Back to top

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Agreement and Plan of Merger

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER | Document Parties: Mustang Holding Company Inc | Mustang Merger Sub, Inc | SLM Corporation | Surviving Corporation You are currently viewing:
This Agreement and Plan of Merger involves

Mustang Holding Company Inc | Mustang Merger Sub, Inc | SLM Corporation | Surviving Corporation

. RealDealDocs™ contains millions of easily searchable legal documents and clauses from top law firms. Search for free - click here.
Title: AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Governing Law: Delaware     Date: 4/18/2007
Law Firm: Wachtell Lipton;Sullivan Cromwell;Davis Polk    

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, Parties: mustang holding company inc , mustang merger sub  inc , slm corporation , surviving corporation
50 of the Top 250 law firms use our Products every day

Exhibit 2.1

EXECUTION COPY

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

dated as of

April 15, 2007

among

SLM CORPORATION,

MUSTANG HOLDING COMPANY INC.

and

MUSTANG MERGER SUB, INC.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

PAGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

Section

1.01.

 

Definitions

 

1

Section

1.02.

 

Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions

 

7

 

ARTICLE 2

THE MERGER

Section

2.01.

 

The Merger

 

8

Section

2.02.

 

Conversion of Shares

 

8

Section

2.03.

 

Surrender and Payment

 

9

Section

2.04.

 

Stock Options; Restricted Stock Units; Restricted Stock and

 

 

 

 

 

    Equivalents

 

10

Section

2.05.

 

Adjustments

 

11

Section

2.06.

 

Withholding Rights

 

11

Section

2.07.

 

Lost Certificates

 

12

Section

2.08.

 

Dissenting Shares

 

12

Section

2.09.

 

Preferred Stock

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3

THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

Section

3.01.

 

Certificate of Incorporation

 

13

Section

3.02.

 

Bylaws

 

13

Section

3.03.

 

Directors and Officers

 

13

 

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

Section

4.01.

 

Corporate Existence and Power

 

13

Section

4.02.

 

Corporate Authorization

 

14

Section

4.03.

 

Governmental Authorization

 

14

Section

4.04.

 

Non-Contravention

 

15

Section

4.05.

 

Capitalization

 

15

Section

4.06.

 

Subsidiaries

 

16

Section

4.07.

 

SEC Filings and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

 

16

Section

4.08.

 

Financial Statements

 

18

Section

4.09.

 

Disclosure Documents

 

18

Section

4.10.

 

Absence of Certain Changes

 

18

Section

4.11.

 

No Undisclosed Material Liabilities

 

18

Section

4.12.

 

Compliance with Laws and Court Orders

 

19

Section

4.13.

 

Litigation

 

19

Section

4.14.

 

Finders’ Fees

 

19

 

i

 


 

Section

4.15.

 

Opinions of Financial Advisors

 

19

Section

4.16.

 

Taxes

 

19

Section

4.17.

 

Employee Benefit Plans

 

21

Section

4.18.

 

Environmental Matters

 

23

Section

4.19.

 

Real Property

 

23

Section

4.20.

 

Material Contracts

 

24

Section

4.21.

 

Anti-Takeover Statutes

 

24

Section

4.22.

 

Insurance

 

24

Section

4.23.

 

Derivative Transactions

 

25

Section

4.24.

 

Agreements with Regulators

 

25

Section

4.25.

 

Securitizations

 

26

Section

4.26.

 

Student Loan Portfolio

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT

Section

5.01.

 

Corporate Existence and Power

 

27

Section

5.02.

 

Corporate Authorization

 

27

Section

5.03.

 

Governmental Authorization

 

28

Section

5.04.

 

Non-Contravention

 

28

Section

5.05.

 

Disclosure Documents

 

28

Section

5.06.

 

Litigation

 

28

Section

5.07.

 

Finders’ Fees

 

29

Section

5.08.

 

Financial Activities

 

29

Section

5.09.

 

Financing

 

29

Section

5.10.

 

Solvency

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6

COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

Section

6.01.

 

Conduct of the Company

 

30

Section

6.02.

 

Stockholder Meeting; Proxy Material

 

33

Section

6.03.

 

Solicitation; Other Offers

 

33

Section

6.04.

 

No Control of Other Party’s Business

 

36

 

ARTICLE 7

COVENANTS OF PARENT

Section

7.01.

 

Conduct of Parent and Merger Subsidiary

 

37

Section

7.02.

 

Obligations of Merger Subsidiary

 

37

Section

7.03.

 

Voting of Shares

 

37

Section

7.04.

 

Director and Officer Liability

 

37

 

ARTICLE 8

COVENANTS OF PARENT AND THE COMPANY

Section

8.01.

 

Reasonable Best Efforts

 

39

 

ii

 


 

Section

8.02.

 

Certain Filings

 

41

Section

8.03.

 

Public Announcements

 

42

Section

8.04.

 

Further Assurances

 

42

Section

8.05.

 

Access to Information

 

42

Section

8.06.

 

Notices of Certain Events

 

42

Section

8.07.

 

Confidentiality

 

43

Section

8.08.

 

Employee Matters

 

43

Section

8.09.

 

Financing

 

44

Section

8.10.

 

Convertible Notes

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

Section

9.01.

 

Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party

 

48

Section

9.02.

 

Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

49

Section

9.03.

 

Conditions to the Obligations of the Company

 

49

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10

TERMINATION

Section

10.01.

 

Termination

 

49

Section

10.02.

 

Effect of Termination

 

51

 

ARTICLE 11

MISCELLANEOUS

Section

11.01.

 

Standard

 

52

Section

11.02.

 

Notices

 

52

Section

11.03.

 

Survival of Representations and Warranties

 

53

Section

11.04.

 

Amendments and Waivers

 

53

Section

11.05.

 

Expenses

 

53

Section

11.06.

 

Disclosure Schedule References

 

54

Section

11.07.

 

Binding Effect; Benefit; Assignment

 

55

Section

11.08.

 

Governing Law

 

55

Section

11.09.

 

Jurisdiction

 

55

Section

11.10.

 

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL

 

55

Section

11.11.

 

Counterparts; Effectiveness

 

55

Section

11.12.

 

Entire Agreement

 

56

Section

11.13.

 

Severability

 

56

Section

11.14.

 

Specific Performance

 

56

 

iii

 


 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

      AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”) dated as of April 15, 2007 among SLM Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”), Mustang Holding Company Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ Parent ”), and Mustang Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent (“ Merger Subsidiary ”).

W I T N E S S E T H

      WHEREAS, the parties intend that Merger Subsidiary be merged with and into the Company (the “ Merger ”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a subsidiary of Parent;

      WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company, acting upon the recommendation of the Transaction Committee, has (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement, (ii) approved the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger and (iii) resolved to recommend adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Company;

      WHEREAS, the Boards of Directors of Parent and Merger Subsidiary have approved this Agreement and declared it advisable for Parent and Merger Subsidiary, respectively, to enter into this Agreement; and

      WHEREAS, the Company, Parent and Merger Subsidiary desire to make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions to the Merger, as set forth herein.

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

ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS

      Section 1.01 . Definitions. (a) As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

      Acquisition Proposal ” means, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any offer, proposal or inquiry from any Third Party relating to (A) any acquisition or purchase, direct or indirect, of 25% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries or 25% or more of any class of equity or voting securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries

 


 

whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 25% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company, (B) any tender offer (including a self-tender offer) or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in such Third Party’s beneficially owning 25% or more of any class of equity or voting securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 25% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company or (C) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, sale of substantially all the assets, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute 25% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company.

      Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such Person.

      Applicable Law ” means, with respect to any Person, any federal, state or local law (statutory, common or otherwise), constitution, treaty, convention, ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree, ruling or other similar requirement enacted, adopted, promulgated or applied by a Governmental Authority that is binding upon or applicable to such Person, as amended unless expressly specified otherwise.

      Business Day ” means a day, other than Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York, New York are authorized or required by Applicable Law to close.

      Closing Date ” means the date on which the Effective Time occurs.

      Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

      Company Balance Sheet ” means the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 2006 and the footnotes thereto set forth in the Company 10-K.

      Company Balance Sheet Date ” means December 31, 2006.

      Company Bank ” means Sallie Mae Bank.

      Company Disclosure Schedule ” means the disclosure schedule dated the date hereof regarding this Agreement that has been provided by the Company to Parent and Merger Subsidiary prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

      Company Stock ” means the common stock, $0.20 par value, of the Company.

      Company Stock Plan ” means the Company’s Board of Directors Stock Option Plan, 1993-1998 Stock Option Plan, Directors Stock Plan, Employee

2

 


 

Stock Option Plan, Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Management Incentive Plan, the Deferred Compensation Plans, the SLM Corporation Incentive Plan and any other Employee Plan providing for the grant or award of Company Stock, options to purchase Company Stock, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or other equity-based awards.

      Company 10-K ” means the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 as filed with the SEC on March 1, 2007.

      Confidentiality Agreements ” means the confidentiality agreements entered into prior to the date hereof between the Company and certain Affiliates of Parent.

      Convertible Notes ” means the SLM Corporation Floating Rate Convertible Senior Debentures Due 2035 issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2003 between the Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank as Trustee.

      Deferred Compensation Plans ” means the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees and the Student Loan Marketing Association Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors.

      Delaware Law ” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

      Environmental Laws ” means any Applicable Law relating to the environment, or pollutants, contaminants, wastes or chemicals or any toxic, radioactive, ignitable, corrosive, reactive or otherwise hazardous substances, wastes or materials.

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

      ERISA Affiliate ” of any entity means any other entity that, together with such entity, would be treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

      GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

      Governmental Authority ” means any transnational, domestic or foreign, federal, state or local, governmental authority, department, court, agency or official, including any political subdivision thereof.

      HSR Act ” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

      knowledge ” means, (i) with respect to the Company, the actual knowledge of the individuals listed on Section 1.01 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and (ii) with respect to Parent, the actual knowledge of the individuals listed on Section 1.01 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule.

3

 


 

      Lien ” means, with respect to any property or asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, encumbrance or other adverse claim of any kind in respect of such property or asset. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any property or asset that it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such property or asset.

      Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except to the extent any such effect results from: (a) changes in GAAP or changes in regulatory accounting requirements applicable to any industry in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries operate; (b) changes in Applicable Law ( provided that, for purposes of this definition, “changes in Applicable Law” shall not include any changes in Applicable Law relating specifically to the education finance industry that are in the aggregate more adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, than the legislative and budget proposals described under the heading “Recent Developments” in the Company 10-K, in each case in the form proposed publicly as of the date of the Company 10-K) or interpretations thereof by any Governmental Authority; (c) changes in global, national or regional political conditions (including the outbreak of war or acts of terrorism) or in general economic, business, regulatory, political or market conditions or in national or global financial markets; provided that such changes do not disproportionately affect the Company relative to similarly sized financial services companies and provided that this exception shall not include changes excluded from clause (b) of this definition pursuant to the proviso contained therein; (d) any proposed law, rule or regulation, or any proposed amendment to any existing law, rule or regulation, in each case affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and not enacted into law prior to the Closing Date; (e) changes affecting the financial services industry generally; provided that such changes do not disproportionately affect the Company relative to similarly sized financial services companies and provided that this exception shall not include changes excluded from clause (b) of this definition pursuant to the proviso contained therein; (f) public disclosure of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, including the initiation of litigation by any Person with respect to this Agreement; (g) any change in the debt ratings of the Company or any debt securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in and of itself (it being agreed that this exception does not cover the underlying reason for such change, except to the extent such reason is within the scope of any other exception within this definition); (h) any actions taken (or omitted to be taken) at the written request of Parent; or (i) any action taken by the Company, or which the Company causes to be taken by any of its Subsidiaries, in each case which is required pursuant to this Agreement.

      1933 Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933.

      1934 Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

4

 


 

      Parent Disclosure Schedule ” means the disclosure schedule dated the date hereof regarding this Agreement that has been provided by Parent to the Company prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

      Person ” means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

      Preferred Stock ” means the preferred stock, $0.20 par value, of the Company.

      Sarbanes-Oxley Act ” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

      SEC ” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

      Series A Preferred Stock ” means the 6.97% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock.

      Series B Preferred Stock ” means the Floating-Rate Non-Cumulative Preferred Stock.

      Solvent ” when used with respect to any Person, means that, as of any date of determination, (a) the amount of the “fair saleable value” of the assets of such Person will, as of such date, exceed (i) the value of all “liabilities of such Person, including contingent and other liabilities,” as of such date, as such quoted terms are generally determined in accordance with applicable federal laws governing determinations of the insolvency of debtors, and (ii) the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of such Person on its existing debts (including contingent liabilities) as such debts become absolute and matured, (b) such Person will not have, as of such date, an unreasonably small amount of capital for the operation of the businesses in which it is engaged or proposed to be engaged following such date, and (c) such Person will be able to pay its liabilities, including contingent and other liabilities, as they mature.

      Subsidiary ” means, with respect to any Person, any entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at any time directly or indirectly owned by such Person.

      Third Party ” means any Person, including as defined in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, other than the Company or Parent or any of their respective Affiliates.

      Transaction Committee ” means a committee of the Company’s Board of Directors formed for the purpose of, among other things, evaluating, and making a recommendation to the Board of Directors of the Company with respect to, this Agreement and the Merger.

5

 


 

      Unencumbered Assets ” means assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are not subject to any Lien, other than any non-consensual Lien arising as a matter of law.

      (b) Each of the following terms is defined in the Section set forth opposite such term:

Term

 

Section

Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement

 

6.03(g)

Act

 

4.26(a)

Adverse Recommendation Change

 

6.03(b)

Agreement

 

Preamble

Certificates

 

2.03(a)

Commitment Letters

 

5.09

Company

 

Preamble

Company Board Recommendation

 

4.02(b)

Company Proxy Statement

 

4.09

Company Regulatory Agreement

 

4.24

Company Representatives

 

6.03(b)

Company SEC Documents

 

4.07

Company Securities

 

4.05(b)

Company Stock Option

 

2.04(a)

Company Stockholder Approval

 

4.02(a)

Company Stockholder Meeting

 

6.02

Company Subsidiary Securities

 

4.06(b)

D&O Insurance

 

7.04(b)

Debt Commitment Letter

 

5.09

Debt Financing

 

5.09

Deferred Stock Units

 

2.04(b)

Derivative Transactions

 

4.23

Dissenting Shares

 

2.08

Effective Time

 

2.01(b)

Employee Plans

 

4.17(a)

End Date

 

10.01(b)

Equity Commitment Letters

 

5.09

Equity Financing

 

5.09

Equity Syndication

 

8.09(a)

ESPP

 

2.04(e)

Exchange Agent

 

2.03(a)

FDIC

 

4.03

FFELP Loan

 

4.26(a)

Financing

 

5.09

High-Yield Financing

 

8.09(a)

Indemnified Person

 

7.04(a)

internal controls

 

4.07(f)

Leased Properties

 

4.19(b)

6

 


 

Term

 

Section

Marketing Period

 

8.09(a)

Material Contract

 

4.20

Merger

 

Recitals

Merger Consideration

 

2.02(a)

Merger Subsidiary

 

Preamble

Multiemployer Plan

 

4.17(c)

NASD

 

4.03

Notice Period

 

6.03(d)

Owned Properties

 

4.19(a)

Parent

 

Preamble

Parent Termination Fee

 

  11.05(c)

Payment Event

 

  11.05(b)

PBGC

 

4.17(b)

Permitted Encumbrances

 

4.19(a)

Private Loans

 

4.26(b)

Real Property

 

4.19(b)

Required Information

 

8.09(b)

Restricted Stock

 

2.04(c)

Restricted Stock Units

 

2.04(b)

Securitization Disclosure Documents

 

4.25(b)

Securitization Transaction

 

4.25(a)

Student Loans

 

4.26(b)

Specified Actions

 

8.01(a)

Superior Proposal

 

6.03(g)

Surviving Corporation

 

2.01(a)

Tax

 

4.16(d)

Taxing Authority

 

4.16(d)

Tax Return

 

4.16(d)

Termination Fee

 

  11.05(b)

Uncertificated Shares

 

2.03(a)

Utah Commissioner

 

4.03

 

      Section 1.02 . Other Definitional and Interpretative Provisions. The words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of like import used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The captions herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall be ignored in the construction or interpretation hereof. References to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules are to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement unless otherwise specified. All Exhibits and Schedules annexed hereto or referred to herein are hereby incorporated in and made a part of this Agreement as if set forth in full herein. Any capitalized terms used in any Exhibit or Schedule but not otherwise defined therein, shall have the meaning as defined in this Agreement. Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words “include”, “includes” or “including” are used in

7

 


 

this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”, whether or not they are in fact followed by those words or words of like import. “Writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a non-transient visible form. References to any agreement or contract are to that agreement or contract as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person. References from or through any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including, respectively. References to a particular statute or law shall be to such statute or law, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

ARTICLE 2
THE MERGER

      Section 2.01 . The Merger. (a) At the Effective Time (as herein defined), Merger Subsidiary shall be merged with and into the Company in accordance with Delaware Law, whereupon the separate existence of Merger Subsidiary shall cease, and the Company shall be the surviving corporation (the “ Surviving Corporation ”).

      (b) As soon as practicable (and in no event later than three Business Days) after satisfaction or, to the extent permitted hereunder, waiver of all conditions to the Merger, the Company and Merger Subsidiary shall file a certificate of merger with the Delaware Secretary of State and make all other filings or recordings required by Delaware Law in connection with the Merger; provided , however , that if the foregoing would occur on a date prior to the end of the Marketing Period (as herein defined), such actions shall instead occur on the earliest to occur of (i) a date during the Marketing Period specified by Parent on no less than three (3) Business Days’ notice to the Company and (ii) the final day of the Marketing Period (subject in each case to the satisfaction or, to the extent permitted hereunder, waiver of all conditions set forth in Article 9). The Merger shall become effective at such time (the “ Effective Time ”) as the certificate of merger is duly filed with the Delaware Secretary of State (or at such later time as may be specified in the certificate of merger).

      (c) From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall possess all the rights, powers, privileges and franchises and be subject to all of the obligations, liabilities, restrictions and disabilities of the Company and Merger Subsidiary, all as provided under Delaware Law.

      Section 2.02. Conversion of Shares. At the Effective Time:

      (a) except (i) as otherwise provided in Section 2.02(b) or (ii) for Dissenting Shares (as herein defined), each share of Company Stock outstanding

8

 


 

immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into the right to receive $60.00 in cash, without interest (the “ Merger Consideration ”);

      (b) each share of Company Stock held by the Company as treasury stock (other than shares in an Employee Plan of the Company) or owned by Parent or Merger Subsidiary immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled, and no payment shall be made with respect thereto; and

      (c) each share of common stock of Merger Subsidiary outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation with the same rights, powers and privileges as the shares so converted and shall constitute the only outstanding shares of capital stock of the Surviving Corporation.

      Section 2.03 . Surrender and Payment. (a) Prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall appoint a bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as the exchange agent in the Merger (the “ Exchange Agent ”). Prior to or at the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent cash in an amount equal to the aggregate amounts payable under Section 2.02(a) and Section 2.04. The funds so deposited with the Exchange Agent shall be held by the Exchange Agent and applied by it in accordance with this Section 2.03 and Section 2.04 for the purpose of exchanging for the Merger Consideration (i) certificates representing shares of Company Stock (the “ Certificates ”) or (ii) uncertificated shares of Company Stock (the “ Uncertificated Shares ”). Promptly after the Effective Time, Parent shall send, or shall cause the Exchange Agent to send, to each holder of shares of Company Stock at the Effective Time a letter of transmittal and instructions (which shall specify that the delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Certificates or transfer of the Uncertificated Shares to the Exchange Agent) for use in such exchange.

      (b) Each holder of shares of Company Stock that have been converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration shall be entitled to receive, upon (i) surrender to the Exchange Agent of a Certificate, together with a properly completed letter of transmittal, or (ii) receipt of an “agent’s message” by the Exchange Agent (or such other evidence, if any, of transfer as the Exchange Agent may reasonably request) in the case of a book-entry transfer of Uncertificated Shares, the Merger Consideration in respect of the Company Stock represented by a Certificate or Uncertificated Share. Until so surrendered or transferred, as the case may be, each such Certificate or Uncertificated Share shall represent after the Effective Time for all purposes only the right to receive such Merger Consideration.

      (c) If any portion of the Merger Consideration is to be paid to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate or the transferred Uncertificated Share is registered, it shall be a condition to such payment that (i) either such Certificate shall be properly endorsed or shall otherwise be in proper

9

 


 

form for transfer or such Uncertificated Share shall be properly transferred and (ii) the Person requesting such payment shall pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other taxes required as a result of such payment to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or Uncertificated Share or establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

      (d) After the Effective Time, there shall be no further registration of transfers of shares of Company Stock. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates or Uncertificated Shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation, they shall be canceled and exchanged for the Merger Consideration provided for, and in accordance with the procedures set forth, in this Article 2.

      (e) Any portion of the Merger Consideration made available to the Exchange Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(a) that remains unclaimed by the holders of shares of Company Stock six months after the Effective Time shall be returned to Parent, upon demand, and any such holder who has not exchanged shares of Company Stock for the Merger Consideration in accordance with this Section 2.03 prior to that time shall thereafter look only to Parent for payment of the Merger Consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent shall not be liable to any holder of shares of Company Stock for any amounts paid to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

      Section 2.04 . Stock Options; Restricted Stock Units; Restricted Stock and Equivalents. Except as may otherwise be agreed between Parent and a holder of a Company Stock Option (as herein defined), Restricted Stock Unit (as herein defined), Restricted Stock (as herein defined) or Deferred Stock Units (as herein defined):

      (a) As of the Effective Time, each option to acquire shares of Company Stock (each, a “ Company Stock Option ”) that then remains outstanding and originally was granted under any Company Stock Plan (other than the ESPP, which shall be governed by Section 2.04(e) below), whether or not then vested or exercisable, automatically shall be terminated at the Effective Time and converted into the right of the holder thereof to receive thereupon in full satisfaction of such Company Stock Option as of the Effective Time, an amount in cash (subject to any applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of (x) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the applicable exercise price of such Company Stock Option and (y) the number of shares of Company Stock issuable upon exercise of such Company Stock Option.

      (b) As of the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding restricted stock unit or similar equity-based awards (whether vested or unvested) granted under any Company Stock Plan (the “ Restricted Stock Units ”) shall be terminated and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (subject to applicable withholding taxes) payable with respect to the number of shares of Company Stock represented by such unit or similar equity-based award. As of the Effective Time, all amounts held in participant accounts under the

10

 


 

Deferred Compensation Plans that are denominated in Company Stock shall be converted into an obligation to pay cash with a value equal to the product of (i) the Merger Consideration and (ii) the number of shares of Company Stock deemed held in such participant accounts (“ Deferred Stock Units ”). Such obligation shall be payable or distributable in accordance with the terms of the Deferred Compensation Plans (as amended to comply with Section 409A of the Code) and, prior to the time of any distribution, such deferred amounts shall be permitted to be deemed invested in another investment option under the applicable Plan.

      (c) As of the Effective Time, each issued and outstanding share of restricted stock (whether vested or unvested) granted under any Company Stock Plan (the “ Restricted Stock ”) shall be terminated and converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (subject to applicable withholding taxes) payable with respect to the number of shares of Company Stock represented by such share of Restricted Stock.

      (d) Prior to the Effective Time, the Company will use its commercially reasonable best efforts to obtain all consents of Third Parties and make all amendments, if any, to the terms of the Company Stock Plans and each outstanding award agreement issued pursuant to the Company Stock Plans, as applicable, and shall take all other actions within the control of the Company or its Subsidiaries, that are necessary to give effect to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04. Parent shall direct the Surviving Corporation to make the payments required under this Section 2.04 as promptly as practicable following the Effective Time.

      (e) The Company shall take all action as is necessary to cause the Company’s Amended and Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ ESPP ”) to be suspended effective as of a date not later than the end of the calendar month of the date of this Agreement, such that the current “offering period” will end on April 30, 2007 and will be the final offering period under the ESPP, and, as of the Effective Time and subject to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company shall terminate the ESPP.

      Section 2.05 . Adjustments. If, during the period between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time, any change in the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company shall occur, including by reason of any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split or combination, exchange or readjustment of shares, or any stock dividend thereon with a record date during such period, but excluding any change that results from any exercise of options outstanding as of the date hereof to purchase shares of Company Stock granted under the Company’s stock option or compensation plans or arrangements, the Merger Consideration shall be appropriately adjusted.

      Section 2.06 . Withholding Rights. Each of the Surviving Corporation, Parent and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the

11

 


 

consideration otherwise payable to any Person pursuant to this Article 2 such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under any provision of federal, state, local or foreign tax law. If the Surviving Corporation, Parent or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, so deducts and withholds amounts, such amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares of Company Stock in respect of which the Surviving Corporation or Parent, as the case may be, made such deduction and withholding.

      Section 2.07 . Lost Certificates. If 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 the Surviving Corporation, the posting by such Person of a bond, in such reasonable amount as the Surviving Corporation may direct, 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 Merger Consideration to be paid in respect of the shares of Company Stock represented by such Certificate, as contemplated by this Article 2.

      Section 2.08 . Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if required by Delaware Law (but only to the extent required thereby), shares of Company Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than shares of Company Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 2.02(b)) and that are held by holders of such shares who have not voted in favor of the adoption of this Agreement or consented thereto in writing and who have properly exercised appraisal rights with respect thereto in accordance with, and who have complied with, Section 262 of Delaware Law (the “ Dissenting Shares ”) will not be convertible into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, and holders of such Dissenting Shares will be entitled to receive payment of the fair value of such Dissenting Shares in accordance with the provisions of such Section 262 unless and until any such holder fails to perfect or effectively withdraws or loses its rights to appraisal and payment under Delaware Law. If, after the Effective Time, any such holder fails to perfect or effectively withdraws or loses such right, such Dissenting Shares will thereupon be treated as if they had been converted into and have become exchangeable for, at the Effective Time, the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without any interest thereon, and the Surviving Corporation shall remain liable for payment of the Merger Consideration for such shares. At the Effective Time, any holder of Dissenting Shares shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the rights provided in Section 262 of Delaware Law and as provided in the previous sentence. The Company will give Parent (i) notice of any demands received by the Company for appraisals and (ii) the opportunity to participate in and direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such notices and demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisal or settle any such demands.

12

 


 

      Section 2.09 . Preferred Stock. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding and shall have the rights and privileges as set forth in the Surviving Corporation’s certificate of incorporation.

ARTICLE 3
THE SURVIVING CORPORATION

      Section 3.01 . Certificate of Incorporation. The certificate of incorporation of the Company in effect at the Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with Applicable Law.

      Section 3.02 . Bylaws. The bylaws of Merger Subsidiary in effect at the Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with Applicable Law.

