INVESTMENT AGREEMENT Dated as of October 7, 2007 Between China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd. UCBH Holdings, Inc.
Dated as
of
October
7, 2007
Between
&
UCBH
Holdings, Inc.
THIS
INVESTMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of October 7, 2007, between
China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd., a Chinese joint stock commercial bank
(“Buyer”) and UCBH Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(“Issuer”).
WHEREAS,
Issuer desires to (a) issue certain Common Stock (as defined herein) to Buyer
and (b) arrange for sales by certain shareholders of Issuer of Common Stock to
Buyer, and Buyer desires to (i) purchase such Common Stock and (ii) subject to
compliance with applicable law, make third party purchases of Common Stock, all
upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth;
and
WHEREAS,
on the First Closing Date (as defined herein), Buyer and Issuer intend to enter
into an Investor’s Rights and Standstill Agreement (the “Investor’s Rights
Agreement”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and a Voting Agreement (the
“Voting Agreement”) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements and
covenants hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound, Issuer and
Buyer hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I.
Definitions
Section
1.01
Definitions. (a)
The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
“Affiliate”
means, with respect to any Person at any time, any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person
as of such time; provided that, for the purposes of this Agreement, Buyer and
its Affiliates shall not be Affiliates of Issuer, and Issuer and its Affiliates
shall not be Affiliates of Buyer.
“Ancillary
Agreements” means the Investor’s Rights Agreement and the Voting
Agreement.
“Average
Closing Price” means the average daily closing price per share of Issuer’s
Common Stock as quoted on the Nasdaq Global Select Market for the 90 trading day
period set forth in the definitions of the Step One Average Closing Price, the
Step Two Average Closing Price, and the Step Three Average Closing Price, as
applicable.
“Beneficial
Ownership” by a Person shall be interpreted in accordance with the term
"beneficial ownership" as defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange
Act; provided that Buyer shall not be deemed to Beneficially Own any Common
Stock subject to this Agreement prior to the purchase of such Common Stock by
Buyer. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to Beneficially
Own any securities that are Beneficially Owned by its Affiliates or any Group of
which such Person or any such Affiliate is or becomes a
member. Notwithstanding the foregoing, securities Beneficially Owned
by Buyer and its Affiliates shall not include, for any purpose under this
Agreement, any Common Stock held by Buyer and its Affiliates (i) in trust for
the benefit of persons other than Buyer and its Affiliates; (ii) in managed,
brokerage, custodial, nominee or other customer accounts; (iii) in mutual funds,
open- or closed-end investment funds or other pooled investment vehicles
sponsored, managed and/or advised or subadvised by Buyer or its Affiliates; or
(iv) by Affiliates of Buyer (or any division thereof) which are broker-dealers
or otherwise engaged in the securities business, provided that in each case,
such securities were acquired
1
in the
ordinary course of business of their respective banking, investment management
and securities business and not with the intent or purpose on the part of Buyer
or its Affiliates of influencing control of Issuer or avoiding the provisions of
this Agreement. The terms “Beneficially Own” and “Beneficial Owner”
shall have a correlative meaning.
“Business
Day” means a day, other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial
banks in San Francisco, California or Beijing, China are authorized or required
by applicable law to close.
“Buyer
Percentage” shall mean, at any time, the ratio, expressed as a percentage of the
total number of shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by Buyer to the total
number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock.
“CADFI”
means the California Department of Financial Institutions.
“Capital
Stock” means Common Stock and Preferred Stock.
“CBRC”
means the China Bank Regulatory Commission or its duly authorized local branch,
as the case may be, or any successors thereto.
“Closing
Date” means any or each of the First Closing Date, Second Closing Date or Third
Closing Date.
“Common
Stock” means common stock of Issuer, par value $0.01 per share.
“Confidentiality
Agreement” means the confidentiality letter agreement, dated September 5,
2007 between Issuer and Buyer, as may be amended from time to time.
“Control”
(including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control
with”) shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or
cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“CSRC”
means the China Securities Regulatory Commission or its duly authorized local
branch, as the case may be, or any successors thereto.
“Deemed
Closing” means a Step Two Deemed Closing or a Step Three Deemed
Closing.
“Defensive
Measure” means (i) any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws
of Issuer the purpose or effect of which is, in whole or in part, to defer,
delay or make more costly or burdensome, the consummation of the acquisition of
Common Stock by Buyer contemplated this Agreement, (ii) any shareholder rights
plan or “poison pill”, including any amendment to the Shareholder Rights
Agreement (other than the amendment referred to in Section 5.08), (iii) any
employment or severance agreement and any employee benefit plan that would
provide for enhanced benefits to officers, directors or employees of Issuer or
any of its Subsidiaries or any acceleration of any such benefits in connection
with the consummation of the acquisition of Common Stock by Buyer contemplated
this Agreement, (iv) any contract or agreement to which Issuer is a party that
would impose on Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries a material cost, or deprives
Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries of a material asset or benefit, in either
case, in connection with the consummation of the acquisition of
Common Stock of Issuer contemplated this Agreement and (vi) any act by the board
of directors of Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is intended to have or
has any of the effects described in clauses (i) through (vi) above.
“Equity
Securities” means (i) any equity securities of Issuer, including the Common
Stock and the Preferred Stock and (ii) any securities of Issuer that are
convertible into,
2
exchangeable
for, or otherwise entitle the holder thereof to receive or purchase equity
securities of Issuer.
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“FDIC”
means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“First
Closing Date” means the date of the First Closing.
“First
Closing” means the closing of the purchase and sale of the Initial
Shares.
“FRB”
means the Federal Reserve Board.
“GAAP”
means, in the case of Issuer, the generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States as in effect from time to time, or in the case of Buyer, the
generally accepted accounting principles in the People’s Republic of China as in
effect from time to time.
“Governmental
Entity” means any court, administrative agency or commission or other
governmental authority or instrumentality of the United States of America or the
People’s Republic of China, including any Regulatory Agency and the SEC;
provided that, for the avoidance of doubt “Governmental Entity” shall not
include any state-owned enterprise or investment company or fund established by
any government or governmental agency.
“Group”
shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act.
“Initial
Shares” means the number of newly issued shares of Common Stock equal to the
product of 0.051525 multiplied by the Step One Outstanding Shares.
“Investor’s
Rights Agreement” means the Investor’s Rights and Standstill Agreement in the
form attached as Exhibit A, which Issuer and Buyer shall enter into on the First
Closing.
“Issuer
Disclosure Schedule” means the disclosure schedule dated the date hereof,
delivered by Issuer to Buyer in connection with, and forming part of, this
Agreement.
“KRX
Index” means the Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxx Regional Banking
Index.
“Liabilities”
means any and all debts, liabilities and obligations, whether accrued or fixed,
absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured or determined or determinable,
including those arising under any law or order imposed by any Governmental
Entity and those arising under any contract, agreement, arrangement, commitment
or undertaking.
“Lien”
means, with respect to any property or asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest, encumbrance or other adverse claim of any kind
(including tax and environmental liens) in respect of such property or
asset.
“Material
Adverse Effect” means with respect to a Person, any event, change, circumstance
or effect which, individually or in the aggregate with any other events,
changes, circumstances or effects occurring on or after the date hereof, (i) is
materially adverse to the business, assets, liabilities, results of operations
or condition (financial or otherwise) of such Person and its Subsidiaries (if
any) taken as a whole, other than any such event, chance, circumstance or effect
attributable to or resulting from (A) any change in banking or similar laws,
rules, regulations or policies of general applicability or interpretations
thereof by Governmental Entities, (B) any change in GAAP or regulatory
accounting principles, in each case which affects banks, thrifts or their
holding companies generally, (C) events or conditions in economic, business or
financial conditions generally or affecting banks, thrifts or their holding
companies specifically (including changes in the prevailing level of interest
rates), (D) changes in national or international political or social conditions,
including the
3
engagement
by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the declaration
of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military or terrorist
attack upon or within the United States or any of its territories, possession or
diplomatic or consular offices or upon any military installation, equipment or
personnel of the United States, (E) in the case of Issuer, any action or
omission of Issuer taken with the prior written consent of Buyer, or (F) in the
case of Buyer, any action or omission of Buyer taken with the prior written
consent of Issuer; or (ii) materially impairs the ability of such Person to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
“Person”
means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company,
association, trust or other entity or organization, including a Governmental
Entity.
“Preferred
Stock” means preferred stock of Issuer, par value $0.01 per share.
“Regulatory
Agency” means any banking agency or department of any foreign, U.S. federal or
state government, including the CADFI, the FRB, the FDIC, the CBRC, the SAFE or
the respective staffs thereof.
“SAFE”
means the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, a Chinese Governmental
Entity.
