Exhibit 2.1

 

Execution Version

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

by and among

 

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.,

 

CBI-Kansas, Inc.,

 

and

 

FineMark Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

Dated as of June 16, 2025

 

 

 

  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Article I THE MERGER 2
1.1 The Merger 2
1.2 Closing 2
1.3 Effective Time 2
1.4 Effects of the Merger 3
1.5 Reserved 3
1.6 Conversion of Shares 3
1.7 Parent Sub Common Stock 4
1.8 Treatment of Company Equity Awards 5
1.9 Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation 6
1.10 Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation 6
1.11 Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation 6
1.12 Name of the Surviving Corporation 6
1.13 Tax Consequences 6
1.14 Bank Merger 7
Article II EXCHANGE OF SHARES 7
2.1 Parent to Make Merger Consideration Available 7
2.2 Exchange of Shares 8
Article III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY 10
3.1 Corporate Organization 10
3.2 Capitalization 11
3.3 Authority; No Violation 14
3.4 Consents and Approvals 14
3.5 Reports 15
3.6 Financial Statements 15
3.7 Broker’s Fees 17
3.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events 17
3.9 Legal Proceedings 17
3.10 Taxes and Tax Returns 18
3.11 Employees and Employee Benefit Plans 20
3.12 Compliance with Applicable Law 23
3.13 Certain Contracts 25
3.14 Agreements with Regulatory Agencies 29

 

ii

 

 

3.15 Risk Management Instruments 29
3.16 Environmental Matters 29
3.17 Investment Securities and Commodities 30
3.18 Real Property; Personal Property 30
3.19 Intellectual Property; Information Security 31
3.20 Related Party Transactions 38
3.21 State Takeover Laws 38
3.22 Reorganization 39
3.23 Opinion 39
3.24 Company Information 39
3.25 Loan Portfolio 39
3.26 Insurance 41
3.27 Labor 42
3.28 Broker-Dealer,Investment Advisory and Insurance Matters 43
3.29 Trust and Asset Management Business 43
3.30 Transactions in Company Securities 44
3.31 No Other Representations or Warranties 44
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PARENT SUB 45
4.1 Corporate Organization 45
4.2 Capitalization 46
4.3 Authority; No Violation 47
4.4 Consents and Approvals 48
4.5 Reports 48
4.6 Financial Statements 49
4.7 Broker’s Fees 50
4.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events 50
4.9 Legal Proceedings 51
4.10 SEC Reports 51
4.11 Compliance with Applicable Law 51
4.12 Certain Contracts 53
4.13 Agreements with Regulatory Agencies 54
4.14 State Takeover Laws 54
4.15 Reorganization 54
4.16 [Reserved] 54
4.17 Parent Information 55
4.18 No Other Representations or Warranties 55

 

iii

 

 

Article V COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS 55
5.1 Conduct of Business of the Company Prior to the Effective Time 55
5.2 Company Forbearances 56
5.3 Parent Forbearances 60
Article VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS 60
6.1 Regulatory Matters 60
6.2 Access to Information; Confidentiality 62
6.3 Shareholder Approval 63
6.4 Legal Conditions to Merger 65
6.5 Stock Exchange Listing 65
6.6 Employee Benefit Plans 65
6.7 Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance 68
6.8 Additional Agreements 69
6.9 Advice of Changes 69
6.10 Shareholder Litigation 69
6.11 Governance Matters 70
6.12 Acquisition Proposals 70
6.13 Public Announcements 71
6.14 Change of Method 71
6.15 Restructuring Efforts 71
6.16 No Control of Other Party’s Business 71
6.17 Takeover Statutes 71
6.18 Tax Cooperation 72
6.19 Treatment of Company Indebtedness 72
6.20 Third-Party Consents and Agreements 72
6.21 Pre-Closing Actions 73
Article VII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 73
7.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger 73
7.2 Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Parent Sub 74
7.3 Conditions to Obligations of the Company 75
Article VIII TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT 76
8.1 Termination 76
8.2 Effect of Termination 78
8.3 Amendment 79
8.4 Extension; Waiver 79
Article IX GENERAL PROVISIONS 79

 

iv

 

 

9.1 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements 79
9.2 Expenses 79
9.3 Notices 80
9.4 Interpretation 81
9.5 Counterparts 81
9.6 Entire Agreement 81
9.7 Governing Law; Jurisdiction 82
9.8 Waiver of Jury Trial 82
9.9 Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries 82
9.10 Specific Performance 83
9.11 Severability 83
9.12 Confidential Supervisory Information 83
9.13 Delivery by Electronic Transmission 83

 

Exhibit A Form of Voting Agreement
Exhibit B Form of Bank Merger Agreement

 

v

 

  

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

 

Acquisition Proposal 73
affiliate 84
Agreement 1
AI Tools 36
Appraisal Statutes 4
Articles of Merger 2
Audited Company Financial Statements 17
Balance Sheet Date 17
Bank Merger 6
Bank Merger Act 16
Bank Merger Agreement 7
Bank Merger Articles 7
Bank Merger Effective Time 7
BHC Act 10
BOLI 43
business day 84
Cancelled Shares 4
Capitalization Date 12
Chosen Courts 85
Closing 2
Closing Date 2
Code 1
Company 1
Company Articles 11
Company Bank 6
Company Benefit Plan 22
Company Board Recommendation 65
Company Bylaws 11
Company Common Stock 3
Company Contract 30
Company Disclosure Schedules 10
Company Equity Awards 13
Company Financial Statements 17
Company Indemnified Parties 70
Company Intellectual Property 38
Company IT Assets 38
Company Leased Properties 32
Company Loans 41
Company Meeting 65
Company Option 5
Company Owned Intellectual Property 38
Company Owned Properties 32
Company Preferred Stock 3

 

vi

 

 

Company Products 38
Company Real Property 32
Company Regulatory Agreement 31
Company RSU 5
Company Securities 13
Company Stock Plan 5
Company Subsidiary 11
Company Subsidiary Securities 14
Confidentiality Agreement 65
Continuing Employee 67
COTS Offering 30
Derivative Contracts 31
Director Plan Shares 48
Dissenting Shares 4
Effective Time 2
Enforceability Exceptions 15
Environmental Laws 31
ERISA 22
ERISA Affiliate 23
ESPP 12
Exchange Act 11
Exchange Agent 7
Exchange Fund 7
Exchange Ratio 3
FBCA  2
FDIA 12
FDIC 12
Federal Reserve Board 15
Florida Articles of Merger 2
Florida Secretary 2
GAAP 11
Governmental Entity 16
HCERA 25
Healthcare Reform Laws 25
Information Security Incident 37
Insurance Policies 43
Intellectual Property 38
IRS 23
IT Assets 38
Kansas Certificate of Merger 2
Kansas Secretary 2
KGCC 2
knowledge 84
Last Condition Satisfaction Date 2
Letter of Transmittal 7
Licensed Intellectual Property 39

 

vii

 

 

Liens 13
made available 84
Malicious Code 39
Material Adverse Effect 11
Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition 63
Merger 1
Merger Consideration 3
Merger Consideration Value 5
NASDAQ 9
New Certificates 7
OCC 16
Old Certificate 3
Open Source Software 39
ordinary course 84
Parent 1
Parent Articles 47
Parent Bank 7
Parent Benefit Plans 68
Parent Bylaws 47
Parent Common Stock 3
Parent Contract 56
Parent Disclosure Schedules 46
Parent Regulatory Agreement 56
Parent Reports 53
Parent Restricted Stock Awards 48
Parent SARs 48
Parent Share Closing Price 9
Parent Sub 1
Parent Sub Articles 6
Parent Sub Bylaws 6
Parent Subsidiary 47
Parties 1
Party 1
Permitted Encumbrances 33
person 84
Personal Data 26
Personal Property 33
PPACA 25
Premium Cap 70
Privacy and Security Laws 39
Privacy and Security Requirements 39
Proxy Statement 16
Recommendation Change 66
Registered 40
Registered Intellectual Property 40
Regulatory Agencies 16

 

viii

 

 

Relevant Period 68
Representatives 72
Requisite Company Vote 15
Requisite Regulatory Approvals 63
Restraint 77
S-4 16
Sarbanes-Oxley Act 52
SEC 11
Securities Act 13
Security Breach 26
Share 3
Shares 3
Software 40
SRO 16
Subsidiary 11
Superior Proposal 73
Surviving Corporation 1
Takeover Statutes 40
Tax 22
Tax Return 22
Taxes 22
Termination Date 79
Termination Fee 81
Trade Secrets 38
Voting Agreements 1

 

ix

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of June 16, 2025 (this “Agreement”), by and among Commerce Bancshares, Inc., a Missouri corporation (“Parent”), CBI-Kansas, Inc., a Kansas corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Parent Sub”), and FineMark Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”) (the Company, Parent and Parent Sub, collectively, the “Parties” and each, a “Party”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the Company, Parent and Parent Sub have declared advisable and determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the merger of the Company with and into Parent Sub (the “Merger”), with Parent Sub as the surviving corporation in the Merger (hereinafter sometimes referred to in such capacity as the “Surviving Corporation”), are in the best interests of their respective corporations and shareholders or stockholders, as applicable;

 

WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of the Company, Parent and Parent Sub have adopted and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Board of Directors of the Company has resolved to recommend that the shareholders of the Company approve and adopt this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code;

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement for each Party to enter into this Agreement, certain directors, officers and shareholders of the Company have simultaneously herewith entered into voting and support agreements in connection with the Merger, each substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (collectively, the “Voting Agreements”);

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement for each Party to enter into this Agreement, certain officers and employees of the Company are concurrently entering into letter agreements in connection with the Merger that will, in each case, become effective upon and as of the Closing; and

 

WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties and agreements specified in this Agreement in connection with the Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions to the Merger.

 

- 1 -

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Article I

 

THE MERGER

 

1.1            The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Florida Business Corporations Act (the “FBCA”) and the Kansas General Corporation Code (the “KGCC”), at the Effective Time, the Company shall merge with and into Parent Sub. Parent Sub shall be the Surviving Corporation in the Merger, and shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Kansas. Without liming the generality of the foregoing, and subject to the FBCA and the KGCC, at the Effective Time: (a) all the rights, privileges, powers, franchises, licenses and interests in and to every type of property (whether real, personal, or mixed) of the Company shall vest in Parent Sub, (b) all causes of action of the Company shall continue unaffected and uninterrupted by the Merger and shall accrue to Parent Sub and (c) all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of Parent Sub. Upon consummation of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of the Company shall terminate.

 

1.2            Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, unless otherwise mutually agreed in writing by Parent and the Company, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) will take place by electronic exchange of documents on the first (1st) business day of the first (1st) calendar month after the satisfaction or waiver (subject to applicable law) of all of the conditions set forth in Article VII hereof (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver thereof at the Closing). The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date.” Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary herein, Parent may elect, by notifying the Company in writing, for the Closing to occur on January 1, 2026; provided, that if Parent makes such an election, (a) such election must include an acknowledgement of the Last Condition Satisfaction Date (which may be conditioned upon the Company certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 are or were satisfied as of such date (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing)), and (b) all references in the condition set forth in Section 7.2(a) to the “Closing Date” shall be deemed to be references to the Last Condition Satisfaction Date. The “Last Condition Satisfaction Date” shall mean the date that the condition set forth in Section 7.1(a) or Section 7.1(c) is satisfied, whichever is later; provided, that as of such date, the other conditions set forth in Article VII have either been satisfied or waived (subject to applicable law) on or before such date.

 

1.3            Effective Time. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at or before the Closing, the Parties shall execute, and Parent Sub and the Company shall cause to be filed, articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Florida (the “Florida Secretary”) in accordance with the relevant provisions of the FBCA (the “Florida Articles of Merger”), and a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Kansas (the “Kansas Secretary”) in accordance with the relevant provisions of the KGCC (the “Kansas Certificate of Merger”) (the Florida Articles of Merger and the Kansas Certificate of Merger, collectively, the “Articles of Merger”). The Merger shall become effective at such time as designated in the Articles of Merger, or if no time is designated, at the time of filing of the Articles of Merger. The term “Effective Time” shall be the date and time when the Merger becomes effective, as set forth in the Articles of Merger (or if no time is designated, at the time of filing of the Articles of Merger).

 

- 2 -

 

 

1.4            Effects of the Merger. At and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the effects set forth in the applicable provisions of the FBCA and the KGCC.

 

1.5            Reserved.

 

1.6            Conversion of Shares. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, Parent Sub, the Company or the holder of any of the following securities:

 

(a)            Conversion of Shares. Subject to Section 2.2(e), each share of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Company Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and each share of 7.25% Series B Non-Cumulative Perpetual Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (the “Company Preferred Stock” and each share of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock, a “Share” and collectively, “Shares”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (on an as-converted-to-Company Common Stock basis in accordance with the Certificate of Designation of the Company Preferred Stock), except for the Cancelled Shares and Dissenting Shares, shall be converted into the right to receive, without interest, 0.690 of a share (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 1.6(c), the “Exchange Ratio”), of the common stock, par value $5.00 per share, of Parent (the “Parent Common Stock”) (the “Merger Consideration”). For the avoidance of doubt, the number of shares of Parent Common Stock that holders of Company Preferred Stock will have the right to receive in the Merger pursuant to this Section 1.6(a) will equal, for each share of Company Preferred Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, the product of the Exchange Ratio multiplied by 36.3636.

 

(b)            Effect of Conversion. All of the Shares converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to this Article I shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist as of the Effective Time, and each certificate (each, an “Old Certificate,” it being understood that any reference herein to “Old Certificate” shall be deemed to include reference to book-entry account statements relating to the ownership of Shares) previously representing any such Shares shall thereafter represent, automatically and without any required action on the part of the holder thereof, only the right to receive (i) a New Certificate representing the number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock which such Shares have been converted into the right to receive, (ii) cash in lieu of fractional shares which the Shares represented by such Old Certificate have been converted into the right to receive pursuant to this Section 1.6 and Section 2.2(e), without any interest thereon and (iii) any declared but unpaid dividends or distributions which the holder thereof has the right to receive pursuant to Section 2.2(b), in each case, without any interest thereon.

 

(c)            Adjustments to Exchange Ratio. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock or the Shares shall have been increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities as a result of a reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock split, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made to the Exchange Ratio to give holders of Shares and Parent the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event. Such adjustment shall be made in good faith in consultation with the Company. However, nothing contained herein shall be construed to permit Parent or the Company to take any action with respect to its securities or otherwise that is prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

 

- 3 -

 

 

(d)            Cancelled Shares. At the Effective Time, all shares of Company Common Stock that are directly owned by the Company (or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries), Parent or Parent Sub (or any of their respective wholly-owned Subsidiaries) (in each case, other than (i) shares of Company Common Stock held in trust accounts, managed accounts, mutual funds and the like, or otherwise held in a fiduciary or agency capacity, that are beneficially owned by third parties or (ii) shares of Company Common Stock held, directly or indirectly, by Parent, Parent Sub or the Company in respect of a debt previously contracted) shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist and no Merger Consideration or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor (such cancelled shares, the “Cancelled Shares”).

 

(e)            Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, all shares of Company Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that are held by a holder of Company Common Stock who has properly exercised dissenters’ rights in respect of such Shares (such Shares, until such time as such holder fails to perfect, withdraws or otherwise loses such holder’s dissenters’ rights under applicable law with respect to such Shares, the “Dissenting Shares”) in accordance with Sections 607.1301 through 607.1340 of the FBCA (the “Appraisal Statutes”), shall not be converted into or be exchangeable for the right to receive the Merger Consideration, but instead such holder shall be entitled to payment of such consideration as may be determined to be due in accordance with the Appraisal Statutes; provided, however, that if, after the Effective Time, such holder fails to perfect, withdraws or otherwise loses such holder’s right to dissent pursuant to the Appraisal Statutes, or if a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that such holder is not entitled to the relief provided by the Appraisal Statutes, such Shares shall be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive the Merger Consideration in accordance with Section 1.6(a) above, without interest thereon, upon surrender of such Shares. The Company shall give Parent (a) prompt notice (and a copy) of any demands received by the Company from a record or beneficial holder of Shares for appraisal, of any withdrawals of such demands and of any other documents or instruments received by the Company related to the foregoing and (b) the opportunity to participate in all communications, negotiations and proceedings with respect to any such demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to, or settle, or offer or agree to settle, any such demand; provided, however, that Parent shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent to any settlement or resolution proposed by the Company. Any Merger Consideration made available to the Exchange Agent to exchange for Shares for which dissenters’ rights have been perfected shall be returned to Parent upon demand.

 

1.7            Parent Sub Common Stock. At and after the Effective Time, each share of common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of Parent Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain an issued and outstanding share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation and shall not be affected by the Merger.

 

- 4 -

 

  

1.8            Treatment of Company Equity Awards. Except as set forth on Section 1.8 of the Company Disclosure Schedules:

 

(a)            Company Stock Options. At the Effective Time, each option to purchase Company Common Stock granted under a Company Stock Plan (a “Company Option”) that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall fully vest (to the extent unvested) and shall be cancelled and converted into the right to receive from Parent a cash payment without interest, equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration Value over the exercise price per share of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time. If the per share exercise price of a Company Option that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time is equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration Value, then such Company Option shall be cancelled at the Effective Time for no consideration. Parent shall pay, or cause to be paid, the consideration described in this Section 1.8(a) on the first or second payroll date following the Effective Time. Parent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, or cause the payor to deduct and withhold, from the consideration described in this Section 1.8(a) all such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold under the Code or any provisions of applicable law in respect of Taxes. To the extent that amounts are so deducted or withheld and deducted pursuant to this Section 1.8(a) and remitted to the appropriate Governmental Entity, such deducted or withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made.

 

(b)            For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i)            Company Stock Plan” means the FineMark Holdings, Inc. 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended, and the FineMark Holdings, Inc. 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, and any successor plan to each such plan; and

 

(ii)           Merger Consideration Value”means the product of (A) the Exchange Ratio multiplied by (B) the Parent Share Closing Price.

 

(c)            Company RSUs. On the Closing Date but prior to the Effective Time, each restricted stock unit granted under a Company Stock Plan (a “Company RSU”) that is then outstanding shall, automatically and without any required action on the part of the holder thereof, fully vest (to the extent unvested) and shall be cancelled and terminated, and in full satisfaction thereof, each holder of such a Company RSU shall receive (subject to the immediately following proviso) one (1) share of Company Common Stock for each Company RSU then being settled; provided, however, that, unless the holder of such Company RSU paid to the Company the aggregate withholding taxes owed as the result of the vesting and settlement of such Company RSU (using the minimum required statutory withholding rates) pursuant to and in accordance with a written election delivered to the Company not less than three (3) business days prior to the Effective Time, the number of shares of Company Common Stock to be delivered in respect of a Company RSU in accordance with the foregoing shall be reduced by the number of shares of Company Common Stock (rounded up to the nearest whole share) having a fair market value (based on the closing price of the Company Common Stock on the date immediately prior to the Closing Date) equal to the aggregate withholding taxes owed as the result of the vesting and settlement of such Company RSU (using the minimum required statutory withholding rates). For the avoidance of doubt, only the net number of shares of Company Common Stock (after reduction for shares of Company Common Stock used to satisfy tax withholding obligations) shall be provided to the holder of the applicable Company RSU.

 

- 5 -

 

 

(d)            General. At or prior to the Effective Time, the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company or its Compensation Committee, as applicable, shall adopt any resolutions and take any actions that are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this Section 1.8, including providing notice to the holders of Company Options and Company RSUs in accordance with the Company Stock Plans (which notice shall be in a form mutually agreed to by Parent and the Company). In addition, the Board of Directors of the Company shall terminate the Company Stock Plans, effective as of the Effective Time.

 

1.9            Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time, the Restated Articles of Incorporation of Parent Sub (the “Parent Sub Articles”), as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and applicable law.

 

1.10          Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. At the Effective Time, the By-Laws of Parent Sub (the “Parent Sub Bylaws”), as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter duly amended in accordance with the terms thereof and applicable law.

 

1.11          Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation. The directors and officers of Parent Sub in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall serve as the directors and officers, respectively, of the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the Parent Sub Bylaws. The Parties shall take all actions necessary to effect the provisions of this Section 1.11.

 

1.12          Name of the Surviving Corporation. The legal name of the Surviving Corporation shall be the name of Parent Sub.

 

1.13          Tax Consequences. It is intended that the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code (and any comparable provision of state law), and that this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a “plan of reorganization” for the purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.

 

- 6 -

 

 

1.14          Bank Merger. Promptly following the Merger, FineMark National Bank & Trust (“Company Bank”), a nationally-chartered commercial bank and trust company and a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, will merge (the “Bank Merger”) with and into Commerce Bank (“Parent Bank”), a Missouri state-chartered trust company and a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent Sub. Parent Bank shall be the surviving entity in the Bank Merger and, following the Bank Merger, the separate corporate existence of Company Bank shall cease. Promptly after the execution of this Agreement, Parent and the Company shall cause Parent Bank and Company Bank, respectively, to enter into an agreement and plan of merger in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit B hereto (the “Bank Merger Agreement”), and Parent Sub, as the sole shareholder of Parent Bank, and the Company, as the sole shareholder of Company Bank, shall each approve and adopt the Bank Merger Agreement. The Company shall cause Company Bank, and Parent shall cause Parent Bank, to execute such articles or certificates of merger and such other documents and certificates as are necessary to make the Bank Merger effective (“Bank Merger Articles”) promptly following the Effective Time. The Bank Merger shall become effective at such time and date as specified in the Bank Merger Agreement in accordance with applicable law, or at such other time as shall be provided by applicable law (such time when the Bank Merger becomes effective, the “Bank Merger Effective Time”). It is intended that the Bank Merger qualify as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a) of the Code, and that the Bank Merger Agreement constitute a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code. As provided in the Bank Merger Agreement, the Bank Merger may be abandoned at the election of Parent at any time, whether before or after filings are made for regulatory approval of the Bank Merger, subject to Section 6.14.

 

Article II

 

EXCHANGE OF SHARES

 

2.1            Parent to Make Merger Consideration Available. No later than three (3) days prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit, or shall (a) cause to be deposited, with an exchange agent designated by Parent and reasonably acceptable to the Company (the “Exchange Agent”), for exchange in accordance with this Article II, certificates or, at Parent’s option, evidence of shares in book-entry form, representing the shares of Parent Common Stock (collectively, referred to herein as “New Certificates”), to be delivered to the holders of Shares pursuant to Section 1.6, and (b) any cash in lieu of fractional shares required to be paid to holders of Shares pursuant to this Article II (such New Certificates and cash, together with any dividends or distributions with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock payable in accordance with Section 2.2(b), being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Fund”).

 

- 7 -

 

 

2.2            Exchange of Shares.

 

(a)            As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, but in no event later than five (5) business days thereafter, Parent and the Company shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of one or more Old Certificates representing Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time that have been converted at the Effective Time into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to Article I, (i) a letter of transmittal, which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Old Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Old Certificates to the Exchange Agent (the “Letter of Transmittal”) and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Old Certificates in exchange for New Certificates representing the number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock and any cash in lieu of fractional shares which the Shares represented by such Old Certificates shall have been converted into the right to receive pursuant to this Agreement, as well as any dividends or distributions to be paid in respect thereof pursuant to Section 2.2(b). Upon proper surrender of an Old Certificate or Old Certificates for exchange and cancellation to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by a properly completed Letter of Transmittal, duly executed, and such other evidence of transfer as the Exchange Agent may reasonably request in the case of a book-entry transfer of uncertificated Shares, the holder of such Old Certificate or Old Certificates shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, as applicable, (i) a New Certificate representing that number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock to which such holder of Company Common Stock shall have become entitled pursuant to the provisions of Article I and/or (ii) a check representing the amount of (A) any cash in lieu of fractional shares that such holder has the right to receive in respect of the Old Certificate or Old Certificates surrendered pursuant to the provisions of this Article II and (B) any dividends or distributions that the holder presenting such Old Certificate or Old Certificates has the right to receive pursuant to this Section 2.2, the Old Certificate or Old Certificates so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. No interest will be paid or accrued on any Merger Consideration, dividends or distributions or cash in lieu of fractional shares payable to holders of Old Certificates. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.2, each Old Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive, upon surrender, the number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock which the shares of Company Common Stock represented by such Old Certificate have been converted into the right to receive and any cash in lieu of fractional shares or in respect of dividends or distributions as contemplated by this Section 2.2.

 

(b)            No dividends or other distributions declared with respect to Parent Common Stock shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Old Certificate until such holder shall surrender such Old Certificate in accordance with this Article II. After the surrender of an Old Certificate in accordance with this Article II, the record holder thereof shall be entitled to receive any such dividends or other distributions, without any interest thereon, which theretofore had become payable with respect to the whole shares of Parent Common Stock that the Shares represented by such Old Certificate have been converted into the right to receive.

