THE TRANSFER OF THIS AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO
CERTAIN PROVISIONS CONTAINED HEREIN AND TO
RESALE RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated November 30, 1998, between Bankers
Trust Corporation, a New York corporation ("Issuer"), and Deutsche Bank AG, an
Aktiengesellschaft organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany
("Grantee").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Grantee and Issuer have entered into an Agreement and Plan
of Merger of even date herewith (the "Merger Agreement"), which agreement has
been executed by the parties hereto immediately prior to this Stock Option
Agreement (the "Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, as a condition to Grantee's entering into the Merger
Agreement and in consideration therefor, Issuer has agreed to grant Grantee the
Option (as defined below);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. The Option. (a) Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an unconditional,
irrevocable option (the "Option") to purchase, subject to the terms hereof, up
to 18,965,678 fully paid and nonassessable shares of Issuer' common stock, par
value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), at a price of $74.625 per share (the
"Option Price"); provided, however, that in the event Issuer issues or agrees to
issue any shares of Common Stock (other than as permitted under the Merger
Agreement) at a price less than the Option Price (as adjusted pursuant to
Section 5), the Option Price shall be equal to such lesser price; provided,
further, that in no event shall the number of shares of Common Stock for which
this Option is exercisable exceed 19.9% of the Issuer's issued and outstanding
shares of Common Stock at the time of exercise. The number of shares of Common
Stock that may be received upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price
are subject to adjustment as herein set forth.
(b) In the event that any additional shares of Common Stock are
issued or otherwise become outstanding after the date of this Agreement (other
than pursuant to this Agreement), the number of shares of Common Stock subject
to the Option shall be increased so that, after such issuance, such number
equals 19.9% of the number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding
without giving effect to any shares subject or issued pursuant to the Option.
Nothing contained in this Section 1(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be
deemed to authorize Issuer to breach any provision of the Merger Agreement.
2. Exercise; Closing. (a) The Holder (as defined below) may exercise
the Option, in whole or part, and from time to time, if, but only if, both an
Initial Triggering Event (as defined below) and a Subsequent Triggering Event
(as defined below) shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise
Termination Event (as defined below), provided that the Holder shall have sent
written notice of such exercise (as provided in subsection (f) of this Section
2) within 90 days following such Subsequent Triggering Event (or such later
period as provided in Section 10).
(b) Each of the following shall be an "Exercise Termination Event":
(i) the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the
Merger;
(ii) termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the
provisions thereof if such termination occurs prior to the occurrence of an
Initial Triggering Event, except a termination by Grantee pursuant to Section
8.1(d) of the Merger Agreement; or
(iii) the passage of 18 months after termination of the Merger
Agreement (or such later period as provided in Section 10) if such termination
(A) follows or is concurrent with the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event
or (B) is a termination by Grantee pursuant to Section 8.1(d) of the Merger
Agreement; provided that if an Initial Triggering Event continues or occurs
beyond such termination and prior to the passage of such 18- month period, the
Exercise Termination Event shall be 12 months from the expiration of the Last
Triggering Event (as defined below) but in no event more than 18 months after
such termination.
The "Last Triggering Event" shall mean the last Initial Triggering Event to
expire. The term "Holder" shall mean Grantee and any other person that shall
become a holder of the Option in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(c) The term "Initial Triggering Event" shall mean any of the following
events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:
(i) Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (each an "Issuer Subsidiary"),
without having received Grantee's prior written consent, shall have entered into
an agreement to engage in an Acquisition Transaction (as defined below) with any
person (the term "person" for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning
assigned thereto in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder)
other than Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries (each a "Grantee Subsidiary") or
the Board of Directors of Issuer shall have recommended that the stockholders of
Issuer approve or accept any Acquisition Transaction (other than the Merger
referred to in the Merger Agreement). For purposes of this Agreement,
"Acquisition Transaction" shall mean (w) a merger or consolidation, or any
similar transaction, involving Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary (as defined
in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the
2
"SEC")) of Issuer, (x) a purchase, lease or other acquisition or
assumption of all or a substantial portion of the assets or deposits of Issuer
or all or substantially all of the assets or deposits of any Significant
Subsidiary of Issuer, (y) a purchase or other acquisition (including by way of
merger, consolidation, share exchange or otherwise) of beneficial ownership (the
term "beneficial ownership" for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning
assigned thereto in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and
regulations thereunder) of securities representing 10% or more of the voting
power of Issuer or more than 25% of any Significant Subsidiary of Issuer, or (z)
any substantially similar transaction; provided, however, that in no event shall
any merger, consolidation, purchase or similar transaction involving only the
Issuer and one or more of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or involving only any
two or more of such wholly-owned Subsidiaries, be deemed to be an Acquisition
Transaction, if such transaction is not entered into in violation of the terms
of the Merger Agreement;
(ii) Issuer or any Issuer Subsidiary, without having received
Grantee's prior written consent, shall have authorized, recommended, proposed or
publicly announced its intention to authorize, recommend or propose, to engage
in an Acquisition Transaction with any person other than Grantee or a Grantee
Subsidiary or shall have authorized or engaged in, or announced its intention to
authorize or engage in, any negotiations regarding an Acquisition Transaction
with any person other than the Grantee or a Grantee Subsidiary, or the Board of