“SEC
Documents” means, collectively, all forms, reports and documents required to be
filed by Issuer with the SEC since December 31, 2004, including (i) any Annual
Reports on Form 10-K, (ii) any Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
(iii) any proxy statements relating to Issuer’s meetings of stockholders
(whether annual or special) and (iv) any other forms, reports and other
registration statements required to be filed by Issuer with the SEC, as such
documents may be amended since the time of their filing.
“SEC”
means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Second
Closing Date” means the date of the Second Closing.
“Second
Closing” means the closing of the transaction resulting in Buyer acquiring the
Step Two Buyer Percentage.
“Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Shareholder
Rights Plan” means the rights agreement dated January 28, 2003 between
Issuer and Mellon Investor Services LLC, as it may be amended from time to
time.
“Step One
Average Closing Price” means $17.79, which was the Average Closing Price for the
90 trading days immediately preceding September 29, 2007.
“Step One
Date” means the fifth Business Day prior to the First Closing Date.
“Step One
KRX Index” means the KRX Index on the trading day immediately preceding the date
of this Agreement.
“Step One
Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
on the Step One Date.
“Step
Three Average Closing Price” means the Average Closing Price for the 90 trading
days preceding the Step Three Baseline Date.
“Step
Three Baseline Date” means the fifth Business Day prior to the Third Closing
Date.
“Step
Three Buyer Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned by Buyer on the Step Three Baseline Date.
4
“Step
Three Buyer Percentage” means a Buyer Percentage of 20.0%.
“Step
Three KRX Index” means the KRX Index on the Step Three Baseline
Date.
“Step
Three Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding on the Step Three Baseline Date.
“Step
Three Purchase Price” has the meaning given such term in Section 2.03(d) hereto,
which price may be adjusted pursuant thereto.
“Step
Three Shares” means the number of shares of Common Stock equal to:
1.25(Y x 0.20 – Z) | ||
|
where:
|
Y =
Step Three Outstanding Shares
|
|
Z =
Step Three Buyer Outstanding Shares
|
“Step Two
Average Closing Price” means the Average Closing Price for the 90 trading days
preceding the Step Two Baseline Date.
“Step Two
Baseline Date” means the fifth Business Day prior to the Second Closing
Date.
“Step Two
Buyer Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned by Buyer on the Step Two Baseline Date.
“Step Two
Buyer Percentage” means a Buyer Percentage of 9.9%.
“Step Two
KRX Index” means the KRX Index on the Step Two Baseline Date.
“Step Two
Outstanding Shares” means the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
on the Step Two Baseline Date.
“Step Two
Purchase Price” has the meaning given such term in Section 2.02(c) hereof, which
price may be adjusted pursuant thereto.
“Step Two
Shares” means the number of shares of Common Stock equal to:
1.1099(Y x 0.099 – Z) | ||
|
where:
|
Y =
Step Two Outstanding Shares
|
|
Z =
Step Two Buyer Outstanding Shares
|
“Subsidiary”
means, with respect to any Person, any entity of which securities or other
ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the
board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time
indirectly or indirectly owned by such Person.
“Third
Closing Date” means the date of the Third Closing.
“Third
Closing” means the closing of the transaction resulting in Buyer acquiring the
Step Three Buyer Percentage
“Treasury
Stock” means shares of Common Stock that are classified as treasury stock in
accordance with GAAP.
“UCB”
means United Commercial Bank, a California state-chartered bank and a wholly
owned Subsidiary of Issuer.
ARTICLE
II.
Purchase
and Sale
5
Section
2.01
Initial Purchase and
Sale. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, at the First Closing, Issuer shall sell to Buyer, and Buyer shall
purchase from Issuer, the Initial Shares. The purchase price for the
Initial Shares shall be (i) the Step One Average Closing Price multiplied
by (ii) the number of the Initial Shares (the “Initial Purchase
Price”). The Initial Purchase Price shall be paid as provided in
Section 2.04.
Section
2.02
Second Step Purchase by
Buyer.
(a) Following
the First Closing and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
including Section 2.02(b) and Section 6.01(a)(ii), (i) Buyer shall purchase from
Issuer or from one or more third parties designated by Issuer, and
(ii) Issuer shall (x) issue and sell to Buyer and/or
(y) introduce Buyer, pursuant to Section 2.05, to third parties who
may offer to sell to Buyer, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that,
after giving effect to such purchase(s), result in the Buyer Percentage being
equal to the Step Two Buyer Percentage. Subject to Section 2.02(b),
the proportions of shares of Common Stock issued and sold by Issuer (the “Step
Two Primary Issuance”) and purchased from third parties (“Step Two Secondary
Transactions”) shall be determined by Issuer. Issuer shall (A) in the
case of Step Two Secondary Transactions provide Buyer notice of the identity of
such third party or parties, including contact information no later than sixty
(60) days prior to March 31, 2008, and (B) in the case of the Step Two Primary
Issuance, complete such issuances by the later of March 31, 2008 and
10 Business Days following receipt of the regulatory approval, if any,
referred to in Section 6.01(a)(ii); provided, however, that either party shall
have the right to elect to extend the date referred to in (A) above to sixty
(60) days prior to December 31, 2008 and the date referred to in (B) above
to December 31, 2008, with such election to be made by prior written
notice to the other party on or before January 31, 2008. Buyer
and Issuer shall comply with all applicable laws, including, but not limited to,
US regulatory and securities laws, in connection with such
purchases. In the event that the Buyer Percentage becomes equal to
the Step Two Buyer Percentage as a result only of Step Two Secondary
Transactions and no Step Two Primary Issuance, Buyer shall, within
5 Business Days of Buyer achieving the Step Two Buyer Percentage, provide
notice in writing to Issuer indicating the number of shares of Common Stock
acquired by Buyer in such Step Two Secondary Transactions. The Second Closing
shall be deemed to have taken place on Issuer’s receipt of such notice (a “Step
Two Deemed Closing”).
(b) The Buyer
shall be under no obligation to purchase Common Stock in Step Two Secondary
Transactions pursuant to Section 2.02(a), and Issuer shall be obligated to issue
to Buyer the Step Two Shares by the later of (i) March 31, 2008 or December 31,
2008, as the case may be, and (ii) 10 Business Days following receipt of the
confirmation or completion of the registration, as the case may be, referred to
in Section 6.01(a)(ii), if (A) Issuer does not introduce such third party or
parties to Buyer at least sixty (60) days’ prior to either March 31, 2008 or
December 31, 2008, as the case may be, as provided for in Section 2.02(a), or
(B) Buyer determines in its sole discretion that Step Two Transactions cannot be
entered into on terms satisfactory to Buyer.
(c) The
purchase price for the Step Two Shares, if issued in a Step Two Primary
Issuance, shall be the Step Two Average Closing Price multiplied by the Step Two
Shares (the “Step Two Purchase Price”); provided that the Step Two Purchase
Price may be adjusted by multiplying it by 1.05 if:
6
x is not greater than y, where “x” equals:
Step
Two Average Closing Price – Step One Average Closing
Price
|
Step
One Average Closing Price
|
and
“y”
equals:
Step
Two KRX Index – Step One KRX Index
|
+ 0.20
|
Step
One KRX Index
|
The Step
Two Purchase Price shall be paid as provided in Section 2.04.
Section
2.03
Third Step Purchase by
Buyer.
(a) Following
the Second Closing and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
including compliance with Section 6.01(a)(iii):
(i) Buyer
shall have the right, but not the obligation, by notice in writing to Issuer
delivered no later than April 30, 2009, to request (a “Buyer Request”) that
Issuer (A) issue and sell to Buyer and/or (B) introduce Buyer, pursuant to
Section 2.05, to third parties who may offer to sell to Buyer, in each case, the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that, after giving effect to such
purchase(s), will result in the Buyer Percentage being equal to the Step Three
Buyer Percentage. Buyer’s rights under this Section 2.03(a)(i) shall
expire if Buyer does not deliver a Buyer Request to Issuer involving either (i)
the purchases of shares of Common Stock from third parties (such purchases from
third parties, “Step Three Secondary Transactions”) or (ii) the issuance by
Issuer of shares of Common Stock to Buyer (the “Step Three Primary Issuance”) on
or before April 30, 2009. Issuer shall have the right, but not the
obligation, to accept the Buyer Request (an “Issuer Acceptance”), which Issuer
Acceptance shall be delivered in writing to Buyer no later than 10 Business Days
following delivery by Buyer of the Buyer Request. If (x) Issuer
rejects the Buyer Request, (y) Issuer does not deliver the Issuer Acceptance
within such 10 Business Day period, or (z) the Third Closing does not occur on
or before June 30, 2009 (which date shall be automatically extended to the date
which is 10 Business Days following completion of the registration referred to
in Section 6.01(a)(iii) if such registration has been initiated but has not been
completed by June 30, 2009; provided, however, that in no event shall the Third
Closing be extended beyond September 30, 2010, after which date neither party
shall be obligated to consummate the Third Closing), each party’s rights under
this Section 2.03(a)(i) shall expire. Buyer may specify in a Buyer
Request, and Issuer may (but is under no obligation to) accept in its Issuer
Acceptance delivered in respect of such Buyer Request, that in the event Buyer
is unable to consummate Step Three Secondary Transactions with third parties
introduced to Buyer pursuant to this Section 2.03(a)(i), Buyer shall accept a
Step Three Primary Issuance from Issuer, with such Step Three Primary Issuance
to be completed at such time as the parties may mutually agree in
writing.
