SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

--------------------------

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 22, 2001

 

AMPLICON, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

CALIFORNIA 000-15641 95-3162444
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)

5 HUTTON CENTRE DRIVE, SUITE 500, SANTA ANA, CA 92707

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (714) 751-7551

 

NONE

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS
 

Effective on May 22, 2001, Amplicon, Inc., a California corporation ("Amplicon"), reorganized itself as a holding company. In doing so, California First National Bancorp, a California corporation ("Bancorp"), became the holding company and Amplicon became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancorp. In addition, on May 23, 2001, Bancorp invested $20 million in the purchase of 100% of the common stock of California First National Bank ("CalFirst Bank") and started CalFirst Bank as an FDIC-insured national bank. The new holding company organizational structure will allow Bancorp to manage its entire organization, which now includes a new bank, more effectively.

The holding company structure was effected by a merger conducted pursuant to Section 1201 of the California General Corporation Law (the "Merger"), which provides for the formation of a holding company structure without a vote of the shareholders of Amplicon. In the Merger, CFNB Merger Sub, a California corporation (the "Merger Sub"), merged with and into Amplicon, with Amplicon as the surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation"). Prior to the Merger, Bancorp was a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Amplicon, and Merger Sub was a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancorp and was organized for the purpose of implementing the holding company organizational structure. Pursuant to the Merger, (i) each outstanding share of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of Amplicon was converted into one share of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of Bancorp, (ii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of Merger Sub were automatically converted into shares of the Surviving Corporation's common stock, and Merger Sub's corporate existence ceased and (iii) all of the issued and outstanding shares of Bancorp owned by Amplicon were canceled. As a result of the Merger, Amplicon became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bancorp. Bancorp's common stock will trade on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System under the ticker symbol "CFNB" and trading under the new symbol "CFNB" commenced on Thursday, May 24, 2001.

The conversion of shares of Amplicon's common stock in the Merger occurred without an exchange of stock certificates. Accordingly, stock certificates formerly representing shares of outstanding common stock of Amplicon are deemed to represent the same number of shares of common stock of Bancorp. Shareholders are not required to surrender their stock certificates for California First National Bancorp certificates, but as stock certificates are presented to the transfer agent, Mellon Investor Services LLC, for exchange or transfer, they will be replaced with California First National Bancorp stock certificates. The change to the holding company structure was tax free for federal income tax purposes for shareholders.

The acquisition of CalFirst Bank will subject Bancorp to additional risks and regulation. Bancorp has an on-going obligation to provide necessary capital and liquidity support to CalFirst Bank. CalFirst Bank is a start-up bank with no operations prior to the investment by Bancorp. CalFirst Bank is subject to supervision and regulation by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Bancorp will be regulated and examined by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board. In addition, through its investment in CalFirst Bank, Bancorp is assuming additional financial risks, including credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. The failure to manage these risks and obligations appropriately could have a material adverse effect on Bancorp's business, financial condition and results of operations.

A copy of the press release further describing the transaction is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

The Company hereby incorporates by reference the Agreement of Merger attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, and the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, each made a part hereof, into this Item 5.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.
  (c) The following Exhibits are filed as part of this report:
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
2.1 Agreement of Merger dated as of May 22, 2001 among Amplicon, Inc., California First National Bancorp, and CFNB Merger Sub.
3.1 Articles of Incorporation of California First National Bancorp, dated April 26, 2001.
3.2 Bylaws of California First National Bancorp.
10.1 Capital Assurances and Liquidity Maintenance Agreement, effective as of May 23, 2001, between California First National Bancorp and California First National Bank.
10.2 Agreement by and between California First National Bank, Santa Ana, California and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, dated May 23, 2001.
99.1 Press Release issued on May 23, 2001.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 

AMPLICON, INC.

Dated: May 25, 2001
 

By: S. Leslie Jewett /s/

 

S. Leslie Jewett

Chief Financial Officer

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANCORP

 

ONE.

The name of the corporation is CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANCORP.

TWO.

The purpose of the corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporationmay be organized under the General Corporation Law of California other than the banking business, the trust company business or the practice of a profession permitted to be incorporated by the California Corporations Code.

THREE.

The name of the corporation's initial agent for service of process is Neil G. Kenduck, 5 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 500, Santa Ana, California 92707.

FOUR.

The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of shares designated "Common Stock" and "Preferred Stock". The authorized number of shares of Common Stock is twenty million (20,000,000), and the par value of each such share is $0.01. The authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock is two million five hundred thousand (2,500,000), and the par value of each such share is $0.01.

 

The shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock and to determine the designation of any such series. The Board of Directors is also authorized to determine or alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any wholly unissued series of Preferred Stock and, within the limits and restrictions stated in any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of shares constituting any series, to increase or decrease, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding, the number of shares of any such series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series.

FIVE.

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Agents.

 

(a) Limitation on Liability of Directors. The liability of directors of the corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law.

 

(b) Indemnification of Agents. The corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) for breach of duty to the corporation and its shareholders through bylaw provisions or through agreements with agents, or both, in excess or the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the Corporations Code, subject to the limits on such excess indemnification set forth in Section 204 of the Corporations Code.

 

The undersigned declares that the undersigned has executed these Articles of Incorporation and that this instrument is the act and deed of the undersigned.

DATED: April 27, 2001

Susan Nelson_ /s/ ____

Susan Nelson, Incorporator

BYLAWS OF

CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANCORP,

a California Corporation

ARTICLE I. Offices
Section 1. Principal Executive Office . The Board of Directors is hereby granted full power and authority to fix the location of the principal executive office at any place within or outside the State of California. If the principal executive office is located outside this state, and the corporation has one or more business offices in this state, the Board of Directors shall likewise fix and designate a principal business office in the State of California.
Section 2. Other Offices . Other business offices may at any time be established by the Board of Directors at any place or places where the corporation is qualified to do business.
ARTICLE II. Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Place of Meetings . All annual or other meetings of shareholders shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation, or at any other place within or without the State of California which may be designated by the Board of Directors.
Section 2.

Annual Meetings . The annual meetings of shareholders shall be held on such dates and at such times as shall be designated by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting given to each shareholder as provided below. At such meetings, directors shall be elected, reports of the affairs of the corporation shall be considered, and any other business may be transacted which is within the powers of the shareholders. Written notice of each annual meeting shall be given to each shareholder entitled to vote, either personally or by mail or other means of written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to such shareholder at its address appearing on the books of the corporation or given to the corporation for the purpose of notice. If any notice or report addressed to the shareholder at the address of such shareholder appearing on the books of the corporation is returned to the corporation by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the shareholder at such address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if the same shall be available for the shareholder upon written demand of the shareholder at the principal executive office of the corporation for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice or report to all other shareholders. If a shareholder gives no address, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent by mail or other means of written communication addressed to the place where the principal executive office of the corporation is situated, or if published at least once in some newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal executive office is located.

All such notices shall be given to each shareholder entitled thereto not less than ten days nor more than sixty days before each annual meeting. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally of deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication. An affidavit of mailing of any such notice in accordance with the foregoing provisions, executed by the secretary, assistant secretary or any transfer agent of the corporation, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice.

Such notices shall specify:

 

(a) the place, the date, and the hour of such meeting;

(b) those matters which the Board, at the time of the mailing of the notice, intends to present for action by the shareholders at the meeting;

(c) if directors are to be elected, the names of nominees intended at the time of the notice to be presented by management for election;

(d) the general nature of a proposal, if any, to take action with respect to approval of (i) amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, (ii) a reorganization of the corporation as defined in Section 181 of the California General Corporation Law (the "General Corporation Law"), (iii) voluntary dissolution of the corporation, (iv) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of outstanding preferred shares, if any or (v) a contract or transaction in which a director has a direct or indirect financial interest, pursuant to Section 310 of the Corporations Code of California; and

(e) such other matters, if any, as may be expressly required by statute.

Section 3. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the shareholders for the purpose of taking any action permitted by the shareholders under the General Corporation Law and the Articles of Incorporation of this corporation, may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President, or by one or more shareholders holding shares in the aggregate entitled to cast not less than ten percent of the votes at any such meeting. Upon request in writing that a special meeting of shareholders be called for any proper purpose, directed to the Chairman of the Board, President, or secretary by any person (other than the Board) entitled to call a special meeting of shareholders, the officer forthwith shall cause notice to be given to shareholders entitled to vote that a meeting will be held at a time requested by the person or persons calling the meeting, not less than thirty-five nor more than sixty days after receipt of the request. Except in special cases where other express provision is made by statute, notice of such special meetings shall be given in the same manner as for the annual meeting of shareholders. In addition to the matters required by items (a) and, if applicable, (c) of the preceding section, notice of any special meeting shall specify the general nature of the business to be transacted, and no other business may be transacted at such meeting.
Section 4. Notice of Business . At any meeting of shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board, (b) in accordance with Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or (c) by a shareholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section. For business to be properly brought before a meeting by such a shareholder, the shareholder shall have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, such notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive office of the corporation not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days prior to the meeting; provided , however , that in the event that less than forty days' notice of the date of the meeting is given by the corporation, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or otherwise given. Such shareholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting (a) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend either the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation, the language of the proposed amendment, (b) the name and address of the shareholder proposing such business, (c) the class and number of shares of stock of the corporation which are owned by such shareholder, and (d) any material personal interest of such shareholder in such business. If notice has not been given pursuant to this Section, the Chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that the proposed business was not properly brought before the meeting, and such business may not be transacted at the meeting. The foregoing provisions of this Section do not relieve any shareholder of any obligation to comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Section 5. Quorum . The presence in person or by proxy of the persons entitled to vote a majority of the shares at any meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at that meeting. The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.
Section 6. Adjourned Meeting and Notice Thereof . Any shareholders' meeting, annual or special, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the shares, the holders of which are either present in person or by proxy thereat, but in the absence of a quorum no other business may be transacted at such meeting, except as provided in Section 5 above. When any shareholders' meeting, either annual or special, is adjourned for forty-five days or more, or if after adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Except as provided above, it shall not be necessary to give any notice of the time and place of the adjourned meeting or of the business to be transacted thereat, other than by announcement of the time and place of the adjourned meeting at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken.
Section 7. Voting . Unless a record date for voting purposes be fixed as provided in Section 1 of Article V of these Bylaws, then, subject to the provisions of Sections 702 and 704, inclusive, of the General Corporation Law (relating to voting of shares held by a fiduciary, in the name of a corporation, or in joint ownership) only persons in whose names shares entitled to vote stand on the stock records of the corporation at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice of the meeting is given or if such notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting of shareholders is held, shall be entitled to vote at such meeting, and such day shall be the record date for such meeting. Such vote may be viva voce or by ballot; provided, however, that all elections for directors must be by ballot upon demand made by a shareholder at any election and before the voting begins. Any shareholder entitled to vote on any matter (other than the election of directors) may vote part of the shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining shares or vote them against the proposal, but, if the shareholder fails to specify the number of shares such shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the shareholder's approving vote is with respect to all shares such shareholder is entitled to vote. If a quorum is present, except with respect to election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on any matter shall be the act of the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number or voting by classes is required by the General Corporation Law or the Articles of Incorporation. At a shareholders' meeting involving the election of directors, no shareholder shall be entitled to cumulate votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which its shares are entitled, or to distribute its votes on the same principle among as many candidates as such shareholder shall think fit, unless the name of the candidate or candidates for whom such votes would be cast has been placed in nomination prior to the meeting, and any shareholder has given notice at the meeting prior to the voting of such shareholder's intention to cumulate its votes. If any shareholder has given such notice, then every shareholder entitled to vote may cumulate such shareholder's votes. The candidates receiving the highest number of votes of shares entitled to be voted for them, up to the number of directors to be elected, shall be elected.
Section 8.

Validation of Defectively Called or Noticed Meetings . The transactions of any meeting of shareholders, either annual or special, however called and noticed, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the persons entitled to vote, not present in person or by proxy, or who, though present, has, at the beginning of the meeting, properly objected to the transaction of any business thereat because the meeting was not lawfully called or convened, or to particular matters of business legally required to be included in the notice, but not so included, signs a written waiver of notice, or a consent to the holding of such meeting, or an approval of the minutes thereof. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose of the meeting, except if the action that is taken or proposed to be taken is for any of those matters specified in paragraph (d) of Section 2 of this Article II, the waiver of notice or consent shall state the general nature of such proposal. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

Attendance of a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened, and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters not included in the notice of the meeting is such objection is expressly made at the meeting.

Section 9.

Action Without a Meeting . Subject to any provision contained in the Articles of Incorporation, directors may be elected without a meeting by consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, signed by all of the persons who would be entitled to vote for the election of directors, provided that, without notice except as hereinafter set forth, a director may be elected at any time to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors not filled by the directors by the written consent of persons holding a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of directors.

Subject to any provision contained in the Articles of Incorporation, any other action which, under any provision of the General Corporation Law, may be taken at a meeting of the shareholders, may be taken without a meeting, and without notice except as hereinafter set forth, if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by the holders of outstanding shares having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Unless the consents of all shareholders entitled to vote have been solicited in writing,

 

(a) Notice of any proposed shareholder approval of a (i) indemnification of an agent of the corporation as authorized by Section 15 of Article III of these Bylaws, (ii) a reorganization of the corporation as defined in Section 181 of the General Corporation Law, (iii) a distribution in dissolution other than in accordance with the rights of outstanding preferred shares, if any, or (iv) contracts or transactions in which a director has a direct or indirect financial interest, without a meeting shall be given at least ten (10) days before consummation of the action authorized by such approval; and

(b) Prompt notice shall be given of the taking of any other corporate action approved by the shareholders without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent to those shareholders entitled to vote who have not consented in writing. Such notices shall be given in the manner and shall be deemed to have been given as provided in Section 2 of Article II of these Bylaws.

 

Unless, as provided in Section 1 of Article V of these Bylaws, the Board of Directors has fixed a record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to give such written consent, the record date for such determination shall be the day on which the first written consent is given. All such written consents shall be filed with the Secretary of the corporation.

Any shareholder giving a written consent, or the shareholder's proxyholders, or a transferee of the shares or a personal representative of the shareholder or their respective proxyholders, may revoke the consent by a writing received by the corporation prior to the time that written consents of the number of shares required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the Secretary of the corporation, but may not do so thereafter. Such revocation is effective upon its receipt by the Secretary of the corporation.

Section 10. Proxies . Every person entitled to vote or execute consents shall have the right to do so whether in person or by one or more agents authorized by a written proxy executed by such person or such person's duly authorized agent and filed with the Secretary of the corporation. Any proxy duly executed is not revoked and continues in full force and effect until (i) an instrument revoking it or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date is filed with the Secretary of the corporation prior to the vote pursuant thereto, (ii) the person executing the proxy attends the meeting and votes in person, or (iii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of the proxy is received by the corporation before the vote pursuant thereto is counted; provided that no proxy shall be valid after the expiration of eleven months from the date of its execution, unless the person executing it specifies therein the length of time for which such proxy is to continue in force.
Section 11.

Inspectors of Election . In advance of any meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors may appoint any person other than nominees for office as inspectors of election to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If inspectors of election be not so appointed, the chairman of any such meeting may, on the request of any shareholder or its proxy, shall make such appointment at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be either one or three. If appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or proxies, the majority of shares represented in person or by proxy shall determine whether one or three inspectors are to be appointed. In case any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may, and on the request of any shareholder or a shareholder's proxy shall, be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors in advance of the meeting, or at the meeting by the chairman of the meeting.

The duties of such inspectors shall be as prescribed by Section 707 of the General Corporation Law and shall include determining the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies; receiving votes, ballots or consents; hearing and determining all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote; counting and tabulating all votes or consents; determining when the polls close; determining the result; and such acts as may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. In the determination of the validity and effect of proxies, the dates contained on the forms of proxy shall presumptively determine the order of execution of the proxies, regardless of the postmark dates on the envelopes in which they are mailed.

The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practicable. If there be three inspectors of election, the decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

ARTICLE III. Directors
Section 1. Powers . Subject to limitations of the Articles of Incorporation and the General Corporation Law as to action to be authorized or approved by the shareholders, and subject to the duties of directors as prescribed by these Bylaws, all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the corporation shall be controlled by, the Board of Directors. Without prejudice to such general powers, but subject to the same limitations, it is hereby expressly declared that the directors shall have the following powers:
 

First - To select and remove all the officers, agents and employees of the corporation, prescribe such powers and duties for them as may not be inconsistent with law, with the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, fix their compensation and require from them security for faithful service.

Second - To conduct, manage and control the affairs and business of the corporation, and to make such rules and regulations therefor not inconsistent with law, or with the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, as they may deem best.

Third - To change the principal executive office and principal office for the transaction of business of the corporation from one location to another as provided in Article I, Section 1, hereof; to fix and locate from time to time one or more subsidiary offices of the corporation within or without the State of California, as provided in Article I, Section 2, hereof; to designate any place within or without the State of California for the holding of any shareholders' meeting or meetings; and to adopt, make and use a corporate seal, and to prescribe the forms of certificates of stock, and to alter the form of such seal and of such certificates from time to time, as in their judgment they may deem best, provided such seal and such certificates shall at all times comply with the provisions of law.

Fourth - To authorize the issue of shares of stock of the corporation from time to time, upon such terms as may be lawful.