Directors of Issuer shall have failed to recommend or shall have publicly
withdrawn or modified, or publicly announced its intention to withdraw or
modify, in any manner adverse to Grantee, its recommendation that the
stockholders of Issuer approve the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement in anticipation of engaging in an Acquisition Transaction;
(iii) The shareholders of Issuer shall have voted and failed to
approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Merger at a meeting which has
been held for that purpose or any adjournment or postponement thereof, or such
meeting shall not have been held in violation of the Merger Agreement or shall
have been canceled prior to termination of the Merger Agreement if, prior to
such meeting (or if such meeting shall not have been held or shall have been
canceled, prior to such termination), any person (other than the Grantee or a
Grantee Subsidiary) shall have made a proposal to Issuer or its stockholders by
public announcement or written communication that is or becomes the subject of
public disclosure to engage in an Acquisition Transaction;
(iv) (a) Any person other than Grantee, any Grantee Subsidiary or
any Issuer Subsidiary acting in a fiduciary capacity in the ordinary course of
its business shall have acquired beneficial ownership or the right to acquire
beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock or (b) any group (the term "group" having the meaning assigned in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than a group of which the Grantee or any
Grantee Subsidiary is a member, shall have been formed that beneficially owns
10% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding;
(v) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary shall
have made a proposal to Issuer or its stockholders by public announcement or
written
3
communication that is or becomes the subject of public disclosure to engage in
an Acquisition Transaction;
(vi) After a proposal is made by a third party to Issuer or its
stockholders to engage in an Acquisition Transaction, Issuer shall have breached
any covenant or obligation contained in the Merger Agreement and such breach (x)
would entitle Grantee to terminate the Merger Agreement and (y) shall not have
been cured prior to the Notice Date (as defined below); or
(vii) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary, other
than in connection with a transaction to which Grantee has given its prior
written consent, shall have filed with any federal or state regulatory or
governmental authority an application for approval or notice of intention to
engage in an Acquisition Transaction.
(d) The term "Subsequent Triggering Event" shall mean either of the
following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:
(i) The acquisition by any person or by a group of beneficial
ownership of 25% or more of the then outstanding Common Stock; or
(ii) The occurrence of the Initial Triggering Event described in
paragraph (i) of subsection (c) of this Section 2, except that the percentage
referred to in clause (y) shall be 25% and that the percentage referred in the
definition of a Significant Subsidiary shall be changed from 10% to 25%; and
provided further, that in no event shall any merger, consolidation or similar
transaction involving Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary in which the voting
securities of Issuer or of such Significant Subsidiary outstanding immediately
prior thereto continue to represent (by either remaining outstanding or being
converted into the voting securities of the surviving entity of any such
transaction) at least 65% of the combined voting power of the voting securities
of the Issuer or the surviving entity (or any entity controlling the surviving
entity) outstanding immediately after the consummation of such merger,
consolidation or similar transaction be deemed to be an Acquisition Transaction
for the purposes of this clause (ii).
(e) Issuer shall notify Grantee promptly in writing of the occurrence of
any Initial Triggering Event or Subsequent Triggering Event of which it has
notice (together, a "Triggering Event"), it being understood that the giving of
such notice by Issuer shall not be a condition to the right of the Holder to
exercise the Option.
(f) In the event the Holder is entitled to and wishes to exercise the
Option (or any portion thereof), it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the
date of which being herein referred to as the "Notice Date") specifying (i) the
total number of shares it will purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a
place and date not earlier than three business days nor later than 60 business
days from the Notice Date for the closing of such purchase (the "Closing Date");
provided that if prior notification to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board
or any other regulatory agency is required in connection with such purchase, the
Holder shall promptly file the required notice or application for approval and
shall expeditiously process the same and the period of time that
4
otherwise would run pursuant to this sentence shall run instead from the date on
which any required notification periods have expired or been terminated or such
approvals have been obtained and any requisite waiting period or periods shall
have passed. Any exercise of the Option shall be deemed to occur on the Notice
Date relating thereto.
(g) At the closing referred to in subsection (f) of this Section 2, the
Holder shall pay to Issuer the aggregate purchase price for the shares of Common
Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option in immediately available
funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Issuer; provided that
failure or refusal of Issuer to designate such a bank account shall not preclude
the Holder from exercising the Option.
(h) At such closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds as provided in subsection (g) of this Section 2, Issuer shall
deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares of Common Stock purchased by the Holder and, if the Option should be
exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the rights of the Holder thereof
to purchase the balance of the shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder, and
the Holder shall deliver to Issuer a copy of this Agreement and a letter
agreeing that the Holder will not offer to sell or otherwise dispose of such
shares in violation of applicable law or the provisions of this Agreement.
(i) Certificates for Common Stock delivered at a closing hereunder
may be endorsed with a restrictive legend that shall read substantially as
follows:
"The transfer of the shares represented by this
certificate is subject to certain provisions of an
agreement between the registered holder hereof and
Issuer and to resale restrictions arising under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A copy of such
agreement is on file at the principal office of
Issuer and will be provided to the holder hereof
without charge upon receipt by Issuer of a written
request therefor."