(ii) Issuer
shall have the right, but not the obligation, by notice in writing to Buyer
delivered no later than April 30, 2009, to request (an “Issuer Request”) that
Issuer (i) issue and sell to Buyer and/or (ii) introduce Buyer, pursuant to
Section 2.05, to third parties who may offer to sell to Buyer, in each
case, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that, after giving effect
to such purchase(s), will result in the Buyer Percentage being equal to
the Step Three Buyer
7
Percentage. If
Issuer does not deliver the Issuer Request to Buyer on or before April 30, 2009,
Issuer’s rights under this Section 2.03(a)(ii) shall expire. Buyer
shall have the right, but not the obligation, to accept the Issuer Request (a
“Buyer Acceptance”), which Buyer Acceptance shall be delivered in writing to
Issuer no later than 10 Business Days following delivery by Issuer of the Issuer
Request. If (x) Buyer rejects the Issuer Request, (y) Buyer does not
to deliver the Buyer Acceptance within such 10 Business Day period, or (z) the
Third Closing does not occur on or before June 30, 2009 (which date shall be
automatically extended to the date which is 10 Business Days following
completion of the registration referred to in Section 6.01(a)(iii) if such
registration has been initiated but has not been completed by June 30, 2009;
provided, however, that in no event shall the Third Closing be extended beyond
September 30, 2010, after which date neither party shall be obligated to
consummate the Third Closing), each party’s rights under this Section
2.03(b)(ii) shall expire. Issuer may specify in an Issuer Request,
and Buyer may (but is under no obligation to) accept in its Buyer Acceptance
delivered in respect of such Issuer Request, that in the event Buyer is unable
to consummate Step Three Secondary Transactions with third parties introduced to
Buyer pursuant to this Section 2.03(a)(ii), Issuer shall conduct a Step Three
Primary Issuance in favor of Buyer, with such Step Three Primary Issuance to be
completed at such time as the parties may mutually agree in
writing.
(b) Issuer
shall (i) in the case of Step Three Secondary Transactions, provide Buyer notice
of the identity of such third party or parties, including contact information,
on or before April 30, 2009, or (ii) in the case of the Step Three Primary
Issuance, complete such issuances on or before June 30, 2009 (which date shall
be automatically extended to the date which is 10 Business Days following
completion of the registration referred to in Section 6.01(a)(iii) if such
registration has been initiated but has not been completed by June 30, 2009;
provided, however, that in no event shall the Third Closing be extended beyond
September 30, 2010, after which date neither party shall be obligated to
consummate the Third Closing); provided, however, that in the event of a Step
Three Primary Issuance, if the Step Three Buyer Outstanding Shares (without
giving effect to such Step Three Primary Issuance) consist of only the Step One
Shares, the Step Two Shares and adjusted shares issued by Issuer from time to
time pursuant to Section 2.4 of the Investor’s Rights Agreement, the Step Three
Shares shall be adjusted by subtracting 100 shares of Common Stock therefrom (so
adjusted, the “Adjusted Step Three Shares”), and the purchase by the Buyer of
the said 100 shares of Common Stock shall be effected from third parties in the
manner as described in item (i) above. Subject to the other terms of
this Section 2.03, the proportion of shares of Common Stock issued in the Step
Three Primary Issuance and purchased in Step Three Secondary Transactions shall
be determined by Issuer. Buyer shall comply with all applicable laws,
including, but not limited to, US regulatory and securities laws, in connection
with such purchases. In the event that the Buyer Percentage becomes
equal to the Step Three Buyer Percentage as a result only of Step Three
Secondary Transactions and no Step Three Primary Issuance, Buyer shall, within 5
Business Days of Buyer achieving the Step Three Buyer Percentage, provide notice
in writing to Issuer indicating the number of shares of Common Stock acquired by
Buyer in such Step Three Secondary Transactions. The Third Closing shall be
deemed to have taken place on Issuer’s receipt of such notice (a “Step Three
Deemed Closing”).
(c) Buyer’s
issuance of a Buyer Request pursuant to Section 2.03(a)(i), or
8
acceptance
of an Issuer Request pursuant to Section 2.03(a)(ii), in respect of Step Three
Secondary Transactions shall not obligate Buyer to consummate purchases with
such third parties on terms that are not satisfactory, as determined by Buyer in
its sole discretion.
(d) If issued
in a Step Three Primary Issuance, the purchase price for the Step Three
Shares or the Adjusted Step Three Shares, as the case may be, shall be the Step
Three Average Closing Price multiplied by the Step Three Shares or the Step
Three Adjusted Shares, as the case may be, (“Step Three Purchase Price”);
provided that the Step Three Purchase Price may be adjusted as
follows:
· The Step
Three Purchase Price shall be adjusted by multiplying it by 1.15, if x-1 is not greater than y-1;
· The Step
Three Purchase Price shall be adjusted by multiplying it by 1.10, if x-1 is greater than y-1, but not greater
than y-2;
or
· The Step
Three Purchase Price shall be adjusted by multiplying it by 1.05, if x-1 is greater than y-2, but not greater than
y-3.
Where
“x-1”
equals:
Step
Three Average Closing Price – Step One Average Closing
Price
|
Step
One Average Closing Price
|
“y-1” equals:
Step
Three KRX Index – Step One KRX Index
|
+ 0.20
|
Step
One KRX Index
|
“y-2” equals:
Step
Three KRX Index – Step One KRX Index
|
+ 0.35
|
Step
One KRX Index
|
“y-3” equals:
Step
Three KRX Index – Step One KRX Index
|
+ 0.50
|
Step
One KRX Index
|
The Step
Three Purchase Price shall be paid as provided in Section 2.04.
Section
2.04
Closing. The
Initial Closing, the Second Closing, and the Third Closing, if any (each a
“Closing”), hereunder, other than a Deemed Closing shall take place at the
offices of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx L.L.P., Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000,
Xxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, as soon as possible, but in no event later than ten
Business Days after satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article VI
(other than those conditions which by their nature are to be satisfied at such
Closing) with respect to the respective purchase and sale of the Initial Shares,
the Step Two Shares and the Step Three Shares, or at such other time or place as
Buyer and Issuer may agree. At any Closing that is not a Deemed
Closing:
9
(a) Buyer
shall deliver to Issuer the Initial Purchase Price, the Step Two Purchase Price
or the Step Three Purchase Price as the respective Closing may require, in
immediately available funds by wire transfer to an account of Issuer designated
by Issuer, by notice to Buyer, which notice shall be delivered not later than
two Business Days prior to the respective Closing Date (or if not so designated,
then by certified or official bank check payable in immediately available funds
to the order of Issuer in such amount);
(b) Issuer
shall deliver a receipt for the Initial Purchase Price, the Step Two Purchase
Price or the Step Three Purchase Price, as applicable; and
(c) Issuer
shall issue or transfer the Initial Shares, the Step Two Shares and the Step
Three Shares, as the case may be, to Buyer through the delivery of certificates
duly endorsed or accompanied by stock powers duly endorsed in blank, with any
required transfer stamps affixed thereto, or by means of a customary DTC
electronic transfer, as applicable.
Any
Deemed Closing shall be deemed to take place pursuant to Section 2.02(a) or
2.03(b), as applicable. A Deemed Closing shall not be construed as a waiver by
Buyer of any failure of Issuer to comply with its obligations under this
Agreement, including under Article 5.
Section
2.05
Secondary
Transactions. During the course of this Agreement, Issuer
shall introduce to the Buyer any third party who expresses to Issuer an
unsolicited interest to sell some or all of their shares of Common
Stock. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, all purchases by
Buyer of Common Stock from Persons other than Issuer shall be effected by Buyer
in accordance with and pursuant to the requirements of all applicable laws,
including, but not limited to, US federal and state securities
laws.
Section
2.06
Ownership
Information. Buyer shall deliver to Issuer within five
Business Days after any acquisition of a number of shares of Common Stock equal
to 1% or more of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of Issuer in
a privately-negotiated transaction as provided herein, an accurate report
specifying the number of shares of Common Stock acquired in such transaction and
the total number of shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned by Buyer after
giving effect to such transaction. In addition, upon the reasonable
request of Issuer, Buyer shall within five Business Days deliver to Issuer a
written notice specifying the number of shares of Common Stock then Beneficially
Owned by Buyer.
