to the
Effective Time (such sum, the “Aggregate Value”), then FNFG may reduce the
number of shares of outstanding GLB Common Stock entitled to receive the
Cash
Consideration and correspondingly increase the number of shares of GLB Common
Stock entitled to receive the Stock Consideration by the minimum amount
necessary to cause the Stock Value to equal 40% of the Aggregate
Value.
3.2.7. No
Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, no certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of FNFG Common
Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates, no
dividend or distribution with respect to FNFG Common Stock shall be payable
on
or with respect to any fractional share interest, and
14
such
fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or
to any
other rights of a shareholder of FNFG. In lieu of the issuance of any
such fractional share, FNFG shall pay to each former holder of GLB Common
Stock
who otherwise would be entitled to receive a fractional share of FNFG Common
Stock, an amount in cash, rounded to the nearest cent and without interest,
equal to the product of (i) the fraction of a share to which such holder
would
otherwise have been entitled and (ii) the average of the daily closing sales
prices of a share of FNFG Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq for the
five
consecutive trading days immediately preceding the Closing Date. For
purposes of determining any fractional share interest, all shares of GLB
Common
Stock owned by a GLB shareholder shall be combined so as to calculate the
maximum number of whole shares of FNFG Common Stock issuable to such GLB
shareholder.
3.3. Procedures
for Exchange of GLB Common Stock.
3.3.1. FNFG
to Make Merger Consideration Available. After the Election
Deadline and no later than the Closing Date, FNFG shall deposit, or shall
cause
to be deposited, with the Exchange Agent for the benefit of the holders of
GLB
Common Stock, for exchange in accordance with this Section 3.3, certificates
representing the shares of FNFG Common Stock and an aggregate amount of cash
sufficient to pay the aggregate amount of cash payable pursuant to this Article
III (including any cash that may be payable in lieu of any fractional shares
of
GLB Common Stock) (such cash and certificates for shares of FNFG Common Stock,
together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto, being
hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Fund”).
3.3.2. Exchange
of Certificates. FNFG shall take all steps necessary to cause
the Exchange Agent, within five (5) business days after the Effective Time,
to
mail to each holder of a Certificate or Certificates, a form letter of
transmittal for return to the Exchange Agent and instructions for use in
effecting the surrender of the Certificates for the Merger Consideration
and
cash in lieu of fractional shares, if any, into which the GLB Common Stock
represented by such Certificates shall have been converted as a result of
the
Merger. The letter of transmittal shall specify that delivery shall
be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only
upon delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent. Upon proper surrender
of a Certificate for exchange and cancellation to the Exchange Agent, together
with a properly completed letter of transmittal, duly executed, the holder
of
such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, as
applicable, (i) a certificate representing that number of shares of FNFG
Common
Stock (if any) to which such former holder of GLB Common Stock shall have
become
entitled pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.1 or 3.2 hereof, (ii) a
check
representing that amount of cash (if any) to which such former holder of
GLB
Common Stock shall have become entitled pursuant to the provisions of Section
3.1 or 3.2 hereof and (iii) a check representing the amount of cash (if any)
payable in lieu of fractional shares of FNFG Common Stock, which such former
holder has the right to receive in respect of the Certificate surrendered
pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.2, and the Certificate so surrendered
shall forthwith be cancelled. No interest will be paid or accrued on
the cash payable in lieu of fractional shares. Certificates
surrendered for exchange by any person who is an “affiliate” of GLB for purposes
of Rule 145(c) under the Securities Act shall not be exchanged for certificates
representing shares of FNFG Common Stock until FNFG has received the written
agreement of such person contemplated by Section 8.4 hereof.
15
3.3.3. Rights
of Certificate Holders after the Effective Time. The holder of a
Certificate that prior to the Merger represented issued and outstanding GLB
Common Stock shall have no rights, after the Effective Time, with respect
to
such GLB Common Stock except to surrender the Certificate in exchange for
the
Merger Consideration as provided in this Agreement (or as to Dissenting Shares,
such rights as provided by the DGCL). No dividends or other
distributions declared after the Effective Time with respect to FNFG Common
Stock shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate until
the
holder thereof shall surrender such Certificate in accordance with this Section
3.3. After the surrender of a Certificate in accordance with this
Section 3.3, the record holder thereof shall be entitled to receive any such
dividends or other distributions, without any interest thereon, which
theretofore had become payable with respect to shares of FNFG Common Stock
represented by such Certificate.
3.3.4. Surrender
by Persons Other than Record Holders. If the Person surrendering
a Certificate and signing the accompanying letter of transmittal is not the
record holder thereof, then it shall be a condition of the payment of the
Merger
Consideration that: (i) such Certificate is properly endorsed to such
Person or is accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed
exactly as the name of the record holder appears on such Certificate, and
is
otherwise in proper form for transfer, or is accompanied by appropriate evidence
of the authority of the Person surrendering such Certificate and signing
the
letter of transmittal to do so on behalf of the record holder; and (ii) the
person requesting such exchange shall pay to the Exchange Agent in advance
any
transfer or other taxes required by reason of the payment to a person other
than
the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, or required for any
other
reason, or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that
such
tax has been paid or is not payable.
3.3.5. Closing
of Transfer Books. From and after the Effective Time, there shall be no
transfers on the stock transfer books of GLB of the GLB Common Stock that
were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the
Effective Time, Certificates representing such shares are presented for transfer
to the Exchange Agent, they shall be exchanged for the Merger Consideration
and
canceled as provided in this Section 3.3.
3.3.6. Return
of Exchange Fund. At any time following the six (6) month period after the
Effective Time, FNFG shall be entitled to require the Exchange Agent to deliver
to it any portions of the Exchange Fund which had been made available to
the
Exchange Agent and not disbursed to holders of Certificates (including, without
limitation, all interest and other income received by the Exchange Agent
in
respect of all funds made available to it), and thereafter such holders shall
be
entitled to look to FNFG (subject to abandoned property, escheat and other
similar laws) with respect to any Merger Consideration that may be payable
upon
due surrender of the Certificates held by them. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
neither FNFG nor the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any holder of a
Certificate for any Merger Consideration delivered in respect of such
Certificate to a public official pursuant to any abandoned property, escheat
or
other similar law.
3.3.7. Lost,
Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event any Certificate
shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit
of
that fact by the person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or
destroyed and, if required by FNFG, the posting by such person of a bond
in such
amount as FNFG may reasonably direct as indemnity against any
16
claim
that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange
Agent
will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the
Merger
Consideration deliverable in respect thereof.
3.3.8. Withholding. FNFG
or the Exchange Agent will be entitled to deduct and withhold from the
consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby to any holder of GLB Common Stock such amounts as FNFG
(or
any Affiliate thereof) or the Exchange Agent are required to deduct and withhold
with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any applicable
provision of U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax law. To the
extent that such amounts are properly withheld by FNFG or the Exchange Agent,
such withheld amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement
as
having been paid to the holder of the GLB Common Stock in respect of whom
such
deduction and withholding were made by FNFG or the Exchange Agent.
3.3.9. Treatment
of GLB Options. GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.3.1 sets forth all of
the outstanding GLB Options as of the date hereof. Prior to and
effective as of the Effective Time, GLB shall take all actions necessary
to
terminate the GLB Option Plans (and all other option plans listed in GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.9.1(ii). Holders of all unexercised GLB Options
as of the Effective Time will receive, in cancellation of their GLB Options,
a
cash payment from GLB immediately prior to the Effective Time, in an amount
equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of GLB Common Stock provided
for in such GLB Option and (y) the excess, if any, of $14.00 over the exercise
price per share provided for in such GLB Option (the “Cash Option Payment”),
which cash payment shall be treated as compensation and shall be net of any
applicable federal or state withholding tax. Prior to the Effective
Time, GLB shall use its reasonably best efforts to obtain the written consent
of
each option holder to the cancellation of the GLB Options in exchange for
the
Cash Option Payment, provided that the failure to obtain each consent shall
not
be a breach of this agreement, provided further that the execution of this
Agreement confirms the agreement of Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, Xx., Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
and
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, and the current directors of GLB, to enter into such written
consent.
3.3.10. 3.4 Reservation
of Shares. FNFG shall reserve for issuance a sufficient number of
shares of the FNFG Common Stock for the purpose of issuing shares of FNFG
Common
Stock to the GLB shareholders in accordance with this Article III.
ARTICLE
IV
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF GLB
GLB
represents and warrants to FNFG that the statements contained in this Article
IV
are correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be correct
and complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though the
Closing Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout this
Article IV), subject to the standard set forth in Section 4.1 and except
as set
forth in the GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE delivered by GLB to FNFG on the date
hereof, and except as to any representation or warranty which specifically
relates to an earlier date, which only need be so correct as of such earlier
date. GLB has made a good faith effort to ensure that the disclosure
on each schedule of the GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE corresponds to the section
referenced herein. However, for purposes of the GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE, any item disclosed on any schedule therein is deemed to be fully
disclosed with
17
respect
to all schedules under which such item may be relevant as and to the extent
that
it is reasonably clear on the face of such schedule that such item applies
to
such other schedule. References to the Knowledge of GLB shall include
the Knowledge of GBSB.
4.1. Standard.
No
representation or warranty of GLB contained in this Article IV shall be deemed
untrue or incorrect, and GLB shall not be deemed to have breached a
representation or warranty, as a consequence of the existence of any fact,
circumstance or event unless such fact, circumstance or event, individually
or
taken together with all other facts, circumstances or events inconsistent
with
any paragraph of Article IV, has had or is reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, disregarding for these purposes (x) any qualification
or exception for, or reference to, materiality in any such representation
or
warranty and (y) any use of the terms “material”, “materially”, “in all material
respects”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar terms or phrases in any such
representation or warranty. The foregoing standard shall not apply to
representations and warranties contained in Sections 4.2 (other than the
last
sentence of Sections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2), and Sections 4.2.4, 4.2.5, 4.3, 4.4,
4.13.5, 4.13.8, 4.13.10 and 4.13.11, which shall be deemed untrue, incorrect
and
breached if they are not true and correct in all material respects based
on the
qualifications and standards therein contained. Provided further,
that as to the representations contained in Sections 4.13.5, 4.13.8, 4.13.10,
4.13.11, if there is a breach that relates to an undisclosed payment, expense
accrual or cost in excess of $300,000 (either individually or in the aggregate),
such breach shall be considered material.
4.2. Organization.
4.2.1. GLB
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of the State of Delaware, and is duly registered as a bank holding company
under the BHCA. GLB has full corporate power and authority to carry
on its business as now conducted and is duly licensed or qualified to do
business in the states of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where
its
ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires
such
qualification.
4.2.2. GBSB
is a New York chartered savings bank duly organized, validly existing and
in
good standing (to the extent required) under the laws of the State of New
York. The deposits of GBSB are insured by the FDIC to the fullest
extent permitted by law, and all premiums and assessments required to be
paid in
connection therewith have been paid by GBSB when due. GBSB is a
member in good standing of the FHLB and owns the requisite amount of stock
therein.
4.2.3. GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.2.3 sets forth each GLB Subsidiary. Each GLB
Subsidiary is a corporation or limited liability company duly organized,
validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization.
4.2.4. The
respective minute books of GLB, GBSB and each other GLB Subsidiary accurately
records, in all material respects, all material corporate actions of their
respective shareholders and boards of directors (including
committees).
18
4.2.5. Prior
to the date of this Agreement, GLB has made available to FNFG true and correct
copies of the certificate of incorporation or charter and bylaws of GLB,
GBSB
and each other GLB Subsidiary.
4.3. Capitalization.
4.3.1. The
authorized capital stock of GLB consists of 20,000,000 shares of common stock,
$0.01 par value per share, of which 10,826,198 shares are outstanding, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive
rights. There are 99,189 shares of GLB Common Stock held by GLB as
treasury stock. Neither GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary has or is bound by
any Rights of any character relating to the purchase, sale or issuance or
voting
of, or right to receive dividends or other distributions on any shares of
GLB
Common Stock, or any other security of GLB or a GLB Subsidiary or any securities
representing the right to vote, purchase or otherwise receive any shares
of GLB
Common Stock or any other security of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary, other than
(i)
shares issuable under the GLB Option Plans, (ii) capital securities issued
by
GLB Statutory Trust I (the “Trust”); (iii) debentures issued by GLB
to the Trust; (iv) the guarantee issued by GLB to the holders of the capital
securities issued by the Trust, and (v) the warrants listed on GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.3.1. GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.3.1 sets forth the name of each
holder
of options to purchase GLB Common Stock, the number of shares each such
individual may acquire pursuant to the exercise of such options, the grant
and
vesting dates, and the exercise price relating to the options held.
4.3.2. GLB
owns all of the capital stock of GBSB, free and clear of any lien or
encumbrance. Except for the GLB Subsidiaries, GLB does not possess, directly
or
indirectly, any material equity interest in any corporate entity, except
for
equity interests held in the investment portfolios of GLB Subsidiaries, equity
interests held by GLB Subsidiaries in a fiduciary capacity, and equity interests
held in connection with the lending activities of GLB Subsidiaries, including
stock in the FHLB. Either GLB or GBSB owns all of the outstanding
shares of capital stock of each GLB Subsidiary free and clear of all liens,
security interests, pledges, charges, encumbrances, agreements and restrictions
of any kind or nature, except that, in the case of the Trust, GLB owns 100%
of
the common securities and less than 100% of the preferred
securities.
4.3.3. To
GLB’s Knowledge, except as set forth in the GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.3.3, no
Person or “group” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act), is the beneficial owner (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act)
of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of GLB Common Stock.
4.4. Authority;
No Violation.
4.4.1. GLB
has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and, subject to the receipt of the Regulatory Approvals and the approval
of this
Agreement by GLB’s shareholders, to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by GLB and the
completion by GLB of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the
Merger,
have been duly and validly approved by the Board of Directors of GLB, and
no
other corporate proceedings on the part of GLB, except for the approval of
the
GLB shareholders, is necessary to complete the transactions
contemplated
19
hereby,
including the Merger. This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by GLB, and subject to approval by the shareholders
of
GLB and receipt of the Regulatory Approvals and due and valid execution and
delivery of this Agreement by FNFG, constitutes the valid and binding obligation
of GLB, enforceable against GLB in accordance with its terms, subject to
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights
generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of
equity.
4.4.2. Subject
to receipt of Regulatory Approvals and GLB’s and FNFG’s compliance with any
conditions contained therein, and to the receipt of the approval of the
shareholders of GLB, (A) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by
GLB,
(B) the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (C)
compliance by GLB with any of the terms or provisions hereof will not (i)
conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary or the charter and bylaws
of GBSB; (ii) violate any statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation,
judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to GLB or any GLB
Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets; or (iii) except
as set forth on GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.4.2, violate, conflict with, result
in
a breach of any provisions of, constitute a default (or an event which, with
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default), under, result
in
the termination of, accelerate the performance required by, or result in
a right
of termination or acceleration or the creation of any lien, security interest,
charge or other encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of GLB or
GBSB
under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other investment or
obligation to which GLB or GBSB is a party, or by which they or any of their
respective properties or assets may be bound or affected, except for such
violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults under clause (ii) or (iii) hereof
which, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a Material
Adverse
Effect on GLB and the GLB Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
4.5. Consents.
Except
for (a) filings with Bank Regulators, the receipt of the Regulatory
Approvals, and compliance with any conditions contained therein, (b) the
filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State
of
Delaware, (c) the filing with the SEC of (i) the Merger Registration
Statement and (ii) such reports under Sections 13(a), 13(d), 13(g) and 16(a)
of
the Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and
the
transactions contemplated hereby and the obtaining from the SEC of such orders
as may be required in connection therewith, (d) approval of the listing of
FNFG Common Stock to be issued in the Merger on the Nasdaq, (e) such
filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the
securities or “Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance
of the shares of FNFG Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, and (f) the
approval of this Agreement by the requisite vote of the shareholders of GLB,
no
consents, waivers or approvals of, or filings or registrations with, any
Governmental Entity are necessary, and, to GLB’s Knowledge, except as set forth
on GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.5, no consents, waivers or approvals of, or
filings
or registrations with, any other third parties are necessary, in connection
with
(x) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by GLB, and (y) the completion
of the Merger and the Bank Merger. GLB has no reason to believe that
(i) any Regulatory Approvals or other required consents or approvals will
not be
received, or that (ii)
20
any
public body or authority, the consent or approval of which is not required
or to
which a filing is not required, will object to the completion of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.6. Financial
Statements.
4.6.1. GLB
has previously made available to FNFG the GLB Regulatory Reports. The
GLB Regulatory Reports have been prepared in all material respects in accordance
with applicable regulatory accounting principles and practices throughout
the
periods covered by such statements.
4.6.2. GLB
has previously made available to FNFG the GLB Financial
Statements. The GLB Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP, and (including the related notes where applicable)
fairly
present in each case in all material respects (subject in the case of the
unaudited interim statements to normal year-end adjustments), the consolidated
financial position, results of operations and cash flows of GLB and the GLB
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of and for the respective periods
ending
on the dates thereof, in accordance with GAAP during the periods involved,
except as indicated in the notes thereto, or in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q.
4.6.3. At
the date of each balance sheet included in the GLB Financial Statements or
the
GLB Regulatory Reports, neither GLB nor GBSB, as applicable, had any
liabilities, obligations or loss contingencies of any nature (whether absolute,
accrued, contingent or otherwise) of a type required to be reflected in such
GLB
Financial Statements or GLB Regulatory Reports or in the footnotes thereto
which
are not fully reflected or reserved against therein or fully disclosed in
a
footnote thereto, except for liabilities, obligations and loss contingencies
which are not material individually or in the aggregate or which are incurred
in
the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, and except
for
liabilities, obligations and loss contingencies which are within the subject
matter of a specific representation and warranty herein and subject, in the
case
of any unaudited statements, to normal, recurring audit adjustments and the
absence of footnotes.
4.6.4. The
records, systems, controls, data and information of GLB and its Subsidiaries
are
recorded, stored, maintained and operated under means (including any electronic,
mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) that are
under
the exclusive ownership and direct control of GLB or its Subsidiaries or
accountants (including all means of access thereto and therefrom), except
for
any non-exclusive ownership and non-direct control that would not reasonably
be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the system of internal accounting
controls described below in this Section 4.6.4. GLB (x) has
implemented and maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting
(as required by Rule 13a-15(a) of the Exchange Act) that is designed to provide
reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and
the
preparation of its financial statements for external purposes in accordance
with
GAAP, (y) has implemented and maintains disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) to ensure that material
information relating to GLB, including its consolidated Subsidiaries, is
made
known to the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of GLB
by
others within those entities, and (z) has disclosed, based on its most
recent evaluation prior to the date hereof, to GLB’s outside auditors and the
audit
21
committee
of GLB’s Board of Directors (i) any significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial
reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) which are
reasonably likely to adversely affect GLB’s ability to record, process,
summarize and report financial information and (ii) any fraud, whether or
not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in GLB’s internal control over financial reporting. These disclosures (if
any) were made in writing by management to GLB’s auditors and audit committee
and a copy has previously been made available to FNFG. As of the date hereof,
to
the knowledge of GLB, its chief executive officer and chief financial officer
will be able to give the certifications required pursuant to the rules and
regulations adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act,
without qualification, when next due.
4.6.5. Since
June 30, 2006, (i) neither GLB nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the
Knowledge of GLB, any director, officer, employee, auditor, accountant or
representative of GLB or any of its Subsidiaries has received or otherwise
had
or obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion or
claim,
whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices,
procedures, methodologies or methods of GLB or any of its Subsidiaries or
their
respective internal accounting controls, including any material complaint,
allegation, assertion or claim that GLB or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged
in questionable accounting or auditing practices, and (ii) no attorney
representing GLB or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not employed by GLB
or
any of its Subsidiaries, has reported evidence of a material violation of
Securities Laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by GLB or
any of
its officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board of Directors of
GLB or
any committee thereof or to any director or officer of GLB.
4.7. Taxes.
Except
as
set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.7(a), GLB and the GLB Subsidiaries
that
are at least 80 percent owned by GLB are members of the same affiliated group
within the meaning of Code Section 1504(a). GLB has duly filed all federal,
state and material local tax returns required to be filed by or with respect
to
GLB and every GLB Subsidiary on or prior to the Closing Date, taking into
account any extensions (all such returns, to GLB’s Knowledge, being accurate and
correct in all material respects) and has duly paid or made provisions for
the
payment of all material federal, state and local taxes which have been incurred
by or are due or claimed to be due from GLB and any GLB Subsidiary by any
taxing
authority or pursuant to any written tax sharing agreement on or prior to
the
Closing Date other than taxes or other charges which (i) are not delinquent,
(ii) are being contested in good faith, or (iii) have not yet been fully
determined. Except as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.7(b), as of the date of this Agreement, GLB has received no
written notice of, and to GLB’s Knowledge there is no audit examination,
deficiency assessment, tax investigation or refund litigation with respect
to
any taxes of GLB or any of its Subsidiaries, and no claim has been made by
any
authority in a jurisdiction where GLB or any of its Subsidiaries do not file
tax
returns that GLB or any such Subsidiary is subject to taxation in that
jurisdiction. Except as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.7(c), GLB and its Subsidiaries have not executed an extension or
waiver of any statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any
material tax due that is currently in effect. GLB and each of its Subsidiaries
has withheld and paid all taxes required to have been withheld and paid in
connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee,
22
independent
contractor, creditor, shareholder or other third party, and GLB and each
of its
Subsidiaries, to GLB’s Knowledge, has timely complied with all applicable
information reporting requirements under Part III, Subchapter A of Chapter
61 of
the Code and similar applicable state and local information reporting
requirements.
4.8. No
Material Adverse Effect.
GLB
has
not suffered any Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2006 and no event
has occurred or circumstance arisen since that date which, in the aggregate,
has
had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on
GLB.
4.9. Material
Contracts; Leases; Defaults.
4.9.1. Except
as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.9.1, neither GLB nor any GLB
Subsidiary is a party to or subject to: (i) any employment, consulting or
severance contract or material arrangement with any past or present officer,
director or employee of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary, except for “at will”
arrangements; (ii) any plan, material arrangement or contract providing for
bonuses, pensions, options, deferred compensation, retirement payments, profit
sharing or similar material arrangements for or with any past or present
officers, directors or employees of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary; (iii) any
collective bargaining agreement with any labor union relating to employees
of
GLB or any GLB Subsidiary; (iv) any agreement which by its terms limits the
payment of dividends by GLB or any GLB Subsidiary; (v) any instrument evidencing
or related to material indebtedness for borrowed money whether directly or
indirectly, by way of purchase money obligation, conditional sale, lease
purchase, guaranty or otherwise, in respect of which GLB or any GLB Subsidiary
is an obligor to any person, which instrument evidences or relates to
indebtedness other than deposits, repurchase agreements, FHLB advances, bankers’
acceptances, and “treasury tax and loan” accounts and transactions in “federal
funds” in each case established in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice, or which contains financial covenants or other restrictions
(other than those relating to the payment of principal and interest when
due)
which would be applicable on or after the Closing Date to FNFG or any FNFG
Subsidiary; (vi) any other agreement, written or oral, that obligates GLB
or any
GLB Subsidiary for the payment of more than $50,000 annually or for the payment
of more than $100,000 over its remaining term, which is not terminable without
cause on 60 days’ or less notice without penalty or payment, or (vii) any
agreement (other than this Agreement), contract, arrangement, commitment
or
understanding (whether written or oral) that restricts or limits in any material
way the conduct of business by GLB or any GLB Subsidiary (it being understood
that any non-compete or similar provision shall be deemed
material).
4.9.2. Each
real estate lease that requires the consent of the lessor or its agent resulting
from the Merger or the Bank Merger by virtue of the terms of any such lease,
is
listed in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.9.2 identifying the section of the lease
that contains such prohibition or restriction. Subject to any
consents that may be required as a result of the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement, to its Knowledge, neither GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary is in
default in any material respect under any material contract, agreement,
commitment, arrangement, lease, insurance policy or other instrument to which
it
is a party, by which its assets, business, or operations may be bound or
affected, or under which it or its assets,
23
business,
or operations receive benefits, and there has not occurred any event that,
with
the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute such
a
default.
4.9.3. True
and correct copies of agreements, contracts, arrangements and instruments
referred to in Section 4.9.1 and 4.9.2 have been made available to FNFG on
or
before the date hereof, and are in full force and effect on the date hereof
and
neither GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary (nor, to the Knowledge of GLB, any other
party to any such contract, arrangement or instrument) has materially breached
any provision of, or is in default in any respect under any term of, any
such
contract, arrangement or instrument, except as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.9.3(a). Except as listed on GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.9.3(b), no party to any material contract, arrangement or
instrument will have the right to terminate any or all of the provisions
of any
such contract, arrangement or instrument as a result of the execution of,
and
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by, this
Agreement. Except as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.9.3(c),
no plan, contract, employment agreement, termination agreement, or similar
agreement or arrangement to which GLB or any GLB Subsidiary is a party or
under
which GLB or any GLB Subsidiary may be liable contains provisions which permit
an employee or independent contractor to terminate it without cause and continue
to accrue future benefits thereunder. Except as set forth in GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.9.3(d), no such agreement, plan, contract, or arrangement
(x) provides for acceleration in the vesting of benefits or payments due
thereunder upon the occurrence of a change in ownership or control of GLB
or any
GLB Subsidiary or upon the occurrence of a subsequent event; or (y) requires
GLB
or any GLB Subsidiary to provide a benefit in the form of GLB Common Stock
or
determined by reference to the value of GLB Common Stock.
4.9.4. Since
December 31, 2006, through and including the date of this Agreement, except
as publicly disclosed by GLB in the Securities Documents filed or furnished
by
GLB prior to the date hereof, neither GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary has
(i) except for (A) normal increases for employees (other than officers
and directors subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act) made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice, or (B) as required by applicable law, increased the wages,
salaries, compensation, pension, or other fringe benefits or perquisites
payable
to any executive officer, employee, or director from the amount thereof in
effect as of December 31, 2006 (which amounts have been previously made
available to FNFG), granted any severance or termination pay, entered into
any
contract to make or grant any severance or termination pay (except as required
under the terms of agreements or severance plans listed on GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.13.1, as in effect as of the date hereof), or paid any bonus
other than the customary year-end bonuses in amounts consistent with past
practice, (ii) granted any options to purchase shares of GLB Common Stock,
or any right to acquire any shares of its capital stock to any executive
officer, director or employee other than grants to employees (other than
officers subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the
Exchange Act) made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice under GLB Option Plans, (iii) increased or established any bonus,
insurance, severance, deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit
sharing, stock option (including, without limitation, the granting of stock
options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards, or restricted stock
awards), stock purchase or other employee benefit plan, (iv) made any
material election for federal or state income tax purposes, (v) made any
material change in the credit policies or procedures of GLB or any of
its
24
Subsidiaries,
the effect of which was or is to make any such policy or procedure less
restrictive in any material respect, (vi) made any material acquisition or
disposition of any assets or properties, or any contract for any such
acquisition or disposition entered into other than loans and loan commitments,
(vii) entered into any lease of real or personal property requiring annual
payments in excess of $100,000, other than in connection with foreclosed
property or in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
(viii) changed any accounting methods, principles or practices of GLB or
its Subsidiaries affecting its assets, liabilities or businesses, including
any
reserving, renewal or residual method, practice or policy or (ix) suffered
any strike, work stoppage, slow-down, or other labor disturbance.
4.10. Ownership
of Property; Insurance Coverage.
4.10.1. Except
as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.10, GLB and each GLB Subsidiary
has good and, as to real property, marketable title to all material assets
and
properties owned by GLB or each GLB Subsidiary in the conduct of its businesses,
whether such assets and properties are real or personal, tangible or intangible,
including assets and property reflected in the balance sheets contained in
the
GLB Regulatory Reports and in the GLB Financial Statements or acquired
subsequent thereto (except to the extent that such assets and properties
have
been disposed of in the ordinary course of business, since the date of such
balance sheets), subject to no material encumbrances, liens, mortgages, security
interests or pledges, except (i) those items which secure liabilities for
public or statutory obligations or any discount with, borrowing from or other
obligations to FHLB, inter-bank credit facilities, or any transaction by
an GLB
Subsidiary acting in a fiduciary capacity, (ii) statutory liens for amounts
not
yet delinquent or which are being contested in good faith, (iii) non-monetary
liens affecting real property which do not materially and adversely affect
the
value or use of such real property, and (iv) those described and reflected
in
the GLB Financial Statements. GLB and the GLB Subsidiaries, as lessee, have
the
right under valid and existing leases of real and personal properties used
by
GLB and its Subsidiaries in the conduct of their businesses to occupy or
use all
such properties as presently occupied and used by each of them.
4.10.2. With
respect to all material agreements pursuant to which GLB or any GLB Subsidiary
has purchased securities subject to an agreement to resell, if any, GLB or
such
GLB Subsidiary, as the case may be, has a lien or security interest (which
to
GLB’s Knowledge is a valid, perfected first lien) in the securities or other
collateral securing the repurchase agreement, and the value of such collateral
equals or exceeds the amount of the debt secured thereby.
4.10.3. GLB
and each GLB Subsidiary currently maintain insurance considered by each of
them
to be reasonable for their respective operations. Neither GLB nor any
GLB Subsidiary, except as disclosed in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.10.3(a),
has received notice from any insurance carrier during the past two years
that
(i) such insurance will be canceled or that coverage thereunder will be reduced
or eliminated, or (ii) premium costs (other than with respect to health or
disability insurance) with respect to such policies of insurance will be
substantially increased. There are presently no material claims pending under
such policies of insurance and no notices have been given by GLB or any GLB
Subsidiary under such policies (other than with respect to health or disability
insurance). All such insurance is valid and enforceable and in full force
and
effect, and within the last two years GLB and each GLB
25
Subsidiary
has received each type of insurance coverage for which it has applied and
during
such periods has not been denied indemnification for any material claims
submitted under any of its insurance policies. GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.10.3(b)
identifies all material policies of insurance maintained by GLB and each
GLB
Subsidiary as well as the other matters required to be disclosed under this
Section.
4.11. Legal
Proceedings.
Except
as
set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.11, neither GLB nor any GLB
Subsidiary is a party to any, and there are no pending or, to GLB’s Knowledge,
threatened legal, administrative, arbitration or other proceedings, claims
(whether asserted or unasserted), actions or governmental investigations
or
inquiries of any nature (i) against GLB or any GLB Subsidiary, (ii) to which
GLB
or any GLB Subsidiary’s assets are or may be subject, (iii) challenging the
validity or propriety of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
or (iv) which could adversely affect the ability of GLB or GBSB to perform
under
this Agreement, except, in each of (i) through (iv) above, for any proceeding,
claim, action, investigation or inquiry which, if adversely determined,
individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected to have
a
Material Adverse Effect on GLB.
4.12. Compliance
With Applicable Law.
4.12.1. To
GLB’s Knowledge, and except as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.12.1, each
of GLB and each GLB Subsidiary is in compliance in all material respects
with
all applicable federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations,
ordinances, rules, judgments, orders or decrees applicable to it, its
properties, assets and deposits, its business, and its conduct of business
and
its relationship with its employees, including, without limitation, the USA
Patriot Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the
Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, and
all
other applicable fair lending laws and other laws relating to discriminatory
business practices and neither GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary has received any
written notice to the contrary. The Board of Directors of GBSB has
adopted and GBSB has implemented an anti-money laundering program that contains
adequate and appropriate customer identification verification procedures
that
has not been deemed ineffective by any Governmental Authority and that meets
the
requirements of Sections 352 and 326 of the USA Patriot Act and the regulations
thereunder.
4.12.2. Each
of GLB and each GLB Subsidiary has all material permits, licenses,
authorizations, orders and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications
and registrations with, all Governmental Entities and Bank Regulators that
are
required in order to permit it to own or lease its properties and to conduct
its
business as presently conducted; all such permits, licenses, certificates
of
authority, orders and approvals are in full force and effect and, to the
Knowledge of GLB, no suspension or cancellation of any such permit, license,
certificate, order or approval is threatened or will result from the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, subject
to
obtaining Regulatory Approvals.
4.12.3. For
the period beginning January 1, 2003 as to GBSB, and for the period
beginning June 30, 2006 for GLB and each GLB Subsidiary (other than GBSB),
neither GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary has received any written notification
or, to
GLB’s Knowledge, any other
26
communication
from any Bank Regulator (i) asserting that GLB or any GLB Subsidiary is not
in
material compliance with any of the statutes, regulations or ordinances which
such Bank Regulator enforces; (ii) threatening to revoke any license, franchise,
permit or governmental authorization which is material to GLB or any GLB
Subsidiary; (iii) requiring, or threatening to require, GLB or any GLB
Subsidiary, or indicating that GLB or any GLB Subsidiary may be required,
to
enter into a cease and desist order, agreement or memorandum of understanding
or
any other agreement with any federal or state governmental agency or authority
which is charged with the supervision or regulation of banks or engages in
the
insurance of bank deposits restricting or limiting, or purporting to restrict
or
limit, in any material respect the operations of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary,
including without limitation any restriction on the payment of dividends;
or
(iv) directing, restricting or limiting, or purporting to direct, restrict
or
limit, in any manner the operations of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary, including
without limitation any restriction on the payment of dividends (any such
notice,
communication, memorandum, agreement or order described in this sentence
is
hereinafter referred to as a “GLB Regulatory Agreement”). Neither GLB nor any
GLB Subsidiary (other than GBSB) has consented to or entered into any GLB
Regulatory Agreement that is currently in effect or that was in effect since
June 30, 2006, and GBSB has not consented to or entered into any GLB Regulatory
Agreement that is currently in effect or that was in effect since June 30,
2003. The most recent regulatory rating given to GBSB as to
compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) is satisfactory or
better.
4.12.4. Since
December 31, 2006, GLB has been and is in compliance in all material respects
with (i) the applicable provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act and
(ii) the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations
of the NYSE. GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.12.4 sets forth, as of
July 31, 2007, a schedule of all executive officers and directors of GLB
who have outstanding loans from GLB or GBSB, and there has been no default
on,
or forgiveness or waiver of, in whole or in part, any such loan during the
two
years immediately preceding the date hereof.
4.13. Employee
Benefit Plans.
4.13.1. GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.1 includes a descriptive list of all existing bonus,
incentive, deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit-sharing, thrift,
savings, employee stock ownership, stock bonus, stock purchase, restricted
stock, stock option, stock appreciation, phantom stock, severance, welfare
benefit plans (including paid time off policies and other benefit policies
and
procedures), fringe benefit plans, employment, severance and change in control
agreements and all other material benefit practices, policies and arrangements
maintained by GLB or any GLB Subsidiary in which any employee or former
employee, consultant or former consultant or director or former director
of GLB
or any GLB Subsidiary participates or to which any such employee, consultant
or
director is a party or is otherwise entitled to receive benefits (the “GLB
Compensation and Benefit Plans”). Except as set forth in GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.1, neither GLB nor any of its Subsidiaries has any
commitment to create any additional GLB Compensation and Benefit Plan or
to
materially modify, change or renew any existing GLB Compensation and Benefit
Plan (any modification or change that increases the cost of such plans would
be
deemed material), except as required to maintain the qualified status thereof,
GLB has made available to FNFG true and correct copies of the GLB Compensation
and Benefit Plans.
27
4.13.2. To
the Knowledge of GLB and except as disclosed in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.2,
each GLB Compensation and Benefit Plan has been operated and administered
in all
material respects in accordance with its terms and with applicable law,
including, but not limited to, ERISA, the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, COBRA, the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”) and any regulations or rules
promulgated thereunder, and all material filings, disclosures and notices
required by ERISA, the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, COBRA and HIPAA and any other applicable
law
have been timely made or any interest, fines, penalties or other impositions
for
late filings have been paid in full. Each GLB Compensation and
Benefit Plan which is an “employee pension benefit plan” within the meaning of
Section 3(2) of ERISA (a “Pension Plan”) and which is intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code, is subject of a “Favorable Letter” within
the meaning of Rev. Proc. 2006-27 Section 5.01, and GLB is not aware of any
circumstances which are reasonably likely to result in revocation of any
such
Favorable Letter. There is no material pending or, to the Knowledge
of GLB, threatened action, suit or claim relating to any of the GLB Compensation
and Benefit Plans (other than routine claims for benefits). Neither
GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary has engaged in a transaction, or omitted to take
any
action, with respect to any GLB Compensation and Benefit Plan that would
reasonably be expected to subject GLB or any GLB Subsidiary to an unpaid
tax or
penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502 of
ERISA.
4.13.3.
GLB does not maintain any defined benefit pension plan. To the
Knowledge of GLB, and except as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.13.3, there is no pending investigation or enforcement action by
any Governmental Entity or Bank Regulator with respect to any GLB Compensation
and Benefit Plan, or any plan maintained by any entity which is considered
one
employer with GLB under Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or Code Section 414 (“ERISA
Affiliate”)(such plan being referred to as an “ERISA Affiliate
Plan”). Neither GLB, its Subsidiaries, nor any ERISA Affiliate
has contributed to any “multiemployer plan,” as defined in Section 3(37) of
ERISA.
4.13.4. Except
as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.4, all material contributions
required to be made under the terms of any GLB Compensation and Benefit Plan
or
ERISA Affiliate Plan or any employee benefit arrangements to which GLB or
any
GLB Subsidiary is a party or a sponsor have been timely made, and all
contributions and funding obligations are accrued on GLB’s consolidated
financial statements to the extent required by GAAP. GLB and its
Subsidiaries have expensed and accrued as a liability the present value of
future benefits under each applicable GLB Compensation and Benefit Plan for
financial reporting purposes as required by GAAP.
4.13.5. Except
as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.5(a), neither GLB nor any GLB
Subsidiary has any obligations to provide retiree health, life insurance,
disability insurance, or other retiree death benefits under any GLB Compensation
and Benefit Plan, other than benefits mandated by COBRA or other applicable
law. Except as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.5(b),
there has been no communication to employees by GLB or any GLB Subsidiary
that
would reasonably be expected to promise or guarantee such employees retiree
health, life insurance, disability insurance, or other retiree death
benefits.
28
4.13.6. Except
as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.6, GLB and its Subsidiaries do
not maintain any GLB Compensation and Benefit Plans covering employees who
are
not United States residents.
4.13.7. With
respect to each GLB Compensation and Benefit Plan, if applicable, GLB has
provided or made available to FNFG copies of: (A) any trust
instruments and insurance contracts; (B) the three most recent Forms 5500
filed
with the IRS; (C) the three most recent actuarial reports and financial
statements; (D) the most recent summary plan description; (E) most recent
Favorable Letter issued by the IRS; (F) any Form 5310 or Form 5330 filed
with
the IRS within the last three years; and (G) the most recent nondiscrimination
tests performed under ERISA and the Code (including 401(k) and 401(m)
tests).
4.13.8. Except
as disclosed in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.8, the consummation of the Merger
will not, directly or indirectly (including, without limitation, as a result
of
any termination of employment or service at any time prior to or following
the
Effective Time) (A) entitle any employee, consultant or director to any payment
or benefit (including severance pay, change in control benefit, or similar
compensation) or any increase in compensation, (B) result in the vesting
or
acceleration of any benefits under any GLB Compensation and Benefit Plan
or (C)
result in any material increase in benefits payable under any GLB Compensation
and Benefit Plan.
4.13.9. Except
as disclosed in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.9, neither GLB nor any GLB
Subsidiary maintains any compensation plans, programs or arrangements under
which any payment is reasonably likely to become non-deductible, in whole
or in
part, for tax reporting purposes as a result of the limitations under Section
162(m) of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder.
4.13.10. To
the Knowledge of GLB, the consummation of the Mergers and the Bank Merger
will
not, directly or indirectly (including without limitation, as a result of
any
termination of employment or service at any time prior to or following the
Effective Time), entitle any current or former employee, director or independent
contractor of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary to any actual or deemed payment (or
benefit) which could constitute a “parachute payment” (as such term is defined
in Section 280G of the Code), except as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
4.13.10.
4.13.11. Except
as disclosed in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.11, there are no stock appreciation
or similar rights, earned dividends or dividend equivalents, or shares of
restricted stock, outstanding under any of the GLB Compensation and Benefit
Plans or otherwise as of the date hereof and none will be granted, awarded,
or
credited after the date hereof.
4.13.12. GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.12(a) sets forth, as of the payroll date immediately
preceding the date of this Agreement, a list of the full names of all officers,
and employees whose annual rate of salary is $50,000 or greater, of GBSB
or GLB,
their title and rate of salary, and their date of hire. GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.13.12(b) sets forth any changes to any GLB Compensation
and Benefit Plan since December 31, 2006.
29
4.14. Brokers,
Finders and Financial Advisors.
Neither
GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary, nor any of their respective officers, directors,
employees or agents, has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor
in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or incurred
any
liability or commitment for any fees or commissions to any such person in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except for
the
retention of Sandler X’Xxxxx & Partners, L.P. (“Sandler X’Xxxxx”) by GLB and
the fee payable pursuant thereto. A true and correct copy of the
engagement agreement with Sandler X’Xxxxx, setting forth the fee payable to
Sandler X’Xxxxx for its services rendered to GLB in connection with the Merger
and transactions contemplated by this Agreement, is attached to GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.14.
4.15. Environmental
Matters.
4.15.1. Except
as may be set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.15 and any Phase I
Environmental Report identified therein, with respect to GLB and each GLB
Subsidiary:
(A) Each
of GLB and the GLB Subsidiaries, the Participation Facilities, and, to GLB’s
Knowledge, the Loan Properties are in substantial compliance with, and are
not
liable in any material respect under, any Environmental Laws;
(B) GLB
has received no written notice that there is any suit, claim, action, demand,
executive or administrative order, directive, investigation or proceeding
pending and, to GLB’s Knowledge, no such action is threatened, before any court,
governmental agency or other forum against it or any of the GLB Subsidiaries
or
any Participation Facility (x) for alleged noncompliance (including by any
predecessor) with, or liability under, any Environmental Law or (y) relating
to
the presence of or release (as defined herein) into the environment of any
Materials of Environmental Concern (as defined herein), whether or not occurring
at or on a site owned, leased or operated by it or any of the GLB Subsidiaries
or any Participation Facility;
(C) Neither
GLB nor GBSB has received any written notice, by way of suit, claim, action,
demand, executive or administrative order, directive, investigation or
proceeding, or otherwise, alleging or indicating that it (or any subsidiary)
may
be liable under any Environmental Law with respect to any Loan
Property;
(D) The
properties currently owned or operated by GLB or any GLB Subsidiary (including,
without limitation, soil, groundwater or surface water on, or under the
properties, and buildings thereon) are not contaminated with and do not
otherwise contain any Materials of Environmental Concern other than as permitted
under applicable Environmental Law;
(E) Neither
GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary during the past two years has received any written
notice, demand letter, executive or administrative order, directive or request
for information from any federal, state, local or foreign governmental entity
or
any third party indicating that it may be in violation of, or liable under,
any
Environmental Law;
30
(F) To
GLB’s Knowledge, there are no underground storage tanks on, in or under any
properties owned or operated by GLB or any of the GLB Subsidiaries or any
Participation Facility, and to GLB’s Knowledge, no underground storage tanks
have been closed or removed from any properties owned or operated by GLB
or any
of the GLB Subsidiaries or any Participation Facility; and
(G) To
GLB’s Knowledge, during the period of (s) GLB’s or any of the GLB Subsidiaries’
ownership or operation of any of their respective current properties or (t)
GLB’s or any of the GLB Subsidiaries’ participation in the management of any
Participation Facility, there has been no contamination by or release of
Materials of Environmental Concerns in, on, under or affecting such properties
that could reasonably be expected to result in material liability under the
Environmental Laws.
4.15.2. “Loan
Property” means any property in which the applicable party (or a Subsidiary of
it) holds a security interest, and, where required by the context, includes
the
owner or operator of such property, but only with respect to such
property. “Participation Facility” means any facility in which the
applicable party (or a Subsidiary of it) participates in the management
(including all property held as trustee or in any other fiduciary capacity)
and,
where required by the context, includes the owner or operator of such property,
but only with respect to such property.
4.16. Loan
Portfolio.
4.16.1. The
allowance for loan losses reflected in GLB’s audited consolidated balance sheet
at December 31, 2006 was, and the allowance for loan losses shown on the
balance
sheets in GLB’s Securities Documents for periods ending after December 31, 2006
was or will be, as the case may be, adequate, as of the dates thereof, under
GAAP.
4.16.2. GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.16.2 sets forth a listing, as of July 31, 2007, by
account, of: (A) all loans (including loan participations) of GBSB or any
other
GLB Subsidiary that have been accelerated during the past twelve months;
(B) all
loan commitments or lines of credit of GBSB or any other GLB Subsidiary which
have been terminated by GBSB or any other GLB Subsidiary during the past
twelve
months by reason of a default or adverse developments in the condition of
the
borrower or other events or circumstances affecting the credit of the borrower;
(C) all loans, lines of credit and loan commitments as to which GBSB or any
other GLB Subsidiary has given written notice of its intent to terminate
during
the past twelve months; (D) with respect to all commercial loans (including
commercial real estate loans), all notification letters and other written
communications from GBSB or any other GLB Subsidiary to any of their respective
borrowers, customers or other parties during the past twelve months wherein
GBSB
or any other GLB Subsidiary has requested or demanded that actions be taken
to
correct existing defaults or facts or circumstances which may become defaults;
(E) each borrower, customer or other party which has notified GBSB or any
other
GLB Subsidiary during the past twelve months of, or has asserted against
GBSB or
any other GLB Subsidiary, in each case in writing, any “lender liability” or
similar claim, and, to the Knowledge of GBSB, each borrower, customer or
other
party which has given GBSB or any other GLB Subsidiary any oral notification
of,
or orally asserted to or against GBSB or any other GLB Subsidiary, any such
claim; (F) all loans, (1) that are contractually past due 90 days or more
in the
payment of
31
principal
and/or interest, (2) that are on non-accrual status, (3) that as of the date
of
this Agreement are classified as “Other Loans Specially Mentioned”, “Special
Mention”, “Substandard”, “Doubtful”, “Loss”, “Classified”, “Criticized”, “Watch
list” or words of similar import, together with the principal amount of and
accrued and unpaid interest on each such Loan and the identity of the obligor
thereunder, (4) where a reasonable doubt exists as to the timely future
collectability of principal and/or interest, whether or not interest is still
accruing or the loans are less than 90 days past due, (5) where, during the
past
three years, the interest rate terms have been reduced and/or the maturity
dates
have been extended subsequent to the agreement under which the loan was
originally created due to concerns regarding the borrower’s ability to pay in
accordance with such initial terms, or (6) where a specific reserve allocation
exists in connection therewith, and (G) all assets classified by GBSB or
any
GBSB Subsidiary as real estate acquired through foreclosure or in lieu of
foreclosure, including in-substance foreclosures, and all other assets currently
held that were acquired through foreclosure or in lieu of
foreclosure. DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.16.2 may exclude any individual
loan with a principal outstanding balance of less than $100,000, provided
that
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.16.2 includes, for each category described, the aggregate
amount of individual loans with a principal outstanding balance of less than
$100,000 that has been excluded.
4.16.3. All
loans receivable (including discounts) and accrued interest entered on the
books
of GLB and the GLB Subsidiaries arose out of bona fide arm’s-length
transactions, were made for good and valuable consideration in the ordinary
course of GLB’s or the appropriate GLB Subsidiary’s respective business, and the
notes or other evidences of indebtedness with respect to such loans (including
discounts) are true and genuine and are what they purport to be, except as
set
forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.16.3(a). To the Knowledge of
GLB, the loans, discounts and the accrued interest reflected on the books
of GLB
and the GLB Subsidiaries are subject to no defenses, set-offs or counterclaims
(including, without limitation, those afforded by usury or truth-in-lending
laws), except as may be provided by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of
equity. Except as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.16.3(b), all such loans are owned by GLB or the appropriate GLB
Subsidiary free and clear of any liens.
4.16.4. The
notes and other evidences of indebtedness evidencing the loans described
above,
and all pledges, mortgages, deeds of trust and other collateral documents
or
security instruments relating thereto are, in all material respects, valid,
true
and genuine, and what they purport to be.
4.17. Securities
Documents.
GLB
has
made available to FNFG copies of its (i) annual reports on Form 10-K for
the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, (ii) quarterly reports on Form
10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30 2007, and (iii) proxy materials
used or for use in connection with its meetings of shareholders held in 2007,
2006 and 2005. Such reports, prospectus and proxy materials complied, at
the
time filed with the SEC, in all material respects, with the Securities
Laws.
32
4.18. Related
Party Transactions.
Except
as
described in GLB’s Proxy Statement distributed in connection with the annual
meeting of shareholders held in May 2007 (which has previously been provided
to
FNFG), or as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.18, neither GLB nor any
GLB
Subsidiary is a party to any transaction (including any loan or other credit
accommodation) with any director or officer of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary,
or any
affiliate thereof. All such transactions (a) were made in the ordinary course
of
business, (b) were made on substantially the same terms, including interest
rates and collateral, as those prevailing at the time for comparable
transactions with other Persons, and (c) did not involve more than the normal
risk of collectability or present other unfavorable features. No loan or
credit
accommodation to any Affiliate of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary is presently
in
default or, during the three year period prior to the date of this Agreement,
has been in default or has been restructured, modified or
extended. Neither GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary has been notified that
principal and interest with respect to any such loan or other credit
accommodation will not be paid when due or that the loan grade classification
accorded such loan or credit accommodation by GLB is inappropriate.
4.19. Deposits.
Except
as
set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.19, none of the deposits of GLB or
any
GLB Subsidiary is a “brokered deposit” as defined in 12 CFR Section
337.6(a)(2).
4.20. Antitakeover
Provisions Inapplicable; Required Vote.
The
Board
of Directors of GLB has, to the extent such statute is applicable, taken
all
action (including appropriate approvals of the Board of Directors of GLB)
necessary to exempt FNFG, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby from Section 203 of the DGCL. The affirmative
vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of GLB Common Stock
is
required to approve this Agreement and the Merger under GLB’s certificate of
incorporation and the DGCL.
4.21. Registration
Obligations.
Neither
GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary is under any obligation, contingent or otherwise,
which will survive the Effective Time by reason of any agreement to register
any
transaction involving any of its securities under the Securities
Act.
4.22. Risk
Management Instruments.
All
material interest rate swaps, caps, floors, option agreements, futures and
forward contracts and other similar risk management arrangements, whether
entered into for GLB’s own account, or for the account of one or more of GLB’s
Subsidiaries or their customers (all of which are set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.22), were in all material respects entered into in compliance
with
all applicable laws, rules, regulations and regulatory policies, and to the
Knowledge of GLB, with counterparties believed to be financially responsible
at
the time; and to GLB’s Knowledge each of them constitutes the valid and legally
binding obligation of GLB or one of its Subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance
with its terms (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent
transfer
33
and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights
or by general equity principles), and is in full force and
effect. Neither GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary, nor to the Knowledge of
GLB any other party thereto, is in breach of any of its obligations under
any
such agreement or arrangement in any material respect.
4.23. Fairness
Opinion.
GLB
has
received a written opinion from Sandler X’Xxxxx to the effect that, subject to
the terms, conditions and qualifications set forth therein, as of the date
hereof, the Merger Consideration to be received by the shareholders of GLB
pursuant to this Agreement is fair to such shareholders from a financial
point
of view. Such opinion has not been amended or rescinded as of the
date of this Agreement.
4.24. Trust
Accounts
GBSB
and
each of its subsidiaries has properly administered all accounts for which
it
acts as a fiduciary, including but not limited to accounts for which it serves
as trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator
or
investment advisor, in accordance with the terms of the governing documents
and
applicable laws and regulations. Neither GBSB nor any other GLB
Subsidiary, and to the Knowledge of GLB, nor has any of their respective
directors, officers or employees, committed any breach of trust with respect
to
any such fiduciary account and the records for each such fiduciary
account.
4.25. Intellectual
Property
GLB
and
each GLB Subsidiary owns or, to GLB’s Knowledge, possesses valid and binding
licenses and other rights (subject to expirations in accordance with their
terms) to use all patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trade names, servicemarks
and trademarks used in their business, each without payment (except as set
forth
in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 4.25), and neither GLB nor any GLB Subsidiary
has
received any notice of conflict with respect thereto that asserts the rights
of
others. GLB and each GLB Subsidiary have performed all the
obligations required to be performed, and are not in default in any respect,
under any contract, agreement, arrangement or commitment relating to any
of the
foregoing. To the Knowledge of GLB, the conduct of the business of
GLB and each GLB Subsidiary as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted
does not, in any material respect, infringe upon, dilute, misappropriate
or
otherwise violate any intellectual property owned or controlled by any third
party.
4.26. Labor
Matters
There
are
no labor or collective bargaining agreements to which GLB or any GLB Subsidiary
is a party. To the Knowledge of GLB, there is no union organizing
effort pending or threatened against GLB or any GLB Subsidiary. There
is no labor strike, labor dispute (other than routine employee grievances
that
are not related to union employees), work slowdown, stoppage or lockout pending
or, to the Knowledge of GLB, threatened against GLB or any GLB
Subsidiary. There is no unfair labor practice or labor arbitration
proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of GLB, threatened against GLB or
any
GLB Subsidiary (other than routine employee grievances that are not related
to
union employees). GLB and each GLB Subsidiary is in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable laws respecting employment
and
34
employment
practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, and are
not
engaged in any unfair labor practice.
4.27. GLB
Information Supplied
The
information relating to GLB and any GLB Subsidiary to be contained in the
Merger
Registration Statement, or in any other document filed with any Bank Regulator
or other Governmental Entity in connection herewith, will not contain any
untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to
make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made,
not misleading.
ARTICLE
V
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF FNFG
FNFG
represents and warrants to GLB that the statements contained in this Article
V
are correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and will be correct
and complete as of the Closing Date (as though made then and as though the
Closing Date were substituted for the date of this Agreement throughout this
Article V), subject to the standard set forth in Section 5.1, and except
as set
forth in the FNFG DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE delivered by FNFG to GLB on the date
hereof, and except as to any representation or warranty which specifically
relates to an earlier date, which only need be so correct as of such earlier
date. FNFG has made a good faith effort to ensure that the disclosure
on each schedule of the FNFG DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE corresponds to the section
referenced herein. However, for purposes of the FNFG DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE, any item disclosed on any schedule therein is deemed to be fully
disclosed with respect to all schedules under which such item may be relevant
as
and to the extent that it is reasonably clear on the face of such schedule
that
such item applies to such other schedule. References to the Knowledge
of FNFG shall include the Knowledge of First Niagara Bank and First Niagara
Commercial Bank.
5.1. Standard.
No
representation or warranty of FNFG contained in this Article V shall be deemed
untrue or incorrect, and FNFG shall not be deemed to have breached a
representation or warranty, as a consequence of the existence of any fact,
circumstance or event unless such fact, circumstance or event, individually
or
taken together with all other facts, circumstances or events inconsistent
with
any paragraph of Article V, has had or is reasonably expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, disregarding for these purposes (x) any qualification or
exception for, or reference to, materiality in any such representation or
warranty and (y) any use of the terms “material”, “materially”, “in all material
respects”, “Material Adverse Effect” or similar terms or phrases in any such
representation or warranty. The foregoing standard shall not apply to
representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.2 (other than the
last
sentence of Sections 5.2.1 and 5.2.2), 5.3, and 5.4, which shall be deemed
untrue, incorrect and breached if they are not true and correct in all material
respects based on the qualifications and standards therein
contained.
35
5.2. Organization.
5.2.1. FNFG
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the
laws of the State of Delaware, and is duly registered as a savings and loan
holding company under the HOLA. FNFG has full corporate power and
authority to carry on its business as now conducted and is duly licensed
or
qualified to do business in the states of the United States and foreign
jurisdictions where its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of
its
business requires such qualification.
5.2.2. First
Niagara Bank is a savings bank duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing (to the extent required) under federal law. The deposits of
First Niagara Bank are insured by the FDIC to the fullest extent permitted
by
law, and all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection
therewith have been paid when due. First Niagara Bank is a member in
good standing of the FHLB and own the requisite amount of stock
therein.
5.2.3. First
Niagara Commercial Bank is a New York chartered commercial bank duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing (to the extent required) under the
laws of
the State of New York. The deposits of First Niagara Commercial Bank
are insured by the FDIC to the fullest extent permitted by law, and all premiums
and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid
by
First Niagara Commercial Bank when due. The activities of First
Niagara Commercial Bank have been limited to those set forth in Section
2(a)(5)(E)(ii) of the BHCA.
5.2.4. FNFG
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 5.2.4 sets forth each FNFG Subsidiary. Each FNFG
Subsidiary is a corporation or limited liability company duly organized,
validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization.
5.2.5. The
respective minute books of FNFG and each FNFG Subsidiary accurately records,
in
all material respects, all material corporate actions of their respective
shareholders and boards of directors (including committees).
5.2.6. Prior
to the date of this Agreement, FNFG has made available to GLB true and correct
copies of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of FNFG and First Niagara
Bank and the FNFG Subsidiaries.
5.3. Capitalization.
5.3.1. The
authorized capital stock of FNFG consists of 250,000,000 shares of common
stock,
$0.01 par value, of which 105,352,701 shares are outstanding, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, and 50,000,000
shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value (“FNFG Preferred Stock”), none of
which are outstanding. There are 14,692,035 shares of FNFG Common
Stock held by FNFG as treasury stock. Neither FNFG nor any FNFG
Subsidiary has or is bound by any Rights of any character relating to the
purchase, sale or issuance or voting of, or right to receive dividends or
other
distributions on any shares of FNFG Common Stock, or any other security of
FNFG
or any securities representing the right to
36
vote,
purchase or otherwise receive any shares of FNFG Common Stock or any other
security of FNFG, other than shares issuable under the FNFG Stock Benefit
Plans.
5.3.2. FNFG
owns all of the capital stock of First Niagara Bank free and clear of any
lien
or encumbrance. First Niagara Bank owns all of the capital stock of
First Niagara Commercial Bank free and clear of any lien or
encumbrance.
5.3.3. To
the Knowledge of FNFG, no Person or “group” (as that term is used in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) is the beneficial owner (as defined in Section
13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of FNFG
Common Stock.
5.4. Authority;
No Violation.
5.4.1. FNFG
has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement
and, subject to receipt of the Regulatory Approvals, to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement by FNFG and the completion by FNFG of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger, have been duly and validly approved by the
Board
of Directors of FNFG, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of FNFG,
are necessary to complete the transactions contemplated hereby, including
the
Merger. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by FNFG, and subject to the receipt of the Regulatory Approvals
and
due and valid execution and delivery of this Agreement by GLB, constitutes
the
valid and binding obligations of FNFG, enforceable against FNFG in accordance
with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar
laws
affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to
general principles of equity.
5.4.2. Subject
to receipt of Regulatory Approvals and GLB’s and FNFG’s compliance with any
conditions contained therein, (A) the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by FNFG, (B) the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and
(C) compliance by FNFG with any of the terms or provisions hereof will not
(i)
conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws of FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary; (ii) violate any
statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ, decree
or
injunction applicable to FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary or any of their respective
properties or assets; or (iii) violate, conflict with, result in a breach
of any
provisions of, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse
of
time, or both, would constitute a default), under, result in the termination
of,
accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination
or
acceleration or the creation of any lien, security interest, charge or other
encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary
under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage,
indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other investment or
obligation to which any of them is a party, or by which they or any of their
respective properties or assets may be bound or affected, except for such
violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults under clause (ii) or (iii) hereof
which, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a Material
Adverse
Effect on FNFG.
37
5.5. Consents.
Except
for (a) filings with Bank Regulators, the receipt of the Regulatory
Approvals, and compliance with any conditions contained therein, (b) the
filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State
of
Delaware, (c) the filing with the SEC of (i) the Merger Registration
Statement and (ii) such reports under Sections 13(a), 13(d), 13(g) and 16(a)
of
the Exchange Act as may be required in connection with this Agreement and
the
transactions contemplated hereby and the obtaining from the SEC of such orders
as may be required in connection therewith, (d) approval of the listing of
FNFG Common Stock to be issued in the Merger on the Nasdaq, (e) such
filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the
securities or “Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance
of the shares of FNFG Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement, and (f) the
approval of this Agreement by the requisite vote of the shareholders of GLB,
no
consents, waivers or approvals of, or filings or registrations with, any
Governmental Entity are necessary, and, to FNFG’s Knowledge, no consents,
waivers or approvals of, or filings or registrations with, any other third
parties are necessary, in connection with (x) the execution and delivery
of this
Agreement by FNFG, and (y) the completion of the Merger and the Bank
Merger. FNFG has no reason to believe that (i) any Regulatory
Approvals or other required consents or approvals will not be received, or
that
(ii) any public body or authority, the consent or approval of which is not
required or to which a filing is not required, will object to the completion
of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
5.6. Financial
Statements.
5.6.1. FNFG
has previously made available to GLB the FNFG Financial
Statements. The FNFG Financial Statements have been prepared in
accordance with GAAP, and (including the related notes where applicable)
fairly
present in each case in all material respects (subject in the case of the
unaudited interim statements to normal year-end adjustments) the consolidated
financial position, results of operations and cash flows of FNFG and the
FNFG
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of and for the respective periods
ending
on the dates thereof, in accordance with GAAP during the periods involved,
except as indicated in the notes thereto, or in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q.
5.6.2. At
the date of each balance sheet included in the FNFG Financial Statements,
FNFG
did not have any liabilities, obligations or loss contingencies of any nature
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) of a type required to
be
reflected in such FNFG Financial Statements or in the footnotes thereto which
are not fully reflected or reserved against therein or fully disclosed in
a
footnote thereto, except for liabilities, obligations and loss contingencies
which are not material individually or in the aggregate or which are incurred
in
the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice, and except
for
liabilities, obligations and loss contingencies which are within the subject
matter of a specific representation and warranty herein and subject, in the
case
of any unaudited statements, to normal, recurring audit adjustments and the
absence of footnotes.
5.6.3. The
records, systems, controls, data and information of FNFG and its Subsidiaries
are recorded, stored, maintained and operated under means (including any
electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not)
that are under the
38
exclusive
ownership and direct control of FNFG or its Subsidiaries or accountants
(including all means of access thereto and therefrom), except for any
non-exclusive ownership and non-direct control that would not reasonably
be
expected to have a material adverse effect on the system of internal accounting
controls described below in this Section 5.6.3. FNFG
(x) has implemented and maintains a system of internal control over
financial reporting (as required by Rule 13a-15(a) of the Exchange Act) that
is
designed to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of its financial statements for external purposes
in accordance with GAAP, (y) has implemented and maintains disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act)
to
ensure that material information relating to FNFG, including its consolidated
Subsidiaries, is made known to the chief executive officer and the chief
financial officer of FNFG by others within those entities, and (z) has
disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the date hereof,
to
FNFG’s outside auditors and the audit committee of FNFG’s Board of Directors
(i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or
operation of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule
13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to adversely affect
FNFG’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information
and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or
other employees who have a significant role in FNFG’s internal control over
financial reporting. As of the date hereof, to the knowledge of FNFG, its
chief
executive officer and chief financial officer will be able to give the
certifications required pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant
to Section 302 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act, without qualification, when next
due.
5.6.4. The
allowance for credit losses reflected in FNFG’s audited statement of condition
at December 31, 2006 was, and the allowance for credit losses shown on the
balance sheets in FNFG’s Securities Documents for periods ending after December
31, 2006 was or will be, as the case may be, adequate, as of the dates thereof,
under GAAP.
5.7. Taxes.
FNFG
and
the FNFG Subsidiaries that are at least 80 percent owned by FNFG are members
of
the same affiliated group within the meaning of Code Section
1504(a). FNFG has duly filed all federal, state and material local
tax returns required to be filed by or with respect to FNFG and each FNFG
Subsidiary on or prior to the Closing Date, taking into account any extensions
(all such returns, to the Knowledge of FNFG, being accurate and correct in
all
material respects) and has duly paid or made provisions for the payment of
all
material federal, state and local taxes which have been incurred by or are
due
or claimed to be due from FNFG and any FNFG Subsidiary by any taxing authority
or pursuant to any written tax sharing agreement on or prior to the Closing
Date
other than taxes or other charges which (i) are not delinquent, (ii) are
being
contested in good faith, or (iii) have not yet been fully
determined. FNFG and each of its Subsidiaries has withheld and paid
all taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts
paid or owing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, shareholder
or
other third party, and FNFG and each of its Subsidiaries, to the Knowledge
of
FNFG, has timely complied with all applicable information reporting requirements
under Part III, Subchapter A of Chapter 61 of the Code and similar applicable
state and local information reporting requirements.
5.8. No
Material Adverse Effect.
FNFG
has
not suffered any Material Adverse Effect since December 31, 2006 and no
event has occurred or circumstance arisen since that date which, in the
aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect
on
FNFG.
39
5.9. Ownership
of Property; Insurance Coverage.
5.9.1. FNFG
and each FNFG Subsidiary has good and, as to real property, marketable title
to
all material assets and properties owned by FNFG or each FNFG Subsidiary
in the
conduct of their businesses, whether such assets and properties are real
or
personal, tangible or intangible, including assets and property reflected
in the
balance sheets contained in the FNFG Financial Statements or acquired subsequent
thereto (except to the extent that such assets and properties have been disposed
of in the ordinary course of business, since the date of such balance sheets),
subject to no material encumbrances, liens, mortgages, security interests
or
pledges, except (i) those items which secure liabilities for public or statutory
obligations or any discount with, borrowing from or other obligations to FHLB,
inter-bank credit facilities, or any transaction by a FNFG Subsidiary acting
in
a fiduciary capacity, (ii) statutory liens for amounts not yet delinquent
or
which are being contested in good faith, (iii) non-monetary liens affecting
real
property which do not adversely affect the value or use of such real property,
and (iv) those described and reflected in the FNFG Financial
Statements. FNFG and the FNFG Subsidiaries, as lessee, have the right
under valid and existing leases of real and personal properties used by FNFG
and
its Subsidiaries in the conduct of their businesses to occupy or use all
such
properties as presently occupied and used by each of them.
5.10. Legal
Proceedings.
Except
as
disclosed in FNFG DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 5.10, neither FNFG nor any FNFG
Subsidiary is a party to any, and there are no pending or, to the Knowledge
of
FNFG, threatened legal, administrative, arbitration or other proceedings,
claims
(whether asserted or unasserted), actions or governmental investigations
or
inquiries of any nature (i) against FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary,
(ii) to which FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary’s assets are or may be subject,
(iii) challenging the validity or propriety of any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, or (iv) which would reasonably be expected
to
adversely affect the ability of FNFG to perform under this Agreement, except
for
any proceeding, claim, action, investigation or inquiry which, if adversely
determined, individually or in the aggregate, would not be reasonably expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.11. Compliance
With Applicable Law.
5.11.1. To
the Knowledge of FNFG, each of FNFG and each FNFG Subsidiary is in compliance
in
all material respects with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign
statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders or decrees
applicable to it, its properties, assets and deposits, its business, and
its
conduct of business and its relationship with its employees, including, without
limitation, the USA Patriot Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair
Housing Act, the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, the Home Mortgage
Disclosure Act, and all other applicable fair lending laws and other laws
relating to discriminatory
business practices, and neither FNFG nor any FNFG Subsidiary has received
any
written notice to the contrary. The Board of Directors of First Niagara Bank
has
adopted and First Niagara Bank has implemented an anti-money laundering program
that contains adequate and appropriate customer identification verification
procedures that has not been deemed ineffective by any Governmental Authority
and that meets the requirements of Sections 352 and 326 of the USA Patriot
Act
and the regulations thereunder.
40
5.11.2. Each
of FNFG and each FNFG Subsidiary has all material permits, licenses,
authorizations, orders and approvals of, and has made all filings, applications
and registrations with, all Bank Regulators that are required in order to
permit
it to own or lease its properties and to conduct its business as presently
conducted; all such permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders
and
approvals are in full force and effect and, to the Knowledge of FNFG, no
suspension or cancellation of any such permit, license, certificate, order
or
approval is threatened or will result from the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, subject to obtaining the Regulatory
Approvals.
5.11.3. For
the period beginning January 1, 2003, neither FNFG nor any FNFG Subsidiary
has received any written notification or, to the Knowledge of FNFG, any other
communication from any Bank Regulator (i) asserting that FNFG or any FNFG
Subsidiary is not in material compliance with any of the statutes, regulations
or ordinances which such Bank Regulator enforces; (ii) threatening to revoke
any
license, franchise, permit or governmental authorization which is material
to
FNFG or First Niagara Bank or First Niagara Commercial Bank; (iii) requiring
or
threatening to require FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary, or indicating that FNFG
or
any FNFG Subsidiary may be required, to enter into a cease and desist order,
agreement or memorandum of understanding or any other agreement with any
federal
or state governmental agency or authority which is charged with the supervision
or regulation of banks or engages in the insurance of bank deposits restricting
or limiting, or purporting to restrict or limit, in any material respect
the
operations of FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary, including without limitation any
restriction on the payment of dividends; or (iv) directing, restricting or
limiting, or purporting to direct, restrict or limit, in any manner the
operations of FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary, including without limitation any
restriction on the payment of dividends (any such notice, communication,
memorandum, agreement or order described in this sentence is hereinafter
referred to as an “FNFG Regulatory Agreement”). Neither FNFG nor any FNFG
Subsidiary has consented to or entered into any currently effective FNFG
Regulatory Agreement. The most recent regulatory rating given to
First Niagara Bank as to compliance with the CRA is satisfactory or
better.
5.11.4. Since
the enactment of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act, FNFG has been and is in compliance
in
all material respects with (i) the applicable provisions of the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act and (ii) the applicable listing and corporate governance
rules and regulations of the Nasdaq.
5.12. Employee
Benefit Plans.
5.12.1. FNFG
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 5.12 includes a list of all existing bonus, incentive,
deferred compensation, pension, retirement, profit-sharing, thrift, savings,
employee stock ownership, stock bonus, stock purchase, restricted stock,
stock
option, stock appreciation, phantom stock, severance, welfare benefit plans,
fringe benefit plans, employment, severance
and change in control agreements and all other benefit practices, policies
and
arrangements maintained by FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary and in which employees
in
general may participate (the “FNFG Compensation and Benefit
Plans”).
5.12.2. To
the Knowledge of FNFG and except as disclosed in FNFG DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
5.12.2, each FNFG Compensation and Benefit Plan has been operated and
administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and with
41
applicable
law, including, but not limited to, ERISA, the Code, the Securities Act,
the
Exchange Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, COBRA, the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and any regulations or rules
promulgated thereunder, and no notice has been issued by any Governmental
Entity
questioning or challenging such compliance. All material filings,
disclosures and notices required by ERISA, the Code, the Securities Act,
the
Exchange Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and any other applicable
law have been timely made or any interest, fines, penalties or other impositions
for late filings have been paid in full. Each FNFG Compensation and
Benefit Plan which is a Pension Plan and which is intended to be
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable
determination letter from the IRS, and FNFG is not aware of any circumstances
which are reasonably likely to result in revocation of any such favorable
determination letter. There is no material pending or, to the
Knowledge of FNFG, threatened action, suit or claim relating to any of the
FNFG
Compensation and Benefit Plans (other than routine claims for
benefits). Neither FNFG nor any FNFG Subsidiary has engaged in a
transaction, or omitted to take any action, with respect to any FNFG
Compensation and Benefit Plan that would reasonably be expected to subject
FNFG
or any FNFG Subsidiary to an unpaid tax or penalty imposed by either Section
4975 of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA.
5.12.3. No
liability to any Governmental Entity, other than PBGC premiums arising in
the
ordinary course of business, has been or is expected by FNFG or any of its
Subsidiaries to be incurred with respect to any FNFG Compensation and Benefit
Plan which is a Defined Benefit Plan or with respect to any ERISA Affiliate
Plan
currently or formerly maintained by FNFG or any ERISA Affiliate. To
the Knowledge of FNFG, no FNFG Defined Benefit Plan had an "accumulated funding
deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived,
as of
the last day of the end of the most recent plan year ending prior to the
date
hereof. No notice of a "reportable event" (as defined in Section 4043
of ERISA) for which the 30-day reporting requirement has not been waived
has
been required to be filed for any FNFG Defined Benefit Plan within the 12-month
period ending on the date hereof. Neither FNFG nor any of its
Subsidiaries has provided, or is required to provide, security to any FNFG
Defined Benefit Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate
pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code or has taken any action, or omitted
to take any action, that has resulted, or would reasonably be expected to
result
in the imposition of a lien under Section 412(n) of the Code or pursuant
to
ERISA. Neither FNFG, its Subsidiaries, nor any ERISA Affiliate has
contributed to any "multiemployer plan," as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA,
on or after January 1, 1998. To the Knowledge of FNFG, there is no
pending investigation or enforcement action by any Bank Regulator with respect
to any FNFG Compensation and Benefit Plan or any ERISA Affiliate
Plan.
5.12.4. All
material contributions required to be made under the terms of any FNFG
Compensation and Benefit Plan or ERISA Affiliate Plan or any employee benefit
arrangements
to which FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary is a party or a sponsor have been timely
made, and all anticipated contributions and funding obligations are accrued
on
FNFG’s consolidated financial statements to the extent required by
GAAP. FNFG and its Subsidiaries have expensed and accrued as a
liability the present value of future benefits under each applicable FNFG
Compensation and Benefit Plan for financial reporting purposes as required
by
GAAP.
42
5.13. Environmental
Matters.
5.13.1. To
the Knowledge of FNFG, neither the conduct nor operation of its business
nor any
condition of any property currently or previously owned or operated by it
(including, without limitation, in a fiduciary or agency capacity), or on
which
it holds a lien, results or resulted in a violation of any Environmental
Laws
that is reasonably likely to impose a material liability (including a material
remediation obligation) upon FNFG or any of FNFG Subsidiary. To the
Knowledge of FNFG, no condition has existed or event has occurred with respect
to any of them or any such property that, with notice or the passage of time,
or
both, is reasonably likely to result in any material liability to FNFG or
any
FNFG Subsidiary by reason of any Environmental Laws. Neither FNFG nor
any FNFG Subsidiary during the past five years has received any written notice
from any Person that FNFG or any FNFG Subsidiary or the operation or condition
of any property ever owned, operated, or held as collateral or in a fiduciary
capacity by any of them are currently in violation of or otherwise are alleged
to have financial exposure under any Environmental Laws or relating to Materials
of Environmental Concern (including, but not limited to, responsibility (or
potential responsibility) for the cleanup or other remediation of any Materials
of Environmental Concern at, on, beneath, or originating from any such property)
for which a material liability is reasonably likely to be imposed upon FNFG
or
any FNFG Subsidiary.
5.13.2. There
is no suit, claim, action, demand, executive or administrative order, directive,
investigation or proceeding pending or, to the FNFG ‘s Knowledge, threatened,
before any court, governmental agency or other forum against FNFG or any
FNFG
Subsidiary (x) for alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with,
or
liability under, any Environmental Law or (y) relating to the presence of
or
release (defined herein) into the environment of any Materials of Environmental
Concern (as defined herein), whether or not occurring at or on a site owned,
leased or operated by any of the FNFG .
5.14. Loan
Losses.
The
allowance for loan losses reflected in FNFG’s audited consolidated balance sheet
at December 31, 2006 was, and the allowance for loan losses shown on the
balance
sheets in FNFG’s Securities Documents for periods ending after December 31, 2006
were adequate, as of the dates thereof, under GAAP.
5.15. Securities
Documents
FNFG
has
made available to GLB copies of its (i) annual reports on Form 10-K for the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004, (ii) quarterly reports on Form
10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2007, and (iii) proxy
materials used or for use in
connection
with its meetings of shareholders held in 2007, 2006 and 2005. Such reports
and
such proxy materials complied, at the time filed with the SEC, in all material
respects, with the Securities Laws.
5.16. Brokers,
Finders and Financial Advisors
Neither
FNFG nor any FNFG Subsidiary, nor any of their respective officers, directors,
employees or agents, has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor
in
connection with the
43
transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, or incurred any liability or commitment for
any
fees or commissions to any such person in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement except for the retention of Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx
& Company, Incorporated and the fee payable pursuant thereto.
5.17. FNFG
Common Stock
The
shares of FNFG Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement, when
issued
in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be duly authorized,
validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable and subject to no preemptive
rights.
5.18. FNFG
Information Supplied
The
information relating to FNFG and any FNFG Subsidiary to be contained in the
Merger Registration Statement, or in any other document filed with any Bank
Regulator or other Governmental Entity in connection herewith, will not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in
which
they are made, not misleading. The Merger Registration Statement will
comply with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder and the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder, except that no representation or warranty is made
by
FNFG with respect to statements made or incorporated by reference therein
based
on information supplied by GLB specifically for inclusion or incorporation
by
reference in the Merger Registration Statement.
ARTICLE
VI
COVENANTS
OF GLB
6.1. Conduct
of Business.
6.1.1. Affirmative
Covenants. During the period from the date of this Agreement to
the Effective Time, except with the written consent of FNFG, which consent
will
not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, GLB will, and it will
cause each GLB Subsidiary to: operate its business, only in the usual, regular
and ordinary course of business; use reasonable efforts to preserve intact
its
business organization and assets and maintain its rights and franchises;
and
voluntarily take no action which would (i) adversely affect the ability of
the parties to obtain any Regulatory Approval or other approvals of Governmental
Entities required for the transactions contemplated hereby or materially
increase the period of time necessary to obtain
such approvals, or (ii) adversely affect its ability to perform its covenants
and agreements under this Agreement.
6.1.2. Negative
Covenants. GLB agrees that from the date of this Agreement to
the Effective Time, except as otherwise specifically permitted or required
by
this Agreement, set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 6.1.2, or consented
to by
FNFG in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned
or delayed), it will not, and it will cause each GLB Subsidiary not
to:
44
(A) change
or waive any provision of its Certificate of Incorporation, Charter or Bylaws,
except as required by law, or appoint a new director to the board
directors;
(B) change
the number of authorized or issued shares of its capital stock, issue any
shares
of GLB Common Stock, including any shares that are held as “treasury shares” as
of the date of this Agreement, or issue or grant any Right or agreement of
any
character relating to its authorized or issued capital stock or any securities
convertible into shares of such stock, make any grant or award under the
GLB
Option Plans, or split, combine or reclassify any shares of capital stock,
or
declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution in respect of
capital stock, or redeem or otherwise acquire any shares of capital stock,
except that (i) GLB may issue shares of GLB Common Stock upon the valid
exercise, in accordance with the information set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE
SCHEDULE 4.3.1, of presently outstanding GLB Options issued under the GLB
Option
Plan, and (ii) any GLB Subsidiary may pay dividends to its parent company
(as
permitted under applicable law or regulations) consistent with past
practice.
(C) enter
into, amend in any material respect or terminate any contract or agreement
(including without limitation any settlement agreement with respect to
litigation) except in the ordinary course of business;
(D) other
than as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 6.1.2(D), make application for
the
opening or closing of any, or open or close any, branch or automated banking
facility;
(E) grant
or agree to pay any bonus, severance or termination to, or enter into, renew
or
amend any employment agreement, severance agreement and/or supplemental
executive agreement with, or increase in any manner the compensation or fringe
benefits of, any of its directors, officers or employees, except (i) as may
be required pursuant to commitments existing on the date hereof and set forth
on
GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES 4.9.1 and 4.13.1, (ii) pay increases in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice to non-officer
employees, (iii) cash bonuses with respect to the year ending December 31,
2007
in the amounts and to the individuals set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE
6.1.2(E), and (iv) a contribution to the GBSB 401(k) Plan with respect to
the
year ending December 31, 2007, consistent with applicable law, up to an amount
set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 6.1.2(E). Neither GLB nor any GLB
Subsidiary shall hire or promote any employee to a rank having a title of
vice
president or other more senior rank or hire any new employee at an annual
rate
of compensation in excess of $50,000, provided that GLB or an
GLB
Subsidiary may hire at-will, non-officer employees to fill vacancies that
may
from time to time arise in the ordinary course of
business.
(F) enter
into or, except as may be required by law, materially modify any pension,
retirement, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation right, stock
grant,
savings, profit sharing, deferred compensation, supplemental retirement,
consulting, bonus, group insurance or other employee benefit, incentive or
welfare contract, plan or arrangement, or any trust agreement related thereto,
in respect of any of its directors, officers or employees; or make any
contributions to any defined contribution plan not in the ordinary course
of
business consistent with past practice;
45
(G) merge
or consolidate GLB or any GLB Subsidiary with any other corporation; sell
or
lease all or any substantial portion of the assets or business of GLB or
any GLB
Subsidiary; make any acquisition of all or any substantial portion of the
business or assets of any other person, firm, association, corporation or
business organization other than in connection with foreclosures, settlements
in
lieu of foreclosure, troubled loan or debt restructuring, or the collection
of
any loan or credit arrangement between GLB, or any GLB Subsidiary, and any
other
person; enter into a purchase and assumption transaction with respect to
deposits and liabilities; permit the revocation or surrender by any GLB
Subsidiary of its certificate of authority to maintain, or file an application
for the relocation of, any existing branch office, or file an application
for a
certificate of authority to establish a new branch office;
(H) sell
or otherwise dispose of the capital stock of GLB or sell or otherwise dispose
of
any asset of GLB or of any GLB Subsidiary other than in the ordinary course
of
business consistent with past practice; except for transactions with the
FHLB,
subject any asset of GLB or of any GLB Subsidiary to a lien, pledge, security
interest or other encumbrance (other than in connection with deposits,
repurchase agreements, bankers acceptances, “treasury tax and loan” accounts
established in the ordinary course of business and transactions in “federal
funds” and the satisfaction of legal requirements in the exercise of trust
powers) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice; incur any indebtedness for borrowed money (or guarantee any
indebtedness for borrowed money), except in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
(I) voluntarily
take any action which would result in any of the representations and warranties
of GLB or GBSB set forth in this Agreement becoming untrue as of any date
after
the date hereof or in any of the conditions set forth in Article IX hereof
not
being satisfied, except in each case as may be required by applicable
law;
(J) change
any method, practice or principle of accounting, except as may be required
from
time to time by GAAP (without regard to any optional early adoption date)
or any
Bank Regulator responsible for regulating GLB or GBSB;
(K) waive,
release, grant or transfer any material rights of value or modify or change
in
any material respect any existing material agreement or indebtedness to which
GLB or any GLB Subsidiary is a party, other than in the ordinary course of
business, consistent with past practice;
(L) purchase
any equity securities, or purchase any securities other than securities (i)
rated “AAA” or higher by either Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services or
Xxxxx’x Investors Service, (ii) having a face amount of not more than
$5,000,000, (iii) with a weighted average life of not more than three years
and
(iv) otherwise in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice;
(M) except
for commitments issued prior to the date of this Agreement which have not
yet
expired and which have been disclosed on the GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 6.12(M),
and the renewal of existing lines of credit, make any new loan or other credit
facility commitment (including without limitation, lines of credit and letters
of credit) in an amount in excess of $500,000 for a commercial real estate
loan
or $1,000,000 for a
46
commercial
business loan, or in excess of $500,000 for a residential
loan. In addition, the prior approval of FNFG is required with
respect to the foregoing: (i) any new loan or credit facility
commitment in an amount of $500,000 or greater to any borrower or group of
affiliated borrowers whose credit exposure with GBSB, GLB or any GLB Subsidiary,
in the aggregate, exceeds $1,000,000 prior thereto or as a result thereof;
and
(ii) any new loan or credit facility commitment in excess of $500,000 to
any
person residing, or any property located, outside of New York
State;
(N) except
as set forth on the GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 6.12(N), enter into, renew, extend
or modify any other transaction (other than a deposit transaction) with any
Affiliate;
(O) enter
into any futures contract, option, interest rate caps, interest rate floors,
interest rate exchange agreement or other agreement or take any other action
for
purposes of hedging the exposure of its interest-earning assets and
interest-bearing liabilities to changes in market rates of
interest;
(P) except
for the execution of this Agreement, and actions taken or which will be taken
in
accordance with this Agreement and performance thereunder, take any action
that
would give rise to a right of payment to any individual under any employment
agreement;
(Q) make
any material change in policies in existence on the date of this Agreement
with
regard to: the extension of credit, or the establishment of reserves with
respect to the possible loss thereon or the charge off of losses incurred
thereon; investments; asset/liability management; or other material banking
policies except as may be required by changes in applicable law or regulations
or by a Bank Regulator;
(R) except
for the execution of this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated therein,
take any action that would give rise to an acceleration of the right to payment
to any individual under any GLB Employee Plan;
(S) except
as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 6.12(S), make any capital expenditures
in excess of $25,000 individually or $50,000 in the aggregate, other than
pursuant to binding commitments existing on the date hereof and other than
expenditures necessary to maintain existing assets in good repair;
(T) except
as set forth in GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 6.12(T), purchase or otherwise acquire,
or sell or otherwise dispose of, any assets or incur any liabilities other
than
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices and
policies;
(U) sell
any participation interest in any loan (other than sales of loans secured
by
one- to four-family real estate that are consistent with past practice) (and
provided that First Niagara Bank will be given the first opportunity to purchase
any loan participation being sold) or OREO properties (other than sales of
OREO
which generate a net book loss of not more than $20,000 per
property);
47
(V) undertake
or enter into any lease, contract or other commitment for its account, other
than in the normal course of providing credit to customers as part of its
banking business, involving a payment by GLB or GBSB of more than $25,000
annually, or containing any financial commitment extending beyond 24 months
from
the date hereof;
(W) pay,
discharge, settle or compromise any claim, action, litigation, arbitration
or
proceeding, other than any such payment, discharge, settlement or compromise
in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that involves
solely money damages in the amount not in excess of $25,000 individually
or
$50,000 in the aggregate, and that does not create negative precedent for
other
pending or potential claims, actions, litigation, arbitration or
proceedings;
(X) foreclose
upon or take a deed or title to any commercial real estate without first
conducting a Phase I environmental assessment of the property or foreclose
upon
any commercial real estate if such environmental assessment indicates the
presence of a Materials of Environmental Concern;
(Y) purchase
or sell any mortgage loan servicing rights other than in the ordinary course
of
business consistent with past practice;
(Z) issue
any broadly distributed communication of a general nature to employees
(including general communications relating to benefits and compensation)
without
prior consultation with FNFG and, to the extent relating to post-Closing
employment, benefit or compensation information without the prior consent
of
FNFG (which shall not be unreasonably withheld) or issue any broadly distributed
communication of a general nature to customers without the prior approval
of
FNFG (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), except as required by law
or
for communications in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice that do not relate to the Merger or other transactions contemplated
hereby; or
(AA) agree
to do any of the foregoing.
6.1.3. Stock
Purchase Plan.
As
soon as practicable following the
date of this Agreement, GLB agrees to terminate any pending Offerings under
the
GLB Stock Purchase Plan (“Stock Purchase Plan”) and to return any funds
accumulated from employees and directors pursuant to such
Offerings. GLB further agrees that no new Offerings shall be made
under the Stock Purchase Plan from the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Time and that the Stock Purchase Plan shall be terminated
no later than the Effective Time, including cancellation of the reservation
of
200,000 shares for issuance under the Plan.
6.2. Current
Information.
6.2.1. During
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, GLB will
cause
one or more of its representatives to confer with representatives of FNFG
and
report the general status of its ongoing operations at such times as FNFG
may
reasonably request. GLB will promptly notify FNFG of any material
change in the normal course of its business or in the operation of its
properties and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, of
48
any
governmental complaints, investigations or hearings (or communications
indicating that the same may be contemplated), or the institution or the
threat
of material litigation involving GLB or any GLB Subsidiary. Without
limiting the foregoing, senior officers of FNFG and GLB shall meet on a
reasonably regular basis (expected to be at least monthly) to review the
financial and operational affairs of GLB and its Subsidiaries, in accordance
with applicable law, and GLB shall give due consideration to FNFG’s input on
such matters, with the understanding that, notwithstanding any other provision
contained in this Agreement, neither FNFG nor any FNFG Subsidiary shall under
any circumstance be permitted to exercise control of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary
prior to the Effective Time.
6.2.2. GBSB
and First Niagara Bank shall meet on a regular basis to discuss and plan
for the
conversion of GBSB’s data processing and related electronic informational
systems to those used by First Niagara Bank, which planning shall include,
but
not be limited to, discussion of the possible termination by GBSB of third-party
service provider arrangements effective at the Effective Time or at a date
thereafter, non-renewal of personal property leases and software licenses
used
by GBSB in connection with its systems operations, retention of outside
consultants and additional employees to assist with the conversion, and
outsourcing, as appropriate, of proprietary or self-provided system services,
it
being understood that GBSB shall not be obligated to take any such action
prior
to the Effective Time and, unless GBSB otherwise agrees, no conversion shall
take place prior to the Effective Time. In the event that GBSB takes,
at the request of First Niagara Bank, any action relative to third parties
to
facilitate the conversion that results in the imposition of any termination
fees
or charges, First Niagara Bank shall indemnify GBSB for any such fees and
charges, and the costs of reversing the conversion process, if for any reason
the Merger is not consummated for any reason other than a breach of this
Agreement by GLB, or a termination of this Agreement under Section 11.1.8
or
11.1.9.
6.2.3. GBSB
shall provide First Niagara Bank, within fifteen (15) business days of the
end
of each calendar month, a written list of nonperforming assets (the term
“nonperforming assets,” for purposes of this subsection, means (i) loans that
are “troubled debt restructuring” as defined in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 15, “Accounting by Debtors and Creditors for Troubled
Debt Restructuring,” (ii) loans on nonaccrual, (iii) real estate owned, (iv) all
loans ninety (90) days or more past due) as of the end of such month and
(iv)
and impaired loans. On a monthly basis, GLB shall provide First
Niagara Bank with a schedule of all loan approvals, which schedule shall
indicate the loan amount, loan type and other material features of the
loan.
6.2.4. GLB
shall promptly inform FNFG upon receiving notice of any legal, administrative,
arbitration or other proceedings, demands, notices, audits or investigations
(by
any federal, state or local commission, agency or board) relating to the
alleged
liability of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary under any labor or employment
law.
6.3. Access
to Properties and Records.
Subject
to Section 12.1 hereof, GLB shall permit FNFG reasonable access upon reasonable
notice to its properties and those of the GLB Subsidiaries, and shall disclose
and make available to FNFG during normal business hours all of its books,
papers
and records relating to the assets, properties, operations, obligations and
liabilities, including, but not limited
49
to,
all
books of account (including the general ledger), tax records, minute books
of
directors’ (other than minutes that discuss any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement or any other subject matter GLB reasonably determines should
be treated as confidential) and shareholders’ meetings, organizational
documents, Bylaws, material contracts and agreements, filings with any
regulatory authority, litigation files, plans affecting employees, and any
other
business activities or prospects in which FNFG may have a reasonable interest;
provided, however, that GLB shall not be required to take any action that
would
provide access to or to disclose information where such access or disclosure
would violate or prejudice the rights or business interests or confidences
of
any customer or other person or would result in the waiver by it of the
privilege protecting communications between it and any of its counsel. GLB
shall
provide and shall request its auditors to provide FNFG with such historical
financial information regarding it (and related audit reports and consents)
as
FNFG may reasonably request for securities disclosure purposes. FNFG
shall use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any interference with
GLB’s regular business operations during any such access to GLB’s property,
books and records. GLB and each GLB Subsidiary shall permit FNFG, at
its expense, to cause a “phase I environmental audit” and a “phase II
environmental audit” to be performed at any physical location owned or occupied
by GLB or any GLB Subsidiary. In the event any subsurface or phase II
site assessments are conducted, FNFG shall indemnify GLB and its Subsidiaries
for all costs and expenses associated with returning the property to its
previous condition.
6.4. Financial
and Other Statements.
6.4.1. Promptly
upon receipt thereof, GLB will furnish to FNFG copies of each annual, interim
or
special audit of the books of GLB and the GLB Subsidiaries made by its
independent auditors and copies of all internal control reports submitted
to GLB
by such auditors in connection with each annual, interim or special audit
of the
books of GLB and the GLB Subsidiaries made by such auditors.
6.4.2. As
soon as reasonably available, but in no event later than the date such documents
are filed with the SEC, GLB will deliver to FNFG the Securities Documents
filed
by it with the SEC under the Securities Laws. GLB will furnish to
FNFG copies of all documents, statements and reports as it or any GLB Subsidiary
shall send to its shareholders, the FDIC, the FRB, the Department or any
other
regulatory authority, except as legally prohibited thereby. Within 25
days after the end of each month, GLB will deliver to FNFG a consolidated
balance sheet
and
a consolidated statement of income, without related notes, for such month
prepared in accordance with current financial reporting practices.
6.4.3. GLB
will advise FNFG promptly of the receipt of any examination report of any
Bank
Regulator with respect to the condition or activities of GLB or any of the
GLB
Subsidiaries.
6.4.4. With
reasonable promptness, GLB will furnish to FNFG such additional financial
data
that GLB possesses and as FNFG may reasonably request, including without
limitation, detailed monthly financial statements and loan reports.
50
6.5. Maintenance
of Insurance.
GLB
shall
maintain, and cause each GLB Subsidiary to maintain, insurance in such amounts
as are reasonable to cover such risks as are customary in relation to the
character and location of theirs properties and the nature of their
business
6.6. Disclosure
Supplements.
From
time
to time prior to the Effective Time, GLB will promptly supplement or amend
the
GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE delivered in connection herewith with respect to
any
matter hereafter arising which, if existing, occurring or known at the date
of
this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described in
such
GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE or which is necessary to correct any information
in such
GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE which has been rendered materially inaccurate thereby.
No supplement or amendment to such GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE shall have any
effect
for the purpose of determining satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Article IX.
6.7. Consents
and Approvals of Third Parties.
GLB
shall
use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain as soon as practicable
all
consents and approvals necessary or desirable for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6.8. All
Reasonable Efforts.
Subject
to the terms and conditions herein provided, GLB agrees to use all commercially
reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or
cause
to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws
and
regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement.
6.9. Failure
to Fulfill Conditions.
In
the
event that GLB determines that a condition to its obligation to complete
the
Merger cannot be fulfilled and that it will not waive that condition, it
will
promptly notify FNFG.
6.10. No
Solicitation.
(a)
GLB
shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and the respective officers,
directors, employees, investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys,
accountants, consultants, affiliates and other agents (collectively, the
“Representatives”) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit,
induce or knowingly encourage, or take any action to facilitate the making
of,
any inquiry, offer or proposal which constitutes, or could reasonably be
expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal; (ii) participate in any
discussions or negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal or furnish,
or
otherwise afford access, to any Person (other than FNFG) any information
or data
with respect to GLB or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise relating to an
Acquisition Proposal; (iii) release any Person from, waive any provisions
of, or fail to enforce any confidentiality agreement or standstill agreement
to
which GLB is a party; or (iv) enter into any agreement, agreement in
principle or letter of intent with respect to any Acquisition Proposal
51
or
approve or resolve to approve any Acquisition Proposal or any agreement,
agreement in principle or letter of intent relating to an Acquisition Proposal.
Any violation of the foregoing restrictions by GLB or any Representative,
whether or not such Representative is so authorized and whether or not such
Representative is purporting to act on behalf of GLB or otherwise, shall
be
deemed to be a breach of this Agreement by GLB. GLB and its Subsidiaries
shall,
and shall cause each of GLB Representative to, immediately cease and cause
to be
terminated any and all existing discussions, negotiations, and communications
with any Persons with respect to any existing or potential Acquisition
Proposal.
For
purposes of this Agreement, “Acquisition Proposal” shall mean any inquiry, offer
or proposal (other than an inquiry, offer or proposal from FNFG), whether
or not
in writing, contemplating, relating to, or that could reasonably be expected
to
lead to, an Acquisition Transaction. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Acquisition Transaction” shall mean (A) any transaction or series of
transactions involving any merger, consolidation, recapitalization, share
exchange, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving GLB or
any
of its Subsidiaries; (B) any transaction pursuant to which any third party
or group acquires or would acquire (whether through sale, lease or other
disposition), directly or indirectly, any assets of GLB or any of its
Subsidiaries representing, in the aggregate, fifteen percent (15%) or more
of the assets of GLB and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis; (C) any
issuance, sale or other disposition of (including by way of merger,
consolidation, share exchange or any similar transaction) securities (or
options, rights or warrants to purchase or securities convertible into, such
securities) representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the votes
attached to the outstanding securities of GLB or any of its Subsidiaries;
(D) any tender offer or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result
in any third party or group beneficially owning fifteen percent (15%) or
more of any class of equity securities of GLB or any of its Subsidiaries;
or
(E) any transaction which is similar in form, substance or purpose to any
of the foregoing transactions, or any combination of the foregoing.
(b)
Notwithstanding Section 6.10(a), GLB may take any of the actions described
in clause (ii) of Section 6.10(a) if, but only if, (i) GLB has
received a bona fide unsolicited written Acquisition Proposal that did not
result from a breach of this Section 6.10; (ii) GLB Board determines
in good faith, after consultation with and having considered the advice of
its
outside legal counsel and its independent financial advisor, that (A) such
Acquisition Proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to lead to a Superior
Proposal and (B) the failure to take such actions
would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to GLB’s shareholders under
applicable law; (iii) GLB has provided FNFG with at least three
(3) Business Days’ prior notice of such determination; and (iv) prior
to furnishing or affording access to any information or data with respect
to GLB
or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise relating to an Acquisition Proposal,
GLB
receives from such Person a confidentiality agreement with terms no less
favorable to GLB than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement. GLB
shall promptly provide to FNFG any non-public information regarding GLB or
its
Subsidiaries provided to any other Person that was not previously provided
to
FNFG, such additional information to be provided no later than the date of
provision of such information to such other party.
For
purposes of this Agreement, “Superior Proposal” shall mean any bona fide written
proposal (on its most recently amended or modified terms, if amended or
modified) made by a
52
third
party to enter into an Acquisition Transaction on terms that GLB Board
determines in its good faith judgment, after consultation with and having
considered the advice of outside legal counsel and a financial advisor
(i) would, if consummated, result in the acquisition of all, but not less
than all, of the issued and outstanding shares of GLB Common Stock or all,
or
substantially all, of the assets of GLB and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis; (ii) would result in a transaction that (A) involves
consideration to the holders of the shares of GLB Common Stock that is more
favorable, from a financial point of view, than the consideration to be paid
to
GLB’s shareholders pursuant to this Agreement, considering, among other things,
the nature of the consideration being offered and any material regulatory
approvals or other risks associated with the timing of the proposed transaction
beyond or in addition to those specifically contemplated hereby, and which
proposal is not conditioned upon obtaining additional financing and (B) is,
in light of the other terms of such proposal, more favorable to GLB’s
shareholders than the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; and (iii) is reasonably likely to be completed on the terms
proposed, in each case taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory
and
other aspects of the proposal.
(c)
GLB
shall promptly (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notify FNFG
in writing if any proposals or offers are received by, any information is
requested from, or any negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated
or
continued with, GLB or any GLB Representatives, in each case in connection
with
any Acquisition Proposal, and such notice shall indicate the name of the
Person
initiating such discussions or negotiations or making such proposal, offer
or
information request and the material terms and conditions of any proposals
or
offers (and, in the case of written materials relating to such proposal,
offer,
information request, negotiations or discussion, providing copies of such
materials (including e-mails or other electronic communications) unless
(i) such materials constitute confidential information of the party making
such offer or proposal under an effective confidentiality agreement,
(ii) disclosure of such materials jeopardizes the attorney-client privilege
or (iii) disclosure of such materials contravenes any law, rule,
regulation, order, judgment or decree. GLB agrees that it shall keep FNFG
informed, on a current basis, of the status and terms of any such proposal,
offer, information request, negotiations or discussions (including any
amendments or modifications to such proposal, offer or request).
(d)
Neither the GLB Board nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw, qualify
or modify, or propose to withdraw, qualify or modify, in a manner adverse
to
FNFG in connection with
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Merger), the GLB
Recommendation (as defined in Section 8.1), or make any statement, filing
or
release, in connection with GLB Shareholders Meeting or otherwise, inconsistent
with the GLB Recommendation (it being understood that taking a neutral position
or no position with respect to an Acquisition Proposal shall be considered
an
adverse modification of the GLB Recommendation); (ii) approve or recommend,
or propose to approve or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal; or
(iii) enter into (or cause GLB or any of its Subsidiaries to enter into)
any letter of intent, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other
agreement (A) related to any Acquisition Transaction (other than a
confidentiality agreement entered into in accordance with the provisions
of
Section 6.10(b)) or (B) requiring GLB to abandon, terminate or fail to
consummate the Merger or any other transaction contemplated by this
Agreement.
53
(e)
Notwithstanding Section 6.10(d), prior to the date of GLB Shareholders
Meeting, the GLB Board may approve or recommend to the shareholders of GLB
a
Superior Proposal and withdraw, qualify or modify GLB Recommendation in
connection therewith (a “GLB Subsequent Determination”) after the fifth (5th) Business
Day
following FNFG’s receipt of a notice (the “Notice of Superior Proposal”) from
GLB advising FNFG that the GLB Board has decided that a bona fide unsolicited
written Acquisition Proposal that it received (that did not result from a
breach
of this Section 6.10) constitutes a Superior Proposal (it being understood
that GLB shall be required to deliver a new Notice of Superior Proposal in
respect of any revised Superior Proposal from such third party or its affiliates
that GLB proposes to accept) if, but only if, (i) the GLB Board has
reasonably determined in good faith, after consultation with and having
considered the advice of outside legal counsel and a financial advisor, that
it
is required to take such actions to comply with its fiduciary duties to GLB’s
shareholders under applicable law, (ii) during the five (5) Business
Day Period after receipt of the Notice of Superior Proposal by FNFG, GLB
and the
GLB Board shall have cooperated and negotiated in good faith with FNFG to
make
such adjustments, modifications or amendments to the terms and conditions
of
this Agreement as would enable GLB to proceed with the GLB Recommendation
without a GLB Subsequent Determination; provided, however, that
FNFG shall not have any obligation to propose any adjustments, modifications
or
amendments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and (iii) at the
end of such five (5) Business Day period, after taking into account any
such adjusted, modified or amended terms as may have been proposed by FNFG
since
its receipt of such Notice of Superior Proposal, GLB Board has again in good
faith made the determination (A) in clause (i) of this
Section 6.10(e) and (B) that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a
Superior Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the changing, qualifying
or
modifying of the GLB Recommendation or the making of a GLB Subsequent
Determination by the GLB Board shall not change the approval of the GLB Board
for purposes of causing any Takeover Laws to be inapplicable to this Agreement
and the GLB Voting Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, including the Merger.
(f)
Nothing contained in this Section 6.10 shall prohibit GLB or the GLB Board
from complying with GLB’s obligations required under Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2(a)
promulgated under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that any
such disclosure relating to an Acquisition Proposal shall be deemed a change
in
GLB Recommendation unless GLB Board reaffirms GLB Recommendation in such
disclosure.
6.11. Reserves
and Merger-Related Costs.
GLB
agrees to consult with FNFG with respect to its loan, litigation and real
estate
valuation policies and practices (including loan classifications and levels
of
reserves). FNFG and GLB shall also consult with respect to the
character, amount and timing of restructuring charges to be taken by each
of
them in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and shall take
such
charges as FNFG shall reasonably request and which are not inconsistent with
GAAP, provided that no such actions need be effected until FNFG shall have
irrevocably certified to GLB that all conditions set forth in Article IX
to the
obligation of FNFG to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (other
than the delivery of certificates or opinions) have been satisfied or, where
legally permissible, waived.
54
6.12. Board
of Directors and Committee Meetings.
GLB
and
GBSB shall permit representatives of FNFG (no more than two) to attend any
meeting of the Board of Directors of GLB and/or GBSB or the Executive and
Loan
Committees thereof as an observer, provided that neither GLB nor GBSB shall
be
required to permit the FNFG representative to remain present during any
confidential discussion of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby or any third party proposal to acquire control of GLB or GBSB or during
any other matter that the respective Board of Directors has reasonably
determined to be confidential with respect to FNFG’s participation.
ARTICLE
VII
COVENANTS
OF FNFG
7.1. Conduct
of Business.
During
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, except
with
the written consent of GLB, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld,
FNFG will, and it will cause each FNFG Subsidiary to use reasonable efforts
to
preserve intact its business organization and assets and maintain its rights
and
franchises; and voluntarily take no action that would: (i) adversely affect
the
ability of the parties to obtain the Regulatory Approvals or other approvals
of
Governmental Entities required for the transaction contemplated hereby, or
materially increase the period of time necessary to obtain such approvals;
(ii)
adversely affect its ability to perform its covenants and agreements under
this
Agreement; or (iii) result in the representations and warranties contained
in
Article V of this Agreement not being true and correct on the date of this
Agreement or at any future date on or prior to the Closing Date or in any
of the
conditions set forth in Article IX hereof not being satisfied.
7.2. Current
Information.
During
the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, FNFG will
cause one or more of its representatives to confer with representatives of
GLB
and report the general status of its financial condition, operations and
business and matters relating to the completion of the transactions contemplated
hereby, at such times as GLB may reasonably request. FNFG will promptly notify
GLB, to the extent permitted by applicable law, of any governmental complaints,
investigations or hearings (or communications indicating that the same may
be
contemplated), or the institution of material litigation involving FNFG and
any
FNFG Subsidiary. FNFG
shall be reasonably responsive to requests by GLB for access to such information
and personnel regarding FNFG and its Subsidiaries as may be reasonably necessary
for GLB to confirm that the representations and warranties of FNFG contained
herein are true and correct and that the covenants of FNFG contained herein
have
been performed in all material respects; provided, however, that FNFG shall
not
be required to take any action that would provide access to or to disclose
information where such access or disclosure, in FNFG’s reasonable judgment,
would interfere with the normal conduct of FNFG’s business or would violate or
prejudice the rights or business interests or confidences of any customer
or
other person or would result in the waiver by it of the privilege protecting
communications between it and any of its counsel.
55
7.3. Financial
and Other Statements.
FNFG
will
make available to GLB the Securities Documents filed by it with the SEC under
the Securities Laws. FNFG will furnish to GLB copies of all
documents, statements and reports as it or FNFG file with the OTS or any
other
Bank Regulator authority with respect to the Merger. FNFG will
furnish to GLB copies of all documents, statements and reports as it or any
FNFG
Subsidiary sends to the shareholders of FNFG. FNFG will advise GLB
promptly of the receipt of any examination report of any Bank Regulator with
respect to the condition or activities of FNFG or any FNFG
subsidiary.
7.4. Disclosure
Supplements.
From
time
to time prior to the Effective Time, FNFG will promptly supplement or amend
the
FNFG DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE delivered in connection herewith with respect to
any
material matter hereafter arising which, if existing, occurring or known
at the
date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or described
in
such FNFG DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE or which is necessary to correct any information
in such FNFG DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE which has been rendered inaccurate thereby.
No
supplement or amendment to such FNFG DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE shall have any effect
for the purpose of determining satisfaction of the conditions set forth in
Article IX.
7.5. Consents
and Approvals of Third Parties.
FNFG
shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain as soon as practicable
all consents and approvals, necessary or desirable for the consummation of
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.6. All
Reasonable Efforts.
Subject
to the terms and conditions herein provided, FNFG agrees to use all commercially
reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action and to do, or
cause
to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws
and
regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement.
7.7. Failure
to Fulfill Conditions.
In
the
event that FNFG determines that a condition to its obligation to complete
the
Merger cannot be fulfilled and that it will not waive that condition, it
will
promptly notify GLB.
7.8. Employee
Benefits.
7.8.1. FNFG
will review all GLB Compensation and Benefit Plans to determine whether to
maintain, terminate or continue such plans. In the event employee
compensation and/or benefits as currently provided by GLB or any GLB Subsidiary
are changed or terminated by FNFG, in whole or in part, FNFG shall provide
Continuing Employees (as defined below) with compensation and benefits that
are,
in the aggregate, substantially similar to the compensation and benefits
provided to similarly situated employees of FNFG or applicable FNFG Subsidiary
(as of the date any such compensation or benefit is provided). Employees
of
56
GLB
or
any GLB Subsidiary who become participants in an FNFG Compensation and Benefit
Plan shall, for purposes of determining eligibility for and for any applicable
vesting periods of such employee benefits only (and not for benefit accrual
purposes unless specifically set forth herein) be given credit for meeting
eligibility and vesting requirements in such plans for service as an employee
of
GLB or GBSB or any predecessor thereto prior to the Effective Time, provided,
however, that credit for prior service shall not be given for any purpose
under
the FNFG ESOP, and provided further, that credit for benefit accrual purposes
will be given only for purposes of FNFG vacation policies or programs and
for
purposes of the calculation of severance benefits under any severance
compensation plan of FNFG. This Agreement shall not be construed to
limit the ability of FNFG or First Niagara Bank to terminate the employment
of
any employee or to review employee benefits programs from time to time and
to
make such changes (including terminating any program) as they deem
appropriate.
7.8.2. The
payments and benefits that would be required to be made under the employment
agreements between (i) GLB and/or GBSB and (ii) each of the following
individuals, Xxxxxx X. Xxxx, Xx. (“Xxxx”), Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx (“Xxxxxx”) and
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx (“Xxxxxxx”), assuming a termination of employment as of March
31, 2008, shall be calculated in accordance with the principles set forth
in GLB
DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 7.8.2, which includes explanatory detail and analysis
as to
the method of the calculation of the payments and benefits due. Each
of the executives referenced in this Section 7.8.2 shall sign an acknowledgement
in connection with the execution of this Agreement, which shall be included
in
GLB DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE 7.8.2, agreeing to the application of the principles
set
forth therein, and upon payment thereunder, shall execute a mutually acceptable
release.
7.8.3.
Any employee of GLB or any GLB Subsidiary who is not a party to an employment,
change in control or severance agreement or contract providing severance
payments shall, at the Effective Time, be covered by and eligible to receive
severance benefits under the severance plan or policy of FNFG applicable
to its
employees generally, in accordance with the terms of such plan or
policy.
7.8.4. In
the event of any termination or consolidation of any GLB health plan with
any
FNFG health plan, FNFG shall make available to employees of GLB or any GLB
Subsidiary who continue employment with FNFG or a FNFG Subsidiary (“Continuing
Employees”)
and their dependents employer-provided health coverage on the same basis
as it
provides such coverage to FNFG employees. Unless a Continuing
Employee affirmatively terminates coverage under a GLB health plan prior
to the
time that such Continuing Employee becomes eligible to participate in the
FNFG
health plan, no coverage of any of the Continuing Employees or their dependents
shall terminate under any of the GLB health plans prior to the time such
Continuing Employees and their dependents become eligible to participate
in the
health plans, programs and benefits common to all employees of FNFG and their
dependents. In the event of a termination or consolidation of any GLB
health plan, terminated GLB employees and qualified beneficiaries will have
the
right to continued coverage under group health plans of FNFG in accordance
with
COBRA, consistent with the provisions below. In the event of any
termination of any GLB health plan, or consolidation of any GLB health plan
with
any FNFG health plan, any coverage limitation under the FNFG health plan
due to
any pre-existing condition shall be waived by the FNFG health plan to the
degree
that such condition was covered by the GLB health plan and such condition
would
otherwise have been covered by the FNFG
57
health
plan in the absence of such coverage limitation. All GLB Employees
who cease participating in an GLB health plan and become participants in
a
comparable FNFG health plan shall receive credit for any co-payment and
deductibles paid under GLB’s health plan for purposes of satisfying any
applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements under the FNFG health
plan,
upon substantiation, in a form satisfactory to FNFG that such co-payment
and/or
deductible has been satisfied.
7.9. Directors
and Officers Indemnification and Insurance.
7.9.1.
For a period of six years after the Effective Time, FNFG shall indemnify,
defend
and hold harmless each person who is now, or who has been at any time before
the
date hereof or who becomes before the Effective Time, an officer, director
or
employee of GLB or a GLB Subsidiary (the “Indemnified Parties”) against all
losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses (including attorney’s fees),
liabilities or judgments or amounts that are paid in settlement (which
settlement shall require the prior written consent of FNFG, which consent
shall
not be unreasonably withheld) of or in connection with any claim, action,
suit,
proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, or administrative (each
a
“Claim”), in which an Indemnified Party is, or is threatened to be made, a party
or witness in whole or in part on or arising in whole or in part out of the
fact
that such person is or was a director, officer or employee of GLB or a GLB
Subsidiary if such Claim pertains to any matter of fact arising, existing
or
occurring at or before the Effective Time (including, without limitation,
the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby), regardless of whether
such Claim is asserted or claimed before, or after, the Effective Time, to
the
fullest extent permitted under applicable state or Federal law, FNFG’s
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, and under GLB’s Certificate of
Incorporation or Charter and Bylaws. FNFG shall pay expenses in advance of
the
final disposition of any such action or proceeding to each Indemnified Party
to
the full extent permitted by applicable state or Federal law upon receipt
of an
undertaking to repay such advance payments if he shall be adjudicated or
determined to be not entitled to indemnification in the manner set forth
below. Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under
this Section 7.9.1 upon learning of any Claim, shall notify FNFG (but the
failure so to notify FNFG shall not relieve it from any liability which it
may
have under this Section 7.9.1, except to the extent such failure materially
prejudices FNFG) and shall deliver to FNFG the undertaking referred to in
the
previous sentence.
7.9.2. In
the event that either FNFG or any of its successors or assigns
(i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be the
continuing or surviving bank or entity of such consolidation or merger or
(ii)
transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any person,
then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the
successors and assigns of FNFG shall assume the obligations set forth in
this
Section 7.9.
7.9.3. FNFG
shall maintain, or shall cause First Niagara Bank to maintain, in effect
for six
years following the Effective Time, the current directors’ and officers’
liability insurance policies covering the officers and directors of GLB
(provided, that FNFG may substitute therefor policies of at least the same
coverage containing terms and conditions which are not materially less
favorable) with respect to matters occurring at or prior to the Effective
Time;
provided, however, that in no event shall FNFG be required to expend pursuant
to
this
58
Section
7.9.3 more than 175% of the annual cost currently expended by GLB with respect
to such insurance (the “Maximum Amount”); provided, further, that if
the amount of the annual premium necessary to maintain or procure such insurance
coverage exceeds the Maximum Amount, FNFG shall maintain the most advantageous
policies of directors’ and officers’ insurance obtainable for a premium equal to
the Maximum Amount. In connection with the foregoing, GLB agrees in order
for
FNFG to fulfill its agreement to provide directors and officers liability
insurance policies for six years to provide such insurer or substitute insurer
with such reasonable and customary representations as such insurer may request
with respect to the reporting of any prior claims.
7.9.4. The
obligations of FNFG provided under this Section 7.9 are intended to be
enforceable against FNFG directly by the Indemnified Parties and shall be
binding on all respective successors and permitted assigns of FNFG.
7.10. Stock
Listing.
FNFG
agrees to list on the Nasdaq (or such other national securities exchange
on
which the shares of the FNFG Common Stock shall be listed as of the date
of
consummation of the Merger), subject to official notice of issuance, the
shares
of FNFG Common Stock to be issued in the Merger.
7.11. Stock
and Cash Reserve.
FNFG
agrees at all times from the date of this Agreement until the Merger
Consideration has been paid in full to reserve a sufficient number of shares
of
its common stock and to maintain sufficient liquid accounts or borrowing
capacity to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE
VIII
REGULATORY
AND OTHER MATTERS
8.1. GLB
Shareholder Meeting.
GLB
will (i) as promptly as practicable
after the Merger Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC,
take
all steps necessary to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting
of
its shareholders (the “GLB Shareholders Meeting”), for the purpose of
considering this Agreement and the Merger, and for such other purposes as
may
be, in GLB’s reasonable judgment, necessary or desirable, (ii) subject to
Section 6.10, have its Board of Directors recommend approval of this Agreement
to the GLB shareholders (the “GLB Recommendation”).
8.2. Proxy
Statement-Prospectus.
8.2.1. For
the purposes (x) of registering FNFG Common Stock to be offered to holders
of
GLB Common Stock in connection with the Merger with the SEC under the Securities
Act and (y) of holding the GLB Shareholders Meeting, FNFG shall draft and
prepare, and GLB shall cooperate in the preparation of, the Merger Registration
Statement, including a combined
59
proxy
statement and prospectus satisfying all applicable requirements of applicable
state securities and banking laws, and of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder (such proxy statement/prospectus
in the form mailed to the GLB shareholders, together with any and all amendments
or supplements thereto, being herein referred to as the “Proxy
Statement-Prospectus”). FNFG shall file the Merger Registration
Statement, including the Proxy Statement-Prospectus, with the
SEC. Each of FNFG and GLB shall use their reasonable best efforts to
have the Merger Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities
Act as promptly as practicable after such filing, and each of GLB and FNFG
shall
thereafter promptly mail the Proxy Statement-Prospectus to the GLB shareholders.
FNFG shall also use its reasonably best efforts to obtain all necessary state
securities law or “Blue Sky” permits and approvals required to carry out the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and GLB shall furnish all
information concerning GLB and the holders of GLB Common Stock as may be
reasonably requested in connection with any such action.
8.2.2. GLB
shall provide FNFG with any information concerning itself that FNFG may
reasonably request in connection with the drafting and preparation of the
Proxy
Statement-Prospectus, and FNFG shall notify GLB promptly of the receipt of
any
comments of the SEC with respect to the Proxy Statement-Prospectus and of
any
requests by the SEC for any amendment or supplement thereto or for additional
information and shall provide to GLB promptly copies of all correspondence
between FNFG or any of their representatives and the SEC. FNFG shall give
GLB
and its counsel the opportunity to review and comment on the Proxy
Statement-Prospectus prior to its being filed with the SEC and shall give
GLB
and its counsel the opportunity to review and comment on all amendments and
supplements to the Proxy Statement-Prospectus and all responses to requests
for
additional information and replies to comments prior to their being filed
with,
or sent to, the SEC. Each of FNFG and GLB agrees to use all
reasonable efforts, after consultation with the other party hereto, to respond
promptly to all such comments of and requests by the SEC and to cause the
Proxy
Statement-Prospectus and all required
amendments and supplements thereto to be mailed to the holders of GLB Common
Stock entitled to vote at the GLB Shareholders Meeting hereof at the earliest
practicable time.
8.2.3. GLB
and FNFG shall promptly notify the other party if at any time it becomes
aware
that the Proxy Statement-Prospectus or the Merger Registration Statement
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements contained
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. In such event, GLB shall cooperate with FNFG in the
preparation of a supplement or amendment to such Proxy Statement-Prospectus
that
corrects such misstatement or omission, and FNFG shall file an amended Merger
Registration Statement with the SEC, and each of GLB shall mail an amended
Proxy
Statement-Prospectus to the GLB shareholders. If requested by FNFG, GLB shall
obtain a “comfort” letter from its independent certified public accountant,
dated as of the date of the Proxy Statement-Prospectus and updated as of
the
date of consummation of the Merger, with respect to certain financial
information regarding GLB, in form and substance that is customary in
transactions such as the Merger.
60
8.3. Regulatory
Approvals.
Each
of
GLB and FNFG will cooperate with the other and use all reasonable efforts
to
promptly prepare all necessary documentation, to effect all necessary filings
and to obtain all necessary permits, consents, waivers, approvals and
authorizations of the SEC, the Bank Regulators and any other third parties
and
governmental bodies necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement. GLB and FNFG will furnish each other and each other’s counsel
with all information concerning themselves, their subsidiaries, directors,
officers and shareholders and such other matters as may be necessary or
advisable in connection with the Proxy Statement-Prospectus and any application,
petition or any other statement or application made by or on behalf of GLB,
FNFG
to any Bank Regulatory or governmental body in connection with the Merger,
and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. GLB shall have the
right
to review and approve in advance all characterizations of the information
relating to GLB and any of its Subsidiaries, which appear in any filing made
in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with any
governmental body. FNFG shall give GLB and its counsel the
opportunity to review and comment on each filing prior to its being filed
with a
Bank Regulator and shall give GLB and its counsel the opportunity to review
and
comment on all amendments and supplements to such filings and all responses
to
requests for additional information and replies to comments prior to their
being
filed with, or sent to, a Bank Regulator.
8.4. Affiliates.
8.4.1. GLB
shall use all reasonable efforts to cause each director, executive officer
and
other person who is an “affiliate” (for purposes of Rule 145 under the
Securities Act) of GLB to deliver to FNFG, as soon as practicable after the
date
of this Agreement, and at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the
GLB
Shareholders Meeting, a written agreement, in the form of Exhibit C hereto,
providing that such person will not sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose
of any shares of FNFG Common Stock to be received by such “affiliate,” as a
result of the
Merger otherwise than in compliance with the applicable provisions of the
Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE
IX
CLOSING
CONDITIONS
9.1. Conditions
to Each Party’s Obligations under this Agreement.
The
respective obligations of each party under this Agreement shall be subject
to
the fulfillment at or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions,
none of which may be waived:
9.1.1. Shareholder
Approval. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall
have been approved by the requisite vote of the shareholders of
GLB.
9.1.2. Injunctions. None
of the parties hereto shall be subject to any order, decree or injunction
of a
court or agency of competent jurisdiction that enjoins or prohibits the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and no statute,
rule or regulation shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated, interpreted,
applied or enforced by any
61
Governmental
Entity or Bank Regulator, that enjoins or prohibits the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
9.1.3. Regulatory
Approvals. All Regulatory Approvals and other necessary
approvals, authorizations and consents of any Governmental Entities required
to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been
obtained and shall remain in full force and effect and all waiting periods
relating to such approvals, authorizations or consents shall have expired;
and
no such approval, authorization or consent shall include any condition or
requirement, excluding standard conditions that are normally imposed by the
regulatory authorities in bank merger transactions, that would, in the good
faith reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of FNFG, materially and
adversely affect the business, operations, financial condition, property
or
assets of the combined enterprise of GLB, GBSB and FNFG or materially impair
the
value of GLB or GBSB to FNFG.
9.1.4. Effectiveness
of Merger Registration Statement. The Merger Registration
Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act and no stop
order
suspending the effectiveness of the Merger Registration Statement shall have
been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated
or
threatened by the SEC and, if the offer and sale of FNFG Common Stock in
the
Merger is subject to the blue sky laws of any state, shall not be subject
to a
stop order of any state securities commissioner.
9.1.5. Nasdaq
Listing. The shares of FNFG Common Stock to be issued in the
Merger shall have been authorized for listing on the Nasdaq, subject to official
notice of issuance.
9.1.6. Tax
Opinion. On the basis of facts, representations and assumptions
which shall be consistent with the state of facts existing at the Closing
Date,
FNFG shall have received an opinion of Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, P.C.,
reasonably acceptable in form and substance to FNFG, and GLB shall have received
an opinion of Xxxxxxx Xxxx, LLP reasonably
acceptable in form and substance to GLB, each dated as of the Closing Date,
substantially to the effect that for federal income tax purposes, the
Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering the tax opinions
described in this Section 9.1.6, the law firms may require and rely upon
customary representations contained in certificates of officers of FNFG and
GLB
and their respective Subsidiaries.
9.2. Conditions
to the Obligations of FNFG under this Agreement.
The
obligations of FNFG under this Agreement shall be further subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 9.2.1 through 9.2.5
at or
prior to the Closing Date:
9.2.1. Representations
and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties of
GLB set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date
of this
Agreement and upon the Effective Time with the same effect as though all
such
representations and warranties had been made on the Effective Time (except
to
the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date),
in
any case subject to the standard set forth in Section
62
4.1;
and
GLB shall have delivered to FNFG a certificate to such effect signed by the
Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of GLB as of the
Effective Time.
9.2.2. Agreements
and Covenants. GLB shall have performed in all material respects
all obligations and complied in all material respects with all agreements
or
covenants to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the Effective
Time, and FNFG shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of GLB
by the
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of GLB to such effect
dated
as of the Effective Time.
9.2.3. Permits,
Authorizations, Etc. GLB shall have obtained any and all
material permits, authorizations, consents, waivers, clearances or approvals
required for the lawful consummation of the Merger and the Bank
Merger.
9.2.4. Dissenting
Shares. As of immediately prior to the Effective Time, not more
than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares of GLB Common Stock shall have
dissented to the Merger under the DGCL, and preserved, as of immediately
prior
to the Effective Time, the right to pursue their right of appraisal for the
fair
value of their shares of GLB Common Stock under the DGCL.
9.2.5. No
Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2006, no event has
occurred or circumstance arisen that, individually or in the aggregate, has
had
or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on GLB.
GLB
will
furnish FNFG with such certificates of its officers or others and such other
documents to evidence fulfillment of the conditions set forth in this Section
9.2 as FNFG may reasonably request.
9.3. Conditions
to the Obligations of GLB under this Agreement.
The
obligations of GLB under this Agreement shall be further subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Sections 9.3.1 through 9.3.5
at or
prior to the Closing Date:
9.3.1. Representations
and Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties of
FNFG set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date
of
this Agreement and upon the Effective Time with the same effect as though
all
such representations and warranties had been made on the Effective Time (except
to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier
date),
in any case subject to the standard set forth in Section 5.1; and FNFG shall
have delivered to GLB a certificate to such effect signed by the Chief Executive
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of FNFG as of the Effective
Time.
9.3.2. Agreements
and Covenants. FNFG shall have performed in all material
respects all obligations and complied in all material respects with all
agreements or covenants to be performed or complied with by it at or prior
to
the Effective Time, and GLB shall have received a certificate signed on behalf
of FNFG by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to such
effect dated as of the Effective Time.
63
9.3.3. Permits,
Authorizations, Etc. FNFG shall have obtained any and all
material permits, authorizations, consents, waivers, clearances or approvals
required for the lawful consummation of the Merger and the Bank
Merger.
9.3.4. Payment
of Merger Consideration. FNFG shall have delivered the Exchange
Fund to the Exchange Agent on or before the Closing Date and the Exchange
Agent
shall provide GLB with a certificate evidencing such delivery.
9.3.5. No
Material Adverse Effect. Since December 31, 2006, no event has
occurred or circumstance arisen that, individually or in the aggregate, has
had
or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on FNFG.
FNFG
will
furnish GLB with such certificates of their officers or others and such other
documents to evidence fulfillment of the conditions set forth in this Section
9.3 as GLB may reasonably request.
ARTICLE
X
THE
CLOSING
10.1. Time
and Place.
Subject
to the provisions of Articles IX and XI hereof, the Closing of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall take place at the offices of Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
& Xxxxxx, 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. at 10:00
a.m., or at such other place or time upon which FNFG and GLB mutually
agree. A pre-closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the
“Pre-Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx &
Xxxxxx, 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. at 10:00 a.m.
on the
day prior to the Closing Date.
10.2. Deliveries
at the Pre-Closing and the Closing.
At
the
Pre-Closing there shall be delivered to FNFG and GLB the opinions, certificates,
and other documents and instruments required to be delivered at the Pre-Closing
under Article IX
hereof. At or prior to the Closing, FNFG shall have delivered the Merger
Consideration as set forth under Section 9.3.4 hereof.
ARTICLE
XI
TERMINATION,
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
11.1. Termination.
This
Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing Date, whether
before or after approval of the Merger by the shareholders of GLB:
11.1.1. At
any time by the mutual written agreement of FNFG and GLB;
11.1.2. By
the Board of Directors of either party (provided, that the terminating party
is
not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
other
agreement
64
contained
herein) if there shall have been a material breach of any of the representations
or warranties set forth in this Agreement on the part of the other party,
which
breach by its nature cannot be cured prior to the Termination Date or shall
not
have been cured within 30 days after written notice of such breach by the
terminating party to the other party provided, however, that neither party
shall
have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1.2
unless the breach of representation or warranty, together with all other
such
breaches, would entitle the terminating party not to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby under Section 9.2.1 (in the case of a breach of a
representation or warranty by GLB) or Section 9.3.1 (in the case of a breach
of
a representation or warranty by FNFG);
11.1.3. By
the Board of Directors of either party (provided, that the terminating party
is
not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
other
agreement contained herein) if there shall have been a material failure to
perform or comply with any of the covenants or agreements set forth in this
Agreement on the part of the other party, which failure by its nature cannot
be
cured prior to the Termination Date or shall not have been cured within 30
days
after written notice of such failure by the terminating party to the other
party
provided, however, that neither party shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1.3 unless the breach of covenant or
agreement, together with all other such breaches, would entitle the terminating
party not to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby under Section
9.2.2
(in the case of a breach of covenant by GLB) or Section 9.3.2 (in the case
of a
breach of covenant by FNFG);
11.1.4. At
the election of the Board of Directors of either party if the Closing shall
not
have occurred by the Termination Date, or such later date as shall have been
agreed to in writing by FNFG and GLB; provided, that no party may terminate
this
Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.1.4 if the failure of the Closing to
have
occurred on or before said date was due to such party’s material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained in this
Agreement;
11.1.5. By
the Board of Directors of either party if the shareholders of GLB shall have
voted at the GLB Shareholders Meeting on the transactions contemplated by
this
Agreement and such vote shall not have been sufficient to approve such
transactions;
11.1.6. By
the Board of Directors of either party if (i) final action has been taken
by a
Bank Regulator whose approval is required in connection with this Agreement
and
the transactions contemplated hereby, which final action (x) has become
unappealable and (y) does not approve this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby, or (ii) any court of competent jurisdiction or other
governmental authority shall have issued an order, decree, ruling or taken
any
other action restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger and
such
order, decree, ruling or other action shall have become final and
nonappealable;
11.1.7. By
the Board of Directors of either party (provided, that the terminating party
is
not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
other
agreement contained herein) in the event that any of the conditions precedent
to
the obligations of such party to consummate the Merger cannot be satisfied
or
fulfilled by the date specified in Section 11.1.4 of this
Agreement.
65
11.1.8. By
the Board of Directors of FNFG if GLB has received a Superior Proposal, and
in
accordance with Section 6.10 of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of
GLB
has entered into an acquisition agreement with respect to the Superior Proposal,
terminated this Agreement, or withdraws its recommendation of this Agreement,
fails to make such recommendation or modifies or qualifies its recommendation
in
a manner adverse to FNFG.
11.1.9. By
the Board of Directors of GLB if GLB has received a Superior Proposal, and
in
accordance with Section 6.10 of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of
GLB
has made a determination to accept such Superior Proposal.
11.1.10. By
GLB, if its Board of Directors so determines by a majority vote of the members
of its entire Board, at any time during the five-day period commencing on
the
Determination Date, such termination to be effective on the 30th day following
such
Determination Date (“Effective Termination Date”), if both of the following
conditions are satisfied:
(i) The
FNFG Market Value on the Determination Date is less than $11.30;
and
(ii) the
number obtained by dividing the FNFG Market Value on the Determination Date
by
the Initial FNFG Market Value (“FNFG Ratio”) shall be less than the quotient
obtained by dividing the Final Index Price by the Initial Index Price minus
0.20;
subject,
however, to the following three sentences. If GLB elects to exercise
its termination right pursuant to this Section 11.1.10, it shall give prompt
written notice thereof to FNFG. During the five business day period
commencing with its receipt of such notice, FNFG shall have the option of
paying
additional Merger Consideration in the form of FNFG Common Stock, cash, or
a
combination of FNFG Common Stock and cash so that the Aggregate FNFG Share
Amount shall be valued at the lesser of (i) the product of 0.80 and the Initial
FNFG Market Value or (ii) the product obtained by multiplying the Index Ratio
by
the Initial FNFG Market Value. If within such five business day
period, FNFG delivers written notice to GLB that it intends to proceed with
the
Merger by paying such additional consideration, as contemplated by the preceding
sentence,
then no termination shall have occurred pursuant to this Section 11.10 and
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its
terms (except that the Merger Consideration shall have been so
modified).
For
purposes of this Section 11.1.10, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated below:
“Determination
Date” shall mean the first date on which all Regulatory Approvals (and waivers,
if applicable) necessary for consummation of the Merger and the Bank Merger
have
been received (disregarding any waiting period).
“Final
Index Price,” means the average of the daily closing value of the Index, as
reported by SNL Securities, for the five consecutive trading days immediately
preceding the Determination Date.
66
“FNFG
Market Value” shall be the average of the daily closing sales prices of a share
of FNFG Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq for the five consecutive trading
days immediately preceding the Determination Date.
“Index”
means the SNL Bank and Thrift index as reported by SNL securities.
“Initial
FNFG Market Value” means the closing sales price of a share of FNFG Common
Stock, as reported on the Nasdaq, on the five trading days immediately preceding
the public announcement of this Agreement, adjusted as indicated in the last
sentence of this Section 11.1.10.
“Initial
Index Price” means the closing value of the Index as reported by SNL Securities
on the trading day immediately preceding the execution of this
Agreement.
“Index
Ratio” shall be the Final Index Price divided by the Initial Index
Price.
11.2. Effect
of Termination.
11.2.1. In
the event of termination of this Agreement pursuant to any provision of Section
11.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no further force,
except that (i) the provisions of Sections 11.2, 12.1, 12.2, 12.6, 12.9,
12.10,
and any other Section which, by its terms, relates to post-termination rights
or
obligations, shall survive such termination of this Agreement and remain
in full
force and effect.
11.2.2. If
this Agreement is terminated, expenses and damages of the parties hereto
shall
be determined as follows:
(A) Except
as provided below, whether or not the Merger is consummated, all costs and
expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the party incurring such
expenses.
(B) In
the event of a termination of this Agreement because of a willful breach
of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement,
the
breaching
party shall remain liable for any and all damages, costs and expenses, including
all reasonable attorneys’ fees, sustained or incurred by the non-breaching party
as a result thereof or in connection therewith or with respect to the
enforcement of its rights hereunder.
(C) As
a condition of FNFG’s willingness, and in order to induce FNFG, to enter into
this Agreement, and to reimburse FNFG for incurring the costs and expenses
related to entering into this Agreement and consummating the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, GLB hereby agrees to pay FNFG, and FNFG shall
be
entitled to payment of a fee of $5,900,000 (the “FNFG Fee”), within three
business days after written demand for payment is made by FNFG, following
the
occurrence of any of the events set forth below:
(i) GLB
terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1.9 or FNFG terminates this
Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1.8; or
67
(ii) The
entering into a definitive agreement by GLB relating to an Acquisition Proposal
or the consummation of an Acquisition Proposal involving GLB within twelve
months after the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the termination
of the
Agreement by FNFG pursuant to Section 11.1.2 or 11.1.3 because of, in
either case, a willful breach by GLB; or (ii) the failure of the shareholders
of
GLB to approve this Agreement after the occurrence of an Acquisition
Proposal.
(D) If
demand for payment of the FNFG Fee is made pursuant to Section 11.2.2(C)
and payment is timely made, then FNFG will not have any other rights or claims
against GLB, its Subsidiaries, and their respective officers and directors,
under this Agreement, it being agreed that the acceptance of the FNFG Fee
under
Section 11.2.2(C) will constitute the sole and exclusive remedy of FNFG against
GLB and its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and
directors.
11.3. Amendment,
Extension and Waiver.
Subject
to applicable law, at any time prior to the Effective Time (whether before
or
after approval thereof by the shareholders of GLB), the parties hereto by
action
of their respective Boards of Directors, may (a) amend this Agreement, (b)
extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts
of
any other party hereto, (c) waive any inaccuracies in the representations
and
warranties contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto,
or (d)
waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein;
provided, however, that after any approval of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby by the shareholders of GLB, there may not
be,
without further approval of such shareholders, any amendment of this Agreement
which reduces the amount, value or changes the form of consideration to be
delivered to GLB’s shareholders pursuant to this Agreement. This Agreement may
not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each
of
the parties hereto. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any extension
or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed
on
behalf of such party, but such waiver or failure to insist on strict compliance
with such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate
as a
waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other
failure.
ARTICLE
XII
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1. Confidentiality.
Except
as
specifically set forth herein, FNFG and GLB mutually agree to be bound by
the
terms of the confidentiality agreements dated August 21, 2007 (the
“Confidentiality Agreement”) previously executed by the parties hereto, which
Confidentiality Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The
parties hereto agree that such Confidentiality Agreements shall continue
in
accordance with their respective terms, notwithstanding the termination of
this
Agreement.
12.2. Public
Announcements.
GLB
and
FNFG shall cooperate with each other in the development and distribution
of all
news releases and other public disclosures with respect to this Agreement,
and
except as may be
68
otherwise
required by law, neither GLB nor FNFG shall issue any news release, or other
public announcement or communication with respect to this Agreement unless
such
news release, public announcement or communication has been mutually agreed
upon
by the parties hereto.
12.3. Survival.
All
representations, warranties and covenants in this Agreement or in any instrument
delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall expire on and be terminated and
extinguished at the Effective Time, except for those covenants and agreements
contained herein which by their terms apply in whole or in part after the
Effective Time.
12.4. Notices.
All
notices or other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered by receipted hand delivery or mailed by prepaid
registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or by recognized
overnight courier addressed as follows:
If
to GLB, to:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxx, Xx.
President
and Chief Executive Officer
Great
Lakes Bancorp, Inc.
0000
Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax:
(0000) 000-0000
|
With
required copies to:
|
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxx
Xxxx LLP
Xxx
X&X Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
|
If
to FNFG, to:
|
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
President
and Chief Executive Officer
First
Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
0000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx
X.X.
Xxx 000
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
|
69
With
required copies to:
|
Xxxx
Xxxxx
Senior
Vice President, General Counsel
First
Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
0000
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx
X.X.
Xxx 000
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
and
Xxxx
X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, P.C.
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxx,
X.X. 00000
Fax:
(000) 000-0000
|
or
such
other address as shall be furnished in writing by any party, and any such
notice
or communication shall be deemed to have been given: (a) as of the date
delivered by hand; (b) three (3) business days after being delivered
to the U.S. mail, postage prepaid; or (c) one (1) business day
after being delivered to the overnight courier.
12.5. Parties
in Interest.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that
neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder
shall be assigned by any party hereto without the prior written consent of
the
other party. Except as provided in Article III and Sections 7.8.2 and
7.9, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer
upon
any person, other than the parties hereto and their respective successors,
any
rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement.
12.6. Complete
Agreement.
This
Agreement, including the Exhibits and Disclosure Schedules hereto and the
documents and other writings referred to herein or therein or delivered pursuant
hereto, and the Confidentiality Agreement, referred to in Section 12.1, contains
the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its
subject matter. There are no restrictions, agreements,
promises, warranties, covenants or undertakings between the parties other
than
those expressly set forth herein or therein. This Agreement supersedes all
prior
agreements and understandings (other than the Confidentiality Agreements
referred to in Section 12.1 hereof) between the parties, both written and
oral,
with respect to its subject matter.
70
12.7. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts all of which shall
be
considered one and the same agreement and each of which shall be deemed an
original. A facsimile copy of a signature page shall be deemed to be
an original signature page.
12.8. Severability.
In
the
event that any one or more provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason
be
held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect
any other provisions of this Agreement and the parties shall use their
reasonable efforts to substitute a valid, legal and enforceable provision
which,
insofar as practical, implements the purposes and intents of this
Agreement.
12.9. Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by the laws of Delaware, without giving effect
to
its principles of conflicts of laws.
12.10. Interpretation.
When
a
reference is made in this Agreement to Sections or Exhibits, such reference
shall be to a Section of or Exhibit to this Agreement unless otherwise
indicated. The recitals hereto constitute an integral part of this
Agreement. References to Sections include subsections, which are part
of the related Section (e.g., a section numbered “Section 5.5.1” would be part
of “Section 5.5” and references to “Section 5.5” would also refer to material
contained in the subsection described as “Section 5.5.1”). The table
of contents, index and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference
purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation
of
this Agreement. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used
in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without
limitation”. The phrases “the date of this Agreement”, “the date
hereof” and terms of similar import, unless the context otherwise requires,
shall be deemed to refer to the date set forth in the Recitals to this
Agreement. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation
and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question
of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as
if
drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall
arise
favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the
provisions of this Agreement.
12.11. Specific
Performance.
The
parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that
the
provisions contained in this Agreement were not performed in accordance with
its
specific terms or was otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed
that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction
or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions thereof in any court of the United States or any
state
having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which
they
are entitled at law or in equity.
71
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, FNFG and GLB have caused this Agreement to be executed under
seal by their duly authorized officers as of the date first set forth
above.
First
Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
|
|
Dated: September
9, 2007
|
By:______________________________
|
Name: Xxxx
X. Xxxxxxx
|
|
Title: President
and
Chief Executive Officer
|
|
Great
Lakes Bancorp, Inc.
|
|
Dated: September
9, 2007
|
By:
______________________________
|
Name: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxx, Xx.
|
|
Title: President
and
Chief Executive Officer
|
|