AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION BY AND BETWEEN SECURITY BANK CORPORATION AND NEIGHBORS BANCSHARES, INC. Dated as of November 22, 2005
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
BY
AND BETWEEN
SECURITY
BANK CORPORATION
AND
NEIGHBORS
BANCSHARES, INC.
Dated
as of November 22, 2005
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
|
||
Parties
|
1
|
|
Preamble
|
1
|
|
ARTICLE
1
|
TRANSACTIONS
AND TERMS OF MERGER
|
1
|
1.1
|
Merger
|
1
|
1.2
|
Time
and Place of Closing
|
1
|
1.3
|
Effective
Time
|
1
|
ARTICLE
2
|
TERMS
OF MERGER
|
2
|
2.1
|
Articles
of Incorporation
|
2
|
2.2
|
Bylaws
|
2
|
2.3
|
Directors
and Officers.
|
2
|
ARTICLE
3
|
MANNER
OF CONVERTING SHARES
|
2
|
3.1
|
Conversion
of Shares
|
2
|
ARTICLE
4
|
EXCHANGE
OF SHARES
|
4
|
4.1
|
Exchange
Procedures
|
4
|
4.2
|
Rights
of Former Neighbors Shareholders
|
5
|
ARTICLE
5
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF NEIGHBORS
|
5
|
5.1
|
Organization,
Standing, and Power
|
5
|
5.2
|
Authority
of Neighbors; No Breach By Agreement
|
6
|
5.3
|
Capital
Stock
|
7
|
5.4
|
Neighbors
Subsidiaries
|
7
|
5.5
|
SEC
Filings; Financial Statements
|
8
|
5.6
|
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities
|
8
|
5.7
|
Loan
and Investment Portfolios
|
9
|
5.8
|
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events
|
9
|
5.9
|
Tax
Matters
|
11
|
5.10
|
Allowance
for Possible Loan Losses
|
12
|
5.11
|
Assets
|
12
|
5.12
|
Intellectual
Property
|
13
|
5.13
|
Environmental
Matters
|
14
|
5.14
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
15
|
5.15
|
Labor
Relations
|
15
|
5.16
|
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
16
|
-i-
5.17
|
Material
Contracts
|
17
|
5.18
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
18
|
5.19
|
Reports
|
18
|
5.21
|
Accounting,
Tax and Regulatory Matters
|
18
|
5.23
|
Community
Reinvestment Act
|
18
|
5.24
|
Privacy
of Customer Information
|
19
|
5.26
|
Technology
Systems
|
19
|
5.27
|
Bank
Secrecy Act Compliance
|
20
|
5.28
|
Neighbors
Disclosure Memorandum
|
20
|
5.29
|
Affiliate
Agreements
|
20
|
5.30
|
Board
Recommendation
|
20
|
|
||
ARTICLE
6
|
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SBC
|
20
|
6.1
|
Organization,
Standing and Power
|
20
|
6.2
|
Authority;
No Breach By Agreement
|
21
|
6.3
|
Capital
Stock
|
22
|
6.4
|
SBC
Subsidiaries
|
22
|
6.5
|
SEC
Filings; Financial Statements
|
23
|
6.6
|
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities
|
23
|
6.7
|
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events
|
24
|
6.9
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
24
|
|
||
ARTICLE
7
|
CONDUCT
OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
|
25
|
7.1
|
Affirmative
Covenants of Each Party
|
25
|
7.2
|
Negative
Covenants of Neighbors
|
25
|
7.3
|
Negative
Covenants of SBC
|
27
|
7.4
|
Adverse
Changes in Condition
|
27
|
7.5
|
Reports
|
27
|
ARTICLE
8
|
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
|
28
|
8.1
|
Registration
Statement; Proxy Statement; Shareholder Approval
|
28
|
8.2
|
Nasdaq
Listing
|
29
|
8.3
|
Applications
|
29
|
8.4
|
Filings
with State Offices
|
29
|
8.5
|
Agreement
as to Efforts to Consummate
|
29
|
8.6
|
Investigation
and Confidentiality
|
29
|
8.7
|
No
Solicitations
|
30
|
8.8
|
Press
Releases
|
31
|
8.9
|
Tax
Treatment
|
31
|
8.10
|
Charter
Provisions
|
31
|
8.11
|
Agreement
of Affiliates
|
31
|
8.12
|
Indemnification
|
32
|
8.13
|
Employee
Benefits and Contracts
|
33
|
-ii-
ARTICLE
9
|
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
|
34
|
9.1
|
Conditions
to Obligations of Each Party
|
34
|
9.2
|
Conditions
to Obligations of SBC
|
35
|
9.3
|
Conditions
to Obligations of Neighbors
|
37
|
|
||
ARTICLE
10
|
TERMINATION
|
38
|
10.1
|
Termination
|
38
|
10.2
|
Effect
of Termination
|
39
|
10.3
|
Non-Survival
of Representations and Covenants
|
39
|
10.4
|
Termination
Payment
|
39
|
10.5
|
Reimbursement
of Expenses
|
40
|
|
||
ARTICLE
11
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
40
|
11.1
|
Definitions
|
40
|
11.2
|
Expenses
|
50
|
11.3
|
Brokers
and Finders
|
50
|
11.4
|
Entire
Agreement
|
50
|
11.5
|
Amendments
|
50
|
11.6
|
Waivers
|
51
|
11.7
|
Assignment
|
51
|
11.8
|
Notices
|
51
|
11.9
|
Governing
Law
|
52
|
11.10
|
Counterparts
|
52
|
11.11
|
Captions;
Articles and Sections
|
52
|
11.12
|
Interpretations
|
52
|
11.13
|
Severability
|
53
|
-iii-
AGREEMENT
AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into
as of November 22, 2005, by and between SECURITY BANK CORPORATION (“SBKC”), a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Georgia, with its principal
office located in Macon, Georgia, and NEIGHBORS BANCSHARES, INC. (“Neighbors”),
a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Georgia, with its main
office in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Preamble
The
respective Boards of Directors of Neighbors and SBKC are of the opinion that
the
transactions described herein are in the best interests of the parties to this
Agreement and their respective shareholders. This Agreement provides for the
merger of Neighbors with and into SBKC, with SBKC being the surviving
corporation of the merger.
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 agree
as follows:
ARTICLE
1
TRANSACTIONS
AND TERMS OF MERGER
1.1
Merge.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Neighbors shall be merged with
and into SBKC in accordance with the provisions of Section 14-2-1101
et
seq. of
the
GBCC (the “Merger”). SBKC shall be the surviving corporation resulting from the
Merger and shall continue to be governed by the Laws of the State of
Georgia.
1.2
Time
and Place of Closing.
The
closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) will take place
at 9:00 A.M. on the date that the Effective Time occurs (or the immediately
preceding day if the Effective Time is earlier than 9:00 A.M.), or at such
other
time as the Parties, acting through their authorized officers, may mutually
agree. The Closing shall be held at the office of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, 000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000, or at such location
as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
1.3
Effective
Time.
The
Merger and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall become
effective on the date and at the time the Articles or Certificate of Merger
reflecting the Merger shall become effective with the Secretary of State of
Georgia (the “Effective Time”).
ARTICLE
2
TERMS
OF MERGER
2.1
Articles
of Incorporation.
The
Articles of Incorporation of SBKC in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the surviving
corporation.
2.2
Bylaws.
The
Bylaws of SBKC in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
Bylaws of the surviving corporation until duly amended or repealed.
2.3
Directors
and Officers.
The
officers and directors of SBKC in office immediately prior to the Effective
Time
shall serve as the officers and directors of SBKC from and after the Effective
Time, provided, that at the Effective Time, one director (the “Appointed
Director”) who is serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Neighbors
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be elected as a director of SBKC
by the SBKC Board of Directors.
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 SBKC, Neighbors, or the
shareholders of either of the foregoing, the shares of the constituent
corporations shall be converted as follows:
(a) Each
share of capital stock of SBKC issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the
Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding from and after the Effective
Time.
(b)
Subject
to the conditions set forth herein, each Neighbors Common Stock Equivalent
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than shares held
by
Neighbors or with respect to which the holders thereof have perfected
dissenters’ rights under Article 13 of the GBCC (the “Dissenting Shares”), shall
automatically be converted at the Effective Time into the right to receive
(i)
cash in an amount equal to a Pro Rata Share of the Cash Consideration and (ii)
a
number of shares of SBKC Common Stock equal to a Pro Rata Share of the Stock
Consideration. Such Neighbors Common Stock Equivalents to be converted are
sometimes referred to herein as the “Outstanding Neighbors Shares.”
-2-
(c) If,
on
any proposed Closing Date agreed to by the Parties,
(i) the
average closing price of SBKC 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
preceding trading days prior to the date that is five trading days before the
proposed Closing Date as reported in The
Wall Street Journal
(corrected for any typographical errors) (the “Average Closing Price”) is less
than or equal to $18.68; and
(ii) the
ratio
(the “Index Ratio”) of the Average Closing Price to the weighted average closing
price (based on market capitalization) for the banks listed in Appendix
1
for the
20 preceding trading days prior to the date that is five trading days before
the
proposed Closing Date is less than or equal to 80% of the Index Ratio calculated
as of the date of the Agreement using $23.35 as the Average Closing Price,
then
Neighbors shall have the right to renegotiate the Merger Consideration with
SBKC. If the Parties are unable to agree upon the Merger Consideration within
15
business days after such proposed Closing Date, then the Agreement will
terminate without penalty to either Party.
(d) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, each holder of Outstanding Neighbors
Shares exchanged pursuant to the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled
to receive a fraction of a share of SBKC 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
SBKC
Common Stock multiplied by $23.35. No such holder will be entitled to dividends,
voting rights, or any other rights as a shareholder in respect of any fractional
shares.
(e)
Each
share of Neighbors Common Stock that is not an Outstanding Neighbors Share
as of
the Effective Time shall be canceled without consideration
therefor.
(f)
No
Dissenting Shares shall be converted in the Merger. All such shares shall be
canceled and the holders thereof shall thereafter have only such rights as
are
granted to dissenting shareholders under Article 13 of the GBCC; provided,
however, that if any such shareholder fails to perfect his or her rights as
a
dissenting shareholder with respect to his or her Dissenting Shares in
accordance with Article 13 of the GBCC or withdraws or loses such holder’s
Dissenter’s Rights, such shares held by such shareholder shall be treated the
same as all other holders of Neighbors Common Stock who at the Effective Time
held Outstanding Neighbors Shares.
-3-
(g)
In
the
event SBKC or Neighbors changes the number of shares of SBKC Common Stock or
Neighbors Common Stock, respectively, issued and outstanding prior to the
Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar
recapitalization with respect to such stock and the record date or effective
date thereof is prior to the Effective Time, the Merger Consideration shall
be
proportionately adjusted.
ARTICLE
4
EXCHANGE
OF SHARES
4.1
Exchange
Procedures
(a)
Outstanding Shares of Neighbors Common Stock. Prior to the Effective Time,
SBKC
shall select a transfer agent, bank or trust company to act as exchange agent
(the “Exchange Agent”) to effect the delivery of the Merger Consideration to
holders of Neighbors Common Stock. At the Effective Time, SBKC shall deliver
the
Merger Consideration to the Exchange Agent. Promptly following the Effective
Time, the Exchange Agent shall send to each holder of Outstanding Neighbors
Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time a letter of transmittal (the
“Letter of Transmittal”) for use in exchanging certificates previously
evidencing shares of Neighbors Common Stock (“Old Certificates”). The Letter of
Transmittal will contain instructions with respect to the surrender of Old
Certificates and the distribution of cash and certificates representing SBKC
Common Stock, which cash and certificates shall be deposited with the Exchange
Agent by SBKC as of the Effective Time. If any certificates for shares of SBKC
Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than that for which an Old
Certificate surrendered or exchanged is issued, the Old Certificate so
surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer
and the person requesting such exchange shall affix any requisite stock transfer
tax stamps to the Old Certificate surrendered or provide funds for their
purchase or establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such taxes
are not payable. Subject to applicable law and to the extent that the same
has
not yet been paid to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property
laws, upon surrender of his or her Old Certificates, the holder thereof shall
be
paid the consideration to which he or she is entitled. All such property, if
held by the Exchange Agent for payment or delivery to the holders of
unsurrendered Old Certificates and unclaimed at the end of one year after the
Effective Time, shall at such time be paid or redelivered by the Exchange Agent
to SBKC, and after such time any holder of an Old Certificate who has not
surrendered such certificate shall, subject to applicable laws and to the extent
that the same has not yet been paid to a public official pursuant to applicable
abandoned property laws, look as a general creditor only to SBKC for payment
or
delivery of such property. In no event will any holder of Neighbors Common
Stock
exchanged in the Merger be entitled to receive any interest on any amounts
held
by the Exchange Agent or SBKC of the Merger Consideration.