Section
2.07
Dividends,
Etc. (a) Issuer covenants and agrees that between the Step One
Date and the First Closing, it shall not:
(i)
|
issue
any Equity Securities other than pursuant to Issuer Options that are
outstanding at the date hereof under Issuer Option Plans or that are
granted after the date hereof in the ordinary course of business
consistent with the past practice and Issuer Option
Plans;
|
(ii)
|
split,
divide, subdivide, consolidate, reclassify or recapitalize any shares of
Capital Stock or conduct other similar
transaction;
|
(iii)
|
issue
(or agree or commit to issue) any shares of Capital Stock in connection
with mergers and acquisitions or similar transactions;
and
|
(iv)
|
issue
stock appreciation right or other similar instrument, including restricted
shares, granted to officers, directors, employees, consultants or
others.
|
10
(b) The
Step One Average Price, Step Two Average Price and Step Three Average Price, as
applicable, shall be adjusted to reflect appropriately the effect on the trading
price of the Common Stock resulting from any stock split, reverse stock split,
stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible
into Equity Securities), extraordinary cash dividends, reorganization,
recapitalization, reclassification, combination, exchange of shares or other
like change with respect to the Common Stock that occurs, or a record date for
which occurs, during the 90-trading day period referred to in the definitions of
Step One Average Price, Step Two Average Price and Step Three Average
Price.
ARTICLE
III.
Representations
and Warranties of Issuer
Except as
set forth in the Issuer Disclosure Schedule, Issuer hereby represents and
warrants to Buyer, as of the date hereof and as of each Closing Date, as
follows:
(a) Corporate
Organization. Issuer is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware. Issuer (a) has all requisite power and
authority to own, operate or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry
on its business as it has been and is now being conducted, and (b) is duly
licensed or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in which the nature of
the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and
assets owned or leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary,
except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not (i) prevent or
delay Issuer from performing its obligations hereunder. (ii) adversely affect
the ability of Issuer to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or
(iii) have a Material Adverse Effect. Issuer is registered with and
supervised by the FRB as a bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company
Act of 1956, as amended. The certificate of incorporation and bylaws
of Issuer, copies of all of which have previously been made available to Buyer,
are true and correct and complete copies of such documents as in effect as of
the date of this Agreement.
Section
3.02
Subsidiaries.
(a) The SEC
Documents set forth a true and complete list of all of Issuer’s Subsidiaries,
listing for each Subsidiary its name, type of entity, the jurisdiction of its
incorporation or organization and the percentage of each class or series of its
equity securities owned by Issuer or Subsidiary.
(b) UCB is a
commercial bank duly organized and validly existing under the Laws of the State
of California, and duly licensed by the CADFI. The deposits of UCB
are insured by the FDIC to the fullest extent permitted in the FDIC, and all
premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been
paid when due. Issuer is the legal and Beneficial Owner of all of the
issued and outstanding equity securities of UCB.
(c) Each of
Issuer’s Subsidiaries that is a corporation: (i) is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation (ii) has all requisite power and authority
to own, operate or lease all of its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as it has been and is now being conducted, and (iii) is duly licensed
or qualified to do business in each jurisdiction in
11
which the
nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the
properties and assets owned or leased by it makes such licensing or
qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified
would not (i) prevent or delay Issuer from performing its obligations hereunder,
(ii) adversely affect the ability of Issuer to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby or (iii) have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of Issuer’s
Subsidiaries that is not a corporation: (i) is duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
organization, (ii) has all necessary power and authority to own, operate or
lease the properties and assets owned, operated or leased by such Subsidiary and
to carry on its business as it has been and is currently conducted by such
Subsidiary and (iii) is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in
good standing in each jurisdiction in which the properties owned or leased by it
or the operation of its business makes such licensing or qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not (i)
prevent or delay Issuer from performing its obligations hereunder, (ii)
adversely affect the ability of Issuer to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby or (iii) have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section
3.03
Authority; No
Violation.
(a) Issuer
has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Ancillary Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby have been duly and validly approved by the board of directors
of Issuer pursuant to applicable law, and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of Issuer or its Subsidiaries are necessary to approve this Agreement and
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement
has been, and the Ancillary Agreements will be, duly and validly executed and
delivered by Issuer (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by
Buyer). This Agreement constitutes, and the Ancillary Agreements will
constitute, valid and binding obligations of Issuer, enforceable against Issuer
in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited
by general principles of equity whether applied in a court of law or a court of
equity and by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting
creditors’ rights and remedies generally.
(b) Neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements by
Issuer, nor compliance by Issuer with any of the terms or provisions hereof or
thereof, will (i) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or
bylaws of Issuer or the respective organizational documents of its Subsidiaries,
or (ii) assuming that the consents and approvals referred to in Section
3.04 are duly obtained, (x) violate any statute, code, ordinance, rule,
regulation, judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to Issuer or
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, or (y)
violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of
any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse
of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination
of or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance
required by, or result in the creation of any Lien upon, any of the respective
properties or assets of Issuer or any its Subsidiaries under, any of the terms,
conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust,
license, lease, contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which
Issuer or any its Subsidiaries is a party, or by which they or any of their
respective properties or assets may be bound or affected except (in the case of
clause (y) above) for such violations,
12
conflicts,
breaches or defaults which either individually or in the aggregate would not (i)
prevent or delay Issuer from performing its obligations hereunder (ii) adversely
affect the ability of Issuer to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
or (iii) have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section
3.04
Consents and
Approvals. Except for the (a) applications for Requisite
Regulatory Approvals (as defined in Section 6.01(a) below), (b) filings
evidencing compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws, and (c)
such filings, authorizations or approvals as may be set forth in Section 3.04 of
the Issuer Disclosure Schedule, no consents, approvals, authorizations, orders,
filings or registrations with any Governmental Entity or with any third party
are necessary in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by
Issuer of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or the consummation
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. No vote of any
stockholders of Issuer is required to approve this Agreement or the Ancillary
Agreements or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby.
Section
3.05
Broker’s
Fees. None of Issuer or any of Issuer’s officers or directors,
has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any broker’s
fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, except that Issuer has engaged Xxxxxxx Lynch,
Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc. (“Xxxxxxx Xxxxx”) as its financial advisor and
will pay certain fees to Xxxxxxx Xxxxx.
Section
3.06
Approvals. As of
the date of this Agreement, except for (i) any required bank holding company or
change in bank control notice or application, (ii) any required SAFE approval
and (iii) any required CBRC approval, Issuer knows of no reason why all
regulatory approvals from any Governmental Entity required for the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby should not be obtained on a timely basis
or would result in any such approval containing any condition or requirement
that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section
3.07
Legal
Proceedings. Issuer is not a party to any, and there are no
pending or, to Issuer’s knowledge, threatened, legal, administrative, or
arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory
investigations of any nature that, individually or in the aggregate, would (i)
delay or prevent Issuer from performing its respective obligations hereunder,
(ii) adversely affect the ability of Issuer to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby (iii) adversely affect the legality, validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, or (iii) cause a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section
3.08
Compliance with Applicable
Law. Issuer and each of Issuer’s Subsidiaries:
(a) have
conducted and continue to conduct their business in compliance in all material
respects, with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws,
regulations, ordinances, permits, licenses, franchises, certificates of
authority, rules, judgments, orders or decrees applicable thereto or to the
employees conducting such businesses, including, but not limited to, if and to
the extent applicable, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, the Xxxxxx-Xxxx
Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, the Fair Credit
Reporting Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices
Act, Federal Deposit Reform Act of 2005, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Improvement Act of 1991, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair
Housing Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, and all
other applicable fair lending and fair housing laws or other laws
13
relating
to discrimination (including, without limitation, anti-redlining, equal credit
opportunity and fair credit reporting), truth-in-lending, real estate settlement
procedures, adjustable rate mortgages disclosures or consumer credit (including,
without limitation, the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the federal
Truth-in Lending Act and Regulation Z thereunder, the federal Real Estate
Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 and Regulation X thereunder, and the federal
Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B thereunder) or with respect to the
Flood Disaster Protection Act;
(b) has all
permits, licenses, franchises, certificates, orders, and approvals of, and has
made all filings, applications, and registrations with, Governmental Entities
that are required in order to permit Issuer and each of Issuer’s Subsidiaries to
carry on its business as currently conducted;
(c) has,
since December 31, 2004, received no notification or communication from any
Governmental Entity (i) asserting that Issuer or any of Issuer’s Subsidiaries is
not in compliance with any statutes, regulations or ordinances, (ii) threatening
to revoke any permit, license, franchise, certificate of authority or other
governmental authorization, (iii) threatening or contemplating revocation or
limitation of, or which would have the effect of revoking or limiting, UCB’s
FDIC deposit insurance; and
(d) Section
3.08 of the Issuer Disclosure Schedule provides a description of all material
violations asserted in writing and penalties imposed by any Regulatory Agency
against Issuer or its Subsidiaries since December 31, 2002.
