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STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
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STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT ("Option Agreement") dated as of May 7, 1998, by
and between MERCANTILE BANCORPORATION INC. ("Buyer"), a Missouri corporation
registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of
1956, as amended (the "Holding Company Act"), and FIRST FINANCIAL
BANCORPORATION ("Seller"), an Iowa corporation registered as a bank holding
company under the Holding Company Act.
W I T N E S S E T H:
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WHEREAS, Buyer and Seller are prepared to execute and deliver an
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of even date herewith (the "Merger
Agreement") providing for the merger of Seller with and into a wholly owned
subsidiary of Buyer; and
WHEREAS, as a condition to Buyer's entering into the Merger Agreement,
Buyer has required that Seller agree, and Seller has agreed, to grant to
Buyer the option set forth herein to purchase authorized but unissued shares
of the common stock, $1.25 par value, of Seller ("Seller Common Stock").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises herein contained, the
parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
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shall have the same meanings as in the Merger Agreement.
2. Grant of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
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herein, Seller hereby grants to Buyer an option (the "Option") to purchase up
to 707,189 shares of Seller Common Stock (representing approximately 19.9% of
the issued and outstanding shares of Seller Common Stock) at a price per
share equal to $37.75 (the "Purchase Price") payable in cash as
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provided in Section 4 hereof. In no event shall shares of Seller Common
Stock for which the Option is exercisable exceed 19.9% of the issued and
outstanding shares of Seller Common Stock, without giving effect to any
shares subject to or issued pursuant to the Option.
3. Exercise of Option.
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(a) If not then in material breach of the Merger Agreement,
Buyer may exercise the Option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time
to time if a Purchase Event (as defined below) shall have occurred; provided,
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however, that: (i) to the extent the Option shall not have been exercised,
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it shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the earlier to
occur of (A) the Effective Time of the Merger and (B) the termination of the
Merger Agreement in accordance with Article VII thereof, provided that in the
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case of a termination by Buyer pursuant to Section 7.01(d) arising from the
volitional breach by Seller of any of its representations, warranties or
covenants in the Merger Agreement, the Option shall not terminate until the
date that is 12 months following such termination; (ii) if the Option cannot
be exercised on such day because of any injunction, order or similar
restraint issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Option shall
expire on the 30th business day after such injunction, order or restraint
shall have been dissolved or when such injunction, order or restraint shall
have become permanent and no longer subject to appeal, as the case may be;
and (iii) that any such exercise shall be subject to compliance with
applicable law, including the Holding Company Act.
(b) As used herein, a "Purchase Event" shall mean any of the
following events:
(i) Seller or any of its Subsidiaries, without having
received prior written consent from Buyer, shall have entered into,
authorized, recommended, proposed or publicly announced its intention
to enter into, authorize, recommend or propose, an agreement,
arrangement or understanding with any person (other than Buyer or any
of its
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Subsidiaries) to (A) effect a merger or consolidation or similar
transaction involving the acquisition of Seller or any of its
Subsidiaries, (B) purchase, lease or otherwise acquire 15% or more of
the assets of Seller or any of its Subsidiaries or (C) purchase or
otherwise acquire (including by way of merger, consolidation, share
exchange or similar transaction) Beneficial Ownership of securities
representing 15% or more of the voting power of Seller or any of its
Subsidiaries (in each case, other than any such merger, consolidation,
purchase, lease, share exchange or similar transaction between or among
any two or more Seller Subsidiaries);
(ii) any person (other than Buyer or any Subsidiary of
Buyer, or Seller or any Subsidiary of Seller in a fiduciary capacity)
shall have acquired Beneficial Ownership or the right to acquire
Beneficial Ownership of 15% or more of the voting power of Seller; or
(iii) (1) the holders of Seller Common Stock shall not
have approved the Merger Agreement at the meeting of such shareholders
held for the purpose of voting on the Merger Agreement, (2) such
meeting shall not have been held, (3) such meeting shall have been
canceled prior to termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance
with its terms or (4) Seller's Board of Directors shall have withdrawn
or modified in a manner adverse to Buyer the recommendation of Seller's
Board of Directors with respect to the Merger Agreement; in the case
of each of (1), (2), (3) and (4) above, after an Extension Event.
