THE TRANSFER OF THIS AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT
TO CERTAIN PROVISIONS CONTAINED HEREIN AND TO
RESALE RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of May 23, 2000 (this "Agreement"),
between FFY Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Grantee"), and First
Place Financial Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Issuer").
RECITALS
A. Merger Agreement. Grantee and Issuer have entered into an
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Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 23, 2000 (the "Merger Agreement"),
which agreement was executed and delivered on the date of this Stock Option
Agreement, pursuant to which Grantee is to merge with and into Issuer (the
"Merger"); and
B. Option. As a condition to Grantee's entering into the Merger
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Agreement and in consideration therefor, Issuer has agreed to grant Grantee the
Option (as hereinafter defined).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. Grant of Option. (a) Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an
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unconditional, irrevocable option (the "Option") to purchase, subject to the
terms hereof, up to an aggregate of 2,158,602 fully paid and nonassessable
shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Issuer ("Common
Stock") at a price per share equal to $9.75 (the "Option Price"); provided,
however, that in no event shall the number of shares for which this Option is
exercisable exceed 19.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.
The number of shares of Common Stock that may be received upon the exercise of
the Option and the Option Price are subject to adjustment as herein set forth.
(b) In the event that any additional shares of Common Stock are issued
or otherwise become outstanding after the date of this Agreement (other than
pursuant to this Agreement and other than pursuant to an event described in
Section 5 hereof), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Option
shall be increased so that, after such issuance, such number together with any
shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant hereto, equals 19.9% of the
number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding without giving
effect to any shares subject or issued pursuant to the Option. Nothing contained
in this Section 1(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize
Issuer to issue shares in breach of any provision of the Merger Agreement.
2. Exercise. (a) The Holder (as hereinafter defined) may exercise
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the Option, in whole or part, if, but only if, both an Initial Triggering Event
(as hereinafter defined) and a Subsequent Triggering Event (as hereinafter
defined) shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination
Event (as hereinafter defined), provided that the Holder shall have sent the
written notice of such exercise (as provided in subsection (e) of this Section
2) within six
(6) months following the first such Subsequent Triggering Event (or such later
period as provided in Section 10). Each of the following shall be an Exercise
Termination Event: (i) the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement)
of the Merger; (ii) termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the
provisions thereof if such termination occurs prior to the occurrence of an
Initial Triggering Event except a termination by Grantee pursuant to Section
8.1(e) or (f) of the Merger Agreement (unless the breach by Issuer giving rise
to such right of termination is non-volitional) (a "Listed Termination"); or
(iii) the passage of eighteen (18) months (or such longer period as provided in
Section 10) after termination of the Merger Agreement if such termination
follows the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event or is a Listed
Termination. The term "Holder" shall mean the holder or holders of the Option.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Option may not be
exercised at any time when Grantee shall be in material breach of any of its
covenants or agreements contained in the Merger Agreement such that Issuer shall
be entitled to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to Sections 8.1(e) or
8.1(f) thereof.
(b) The term "Initial Triggering Event" shall mean any of the following
events or transactions occurring on or after the date hereof:
(i) Issuer or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (as defined in
Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC")) (the "Issuer Subsidiaries"), without having
received Grantee's prior written consent, shall have entered into an
agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as hereinafter defined)
with any person (the term "person" for purposes of this Agreement having
the meaning assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and the rules
and regulations thereunder) other than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries
(each a "Grantee Subsidiary") or the Board of Directors of Issuer (the
"Issuer Board") shall have recommended that the stockholders of Issuer
approve or accept any Acquisition Transaction other than as contemplated by
the Merger Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, (a)"Acquisition
Transaction" shall mean (x) a merger or consolidation, or any similar
transaction, involving Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary (other than mergers,
consolidations or similar transactions involving solely Issuer and/or one
or more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Issuer, provided, any such
transaction is not entered into in violation of the terms of the Merger
Agreement), (y) a purchase, lease or other acquisition of all or any
substantial part of the assets or deposits of Issuer or any Issuer
Subsidiary, or (z) a purchase or other acquisition (including by way of
merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) of securities
representing 10% or more of the voting power of Issuer or any Issuer
Subsidiary and (b) "Subsidiary" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule
12b-2 under the 1934 Act;
(ii) Any person other than the Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary,
alone or together with such person's affiliates and associates (as such
terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 under the 0000 Xxx) shall have acquired
