AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION by and among TOWNEBANK, TB ACQUISITION, LLC, PARAGON COMMERCIAL CORPORATION and PARAGON COMMERCIAL BANK April 26, 2017
Exhibit 2.1
[Execution Copy]
by and among
TOWNEBANK,
TB ACQUISITION, LLC,
PARAGON COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
and
PARAGON COMMERCIAL BANK
____________________________
April 26, 2017
____________________________
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Pagee
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ARTICLE 1
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THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS
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1
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1.1
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The Merger
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1
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1.2
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The Bank Merger
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2
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1.3
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Effective Date; Closing
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2
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1.4
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Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Towne
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2
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1.5
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Corporate Governance
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3
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1.6
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Tax Treatment of the Transaction
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3
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ARTICLE 2
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MERGER CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
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4
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2.1
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Conversion of Shares
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4
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2.2
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Exchange Procedures
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5
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2.3
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Holding Company Stock Options and Other Equity-Based
Awards
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6
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2.4
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No Fractional Shares
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7
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2.5
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Anti-Dilution
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7
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2.6
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Dividends
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7
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2.7
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Withholding Rights
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7
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2.8
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No Appraisal Rights
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8
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ARTICLE 3
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REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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8
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3.1
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Disclosure Schedule
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8
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3.2
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Standard
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8
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3.3
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Representations and Warranties of Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary
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9
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3.4
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Representations and Warranties of Towne
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29
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ARTICLE 4
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COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
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38
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4.1
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Conduct of Business of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary Pending
the Transaction
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38
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4.2
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Conduct of Business of Towne Pending the Transaction
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42
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4.3
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Transition
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43
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4.4
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Control of the Other Party’s Business
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43
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ARTICLE 5
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ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
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43
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5.1
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Commercially Reasonable Efforts
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43
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5.2
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Access to Information; Confidentiality
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44
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5.3
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Holding Company Stockholder Approvals
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45
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5.4
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Proxy Statement
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46
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5.5
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No Other Acquisition Proposals
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47
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5.6
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Applications and Consents
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49
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5.7
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Public Announcements
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49
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5.8
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Affiliate Agreements
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49
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5.9
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Director Noncompetition Agreements
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49
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5.10
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Employee Benefit Plans
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50
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5.11
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Reservation of Shares; NASDAQ Listing
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51
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5.12
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Indemnification; Insurance
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51
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5.13
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Employment and Other Arrangements
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52
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5.14
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Notice of Deadlines
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52
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5.15
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Takeover Laws
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52
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5.16
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Change of Method
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53
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5.17
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Certain Policies
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53
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5.18
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Assumption of Trust Preferred Capital Securities
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53
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ARTICLE 6
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CONDITIONS TO THE TRANSACTION
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53
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6.1
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General Conditions
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53
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6.2
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Conditions to Obligations of Towne and Towne Merger
Sub
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54
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6.3
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Conditions to Obligations of Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary
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55
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ARTICLE 7
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TERMINATION
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55
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7.1
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Termination
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55
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7.2
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Effect of Termination
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60
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7.3
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Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and
Covenants
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60
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7.4
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Fees and Expenses
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60
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ARTICLE 8
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
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62
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8.1
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Entire Agreement
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62
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8.2
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Binding Effect; No Third Party Rights
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62
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8.3
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Waiver and Amendment
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62
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8.4
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Governing Law
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62
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8.5
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Notices
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62
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8.6
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Counterparts
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64
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8.7
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Waiver of Jury Trial
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64
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8.8
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Severability
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64
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8.9
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Interpretation; Global Terms
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64
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LIST OF EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
1.1
|
Plan of
Merger
|
EXHIBIT
1.1
|
Bank
Plan of Merger
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EXHIBIT
5.8
|
Form of
Affiliate Agreement
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EXHIBIT
5.9
|
Form of
Noncompetition Agreement
|
ii
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
Acquisition
Proposal
|
Section
5.5(c)
|
Agreement
|
Recitals
|
Average
Closing Price
|
Section
7.1(j)
|
Bank
Merger
|
Recitals
|
Bank
Merger Effective Date
|
Section
1.2
|
Bank
Plan of Merger
|
Section
1.2
|
Bank
Reports
|
Section
3.3(f)
|
Bank
Subsidiary
|
Recitals
|
Change
of Recommendation
|
Section
5.5(e)
|
Closing
Date
|
Section
1.2(b)
|
Code
|
Recitals
|
CRA
|
Section
3.3(y)
|
Derivative
Contract
|
Section
3.3(t)
|
Determination
Date
|
Section
7.1(j)
|
Disclosure
Schedule
|
Section
3.1
|
ERISA
|
Section
3.3(m)(iii)
|
Effective
Date
|
Section
1.3(a)
|
Environmental
Claim
|
Section
3.3(q)(v)(A)
|
Environmental
Laws
|
Section
3.3(q)(v)(B)
|
Exchange
Act
|
Section
3.3(c)(iii)
|
Exchange
Agent
|
Section
2.2(a)
|
Exchange
Fund
|
Section
2.2(a)
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Exchange
Ratio
|
Section
2.1(b)
|
FDIC
|
Section
3.3(a)(ii)
|
Final
Index Price
|
Section
7.1(j)
|
Financial
Statements
|
Section
3.3(e)(ii)
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GAAP
|
Section
3.3(e)(ii)
|
Governmental
Authority
|
Section
3.3(c)(iii)
|
Holding
Company
|
Recitals
|
Holding
Company Benefit Plans
|
Section
3.3(m)(i)
|
Holding
Company Book-Entry Shares
|
Section
2.1(c)
|
Holding
Company Common Certificate
|
Section
2.1(c)
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Holding
Company Common Stock
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Section
2.1(b)
|
Holding
Company Contract(s)
|
Section
3.3(i)(i)
|
Holding
Company Continuing Employees
|
Section
5.10(a)
|
Holding
Company Recommendation
|
Section
5.3(a)
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Holding
Company Stock Award
|
Section
2.3(b)
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Holding
Company Stock Option
|
Section
2.3(a)
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Holding
Company Stock Plan
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Section
2.3(a)
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Holding
Company Stockholder Approval
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Section
3.3(c)(i)
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Holding
Company Stockholders Meeting
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Section
5.3(a)
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Holding
Company Subsidiary(ies)
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Section
3.3(b)
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Holding
Company Technology Systems
|
Section
3.3(s)
|
Index
Group
|
Section
7.1(j)
|
iii
Index
Price
|
Section
7.1(j)
|
Index
Ratio
|
Section
7.1(j)(ii)
|
Intellectual
Property
|
Section
3.3(s)
|
IRS
|
Section
3.3(m)(ii)
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Knowledge
|
Section
3.2(c)
|
Loan
|
Section
3.3(p)
|
Loan
Loss Allowance
|
Section
3.3(o)(ii)
|
Material
Adverse Effect
|
Section
3.2(b)
|
Materials
of Environmental Concern
|
Section
3.3(q)(v)(C)
|
Merger
|
Recitals
|
Merger
Consideration
|
Section
2.1(b)
|
NCBCA
|
Section
1.1
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OREO
|
Section
3.3(o)(iii)
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Organizational
Documents
|
Section
3.3(a)(i)
|
Permitted
Liens
|
Section
3.3(l)(ii)
|
Plan of
Merger
|
Section
1.1
|
Proxy
Statement
|
Section
5.4(a)
|
Qualified
Group
|
Section
3.4(u)
|
Real
Property
|
Section
3.3(l)(i)
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Regulatory
Approvals
|
Section
3.3(c)(iii)
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Regulatory
Agencies
|
Section
3.3(f)
|
Replacement
Option
|
Section
2.3(a)
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Replacement
Stock Award
|
Section
2.3(b)
|
Rights
|
Section
3.3(d)
|
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx
Act
|
Section
3.3(e)(v)
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SEC
|
Section
3.3(e)(i)
|
Securities
Act
|
Section
3.3(c)(iii)
|
Securities
Documents
|
Section
3.3(e)(i)
|
Starting
Date
|
Section
7.1(j)
|
Starting
Price
|
Section
7.1(j)
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Superior
Proposal
|
Section
5.5(d)
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Tax
Return
|
Section
3.3(k)(i)
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Tax(es)
|
Section
3.3(k)(i)
|
Termination
Fee
|
Section
7.4(b)
|
Towne
|
Recitals
|
Towne
Benefit Plan
|
Section
3.4(l)(i)
|
Towne
Common Stock
|
Section
2.1(a)
|
Towne
Contract
|
Section
3.4(i)(i)
|
Towne
Merger Sub
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Recitals
|
Towne
Ratio
|
Section
7.1(j)(i)
|
Towne
Subsidiary(ies)
|
Section
3.4(b)
|
TowneBank
NC Boards
|
Section
1.5(b)
|
Transaction
|
Recitals
|
Treasury
Regulations
|
Section
1.6
|
VSCA
|
Section
1.2
|
VLLCA
|
Section
1.1
|
iv
THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION (the “Agreement”)
is made and entered into as of April 26, 2017, by and among
TowneBank, a Virginia banking corporation (“Towne”), TB
Acquisition, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company and wholly
owned subsidiary of Towne (“Towne Merger Sub”), Paragon
Commercial Corporation, a North Carolina business corporation
(“Holding Company”), and Paragon Commercial Bank, a
North Carolina banking corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of
Holding Company (“Bank Subsidiary”).
WHEREAS, the Boards
of Directors of Towne, Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary have
approved, and deem it advisable and in the best interests of their
respective stockholders to consummate, the business combination
transactions provided for herein, including the merger of Holding
Company with and into Towne Merger Sub (the “Merger”),
and the merger of Bank Subsidiary with and into Towne immediately
after the Merger (the “Bank Merger” and, together with
the Merger, the “Transaction”);
WHEREAS, the Boards
of Directors of Towne, Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary have
each determined that the Transaction is consistent with, and will
further, their respective business strategies and goals;
and
WHEREAS, it is the
intention of the parties to this Agreement that, for federal income
tax purposes, the Merger shall qualify as a
“reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”), and that this Agreement shall constitute, and
is adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” for purposes
of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth
herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree
as follows:
ARTICLE 1
The Transaction and Related Matters
1.1
The
Merger.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective
Date (as defined in Section 1.3(a), Holding Company will be merged
with and into Towne Merger Sub pursuant to the Plan of Merger in
the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.1 and made a part hereof
(the “Plan of Merger”). The separate corporate
existence of Holding Company thereupon shall cease, and Towne
Merger Sub will be the surviving entity in the Merger and continue
its existence after the Merger as a Virginia limited liability
company. The Merger will have the effects set forth in Section
13.1-1070 of the Virginia Limited Liability Company Act (the
“VLLCA”) and Sections 55-11-10(e) and 55-11-10(e1)
of the North Carolina Business Corporation Act (the
“NCBCA”).
1.2
The
Bank Merger.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, immediately after
the Effective Date, Bank Subsidiary will be merged with and into
Towne pursuant to the Bank Plan of Merger in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit 1.2 and made a part hereof (the “Bank
Plan of Merger”). The separate corporate existence of Bank
Subsidiary thereupon shall cease, and Towne will be the surviving
corporation in the Bank Merger. The Bank Merger will have the
effects set forth in Section 13.1-721 of the Virginia Stock
Corporation Act (the “VSCA”) and Section 55-11-06
of the NCBCA. The Bank Merger
will become effective on the date and at the time shown on the
Articles of Merger required to be filed with the office of the
Virginia State Corporation Commission, as provided in Section
13.1-720 of the VSCA, and with the office of the North Carolina
Secretary of State, as provided in Section 55-11-05 of the NCBCA,
effecting the Bank Merger (the “Bank Merger Effective
Date”).
1.3
Effective
Date; Closing.
(a)
The Merger will become effective on the date and at the time shown
on the Articles of Merger required to be filed with the office of
the Virginia State Corporation Commission, as provided in Section
13.1-1072 of the VLLCA, and with the office of the North Carolina
Secretary of State, as provided in Section 55-11-10(d) of the
NCBCA, effecting the Merger (the “Effective Date”).
Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth
in Article 6, the parties will use their commercially reasonable
efforts to cause the Effective Date to occur as soon as reasonably
practicable after all required regulatory and stockholder approvals
to consummate the Merger have been received, taking into
consideration the date that Bank Subsidiary’s data processing
systems are expected to be integrated with Towne’s data
processing systems. At or after the Closing Date (as defined
below), (i) to effect the Merger, Towne Merger Sub and Holding
Company will execute and deliver Articles of Merger containing the
Plan of Merger to the Virginia State Corporation Commission and the
North Carolina Secretary of State, and (ii) to effect the Bank
Merger, Towne and Bank Subsidiary will execute and deliver Articles
of Merger containing the Bank Plan of Merger to the Virginia State
Corporation Commission and the North Carolina Secretary of
State.
(b)
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the closing
of the Transaction will take place at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time at
the corporate office headquarters of Towne on a date mutually
agreed to by the parties and which shall be held at or before the
Effective Date (the “Closing Date”). All documents
required by this Agreement to be delivered at or before the
Effective Date will be exchanged by the parties on the Closing
Date.
1.4
Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws of Towne.
(a)
The Articles of Incorporation of Towne as in effect immediately
prior to the Bank Merger Effective Date will be the Articles of
Incorporation of Towne at and after the Bank Merger Effective Date
until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable
law.
2
(b)
Prior to the Bank Merger Effective Date, Towne shall take all
appropriate actions to adopt an amendment to the Bylaws of Towne to
increase the number of directors that may serve on the Board of
Directors of Towne to the extent necessary to accommodate the
current directors of Holding Company that will be appointed as
directors of Towne as of the Bank Merger Effective Date as
contemplated by Section 1.5(a). The Bylaws of Towne as may be
amended pursuant to this Section 1.4(b) and in effect immediately
prior to the Bank Merger Effective Date will be the Bylaws of Towne
at and after the Bank Merger Effective Date until thereafter
amended in accordance with applicable law.
1.5
Corporate
Governance.
(a)
At the Bank Merger Effective Date, Towne shall cause each of Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxx to be appointed to the Board of Directors
of Towne to serve in such capacity until the next annual meeting of
the stockholders of Towne following the Bank Merger Effective Date,
and, subject to the good faith consideration by the Nominating
Committee of Towne’s Board of Directors of the selection
criteria set forth in its charter, such persons shall be nominated
to sit for election by Towne’s stockholders at such annual
meeting of stockholders.
(b)
At the Bank Merger Effective Date, Towne shall
establish a TowneBank Cary Board of Directors, a TowneBank
Charlotte Board of Directors, and a TowneBank Raleigh Board of
Directors (collectively, the “TowneBank NC
Boards”). The TowneBank NC Boards shall initially be
composed of the current members of each of the advisory Boards of
Directors established by Holding Company for each of these regions,
together with representatives from the Boards of Directors of
Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, as appropriate for each
geographical region, and other business and community leaders
chosen by Towne after consultation with Holding Company.
Membership on the TowneBank NC Boards shall be conditional upon
execution of an agreement providing that such person will not
engage in activities competitive with Towne until the later of the
date that is two (2) years following the Bank Merger Effective Date
or the date on which he or she ceases to be a member of any of the
TowneBank NC Boards.
1.6 Tax
Treatment of the Transaction.
The
parties to this Agreement intend that the Merger constitute a
“reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the Code. Such parties hereby adopt this Agreement as a
“plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Sections
1.368-2(g) and 1.368-3(a) of the final regulations promulgated
under the Code by the United States Department of the Treasury (the
“Treasury Regulations”). All parties hereto agree to
cooperate and use their best efforts in order to qualify the
transactions contemplated herein as a reorganization under Section
368(a)(1) of the Code, to not take any action that could reasonably
be expected to cause the Merger to fail to so qualify, and to
report the Merger for federal, state, and any local income Tax (as
defined herein) purposes in a manner consistent with such
characterization.
3
ARTICLE 2
Merger Consideration; Exchange Procedures
2.1 Conversion
of Shares.
At the
Effective Date, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of Towne or Holding Company or their respective
stockholders:
(a) Each
share of common stock, par value $1.667 per share, of Towne
(“Towne Common Stock”) that is issued and outstanding
immediately before the Effective Date shall remain issued and
outstanding and shall remain unchanged by the Merger.
(b)
Each share of common stock, par value $0.008 per share, of Holding
Company (“Holding Company Common Stock”) that is issued
and outstanding immediately before the Effective Date shall be
converted into and exchanged for the right to receive 1.7250 shares
(the “Exchange Ratio”) of Towne Common Stock, plus cash
in lieu of any fractional shares pursuant to Section 2.4
(collectively, the “Merger Consideration”). All shares of Holding Company
Common Stock converted pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall no longer
be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired and
shall cease to exist as of the Effective Date.
(c)
Each certificate previously representing shares of Holding Company
Common Stock (a “Holding Company Common Certificate”)
and the non-certificated shares of Holding Company Common Stock
(the “Holding Company Book-Entry Shares”) shall cease
to represent any rights except the right to receive with respect to
each share of Holding Company Common Stock (i) the Merger
Consideration upon the surrender of such Holding Company Common
Certificate or Holding Company Book-Entry Shares in accordance with
Section 2.2, and (ii) any dividends or distributions which the
holder thereof has the right to receive pursuant to
Section 2.6.
(d)
Each share of Holding Company Common Stock held by any party hereto
and each share of Towne Common Stock held by Holding Company or any
of the Holding Company Subsidiaries (as defined herein) prior to
the Effective Date (in each case other than in a fiduciary or
agency capacity or on behalf of third parties as a result of debts
previously contracted) shall be cancelled and retired and shall
cease to exist at the Effective Date and no consideration shall be
issued in exchange therefor; provided, that such shares of Towne
Common Stock shall resume the status of authorized and unissued
shares of Towne Common Stock.
4
2.2 Exchange
Procedures.
(a)
On or before the Closing Date, Towne shall deposit, or shall cause
to be deposited, with its transfer agent or such other transfer
agent or depository or trust institution of recognized standing
approved by Towne (in such capacity, the “Exchange
Agent”), for the benefit of the holders of the Holding
Company Common Certificates and the holders of Holding Company
Book-Entry Shares, at the election of Towne, either certificates
representing the shares of Towne Common Stock or noncertificated
shares of Towne Common Stock (or a combination) issuable pursuant
to this Article 2, together with any dividends or distributions
with respect thereto and any cash to be paid in lieu of fractional
shares without any interest thereon (the “Exchange
Fund”), in exchange for the Holding Company Common
Certificates and Holding Company Book-Entry Shares.
(b)
As promptly as practicable after the Effective Date, Towne shall
cause the Exchange Agent to send to each former stockholder of
record of Holding Company immediately before the Effective Date
transmittal materials for use in exchanging such
stockholder’s Holding Company Common Certificates or Holding
Company Book-Entry Shares for the Merger Consideration, as provided
for herein.
(c)
Towne shall cause the Merger Consideration into which shares of
Holding Company Common Stock are converted at the Effective Date,
and dividends or distributions that a Holding Company stockholder
shall be entitled to receive, to be issued and paid to such Holding
Company stockholder upon proper surrender to the Exchange Agent of
Holding Company Common Certificates and Holding Company Book-Entry
Shares representing such shares of Holding Company Common Stock,
together with the transmittal materials duly executed and completed
in accordance with the instructions thereto. No interest will
accrue or be paid on any such cash to be paid pursuant to Sections
2.4 or 2.6.
(d)
Any Holding Company stockholder whose Holding Company Common
Certificates or Holding Company Book-Entry Shares have been lost,
destroyed, stolen or are otherwise missing shall be entitled to the
Merger Consideration and dividends or distributions to which such
stockholder shall be entitled upon compliance with reasonable
conditions imposed by Towne pursuant to applicable law and as
required in accordance with Towne’s standard policy
(including the requirement that the stockholder furnish customary
indemnity).
(e)
Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains unclaimed by the
stockholders of Holding Company for twelve (12) months after the
Effective Date shall be returned to Towne (together with any
earnings in respect thereof). Any stockholders of Holding Company
who have not complied with this Article 2 shall thereafter be
entitled to look only to Towne, and only as a general creditor
thereof, for payment of the consideration deliverable in respect of
each share of Holding Company Common Stock such stockholder held as
of the close of business on the Effective Date as determined
pursuant to this Agreement, without any interest
thereon.
(f)
None of the Exchange Agent, the parties hereto, the Towne
Subsidiaries (as defined herein) nor the Holding Company
Subsidiaries (as defined herein) shall be liable to any stockholder
of Holding Company for any amount of property delivered to a public
official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or
similar laws.
5
2.3
Holding
Company Stock Options and Other Equity-Based Awards.
(a)
At the Effective Date, each option (to the extent any are
outstanding), whether vested or unvested, to purchase shares of
Holding Company Common Stock (a “Holding Company Stock
Option”) granted under an equity or equity-based compensation
plan of Holding Company (a “Holding Company Stock
Plan”) or otherwise granted shall be converted into an option
(each, a “Replacement Option”) to acquire, on the same
terms and conditions as were applicable under such Holding Company
Stock Option (except as provided otherwise in this Section 2.3(a)),
the number of shares of Towne Common Stock equal to the product of
(i) the number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock subject to
the Holding Company Stock Option multiplied by (ii) the Exchange
Ratio. Such product shall be rounded down to the nearest whole
number. The exercise price per share (rounded up to the next whole
cent) of each Replacement Option shall equal (y) the exercise price
per share of shares of Holding Company Common Stock that were
purchasable pursuant to such Holding Company Stock Option divided
by (z) the Exchange Ratio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each
Holding Company Stock Option that is intended to be an
“incentive stock option” (as defined in Section 422 of
the Code) shall be adjusted if necessary in accordance with the
requirements of Section 424 of the Code, and all other options
shall be adjusted if necessary in a manner that maintains the
option’s exemption from Section 409A of the
Code.
(b)
At the Effective Date, each restricted stock award granted under a
Holding Company Stock Plan (a “Holding Company Stock
Award”) that is unvested or contingent and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Date shall cease, at the
Effective Date, to represent any rights with respect to shares of
Holding Company Common Stock and shall be converted without any
action on the part of the holder thereof, into a restricted stock
award of Towne (a “Replacement Stock Award”), on the
same terms and conditions as were applicable under the Holding
Company Stock Awards (but taking into account any changes thereto,
including any acceleration of vesting thereof, provided for in the
Holding Company Stock Plan or in the related award document by
reason of the Merger). The number of shares of Towne Common Stock
subject to each such Replacement Stock Award shall be equal to the
number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock subject to the
Holding Company Stock Award multiplied by the Exchange Ratio,
rounded, if necessary, to the nearest whole share of Towne Common
Stock.
(c)
At the Effective Date, Towne shall assume the Holding Company Stock
Plans; provided that such assumption shall only be with respect to
the Replacement Options and Replacement Stock Awards, and Towne
shall have no obligation to make any additional grants or awards
under the Holding Company Stock Plans. The provisions of any such
Holding Company Stock Plan will be unchanged, except that (i) all
references to Holding Company (other than any references relating
to a “change in control” (or similar term) of Holding
Company) in the Holding Company Stock Plan and in each agreement
evidencing any award thereunder shall be deemed to refer to Towne,
unless Towne reasonably determines otherwise, and (ii) the number
of shares of Towne Common Stock available for issuance pursuant to
the Holding Company Stock Plan following the Effective Date shall
be equal to the number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock so
available immediately prior to the Effective Date multiplied by the
Exchange Ratio, rounded, if necessary, down to the nearest whole
share of Towne Common Stock.
6
(d)
As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, Towne will deliver
to the holders of Replacement Options and Replacement Stock Awards
any required notices setting forth such holders’ rights
pursuant to the respective Holding Company Stock Plan and award
documents and stating that such Replacement Options and Replacement
Stock Awards have been issued by Towne and shall continue in effect
on the same terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments
required by this Section 2.3 after giving effect to the Merger and
the terms of the Holding Company Stock Plan).
