AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER dated as of March 1, 2015 by and between PacWest Bancorp and Square 1 Financial, Inc.

EX-2.1 2 a15-5946_1ex2d1.htm EX-2.1

Exhibit 2.1

 

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

dated as of March 1, 2015

 

by and between

 

PacWest Bancorp

 

and

 

Square 1 Financial, Inc.

 

 

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

RECITALS

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1

 

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

 

 

1.01

Certain Definitions

2

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2

 

THE MERGER

 

 

 

2.01

The Merger

12

2.02

Closing; Effective Time

12

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3

 

CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES

 

 

 

3.01

Effect on Capital Stock

12

3.02

Rights as Stockholders; Stock Transfers

13

3.03

Exchange Procedures

13

3.04

Treatment of Equity Awards

16

3.05

Warrants

16

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

 

 

4.01

Disclosure Schedules; Standards

17

4.02

Representations and Warranties of the Company

17

4.03

Representations and Warranties of Parent

35

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5

 

COVENANTS

 

 

 

5.01

Interim Operations

41

5.02

Parent Forbearance

45

5.03

Reasonable Best Efforts

46

5.04

Stockholder Approval

46

5.05

Corporate Governance

47

5.06

Registration Statement; Proxy Statement; Change of Recommendation

47

5.07

Access; Information

49

5.08

Acquisition Proposals

49

5.09

Certain Policies

50

5.10

Regulatory Applications

50

5.11

Indemnification; Director’s and Officer’s Insurance

51

 

i



 

5.12

Benefit Plans

53

5.13

Notification of Certain Matters

55

5.14

Third-Party Agreements

55

5.15

Closing Financial Statements

56

5.16

NASDAQ Matters

56

5.17

Section 16 Matters

57

5.18

Takeover Statute

57

5.19

Bank Merger

57

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6

 

CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

 

 

 

6.01

Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger

58

6.02

Conditions to Obligation of the Company

58

6.03

Conditions to Obligation of Parent

59

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7

 

TERMINATION

 

 

 

7.01

Termination

61

7.02

Effect of Termination and Abandonment

62

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

8.01

Survival

63

8.02

Waiver; Amendment

63

8.03

Counterparts

63

8.04

Governing Law and Venue

63

8.05

Waiver of Jury Trial

64

8.06

Expenses

64

8.07

Notices

64

8.08

Entire Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries

65

8.09

Effect

65

8.10

Severability

65

8.11

Enforcement of the Agreement

65

8.12

Interpretation

65

8.13

Assignment

66

 

Company Disclosure Schedule

Parent Disclosure Schedule

 

ii



 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of March 1, 2015 (this “Agreement”), by and between PacWest Bancorp, a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Square 1 Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) (collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Parties”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), the Company will merge with and into Parent (the “Merger”), with Parent as the surviving corporation in the Merger (sometimes referred to in such capacity as the “Surviving Corporation”);

 

WHEREAS, the respective boards of directors of each of Parent and the Company have determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of their respective companies and their respective stockholders, as applicable, and have approved and declared advisable this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;

 

WHEREAS, immediately after the Merger, Square 1 Bank, a de novo North Carolina commercial bank and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Square 1 Bank”), will merge with and into Pacific Wester Bank, a California state-chartered bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“Pacific Western Bank”), with Pacific Western Bank as the surviving bank (the “Bank Merger”);

 

WHEREAS, for United States federal income tax purposes (and, where applicable, state and local income tax purposes), the Parties intend that the Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”);

 

WHEREAS, as an inducement for Parent to enter into this Agreement, certain stockholders of the Company have simultaneously herewith entered into a Voting Agreement (each a “Voting Agreement” and collectively, the “Voting Agreements”) in connection with the Merger, in the form of Exhibit A hereto;

 

WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, as a condition and inducement to Parent’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, certain members of the board of directors of the Company are entering into a non-solicitation agreement with Parent, in the form of Exhibit B hereto; and

 

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

 

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

 



 

ARTICLE 1

 

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

 

1.01                        Certain Definitions.  The following terms are used in this Agreement with the meanings set forth below:

 

Acquisition Proposal” means (A) any proposal, offer or inquiry with respect to a merger, joint venture, partnership, consolidation, dissolution, liquidation, tender offer, recapitalization, reorganization, share exchange, business combination or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that if consummated, would result in any Person (or the stockholders of any Person) owning 15% or more of the total voting power of the Company or the surviving entity in a merger involving such party or the resulting parent company of such surviving entity and (B) any proposal or offer to acquire in any manner, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the total voting power of any class of equity securities of the Company or those of any of its Subsidiaries or 15% or more of the Company’s consolidated total assets (including, without limitation, equity securities of its Subsidiaries), in each case other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Adjusted Stockholders’ Equity” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(d).

 

Advisors” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(d).

 

Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person which, directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person.  For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Agreement” means this Agreement, as amended or modified from time to time in accordance with Section 8.02.

 

ALL” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(t).

 

Alternative Acquisition Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(c)(i)(B).

 

Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Laws” means the FCPA and all other applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption Laws.

 

Bank Merger” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Bank Merger Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.19.

 

2



 

Bank Secrecy Act” means the Currency and Foreign Transaction Reporting Act (31 U.S.C. Section 5311 et seq.), as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act and their implementing regulations.

 

Benefit Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(m)(i).

 

Book-Entry Share” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

 

Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except a legal holiday recognized as such by the United States federal government or any day on which banking institutions in the State of California or the State of North Carolina are authorized or obligated to close.

 

CBNC” means the Commissioner of Banks of the State of North Carolina.

 

CDBO” means the California Department of Business Oversight.

 

Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

 

Certificate of Merger” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

 

CFC” means the California Financial Code.

 

Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(a).

 

Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

 

Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

 

Closing Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.15.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Community Reinvestment Act” means the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended.

 

Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble of this Agreement.

 

Company Applicable Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(g).

 

Company Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

 

Company Board Recommendation” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.04.

 

Company Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Company, as amended.

 

Company Change of Recommendation” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(c)(i)(A).

 

3



 

Company Charter” means the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended.

 

Company Class A Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company designated as Class A Common Stock.

 

Company Class B Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company designated as Class B Common Stock.

 

Company Common Stock” means the Company Class A Common Stock, the Company Class B Common Stock and the Company Undesignated Common Stock.

 

Company Disclosure Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.

 

Company Equity Awards” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(c).

 

Company Loan Property” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(o).

 

Company Material Adverse Effect” means any effect, circumstance, occurrence or change that is (i) material and adverse to the business, assets or deposit liabilities, properties, operations, results of operations, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) that materially impairs the ability of the Company to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis; provided, however, that none of the following effects, circumstances, occurrences or changes shall be considered when determining if a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred: (A) any change in Law or GAAP or interpretations thereof (except to the extent that with respect to this clause (A) such effect, circumstance, occurrence or change disproportionately adversely affects the Company and its Subsidiaries compared to other companies of similar size operating in the commercial banking industry in which the Company operates, in which case only the disproportionate effect will be taken into account); (B) effects resulting from worsening of geopolitical conditions in the United States or any other country in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries conduct material operations or acts of war, sabotage or terrorism (including any escalation or general worsening of any such acts of war, sabotage or terrorism) in the United States or any other country in which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries conduct material operations; (C) any change in market price or trading volume of Company Common Stock (except to the extent that, with respect to this clause (C), the facts or circumstances giving rise or contributing to such change may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Company Material Adverse Effect, except to the extent such facts or circumstances are themselves excepted from the definition of Company Material Adverse Effect pursuant to any other clause of this definition); (D) any action taken by the Company with Parent’s express written consent or any action taken by the Company that the Company was expressly required to take pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (E) any failure, in and of itself, by the Company to meet internal or other estimates, predictions, projections or forecasts of revenue, net income or any other measure of financial performance (except to the extent that, with respect to this clause (E), the facts or circumstances giving rise or

 

4



 

contributing to failure to meet estimates or projections may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Company Material Adverse Effect, except to the extent such facts or circumstances are themselves excepted from the definition of Company Material Adverse Effect pursuant to any other clause of this definition); (F) changes in economic conditions affecting commercial banks generally (except to the extent that with respect to this clause (F), such change in economic condition disproportionately adversely affects the Company and its Subsidiaries, compared to other companies of similar size operating in the commercial banking industry in which the Company operates, in which case only the disproportionate effect will be taken into account); (G) for purposes of the condition set forth in Section 6.03(f), those matters disclosed in the Company Disclosure Schedule consistent with the standard set forth in Section 4.01(a) and based on the information on those matters made available on or prior to the date hereof (for the avoidance of doubt, except to the extent of any adverse developments with respect to such matters that arise after the date hereof); or (H) changes in relationships with customers or employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries that were primarily the result of the announcement or public disclosure of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Company Meeting” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.04.

 

Company Option” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(a).

 

Company Preferred Stock” means the preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company.

 

Company RSU” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(b).

 

Company SEC Reports” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(g).

 

Company Stock Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(a).

 

Company Stockholder Approval” means the adoption of this Agreement by a vote of the majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the Company Meeting.

 

Company Undesignated Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(b).

 

Confidentiality Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.07(c).

 

Continuation Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(a).

 

Continuing Employees” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(a).

 

Contract” or “Contracts” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(f)(ii).

 

CRA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(j)(iv).

 

5



 

Delaware Secretary” means the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

 

Deposit Insurance Fund” means the Deposit Insurance Fund administered by the FDIC.

 

DGCL” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

D&O Insurance” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(c).

 

Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

 

End Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01(b).

 

Environmental Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(o).

 

Equal Credit Opportunity Act” means the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1691 et seq.), as amended.

 

Equity Award Cashout Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.04(a).

 

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

ERISA Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(m)(iv).

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Agent” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03(a).

 

Exchange Fund” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.03(a).

 

Exchange Ratio” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

 

Excluded Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(c).

 

Fair Housing Act” means the Fair Housing Act (420 U.S.C. Section 3601 et seq.), as amended.

 

FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (15 U.S.C. §78dd-1 et seq.), as amended.

 

FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

Federal Reserve Act” means the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, as amended.

 

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

6



 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied over the period involved.

 

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state or local court, tribunal, arbitral, governmental, administrative or regulatory authority (including, without limitation, any Regulatory Authorities), agency, commission, body or other governmental entity or instrumentality.

 

Hazardous Substance” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(o).

 

Home Mortgage Disclosure Act” means the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (12 U.S.C. Section 2801 et seq.), as amended.

 

Indemnified Party” or “Indemnified Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(a).

 

Intellectual Property Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(x)(ii).

 

Investment Adviser” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.14(c).

 

Investment Advisers Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(j).

 

IRS” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(m)(i).

 

Knowledge” means the actual knowledge, after reasonable inquiry under the circumstances, of the persons set forth in Section 1.01 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or Section 1.01 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.

 

Law” means any federal, state, local or foreign law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, injunction, decree, arbitration award, agency requirement, license or permit of any Governmental Authority.

 

Lien” means any charge, mortgage, pledge, security interest, restriction, claim, lien, equity, encumbrance or any other encumbrance or exception to title of any kind.

 

Material Contract” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(k).

 

Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.10(a).

 

Merger” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Merger Consideration” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

 

Multiemployer Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(m)(v).

 

Multiple Employer Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(m)(v).

 

NASDAQ” means the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

 

7



 

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

 

Order” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01(b).

 

Pacific Western Bank” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Parent” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.

 

Parent 401(k) Savings Plan” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.12(c).

 

Parent Average Closing Price” means the average of the closing prices of shares of Parent Common Stock quoted on NASDAQ for the period of fifteen (15) consecutive trading days ending on the second full trading day prior to the receipt of the last of the regulatory approvals (excluding any statutory waiting periods) necessary to satisfy the condition set forth in clause (i) of Section 6.03(c).

 

Parent Award” means a right of any kind, contingent or accrued, to acquire or receive shares of Parent Common Stock or benefits measured by the value of shares of Parent Common Stock, and each award of any kind consisting of shares of Parent Common Stock that may be held, awarded, outstanding, payable or reserved for issuance under the Parent Stock Plan, other than Parent Stock Options.

 

Parent Board” means the board of directors of Parent.

 

Parent Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent.

 

Parent Disclosure Schedule” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.01.

 

Parent Material Adverse Effect” means any effect, circumstance, occurrence or change that is (i) material and adverse to the business, assets or deposit liabilities, properties, operations, results of operations, or condition (financial or otherwise) of Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) that materially impairs the ability of Parent to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis; provided, however, that none of the following effects, circumstances, occurrences or changes shall be considered when determining if a Parent Material Adverse Effect has occurred: (A) any change in Law or GAAP or interpretations thereof (except to the extent that with respect to this clause (A) such effect, circumstance, occurrence or change disproportionately adversely affects Parent and its Subsidiaries compared to other companies of similar size operating in the commercial banking industry in which Parent operates, in which case only the disproportionate effect will be taken into account); (B) effects resulting from worsening of geopolitical conditions in the United States or any other country in which Parent and any of its respective Subsidiaries conduct material operations or acts of war, sabotage or terrorism (including any escalation or general worsening of any such acts of war, sabotage or terrorism) in the United States or any other country in which Parent and any of its respective Subsidiaries conduct material

 

8



 

operations; (C) any change in market price or trading volume of Parent Common Stock (except to the extent that, with respect to this clause (C), the facts or circumstances giving rise or contributing to such change may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, except to the extent such facts or circumstances are themselves excepted from the definition of Parent Material Adverse Effect pursuant to any other clause of this definition); (D) any action taken by Parent with the Company’s express written consent or any action taken by Parent that Parent was expressly required to take pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (E) any failure, in and of itself, by Parent to meet internal or other estimates, predictions, projections or forecasts of revenue, net income or any other measure of financial performance (except to the extent that, with respect to this clause (E), the facts or circumstances giving rise or contributing to failure to meet estimates or projections may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Parent Material Adverse Effect, except to the extent such facts or circumstances are themselves excepted from the definition of Parent Material Adverse Effect pursuant to any other clause of this definition); (F) changes in economic conditions affecting commercial banks generally (except to the extent that with respect to this clause (F), such change in economic condition disproportionately adversely affects Parent and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, compared to other companies of similar size operating in the commercial banking industry in which Parent operates, in which case only the disproportionate effect will be taken into account); (G) for the purposes of Section 6.02(e), those matters disclosed in the Parent Disclosure Schedule consistent with the standard set forth in Section 4.01(a) and based on the information on those matters made available on or prior to the date hereof (for the avoidance of doubt, except to the extent of any adverse developments with respect to such matters that arise after the date hereof); or (H) changes in relationships with customers or employees of Parent and its Subsidiaries that were primarily the result of the announcement or public disclosure of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Parent Preferred Stock” means the preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent.

 

Parent Reports” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(f)(i).

 

Parent Restricted Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.03(b).

 

Parent Section 382 Rights Agreement” means the Tax Asset Protection Plan, dated as of April 7, 2014, between Parent and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as rights agent.

 

Parent Stock Options” means issued and outstanding options to acquire Parent Common Stock which were granted under the Parent Stock Plan.

 

Parent Stock Plan” means Parent’s 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.

 

Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.

 

9



 

Person” means any individual, bank, corporation (including not-for-profit), joint-stock company, general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, business trust, trust, association, organization, Governmental Authority or other entity of any kind or nature.

 

Professional Fees” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(d).

 

Prospectus/Proxy Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).

 

Qualified Plans” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(m)(iii).

 

Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.06(a).

 

Regulatory Authorities” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(i)(i).

 

Rights” means, with respect to any Person, the stock options, stock appreciation rights, warrants and any other securities or obligations convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or giving any Person any right to subscribe for or acquire, or any options, calls or commitments relating to, or other instrument the value of which is determined in whole or in part by reference to the market price or value of, any shares of capital stock or any other property or assets of such Person.

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(g)(i).

 

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Share” and “Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(a).

 

Square 1 Bank” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Stockholders’ Equity Measuring Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.03(d).

 

Subsidiary” means, as to any Person, a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity of which shares of stock or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power (other than stock or such other ownership interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity are at the time owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

 

Superior Proposal” means an unsolicited bona fide Acquisition Proposal (provided that for purposes of the definition of “Superior Proposal” the references to “15%” in the definition of “Acquisition Proposal” shall instead refer to “50%”) that a

 

10



 

Party’s board of directors has determined in its good faith judgment is reasonably likely to be consummated in accordance with its terms, taking into account all legal, financial and regulatory aspects of the proposal and the Person making the proposal, and if consummated, would result in a transaction more favorable to such Party’s stockholders from a financial point of view than the transaction contemplated by this Agreement (after taking into account any revisions to the terms of the transaction contemplated by Section 5.05(c) of this Agreement and the time likely to be required to consummate such Acquisition Proposal).