beneficial ownership or the right to acquire beneficial ownership of 10% or
more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (the term "beneficial
ownership" for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning assigned
thereto in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder);
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(iii) The stockholders of Issuer shall have voted and failed to adopt
the Merger Agreement at a meeting which has been held for that purpose or
any adjournment or postponement thereof, or such meeting shall not have
been held in violation of the Merger Agreement or shall have been canceled
prior to termination of the Merger Agreement if, prior to such meeting (or
if such meeting shall not have been held or shall have been canceled, prior
to such termination), it shall have been publicly announced that any person
(other than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries) shall have made, or
disclosed an intention to make, a proposal to engage in an Acquisition
Transaction;
(iv) The Issuer Board shall have withdrawn, modified or qualified
(or publicly announced its intention to withdraw, modify or qualify) in any
manner adverse in any respect to Grantee its recommendation that the
stockholders of Issuer adopt the Merger Agreement, or Issuer or any Issuer
Subsidiary shall have authorized, recommended, proposed (or publicly
announced its intention to authorize, recommend or propose) an agreement to
engage in an Acquisition Transaction with any person other than Grantee or
a Grantee Subsidiary;
(v) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall
have filed with the SEC a registration statement or tender offer materials
with respect to a potential exchange or tender offer that would constitute
an Acquisition Transaction (or filed a preliminary proxy statement with the
SEC with respect to a potential vote by its stockholders to approve the
issuance of shares to be offered in such an exchange offer);
(vi) Issuer shall have willfully breached any covenant or obligation
contained in the Merger Agreement after an overture is made by a third
party to Issuer or its stockholders to engage in an Acquisition
Transaction, and (a) following such breach Grantee would be entitled to
terminate the Merger Agreement (whether immediately or after the giving of
notice or passage of time or both) and (b) such breach shall not have been
cured prior to the Notice Date (as defined in Section 2(e)); or
(vii) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary,
without Grantee's prior written consent, shall have filed an application or
notice with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the
"Federal Reserve Board"), the Office of Thrift Supervision (the "OTS") or
other federal or state bank regulatory or antitrust authority, which
application or notice has been accepted for processing, for approval to
engage in an Acquisition Transaction.
(c) The term "Subsequent Triggering Event" shall mean any of the
following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:
(i) The acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any
Grantee Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the then
outstanding Common Stock; or
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(ii) The occurrence of the Initial Triggering Event described in
clause (i) of subsection (b) of this Section 2, except that the percentage
referred to in clause (z) of the second sentence thereof shall be 25%.
(d) Issuer shall notify Grantee promptly in writing of the occurrence of
any Initial Triggering Event or Subsequent Triggering Event (together, a
"Triggering Event"), it being understood that the giving of such notice by
Issuer shall not be a condition to the right of the Holder to exercise the
Option.
(e) In the event the Holder is entitled to and wishes to exercise the
Option (or any portion thereof), it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the
date of which being herein referred to as the "Notice Date") specifying (i) the
total number of shares it will purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a
place and date not earlier than three business days nor later than 60 business
days from the Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the "Closing Date");
provided, that if prior notification to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board
or any other regulatory or antitrust agency is required in connection with such
purchase, the Holder shall promptly file the required notice or application for
approval, shall promptly notify Issuer of such filing and shall expeditiously
process the same and the period of time that otherwise would run pursuant to
this sentence shall run instead from the date on which any required notification
periods have expired or been terminated or such approvals have been obtained and
any requisite waiting period or periods shall have passed. Any exercise of the
Option shall be deemed to occur on the Notice Date relating thereto.
(f) At the closing referred to in subsection (e) of this Section 2, the
Holder shall (i) pay to Issuer the aggregate purchase price for the shares of
Common Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option in immediately
available funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Issuer and (ii)
present and surrender this Agreement to Issuer at its principal executive
offices, provided that the failure or refusal of the Issuer to designate such a
bank account or accept surrender of this Agreement shall not preclude the Holder
from exercising the Option.
(g) At such closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds as provided in subsection (f) of this Section 2, Issuer shall
deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares of Common Stock purchased by the Holder and, if the Option should be
exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the rights of the Holder thereof
to purchase the balance of the shares purchasable hereunder.
(h) Certificates for Common Stock delivered at a closing hereunder may be
endorsed with a restrictive legend that 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 Issuer and to resale restrictions arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A copy of such agreement is on
file at the principal office of Issuer and will be provided to the
holder hereof without charge upon receipt by Issuer of a written
request therefor."
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It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the resale restrictions
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") in the above legend
shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such reference
if the Holder shall have delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff
of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Issuer, to the effect that such legend is not required for
purposes of the 1933 Act; (ii) the reference to the provisions of this Agreement
in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s)
without such reference if the shares have been sold or transferred in compliance
with the provisions of this Agreement and under circumstances that do not
require the retention of such reference in the opinion of counsel to the Holder,
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer; and (iii) the
legend shall be removed in its entirety if the conditions in the preceding
clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In addition, such certificates shall
bear any other legend as may be required by law.
(i) Upon the giving by the Holder to Issuer of the written notice of
exercise of the Option provided for under subsection (e) of this Section 2 and
the tender of the applicable purchase price in immediately available funds, the
Holder shall be deemed, subject to the receipt of any necessary regulatory
approvals, to be the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon such exercise, notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of Issuer
shall then be closed or that certificates representing such shares of Common
Stock shall not then be actually delivered to the Holder. Issuer shall pay all
expenses, and any and all United States federal, state and local taxes and other
charges that may be payable in connection with the preparation, issue and
delivery of stock certificates under this Section 2 in the name of the Holder or
its assignee, transferee or designee.
3. Covenants of Issuer. Issuer agrees: (i) that it shall at all
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times maintain, free from preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued
or treasury shares of Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised without
additional authorization of Common Stock after giving effect to all other
options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights to purchase Common
Stock; (ii) that it will not, by charter amendment or through reorganization,
consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary
act, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the
covenants, stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by
Issuer; (iii) promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required
(including (x) complying with all applicable premerger notification, reporting
and waiting period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. Section 18a and
regulations promulgated thereunder and (y) in the event, under the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA"), the Home Owners' Loan Act, as
amended (the "HOLA") or the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, or
any state or other federal banking law, prior approval of or notice to the
Federal Reserve Board, the OTS or to any state or other federal regulatory
authority is necessary before the Option may be exercised, cooperating fully
with the Holder in preparing such applications or notices and providing such
information to the Federal Reserve Board, the OTS or such state or other federal
regulatory authority as they may require) in order to permit the Holder to
exercise the Option and Issuer duly and effectively to issue shares of Common
Stock pursuant hereto; and (iv) promptly to take all action provided herein to
protect the rights of the Holder against dilution.
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4. Exchange. This Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) are
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exchangeable, without expense, at the option of the Holder, upon presentation
and surrender of this Agreement at the principal office of Issuer, for other
Agreements providing for Options of different denominations entitling the holder
thereof to purchase, on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as are
set forth herein, in the aggregate the same number of shares of Common Stock
purchasable hereunder. The terms "Agreement" and "Option" as used herein include
any Agreements and related Options for which this Agreement (and the Option
granted hereby) may be exchanged. Upon receipt by Issuer of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this
Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of reasonably
satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of this
Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a new Agreement of like
tenor and date. Any such new Agreement executed and delivered shall constitute
an additional contractual obligation on the part of Issuer, whether or not the
Agreement so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated shall at any time be
enforceable by anyone.
5. Certain Adjustments. In addition to the adjustment in the number
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of shares of Common Stock that are purchasable upon exercise of the Option
pursuant to Section 1 of this Agreement but not in duplication thereof, the
number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Option and
the Option Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in
this Section 5. In the event of any change in Common Stock by reason of a stock
dividend, stock split, split-up, merger, recapitalization, stock combination,
exchange of shares or similar transaction, the type and number of shares or
securities subject to the Option, and the Option Price therefor, shall be
adjusted appropriately, and proper provision shall be made in the agreements
governing such transaction so that Holder shall receive, upon exercise of the
Option, at the aggregate exercise price calculated in accordance with Section 1
of this Agreement, the number and class of shares or other securities or
property that Holder would have received in respect of Common Stock if the
Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event, or the record date
therefor, as applicable.
6. Registration Rights. Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent
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Triggering Event that occurs prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer
shall, at the request of Grantee delivered within six (6) months (or such later
period as provided in Section 10) of such Subsequent Triggering Event (whether
on its own behalf or on behalf of any subsequent holder of this Option (or part
thereof) or any of the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant hereto), promptly
prepare, file and keep current a registration statement under the 1933 Act
covering any shares issued and issuable pursuant to this Option and shall use
its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become
effective and remain current in order to permit the sale or other disposition of
any shares of Common Stock issued upon total or partial exercise of this Option
("Option Shares") in accordance with any plan of disposition requested by
Grantee. Issuer will use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration
statement promptly to become effective and then to remain effective for such
period not in excess of 180 days from the day such registration statement first
becomes effective or such shorter time as may be reasonably necessary to effect
such sales or other dispositions. Grantee shall have the right to demand two
such registrations. The Issuer shall bear the costs of such registrations
(including, but not limited to, Issuer's attorneys' fees, printing costs and
filing fees, except for underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers' fees and
the fees and disbursements of Grantee's counsel related thereto).
