Bank of America Corporation Common Stock ($0.01 par value) ATM EQUITY OFFERINGSM SALES AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 1.1
EXECUTION COPY
Bank of America Corporation
Common Stock
($0.01 par value)
($0.01 par value)
ATM EQUITY OFFERINGSM SALES AGREEMENT
May 8, 2009
XXXXXXX XXXXX & CO.
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated
Banc of America Securities LLC
c/x Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated
Incorporated
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Bank of America Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes, subject
to the terms and conditions stated herein, to issue and sell from time to time to or through
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated or Banc of America Securities LLC, as sales
agent and/or principal (each, an “Agent” and together, the “Agents”), up to
1,250,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value (the
“Common Stock”), on the terms set forth in Section 2 of this ATM Equity
OfferingSM Sales Agreement (the “Agreement”). The Company agrees
that whenever it determines to sell Shares directly to any Agent as principal, it will enter into a
separate agreement (each, a “Terms Agreement”) in substantially the form of Annex I hereto,
relating to such sale in accordance with Section 2 of this Agreement.
Section 1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and
warrants to each Agent that as of the date of this Agreement, each Registration Statement Amendment
Date (as defined in Section 3 below), each Company Periodic Report Date (as defined in Section 3
below), each Company Earning Report Date (as defined in Section 3 below), each Request Date (as
defined in Section 3 below), each Applicable Time (as defined in Section 1(a) below) and each
Settlement Date (as defined in Section 2 below):
(a) The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-158663), which contains a
base prospectus (the “Basic Prospectus”), to be used in connection with the offer, sale and
distribution of the Company’s Common Stock (including the Shares) (collectively, the
“Securities”). Such registration statement, as amended, including the financial
statements, exhibits and schedules thereto, including any required information deemed to be a part
thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (collectively, the “1933 Act”), and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder
(collectively, the “1934 Act”), at each time of effectiveness, is called the
“Registration Statement.” The term “Prospectus Supplement” shall mean the final
prospectus supplement relating specifically to the Shares that is first filed pursuant to Rule
424(b). The term “Prospectus” refers to the Basic Prospectus, as amended and supplemented
by the Prospectus Supplement. Any reference herein to the Registration Statement, the Basic
Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement or the Prospectus, as the case may be, shall be deemed to
refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of Form
S-3 under the 1933 Act; any reference to any amendment to the Registration Statement shall be
deemed to refer to and include any annual report of the Company filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d) of the 1934 Act after the effective date of the Registration Statement that is incorporated
by reference in the Registration Statement. Any “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in
Rule 433 under the 1933 Act relating to the Shares is hereinafter called an “Issuer Free
Writing Prospectus”). All references in this Agreement to the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus, the Prospectus
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Supplement or any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing shall include any copy
thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval
System (“XXXXX”).
For the purposes of this Agreement, the “Applicable Time” means, with respect to any
Shares, the time of sale of such Shares pursuant to this Agreement. The Prospectus and the
applicable Issuer Free Writing Prospectus(es) issued at or prior to such Applicable Time, taken
together (collectively, and, with respect to any Shares, together with the public offering price of
such Shares, the “General Disclosure Package”) as of each Applicable Time and each
Settlement Date, will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading; and each applicable Issuer Free Writing Prospectus will
not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus
Supplement or the Prospectus and each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, as supplemented by and
taken together with the General Disclosure Package as of such Applicable Time, will not include any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(b) The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus when they were filed with the
Commission, complied in all material respects with the requirements under the 1933 Act or the 1934
Act, as applicable, and did not, when such incorporated documents were so filed, contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading; provided, that the foregoing representations and
warranties shall not apply to conflicts arising from statements in or omissions from any Issuer
Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon information furnished herein or in writing to the
Company by the Agents (the “Agent Information”) for use in such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus;
provided, further, that any statement contained in any document incorporated by reference
into the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus whether such
incorporated documents are filed before or after the date of such Registration Statement, the
General Disclosure Package or Prospectus (an “Incorporated Document”) shall be deemed not to be
contained in the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package or the Prospectus if the statement
has been modified or superseded by any statement in a subsequently filed Incorporated Document or
in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or Prospectus or in any amendment or
supplement thereto. The Commission has not issued any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or any order preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus, and the
Company is without knowledge that any proceedings have been instituted for either purpose.
(c) The Company has not received any notice from the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), the
London Stock Exchange (“LSE”) or the Tokyo Stock Exchange (“TSE”) regarding the delisting of its
Common Stock.
(d) The Shares have been duly and validly authorized and reserved for issuance and sale
pursuant to this Agreement, and, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement (giving effect to any maximum gross proceeds limitation that is referenced in Section
6(e) hereof) or any Terms Agreement against payment therefor, the Shares will be duly and validly
issued and fully paid and non-assessable; the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any
preemptive or similar rights.
(e) The issue and sale of the Shares and the compliance by the Company with all of the
provisions of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated, and the
performance of its obligations hereunder, will not contravene any provision of applicable law, the
certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or articles of association or bylaws of Bank
of America, N.A. (the “Principal Subsidiary Bank”) or any agreement or other instrument binding
upon the Company or the Principal Subsidiary Bank that is material to the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency
or court having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary; and no consent, approval,
authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental or regulatory body is required
for the performance by the Company of its obligations under this Agreement, except such as may be
required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states or foreign jurisdictions in
connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.
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(f) Neither the Company nor any affiliate of the Company has taken, nor will the Company or
any affiliate take, directly or indirectly, any action which is designed to or which has
constituted or which would be expected to cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the
price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Shares.
(g) (A) At the time of filing the Registration Statement, (B) at the time of the most recent
amendment thereto for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) under the 1933 Act (whether
such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the 1934 Act or form of prospectus), (C) at the time the Company or any person acting on
its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) under the 0000 Xxx) made any
offer relating to the Shares in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 under the 1933 Act, and (D)
as of the date of this Agreement (with such date being used as the determination date for purposes
of this clause (D)), the Company was and is a “well known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405
under the 1933 Act. The Registration Statement is an “automatic shelf registration statement,” as
defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, the Company has not received from the Commission any notice
pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the 1933 Act objecting to use of the automatic shelf registration
statement form and the Company has not otherwise ceased to be eligible to use the automatic shelf
registration statement form.