Fifth - To borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purposes of the corporation, and to cause to be executed and delivered therefor, in the corporate name, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations or other evidences of debt and securities therefor.

Sixth - By resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors, to designate an executive and other committees, each consisting of two or more directors, to serve at the pleasure of the Board, and to prescribe the manner in which proceedings of such committees shall be conducted. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise prescribe the manner of proceedings of any such committee, meetings of such committee may be regularly scheduled in advance and may be called at any time by any two members thereof; otherwise, the provisions of these Bylaws with respect to notice and conduct of meetings of the Board shall govern. Any such committee, to the extent provided in a resolution of the Board, shall have all of the authority of the Board, except with respect to:

 

(i) the approval of any action for which the General Corporation Law or the Articles of Incorporation also require shareholder approval;

(ii) the filling of vacancies on the Board or in any committee;

(iii) the fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on any committee;

(iv) the adoption, amendment or repeal of bylaws;

(v) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board;

(vi) any distribution to the shareholders, except at a rate or in a periodic amount or within a price range determined by the Board;

(vii) the appointment of other committees of the Board or the members thereof.

Section 2. Number and Qualification of Directors . The authorized number of directors shall be not less than three nor more than five. The exact number of directors shall be four until changed, within the limits specified above, by a Bylaw amending this Section 2, duly adopted by the Board of Directors or by the shareholders. Such indefinite number of directors may be changed, or a definite number fixed without provision for an indefinite number, by a duly adopted amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or by an amendment to this Bylaw duly adopted by the vote or written consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however that an amendment reducing the number or the minimum number of directors to a number less than five cannot be adopted if the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting of the shareholders, or the shares not consenting in the case of action by written consent, are equal to more than 16⅔% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. No amendment may change the maximum number of authorized directors to a number greater than two times the stated minimum number of directors minus one.
Section 3. Election and Term of Office . Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of the shareholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. Each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until a successor has been elected and qualified.
Section 4.

Vacancies . A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist in the case of the death, resignation or removal of any director, if a director has been declared of unsound mind by order of court or convicted of a felony, if the authorized number of directors be increased, or if the shareholders fail, at any annual or special meeting of shareholders at which any director or directors are elected, to elect the full authorized number of directors to be voted for at that meeting. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of his or her term of office.

Subject to any provision contained in the Articles of Incorporation, vacancies in the Board of Directors, except for a vacancy created by the removal of a director, may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; and each director so elected shall hold office until his or her successor is elected at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders. Subject to any provision contained in the Articles of Incorporation, a vacancy in the Board of Directors created by the removal of a director may only be filled by the vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote represented at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present, or, subject to any provision contained in the Articles of Incorporation, by the written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares.

Subject to any provision contained in the Articles of Incorporation, the shareholders may elect a director or directors at any time to fill any vacancy or vacancies not filled by the directors. Any such election by written consent shall require the consent of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote.

Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary of the Board or the Board of Directors of the corporation, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. If the Board of Directors accepts the resignation of a director tendered to take effect at a future time, the Board or, subject to any provision contained in the Articles of Incorporation, the shareholders shall have the power to elect a successor to take office when the resignation is to become effective.

Section 5. Place of Meeting. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at any place within or without the State of California which has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board or by written consent of all members of the Board. In the absence of such designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the corporation. Special meetings of the Board may be held either at a place so designated or at the principal executive office of the corporation.
Section 6. Organization Meeting . Immediately following each annual meeting of shareholders, the Board of Directors shall hold a regular meeting at the place of said annual meeting or at such other place as shall be fixed by the Board, for the purpose of organization of the newly elected Board, election of officers, and the transaction of other business. Call and notice of such meetings are dispensed with hereby.
Section 7. Other Regular Meetings . Other regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held without call as provided in a resolution adopted by the Board from time to time; provided, however, if such day falls upon a legal holiday, then such meeting shall be held at the same time on the next day thereafter ensuing which is a full business day. Notice of all such regular meetings of the Board of Directors is dispensed with hereby.
Section 8.

Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President or the Secretary, or by any two directors.

Written notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally to each director or communicated to each director by telephone, by facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic means or by telegraph or mail, charges prepaid, addressed to him or her at his or her address as it is shown upon the records of the corporation or, if it is not so shown on such records or is not readily ascertainable, at the place at which meetings of the directors are regularly held. In case such notice is mailed or telegraphed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail or delivered to the telegraph company in the place in which the principal executive office of the corporation is located at least four days prior to the time of the holding of the meeting. In case such notice is delivered, personally or by telephone or facsimile, electronic mail or other electronic means, as above provided, it shall be so delivered at least forty-eight hours prior to the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated to either the director or to a person at the office of the director who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the director. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting nor the place if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the corporation.

Section 9. Action Without a Meeting . Any action by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board and shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of such directors at a meeting duly called and held.
Section 10.

Action at a Meeting: Quorum and Required Vote . Presence of a majority of the authorized number of directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business, except as hereinafter provided. Members of the Board may participate in a meeting through use of conference telephone or similar communications equipment, as long as all members participating in such meeting can hear one another. Participation in a meeting as permitted in the preceding sentence constitutes presence in person at such meeting.

Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors, unless a greater number, or the same number after disqualifying one or more directors from voting, is required by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, provided that any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for such meeting.

Section 11. Validation of Defectively Called or Noticed Meetings . The actions taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, however called or noticed or wherever held, shall be as valid as though taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present or who, though present, has, prior to the meeting or at its commencement, protested the lack of proper notice, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of such meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Section 12. Adjournment . A quorum of the directors may adjourn any directors' meeting to meet again at a stated day and hour; provided, however, that in the absence of a quorum a majority of the directors present at any directors' meeting, either regular or special, may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board.
Section 13. Notice of Adjournment . If the meeting is adjourned for more than twenty-four hours, notice of any adjournment to another time or place shall be given prior to the time of the adjourned meeting to the directors who were not present at the time of adjournment. Otherwise, notice of the time and place of the holding of an adjourned meeting need not be given to absent directors if the time and place was fixed at the meeting that was adjourned.
Section 14. Fees and Compensation . Directors and members of committees may receive such compensation, if any, for their services, and such reimbursement for expenses, as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 15. Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents.
 

(a) Indemnification of Directors and Officers . Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, formal or informal, whether brought in the name of the corporation or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is an alleged action or inaction in an official capacity or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent permissible under California law against all costs, charges, expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that (a) the corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of the corporation, (b) the corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) other than a proceeding by or in the name of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor only if any settlement of such a proceeding is approved in writing by the corporation, (c) no such person shall be indemnified (i) except to the extent that the aggregate of losses to be indemnified exceeds the amount of such losses for which the director or officer is paid pursuant to any directors' and officers' liability insurance policy maintained by the corporation; (ii) on account of any suit in which judgment is rendered against such person for an accounting of profits made from the purchase or sale by such person of securities of the corporation pursuant to the provisions of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments thereto or similar provisions of any federal state or local statutory law; (iii) if a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines that any indemnification hereunder is unlawful; and (iv) as to circumstances in which indemnity is expressly prohibited by law. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section 15 shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the corporation expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that if the General Corporation Law permits the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, such advances shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts to the corporation if it shall be ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified.

(b) Indemnification of Employees and Agents . A person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was an employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as an employee or agent of another enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such action is an alleged action or inaction in an official capacity or in any other capacity while serving as an employee or agent, may, subject to the terms of any agreement between the corporation and such person, be indemnified and held harmless by the corporation to the fullest extent permitted by California law against all costs, charges, expenses, liabilities and losses (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith. The immediately preceding sentence is not intended to be and shall not be considered to confer a contract right on any employee or agent (other than directors and officers) of the corporation.

(c) Right of Directors and Officers to Bring Suit . If a claim under Paragraph (a) of this Section 15 is not paid in full by the corporation within 30 days after a written claim has been received by the corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant also shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is permissible in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct, if any, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption for the purpose of an action that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(d) Successful Defense . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 15, to the extent that a director or officer has been successful on the merits or otherwise (including the dismissal of an action without prejudice or the settlement of a proceeding or action without admission of liability) in defense of any proceeding referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section 15 or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he or she shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith.

(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights . The right to indemnification provided by this Section 15 shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

(f) Insurance . The corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law.

(g) Expenses as a Witness . To the extent that any director or officer of the corporation is by reason of such position, or a position with another entity at the request of the corporation, a witness in any action, suit or proceeding, he or she shall be indemnified against all costs and expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her on his or her behalf in connection therewith.

(h) Indemnity Agreements . The corporation may enter into agreements with any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation providing for indemnification to the fullest extent permissible under the General Corporation Law.

(i) Separability . Each and every paragraph, sentence, term and provision of this Section 15 is separate and distinct so that if any paragraph, sentence, term or provision hereof shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other paragraph, sentence, term or provision hereof. To the extent required, any paragraph, sentence, term or provision of this Section 15 may be modified by a court of competent jurisdiction to preserve its validity and to provide the claimant with, subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 15 and any agreement between the corporation and claimant, the broadest possible indemnification permitted under applicable law.

(j) Effect of Repeal or Modification . Any repeal or modification of this Section 15 shall not adversely affect any right of indemnification of a director or officer existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to any action or omission occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE IV. Officers
Section 1. Officers . The officers of the corporation shall be a President, a Secretary and a Chief Financial Officer. The corporation also may have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Chairman of the Board, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Article. One person may hold two or more offices, except that the offices of President and Secretary shall not be held by the same person.
Section 2. Election . The officers of the corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 or Section 5 of this Article, shall be chosen annually by the Board of Directors, and each shall hold office until he or she shall resign or shall be removed or otherwise disqualified to serve, or his or her successor shall be elected and qualified.
Section 3. Subordinate Officers . The Board of Directors may appoint, and may empower the President to appoint, such other officers as the business of the corporation my require, each of whom shall hold office, for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these Bylaws or as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
Section 4.

Removal and Resignation . Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors, at any regular or special meeting thereof, or, except in case of an officer chosen by the Board of Directors, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Board of Directors (subject, in each case, to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment).

Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board of Directors or the President, or to the Secretary of the corporation, without prejudice, however, to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract to which the officer is a party. Any such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice or at any time specified therein. Unless otherwise specified therein, acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.

Section 5. Vacancies . A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for regular appointments to such office.
Section 6. Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board, if there shall be such an officer, shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned by the Board of Directors or prescribed by these Bylaws. If there is no President, the Chairman of the Board shall in addition be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in Section 7 of this Article IV.
Section 7. President . Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board, if there shall be such an officer, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or if there be none, at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The President shall be ex officio a member of all the standing committees, including the executive committee, if any, and shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Vice Presidents . In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors or, if not ranked, the Vice President designated by the Board of Directors, shall perform all the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have such other powers, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws or the Chairman of the Board if there is no President.
Section 9.

Secretary . The Secretary shall record or cause to be recorded, and shall keep or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office and such other place as the Board of Directors may order, a book of minutes of actions taken at all meetings of directors and shareholders, with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and, if special, how authorized, the notice given thereof, the names of those present at directors' meetings, the number of shares present or represented at shareholders' meetings, and the proceedings thereof.

The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office or at the office of the corporation's transfer agent, a share register, or a duplicate share register, showing the names of the shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates issued for the same, and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of shareholders and of the Board of Directors required by these Bylaws or by law to be given, and shall keep the seal of the corporation in safe custody, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

Section 10.

Chief Financial Officer . The Chief Financial Officer shall be the chief financial officer of the corporation and shall keep and maintain, or cause to be kept and maintained, adequate and correct accounts of the properties and business transactions of the corporation, including accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital, surplus and shares. Any surplus, including earned surplus, paid-in surplus, and surplus arising from a reduction of stated capital, shall be classified according to source and shown in a separate account. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any director.

The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation with such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall render to the President and directors, whenever they request it, an account of all his or her transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.

ARTICLE V. Miscellaneous
Section 1. Record Date . The Board of Directors may fix a time in the future as a record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting of shareholders or, subject to any provision of the Articles of Incorporation, entitled to give consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, to receive any report, to receive any dividend or distribution, or any allotment of rights, or to exercise rights in respect to any change, conversion or exchange of shares. The record date so fixed shall be not more than sixty days nor less than ten days prior to the date of any meeting, nor more than sixty days prior to any other event for the purposes of which it is fixed. When a record date is so fixed, only shareholders of record on that date are entitled to notice of and to vote at any such meeting, to give consent without a meeting, to receive any report, to receive a dividend, distribution or allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the corporation after the record date, except as otherwise may be provided in the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 2.

Inspection of Corporate Records . The accounting books and records, the record of shareholders, and minutes of proceedings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of this corporation and any subsidiary of this corporation shall be open to inspection upon the written demand on the corporation of any shareholder or the holder of a voting trust certificate at any reasonable time during regular business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to such holder's interests as a shareholder or as the holder of such voting trust certificate. Such inspection by a shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate may be made in person or by agent or attorney, and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts.

A shareholder or shareholders holding at least five percent in the aggregate of the outstanding voting shares of the corporation or who hold at least one percent of such voting shares and have filed a Schedule 14B with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the election of directors of the corporation shall have (in person, or by agent or attorney) the right to inspect and copy the record of shareholders' names and addresses and shareholdings during usual business hours upon five business days' prior written demand upon the corporation, and to obtain from the transfer agent for the corporation, if there be one, upon written demand and upon the tender of its usual charges, a list of the shareholders' names and addresses who are entitled to vote for the election of directors, and their shareholdings, as of the most recent record date for which it has been compiled or as of a date subsequent to the date of demand specified by the shareholder therein. The list shall be made available on or before the later of five business days after receipt of the demand or the date specified therein as of which the list is to be compiled. The record of shareholders shall also be open to inspection upon the written demand on the corporation of any shareholder or the holder of a voting trust certificate at any reasonable time during regular business hours, for a purpose reasonably related to such holder's interests as a shareholder or as the holder of such voting trust certificate. Such inspection by a shareholder or holder of a voting trust certificate may be made in person or by agent or attorney, and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts.

Every director shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the corporation. Such inspection by a director may be made in person or by agent or attorney, and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts.

Section 3. Checks, Drafts, Etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of Money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name of or payable to this corporation, shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner as, from time to time, shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.

Annual Report to Shareholders . To the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law, the annual report to shareholders referred to in Section 1501 of the General Corporation Law is expressly waived, but nothing herein shall be interpreted as prohibiting the Board from issuing annual or other periodic reports to the shareholders.

The Board of Directors shall cause an annual report to be sent to the shareholders not later than one hundred twenty days after the close of the fiscal year adopted by the corporation. The annual report shall contain a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and an income statement and statement of changes in financial position for such fiscal year, accompanied by any report thereon of independent accountants or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that such statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation. Such report shall be sent at least fifteen days prior to the annual meeting of shareholders to be held during the next fiscal year and in the manner specified in Section 4 of Article II of these Bylaws for giving notice to shareholders of the corporation.

A shareholder of shareholders holding at least five percent of the outstanding shares of any class of stock of the corporation may make a written request to the corporation for an income statement of the corporation for the three-month, six-month or nine-month period of the current fiscal year ended more than thirty days prior to the date of the request and a balance sheet of the corporation as of the end of any such period, and in addition, if no annual report for the last fiscal year containing an income statement and balance sheet for and as of the end of such fiscal year has been sent to shareholders, such an income statement and balance sheet for the prior fiscal year. The corporation shall use its best efforts to deliver the statement or statements requested to the person making such request within thirty days after the receipt thereof. A copy of any such statements shall be kept on file in the principal executive office of the corporation for twelve months, and they shall be exhibited at all reasonable times to any shareholder demanding an examination of them or a copy thereof shall be mailed to such shareholder.

The corporation shall, upon the written request of any shareholder, mail to the shareholder a copy of the last annual, semi-annual or quarterly income statement which it has prepared, together with a balance sheet as of the and of the same period. The financial statements referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report thereon, if there be any, of any independent accountants engaged by the corporation in respect thereof or, if there be no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that such financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation.

Section 5.

Certificates for Shares . Every holder of shares in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed in the name of the corporation by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board or the President or any Vice President and by the chief financial officer or an assistant treasurer or the Secretary or any assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares and the class or series of shares owned by the shareholder. Any of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile, provided that in such event at least one signature, including that of either officer or the corporation's registrar or transfer agent, if any, shall be manually signed. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be an officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may nevertheless be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Any such certificate also shall contain such legend or other statement as may be required by Section 418 of the General Corporation Law, the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968, the federal securities laws, these Bylaws, and any agreement between the corporation and the issuee thereof.

Certificates for shares may be issued prior to full payment under such restrictions and for such purposes as the Board of Directors or these Bylaws may provide; provided, however, that any such certificate so issued prior to full payment shall state on the face thereof the amount remaining unpaid and the terms of payment thereof.

No new certificate for shares shall be issued in lieu of an old certificate unless the latter is surrendered and cancelled at the same time; provided, however, that a new certificate will be issued without surrender and cancellation of the old certificate if (1) the old certificate is lost, apparently destroyed or wrongfully taken; (2) the request for issuance of a new certificate is made within a reasonable time after the owner of the old certificate has notice of its loss, destruction or theft; (3) the request for issuance of a new certificate is made prior to the receipt of notice by the corporation that the old certificate has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser; (4) the owner of the old certificate files a sufficient indemnity bond with or provides other adequate security to the corporation; and (5) the owner satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the corporation. In the event of the issuance of a new certificate, the rights and liabilities of the corporation, and of the holders of the old and new certificates, shall be governed by the provisions of Sections 8104 and 8405 of the California Uniform Commercial Code.

Section 6. Representation of Shares of other Corporations . The President or any Vice President and the Secretary or any assistant Secretary of this corporation are authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this corporation all rights incident to any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations standing in the name of this corporation. The authority granted to said officers to vote or represent on behalf of this corporation any and all shares held by this corporation in any other corporation or corporations may be exercised either by such officers in person or by any other person authorized so to do by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by said officers.
Section 7. Inspection of Bylaws . The corporation shall keep in its principal executive office in California, or, if its principal executive office is not in California, then at its principal business office in California (or otherwise provide upon written request of any shareholder) the original or a copy of these Bylaws as amended or otherwise altered to date, certified by the Secretary of the corporation, which shall be open to inspection by the shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours.
Section 8. Construction and Definitions . Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions contained in the General Corporations Law shall govern the construction of these Bylaws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter, the singular includes the plural and the plural number includes the singular, and the term "person" includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person.
ARTICLE VI. Amendments
Section 1. Power of Shareholders . New bylaws may be adopted or these Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, or by the written consent of shareholders entitled to vote such shares, except as otherwise provided by law, these Bylaws or by the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 2. Power of Directors . Subject to the right of the shareholders as provided in Section 1 of this Article VI to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws, bylaws, other than a bylaw or amendment thereof increasing or decreasing the authorized number of directors or changing Article III, Section 3, may, except as otherwise provided by law, these Bylaws or the Articles of Incorporation, be adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

OF

CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANCORP,

a California corporation

I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that I am the duly elected and acting Secretary of California First National Bancorp, a California corporation (the "Corporation"), and that the foregoing Bylaws, comprising 18 pages, constitute the Bylaws of said Corporation as duly adopted by an Action by Written Consent of the Directors on April 26, 2001.
 

Glen T. Tsuma /s/

 

Glen T. Tsuma

Secretary

 

 

CONTACT:

S. Leslie Jewett

(714) 751-7551; (800) 496-4640

ljewett@amplicon.com

ljewett@CalFirstBancorp.com

AMPLICON REORGANIZES AS BANK HOLDING COMPANY

LAUNCHES CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANK

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, May 23, 2001 -- Amplicon, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMPI) ("Amplicon") announced today that it reorganized into a holding company form of organizational structure. As a result of the reorganization, a new parent company, California First National Bancorp, a California corporation ("CalFirst Bancorp"), owns 100% of Amplicon, the previous publicly held company. Stockholders of Amplicon have automatically become stockholders of CalFirst Bancorp. In addition, today CalFirst Bancorp purchased 100% of the common stock of California First National Bank ("CalFirst Bank" or "Bank"), and with the investment of $20 million by CalFirst Bancorp, CalFirst Bank started operations as an FDIC-insured national bank.

The new holding company structure will allow CalFirst Bancorp to manage its entire organization, which now includes a new bank, more effectively. The reorganization was structured in a manner under California law that did not require action by Amplicon's stockholders, whose rights, privileges and interests will remain the same with respect to CalFirst Bancorp. Existing certificates representing shares of Amplicon's common stock serve as evidence of ownership of the same number of shares of common stock of CalFirst Bancorp; an exchange of certificates is not required. The change to the holding company structure is tax free to Amplicon's stockholders. The by-laws, executive officers, board of directors and transfer agent of CalFirst Bancorp are the same as those of Amplicon. CalFirst Bancorp's common stock will trade on the NASDAQ under the new ticker symbol, "CFNB." Trading under the new symbol "CFNB" is expected to commence on Thursday, May 24, 2001.

Mr. Paddon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the new bank holding company, commented "This is an important day for our company. We have invested significant resources in the organization of CalFirst Bank, which will broaden the financial services offered by the overall organization. We believe we have assembled an impressive group of professionals to manage the Bank. Colin M. Forkner, Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, has 30 years of commercial banking experience and has held senior executive management positions with Security Pacific Corporation, Bank of California and Northern Trust Bank of California. The Board of Directors of CalFirst Bank includes Danilo Cacciamatta, President of Cacciamatta Accountancy Corporation, an Orange County auditing firm; Robert W. Kelley, who has 30 years of experience with The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Bank's primary regulator; Harris Ravine, a Partner with Telecom Partners, a venture capital group, and also a member of CalFirst Bancorp's Board of Directors; and S. Leslie Jewett, Chief Financial Officer of CalFirst Bancorp."

Elaborating on the new Bank's unique business model, Mr. Forkner commented, "CalFirst Bank will gather deposits using the Internet, telephone and direct mail from a centralized location and will lease capital assets to businesses and organizations and provide business loans to fund the purchase of capital assets that will be leased by third parties. Teaming this new bank with an established national leasing organization provides enviable access to quality earning assets."

Based in Orange County, California, CalFirst Bancorp is a bank holding company with two primary subsidiaries. Amplicon leases high technology capital assets nationwide utilizing an innovative sales management organization that delivers cost effective leasing alternatives to meet customer needs.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which involve management assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Consequently, if such management assumptions prove to be incorrect or such risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could differ materially from the results forecast in the forward-looking statements. For further discussion regarding management assumptions, risks and uncertainties, readers should refer to Amplicon's 2000 Annual Report on Form 10K, the fiscal 2001 quarterly reports on Form 10Q and other periodic filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

 

 

CAPITAL ASSURANCES AND LIQUIDITY MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT

This Capital Assurances and Liquidity Maintenance Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into, and is effective as of, the 23rd day of May, 2001, by and between California First National Bank ("Bank") and California First National Bancorp ("Parent"), a California corporation.

RECITALS

A.

The Bank is a national bank chartered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") and is authorized, pursuant to the Decision of the OCC on the Application to Charter the Bank dated April 3, 2001, to commence business as a national bank association on May 23, 2001; and

B. The Parent has agreed to purchase shares of the Bank and will be controlling stockholder of the Bank; and
C. In consideration of the mutual covenants and promises set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is expressly acknowledged by both parties, the Bank and the Parent hereby enter into this Agreement setting forth the Parent's requirement to provide to the Bank any necessary capital and/or liquidity support, all in order to ensure that the Bank continues to operate in a safe and sound manner without need of recourse to external sources; and
D. For purposes of the OCC's regulations under 12 C.F.R., Part 6, this Agreement shall not be deemed to have been issued by the OCC; and
E. In consideration of the mutual covenants and conditions contained herein, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:
1.

CAPITAL ASSURANCE.

  A. In accordance with 12 C.F.R., Part 6, a bank is deemed to be well capitalized if it achieves and maintains each of the following minimum capital - to-assets ratios: (i) a total risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of not less than ten percent (10%); (ii) a Tier 1 risk-based capital to risk-weighted assets ratio of not less than six percent (6%); and (iii) a Tier 1 capital to average-total-assets ratio of not less than five percent (5%). For the first three years of the Bank's existence, the Bank is required to achieve and maintain a Tier 1 capital to average-total-assets ratio of not less than eight percent (8%).
  B. Parent hereby covenants and agrees to make such capital infusions as may be necessary from time to time to ensure the Bank achieves and thereafter maintains the capital - to-assets ratios that exceed the OCC's requirements for well capitalized banks and, for the first three years of the Bank's existence, a minimum Tier 1 capital to average-total-assets ratio of not less than eight percent (8%). If at any time the Bank's capital level falls below the minimum capital ratios required pursuant to 12 C.F.R. Part 6, including any amendments thereto, for the Bank to be deemed well capitalized, or if the Bank's Tier 1 capital to average-total-assets ratio falls below eight percent (8%) during the first three years of the bank's existence, then the Parent agrees that not later than ten (10) days after receiving notification regarding any such capital deficiency from the Bank or the OCC, the Parent will contribute sufficient additional capital in a form acceptable to the Bank and the OCC to return the Bank's capital ratios to the required levels. Such capital contribution will be in the form of cash, or if appropriate, other acceptable assets, and the capital contribution will be credited to the Bank's surplus capital account.
  C. Should the OCC subsequently deem it necessary, pursuant to its regulatory authority under 12 C.F.R. Part 3, to require that the Bank achieve and thereafter maintain higher minimum capital ratios than those detailed in 12 C.F.R., Part 3, the Parent agrees that not later than ten (10) days after receiving notification from the Bank or the OCC regarding this new minimum capital level, the Parent will contribute sufficient additional capital in a form acceptable to the Bank and the OCC so as to achieve and thereafter maintain the revised minimum capital level. This capital contribution will be in the form of cash, or if appropriate, other acceptable assets, and the capital contribution will be credited to the Bank's surplus capital account.
2. LIQUIDITY MAINTENANCE. The Bank's funds management policy provides for the Bank's maintenance of sufficient liquidity to meet the cash needs of its depositors and other operations. Parent hereby covenants that it will provide the Bank with financial assistance and take such other action necessary to permit the Bank to meet its liquidity demands. If the Bank experiences liquidity requirements that it cannot satisfy, the Parent agrees that within three (3) business days, or sooner if circumstances warrant, of receiving notification from the Bank or the OCC regarding these liquidity requirements, the Parent will provide the Bank with financial support, in such amount, form, and duration as may be necessary for the Bank to meet its on-going liquidity obligations, and will promptly take any other action necessary to address the Bank's liquidity requirements.
3. ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL REQUIREMENTS. The Parent agrees to provide the Bank with additional collateral or security that the Bank hereafter deems appropriate, or that the OCC directs the Bank to obtain, as a means to guarantee that the Parent will comply with its capital and liquidity obligations as set forth in this Agreement. Not later than ten (10) days, or sooner if circumstances so warrant, after receiving the Bank's written request that the Parent comply with its obligations under this section of the Agreement, the Parent agrees that it will provide the additional collateral or security to the Bank. The Bank's written demand shall include the Bank's certification that its capital or liquidity deficiency(ies) are expected to develop or occur within one hundred eighty (180) days or less.
4. TERM AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the 23rd day of May, 2001 ("Effective Date") and will continue unabated unless terminated by mutual agreement of the Bank and the Parent. The Bank reserves the right to seek the OCC's supervisory non-objection prior to termination of this Agreement.
5. MODIFICATION OR AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by the mutual written consent of both parties. The Bank reserves the right to seek the OCC's supervisory non-objection prior to modifying or amending this Agreement.
6. ASSIGNABILITY OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall not be assigned without the express written consent of both parties.
7. SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect against any successors in interest to the Bank and the Parent.
8. NOTICES. All notices or other communications required hereunder shall be in writing and shall be made by facsimile transmission, with a copy sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the following persons, addressed as follows:
if to the Parent, to:
 
Board of Directors
California First National Bancorp
5 Hutton Centre Drive
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Facsimile: 714-751-7557
Attn: President

if to the Bank, to:
 
Board of Directors
California First National Bank
5 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Facsimile: 714-918-4796
Attn: President
  Such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given or made as of the date that the notice or communication was delivered to the certified mail carrier.
9.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter at issue, and all prior agreements, arrangements, and negotiations between the parties, whether oral or written, with respect to this Agreement are deemed to be merged herein.

10. CONFIDENTIALITY. The Parent and the Bank understand and agree that the terms of this Agreement are proprietary and confidential information, and both parties further agree that except as may be required by law, they shall not disclose such information to any other person or entity, except the OCC, FDIC or Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, without obtaining the other party's prior written consent.
11. GOVERNING LAW. To the extent that Federal law does not control, this Agreement shall be governed, construed and controlled by the laws of the State of California.
12. SEVERABILITY. If any portion of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or inoperative, then, so far as is reasonable and possible, the remainder of this Agreement shall be considered valid and operative, and effect will be given to the intent manifested by the portion held invalid or inoperative.
13. ATTORNEYS' FEES. The prevailing party in any action between the parties arising from or relating to this Agreement shall be entitled to recover from the other party all reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in such action or proceeding.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement.

 

CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANCORP

 

By:_ Patrick E. Paddon /s/_ __________

 

Its:_ President _____________________

 

CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANK

 

By:_ Colin M. Forkner /s/ _____________

 

Its:_ President ______________________

 

 

AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN

California First National Bank

Santa Ana, California

and

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

  WHEREAS , California First National Bank, of Santa Ana, California ("Bank"), and the Comptroller of the Currency of the United States of America ("Comptroller" or "OCC") seek to ensure that the Bank will operate safely and soundly and in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and conditions imposed in connection with the granting of the Bank's charter; and

WHEREAS , on or about June 3, 1999, Amplicon, Inc., of Santa Ana, California("Amplicon"), filed an application with the OCC to charter the Bank. According to the application, Amplicon would own one hundred percent (100%) of the Bank's outstanding
and issued stock; and

WHEREAS , according to the Bank's Business Plan ("First Business Plan"), the Bank was expected to purchase from Amplicon certain payment streams associated with leases of capital assets, funding the purchases of those payment streams using FDIC-insured bank deposits, with the leasing affiliate retaining ownership of the underlying asset and the Bank taking a first lien position; and

WHEREAS , by letter dated April 13, 2000, the Comptroller granted Preliminary Conditional Approval of Amplicon's request to charter the Bank; and

WHEREAS , on December 29, 2000, Amplicon filed a written request with the OCC seeking approval of a significant change in the First Business Plan. According to the Bank's amended business plan ("Second Business Plan"), a newly-formed holding company ("Holding Company") will own one hundred percent (100%) of the Bank's outstanding and issued stock and will also own one hundred percent (100%) of Amplicon's outstanding and issued stock, and only fifty percent (50%) of the Bank's assets would be derived from purchases of payment streams from the Holding Company or any of its affiliates, and the Bank proposes to originate thirty percent (30%) of its own lease assets, and acquire its remaining lease assets from independent, third-party leasing companies; and

WHEREAS , by letter dated April 3, 2001, the Comptroller issued an Amended Preliminary Conditional Approval Letter indicating that the Second Business Plan was acceptable, subject to additional and revised pre-opening requirements and ongoing conditions, including the requirement that the Bank's Board of Directors execute this Agreement; and

WHEREAS , on or about May 23, 2001 , the Bank and Holding Company entered into a Capital Assurances and Liquidity Maintenance Agreement, which Agreement sets forth Holding Company's obligation to provide to the Bank any necessary capital and/or liquidity support, all in order to ensure that the Bank continues to operate in a safe and sound manner;

NOW, THEREFORE , the Bank, by and through its duly elected and acting Board, agrees as follows:

ARTICLE I

JURISDICTION

(1) This Agreement shall be construed to be a "written agreement entered into with the agency" within the meaning of 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(b)(1).
(2) This Agreement shall be construed to be a "written agreement between such depository institution and such agency" within the meaning of 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(i)(2).
(3) This Agreement shall not be construed to be a "written agreement" within the meaning of 12 C.F.R. Section 6.4.
(4) This Agreement shall be construed to be a "written agreement" within the meaning of 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(u)(1)(A).
(5) All correspondence related to this Agreement, and any information, documentation, reports, plans and/or other written submissions which the Bank or Board has agreed to submit pursuant to this Agreement shall be forwarded, by overnight mail, to:

Steven J. VanderWal
Assistant Deputy Comptroller
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
1925 Palomar Oaks Way, Suite 202
Carlsbad, CA 92008

  with copies sent by overnight mail to:

John F. Robinson
Deputy Comptroller
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
50 Fremont Street, Suite 3900
San Francisco, CA 94105

  and to:

Jeffery Blackburn
National Bank Examiner
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
1925 Palomar Oaks Way, Suite 202
Carlsbad, CA 92008

  and to:

Lance Cantor
District Counsel
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
50 Fremont Street, Suite 3900
San Francisco, CA 94105

(6) All correspondence related to this Agreement which the OCC directs to the Bank or Board pursuant to this Agreement shall be forwarded, by overnight mail, to:

Colin M. Forkner
President
California First National Bank
5 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92707

  and to:

Harris Ravine
Chairman of the Board
California First National Bank
5 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92707

ARTICLE II

APPLICATION APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

(1) The Bank expressly acknowledges that it is obligated to comply with, and secure Holding Company's compliance with, the following conditions and requirements issued by the OCC in connection with Amplicon's June 3, 1999 application to charter the Bank ("Application Approval Requirements"):
 

(a) During the first three (3) years of the Bank's operations, the Bank shall achieve, and thereafter maintain, a Tier 1 capital to adjusted total assets ratio (leverage ratio), as those terms are defined at 12 C.F.R. Part 3, Subpart A and 12 C.F.R. Part 6, Subpart A, of at least eight percent (8%);

(b) The Bank shall exercise in a timely manner all of its rights and obligations under the May 23, 2001 Capital Assurances and Liquidity Maintenance Agreement executed by and between the Bank and Holding Company;

(c) During the first three (3) years of the Bank's operations under the Second Business Plan, the Bank must achieve at least four (4) consecutive calendar quarters of "minimum acceptable profitability," where minimum acceptable profitability is defined as after-tax profits of at least $100,000 per calendar quarter;

(d) During the first three (3) years of the Bank's operations under the Second Business Plan, the total dollar amount of the Bank's classified assets, as determined by the OCC, must not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the Bank's capital; and

(e) Prior to engaging in any significant deviation or change from the Second Business Plan, the Bank must give the OCC at least sixty (60) days advance written notice of its intentions, and further, must obtain the OCC's written determination not to object to such deviation or change. The OCC shall use its best efforts to review and indicate, within thirty (30) days, whether it will object to any significant deviation or change from the Second Business Plan submitted pursuant to this paragraph. The Bank expressly acknowledges that if the OCC issues a written determination of no objection, and the Bank engages in any significant deviation or change from the Second Business Plan, the Bank still must comply with the obligations and conditions detailed in Paragraph (1), Subparagraphs (a) - (d) of this Article, as well as any other additional obligations and conditions that the OCC deems appropriate.

ARTICLE III

REMEDIAL ACTION PLAN OR NEW BUSINESS PLAN

(1) If the Bank fails to comply with one or more of the Application Approval Requirements identified in Article II of this Agreement, then within twenty (20) days of receiving notice of that fact from the OCC, the Bank shall submit, at the option of the Bank: (i) a Remedial Action Plan, (ii) a new or amended Business Plan ("Third Business Plan"), or (iii) a Contingency Plan (see Article IV) to the OCC for the agency's review and prior determination of no objection.
(2) If the Bank elects to submit a Remedial Action Plan to address the Application Approval Requirement(s) that have not been met, the Remedial Action Plan will detail, inter alia :
 

(a) The Application Approval Requirements that are to be addressed by the Remedial Action Plan;

(b) The action that the Bank will take under the Remedial Action Plan to comply with the Application Approval Requirements; and

(c) The date by which the Application Approval Requirements will be met under the Remedial Action Plan.

(3) Alternatively, if the Bank elects to submit a Third Business Plan to address the Application Approval Requirements that have not been met, the Third Business Plan shall detail, inter alia :
 

(a) A description of the proposed new business activities and product lines in which the Bank intends to engage;

(b) Evidence that the Bank will have in place sufficient capitalization prior to implementing the proposed Third Business Plan so as to be able to support the projected volume and type of business activities or product lines. The Bank shall submit the formula or basis it used to arrive at the proposed capital structure, as well as provide an analysis as to how the proposed capital structure will be adequate relative to market factors, the Bank's planning and financial assumptions, and its projected organization and operating expenses;

(c) Evidence that the Bank will be reasonably likely to achieve and maintain profitability after engaging in the new business activities or product line contemplated under the Third Business Plan. Included within that evidence must be a description of the geographic areas and customer groups from which the Bank proposes to draw approximately seventy five percent (75%) of this new business; an analysis of the Bank's proposed markets in terms of economic characteristics; an analysis of anticipated changes in the market and the effect that such changes will have on the Bank's new business activities or product line; a list of any potential competitors in the Bank's target market area; a discussion of major planning assumptions (such as market growth, interest rates, cost of funds, and competition) for the market analysis that was used in developing the Bank's new plans and objectives; and appropriate financial projections, including a projected balance sheet, and income and expense statement;

(d) Evidence that the Bank will have in place competent management, including members of the Board, with the necessary ability and experience, prior to engaging in the new business activities or product lines contemplated under the Third Business Plan;

(e) A detailed analysis, and all pertinent supporting documentation, regarding the new credit and collateral standards, risk management processes and internal audit program that will be employed in connection with the Third Business Plan;

(f) An analysis of debt service requirements and obligations for any debt that has been or will be issued at the holding company or Amplicon company level;

(g) Information detailing any new business activities that the Bank will engage in with Holding Company, or with any of Holding Company's subsidiaries or affiliates, or with the Bank's own subsidiaries or affiliates;

(h) Any material information that relates to the then current financial condition of Holding Company or Bank, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates;

(i) Copies of all existing and proposed contracts with vendors, affiliates, service providers and other third parties that are relevant to the proposed new business activities or product line;

(j) Any other evidence which the Bank desires to submit to establish that the Bank will be operated in a safe and sound manner after implementing the Third Business Plan; and

(k) Any other information or evidence that the OCC deems necessary to accomplish its regulatory and supervisory activities, including any information considered necessary by the OCC to assist in a determination as to whether the OCC takes objection to the Third Business Plan.

(4) The OCC shall use its best efforts to review and indicate, within thirty (30) days, whether it will object to any Remedial Action Plan or Third Business Plan submitted pursuant to Paragraph (2) or (3) of this Article.
(5) Immediately upon being informed that the OCC does not object to the Bank's Remedial Action Plan or to the Third Business Plan, the Board shall implement, and shall thereafter ensure the Bank's adherence to, the Remedial Action Plan or Third Business Plan.
(6) Prior to engaging in any significant deviation or change from the Third Business Plan, the Bank must give the OCC at least sixty (60) days advance notice of its intentions, and further, must obtain the OCC's written determination not to object to such deviation or change. The OCC shall use its best efforts to review and indicate, within thirty (30) days, whether it will object to any significant deviation or change from the Third Business Plan submitted pursuant to this paragraph.
(7) If the Third Business Plan still fails to address the unmet Application Approval Requirements, the OCC may, in its sole discretion, permit the Bank to submit to the OCC a Fourth Business Plan designed to address those outstanding Application Approval Requirements. The Fourth Business Plan shall be submitted to the OCC for non-objection, and shall comply with the requirements of Paragraph (3) of this Article, as well as any other requirements and conditions deemed appropriate by the OCC. Immediately upon being informed that the OCC does not object to the Bank's Fourth Business Plan, the Board shall implement, and shall thereafter ensure the Bank's adherence to, the Fourth Business Plan.

ARTICLE IV

CONTINGENCY PLAN

(1) If the OCC determines, in its sole judgment, that it objects to the Remedial Action Plan or the Third (or Fourth) Business Plan, and the Bank is unable to satisfactorily resolve the OCC's objections, upon receiving notice in writing of that fact from the OCC, the Bank shall develop and submit to the OCC for its review and prior determination of no objection a Contingency Plan, which Contingency Plan shall detail the Board's proposal to sell, merge, or liquidate the Bank under 12 U.S.C. Section 181.
(2) The Contingency Plan shall be submitted to the OCC not later than forty five (45) days after receipt of the written notice from the OCC as set forth in paragraph 1 of this Article.
(3) After the OCC has advised the Bank that it does not object to the Contingency Plan, the Board shall immediately implement, and thereafter ensure adherence to, the terms of the Contingency Plan. Failure to submit a timely, acceptable Contingency Plan may be deemed a violation of this Agreement, in the exercise of the OCC's sole discretion.

ARTICLE V

TERM OF AGREEMENT

(1) This Agreement shall become effective immediately upon its execution by both parties (effective date), and shall remain in full force and effect for a period of not less than three (3) years from the date that the Bank commences operations.
(2) If the Bank fails to meet any of the Application Approval Requirements referenced in paragraph (1) of Article II, then this Agreement will remain in full force and effect until the OCC, in its sole discretion, elects to terminate the Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

CONCLUDING PROVISIONS

(1) It is expressly and clearly understood that if, at any time, the Comptroller deems it appropriate in fulfilling the responsibilities of the OCC to undertake any action affecting the Bank, nothing in this Agreement shall in any way inhibit, estop, bar, or otherwise prevent the Comptroller from so doing.
(2) Any time limitations imposed by this Agreement shall begin to run from the effective date of this Agreement. Such time requirements may be extended in writing by the Comptroller or his duly authorized representative for good cause upon written application by the Board.
(3) The provisions of this Agreement shall be effective upon execution by the Comptroller and its provisions shall continue in full force and effect, subject to the limitations detailed in Article V, unless or until such provisions are modified, waived, or terminated in writing by the Comptroller.
(4) To the extent that any of the provisions of this Agreement conflict with the terms in any correspondence between the Comptroller and the Bank, including the April 13, 2000 Preliminary Conditional Charter Approval Letter, or the April 3, 2001 Amended Preliminary Conditional Approval Letter, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
(5) As used here, the term "Agreement" means a supervisory "written agreement entered into with the agency" as contemplated by 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(b)(1), and expressly does not form, and may not be construed to form, a contract binding on the OCC or the United States. Notwithstanding the absence of mutuality of obligation, or of consideration, or of a contract, the OCC may enforce any of the commitments or obligations herein undertaken by the Bank under its supervisory powers, including 12 U.S.C. Section 1818(b)(1), and not as a matter of contract law. The Bank expressly acknowledges that neither the Bank nor the OCC has any intention to enter into a contract. The Bank also expressly acknowledges that no OCC officer or employee has statutory or other authority to bind the United States, the U.S. Treasury Department, the OCC, or any other federal bank regulatory agency or entity, or any officer or employee of any of those entities to a contract affecting the OCC's exercise of its supervisory responsibilities. The terms of this Agreement, including this paragraph, are not subject to amendment or modification by any extraneous expression, prior agreements or arrangements, or negotiations between the parties, whether oral or written.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned, authorized by the Comptroller, has hereunto set his hand on behalf of the Comptroller.
Steven J. VanderWal /s/   May 23, 2001
Steven J. VanderWal
Assistant Deputy Comptroller
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
 

Date

 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, the undersigned, as the duly elected and acting Board of Directors of the Bank, have hereunto set their hands on behalf of the Bank.
Harris Ravine /s/   May 21, 2001
Harris Ravine, Chairman of the Board  

Date

Colin M. Forkner /s/   May 21, 2001
Colin M. Forkner, President  

Date

Danilo Cacciamatta /s/   May 21, 2001
Danilo Cacciamatta, Director  

Date

S. Leslie Jewett /s/   May 21, 2001
S. Leslie Jewett, Director  

Date

Robert W. Kelley /s/   May 21, 2001
Robert W. Kelley, Director  

Date

 

AGREEMENT OF MERGER

 

THIS AGREEMENT OF MERGER (this " Agreement ") is entered into as of this 21st day of May, 2001, among Amplicon, Inc., a California corporation (" Amplicon "), California First National Bancorp, a California corporation (" Bancorp "), and CFNB Merger Sub, a California corporation (" Merger Sub ") and wholly owned subsidiary of Bancorp.

WHEREAS , Amplicon desires to create a new holding company structure by merging Merger Sub with and into Amplicon, with (a) Amplicon continuing as the surviving corporation of such merger and (b) each outstanding share (or any fraction thereof) of Amplicon Common Stock being converted in such merger into a like number of shares of Bancorp Common Stock, all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the " Merger ") and the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of California;

WHEREAS , the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the Bancorp Common Stock are the same as those of Amplicon Common Stock;

WHEREAS , the directors and executive officers of Amplicon immediately prior to the Merger will be the directors and executive officers of Bancorp as of the Effective Time;

WHEREAS , Bancorp and Merger Sub are newly formed corporations organized for the purpose of participating in the transactions herein contemplated; and

WHEREAS , the boards of directors of Bancorp, Merger Sub and Amplicon, Amplicon, in its capacity as the sole shareholder of Bancorp, and Bancorp, in its capacity as the sole shareholder of Merger Sub, have approved this Agreement and the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

MERGER

1.01. The Merger . In accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the General Corporation Law of the State of California, at the Effective Time (as defined in Article IV hereof), Merger Sub shall be merged with and into Amplicon, the separate existence of Merger Sub shall cease, and Amplicon shall continue as the surviving corporation (the " Surviving Corporation ") under the name Amplicon, Inc.
1.02. Merger Sub . Upon the consummation of the Merger, the Surviving Corporation shall succeed to and retain, without other transfer, all of the rights and property of Merger Sub, including any and all contracts or agreements under which Merger Sub is a party or beneficiary, and shall be subject to all of the debts, obligations and liabilities of Merger Sub in the same manner as if the Surviving Corporation had itself incurred them; all rights of creditors and all liens upon the property of each of Amplicon and Merger Sub shall be preserved unimpaired; provided , that such rights and liens shall be limited, if at all, in the same manner as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time; any action or proceeding pending by or against Merger Sub may be prosecuted to judgment, which shall bind the Surviving Corporation, or the Surviving Corporation may be proceeded against or substituted in its place.

ARTICLE II

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION; BYLAWS

2.01. Articles of Incorporation . The Articles of Incorporation of Amplicon, as in effect at the Effective Time, shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.
2.02. Bylaws . The Bylaws of Amplicon, as in effect at the Effective Time, shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

3.01. Directors . At the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of Amplicon immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the members of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Corporation until their successors are elected and qualified.
3.02. Officers . At the Effective Time, the officers of Amplicon immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be deemed to be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until their respective successors shall be appointed and qualified.

ARTICLE IV

EFFECTIVE TIME OF THE MERGER

  As used in this Agreement, the " Effective Time " of the Merger shall mean the date on which this Agreement has been duly filed with the Secretary of State of California.

ARTICLE V

CONVERSION

5.01. Conversion of Shares . At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Bancorp, Merger Sub, Amplicon or the holder of any of the following securities:
 

(a) Conversion of Amplicon Common Stock . Each share of Amplicon Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and thereafter represent one duly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of Bancorp Common Stock.

(b) Conversion of Common Stock of Merger Sub . Each share of Merger Sub Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and thereafter represent one duly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

(c) Cancellation of Common Stock of Bancorp . Each share of Bancorp Common Stock that is owned by Amplicon immediately prior to the Merger shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist.

(d) Rights of Certificate Holders . From and after the Effective Time, holders of certificates formerly evidencing Amplicon Common Stock shall cease to have any rights as shareholders of Amplicon, except as provided by law; except, however, that such holders shall have the rights set forth in Section 5.02 herein.

5.02. No Surrender of Certificates . Until thereafter surrendered for transfer or exchange, each outstanding stock certificate that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, evidenced Amplicon Common Stock shall be deemed and treated for all corporate purposes to evidence the ownership of the number of shares of Bancorp Common Stock into which such shares of Amplicon Common Stock were converted pursuant to the provisions of Section 5.01(a) herein.
5.03. Assumption of Stock Option Plan . Amplicon maintains its 1995 Equity Participation Plan (the "1995 Plan") and its Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (the "1985 Plan" and together with the 1995 Plan, the "Stock Option Plans"). As of the Effective Time, Bancorp shall assume the Stock Option Plans and the stock options then outstanding under the Stock Option Plans, and shall assume and agree to perform all obligations of Amplicon pursuant to the Stock Option Plans. As of the Effective Time, each option to purchase a share of Amplicon Common Stock which has been granted and is then outstanding and unexercised under either of the Stock Option Plans (" Existing Stock Option ") shall be converted into an option to purchase one share of Bancorp Common Stock at the same exercise price, for the same period and subject to substantially the same terms and conditions as applicable to the relevant Existing Stock Option. Bancorp and Amplicon shall execute, acknowledge and deliver such other documents and take all such other actions as may be necessary or advisable to effect such assumption of the Stock Option Plans and the stock options outstanding thereunder.

ARTICLE VI

MISCELLANEOUS

6.01. Termination . Notwithstanding the approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of Merger Sub and Bancorp, this Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time by mutual written consent of the Boards of Directors of Merger Sub, Bancorp and Amplicon.
6.02. Waiver; Amendment . Any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be waived at any time by whichever of the parties is, or the shareholders of which are, entitled to the benefit thereof by a writing executed on behalf of such party; and this Agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented in any manner at any time by an agreement in writing executed on behalf of each of the parties hereto; provided , however , that no such waiver, amendment, modification or supplement shall be made which shall change any of the principal terms of this Agreement without the further approval of the shareholders of Merger Sub and Bancorp.
6.03. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.
6.04. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the same document.
 

AMPLICON, INC.,

a California corporation

By: Patrick E. Paddon /s/

Name: Patrick E. Paddon

Title: President

By: Glen T. Tsuma /s/

Name: Glen T. Tsuma

Title: Chief Operating Officer and Secretary

CFNB MERGER SUB,

a California corporation

By: Glen T. Tsuma /s/

Name: Glen T. Tsuma

Title: President

By: Glen T. Tsuma /s/

Name: Glen T. Tsuma

Title: Secretary

CALIFORNIA FIRST NATIONAL BANCORP,

a California corporation

By: Patrick E. Paddon /s/

Name: Patrick E. Paddon

Title: President

By: Glen T. Tsuma /s/

Name: Glen T. Tsuma

Title: Secretary

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

OF

AGREEMENT OF MERGER

Patrick E. Paddon and Glen T. Tsuma certify that:

  1. They are the President and Secretary, respectively, of Amplicon, Inc., a California corporation (this "Corporation").
  2. The Agreement of Merger in the form attached was duly approved by the Board of Directors of this Corporation alone without the approval of the shareholders under the provisions of Section 1201 of the California Corporations Code.
We further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the matters set forth in this Certificate are true and correct of our own knowledge.
DATE: May 21, 2001
 

Patrick E. Paddon /s/

 

Patrick E. Paddon, President

 

Glen T. Tsuma /s/

 

Glen T. Tsuma, Secretary

CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL

OF

AGREEMENT OF MERGER

Glen T. Tsuma hereby certifies that:

  1. He is the President and the Secretary of CFNB Merger Sub, a California corporation (this "Corporation").
  2. The Agreement of Merger in the form attached was duly approved by the Board of Directors and sole shareholder of this Corporation.
  3. The shareholder approval was by the holders of 100% of the outstanding shares of this Corporation.
  4. There is only one class of shares and the number of shares outstanding is 1,000.
  5. The required vote of the shareholders of California First National Bancorp has been obtained.
I further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the matters set forth in this certificate are true and correct of my own knowledge.
DATE: May 21, 2001
 

Glen T. Tsuma /s/

 

Glen T. Tsuma, President

 

Glen T. Tsuma /s/

 

Glen T. Tsuma, Secretary