MASTER SELECTED DEALERS AGREEMENT
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April 3, 2002
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Co., Inc.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Tower
00 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Ladies and Gentlemen:
1. GENERAL.
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We understand that Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Company, Inc., a division of Regions
Financial Corporation, ("Xxxxxx Xxxxxx") is entering into this Master
Selected Dealers Agreement ("Agreement") in counterparts with us and other
firms who may participate as dealers in offerings of securities in which
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx is acting as representative ("Representative") of the
underwriters comprising the underwriting syndicate or as one of the
Representatives of the underwriters. Whether or not we have executed this
Agreement, this Agreement shall apply to any offering of securities in
which we act as a Selected Dealer (as defined below).
At or before the time of an offering, you will advise us, to the extent
applicable, of the expected offering date, the expected closing date, the
initial public offering price, the interest or dividend rate (or the method
by which such rate is to be determined), the conversion price (if
applicable), the selling concession, the reallowance, the time of release
of securities for sale to the public, the time at which subscription books
will be opened, the amount, if any, of securities reserved for purchase by
Selected Dealers, the period of such reservation and the amount of
securities to be allotted to us. Such information shall be deemed to be a
part of this Agreement and this Agreement shall become binding with respect
to our participation as a Selected Dealer in an offering of securities
following our receipt of such information. If we have not previously
executed this Agreement, by our purchase of securities in an offering
covered by this Agreement we shall be deemed to be signatories of this
Agreement with respect to such offering.
The securities to be purchased in any offering of securities in which we
agreed to participate as a Selected Dealer pursuant to this Agreement,
including any guarantees relating to such securities or any other
securities into which such securities are convertible or for which such
securities are exercisable or exchangeable and any securities that may be
purchased upon exercise of an over-allotment option, are hereinafter
referred to as the "Securities". The issuer or issuers of the Securities
are hereinafter referred to as the "Issuer". The parties on whose behalf
the Representatives execute the underwriting or purchase agreement or any
associated terms or similar agreement with the Issuer or any selling
security holders (each a "Seller" or any amendment or terms or supplement
thereto) (collectively, the "Underwriting Agreement") with respect to an
offering of Securities in which we agree to participate as a Selected
Dealer pursuant to this Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the
"Underwriters". The parties who agree to participate in such offering as
selected dealers are hereinafter referred to as "Selected Dealers".
References herein to statutory sections, rules, regulations, forms and
interpretive materials shall be deemed to include any successor provisions.
The following provisions of this Agreement shall apply separately to each
offering of Securities.
2. ACCEPTANCE AND PURCHASE.
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The offer to Selected Dealers will be made on the basis of a reservation of
Securities and an allotment against subscriptions. Any application for
additional Securities will be subject to rejection in whole or in part.
Subscription books may be closed by the Representatives at any time in the
Representatives' discretion without notice and the right is reserved to
reject any subscription in whole or in part. We agree to purchase as
principal the amount of Securities allotted to us by the Representatives.
3. OFFERING MATERIALS.
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(a) We understand that if registration of the offer and sale of the
Securities as contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement is required under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the
Representatives will, at our request, make available to us, as soon as
practicable after sufficient quantifies hereof are made available to them
by the Issuer, copies of the prospectus or supplemental prospectus
(excluding any documents incorporated by reference therein) to be used in
connection with the offering of the Securities in such number as we may
reasonably request. As used herein, "Prospectus" means the form of
prospectus (including any supplements and any documents incorporated by
reference therein) authorized for use in connection with such offering.
(b) We understand that if the offer and sale of the Securities are exempt
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, no registration
statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"). In such case, the Representatives will, at our request, make
available to us, as soon as practicable after sufficient quantifies thereof
are made available to them by the Issuer, copies in such number as we may
reasonably request of any final offering circular or other offering
materials to be used in connection with the offering of the Securities. As
used herein, `Offering Circular" means the offering circular or other
offering materials, as it or they may be amended or supplemented,
authorized for use in connection with such offering. The Prospectus or
Offering Circular, as the case may be, relating to an offering of
Securities is herein referred to as the "Offering Document".
(c) We agree that in purchasing Securities we will rely upon no statement
whatsoever, written or oral, other than the statements in the Offering
Document delivered to us by the Representatives and any documents
incorporated by reference therein. We understand that we are not authorized
to give any information or make any representation not contained in the
Offering Document or in any document incorporated by reference therein, in
connection with the offering of the Securities. We agree that, if requested
by the Representatives, we will furnish a copy of any amendment or
supplement to any preliminary or final Offering Document to each person to
whom we have furnished a previous preliminary or final Offering Document.
Our purchase of Securities registered under the Securities Act shall
constitute our confirmation that we have delivered, and our agreement that
we will deliver, all preliminary and final Prospectuses required for
compliance with Rule 15c2-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"). Our purchase of Securities exempt from
registration under the Securities Act shall constitute (i) our confirmation
that we have delivered, and our agreement that we will deliver, all
preliminary and final Offering Circulars required for compliance with the
applicable Federal and state laws and the applicable rules and regulations
of any regulatory body promulgated thereunder or the rules of any
self-regulatory organization governing the use and distribution of offering
circulars by underwriters, and (ii) to the extent consistent with such
laws, rules and regulations, our confirmation that we have delivered and
our agreement that we will deliver all preliminary and final Offering
Circulars that would be required if Rule 15c2-8 under the Exchange Act
applied to such offering.
4. OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES.
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(a) The offering of the Securities is made subject to the conditions
referred to in the Offering Document and to the terms and conditions set
forth in this Agreement. After the public offering of the Securities has
commenced, you may charge the public offering price, the selling concession
and the reallowance to dealers. Any of the Securities purchased by us
pursuant to this Agreement are to be reoffered by us, subject to their
receipt and acceptance by the Representatives, to the public at the initial
public offering price, subject to the terms of this Agreement and the
Offering Document. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Securities
shall not be offered or sold by us below the initial public offering price
before the termination of the effectiveness of this Agreement with respect
to the offering of such Securities, except that a reallowance from the
initial public offering price of not in excess of the amount set forth in
the Invitation may be allowed to any Selected Dealer that (i) agrees that
such amount is to be retained and not reallowed in whole or in part and
(ii) makes the representations contained in Section 14.
(b) The Representatives as such and, with the Representative's consent,
any Underwriter may buy Securities from, or sell Securities to, any of the
Selected Dealers or any of the Underwriters, and any Selected Dealer may
buy Securities from, or sell Securities to, any other Selected Dealer or
any Underwriter, at the initial public offering price less all or any part
of the concession to Selected Dealers.
(c) No expenses shall be charged to Selected Dealers. A single transfer
tax upon the sale of the Securities by the respective Underwriters to us
will be paid by such Underwriters when such Securities are delivered to us.
However, we shall pay any transfer tax on sales of Securities by us and
shall pay our proportionate share of any transfer tax or other tax (other
than the single transfer tax described above) in the event that any such
tax shall from time to time be assessed against us and other Selected
Dealers as a group or otherwise.
5. STABILIZATION AND OVER-ALLOTMENT.
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The Representatives may, with respect to any offering of Securities, be
authorized to over-allot, purchase and sell Securities for long or short
accounts and to stabilize or maintain the market price of the Securities.
We agree that, upon the Representatives' request at any time and from time
to time before termination of the effectiveness of this Agreement with
respect to an offering of Securities, we will report the amount of
Securities purchased by us pursuant to such offering which then remain
unsold by us and will, upon the Representatives' request at any such time,
sell to the Representatives for the account of one or more Underwriters
such amount of such unsold Securities as the Representatives may designate
at the initial public offering price less an amount to be determined by the
Representatives not in excess of the Selected Dealers' concession.
6. NET CAPITAL.
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We represent that the incurrence by us of our obligations hereunder in
connection with the offering of the Securities will not place us in
violation of Rule 15c3-1 under the Exchange Act, or of any similar
provisions of any applicable rules or regulations of any other regulatory
authority or self-regulatory organization.
7. REPURCHASE OF SECURITIES NOT EFFECTIVELY PLACED.
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In recognition of the importance of distributing the Securities to bona
fide investors, we agree that if prior to the later of (a) the completion
of the distribution of the Securities covered by this Agreement or (b) the
covering by Xxxxxx Xxxxxx (acting as a Representative of the Underwriters)
of any short position created by the Representatives for the accounts of
the Underwriters, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx purchases or contracts to purchase in the
open market or otherwise any of the Securities delivered to any Selected
Dealer, the Selected Dealer agrees to repay to Xxxxxx Xxxxxx for the
accounts of the Underwriters the amount of the selling concession allowed
to such Dealer plus brokerage commission or dealer's xxxx-up and any
transfer taxes paid in connection with such purchase.
8. PAYMENT AND DELIVERY.
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We agree that Securities purchased by us pursuant to this Agreement shall
be paid for in an amount equal to the initial public offering price
therefore or, if the Representatives shall so advise us, at such initial
public offering price less the Selected Dealers' concession with respect
thereto, at or before 9:00 a.m., Memphis time (Central Time), on the date
on which the Underwriters are required to purchase the Securities, by
delivery to the Representatives at the office of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Co., Inc.,
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Tower, 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000 (or at such
other place as you may advise), of payment by certified or bank cashier's
check payable in Clearing House Funds or other next day funds (or such
other funds as you may advise) payable to the order of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Co.,
Inc. If payment is made for Securities purchased by us at the initial
public offering price, the Selected Dealers' concession to which we may be
entitled will be paid to us upon termination of the effectiveness of this
Agreement with respect to the offering of such Securities. Notwithstanding
the foregoing provision of this Section, if transactions in the Securities
can be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or
any other depository or similar facility, if we are a member, you are
authorized, in your discretion, to make appropriate arrangements for
payment and/or delivery through its facilities of the Securities to be
purchased by us, or, if we are not a member, settlement may be made through
a correspondent that is a member pursuant to our timely instructions.
9. BLUE SKY AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS.
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It is understood and agreed that the Representatives assume no
responsibility or obligation with respect to the right of any Selected
Dealer or other person to sell the Securities in any jurisdiction,
notwithstanding any information the Representatives may furnish in that
connection.