(i) During the term of this Agreement, the Company has not taken any action to repurchase
(directly or indirectly) any shares of its Common Stock that would be prohibited by Regulation M
promulgated under the 1934 Act.
(j) As of the date hereof, when the Prospectus is first filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the 1933 Act, when any supplement or amendment to the Prospectus is filed with
the Commission, at each Settlement Date (as hereinafter defined) and, with respect to the
Registration Statement in (A) and (B) below, as of the Applicable Time, (A) the Registration
Statement is effective, the Registration Statement, as amended as of any such time, and the
Prospectus, as amended or supplemented as of any such time complied, complies or will comply in all
material respects with the applicable provisions under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, (B) the
Registration Statement, as amended as of any such time, did not, does not and will not 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 not misleading, and (C) the
Prospectus, as amended or supplemented as of any such time, did not, does not and will not 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; provided, however, that the Company makes no
representations or warranties as to the Agent Information.
(k) If at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and prior to the
end of any period when the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the offering or
sale of Shares (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 153 or 172, or in lieu thereof,
a notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the 1933 Act), there occurred or occurs an event or
development as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicted or would conflict
with the information contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company has
promptly notified or will promptly notify the Agent and has promptly amended or supplemented or
will promptly amend or supplement, at its own expense, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to
eliminate or correct such conflict. The foregoing two sentences do not apply to statements in or
omissions from an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus based upon and in conformity with Agent
Information.
(l) The Company has not distributed and will not distribute, prior to the date hereof, any
offering material in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares other than the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus reviewed and consented
to by the Agent.
Any certificate signed by any officer or other authorized signatory of the Company and
delivered to the Agent or to counsel for the Agent shall be deemed a representation and warranty by
the Company to the Agent as to the matters covered thereby.
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Section 2. Sale and Delivery of Shares.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company agrees to issue and sell
through the Agents acting as sales agents or directly to such Agents acting as principal from time
to time, and each Agents agrees, severally and not jointly, to use its commercially reasonable
efforts to sell as sales agent for the Company, the Shares. Sales of the Shares, if any, through
the Agents acting as sales agents or directly to such Agents acting as principal, will be made (i)
by privately negotiated transactions, or (ii) by any other method permitted by law, deemed to be an
“at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act.
(b) The Shares are to be sold on a daily basis or otherwise as shall be agreed to by the
Company and the Agent through whom the sale of Shares are to be effected on any trading day (other
than a day on which the NYSE is scheduled to close prior to its regular weekday closing time, each,
a “Trading Day”) that the Company has satisfied its obligations under Section 6 of this
Agreement and that the Company has instructed such Agent to make such sales. On any Trading Day,
the Company shall sell Shares through only one Agent, but in no event through both, and the Company
shall give at least one business day prior written notice by telecopy or email to the Agents to
notify any change of the Agent through whom the sale of Shares will be effected. For the avoidance
of doubt, the foregoing limitation shall not apply to sales solely to employees or security holders
of the Company or its subsidiaries, or to a trustee or other person acquiring such securities for
the accounts of such persons or, sales in which either Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx
Incorporated or Banc of America Securities LLC is acting for the Company in a capacity other than
as Agent under this Agreement. On any Trading Day, the Company may instruct the Agent through whom
the sale of Shares are effected that day by telephone (confirmed promptly by telecopy or email,
which confirmation will be promptly acknowledged by such Agent) as to the maximum number of Shares
to be sold by such Agent on such day (in any event not in excess of the number available for
issuance under the Prospectus and the currently effective Registration Statement) and the minimum
price per Share at which such Shares may be sold. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each
Agent shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell as sales agent all of the Shares so
designated by the Company. The Company and each Agent acknowledges and agrees that (A) there can
be no assurance that the Agent will be successful in selling the Shares, (B) neither Agent will
incur liability or obligation to the Company or any other person or entity if it does not sell
Shares for any reason other than a failure by such Agent to use its commercially reasonable efforts
consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable law and regulations to sell
such Shares as required by this Agreement, and (C) neither Agent shall be under an obligation to
purchase Shares on a principal basis except as otherwise specifically agreed by such Agent and the
Company pursuant to a Terms Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this
Agreement and the terms of a Terms Agreement, the terms of such Terms Agreement will control.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not authorize the issuance and sale of,
and neither Agent shall be obligated to use its commercially reasonable efforts to sell, any Shares
(i) at a price lower than the minimum price therefor authorized from time to time as notified to
such Agent by the Authorized Representative (as defined below), or (ii) in a number or with an
aggregate gross sales price in excess of the number or gross sales price, as the case may be, of
Shares authorized from time to time to be issued and sold under this Agreement, in each case, by
the Company’s board of directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, or in a number in excess
of the number of Shares approved for listing on the NYSE or inconsistent with the instructions
given to the Agents by any Authorized Representative , and in each case notified to such Agent in
writing by the Authorized Representative. In addition, the Company or any Agent may, upon notice
to the other party hereto by telephone (confirmed promptly by telecopy or email, which confirmation
will be promptly acknowledged), suspend the offering of the Shares with respect to which such Agent
is acting as sales agent for any reason and at any time; provided, however, that
such suspension or termination shall not affect or impair the parties’ respective obligations with
respect to the Shares sold hereunder prior to the giving of such notice. An “Authorized
Representative” means the individuals which are listed as authorized representatives of the
Company on Schedule 1 hereto, which may be amended by the Company from time to time upon at least
three Trading Days notice to the Agents.
(d) The gross sales price of any Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement by the Agents acting
as sales agent of the Company shall be the actual execution price of the Shares sold by such Agent.
The compensation payable to such Agent for sales of Shares with respect to which the Agent acts as
sales agent shall be equal to 1.0% of the gross sales price of the Shares sold pursuant to this
Agreement. The Company may sell Shares to either Agent as principal at a price agreed upon at the
relevant Applicable Time and pursuant to a separate Terms
Agreement. The remaining proceeds shall constitute the net proceeds to the Company for such
Shares (the “Net Proceeds”).