(e) is not a
party to or subject to any order, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding
or similar arrangement with, or a commitment letter, supervisory letter,
resolution of Issuer’s board of directors, or similar submission to, any
Governmental Entity charged with the supervision or regulation of depository
institutions or engaged in the insurance of deposits (including, the FDIC) or
the supervision or regulation of Issuer or any of Issuer’s Subsidiaries and
neither Issuer nor any of Issuer’s Subsidiaries has been advised in writing by
any such Governmental Entity that such Governmental Entity is contemplating
issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of issuing or
requesting) any such order, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding,
commitment letter, supervisory letter or similar submission.
Section
3.09
Regulatory
Reports. (a) Except as otherwise set forth in Section 3.09 of
the Issuer Disclosure Schedule, Issuer and each of Issuer’s Subsidiaries, have
timely filed all reports, registrations and statements, together with any
amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to
file since December 31, 2004 with any Regulatory Agency (collectively, the
“Issuer Reports”) and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in
connection therewith. Except for normal examinations conducted by a
Regulatory Agency in the regular course of the business of Issuer and Issuer’s
Subsidiaries, no Regulatory Agency has initiated any proceeding or, to the
knowledge of Issuer, investigation into the business or operations of Issuer or
any of Issuer’s Subsidiaries since December 31, 2004. Except as set
forth in Section 3.09 of the Issuer Disclosure Schedule, there is no unresolved
material violation, criticism, or exception by any Regulatory Agency with
respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations of Issuer or any
of Issuer’s Subsidiaries. Issuer has been and is in compliance in all
material respects with the applicable listing requirements of the
NASDAQ. Issuer has an appropriate xxxxxxx xxxxxxx policy in place and
has established and applied reasonable internal controls and procedures to
14
ensure
compliance with the xxxxxxx xxxxxxx policy.
(b) The
Issuer Reports have been, or will be, prepared in all material respects in
accordance with applicable regulatory accounting principles and practices,
including, but not limited to, all applicable rules, regulations and
pronouncements of applicable Governmental Entities, throughout the periods
covered by such statements.
Section
3.10
Capitalization. (a)
The authorized capital stock of Issuer consists of 180,000,000 shares of Common
Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock. As of August 31,
2007, there were (i) 103,781,630 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding,
(ii) no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, and (iii) options to acquire
14,481,395 shares of Common Stock outstanding pursuant to the option plans
described in Section 3.10 of the Issuer Disclosure Schedule (“Issuer Option
Plans”). All of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock
have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable
and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the
ownership thereof. The shares of Common Stock to be issued upon each
Closing have been duly authorized and, if and when issued upon each Closing,
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free of preemptive
rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership
thereof. The exercise price of each option issued under Issuer Option
Plans (an “Issuer Option”) is no less than the fair market value of a share of
Common Stock as determined on the date of grant of such Issuer
Option. All grants of Issuer Options were validly issued and properly
approved by the board of directors of Issuer (or a duly authorized committee or
subcommittee thereof) in material compliance with all applicable laws and
recorded on Issuer’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and no such
grants involved any “back dating,” “forward dating,” or similar practices with
respect to the effective date of grant. Except for Issuer Options,
the Series A Participating Preferred Stock and the rights issuable pursuant
to the Shareholder Rights Agreement, Issuer does not have and is not bound by
any outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, arrangements,
commitments or agreements of any character calling for the purchase or issuance
of any shares of Capital Stock or any other Equity Securities of
Issuer.
(b) All
the outstanding shares of capital stock owned by Issuer in its Subsidiaries’ are
validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and, except with respect to wholly
owned Subsidiaries, free of preemptive rights, and are owned by Issuer of such
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, whether directly or indirectly, free and clear
of all Liens. There are no options, warrants, convertible securities
or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character
relating to the capital stock of any of Issuer’s Subsidiaries or obligating
Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries to issue or sell any shares of capital stock
of, or any other interest in, any such Subsidiary.
Section
3.11
Financial Statements. (a)
Issuer has previously made available to Buyer (i) copies of the
consolidated balance sheets of Issuer as of December 31 for the fiscal years
2004 through 2006, inclusive, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash
flows for the fiscal years 2004 through 2006, inclusive, as reported in Issuer’s
Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005 and
December 31, 2006 filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act, in each case
accompanied by the audit report of Issuer’s independent registered public
accountants, (ii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Issuer as of
March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income, and cash
flows for the first two fiscal quarters of 2007, and (iii) restated consolidated
statements of cash flows as described in Section 3.11 of the Issuer Disclosure
Schedule (collectively, the “Financial Statements”).
15
Each of
the Financial Statements (i) was prepared in accordance with the books of
account and other financial records of Issuer and its Subsidiaries,
(ii) presents fairly the consolidated financial condition and results of
operations of Issuer and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof or for the
periods covered thereby in accordance with GAAP, (iii) was prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the past practices of
Issuer and its Subsidiaries, and (iv) includes all adjustments (consisting,
except as otherwise described in the notes to the Financial Statements, only of
normal recurring accruals) that are necessary for a fair presentation of the
consolidated financial condition of Issuer and its Subsidiaries and the results
of the operations of Issuer and its Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof or for
the periods covered thereby. Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, the
consolidated financial statements of Issuer for the fiscal years 2004 through
2006 complied as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect
thereto.
Section
3.12 Absence of Certain Changes or
Events.
(a) Since
December 31, 2006, there has been no change or development or combination of
changes or developments which, individually or in the aggregate, has had a
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Since
December 31, 2006, each of Issuer and UCB has carried on its business only in
the ordinary and usual course consistent with its past practice.
Section
3.13
Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except as set forth in Section 3.13 of the
Issuer Disclosure Schedule, there are no Liabilities of Issuer or its
Subsidiaries, other than Liabilities (a) reflected or reserved against in
the Financial Statements, (b) arising under any contract which is being
performed by Issuer or any of its Subsidiary in accordance with its terms, or
(c) incurred since December 31, 2006 in the ordinary course of business,
consistent with past practice, of Issuer and its Subsidiaries and which, with
respect to this clause (c), do not and could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect. Reserves are reflected in the
Financial Statements against all Liabilities of Issuer and its Subsidiaries in
amounts that have been established on a basis consistent with the past practices
of Issuer and its Subsidiaries and in accordance with GAAP. Neither
Issuer nor UCB has knowingly made nor shall make any representation or covenant
in any agreement pursuant to which any loans or other assets have been or will
be sold by Issuer or UCB that contained or shall contain any untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted or shall omit to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances
under which such representations and/or covenants were made or shall be made,
not misleading. Other than any regular quarterly dividend by Issuer,
no cash, stock or other dividend or any other distribution with respect to
Capital Stock has been declared, set aside or paid, nor has any of Capital Stock
been repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly, by
Issuer since December 31, 2006.
Section
3.14
SEC
Documents. Issuer has filed all forms, reports and documents
required to be filed by it with the SEC since December 31, 2004, including the
SEC Documents. As of their respective dates or, if amended, as of the date of
the last such amendment, the SEC Documents (i) complied in all material respects
with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as
the case may be, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder
applicable to such SEC Documents and (ii) did not, at the time they were filed
(if an amendment, being the date the amendment was 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 made therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No
Subsidiary of Issuer is
16
required
to file any form, report or other document with the SEC.
ARTICLE
IV.
Representations
and Warranties of Buyer
Buyer
hereby represents and warrant to Issuer, as of the date hereof and as of each
Closing Date, as follows:
Section
4.01
Requisite Power and
Authority. Buyer is a Chinese joint stock commercial bank duly
incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the corporate and
banking law of the People’s Republic of China. Buyer has all
requisite corporate power and authority to perform its obligations contemplated
hereunder. This Agreement has been, and the Ancillary Agreements will
be, duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer, and (assuming due
authorization, execution and delivery by Issuer) this Agreement constitutes, and
the Ancillary Agreements will constitute, a valid and binding obligation of
Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as
enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity whether applied in a
court of law or a court of equity and by bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws
affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally.
Section
4.02
Capitalization. To
the knowledge of Buyer, as of the date of this Agreement, no shares of capital
stock of Buyer are directly owned by any Governmental Entity.
Section
4.03
Approvals. As of
the date of this Agreement, except for (i) any required bank holding company or
change in bank control notice or application, (ii) any required SAFE approval
and (iii) any required CBRC approval, Buyer knows of no reason why all
regulatory approvals from any Governmental Entity required for the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby should not be obtained on a timely basis
or would result in any such approval containing any condition or requirement
that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section
4.04
Financial
Statements. The audited consolidated balance sheets of Buyer
and its Subsidiaries as of December 31 for the fiscal years 2004 through 2006,
inclusive, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in
stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income and cash flows for the fiscal
years 2004 through 2006, all of which have been delivered to Issuer, fairly
present in all material respects the consolidated financial condition and
consolidated results of operations of Buyer and its Subsidiaries as of such
dates and for such respective periods in accordance with GAAP applied
consistently throughout the periods covered thereby.
Section
4.05
Purchase Entirely for Own
Account. Buyer acknowledges that Issuer is entering into this
Agreement with Buyer in reliance upon Buyer’s representation and warranty to
Issuer that the shares of Common Stock to be acquired by Buyer hereunder will be
acquired for Buyer’s own account, not as a nominee or agent. Any sale
of such shares of Common Stock will be made in compliance with applicable law
and the terms and conditions of the Investor Rights Agreement. Buyer
does not presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with
any Person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such Person or to any
other Person any of the shares of Common Stock to be issued to Buyer
hereunder.
Section
4.06
Disclosure of
Information. Buyer has had an opportunity to discuss Issuer’s
businesses, management, financial affairs and the terms and conditions of the
transaction contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the offering and
issuance of shares of Issuer Common Stock hereunder) with Issuer’s management
and receive answers from Issuer’s management as Buyer considers necessary in
connection with the transaction
17
contemplated
hereby. Buyer (i) has such knowledge and experience in financial and
business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its
prospective investment in Issuer; (ii) has the ability to bear the economic
risk of loss of its entire investment resulting from the acquisition of the
shares of Common Stock to be issued hereunder; and (iii) has not been
offered any securities of Issuer by any form of advertisement, article, notice
or other communication published in any newspaper, magazine, or similar media or
broadcast over television or radio, or any seminar or meeting whose attendees
have been invited by any such media.
Section
4.07
Restricted
Securities. Buyer understands that the shares of Common Stock
to be issued hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act, by
reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the
Securities Act which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of
the investment intent and the accuracy of Buyer’s representations and warranties
as expressed herein. Buyer understands that the shares of Common
Stock to be issued hereunder are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S.
federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, Buyer must
hold the shares of Common Stock indefinitely until they are registered with the
SEC and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration
and qualification requirements is available.
Section
4.08
Accredited
Investor. Buyer is an accredited investor as defined in
Rule 501(a) of a Regulation D promulgated under the Securities
Act.
Section
4.09
Foreign
Jurisdiction. Buyer has satisfied itself as to the full
observance of the laws of the People’s Republic of China in connection with its
approval of the transactions contemplated hereby, including (i) the legal
requirements within this jurisdiction for its acquisition of the shares of
Common Stock to be issued hereunder, (ii) any foreign exchange restrictions
applicable to such acquisition of shares, (iii) any governmental or other
consents that may need to be obtained, and (iv) the income tax and other tax
consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption,
sale, or transfer of the shares of Common Stock to be issued
hereunder. Buyer’s approval of the transactions contemplated hereby,
and its acquisition and continued beneficial ownership of the shares of Common
Stock to be issued hereunder, will not violate any applicable securities or
other laws of Buyer’s jurisdiction.
Section
4.10
No Ownership. As
of the First Closing, Buyer shall not Beneficially Own any Common Stock other
than the Initial Shares.
ARTICLE
V.
Covenants
of Issuer and Buyer
Section
5.01
Conduct of Business.
(a) Issuer
covenants and agrees that, between the date hereof and the time of the First
Closing, neither Issuer nor any of its Subsidiaries shall conduct its business
other than in the ordinary course and consistent with Issuer’s and its
Subsidiaries’ prior practice.
(b) Except as
otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or consented to in writing by Buyer,
during the period from the date of this Agreement to the First Closing Date,
Issuer shall not, and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to adopt or propose any
change in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws
(c) Except as
consented to in writing by Buyer, during the period from the date of this
Agreement to each Closing Date, Issuer shall not, and shall not permit its
Subsidiaries to:
18
(i) take any
action or fail to take any action that is intended or may reasonably be expected
to result in any of its representations and warranties set forth in this
Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect, or in any of the
conditions to such Closing set forth in Article VI not being
satisfied; or
(ii) take any
action or enter into any agreement that could reasonably be expected to
jeopardize or materially delay the receipt of any Requisite Regulatory Approvals
or the consummation of such Closing.
Section
5.02
All Reasonable
Efforts. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, each party agrees to cooperate fully with the other and to use all
reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or
cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and
make effective, at the time and in the manner contemplated by this Agreement and
the Ancillary Agreements and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, including using all reasonable efforts to lift or rescind any
injunction or restraining order or other order adversely affecting the ability
of the parties to consummate any Closing and the other transactions contemplated
by this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements. Between the date of this
Agreement and the Third Closing Date, Buyer shall notify and consult with Issuer
prior to taking any steps to increase the level of ownership of its outstanding
equity securities by any Governmental Entity.
Section
5.03
Certain
Filings. Each of Buyer and Issuer shall use all reasonable
efforts to obtain (or to enable the other of them or Issuer’s Subsidiaries to
obtain) all the Requisite Regulatory Approvals and all other authorizations,
consents, orders and approvals of all Governmental Entities that may be or
become necessary for the performance by Issuer or Buyer of their respective
obligations pursuant to this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and will
cooperate fully with the other party in promptly seeking to obtain all such
authorizations, consents, orders and approvals. Each party hereto
agrees to make promptly all appropriate filings and to supply as promptly as
practicable to the appropriate Governmental Entities any additional information
and documentary material that may be requested in connection with obtaining the
Requisite Regulatory Approvals and all such other authorizations, consents,
orders and approvals of all Governmental Entities that may be or become
necessary with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
the Ancillary Agreements. Buyer will use all reasonable efforts to
promptly obtain all the required approvals from the SAFE.
Section
5.04
Access to
Information. From the date of this Agreement and through the
First Closing, upon reasonable notice, Issuer shall cause its officers,
directors, employees, agents, representatives, accountants and counsel, and
shall cause its Subsidiaries and each of its Subsidiaries’ officers, directors,
employees, agents, representatives, accountants and counsel to: (a) afford
the officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel, financing sources and
representatives of Buyer reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the
offices, properties, other facilities, books and records of Issuer and each of
its Subsidiaries and to those officers, directors, employees, agents,
accountants and counsel of Issuer and of each of its Subsidiaries who have any
knowledge relating to Issuer, or any of its Subsidiaries and (b) furnish to
the officers, employees, agents, accountants, counsel and representatives of
Buyer such additional financial and operating data and other information
regarding the assets, properties, liabilities and goodwill of Issuer, its
Subsidiaries and their respective businesses and strategic plans and intentions
(or legible copies thereof) as Buyer may from time to time reasonably
request.
Section
5.05
Confidentiality. All
confidential information furnished to a party or its advisor by a party or its
advisor in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall
19
be
subject to, and the recipient of such information shall hold all such
information in confidence in accordance with, the provisions of the
Confidentiality Agreement.
Section
5.06
Notification of Certain
Matters. Each party shall give prompt notice to the others
(and subsequently keep the other parties informed on a current basis) upon its
becoming aware of the occurrence or existence of any fact, event or circumstance
that (i) has resulted in or is reasonably likely to result in any Material
Adverse Effect, or (ii) would cause or constitute a material breach of any of
its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein;
provided, however, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 5.06
shall not have any effect for the purpose of determining the satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Article VI of this Agreement or otherwise limit or
affect the remedies available to any such party hereunder.
Section
5.07
Defensive
Measures. Issuer shall (a) prior to the First Closing Date,
take all actions necessary so that any other Defensive Measures are rendered
inapplicable to, or are otherwise consistent with, and do not prevent Buyer from
exercising its rights under, this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and the
transactions contemplated hereby, so long as such transactions are consummated
in accordance with this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements and (b) not at
any time during the term of this Agreement adopt or impose any additional
Defensive Measures that prevent Buyer from exercising its rights under, this
Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby.
Section
5.08
Amendment to the Shareholder Rights
Plan. Prior to the First Closing Date, Issuer shall take all
actions necessary to render the rights issued pursuant to the terms of the
Shareholder Rights Plan inapplicable to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, so long as such transactions are consummated in accordance
with this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements, which actions shall include
obtaining an amendment, in form reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, to the
Shareholder Rights Plan.
Section
5.09
Amendment to Issuer’s
Bylaws/Appointment of Directors. Issuer shall comply with the
provisions of Sections 6.1(a) and (b) of the Investor Rights
Agreement.
ARTICLE
VI.
Conditions
to Closing
Section
6.01
Conditions to Obligations of Issuer
and Buyer. The respective obligations of Issuer and Buyer to
consummate each Closing shall be subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:
(a) Requisite
Regulatory Approvals.
(i) On or
prior to the First Closing, Buyer and Issuer shall have completed consultation
with the FRB, the CADFI and the FDIC with regard to compliance of each of the
First, Second and Third Closings with the U.S. Federal Change in Bank Control
Act, Bank Holding Company Act, Sections 700-711 of the California
Financial Code and any other applicable Regulatory Agency
requirement.
(ii) On or
prior to the Second Closing (x) Buyer shall have either (a) obtained
confirmation in form and substance satisfactory to Buyer from the FRB and the
CADFI that registration as a bank holding company or financial holding company
under U.S. Federal laws and California State law is not legally required or (b)
completed such registration and (y) Buyer shall have
20
filed a
CIBC notice with the FRB or obtained prior written confirmation that such notice
is not legally required.
(iii) On or
prior to the Third Closing, Buyer shall have registered as a bank holding
company or financial holding company under U.S. Federal law and California State
law, to the extent such registration is required under applicable law or by the
relevant Regulatory Agency.
(iv) Prior to
each Closing, Buyer and Issuer, as the case may be, shall have obtained any
other required action from a Regulatory Agency, including Buyer obtaining the
required approvals from the CBRC and the SAFE, as applicable.
(All such
approvals being referred to herein as the “Requisite Regulatory
Approvals”).
(b) Illegality. No
statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction or decree shall have been enacted,
entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Entity that prohibits,
restricts or makes illegal the consummation of such Closing.
(c) Buyer’s
Shareholder Approval. Prior to the Third Closing, Buyer shall have
obtained shareholder approval, if required, to complete the Third Closing in
accordance with applicable law.
(d) Prior
Closing. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereby confirm that
consummation of the First Closing is a condition precedent to each of the Second
and Third Closings and that the consummation of the Second Closing is a
condition precedent to the Third Closing.
Section
6.02
Conditions to Obligations of
Buyer. The obligation of Buyer to consummate each Closing is
also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Buyer at or prior to such Closing
Date of the following conditions:
(a) Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Issuer set
forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct as of the date of this
Agreement and as of such Closing Date as though made at and as of such Closing
Date (except that representations and warranties that by their terms speak
specifically as of the date of this Agreement or some other date shall be true
and correct as of such date), in each case except where the failure of such
representations and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect
to any limitations as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” or similar
qualification as to materiality set forth therein), would not, individually or
in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect, and Buyer shall have received
a certificate, dated such Closing Date, signed on behalf of Issuer by the Chief
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Issuer to such
effect.
(b) Performance
of Obligations of Issuer. Issuer shall have performed in all material
respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at
or prior to such Closing Date, and Buyer shall have received a certificate
signed on behalf of Issuer by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer of Issuer to such effect.
(c) Consents
Under Agreements. All consents and approvals of all persons (other
than the Governmental Entities) required for consummation of such
21
Closing
shall have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect, unless the
failure to obtain any such consent or approval would not reasonably be expected
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect.
(d) Amendment
to the Shareholder Rights Plan. On or prior to the First Closing,
Issuer and Mellon Investor Services LLC shall have amended, in form reasonably
satisfactory to Buyer, the Shareholder Rights Plan to render the rights issued
pursuant to the terms of the Shareholder Rights Plan inapplicable to this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, so long as such transactions
are consummated in accordance with this Agreement and the Ancillary
Agreements.
(e) No
Proceeding or Litigation. No claim, action, suit, arbitration,
inquiry, proceeding or investigation shall have been commenced or threatened by
or before any Governmental Entity against either Issuer, UCB or Buyer seeking to
restrain or materially and adversely alter the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement which, in the reasonable, good faith determination of Buyer, is likely
to render it impossible or unlawful to consummate such transactions or which
could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) No
Material Adverse Effect. There shall not exist, and no event or
events shall have occurred, which, individually or in the aggregate, have had a
Material Adverse Effect on Issuer.
(g) Amendment
to Issuer’s Bylaws/Appointment of Director. As a condition to Buyer’s
obligation to consummate the Second Closing only, Issuer shall have complied
with Section 6.1(a) of the Investor’s Rights Agreement.
(h) Investor’s
Rights Agreement. On or prior to the First Closing, Issuer shall have
executed and delivered to Buyer the Investor’s Rights Agreement in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Section
6.03
Conditions to Obligations of
Issuer. The obligation of Issuer to consummate each Closing is
also subject to the satisfaction or waiver by Issuer at or prior to such Closing
Date of the following conditions:
(a) Representations
and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Buyer set forth
in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the
date of this Agreement and as of such Closing Date as though made at and as of
such Closing Date (except that representations and warranties that by their
terms speak specifically as of the date of this Agreement or some other date
shall be true and correct as of such date), and Issuer shall have received a
certificate, dated such Closing Date, signed on behalf of Buyer by the Chairman
of the Buyer or his authorized signatory to such effect.
(b) Performance
of Obligations of Buyer. Buyer shall have performed in all material
respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at
or prior to such Closing Date, and Issuer shall have received a certificate,
dated such Closing Date, and signed on behalf of Buyer by the Chairman of Buyer
or his authorized signatory to such effect.
(c) Consents
Under Agreements. All consents and approvals of all persons (other
than the Governmental Entities) required for consummation of such Closing shall
have been obtained and shall be in full force and effect, unless the failure to
obtain any such consent or approval would not reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer or
Issuer.
22
(d) No
Proceeding or Litigation. No claim, action, suit, arbitration,
inquiry, proceeding or investigation shall have been commenced or threatened by
or before any Governmental Entity against either Issuer, UCB or Buyer seeking to
restrain or materially and adversely alter the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement which, in the reasonable, good faith determination of Issuer, is
likely to render it impossible or unlawful to consummate such transactions or
which could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) No
Material Adverse Effect. There shall not exist, and no event or
events shall have occurred, which, individually or in the aggregate, have had a
Material Adverse Effect on Buyer.
(f) Investor’s
Rights Agreement. On or prior to the First Closing, Buyer shall have
executed and delivered to Issuer the Investor’s Rights Agreement in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(g) Board
Seat. Promptly after completion of the Second Closing, the board of
directors of Buyer shall have elected as director a person designated by Issuer
who shall (i) be reasonably acceptable to Buyer and (ii) have obtained any
required approval from the CBRC, the CSRC and the Shanghai Stock Exchange to
serve as director on the board of Buyer.
Section
6.04
Third
Closing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
parties hereby confirm that their respective obligations to consummate the Third
Closing shall be specifically subject to the satisfaction or waiver of (i)
Buyer’s registration, if any, as a bank holding company or financial holding
company as set forth in Section 6.01(b)(iii) above and (ii) Buyer’s
shareholder approval as set forth in Section 6.01(c) above.
ARTICLE
VII.
Termination
Section
7.01
Termination. This Agreement may be
terminated at any time prior to any Closing:
(a) by mutual
consent of Issuer and Buyer;
(b) by either
Issuer or Buyer upon written notice to the other party (i) thirty (30) days
after the date on which any request or application for a Requisite Regulatory
Approval shall have been denied, approved based on conditions reasonably
unsatisfactory to Issuer or Buyer or withdrawn at the request or recommendation
of the Governmental Entity that must grant such Requisite Regulatory Approval,
unless within the thirty (30)-day period following such denial, approval with
reasonably unsatisfactory conditions to Issuer or Buyer or withdrawal a petition
for rehearing or an amended application has been filed with the applicable
Governmental Entity, or (ii) any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction
shall have issued a final nonappealable order enjoining or otherwise prohibiting
the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that no party shall
have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(b) if
such denial, approval with conditions reasonably unsatisfactory to Issuer or
Buyer, request, recommendation for withdrawal, order, injunction or prohibition
shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement to
perform or observe the covenants and agreements of such party set forth
herein;
(c) by either
Issuer or Buyer (provided that the terminating party is not then in material
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement
23
contained
herein) if there shall have been a material breach of any of the representations
or warranties set forth in this Agreement by the other party, which breach is
not cured within thirty (30) days following written notice to the party
committing such breach, or which breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to
such Closing; provided, however, that neither Issuer nor Buyer shall have the
right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.01(c) unless the
breach of representation or warranty, together with all other such breaches,
would entitle the party receiving such representation not to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby under Section 6.02(a) (in the case of a breach
of a representation or warranty by Issuer) or Section 6.03(a) (in the case of a
breach of a representation or warranty by Buyer); or
(d) by either
Issuer or Buyer (provided that the terminating party is not then in material
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement contained
herein) if there shall have been a material breach of any of the covenants or
agreements set forth in this Agreement on the part of the non-terminating party,
which breach shall not have been cured within thirty (30) days following receipt
by the breaching party of written notice of such breach from the other party
hereto, or which breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to such
Closing.
Section
7.02
Effect of
Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement by
any party as provided in Section 7.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become
null and void and have no effect except that Sections 5.05, 7.02 and 8.02 hereof
shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
Section
7.03
Amendment. This
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by duly
authorized representatives on behalf of each of the parties hereto.