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The foregoing notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by Grantee for
registration of Option Shares as provided above, Issuer is in registration with
respect to an underwritten public offering by Issuer of shares of Common Stock,
and if in the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter or managing
underwriters, or, if none, the sole underwriter or underwriters, of such
offering the offer and sale of the Option Shares would interfere with the
successful marketing of the shares of Common Stock offered by Issuer, the number
of Option Shares otherwise to be covered in the registration statement
contemplated hereby may be reduced; provided, however, that after any such
required reduction the number of Option Shares to be included in such offering
for the account of the Holder shall constitute at least 33 1/3% of the total
number of shares to be sold by the Holder and Issuer in the aggregate; and
provided further, however, that if such reduction occurs, then Issuer shall file
a registration statement for the balance as promptly as practicable thereafter
as to which no reduction pursuant to this Section 6 shall be permitted or occur
and the Holder shall thereafter be entitled to one additional registration and
the six (6) month period referred to in the first sentence of this section shall
be increased to eighteen (18) months. Each such Holder shall provide all
information reasonably requested by Issuer for inclusion in any registration
statement to be filed hereunder. If requested by any such Holder in connection
with such registration, Issuer shall become a party to any underwriting
agreement relating to the sale of such 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
Issuer. Upon receiving any request under this Section 6 from any Holder, Issuer
agrees to send a copy thereof to any other person known to Issuer to be entitled
to registration rights under this Section 6, in each case by promptly mailing
the same, postage prepaid, to the address of record of the persons entitled to
receive such copies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
in no event shall the number of registrations that Issuer is obligated to effect
be increased by reason of the fact that there shall be more than one Holder as a
result of any assignment or division of this Agreement.
7. Repurchase. (a) At any time after the occurrence of a Repurchase
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Event (as defined below) (i) at the request of the Holder, delivered prior to an
Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as provided in Section 10),
Issuer (or any successor thereto) shall repurchase the Option from the Holder at
a price (the "Option Repurchase Price") equal to the amount by which (A) the
market/offer price (as defined below) exceeds (B) the Option Price, multiplied
by the number of shares for which this Option may then be exercised and (ii) at
the request of the owner of Option Shares from time to time (the "Owner"),
delivered prior to an Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as
provided in Section 10), Issuer (or any successor thereto) shall repurchase such
number of the Option Shares from the Owner as the Owner shall designate at a
price (the "Option Share Repurchase Price") equal to the market/offer price
multiplied by the number of Option Shares so designated. The term "market/offer
price" shall mean the highest of (i) the price per share of Common Stock at
which a tender or exchange offer therefor has been made, (ii) the price per
share of Common Stock to be paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement
with Issuer, (iii) the highest closing price for shares of Common Stock within
the six-month period immediately preceding the date the Holder gives notice of
the required repurchase of this Option or the Owner gives notice of the required
repurchase of Option Shares, as the case may be, or (iv) in the event of a sale
of all or any substantial part of Issuer's assets or deposits, the sum of the
net price paid in such sale for such assets or deposits and the current market
value of the remaining net assets of Issuer as determined by a nationally
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recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder or the Owner, as the
case may be, and reasonably acceptable to Issuer, divided by the number of
shares of Common Stock of Issuer outstanding at the time of such sale. In
determining the market/offer price, the value of consideration other than cash
shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected
by the Holder or Owner, as the case may be, and reasonably acceptable to Issuer.
(b) The Holder and the Owner, as the case may be, may exercise its right
to require Issuer to repurchase the Option and any Option Shares pursuant to
this Section 7 by surrendering for such purpose to Issuer, at its principal
office, a copy of this Agreement or certificates for Option Shares, as
applicable, accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the Holder
or the Owner, as the case may be, elects to require Issuer to repurchase this
Option and/or the Option Shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 7. The Owner shall also represent and warrant that it has sole record
and beneficial ownership of such Option Shares and that such Option Shares are
then free and clear of all liens. As promptly as practicable, and in any event
within five (5) business days after the surrender of the Option and/or
certificates representing Option Shares and the receipt of such notice or
notices relating thereto, Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Holder the Option Repurchase Price and/or to the Owner the Option Share
Repurchase Price therefor or the portion thereof that Issuer is not then
prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.