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(e) If acting as sales agent hereunder, the applicable Agent shall provide written
confirmation to the Company following the close of trading on the NYSE each day in which Shares are
sold under this Agreement setting forth the number of Shares sold on such day, the aggregate gross
sales proceeds of the Shares, the aggregate Net Proceeds to the Company and the aggregate
compensation payable by the Company to such Agent with respect to such sales.
(f) Under no circumstances shall the aggregate gross sales price or number, as the case may
be, of Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement and any Terms Agreement exceed the aggregate gross
sales price or number, as the case may be, of Shares of Common Stock (i) set forth in the preamble
paragraph of this Agreement, (ii) available for issuance under the Prospectus and the then
currently effective Registration Statement or (iii) authorized from time to time to be issued and
sold under this Agreement or any Terms Agreement by the Company’s board of directors, or a duly
authorized committee thereof or approved for listing on the NYSE or inconsistent with the
instructions given to the Agents by any Authorized Representative, and in each case referred to in
this clause (iii), and notified to the Agents in writing. In addition, under no circumstances shall
any Shares with respect to which the Agents act as sales agent be sold at a price lower than the
minimum price therefor authorized from time to time by the Company’s board of directors, or a duly
authorized committee thereof, and notified to the Agents in writing.
(g) Settlement for sales of Shares pursuant to this Section 2 will occur on the third business
day that is also a Trading Day following the trade date on which such sales are made, unless
another date shall be agreed to by the Company and the Agent (each such day, a “Settlement
Date”). On each Settlement Date, the Shares sold through the Agent through whom the sale of
Shares are effected that day for settlement on such date shall be delivered by the Company to such
Agent against payment of the Net Proceeds from the sale of such Shares. Settlement for all Shares
shall be effected by book-entry delivery of Shares to such Agent’s account at The Depository Trust
Company against payment by such Agent of the Net Proceeds from the sale of such Shares in same day
funds delivered to an account designated by the Company. If the Company shall default on its
obligation to deliver Shares on any Settlement Date, the Company shall (i) indemnify and hold such
Agent harmless against any loss, claim or damage arising from or as a result of such default by the
Company and (ii) pay such Agent any commission to which it would otherwise be entitled absent such
default. If the Agent through whom the sale of Shares are effected that day breaches this
Agreement by failing to deliver the applicable Net Proceeds on any Settlement Date for Shares
delivered by the Company, such Agent will pay the Company interest based on the effective overnight
federal funds rate until such proceeds, together with such interest, have been fully paid.
Section 3. Covenants. The Company agrees with each Agent:
(a) During any period when the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the
offering or sale of Shares (whether physically or through compliance with Rule 153 or 172, or in
lieu thereof, a notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the 1933 Act), (i) to make no further
amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (except with respect to
a filing required under the 1934 Act or a prospectus supplement relating to the sale of securities)
prior to any Settlement Date without the approval of the Agents, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld and to advise the Agents, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the
time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any
amendment or supplement to the Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Agents with copies
thereof, (ii) to file promptly all other material required to be filed by the Company with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the 1933 Act, (iii) to file promptly all reports and any
definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act, (iv) to advise the Agents, promptly
after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any
order preventing or suspending the use of the Prospectus, of any notice of objection of the
Commission to the use of the form of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the 1933 Act, of the suspension of the qualification of
the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or
supplementing of the form of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, and (v) in the event of
the issuance of any such stop order or of any such order preventing or suspending the use of the
Prospectus in respect of the Shares or suspending any such qualification, to promptly use its
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal
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of such order; and in the event of any such issuance of a notice of objection, promptly to take
such reasonable steps as may be necessary to permit offers and sales of the Shares by the Agents,
which may include, without limitation, amending the Registration Statement or filing a new
registration statement, at the Company’s expense (references herein to the Registration Statement
shall include any such amendment or new registration statement).
(b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Agents may reasonably request to
qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the state blue sky securities laws of such
jurisdictions as the Agents may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the
continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to
complete the sale of the Shares, provided that in connection therewith the Company shall
not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of
process in any jurisdiction; and to promptly advise the Agents of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer or sale in
any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
(c) During any period when the delivery of a prospectus is required (whether physically or
through compliance with Rules 153 or 172, or in lieu thereof, a notice referred to in Rule 173(a)
under the 0000 Xxx) in connection with the offering or sale of Shares, the Company will make
available to the Agents, as soon as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, and
thereafter from time to time furnish to the Agents, copies of the most recent Prospectus in such
quantities and at such locations as the Agents may reasonably request for the purposes contemplated
by the 1933 Act. During any period when the delivery of a prospectus is required (whether
physically or through compliance with Rules 153 or 172, or in lieu thereof, a notice referred to in
Rule 173(a) under the 0000 Xxx) in connection with the offering or sale of Shares, and if at such
time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or
supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason
it shall be necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to file
under the 1934 Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with
the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, to notify the Agents and to file such document and to prepare and
furnish without charge to the Agents as many written and electronic copies as the Agents may from
time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which
will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.
(d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable, but in any
event not later than sixteen months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as
defined in Rule 158(c) under the 1933 Act), an earnings statement of the Company and its
subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and the rules
and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158).
(e) To pay the required Commission filing fees relating to the Shares within the time required
by Rule 456(b)(1) under the 1933 Act without regard to the proviso therein and otherwise in
accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the 1933 Act.
(f) If on any day the Company engages in any repurchases of any shares of its Common Stock, it
will suspend activities under the program for such day so that such repurchases are not made during
any “restricted period” (as defined in Regulation M promulgated under the 0000 Xxx) applicable to
any offering under the program.
(g) To not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to cause or result in, or that
has constituted or might reasonably be expected to constitute, under the 1934 Act or otherwise, the
stabilization or manipulation of the price of any securities of the Company to facilitate the sale
or resale of the Shares.
(h) At each Applicable Time, each Settlement Date, each Registration Statement Amendment Date
(as defined below), each Company Earnings Report Date (as defined below), each Request Date and
each Company Periodic Report Date (as defined below) and each date on which Shares are delivered to
an Agent pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the Company shall be deemed to have affirmed each
representation, warranty, covenant and other agreement contained in this Agreement or any Terms
Agreement. A “Company Earnings Report Date” is a date on which a Current Report on Form
8-K which shall include substantially the same financial and related
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information as was set forth in the relevant earnings announcement (other than any earnings
projections, similar forward-looking data and officers’ quotations) shall be filed with the
Commission. In each Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the
Company in respect of any quarter in which sales of Shares were made by or through the Agents under
this Agreement or any Terms Agreement (each date on which any such document is filed, and any date
on which an amendment to any such document is filed, a “Company Periodic Report Date”), the
Company shall set forth with regard to such quarter the number of Shares sold through the Agents
under this Agreement or any Terms Agreement, the Net Proceeds received by the Company and the
compensation paid by the Company to the Agents with respect to sales of Shares pursuant to this
Agreement or any Terms Agreement.
(i) Upon commencement of the offering of Shares under this Agreement and each time Shares are
delivered to an Agent as principal on a Settlement Date and promptly after each (i) date the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented (other than (1) by an
amendment or supplement providing solely for the determination of the terms of the Shares, (2) in
connection with the filing of any Current Report on Form 8-K or (3) by a prospectus supplement
relating to the offering of other securities (including, without limitation, other shares of Common
Stock)) (each such date, a “Registration Statement Amendment Date,” (ii) Company Periodic
Report Date, and (iii) promptly after each reasonable request by the Agents (each date of any such
request by the Agents, a “Request Date”) (each of the date of the commencement of the
offering of Shares under this Agreement, each such Settlement Date where an Agent is acting as
principal and each Registration Statement Amendment Date, Company Periodic Report Date and Request
Date is hereinafter called a “Delivery Date”), the Company will furnish or cause to be
furnished to the Agents (with a copy to counsel to the Agents) a certificate dated as of the date
of delivery thereof to the Agents (or, in the case of an amendment or supplement to the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus (including, without limitation, by the filing of any
document under the 1934 Act that is incorporated by reference therein, except in connection with
the filing of any Current Report on Form 8-K), the date of the effectiveness of such amendment to
the Registration Statement or the date of filing with the Commission of such supplement or
incorporated document, as the case may be), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Agents and their counsel, certifying that the statements contained in the certificate referred to
in Section 6(e) of this Agreement which was last furnished to the Agents are true and correct as of
the date of such certificate as though made at and as of the date of such certificate (except that
such statements shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the
General Disclosure Package as amended and supplemented to the date of such certificate) or, in lieu
of such certificate, a certificate of the same tenor as the certificate referred to in Section
6(e), but modified as necessary to relate to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the
General Disclosure Package as amended and supplemented to the date of such certificate. As used in
this paragraph, to the extent there shall be an Applicable Time on or following the applicable
Delivery Date, “promptly” shall be deemed to be on or prior to the next succeeding Applicable Time.
(j) Upon commencement of the offering of Shares under this Agreement and each time the Shares
are delivered to an Agent as principal on a Settlement Date, and promptly after each other Delivery
Date, the Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Agents (with a copy to counsel to
the Agents) the written opinion and letter of each counsel to the Company (who shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Agents), dated the date of delivery thereof to the Agents (or, in the case of an
amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (including, without
limitation, by the filing of any document under the 1934 Act that is incorporated by reference
therein, except in connection with the filing of any Current Report on Form 8-K), the date of the
effectiveness of such amendment to the Registration Statement or the date of filing with the
Commission of such supplement or incorporated document, as the case may be), in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and their counsel, of the same tenor as the opinions and
letters referred to in Section 6(c) of this Agreement, but modified as necessary to relate to the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the General Disclosure Package as amended and
supplemented to the date of such opinion and letter or, in lieu of any such opinion and letter,
counsel last furnishing such opinion and letter to the Agents shall furnish the Agents (with a copy
to their counsel) with a letter substantially to the effect that the Agents may rely on such
counsel’s last opinion and letter to the same extent as though each were dated the date of such
letter authorizing reliance (except that statements in such last opinion and letter shall be deemed
to relate to the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the General Disclosure Package as
amended and supplemented to the date of such letter authorizing reliance). As used in this
paragraph, to the extent there shall be an Applicable Time on or following the applicable Delivery
Date, “promptly” shall be deemed to be on or prior to the next succeeding Applicable Time.
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(k) Upon commencement of the offering of Shares under this Agreement, and at the time Shares
are delivered to the Agent as principal on a Settlement Date, and promptly after each other
Delivery Date, the Company will cause PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or other independent accountants
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, to furnish to the Agent a letter, dated the date of
effectiveness of such amendment or the date of filing of such supplement or other document with the
Commission, as the case may be, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel, of
the same tenor as the letter referred to in Section 6(d) hereof, but modified as necessary to
relate to the Registration Statement, the Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, as amended and
supplemented, or to the document incorporated by reference into the Prospectus, to the date of such
letter. As used in this paragraph, to the extent there shall be an Applicable Time on or following
the applicable Delivery Date, “promptly” shall be deemed to be on or prior to the next succeeding
Applicable Time.
(l) The Company consents to each Agent trading in the Company’s Common Stock for the account
of its clients at the same time as sales of Shares occur pursuant to this Agreement or any Terms
Agreement.
(m) The Company will cooperate timely with any reasonable due diligence review conducted by
the Agents or their counsel from time to time in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby or in any Terms Agreement, including, without limitation, and upon reasonable notice
providing information and making available documents and appropriate corporate officers, during
regular business hours and at the Company’s principal offices, as the Agents may reasonably
request.
(n) The Company will not, without (i) giving the Agents at least three business days’ prior
written notice specifying the nature of the proposed sale and the date of such proposed sale and
(ii) the Agents suspending activity under this program for such period of time as requested by the
Company or as deemed appropriate by the Agents in light of the proposed sale, (A) offer, pledge,
announce the intention to sell, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase,
purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant for the sale of, lend
or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with Common Stock, or
file any registration statement under the 1933 Act with respect to any of the foregoing (other than
a shelf registration statement under Rule 415 under the 1933 Act, a registration statement on Form
S-8, or a Form S-4 or a Schedule TO or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement) or
(B) enter into any swap or other agreement or any transaction that transfers in whole or in part,
directly or indirectly, any of the economic consequence of ownership of the Common Stock, or any
securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for or repayable with Common Stock,
whether any such swap or transaction described in clause (A) or (B) above is to be settled by
delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence
shall not apply to (v) any issuance or commitment to issue securities in connection with any
merger, acquisition or exchange transaction and any issuance that is the result of an exchange or
conversion of capital stock or trust preferred securities for common stock, (w) the Shares to be
offered and sold through the Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any Terms Agreement, (x) Common
Stock issuable pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan as it may be amended or
replaced from time to time (y) Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion of any security
held by the United States Department of the Treasury and (z) the issuance of securities pursuant to
or in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or similar arrangement for the benefit
of employees, officers, directors or consultants adopted before or after the date hereof.
Section 4. Free Writing Prospectus.
(a) (i) The Company represents and agrees that without the prior consent of the Agents, it
has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a
“free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act; and
(ii) each Agent represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Company it
has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a free
writing prospectus required to be filed with the Commission.
(b) The Company has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the 1933
Act applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (including any free writing prospectus
identified in Section 4(a) hereof), including timely filing with the Commission or retention where
required and legending.
8
Section 5. Payment of Expenses.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees with the Agents that the Company will pay or cause to be
paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and
accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the 1933 Act and all other
expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement, the
Basic Prospectus, Prospectus Supplement, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering a reasonable number of copies
thereof to the Agents; (ii) the cost of printing or producing a reasonable number of copies of this
Agreement or any Terms Agreement, any Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda, closing documents
(including any compilations thereof) and any other documents in connection with the offering,
purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares; (iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification
of the Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 3(b) hereof,
including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Agents in connection with such
qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky and Legal Investment Surveys; (iv) any filing
fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Agent in connection
with, any required review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. of the terms of the
sale of the Shares; (v) all fees and expenses in connection with listing the Shares on the NYSE;
(vi) the cost of preparing the Shares; (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent or
registrar or any dividend distribution agent; and (viii) all other costs and expenses incident to
the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in
this Section. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Section 7
hereof, each Agent will pay all of its own costs and expenses, including the fees of its counsel,
transfer taxes on resale of any of the Shares by it, and any advertising expenses connected with
any offers it may make.
Section 6. Conditions of Each Agent’s Obligation. The obligations of each Agent
hereunder shall be subject, in its discretion, to the condition that all representations and
warranties and other statements of the Company herein or in certificates of any officer of the
Company delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof are true and correct as of the time of the
execution of this Agreement, the date of any executed Terms Agreement and as of each Delivery Date,
Applicable Time and Settlement Date, to the condition that the Company shall have performed all of
its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional conditions:
(a) The Prospectus Supplement shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) under the 1933 Act on or prior to the date hereof and in accordance with Section 3(a)
hereof, any other material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the
1933 Act shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed
for such filings by Rule 433; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have
been initiated or threatened by the Commission and no notice of objection of the Commission to the
use of the form of the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto pursuant to
Rule 401(g)(2) under the 1933 Act shall have been received; no stop order suspending or preventing
the use of the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been initiated or
threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the
Commission shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent through whom
sales are being effected on that day.
(b) On every date specified in Section 3(j) hereof (including, without limitation,
on every Request Date), Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, counsel for the Agent, shall have furnished to the
Agents such written opinion or opinions, dated as of such date, with respect to such matters as the
Agents may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and information as
they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.
(c) On every date specified in Section 3(j) hereof (including, without limitation,
on every Request Date), McGuireWoods LLP counsel for the Company and General Counsel to the
Company, (or such other attorney, reasonably acceptable to counsel to the Agents, who exercises
general supervision or review in connection with a particular securities law matter for the
Company), shall have furnished to the Agents written opinion or opinions, dated as of such date, as
specified in Exhibit A attached hereto.
9
(d) At the dates specified in Section 3(k) hereof (including, without limitation, on
every Request Date), the independent accountants of the Company who have certified the financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus shall have furnished to
the Agents a letter dated as of the date of delivery thereof and addressed to the Agents in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and their counsel, containing statements and
information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to underwriters with
respect to the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(e) (i) Upon commencement of the offering of Shares under this Agreement and on such
other dates as reasonably requested by Agents, the Company will furnish or cause to be furnished
promptly to the Agents a certificate of an officer in a form satisfactory to the Agents stating the
maximum number of Shares that may be issued and sold pursuant to this Agreement and, additionally,
maximum gross proceeds from such sales, as authorized from time to time by the Company’s board of
directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, and the number of Shares that have been approved
for listing on the NYSE or, in connection with any amendment, revision or modification of such
minimum price or maximum Share number or amount, a new certificate with respect thereto and (ii) on
each date specified in Section 3(i) (including, without limitation, on every Request
Date), the Agents shall have received an officers’ certificate of the Company, by an Senior Vice
President or Treasurer or any other authorized officer, dated as of the date thereof, to the effect
that (A) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and
correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made on such date and the Company has
performed or complied with all the agreements and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be
performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such date; (B) no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose
have been instituted or threatened by the Commission; and
(C) since the date of the most recent financial statements included in the General Disclosure
Package and the Prospectus, there has not been any material adverse change or any development
involving a prospective material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings,
business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not
arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except as set forth in or
contemplated in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.
(f) The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section 3(c) hereof with respect to
the timely furnishing of prospectuses.
(g) On such dates as reasonably requested by the Agents, the Company shall have conducted due
diligence sessions, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agents.
(h) All filings with the Commission required by Rule 424 under the 1933 Act to have been filed
by each Applicable Time or related Settlement Date shall have been made within the applicable time
period prescribed for such filing by Rule 424 (without reliance on Rule 424(b)(8)).
(i) The Shares shall have received approval for listing on the NYSE prior to the first
Settlement Date.
(j) Prior to any settlement date, the Company shall have furnished to the Agents such further
information, certificates and documents as the Agents may reasonably request.
Section 7. Indemnification.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Agent and each person, if any, who
controls such Agent within the meaning under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act against any loss, claim,
damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which such Agent or such controlling person may
become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense (or actions in respect
thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, or any amendment
thereto, including any information deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430B under the
Securities Act, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (ii) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Basic Prospectus, or the
Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
10
thereto) or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom
of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and to reimburse such Agent and each such
controlling person for any and all expenses (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen
by such Agent) as such expenses are reasonably incurred by such Agent or such controlling person in
connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying any such loss, claim,
damage, liability, expense or action; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity
agreement shall not apply to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense to the extent, but only
to the extent, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Agent Information.
The indemnity agreement set forth in this Section 7(a) shall be in addition to any liabilities that
the Company may otherwise have.
(b) Each Agent, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
each of its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person,
if any, who controls the Company within the meaning under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, against any
loss, claim, damage, liability or expense, as incurred, to which the Company, or any such director,
officer or controlling person may become subject, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or
expense (or actions in respect thereof as contemplated below) arises out of or is based upon (i)
any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, or any amendment thereto, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or
(ii) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Basic
Prospectus, or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged
omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent,
and only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, the Basic Prospectus, or the Prospectus
(or any amendment or supplement thereto), in reliance upon and in conformity with the Agent
Information; and to reimburse the Company, or any such director, officer or controlling person for
any legal and other expense reasonably incurred by the Company, or any such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with investigating, defending, settling, compromising or paying
any such loss, claim, damage, liability, expense or action. The Company hereby acknowledges that
the only information that the Agents have furnished to the Company expressly for use in the
Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or any amendment or
supplement thereto), are the names of the Agents.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 7 of notice of the
commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against an indemnifying party under this Section 7, notify the indemnifying party in writing
of the commencement thereof; but the failure to so notify the indemnifying party (i) will not
relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the extent it did not
otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party
of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party
from any liability other than the indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b)
above. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified party and such indemnified party
seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate in, and, to the extent that it shall elect, jointly with all other
indemnifying parties similarly notified, by written notice delivered to the indemnified party
promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such indemnified party, to assume the defense
thereof with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party; provided, however, that if the
defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that a conflict may arise between the positions
of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in conducting the defense of any such action or
that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties that are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the indemnified party or
parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to assume such legal defenses and to
otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.
Upon receipt of notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of such indemnifying
party’s election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of
counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 7
for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
the defense thereof unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in
accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the
indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one separate counsel (other
than local counsel approved by the Agents), representing the indemnified
11
parties who are parties to such action) or (ii) the indemnifying party shall not have employed
counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a
reasonable time after notice of commencement of the action, in each of which cases the fees and
expenses of counsel shall be at the expense of the indemnifying party.
(d) The indemnifying party under this Section 7 shall not be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a
final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party
against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of such settlement or judgment. No
indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any
settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action,
suit or proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and
indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such
settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party
from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and
(ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act,
by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(e) If the indemnification provided for in Sections 7(a) through (d) is for any reason
unavailable to or otherwise insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party
shall contribute to the aggregate amount paid or payable by such indemnified party, as incurred, as
a result of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein (i) in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one
hand, and the Agents, on the other hand, from the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement
or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Agents, on the other
hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Agent, on the other hand, in
connection with the offering of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be in the
same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Shares pursuant to
this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, and the total commissions
received by such Agent, in each case as set forth on the front cover page of the Prospectus, bear
to the aggregate public offering price of the Shares sold thereunder. The relative fault of the
Company, on the one hand, and the Agents, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact or any such inaccurate or alleged inaccurate
representation or warranty relates to information supplied by the Company, on the one hand, or the
Agents, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities
and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 7(c), any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection
with investigating or defending any action or claim. The provisions set forth in Section 7(c) with
respect to notice of commencement of any action shall apply if a claim for contribution is to be
made under this Section 7; provided, however, that no additional notice shall be
required with respect to any action for which notice has been given in accordance with Section 7(c)
for purposes of indemnification. The Company and each Agent agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(e) were determined by pro rata allocation
(even if the Agents were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section
7(e).
Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7(e), no Agent shall be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the commissions received by such Agent in connection with the Shares sold
by it. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) under
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Agents’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7(e)
are several, and not joint, in proportion to the respective numbers of Shares sold by such Agents.
For purposes of this Section 7(e), each person, if any, who controls an Agent within the meaning
under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Agent, and
each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement and
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning under the 1933 Act and the 1934
Act shall have the same rights
12
to contribution as the Company. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after
receipt of notice of commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect
of which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties under this paragraph
(e), notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be sought, as contemplated by the
preceding paragraph. However, the omission to so notify such party or parties shall not relieve
the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any other obligation it or they may
have hereunder or otherwise than under this paragraph (e).
Section 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery. The
respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company
and the Agents, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively,
pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation
(or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of the Agents or any controlling
person of the Agent, or the Company, or any officer or director or controlling person of the
Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.
Section 9. No Advisory or Fiduciary Relationship. The Company acknowledges and
agrees that (i) the Agents are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual
counterparty to the Company with respect to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby (including
in connection with determining the terms of such offering) and (ii) the Agents have not assumed an
advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering
contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether the Agents have advised
or are currently advising the Company on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company
except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement and (iii) the Company has consulted
its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Company agrees that
it will not claim that the Agents have rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes
a fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process
leading thereto.
Section 10. Temporary Suspension of Certain Obligations. After the date of this
Agreement, if the Company shall determine that it wishes to suspend the offer and sale of the
Shares pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall deliver to the Agents a written notice to such
effect (a “Notice of Temporary Suspension”), in which event the obligations of the Company
pursuant to Sections 6(c), 6(d), 6(e), 6(f), 6(g) and 6(h) and the obligations under Section 6(b)
of counsel to the Agents shall be deemed suspended pursuant to the terms of this Agreement until
such date as the Company notifies the Agents in writing that it wishes to re-enter the market with
respect to offers and sales of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement and takes the actions, and the
Company delivers to the Agents the documents required, by Sections 6(c), 6(d), 6(e), 6(f), 6(g) and
6(h) and counsel to the Agents delivers the document required by Section 6(b).
Section 11. Termination.
