Exhibit (4) (a)
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DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMONG
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
FIFTH THIRD BANK,
as Depositary
and the Holders from time to time of
the Depository Receipts described herein
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Dated as of _________ ___, _____
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I
Definitions
Section 1.1. Definitions.............................................................................1
ARTICLE II
FORM OF RECEIPTS; DEPOSIT OF STOCK; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER, SURRENDER AND REDEMPTION
OF RECEIPTS
Section 2.1 [Book-Entry Form;] Form and Transfer of Receipts........................................2
Section 2.2. Deposit of Stock; Execution and Delivery of Receipts in Respect Thereof.................5
Section 2.3. Redemption of Stock.....................................................................6
Section 2.4. Registration of Transfer of Receipts....................................................7
Section 2.5. Split-Ups and Combinations of Receipts; Surrender of Receipts and
Withdrawal of Stock.....................................................................7
Section 2.6. Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, Surrender and
Exchange of Receipts....................................................................9
Section 2.7. Lost Receipts, Etc......................................................................9
Section 2.8. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts...................................10
Section 2.9 Interchangeability of Book-Entry Receipts and Receipts in Physical,
Certificated Form......................................................................10
Section 2.__ Stock Purchase Plans...................................................................10
ARTICLE III
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF THE HOLDERS OF RECEIPTS AND THE COMPANY
Section 3.1. Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information......................................11
Section 3.2. Payment of Taxes or Other Governmental Charges.........................................11
Section 3.3. Warranty as to Stock...................................................................11
Section 3.4. Warranty as to Receipts................................................................11
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ARTICLE IV
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES; NOTICES
Section 4.1. Cash Distributions.....................................................................12
Section 4.2. Distributions Other Than Cash..........................................................12
Section 4.3. Subscription Rights, Preferences or Privileges.........................................13
Section 4.4. Notice of Dividends, Etc.; Fixing of Record Date for Holders of
Receipts...............................................................................14
Section 4.5. Voting Rights..........................................................................14
Section 4.6. Changes Affecting Deposited Securities and Reclassifications,
Recapitalizations, Etc.................................................................15
Section 4.7. Inspection of Reports..................................................................15
Section 4.8. List of Receipt Holders................................................................16
ARTICLE V
THE DEPOSITARY, THE DEPOSITARY'S AGENTS, THE REGISTRAR AND THE COMPANY
Section 5.1. Maintenance of Offices, Agencies and Transfer Books by the Depositary;
Registrar..............................................................................16
Section 5.2. Prevention of or Delay in Performance by the Depositary, the
Depositary's Agents, the Registrar or the Company......................................17
Section 5.3. Obligations of the Depositary, the Depositary's Agents, the Registrar
and the Company........................................................................17
Section 5.4. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary: Appointment of Successor
Depositary.............................................................................18
Section 5.5. Corporate Notices and Reports..........................................................19
Section 5.6. Indemnification by the Company.........................................................19
Section 5.7. Charges and Expenses...................................................................19
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Section 6.1. Amendment..............................................................................20
Section 6.2. Termination............................................................................20
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ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1. Counterparts...........................................................................21
Section 7.2. Exclusive Benefit of Parties...........................................................21
Section 7.3. Invalidity of Provisions...............................................................22
Section 7.4. Notices................................................................................22
Section 7.5. Depositary's Agents....................................................................23
Section 7.6. Holders of Receipts Are Parties........................................................23
Section 7.7. Governing Law..........................................................................23
Section 7.8. Inspection of Deposit Agreement........................................................23
Section 7.9. Headings...............................................................................23
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DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of ______ __, ____ among Fifth Third
Bancorp, an Ohio corporation, Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio banking corporation, as
Depositary, and the holders from time to time of the Receipts described herein.
WHEREAS, it is desired to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this
Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of shares of Series __ [__%] Preferred Stock,
no-par value, of Fifth Third Bancorp with the Depositary (as hereinafter
defined) for the purposes set forth in this Deposit Agreement and for the
issuance hereunder of Receipts (as hereinafter defined) by the Depositary
evidencing Depositary Shares in respect of the Stock (as hereinafter defined) so
deposited;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein and
such other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1. Definitions.
The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise
indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement and the
Receipts:
"Amendment" shall mean the articles of amendment to the Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, of the Company filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Ohio establishing the Stock as a series of preferred stock of the
Company.
"Company" shall mean Fifth Third Bancorp, an Ohio corporation, and its
successors.
"Deposit Agreement" shall mean this Deposit Agreement, as amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.
"Depositary" shall mean Fifth Third Bank, an Ohio banking corporation,
and any successor Depositary hereunder.
"Depositary Shares" shall mean the Depositary Shares, each representing
a one-________ (1/__th) interest in a share of Stock and which shall be
evidenced by Receipts.
"Depositary's Agent" shall mean an agent appointed by the Depositary
pursuant to Section 7.5.
"Depositary's Office" shall mean the principal office of the Depositary
at which at any particular time its depositary business shall be administered.
"Receipt" shall mean one of the depositary receipts, whether in
definitive or temporary form, issued hereunder by the Depositary, each
representing any number of whole Depositary Shares. [If Receipts are to be
issued in Book-Entry Form: If the context so requires, the term "Receipt" shall
be deemed to include the DTC Receipt (as defined in Section 2.1 hereof).]
"record holder" with respect to a Receipt shall mean the individual,
entity or person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the
Depositary or any register of any Registrar maintained for such purpose at a
given time.
"Registrar" shall mean any bank or trust company which shall be
appointed by the Depositary to register ownership and transfers of Receipts as
herein provided and which may include the Depositary.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Stock" shall mean shares of the Company's Series __ [___%] Preferred
Stock, no-par value.
ARTICLE II
FORM OF RECEIPTS; DEPOSIT OF STOCK; EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY, TRANSFER, SURRENDER AND REDEMPTION OF RECEIPTS
[Use bracketed portions only if Receipts are to be issued in Book-Entry Form]
Section 2.1. [Book-Entry Form;] Form and Transfer of Receipts.
(a) [[All] [A portion] of the Receipts shall initially be represented
by one or more global receipts (collectively, the "DTC Receipt") deposited with
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in the name of [Cede & Co.],
a nominee of DTC. The Depositary, or such other entity as is agreed to by DTC,
may hold the DTC Receipt as custodian for DTC. So long as the Receipts are
eligible for book-entry settlement with DTC, except as provided for in Section
2.9 hereof, no person acquiring Depositary Shares traded on any securities
exchange with book-entry settlement through DTC shall receive or be entitled to
receive physical delivery of the Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares.
Ownership of beneficial interests in the DTC Receipt shall be shown on, and the
transfer of such ownership shall be effected through, records maintained by (i)
DTC or its nominee for such DTC Receipt, or (ii) institutions that have accounts
with DTC.]