      Section 3.03 . Directors and Officers. From and after the Effective Time, until successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with Applicable Law, (i) the directors of Merger Subsidiary at the Effective Time shall be the directors of the Surviving Corporation and (ii) the officers of the Company at the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving Corporation.

ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

      Except as disclosed in (i) the Company 10-K, the Company’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 9, 2007 or the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC since January 1, 2007 but prior to the date hereof (excluding any risk factor disclosures contained in such documents under the heading “Risk Factors” and any disclosure of risks included in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or other statements that are similarly non-specific and are predictive or forward-looking in nature) if the relevance of such disclosure as an exception to one or more of the following representations and warranties is reasonably apparent, or (ii) the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company represents and warrants to Parent that:

      Section 4.01 . Corporate Existence and Power. The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all corporate powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted, except for those licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals the absence of which would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company

13

 


 

is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except for those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.02 . Corporate Authorization. (a) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the Company’s corporate powers and, except for the required approval of the Company’s stockholders in connection with the consummation of the Merger, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Stock is the only vote of the holders of any of the Company’s capital stock necessary in connection with the consummation of the Merger (the “ Company Stockholder Approval ”). This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of the Company.

      (b) At a meeting duly called and held, the Company’s Board of Directors, acting upon the unanimous recommendation of the Transaction Committee, has (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders, (ii) approved and adopted this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) resolved (subject to Section 6.03) to recommend approval and adoption of this Agreement by its stockholders (such recommendation, the “ Company Board Recommendation ”). Such determination, approval and resolution is in effect and has not been rescinded or modified as of the date hereof.

      Section 4.03 . Governmental Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby require no action by or in respect of, or filing with, any Governmental Authority other than (i) the filing of a certificate of merger with respect to the Merger with the Delaware Secretary of State and appropriate documents with the relevant authorities of other states in which the Company is qualified to do business; (ii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act; (iii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and any other applicable U.S. state or federal securities laws; (iv) the approval of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “ FDIC ”) under the Change in Bank Control Act; (v) the approval of the Utah Commissioner of Financial Institutions (“ Utah Commissioner ”) under the Utah Financial Institutions Act; (vi) the approval of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the “ NASD ”); (vii) any required approvals of any state licensing authorities having jurisdiction over the Company and any of its Subsidiaries; and (viii) any actions or filings the absence of which would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

14

 


 

      Section 4.04 . Non-Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) contravene, conflict with, or result in any violation or breach of any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, (ii) assuming compliance with the matters referred to in Section 4.03, contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any Applicable Law, (iii) require any consent or other action by any Person under, constitute a default, or an event that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default, under, or cause or permit the termination, cancellation, acceleration or other change of any right or obligation or the loss of any benefit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iv) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, with such exceptions, in the case of each of clauses (ii) through (iv), as would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.05 . Capitalization. (a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 1,125,000,000 shares of Company Stock and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, of which 3,450,000 shares have been designated as Series A Preferred Stock and 4,000,000 shares have been designated as Series B Preferred Stock. As of April 9, 2007, there were outstanding 411,024,600 voting shares of Company Stock (which includes all outstanding shares of Restricted Stock), 3,300,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, 4,000,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, Company Stock Options to purchase an aggregate of 43,046,601 shares of Company Stock (of which Company Stock Options to purchase an aggregate of 25,550,133 shares of Company Stock were exercisable), 689,071.62 Restricted Stock Units and 949,378 deferred stock units credited to employees’ and directors’ accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plans. The Company has an obligation to issue up to 40,800 shares of Company Stock to participants in the ESPP in respect of the offering period thereunder ending April 30, 2007. All outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. Section 4.05(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth, as of the date hereof, the (i) aggregate number of Restricted Stock Units outstanding and (ii) aggregate number of Company Stock Options and the weighted average exercise price thereof.

      (b) Except as set forth in Section 4.05(a) and for changes since April 9, 2007 resulting from the exercise of employee and director stock options outstanding on such date, as of the date hereof there are no outstanding (i) shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company, (ii) securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or voting securities of the Company or (iii) options or other rights to acquire from the Company, or other obligation of the Company to issue, any capital stock, voting

15

 


 

securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock or voting securities of the Company (the items in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) being referred to collectively as the “ Company Securities ”). There are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Company Securities. To the knowledge of the Company, no shares of Common Stock are held by any Subsidiary of the Company.

      Section 4.06 . Subsidiaries. (a) Each Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation or other entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, has all corporate or other powers and all governmental licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted, except where the failure to be so organized, existing and in good standing or the failure to have all such licenses, authorizations, permits, consents and approvals would not be reasonably expected to have, individually and in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Each such Subsidiary is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where such qualification is necessary, except for those jurisdictions where failure to be so qualified would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. All material Subsidiaries of the Company are identified on Section 4.06(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

      (b) All of the outstanding capital stock of, or other voting securities or ownership interests in, each Subsidiary of the Company, is owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any Lien and free of any other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests). There are no outstanding (i) securities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in any Subsidiary of the Company or (ii) options or other rights to acquire from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or other obligation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for any capital stock or other voting securities or ownership interests in, any Subsidiary of the Company (the items in clauses (i) and (ii) being referred to collectively as the “ Company Subsidiary Securities ”). There are no outstanding obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the Company Subsidiary Securities.

      Section 4.07 . SEC Filings and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. (a) The Company has delivered or made available (for purposes of this Agreement, filings that are publicly available prior to the date hereof on the EDGAR system of the SEC under the name of the Company or of a Company Subsidiary are deemed to have been made available) to Parent each final registration statement, prospectus, report, schedule and definitive proxy statement filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Company pursuant to the 1933 Act or 1934 Act since January 1, 2006 and

16

 


 

prior to the date of this Agreement (the documents referred to in this Section 4.07(a), collectively, the “ Company SEC Documents ”).

      (b) As of its filing date, each Company SEC Document complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act, as the case may be.

      (c) As of its filing date, each Company SEC Document filed pursuant to the 1934 Act did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

      (d) Each Company SEC Document that is a registration statement, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, filed pursuant to the 1933 Act, as of the date such registration statement or amendment became effective, did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.

      (e) The Company has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the 1934 Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated Subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the periods in which the periodic reports required under the 1934 Act are being prepared. Such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to material information required to be included in the Company’s periodic reports required under the 1934 Act.

      (f) The Company and its Subsidiaries have established and maintained a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the 1934 Act) (“ internal controls ”). Such internal controls are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company’s financial reporting and the preparation of Company financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. The Company has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation of internal controls prior to the date hereof, to the Company’s auditors and audit committee (x) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (y) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in internal controls. The Company has made available to Parent a summary of any such disclosure made by management to the Company’s auditors and audit committee since December 31, 2005.

      (g) There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any executive officer (as defined in

17

 


 

Rule 3b-7 under the 1934 Act) or director of the Company other than those made in the ordinary course of the Company’s business and on substantially the same terms as those prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with persons not related to the Company. The Company has not, since the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

      Section 4.08 . Financial Statements. The audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of the Company included in the Company SEC Documents fairly present, in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto), the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their consolidated results of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject to normal year-end adjustments in amounts consistent with past experience and the absence of footnotes in the case of any unaudited interim financial statements). The books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries have been, and are being, maintained in all material respects in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements and reflect only actual transactions.

      Section 4.09 . Disclosure Documents. The proxy statement of the Company to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger (the “ Company Proxy Statement ”) and any amendments or supplements thereto will, when filed, comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the 1934 Act.At the time the Company Proxy Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto is first mailed to stockholders of the Company, and at the time such stockholders vote on adoption of this Agreement and at the Effective Time, the Company Proxy Statement, as supplemented or amended, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representations and warranties contained in this Section 4.09 will not apply to statements or omissions included in the Company Proxy Statement based upon information furnished to the Company by Parent specifically for use therein.

      Section 4.10 . Absence of Certain Changes. Since the Company Balance Sheet Date, (i) the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been conducted only in the ordinary course consistent with past practices and (ii) there has not been any event, occurrence, development or state of circumstances or facts that has had or would be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.11 . No Undisclosed Material Liabilities. There are no liabilities or obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, other than:

18

 


 

      (a) liabilities or obligations disclosed and provided for in the Company Balance Sheet or in the notes thereto;

      (b) liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business since the Company Balance Sheet Date; and

      (c) liabilities or obligations that would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.12 . Compliance with Laws and Court Orders . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries is, and since January 1, 2005 has been, in compliance with, and to the knowledge of the Company is not under investigation with respect to and has not been threatened to be charged with or given notice of any violation of, any Applicable Law, except for failures to comply or violations that have not had and would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

      Section 4.13 . Litigation. Other than any matter addressed in the next sentence, there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or otherwise affecting, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries before any Governmental Authority or arbitrator, that would be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. As of the date hereof, there is no action, suit, investigation or proceeding pending against, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting, the Company that in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby.

      Section 4.14 . Finders’ Fees. Except for UBS Securities LLC, Greenhill & Co., LLC and Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P., there are no investment bankers, brokers, finders or other intermediaries that have been retained by, or authorized to act on behalf of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries who might be entitled to any fee or commission from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. True and complete copies of the engagement letters of UBS Securities LLC, Greenhill & Co., LLC and Sandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P., relating to the foregoing have previously been provided to Parent.

      Section 4.15 . Opinions of Financial Advisors. The Transaction Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company have received the separate opinions of each of UBS Securities LLC and Greenhill & Co., LLC, financial advisors to the Transaction Committee, to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement, the Merger Consideration is fair to the holders of Company Stock from a financial point of view, subject to the limitations set forth therein.

      Section 4.16 . Taxes . (a) All material Tax Returns (as herein defined) required by Applicable Law to be filed with any Taxing Authority (as herein

19

 


 

defined) by, or on behalf of, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been filed when due in accordance with all Applicable Law (taking into account any applicable extensions), and all such filed Tax Returns are, or shall be at the time of filing, true and complete in all material respects.

      (b) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has paid (or has had paid on its behalf) or has withheld and remitted to the appropriate Taxing Authority all material Taxes due and payable, or, where payment is not yet due, has established in accordance with GAAP an adequate accrual for all material Taxes through the end of the last period for which the Company and its Subsidiaries ordinarily record items on their respective books.

      (c) There is no claim, audit, action, suit, proceeding or investigation now pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against or with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries in respect of any material Tax or Tax asset.

      (d) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or agreement or arrangement, other than such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among the Company and its Subsidiaries.

      (e) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has within the past two years, or otherwise as part of a “plan (or series of related transactions)” (within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code) of which the Merger is also a part, been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a distribution intended to qualify under Section 355(a) of the Code.

      (f) 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) that has not been disclosed on the relevant Tax Return.

      (g) “ Tax ” means (i) any tax, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever (including withholding on amounts paid to or by any Person), together with any interest, penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any Governmental Authority (a “ Taxing Authority ”) responsible for the imposition of any such tax (domestic or foreign), and any liability for any of the foregoing as transferee, and (ii) in the case of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, liability for the payment of any amount of the type described in clause (i) as a result of being or having been before the Effective Time a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group, or a party to any agreement or arrangement, as a result of which liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to a Taxing Authority is determined or taken into account with reference to the activities of any other Person. “ Tax Return ” means any report, return, document, declaration or other information or filing supplied or required to be supplied to any Taxing Authority with respect to Taxes, including information returns, any documents with respect to or accompanying payments of estimated Taxes, or with respect to or accompanying requests for the

20

 


 

extension of time in which to file any such report, return, document, declaration or other information.

      Section 4.17 . Employee Benefit Plans. (a) Section 4.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a correct and complete list identifying each material “employee benefit plan,” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and each material written employment, severance or similar contract, plan, arrangement or policy and each other material written plan or arrangement providing for compensation, bonuses, profit-sharing, stock option or other stock related rights or other forms of incentive or deferred compensation, vacation benefits, insurance (including any self-insured arrangements), health or medical benefits, employee assistance program, disability or sick leave benefits, workers’ compensation, supplemental unemployment benefits, severance benefits and post-employment or retirement benefits (including compensation, pension, health, medical or life insurance benefits) which is maintained, administered or contributed to by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate and covers any employee or former employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or with respect to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any material liability. Copies of such plans (and, if applicable, related trust or funding agreements or insurance policies) and all amendments thereto have been made available to Parent together with the most recent annual report (Form 5500 including, if applicable, Schedule B thereto) and tax return (Form 990) prepared in connection with any such plan or trust. Such plans are referred to collectively herein as the “ Employee Plans ”.

      (b) Except as would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, no “accumulated funding deficiency,” as defined in Section 412 of the Code, has been incurred with respect to any Employee Plan subject to Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived. No “reportable event,” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, other than a “reportable event” that would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and no event described in Section 4062 or 4063 of ERISA, has occurred in connection with any Employee Plan. Except as would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, (i) all premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“ PBGC ”) have been timely paid in full, (ii) no liability (other than for premiums to the PBGC) under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) the PBGC has not instituted proceedings to terminate any such Plan.

      (c) Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate nor any predecessor thereof contributes to, or has in the past five years contributed to, any multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3(37) 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.

      (d) Each Employee Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter, or has

21

 


 

pending or has time remaining in which to file, an application for such determination from the Internal Revenue Service, and the Company is not aware of any reason why any such determination letter should be revoked or not be reissued. The Company has made available to Parent copies of the most recent Internal Revenue Service determination letters with respect to each such Employee Plan. Each Employee Plan has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including ERISA and the Code, which are applicable to such Employee Plan. Except as would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, no events have occurred with respect to any Employee Plan that could result in payment or assessment by or against the Company of any material excise taxes under the Code.

      (e) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any material liability in respect of post-retirement health, medical or life insurance benefits for retired, former or current employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries except as required to avoid excise tax under Section 4980B of the Code.

      (f) There has been no amendment to, written interpretation or announcement by the Company or any of its Affiliates relating to, or change in employee participation or coverage under, an Employee Plan which would increase materially the expense of maintaining such Employee Plan above the level of the expense incurred in respect thereof for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

      (g) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or subject to, or is currently negotiating in connection with entering into, any collective bargaining agreement or other contract or understanding with a labor union or organization.

      (h) All contributions and payments accrued under each Employee Plan, determined in accordance with prior funding and accrual practices, as adjusted to include proportional accruals for the period ending as of the date hereof, have been discharged and paid on or prior to the date hereof except to the extent reflected as a liability on the Company Balance Sheet.

      (i) There is no action, suit, investigation, audit or proceeding pending against or involving or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving, any Employee Plan before any Governmental Authority.

      (j) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) result in, cause the accelerated vesting, funding or delivery of, or increase the amount or value of, any payment or benefit to any employee, officer or director 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,

22

 


 

merge, terminate or receive a reversion of assets from any Employee Plan or related trust.

      (k) Since the Company Balance Sheet Date, the Company has not taken any action that would have been constrained by the provisions of Section 6.01(k) with respect to any director or executive officer of the Company had such action occurred after the date hereof.

      Section 4.18 . Environmental Matters. Except as would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect:

      (i) no written notice, order, complaint or penalty has been received by the Company or any Subsidiary arising out of any Environmental Law, and there are no judicial, administrative or other actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened which allege a violation by the Company or any Subsidiary of any Environmental Laws;

      (ii) the Company and each Subsidiary have all environmental permits necessary for their operations to comply with all applicable Environmental Laws and are in compliance with the terms of such permits; and

      (iii) the operations of the Company and each Subsidiary are in compliance with the terms of applicable Environmental Laws.

      Section 4.19 . Real Property. Except as would not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries:

      (a) has good and marketable title to all the real property reflected in the Company Balance Sheet as being owned by the Company or one of its Subsidiaries or acquired after the date thereof (except properties sold or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary course of business) (the “ Owned Properties ”), free and clear of all Liens of, except (i) statutory Liens securing payments not yet due, (ii) statutory Liens for real property Taxes not yet due and payable, (iii) easements, righ


 
SITE SEARCH

AGREEMENTS / CONTRACTS

Document Title:

Entire Document: (optional)

Governing Law:(optional)


Try our advanced search >>
 

CLAUSES

Search Contract Clauses >>

Browse Contract Clause Library>>

Get Email Updates
Email:
This is only a partial view of this document. We have millions of legal documents and clauses drafted by top law firms. learn more search for free browse for free learn more