Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement between Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. and Institutional Purchasers (June 24, 2025)
Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc., a Minnesota-based bank holding company, has entered into an agreement with several institutional investors to sell up to $80 million in subordinated notes. These notes are intended to qualify as Tier 2 Capital for regulatory purposes. The agreement outlines the terms of the note purchase, including reliance on certain securities law exemptions, and requires the company to provide registration rights for the notes. Piper Sandler & Co. acted as the lead placement agent. The agreement is effective as of June 24, 2025.
Exhibit 10.1
SUBORDINATED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This SUBORDINATED NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of June 24, 2025, and is made by and among Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and registered bank holding company (the “Company”), and the several purchasers of the Subordinated Notes (as defined herein) identified on the signature pages hereto (each a “Purchaser” and collectively, the “Purchasers”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company has requested that the Purchasers purchase from the Company up to $80,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes, which aggregate amount is intended to qualify as Tier 2 Capital (as defined herein).
WHEREAS, the Company has engaged Piper Sandler & Co., as its lead placement agent (“Lead Placement Agent”) for the offering of the Subordinated Notes.
WHEREAS, each of the Purchasers is an institutional “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D (“Regulation D”) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or a QIB (as defined below).
WHEREAS, the offer and sale of the Subordinated Notes by the Company is being made in reliance upon the exemptions from registration available under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.
WHEREAS, each Purchaser is willing to purchase from the Company a Subordinated Note in the principal amount set forth on such Purchaser’s respective signature page hereto (the “Subordinated Note Amount”) in accordance with the terms, subject to the conditions and in reliance on, the recitals, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and in the Subordinated Notes and in the Indenture (as defined below).
WHEREAS, at Closing, the Company and the Purchasers shall execute and deliver a Registration Rights Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company will agree to provide certain registration rights with respect to the Subordinated Notes under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and applicable state securities laws.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, conditions and agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties, intending to be legally bound, hereto hereby agree as follows:
AGREEMENT
“Affiliate(s)” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s immediate family members, partners, members or parent and subsidiary corporations, and any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with said Person and their respective Affiliates.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Subordinated Note represented by a global certificate, the rules and procedures of DTC that apply to such transfer or exchange.
“Bank” means Bridgewater Bank, a Minnesota state-chartered bank and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which banking institutions in the State of Minnesota are permitted or required by any applicable law or executive order to close.
“Bylaws” means the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, including all amendments thereto, as in effect on the Closing Date.
“Charter” means the Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, including all amendments thereto, as in effect on the Closing Date.
“Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
“Closing Date” means June 24, 2025.
“Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto and shall include any successors to the Company.
“Company Covered Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.4.
“Company’s Reports” means (i) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC, including the audited financial statements contained therein and the information from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2025 annual meeting of shareholders incorporated by reference into the Form 10-K; (ii) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC, including the unaudited financial statements contained therein.
“Co-Placement Agents” means D.A. Davidson & Co. and Hovde Group, LLC.
“Designated NRSRO” means a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (NRSRO) within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, that is designated as a
2
“Credit Rating Provider” (or other similar designation) by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
“Disbursements” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
“Disqualification Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2.4.
“DTC” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8.
“Equity Interest” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person which is not a corporation, and any and all warrants, options or other rights to purchase any of the foregoing.
“Event of Default” has the meaning set forth in the Subordinated Notes.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States of America.
“Global Note” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
“Governmental Agency(ies)” means, individually or collectively, any federal, state, county or local governmental department, commission, board, regulatory authority or agency (including, without limitation, each applicable Regulatory Agency) with jurisdiction over the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Governmental Licenses” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
“Hazardous Materials” means flammable explosives, asbestos, urea formaldehyde insulation, polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive materials, hazardous wastes, toxic or contaminated substances or similar materials, including, without limitation, any substances which are “hazardous substances,” “hazardous wastes,” “hazardous materials” or “toxic substances” under the Hazardous Materials Laws and/or other applicable environmental laws, ordinances or regulations.
“Hazardous Materials Laws” mean any laws, regulations, permits, licenses or requirements pertaining to the protection, preservation, conservation or regulation of the environment which relates to real property, including: the Clean Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq.; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (including the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986), 42 U.S.C. Section 9601
3
et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq.; the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 651, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. Section 11001 et seq.; the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended, 30 U.S.C. Section 801 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 300f et seq.; and all comparable state and local laws, laws of other jurisdictions or orders and regulations.
“Indebtedness” means: (i) all items arising from the borrowing of money that, according to GAAP as in effect from time to time, would be included in determining total liabilities as shown on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company; and (ii) all obligations secured by any lien on property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary whether or not such obligations shall have been assumed; provided, however, Indebtedness shall not include deposits or other indebtedness created, incurred or maintained in the ordinary course of the Company’s or the Bank’s business (including, without limitation, federal funds purchased, advances from any Federal Home Loan Bank, secured deposits of municipalities, letters of credit issued by the Company or the Bank and repurchase arrangements) and consistent with customary banking practices and applicable laws and regulations.
“Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, under which the Subordinated Notes are to be issued, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
“Lead Placement Agent” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Leases” means all leases, licenses or other documents providing for the use or occupancy of any portion of any Property, including all amendments, extensions, renewals, supplements, modifications, sublets and assignments thereof and all separate letters or separate agreements relating thereto.
“Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to any Person, any change or effect that (i) is or would be reasonably likely to be material and adverse to the financial condition, results of operations or business of such Person, or (ii) would materially impair the ability of such Person to perform its respective obligations under any of the Transaction Documents, or otherwise materially impede the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however, that “Material Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include the impact of (1) changes in banking and similar laws, rules or regulations of general applicability or interpretations thereof by Governmental Agencies, (2) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting requirements applicable to financial institutions and their holding companies generally, (3) changes after the date of this Agreement in general economic or capital market conditions affecting financial institutions or their market prices generally and not specifically related to the Company, the Bank or the Purchasers, (4) direct effects of compliance with this Agreement on the operating performance of the Company, the Bank or the Purchasers, including expenses incurred by the Company, the Bank or the Purchasers in consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (5) changes in national or international political or social conditions, including the engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or by the occurrence of any military attack upon or within the United States, (6) natural disasters or
4
other force majeure events, or the effects of any outbreak, escalation or worsening of any epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak, and (7) the effects of any action or omission taken by the Company with the prior written consent of the Purchasers, and vice versa, or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, the Indenture and the Subordinated Notes, which in the event of (1), (2), (3) and (6), do not disproportionately affect the operations or business of the Company or the Bank, taken as a whole, in comparison to other banking institutions with similar operations.
“Maturity Date” means June 30, 2035.
“Person” means an individual, a corporation (whether or not for profit), a partnership, a limited liability company, a joint venture, an association, a trust, an unincorporated organization, a government or any department or agency thereof (including a Governmental Agency) or any other entity or organization.
“Placement Agents” means the Lead Placement Agent and the Co-Placement Agents.
“Property” means any real property owned or leased by the Company or any Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Company.
“Purchaser” or “Purchasers” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.
“QIB” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8.
“Registration Rights Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Regulation D” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Regulatory Agency” means any federal or state agency charged with the supervision or regulation of depository institutions or holding companies of depository institutions, or engaged in the insurance of depository institution deposits, or any court, administrative agency or commission or other authority, body or agency having supervisory or regulatory authority with respect to the Company, the Bank or any of their Subsidiaries.
“Secondary Market Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.
“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
“Subordinated Note” means the Subordinated Note (or collectively, the “Subordinated Notes”) in the form attached as an exhibit to the Indenture, as amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time, and each Subordinated Note delivered in substitution or exchange for such Subordinated Note.
“Subordinated Note Amount” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
5
“Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, any corporation or entity (other than a trust) in which a majority of the outstanding Equity Interest is directly or indirectly owned by such Person.
“Tier 2 Capital” has the meaning given to the term “Tier 2 capital” in 12 C.F.R. Part 217, as amended, modified and supplemented and in effect from time to time or any replacement thereof.
“Tier 2 Capital Event” has the meaning set forth in the Indenture.
“Transaction Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.1.1.
“Trustee” means the trustee or successor in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture.
6
7
8
The Company hereby represents and warrants to each Purchaser that, except as disclosed in the Company’s Reports:
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
The Company hereby further covenants and agrees with each Purchaser as follows:
16
17
18
Each Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company, and covenants with the Company, severally and not jointly, as follows:
19
20
21
22
if to the Company: | Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. | ||
| 4450 Excelsior Boulevard, Suite 100, | ||
| St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416 | ||
| Attention: President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
| | ||
with a copy to: | Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP | ||
| 200 West Madison Street, Suite 3900 | ||
| Chicago, Illinois 60606 | ||
| Attention: Joseph T. Ceithaml | ||
| | ||
if to a Purchaser: | To the address indicated on such Purchaser’s signature page. |
or to such other address or addresses as the party to be given notice may have furnished in writing to the party seeking or desiring to give notice, as a place for the giving of notice; provided that no change in address shall be effective until five (5) Business Days after being given to the other party in the manner provided for above. Any notice given in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed given when delivered personally or, if mailed, three (3) Business Days after it shall have been deposited in the United States mails as aforesaid or, if sent by overnight courier, the Business Day following the date of delivery to such courier (provided next business day delivery was requested).
23
24
[Signature Pages Follow]
25
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.
| COMPANY: BRIDGEWATER BANCSHARES, INC. By: __________________________________ Name: Joe Chybowski Title: President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
[Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. – 7.625% Fixed to Floating Rate Subordinated Note due 2035
Company Signature Page to Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Purchaser has caused this Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.
|
|
| PURCHASER: [INSERT PURCHASER’S NAME] By: Name: [●] Title: [●] |
| Address of Purchaser: [●] |
| Subordinated Note Amount: $[●] |
[Bridgewater Bancshares, Inc. – 7.625% Fixed to Floating Rate Subordinated Note due 2035
Purchaser Signature Page to Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF INDENTURE (INCLUDING FORMS OF SUBORDINATED NOTE)
EXHIBIT B
OPINION OF COUNSEL
* Opinions to be subject to customary limitations, qualifications and carveouts. Applicable opinions to be governed by New York law.
30
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT