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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Agreement and Plan of Merger

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Frontier Financial Corporation | SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC

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Title: AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
Governing Law: Delaware     Date: 8/6/2009
Industry: Regional Banks     Law Firm: Sidley Austin;Olshan Grundman;Proskauer Rose     Sector: Financial

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, Parties: frontier financial corporation , sp acquisition holdings  inc
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EXECUTION COPY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

by and between

 

SP ACQUISITION HOLDINGS, INC.

 

and

 

FRONTIER FINANCIAL CORPORATION

 

Dated as of July 30, 2009

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Table of Contents

 


 


 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

DEFINITIONS 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 1  TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF MERGER 

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1  Merger. 

 

 

13

 

1.2  Time and Place of Closing. 

 

 

14

 

1.3  Effective Time. 

 

 

14

 

1.4  Assumption of Liabilities. 

 

 

14

 

1.5  Restructure of Transaction. 

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 2  TERMS OF MERGER 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1  Charter. 

 

 

15

 

2.2  Bylaws. 

 

 

15

 

2.3  Directors and Officers. 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 3  MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1  Conversion of Shares. 

 

 

16

 

3.2  Anti-Dilution Provisions. 

 

 

16

 

3.3  Dissenters’ Rights. 

 

 

17

 

3.4  Fractional Shares. 

 

 

17

 

3.5  Stock Options and other Stock-Based Awards. 

 

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 4  EXCHANGE OF SHARES 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.1  Exchange Procedures. 

 

 

18

 

4.2  Rights of Former FFC Stockholders. 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 5  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FFC

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.1  Organization, Standing, and Power. 

 

 

19

 

5.2  Authority of FFC; No Breach By the Agreement. 

 

 

20

 

5.3  Capital Stock. 

 

 

21

 

5.4  FFC Subsidiaries.

 

 

21

 

5.5  Exchange Act Filings; Securities Offerings; Financial Statements.

 

 

22

 

5.6  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.

 

 

23

 

5.7  Absence of Certain Changes or Events. 

 

 

24

 

5.8  Tax Matters.

 

 

24

 

5.9  Allowance for Possible Loan Losses; Loan and Investment Portfolio, etc.

 

 

27

 

5.10  Assets. 

 

 

28

 

5.11  Intellectual Property. 

 

 

28

 

5.12  Environmental Matters. 

 

 

29

 

5.13  Compliance with Laws. 

 

 

30

 

 

i


 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

 

 

5.14  Labor Relations. 

 

 

32

 

5.15  Employee Benefit Plans. 

 

 

33

 

5.16  Material Contracts. 

 

 

36

 

5.17  Properties and Leases. 

 

 

37

 

5.18  Privacy of Customer Information.

 

 

38

 

5.19  Legal Proceedings. 

 

 

39

 

5.20  Reports.

 

 

39

 

5.21  Books and Records. 

 

 

39

 

5.22  Loans to Executive Officers, Directors and Principal Shareholders. 

 

 

40

 

5.23  Independence of Directors.

 

 

40

 

5.24  Fiduciary Activities. 

 

 

40

 

5.25  Tax and Regulatory Matters; Consents. 

 

 

40

 

5.26  State Takeover Laws.

 

 

41

 

5.27  Stockholders’ Support Agreements. 

 

 

41

 

5.28  Brokers and Finders; Opinion of Financial Advisor. 

 

 

41

 

5.29  No Participation In TARP. 

 

 

41

 

5.30  Board Recommendation. 

 

 

41

 

5.31  Statements True and Correct. 

 

 

42

 

5.32  Approvals. 

 

 

42

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 6  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SPAH 

 

 

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.1  Organization, Standing, and Power. 

 

 

43

 

6.2  Authority; No Breach By the Agreement. 

 

 

43

 

6.3  Capital Stock. 

 

 

44

 

6.4  SPAH Subsidiaries. 

 

 

44

 

6.5  Exchange Act Filings; Securities Offerings; Financial Statements. 

 

 

44

 

6.6  Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.

 

 

46

 

6.7  Absence of Certain Changes or Events. 

 

 

46

 

6.8  Tax Matters. 

 

 

47

 

6.9  Assets. 

 

 

49

 

6.10  Intellectual Property. 

 

 

50

 

6.11  Environmental Matters. 

 

 

50

 

6.12  Compliance with Laws. 

 

 

50

 

6.13  Labor Relations. 

 

 

51

 

6.14  Employee Benefit Plans. 

 

 

52

 

6.15  Material Contracts.

 

 

52

 

6.16  Properties and Leases.

 

 

53

 

6.17  Legal Proceedings. 

 

 

53

 

6.18  Reports.

 

 

53

 

6.19  Books and Records. 

 

 

53

 

6.20  Loans to Executive Officers and Directors. 

 

 

54

 

6.21  Independence of Directors. 

 

 

54

 

 

ii


 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

 

 

6.22  Tax and Regulatory Matters; Consents.

 

 

54

 

6.23  Brokers and Finders. 

 

 

54

 

6.24  Board Recommendation. 

 

 

54

 

6.25  Statements True and Correct. 

 

 

55

 

6.26  SPAH Trust Fund. 

 

 

55

 

6.27  Prior Business Operations.

 

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 7  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION 

 

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.1  Affirmative Covenants of FFC. 

 

 

56

 

7.2  Negative Covenants of the Parties. 

 

 

56

 

7.3  Affirmative Covenants of SPAH. 

 

 

59

 

7.4  Adverse Changes in Condition. 

 

 

59

 

7.5  Reports. 

 

 

59

 

7.6  Claims Against Trust Account. 

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 8  ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS 

 

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.1  Registration Statement; Joint Proxy Statement.

 

 

60

 

8.2  Stockholder and Warrantholder Approvals. 

 

 

62

 

8.3  Other Offers, etc. 

 

 

62

 

8.4  Consents of Regulatory Authorities.

 

 

64

 

8.5  Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate. 

 

 

64

 

8.6  Investigation and Confidentiality.

 

 

64

 

8.7  Press Releases. 

 

 

65

 

8.8  Charter Provisions. 

 

 

65

 

8.9  Employee Benefits and Contracts.

 

 

66

 

8.10  Indemnification.

 

 

67

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 9  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE 

 

 

68

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.1  Conditions to Obligations of Each Party. 

 

 

68

 

9.2  Conditions to Obligations of SPAH.

 

 

70

 

9.3  Conditions to Obligations of FFC. 

 

 

72

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 10  TERMINATION 

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.1  Termination. 

 

 

73

 

10.2  Effect of Termination. 

 

 

75

 

10.3  Non-Survival of Representations and Covenants.

 

 

75

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE 11  MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.1  Expenses. 

 

 

76

 

 

iii


 

 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

 

 

11.2  Brokers, Finders and Financial Advisors. 

 

 

77

 

11.3  Entire Agreement. 

 

 

77

 

11.4  Amendments. 

 

 

77

 

11.5  Waivers. 

 

 

78

 

11.6  Assignment. 

 

 

78

 

11.7  Notices. 

 

 

78

 

11.8  Governing Law. 

 

 

80

 

11.9  Counterparts. 

 

 

80

 

11.10  Captions; Articles and Sections. 

 

 

80

 

11.11  Interpretations. 

 

 

81

 

11.12  Enforcement of Agreement. 

 

 

81

 

11.13  Severability. 

 

 

81

 

11.14  No Third Party Beneficiaries. 

 

 

81

 



LIST OF APPENDICES AND EXHIBITS

 

 

 

Exhibit

 

Description

 

 

 

A

 

Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation

 

 

 

B

 

Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation

 

 

 

C

 

Form of Support Agreement

 

 

 

D

 

Form of Lock-up Agreement

 

 

 

E

 

Form of Warrant Amendment Agreement

 

 

iv


 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of July 30, 2009, is by and between SP Acquisition Holdings, Inc. , a Delaware corporation (“ SPAH ”) and Frontier Financial Corporation , a Washington corporation (“ FFC ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , the Boards of Directors of FFC and SPAH have determined that it is in the best interests of their respective companies and their stockholders to consummate the strategic business combination transaction provided for in this Agreement in which FFC will, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, merge with and into, SPAH (the “ Merger ”), with SPAH as the Surviving Corporation in the Merger;

 

WHEREAS , the Parties intend the Merger to be treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “ Code ”), and intend for this Agreement to constitute a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of the Code; and

 

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

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the above and the mutual warranties, representations, covenants, and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration and the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

 

DEFINITIONS

 

(a)           Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:

 

Acquisition Proposal ” means any inquiry, offer, or proposal (whether communicated to the applicable Party or publicly announced to a Party’s stockholders) by any Person (except, in the case of a proposal to FFC, other than a proposal from SPAH or any of its Affiliates) for an Acquisition Transaction involving a Party or any of its present or future consolidated Subsidiaries, or any combination of such Subsidiaries, the assets of which constitute 5% or more of the consolidated assets of the Party as reflected on such Party’s consolidated statement of condition prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

Acquisition Transaction ” means any transaction or series of related transactions (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) involving: (i) any acquisition or purchase from a Party by any Person or Group (except, in the case of a proposal to FFC, a proposal from SPAH or any of its Affiliates) of 25% or more in interest of the total outstanding voting securities (or options, warrants, or Rights, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, such securities) of such Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person or Group (except, in the case of a proposal to FFC, other than SPAH or any of its Affiliates) beneficially owning 25% or more in interest of the total outstanding voting securities (or options, warrants, or Rights, or securities convertible into or

 

 

 

1


 

 

exchangeable for, such securities) of a Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving a Party pursuant to which the stockholders of such Party immediately preceding such transaction hold less than 90% of the equity interests in the surviving or resulting entity (which includes the parent corporation of any constituent corporation to any such transaction) of such transaction; (ii) any sale or lease (other than in the ordinary course of business), or exchange, transfer, license (other than in the ordinary course of business), acquisition or disposition of 5% or more of the assets of a Party; or (iii) any liquidation or dissolution of FFC or SPAH, other than as provided for in the SPAH Trust Agreement; provided that, for purposes of Section 11.1(b), “Acquisition Transaction” will include any acquisition, by tender or exchange offer, merger, consolidation or other business combination or otherwise, directly or indirectly, of any Person by a Party.