(c) As used herein, the term "Extension Event" shall mean any
of the following events:
(i) a Purchase Event described in Section 3(b)(i) or (ii)
hereof;
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(ii) any person (other than Buyer or any of its
Subsidiaries) shall have "commenced" (as such term is defined in Rule
14d-2 under the Exchange Act), or shall have filed a registration
statement under the Securities Act with respect to, a tender offer or
exchange offer to purchase shares of Seller Common Stock such that,
upon consummation of such offer, such person would have Beneficial
Ownership (as defined below) or the right to acquire Beneficial
Ownership of 15% or more of the voting power of Seller; or
(iii) any person (other than Buyer or any Subsidiary of
Buyer, or Seller or any Subsidiary of Seller in a fiduciary capacity)
shall have publicly announced its willingness, or shall have publicly
announced a proposal, or publicly disclosed an intention to make a
proposal, (x) to make an offer described in clause (ii) above, or (y)
to engage in a transaction described in clause (i) above.
(d) As used herein, the terms "Beneficial Ownership" and
"Beneficially Own" shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act.
(e) In the event Buyer wishes to exercise the Option, it shall
deliver to Seller a written notice (the date of which being herein referred
to as the "Notice Date") specifying (i) the total number of shares it intends
to purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a place and date not earlier
than ten business days nor later than 30 calendar days from the Notice Date
for the closing of such purchase (the "Closing Date").
4. Payment and Delivery of Certificates.
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(a) At the closing referred to in Section 3 hereof, Buyer shall
pay to Seller the aggregate Purchase Price for the shares of Seller Common
Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option in immediately
available funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Seller.
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(b) At such closing, simultaneously with the delivery of cash
as provided in Section 4(a), Seller shall deliver to Buyer a certificate or
certificates representing the number of shares of Seller Common Stock purchased
by Buyer, registered in the name of Buyer or a nominee designated in writing by
Buyer, and Buyer shall deliver to Seller a letter agreeing that Buyer shall not
offer to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of such shares in violation of
applicable law or the provisions of this Option Agreement.
(c) If at the time of issuance of any Seller Common Stock
pursuant to any exercise of the Option, Seller shall have issued any share
purchase rights or similar securities to holders of Seller Common Stock, then
each such share of Seller Common Stock shall also represent rights with terms
substantially the same as and at least as favorable to Buyer as those issued
to other holders of Seller Common Stock.
(d) Certificates for Seller Common Stock delivered at any
closing hereunder shall be endorsed with a restrictive legend which shall
read substantially as follows:
The transfer of the shares represented by this certificate
is subject to certain provisions of an agreement between
the registered holder hereof and FIRST FINANCIAL
BANCORPORATION, a copy of which is on file at the
principal office of FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORPORATION, and to
resale restrictions arising under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and any applicable state securities
laws. A copy of such agreement will be provided to the
holder hereof without charge upon receipt by FIRST
FINANCIAL BANCORPORATION of a written request therefor.
It is understood and agreed that the above legend shall be removed by
delivery of substitute certificates without such legend if Buyer shall have
delivered to Seller an opinion of counsel, in form and substance
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reasonably satisfactory to Seller and its counsel, to the effect that such
legend is not required for purposes of the Securities Act and any applicable
state securities laws and this Option Agreement.
5. Authorization, etc.
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(a) Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that:
(i) Seller has full corporate authority to execute and
deliver this Option Agreement and, subject to Section 11(i), to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;
(ii) such execution, delivery and consummation have been
authorized by the Board of Directors of Seller, and no other corporate
proceedings are necessary therefor;
(iii) this Option Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered and represents a valid and legally binding
obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its
terms; and
(iv) Seller has taken all necessary corporate action to
authorize and reserve and, subject to Section 11(i), permit it to issue
and, at all times from the date hereof through the date of the exercise
in full or the expiration or termination of the Option, shall have
reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Option, 707,189 shares of
Seller Common Stock, all of which, upon issuance pursuant hereto, shall
be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and
shall be delivered free and clear of all claims, liens, encumbrances,
restrictions (other than federal and state securities restrictions) and
security interests and not subject to any preemptive rights.
