In witness whereof, this letter agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto as of the date written below.

 

 

	UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
	By:	/s/ Neel Kashkari
		Name:	Neel Kashkari
		Title:	Interim Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability
	COMPANY: FIRST FEDERAL BANCSHARES OF ARKANSAS, INC.
	By:	/s/ Larry J. Brandt
		Name:	Larry J. Brandt
		Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: March 6, 2009

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

 

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

STANDARD TERMS

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

				Page
		Article I
		Purchase; Closing
1.1		Purchase		1
1.2		Closing		2
1.3		Interpretation		4
		Article II
		Representations and Warranties
2.1		Disclosure		4
2.2		Representations and Warranties of the Company		5
		Article III
		Covenants
3.1		Commercially Reasonable Efforts		13
3.2		Expenses		14
3.3		Sufficiency of Authorized Common Stock; Exchange Listing		14
3.4		Certain Notifications Until Closing		14
3.5		Access, Information and Confidentiality		15
		Article IV
		Additional Agreements
4.1		Purchase for Investment		16
4.2		Legends		16
4.3		Certain Transactions		18
4.4		Transfer of Purchased Securities and Warrant Shares; Restrictions on Exercise of the Warrant		18
4.5		Registration Rights		18
4.6		Voting of Warrant Shares		30
4.7		Depositary Shares		30
4.8		Restriction on Dividends and Repurchases		30
4.9		Repurchase of Investor Securities		31
4.10		Executive Compensation		32
4.11		Bank and Thrift Holding Company Status		32
4.12		Predominantly Financial		33

 

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		Article V
		Miscellaneous
5.1		Termination		33
5.2		Survival of Representations and Warranties		33
5.3		Amendment		34
5.4		Waiver of Conditions		34
5.5		Governing Law: Submission to Jurisdiction, Etc .		34
5.6		Notices		34
5.7		Definitions		35
5.8		Assignment		35
5.9		Severability		35
5.10		No Third Party Beneficiaries		36

 

ii

 

LIST OF ANNEXES

 

ANNEX A:		FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS FOR PREFERRED STOCK
ANNEX B:		FORM OF WAIVER
ANNEX C:		FORM OF OPINION
ANNEX D:		FORM OF WARRANT

 

iii

 

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

 

Term		Location of Definition
Affiliate		5.7(b)
Agreement		Recitals
Appraisal Procedure		4.9(c)(i)
Appropriate Federal Banking Agency		2.2(s)
Bank Holding Company		4.11
Bankruptcy Exceptions		2.2(d)
Benefit Plans		1.2(d)(iv)
Board of Directors		2.2(f)
Business Combination		4.4
business day		1.3
Capitalization Date		2.2(b)
Certificate of Designations		1.2(d)(iii)
Charter		1.2(d)(iii)
Closing		1.2(a)
Closing Date		1.2(a)
Code		2.2(n)
Common Stock		Recitals
Company		Recitals
Company Financial Statements		2.2(h)
Company Material Adverse Effect		2.1(a)
Company Reports		2.2(i)(i)
Company Subsidiary; Company Subsidiaries		2.2(i)(i)
control; controlled by; under common control with		5.7(b)
Controlled Group		2.2(n)
CPP		Recitals
EESA		1.2(d)(iv)
ERISA		2.2(n)
Exchange Act		2.1(b)
Fair Market Value		4.9(c)(ii)
Federal Reserve		4.11
GAAP		2.1(a)
Governmental Entities		1.2(c)
Holder		4.5(k)(i)
Holders’ Counsel		4.5(k)(ii)
Indemnitee		4.5(g)(i)
Information		3.5(b)
Initial Warrant Shares		Recitals
Investor		Recitals
Junior Stock		4.8(c)
knowledge of the Company; Company’s knowledge		5.7(c)
Last Fiscal Year		2.1(b)

 

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Term		Location of Definition
Letter Agreement		Recitals
officers		5.7(c)
Parity Stock		4.8(c)
Pending Underwritten Offering		4.5(l)
Permitted Repurchases		4.8(a)(ii)
Piggyback Registration		4.5(a)(iv)
Plan		2.2(n)
Preferred Shares		Recitals
Preferred Stock		Recitals
Previously Disclosed		2.1(b)
Proprietary Rights		2.2(u)
Purchase		Recitals
Purchase Price		1.1
Purchased Securities		Recitals
Qualified Equity Offering		4.4
register; registered; registration		4.5(k)(iii)
Registrable Securities		4.5(k)(iv)
Registration Expenses		4.5(k)(v)
Regulatory Agreement		2.2(s)
Rule 144; Rule 144A; Rule 159A; Rule 405; Rule 415		4.5(k)(vi)
Savings and Loan Holding Company		4.11
Schedules		Recitals
SEC		2.1(b)
Securities Act		2.2(a)
Selling Expenses		4.5(k)(vii)
Senior Executive Officers		4.10
Share Dilution Amount		4.8(a)(ii)
Shelf Registration Statement		4.5(a)(ii)
Signing Date		2.1(a)
Special Registration		4.5(i)
Stockholder Proposals		3.1(b)
subsidiary		5.8(a)
Tax; Taxes		2.2(o)
Transfer		4.4
Warrant		Recitals
Warrant Shares		2.2(d)

 

v

 

SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT — STANDARD TERMS

 

Recitals:

 

WHEREAS, the United States Department of the Treasury (the “ Investor ”) may from time to time agree to purchase shares of preferred stock and warrants from eligible financial institutions which elect to participate in the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program (“ CPP ”);

 

WHEREAS, an eligible financial institution electing to participate in the CPP and issue securities to the Investor (referred to herein as the “ Company ”) shall enter into a letter agreement (the “ Letter Agreement ”) with the Investor which incorporates this Securities Purchase Agreement — Standard Terms;

 

WHEREAS, the Company agrees to expand the flow of credit to U.S. consumers and businesses on competitive terms to promote the sustained growth and vitality of the U.S. economy;

 

WHEREAS, the Company agrees to work diligently, under existing programs, to modify the terms of residential mortgages as appropriate to strengthen the health of the U.S. housing market;

 

WHEREAS, the Company intends to issue in a private placement the number of shares of the series of its Preferred Stock (“ Preferred Stock ”) set forth on Schedule A to the Letter Agreement (the “ Preferred Shares ”) and a warrant to purchase the number of shares of its Common Stock (“ Common Stock ”) set forth on Schedule A to the Letter Agreement (the “ Initial Warrant Shares ”) (the “ Warrant ” and, together with the Preferred Shares, the “ Purchased Securities ”) and the Investor intends to purchase (the “ Purchase ”) from the Company the Purchased Securities; and

 

WHEREAS, the Purchase will be governed by this Securities Purchase Agreement — Standard Terms and the Letter Agreement, including the schedules thereto (the “ Schedules ”), specifying additional terms of the Purchase. This Securities Purchase Agreement — Standard Terms (including the Annexes hereto) and the Letter Agreement (including the Schedules thereto) are together referred to as this “Agreement”.  All references in this Securities Purchase Agreement — Standard Terms to “Schedules” are to the Schedules attached to the Letter Agreement.

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises, and of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:

 

Article I
Purchase; Closing

 

1.1           Purchase . On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell to the Investor, and the Investor agrees to purchase from the

 

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Company, at the Closing (as hereinafter defined), the Purchased Securities for the price set forth on Schedule A (the “ Purchase Price ”).

 

1.2           Closing .

 

(a)           On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the closing of the Purchase (the “ Closing ”) will take place at the location specified in Schedule A , at the time and on the date set forth in Schedule A or as soon as practicable thereafter, or at such other place, time and date as shall be agreed between the Company and the Investor. The time and date on which the Closing occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “ Closing Date ”.

 

(b)           Subject to the fulfillment or waiver of the conditions to the Closing in this Section 1.2, at the Closing the Company will deliver the Preferred Shares and the Warrant, in each case as evidenced by one or more certificates dated the Closing Date and bearing appropriate legends as hereinafter provided for, in exchange for payment in full of the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available United States funds to a bank account designated by the Company on Schedule A .

 

(c)           The respective obligations of each of the Investor and the Company to consummate the Purchase are subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by the Investor and the Company, as applicable) prior to the Closing of the conditions that (i) any approvals or authorizations of all United States and other governmental, regulatory or judicial authorities (collectively, “ Governmental Entities ”) required for the consummation of the Purchase shall have been obtained or made in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each party and shall be in full force and effect and all waiting periods required by United States and other applicable law, if any, shall have expired and (ii) no provision of any applicable United States or other law and no judgment, injunction, order or decree of any Governmental Entity shall prohibit the purchase and sale of the Purchased Securities as contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(d)           The obligation of the Investor to consummate the Purchase is also subject to the fulfillment (or waiver by the Investor) at or prior to the Closing of each of the following conditions:

 

(i)            (A) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in (x) Section 2.2(g) of this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects as though made on and as of the Closing Date, (y) Sections 2.2(a) through (f) shall be true and correct in all material respects as though made on and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of another date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such other date) and (z) Sections 2.2(h) through (v) (disregarding all qualifications or limitations set forth in such representations and warranties as to “materiality”, “Company Material Adverse Effect” and words of similar import) shall be true and correct as though made on and as of the Closing Date (other than representations and warranties that by their terms speak as of another date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct as of such other date), except to the extent that the failure of such representations and warranties referred to in this Section 1.2(d)(i)(A)(z) to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, does not have and would not reasonably be

 

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expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect and (B) the Company shall have performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing;

 

(ii)           the Investor shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by a senior executive officer certifying to the effect that the conditions set forth in Section 1.2(d)(i) have been satisfied;

 

(iii)          the Company shall have duly adopted and filed with the Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of organization or other applicable Governmental Entity the amendment to its certificate or articles of incorporation, articles of association, or similar organizational document (“ Charter ”)  in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex A   (the “ Certificate of Designations ”) and such filing shall have been accepted;

 

(iv)          (A) the Company shall have effected such changes to its compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements and agreements (including golden parachute, severance and employment agreements) (collectively, “ Benefit Plans ”) with respect to its Senior Executive Officers (and to the extent necessary for such changes to be legally enforceable, each of its Senior Executive Officers shall have duly consented in writing to such changes), as may be necessary, during the period that the Investor owns any debt or equity securities of the Company acquired pursuant to this Agreement or the Warrant, in order to comply with Section 111(b) of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“ EESA ”) as implemented by guidance or regulation thereunder that has been issued and is in effect as of the Closing Date, and (B) the Investor shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of the Company by a senior executive officer certifying to the effect that the condition set forth in Section 1.2(d)(iv)(A) has been satisfied;

 

(v)           each of the Company’s Senior Executive Officers shall have delivered to the Investor a written waiver in the form attached hereto as Annex B releasing the Investor from any claims that such Senior Executive Officers may otherwise have as a result of the issuance, on or prior to the Closing Date, of any regulations which require the modification of, and the agreement of the Company hereunder to modify, the terms of any Benefit Plans with respect to its Senior Executive Officers to eliminate any provisions of such Benefit Plans that would not be in compliance with the requirements of Section 111(b) of the EESA as implemented by guidance or regulation thereunder that has been issued and is in effect as of the Closing Date;

 

(vi)          the Company shall have delivered to the Investor a written opinion from counsel to the Company (which may be internal counsel), addressed to the Investor and dated as of the Closing Date, in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex C ;

 

(vii)         the Company shall have delivered certificates in proper form or, with the prior consent of the Investor, evidence of shares in book-entry form, evidencing the Preferred Shares to Investor or its designee(s); and

 

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(viii)        the Company shall have duly executed the Warrant in substantially the form attached hereto as Annex D and delivered such executed Warrant to the Investor or its designee(s).

 

1.3           Interpretation . When a reference is made in this Agreement to “Recitals,” “Articles,” “Sections,” or “Annexes” such reference shall be to a Recital, Article or Section of, or Annex to, this Securities Purchase Agreement — Standard Terms, and a reference to “Schedules” shall be to a Schedule to the Letter Agreement, in each case, unless otherwise indicated. The terms defined in the singular have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa. References to “herein”, “hereof”, “hereunder” and the like refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section or provision, unless the context requires otherwise. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed followed by the words “without limitation.” No rule of construction against the draftsperson shall be applied in connection with the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement, as this Agreement is the product of negotiation between sophisticated parties advised by counsel. All references to “$” or “dollars” mean the lawful currency of the United States of America. Except as expressly stated in this Agreement, all references to any statute, rule or regulation are to the statute, rule or regulation as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of statutes, include any rules and regulations promulgated under the statute) and to any section of any statute, rule or regulation include any successor to the section. References to a “ business day ” shall mean any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are authorized or required by law or other governmental actions to close.

 

Article II
Representations and Warranties

 

2.1           Disclosure .

 

(a)           “ Company Material Adverse Effect ” means a material adverse effect on (i) the business, results of operation or financial condition of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole; provided , however , that Company Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the effects of (A) changes after the date of the Letter Agreement (the “ Signing Date ”) in general business, economic or market conditions (including changes generally in prevailing interest rates, credit availability and liquidity, currency exchange rates and price levels or trading volumes in the United States or foreign securities or credit markets), or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declared or undeclared acts of war or terrorism, in each case generally affecting the industries in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate, (B) changes or proposed changes after the Signing Date in generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“ GAAP ”) or regulatory accounting requirements, or authoritative interpretations thereof, (C) changes or proposed changes after the Signing Date in securities, banking and other laws of general applicability or related policies or interpretations of Governmental Entities (in the case of each of these clauses (A), (B) and (C), other than changes or occurrences to the extent that such changes or occurrences have or would reasonably be expected to have a materially disproportionate adverse effect on the Company and its

 

4

 

consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole relative to comparable U.S. banking or financial services organizations), or (D) changes in the market price or trading volume of the Common Stock or any other equity, equity-related or debt securities of the Company or its consolidated subsidiaries (it being understood and agreed that the exception set forth in this clause (D) does not apply to the underlying reason giving rise to or contributing to any such change); or (ii) the ability of the Company to consummate the Purchase and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Warrant and perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder on a timely basis.

 

(b)           “ Previously Disclosed ” means information set forth or incorporated in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”) prior to the Signing Date (the “ Last Fiscal Year ”) or in its other reports and forms filed with or furnished to the SEC under Sections 13(a), 14(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “ Exchange Act ”) on or after the last day of the Last Fiscal Year and prior to the Signing Date.

 

2.2           Representations and Warranties of the Company . Except as Previously Disclosed, the Company represents and warrants to the Investor that as of the Signing Date and as of the Closing Date (or such other date specified herein):

 

(a)           Organization, Authority and Significant Subsidiaries . The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, with the necessary power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business in all material respects as currently conducted, and except as has not, individually or in the aggregate, had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification; each subsidiary of the Company that is a “significant subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”) has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization.  The Charter and bylaws of the Company, copies of which have been provided to the Investor prior to the Signing Date, are true, complete and correct copies of such documents as in full force and effect as of the Signing Date.

 

(b)           Capitalization . The authorized capital stock of the Company, and the outstanding capital stock of the Company (including securities convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, capital stock of the Company) as of the most recent fiscal month-end preceding the Signing Date (the “ Capitalization Date ”) is set forth on Schedule B .  The outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, and subject to no preemptive rights (and were not issued in violation of any preemptive rights). Except as provided in the Warrant, as of the Signing Date, the Company does not have outstanding any securities or other obligations providing the holder the right to acquire Common Stock that is not reserved for issuance as specified on Schedule B , and the Company has not made any other commitment to authorize, issue or sell any Common Stock.  Since the Capitalization Date, the Company has not issued any shares of Common Stock, other than (i) shares issued upon the exercise of stock options or delivered under other equity-based awards or other convertible securities or warrants which were

 

5

 

issued and outstanding on the Capitalization Date and disclosed on Schedule B and (ii) shares disclosed on Schedule B .

 

(c)           Preferred Shares . The Preferred Shares have been duly and validly authorized, and, when issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement, such Preferred Shares will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable, will not be issued in violation of any preemptive rights, and will rank pari passu with or senior to all other series or classes of Preferred Stock, whether or not issued or outstanding, with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company.

 

(d)           The Warrant and Warrant Shares . The Warrant has been duly authorized and, when executed and delivered as contemplated hereby, will constitute a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and general equitable principles, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity (“ Bankruptcy Exceptions ”). The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant (the “ Warrant Shares ”) have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Warrant and when so issued in accordance with the terms of the Warrant will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, subject, if applicable, to the approvals of its stockholders set forth on Schedule C .

 

(e)           Authorization, Enforceability .

 

(i)            The Company has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Warrant and, subject, if applicable, to the approvals of its stockholders set forth on Schedule C , to carry out its obligations hereunder and thereunder (which includes the issuance of the Preferred Shares, Warrant and Warrant Shares). The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Warrant and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and its stockholders, and no further approval or authorization is required on the part of the Company, subject, in each case, if applicable, to the approvals of its stockholders set forth on Schedule C . This Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, subject to the Bankruptcy Exceptions.

 

(ii)           The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Warrant and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and compliance by the Company with the provisions hereof and thereof, will not (A) violate, conflict with, or result in a breach of any provision of, or constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration of, or result in the creation of, any lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary under any of the terms, conditions or

 

6

 

provisions of (i) subject, if applicable, to the approvals of the Company’s stockholders set forth on Schedule C , its organizational documents or (ii) any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary is a party or by which it or any Company Subsidiary may be bound, or to which the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of the properties or assets of the Company or any Company Subsidiary may be subject, or (B) subject to compliance with the statutes and regulations referred to in the next paragraph, violate any statute, rule or regulation or any judgment, ruling, order, writ, injunction or decree applicable to the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any of their respective properties or assets except, in the case of clauses (A)(ii) and (B), for those occurrences that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(iii)          Other than the filing of the Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of organization or other applicable Governmental Entity, any current report on Form 8-K required to be filed with the SEC, such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under any state “blue sky” laws, the filing of any proxy statement contemplated by Section 3.1 and such as have been made or obtained, no notice to, filing with, exemption or review by, or authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity is required to be made or obtained by the Company in connection with the consummation by the Company of the Purchase except for any such notices, filings, exemptions, reviews, authorizations, consents and approvals the failure of which to make or obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(f)            Anti-takeover Provisions and Rights Plan .  The Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board of Directors ”) has taken all necessary action to ensure that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Warrant and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the exercise of the Warrant in accordance with its terms, will be exempt from any anti-takeover or similar provisions of the Company’s Charter and bylaws, and any other provisions of any applicable “moratorium”, “control share”, “fair price”, “interested stockholder” or other anti-takeover laws and regulations of any jurisdiction.  The Company has taken all actions necessary to render any stockholders’ rights plan of the Company inapplicable to this Agreement and the Warrant and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the exercise of the Warrant by the Investor in accordance with its terms.

 

(g)           No Company Material Adverse Effect . Except as set forth in Schedule G, since the last day of the last completed fiscal period for which the Company has filed a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Annual Report on Form 10-K with the SEC prior to the Signing Date, no fact, circumstance, event, change, occurrence, condition or development has occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(h)           Company Financial Statements .  Each of the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively the “ Company Financial Statements ”) included or incorporated by reference in the Company Reports filed with the SEC

 

7

 

since December 31, 2006, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates indicated therein (or if amended prior to the Signing Date, as of the date of such amendment) and the consolidated results of their operations for the periods specified therein; and except as stated therein, such financial statements (A) were prepared in conformity with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be noted therein), (B) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and (C) complied as to form, as of their respective dates of filing with the SEC, in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto.

 

(i)            Reports .

 

(i)            Since December 31, 2006, the Company and each subsidiary of the Company (each a “ Company Subsidiary ” and, collectively, the “ Company Subsidiaries ”) has timely filed all reports, registrations, documents, filings, statements and submissions, together with any amendments thereto, that it was required to file with any Governmental Entity (the foregoing, collectively, the “ Company Reports ”) and has paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  As of their respective dates of filing, the Company Reports complied in all material respects with all statutes and applicable rules and regulations of the applicable Governmental Entities.  In the case of each such Company Report filed with or furnished to the SEC, such Company Report (A) did not, as of its date or if amended prior to the Signing Date, as of the date of such amendment, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (B) complied as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.  With respect to all other Company Reports, the Company Reports were complete and accurate in all material respects as of their respective dates.  No executive officer of the Company or any Company Subsidiary has failed in any respect to make the certifications required of him or her under Section 302 or 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(ii)           The records, systems, controls, data and information of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are recorded, stored, maintained and operated under means (including any electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) that are under the exclusive ownership and direct control of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries or their accountants (including all means of access thereto and therefrom), except for any non-exclusive ownership and non-direct control that would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the system of internal accounting controls described below in this Section 2.2(i)(ii).  The Company (A) has implemented and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including the consolidated Company Subsidiaries, is made known to the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the Company by others within those entities, and (B) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the Signing

 

8

 

Date, to the Company’s outside auditors and the audit committee of the Board of Directors (x) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information and (y) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

(j)            No Undisclosed Liabilities .  Neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries has any liabilities or obligations of any nature (absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise) which are not properly reflected or reserved against in the Company Financial Statements to the extent required to be so reflected or reserved against in accordance with GAAP, except for (A) liabilities that have arisen since the last fiscal year end in the ordinary and usual course of business and consistent with past practice and (B) liabilities that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(k)           Offering of Securities .  Neither the Company nor any person acting on its behalf has taken any action (including any offering of any securities of the Company under circumstances which would require the integration of such offering with the offering of any of the Purchased Securities under the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder), which might subject the offering, issuance or sale of any of the Purchased Securities to Investor pursuant to this Agreement to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(l)            Litigation and Other Proceedings .  Except (i) as set forth on Schedule D or (ii) as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, there is no (A) pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, claim, action, suit, investigation or proceeding, against the Company or any Company Subsidiary or to which any of their assets are subject nor is the Company or any Company Subsidiary subject to any order, judgment or decree or (B) unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any Governmental Entity with respect to any report or relating to any examinations or inspections of the Company or any Company Subsidiaries.

 

(m)          Compliance with Laws.   Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have all permits, licenses, franchises, authorizations, orders and approvals of, and have made all filings, applications and registrations with, Governmental Entities that are required in order to permit them to own or lease their properties and assets and to carry on their business as presently conducted and that are material to the business of the Company or such Company Subsidiary.  Except as set forth on Schedule E , the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have complied in all respects and are not in default or violation of, and none of them is, to the knowledge of the Company, under investigation with respect to or, to the knowledge of the Company, have been threatened to be charged with or given notice of any violation of, any applicable domestic (federal, state or local) or foreign law, statute, ordinance, license, rule, regulation, policy or guideline, order, demand, writ, injunction, decree or judgment of any Governmental Entity, other than such noncompliance, defaults or violations that would not,

 

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individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.  Except for statutory or regulatory restrictions of general application or as set forth on Schedule E , no Governmental Entity has placed any restriction on the business or properties of the Company or any Company Subsidiary that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(n)           Employee Benefit Matters .  Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect: (A) each “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”)) providing benefits to any current or former employee, officer or director of the Company or any member of its “ Controlled Group ” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”)) that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Company or any member of its Controlled Group and for which the Company or any member of its Controlled Group would have any liability, whether actual or contingent (each, a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and with the requirements of all applicable statutes, rules and regulations, including ERISA and the Code; (B) with respect to each Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA (including, for purposes of this clause (B), any plan subject to Title IV of ERISA that the Company or any member of its Controlled Group previously maintained or contributed to in the six years prior to the Signing Date), (1) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA),  other than a reportable event for which the notice period referred to in Section 4043(c) of ERISA has been waived, has occurred in the three years prior to the Signing Date or is reasonably expected to occur, (2) no “accumulated funding deficiency” (within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, has occurred in the three years prior to the Signing Date or is reasonably expected to occur, (3) the fair market value of the assets under each Plan exceeds the present value of all benefits accrued under such Plan (determined based on the assumptions used to fund such Plan) and (4) neither the Company nor any member of its Controlled Group has incurred in the six years prior to the Signing Date, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to the Plan or premiums to the PBGC in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan (including any Plan that is a “multiemployer plan”, within the meaning of Section 4001(c)(3) of ERISA); and (C) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to its qualified status that has not been revoked, or such a determination letter has been timely applied for but not received by the Signing Date, and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which could reasonably be expected to cause the loss, revocation or denial of such qualified status or favorable determination letter.

 

(o)           Taxes .  Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local and foreign income and franchise Tax returns required to be filed through the Signing Date, subject to permitted extensions, and have paid all Taxes due thereon, and (ii) no Tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, nor does the Company have any knowledge of any Tax deficiencies.  “ Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts, property, sales, use, license, excise, franchise, employment, payroll, withholding, alternative or

 

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add on minimum, ad valorem, transfer or excise tax, or any other tax, custom, duty, governmental fee or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest or penalty, imposed by any Governmental Entity.

 

(p)           Properties and Leases . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to all real properties and all other properties and assets owned by them, in each case free from liens, encumbrances, claims and defects that would affect the value thereof or interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them.  Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries hold all leased real or personal property under valid and enforceable leases with no exceptions that would interfere with the use made or to be made thereof by them.

 

(q)           Environmental Liability . Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect:

 

(i)            there is no legal, administrative, or other proceeding, claim or action of any nature seeking to impose, or that would reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of, on the Company or any Company Subsidiary, any liability relating to the release of hazardous substances as defined under any local, state or federal environmental statute, regulation or ordinance, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

 

(ii)           to the Company’s knowledge, there is no reasonable basis for any such proceeding, claim or action; and

 

(iii)          neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to any agreement, order, judgment or decree by or with any court, Governmental Entity or third party imposing any such environmental liability.

 

(r)            Risk Management Instruments .  Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, all derivative instruments, including, swaps, caps, floors and option agreements, whether entered into for the Company’s own account, or for the account of one or more of the Company Subsidiaries or its or their customers, were entered into (i) only in the ordinary course of business, (ii) in accordance with prudent practices and in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and regulatory policies and (iii) with counterparties believed to be financially responsible at the time; and each of such instruments constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Company or one of the Company Subsidiaries, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by the Bankruptcy Exceptions.  Neither the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, is in breach of any of its obligations under any such agreement or arrangement other than such breaches that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(s)           Agreements with Regulatory Agencies .  Except as set forth on Schedule F , neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is subject to any material cease-and-desist or other similar order or enforcement action issued by, or is a party to any material written agreement, consent agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any capital directive by, or since December 31, 2006, has adopted any board resolutions at the request of, any Governmental Entity (other than the Appropriate Federal Banking Agencies with jurisdiction over the Company and the Company Subsidiaries) that currently restricts in any material respect the conduct of its business or that in any material manner relates to its capital adequacy, its liquidity and funding policies and practices, its ability to pay dividends, its credit, risk management or compliance policies or procedures, its internal controls, its management or its operations or business (each item in this sentence, a “ Regulatory Agreement ”), nor has the Company or any Company Subsidiary been advised since December 31, 2006 by any such Governmental Entity that it is considering issuing, initiating, ordering, or requesting any such Regulatory Agreement.  The Company and each Company Subsidiary are in compliance in all material respects with each Regulatory Agreement to which it is party or subject, and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has received any notice from any Governmental Entity indicating that either the Company or any Company Subsidiary is not in compliance in all material respects with any such Regulatory Agreement.  “ Appropriate Federal Banking Agency ” means the “appropriate Federal banking agency” with respect to the Company or such Company Subsidiaries, as applicable, as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1813(q)).

 

(t)            Insurance .  The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are insured with reputable insurers against such risks and in such amounts as the management of the Company reasonably has determined to be prudent and consistent with industry practice.  The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are in material compliance with their insurance policies and are not in default under any of the material terms thereof, each such policy is outstanding and in full force and effect, all premiums and other payments due under any material policy have been paid, and all claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion, except, in each case, as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

(u)           Intellectual Property .  Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate,  reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and each Company Subsidiary owns or otherwise has the right to use, all intellectual property rights, including all trademarks, trade dress, trade names, service marks, domain names, patents, inventions, trade secrets, know-how, works of authorship and copyrights therein, that are used in the conduct of their existing businesses and all rights relating to the plans, design and specifications of any of its branch facilities (“ Proprietary Rights ”) free and clear of all liens and any claims of ownership by current or former employees, contractors, designers or others and (ii) neither the Company nor any of the Company Subsidiaries is materially infringing, diluting, misappropriating or violating, nor has the Company or any or the Company Subsidiaries received any written (or, to the knowledge of the Company, oral) communications alleging that any of them has materially infringed, diluted, misappropriated or violated, any of the Proprietary Rights owned by any other person.  Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect, to the Company’s knowledge, no other person is infringing, diluting, misappropriating or violating, nor has the Company or any or the

 

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Company Subsidiaries sent any written communications since January 1, 2006 alleging that any person has infringed, diluted, misappropriated or violated, any of the Proprietary Rights owned by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

 

(v)           Brokers and Finders .  No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any financial advisory, brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with this Agreement or the Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any Company Subsidiary for which the Investor could have any liability.

 

Article III
Covenants

 

3.1           Commercially Reasonable Efforts .

 

(a)           Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the parties will use its commercially reasonable efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or desirable, or advisable under applicable laws, so as to permit consummation of the Purchase as promptly as practicable and otherwise to enable consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with the other party to that end.

 

(b)           If the Company is required to obtain any stockholder approvals set forth on Schedule C , then the Company shall comply with this Section 3.1(b) and Section 3.1(c). The Company shall call a special meeting of its stockholders, as promptly as practicable following the Closing, to vote on proposals (collectively, the “ Stockholder Proposals ”) to (i) approve the exercise of the Warrant for Common Stock for purposes of the rules of the national security exchange on which the Common Stock is listed and/or (ii) amend the Company’s Charter to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock to at least such number as shall be sufficient to permit the full exercise of the Warrant