 

(c)            If any New Certificate representing shares of Parent Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Old Certificate or Old Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor is or are registered, it shall be a condition of the issuance thereof that the Old Certificate or Old Certificates so surrendered shall be properly endorsed (or accompanied by an appropriate instrument of transfer) and otherwise in proper form for transfer, and that the person requesting such exchange shall pay in advance any transfer or other similar Taxes required by reason of the issuance of a New Certificate representing shares of Parent Common Stock in any name other than that of the registered holder of the Old Certificate or Old Certificates surrendered, or required for any other reason, or shall establish to the satisfaction of Parent and the Exchange Agent that such Tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

- 8 -

 

 

(d)            After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company of the Shares that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Old Certificates representing such shares are presented for transfer to the Exchange Agent, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration as provided in this Article II.

 

(e)             Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no New Certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Old Certificates, no dividend or distribution with respect to Parent Common Stock shall be payable on or with respect to any fractional share, and such fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of a stockholder of Parent. In lieu of the issuance of any such fractional share, Parent shall pay to each former holder of Shares who otherwise would be entitled to receive such fractional share an amount in cash (rounded to the nearest cent) determined by multiplying (i) the average of the closing price per share of Parent Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (the “NASDAQ”) as reported by The Wall Street Journal for the consecutive period of five (5) full trading days immediately preceding (but not including) the date that is the fifth (5th) business day prior to the Closing Date (or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source mutually agreed upon by Parent and the Company) (the “Parent Share Closing Price”) by (ii) the fraction of a share (after taking into account all Shares held by such holder immediately prior to the Effective Time and rounded to the nearest one-thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of Parent Common Stock which such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to Section 1.6. This cash payment will be made promptly and without requiring any additional action from the holder beyond the standard exchange process discussed in this Section 2.2. The Parties acknowledge that payment of such cash consideration in lieu of issuing fractional shares is not separately bargained-for consideration but merely represents a mechanical rounding off for purposes of avoiding the expense and inconvenience that would otherwise be caused by the issuance of fractional shares.

 

(f)             Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains unclaimed by the holders of Shares for one (1) year after the Effective Time shall be delivered to the Surviving Corporation. Any former holders of Shares who have not theretofore exchanged their Old Certificates in compliance with this Article II shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Corporation for payment of the shares of Parent Common Stock, cash in lieu of any fractional shares and any unpaid dividends and distributions on the Parent Common Stock deliverable in respect of each former Share such holder holds as determined pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, without any interest thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of Parent, Parent Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation, the Exchange Agent or any other person shall be liable to any former holder of Shares for any amount delivered in good faith to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

 

(g)            Parent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, or cause the Exchange Agent to deduct and withhold, from any Merger Consideration, cash in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common Stock, cash dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.2(b) or any other amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder or former holder of Shares or Company Equity Awards such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld by Parent or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity, the withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder in respect of which the deduction and withholding was made by Parent or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be.

 

- 9 -

 

 

(h)            In the event any Old Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such Old Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent or the Exchange Agent, the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as Parent or the Exchange Agent may determine is reasonably necessary (which amount shall be consistent with Parent’s or Exchange Agent’s customary procedure) as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Old Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Old Certificate the shares of Parent Common Stock and any cash in lieu of fractional shares, deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement, and any dividends or distributions to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.2(b).

 

Article III

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

 

Except as disclosed in the applicable section of the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Parent concurrently herewith (the “Company Disclosure Schedules”); provided, that (i) no such item is required to be set forth as an exception to a representation or warranty if its absence would not result in the related representation or warranty being deemed untrue or incorrect, (ii) the mere inclusion of an item in the Company Disclosure Schedules as an exception to a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission by the Company that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) any disclosures made with respect to a section of Article III shall be deemed to qualify (a) any other section of Article III specifically referenced or cross-referenced and (b) other sections of Article III to the extent it is reasonably apparent on its face (notwithstanding the absence of a specific cross reference) from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure applies to such other sections, the Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent as follows:

 

3.1            Corporate Organization.

 

(a)            The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Florida and is a bank holding company duly registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (“BHC Act”). The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted in all material respects. The Company is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned, leased or operated by it makes such licensing, qualification or standing necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or to be in good standing would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. As used in this Agreement, the term “Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to Parent, the Company or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, any effect, change, event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or development that, either individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) the business, properties, assets, liabilities, results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of such party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (provided, however, that, with respect to this clause (i), Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the impact of (A) changes, after the date hereof, in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or applicable regulatory accounting requirements, (B) changes, after the date hereof, in laws, rules or regulations of general applicability to companies of similar size in the banking industry in which such party and its Subsidiaries operate, (C) changes, after the date hereof, in global, national or regional political conditions (including the outbreak of war or acts of terrorism) or in economic or market (including equity, credit and debt markets, as well as changes in interest rates) conditions affecting the financial services industry generally and not specifically relating to such party or its Subsidiaries, (D) changes, after the date hereof, resulting from hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods or other natural disasters or from any outbreak of any disease or other public health event, (E) changes relating to or arising out of the public disclosure of this Agreement or of the transactions contemplated hereby (provided, that this exception shall not apply for purposes of the representations and warranties in Section 3.3(b) or Section 4.3(b)), (F) a decline in the trading price of a party’s common stock or a failure, in and of itself, to meet earnings projections or internal financial forecasts, but not, in either case, including any underlying causes thereof, or (G) actions that are taken with the express prior written consent of the other party in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby; except, with respect to subclauses (A), (B), (C) or (D), to the extent that the effects of such change are disproportionately adverse to such party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other companies of similar size in the banking industry in which such party and its Subsidiaries operate) or (ii) the ability of such party to timely consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. As used in this Agreement, the word “Subsidiary” when used with respect to any person, means any Subsidiary of such person within the meaning ascribed to such term in either Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or Section 2(d) of the BHC Act. True and complete copies of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (the “Company Articles”) and the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Company Bylaws”), as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, have previously been made available by the Company to Parent. The Company is not in violation of any of the provisions of the Company Articles or the Company Bylaws.

 

- 10 -

 

 

(b)            Each Subsidiary of the Company (a “Company Subsidiary”) (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) is duly licensed or qualified to do business and, where such concept is recognized under applicable law, in good standing in all jurisdictions (whether federal, state, local or foreign) in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary and in which the failure to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing would reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company and (iii) has all requisite corporate (or similar) power and authority to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted in all material respects. There are no restrictions on the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to pay dividends or distributions, except in the case of the Company or a Subsidiary that is a regulated entity, for restrictions on dividends or distributions generally applicable to all such regulated entities. The deposit accounts of each Subsidiary of the Company that is an insured depository institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) through the Deposit Insurance Fund (as defined in Section 3(y) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act of 1950 (the “FDIA”)) to the fullest extent permitted by law, all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due, and no proceedings for the termination of such insurance are pending or threatened. Section 3.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all Subsidiaries of the Company and the ownership interest of the Company in each such Subsidiary and a description of the business of each Subsidiary. True and complete copies of the organizational documents of each Subsidiary of the Company as in effect on the date of this Agreement have previously been made available by the Company to Parent. There is no person whose results of operations, cash flows, changes in shareholders’ equity or financial position are consolidated in the financial statements of the Company other than the Company Subsidiaries listed on Section 3.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules. No Company Subsidiary is in violation of any of the provisions of the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or comparable organizational documents) of such Company Subsidiary. Other than the Company Subsidiaries, and shares or interests acquired pursuant to security interests owned by or in favor of a Subsidiary created in the ordinary course of business thereof, the Company does not, directly or indirectly, beneficially own any equity securities or similar interests of any entity or any interests of any entity or any interest in a partnership or joint venture of any kind.

 

3.2            Capitalization.

 

(a)            The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 50,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of June 12, 2025 (the “Capitalization Date”), there are (i) 12,282,063 shares of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding, which number includes 489,611 shares of Company Common Stock granted in respect of outstanding awards of Company RSUs, (ii) no shares of Company Common Stock held in treasury, (iii) 30,000 shares of Company Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, (iv) 489,611 shares of Company Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the settlement of outstanding Company RSUs, (v) 326,888 shares of Company Common Stock subject to and reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding Company Options (which Company Options have a weighted average exercise price of $26.77 per share of Company Common Stock as of the Capitalization Date), (vi) 176,259 shares of Company Common Stock available for issuance under the FineMark Holdings, Inc. 2014 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) and (vii) no other shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of the Company issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. The Company owns all of the outstanding stock of Company Bank. All of the issued and outstanding Shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness or instruments that have the right to vote on any matters on which shareholders of the Company may vote, and no trust preferred or debt securities of the Company are issued or outstanding, except as set forth on Section 3.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules. Other than the Company Options and Company RSUs (collectively, the “Company Equity Awards”) issued prior to the date of this Agreement and set forth in this Section 3.2(a), there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, phantom units, scrip, rights to subscribe to, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, puts, calls, commitments or agreements of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of capital stock or other voting or equity securities of or ownership interests in the Company, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which the Company may become bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities of or ownership interests in the Company, or otherwise obligating the Company to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) any of the foregoing (collectively, “Company Securities”). Section 3.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all Company Equity Awards outstanding as of the date hereof specifying, on a holder-by-holder basis, as applicable, (A) the name of each holder, (B) the number of shares subject to each such Company Equity Award, (C) the grant date of each such Company Equity Award, (D) the Company Benefit Plan under which such Company Equity Award was granted, (E) the exercise price for each such Company Equity Award that is a Company Option, and (F) the expiration date for each such Company Equity Award that is a Company Option. Other than the Company Equity Awards, no equity-based awards (including any cash awards where the amount of payment is determined, in whole or in part, based on the price of any capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) are outstanding. No Subsidiary of the Company owns any capital stock of the Company. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is required to file with or furnish to the SEC any reports. Other than the Voting Agreements, there are no voting trusts, shareholder agreements, proxies or other agreements in effect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of the Shares, capital stock or other voting or equity securities or ownership interests of the Company or granting any shareholder or other person any registration rights. The Company does not have in effect a “poison pill” or similar shareholder rights plan. As of the date of this Agreement, (i) no offering period or purchase period is in effect under the ESPP and (ii) there are no participants in the ESPP.

 

- 11 -

 

 

(b)            The Company owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests of each of the Company Subsidiaries, free and clear of any liens, claims, title defects, mortgages, pledges, charges, encumbrances and security interests whatsoever, and any other encumbrances securing a payment or the performance of an obligation (collectively, “Liens”), and all of such shares or equity ownership interests are duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable (except, with respect to bank Subsidiaries, as provided under 12 U.S.C. §55 or any comparable provision of applicable state law) and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. Other than the shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests described in the previous sentence, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, phantom units, scrip, rights to subscribe to, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, puts, calls, commitments or agreements of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of capital stock or other voting or equity securities of or ownership interests in any Company Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any Company Subsidiary may become bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities or ownership interests in such Company Subsidiary, or otherwise obligating any Company Subsidiary to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or register under the Securities Act, any of the foregoing (collectively, “Company Subsidiary Securities”). Except for its interests in the Company Subsidiaries, the Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock, membership interest, partnership interest, joint venture interest or other equity interest in any person.

 

(c)            Other than Company Equity Awards that are outstanding as of the Capitalization Date and listed in Section 3.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, no other equity-based awards are outstanding as of the Capitalization Date. Since the Capitalization Date through the date hereof, the Company has not (i) issued or repurchased any shares of Company Common Stock, Company Preferred Stock or other equity securities of the Company, other than pursuant to Company Equity Awards in accordance with their terms that were outstanding on the Capitalization Date or (ii) issued or awarded any options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, deferred equity units, awards based on the value of the Company capital stock or any other equity-based awards. With respect to each grant of Company Equity Awards, each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of any Company Stock Plan and all other applicable laws. All Company Options granted by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been granted with a per share exercise at least equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant, within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and associated Treasury Department guidance, and each Company Option has a grant date identical to the date on which the Board of Directors of the Company or the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved such Company Option. Each Company Option does not trigger any liability for the holder thereof under Section 409A of the Code. Upon issuance of any Company Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company Stock Plan, such Company Common Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof.

 

- 12 -

 

 

3.3            Authority; No Violation.

 

(a)            The Company has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the consummation of the Merger, have been duly and validly approved by the Board of Directors of the Company. The Board of Directors of the Company has duly adopted resolutions pursuant to which it has determined that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, has adopted and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, has directed that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby be submitted to the shareholders of the Company for approval at a meeting of such shareholders and has adopted a resolution to recommend that the shareholders of the Company approve and adopt this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Except for the adoption and approval of this Agreement by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon by the holders of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (the “Requisite Company Vote”), and the adoption and approval of the Bank Merger Agreement by the Board of Directors of Company Bank and the Company as Company Bank’s sole shareholder, no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company (including by holders of Shares of Company Preferred Stock) are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent and Parent Sub) constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting insured depository institutions or the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies (the “Enforceability Exceptions”)).

 

(b)            Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by the Company with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will (i) violate any provision of the Company Articles or the Company Bylaws or the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of any Company Subsidiary or (ii) assuming that the consents and approvals referred to in Section 3.4 are duly obtained, (x) violate any law, statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets or (y) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by or rights or obligations under, require consent or notice under or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the respective properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or by which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound or affected, except, in the case of clause (y) above, for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults that, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

- 13 -

 

 

3.4            Consents and Approvals. Except for (a) the filing of any required applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) under the BHC Act and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (b) the filing of any required applications, filings or notices, as applicable, with the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Merger Act of 1960, as amended (the “Bank Merger Act”), and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (c) the filing of any required applications, filings or notices, as applicable, with the Missouri Division of Finance, and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (d) any required filings or notices with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), (e) those additional applications, filings and notices, if any, listed on Section 3.4 of the Company Disclosure Schedules or Section 4.4 of the Parent Disclosure Schedules and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (f) the filing with the SEC of a registration statement on Form S-4 (including any amendments and supplements thereto, the “S-4”) in which a proxy statement in definitive form relating to the Company Meeting to be held in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Proxy Statement”) will be included as a prospectus, to be filed with the SEC by Parent in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and declaration by the SEC of effectiveness of the S-4, (g) the filing of the Florida Articles of Merger with the Florida Secretary pursuant to the FBCA, the filing of the Kansas Certificate of Merger with the Kansas Secretary pursuant to the KGCC, and the filing of the Bank Merger Articles, (h) such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and (i) the approval of the listing of such shares of Parent Common Stock on the NASDAQ, no consents or approvals of or filings or registrations with any court, administrative agency or commission or other governmental or regulatory authority or instrumentality or SRO (each, a “Governmental Entity”) are necessary in connection with (A) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or (B) the consummation by the Company of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. As of the date hereof, the Company is not aware of any reason why the necessary regulatory approvals and consents will not be received to permit consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement on a timely basis.

 

3.5            Reports. Except as set forth on Section 3.5 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have timely filed all reports, forms, correspondence, registrations and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file since January 1, 2022 with (i) any state regulatory authority, (ii) the OCC, (iii) the Federal Reserve Board, (iv) the FDIC, (v) any foreign regulatory authority and (vi) any self-regulatory organization (an “SRO”) ((i) through (vi), collectively, “Regulatory Agencies”) and with each other applicable Governmental Entity, and all other reports and statements required to be filed by them since January 1, 2022, including any report, form, correspondence, registration or statement required to be filed pursuant to the laws, rules or regulations of the United States, any state, any foreign entity, or any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity, and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith, except where the failure to file such report, form, correspondence, registration or statement or to pay such fees and assessments, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Each such report, form, correspondence, registration or statement filed with any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity since January 1, 2022, as of the date of its filing complied in all material respects with relevant legal requirements. Except for normal examinations conducted by a Regulatory Agency in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, no Regulatory Agency has initiated or has pending any proceeding or, to the knowledge of the Company, investigation into the business or operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 2022. There (i) is no unresolved violation, criticism, or exception by any Regulatory Agency with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations or inspections of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) has been no formal or informal inquiries by, or disagreements or disputes with, any Regulatory Agency with respect to the business, operations, policies or procedures of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 2022, in each case, which would reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The Company is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of the OTCQX Market.

 

- 14 -

 

 

3.6            Financial Statements.

 

(a)            Set forth in Section 3.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules are true, complete and correct copies of (x) the audited balance sheets, statements of earnings, statements of comprehensive income, statements of shareholders’ equity and statements of cash flows (including any related notes and schedules thereto and the opinion of Hacker, Johnson & Smith PA, the Company’s independent auditor) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, in each case for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (collectively, the “Audited Company Financial Statements”) and (y) the unaudited balance sheet and statement of income for the Company, as of and for the three (3) months ended March 31, 2025 (the “Balance Sheet Date”), in each case on a consolidated basis for the Company and its Subsidiaries (such unaudited financial statements, together with the Audited Company Financial Statements, the “Company Financial Statements”). The Company Financial Statements (i) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of the Company, (ii) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated results of operations, cash flows, shareholders’ equity and consolidated financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates therein set forth (subject in the case of unaudited statements to year-end audit adjustments normal and not material in nature and amount), (iii) complied, as of their respective dates of preparation, in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and (iv) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except, in each case, as indicated in such statements or in the notes thereto and except with respect to the interim financial statements for the omission of footnotes, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, will be material. The books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been since January 1, 2022, and are being, maintained in all material respects in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements and reflect only actual transactions. No independent public accounting firm of the Company has resigned (or informed the Company that it intends to resign) or been dismissed as independent public accountants of the Company as a result of or in connection with any disagreements with the Company on a matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.

 

(b)            Except as set forth on Section 3.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due) that would be required by GAAP to be set forth on its consolidated balance sheet or the notes thereto, except for those liabilities that are reflected or reserved against on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the Balance Sheet Date included in the Company Financial Statements and for liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since the Balance Sheet Date, or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, in each case, which would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

- 15 -

 

 

(c)            The records, systems, controls, data and information of the Company and its Subsidiaries are recorded, stored, maintained and operated under means (including any electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) that are under the exclusive ownership and direct control of the Company or its Subsidiaries or accountants (including all means of access thereto and therefrom), except for any non-exclusive ownership and non-direct control that would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to comply with all legal and accounting requirements applicable to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries. The Company has not identified (i) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of its internal control over financial reporting that would be reasonably likely to adversely affect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information or (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. Since January 1, 2022, the Company has not experienced or effected any material change in internal control over financial reporting.

 

(d)            Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, or has any commitment to become a party to, any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnership or any similar contract or arrangement (including any contract or arrangement relating to any transaction or relationship between or among the Company and any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any unconsolidated affiliate, including any structured finance, special purpose or limited purpose entity or person, on the other hand, or any “off-balance sheet arrangement”), where the result, purpose or intended effect of such contract or arrangement is to avoid disclosure of any material transaction involving, or material liabilities of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the Company Financial Statements.

 

(e)            Since January 1, 2022, (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, auditor, accountant or representative of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has received or otherwise has had or obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods (including with respect to loan loss reserves, write-downs, charge-offs and accruals) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices, and (ii) no employee of or attorney (whether or not employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) representing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has reported evidence of a material violation of securities laws or banking laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof or the Board of Directors or similar governing body of any Company Subsidiary or any committee thereof, or to the knowledge of the Company, to any director or officer of the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

 

- 16 -

 

 

3.7            Broker’s Fees. With the exception of the engagement of Piper Sandler & Co. in accordance with the terms of a letter agreement between Piper Sandler & Co. and the Company, a true, complete and correct copy of which has been delivered by the Company to Parent, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary nor any of their respective officers or directors has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor or incurred any liability for any broker’s fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with the Merger or related transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

3.8            Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

 

(a)            Since December 31, 2024, there has not been any effect, change, event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or development that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

(b)            Since December 31, 2024, the Company and its Subsidiaries have carried on their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice.

 

3.9            Legal Proceedings.

 

(a)            Except as set forth in Section 3.9(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules or as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any, and there are no outstanding or pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations of any nature against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their current or former directors or executive officers or challenging the validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in any such proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations.

 

(b)            There is no material injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed upon or entered into by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or that, upon consummation of the Merger, would apply to the Surviving Corporation or any of its affiliates) (other than any order issued by a Regulatory Agency in connection with the Mergers or Bank Merger whose approval is required for the Mergers or Bank Merger, as the case may be).

 

- 17 -

 

 

3.10          Taxes and Tax Returns. For purposes of this Section 3.10, any reference to the Company or its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to include a reference to the Company’s predecessors or the predecessors of the Company’s Subsidiaries, respectively, except where explicitly inconsistent with the language of this Section 3.10.

 

(a)            Except as set forth on Section 3.10(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has duly and timely filed (giving effect to all valid and applicable extensions) all income Tax Returns and all other material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns are true, correct, and complete in all material respects and were prepared in compliance with applicable law. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return which has not been filed.

 

(b)            All Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Tax Returns) that are due have been fully and timely paid. The unpaid Taxes of the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) did not, as of the Balance Sheet Date, exceed the accrued Tax liability (rather than any deferred income Tax liability established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) included in the Company’s unaudited balance sheet as of the Balance Sheet Date included in the Company Financial Statements and (ii) will not exceed the accrued Tax liability as adjusted for transactions or operations in the ordinary course of business through the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of the Company and its Subsidiaries in filing their Tax Returns. There are no material Liens for Taxes upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for Liens for Taxes not due and payable or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP. No written claim has ever been made by any Governmental Entity in a jurisdiction where the Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not file Tax Returns that any such entity is, or may be, subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

 

(c)             Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has withheld and paid all material Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor, shareholder, independent contractor or other third party, and each of the Company and its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with all information reporting with respect thereto.

 

(d)            Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has granted any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax or Tax Return that remains in effect. No private letter rulings (or comparable rulings), technical advice memoranda or similar agreements, or other rulings have been entered into, requested from, or issued by any Governmental Entity with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(e)             Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received a written notice of deficiency or assessment for any material amount of Tax that has not been fully settled or satisfied, and no such deficiency or assessment has been proposed or threatened in writing. There are no disputes, claims, audits, examinations or other proceedings regarding any Tax or Tax Return of the Company and its Subsidiaries or with respect to the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries that is currently ongoing or pending or has been proposed or threatened in writing. The Company has made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of any private letter ruling requests, closing agreements or gain recognition agreements with respect to Taxes requested or executed in the last six (6) years.

 

- 18 -

 

 

(f)             Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement (other than such an agreement or arrangement entered exclusively between or among the Company and its Subsidiaries or entered into in the ordinary course of business and not having Taxes as the primary purpose). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (A) has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which was the Company) or (B) has any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise.

 

(g)            Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has been, within the past two (2) years or otherwise as part of a “plan (or series of related transactions)” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code of which the Merger is also a part, a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock intended to qualify for tax-free treatment in whole or in part under Section 355 or Section 361 of the Code.

 

(h)            Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.6011-4(b) (or any predecessor provision) and each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has disclosed on its U.S. federal income Tax Returns all positions taken therein that could give rise to a substantial understatement of income tax within the meaning of Section 6662 or Section 6662A of the Code.

 

(i)             At no time during the past five (5) years has the Company been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.

 

(j)             Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has a permanent establishment in any country other than the United States under any applicable Tax treaty between the United States and such other country.

 

(k)            None of the Company or its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any: (i) closing agreement as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or foreign income Tax law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date; (ii) intercompany transactions entered into prior to the Closing or any excess loss account as of the Closing Date, each as described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local, or foreign income Tax law); (iii) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date; (iv) prepaid amount or deferred revenue received on prior to the Closing Date; (v) use of any method of accounting other than the accrual method; (vi) any change in method of accounting or use of an improper method of accounting on or prior to the Closing Date, (vii) any election under Section 965 of the Code or (viii) any similar election, action, or agreement that would have the effect of deferring any liability for Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from any period ending on or before the Closing Date to any period ending after the Closing Date. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries currently computes its taxable income exclusively using the accrual method of accounting and has exclusively used the accrual method of accounting to compute its taxable income for all taxable years since its formation.

 

- 19 -

 

 

(l)             Each of the Company and Company Bank is, and has been since its incorporation, validly classified as a “C corporation” for income Tax purposes. Section 3.10(k) of the Company Disclosure Schedules lists the U.S. income tax classification for each Subsidiary of the Company (other than Company Bank). No election has been made (or is pending) to change any such tax classifications.

 

(m)           Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take (or failed to take or agree to take) any action or knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

(n)            As used in this Agreement, the term “Tax” or “Taxes” means all taxes, duties, charges, fees, levies or other assessments in the nature of a tax, including, without limitation, federal, state, local, and foreign income, excise, gross receipts, ad valorem, escheat, profits, gains, property, capital, sales, transfer, use, license, payroll, employment, social security, severance, unemployment, withholding, duties, excise, windfall profits, intangibles, franchise, backup withholding, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated and other taxes, together with all penalties, additions to tax, interest or other additional amounts imposed thereon by any Governmental Entity, whether disputed or not.

 

(o)            As used in this Agreement, the term “Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, estimate or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof, filed or required to be filed to a Governmental Entity.

 

3.11          Employees and Employee Benefit Plans.

 

(a)            Section 3.11(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true and correct list of each material Company Benefit Plan. For purposes of this Agreement, “Company Benefit Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)), whether or not subject to ERISA, and each bonus, stock option, stock purchase, restricted stock, phantom stock, incentive, deferred compensation, retiree welfare, supplemental retirement, severance, change in control, retention, fringe benefit, welfare, pension, bonus, employment, commission, incentive, consulting, termination or other benefit plan, program, practice, policy, agreement or arrangement, in any case, (i) to or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or has or, would reasonably be expected to have, any current or future obligation or liability or (ii) that is sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or required to be contributed to, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of any current or former employee, officer, director, consultant or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, “ERISA Affiliate” means any person, entity, trade or business (in any case, whether or not incorporated) that is, or at any relevant time was, treated as a single employer with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under Section 414 of the Code.

 

- 20 -

 

 

(b)            The Company has heretofore made available to Parent a true and complete copy of (i) each material Company Benefit Plan and all amendments thereto (or, with respect to any unwritten material Company Benefit Plan, a written description thereof), and (ii) to the extent applicable: (A) the current summary plan description and all summaries of material modification thereto, (B) all supplements relating to any Company Benefit Plan, (C) the most recent annual report (Form 5500), if any, filed with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to such Company Benefit Plan, (D) the most recently received IRS determination, opinion or advisory letter, if any, with respect to such Company Benefit Plan, (E) the most recently prepared actuarial report (if applicable) with respect to such Company Benefit Plan, (F) all notices and non-routine correspondence with the IRS, Department of Labor, Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation or other Governmental Entity during the last six (6) years, (G) all Forms 1094-C and a sample of Forms 1095-C for the 2021-2024 calendar years, (H) the most recent testing results and (I) all insurance contracts, administrative services agreements, service contracts, trust agreements and funding arrangements.

 

(c)            Except as set forth on Section 3.11(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, each Company Benefit Plan has been established, operated, funded and administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and the requirements of all applicable laws, including (to the extent applicable) ERISA and the Code. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has, during the last three (3) years, taken any corrective action or made a filing under any voluntary correction program of the IRS, Department of Labor or any other Governmental Entity with respect to any Company Benefit Plan, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any knowledge of any plan defect (whether documentary or operational) that would qualify for correction under any such program.

 

(d)            Each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS on which it may currently rely (or such Company Benefit Plan is on a prototype or volume submitter form and the sponsor of such form has been issued a current opinion or advisory letter from the IRS), and no fact or circumstance exists or has occurred that is reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect such qualified or Tax-exempt status.

 

(e)            Each Company Benefit Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code) and any award thereunder, in each case, that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, has since January 1, 2009, been, in all material respects, in documentary and operational compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

- 21 -

 

 

(f)             None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has any liability or obligation (whether actual, contingent or otherwise) for, and has not at any time during the last six (6) years sponsored, maintained or contributed to or been obligated to contribute to, (i) any plan or arrangement that is subject to Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412, 430 or 4971 of the Code, (ii) any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA or Section 3(37) of ERISA, (iii) any plan that has two (2) or more contributing sponsors at least two (2) of whom are not under common control, within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA, or a “multiple employer plan” (within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Code), (iv) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA) or (v) a “voluntary employees’ beneficiary association” (within the meaning of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code).

 

(g)            No Company Benefit Plan provides, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries sponsors, has sponsored or has any obligation, promise, liability or commitment to provide, any post-employment or post-retirement health, medical, dental, vision or life insurance benefits to any person (or any beneficiary or dependent thereof), except as required by Section 4980B of the Code or other applicable law or for coverage through the last day of the month in which termination of employment occurs (to the extent required by the terms of the appliable Company Benefit Plan).

 

(h)            All contributions required to be made to any Company Benefit Plan by applicable law or by any plan document or other contractual undertaking, and all premiums due or payable with respect to insurance policies funding any Company Benefit Plan have been timely made or paid in full or, to the extent not yet required to be made or paid, have been fully reflected on the books and records of the Company in accordance with applicable law and accounting requirements.

 

(i)             There are no pending or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened claims (other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course), lawsuits or arbitrations that have been asserted or instituted, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no set of circumstances exists that may reasonably give rise to a claim or lawsuit, against any of the Company Benefit Plans, any fiduciaries thereof with respect to their duties to the Company Benefit Plans or the assets of any of the trusts under any of the Company Benefit Plans that could reasonably be expected to result in any material liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. No Company Benefit Plan is under audit (or in the last six (6) years has received a notice that it is expected to be under audit or is being investigated by), the IRS, the Department of Labor or any other Governmental Entity.

 

(j)             None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any ERISA Affiliate or any other person or entity, including any fiduciary, has engaged in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA), which could subject any of the Company Benefit Plans or their related trusts, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any person or entity that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an obligation to indemnify, to any material tax or penalty imposed under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA.

 

(k)            Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby could (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) (i) result in, cause the vesting, exercisability or delivery of, or increase the amount or value of, any payment, right, compensation or other benefit to any current, former or future employee, officer, director or other service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) result in any limitation on the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to amend, merge, terminate or receive a reversion of assets from any Company Benefit Plan or related trust or (iii) result in the receipt or retention by any person of an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

 

- 22 -

 

 

(l)             Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries maintains or contributes to, or is or will be required to contribute to, a rabbi trust or similar funding vehicle, and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not cause or require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to establish or make any contribution to a rabbi trust or similar funding vehicle.

 

(m)           No Company Benefit Plan provides for, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation to provide for, the gross-up or reimbursement of Taxes under Section 409A or 4999 of the Code, or otherwise.

 

(n)            The Company has made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of its Code Section 280G calculations (whether or not final) with respect to all “disqualified individuals” (within the meaning of Code Section 280G) in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(o)            Each Company Benefit Plan that is a “group health plan” within the meaning of Section 5001 of the Code complies, and at all relevant times, complied, in all material respects with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”), the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (“HCERA”) and all regulations and guidance under the PPACA and HCERA (collectively, the “Healthcare Reform Laws”). None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability, nor do any facts or circumstances exist that would result in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries incurring any liability, under Section 4980D of the Code or Section 4980H of the Code or as the result of the failure to comply with any provision of the Healthcare Reform Laws.

 

(p)            Section 3.11(p) of the Company Disclosure Schedules set forth, as of the date of this Agreement, a list of outstanding loans made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any current or former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than loans on terms made available to the general public).

 

3.12         Compliance with Applicable Law.

 

(a)            The Company and each of its Subsidiaries hold, and have at all times since January 1, 2022, held, and been in compliance with, all licenses, registrations, franchises, certificates, variances, permits, charters and authorizations necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses and ownership of their respective properties, rights and assets under and pursuant to applicable law (and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith), except where neither the cost of failure to hold or be in compliance with nor the cost of obtaining and holding such license, registration, franchise, certificate, variance, permit, charter or authorization (nor the failure to pay any fees or assessments) would, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, and to the knowledge of the Company, no suspension or cancellation of any such necessary license, franchise, permit, charter or authorization is threatened.

 

- 23 -

 

 

(b)            The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with and are not in material default or violation under (i) any applicable law, statute, order, rule, guideline and/or regulation of any Governmental Entity relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including all laws related to cybersecurity, data protection or privacy (including laws relating to the privacy and security of data or information that constitutes “personal data,” “nonpublic personal information,” “personal information” or any other equivalent term as defined under applicable law (“Personal Data”)), the USA PATRIOT Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, the Fair Housing Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Small Business Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, any regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Interagency Policy Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit Investment Products, the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation X, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, any and all sanctions or regulations enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of Treasury and any other law, guideline or policy relating to bank secrecy, discriminatory lending, financing or leasing practices, consumer protection, money laundering prevention, foreign assets control, U.S. sanctions laws and regulations, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and all agency requirements relating to the origination, sale and servicing of mortgage and consumer loans, and (ii) any posted or internal privacy policies relating to data protection or privacy, including the protection of Personal Data. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received from a Governmental Entity since January 1, 2022, written notice of, any material defaults or violations of any applicable law relating to Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company and its Subsidiaries have established and maintain a system of internal controls designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Company and its Subsidiaries with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of applicable money laundering prevention laws in jurisdictions where the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business.

 

(c)             Company Bank has a Community Reinvestment Act rating of “satisfactory” or better.

 

(d)            The Company maintains a written information privacy and security program that contains reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards designed to protect the privacy, confidentiality and security of Personal Data against any (i) loss or misuse of Personal Data, (ii) unauthorized access to or acquisition of Personal Data, or (iii) other act or omission that compromises the security or confidentiality of Personal Data (clauses (i) through (iii), a “Security Breach”). To the knowledge of the Company, since January 1, 2022, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not experienced any Security Breach that would reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries or require notification to affected individuals, a Governmental Entity or a Regulatory Agency that has not been made. To the knowledge of Company, there are no data security or other technological vulnerabilities with respect to the information technology systems or networks of the Company and its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. To the knowledge of the Company, the Company has not been the subject of any inquiry or action of any Governmental Entity or Regulatory Agency with respect to any unauthorized processing of Personal Data or material violation of any laws related to cybersecurity, data protection or privacy.

 

- 24 -

 

 

(e)            Without limitation, none of the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, employee, agent or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly, (i) used any funds of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for unlawful contributions, unlawful gifts, unlawful entertainment or other expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic governmental officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from funds of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any similar law, (iv) established or maintained any unlawful fund of monies or other assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) made any fraudulent entry on the books or records of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (vi) made any unlawful bribe, unlawful rebate, unlawful payoff, unlawful influence payment, unlawful kickback or other unlawful payment to any person, private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property or services, to obtain favorable treatment in securing business to obtain special concessions for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, to pay for favorable treatment for business secured or to pay for special concessions already obtained for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or is currently subject to any United States sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department.

 

(f)             Each of the Company and Company Bank maintains regulatory capital ratios that exceed the levels established for “well-capitalized” institutions (as such term is defined in the relevant regulation of the institution’s primary bank regulator). Neither the Company nor Company Bank has received any notice from a Governmental Entity that its status as “well-capitalized” or that Company Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act rating will change within one (1) year from the date of this Agreement.

 

3.13          Certain Contracts.

 

(a)             Except as set forth in Section 3.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, as of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, bound by or subject to any agreement, contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether written or oral):

 

(i)            that would be a “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC, excluding any Company Benefit Plan), assuming for these purposes that the Company were required to file periodic reports with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act;

 

- 25 -

 

 

(ii)           that contains a non-compete or client, employee or customer non-solicit requirement or any other provision that restricts the conduct of, or the manner or location of conducting, any line of business by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or upon consummation of the Merger would restrict the ability of the Surviving Corporation or any of its affiliates to engage in any line of business or in any geographic region;

 

(iii)          that is a collective bargaining agreement or similar agreement with any labor union or guild;

 

(iv)          any of the benefits of or obligations of or under which will arise or be increased or accelerated by the occurrence of the execution and delivery of this Agreement, shareholder approval of this Agreement or consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, or under which a right of cancellation or termination will arise as a result thereof, or the value of any of the benefits of which will be calculated on the basis of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, where such increase or acceleration of benefits or obligations, right of cancellation or termination, or change in calculation of value of benefits would, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(v)           that relates to the incurrence of indebtedness by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including any sale-leaseback transactions, capitalized leases and other similar financing transactions, or provides for the guarantee, support, indemnification, assumption or endorsement by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of, or any similar commitment by the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to, the obligations, liabilities or indebtedness of any other person, in each case, in the principal amount of $500,000 or more;

 

(vi)          that grants any right of first refusal, right of first offer or similar right with respect to any assets, rights or properties of the Company or its Subsidiaries or that limits or purports to limit the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or that following consummation of the Merger would purport to limit the Surviving Corporation or any of its affiliates) to own, operate, sell, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of any assets or business;

 

(vii)         that obligates the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or upon consummation of the Merger would obligate the Surviving Corporation or any of its affiliates, to conduct business with any third party on a preferential or exclusive basis, that requires referrals of business or requires the Company or any of its affiliates to make available investment opportunities to any person on a priority or exclusive basis, that contains any “most favored nation” or similar covenants or that provides for a “clawback” or similar undertaking requiring the reimbursement or refund of any fees;

 

- 26 -

 

 

(viii)        that is an alliance, cooperation, limited liability company, joint venture, shareholders, partnership or similar agreement or any agreement involving a sharing of profits or losses relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(ix)           that involves future payment obligations in excess of $150,000 per annum, other than any such contracts which are terminable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on ninety (90) days’ or less notice without penalty;

 

(x)            that limits the payment of dividends by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(xi)          that relates to the acquisition or disposition of any person, business or asset and under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has or would reasonably be expected to have a material obligation or liability, or that provides for any earn-out, contingent purchase price or similar payment obligation, or a put, call or similar right pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could be required to purchase or sell any equity securities of any person;

 

(xii)          that provides any third party the right to acquire, use or have access to, any assets or properties, or any interest therein, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than in connection with the sale of loans, loan participations or investment securities in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xiii)        that is a Derivative Contract;

 

(xiv)        that is a settlement, consent or similar agreement and contains any continuing obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(xv)         that is an agreement with a federal or state Governmental Entity that insures or guarantees mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities;

 

(xvi)        that governs the operation of solar farms or the sale to third parties of energy generated by solar farms;

 

(xvii)       to which any affiliate, officer, director, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person beneficially owning five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Shares of Company Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock, is a party or beneficiary (except with respect to loans to, or deposit or asset management accounts of, directors, officers and employees entered into in the ordinary course and in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements with respect to it);

 

(xviii)      that would prevent, materially delay or materially impede the Company’s ability to consummate the Merger, the Bank Merger or the other transactions contemplated hereby;

 

- 27 -

 

 

(xix)         that is a lease of real or personal property;

 

(xx)          that contains a standstill or similar agreement pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has agreed not to acquire assets or securities of another person or any of its affiliates;

 

(xxi)         that (A) grants the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any right to use any Intellectual Property (other than under a “shrink-wrap,” “click-wrap,” “web-wrap,” or similar nonexclusive license agreement in respect of non-customized, generally commercially available off-the-shelf software or similar offering, such as a “software-as-a-service” platform (such offerings, “COTS Offering”) that provides for annual payments for license, maintenance, or other fees, in the aggregate, in excess of $150,000), (B) permits any person to use, enforce, register, or otherwise exercise rights in any Intellectual Property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including any license agreements, coexistence agreements and covenants not to sue, or (C) restricts the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to use, register, enforce, or otherwise exercise rights in any Company-Owned Intellectual Property; or

 

(xxii)        any broker, distributor, dealer, agency, sales promotion, customer or client referral, underwriter, administrative services, market research, market consulting or advertising agreement providing for annual payments by the Company and its Subsidiaries of more than $150,000.

 

(b)            Each agreement, contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding of the type described in Section 3.13(a), whether or not set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedules, is referred to herein as a “Company Contract.” The Company has made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of each Company Contract in effect as of the date hereof.

 

(c)            In each case, except as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, (i) each Company Contract is valid and binding on the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and in full force and effect, (ii) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has performed and complied with all obligations required to be performed by it under each Company Contract, (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, each counterparty to each Company Contract has performed and complied with all obligations required to be performed by it under such Company Contract, (iv) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries knows of, or has received notice of, any violation of any Company Contract by any of the parties thereto and (v) no event or condition exists that constitutes or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will constitute, a breach or default on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, of or under any such Company Contract.

 

- 28 -

 

 

3.14          Agreements with Regulatory Agencies. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any cease-and-desist or other order or enforcement action issued by, or is a party to any written agreement, consent agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or has been ordered to pay any civil money penalty by, or has been, since January 1, 2022, a recipient of any supervisory letter from, or since January 1, 2022, has adopted any policies, procedures or board resolutions at the request or suggestion of any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity that restricts in any material respect the conduct of its business or that in any material manner relates to its capital adequacy, its ability to pay dividends, its credit or risk management policies, its management or its business (each, whether or not set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedules, a “Company Regulatory Agreement”), nor has the Company or any of its Subsidiaries been advised by any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity that it is currently considering issuing, initiating, ordering or requesting any such Company Regulatory Agreement. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with each Company Regulatory Agreement to which it is party or subject, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice from any Governmental Entity indicating that either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any such Company Regulatory Agreement.

 

3.15          Risk Management Instruments. All interest rate swaps, caps, floors, option agreements, collars, futures and forward contracts and other similar derivative transactions and risk management arrangements (including any collateralized debt or equity instruments evidencing or embedding any such types of transactions, and any related credit support, collateral or other similar arrangements related to such transactions) (“Derivative Contracts”), whether entered into for the account of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or for the account of a customer of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, were entered into in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with prudent banking practice, applicable rules, regulations and policies of any Regulatory Agency and with counterparties reasonably believed to be financially responsible at the time and are legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries enforceable in accordance with their terms (except as may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions), and are in full force and effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have duly performed in all material respects all of their obligations thereunder to the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no material breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any party thereunder. The financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis under any such Derivative Contracts has been reflected in the books and records of the Company and such Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP in all material respects.

 

3.16          Environmental Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance, and have since January 1, 2022 complied, with all federal, state or local laws, regulations, orders, decrees, permits, authorizations, common law and agency requirements relating to: (i) the protection or restoration of the environment, health and safety as it relates to hazardous substance handling or exposure or the protection of natural resources, (ii) the handling, use, transportation, treatment, storage, presence, disposal, release or threatened release of, or exposure to, any hazardous substance or (iii) noise, odor, wetlands, indoor air quality, pollution, contamination or any injury to persons or property from exposure to any hazardous substance (collectively, “Environmental Laws”). There are no legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims or actions, or to the knowledge of the Company, any private environmental investigations or remediation activities or governmental investigations of any nature seeking to impose, or that could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition, on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any liability or obligation arising under any Environmental Law, pending or threatened against the Company, which liability or obligation would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. To the knowledge of the Company, there is no reasonable basis for any such proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation that would impose any liability or obligation that would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company is not subject to any agreement, order, judgment, decree, letter agreement or memorandum of agreement by or with any court, Governmental Entity, Regulatory Agency or third party imposing any liability or obligation with respect to the foregoing environmental matters that would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. There has been no written third-party environmental site assessment conducted since January 1, 2022 assessing the presence of hazardous materials located on any property owned or leased by the Company or any Company Subsidiary that is within the possession or control of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement that has not been delivered to Parent prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

- 29 -

 

 

3.17          Investment Securities and Commodities.

 

(a)            Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has good title to all securities and commodities owned by it (except those sold under repurchase agreements), free and clear of any Lien, except to the extent such securities or commodities are pledged in the ordinary course of business to secure obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Such securities and commodities are valued on the books of the Company in accordance with GAAP in all material respects.

 

(b)            The Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses employ investment, securities, commodities, risk management and other policies, practices and procedures that are prudent and reasonable in the context of such businesses, and the Company and its Subsidiaries have, since January 1, 2022, been in material compliance with the terms of such policies, practices and procedures.

 

3.18          Real Property; Personal Property.

 

(a)            Section 3.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a complete and accurate list of all of the real properties owned by the Company or any Company Subsidiary as of the date of this Agreement (the “Company Owned Properties”).

 

(b)            Section 3.18(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth, as of the date of this Agreement, a complete and accurate list of all of the leases, subleases, licenses or other occupancies to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party as lessee or tenant for real property (the “Company Leased Properties” and, collectively with the Company Owned Properties, the “Company Real Property”), true and correct copies of which have previously been made available to Parent.

 

- 30 -

 

 

(c)             The Company or a Company Subsidiary (x) has good and marketable title to all the Company Owned Properties, free and clear of all Liens, except (i) statutory Liens securing payments not yet due, (ii) Liens for real property Taxes not yet due and payable, (iii) easements, rights of way and other similar encumbrances that do not materially affect the value or use of the properties or assets subject thereto or affected thereby or otherwise materially impair business operations at such properties and (iv) Liens identified in Section 3.18(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedules (collectively, “Permitted Encumbrances”), and (y) is the lessee of and has a valid leasehold interest in all the Company Leased Properties, free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Encumbrances, and is in possession of the properties purported to be leased thereunder, and each such lease is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms and in full force and effect, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, each lessor, has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it under each such lease, and no event or condition exists that constitutes or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will constitute, a default on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any lessor, under any such lease. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened condemnation proceedings against the Company Real Property. No person other than the Company and its Subsidiaries has any right in any of the Company Owned Properties or any right to use or occupy any portion of the Company Owned Properties or any portion of the Company Leased Properties, except, in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

(d)            (i) The Company or a Company Subsidiary has good, valid and marketable title to all of the personal property of the Company and its Subsidiaries consisting of the trade fixtures, shelving, furniture, on-premises ATMs, equipment, security systems, safe deposit boxes (exclusive of contents), vaults, sign structures, machinery, vehicles, tools, plants, parts, supplies and other tangible personal property excluding any items consumed or disposed of, but including new items acquired or obtained, in the ordinary course of the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries (“Personal Property”) and (ii) each of the leases under which the Company or its Subsidiaries lease Personal Property is valid, and in full force and effect, without default thereunder by the lessee or, to the knowledge of the Company, the lessor. Section 3.18(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, correct, and complete list of all material Personal Property used in the operation of the solar farm business of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(e)             The properties and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including the Company Real Property and the Personal Property) are in good condition and are sufficient for the continued conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing.

 

3.19          Intellectual Property; Information Security.

 

(a)            Section 3.19(a)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedules contains a true and complete list, as of the date hereof, of all Registered Intellectual Property, indicating for each item the record owner, registration number, registration date and the filing jurisdiction, domain name registrar, as applicable. Section 3.19(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedules contains a true and complete list, as of the date hereof, of all Company Owned Intellectual Property that is not Registered, including: (a) all material unregistered trademarks (e.g., trademarks service marks, brands, certification marks, logos, trade dress, trade names, and other similar indicia of source or origin); (b) all Software owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (c) summary description of all material Trade Secrets and other unregistered Intellectual Property owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

- 31 -

 

  

(b)            Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company: (a) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries solely owns (beneficially, and of record where applicable), free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Encumbrances, all right, title and interest in and to its respective material Company Owned Intellectual Property; (b) the Company Owned Intellectual Property and all issued and granted items therein are valid, subsisting, and enforceable; (c) the Company and its Subsidiaries have not taken any action or failed to take any action that could reasonably be expected to result in the abandonment, cancellation, forfeiture, relinquishment, invalidation, waiver, or unenforceability of any Company Owned Intellectual Property; (d) the Company or one of its Subsidiary is properly recorded as the registered owner of the Registered Intellectual Property; (e) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any consent, coexistence, indemnification, forbearance to sue, license, settlement, distribution, development or other agreements relating to the Company Intellectual Property; (f) to the Company’s knowledge, none of the Company Owned Intellectual Property is subject to any outstanding order or agreement restricting or otherwise materially limiting the use, validity, enforceability, scope, disposition or exploitation thereof by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any right, title or interest of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect thereto; (g) the Company has received no written notice claiming or alleging that Company Owned Intellectual Property is, and to the Company’s knowledge none of the Company Owned Intellectual Property is, the subject of any opposition, cancellation, inter partes review or similar proceeding before any governmental, registration, or other authority in any jurisdiction, or is currently the subject of an office action or other form of preliminary or final refusal of registration; and (h) the Company has received no written notice claiming or alleging that either the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is, and to the Company’s knowledge neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries are, subject to any injunction or other specific judicial, administrative, or other order that restricts or impairs its use or distribution of any Company Intellectual Property.

 

(c)            The Company Intellectual Property constitutes all of the material Intellectual Property used in and necessary for the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns or has the right to use, and immediately following the Closing will continue to own or have the right to use, all Company Intellectual Property on identical terms and conditions.

 

(d)            The Company has disclosed a complete and accurate list, as of the date hereof, of all Licensed Intellectual Property other than any COTS Offering pursuant to Section 3.19(d). Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, any use, reproduction, modification, distribution, or sublicensing of Licensed Intellectual Property by the Company or its Subsidiaries has been performed in accordance with the applicable terms, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are otherwise in compliance with all obligations relating to the use or protection of the Licensed Intellectual Property.

 

- 32 -

 

 

(e)            Neither the Company Owned Intellectual Property nor the operation of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries’ respective businesses as presently conducted infringes, dilutes, misappropriates or otherwise violates, nor has infringed, diluted, misappropriated or otherwise violated, the Intellectual Property rights of any third person, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written claim, notice, invitation to license or similar communication, nor has any action been instituted or threatened relating to any Company Owned Intellectual Property, alleging any of the foregoing.

 

(f)             The Company has received no written notice claiming or alleging that a third person is, and to the Company’s knowledge no third person is, infringing, diluting, misappropriating or otherwise violating, or has since January 1, 2022 infringed, diluted, misappropriated or otherwise violated any of the Company Owned Intellectual Property or any Licensed Intellectual Property exclusively licensed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has since January 1, 2022 asserted or threatened in writing any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation against any person alleging any of the foregoing.