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(b) Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller that:
(i) Buyer has full corporate authority to execute and
deliver this Option Agreement and, subject to Section 11(i), to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;
(ii) such execution, delivery and consummation have been
authorized by all requisite corporate action by Buyer, and no other
corporate proceedings are necessary therefor;
(iii) this Option Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered and represents a valid and legally binding
obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its
terms; and
(iv) any Seller Common Stock or other securities acquired
by Buyer upon exercise of the Option will not be taken with a view to
the public distribution thereof and will not be transferred or
otherwise disposed of except in compliance with the Securities Act and
applicable state law.
6. Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization. In the event of
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any change in Seller Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, split-ups,
recapitalizations or the like, the type and number of shares subject to the
Option, and the Purchase Price per share, as the case may be, shall be
adjusted appropriately. In the event that any additional shares of Seller
Common Stock are issued after the date of this Option Agreement (other than
pursuant to an event described in the preceding sentence or pursuant to this
Option Agreement), the number of shares of Seller Common Stock subject to the
Option shall be adjusted so that, after such issuance, it equals at least
19.9% of the number of shares of Seller Common Stock then issued and
outstanding, without giving effect to any shares of Seller Common Stock
subject to or issued pursuant to the Option.
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7. Repurchase.
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(a) Subject to the giving of any notices and the receipt of any
approvals as contemplated by Section 11(i), at the request of Buyer at any
time commencing upon the first occurrence of a Purchase Event described in
Section 3(b) hereof and ending 12 months immediately thereafter but not later
than the termination of the Option pursuant to Section 3(a) hereof (the
"Repurchase Period"), Seller (or any successor entity thereof) shall
repurchase the Option from Buyer together with all (but not less than all,
subject to Section 10) shares of Seller Common Stock purchased by Buyer
pursuant hereto with respect to which Buyer then has Beneficial Ownership, at
an aggregate price (per share, the "Per Share Repurchase Price") equal to the
sum of:
(i) The exercise price paid by Buyer for any shares of
Seller Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Option;
(ii) The difference between (A) the "Market/Tender Offer
Price" for shares of Seller Common Stock (defined as the higher (x) of
the highest price per share at which a tender or exchange offer has
been made for shares of Seller Common Stock or (y) the highest closing
sales price per share of Seller Common Stock reported by the Nasdaq
National Market, in each case for any day within that portion of the
Repurchase Period that precedes the date Buyer gives notice of the
required repurchase under this Section 7) and (B) the exercise price as
determined pursuant to Section 2 hereof (subject to adjustment as
provided in Section 6), multiplied by the number of shares of Seller
Common Stock with respect to which the Option has not been exercised,
but only if the Market/Tender Offer Price is greater than such exercise
price; and
(iii) The difference between the Market/Tender Offer Price
and the exercise price paid by Buyer for any shares of Seller Common
Stock purchased pursuant
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to the exercise of the Option, multiplied by the number of shares so
purchased, but only if the Market/Tender Offer Price is greater than such
exercise price.
(b) In the event Buyer exercises its rights under this Section
7, Seller shall, within 10 business days thereafter, pay the required amount
to Buyer by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated by Buyer and Buyer shall surrender to Seller the Option and the
certificates evidencing the shares of Seller Common Stock purchased
thereunder with respect to which Buyer then has Beneficial Ownership, and
Buyer shall warrant that it has sole record and Beneficial Ownership of such
shares and that the same are free and clear of all liens, claims, charges,
restrictions and encumbrances of any kind whatsoever.
(c) In determining the Market/Tender Offer Price, the value of
any consideration other than cash shall be determined by an independent
nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by Buyer and
reasonably acceptable to Seller.
8. Repurchase at Option of Seller and First Refusal.
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(a) Except to the extent that Buyer shall have previously
exercised its rights under Section 7, at the request of Seller during the
six-month period commencing 12 months following the first occurrence of a
Purchase Event, Seller may repurchase from Buyer, and Buyer shall sell the
Option to Seller together with all (but not less than all, subject to Section
10) of the Seller Common Stock acquired by Buyer pursuant hereto and with
respect to which Buyer has Beneficial Ownership at the time of such
repurchase at a price per share equal to the greater of (i) the Per Share
Repurchase Price or (ii) the sum of (A) the aggregate Purchase Price of the
shares so repurchased plus (B) interest on the aggregate Purchase Price paid
for the shares so repurchased from the date of purchase to the date of
repurchase at the highest rate of interest announced by Buyer as its prime or
base lending or reference
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rate during such period, less any dividends received on the shares so
repurchased. Any repurchase under this Section 8(a) shall be consummated in
accordance with Section 7(b).