2.4 No
Fractional Shares.
Each
holder of shares of Holding Company Common Stock exchanged pursuant
to the Merger that would otherwise have been entitled to receive a
fraction of a share of Towne Common Stock shall receive, in lieu
thereof, cash (without interest and rounded to the nearest cent) in
an amount equal to such fractional part of a share of Towne Common
Stock multiplied by the average closing price per share of Towne
Common Stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, for
the ten (10) consecutive trading days ending on and including the
fifth trading day prior to the Effective Date.
2.5
Anti-Dilution.
In the
event Towne changes (or establishes a record date for changing) the
number of shares of Towne Common Stock issued and outstanding
before the Effective Date as a result of a stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization or
similar transaction, appropriate and proportional
adjustments will be made to the Exchange Ratio.
2.6
Dividends.
No
dividend or other distribution payable to the holders of record of
Holding Company Common Stock at, or as of, any time after the
Effective Date will be paid to the holder of any Holding Company
Common Certificate or Holding Company Book-Entry Share until such
holder properly surrenders such shares (or furnishes customary
indemnity that the Holding Company Common Certificate or Holding
Company Book-Entry Share is lost, destroyed, stolen or otherwise
missing as provided in Section 2.2(d)) for exchange as provided in
Section 2.2 of this Agreement, promptly after which time all such
dividends or distributions will be paid (without
interest).
2.7
Withholding
Rights.
The
Exchange Agent will be entitled to deduct and withhold from the
Merger Consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement
to any person such amounts, if any, it is required to deduct and
withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code
or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax (as defined herein)
law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and remitted to the
appropriate Governmental Authority (as defined herein) by the
Exchange Agent, such amounts withheld will be treated for all
purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to such person in
respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the
Exchange Agent.
7
2.8
No
Appraisal Rights.
In
accordance with Section 55-13-02 of the NCBCA, no appraisal rights
shall be available to the holders of Holding Company Common Stock
in connection with the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE 3
Representations and Warranties
3.1
Disclosure
Schedule.
On or
before the date of this Agreement, Holding Company has delivered to
Towne a schedule and Towne has delivered to Holding Company a
schedule (each respectively, its “Disclosure Schedule”)
setting forth, among other things, the disclosure of items that are
necessary or appropriate either in response to an express
disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereof or as an
exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in
Sections 3.3 or 3.4 or to one or more covenants or agreements
contained in Articles 4 or 5; provided that, (i) no such item
is required to be set forth in a Disclosure Schedule as an
exception to any representation or warranty if its absence would
not result in the related representation or warranty being deemed
untrue or incorrect under the standard established by Section 3.2,
and (ii) the mere inclusion of an item in a Disclosure
Schedule as an exception to a representation or warranty shall not
be deemed an admission by a party that such item represents a
material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that, absent
such inclusion in the Disclosure Schedule, such item is reasonably
likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined
herein).
3.2
Standard.
(a)
No representation or warranty of Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary
on the one hand or Towne on the other hand contained in Article 3
(other than the representations and warranties contained in (i)
Section 3.3(c)(i) for Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, and
Section 3.4(c)(i) for Towne, which shall be true in all material
respects to it, and (ii) Sections 3.3(c)(ii)(A), 3.3(d) (other than
inaccuracies that are de minimis in amount and effect) and
3.3(g)(ii) for Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, and Sections
3.4(c)(ii)(A), 3.4(d) (other than inaccuracies that are de minimis
in amount and effect) and 3.4(g)(ii) for Towne, which shall be true
and correct in all respects) will be deemed untrue or incorrect,
and no party will be deemed to have breached a representation or
warranty, as a consequence of the existence or absence of any fact,
event or circumstance unless such fact, event or circumstance,
individually or taken together with all other facts, events or
circumstances inconsistent with any representation or warranty
contained in Section 3.3 or Section 3.4, has had or is reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on such party,
disregarding for these purposes (i) any qualification or exception
for, or reference to, materiality in any such representation or
warranty and (ii) any use of the terms “material,”
“materially,” “in all material respects,”
“Material Adverse Effect” or similar terms or phrases
in any such representation or warranty.
8
(b)
The term “Material Adverse Effect,” as used with
respect to a party, means an event, change, effect or occurrence
which, individually or together with any other event, change,
effect or occurrence, (i) is materially adverse to the business,
properties, financial condition or results of operations of such
party and its subsidiaries (meaning the “Holding Company
Subsidiaries” as defined in Section 3.3(b) or the
“Towne Subsidiaries” as defined in Section 3.4(b), as
the case may be), taken as a whole, or (ii) materially impairs the
ability of such party to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or to consummate the Transaction and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement on a timely basis;
provided that a Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to
include the impact of (A) changes after the date of this Agreement
in laws or regulations generally affecting the banking and bank
holding company businesses and the interpretation of such laws and
regulations by courts or governmental authorities, (B) changes
after the date of this Agreement in generally accepted accounting
principles or regulatory accounting requirements generally
affecting the banking and bank holding company businesses, (C)
changes or events after the date of this Agreement generally
affecting the banking and bank holding company businesses,
including changes in prevailing interest rates, and not
specifically relating to Towne, the Towne Subsidiaries, Holding
Company or the Holding Company Subsidiaries, (D) the effects of the
actions expressly permitted or required by this Agreement or that
are taken with the prior informed consent of the other party in
contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (E) the
public disclosure of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, (F) a decline in the trading price of a
party’s common stock or the failure, in and of itself, to
meet earnings projections or internal financial forecasts, but not
including the underlying causes thereof, and (G) any outbreak
or escalation of major hostilities or acts of terrorism which
involves the United States; except, with respect to clauses (A),
(B), (C) or (G), to the extent that the effects of such change are
materially disproportionately adverse to the business, properties,
financial condition or results of operations such party hereto and
its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other comparable
companies in the commercial banking industry.
(c)
The term “Knowledge” when used with respect to a party
means the actual knowledge and belief of such party’s
executive officers. For the purpose of the term Knowledge,
“executive officer” shall mean (y) with respect to
Towne, those individuals set forth on Section 3.2(c) of
Towne’s Disclosure Schedule, and (z) with respect to Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary, those individuals set forth on Section
3.2(c) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule.
3.3
Representations
and Warranties of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary.
Subject
to and giving effect to Sections 3.1 and 3.2 and except as set
forth in Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule, Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary hereby jointly and severally represent
and warrant to Towne as follows:
9
(a)
Organization, Standing and Power.
(i)
Holding Company is a North Carolina corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of North Carolina. Holding Company has all requisite corporate
power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and
to own and operate its assets, properties and business. Holding
Company is duly registered as a bank holding company under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. True and complete copies
of the articles of incorporation, articles of organization, bylaws
or other similar governing instruments (“Organizational
Documents”) of Holding Company, in each case as amended to
the date hereof and as in full force and effect as of the date
hereof, are set forth in Section 3.3(a)(i) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule.
(ii)
Bank Subsidiary, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Holding Company, is a North Carolina state chartered
bank duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of North
Carolina, and has all requisite corporate power and authority to
carry on a commercial banking business as now being conducted and
to own and operate its assets, properties and business. Bank
Subsidiary’s deposits are insured by the Deposit
Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(“FDIC”) to the maximum extent permitted by law.
True and complete copies
of the Organizational Documents of Bank Subsidiary, in each case as
amended to the date hereof and as in full force and effect as of
the date hereof, are set forth in Section 3.3(a)(ii) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule.
(b)
Subsidiaries. Holding
Company does not own, directly or indirectly, five percent
(5%) or more of the outstanding
capital stock or other equity interests of any corporation, bank or
other organization actively engaged in business except as set forth
in Section 3.3(b) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule
(each individually a “Holding Company Subsidiary” and
collectively the “Holding Company
Subsidiaries”). Each Holding Company Subsidiary (i) is a duly
organized bank, corporation, limited liability company or statutory
trust, validly existing and in good standing under applicable laws,
(ii) has full corporate or other applicable power and authority to
carry on its business as now conducted and (iii) is duly qualified
to do business in the states where its ownership or leasing of
property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification
and where the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse
Effect on Holding Company on a consolidated basis. The outstanding
shares of capital stock or equity interests of each Holding Company
Subsidiary have been duly authorized and are validly issued and
outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and all such shares are
directly or indirectly owned by Holding Company free and clear of
all liens, claims and encumbrances or preemptive rights of any
person. No rights are authorized, issued or outstanding with
respect to the capital stock or equity interests of any Holding
Company Subsidiary and there are no agreements, understandings or
commitments relating to the right of Holding Company to vote or to
dispose of the capital stock or equity interests of any Holding
Company Subsidiary. A true and complete list of each direct
and indirect Holding Company Subsidiary as of the date hereof is
set forth in Section 3.3(b) of Holding Company’s Disclosure
Schedule that shows the jurisdiction of organization of each
Holding Company Subsidiary, its form of organization (corporate,
partnership, joint venture, etc.), and lists the owner(s) and
percentage ownership (direct or indirect) of each Holding Company
Subsidiary.
10
(c)
Authority; No Breach of the Agreement.
(i)
Each of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary has the corporate power
and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under
this Agreement, and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary, respectively, subject only to the
receipt of (i) the approval of this Agreement and the Plan of
Merger by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Holding Company Common Stock (the “Holding Company
Stockholder Approval”) and (ii) the approval of this
Agreement and the Bank Plan of Merger by the sole stockholder of
Bank Subsidiary. This Agreement is a valid and legally binding
obligation of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, enforceable in
accordance with its terms (except as enforceability may be limited
by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting the
enforcement of rights of creditors or by general principles of
equity).
(ii)
Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary, nor the consummation by Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary of the transactions contemplated
hereby, nor compliance by Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary with
any of the provisions hereof will: (A) conflict with or result in a
breach of any provision of the Organizational Documents of Holding
Company or Bank Subsidiary; (B) constitute or result in the breach
of any term, condition or provision of, or constitute a default
under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration with respect to, or result in the creation of any
lien, charge or encumbrance upon, any property or asset of Holding
Company or any Holding Company Subsidiary pursuant to any (1) note,
bond, mortgage, indenture, or (2) any material license, agreement
or other instrument or obligation, to which Holding Company or any
Holding Company Subsidiary is a party or by which Holding Company
or any Holding Company Subsidiary or any of their properties or
assets may be bound; or (C) subject to the receipt of all required
stockholder approvals and the receipt, or the making, of the
consents, approvals, waivers and filings referred to in subsection
3.3(c)(iii) and the expiration of related waiting periods, violate
any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation
applicable to Holding Company or any Holding Company
Subsidiary.
11
(iii)
Except for (A) the filing of any required applications, filings or
notices with the Governmental Authorities (as defined herein) and
the receipt of any permits, consents, approvals and authorizations
of the Governmental Authorities and all third parties necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the
“Regulatory Approvals”), (B) compliance with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the “Securities Act”), and the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including the
filing with the SEC of the Proxy Statement in definitive form
relating to the Holding Company Stockholders Meeting (as such terms
are defined herein) and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, (C) the filing of separate Articles of Merger with the
Virginia State Corporation Commission and North Carolina Secretary
of State to effect the Transaction, (D) such filings and approvals
as are required to be made or obtained under the securities or
“Blue Sky” laws of the various states in connection
with the issuance of shares of Towne Common Stock pursuant to this
Agreement, (E) approval of listing the shares of Towne Common Stock
to be issued pursuant to this Agreement on the NASDAQ Global Select
Market, and (F) the consents and approvals of third parties that
are not Governmental Authorities required to consummate the
Transaction, no consents or approvals of or notices to or filings
with any Governmental Authority or other third party are necessary
in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and
the consummation by Holding Company of the Merger and Bank
Subsidiary of the Bank Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. As of the date hereof, neither
Holding Company nor Bank Subsidiary is aware of any reason why the
necessary Regulatory Approvals and consents will not be received in
order to permit consummation of the Transaction. For the purposes
of this Agreement, a “Governmental Authority” means any
court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental
authority, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or any
industry self-regulatory authority.
(d)
Holding Company Capital
Stock. The
authorized capital stock of Holding Company consists of 1,000,000
shares of preferred stock, no par value per share, of which no
shares are issued and outstanding, and 20,000,000 shares of Holding
Company Common Stock, of which 5,453,963 shares are issued and
outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. All outstanding
shares of Holding Company Common Stock have been duly authorized
and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and have not
been issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any person. As
of the date of this Agreement, 58,487 shares of Holding Company
Common Stock are subject to unvested Holding Company Stock Awards
granted under a Holding Company Stock Plan. As of the date of this
Agreement, 41,625 shares of Holding Company Common Stock are
subject to Holding Company Stock Options, all of which were granted
under a Holding Company Stock Plan. As of the date of this
Agreement, there are no shares of capital stock of Holding Company
reserved for issuance, or any outstanding or authorized options,
warrants, rights, agreements, convertible or exchangeable
securities, or other commitments, contingent or otherwise, relating
to its capital stock pursuant to which Holding Company is or may
become obligated to issue shares of capital stock or any securities
convertible into, exchangeable for, or evidencing the right to
subscribe for, any shares of its capital stock (collectively,
“Rights”), except as contemplated by a Holding Company
Stock Plan and as set forth in Section 3.3(d) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule.
12
(e)
SEC Filings; Financial Statements;
Accounting Controls.
(i)
Holding Company has filed all reports, registration statements,
proxy statements, offering circulars, schedules and other documents
required to be filed by it (collectively, the “Securities
Documents”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) since June 15, 2016 under the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act, and, to the extent such Securities Documents are
not available on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering Analysis
and Retrieval system, made available to Towne copies of such
Securities Documents. Holding Company’s Securities Documents,
including the financial statements, exhibits and schedules
contained therein, (A) at the time filed, complied (and any
Securities Documents filed after the date of this Agreement will
comply) in all material respects with the applicable requirements
of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and (B) at the time
they were filed (or if amended or superseded by one or more
Securities Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement,
then on the date of such filing), did not (and any Securities
Documents filed after the date of this Agreement will not) contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated in such Securities Documents or
necessary in order to make the statements made in such Securities
Documents, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
(ii)
Each of Holding Company’s financial statements contained in
or incorporated by reference into any Securities Documents
(including any Securities Documents filed after the date of this
Agreement) (the “Financial Statements”) complied (or,
in the case of Securities Documents filed after the date of this
Agreement, will comply) in all material respects with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
with respect thereto, fairly presented (or, in the case of
Securities Documents filed after the date of this Agreement, will
fairly present) the consolidated financial position of Holding
Company and the Holding Company Subsidiaries as at the respective
dates and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows
for the periods indicated, in each case in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
America (“GAAP”) consistently applied during the
periods indicated, except in each case as may be noted therein, and
subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and as permitted by
Form 10-Q in the case of unaudited financial
statements.
(iii)
Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary have devised and maintain a
system of “internal controls over financial reporting”
(as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act)
sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that:
(i) transactions are executed in accordance with general or
specific authorization of their respective Board of Directors and
duly authorized executive officers, (ii) transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial
statements in conformity with GAAP consistently applied with
respect to institutions such as Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary
or other criteria applicable to such financial statements, and to
maintain proper accountability for items therein, (iii) access to
its properties and assets is permitted only in accordance with
general or specific authorization of their respective Board of
Directors and duly authorized executive officers, and (iv) the
recorded accountability for items is compared with the actual
levels at reasonable intervals and appropriate actions taken with
respect to any differences.
13
(iv)
Holding Company’s “disclosure controls and
procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of
the Exchange Act) are designed to ensure that all information
required to be disclosed by it in its Securities Documents is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time
periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that all
such information is accumulated and communicated to its management
as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure and to make the certifications of its chief executive
officer and chief financial officer required under the Exchange Act
with respect to such reports. Holding Company has disclosed, to its
auditors and the audit committee of its Board of Directors and on
Section 3.3(e)(iv) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule
(i) based on the evaluation of such controls in conjunction with
its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC for the period
ended December 31, 2016, any significant deficiencies and material
weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over
financial reporting that could adversely affect in any material
respect its ability to record, process, summarize and report
financial information and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material,
that involves management or other employees who have a significant
role in its internal controls over financial reporting. For
purposes of this Agreement, the terms “significant
deficiency” and “material weakness” shall have
the meaning assigned to them in Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board Auditing Standard 2, as of the date hereof.
(v)
Each of Holding Company’s principal executive officer and
principal financial officer (or each former principal executive
officer and each former principal financial officer, as applicable)
has made all certifications required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under
the Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act
of 2002 (including the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder, the “Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act”) with respect to
its Securities Documents, and the statements contained in such
certifications are true and accurate in all material respects. For
purposes of this Agreement, “principal executive
officer” and “principal financial officer” shall
have the meanings given to such terms in the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act.
Holding Company is in compliance with all applicable provisions of
the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act, except for any non-compliance that would
not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Holding
Company.
14
(f)
Bank Reports. Holding
Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries has filed all
reports, forms, correspondence, registrations and statements,
together with any amendments required to be made with respect
thereto (the “Bank Reports”), that they were required
to file since December 31, 2013 with the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks,
the FDIC, and any other federal, state or foreign governmental or
regulatory agency or authority having jurisdiction over Holding
Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries (collectively,
the “Regulatory Agencies”), including any Bank Report
required to be filed pursuant to the laws of the United States, any
state or any Regulatory Agency, and have paid all fees and
assessments due and payable in connection therewith, except where
the failure to file such Bank Report or to pay such fees and
assessments, either individually or in the aggregate, would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on it. Any
such Bank Report regarding Holding Company or any of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries filed with or otherwise submitted to any
Regulatory Agency complied in all material respects with relevant
legal requirements, including as to content. Except for normal
examinations conducted by a Regulatory Agency in the ordinary
course of Holding Company’s and each of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries’ business, there is no pending proceeding
before, or, to its Knowledge, examination or investigation by, any
Regulatory Agency into the business or operations of Holding
Company or any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries. Except as
disclosed in the Bank Reports, there is no unresolved violation
cited by any Regulatory Agency with respect to any Bank Report or
relating to any examination or inspection of Holding Company or any
of the Holding Company Subsidiaries, and there has been no formal
or informal inquiries by, or disagreements or disputes with, any
Regulatory Agency with respect to the business, operations,
policies or procedures of Holding Company or any of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries since December 31, 2013, in each case, which
would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Holding
Company.
(g)
Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Since
December 31, 2016, except as disclosed in its Securities Documents,
Financial Statements or Bank Reports filed prior to the date of
this Agreement, (i) Holding Company and the Holding Company
Subsidiaries have conducted their respective businesses and
incurred liabilities only in the ordinary course consistent with
past practices, and (ii) there have been no events, changes,
developments or occurrences which, individually or in the
aggregate, have had or are reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Holding Company.
(h)
Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except for (i) those liabilities that are fully
reflected or reserved for in its financial statements contained in
its Securities Documents, Financial Statements or Bank Reports
filed prior to the date of this Agreement, (ii) liabilities
incurred since December 31, 2016 in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice, (iii) liabilities that arise out of
executory obligations under contracts, (iv) liabilities which would
not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect and (v) liabilities incurred in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
neither Holding Company nor any Holding Company Subsidiary has, and
since December 31, 2016 neither has incurred (except as permitted
by Section 4.1), any liabilities or obligations of any nature
(whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise and whether or
not required to be reflected in its Securities Documents or Bank
Reports) and except as disclosed in Section 3.3(h) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule.
15
(i)
Material Contracts;
Defaults.
(i)
Set forth in Section 3.3(i)(i) of Holding Company’s
Disclosure Schedule is a list that includes each of the following
agreements, contracts, arrangements, commitments or understandings
(whether written or oral) that Holding Company or any Holding
Company Subsidiary is a party to, bound by or subject to (each, a
“Holding Company Contract” and collectively,
“Holding Company Contracts”): (A) with respect to the
employment of any of its directors, officers, employees or
consultants, (B) which would entitle any present or former
director, officer, employee or agent of Holding Company or a
Holding Company Subsidiary to indemnification from Holding Company
or a Holding Company Subsidiary, (C) which is a material contract
(as defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC), (D)
which is an agreement (including data processing, software
programming, consulting and licensing contracts) not terminable on
sixty (60) days or less notice and involving the payment or value
of more than $50,000 per year and/or has a termination fee, (E)
which relates to the incurrence of indebtedness by Holding Company
or Bank Subsidiary (other than deposit liabilities, advances and
loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, and sales of
securities subject to repurchase, in each case, in the ordinary
course of business), (F) which grants any person a right of
first refusal, right of first offer or similar right with respect
to any material properties, rights, assets or businesses of Holding
Company or a Holding Company Subsidiary, (G) which involves the
purchase or sale of assets with a purchase price of $100,000 or
more in any single case or $250,000 in all such cases, other than
purchases and sales of investment securities and loans in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (H)
which provides for the payment by Holding Company or a Holding
Company Subsidiary of payments upon a change in control thereof,
(I) which is a lease for any real or material personal
property owned or presently used by Holding Company or a Holding
Company Subsidiary, (J) which materially restricts the conduct of
any business by Holding Company or a Holding Company Subsidiary or
limits the freedom of Holding Company or a Holding Company
Subsidiary to engage in any line of business in any geographic area
(or would so restrict Towne or any of its affiliates after
consummation of the Transaction) or which requires exclusive
referrals of business or requires Holding Company or a Holding
Company Subsidiary to offer specified products or services to their
customers or depositors on a priority or exclusive basis, or (K)
which is with respect to, or otherwise commits Holding Company or a
Holding Company Subsidiary to do, any of the
foregoing.
(ii)
Each Holding Company Contract is valid and binding on Holding
Company or the respective Holding Company Subsidiary and is in full
force and effect (other than due to the ordinary expiration
thereof) and, to the Knowledge of Holding Company, is valid and
binding on the other parties thereto. Holding Company and each
Holding Company Subsidiary is not, and to the Knowledge of Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary, no other party thereto, is in default
under any contract, agreement, commitment, arrangement, lease,
insurance policy or other instrument to which it is a party, by
which its assets, business or operations may be bound or affected,
or under which it or its respective assets, business or operations
receives benefits which is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect, and there has not occurred any event that, with the
lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute
such a default. Except as provided in this Agreement, no power of
attorney or similar authorization given directly or indirectly by
Holding Company or a Holding Company Subsidiary is currently
outstanding.
16
(j)
Legal Proceedings; Compliance with
Laws. Except as set forth in Section 3.3(j) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule, there are no actions, suits or
proceedings instituted or pending or, to the Knowledge of Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary, threatened against Holding Company or
any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries or against any of Holding
Company’s or the Holding Company Subsidiaries’
properties, assets, interests or rights, or against any of Holding
Company’s or Holding Company Subsidiaries’ officers,
directors or employees in their capacities as such. Except as set
forth in Section 3.3(j) of Holding Company’s Disclosure
Schedule, neither Holding Company nor any of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries is a party to or subject to any agreement, order,
memorandum of understanding, enforcement action, or supervisory or
commitment letter by or with any Governmental Authority restricting
the operations of Holding Company or the operations of any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries and neither Holding Company nor any of
the Holding Company Subsidiaries has been advised by any
Governmental Authority or otherwise become aware that any
Governmental Authority is investigating, inquiring or otherwise
contemplating issuing or requesting the issuance of any such
agreement, order, memorandum, action or letter in the future. Since
January 1, 2014, Holding Company and each of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all laws,
ordinances, requirements, regulations or orders applicable to its
business.
(k)
Tax Matters.