 

(g)            The Company and its Subsidiaries have made commercially reasonable efforts to protect and maintain the proprietary nature of each item of Company Intellectual Property and the confidentiality of the Trade Secrets that are included in the Company Intellectual Property (including, without limitation, by entering into confidentiality, nondisclosure, or similar agreements as appropriate with the officers, directors, employees, agents, independent contractors, and consultants to the Company or its Subsidiaries who would reasonably be expected to have access to any such Trade Secrets). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all past and present employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries have entered into valid and binding written confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements with the Company or a Subsidiary that are in substantially the form provided by the Company to Parent for review. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, no such Trade Secrets (and to the extent contractually or otherwise required to do so, the Trade Secrets of third parties in the possession of the Company or its Subsidiaries) have been disclosed or permitted to be disclosed to any person (except in the ordinary and normal course of business and under an obligation of confidence), and all such Trade Secrets held outside the Company or its Subsidiaries are subject to contractual confidentiality obligations to which the Company or its Subsidiary is a party and able to enforce. To the Company’s knowledge, no such Trade Secrets have been used or appropriated without authorization, and other than for benefit of the Company and its Subsidiaries. To the Company’s knowledge, no present or former officer, director, employee, agent, independent contractor, or consultant has misappropriated in any material respect any such Trade Secrets in the course of the performance of responsibilities to the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

- 33 -

 

 

(h)            [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

(i)             The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have implemented commercially reasonable measures designed to (i) protect the confidentiality, integrity, operation and security of the Company IT Assets (and all information and transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby) against any unauthorized use, access, interruption, modification or corruption, including backup, security and disaster recovery technology and procedures, and (ii) prevent the introduction of Malicious Code, including the use of firewall protections and virus scans and access monitoring.

 

(j)             Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries do not access, distribute, modify, or otherwise use, and since January 1, 2022, have not accessed, distributed, modified, or otherwise used, any Open Source Software.

 

(k)            Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company Products comply in all material respects with applicable contractual commitments relating to their use, functionality, or performance, and, to the knowledge of the Company, there are no pending or threatened claims alleging any such failure.

 

(l)             The Company has disclosed a complete and accurate list and summary description of all generative artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning tools or similar technologies (“AI Tools”) utilized by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) maintain and adhere to commercially reasonable practices designed to ensure the lawful use of AI Tools, and (ii) comply with any obligations pertaining to such use under applicable laws or any contracts to which they are parties.

 

(m)           No funding, facilities, or personnel of any Governmental Entity or educational institution were used to develop or create, in whole or in part, any of the Company Owned Intellectual Property. None of the Company Owned Intellectual Property contains Intellectual Property that is (i) owned by any Governmental Entity or educational institution or (ii) derived from Intellectual Property owned by any Governmental Entity or educational institution.

 

(n)            Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company IT Assets operate and perform substantially as required by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries in connection with their respective businesses. To the knowledge of the Company, there has been no material unauthorized use, access, interruption, modification or corruption of any of the Company IT Assets (or any information or transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby) since January 1, 2022 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in or is reasonably expected to result in material liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or an obligation for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to notify any Governmental Entity. The Company has implemented and maintains data backups, disaster recovery and business-continuity practices for its business, IT Assets and data contained therein that are consistent with industry practices and comply in all material respects with applicable law. The Company has: (i) on a periodic basis, conducted reasonable vulnerability tests and assessments of the IT Assets, and (ii) to the knowledge of the Company, timely corrected any identified material issues, and patched or otherwise remediated any identified vulnerabilities. To the knowledge of the Company, the IT Assets do not presently have any material issues or vulnerabilities.

 

- 34 -

 

 

(o)            Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company has not: (i) suffered, or reasonable suspected to have suffered, any (A) failures or delays or breakdowns in the IT Assets since January 1, 2022 which have caused any material disruption or interruption in the Company’s business, or (B) any material unauthorized intrusion or breach of the security of the IT Assets or any material defect, bug, breakdown, malfunction, or other failure of the IT Assets; or (ii) received any written notices, written claims or written complaints from any person regarding the same. The Company maintains and has since January 1, 2022 maintained reasonable physical, technical and administrative security measures, policies, and practices to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all Personal Data and other confidential or proprietary information of the Company’s business therein from and against unlawful, accidental, or unauthorized access, destruction, disposal, loss, use, modification, misuse or disclosure. To the knowledge of the Company, the Company contractually requires all vendors and other persons providing services for the Company’s business who have access to, or receive, Personal Data or other confidential or proprietary information of the Company’s business from or on behalf of the Company’s business to (i) maintain reasonable physical, technical and administrative security measures, and (ii) comply with all Privacy and Security Requirements, as applicable. The Company has not since January 1, 2022 received any written complaint, claim, demand, inquiry or other such notice, from any person or Governmental Entity regarding any alleged violation of, or deficiency in, Privacy and Security Requirements, or compliance with contractual obligations, with respect to Personal Data, other confidential or proprietary information of the business or the IT Assets.

 

(p)            Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, the Company has not: (i) experienced, or reasonably suspected, any breaches of security or privacy (including theft or unlawful, accidental, or unauthorized use, access, collection, processing, storage, disposal, destruction, transfer, disclosure, interruption, modification or other misuse by any person of Personal Data) or policies relating to Personal Data collected, processed, owned, stored, used, maintained or controlled by or on behalf of the Company’s business, (ii) materially failed to comply with Privacy and Security Requirements, in each case relating to Personal Data collected, processed, owned, stored, used, or maintained or controlled by or on behalf of any of the Company’s business, or (iii) experienced any material losses, thefts or unauthorized accesses to or disclosures of confidential information or proprietary information ((i)-(iii) collectively, “Information Security Incident”). The Company has not been obligated to provide notification of an Information Security Incident under applicable Privacy and Security Requirements to any person or Governmental Entity and has not received any written complaints or notices of the same. To the knowledge of the Company, this Agreement will not result in any violation of any applicable Privacy and Security Requirements.

 

- 35 -

 

 

(q)            For purposes of this Agreement:

 

(i)            Company Intellectual Property” means, collectively, all Company Owned Intellectual Property and Licensed Intellectual Property.

 

(ii)           Company IT Assets” means any and all IT Assets owned, leased or licensed (or purported to be owned, leased or licensed) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(iii)          Company Owned Intellectual Property” means Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including the Registered Intellectual Property, Company Products, and Software owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(iv)          Company Products” means all products or services (including any websites, mobile applications, firmware or other Software) owned (or purported to be owned), developed (or currently being developed) or otherwise made available at any time by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(v)           Intellectual Property” means any and all: (i) trademarks, service marks, brand names, collective marks, Internet domain names, internet and mobile account names, including social media names, “tags,” or “handles,” logos, symbols, slogans, designs and other indicia of origin, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations and combinations thereof, all applications, registrations and renewals for the foregoing, and all goodwill associated therewith and symbolized thereby; (ii) patents and patentable inventions (whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereto, and all invention disclosures and applications therefor, together with all divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, renewals, extensions, reexaminations and reissues in connection therewith; (iii) confidential proprietary business information, trade secrets and know-how, including processes, schematics, business and other methods, technologies, techniques, protocols, formulae, drawings, prototypes, models, designs, unpatentable discoveries and inventions (“Trade Secrets”); (iv) copyrights in published and unpublished works of authorship (including Software, databases and other compilations of information), and all registrations and applications therefor, and all renewals, extensions, restorations and reversions thereof; and (v) other intellectual property rights, rights of publicity, or similar proprietary rights throughout the world, including causes of action, damages and remedies for past, present and future infringements, misappropriations or other violations thereof and rights of protection of an interest therein under the laws of any jurisdiction.

 

(vi)          IT Assets” means the computer systems (including computers, servers, workstations, routers, hubs, switches, circuits, networks, data communication lines, software, hardware, information technology systems, data processing systems, databases, data repositories, cloud services and other systems, equipment and infrastructure) that are owned, leased, licensed or otherwise used by or on behalf of the Company in or necessary to the conduct of the Company’s business.

 

- 36 -

 

 

(vii)         Licensed Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned by a third party that is licensed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(viii)        Malicious Code” means any “back door,” “drop dead device,” “time bomb,” “Trojan horse,” “virus,” “worm,” “spyware,” “malware,” (in each case, as such terms are commonly understood in the software industry) or any other code designed to have any of the following functions: (i) disrupting, disabling or harming the operation of, or providing unauthorized access to, a computer system or network or other device on which such code is stored or installed; or (ii) compromising the privacy or data security of a user or damaging or destroying any data or file, in each case, without authorization and without the applicable user’s consent.

 

(ix)          Open Source Software” means any Software that is distributed (i) as “free software” (as defined by the Free Software Foundation), (ii) as “open source software” or pursuant to any license identified as an “open source license” by the Open Source Initiative (www.opensource.org/licenses) or other license that substantially conforms to the Open Source Definition (opensource.org/osd), or (iii) under a license that (A) requires source code or derivative works based on such Software to be made publicly available under the same license or (B) prohibits the receipt of consideration in connection with sublicensing or distributing such software.

 

(x)           Privacy and Security Laws” means all applicable laws (including common law), statute, legislation, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, judgment, order, decree, treaty, rule, regulation, ruling, determination, charge, direction or other restriction of an arbitrator or Governmental Entity, including without limitation laws relating to privacy, data security, data protection, data transfer, data disposal, breach notification, telephone and text message communications, online tracking, and marketing by email or other channels, in all relevant jurisdictions. This includes but is not limited to U.S. state comprehensive and financial privacy laws, federal privacy laws and regulations (including but not limited to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act, etc.), Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council IT Handbooks, and digital marketing practices subject to laws such as the CAN-SPAM Act and Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

 

(xi)          Privacy and Security Requirements” means, in connection with the collection, storage, use, security, disclosure or disposal of any Personal Data by or on behalf of the Company, all (a) applicable Privacy and Security Laws, (b) contractual commitments of a party or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) publicly-facing statements, policies, or procedures adopted by a party or any of its Subsidiaries, (d) internal privacy and security policies and procedures, and (e) industry and self-regulatory standards and codes of conduct to which a party or any of its Subsidiaries is bound, including, as applicable, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, in each of clause (a) through (e) of this definition, regarding privacy, cybersecurity, data security or artificial intelligence.

 

- 37 -

 

 

(xii)         Registered” means issued by, registered with, renewed by or the subject of a pending application before any Governmental Entity, Internet domain name registrar, or social media platform.

 

(xiii)        Registered Intellectual Property” means all Company Owned Intellectual Property that is Registered.

 

(xiv)        Software” means any computer program, application, middleware, firmware, microcode and other software, including operating systems, software implementations of algorithms, models and methodologies, in each case, whether in source code, object code or other form or format, including libraries, subroutines and other components thereof, and all material documentation relating thereto.

 

3.20          Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth in Section 3.20 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, (i) there are no transactions or series of related transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings, nor are there any currently proposed transactions or series of related transactions, between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any current or former director or “executive officer” (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any person who beneficially owns (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Company Common Stock (or any of such person’s immediate family members or affiliates) (other than Subsidiaries of the Company), on the other hand, except those of a type available to employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries generally and other than deposits held by Company Bank in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) there are no material properties, rights or assets that are used in the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and owned by any current or former director or “executive officer” (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any person who beneficially owns (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Company Common Stock (or any of such person’s immediate family members or affiliates) (other than Subsidiaries of the Company).

 

3.21          State Takeover Laws. The Board of Directors of the Company has approved this Agreement and the Voting Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and has taken all such other necessary actions as required to render inapplicable to such agreements and transactions, the provisions of any potentially applicable takeover laws of any state, including any “moratorium,” “control share,” “fair price,” “takeover” or “interested shareholder” law or any similar provisions of the Company Articles or Company Bylaws (collectively with any similar provisions of the Parent Sub Articles or Parent Sub Bylaws, “Takeover Statutes”).

 

- 38 -

 

 

3.22          Reorganization. The Company has not taken any action and is not aware of any fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

3.23          Opinion. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, the Company has received an opinion (which if initially rendered verbally, has been or will be confirmed by a written opinion as of the same date) from Piper Sandler & Co., to the effect that, as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to the matters set forth therein, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Company Common Stock. Such opinion has not been amended or rescinded as of the date of this Agreement.

 

3.24          Company Information. The information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries or that is provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries or representatives for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and the S-4, or in any other application, notification or other document filed with any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity in connection herewith, will not (with respect to the Proxy Statement, as of the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company’s shareholders and as of the date of the special meeting of the Company, and with respect to the S-4, as of the time the S-4 or any amendment or supplement thereto is filed and when declared effective under the Securities Act) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement (except for such portions thereof that relate only to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries) will comply in all material respects with applicable law.

 

3.25          Loan Portfolio.

 

(a)            Except as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, each loan, loan agreement, note or borrowing arrangement (including leases, credit enhancements, commitments, guarantees and interest-bearing assets) in which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is a creditor (collectively, “Company Loans”) currently outstanding (i) is evidenced by notes, agreements or other evidences of indebtedness that are true, genuine and what they purport to be, (ii) to the extent secured, has been secured by valid Liens which have been perfected and (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor named therein, enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to the Enforceability Exceptions). The notes or other credit or security documents with respect to each such outstanding Company Loan were in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws at the time of origination or purchase by the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

(b)            Except as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, each outstanding Company Loan was solicited and originated, and is and has been administered and, where applicable, serviced, and the relevant Company Loan files are being maintained in accordance with the relevant notes or other credit or security documents and the Company’s written underwriting standards, in each case, with all applicable requirements of applicable law.

 

- 39 -

 

 

(c)            Section 3.25(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a list of (i) each Company Loan that as of the Balance Sheet Date (A) was contractually past due 90 days or more in the payment of principal and/or interest, (B) was on non-accrual status, (C) was classified as “substandard,” “doubtful,” “loss,” “classified,” “criticized,” “credit risk assets,” “concerned loans,” “watch list,” “impaired” or “special mention” (or words of similar import) by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any Governmental Entity, (D) a specific reserve allocation existed in connection therewith, or (E) was required to be accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring in accordance with ASC 310-40, (ii) each Company Loan that, as of the Balance Sheet Date, (A) a reasonable doubt exists as to the timely future collectability of principal and/or interest, whether or not interest is still accruing or the Company Loans are less than 90 days past due, (B) the interest rate terms have been reduced and/or the maturity dates have been extended subsequent to the agreement under which the Company Loan was originally created due to concerns regarding the borrower’s ability to pay in accordance with such initial terms, or (C) where a specific reserve allocation exists in connection therewith, and (iii) each asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, as of the Balance Sheet Date, was classified as “other real estate owned,” “other repossessed assets” or as an asset to satisfy Company Loans, and the book value thereof as of such date. For each Company Loan identified in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, Section 3.25(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth the outstanding balance, including accrued and unpaid interest, on each such Company Loan and the identity of the borrower thereunder as of the Balance Sheet Date.

 

(d)            Section 3.25(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a list of all Company Loans outstanding as of the date of this Agreement by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any directors, officers and principal stockholders (as such terms are defined in Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Board (12 C.F.R. Part 215)) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. There are no employee, officer, director or other affiliate Company Loans on which the borrower is paying a rate other than that reflected in the note or other relevant credit or security agreement or on which the borrower is paying a rate which was not in compliance with Regulation O, and all such Company Loans are and were originated in all material respects compliance with all applicable laws.

 

(e)            Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is now, nor has it ever been since January 1, 2022, subject to any fine, suspension, settlement or other contract or other administrative agreement or sanction by, or any reduction in any loan purchase commitment from, any Governmental Entity relating to the origination, sale or servicing of mortgage or consumer Company Loans.

 

(f)             The allowances for loan and lease losses and for credit losses contained in the Company Financial Statements were, and such allowances contained in the financial statements required to be delivered to Parent under Section 6.2(a) will be, determined in compliance with the Company’s methodologies and in accordance with the requirements of GAAP in all material respects.

 

- 40 -

 

 

(g)            Since January 1, 2022, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has complied in all material respects with, and all documentation in connection with the origination, processing, underwriting and credit approval of any mortgage loan originated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries satisfied in all material respects: (1) all applicable laws with respect to the origination, insuring, purchase, sale, pooling, servicing, subservicing, loan modification, loss mitigation or filing of claims in connection with such mortgage loans, including, to the extent applicable, all laws relating to real estate settlement procedures, consumer credit protection, truth in lending laws, usury limitations, fair housing, transfers of servicing, collection practices, equal credit opportunity and adjustable rate mortgages, in each case applicable as of the time of such origination, processing, underwriting or credit approval; (2) the responsibilities and obligations relating to such mortgage loans set forth in any contract between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Governmental Entity, loan investor or insurer, on the other hand; (3) the applicable rules, regulations, guidelines, handbooks and other requirements of any Governmental Entity, loan investor or insurer, in each case applicable as of the time of such origination, processing, underwriting or credit approval; and (4) the terms and provisions of any mortgage or other collateral documents and other loan documents with respect to each such mortgage loan; in each case applicable as of the time of such origination, processing, underwriting or credit approval.

 

3.26          Insurance.

 

(a)            True and correct copies of all policies (“Insurance Policies”) of liability, property, fire, casualty, business interruption, product liability, and other forms of insurance owned or held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a beneficiary have previously been made available to Parent. Except as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, (a) the Company and its Subsidiaries are insured with reputable insurers against such risks and in such amounts as the management of the Company reasonably has determined to be prudent and consistent with industry practice, and the Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with their Insurance Policies and are not in default under any of the terms thereof, (b) each such policy is outstanding and in full force and effect and, except for policies insuring against potential liabilities of officers, directors and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary thereof is the sole beneficiary of such policies and (c) all premiums and other payments due under any such policy have been paid, and all claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion. There is no material claim pending under any Insurance Policies as to which coverage has been denied or disputed by the underwriters of such policies.

 

(b)            Section 3.26(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true, correct and complete description of all bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries, including the value of its BOLI, as of the date hereof. The value of such BOLI is and has since January 1, 2022 in all material respects been fairly and accurately reflected in the most recent balance sheet included in the Company Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. The Company has complied with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements regarding its investment in BOLI, including the requirement to obtain positive consent from all applicable employees allowing the Company to be the beneficiary of the applicable life insurance policies.

 

- 41 -

 

 

3.27          Labor.

 

(a)            Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, nor at any time since January 1, 2022 was, a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement or other agreement with a labor union or like organization, and to the knowledge of the Company, there are no organizational campaigns, petitions or other activities or proceedings of any individual or group of individuals, including representatives of any labor union, workers’ council or labor organization, seeking recognition of a collective bargaining unit with respect to, or otherwise attempting to represent, any of the employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. All employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act are properly classified. All individuals engaged as independent contractors or consultants are properly classified.

 

(b)            There are no labor-related controversies, strikes, slowdowns, walkouts or other work stoppages pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened (in writing), and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has experienced any such labor related controversy, strike, slowdown, walkout or other work stoppage since January 1, 2022.

 

(c)            Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in material compliance with all applicable laws relating to labor, employment, termination of employment or similar matters, including but not limited to laws relating to discrimination, disability, classification of workers, labor relations, hours of work, payment of wages and overtime wages, pay equity, immigration, workers’ compensation, working conditions, employee scheduling, occupational safety and health, family and medical leave and employee terminations, and has not engaged in any unfair labor practices or similar prohibited practices. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder or any similar state or local law that remains unsatisfied. The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and have in their files properly completed copies of Form I-9 for all employees with respect to whom that form is required. The Company and its Subsidiaries are enrolled in and use E-Verify where required by applicable law. All employees of Company Bank and its Subsidiaries are covered by Company Bank’s bankers’ bond policy and are eligible to be employed by an FDIC-insured bank under the FDIA and applicable FDIC rules and regulations.

 

(d)            In the past three (3) years, there has not been any allegation or threatened allegation of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or discrimination against any current or former director, manager, officer or employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries. In the past three (3) years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any settlement agreement related to allegations or threatened allegations of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or discrimination by any current or former director, manager, officer, employee, independent contractor, or other service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

- 42 -

 

 

3.28          Broker-Dealer, Investment Advisory and Insurance Matters.

 

(a)            Except as set forth on Section 3.28(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules, none of the Company, its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their respective officers and employees are required to be registered, licensed or qualified with the SEC or any securities or insurance commission or other Governmental Entity as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, futures commission merchant, municipal securities dealer, registered principal, registered representative, agent, salesperson or investment adviser representative. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to any obligation to be so registered, licensed or qualified.

  

(b)            Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company serves in a capacity described in Section 9(a) or 9(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, nor acts as an “investment adviser” required to register as such under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(c)            Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company is required to be registered, licensed or qualified as an insurance agency or broker.

 

3.29          Trust and Asset Management Business.

 

(a)            The accounts of each trust or asset management customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have, since January 1, 2022, been administered (i) in conformity in all material respects with the applicable policies of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) in accordance in all material respects with the terms of any applicable contract governing the relationship with such customer, (iii) in accordance in all material respects with the applicable policies of the Company and its Subsidiaries regarding instructions received from such customers and their authorized representatives and authorized signers, (iv) consistent in all material respects with each customer’s risk profile in effect at such time and (v) in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ constituent documents, including any policies and procedures adopted thereunder and in effect at such time. Each contract governing a relationship with a trust or wealth management customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and each Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company, the other contracting parties, each such contract constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, the other contracting parties thereto, have duly performed in all material respects their obligations thereunder, and the Company and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, such other contracting parties are in material compliance with each of the terms thereof.

 

(b)            Since January 1, 2022, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been, and none are currently, engaged in any dispute with, or subject to claims by, any such trust or wealth management customer for breach of fiduciary duty or otherwise in connection with any such account.

 

- 43 -

 

 

(c)            Except as would not be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since January 1, 2022, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have properly administered all accounts for which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acts as a fiduciary, including accounts for which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries serves as a trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment adviser, in compliance with the terms of the applicable governing documents and applicable law. None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any director, officer or employee of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has committed any breach of trust or fiduciary duty with respect to any such fiduciary account that would be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and the accountings for each such fiduciary account are true and correct in all material respects and accurately reflect in all material respects the assets and results of such fiduciary account.

 

3.30          Transactions in Company Securities. All offers and sales of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock by the Company were at all relevant times exempt from, or complied with, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

3.31          No Other Representations or Warranties.

 

(a)            Except for the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Article III and in any certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, neither the Company nor any other person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, or condition (financial or otherwise), and the Company hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties.

 

(b)            The Company acknowledges and agrees that neither Parent, Parent Sub nor any other person has made or is making, and the Company has not relied on, any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in Article IV and in any certificate delivered by Parent pursuant to this Agreement.

 

- 44 -

 

 

Article IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND PARENT SUB

 

Except (A) as disclosed in the applicable section of the disclosure schedule delivered by Parent to the Company concurrently herewith (the “Parent Disclosure Schedules”); provided, that (i) no such item is required to be set forth as an exception to a representation or warranty if its absence would not result in the related representation or warranty being deemed untrue or incorrect, (ii) the mere inclusion of an item in the Parent Disclosure Schedules as an exception to a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission by Parent that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) any disclosures made with respect to a section of this Article IV shall be deemed to qualify (a) any other section of this Article IV specifically referenced or cross-referenced and (b) other sections of this Article IV to the extent it is reasonably apparent on its face (notwithstanding the absence of a specific cross reference) from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure applies to such other sections, or (B) as disclosed in any Parent Reports filed by Parent since January 1, 2022, and prior to the date hereof (but disregarding risk factor disclosures contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” or disclosures of risks set forth in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer), Parent and Parent Sub hereby represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

 

4.1            Corporate Organization.

 

(a)            Parent is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Missouri and is a bank holding company duly registered under the BHC Act. Parent Sub is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Kansas. Each of Parent and Parent Sub has the requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted in all material respects, and is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned, leased or operated by it makes such licensing, qualification or standing necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or to be in good standing would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent. True and complete copies of the Restated Articles of Incorporation of Parent (the “Parent Articles”), the By-Laws, as amended, of Parent (the “Parent Bylaws”), the Parent Sub Articles and the Parent Sub Bylaws, in each case, as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, have previously been made available by Parent to the Company. Parent is not in violation of any of the provisions of the Parent Articles or Parent Bylaws and Parent Sub is not in violation of any of the provisions of the Parent Sub Articles or the Parent Sub Bylaws.

 

(b)            Each Subsidiary of Parent (a “Parent Subsidiary”) (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) is duly licensed or qualified to do business and, where such concept is recognized under applicable law, in good standing in all jurisdictions (whether federal, state, local or foreign) in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned or leased by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary and in which the failure to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing would reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent, and (iii) has all requisite corporate (or similar) power and authority to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted in all material respects. There are no restrictions on the ability of any Parent Subsidiary to pay dividends or distributions, except in the case of a Subsidiary that is a regulated entity, for restrictions on dividends or distributions generally applicable to all such regulated entities. The deposit accounts of each Parent Subsidiary that is an insured depository institution are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund (as defined in Section 3(y) of the FDIA) to the fullest extent permitted by law, all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due, and no proceedings for the termination of such insurance are pending or threatened. Section 4.1(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true and complete list of all Subsidiaries of Parent as of the date hereof. No Parent Subsidiary is in violation of any of the provisions of the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or comparable organizational documents) of such Parent Subsidiary.

 

- 45 -

 

 

4.2            Capitalization.

 

(a)            As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of Parent consists of 190,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $1 per share, of which no shares of preferred stock are issued or outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. As of the Capitalization Date, there are (i) 133,420,143 shares of Parent Common Stock outstanding (which number includes 1,273,911 shares of Parent Common Stock subject to outstanding awards of restricted Parent Common Stock ( “Parent Restricted Stock Awards”)), (ii) 1,530,982 shares of Parent Common Stock held in treasury, (iii) 259,687 shares of Parent Common Stock held in a rabbi trust, (iv) 157,304 shares of Parent Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock appreciation rights (“Parent SARs”), (v) 14,485 shares of Parent Common Stock reserved for issuance under a director stock purchase plan (“Director Plan Shares”), and (vi) no other shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of Parent issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. Parent Sub owns all of the outstanding stock of Parent Bank. All of the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness or instruments that have the right to vote on any matters on which stockholders of Parent may vote. Other than Parent Restricted Stock Awards, Parent SARs and Director Plan Shares issued on or prior to the date of this Agreement, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, phantom units, scrip, rights to subscribe to, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, puts, calls, commitments or agreements of any character whatsoever relating to or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of capital stock or other voting or equity securities of or ownership interests in Parent, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which Parent may become bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities of or ownership interests in Parent, or otherwise obligating Parent to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any such securities. There are no voting trusts, stockholder agreements, proxies or other agreements in effect to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of the Parent Common Stock, capital stock or other voting or equity securities or ownership interests of Parent.

 

(b)            Except as set forth on Section 4.2(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedules, Parent owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests of each of the Parent Subsidiaries, free and clear of any Liens, and all of such shares or equity ownership interests are duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable (except, with respect to bank Subsidiaries, as provided under 12 U.S.C. § 55 or any comparable provision of applicable state law) and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. Other than the shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests described in the previous sentence or set forth on Section 4.2(b) of the Parent Disclosure Schedules, as of the date of this Agreement there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, phantom units, scrip, rights to subscribe to, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, puts, calls, commitments or agreements of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of capital stock or other voting or equity securities of or ownership interests in any Parent Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any Parent Subsidiary may become bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities or ownership interests in such Parent Subsidiary, or otherwise obligating any Parent Subsidiary to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire an such securities.

 

- 46 -

 

 

4.3            Authority; No Violation.

 

(a)            Each of Parent and Parent Sub has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the consummation of the Merger, have been duly and validly approved by the Boards of Directors of Parent and Parent Sub. The Board of Directors of Parent Sub has duly adopted resolutions pursuant to which it has determined that the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement is advisable and in the best interests of Parent Sub and its sole stockholder and has adopted and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Except for the adoption and approval of the Bank Merger Agreement by the Board of Directors of Parent Bank and Parent Sub as its sole shareholder, no other corporate proceedings on the part of Parent or Parent Sub are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Parent and Parent Sub and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company) constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Parent Sub, enforceable against Parent and Parent Sub in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions). The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Merger have been validly authorized, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and no current or past stockholder of Parent will have any preemptive right or similar rights in respect thereof.

 

(b)            Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Parent or Parent Sub, nor the consummation by Parent or Parent Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by Parent or Parent Sub with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will (i) violate any provision of the Parent Articles, the Parent Bylaws, the Parent Sub Articles or the Parent Sub Bylaws, or (ii) assuming that the consents and approvals referred to in Section 4.4 are duly obtained, (x) violate any law, statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to Parent or Parent Sub, or any of their respective properties or assets or (y) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by or rights or obligations under, require consent or notice under or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the respective properties or assets of Parent or Parent Sub or any of their respective Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, contract agreement or other instrument or obligation to which Parent or Parent Sub is a party, or by which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound or affected, except, in the case of clause (y) above, for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults that, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.

 

- 47 -

 

 

4.4            Consents and Approvals. Except for (a) the filing of any required applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Federal Reserve Board under the BHC Act and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (b) the filing of any required applications, filings or notices, as applicable, with the Federal Reserve Board under the Bank Merger Act, and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (c) the filing of any required applications, filings or notices, as applicable, with the Missouri Division of Finance, and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (d) any required filings or notices with the OCC, (e) those additional applications, filings and notices, if any, listed on Section 3.4 of the Company Disclosure Schedules or Section 4.4 of the Parent Disclosure Schedules and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (f) the filing with the SEC of the S-4 in which the Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus, to be filed with the SEC by Parent in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and declaration by the SEC of effectiveness of the S-4, (g) the filing of the Florida Articles of Merger with the Florida Secretary pursuant to the FBCA, the filing of the Kansas Certificate of Merger with the Kansas Secretary pursuant to the KGCC, and the filing of the Bank Merger Articles, (h) such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and (i) the approval of the listing of such shares of Parent Common Stock on the NASDAQ, no consents or approvals of or filings or registrations with any Governmental Entity are necessary in connection with (A) the execution, delivery and performance by Parent and Parent Sub of this Agreement or (B) the consummation by Parent and Parent Sub of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby. As of the date hereof, Parent is not aware of any reason why the necessary regulatory approvals and consents will not be received to permit consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement on a timely basis.

 

4.5            Reports. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have timely filed (or furnished) all reports, forms, correspondence, registrations and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file (or furnish, as applicable) since January 1, 2022 with any Regulatory Agencies and with each other applicable Governmental Entity, and all other reports and statements required to be filed by them since January 1, 2022, including any report, form, correspondence, registration or statement required to be filed (or furnished, as applicable) pursuant to the laws, rules or regulations of the United States, any state, any foreign entity, or any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity, and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith, except where the failure to file (or furnish, as applicable) such report, form, correspondence, registration or statement or to pay such fees and assessments, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent. Each such report, form, correspondence, registration or statement filed with (or furnished to, as applicable) any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity since January 1, 2022, as of the date of its filing (or furnishing, as applicable) complied in all material respects with relevant legal requirements. Except for normal examinations conducted by a Regulatory Agency in the ordinary course of business of Parent and its Subsidiaries, no Regulatory Agency has initiated or has pending any proceeding or, to the knowledge of Parent, investigation into the business or operations of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 2022. There (i) is no unresolved violation, criticism, or exception by any Regulatory Agency with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations or inspections of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, and (ii) has been no formal or informal inquiries by, or disagreements or disputes with, any Regulatory Agency with respect to the business, operations, policies or procedures of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 2022, in each case, which would reasonably be expected to be material to Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

- 48 -

 

 

4.6            Financial Statements.

 

(a)            The financial statements of Parent and its Subsidiaries included (or incorporated by reference) in the Parent Reports (including the related notes, where applicable) (i) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of Parent and its Subsidiaries, (ii) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated results of operations, cash flows, changes in stockholders’ equity and consolidated financial position of Parent and its Subsidiaries for the respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates therein set forth (subject in the case of unaudited statements to year-end audit adjustments normal and not material in nature and amount), (iii) complied, as of their respective dates of filing with the SEC, in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and (iv) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except, in each case, as indicated in such statements or in the notes thereto. The books and records of Parent and its Subsidiaries have been, and are being, maintained in all material respects in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements and reflect only actual transactions. No independent public accounting firm of Parent has resigned (or informed Parent that it intends to resign) or been dismissed as independent public accountants of Parent as a result of or in connection with any disagreements with Parent on a matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.

 

(b)            Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due) that would be required by GAAP to be set forth on its consolidated balance sheet or the notes thereto, except for those liabilities that are reflected or reserved against on the consolidated balance sheet of Parent included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025 and for liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since March 31, 2025, or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, in each case, which would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.

 

- 49 -

 

 

(c)            The records, systems, controls, data and information of Parent and its Subsidiaries are recorded, stored, maintained and operated under means (including any electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) that are under the exclusive ownership and direct control of Parent or its Subsidiaries or accountants (including all means of access thereto and therefrom), except for any non-exclusive ownership and non-direct control that would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent. Parent (x) has implemented and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information relating to Parent, including its Subsidiaries, is made known to the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of Parent by others within those entities as reasonably appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and to make the certifications required by the Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), and (y) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the date hereof, to Parent’s outside auditors and the audit committee of Parent’s Board of Directors (i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to adversely affect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information, and (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in Parent’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

(d)            Since January 1, 2022, (i) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of Parent, any director, officer, employee, auditor, accountant or representative of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, has received or otherwise has had or obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods (including with respect to loan loss reserves, write-downs, charge-offs and accruals) of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices, and (ii) no employee of or attorney (whether or not employed by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries) representing Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has reported evidence of a material violation of securities laws or banking laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board of Directors of Parent or any committee thereof or the Board of Directors or similar governing body of any Parent Subsidiary or any committee thereof, or to the knowledge of Parent, to any director or officer of Parent or any Parent Subsidiary.

 

4.7            Broker’s Fees. With the exception of the engagement of Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., neither Parent nor any Parent Subsidiary (including Parent Sub) nor any of their respective officers or directors has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor or incurred any liability for any broker’s fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with the Merger or related transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

4.8            Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

 

(a)            Since December 31, 2024, there has not been any effect, change, event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or development that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.

 

- 50 -

 

 

(b)            Since December 31, 2024 through the date of this Agreement, Parent and its Subsidiaries have carried on their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course consistent with past practice.

 

4.9            Legal Proceedings.

 

(a)            Except as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any, and there are no outstanding or pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened, legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations of any nature against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their current or former directors or executive officers or challenging the validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and, to the knowledge of Parent, there are no facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in any such claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations.

 

(b)            There is no material injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed upon or entered into by Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or the assets of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any order issued by a Regulatory Agency in connection with the Mergers or Bank Merger whose approval is required for the Mergers or Bank Merger, as the case may be).

 

4.10          SEC Reports. An accurate and complete copy of each final registration statement, prospectus, report, schedule and definitive proxy statement filed with or furnished to the SEC by Parent since January 1, 2022 pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (the “Parent Reports”) is publicly available, and no such Parent Report, as of the date thereof (and, in the case of registration statements and proxy statements, on the dates of effectiveness and the dates of the relevant meetings, respectively), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except that information filed or furnished as of a later date (but before the date of this Agreement) shall be deemed to modify information as of an earlier date. Since January 1, 2022, as of their respective dates, all Parent Reports filed under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto.

 

4.11          Compliance with Applicable Law.

 

(a)            Parent and each of its Subsidiaries hold, and have at all times since January 1, 2022, held, and been in compliance with, all licenses, registrations, franchises, certificates, variances, permits, charters and authorizations necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses and ownership of their respective properties, rights and assets under and pursuant to applicable law (and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith), except where neither the cost of failure to hold or be in compliance with, nor the cost of obtaining and holding such license, registration, franchise, certificate, variance, permit, charter or authorization (nor the failure to pay any fees or assessments) would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent, and to the knowledge of Parent no suspension or cancellation of any such necessary license, franchise, permit, charter or authorization is threatened.

 

- 51 -

 

 

(b)            Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have complied in all material respects with and are not in material default or violation under (i) any applicable law, statute, order, rule, guideline and/or regulation of any Governmental Entity relating to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, including all laws related to cybersecurity, data protection or privacy (including laws relating to the Personal Data), the USA PATRIOT Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, the Fair Housing Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Small Business Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, any regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Interagency Policy Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit Investment Products, the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation X, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, any and all sanctions or regulations enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of Treasury and any other law, policy or guideline relating to bank secrecy, discriminatory lending, financing or leasing practices, consumer protection, money laundering prevention, foreign assets control, U.S. sanctions laws and regulations, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and all agency requirements relating to the origination, sale and servicing of mortgage and consumer loans and (ii) any posted or internal privacy policies relating to data protection or privacy, including the protection of Personal Data. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of, and none of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has received from a Governmental Entity since January 1, 2022, written notice of, any material defaults or violations of any applicable law relating to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries. Parent and its Subsidiaries have established and maintain a system of internal controls designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by Parent and its Subsidiaries with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of applicable money laundering prevention laws in jurisdictions where Parent and its Subsidiaries conduct business.

 

(c)            Parent Bank has a Community Reinvestment Act rating of “satisfactory” or better.

 

(d)            Parent maintains a written information privacy and security program that contains reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards designed to protect the privacy, confidentiality and security of Personal Data against a Security Breach. To the knowledge of Parent, sine January 1, 2022, Parent has not experienced any Security Breach that would reasonably be material to Parent or require notification to affected individuals, a Governmental Entity or a Regulatory Agency that has not been made. To the knowledge of Parent, there are no data security or other technological vulnerabilities with respect to its information technology systems or networks that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent. To the knowledge of Parent, Parent has not been the subject of any inquiry or action of any Governmental Entity or Regulatory Agency with respect to any unauthorized processing of Personal Data or material violation of any laws related to cybersecurity, data protection or privacy.

 

- 52 -

 

 

(e)            Without limitation, none of Parent, or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Parent, any director, officer, employee, agent or other person acting on behalf of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly, (i) used any funds of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries for unlawful contributions, unlawful gifts, unlawful entertainment or other expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic governmental officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from funds of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any similar law, (iv) established or maintained any unlawful fund of monies or other assets of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) made any fraudulent entry on the books or records of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or (vi) made any unlawful bribe, unlawful rebate, unlawful payoff, unlawful influence payment, unlawful kickback or other unlawful payment to any person, private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property or services, to obtain favorable treatment in securing business to obtain special concessions for Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, to pay for favorable treatment for business secured or to pay for special concessions already obtained for Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or is currently subject to any United States sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department.

 

(f)             Except as would not be material to Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, since January 1, 2022, Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have properly administered all accounts for which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries acts as a fiduciary, including accounts for which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries serves as a trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment adviser, in compliance with the terms of the applicable governing documents and applicable law. None of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or any director, officer or employee of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, has committed any breach of trust or fiduciary duty with respect to any such fiduciary account that would be material to Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and the accountings for each such fiduciary account are true and correct in all material respects and accurately reflect in all material respects the assets and results of such fiduciary account.

 

(g)            Each of Parent and Parent Bank maintains regulatory capital ratios that exceed the levels established for “well-capitalized” institutions (as such term is defined in the relevant regulation of the institution’s primary bank regulator). Neither Parent nor Parent Bank has received any notice from a Governmental Entity that its status as “well-capitalized” or that Company Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act rating will change within one (1) year from the date of this Agreement.

 

4.12          Certain Contracts.

 

(a)            Each contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether written or oral) which is a “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) to which Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is bound as of the date hereof has been filed as an exhibit to the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Parent, or a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Current Report on Form 8-K subsequent thereto (each, a “Parent Contract”).

 

- 53 -

 

 

(b)            In each case, except as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent, (i) each Parent Contract is valid and binding on Parent or one of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and in full force and effect, (ii) Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has performed and complied with all obligations required to be performed by it under each Parent Contract, (iii) to the knowledge of Parent, each counterparty to each Parent Contract has performed and complied with all obligations required to be performed by it under such Parent Contract, (iv) neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries knows of, or has received notice of, any violation of any Parent Contract by any of the parties thereto and (v) no event or condition exists that constitutes or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will constitute, a breach or default on the part of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of Parent, any other party thereto, of or under any such Parent Contract.

 

4.13          Agreements with Regulatory Agencies. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any cease-and-desist or other order or enforcement action issued by, or is a party to any written agreement, consent agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or has been ordered to pay any civil money penalty by, or has been since January 1, 2022, a recipient of any supervisory letter from, or since January 1, 2022, has adopted any policies, procedures or board resolutions at the request or suggestion of any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity that restricts in any material respect the conduct of its business or that in any material manner relates to its capital adequacy, its ability to pay dividends, its credit or risk management policies, its management or its business (each, whether or not set forth in the Parent Disclosure Schedules, a “Parent Regulatory Agreement”), nor has Parent or any of its Subsidiaries been advised by any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity that it is currently considering issuing, initiating, ordering or requesting any such Parent Regulatory Agreement. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with each Parent Regulatory Agreement to which it is party or subject, and neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice from any Governmental Entity indicating that either Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any such Parent Regulatory Agreement.

 

4.14          State Takeover Laws. The Board of Directors of Parent Sub has approved this Agreement and the Voting Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and has taken all such other necessary actions as required to render inapplicable to such agreements and transactions, the provisions of any Takeover Statutes.

 

4.15          Reorganization. Parent has not taken any action and is not aware of any fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

4.16          [Reserved].

 

- 54 -

 

 

4.17          Parent Information. The information relating to Parent and its Subsidiaries to be contained in the Proxy Statement and the S-4, and the information relating to Parent and its Subsidiaries or that is provided by Parent or its Subsidiaries or representatives for inclusion in any other application, notification or document filed with any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity in connection herewith, will not (with respect to the Proxy Statement, as of the date of the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Company’s shareholders and as of the date of the special meeting of Parent, and with respect to the S-4, as of the time the S-4 or any amendment or supplement thereto is filed and when declared effective under the Securities Act) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. The S-4 (except for such portions thereof that relate only to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

4.18          No Other Representations or Warranties.

 

(a)            Except for the representations and warranties made by Parent and Parent Sub in this Article IV and in any certificate delivered by Parent pursuant to this Agreement, neither Parent, Parent Sub nor any other person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Parent, Parent Sub, or their respective Subsidiaries, businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, or condition (financial or otherwise), and Parent and Parent Sub hereby disclaim any such other representations or warranties.

 

(b)            Parent and Parent Sub acknowledge and agree that neither the Company nor any other person has made or is making, and Parent and Parent Sub have not relied on, any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in Article III and in any certificate delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Article V

 

COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

 

5.1            Conduct of Business of the Company Prior to the Effective Time. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement, except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement (including as set forth in Section 5.1 of the Company Disclosure Schedules), required by law or as consented to in writing by Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, (a) conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice in all material respects, (b) use reasonable best efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization, employees, franchises, rights, authorizations issued by Governmental Entities and relationships with customers, regulators and other persons with whom they have advantageous business relationships and (c) take no action that (i) is intended to or would reasonably be expected to adversely affect or delay the ability of any Party to obtain any necessary approvals of any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity required for the transactions contemplated hereby or to perform the Company’s covenants and agreements under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis or (ii) that is reasonably likely to result in any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VII not being or becoming not being capable of being satisfied.

 

- 55 -

 

 

5.2            Company Forbearances. Without limiting the foregoing, during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article VIII, except as set forth in Section 5.2 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as required by law, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, without the prior written consent of Parent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):

 

(a)            other than (i) federal funds borrowings and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings in each case with a maturity not in excess of twelve (12) months and (ii) creation of deposit liabilities or sales of certificates of deposit, in the case of each of (i) and (ii), in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, incur any indebtedness or assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other person, corporation or other entity;

 

(b)           (i)             (A) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any Company Securities or Company Subsidiary Securities or (B) amend any term or alter any rights of any outstanding Company Securities or Company Subsidiary Securities;

 

(ii)            make, declare or pay or set a record date for any dividend, or any other distribution on (whether in cash, stock, property or any combination thereof), or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, or register under the Securities Act any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities or any securities or obligations convertible (whether currently convertible or convertible only after the passage of time or the occurrence of certain events) or exchangeable into, or exercisable for, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities, including any Company Securities or Company Subsidiary Securities (except (A) cash dividends paid by any of the Subsidiaries of the Company to the Company or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, (B) dividends provided for and paid on the Company Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms thereof and (C) the acceptance of shares of Company Common Stock as payment for the exercise price of Company Options or for withholding taxes incurred in connection with the exercise of Company Options or the vesting or settlement of Company Equity Awards outstanding as of the date hereof, in each case, in accordance with past practice and the terms of the applicable award agreements as in effect on the date hereof);

 

(iii)           grant any Company Equity Awards or any stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted stock units, restricted shares or other equity or equity-based awards or interests, or grant any person, corporation or other entity any right to acquire any Company Securities or Company Subsidiary Securities;

 

(iv)           issue, sell, transfer, dispose of, mortgage, encumber or otherwise permit to become outstanding any shares of capital stock, voting securities or equity interests, or securities convertible (whether currently convertible or convertible only after the passage of time or the occurrence of certain events) or exchangeable into, or exercisable for, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities, including any Company Securities or Company Subsidiary Securities, or any options, warrants or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of capital stock or other equity or voting securities, including any Company Securities or Company Subsidiary Securities, except pursuant to the exercise, vesting or settlement of Company Equity Awards outstanding as of the date hereof in accordance with their terms as in effect on the date hereof and except in respect of the conversion of shares of Company Preferred Stock outstanding as of the date hereof in accordance with the Company Articles;

 

- 56 -

 

 

(c)            sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber, subject to any Lien (other than a Permitted Encumbrance), lease, or otherwise dispose of (whether by merger, consolidation, disposition of stock or assets or otherwise) any material properties or assets (other than Intellectual Property addressed under Section 5.2(d) below) to any person other than a wholly owned Subsidiary, or cancel, release or assign any indebtedness to any such person or any claims held by any such person, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

(d)            sell, assign, license, transfer or otherwise dispose of, cancel, abandon or allow to lapse or expire any Company Intellectual Property, except for (i) non-exclusive licenses granted in the ordinary course of business or (ii) cancellations, abandonments, lapses or expirations of Registered Intellectual Property at the end of such Registered Intellectual Property’s statutory term;

 

(e)            except for foreclosure or acquisitions of control in a fiduciary or similar capacity or in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in good faith in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (i) acquire (whether by merger or consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or by formation of a joint venture or otherwise) any other person or business or any material assets, deposits or properties of any other person or (ii) make any material investment either by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to capital, property transfers, or purchase of any property or assets of any other person, corporation or other entity;

 

(f)             terminate, amend any material provision of or waive any material provision of any Company Contract, other than normal renewals of contracts in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice without material changes of terms, or enter into any contract that would constitute a Company Contract if it were in effect on the date of this Agreement;

 

(g)            except as required under applicable law or the terms of any Company Benefit Plan as in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, (i) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any Company Benefit Plan or other program, policy, agreement or arrangement that would be a Company Benefit Plan if in effect on the date hereof, (ii) increase the compensation or benefits payable to any current, future or former employee, officer, director, consultant or individual independent contractor, except for base salary increases made in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice for employees whose annual compensation does not exceed $200,000 (provided, that such increases do not exceed 5% for any single employee and do not exceed in the aggregate 5% of the aggregate base salaries as of the date of this Agreement of all Company employees whose annual compensation does not exceed $200,000), (iii) pay or award, or commit to pay or award, any bonuses or incentive compensation, (iv) grant or accelerate the vesting of any equity or equity-based awards, (v) fund any rabbi trust or similar arrangement, (v) grant any rights with respect to severance, change in control, retention, or similar compensation, (vi) terminate the employment or services of, or provide a notice of termination to, any officer, employee, consultant or individual independent contractor whose annual compensation is greater than $150,000, other than for cause or (vii) hire, engage, offer to hire or offer to engage, any officer, employee, consultant or individual independent contractor whose annual compensation would be greater than $200,000, except, following consultation with Parent, to fill vacancies that may arise in the ordinary course of business;

 

- 57 -

 

 

(h)            settle any claim, suit, action or proceeding, except in the ordinary course of business involving solely monetary remedies in an amount and for consideration not in excess of $50,000 individually or $1,000,000 in the aggregate and which would not impose any material restriction on, or create any adverse precedent that would be material to, the business of it or its Subsidiaries or the Surviving Corporation;

 

(i)             amend its articles of incorporation, its bylaws or comparable governing documents of its Subsidiaries;

 

(j)             merge or consolidate itself or any of its Subsidiaries with any other person, or restructure, reorganize or completely or partially liquidate or dissolve it or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(k)            materially restructure or materially change its investment securities or derivatives portfolio or its interest rate exposure, through purchases, sales or otherwise, or the manner in which the portfolio is classified or reported or purchase any security rated below investment grade;

 

(l)             implement or adopt any change in its accounting principles, practices or methods, other than as may be required by law or GAAP or applicable accounting requirements of any Governmental Entity, in each case, including changes in the interpretation or enforcement thereof;

 

(m)           (i) enter into any new line of business or change in any material respect, or implement any new, lending, investment, underwriting, hedging, risk, asset liability management, interest rate, fee pricing, operating, securitization, servicing or other banking policies or programs, except as required by applicable law, regulation or policies imposed by any Governmental Entity, or (ii) make or acquire any loans or extensions of credit (A) outside of the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and the Company’s lending policies and procedures in effect as of the date of this Agreement (other than exceptions from the Company’s lending policies approved in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices), (B) in excess of $15,000,000 in loan exposure per transaction or (C) that exceed the Company’s internal lending limits such that the loan or extension of credit would require approval by the Company’s Directors Loan Committee, unless in the case of this clause (C) the Company has notified and provided the relevant loan package to Parent (through Parent’s Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Trust, Chief Credit Officer or such other representative as may be designated by Parent) and thereafter has consulted with Parent for at least two (2) business days after the relevant loan package is provided to Parent;

 

- 58 -

 

 

(n)            make, or commit to make, any capital expenditures that exceed $100,000 individually or $500,000 in the aggregate; provided, that Parent shall be deemed to have consented to emergency repairs or replacements necessary not to exceed $1,000,000 to prevent substantial deterioration of the condition of a property if it has not responded to the Company within two (2) business days of its receipt of a written request from the Company requesting such capital expenditure;

 

(o)            except as required by applicable law, make, change or revoke any material Tax election, change an annual Tax accounting period, adopt or change any Tax accounting method, enter into any closing agreement with respect to Taxes, settle any Tax claim, audit, assessment or dispute, surrender any right to claim a refund of Taxes, consent to any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any Tax claim or assessment, fail to timely file any Tax Return (taking into account timely requested extensions) or fail to timely pay any Tax due and payable;

 

(p)            make application for the opening, relocation or closing of any, or open, relocate or close any, branch office, loan production office, solar farm or other significant office or operations facility of it or its Subsidiaries;

 

(q)            materially reduce the amount of its insurance coverage;

 

(r)             amend in a manner that adversely impacts in any material respect the ability to conduct its business, terminate or allow to lapse any material permits;

 

(s)            enter into any securitizations of any Company Loans or create any special purpose funding or variable interest entity other than on behalf of clients;

 

(t)             commence an offering period, purchase period or similar period under the ESPP, or grant any right or option under the ESPP;

 

(u)            take any action or knowingly fail to take any action where such action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; or

 

(v)            agree to take, make any commitment to take, or adopt any resolutions of its board of directors or similar governing body authorizing any of the actions prohibited by this Section 5.2.