(b) If, at any time after the occurrence of a Purchase Event
and prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of 18 months immediately
following such Purchase Event or (ii) the expiration or termination of the
Option, Buyer shall desire to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of
the Option or all or any of the shares of Seller Common Stock acquired by it
pursuant to the Option, it shall give Seller written notice of the proposed
transaction (an "Offeror's Notice"), identifying the proposed transferee, and
setting forth the terms of the proposed transaction. An Offeror's Notice
shall be deemed an offer by Buyer to Seller, which may be accepted within 10
business days of the receipt of such Offeror's Notice, on the same terms and
conditions and at the same price at which Buyer is proposing to transfer the
Option or such shares to a third party. In the event the proposed
transaction involves the sale of the Option or the shares of Seller Common
Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option for consideration
other than cash, the value of such consideration shall be determined by an
independent nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by Buyer
and reasonably acceptable to Seller. The purchase of the Option or any such
shares by Seller shall be closed within 10 business days of the date of the
acceptance of the offer and the purchase price shall be paid to Buyer by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by Buyer.
In the event of the failure or refusal of Seller to purchase the Option or
all the shares covered by the Offeror's Notice or if the Federal Reserve
Board or any other Regulatory Authority disapproves Seller's proposed
purchase of the Option or such shares, Buyer may, within 60 days from the
date of the Offeror's Notice, sell all, but not less than all, of the Option
or such shares to such third party at no less than the price specified and on
terms no more favorable to the purchaser than those set forth in the
Offeror's Notice. The requirements of this Section 8(b) shall not apply to
(i) any disposition as a result of which the proposed transferee
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would Beneficially Own not more than 2% of the voting power of Seller or (ii)
any disposition of Seller Common Stock by a person to whom Buyer has sold
shares of Seller Common Stock issued upon exercise of the Option.
9. Registration Rights. At any time after the exercise of the
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Option by Buyer for an aggregate of at least 50% of the shares subject
thereto, Seller shall, subject to the conditions set forth herein, if
requested by Buyer, as expeditiously as practicable file a registration
statement on a form for general use under the Securities Act if necessary in
order to permit the sale or other disposition of the shares of Seller Common
Stock that have been acquired upon exercise of the Option in accordance with
the intended method of sale or other disposition requested by Buyer (it being
understood and agreed that any such sale or other disposition shall be
effected on a widely distributed basis so that, upon consummation thereof, no
purchaser or transferee shall Beneficially Own more than 2% of the shares of
Seller Common Stock then outstanding). Buyer shall provide all information
reasonably requested by Seller for inclusion in any registration statement to
be filed hereunder. Seller shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause
such registration statement first to become effective and then to remain
effective for such period not in excess of 90 days from the day such
registration statement first becomes effective as may be reasonably necessary
to effect such sales or other dispositions. The registration effected under
this Section 9 shall be at Seller's expense except for underwriting discounts
and commissions and the fees and disbursements of Buyer's counsel
attributable to the registration of such Seller Common Stock. In no event
shall Seller be required to effect more than one registration hereunder. The
filing of the registration statement hereunder may be delayed for such period
of time as may reasonably be required to facilitate any public distribution
by Seller of Seller Common Stock or if a special audit of Seller would
otherwise be required in connection therewith. If requested by Buyer in
connection with such registration, Seller shall become a party to any
underwriting agreement relating to the sale of such
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shares, but only to the extent of obligating itself in respect of
representations, warranties, indemnities and other agreements customarily
included in such underwriting agreements for parties similarly situated.