 

Surviving Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

Takeover Statute” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(z).

 

Tax” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “Taxes” and “Taxable”) means all federal, state, local and foreign taxes, charges, fees, customs, duties, levies or other assessments, however denominated, including, without limitation, all net income, gross income, profits, gains, gross receipts, sales, use, value added, goods and services, capital, production, transfer, franchise, windfall profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, disability, employer health, excise, estimated, severance, stamp, occupation, property, environmental, unclaimed property, unemployment, capital stock or any other taxes, charges, fees, customs, duties, levies or other assessments of any nature whatsoever, together with all interest, penalties and additions imposed with respect to such amounts and any interest in respect of such penalties and additions.

 

Tax Returns” means any return, amended return or other report (including elections, declarations, forms, disclosures, schedules, estimates and information returns) required to be filed with any taxing authority with respect to any Taxes including, without limitation, any documentation required to be filed with any taxing authority or to be retained in respect of information reporting requirements imposed by the Code or any similar foreign, state or local Law.

 

Termination Fee” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.02(b)(i).

 

Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.02(x)(ii).

 

USA PATRIOT Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended (Pub. L. No. 107-56).

 

Voting Agreements” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.

 

willful and intentional breach” means a breach or failure to perform that is a consequence of an act or omission undertaken by the breaching party with the knowledge that the taking of, or failure to take, such act would, or would reasonably be expected to, cause a breach of this Agreement.

 

11



 

ARTICLE 2

 

THE MERGER

 

2.01                        The Merger.  (a)  The Combination.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, the Company shall merge with and into Parent and the separate corporate existence of the Company shall cease.  Parent shall be the Surviving Corporation in the Merger, and shall continue to exist as a Delaware corporation with all its rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises continuing unaffected by the Merger.

 

(b)                                 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.  The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Parent as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be those of the Surviving Corporation.  The directors and officers of Parent immediately prior to the Effective Time, together with the additional director appointed pursuant to Section 5.05, shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation, until such time as their successors shall be duly elected and qualified.

 

(c)                                  Effect of the Merger.  At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in § 259 of the DGCL, including any regulations or rules promulgated thereunder.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, immunities, powers and franchises of the Company and Parent shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Company and Parent shall become the debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

 

2.02                        Closing; Effective Time.  The closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place at such time and place as the Company and Parent shall agree, on the date when the Effective Time is to occur (the “Closing Date”).  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the Closing Date the Parties shall cause the filing of a Certificate of Merger (the “Certificate of Merger”) to be made with the Delaware Secretary.  Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VI (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied at the consummation of the Merger, but subject to the fulfillment or waiver of those conditions), the Parties shall cause the Effective Time to occur no later than the third Business Day after such satisfaction or waiver (except as the Parties may otherwise agree to in writing).  The Merger provided for herein shall become effective at the time the Certificate of Merger has been filed with the Delaware Secretary, or such later time as may be agreed by the Parties and specified in the Certificate of Merger (the time the Merger becomes effective being the “Effective Time”).

 

ARTICLE 3

 

CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES

 

3.01                        Effect on Capital Stock.  At the Effective Time, as a result of the Merger and without any action on the part of any Person:

 

12



 

(a)                                 Outstanding Company Common Stock.  Each share of Company Common Stock (each, a “Share” and, collectively, “Shares”), excluding Excluded Shares, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall become and be converted into the right to receive 0.5997 of a share (the “Exchange Ratio”) of Parent Common Stock (the “Merger Consideration”), without interest thereon.  At the Effective Time, all Shares (other than Excluded Shares) shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each holder of a certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented any Shares (a “Certificate”) and each holder of a Share not represented by a Certificate (a “Book-Entry Share”), other than any Excluded Shares, shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration plus any dividends or distributions to which the holder thereof has the right to receive pursuant to Section 3.03(c) as well as any cash in lieu of fractional shares which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to Section 3.03(d).

 

(b)                                 Outstanding Parent Stock.  Each share of Parent Common Stock, as issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall remain issued and outstanding and shall not be affected by the Merger.

 

(c)                                  Cancellation of Excluded Shares.  Any shares of Company Common Stock held by Parent or any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent or by the Company or any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, other than those held in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts previously contracted (“Excluded Shares”), shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist at the Effective Time of the Merger and no consideration shall be issued in exchange therefor.

 

3.02                        Rights as Stockholders; Stock Transfers.  At the Effective Time, holders of Company Common Stock shall cease to be, and shall have no rights as, stockholders of the Company other than to receive the Merger Consideration (together with any dividends or distributions with respect thereto and cash in lieu of fractional shares issued in consideration therefor).  After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of the Company or the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

3.03                        Exchange Procedures.  (a)  Exchange Agent. At the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with an exchange agent selected by Parent with the Company’s prior approval (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (the “Exchange Agent”), for the benefit of the holders of Shares (in each case, other than holders of Excluded Shares), certificates or, at Parent’s option, evidence of shares in book-entry form representing the shares of Parent Common Stock in exchange for Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, deliverable upon due surrender of the Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section 3.03(f)) or, in the case of Book-Entry Shares, upon adherence to the procedures set forth in the transmittal materials, pursuant to the provisions of this Article III, and after the Effective Time, if applicable, any dividends or other distributions with respect to shares of Parent Common Stock (such amount in cash and certificates for shares of Parent Common Stock being hereinafter referred to as the “Exchange Fund”).  The Company shall notify Parent in writing prior to the Effective Time of the number of Shares and Excluded Shares outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, and shall cause

 

13



 

the Company’s transfer agent to deliver to the Exchange Agent on or prior to the Closing Date a list of the holders of Company Common Stock in a format that is reasonably acceptable to the Exchange Agent and otherwise reasonably cooperate with the Exchange Agent.

 

(b)                                 Exchange Procedures.  Promptly after the Effective Time (and in any event within five (5) Business Days thereafter), the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of Shares (other than holders of Excluded Shares) notice advising such holders of the effectiveness of the Merger, including appropriate transmittal materials specifying that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof, as provided in Section 3.03(f)) and instructions for surrendering the Certificates (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof) to the Exchange Agent (such materials and instructions to include customary provisions with respect to delivery of an “agent’s message” with respect to Book-Entry Shares and to be in such form and have such provisions as Parent and the Company may reasonably agree).  Upon the surrender of a Certificate (or affidavits of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section 3.03(f)) or Book-Entry Shares to the Exchange Agent in accordance with the terms of such transmittal materials, the holder of such Certificate or Book-Entry Shares shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (x) a certificate (or evidence of shares in book-entry form, as applicable) representing that number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock that such holder is entitled to receive pursuant to this Article III and (y) a check in the amount (after giving effect to any required tax withholdings as provided in Section 3.03(g)) equal to (A) any cash in lieu of fractional shares plus (B) any unpaid non-stock dividends and any other dividends or other distributions that such holder has the right to receive pursuant to the provisions of this Article III, and the Certificate or Book-Entry Shares so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled.  No interest will be paid or accrued on any amount payable upon due surrender of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares.  In the event of a transfer of ownership of Shares that is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, a certificate representing the proper number of shares of Parent Common Stock, together with a check for any cash to be paid upon due surrender of the Certificate, may be issued and/or paid to such a transferee if the Exchange Agent is presented with the Certificate formerly representing such Shares and/or all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid or are not applicable.

 

(c)                                  Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares; Voting.  All shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger shall be deemed issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time and if a dividend or other distribution is declared by Parent in respect of the Parent Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the Effective Time, that declaration shall include dividends or other distributions in respect of all shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement.  No dividends or other distributions in respect of the Parent Common Stock shall be paid to any holder of any unsurrendered Certificate or Book-Entry Shares until such Certificate (or affidavit of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section 3.03(f)) or Book-Entry Shares are surrendered for exchange in accordance with this Article III.  Subject to the effect of applicable Laws, following surrender of any such Certificate (or affidavit of loss in lieu thereof as provided in Section 3.03(f)) or Book-Entry Shares, there shall be issued and/or paid to the holder of the certificates representing whole shares of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (A) at the time of such surrender, the dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore payable with respect to such

 

14



 

whole shares of Parent Common Stock and not paid and (B) at the appropriate payment date, the dividends or other distributions payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time but with a payment date subsequent to surrender.

 

(d)                                 Fractional Shares.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no fractional shares of Parent Common Stock will be issued and any holder of Shares entitled to receive a fractional share of Parent Common Stock but for this Section 3.03(d) shall be entitled to receive a cash payment in lieu thereof (rounded to the nearest cent), which payment shall be determined by multiplying (i) the Parent Average Closing Price by (ii) the fraction of the share (rounded to the nearest thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of Parent Common Stock which such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to Section 3.01(a).

 

(e)                                  Termination of Exchange Fund.  The Exchange Fund shall be administered by the Exchange Agent until such time as any unclaimed portion thereof is delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws. None of the Surviving Corporation, Parent, the Exchange Agent or any other Person shall be liable to any former holder of Shares for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws.

 

(f)                                   Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.  In the event any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Parent, the posting by such Person of a bond in customary amount as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the shares of Parent Common Stock and any cash, unpaid dividends or other distributions that would be payable or deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement had such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate been surrendered.

 

(g)                                  Withholding Rights.  Each of Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the Merger Consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Shares such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any other applicable state, local or foreign Tax Law.  To the extent that amounts are so withheld by the Surviving Corporation or Parent, as the case may be, such withheld amounts (i) shall be remitted by Parent or the Surviving Corporation to the applicable Governmental Authority, and (ii) shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of Shares in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by the Surviving Corporation or Parent, as the case may be.

 

(h)                                 Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if, between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, the issued and outstanding Shares or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for Shares or the issued and outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock or securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of Parent Common Stock, shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class by reason of any reclassification, stock split (including a reverse

 

15



 

stock split), stock dividend or distribution, recapitalization, redenomination, merger, issuer tender or exchange offer, or other similar transaction, then the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration shall be equitably adjusted and as so adjusted shall, from and after the date of such event, be the Exchange Ratio and the Merger Consideration, respectively, for purposes of this Agreement.

 

3.04                        Treatment of Equity Awards.

 

(a)                                 Treatment of Options.  At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase shares of Company Common Stock (a “Company Option”) under the Company’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Company Stock Plan”), whether vested or unvested, shall be cancelled and shall only entitle the holder of such Company Option to receive, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the total number of Shares subject to such Company Option and (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) the Equity Award Cashout Price over (B) the exercise price per Share under such Company Option, less any applicable Taxes required to be withheld with respect to such payment.  For the avoidance of doubt, any Company Option which has an exercise price per share of Company Common Stock that is greater than or equal to the Equity Award Cashout Price shall be cancelled at the Effective Time for no consideration or payment.  For purposes of this Agreement, the “Equity Award Cashout Price” shall mean the product of (1) the Parent Average Closing Price and (2) the Exchange Ratio.

 

(b)                                 Company RSUs.  At the Effective Time, each outstanding restricted stock unit (a “Company RSU”) under the Company Stock Plan, whether vested or unvested, shall be cancelled and shall only entitle the holder of such Company RSU to receive, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the total number of Shares subject to such Company RSU and (ii) the Equity Award Cashout Price, less any applicable Taxes required to be withheld with respect to such payment.

 

(c)                                  Company Actions.  At or prior to the Effective Time, the Company, the Company Board and the Compensation Committee of the Company Board, as applicable, shall adopt any resolutions and take any actions that are, in the Company’s reasonable determination, necessary to effectuate the treatment of the Company Options and Company RSUs (the “Company Equity Awards”) pursuant to Section 3.04(a) through 3.04(c).  The Company shall take all actions that are, in the Company’s reasonable determination, necessary to ensure that from and after the Effective Time neither Parent nor the Surviving Corporation will be required to deliver shares of Company Common Stock or other capital stock of the Company to any Person pursuant to or in settlement of Company Equity Awards.

 

3.05                        Warrants.  At the Effective Time, each warrant to purchase shares of Company Common Stock held by the individuals listed on Section 3.05 of the Company Disclosure Schedule to the extent then outstanding and not previously exercised shall be cancelled and shall only entitle the holder thereof to receive, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, an amount in cash equal to the product of (i) the total number of Shares subject to such warrants and (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) the Equity Award Cashout Price over (B) the exercise price per Share under such warrants, less any applicable Taxes required to be withheld with respect to such payment.

 

16



 

ARTICLE 4

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

4.01                        Disclosure Schedules; Standards.

 

(a)                                 Disclosure Schedules.  On or prior to the date hereof, each of the Company and Parent shall have delivered to the other a schedule (the “Company Disclosure Schedule” and “Parent Disclosure Schedule”, respectively) setting forth, among other things, items the disclosure of which is necessary or appropriate either in response to an express disclosure requirement contained in a provision hereof or, with respect to the Company Disclosure Schedule, as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in Section 4.02 or to one or more covenants contained in Section 5.01 or, with respect to the Parent Disclosure Schedule, as an exception to one or more representations or warranties contained in Section 4.03 (provided that (i) any information set forth in any one section of either the Company Disclosure Schedule or the Parent Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed to apply to each other applicable Section or subsection of such Company Disclosure Schedule or Parent Disclosure Schedule, as applicable, if its relevance to the information called for in such Section or subsection is reasonably apparent on its face and (ii) the mere inclusion of an item in either the Company Disclosure Schedule or the Parent Disclosure Schedule shall not be deemed an admission by such applicable Party that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item is reasonably likely to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect or a Parent Material Adverse Effect, as applicable).

 

(b)                                 Standards.  No representation or warranty of a Party contained in Section 4.02 or 4.03 (other than the representations and warranties in (i) Sections 4.02(b) or 4.03(b), which shall be true and correct with respect to it (except for such failures to be true and correct which are de minimis), (ii) Sections 4.02(d) and (e) and 4.03(c) and (d), which shall be true and correct in all material respects with respect to it, and (iii) Sections 4.02(g)(viii)(B) and 4.03(f)(iv), which shall be true and correct in all respects with respect to it) shall be deemed untrue or incorrect, and no Party hereto shall be deemed to have breached a representation or warranty, in each case for all purposes hereunder, including the conditions set forth in Section 6.02(a) and 6.03(a) hereof, as a consequence of the existence or absence of any fact, circumstance or event unless such fact, circumstance or event, individually or taken together with all other facts, circumstances or events inconsistent with any representation or warranty contained in Sections 4.02 or 4.03, as applicable, has had or is reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect or Parent Material Adverse Effect, as applicable; provided, that for purposes of determining whether a representation or warranty is untrue or incorrect for all purposes hereunder, any qualification or exception for, or reference to, materiality (including the terms “material,” “materially,” “in all material respects,” “Company Material Adverse Effect,” “Parent Material Adverse Effect” or similar terms or phrases) in any representation or warranty (other than Section 4.02(g)(viii)(B), the last sentence of Section 4.02(g)(i), Section 4.02(k), Section 4.02(m)(i) and Section 4.03(f)(iv)) shall be disregarded.

 

4.02                        Representations and Warranties of the Company.  Except as (i) set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule, or (ii) disclosed in any report, schedule, form or other document filed with or furnished to the SEC (including the exhibits and other information

 

17



 

incorporated therein) by the Company since December 31, 2013 but prior to the date hereof (excluding any disclosures set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” and in any section relating to forward-looking, safe harbor or similar statements or to any other disclosures in such reports to the extent they are cautionary, predictive, or forward-looking in nature), the Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent:

 

(a)                                 Organization, Standing and Authority.  It is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware, and is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.  Square 1 Bank, a subsidiary of the Company, is a de novo North Carolina commercial bank and a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta.  Each other Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation, limited liability company or other entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization.  Square 1 Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund in the manner and to the fullest extent provided by Law and all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due.  To the Knowledge of the Company, no proceedings for the termination or revocation of the FDIC’s insurance are pending or threatened.  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the ownership or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification.  The Company has made available to Parent a complete and correct copy of the Company Charter and the Company Bylaws and the organizational documents of its Subsidiaries, each as amended prior to the date hereof.  The Company Charter and the Company Bylaws and such organization documents made available to Parent are in full force and effect.

 

(b)                           Company Capital Stock.  The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 60,000,000 shares of Company Class A Common Stock, of which 26,182,725 shares were issued and outstanding as of the close of business on February 26, 2015; 4,000,000 shares of Company Class B Common Stock, of which 3,395,110 shares were issued and outstanding as of the close of business on February 26, 2015; 10,000,000 shares of common stock not at the time designated as shares of a particular class (“Company Undesignated Common Stock”), none of which were outstanding as of the close of business on February 26, 2015; and 10,000,000 shares of Company Preferred Stock, of which no shares were outstanding as of the close of business on February 26, 2015.  As of February 26, 2015, 1,071,060 shares of Company Common Stock are issuable upon the exercise of outstanding Company Options, 397,037 shares of Company Common Stock are subject to outstanding Company RSUs and 34,000 shares of Company Common Stock are issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants.  As of February 26, 2015, 989,541 shares of Company Common Stock are available for issuance under the Company Stock Plan.  As of the date hereof, no shares of Company Common Stock are held in treasury by the Company or otherwise owned directly or indirectly by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.  Except as set forth in this Section 4.02(b), there are no shares of Company Common Stock authorized and reserved for issuance, the Company does not have any other Rights issued or outstanding with respect to Company Common Stock, and the Company does not have any commitment to authorize, issue or sell any Company Common Stock or Rights, except pursuant to this Agreement.  No shares of Company Common Stock are held directly or indirectly by any Subsidiary of the Company.  Except as set forth in this Section 4.02(b), there are no shares of Company Common Stock authorized and reserved for

 

18



 

issuance, the Company does not have any other Rights issued or outstanding with respect to Company Common Stock, and the Company does not have any commitment to authorize, issue or sell any Company Common Stock or Rights, except pursuant to this Agreement.  The Company does not have outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of the Company on any matter.  The outstanding shares of Company Common Stock have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to preemptive rights (and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights).

 

(c)                                  Subsidiaries.

 

(i)                                     Section 4.02(c)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth each of the Company’s Subsidiaries, and the ownership interest of the Company in each such Subsidiary, as well as the ownership interest of any other Person or Persons in each such Subsidiary. The outstanding shares of capital stock of each Subsidiary of the Company have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to preemptive rights (and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights).  There are no shares of capital stock of any Subsidiary of the Company authorized and reserved for issuance, no such Subsidiary has any other Rights issued or outstanding with respect to such capital stock, and no such Subsidiary has any commitment to authorize, issue or sell any such capital stock or Rights.

 

(ii)                                  Other than the Subsidiaries of the Company, the Company does not, directly or indirectly, beneficially own any equity securities or similar interests of any Person or any interests of any Person or any interest in a partnership or joint venture of any kind.

 

(d)                                 Corporate Power.  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries have all requisite power and authority (corporate and other) to carry on their respective businesses as they are now being conducted and to own all their respective properties and assets; and the Company has all requisite corporate power and authority and, other than receiving the Company Stockholder Approval, has taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform each of its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger, the Bank Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(e)                                  Corporate Authority.  As of the date hereof, the Company Board has, by resolutions duly adopted at a meeting duly called and held, (i) determined that this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) resolved that such matters be submitted for consideration by its stockholders at a special meeting of such stockholders and that such matter be recommended for approval at such special meeting.  The Company has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement, and this Agreement (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent) is a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or to general equity principles.  The Company Board has received

 

19



 

an opinion of its financial advisor, Sandler O’Neill & Partners, LP, 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 to its stockholders from a financial point of view.

 

(f)                                   Regulatory Approvals; No Violations.  (i)  No consents, approvals, permits, authorizations of, or waivers by, or notices, reports, filings or registrations with, any Governmental Authority are required to be made or obtained by the Company in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement or to consummate the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby except for (A) filings of applications or notices with, and approvals or waivers by, the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the CDBO and the CBNC, as may be required, (B) the filing with the SEC of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement and declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (C) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary as described in Section 2.02 herein, and (D) the filing of the Bank Merger Certificates with the CDBO and the CBNC as described in Section 5.19 herein.  As of the date hereof, the Company is not aware of any reason why the approvals set forth in this Section 4.02(f) and in Section 6.03(c) will not be received without the imposition of a condition, restriction or requirement of the type described in Section 6.03(c).

 

(ii)                                  Subject to receipt of the approvals referred to in the preceding paragraph and the Company Stockholder Approval, and the expiration of related waiting periods, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company does not, and the consummation by it of the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will not, (A) constitute or result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, the acceleration of any obligations or the creation of a Lien on the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (with or without notice, lapse of time, or both) pursuant to, any agreement, lease, license, contract, insurance policy, note, mortgage, indenture, instrument, arrangement or other obligation (each, excluding any Benefit Plan, a “Contract” and, collectively, “Contracts”) binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties is subject or bound or any Law or governmental or non-governmental permit or license to which the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company is subject, (B) constitute or result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, the Company Charter, the Company Bylaws or the organizational documents of any Subsidiary of the Company or (C) require any consent or approval under any such Contract, Law, governmental or non-governmental permit or license.

 

(g)                                  Reports; Financial Statements.

 

(i)                                     The Company has filed or furnished, as applicable, on a timely basis all forms, statements, certifications, reports and documents required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since December 31, 2013 (the “Company Applicable Date”) (the forms, statements, reports and documents filed or furnished since the Company Applicable Date and those filed or furnished subsequent to the date hereof including any amendments thereto, the “Company SEC Reports”).  Each of the Company SEC Reports, at the time of its filing or being furnished complied, or if not yet filed or furnished, will comply, in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), and any rules

 

20



 

and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to the Company SEC Reports.  As of their respective dates (or, if amended prior to the date hereof, as of the date of such amendment), the Company SEC Reports did not, and any of the Company SEC Reports filed or furnished with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

 

(ii)                                  The Company’s consolidated financial statements (including, in each case, any notes thereto) contained in the Company SEC Reports were or will be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of interim consolidated financial statements, where information and footnotes contained in such financial statements are not required to be in compliance with GAAP), were or will be prepared from and in accordance with, the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and in each case such consolidated financial statements fairly presented, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and the consolidated Subsidiaries of the Company as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods covered thereby (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end adjustments).

 

(iii)                               The Company is in compliance with the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of the NASDAQ.

 

(iv)                              The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act.  Such disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company is recorded and reported on a timely basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of the Company’s filings with the SEC and other public disclosure documents.  The Company maintains internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15, as applicable, under the Exchange Act).  Such internal control over financial reporting is effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company, and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on its financial statements.

 

(v)                                 The Company has identified and disclosed, based on the most recent evaluation of its chief executive officer and its chief financial officer prior to the date hereof, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (A) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of its internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the

 

21



 

Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  The Company has made available to Parent (i) a summary of any such disclosure made by management to the Company’s auditors and audit committee since the Company Applicable Date and (ii) any material communication since the Company Applicable Date made by management or such Party’s auditors to the audit committee required or contemplated by the listing standards of NASDAQ, the audit committee’s charter or professional standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.  Since the Company Applicable Date, no material complaints from any source regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and no concerns from the Company’s employees regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, have been received by the Company to its Knowledge.  The Company has made available to Parent a summary of all material complaints or concerns relating to other matters made since the Company Applicable Date through the Company’s whistleblower hot-line or equivalent system for receipt of employee concerns regarding possible violations of Law.  No attorney representing the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not employed by the Company or any such Subsidiary, has reported evidence of a violation of securities Laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Company or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents to the Company’s chief legal officer, audit committee (or other committee designated for the purpose) of the board of directors or the board of directors pursuant to the rules adopted pursuant to Section 307 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or any such policy contemplating such reporting, including in instances not required by those rules.

 

(vi)                              The Company and its Subsidiaries have timely filed all reports and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file since December 31, 2012 with (A) the Federal Reserve Board and (B) any other Regulatory Authority, as applicable, and all other material reports and statements required to be filed by it since December 31, 2012, including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the FDIC, the CBNC or any other Regulatory Authority, as applicable, and has paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith.  As of their respective dates, such reports and statements complied in all material respects with all the Laws, rules and regulations of the applicable Regulatory Authority with which they were filed.  Except for normal examinations conducted by a Regulatory Authority in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, no Regulatory Authority 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 December 31, 2012.  There (i) is no unresolved violation, criticism, or exception by any Regulatory Authority 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 Authority with respect to the business, operations, policies or procedures of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries since December 31, 2012.

 

(vii)                           Except for those liabilities that are reflected or reserved against on the most recent consolidated balance sheet included in the Company SEC Reports, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any obligations or liabilities (whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether or not required to be disclosed) other than in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice since the date of such balance sheet (excluding the incurrence of expenses related to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby).

 

22



 

(viii)                        Since December 31, 2013, (A) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have conducted their businesses only in, and have not engaged in any material transaction other than according to, the ordinary and usual course of such businesses consistent with past practice and (B) no event has occurred or circumstance arisen that, individually or taken together with all other facts, circumstances and events (described in any paragraph of this Section 4.02 or otherwise) has had, or is reasonably likely to have, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(ix)                              Since December 31, 2013, there has not been (A) any material damage, destruction or other casualty loss with respect to any material asset or property owned, leased or otherwise used by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, whether or not covered by insurance, (B) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other distribution in cash, stock or property in respect of the capital stock of the Company other than as set forth in the Company SEC Reports, (C) any change by the Company in accounting principles, practices or methods or (D) any increase in the compensation payable or that could become payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to officers or key employees or any amendment of any of the Benefit Plans other than increases or amendments in the ordinary and usual course consistent with past practice.

 

(h)                                 Litigation.  No civil, criminal or administrative litigation, claim, action, suit, hearing, investigation or other proceeding before any Governmental Authority is pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates and there are no facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in any claims against, or obligations or liabilities of, the Company or any of its Affiliates.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding and unsatisfied order, writ, injunction, decree or arbitration ruling, award or other finding.

 

(i)                                     Regulatory Matters.

 

(i)                                     None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties is, directly or indirectly, a party to or subject to any order, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding or similar arrangement with, or a commitment letter or similar submission to, or extraordinary supervisory letter from, any federal or state Governmental Authority charged with the supervision or regulation of financial institutions or issuers of securities or engaged in the insurance of deposits (including, without limitation, the CBNC, the Federal Reserve Board and the FDIC) or the supervision or regulation of any Party or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Regulatory Authorities”).  The Company and its Subsidiaries have paid all assessments made or imposed by any Regulatory Authority.

 

(ii)                                  None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been advised by, and the Company does not have Knowledge of facts which could give rise to an advisory notice by, any Regulatory Authority that such Regulatory Authority is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any such order, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding, commitment letter, supervisory letter or similar submission.

 

23



 

(j)                                    Compliance With Laws.

 

(i)                                     The Company and its Subsidiaries are, and have been since December 31, 2012, in compliance with and are not in default or violation of any Laws applicable thereto or to the employees conducting their businesses, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”), or the regulations implementing such statutes, all other applicable anti-money laundering Laws, fair lending Laws and other Laws relating to discriminatory business practices and all agency requirements relating to the origination, sale and servicing of mortgage loans and all regulations, orders or guidance with respect to economic or trade sanctions issued by OFAC.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company has not been advised of any governmental or regulatory concerns regarding its compliance with the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Laws, anti-money laundering Laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act, any Order issued with respect to anti-money laundering by OFAC and any other state or federal anti-money-laundering Laws, including those provisions of federal regulations requiring (i) the filing of reports, such as Currency Transaction Reports and Suspicious Activity Reports, (ii) the maintenance of records and (iii) the exercise of diligence in identifying customers.  The Company has adopted such procedures, policies and internal controls as are necessary or appropriate to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, and any other applicable anti-money laundering Laws (including any economic or trade sanction or guidance), and, to the Company’s Knowledge, is in compliance with such Law in all material respects.

 

(ii)                                  The Company and its Subsidiaries have all permits, licenses, franchises, variances, exemptions, certificates of authority, orders, authorizations, consents and approvals of, and have made all filings, applications, notices and registrations with, all Governmental Authorities that are required in order to permit each to own or lease its assets and properties and to conduct its businesses as presently conducted; all such permits, licenses, franchises, variances, exemptions, certificates of authority, orders, authorizations, consents and approvals are in full force and effect; and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no suspension or cancellation of any of them is threatened.

 

(iii)                               No investigation or review by any Governmental Authority with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, nor has the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company received any notification or communication from any Governmental Authority (A) asserting that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is not in compliance with any of the Laws which such Governmental Authority enforces or (B) threatening to revoke any license, franchise, permit or governmental authorization (nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, do any grounds for any of the foregoing exist).

 

(iv)                              As of December 31, 2014, each of the Company and Square 1 Bank is “well-capitalized” (as that term is defined in the relevant regulation of the institution’s primary banking regulator), and Square 1 Bank’s rating under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1997 (the “CRA”) is no less than “outstanding”.

 

24



 

(k)                                 Material Contracts; Defaults.  None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party to, bound by or subject to any Contract (whether written or oral) (any such Contract in the following categories, a “Material Contract”):

 

(i)                                     (A) that is a “material contract” within the meaning of Item 601(b)(10) of the SEC’s Regulation S-K and that has not been filed as an exhibit to one of the Company SEC Reports; (B) containing covenants binding upon the Company or its Subsidiaries that restrict the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or which, following the consummation of the Merger, would materially restrict the ability of Parent, the Surviving Corporation or its Subsidiaries) to compete in any business or geographic area or which grant “most favored nation” status that, following the Merger, would apply to the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) that could require the disposition of any material assets or line of business of the Company or its Subsidiaries or, after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries; or (D) that prohibits or limits the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to sell or distribute any products or services in any material respect;

 

(ii)                                  involving commitments to others to make capital expenditures or capital asset purchases or capital asset sales in excess of $500,000;

 

(iii)                               relating to any direct or indirect indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including loan agreements, lease purchase arrangements, guarantees, agreements to purchase goods or services or to supply funds or other undertakings on which others rely in extending credit, but excluding deposits received in the ordinary course of business), or any conditional sales Contracts, chattel mortgages and other security arrangements with respect to personal property and any equipment lease agreements involving payments to or by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $500,000 over the remaining term;

 

(iv)                              providing for payments to be made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries upon a change in control thereof;

 

(v)                                 that may not be cancelled by Parent, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries without payment of a penalty or termination fee equal to or greater than $100,000 (assuming such Contract was terminated on the Closing Date);

 

(vi)                              containing any standstill or similar agreement pursuant to which the Company has agreed not to acquire assets or securities of another Person;

 

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

 

(viii)                        providing for indemnification by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Person, except for non-material Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(ix)                              that was not negotiated and entered into on an arm’s-length basis;

 

25



 

(x)                                 that is entered into, or has been entered into in the two years prior to the date hereof, with (A) any Affiliate of the Company, (B) any current or former director or officer or any Person beneficially owning five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Shares or (C) any “associate” or member of the “immediate family” (as such terms are respectively defined in Rule 12b-2 and Rule 16a-1 of the Exchange Act) of a person identified in clauses (A) or (B) of this subsection;

 

(xi)                              that contains a put, call or similar right pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could be required to purchase or sell, as applicable, any equity interests of any Person or assets;

 

(xii)                           which relates to a joint venture, partnership, limited liability company agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, or to the formation, creation or operation, management or control of any partnership or joint venture with any third parties;

 

(xiii)                        that involves performance of services or delivery of goods or materials to, or expenditures by, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of an amount or value in excess of $500,000 over its remaining term, other than loans, funding arrangements, OREO-related arrangements and other transactions made in the ordinary course of the banking or trust business;

 

(xiv)                       relating to the acquisition or disposition of any business or operations (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) entered into since December 31, 2011 (other than Contracts relating to the acquisition or sale of other real estate owned); and

 

(xv)                          otherwise not entered into in the ordinary course of business or that is material to the Company or its financial condition or results of operations.

 

None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is in default under any Material Contracts to which any such entity is a party, by which it or its assets, business or operations may be bound or affected or under which it or its assets, business, or operations receive benefits, and there has not occurred any event that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute such a default.  Section 4.02(k) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all Material Contracts pursuant to which consents or waivers are or may be required prior to the performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(l)                                     No Brokers.  None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders fees in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except that the Company has employed Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. as its financial advisor, the fee arrangements with which have been disclosed in writing to Parent prior to the date hereof.

 

26



 

(m)                             Employee Benefit Plans.

 

(i)                                     Section 4.02(m)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all material “employee benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), whether or not subject to ERISA, and all bonus, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, stock based, incentive, retention, deferred compensation, retiree medical or life insurance, supplemental retirement, termination, severance, employment or other compensation or benefit plans, programs, arrangements, contracts or agreements to or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or has any current or future obligation or that are maintained, contributed to or sponsored by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of any current or former employee, officer, director or independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Benefit Plans”).  The Company has heretofore made available to Parent true and complete copies of each of the Benefit Plans and the following related documents (if applicable): (i) all summary plan descriptions, amendments, modifications or material supplements to any Benefit Plan, (ii) any trust instruments, insurance contracts and, with respect to any employee stock ownership plan, loan agreements forming a part of any Benefit Plan, (iii) the annual report (Form 5500), if any, filed with the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) for the last two plan years, (iv) the most recently received determination letter from the IRS, if any, relating to a Benefit Plan, and (v) the most recently prepared actuarial report for each Benefit Plan (if applicable) for each of the last two years.  Except as specifically provided in the foregoing documents delivered or made available by the Company to Parent, there are no amendments to the Company’s Benefit Plans that have been adopted or approved.

 

(ii)                                  Each Benefit Plan of the Company has been established, operated and administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and the requirements of all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code.  Within the past three (3) years, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action to take corrective action or make a filing under any voluntary correction program of the IRS, Department of Labor or any other Governmental Authority with respect to any Benefit Plan, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any Knowledge of any plan defect that would qualify for correction under any such program.

 

(iii)                               Section 4.02(m)(iii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule identifies each Benefit Plan of the Company that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code (the “Qualified Plans”).  The IRS has issued a favorable determination letter with respect to each Qualified Plan of the Company and the related trust, which letter has not been revoked (nor has revocation been threatened), and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no existing circumstances and no events have occurred that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any Qualified Plan or the related trust or increase the costs relating thereto.  No trust funding any Benefit Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code.

 

(iv)                              None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any trade or business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not incorporated, all of which together with the Company would be deemed a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA (an “ERISA Affiliate”) maintains or contributes to or has within the past six (6) years maintained or contributed to an “employee benefit plan” within the meaning of

 

27



 

Section 3(2) of ERISA that is subject to Subtitles C or D of Title IV of ERISA.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, has engaged in any transaction described in Section 4069 or Section 4204 of ERISA.

 

(v)                                 None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has, at any time during the past six (6) years, contributed to or been obligated to contribute to any plan that is a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA (a “Multiemployer Plan”) or a plan that has two or more contributing sponsors at least two of whom are not under common control, within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA (a “Multiple Employer Plan”), and, within the past six (6) years, none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal (as those terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA) from a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan.

 

(vi)                              None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries sponsors, has sponsored or has any obligation with respect to any employee benefit plan that provides for any post-employment or post-retirement health or medical or life insurance benefits for retired, former or current employees or beneficiaries or dependents thereof, except as required by Section 4980B of the Code or similar provisions of state or local Law.

 

(vii)                           Each Benefit Plan of the Company 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 (i) since January 1, 2005, been maintained and operated, in all material respects, in good faith compliance with Section 409A of the Code and IRS Notice 2005-1 and (ii) since January 1, 2009 (or such later date permitted under applicable guidance), been and is, in all material respects, in documentary and operational compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(viii)                        None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to gross up, indemnify or otherwise reimburse any individual for any excise Taxes, interest or penalties incurred pursuant to Section 4999 or 409A of the Code.

 

(ix)                              All contributions required to be made to any Benefit Plan of the Company 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 Benefit Plan, for any period through the date hereof, have been timely made or paid in full or, to the extent not required to be made or paid on or before the date hereof, have been fully reflected on the Company’s financial statements included in its Company SEC Reports to the extent required by GAAP.

 

(x)                                 There are no pending or, to the Company’s Knowledge, threatened claims (other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course), lawsuits or arbitrations which have been asserted or instituted, and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no set of circumstances exists which could reasonably be expected to give rise to a claim or lawsuit, against the Benefit Plans, any fiduciaries thereof with respect to their duties to the Benefit Plans or the assets of any of the

 

28



 

trusts under any of the Benefit Plans which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the IRS, the Department of Labor, any Multiemployer Plan, a Multiple Employer Plan, any participant in a Benefit Plan, or any other party.

 

(xi)                              None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any ERISA Affiliate or any other person, 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 Benefit Plans of the Company or their related trusts, the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, any ERISA Affiliate or any person 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.  None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has incurred or reasonably expects to incur a material Tax or penalty imposed by Section 4980F of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA.

 

(xii)                           There has been no amendment to, announcement by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to, or change in employee participation or coverage under, any Benefit Plan which would materially increase the expense of maintaining such plan above the level of the expense incurred therefor for the most recent fiscal year, other than amendments, announcements or changes that are reasonably necessary in order to comply with applicable Law.  None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) result in, cause the vesting, exercisability or delivery of, or increase in the amount or value of, any payment, right or other benefit to any employee, officer, director or other service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or 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 Benefit Plan of the Company or related trust.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no amount paid or payable (whether in cash, in property, or in the form of benefits) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (either solely as a result thereof or as a result of such transactions in conjunction with any other event) will be an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

 

(n)                                 Labor Matters.  There are no pending or, to Knowledge of the Company, threatened material labor grievances or material unfair labor practice claims or charges against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any strikes or other labor disputes against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is party to or bound by any collective bargaining or similar agreement with any labor union or labor organization, or work rules or practices agreed to with any labor union, labor organization or employee association applicable to employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no organizing efforts by any union or other group seeking to represent any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  There is no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, nor has there been at any time during the past five (5) years any, labor strike, dispute, walk-out, work stoppage, slow-down or lockout involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  The Company has no Knowledge of any activity involving its employees seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or engaging in other organizational activity.  The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Laws respecting employment and employment practices, including all applicable

 

29



 

Laws respecting terms and conditions of employment, health and safety, wages and hours, equal opportunity, plant closures and layoffs, workers’ compensation, labor relations and unemployment insurance.

 

(o)                                 Environmental Matters.  (i) The Company and its Subsidiaries have complied at all times and are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) to the Company’s Knowledge, no real property (including soils, groundwater, surface water, buildings or other structures) currently or formerly owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including any property in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries holds or has held a fiduciary or management role, a “Company Loan Property”), is or has been contaminated with, or has or has had any release of, any Hazardous Substance at any time; (iii) to the Company’s Knowledge, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries could be deemed the owner or operator under any Environmental Law of any Company Loan Property which is or has been contaminated with, or has or has had any release of, any Hazardous Substance; (iv) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to liability for any Hazardous Substance disposal or contamination on any third party property; (v) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been associated with any release or threat of release of any Hazardous Substance; (vi) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice, demand, letter, claim or request for information alleging any violation of, or liability under, any Environmental Law; (vii) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any order, decree, injunction or other agreement with any Governmental Authority or any indemnity or other agreement with any third party under any Environmental Law or relating to any Hazardous Substance; (viii) to the Company’s Knowledge, there are no circumstances or conditions (including the presence of asbestos, underground storage tanks, lead products, polychlorinated biphenyls, prior manufacturing operations, dry-cleaning or automotive services) involving the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company any currently or formerly owned or operated property, or any Company Loan Property, that could reasonably be expected to result in any claim, liability, investigation, cost or restriction against the Company, or result in any restriction on the ownership, use, or transfer of any property pursuant to any Environmental Law, or adversely affect the value of any currently owned property or Company Loan Property and (ix) the Company has made available to Parent copies of all environmental reports, studies, sampling data, correspondence, filings and other environmental information in its possession or control relating to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries and any currently or formerly owned or operated property or any Company Loan Property.

 

As used herein, the term “Environmental Laws” means any federal, state or local Law, regulation, order, decree, permit, authorization, opinion, common Law or agency requirement relating to:  (A) the protection, investigation or restoration of the environment, health, safety, or natural resources, (B) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance or (C) noise, odor, wetlands, employee exposure, indoor air, pollution, contamination or any injury or threat of injury to persons or property in connection with any Hazardous Substance, and the term “Hazardous Substance” means any substance in any concentration that is:  (A) listed, classified or regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law, (B) any petroleum product or by-product, asbestos-containing material, lead-containing paint or plumbing, polychlorinated biphenyls, radioactive materials or radon or (C) any other substance which has been, is or may be the subject of regulatory action by any Governmental Authority in connection with any Environmental Law.

 

30



 

(p)                                 Tax Matters.  (i)  (A) The Company and its Subsidiaries (I) have prepared in good faith and duly and timely filed (taking into account any extension of time within which to file) all Tax Returns required to have been filed by it and all such filed Tax Returns are true, complete and accurate; (II) have paid in full or accrued all Taxes that are required to have been paid or accrued and has withheld from amounts owing to any employee, creditor or third party all amounts that it is obligated to have withheld; (III) in the case of any Tax Return required to be retained by it prior to the Effective Time in respect of any information reporting or other Tax requirements, have retained properly completed Tax Returns in its files; and (IV) have complied with all information reporting (and related withholding) requirements related to any payments subject to one or more information reporting requirements set forth in the Code, (B) all deficiencies asserted or assessments made as a result of any audit or examination by any taxing authority of any Tax Return have been paid in full or otherwise finally resolved, (C) no issues have been raised by any taxing authority in connection with any audit or examination of any Tax Return that are currently pending, (D) none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitations with respect to Taxes that has continuing effect or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency that has continuing effect, (E) there are no pending or threatened in writing, any audits, examinations, investigations or other proceedings in respect of Taxes, Tax Returns or Tax matters, and (F) the Company has made available to Parent true, correct and complete copies of all material income, franchise, capital and similar Tax Returns filed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for all Taxable years or periods for which the relevant statute of limitations has not expired.

 

(ii)                                  There are no Liens on any of the Company’s assets or on any assets of any of its Subsidiaries that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax (except for statutory Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable) nor, to the Company’s Knowledge, is any taxing authority in the process of imposing a Lien for Taxes upon such assets.

 

(iii)                               None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will be required, as a result of (A) a change in accounting method for a Tax period beginning on or before the Effective Time to include any adjustment under Section 481(c) of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) in Taxable income for any Tax period beginning on or after the Effective Time, or (B) any “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign tax Law), to include any item of income in or exclude any item of deduction from any Tax period beginning on or after the Effective Time.

 

(iv)                              None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement.  None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or has been a member of an affiliated group of corporations, within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code, or a member of a consolidated, unitary or combined Tax group filing, consolidated or combined Tax Returns (other than, in each case, an affiliated, consolidated, unitary or combined group of which the Company is the common parent) or otherwise has any liability for the Taxes of any Person (other than with respect to itself or any of its Subsidiaries).

 

31



 

(v)                                 No closing agreements, private letter rulings, technical advice, memoranda or similar agreement or rulings have been entered into or issued by any taxing authority with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(vi)                              None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action or is aware of any fact or circumstance that would, or could reasonably be expected to, prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

(vii)                           None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has been a party to any distribution occurring during the two-year period prior to the date of this Agreement in which the parties to such distribution treated the distribution as one to which Section 355 of the Code applied, except for distributions occurring among members of the same group of affiliated corporations filing a consolidated federal income tax return.

 

(viii)                        Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in a “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b).

 

(q)                                 Risk Management Instruments.  None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or have agreed to enter into an exchange traded or over-the-counter equity, interest rate, foreign exchange or other swap, forward, future, option, cap, floor or collar or any other contract that is a derivatives contract (including various combinations thereof) and do not own any securities that (i) are referred to generically as “structured notes,” “high risk mortgage derivatives,” “capped floating rate notes” or “capped floating rate mortgage derivatives” or (ii) could have changes in value as a result of interest or exchange rate changes that significantly exceed normal changes in value attributable to interest or exchange rate changes.

 

(r)                                    Books and Records.  The books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been fully, properly and accurately maintained, there are no material inaccuracies or material discrepancies of any kind contained or reflected therein and they fairly present the financial position and results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(s)                                   Insurance.  Section 4.02(s) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all of the insurance policies, binders or bonds maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and all insurance claims filed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under such policies which have not been paid in full as of the date hereof and the amounts claimed thereunder.  Section 4.02(s) of the Company Disclosure Schedule also lists all claims or potential claims meeting the applicable reporting thresholds under such policies that have not been reported thereunder as of the date hereof.  All such policies of the Company are with reputable insurers and provide full and adequate coverage for all normal risks incidental to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries and each of their respective properties and assets and are in character and amount reasonably consistent with industry practice.  All such policies of the Company are in full force and effect; none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are in material default thereunder; and all claims thereunder have been filed, and all premiums due thereunder have been paid, in due and timely fashion.

 

32



 

(t)                                    Allowance For Loan Losses.  The Company’s or Square 1 Bank’s allowance for loan losses (“ALL”) is, and shall be as of the Effective Time, in compliance with each of such entity’s existing methodology for determining the adequacy of its ALL as well as the standards established by applicable Governmental Authorities and the Financial Accounting Standards Board and is and shall be adequate under all such standards.

 

(u)                                 Transactions With Affiliates.  The Company has not engaged in any transactions with Affiliates within the meaning of Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act.

 

(v)                                 Real Property.

 

(i)                                     Section 4.02(v)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and correct list of all real property or premises owned or operated by the Company as of the date hereof.  Other than as disclosed in Section 4.02(v)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owns, and no such entity is in the process of foreclosing (whether by judicial process or by power of sale) or otherwise in the process of acquiring title to, except pursuant to foreclosures which are pending in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any real property or premises on the date hereof in whole or in part.

 

(ii)                                  (A)  Section 4.02(v)(ii) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and correct list of all real property or premises leased or subleased in whole or in part by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and together with a list of all applicable leases or subleases and the name of the lessor or sublessor.

 

(B)                               Each of the leases referred to in the Company Disclosure Schedule is valid and existing and in full force and effect, and no party thereto is in default and no notice of a claim of default by any party has been delivered to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or is now pending, and there does not exist any event that with notice or the passing of time, or both, would constitute a default or excuse performance by any party thereto, provided that with respect to matters relating to any party other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, the foregoing representation is based on the Knowledge of the Company.

 

(iii)                               As to the Company and its Subsidiaries, none of the owned or leased premises or properties described in paragraph (i) or (ii) above have been condemned or otherwise taken by any Governmental Authority and, to the Company’s Knowledge, no condemnation or taking is threatened or contemplated and none thereof is subject to any claim, Contract or Law which might adversely affect its use or value for the purposes now made of it.  None of the premises or properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any current or potential interests of third parties or other restrictions or limitations that would impair or be inconsistent in each case in any material respect with the current use of such property by the Company or such Subsidiary.

 

(w)                               Title.  The Company and its Subsidiaries has good title to its properties and assets (other than property as to which it is lessee) except (A) statutory Liens not yet

 

33



 

delinquent which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and Liens for Taxes not yet due, (B) pledges of assets in the ordinary and usual course of business to secure public deposits, (C) for those assets and properties disposed of for fair value in the ordinary course of business since December 31, 2013 and (D) defects and irregularities of title and encumbrances that do not materially impair the use thereof for the purposes for which they are held.

 

(x)                                 Intellectual Property.

 

(i)                                     The Company and its Subsidiaries own, or are licensed or otherwise possess legally enforceable rights to use all patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks, domain names, copyrights and any applications therefor, technology, know-how, computer software programs or applications and tangible or intangible proprietary information or materials that are used in the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as currently conducted.

 

(ii)                                  (A) None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is, nor will any of them be as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, in violation of any licenses, sublicenses and other agreements as to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is authorized to use any third-party patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade secrets or computer software (collectively, “Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights”); (B) no claims with respect to (I) the patents, registered and material unregistered trademarks and service marks, registered copyrights, trade names and any applications therefor, trade secrets or computer software owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Intellectual Property Rights”); or (II) Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights are currently pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, are threatened by any Person; and (C) the Company has no Knowledge of any valid grounds for any bona fide claims (I) against the use by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Intellectual Property Rights or Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights used in the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as currently conducted or as proposed to be conducted; (II) challenging the ownership, validity or enforceability of any Intellectual Property Rights; or (III) challenging the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ license or legally enforceable right to use any Third-Party Intellectual Property Rights.

 

(y)                                 Trust Business.  The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has properly administered all accounts for which it acts as a fiduciary, including accounts for which it serves as a trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment advisor, in accordance with the terms of the governing documents and applicable Law.  None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any director, officer or employee of the Company or of any of its Subsidiaries, has committed any breach of trust or fiduciary duty with respect to any such fiduciary account, and the accountings for each such fiduciary account are true and correct and accurately reflect the assets of such fiduciary account.

 

(z)                                  Takeover Statutes.  No “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition” or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation (each, a “Takeover Statute”) or any anti-takeover provision in the Company’s Articles or Bylaws is applicable to this Agreement

 

34



 

or the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, with respect to the Company.  The Company does not have any stockholder rights plan, “poison pill” or similar plan or arrangement in effect.

 

(aa)                          No Other Representations or Warranties.

 

(i)                                     Except for the representations and warranties in this Section 4.02, neither the Company nor any other Person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects, and the Company hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties.  In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, and except for the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Section 4.02, neither the Company nor any Person makes or has made any representation to Parent or any of Parent’s Affiliates or representatives with respect to any oral or written information presented to Parent or any of Parent’s Affiliates or representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of the Company (including any financial projections or forecasts), the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(ii)                                  The Company acknowledges and agrees that neither Parent nor any other Person has made or is making any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in Section 4.03.

 

4.03                        Representations and Warranties of Parent.  Except as (i) set forth in the Parent Disclosure Schedule, or (ii) disclosed in any report, schedule, form or other document filed with or furnished to the SEC (including the exhibits and other information incorporated therein) by Parent, as applicable, since December 31, 2012 but prior to the date hereof (excluding any disclosures set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” and in any section relating to forward-looking, safe harbor or similar statements or to any other disclosures in such reports to the extent they are cautionary, predictive, or forward-looking in nature), Parent hereby represents and warrants to the Company:

 

(a)                                 Organization, Standing and Authority.  It is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.  Pacific Western Bank is a corporation, limited liability company or other entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of California.  Pacific Western Bank is a California state-chartered bank and a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.  Pacific Western Bank’s deposits are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund in the manner and to the fullest extent provided by Law and all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due.  To the Knowledge of Parent, no proceedings for the termination or revocation of the FDIC’s insurance are pending or threatened.  Each of Parent and Pacific Western Bank is licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the ownership or operation of its assets or properties or conduct of its business requires such qualification.  Parent has made available to the Company a complete and correct copy of its charter and bylaws and the organizational documents of Pacific Western Bank, each as amended

 

35



 

prior to the date hereof, which are in full force and effect.  The outstanding shares of capital stock of Pacific Western Bank have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, are not subject to preemptive rights (and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights) and are owned of record and beneficially by Parent.

 

(b)                                 Capital Stock.  As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of Parent consists solely of 200,000,000 shares of Parent Common Stock, of which 103,022,017 shares were issued and outstanding (including 1,108,505 shares subject to vesting, repurchase or other lapse restrictions pursuant to the Parent Stock Plan (the “Parent Restricted Shares”)) at the close of business on February 27, 2015, and 5,000,000 shares of Parent Preferred Stock, none of which are issued and outstanding.  As of the date hereof, there are no outstanding Parent Stock Options or other Parent Awards (other than Parent Restricted Shares).  As of February 27, 2015, 13,506,779 shares of Parent Common Stock are reserved for issuance under the Parent Stock Plan.  As of the date hereof, 1,197,180 shares of Parent Common Stock are held in treasury by Parent or otherwise owned directly or indirectly by Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent.  Except as set forth in this Section 4.03(b), as of the date hereof, there are no shares of Parent Common Stock authorized and reserved for issuance, Parent does not have any other Rights issued or outstanding with respect to Parent Common Stock, and Parent does not have any commitment to authorize, issue or sell any Parent Common Stock or Rights, except pursuant to this Agreement and the Parent Section 382 Rights Agreement.  Parent does not have outstanding any bonds, debentures, notes or other obligations the holders of which have the right to vote (or convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) with the stockholders of Parent on any matter.  The outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to preemptive rights (and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights).

 

(c)                                  Corporate Power.  Parent and each of its Subsidiaries have all requisite power and authority (corporate and other) to carry on their respective businesses as they are now being conducted and to own all their respective properties and assets; and Parent has all requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform each of its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the Merger, the Bank Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(d)                                 Corporate Authority.  As of the date hereof, the Parent Board has, by resolutions duly adopted at a meeting duly called and held, (i) determined that this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of Parent and its stockholders, and (ii) approved and declared advisable this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.  Parent has duly authorized, executed and delivered this Agreement, and this Agreement (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company) is a valid and legally binding obligation of Parent, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or to general equity principles.

 

36



 

(e)                                  Regulatory Approvals; No Violations.

 

(i)                                     No consents, approvals, permits, authorizations of, or waivers by, or notices, reports, filings or registrations with, any Governmental Authority are required to be made or obtained by Parent in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by Parent of this Agreement or to consummate the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby except for (A) filings of applications or notices with, and approvals or waivers by, the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the CDBO and the CBNC, as may be required, (B) the filing with the SEC of the Prospectus/Proxy Statement and the Registration Statement and declaration of effectiveness of the Registration Statement, (C) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Delaware Secretary as described in Section 2.02 herein, and (D) the filing of the Bank Merger Certificates with the CDBO and the CBNC as described in Section 5.19 herein.  As of the date hereof, Parent is not aware of any reason why the approvals set forth in this Section 4.03(e) and in Section 6.03(c) will not be received without the imposition of a condition, restriction or requirement of the type described in Section 6.03(c).

 

(ii)                                  Subject to receipt of the approvals referred to in the preceding paragraph, and the expiration of related waiting periods, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Parent does not, and the consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby will not, (A) constitute or result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, the acceleration of any obligations or the creation of a Lien on the assets of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (with or without notice, lapse of time, or both) pursuant to, any Contract binding upon Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties is subject or bound or any Law or governmental or non-governmental permit or license to which Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, (B) constitute or result in a breach or violation of, or a default under, the organizational documents of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or (C) require any consent or approval under any such Contract, Law, governmental or non-governmental permit or license.

 

(f)                                   Parent Reports; Financial Statements.

 

(i)                                     Parent has filed or furnished, as applicable, on a timely basis all forms, statements, certifications, reports and documents required to be filed or furnished by it with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act since December 31, 2013 (the forms, statements, reports and documents filed or furnished since December 31, 2013 and those filed or furnished subsequent to the date hereof including any amendments thereto, the “Parent Reports”).  Each of the Parent Reports, at the time of its filing or being furnished complied, or if not yet filed or furnished, will comply, in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to the Parent Reports.  As of their respective dates (or, if amended prior to the date hereof, as of the date of such amendment) the Parent Reports did not, and any of the Parent Reports filed or furnished with the SEC subsequent to the date hereof will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

 

(ii)                                  Parent’s consolidated financial statements (including, in each case, any notes thereto) contained in the Parent Reports were or will be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated (except as may be indicated

 

37



 

in the notes thereto or, in the case of interim consolidated financial statements, where information and footnotes contained in such financial statements are not required to be in compliance with GAAP), were or will be prepared from and in accordance with, the books and records of Parent and its Subsidiaries, and in each case such consolidated financial statements fairly presented, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Parent and the consolidated Subsidiaries of Parent as of the respective dates thereof and for the respective periods covered thereby (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal year-end adjustments).

 

(iii)                               Parent and its Subsidiaries have timely filed all reports and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file since December 31, 2012 with (A) the Federal Reserve Board and (B) any other Regulatory Authority, as applicable, and all other material reports and statements required to be filed by it since December 31, 2012, including, without limitation, the rules and regulations of the FDIC, the CDBO or any other Regulatory Authority, as applicable, and has paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith.  As of their respective dates, such reports and statements complied in all material respects with all the Laws, rules and regulations of the applicable Regulatory Authority with which they were filed.  Except for normal examinations conducted by a Regulatory Authority in the ordinary course of business of Parent and its Subsidiaries, no Regulatory Authority 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 December 31, 2012.  There (i) is no unresolved violation, criticism, or exception by any Regulatory Authority 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 Authority with respect to the business, operations, policies or procedures of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries since December 31, 2012.

 

(iv)                              Since December 31, 2013, no event has occurred or circumstance arisen that, individually or taken together with all other facts, circumstances and events (described in any paragraph of this Section 4.03 or otherwise) has had, or is reasonably likely to have, a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

(v)                                 Parent maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 under the Exchange Act and that are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Parent is recorded and reported on a timely basis to the individuals responsible for the preparation of Parent’s filings with the SEC and other public disclosure documents.  Parent maintains internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15, as applicable, under the Exchange Act) that is effective in providing reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.  Parent has identified and disclosed, based on the most recent evaluation of its chief executive officer and its chief financial officer prior to the date hereof, to Parent’s auditor and the audit committee of the Parent Board (A) any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of its internal controls over financial reporting that are reasonably likely to adversely affect Parent’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (B) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in Parent’s internal

 

38



 

control over financial reporting.  Since December 31, 2013, no material complaints from any source regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and no concerns from Parent’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters, have been received by Parent to Parent’s Knowledge.  Except for those liabilities that are reflected or reserved against on the most recent consolidated balance sheet included in the Parent Reports, neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any obligations or liabilities (whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether or not required to be disclosed) other than in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice since the date of such balance sheet (excluding the incurrence of expenses related to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby).

 

(g)                                  Litigation.  No civil, criminal or administrative litigation, claim, action, suit, hearing, investigation or other proceeding before any Governmental Authority is pending or, to Parent’s Knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Affiliates and there are no facts or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in any claims against, or obligations or liabilities of, Parent or any of its Affiliates.  Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any outstanding and unsatisfied order, writ, injunction, decree or arbitration ruling, award or other finding.

 

(h)                                 Regulatory Matters.

 

(i)                                     None of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties is, directly or indirectly, a party to or subject to any order, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding or similar arrangement with, or a commitment letter or similar submission to, or extraordinary supervisory letter from, any Regulatory Authority.

 

(ii)                                  None of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has been advised by, and Parent does not have Knowledge of facts which could give rise to an advisory notice by, any Regulatory Authority that such Regulatory Authority is contemplating issuing or requesting (or is considering the appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any such order, decree, agreement, memorandum of understanding, commitment letter, supervisory letter or similar submission.

 

(i)                                     Compliance With Laws.

 

(i)                                     Parent and its Subsidiaries are, and have been since December 31, 2012, in compliance with and are not in default or violation of any Laws applicable thereto or to the employees conducting their businesses, including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 or the regulations implementing such statutes, all other applicable anti-money laundering Laws, fair lending Laws and other Laws relating to discriminatory business practices and all agency requirements relating to the origination, sale and servicing of mortgage loans and all regulations, orders or guidance with respect to economic or trade sanctions issued by OFAC.

 

(ii)                                  Parent and its Subsidiaries have all permits, licenses, franchises, variances, exemptions, certificates of authority, orders, authorizations, consents and approvals of,

 

39



 

and have made all filings, applications, notices and registrations with, all Governmental Authorities that are required in order to permit each to own or lease its assets and properties and to conduct its businesses as presently conducted; all such permits, licenses, franchises, variances, exemptions, certificates of authority, orders, authorizations, consents and approvals are in full force and effect and, to Parent’s Knowledge, no suspension or cancellation of any of them is threatened.

 

(iii)                               No investigation or review by any Governmental Authority with respect to Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is pending or, to the Knowledge of Parent, threatened, nor has Parent or any Subsidiary of Parent received any notification or communication from any Governmental Authority (A) asserting that Parent or any such Subsidiary is not in compliance with any of the Laws which such Governmental Authority enforces or (B) threatening to revoke any license, franchise, permit or governmental authorization (nor, to Parent’s Knowledge, do any grounds for any of the foregoing exist).

 

(iv)                              As of December 31, 2014, each of Parent and Pacific Western Bank is “well-capitalized” (as that term is defined in the relevant regulation of the institution’s primary banking regulator), and Pacific Western Bank’s rating under the CRA is no less than “satisfactory”.

 

(j)                                    No Brokers.  None of Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors or employees has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees, commissions or finders fees in connection with the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except that Parent has employed Jefferies & Company, Inc. as its financial advisor.

 

(k)                                 Tax Matters.  None of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action or is aware of any fact or circumstance that would, or could reasonably be expected to, prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

(l)                                     No Other Representations or Warranties.

 

(i)                                     Except for the representations and warranties in this Section 4.03, neither Parent nor any other Person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Parent and its Subsidiaries, or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects, and Parent hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties.  In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, and except for the representations and warranties made by Parent in this Section 4.03, neither Parent nor any Person makes or has made any representation to the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates or representatives with respect to any oral or written information presented to the Company or any of the Company’s Affiliates or representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of Parent (including any financial projections or forecasts), the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

40



 

(ii)                                  Parent acknowledges and agrees that neither the Company nor any other Person has made or is making any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in Section 4.02.

 

ARTICLE 5

COVENANTS

 

5.01                        Interim Operations.  The Company covenants and agrees as to itself and its Subsidiaries that, after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time (unless Parent shall otherwise approve in writing, and except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement) and except as required by applicable Law, (a) the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be conducted in the ordinary and usual course, (b) each of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall use its reasonable best efforts to preserve its business organizations and assets intact and maintain its rights, franchises, powers and privileges and its existing relations and goodwill with Governmental Authorities, customers, suppliers, distributors, creditors, lessors, employees and business associates and keep available the services of the Company and its Subsidiaries’ present employees and agents, and (c) subject to Section 5.10, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall take no action that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect or materially delay the ability of the Company to obtain any necessary approvals of any Regulatory Authorities or other Governmental Authority required for the transactions contemplated hereby, to perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis.  Without limiting the generality of and in furtherance of the foregoing, from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, except (A) as otherwise expressly required by this Agreement or as required by Law, (B) as Parent may approve in writing (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) or (C) as set forth in Section 5.01 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company shall not and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to:

 

(a)                                 Capital Stock.  (i) Other than any shares of Company Common Stock issuable in respect of Company Options, Company RSUs or warrants to purchase shares of Company Common Stock outstanding on the date hereof or permitted to be granted after the date hereof, issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, encumber, permit to become outstanding or authorize the creation of any shares of capital stock or any Rights, or (ii) permit any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiary to become subject to grants of employee or director stock options, other Rights or similar stock-based employee rights.

 

(b)                                 Dividends; Etc.   (i) Make, declare, pay or set aside for payment of dividends payable in cash, stock or property on or in respect of, or declare or make any distribution on, any shares of its capital stock (except for dividends paid by any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary to the Company or to any other direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company), or (ii) directly or indirectly adjust, split, combine, redeem, reclassify, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock (other than the acquisition of shares of Company Common Stock from a holder of Company Equity Awards in satisfaction of withholding obligations or in payment of the exercise price).

 

41



 

(c)                                  Compensation; Employment Agreements; Etc.   Enter into, renew, terminate, amend or otherwise modify any material employment, retention, change in control, consulting, transition, termination, severance or similar agreements or arrangements with any director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, enter into any collective bargaining or similar agreement, pay or award, or commit to pay or award, any bonus or incentive compensation, or grant any salary or wage increase or increase any employee compensation or benefit (including incentive or bonus payments), except (i) for increases in salary, wages or annual bonus opportunities for employees in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice, provided that no such increase for any employee shall result in an annual adjustment of more than three percent (3%), (ii) to the extent required by the terms of an existing Benefit Plan as in effect as of the date hereof and set forth on Section 4.02(m)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or (iii) for other changes that are required by applicable Law.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall not grant or approve the grant of any stock options or other equity or equity-based awards.

 

(d)                                 Hiring.  Hire any person as an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or promote any employee (except persons hired or promoted to fill any vacancies arising on or after the date hereof and whose employment is terminable at the will of the Company or any such Subsidiary) other than any person to be hired who would have an annual base salary of no more than $150,000.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries may terminate other than for cause the employment of any officer or employee whose annual base salary is more than $150,000.

 

(e)                                  Benefit Plans.  (i) Enter into, terminate, establish, adopt or amend any Benefit Plans or any other employee benefit or compensation plan, program, policy or arrangement for the benefit or welfare of any current or former director, officer, employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) fund or in any other way secure the payment of any cash benefits, in each case, except to the extent required by (A) applicable Law or (B) the terms of an existing Benefit Plan as in effect as of the date hereof and set forth on Section 4.02(m)(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

 

(f)                                   Dispositions.  Sell, transfer, lease, license, guarantee, mortgage, pledge, encumber or otherwise create any Lien on, dispose of or discontinue any of its assets, deposits, business or properties (other than sales of loans and loan participations pursuant to Section 5.01(q)) except in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice and in a transaction that, together with all other such transactions, is not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

(g)                                  Acquisitions.  Acquire (other than by way of foreclosures or acquisitions of control in a bona fide fiduciary capacity or in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in good faith, in each case in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice) all or any portion of the assets, business, equity interests, deposits or properties of any other Person (other than purchases of loans and loan participations pursuant to Section 5.01(q)) except in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice and in a transaction that, together with all other such transactions, is not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

42



 

(h)                                 Mergers.  Merge or consolidate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with any other Person, except for any such transactions among its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, or restructure, reorganize or completely or partially liquidate or otherwise enter into any agreements or arrangements imposing material changes or restrictions on its assets, operations or businesses.

 

(i)                                     Capital Expenditures.  Make any capital expenditures other than in accordance with the budget set forth on Section 5.01(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

 

(j)                                    Governing Documents.  Amend either the Company Charter or the Company Bylaws, or the organizational documents of any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(k)                                 Accounting Methods.  (i) Implement or adopt any change in the Company’s book or tax accounting principles, practices or methods, other than as may be required by GAAP, and as concurred in by the Company’s independent public accountants, or as required by Section 5.09 of this Agreement or (ii) except as may be required by GAAP, and in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, revalue in any material respect any of its assets (including any Contract that would be a Company Contract as a result of entering into, modifying or amending such Contract), other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

 

(l)                                     Contracts.   Except with respect to Contracts relating to loans or loan participations made in the ordinary and usual course of business consistent with past practice and in accordance with Section 5.01(q), enter into, renew or allow to renew automatically, modify, amend or terminate, make any payment not then required under or waive, release or assign any material right or claims under, any Material Contract or any Contract which would be a Material Contract if it were in existence on the date hereof in each case which is not terminable at will or with thirty (30) days or less notice without payment of any amount other than for products delivered or services performed through the date of termination.

 

(m)                             Claims.  Enter into any settlement, compromise or similar agreement with respect to, any action, suit, proceeding, order or investigation to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is or becomes a party after the date of this Agreement, which settlement, compromise, agreement or action involves payment by the Company or any Subsidiary of an amount that exceeds $50,000 individually or $100,000 in the aggregate or would impose any material restriction on the business of the Surviving Corporation or create adverse precedent for claims that are reasonably likely to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

(n)                                 Adverse Actions.   Take any action or omit to take any action that is intended to or would reasonably be likely to result in (i) any of the Company’s representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect at any time at or prior to the Effective Time, (ii) any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VI not being satisfied, (iii) the Merger being prevented or impeded from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code or (iv) a material violation of any provision of this Agreement, except as may be required by applicable Law.

 

43



 

(o)                                 Risk Management.  Except as required by applicable Law or the FDIC, the CDBO or the CBNC, (i) implement or adopt any material change in its interest rate and other risk management policies, procedures or practices, (ii) fail to follow in all material respects, the Company’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s existing policies or practices with respect to managing its exposure to interest rate and other risk or (iii) fail to use commercially reasonable efforts to avoid any material increase in the Company’s aggregate exposure to interest rate risk.

 

(p)                                 Indebtedness.  Incur or modify any indebtedness for borrowed money or other liability (other than deposits, federal funds borrowings and borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta or indebtedness of the Company or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) or assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other Person.

 

(q)                                 Loans.  (i) Make any loan or loan commitment to any Person which would, when aggregated with all outstanding loans or loan commitments or any renewals or extensions thereof made to such Person and any Affiliate or immediate family member of such Person exceed $15,000,000 or (ii) purchase or sell any loan or loan participation in excess of $15,000,000, in each case, without first submitting a copy of the loan write up containing the information customarily submitted to the Bank Loan Committee or Directors’ Loan Committee of the Company, to the chief credit officer of Parent two (2) full Business Days prior to taking such action; provided that, if Parent objects in writing to such loan or loan commitment or such purchase or sale within two (2) full Business Days after receiving such loan write up, the Company shall obtain the approval of a majority of the members of the Bank Loan Committee or Directors’ Loan Committee of the Company prior to making such loan or loan commitment or such purchase or sale.  The Company shall not forgive any loans to directors, officers or employees.

 

(r)                                    Investments.  (i) Other than in accordance with the investment policies of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in effect on the date hereof or in securities transactions as provided in (ii) below, make any investment either by contributions to capital, property transfers or purchase of any property or assets of any Person or (ii) other than purchases of direct obligations of the United States of America or obligations of United States government agencies which are entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States of America, in any case with a remaining maturity at the time of purchase of one year or less, purchase or acquire securities of any type; provided, however, that in the case of investment securities, the Company may purchase investment securities if, within two (2) Business Days after the Company requests in writing (which request shall describe in detail the investment securities to be purchased and the price thereof) that Parent consent to making of any such purchase, Parent has approved such request in writing or has not responded in writing to such request.

 

(s)                                   Taxes.  (i) Commence or settle any litigation or proceeding with respect to any liability for material Taxes, take any action which is reasonably likely to have a material

 

44



 

adverse impact on the Tax position of the Company, or, after the Merger, which is reasonably likely to have a material adverse impact on the Tax position of the Surviving Corporation, (ii) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, make or change any material express or deemed Tax election, file any amended Tax Return or change any of its methods of reporting income or deductions for Tax purposes or (iii) take any other action with respect to Taxes that is outside the ordinary and usual course of business or inconsistent with past practice.

 

(t)                                    Branches.  Make application for the opening, relocation or closing of any, or open, relocate or close any, branch office, loan production office or other significant office or operations facility of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(u)                                 New Business.  Enter into any new line of business or, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, change in any material respect the Company’s lending, investment, underwriting, risk and asset liability management and other banking and operating, securitization and servicing policies, as applicable (including any change in the maximum ratio or similar limits as a percentage of its capital exposure applicable with respect to its loan portfolio or any segment thereof), except as required by applicable Law or policies imposed by any Governmental Authority.

 

(v)                                 Lending Practices.  Other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, make any material changes in its policies and practices with respect to (i) underwriting, pricing, originating, acquiring, selling, servicing, or buying or selling rights to service loans or (ii) the Company’s hedging practices and policies, in each case except as required by Law or requested by a Governmental Authority.

 

(w)                               Commitments.  Agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

 

5.02                        Parent Forbearance.  Parent covenants and agrees as to itself and its Subsidiaries that, after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time (unless the Company shall otherwise approve in writing, and except as otherwise expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as set forth in Section 5.02 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule) and except as required by applicable Law, it shall not and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries not to:

 

(a)                                 Adverse Actions.  Take any action or omit to take any action that is intended to or would reasonably be likely to result in (i) any of the Parent’s representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement being or becoming untrue in any material respect at any time at or prior to the Effective Time, (ii) any of the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VI not being satisfied, (iii) the Merger being prevented or impeded from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, or (iv) a material violation of any provision of this Agreement, except as may be required by applicable Law; provided that nothing in this Section 5.02(a) shall preclude Parent from exercising its rights under the Voting Agreements;

 

(b)                                 Governing Documents.  Amend Parent’s charter or bylaws, or the organizational documents of any of its Subsidiaries, in each case in a manner that would

 

45



 

adversely affect the holders of Company Common Stock relative to and disproportionately to all other holders of Parent Common Stock; or

 

(c)                                  Commitments.  Enter into any contract with respect to, or otherwise agree or commit to do, any of the foregoing.

 

5.03                        Reasonable Best Efforts.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the Company and Parent agrees to cooperate with the other and use its reasonable best efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or desirable, or advisable on its part under this Agreement or under applicable Laws to consummate and make effective the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable, including the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article VI hereof.

 

5.04                        Stockholder Approval.  The Company agrees to take, in accordance with applicable Law and the Company Charter and the Company Bylaws, all action necessary to convene as soon as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective (and will in any event use reasonable best efforts to convene such meeting no later than forty-five (45) days after the Registration Statement is declared effective), a special meeting or meetings of its stockholders duly called and held for such purposes (the “Company Meeting”) to consider and to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval.  Subject to Section 5.06(c), the Company Board shall at all times prior to and during such special meeting recommend such approval and shall use its reasonable best efforts to solicit such approval by its stockholders (the “Company Board Recommendation”).  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless this Agreement has terminated in accordance with its terms, this Agreement and the Merger shall be submitted to the Company’s stockholders at the Company Meeting whether or not (x) the Company’s Board of Directors shall have effected a Company Change of Recommendation or (y) any Acquisition Proposal shall have been publicly proposed or announced or otherwise submitted to the Company or any of its advisors.  The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Parent, adjourn or postpone the Company Meeting; provided that the Company may, without the prior written consent of Parent, adjourn or postpone the Company Meeting (A) if, as of the time for which the Company Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement), there are insufficient shares of Company Common Stock represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Company Meeting, (B) after consultation with Parent, if the failure to adjourn or postpone the Company Meeting would reasonably be expected to be a violation of applicable Law for the distribution of any required supplement or amendment to the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, or (C) after consultation with Parent, for a single period not to exceed ten Business Days, to solicit additional proxies if necessary to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval.  Parent may require the Company to adjourn, delay or postpone the Company Meeting once for a period not to exceed 30 calendar days (but prior to the date that is four Business Days prior to the End Date) to solicit additional proxies necessary to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval.  Once the Company has established a record date for the Company Meeting, the Company shall not change such record date or establish a different record date for the Company Meeting without the prior written consent of Parent, unless required to do so by applicable Law or the Company Charter or the Company Bylaws or in connection with a postponement or adjournment of the Company Meeting permitted by this Section 5.04.  Without the prior written consent of Parent, approval of

 

46



 

the principal terms of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Merger) shall be the only matter (other than matters of procedure (including a customary adjournment proposal to solicit additional proxies if necessary to obtain the Company Stockholder Approval) and matters required by applicable Law to be voted on by the Company’s stockholders in connection with the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby) that the Company shall propose to be acted on by the stockholders of the Company at the Company Meeting.

 

5.05                        Corporate Governance.  On or prior to the Effective Time, the Parent Board shall cause the number of directors constituting the Parent Board to be increased by one (1) and shall fill such newly created vacancy by appointing a current director of the Company selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to Parent, in each case effective as of immediately following the Effective Time.

 

5.06                        Registration Statement; Proxy Statement; Change of Recommendation.  (a)  The Company and Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC the Prospectus/Proxy Statement (as defined below), and Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC by Parent in connection with the issuance of shares of Parent Common Stock in the Merger (including the proxy statement and prospectus (the “Prospectus/Proxy Statement”) constituting a part thereof, the “Registration Statement”), as promptly as practicable, and in any event within forty-five (45) Business Days after the date hereof.  Parent and the Company each shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing, and promptly thereafter the Company shall mail the Prospectus/Proxy Statement to the holders of Company Common Stock.  Parent shall reasonably promptly provide the Company with copies of any written comments and advise the Company of any oral comments with respect to the Registration Statement received from the SEC.  Each Party shall cooperate and provide the other with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement prior to filing such with the SEC.

 

(b)                                 The Company and Parent each agrees, as to itself and its Subsidiaries, that (i) the Registration Statement will not, at the time the Registration Statement 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, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case with respect to the information supplied or to be supplied by it or its Subsidiaries for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement, and (ii) the Prospectus/Proxy Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto will not, at the date of mailing to Company stockholders and at the time of the Company Meeting to be held in connection with the Merger, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case with respect to the information supplied or to be supplied by it or its Subsidiaries for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.  The Company and Parent will cause the Registration Statement to comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.  Each of the Company and Parent agrees that if such Party shall become aware prior to the Effective Time of any information furnished by such Party that

 

47



 

would cause any of the statements in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement to be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or that would result in an omission 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 the necessary steps to correct the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.

 

(c)                                  (i) The Company Board and each committee thereof shall not:

 

(A)                               except as expressly permitted by, and after compliance with, Section 5.06(c)(ii) hereof, withhold, withdraw, qualify or modify (or publicly propose or resolve to withhold, withdraw, qualify or modify), in a manner adverse to Parent, the Company Board Recommendation with respect to the Merger (a “Company Change of Recommendation”); or

 

(B)                               cause or permit the Company to enter into any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement, merger agreement or other agreement (other than a confidentiality agreement referred to in Section 5.08 entered into in compliance with Section 5.08) (an “Alternative Acquisition Agreement”) relating to any Acquisition Proposal made to the Company.

 

(ii)                                  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, prior to the time, but not after, the Company Stockholder Approval contemplated by this Agreement is obtained, the Company Board may withhold, withdraw or adversely modify the Company Board Recommendation or approve, recommend or otherwise declare advisable any Superior Proposal made to the Company after the date hereof that was not solicited, initiated, encouraged or facilitated in breach of this Agreement, if (A) an unsolicited bona fide written offer is made to the Company and is not withdrawn and the Company Board determines in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisor) that such Acquisition Proposal is a Superior Proposal, and (B) the Company Board determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that the failure to take such action would result in a violation of the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided, however, that no such Company Change of Recommendation may be made until after (I) at least five (5) Business Days following Parent’s receipt of notice from the Company advising that the Company Board intends to take such action and the basis therefor, including all necessary information under Section 5.08 and (II) the Company has negotiated in good faith to permit Parent to modify this Agreement during such five (5) Business Day period.  In determining whether to make a Company Change of Recommendation, the Company Board shall take into account any changes to the terms of this Agreement proposed by Parent and any other information provided by Parent in response to such notice.  Any material amendment to any Acquisition Proposal will be deemed to be a new Acquisition Proposal for purposes of this Section 5.06, including with respect to the notice period referred to in this Section 5.06.

 

(d)                                 Press Releases.  The Company and Parent shall consult with each other before issuing any press release with respect to the Merger and this Agreement and (except with respect to a Company Change of Recommendation, subject to compliance with Section 5.06(c)) shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statements without the prior consent of the other Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that a Party may, without the prior consent of the other Party (but after such

 

48



 

consultation, to the extent practicable in the circumstances), issue such press release or make such public statements as may upon the advice of outside counsel be required by Law or the rules or regulations of NASDAQ or the SEC.  The Company and Parent shall cooperate to develop all public announcement materials and make appropriate management available at presentations related to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as reasonably requested by the other Party.

 

5.07                        Access; Information.  (a)  The Parties agree that upon reasonable notice and subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information and in each case subject to the requirements that such requests or access shall not unreasonably interfere with the business or operations of the Party, it shall afford the other Party and its officers, employees, counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives reasonable access during normal business hours throughout the period prior to the Effective Time to its books, records (including, without limitation, Tax Returns and work papers of independent auditors), Contracts, properties and personnel and to such other information as such other Party may reasonably request and, during such period, the Parties shall furnish to other Party promptly all information concerning its business, properties and personnel as the other Party may reasonably request.

 

(b)                                 The Company agrees that, subject to applicable Laws, it shall cooperate in good faith with Parent on preparing for the development of mutually agreed operating issues to be implemented after the Effective Time, which the Parties agree have priority including assisting in developing and implementing plans for integration and conversion and other matters affecting branches, customers and back office operations.

 

(c)                                  Each Party agrees that it will, and will cause its representatives to, hold any information obtained pursuant to this Section 5.07 in accordance with the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2014 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), between Parent and the Company.

 

(d)                                 No investigation by either Party of the business and affairs of the other Party or its Subsidiaries shall affect or be deemed to modify or waive any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement in this Agreement, or the conditions to such Party’s obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.08                        Acquisition Proposals.  The Company agrees that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective officers, directors and employees shall, and that it shall direct and use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and its Subsidiaries’ agents and representatives (including any financial advisor, attorney or accountant retained by it or acting on its behalf) not to, directly or indirectly, initiate, solicit, encourage or otherwise facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal or offer with respect to an Acquisition Proposal.  The Company further agrees that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective officers, directors and employees shall, and that it shall direct and use its reasonable best efforts to cause its agents and representatives (including any financial advisor, attorney or accountant retained by it or acting on its behalf) not to, directly or indirectly, engage in any negotiations concerning, or provide any confidential information or data to, or have any discussions with, any Person relating to an Acquisition Proposal, or otherwise facilitate any effort or attempt to make or implement an Acquisition Proposal; provided, however, that nothing contained in this

 

49



 

Agreement shall prevent the Company or the Company Board from (A) complying with Rule 14d-9 and Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act with respect to an Acquisition Proposal; provided, that such rules will in no way eliminate or modify the effect that any action pursuant to such rules would otherwise have under this Agreement; (B) at any time prior, but not after, the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, providing information in response to a request therefor by a Person who has made an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal if the Company receives from the Person so requesting such information an executed confidentiality agreement on terms not less restrictive in the aggregate to the other party than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement; or (C) engaging in any negotiations or discussions with any Person who has made an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal if and only to the extent that, in each such case referred to in clause (B) or (C) above, the Company Board determines in good faith (after consultation with outside legal counsel) that the failure to take such action would reasonably be expected to violate the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable Law.  The Company agrees that it will immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any parties conducted heretofore with respect to any Acquisition Proposals.  The Company agrees that it will take the necessary steps to promptly inform the individuals referred to in the first sentence hereof of the obligations undertaken in this Section 5.08.  The Company agrees that it will notify Parent promptly, but in no event later than the next succeeding Business Day, if any such inquiries, proposals or offers are received by, any such information is requested from, or any such discussions or negotiations are sought to be initiated or continued with, any of its representatives, indicating, in connection with such notice, the name of such Person and the material terms and conditions of any proposal or offer and thereafter shall keep Parent informed, on a current basis, of the status and terms of any such proposals or offers and the status of any such discussions or negotiations.