 

- 59 -

 

 

5.3            Parent Forbearances. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement, except as set forth in Section 5.3 of the Parent Disclosure Schedules, as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as required by law, Parent shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, without the prior written consent of the Company (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):

 

(a)            amend the Parent Articles or Parent Bylaws in a manner that would adversely affect the holders of Company Common Stock disproportionately relative to other holders of Parent Common Stock;

 

(b)            adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of Parent or amend the Parent Articles or Parent Bylaws in a manner that would materially and adversely change the rights, terms or preferences of the Parent Common Stock;

 

(c)            incur any indebtedness for borrowed money that would reasonably be expected to prevent Parent or its Subsidiaries from assuming the Company or its Subsidiaries’ outstanding indebtedness in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby;

 

(d)            take any action or knowingly fail to take any action where such action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code; or

 

(e)            take any action not contemplated by this Agreement that is intended or is reasonably likely to (A) prevent, delay or impair Parent’s ability to consummate the Merger or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (B) agree to take, make any commitment to take or adopt any resolutions of its board of directors or similar governing body authorizing any of the actions prohibited by this Section 5.3.

 

Article VI

 

ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

 

6.1            Regulatory Matters.

 

(a)            Each of Parent and the Company and their respective Subsidiaries shall cooperate and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to promptly prepare and file with the SEC the Proxy Statement, and Parent shall promptly prepare and file with the SEC the S-4, in which the Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus, and Parent and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to file the S-4 no later than thirty (30) days following the date of this Agreement. Each of Parent and the Company shall use their reasonable best efforts to have the S-4 declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing, and the Company shall thereafter mail or deliver the Proxy Statement to its shareholders. Parent shall also use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary state securities law or “Blue Sky” permits and approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Party shall provide the other all non-privileged information concerning itself and its affiliates as may be reasonably requested by the other in connection with the preparation of the Proxy Statement and the S-4.

 

- 60 -

 

 

(b)            The Parties shall cooperate with each other and use their reasonable best efforts to promptly (and in the case of the applications, notices, petitions and filings in respect of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals, within forty-five (45) days of the date of this Agreement) prepare and file all necessary documentation, to effect all applications, notices, petitions and filings, to obtain as promptly as practicable all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental Entities which are necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and to comply with the terms and conditions of all such permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all such Governmental Entities. Parent and the Company shall have the right to review in advance, and, to the extent practicable, each will consult the other on, in each case subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, all the non-confidential information relating to the Company or Parent, as the case may be, and any of their respective Subsidiaries, which appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any third party or any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In exercising the foregoing right, each of the Parties shall act reasonably and as promptly as practicable. The Parties agree that they will consult with each other with respect to the obtaining of all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental Entities necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and each Party will keep the other reasonably apprised of the status of matters relating to completion of the transactions contemplated herein, subject to applicable law. As used in this Agreement, “Requisite Regulatory Approvals” means all regulatory consents, registrations, orders, approvals (and the expiration or termination of all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof), permits and authorizations from the Federal Reserve Board and the Missouri Division of Finance and any other approvals set forth in Sections 3.4 and 4.4 that are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or those the failure of which to be obtained would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on Parent or the Company.

 

(c)            Each of Parent and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to resolve any objections that may be asserted by any Governmental Entity with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, under no circumstances shall Parent or any of its Subsidiaries be required, and the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be permitted (without Parent’s written consent), to take any action, or commit to take any action, or agree to any condition or restriction, in connection with obtaining the foregoing permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of Governmental Entities that would reasonably be expected to have a material and adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (in each case, measured on a scale relative to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) after giving effect to the Merger (any of the foregoing, a “Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition”).

 

- 61 -

 

 

(d)            Parent and the Company shall, upon request, promptly furnish each other with all information concerning themselves, their Subsidiaries, directors, officers and shareholders or stockholders, as applicable, and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with the Proxy Statement, the S-4 or any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of Parent, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries to any Governmental Entity in connection with the Merger and the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Parent and the Company agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by it for inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the S-4 will, at the time the S-4 and each amendment or supplement thereto, if any, becomes effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (ii) the Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto will, at the date of mailing to the Company’s shareholders, and at the time of the Company Meeting, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading. Each of Parent and the Company further agrees that if it becomes aware that any information furnished by it would cause any of the statements in the S-4 or the Proxy Statement to be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or to omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not false or misleading, to promptly inform the other party thereof and to take appropriate steps to correct the S-4 or the Proxy Statement, as applicable.

 

(e)            Parent and the Company shall promptly advise each other upon receiving any communication from any Governmental Entity whose consent or approval is required for consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that causes such Party to believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that any Requisite Regulatory Approval will not be obtained, or will be obtained subject to a Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition, or that the receipt of any such approval will be materially delayed.

 

6.2            Access to Information; Confidentiality.

 

(a)            Upon reasonable notice and subject to applicable laws, for the purposes of preparing for the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other matters contemplated by this Agreement, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, afford to the officers, employees, accountants, counsel, advisors, agents and other representatives of Parent, reasonable access, during normal business hours during the period prior to the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, to all its properties, books, contracts, commitments, personnel and records, and the Company and its Subsidiaries, and, during such period, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, make available to Parent (i) a copy of each report, schedule, and other document filed with or received from a Governmental Entity (other than information that the Company is not permitted to disclose under applicable law), (ii) a copy of the Company’s monthly loan trial balance (in each case on a consolidated basis) for each month during such period, (iii) a copy of the Company’s monthly statement of condition and profit and loss statement (in each case on a consolidated basis) for each month during such period, and (iv) all other information concerning the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, properties and personnel as Parent may reasonably request for the purposes of preparing for the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other matters contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that any investigation or request pursuant to this Section 6.2(a) shall not interfere unreasonably with normal operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries. Upon the reasonable request of the Company, Parent shall furnish such reasonable information about it and its business as is reasonably relevant to the Company and its shareholders. Neither the Company nor Parent, nor any of their respective Subsidiaries, shall be required to provide access to or to disclose information to the extent such access or disclosure would violate or prejudice the rights of such Party’s or its Subsidiaries’ customers, jeopardize the attorney-client privilege of such Party or its Subsidiaries (after giving due consideration to the existence of any common interest, joint defense or similar agreement between the parties) or contravene any law or binding agreement entered into prior to the date of this Agreement. The Parties shall make appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements under circumstances in which the restrictions of the preceding sentence apply.

 

- 62 -

 

 

(b)            All nonpublic information and materials provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the Mutual Confidentiality and Nondisclosure Agreement, dated March 27, 2025, between Parent and the Company (the “Confidentiality Agreement”).

 

(c)            No investigation by the Parties or their respective representatives shall affect or be deemed to modify or waive the representations and warranties of the other set forth herein. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent or Parent Sub, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and its Subsidiaries’ respective operations.

 

6.3            Shareholder Approval.

 

(a)            Following the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall, in accordance in all material respects with applicable law and the Company Articles and the Company Bylaws, call a meeting of its shareholders (the “Company Meeting”) to be held as soon as reasonably practicable after the S-4 is declared effective, but in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days after the S-4 is declared effective, for the purpose of obtaining the Requisite Company Vote required in connection with this Agreement and the Merger, and, if so desired and mutually agreed, upon other matters of the type customarily brought before a meeting of shareholders to approve a merger agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby, and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Company Meeting to occur as soon as reasonably practicable. The Company and its Board of Directors shall use their reasonable best efforts to obtain from the shareholders of the Company the Requisite Company Vote, including by communicating to its shareholders its recommendation (and including such recommendation in the Proxy Statement) that they adopt and approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the “Company Board Recommendation”), and shall not, except as expressly permitted by Section 6.3(b), (i) withhold, withdraw, modify or qualify in a manner materially adverse to Parent the Company Board Recommendation, (ii) fail to make the Company Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement, (iii) adopt, approve, recommend or endorse an Acquisition Proposal or publicly announce an intention to adopt, approve, recommend or endorse an Acquisition Proposal, (iv) fail to publicly, finally and without qualification (A) recommend against any Acquisition Proposal or (B) reaffirm the Company Board Recommendation, in each case within ten (10) business days after such Acquisition Proposal is made public or any request by Parent to do so (which request may be made once per Acquisition Proposal, and any material change thereto) (or such fewer number of days as remains prior to Company Meeting), or (v) publicly propose to do any of the foregoing (any of the foregoing, a “Recommendation Change”).

 

- 63 -

 

 

(b)            Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, prior to the time the Requisite Company Vote is obtained, the Board of Directors of the Company may make a Recommendation Change if and only if (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries and Representatives have complied with their obligations under Section 6.12, (ii) an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal is made to the Company after the date of this Agreement by a third party, and such Acquisition Proposal is not withdrawn, (iii) the Board of Directors of the Company has concluded in good faith (after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors) that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal, (iv) the Board of Directors of the Company has concluded in good faith (after consultation with its outside legal counsel) that failure to make a Recommendation Change would be more likely than not to result in a violation of the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable law, (v) prior to effecting the Recommendation Change, three (3) business days shall have elapsed since the Company has given written notice to Parent advising Parent that the Company intends to take such action and specifying in reasonable detail the reasons therefor, including the terms and conditions of, and the identity of the person making, any such Acquisition Proposal that is the basis of the Recommendation Change (it being understood that any amendment or change to any material term of such Acquisition Proposal shall require a new notice and the provisions of this Section 6.3(b) shall apply anew), (vi) during such three (3) business day period, the Company has considered, and engaged in good-faith discussions with Parent regarding, any adjustment or modification of the terms of this Agreement proposed by Parent and (vii) the Board of Directors of the Company, following such three (3)-business day period, again reasonably determines in good faith (after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, and taking into account any adjustment or modification of the terms of this Agreement proposed by Parent and delivered to the Company in writing) that such Acquisition Proposal nonetheless continues to constitute a Superior Proposal, and that failure to make a Recommendation Change would be more likely than not to result in a violation of the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable law.

 

(c)            The Company shall adjourn or postpone the Company Meeting if, as of the time for which such meeting is originally scheduled, there are insufficient Shares represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of such meeting, or if on the date of such meeting the Company has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of Shares necessary to obtain the Requisite Company Vote, provided, that no such adjournment or postponement shall delay the Company Meeting by more than 10 days from the prior-scheduled date or to a date on or after the fifth (5th) business day preceding the Termination Date. Except as described in the preceding sentence, the Company shall not adjourn or postpone the Company Meeting without Parent’s written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

- 64 -

 

 

(d)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms (i) the Company Meeting shall be convened and this Agreement shall be submitted to the shareholders of the Company at the Company Meeting for the purpose of voting on the approval and adoption of this Agreement, and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to relieve the Company of such obligations, and (ii) the Company shall not submit to the vote of its shareholders any Acquisition Proposal or any transaction contemplated thereby.

 

6.4            Legal Conditions to Merger. Subject in all respects to Section 6.1 of this Agreement, each of Parent and the Company shall, and shall cause its respective Subsidiaries to, use their reasonable best efforts (a) to take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary, proper or advisable to comply promptly with all legal requirements that may be imposed on such Party or its Subsidiaries with respect to the Merger and the Bank Merger and, subject to the conditions set forth in Article VII hereof, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) to obtain (and to cooperate with the other Parties to obtain) any consent, authorization, order or approval of, or any exemption by, any Governmental Entity and any other third party that is advisable or required to be obtained by the Company or Parent or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

6.5            Stock Exchange Listing. Parent shall file with the NASDAQ a notification form for the listing of all shares of Parent Common Stock to be delivered as Merger Consideration prior to the Effective Time and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such shares of Parent Common Stock to be listed on the NASDAQ, subject to official notice of issuance, prior to the Effective Time.

 

6.6            Employee Benefit Plans.

 

(a)            During the Relevant Period, the Surviving Corporation shall, or shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, provide each employee who is actively employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date (each, a “Continuing Employee”): (i) base salary or hourly wages, as applicable, no less favorable than the base salary or hourly wages provided to such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time; (ii) annual cash bonus opportunities in accordance with Section 6.6(a)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedules; and (iii) employee benefits (excluding benefits described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, bonuses, change in control, retention, loan, equity, equity-based, long-term incentive, defined benefit pension and retiree welfare benefits) which, in the aggregate, are substantially comparable to the employee benefits (excluding benefits described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, bonuses, change in control, retention, loan, equity, equity-based, long-term incentive, defined benefit pension and retiree welfare benefits) provided by Parent to similarly situated employees of Parent during such period; provided, however, that until such time as Parent shall cause Continuing Employees to participate in the employee benefit plans of Parent or its Subsidiaries (“Parent Benefit Plans”), a Continuing Employee’s continued participation in the Company Benefit Plans shall be deemed to satisfy the foregoing clause (iii) of this sentence (it being understood that participation in Parent Benefit Plans may commence at different times with respect to each Company Benefit Plan). For purposes of this Section 6.6(a), the “Relevant Period” means the earlier of (a) the date on which the applicable Continuing Employee’s employment with the Surviving Corporation, Parent or any of their respective Subsidiaries terminates for any reason (regardless of whether such termination is initiated by such Continuing Employee or by the Surviving Corporation, the Parent or any of their respective Subsidiaries), (b) with respect to clauses (i) and (iii) of this Section 6.6(a), the date that is one (1) year after the Effective Time and (c) with respect to clause (ii) of this Section 6.6(a), the period beginning at the Effective Time and ending on December 31, 2026. The annual cash bonus opportunities described in clause (ii) of this Section 6.6(a) in respect of the Relevant Period shall be administered in accordance with the structure described on Section 6.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedules.

 

- 65 -

 

 

(b)            Upon Continuing Employees’ enrollment in Parent Benefit Plans, such Continuing Employees will, consistent with the provisions of Section 6.6(a) above, become participants in such Parent Benefit Plans on the same terms and conditions as similarly situated employees of Parent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, prior service credit for each Continuing Employee’s service with the Company and its Subsidiaries (and their respective predecessors), except as expressly provided otherwise herein, shall be given by Parent with respect to all Parent Benefit Plans to the extent that such crediting of service does not result in duplication of benefits, but not for accrual of benefits under any defined benefit pension plan or with respect to equity or equity-based compensation. If any Continuing Employee becomes eligible to participate in any Parent Benefit Plan that provides medical, vision, prescription drug, hospitalization or dental benefits, Parent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (a) cause any pre-existing condition limitations or eligibility waiting periods under such Parent Benefit Plan to be waived with respect to such Continuing Employee and their covered dependents to the extent such limitation or waiting period would have been waived or satisfied under the Company Benefit Plan in which such Continuing Employee participated, and (b) recognize, for the plan year in which such Continuing Employee becomes eligible to participate in such Parent Benefit Plan, for purposes of annual deductible, co-pay and out-of-pocket limits under such Parent Benefit Plan, deductible, co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Continuing Employee and their covered dependents under any Company Benefit Plan during the plan year in which they commence participation in such Parent Benefit Plan.

 

(c)            If requested in writing by Parent at least 10 calendar days prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall take (or cause to be taken) all actions reasonably determined by Parent to be necessary or appropriate to terminate, effective not later than the day immediately prior to the Effective Time, any Company Benefit Plans that contain a cash or deferred arrangement intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code. In the event that Parent requests that such plan(s) be terminated, (i) the Company shall provide Parent with evidence (including amendments to bring such plans into compliance with applicable law and the operation of such plan(s), and resolutions providing for the termination of such plan(s)) that such plan(s) has been terminated (the form and substance of which shall be subject to review and approval by Parent, approval of which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) not later than the day immediately preceding the Effective Time and (ii) effective as of the Effective Time, Parent shall have in effect a defined contribution plan that is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, which plan shall accept the transfer of account balances (including, if permitted by the applicable recordkeeper without undue burden on Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective Subsidiaries, promissory notes evidencing all outstanding loans) of each participant in the Company Benefit Plans terminated under this Section 6.6(c). All materials, amendments, resolutions, notices and communications relating to the termination of any Company Benefit Plan under this Section 6.6(c) shall be subject to the advance approval by Parent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and are to be provided to Parent reasonably in advance of being adopted, distributed or disseminated (as applicable).

 

- 66 -

 

 

(d)            Following the Effective Time, Continuing Employees shall be covered by Parent’s general severance policy (in accordance with the terms thereof, as in effect from time to time)during their employment with Parent or a Subsidiary thereof, a copy of which policy (as in effect as of the date hereof) has been made available to the Company.

 

(e)            From the date hereof until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not make any communications to any of their employees regarding compensation, benefits or other employment-related matters affected by the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that are inconsistent with any talking points agreed to by the Company and Parent unless the Company or such Subsidiary first consults with Parent and reflects any reasonable comments received from Parent.

 

(f)             The Company shall take all actions necessary such that, no later than immediately prior to the Effective Time, the ESPP has been terminated. The Company shall provide Parent with evidence reasonably satisfactory to Parent of such termination (including, without limitation, resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company).

 

(g)            Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 6.6 shall, or is intended to, (i) be treated as an amendment, modification, adoption or establishment of any Company Benefit Plan, Parent Benefit Plan, or other employee benefit plan, program, agreement, practice, policy or arrangement, (ii) alter or limit the ability of Parent, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective Subsidiaries or affiliates to amend, modify, adopt or terminate any Company Benefit Plan, Parent Benefit Plan, or other employee benefit plan, program, agreement, practice, policy or arrangement, (iii) alter or limit the ability of Parent, the Company, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective Subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate the employment of any Continuing Employee at any time for any reason (with or without notice), or (iv) create any third-party beneficiary rights in any person (including any employee of the Company, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective Subsidiaries or affiliates (including any Continuing Employee), any beneficiary or dependent thereof or any collective bargaining representative thereof), including, without limitation, with respect to compensation, terms and/or conditions of employment and/or benefits.

 

- 67 -

 

 

6.7            Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance.

 

(a)            For a period of six (6) years from and after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless (and shall also advance expenses as incurred to the extent provided under the Company Articles and Company Bylaws as in effect as of the date of this Agreement), each present and former director and officer of the Company and its Subsidiaries (in each case, when acting in such capacity) (collectively, the “Company Indemnified Parties”) against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, damages, or liabilities incurred in connection with any threatened or actual claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, whether arising before or after the Effective Time, arising out of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, including the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that the Company Indemnified Party to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such Company Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification.

 

(b)            No later than three (3) business days prior to the Closing, Parent will procure, and, for a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall cause to be maintained in effect the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by the Company (provided, that the Surviving Corporation may substitute therefor policies with substantially comparable insurer of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions which are no less advantageous to the insured) with respect to claims arising from facts or events which occurred at or before the Effective Time (including the transactions contemplated hereby); provided, however, that in no event shall the Surviving Corporation be obligated to expend, on an annual basis, an amount in excess of 250 % of the current annual premium paid as of the date hereof by the Company for such insurance (the “Premium Cap”), and if such premiums for such insurance would at any time exceed the Premium Cap, then the Surviving Corporation shall cause to be maintained policies of insurance which, in the Surviving Corporation’s good faith determination, provide the maximum coverage available at an annual premium not exceeding the Premium Cap. In lieu of the foregoing, Parent or the Company, in consultation with, but only upon the consent of Parent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), may (and at the request of Parent, the Company shall) obtain at or prior to the Effective Time a six (6)-year “tail” policy under the Company’s existing directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy providing equivalent coverage to that described in the preceding sentence, if and to the extent that the same may be obtained for an amount that, in the aggregate, does not exceed the Premium Cap.

 

- 68 -

 

 

(c)            The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the Effective Time and are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each Company Indemnified Party and his or her heirs and representatives. In the event the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any person, then, and in each such case, the Surviving Corporation shall cause proper provision to be made so that the successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation will expressly assume the obligations set forth in this Section 6.7.

 

6.8            Additional Agreements. In case at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement (including any merger between a Subsidiary of Parent, on the one hand, and a Subsidiary of the Company, on the other hand) or to vest the Surviving Corporation with full title to all properties, assets, rights, approvals, immunities and franchises of any of the parties to the Merger and the Bank Merger, the proper officers and directors of each Party and their respective Subsidiaries shall take all such necessary action as may be required or reasonably requested by Parent.

 

6.9            Advice of Changes. Parent and the Company shall each promptly advise the other Party of any fact, effect, change, event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or development that (i) has had or is reasonably likely, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on it or (ii) would or would be reasonably likely to cause or constitute a material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein or that reasonably could be expected to give rise, individually or in the aggregate, to the failure of a condition in Article VII; provided, that any failure to give notice in accordance with the foregoing with respect to any breach shall not be deemed to constitute a violation of this Section 6.9 or the failure of any condition set forth in Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 to be satisfied, or otherwise constitute a breach of this Agreement by the Party failing to give such notice, in each case unless the underlying breach would independently result in a failure of the conditions set forth in Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 to be satisfied; and provided, further, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 6.9 shall not cure any breach of, or noncompliance with, any other provision of this Agreement or limit the remedies available to the Party receiving such notice.

 

6.10          Shareholder Litigation. Each Party shall promptly advise the other Party in writing of any actual or threatened shareholder litigation against such Party or any of its Subsidiaries and/or the members of the boards of directors of the Company or the board of directors of Parent or their respective Subsidiaries related to this Agreement or the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Company shall give Parent the right to review and comment on all filings or responses to be made by the Company in connection with any such litigation, and the Company will in good faith take such comments into account, and no such settlement shall be offered or agreed to without Parent’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, that Parent shall not be obligated to consent to any settlement which does not include a full release or which imposes an injunction or other equitable relief after the Effective Time upon the Surviving Corporation or its affiliates.

 

- 69 -

 

 

6.11          Governance Matters.

 

(a)            Subject to the requirements of applicable law, after the Bank Merger Effective Time, Parent Bank shall operate Company Bank as a division of Parent Bank under the branding “FineMark Bank & Trust, a division of Commerce Bank.”

 

(b)            Prior to the Bank Merger Effective Time, the Board of Directors of Parent Bank shall take all actions necessary to cause Joseph Catti to be appointed to the Board of Directors of Parent Bank as of the Bank Merger Effective Time.

 

6.12          Acquisition Proposals. Except as expressly permitted by this Section 6.12, the Company agrees that it will not, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, financing sources, investment bankers, attorneys and other representatives (collectively, “Representatives”) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate any inquiries or proposals regarding, or the making of any proposal or offer that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) engage or participate in any negotiations with any person concerning any Acquisition Proposal, (iii) disclose or provide any confidential or nonpublic information to, have or participate in any discussions with (except to notify a person that has made or, to the knowledge of the Company, is making any inquiries with respect to, or is considering making, an Acquisition Proposal, of the existence of the provisions of this Section 6.12) or otherwise cooperate in any way with, any person in connection with or relating to any Acquisition Proposal (including by affording access to the personnel, properties, books, records or assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries) or (iv) unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, approve or enter into any term sheet, letter of intent, commitment, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement, merger agreement, or other agreement (whether written or oral, binding or nonbinding) (other than a confidentiality agreement referred to and entered into in accordance with this Section 6.12) in connection with or relating to any Acquisition Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the receipt of the Requisite Company Vote and subject to compliance with this Section 6.12, in the event the Company receives an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal after the date of this Agreement that did not result from a breach of this Section 6.12, it may, and may permit its Subsidiaries and its and its Subsidiaries’ Representatives to, furnish or cause to be furnished confidential or nonpublic information or data and participate in such negotiations or discussions with the person making the Acquisition Proposal if and only if its Board of Directors determines in good faith (after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors) that such Acquisition Proposal constitutes or is reasonably likely to result in a Superior Proposal and that the failure to take such actions would be more likely than not to result in a violation of the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable law; provided, that prior to providing any confidential or nonpublic information permitted to be provided pursuant to the foregoing or participating in such negotiations or discussions, the Company shall have given Parent at least three (3) business days’ prior written notice and shall have entered into a confidentiality agreement with such third party on terms no less favorable to it than the Confidentiality Agreement, which confidentiality agreement shall not provide such person with any exclusive right to negotiate with the Company. The Company shall provide Parent with a copy of any confidential or nonpublic information provided to any person pursuant to the prior sentence prior to or simultaneously with furnishing such information to such person (to the extent not previously provided). The Company will, and will cause its Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any activities, discussions or negotiations conducted before the date of this Agreement with any person other than Parent with respect to any Acquisition Proposal and will request the return or destruction of any information provided to any such person in connection therewith. The Company will promptly (and within 24 hours) advise Parent following receipt of any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry which could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, and the substance thereof (including the terms and conditions of and the identity of the person making such inquiry or Acquisition Proposal) and will provide Parent an unredacted copy of such Acquisition Proposal and any draft agreements, proposals or other materials or correspondence received in connection with such inquiry or Acquisition Proposal, and will keep Parent reasonably apprised of any related developments, discussions and negotiations on a current basis, including any amendments to or revisions of the terms of such inquiry or Acquisition Proposal. The Company shall enforce any existing confidentiality agreements to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a party in accordance with the terms thereof and will not release any third party from, or waive any provisions of, any such agreements. As used in this Agreement, “Acquisition Proposal” shall mean, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any offer, proposal or inquiry relating to, or any third party indication of interest in, (i) any acquisition or purchase, direct or indirect, of 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries or 20% or more of any class of equity or voting securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company, (ii) any tender offer (including a self-tender offer), exchange offer or other acquisition of equity or voting securities that, if consummated, would result in such third party beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of equity or voting securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 20% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company or (iii) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction involving the Company or its Subsidiaries. As used in this Agreement, “Superior Proposal” means an unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal made by a third party to acquire, directly or indirectly, pursuant to a tender offer, exchange offer, merger, consolidation or other business combination or acquisition transaction, all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries or all of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock, and which the Board of Directors of the Company has in good faith determined (after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, and taking into account the terms and conditions of such Acquisition Proposal and this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by Parent) and all legal, financial, timing, regulatory and other aspects of such Acquisition Proposal and the person making the proposal), to be more favorable, from a financial point of view, to the Company’s shareholders than the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (as it may be proposed to be amended by Parent) and to be reasonably likely to be consummated on a timely basis on the terms proposed.

 

- 70 -

 

 

6.13          Public Announcements. The Parties agree that the initial press release with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall be a release mutually agreed to by Parent and the Company. Each of the Parties agrees that no public release or announcement or other statement concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be issued by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except as required by applicable law or the rules or regulations of any applicable Governmental Entity or stock exchange to which the relevant Party is subject, in which case the Party required to make the release or announcement shall consult with the other Parties about, and allow the other Parties reasonable time to comment on, such release or announcement in advance of such issuance.

 

6.14          Change of Method. Parent shall be empowered, at any time prior to the Effective Time, to change the method or structure of effecting the combination of the Company and Parent (including the provisions of Article I); provided, however, that no such change or amendment shall (i) alter or change the amount or kind of the Merger Consideration provided for in this Agreement, (ii) adversely affect the Tax treatment of the Merger with respect to any Party or its shareholders or shareholders as applicable or (iii) impede or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the receipt of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals. If Parent elects to make such a change, the Parties agree to cooperate to execute appropriate documents to reflect the change.

 

6.15          Restructuring Efforts. If the Company shall have failed to obtain the Requisite Company Vote at the duly convened Company Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, unless this Agreement has been validly terminated in accordance with Section 8.1, each of the Parties shall in good faith use its reasonable best efforts to negotiate a restructuring of the transactions provided for herein (it being understood that no Party shall have any obligation to alter or change any material terms, including the amount or kind of the Merger Consideration, in a manner adverse to such party or its shareholders or stockholders as applicable or to agree to any change that would adversely affect the Tax treatment of the Merger with respect to such Party or its shareholders or stockholders as applicable) and/or resubmit this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (or as restructured pursuant to this Section 6.15) to the Company’s shareholders for adoption and approval.

 

6.16          No Control of Other Party’s Business. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give Parent, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time, and nothing contained in this Agreement shall give the Company, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of Parent or its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each of the Company and Parent shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, control and supervision over its and its Subsidiaries’ respective operations.

 

6.17          Takeover Statutes. None of the Company, Parent, Parent Sub or their respective Boards of Directors shall take any action that would cause any Takeover Statute to become applicable to this Agreement, the Voting Agreements, the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and each shall take all necessary steps to exempt (or ensure the continued exemption of) this Agreement, the Voting Agreements, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby from any applicable Takeover Statute now or hereafter in effect. If any Takeover Statute may become, or may purport to be, applicable to this Agreement, the Voting Agreements, the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, each Party and their respective Boards of Directors will grant such approvals and take such actions as are necessary so that such transactions may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and thereby and otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of any Takeover Statute on any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Voting Agreements, including, if necessary, challenging the validity or applicability of any such Takeover Statute.

 

- 71 -

 

 

6.18          Tax Cooperation. Subject to Section 6.1, Parent and the Company shall cooperate in order to obtain the tax opinions referenced in Section 7.2(c) and Section 7.3(c), including by executing and delivering representations contained in certificates of officers of Parent and the Company reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Parent’s and the Company’s respective counsel.

 

6.19          Treatment of Company Indebtedness. Upon the Effective Time, Parent or a Subsidiary of Parent shall assume the due and punctual performance and observance of the covenants to be performed by the Company under the agreements set forth on Section 6.19 of the Company Disclosure Schedules to the extent set forth in such agreements. In connection therewith, Parent and Company shall cooperate and use reasonable best efforts to execute and deliver any supplemental indentures, officer’s certificates, opinions or other documents, and the Parties shall cooperate and use reasonable best efforts to provide any opinion of counsel to the trustee thereof, required to make such assumption effective as of the Effective Time or the Bank Merger Effective Time, as applicable.

 

6.20          Third-Party Consents and Agreements.

 

(a)            The Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts and shall reasonably cooperate with one another in order to obtain the consents or waivers from any third parties (that are not Governmental Entities) that are required to consummate or are necessary or mutually agreed to be advisable connection with, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (in such form and content as mutually agreed by the Parties).

 

(b)            The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide data processing, item processing and other processing support to assist Parent in planning and preparing for a successful conversion of the data and other files and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries to Parent’s production environment, subject to any applicable laws. In furtherance of the foregoing and subject to any applicable laws, the Company shall:

 

(i)             reasonably cooperate with Parent to establish a mutually agreeable project plan to effectuate the conversion;

 

(ii)            use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Company’s outside contractors continue to support both the conversion effort and its ongoing needs until the conversion can be established;

 

(iii)           provide, or use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain from any outside contractors, all data or other files and layouts reasonably requested by Parent for use in planning the conversion, as soon as reasonably practicable;

 

(iv)           provide reasonable access to the Company’s personnel and facilities and, with the consent of its outside contractors, its outside contractors’ personnel and facilities, to enable the conversion effort to be completed on schedule; and

 

(v)            give notice of termination, conditioned upon the completion of the Merger, of the contracts of outside data, item and other processing contractors or other third-party vendors to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are bound when directed in writing to do so in advance by Parent.

 

- 72 -

 

 

(c)            Parent agrees that all actions taken pursuant to this Section 6.20 shall be taken in a manner intended to minimize disruption to, and Section 6.20 shall not require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to take any action that will unreasonably interfere with, the customary business activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(d)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 6.20, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to compensate any third party, commence or participate in litigation or offer or grant any accommodation (financial or otherwise) to any third party and (ii) any breach by the Company of its obligations under this Section 6.20 shall not, whether alone or together with any other breach of this Section 6.20, constitute a failure to satisfy the condition precedent set forth in Section 7.2(b) unless (x) such breach has not been cured by the Company within ten (10) business days after Parent’s delivery to the Company of a written notice specifying in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances constituting such breach and (y) such breach is a willful and material breach.

 

6.21          Pre-Closing Actions. The Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, take the actions set forth on Section 6.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedules prior to the Closing.

 

Article VII

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

7.1            Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of the Parties to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

 

(a)            Shareholder Approval. This Requisite Company Vote shall have been obtained.

 

(b)            NASDAQ Listing. Parent shall have filed with the NASDAQ a notification form for the listing of all shares of Parent Common Stock to be delivered as Merger Consideration, and the NASDAQ shall not have objected to the listing of such shares of Parent Common Stock.

 

(c)            Regulatory Approvals. (i) All Requisite Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been terminated, and (ii) none of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals shall include or shall have resulted in the imposition of a Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition.

 

(d)            S-4. The S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the S-4 shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the SEC.

 

- 73 -

 

 

(e)            No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality. No law, statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment or decree issued, enacted, promulgated, enforced or entered by any court or Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition, in each case whether temporary, preliminary or permanent (each, a “Restraint”), preventing, restraining, enjoining, making illegal or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect.

 

7.2            Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Parent Sub. The obligations of Parent and Parent Sub to effect the Merger are also subject to the satisfaction, or waiver (subject to applicable law) by Parent, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the following conditions:

 

(a)            Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in (i) Sections 3.2(a), 3.2(b) (but only with respect to Company Bank) and 3.8(a) (in each case after giving effect to the lead-in to Article III) shall be true and correct in all respects (other than, in the case of Section 3.2(a), such failures to be true and correct as are de minimis), in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), and (ii) Sections 3.1(a), 3.1(b) (but only with respect to Company Bank), 3.3(a), 3.3(b)(i), 3.7 and 3.23 (in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to Article III) shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date). All other representations and warranties of the Company set forth in this Agreement (read without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties but, in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to Article III) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date); provided, however, that for purposes of this sentence, such representations and warranties shall be deemed to be true and correct unless the failure or failures of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate, and without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or the Surviving Corporation. Parent shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to the foregoing effect.

 

(b)            Performance of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall have performed and complied with, in all material respects, the obligations, covenants and agreements required to be performed and complied with by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and Parent shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed on behalf of the Company by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company to such effect.

 

- 74 -

 

 

(c)            Federal Tax Opinion. Parent shall have received the opinion of Holland & Knight LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel may require and rely upon representations contained in certificates of officers of Parent and the Company, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel.

 

(d)            Dissenting Shares. Holders of not more than 10% of the outstanding Shares as of the record date for the Company Meeting shall have properly exercised their dissenters’ rights pursuant to the FBCA.

 

(e)            No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any effect, change, event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or development that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.

 

7.3            Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the Company to effect the Merger is also subject to the satisfaction or waiver (subject to applicable law) by the Company at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

 

(a)            Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Parent and Parent Sub set forth in (i) Sections 4.2(a) and 4.8(a) (in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to Article IV) shall be true and correct in all respects (other than, in the case of Section 4.2(a), such failures to be true and correct as are de minimis), in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), and (ii) Section 4.1(a), 4.1(b) (but only with respect to Parent Bank), 4.2(b) (but only with respect to Parent Bank), 4.3(a), 4.3(b)(i), and 4.7 (in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to Article IV) shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date). All other representations and warranties of Parent set forth in this Agreement (read without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties but, in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to Article IV) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), provided, however, that for purposes of this sentence, such representations and warranties shall be deemed to be true and correct unless the failure or failures of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate, and without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent. The Company shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed on behalf of Parent by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of Parent to the foregoing effect.

 

- 75 -

 

 

(b)            Performance of Obligations of Parent and Parent Sub. Parent and Parent Sub shall have performed and complied with, in all material respects, the obligations, covenants and agreements required to be performed and complied with by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and the Company shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed on behalf of Parent by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of Parent to such effect.

 

(c)            Federal Tax Opinion. The Company shall have received the opinion of Alston & Bird LLP, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the Merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel may require and rely upon representations contained in certificates of officers of Parent and the Company, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel.

 

Article VIII

 

TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT

 

8.1            Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after receipt of the Requisite Company Vote:

 

(a)            by mutual written consent of Parent and the Company;

 

(b)            by either Parent or the Company, if any Governmental Entity that must grant a Requisite Regulatory Approval has denied approval of the Merger or the Bank Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and such denial has become final and nonappealable or any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have issued a final nonappealable order, injunction, decree or other legal restraint or prohibition permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Merger or the Bank Merger, or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

 

(c)            by either Parent or the Company, if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before March 16, 2026 (the “Termination Date”), unless the failure of the Closing to occur by such date shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement to perform or comply with the obligations, covenants and agreements of such party set forth herein; provided, that if on such date, any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in (A) Section 7.1(c) or (B) Section 7.1(e) (if, in the case of clause (B), the Restraint relates to a Requisite Regulatory Approval) shall not have been satisfied, but all other conditions set forth in Article VII shall have been satisfied (or in the case of conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, shall then be capable of being satisfied if the Closing were to take place on such date) or waived, then either Party may, by written notice to the other Party, elect to extend Termination Date to June 16, 2026;

 

- 76 -

 

 

(d)            by either Parent or the Company (provided, that the terminating party is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, obligation, covenant or other agreement contained herein), if there shall have been a breach of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements or any of the representations or warranties (or any such representation or warranty shall cease to be true) set forth in this Agreement on the part of the Company, in the case of a termination by Parent, or Parent or Parent Sub, in the case of a termination by the Company, which breach or failure to be true, either individually or in the aggregate with all other breaches by such party (or failures of such representations or warranties to be true), would constitute, if occurring or continuing on the Closing Date, the failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.2, in the case of a termination by Parent, or Section 7.3, in the case of a termination by the Company, and which is not cured within thirty (30) days following written notice to the Company, in the case of a termination by Parent, or Parent and Parent Sub, in the case of a termination by the Company, or by its nature or timing cannot be cured during such period (or such fewer days as remain prior to the Termination Date);

 

(e)            by the Company if (i) the Company shall have complied in all material respects with its obligations under Section 6.3 (including with respect to any requested adjournment or postponement requested under Section 6.3(c)) and Section 6.12, (ii) the Company Meeting (including any postponements or adjournments thereof) shall have concluded with the vote contemplated by Section 6.3(a) having been taken and the Requisite Company Vote shall not have been obtained and (iii) prior to the Company Meeting, the Company shall have received a Superior Proposal which did not result from a breach of Section 6.3 or Section 6.12 and the Board of Directors of the Company shall have determined to enter into a definitive agreement providing for such Superior Proposal upon termination of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 8.1(e) and shall have entered into such agreement concurrently with such termination; provided, that (x) following such Company Meeting (including any postponements or adjournments thereof) and prior to such termination, the Company and the Board of Directors of the Company shall have complied with their respective obligations pursuant to Sections 6.3(b)(v), 6.3(b) (vi) and 6.3(b)(vii), which shall be deemed to apply to a termination pursuant to this Section 8.1(e) mutatis mutandis (it being understood that references to “Recommendation Change” therein shall, for purposes of this clause (x), be deemed to be references to a termination pursuant to this Section 8.1(e)) and (y) concurrently with and as a condition to the effectiveness of such termination the Company shall pay Parent the Termination Fee pursuant to Section 8.2(d);

 

(f)             by Parent if the Company Meeting (including any postponements or adjournments thereof) shall have concluded with the vote contemplated by Section 6.3(a) having been taken and the Requisite Company Vote shall not have been obtained; or

 

(g)            by Parent, prior to the Requisite Company Vote having been obtained, if the Company or the Board of Directors of the Company shall have (i) made a Recommendation Change or (ii) breached its obligations under Section 6.3 or Section 6.12 in any material respect.

 

- 77 -

 

 

8.2            Effect of Termination.

 

(a)            In the event of termination of this Agreement by either Parent or the Company as provided in Section 8.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, and none of Parent, Parent Sub, the Company, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of the officers or directors of any of them shall have any liability of any nature whatsoever hereunder, or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, except that (i) Section 6.2(b), Section 6.13, Section 8.1, this Section 8.2 and Article IX shall survive any termination of this Agreement, and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, none of Parent, Parent Sub nor the Company shall be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages arising out of its fraud or willful and material breach of any provision of this Agreement.

 

(b)            In the event that, after the date of this Agreement and prior to the termination of this Agreement, (i) a bona fide Acquisition Proposal shall have been communicated to or otherwise made known to the Board of Directors or senior management of the Company or shall have been made directly to the shareholders of the Company, or any person shall have publicly announced an Acquisition Proposal, with respect to the Company, (ii) thereafter this Agreement is terminated (A) by either Parent or the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(c) (if the Requisite Company Vote has not theretofore been obtained but all other conditions set forth in Sections 7.1 and 7.3 had been satisfied or were capable of being satisfied prior to such termination) or (B) by Parent (x) pursuant to Section 8.1(d) or (y) pursuant to Section 8.1(f), and (iii) prior to the date that is 12 months after the date of such termination, the Company enters into a definitive agreement or consummates a transaction with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (whether or not the same Acquisition Proposal as that referred to above), then the Company shall, on the earlier of the date it enters into such definitive agreement and the date of consummation of such transaction, pay Parent, by wire transfer of same-day funds, a fee equal to $24,000,000 (the “Termination Fee”); provided, that for purposes of this Section 8.2(b), all references in the definition of Acquisition Proposal to “20%” shall instead refer to “50%.”

 

(c)            In the event that this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(g), then the Company shall pay Parent, by wire transfer of same day funds, the Termination Fee within two (2) business days of the date of termination.

 

(d)            In the event that this Agreement is terminated by the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(e), then the Company shall, concurrently with and as a condition to such termination, pay Parent the Termination Fee by wire transfer of same day funds.

 

- 78 -

 

 

(e)            The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 8.2 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that, without these agreements, Parent and Parent Sub would not enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if the Company fails to pay the amount due pursuant to this Section 8.2 when required, and, in order to obtain such payment, Parent or Parent Sub commences a suit which results in a judgment against the Company for the Termination Fee or any portion thereof, the Company shall pay the costs and expenses of Parent or Parent Sub (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) in connection with such suit. In addition, if the Company fails to pay the amounts payable pursuant to this Section 8.2 when required, then the Company shall pay interest on such overdue amounts (for the period commencing as of the date that such overdue amount was originally required to be paid and ending on the date that such overdue amount is actually paid in full) at a rate per annum equal to the “prime rate” published in The Wall Street Journal on the date such payment was required to be made for the period commencing as of the date that such overdue amount was originally required to be paid. The amounts payable by the Company pursuant to this Section 8.2 constitute liquidated damages and not a penalty, and, except in the case of fraud or willful and material breach of this Agreement, shall be the sole monetary remedy of Parent in the event of a termination of this Agreement specified in such section. In no event shall the Company be required to pay the Termination Fee more than once.

 

8.3            Amendment. Subject to compliance with applicable law, this Agreement may be amended by the Parties, at any time before or after receipt of the Requisite Company Vote; provided, however, that after the receipt of the Requisite Company Vote, there may not be, without further approval of such shareholders, any amendment of this Agreement that requires such further approval under applicable law. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties.

 

8.4            Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, the Parties, by action taken or authorized by their respective Boards of Directors, may, to the extent legally allowed, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Party, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement. Any agreement on the part of a Party to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in a written instrument signed on behalf of such Party, but such extension or waiver or failure to insist on strict compliance with an obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.

 

Article IX

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

9.1            Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. None of the representations, warranties, obligations, covenants and agreements in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time, except for those obligations, covenants and agreements contained herein which by their terms apply or are to be performed in whole or in part after the Effective Time.

 

9.2            Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the Party incurring such expense.

 

- 79 -

 

 

9.3            Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, by e-mail (with confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation) to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

(a)            if to the Company, to:

 

FineMark Holdings, Inc.
8695 College Parkway, Suite 100
Fort Myers, Florida 33919

Attention: Joseph Catti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Email: jcatti@finemarkbank.com

  

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Alston & Bird LLP
One Atlantic Center
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309

Attention: Mark Kanaly
Will Hooper
E-mail: mark.kanaly@alston.com
will.hooper@alston.com

 

and

 

(b)            if to Parent or Parent Sub, to:

 

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
CBI Legal Department
1000 Walnut St, BB 4-1
Kansas City, MO 64106

Attention: Margaret M. Rowe, General Counsel
Email: Peggy.Rowe@CommerceBank.com

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Holland & Knight LLP
800 17th Street N.W., Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20006

Attention: Paul Aguggia
Shawn Turner
Email: paul.aguggia@hklaw.com
shawn.turner@hklaw.com

 

- 80 -

 

 

9.4            Interpretation. The Parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. When a reference is made in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Exhibits or Schedules, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of or Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The word “or” shall not be exclusive. References to “the date hereof” shall mean the date of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the “knowledge” of the Company means the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of any of the officers or employees of the Company listed on Section 9.4 of the Company Disclosure Schedules, and the “knowledge” of Parent means the actual knowledge, after reasonable investigation, of any of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of Parent. As used herein, (i) the term “person” means any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, Governmental Entity or other entity of any kind or nature, (ii) an “affiliate” of a specified person is any person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person, in each case as of the date on which, or at any time during the period for which, the determination of affiliation is being made, (iii) the term “made available” means any document or other information that was (a) provided by one Party or its representatives to the other Parties and their representatives at least three (3) business days prior to the date hereof, (b) included in the virtual data room of a party at least one (1) business day prior to the date hereof or (c) filed by a Party with the SEC and publicly available on EDGAR at least one (1) business day prior to the date hereof, (iv) the term “ordinary course” means, with respect to any Party, conduct consistent with past practice and the normal day-to-day customs, practices and procedures of such Party, (v) the term “business day” means, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in the State of Missouri are authorized by law or executive order to be closed, (vi) any reference to any statute includes all amendments thereto and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and (vii) all references to “transactions contemplated hereby” and “transactions contemplated by this Agreement” shall include the Merger and the Bank Merger unless otherwise indicated. All references to “dollars” or “$” in this Agreement are to United States dollars.

 

9.5            Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart.

 

9.6            Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Company Disclosure Schedules, the Parent Disclosure Schedules, the Voting Agreements and the other documents and instruments referred to herein) together with the Confidentiality Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

- 81 -

 

 

9.7            Governing Law; Jurisdiction.

 

(a)            This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any applicable conflicts of law (except that matters relating to the fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors of the Company shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida and matters relating to the fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors of Parent Sub shall be subject to the laws of the State of Kansas).

 

(b)            Each Party agrees that it will bring any action or proceeding in respect of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware, or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction located in the State of Delaware (the “Chosen Courts”), and, solely in connection with claims arising under this Agreement or the transactions that are the subject of this Agreement, (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in the Chosen Courts, (iii) waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any Party and (iv) agrees that service of process upon such Party in any such action or proceeding will be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 9.3.

 

9.8            Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AT THE TIME OF INSTITUTION OF THE APPLICABLE LITIGATION, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT: (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.8.

 

9.9            Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations shall be assigned by any of the Parties (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Parties. Any purported assignment in contravention hereof shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. Except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 6.7, this Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein) is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any person other than the Parties any rights or remedies hereunder, including the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein. The representations and warranties in this Agreement are the product of negotiations among the Parties and are for the sole benefit of the Parties. Any inaccuracies in such representations and warranties are subject to waiver by the Parties in accordance herewith without notice or liability to any other person. In some instances, the representations and warranties in this Agreement may represent an allocation among the Parties of risks associated with particular matters regardless of the knowledge of any of the Parties. Consequently, persons other than the Parties may not rely upon the representations and warranties in this Agreement as characterizations of actual facts or circumstances as of the date of this Agreement or as of any other date.

 

- 82 -

 

 

9.10          Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage may occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and, accordingly, that the Parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof (including the Parties’ obligation to consummate the Merger), in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

 

9.11          Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction such that the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

 

9.12          Confidential Supervisory Information. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no disclosure, representation or warranty shall be made (or other action taken) pursuant to this Agreement that would involve the disclosure of confidential supervisory information (including confidential supervisory information as defined in 12 C.F.R. § 261.2(c) and as identified in 12 C.F.R. § 309.5(g)(8) and 12 CFR § 4.32(b)) of a Governmental Entity by any Party to the extent prohibited by applicable law. To the extent legally permissible, appropriate substitute disclosures or actions shall be made or taken under circumstances in which the limitations of the preceding sentence apply.

 

9.13          Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement, and any amendments or waivers hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file to deliver a signature to this Agreement or any amendment hereto or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file as a defense to the formation of a contract and each Party forever waives any such defense.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

- 83 -

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Parent Sub and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

  Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
      
  By:
      
  /s/ John W. Kemper 
  Name: John W. Kemper
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
      
  CBI-Kansas, Inc.
      
  By:   
      
  /s/ John W. Kemper  
  Name: John W. Kemper
  Title: President
      
  FineMark Holdings, Inc.
      
  By:   
      
  /s/ Joseph R.Catti  
  Name: Joseph R. Catti
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Merger Agreement]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Voting Agreement

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF
VOTING AND SUPPORT AGREEMENT

 

This Voting and Support Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 16, 2025, is entered into by and among Commerce Bancshares, Inc., a Missouri corporation (“Parent”), FineMark Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned shareholder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a shareholder, (the “Shareholder”) of the Company.

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified, the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, by and among Parent, CBI-Kansas, Inc., a Kansas corporation and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Parent Sub”), and the Company, among other things, the Company will be merged with and into Parent Sub (the “Merger”), with Parent Sub as the surviving corporation in the Merger;

 

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, the Shareholder owns beneficially or of record, and has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of, certain shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock” and all such shares, the “Existing Shares”);

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, and declared that the Merger Agreement is advisable, and (ii) adopted and approved the Merger Agreement and approved the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger; and

 

WHEREAS, the Shareholder is supportive of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and has determined that it is in his, her or its best interests to enter into this Agreement to provide for his, her or its support for the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and this Agreement is further a condition and inducement for Parent and Parent Sub to enter into the Merger Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.Definitions. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to those terms in the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Shareholder’s Existing Shares and the Shareholder’s Owned Shares shall exclude, in each case, any shares of Common Stock held or controlled by the Shareholder where the Shareholder only controls such shares in his or her capacity as trustee, representative or fiduciary or other similar capacity for the benefit of another Person.

 

2.Effectiveness; Termination. This Agreement shall be effective upon execution hereof by all parties hereto. This Agreement shall automatically terminate and be null and void and of no effect upon the earlier to occur of the following: (a) termination of the Merger Agreement for any reason in accordance with its terms or (b) the Effective Time; provided, that (i) this Section 2 and Sections 14 through 21 hereof shall survive any such termination and (ii) such termination shall not relieve any party hereto of any liability or damages resulting from any willful or intentional and material breach of any of his, her or its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements set forth herein.

 

 

 

 

3.Support Agreement. From the date hereof until the earlier of (a) the Effective Time or (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms (the “Support Period”), the Shareholder irrevocably and unconditionally hereby agrees that at any meeting (whether annual or special and each postponement, recess, adjournment or continuation thereof) of the Company’s shareholders, however called, and in connection with any written consent of the Company’s shareholders, the Shareholder shall (i) be present (in person or by proxy) at such meeting or otherwise cause all of the Shareholder’s Existing Shares and all other shares of Common Stock or voting securities over which the Shareholder has acquired, after the date hereof, beneficial or record ownership and the sole power to vote or direct the voting thereof (including any such shares of Common Stock acquired by means of purchase, dividend or distribution, or issued upon the exercise of any Company Options, vesting of any Company RSUs or the conversion of any convertible securities, or pursuant to any other equity awards or derivative securities or otherwise) (together with the Existing Shares, the “Owned Shares”), as of the applicable record date, to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum, and (ii) vote or cause to be voted (including by proxy or written consent, if applicable) all such Owned Shares as to which Shareholder controls the right to vote in his, her or its individual capacity (A) in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement (including any amendments or modifications of the terms thereof approved and adopted in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement), (B) in favor of any proposal to adjourn or postpone such meeting of Company’s shareholders to a later date if there are not sufficient votes to approve and adopt the Merger Agreement, (C) against any Acquisition Proposal, including any Superior Proposal, and (D) against any action, proposal, transaction, agreement or amendment of the Company Articles or Company Bylaws, in each case of this clause (D), which would reasonably be expected to (1) result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of the Company contained in the Merger Agreement, or of the Shareholder contained in this Agreement or (2) prevent, impede, delay, interfere with, postpone, discourage or frustrate the purposes of or adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger. During the Support Period, the Shareholder shall not vote to rescind or amend in any manner any prior vote or revoke any prior consent, in each case in his, her or its capacity as a shareholder of the Company, to adopt or approve the Merger Agreement or the Merger. The Shareholder further agrees to exercise all voting or other determination rights the Shareholder has in any trust or other legal entity to carry out the intent and purposes of the Shareholder’s obligations in this Section 3 and otherwise set forth in this Agreement. The Shareholder represents, covenants and agrees that, except for this Agreement, the Shareholder (x) has not entered into, and shall not enter into during the Support Period, any support or voting agreement or voting trust or similar agreement with respect to the Owned Shares that would be inconsistent with the Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement and (y) has not granted, and shall not grant during the Support Period, a proxy, consent or power of attorney with respect to the Owned Shares, except any proxy to carry out the intent of and the Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement and any revocable proxy granted to officers or directors of the Company at the request of the Company’s Board of Directors in connection with election of directors or other routine matters at any annual or special meeting of the Company’s shareholders. The Shareholder represents, covenants and agrees that he, she or it has not entered into and will not enter into any agreement or commitment with any person the effect of which would be inconsistent with or otherwise violate any of the provisions and agreements set forth herein; provided, that nothing in this sentence will prohibit any Permitted Transfer. With respect to any other shares of Common Stock over which the Shareholder has shared voting power, the Shareholder shall exercise his, her or its individual voting power over such shares, to the extent within his, her or its direct control, in a manner consistent with the Shareholder’s voting obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Owned Shares.

 

2

 

 

4.Non-Solicitation. The Shareholder hereby agrees not to, and agrees to cause his, her or its controlled affiliates (which, for the avoidance of doubt, does not include the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and his, her or its and their respective Representatives not to, take any action that, were it taken by the Company or its Representatives, would violate Section 6.12 of the Merger Agreement.

 

5.Transfer Restrictions Prior to the Merger. The Shareholder hereby agrees that the Shareholder will not, from the date hereof until the earlier of (a) the end of the Support Period and (b) receipt of the Requisite Company Vote, directly or indirectly, offer for sale, sell, transfer, assign, give, convey, tender in any tender or exchange offer, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or dispose of (by merger, by testamentary disposition, by operation of law or otherwise), either voluntarily or involuntarily, enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of, grant any proxy, consent or power of attorney (other than this Agreement) with respect to, or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, lien, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of, any of the Owned Shares, or any legal or beneficial interest therein, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law (any of the foregoing, a “Transfer”); provided, that the Shareholder may Transfer Owned Shares (i) upon the death of Shareholder to a descendant, heir, executor, administrator, testamentary trustee, lifetime trustee or legatee of the Shareholder, (ii) for bona fide estate and tax planning purposes to (A) the Shareholder’s spouse, (B) any descendant, niece or nephew of the Shareholder or the Shareholder’s spouse or (C) any estate, trust, guardianship, custodianship or other fiduciary arrangement for the primary benefit of any one or more individuals described in the foregoing clauses (A) or (B); (iii) to any other shareholder who has executed a copy of this Agreement on the date hereof; (iv) in connection with the payment of any withholding taxes owed by the Shareholder in connection with any vesting, settlement or exercise, as applicable, of a Company Option or a Company RSU or (vi) that Parent may otherwise permit in writing; provided that, in the case of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (vi), prior to the effectiveness of such Transfer, such transferee executes an delivers to Parent and the Company an agreement that is identical to this Agreement or such other written agreement, in form and substance acceptable to Parent, to assume all of Shareholder’s obligations hereunder in respect of the Owned Shares subject to such Transfer and to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, with respect to the Owned Shares subject to such Transfer, to the same extent as the Shareholder is bound hereunder and to make each of the representations and warranties hereunder in respect of the Owned Shares Transferred as the Shareholder shall have made hereunder (any Transfer permitted in accordance with this Section 5, a “Permitted Transfer”). With respect to any other shares of Common Stock over which the Shareholder has shared disposition power, the Shareholder agrees to exercise the Shareholder’s individual disposition power over such shares, to the extent within his, her or its control, in a manner consistent with the Shareholder’s restrictions on Transfer under this Agreement with respect to the Owned Shares, it being understood that the Shareholder shall not have the power to cause other persons to restrict their disposition power accordingly.

 

3

 

 

6.Representations of the Shareholder. The Shareholder represents and warrants as follows: (a) the Shareholder has full legal right, capacity and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform the Shareholder’s obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Shareholder and constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Shareholder, enforceable against the Shareholder in accordance with its terms, and no other action is necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Shareholder or the performance of the Shareholder’s obligations hereunder; (c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Shareholder does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the compliance with the provisions hereof will not, conflict with or violate any law or result in any breach of or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien on any of the Owned Shares pursuant to, any agreement or other instrument or obligation binding upon the Shareholder or the Owned Shares, nor require any authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity (other than an amendment to such Shareholder’s Schedule 13D or 13G filed with the SEC, if applicable); (d) the Shareholder beneficially owns and has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the Owned Shares, including all of the Shareholder’s Existing Shares as set forth on, and in the amounts set forth on, Schedule A hereto, which as of the date hereof constitute all of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Shareholder and over which the Shareholder, directly or indirectly, has sole voting and dispositive authority; (e) the Shareholder beneficially owns the Shareholder’s Existing Shares as set forth on Schedule A hereto free and clear of any proxy, voting restriction, adverse claim or other Lien (other than any restrictions created by this Agreement, or under applicable federal or state securities laws, or disclosed on the Shareholder’s Schedule 13D or 13G filed with the SEC, if applicable); (f) there is no legal action pending or threatened against the Shareholder that would reasonably be expected to impair the ability of the Shareholder to perform its obligations hereunder; and (g) the Shareholder does not have any agreements, arrangements or understandings of any kind with the Company or any other person (i) with respect to the Transfer or voting of the Owned Shares or the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) that would conflict with, restrict, limit, violate or interfere with the performance of any of the Shareholder’s covenants and obligations hereunder. The Shareholder agrees that the Shareholder shall not take any action that would make any representation or warranty of the Shareholder contained herein untrue or incorrect or have the effect of preventing, impairing, delaying or adversely affecting the performance by the Shareholder of the Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement; provided, that nothing in this sentence will prohibit any Permitted Transfer. As used in this Agreement, the terms “beneficial owner,” “beneficially own” and “beneficial ownership” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act.

 

7.Publicity. The Shareholder hereby (a) authorizes the Company and Parent to publish and disclose in any announcement or disclosure in connection with the Merger, including in the S-4, the Proxy Statement, or any other filing with any Governmental Entity made in connection with the Merger, the Shareholder’s identity and ownership of the Shareholder’s Company Shares, and the nature of the Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement and (b) agrees to promptly provide to the Company and Parent any non-confidential information that the Company or Parent may reasonably require for the preparation of any such disclosure documents; provided, that prior to any such announcement or disclosure, as well as any other disclosure that references the Shareholder (individually or as part of a group), the Company and/or Parent, as applicable, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Shareholder with the opportunity to review and comment on any references to the Shareholder generally in such announcement or disclosure and consider such comments. The Shareholder agrees to notify Parent as promptly as practicable of any inaccuracies or omissions in any information relating to the Shareholder that is so published or disclosed. The Shareholder shall not be permitted to make any public statement to the effect that Shareholder does not, or that other shareholders of the Company should not, support the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

8.Stock Dividends, Etc. In the event of any change in the Common Stock by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization, stock split (including a reverse stock split) or subdivision or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend or stock distribution, merger or other similar change in capitalization, the terms “Existing Shares” and “Owned Shares” shall be deemed to refer to and include such shares as well as all such stock dividends and distributions and any securities into which or for which any or all of such shares may be changed or exchanged or which are received in such transaction.

 

4

 

 

9.Waiver of Appraisal and Dissenters’ Rights and Certain Other Actions.

 

(a)To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Shareholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to assert, exercise or perfect, any rights of appraisal or rights to dissent in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement that the Shareholder may have with respect to the Owned Shares under applicable law.

 

(b)The Shareholder hereby agrees not to commence or participate in, and agrees to take all actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any proceeding, claim or action, derivative or otherwise, against Parent, the Company, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, successors, directors or officers (i) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin or delay the operation of, any provision of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement (including any claim seeking to enjoin or delay the Closing), or (ii) to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, alleging a breach of any duty of the Board of Directors of the Company or Parent or Parent Sub in connection with the Merger Agreement, this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated thereby or hereby.

 

10.Further Assurances. The Shareholder agrees, from time to time, and without additional consideration, to execute and deliver such additional proxies, documents, and other instruments and to take all such further action as Parent or the Company may reasonably request to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

11.Entire Agreement. This Agreement and, to the extent referenced herein, the Merger Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Nothing in this Agreement shall, or shall be construed or deemed to, constitute a Transfer of any Owned Shares or any legal or beneficial interest in or voting or other control over any of the Owned Shares or as creating or forming a “group” for purposes of the Exchange Act, and all rights, ownership and benefits of and relating to the Owned Shares shall remain vested in and belong to the Shareholder, subject to the agreements of the parties hereto set forth herein. This Agreement is intended to create, and creates, a contractual relationship and is not intended to create, and does not create, any agency, partnership, joint venture or other like relationship between the parties hereto.

 

12.Assignment; Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise and, except as provided herein, shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder.

 

5

 

 

13.Remedies/Specific Enforcement. Each of the parties hereto agrees that this Agreement is intended to be legally binding and specifically enforceable pursuant to its terms and that each party hereto may be irreparably harmed if any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate remedy in such event. Accordingly, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by any party hereto of any provision contained in this Agreement, in addition to any other remedy to which the other parties hereto may be entitled whether at law or in equity (including monetary damages), each other party hereto shall be entitled to injunctive relief to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce the terms and provisions hereof, and each party hereto hereby waives any defense in any action for specific performance or an injunction or other equitable relief that a remedy at law would be adequate. Each party hereto further agrees that no party hereto shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this paragraph, and each party hereto irrevocably waives any right such party may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument.

 

14.Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any applicable conflicts of law. Each party hereto agrees that it will bring any action or proceeding in respect of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby exclusively in the Chosen Courts, and, solely in connection with claims arising under this Agreement or the transactions that are the subject of this Agreement, (a) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in the Chosen Courts, (iii) waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party hereto and (iv) agrees that service of process upon such party hereto in any such action or proceeding will be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 15.

 

15.Notice. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, by e-mail transmission (provided, that no transmission error is received), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation), if to the Shareholder, to his, her or its address set forth on the signature pages hereto (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice) and if to Parent or the Company, as applicable, in accordance with Section 9.3 of the Merger Agreement.

 

16.Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction such that the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

 

17.Amendments; Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived if, and only if, such amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and signed (a) in the case of an amendment or modification, by Parent, the Company and the Shareholder, and (b) in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

6

 

 

18.Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AT THE TIME OF INSTITUTION OF THE APPLICABLE LITIGATION, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HERETO CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT: (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH HERETO PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH PARTY HERETO MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (IV) EACH PARTY HERETO HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 18.

 

19.No Representative Capacity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement applies solely to the Shareholder in the Shareholder’s capacity as a shareholder of the Company, and, to the extent the Shareholder serves as a member of the board of directors or as an officer of the Company, nothing in this Agreement shall limit or affect any actions or omissions taken by the Shareholder in the Shareholder’s capacity as a director or officer and not as a shareholder.

 

20.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.

 

21.Delivery by Electronic Transmission. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement, and any amendments or waivers hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file to deliver a signature to this Agreement or any amendment hereto or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file as a defense to the formation of a contract and each party hereto forever waives any such defense.

 

22.Spousal Consent. If a Shareholder is a married individual and any of its Owned Shares constitutes community property or otherwise need spousal or other approval for this Agreement to be legal, valid and binding, such Shareholder shall deliver to Parent, concurrently herewith, a duly executed consent of such Shareholder’s spouse, in the form attached hereto as Schedule B.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties and is effective as of the date first set forth above:

 

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.  
   
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  
   
FINEMARK HOLDINGS, INC.  
   
By:          
  Name:  
  Title:   
   
   
[SHAREHOLDER]:1  
   
By:    
  Name:  
  Address:   

 

 

1The Shareholder is executing this Agreement in all capacities in which the Shareholder has, or may in the future have, voting and/or disposition power with respect to shares of Common Stock.

 

[Signature Page to Voting and Support Agreement]

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Existing Share Information

 

Name of Shareholder Existing Shares
   

 

 

 

 

Schedule B

 

SPOUSAL CONSENT

 

The undersigned represents that the undersigned is the spouse of the Shareholder and that the undersigned is familiar with the terms of the Voting and Support Agreement (the “Agreement”), entered into as of June 16, 2025, by and among Commerce Bancshares, Inc., a Missouri corporation (“Parent”), FineMark Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned’s spouse listed on Schedule A to the Agreement. The undersigned hereby agrees that the interest of the undersigned’s spouse in all property which is the subject of the Agreement shall be irrevocably bound by the terms of the Agreement and by any amendment, modification, waiver or termination signed by the undersigned’s spouse. The undersigned further agrees that the undersigned’s community property interest in all property which is the subject of the Agreement shall be irrevocably bound by the terms of the Agreement, and that the Agreement shall be binding on the executors, administrators, heirs and assigns of the undersigned. The undersigned further authorizes the undersigned’s spouse to amend, modify or terminate the Agreement, or waive any rights thereunder, and that each such amendment, modification, waiver or termination signed by the undersigned’s spouse shall be binding on the community property interest of undersigned in all property which is the subject of the Agreement and on the executors, administrators, heirs and assigns of the undersigned, each as fully as if the undersigned had signed such amendment, modification, waiver or termination.

 

Dated: ____________________, 2025  
  Name:

 

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Bank Merger Agreement

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

BY AND BETWEEN
COMMERCE BANK
AND

Finemark national bank & trust

 

This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this “Agreement”), dated as of June [•], 2025, is made by and between Commerce Bank, a Missouri state-chartered trust company (“Parent Bank”), and FineMark National Bank & Trust, a nationally-chartered commercial bank and trust company (“Company Bank”). Each of Parent Bank and Company Bank may be referred to individually as a “Party,” or together as the “Parties.”

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Parent Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of CBI-Kansas, Inc., a Kansas corporation (“Parent Sub”), and Company Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of FineMark Holdings, Inc., a Florida corporation (“Company”);

 

WHEREAS, Parent Sub and Company have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 16, 2025, by and among Parent, a Missouri corporation (“Parent”), Parent Sub and Company (as amended and/or supplemented from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, Company will merge with and into Parent Sub (the “Merger”), with Parent Sub as the surviving corporation in the Merger;

 

WHEREAS, contingent upon the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in this Agreement, the Parties intend to effect the merger of Company Bank with and into Parent Bank (the “Bank Merger”) promptly following the Merger, with Parent Bank continuing as the surviving bank (the “Surviving Bank”);

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Parent Bank and the Board of Directors of Company Bank have deemed the Bank Merger advisable, and have adopted and approved the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby; and

 

WHEREAS, in each case acting by written consent, the sole stockholder of Parent Bank and the sole shareholder of Company Bank have approved this Agreement, the Bank Merger and the principal terms thereof.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual agreements herein contained, the Parties do hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Bank Merger

 

Section 1.01         The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined below), Company Bank shall be merged with and into Parent Bank pursuant to the provisions of, and with the effect provided in, applicable law. At the Effective Time, the separate existence of Company Bank shall cease, and Parent Bank, as the Surviving Bank, shall continue unaffected and unimpaired by the Bank Merger. The effect of the Bank Merger shall be as prescribed by applicable law. All assets of Company Bank as they exist at the Effective Time shall pass to and vest in the Surviving Bank without any conveyance or other transfer. The Surviving Bank shall be responsible for all of the liabilities of every kind and description of each of the Parties existing as of the Effective Time. The name of the Surviving Bank will be “Commerce Bank” following the Effective Time.

 

 

 

 

Section 1.02         Closing. The closing of the Bank Merger will take place by electronic exchange of documents promptly following the Merger or at such other time and date as specified by Parent or Parent Sub, but in no case prior to the Merger or the date on which all of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the Bank Merger specified in this Agreement shall have been satisfied or duly waived by the Party entitled to satisfaction thereof, at such place as is agreed by the Parties.

 

Section 1.03         Effective Time. Subject to applicable law, the Bank Merger shall become effective upon the filing for record with the Missouri Division of Finance of the copies as required by the Revised Statutes of Missouri, Chapter 362.700 (such date and time being herein referred to as the “Effective Time”).

 

Section 1.04         Articles of Agreement and Bylaws of the Surviving Bank. The articles of agreement and bylaws of Parent Bank in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the articles of agreement and the bylaws of the Surviving Bank, in each case until amended in accordance with applicable law and the terms thereof.

 

Section 1.05         Board of Directors of the Surviving Bank. Effective as of the Effective Time, the members of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Bank shall be the members of the Board of Directors of Parent Bank immediately prior to the Effective Time, together with Joseph Catti, pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement.

 

Section 1.06         Tax Treatment. It is the intention of the Parties that the Bank Merger be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

ARTICLE II

 

Consideration

 

Section 2.01         Effect on Company Bank Capital Stock. By virtue of the Bank Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any capital stock of Company Bank, at the Effective Time, all shares of Company Bank capital stock issued and outstanding shall be automatically cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and no cash, new shares of common stock, or other property shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

 

Section 2.02         Effect on Parent Bank Capital Stock. Each share of Parent Bank capital stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding and unaffected by the Bank Merger.

 

ARTICLE III

 

COVENANTS

 

Section 3.01         During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the Effective Time, subject to the provisions of the Merger Agreement, each of the Parties agrees to use all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable laws and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

-2 -

 

 

ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions Precedent

 

Section 4.01         The Bank Merger and the respective obligations of each Party to consummate the Bank Merger are subject to the fulfillment or written waiver of each of the following conditions prior to the Effective Time:

 

(a)          All required federal and state regulatory approvals shall have been obtained with respect to the Bank Merger and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been terminated and all other material approvals and authorizations of, filings and registrations with, and notifications to, all governmental authorities required for the consummation of the Bank Merger shall have been obtained or made and shall remain in full force and effect, and all statutory waiting periods required by law shall have expired or been terminated.

 

(b)         The Merger shall have been consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement.

 

(c)          No order, injunction or decree issued by any court or governmental entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Bank Merger shall be in effect and no law, statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction or decree shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any governmental entity which prohibits or makes illegal consummation of the Bank Merger.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Termination and amendment

 

Section 5.01         Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time, at Parent’s election, subject to Sections 1.14 and 6.14 of the Merger Agreement, or by mutual written agreement of the parties hereto. Notwithstanding the approval of this Agreement by the sole stockholder of Parent Bank or the sole shareholder of Company Bank, this Agreement will terminate automatically prior to the Effective Time upon the termination of the Merger Agreement. In the event of termination of this Agreement as provided in this Section 5.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect.

 

Section 5.02         Amendment. This Agreement may not be amended, except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the Parties.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Section 6.01         Representations and Warranties. Each of the Parties represents and warrants that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Party and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other Party) constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such Party, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws of general applicability affecting the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies).

 

-3 -

 

 

Section 6.02         Nonsurvival of Agreements. None of the agreements in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time.

 

Section 6.03         Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, by e-mail transmission (with confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

(a)          if to Parent Bank, to:

 

Commerce Bank
Legal Department
1000 Walnut St, BB 4-1
Kansas City, MO 64106

Attention: Margaret M. Rowe, General Counsel
Email: Peggy.Rowe@CommerceBank.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Holland & Knight LLP
800 17th Street N.W., Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20006

Attention:  Paul Aguggia
Shawn Turner
Email: paul.aguggia@hklaw.com
shawn.turner@hklaw.com

 

and

 

(b)          if to Company Bank, to:

 

FineMark National Bank & Trust
8695 College Parkway, Suite 100
Fort Myers, Florida 33919

Attention: Joseph Catti, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Email: jcatti@finemarkbank.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Alston & Bird LLP

One Atlantic Center

1201 West Peachtree Street

Atlanta, GA 30309

Attention: Mark Kanaly
Will Hooper
E-mail: mark.kanaly@alston.com
will.hooper@alston.com

 

-4 -

 

 

Section 6.04         Interpretation. The words “hereof,” “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and section references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Section 6.05         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart.

 

Section 6.06         Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 6.07         Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri without regard to any applicable conflicts of law principles.

 

Section 6.08         Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations may be assigned by any of the Parties and any attempted assignment in contravention of this Section 6.08 shall be null and void.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

-5 -

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in counterparts by their duly authorized officers and attested by their officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

  COMMERCE BANK
   
   
  By:
  Title:
   
  FINEMARK NATIONAL BANK & TRUST  
   
   
  By:
  Title:      

 

[Signature Page to Bank Merger Agreement]