10. Severability. Any term, provision, covenant or restriction
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contained in this Option Agreement held by a court or a Regulatory Authority
of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, shall be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, voidness or unenforceability,
but neither the remaining terms, provisions, covenants or restrictions
contained in this Option Agreement nor the validity or enforceability thereof
in any other jurisdiction shall be affected or impaired thereby. Any term,
provision, covenant or restriction contained in this Option Agreement that is
so found to be so broad as to be unenforceable shall be interpreted to be as
broad as is enforceable. If for any reason such court or Regulatory
Authority determines that applicable law will not permit Buyer or any other
person to acquire, or Seller to repurchase or purchase, the full number of
shares of Seller Common Stock provided in Section 2 hereof (as adjusted
pursuant to Section 6 hereof), it is the express intention of the parties
hereto to allow Buyer or such other person to acquire, or Seller to
repurchase or purchase, such lesser number of shares as may be permissible,
without any amendment or modification hereof.
11. Miscellaneous.
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(a) Expenses. Each of the parties hereto shall pay all costs
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and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereunder, including fees and expenses of its own
financial consultants, investment bankers, accountants and counsel, except as
otherwise provided herein.
(b) Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided
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herein, this Option Agreement and the Merger Agreement contain 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.
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(c) Successors; No Third Party Beneficiaries. The terms and
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conditions of this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted
assigns. Nothing in this Option Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended
to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto, and their respective
successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities
under or by reason of this Option Agreement, except as expressly provided
herein.
(d) Assignment. Other than as provided in Section 8 hereof,
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neither of the parties hereto may sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose
of any of its rights or obligations under this Option Agreement or the Option
created hereunder to any other person (whether by operation of law or
otherwise), without the express written consent of the other party.
(e) Notices. All notices or other communications that are
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required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if
delivered in accordance with Section 8.08 of the Merger Agreement (which is
incorporated herein by reference).
(f) Counterparts. This Option Agreement may be executed in
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counterparts, and each such counterpart shall be deemed to be an original
instrument, but both such counterparts together shall constitute but one
agreement.
(g) Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that if for
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any reason Buyer or Seller shall have failed to perform its obligations under
this Option Agreement, then either party hereto seeking to enforce this
Option Agreement against such non-performing party shall be entitled to
specific performance and injunctive and other equitable relief, and the
parties hereto further agree to waive any requirement for the securing or
posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any such injunctive
or other equitable relief. This provision is without prejudice to any other
rights that either party hereto may have against the other party hereto for
any failure to perform its obligations under this Option Agreement.
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(h) Governing Law. This Option Agreement shall be governed by
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and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri applicable
to agreements made and entirely to be performed within such state.
(i) Regulatory Approvals; Section 16(b). If, in connection
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with (A) the exercise of the Option under Section 3 or a sale by Buyer to a
third party under Section 8, (B) a repurchase by Seller under Section 7 or a
repurchase or purchase by Seller under Section 8, prior notification to or
approval of the Federal Reserve Board, or any other Regulatory Authority is
required, then the required notice or application for approval shall be
promptly filed and expeditiously processed and periods of time that otherwise
would run pursuant to such Sections shall run instead from the date on which
any such required notification period has expired or been terminated or such
approval has been obtained, and in either event, any requisite waiting period
shall have passed. In the case of clause (A) of this subsection (i), such
filing shall be made by Buyer, and in the case of clause (B) of this
subsection (i), such filing shall be made by Seller, provided that each of
Buyer and Seller shall use its best efforts to make all filings with, and to
obtain consents of, all third parties and Regulatory Authorities necessary to
the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without
limitation, applying to the Federal Reserve Board under the Holding Company
Act for approval to acquire the shares issuable hereunder. Periods of time
that otherwise would run pursuant to Sections 3, 7 or 8 shall also be
extended to the extent necessary to avoid liability under Section 16(b) of
the Exchange Act.
(j) No Breach of Merger Agreement Authorized. Nothing
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contained in this Option Agreement shall be deemed to authorize Seller to
issue any shares of Seller Common Stock in breach of, or otherwise breach any
of, the provisions of the Merger Agreement nor shall any action taken
hereunder by Seller constitute a breach of any of the provisions of the
Merger Agreement.
(k) Waiver and Amendment. Any provision of this Option
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Agreement may be waived at any time by the party that is entitled to the
benefits of such provision. This Option
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Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented except upon the
execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has executed this Option
Agreement as of the date first written above.
MERCANTILE BANCORPORATION INC.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx
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Xxxx X. Xxxx
Executive Vice President, Mercantile Bank
National Association, Authorized Officer
FIRST FINANCIAL BANCORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
President and Chief Executive Officer
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