It is understood and agreed that: (i) the reference to the resale
restrictions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), in the
above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute certificate(s) without
such reference if the Holder shall have delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter
from the staff of the SEC, or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Issuer, to the effect that such legend is not
required for purposes of the 1933 Act; (ii) the reference to the provisions of
this Agreement in the above legend shall be removed by delivery of substitute
certificate(s) without such reference if the shares of Common Stock delivered
pursuant hereto have been sold or transferred in compliance with the provisions
of this Agreement under circumstances that do not require the retention of such
reference; and (iii) the legend shall be removed in its entirety if the
conditions in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are both satisfied. In
addition, such certificates shall bear any other legend as may be required by
law.
(j) Upon the giving by the Holder to Issuer of the written notice of
exercise of the Option provided for under subsection (f) of this Section 2 and
the tender of the applicable
5
purchase price in immediately available funds, the Holder shall be deemed
to be the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such
exercise, notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of Issuer shall then be
closed or that certificates representing such shares of Common Stock shall not
then be actually delivered to the Holder. Issuer shall pay all expenses, and any
and all United States federal, state and local taxes and other charges that may
be payable in connection with the preparation, issue and delivery of stock
certificates under this Section 2 in the name of the Holder or its assignee,
transferee or designee.
3. Covenants of Issuer. In addition to its other agreements and
covenants herein, Issuer agrees: (i) that it shall at all times maintain, free
from subscriptive or preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued or
treasury shares of Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised without
additional authorization of Common Stock after giving effect to all other
options, warrants, convertible securities and other rights to purchase Common
Stock; (ii) that it will not, by charter amendment or through reorganization,
consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary
act, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the
covenants, stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by
Issuer; (iii) promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required
(including (x) complying with all premerger notification, reporting and waiting
period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. Section 18a and regulations
promulgated thereunder and (y) in the event, under the Bank Holding Company Act
of 1956, as amended (the "BHCA") or the Change in Bank Control Act of 1978, as
amended, or any state or other federal banking law, prior approval of or notice
to the Federal Reserve Board or to any state or other federal regulatory
authority is necessary before the Option may be exercised, cooperating fully
with the Holder in preparing such applications or notices and providing such
information to the Federal Reserve Board or such state or other federal
regulatory authority as they may require) in order to permit the Holder to
exercise the Option and Issuer to duly and effectively issue shares of Common
Stock pursuant hereto; (iv) promptly to take all action provided herein to
protect the rights of the Holder against dilution; and (v) not to enter or agree
to enter into any Acquisition Transaction unless the other party or parties
thereto agree to assume in writing all of Issuer's obligations hereunder;
provided that nothing in this Section 3 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be
deemed to authorize Issuer to breach any provision of the Merger Agreement.
Notwithstanding any notice of revocation delivered pursuant to the proviso to
Section 7(c), a Holder may require such other party or parties to perform
Issuer's obligations under Section 7(a) unless such other party or parties are
prohibited by law or regulation from such performance.
4. Exchange; Replacement. This Agreement (and the Option granted
hereby) are exchangeable, without expense, at the option of the Holder, upon
presentation and surrender of this Agreement at the principal office of Issuer,
for other Agreements providing for Options of different denominations entitling
the holder thereof to purchase, on the same terms and subject to the same
conditions as are set forth herein, in the aggregate the same number of shares
of Common Stock purchasable hereunder. The terms "Agreement" and "Option" as
used herein include any Agreements and related Options for which this Agreement
(and the Option granted hereby) may be exchanged. Upon receipt by Issuer of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of this Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of
reasonably satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of
this Agreement, if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a new Agreement of
like tenor and
6
date. Any such new Agreement executed and delivered shall constitute an
additional contractual obligation on the part of Issuer, whether or not the
Agreement so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated shall at any time be
enforceable by anyone.
5. Adjustments. In addition to the adjustment in the number of
shares of Common Stock that are purchasable upon exercise of the Option pursuant
to Section 1 of this Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable
upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section 5. In the event of any
change in, or distributions in respect of, the Common Stock by reason of stock
dividends, split-ups, mergers, recapitalizations, combinations, subdivisions,
conversions, exchanges of shares, distributions on or in respect of the Common
Stock that would be prohibited under the terms of the Merger Agreement, or the
like, the type and number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise
hereof and the Option Price shall be appropriately adjusted in such manner as
shall fully preserve the economic benefits provided hereunder and proper
provision shall be made in any agreement governing any such transaction to
provide for such proper adjustment and the full satisfaction of the Issuer's
obligations hereunder.
6. Registration. Upon the occurrence of a Subsequent Triggering
Event that occurs prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer shall, at the
request of Grantee delivered within 12 months (or such later period as provided
in Section 10) of such Subsequent Triggering Event (whether on its own behalf or
on behalf of any subsequent holder of this Option (or part thereof) or any of
the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant hereto), promptly prepare, file and
keep current a shelf registration statement under the 1933 Act covering this
Option and any shares issued and issuable pursuant to this Option and shall use
its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement to become
effective and remain current in order to permit the sale or other disposition of
this Option and any shares of Common Stock issued upon total or partial exercise
of this Option ("Option Shares") in accordance with any plan of disposition
requested by Grantee. Issuer will use its reasonable best efforts to cause such
registration statement promptly to become effective and then to remain effective
for a period not in excess of 180 days from the day such registration statement
first becomes effective or such shorter time as may be reasonably necessary, in
the judgment of the Grantee or the Holder, to effect such sales or other
dispositions. Grantee shall have the right to demand two such registrations. The
Issuer shall bear the costs of such registrations (including, but not limited
to, Issuer's attorneys' fees, printing costs and filing fees, except for
underwriting discounts or commissions, brokers' fees and the fees and
disbursements of Grantee's counsel related thereto). The foregoing
notwithstanding, if, at the time of any request by Grantee for registration of
the Option or Option Shares as provided above, Issuer is in registration with
respect to an underwritten public offering of shares of Common Stock, and if in
the good faith judgment of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters,
or, if none, the sole underwriter or underwriters, of such offering the
inclusion of the Holder's Option or Option Shares would interfere with the
successful marketing of the shares of Common Stock offered by Issuer, the number
of Option Shares otherwise to be covered in the registration statement
contemplated hereby may be reduced; provided, however, that after any such
required reduction the number of Option Shares to be included in such offering
for the account of the Holder shall constitute at least 25% of the total number
of shares to be sold by the Holder and Issuer in the aggregate; and provided
further, however, that if such reduction occurs, then the Issuer shall file a
registration statement for the balance of such shares of Common Stock issuable
7
pursuant to this Option as promptly as practical following such reduction
and no reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock to be sold by the
Holder shall thereafter occur. Each such Holder shall provide all information
reasonably requested by Issuer for inclusion in any registration statement to be
filed hereunder. If requested by any such Holder in connection with such
registration, Issuer shall become a party to any underwriting agreement relating
to the sale of such shares, but only to the extent of obligating itself in
respect of representations, warranties, indemnities and other agreements
customarily included in secondary offering underwriting agreements for the
Issuer. Upon receiving any request under this Section 6 from any Holder, Issuer
agrees to send a copy thereof to any other person known to Issuer to be entitled
to registration rights under this Section 6, in each case by promptly mailing
the same, postage prepaid, to the address of record of the persons entitled to
receive such copies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
in no event shall Issuer be obligated to effect more than two registrations
pursuant to this Section 6 by reason of the fact that there shall be more than
one Holder as a result of any assignment or division of this Agreement.
7. Repurchase of Option and/or Option Shares. (a) At any time after
the occurrence of a Repurchase Event (as defined below), (i) following a request
of the Holder, given prior to an Exercise Termination Event (or such later
period as provided in Section 10), Issuer (or any successor thereto) shall
repurchase the Option from the Holder at a price (the "Option Repurchase Price")
equal to (x) the amount by which (A) the Market/Offer Price (as defined below)
exceeds (B) the Option Price, multiplied by the number of shares for which this
Option may then be exercised plus (y) Grantee's reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses (to the extent not previously reimbursed) and (ii) at the request of
the owner of Option Shares from time to time (the "Owner"), delivered prior to
an Exercise Termination Event (or such later period as provided in Section 10),
Issuer shall repurchase such number of the Option Shares from the Owner as the
Owner shall designate at a price (the "Option Share Repurchase Price") equal to
(x) the Market/Offer Price multiplied by the number of Option Shares so
designated plus (y) Grantee's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (to the extent
not previously reimbursed). The term "Market/Offer Price" shall mean the
greatest of (i) the price per share of Common Stock at which a tender offer or
exchange offer therefor has been made, (ii) the price per share of Common Stock
to be paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement with Issuer, (iii) the
highest closing price per share of Common Stock within the six-month period
immediately preceding the date on which the Holder gives notice of the required
repurchase of this Option or the Owner gives notice of the required repurchase
of Option Shares, as the case may be, or (iv) in the event of a sale of all or a
substantial portion of Issuer's assets, the sum of the price paid in such sale
for such assets and the current market value of the remaining assets of Issuer
as determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm mutually
selected by the Holder or the Owner, as the case may be, on the one hand, and
the Issuer, on the other, divided by the number of shares of Common Stock of
Issuer outstanding at the time of such sale. In determining the Market/Offer
Price, the value of consideration other than cash shall be determined by a
nationally recognized investment banking firm mutually selected by the Holder or
Owner, as the case may be, on the one hand, and the Issuer, on the other.
(b) Following a Repurchase Event, the Holder or the Owner, as the
case may be, may exercise its right to require Issuer to repurchase the Option
and any Option Shares pursuant to this Section 7 by surrendering for such
purpose to Issuer, at its principal office, a copy of this
8
Agreement or certificates for Option Shares, as applicable, accompanied by
a written notice or notices stating that the Holder or the Owner, as the case
may be, elects to require Issuer to repurchase this Option and/or the Option
Shares, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.
Prior to the later of (x) the date that is five business days after the
surrender of the Option and/or certificates representing Option Shares and the
receipt of such notice or notices relating thereto and (y) the day on which a
Repurchase Event occurs, Issuer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the
Holder the Option Repurchase Price and/or to the Owner the Option Share
Repurchase Price or the portion thereof that Issuer is not then prohibited under
applicable law and regulation from so delivering.
(c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation from repurchasing the Option and/or the Option Shares in full, Issuer
shall immediately so notify the Holder and/or the Owner and thereafter shall
deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to the Holder and/or the
Owner, as appropriate, that portion of the Option Repurchase Price and the
Option Share Repurchase Price, respectively, that it is no longer prohibited
from delivering, in each case within five business days after the date on which
Issuer is no longer so prohibited; provided, however, that if Issuer at any time
after delivery of a notice of repurchase delivered by the Holder or the Owner
pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 7 is prohibited under applicable law
or regulation from delivering to the Holder and/or the Owner, as the case may
be, the Option Repurchase Price or the Option Share Repurchase Price,
respectively, in full (and Issuer hereby undertakes to use its best efforts to
obtain all required regulatory and legal approvals and to file any required
notices as promptly as practicable in order to accomplish such repurchase), the
Holder or Owner may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Option or the Option
Shares either in whole or to the extent of the prohibition, whereupon, in the
latter case, Issuer shall promptly (i) deliver to the Holder and/or the Owner,
as appropriate, that portion of the Option Repurchase Price or the Option Share
Repurchase Price that Issuer is not prohibited from delivering; and (ii)
deliver, as appropriate, either (A) to the Holder, a new Stock Option Agreement
evidencing the right of the Holder to purchase that number of shares of Common
Stock obtained by multiplying the number of shares of Common Stock for which the
surrendered Stock Option Agreement was exercisable at the time of delivery of
the notice of repurchase by a fraction, the numerator of which is the Option
Repurchase Price less the portion thereof theretofore delivered to the Holder
and the denominator of which is the Option Repurchase Price, or (B) to the
Owner, a certificate for the Option Shares it is then so prohibited from
repurchasing.
(d) For purposes of this Section 7, a Repurchase Event shall be
deemed to have occurred (i) upon the consummation of any merger, consolidation
or similar transaction involving Issuer or any purchase, lease or other
acquisition of all or a substantial portion of the assets of Issuer, other than
any such transaction which would not constitute an Acquisition Transaction
pursuant to the provisos to Section 2(b)(i) hereof or (ii) upon the acquisition
by any person of beneficial ownership of 50% or more of the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock; provided that no such event shall constitute a
Repurchase Event unless a Subsequent Triggering Event shall have occurred prior
to an Exercise Termination Event. The parties hereto agree that Issuer's
obligations to repurchase the Option or Option Shares under this Section 7 shall
not terminate upon the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event unless no
Subsequent Triggering Event shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an
Exercise Termination Event.
9
8. Substitute Option. (a) In the event that prior to an Exercise
Termination Event, Issuer shall enter into an agreement (i) to consolidate with
or merge into any person, other than Grantee or one of its Subsidiaries, and
shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or
merger, (ii) to permit any person, other than Grantee or one of its
Subsidiaries, to merge into Issuer and Issuer shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation, but, in connection with such merger, the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other
securities of any other person or cash or any other property or the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock shall after such merger represent less than
50% of the outstanding voting shares and voting share equivalents of the merged
company, or (iii) to sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its
assets to any person, other than Grantee or one of its Subsidiaries, then, and
in each such case, the agreement governing such transaction shall make proper
provision so that the Option shall, upon the consummation of any such
transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth herein, be converted
into, or exchanged for, an option (the "Substitute Option"), at the election of
the Holder, of either (x) the Acquiring Corporation (as defined below) or (y)
any person that controls the Acquiring Corporation.
(b) The following terms have the meanings indicated:
(1) "Acquiring Corporation" shall mean (i) the continuing or
surviving corporation of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if other than
Issuer), (ii) Issuer in a merger in which Issuer is the continuing, surviving or
acquiring person, and (iii) the transferee of all or substantially all of
Issuer's assets.
(2) "Substitute Common Stock" shall mean the common stock (or
similar equity interest) issued by the issuer of the Substitute Option upon
exercise of the Substitute Option.
(3) "Assigned Value" shall mean the Market/Offer Price, as
defined in Section 7.
(4) "Average Price" shall mean the average closing price of a share of
the Substitute Common Stock for the one year immediately preceding the
consolidation, merger or sale in question but in no event higher than the
closing price of the shares of Substitute Common Stock on the day preceding such
consolidation, merger or sale; provided that if Issuer is the issuer of the
Substitute Option, the Average Price shall be computed with respect to a share
of common stock issued by the person merging into Issuer or by any company which
controls or is controlled by such person, as the Holder may elect.
(c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option;
provided, that if the terms of the Substitute Option may not, for legal reasons,
be the same as the Option, such terms shall be as similar as possible to the
terms of the Option and in no event less advantageous to the Holder. The issuer
of the Substitute Option shall also enter into an agreement with the then Holder
or Holders of the Substitute Option in substantially the same form as this
Agreement, which shall be applicable to the Substitute Option.
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(d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of
shares of Substitute Common Stock as is equal to the Assigned Value multiplied
by the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is then
exercisable, divided by the Average Price. The exercise price of the Substitute
Option per share of Substitute Common Stock shall then be equal to the Option
Price multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of
shares of Common Stock for which the Option is then exercisable and the
denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common Stock
for which the Substitute Option is exercisable.
(e) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs, shall
the Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the shares of
Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the Substitute Option.
In the event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable for more than 19.9%
of the shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise but for
this clause (e), the issuer of the Substitute Option (the "Substitute Option
Issuer") shall make a cash payment to Holder equal to the excess of (i) the
value of the Substitute Option without giving effect to the limitation in this
clause (e) over (ii) the value of the Substitute Option after giving effect to
the limitation in this clause (e). This difference in value shall be determined
by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder or the
Owner, as the case may be.
(f) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in
subsection (a) of this Section 8 unless the Acquiring Corporation and any person
that controls the Acquiring Corporation assume in writing all the obligations of
Issuer hereunder.
9. Repurchase of Substitute Option. (a) At the request of the holder
of the Substitute Option (the "Substitute Option Holder"), the Substitute Option
Issuer shall repurchase the Substitute Option from the Substitute Option Holder
at a price (the "Substitute Option Repurchase Price") equal to the sum of (x)
the amount by which (i) the Highest Closing Price (as defined below) exceeds
(ii) the exercise price of the Substitute Option, multiplied by the number of
shares of Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option may then be
exercised (y) Grantee's reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (to the extent not
previously reimbursed), and at the request of the owner (the "Substitute Share
Owner") of shares of Substitute Common Stock (the "Substitute Shares"), the
Substitute Option Issuer shall repurchase the Substitute Shares at a price (the
"Substitute Share Repurchase Price") equal to (x) the Highest Closing Price
multiplied by the number of Substitute Shares so designated plus (y) Grantee's
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (to the extent not previously reimbursed). The
term "Highest Closing Price" shall mean the highest closing price for shares of
Substitute Common Stock within the six-month period immediately preceding the
date the Substitute Option Holder gives notice of the required repurchase of the
Substitute Option or the Substitute Share Owner gives notice of the required
repurchase of the Substitute Shares, as applicable.
(b) The Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share Owner, as
the case may be, may exercise its respective right to require the Substitute
Option Issuer to repurchase the Substitute Option or the Substitute Shares, as
the case may be, pursuant to this Section 9 by surrendering for such purpose to
the Substitute Option Issuer, at its principal executive office, the agreement
for such Substitute Option (or, in the absence of such an agreement, a copy of
this Agreement) and certificates for Substitute Shares accompanied by a written
notice or notices
11
stating that the Substitute Option Holder or the Substitute Share Owner, as
case may be, elects to require the Substitute Option Issuer to repurchase the
Substitute Option and/or the Substitute Shares, as the case may be, in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 9. As promptly as practicable,
and in any event within five business days after the surrender of the Substitute
Option and/or certificates representing Substitute Shares and the receipt of
such notice or notices delivered pursuant to this subsection (b) of this Section
9 relating thereto, the Substitute Option Issuer shall deliver or cause to be
delivered to the Substitute Option Holder the Substitute Option Repurchase Price
and/or to the Substitute Share Owner the Substitute Share Repurchase Price or,
in either case, the portion thereof which the Substitute Option Issuer is not
then prohibited under applicable law and regulation from so delivering.
(c) To the extent that the Substitute Option Issuer is prohibited
under applicable law or regulation from repurchasing the Substitute Option
and/or the Substitute Shares in part or in full, the Substitute Option Issuer,
following a request for repurchase pursuant to this Section 9, shall immediately
so notify the Substitute Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner and
shall thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to the
Substitute Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, that
portion of the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively, which it is no
longer prohibited from delivering, in each case, within five business days after
the date on which the Substitute Option Issuer is no longer so prohibited;
provided, however, that if the Substitute Option Issuer at any time after
delivery of a notice of repurchase delivered by the Substitute Share Owner or
Substitute Option Holder pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section 9 is
prohibited under applicable law or regulation from delivering to the Substitute
Option Holder and/or the Substitute Share Owner, as appropriate, the Substitute
Option Repurchase Price and the Substitute Share Repurchase Price, respectively,
in full (and the Substitute Option Issuer shall use its best efforts to receive
all required regulatory and legal approvals as promptly as practicable in order
to accomplish such repurchase), the Substitute Option Holder or Substitute Share
Owner may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Substitute Option or the
Substitute Shares either in whole or to the extent of the prohibition,
whereupon, in the latter case, the Substitute Option Issuer shall promptly (i)
deliver to the Substitute Option Holder or Substitute Share Owner, as
appropriate, that portion of the Substitute Option Repurchase Price or the
Substitute Share Repurchase Price that the Substitute Option Issuer is not
prohibited from delivering; and (ii) deliver, as appropriate, either (A) to the
Substitute Option Holder, a new Substitute Option evidencing the right of the
Substitute Option Holder to purchase that number of shares of the Substitute
Common Stock obtained by multiplying the number of shares of the Substitute
Common Stock for which the surrendered Substitute Option was exercisable at the
time of delivery of the notice of repurchase by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price less the portion thereof
theretofore delivered to the Substitute Option Holder and the denominator of
which is the Substitute Option Repurchase Price, or (B) to the Substitute Share
Owner, a certificate for the Substitute Common Shares it is then so prohibited
from repurchasing.