(a) The Company shall have the right, by giving written notice as hereinafter specified, to
terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time. Any such termination shall be without
liability of any party to any other party, except that (i) with respect to any pending sale through
an Agent for the Company or with respect to any pending sale to an Agent pursuant to a Term
Agreement or any offering or resale of any Shares purchased or to be purchased by such Agent
pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the obligations of the Company, including in respect of compensation
of such Agent, shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination; and (ii) the
provisions of Section 5, Section 7 and Section 8 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect notwithstanding such termination.
(b) Each Agent shall have the right, by giving written notice as hereinafter specified, to
terminate this Agreement in its sole discretion at any time. Any such termination shall be without
liability of any party to any other party except that the provisions of Section 5, Section 7 and
Section 8 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding such termination.
(c) This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the earlier of (i) a
termination pursuant to Section 11(a) or (b) above or otherwise by mutual agreement of the parties,
(ii) all Shares are sold hereunder or (iii) September 30, 2009; provided that any such
termination by mutual agreement or pursuant to this clause (c) shall in all cases be deemed to
provide that Section 5, Section 7 and Section 8 of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect.
13
(d) Any termination of this Agreement shall be effective on the date specified in such notice
of termination; provided that such termination shall not be effective until the close of
business on the date of receipt of such notice by the Agents or the Company, as the case may be.
If such termination shall occur prior to the Settlement Date for any sale of Shares, such sale
shall settle in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(h) hereof.
Section 12. Representations and Warranties of the Agents. Each Agent, severally and
not jointly, agrees that it has not and will not offer, sell or deliver any Shares, directly or
indirectly, or distribute the Prospectus or any other offering materials (including any Issuer Free
Writing Prospectus or other free writing prospectuses) relating to the Shares in any jurisdiction
except under circumstances that will result in compliance with applicable laws and regulations and
that will not impose any obligations on the Company except as set forth herein.
Section 13. Notices. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder
shall be in writing, and if to the Agents shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile
transmission to:
c/o
Merrill, Lynch, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax No. 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxx
and if to the Company to:
Bank of America Corporation
Corporate Treasury — Securities Administration
Bank of America Corporate Center
NC1-007-07-13, 000
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
with a copy to each of:
Bank of America Corporation
Legal Department
NC1-002-29-01
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel
and
McGuireWoods LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
Merrill, Lynch, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax No. 000-000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxx Xxxxxx
and if to the Company to:
Bank of America Corporation
Corporate Treasury — Securities Administration
Bank of America Corporate Center
NC1-007-07-13, 000
Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
with a copy to each of:
Bank of America Corporation
Legal Department
NC1-002-29-01
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel
and
McGuireWoods LLP
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Xx.
Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.
Section 14. Successors. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and
controlling persons referred to in Section 7 hereof, and no other person will have any right or
obligation hereunder.
Section 16. Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REFERENCE TO ITS PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS
OF LAW.
14
Section 17. Counterparts. This Agreement and any Terms Agreement may be executed by
any one or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute
one and the same instrument. This Agreement and any Terms Agreement may be delivered by any party
by facsimile or other electronic transmission.
Section 18. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Section,
paragraph or provision of this Agreement or any Terms Agreement shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other Section, paragraph or provision hereof or thereof, as the case may be.
If any Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement or any Terms Agreement is for any reason
determined to be invalid or unenforceable, there shall be deemed to be made such minor changes (and
only such minor changes) as are necessary to make it valid and enforceable.
15
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and
return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts,
will become a binding agreement between each Agent and the Company in accordance with its terms.
Very truly yours, BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION |
||||
By: | /s/ B. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xx. | |||
Name: B. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xx. | ||||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||||
Accepted as of the date hereof: XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX INCORPORATED |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Title: Managing Director, Head of Equity Capital Markets | ||||
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Title: Managing Director, Head of Equity Capital Markets | ||||
16
Annex 1
Bank of America Corporation
Common Stock
($0.01 par value)
TERMS AGREEMENT
Common Stock
($0.01 par value)
TERMS AGREEMENT
Merrill, Lynch, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated
Banc of America Securities LLC
Banc of America Securities LLC
c/x Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax No. (000) 000-0000
Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Fax No. (000) 000-0000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Bank of America Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes, subject
to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the ATM Equity
Offering Sales Agreement, dated May 8, 2009 (the “Sales Agreement”), between the Company, Merrill, Lynch, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx &
Xxxxx Incorporated and Banc of America Securities LLC (each, an “Agent” and together, the
“Agents”), to issue and sell to [Agent Purchasing Shares] the securities specified in the Schedule
hereto (the “Purchased Securities”) [, and solely for the purpose of covering
over-allotments, to grant to such Agent the option to purchase the additional securities specified
in the Schedule hereto (the “Additional Securities”)]*. Capitalized terms used herein and
not defined have the respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Sales Agreement.
[The Agent purchasing shares hereunder shall have the right to purchase from the Company all
or a portion of the Additional Securities as may be necessary to cover over-allotments made in
connection with the offering of the Purchased Securities, at the same purchase price per share to
be paid by such Agent to the Company for the Purchased Securities; [provided that the purchase
price payable by such Agent for any Additional Securities shall be reduced by an amount per share
equal to any dividends or distributions paid or payable by the Company on the Purchased Securities
but not payable on such Additional Securities.] This option may be exercised by such Agent at any
time (but not more than once) on or before the thirtieth day following the date hereof, by written
notice to the Company. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of shares of Additional
Securities as to which the option is being exercised, and the date and time when the Additional
Securities are to be delivered (such date and time being herein referred to as the “Option
Closing Date”); provided, however, that the Option Closing Date shall not be earlier
than the Time of Delivery (as set forth in the Schedule hereto) nor earlier than the second
business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised nor later than the fifth
business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised. Payment of the purchase
price for the Additional Securities shall be made at the Option Closing Date in the same manner and
at the same office as the payment for the Purchased Securities. For purposes of clarity, the
parties hereto agree that any Option Closing Date shall be a “time on which Shares are to be
delivered to the Agents pursuant to a Terms Agreement” within the meaning of Sections 3(h), (i),
(j) and (k) of the Sales Agreement.]*
Each of the provisions of the Sales Agreement not specifically related to the solicitation by
such Agent, as agent of the Company, of offers to purchase securities is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be part of this Terms Agreement to the same
extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Each of the representations and
warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Terms
Agreement [and] [,] the Applicable Time [and any Option Closing Date]*, except that each
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representation and warranty in Section 1 of the Sales Agreement which makes reference to the
Prospectus (as therein defined) shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty as of the date
of the Sales Agreement in relation to the Prospectus, and also a representation and warranty as of
the date of this Terms Agreement [and] [,] the Settlement Date [and any Option Closing Date]* in
relation to the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to relate to the Purchased Securities.
An amendment to the Registration Statement (as defined in the Sales Agreement), or a
supplement to the Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Purchased Securities [and the
Additional Securities]*, in the form heretofore delivered to Agents is now proposed to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Sales Agreement which are
incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to issue and sell to [Agent purchasing shares]
and the latter agrees to purchase from the Company the number of shares of the Purchased Securities
at the time and place and at the purchase price set forth in the Schedule hereto.
This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the Agent, by
notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Shares, if prior to such time
(i) trading in securities generally, or in the Common Stock of the Company listed on the NYSE shall
have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been established on such exchange, or
(ii) a banking moratorium shall have been declared by Federal or New York State authorities or a
material disruption in the commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the
United States shall have occurred, or (iii) there shall have occurred any outbreak or material
escalation of hostilities or other calamity or crisis (in the United States or elsewhere) the
effect of which on the financial markets of the United States is such as to make it, in the
judgment of the Agent, impracticable to market the Shares.
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and
return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this instrument, along with all counterparts,
will become a binding agreement between such Agent and the Company in accordance with its terms.
THIS TERMS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK.
Very truly yours, BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Accepted as of the date hereof: [AGENT] |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
* | Include only if the Agent has an over-allotment option. |
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Schedule 1
Authorized Representatives
Xxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
19
Exhibit A
Opinion of Company Counsel
1. | The Company is a duly organized and validly existing corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, has the corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and is duly registered as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended; Bank of America, N.A. (the “Principal Subsidiary Bank”) is a national banking association formed under the laws of the United States and authorized thereunder to transact business; | ||
2. | The Shares conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; | ||
3. | The Registration Statement became effective under the 1933 Act automatically upon its filing; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement, has been issued, and such counsel is without knowledge that any proceeding for that purpose has been instituted or threatened, or that the Company has received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) under the 1933 Act objecting to the use of the automatic shelf registration statement form; and the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and each amendment thereof or supplement thereto (other than the financial statements and other financial and statistical information contained therein or incorporated by reference therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements under the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act; | ||
4. | This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by you, constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors now or hereafter in effect, and to equitable principles that may limit the right to specific enforcement of remedies, and except insofar as the enforceability of the indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Agreement may be limited by federal and state securities laws, and further subject to 12 U.S.C. §1818(b)(6)(D) (or any successor statute) and similar bank regulatory powers and to the application of principles of public policy; | ||
5. | No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body in the United States is necessary or required on behalf of the Company for the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act and such as may be required under the blue sky, state securities or insurance or similar laws of the United States in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Agent and such other approvals (specified in such opinion) as have been obtained; | ||
6. | The Shares have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance, when issued and delivered against payment therefor pursuant to this Agreement, the Shares will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable; | ||
7. | Neither the issuance and sale of the Shares, nor the consummation of any other of the transactions herein contemplated nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof will conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute a default under (1) the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company, each as amended to date, (2) the terms of any indenture or other material agreement or instrument known to such counsel and to which the Company or the Principal Subsidiary Bank is a party or bound, or (3) any order, law or regulation known to such counsel to be applicable to the Company or the Principal Subsidiary Bank of any court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company or the Principal Subsidiary Bank; |
20
8. | No stockholder of the Company is entitled to any preemptive rights with respect to the issuance of the Shares pursuant to the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws or the Delaware General Corporation Law; and | ||
9. | To our knowledge there are no rights to the registration of securities of the Company under the Registration Statement which have not been exercised or which have not been waived by the holders of such rights or which have not expired by reason of lapse of time following notification of the Company’s intention to file the Registration Statement. |
Opinion of General Counsel
1. | Each of the Company and the Principal Subsidiary Bank is qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which such counsel has knowledge that the Company or the Principal Subsidiary Bank, as the case may be, is required to be so qualified or licensed; | ||
2. | All the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Principal Subsidiary Bank have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and (except as provided in 12 U.S.C. § 55, as amended) nonassessable, and, except as otherwise set forth in the General Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Principal Subsidiary Bank (except directors’ qualifying shares) are owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company free and clear of any perfected security interest and such counsel is without knowledge of any other security interests, claims, liens or encumbrances; | ||
3. | Such counsel is without knowledge that there is (1) any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding before or by any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, of a character required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus which is omitted or not adequately disclosed therein, or (2) any franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, which is not so described or filed as required; |
In rendering such opinion, but without opining in connection therewith, such counsel also
shall state that, although it expresses no view as to portions of the Registration Statement, the
General Disclosure Package, or the Prospectus consisting of financial statements and other
financial, accounting and statistical information and it has not independently verified, is not
passing upon and assumes no responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the
statements contained in the Registration Statement, the General Disclosure Package, or the
Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto (other than as stated in (2) above), it has no
reason to believe that such remaining portions of the Registration Statement or any amendment
thereto as of the time it became effective, as of the Applicable Time or as of the date of such
opinion, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that,
subject to the foregoing with respect to financial statements and other financial, accounting and
statistical information, the General Disclosure Package, taken as a whole, as of the Applicable
Time, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary to make the statement therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, or that the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date or as of the
date of such opinion contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or
omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Such counsel
also need not pass upon nor assume any responsibility for ascertaining whether or when any of the
information contained in each General Disclosure Package was conveyed to any purchaser of the
Shares.
In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters involving the application
of laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of North Carolina, the United States, or the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware to the extent deemed proper and specified in such
opinion, upon the opinion of counsel to the Agent, or upon the opinion of other counsel of good
standing believed to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the Agent; and (B) as to
matters of fact, to the extent deemed proper, on certificates of responsible officers of the
Company and its subsidiaries and public officials.
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