 

5.09                        Certain Policies.  Immediately prior to the Effective Time and provided that Parent has confirmed in writing that all conditions to its obligations to effect the Merger have been satisfied or waived and that it is prepared to effect the Merger, the Company shall, consistent with GAAP, the rules and regulations of the SEC and the rules and regulations of the CDBO, CBNC and applicable banking Law, modify or change its loan, other real estate owned, accrual, reserve, Tax, litigation and real estate valuation policies and practices (including loan classifications and levels of reserves) so as to be applied on a basis that is consistent with that of Pacific Western Bank; provided, however, that unless the modification or changes would otherwise be necessary to be consistent with applicable Law or with regulatory accounting principles and GAAP, no such modification or change shall constitute or be deemed to be a breach, violation of or failure to satisfy any representation, warranty, covenant, agreement, condition or other provision of this Agreement or otherwise be considered in determining whether any such breach, violation or failure to satisfy shall have occurred, or as an admission or acknowledgement by the Company that any such modification or change is appropriate or required or that any financial statement or information previously provided by the Company was incorrect in any respect.

 

5.10                        Regulatory Applications.  (a)  Each of Parent and the Company shall cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts to prepare and file, or in the case of Parent cause to be filed, all documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports and other filings and to obtain all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations necessary or advisable to be obtained from any third parties and/or Governmental Authorities in order to consummate the

 

50



 

Merger, the Bank Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby; and any initial filings with Governmental Authorities shall be made by Parent as soon as reasonably practicable after the execution hereof and in any event within forty-five (45) days of the date hereof.  Subject to applicable Laws relating to the exchange of information, each of Parent and the Company shall have the right to review in advance, and to the extent practicable, each shall consult with the other on, all written information submitted to any third party and/or any Governmental Authority in connection with the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  In exercising the foregoing right, each of such Parties agrees to act reasonably and as promptly as practicable.  Each Party hereto agrees that it shall consult with the other Party hereto with respect to the obtaining of all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all third parties and/or Governmental Authorities necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and each Party shall keep the other Party apprised of the status of matters relating to completion of the transactions contemplated hereby (including promptly furnishing the other with copies of the non-confidential portions of notices or other communications received by Parent or the Company, as the case may be, from any third party and/or Governmental Authority with respect to the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and, to the extent permitted by Law, providing descriptions of any oral communications from such Persons).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to require Parent or any of its Subsidiaries 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 Authorities that would reasonably be likely, in each case following the Effective Time (but regardless when the action, condition or restriction is to be taken or implemented), to (i) have a Parent Material Adverse Effect (measured on a scale relative to the Company) or a Company Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) require Parent, Pacific Western Bank or the Surviving Corporation or the surviving bank in the Bank Merger to raise additional capital in an amount that would materially reduce the economic benefits of the Merger to Parent or the holders of Parent Common Stock (including the Company stockholders in respect of shares of Parent Common Stock received by them in the Merger) (a “Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition”).

 

(b)                                 Each Party agrees, upon request, to furnish the other Party with all information concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, directors, officers and stockholders, as applicable, and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with any filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of such other Party to any third party and/or Governmental Authority.

 

5.11                        Indemnification; Director’s and Officer’s Insurance.  (a)  Parent agrees that from and after the Effective Time, Parent and the Surviving Corporation will indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director and officer of the Company (each, an “Indemnified Party” and, collectively, the “Indemnified Parties”) against all costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with any claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of actions or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including, without limitation, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) (each a “Claim”), whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law (and Parent or the Surviving

 

51



 

Corporation shall also advance expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law; provided, however, the Person to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such Person is not entitled to indemnification).  Further, the Surviving Corporation shall assume, perform and observe the obligations of the Company under any agreements in effect as of the date of this Agreement to indemnify those Persons who are or have at any time been directors and officers of the Company for their acts and omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time in their capacity as officers or directors.

 

(b)                                 Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under paragraph (a) of this Section 5.11, upon learning of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, shall promptly notify Parent or the Surviving Corporation thereof, but the failure to so notify shall not relieve Parent or the Surviving Corporation of any liability it may have to such Indemnified Party if such failure does not materially prejudice Parent or the Surviving Corporation.  In the event of any such claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Time), (i) Parent or the Surviving Corporation shall have the right to assume the defense thereof and Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party for any legal expenses or other counsel or any other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof; provided, however, that none of Parent or the Surviving Corporation shall settle, compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any Claim for which indemnification has been sought by an Indemnified Party hereunder, unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Party from all liability arising out of such Claim or such Indemnified Party otherwise consents in writing to such settlement, compromise or consent, (ii) the Indemnified Party will cooperate in the defense of any such matter and (iii) Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall not be liable for any settlement effected without its prior written consent; provided, however, that Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall not have any obligation hereunder to any Indemnified Party if and when a court of competent jurisdiction shall ultimately determine, and such determination shall have become final, that the indemnification of such Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by applicable Law.

 

(c)                                  For a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall provide that portion of director’s and officer’s liability insurance (“D&O Insurance”) that serves to reimburse the present and former officers and directors (determined as of the Effective Time) of the Company (as opposed to the portion that serves to reimburse the Company) with respect to claims against such directors and officers arising from facts or events which occurred at or before the Effective Time, which D&O Insurance shall contain at least the same coverage and amounts, and contain terms and conditions no less advantageous to such officers and directors, as that coverage currently provided by the Company; provided, however, that in no event shall the Surviving Corporation be required to expend in the aggregate for such six (6)-year period more than 300% of the current amount expended on an annual basis by the Company to maintain or procure such D&O Insurance; provided, further, that if the Surviving Corporation is unable to maintain or obtain the D&O Insurance called for by this Section 5.11, the Surviving Corporation shall obtain as much comparable insurance as is available at a cost in the aggregate for such six (6)-year period up to 300% of the current annual premium; provided, further, that officers and directors of the Company may be required to make application and provide customary representations and warranties to the Surviving Corporation’s insurance

 

52



 

carrier for the purpose of obtaining such D&O Insurance.  In lieu of the foregoing, Parent shall or, with the prior written consent of Parent, the Company may, purchase, at or prior to the Effective Time, a six-year prepaid “tail” policy on terms and conditions providing substantially equivalent benefits as the current policies of the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance maintained by the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to matters arising at or prior to the Effective Time, covering without limitation the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby, at an aggregate cost up to but not exceeding 300% of the current annual premium for such insurance. If such prepaid “tail” policy has been obtained prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall cause such policy to be maintained in full force and effect, for its full term, and cause all obligations thereunder to be honored by the Surviving Corporation, and no other party shall have any further obligation to purchase or pay for insurance pursuant to this Section 5.11(c).

 

(d)                                 If the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors or assigns shall (i) consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or entity and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) transfer all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any other Person, then, and in each case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Surviving Corporation shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 5.11.

 

5.12                        Benefit Plans.  (a)  From the Effective Time through the first anniversary thereof (the “Continuation Period”), Parent shall provide, or cause to be provided to each employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (such employees “Continuing Employees”) who continues employment with Parent or any of its Subsidiaries following the Effective Time: (i) base salary and incentive compensation opportunities that are no less favorable, in the aggregate, than the base salary and incentive compensation opportunities provided to such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time; (ii) employee benefits (other than severance benefits) that are no less favorable, in the aggregate, than the employee benefits provided to similarly situated employees of Parent; and (iii) other than with respect to the employees of the Company set forth on Section 5.12 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, severance payments and benefits that are at a level at least equal to the greater of those to which a Continuing Employee would be entitled (taking into account the service crediting provisions of the following sentence and without regard to any reduction after the Effective Time in compensation paid to such Continuing Employee) under the severance plan or policy of the Company or its Subsidiaries applicable to such Continuing Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time, or under the severance plan or policy of Parent or its Subsidiaries applicable to similarly situated employees of Parent and its Subsidiaries at the time of termination, if such Continuing Employee experiences, at any time during the Continuation Period, a termination of employment under circumstances that would entitle such Continuing Employee to severance payments and benefits under such severance plan or policy.  Parent will cause each of its employee benefit and compensation plans to take into account, for purposes of eligibility, vesting, levels of benefits and benefit accrual thereunder, the service of the Continuing Employees with the Company and its Subsidiaries (including without limitation any predecessor entities) as if such service were with Parent, to the same extent that such service was credited under a comparable plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (except to the extent it would result in a duplication of benefits for the same period of service and other than for benefit accrual purposes under any defined benefit pension plan of Parent or its Subsidiaries).

 

53



 

(b)                                 From and after the Effective Time, without limiting the generality of the last sentence in Section 5.12(a), with respect to each Continuing Employee (and their beneficiaries) Parent shall cause each disability medical, dental or health plan of Parent or its Subsidiaries in which each such Continuing Employee becomes eligible to participate to (i) waive any preexisting condition limitations to the extent such conditions were covered under the applicable disability medical, dental or health plans of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) honor under such plans any deductible, co-payment and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such Continuing Employees and their beneficiaries during the portion of the calendar year prior to commencement of participation in such Parent plan and (iii) waive any waiting period limitation, evidence of insurability requirement or actively-at-work requirement which would otherwise be applicable to such employee and their beneficiaries on or after the Effective Time to the extent such employee or beneficiary had satisfied any similar limitation or requirement under an analogous plan prior to the Effective Time.

 

(c)                                  Effective as of no later than the day immediately preceding the Effective Time, the Company shall provide Parent with a copy of a resolution or plan amendment evidencing that the Company’s 401(k) Plan is in the process of being terminated effective as of no later than the day immediately preceding the Effective Time; provided, however, that the effectiveness of such termination may be conditioned on the consummation of the Merger.  The form and substance of such resolutions or plan amendment shall be subject to the review and reasonable and timely approval of Parent.  The Company also may take such other actions in furtherance of terminating the Company’s 401(k) Plan as it determined to be reasonably appropriate; provided, however, that the effectiveness of any such actions may be conditioned on the consummation of the Merger.  Parent shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to, designate a tax-qualified defined contribution plan of Parent or one of its Affiliates which provides benefits substantially similar to those provided under the the Company’s 401(k) Plan (such plan(s), the “Parent 401(k) Savings Plan”) that either (i) currently provides for the receipt from Continuing Employees of “eligible rollover distributions” (as such term is defined under Section 402 of the Code), including loans, or (ii) shall be amended prior to the Effective Time to provide for the receipt from the Continuing Employees of eligible rollover distributions, including loans.  Each Continuing Employee who is a participant in the Company’s 401(k) Plan shall be eligible beginning on the first day of the month following the Closing Date to commence participation in the Parent 401(k) Savings Plan as of the Closing Date and given the opportunity to receive a distribution of his or her account balance under the Company’s 401(k) Plan and shall be given the opportunity to elect to “roll over” such account balance (including any outstanding loan) to the Parent 401(k) Savings Plan.

 

(d)                                 Nothing herein shall (i) be treated as an amendment to any particular Benefit Plan, (ii) limit the ability of Parent to amend or terminate any of the Benefit Plans in accordance with their terms at any time, (iii) limit the ability of Parent to retain or terminate the employment of any particular Continuing Employee or (iv) create any third-party beneficiary rights in any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any beneficiary or dependent thereof, or any collective bargaining representative thereof, with respect to the compensation, terms and conditions of employment and/or benefits that may be provided to any Continuing Employee by Parent or its Subsidiaries or under any benefit plan which Parent or its Subsidiaries may maintain.

 

54



 

5.13                        Notification of Certain Matters.  Each of the Company and Parent shall give prompt notice to the other of any fact, event or circumstance known to it that (i) is reasonably likely, individually or taken together with all other facts, events and circumstances known to it, to result in a Company Material Adverse Effect or Parent Material Adverse Effect, as the case may be, or to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company or Parent, as the case may be, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) would cause or constitute a material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or agreements contained herein.

 

5.14                        Third-Party Agreements.  (a)  The Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to obtain (i) the consents or waivers required to be obtained from any third parties in connection with the Merger, the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (in such form and content as mutually agreed by the Parties) promptly after the date of this Agreement and (ii) the cooperation of such third parties (including at Parent’s request, with respect to the termination of Contracts following the Effective Time) to effect a smooth transition in accordance with the Parties’ timetable at or after the Effective Time.

 

(b)                                 Without limiting the generality of Section 5.14(a), each of the Parties shall use all reasonable efforts to provide data processing, item processing and other processing support or outside contractors to assist in performing all tasks reasonably required to result in a successful conversion of the data and other files and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries to Parent’s production environment, in such a manner sufficient to ensure that a successful conversion will occur at the time (on or after the Effective Time) mutually agreed by the Parties, subject to any applicable Laws, including Laws regarding the exchange of information and other Laws regarding competition.  Among other things, 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 transactions contemplated by this Agreement, 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 to do so by Parent.

 

(c)                                  Without limiting the generality of Section 5.14(a), as soon as reasonably practicable after the date hereof, the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries that is a

 

55



 

registered investment adviser (each an “Investment Adviser”) to inform their investment advisory clients of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and request each such client’s written consent to the deemed assignment of its management contract resulting from the change in ownership of the Company and the relevant Investment Adviser resulting from the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and use all reasonable efforts to obtain such consent on or before the Effective Time. While the Company shall request affirmative written consents from each Investment Adviser’s clients to such deemed assignment, a negative consent will constitute valid consent to the extent permitted by applicable Law and the applicable management contract if (i) a negative consent is not expressly prohibited by the management contract (for purposes of this Agreement, it is assumed that, unless an agreement expressly requires written consent to an “assignment” as defined under the Investment Advisers Act or a change in control, then such “negative consent” or “silence” is permissible hereunder and thereunder), (ii) a notice describing the change in control and the negative consent substantially in form reasonably acceptable to Parent and the Company is sent to each client, and (iii) sixty (60) days elapse from the date that notice is received at the client’s office during which period the client continues to have its account managed by the applicable Investment Adviser and does not notify the applicable Investment Adviser that it is withholding its consent.

 

(d)                                 Parent agrees that all actions taken pursuant to this Section 5.14 shall be taken in a manner intended to minimize disruption to the customary business activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

5.15                        Closing Financial Statements.  At least eight (8) Business Days prior to the Effective Time of the Merger, the Company shall provide Parent with the Company’s consolidated financial statements presenting the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the close of business on the last day of the last month ended prior to the Effective Time of the Merger and the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the period from January 1, 2015 through the close of business on the last day of the last month ended prior to the Effective Time of the Merger (the “Closing Financial Statements”); provided, however, that if the Effective Time of the Merger occurs on or before the fifteenth (15th) Business Day of the month, the Company shall have provided consolidated financial statements as of and through the second month preceding the Effective Time of the Merger.  Such financial statements shall have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and regulatory accounting principles and other applicable legal and accounting requirements, and reflect all period-end accruals and other adjustments.  Such financial statements shall be accompanied by a certificate of the Company’s chief financial officer, dated as of the Effective Time, to the effect that such financial statements continue to reflect accurately, as of the date of the certificate, the financial condition of the Company in all material respects.  Such Closing Financial Statements shall also reflect accruals for all Professional Fees incurred or expected to be incurred (whether or not doing so is in accordance with GAAP) and shall be accompanied by a certificate of the Company’s chief financial officer, dated as of the Effective Time, to the effect that such financial statements meet the requirements of this Section 5.15.

 

5.16                        NASDAQ Matters.  Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall cooperate with Parent and use reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part under applicable Laws and rules and policies of NASDAQ to enable the delisting of the shares of

 

56



 

Company Common Stock from NASDAQ and the deregistration of the shares of Company Common Stock under the Exchange Act as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time.  Prior to the Closing Date, Parent shall file with NASDAQ any required notices or forms with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger.

 

5.17                        Section 16 Matters.  Each of the Company Board and the Parent Board shall, prior to the Effective Time, take all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate pursuant to Rule 16b-3(d) and Rule 16b-3(e) under the Exchange Act to exempt the conversion of shares of Company Common Stock into shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the terms of this Agreement by officers and directors of the Company subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act or by employees of the Company who may become an officer or director of Parent subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.  In furtherance of the foregoing, prior to the Effective Time, (i) the Company Board shall adopt resolutions that specify (A) the name of each individual whose disposition of shares of Company Common Stock (including Company Equity Awards) is to be exempted, (B) the number of shares of Company Common Stock (including Company Equity Awards) to be disposed of by each such individual and (C) that the approval is granted for purposes of exempting the disposition from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act under Rule 16b-3(e) of the Exchange Act and (ii) the Parent Board shall adopt resolutions that specify (A) the name of each individual whose acquisition of shares of Parent Common Stock is to be exempted, (B) the number of shares of Parent Common Stock to be acquired by each such individual and (C) that the approval is granted for purposes of exempting the acquisition from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act under Rule 16b-3(d) of the Exchange Act.   Each Party shall provide to counsel of the other Party for its review copies of such resolutions to be adopted by the respective boards of directors prior to such adoption and each Party shall provide the other Party with such information as shall be reasonably necessary for the other Party’s board of directors to set forth the information required in the resolutions of such board of directors.