10. Extension. The period for exercise of certain rights under
Sections 2, 6, 7 and 13 shall be extended: (i) to the extent necessary to obtain
all regulatory approvals for the exercise of such rights, and for the expiration
of all statutory waiting periods; and (ii) to the extent necessary to avoid
liability under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act by reason of such exercise.
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11. Representations and Warranties of Issuer. Issuer hereby
represents and warrants to Grantee as follows:
(a) Issuer has full corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the
Board of Directors of Issuer and no other corporate proceedings on the part of
Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the
transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by Issuer.
(b) Issuer has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize and
reserve and to permit it to issue, and at all times from the date hereof through
the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms will have
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Option, that number of shares of
Common Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock at any time
and from time to time issuable hereunder, and all such shares, upon issuance
pursuant hereto, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid,
nonassessable, and will be delivered free and clear of all claims, liens,
encumbrances and security interests and will not be subject to any preemptive
rights.
(c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does
not or will not, and the consummation by Issuer of any of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not, constitute or result in (i) a breach or violation
of or a default under, its articles or certificate of incorporation or by-laws,
or the comparable governing instruments of any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) a
breach or violation of or a default under, any agreement, lease, contract, note,
mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation of it or any of its
subsidiaries (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both)
or under any law, rule, ordinance or regulation or judgment, decree, order,
award or governmental or non-governmental permit or license to which it or any
of its subsidiaries is subject.
(d) To the best of Issuer's knowledge neither Section 912 of the
Business Corporation Law of the State of New York nor any other "fair price",
"moratorium", "control share acquisition" or other similar anti-takeover statute
or regulation enacted under state or federal laws in the United States
applicable to the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is applicable to this
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(e) The Board of Directors of the Issuer has approved an amendment
(substantially in the form provided to Grantee) to the Amended and Restated
Rights Agreement, dated February 22, 1988, and as amended November 26, 1997,
between the Company and Xxxxxx Trust and Savings Bank to the effect that none of
Grantee nor Merger Sub (as defined in the Merger Agreement) nor any of their
respective affiliates shall become an "Acquiring Person", and that no "Shares
Acquisition Date" or "Distribution Date" (as such terms are defined in the
Rights Plan) will occur as a result of the approval, execution or delivery of
this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
12. Representations and Warranties of Grantee. Grantee hereby
represents and warrants to Issuer that:
13
(a) Grantee has all requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into this Agreement and, subject to any approvals or consents referred to
herein, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part
of Grantee. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Grantee.
(b) The Option is not being, and any shares of Common Stock or other
securities acquired by Grantee upon exercise of the Option will not be, acquired
with a view to the public distribution thereof and will not be transferred or
otherwise disposed of except in a transaction registered or exempt from
registration under the Securities Act.
13. Assignment. Neither of the parties hereto may assign any of its
rights or obligations under this Agreement or the Option created hereunder to
any other person, without the express written consent of the other party, except
that in the event a Subsequent Triggering Event shall have occurred prior to an
Exercise Termination Event, Grantee, subject to the express provisions hereof,
may assign in whole or in part its rights and obligations hereunder within 90
days following such Subsequent Triggering Event (or such later period as
provided in Section 10); provided, however, that until the date 15 days
following the date on which the Federal Reserve Board approves an application by
Grantee under the BHCA to acquire the shares of Common Stock subject to the
Option, Grantee may not assign its rights under the Option except in (i) a
widely dispersed public distribution, (ii) a private placement in which no one
party acquires the right to purchase in excess of 2% of the voting shares of
Issuer, (iii) an assignment to a single party (e.g., a broker or investment
banker) for the purpose of conducting a widely dispersed public distribution on
Grantee's behalf, or (iv) any other manner approved by the Federal Reserve
Board.
14. Notional Total Profit. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement, this Option may not be exercised for a number of shares as
would, as of the date of exercise, result in a Notional Total Profit (as defined
below) of more than $500 million; provided that nothing in this sentence shall
restrict any exercise of the Option permitted hereby on any subsequent date.
(b) As used herein, the term "Notional Total Profit" with respect to
any number of shares as to which Grantee may propose to exercise this Option
shall be the Total Profit determined as of the date of such proposed exercise
assuming that this Option were exercised on such date for such number of shares
and assuming that such shares, together with all other Option Shares held by
Grantee and its affiliates as of such date, were sold for cash at the closing
market price for the Common Stock as of the close of business on the preceding
trading day (less customary brokerage commissions).
(c) As used herein, the term "Total Profit" shall mean the aggregate
amount (before taxes) of the following: (i) the amount received by Grantee
pursuant to Issuer's repurchase of the Option (or any portion thereof) pursuant
to Section 7, (ii) (x) the amount received by Grantee pursuant to Issuer's
repurchase of Option Shares pursuant to Section 7, less (y) the Grantee's
purchase price for such Option Shares, (iii) (x) the net cash amounts
14
received by Grantee pursuant to the sale of Option Shares (or any other
securities into which such Option Shares are converted or exchanged) to any
unaffiliated party, less (y) the Grantee's purchase price of such Option Shares,
(iv) any amounts received by Grantee on the transfer of the Option (or any
portion thereof) to any unaffiliated party, and (v) any amount equivalent to the
foregoing with respect to the Substitute Option.