(i) Holding
Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries have filed all
federal, state and local returns and reports relating to Taxes
required to be filed with a Governmental Authority (each, a
“Tax Return”), and all such Tax Returns were correct
and complete in all material respects. All Taxes (as defined
herein) owed by Holding Company or any of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries have been paid, are reflected as a liability in its
Securities Documents or Bank Reports, or are being contested in
good faith as set forth in Holding Company’s Disclosure
Schedule. Except as set forth in Section 3.3(k)(i) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule, no Tax Return filed by Holding
Company or any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries is the subject
of any administrative or judicial proceeding, no unpaid Tax
deficiency has been asserted against Holding Company or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries by any Governmental Authority, and to
the Knowledge of Holding Company and the Holding Company
Subsidiaries, no Tax Return filed by Holding Company or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries is under examination by any
Governmental Authority. For the purposes of this Agreement,
“Tax” or “Taxes” mean any and all taxes,
charges, fees, levies or other assessments in the nature of a tax
imposed by a Governmental Authority, including, without limitation,
all income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, goods and
services, capital, transfer, franchise, profits, license,
withholding, payroll, employment, employer health, excise,
estimated, severance, stamp, occupation, property or other taxes,
custom duties, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever,
together with any interest and any penalties, additions to tax or
additional amounts imposed by any Governmental
Authority.
(ii) Holding
Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries has withheld
and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in
connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor,
stockholder, independent contractor or other third party. Holding
Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries have complied
in all material respects with all Tax information reporting and
backup withholding provisions of applicable law.
17
(iii) There
are no liens for Taxes (other than statutory liens for Taxes not
yet due and payable) upon any of the assets of Holding Company or
any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries. Neither Holding Company
nor any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries is a party to or is
bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement
or arrangement (other than such an agreement or arrangement
exclusively between or among Holding Company and the Holding
Company Subsidiaries). Neither Holding Company nor any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries has been, within the past two years or
otherwise as part of a “plan (or series of related
transactions)” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the
Code of which the Transaction is also a part, a “distributing
corporation” or a “controlled corporation”
(within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a
distribution of stock intended to qualify for tax-free treatment
under Section 355 of the Code.
(iv) Neither
Holding Company nor any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries is or
has been a party to any “listed transaction,” as
defined in Code Section 6707A(c)(2) and Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) of
the Treasury Regulations. Holding Company and each of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries have disclosed on their federal income Tax
Returns all positions taken therein that could give rise to a
substantial understatement of federal income Tax within the meaning
of Code Section 6662. Holding Company is not and has not been a
“United States real property holding company” within
the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable
period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the
Code.
(v) Neither
Holding Company nor Bank Subsidiary is aware of any reason why the
Merger will fail to qualify as a reorganization under Section
368(a) of the Code.
(l)
Property.
(i) Except
as set forth in Section 3.3(l)(i)
of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule or reserved
against as disclosed in its Securities Documents or Bank Reports,
Holding Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries have
good and marketable title in fee simple absolute free and clear of
all material liens, encumbrances, charges, defaults or equitable
interests, other than Permitted Liens (as defined herein), to all
of the properties and assets, real and personal, reflected in the
balance sheet included in its Securities Documents or Bank Reports
as of December 31, 2016 or acquired after such date. All buildings,
and all fixtures, equipment, and other property and assets that are
material to Holding Company’s or any of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries’ business, held under leases, subleases or
licenses, are held under valid instruments, and to Holding
Company’s Knowledge, enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium and similar laws. Other than real estate
that was acquired by foreclosure or voluntary deed in lieu of
foreclosure, all buildings, structures, and appurtenances owned,
leased, or occupied by Holding Company and each of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries (the “Real Property”) are in good
operating condition and in a state of good maintenance and repair
and comply with applicable zoning and other municipal laws and
regulations, and there are no latent defects therein. With regard
to the Real Property, there are no eminent domain or similar
proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Holding Company or Bank
Subsidiary, threatened affecting all or any material portion of
such Real Property, and further, there is no writ, injunction,
decree, order or judgement outstanding, nor any action, claim suit
or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of Holding Company or
Bank Subsidiary, threatened, relating to the ownership, lease, use,
occupancy or operation of such Real Property.
18
(ii) Section
3.3(l)(ii) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule
identifies and sets forth the address of each parcel of real estate
or interest therein, leased, licensed or subleased by Holding
Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries or in which
Holding Company or any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries has any
leasehold interest. Holding Company has made available to Towne
true and complete copies of all lease, license and sublease
agreements, including without limitation every amendment thereto,
for each parcel of real estate or interest therein to which Holding
Company or any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries is a
party.
For
purposes of this Section 3.3(l), “Permitted Liens”
shall mean: (a) liens arising by operation of law for taxes or
other governmental charges not yet due and payable or due but not
delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings; (b) liens arising by operation of law, including
liens arising by virtue of the rights of customers, suppliers and
subcontractors in the ordinary course of business under general
principles of commercial law, that do not, individually or in the
aggregate, materially impair the value of the assets to which they
relate and that are for current obligations; (c) imperfections
of title that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially
impair the continued ownership, use and operation of the assets to
which they relate in the business of Holding Company or the Holding
Company Subsidiaries as currently conducted, including (i) the
standard or printed exclusions under a standard form of ALTA
owner’s policy of title insurance, (ii) the lien for taxes on
Real Property not due and payable on or before the Closing Date,
(iii) zoning ordinances affecting the Real Property, (iv) all
easements, covenants, restrictions, reservations, rights-of-way and
other similar matters of record as of the date of Holding
Company’s execution of this Agreement, and (v) such matters
as would be disclosed by a current and accurate survey and
inspection of the Real Property; and (d) security interests granted
in connection with either (i) the lease of equipment in the
ordinary course of business, or (ii) an existing mortgage agreement
encumbering Real Property as set forth on Schedule
3.3(l)(i).
(m)
Employee Benefit
Plans.
(i) Section
3.3(m)(i) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule sets forth
a complete and accurate list of all employee benefit plans and
programs of Holding Company and the Holding Company Subsidiaries,
including without limitation: (A) all retirement, savings and other
pension plans; (B) all health, severance, insurance, disability and
other employee welfare plans; (C) all employment, vacation and
other similar plans; and (D) all bonus, stock option, stock
purchase, incentive, deferred compensation, supplemental
retirement, severance and other employee and director benefit
plans, programs or arrangements, and all employment or compensation
arrangements, in each case for the benefit of or relating to its
current and former employees and directors (individually, a
“Holding Company Benefit Plan” and collectively, the
“Holding Company Benefit Plans”). Neither Holding
Company nor any Holding Company Subsidiary is subject to or
obligated under any oral or unwritten Holding Company Benefit
Plan.
19
(ii) Holding
Company has, with respect to each Holding Company Benefit Plan,
previously delivered or made available to Towne true and complete
copies of: (A) all current Holding Company Benefit Plan
agreements and documents and related trust agreements or annuity
contracts and any amendments thereto; (B) all current summary plan
descriptions and material communications to employees and Holding
Company Benefit Plan participants and beneficiaries; (C) the Form
5500 filed in each of the most recent three plan years (including
all schedules thereto and the opinions of independent accountants);
(D) the most recent actuarial valuation (if any); (E) the most
recent annual and periodic accounting of plan assets; (F) if the
Holding Company Benefit Plan is intended to qualify under Sections
401(a) or 403(a) of the Code, the most recent determination letter
or opinion letter, as applicable, received from the Internal
Revenue Service (the “IRS”); and (G) copies of the most
recent nondiscrimination tests for all Holding Company Benefit
Plans, as applicable.
(iii)
None of the Holding Company Benefit Plans is a
“multi-employer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”).
(iv) All
of the Holding Company Benefit Plans are in compliance in all
material respects with applicable laws and regulations, and Holding
Company has administered the Holding Company Benefit Plans in
accordance with applicable laws and regulations in all material
respects.
(v)
Each Holding Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined by the IRS to
be so qualified, as reflected in a current favorable determination
letter (based on IRS permitted determination request procedures),
or opinion letter, as applicable, or a filing for the same has been
made with the IRS seeking such a determination letter and that
request is still awaiting decision by the IRS (based on IRS
permitted determination request procedures). Nothing has occurred
since the date of any such determination that is reasonably likely
to affect adversely such qualification or exemption, or result in
the imposition of excise Taxes or income Taxes on unrelated
business income under the Code or ERISA with respect to any
Tax-qualified plan. To the Knowledge of Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary, there have been no “terminations,”
“partial terminations” or “discontinuances of
contributions,” as such terms are used in Section 411 of the
Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, to any Tax-qualified
plan during the preceding five years without required notice to and
approval by the IRS and payment of all obligations and liabilities
attributable to such Tax-qualified plans.
20
(vi)
All required contributions (including all employer contributions
and employee salary reduction contributions), premiums and other
payments due for the current plan year or any plan year ending on
or before the Closing Date, under all benefit arrangements have
been made or properly accrued. All contributions to any Holding
Company Benefit Plan have been contributed within the time
specified in ERISA and the Code and the respective regulations
thereunder. There are no “accumulated funding
deficiencies,” as defined in Section 412 of the Code or
Section 302 of ERISA, with respect to any “employee pension
benefit plan,” as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, of
Holding Company or any Holding Company Subsidiary, and no request
for a waiver from the IRS with respect to any minimum funding
requirement under Section 412 of the Code.
(vii)
To Holding Company’s and Bank Subsidiary’s Knowledge,
neither Holding Company nor Bank Subsidiary has engaged in any
prohibited transactions, as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or
Section 406 of ERISA, with respect to any Holding Company Benefit
Plan that is a pension plan as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA. To
Holding Company’s and Bank Subsidiary’s Knowledge, no
“fiduciary,” as defined in Section 3(21) of ERISA, of
any Holding Company Benefit Plan has any liability for breach of
fiduciary duty under ERISA.
(viii)
There are no actions, suits, investigations or claims (other than
routine claims for benefits) pending, threatened or, to the
Knowledge of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, anticipated with
respect to any of the Holding Company Benefit Plans. None of the
Holding Company Benefit Plans is the subject of a pending or, to
the Knowledge of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, threatened
investigation or audit by the IRS, the U.S. Department of Labor, or
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
(ix)
Except as set forth in Section
3.3(m)(ix) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule
(A) no compensation or benefit that is or will be payable in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
will be characterized as an “excess parachute payment”
within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, (B) no Holding
Company Benefit Plan contains any provision that would give rise to
any severance, termination or other payments or liabilities as a
result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (C)
no Holding Company Benefit Plan contains any provision that would
materially increase any benefits otherwise payable under any
Holding Company Benefit Plan or result in any acceleration of the
time of payment or vesting of any such benefits to any material
extent as a result of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(x)
Holding Company has not established and does not maintain a welfare
plan, as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA, that provides benefits
to an employee at its expense after a termination of employment,
except as required by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985.
21
(xi)
Except as set forth in Section 3.3(m)(xi) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule, Holding Company and the
Holding Company Subsidiaries have made all bonus and commission
payments to which they were required to make prior to the date
hereof to any employee under any Holding Company Benefit Plan for
calendar years 2015 and 2016.
(xii)
All “group health plans,” as defined in Section
5000(b)(1) of the Code, covering the employees of Holding Company
or any Holding Company Subsidiary have been maintained in timely
compliance with the notice and healthcare continuation coverage
requirements of Section 4980B of the Code and Part 6 of
Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA.
(xiii)
Except as set forth in Section 3.3(m)(xiii) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule, each Holding Company Benefit
Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation
plan,” as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code, and any
award thereunder, in each case that is subject to Section 409A of
the Code, has (A) since January 1, 2005, been maintained
and operated in good faith compliance with Section 409A of the
Code, as determined under applicable guidance of the U.S.
Department of the Treasury and the IRS, and (B) since
January 1, 2009, been in documentary and operational
compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
(xiv)
Section 3.3(m)(xiv) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule
accurately reflects the timing and the maximum amounts for the
payments that would be payable under the applicable Salary
Continuation Agreements for the respective individuals set forth
therein in the event the respective individuals were to have a
Separation from Service immediately following a Change in Control
(as such terms are defined in the applicable Salary Continuation
Agreements) occurring on the assumed date and under the
circumstances specified in such Section of the Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule. Upon a Separation from Service
following a Change in Control occurring on a date other than the
date assumed in such Section of the Holding Company’s
Disclosure Schedule, the timing and maximum amounts of the payments
under such Salary Continuation Agreements are determined in a
manner consistent with such Section of the Holding Company’s
Disclosure Schedule. The four percent (4%) per annum effective
interest rate and discount rate used to compute such payments in
Section 3.3(m)(xiv) of the Holding Company’s Disclosure
Schedule is equal to the discount rate and interest rate used by
the Holding Company and Holding Company Subsidiaries for the most
recent five (5) years for accounting purposes and for purposes of
determining any payment obligations with regard to all Salary
Continuation Agreements (and similar agreements) of the Holding
Company and Holding Company Subsidiaries. The amount of the monthly
payments of the “Accrued Benefit” (as defined in the
Salary Continuation Agreements) under the respective Salary
Continuation Agreements is equal to the “Accrual
Balance” (as defined in the Salary Continuation
Agreements) projected to a lump sum amount at Normal
Retirement at a rate of four percent (4%) per annum, and then
converted to the monthly payments commencing at Normal
Retirement also based on a rate of four percent (4%) per
annum.
22
(n)
Insurance. Set forth in Section 3.3(n) of
Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule is a list of all
insurance policies or bonds currently maintained by Holding Company
or each Holding Company Subsidiary. Holding Company and the Holding
Company Subsidiaries are insured with reputable insurers against
such risks and in such amounts as management of Holding Company
reasonably has determined to be prudent in accordance with industry
practices. Since December 31, 2016, neither Holding Company nor any
of the Holding Company Subsidiaries has received any notice of
cancellation or a failure to renew with respect to any insurance
policy or bond or, within the last three (3) calendar years, and
since January 1, 2017, has been refused any insurance coverage
sought or applied for, and Holding Company has no reason to believe
that existing insurance coverage cannot be renewed as and when the
same shall expire upon terms and conditions as favorable as those
presently in effect, other than possible increases in premiums or
unavailability of coverage that do not result from any
extraordinary loss experience on the part of Holding Company or the
Holding Company Subsidiaries.
(o)
Loan Portfolio; Allowance for Loan
Losses; Mortgage Loan Buy-Backs. Except as set forth in
Section 3.3(o) of Holding Company’s Disclosure
Schedule:
(i)
All evidences of indebtedness reflected as assets by each of
Holding Company or any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries in its
Securities Documents, Financial Statements or Bank Reports as of
December 31, 2016 were as of such date: (A) evidenced by
notes, agreements or evidences of indebtedness which are true,
genuine and what they purport to be; (B) to the extent secured,
secured by valid liens and security interests which to its
Knowledge have been perfected; (C) the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the obligor and any guarantor, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance and other laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general
equity principles, and no defense, offset or counterclaim has been
asserted with respect to any such loan which if successful could
have a Material Adverse Effect on Holding Company; and (D) in all
material respects made in accordance with its standard loan
policies except for workout credits and approved policy
exceptions.
(ii)
The allowance for possible loan losses (the “Loan Loss
Allowance”) shown by each of Holding Company or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries in its Securities Documents, Financial
Statements or Bank Reports as of December 31, 2016 was, and the
Loan Loss Allowance to be shown in its Securities Documents,
Financial Statements or Bank Reports as of any date subsequent to
the date of this Agreement will be, as of such dates, adequate to
provide for possible losses, net of recoveries relating to loans
previously charged off, in respect of loans outstanding (not
including letter of credit or commitments to make loans or extend
credit which are included in “other
liabilities”).
(iii)
Any reserve for losses with respect to other real estate owned
(“OREO”) and any reserve for repossession with respect
to mortgage loans to be shown on its Securities Documents,
Financial Statements or Bank Reports as of any date subsequent to
the execution of this Agreement will be, as of such dates, adequate
to provide for losses relating to the OREO or mortgage loan
portfolio, as the case may be, of Holding Company and any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof.
23
(iv)
The Loan Loss Allowance has been established in accordance with
GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements and
guidelines.
(v)
Section 3.3(o)(v) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule
sets forth all residential or commercial mortgage loans originated
on or after January 1, 2013 by it or any of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries (i) that were sold in the secondary mortgage market
and have been re-purchased by it or any of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries or (ii) that the institutions to whom such loans were
sold (or their successors or assigns) have asked it or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries to purchase back (but have not been
purchased back).
(p)
Certain Loans and Related
Matters. Except as set forth in Section 3.3(p) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule, as of March 1, 2017, neither
Holding Company nor any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries was a
party to any written or oral: (i) loan, loan agreement, loan
commitment, letter of credit, note, borrowing arrangement or other
extension of credit (a “Loan”), under the terms of
which the obligor was sixty (60) days delinquent in payment of
principal or interest or in default of any other provision as of
the date hereof; (ii) Loan which had been classified by any bank
examiner (whether regulatory, internal or by external consultant)
as “Other Loans Specially Mentioned,” “Special
Mention,” “Substandard,” “Doubtful,”
“Loss,” “Classified,”
“Criticized,” “Watch List,” or any
comparable classifications by such persons; (iii) Loan,
including any loan guaranty, with any of its directors or executive
officers or directors or executive officers of any of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries; or (iv) Loan in violation of any law,
regulation or rule applicable to Holding Company or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries including, but not limited to, those
promulgated, interpreted or enforced by any Governmental
Authority.
(q)
Environmental
Matters.
(i) Except
as described in Section 3.3(q) of Holding Company’s
Disclosure Schedule, Holding Company and each of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Environmental Laws
(as defined herein). Neither Holding Company nor any of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries has received any communication alleging that
Holding Company or such Holding Company Subsidiary is not in such
compliance, and, to its Knowledge, there are no present
circumstances that would prevent or interfere with the continuation
of such compliance.
24
(ii) Neither
Holding Company nor any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries has
received notice of pending, and to their Knowledge there are no
threatened, legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings,
asserting Environmental Claims (as defined herein) or other claims,
causes of action or governmental investigations of any nature,
seeking to impose, or that could result in the imposition of, any
material liability arising under any Environmental Laws upon (A)
Holding Company or such Holding Company Subsidiary, (B) any person
or entity whose liability for any Environmental Claim Holding
Company or any Holding Company Subsidiary has or may have retained
either contractually or by operation of law, (C) any real or
personal property owned or leased by Holding Company or any Holding
Company Subsidiary, or any real or personal property which Holding
Company or any Holding Company Subsidiary has been, or is, judged
to have managed or to have supervised or to have participated in
the management of, or (D) any real or personal property in
which Holding Company or a Holding Company Subsidiary holds a
security interest securing a loan recorded on the books of Holding
Company or such Holding Company Subsidiary. Neither Holding Company
nor any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries is subject to any
agreement, order, judgment, decree or memorandum by or with any
court, governmental authority, regulatory agency or third party
imposing any such liability.
(iii) With
respect to all real and personal property owned or leased by
Holding Company or any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries, or all
real and personal property which Holding Company or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries has been, or is, judged to have
managed or to have supervised or to have participated in the
management of, Holding Company will promptly provide Towne with
access to copies of any environmental audits, analyses and surveys
that have been prepared relating to such properties (a list of
which is included in Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule).
Holding Company and all of the Holding Company Subsidiaries are in
compliance in all material respects with all recommendations
contained in any such environmental audits, analyses and
surveys.
(iv) To
the Knowledge of Holding Company, there are no past or present
actions, activities, circumstances, conditions, events or incidents
that could reasonably form the basis of any Environmental Claim or
other claim or action or governmental investigation that could
result in the imposition of any liability arising under any
Environmental Laws against Holding Company or any of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries or against any person or entity whose
liability for any Environmental Claim Holding Company or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed
either contractually or by operation of law.
(v) For
purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
(A) “Environmental
Claim” means any written notice from any governmental
authority or third party alleging potential liability (including,
without limitation, potential liability for investigatory costs,
clean-up, governmental response costs, natural resources damages,
property damages, personal injuries or penalties) arising out of,
based upon, or resulting from the presence, or release into the
environment, of any Materials of Environmental Concern (as defined
herein).
25
(B) “Environmental
Laws” means all applicable federal, state and local laws and
regulations, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, that relate to
pollution or protection of human health or the
environment.
(C) “Materials
of Environmental Concern” means pollutants, contaminants,
wastes, toxic substances, petroleum and petroleum products,
underground storage tanks and any other materials regulated under
Environmental Laws.
(vi) Notwithstanding
any other provision contained herein, the representations and
warranties contained in this Section 3.3(q) constitute the sole
representations and warranties of Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary regarding the existence of Environmental Claims,
compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws, or the
presence of Materials of Environmental Concern.
(r)
Books and Records. The
books and records of Holding Company and those of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries have been fully, properly and accurately
maintained in all material respects, and there are no material
inaccuracies or discrepancies of any kind contained or reflected
therein.
(s) Intellectual
Property. Holding Company and the Holding Company
Subsidiaries own, or are licensed or otherwise possess sufficient
legally enforceable rights to use, all Intellectual Property and
the Holding Company Technology Systems (as such terms are defined
herein) that are used by Holding Company and the Holding Company
Subsidiaries in their respective businesses as currently conducted.
Holding Company and the Holding Company Subsidiaries, to their
Knowledge, have not infringed or otherwise violated the
Intellectual Property rights of any other person, and there is no
claim asserted, or to the Knowledge of Holding Company or Bank
Subsidiary threatened, against Holding Company or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries concerning the ownership, validity,
registerability, enforceability, infringement, use or licensed
right to use any Intellectual Property. “Intellectual
Property” means all trademarks, trade names, service marks,
patents, domain names, database rights, copyrights, and any
applications therefor, technology, know-how, trade secrets,
processes, computer software programs or applications, and tangible
or intangible proprietary information or material. The term
“Holding Company Technology Systems” means the
electronic data processing, information, record keeping,
communications, telecommunications, hardware, third party software,
networks, peripherals and computer systems, including any
outsourced systems and processes, and Intellectual Property used by
Holding Company and the Holding Company Subsidiaries or by a third
party.
26
(t)
Derivative Instruments.
Except as set forth in Section 3.3(t) of Holding Company’s
Disclosure Schedule, all derivative instruments, including, swaps,
caps, floors and option agreements, whether entered into for
Holding Company’s own account, or for the account of one or
more of the Holding Company Subsidiaries or its or their customers
(each a “Derivative Contract”), were entered into (i)
only in the ordinary course of business, (ii) in accordance with
prudent practices and in all material respects with all applicable
laws, rules, regulations and regulatory policies and (iii) with
counterparties believed to be financially responsible at the time;
and each of such instruments constitutes the valid and legally
binding obligation of Holding Company or one of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar
laws. Neither Holding Company nor any of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries, nor, to the Knowledge of Holding Company or any of
the Holding Company Subsidiaries, any other party thereto, is in
breach of any of its obligations under any such agreement or
arrangement, except as set forth in Section 3.3(t) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule.
(u)
Deposits. Except as set
forth in Section 3.3(u) of Holding Company’s Disclosure
Schedule, as of December 31, 2016, none of Holding Company’s
deposits or the deposits of any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries
are “brokered” deposits or are subject to any legal
restraint or other legal process (other than garnishments, pledges,
liens, levies, subpoenas, set off rights, escrow limitations and
similar actions taken in the ordinary course of business), and no
portion of such deposits represents a deposit of Holding Company or
any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries.
(v)
Investment
Securities.
(i)
Holding Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries has
good and marketable title to all securities held by it (except
securities sold under repurchase agreements or held in any
fiduciary or agency capacity) free and clear of any lien,
encumbrance or security interest, except to the extent that such
securities are pledged in the ordinary course of business
consistent with prudent business practices to secure obligations of
Holding Company or the Holding Company Subsidiaries and except for
such defects in title or liens, encumbrances or security interests
that would not be material to it. Such securities are valued on the
books of Holding Company and each of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.
(ii)
Holding Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries
employs investment, securities risk management and other policies,
practices and procedures that Holding Company and each of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries believes are prudent and reasonable in
the context of such businesses.
(w)
Takeover Laws and
Provisions. The Board of Directors of Holding Company has
approved the Transaction, this Agreement, the Plan of Merger, the
Bank Plan of Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby. Holding Company has taken all action required to be taken
by Holding Company in order to make this Agreement, the Plan of
Merger, the Bank Plan of Merger and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby comply with, and this Agreement, the Plan of
Merger, the Bank Plan of Merger and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby do comply with, the requirements of the
Organizational Documents of Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary.
27
(x)
Transactions With
Affiliates. All “covered transactions” between
Holding Company and an “affiliate,” within the meaning
of Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and regulations
promulgated thereunder, have been in compliance with such
provisions.
(y)
CRA, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC
and Customer Information Security. Bank Subsidiary has
received a rating of “Satisfactory” or better in its
most recent examination or interim review with respect to the
Community Reinvestment Act of 1997 (the “CRA”). Neither
Holding Company nor Bank Subsidiary has Knowledge of any facts or
circumstances that would cause Bank Subsidiary: (i) to be deemed
not to be in satisfactory compliance in any material respect with
the CRA, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, or to be
assigned a rating for CRA purposes by federal bank regulators of
lower than “Satisfactory”; or (ii) to be deemed to be
operating in violation in any material respect of the Bank Secrecy
Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, any order issued with respect to
anti-money laundering by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any other
applicable anti-money laundering statute, rule or regulation; or
(iii) to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance in any
material respect with the applicable privacy of customer
information requirements contained in any federal and state privacy
laws and regulations, including without limitation, in Title V of
the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act of 1999 and the regulations promulgated
thereunder, as well as the provisions of the information security
program adopted by Bank Subsidiary. To the Knowledge of Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary, no non-public customer information has
been disclosed to or accessed by an unauthorized third party in a
manner which would cause either Holding Company or any Holding
Company Subsidiaries to undertake any remedial action. The Board of
Directors of Bank Subsidiary (or where appropriate of any other
Holding Company Subsidiary) has adopted, and Bank Subsidiary (or
such other Holding Company Subsidiary) has implemented, an
anti-money laundering program that contains adequate and
appropriate customer identification verification procedures that
comply with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and such anti-money
laundering program meets the requirements in all material respects
of Section 352 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the regulations
thereunder, and Bank Subsidiary (or such other Holding Company
Subsidiary) has complied in all material respects with any
requirements to file reports and other necessary documents as
required by the USA PATRIOT Act and the regulations
thereunder.
(z)
Required Vote. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Holding Company Common Stock is necessary to approve this
Agreement and the Merger on behalf of Holding Company. The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of common stock of Bank Subsidiary is necessary to approve
this Agreement and the Bank Merger on behalf of Bank Subsidiary. No
other vote of the stockholders of Holding Company or Bank
Subsidiary is required by the NCBCA, Holding Company’s
Organizational Documents, Bank Subsidiary’s Organizational
Documents or otherwise to approve this Agreement and the
Transaction.
28
(aa)
Financial
Advisors. None
of Holding Company, any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries or any
of their respective officers, directors or employees has employed
any broker, finder or financial advisor or incurred any liability
for any fees or commissions in connection with transactions
contemplated herein, except that, in connection with this
Agreement, Holding Company has retained Xxxxxxx Xxxxx &
Associates, Inc. as its financial advisor (pursuant to an
engagement letter, a true and complete copy of which is included in
Section 3.3(aa) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule and
under which such firm will be entitled to certain fees in
connection with this Agreement).
(bb) Fairness
Opinion. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Board
of Directors of Holding Company has received the opinion (which, if
initially rendered verbally, has been or will be confirmed by a
written opinion, dated the same date) of Xxxxxxx Xxxxx &
Associates, Inc. to the effect that, as of the date thereof and
based upon and subject to the matters set forth therein, the
Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to the
stockholders of Holding Company. Such opinion has not been amended
or rescinded as of the date of this Agreement.
3.4
Representations
and Warranties of Towne.
Subject
to and giving effect to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, Towne hereby
represents and warrants to Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary as
follows:
(a)
Organization, Standing and
Power. Towne is
a Virginia state chartered bank duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Virginia. Towne has all requisite corporate power and authority to
carry on a commercial banking business
as now being conducted and to own and operate its assets,
properties and business. Towne’s deposits are insured
by the Deposit Insurance Fund of the FDIC to the maximum extent
permitted by law. True and complete copies of the Organizational
Documents of Towne, in each case as amended to the date hereof and
as in full force and effect as of the date hereof, are set forth in
Section 3.4(a) of Towne’s Disclosure Schedule.
(b)
Subsidiaries. Each
subsidiary of Towne is identified, collectively, in Exhibit 21 to
Towne’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016 filed with the FDIC, or in Section 3.4(b) of
Towne’s Disclosure Schedule (each individually a “Towne
Subsidiary” and collectively the “Towne
Subsidiaries”). Each Towne Subsidiary (i) is a duly organized
corporation, limited liability company or statutory trust validly
existing and in good standing under applicable laws, (ii) has full
corporate or other applicable power and authority to carry on its
business as now conducted and (iii) is duly qualified to do
business in the states where its ownership or leasing of property
or the conduct of its business requires such qualification and
where the failure to so qualify would have a Material Adverse
Effect on Towne on a consolidated basis. The outstanding shares of
capital stock or equity interests of each Towne Subsidiary have
been duly authorized and are validly issued and outstanding, fully
paid and nonassessable and all such shares are directly or
indirectly owned by Towne free and clear of all liens, claims and
encumbrances or preemptive rights of any
person.
29
(c)
Authority; No Breach of the Agreement.
(i)
Towne has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform its obligations under this Agreement, and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by Towne, and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly
authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Towne.
This Agreement is a valid and legally binding obligation of Towne,
enforceable in accordance its terms (except as enforceability may
be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent
transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws affecting the
enforcement of rights of creditors or by general principles of
equity).
(ii)
Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Towne, nor
the consummation by Towne of the transactions contemplated hereby,
nor compliance by Towne with any of the provisions hereof will: (A)
conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of the
Organizational Documents of Towne; (B) constitute or result in the
breach of any term, condition or provision of, or constitute a
default under, or give rise to any right of termination,
cancellation or acceleration with respect to, or result in the
creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon, any property or
asset of Towne or any Towne Subsidiary pursuant to any (1) note,
bond, mortgage or indenture, or (2) material license, agreement or
other instrument or obligation, to which Towne or any Towne
Subsidiary is a party or by which Towne or any Towne Subsidiary or
any of their properties or assets may be bound; or (C) subject to
the receipt of all required regulatory and stockholder approvals,
violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, statute, rule or
regulation applicable to Towne or any Towne
Subsidiary.
(iii)
Except for (A) the necessary Regulatory Approvals, (B) compliance
with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the
Securities Act, (C) the separate filing of Articles of Merger with
the Virginia State Corporation Commission and North Carolina
Secretary of State to effect the Transaction, (D) such filings and
approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the
securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the various states in
connection with the issuance of shares of Towne Common Stock
pursuant to this Agreement, (E) approval of listing the shares of
Towne Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement on the
NASDAQ Global Select Market, and (F) the consents and approvals of
third parties that are not Governmental Authorities required to
consummate the Transaction, no consents or approvals of or notices
to or filings with any Governmental Authority or other third party
are necessary in connection with the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the consummation by Towne Merger Sub of the Merger
and Towne of the Bank Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. As of the date hereof, Towne is not
aware of any reason why the necessary Regulatory Approvals and
consents will not be received in order to permit consummation of
the Transaction.
(d)
Towne Capital
Stock. The
authorized capital stock of Towne consists of 2,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $5.00 per share, of which none are
issued and outstanding as of the date hereof, and 90,000,000 shares
of Towne Common Stock, of which
62,572,033 shares were issued and outstanding as of the date of
this Agreement. All outstanding shares of Towne Common Stock
have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and
nonassessable and have not been issued in violation of the
preemptive rights of any person. As of the date of this Agreement,
there are no shares of capital stock reserved for issuance, or any
outstanding Rights with respect to any capital stock of Towne,
except as contemplated by a Towne stock option or other
equity-based compensation plan, by Towne’s Member Stock
Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan or by Towne’s
Securities Documents.
30
(e)
Securities Filings; Financial
Statements; Accounting Controls.
(i)
Towne has filed all Securities Documents with the FDIC since
December 31, 2013 under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act and, to the extent such Securities Documents are not
available through the web site maintained by the FDIC, has made
copies of such Securities Documents available to Holding Company
and Bank Subsidiary. Towne’s Securities Documents, including
the financial statements, exhibits and schedules contained therein,
(A) at the time filed, complied (and any Securities Documents filed
after the date of this Agreement will comply) in all material
respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act, and (B) at the time filed (or if amended or
superseded by one or more Securities Documents filed prior to the
date of this Agreement, then on the date of such filing), did not
(and any Securities Documents filed after the date of this
Agreement will not) contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in such
Securities Documents or necessary in order to make the statements
made in such Securities Documents, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.
(ii)
Each of the financial statements of Towne contained in or
incorporated by reference into any Securities Documents (including
any Securities Documents filed after the date of this Agreement)
complied (or, in the case of Securities Documents filed after the
date of this Agreement, will comply) in all material respects with
the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act with respect thereto, fairly presented (or, in the case of
Securities Documents filed after the date of this Agreement, will
fairly present) the consolidated financial position of Towne and
the Towne Subsidiaries as at the respective dates and the
consolidated results of Towne’s operations and cash flows for
the periods indicated, in each case in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied during the periods indicated, except in each
case as may be noted therein, and subject to normal year-end audit
adjustments and as permitted by Form 10-Q in the case of unaudited
financial statements.
(iii) Towne
has devised and maintains a system of “internal controls over
financial reporting” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable
assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance
with general or specific authorization of its Board of Directors
and duly authorized executive officers, (ii) transactions are
recorded as necessary to permit the preparation of financial
statements in conformity with GAAP consistently applied with
respect to institutions such as Towne or other criteria applicable
to such financial statements, and to maintain proper accountability
for items therein, (iii) access to its properties and assets is
permitted only in accordance with general or specific authorization
of its Board of Directors and duly authorized executive officers,
and (iv) the recorded accountability for items is compared with the
actual levels at reasonable intervals and appropriate actions taken
with respect to any differences.
31
(iv)
Towne’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as
defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) are
designed to ensure that all information required to be disclosed by
it in its Securities Documents is recorded, processed, summarized
and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s
rules and forms as adopted by the FDIC, and that all such
information is accumulated and communicated to its management as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure
and to make the certifications of its chief executive officer and
chief financial officer required under the Exchange Act with
respect to such reports. Towne has disclosed, to its auditors and
the audit committee of its Board of Directors and on Section
3.4(e)(iv) of Towne’s Disclosure Schedule (i) based on the
evaluation of such controls in conjunction with its Annual Report
on Form 10-K filed with the FDIC for the period ended December 31,
2016, any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the
design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting
that could adversely affect in any material respect its ability to
record, process, summarize and report financial information and
(ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management
or other employees who have a significant role in its internal
controls over financial reporting.
(v)
Each of Towne’s principal executive officer and principal
financial officer (or each former principal executive officer and
each former principal financial officer, as applicable) has made
all certifications required by Rule 13a-14 or 15d-14 under the
Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act
with respect to its Securities Documents, and the statements
contained in such certifications are true and accurate in all
material respects. Towne is in compliance with all applicable
provisions of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act, except for any non-compliance
that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Towne.
(f)
Bank Reports. Towne and
each of the Towne Subsidiaries has filed all Bank Reports that they
were required to file since December 31, 2013 with the Regulatory
Agencies, including any Bank Report required to be filed pursuant
to the laws of the United States, any state or any Regulatory
Agency. Any such Bank Report regarding Towne and each of the Towne
Subsidiaries filed with or otherwise submitted to any Regulatory
Agency complied in all material respects with relevant legal
requirements, including as to content. Except for normal
examinations conducted by a Regulatory Agency in the ordinary
course of Towne’s and each of the Towne Subsidiaries’
business, there is no pending proceeding before, or, to its
Knowledge, examination or investigation by, any Regulatory Agency
into the business or operations of Towne or any of the Towne
Subsidiaries and no enforcement action, to its Knowledge,
threatened by any Regulatory Agency.
(g)
Absence of Certain Changes or
Events. Since
December 31, 2016, except as disclosed in its Securities Documents
or Bank Reports filed prior to the date of this Agreement,
(i) Towne and the Towne Subsidiaries have conducted their
respective businesses and incurred liabilities only in the ordinary
course consistent with past practices, and (ii) there have been no
events, changes, developments or occurrences which, individually or
in the aggregate, have had or are reasonably likely to have a
Material Adverse Effect on Towne.
32
(h)
Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities. Except for (i) those liabilities that are fully
reflected or reserved for in its financial statements contained in
its Securities Documents or Bank Reports filed prior to the date of
this Agreement, (ii) liabilities incurred since December 31, 2016
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice,
(iii) liabilities that arise out of executory obligations under
contracts, (iv) liabilities which would not individually or in the
aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
and (v) liabilities incurred in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, neither Towne nor any
Towne Subsidiary has, and since December 31, 2016 has not incurred
(except as permitted by Section 4.2), any liabilities or
obligations of any nature (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or
otherwise and whether or not required to be reflected in its
financial statements contained in its Securities Documents or Bank
Reports).
(i)
Material
Contracts.
(i)
Neither Towne nor any of the Towne Subsidiaries is a party to or
bound by any contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding
(whether written or oral) that is a “material contract”
(as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of
the SEC) to be performed after the date of this Agreement that has
not been filed or incorporated by reference in the Towne Securities
Documents filed prior to the date hereof. Each contract,
arrangement, commitment or understanding of the type described in
this Section 3.4(i)(i) is referred to herein as a “Towne
Contract.”
(ii)
Each Towne Contract is valid and binding on Towne or the respective
Towne Subsidiary and is in full force and effect (other than due to
the ordinary expiration thereof) and, to the Knowledge of Towne, is
valid and binding on the other parties thereto. Towne and each
Towne Subsidiary is not, and to the Knowledge of Towne, no other
party thereto, is in default under any contract, agreement,
commitment, arrangement, lease, insurance policy or other
instrument to which it is a party, by which its assets, business or
operations may be bound or affected, or under which it or its
respective assets, business or operations receives benefits which
is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there
has not occurred any event that, with the lapse of time or the
giving of notice or both, would constitute such a default. Except
as provided in this Agreement, no power of attorney or similar
authorization given directly or indirectly by Towne or a Towne
Subsidiary is currently outstanding.
(j)
Legal Proceedings; Compliance with
Laws. There are
no actions, suits or proceedings instituted or pending or, to its
Knowledge, threatened against Towne or any of the Towne
Subsidiaries or against any of Towne’s or the Towne
Subsidiaries’ properties, assets, interests or rights, or
against any of Towne’s or Towne Subsidiaries’ officers,
directors or employees in their capacities as such. Neither Towne
nor any of the Towne Subsidiaries is a party to or subject to any
agreement, order, memorandum of understanding, enforcement action,
or supervisory or commitment letter by or with any Governmental
Authority restricting the operations of Towne or the operations of
any of the Towne Subsidiaries and neither Towne nor any of the
Towne Subsidiaries has been advised by any Governmental Authority
or otherwise become aware that any Governmental Authority is
investigating, inquiring or otherwise contemplating issuing or
requesting the issuance of any such agreement, order, memorandum,
action or letter in the future. Since January 1, 2014, Towne and
each of the Towne Subsidiaries have complied in all material
respects with all laws, ordinances, requirements, regulations or
orders applicable to its business.
33
(k)
Tax Matters. Towne and each of the Towne
Subsidiaries have filed all Tax Returns required to be filed, and
all such Tax Returns were correct and complete in all material
respects. All Taxes owed by Towne or any of the Towne Subsidiaries
have been paid, are reflected as a liability in Towne’s
Securities Documents or Bank Reports, or are being contested in
good faith as set forth in Towne’s Disclosure Schedule. No
Tax Return filed by Towne or any of the Towne Subsidiaries is the
subject of any administrative or judicial proceeding, no unpaid tax
deficiency has been asserted against Towne or any of the Towne
Subsidiaries by any Governmental Authority, and to the Knowledge of
Towne and any of the Towne Subsidiaries, no Tax Return filed by
Towne or any of the Towne Subsidiaries is under examination by any
Governmental Authority. There are no liens for Taxes (other than
statutory liens for Taxes not yet due and payable) upon any of the
assets of Towne or any of the Towne Subsidiaries. Towne is not and
has not been a “United States real property holding
company” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code
during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii)
of the Code. Towne is not aware of any reason why the Merger will
fail to qualify as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the
Code. At all times since its formation and through the end of the
day of the Effective Date and of the Bank Merger Effective Date,
Towne Merger Sub has been and will be a “disregarded
entity” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Sections
1.368-2(b)(1) and 301.7701-3) with respect to Towne, and neither
Towne nor Towne Merger Sub has filed or will cause to be filed any
Tax-related election or Tax Return to the contrary that is
effective or applicable for any period before or including the
later of the day of the Effective Date and the day of the Bank
Merger Effective Date.
(l) Employee
Benefit Plans.
(i)
All of the Towne Benefit Plans (as defined herein) are in
compliance in all material respects with applicable laws and
regulations, and Towne has administered such benefit plans in
accordance with applicable laws and regulations in all material
respects. For the purposes of this Agreement, a “Towne
Benefit Plan” means an employee benefit plan and program of
Towne and the Towne Subsidiaries, including without limitation:
(A) all retirement, savings and other pension plans; (B) all
health, severance, insurance, disability and other employee welfare
plans; and (C) all employment, vacation and other similar plans,
all bonus, stock option, stock purchase, incentive, deferred
compensation, supplemental retirement, severance and other employee
and director benefit plans, programs or arrangements, and all
employment or compensation arrangements, in each case for the
benefit of or relating to its current and former employees and
directors (collectively, the “Towne Benefit
Plans”).
34
(ii)
Each Towne Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code has been determined by the IRS to
be so qualified, as reflected in a current favorable determination
letter (based on IRS permitted determination request procedures),
or a filing for the same has been made with the IRS seeking such a
determination letter and that request is still awaiting decision by
the IRS (based on IRS permitted determination request procedures).
Nothing has occurred since the date of any such determination that
is reasonably likely to affect adversely such qualification or
exemption, or result in the imposition of excise Taxes or income
Taxes on unrelated business income under the Code or ERISA with
respect to any Tax-qualified plan. There have been no
“terminations,” “partial terminations” or
“discontinuances of contributions,” as such terms are
used in Section 411 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations
thereunder, to any Tax-qualified plan during the preceding five
years without notice to and approval by the IRS and payment of all
obligations and liabilities attributable to such Tax-qualified
plans.
(m)
Insurance. Towne and the Towne Subsidiaries
are insured with reputable insurers against such risks and in such
amounts as management of Towne reasonably has determined to be
prudent in accordance with industry practices. Since December 31,
2016, neither Towne nor any of the Towne Subsidiaries has received
any notice of cancellation or a failure to renew with respect to
any insurance policy or bond or, within the last three (3) calendar
years, and since January 1, 2017, has been refused any insurance
coverage sought or applied for, and Towne has no reason to believe
that existing insurance coverage cannot be renewed as and when the
same shall expire upon terms and conditions as favorable as those
presently in effect, other than possible increases in premiums or
unavailability of coverage that do not result from any
extraordinary loss experience on the part of Towne or the Towne
Subsidiaries.
(n) Allowance
for Loan Losses.
(i)
All evidences of indebtedness reflected as assets by each of Towne
or any of the Towne Subsidiaries in its Securities Documents,
Financial Statements or Bank Reports as of December 31, 2016 were
as of such date: (A) evidenced by notes, agreements or evidences of
indebtedness which are true, genuine and what they purport to be;
(B) to the extent secured, secured by valid liens and security
interests which have been perfected; and (C) the legal, valid and
binding obligation of the obligor and any guarantor, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent conveyance and other laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general
equity principles, and no defense, offset or counterclaim has been
asserted with respect to any such loan which if successful could
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(ii)
The Loan Loss Allowance shown by Towne in its Securities Documents
or Bank Reports as of December 31, 2016 was, and the Loan Loss
Allowance to be shown in its Securities Documents or Bank Reports
as of any date subsequent to the date of this Agreement will be, as
of such dates, adequate to provide for possible losses, net of
recoveries relating to loans previously charged off, in respect of
loans outstanding (including letter of credit or commitments to
make loans or extend credit). The Loan Loss Allowance has been
established in accordance with GAAP, and applicable regulatory
requirements and guidelines.
35
(o)
Environmental Matters.
Towne and each of the
Towne Subsidiaries are in compliance with all Environmental Laws.
Neither Towne nor any of the Towne Subsidiaries has received any
communication alleging that Towne or such Towne Subsidiary is not
in such compliance, and, to its Knowledge, there are no present
circumstances that would prevent or interfere with the continuation
of such compliance. To the Knowledge of Towne, there are no past or
present actions, activities, circumstances, events, or incidents
that could reasonably form the bases of any Environmental Claim or
other claim or action or governmental investigation that could
result in the imposition of any liability arising under any
Environmental Laws against Towne or any of the Towne Subsidiaries
or against any person or entity whose liability for any
Environmental Claim Towne or an Towne Subsidiary has or may have
retained contractually or by operation of law. Notwithstanding any
other provision contained herein, the representations and
warranties contained in this Section 3.3(o) constitute the sole
representations and warranties of Towne regarding the existence of
Environmental Claims, compliance with or liability under
Environmental Laws, or the presence of Materials of Environmental
Concern.
(p)
Books and Records. The
books and records of Towne and those of the Towne Subsidiaries have
been fully, properly and accurately maintained in all material
respects, and there are no material inaccuracies or discrepancies
of any kind contained or reflected therein.
(q)
CRA, Anti-Money Laundering, OFAC
and Customer Information Security. Towne has received a
rating of “Satisfactory” or better in its most recent
examination or interim review with respect to the CRA. Towne does
not have Knowledge of any facts or circumstances that would cause
Towne: (i) to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance in any
material respect with the CRA, and the regulations promulgated
thereunder, or to be assigned a rating for CRA purposes by federal
bank regulators of lower than “Satisfactory”; or (ii)
to be deemed to be operating in violation in any material respect
of the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, any order issued with
respect to anti-money laundering by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any other
applicable anti-money laundering statute, rule or regulation; or
(iii) to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance in any
material respect with the applicable privacy of customer
information requirements contained in any federal and state privacy
laws and regulations, including without limitation, in Title V of
the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act of 1999 and the regulations promulgated
thereunder, as well as the provisions of the information security
program adopted by Towne. To the Knowledge of Towne, no non-public
customer information has been disclosed to or accessed by an
unauthorized third party in a manner which would cause either Towne
or any of the Towne Subsidiaries to undertake any remedial action.
The Board of Directors of Towne (or where appropriate of any Towne
Subsidiary) has adopted, and Towne (or such Towne Subsidiary) has
implemented, an anti-money laundering program that contains
adequate and appropriate customer identification verification
procedures that comply with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and
such anti-money laundering program meets the requirements in all
material respects of Section 352 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the
regulations thereunder, and Towne (or such Towne Subsidiary) has
complied in all material respects with any requirements to file
reports and other necessary documents as required by the USA
PATRIOT Act and the regulations thereunder.
(r)
Required Vote. No vote of
the stockholders of Towne is required by the VSCA, Towne’s
Articles of Incorporation, Towne’s Bylaws or otherwise to
approve this Agreement and the Transaction. The affirmative vote of
Towne, as the sole member of Towne Merger Sub, is necessary to
approve this Agreement and the Merger.
36
(s)
Financial
Advisors. None
of Towne, any of the Towne Subsidiaries or any of their respective
officers, directors or employees has employed any broker, finder or
financial advisor or incurred any liability for any fees or
commissions in connection with transactions contemplated herein,
except that, in connection with this Agreement, Towne has retained
Sandler X’Xxxxx & Partners, L.P. as its financial advisor
(pursuant to an engagement letter, a true and complete copy of
which is included in Section 3.4(s) of Towne’s Disclosure
Schedule and under which such firm will be entitled to certain fees
in connection with this Agreement).
(t)
Fairness Opinion. Prior to
the execution of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of Towne
has received the opinion (which, if initially rendered verbally,
has been or will be confirmed by a written opinion, dated the same
date) of Sandler X’Xxxxx & Partners, L.P., to the effect
that, as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to the
matters set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio is fair to Towne,
from a financial point of view. Such opinion has not been amended
or rescinded as of the date of this Agreement.
(u) Historic
Business; No Redemption or Disposition. As of the date of
this Agreement it is the present intention, and as of the Effective
Date it will be the present intention, of Towne to continue, either
through Towne or through a member of Towne’s “qualified group” within the meaning
of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(d)(4)(ii) (the
“Qualified Group”), at least one significant
historic business line of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, or
to use at least a significant portion of Holding Company’s
and Bank Subsidiary’s historic business assets in a business,
in each case within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section
1.368-1(d). As of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective Date, neither Towne nor any “related person”
(as defined in Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-1(e)(4)) to Towne
has or will have any plan or intention to redeem or reacquire,
either directly or indirectly, any of the Towne Common Stock issued
to the stockholders of Holding Company in connection with the
Merger. As of the date of this Agreement and as of the Effective
Date, Towne does not have and will not have any plan or intention
to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the assets of Holding
Company or Bank Subsidiary acquired in the Transaction or pursuant
to this Agreement, except for dispositions made in the ordinary
course of business or transfers described in Section 368(a)(2)(C)
of the Code or described and permitted in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.368-2(k).
(v) Representations
and Warranties of Towne with Respect to Towne Merger
Sub.
(i) Towne Merger Sub, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Towne, is a Virginia limited liability company
duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia. Towne Merger Sub was formed by Towne for
the sole purpose of consummating the Merger, and has all requisite
power and authority to carry on its business as now being
conducted. As of the date of this Agreement, Towne Merger Sub has
no assets, properties, liabilities or business operations. True and
complete copies of the Organizational Documents of Towne Merger
Sub, as in full force and effect as of the date hereof, are set
forth in Section 3.4(v)(i) of Towne’s Disclosure
Schedule.
37
(ii) Towne
Merger Sub has the power and authority to execute, deliver and
perform its obligations under this Agreement, and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement by Towne Merger Sub, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, have been
duly and validly authorized by all necessary action on the part of
Towne Merger Sub and its sole member.
This Agreement is a valid and legally binding obligation of Towne
Merger Sub, enforceable in accordance its terms (except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws
affecting the enforcement of rights of creditors or by general
principles of equity).
ARTICLE 4
Covenants Relating to Conduct of Business
4.1
Conduct of Business of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary Pending
the Transaction.
From
the date hereof until the Effective Date, except as expressly
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as set forth in
Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule, without the prior
written consent of Towne (not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed), Holding Company agrees that it will not, and will cause
each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries not to:
(a)
Conduct its business and the business of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries other than in the ordinary and usual course consistent
with past practice or fail to use its commercially reasonable
efforts to maintain and preserve intact their (i) business
organizations, material assets and employees and (ii) relationships
with material customers, suppliers, employees and business
associates.
(b)
Take any action that would prevent or materially adversely affect
or delay the ability of Towne, Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary
(i) to obtain any necessary approvals, consents or waivers of any
Governmental Authority or third party required for the transactions
contemplated hereby, (ii) to perform its covenants and agreements
under this Agreement, or (iii) to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby on a timely basis.
(c)
Amend, repeal or modify its Organizational Documents, other than as
contemplated by this Agreement.
(d)
Other than pursuant to stock options outstanding as of the date
hereof under the Holding Company Stock Plans as disclosed in
Section 3.3(d) of Holding Company’s Disclosure Schedule, (i)
issue, sell or otherwise permit to become outstanding, or authorize
the creation of, any additional shares of capital stock, or any
Rights with respect thereto, (ii) enter into any agreement with
respect to the foregoing, or (iii) permit any additional shares of
capital stock to become subject to new grants of employee and
director stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights
or similar or other stock-based rights.
38
(e)
Enter into or amend or renew any employment, consulting, severance,
change in control, bonus, salary continuation or similar agreements
or arrangements with any director, officer or employee of Holding
Company or a Holding Company Subsidiary, or grant any salary or
wage increase or increase any employee benefit (including by making
incentive or bonus payments), except for normal individual merit
increases in compensation to employees in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice that do not exceed five
percent (5%) on an individual basis and except for incentive or
bonus payments that do not exceed fifteen percent (15%) on an
individual basis, provided that such merit increases, incentive and
bonus payments shall not exceed $500,000 in the
aggregate.
(f)
Enter into, establish, adopt, amend, terminate or make any
contributions to (except (i) as may be required by applicable law,
(ii) to satisfy contractual obligations existing as of the date
hereof and set forth on Schedule 4.1(f) of Holding Company’s
Disclosure Schedule or (iii) to comply with the requirements
of this Agreement), any pension, retirement, stock option,
restricted stock, stock purchase, savings, profit sharing, deferred
compensation, consulting, bonus, group insurance or other employee
benefit, incentive, welfare contract, plan or arrangement, or any
trust agreement related thereto, in respect of any directors,
officers or employees, including without limitation taking any
action that accelerates, or the lapsing of restrictions with
respect to, the vesting or exercise of any benefits payable
thereunder.
(g)
Hire any person as an employee of Holding Company or a Holding
Company Subsidiary or promote any employee, except (i) to satisfy
contractual obligations existing as of the date hereof and set
forth on Schedule 4.1(g) of Holding Company’s Disclosure
Schedule and (ii) persons whose employment is terminable at the
will of Holding Company and who are not contractually entitled to
severance or similar benefits or payments that would become payable
as a result of the Transaction or the consummation thereof (other
than severance or similar benefits provided pursuant to Section
5.10(c) of this Agreement).
(h)
Make, declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend on or in
respect of, or declare or make any distribution on any shares of
its stock, or directly or indirectly adjust, split, combine,
redeem, reclassify, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of
its capital stock, provided, however, that Bank Subsidiary may
declare and pay dividends and distributions to Holding Company in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice.
(i)
Make any capital expenditures, other than capital expenditures in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, in
amounts not exceeding $25,000 individually or $100,000 in the
aggregate.
(j)
Implement, or adopt, any change in its Tax or financial accounting
principles, practices or methods, including reserving
methodologies, other than as may be required by GAAP, regulatory
accounting guidelines or applicable law.
39
(k)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) knowingly
take, or knowingly omit to take, any action that would reasonably
be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code or (ii) knowingly take, or knowingly omit to take, any action
that is reasonably likely to result in any of the conditions to the
Transaction set forth in Article 6 not being satisfied on a timely
basis, except as may be required by applicable law.
(l) Sell,
transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of or discontinue
any portion of its assets, deposits, business or properties except
for (i) OREO properties sold in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice and (ii) transactions in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice in amounts that do
not exceed $25,000 individually or $50,000 in the
aggregate.
(m)
Acquire all or any portion of the assets, business, securities
(excluding investment securities in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice), deposits or properties of any other
person, including without limitation, by merger or consolidation or
by investment in a partnership or joint venture except for (i) such
acquisitions by way of foreclosures or acquisitions of control in a
bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of debts previously
contracted in good faith and in amounts that do not exceed $500,000
individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate; and (ii) such
acquisitions in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice in amounts that do not exceed $25,000 individually or
$50,000 in the aggregate.
(n)
Except as otherwise permitted under this Section 4.1, enter into,
amend, modify, cancel, fail to renew or terminate any Holding
Company Contract or any agreement, contract, lease, license,
arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether written or oral)
that would constitute a Holding Company Contract if entered into
prior to the date hereof.
(o)
Enter into any settlements or similar agreements with respect to
any actions, suits, proceedings, orders or investigations to which
Holding Company or a Holding Company Subsidiary is or becomes a
party after the date of this Agreement, which settlements,
agreements or actions involve payment by Holding Company and the
Holding Company Subsidiaries collectively of an aggregate amount
that exceeds $50,000 and/or would impose any material restriction
on the business of Holding Company.
(p)
Enter into any new material line of business; introduce any
material new products or services; make any material change to
deposit products or deposit gathering or retention policies or
strategies; change its material lending, investment, underwriting,
pricing, servicing, risk and asset liability management and other
material banking, operating or board policies or otherwise fail to
follow such policies, except as required by applicable law,
regulation or policies imposed by any Governmental Authority, or
the manner in which its investment securities or loan portfolio is
classified or reported; or invest in any mortgage-backed or
mortgage-related security that would be considered “high
risk” under applicable regulatory guidance; or file any
application or enter into any contract with respect to the opening,
relocation or closing of, or open, relocate or close, any branch,
office, service center or other facility.
40
(q)
Introduce any material marketing campaigns or any material new
sales compensation or incentive programs or arrangements (except
those the material terms of which have been fully disclosed in
writing to, and approved by, Towne prior to the date
hereof).
(r)
(i) Make, renew, restructure or
otherwise modify any Loan other than Loans made or acquired in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and that
have (x) in the case of unsecured Loans made to any borrower that
are originated in compliance with Holding Company’s and Bank
Subsidiary’s internal loan policies with any
exceptions approved per existing policy, a principal balance not in excess of
$1,000,000, (y) in the case of new secured Loans made to any
borrower that are originated in compliance with Holding
Company’s and Bank Subsidiary’s internal loan policies,
with any exceptions approved per existing policy, total corporate
exposure to such borrower not in excess of $10,000,000 and (z) in the case of renewal of existing
Loans made in compliance with Holding Company’s and
Bank Subsidiary’s internal loan policies with any exceptions
approved per existing policy, total corporate exposure to such
borrower not in excess of $10,000,000; (ii) except in the ordinary course of business,
take any action that would result in any discretionary release of
collateral or guarantees or otherwise restructure the respective
amounts set forth in clause (i) above; or (iii) enter into any Loan
securitization or create any special purpose funding entity. Towne
shall be entitled to observation rights in connection with the
consideration by the Management Loan Committee of Bank Subsidiary
of any new Loan or renewal of any existing Loan with total
corporate exposure to such borrower in excess of $5,000,000.
Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary will promptly notify Towne of
any policy exceptions made in making, renewing, modifying or
restructuring any Loan. In the event that Towne’s prior
written consent is required pursuant to clause (i) above, Towne
shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide such
consent within one (1) business day of any request by Holding
Company.
(s)
Incur any indebtedness for borrowed money, or assume, guarantee,
endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the
obligations of any other person, other than with respect to (i)
borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta or existing
federal funds accommodation lines of credit with correspondent
banks in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice; and (ii) the collection of checks and other negotiable
instruments in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice.
(t)
Acquire (other than by way of foreclosures or acquisitions in a
bona fide fiduciary capacity, in satisfaction of debts previously
contracted in good faith or otherwise in accordance with the
existing investment policy of Bank Subsidiary, in each case in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) any debt
security or equity investment other than federal funds or U.S.
Government securities or U.S. Government agency securities, in each
case with a term of three (3) years or less, or dispose of any debt
security or equity investment.
(u)
Enter into or settle any Derivative Contract other than contracts
used to hedge mortgage rate risk in the ordinary course of business
as currently conducted.
41
(v)
Other than as a Loan or in connection with a debt previously
contracted and in order to protect Bank Subsidiary from loss, make
any investment or commitment to invest in real estate or in any
real estate development project (other than by way of foreclosure
or acquisitions in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or in
satisfaction of a debt previously contracted in good faith, in each
case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice).
(w)
Make or change any material Tax election in a manner inconsistent
with past practice, settle or compromise any material Tax liability
of Holding Company, agree to an extension or waiver of the statute
of limitations with respect to the assessment or determination of a
material amount of Taxes of Holding Company, enter into any closing
agreement with respect to any material amount of Taxes or surrender
any right to claim a material Tax refund, adopt or change any method of accounting with respect to
Taxes in a manner inconsistent with past practice,
or file any amended Tax
Return.
(x)
Take any other action that would make any representation or
warranty in Section 3.3 hereof untrue, taking into account the
standard set forth in Section 3.2.
(y)
Agree to take any of the actions prohibited by this Section
4.1.
4.2
Conduct of Business of Towne Pending the Transaction.
From
the date hereof until the Effective Date, except as expressly
contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, without the prior
written consent of Holding Company, Towne agrees that it will not,
and will cause each of the Towne Subsidiaries not to:
(a)
Conduct its business and the business of the Towne Subsidiaries
other than in the ordinary and usual course consistent with past
practice or fail to use its commercially reasonable efforts to
maintain and preserve intact their (i) business organizations,
assets and employees and (ii) relationships with customers,
suppliers, employees and business associates.
(b)
Take any action that would prevent or materially adversely affect
or delay the ability of Towne or Holding Company (i) to obtain any
necessary approvals, consents or waivers of any Governmental
Authority or third party required for the transactions contemplated
hereby, (ii) to perform its covenants and agreements under this
Agreement, or (iii) to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby on a timely basis.
(c)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) knowingly
take, or knowingly omit to take, any action that would reasonably
be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code or (ii) knowingly take, or knowingly omit to take, any action
that is reasonably likely to result in any of the conditions to the
Transaction set forth in Article 6 not being satisfied on a timely
basis, except as may be required by applicable law.
42
(d) Amend,
repeal or modify any provision of its Organizational Documents in a
manner which would have a material adverse effect on Holding
Company, the stockholders of Holding Company or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
(e)
Take any other action that would make any representation or
warranty in Section 3.4 hereof untrue, taking into account the
standard set forth in Section 3.2.
(f)
Agree to take any of the actions prohibited by this Section
4.2.
4.3
Transition.
To
facilitate the integration of the operations of Towne and Holding
Company and to permit the coordination of their related operations
on a timely basis, and in an effort to accelerate to the earliest
time possible following the Effective Date the realization of
synergies, operating efficiencies and other benefits expected to be
realized by the parties as a result of the Transaction, each of
Towne and Holding Company shall, and shall cause its subsidiaries
to, consult with the other on all strategic and operational matters
to the extent such consultation is not in violation of applicable
laws, including laws regarding the exchange of information and
other laws regarding competition.
4.4 Control
of the Other Party’s Business.
Prior
to the Effective Date, nothing contained in this Agreement
(including, without limitation, Section 4.1 and Section 4.3) shall
give Towne directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct
the operations of Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary or to
exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the
management or policies of Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary, and
nothing contained in this Agreement (including, without limitation,
Section 4.2 and Section 4.3) shall give Holding Company or Bank
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct
the operations of Towne or to exercise, directly or indirectly, a
controlling influence over the management or policies of Towne.
Prior to the Effective Date, each party shall exercise, consistent
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control
and supervision over it and its subsidiaries’ respective
operations.
ARTICLE 5
Additional Agreements
5.1
Commercially Reasonable Efforts.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the parties hereto
will use their commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to
be taken, in good faith all actions, and to do, or cause to be
done, all things necessary or desirable, or advisable under
applicable laws, so as to permit consummation of the Transaction as
promptly as practicable and shall cooperate fully with the other
parties hereto to that end.
43
5.2
Access to Information; Confidentiality.
(a)
Upon reasonable notice and subject to applicable laws regarding the
disclosure or exchange of information, Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary shall permit Towne to make or cause to be made such
investigation of Holding Company’s and Bank
Subsidiary’s operational, financial and legal condition as
Towne reasonably requests; provided, that such investigation shall
be reasonably related to the Transaction and shall not interfere
unreasonably with normal operations. No investigation, in and of
itself, by Towne shall affect the representations and warranties of
Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary. Holding Company shall provide
to Towne all written agendas and meeting or written consent
materials provided to the directors of Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary in connection with board and committee meetings, subject
to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information.
Notwithstanding the above provisions in this Section 5.2(a), Towne
and its representatives shall not be entitled to receive
information directly relating to the negotiation and prosecution of
this Agreement or, except as otherwise provided herein, relating to
an Acquisition Proposal, a Superior Proposal (as such terms are
defined herein) or any matters relating thereto. Neither Holding
Company nor any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries shall be
required to provide access to or to disclose information where such
access or disclosure would jeopardize the attorney-client privilege
of Holding Company or any of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries.
(b)
During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective
Date, Holding Company shall, upon the request of Towne, cause one
or more of its designated executive officers to confer on a monthly
or more frequent basis with Towne regarding Holding Company’s
financial condition, operations and business and matters relating
to the completion of the Transaction. As soon as reasonably available,
but in no event later than the earlier of (i) the thirtieth
(30th) day
after the end of each calendar quarter ending after the date of
this Agreement, and (ii) the date of public dissemination of
earnings information pertaining to such calendar quarter (or year
with respect to a quarter ending on December 31), Holding Company
will deliver to Towne its unaudited balance sheet and statements of
income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows, without related
notes, for such quarter (or year with respect to a quarter ending
on December 31) prepared in accordance with GAAP. Within fifteen
(15) days after the end of each month, Holding Company will deliver
to Towne (i) such loan reports as Towne may reasonably
request, and (ii) such other financial data as Towne may reasonably
request. The financial statements required to be delivered by this
Section 5.2(b) may be consolidated.
(c)
Each party hereto will give prompt notice to the other party (and
subsequently keep the other party informed on a current basis) upon
its becoming aware of the occurrence or existence of any fact,
event or circumstance known that (i) is reasonably likely to result
in any Material Adverse Effect with respect to it, or (ii) would
cause or constitute a material breach of any of its
representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained
herein.
44
(d)
Each party hereto shall, and shall use
its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each of its directors,
officers, attorneys and advisors, to maintain the confidentiality
of, and not use to the detriment of the other party, all
information of the other party obtained prior to the date of this
Agreement or pursuant to this Section 5.2 that is not otherwise
publicly disclosed by the other party, unless such information is
required to be included in any filing required by law or in an
application for any Regulatory Approval required for the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, such
undertaking with respect to confidentiality to survive any
termination of this Agreement. In the case of information that a
party believes is necessary in making any such filing or obtaining
any such Regulatory Approval, that party will provide the other
party a reasonable opportunity to review any such filing or any
application for such Regulatory Approval before it is filed
sufficient for it to comment on and object to the content of such
filing or application. If this Agreement is terminated, each party
shall promptly return to the furnishing party or, at the request of
the furnishing party, promptly destroy in a manner that
renders the information impracticable to read or reconstruct
and certify the destruction of all
confidential information received from the other
party.
5.3
Holding Company Stockholder Approval.
(a)
Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its
terms and subject to Section 5.3(b), Holding Company shall call a
meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of obtaining the
Holding Company Stockholder Approval and shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to cause such meeting to occur as soon as
reasonably practicable (such meeting and any adjournment or
postponement thereof, the “Holding Company Stockholders
Meeting”). In connection with that meeting, but subject to
Section 5.3(b) and a Change of Recommendation (as defined herein)
pursuant to Section 5.5(e), the Board of Directors of Holding
Company (i) shall support and recommend approval of this
Agreement and the Plan of Merger and any other matters required to
be approved by Holding Company’s stockholders for
consummation of the Merger (the “Holding Company
Recommendation”), and (ii) shall use its commercially
reasonable efforts to obtain the Holding Company Stockholder
Approval.
(b)
Provided that the
Holding Company is acting in good faith and in compliance with its
obligations under Section 5.3(a), Holding Company may
postpone or adjourn the Holding Company Stockholders Meeting: (i)
with the consent of Towne; (ii) for the absence of a quorum; (iii)
to the extent necessary to ensure that any required supplement or
amendment to the Proxy Statement is provided to the stockholders of
Holding Company within a reasonable period of time in advance of
the Holding Company Stockholders Meeting; (iv) to allow reasonable
additional time to solicit additional proxies as necessary to
obtain the Holding Company Stockholder Approval; or (v) if required
by applicable Law.
45
5.4
Proxy Statement.
(a)
Each party will cooperate with the other party, and their
representatives, in the preparation of a proxy statement and
prospectus and other proxy solicitation materials constituting a
part thereof (the “Proxy Statement”), to be filed with
the SEC in connection with (i) the solicitation of proxies from the
stockholders of Holding Company for the Holding Company
Stockholders Meeting, and (ii) the offering and issuance of Towne
Common Stock in the Merger. Each party agrees to cooperate with the
other party, its legal, financial and accounting advisors, in the
preparation of the Proxy Statement. Each party shall prepare and
furnish to other parties such information relating to it and its
directors, officers and stockholders and such party’s
business and operations as may be reasonably required to comply
with SEC rules and regulations or SEC staff comments in connection
with the Proxy Statement, which information may be based on such
party’s knowledge of and access to the information required
for said document and advice of counsel with respect to SEC
disclosure obligations. Each party shall provide the other parties
and its legal, financial and accounting advisors the opportunity to
review and provide comments: (i) upon such Proxy Statement a
reasonable time prior to its filing in preliminary and definitive
forms and (ii) on all amendments and supplements to the Proxy
Statement and all responses to requests for additional information
and replies to comments relating to the Proxy Statement a
reasonable time prior to filing or submission to the SEC. Each
party shall consider in good faith all comments from the other
parties and their respective legal, financial and accounting
advisors to the Proxy Statement, all amendments and supplements
thereto and all responses to requests for additional information,
and shall not include any information in the foregoing about a
party or its officers, directors, business, arrangements,
operations or stock or the Transaction that has not been approved
by the other parties, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld, delayed or conditioned. Each party agrees to cooperate
with the other parties and each other party’s counsel and
accountants in requesting and obtaining appropriate opinions,
consents, analyses and letters from its financial advisor and
independent auditor in connection with the Proxy Statement. Each
party agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause
the Proxy Statement to be cleared by the SEC for use in definitive
form as promptly as reasonably practicable after the preliminary
filing thereof and to cause a definitive Proxy Statement to be
mailed to the Holding Company stockholders as promptly as
reasonably practicable thereafter. Towne also agrees to use its
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all necessary state
securities law or “Blue Sky” permits and approvals
required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(b) Each
party agrees, as to itself and its subsidiaries, that none of the
information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or
incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement and any amendment
or supplement thereto shall, at the date(s) of mailing to
stockholders and the time of the Holding Company Stockholders
Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading. Each party further
agrees that if it becomes aware that any information furnished by
it that would cause any of the statements in the Proxy Statement to
be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or to
omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements
therein not false or misleading, to promptly inform the other party
thereof and to take appropriate steps to correct the Proxy
Statement.
(c) Holding
Company agrees to advise Towne, promptly after Holding Company
receives notice thereof, of the time when the Proxy Statement has
been cleared by the SEC for use in definitive form or when any
supplement or amendment has been filed, of the initiation or, to
the extent Holding Company is aware thereof, threat of any
proceeding for any such purpose, of any request by the SEC for the
amendment or supplement of the Proxy Statement or for additional
information or of any other correspondence from the SEC in
connection with the Proxy Statement that relates to Towne or the
Transaction. Holding Company agrees to promptly provide to Towne
copies of correspondence between Holding Company (or any of its
representatives and advisors on Holding Company’s behalf), on
the one hand, and the SEC, on the other hand as it relates to the
Proxy Statement or the Transaction.
46
5.5 No
Other Acquisition Proposals.
(a) Holding
Company agrees that it will not, and will cause the Holding Company
Subsidiaries and Holding Company’s and the Holding Company
Subsidiaries’ officers, directors, employees, agents and
representatives (including any financial advisor, attorney or
accountant retained by Holding Company or any of the Holding
Company Subsidiaries) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate,
solicit or encourage inquiries or proposals with respect to, (ii)
furnish any confidential or nonpublic information relating to, or
(iii) engage or participate in any negotiations or discussions
concerning, an Acquisition Proposal (as defined herein).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Holding Company, the Holding Company
Subsidiaries and their respective officers, directors, employees,
agents and representatives (including any financial advisor,
attorney or accountant retained by Holding Company or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries) may contact any person or persons to
clarify the terms and conditions of an unsolicited Acquisition
Proposal and to inform such person of the terms of this Section
5.5.
(b) Notwithstanding
the foregoing, nothing contained in this Section 5.5 shall
prohibit Holding Company, prior to the receipt of the Holding
Company Approvals and subject to material compliance with the other
terms of this Section 5.5, from furnishing nonpublic information
to, or entering into discussions or negotiations with, any person
or entity that makes an unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition
Proposal with respect to Holding Company (that did not result from
a breach of this Section 5.5) if, and only to the extent that (i)
the Holding Company Board of Directors concludes in good faith,
after consultation with and based upon the advice of outside legal
counsel, that the failure to take such actions would be more likely
than not to result in a violation of its fiduciary duties to
stockholders under applicable law, (ii) before taking such
actions, Holding Company receives from such person or entity an
executed confidentiality agreement providing for reasonable
protection of confidential information, which confidentiality
agreement shall not provide such person or entity with any
exclusive right to negotiate with Holding Company, and (iii) the Holding Company Board of
Directors concludes in good faith, after consultation with its
outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that the Acquisition
Proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a
Superior Proposal (as defined below). Holding Company shall
promptly (within twenty-four (24) hours) notify Towne orally and in
writing of Holding Company’s receipt of any such proposal or
inquiry, the material terms and conditions thereof, the identity of
the person making such proposal or inquiry, and will keep Towne
apprised of any material related developments, discussions and
negotiations on a current basis, including by providing a copy of
all material documentation or correspondence relating
thereto.
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(c)
For purposes of this Agreement, an “Acquisition
Proposal” means, other than the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, any offer, proposal or inquiry relating to, or any
third party indication of interest in, any of the following
transactions involving Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary:
(i) a merger, consolidation, share
exchange, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization,
liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction; (ii) any
acquisition or purchase, direct or indirect, of fifteen percent
(15%) or more of the consolidated assets of Holding Company
or fifteen percent (15%) or more of
any class of equity or voting securities of Holding Company
or the Holding Company Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate,
constitute more than fifteen percent (15%) of the consolidated
assets of Holding Company; or (iii) any tender offer (including a
self-tender offer) or exchange offer that, if consummated, would
result in such third party beneficially owning fifteen percent
(15%) or more of any class of equity or voting securities of
Holding Company or the Holding Company Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate,
constitute more than fifteen percent (15%) of the consolidated
assets of Holding Company.
(d) For
purposes of this Agreement, a “Superior Proposal” means
an unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal made by a
person or entity (or group of persons or entities acting in concert
within the meaning of Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) that the
Board of Directors of Holding Company concludes in good faith,
after consultation with its financial and outside legal advisors,
taking into account all legal, financial, regulatory and other
aspects of the Acquisition Proposal (including the financing thereof and any
conditions thereto and taking into account the terms and
conditions of this Agreement) (i) is more favorable to the
stockholders of Holding Company from a financial point of view,
than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) is
reasonably capable of being completed on the terms proposed and in
a timely manner; provided that, for purposes of this definition of
“Superior Proposal,” the Acquisition Proposal shall
have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5(c), except
the reference to “fifteen
percent (15%) or more” in such definition shall be
deemed to be a reference to “a majority” and
“Acquisition Proposal” shall only be deemed to refer to
a transaction involving Holding Company or Bank
Subsidiary.
(e)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, prior to the receipt of the Holding Company Stockholder
Approval, the Board of Directors of Holding Company may (i)
withhold, withdraw, modify or amend the Holding Company
Recommendation or (ii) authorize, adopt, approve, recommend or
otherwise declare advisable a Superior Proposal if the Holding
Company first takes the actions set forth in Section 7.1(i)(A)
through (D) (any action in clause (i) or (ii), a “Change of
Recommendation”), in each case if the Board of Directors of
Holding Company determines in good faith (after consultation with
its outside legal counsel) that failure to do so would be more
likely than not to result in a violation of its fiduciary
obligations under applicable law, and may also take any action
contemplated by Section 7.1.
(f)
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement (including Sections
5.3 and 7.1), nothing in this Section 5.5 shall permit Holding
Company to terminate this Agreement or affect any other obligation
of Holding Company under this Agreement.
(g)
Holding Company agrees that any
material violation of the restrictions set forth in this Section
5.5 by any authorized representative of Holding Company shall be
deemed a breach of this Section 5.5 by Holding
Company.
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5.6
Applications and Consents.
(a)
The parties hereto shall cooperate and use their commercially
reasonable efforts to prepare as promptly as possible all
documentation, to effect all filings and to obtain all Regulatory
Approvals and will make all necessary filings in respect of the
Regulatory Approvals as soon as practicable.
(b)
Each party hereto will furnish to the other parties copies of
proposed applications in draft form and provide a reasonable
opportunity for comment prior to the filing of any such application
with any Governmental Authority. Each party hereto will promptly
furnish to the other party copies of applications filed with all
Governmental Authorities and copies of written communications
received by such party from any Governmental Authority with respect
to the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party will consult
with the other party with respect to the obtaining of all
Regulatory Approvals and other material consents from third parties
advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, and each party will keep the other party apprised of the
status of material matters relating to completion of the
transactions contemplated hereby. All documents that the parties or
their respective subsidiaries are responsible for filing with any
Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby (including to obtain Regulatory Approvals) will
comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of
applicable law.
5.7
Public Announcements.
Prior
to the Effective Date, Towne and Holding Company will consult with
each other as to the form and substance of any press release or
other public statement materially related to this Agreement prior
to issuing such press release or public statement or making any
other public disclosure related thereto (including any broad based
employee communication that is reasonably likely to become the
subject of public disclosure).
5.8
Affiliate Agreements.
Holding
Company has identified to Towne all persons who are, as of the date
hereof, directors or executive officers of Holding Company. Holding
Company shall have delivered to Towne on or prior to the date
hereof executed copies of a written affiliate agreement in the form
of Exhibit 5.8 hereto from each such Holding Company director or
executive officer and from BancTenn Corp.
5.9
Director Noncompetition Agreements.
Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary shall have delivered to Towne on or
prior to the date hereof an executed copy of a written
noncompetition agreement in the form of Exhibit 5.9 hereto from
each director of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary.
49
5.10
Employee Benefit Plans.
(a)
Towne at its election shall either:
(i) provide generally to officers and employees of Holding Company
and the Holding Company Subsidiaries, who at or after the Effective
Date become employees of Towne or the Towne Subsidiaries
(“Holding Company Continuing Employees”), employee
benefits under the Towne Benefit Plans (with no break in
coverage), on terms and conditions
which are the same as for similarly situated officers and employees
of Towne and the Towne Subsidiaries; or (ii) maintain for the
benefit of the Holding Company Continuing Employees, the Holding
Company Benefit Plans maintained by Holding Company immediately
prior to the Effective Date; provided that Towne may take action to
amend any Holding Company Benefit Plan immediately prior to the
Effective Date to comply with any law or, so long as the benefits
provided under those Holding Company Benefit Plans following such
amendment are no less favorable to the Holding Company Continuing
Employees than benefits provided by Towne to its officers and
employees under any comparable Towne Benefit Plans, as necessary
and appropriate for other business reasons.
(b) For
purposes of participation, vesting and benefit accrual (except not
for purposes of benefit accrual with respect to any plan in which
such credit would result in a duplication of
benefits) under the Towne Benefit Plans, service with or
credited by Holding Company or any of the Holding Company
Subsidiaries shall be treated as service with Towne. To the extent
permitted under applicable law, Towne shall cause welfare Towne
Benefit Plans maintained by Towne that cover the Holding Company
Continuing Employees after the Effective Date to (i) waive any
waiting period and restrictions and limitations for preexisting
conditions or insurability, and (ii) cause any deductible,
co-insurance, or maximum out-of-pocket payments made by the
Holding Company Continuing Employees under welfare Holding Company
Benefit Plans to be credited to such Holding Company Continuing
Employees under welfare Towne Benefit Plans, so as to reduce the
amount of any deductible, co-insurance or maximum out-of-pocket payments payable by such
Holding Company Continuing Employees under welfare Towne Benefit
Plans.
(c)
Each employee of Holding Company or any Holding Company Subsidiary
at the Effective Date whose employment is involuntarily terminated
other than for cause by Towne after the Effective Date, but on or
before the date that is six (6) months from the Effective Date,
excluding any employee who has a contract providing for severance
pay, shall be entitled to receive severance pay equal to two (2)
weeks of pay, at his or her rate of pay in effect at the time of
termination, for each full year of continuous service with Holding
Company and Towne, subject to a minimum of four (4) weeks and a
maximum of twenty-six (26) weeks of pay. Such severance payments
will be in lieu of any payment under any severance pay plans that
may be in effect at Holding Company or any Holding Company
Subsidiary prior to the Effective Date.
(d)
With respect to Holding Company’s 401(k) plan, Holding
Company shall cause such plan to be terminated effective
immediately prior to the Effective Date, in accordance with
applicable law and subject to the receipt of all applicable
regulatory or governmental approvals. Each Holding Company
Continuing Employee who was a participant in the Holding Company
401(k) plan and who continues in the employment of Towne or any
Towne Subsidiary shall be eligible to participate in Towne’s
401(k) plan on or as soon as administratively practicable after the
Effective Date, and account balances under the terminated Holding
Company 401(k) plan will be eligible for distribution or rollover,
including direct rollover, to Towne’s 401(k) for Holding
Company Continuing Employees. Any other former employee of Holding
Company or the Holding Company Subsidiaries who is employed by
Towne or the Towne Subsidiaries after the Effective Date shall be
eligible to be a participant in the Towne 401(k) plan upon
complying with eligibility requirements. All rights to participate
in Towne’s 401(k) plan are subject to Towne’s right to
amend or terminate the plan. For purposes of administering
Towne’s 401(k) plan, service with Holding Company and the
Holding Company Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be service with
Towne for participation and vesting purposes, but not for purposes
of benefit accrual.
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(e)
Nothing in this Section 5.10 shall be interpreted as preventing
Towne, from and after the Effective Date, from amending, modifying
or terminating any Towne Benefit Plans or Holding Company Benefit
Plans or any other contracts, arrangements, commitments or plans of
either party in accordance with their terms and applicable
law.
5.11
Reservation of Shares; NASDAQ Listing.
(a)
Towne shall take all corporate action as may be necessary to
authorize and reserve for issuance such number of shares of Towne
Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement, and to cause
all such shares, when issued pursuant to this Agreement, to be duly
authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.
(b)
Towne shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the shares
of Towne Common Stock to be issued in the Merger to be approved for
listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, subject to official
notice of issuance, as promptly as practicable, and in any event
before the Effective Date.
5.12
Indemnification; Insurance.
(a)
Following the Effective Date, Towne shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless any person who has rights to indemnification from
Holding Company, to the same extent and on the same conditions as
such person was entitled to indemnification pursuant to applicable
law and Holding Company’s Organizational Documents, as in
effect on the date of this Agreement. Without limiting the
foregoing, in any case in which corporate approval may be required
to effectuate any indemnification, Towne shall direct, if the party
to be indemnified elects, that the determination of permissibility
of indemnification shall be made by independent counsel mutually
agreed upon between Towne and the indemnified party.
(b)
Towne shall, at or prior to the Effective Date, purchase a six (6)
year “tail” prepaid policy on the same terms and
conditions as the existing directors’ and officers’
liability (and fiduciary) insurance maintained by Holding Company
from insurance carriers with comparable credit ratings, covering,
without limitation, the Merger and the Bank Merger; provided,
however, that the cost of such “tail” policy shall in
no event exceed two hundred fifty percent (250%) of the amount of
the last annual premium paid by Holding Company for such existing
directors’ and officers’ liability (and fiduciary)
insurance. If, but for the proviso to the immediately preceding
sentence, Towne would be required to expend more than two hundred
fifty percent (250%) of the amount of the last annual premium paid
by Holding Company, Towne will obtain the maximum amount of that
insurance obtainable by payment of such amount.
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(c)
The provisions of this Section 5.12 are intended to be for the
benefit of and shall be enforceable by each indemnified party and
his or her heirs and representatives.
5.13
Employment and Other Arrangements.
(a)
Towne will, as of and after the Effective Date, assume and honor
all employment, severance, change in control, supplemental
executive retirement and deferred compensation agreements or
arrangements that Holding Company and the Holding Company
Subsidiaries have with their current and former officers and
directors and which are set forth in Section 5.13(a) of Holding
Company’s Disclosure Schedule, except to the extent any such
agreements or arrangements shall be superseded on or after the
Effective Date.
(b)
As of the date hereof, Towne has entered into employment
arrangements with the individuals named in Section 5.13(b) of
Towne’s Disclosure Schedule as described in such
schedule.
5.14
Notice of Deadlines.
Holding
Company has set forth in Section 5.14 of Holding Company’s
Disclosure Schedule a complete and accurate list of the deadlines
for extensions or terminations of all material leases, agreements
or licenses (including specifically real property leases and data
processing agreements) to which Holding Company or any of the
Holding Company Subsidiaries is a party. For purposes of this
Section 5.14, a material agreement shall mean an agreement not
terminable on sixty (60) days or less notice and involving the
payment or value of more than $50,000 per year and/or has a
termination fee.
5.15
Takeover Laws.
If any
federal or state anti-takeover laws or regulations may become, or
may purport to be, applicable to the transactions contemplated
hereby, each party hereto and the members of their respective
Boards of Directors will grant such approvals and take such actions
as are necessary and legally permissible so that the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as
practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise act to
eliminate or minimize the effects of any such laws or regulations
on any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
52
5.16 Change
of Method.
Towne
and Holding Company shall be empowered, upon their mutual agreement
and at any time prior to the Effective Date (and whether before or
after the Holding Company Stockholders Meeting), to change the
method or structure of effecting the combination of Towne and
Holding Company (including the provisions of Article 1), if and to
the extent they both deem such change to be necessary, appropriate
or desirable; provided that no such change shall (i) alter or
change the Exchange Ratio or amount of cash to be received by
Holding Company stockholders in exchange for each share of Holding
Company Common Stock, (ii) adversely affect the tax treatment of
Towne or Holding Company pursuant to this Agreement or (iii)
materially impede or delay the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement in a timely manner. The parties
hereto agree to reflect any such change in an appropriate amendment
to this Agreement executed by both parties in accordance with
Section 8.3.
5.17
Certain Policies.
Prior
to the Effective Date, each of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary
shall, consistent with GAAP and applicable banking laws and
regulations, modify or change its respective Loan, OREO, accrual,
reserve, Tax, litigation and real estate valuation policies and
practices (including loan classifications and levels of reserves)
so as to be applied on a basis that is consistent with that of
Towne; provided, however, that no such modifications or changes
need be made prior to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth
in Section 6.1(b).
5.18
Assumption of Trust Preferred Capital Securities.
Prior
to the Effective Date, Towne, Towne Merger Sub and Holding Company
shall take all actions necessary for Holding Company and either or
both of Towne or Towne Merger Sub to enter into supplemental
indentures with the trustees of the Holding Company’s trust
preferred capital securities to evidence the succession of either
or both of Towne or Towne Merger Sub as the obligor on those
securities as of the Effective Date. The form of the supplemental
indentures shall be reasonably acceptable to Towne and Holding
Company. Towne agrees to assume, on its own or through Towne Merger
Sub, Holding Company’s obligations under the indentures as
well as under the other agreements related to the trust preferred
capital securities.
ARTICLE 6
Conditions to the Transaction
6.1
General Conditions.
The
respective obligations of each party to perform this Agreement and
consummate the Transaction are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by each party pursuant to
Section 8.3.
(a)
Corporate Action. All
corporate action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been duly and validly taken,
including without limitation the Holding Company Stockholder
Approval.
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(b)
Regulatory Approvals.
Towne, Towne Merger Sub, Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary shall
have received all Regulatory Approvals required in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, all notice periods
and waiting periods required after the granting of any such
approvals shall have passed, and all such approvals shall be in
effect; provided, that no such approvals shall contain (i) any
conditions, restrictions or requirements that would, after the
Effective Date, have or be reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on Towne (after giving effect to the Transaction) in
the reasonable opinion of Towne, or (ii) any conditions,
restrictions or requirements that would, after the Effective Date,
be unduly burdensome in the reasonable opinion of
Towne.
(c)
Proxy Statement. The Proxy
Statement shall have been cleared by the SEC for use in definitive
form and it shall not be subject any stop order or any threatened
stop order (or any order, demand, request or other action with
similar effect) of the SEC.
(d)
NASDAQ Listing. The shares
of the Towne Common Stock to be issued to the holders of Holding
Company Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger shall have
been authorized for listing on the NASDAQ Global Select Market,
subject to official notice of issuance.
(e)
Legal Proceedings. Neither
party shall be subject to any order, decree or injunction of (i) a
court or agency of competent jurisdiction or (ii) a Governmental
Authority that enjoins or prohibits the consummation of the
Transaction.
6.2
Conditions to Obligations of Towne and Towne Merger
Sub.
The
obligations of Towne and Towne Merger Sub to perform this Agreement
and consummate the Transaction are subject to the satisfaction of
the following conditions, unless waived by Towne pursuant to the
provisions of this Section 6.2 and Section 8.3.
(a)
Representations and
Warranties. The representations and warranties of Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary set forth in Section 3.3, after giving
effect to Sections 3.1 and 3.2, shall be true and correct as of the
date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such
representations and warranties speak as of an earlier or specific
date) as of all times up to and including the Closing Date as
though made on and as of the Closing Date, and Towne shall have
received certificates, dated as of the Closing Date, signed on
behalf of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary by the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Holding Company
and Bank Subsidiary, respectively, to such effect.
(b)
Performance of Obligations.
Holding Company and each of the Holding Company Subsidiaries shall
have performed in all material respects all obligations required to
be performed by it under this Agreement before the Closing Date,
and Towne shall have received certificates, dated as of the Closing
Date, signed on behalf of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary by
the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary, respectively, to such
effect.
(c)
Federal Tax Opinion. Towne shall have received
a written opinion, dated the Closing Date, from its counsel,
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Towne, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations
and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the
Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, such counsel
may require and shall be entitled to rely upon representations of
officers of Towne, Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel.
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(d)
Agreements with Certain Key
Employees of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary. The
agreements with certain key employees of Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary concerning their employment with Towne and related
matters after the Effective Date as set forth in Section 5.13(b) of
Towne’s Disclosure Schedule have been memorialized in
binding, written agreements entered into by the key employees and
none of the key employees has taken any action on or before the
Effective Date to materially breach or to cancel or terminate any
such agreements, or to terminate his or her employment with Holding
Company or Bank Subsidiary.
6.3
Conditions to Obligations of Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary.
The
obligations of Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary to perform this
Agreement and consummate the Transaction are subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions, unless waived by Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary pursuant to Section 8.3.
(a)
Representations and
Warranties. The representations and warranties of Towne set
forth in Section 3.4, after giving effect to Sections 3.1 and 3.2,
shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and
(except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as
of an earlier or specific date) as of all times up to and including
the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date and
Holding Company shall have received a certificate, dated as of the
Closing Date, signed on behalf of Towne by the Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Towne to such
effect.
(b)
Performance of Obligations.
Towne and each of the Towne Subsidiaries shall have performed in
all material respects all obligations required to be performed by
it under this Agreement before the Closing Date, and Holding
Company shall have received a certificate, dated as of the Closing
Date, signed on behalf of Towne by the Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer of Towne to such effect.
(c)
Federal Tax Opinion.
Holding Company shall have received a written opinion, dated the
Closing Date, from its counsel, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxxxx
LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Holding
Company, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations
and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the
Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, such counsel
may require and shall be entitled to rely upon representations of
officers of Towne, Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel.
ARTICLE 7
Termination
7.1
Termination.
This
Agreement may be terminated and the Transaction abandoned at any
time before the Effective Date, whether before or after receipt of
the Holding Company Stockholder Approval, as provided
below:
55
(a)
Mutual Consent. By the
mutual consent in writing of Towne, Towne Merger Sub, Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary;
(b)
Closing Delay. By Towne and Towne
Merger Sub or Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, evidenced by
written notice, if the Transaction has not been consummated by
March 31, 2018 or such later date as shall have been agreed to in
writing by the parties, provided that the right to terminate under
this Section 7.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose
breach or failure to perform an obligation hereunder has caused the
failure of the Transaction to occur on or before such
date;
(c)
Breach of Representation or Warranty.
(i) By
Towne and Towne Merger Sub (provided that Towne is not then in
breach of any representation or warranty contained in this
Agreement under the applicable standard set forth in
Section 3.2 or in breach of any covenant or agreement
contained in this Agreement) in the event of a breach or inaccuracy
of any representation or warranty of Holding Company or Bank
Subsidiary contained in this Agreement which cannot be or has not
been cured within thirty (30) days after the giving of written
notice to Holding Company of such breach or inaccuracy and which
breach or inaccuracy (subject to the applicable standard set forth
in Section 3.2) would provide Towne and Towne Merger Sub the
ability to refuse to consummate the Transaction under Section
6.2(a); or
(ii) By
Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary (provided that Holding Company
or Bank Subsidiary is not then in breach of any representation or
warranty contained in this Agreement under the applicable standard
set forth in Section 3.2 or in breach of any covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement) in the event of a breach or
inaccuracy of any representation or warranty of Towne contained in
this Agreement which cannot be or has not been cured within thirty
(30) days after the giving of written notice to Towne of such
breach or inaccuracy and which breach or inaccuracy (subject to the
applicable standard set forth in Section 3.2) would provide
Holding Company the ability to refuse to consummate the Transaction
under Section 6.3(a);
(d) Breach of
Covenant or Agreement.
(i) By
Towne and Towne Merger Sub (provided that Towne is not then in
breach of any representation or warranty contained in this
Agreement under the applicable standard set forth in
Section 3.2 or in breach of any covenant or agreement
contained in this Agreement) in the event of a material breach by
Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary of any covenant or agreement
contained in this Agreement which cannot be or has not been cured
within thirty (30) days after the giving of written notice to
Holding Company of such breach;
56
(ii) By
Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary (provided that Holding Company
or Bank Subsidiary is not then in breach of any representation or
warranty contained in this Agreement under the applicable standard
set forth in Section 3.2 or in breach of any covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement) in the event of a material
breach by Towne of any covenant or agreement contained in this
Agreement which cannot be or has not been cured within thirty (30)
days after the giving of written notice to Towne of such
breach;
(e)
Conditions to Performance Not
Met. By either Towne on the one hand or Holding Company and
Bank Subsidiary on the other hand (provided that the terminating
party is not then in breach of any representation or warranty
contained in this Agreement under the applicable standard set forth
in Section 3.2 or in breach of any covenant or agreement
contained in this Agreement) in the event that any of the
conditions precedent to the obligations of such party to consummate
the Transaction set forth in Section 6.2 or Section 6.3, as
applicable, cannot be satisfied or fulfilled by the date specified
in Section 7.1(b), as the date after which such party may terminate
this Agreement;
(f)
Holding Company Solicitation and
Recommendation Matters; Holding Company Stockholders Meeting
Failure. At any time prior to the Holding Company
Stockholders Meeting, by Towne and Towne Merger Sub if (i) Holding
Company shall have materially breached Section 5.5, (ii) the
Holding Company Board of Directors shall have failed to make the
Holding Company Recommendation, (iii) the Holding Company Board of
Directors shall have effected a Change of Recommendation in a
manner adverse in any respect to the interests of Towne or (iv)
Holding Company shall have materially breached its obligations
under Section 5.3 by failing to call, give notice of, convene and
hold the Holding Company Stockholders Meeting in accordance with
(and subject to the exceptions set forth in) Section
5.3;
(g)
No Holding Company Stockholder
Approval. By either Towne and Towne Merger Sub or Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary, if the Holding Company Stockholder
Approval shall not have been attained by reason of the failure to
obtain the required vote at the Holding Company Stockholders
Meeting or any adjournment thereof;
(h)
Termination Event. By Towne
and Towne Merger Sub upon the occurrence of any of the following
events after the date hereof:
(i)
(A) Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary, without having received
Towne’s prior written consent, shall have entered into an
agreement with any person to (1) acquire, merge or
consolidate, or enter into any similar transaction, with Holding
Company or Bank Subsidiary, or (2) purchase, lease or otherwise
acquire all or substantially all of the assets of Holding Company
or Bank Subsidiary; or (B) Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary,
without having received Towne’s prior written consent, shall
have entered into an agreement with any person to purchase or
otherwise acquire directly from Holding Company securities
representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the voting power of
Holding Company; or
57
(ii)
a tender offer or exchange offer for fifteen percent (15%) or more
of the outstanding shares of Holding Company Common Stock is
commenced (other than by Towne or a Towne Subsidiary), and the
Holding Company Board recommends that the stockholders of Holding
Company tender their shares in such tender or exchange offer or
otherwise fails to recommend that such stockholders reject such
tender offer or exchange offer within the ten (10)-business day
period specified in Rule 14e-2(a) under the Exchange
Act;
(i)
Other Agreement. At any time prior to the receipt of the
Holding Company Stockholder Approval, by Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary in order to enter into an acquisition agreement or
similar agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal which has
been received and considered by Holding Company and the Holding
Company Board of Directors in material compliance with Section 5.5
hereof; provided that this Agreement may be terminated by Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary pursuant to this Section 7.1(i) only
after taking the following actions: (A) Holding Company shall
notify Towne in writing, at least three (3) business days in
advance, that it intends to accept a Superior Proposal; (B) upon
Towne’s request, Holding Company shall discuss with Towne the
facts and circumstances giving rise to such decision and negotiate
in good faith with Towne to facilitate Towne’s evaluation of
whether to improve the terms and conditions of this Agreement as
would permit the Board of Directors of Holding Company not to
accept the Superior Proposal; (C) if Towne shall have delivered to
Holding Company a written offer capable of being accepted by
Holding Company to alter the terms of this Agreement during such
three (3) business day notice period, the Board of Directors of
Holding Company shall have determined in good faith (after
consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisor),
after considering the terms of such offer by Towne, that such
Superior Proposal would continue to constitute a Superior Proposal;
and (D) in the event
of any material change to the material terms of such Superior
Proposal, Holding Company shall, in each case, provide Towne with
an additional notice and, unless Holding Company provides such
additional notice to Towne within three (3) business days of
providing Towne with the original notice contemplated by clause
(A), the notice period shall recommence, except that the notice
period shall be two (2) business days rather than the three (3)
business day notice period otherwise contemplated by clause (A);
or
(j)
Decline in Towne Common Stock
Price. By Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary if the Holding
Company Board of Directors so determines by a vote of the majority
of the members of the entire Holding Company Board of Directors, at
any time during the five (5)-day period commencing with the
Determination Date (as defined below), if both of the following
conditions are satisfied:
(i) the
number obtained by dividing the Average Closing Price by the
Starting Price (each as defined below) (the “Towne
Ratio”) shall be less than eighty one-hundredths (0.80);
and
(ii)
(x) the Towne Ratio shall be less than (y) the number obtained by
dividing the Final Index Price by the Index Price on the Starting
Date (each as defined below) and subtracting twenty one-hundredths
(0.20) from the quotient in this clause (ii)(y) (such number in
this clause (ii)(y) being referred to herein as the “Index
Ratio”);
58
subject,
however, to the following three (3) sentences. If Holding Company
and Bank Subsidiary elect to exercise the termination right
pursuant to this Section 7.1(j), Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary shall give written notice to Towne (provided that such
notice of election to terminate may be withdrawn at any time within
the aforementioned five (5)-day period). During the five (5)-day
period commencing with its receipt of such notice, Towne shall have
the option to increase the consideration to be received by the
holders of Holding Company Common Stock hereunder, by adjusting the
applicable Exchange Ratio (calculated to the nearest one
one-thousandth (1/1000)) to equal the lesser of (x) a number
(rounded to the nearest one one-thousandth (1/1000)) obtained by
dividing (A) the product of the Starting Price, eighty
one-hundredths (0.80) and the applicable Exchange Ratio (as then in
effect) by (B) the Average Closing Price and (y) a number (rounded
to the nearest one one-thousandth (1/1000)) obtained by dividing
(A) the product of the Index Ratio and the applicable Exchange
Ratio (as then in effect) by (B) the Towne Ratio. If Towne so
elects within such five (5)-day period, it shall give prompt
written notice to Holding Company of such election and the revised
applicable Exchange Ratio, whereupon no termination shall have
occurred pursuant to this Section 7.1(j) and this Agreement shall
remain in effect in accordance with its terms (except as the
applicable Exchange Ratio shall have been so
modified).
For
purposes of this Section 7.1(j), the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
“Average
Closing Price” means the average of the per share closing
prices of a share of Towne Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select
Market (as reported in The Wall
Street Journal, or if not reported therein, in another
authoritative source) during the twenty (20) consecutive full
trading days ending on the trading day prior to the Determination
Date.
“Determination
Date” means the later of (i) the date on which the last
approval, consent or waiver of any Governmental Authority required
to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement is received and all statutory waiting periods in respect
thereof shall have expired or (ii) the date on which the
stockholders of Holding Company approve the Agreement.
“Final Index
Price” means the average of the Index Prices for the twenty
(20) consecutive trading days ending on the trading day prior to
the Determination Date.
“Index
Group” means the NASDAQ Bank Index.
“Index
Price” means the closing price on such date of the Index
Group.
“Starting
Date” means the last trading day immediately preceding the
date of the first public announcement of entry into this
Agreement.
“Starting
Price” means $34.35.
59
If
Towne declares or effects a stock dividend, reclassification,
recapitalization, split-up, combination, exchange of shares or
similar transaction between the date of this Agreement and the
Determination Date, the prices for the Towne Common Stock shall be
appropriately adjusted for the purposes of applying this Section
7.1(j).
7.2
Effect of Termination.
In the event of
termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 7.1, none of
Towne, Holding Company, any of their respective subsidiaries or any
of the officers or directors of any of them shall have any
liability hereunder or in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby, except that (i) Section 5.2(c)
(Confidentiality), Section 5.7 (Public Announcements), this Article
7 (Termination) and Article 8 (General Provisions) shall survive
any termination of this Agreement and (ii) notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Agreement, termination will not relieve a
breaching party from any liabilities or damages arising out of its
willful and material breach of any provision of this
Agreement.
7.3
Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and
Covenants.
None of the
representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement or in
any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement (other than the
Confidentiality Agreement, dated February 13, 2017, between Towne
and Holding Company, which shall survive in accordance with its
terms) shall survive the Effective Date, except for Section 5.12
and for any other covenant and agreement contained in this
Agreement that by its terms applies or is to be performed in whole
or in part after the Effective Date.
7.4
Fees and Expenses.
(a)
Except as otherwise
provided in this Agreement, each of the parties shall bear and pay
all costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the
transactions contemplated herein, including fees and expenses of
its own financial consultants, accountants and legal
advisors, except that
the costs and expenses of all filing and other fees paid to the SEC
and other Governmental Authorities and Regulatory Agencies in
connection with the Transaction shall be borne equally by Towne and
Holding Company.
(b)
In recognition of
the effort made, the expenses incurred and the other opportunities
for acquisition forgone by Towne while structuring the Transaction,
Holding Company shall pay Towne the sum of $12,000,000 (the
“Termination Fee”) if this Agreement is terminated as
follows:
(i) if
this Agreement is terminated by Towne and Towne Merger Sub pursuant
to Section 7.1(f) or Section 7.1(h), or by Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.1(i), payment shall be made to
Towne concurrently with the termination of this Agreement;
or
60
(ii) if
this Agreement is terminated (A) by Towne and Towne Merger Sub
pursuant to Section 7.1(c)(i), Section 7.1(d)(i) or Section 7.1(e),
(B) by either Towne and Towne Merger Sub or Holding Company and
Bank Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.1(b), or (C) by either Towne
or Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.1(g),
and in the case of any termination pursuant to clause (A), (B) or
(C) an Acquisition Proposal shall have been publicly announced or
otherwise communicated or made known to the stockholders, senior
management or the Board of Directors of Holding Company (or any
person or entity shall have publicly announced, communicated or
made known an intention, whether or not conditional, to make an
Acquisition Proposal) at any time after the date of this Agreement
and prior to the taking of the vote of the stockholders of Holding
Company contemplated by this Agreement at the Holding Company
Stockholders Meeting, in the case of clause (C), or prior to the
date of termination, in the case of clause (A) or (B), then (1) if
within twelve (12) months after such termination Holding
Company enters into an agreement or consummates a transaction with
respect to an Acquisition Proposal (whether or not the same
Acquisition Proposal as that referred to above), then Holding
Company shall pay to Towne the Termination Fee on the date of
execution of such agreement (regardless of whether such transaction
is consummated before or after the termination of this Agreement)
or the consummation of such transaction, or (2) if a transaction
with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (whether or not the same
Acquisition Proposal as that referred to above) is consummated
otherwise than pursuant to an agreement with Holding Company within
twelve (12) months after the termination of this Agreement, then
Holding Company shall pay to Towne the Termination Fee on the date
when such transaction is consummated.
(c)
The agreements
contained in paragraph (b) of this Section 7.4 shall be deemed an
integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
that without such agreements the parties would not have entered
into this Agreement and that no such amount constitutes a penalty
or liquidated damages in the event of a breach of this Agreement by
Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary. The amount(s) payable by
Holding Company pursuant to paragraph (b) of Section 7.4 shall be
the sole and exclusive remedy of Towne in the event such amount(s)
are payable as specified in such paragraph. If Holding Company
fails to pay or cause payment to Towne the amount(s) due under
paragraph (b) above at the time specified therein, Holding Company
shall pay the costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees
and expenses) incurred by Towne in connection with any action in
which Towne prevails, including the filing of any lawsuit, taken to
collect payment of such amount(s), together with interest on the
amount of any such unpaid amount(s) at the prime lending rate
prevailing during such period as published in The Wall Street Journal, calculated on
a daily basis from the date such amount(s) were required to be paid
until the date of actual payment.
(d)
Any payment required to be made pursuant to Section 7.4 shall be
made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
designated by the party entitled to receive payment in the notice
of demand for payment delivered pursuant to this Section 7.4. For
the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Holding Company be
required to pay the Termination Fee on more than one occasion,
whether or not the Termination Fee may be payable under multiple
provisions of this Agreement at the same time or at different times
or upon the occurrence of different events.
61
ARTICLE 8
General Provisions
8.1
Entire Agreement.
This
Agreement, including the Disclosure Schedules and the exhibits
hereto, contains the entire agreement among Towne, Towne Merger
Sub, Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary with respect to the
Transaction and the related transactions and supersedes all prior
arrangements or understandings with respect thereto.
8.2
Binding Effect; No Third Party Rights.
This
Agreement shall bind Towne, Towne Merger Sub, Holding Company and
Bank Subsidiary and their respective successors and assigns. Other
than Sections 5.10, 5.12 and 5.13, nothing in this Agreement is
intended to confer upon any person, other than the parties hereto
or their respective successors, any rights or remedies under or by
reason of this Agreement.
8.3
Waiver and Amendment.
Any
term or provision of this Agreement may be waived in writing at any
time by the party that is, or whose stockholders are, entitled to
the benefits thereof, and this Agreement may be amended or
supplemented by a written instrument duly executed by the parties
hereto at any time, whether before or after the date of the Holding
Company Stockholders Meeting, except statutory requirements and
requisite approvals of stockholders and Governmental
Authorities.
8.4
Governing Law.
This
Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without regard to the
conflict of law principles thereof.
8.5
Notices.
All
notices, requests and other communications given or made under this
Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed given (i) on the
date given if delivered prior to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on a
business day, personally or by confirmed telecopier, in each case
with a hard copy sent by registered or certified first class mail,
personally or by commercial overnight delivery service; (ii) on the
date received if sent by commercial overnight delivery service; or
(iii) on the third business day after being mailed by registered or
certified mail (return receipt requested) to the persons and
addresses set forth below or such other place as such party may
specify by notice.
62
If to
Towne, to each of:
G.
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Jr.
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
TowneBank
0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Fax:
(000)
000-0000
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Senior
Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer
TowneBank
000
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Email: xxxxxx.xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
with
a copy to:
Xxxxx
X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
000 Xxxxx 00xx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Fax:
(000)
000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
If to
Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary:
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Paragon
Commercial Corporation
0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Fax: (000)
000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
with a
copy to:
Xxxx X.
Xxxxxx, Esq.
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxxxx LLP
0000
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Fax:
(000)
000-0000
Email:
xxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
63
8.6
Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but such counterparts together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.
8.7
Waiver of Jury Trial.
Each
party hereto acknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may
arise under this Agreement is likely to involve complicated and
difficult issues, and therefore each party hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally waives any right such party may have to a trial by
jury in respect of any litigation, directly or indirectly, arising
out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Each party certifies and
acknowledges that (i) it understands and has considered the
implications of this waiver and (ii) it makes this waiver
voluntarily.
8.8
Severability.
In the
event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding
shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provisions
hereof. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or
unenforceable only in part or degree shall remain in full force and
effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable. Further,
the parties agree that a court of competent jurisdiction may reform
any provision of this Agreement held invalid or unenforceable so as
to reflect the intended agreement of the parties
hereto.
8.9 Interpretation; Global
Terms.
Any reference contained in this Agreement to
specific statutory or regulatory provisions or to specific
governmental agencies or entities includes any successor statute or
regulation, or agency or entity, as the case may be. Unless
otherwise specified, the references to “Section” and
“Article” in this Agreement are to the Sections and
Articles of this Agreement. When used in this Agreement, words such
as “herein”, “hereinafter”,
“hereof”, “hereto”, and
“hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole, unless
the context clearly requires otherwise. The use of the words
“include” or “including” in this Agreement
is by way of example rather than by limitation. Unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise, the masculine, feminine, and
neuter genders will be deemed to be interchangeable.
[Signatures
on following page]
64
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed in counterparts by their duly authorized officers and
their corporate seals to be affixed hereto, all as of the date
first written above.
TOWNEBANK
By:
/s/ G. Xxxxxx Xxxxx,
Jr.
G.
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Jr.
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
TB
ACQUISITION, LLC
By:
/s/ G. Xxxxxx Xxxxx,
Jr.
G.
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Jr.
President
PARAGON
COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
President and Chief
Executive Officer
PARAGON
COMMERCIAL BANK
By:
/s/ Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
President and Chief
Executive Officer
65
EXHIBIT 1.1
To the
Agreement and
Plan of
Reorganization
PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND BETWEEN
TB ACQUISITION, LLC
AND
PARAGON COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
Pursuant to this
Plan of Merger (“Plan of Merger”), Paragon Commercial
Corporation, a North Carolina business corporation (“Holding
Company”), shall merge with and into TB Acquisition, LLC
(“Towne Merger Sub”), a Virginia limited liability
company and wholly owned subsidiary of TowneBank, Virginia banking
corporation (“Towne”).
ARTICLE 1
Terms of the Merger
Subject to the
terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization,
dated as of April 26, 2017, by and among Towne, Towne Merger Sub,
Holding Company and Paragon Commercial Bank, a North Carolina
banking corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Holding Company
(the “Agreement”), at the Effective Date (as defined
herein), Holding Company shall be
merged with and into Towne Merger Sub (the “Merger”) in accordance with the
provisions of Virginia and North Carolina law, and with the
effects set forth in Section 13.1-1070 of the Virginia Limited
Liability Company Act and Sections
55-11-10(e) and 55-11-10(e1) of the North Carolina Business
Corporation Act (“NCBCA”). The separate
corporate existence of Holding Company thereupon shall cease, and
Towne Merger Sub will be the surviving entity in the merger and
continue its existence after the Merger as a Virginia limited
liability company. The Merger shall
become effective on such date and time as may be determined in
accordance with Section 1.3(a) of the Agreement (the
“Effective Date”). The name of the surviving
corporation shall be TB Acquisition, LLC.
ARTICLE 2
Merger Consideration; Exchange Procedures
2.1 Conversion
of Shares.
At the
Effective Date, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on
the part of Towne or Holding Company or their respective
stockholders, or Towne Merger Sub or its sole member:
(a) Each
share of common stock, par value $1.667 per share, of Towne
(“Towne Common Stock”), and each equity interest of
Towne Merger Sub, that is issued and outstanding immediately before
the Effective Date shall remain issued and outstanding and shall
remain unchanged by the Merger.
A-1
(b)
Each share of common stock, par value $0.008 per share, of Holding
Company (“Holding Company Common Stock”) that is issued
and outstanding immediately before the Effective Date shall be
converted into and exchanged for the right to receive 1.7250 shares
(the “Exchange Ratio”) of Towne Common Stock, plus cash
in lieu of any fractional shares pursuant to Section 2.4
(collectively, the “Merger Consideration”). All shares of Holding Company
Common Stock converted pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall no longer
be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired and
shall cease to exist as of the Effective Date.
(c)
Each certificate previously representing shares of Holding Company
Common Stock (a “Holding Company Common Certificate”)
and the non-certificated shares of Holding Company Common Stock
(the “Holding Company Book-Entry Shares”) shall cease
to represent any rights except the right to receive with respect to
each share of Holding Company Common Stock (i) the Merger
Consideration upon the surrender of such Holding Company Common
Certificate or Holding Company Book-Entry Shares in accordance with
Section 2.2, and (ii) any dividends or distributions which the
holder thereof has the right to receive pursuant to
Section 2.6.
(d)
Each share of Holding Company Common Stock held by Towne or Town
Merger Sub and each share of Towne Common Stock held by Holding
Company or any of the Holding Company Subsidiaries (as defined in
the Agreement) prior to the Effective Date (in each case other than
in a fiduciary or agency capacity or on behalf of third parties as
a result of debts previously contracted) shall be cancelled and
retired and shall cease to exist at the Effective Date and no
consideration shall be issued in exchange therefor; provided, that
such shares of Towne Common Stock shall resume the status of
authorized and unissued shares of Towne Common Stock.
2.2 Exchange
Procedures.
(a)
On or before the Closing Date, Towne shall deposit, or shall cause
to be deposited, with its transfer agent or such other transfer
agent or depository or trust institution of recognized standing
approved by Towne (in such capacity, the “Exchange
Agent”), for the benefit of the holders of the Holding
Company Common Certificates and the holders of Holding Company
Book-Entry Shares, at the election of Towne, either certificates
representing the shares of Towne Common Stock or noncertificated
shares of Towne Common Stock (or a combination) issuable pursuant
to this Article 2, together with any dividends or distributions
with respect thereto and any cash to be paid in lieu of fractional
shares without any interest thereon (the “Exchange
Fund”), in exchange for the Holding Company Common
Certificates and Holding Company Book-Entry Shares.
(b)
As promptly as practicable after the Effective Date, Towne shall
cause the Exchange Agent to send to each former stockholder of
record of Holding Company immediately before the Effective Date
transmittal materials for use in exchanging such
stockholder’s Holding Company Common Certificates or Holding
Company Book-Entry Shares for the Merger Consideration, as provided
for herein.
A-2
(c)
Towne shall cause the Merger Consideration into which shares of
Holding Company Common Stock are converted at the Effective Date,
and dividends or distributions that a Holding Company stockholder
shall be entitled to receive, to be issued and paid to such Holding
Company stockholder upon proper surrender to the Exchange Agent of
Holding Company Common Certificates and Holding Company Book-Entry
Shares representing such shares of Holding Company Common Stock,
together with the transmittal materials duly executed and completed
in accordance with the instructions thereto. No interest will
accrue or be paid on any such cash to be paid pursuant to Sections
2.4 or 2.6.
(d)
Any Holding Company stockholder whose Holding Company Common
Certificates or Holding Company Book-Entry Shares have been lost,
destroyed, stolen or are otherwise missing shall be entitled to the
Merger Consideration and dividends or distributions to which such
stockholder shall be entitled upon compliance with reasonable
conditions imposed by Towne pursuant to applicable law and as
required in accordance with Towne’s standard policy
(including the requirement that the stockholder furnish customary
indemnity).
(e)
Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains unclaimed by the
stockholders of Holding Company for twelve (12) months after the
Effective Date shall be returned to Towne (together with any
earnings in respect thereof). Any stockholders of Holding Company
who have not complied with this Article 2 shall thereafter be
entitled to look only to Towne, and only as a general creditor
thereof, for payment of the consideration deliverable in respect of
each share of Holding Company Common Stock such stockholder held as
of the close of business on the Effective Date as determined
pursuant to this Plan of Merger, without any interest
thereon.
(f)
None of the Exchange Agent, the parties hereto, the Towne
Subsidiaries (as defined in the Agreement) nor the Holding Company
Subsidiaries (as defined in the Agreement) shall be liable to any
stockholder of Holding Company for any amount of property delivered
to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property,
escheat or similar laws.
A-3
2.3
Holding Company Stock Options and Other Equity-Based
Awards.
(a)
At the Effective Date, each option (to the extent any are
outstanding), whether vested or unvested, to purchase shares of
Holding Company Common Stock (a “Holding Company Stock
Option”) granted under an equity or equity-based compensation
plan of Holding Company (a “Holding Company Stock
Plan”) or otherwise granted shall be converted into an option
(each, a “Replacement Option”) to acquire, on the same
terms and conditions as were applicable under such Holding Company
Stock Option (except as provided otherwise in this Section 2.3(a)),
the number of shares of Towne Common Stock equal to the product of
(i) the number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock subject to
the Holding Company Stock Option multiplied by (ii) the Exchange
Ratio. Such product shall be rounded down to the nearest whole
number. The exercise price per share (rounded up to the next whole
cent) of each Replacement Option shall equal (y) the exercise price
per share of shares of Holding Company Common Stock that were
purchasable pursuant to such Holding Company Stock Option divided
by (z) the Exchange Ratio. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each
Holding Company Stock Option that is intended to be an
“incentive stock option” (as defined in Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”)) shall be adjusted if necessary in accordance
with the requirements of Section 424 of the Code, and all other
options shall be adjusted if necessary in a manner that maintains
the option’s exemption from Section 409A of the
Code.
(b)
At the Effective Date, each restricted stock award granted under a
Holding Company Stock Plan (a “Holding Company Stock
Award”) that is unvested or contingent and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Date shall cease, at the
Effective Date, to represent any rights with respect to shares of
Holding Company Common Stock and shall be converted without any
action on the part of the holder thereof, into a restricted stock
award of Towne (a “Replacement Stock Award”), on the
same terms and conditions as were applicable under the Holding
Company Stock Awards (but taking into account any changes thereto,
including any acceleration of vesting thereof, provided for in the
Holding Company Stock Plan or in the related award document by
reason of the Merger). The number of shares of Towne Common Stock
subject to each such Replacement Stock Award shall be equal to the
number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock subject to the
Holding Company Stock Award multiplied by the Exchange Ratio,
rounded, if necessary, to the nearest whole share of Towne Common
Stock.
(c)
At the Effective Date, Towne shall assume the Holding Company Stock
Plans; provided that such assumption shall only be with respect to
the Replacement Options and Replacement Stock Awards, and Towne
shall have no obligation to make any additional grants or awards
under the Holding Company Stock Plans. The provisions of any such
Holding Company Stock Plan will be unchanged, except that (i) all
references to Holding Company (other than any references relating
to a “change in control” (or similar term) of Holding
Company) in the Holding Company Stock Plan and in each agreement
evidencing any award thereunder shall be deemed to refer to Towne,
unless Towne reasonably determines otherwise, and (ii) the number
of shares of Towne Common Stock available for issuance pursuant to
the Holding Company Stock Plan following the Effective Date shall
be equal to the number of shares of Holding Company Common Stock so
available immediately prior to the Effective Date multiplied by the
Exchange Ratio, rounded, if necessary, down to the nearest whole
share of Towne Common Stock.
(d)
As soon as practicable after the Effective Date, Towne will deliver
to the holders of Replacement Options and Replacement Stock Awards
any required notices setting forth such holders’ rights
pursuant to the respective Holding Company Stock Plan and award
documents and stating that such Replacement Options and Replacement
Stock Awards have been issued by Towne and shall continue in effect
on the same terms and conditions (subject to the adjustments
required by this Section 2.3 after giving effect to the Merger and
the terms of the Holding Company Stock Plan).
A-4
2.4 No
Fractional Shares.
Each
holder of shares of Holding Company Common Stock exchanged pursuant
to the Merger that would otherwise have been entitled to receive a
fraction of a share of Towne Common Stock shall receive, in lieu
thereof, cash (without interest and rounded to the nearest cent) in
an amount equal to such fractional part of a share of Towne Common
Stock multiplied by the average closing price per share of Towne
Common Stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, for
the ten (10) consecutive trading days ending on and including the
fifth trading day prior to the Effective Date.
2.5
Anti-Dilution.
In the
event Towne changes (or establishes a record date for changing) the
number of shares of Towne Common Stock issued and outstanding
before the Effective Date as a result of a stock split, stock
dividend, recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization or
similar transaction, appropriate and proportional
adjustments will be made to the Exchange Ratio.
2.6
Dividends.
No
dividend or other distribution payable to the holders of record of
Holding Company Common Stock at, or as of, any time after the
Effective Date will be paid to the holder of any Holding Company
Common Certificate or Holding Company Book-Entry Share until such
holder properly surrenders such shares (or furnishes customary
indemnity that the Holding Company Common Certificate or Holding
Company Book-Entry Share is lost, destroyed, stolen or otherwise
missing as provided in Section 2.2(d)) for exchange as provided in
Section 2.2 of this Plan of Merger, promptly after which time all
such dividends or distributions will be paid (without
interest).
2.7
Withholding Rights.
The
Exchange Agent will be entitled to deduct and withhold from the
Merger Consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Plan of
Merger to any person such amounts, if any, it is required to deduct
and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the
Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax (as defined in
the Agreement) law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld and
remitted to the appropriate Governmental Authority (as defined in
the Agreement) by the Exchange Agent, such amounts withheld will be
treated for all purposes of this Plan of Merger as having been paid
to such person in respect of which such deduction and withholding
was made by the Exchange Agent.
2.8
No Appraisal Rights.
In
accordance with Section 55-13-02 of the NCBCA, no appraisal rights
shall be available to the holders of Holding Company Common Stock
in connection with the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated by this Plan of Merger.
A-5
ARTICLE 3
Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement of Towne Merger
Sub
3.1
Articles of Organization.
The
Articles of Organization of Towne Merger Sub as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Date will be the Articles of
Organization of Towne Merger Sub at and after the Effective Date
until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable
law.
3.2
Operating
Agreement.
The
Operating Agreement of Towne Merger Sub as in effect immediately
prior to the Effective Date will be the Operating Agreement of
Towne Merger Sub at and after the Effective Date until thereafter
amended in accordance with applicable law.
ARTICLE 4
Conditions Precedent
The
obligations of Towne Merger Sub and Holding Company to effect the
Merger as herein provided shall be subject to satisfaction, unless
duly waived, of the conditions set forth in the
Agreement.
ARTICLE 5
Amendment
Subject
to the terms and conditions of the Agreement, this Plan of Merger
may be amended by the Sole Manager of Towne Merger Sub and the
Board of Directors of Holding Company at any time prior to the
Effective Date; provided, however, that any amendment made
subsequent to the approval of this Plan of Merger by the sole
member of Towne Merger Sub, and the stockholders of Towne and
Holding Company shall not:
(a)
Alter or change the amount or kind of shares or other securities,
eligible interests, obligations, rights to acquire shares, other
securities or eligible interests, cash or other property or rights
to be received under this Plan of Merger by the Holding Company
stockholders;
(b)
Alter or change any of the other terms or conditions of this Plan
of Merger if the change would adversely Holding Company
stockholders in any material respect; or
(c)
Alter or change any term of the Articles of Incorporation of
Holding Company, as amended, or the Articles of Organization of
Towne Merger Sub.
A-6
EXHIBIT 1.2
To the
Agreement and
Plan of
Reorganization
BANK PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND BETWEEN
TOWNEBANK
AND
PARAGON COMMERCIAL BANK
Pursuant to this
Bank Plan of Merger (“Bank Plan of Merger”), Paragon
Commercial Bank, a North Carolina banking corporation (“Bank
Subsidiary”), shall merge with and into TowneBank, a Virginia
banking corporation (“Towne”).
ARTICLE 1
Terms of the Bank Merger; Effective Date
(a)
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization, dated as of April 26, 2017, by and among Towne, TB
Acquisition, LLC, Paragon Commercial Corporation, a North Carolina
business corporation and the holding company of Bank Subsidiary
(“Holding Company”), and Bank Subsidiary (the
“Agreement”), at the Effective Date (as defined
herein), Bank Subsidiary
shall be merged with and into
Towne (the “Bank Merger”)
in accordance with the provisions of Virginia and North Carolina
law, and with the effects set forth in Section 13.1-721 of
the Virginia Stock Corporation Act (the “VSCA”) and Section 55-11-06 of
the North Carolina Business Corporation Act
(“NCBCA”). The separate corporate existence of
Bank Subsidiary thereupon shall cease, and Towne shall be the
surviving corporation in the Bank Merger. The name of the surviving
corporation shall be TowneBank.
(b)
The Bank Merger will become effective on the date and at the time
shown on the Articles of Merger required to be filed with the
office of the Virginia State Corporation Commission, as provided in
Section 13.1-720 of the VSCA, and with the office of the North
Carolina Secretary of State, as provided in Section 55-11-05 of the
NCBCA, effecting the Bank Merger (the “Effective
Date”); provided, however, that in no event shall the
Effective Date be earlier than, or at the same time as, the
effective date and time of the merger of Holding Company with and
into TB Acquisition, LLC as provided for in the Agreement (the
“Merger”).
ARTICLE 2
Conversion of Shares
At the
Effective Date, by virtue of the Bank Merger and without any action
on the part of Towne or Bank Subsidiary or their respective
stockholders:
(a) Each
share of common stock, par value $1.667 per share, of Towne
(“Towne Common Stock”), that is issued and outstanding
immediately before the Effective Date shall remain issued and
outstanding and shall remain unchanged by the Bank
Merger.
B-1
(b)
Each share of common stock, par value $25,000 per share, of Bank
Subsidiary that is issued and outstanding immediately before the
Effective Date shall automatically be cancelled and retired and
shall cease to exist as of the Effective Date.
ARTICLE 3
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of Towne
3.1
Articles of Incorporation.
The
Articles of Incorporation of Towne as in effect immediately prior
to the Effective Date will be the Articles of Incorporation of
Towne at and after the Effective Date until thereafter amended in
accordance with applicable law.
3.2
Bylaws.
Prior
to the Effective Date, Towne shall take all appropriate actions to
adopt an amendment to the Bylaws of Towne to increase the number of
directors that may serve on the Board of Directors of Towne to the
extent necessary to accommodate the current directors of Holding
Company that will be appointed as directors of Towne as of the
Effective Date as contemplated by Section 1.5(a) of the Agreement.
The Bylaws of Towne as may be amended pursuant to this paragraph
(b) and in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date will be
the Bylaws of Towne at and after the Effective Date until
thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.
ARTICLE 4
Conditions Precedent
The obligations of Towne and Bank Subsidiary to
effect the Bank Merger as herein provided shall be subject to
satisfaction, unless duly waived, of the conditions set forth in
the Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of this Bank Plan of
Merger to the contrary, it shall be a condition to the consummation
of the Bank Merger and the parties’ obligations to consummate
the Bank Merger that, (i) immediately prior to the Effective Date,
the Merger shall have been consummated and TB Acquisition,
LLC shall be the sole holder of all of
the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of Bank
Subsidiary, and (ii) all required regulatory approvals shall have
been obtained and any waiting periods shall have
expired.
B-2
EXHIBIT 5.8
To the
Agreement and
Plan of
Reorganization
FORM OF AFFILIATE AGREEMENT
THIS
AFFILIATE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of
April 26, 2017, is by and among TowneBank, a Virginia banking
corporation (“Towne”), Paragon Commercial Corporation,
a North Carolina corporation (“Holding Company”), and
the undersigned shareholder of Holding Company
(“Shareholder”). All
capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned thereto in the Merger Agreement (defined
below).
WHEREAS, the Boards
of Directors of Towne and Holding Company have approved a business
combination of their companies through the merger (the
“Merger”) of Holding Company with and into TB
Acquisition, LLC, a newly-formed Virginia limited liability company
and wholly owned subsidiary of Towne (“Towne Merger
Sub”), and the merger of Paragon Commercial Bank (“Bank
Subsidiary”), a North Carolina banking corporation and wholly
owned subsidiary of Holding Company, with and into Towne
immediately after the Merger, pursuant to the terms and conditions
of an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of April 26,
2017, by and among Towne, Towne Merger Sub, Holding Company and
Bank Subsidiary, and related plans of merger (together, the
“Merger Agreement”);
WHEREAS,
Shareholder is the beneficial and/or registered owner of, and has
the right and power to vote or direct the disposition of the number
of shares of common stock, par value $0.008 per share, of Holding
Company (“Holding Company Common Stock”) set forth
below Shareholder’s name on the signature page hereto (such
shares, together with all shares of Holding Company Common Stock
subsequently acquired by Shareholder during the term of this
Agreement, but excluding the shares of common stock described in
the last sentence of Section 5(a) hereof, are referred to
herein as the “Shares”); and
WHEREAS, as a
condition and inducement to Towne, Towne Merger Sub, Holding
Company and Bank Subsidiary entering into the Merger Agreement,
Shareholder has agreed to enter into and perform this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, representations,
warranties and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger
Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration (including the
merger consideration set forth in Article 2 of the Merger
Agreement), the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged,
the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as
follows:
C-1
1.
Agreement to Vote.
During
the term of this Agreement and at such time as Holding Company
conducts the Holding Company Stockholders Meeting, Shareholder
agrees to vote or cause to be voted all of the Shares, and to cause
any holder of record of the Shares to vote all such Shares, in
person or by proxy: (i) in favor of the Merger Agreement at the
Holding Company Stockholders Meeting; and (ii) against (A) any
Acquisition Proposal, (B) any action, proposal, transaction or
agreement which could reasonably be expected to result in a breach
of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation
or agreement of Holding Company or Bank Subsidiary under the Merger
Agreement or of Shareholder under this Agreement and (C) any
action, proposal, transaction or agreement that could reasonably be
expected to impede, interfere with, delay, discourage, adversely
affect or inhibit the timely consummation of the Merger or the
fulfillment of conditions of Towne, Towne Merger Sub, Holding
Company or Bank Subsidiary under the Merger Agreement.
2.
Covenants of Shareholder.
The
Shareholder covenants and agrees as follows:
(a)
Ownership. The Shareholder is the
beneficial and/or registered owner of the Shares as set forth below
Shareholder’s name on the signature page hereto. Except for
Shareholder’s Shares, Shareholder is not the beneficial or
registered owner of any other shares of Holding Company Common
Stock or rights to acquire shares of Holding Company Common Stock
and for which Shareholder has the right and power to vote and/or
dispose. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term “beneficial ownership” shall be
interpreted in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(b)
Restrictions on Transfer.
During the term of this Agreement, Shareholder will not sell,
pledge, hypothecate, grant a security interest in, transfer or
otherwise dispose of or encumber any of the Shares and will not
enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than
a proxy for the purpose of voting Shareholder’s Shares in
accordance with Section 1 hereof) which would during that term
(i) restrict, (ii) establish a right of first refusal to,
or (iii) otherwise relate to, the transfer or voting of the
Shares.
(c)
Authority. The Shareholder
has full power, authority and legal capacity to enter into, execute
and deliver this Agreement, and to perform fully
Shareholder’s obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been
duly and validly executed and delivered by Shareholder and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Shareholder,
enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its
terms.
(d)
No Breach. None of the
execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation by
Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby will result in
a violation of, or a default under, or conflict with, any contract,
loan and credit arrangements, Liens (as defined in
Section 2(e) below), trust, commitment, agreement,
understanding, arrangement or restriction of any kind to which
Shareholder is a party or bound or to which the Shares are
subject.
C-2
(e)
No Liens. The Shares and
the certificates representing the Shares are now, and at all times
during the term of this Agreement, will be, held by Shareholder, or
by a nominee or custodian for the benefit of Shareholder, free and
clear of all pledges, liens, security interests, claims, proxies,
voting trusts or agreements, understandings or arrangements or any
other encumbrances whatsoever (each, a “Lien”), except
for (i) any Liens arising hereunder and (ii) Liens, if
any, which have been disclosed to Towne in writing on the signature
page hereto.
(f)
Consents and
Approvals. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement by Shareholder does not, and the
performance by Shareholder of his or her obligations under this
Agreement and the consummation by him or her of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not, require Shareholder to obtain any
consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or to make any
filing with or notification to, any Governmental
Authority.
(g)
Absence of
Litigation. There is no suit,
action, investigation or proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of
Shareholder, threatened against or affecting Shareholder or any of
Shareholder’s affiliates before or by any Governmental
Authority that could reasonably be expected to materially impair
the ability of Shareholder to perform Shareholder’s
obligations hereunder or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby.
(h)
No
Solicitation. During the term
of this Agreement, Shareholder shall not, nor shall Shareholder
permit any investment banker, attorney or other adviser or
representative of Shareholder to, directly or indirectly,
(i) solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of any
Acquisition Proposal, or (ii) participate in any discussions
or negotiations regarding, or furnish to any person any information
with respect to, or take any other action to facilitate any
inquiries or the making of any proposal that constitutes, or may
reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition
Proposal.
(i)
Statements. Shareholder shall not make any statement,
written or oral, to the effect that Shareholder does not support
the Merger or that other stockholders of Holding Company should not
support the Merger.
3.
No
Prior Proxies.
Shareholder
represents, warrants and covenants that any proxies or voting
rights previously given in respect of the Shares are revocable, and
that any such proxies or voting rights are hereby irrevocably
revoked.
4.
Certain Events.
Shareholder agrees
that this Agreement and the obligations hereunder shall attach to
the Shares and shall be binding upon any person or entity to which
legal or beneficial ownership of the Shares shall pass, whether by
operation of law or otherwise, including Shareholder’s
successors or assigns. In the event of any stock split, stock
dividend, merger, exchange, reorganization, recapitalization or
other change in the capital structure of Holding Company affecting
the Shares, the number of Shares subject to the terms of this
Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted, and this Agreement and
the obligations hereunder shall attach to any additional securities
of Holding Company issued to or acquired by
Shareholder.
C-3
5. Capacity;
Obligation to Vote.
(a) Notwithstanding
anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that the
Board of Directors of Holding Company is permitted to engage in
negotiations or discussions with any person who made an unsolicited
bona fide written
Acquisition Proposal in accordance with Section 5.5 of the Merger
Agreement, Shareholder shall be permitted, at the request of the
Board of Directors of Holding Company, to respond to inquiries
from, and discuss such Acquisition Proposal with, the Board of
Directors of Holding Company. With respect to the terms of this
Agreement relating to the Shares, this Agreement relates solely to
the capacity of Shareholder as a stockholder or other beneficial
owner of the Shares and is not in any way intended to affect or
prevent the exercise by Shareholder, if applicable, of his or her
responsibilities as a director or officer of Holding Company,
including actions permitted to be taken in compliance with Section
5.5 of the Merger Agreement. The term “Shares” shall
not include any securities beneficially owned by Shareholder as a
trustee or fiduciary, and this Agreement is not in any way intended
to affect the exercise by Shareholder of Shareholder’s
fiduciary responsibility in respect of any such
securities.
(b)
The parties hereto agree that, notwithstanding the provisions contained in
Section 1 hereof, Shareholder shall not be obligated to vote
as required in Section 1 of this Agreement in the event that
(i) Towne is in material default with respect to any covenant,
representation, warranty or agreement with respect to it contained
in the Merger Agreement, or (ii) Holding Company and Bank
Subsidiary are otherwise entitled to terminate the Merger
Agreement.
6. Term;
Termination.
The
term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof. This
Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the Effective
Date of the Merger, or (ii) termination of the Merger Agreement in
accordance with Article 7 of the Merger Agreement. Other than as
provided for herein, following the termination of this Agreement,
there shall be no further liabilities or obligations hereunder on
the part of Shareholder, Holding Company or Towne, or their
respective officers or directors, except that nothing in this
Section 6 shall relieve any party hereto from any liability for
breach of this Agreement before such termination.
7.
Stop Transfer Order.
In
furtherance of this Agreement, as soon as practicable after the
date hereof, Shareholder shall hereby authorize and instruct
Holding Company to instruct its transfer agent to enter a stop
transfer order with respect to all of Shares for the period from
the date hereof through the date this Agreement is terminated in
accordance with Section 6 hereof.
C-4
8.
Specific
Performance
The
parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the
event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not
performed by the applicable party hereto in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached. Each of the parties
hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent
breaches of this Agreement by the other and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States
or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any
other remedy to which it is entitled at law or in equity. Each
party hereto waives the posting of any bond or security in
connection with any proceeding related thereto.
9.
Amendments.
This
Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented
except by execution and delivery of a written agreement by the
parties hereto.
10.
Governing Law.
This
Agreement shall in all respects be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia without
regard to the conflict of law principles thereof.
11.
Notices.
All
notices, requests, claims, demands or other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when
delivered personally, upon receipt of a transmission confirmation
if sent by telecopy or like transmission and on the next business
day when sent by a reputable overnight courier service as follows:
(i) with respect to Holding Company or Towne, the applicable
address set forth in Section 8.5 of the Merger Agreement, and (ii)
with respect to Shareholder, at the address for Shareholder shown
on the records of Holding Company.
12.
Benefit of Agreement; Assignment.
(a)
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of,
and shall be enforceable by, the parties hereto and their
respective personal representatives, successors and assigns, except
that the parties hereto may not transfer or assign any of their
respective rights or obligations hereunder without the prior
written consent of the other parties.
(b)
The parties hereto agree and designate Bank Subsidiary as a
third-party beneficiary of this Agreement, with Bank Subsidiary
having the right to enforce the terms hereof.
13.
Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the
different parties in separate counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and
the same agreement. A facsimile copy or electronic transmission of
the signature page hereto shall be deemed to be an original
signature page.
14.
Severability.
In the
event that any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or
unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding
shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provisions
hereof. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or
unenforceable only in part or degree shall remain in full force and
effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable. Further,
the parties agree that a court of competent jurisdiction may reform
any provision of this Agreement held invalid or unenforceable so as
to reflect the intended agreement of the parties
hereto.
[Signatures
on following page]
C-5
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Towne, Holding Company and Shareholder have caused
this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date and year first
above written.
By:
G.
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Jr.
Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
PARAGON
COMMERCIAL CORPORATION
By:
Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
President and Chief
Executive Officer
SHAREHOLDER
[Insert
Name]
Number
of Shares
(including
restricted stock): _________________
Number
of Shares Pledged: __________________
C-6
EXHIBIT 5.9
To the
Agreement and
Plan of
Reorganization
FORM OF DIRECTORS NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT
Xxxxx
00, 0000
XxxxxXxxx
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
[The
undersigned is a director of Paragon Commercial Bank (“Bank
Subsidiary”), a North Carolina banking corporation and
wholly-owned subsidiary of Paragon Commercial Corporation, a North
Carolina corporation (“Holding Company”).] [The
undersigned is a director of Paragon Commercial Corporation
(“Holding Company”), a North Carolina corporation and
parent bank holding company of Paragon Commercial Bank, a North
Carolina banking corporation (“Bank Subsidiary”).]
TowneBank, a Virginia banking corporation (“Towne”),
has agreed to acquire Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary (the
“Transaction”), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of
Reorganization, dated as of April 26, 2017, by and among Towne, TB
Acquisition, LLC, Holding Company and Bank Subsidiary, and related
plans of merger (collectively, the “Agreement”). The
undersigned has been offered the opportunity to become a member of
either or both of Towne’s Board of Directors or one of
Towne’s regional boards of directors following the Bank
Merger Effective Date (as defined in the Agreement) of the Bank
Merger (as defined in the Agreement).
As a
condition of acceptance of such offer, and subject to the
exceptions below, the undersigned hereby agrees that, for the
longer of (i) 12 months following the Bank Merger Effective Date,
or (ii) the period that the undersigned shall be a member of any
Towne board of directors identified in the preceding paragraph, the
undersigned will not, directly or indirectly: (A) become a
member of the board of directors or an advisory board of, or be an
organizer of, or be a 1% or more shareholder of, any entity engaged
in or formed for the purpose of engaging in a Competitive Business
anywhere in the Market Area (as such terms are defined below); or
(B) in any individual or representative capacity whatsoever,
induce any individual to terminate his or her employment with Towne
or its Affiliates (as such term is defined below).
As used
in this Agreement, the term “Competitive Business”
means the financial services business, which includes one or more
of the following businesses: consumer and commercial banking,
insurance brokerage, asset management, residential and commercial
mortgage lending, and any other business in which Towne or any of
its Affiliates are engaged; the term “Market Area”
means (i) the cities of Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxx and Raleigh in North
Carolina, and any cities, towns and counties adjacent to such
localities, and (ii) any other city, town, county, or municipality
in North Carolina in which Towne has established and is continuing
to operate a banking office or a loan production office (excluding,
for purposes of this letter agreement, an office providing solely
residential mortgage loans, unless such office is in the areas
identified in clause (i) above); the term “Affiliate”
means a Person that directly or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common
control with, Towne; and the term “Person” means any
person, partnership, corporation, company, group or other
entity.
Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in no event shall the undersigned be prevented from
continuing to engage in, or being or continuing to engage in any
activities as an officer, employee, owner, shareholder, partner or
member in or of, or a member of the board of directors or a member
of an advisory board of, any entity engaged in, a Competitive
Business if the undersigned holds such position (or a corresponding
position with the predecessor to such entity) or otherwise engages
in that Competitive Business on the date hereof.
This
letter agreement is the complete agreement between Towne and the
undersigned concerning the subject matter hereof and shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws
of the State of North Carolina, without regard to its conflicts of
laws provisions.
This
letter agreement is executed as of the 26th day of April
2017.
Very
truly yours
[Insert
Name]
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