Exhibit 10.4
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
REORGANIZATION AND MERGER
by and between
BANK OF HEATH
SPRINGS
and
WACCAMAW BANK
and
WACCAMAW BANKSHARES,
INC.
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
REORGANIZATION AND MERGER (this “Agreement”) is entered
into as of the 19 th day of December, 2005 by and between
BANK OF HEATH SPRINGS, a South Carolina chartered bank
(“BHS”), WACCAMAW BANK, a North Carolina banking
corporation (the “Bank”) and WACCAMAW BANKSHARES, INC.,
a North Carolina corporation and registered bank holding company
(“Bankshares”);
W I T N E S S E T
H:
WHEREAS, the parties hereto have
agreed that it is in their mutual best interests and in the best
interests of their respective shareholders for BHS to be merged
with and into the Bank pursuant to a plan of merger (the
“Plan of Merger”) in the form attached hereto as
Schedule A , with the effect that each of the outstanding
shares of BHS’s common stock will be converted into cash in
the manner set forth herein, and the parties desire to provide for
certain undertakings, conditions, representations, warranties and
covenants in connection with the Merger (as hereinafter defined)
and transactions contemplated hereby.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the premises, the mutual benefits to be derived from this
Agreement, and of the representations, warranties, conditions,
covenants and promises herein contained, and subject to the terms
and conditions hereof, the parties hereto mutually agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I. THE
MERGER
1.1 Merger .
Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement and the Plan of Merger, as of the Effective Time (as
defined in Section 1.9 hereof), BHS shall be merged with and
into the Bank pursuant to Section 53-12 of the North Carolina
General Statutes and Title 34 of the South Carolina Code of Laws
(the “Merger”), the separate corporate existence of BHS
shall cease and the corporate existence of the Bank, as the
surviving corporation in the Merger, shall continue under the laws
of the State of North Carolina. The Bank, as the surviving
corporation in the Merger, is hereinafter sometimes referred to as
the “Surviving Corporation.”
1.2 Effect of the
Merger . At the
Effective Time and by reason of the Merger, and in accordance with
applicable law, all of the property, assets and rights of every
kind and character of BHS including, without limitation, all real,
personal or mixed property, all debts due on whatever account, all
other choses in action and every other interest of or belonging to
or due to BHS, whether tangible or intangible, shall vest in the
Surviving Corporation, and the Surviving
Corporation shall succeed to all the rights,
privileges, immunities, powers, purposes and franchises of a public
or private nature of BHS, all without any conveyance, assignment or
further act or deed; and the Surviving Corporation shall become
responsible for all of the liabilities, duties and obligations of
every kind, nature and description of BHS as of the Effective
Time.
1.3 Articles of Incorporation,
Bylaws and Management . The Articles of Incorporation and bylaws of
the Bank in effect at the Effective Time shall be the Articles of
Incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until
thereafter amended in accordance with applicable laws. The officers
and directors of the Bank at the Effective Time shall continue to
hold such offices and positions of the Surviving Corporation until
removed as provided by law or until the election or appointment of
their respective successors.
1.4 Conversion of Shares and
Merger Consideration .
(a) Bankshares and Bank
Stock . Each share of
common stock of Bankshares, no par value (“Bankshares
Stock”), and of the Bank, par value $5.00 per share, issued
and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
continue to be issued and outstanding and shall not be affected by
the Merger.
(b) BHS Stock
. Except as otherwise provided
herein, at the Effective Time, all rights of BHS’s
shareholders with respect to all then outstanding shares of the
common stock of BHS, $10.00 par value per share (“BHS
Stock”), shall cease to exist, and the holders of shares of
BHS Stock shall cease to be and shall have no further rights as
shareholders of BHS. At the Effective Time, each such outstanding
share of BHS Stock (except for shares held, other than in a
fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts previously contracted,
by BHS, the Bank or Bankshares, which shall be canceled in the
Merger, and for Dissenting Shares (as defined in Section 1.7))
shall be converted, without any action on the part of the holder of
such shares, into the right to receive the Per Share Cash
Consideration (as defined in Section 1.4(c)) in accordance
with this Article I. Following the Effective Time, certificates
representing shares of BHS Stock outstanding at the Effective Time
shall evidence only the right to receive the Per Share Cash
Consideration. No share of BHS Stock, other than Dissenting Shares
(as defined in Section 1.7), shall be deemed to be outstanding
or have any rights other than those set forth in this
Section 1.4 after the Effective Time.
(c) Per Share Cash
Consideration . For
purposes of this Agreement, the “Per Share Cash
Consideration” shall be the quotient of Eight Million Dollars
($8,000,000) divided by the number of shares of BHS Stock issued
and outstanding as of the Effective Time.
1.5 Closing Payment
. At least one
(1) business day prior to the Effective Time, Bankshares or
the Bank shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with
First-Citizens Bank and Trust Company, Raleigh, North Carolina
transfer agent of Bankshares Stock (the “Exchange
Agent”), for the benefit of each holder of BHS Stock for
exchange in accordance with this Article I the aggregate
amount of cash to be delivered to holders of BHS Stock as cash
consideration to be paid pursuant to this Article I for outstanding
shares of BHS Stock (such cash referred to as the “Exchange
Fund”). Immediately after the Effective Time, the Exchange
Agent
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shall, pursuant to irrevocable instructions in
accordance with this Article I, deliver cash contemplated to be
paid with respect to BHS Stock out of the Exchange Fund to each
shareholder of BHS Stock who has surrendered in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1.6 below one or more certificates
representing shares of BHS Stock. Such cash shall be delivered
(i) via certified check of the Exchange Agent or (ii) via
wire transfer pursuant to the written wire instructions of the
applicable holder of BHS Stock. The Exchange Fund shall not be used
for any other purpose. The Exchange Agent shall invest all cash
included in the Exchange Fund, as directed by Bankshares, on a
daily basis. Any interest and other income resulting from such
investments shall be paid to Bankshares.
1.6 Exchange of Shares
.
(a) Exchange Procedures
. Prior to the Effective
Time, Bankshares or the Bank shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail
to the shareholders of BHS of record as of the date of such
mailing, transmittal materials and other appropriate written
instructions (collectively, a “Transmittal Letter”)
(which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of
loss and title to the certificate representing shares of BHS Stock
prior to such Effective Time shall pass, only upon proper delivery
of such certificates to the Exchange Agent and which shall be in
such form and have such other provisions as Bankshares may
reasonably specify). At the Effective Time and upon the proper
surrender of certificate(s) representing shares of BHS Stock to the
Exchange Agent, together with a properly completed and duly
executed Transmittal Letter, the holder of such certificate(s)
shall receive, in exchange therefor, the Per Share Cash
Consideration subject to any required withholding of applicable
taxes. Notwithstanding anything else herein contained, neither
Bankshares, the Bank nor the Exchange Agent shall be obligated to
deliver any of such payments in cash unless and until such holder
has surrendered the certificate(s) representing such holder’s
BHS Stock. The certificate(s) so surrendered shall be duly endorsed
as the Exchange Agent may require and shall be held in escrow by
the Exchange Agent pending the effective time. If there is a
transfer of ownership of any shares of BHS Stock not registered in
the transfer records of BHS, the appropriate cash consideration
shall be paid to the transferee thereof if the certificates
representing such BHS Stock are presented to the Exchange Agent,
accompanied by all documents required, in the reasonable judgment
of Bankshares, the Bank and the Exchange Agent, to evidence and
effect such transfer and to evidence that any applicable stock
transfer taxes have been paid. Any portion of the Exchange Fund
which remains undistributed to the holders of certificates
representing BHS Stock for six months after the Effective Time
shall be delivered to Bankshares, upon demand, and any shareholders
of BHS who have not previously complied with the provisions of this
Article I shall thereafter look only to Bankshares for payment of
their claim for cash. Any portion of the Exchange Fund remaining
unclaimed by holders of BHS Stock five years after the Effective
Time (or such earlier date immediately prior to such time as such
portion would otherwise escheat to or become property of any
government entity) shall, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, become the property of Bankshares free and clear of any claims
or interest of any person previously entitled therein. Any other
provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, neither Bankshares,
the Bank nor the Exchange Agent shall be liable to any holder of
shares of BHS Stock for any amounts paid or properly delivered in
good faith to a public official pursuant to any applicable
abandoned property law.
(b) Lost
Certificates . Any
shareholder of BHS whose certificate representing shares of BHS
Stock has been lost, destroyed, stolen or otherwise is missing
shall be entitled to
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receive any cash to which he or she is entitled
in accordance with and upon compliance with conditions reasonably
imposed by the Exchange Agent or Bankshares (including, without
limitation, a requirement that the shareholder provide a lost
instruments indemnity bond in form, substance and amount reasonably
satisfactory to the Exchange Agent and Bankshares).
(c) Rights of Former BHS
Shareholders . At the
Effective Time, the stock transfer books of BHS shall be closed as
to holders of BHS Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time and
no transfer of BHS Stock by any such holder shall thereafter be
made or recognized. Until surrendered for exchange in accordance
with the provisions of Section 1.6(a) of this Agreement, each
certificate theretofore representing shares of BHS Stock (other
than shares to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.4(b) of this
Agreement and Dissenting Shares) shall from and after the Effective
Time represent for all purposes only the right to receive the
appropriate cash consideration. If, after the Effective Time,
certificates representing BHS Stock are presented to BHS,
Bankshares or the Exchange Agent for any reason, they shall be
canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article I.
1.7 Dissenting Shares
. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, shares of BHS
Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
and that are held by shareholders who shall have not voted in favor
of the Merger or consented thereto in writing and who properly
shall have demanded appraisal for such shares in accordance with
S.C. Code Ann. § 33-13-101 et seq. (collectively, the
“Dissenting Shares”) shall not be converted into or
represent the right to receive the appropriate cash consideration.
Such shareholders instead shall be entitled to receive payment of
the appraised value of such shares held by them in accordance with
the provisions of S.C. Code Ann. § 33-13-101 et seq.
except that all Dissenting Shares held by shareholders who shall
have failed to perfect or who effectively shall have withdrawn or
otherwise lost their rights to appraisal of such shares under S.C.
Code Ann. § 33-13-101 et seq. shall thereupon be deemed
to have been converted into and to have become exchangeable, as of
the Effective Time, for the right to receive, without any interest
thereon, the appropriate cash consideration upon surrender in the
manner provided in Section 1.6 of the certificate or
certificates that, immediately prior to the Effective Time,
evidenced such shares. BHS shall give Bankshares (i) prompt
notice of any written demand for appraisal of any shares of BHS
Stock, attempted withdrawals of such demands for appraisal or any
other instruments served pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §
33-13-101 et seq. and received by BHS relating to
shareholders’ rights of appraisal, and (ii) the
opportunity to participate in all negotiations and proceedings with
respect to demands under S.C. Code Ann. § 33-13-101 et
seq. consistent with the obligations of BHS thereunder. BHS
shall not, except with the prior written consent of Bankshares,
(x) make any payment with respect to such demand,
(y) offer to settle or settle any demand for appraisal, or
(z) waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for
appraisal or timely take any other action to perfect appraisal
rights in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 33-13-101 et
seq .
1.8 Closing
. The closing of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall
take place at the offices of Bankshares in Whiteville, North
Carolina, or at such other place as Bankshares shall designate, on
a date mutually agreeable to BHS and Bankshares (the “Closing
Date”) after the expiration of any and all required waiting
periods following the effective date of all required approvals of
the Merger by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(“FDIC”), the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks (the
“Commissioner”), the
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South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions
(the “SCBFI”) and any other governmental or regulatory
authorities (as soon as practicable, but in no event to be more
than 60 days following the expiration of all such required waiting
periods). At the Closing, Bankshares and BHS shall take such
actions (including, without limitation, the delivery of certain
closing documents and the execution of Articles of Merger under
North Carolina law and South Carolina law) as are required herein
and as otherwise shall be required by law to consummate the Merger
and cause it to become effective.
1.9 Effective
Time . Subject to
satisfaction or waiver of all conditions precedent set forth in
this Agreement, the Merger shall become effective (the
“Effective Time”) on the date and at the time on which
Articles of Merger containing the Plan of Merger and the other
provisions required by, and executed in accordance with applicable
North Carolina, South Carolina and applicable federal law shall
have been accepted for filing by the Secretary of State of the
State of North Carolina and the Secretary of State of the State of
South Carolina (or such later time as may be specified in the
Articles of Merger); provided, however, that unless otherwise
mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto, the Effective Time
shall in no event be more than ten days following the Closing
Date.
1.10 Further
Assurances . If at
any time after the Effective Time Bankshares or the Bank shall
consider or be advised that any further deeds, assignments or
assurances in law or any other actions are necessary, desirable or
proper to vest, perfect or confirm of record or otherwise, in the
Surviving Corporation, the title to any property or rights of BHS
acquired or to be acquired by reason of, or as a result of, the
Merger, BHS, and its officers and directors shall execute and
deliver all such proper deeds, assignments and assurances in law
and do all things necessary, desirable or proper to vest, perfect
or confirm title to such property or rights in Bankshares or the
Bank, as applicable and otherwise to carry out the purpose of this
Agreement, and that the officers and directors of Bankshares or the
Bank, as applicable are fully authorized and directed in the name
of BHS or otherwise to take any and all such actions.
ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF BHS
Except as otherwise specifically
provided herein or as “Previously Disclosed” to
Bankshares, BHS hereby makes the following representations and
warranties to Bankshares. (“Previously Disclosed” shall
mean, as to BHS, the disclosure of information in a letter
delivered by BHS to Bankshares specifically referring to this
Agreement and arranged in sections corresponding to the sections,
subsections and items of this Agreement applicable thereto, and
which letter has been delivered prior to the execution of this
Agreement. Information shall be deemed Previously Disclosed for the
purpose of a given section, subsection or item of this Agreement
only to the extent that a specific reference thereto is made in
connection with disclosure of such information at the time of such
delivery.)
2.1 Corporate Organization,
Capacity and Authority .
(a)
Organization . BHS
is a banking corporation duly organized and incorporated and
validly existing under the laws of the State of South Carolina with
its deposits insured up to applicable limits by the FDIC. BHS has
no subsidiaries.
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(b) Power and
Authority. BHS has
all requisite power and authority (corporate and other) to own,
lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it
is now being conducted, is duly qualified to do business and is in
good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the character of
the properties owned, leased or operated by it therein or in which
the transaction of its business makes such qualification necessary,
except where failure to so qualify would not have a Material
Adverse Effect (as defined herein) on BHS, and, to the best
knowledge and belief of the management of BHS, is not transacting
business or operating any properties owned or leased by it in
violation of any provision of federal, state or local law or any
rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, which violation would
have a Material Adverse Effect on BHS. For purposes of this Article
II, “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any event or
change that (i) is material and adverse to the financial
position, results of operations or business of BHS, or
(ii) would materially impair the ability of BHS to perform its
obligations under this Agreement or otherwise materially impede the
consummation of the Merger; provided, however, that “Material
Adverse Effect” shall not be deemed to include the impact of
(A) changes in banking and similar laws of general
applicability or interpretations thereof by any applicable
governmental authority, (B) changes in generally accepted
accounting principles (“GAAP”) or regulatory accounting
requirements applicable to banks and their holding companies
generally, (C) changes in general economic conditions,
including interest rates, affecting banks and their holding
companies generally, (D) any modifications or changes to
valuation policies and practices, or expenses incurred, in
connection with the Merger or restructuring charges taken in
connection with the Merger, in each case in accordance with GAAP,
and (E) the effects of any action or omission taken with the
prior consent of Bankshares or as otherwise contemplated by the
Agreement.
(c) Constituent Documents
. BHS has previously
delivered to Bankshares true, accurate and complete copies of the
currently effective charter and bylaws or equivalent organizational
documents of BHS, including all amendments and proposed amendments
thereto.
2.2 Capital
Stock . The
authorized capital stock of BHS consists of 5,000 shares of common
stock, $10.00 par value per share, of which 5,000 shares are issued
and outstanding as of the date hereof. Other than the BHS Stock,
BHS has no outstanding class of capital stock. Each outstanding
share of BHS Stock has been duly authorized and validly issued, is
fully paid and nonassessable, has been issued in compliance with
applicable federal and state securities laws and has not been
issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any
shareholder.
2.3 Principal
Shareholders . Except
as “Previously Disclosed,” there are no persons or
entities known to BHS that own beneficially, directly or
indirectly, more than 5% of the outstanding shares of BHS
Stock.
2.4 Convertible Securities,
Options, Etc . BHS
does not have any outstanding (i) securities or other
obligations (including debentures or other debt instruments) which
are convertible into shares of BHS Stock or any other securities of
BHS, (ii) options, warrants, rights, calls or other
commitments of any nature which entitle any person to receive or
acquire any shares of BHS Stock or any other securities of BHS, or
(iii) plan, agreement or other arrangement pursuant to which
shares of BHS Stock or any other securities of BHS or options,
warrants, rights, calls or other commitments of any nature
pertaining thereto, have been or may be issued.
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2.5 Authorization and Validity
of Agreement . This
Agreement has been duly and validly approved by BHS’s Board
of Directors. Subject only to approval of the Plan of Merger by the
shareholders of BHS, (i) BHS has the corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its
obligations and agreements and carry out the transactions described
herein, (ii) all corporate proceedings and approvals required
to be taken to authorize BHS to enter into this Agreement and to
perform its obligations and agreements and to carry out the
transactions described herein have been duly and properly taken,
and (iii) this Agreement constitutes the valid and binding
agreement of BHS enforceable in accordance with its terms (except
to the extent enforceability may be limited by (A) applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
from time to time in effect which affect creditors’ rights
generally, (B) legal and equitable limitations on the
availability of injunctive relief, specific performance and other
equitable remedies, and (C) general principles of equity and
applicable laws or court decisions limiting the enforceability of
indemnification provisions).
2.6 Validity of Transactions;
Absence of Required Consents or Waivers . Provided the required approvals of BHS’s
shareholders and of governmental or regulatory authorities are
obtained, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor
the consummation of the transactions described herein, nor
compliance by BHS with any of its obligations or agreements
contained herein, will: (i) conflict with or result in a
breach of the terms and conditions of, or constitute a default or
violation under any provision of, the Articles of Incorporation or
bylaws or the equivalent organizational documents of BHS, or any
material contract, agreement, lease, mortgage, note, bond,
indenture, license, or obligation or understanding (oral or
written) to which BHS is bound or by which it or its business,
capital stock or any of its properties or assets may be affected;
(ii) result in the creation or imposition of any lien, claim,
interest, charge, restriction or encumbrance upon any of the
properties or assets of BHS; (iii) violate any applicable
federal or state statute, law, rule or regulation, or any judgment,
order, writ, injunction or decree of any court, administrative or
regulatory agency or governmental body; (iv) result in the
acceleration of any obligation or indebtedness of BHS; or
(v) interfere with or otherwise adversely affect the ability
of BHS to carry on its business as presently conducted, or
interfere with or otherwise adversely affect the ability of
Bankshares and the Bank to carry on such business after the
Effective Time. No consents, approvals or waivers are required to
be obtained from any person or entity in connection with
BHS’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, or the
performance of its obligations or agreements or the consummation of
the transactions described herein, except for required approvals of
BHS’s shareholders as described in Section 7.1(a) below
and of governmental or regulatory authorities as described in
Section 7.1(b) below and approvals previously
obtained.
2.7 Books and
Records . The books
of account of BHS have been maintained in material compliance with
all applicable legal and accounting requirements and in accordance
with good business practices, and such books of account are
complete and reflect accurately in all material respects
BHS’s items of income and expense and all of its assets,
liabilities and shareholders’ equity. The minute books of BHS
accurately reflect in all material respects the corporate actions
which its shareholders and board of directors, and all committees
thereof, have taken during the time periods covered by such minute
books. All such minute books have been or will be made available to
Bankshares and its representatives.
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2.8 Regulatory
Reports . Since its
date of incorporation, BHS has filed all reports, registrations and
statements, together with any amendments required to be made with
respect thereto, that were required to be filed with (i) the
FDIC, (ii) the SCBFI, and (iii) any other governmental or
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over BHS except to the
extent that failure to file such reports, registrations and
statements would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BHS. All
such reports, registrations and statements filed by BHS with the
FDIC, the SCBFI or other such regulatory authority are collectively
referred to herein as the “BHS Reports.” As of their
respective dates, the BHS Reports complied in all material respects
with all the statutes, rules and regulations enforced or
promulgated by the regulatory authority with which they were filed
and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading; and BHS has not been notified
that any such BHS Reports were deficient as to form or content.
Following the date of this Agreement, BHS shall deliver to
Bankshares, simultaneous with the filing thereof, a copy of each
report, registration, statement or other regulatory filing made
thereafter by BHS, with the FDIC, the SCBFI or any other such
regulatory authority.
2.9 Shareholder Communications
and FDIC Filings; Financial Statements .
(a) Shareholder Communications
and FDIC Filings .
BHS has made available to Bankshares true, accurate and complete
copies of all communications by BHS to its shareholders generally
since December 31, 2002 (collectively, the “BHS
Shareholder Reports”). The BHS Shareholder Reports did not as
of their respective dates contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated in such BHS Shareholder Reports or necessary in order to
make the statements in such BHS Shareholder Reports, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(b) Financial
Statements . BHS has
made available to Bankshares the following financial statements
(collectively, the “BHS Financial Statements”):
(i) its balance sheets as of September 30, 2005 and 2004
and December 31, 2004 and 2003 and its statements of
operations for the nine month period ended September 30, 2005
and for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002,
together with notes thereto. Following the date of this Agreement,
BHS promptly will deliver to Bankshares all other annual or interim
financial statements prepared by or for BHS. The BHS Financial
Statements (including any related notes and schedules thereto) are
in accordance with BHS’s books and records and present fairly
BHS’s financial condition, assets and liabilities and results
of operations as of the dates indicated and for the periods
specified therein subject, in the case of unaudited interim
financial statements, to normal year-end adjustments and any other
adjustments described therein, which adjustments will not be
material in amount or effect.
2.10 Tax Returns and Other Tax
Matters .
(i) BHS has timely filed or caused to be filed, or obtained
proper extensions of time for filing, all federal, state and local
income tax returns and reports which are required by law to have
been filed, and all such returns and reports were true, correct and
complete in all material respects and contained all material
information required to be contained therein; (ii) all
federal, state and local income, profits, franchise, sales, use,
occupation, property, excise, withholding, employment and other
taxes (including interest and penalties), charges and assessments
which have become due from or been assessed or levied
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against BHS, or its respective properties have
been fully paid or, if not yet due, a reserve or accrual which is
reasonably believed by the management of BHS to be adequate in all
material respects for the payment of all such taxes to be paid and
the obligation for such unpaid taxes is reflected on the BHS
Financial Statements; (iii) tax returns and reports of BHS
have not been subject to audit by the Internal Revenue Service (the
“IRS”) or the South Carolina Department of Revenue
since December 31, 2000 and BHS has not received any
indication of the pendency of any audit or examination in
connection with any such tax return or report or has any knowledge
that any such return or report is subject to adjustment; and
(iv) BHS has not executed any waiver or extended the statute
of limitations (or been asked to execute a waiver or extend a
statute of limitations) with respect to any tax.
2.11 Absence of Material
Adverse Effects or Certain Other Events .
(a) Since December 31, 2004, BHS has conducted
business only in the ordinary course, and there has been no
Material Adverse Effect, and there has occurred no event or
development and there currently exists no condition or circumstance
which, with the lapse of time or otherwise, may or could cause,
create or result in a Material Adverse Effect, on BHS.
(b) Since December 31, 2004, and other than in
the ordinary course of its business, BHS has not incurred any
material liability or engaged in any material transaction or
entered into any material agreement, suffered any loss, destruction
or damage to any of its respective properties or assets, or made a
material acquisition or disposition of any assets or entered into
any material contract or lease.
(c) BHS has Previously Disclosed to Bankshares any
and all “Raises” approved or actually effected since
December 31, 2004. For purposes of this Section 2.11(c),
“Raises” shall be defined to include (i) any
bonus; and (ii) any increase in the salaries, compensation or
general benefits payable to employees of BHS.
2.12 Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities . BHS
has no liabilities or obligations, whether known or unknown,
matured or unmatured, accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise,
whether due or to become due (including, without limitation, tax
liabilities or unfunded liabilities under employee benefit plans or
arrangements), other than (i) those reflected in the BHS
Financial Statements, or (ii) obligations or liabilities
incurred in the ordinary course of its business since
December 31, 2004 and which are not, individually or in the
aggregate, material to BHS. No facts or circumstances exist that
could reasonably be expected to serve as the basis for any other
liabilities of BHS.
2.13 Litigation and Compliance
with Law .
(a) There are no actions, suits, arbitrations,
controversies or other proceedings or investigations (or, to the
best knowledge and belief of management of BHS, any facts or
circumstances which reasonably could result in such), including,
without limitation, any such action by any governmental or
regulatory authority, which currently exist or are ongoing, pending
or, to the best knowledge and belief of management of BHS,
threatened, contemplated or probable of assertion, against,
relating to or otherwise affecting BHS, or any of their
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respective properties, assets or employees
which, if determined adversely, could result in liability on the
part of BHS for, or subject BHS to, material monetary damages,
fines or penalties or an injunction, or which could have a Material
Adverse Effect on BHS or on BHS’s ability to consummate the
Merger.
(b) Except for such licenses, permits, orders,
authorizations or approvals (“Permits”) the absence of
which would not have a Material Adverse Effect on BHS, BHS has all
Permits of any federal, state, local or foreign governmental or
regulatory body that are material to or necessary for the conduct
of its respective business or to own, lease and operate its
respective properties. Except as would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on BHS, all such Permits are in full force and effect and no
violations are or have been recorded in respect of any such
Permits. No proceeding is pending or, to the best knowledge and
belief of management of BHS, threatened or probable of assertion to
suspend, cancel, revoke or limit any Permit.
(c) BHS is not subject to any supervisory agreement,
enforcement order, writ, injunction, capital directive, supervisory
directive, memorandum of understanding or other similar agreement,
order, directive, memorandum or consent of, with or issued by any
regulatory or other governmental authority (including, without
limitation, the SCBFI or the FDIC) relating to its financial
condition, directors or officers, employees, operations, capital,
regulatory compliance or otherwise; there are no judgments, orders,
stipulations, injunctions, decrees or awards against BHS that in
any manner limit, restrict, regulate, enjoin or prohibit any
present or past business or practice of BHS; and BHS has not been
advised or has any reason to believe that any regulatory or other
governmental authority or any court is contemplating, threatening
or requesting the issuance of any such agreement, order,
injunction, directive, memorandum, judgment, stipulation, decree or
award.
(d) BHS is not in violation or default under, and
has complied with, all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules,
regulations, orders, writs, injunctions or decrees of any court or
federal, state, municipal or other governmental or regulatory
authority having jurisdiction or authority over it or its business
operations, properties or assets (including, without limitation,
all provisions of South Carolina law relating to usury, consumer
protection and all other laws and regulations applicable to
extensions of credit) except for any such violation, default or
noncompliance as does not or would not have a Material Adverse
Effect on BHS, and, to the best knowledge and belief of management
of BHS, there is no basis for any claim by any person or authority
for compensation, reimbursement or damages or otherwise for any
violation of any of the foregoing.
2.14 Real
Properties . BHS has
Previously Disclosed to Bankshares a listing of all real property
owned or leased by BHS (the “Real Property”) and all
leases pertaining to any such Real Property to which BHS is a party
(the “Real Property Leases” and each “Real
Property Lease”). With respect to all Real Property, BHS has
good and marketable fee simple title to, or a valid and subsisting
leasehold interest in, such Real Property and owns the same free
and clear of all mortgages, liens, leases, encumbrances, title
defects and exceptions to title other than (i) the lien of
current taxes not yet due and payable, and (ii) such
imperfections of title and restrictions, covenants and easements
(including utility easements) which do not materially affect the
value of the Real Property and which do not and will not materially
detract from, interfere with or restrict the present or future use
of the properties subject thereto or affected thereby. With
respect
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to each Real Property Lease (i) such lease
is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms,
(ii) there currently exists no circumstance or condition which
constitutes an event of default by BHS (as lessor or lessee) or its
respective lessor or which, with the passage of time or the giving
of required notices will or could constitute such an event of
default, and (iii) subject to any required consent of
BHS’s lessor, each such Real Property Lease may be assigned
to the Bank or Bankshares and the execution and delivery of this
Agreement does not constitute an event of default thereunder. To
the best knowledge and belief of management of BHS, the Real
Property complies with all applicable federal, state and local
laws, regulations, ordinances or orders of any governmental
authority, including those relating to zoning, building and use
permits, except for such noncompliance as does not or would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on BHS, and the Real Property may be
used under applicable zoning ordinances for commercial banking
facilities as a matter of right rather than as a conditional or
nonconforming use. All improvements and fixtures included in or on
the Real Property are in good condition and repair, ordinary wear
and tear excepted, and there does not exist any condition which
materially adversely affects the economic value thereof or
materially adversely interferes (or will interfere after the
Merger) with the contemplated use thereof.
2.15 Loans, Accounts, Notes
and Other Receivables .
(a) All loans, accounts, notes and other receivables
reflected as assets on the books and records of BHS (i) have
resulted from bona fide business transactions in the ordinary
course of operations of BHS, (ii) were made in accordance with
the standard loan policies and procedures of BHS, and
(iii) are owned by BHS free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances, assignments, participation or repurchase agreements
or other exceptions to title or to the ownership or collection
rights of any other person or entity.
(b) All of the records of BHS regarding all
outstanding loans, accounts, notes and other receivables, and all
other real estate owned, are accurate in all material respects,
and, with respect to such loans the loan documentation of which
indicate are secured by any real or personal property or property
rights (“Loan Collateral”), such loans are in all
material respects secured by valid, perfected and enforceable liens
on all such Loan Collateral having the priority described in the
records of such loan. BHS has not engaged in any form of indirect
lending and no such indirect loans are outstanding.
(c) To the best knowledge and belief of management
of BHS, each loan reflected as an asset on the books of BHS and
each guaranty therefor, is the legal, valid and binding obligation
of the obligor or guarantor thereon, and no defense, offset or
counterclaim has been asserted with respect to any such loan or
guaranty.
(d) BHS has previously delivered to Bankshares
(i) a written listing of each loan, extension of credit or
other asset of BHS which, as of December 15, 2005, is
classified by the FDIC or the SCBFI as “Loss,”
“Doubtful,” “Substandard” or “Special
Mention” (or otherwise by words of similar import), or which
it has designated as a special asset or for special handling or
placed on any “watch list” because of concerns
regarding the ultimate collectibility or deteriorating condition of
such asset or any obligor or Loan Collateral therefor, and
(ii) a written listing of each loan or extension of credit
that, as of November 30, 2005, was past due as to the payment
of principal or interest or both, or as to which any obligor
thereon (including the
11
borrower or any guarantor) otherwise was in
default, is the subject of a proceeding in bankruptcy or otherwise
has indicated any inability or intention not to repay such loan or
extension of credit. Each such listing is accurate and complete in
all material respects as of the date indicated.
(e) As of December 31, 2004 and as of
November 30, 2005, BHS’s, reserve for possible loan
losses (the “Loan Loss Reserve”) has been established
in conformity with GAAP, sound banking practices and all applicable
requirements, rules and policies of the FDIC and the SCBFI and, in
the best judgment of management of BHS, is reasonable in view of
the size and character of its loan portfolio, current economic
conditions and other relevant factors, and is adequate to provide
for losses relating to or the risk of loss inherent in its loan
portfolio.
(f) To the best knowledge and belief of management
of BHS, each of the loans carried on BHS’s books and records
(with the exception of those loans Previously Disclosed to
Bankshares pursuant to subparagraph (d) of this
Section 2.15) is collectible in the ordinary course of
BHS’s business in an amount which is not less than the amount
at which it is carried on BHS’s books and records.
2.16 Securities Portfolio and
Investments . Except
as Previously Disclosed, all securities owned by BHS (whether owned
of record or beneficially) are held free and clear of all
mortgages, liens, pledges, encumbrances or any other restriction or
rights of any other person or entity, whether contractual or
statutory, which would materially impair the ability of BHS to
dispose freely of any such security or otherwise to realize the
benefits of ownership thereof at any time. There are no voting
trusts or other agreements or undertakings to which BHS is a party
with respect to the voting of any such securities. With respect to
all “repurchase agreements” to which BHS has
“purchased” securities under agreement to resell, BHS
has a valid, perfected first lien or security interest in the
government securities or other collateral securing the repurchase
agreement, and the value of the collateral securing each such
repurchase agreement equals or exceeds the amount of the debt owed
that is secured by such collateral. Except for fluctuations in the
market values of its investment securities, since December 31,
2004, there has been no significant deterioration or material
adverse change in the quality, or any material decrease in the
value, of BHS’s securities portfolio as a whole.
2.17 Personal Property and
Other Assets . All
tangible personal property of BHS material to the business
operations of BHS (including, without limitation, all banking
equipment, data processing equipment, vehicles, and all other
tangible personal property located in any office of or used by BHS
in the operation of its business) is owned or leased by BHS free
and clear of all liens, encumbrances, leases, title defects or
exceptions to title other than such as are not material in
character, amount or extent, and which do not materially detract
from the value of, or interfere with the present or future use or
ability to convey, the property subject thereto or affected
thereby. All of BHS’s tangible personal property material to
its business is in good operating condition and repair, ordinary
wear and tear excepted.
2.18 Patents and
Trademarks . BHS is a
corporation in good standing registered with the Secretary of State
of South Carolina and has operated under its original articles of
incorporation, as it may have amended from time to time, for in
excess of 65 years and owns and possesses the right to the name
“Bank of Heath Springs” under the common law of South
Carolina but does not possess or own any statutory copyrights,
tradenames or trademarks. BHS
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possesses such trade secrets and proprietary and
confidential information necessary to conduct its business as
presently conducted; and BHS has not knowingly violated, and is not
now knowingly in conflict with, any patent, license, trademark,
tradename, copyright or proprietary right of any other person or
entity.
2.19 Environmental
Matters .
(a) BHS has Previously Disclosed to Bankshares
copies of all written reports, correspondence, notices or other
materials, if any, in its possession pertaining to environmental
surveys or assessments of the Real Property or any of its Loan
Collateral and any improvements thereon, or to any violation of
“Environmental Laws” (as defined in
Section 2.19(f) below) on, affecting or otherwise involving
the Real Property or any Loan Collateral.
(b) There has been no presence, use, production,
generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal,
distribution, labeling, reporting, testing, processing, emission,
discharge, release, threatened release, control, removal, clean-up
or remediation of any “Hazardous Substances” (as
defined in Section 2.19(g) below) by any person prior to the
date hereof on, from or relating to the Real Property or, to the
best knowledge and belief of management of BHS, the Loan
Collateral, which constitutes a violation of any Environmental
Laws.
(c) BHS has not violated any federal, state or local
law, rule, regulation, order, permit or other requirement relating
to health, safety or the environment or imposing liability,
responsibility or standards of conduct applicable to environmental
conditions, and there has been no violation of any Environmental
Laws (as defined below) (including, to the best knowledge and
belief of management of BHS, any violation with respect to or
relating to any Loan Collateral) by any other person or entity for
whose liability or obligation with respect to any particular matter
or violation BHS is or may be responsible or liable, except to the
extent any violations of which, when taken as a whole, would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on BHS.
(d) BHS is not subject to any claims, demands,
causes of action, suits, proceedings, losses, damages, penalties,
liabilities, obligations, costs or expenses of any kind and nature
which arise out of, under or in connection with, or which result
from or are based upon the presence, use, production, generation,
handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal,
distribution, labeling, reporting, testing, processing, emission,
discharge, release, threatened release, control, removal, clean-up
or remediation of any Hazardous Substances on, from or relating to
the Real Property or, to the best knowledge and belief of
management of BHS, any Loan Collateral by any person or
entity.
(e) No facts, events or conditions relating to the
Real Property or, to the best knowledge and belief of management of
BHS, any Loan Collateral, or the operations of BHS, will prevent,
hinder or limit continued compliance with Environmental Laws, or
give rise to any investigatory, emergency removal, remedial or
corrective actions, obligations or liabilities (whether accrued,
absolute, contingent, unliquidated or otherwise) pursuant to
Environmental Laws.
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(f) For purposes of this Agreement,
“Environmental Laws” shall include:
(i) all federal, state and local statutes,
regulations, ordinances, orders, decrees, and similar provisions
having the force or effect of law,
(ii) all contractual agreements, and
(iii) all common law
concerning public health and safety,
worker health and safety, and pollution or protection of the
environment, including without limitation all standards of conduct
and bases of obligations relating to the presence, use, production,
generation, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal,
distribution, labeling, reporting, testing, processing, discharge,
release, threatened release, control, emergency removal, clean-up
or remediation of any Hazardous Substances (including without
limitation the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act, the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act,
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Toxic
Substances Control Act, any “Superfund” or
“Superlien” law, the Americans with Disabilities Act,
and the Occupational Safety and Health Act), as such may now or at
any time hereafter be defined or in effect.
(g) For purposes of this Agreement, “Hazardous
Substances” shall include hazardous, toxic or otherwise
regulated materials, substances or wastes; chemical substances or
mixtures; pesticides; pollutants; contaminants; toxic chemicals;
oil or other petroleum products, byproducts, or constituents
(including but not limited to crude oil, diesel oil, fuel oil,
gasoline, lubrication oil, oil refuse, oil mixed with other waste,
oil sludge, and all other liquid hydrocarbons regardless of
specific gravity); asbestos or asbestos containing material;
flammable explosives; polychlorinated biphenyls
(“PCBs”) or any material containing PCBs; radioactive
materials; biological micro organisms, viruses, fungi, spores;
environmental tobacco smoke; radon or radon gas; formaldehyde or
any material containing formaldehyde; fumigants; any material or
substance comprising or contributing to conditions known as
“sick building syndrome,” “building-related
illness” or similar conditions or exposures; and/or any
hazardous, toxic, regulated or dangerous waste, substance or
material defined as such by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency or any other federal, state or local governmental
agency or political subdivision thereof, or for the purpose of or
by any Environmental Laws, as now or at any time hereafter may be
in effect.
2.20 Brokerage or
Finders’ Commissions . All negotiations relative to this Agreement
and the transactions described herein have been carried on by BHS
or its representative, Howe Barnes Investments, Inc., Chicago,
Illinois (“Howe Barnes”), directly with Bankshares or
its representatives, and no person or firm other than Howe Barnes
has been retained by or has acted on behalf of, pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding with, or under the
authority of, BHS or its Board of Directors, as a broker, finder or
agent or has performed similar functions or otherwise is or may be
entitled to receive or claim a brokerage fee or other commission in
connection with or as a result of the transactions described
herein.
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2.21 Material
Contracts .
(a) Except as Previously Disclosed, BHS is not a
party to or bound by any agreement, other than loans made in the
ordinary course of business, (i) involving money or other
property in an amount or with a value in excess of $25,000,
(ii) which calls for the provision of goods or services to BHS
and cannot be terminated without material penalty upon written
notice to the other party thereto, (iii) which is material to
BHS and was not entered into in the ordinary course of business,
(iv) which involves hedging, options or any similar trading
activity, or interest rate exchanges or swaps, (v) which
commits BHS to extend any loan or credit (with the exception of
letters of credit, lines of credit and loan commitments extended in
the ordinary course of business), (vi) which involves the
purchase or sale of any assets of BHS, or the purchase, sale,
issuance, redemption or transfer of any capital stock or other
securities of BHS, or (vii) with any director, officer or
principal shareholder of BHS (including, without limitation, any
consulting agreement, but not including any agreement relating to
loans or other banking services which were made in the ordinary
course of its business and on substantially the same terms and
conditions as were prevailing at that time for similar agreements
with unrelated persons).
(b) BHS is not in default, and there has not
occurred any event which with the lapse of time or giving of notice
or both would constitute such a default, under any contract, lease,
insurance policy, commitment or arrangement to which it is a party
or by which it or its property is or may be bound or affected or
under which it or its property receives benefits.
2.22 Employment Matters;
Employee Relations .
(a) BHS (i) has paid in full to or accrued on
behalf of all its respective directors, officers and employees all
wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, fees and other direct
compensation for all labor or services rendered, including all
wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, fees and other direct
compensation for all labor or services performed by them to the
date of this Agreement and all vacation pay, sick pay, severance
pay and other amounts promised to the extent required by law or its
existing policies or practices, and (ii) is in compliance in
all material respects with all applicable federal, state and local
laws, statutes, rules and regulations with regard to employment and
employment practices, terms and conditions, and wages and hours and
other compensation matters; and no person has, to the best
knowledge and belief of management of BHS, asserted that BHS is
liable in any amount for any arrearages in wages or employment
taxes or for any penalties for failure to comply with any of the
foregoing.
(b) There is no action, suit or proceeding by any
person pending or, to the best knowledge and belief of management
of BHS, threatened against BHS (or its employees), involving
employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge or
similar claims. BHS is not a party to or bound by any collective
bargaining agreement with any of its employees, any labor union or
any other collective bargaining unit or organization. There is no
pending or, to BHS’s best knowledge, threatened labor
dispute, work stoppage or strike involving BHS, or any of its
employees, or any pending or, to BHS’s best knowledge,
threatened proceeding in which it is asserted that BHS has
committed an unfair labor practice; and, BHS is not aware of any
activity involving it or any of its employees seeking to certify a
collective bargaining unit or engaging in any other labor
organization activity.
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2.23 Employment Agreements;
Employee Benefit Plans .
(a) BHS has Previously Disclosed to Bankshares a
true and complete list of all bonus, deferred compensation,
pension, retirement, profit-sharing, thrift, savings, employee
stock ownership, stock bonus, stock purchase, restricted stock and
stock option plans; all employment and severance contracts; all
medical, dental, health, and life insurance plans; all vacation,
sickness and other leave plans, disability and death benefit plans;
and all other employee benefit plans, contracts, or arrangements
maintained or contributed to by BHS for the benefit of any
employees, former employees, directors, former directors or any of
their beneficiaries (collectively, the “Plans”). True
and complete copies of all Plans, including, but not limited to,
any trust instruments or insurance contracts, if any, forming a
part thereof, and all amendments thereto, previously have been
supplied to Bankshares. BHS does not maintain, sponsor, contribute
to or otherwise participate in any “Employee Benefit
Plan” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended
(“ERISA”), any “Multiemployer Plan” within
the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA, or any “Multiple
Employer Welfare Arrangement” within the meaning of
Section 3(40) of ERISA. Each Plan that is an “employee
pension benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(2)
of ERISA and which is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code, has received or applied for a
favorable determination letter from the IRS and BHS is not aware of
any circumstances reasonably likely to result in the revocation or
denial of any such favorable determination letter. All reports and
returns with respect to the Plans (and any Plans previously
maintained by BHS) required to be filed with any governmental
department, agency, service or other authority, including, without
limitation, Internal Revenue Service Form 5500 (Annual Report),
have been properly and timely filed.
(b) All “Employee Benefit Plans”
maintained by or otherwise covering employees or former employees
of BHS currently are, and at all times have been, in compliance
with all provisions and requirements of ERISA except those the
noncompliance of which, when taken as a whole, would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on BHS. There is no pending or, to
BHS’s best knowledge, threatened litigation relating to any
Plan or any such Plan previously maintained by BHS. BHS has not
engaged in a transaction with respect to any Plan that has
subjected it, or absent the exemption under which the transaction
was effected, would subject it to a tax or penalty imposed by
either Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502(i) of
ERISA.
(c) BHS has delivered to Bankshares a true, correct
and complete copy (including copies of all amendments thereto) of
each of its retirement plans that is intended to be qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Code (collectively, the
“Retirement Plans”), together with true, correct and
complete copies of the summary plan descriptions relating to the
Retirement Plans, the most recent determination letters received
from the IRS regarding the Retirement Plans, and the most recent
Annual Reports (Form 5500 series) and related schedules, if any,
for the Retirement Plans. The Retirement Plans are qualified under
the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code, the trusts under
the Retirement Plans are exempt trusts under Section 501(a) of
the Code, and determination letters have been issued or applied for
with respect to the Retirement Plans to said effect, including
determination letters covering the current terms and provisions of
the Retirement Plans. There are no issues relating to said
qualification or exemption of the Retirement Plans currently
pending before the IRS, the United States Department of Labor, the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any court. The Retirement
Plans and the administration thereof meet (and have met since the
establishment of the Retirement Plans) the requirements of ERISA,
the Code and all other laws, rules and regulations applicable to
the Retirement Plans and
16
do not violate (and since the establishment of
the Retirement Plans have not violated) any of the provisions of
ERISA, the Code and such other laws, rules and regulations, except
to the extent such violation, when taken as a whole, would not have
a Material Adverse Effect on BHS. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, all reports and returns with respect to the
Retirement Plans required to be filed with any governmental
department, agency, service or other authority have been properly
and timely filed. There are no disputes or unresolved disagreements
with respect to the Retirement Plans or the administration thereof
currently existing between BHS, or any trustee or other fiduciary
thereunder, and any governmental agency, any current or former
employee of BHS, or beneficiary of any such employee or any other
person or entity. No “reportable event” within the
meaning of Section 4043(b) of ERISA has occurred at any time
with respect to the Retirement Plans, other than those, when taken
as a whole, would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
BHS.
(d) No liability under subtitle C or D of Title IV
of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by BHS with respect
to the Retirement Plans or with respect to any other ongoing,
frozen or terminated defined benefit pension plan currently or
formerly maintained by BHS. BHS presently does not contribute to a
“Multiemployer Plan” or has ever contributed to such a
plan. All contributions required to be made pursuant to the terms
of each of the Plans (including without limitation the Retirement
Plans and any other “pension plan” (as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA, provided such plan is intended to
qualify under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code)
maintained by BHS have been timely made. Neither the Retirement
Plans nor any other “pension plan” maintained by BHS
have an “accumulated funding deficiency” (whether or
not waived) within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code or
Section 302 of ERISA. BHS has not provided, and is not
required to provide, security to any “pension plan” or
to any “Single Employer Plan” pursuant to
Section 401(a)(29) of the Code. Under the Retirement Plans and
any other “pension plan” maintained by BHS as of the
last day of the most recent plan year ended prior to the date
hereof, the actuarially determined present value of all
“benefit liabilities,” within the meaning of
Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA (as determined on the basis of
the actuarial assumptions contained in the plan’s most recent
actuarial valuation) did not exceed the then current value of the
assets of such plan, and there has been no material change in the
financial condition of any such plan since the last day of the most
recent plan year.
(e) There are no restrictions on the rights of BHS
to amend or terminate any Plan. Neither the execution and delivery
of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will (except as otherwise specifically provided
for or contemplated by the transactions described in this
Agreement) (i) result in any payment to any person (including,
without limitation, any severance compensation or payment,
unemployment compensation, “golden parachute” or
“change in control” payment, or otherwise) becoming due
under any plan or agreement to any director, officer, employee or
consultant, (ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any
plan or agreement, or (iii) result in any acceleration of the
time of payment or vesting of any such benefit.
2.24 Insurance
. BHS has in effect a
“financial institutions bond” and such other policies
of general liability, casualty, directors and officers liability,
employee fidelity, errors and omissions and other property and
liability insurance as have been Previously Disclosed to Bankshares
(the “Policies”). The Policies provide coverage in such
amounts and against such liabilities, casualties, losses or risks
as is required by applicable law or regulation; and, in
the
17
judgment of management of BHS, the insurance
coverage provided under the Policies is reasonable and adequate in
all respects for BHS. Each of the Policies is in full force and
effect and is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms,
and is underwritten by an insurer of recognized financial
responsibility that is qualified to transact business in South
Carolina; and BHS has taken all requisite actions (including the
giving of required notices) under each such Policy to preserve all
rights thereunder with respect to all matters. BHS is not in
default under the provisions of, has received notice of
cancellation or nonrenewal of, or any premium increase on, or has
any knowledge of any failure to pay any premium on or any
inaccuracy in any application for any Policy. There are no pending
claims under any Policy, and BHS has no knowledge of any facts or
of the occurrence of any event that is reasonably likely to result
in any such claim.
2.25 Insurance of
Deposits . BHS is an
“insured institution” as defined in the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act and applicable regulations thereunder. The deposits
of each depositor in BHS are insured by the FDIC to the maximum
amount provided by law, all deposit insurance premiums due from BHS
to the FDIC have been paid in full in a timely fashion, and, to the
best knowledge and belief of BHS, no proceedings have been
commenced or are contemplated by the FDIC or otherwise to terminate
such insurance.
2.26 Compensation; Stock
Ownership . BHS has
Previously Disclosed (i) the name and current salary or wage
rate for each present employee of BHS, and (ii) the name of
and number of shares of BHS Stock beneficially owned by each of the
directors and officers of BHS and by any person or entity known to
BHS to own beneficially 5% or more of BHS Stock.
2.27 Disclosure
. To the best knowledge and belief
of management of BHS, no written statement, certificate, schedule,
list or other written information furnished by or on behalf of BHS
at any time to Bankshares in connection with this Agreement
(including without limitation the statements contained herein),
when considered as a whole, contains or will contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements herein or
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading. Each document delivered or to be delivered by BHS
to Bankshares is or will be a true and complete copy of such
document, unmodified except by another document delivered by
BHS.
ARTICLE III. REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES OF BANKSHARES
Except as otherwise specifically
described herein or as “Prev