 

5.18                        Takeover Statute.  At all times prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall: (i) take all reasonable action necessary to ensure that no Takeover Statute is or becomes applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the Merger; and (ii) if any Takeover Statute becomes applicable to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including the Merger, take all reasonable action necessary to ensure that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise to minimize the effect of such Takeover Statute on this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger.

 

5.19                        Bank Merger.  Immediately after the Merger, the Bank Merger will occur, with Pacific Western Bank as the surviving bank.  The Parties agree that the Bank Merger will become effective immediately after the Effective Time.  In furtherance of the foregoing, the Parties shall execute and cause to be filed applicable articles or certificates of merger and such other documents as are necessary to make the Bank Merger effective (the “Bank Merger Certificates”) immediately following the Effective Time.  The effect of the Bank Merger shall be as provided in § 4887 of the CFC, including any regulations or rules promulgated thereunder.

 

57



 

ARTICLE 6

CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER

 

6.01                        Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger.  The respective obligation of each Party to effect the Merger is subject to the satisfaction or written waiver at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)                                 Stockholder Approval.  The Company shall have obtained the Company Stockholder Approval.

 

(b)                                 No Injunction.  No Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins or otherwise prohibits consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, an “Order”).

 

(c)                                  Registration Statement.  The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act.  No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued, and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or be threatened, by the SEC.

 

6.02                        Conditions to Obligation of the Company.  The obligation of the Company to consummate the Merger is also subject to the fulfillment or written waiver prior to the Effective Time of each of the following additional conditions:

 

(a)                                 Representations and Warranties.  (i) The representations and warranties of Parent set forth in Section 4.03, after giving effect to Section 4.01 and the lead-in to Section 4.03, shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date (except that representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date shall be true and correct as of such date) and (ii) the Company shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of Parent by an executive officer of Parent, dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect.

 

(b)                                 Performance of Obligations of Parent.  Parent shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Effective Time, and the Company shall have received a certificate signed by an executive officer of Parent, dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect.

 

(c)                                  Tax Opinion.  The Company shall have received the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, counsel to the Company, dated 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 qualify for United States federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.  In rendering its opinion, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz may require and rely upon representations contained in letters from each of the Company and Parent.

 

58



 

(d)                                 Regulatory Approvals.  (i) All consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations required to be obtained prior to the Effective Time by the Company or Parent or any of their respective Subsidiaries from the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the CDBO and the CBNC which are necessary to consummate the Merger and the Bank Merger, and (ii) any other consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations from any Governmental Authority the failure of which to be obtained is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect (measured on a scale relative to the Company) or a Company Material Adverse Effect shall have been made or obtained (as the case may be) and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired.

 

(e)                                  No Material Adverse Effect.  Since the date hereof, no event shall have occurred or circumstance arisen that, individually or taken together with all other facts, circumstances or events, has had or is reasonably likely to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.03                        Conditions to Obligation of Parent.  The obligation of Parent to consummate the Merger is also subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by Parent prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

 

(a)                                 Representations and Warranties.  (i) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 4.02, after giving effect to Section 4.01 and the lead-in to Section 4.02, shall be true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of the Closing Date (except that representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of the date of this Agreement or some other date shall be true and correct as of such date) and (iv) Parent shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer of the Company, dated as of the Closing Date, to such effect.

 

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

 

(c)                                  Regulatory Approvals.  (i) All consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations required to be obtained prior to the Effective Time by the Company or Parent or any of their respective Subsidiaries from the Federal Reserve Board, the FDIC, the CDBO and the CBNC which are necessary to consummate the Merger and the Bank Merger, (ii) all consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations required to be obtained prior to the Effective Time by the Company or Parent or any of their respective Subsidiaries from any Governmental Authority that are required for the operation of the Company’s trust business from and after the Effective Time and (iii) any other consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations from any Governmental Authority the failure of which to be obtained is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Parent Material Adverse Effect (measured on a scale relative to the Company) or a Company Material Adverse Effect shall have been made or obtained (as the case may be) and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired, and none of such consents,

 

59



 

registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations shall contain any Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition.

 

(d)                                 Stockholders’ Equity.  As of the last business day of the month reflected in the Closing Financial Statements (the “Stockholders’ Equity Measuring Date”), the Adjusted Stockholders’ Equity shall not be less than $302,704,000, as determined in accordance with GAAP.  For purposes of this Section 6.03(d), “Adjusted Stockholders’ Equity” means the consolidated equity of the Company as set forth in the Closing Financial Statements, minus any unrealized gains or plus any unrealized losses (as the case may be) in the Company’s securities portfolio due to mark-to-market adjustments as of the Stockholders’ Equity Measuring Date, and adding the sum of (x) all amounts paid or accrued in connection with any actions taken pursuant to Section 5.09 to the extent that such actions were not necessary to bring the Company into conformity with GAAP or any applicable Law of any Governmental Authority, (y) all fees and expenses of all attorneys, accountants, investment bankers and other advisors and agents (“Advisors”) for the Company for services rendered solely in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, “Professional Fees”) paid by the Company prior to the Effective Time and which do not exceed in the aggregate $11,000,000 (exclusive of reasonable costs incurred or advanced by such Advisors) and (z) any amounts payable by the Company in connection with the cancellation of Company Equity Awards pursuant to Section 3.04, and any costs associated with the termination of employee benefit plans or programs (inclusive of any severance compensation paid or to be paid as provided herein) or any retention bonuses paid in accordance with this Agreement, and any costs incurred in connection with the termination of Contracts pursuant to Section 5.14.

 

(e)                                  Tax Opinion.  Parent shall have received the opinion of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, counsel to Parent, dated 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 qualify for United States federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.  In rendering its opinion, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP may require and rely upon representations contained in letters from each of the Company and Parent.

 

(f)                                   No Material Adverse Effect.  Since the date hereof, no event shall have occurred or circumstance arisen that, individually or taken together with all other facts, circumstances or events, has had or is reasonably likely to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(g)                                  FIRPTA Certificate.  The Company shall have delivered to Parent a certificate pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(c)(3), duly executed and acknowledged, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Parent and on the basis of which Parent shall not be required to withhold Tax under Section 1445 of the Code, certifying that interests in the Company are not “U.S. real property interests,” together with the notice required to be mailed to the IRS under Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h).

 

60



 

ARTICLE 7

TERMINATION

 

7.01                        Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned:

 

(a)                                 at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval, by action of the board of directors of either Parent or the Company, in the event that both Parties mutually consent in writing to terminate the Agreement;

 

(b)                                 at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval, by action of the board of directors of either Parent or the Company, in the event that the Merger is not consummated by March 31, 2016 (the “End Date”), except to the extent that the failure of the Merger then to be consummated arises out of or results from the knowing action or inaction of the Party seeking to terminate pursuant to this Section 7.01(b) which action or inaction is in violation of its obligations under this Agreement;

 

(c)                                  at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval, by action of the board of directors of either Parent or the Company if (i) the approval of any Governmental Authority required for consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been denied by final and nonappealable action of such Governmental Authority, or an application thereof shall have been permanently withdrawn by mutual agreement of Parent and the Company at the request or suggestion of a Governmental Authority, or (ii) the Company Stockholder Approval is not obtained at the duly convened Company Meeting;

 

(d)                                 at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval, by action of the Company Board if there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by Parent, such that if continuing on the Closing Date, one of Sections 6.02(a) or 6.02(b) would not be satisfied and such breach or condition is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within 30 days after written notice thereof is given by the Company (or such shorter period as remaining prior to the End Date); provided, that the Company is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement;

 

(e)                                  at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after the Company Stockholder Approval, by action of the Parent Board if there has been a breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Company, such that if continuing on the Closing Date, one of Section 6.03(a) or 6.03(b) would not be satisfied and such breach or condition is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within 30 days after written notice thereof is given by Parent (or such shorter period as remaining prior to the End Date); provided, that Parent is not then in material breach of any representation warranty, covenant or agreement; or

 

(f)                                   at any time prior to the Company Stockholder Approval, by action of the Parent Board, in the event (A) the Company shall have breached in any material respect Section 5.08; (B) the Company Board shall have effected a Company Change of Recommendation; (C) at any time after the end of fifteen (15) Business Days following receipt of an Acquisition Proposal, the Company Board shall have failed to reaffirm its Company Board Recommendation as promptly as practicable (but in any event within five (5) Business Days) after receipt of any written request to do so by Parent; or (D) a tender offer or exchange offer for

 

61



 

outstanding shares of Company Common Stock shall have been publicly disclosed (other than by Parent or an Affiliate of Parent) and the Company Board recommends that its stockholders tender their shares in such tender or exchange offer or, within ten (10) Business Days after the commencement of such tender or exchange offer, the Company Board fails to recommend unequivocally against acceptance of such offer.

 

7.02                        Effect of Termination and Abandonment.  (a)  In the event of termination of this Agreement and the abandonment of the Merger pursuant to this Article VII, this Agreement shall become void and of no effect with no liability or further obligation of any kind on the part of any Party (or of any of its directors, officers, employees, agents, legal and financial advisors or other representatives), except (i) as provided in Section 7.02(b) and (ii) that no such termination shall relieve any party hereto of any liability or damages resulting from any willful and intentional breach of this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 (i) The Company shall pay a termination fee of $32,500,000 (the “Termination Fee”) to Parent payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account specified by Parent in the event of any of the following:

 

(A)                               in the event that (1) an Acquisition Proposal shall have been made to the Company or its stockholders generally or any Person shall have publicly announced an intention (whether or not conditional) to make an Acquisition Proposal with respect to the Company, (2) thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either Parent or the Company pursuant to (x) Section 7.01(b) for failure of the Merger to be consummated by the End Date and the Stockholder Approval has not been obtained or (y) Section 7.01(c)(ii), and (3) within twelve (12) months of the termination of this Agreement, the Company enters into a definitive agreement with respect to or consummates an Acquisition Proposal; provided, that for purposes of this Section 7.02(b)(i)(A), the references to “15%” in the definition of “Acquisition Proposal” shall instead refer to “50%”; or

 

(B)                               this Agreement is terminated by Parent pursuant to Section 7.01(f).

 

(ii)                                  Any Termination Fee required by Section 7.02(b)(i)(A) shall be paid on the earlier of the date on which the Company enters into such definitive agreement with respect to or consummates such Acquisition Proposal.  Any Termination Fee required by Section 7.02(b)(i)(B) shall be paid within two Business Days after the date of termination.

 

(c)                                  The Company acknowledges that the agreements contained in paragraph (b) above are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that without such agreements Parent would not have entered into this Agreement, and that such amounts do not constitute a penalty.  If the Company fails to promptly pay Parent any amounts due under paragraph (b) above within the time period specified therein, the Company shall pay all costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by Parent from the date such amounts were required to be paid in connection with any action, including the filing of any lawsuit, taken to collect payment of such amounts, together with interest on the amount of any such unpaid amounts at the publicly announced prime rate of interest printed in The Wall Street Journal on the date such payment was required to be made.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this

 

62



 

Agreement, except in the case of willful and intentional breach, upon payment of the Termination Fee pursuant to Section 7.02(b), none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective former, current or future officers, directors, employees, stockholders, partners, managers, members, affiliates, agents or representatives shall have any further liability or obligation relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

ARTICLE 8

MISCELLANEOUS

 

8.01                        Survival.  This Article VIII and the agreements of the Company and Parent contained in Sections 5.05, 5.11 and 5.12 shall survive the consummation of the Merger.  This Article VIII, the agreements of the Company and Parent contained in Sections 5.07(c) and 7.02 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.  All other representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in this Agreement shall not survive the consummation of the Merger or the termination of this Agreement.

 

8.02                        Waiver; Amendment.  Prior to the Effective Time, any provision of this Agreement may be (i) waived in whole or in part by the Party benefited by the provision or by both Parties or (ii) amended or modified at any time, by an agreement in writing between the Parties hereto executed in the same manner as this Agreement, except that after the Company Stockholder Approval is obtained, this Agreement may not be amended if it would reduce the aggregate value of the consideration to be received by the Company stockholders in the Merger without any subsequent approval by such stockholders or be in violation of applicable Law.

 

8.03                        Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile), each of which shall be deemed to constitute an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

8.04                        Governing Law and Venue.  This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law principles thereof.  The Parties hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and the federal courts of the United States of America located in the State of Delaware solely in respect of the interpretation and enforcement of the provisions of this Agreement and the other documents referred to in this Agreement, and in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and hereby waive, and agree to assert, as a defense in any action, suit or proceeding for the interpretation or enforcement hereof or of any such documents, that it is not subject thereto or that such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in said courts or that the venue thereof may not be appropriate or that this Agreement and any such document may not be enforced in or by such courts, and the Parties hereto irrevocably agree that all claims with respect to such action or proceeding shall be heard and determined in such Delaware state or federal court.  The Parties hereby consent to and grant any such court jurisdiction over the person of such Parties and over the subject matter of such dispute and agree that mailing of process or other papers in connection with any such action or proceeding in the manner provided in Section 8.07 or in such other manner as may be permitted by Law, shall be valid and sufficient service thereof.

 

63



 

8.05                        Waiver of Jury Trial.  The Parties acknowledge and agree that any controversy which may arise under this Agreement and the other documents referred to in this Agreement, and in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues and, therefore, each such Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any legal action arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the other documents referred to in this Agreement, and in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.  The Parties to this Agreement certify and acknowledge that (a) no representative of any other Party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other Party would not seek to enforce the foregoing waiver in the event of a legal action, (b) such Party has considered the implications of this waiver, (c) such Party makes this waiver voluntarily and (d) such Party has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section 8.05.

 

8.06                        Expenses.  All costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be paid by the Party incurring such expense.

 

8.07                        Notices.  All notices, requests, instructions and other communications to be given hereunder by any Party to the other shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if personally delivered, telecopied (with confirmation) or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (return receipt requested), to such Party at its address set forth below or such other address as such Party may specify by notice to the other Party.

 

If to the Company to:

 

Square 1 Financial, Inc.
406 Blackwell Street, Suite 240
Durham, North Carolina 27701
Attention:  Leah Webb
Facsimile:  (919) 314-3110

 

With a copy to:

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, New York 10019
Attention: Edward D. Herlihy
                                                Matthew M. Guest
Facsimile:  (212) 403-2000

 

If to Parent to:

 

PacWest Bancorp
5404 Wisconsin Avenue, Second Floor
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
Attention:  Kori L. Ogrosky
Facsimile:  (301) 272-3423

 

64



 

With a copy to:

 

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
1888 Century Park East
Los Angeles, California 90067
Attention:  Patrick S. Brown
Facsimile: (310) 712-8800

 

8.08                        Entire Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement (including the Company Disclosure Schedule and Parent Disclosure Schedule attached hereto and incorporated herein), the Voting Agreements and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the Parties hereto and thereto with reference to the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and supersede all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, between the Parties or their officers, directors, agents, employees or representatives, with respect to the subject matter hereof.  Except for Section 5.11, nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person, other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

8.09                        Effect.  No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to require the Company or Parent or any Affiliates or directors of any of them to take any action or omit to take any action which action or omission would violate any applicable Law (whether statutory or common Law), rule or regulation.

 

8.10                        Severability.  Except to the extent that application of this Section 8.10 would have a Company Material Adverse Effect or a Parent Company Material Adverse Effect or would prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company or Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any term or provision of this Agreement which is invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.  If any provision of this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

 

8.11                        Enforcement of the Agreement.  The Parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with its specific terms or were otherwise breached.  It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

 

8.12                        Interpretation.  When a reference is made in this Agreement to Sections or Schedules, such reference shall be to a Section of, or Schedule to, this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.  The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, do not constitute part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed

 

65



 

to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions hereof.  Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”.

 

8.13                        Assignment.  This Agreement shall not be assignable by operation of law or otherwise.

 

66



 

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

 

 

 

PacWest Bancorp

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kori L. Ogrosky

 

 

Name:

Kori L. Ogrosky

 

 

Title:

Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Square 1 Financial, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Douglas H. Bowers

 

 

Name:

Douglas H. Bowers

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer