AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
EXHIBIT 2.1
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
BETWEEN
AND
FLAG
FINANCIAL CORPORATION
May
26, 2005
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this
“Agreement”) is made and entered into as of May 26, 2005, by and between First
Capital Bancorp, Inc. (“FCB”), a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Georgia, with its principal office located in Norcross,
Georgia, and Flag Financial Corporation (“Flag”), a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Georgia, with its principal office
located in Atlanta, Georgia.
Preamble
The
Boards of Directors of FCB and Flag are of the opinion that the transaction
described herein is in the best interest of the parties and their respective
shareholders. This Agreement provides for the merger of FCB with and into Flag
(the “Merger”). At the effective time of the Merger, and subject to the terms,
conditions and limitations set forth herein (including the limitation on the
number of shares of Flag Common Stock to be issued to any shareholder of FCB),
the outstanding shares of the capital stock of FCB shall be converted into the
right to receive shares of the common stock of Flag. As a result, some or all of
the FCB shareholders shall become shareholders of Flag. The transaction
described in this Agreement is subject to the approvals of the shareholders of
FCB, the shareholders of Flag, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System, and the Department of Banking and Finance of the State of Georgia, and
the satisfaction of certain other conditions described in this Agreement. It is
the intention of the parties to this Agreement that the Merger for federal
income tax purposes shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Promptly
following the Closing of the Merger, First Capital Bank, a wholly owned
subsidiary of FCB, shall be merged with and into Flag Bank under the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of Flag Bank (the “Bank Mergers”). Each of the other
FCB Subsidiaries will remain in existence under its respective Articles of
Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing documents, as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Time, as wholly owned subsidiaries of Flag.
As an
inducement to Flag to enter into this Agreement, each of the executive officers
and directors of each Party have executed and delivered to the other Party a
Support Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, X.X.
Xxxxxx, Xx. and Flag have entered into an Employment Agreement substantially in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit C and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx and Flag have
entered into a Non-Competition and Consulting Agreement substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit D.
Certain
terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 11.1 of this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in
consideration of the above and the mutual warranties, representations, covenants
and agreements set forth herein, the parties, intending to be legally bound,
agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
TRANSACTION
AND TERMS OF MERGER
1.1 Merger. Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, FCB shall
be merged with and into Flag in accordance with the provisions of
Section 14-2-1101 of the GBCC and with the effect provided in Section
14-2-1106 of the GBCC. Flag shall be the Surviving Corporation resulting from
the Merger and the separate existence of FCB shall cease. The Merger shall be
consummated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which has been approved and
adopted by the respective Boards of Directors of FCB and Flag.
1.2 Time
and Place of Closing. The
Closing will take place at 9:30 a.m. on the date that the Effective Time occurs
(or the immediately preceding day if the Effective Time is earlier than 9:30
a.m.), or at such other time as the Parties, acting through their Chief
Executive Officers, may mutually agree. The place of Closing shall be at the
offices of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, Atlanta, Georgia, or such other place as may be
mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
1.3 Effective
Time. The
Merger contemplated by this Agreement shall become effective on the date and at
the time the Articles of Merger reflecting the Merger shall become effective
with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing by the Chief
Executive Officers of each Party, the Parties shall use their reasonable efforts
to cause the Effective Time to occur on the last business day of the month in
which occurs the last to occur of (i) the effective date (including expiration
of any applicable waiting period) of the last required Consent of any Regulatory
Authority having authority over and approving or exempting the Merger, (ii) the
date on which the shareholders of FCB approve this Agreement, (iii) the date on
which the shareholders of Flag approve this Agreement, or (iv) such later date
as may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the Chief Executive Officer of each
Party.
1.4 Execution
of Support Agreements.
Immediately prior to the execution of this Agreement and as a condition hereto,
each of the executive officers and directors of each Party is executing and
delivering to the other Party a Support Agreement in substantially the form as
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
1.5 Further
Action. If, at
any time after the Effective Time, any such further action is necessary or
desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest Flag with the
full right, title and possession to all assets, property, rights, privileges,
immunities, powers and franchises of either or both of the Parties, or to effect
the assignment to Flag of any and all of FCB’s Intellectual Property, the
officers and directors of Flag are fully authorized in the name of either or
both of the Parties or otherwise to take all such action.
ARTICLE
2
TERMS
OF MERGER
2.1 Articles
of Incorporation. The
Articles of Incorporation of Flag in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until
otherwise amended or repealed.
2.2 Bylaws. The
Bylaws of Flag in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until otherwise amended or
repealed.
2.3 Directors. The
directors of Flag in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall serve
as the directors of Flag from and after the Effective Time, provided, that at
the Effective Time, three directors (the “Appointed Directors”) who are serving
as members of the Board of Directors of FCB immediately prior to the Effective
Time, one of whom shall be X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx., shall be identified by FCB to Flag
and, subject to the approval by Flag elected as directors of Flag by the Flag
Board of Directors; provided,
however, that,
other than Xx. Xxxxxx, none of the Appointed Directors may be a management
director of FCB immediately prior to the Effective Time. The Appointed Directors
will be divided among the three classes of Flag’s Board of Directors. In the
event any of the Appointed Directors shall not serve his or her full term prior
to the next annual meeting of Flag shareholders held after the Effective Time of
the Merger, the remaining Appointed Directors, by majority vote, shall nominate
a replacement director to serve out the remaining portion of the term, subject
to the approval of Flag. In addition, the Board of Directors of Flag shall elect
Xx. Xxxxxx to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of
Flag.
2.4 Officers. The
officers of Flag in office immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall serve
as the officers of Flag from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the
Bylaws of Flag and X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx. shall be elected by the Flag Board of
Directors as an Executive Vice President of Flag. In addition, from and after
the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of Flag, acting on behalf of Flag as
the sole shareholder of Flag Bank, shall take such action as is appropriate to
elect X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx. as President and a director of Flag Bank.
ARTICLE
3
MANNER
OF CONVERTING SHARES
3.1 Conversion
of Shares. Subject
to the provisions of this Article 3, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the
Merger and without any action on the part of the holders thereof, the shares of
the constituent corporations shall be converted as follows:
(a) Each
share of Flag Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding from and after the Effective
Time.
(b) Except as
set forth in Section 3.1(d) below and subject to the conditions set forth
herein, each share of FCB Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective
Time (excluding shares held by Flag or any of its Subsidiaries or by FCB or any
of its Subsidiaries, in each case other than shares held in trust accounts,
managed accounts and the like, or otherwise held in a fiduciary or agency
capacity or as a result of debts previously contracted, and excluding shares
held by FCB shareholders who perfect their dissenters’ rights of appraisal as
provided in Section 3.4 of this Agreement) shall be converted at the
Effective Time into the right to receive 1.6 shares of Flag Common Stock for
each share of FCB Common Stock (the “Exchange Ratio”).
(c) As of the
Effective Time, each share of FCB Common Stock as set forth in Section 3.1(b) of
this Agreement shall cease to be outstanding and each holder of a certificate
representing any such shares of FCB Common Stock shall cease to have any rights
with respect thereto, except the right to receive such holder’s pro rata portion
of the Merger Consideration and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Flag
Common Stock to be issued or paid in consideration therefor upon surrender of
such certificate in accordance with Section 4.1 of this Agreement, without
interest.
(d) In no
event shall any holder of Flag Common Stock (other than an Institutional
Investor) , be permitted to receive greater than 384,000
shares of Flag Common Stock as a result of the Merger. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that receipt by any FCB
shareholder of his, her or its pro rata portion of the shares of Flag Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to Section 3.1(b) would result in such shareholder
receiving greater than 384,000 shares of Flag Common Stock as a result of the
Merger, then the number of shares of Flag Common Stock to be received by such
FCB shareholder shall be reduced by the number of shares necessary (such amount
being the “Excess Shares”) such that the shareholder shall receive no greater
than 384,000 shares of Flag Common Stock as a result of the Merger and, in lieu
of such Excess Shares, such shareholder shall receive a cash payment equal to
the Average Closing Price times the number of Excess Shares.
3.2 Anti-Dilution
Provisions. In the
event FCB changes the number of shares of FCB Common Stock issued and
outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock
dividend or similar recapitalization with respect to the FCB Common Stock and
the record date therefor (in the case of a stock dividend) or the effective date
therefor (in the case of a stock split or similar recapitalization) shall be
prior to the Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately
adjusted. In the event Flag changes the number of shares of Flag Common Stock
issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of a stock split,
stock dividend, recapitalization, reclassification, exchange of shares, or
similar transaction with respect to such stock and the record date therefor (in
the case of a stock dividend) or the effective date thereof (in the case of a
stock split, reclassification, exchange of shares, or similar recapitalization
for which a record date is not established) shall be prior to the Effective
Time, the Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately adjusted; it being understood
that no such adjustment will apply to the issuance of Flag Common Stock or any
security convertible into Flag Common Stock, in either case, for fair market
value.
3.3 Shares
Held by FCB or Flag. Each of
the shares of FCB Common Stock held by any FCB Companies or by any Flag
Companies, in each case other than shares held in trust accounts, managed
accounts and the like, or otherwise held in a fiduciary or agency capacity or as
a result of debts previously contracted, shall be canceled and retired at the
Effective Time, and no consideration shall be issued in exchange
therefor.
3.4 Dissenting
Shareholders. Each
holder of shares of FCB Common Stock shall be entitled to exercise dissenters’
rights of appraisal in accordance with and as contemplated by
Sections 14-2-1301 et
seq. of the
GBCC. Any holder of shares of FCB Common Stock who perfects his dissenter’s
right of appraisal in accordance with and as contemplated by
Sections 14-2-1301 et seq. of the GBCC shall be entitled to receive the
value of such shares in cash as determined pursuant to such provision of Law;
provided,
however, that no
such payment shall be made to any dissenting shareholder unless and until such
dissenting shareholder has complied with the applicable provisions of the GBCC
and surrendered to Flag the certificate or certificates representing the shares
for which payment is being made. In the event that after the Effective Time a
dissenting shareholder of FCB fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or
loses, his right to appraisal and of payment for his shares, the Surviving
Corporation shall issue and deliver the consideration to which such shareholder
is entitled under this Article 3 (without interest) upon surrender by such
shareholder of his or her certificate or certificates representing the shares of
FCB Common Stock.
3.5 Fractional
Shares.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each holder of shares of
FCB Common Stock exchanged pursuant to the Merger, who would otherwise have been
entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Flag Common Stock (after taking
into account all certificates delivered by such holder), shall receive, in lieu
thereof, cash (without interest) in an amount equal to such fractional part of a
share of Flag Common Stock multiplied by the market value of one share of Flag
Common Stock at the Effective Time. For purposes of this Section 3.5, the market
value of one share of Flag Common Stock at the Effective Time shall be the
average closing price of Flag Common Stock for the 20 trading days
immediately preceding the date of Closing as reported in The
Wall Street Journal
(corrected for any typographical errors). No such
holder will be entitled to dividends, voting rights or any other rights as a
shareholder in respect of any fractional shares.
3.6 Conversion
of Stock Options.
(a) At the
Effective Time, all rights with respect to FCB Common Stock pursuant to stock
options (the “FCB Options”) granted by FCB under the FCB Option Plans, which are
outstanding at the Effective Time, whether or not exercisable, shall be
converted into and become rights with respect to Flag Common Stock, and Flag
shall assume each FCB Option in accordance with the terms of the FCB Option Plan
and the stock option agreement by which it is evidenced. From and after the
Effective Time, (i) each FCB Option assumed by Flag may be exercised solely for
shares of Flag Common Stock, (ii) the number of shares of Flag Common Stock
subject to such FCB Option shall be equal to the product of the number of shares
of FCB Common Stock subject to such FCB Option immediately prior to the
Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio and rounding up to the nearest
whole share, and (iii) the per share exercise price under each such FCB
Option shall be adjusted by dividing the per share exercise price under each
such FCB Option by the Exchange Ratio and rounding up to the nearest cent. Flag
agrees to take all necessary steps to effectuate the foregoing provisions of
this Section 3.6.
(b) All
restrictions or limitations on transfer with respect to FCB Common Stock awarded
under the FCB Option Plan or any other plan, program or arrangement of any FCB
Company, to the extent that such restrictions or limitations shall not have
already lapsed (whether as a result of the Merger or otherwise), and except as
otherwise expressly provided in such plan, program or arrangement, shall remain
in full force and effect with respect to shares of Flag Common Stock into which
such restricted shares of FCB Common Stock are converted pursuant to Section 3.1
of this Agreement.
(c) At all
times after the Effective Time, Flag shall reserve for issuance such number of
shares of Flag Common Stock as shall be necessary to permit the exercise of FCB
Options in the manner contemplated by this Agreement. As soon as practicable
following the Effective Time, Flag shall file a Registration Statement on Form
S-8 with the SEC with respect to the Flag Common Stock subject to the FCB
Options and shall use its reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of
such registration statement for so long as any of the FCB Options remain
outstanding. Flag shall make any filings required under any applicable state
securities laws to qualify the Flag Common Stock subject to such FCB Options for
resale thereunder. Flag shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the shares of
Flag Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of FCB Options to be listed on
the Nasdaq National Market or such other market as Flag Common Stock is then
listed.
ARTICLE
4
EXCHANGE
OF SHARES
4.1 Exchange
Procedures.
Promptly after the Effective Time, Flag shall cause the exchange agent selected
by Flag (the “Exchange Agent”) to mail to the former shareholders of FCB
appropriate transmittal materials (which shall specify that delivery shall be
effected, and risk of loss and title to the certificates theretofore
representing shares of FCB Common Stock shall pass, only upon proper delivery of
such certificates to the Exchange Agent) for the exchange of the FCB Common
stock certificates. After the Effective Time, each holder of shares of FCB
Common Stock (other than shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 3.3 of this
Agreement or as to which dissenters’ rights of appraisal have been perfected as
provided in Section 3.4 of this Agreement) issued and outstanding at the
Effective Time shall surrender the certificate or certificates representing such
shares to the Exchange Agent and shall promptly upon surrender thereof receive
in exchange therefor the consideration provided in Section 3.1 of this
Agreement, together with all undelivered dividends or distributions in respect
of such shares (without interest thereon) pursuant to Section 4.2 of this
Agreement. To the extent required by Section 3.5 of this Agreement, each
holder of shares of FCB Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective
Time also shall receive, upon surrender of the certificate or certificates
representing such shares, cash in lieu of any fractional share of Flag Common
Stock to which such holder may be otherwise entitled (without interest). Neither
Flag nor the Exchange Agent shall be obligated to deliver the consideration to
which any former holder of FCB Common Stock is entitled as a result of the
Merger until such holder surrenders his or her certificate or certificates
representing the shares of FCB Common Stock for exchange as provided in this
Section 4.1 or appropriate affidavits or indemnity agreements in the event such
share certificates have been lost, mutilated or destroyed. The certificate or
certificates of FCB Common Stock so surrendered shall be duly endorsed as either
Flag or the Exchange Agent may require. Any other provision of this Agreement
notwithstanding, neither Flag nor the Exchange Agent shall be liable to a holder
of FCB Common Stock for any amounts paid or property delivered in good faith to
a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or
other Law.
4.2 Rights
of Former Shareholders. At the
Effective Time, the stock transfer books of FCB shall be closed as to holders of
FCB Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time, and no transfer of FCB
Common Stock by any such holder shall thereafter be made or recognized. Until
surrendered for exchange in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1 of
this Agreement, each certificate theretofore representing shares of FCB Common
Stock (other than shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 3.3 of this
Agreement or as to which dissenters’ rights of appraisal have been perfected as
provided in Section 3.4 of this Agreement) shall from and after the Effective
Time represent for all purposes only the right to receive the consideration
provided in Sections 3.1 and 3.5 of this Agreement in exchange therefor. To
the extent permitted by Law, former shareholders of record of FCB shall be
entitled to vote after the Effective Time at any meeting of Flag shareholders
the number of whole shares of Flag Common Stock into which their respective
shares of FCB Common Stock are convertible, regardless of whether such holders
have exchanged their certificates representing FCB Common Stock for certificates
representing Flag Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement. Whenever a dividend or other distribution is declared by Flag on the
Flag Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the Effective Time,
the declaration shall include dividends or other distributions on all shares
issuable pursuant to this Agreement, but no dividend or other distribution
payable to the holders of record of Flag Common Stock as of any time subsequent
to the Effective Time shall be delivered to the holder of any certificate
representing shares of FCB Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Effective
Time until such holder surrenders such certificate for exchange as provided in
Section 4.1 of this Agreement. However, upon surrender of such FCB Common
Stock certificate in exchange for Flag Common Stock, both the Flag Common Stock
certificate (together with all such undelivered dividends or other distributions
without interest) and any undelivered cash payments to be paid for fractional
share interests or Excess Shares (in each case without interest) shall be
delivered and paid with respect to each share represented by such
certificate.