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(b) [If DTC subsequently ceases to make its book-entry settlement
system available for the Receipts, the Company may instruct the Depositary
regarding making other arrangements for book-entry settlement. In the event that
the Receipts are not eligible for, or it is no longer necessary to have the
Receipts available in, book-entry form, the Depositary shall provide written
instructions to DTC to deliver to the Depositary for cancellation the DTC
Receipt, and the Company shall instruct the Depositary to deliver to the
beneficial owners of the Depositary Shares previously evidenced by the DTC
Receipt definitive receipts in physical form evidencing such Depositary Shares.
Such definitive Receipts shall be in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A with
appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereafter provided.]
(c) The beneficial owners of Depositary Shares shall [, except as
stated above with respect to Depositary Shares in book-entry form represented by
the DTC Receipt,] be entitled to receive Receipts in physical, certificated form
as herein provided.
(d) [The Receipts may be typewritten in the case of the DTC Receipts
and otherwise shall, upon notice by the Company to the Depositary, be definitive
Receipts.] Definitive Receipts shall be engraved or printed or lithographed on
steel-engraved borders and shall be substantially in the form annexed hereto as
Exhibit A, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as
hereinafter provided. [If Receipts are to be issued in Book-Entry Form: The DTC
Receipt shall bear such legend or legends as may be required by DTC in order for
it to accept the Depositary Shares for its book-entry settlement system.]
Pending the preparation of definitive Receipts, the Depositary, upon the written
order of the Company [If shares of Stock may be deposited by holders thereof: or
any holder of Stock, as the case may be,] delivered in compliance with Section
2.2, shall execute and deliver temporary Receipts which shall be printed,
lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise substantially of the tenor
of the definitive Receipts in lieu of which they are issued and with such
appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the
persons executing such Receipts may determine, as evidenced by their execution
of such Receipts. After the preparation of definitive Receipts, the temporary
Receipts shall be exchangeable for definitive Receipts upon surrender of the
temporary Receipts at the Depositary's Office, without charge to the holder.
Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Receipts, the
Depositary shall execute and deliver in exchange therefor definitive Receipts
representing the same number of Depositary Shares as represented by the
surrendered temporary Receipt or Receipts registered in the name (and only the
name) of the holder of the temporary Receipt. Such exchange shall be made at the
Company's expense and without any charge therefor to the holder. Until so
exchanged, the temporary Receipts shall in all respects be entitled to the same
benefits under this Deposit Agreement and with respect to the Stock, as
definitive Receipts.
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(e) Receipts shall be executed by the Depositary by the manual
signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary; provided, that such
signature may be a facsimile if a Registrar for the Receipts (other than the
Depositary) shall have been appointed and such Receipts are countersigned by
manual signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar. No Receipt shall
be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose unless it shall have been executed manually by a duly
authorized officer of the Depositary or, if a Registrar for the Receipts (other
than the Depositary) shall have been appointed, by facsimile signature of a duly
authorized officer of the Depositary and countersigned manually by a duly
authorized officer of such Registrar. The Depositary shall record on its books
each Receipt so signed and delivered as hereinafter provided. Receipts bearing
the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time proper
officers of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall
constitute adequate signatures hereunder, notwithstanding that such individuals
or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the delivery of such
Receipts or did not hold such offices on the date of delivery of such Receipts.
Receipts shall be in denominations of any number of whole Depositary
Shares.
(f) Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text
thereof such legends or recitals or changes not inconsistent with the provisions
of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary and approved by
the Company or required to comply with any applicable law or regulation or with
the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which the Stock, the
Depositary Shares or the Receipts may be listed or to conform with any usage
with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to
which any particular Receipts are subject.
(g) [Subject to any limitations set forth in a Receipt or in this
Deposit Agreement,] Title to Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt which is
properly endorsed, or accompanied by a properly executed instrument of transfer,
shall be transferable by delivery of such Receipt with the same effect as if
such Receipt were a negotiable instrument; provided, however, that until
transfer of a Receipt shall be registered on the books of the Registrar, on
behalf of the Depositary, as provided in Section 2.4, the Depositary may,
notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, treat the record holder as the
absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to
distributions of dividends or other distributions with respect to the Stock[,
the exchange of Depositary Shares for Stock, the right to exchange Receipts
pursuant to Section 2.9] or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement
and for all other purposes.
The Depositary shall not lend any Stock deposited hereunder.
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Section 2.2. Deposit of Stock; Execution and Delivery of Receipts in
Respect Thereof.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the
Company [If shares of Stock may be deposited by holders thereof: or any holder
of Stock] may from time to time deposit shares of Stock with the Depositary
under this Deposit Agreement by delivery to the Depositary of a certificate or
certificates representing the Stock to be deposited. Such certificate or
certificates representing the Stock shall be properly endorsed or accompanied,
if required by the Depositary, by a duly executed instrument of transfer or
endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Depositary, together with all such
certifications as may be required by the Depositary in accordance with the
provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and together with a written order of the
Company [If shares of Stock may be deposited by holders thereof: or such holder,
as the case may be,] directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon
the written order of, the person or persons named in such order, a Receipt or
Receipts evidencing in the aggregate the number of Depositary Shares
representing such deposited Stock.
(b) All Stock deposited by the Company [If shares of Stock may be
deposited by holders thereof: or any holder of Stock, as the case may be,] with
the Depositary shall be held by the Depositary at the Depositary's Office or at
such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine.
(c) Upon receipt by the Depositary of a certificate or certificates
representing Stock deposited, with the Depositary by the Company [If shares of
Stock may be deposited by holders thereof: or any holder of Stock, as the case
may be,] in accordance with the provisions of this Section, together with the
other documents required as above specified, and upon recordation of the Stock
so deposited on the books of the Company in the name of the Depositary, the
Depositary shall execute and deliver, to the person or persons named in the
written order delivered to the Depositary, a Receipt or Receipts, evidencing in
the aggregate the number of Depositary Shares relating to the Stock so
deposited. Such Receipt or Receipts shall be registered by the Depositary or the
Registrar in such name or names as may be requested by the person or persons
named in the written order. The Depositary shall execute and deliver such
Receipts at the Depositary's Office or such other offices, if any, as such
person may designate. Delivery at other offices shall be at the risk and expense
of the person requesting such delivery. [If Receipts are to be issued in
Book-Entry Form: The DTC Receipt shall provide that it shall evidence the
aggregate amount of Depositary Shares from time to time indicated in the records
of the Depositary and that the aggregate amount of Depositary Shares evidenced
thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased by making adjustments on
such records of the Depositary.]
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(d) Other than in the case of splits, combinations or other
reclassifications affecting the Stock, or in the case of dividends or other
distributions of Stock, if any, there shall be deposited with the Depositary
hereunder not more than ______ shares of Stock.
Section 2.3. Redemption of Stock.
(a) Whenever the Company shall elect to redeem shares of Stock in
accordance with the provisions of the Amendment, it shall (unless otherwise
agreed in writing with the Depositary) mail notice to the Depositary of such
redemption, by first class mail, postage prepaid, not less than 40 nor more than
70 days prior to the date fixed for the redemption of Stock in accordance with
the provisions of the Amendment. On the date of such redemption, provided that
the Company shall then have paid in full to the Depositary the redemption price
required pursuant to the Amendment relating to the Stock to be redeemed, the
Depositary shall redeem the Depositary Shares relating to such Stock. The
Depositary shall mail notice of such redemption, and the simultaneous redemption
of the number of Depositary Shares relating to the Stock to be redeemed, by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 and not more than 60 days
prior to the date fixed for redemption of such Stock and Depositary Shares (the
"Redemption Date"), to the record holders of the Receipts evidencing the
Depositary Shares to be so redeemed on the record date fixed pursuant to Section
4.4 hereof, at the addresses of such holders as they appear on the records of
the Depositary; provided, however, that neither failure to mail any such notice
to one or more such holders nor any defect in any notice or in the mailing
thereof to one or more such holders shall affect the validity of the proceedings
for redemption of any Depositary Shares as to other holders. Each such notice of
redemption shall state: (i) the Redemption Date; (ii) the number of Depositary
Shares to be redeemed and, if less than all the Depositary Shares held by any
such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such Depositary Shares held by
such holder to be so redeemed and the method by which the Depositary Shares will
be chosen for redemption; (iii) the redemption price (including cumulative
dividends to the Redemption Date); (iv) the place or places where Receipts
evidencing Depositary Shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption
price; (v) that dividends in respect of the Stock to be redeemed, which are
represented by the Depositary Shares to be redeemed, will cease to accrue at the
close of business on such Redemption Date and (vi) if a date other than the
Redemption Date, the date from and after which the Stock and Depositary Shares
shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding. In case less than all the
outstanding Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be so
redeemed shall be selected by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the
Company.
(b) Notice having been mailed by the Depositary as aforesaid, from and
after (a) the Redemption Date (unless the Company shall have failed to redeem
the shares of Stock to be redeemed by it as set forth in the Company's notice
provided for in the preceding paragraph), or (b) such earlier date (if
applicable) upon which the Company
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deposits the Redemption Price with the paying agent for the holders of the Stock
(regardless of whether such shares are actually surrendered for cancellation),
all dividends in respect of the shares of Stock so called for redemption shall
cease to accrue, the Depositary Shares being redeemed from such proceeds shall
be deemed no longer to be outstanding, all rights of the holders of Receipts
evidencing such Depositary Shares (except the right to receive the redemption
price) shall, to the extent of such Depositary Shares, cease and terminate and,
upon surrender in accordance with such notice of the Receipts evidencing any
such Depositary Shares called for redemption (properly endorsed or assigned for
transfer, if the Depositary shall so require), such Depositary Shares shall be
redeemed by the Depositary at a redemption price per Depositary Share equal to
1/__th of the redemption price per share paid in respect of the shares of Stock
plus all money and other property, if any, underlying such Depositary Shares,
including all amounts paid by the Company in respect of dividends which on the
Redemption Date have accrued on the shares of Stock to be so redeemed and have
not theretofore been paid.
(c) If less than all the Depositary Shares evidenced by a Receipt are
called for redemption, the Depositary will deliver to the holder of such Receipt
upon its surrender to the Depositary, together with the payment of the
redemption price, a new Receipt evidencing such number of Depositary Shares as
were evidenced by such prior Receipt and not called for redemption; provided,
however, that such replacement Receipt shall be issued only in denominations of
whole Depositary Shares and cash will be payable in respect of fractional
interests.
Section 2.4. Registration of Transfer of Receipts. Subject to the terms
and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Registrar, on behalf of the
Depositary, shall register on its books transfers of Receipts from time to time
upon notice to the Registrar by the Depositary of the surrender of a Receipt for
transfer by the holder in person or by duly authorized attorney, which Receipt
in each case must be properly endorsed or accompanied by a properly executed
instrument of transfer. Upon surrender of a properly endorsed Receipt or Receipt
accompanied by an instrument of transfer, the Depositary shall execute a new
Receipt or Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of Depositary Shares as
those evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered and deliver such new
Receipt or Receipts to or upon the order of the transferee named in the
endorsement or instrument of transfer.
Section 2.5. Split-Ups and Combinations of Receipts; Surrender of
Receipts and Withdrawal of Stock.
(a) Upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts at the Depositary's Office
or at such other offices as it may designate for the purpose of effecting a
split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, the Depositary shall
execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts to the holder thereof or to such
holder's order in the denominations requested, evidencing the aggregate number
of Depositary Shares
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evidenced by the Receipt or Receipts surrendered. The Depositary shall give
prompt notice of such action and the certificate numbers to the Registrar for
the purpose of recording such split-up or consolidation.
(b) Unless the related Depositary Shares have previously been called
for redemption, any holder of a Receipt or Receipts representing any number of
whole shares of Stock (or such holder's duly authorized attorney) may withdraw
the number of whole shares of Stock underlying such Depositary Shares and all
money and other property, if any, represented thereby by surrendering such
Receipt or Receipts at the Depositary's Office or at such other offices as the
Depositary may designate for such withdrawals. [If Receipts are to be issued in
Book-Entry Form: If such holder's Depositary Shares are being held by DTC or its
nominee pursuant to Section 2.1, such holder shall request, in accordance with
Section 2.9, withdrawal from the book-entry system of the number of Depositary
Shares specified in the preceding sentence.] Thereafter, without unreasonable
delay, the Depositary shall deliver to such holder, or to the person or persons
designated by such holder as hereinafter provided, the number of whole shares of
Stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by the Receipt or
Receipts so surrendered for withdrawal, but holders of such whole shares of
Stock will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such Stock hereunder or to
receive Depositary Shares therefor. If the Receipt or Receipts delivered by the
holder to the Depositary in connection with such withdrawal shall evidence in
the aggregate a number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of
Depositary Shares representing the number of whole shares of Stock to be so
withdrawn, the Depositary shall at the same time, in addition to such number of
whole shares of Stock and such money and other property, if any, to be so
withdrawn, deliver to such holder, or (subject to Sections 2.4 and 3.2) upon his
order, a new Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares.
Delivery of the Stock and the money and other property being withdrawn may be
made by the delivery of such certificates, documents of title and other
instruments as the Depositary may deem appropriate.
(c) Stock delivered pursuant to the preceding paragraph may be endorsed
with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legend or recitals or changes
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be
required by the Depositary or required to comply with any applicable law or any
regulation thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities
exchange upon which the Stock may be listed or to conform with any usage with
respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which
any particular shares of Stock are subject.
(d) If the Stock and the money and other property being withdrawn are
to be delivered to a person or persons other than the record holder of the
Receipt or Receipts being surrendered for withdrawal of Stock, such holder shall
execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order so directing the
Depositary and the Depositary may require that the Receipt or Receipts
surrendered by such holder for withdrawal of such shares
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of Stock be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by a properly executed
instrument of transfer in blank.
(e) Delivery of the Stock and the money and other property, if any,
represented by Receipts surrendered for withdrawal shall be made by the
Depositary at the Depositary's Office, except that, at the request, risk and
expense of the holder surrendering such Receipt or Receipts and for the account
of the holder thereof, such delivery may be made at such other place as may be
designated by such holder.
Section 2.6. Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, Surrender
and Exchange of Receipts.
(a) As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery,
registration of transfer, split-up, combination, surrender or exchange of any
Receipt, the Depositary, any of the Depositary's Agents or the Company may
require payment to it of a sum sufficient for the payment (or, in the event that
the Depositary or the Company shall have made such payment, the reimbursement to
it) of any charges or expenses payable by the holder of a Receipt pursuant to
Section 5.7, may require the production of evidence satisfactory to it as to the
identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with
the rules and regulations of any governmental body, any stock exchange or any
applicable self regulatory body, including without limitation, the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or such regulations, if
any, as the Depositary or the Company may establish consistent with the
provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
(b) The [If shares of Stock may be deposited by holders thereof:
deposit of Stock may be refused, the] delivery of Receipts against Stock
deposited with the Depositary may be suspended, the registration of transfer of
Receipts may be refused and the registration of transfer, surrender or exchange
of outstanding Receipts may be suspended (i) during any period when the register
of stockholders of the Company is closed or (ii) if any such action is deemed
necessary by the Depositary, any of the Depositary's Agents or the Company at
any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any
government, governmental body or commission, stock exchange or the NASD or under
any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
Section 2.7. Lost Receipts, Etc. If any mutilated Receipt is
surrendered to the Depositary, the Depositary shall execute and deliver in
exchange therefor a new Receipt of like form and tenor in exchange and
substitution for such mutilated Receipt. In case any Receipt shall be destroyed,
lost or stolen, then, in the absence of notice to the Depositary that such
Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Depositary shall execute
and deliver a Receipt to the holder thereof of like form and tenor in exchange
and substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, upon (i) the filing
by the holder thereof with the Depositary of evidence satisfactory to the
Depositary and the Company of such destruction or loss or theft of such Receipt,
of the
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authenticity thereof and of such holder's ownership thereof and (ii) the
holder's furnishing the Depositary with indemnification satisfactory to such
Depositary and the Company.
Section 2.8. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts. All
Receipts surrendered to the Depositary or any Depositary's Agent shall be
canceled by the Depositary. Except as prohibited by applicable law or
regulation, the Depositary is authorized to destroy all Receipts so canceled.
[If Receipts are to be issued in Book- Entry Form: Any Receipt evidenced in
book-entry form shall be deemed canceled when the Depositary has caused the
amount of Depositary Shares evidenced by the DTC Receipt to be reduced in
proportion to the number of Depositary Shares evidenced by the surrendered
Receipt.]
[If Receipts are to be issued in Book-Entry Form:
Section 2.9. Interchange-ability
of Book-Entry Receipts and Receipts in Physical, Certificated Form.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, upon
receipt by the Depositary of written instructions from a DTC participant on
behalf of any person having a beneficial interest in Depositary Shares evidenced
by the DTC Receipt for the purpose of directing the Depositary to execute and
deliver a Receipt in physical, certificated form evidencing such Depositary
Shares, the Depositary shall follow the procedures set forth in the FAST
Agreement for the purpose of reducing the number of Depositary Shares evidenced
by the DTC Receipt and, following such reduction, shall execute and deliver to
or upon the order of the person or persons named in such order a Receipt or
Receipts registered in the name or names requested by such person and evidencing
in the aggregate the number of Depositary Shares equal to the reduction in the
number evidenced by the DTC Receipt. The Depositary may require in such written
instructions any certification or representations as it shall deem necessary to
comply with applicable law.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, upon
receipt by the Depositary of a Receipt or Receipts in physical, certificated
form, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in
form satisfactory to the Depositary, including any required certifications, and
together with written instructions directing the Depositary to adjust its
records to reflect an increase in the aggregate amount of Depositary Shares
evidenced by the DTC Receipt (including, without limitation, information
regarding the DTC participant account to be credited with such increase), and
upon payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary, the Depositary shall
cancel such Receipt or Receipts in physical, certificated form and shall follow
the procedures set forth in the FAST Agreement for the purpose of reflecting
such increase in the number of Depositary Shares evidenced by the DTC Receipt.]
Section 2.__. Stock Purchase Plans. The Depositary shall take such
action as shall be necessary or appropriate to permit the record holders of the
Depositary Shares
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to participate in any dividend reinvestment or other stock purchase plan
sponsored by the Company that permits the participation by such holders on such
terms and conditions as the Company may determine.
ARTICLE III
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF THE HOLDERS
OF RECEIPTS AND THE COMPANY
Section 3.1. Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any
holder of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file such proof of
residence, or other matters or other information, to obtain such guaranties of
signature, to execute such certificates and to make such customary
representations and warranties consistent with the terms of the Stock as the
Depositary or the Company may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary or the
Company may withhold the delivery, or delay the registration of transfer,
redemption or exchange, of any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or
other distribution or the sale of any rights or of the proceeds thereof until
such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or
such representations and warranties are made.
Section 3.2. Payment of Taxes or Other Governmental Charges. Holders of
Receipts shall be obligated to make payments to the Depositary of certain
charges and expenses as provided in Section 5.7, or provide evidence
satisfactory to the Depositary that such charges and expenses have been paid.
Registration of transfer of any Receipt and delivery of all money or other
property, if any, represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt
may be refused until any such payment due is made, and any dividends, interest
payments or other distributions may be withheld or all or any part of the Stock
or other property represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt
and not theretofore sold may be sold for the account of the holder thereof
(after attempting by reasonable means to notify such holder prior to such sale),
and such dividends, interest payments or other distributions or the proceeds of
any such sale may be applied to any payment of such charges or expenses, the
holder of such Receipt remaining liable for any deficiency.
Section 3.3. Warranty as to Stock. The Company hereby represents and
warrants to the Depositary that the Stock, when issued, will be validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable. Such representation and warranty shall survive the
deposit of the Stock and the issuance of Receipts.
Section 3.4. Warranty as to Receipts. The Depositary hereby represents
and warrants that the Receipts, when issued, will be legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Depositary, enforceable against the Depositary in accordance
with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency,
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moratorium and other laws affecting creditors' rights generally and by general
equity principles. Such representation and warranty shall survive the deposit of
the Stock and the issuance of the Receipts.
ARTICLE IV
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES; NOTICES
Section 4.1. Cash Distributions. Whenever the Depositary shall receive
any cash dividend or other cash distribution with respect to the Stock, the
Depositary shall, subject to Section 3.2, distribute to record holders of
Receipts on the record date fixed pursuant to Section 4.4 the pro rata portion,
as nearly as practicable, of such dividend or distribution applicable to the
number of Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such holders;
provided, however, that in case the Company or the Depositary shall be required
to withhold and shall withhold any monies from any cash dividend or other cash
distribution in respect of the Stock on account of taxes, the distribution in
respect of Depositary Shares shall be reduced accordingly. The Depositary shall
distribute or make available for distribution, as the case may be, only such
amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any holder of
Depositary Shares a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributable
shall be held by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and
shall be added to and be treated as part of the next succeeding distribution to
record holders of Receipts.
Section 4.2. Distributions Other Than Cash. Whenever the Depositary
shall receive any property (including securities) for distribution in a form
other than cash with respect to the Stock, the Depositary shall, subject to
Section 3.2, distribute to record holders of Receipts on the record date fixed
pursuant to Section 4.4 the pro rata portion, as nearly as practicable, of such
property (including securities) received by it applicable to the number of
Depositary Shares evidenced by the Receipts held by such holders, in any manner
that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such
distribution. If in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be
made proportionately among such record holders, or if for any other reason
(including any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount
on account of taxes) the Depositary deems, after consultation with the Company,
such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may, with the approval of
the Company, adopt such method as it deems equitable and practicable for the
purpose of effecting such distribution, including the sale of the property thus
received, or any part thereof. The net proceeds of any such sale shall, subject
to Section 3.2, be distributed or made available for distribution, as the case
may be, by the Depositary to record holders of Receipts in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4.1 for a distribution received in cash. The Depositary
shall have the right, prior to making any distribution of such securities, to
require the Company to provide an opinion of counsel stating that such
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securities have been registered under the Securities Act or do not need to be so
registered.
Section 4.3. Subscription Rights, Preferences or Privileges.
(a) If the Company shall at any time offer or cause to be offered to
the persons in whose names Stock is recorded on the books of the Company any
rights, preferences or privileges to subscribe for or to purchase any securities
or any rights, preferences or privileges of any other nature, such rights,
preferences or privileges shall in each such instance be made available by the
Depositary to the record holders of Receipts, pro rata in proportion to the
Stock represented by such Receipt, in such manner as the Depositary may
determine, either by the issue to such record holders of warrants representing
such rights, preferences or privileges or by such other method as may be
approved by the Depositary in its discretion with the approval of the Company;
provided, however, that (i) if at the time of issue or offer of any such rights,
preferences or privileges the Depositary determines that it is not lawful or
(after consultation with the Company) not feasible to make such rights,
preferences or privileges available to holders of Receipts by the issue of
warrants or otherwise, or (ii) if and to the extent so instructed by holders of
Receipts who do not desire to exercise such rights, preferences or privileges,
then the Depositary, in its discretion (with the approval of the Company, in any
case where the Depositary has determined that it is not feasible to make such
rights, preferences or privileges available), may, if applicable laws or the
terms of such rights, preferences or privileges permit such transfer, sell such
rights, preferences or privileges at public or private sale, at such place or
places and upon such terms as it may deem proper. The net proceeds of any such
sales shall be distributed by the Depositary to the record holders of Receipts
entitled thereto as provided by Section 4.1 in the case of a distribution
received in cash. The Depositary shall have the right, prior to making any
distribution of such rights, preferences or privileges, to require the Company
to provide an opinion of counsel stating that such rights, preferences or
privileges have been registered under the Securities Act or do not need to be so
registered.
(b) If registration under the Securities Act of the securities to which
any rights, preferences or privileges relate is required in order for holders of
Receipts to be offered or sold the securities to which such rights, preferences
or privileges relate, the Company agrees with the Depositary that it will file
promptly a registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act with respect to
such rights, preferences or privileges and securities and use its reasonable
best efforts and take all steps available to it to cause such registration
statement to become effective sufficiently in advance of the expiration of such
rights, preferences or privileges to enable such holders to exercise such
rights, preferences or privileges. In no event shall the Depositary make
available to the holders of Receipts any right, preference or privilege to
subscribe for or to purchase any security unless and until such registration
statement shall have become effective, or
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unless the offering and sale of such securities to holders are exempt from
registration under the Securities Act.
(c) If any other action under the laws of any jurisdiction or any
governmental or administrative authorization, consent or permit is required in
order for such rights, preferences or privileges to be made available to holders
of Receipts, the Company agrees with the Depositary that the Company will use
its reasonable best efforts to take such action or obtain such authorization,
consent or permit sufficiently in advance of the expiration of such rights,
preferences or privileges to enable such holders to exercise such rights,
preferences or privileges.
Section 4.4. Notice of Dividends, Etc.; Fixing of Record Date for
Holders of Receipts. (i) Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution
shall become payable or any distribution of property (including securities)
other than cash shall be made, (ii) if rights, preferences or privileges shall
at any time be offered with respect to Stock, (iii) whenever the Depositary
shall receive notice of (a) any meeting at which holders of Stock are entitled
to vote or of which holders of Stock are entitled to notice, or (b) any election
on the part of the Company to redeem any shares of Stock, or (iv) whenever the
Depositary and the Company shall decide it is appropriate, the Depositary shall,
in each such instance, fix a record date (which shall be the same date as the
record date fixed by the Company with respect to the Stock) for the
determination of the holders of Receipts who shall be entitled hereunder to
receive a distribution in respect of such dividend, distribution, rights,
preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of the sale thereof, or to give
instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or who
should be entitled to receive notice of such meeting or for any other
appropriate reasons.
Section 4.5. Voting Rights. Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at
which the holders of Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary shall, as soon
as practicable thereafter, mail to the record holders of Receipts a notice which
shall contain (i) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting and
(ii) a statement that the holders may, subject to any applicable restrictions,
authorize the Depositary to exercise the voting rights pertaining to the amount
of Stock underlying their respective Depositary Shares (including authority to
give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company) and a brief
statement as to the manner in which such authorization may be given. The
Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted,
in accordance with the authorization referred to above, the votes relating to
the shares of Stock (or portion thereof) underlying the Depositary Shares
evidenced by all Receipts as to which such authorization has been received. The
Company hereby agrees to take all such action as it deems necessary in order to
enable the Depositary to vote such Stock or cause such Stock to be voted. In the
absence of authorization from the holder of a Receipt, the Depositary will
abstain from voting (but, at its discretion, not from appearing at any meeting
with respect to such Stock
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unless directed to the contrary by the holders of all the Receipts) to the
extent of the Stock (or portion thereof) underlying the Depositary Shares
evidenced by such Receipt.
Section 4.6. Changes Affecting Deposited Securities and
Reclassifications, Recapitalizations, Etc.
(a) Upon any change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or
any other reclassification of the Stock, or upon any recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation to which the Company is a
party or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, the
Depositary may with the approval of, and shall upon the instructions of, the
Company, and (in either case) in such manner as to retain as nearly as possible
the percentage ownership interest in Stock of holders of the Receipts
immediately prior to such event, (i) make such adjustments in (a) the fraction
of an interest in one share of Stock underlying one Depositary Share and (b) the
ratio of the redemption price per Depositary Share to the redemption price of a
share of Stock, in each case as it may deem necessary to reflect the effects of
such change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or other
reclassification of Stock, or of such recapitalization, reorganization, merger,
amalgamation or consolidation or sale, and (ii) treat any securities which shall
be received by the Depositary in exchange for or upon conversion of or in
respect of the Stock as new deposited securities so received in exchange for or
upon conversion of or in respect of the Stock. In any such case the Depositary
may in its discretion, with the approval of the Company, execute and deliver
additional Receipts, or may call for surrender of all outstanding Receipts to be
exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new deposited
securities.
(b) Anything to the contrary herein or in the Receipt notwithstanding,
holders of Receipts shall have the right from and after the effective date or
any such change in par or stated value, split-up, combination or other
reclassification of the Stock or any such recapitalization, reorganization,
merger, amalgamation, consolidation or sale, to the extent that holders of Stock
had the right, prior to or on the applicable effective date, to convert,
exchange or surrender shares of Stock into or for other stock, securities,
property or cash, to surrender such Receipts to the Depositary with instructions
to convert, exchange or surrender the Stock represented thereby only into or
for, as the case may be, the kind and amount of shares of stock and other
securities and property and cash into which the Stock represented by such
Receipts has been converted or for which such Stock might have been exchanged or
surrendered immediately prior to the effective date of such transaction.
Section 4.7. Inspection of Reports. The Depositary shall make available
for inspection by holders of Receipts at the Depositary's Office, and at such
other places as it may from time to time deem advisable, any reports and
communications received from the Company which are received by the Depositary as
the holder of Stock.
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Section 4.8. List of Receipt Holders. Promptly, upon request by the
Company, the Depositary shall furnish to it a list, as of a specified date, of
the names and addresses of all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on
the books of the Depositary, and the amount of Stock represented thereby.
ARTICLE V
THE DEPOSITARY, THE DEPOSITARY'S AGENTS,
THE REGISTRAR AND THE COMPANY
Section 5.1. Maintenance of Offices, Agencies and Transfer Books by the
Depositary; Registrar.
(a) Upon execution of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall
maintain, at the Depositary's Office, facilities for the execution and delivery,
registration and registration of transfer, surrender and exchange of Receipts,
and at the offices of the Depositary's Agents, if any, facilities for the
delivery, registration of transfer, surrender and exchange of Receipts, all in
accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
(b) The Depositary shall, with the approval of the Company, appoint a
Registrar for registration of such Receipts or Depositary Shares in accordance
with any requirements of any applicable stock exchange in which the Receipts or
the Depositary Shares may be listed. Such Registrar (which may be the Depositary
if so permitted by the requirements of such exchange) may be removed and a
substitute Registrar appointed by the Depositary upon the request or with the
approval of the Company. If the Receipts, the Depositary Shares or the Stock are
listed on one or more other stock exchanges, the Depositary will, at the request
of the Company, arrange such facilities for the delivery, registration,
registration of transfer, surrender and exchange of such Receipts, such
Depositary Shares or such Stock as may be required by law or applicable stock
exchange regulation.
(c) The Registrar shall maintain books at the Depositary's Office for
the registration and registration of transfer of Receipts or at such other place
as shall be approved by the Company and of which the holders of Receipts shall
have reasonable notice, which books at all reasonable times shall be open for
inspection by the record holders of Receipts; provided, that the exercise of
such right shall be governed by the provisions of Section 1701.37 of the Ohio
General Corporation Law, as amended, or any successor provision thereto,
anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding.
(d) The Depositary may cause the Registrar to close the books with
respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when the register of
stockholders of the Company is closed with respect to the Stock or when such
action is deemed necessary
-16-
or advisable by the Depositary, any Depositary's Agent or the Company because of
any requirement of law or of any government, governmental body or commission,
stock exchange or any applicable self-regulatory body, including, without
limitation, the NASD.
Section 5.2. Prevention of or Delay in Performance by the Depositary,
the Depositary's Agents, the Registrar or the Company. Neither the Depositary
nor any Depositary's Agent nor any Registrar nor the Company shall incur any
liability to any holder of any Receipt if by reason of any provision of any
present or future law, or regulation thereunder, of the United States of America
or of any other governmental authority or, in the case of the Depositary, the
Depositary's Agent or the Registrar, by reason of any provision, present or
future, of the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended (including the
Amendment), or by reason of any act of God or war, the Depositary, the
Depositary's Agent, the Registrar or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden
from doing or performing any act or thing which the terms of this Deposit
Agreement provide shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary, any
Depositary's Agent, any Registrar or the Company incur any liability or be
subject to any obligation (i) by reason of any nonperformance or delay, caused
as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which the terms of this
Deposit Agreement provide shall or may be done or performed, or (ii) by reason
of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this
Deposit Agreement, except in the event of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of the party charged with such exercise or failure to exercise.
Section 5.3. Obligations of the Depositary, the Depositary's Agents,
the Registrar and the Company.
(a) Neither the Depositary nor any Depositary's Agent nor any Registrar
nor the Company assumes any obligation or shall be subject to any liability
under this Deposit Agreement to holders of Receipts other than for its gross
negligence or willful misconduct.
(b) Neither the Depositary nor any Depositary's Agent nor any Registrar
nor the Company shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend
any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of the Stock, the Depositary
Shares or the Receipts which in its opinion may involve it in expense or
liability unless indemnity to such party against all expense and liability be
furnished as often as required.
(c) Neither the Depositary nor any Depositary's Agent nor any Registrar
nor the Company shall be liable to any party hereto for any action or any
failure to act by it in reliance upon the written advice of legal counsel or
accountants, or information from any person presenting Stock for deposit or any
holder of a Receipt. The Depositary, any Depositary's Agent, any Registrar and
the Company may each rely and shall each be protected in acting upon any written
notice, request, direction or other document
-17-
believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the party
or parties specified in this Agreement.
(d) The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry
out any authorization to vote any of the shares of Stock of for the manner or
effect of any such vote made, as long as such action or inaction is in good
faith and does not result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
Depositary. The Depositary undertakes and shall cause any Registrar to
undertake, to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set
forth in this Agreement using its reasonable best efforts and in good faith. The
parties hereto acknowledge that no implied covenants or obligations shall be
read into this Deposit Agreement against the Depositary or any Registrar or
against the Company with respect to the Depositary and any Registrar. The
Depositary will indemnify the Company against any liability which may arise out
of acts performed or omitted by the Depositary or any Depositary's Agent due to
its or their gross negligence or bad faith. The Depositary, any Depositary's
Agent, any Registrar and the Company may own and deal in any class of securities
of the Company and its affiliates and in Receipts subject to the provisions of
applicable law. The Depositary may also act as transfer agent or registrar of
any of the securities of the Company and its affiliates.
Section 5.4. Resignation and Removal of the Depositary: Appointment of
Successor Depositary.
(a) The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by
notice of its election so to do delivered to the Company, such resignation to
take effect upon the appointment of a successor Depositary and its acceptance of
such appointment as hereinafter provided.
(b) The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by notice
of such removal delivered to the Depositary, such removal to take effect upon
the appointment of a successor Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment
as hereinafter provided.
(c) In case the Depositary acting hereunder shall at any time resign or
be removed, the Company shall, within 60 days after the delivery of the notice
of resignation or removal, as the case may be, appoint a successor Depositary,
which shall be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United
States of America and having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$50,000,000. Every successor Depositary shall execute and deliver to its
predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its
appointment hereunder and agreeing to become a party to this Agreement, and
thereupon such successor Depositary, without any further act or deed, shall
become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its
predecessor and for all purposes shall be the Depositary under this Deposit
Agreement, and such predecessor, upon payment of all sums due it and on the
written
-18-
request of the Company, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to
such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder, shall duly
assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest in the Stock and any
monies or property held hereunder to such successor and shall deliver to such
successor a list of the record holders of all outstanding Receipts. Any
successor Depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to the record
holders of Receipts.
(d) Any corporation or other entity into or with which the Depositary
may be merged, consolidated or converted, or to which the Depositary may sell
all or substantially all its assets, shall be the successor of such Depositary
without the execution or filing of any document or any further act. Such
successor Depositary may authenticate the Receipts in the name of the
predecessor Depositary or in the name of the successor Depositary.
Section 5.5. Corporate Notices and Reports. The Company agrees that it
will deliver to the Depositary and the Depositary will, promptly after receipt
thereof, transmit to the record holders of Receipts, in each case at the address
furnished to it pursuant to Section 4.8, all notices and reports (including
without limitation financial statements) required by law, the rules of any
national securities exchange upon which the Stock, the Depositary Shares or the
Receipts are listed or by the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended
(including the Amendment), to be furnished by the Company to holders of Stock.
Such transmission will be at the Company's expense and the Company will provide
the Depositary with such number of copies of such documents as the Depositary
may reasonably request.
Section 5.6. Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall
indemnify the Depositary, any Depositary's Agent and any Registrar against, and
hold each of them harmless from, any loss, liability or expense (including the
reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself) which may arise out of (i)
acts performed or omitted in connection with this Agreement and the Receipts (a)
by the Depositary, any Registrar or any of their respective agents (including
any Depositary's Agent), except for any liability arising out of gross
negligence or willful misconduct on the respective parts of any such person or
persons, or (b) by the Company or any of its agents, or (ii) the offer, sale or
registration of the Receipts or the Stock pursuant to the provisions hereof. The
obligations of the Company set forth in this Section 5.6 shall survive any
succession of any Depositary, Registrar or Depositary's Agent.
Section 5.7. Charges and Expenses.
(a) The Company shall pay all charges of the Depositary in connection
with the initial deposit of the Stock and the initial issuance of the Depositary
Shares, and redemption of the Stock at the option of the Company. All other
transfer and other taxes and governmental charges shall be at the expense of
holders of Depositary Shares. The Depositary may refuse to effect any transfer
of a Receipt or any withdrawal of
-19-
Stock evidenced thereby until all such taxes and charges with respect to such
Receipt or Stock are paid by the holder thereof. If, at the request of a holder
of Receipts, the Depositary incurs charges or expenses for which it is not
otherwise liable hereunder, such holder will be liable for such charges and
expenses.
(b) All other charges and expenses of the Depositary and any
Depositary's Agent hereunder and of any Registrar (including, in each case,
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) incident to the performance of their
respective obligations hereunder will be payable by the Company only after prior
consultation and agreement between the Depositary and the Company and consent by
the Company to the incurrence of such expenses, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. The Depositary shall present any statement for charges
and expenses to the Company promptly, unless the Company shall agree otherwise.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Section 6.1. Amendment. The form of the Receipts and any provisions of
this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by
agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may
deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that no such amendment which
shall materially and adversely alter the rights of the holders of Receipts shall
be effective unless such amendment shall have been approved by the holders of at
least a majority of the Depositary Shares then outstanding. Every holder of an
outstanding Receipt at the time any such amendment becomes effective shall be
deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such
amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no
event shall any amendment impair the right, subject to the provisions of
Sections 2.5 and 2.6 hereof, of any owner of any Depositary Shares to surrender
any Receipt evidencing such Depositary Shares to the Depositary with
instructions to deliver to the holder the Stock and all money and other
property, if any, represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory
provisions of applicable law or the rules and regulations of any governmental
body, agency or commission, the NASD or any applicable stock exchange.
Section 6.2. Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated by the Company or the Depositary
only if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares shall have been redeemed pursuant
to Section 2.3, (ii) all the Stock has been withdrawn pursuant to Section 2.5,
or (iii) there shall have been made a final distribution in respect of the Stock
in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and
such distribution shall have
-20-
been distributed to the holders of Depositary Shares pursuant to Section 4.1 or
4.2, as applicable.
(b) Whenever the Deposit Agreement has been terminated pursuant to
(iii) above, the Depositary will mail notice of such termination to the record
holders of all Depositary Shares then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the
date fixed in that notice for termination of the Deposit Agreement. If any
Depositary Shares remain outstanding after the date of termination, the
Depositary thereafter will discontinue the transfer of Depositary Shares, will
suspend the distribution of dividends to the owners thereof, and will not give
any further notices (other than notice of such termination) or perform any
further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary will
continue (i) to collect dividends on the Stock and any other distributions with
respect thereto, (ii) to deliver or cause to be delivered shares of Stock,
together with such dividends and distributions, or principal and interest, and
the net proceeds of any sales of rights, preferences, privileges or other
property (other than real property) in exchange for Depositary Shares
surrendered. At any time after the expiration of three years from the date of
termination, the Depositary may sell the Stock then held by it at a public or
private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it deems proper and
may thereafter hold the net proceeds of such sale, without liability for
interest, for the pro rata benefit of the owners of the Depositary Shares which
have not theretofore been surrendered. Subject to applicable escheat laws, any
monies set aside by the Company in respect of any payment with respect to the
Stock represented by the Depositary Shares, or dividends thereon, and unclaimed
at the end of three years from the date upon which such payment is due and
payable shall revert to the general funds of the Company, after which reversion
the holders of such Depositary Shares shall look only to the general funds of
the Company for payment thereof.
(c) Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the parties hereto
shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for
their respective obligations under Sections 5.3, 5.6 and 5.7.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1. Counterparts. This Deposit Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, and by each of the parties hereto on separate
counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall
be deemed an original, but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
Section 7.2. Exclusive Benefit of Parties. This Deposit Agreement is
for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective successors
hereunder, and
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shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim to any
other person whatsoever.
Section 7.3. Invalidity of Provisions. In case any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or
become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall
in no way be affected, prejudiced or modified thereby.
Section 7.4. Notices.
(a) Any and all notices to be given to the Company hereunder or under
the Receipts shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if
personally delivered or sent by mail or telegram, telecopy or telex confirmed by
letter, addressed to the Company at Fifth Third Center, 00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000, telephone: (000) 000-0000, telecopy: (___)
___-____, Attention: _________________, or at any other address and to the
attention of any other person of which the Company shall have notified the
Depositary in writing.
(b) Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary hereunder or
under the Receipts shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given if personally delivered or sent by mail or by telegram, telecopy or telex
confirmed by letter, addressed to the Depositary at the Depositary's Office, at
[Address of Depositary], telephone: (___) ___-____, telecopy: (___) ___-____,
Attention: _________________, or at any other address and to the attention of
any other person of which the Depositary shall have notified the Company in
writing.
(c) Any and all notices to be given to any record holder of a Receipt
hereunder or under the Receipts shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or by telegram, telecopy
or telex confirmed by letter, addressed to such record holder at the address of
such record holder as it appears on the books of the Depositary, or if such
holder shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices
intended for such holder be mailed to some other address, at the address
designated in such request.
(d) Delivery of a notice sent by mail or by telegram, telecopy or telex
shall be deemed to be effected at the time when a duly addressed letter
containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a telegram or
telex message) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post office letter box. The
Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any telegram or telecopy
message received by it from the other or from any holder of a Receipt,
notwithstanding that such telegram or telecopy message shall not subsequently be
confirmed by letter or as aforesaid.
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Section 7.5. Depositary's Agents. The Depositary may from time to time
appoint any Depositary's Agent to act in any respect for the Depositary for the
purposes of this Deposit Agreement and may at any time appoint additional
Depositary's Agents and vary or terminate the appointment of such Depositary's
Agents. The Depositary will promptly notify the Company of any such action.
Section 7.6. Holders of Receipts Are Parties. By acceptance of delivery
of the Receipts, any holder of such Receipt from time to time shall be deemed to
have agreed to become a party to this Deposit Agreement and to be bound by all
of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts to the same extent as
though such person executed this Agreement.
Section 7.7. Governing Law. THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT AND THE RECEIPTS AND
ALL RIGHTS HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER AND PROVISIONS HEREOF AND THEREOF SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
(WITHOUT REFERENCE TO APPLICABLE CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS).
Section 7.8. Inspection of Deposit Agreement. Copies of this Deposit
Agreement shall be filed with the Depositary and the Depositary's Agents and
shall be open to inspection during business hours at the Depositary's Office and
the respective offices of the Depositary's agent, if any, by any holder of a
Receipt.
Section 7.9. Headings. The headings of articles and sections in this
Deposit Agreement and in the form of the Receipt set forth in Exhibit A hereto
have been inserted for convenience only and are not to be regarded as a part of
this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts or to have any bearing upon the meaning
or interpretation of any provision contained herein or in the Receipts.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Depositary have duly executed
this Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth, and all holders of
Receipts shall become parties hereto by and upon acceptance by them of delivery
of Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
By:____________________________
Authorized Officer
[NAME OF DEPOSITARY]
By:____________________________
Authorized Officer
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF RECEIPT
TEMPORARY RECEIPT EXCHANGEABLE FOR CERTIFICATE FOR
ENGRAVED RECEIPT WHEN READY FOR ____________________
DELIVERY DEPOSITARY SHARES
CUSIP _____________
TRANSFERABLE
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
This Certificate is transferable in
____________________, ____
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT FOR DEPOSITARY SHARES, EACH DEPOSITARY SHARE REPRESENTING A
_________ INTEREST IN ONE SHARE OF SERIES __ [___%] PREFERRED STOCK
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
An Ohio Corporation
[NAME OF DEPOSITARY], as Depositary (the "Depositary") hereby certifies that
_____________________________ is the registered owner of ___________________
DEPOSITARY SHARES ("Depositary Shares"), each Depositary Share representing a
______ interest in one share of Series __ [___%] Preferred Stock, no par value,
(the "Stock"), of Fifth Third Bancorp, an Ohio corporation (the "Corporation"),
on deposit with the Depositary, subject to the terms and entitled to the
benefits of the Deposit Agreement dated as of ____________ __, ____ (the
"Deposit Agreement"), between the Corporation and the Depositary. By accepting
this Depositary Receipt, the holder hereof becomes a party to and agrees to be
bound by all the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement. This Depositary
Receipt shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose or be entitled to any
benefits under the Deposit Agreement unless it shall have been executed by the
Depositary by the manual signature of a duly authorized officer or, if executed
in facsimile by the Depositary, countersigned by a Registrar in respect of the
Depositary Receipts by a duly authorized officer thereof.
Dated: ____________ __, ____
[NAME OF DEPOSITARY], Depositary
By: _______________________________
Authorized Officer
[[REGISTRAR], Registrar
By: _______________________________
Authorized Officer]
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FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
FIFTH THIRD BANCORP WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO EACH HOLDER OF A RECEIPT WHO
SO REQUESTS A COPY OR SUMMARY OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT AND A COPY OR SUMMARY OF
THE PORTIONS OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION ESTABLISHING THE DESIGNATIONS,
RELATIVE RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS APPLICABLE TO SHARES OF EACH CLASS
AND THE VARIATIONS IN RIGHTS, PREFERENCES AND LIMITATIONS DETERMINED FOR EACH
SERIES (AND THE AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DETERMINE VARIATIONS FOR
FUTURE SERIES) WHICH THE CORPORATION IS AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE, INCLUDING THE
SERIES __ [___%] PREFERRED STOCK. ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO FIFTH
THIRD BANCORP, FIFTH THIRD CENTER, 00 XXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXX, XXXXXXXXXX 00000,
XXXXXXXXX: ______________________
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this
Depositary Receipt, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM - as tenants in common
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - __________ Custodian __________
(Cust) (Minor)
Under Uniform Gift to
Minors Act _________________
(State)
UNIF GIFT MIN ACT - __________ Custodian (until age ____)
(Cust)
__________ under Uniform Transfers
(Minor)
to Minors Act ______________
(Cust)
Additional abbreviations may also be used
though not in the above list.
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