(c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from repurchasing the
Option and/or the Option Shares in full, Issuer shall immediately so notify the
Holder and/or the Owner and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from
time to time, to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the
Option Repurchase Price and the Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively,
that it is no longer prohibited from delivering, within five (5) business days
after the date on which Issuer is no longer so prohibited; provided, however,
that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a notice of repurchase pursuant to
paragraph (b) of this Section 7 is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from delivering to the
Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, the Option Repurchase Price and the
Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively, in full (and Issuer hereby
undertakes to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory
and legal approvals and to file any required notices as promptly as practicable
in order to accomplish such repurchase), the Holder or Owner may revoke its
notice of repurchase of the Option and/or the Option Shares whether in whole or
to the extent of the prohibition, whereupon, in the latter case, Issuer shall
promptly (i) deliver to the Holder and/or the Owner, as appropriate, that
portion of the Option Repurchase Price and/or the Option Share Repurchase Price
that Issuer is not prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate,
either (A) to the Holder, a new Agreement evidencing the right of the Holder to
purchase that number of shares of Common Stock obtained by multiplying the
number of shares of Common Stock for which the surrendered Agreement was
exercisable at the time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a fraction,
the numerator of which is the Option Repurchase Price less the portion thereof
theretofore delivered to the Holder and the denominator of which is the Option
Repurchase Price, and/or (B) to the Owner, a certificate for the Option Shares
it is then so prohibited from repurchasing. If an Exercise Termination Event
shall have occurred prior to the date of the notice by Issuer described in the
first sentence of this subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to occur at any
time before the expiration of a period ending on the thirtieth day after
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such date, the Holder shall nonetheless have the right to exercise the Option
until the expiration of such 30-day period.
(d) For purposes of this Section 7, a "Repurchase Event" shall be
deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence of any of the following events or
transactions after the date hereof:
(i) the acquisition by any person (other than Grantee or any
Grantee Subsidiary) of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then
outstanding Common Stock; or
(ii) the consummation of any Acquisition Transaction described in
Section 2(b)(i) hereof, except that the percentage referred to in clause
(z) shall be 25%.
8. Substitute Option. (a) In the event that prior to an Exercise
Termination Event, Issuer shall enter into an agreement (i) to consolidate with
or merge into any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary, or engage
in a plan of exchange with any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee
Subsidiary and Issuer shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of
such consolidation or merger or the acquirer in such plan of exchange, (ii) to
permit any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary, to merge into
Issuer or be acquired by Issuer in a plan of exchange and Issuer shall be the
continuing or surviving or acquiring corporation, but, in connection with such
merger or plan of exchange, the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be
changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other person or
cash or any other property or the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall
after such merger or plan of exchange represent less than 50% of the outstanding
shares and share equivalents of the merged or acquiring company, or (iii) to
sell or otherwise transfer all or a substantial part of its or any Issuer
Subsidiary's assets or deposits to any person, other than Grantee or a Grantee
Subsidiary, then, and in each such case, the agreement governing such
transaction shall make proper provision so that the Option shall, upon the
consummation of any such transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein, be converted into, or exchanged for, an option (the "Substitute
Option"), at the election of the Holder, of either (x) the Acquiring Corporation
(as hereinafter defined) or (y) any person that controls the Acquiring
Corporation.
(b) The following terms have the meanings indicated:
(i) "Acquiring Corporation" shall mean (i) the continuing or
surviving person of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other than
Issuer), (ii) the acquiring person in a plan of exchange in which Issuer is
acquired, (iii) the Issuer in a merger or plan of exchange in which Issuer
is the continuing or surviving or acquiring person and (iv) the transferee
of all or a substantial part of Issuer's assets or deposits (or the assets
or deposits of any Issuer Subsidiary).
(ii) "Substitute Common Stock" shall mean the shares of capital
stock (or similar equity interest) with the greatest voting power with
respect to the election of directors of the issuer of the Substitute
Option.
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(iii) "Assigned Value" shall mean the market/offer price, as defined
in Section 7.
(iv) "Average Price" shall mean the average closing price of a share
of the Substitute Common Stock for one (1) year immediately preceding the
consolidation, merger or sale in question, but in no event higher than the
closing price of the shares of Substitute Common Stock on the day preceding
such consolidation, merger or sale; provided that if Issuer is the issuer
of the Substitute Option, the Average Price shall be computed with respect
to a share of common stock issued by the person merging into Issuer or by
any company which controls or is controlled by such person, as the Holder
may elect.