-4-
(b)
Outstanding
Neighbors Stock Options and Warrants. Neighbors shall provide a schedule to
the
Exchange Agent which sets forth the Neighbors stock options and warrants that
are converted in the Merger pursuant to Section 3.1(b). The Exchange Agent
shall
issue the consideration to which such holder is entitled under this Section
4.1(b) together with any consideration to be delivered to such holder pursuant
to Section 4.1(a) upon his or her compliance with the procedures set forth
herein. Neighbors shall be required to provide SBKC prior to the Closing Date
copies of all agreements evidencing all stock options and warrants listed on
the
schedule to be provided to the Exchange Agent pursuant to this Section
4.1.
4.2
Rights
of Former Neighbors Shareholders.
At the
Effective Time, the stock transfer books of Neighbors shall be closed as to
holders of Neighbors Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time and
no
transfer of Neighbors 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, each Old Certificate theretofore representing Outstanding
Neighbors Shares shall from and after the Effective Time represent for all
purposes only the right to receive the consideration provided in Section 3.1
in
exchange therefor. To the extent permitted by Law, former shareholders of record
of Neighbors shall be entitled to vote after the Effective Time at any meeting
of SBKC shareholders the number of whole shares of SBKC Common Stock into which
their respective shares of Neighbors Common Stock are converted, regardless
of
whether such holders have exchanged their Old Certificates for certificates
representing SBKC Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement.
Whenever
a dividend or other distribution is declared by SBKC on the SBKC 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 of SBKC Common
Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement, but no dividend or other distribution
payable to the holders of record of SBKC Common Stock as of any time subsequent
to the Effective Time shall be delivered to the holder of any Old Certificate
until such holder surrenders such Old Certificate for exchange as provided
in
Section 4.1. However, upon surrender of such Old Certificate, both the SBKC
Common Stock certificate and any undelivered dividends and cash payments payable
hereunder (without interest) shall be delivered and paid with respect to each
share represented by such Old Certificate.
ARTICLE
5
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF NEIGHBORS
Neighbors
hereby represents and warrants to SBKC as follows:
5.1
Organization,
Standing, and Power.
Neighbors 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, and Neighbors Bank is a bank duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Georgia.
Each has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. Each of the Neighbors
Entities is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign
corporation in good standing in the jurisdictions where the character of its
Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified
or licensed. The minute book and other organizational documents for each of
the
Neighbors Entities have been made available to SBKC for its review and, except
as disclosed in Section 5.1 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, accurately
reflect all amendments thereto and all proceedings of the Board of Directors
and
shareholders thereof.
-5-
5.2
Authority
of Neighbors; No Breach By Agreement.
(a)
Neighbors
has the corporate power and authority necessary to execute, deliver, and perform
its obligations under this Agreement 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 Neighbors. Subject to the requisite approval
by Neighbors’ shareholders and any applicable Consents of Regulatory
Authorities, this Agreement represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation
of
Neighbors, enforceable against Neighbors in accordance with its terms (except
in
all cases as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, receivership, conservatorship, 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 Neighbors, nor the consummation
by Neighbors of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
Neighbors with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result
in
a breach of any provision of Neighbors’ Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or
any resolution adopted by the board of directors or the shareholders of
Neighbors that is currently in effect, or (ii) except as disclosed in Section
5.2(b) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, 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 Neighbors Entity under, any Contract or Permit of the
Neighbors Entities, or, (iii) subject to receipt of the requisite Consents
referred to in Section 9.1(b), constitute or result in a Default under, or
require any Consent pursuant to, any Law or Order applicable to the Neighbors
Entities or any of their Assets (including any SBKC Entity or Neighbors Entity
becoming subject to or liable for the payment of any Tax or any of the Assets
owned by any SBKC Entity or Neighbors Entity being reassessed or revalued by
any
Taxing authority).
-6-
(c)
Other
than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the Securities Laws,
applicable state corporate and securities Laws, and other than Consents required
from Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or filings with the
Internal Revenue Service or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with
respect to any employee benefit plans, no notice to, filing with, or Consent
of,
any public body or authority is necessary for the consummation by Neighbors
of
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this
Agreement.
5.3
Capital
Stock
(a)
The
authorized capital stock of Neighbors consists of (i) 10,000,000 shares of
$0.50
par value per share Neighbors Common Stock, of which 1,157,800 shares are issued
and outstanding and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of no par value per share preferred
stock, of which no shares are issued and outstanding. All of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of Neighbors 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 Neighbors has been issued in violation
of
any preemptive rights of the current or past shareholders of
Neighbors.
(b) The
authorized capital stock of Neighbors Bank consists of 10,000,000 shares of
$5.00 par value per share common stock, of which 1,180,000 shares are issued
and
outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
Neighbors Bank are duly and validly issued and outstanding and are fully paid
and nonassesable, and none of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
Neighbors Bank has been issued in violation of any preemptive
rights.
(c) Except
as
set forth in Section 5.3(a) and (b) of this Agreement or in Section 5.3(c)
of
the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, there are no shares of capital stock,
preferred stock or other equity securities of Neighbors or Neighbors Bank
outstanding and no outstanding Equity Rights relating to the capital stock
of
any Neighbors Entity. Any outstanding Equity Rights disclosed in Section 5.3(c)
of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum will either be exercised or cancelled
prior to the Closing or cancelled in connection with the conversion of the
Neighbors Common Stock Equivalents in the Merger pursuant to Section 3.1(b)
of
this Agreement.
5.4 Neighbors
Subsidiaries.
Except
as described in Section 5.4 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum: (i)
Neighbors has no Subsidiaries other than Neighbors Bank and does not own, for
its own account, any stocks, options, calls, warrants or rights to acquire
stock
or other equity in any partnership, limited liability company or corporation;
(ii) Neighbors owns all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Neighbors
Bank and (iii) all of such shares are held free and clear of any
Lien.
-7-
5.5
SEC
Filings; Financial Statements.
(a)
Neighbors
has timely filed and made available to SBKC all SEC Documents required to be
filed by Neighbors since December 31, 2002 (the “Neighbors SEC Reports”). The
Neighbors SEC Reports (i) at the time filed, complied in all material respects
with the applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and other applicable
Laws 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 Neighbors SEC Reports or necessary
in order to make the statements in such Neighbors SEC Reports, in light of
the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Neighbors Bank is
not
required to file any SEC Documents.
(b)
Each
of
the Neighbors Financial Statements (including, in each case, any related notes)
contained in the Neighbors SEC Reports, including any Neighbors SEC Reports
filed after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, complied as
to
form in all material respects with the applicable published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, was 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 interim statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q SB of the SEC), and
fairly presented in all material respects the consolidated financial position
of
Neighbors and its Subsidiaries as at the respective dates and the consolidated
results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, except that
the
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements were or are subject to
normal and recurring year-end adjustments which were not or are not expected
to
be material in amount or effect.
5.6
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities.
Neighbors has no Liabilities of a nature required to be reflected on a
consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except Liabilities
that are accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance sheet of
Neighbors as of September 30, 2005, included in the Neighbors Financial
Statements or reflected in the notes thereto. Neighbors has not incurred or
paid
any Liability since December 31, 2004, except for such Liabilities incurred
or
paid (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past business
practice and that are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Neighbors Material Adverse Effect or (ii) in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
-8-
5.7
Loan
and Investment Portfolio.
As of
the date of this Agreement, all loans, discounts and financing leases reflected
on the Neighbors Financial Statements were, and with respect to the Neighbors
Financial Statements delivered as of the dates subsequent to the execution
of
this Agreement, will be as of the dates thereof, (i) at the time and under
the
circumstances in which made, made for good, valuable and adequate consideration
in the ordinary course of business, (ii) evidenced by genuine notes, agreements
or other evidences of indebtedness and (iii) to the extent secured, have been
secured by valid liens and security interests that have been perfected. Except
as specifically set forth in Section 5.7 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum,
no Neighbors Entity is a party to any written or oral loan agreement, note
or
borrowing arrangement, including any loan guaranty, that was, as of the most
recent month-end (i) delinquent by more than 30 days in the payment of principal
or interest, (ii) known by the Neighbors Entities to be otherwise in Default
for
more than 30 days, (iii) classified as “substandard,” “doubtful,” “loss,” “other
assets especially mentioned” or any comparable classification by Neighbors,
Neighbors Bank, the FDIC or the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance,
or
(iv) an obligation of any director, executive officer or 10% shareholder of
any
Neighbors Entity who is subject to Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board
(12
C.F.R. Part 215), or any person, corporation or enterprise controlling,
controlled by or under common control with any of the foregoing.
5.8
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events.
Since
September 30, 2005, except as disclosed in the Neighbors Financial Statements
delivered prior to the date of this Agreement or in Section 5.8 of the Neighbors
Disclosure Memorandum or as contemplated in this Agreement, (i) there have
been
no events, changes, or occurrences which have had, or are reasonably likely
to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a Neighbors Material Adverse Effect,
(ii) Neighbors has not declared, set aside for payment or paid any dividend
to
holders of, or declared or made any distribution on, any shares of Neighbors
Common Stock and (iii) the Neighbors Entities 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 the
Neighbors Entities provided in Article 7. Except as may result from the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, none of the Neighbors Entities
have, since the date of the Neighbors Financial Statements delivered prior
to
the date of this Agreement:
(a)
except
as
set forth in Section 5.8(a) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, borrowed
any
money other than deposits or overnight fed funds or entered into any capital
lease or leases; or, except in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practices: (i) lent any money or pledged any of its credit in
connection with any aspect of its business whether as a guarantor, surety,
issuer of a letter of credit or otherwise, (ii) mortgaged or otherwise subjected
to any Lien any of its assets, sold, assigned or transferred any of its assets
in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate or (iv) incurred any other Liability
or
loss representing, individually or in the aggregate, over
$100,000;
-9-
(b) suffered
over $100,000 in damage, destruction or loss to immovable or movable property,
whether or not covered by insurance;
(c) experienced
any material adverse change in Asset concentrations as to customers or
industries or in the nature and source of its Liabilities or in the mix or
interest-bearing versus noninterest-bearing deposits;
(d) except
as
set forth in Section 5.8(d) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, had any
customer with a loan or deposit balance of more than $500,000 terminate, or
received notice of such customer’s intent to terminate, its relationship with a
Neighbors Entity;
(e)
failed
to
operate its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practices,
or
failed to use reasonable efforts to preserve its business or to preserve the
goodwill of its customers and others with whom it has business
relations;
(f)
except
as
set forth in Section 5.8(f) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, forgiven
any
debt owed to it in excess of $100,000, or canceled any of its claims or paid
any
of its noncurrent obligations or Liabilities;
(g) except
as
set forth in Section 5.8(g) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, made any
capital expenditure or capital addition or betterment in excess of
$100,000;
(h) except
as
set forth in Section 5.8(h) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, entered
into
any agreement requiring the payment, conditionally or otherwise, of any salary,
bonus, extra compensation (including payments for unused vacation or sick time),
pension or severance payment to any of its present or former directors, officers
or employees, except such agreements as are terminable at will without any
penalty or other payment by it or increased (except for increases of not more
than 5% consistent with past practices) the compensation (including salaries,
fees, bonuses, profit sharing, incentive, pension, retirement or other similar
payments) of any such person whose annual compensation would, following such
increase, exceed $100,000;
(i)
except
as
required in accordance with GAAP, changed any accounting practice followed
or
employed in preparing the Neighbors Financial Statements;
(j)
entered
into any agreement, contract or commitment to do any of the foregoing;
or
-10-
(k)
authorized
or issued any additional shares of Neighbors Common Stock, preferred stock,
or
Equity Rights.
5.9
Tax
Matters.
(a) All
Tax
Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of the Neighbors Entities have
been
timely filed or requests for extensions have been timely filed, granted, and
have not expired for all periods ended on or before the date of the most recent
fiscal year end immediately preceding the Effective Time and all Tax Returns
filed are complete and accurate in all material respects. All Taxes shown on
filed Tax Returns have been paid. There is no audit examination, deficiency,
or
refund Litigation with respect to any Taxes, except as reserved against in
the
Neighbors Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement
or
as disclosed in Section 5.9 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum. Neighbors’
federal income Tax Returns have not been audited by the IRS. All Taxes and
other
Liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded
Litigation have been paid. There are no Liens with respect to Taxes upon any
of
the Assets of the Neighbors Entities.
(b)
The
Neighbors Entities have 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.
(c)
The
provision for any Taxes due or to become due for Neighbors for the period or
periods through and including the date of the respective Neighbors Financial
Statements that has been made and is reflected on such Neighbors Financial
Statements is sufficient to cover all such Taxes.
(d)
Deferred
Taxes of Neighbors have been provided for in accordance with GAAP.