 

Affiliate ” of a Person means: (i) any other Person directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person; (ii) any officer, director, partner, employer, or direct or indirect beneficial owner of any 10% or greater equity or voting interest of such Person; or (iii) any other Person for which a Person described in clause (ii) acts in any such capacity.  For purposes of this definition, a Person shall be deemed to have control of another Person if it has the direct or indirect ability or power to direct or cause the direction of management policies of such other Person or otherwise direct the affairs of such other Person, whether through ownership of more than 50% of the voting securities of such other Person, by Contract or otherwise.

 

 “ Articles of Merger ” means the Articles of Merger to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington.

 

Assets ” of a Person means all of the assets (including securities), properties, businesses and rights of such Person of every kind, nature, character and description, whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, accrued or contingent, or otherwise relating to or utilized in such Person’s business, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, whether or not carried on the books and records of such Person, and whether or not owned in the name of such Person or any Affiliate of such Person and wherever located.

 

Bank ” means Frontier Bank, a Washington state bank and a wholly owned Subsidiary of FFC.

 

Bank Secrecy Act ” means The Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended.

 

 “Business Day” means any date that is not a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banks located in New York City are authorized or required to be closed.

 

Certificate of Merger ” means the certificate of merger to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State.

 

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

 

Commission ” or “ SEC ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

 

2


 

 

Consent ” means any consent, approval, authorization, clearance, exemption, waiver, or similar affirmation by any Person pursuant to any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit.

 

Contract ” means any written or oral agreement, arrangement, authorization, commitment, contract, indenture, instrument, lease, license, obligation, plan, practice, restriction, understanding, or undertaking of any kind or character, or other document to which any Person is a Party or that is binding on any Person or its capital stock, Assets or business.

 

Default ” means (i) any breach or violation of, default under, contravention of, or conflict with, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit, (ii) any occurrence of any event that with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a breach or violation of, default under, contravention of, or conflict with, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit, or (iii) any occurrence of any event that with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice would give rise to a right of any Person to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, terminate or revoke, suspend, cancel, or modify or change the current terms of, or renegotiate, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to increase or impose any Liability under, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit.

 

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

 

Employee Benefit Plan ” means each pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, employee stock ownership, share purchase, severance pay, vacation, bonus, retention, change in control or other incentive plan, medical, vision, dental or other health plan, or program or other arrangement, any life insurance plan, flexible spending account, cafeteria plan, vacation, holiday, disability, death or any other employee benefit plan or fringe benefit plan, including any “employee benefit plan,” as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA and any other plan, fund, policy, program, practice, custom understanding or arrangement providing compensation or other benefits, whether or not such Employee Benefit Plan is or is intended to be (i) covered or qualified under the Code, ERISA or any other applicable Law, (ii) written or oral, (iii) funded or unfunded, (iv) actual or contingent or (v) arrived at through collective bargaining or otherwise.

 

Environmental Laws ” shall mean all Laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata) and which are administered, interpreted or enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and state and local Governmental Authorities with jurisdiction over, and including common law in respect of, pollution or protection of the environment, including: (i) the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C.  §§ 9601, et seq.  (“ CERCLA ”); (ii) the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C.  §§ 6901, et seq.  (“RCRA”); (iii) the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (42 U.S.C.  §§ 11001, et seq.); (iv) the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.  §§ 7401, et seq.); (v) the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.  §§ 1251, et seq.); (vi) the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C.  §§ 2601, et seq.); (vii) any state, county, municipal or local statues, laws or ordinances similar or analogous to the federal statutes listed in parts (i) — (vi) of this subparagraph; (viii) any amendments to the statues, laws or ordinances

 

 

 

3


 

 

listed in parts (i) — (vi) of this subparagraph, regardless of whether in existence on the date hereof, (ix) any rules, regulations, guidelines, directives, orders or the like adopted pursuant to or implementing the statutes, laws, ordinances and amendments listed in parts (i) — (vii) of this subparagraph; and (x) any other law, statute, ordinance, amendment, rule, regulation, guideline, directive, order or the like in effect now or in the future relating to environmental, health or safety matters and other Laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases, or threatened releases of any Hazardous Material, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, or handling of any Hazardous Material.

 

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

 

ERISA Affiliate ” means any entity if it would have ever been considered a single employer with the FFC under ERISA Section 4001(b) or part of the same “controlled group” as the FFC for purposes of ERISA Section 303(k)(6)(C) or Code Sections 414(b) or (c) or a Member of an affiliated service group for purposes of Code Section 414(m).

 

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

 

Exchange Act Documents ” means all forms, proxy statements, registration statements, reports, schedules, and other documents, including all certifications and statements required by the Exchange Act or Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to any report that is an Exchange Act Document, filed, or required to be filed, by a Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any Regulatory Authority pursuant to the Securities Laws.

 

Exhibits ” means the Exhibits so marked, copies of which are attached to this Agreement.  Such Exhibits are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof, and may be referred to in this Agreement and any other related instrument or document without being attached hereto or thereto.

 

FDIC ” shall mean the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

Federal Reserve ” shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

 

FFC Common Stock ” means the common stock, no par value, of FFC.

 

FFC Entities ” means, collectively, FFC and all FFC Subsidiaries.

 

FFC Financial Statements ” means (i) the consolidated balance sheets (including related notes and schedules, if any) of FFC as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 and as of June 30, 2009 and the related statements of earnings, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, 2007 and 2008, and for the six months ended June 30, 2009, and (ii) the consolidated balance sheets of FFC (including related notes and schedules, if any) and related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) with respect to periods ended subsequent to June 30, 2009.

 

 

 

4


 

 

FFC Material Adverse Effect ” means an event, change or occurrence which, individually or together with any other event, change or occurrence, has a material adverse effect on (i) the financial position, property, business, assets or results of operations of FFC and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of FFC to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that “FFC Material Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include the effects of (A) changes in banking and other Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by Governmental Authorities, (B) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to banks and their holding companies, (C) actions and omissions of FFC (or any of its Subsidiaries) taken with the prior written consent of SPAH in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (D) changes in economic conditions affecting financial institutions generally, including changes in market interest rates or the projected future interest rate environment; provided, however, that this exception shall not be given effect to the extent that such change has a disproportionate effect on FFC, (E) any modifications or changes to valuation policies and practices in connection with the Merger or restructuring charges taken in connection with the Merger, in each case in accordance with GAAP, or (F) direct effects of compliance with this Agreement on the operating performance of FFC, including expenses incurred by FFC in consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

FFC Real Property ” means all Owned Real Property and all Leased Real Property.

 

FFC Stock Plans ” means the Frontier Financial Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated Frontier Financial Corporation Incentive Stock Option Plan, Frontier Financial Corporation 1999 Employee Stock Award Plan, Frontier Financial Corporation 2001 Stock Award Plan, Interbancorp, Inc. 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, Interbancorp, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan, NorthStar Bank 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan, NorthStar Bank 1994 Employee Stock Option Plan and NorthStar Director Nonqualified Stock Option Plan and Liberty Bay Financial Corporation Incentive Stock Option Plan II.

 

 “ FFC Stockholder Approval ” means the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, by the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of FFC Common Stock entitled to vote on the Merger in accordance with applicable Law.

 

FFC Subsidiaries ” means the Subsidiaries, if any, of FFC, as of the date of this Agreement.

 

 “ GAAP ” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied during the periods involved.

 

Governmental Authority ” shall mean any federal, state, local, foreign, or other court, board, body, commission, agency, authority or instrumentality, arbitral authority, self-regulatory authority, mediator, tribunal, including Regulatory Authorities and Taxing Authorities.

 

Group ” shall mean two or more Persons acting in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities of an issuer.

 

 

 

5


 

 

Hazardous Material ” shall mean any chemical, substance, waste, material, pollutant, or contaminant defined as or deemed hazardous or toxic or otherwise regulated under any Environmental Law, including RCRA hazardous wastes, CERCLA hazardous substances, and HSRA regulated substances, pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, oil and petroleum products or byproducts and any constituents thereof, urea formaldehyde insulation, lead in paint or drinking water, mold, asbestos, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): (i) any hazardous substance, hazardous material, hazardous waste, regulated substance, or toxic substance (as those terms are defined by any applicable Environmental Laws) and (ii) any chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, petroleum products, or oil (and specifically shall include asbestos requiring abatement, removal, or encapsulation pursuant to the requirements of Environmental Law), provided, notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the words “Hazardous Material” shall not mean or include any such Hazardous Material used, generated, manufactured, stored, disposed of or otherwise handled in normal quantities in the ordinary course of business in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, or such that may be naturally occurring in any ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface strata.

 

Intellectual Property ” means copyrights, patents, trademarks, service marks, service names, trade names, domain names, together with all goodwill associated therewith, registrations and applications therefore, technology rights and licenses, computer software (including any source or object codes therefore or documentation relating thereto), trade secrets, franchises, know-how, inventions, and other intellectual property rights.

 

Joint Proxy Statement ” means the prospectus/joint proxy statement included as part of the Registration Statement.

 

Keefe Bruyette ” means Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.

 

Knowledge ” as used with respect to a Person (including references to such Person being aware of a particular matter) means those facts that are known or should reasonably have been known after due inquiry by the chairman, president, or chief financial officer, or any senior or executive vice president of such Person.

 

Law ” means any code, law (including common law), ordinance, regulation, reporting or licensing requirement, rule, statute, regulation or order applicable to a Person or its Assets, Liabilities or business, including those promulgated, interpreted or enforced by any Regulatory Authority.

 

Liability ” means any direct or indirect, primary or secondary, liability, indebtedness, obligation, penalty, cost or expense (including costs of investigation, collection and defense), claim, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any Person (other than endorsements of notes, bills, checks, and drafts presented for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business) of any type, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, matured or unmatured, or otherwise.

 

 

 

6


 

 

Lien ” means any conditional sale agreement, default of title, easement, encroachment, encumbrance, hypothecation, infringement, lien, mortgage, pledge, reservation, restriction, security interest, title retention or other security arrangement, or any adverse right or interest, charge, or claim of any nature whatsoever of, on, or with respect to any property or any property interest, other than (i) liens for current property Taxes not yet due and payable, and (ii) for any depository institution, pledges to secure public deposits and other liens incurred in the ordinary course of the banking business.

 

Litigation ” means any action, arbitration, cause of action, lawsuit, claim, complaint, criminal prosecution, governmental or other examination or investigation, audit (other than regular audits of financial statements by outside auditors), compliance review, inspection, hearing, administrative or other proceeding relating to or affecting a Party, its business, its Assets or Liabilities (including Contracts related to Assets or Liabilities), or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, but shall not include regular, periodic examinations of depository institutions and their Affiliates by Regulatory Authorities.

 

Losses ” means any and all demands, claims, actions or causes of action, assessments, losses, diminution in value, damages (including special and consequential damages), liabilities, costs, and expenses, including interest, penalties, cost of investigation and defense, and reasonable attorneys’ and other professional fees and expenses.

 

Material ” or “ material ” for purposes of this Agreement shall be determined in light of the facts and circumstances of the matter in question; provided that any specific monetary amount stated in this Agreement shall determine materiality in that instance.

 

“NASDAQ” means The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

“NYSE Amex” means NYSE Amex LLC.

 

 “ Operating Property ” means any property other than OREO that is owned, leased, or operated by the Party in question or by any of its Subsidiaries or in which such Party or Subsidiary holds a security interest or other interest (including an interest in a fiduciary capacity), and used by such Party or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of their business or held by such Party or Subsidiary for future use in their business.

 

 “ OREO ” means all real estate that is owned by any FFC Entity, including any real estate acquired by foreclosure or by deed-in-lieu thereof, that is not occupied and used by such FFC Entity in the ordinary course of business or held by an FFC Entity for future use.

 

Order ” means any administrative decision or award, decree, injunction, judgment, order, quasi-judicial decision or award, directive, ruling, or writ of any Governmental Authority.

 

Participation Facility ” means any facility or property in which the Party in question or any of its Subsidiaries participates in the management and, where required by the context, means the owner or operator of such facility or property, but only with respect to such facility or property.

 

 

 

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Party ” means SPAH or FFC and “ Parties ” means both of such Persons.

 

Permit ” means any Governmental Authority approval, authorization, certificate, easement, filing, franchise, license, notice, permit, or right to which any Person is a Party or that is or may be binding upon or inure to the benefit of any Person or its securities, Assets, or business.

 

Person ” means a natural person or any legal, commercial or Governmental Authority, such as, but not limited to, a corporation, general partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, trust, business association, group acting in concert, or any person acting in a representative capacity.

 

Privacy Requirements ” means: (i) Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act of 1999, as amended (the “ GLB Act ”); (ii) Federal regulations implementing such act and codified at 12 C.F.R.  Part 332; (iii) the Interagency Guidelines Establishing Standards for Safeguarding Customer Information set forth in 12 C.F.R. Part 364; and (iv) any other applicable Requirements of Law relating to the privacy and security of Customer Information.

 

Prospectus ” means the final prospectus of SPAH, dated as of October 10, 2007.

 

Registration Statement ” means a registration statement, together with any and all amendments and supplements thereto, on Form S-4 filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, and complying with applicable state securities Laws and including a prospectus/joint proxy statement satisfying all requirements of applicable state securities Laws and the Securities Act.

 

 “Regulation O” means the regulation set forth at 12 C.F.R. Part 215.

 

Regulatory Authorities ” means, collectively, the Commission, the NYSE Amex, the State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions, the NASDAQ, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the FDIC, the Department of Justice, the Federal Reserve, the Federal Trade Commission and all other federal, state, county, local or other Governmental Authorities having jurisdiction over a Party or its Subsidiaries.

 

Representative ” means any investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant, consultant, or other representative or agent of a Person.

 

 “ Requirements of Law ” means, with respect to any Person, any certificate or articles of incorporation, as applicable, bylaws or other organizational or governing documents of such Person, and any law, ordinance, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, decree, injunction, permit, issuance or other determination, finding, guidance or recommendation of any Governmental Authority or final and binding determination of any arbitrator applicable to or binding upon such Person or to which such Person is subject, whether federal, state, county or local (including, if applicable, usury laws, the federal Truth-In-Lending Act, the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the federal Fair Credit

 

 

 

8


 

 

Reporting Act, the GLB Act, and rules and regulations of the Federal Reserve, each as amended from time to time).

 

Rights ” shall mean all arrangements, calls, commitments, Contracts, options, rights to subscribe to, scrip, warrants, or other binding obligations of any character whatsoever by which a Person is or may be bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other securities, securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock or other securities of a Person.

 

“Sandler O’Neill” means Sandler O’Neill + Partners, L.P.

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act ” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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

 

Securities Laws ” means the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, each as amended, and the rules and regulations of any Regulatory Authority promulgated thereunder.

 

SPAH Certificate of Incorporation ” means the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and restated on October 11, 2007.

 

SPAH Common Stock ” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of SPAH.

 

SPAH Entities ” means, collectively, SPAH and all SPAH Subsidiaries, if any.

 

 “ SPAH Financial Statements ” means (i) the balance sheets (including related notes and schedules, if any) of SPAH as of December 31, 2007 and 2008 and as of June 30, 2009 and the related statements of earnings, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) for each of the two years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008, and for the six months ended June 30, 2009, and (ii) the balance sheets of SPAH (including related notes and schedules, if any) and related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) with respect to periods ended subsequent to June 30, 2009.

 

SPAH IPO Common Stock ” means the 43,289,600 shares of SPAH Common Stock issued in connection with the SPAH initial public offering on October 16, 2007 and the exercise of the over-allotment option.

 

SPAH Material Adverse Effect ” means an event, change or occurrence which, individually or together with any other event, change or occurrence, has a material adverse effect on (i) the financial position, property, business, assets or results of operations of SPAH and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of SPAH to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this

 

 

 

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Agreement; provided that “SPAH Material Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include the effects of (A) changes in banking and other Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by Governmental Authorities, (B) changes in GAAP or regulatory accounting principles generally applicable to banks and their holding companies, (C) actions and omissions of SPAH (or any of its Subsidiaries) taken with the prior written consent of FFC in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby, (D) changes in economic conditions affecting financial institutions generally, including changes in market interest rates or the projected future interest rate environment; provided, however, that this exception shall not be given effect to the extent that such change has a disproportionate effect on SPAH (E) any modifications or changes to valuation policies and practices in connection with the Merger or restructuring charges taken in connection with the Merger, in each case in accordance with GAAP, or (F) direct effects of compliance with this Agreement on the operating performance of SPAH, including expenses incurred by SPAH in consummating the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

SPAH Stockholder” means a Person who owns SPAH Common Stock.

 

SPAH Stockholder Approval ” means (a) the approval of this Agreement, on substantially the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger by (i) the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SPAH Common Stock entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, at the Stockholders Meeting and (ii) a majority of the SPAH IPO Common Stock cast at the Stockholders Meeting, in person or by proxy, with holders owning no more than 10% of the shares of the SPAH IPO Common Stock (minus one share) voting against the Agreement and the Merger and thereafter exercising their Conversion Rights and (b) the approval of the amendments to the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation set forth in Exhibit A by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of SPAH Common Stock entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, at the Stockholders Meeting.

 

SPAH Subsidiaries ” means the Subsidiaries of SPAH, which shall include any corporation, bank, savings association, limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other organization acquired as a Subsidiary of SPAH in the future and held as a Subsidiary by SPAH at the Effective Time.

 

SPAH Trust Agreement ” means the Investment Management Trust Agreement by and between SPAH and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of October 15, 2007.

 

 “ SPAH Warrants ” means warrants issued by SPAH, each entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of SPAH Common Stock on the terms and conditions set forth in the Amended and Restated Warrant Agreement dated as of October 4, 2007 between SPAH and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as the same may be amended from time to time.

 

SPAH Warrantholder” means a Person who owns SPAH Warrants.

 

SPAH Warrantholder Approval ” means the approval of the Warrant Amendment Agreement, insubstantially the form attached hereto, by (i) the holders of a majority of the SPAH Warrants entitled to vote on the Warrant Amendment Agreement at the Stockholders Meeting

 

 

 

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and (ii) a majority of the outstanding SPAH Warrants issued in, or subsequent to, SPAH’s initial public offering.

 

Stockholders Meetings ” means the FFC stockholders meeting, the SPAH stockholders meeting and the SPAH Warrantholders meeting, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof, each held in connection with the approval of this Agreement, the Warrant Amendment Agreement, as applicable, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Subsidiaries ” means all those corporations, banks, associations, or other entities of which the entity in question either (i) owns or controls 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities either directly or through an unbroken chain of entities as to each of which 50% or more of the outstanding equity securities is owned directly or indirectly by its parent (provided, there shall not be included any such entity the equity securities of which are owned or controlled in a fiduciary capacity), (ii) in the case of partnerships, serves as a general partner, (iii) in the case of a limited liability company, serves as a managing member, or (iv) otherwise has the ability to elect a majority of the directors, trustees or managing members thereof.

 

“Superior Proposal” means any unsolicited, bona fide written Acquisition Proposal (on its most recently amended or modified terms, if amended or modified) (i) involving the acquisition of at least a majority of the outstanding equity interest in, or all or substantially all of the assets and liabilities of a Party and (ii) on terms that the Board of Directors of such Party determines, in good faith, based upon consultations with its outside legal counsel and its financial advisors, (a) are more favorable to such Party’s stockholders, from a financial point of view, than this Agreement and the Merger, taken as a whole, and (b) is reasonably likely to be consummated on the terms so proposed, in each case with respect to sub clauses (a) and (b), taking into account, among other things, all legal, tax, financial, regulatory, timing and other aspects of, and conditions to, the Superior Proposal and the Person or group making the Superior Proposal (including any financing required by such Person or group).

 

 “ Surviving Corporation ” means SPAH as the surviving corporation resulting from the Merger with an amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation as provided in Section 2.1 hereof.

 

Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means (i) any and all taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts, duties, or assessments, including income, gross receipts, excise, employment, sales, use, transfer, recording license, payroll, franchise, severance, documentary, stamp, occupation, windfall profits, environmental, federal highway use, commercial rent, customs duties, capital stock, paid-up capital, profits, withholding, Social Security, single business and unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, registration, ad valorem, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other taxes, fees, assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, imposed or required to be withheld by any Governmental Authority (domestic or foreign), including any interest, penalties, and additions imposed thereon or with respect thereto, and (ii) any transferee, successor, joint and several, contractual or other liability (including liability pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law) in respect to any item described in clause (i).

 

 

 

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Tax Return ” means any report, return, information return, or other information required to be supplied to a Governmental Authority in connection with Taxes, including any return of an affiliated or combined or unitary group that includes a Party or its Subsidiaries.

 

Taxing Authority ” means the Internal Revenue Service and any other Governmental Authority responsible for the administration of any Tax.

 

 “ USA Patriot Act ” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, as amended.

 

“Warrant Amendment Agreement” means the form of Warrant Amendment Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit E .

 

WBCA ” means the Washington Business Corporation Act, Title 23B of the Revised Code of Washington, as amended.

 

(b)           The terms set forth below shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the referenced sections:

 

Term

Section

Agreement

Introduction

Allowance

5.9 (a)

BHCA

Code

5.1

Recitals

CERCLA

Definitions, “Environmental Laws”

Claims

7.6

Closing

1.2

Conversion Rights

3.1 (a)

Customer Information

5.17 (a)

Dissenting Shares

3.3

DOL

5.15 (b)

Effective Time

1.3

Exchange Agent

4.1 (a)

Exchange Ratio

3.1(b)

Excluded Shares

3.1 (b)

Expenses

11.1(a)

FFC

Introduction

FFC Benefits Plan

5.15 (a)

FFC Benefits Plans

5.15 (a)

FFC Contracts

5.16 (a)

FFC ERISA Plan

5.15 (a)

FFC Exchange Act Reports

5.5 (a)

FFC Restricted Share

3.5(a)

FFC Stock Award

3.5(a)

 

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 Term       

 Section

FFC Stock Option

3.5 (a)

FFC Tax Opinion

9.3 (e)

GLB Act

Definitions, “Privacy Requirements”

Indemnified Party

8.10 (a)

IRS

5.2 (c)

Lease Agreement

5.17(c)

Leased Real Property

5.17(b)

Lock-up Agreement

8.9(f)

Maximum Amount

8.10 (b)

Merger

Recitals

Merger Consideration

3.1 (b)

Other Plan

5.15 (a)

Owned Real Property

5.17(a)

RCRA

Definitions, “Environmental Laws”

Support Agreement

5.27

SPAH

Introduction

SPAH Contract

6.11 (a)

SPAH Certificate of Amendment

9(a)(i)(2)

SPAH Exchange Act Reports

6.5 (a)

SPAH Tax Opinion

9.2 (g)

Termination Fee

11.1 (b)

Takeover Laws

5.24

Trust Fund

6.19

WARN Act

5.14 (c)

 

(c)           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 this Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation”, and such terms shall not be limited by enumeration or example.

 

ARTICLE 1

 

TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF MERGER

 

1.1  

Merger.

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, FFC shall be merged with and into SPAH pursuant to Section 252 of the DGCL and Section 23B.11.070 of the WBCA, with the effects set forth in the DGCL and the WBCA, and SPAH shall be the Surviving Corporation resulting from the Merger and shall continue to be governed by the Laws of the State of Delaware and the Bank shall become a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPAH.  The Merger shall be consummated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which has been approved and adopted by the respective Boards of Directors of SPAH and FFC.

 

 

 

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1.2  

Time and Place of Closing.

 

The closing of the transactions contemplated hereby (the “ Closing ”) will take place at 9:00 A.M.  Eastern Time on the date that the Effective Time occurs, or at such other time as the Parties, acting through their authorized officers, may mutually agree.  The Closing shall be held at such location as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties and may be effected by electronic or other transmission of signature pages, as mutually agreed upon.

 

1.3  

Effective Time.

 

The Merger and other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall become effective on the date and time stated in the Certificate of Merger reflecting the Merger to be filed and become effective with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as provided in Section 252 of the DGCL (the “ Certificate of Merger ”) and the Articles of Merger reflecting the Merger to be filed and become effective with the Secretary of State of the State of Washington, as provided in Sections 23B.11.050 and 23B.11.070 of the WBCA (the “ Effective Time ”).  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing by the authorized officers of each Party, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Effective Time to occur on or before October 10, 2009 and as soon as possible after the last of the following dates to occur: (i) the effective date (including expiration of any applicable waiting period) of the last required Consent of any Regulatory Authority having authority over and approving or exempting the Merger, and (ii) the date on which the last of the stockholders of SPAH and FFC approve this Agreement to the extent such approval is required by applicable Law, and/or the FFC Articles of Incorporation and the SPAH Certificate of Incorporation.

 

1.4  

Assumption of Liabilities.

 

Effective as of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall become and be liable for all debts, liabilities, obligations and contracts of SPAH as well as those of FFC, whether the same shall be matured or unmatured; whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise; and whether or not reflected or reserved against in the balance sheets, other financial statements, books of account or records of SPAH or FFC.

 

 

1.5  

Restructure of Transaction.

 

SPAH shall have the right to revise the structure of the Merger contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that no such revision to the structure of the Merger (i) shall result in any changes in the amount or type of the consideration which the holders of shares of FFC Common Stock or FFC Rights are entitled to receive under this Agreement, or (ii) shall impose any less favorable terms or conditions on the Bank or FFC; provided further, however, no such revision shall be effective without the prior written consent of FFC.  SPAH may request such consent by giving written notice to FFC in the manner provided in Section 11.7, which notice shall be in the form of a proposed amendment to this Agreement or in the form of a proposed Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, and the addition of such other exhibits hereto as are reasonably necessary or appropriate to effect such change.

 

 

 

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ARTICLE 2

 

TERMS OF MERGER

 

2.1  

Charter.

 

The SPAH Certificate of Incorporation, which shall be further amended and restated in substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A and approved by the shareholders of SPAH as contemplated by Section 8.2(a) hereof, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, from and after the Effective Time, until otherwise duly amended or repealed.

 

2.2  

Bylaws.

 

The Bylaws of SPAH, substantially in the form attached to this Agreement as E xhibit B , shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, from and after the Effective Time, until otherwise duly amended or repealed.

 

2.3  

Directors and Officers.

 

(a)   On or prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of SPAH shall cause the number of directors that will comprise the full board of directors of SPAH at the Effective Time to be fixed at five (5), which board shall consist of two (2) directors designated by SPAH from its current board of directors, both of whom shall be “independent” under the rules of the national securities exchange on which the SPAH Common Stock is then listed and under the Exchange Act), two (2) directors designated by FFC from its current board of directors, which will consist of Patrick Fahey and one (1) other director who shall be “independent” under the rules of the national securities exchange on which the SPAH Common Stock is then listed and under the Exchange Act; and one (1) director who will be Warren Lichtenstein, or a designee of Warren Lichtenstein, which such director shall serve as the chairman of the Surviving Corporation’s Board of Directors, all of whom shall serve as the directors of the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the Surviving Corporation’s Bylaws, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or otherwise ceasing to be a director. No other individuals shall be designated to serve on the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation at the Effective Time.

 

(b)    On or prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of SPAH will take all actions necessary to cause the officers of FFC as of the date of this Agreement to be elected or appointed as the officers of the Surviving Corporation as of the Effective Time, all of whom shall serve as the officers of the Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the Surviving Corporation’s Bylaws, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or otherwise ceasing to be an officer.

 

(c)   On or prior to the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of FFC will take all such actions necessary to (i) cause the number of directors that will comprise the full board of directors of the Bank at the Effective Time to be fixed at either seven (7) or five (5); provided that if the number of directors that will comprise the full board of directors of the Bank is fixed

 

 

 

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at seven (7), such board shall consist of John McNamara as Chairman, Patrick Fahey, three (3) directors designated by SPAH and two (2) other directors designated by FFC; however, if the number of directors that will comprise the full board of directors of the Bank is fixed at five (5), such board shall consist of John McNamara as Chairman, Patrick Fahey, two (2) directors designated by SPAH and one (1) other director designated by FFC; all of whom shall serve as the directors of the Bank from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the Bank’s Bylaws, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or otherwise ceasing to be a director and (ii) cause the officers of the Bank as of the date of this Agreement to continue to serve as the officers of the Bank from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the Bank’s Bylaws, until the earlier of their resignation or removal or otherwise ceasing to be an officer.

 

(d)   The headquarters of the Surviving Corporation will be located in Everett, Washington.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES

 

3.1  

Conversion of Shares.

 

Subject to the provisions of this Article 3, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of SPAH, FFC or the stockholders of either of the foregoing, the shares of the constituent corporations shall be converted as follows:

 

(a)           Each share of SPAH Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than those shares as to which conversion rights provided for in Section C of Article Sixth of the SPAH Certification of Incorporation (“ Conversion Rights ”) have been exercised shall remain issued and outstanding from and after the Effective Time and be unaffected solely as a result of the Merger.

 

(b)           Each share of FFC Common Stock (excluding shares held by SPAH or any FFC Entity (“ Excluded Shares ”), in each case other than in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debt previously contracted) issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall cease to be outstanding and shall be converted into and exchanged for the right to receive 0.0530 shares of newly issued SPAH Common Stock and 0.0530 newly issued SPAH Warrants having the same terms and conditions as the publicly traded SPAH Warrants immediately prior to the Effective Time after giving effect to the Warrant Amendment Agreement (the “ Merger Consideration ”). The 0.0530 multiple used in this Section 3.1(b) is referred to in this Agreement as the “ Exchange Ratio ”.

 

3.2  

Anti-Dilution Provisions.

 

In the event SPAH changes the number of shares of SPAH Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of a stock split, stock dividend, or similar recapitalization with respect to such stock (specifically excluding the effect of the exercise of the Conversion Rights) and the record date therefore (in the case of a stock dividend) or the effective date thereof (in the case of a stock split or similar recapitalization for which a record date is not established) shall be prior to the Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately adjusted.

 

 

 

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3.3  

Dissenters’ Rights.

 

Any holder of shares of FFC Common Stock who perfects such holder’s dissenters’ rights in accordance with and as contemplated by Chapter 23B.13 of the WBCA  shall be entitled to receive from the Surviving Corporation, in lieu of the Merger Consideration, the value of such shares as to which dissenters’ rights have been perfected in cash as determined pursuant to such provision of Law; provided, that no such payment shall be made to any dissenting stockholder unless and until such dissenting stockholder has complied with all applicable provisions of such Law, and surrendered to FFC the certificate or certificates representing the shares for which payment is being made (the “ Dissenting Shares ”).  In the event that after the Effective Time a dissenting stockholder of FFC fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses, such dissenters’ rights, SPAH or the Surviving Corporation shall issue and deliver the consideration to which such holder of shares of FFC Common Stock is entitled under this Article 3 (without interest) upon surrender by such holder of the certificate or certificates representing such shares of FFC Common Stock held by such holder.

 

3.4  

Fractional Shares.

 

No fraction of a share of SPAH Common Stock or fraction of a SPAH Warrant will be issued by virtue of the Merger.  Instead, each holder of FFC Common Stock that would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of SPAH Common Stock or a fraction of a SPAH Warrant shall be permitted to aggregate all fractional shares of SPAH Common Stock and all fractional SPAH Warrants that otherwise would be received by such holder and any resulting fractional shares or fractional SPAH Warrants shall be rounded to the nearest whole share or nearest whole SPAH Warrant.

 

3.5  

Stock Options and other Stock-Based Awards.

 

(a)   As of the Effective Time, all outstanding options to purchase shares of FFC Common Stock granted under the FFC Stock Plans (each, a “ FFC Stock Option ”), whether or not then vested, all outstanding shares of FFC Common Stock subject to vesting or other lapse restrictions pursuant to any of the FFC Stock Plans (each, a “ FFC Restricted Share ”), all outstanding rights of any kind, contingent or accrued, to receive shares of FFC Common Stock or benefits measured by the value of a number of shares of FFC Common Stock, and all awards of any kind consisting of shares of FFC Common Stock, granted under the FFC Stock Plans (other than FFC Stock Options and FFC Restricted Shares) (each, a “ FFC Stock Award ”) and all rights under any provision of the FFC Stock Plans and any other plan, program or arrangement providing for the issuance or grant of any other interest in respect of the capital stock of FFC shall be canceled, shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically cease to exist, and each holder of a FFC Stock Option, a FFC Restricted Share or a FFC Stock Award shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto.  FFC shall take all such actions as are necessary to ensure that, as of and after the Effective Time, no Person shall have any right under the FFC Stock Plans or any other plan, program, agreement or arrangement with respect to securities of FFC, the Surviving Corporation or any subsidiary thereof.

 

 

 

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(b)   At or before the Effective Time, FFC shall cause to be effected any necessary amendments to the FFC Stock Plans and any other resolutions, letters, consents, notices or other documents or instruments, in such form reasonably acceptable to SPAH, as may be required under the FFC Stock Plans or any FFC Stock Options, FFC Restricted Shares or FFC Stock Awards to give effect to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.5.

 

ARTICLE 4

 

EXCHANGE OF SHARES

 

4.1  

Exchange Procedures.

 

(a)   As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, SPAH shall cause the exchange agent selected by SPAH, which shall be an independent transfer agent or trust company (the “ Exchange Agent ”) to mail to the former stockholders of FFC appropriate transmittal materials (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the certificates or other instruments theretofore representing shares of FFC Common Stock shall pass, only upon proper delivery of such certificates to the Exchange Agent).  The certificate or certificates of FFC Common Stock so surrendered shall be duly endorsed as the Exchange Agent may reasonably require.  In the event of a transfer of ownership of shares of FFC Common Stock represented by certificates that are not registered in the transfer records of FFC, the Merger Consideration payable for such shares as provided in Section 3.1 may be issued to a transferee if the certificates representing such shares are delivered to the Exchange Agent, accompanied by all documents required to evidence such transfer and by evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Exchange Agent that such transfer is proper and that any applicable stock transfer Taxes have been paid.  In the event any certificate representing FFC Common Stock 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 the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as SPAH may reasonably direct, or an indemnification agreement reasonably acceptable to SPAH, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such certificate, the Exchange Agent shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate the Merger Consideration as provided for in Section 3.1.  The Exchange Agent may establish such other reasonable and customary rules and procedures in connection with its duties as it may deem appropriate.  SPAH shall pay all charges and expenses, including those of the Exchange Agent in connection with the distribution of the Merger Consideration as provided in Section 3.1.

 

(b)   After the Effective Time, each holder of shares of FFC Common Stock (other than Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares) issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall surrender the Certificate or Certificates representing such shares to the Exchange Agent and shall promptly upon surrender thereof receive in exchange therefore the consideration provided in Section 3.1, without interest, pursuant to this Section 4.1.  SPAH shall not be obligated to deliver the consideration to which any former holder of FFC Common Stock is entitled as a result of the Merger until such holder surrenders such holder’s Certificate or Certificates for exchange as provided in this Section 4.1.  Any other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, neither SPAH, nor any FFC Entity, nor the Exchange Agent shall be liable to

 

 

 

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any holder of FFC Common Stock or to any holder of FFC Rights for any amounts paid or properly delivered in good faith to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.

 

(c)   Each of SPAH and the Exchange Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of shares of FFC Common Stock such amounts, if any, as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax Law or by any Taxing Authority or Governmental Authority.  To the extent that any amounts are so withheld by SPAH, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the shares of FFC Common Stock or FFC Rights, as applicable in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by SPAH, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be.

 

(d)   Adoption of this Agreement by the stockholders of FFC shall constitute ratification of the appointment of the Exchange Agent.

 

4.2  

Rights of Former FFC Stockholders.

 

At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of FFC shall be closed as to holders of FFC Common Stock and no transfer of FFC Common Stock by any holder of such shares shall thereafter be made or recognized.  Until surrendered for exchange in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1, each Certificate theretofore representing shares of FFC Common Stock (other than certificates representing Excluded Shares and Dissenting Shares), shall from and after the Effective Time represent for all purposes only the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without interest, as provided in Article 3.

 

ARTICLE 5

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FFC

 

FFC represents and warrants to SPAH, except as set forth on the Schedules hereto, with respect to each such Section below as follows:

 

5.1  

Organization, Standing, and Power.

 

FFC is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Washington and is a bank holding company within the meaning of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “ BHCA ”) and, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), in good standing with the Federal Reserve.  The Bank is a state chartered bank, duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Washington and possesses all necessary branch approvals issued by the Regulatory Authorities to engage in the commercial banking business at the offices in which such business is conducted.  Each of FFC and the Bank has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets.  Each of FFC and the Bank is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in the states of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not

 

 

 

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reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect.  The minute books and other organizational documents for each of FFC and the Bank have been made available to SPAH for its review and, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.1, are true and complete in all material respects as in effect as of the date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material respects all amendments thereto and all proceedings of the respective Board of Directors (including any committees of the Board of Directors) and stockholders thereof.

 

5.2  

Authority of FFC; No Breach By the Agreement.

 

(a)   FFC has the corporate power and authority necessary to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.  The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein, including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action in respect thereof on the part of FFC, subject to the approval of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, by the holders of a two-thirds of the outstanding shares of FFC Common Stock entitled to be voted at the FFC Stockholders Meeting (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, conservatorship, moratorium, or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought), which is the only FFC stockholder vote required for approval of this Agreement and consummation of the Merger.  Subject to such requisite stockholder approval, this Agreement represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation of FFC, enforceable against FFC in accordance with its terms.

 

(b)   Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by FFC, nor the consummation by FFC of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by FFC with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a breach of any provision of FFC’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or the charter, certificate of incorporation or articles of association or incorporation, as the case may be, or bylaws of any FFC Subsidiary or any resolution adopted by the Board of Directors or the stockholders of any FFC Entity, or (ii) except as disclosed in Schedule 5.2, constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any FFC Entity under, any FFC Contract or Permit of any FFC Entity or, (iii) subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred to in Section 8.4, constitute or result in a material Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, any Law or Order applicable to any FFC Entity or any of their respective material Assets.

 

(c)   Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the Securities Laws and applicable state corporate and securities Laws and the rules of the NASDAQ, and other than Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, other than notices to or filings with the Internal Revenue Service (“ IRS ”), and other than Consents, filings, or notifications which, if not obtained or made, are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect, no notice to, filing with, or Consent of, any Governmental Authority is necessary for the consummation by FFC of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.

 

 

 

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5.3  

Capital Stock.

 

(a)   The authorized capital stock of FFC consists of 100,000,000 shares of FFC Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 47,131,853 shares of FFC Common Stock are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement and no shares of preferred stock are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, and, assuming that all of the issued and outstanding FFC Rights had been exercised, not more than 47,131,853 shares would be issued and outstanding at the Effective Time.  All of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of FFC are duly and validly issued and outstanding and are fully paid and nonassessable under the WBCA.  None of the outstanding shares of capital stock of FFC have been issued in violation of any preemptive rights of the current or past stockholders of FFC.

 

(b)   Except for the 5,688,665 shares of FFC Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to outstanding FFC Rights, each as disclosed in Schedule 5.3, there are no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of FFC reserved for issuance and no outstanding Rights relating to the capital stock of FFC.

 

(c)   Except as specifically set forth in this Section 5.3, there are no shares of FFC capital stock or other equity securities of FFC outstanding and there are no outstanding Rights with respect to any FFC securities or any right or privilege (whether pre-emptive or contractual) capable of becoming a Contract or Right for the purchase, subscription, exchange or issuance of any securities of FFC.

 

5.4  

FFC Subsidiaries.

 

Schedule 5.4 lists each of the FFC Subsidiaries that is a corporation (identifying its jurisdiction of incorporation, each jurisdiction in which it is qualified or licensed to transact business, and the number of shares owned and percentage ownership interest represented by such share ownership) and each of the FFC Subsidiaries that is a general or limited partnership, limited liability company, or other non-corporate entity (identifying the form of organization and the Law under which such entity is organized, each jurisdiction in which it is qualified and/or licensed to transact business, and the amount and nature of the ownership interest therein).  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.4, FFC owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of each FFC Subsidiary.  No capital stock (or other equity interest) of any FFC Subsidiary is or may become required to be issued (other than to another FFC Entity) by reason of any Rights, and there are no Contracts by which any FFC Subsidiary is bound to issue (other than to another FFC Entity) additional shares of its capital stock (or other equity interests) or Rights or by which any FFC Entity is or may be bound to transfer any shares of the capital stock (or other equity interests) of any FFC Subsidiary (other than to another FFC Entity).  There are no Contracts relating to the rights of any FFC Entity to vote or to dispose of any shares of the capital stock (or other equity interests) of any FFC Subsidiary.  All of the shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of each FFC Subsidiary held by a FFC Entity are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned directly or indirectly by such FFC Entity free and clear of any Lien.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.4, each FFC Subsidiary is a national bank, state chartered bank, corporation, limited liability company,

 

 

 

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limited partnership or limited liability partnership, and each such FFC Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, and has the corporate or entity power and authority necessary for it to own, lease, and operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now conducted.  Each FFC Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign entity in good standing in the United States or the states of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect.  The Bank is an “insured institution” as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and applicable regulations thereunder, and the deposits held by the Bank are insured by the FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund.  The minute books and other organizational documents for each FFC Subsidiary have been made available to SPAH for its review, and, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.4, are true and complete in all material respects as in effect as of the date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material respects all amendments thereto and all proceedings of the Board of Directors and stockholders thereof.

 

5.5  

Exchange Act Filings; Securities Offerings; Financial Statements.

 

Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.5:

 

(a)   FFC has timely filed and made available to SPAH all Exchange Act Documents required to be filed by FFC since January 1, 2006, (together with all such Exchange Act Documents filed, whether or not required to be filed, the “ FFC Exchange Act Reports ”).  The FFC Exchange Act Reports (i) at the time filed, complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and other applicable Laws and (ii) did not, at the time they were filed (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such amended or subsequent filing or, in the case of registration statements, at the effective date thereof) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in such FFC Exchange Act Reports or necessary in order to make the statements in such FFC Exchange Act Reports, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  Each offering or sale of securities by FFC (i) was either registered under the Securities Act or made pursuant to a valid exemption from registration, (ii) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and other applicable Laws, and (iii) was made pursuant to offering documents which did not, at the time of the offering (or, in the case of registration statements, at the effective date thereof) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in the offering documents or necessary in order to make the statements in such documents not misleading.  FFC has delivered or made available to SPAH all comment letters received since January 1, 2006, by FFC from the staffs of the SEC and the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions and all responses to such comment letters by or on behalf of FFC with respect to all filings under the Securities Laws and the Securities Act of Washington.  FFC’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer (and FFC’s former principal executive officers and principal financial officers, as applicable) have made the certifications required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of the Exchange Act thereunder with respect to FFC’s Exchange Act Documents to the extent such rules or regulations applied at the time of the filing.  For purposes of the preceding sentence, “principal

 

 

 

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executive officer” and “principal financial officer” shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Sarbanes–Oxley Act.  Such certifications contain no qualifications or exceptions to the matters certified therein and have not been modified or withdrawn; and neither FFC nor any of its officers has received notice from any Regulatory Authority questioning or challenging the accuracy, completeness, content, form or manner of filing or submission of such certifications.  No FFC Subsidiary is required to file any Exchange Act Documents.

 

(b)   Each of the FFC Financial Statements (including, in each case, any related notes) that are contained in the FFC Exchange Act Reports, including any FFC Exchange Act Reports filed after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, complied, or will comply,  as to form in all material respects with the applicable published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, was prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements or, in the case of unaudited interim statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the Exchange Act), and fairly presented in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of FFC and its Subsidiaries as at the respective dates and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, including the fair values of the assets and liabilities shown therein, except that the unaudited interim financial statements were or are subject to normal and recurring year-end adjustments which were not or are not expected to be material in amount or effect, and were certified to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(c)   Each of FFC’s independent public accountants, which have expressed their opinion with respect to the financial statements of FFC and its Subsidiaries whether or not included in FFC’s Exchange Act Reports (including the related notes), is and have been throughout the periods covered by such financial statements, independent registered public accounting firms with respect to FFC within the meaning of the Securities Laws and is registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.  With respect to FFC, FFC’s independent public accountants are not and have not been in violation of auditor independence requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith.  None of the non-audit services performed by FFC’s independent public accountants for FFC and its Subsidiaries were prohibited services under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all such services were pre-approved in advance by FFC’s audit committee in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

 

(d)   FFC maintains disclosure controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act; such controls and procedures are effective to ensure that all material information concerning FFC and its Subsidiaries is made known on a timely basis to the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer.  FFC has delivered to SPAH copies of, all written descriptions of, and all policies, manuals and other documents promulgating such disclosure controls and procedures.  FFC and its directors and executive officers have complied at all times with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, including the filing requirements thereunder to the extent applicable.

 

5.6  

Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.

 

No FFC Entity has any Liabilities required under GAAP to be set forth on a consolidated balance sheet or in the notes thereto that are not set forth therein and are reasonably likely to

 

 

 

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have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect, except Liabilities which are (i) accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance sheets of FFC as of December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2009, included in the FFC Financial Statements delivered or made available prior to the date of this Agreement or reflected in the notes thereto, (ii) incurred or paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, or (iii) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.  Schedule 5.6 lists and FFC has attached and delivered to SPAH copies of the documentation creating or governing, all securitization transactions and “off-balance sheet arrangements” (as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act), if any, effected by FFC or its Subsidiaries.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.6, no FFC Entity is directly or indirectly liable, by guarantee, indemnity, or otherwise, upon or with respect to, or obligated, by discount or repurchase agreement or in any other way, to provide funds in respect to, or obligated to guarantee or assume any Liability of any Person for any amount.  Except (x) as reflected in FFC’s balance sheet at June 30, 2009 or liabilities described in any notes thereto (or liabilities for which neither accrual nor footnote disclosure is required pursuant to GAAP or any applicable Regulatory Authority) or (y) for liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since June 30, 2009 consistent with past practice or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, neither FFC nor any of its Subsidiaries has any Material Liabilities or obligations of any nature.

 

5.7  

Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

 

(a)   Since June 30, 2009, except as disclosed in the FFC Financial Statements delivered or made available prior to the date of this Agreement or as disclosed in Schedule 5.7(a), (i) there have been no events, changes, or occurrences which have had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) none of the FFC Entities has taken any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the date of this Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would represent or result in a material breach or violation of any of the covenants and agreements of FFC provided in this Agreement.

 

(b)   Since June 30, 2009, none of the FFC Entities have issued, transferred, sold, encumbered or pledged the FFC Common Stock, membership interests, shares of or other securities (including securities convertible into or exchangeable for, or options or rights to acquire, shares of FFC Common Stock or other securities) of any FFC Entity.

 

(c)   Since June 30, 2009, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.7(c), none of the FFC Entities have entered into or amended any (i) employment agreements or any other type of employment arrangements, (ii) severance or change of control agreements or arrangements, or (iii) deferred compensation agreements or arrangements.

 

5.8  

Tax Matters.

 

Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.8:

 

(a)   All FFC Entities have timely filed with the appropriate Taxing Authorities, all Tax Returns (or extensions for the filings thereof) in all jurisdictions in which Tax Returns are required to be filed, and such Tax Returns are correct and complete in all

 

 

 

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respects.  All Taxes of the FFC Entities (whether or not shown on any Tax Return) have been fully and timely paid.  There are no Liens for any Taxes (other than a Lien for current real property or ad valorem Taxes not yet due and payable) on any of the Assets of any of the FFC Entities.  No claim has ever been made by a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where any FFC Entity does not file a Tax Return that such FFC Entity may be subject to Taxes by that jurisdiction.

 

(b)   None of the FFC Entities has received any notice of assessment or proposed assessment in connection with any Taxes, and there are no threatened or pending disputes, claims, audits or examinations regarding any Taxes of any FFC Entity or the Assets of any FFC Entity.  No FFC Entity has Knowledge that any Taxing Authority is reasonably likely to assess any additional Taxes for any period for which Tax Returns have been filed.  No issue has been raised by a Taxing Authority in any prior examination of any FFC Entity which, by application of the same or similar principles, could be expected to result in a proposed deficiency for any subsequent taxable period.  None of the FFC Entities has waived any statute of limitations in respect of any Taxes or agreed to a Tax assessment or deficiency.

 

(c)   Each FFC Entity has complied with all applicable Laws, rules and regulations relating to the withholding of Taxes and the payment thereof to appropriate authorities, including Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee or independent contractor, and Taxes required to be withheld and paid pursuant to Sections 1441 and 1442 of the Code or similar provisions under foreign Law.

 

(d)   The unpaid Taxes of each FFC Entity (i) did not, as of the most recent fiscal month end, exceed the reserve for Tax Liability (other than any reserve for deferred Taxes established to reflect timing differences between book and Tax income) set forth on the face of the most recent balance sheet (other than in any notes thereto) for such FFC Entity and (ii) do not exceed that reserve as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with past custom and practice of the FFC Entities in filing their Tax Returns.

 

(e)   Except as described in Schedule 5.8(e), none of the FFC Entities is a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement and no FFC Entity has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return or has any Tax Liability of any Person under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law, or as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise.

 

(f)   During the five-year period ending on the date hereof, none of the FFC Entities was a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” as defined in, and in a transaction intended to be governed by Section 355 of the Code.

 

(g)   Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.8(g), none of the FFC Entities has made any payments, is obligated to make any payments, or is a party to any contract that could obligate it to make any payments that could be disallowed as a deduction under Section 280G or 162(m) of the Code, or which would be subject to withholding under Section 4999 of the Code.  FFC has not been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.  None of the FFC Entities has been, nor any of the FFC Entities or SPAH will be, required to include any adjustment in taxable income for any Tax

 

 

 

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period (or portion thereof) pursuant to Section 481 of the Code or any comparable provision under state or foreign Tax Laws as a result of transactions or events occurring prior to the Closing.  None of the FFC Entities nor SPAH will be required to include in its gross income for a taxable period after the Closing Date any income or gain attributable to the FFC Entities as a result of any cash or property received, or an account receivable that arose, in a taxable period prior to the Closing Date and that was not recognized prior to the Closing Date, as a result of the installment method, the completed contract method, Section 263A of the Code or for any other reason.  Any net operating losses of the FFC Entities disclosed in Schedule 5.8(g) are not subject to any limitation on their use under the provisions of Sections 382 or 269 of the Code or any other provisions of the Code or the Treasury Regulations dealing with the utilization of net operating losses other than any such limitations as may arise as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(h)   Each of the FFC Entities is in compliance with, and its records contain all information and documents (including properly completed IRS Forms W-9) necessary to comply with, all applicable information reporting and Tax withholding requirements under federal, state, and local Tax Laws, and such records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding under Section 3406 of the Code.

 

(i)   No FFC Entity is subject to any private letter ruling of the IRS or comparable rulings of any Taxing Authority.

 

(j)   No property owned by any FFC Entity is (i) property required to be treated as being owned by another Person pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended and in effect immediately prior to the enactment of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, (ii) “tax-exempt use property” within the meaning of Section 168(h)(1) of the Code, (iii) “tax-exempt bond financed property” within the meaning of Section 168(g) of the Code, (iv) “limited use property” within the meaning of Rev. Proc. 76-30, (v) subject to Section 168(g)(1)(A) of the Code, or (vi) subject to any provision of state, local or foreign Law comparable to any of the provisions listed above.

 

(k)   No FFC Entity has any “corporate acquisition indebtedness” within the meaning of Section 279 of the Code.

 

(l)   No FFC Entity has participated in any reportable transaction, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b)(1), or a transaction substantially similar to a reportable transaction.

 

(m)   No FFC Entity nor any other Person on its behalf has (i) filed a consent pursuant to Section 341(f) of the Code (as in effect prior to the repeal under the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003) or agreed to have Section 341(f)(2) of the Code (as in effect prior to the repeal under the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003) apply to any disposition of a subsection (f) asset (as such term is defined in Section 341(f)(4) of the Code) owned by any FFC Entities, (ii) executed or entered into a closing agreement pursuant to Section 7121 of the Code or any similar provision of Law with respect to the FFC Entities, or (iii) granted to any Person any power of attorney that is currently in force with respect to any Tax matter.

 

 

 

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(n)   No FFC Entity (i) has engaged in any “intercompany transactions” in respect of which gain was and continues to be deferred pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-13 or any analogous or similar provision of Law; (ii) has any “excess loss accounts” in respect to the stock of any Subsidiary pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-19, or any analogous or similar provision of Law; or (iii) has a “dual consolidated loss”, within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1503-2.

 

(o)   No FFC Entity has, or ever had, a permanent establishment in any country other than the United States, or has engaged in a trade or business in any country other than the United States that subjected it to tax in such country.

 

For purposes of this Section 5.8, any reference to FFC or any FFC Entity shall be deemed to include any Person which merged with or was liquidated into or otherwise combined with FFC or a FFC Entity.

 

5.9  

Allowance for Possible Loan Losses; Loan and Investment Portfolio, etc.

 

(a)   FFC’s allowance for loan losses (the “ Allowance ”) shown on the balance sheets of FFC included in the most recent FFC Financial Statements dated prior to the date of this Agreement was, and the Allowance shown on the balance sheets of FFC included in the FFC Financial Statements as of dates subsequent to the execution of this Agreement will be, as of the dates thereof, adequate (within the meaning of GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements or guidelines) to provide for all known or reasonably anticipated losses relating to or inherent in the loan portfolios (including accrued interest receivables, letters of credit, and commitments to make loans or extend credit) by the FFC Entities as of the dates thereof.  To FFC’s Knowledge, FFC Financial Statements fairly present the fair market values of all loans, leases, securities, tangible and intangible assets and liabilities, and any impairments thereof.

 

(b)   As of the date hereof, all loans, discounts and financing leases (in which any FFC Entity is lessor) reflected on the FFC Financial Statements were, and with respect to the consolidated balance sheets delivered as of the dates subsequent to the execution of this Agreement will be as of the dates thereof, (i) at the time and under the circumstances in which made, made for good, valuable and adequate consideration in the ordinary course of business and are the legal and binding obligations of the obligors thereof, (ii) evidenced by genuine notes, agreements or other evidences of indebtedness and (iii) to the extent secured, have been secured, to the Knowledge of FFC, by valid liens and security interests which have been perfected.  Accurate lists of all loans, discounts and financing leases as of June 30, 2009 and on a monthly basis thereafter, and of the investment portfolios of each FFC Entity as of such date, have been and will be delivered to SPAH.  Except as specifically set forth in Schedule 5.9(b), neither FFC nor the Bank is a Party to any written or oral loan agreement, note or borrowing arrangement, including any loan guaranty, that was, as of the most recent month-end (i) delinquent by more than 30 days in the payment of principal or interest, (ii) to the Knowledge of FFC, otherwise in material default for more than 30 days, (iii) placed on nonaccrual status, or classified as “substandard,” “doubtful,” “loss,” “other assets especially mentioned” or any comparable classification by FFC or by any applicable Regulatory Authority, (iv) an obligation of any

 

 

 

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director, executive officer principal shareholder (as such terms are defined in Regulation O) of any FFC Entity who is subject to Regulation O, or any person, corporation or enterprise controlling, controlled by or under common control with any of the foregoing, or (v) in violation of any Law.

 

5.10  

Assets.

 

(a)   Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.10, or as disclosed or reserved against in the FFC Financial Statements delivered or made available prior to the date of this Agreement, the FFC Entities have good and (to the extent owned) marketable title, free and clear of all Liens, to all of their respective Assets.  All tangible properties used in the businesses of the FFC Entities are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of business consistent with FFC’s past practices.

 

(b)   All Assets which are material to FFC’s business on a consolidated basis, held under leases or subleases by any of the FFC Entities, are held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, and each such Contract is in full force and effect.

 

(c)   The FFC Entities currently maintain insurance, including bankers’ blanket bonds, with insurers of recognized financial responsibility, similar in amounts, scope, and coverage to that maintained by other peer organizations.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.10(c), none of the FFC Entities have received written notice from any insurance carrier, or have any reason to believe that (i) any policy of insurance will be canceled or that coverage thereunder will be reduced or eliminated, (ii) premium costs with respect to such policies of insurance will be substantially increased, or (iii) similar coverage will be denied or limited or not extended or renewed with respect to any FFC Entity, any act or occurrence, or that any Asset, officer, director, employee or agent of any FFC Entity will not be covered by such insurance or bond.  There are presently no claims for amounts exceeding $125,000 individually or in the aggregate pending under such policies of insurance or bonds, and no notices of claims in excess of such amounts have been given by any FFC Entity under such policies.  FFC has made no claims, and except as disclosed in Schedule 5.10(c), no claims are contemplated to be made, under its directors’ and officers’ errors and omissions or other insurance or bankers’ blanket bond.

 

(d)   The Assets of the FFC Entities include all Assets required by FFC Entities to operate the business of the FFC Entities as presently conducted.

 

5.11  

Intellectual Property.

 

Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.11, each FFC Entity owns or has a license to use all of the Intellectual Property used by such FFC Entity in the course of its business, including sufficient rights in each copy possessed by each FFC Entity.  Each FFC Entity is the owner of or has a license, with the right to sublicense, to any Intellectual Property sold or licensed to a third party by such FFC Entity in connection with such FFC Entity’s business operations, and such FFC Entity has the right to convey by sale or license any Intellectual Property so conveyed.  No FFC Entity is in Default under any of its Intellectual Property licenses.  No proceedings have

 

 

 

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been instituted, or are pending or to the Knowledge of FFC threatened, which challenge the rights of any FFC Entity with respect to Intellectual Property used, sold or licensed by such FFC Entity in the course of its business, nor has any person claimed or alleged any rights to such Intellectual Property.  To FFC’s Knowledge, the conduct of the business of the FFC Entities does not infringe any Intellectual Property of any other person.  No FFC Entity is obligated to pay any recurring royalties to any Person with respect to any such Intellectual Property.  FFC has no Contracts with any of its directors, officers, or employees which require such officer, director or employee to assign any interest in any Intellectual Property to a FFC Entity and to keep confidential any trade secrets, proprietary data, customer information, or other business information of a FFC Entity, and to FFC’s Knowledge, no such officer, director or employee is party to any Contract with any Person other than a FFC Entity which requires such officer, director or employee to assign any interest in any Intellectual Property to any Person other than a FFC Entity or to keep confidential any trade secrets, proprietary data, customer information, or other business information of any Person other than a FFC Entity.  No officer, director or employee of any FFC Entity is party to any confidentiality, nonsolicitation, noncompetition or other Contract which restricts or prohibits such officer, director or employee from engaging in activities competitive with any Person, including any FFC Entity.

 

5.12  

Environmental Matters.

 

(a)   FFC has delivered, or caused to be delivered to SPAH, true and complete copies of, all environmental site assessments, test results, analytical data, boring logs, permits for storm water, wetlands fill, or other environmental permits for construction of any building, parking lot or other improvement, and other environmental reports and studies in the possession of any FFC Entity relating to the Participation Facilities, Operating Properties, OREOs, or any other FFC Real Property of any FFC Entity.  To FFC’s Knowledge, there are no material violations of Environmental Laws on properties that secure loans made by any FFC Entity.

 

(b)   To FFC’s Knowledge, the Participation Facilities, Operating Properties, OREOs and other FFC Real Property of any FFC Entity is, and have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for violations which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)   There is no Litigation pending, or to FFC’s Knowledge, no environmental enforcement action, investigation, or litigation threatened before any Governmental Authority or other forum in which any FFC Entity or any of their Operating Properties, Participation Facilities, OREOs, or any other FFC Real Property, has been or, with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with or Liability under any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the release, discharge, spillage, or disposal into the environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not occurring at, on, under, adjacent to, or affecting (or potentially affecting) a site currently or formerly owned, leased, or operated by any FFC Entity or any of their Operating Properties, Participation Facilities, OREOs,  or any other FFC Real Property, nor is there any reasonable basis for any litigation as described in this Section 5.12(c), except as such is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FFC Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

 

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(d)   During the period of (i) any FFC Entity’s ownership, lease or operation of any current FFC Real Property, (ii) any FFC Entity’s participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or (iii) any FFC Entity’s holding of a security interest in any Participation Facility or any other FFC Real Property, there have been no releases, discharges, spillages, or disposals of Hazardous Material in, on, under, or to FFC’s Knowledge adjacent to or affecting (or potentially affecting), such properties.  Prior to the period of (i) any FFC Entity’s ownership, lease or operation of any of any current FFC Real Property, (ii) any FFC Entity’s participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or (iii) any FFC Entity’s holding of a security interest in any Participation Facility or any other FFC Real Property, to FFC’s Knowledge, there were no releases, discharges, spillages, or disposals of Hazardous Material in, on, under, or affecting any such property, Participation Facility, Operating Property, OREO or FFC Real Property.  During and, to FFC’s Knowledge prior to, the period of (i) FFC Entity’s ownership, lease or operation of any current FFC Real Property, (ii) any FFC Entity’s participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or (iii) any FFC Entity’s holding of a security interest in any Participation Facility or any other FFC Real Property, there have been no violations of any Environmental Laws at such property or facility, including unauthorized alterations of wetlands.

 

(e)   Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.12(e), no FFC Real Property (a) is listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42. U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., or any similar inventory of sites maintained by any state or locality, or (b) contains any underground storage tanks. 

 

(f)   To FFC’s Knowledge, no conditions exist at any FFC Real Property that require, or that with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both will reasonably likely require, in any material respect, any remedial or corrective action, removal, monitoring or closure pursuant to any Environmental Law. 

 

5.13  

Compliance with Laws.

 

(a)   FFC is a bank holding company duly registered and in good standing as such with the Federal Reserve, except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d).  The Bank is chartered by the State of Washington and is validly existing, and its deposits are insured by the FDIC.

 

(b)   Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), each of the FFC Entities has in effect all Permits and has made all filings, applications, and registrations with Governmental Authorities that are required for it to own, lease, or operate its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and there has occurred no Default under any such Permit applicable to their respective businesses or employees conducting their respective businesses.

 

(c)   Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), none of the FFC Entities is in Default under any Laws or Orders (not including Environmental Laws) applicable to its business or employees conducting its business.

 

 

 

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(d)   Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), since January 1, 2004, none of the FFC Entities has received any notification or communication from any Governmental Authority (i) asserting that FFC or any of its Subsidiaries is in Default under any of the Permits, Laws or Orders (not including Environmental Laws) which such Governmental Authority enforces, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits (not including those relating to environmental matters set forth in Section 5.12 of this Agreement), or (iii) requiring FFC or any of its Subsidiaries (x) to enter into or consent to the issuance of a cease and desist order, formal agreement, directive, commitment, or memorandum of understanding (not including those relating to environmental matters set forth in Section 5.12 of this Agreement), or (y) to adopt any resolution of its Board of Directors or similar undertaking which restricts materially the conduct of its business or in any manner relates to its employment decisions, its employment or safety policies or practices (not including those relating to environmental matters set forth in Section 5.12 of this Agreement).

 

(e)   Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), (i) each FFC Entity has conducted its operations in all material respects in compliance with all Requirements of Law; and (ii) there are no (A) unresolved violations, criticisms, or exceptions by any Governmental Authority with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations or inspections of FFC or any of its Subsidiaries (not including those relating to environmental matters set forth in Section 5.12 of this Agreement) or (B) notices or correspondence received by FFC and FFC does not reasonably expect to receive any notices or correspondence with respect to formal or informal inquiries by, or disagreements or disputes with, any Governmental Authority (not including those relating to environmental matters set forth in Section 5.12 of this Agreement) with respect to FFC’s or any of FFC’s Subsidiaries’ business, operations, policies or procedures since January 1, 2006.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.13(d), there are not any pending or, to FFC’s Knowledge, threatened investigations or reviews of FFC or any of its Subsidiaries on behalf of any Governmental Authority, nor has any Governmental Authority indicated an intention to conduct any investigations or reviews of FFC or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(f)   None of the FFC Entities nor any of its directors, officers, employees or Representatives acting on its behalf has offered, paid, or agreed to pay any Person, including any Governmental Authority, directly or indirectly, anything of value for the purpose of, or with the intent of obtaining or retaining any business in violation of applicable Laws, including (i) using any corporate funds for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity, (ii) making any direct or indirect unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from corporate funds, (iii) violating any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or (iv) making any bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, kickback or other unlawful payment.

 

(g)   Each FFC Entity has complied with all Requirements of Law under the Bank Secrecy Act and the USA Patriot Act and applicable regulations promulgated thereunder, and each FFC Entity has timely filed all reports of suspicious activity, including those required under 12 C.F.R. Part 353.

 

 

 

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(h)   The Bank has complied and will comply with all Requirements of Law governing and regulating the closing of branch offices of the Bank.

 

5.14  

Labor Relations.

 

(a)   No FFC Entity is the subject of any Litigation asserting that it or any other FFC Entity has committed an unfair labor practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, as amended, or comparable state Law) or other violation of state or federal labor Law or seeking to compel it or any other FFC Entity to bargain with any labor organization or other employee representative as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is any FFC Entity Party to any collective bargaining agreement or subject to any bargaining order, injunction or other Order relating to FFC’s relationship or dealings with its employees, any labor organization or any other employee representative.  There is no strike, slowdown, lockout or other job action or labor dispute involving any FFC Entity pending or threatened and there have been no such actions or disputes in the past five years.  To FFC’s Knowledge, there has not been any attempt by any FFC Entity employees or any labor organization or other employee representative to organize or certify a collective bargaining unit or to engage in any other union organization activity with respect to the workforce of any FFC Entity.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.14, employment of each employee and the engagement of each independent contractor of each FFC Entity is terminable at will by the relevant FFC Entity without (i) a


 
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