(c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option,
provided that if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons,
be the same as the Option, such terms shall be as similar as possible and in no
event less advantageous to the Holder. The issuer of the Substitute Option shall
also enter into an agreement with the then Holder or Holders of the Substitute
Option in substantially the same form as this Agreement (after giving effect for
such purpose to the provisions of Section 9), which agreement shall be
applicable to the Substitute Option.
(d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of shares
of Substitute Common Stock as is equal to the Assigned Value multiplied by the
number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable
immediately prior to the event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a),
divided by the Average Price. The exercise price of the Substitute Option per
share of Substitute Common Stock shall then be equal to the Option Price
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares
of Common Stock for which the Option was exercisable immediately prior to the
event described in the first sentence of Section 8(a) and the denominator of
which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the
Substitute Option is exercisable.
(e) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs, shall the
Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the shares of Substitute
Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the Substitute Option. In the
event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the
shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise but for this
clause (e), the issuer of the Substitute Option (the "Substitute Option Issuer")
shall make a cash payment to Holder equal to the excess of (i) the value of the
Substitute Option without giving effect to the limitation in this clause (e)
over (ii) the value of the Substitute Option after giving effect to the
limitation in this clause (e). This difference in value shall be determined by a
nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by a majority in interest
of the Holders.
(f) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in
subsection (a) of this Section 8 unless the Acquiring Corporation and any person
that controls the Acquiring Corporation assume in writing all the obligations of
Issuer hereunder.
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9. Repurchase of Substitute Option. (a) At the request of the holder
-------------------------------
of the Substitute Option (the "Substitute Option Holder"), the Substitute Option
Issuer shall repurchase the Substitute Option from the Substitute Option Holder
at a price (the "Substitute Option Repurchase Price") equal to the amount by
which (i) the Highest Closing Price (as hereinafter defined) exceeds (ii) the
exercise price of the Substitute Option, multiplied by the number of shares of
Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option may then be exercised,
and at the request of the owner (the "Substitute Share Owner") of shares of
Substitute Common Stock (the "Substitute Shares"), the Substitute Option Issuer
shall repurchase the Substitute Shares at a price (the "Substitute Share
Repurchase Price") equal to the Highest Closing Price multiplied by the number
of Substitute Shares so designated. The term "Highest Closing Price" shall mean
the highest closing price for shares of Substitute Common Stock within the six-
month period immediately preceding the date the Substitute Option Holder gives
notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Option or the Substitute
Share Owner gives notice of the required repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as
applicable.
(b) The Substitute Option Holder and the Substitute Share Owner, as the
case may be, may exercise its respective rights to require the Substitute Option
Issuer to repurchase the Substitute Option and the Substitute Shares pursuant to
this Section 9 by surrendering for such purpose to the Substitute Option Issuer,
at its principal office, the agreement for such Substitute Option (or, in the
absence of such an agreement, a copy of this Agreement) and/or certificates for
Substitute Shares accompanied by a written notice or notices stating that the
Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be,
elects to require the Substitute Option Issuer to repurchase the Substitute
Option and/or the Substitute Shares in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 9. As promptly as practicable and in any event within five (5) business
days after the surrender of the Substitute Option and/or certificates
representing Substitute Shares and the receipt of such notice or notices
relating thereto, the Substitute Option Issuer shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Substitute Option Holder the Substitute Option Repurchase Price
and/or to the Substitute Share Owner the Substitute Share Repurchase Price
therefor or the portion thereof which the Substitute Option Issuer is not then
prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.
(c) To the extent that the Substitute Option Issuer is prohibited under
applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from
repurchasing the Substitute Option and/ or the Substitute Shares in part or in
full, the Substitute Option Issuer shall immediately so notify the Substitute
Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner and thereafter deliver or cause
to be delivered, from time to time, to the Substitute Option Holder and/or the
Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, the portion of the Substitute Option
Repurchase Price and/or the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively,
which it is no longer prohibited from delivering, within five (5) business days
after the date on which the Substitute Option Issuer is no longer so prohibited;
provided, however, that if the Substitute Option Issuer is at any time after
delivery of a notice of repurchase pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 9
prohibited under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of
administrative policy, from delivering to the Substitute Option Holder and/or
the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, the Substitute Option Repurchase
Price and the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively, in full (and the
Substitute Option Issuer shall use its reasonable best efforts to receive all
required regulatory and legal approvals as promptly as practicable in
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order to accomplish such repurchase), the Substitute Option Holder and/or
Substitute Share Owner may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Substitute
Option or the Substitute Shares either in whole or to the extent of prohibition,
whereupon, in the latter case, the Substitute Option Issuer shall promptly (i)
deliver to the Substitute Option Holder or Substitute Share Owner, as
appropriate, that portion of the Substitute Option Repurchase Price or the
Substitute Share Repurchase Price that the Substitute Option Issuer is not
prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate, either (A) to the
Substitute Option Holder, a new Substitute Option evidencing the right of the
Substitute Option Holder to purchase that number of shares of the Substitute
Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of shares of the Substitute
Common Stock for which the surrendered Substitute Option was exercisable at the
time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price less the portion thereof
theretofore delivered to the Substitute Option Holder and the denominator of
which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price, and/or (B) to the Substitute
Share Owner, a certificate for the Substitute Option Shares it is then so
prohibited from repurchasing. If an Exercise Termination Event shall have
occurred prior to the date of the notice by the Substitute Option Issuer
described in the first sentence of this subsection (c), or shall be scheduled to
occur at any time before the expiration of a period ending on the thirtieth day
after such date, the Substitute Option Holder shall nevertheless have the right
to exercise the Substitute Option until the expiration of such 30-day period.
10. Extension of Periods Under Certain Circumstances. The periods for
------------------------------------------------
exercise of certain rights under Sections 2, 6, 7, 9 and 14 shall be extended:
(i) to the extent necessary to obtain all regulatory approvals for the exercise
of such rights (for so long as the Holder, Owner, Substitute Option Holder or
Substitute Share Owner, as the case may be, is using commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain such regulatory approvals), and for the expiration of all
statutory waiting periods; (ii) to the extent necessary to avoid liability under
Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act by reason of such exercise; and (iii) when there
exists an injunction, order or judgment that prohibits or delays exercise of
such right.
11. Representations and Warranties. (a) Issuer hereby represents and
------------------------------
warrants to Grantee as follows:
(i) Issuer has the requisite corporate power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and, subject to any required regulatory
notices or approvals, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by
the Issuer Board prior to the date hereof and no other corporate
proceedings on the part of Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement
or to consummate the transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been
duly and validly executed and delivered by Issuer.
(ii) Issuer has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize
and reserve and to permit it to issue, and at all times from the date
hereof through the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its
terms will have reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Option, that
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of
Common Stock at any time and from time to time issuable
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hereunder, and all such shares, upon issuance pursuant thereto, will be
duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable, and will be
delivered free and clear of all claims, liens, encumbrances and security
interests and not subject to any preemptive rights.
(iii) The execution, delivery and subject to any required regulatory
notices or approvals, performance of this Agreement does not or will not,
and the consummation by Issuer of any of the transactions contemplated
hereby will not, constitute or result in (a) a breach or violation of, or a
default under, its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or the
comparable governing instruments of any of its subsidiaries, or (b) a
breach or violation of, or a default under, any agreement, lease, contract,
note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation of it or any of
its subsidiaries (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time
or both) or under any law, rule, ordinance or regulation or judgment,
decree, order, award or governmental or nongovernmental permit or license
to which it or any of its subsidiaries is subject, that would, in any case
referred to in this clause (b), give any other person the ability to
prevent or enjoin Issuer's performance under this Agreement in any material
respect.
(b) Grantee hereby represents and warrants to Issuer as follows: Grantee
has the requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and, subject to any required regulatory notices or approvals, to
perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Grantee and the performance of its obligations hereunder by the Grantee
have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of Grantee and
no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Grantee are necessary to
authorize this Agreement or for Grantee to perform its obligations hereunder.
This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Grantee.
(c) This Option is not being, and any Option Shares or other securities
acquired by Grantee upon exercise of the Option will not be, acquired with a
view to the public distribution thereof and will not be transferred or otherwise
disposed of except in a transaction registered or exempt from registration under
the 1933 Act.
12. Assignment. Neither of the parties hereto may assign any of its
----------
rights or obligations under this Agreement or the Option created hereunder to
any other person, without the express written consent of the other party, except
that in the event a Subsequent Triggering Event shall have occurred prior to an
Exercise Termination Event, Grantee, subject to the express provisions hereof,
may assign in whole or in part its rights and obligations hereunder; provided,
however, that until the date fifteen (15) days following the date on which the
OTS, as the case may be, has approved an application by Grantee to acquire the
shares of Common Stock subject to the Option, Grantee may not assign its rights
under the Option except in (i) a widely dispersed public distribution, (ii) a
private placement in which no one party acquires the right to purchase in excess
of 2% of the voting shares of Issuer, (iii) an assignment to a single party
(e.g., a broker or investment banker) for the purpose of conducting a widely
dispersed public distribution on Grantee's behalf or (iv) any other manner
approved by the OTS.