10. TERMINATION.
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(a) This Agreement may be terminated by either party hereto upon five (5)
business day's written notice to the other party; provided, however, that
any notice received after this Agreement shall have become effective (as
provided in Section 1 of this Agreement) with respect to any offering of
Securities and shall terminate with respect to such offering and all
previous offerings in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of
this Section.
(b) With respect to each offering of Securities pursuant to this
Agreement, this Agreement shall terminate 30 full days after the initial
public offering date of the Securities, or at such earlier date as you may
determine in your discretion, or may be extended by you, in your
discretion, for an additional period or periods not exceeding an aggregate
of 30 days for each offering, except as otherwise provided herein, and no
obligations on the part of the Representatives will be implied hereby or
inferred herefrom.
(c) We understand and agree that we are to act as principal in purchasing
Securities and we are not authorized to act as agent for the Issuer, any
Seller or any Underwriter in offering the Securities to the public or
otherwise.
(d) Nothing herein contained shall constitute us an association, or
partners, with the other Selected Dealers, the Underwriters or
Representatives, or, except as otherwise provided herein, render us liable
for the obligations of any other Selected Dealers, the Underwriters or the
Representatives. If the Selected Dealers among themselves or with the
Underwriters or the Representatives are deemed to constitute a partnership
for Federal income tax purposes, then each Selected Dealer elects to be
excluded from the application of Subchapter K, Chapter 1, Subtitle A, of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and agrees not to take any
position inconsistent with such election. The Representatives are
authorized, in their discretion, to execute on behalf of the Selected
Dealer such evidence of such election as may be required by the Internal
Revenue Service.
11. AMENDMENT.
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This Agreement may be supplemented or amended by you by notice to us by
written communication and, except for supplements or amendments included
with the information relating to a particular offering of Securities, any
such supplement or amendment to this Agreement shall be effective with
respect to any offering to which this Agreement applies after the date of
such supplement or amendment. Each reference to "this Agreement" herein
shall, as appropriate, be to this Agreement as so supplemented and amended.
12. NOTICES.
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Any notices from the Representatives to us shall be deemed to have been
duly given if mailed, hand-delivered, telephoned (and confirmed in
writing), telegraphed, telecopied or faxed to us at the address set forth
at the end of this Agreement, or at such other address, telephone,
telecopy, or fax as we shall have advised you in writing. Any notice from
us to the Representatives shall be deemed to have been duly given if
mailed, hand-delivered, telephoned (and confirmed in writing), telegraphed,
telecopied, or faxed to:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Co., Inc.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Tower
00 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Equity Syndicate Department
Telephone: 901/529.5357
Fax: 901/579.4388
(or to such other address, telephone, telecopy, or fax as we shall be
notified by the Representatives). Communications by telegram, telecopy, fax
or other written form shall be deemed to be "written" communications.
13. NASD MATTERS.
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We represent that we are either (a) a member in good standing of the NASD
who agrees to comply with all applicable rules of the NASD, including
without limitation, the NASD's Interpretation with Respect to Free-Riding
and Withholding (IM-2110-1) and NASD Rules 2730, 2740 and 2750, or (b) a
foreign bank or dealer not eligible for membership in the NASD who hereby
agrees to make no sales within the United States, its territories or its
possessions nor to persons who are citizens thereof or residents therein,
and in making the sales to comply with the above-mentioned NASD
Interpretation (IM-2110-1) and NASD Rules 2730, 2740 and 2750 as if we were
an NASD member and to comply with NASD Rule 2420 as that section applies to
a nonmember foreign dealer. We confirm that we are familiar with NASD Rule
IM-2110-1, and we agree to comply with Rule IM-2110-1 in offering and
selling Securities to the public. By our participation in an offering of
Securities, we further represent that neither we nor any of our directors,
officers, partners or "persons associated with" us (as defined in the
NASD's rules), nor, to our knowledge any "related person" (as defined in
NASD Rule 2710), have participated or intend to participate in any
transaction or dealing as to which documents or information are required to
be filed with the NASD pursuant to Rule 2710.
14. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW, RULES AND REGULATIONS.
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We agree that in selling Securities pursuant to any offering (which
agreement shall also be for the benefit of the Issuer or other Seller of
such Securities) we will comply with all applicable laws, rules and
regulations, including the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act, the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, the applicable rules and regulations of the NASD or any
securities exchange having jurisdiction over the offering, and in the case
of an offering referred to in Section 3(b) hereof, the applicable law,
rules and regulations of any applicable regulatory body.
15. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
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This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the
parties hereto and other persons specified in Section 1 hereof, and the
respective successors and assigns of each of them.
16. GOVERNING LAW.
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This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the
law of the State of Tennessee, without giving effect to the choice of law
or conflicts of law principles thereof.
Please confirm by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy of this
Agreement.
Very truly yours,
XXXXXX XXXXXX & CO., INC.
By:
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Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Managing Director
CONFIRMED: , 2002
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DEALER
By:
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Name:
Title:
Address:
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Telephone:
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Fax:
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