(e)
The
Neighbors Entities are in compliance with, and their respective records contain
all information and documents (including 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)
None
of
the Neighbors Entities have experienced a change in ownership with respect
to
their respective stock, within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal
Revenue Code, other than the ownership change that will occur as a result of
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
-11-
5.10 Allowance
for Possible Loan Losses.
The
allowance for possible loan or credit losses (the “Allowance”) shown on the
consolidated balance sheets of Neighbors included in the Neighbors Financial
Statements and the Allowance shown on the consolidated balance sheets of
Neighbors 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 all known or reasonably
anticipated losses relating to or inherent in the loan and lease portfolios
(including accrued interest receivables) of Neighbors and other extensions
of
credit (including letters of credit and commitments to make loans or extend
credit) by Neighbors as of the dates thereof.
5.11 Assets.
(a)
Except
as
disclosed in Section 5.11 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum or as disclosed
or reserved against in the Neighbors Financial Statements delivered prior to
the
date of this Agreement, the Neighbors Entities have good and marketable title,
free and clear of all Liens, to their respective Assets, except for (i)
mortgages and encumbrances that secure indebtedness that is properly reflected
in the Neighbors Financial Statements or that secure deposits of public funds
as
required by law; (ii) Liens for taxes accrued but not yet payable; (iii) Liens
arising as a matter of law in the ordinary course of business, provided that
the
obligations secured by such Liens are not delinquent or are being contested
in
good faith; (iv) such imperfections of title and encumbrances, if any, as do
not
materially detract from the value or materially interfere with the present
use
of any of such properties or Assets or the potential sale of any of such owned
properties or Assets; and (v) capital leases and leases, if any, to third
parties for fair and adequate consideration. All tangible properties used in
the
business of the Neighbors Entities are in good condition, reasonable wear and
tear excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of business consistent
with
such Neighbors Entity’s past practices. All Assets which are material to the
Neighbors Entities’ business on a consolidated basis, held under leases or
subleases by any of the Neighbors Entities, are held under valid Contracts
enforceable against the Neighbors Entities 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.
(b)
The
Neighbors Entities have paid all amounts due and payable under any insurance
policies and guarantees applicable to the Neighbors Entities and their Assets
and operations; all such insurance policies and guarantees are in full force
and
effect, and all the Neighbors Entities’ material properties are insured against
fire, casualty, theft, loss, and such other events against which it is customary
to insure, all such insurance policies being in amounts and with deductibles
that are adequate and are consistent with past practice and experience. None
of
the Neighbors Entities has received notice from any insurance carrier that
(i)
any policy of 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. There are presently no claims for
amounts exceeding in any individual case $10,000 pending under such policies
of
insurance and no notices of claims in excess of such amounts have been given
by
any Neighbors Entity under such policies.
-12-
(c)
With
respect to each lease of any real property or personal property to which any
Neighbors Entity is a party (whether as lessee or lessor), except for financing
leases in which a Neighbors Entity is lessor, (i) such lease is in full force
and effect in accordance with its terms by the Neighbors Entity; (ii) all rents
and other monetary amounts that have become due and payable thereunder have
been
paid by the Neighbors Entity; (iii) there exists no Default under such lease
by
the Neighbors Entity; and (iv) upon receipt of the consents described in Section
5.11(c) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, the Merger will not constitute
a
default or a cause for termination or modification of such lease.
(d)
Neighbors
has no legal obligation, absolute or contingent, to any other person to sell
or
otherwise dispose of any substantial part of its Assets or to sell or dispose
of
any of its Assets except in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past
practices.
(e)
The
Neighbors Entities’ Assets include all material Assets required to operate the
business of the Neighbors Entities as presently conducted.
5.12 Intellectual
Property.
The
Neighbors Entities own or have a license to use all of the Intellectual Property
used by the Neighbors Entities in the course of their business. The Neighbors
Entities are the owner of or have a license to any Intellectual Property sold
or
licensed to a third party by the Neighbors Entities in connection with the
Neighbors Entities’ business operations, and the Neighbors Entities have the
right to convey by sale or license any Intellectual Property so conveyed. The
Neighbors Entities have not received notice of Default under any of their
Intellectual Property licenses. No proceedings have been instituted, or are
pending or overtly threatened, that challenge the rights of the Neighbors
Entities with respect to Intellectual Property used, sold or licensed by the
Neighbors Entities in the course of their business, nor has any person claimed
or alleged any rights to such Intellectual Property. The conduct of the
Neighbors Entities’ business does not infringe any Intellectual Property of any
other person. Except as disclosed in Section 5.12 of the Neighbors Disclosure
Memorandum, the Neighbors Entities are not obligated to pay any recurring
royalties to any Person with respect to any such Intellectual Property. Except
as disclosed in Section 5.12 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, no officer,
director or employee of the Neighbors Entities is a party to any Contract that
restricts or prohibits such officer, director or employee from engaging in
activities competitive with any Person, including any Neighbors
Entity.
-13-
5.13 Environmental
Matters.
(a)
Except
as
disclosed in Section 5.13(a) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, the
Neighbors Entities, their Participation Facilities, and their Operating
Properties are, and have been, in compliance with all Environmental
Laws.
(b)
Except
as
disclosed in Section 5.13(b) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, there
is no
Litigation pending or overtly threatened before any court, governmental agency,
or authority or other forum in which the Neighbors Entities or any of their
Operating Properties or Participation Facilities (or Neighbors in respect of
such Operating Property or Participation Facility) has been or, with respect
to
overtly threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant (i) for alleged
noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with any Environmental Law or
(ii)
relating to the Release into the indoor or outdoor Environment of any Hazardous
Material, whether or not occurring in, at, on, under, about, adjacent to, or
affecting (or potentially affecting) an Asset currently or formerly owned,
leased, or operated by the Neighbors Entities or any of their Operating
Properties or Participation Facilities, nor is there any reasonable basis for
any Litigation of a type described in this sentence.
(c)
During
the period of (i) the Neighbors Entities’ ownership or operation of any of its
Assets, (ii) the Neighbors Entities’ participation in the management of any
Participation Facility, or (iii) the Neighbors Entities’ holding of a security
interest in a Operating Property, there has been no Release of any Hazardous
Material in, at, on, under, about, adjacent to, or affecting (or potentially
affecting) such properties. Prior to the period of (i) the Neighbors Entities’
ownership or operation of any of its Assets, (ii) the Neighbors Entities’
participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or (iii) the
Neighbors Entities’ holding of a security interest in a Operating Property,
there was no Release of any Hazardous Material in, at, on, under, about, or
affecting any such property, Participation Facility or Operating Property.
No
lead-based paint or asbestos in any form is present in, at, on, under, about,
or
affecting (or potentially affecting) any Asset.
(d)
The
Neighbors Entities have delivered to SBKC true and complete copies and results
of any reports, studies, analyses, tests, or monitoring possessed or initiated
by Neighbors pertaining to Hazardous Materials in, at, on, under, about, or
affecting (or potentially affecting) any Asset, or concerning compliance by
the
Neighbors Entities or any other Person for whose conduct they are or may be
held
responsible, with Environmental Laws.
-14-
(e)
There
are
no aboveground or underground storage tanks, whether in use or closed, in,
at,
on, under any Asset. Section 5.13(e) of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum
contains a detailed description of all above-ground or underground storage
tanks
removed by or on behalf of the Neighbors Entities at or from any Asset. Any
such
tank removals were performed in accordance with Environmental Laws and no soil
or groundwater contamination resulted from the operation or removal of such
tanks.
5.14 Compliance
with Laws.
Neighbors Bank is a state bank whose deposits are and will at the Effective
Time
be insured by the FDIC and has in effect all Permits necessary for it to own,
lease, or operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now conducted,
and
there has occurred no Default under any such Permit. Except as disclosed in
Section 5.14 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, none of the Neighbors
Entities are:
(a)
in
Default under any of the provisions of their respective Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws (or other governing instruments);
(b)
in
Default under any Laws, Orders, or Permits applicable to their business or
employees conducting their respective businesses; or
(c)
since
January 1, 2005, in receipt of 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 Neighbors Entity is not in
compliance with any of the Laws or Orders which such governmental authority
or
Regulatory Authority enforces, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits or (iii)
requiring any Neighbors Entity 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 respective business or in any manner
relates to capital adequacy, credit or reserve policies or
management.
Copies
of
all reports, correspondence, notices and other documents relating to any
inspection, audit, monitoring or other form of review or enforcement action
by a
Regulatory Authority have been made available to SBKC.
5.15 Labor
Relations.
The
Neighbors Entities are not a party to any Litigation asserting that it has
committed an unfair labor practice (within the meaning of the National Labor
Relations Act or comparable state law) or seeking to compel it to bargain with
any labor organization or other employee representative to wages or conditions
of employment, nor are the Neighbors Entities party to any collective bargaining
agreement, nor is there any pending or threatened strike, slowdown, picketing,
work stoppage or other labor dispute involving any Neighbors Entity. To the
Knowledge of Neighbors, there is no activity involving any of Neighbors
Entities’ employees seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or engaging
in any other organization activity.
-15-
5.16 Employee
Benefit Plans.
(a)
The
Neighbors Entities have listed in Section 5.16 of the Neighbors Disclosure
Memorandum, and have delivered or made available to SBKC prior to the execution
of this Agreement copies in each case of, all pension, retirement,
profit-sharing, employee stock ownership, deferred compensation, stock option,
employee stock ownership, severance pay, vacation, cash or stock bonus, or
other
incentive plans, all other written employee programs, arrangements, or
agreements, all medical, vision, dental, or other health plans, all life
insurance plans, and all other employee benefit plans or fringe benefit plans,
including “employee benefit plans” as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA, currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part by,
or
contributed to by the Neighbors Entities or ERISA Affiliate thereof for the
benefit of employees, former employees, retirees, dependents, spouses,
directors, independent contractors, or other beneficiaries and under which
employees, former employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors,
independent contractors, or other beneficiaries are eligible to participate
(collectively, the “Neighbors Benefit Plans”). Any of the Neighbors Benefit
Plans that is an “employee pension benefit plan,” as that term is defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA, is referred to herein as a “Neighbors ERISA Plan.” No
Neighbors ERISA Plan is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
(b)
All
Neighbors Benefit Plans are in compliance with the applicable terms of ERISA,
the Internal Revenue Code, and any other applicable Laws. The Neighbors Entities
have not engaged in a transaction with respect to any Neighbors Benefit Plan
that, assuming the taxable period of such transaction expired as of the date
hereof, would subject the Neighbors Entities to a Tax imposed by either Section
4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA.
(c)
Except
as
disclosed in Section 5.16 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, the Neighbors
Entities have no Liability for retiree health and retiree life benefits under
any of the Neighbors Benefit Plans and there are no restrictions on the rights
of the Neighbors Entities to amend or terminate any such retiree health or
retiree life benefit Plan without incurring any Liability
thereunder.
(d)
Except
as
disclosed in Section 5.16 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum, neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any payment (including
severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, or otherwise) becoming
due to any director or any employee of the Neighbors Entities from any of the
Neighbors Entities under any Neighbors Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase
any benefits otherwise payable under any Neighbors Benefit Plan, or (iii) result
in any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such
benefit.
-16-
(e)
The
actuarial present values of all accrued deferred compensation entitlements
(including entitlements under any executive compensation, supplemental
retirement, or employment agreement) of employees and former employees of the
Neighbors Entities and their respective beneficiaries, have been fully reflected
on the Neighbors Financial Statements to the extent required by and in
accordance with GAAP.
(f)
Each
nonqualified deferred compensation plan, within the meaning of Section 409A
of
the Internal Revenue Code, maintained by the Neighbors Entities on or after
January 1, 2005, has been operated in compliance with the requirements of
Section 409A (or an available exemption therefrom) such that amounts of
compensation deferred thereunder will not be includible in gross income under
Section 409A prior to the distribution of benefits in accordance with the terms
of the plan and will not be subject to the additional tax under Section
409A(a)(1)(B)(ii).
5.17 Material
Contracts.
Except
as disclosed in Section 5.17 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum or otherwise
reflected in the Neighbors Financial Statements, neither the Neighbors Entities
nor any of their respective Assets, businesses, or operations that they are
a
party to, or is bound or affected by, or receives benefits under, (i) any
employment, severance, termination, consulting, or retirement Contract, (ii)
any
Contract relating to the borrowing of money by any Neighbors Entity or the
guarantee by any Neighbors Entity of any such obligation (other than Contracts
evidencing deposit liabilities, purchases of federal funds, fully-secured
repurchase agreements, and Federal Home Loan Bank advances of depository
institution Subsidiaries, trade payables and Contracts relating to borrowings
or
guarantees made in the ordinary course of business), (iii) any Contract that
prohibits or restricts the Neighbors Entities from engaging in any business
activities in any geographic area, line of business or otherwise in competition
with any other Person, (iv) any Contract involving Intellectual Property (other
than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business with customers),
(v) any Contract relating to the provision of data processing, network
communication, or other technical services to or by the Neighbors Entities,
(vi)
any Contract relating to the purchase or sale of any goods or services (other
than Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and involving
payments under any individual Contract not in excess of $100,000), and (vii)
any
exchange-traded or over-the-counter swap, forward, future, option, cap, floor,
or collar financial Contract, or any other interest rate or foreign currency
protection Contract not included on its balance sheet that is a financial
derivative Contract (the “Neighbors Contracts”). With respect to each Neighbors
Contract and except as disclosed in Section 5.17 of the Neighbors Disclosure
Memorandum: (i) the Contract is in full force and effect against the applicable
Neighbors Entity; (ii) the Neighbors Entity is not in Default thereunder; (iii)
the Neighbors Entity has not repudiated or waived any material provision of
any
such Contract; and (iv) no other party to any such Contract is in Default in
any
respect, or has repudiated or waived any material provision thereunder. All
of
the indebtedness of the Neighbors Entities for money borrowed is prepayable
at
any time by the Neighbors Entities without penalty or premium.
-17-
5.18 Legal
Proceedings.
There
is no Litigation instituted, pending or overtly threatened (or unasserted but
considered probable of assertion and which if asserted would have at least
a
reasonable probability of a material unfavorable outcome) against the Neighbors
Entities, or against any employee benefit plan of the Neighbors Entities, 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 Neighbors Entity. Section 5.18 of the Neighbors
Disclosure Memorandum contains a summary of all Litigation as of the date of
this Agreement to which any Neighbors Entity is a party and that names any
Neighbors Entity as a defendant or cross-defendant or for which any Neighbors
Entity has any potential Liability in excess of $50,000.
5.19 Reports.
Since
December 31, 2004, the Neighbors Entities 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. 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 its respective date, each such report
and document did not, in all material respects, 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.
5.20 Accounting,
Tax and Regulatory Matters.
Neighbors has not taken or agreed to take any action and has no 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) or result
in
the imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred to in the
last
sentence of such Section.
5.21 Community
Reinvestment Act.
Neighbors has complied in all material respects with the provisions of the
Community Reinvestment Act (“CRA”) and the rules and regulations thereunder, has
a CRA rating of not less than “satisfactory,” has received no material criticism
from regulators with respect to discriminatory lending practices, and has no
Knowledge of any conditions or circumstances that are likely to result in a
CRA
rating of less than “satisfactory” or material criticism from regulators with
respect to discriminatory lending practices.
-18-
5.22 Privacy
of Customer Information.
(a)
Neighbors
Bank is the sole owner or, in the case of participated loans, a co-owner with
the other participant(s), of all individually identifiable personal information
(“IIPI”) relating to customers, former customers and prospective customers that
will be transferred to the SBKC Entities pursuant to this Agreement and the
other transactions contemplated hereby. For purposes of this Section 5.22,
“IIPI” shall include any information relating to an identified or identifiable
natural person.
(b)
The
collection and use of such IIPI by Neighbors Bank, the transfer of such IIPI
to
the SBKC Entities, and the use of such IIPI by the SBKC Entities as contemplated
by this Agreement complies with all applicable privacy policies, the Fair Credit
Reporting Act, the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act and all other applicable state,
federal and foreign privacy law, and any contract or industry standard relating
to privacy.
5.23 Technology
Systems.
(a)
Except
to
the extent indicated in Schedule 5.23 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum,
no
action will be necessary as a result of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement to enable use of the electronic data processing, information, record
keeping, communications, telecommunications, hardware, third party software,
networks, peripherals, portfolio trading and computer systems, including any
outsourced systems and processes, and Intellectual Property that are used by
the
Neighbors Entities (collectively, the “Technology Systems”) to continue by the
SBKC Entities to the same extent and in the same manner that it has been used
by
the Neighbors Entities.
(b)
The
Technology Systems (for a period of 18 months prior to the Effective Date)
have
not suffered unplanned disruption causing a Neighbors Material Adverse Effect.
Except for ongoing payments due under relevant third party agreements, the
Technology Systems are free from any Liens. Access to business critical parts
of
the Technology Systems is not shared with any third party.
(c)
Details
of Neighbors’ disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements have been
provided to SBKC with the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum.
-19-
(d)
The
Neighbors Entities have not received notice of or are aware of any material
circumstances including, without limitation, the execution of this Agreement,
that would enable any third party to terminate any of the Neighbors Entities’
agreements or arrangements relating to the Technology Systems (including
maintenance and support).
5.24 Bank
Secrecy Act Compliance.
The
Neighbors Entities are in compliance in all material respects with the
provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended (the “Bank Secrecy Act”),
and all regulations promulgated thereunder including, but not limited to, those
provisions of the Bank Secrecy Act that address suspicious activity reports
and
compliance programs. The Neighbors Entities have implemented a Bank Secrecy
Act
compliance program that adequately covers all of the required program elements
as required by 12 C.F.R. §21.21.
5.25 Neighbors
Disclosure Memorandum.
Neighbors has delivered to SBKC a memorandum (the “Neighbors Disclosure
Memorandum”) containing certain information regarding the Neighbors Entities as
indicated at various places in this Agreement. All information set forth in
the
Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum shall be deemed for all purposes of this
Agreement to constitute part of the representations and warranties of Neighbors
under this Article 5. The information contained in the Neighbors Disclosure
Memorandum shall be deemed to be part of and qualify all representations and
warranties contained in this Article 5 and the covenants in Article 7 to the
extent applicable.
5.26 Affiliate
Agreements.
Each of
the directors of Neighbors has executed and delivered to SBKC an agreement
in
substantially the form of Exhibit “A” (collectively, the “Neighbors Affiliate
Agreements”).
5.27 Board
Recommendation.
The
Board of Directors of Neighbors, at a meeting duly called and held, has by
unanimous vote of the directors present (who constituted all of the directors
then in office) (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Merger, and the Neighbors Affiliate
Agreements and the transactions contemplated thereby, taken together, are fair
to and in the best interests of the shareholders and (ii) resolved to recommend
that the holders of the shares of Neighbors Common Stock approve this
Agreement.
ARTICLE
6
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SBKC
SBKC
hereby represents and warrants to Neighbors as follows:
6.1
Organization,
Standing and Power.
SBKC 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. SBKC has the corporate power and authority to carry on its
business as now conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. SBKC is
duly
qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good
standing in the jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature
or
conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or
licensed.
-20-
6.2
Authority;
No Breach By Agreement.
(a)
SBKC
has
the corporate power and authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform
its
obligations under this Agreement 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 SBKC. Subject to receipt of the requisite Consents of
Regulatory Authorities, this Agreement represents a legal, valid, and binding
obligation of SBKC, enforceable against SBKC in accordance with its terms
(except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, conservatorship,
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 SBKC, nor the consummation
by
SBKC of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by SBKC with any
of
the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any
provision of SBKC’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or the certificate or
articles of incorporation or bylaws of any SBKC Subsidiary or any resolution
adopted by the board of directors or the shareholders of any SBKC Entity that
is
currently in effect, 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 SBKC Entity under, any Contract or Permit of any SBKC Entity or, (iii)
subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred to in Section 9.1(b),
constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to,
any
Law or Order applicable to any SBKC Entity or any of their respective material
Assets (including any SBKC Entity or Neighbors becoming subject to or liable
for
the payment of any Tax or any of the Assets owned by any SBKC Entity or
Neighbors being reassessed or revalued by any Taxing authority).
(c)
Other
than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the Securities Laws,
applicable state corporate and securities Laws, and rules of the Nasdaq National
Market, and other than Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, and other
than notices to or filings with the Internal Revenue Service or the Pension
Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any employee benefit plans, no
notice to, filing with, or Consent of any public body or authority is necessary
for the consummation by SBKC of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated in this Agreement.
-21-
6.3
Capital
Stock.
(a)
The
authorized capital stock of SBKC consists of 25,000,000 shares of SBKC Common
Stock, of which 12,912,427 shares are issued and outstanding. All of the issued
and outstanding shares of SBKC Common Stock are, and all of the shares of SBKC
Common Stock to be issued in exchange for shares of Neighbors 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 SBKC Common
Stock has been, and none of the shares of SBKC Common Stock to be issued in
exchange for shares of Neighbors Common Stock Equivalents upon consummation
of
the Merger will be, issued in violation of any preemptive rights of the current
or past shareholders of SBKC.
(b)
Except
as
set forth in Section 6.3(a) of this Agreement or in Section 6.3(b) of the SBKC
Disclosure Memorandum, there are no shares of capital stock, preferred stock
or
other equity securities of SBKC outstanding and no outstanding Equity Rights
relating to the capital stock of SBKC.
6.4
SBKC
Subsidiaries.
Except
as disclosed in Section 6.4 of the SBKC Disclosure Memorandum, SBKC or one
of
its wholly owned Subsidiaries owns all of the issued and outstanding shares
of
capital stock (or other equity interests) of each SBKC Subsidiary. No capital
stock (or other equity interest) of any SBKC Subsidiary is or may become
required to be issued (other than to another SBKC Entity) by reason of any
Equity Rights, and there are no Contracts by which any SBKC Subsidiary is bound
to issue (other than to another SBKC Entity) additional shares of its capital
stock (or other equity interests) or Equity Rights or by which any SBKC Entity
is or may be bound to transfer any shares of the capital stock (or other equity
interests) of any SBKC Subsidiary (other than to another SBKC Entity). There
are
no Contracts relating to the rights of any SBKC Entity to vote or to dispose
of
any shares of the capital stock (or other equity interests) of any SBKC
Subsidiary. All of the shares of capital stock (or other equity interests)
of
each SBKC Subsidiary held by an SBKC Entity are fully paid and (except pursuant
to 12 U.S.C. Section 55 in the case of national Banks and comparable, applicable
state Law, if any, in the case of state depository institutions) nonassessable
and are owned by the SBKC Entity free and clear of any Lien, except as disclosed
in Section 6.4 of the SBKC Disclosure Memorandum. Each SBKC Subsidiary is either
a bank, a Connecticut Statutory Trust, or a corporation, and each such
Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing, and (as to corporations) in
good
standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or
organized, and has the corporate power and authority necessary for it to own,
lease and operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now conducted.
Each
SBKC Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign
corporation in good standing in the jurisdictions where the character of its
Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified
or licensed. Each SBKC Subsidiary that is a depository institution is an
“insured institution” as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and
applicable regulations thereunder.
-22-
6.5
SEC
Filings; Financial Statements.
(a)
SBKC
has
timely filed and made available to Neighbors all SEC Documents required to
be
filed by SBKC since December 31, 2002 (the “SBKC SEC Reports”). The SBKC SEC
Reports (i) at the time filed, complied in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and other applicable Laws 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 SBKC SEC Reports or necessary in order to make
the
statements in such SBKC SEC Reports, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. No SBKC Subsidiary is required to file any
SEC
Documents.
(b)
Each
of
the SBKC Financial Statements (including, in each case, any related notes)
contained in the SBKC SEC Reports, including any SBKC SEC Reports filed after
the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, complied as to form in
all
material respects with the applicable published rules and regulations of the
SEC
with respect thereto, was 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 interim
statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC), and fairly presented in
all
material respects the consolidated financial position of SBKC and its
Subsidiaries as at the respective dates and the consolidated results of
operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited
interim consolidated financial statements were or are subject to normal and
recurring year-end adjustments which were not or are not expected to be material
in amount or effect.
6.6
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities.
No SBKC
Entity has any Liabilities of a nature required to be reflected on a balance
sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, except Liabilities that are accrued
or
reserved against in the consolidated balance sheets of SBKC as of September
30,
2005, included in the SBKC Financial Statements delivered prior to the date
of
this Agreement or reflected in the notes thereto. No SBKC Entity has incurred
or
paid any Liability since December 31, 2004, except for such Liabilities incurred
or paid (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past business
practice and that are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a SBKC Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
-23-
6.7
Absence
of Certain Changes or Events.
Since
September 30, 2005, except as disclosed in the SBKC Financial Statements
delivered prior to the date of this Agreement or in Section 6.7 of the SBKC
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, an SBKC Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) none of the SBKC Entities
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 SBKC provided in Article 7.
6.8
Legal
Proceedings
(a)
There
is
no Litigation instituted, pending or overtly threatened (or unasserted but
considered probable of assertion and which if asserted would have at least
a
reasonable probability of an unfavorable outcome) against any SBKC Entity,
or
against any director, employee or employee benefit plan of any SBKC Entity,
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 SBKC Entity, that in any case would be required to
be
disclosed in a Form 10-K or Form 10-Q pursuant to Item 103 of Regulation S-K
that are not so disclosed.
(b)
There
are
no material uncured violations, or violations with respect to which material
refunds or restitution may be required, cited in any compliance report to any
SBKC Entity as a result of examination by any bank or bank holding company
regulatory authority.
(c)
No
SBKC
Entity is subject to any written agreement, memorandum or order or decree with
or by any bank or bank holding company regulatory authority, nor has any SBKC
Entity been advised by any regulatory agency that it is considering issuing
or
requesting any such written agreement, memorandum, letter, order or
decree.
6.9
Community
Reinvestment Act.
SBKC
has complied in all material respects with the provisions of the CRA and the
rules and regulations thereunder, has a CRA rating of not less than of not
less
than “satisfactory,” and has received no material criticism from regulators with
respect to discriminatory lending practices, and has no Knowledge of any
conditions or circumstances that are likely to result in CRA ratings of less
than “satisfactory” or material criticism from regulators with respect to
discriminatory lending practices.
-24-
ARTICLE
7
CONDUCT
OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
7.1
Affirmative
Covenants of Each Party.
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 the other
Party shall have been obtained, and except as otherwise expressly contemplated
herein, each Party shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to (i) operate
its business only in the usual, regular, and ordinary course, (ii) preserve
intact its business organization and material Assets and maintain its rights
and
franchises, and (iii) take no action that would (A) materially adversely affect
the ability of either 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 sentences of Section 9.1(b) or 9.1(c), or (B) materially
adversely affect the ability of either Party to perform its covenants and
agreements under this Agreement.
7.2
Negative
Covenants of Neighbors.
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 SBKC shall
have been obtained, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and except
as otherwise expressly contemplated herein, Neighbors covenants and agrees
that
the Neighbors Entities will not do or agree or commit to do any of the
following:
(a)
amend
their Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments,
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 business of Neighbors
consistent with past practices (which shall include creation of deposit
liabilities, purchases of federal funds, advances from the Federal Reserve
Bank
or Federal Home Loan Bank, and entry into repurchase agreements fully secured
by
U.S. government or agency securities), or impose, or suffer the imposition,
on
any Asset of the Neighbors Entities of any Lien or permit any such Lien to
exist
(other than in connection with deposits, repurchase agreements, bankers
acceptances, “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 are disclosed in the
Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum); or
(c)
repurchase,
redeem, or otherwise acquire or exchange (other than exchanges in the ordinary
course under employee benefit plans or in connection with the exercise of its
existing options and warrants), directly or indirectly, any shares, or any
securities convertible into any shares, of Neighbors’ capital stock, or declare
or pay any dividend or make any other distribution in respect of Neighbors’
capital stock; or
-25-
(d)
issue,
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 Neighbors Common Stock or any
other capital stock of any Neighbors Entity, or any stock appreciation rights,
or any option, warrant, or other Equity Right; or
(e)
adjust,
split, combine or reclassify any shares of Neighbors Common Stock or issue
or
authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of or in substitution
for shares of Neighbors 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)
except
for purchases of U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Government agency securities
or
obligations of the State of Georgia, or any subdivisions thereof that have
maturities of seven years or less, 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, 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
(g)
enter
into
or amend any employment Contract with any Person (unless such amendment is
required by Law or this Agreement) that such Neighbors Entity 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
(i)
adopt
any
new employee benefit plan or terminate or withdraw from, or make any material
change in or to, any existing employee benefit plans of the Neighbors Entities
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 make any distributions from such employee benefit plans, except
as
required by Law or contemplated by this Agreement, the terms of such plans
or
consistent with past practice; or
(j)
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 or regulatory accounting requirements or GAAP; or
-26-
(k)
commence
any Litigation other than in accordance with past practice, or settle any
Litigation involving any Liability of the Neighbors Entities for over $100,000
in money damages or any restrictions upon the operations of the Neighbors
Entities; or
(l)
except
in
the ordinary course of business, enter into, modify, amend or terminate any
Contract (including any loan Contract with an unpaid balance) or waive, release,
compromise or assign any right or claim in an amount exceeding
$100,000.
7.3
Negative
Covenants of SBKC.
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 Neighbors
shall have been obtained, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
and
except as otherwise expressly contemplated herein, SBKC covenants and agrees
that it will not do or agree or commit to amend the Articles of Incorporation
or
Bylaws of SBKC, in each case, in any manner adverse to the holders of Neighbors
Common Stock.
7.4
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 that (i) is reasonably likely to
have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Neighbors Material Adverse Effect or an
SBKC
Material Adverse Effect, as applicable, or (ii) would 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
remedy the same.
7.5
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.
7.6
Loan
Portfolio Review.
SBKC
shall have the right to perform due diligence reviews of Neighbors’ lending
activities at 45-day intervals between the date of this Agreement and the
Effective Time. SBKC shall not perform more than three such reviews between
the
date of this Agreement and the Effective Time.
-27-
ARTICLE
8
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
8.1
SBKC
Registration Statement.
(a)
SBKC
will
promptly prepare and file on Form S-4 a Registration Statement (which will
include the Proxy Statement) complying with all the requirements of the 1933
Act
(and the rules and regulations thereunder) applicable thereto, for the purpose,
among other things, of registering the SBKC Common Stock that will be issued
to
the holders of Neighbors Common Stock pursuant to the Merger. SBKC shall use
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become
effective as soon as practicable, to qualify the SBKC Common Stock under the
Securities Laws of such jurisdictions as may be required and to keep the
Registration Statement and such qualifications current and in effect for so
long
as is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. As a result
of the registration of the SBKC Common Stock pursuant to the Registration
Statement, such stock shall be freely tradable by the shareholders of Neighbors
except to the extent that the transfer of any shares of SBKC Common Stock
received by shareholders of Neighbors is subject to the provisions of Rule
145
under the Securities Act or restricted under applicable Tax rules. Neighbors
and
its counsel shall have reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the
Registration Statement being filed with the SEC and any responses filed with
the
SEC regarding the Registration Statement.
(b)
Each
of
the Parties will cooperate in the preparation of the Registration Statement
and
Proxy Statement that complies with the requirements of the Securities Laws,
for
the purpose of submitting this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby to Neighbors’ shareholders for approval. Each of the Parties will as
promptly as practicable after the date hereof furnish all such data and
information relating to it and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as the other
Party may reasonably request for the purpose of including such data and
information in the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement. None of
the
information to be supplied by Neighbors for inclusion in (i) the Registration
Statement will, at the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under
the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact required
to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, not misleading,
(ii) the Proxy Statement will, at the date it is first mailed to Neighbors’
shareholders and at the time of the Neighbors shareholders’ meeting (except to
the extent amended or supplemented by a subsequent communication), contain
any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any 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 or
(iii) any other document filed with any other regulatory agency in
connection herewith will, at the time such document is filed, fail to comply
as
to form in all material respects with the provisions of applicable Law. The
Proxy Statement will comply as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, except
that no representation or warranty is made by Neighbors with respect to
statements made or incorporated by reference therein based on information
supplied by any SBKC Entity for inclusion or incorporation by reference in
the
Proxy Statement.
-28-
8.2
Nasdaq
Listing.
SBKC
shall list, prior to or at the Effective Time, on the Nasdaq National Market
the
shares of SBKC Common Stock to be issued to the holders of Neighbors Common
Stock Equivalents pursuant to the Merger, and SBKC shall give all notices and
make all filings with the Nasdaq National Market required in connection with
the
transactions contemplated herein.
8.3
Applications.
SBKC
shall prepare and file, and Neighbors shall cooperate in the preparation and,
where appropriate, filing, 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. The Parties shall deliver to each other copies of all filings,
correspondence and orders to and from all Regulatory Authorities in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.4
Filings
with State Offices.
Upon
the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, SBKC shall execute
and file Articles or a Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of 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, and
to
cause its Subsidiaries to use, its reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be
taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary,
proper, or advisable under applicable Laws to consummate and make effective,
as
soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including 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; 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 shall 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
transactions 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.
-29-
(b)
Each
Party shall, and shall cause its advisers and agents to, maintain the
confidentiality of all confidential information furnished to it by the other
Party concerning its and its Subsidiaries’ businesses, operations, and financial
positions and shall not use such information for any purpose except in
furtherance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If this
Agreement is terminated prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall promptly
return or certify the destruction of 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 Neighbors Material Adverse Effect or
an
SBKC Material Adverse Effect, as applicable.
8.7
No
Solicitations.
(a)
Except
as
contemplated by Section 8.7(c) of this Agreement and prior to the Effective
Time
or until the termination of this Agreement, Neighbors shall not, without the
prior written approval of SBKC,
(i)
directly
or indirectly solicit or initiate inquiries or proposals with respect to,
furnish any information regarding, enter into any Contract with respect to
or
participate in any Acquisition Proposal; or
(ii) withdraw
its recommendation to the Neighbors shareholders regarding the Merger or make
a
recommendation regarding any Acquisition Transaction.
(b)
Neighbors
shall instruct its officers, directors, agents and affiliates to refrain from
doing any of the above and will notify SBKC immediately if any such inquiries
or
proposals are received by it, any such information is requested from it, or
any
such negotiations or discussions are sought to be initiated with any of its
officers, directors, agents and affiliates.
-30-
(c)
Nothing
contained in this Section 8.7 shall prohibit any officer or director of
Neighbors from taking any action that the Board of Directors of Neighbors shall
determine in good faith, after consultation with legal counsel, is required
by
law or is required to discharge his or her fiduciary duties to Neighbors and
its
shareholders.
(d)
Neighbors
shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated all existing discussions
or
negotiations with any persons conducted with respect to any Acquisition
Transaction except those contemplated by this Agreement.
(e)
Each
Party shall promptly advise the other Party following the receipt of any
Acquisition Proposal and the details thereof and advise the other Party of
any
developments with respect to such Acquisition Proposal promptly upon the
occurrence thereof.
8.8
Press
Releases.
Prior
to the Effective Time, Neighbors and SBKC 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, that nothing in this Section 8.8 shall be deemed to prohibit
any Party from making any disclosure its legal counsel deems necessary or
advisable in order to satisfy such Party’s disclosure obligations imposed by
Law.
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
as a
tax-free “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code for federal income tax purposes.
8.10 Charter
Provisions.
Neighbors shall take all necessary action to ensure that the entering into
of
this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby do not and will not result in the grant of any rights to
any
Person under Neighbors’ Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing
instruments or restrict or impair the ability of SBKC or any of its Subsidiaries
to vote, or otherwise to exercise the rights of a shareholder with respect
to,
shares of Neighbors that may be directly or indirectly acquired or controlled
by
them.
8.11 Agreement
of Affiliates.
Neighbors has disclosed in Section 8.11 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum
all Persons whom it reasonably believes is an “affiliate” of Neighbors for
purposes of Rule 145 under the 1933 Act. Neighbors shall use its reasonable
efforts to cause each such Person to deliver to SBKC not later than 30 days
after the date of this Agreement, a written agreement, substantially in the
form
of Exhibit “A.”
-31-
8.12 Indemnification
and Insurance.
SBKC
covenants and agrees that:
(a)
all
rights to indemnification (including, without limitation, rights to mandatory
advancement of expenses) and all limitations of liability existing in favor
of
indemnified parties under Neighbors’ Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as in
effect as of the date of this Agreement with respect to matters occurring prior
to or at the Effective Time (an “Indemnified Party”) shall survive the Merger
and shall continue in full force and effect, without any amendment thereto,
for
a period concurrent with the applicable statute of limitations; provided,
however, that all rights to indemnification in respect of any claim asserted
or
made as to which SBKC is notified in writing within such period shall continue
until the final disposition of such claim. Without limiting the foregoing,
in
any case in which approval is required to effect any indemnification, the
determination of any such approval shall be made, at the election of the
Indemnified Party, by independent counsel mutually agreed upon between SBKC
and
the Indemnified Party.
(b)
Promptly
after receipt by an Indemnified Party of notice of the commencement of any
action, such Indemnified Party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against SBKC under such subparagraph, notify SBKC in writing of the
commencement thereof. In case any such action shall be brought against any
Indemnified Party, SBKC shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the
extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and, after notice from SBKC
to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense thereof,
SBKC
shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party under such subparagraph for any
legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred
by
such Indemnified Party; provided, however, if SBKC elects not to assume such
defense or if counsel for the Indemnified Party advises SBKC in writing that
there are material substantive issues that raise conflicts of interest between
SBKC or Neighbors and the Indemnified Party, such Indemnified Party may retain
counsel satisfactory to it, and SBKC shall pay all reasonable fees and expenses
of such counsel for the Indemnified Party promptly as statements therefor are
received. Notwithstanding the foregoing, SBKC shall not be obligated to pay
the
fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all Indemnified Parties in
respect of such claim unless in the reasonable judgment of an Indemnified Party
a conflict of interest exists between an Indemnified Party and any other
Indemnified Parties in respect to such claims.
(c)
Neighbors
shall cause the persons serving as officers or directors of Neighbors or
Neighbors Bank, immediately prior to the Effective Time to be covered for a
period of three years from the Effective Time by the directors’ and officers’
liability insurance policy maintained by Neighbors with respect to acts or
omissions occurring prior to or at the respective effective times that were
committed by such officers and directors in their capacity as such; provided
that (i) SBKC may substitute a policy or policies with at least the same
coverage and amounts and terms and conditions that are no less advantageous
(or
with Neighbors’ consent, give prior to the Effective Time, any other policy);
and (ii) the aggregate premium to be paid by Neighbors for such insurance shall
not exceed 150% of the most current annual premium paid by Neighbors for its
directors and officers liability insurance, without SBKC’s prior
approval.
-32-
(d)
If
SBKC
or any of its successors or assigns (i) shall consolidate with or merge into
any
corporation or entity and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation
or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) shall transfer all or
substantially all of its properties and assets to any individual, corporation
or
other entity, then and in each such case, proper provisions shall be made so
that the successors and assigns of SBKC shall assume the obligations set forth
in this Section 8.12.
(e)
The
provisions of this Section 8.12 are intended to be for the benefit of, and
shall
be enforceable by, each Indemnified Party and his or her heirs and
representatives.
8.13 Employee
Benefits and Contracts.
Following the Effective Time, SBKC shall provide generally to officers and
employees of the Neighbors Entities (who continue employment with SBKC or any
of
its Subsidiaries) employee benefits on terms and conditions which, when taken
as
a whole, are substantially similar to those then currently provided by SBKC
to
its other similarly situated officers and employees. For purposes of benefit
accrual (but only for purposes of determining benefits accruing under payroll
practices such as vacation policy or under fringe benefit programs that do
not
rise to the level of a “plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA),
eligibility to participate and vesting determinations in connection with the
provision of any such employee benefits, service with the Neighbors Entities
prior to the Effective Date shall be counted. SBKC shall also honor in
accordance with their terms all employment, severance, consulting, option and
other contracts of a compensatory nature to the extent disclosed in Section
8.13
of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum between any Neighbors Entity and any
current or former director, officer or employee thereof, and no other contracts
of the types described that are not so disclosed shall be deemed to be assumed
by SBKC by reason of this Section 8.13. If, during the calendar year in which
falls the Effective Time, SBKC shall terminate any “group health plan,” within
the meaning of Section 4980B(g)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, in which one
or
more Neighbors Entities employees participated immediately prior to the
Effective Time (a “Neighbors Plan”), SBKC shall use its best efforts to cause
any successor group health plan to waive any underwriting requirements; to
give
credit for any such Neighbors Entities employee’s participation in the Neighbors
Plan prior to the Effective Time for purposes of applying any pre-existing
condition limitations set forth therein; and to give credit for covered expenses
paid by any such Neighbors Entities employee under a Neighbors Plan prior to
the
Effective Time towards satisfaction of any annual deductible limitation and
out-of pocket maximum applied under such successor group health plan. SBKC
also
shall be considered a successor employer for and shall provide to “qualified
beneficiaries,” determined immediately prior to the Effective Time, under any
Neighbors Plan appropriate “continuation coverage” (as those terms are defined
in Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code) following the Effective Time
under either the Neighbors Plan or any successor group health plan maintained
by
SBKC. At the request of SBKC, Neighbors will take all appropriate action to
terminate, prior to the Effective Time, any retirement plan maintained by the
Neighbors Entities that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of
the
Internal Revenue Code.
-33-
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 consummate
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived by both Parties pursuant
to Section 11.6:
(a)
Shareholder
Approval.
The
shareholders of Neighbors shall have approved this Agreement, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger,
as
and to the extent required by Law and, by the provisions of any governing
instruments.
(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 that is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be conditioned or restricted in a manner (including requirements relating
to the raising of additional capital or the disposition of Assets) which in
the
reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of either Party would so
materially adversely impact the economic or business benefits of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement that, had such condition or
requirement been known, such Party would not, in its reasonable judgment, have
entered into this Agreement.
(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)) 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
Neighbors Material Adverse Effect or an SBKC Material Adverse Effect, as
applicable. No Consent so 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 Party
would
so materially adversely impact the economic or business benefits of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement that, had such condition or
requirement been known, such Party would not, in its reasonable judgment, have
entered into this Agreement.
-34-
(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 that 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 SBKC Common Stock issuable
pursuant to the Merger shall have been received.
(f)
Nasdaq
Listing.
The
shares of SBKC Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Merger shall have been
approved for listing on the Nasdaq National Market.
(g)
Tax
Matters.
Each
Party shall have received a written opinion of counsel from Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
LLP, in form reasonably satisfactory to such Parties (the “Tax Opinion”), to the
effect that (i) the Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning
of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, and (ii) the exchange in the
Merger of Neighbors Common Stock for SBKC Common Stock will not give rise to
gain or loss to the shareholders of Neighbors with respect to such exchange
(except to the extent of any cash received).
(h)
Opinion
of Financial Advisor.
Neighbors shall have received the opinion of Xxxxx Capital Group, L.L.C., to
the
effect that, as of the date of this Agreement, the Merger Consideration to
be
received by the holders of Neighbors Common Stock is fair, from a financial
point of view, to such holders, a signed copy of which shall have been delivered
to SBKC.
(i)
Employment
Agreements.
SBKC
shall have executed mutually satisfactory employment agreements with Messrs.
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx and Xxxxxx.
9.2
Conditions
to Obligations of SBKC.
The
obligations of SBKC 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 SBKC pursuant to Section
11.6(a):
-35-
(a)
Representations
and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties of Neighbors set forth in this Agreement shall
be
true and correct 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 that are confined to a specified date shall speak only as of such
date), except for inaccuracies that are not reasonably likely to have a
Neighbors Material Adverse Effect.
(b)
Performance
of Agreements and Covenants.
Each
and all of the agreements and covenants of Neighbors 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.
Neighbors shall have delivered to SBKC (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 set forth in Section
9.1 as relates to Neighbors, Section 9.2(a) (qualified as to such officer’s
Knowledge with respect to such matters as the parties may deem appropriate)
and
Section 9.2(b) have been satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of resolutions
duly adopted by Neighbors’ 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 SBKC and its counsel
shall
request.
(d)
Opinion
of Counsel.
Neighbors shall have delivered to SBKC an opinion of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx LLP,
dated
as of the Closing Date, covering those matters set forth in Exhibit “C” hereto,
which opinion may be rendered in accordance with the Interpretive Standards
on
Legal Opinions to Third Parties in Corporate Transactions promulgated by the
Corporate and Banking Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia (January 1, 1992)
or the American Bar Association (the “Interpretive Standards”).
(e)
Affiliate
Agreements.
SBKC
shall have received from each director and executive officer of Neighbors
disclosed in Section 8.11 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum the affiliates
letter referred to in Section 8.11.
(f)
Equity
Rights.
All
outstanding Equity Rights relating to the capital stock of Neighbors shall
either have been exercised prior to the Effective Time or shall be cancelled
in
the conversion of the Neighbors Common Stock Equivalents in the Merger pursuant
to Section 3.1(b).
-36-
(g)
Noncompete
Agreements.
SBKC
shall have received from each director and executive officer of Neighbors a
signed mutually satisfactory noncompete agreement providing that for a period
of
two years after the Effective Time, such director will not serve on the board
of
directors of any financial institution (or holding company therefore) with
offices located within 15 miles of the main office of Neighbors in Alpharetta,
Georgia.
9.3
Conditions
to Obligations of Neighbors.
The
obligations of Neighbors 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 Neighbors pursuant to Section
11.6(b):
(a)
Representations
and Warranties.
The
representations and warranties of SBKC set forth in this Agreement shall be
true
and correct 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
that are confined to a specified date shall speak only as of such date), except
for inaccuracies that are not reasonably likely to have an SBKC Material Adverse
Effect.
(b)
Performance
of Agreements and Covenants.
Each
and all of the agreements and covenants of SBKC 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.
SBKC
shall have delivered to Neighbors (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 set forth in Section 9.1
as
relates to SBKC, Section 9.3(a) (qualified as to such officer’s Knowledge with
respect to such matters as the parties may deem appropriate) and Section 9.3(b)
have been satisfied, and (ii) certified copies of resolutions duly adopted
by
SBKC’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 Neighbors and its counsel shall request.
(d)
Opinion
of Counsel.
SBKC
shall have delivered to Neighbors an opinion of Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx LLP, counsel
to
SBKC, dated as of the Closing Date, covering those matters set forth in Exhibit
“B” hereto, which opinion may be rendered in accordance with the Interpretive
Standards.
-37-
(e)
Appointment
of Director.
SBKC
shall have elected the Appointed Director to the SBKC Board of
Directors.
ARTICLE
10
TERMINATION
10.1
Termination.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and notwithstanding
the
approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of Neighbors, this Agreement
may
be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time prior to the Effective
Time:
(a)
By
mutual
written consent of the Boards of Directors of SBKC and Neighbors;
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 material breach by
the
other Party of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement 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 (provided that
the right to effect such cure shall not extend beyond the date set forth in
subparagraph (d) below) and which breach is reasonably likely, in the opinion
of
the non-breaching Party, to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Neighbors
Material Adverse Effect or an SBKC Material Adverse Effect, as applicable,
on
the breaching Party; or
(c)
By
the
Board of Directors of either Party in the event (i) any Consent of any
Regulatory Authority required for consummation of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby 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 Neighbors
fail to vote their approval of the matters relating to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby at the Shareholders’ Meeting where such matters
were 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 September 30, 2006, 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 in the event that any of the conditions
precedent to the obligations of such Party to consummate the Merger cannot
be
satisfied or waived by the date specified in Section 10.1(d), provided that
the
failure to consummate the Merger is not caused by the Party electing to
terminate pursuant to this Section 10.1(e); or
-38-
(f)
By
the
Board of Directors of SBKC if the Board of Directors of Neighbors:
(i)
shall
withdraw, modify or change its recommendation to the Neighbors shareholders
with
respect to this Agreement or the Merger or shall have resolved to do any of
the
foregoing or;
(ii) either
recommends to the Neighbors shareholders or affirmatively approved any
Acquisition Transaction or makes any announcement of any agreement to enter
into
an Acquisition Transaction; or
(g)
By
the
Board of Directors of Neighbors if Neighbors receives a bona fide written offer
with respect to an Acquisition Transaction, and the Board of Directors of
Neighbors determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial
advisors and counsel, that such Acquisition Transaction is more favorable to
Neighbors’ shareholders than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
or
(h)
By
the
Board of Directors of SBKC if the holders of more than 10% in the aggregate
of
the Neighbors Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the record date
for
the Shareholders Meeting vote such shares against this Agreement or the Merger
at any meeting called for the purpose of voting thereon and exercise their
dissenters’ rights in accordance with Article 13 of the GBCC; or
(i)
Pursuant
to the provisions of Section 3.1(c) if the parties are unable to reach agreement
as provided therein.
10.2 Effect
of Termination.
In the
event of the termination and abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to Section
10.1, 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) shall survive
any such termination and abandonment.
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 this Article 10
and
Articles 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11 and Sections 8.6 and 8.12.
10.4 Termination
Payment.
If this
Agreement is terminated by either of the Parties pursuant to subsection 10.1(f)
or 10.1(g), then Neighbors (or its successor) shall pay or cause to be paid
to
SBKC, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, upon demand a termination
payment of $1.4 million payable in same day funds.
-39-
10.5 Reimbursement
of Expenses.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11.2 of this Agreement, if this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to subsection 10.1(b), the breaching Party
shall pay the non-breaching Party an amount equal to the reasonable and
documented fees and expenses incurred by such non-breaching Party in connection
with the examination and investigation of the breaching Party, the preparation
and negotiation of this Agreement and related agreements, regulatory filings
and
other documents related to the transactions contemplated hereunder, including,
without limitation, fees and expenses of investment banking consultants,
accountants, attorneys and other agents. Final settlement with respect to
payment of such fees and expenses shall be made within 30 days after the
termination of this Agreement. This Section 10.5 shall be the non-breaching
Party’s sole and exclusive remedy for actionable breach by the breaching Party
under this Agreement.
ARTICLE
11
MISCELLANEOUS
11.1 Definitions.
(a)
Except
as
otherwise provided herein, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have
the
following meanings:
“1933
Act”
shall
mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“1934
Act”
shall
mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“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 the acquisition of such Party or any of its Subsidiaries
or the acquisition of a substantial equity interest in, or a substantial portion
of the assets of, such Party or any of its Subsidiaries.
“Acquisition
Transaction”
shall
mean: (i) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination or
other similar transaction (other than the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement); (ii) any sale, lease, transfer other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of Neighbors, or the beneficial ownership or
15%
or more of any class of Neighbors capital stock; or (iii) any acquisition,
by
any person or group, of the beneficial ownership of 15% or more of any class
of
Neighbors capital stock.
-40-
“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 Reorganization, including the Exhibits delivered
pursuant hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
“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.
“BHC
Act”
shall
mean the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.
“Cash
Consideration”
shall
mean an amount equal to (i) $1,819,000 less (ii) the dollar amount equal to
(A)
$1,819,000 multiplied by (B) the Dissenter Ratio.
“Closing
Date”
shall
mean the date on which the Closing occurs.
“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, default under, contravention of, or
conflict with, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit, (ii) any occurrence of
any
event that with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would
constitute a breach or violation of, default under, contravention of, or
conflict with, any Contract, Law, 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 of any Person to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief
under, terminate or revoke, suspend, cancel, or modify or change the current
terms of, or renegotiate, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of,
or to
increase or impose any Liability under, any Contract, Law, Order, or
Permit.
-41-
“Dissenter
Ratio”
shall
mean the ratio equal to (i) the number of Dissenting Shares divided by (ii)
the
number of shares of Neighbors Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to
the
Effective Time.
“Environment”
shall
mean any soil, land surface or subsurface strata, surface waters (including
navigable waters, ocean waters, streams, ponds, natural or artificial drainage
systems, and wetlands), groundwaters, drinking water supply, stream sediments,
ambient air (including indoor air), plant and animal life, biota, and any other
environmental media or natural resource.
“Environmental
Laws”
shall
mean any federal, state or local law, statute, ordinance, code, rule,
regulation, license, authorization, decision, order, injunction, decree, or
rule
of common law (including but not limited to nuisance or trespass claims), and
any judicial interpretation of any of the foregoing, which pertains to health,
safety, any Hazardous Material, or the Environment (including, but not limited
to, ground, air, water or noise pollution or contamination, and underground
or
above-ground storage tanks) and shall include without limitation, the Solid
Waste Disposal Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et
seq.;
the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980,
42
U.S.C. §9601 et
seq.
(“CERCLA”), as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of
1986 (“XXXX”); the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. § 1801
et
seq.;
the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et
seq.;
the
Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et
seq.;
the
Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et
seq.;
the
Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300f et
seq.
and any
other state or federal environmental statutes, and all rules, regulations,
orders and decrees now or hereafter promulgated under any of the foregoing,
as
any of the foregoing now exist or may be changed or amended or come into effect
in the future.
“Equity
Rights”
shall
mean all arrangements, calls, commitments, Contracts, options, rights to
subscribe to, script, understandings, warrants, or other binding obligations
of
any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into
or exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock of a Person or by which a
Person is or may be bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or
other Equity Rights.
-42-
“ERISA”
shall
mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
“Exhibits”
A
through C, 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
thereto.
“FDIC”
shall
mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“GAAP”
shall
mean generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied during
the
periods involved.
“GBCC”
shall
mean the Georgia Business Corporation Code.
“Hazardous
Material”
shall
mean any substance, whether solid, liquid or gaseous: (i) which is listed,
defined or regulated as a “hazardous substance,” “hazardous waste,”
“contaminant,” or “solid waste,” or otherwise classified as hazardous or toxic,
in or pursuant to any Environmental Law; (ii) which is or contains asbestos,
radon, any polychlorinated biphenyl, polybrominated diphenyl ether, urea
formaldehyde foam insulation, explosive or radioactive material, or motor fuel,
petroleum product, constituent or by-product, or other petroleum hydrocarbons;
or (iii) which causes a contamination or nuisance, or a hazard, or threat of
the
same, to public health, human health or the Environment.
“Intellectual
Property”
shall
mean copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, service names, trade names,
applications therefor, technology rights and licenses, computer software
(including any source or object codes therefor or documentation relating
thereto), trade secrets, franchises, know-how, inventions, and other
intellectual property rights.
“Internal
Revenue Code”
shall
mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Knowledge”
as
used
with respect to a Person (including references to such Person being aware of
a
particular matter) shall mean the personal knowledge after due inquiry of the
chairman, president, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, chief
operating officer, chief credit officer, executive or other vice president
of
such Person and the knowledge of any such persons obtained or which would have
been obtained from a reasonable investigation.
-43-
“Law”
shall
mean any code, law (including common law), ordinance, regulation, reporting
or
licensing requirement, rule, or statute applicable to a Person or its Assets,
Liabilities, or business, including those promulgated, interpreted or enforced
by any Regulatory Authority.
“Liability”
shall
mean any direct or indirect, primary or secondary, liability, indebtedness,
obligation, penalty, cost or expense (including 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, and (iii) Liens which
do not materially impair the use of or title to the Assets subject to such
Lien.
“Litigation”
shall
mean any action, arbitration, cause of action, claim, charge, complaint,
criminal prosecution, governmental or other examination or investigation,
hearing, administrative or other proceeding relating to or affecting a Party,
its business, its Assets (including 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.
“Merger
Consideration”
shall
mean the value of the total consideration payable to holders of the Outstanding
Neighbors Shares and Dissenting Shares pursuant to this Agreement, which shall
have a deemed value of $30,619,000.
“Merger
Consideration per Share” shall
mean the Merger Consideration divided by the aggregate number of shares of
Neighbors Common Stock and Neighbors stock options and warrants outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time.
“Nasdaq
National Market”
shall
mean the National Market System of The Nasdaq Stock Market,
Inc.
-44-
“Neighbors
Common Stock”
shall
mean the $0.50 par value common stock of Neighbors.
“Neighbors
Common Stock Equivalent”
shall
mean: (i) one share in the case of shares of Neighbors Common Stock that are
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time; and (ii) for options or
warrants to purchase Neighbors Common Stock that are outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time, the Net Equivalent Value of such option or warrant
divided by the Merger Consideration per share.
“Neighbors
Disclosure Memorandum”
shall
mean the written information entitled “Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum”
delivered prior to the date of this Agreement to SBKC describing in reasonable
detail the matters contained therein and, with respect to each disclosure made
therein, specifically referencing each Section of this Agreement under which
such disclosure is being made. Information disclosed with respect to one Section
shall not be deemed to be disclosed for purposes of any other Section not
specifically referenced with respect thereto.
“Neighbors
Entities”
shall
mean, collectively, Neighbors and Neighbors Bank.
“Neighbors
Financial Statements”
shall
mean (i) the audited balance sheets (including related notes and schedules,
if
any) of Neighbors as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated
statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows (including
related notes and schedules, if any) as filed by Neighbors in SEC Documents,
and
(ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets (including related notes and
schedules, if any) of Neighbors as of September 30, 2005, and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash
flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) for the nine month period
ended September 30, 2005, as delivered by Neighbors to SBKC prior to execution
of this Agreement.
“Neighbors
Material Adverse Effect”
shall
mean an event, change or occurrence which, individually or together with any
other event, change or occurrence, has a material adverse impact on (i) the
financial position, business, or results of operations of the Neighbors
Entities, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of Neighbors 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 (a) changes in banking and
similar Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts
or
governmental authorities, (b) changes in generally accepted accounting
principles or regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to banks
and
their holding companies, (c) actions and omissions of Neighbors taken with
the
prior informed written Consent of SBKC in contemplation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, and (d) the direct effects of compliance with this
Agreement on the operating performance of Neighbors, including expenses incurred
by Neighbors in consummating the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
-45-
“Net
Equivalent Value”
shall
mean, for a given Neighbors stock option or warrant, the product of (A) the
Merger Consideration per Share minus the option or warrant’s exercise price per
share and (B) the number of shares of Neighbors Common Stock underlying such
option or warrant.
“Operating
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
interest 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.
“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 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 Neighbors or SBKC, and “Parties” shall mean both Neighbors and
SBKC.
“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 securities, Assets, 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.
“Pro
Rata Share”
shall
mean the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the number one by (ii) the total
number of Outstanding Neighbors Shares as of the Effective
Time.
-46-
“Proxy
Statement”
shall
mean the proxy statement used by Neighbors to solicit the approval of its
shareholders of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, which shall
include the prospectus of SBKC relating to the issuance of the SBKC Common
Stock
to holders of Neighbors Common Stock.
“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 SBKC under the 1933 Act with respect to the shares of
SBKC
Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of Neighbors in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
“Regulatory
Authorities”
shall
mean, collectively, the SEC, the Nasdaq National Market, the Federal Trade
Commission, the United States Department of Justice, the Board of the Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency,
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Department of Banking and Finance
of the State of Georgia, the Office of Thrift Supervision and all other federal,
state, county, local or other governmental or regulatory agencies, authorities
(including self-regulatory authorities), instrumentalities, commissions, boards
or bodies having jurisdiction over the Parties and their respective
Subsidiaries.
“Release”
or
“Released”
means
any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emptying, injecting, emitting,
discharging, depositing, escaping, leaching, migration, filtration, pouring,
seepage, disposal, dumping, or other releasing into the indoor or outdoor
Environment, whether intentional or unintentional, including, without
limitation, the movement of Hazardous Materials in, on, under or through the
Environment.
“Representative”
shall
mean any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant, consultant,
or other representative engaged by a Person.
“SEC
Documents”
shall
mean all forms, proxy statements, registration statements, reports, 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.
“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.
-47-
“Shareholders’
Meeting”
shall
mean the meeting of the shareholders of Neighbors to be held pursuant to this
Agreement, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof.
“SBKC
Common Stock”
shall
mean the $1.00 par value common stock of SBKC.
“SBKC
Disclosure Memorandum”
shall
mean the written information entitled “SBKC Disclosure Memorandum” delivered
prior to the date of this Agreement to Neighbors describing in reasonable detail
the matters contained therein and, with respect to each disclosure made therein,
specifically referencing each Section of this Agreement under which such
disclosure is being made. Information disclosed with respect to one Section
shall not be deemed to be disclosed for purposes of any other Section not
specifically referenced with respect thereto.
“SBKC
Entities”
shall
mean, collectively, SBKC and all SBKC Subsidiaries.
“SBKC
Financial Statements”
shall
mean (i) the consolidated balance sheets (including related notes and schedules,
if any) of SBKC as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated
statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows (including
related notes and schedules, if any), as filed by SBKC in SEC Documents, and
(ii) the unaudited consolidated balance sheets (including related notes and
schedules, if any) of SBKC as of September 30, 2005, and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash
flows (including related notes and schedules, if any), as delivered by SBKC
to
Neighbors prior to execution of this Agreement.
“SBKC
Material Adverse Effect”
shall
mean an event, change or occurrence which, individually or together with any
other event, change or occurrence, has a material adverse impact on (i) the
financial position, business, or results of operations of SBKC and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of SBKC 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 (a) changes in banking and
similar Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts
or
governmental authorities, (b) changes in generally accepted accounting
principles or regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to banks
and
their holding companies, (c) actions and omissions of SBKC (or any of its
Subsidiaries) taken with the prior informed written Consent of Neighbors in
contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and (d) the direct
effects of compliance with this Agreement on the operating performance of SBKC,
including expenses incurred by SBKC in consummating the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
-48-
“SBKC
Subsidiaries”
shall
mean the Subsidiaries of SBKC and any corporation, bank, savings association,
or
other organization acquired as a Subsidiary of SBKC in the future and held
as a
Subsidiary by SBKC at the Effective Time.
“Stock
Consideration”
shall
mean the number of shares of SBKC Common Stock equal to (i) 1,233,404 minus
(ii)
the product of (A) 1,233,404 and (B) the Dissenter Ratio. Solely for purposes
of
calculating the deemed value of the Merger Consideration, each share of SBKC
Common Stock issued as stock consideration shall have a fixed deemed value
of
$23.35.
“Subsidiaries”
shall
mean all those corporations, associations, or other business entities of which
the entity in question either (i) owns or controls 50% or more of the
outstanding equity securities either directly or through an unbroken chain
of
entities as to each of which 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities
is
owned directly or indirectly by its parent (provided, there shall not be
included any such entity the equity securities of which are owned or controlled
in a fiduciary capacity), (ii) in the case of partnerships, serves as a general
partner, (iii) in the case of a limited liability company, serves as a managing
member, or (iv) otherwise has the ability to elect a majority of the directors,
trustees or managing members thereof.
“Tax
Return”
shall
mean any report, return, information 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.
“Tax”
or
“Taxes”
shall
mean any federal, state, county, local, or 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,
imposes or required to be withheld by the United States or any state, county,
local or foreign government or subdivision or agency thereof, including any
interest, penalties, and additions imposed thereon or with respect
thereto.
(b) Any
singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and
any
plural term the singular. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or
“including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the
words “without limitation.”
-49-
11.2 Expenses.
Except
as otherwise provided in this Section 11.2, 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
or
other consultants, investment bankers, accountants, and counsel.
11.3 Brokers
and Finders.
Except
as disclosed in Section 11.3 of the Neighbors Disclosure Memorandum and of
the
SBKC Disclosure Memorandum, each of the Parties represents and warrants 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
Neighbors or by SBKC, each of Neighbors and SBKC, as the case may be, agrees
to
indemnify and hold the other Party harmless of and from any Liability in respect
of any such claim.
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.
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 each of the Parties, whether
before or after shareholder approval of this Agreement has been obtained;
provided, that after any such approval by the holders of Neighbors Common Stock,
there shall be made no amendment that pursuant to Section 14-2-1106 of the
GBCC
requires further approval by such shareholders without the further approval
of
such shareholders; and further provided, that after any such approval by the
holders of Neighbors Common Stock, the provisions of this Agreement relating
to
the manner or basis in which shares of Neighbors Common Stock will be exchanged
for shares of SBKC Common Stock shall not be amended after the Neighbors
Shareholders’ Meeting in a manner adverse to the holders of Neighbors Common
Stock without any requisite approval of the holders of the issued and
outstanding shares of Neighbors Common Stock entitled to vote
thereon.
-50-
11.6 Waivers.
(a)
Prior
to
or at the Effective Time, SBKC, 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 Neighbors, to waive
or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by Neighbors of any and
all
of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all of the
conditions precedent to the obligations of SBKC 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 SBKC.
(b)
Prior
to
or at the Effective Time, Neighbors, 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 SBKC,
to
waive or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by SBKC of any and
all of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all of the
conditions precedent to the obligations of Neighbors 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 Neighbors.
(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:
-51-
Neighbors:
|
Neighbors
Bancshares, Inc.
|
0000
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|
Xxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
|
|
Attention:
Chairman
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, XX, Esq.
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx LLP
|
|
0000
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, X.X
|
|
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000
|
|
SBKC:
|
Security
Bank Corporation
|
P.
O. Xxx 0000
|
|
Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
|
|
Attention:
X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Presiden and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
With
a copy to:
|
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
|
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx LLP
|
|
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx XX
|
|
Xxxxx
0000
|
|
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
|
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 two 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;
Articles and Sections.
The
captions contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are
not
part of this Agreement. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to particular
Articles or Sections shall mean and refer to the referenced Articles and
Sections of this Agreement.
11.12 Interpretations.
Neither
this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or
resolved against any party, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.
No party to this Agreement shall be considered the draftsman. The parties
acknowledge and agree that this Agreement has been reviewed, negotiated, and
accepted by all parties and their attorneys and shall be construed and
interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as fairly
to
accomplish the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.
-52-
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 of 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.
[Signatures
appear on next page]
-53-
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be executed
on
its behalf by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above
written.
SECURITY
BANK CORPORATION
|
|||
By:
|
/s/
X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
||
X.
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
|
|||
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|||
NEIGHBORS
BANCSHARES, INC.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/
Xxxx Xxxxxxx
|
||
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
|||
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
-54-
APPENDIX
1
Bank
Stocks to be Used in Calculation of Index Ratio
Name
|
Symbol
|
City
|
State
|
Capital
City Bank Group Inc.
|
CCBG
|
Tallahassee
|
FL
|
First
Community Bancshares Inc
|
FCBC
|
Bluefield
|
VA
|
Union
Bankshares Corp.
|
UBSH
|
Bowling
Green
|
VA
|
Bank
of the Ozarks Inc.
|
OZRK
|
Little
Rock
|
AR
|
First
Bancorp
|
FBNC
|
Troy
|
NC
|
Virginia
Financial Group
|
VFGI
|
Culpeper
|
VA
|
Seacoast
Banking Corp. of FL
|
SBCF
|
Stuart
|
FL
|
SCBT
Financial Corp.
|
SCBT
|
Columbia
|
SC
|
GB&T
Bancshares Inc.
|
GBTB
|
Gainesville
|
GA
|
Fidelity
Southern Corp.
|
LION
|
Atlanta
|
GA
|
Southern
Community Financial
|
SCMF
|
Winston-Salem
|
NC
|
Cardinal
Financial Corp.
|
CFNL
|
McLean
|
VA
|
BancTrust
Financial Group Inc.
|
BTFG
|
Mobile
|
AL
|
Virginia
Commerce Bancorp Inc.
|
VCBI
|
Arlington
|
VA
|
Bank
of Granite Corp.
|
GRAN
|
Granite
Falls
|
NC
|
-55-
EXHIBIT
“A”
AFFILIATE
AGREEMENT
Security
Bank Corporation
Attention:
President
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
The
undersigned is a shareholder of Neighbors (“Neighbors”), a corporation organized
under the laws of the State of Georgia and located in Alpharetta, Georgia,
and
will become a shareholder of Security Bank Corporation (“SBKC”) pursuant to the
transactions described in the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as
of
November 22, 2005 (the “Agreement”), by and between Neighbors and SBKC. Under
the terms of the Agreement, Neighbors will be merged into and with SBKC (the
“Merger”), and the shares of the $0.50 par value common stock of Neighbors
(“Neighbors Common Stock”) will be converted into and exchanged for cash and
shares of the $1.00 par value common stock of SBKC (“SBKC Common Stock”). This
Affiliate Agreement represents an agreement between the undersigned and SBKC
regarding certain rights and obligations of the undersigned in connection with
the shares of SBKC Common Stock to be received by the undersigned as a result
of
the Merger.
In
consideration of the benefits the undersigned will receive as a shareholder
of
Neighbors and the mutual covenants contained herein, the undersigned and SBKC
hereby agree as follows:
1.
Vote
on the Merger.
The
undersigned agrees to vote all shares of Neighbors Common Stock that the
undersigned owns beneficially or of record in favor of approving the Agreement,
unless SBKC is then in breach or default in any material respect as regards
any
covenant, agreement, representation or warranty as to it contained in the
Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this sentence shall be deemed
to
require the undersigned to vote any shares of Neighbors Common Stock over which
he or she has or shares voting power solely in a fiduciary capacity on behalf
of
any person other than Neighbors, if the undersigned determines, in good faith
after consultation and receipt of an opinion of counsel, that such a vote would
cause a breach of fiduciary duty to such other person.
2.
Restriction
on Transfer.
The
undersigned further agrees that he or she will not, without the prior written
consent of SBKC, transfer any shares of Neighbors Common Stock prior to the
Effective Date, as that term is set forth in the Agreement, except by operation
of law, by will, or under the laws of descent and distribution.
A-1
3.
Affiliate
Status. The
undersigned understands and agrees that as to Neighbors the undersigned is
an
“affiliate” under Rule 145(c) as defined in Rule 405 of the Rules and
Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”), and the undersigned anticipates
that the undersigned will be such an “affiliate” at the time of the
Merger.
4.
Covenants
and Warranties of Undersigned. The
undersigned represents, warrants and agrees that SBKC has informed the
undersigned that any distribution by the undersigned of SBKC Common Stock has
not been registered under the 1933 Act and that shares of SBKC Common Stock
received pursuant to the Merger for a period of one (1) year after the Effective
Time can only be sold by the undersigned (i) following registration under the
1933 Act, or (ii) in conformity with the volume and other requirements of Rule
145(d) promulgated by the SEC as the same now exist or may hereafter be amended,
or (iii) to the extent some other exemption from registration under the 1933
Act
might be available. The undersigned understands that SBKC is under no obligation
to file a registration statement with the SEC covering the disposition of the
undersigned’s shares of SBKC Common Stock.
5.
Understanding
of Restrictions on Dispositions. The
undersigned has carefully read the Agreement and this Affiliate Agreement and
discussed their requirements and impact upon his or her ability to sell,
transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares of SBKC Common Stock received by
the
undersigned in connection with the Merger, to the extent he or she believes
necessary, with his or her counsel or counsel for Neighbors.
6.
Filing
of Reports by SBKC. SBKC
agrees, for a period of two years after the effective date of the Merger, to
file on a timely basis all reports required to be filed by it pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”),
so that the public information provisions of Rule 145(d) promulgated by the
SEC
as the same are presently in effect will be available to the undersigned in
the
event the undersigned desires to transfer any shares of SBKC Common Stock issued
to the undersigned pursuant to the Merger.
7.
Miscellaneous.
This
Affiliate Agreement is the complete agreement between SBKC and the undersigned
concerning the subject matter hereof. Any notice required to be sent to any
party hereunder shall be sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, using the addresses set forth herein or such other address as shall
be furnished in writing by the parties. This Affiliate Agreement shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Georgia.
A-2
8.
Capitalized
Terms.
All
capitalized terms in this Affiliate Agreement shall have the same meaning as
given such terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between Security
Bank Corporation and Neighbors.
This
Affiliate Agreement is executed as of the _____ day of _________,
2005.
Very
truly yours,
|
||
|
||
Signature
|
||
|
||
Print
Name
|
||
|
||
|
||
|
||
Address
|
||
Telephone
No.
|
||
AGREED
TO AND ACCEPTED as
of
|
||
,
|
2005
|
|
SECURITY
BANK CORPORATION
|
||
By:
|
|
|
Its:
|
|
A-3
EXHIBIT “B”
MATTERS
AS TO WHICH
XXXXXXXX
XXXXXXX LLP WILL OPINE
Capitalized
terms used in this Exhibit shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.
The opinion to be delivered pursuant to Section 9.3(d) of the Agreement
may, at the option of the opinion giver, be delivered in accordance with the
standards set forth under the Report on Legal Opinions to Third Parties in
Corporate Transactions (January 1, 1992) published by the Executive
Committee of the Corporate and Banking Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia.
1.
SBKC
is a
bank holding company existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of Georgia with corporate power and authority to conduct its business and to
own
and use its Assets.
2.
SBKC’s
authorized capital stock consists of _______ shares
of
SBKC Common Stock, of which, to our knowledge, _______ shares were outstanding
as of _______ ___, 2005 and _________ shares were outstanding as of the Closing
Date. To our knowledge, the shares of SBKC Common Stock have been duly
authorized and validly issued, were not issued in violation of any statutory
preemptive rights of shareholders and are fully paid and nonassessable.
3.
The
execution and delivery by SBKC of the Agreement do not, and if SBKC were now
to
perform its obligations under the Agreement such performance would not, violate
or contravene any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of SBKC
or, to our knowledge but without any independent investigation, result in any
material breach of, or default or acceleration under any mortgage, agreement,
lease, indenture or other instrument, order, judgment or decree to which any
SBKC Entity is a party or by which either is bound.
4.
The
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by SBKC, and,
assuming valid authorization, execution and delivery by Neighbors, constitutes
a
valid and binding agreement of SBKC enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally; provided,
however, that we express no opinion as to the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance.
5.
The
shares of SBKC Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of Neighbors as
contemplated in the Agreement have been registered under the Securities Act
of
1933, as amended, and when issued and delivered following consummation of the
Merger will be fully paid and nonassessable under the Georgia Business
Corporation Code.
EXHIBIT
“C”
MATTERS
AS TO WHICH
XXXXXX
XXXXXXXXX LLP OR WILL OPINE
Capitalized
terms used in this Exhibit shall have the meaning set forth in the Agreement.
The opinion to be delivered pursuant to Section 9.2(d) of the Agreement
may, at the option of the opinion giver, be delivered in accordance with the
standards set forth under the Report on Legal Opinions to Third Parties in
Corporate Transactions (January 1, 1992) published by the Executive
Committee of the Corporate and Banking Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia.
1.
Neighbors
is a bank holding company existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Georgia with corporate power and authority to conduct its business
and
to own and use its Assets.
2.
Neighbors'
authorized capital stock consists of
shares
of Neighbors Common Stock, of which, to our knowledge, __________ shares were
outstanding as of ,
2005
and _______ shares were outstanding as of the Closing Date. To our knowledge,
the shares of Neighbors Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly
issued, were not issued in violation of any statutory preemptive rights of
shareholders, and are fully paid and nonassessable. To our knowledge, there
are
no options, subscriptions, warrants, calls, rights or commitments obligating
Neighbors to issue or acquire any of its equity securities.
3.
The
execution and delivery by Neighbors of the Agreement do not, and if Neighbors
were now to perform its obligations under the Agreement, such performance would
not, violate or contravene any provision of the Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws of Neighbors or, to our knowledge but without any independent
investigation, result in any material breach of, or default or acceleration
under, any mortgage, agreement, lease, indenture or other instrument, order,
judgment or decree to which Neighbors is a party or by which either is
bound.
4.
The
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Neighbors and
assuming valid authorization, execution and delivery by SBKC, constitutes a
valid and binding agreement of Neighbors enforceable in accordance with its
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally; provided,
however, that we express no opinion as to the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance.