VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT Relating to Shares of
&n bsp; Exhibit 99.4
EXECUTION COPY
Relating to Shares of
REPUBLIC COMPANIES GROUP, INC.THIS VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of August 8, 2005 by and among Banc of America Capital Investors SBIC, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., as voting trustee (together with its successors in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and Republic Companies Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”).
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to record their arrangements with respect to certain shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), of Republic Companies Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, the principal executive offices of which are presently located at 000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1 . Certain Definitions. In this Agreement (a) “BACI” means Banc of America Capital Investors SBIC, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and its successors.
(b) “BACI Affiliate” means any person or entity who is a Control Affiliate, Employee Affiliate or Other Affiliate.
(c) “BACI Parent” means Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association, and its successors.
(d) “BAS” means Banc of America Securities LLC, a Delaware limited liability corporation, and its successors.
(e) “Capital Stock” of any person means any and all shares, interests (including partnership interests), rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such person, but excluding debt securities convertible into such equity.
(f) “Control Affiliate” means any person or entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with, directly or indirectly, BACI.
(g) “Employee Affiliate” means any person employed by (or who is the spouse, relative or relative of a spouse, in each case residing in the home of a person employed by) a Control Affiliate.
(h) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(i) “Excluded Capital Stock” means shares of Capital Stock of the Corporation that BACI or any BACI Affiliate owns (or has the right to acquire within 60 days) that are not subject to this Agreement.
(j) “Holder” means from time to time, any person or entity for whom Shares are held hereunder by the Trustee, as reflected in the records of the Trustee (including BACI and any BACI Affiliate).
(k) “Lockup Agreement” means the agreement between BACI and the Representatives, dated as of July 15, 2005.
(l) “Other Affiliate” means any person or entity which has a substantial business relationship with a Control Affiliate and which is not itself a Control Affiliate.
(m) “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
(n) “Preferred Stock” means the outstanding preferred stock of the Corporation.
(o) “Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement among the Corporation and the investors party thereto, dated as of May 9, 2003, and as amended and restated as of August 8, 2005.
(p) “Representatives” means BAS and X.X. Xxxxxx Securities Inc., as representatives of the several underwriters in the initial public offering of the Common Stock.
(q) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(r) “Share” means a share of Common Stock or a Share Equivalent.
(s) “Share Equivalent” means at any time any security convertible into, exchangeable for, or carrying the right to acquire Common Stock or subscriptions, warrants, options, rights or other arrangements obligating the Corporation to issue or dispose of any shares of Common Stock, regardless of whether such security is convertible, exchangeable or exercisable at such time.
Section 2 . Deposit. (a) BACI hereby duly assigns and delivers or has caused to be duly assigned and delivered to the Trustee to be held pursuant to this Agreement the number of Shares set forth opposite its name on Schedule A attached hereto (the “Initial Deposit”). BACI shall assign and deliver all Shares from time to time owned by BACI such that the Excluded Capital Stock owned by BACI and, subject to Section 2(b) below, BACI Affiliates does not represent nine percent (9%) or more in the aggregate of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Corporation outstanding at such time. Subject to the provisions of Section 2(b) below, BACI shall from time to time deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee all Shares owned by any BACI Affiliate or acquired by any BACI Affiliate such that Excluded Capital Stock owned by BACI and BACI Affiliates does not represent nine percent (9%) or more in the aggregate of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Corporation outstanding at such time.
(b) |
For purposes of determining whether nine percent (9%) or more in the aggregate of the total number of shares of the Voting Stock of the Corporation at any time outstanding are owned by BACI and BACI Affiliates, there shall be excluded, and no deposit of Shares shall be required hereunder as a consequence of, any Shares: |
(i) |
held by BAS or any other Control Affiliate that is registered as a broker-dealer under the Exchange Act, if such shares are held in connection with its normal trading activities as a broker-dealer; provided, however, that BACI Parent shall cause BAS or such other Control Affiliate to agree that it will not vote such shares, |
(ii) |
held by BAS or any other Control Affiliate that is a registered broker-dealer under the Exchange Act, if such shares are held in a syndicate or trading account and were acquired by it in its capacity as an underwriter or placement agent, whether in an offering registered under the Securities Act or otherwise; provided, however, that BACI Parent shall cause BAS or such other Control Affiliate to agree that it will not vote such shares, |
(iii) |
held by BAS for the account of any person other than a Control Affiliate or Employee Affiliate or in the name of a customer account, which customer is a person other than a Control Affiliate or Employee Affiliate; provided, however, that BAS may vote the shares only when instructed by the beneficial owner thereof or as otherwise permitted under the rules of the primary national securities exchange on which the Shares are listed, if any, |
(iv) |
held in an investment advisory account as to which a Control Affiliate is an investment advisor, the assets of which account are not owned by a Control Affiliate, or |
(v) |
held by an Employee Affiliate other than a person holding the position of Managing Director or above (or performing the comparable function) of BAS or any of its subsidiaries or held by an Other Affiliate, unless in either case a contract or other arrangement (other than this Agreement) regarding the voting of such Shares exists between such Employee Affiliate or Other Affiliate and any Control Affiliate. |
(c) |
From time to time after the date hereof, any Holder, BACI or any BACI Affiliate may deposit additional Shares to be held pursuant to this Agreement by assigning and delivering such Shares to the Trustee. |
(d) |
Section 4 . Form. Trust Certificates shall be in substantially the following form (with such modifications as may be appropriate if the applicable Trust Certificate represents Share Equivalents):
“THE TRANSFER OF THIS VOTING TRUST CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THE VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT DATED AS OF AUGUST 8, 2005, A COPY OF WHICH HAS BEEN FILED IN THE REGISTERED OFFICE IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE OF REPUBLIC COMPANIES GROUP, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION (THE “CORPORATION”). SUCH COPY IS OPEN TO INSPECTION DAILY DURING BUSINESS HOURS BY ANY STOCKHOLDER OF THE CORPORATION OR ANY BENEFICIARY OF THE VOTING TRUST CREATED PURSUANT TO SUCH VOTING TRUST AGREEMENT. |
REPUBLIC COMPANIES GROUP, INC.
VOTING TRUST CERTIFICATE
Certificate No. ____ No. of Shares ______This certifies that ____________ (“Holder”) has transferred to the undersigned Trustee or is otherwise the beneficial owner of the above-stated number of voting shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (or shares of Preferred Stock convertible into such number of shares), of Republic Companies Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), to be held by the Trustee pursuant to the terms of the Voting Trust Agreement dated as of August 8, 2005 (the “Voting Trust Agreement”), a copy of which agreement has been delivered to the above-named Holder and filed in the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware. The Holder, or his registered assigns, will be entitled (i) to receive payments equal to any and all cash dividends collected by the Trustee on the above-stated number of shares, (ii) to receive all other dividends or distributions in respect of such shares received by the Trustee except to the extent that property received is required to be deposited in the trust created by the Voting Trust Agreement, and (iii) to the delivery of a certificate or certificates for that number of shares on the termination of the Voting Trust Agreement, in accordance with its provisions. At all times prior to the termination of the Voting Trust, the Trustee has the exclusive right to vote the above-stated number of shares, or give written consent, in person or by proxy, at all meetings of stockholders of the Corporation, and in all proceedings in which the vote or consent, written or otherwise, of the holders of securities of the Corporation may be required or authorized by law. Other than the rights expressly provided to the Trustee pursuant to the preceding sentence, all rights and benefits related to ownership of such shares of Common Stock are vested solely and exclusively in the Holder.
This Voting Trust Certificate is transferable on the books maintained by the Trustee at the principal corporate trust office of the Trustee by the Holder hereof, in person or by duly authorized attorney, and upon surrender hereof; and until so transferred the Trustee may treat the registered Holder hereof as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes.
The Holder, by the acceptance of this Voting Trust Certificate, agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of the Voting Trust Agreement as fully as if its terms were set forth in this Voting Trust Certificate.
EXECUTED as of the __ day of ________, ____. Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee under the Voting Trust Agreement By:Name: Title:
[Form of Assignment for Reverse of Voting TrustCertificate]
For value received, ___________ hereby sells, assigns, and transfers unto ____________ the within Voting Trust Certificate and all rights and interests represented thereby, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _______ attorney to transfer such Voting Trust Certificate on the books of the within-named Trustee with full power of substitution in the premises.
Date: ________________________.
Signed: *."Section 6 . Voting; Powers. (a) At all times prior to the termination of the voting trust created herein, the Trustee shall have the exclusive right to vote the Shares deposited with it hereunder (the “Deposited Shares”), or give written consent, in person or by proxy, at all meetings of stockholders of the Corporation, and in all proceedings in which the vote or consent, written or otherwise, of the holders of Shares may be required or authorized by law.
The Trustee shall vote all Deposited Shares in accordance with this Agreement. The Trustee shall have full power and authority, and it is hereby empowered and authorized, to vote the Deposited Shares, and to do any and all other things and take any and all other actions as fully as any stockholder of the Corporation might do if personally present at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation. To effect the foregoing (and to avoid any potential timing problems that might otherwise be caused if the Trustee were required to wait until all votes are tallied before voting the Deposited Shares), the Trustee may give instructions to the Corporation to the effect that the Deposited Shares are being voted on such matter “as per the majority vote of all other shares actually cast” or “on a pro rata basis proportionate to all other votes actually cast.” The Trustee shall vote all Deposited Shares with the majority vote of all shares, other than the Deposited Shares and Excluded Capital Stock, actually cast on the particular matter, except:
(i) |
with respect to the election of members of the board of directors of the Corporation, the Deposited Shares shall be voted on a pro rata basis proportionate to all other votes actually cast in such election, excluding votes cast by the holders of Excluded Capital Stock; |
(ii) |
with respect to matters subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL requiring approval by a specified percentage of disinterested shareholders, or the equivalent section of any successor statute, the Trustee shall abstain from voting the Deposited Shares; |
(iii) |
with respect to any matters that under current or future Delaware law or under the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Corporation require approval by a supermajority of shareholder votes actually cast, a majority or supermajority of all outstanding shares, or a majority or supermajority of all outstanding shares of a particular class which class includes the Deposited Shares, the Deposited Shares shall be voted on a pro rata basis proportionate to all other votes actually cast, excluding votes cast by the holders of Excluded Capital Stock; and |
(iv) |
with respect to any other matters not covered by (A), (B) or (C) above that under current or future Delaware law require approval by a class of outstanding shares of the Corporation, which class includes the Deposited Shares, the Deposited Shares shall be voted with the majority of all shares of such class, other than Deposited Shares and Excluded Capital Stock actually voted on the particular matter. |
The Trustee shall use its best efforts to ensure that the Deposited Shares are represented at all shareholder meetings of the Corporation such that the Deposited Shares are counted as present for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum at such meeting under the DGCL and the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, provided however that this clause (b) shall not obligate the Trustee to vote on any matter.
Section 9 . Termination. The voting trust created herein and this Agreement shall terminate on the earlier to occur of:
(a) |
The written election of BACI or the Holder(s) of Trust Certificates representing the beneficial interest in fifty percent (50%) or more of the Deposited Shares (notice of which shall be provided to all parties hereto and all other Holders), but only if prior to the time such notice is given: |
(i) |
BACI delivers (or such Holders deliver) to the Trustee and BAS an opinion of independent nationally recognized counsel, satisfactory to BACI, who are experts in matters involving the federal securities law, that, immediately after such termination, neither BACI, a BACI Affiliate nor BAS should be an “affiliate” of the Corporation within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act; and |
(ii) |
The Trustee shall have received a certificate of an officer of BACI to the effect that clause (i) above has been satisfied, together with a copy of the opinion called for thereby; or |
(b) |
the written election of BACI if the Deposited Shares and Excluded Capital Stock then owned by BACI and BACI Affiliates do not represent nine and nine-tenths percent (9.9%) or more in the aggregate of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Corporation outstanding at such time (notice of which shall be provided to all parties hereto and all other Holders); or |
(c) |
transfer of all of the Deposited Shares in accordance with Section 10. |
Subject to BACI’s acceptance of the opinion of counsel described in Section 9(a)(i) above, an election pursuant to Section 9(a) shall be effective upon delivery of notice thereof to the Trustee.
Section 10 . Transfers of Deposited Shares.
(a) |
Except as provided in Sections 9, 11 and 13 and in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 10, certificates (or the equivalent evidence of ownership in the case of Share Equivalents or non-certificated Shares) for Deposited Shares may not be delivered to a Holder, a Holder’s designee or any other person. A Holder may notify the Trustee in writing that the Holder desires to cause a certificate or certificates (or the equivalent evidence of ownership in the case of Share Equivalents) for Deposited Shares in which the Holder has a beneficial interest hereunder to be distributed or transferred to any person, including such Holder, only if such transfer is an Eligible Transfer, which is defined as any transfer meeting the requirements set forth in clause (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) below. Any person that acquires Deposited Shares pursuant to an Eligible Transfer is hereinafter referred to as an “Eligible Transferee.” |
(i) |
Transfer of Deposited Shares to any Control Affiliate or any Employee Affiliate holding the Position of Managing Director or Above. An “Eligible Transfer” for purposes of this clause (i) means any distribution or transfer of Deposited Shares to any Control Affiliate or any Employee Affiliate holding the position of Managing Director or above (or performing the comparable function) of any Control Affiliate (including by way of a distribution by a Holder to its limited partners); provided that either (A) (x) a contract or other arrangement (other than this Agreement) regarding the voting of such Deposited Shares does not exist between any BACI Affiliate or BACI and such transferee and (y) immediately after giving effect to such distribution or transfer, BACI and BACI Affiliates will not own in the aggregate Excluded Capital Stock amounting to nine percent (9%) or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Corporation then outstanding or (B) the Deposited Shares distributed or transferred to such Control Affiliate or Employee Affiliate shall be subject to this Agreement and shall be automatically deposited with the Trustee in accordance with Section 2 hereof. In connection with any distribution or transfer pursuant to this clause (i), BACI shall deliver a certificate of an officer of BACI certifying that, immediately after giving effect to such transfer, the conditions of either clause (i) (A) or (i) (B) are satisfied. |
(ii) |
Transfer of Deposited Shares to any Employee Affiliate not holding the Position of Managing Director or Above. An “Eligible Transfer” for purposes of this clause (a)(ii) means any distribution or transfer of Deposited Shares to any Employee Affiliate not holding the position of Managing Director or above of any Control Affiliate (including by way of a distribution by a Holder to its limited partners); provided that (A) a contract or other arrangement (other than this Agreement) regarding the voting of such Deposited Shares does not exist between any BACI Affiliate or BACI and such transferee and (B) any proposed distribution or transfer will not be an Eligible Transfer if, immediately after giving effect to such distribution or transfer, the proposed distributee or transferee, together with its affiliates, would be an affiliate of the Corporation within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act. In connection with any distribution or transfer pursuant to this clause (a)(ii), BACI shall deliver a certificate of an officer of BACI certifying that, immediately after giving effect to such transfer, the conditions of clause (a)(ii)(A) and (B) are satisfied. |
(iii) |
Transfer of Deposited Shares to Other Affiliates and Third Parties Not Affiliated with BACI. An “Eligible Transfer” for purposes of this clause (a)(iii) means any distribution or transfer of Deposited Shares to any Other Affiliate or any third party not affiliated with BACI (including by way of a distribution by a Holder to its limited partners); provided that (A) a contract or other arrangement (other than this Agreement) regarding the voting of such Deposited Shares does not exist between any BACI Affiliate or BACI and such transferee and (B) any proposed distribution or transfer will not be an Eligible Transfer if, immediately after giving effect to such distribution or transfer, the proposed distributee or transferee, together with its affiliates, would be an affiliate of the Corporation within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act. In connection with any distribution or transfer pursuant to this clause (a)(iii), (x) in the case of a distribution or transfer to an Other Affiliate, BACI shall deliver a certificate of an officer of BACI certifying that, immediately after giving effect to such distribution or transfer, the conditions of clause (a)(iii)(A) and (B) are satisfied and (y) in the case of a distribution or transfer to a third party not affiliated with BACI, BACI or such distributee or transferee shall deliver a certification that, immediately after giving effect to such transfer, such distributee or transferee, together with its affiliates, should not be an affiliate of the Corporation within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act; provided, however, that in the case of any distribution of Deposited Shares under this clause (a)(iii) by any Holder that is a limited partnership (a “Limited Partnership”) to its limited partners so long as the distribution is in proportion to such limited partners’ interests in the Limited Partnership and, the Limited Partnership will be fully divested of dispositive and voting power over such Deposited Shares being distributed after such distribution, BACI shall deliver a certificate of an officer of BACI certifying that, immediately after giving effect to such distribution, each such limited partner, together with its affiliates, should not be an affiliate of the Corporation within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act. |
(iv) |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a tender offer to purchase all the outstanding shares of Common Stock has been made in accordance with Section 14(d) and Regulation 14D of the Exchange Act, then a Holder may notify the Trustee in writing that the Holder desires to cause a certificate or certificates for Deposited Shares in which the Holder has a beneficial interest hereunder to be tendered in such tender offer pursuant to the procedures set forth in the applicable Schedule TO (or any successor form). The Trustee shall tender Deposited Shares in accordance with such Holder’s written instructions; provided that after such Deposited Shares have been tendered and prior to consummation of the tender offer, such Deposited Shares shall remain subject to this Agreement. If the tender offer is not consummated, such tendered Deposited Shares shall be delivered to the Trustee and shall be subject to this Agreement. |
(b) |
The notice delivered pursuant to Section 10(a) shall name such Eligible Transferee and shall state |
(i) |
its mailing address; |
(ii) |
the proposed transfer date (which date shall be not less than two days after the Trustee’s receipt of such notice); |
(iii) |
the number and type of Shares to be transferred; and |
(iv) |
the consideration, if any, to be paid by such Eligible Transferee therefor. |
The notice to the Trustee shall also contain a representation that such distributee or transferee is an Eligible Transferee and shall be accompanied by a Trust Certificate or Certificates of the Holder, duly endorsed for transfer, representing not less than the number of Shares of the type to be transferred to the Eligible Transferee. On the date specified in such notice, and upon receipt by the Trustee from such Eligible Transferee of the specified consideration, if any, the Trustee shall deliver: (i) to the Eligible Transferee, a certificate (or the equivalent evidence of ownership in the case of Share Equivalents) for the number of Shares of the type specified in such notice, registered in the name of the Trustee and duly endorsed for transfer, and (ii) to the Holder, (A) a Trust Certificate representing a number of Shares, if any, equal to the number of Shares of the type represented by the surrendered Trust Certificate less the number of Shares of the type transferred to such Eligible Transferee, and (B) the consideration, if any, received from such Eligible Transferee. Such consideration shall be distributed promptly to such Holder pursuant to the transfer instructions set forth on Schedule B attached hereto.
(c) A Holder may at any time direct the Trustee by notice in writing to transfer a certificate or certificates (or the equivalent evidence of ownership in the case of Share Equivalents) for Shares in which the Holder has a beneficial interest hereunder (i) to an underwriter (including BAS) in connection with a public offering of the Shares registered under the Securities Act or (ii) in connection with sales made pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act through a broker-dealer (including BAS). Such notice shall state (A) the underwriter’s or broker dealer’s mailing address, (B) the proposed transfer date (which date shall not be less than two days after the Trustee’s receipt of such notice), (C) the number and type of Shares to be transferred, and (D) the consideration, if any, to be paid. The notice shall also be accompanied by a certificate of an officer of the Holder certifying that such request is being made solely for sales made in connection with a public offering of the Shares registered under the Securities Act or sales made pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act and a Trust Certificate or Certificates of the Holder, duly endorsed for transfer, representing not less than the number of Shares of the type to be transferred. The Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon such certificate. On the date specified in such notice, and upon receipt by the Trustee from such underwriter or such other transferee of the specified consideration, if any, the Trustee shall deliver: (x) to the underwriter or such other transferee, a certificate (or the equivalent evidence of ownership in the case of Share Equivalents) for the number of Shares of the type specified in such notice, registered in the name of the Trustee and duly endorsed for transfer, and (y) to the Holder, a Trust Certificate representing a number of Shares, if any, equal to the number of Shares represented by the surrendered Trust Certificate less the number of Shares transferred to such underwriter or such other transferee, and (z) to the Holder, the consideration, if any, received from such underwriter or such other transferee. Such consideration shall be distributed promptly to the Holder pursuant to the transfer instructions set forth on Schedule B attached hereto.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Holder intends to transfer Shares pursuant to the exercise of the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters in connection with a public offering of Shares, the transfer date in the notice may be less than five but shall not be less than two days after the Trustee’s receipt of such notice; provided that if the transfer date in the notice is less than five days after the Trustee’s receipt of the notice, the Trustee shall only be obligated to use its reasonable best efforts to effect the transfer of such Shares by such transfer date.
Section 16 . Removal / Resignation Of Trustee. A Trustee may be removed by BACI or the Holders of Trust Certificates representing the beneficial interest in fifty percent (50%) or more of the Deposited Shares by written notice to the other parties and the other Holders:
(i) |
if it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that either (A) the Trustee has willfully and materially violated the terms of this Agreement, or (B) the Trustee has been guilty of malfeasance, misfeasance or dereliction of duty hereunder; |
(ii) |
if the Trustee shall have commenced a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, or shall have consented to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or shall have made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or shall have failed generally to pay its debts as they become due, or shall have taken any corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing; or |
(iii) |
if an involuntary case or other proceeding shall have been commenced against the Trustee seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief with respect to it or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary case or other proceeding shall have remained undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 days; or an order for relief shall have been entered against the Trustee under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect. |
(b) |
If BACI or the Holders of Trust Certificates representing the beneficial interest in fifty percent (50%) or more of the Shares then deposited hereunder determine that a basis exists for removal of the Trustee under Section 16(a) above, they shall deliver written notice of such determination to the Trustee stating the basis for such removal. |
(c) |
Section 18 . Trustee Not an Affiliate. The Trustee represents that it is a bank or trust company that is not a BACI Affiliate.
Section 22 . Indemnity, Etc. The Trustee, as such and in its individual capacity, and its directors, officers, employees and agents, shall be indemnified, defended and held harmless by BACI (on behalf of itself and the Holders) from and against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all expense whatsoever reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing for or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claims whatsoever) (the “Indemnified Claims”) arising out of, in connection with, or based upon this Agreement or the actions or failures to act of the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, except to the extent such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense is caused by or results from the Trustee’s malfeasance (as determined by a final and unappealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction). BACI agrees on behalf of itself and the Holders that it will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trustee, as such and in its individual capacity, and its directors, officers, employees and agents, from and against any Indemnified Claims. BACI’s obligation hereunder shall survive the transfer of all or any portions of its respective shares and interests, the termination of the voting trust created herein, or the resignation, removal or other cessation of service of the Trustee.
The Trustee, as such and in its individual capacity, shall be entitled to the prompt reimbursement from BACI for its out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred in investigating, preparing for or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, arising out of or based upon this Agreement, or the actions or failures to act of the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, without regard to the outcome of such litigation; provided, however, that the Trustee shall be obligated to return such reimbursement insofar as it is subsequently determined by a final and unappealable order of a court of competent jurisdiction to have been incurred by the Trustee as a result of the Trustee’s malfeasance in the matter in question. Such expenses payable under this Section 22 shall be prorated among the Holders in accordance with their respective interests in the Shares then deposited hereunder.
If a claim under this Section 22 is not paid in full within 30 days after a written claim has been submitted by the Trustee, the Trustee may at any time thereafter bring suit to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the Trustee, as such and in its individual capacity, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claims, including reasonable attorney’s fees.
The Trustee is authorized and empowered to construe this Agreement and its construction of the same, made in good faith, shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Holders and all other parties interested. The Trustee may, in its discretion, consult with counsel to be selected and employed by it, and the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel shall be an expense for which the Trustee, as such and in its individual capacity, is entitled to reimbursement under this Agreement.
The Trustee hereby accepts the voting trust created hereby and agrees to perform its obligations expressly required hereunder to be performed by the Trustee, but assumes no other obligations and shall have no responsibility (and no personal liability) for the management of the Corporation or for any action taken by it, by any person elected as a director of the Corporation or by the Corporation pursuant to any vote cast or consent given by the Trustee. The Trustee, whether or not acting upon the advice of counsel, shall incur no personal liability to any person or entity because of any error of law or fact, mistake of judgment or any matter or thing done or omitted under this Agreement, except for its own malfeasance. Anything done or suffered in good faith by the Trustee in accordance with the advice of counsel chosen as indicated above or in good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement shall be conclusive in favor of the Trustee against the Holders and any other interested party and shall give rise to no personal liability on the part of the Trustee.
The Trustee shall not be personally liable in any event for acts or defaults of any other trustee or trustees (under this or any other voting trust of the Corporation’s securities) or for acts or defaults of any employee, agent, proxy or attorney-in-fact of any other trustee or trustees. The Trustee shall be fully protected and free from personal liability in relying or acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate, declaration, guarantee, affidavit or other paper or document or signature reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper party or parties or by the party or parties purporting to have signed the same.
Section 23 . Certain Calculations. (a) For all purposes of this Agreement, in determining whether BACI or BACI Affiliates will own in the aggregate Capital Stock of the Corporation amounting to nine percent (9%) or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Corporation then outstanding, (i) shares of Voting Stock underlying Share Equivalents owned by BACI and any BACI Affiliate shall be deemed to be outstanding and owned by BACI or such BACI Affiliate and (ii) Shares held pursuant to this Agreement shall be excluded.
Section 27 . Bond. The Trustee shall not be required to provide any bond to secure the performance of its duties hereunder.
Section 32. Reasonable Best Efforts. If BACI or any BACI Affiliate desires to sell or transfer any Capital Stock of the Corporation, the Corporation and the Trustee shall, subject to (a) the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Lockup Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and (b) the provisions of applicable law, use their reasonable best efforts to assist BACI or any such BACI Affiliate in satisfying the administrative conditions associated with effecting any such sale or transfer (e.g., causing restrictive legends to be removed from stock certificates and causing stock certificates to be issued in the name of BACI, such BACI Affiliates or their respective transferees, all subject to the matters described in (a) and (b) above). The Corporation shall similarly instruct its agents to use their reasonable best efforts in assisting BACI or any such BACI Affiliate in satisfying such administrative conditions associated with effecting any such sale or transfer.
EXECUTED as of the date and year first above written.
Xxxxx Fargo Bank, N.A., Trustee By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. XxxxxxxxName:Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx Title: Vice President Address: 000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 000
Attention:Corporate TrustServicesTelephone:(860)
704-6216Facsimile:(860)
704-6219
BANC OF AMERICA CAPITAL INVESTORS SBIC, L.P. |
By: Banc of America Capital Management
SBIC, LLC, its general
partner By: Banc of America Capital Management, L.P., its sole member By: BACM I GP,LLC, its general
partnerBy:
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Name:Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx III Title: Member Address: Bank of America
Corporate Center
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX
28255-001Attention:Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
III Telephone:(000) 000-0000 Facsimile:(000) 000-0000 |
Bank of America, National Association hereby agrees to the provisions of Section 2(b) of this Agreement and solely for such purpose has duly executed this agreement on the date first above written.
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx IIIName:Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx III Title: Senior Vice President Address: 000 Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx00xx
XxxxxXxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
III Telephone: (000) 000-0000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 |
(NY) 00000/000/XXXXXX.XXXXX/xxxxxx.xxxxx.xxx.xxx
Xxxxxxxx Companies Group, Inc. hereby agrees to the provisions of Sections 3, 29, 30 and 32 of this Agreement and solely for such purpose has duly executed this agreement on the date first above written.
REPUBLIC COMPANIES GROUP, INC. By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxxxxName:Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx Title: Vice President and Secretary Address: c/o Republic
Underwriters Insurance
Company
0000 XXX XxxxxxxXxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Vice President &Secretary
Telephone: (000) 000-0000 Facsimile: (000) 000-0000A-1
SCHEDULE A
(Initial Deposit)
Name Shares Deposited
Banc of AmericaCapital
Investors
SBIC, L.P. 1,270,745Common Stock
Total 1,270,745B-1
SCHEDULE B
TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS
BANC OF AMERICA CAPITAL INVESTORS SBIC, L.P.
All payments shall be made by check mailed to:
Banc of America Capital Investors SBIC, L.P. 000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx 00xx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 Attention: Chief Financial Officer