ARTICLE
5
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF FCB
FCB
hereby represents and warrants to Flag as follows:
5.1 Organization,
Standing and Power. FCB is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
Laws of the State of Georgia and is duly registered as a bank holding company
under the BHC Act. FCB has the corporate power and authority to carry on its
business as now conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. No FCB
Company owns any property or conducts any business outside of the State of
Georgia which would require any of them to be qualified as a foreign corporation
in any jurisdiction. First Capital Bank is a financial institution duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of
Georgia. The minute books and the organizational documents of each FCB Company
have been made available to Flag for its review and are true and complete in all
Material respects and accurately reflect in all Material respects all actions of
the Board of Directors and shareholders of each FCB Company (in the case of
minute books) and all amendments thereto (in the case of organizational
documents).
5.2 Authority;
No Breach By Agreement.
(a) FCB has
the corporate power and authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and, subject to necessary shareholder and
regulatory approvals, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated herein, including the Merger, have been duly and
validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in respect thereof on the
part of FCB, subject to the approval of this Agreement by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of FCB Common Stock entitled to vote at the
FCB Meeting. Subject to the Consents of Regulatory Authorities and FCB
shareholder approval, this Agreement represents a legal, valid and binding
obligation of FCB, enforceable against FCB in accordance with its terms (except
in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws affecting the enforcement
of creditors’ rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding may be brought).
(b) Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by FCB nor the consummation by FCB
of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by FCB with any of the
provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any
provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of any FCB Company, or (ii)
constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, or
result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any FCB Company under, any
Contract or Permit of any FCB Company, where such Default or Lien, or any
failure to obtain such Consent, is reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB, or (iii) subject to receipt of
the requisite approvals referred to in Section 9.1(a) and (b) of this
Agreement, violate any Law or Order applicable to any FCB Company or any of
their respective Assets.
(c) No notice
to, filing with or Consent of any public body or authority is necessary for the
consummation by FCB of the Merger and the transaction contemplated in this
Agreement other than (i) in connection or compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and securities Laws, (ii) Consents
required from Regulatory Authorities, (iii) notices to or filings with the IRS
or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any employee benefit
plans, (iv) under the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as
amended (the “HSR Act”), and (v) Consents, filings or notifications which, if
not obtained or made, are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB.
5.3 Capital
Stock and Other Securities.
(a) The
authorized capital stock of FCB consists of 10,000,000 shares of FCB Common
Stock and 10,000,000 shares of FCB preferred stock. As of March 31, 2005, there
were 5,216,528 shares of FCB Common Stock issued and outstanding and no shares
of FCB preferred stock issued and outstanding. As of March 31, 2005, 567,454
shares of FCB Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of stock
options granted pursuant to the FCB Stock Option Plan. All of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of FCB are duly and validly issued and
outstanding and are fully paid and nonassessable under the GBCC. None of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of FCB have been issued in violation of any
preemptive rights of the current or past shareholders of FCB.
(b) Except as
set forth in Sections 5.3(a) or (b) of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum, there are
no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of FCB outstanding and no
outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls or
commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights
convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock of FCB or
contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which FCB is or may be
bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or options, warrants or
rights to purchase or acquire any additional shares of its capital
stock.
5.4 Subsidiaries. The
following are consolidated subsidiaries of FCB: (i) First
Capital Bank, (ii) First Capital Statutory Trust I, a Connecticut statutory
trust (the “Trust”) and (iii) Capital Financial Software, LLC, a limited
liability company organized under the laws of the State of Georgia (“Capital
Financial”). Other
than First Capital Bank, the Trust and Capital Financial, FCB has no
subsidiaries (collectively, the “FCB Subsidiaries”). FCB owns all of the issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock of each FCB Subsidiary. No equity
securities of any FCB Subsidiary are or may become required to be issued and
there are no Contracts by which any FCB Subsidiary is bound to issue additional
shares of its capital stock or rights by which any FCB Company is bound to
transfer any shares of any FCB Subsidiary. Except as set forth in Section 5.4 of
the FCB Disclosure Memorandum, all of the shares of capital stock of each FCB
Subsidiary are duly authorized, validly issued, and fully paid and nonassessable
and are owned by FCB free and clear of any Lien.
5.5 SEC
Filings; Financial Statements.
(a) FCB has
timely filed and made available to Flag all forms, reports and documents
required to be filed by FCB with the SEC since December 31, 2001 (collectively,
the “FCB SEC Reports”). The FCB SEC Reports (i) at the time filed, complied in
all Material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the
1934 Act, as the case may be, and (ii) did not at the time they were filed (or
if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then
on the date of such filing) contain any untrue statement of a Material fact or
omit to state a Material fact required to be stated in any such FCB SEC Report
or necessary in order to make the statements in any such FCB SEC Report, in
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of
the FCB Subsidiaries is required to file any forms, reports or other documents
with the SEC.
(b) FCB’s
external auditor is and has been throughout the periods covered by the FCB
Financial Statements (x) a public accounting firm registered with the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board, (y) “independent” with respect to FCB within
the meaning of Regulation S-X and (z) in compliance with subsections (g)
through (l) of Section 10A of the 1934 Act and the related rules and
regulations of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Except
as Previously Disclosed, no non-audit services have been performed by Flag’s
auditors since December 31, 2001.
(c) Each of
the FCB Financial Statements (including, in each case, any related notes)
contained in the FCB SEC Reports, including any FCB SEC reports filed after the
date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, complied or will comply as to
form in all Material respects with the applicable published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, was prepared or will be prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
involved (except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements,
or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC),
and fairly presented or will fairly present the consolidated financial position
of FCB and the FCB Subsidiaries as of their respective dates and the
consolidated results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash
flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim financial
statements were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments
which are not expected to be Material in amount or effect.
(d) Each FCB
Company maintains accurate books and records reflecting its respective assets
and liabilities and maintains proper and adequate internal accounting controls
which provide assurance that (i) transactions are executed with management’s
authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of the consolidated financial statements of FCB and to maintain
accountability for FCB’s consolidated assets; (iii) access to FCB’s
consolidated assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s
authorization; (iv) the reporting of FCB’s consolidated assets is compared
with existing assets at regular intervals; (v) accounts, notes and other
receivables and inventory are recorded accurately; and (vi) proper and
adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a
current and timely basis.
(e) FCB has
established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is
defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 0000 Xxx) and such disclosure
controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information
relating to FCB is made known to FCB’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer to all timely decisions regarding disclosure in the FCB SEC
Reports.
5.6 Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities. No FCB
Company has any Liabilities that are reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB, except Liabilities which are
accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance sheets of FCB as of
December 31, 2004 included in the FCB Financial Statements or reflected in
the notes thereto. No FCB Company has incurred or paid any Liability since
December 31, 2004, except for such Liabilities incurred or paid in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past business practice and which are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on FCB.
5.7 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events. Since
December 31, 2004, except as set forth in Section 5.7 of the FCB Disclosure
Memorandum, (i) there have been no events, changes or occurrences which have
had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on FCB (ii) no FCB Company has taken any action, or
failed to take any action, prior to the date of this Agreement, which action or
failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would represent or result in
a Material breach or violation of any of the covenants and agreements of FCB
provided in Article 7 of this Agreement, and (iii) each FCB Company has
conducted its respective businesses in the ordinary and usual course (excluding
the incurrence of expenses in connection with this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby).
5.8 Tax
Matters.
(a) All Tax
returns required to be filed by or on behalf of any FCB Company have been timely
filed for all Taxable Periods, and all returns filed are complete and accurate
in all Material respects. All Taxes due and owing have been paid as of the date
of this Agreement, and there is no audit, examination, deficiency, or refund
Litigation with respect to any Taxes that is reasonably likely to result in a
determination that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on FCB, except as reserved against in the FCB Financial
Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement. All Taxes and other
Liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded
Litigation have been paid.
(b) No FCB
Company has executed an extension or waiver of any statute of limitations on the
assessment or collection of any Tax due that is currently in effect, and no
unpaid tax deficiency has been asserted against or with respect to any FCB
Company.
(c) Adequate
provision for any Taxes due or to become due by any FCB Company for the period
or periods through and including the date of the respective FCB Financial
Statements has been made and is reflected on such FCB Financial
Statements.
(d) Deferred
Taxes of each FCB Company have been provided for in accordance with United
States GAAP. FCB has adopted and consistently applied Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”
(e) Each FCB
Company is in compliance with, and their respective records contain all
information and documents (including, without limitation, properly completed IRS
Forms W-9) necessary to comply with, all applicable information reporting and
Tax withholding requirements under federal, state and local Tax Laws, and such
records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding
under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(f) No FCB
Company has made any payments, is obligated to make any payments or is a party
to any contract, agreement or other arrangement that could obligate it to make
any payments that would be disallowed as a deduction under Section 280G or
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. No FCB Company is a party to any
arrangement or plan that is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue
Code.
(g) There are
no Material Liens with respect to Taxes upon any of the Assets of any FCB
Company.
(h) Except as
disclosed in Section 5.8(h) of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum, there has not been
an ownership change, as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 382(g), of any
FCB Company that occurred during or after any Taxable Period in which any FCB
Company incurred a net operating loss that carries over to any Taxable Period
ending after December 31, 2004.
(i) No FCB
Company has filed any consent under Section 341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code
concerning collapsible corporations.
(j) No FCB
Company has or has had a permanent establishment in any foreign country, as
defined in any applicable tax treaty or convention between the United States and
such foreign country.
(k) None of
the FCB Companies is a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement, and
none of the FCB Companies has been a member of an affiliated group filing a
consolidated federal income tax return (other than a group, the common parent of
which was FCB) or has any Liability for Taxes of any Person (other than FCB)
under Treasury Regulation section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state,
local or foreign Law) as a transferee or successor or by Contract or
otherwise.
(l) After the
date of this Agreement, no Material election with respect to Taxes will be made
by FCB without the prior written consent of Flag.
(m) None of
the FCB Companies has distributed stock of another Person, or has had its stock
distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended
to be governed in whole or in part by Internal Revenue Code Section 355 or
Internal Revenue Code Section 361.
5.9 Allowance. The
Allowance shown on the consolidated balance sheets of FCB included in the most
recent FCB Financial Statements dated prior to the date of this Agreement was,
and the Allowance shown on the consolidated balance sheets of FCB included in
the FCB Financial Statements as of dates subsequent to the execution of this
Agreement will be, as of the dates thereof, adequate (within the meaning of GAAP
and applicable regulatory requirements or guidelines) to provide for losses
relating to or inherent in the loan and lease portfolios (including accrued
interest receivables) of the Banks and other extensions of credit by the Banks
as of the dates thereof, except where the failure of such Allowance to be so
adequate is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on
FCB.
5.10 Assets. Except
as disclosed in Section 5.10 of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum or as disclosed or
reserved against in the FCB Financial Statements, each FCB Company has good and
marketable title, free and clear of all Liens, to all of their respective
Assets. All Material tangible properties used in the businesses of each FCB
Company are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and are usable
in the ordinary course of business consistent with each FCB Company’s past
practices. All Assets which are Material to the FCB Companies’ respective
businesses held under leases or subleases by each FCB Company, are held under
valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’
rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable remedy of
specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the
court before which any proceedings may be brought), and each such Contract is in
full force and effect. Management believes that the policies of fire, theft,
liability and other insurance maintained with respect to the Assets or
businesses of each FCB Company provide adequate coverage against loss or
Liability, and the fidelity and blanket bonds in effect as to which the FCB
Companies are a named insured are, in the reasonable belief of FCB’s management,
reasonably sufficient. No FCB Company has received notice from any insurance
carrier that (i) such insurance will be canceled or that coverage thereunder
will be reduced or eliminated or (ii) premium costs with respect to such
policies of insurance will be substantially increased. The Assets of the FCB
Companies include all assets required to operate the respective businesses of
the FCB Companies as presently conducted.
5.11 Environmental
Matters.
(a) To the
Knowledge of FCB, the FCB Companies, their respective Participation Facilities
and Loan Properties are, and have been, in full compliance with all
Environmental Laws, except for violations which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
FCB.
(b) There is
no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of FCB, threatened before any court,
governmental agency, board, authority or other forum in which the FCB Companies
or any of their respective Participation Facilities and Loan Properties has been
or, with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant or
potentially responsible party (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by
any predecessor) with any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the release
into the environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not occurring at, on,
under or involving a site owned, leased or operated by the FCB Companies or any
of their respective Participation Facilities and Loan Properties, except for
such Litigation pending or threatened which is not likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB.
(c) To the
Knowledge of FCB, there is no reasonable basis for any Litigation of a type
described in subsection (b), except such as is not likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB.
(d) To the
Knowledge of FCB, during the period of (i) the FCB Companies’ ownership or
operation of any of their respective current properties, (ii) the FCB
Companies’ participation in the management of any Participation Facility or
(iii) the FCB Companies’ holding of a security interest in a Loan Property,
there have been no releases, spills or discharges of Hazardous Material or other
conditions involving Hazardous Materials in, on, under or affecting any
Participation Facility or Loan Property, except such as are not likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the FCB
Companies.
5.12 Compliance
with Laws. FCB is
duly registered as a bank holding company under the BHC Act. Each FCB Company
has in effect all Permits necessary for it to own, lease or operate its Assets
and to carry on its business as now conducted, except for those Permits the
absence of which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB, and there has occurred no Default
under any such Permit, other than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB. No FCB
Company:
(a) is in
violation of any Laws, Orders or Permits applicable to its business or employees
conducting its business, except for violations which are not reasonably likely
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB;
nor
(b) except as
disclosed in Section 5.12(b) of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum, has received any
notification or communication from any agency or department of federal, state or
local government or any Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof (i) asserting
that any FCB Company is not in compliance with any of the Laws or Orders which
such governmental authority or Regulatory Authority enforces, where such
noncompliance is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on FCB, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits, the
revocation of which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB, or (iii) requiring any FCB Company
to enter into or consent to the issuance of a cease and desist order, formal
agreement, directive, commitment or memorandum of understanding, or to adopt any
Board resolution or similar undertaking, which restricts materially the conduct
of its businesses, or in any manner relates to their respective capital
adequacy, credit or reserve policies, management or the payment of
dividends.
5.13 Labor
Relations.
(a) No FCB
Company nor any employee thereof, is the subject of any Litigation asserting
that any of them has committed an unfair labor practice (within the meaning of
the National Labor Relations Act or comparable state law) or seeking to compel
any FCB Company to bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions
of employment, nor is FCB Company a party to or bound by any collective
bargaining agreement, Contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor
union or labor organization, nor is there any strike or other labor dispute
involving either of them, pending or to their respective Knowledge threatened,
nor to their respective Knowledge, is there any activity involving any FCB
Companies’ employees seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or engaging
in any other organization activity.
(b) There is
no strike, slowdown, lockout or other job action or labor dispute involving any
FCB Company pending or, to the Knowledge of any FCB Company, threatened and
there have been no such actions or disputes in the past three years. To the
Knowledge of any FCB Company, in the past three years, there has not been any
attempt by any FCB Company employees or any labor organization or other employee
representative to organize or certify a collective bargaining unit or to engage
in any other union organization activity with respect to the workforce of any
FCB Company.
(c) Except as
disclosed in Section 5.13(c) of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum, the employment of
each employee and the engagement of each independent contractor of each FCB
Company is terminable at will by the relevant FCB Company without any penalty,
liability or severance obligation incurred by any FCB Company. Each independent
contractor of any FCB Company has been correctly classified as such, and no FCB
Company can have any liability as a result of any employee of such entity
incorrectly being classified as an independent contractor or
otherwise.
(d) Except as
disclosed in Section 5.13(d) of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum and except for the
accrued payroll reflected on the FCB Companies’ financial statements, no FCB
Company will owe any amounts to any of its employees or independent contractors
as of the Closing Date, including any amounts incurred for any wages, bonuses,
vacation pay, sick leave, contract notice periods, change of control payments or
severance obligations, except for any such amounts relating to the current pay
period. Each FCB Company (i) has withheld and reported all amounts required by
applicable law to be withheld and reported with respect to wages, salaries and
other payments to employees and former employees, (ii) is not liable for any
arrears of wages or any taxes or any penalty for failure to comply with any of
the foregoing, and (iii) is not liable for any payment to any trust or other
fund governed by or maintained by or on behalf of any governmental authority
with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security or other
benefits or obligations for employees of former employees (other than routine
payments to be made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past
practice).
(e) To its
Knowledge, each FCB Company is in compliance with all applicable federal, state
and local labor, employment, equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination,
human rights, terms and conditions of employment, wages, hours, benefits,
collective bargaining, occupational safety and health, plant closing and
immigration laws with respect to its employees.
5.14 Employee
Benefit Plans.
(a) The FCB
Companies have disclosed in Section 5.14 of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum, and
delivered or made available to Flag prior to the execution of this Agreement,
correct and complete copies in each case of (i) all pension, retirement,
profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, employee stock ownership,
phantom stock, share appreciation rights, supplemental pension, retainer,
savings, retirement, severance pay, termination pay, change of control,
vacation, bonus or other incentive plans, (ii) all other written employee
policies, programs, arrangements or agreements of any kind providing
compensation, remuneration or benefits or perquisites of any kind, (iii) all
medical, vision, dental or other health or welfare plans, all life insurance
plans and all other employee benefit plans or fringe benefit plans, including,
without limitation, “employee benefit plans” as that term is defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA, (iv) all “specified fringe benefit plans” as defined
in Section 6039D(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, (v) all “nonqualified
deferred compensation plans” as defined in Sections 409A(d)(1) or 3121(v)(2)(C)
of the Internal Revenue Code, and (vi) all “multiemployer plans” within the
meaning of Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, which is currently adopted,
maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part by, or contributed to by, or which
has within the past seven years been adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole
or in part by, or contributed to by, any FCB Companies or any Affiliate thereof
for the benefit of current or former employees, directors, independent
contractors, shareholders, officers or other individuals, or any spouse, child
or other dependent of such individuals or which could result in any liability
being asserted against any FCB Company (collectively, the “FCB Benefit Plans”).
Any of the FCB Benefit Plans which is an “employee welfare benefit plan,” as
that term is defined in Section 3(l) of ERISA, or an “employee pension
benefit plan,” as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, is
referred to herein as a “FCB ERISA Plan.” Each FCB ERISA Plan which is also a
“defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 414(j) of the Internal
Revenue Code or Section 3(35) of ERISA) is referred to herein as an “FCB
Pension Plan”. No FCB Benefit Plan is or has been a “multi-employer plan” within
the meaning of Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. The FCB Companies do
not participate in either a multi-employer plan (within the meaning of Sections
3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or a multiple employer plan (within the meaning of
Section 413(c) of the Internal Revenue Code) or a multiple employer welfare
arrangement (within the meaning of Section 3(40)(A) of ERISA).
(b) The FCB
Companies have delivered or made available to Flag prior to the execution of
this Agreement correct and complete copies of the following documents:
(i) all trust agreements or other funding arrangements for such FCB Benefit
Plans (including insurance contracts), and all amendments thereto, (ii) with
respect to any such FCB Benefit Plans or amendments, all determination letters,
Material rulings, Material opinion letters, Material information letters or
Material advisory opinions issued by the IRS, the United States Department of
Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, (iii) annual reports or
returns, audited or unaudited financial statements, actuarial valuations and
reports and summary annual reports prepared for any FCB Benefit Plan with
respect to the most recent plan year, (iv) the most recent summary plan
descriptions and any Material modifications thereto, (v) all policies of
fiduciary liability insurance covering the fiduciaries for each FCB Benefit
Plan, and all bonds pertaining to any FCB Benefit Plan, (vi) all
nondiscrimination tests required by the Internal Revenue Code for any FCB
Benefit Plan for the most recent plan year, and (vii) all employee handbooks or
policy manuals pertaining to employees of any FCB Company.
(c) Except as
set forth in Section 5.14(c) of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum, all FCB Benefit
Plans are in compliance with the applicable terms of ERISA, the Internal Revenue
Code, and any other applicable Laws, the breach or violation of which are
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on FCB. Each FCB ERISA Plan which is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable
determination letter from the IRS, and no FCB Company is aware of any
circumstances likely to reasonably result in revocation of any such favorable
determination letter or failure of an FCB ERISA Plan intended to satisfy
Internal Revenue Code Section 401 to satisfy the Tax qualification provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code applicable thereto. No transaction with respect to any
FCB Benefit Plan that could subject any FCB Company or any other “party in
interest” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(14)) or “disqualified person” (as
defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code) to a Material Tax or
penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or
Section 502(i) of ERISA in amounts which are reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB.
(d) No FCB
Benefit Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Internal
Revenue Code. There are no unresolved claims or disputes under the terms of, or
in connection with, the FCB Benefit Plans other than claims for benefits which
are payable in the ordinary course of business and, to the Knowledge of the FCB
Companies, no action, proceeding, prosecution, inquiry, hearing or
investigation, or threat thereof, has been commenced or made with respect to any
FCB Benefit Plan.
(e) Within
the six-year period preceding the Effective Time, no Liability under Subtitle C
or D of Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by the FCB
Companies with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated single-employer plan
or the single-employer plan of any ERISA Affiliate, which Liability is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on FCB. Except as Previously
Disclosed, no FCB Company has incurred any withdrawal Liability with respect to
a multi-employer plan under Subtitle B of Title IV of ERISA
(regardless of whether based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate), which
Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on FCB. No
notice of a “reportable event,” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for
which the 30-day reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to
be filed for any FCB Pension Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month
period ending on the date hereof.
(f) Except as
required under Title I, Part 6 of ERISA and Internal Revenue Code Section 4980
B, no FCB Company has any obligations to provide health and life benefits under
any of the FCB Benefit Plans to former employees, and there are no restrictions
on the rights of FCB to amend or terminate any such plan without incurring any
Liability thereunder, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on FCB. To the Knowledge of the FCB Companies, no payment or
benefit which will or may be made by any FCB Company to any “disqualified
individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations thereunder) is or would be an “excess parachute payment” within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to which
a deduction would be disallowed, and there is no agreement, plan, arrangement or
other contract by which any FCB Company is bound to compensate any employee for
excise taxes paid pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Furthermore, no payment or benefit which will or may be made by any FCB Company
would be in violation of 12 C.F.R. §§ 359.0 through 359.7.
(g) Except as
Previously Disclosed, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby solely as a result of
such actions, will (i) result in any payment (including, without
limitation, severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute or otherwise)
becoming due to any officer, director or any employee of the FCB Companies from
the FCB Companies under any FCB Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase
any benefits otherwise payable under any FCB Benefit Plan, or (iii) result
in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefit, where
such payment, increase or acceleration is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB.
(h) The
actuarial present values of all accrued deferred compensation entitlements
(including, without limitation, entitlements under any executive compensation,
supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of directors and employees and
former directors and employees of the FCB Companies and its respective
beneficiaries, other than entitlements accrued pursuant to funded retirement
plans subject to the provisions of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code
or Section 302 of ERISA, have been fully reflected on the FCB Financial
Statements to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP.
5.15 Material
Contracts. Except
as disclosed in Section 5.15 of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum or otherwise
reflected in the FCB Financial Statements, no FCB Company nor any of their
respective Assets, businesses or operations, is a party to, or is bound or
affected by, or receives benefits under, (i) any employment, severance,
termination, consulting or retirement Contract providing for aggregate payments
to any Person in any calendar year in excess of $100,000, (ii) any Contract
relating to the borrowing of money by any FCB Company or the guarantee by any
FCB Company of any such obligation (other than Contracts evidencing deposit
liabilities, purchases of federal funds, fully-secured repurchase agreements,
trade payables, letters of credit and Contracts relating to borrowings or
guarantees made in the ordinary course of business), (iii) any Contract
which prohibits or restricts any FCB Company from engaging in any business
activities in any geographic area, line of business or otherwise in competition
with any other Person, (iv) any Contract relating to the provision of data
processing network communication, or other technical services to or by any FCB
Company, or (v) any other Contract or amendment thereto that would be
required to be filed as an exhibit to an FCB Regulatory Report filed by FCB with
any Regulatory Authority as of the date of this Agreement and that has not been
filed by FCB with any Regulatory Authority as an exhibit to any FCB Regulatory
Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (together with all
Contracts referred to in Sections 5.10 and 5.14(a) of this Agreement, the “FCB
Contracts”). With respect to each FCB Contract, (i) the Contract is in full
force and effect, (ii) no FCB Company is in Default thereunder, other than
Defaults which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB, (iii) no FCB Company has
repudiated or waived any material provision of any such Contract, and (iv) no
other party to any such Contract is, to the knowledge of the FCB Companies, in
Default in any respect, other than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB, or has
repudiated or waived any Material provision thereunder. Except as Previously
Disclosed, all of the indebtedness of the FCB Companies for money borrowed is
prepayable at any time by the FCB Companies without penalty or
premium.
5.16 Legal
Proceedings. Except
as disclosed in Section 5.16 of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum, there is no
Litigation instituted or pending, or, to the Knowledge of the FCB Companies,
threatened against any FCB Company, or against any Asset, interest or right of
any of them nor are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other
governmental authorities or arbitrators outstanding against the FCB Companies,
that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on FCB.
5.17 Reports. Other
than the FCB SEC Reports (as to which Section 5.5 applies), the FCB Companies
have timely filed all reports and statements, together with any amendments
required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file with
Regulatory Authorities (except in the case of state securities authorities,
failures to file which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB). As of their respective dates, each
of such reports and documents, including the financial statements, exhibits and
schedules thereto, complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws.
As of their respective dates, each such report and document did not contain any
untrue statement of a Material fact or omit to state a Material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
5.18 Statements
True and Correct. No
statement, certificate, instrument or other writing furnished or to be furnished
by the FCB Companies or any Affiliate thereof to Flag pursuant to this Agreement
or any other document, agreement or instrument referred to herein contains or
will contain any untrue statement of Material fact or will omit to state a
Material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the
information supplied or to be supplied by the FCB Companies or any Affiliate
thereof for inclusion in the Registration Statement to be filed by Flag with the
SEC will, when the Registration Statement becomes effective, be false or
misleading with respect to any Material fact, or omit to state any Material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. None of the information
supplied or to be supplied by the FCB Companies or any Affiliate thereof for
inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to the FCB shareholders in
connection with the FCB Meeting and any other documents to be filed by any FCB
Company or any Affiliate thereof with the SEC or any other Regulatory Authority
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the respective
time such documents are filed, and with respect to the Joint Proxy Statement,
when first mailed to the shareholders of FCB, be false or misleading with
respect to any Material fact, or omit to state any Material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading, or, in the case of the Joint Proxy Statement or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, at the time of the FCB Meeting be false
or misleading with respect to any Material fact, or omit to state any Material
fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with
respect to the solicitation of any proxy for such shareholders’ meeting. All
documents that any FCB Company or any Affiliate thereof is responsible for
filing with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby will comply as to form in all Material respects with the
provisions of applicable Law.
5.19 Tax
and Regulatory Matters. No FCB
Company or any Affiliate thereof has taken any action or has any Knowledge of
any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to (i) prevent the
Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) materially impede or
delay receipt of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section
9.1(b) of this Agreement or result in the imposition of a condition or
restriction of the type referred to in the second sentence of such
Section.
5.20 State
Takeover Laws. The FCB
Companies have taken all necessary action to exempt the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement from any applicable “moratorium,” “control
share,” “fair price,” “business combination” or other state takeover
Law.
5.21 Derivatives. All
interest rate swaps, caps, floors, option agreements, futures and forward
contracts and other similar risk management arrangements, whether entered into
for the FCB Companies’ own account, or for the account of either of the Banks or
their customers, were entered into (i) in accordance with prudent business
practices and all applicable Laws, and (ii) with counterparties believed to
be financially responsible.
5.22 Related
Party Transactions. Except
as disclosed in Section 5.22 of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum, and as Previously
Disclosed, no FCB Company has or is engaged in a Related Party
Transaction.
5.23 Fairness
Opinion. FCB has
received a written opinion of Xxxxx Capital Group, L.L.C. to the effect that the
Exchange Ratio is fair to the holders of FCB Common Stock, from a financial
point of view.
ARTICLE
6
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF FLAG
Flag
hereby represents and warrants to FCB as follows:
6.1 Organization,
Standing and Power. Flag is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
Laws of the State of Georgia and is duly registered as a bank holding company
under the BHC Act. Flag Bank is a financial institution duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Georgia. Flag has
the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and
to own, lease and operate its Assets. No Flag Company owns any property or
conducts any business outside the State of Georgia which would require any of
them to be qualified as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction. The minute
books and the organizational documents of each Flag Company have been made
available to FCB for its review and are true and complete in all Material
respects and accurately reflect in all Material respects all actions of the
Board of Directors and shareholders of each Flag Company (in the case of minute
books) and all amendments thereto (in the case of organizational
documents).
6.2 Authority;
No Breach By Agreement.
(a) Flag has
the corporate power and authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations under this Agreement, subject to necessary shareholder and
regulatory approvals, and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated herein, including the Merger, have been duly
and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in respect thereof on
the part of Flag, subject to the approval of this Agreement by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Flag Common Stock entitled to vote at the
Flag Meeting. Subject to the Consents of Regulatory Authorities, this Agreement
represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation of Flag, enforceable against
Flag in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium
or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and
except that the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or
injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any
proceeding may be brought).
(b) Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Flag, nor the consummation by
Flag of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Flag with any of
the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any
provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of any Flag Company, or
(ii) constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant
to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any Flag Companies
under, any Contract or Permit of any Flag Companies, where such Default or Lien,
or any failure to obtain such Consent, is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag, or (iii)
subject to receipt of the requisite approvals referred to in Section 9.1
(a) and (b) of this Agreement, violate any Law or Order applicable to any Flag
Companies or any of their respective Assets.
(c) No notice
to, filing with or Consent of any public body or authority is necessary for the
consummation by Flag of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in
this Agreement other than (i) in connection or compliance with the provisions of
the Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and securities Laws, (ii)
Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, (iii) notices to or filings with
the IRS or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any employee
benefit plans, (iv) under the HSR Act, and (v) Consents, filings or
notifications which, if not obtained or made, are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Flag.
6.3 Capital
Stock and Other Securities.
(a) The
authorized capital stock of Flag consists of 20,000,000 shares of Flag Common
Stock, $1.00 par value per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, no
par value per share. As of March 31, 2005, there were 8,528,461 shares of Flag
Common Stock issued and outstanding and no shares of Flag preferred stock issued
and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Flag Common Stock
are, and all of the shares of Flag Common Stock to be issued in exchange for
shares of FCB Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger, when issued in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be, duly and validly issued
and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable under the GBCC. None of the
outstanding shares of Flag Common Stock have been, and none of the shares of
Flag Common Stock to be issued in exchange for shares of FCB Common Stock upon
consummation of the Merger will be, issued in violation of any preemptive rights
of the current or past shareholders of Flag.
(b) Except as
set forth in Section 6.3(a) of this Agreement, or as disclosed in Sections
6.3(a) or (b) of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum, as of the date of this
Agreement, there are no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of
Flag outstanding and no outstanding options, warrants, scrip, rights to
subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever relating to, or
securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of the capital
stock of Flag or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which
Flag is or may be bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or
options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any additional shares of its
capital stock.
6.4 Subsidiaries. Flag has
no Subsidiaries other than Flag Bank. Flag owns all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of Flag Bank. No equity securities of Flag
Bank are or may become required to be issued and there are no Contracts by which
Flag Bank is bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or rights by
which Flag Bank is bound to transfer any shares of Flag Bank. All of the shares
of capital stock of Flag Bank are duly authorized, validly issued, and fully
paid and nonassessable and are owned by Flag free and clear of any
Lien.
6.5 SEC
Filings; Financial Statements.
(a) Flag has
timely filed and made available to FCB all forms, reports and documents required
to be filed by Flag with the SEC since December 31, 2001 (collectively, the
“Flag SEC Reports”). The Flag SEC Reports (i) at the time filed, complied in all
Material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934
Act, as the case may be, and (ii) did not at the time they were filed (or if
amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on
the date of such filing) contain any untrue statement of a Material fact or omit
to state a Material fact required to be stated in such Flag SEC Reports or
necessary in order to make the statements in such Flag SEC Reports, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the Flag
Subsidiaries is required to file any forms, reports or other documents with the
SEC.
(b) Flag’s
external auditor is and has been throughout the periods covered by the Flag
Financial Statements (x) a public accounting firm registered with the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board, (y) “independent” with respect to Flag
within the meaning of Regulation S-X and (z) in compliance with subsections
(g) through (l) of Section 10A of the 1934 Act and the related rules and
regulations of the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. Except
as Previously Disclosed, no non-audit services have been performed by Flag’s
auditors since December 31, 2001.
(c) Each of
the Flag Financial Statements (including, in each case, any related notes)
contained in the Flag SEC Reports, including any Flag SEC reports filed after
the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, complied or will comply as
to form in all Material respects with the applicable published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, was prepared or will be prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
involved (except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements,
or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC),
and fairly presented or will fairly present the consolidated financial position
of Flag and the Flag Subsidiaries as of their respective dates and the
consolidated results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash
flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited interim financial
statements were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments
which are not expected to be Material in amount or effect.
(d) Flag
maintains accurate books and records reflecting its respective assets and
liabilities and maintains proper and adequate internal accounting controls which
provide assurance that (i) transactions are executed with management’s
authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of the consolidated financial statements of Flag and to maintain
accountability for Flag’s consolidated assets; (iii) access to Flag’s
consolidated assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s
authorization; (iv) the reporting of Flag’s consolidated assets is compared
with existing assets at regular intervals; (v) accounts, notes and other
receivables and inventory are recorded accurately; and (vi) proper and
adequate procedures are implemented to effect the collection thereof on a
current and timely basis.
(e) Flag has
established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is
defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 0000 Xxx) and such disclosure
controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information
relating to Flag is made known to Flag’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer to all timely decisions regarding disclosure in the Flag SEC
Reports.
6.6 Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities. None of
the Flag Companies have any Liabilities that are reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag, except
Liabilities which are accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance
sheet of Flag as of December 31, 2004 included in the Flag Financial Statements
or reflected in the notes thereto. No Flag Companies have incurred or paid any
Liability since December 31, 2004, except for such Liabilities incurred or paid
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past business practice and
which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Flag.
6.7 Absence
of Certain Changes or Events. Since
December 31, 2004, except as disclosed in Section 6.7 of the Flag Disclosure
Memorandum, (i) there have been no events, changes or occurrences which have
had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on Flag, and (ii) the Flag Companies have not taken
any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the date of this Agreement,
which action or failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would
represent or result in a Material breach or violation of any of the covenants
and agreements of Flag provided in Article 7 of this Agreement, and (iii) the
Flag Companies have conducted their respective businesses in the ordinary and
usual course (excluding the incurrence of expenses in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby).
6.8 Tax
Matters.
(a) All Tax
returns required to be filed by or on behalf of Flag have been timely filed or
requests for extensions have been timely filed, granted and have not expired for
periods ended on or before December 31, 2004, and on or before the date of the
most recent fiscal year end immediately preceding the Effective Time, and all
returns filed are complete and accurate in all Material respects to the
Knowledge of Flag. All Taxes shown on filed returns have been paid as of the
date of this Agreement, and there is no audit, examination, deficiency, or
refund Litigation with respect to any Taxes that is reasonably likely to result
in a determination that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Flag, except as reserved against in the Flag Financial
Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement. All Taxes and other
Liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded
Litigation have been paid.
(b) Flag has
not executed an extension or waiver of any statute of limitations on the
assessment or collection of any Tax due that is currently in effect, and no
unpaid tax deficiency has been asserted in writing against or with respect to
Flag.
(c) Adequate
provision for any Taxes due or to become due by Flag for the period or periods
through and including the date of the respective Flag Financial Statements has
been made and is reflected on such Flag Financial Statements.
(d) Deferred
Taxes of Flag have been provided for in accordance with GAAP. Flag has adopted
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement 109, “Accounting for Income
Taxes.”
(e) Flag is
in compliance with, and their respective records contain all information and
documents (including, without limitation, properly completed IRS Forms W-9)
necessary to comply with, all applicable information reporting and Tax
withholding requirements under federal, state and local Tax Laws, and such
records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding
under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, except for such instances of
noncompliance and such omissions as are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Flag.
(f) Flag has
not made any payments, is obligated to make any payments or is a party to any
contract, agreement or other arrangement that could obligate it to make any
payments that would be disallowed as a deduction under Section 280G or 162(m) of
the Internal Revenue Code. No FCB Company is a party to any arrangement or plan
that is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
(g) There are
no Material Liens with respect to Taxes upon any of the Assets of
Flag.
(h) Except as
disclosed in Section 6.8(h) of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum, there has not
been an ownership change, as defined in Internal Revenue Code
Section 382(g), of any Flag Company that occurred during or after any
Taxable Period in which Flag incurred a net operating loss that carries over to
any Taxable Period ending after December 31, 2004.
(i) No Flag
Company has filed any consent under Section 341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code
concerning collapsible corporations.
(j) No Flag
Company has or has had a permanent establishment in any foreign country, as
defined in any applicable tax treaty or convention between the United States and
such foreign country.
(k) None of
the Flag Companies is a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement, and
none of the Flag Companies has been a member of an affiliated group filing a
consolidated federal income tax return (other than a group, the common parent of
which was Flag) or has any Liability for Taxes of any Person (other than Flag)
under Treasury Regulation section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state,
local or foreign Law) as a transferee or successor or by Contract or
otherwise.
(l) After the
date of this Agreement, no Material election with respect to Taxes will be made
by Flag without the prior written consent of FCB, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld.
(m) None of
the Flag Companies has distributed stock of another Person, or has had its stock
distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended
to be governed in whole or in part by Internal Revenue Code Section 355 or
Internal Revenue Code Section 361.
6.9 Allowance. The
Allowance shown on the consolidated balance sheets of Flag included in the most
recent Flag Financial Statements dated prior to the date of this Agreement was,
and the Allowance shown on the consolidated balance sheets of Flag included in
the Flag Financial Statements as of dates subsequent to the execution of this
Agreement will be, as of the dates thereof, adequate (within the meaning of GAAP
and applicable regulatory requirements or guidelines) to provide for losses
relating to or inherent in the loan and lease portfolios (including accrued
interest receivables) of the Flag Companies and other extensions of credit by
the Flag Companies as of the dates thereof, except where the failure of such
Allowance to be so adequate is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on Flag.
6.10 Assets. Except
as disclosed in Section 6.10 of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum or as disclosed
or reserved against in the Flag Financial Statements, the Flag Companies each
have good and marketable title, free and clear of all Liens, to all of their
respective Assets. All Material tangible properties used in the business of the
Flag Companies are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and are
usable in the ordinary course of business consistent with the Flag Companies’
past practices. All Assets which are Material to the Flag Companies’ respective
businesses held under leases or subleases by the Flag Companies, are held under
valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’
rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable remedy of
specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the
court before which any proceedings may be brought), and each such Contract is in
full force and effect. Management believes that the policies of fire, theft,
liability and other insurance maintained with respect to the Assets or
businesses of the Flag Companies provide adequate coverage against loss or
Liability, and the fidelity and blanket bonds in effect as to which the Flag
Companies are a named insured are, in the reasonable belief of the Flag
Companies’ management, reasonably sufficient. No Flag Company has received
notice from any insurance carrier that (i) such insurance will be canceled or
that coverage thereunder will be reduced or eliminated or (ii) premium costs
with respect to such policies of insurance will be substantially increased. The
Assets of the Flag Companies include all assets required to operate the business
of the Flag Companies as presently conducted.
6.11 Environmental
Matters.
(a) To the
Knowledge of the Flag Companies, their respective Participation Facilities and
Loan Properties are, and have been, in full compliance with all Environmental
Laws, except for violations which are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Flag.
(b) There is
no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of Flag, threatened before any court,
governmental agency, board, authority or other forum in which the Flag Companies
or any of their respective Participation Facilities and Loan Properties has been
or, with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant or
potentially responsible party (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any
predecessor) with any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the release into the
environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not occurring at, on, under or
involving a site owned, leased or operated by either the Flag Companies or any
of their respective Participation Facilities and Loan Properties, except for
such Litigation pending or threatened which is not likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag.
(c) To the
Knowledge of Flag there is no reasonable basis for any Litigation of a type
described in subsection (b), except such as is not likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag.
(d) To the
Knowledge of Flag during the period of (i) the Flag Companies’ ownership or
operation of any of their respective current properties, (ii) the Flag
Companies’ participation in the management of any Participation Facility or
(iii) the Flag Companies’ holding of a security interest in a Loan
Property, there have been no releases, spills or discharges of Hazardous
Material or other conditions involving Hazardous Materials in, on, under or
affecting any Participation Facility or Loan Property, except such as are not
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Flag.
6.12 Compliance
with Laws. Flag is
duly registered as a bank holding company under the BHC Act. Each of the Flag
Companies has in effect all Permits necessary to own, lease or operate their
Assets and to carry on their business as now conducted, except for those Permits
the absence of which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag, and there has occurred no Default
under any such Permit, other than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag. None
of the Flag Companies:
(a) is in
violation of any Laws, Orders or Permits applicable to its business or employees
conducting its business, except for violations which are not reasonably likely
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag;
nor
(b) except as
disclosed in Section 6.12(b) of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum, has received any
notification or communication from any agency or department of federal, state or
local government or any Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof
(i) asserting that any of the Flag Companies are not in compliance with any
of the Laws or Orders which such governmental authority or Regulatory Authority
enforces, where such noncompliance is reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag, (ii) threatening to revoke
any Permits, the revocation of which is reasonably likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag, or (iii) requiring any
Flag Companies to enter into or consent to the issuance of a cease and desist
order, formal agreement, directive, commitment or memorandum of understanding,
or to adopt any Board resolution or similar undertaking, which restricts
materially the conduct of its business, or in any manner relates to its capital
adequacy, its credit or reserve policies, its management or the payment of
dividends.
6.13 Labor
Relations.
(a) No Flag
Company nor any employee thereof, is the subject of any Litigation asserting
that any of them has committed an unfair labor practice (within the meaning of
the National Labor Relations Act or comparable state law) or seeking to compel
any Flag Company to bargain with any labor organization as to wages or
conditions of employment, nor is any Flag Company a party to or bound by any
collective bargaining agreement, Contract or other agreement or understanding
with a labor union or labor organization, nor is there any strike or other labor
dispute involving either of them, pending or to their respective Knowledge
threatened, nor to their respective Knowledge, is there any activity involving
any Flag Companies’ employees seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or
engaging in any other organization activity.
(b) There is
no strike, slowdown, lockout or other job action or labor dispute involving any
Flag Company pending or, to the Knowledge of any Flag Company, threatened and
there have been no such actions or disputes in the past three years. To the
Knowledge of any Flag Company, in the past three years, there has not been any
attempt by any Flag Company employees or any labor organization or other
employee representative to organize or certify a collective bargaining unit or
to engage in any other union organization activity with respect to the workforce
of any Flag Company.
(c) Except as
disclosed in Section 6.13(c) of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum, the employment
of each employee and the engagement of each independent contractor of each Flag
Company is terminable at will by the relevant Flag Company without any penalty,
liability or severance obligation incurred by any Flag Company. Each independent
contractor of any Flag Company has been correctly classified as such, and no
Flag Company can have any liability as a result of any employee of such entity
incorrectly being classified as an independent contractor or
otherwise.
(d) Except as
disclosed in Section 6.13(d) of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum and except for
the accrued payroll reflected on the Flag Companies’ financial statements, no
Flag Company will owe any amounts to any of its employees or independent
contractors as of the Closing Date, including any amounts incurred for any
wages, bonuses, vacation pay, sick leave, contract notice periods, change of
control payments or severance obligations, except for any such amounts relating
to the current pay period. Each Flag Company (i) has withheld and reported all
amounts required by applicable law to be withheld and reported with respect to
wages, salaries and other payments to employees and former employees, (ii) is
not liable for any arrears of wages or any taxes or any penalty for failure to
comply with any of the foregoing, and (iii) is not liable for any payment to any
trust or other fund governed by or maintained by or on behalf of, any
governmental authority with respect to unemployment compensation benefits,
social security or other benefits or obligations for employees of former
employees (other than routine payments to be made in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice).
(e) To its
Knowledge, each Flag Company is in compliance with all applicable federal, state
and local labor, employment, equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination,
human rights, terms and conditions of employment, wages, hours, benefits,
collective bargaining, occupational safety and health, plant closing and
immigration laws with respect to its employees.
6.14 Employee
Benefit Plans.
(a) The Flag
Companies have disclosed in Section 6.14 of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum, and
delivered or made available to FCB prior to the execution of this Agreement,
correct and complete copies in each case of (i) all pension, retirement,
profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, employee stock ownership,
phantom stock, share appreciation rights, supplemental pension, retainer,
savings, retirement, severance pay, termination pay, change of control,
vacation, bonus or other incentive plans, (ii) all other written employee
policies, programs, arrangements or agreements of any kind providing
compensation, remuneration or benefits or perquisites of any kind, (iii) all
medical, vision, dental or other health or welfare plans, all life insurance
plans and all other employee benefit plans or fringe benefit plans, including,
without limitation, “employee benefit plans” as that term is defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA, (iv) all “specified fringe benefit plans” as defined
in Section 6039D(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, (v) all “nonqualified
deferred compensation plans” as defined in Sections 409A(d)(1) or 3121(v)(2)(C)
of the Internal Revenue Code, and (vi) all “multiemployer plans” within the
meaning of Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, which is currently adopted,
maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part by, or contributed to by, or which
has within the past seven years been adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole
or in part by, or contributed to by, any Flag Companies or any Affiliate thereof
for the benefit of current or former employees, directors, independent
contractors, shareholders, officers or other individuals, or any spouse, child
or other dependent of such individuals or which could result in any liability
being asserted against any Flag Company (collectively, the “Flag Benefit
Plans”). Any of the Flag Benefit Plans which is an “employee welfare benefit
plan,” as that term is defined in Section 3(l) of ERISA, or an “employee
pension benefit plan,” as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, is
referred to herein as a “Flag ERISA Plan.” Each Flag ERISA Plan which is also a
“defined benefit plan” (as defined in Section 414(j) of the Internal
Revenue Code or Section 3(35) of ERISA) is referred to herein as an “Flag
Pension Plan”. No Flag Benefit Plan is or has been a “multi-employer plan”
within the meaning of Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. The Flag
Companies do not participate in either a multi-employer plan (within the meaning
of Sections 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) or a multiple employer plan (within
the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Internal Revenue Code) or a multiple
employer welfare arrangement (within the meaning of Section 3(40)(A) of
ERISA).
(b) The Flag
Companies have delivered or made available to FCB prior to the execution of this
Agreement correct and complete copies of the following documents: (i) all
trust agreements or other funding arrangements for such Flag Benefit Plans
(including insurance contracts), and all amendments thereto, (ii) with respect
to any such Flag Benefit Plans or amendments, all determination letters,
Material rulings, Material opinion letters, Material information letters or
Material advisory opinions issued by the IRS, the United States Department of
Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, (iii) annual reports or
returns, audited or unaudited financial statements, actuarial valuations and
reports and summary annual reports prepared for any Flag Benefit Plan with
respect to the most recent plan year, (iv) the most recent summary plan
descriptions and any Material modifications thereto, (v) all policies of
fiduciary liability insurance covering the fiduciaries for each Flag Benefit
Plan, and all bonds pertaining to any Flag Benefit Plan, (vi) all
nondiscrimination tests required by the Internal Revenue Code for any Flag
Benefit Plan for the most recent plan year, and (vii) all employee handbooks or
policy manuals pertaining to employees of any Flag Company.
(c) All Flag
Benefit Plans are in compliance with the applicable terms of ERISA, the Internal
Revenue Code, and any other applicable Laws, the breach or violation of which
are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Flag. Each Flag ERISA Plan which is intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable
determination letter from the IRS, and no Flag Company is aware of any
circumstances likely to reasonably result in revocation of any such favorable
determination letter or failure of an Flag ERISA Plan intended to satisfy
Internal Revenue Code Section 401 to satisfy the Tax qualification provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code applicable thereto. No transaction with respect to any
Flag Benefit Plan that could subject any Flag Company or any other “party in
interest” (as defined in ERISA Section 3(14)) or “disqualified person” (as
defined in Section 4975(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code) to a Material Tax or
penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or
Section 502(i) of ERISA in amounts which are reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Flag.
(d) No Flag
Benefit Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Internal
Revenue Code. There are no unresolved claims or disputes under the terms of, or
in connection with, the Flag Benefit Plans other than claims for benefits which
are payable in the ordinary course of business and, to the Knowledge of the Flag
Companies, no action, proceeding, prosecution, inquiry, hearing or
investigation, or threat thereof, has been commenced or made with respect to any
Flag Benefit Plan.
(e) Within
the six-year period preceding the Effective Time, no Liability under Subtitle C
or D of Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by the Flag
Companies with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated single-employer plan
or the single-employer plan of any ERISA Affiliate, which Liability is
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Flag. Except as
Previously Disclosed, no Flag Company has incurred any withdrawal Liability with
respect to a multi-employer plan under Subtitle B of Title IV of ERISA
(regardless of whether based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate), which
Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Flag. No
notice of a “reportable event,” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for
which the 30-day reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to
be filed for any Flag Pension Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month
period ending on the date hereof.
(f) Except as
required under Title I, Part 6 of ERISA and Internal Revenue Code Section 4980
B, no Flag Company has any obligations to provide health and life benefits under
any of the Flag Benefit Plans to former employees, and there are no restrictions
on the rights of Flag to amend or terminate any such plan without incurring any
Liability thereunder, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Flag. To the Knowledge of the Flag Companies, no payment or
benefit which will or may be made by any Flag Company to any “disqualified
individual” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and the
regulations thereunder) is or would be an “excess parachute payment” within the
meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to which
a deduction would be disallowed, and there is no agreement, plan, arrangement or
other contract by which any Flag Company is bound to compensate any employee for
excise taxes paid pursuant to Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Furthermore, no payment or benefit which will or may be made by any Flag Company
would be in violation of 12 C.F.R. §§ 359.0 through 359.7.
(g) Except as
Previously Disclosed, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby solely as a result of
such actions, will (i) result in any payment (including, without
limitation, severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute or otherwise)
becoming due to any officer, director or any employee of the Flag Companies from
the Flag Companies under any Flag Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase
any benefits otherwise payable under any Flag Benefit Plan, or (iii) result
in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefit, where
such payment, increase or acceleration is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
Flag.
(h) The
actuarial present values of all accrued deferred compensation entitlements
(including, without limitation, entitlements under any executive compensation,
supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of directors and employees and
former directors and employees of the Flag Companies and their respective
beneficiaries, other than entitlements accrued pursuant to funded retirement
plans subject to the provisions of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code
or Section 302 of ERISA, have been fully reflected on the Flag Financial
Statements to the extent required by and in accordance with GAAP.
6.15 Material
Contracts. Except
as disclosed in Section 6.15 of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum or otherwise
reflected in the Flag Financial Statements, neither the Flag Companies nor any
of their respective Assets, businesses or operations, is a party to, or is bound
or affected by, or receives benefits under, (i) any employment, severance,
termination, consulting or retirement Contract providing for aggregate payments
to any Person in any calendar year in excess of $100,000, (ii) any Contract
relating to the borrowing of money by any Flag Company or the guarantee by any
Flag Company of any such obligation (other than Contracts evidencing deposit
liabilities, purchases of federal funds, fully-secured repurchase agreements,
trade payables, letters of credit and Contracts relating to borrowings or
guarantees made in the ordinary course of business), (iii) any Contract
which prohibits or restricts any Flag Company from engaging in any business
activities in any geographic area, line of business or otherwise in competition
with any other Person, (iv) any Contract relating to the provision of data
processing network communication, or other technical services to or by any Flag
Company, or (v) any other Contract or amendment thereto that would be
required to be filed as an exhibit to an Flag Regulatory Report filed by Flag
with any Regulatory Authority as of the date of this Agreement and that has not
been filed by Flag with any Regulatory Authority as an exhibit to any Flag
Regulatory Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 (together
with all Contracts referred to in Section 6.10 and 6.14(a)of this Agreement, the
“Flag Contracts”). With respect to each Flag Contract, (i) the Contract is in
full force and effect, (ii) no Flag Company is in Default thereunder, other than
Defaults which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag, (iii) no Flag Company has
repudiated or waived any material provision of any such Contract, and (iv) no
other party to any such Contract is, to the knowledge of Flag, in Default in any
respect, other than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag, or has
repudiated or waived any Material provision thereunder. Except as Previously
Disclosed, all of the indebtedness of any Flag Company for money borrowed is
prepayable at any time by Flag without penalty or premium.
6.16 Legal
Proceedings. Except
as disclosed in Section 6.16 of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum, there is no
Litigation instituted or pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Flag Companies,
threatened against any Flag Company, or against any Asset, interest or right of
any of them, nor are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other
governmental authorities or arbitrators outstanding against any Flag Companies,
that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on Flag.
6.17 Reports. Other
than the Flag SEC Reports (as to which Section 6.5 applies), the Flag Companies
have timely filed all reports and statements, together with any amendments
required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file with
Regulatory Authorities (except in the case of state securities authorities,
failures to file which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag). As of their respective dates,
each of such reports and documents, including the financial statements, exhibits
and schedules thereto, complied in all material respects with all applicable
Laws. As of their respective dates, each such report and document did not
contain any untrue statement of a Material fact or omit to state a Material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
6.18 Statements
True and Correct. No
statement, certificate, instrument or other writing furnished or to be furnished
by any Flag Companies or any Affiliate thereof to FCB pursuant to this Agreement
or any other document, agreement or instrument referred to herein contains or
will contain any untrue statement of Material fact or will omit to state a
Material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the
information supplied or to be supplied by any Flag Companies or any Affiliate
thereof for inclusion in the Registration Statement to be filed by Flag with the
SEC, will, when the Registration Statement becomes effective, be false or
misleading with respect to any Material fact, or omit to state any Material fact
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. None of the information
supplied or to be supplied by any Flag Companies or any Affiliate thereof for
inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement to be mailed to FCB shareholders in
connection with the FCB Meeting and any other documents to be filed by any Flag
Companies or any Affiliate thereof with the SEC or any other Regulatory
Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the
respective time such documents are filed, and with respect to the Joint Proxy
Statement, when first mailed to the shareholders of FCB, be false or misleading
with respect to any Material fact, or omit to state any Material fact necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, or, in the case of the Joint Proxy Statement or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, at the time of the FCB Meeting, be
false or misleading with respect to any Material fact, or omit to state any
Material fact necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication
with respect to the solicitation of any proxy for either of such shareholders’
meetings. All documents that any Flag Company or any Affiliate thereof is
responsible for filing with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby will comply as to form in all Material respects
with the provisions of applicable Law.
6.19 Tax
and Regulatory Matters. No Flag
Company or any Affiliate thereof has taken any action or has any Knowledge of
any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to (i) prevent the
Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) materially impede or delay receipt of any
Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this
Agreement or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of the type
referred to in the second sentence of such Section 9.1(b).
6.20 State
Takeover Laws.
Flag has
taken all necessary action to exempt the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement from any applicable “moratorium,” “control share,” “fair price,”
“business combination” or other state takeover Law.
6.21 Derivatives. All
interest rate swaps, caps, floors, option agreements, futures and forward
contracts and other similar risk management arrangements, whether entered into
for Flag’s own account, or for the account of any Flag Company or its customers,
were entered into (i) in accordance with prudent business practices and all
applicable Laws, and (ii) with counterparties believed to be financially
responsible.
6.22 Related
Party Transactions. Except
as disclosed in Section 6.22 of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum, no Flag Company
has or is engaged in a Related Party Transaction.
6.23 Fairness
Opinion. Flag
has received an opinion from Sandler X’Xxxxx & Partners, L.P. that the
Exchange Ratio is fair to Flag, from a financial point of view.
ARTICLE
7
CONDUCT
OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
7.1 Affirmative
Covenants of FCB. From
the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the
termination of this Agreement unless the prior written consent of Flag shall
have been obtained, and except as otherwise contemplated herein, FCB agrees: (i)
to operate its business and cause any FCB Company to operate its business in the
usual, regular and ordinary course; (ii) to preserve intact its business
organizations and Assets and maintain its rights and franchises; (iii) to use
its reasonable efforts to cause its representations and warranties to be correct
at all times; and (iv) to take no action which would (a) adversely affect
the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents required for the transactions
contemplated hereby without imposition of a condition or restriction of the type
referred to in the last sentence of Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement or (b)
adversely affect in any Material respect the ability of either Party to perform
its covenants and agreements under this Agreement.
7.2 Negative
Covenants of FCB. From
the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the
termination of this Agreement, FCB covenants and agrees that any FCB Company
will not do or agree or commit to do, any of the following without the prior
written consent of Flag, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld:
(a) amend the
Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments of FCB or the
Articles of Incorporation or Association, Bylaws or other governing instruments
of any FCB Company; or
(b) incur any
additional debt obligation or other obligation for borrowed money in excess of
an aggregate of $100,000 except in the ordinary course of the business of any
FCB Company consistent with past practices (which shall include creation of
deposit liabilities, purchases of federal funds and entry into repurchase
agreements fully secured by U.S. government or agency securities), or impose, or
suffer the imposition, on any share of stock of any FCB Company held by the FCB
Companies of any Lien or permit any such Lien to exist other than in connection
with deposits, repurchase agreements, bankers’ acceptances, Federal Home Loan
Bank advances, “treasury tax and loan” accounts established in the ordinary
course of business, the satisfaction of legal requirements in the exercise of
trust powers, and Liens in effect as of the date hereof that have been
Previously Disclosed; or
(c) repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire or exchange (other than exchanges in the ordinary
course under employee benefit plans), directly or indirectly, any shares, or any
securities convertible into any shares, of the capital stock of any FCB Company,
or declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of any
FCB Company capital stock; or
(d) issue or
sell, pledge, encumber, authorize the issuance of, enter into any Contract to
issue, sell, pledge, encumber or authorize the issuance of, or otherwise permit
to become outstanding, any additional shares of FCB Common Stock, or any stock
appreciation rights, or any option, warrant, conversion or other right to
acquire any such stock; or
(e) adjust,
split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of FCB or issue or authorize the
issuance of any other securities in respect of or in substitution for shares of
either FCB Common Stock or either Bank’s common stock or sell, lease, mortgage
or otherwise dispose of or otherwise encumber any Asset having a book value in
excess of $100,000 other than in the ordinary course of business for reasonable
and adequate consideration; or
(f) acquire
direct or indirect control over any real property, other than in connection with
(i) foreclosures in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) acquisitions of
control by FCB in its fiduciary capacity; or
(g) except
for purchases of U.S. Treasury securities or U.S. Government agency securities,
which in either case have maturities of 15 years or less, or of mortgage-backed
securities of maturity or grade consistent with past practices, purchase any
securities or make any Material investment, either by purchase of stock or
securities, contributions to capital, Asset transfers or purchase of any Assets,
in any Person other than any FCB Company, or otherwise acquire direct or
indirect control over any Person, other than in connection with
(i) foreclosures in the ordinary course of business, (ii) acquisitions of
control by a depository institution Subsidiary in its fiduciary capacity, or
(iii) the creation of new, wholly owned Subsidiaries organized to conduct or
continue activities otherwise permitted by this Agreement; or
(h) grant any
increase in compensation or benefits to the employees or officers of any FCB
Company (including such discretionary increases as may be contemplated by
existing employment agreements) exceeding 5% individually or in the aggregate on
an annual basis, except in accordance with past practice Previously Disclosed or
as required by Law, pay any bonus other than pursuant to a written policy or
Contract in effect on the date of this Agreement and Previously Disclosed, enter
into or amend any severance agreements with officers of any FCB Company, grant
any increase in fees or other increases in compensation or other benefits to
directors of any FCB Company except in accordance with past practice Previously
Disclosed; or
(i) enter
into or amend any employment Contract between any FCB Company and any Person
(unless such amendment is required by Law) that any FCB Company, as the case may
be, does not have the unconditional right to terminate without Liability (other
than Liability for services already rendered), at any time on or after the
Effective Time; or
(j) adopt any
new employee benefit plan of any FCB Company or make any Material change in or
to any existing employee benefit plans of any FCB Company other than any such
change that is required by Law or that, in the opinion of counsel, is necessary
or advisable to maintain the tax qualified status of any such plan;
or
(k) make any
significant change in any Tax or accounting methods or systems of internal
accounting controls, except as may be appropriate to conform to changes in Tax
Laws, regulatory accounting requirements or GAAP; or
(l) commence
any Litigation other than in accordance with past practice or settle any
Litigation involving any Liability of any FCB Company for money damages in
excess of $50,000 or Material restrictions upon the operations of any FCB
Company; or
(m) modify,
amend or terminate any Material Contract or waive, release, compromise or assign
any Material rights or claims; or
(n) make any
loan or extension of credit to any borrower of any FCB Company in excess of an
aggregate of $1 million; or
(o) make any
Material election with respect to Taxes; or
(p) incur or
become obligated to incur any expenses exceeding $100,000, whether capitalized,
expended or otherwise other than in the ordinary course of business, excluding
any expenses or obligations incurred in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
7.3 Affirmative
Covenants of Flag. From
the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the
termination of this Agreement unless the prior written consent of FCB shall have
been obtained, and except as otherwise contemplated herein, Flag agrees: (i) to
operate its business and cause any Flag Company to operate its business in the
usual, regular and ordinary course; (ii) to preserve intact its business
organizations and Assets and maintain its rights and franchises; (iii) to use
its reasonable efforts to cause its representations and warranties to be correct
at all times; and (iv) to take no action which would (a) adversely affect
the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents required for the transactions
contemplated hereby without imposition of a condition or restriction of the type
referred to in the last sentence of Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement or (b)
adversely affect in any Material respect the ability of either Party to perform
its covenants and agreements under this Agreement.
7.4 Negative
Covenants of Flag. From
the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the
termination of this Agreement, Flag covenants and agrees that any Flag Company
will not do or agree or commit to do, any of the following without the prior
written consent of FCB, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld:
(a) amend the
Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments of Flag or the
Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments of any Flag
Company; or
(b) except as
disclosed in Section 7.4(b) of the Flag Disclosure Memorandum repurchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire or exchange (other than exchanges in the ordinary course
under employee benefit plans), directly or indirectly, any shares, or any
securities convertible into any shares, of the capital stock of Flag, or declare
or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of Flag capital
stock other than any regular quarterly cash dividend of Flag; or
(c) except
for this Agreement or as disclosed in Section 7.4(c) of the Flag Disclosure
Memorandum, issue or sell, pledge, encumber, authorize the issuance of, enter
into any Contract to issue, sell, pledge, encumber or authorize the issuance of,
or otherwise permit to become outstanding, any additional shares of Flag Common
Stock, or any stock appreciation rights, or any option, warrant, conversion or
other right to acquire any such stock; or
(d) adjust,
split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of Flag or issue or authorize the
issuance of any other securities in respect of or in substitution for shares of
Flag Common Stock or sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise dispose of or otherwise
encumber any Asset having a book value in excess of $100,000 other than in the
ordinary course of business for reasonable and adequate
consideration.
7.5 Adverse
Changes in Condition. Each
Party agrees to give written notice promptly to the other Party upon becoming
aware of the occurrence or impending occurrence of any event or circumstance
relating to it or any of its Subsidiaries which (i) is reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on it or (ii)
is reasonably likely to cause or constitute a Material breach of any of its
representations, warranties or covenants contained herein and to use its
reasonable efforts to prevent or promptly to remedy the same.
7.6 Reports. Each
Party and its Subsidiaries shall file all reports required to be filed by it
with Regulatory Authorities between the date of this Agreement and the Effective
Time and shall deliver to the other Party copies of all such reports promptly
after the same are filed. If financial statements are contained in any such
reports filed with the Regulatory Authorities, such financial statements will
fairly present the consolidated financial position of the entity filing such
statements as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations,
changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods then ended in
accordance with GAAP (subject in the case of interim financial statements to
normal recurring period-end adjustments that are not Material). As of their
respective dates, such reports filed with the Regulatory Authorities will comply
in all Material respects with applicable Securities Laws and will not contain
any untrue statement of a Material fact or omit to state a Material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. Any financial statements contained in any other reports to another
Regulatory Authority shall be prepared in accordance with Laws applicable to
such reports.
7.7 Certain
Modifications. Flag and
FCB shall consult with respect to their respective loan, litigation, and real
estate valuation policies and practices (including loan classifications and
levels of reserves) and FCB shall make such modifications or changes to its
policies and practices, if any, prior to the Effective Time, as may be mutually
agreed upon. Flag and FCB also shall consult with respect to the character,
amount, and timing of restructuring and Merger-related expense charges to be
taken by each of the Parties in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement and shall take such charges in accordance with GAAP as may be
mutually agreed upon by the Parties. Neither Party’s representations,
warranties, and covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement shall be
deemed to be inaccurate or breached in any respect as a consequence of any
modifications or charges undertaken solely on account of this Section
7.7.
ARTICLE
8
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
8.1 Shareholder
Approvals. Each of
FCB and Flag shall take, in accordance with applicable Law and its respective
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, all action necessary to convene,
respectively, the FCB Meeting to consider and vote upon the approval of this
Agreement and any other matters required to be approved by FCB shareholders for
consummation of the Merger and the Flag Meeting to consider and vote upon the
issuance of the shares of Flag Common Stock to be issued in the Merger and any
other matters required to be approved by Flag shareholders for consummation of
the Merger, as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is
declared effective. The Board of Directors of each of FCB and Flag shall
(subject to compliance with its fiduciary duties as advised by counsel) by
majority vote recommend such approval by their shareholders, and the Board of
Directors of FCB and Flag (subject to compliance with their fiduciary duties as
advised by counsel) shall use their best efforts to obtain such approval by
their shareholders.
8.2 Registration
Statement.
(a) Each of
Flag and FCB agrees to cooperate in the preparation of a Registration Statement
to be filed by Flag with the SEC in connection with the issuance of Flag Common
Stock in the Merger (including the Joint Proxy Statement and all related
documents). Provided FCB has cooperated as required above, Flag agrees to file
the Registration Statement with the SEC as promptly as practicable, but in no
event later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement. Each of FCB and Flag
agrees to use all reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to be
declared effective under the 1933 Act as promptly as reasonably practicable
after filing thereof. Flag also agrees to use all reasonable efforts to obtain
all necessary state securities law or “Blue Sky” permits and approvals required
to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. FCB agrees to
furnish Flag all information concerning FCB, the FCB Subsidiaries and their
respective officers, directors and shareholders as may be reasonably requested
in connection with the foregoing.
(b) Each of
FCB and Flag agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that none of the
information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or incorporation by
reference in (i) the Registration Statement will, at the time the Registration
Statement and each amendment or supplement thereto, if any, becomes effective
under the 1933 Act, contain any untrue statement of a Material fact or omit to
state any Material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, and (ii) the Joint Proxy Statement and any
amendment or supplement thereto will, at the date of mailing to FCB shareholders
and at the time of the FCB Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a Material
fact or omit to state any Material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading with respect to any
Material fact, or which will omit to state any Material fact necessary in order
to make the statements therein not false or misleading or necessary to correct
any statement in any earlier statement in the Joint Proxy Statement or any
amendment or supplement thereto. Each of FCB and Flag further agrees that if it
shall become aware prior to the Effective Date of any information that would
cause any of the statements in the Joint Proxy Statement to be false or
misleading with respect to any Material fact, or to omit to state any Material
fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading, to
promptly inform the other Party thereof and to take the necessary steps to
correct the Joint Proxy Statement.
(c) Flag will
advise FCB, promptly after Flag receives notice thereof, of the time when the
Registration Statement has become effective or any supplement or amendment has
been filed, or of the issuance of any stop order or the suspension of the
qualification of the Flag Common Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction,
of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any
request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of the Registration Statement
or for additional information.
(d) Nothing
in this Section 8.2 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall prohibit accurate
disclosure by FCB of information that is required to be disclosed in the
Registration Statement or the Joint Proxy Statement or in any other document
required to be filed with the SEC (including, without limitation, a
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9) or otherwise
required to be publicly disclosed by applicable Law.
8.3 Applications. Flag
shall promptly prepare and file, and the FCB Companies shall cooperate in the
preparation and, where appropriate, filing of, applications with all Regulatory
Authorities having jurisdiction over the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement seeking the requisite Consents necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Flag shall permit the FCB Companies
to review (and approve with respect to information relating to the FCB
Companies) such applications prior to filing the same.
8.4 Filings
with State Office. Upon
the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Flag shall execute
and file the Articles of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of
Georgia in connection with the Closing.
8.5 Agreement
as to Efforts to Consummate. Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Party agrees to use its
reasonable efforts to take all actions, and to do all things necessary, proper
or advisable under applicable Laws, as promptly as practicable so as to permit
consummation of the Merger at the earliest possible date and to otherwise enable
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and shall cooperate fully
with the other Party hereto to that end including, without limitation, using its
reasonable efforts to lift or rescind any Order adversely affecting its ability
to consummate the transactions contemplated herein and to cause to be satisfied
the conditions referred to in Article 9 of this Agreement; provided, that
nothing herein shall preclude either Party from exercising its rights under this
Agreement. Each Party shall use, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to
use, its reasonable efforts to obtain all Consents necessary or desirable for
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
8.6 Investigation
and Confidentiality.
(a) Prior to
the Effective Time, each Party will keep the other Party advised of all Material
developments relevant to its business and to consummation of the Merger and
shall permit the other Party to make or cause to be made such investigation of
the business and properties of it and its Subsidiaries and of their respective
financial and legal conditions as the other Party reasonably requests, provided
that such investigation shall be reasonably related to the transaction
contemplated hereby and shall not interfere unnecessarily with normal
operations. No investigation by a Party shall affect the representations and
warranties of the other Party.
(b) Each
Party shall, and shall cause its advisers and agents to, maintain the
confidentiality of all Confidential Information furnished to it by any other
Party concerning its and its Subsidiaries’ businesses, operations and financial
condition except in furtherance of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. In the event that a Party is required by applicable Law or valid
court process to disclose any such Confidential Information, then such Party
shall provide the other Party with prompt written notice of any such requirement
so that the other Party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy
and/or waive compliance with this Section 8.6. If in the absence of a
protective order or other remedy or the receipt of a waiver by the other Party,
a Party is nonetheless, in the written opinion of counsel, legally compelled to
disclose any such Confidential Information to any tribunal or else stand liable
for contempt or suffer other censure or penalty, a Party may, without liability
hereunder, disclose to such tribunal only that portion of the Confidential
Information which such counsel advises such Party is legally required to be
disclosed; provided that such disclosing Party uses its best efforts to preserve
the confidentiality of such Confidential Information, including without
limitation, by cooperating with the other Party to obtain an appropriate
protective order or other reliable assurance that confidential treatment will be
accorded such Confidential Information by such tribunal. If this Agreement is
terminated prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall promptly return all
documents and copies thereof and all work papers containing Confidential
Information received from the other Party.
(c) Each
Party agrees to give the other Party notice as soon as practicable after any
determination by it of any fact or occurrence relating to the other Party which
it has discovered through the course of its investigation and which represents,
or is reasonably likely to represent, either a Material breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the other Party or which has
had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the other
Party.
(d) Neither
Party nor any of their respective Subsidiaries shall be required to provide
access to or to disclose information where such access or disclosure would
violate or prejudice the rights of its customers, jeopardize the attorney-client
or similar privilege with respect to such information or contravene any Law,
rule, regulation, Order, judgment, decree, fiduciary duty or agreement entered
into prior to the date of this Agreement. The Parties will use their reasonable
efforts to make appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements, to the extent
practicable, in circumstances in which the restrictions of the preceding
sentence apply.
8.7 Press
Releases. Prior
to the Effective Time, FCB and Flag shall consult with each other as to the form
and substance of any press release or other public disclosure materially related
to this Agreement or any other transaction contemplated hereby; provided,
however, that
nothing in this Section 8.7 shall be deemed to prohibit any Party from making
any disclosure which its counsel deems necessary or advisable in order to
satisfy such Party’s disclosure obligations imposed by Law.
8.8 No
Solicitation.
(a) Effective
as of the date of this Agreement and until the earlier of (1) the Effective Time
and (2) the date of termination of this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of
Section 10.1, neither Party will take nor will any Party permit any of its
directors, officers, agents, employees, Affiliates, attorneys, accountants,
financial advisers or other representatives (collectively, “Representatives”) to
(directly or indirectly): (i) solicit, initiate, encourage or take
any action intended to encourage the submission of any
Acquisition Proposal, or
(ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding, or furnish
to any Person any
information with respect to, an Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that
prior to
the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated by this
Agreement by shareholders, nothing
contained in this Agreement shall prevent any Party from furnishing information
to, or engaging in negotiations or discussions with, any Person in connection
with an unsolicited bona fide Acquisition Proposal by such Person, if and
to the extent that (x) such
Party’s Board of
Directors determines in good
faith (after consultation with its advisors) that such Acquisition Proposal is a
Superior Proposal, and such Party’s Board of Directors determines in good faith
(after consultation with its outside legal counsel), in the exercise of its
fiduciary duties, that to do otherwise would be
inconsistent with its fiduciary duty to the
shareholders of such Party, (y)
prior to furnishing such information
to, or engaging in negotiations or discussions with, such Person, such Party’s
Board of Directors receives from such Person an executed confidentiality
agreement with terms no more favorable to such Party than those set forth in the
Confidentiality Agreement to which the Party is bound, and (z)
such Party gives the other Party five business days’ prior written notice of its
intention to take such action.
(b) Except as
set forth in this Section 8.8, neither Party’s Board of Directors shall (i)
withhold, withdraw, amend, change or modify, in each case in a manner adverse to
the Party, the approval or recommendation by such Party’s Board of Directors of
this Agreement, and the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend any Acquisition
Proposal, or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect to any Acquisition
Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, prior to the approval and adoption
of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement by any
Party’s shareholders, such Party’s Board of Directors determines in good faith
(after consultation with its advisors), in the exercise of its fiduciary duties,
that (x) the Acquisition Proposal constitutes a
Superior Proposal, and (y) to do otherwise would be
inconsistent with its fiduciary duty to the
shareholders of any Party, after giving five
business days’ prior written notice to the other Party, specifying the material
terms thereof and the identity of the party making such proposal; provided,
however, the identity of the party making such proposal shall not be identified
if any Party is prohibited from such making disclosure pursuant to a written
confidentiality agreement, such Party’s Board of Directors may (A)
withhold,
withdraw, amend, change or modify its approval or recommendation of this
Agreement and the Merger or (B)
enter into an agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal, and shall, in the
case of (B),
terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.1; provided,
however, that
any Party shall have caused its financial and legal advisors to negotiate in
good faith with any Party during such five business days to make such
adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable any
Party to proceed with the Merger on such adjusted terms. Each Party shall, and
shall cause its
Representatives to,
immediately cease and cause to be terminated any discussions
or negotiations with any parties that may be ongoing with respect to any
Acquisition Proposal as of
the date hereof. Both
Parties agree that its obligation to hold a meeting of its shareholders or to
otherwise submit this Agreement to its stockholders shall not be affected by the
withholding, withdrawal, amendment, change or modification of its approval or
recommendation in accordance with clause (A) above.
(c) The
Parties will promptly (but in any event not later than 24 hours after its
written receipt thereof) notify the other Party in writing of the existence of
any proposal, discussion or negotiation received by either Party regarding any
Acquisition Proposal, and each Party will promptly communicate to the other
Party the identity
of the party making such proposal or engaging in such discussion or negotiation
and the
material
terms of any proposal, discussion or negotiation that it may
receive regarding any Acquisition Proposal, but the Parties shall not be
required to disclose the identity of the party making such proposal or engaging
in such discussion or negotiation if prohibited from doing so pursuant to the
terms of a written confidentiality agreement. Each Party will promptly provide
to the other Party any information
concerning the Party provided to any other Person in connection with any
Acquisition Proposal which was not previously provided to any Party. The Parties
will keep each other fully
informed on a prompt basis of any
discussions or negotiations relating
to any Acquisition Proposal
and of any amendments or proposed amendments to any of the material terms of any
Acquisition Proposal.
(d) Each
Party acknowledges that this Section 8.8 was a significant inducement for each
Party to enter into this Agreement and the absence of such provision would have
resulted in either (i) a material reduction in the Merger Consideration to be
paid to the security holders of FCB or (ii) a failure to induce Flag to enter
into this Agreement.
8.9 Tax
Treatment. Each of
the Parties undertakes and agrees to use its reasonable efforts to cause the
Merger, and to take no action which would cause the Merger not, to qualify for
treatment as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code for federal income tax purposes.
8.10 Agreement
of Affiliates. FCB has
disclosed in Section 8.10 of the FCB Disclosure Memorandum all Persons whom it
reasonably believes is an “affiliate” of FCB for purposes of Rule 145 under
the 1933 Act. FCB shall use its reasonable efforts to cause each such Person to
deliver to Flag not later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement, a
written agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, providing that such
Person will not sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares of FCB
Common Stock held by such Person except as contemplated by such agreement or by
this Agreement and will not sell, pledge, transfer or otherwise dispose of the
shares of Flag Common Stock to be received by such Person upon consummation of
the Merger except in compliance with applicable provisions of the 1933 Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder (and Flag shall be entitled to place
restrictive legends upon certificates for shares of Flag Common Stock issued to
affiliates of FCB pursuant to this Agreement to enforce the provisions of this
Section 8.10). Flag shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement under the 1933 Act for the purposes of resale of Flag
Common Stock by such affiliates.
8.11 Employee
Benefits and Contracts.
Following the Effective Time, Flag shall provide generally to officers and
employees of the FCB Companies, who at or after the Effective Time become
employees of a Flag Company (collectively, “New Flag Employees”), employee
benefits under employee benefit plans on terms and conditions which when taken
as a whole are substantially similar to those currently provided by the Flag
Companies to their similarly situated officers and employees. Subject to the
requirements of the immediately succeeding sentence, Flag may apply any
pre-existing condition exclusion or waiting period under any Flag employee
health plan for which any employees and/or officers and dependents covered by
FCB Benefit Plans as of Closing shall become eligible but that portion of any
such existing condition exclusion or waiting period shall not be enforced to the
extent it exceeds in duration to the corresponding provision in effect under the
FCB Benefit Plans immediately prior to the Closing. For
purposes of participation, vesting and benefit accrual under all qualified
benefit plans, the service of the employees of the FCB Companies prior to the
Effective Time shall be treated as service with the Flag Companies participating
in all qualified benefit plans. Flag shall credit New Flag Employees for amounts
paid under FCB Benefit Plans for the plan year including the Effective Time for
purposes of applying deductibles, co-payments and out of pocket maximums under
the Flag Benefit Plans.
8.12 D&O
Coverage. Beginning
at the Effective Time and subject to applicable Law, Flag will provide
continuing indemnification for FCB’s directors and officers to the same extent
provided by FCB prior to the Effective Time and use its reasonable best efforts
to provide directors and officers insurance coverage for FCB’s directors and
officers either, at Flag’s election, (i) by purchasing continuation coverage
under FCB’s current policy for directors and officers for a period not less than
three years after the Effective Time, or (ii) if Flag’s current directors’
and officers’ policy provides substantially similar coverage as FCB’s current
policy, obtain coverage under Flag’s current policy to provide coverage for
FCB’s directors and officers on a prior acts basis for a period not less than
three years prior to the Effective Time.
8.13 Listing
on Nasdaq National Market. Prior to
the Effective Time, Flag shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the
shares of Flag Common Stock to be issued to the holders of the FCB Common Stock
pursuant to the Merger to be listed on the Nasdaq National Market or such other
market as Flag Common Stock is then listed.
8.14 SmartStreet
Documentation. Prior
to the Closing, FCB shall deliver to Flag reasonably complete machine-readable
master-reproducible copies of the SmartStreet computer software (the
“SmartStreet Software”), reasonably complete corresponding source code listings,
reasonably complete technical documentation, including without limitation a true
and accurate description of pertinent details regarding the architecture of the
SmartStreet Software, and reasonably complete user manuals for the most current
releases or versions thereof and for all earlier releases or versions thereof
currently being supported by FCB so that a reasonably trained programmer could
provide such support and development services that may be reasonably necessary
for the SmartStreet Software, including addressing and resolving all known
material bugs, errors, workarounds or performance or functionality
issues.
ARTICLE
9
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
9.1 Conditions
to Obligations of Each Party. The
respective obligations of each Party to perform this Agreement and to consummate
the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless
waived by both Parties pursuant to Section 11.6 of this Agreement:
(a) Shareholder
Approval. The
shareholders of each of FCB and Flag shall have approved this Agreement and the
consummation of the Merger as and to the extent required by Law and by the
provisions of any of its governing instruments and by the rules of the
NASD.
(b) Regulatory
Approvals. All
Consents of, filings and registrations with, and notifications to, all
Regulatory Authorities required for consummation of the Merger shall have been
obtained or made and shall be in full force and effect and all waiting periods
required by Law shall have expired. No Consent obtained from any Regulatory
Authority which is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be conditioned or restricted in a manner (including, without limitation,
requirements relating to the raising of additional capital or the disposition of
Assets or deposits) which in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors
of either of the Parties would so materially adversely impact the economic or
business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement so as to
render inadvisable the consummation of the Merger.
(c) Consents
and Approvals. Each
Party shall have obtained any and all Consents required for consummation of the
Merger (other than those referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement)
or for the preventing of any Default under any Contract or Permit of such Party
which, if not obtained or made, is reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on such Party. No Consent obtained
which is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
conditioned or restricted in a manner which in the reasonable judgment of the
Board of Directors of either of the Parties would so materially adversely impact
the economic or business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement so as to render inadvisable the consummation of the
Merger.
(d) Legal
Proceedings. No
court or governmental or Regulatory Authority of competent jurisdiction shall
have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law or Order (whether
temporary, preliminary or permanent) or taken any other action which prohibits,
restricts or makes illegal consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(e) Registration
Statement. The
Registration Statement shall be effective under the 1933 Act, no stop orders
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been
issued, no action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the SEC to suspend the
effectiveness thereof shall have been initiated and be continuing, and all
necessary approvals under state securities Laws or the 1933 Act or 1934 Act
relating to the issuance or trading of the shares of Flag Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the Merger shall have been received.
(f) Tax
Matters. Each of
the parties shall have received a written opinion of counsel from Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx LLP or Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP in form reasonably satisfactory
to each of them (the “Tax Opinion”), substantially to the effect that for
federal income tax purposes (i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) the
exchange in the Merger of FCB Common Stock for Flag Common Stock will not give
rise to gain or loss to the shareholders of FCB with respect to such exchange
(except to the extent of any cash received), and (iii) neither of FCB nor Flag
will recognize gain or loss as a consequence of the Merger except for income and
deferred gain recognized pursuant to Treasury regulations issued under
Section 1502 of the Internal Revenue Code. In rendering such Tax Opinion,
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP or Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP shall be entitled
to rely upon representations of officers of FCB and Flag reasonably satisfactory
in form and substance to such counsel.
(g) Support
Agreements. Each of
the executive officers and directors of each Party shall have executed and
delivered to the other Party a Support Agreement substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A. Such Support Agreements shall be in full force and
effect as of the date hereof and as of the Closing.
(h) Employment
Agreement. X.X.
Xxxxxx, Xx. shall have entered into an employment agreement with Flag in
substantially the form set forth in Exhibit C to this Agreement and shall have
terminated effective as of and subject to the Closing any existing employment
agreement with the FCB Companies.
(i) Consulting
Agreement. Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx shall have entered into a Non-Competition and Consulting Agreement
with Flag in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit D to this Agreement and
shall have terminated effective as of and subject to the Closing any existing
employment with the FCB Companies.
9.2 Conditions
to Obligations of Flag. The
obligations of Flag to perform this Agreement and to consummate the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of
the following conditions, unless waived by Flag pursuant to Section 11.6(a)
of this Agreement:
(a) Representations
and Warranties. For
purposes of this Section 9.2(a), the accuracy of the representations and
warranties of FCB as set forth or referred to in this Agreement shall be
assessed as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the
same effect as though all such representations and warranties had been made on
and as of the Effective Time (provided that representations and warranties which
are confined to a specified date shall speak only as of such date). The
representations and warranties of FCB set forth in Section 5.3 of this
Agreement shall be true and correct (except for inaccuracies which are de
minimus in amount or effect). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties of FCB set forth in this Agreement (excluding the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.3) such that the
aggregate effect of such inaccuracies would have, or is reasonably likely to
have, a Material Adverse Effect on FCB; provided that,
for purposes of this sentence only, those representations and warranties which
are qualified by referenced to “Material” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be
deemed not to include such qualifications.
(b) Performance
of Agreements and Covenants. Each
and all of the agreements and covenants of FCB to be performed and complied with
pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby prior to
the Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all
Material respects.
(c) Certificates. FCB
shall have delivered to Flag (i) a certificate, dated as of the Effective Time
and signed on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, to the effect that the conditions of its obligations set forth in
Section 9.2(a) and 9.2(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied, and (ii)
certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by the FCB Board of Directors and
shareholders evidencing the taking of all corporate action necessary to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable
detail as Flag and its counsel shall request.
(d) Opinion
of Counsel. Flag
shall have received a written opinion from Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, counsel to the
FCB Companies, dated as of the Closing, in form reasonably satisfactory to Flag,
as to the matters set forth in Exhibit E hereto.
(e) Affiliate
Agreements. Flag
shall have received from each affiliate of FCB the affiliate agreement referred
to in Section 8.10 hereof, in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B.
9.3 Conditions
to Obligations of FCB. The
obligations of FCB to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by FCB pursuant to Section 11.6(b) of
this Agreement:
(a) Representations
and Warranties. For
purposes of this Section 9.3(a), the accuracy of the representations and
warranties of Flag as set forth or referred to in this Agreement shall be
assessed as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective Time with the
same effect as though all such representations and warranties had been made on
and as of the Effective Time (provided that representations and warranties which
are confined to a specified date shall speak only as of such date). The
representations and warranties of Flag set forth in Section 6.3 of this
Agreement shall be true and correct (except for inaccuracies which are de
minimus in amount or effect). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties of Flag set forth in this Agreement (excluding
the representations and warranties set forth in Section 6.3) such that the
aggregate effect of such inaccuracies would have, or is reasonably likely to
have, a Material Adverse Effect on Flag; provided that,
for purposes of this sentence only, those representations and warranties which
are qualified by references to “Material” or “Material Adverse Effect” shall be
deemed not to include such qualifications.
(b) Performance
of Agreements and Covenants. Each
and all of the agreements and covenants of Flag to be performed and complied
with pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby
prior to the Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in
all Material respects.
(c) Certificates. Flag
shall have delivered to FCB (i) a certificate, dated as of the Effective Time
and signed on its behalf by its Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial
Officer, to the effect that the conditions of its obligations set forth in
Section 9.3(a) and 9.3(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied, and (ii)
certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by Flag’s Board of Directors
evidencing the taking of all corporate action necessary to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as FCB and
its counsel shall request.
(d) Opinion
of Counsel. FCB
shall have received an opinion of Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP, counsel to
the Flag Companies, dated as of the Effective Time, in form reasonably
satisfactory to FCB, as to matters set forth in Exhibit F
hereto.
(e) Elections.
Effective as of the Effective Time, Flag’s Board of Directors shall have elected
the Appointed Directors as set forth in Section 2.3 of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
10
TERMINATION
10.1 Termination.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and notwithstanding the
approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of FCB and Flag respectively,
this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time prior to
the Effective Time:
(a) By mutual
consent of the respective Boards of Directors of Flag and FCB; or
(b) 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 in this Agreement) in the event of a breach by the other
Parties of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement which
cannot be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving of written
notice to the breaching Party of such breach and which breach would provide the
non-breaching party the ability to refuse to consummate the Merger under the
standard set forth in Section 9.2(a) of this Agreement in the case of Flag and
Section 9.3(a) of this Agreement in the case of FCB; or
(c) 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 in this Agreement) in the event (i) any Consent of any
Regulatory Authority required for consummation of the Merger shall have been
denied by final nonappealable action of such authority or if any action taken by
such authority is not appealed within the time limit for appeal, or (ii) the
shareholders of FCB fail to vote their approval of this Agreement and the
transaction contemplated hereby at the FCB Meeting where the transaction was
presented to such shareholders for approval and voted upon; or
(d) By the
Board of Directors of either Party in the event that the Merger shall not have
been consummated by March 31, 2006, but only if the failure to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby on or before such date is not caused by any
breach of this Agreement by the Party electing to terminate pursuant to this
Section 10.1(d); or
(e) 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 in this Agreement) 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 10.1(d) of this
Agreement; or
(f) By Flag
in order to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Superior
Proposal, if, prior to the approval and adoption of the Merger, this Agreement,
and the transactions contemplated hereby by the shareholders of Flag : (i) the
Flag Board of Directors determines in good faith (a) (after consultation with
its financial advisors) that the Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior
Proposal, and (b) (after consultation with its advisors) in the exercise of its
fiduciary duties, to do otherwise would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duty
to the shareholders of Flag; and (ii) Flag pays the sum of $2,000,000 (the
“Termination Fee”) to FCB within 30 business days after the effective date of
such termination; or
(g) By FCB in
order to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal,
if, prior to the approval and adoption of the Merger, this Agreement, and the
transactions contemplated hereby by the shareholders of FCB : (i) the FCB Board
of Directors determines in good faith (a) (after consultation with its financial
advisors) that the Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal, and (b)
(after consultation with its advisors) in the exercise of its fiduciary duties,
to do otherwise would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duty to the
shareholders of FCB; and (ii) FCB pays the Termination Fee to Flag within 30
business days after the effective date of such termination.
10.2 Effect
of Termination. In the
event of the termination and abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to Section
10.1 of this Agreement, this Agreement shall become void and have no effect,
except that (i) the provisions of this Section 10.2 and Article 11 and
Section 8.6(b) of this Agreement shall survive any such termination and
abandonment, (ii) a termination pursuant to Sections 10.1(b) or 10.1(e) of
this Agreement shall not relieve the breaching Party from Liability for an
uncured willful breach of a representation, warranty, covenant or agreement
giving rise to such termination; and (iii) a termination pursuant to either
Section 10.1(f) or Section 10.1(g) shall not relieve the Party whose Board
of Directors does not reaffirm its approval of the Merger Agreement from payment
of the Termination Fee to the other Party.
10.3 Non-Survival
of Representations and Covenants. The
respective representations, warranties, obligations, covenants and agreements of
the Parties shall not survive the Effective Time except for Articles 2, 3, 4,
10, and 11 and Sections 8.6(b), 8.10, 8.11, 8.12 and 8.13 of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
11
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Definitions. Except
as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized terms set forth below (in their
singular and plural forms as applicable) shall have the following
meanings:
“Acquisition
Proposal” with
respect to a Party shall mean any tender offer or exchange offer or any proposal
for a merger, acquisition of all of the stock or Assets of, or other business
combination involving such Party or any of its Subsidiaries or the acquisition
of more than 15% of any class of equity securities of, or a substantial portion
of the Assets of, such Party or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Affiliate” of a
Person shall mean: (i) any other Person directly, or indirectly through one or
more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by or under common control with
such Person, (ii) any officer, director, partner, employer or direct or indirect
beneficial owner of any 10% or greater equity or voting interest of such Person
or (iii) any other Person for which a Person described in clause (ii) acts in
any such capacity.
“Agreement” shall
mean this Agreement and Plan of Merger, including the Exhibits delivered
pursuant hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
“Allowance” shall
mean the allowance for loan or credit losses for the periods set forth in
Sections 5.9 and 6.9 of this Agreement.
“Articles
of Merger” shall
mean the Articles or Certificate of Merger to be executed in accordance with the
provisions of the GBCC and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Georgia relating to the Merger as contemplated by Section 1.3 of this
Agreement.
“Assets” of a
Person shall mean all of the assets, properties, businesses and rights of such
Person of every kind, nature, character and description, whether real, personal
or mixed, tangible or intangible, accrued or contingent, or otherwise relating
to or utilized in such Person’s business, directly or indirectly, in whole or in
part, whether or not carried on the books and records of such Person, and
whether or not owned in the name of such Person or any Affiliate of such Person
and wherever located.
“Average
Closing Price” shall
mean the average closing price of Flag Common Stock (adjusted proportionately
for any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reclassification, or
similar transaction that is effected, or for which a record date occurs) for the
20 trading days immediately following the date of public announcement of this
Agreement, as reported in The
Wall Street Journal
(corrected for any typographical errors).
“BHC
Act” shall
mean the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
“Cash
Consideration” shall
mean the aggregate amount of cash to be delivered, if any, to the FCB
shareholders in lieu of Excess Shares pursuant to Section 3.1(d).
“Closing” shall
mean the closing of the transaction contemplated hereby, as described in Section
1.2 of this Agreement.
“Confidential
Information” shall
mean any data or information, which is material to a Party and not generally
known by the public. Confidential Information shall include, but not be limited
to, business opportunities of a Party, the details of this Agreement, the
identity and addresses of customers of such Party, the whole or any portion or
phase of any scientific or technical information, design process, procedure,
formula or improvement that is valuable and secret and which is defined as a
“trade secret” under Georgia law pursuant to the Georgia Trade Secrets
Act.
“Consent” shall
mean any consent, approval, authorization, clearance, exemption, waiver or
similar affirmation by any Person pursuant to any Contract, Law, Order or
Permit.
“Contract” shall
mean any written or oral agreement, arrangement, authorization, commitment,
contract, indenture, instrument, lease, obligation, plan, practice, restriction,
understanding or undertaking of any kind or character or other document to which
any Person is a party or that is binding on any Person or its capital stock,
Assets or business.
“Default” shall
mean (i) any breach or violation of or default under any Contract, Order or
Permit, (ii) any occurrence of any event that with the passage of time or the
giving of control or both would constitute a breach or violation of or default
under any Contract, Order or Permit, or (iii) any occurrence of any event that
with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice would give rise to a
right to terminate or revoke, change the current terms of, or renegotiate, or to
accelerate, increase or impose any Liability under, any Contract, Order or
Permit.
“Effective
Time” shall
mean the date and time at which the Articles of Merger reflecting the Merger
shall become effective with the Secretary of State of the State of
Georgia.
“Environmental
Laws” shall
mean all federal, state, municipal and local laws, statutes, orders,
regulations, decrees, resolutions, proclamations, permits, licenses, approvals,
authorizations, consents, judgments, judicial decisions and other governmental
requirements, limitations and standards relating to the environment, health and
safety issues, including, without limitation, the manufacture, generation, use,
processing, treatment, recycling, storage, handling, “Release” (as hereinafter
defined), investigation, removal, remediation and cleanup of or other corrective
action for “Hazardous Materials” (as hereinafter defined), exposure to Hazardous
Materials and personal injury, natural resource damage, property damage and
interference with the use of property caused by or resulting from Hazardous
Materials.
“ERISA” shall
mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
“ERISA
Affiliate” shall
have the meaning provided in Sections 5.14 and 6.14 of this
Agreement.
“ERISA
Plan” shall
have the meaning provided in Sections 5.14 and 6.14 of this
Agreement.
“Excess
Shares” shall
have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(d) of this Agreement.
“Exchange
Ratio” shall
have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
“Exhibits” A
through E, inclusive, shall mean the Exhibits so marked, copies of which are
attached to this Agreement. Such Exhibits are hereby incorporated by reference
herein and made a part hereof, and may be referred to in this Agreement and any
other related instrument or document without being attached hereto.
“FCB
Benefit Plans” shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 5.14 of this Agreement.
“FCB
Common Stock” shall
mean the One Dollar ($1.00) par value common stock of FCB.
“FCB
Companies” shall
mean, collectively, FCB and all FCB Subsidiaries.
“FCB
Disclosure Memorandum” shall
mean the written information entitled “FCB Disclosure Memorandum” delivered
prior to the execution of this Agreement to Flag describing in reasonable detail
the matters contained therein and, with respect to each disclosure made therein,
specifically referencing each Section or subsection of this Agreement under
which such disclosure is being made. Information disclosed with respect to one
Section or subsection shall not be deemed to be disclosed for all purposes
hereunder. The inclusion of any matter in this document shall not be deemed an
admission or otherwise imply that any such matter is Material for purposes of
this Agreement.
“FCB
Financial Statements” shall
mean (i) the consolidated balance sheets (including related notes and schedules,
if any) of FCB as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related statements
of income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows (including related
notes and schedules, if any) for each of the three fiscal years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, as filed by FCB in FCB SEC Reports, and
(ii) the consolidated statements of condition of FCB (including related
notes and schedules if any) and related statements of income, changes in
shareholders’ equity and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if
any) included in FCB SEC Reports filed with respect to periods ended subsequent
to December 31, 2004.
“FCB
Meeting” shall
mean the special meeting of the shareholders of FCB or any adjournment thereof
to vote on the matters set forth in the Joint Proxy Statement.
“FCB
Option Plans” shall
mean, collectively, FCB’s 1998 Incentive Stock Option Plan and FCB’s 1998
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan.
“FCB
Regulatory Report” shall
mean any form, report, or document either (i) filed or required to be filed by
FCB or the Banks or both with any Regulatory Authority, other than a FCB SEC
Report, or (ii) received by FCB or the Banks or both from any Regulatory
Authority.
“FCB
Subsidiaries” shall
mean the subsidiaries of FCB.
“Flag
Benefit Plans” shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 6.14 of this Agreement.
“Flag
Common Stock” shall
mean the One Dollar ($1.00) par value common stock of Flag.
“Flag
Companies” shall
mean, collectively, Flag and all Flag Subsidiaries.
“Flag
Disclosure Memorandum” shall
mean the written information entitled “Flag Disclosure Memorandum” delivered
prior to the execution of this Agreement to FCB describing in reasonable detail
the matters contained therein and, with respect to each disclosure made therein,
specifically referencing each Section or subsection of this Agreement under
which such disclosure is being made. Information disclosed with respect to one
Section or subsection shall not be deemed to be disclosed for all purposes
hereunder. The inclusion of any matter in this document shall not be deemed an
admission or otherwise imply that any such matter is Material for purposes of
this Agreement.
“Flag
Financial Statements” shall
mean (i) the consolidated statements of condition (including related notes and
schedules, if any) of Flag as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the
related statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows
(including related notes and schedules, if any) for each of the three years
ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, as filed by Flag in Flag SEC Reports and
(ii) the consolidated statements of condition of Flag (including related notes
and schedules, if any) and related statements of income, changes in
shareholders’ equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if
any) included in Flag SEC Reports filed with respect to periods ended subsequent
to December 31, 2004.
“Flag
Meeting” shall
mean the special meeting of shareholders of Flag or any adjournment thereof to
vote on the matters set forth in the Joint Proxy Statement.
“Flag
Regulatory Report” shall
mean any form, report, or document either (i) filed or required to be filed by
Flag or its Subsidiaries that is a financial institution or both with any
Regulatory Authority, other than a Flag SEC Report, or (ii) received by Flag or
its Subsidiaries or both from any Regulatory Authority.
“Flag
Subsidiaries” shall
mean the subsidiaries of Flag.
“GAAP” shall
mean generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied during the
periods involved.
“GBCC” shall
mean the Georgia Business Corporation Code.
“Hazardous
Materials” shall
mean all hazardous, toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious,
radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic and volatile substances, materials,
compounds, chemicals and waste, and all other industrial waste, sanitary waste,
pollutants and contaminants, and all constituents thereof, including, without
limitation, petroleum hydrocarbons, asbestos-containing materials, lead-based
paints and all substances, materials, wastes, chemicals, compounds, contaminants
and pollutants regulated or addressed by Environmental Laws.
“IRS” shall
mean the Internal Revenue Service.
“Intellectual
Property” means,
under applicable foreign and domestic Law (i) patents (including but not limited
to continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, renewals, reissues, and
extensions thereof), inventions or discoveries (including but not limited to
processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, formulas, techniques,
concepts and ideas) whether patentable or not, (ii) moral rights and copyrights
in any work of authorship (including but not limited to databases and computer
software, in source code and object code form), (iii) mask works, (iv)
trademarks, service marks, Internet domain names, trade names and trade dress,
and all goodwill related thereto, (v) trade secrets and confidential
information, (vi) all other intellectual property rights protectable under any
laws or international conventions throughout the world, (vii) all improvements
to or derivatives from any of the foregoing, and (viii) registrations and
applications (including, without limitation, provisional applications),
renewals, reissues and extensions for any of the foregoing.
“Institutional
Investor” shall
mean an investor who regularly makes non-controlling investments in companies
subject to reporting under Section 13(g) of the 1934 Act.
“Internal
Revenue Code” shall
mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Joint
Proxy Statement” shall
mean the Joint Proxy Statement used by Flag and FCB to solicit the approval of
their respective shareholders of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and shall include the prospectus of Flag relating to shares of Flag Common Stock
to be issued to the shareholders of FCB.
“Knowledge” as used
with respect to a Person shall mean the knowledge, after all appropriate due
inquiry, of the President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer,
Chief Credit Officer, General Counsel, or any Vice President of such
Person.
“Law” shall
mean any code, law, ordinance, regulation, reporting or licensing requirement,
rule or statute and all Environmental Laws applicable to a Person or its Assets,
Liabilities or business, including, without limitation, those promulgated,
interpreted or enforced by any of the Regulatory Authorities.
“Liability” shall
mean any direct or indirect, primary or secondary, liability, indebtedness,
obligation, penalty, cost or expense (including, without limitation, costs of
investigation, collection and defense), claim, deficiency, guaranty or
endorsement of or by any Person (other than endorsements of notes, bills, checks
and drafts presented for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business) of any type, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, matured or unmatured or otherwise.
“Lien” shall
mean any conditional sale agreement, default of title, easement, encroachment,
encumbrance, hypothecation, infringement, lien, mortgage, pledge, reservation,
restriction, security interest, title retention or other security arrangement,
or any adverse right or interest, charge or claim of any nature whatsoever of,
on or with respect to any property or property interest, other than (i) Liens
for current property Taxes not yet due and payable, (ii) for depository
institution Subsidiaries of a Party, pledges to secure deposits and other Liens
incurred in the ordinary course of the banking business, (iii) Liens which are
not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on a Party; and (iv) Liens which have been Previously
Disclosed.
“Litigation” shall
mean any action, arbitration, cause of action, claim, complaint, criminal
prosecution, demand letter, governmental or other examination or investigation,
request for information, hearing, inquiry, administrative or other proceeding,
or notice (written or oral) by any Person alleging potential Liability or
requesting information relating to or affecting a Party, its business, its
Assets (including, without limitation, Contracts related to it) or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, but shall not include regular,
periodic examinations of depository institutions and their Affiliates by
Regulatory Authorities.
“Loan
Property” shall
mean any property owned, leased or operated by the Party in question or by any
of its Subsidiaries or in which such Party or Subsidiary holds a security or
other interest (including an interest in a fiduciary capacity), and, where
required by the context, includes the owner or operator of such property, but
only with respect to such property.
“Material” for
purposes of this Agreement shall be determined in light of the facts and
circumstances of the matter in question; provided that any specific monetary
amount stated in this Agreement shall determine materiality in that
instance.
“Material
Adverse Effect” on a
Party shall mean an event, change, condition or occurrence which has a Material
adverse impact on (i) the financial position, business or results of operations
of such Party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of
such Party to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that
“Material Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include the impact of (x)
changes in banking and similar Laws of general applicability or interpretations
thereof by courts or governmental authorities and (y) changes in GAAP or
regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to banks and their holding
companies.
“Merger” shall
mean the merger of FCB with and into Flag referred to in the Preamble of this
Agreement.
“Merger
Consideration” shall
mean the aggregate consideration to be received for all of the shares of FCB
Common Stock.
“NASD” shall
mean the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
“Nasdaq
National Market” shall
mean the National Market System of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
“1933
Act” shall
mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“1934
Act” shall
mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Order” shall
mean any administrative decision or award, decree, injunction, judgment, order,
quasi-judicial decision or award, ruling or writ of any federal, state, local or
foreign or other court, arbitrator, mediator, tribunal, administrative agency or
Regulatory Authority.
“Participation
Facility” shall
mean any facility or property in which the Party in question or any of its
Subsidiaries participates in the management (including, but not limited to, any
property or facility held in a joint venture) and, where required by the
context, said term means the owner or operator of such facility or property, but
only with respect to such facility or property.
“Party” shall
mean either FCB or Flag, and “Parties” shall
mean FCB and Flag.
“Permit” shall
mean any federal, state, local and foreign governmental approval, authorization,
certificate, easement, filing, franchise, license, notice, permit or right to
which any Person is a party or that is or may be binding upon or inure to the
benefit of any Person or its capital stock, Assets, Liabilities or
business.
“Person” shall
mean a natural person or any legal, commercial or governmental entity, such as,
but not limited to, a corporation, general partnership, joint venture, limited
partnership, limited liability company, trust, business association, group
acting in concert or any person acting in a representative
capacity.
“Previously
Disclosed” shall
mean information delivered in writing prior to the date of this Agreement in the
manner and to the Party or counsel described in Section 11.8 of this Agreement
or to the Party’s Representatives in response to its due diligence request
describing in reasonable detail the matters contained therein or identifying the
information disclosed.
“Registration
Statement” shall
mean the Registration Statement on Form S-4, or other appropriate form,
including any pre-effective or post-effective amendments or supplements thereto,
filed with the SEC by Flag under the 1933 Act in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Regulatory
Authorities” shall
mean, collectively, the Federal Trade Commission, the United States Department
of Justice, the Board of the Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the
Department of Banking and Finance of the State of Georgia, the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, all state
regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the Parties and their respective
Subsidiaries, the NASD and the SEC.
“Related
Party Transaction” means
any transaction or series of transactions in the past five years, or any
currently proposed transaction, or series of similar transactions, to which the
Party or any of its Subsidiaries was or is a party, in which the amount involved
exceeds $10,000 and in which a director or executive officer of the Party had,
or will have, a direct or indirect material interest; provided,
however, that a
Related Party Transaction shall not include any loan made by any Subsidiary of a
Party that is a financial institution to any director or executive officer of
such Party so long as such loan was made in the ordinary course and complied
with Regulation O promulgated under the Federal Reserve Act, as
amended.
“Release” shall
mean any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging,
injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, abandonment or disposing into or
migration within the environment.
“Representatives” shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 8.8.
“SEC” shall
mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“SEC
Documents” shall
mean all forms, proxy statements, reports, registration statements, schedules
and other documents filed, or required to be filed, by a Party or any of its
Subsidiaries with any Regulatory Authority pursuant to the Securities Laws or
similar requirement of any Regulatory Authority.
“Securities
Laws” shall
mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as amended, the Trust Indenture Act of
1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations of any Regulatory Authority
promulgated thereunder.
“Subsidiaries” shall
mean all those corporations, banks, association, or other entities of which the
entity in question owns or controls 5% or more of the outstanding equity
securities either directly or through an unbroken chain of entities as to each
of which 5% or more of the outstanding equity securities is owned directly or
indirectly by its parent; provided,
however, there
shall not be included any such entity acquired through foreclosure or any such
entity the equity securities of which are owned or controlled in a fiduciary
capacity.
“Superior
Proposal” shall
mean any Acquisition Proposal not in violation of Section 8.8 that (i) relates
to more than 50% of the outstanding shares of such Party’s common stock or all
or substantially all of the assets of such Party, (ii) is not subject to any
financing condition and is made by a Person who the Board of Directors of such
Party has reasonably concluded in good faith will have adequate sources of
financing to consummate such Superior Proposal, and (iii) is on terms that
such Party’s Board of Directors determines in its good faith judgment (after
receiving the advice of its financial advisor) are more favorable, from a
financial point of view, to such Party’s shareholders than this Agreement and
the Merger, taken as a whole.
“Surviving
Corporation” shall
mean Flag as the surviving corporation resulting from the Merger.
“Tax”
or
“Taxes” shall
mean all federal, state, county, local and foreign taxes, charges, fees, levies,
imposts, duties or other assessments, including income, gross receipts, excise,
employment, sales, use, transfer, license, payroll, franchise, severance, stamp,
occupation, windfall profits, environmental, federal highway use, commercial
rent, customs duties, capital stock, paid-up capital, profits, withholding,
Social Security, single business and unemployment, disability, real property,
personal property, registration, ad valorem, value added, alternative or add-on
minimum, estimated or other tax or governmental fee of any kind whatsoever,
imposed or required to be withheld by the United States or any state, local, or
foreign government or subdivision or agency thereof, including interest and
penalties thereon or additions with respect thereto.
“Taxable
Period” shall
mean any period prescribed by any governmental authority, including the United
States or any state, local or foreign government or subdivision or agency
thereof for which a Tax Return required to be filed or Tax is required to be
paid.
“Tax
Return” shall
mean any report, return or other information required to be supplied to a taxing
authority in connection with Taxes, including any return of an affiliated or
combined or unitary group that includes a Party or its
Subsidiaries.
11.2 Expenses. Each of
the Parties shall bear and pay all direct costs and expenses incurred by it or
on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder,
including filing, registration and application fees, printing fees and fees and
expenses of its own financial advisors or other consultants, investment bankers,
accountants, and counsel except that Flag shall bear and pay the filing fees
payable in connection with the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy
Statement and one-half of the printing costs incurred in connection with the
printing of the Registration Statement and the Joint Proxy Statement. If this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to either Sections 10.1(f) or (g), the
Termination Fee payment shall be the sole and exclusive remedy resulting from
such termination.
11.3 Brokers
and Finders. Except
as Previously Disclosed, each Party represents and warrants to the other Party
that neither it nor any of its officers, directors, employees or Affiliates has
employed any broker or finder or incurred any Liability for any financial
advisory fees, investment bankers’ fees, brokerage fees, commissions or finders’
fees in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
In the event of a claim by any broker or finder based upon his or its
representing or being retained by or allegedly representing or being retained by
any Party, such Party shall indemnify and hold the other Party harmless of and
from any Liability in respect of any such claim and increase or decrease the
Merger Consideration, as the case may be, by an amount equal to such claim as
determined by the non-breaching Party.
11.4 Entire
Agreement. Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, this Agreement (including the documents
and instruments referred to herein) constitutes the entire agreement between the
Parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes
all prior arrangements or understandings with respect thereto, written or oral.
Nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any
Person, other than the Parties or their respective successors, any rights,
remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this
Agreement.
11.5 Amendments. To the
extent permitted by Law, this Agreement may be amended by a subsequent writing
signed by each of the Parties upon the approval of the Boards of Directors of
each of the Parties; whether before or after shareholder approval of the Merger
has been obtained; provided,
however, that
after any such approval by (i) the FCB shareholders, there shall be made no
amendment decreasing the consideration to be received by FCB shareholders
without the further approval of such shareholders; and (ii) the Flag
shareholders, there shall be made no amendment increasing the consideration to
be paid by Flag without the further approval of the Flag
shareholders.
11.6 Waivers.
(a) Prior to
or at the Effective Time, Flag, acting through its Board of Directors, Chief
Executive Officer or other authorized officer, shall have the right to waive any
Default in the performance of any term of this Agreement by FCB, to waive or
extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by FCB of any and all of its
obligations under this Agreement and to waive any or all of the conditions
precedent to the obligations of Flag under this Agreement, except any condition
which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No such
waiver shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized officer
of Flag.
(b) Prior to
or at the Effective Time, FCB, acting through its Board of Directors, Chief
Executive Officer or other authorized officer, shall have the right to waive any
Default in the performance of any term of this Agreement by Flag, to waive or
extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by Flag of any and all of its
obligations under this Agreement and to waive any or all of the conditions
precedent to the obligations of FCB under this Agreement, except any condition
which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of any Law. No such
waiver shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly authorized officer
of FCB.
(c) The
failure of any Party at any time or times to require performance of any
provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right of such Party at a later
time to enforce the same or any other provision of this Agreement. No waiver of
any condition or of the breach of any term contained in this Agreement in one or
more instances shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or continuing
waiver of such condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition or of the
breach of any other term of this Agreement.
11.7 Assignment. Except
as expressly contemplated hereby, neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any Party hereto
(whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of
the other Party. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be
binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and
their respective successors and assigns.
11.8 Notices. All
notices or other communications which are required or permitted hereunder shall
be in writing and sufficient if delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission, by
registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid, or by courier or overnight
carrier, to the persons at the addresses set forth below (or at such other
address as may be provided hereunder), and shall be deemed to have been
delivered as of the date so delivered:
Flag: |
Flag
Financial Corporation
0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, X.X., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
404-760-7710-
FAX
Attn:
J. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Vice Chairman |
Copy
to Counsel: |
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP
0000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx, X.X., Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
000-000-0000
- FAX
Attn:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Esquire |
FCB: |
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, X.X., Xxxxx X
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
770-381-7596-
FAX
Attn:
X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx., President |
Copy
to Counsel: |
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx LLP
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
000-000-0000
- FAX
Attn:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esquire |
11.9 Governing
Law. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the Laws of the
State of Georgia, without regard to any applicable conflicts of
Laws.
11.10 Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
11.11 Captions. The
captions contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not
part of this Agreement.
11.12 Enforcement
of Agreement. The
Parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any
of the provisions of this Agreement was 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 hereof 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
other than for willful breach of a Party’s representations, warranties or
agreements as provided for in Section 11.2(b) of this Agreement.
11.13 Severability. Any
term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable
the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity
or enforceability of any the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other
jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be
unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is
enforceable.
11.14 Interpretation
of Agreement. The
Parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each Party has participated in the
drafting of this Agreement and that this document has been reviewed, negotiated
and accepted by all parties and their respective counsel, and the normal rule of
construction to the effect that any ambiguities are to be resolved against the
drafting party shall not be applied to the interpretation of this Agreement. No
inference in favor, or against, any party shall be drawn from the fact that one
party has drafted any portion hereof.
[Signature
page follows]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed on
its behalf and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and attested by
officers thereunto as of the day and year first above written.
“FCB”
/s/
X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
X.X.
Xxxxxx, Xx., President and Chief
Executive
Officer | |
“FLAG”
Flag
Financial Corporation
/s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, Vice Chairman
|
LIST
OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit
A |
Form
of Support Agreement |
Exhibit
B |
Form
of Affiliate Agreement |
Exhibit
C |
Employment
Agreement for X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx. |
Exhibit
D |
Non-Competition
and Consulting Agreement for Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Exhibit
E |
Matters
to which Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP will opine |
Exhibit
F |
Matters
to which Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxx, LLP will
opine |