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13. Filings, Etc. Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its reasonable
------------
best efforts to make all filings with, and to obtain consents of, all third
parties and governmental authorities necessary to the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation,
applying to the OTS under the HOLA for approval to acquire the shares issuable
hereunder.
14. Surrender of Option. (a) Grantee may, at any time following a
-------------------
Repurchase Event and prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event
(or such later period as provided in Section 10), relinquish the Option
(together with any Option Shares issued to and then owned by Grantee) to Issuer
in exchange for a cash fee equal to the Surrender Price. The "Surrender Price"
shall be equal to $3.5 million (i) plus, if applicable, Grantee's purchase price
with respect to any Option Shares and (ii) minus, if applicable, the excess of
(A) the net price, if any, received by Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary pursuant
to the sale of Option Shares (or any other securities into which such Option
Shares were converted or exchanged) to any unaffiliated party, over (B)
Grantee's purchase price of such Option Shares.
(b) Grantee may exercise its right to relinquish the Option and any
Option Shares pursuant to this Section 14 by surrendering to Issuer, at its
principal office, a copy of this Agreement together with certificates for Option
Shares, if any, accompanied by a written notice stating (i) that Grantee elects
to relinquish the Option and Option Shares, if any, in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 14 and (ii) the Surrender Price. The Surrender Price
shall be payable in immediately available funds on or before the second business
day following receipt of such notice by Issuer.
(c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from paying the
Surrender Price to Grantee in full, Issuer shall immediately so notify Grantee
and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to Grantee,
the portion of the Surrender Price that it is no longer prohibited from paying,
within five (5) business days after the date on which Issuer is no longer so
prohibited; provided, however, that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a
notice of surrender pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 14 is prohibited
under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative
policy, from paying to Grantee the Surrender Price in full, (i) Issuer shall (A)
use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory and legal
approvals and to file any required notices as promptly as practicable in order
to make such payments, (B) within five (5) days of the submission or receipt of
any documents relating to any such regulatory and legal approvals, provide
Grantee with copies of the same and (C) keep Grantee advised of both the status
of any such request for regulatory and legal approvals, as well as any
discussions with any relevant regulatory or other third party reasonably related
to the same and (ii) Grantee may revoke such notice of surrender by delivery of
a notice of revocation to Issuer and, upon delivery of such notice of
revocation, the Exercise Termination Date shall be extended to a date six (6)
months from the date on which the Exercise Termination Date would have occurred
if not for the provisions of this Section 14(c) (during which period Grantee may
exercise any of its rights hereunder, including any and all rights pursuant to
this Section 14).
15. Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that damages
--------------------
would be an inadequate remedy for a breach of this Agreement by either party
hereto and that the obligations
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of the parties hereto shall be enforceable by either party hereto through
injunctive or other equitable relief. In connection therewith, both parties
waive the posting of any bond or similar requirement.
16. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
------------
contained in this Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state regulatory
agency of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions and covenants and restrictions contained in
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any reason such court or regulatory
agency determines that the Holder is not permitted to acquire, or Issuer is not
permitted to repurchase pursuant to Section 7, the full number of shares of
Common Stock provided in Section l(a) hereof (as adjusted pursuant to Section
l(b) or Section 5 hereof), it is the express intention of Issuer to allow the
Holder to acquire or to require Issuer to repurchase such lesser number of
shares as may be permissible, without any amendment or modification hereof.
17. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
-------
communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered
in person, by fax, telecopy, or by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) at the respective addresses of the parties
set forth in the Merger Agreement.
18. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
-------------
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to any
applicable conflicts of law.
19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
20. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the
--------
parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs 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.
21. Entire Agreement; Third-Party Rights. Except as otherwise expressly
------------------------------------
provided herein or in the Merger Agreement, this Agreement contains the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereunder and supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings with respect
thereof, written or oral. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assignees. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto,
and their respective successors except as assignees, any rights, remedies,
obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as
expressly provided herein.
22. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not
-----------------
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Merger
Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed
on its behalf by its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date
first above written.
FIRST PLACE FINANCIAL CORP.
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
By:_________________________________
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
FFY FINANCIAL CORP.
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
By:_________________________________
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
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