15. Surrender. (a) Grantee may, at any time following a Repurchase
Event and prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (or such
later period as provided in Section 10), relinquish the Option (together with
any Option Shares issued to and then owned by Grantee) to Issuer in exchange for
a cash fee equal to the Surrender Price (as defined below); provided, however,
that Grantee may not exercise its rights pursuant to this Section 15 if Issuer
has repurchased the Option (or any portion thereof) or any Option Shares
pursuant to Section 7. The "Surrender Price" shall be equal to $350 million (i)
plus, if applicable, Grantee's purchase price with respect to any Option Shares
and (ii) minus, if applicable, the excess of (B) the net cash amounts, if any,
received by Grantee pursuant to the arms' length sale of Option Shares (or any
other securities into which such Option Shares were converted or exchanged) to
any unaffiliated party, over (B) Grantee's purchase price of such Option Shares.
(b) Grantee may exercise its right to relinquish the Option and any
Option Shares pursuant to this Section 15 by surrendering to Issuer, at its
principal office, a copy of this Agreement together with certificates for Option
Shares, if any, accompanied by a written notice stating (i) that Grantee elects
to relinquish the Option and Option Shares, if any, in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 15 and (ii) the Surrender Price. The Surrender Price
shall be payable in immediately available funds on or before the second business
day following receipt of such notice by Issuer.
(c) To the extent that Issuer is prohibited under applicable law or
regulation, or as a consequence of administrative policy, from paying the
Surrender Price to Grantee in full, Issuer shall immediately so notify Grantee
and thereafter deliver or cause to be delivered, from time to time, to Grantee,
the portion of the Surrender Price that it is no longer prohibited from paying,
within five business days after the date on which Issuer is no longer so
prohibited; provided, however, that if Issuer at any time after delivery of a
notice of surrender pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 15 is prohibited
under applicable law or regulation, or as a consequence of administrative
policy, from paying to Grantee the Surrender Price in full, (i) Issuer shall (A)
use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all required regulatory and legal
approvals and to file any required notices as promptly as practicable in order
to make such payments, (B) within five days of the submission or receipt of any
documents relating to any such regulatory and legal approvals, provide Grantee
with copies of the same, and (c) keep Grantee advised of both the status of any
such request for regulatory and legal approvals, as well as any discussions with
any relevant regulatory or other third party reasonably related to the same and
(ii) Grantee may revoke such notice of surrender by delivery of a notice of
revocation to Issuer and, upon deliver of such notice of revocation, the
Exercise Termination Date shall be extended to a date six months from the date
on which the Exercise Termination Date would have occurred if not for the
provisions of this Section 15(c)
15
(during which period Grantee may exercise any of its rights hereunder,
including any and all rights pursuant to this Section 15).
16. Best Efforts. Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its best
efforts to make all filings with, and to obtain consents of, all third parties
and governmental authorities necessary for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation making application
to list the shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder on the New York Stock
Exchange upon official notice of issuance and applying to the Federal Reserve
Board under the BHCA for approval to acquire the shares issuable hereunder, but
Grantee shall not be obligated to apply to state banking authorities for
approval to acquire the shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder until such
time, if ever, as it deems appropriate to do so.
17. Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge that
damages would be an inadequate remedy for a breach of this Agreement by either
party hereto and that the obligations of the parties hereto shall be enforceable
by either party hereto through injunctive or other equitable relief.
18. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction
contained in this Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state regulatory
agency of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions and covenants and restrictions contained in
this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any reason such court or regulatory
agency determines that the Holder is not permitted to acquire, or Issuer is not
permitted to repurchase pursuant to Section 7, the full number of shares of
Common Stock provided in Section 1(a) hereof (as adjusted pursuant to Section
1(b) or 5 hereof), it is the express intention of Issuer to allow the Holder to
acquire or to require Issuer to repurchase such lesser number of shares as may
be permissible, without any amendment or modification hereof.
19. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered
in person, by cable, telegram, telecopy or telex, or by registered or certified
mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested) at the respective addresses of
the parties set forth in the Merger Agreement or such other address as shall be
provided in writing.
20. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, regardless of the laws
that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws
thereof.
21. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same agreement.
22. Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of
the parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or
on its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder,
including fees and expenses of its own financial consultants, investment
bankers, accountants and counsel.
16
23. Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein
or in the Merger Agreement, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between
the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and
supersedes all prior arrangements or understandings with respect thereof,
written or oral. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective
successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, is intended to confer upon any party, other than the parties hereto,
and their respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies, obligations
or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly
provided herein.
24. Captions; Capitalized Terms. The section and paragraph captions
herein are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this
Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the
provisions hereof. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Merger Agreement.
17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to
be executed on its behalf by its officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of
the date first above written.
DEUTSCHE BANK AG
By:/s/ Xxxx-X. Xxxxxx
Name:Xxxx-X. Xxxxxx
Title:
By:/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Name:Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title:
BANKERS TRUST CORPORATION
By:Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Name:Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