Section
7.04
Extension;
Waiver. Issuer and Buyer, by action taken or authorized by the
respective boards of directors, may, to the extent legally allowed, (a) extend
the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the
other party or the other party’s affiliates hereunder, (b) waive any
inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party or the
other party’s affiliates contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant
hereto, and (c) waive compliance by the other party or the other party’s
affiliates with any of its agreements contained herein, or waive compliance with
any of the conditions to its obligations hereunder. Any agreement on
the part of Issuer or Buyer to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only
if set forth in a written instrument signed by duly authorized representatives
on behalf of such party, but such extension or waiver or failure to insist on
strict compliance with an obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not
operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other
failure.
ARTICLE
VIII.
Miscellaneous
Section
8.01
Nonsurvival of Representations and
Warranties, Covenants and Agreements. The representations and
warranties in this Agreement and in any instrument delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall expire on and shall not survive each Closing
Date. The covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement which
by their terms apply in whole or in part following a Closing Date, shall survive
each such Closing Date.
Section
8.02
Expenses. All
costs and expenses incurred in connection with this
24
Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring
such expense.
Section
8.03
Notices. All
notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be
deemed given if delivered personally, mailed by registered or certified mail
(return receipt requested), by facsimile or delivered by an express courier
(with confirmation) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other
address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):
(a)
|
if
to Issuer, to:
|
UCBH
Holdings, Inc.
000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Vice
President and Corporate Secretary
Fax: (000)
000-0000
with
copies (which shall not constitute notice to Issuer) to:
Squire,
Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx L.L.P.
Xxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention:
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (000)
000-0000
and:
Xxxxxxx
Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx, Inc.
0 Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx,
XX 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Fax: (000)
000-0000
(b)
|
if
to Buyer, to:
|
China
Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd
Xx.0
Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
000000 Xxxxx
Attention:
Xxx
Xxxxxxxx
Secretary
to the Board
Fax: (8610)
6846-6796
with
copies (which shall not constitute notice to Buyer) to:
M&A
Center
Board of
Directors Strategic Development Committee
Room
710,Building
No.8, Beijing Friendship Hotel
Xx.0
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, XxxxxxxXxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
000000 Xxxxx
Attention:
Xxx Xxxx
25
Fax: (8610)
6846-6076
and:
Shearman
& Sterling LLP
12th
Floor East Tower, Twin Towers
X-00
Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
000000 Xxxxx
Attention: Xxx
Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Fax: (8610)
0000-0000
Section
8.04
Interpretation. Whenever
the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they
shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” Wherever the
term “knowledge” is used in this Agreement, it means the knowledge of such party
after diligent inquiry. Unless specified otherwise herein, the terms
“Section,” “Schedule,” “Exhibit” and “Appendix” refer to sections, schedules,
exhibits and appendices attached to this Agreement, respectively. The
terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby” and “hereunder” and words of similar import
refer to this Agreement as a whole, including all appendices, exhibits and
schedules hereto. The phrases “the date of this Agreement,” “the date
hereof’ and terms of similar import, unless the context otherwise requires,
shall be deemed to refer to the date set forth in the introductory paragraph of
this Agreement. Terms defined in the singular have a comparable
meaning when used in the plural and vice versa. The table of contents
and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this
Agreement. The parties have participated jointly in the negotiation
and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question
of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if
drafted jointly by the parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise
favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any of the
provisions of this Agreement.
Section
8.05
Counterparts. This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one
and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been
signed by each party hereto and delivered to the other party, it being
understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.
Section
8.06
Entire
Agreement. This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements,
together with all appendices, exhibits, schedules and other attachments hereto
and thereto (including the documents and the instruments referred to herein and
therein, including, without limitation, the Confidentiality Agreement),
constitute the entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
provision of the Confidentiality Agreement or any other document or instrument
referred to herein that conflicts with any provision of this Agreement shall be
superseded by the provisions hereof.
Section
8.07
Governing Law; Dispute
Resolution. The formation, construction, and performance of
this Agreement, including the rights and duties of the parties hereunder, shall
be construed, interpreted, governed, applied and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of California applicable to agreements entered into and
performed entirely in the State of California by residents thereof, without
regard to any provisions thereof relating to conflicts of laws among different
jurisdictions; provided, however, that this Section 8.07 shall be governed by
and interpreted in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act of the United
26
States, 9
U.S.C. §§ 1 et seq. Any dispute, claim, controversy or difference
regarding the interpretation or validity or performance of, or otherwise arising
out of or relating to, this Agreement (“Dispute”), shall be finally and
conclusively decided by binding arbitration in accordance with the Rules of
Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) by an Arbitral
Tribunal consisting of three arbitrators appointed in accordance with those
Rules. The language of the arbitration shall be English and Mandarin
Chinese. The venue for the hearings of the arbitration shall be Hong
Kong. The parties shall bear in equal shares any fees and expenses of
the Arbitral Tribunal and of the ICC; provided that the Arbitral Tribunal shall
have the authority to award, as part of the Arbitral Tribunal’s decision, to the
prevailing party its costs and expenses of the arbitration proceeding, including
reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees. The Arbitral Tribunal shall render its
award based on the explicit terms of this Agreement; and in instances where it
is silent, on the basis of strict principles consistent with the terms of the
Agreement. The Arbitral Tribunal shall be bound by strict rules of
law in making its decision, and may not pronounce judgment on equitable
principles or the basis of ex aqueo et xxxx. The Arbitral Tribunal
shall have the authority to include in its award a decision binding upon the
parties enjoining them to take or refrain from taking specific action with
respect to the Dispute or declaring their rights, responsibilities and
liabilities as to the Dispute. The Arbitral Tribunal shall state the
reasons for its decision in writing in the award it issues. Judgment
on the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal may be entered by any court
having jurisdiction. Each of the parties hereby irrevocably submits
to the personal jurisdiction of, and irrevocably waives objection to the laying
of venue (including a waiver of any argument of forum non conveniens or other
principles of like effect) in, the state and federal courts located in San
Francisco, California, USA and/or the courts of Hong Kong, for the purposes of
any action commenced in aid of an arbitration hereunder, or for entry of
judgment upon the Arbitral Tribunal’s award. Each of the parties
consents that all service of process may be made by delivery of the summons and
complaint by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by
messenger, directed to it at its address for notices set forth in Section 8.03
hereof, and that service so made shall be deemed to have been made as of the
date of the receipt indicated in the certification, signed and returned postal
receipt, or other proof of service applicable to the method of service
employed.
Section
8.08
Enforcement of
Agreement. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage
would occur in the event that this Agreement were not performed in accordance
with its specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly
agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to
prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions thereof in any court of the United States or any state having
jurisdiction, and for that purpose each party hereto irrevocably submits to the
non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in San
Francisco, California USA and irrevocably waives any objection to venue
(including hereby waiving any argument of forum non conveniens or
principles of similar effect) in such courts, this being in addition to any
other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
Section
8.09
Severability. Any
term or provision of this Agreement that is invalid or unenforceable in any
jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable
the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity
or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any
other jurisdiction. If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as
to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as
is enforceable.
Section
8.10
Publicity. Except
as otherwise required by law or by the rules of the
27
NASDAQ or
the Shanghai Stock Exchange, so long as this Agreement is in effect, neither
Issuer nor Buyer shall, nor shall Issuer or Buyer permit any of their respective
Subsidiaries to, issue or cause the publication of any press release or other
public announcement with respect to, or otherwise make any public statement
concerning, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the consent
of the other parties hereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld,
delayed or conditioned.
Section
8.11
Assignment; No Third Party
Beneficiaries. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights,
interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties
hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written
consent of the other party; provided that Buyer may assign this Agreement to a
Subsidiary without the prior consent of Issuer. Subject to the
preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by, the parties and their respective heirs, administrators,
executors, successors and assigns. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein, this Agreement (including the documents and instruments
referred to herein) is not intended to confer upon any Person other than the
parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.
Section
8.12
Fax
Signatures. Any signature page hereto delivered by a fax
machine or in portable document format (pdf) by e-mail shall be binding to the
same extent as an original signature page, with regard to this Agreement, any
agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment hereto or
thereto. Any party who delivers such a signature page agrees to later
deliver an original counterpart to any party that requests it.
Section
8.11 Language. The
parties confirm and agree that both the English and Chinese versions of this
Agreement shall have the same effect and be controlling in all respects and that
neither is prepared for reference or accommodation purposes.
[SIGNATURE
PAGE FOLLOWS]
28
IN
WITNESS HEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed by their respective authorized officers as the day and year first
written above.
UCBH
HOLDINGS, INC.
|
||
By:___________________________
|
By:___________________________
|
|
Name:_________________________
|
Name:_________________________
|
|
Title:__________________________
|
Title:__________________________
|
EXHIBIT
A
INVESTOR’S
RIGHTS AND STANDSTILL AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
B
VOTING
AGREEMENT