UNITED STATES
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
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): March 2, 2022
First Business Financial Services, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin | 1-34095 | 39-1576570 |
(State or other jurisdiction | (Commission | (IRS Employer |
401 Charmany Drive Madison, Wisconsin (Address of principal executive offices) | 53719 (Zip code) |
(608) 238-8008
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Common Stock, $0.01 par value | FBIZ |
|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]
Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
On March 4, 2022, First Business Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”) offered and sold shares of its 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), for an aggregate purchase price of $12,500,000, to investors qualified as institutional “accredited investors,” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a)(1)-(3) and (7) of Regulation D (“Regulation D”) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) or “qualified institutional buyers” (“QIBs”) as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The offer and sale of the Series A Preferred Stock by the Company was made in reliance upon the exemptions from registration available under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506(b) of Regulation D.
Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.
Upon issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock (as described in Item 3.02, above) on March 4, 2022, the ability of the Company to declare or pay dividends on, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) will be subject to certain restrictions in the event that the Company fails to pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock. These restrictions are set forth in the Articles of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (the “Articles of Amendment”) establishing the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock. A copy of the Articles of Amendment is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.03. Amendment to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On March 2, 2022, the Company filed the Articles of Amendment with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, setting forth the terms the Series A Preferred Stock. A description of the material terms of the Series A Preferred Stock is set forth in Item 8.01, below.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
Issuance of Subordinated Notes
On March 4, 2022, the Company issued $20,000,000 in principal amount of subordinated notes (the “Notes”) to one QIB in a private placement exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Rule 506 of Regulation D. The Notes, which have been structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital, have a maturity date of March 15, 2032 and will bear interest at a fixed rate of 3.50% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year beginning on September 15, 2022 up to, but not including, March 15, 2027. Beginning on March 15, 2027, to the maturity date, the interest rate will reset quarterly, equal to the Floating Interest Rate (as defined in the Notes) of the applicable interest period plus 189 basis points, computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed and payable quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year.
The Company may, at its option, beginning with the interest payment date of March 15, 2027, and on any interest payment date thereafter, redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. The Company will have the ability to redeem the Notes prior to such date only under certain circumstances relating to the capital treatment of the Notes in other limited events. The Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the holders.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Notes to fund the redemption of its $9,100,000 in aggregate principal amount of outstanding 6.00% Subordinated Debentures due April 15, 2027, which also were structured to qualify as Tier 2 capital, during the second quarter of 2022, and for general corporate purposes.
This description of the Notes does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of 3.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note, which is attached as Exhibit 4.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Issuance of Series A Preferred Stock
On March 4, 2022, the Company offered and sold shares of its Series A Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $12,500,000, to investors qualified as institutional accredited investors or QIBs. Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, if, when, and as declared by the Company’s Board of Directors, non-cumulative cash dividends at rate per share of Series A Preferred Stock (in each case, only when, as and if declared) of (a) from and including the original issue date to, but excluding, March 15, 2027 or the date of earlier redemption, 7.00%, and (b) from and including March 15, 2027 to, but excluding, the date of earlier redemption, the “Benchmark Rate” (which is expected to be the Three-Month Term SOFR) (as defined in the Articles of Amendment) plus 539 basis points. The Series A Preferred Stock is structured to qualify as Tier 1 capital.
So long as any Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding, unless full dividends for the most recently completed dividend period have been declared and paid (or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside) on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the Company may not, subject to certain exceptions, (a) declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend on, or (b) repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for consideration, directly or indirectly, the Common Stock or any other shares of capital stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock.
Subject to the foregoing, dividends (payable in cash, stock, or otherwise) may be declared and paid the Common Stock and any other class or series of capital stock that ranks junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock or dividend parity stock will not be entitled to participate in any such dividend.
The Series A Preferred Stock is perpetual and has no maturity date and is not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund, or other similar provisions. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will not have any right to require the redemption or repurchase of their shares of Series A Preferred Stock. The Company may, at its option, redeem the Series A Preferred Stock (i) in whole or in part, from time to time, on March 15, 2027, or on any dividend payment date on or after March 15, 2027, or (ii) in whole but not in part at any time within 90 days
following a “regulatory capital treatment event” (as defined in the Articles of Amendment) in each case at a redemption price equal to $1,000 per share, plus the per share amount of any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends.
Upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Company, holders of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to be paid out of our assets legally available for distribution to our shareholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Stock or any other junior stock, a liquidating distribution in the amount of a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, plus the sum of any declared and unpaid dividends for prior dividend periods prior to the dividend period in which the liquidating distribution is made and any declared and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period.
Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no voting rights except with respect to certain changes in the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock and the issuance of capital stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock, in the case of certain dividend nonpayments, certain other fundamental corporate events, and as otherwise expressly required by applicable law.
The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock to fund the redemption of its $10,315,000 in aggregate principal amount of 10.5% Fixed Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due September 26, 2038, issued in connection with its trust preferred securities (which also qualified as Tier 1 capital) in the first quarter of 2022, and for general corporate purposes.
This description of the Series A Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Articles of Amendment, which is attached as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
Placement Agent
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. acted as exclusive placement agent in connection with the Company’s offers and sales of the Subordinated Notes and Series A Preferred Stock described above.
Authorization of Share Repurchase Program
Effective March 4, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the repurchase by the Company of shares of Common Stock with a maximum aggregate purchase price of $5.0 million, in such quantities, at such prices and on such other terms and conditions as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer determine in their discretion to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, any time from the effective date through March 4, 2023 (the “Repurchase Program”). The Board of Directors further authorized certain officers of the Company, in their discretion, to enter into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan to allow the Company to effectuate repurchases under the Repurchase Program at such times as the Company and its directors and officers are or may be deemed to be in possession of material, non-public information, provided that such officers may enter into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan
only at such time as the Company and its directors and officers are not actually in possession of material, non-public information.
Filing of Shelf Registration Statement on Form S-3
On March 4, 2022, the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Shelf Registration Statement”). When effective, the Shelf Registration Statement will enable the Company to offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more offerings, together or separately, shares of its common or preferred stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, units or depositary share, any combination of such securities, with an aggregate offering price not to exceed $75,000,000. The Shelf Registration Statement is intended to replace the Company’s previous universal shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which expired in November of 2020. The Company has no current intention to offer or sell securities under the Shelf Registration Statement.
Press Release
On March 4, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing the events described herein. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Forward-Looking Statements
This report may include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information, but rather are related to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time the statements are made. Those statements are based on general assumptions and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the views, beliefs, and projections expressed in such statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including among other things: (i) adverse changes in the economy or business conditions, either nationally or in our markets, including, without limitation, inflation, supply chain issues, labor shortages, and the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global, national, and local economy, which may affect the Company’s credit quality, revenue, and business operations.; (ii) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions nationally and in our markets; (iii) increases in defaults by borrowers and other delinquencies; (iv) management’s ability to manage growth effectively, including the successful expansion of our client service, administrative infrastructure, and internal management systems; (v) fluctuations in interest rates and market prices; (vi) changes in legislative or regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries; (vii) changes in tax requirements, including tax rate changes, new tax laws, and revised tax law interpretations; (viii) fraud, including client and system failure or breaches of our network security, including the Company’s internet banking activities, or (ix) failure to comply with the applicable SBA regulations in order to maintain the eligibility of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans. For further information about the factors that could affect the Company’s future results, please see the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
3.1Articles of Amendment dated March 2, 2022 to the Company’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
4.1Form of 3.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note
99.1Press Release dated March 4, 2022
104Cover Page Interactive Date File (embedded within the Inline XBRL Document)
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 4, 2022FIRST BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
By: /s/ Edward G. Sloane, Jr.
Edward G. Sloane, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT 3.1
ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT
TO THE
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
FIRST BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
_____________
These Articles of Amendment (the “Articles of Amendment”) to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of First Business Financial Services, Inc., a corporation organized under Chapter 180 of the Wisconsin Statutes (the “Corporation”), are executed by the undersigned for the purpose of amending the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. In accordance with the provisions of Sections 180.0602 and 180.1002 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the amendment, set forth below, to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation without shareholder approval, which was not required.
ARTICLE I
The name of the Corporation is “First Business Financial Services, Inc.”
ARTICLE II
The following Articles of Amendment constituting an amendment to the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation were adopted by the directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) by resolution on January 28, 2022, and supplemented by resolutions adopted by the Capital and Acquisitions Committee of the Board of the directors of the Corporation on February 28, 2022, in accordance with Section 180.0602 of the Wisconsin Statutes:
The Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are amended by adding the language set forth below to Section B of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. As of the date of these Articles of Amendment, the Corporation has not issued any shares of the 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share.
(1)Designation of the 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A.
(a)Series A Preferred Stock. There shall be a series of the Preferred Stock with the following terms, preferences, limitations, and relative rights, in addition to those otherwise expressed in these Articles of Incorporation or any amendment thereto:
(i)Designation and Number of Shares. There is hereby created out of the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock a series of Preferred Stock designated as the “7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-
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Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A” (hereinafter called “Series A Preferred Stock”); the authorized number of shares that shall constitute such series shall be 12,500 shares, $0.01 par value per share; and such shares shall have a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock may be increased from time to time by resolution of the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation (as then in effect), the Bylaws (as then in effect), and applicable law up to the maximum number of shares of Preferred Stock authorized to be issued under the Articles of Incorporation (as then in effect) less all shares at the time authorized of any other series of Preferred Stock or decreased from time to time by a resolution of the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation (as then in effect), the Bylaws (as then in effect), and applicable law but not below the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be dated the date of issue, which date shall be referred to herein as the “original issue date.” Shares of outstanding Series A Preferred Stock that are redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall be cancelled and shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of the Preferred Stock, undesignated as to series. The Corporation shall have the authority to issue fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
(ii)Definitions. As used herein with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock:
“Appropriate Federal Banking Agency” means the “appropriate Federal banking agency” with respect to the Corporation as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1813(q)), or any successor provision.
“Articles of Incorporation” means the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended, and as it may be amended or restated from time to time.
“Benchmark” means, initially, Three-Month Term SOFR; provided that if the Calculation Agent determines on or prior to the Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement.
“Benchmark Replacement” means the Interpolated Benchmark with respect to the then-current Benchmark, plus the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment for such Benchmark; provided that if (a) the Calculation Agent cannot determine the Interpolated Benchmark as of the Benchmark Replacement Date or (b) the then-current Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR (in which event no Interpolated Benchmark with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR shall be determined), then “Benchmark Replacement” means the first alternative set forth in the
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order below that can be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
1. Compounded SOFR;
2. the sum of: (a) the alternate rate that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
3. the sum of: (a) the ISDA Fallback Rate and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
4. the sum of: (a) the alternate rate that has been selected by the Corporation as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
1. the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;
2. if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment;
3. the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Calculation Agent giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time.
“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Dividend Period”, timing and frequency of determining rates with respect to each Dividend Period and making payments of dividends, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Calculation Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Calculation Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Calculation Agent determines that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably necessary).
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“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
1. in the case of clause 1 of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the relevant Reference Time in respect of any determination;
2. in the case of clause 2 or 3 of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; or
3. in the case of clause 4 of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.
For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of the definitions of Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Event, references to the Benchmark also include any reference rate underlying the Benchmark (for example, if the Benchmark becomes Compounded SOFR, references to the Benchmark would include SOFR).
For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination.
“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
1. if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, (a) the Relevant Governmental Body has not selected or recommended a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR, (b) the development of a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR that has been recommended or selected by the Relevant Governmental Body is not complete or (c) the Corporation determines that the use of a forward-looking rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR is not administratively feasible;
2.a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark;
3.a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark, the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark, which states that the administrator of the Benchmark has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark; or
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4.a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative.
“Business Day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in The City of New York.
“Bylaws” means the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation, as they may be amended or restated from time to time.
“Calculation Agent” means such bank or other entity (which may be the Corporation or an affiliate of the Corporation) as may be appointed by the Corporation to act as Calculation Agent for the Series A Preferred Stock during the Floating Rate Period (as defined in Section B(1)(a)(iv)(a)).
“Common Stock” means any and all shares of common stock of the Corporation, par value $0.01 per share.
“Compounded SOFR” means the compounded average of SOFRs for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate being established by the Calculation Agent in accordance with:
1.the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining Compounded SOFR; provided that:
2.if, and to the extent that, the Calculation Agent determines that Compounded SOFR cannot be determined in accordance with clause (1) above, then the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate that have been selected by the Calculation Agent giving due consideration to any industry-accepted market practice for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time.
For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of Compounded SOFR shall exclude the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment (if applicable) and the spread of 539 basis points per annum.
“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Benchmark Replacement means a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor for the then-current Benchmark.
“Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
“Interpolated Benchmark” with respect to the Benchmark means the rate determined for the Corresponding Tenor by interpolating on a linear basis between: (1) the Benchmark for the longest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is
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shorter than the Corresponding Tenor and (2) the Benchmark for the shortest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is longer than the Corresponding Tenor.
“ISDA” means the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor.
“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the ISDA, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.
“ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor.
“ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.
“Preferred Stock” means any and all series of preferred stock of the Corporation, including the Series A Preferred Stock.
“Reference Time” with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (1) if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, and (2) if the Benchmark is not Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.
“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto.
“SOFR” means the secured overnight financing rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the Benchmark (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website.
“Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.
“Term SOFR Administrator” means any entity designated by the Relevant Governmental Body as the administrator of Term SOFR (or a successor administrator).
“Three-Month Term SOFR” means the rate for Term SOFR for a tenor of three months that is published by the Term SOFR Administrator at the Reference Time for any dividend period, as determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions.
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“Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions” means any determination, decision or election with respect to any technical, administrative or operational matter (including with respect to the manner and timing of the publication of Three-Month Term SOFR, or changes to the definition of “dividend period,” timing and frequency of determining Three-Month Term SOFR with respect to each dividend period and making dividend payments, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Calculation Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Calculation Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Calculation Agent determines that no market practice for the use of Three-Month Term SOFR exists, in such other manner as the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably necessary).
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
(iii)Ranking. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall rank:
(a)senior, as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution, and winding-up of the Corporation, to the Common Stock and to any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation now or hereafter authorized, issued, or outstanding that, by its terms, does not expressly provide that such class or series ranks pari passu with the Series A Preferred Stock or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution, and winding-up of the Corporation, as the case may be (collectively, “Series A Junior Securities”);
(b) on a parity, as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution, and winding-up of the Corporation, with any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation now or hereafter authorized, issued, or outstanding that, by its terms, expressly provides that such class or series ranks pari passu with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution, and winding-up of the Corporation, as the case may be (collectively, “Series A Parity Securities”); and
(c) junior, as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution, and winding-up of the Corporation, to any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation now or hereafter authorized, issued, or outstanding that, by its terms, expressly provides that such class or series ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution, and winding-up of the Corporation, as the case may be.
The Corporation may authorize and issue additional shares of Series A Junior Securities and Series A Parity Securities from time to time without the consent of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.
(iv)Dividends.
(a) Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, only when, as, and if declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board, on each Dividend Payment Date (as defined below), out of assets legally available for the payment of dividends thereof, non-cumulative cash dividends based on the liquidation preference of the Series A
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Preferred Stock of $1,000 per share. Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall accrue at a rate equal to (i) 7.00% per annum on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share for each Dividend Period (as defined below) from the original issue date of the Series A Preferred Stock to, but excluding, March 15, 2027 or the date of earlier redemption (the “Fixed Rate Period”) and (ii) the Benchmark plus a spread of 539 basis points per annum on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share for each Dividend Period from and including March 15, 2027 to, but excluding, the date of earlier redemption (the “Floating Rate Period”); provided, however, that if the Benchmark is less than zero, the Benchmark shall be deemed to be zero, in each case, only when, as and if declared. In the event the Corporation issues additional shares of the Series A Preferred Stock after the original issue date, dividends on such shares may accrue from the original issue or any other date specified by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board at the time such additional shares are issued.
(b) If declared by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board, dividends will be payable on the Series A Preferred Stock quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2022 (each such day a “Dividend Payment Date”) based on a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. In the event that any Dividend Payment Date during the Fixed Rate Period falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the dividend payment due on that date shall be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day and no additional dividends shall accrue as a result of that postponement. In the event that any Dividend Payment Date during the Floating Rate Period falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the dividend payment due on that date shall be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day and dividends shall accrue to, but excluding, the date dividends are paid. However, if the postponement would cause the day to fall in the next calendar month during the Floating Rate Period, the Dividend Payment Date shall instead be brought forward to the immediately preceding Business Day.
(c) Dividends will be payable to holders of record of Series A Preferred Stock as they appear on the Corporation’s stock register on the applicable record date, which shall be the 15th calendar day before the applicable Dividend Payment Date, or such other record date, not less than 15 calendar days nor more than 30 calendar days before the applicable Dividend Payment Date, as such record date shall be fixed by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board.
(d) A “Dividend Period” is the period from and including a Dividend Payment Date to, but excluding, the next succeeding Dividend Payment Date or any earlier redemption date, except that the initial Dividend Period will commence on and include the original issue date of Series A Preferred Stock and continue to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date. Dividends payable on Series A Preferred Stock during the Fixed Rate Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends payable on Series A Preferred Stock during the Floating Rate Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the number of days elapsed during the Floating Rate Period. Dollar amounts resulting from the calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will cease to accrue on the redemption date, if any, with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock redeemed, unless the Corporation defaults in the payment of the redemption price of the Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph, if the Calculation Agent determines on or prior to the relevant Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the then-current Benchmark, then the provisions set forth in Section B(1)(a)(viii) will thereafter apply to all determinations of the dividend rate on the Series A Preferred Stock for each Dividend Period during the Floating Rate Period.
Absent manifest error, the Calculation Agent’s determination of the dividend rate for each Dividend Period during the Floating Rate Period for the Series A Preferred Stock will be binding and conclusive. The Calculation Agent’s determination of any dividend rate, and its calculation of the amount of dividends for each Dividend Period during the Floating Rate Period, will be maintained on file at the Calculation Agent’s principal offices, will be made available to any holder of the Series A Preferred Stock upon request and will be provided to the transfer agent.
If the then-current Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, the Calculation Agent will have the right to establish the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, and any of the foregoing provisions concerning the calculation of the dividend rate and the payment of dividends during the Floating Rate Period are inconsistent with any of the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions determined by the Calculation Agent, then the relevant Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions will apply. Furthermore, if the Calculation Agent determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the then-current Benchmark at any time when the Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding, then the foregoing provisions concerning the calculation of the dividend rate and the payment of dividends during the Floating Rate Period will be modified in accordance with Section B(1)(a)(viii).
(e) Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock will not be cumulative. If the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board does not declare a dividend, in full or otherwise, on the Series A Preferred Stock in respect of a Dividend Period, then such unpaid dividends shall cease to accrue and shall not be payable on the applicable Dividend Payment Date or be cumulative, and the Corporation will have no obligation to pay (and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no right to receive) dividends accrued for such Dividend Period after the Dividend Payment Date for such Dividend Period, whether or not the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board declares a dividend for any future Dividend Period with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, the Common Stock, or any other class or series of the Corporation’s Preferred Stock. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend not declared.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be declared, paid, or set aside for payment to the extent such act would cause the Corporation to fail to comply with the laws and regulations applicable to it, including applicable capital adequacy rules of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) or, as and if applicable, the capital adequacy rules or regulations of any Appropriate Federal Banking Agency.
(g) So long as any share of Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding:
1. no dividend or distribution shall be declared, paid or set aside for payment, and no distribution shall be declared or made or set aside for payment, on any Series A Junior Securities, other than (i) a dividend payable solely in Series A Junior Securities or
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(ii) any dividend in connection with the implementation of a stockholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of rights, stock, or other property under any such plan, or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under any such plan;
2. no shares of Series A Junior Securities shall be repurchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation, directly or indirectly, other than (i) as a result of a reclassification of Series A Junior Securities for or into other Series A Junior Securities, (ii) the exchange or conversion of one share of Series A Junior Securities for or into another share of Series A Junior Securities, (iii) through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Series A Junior Securities, (iv) purchases, redemptions, or other acquisitions of shares of Series A Junior Securities in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan, or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of employees, officers, directors, or consultants, (v) purchases of shares of Series A Junior Securities pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Series A Junior Securities existing prior to the preceding Dividend Period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan, or (vi) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Series A Junior Securities pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such stock or the security being converted or exchanged; nor shall any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Corporation; and
3. no shares of Series A Parity Securities shall be repurchased, redeemed, or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation, directly or indirectly, other than (i) pursuant to pro rata offers to purchase all, or a pro rata portion, of the Series A Preferred Stock and such Series A Parity Securities, if any, (ii) as a result of a reclassification of Series A Parity Securities for or into other Series A Parity Securities, (iii) the exchange or conversion of one share of Series A Parity Securities for or into another share of Series A Parity Securities or Series A Junior Securities, (iv) through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Series A Parity Securities, (v) purchases of shares of Series A Parity Securities pursuant to a contractually binding requirement to buy Series A Parity Securities existing prior to the preceding Dividend Period, including under a contractually binding stock repurchase plan, or (vi) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of Series A Parity Securities pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such stock or the security being converted or exchanged; nor shall any monies be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any such securities by the Corporation;
unless, in each case, the full dividends for the most recently completed Dividend Period on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been declared and paid or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside.
(h) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if dividends are not paid in full, or set aside for payment in full, on any dividend payment date, upon the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Series A Parity Securities, all dividends declared upon shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Series A Parity Securities for such dividend payment date shall be declared on a pro rata basis in proportion to the respective amounts of undeclared and unpaid dividends for the Series A Preferred Stock and all Series A Parity Securities on such dividend payment date. To the extent a dividend period with respect to any Series A Parity Securities coincides with more than
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one Dividend Period, for purposes of the immediately preceding sentence the Board shall treat such dividend period as two or more consecutive dividend periods, none of which coincides with more than one Dividend Period, or shall treat such dividend period(s) with respect to any Series A Parity Securities and Dividend Period(s) for purposes of the immediately preceding sentence in any other manner that it deems to be fair and equitable in order to achieve ratable payments of dividends on such Series A Parity Securities and the Series A Preferred Stock. To the extent a Dividend Period coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to any Series A Parity Securities, for purposes of the first sentence of this paragraph the Board shall treat such Dividend Period as two or more consecutive Dividend Periods, none of which coincides with more than one dividend period with respect to such Series A Parity Securities, or shall treat such Dividend Period(s) and dividend period(s) with respect to any Series A Parity Securities for purposes of the first sentence of this paragraph in any other manner that it deems to be fair and equitable in order to achieve ratable payments of dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock and such Series A Parity Securities. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “dividend period” as used with respect to any Series A Parity Securities means such dividend periods as are provided for in the terms of such Series A Parity Securities.
(i) Subject to the foregoing, dividends (payable in cash, stock, or otherwise), as may be determined by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board, may be declared and paid on the Common Stock and any other class or series of capital stock ranking equally with or junior to Series A Preferred Stock from time to time out of any assets legally available for such payment, and the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividend.
(v)Liquidation
(a) Upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Corporation, holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive out of the assets of the Corporation available for distribution to stockholders, after satisfaction of liabilities and obligations to creditors, if any, and subject to the rights of holders of any securities then outstanding ranking senior to or on parity with Series A Preferred Stock with respect to distributions of assets, before any distribution or payment out of the assets of the Corporation is made to holders of Common Stock or any Series A Junior Securities, a liquidating distribution in the amount of the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share plus any declared and unpaid dividends prior to the payment of the liquidating distribution, without accumulation of any dividends that have not been declared prior to the payment of the liquidating distribution. After payment of the full amount of such liquidating distribution, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any further participation in any distribution of assets of the Corporation.
(b) In any such liquidating distribution, if the assets of the Corporation are not sufficient to pay the liquidation preferences (as defined below) in full to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock and all holders of any Series A Parity Securities, the amounts paid to the holders of Series A Preferred Stock and to the holders of all Series A Parity Securities will be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidation preferences of those holders. In any such distribution, the “liquidation preference” of any holder of Series A Preferred Stock or any Series A Parity Securities means the amount otherwise payable to such holder in such distribution (assuming no limitation on the Corporation’s assets available for such distribution),
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including any declared but unpaid dividends (and, in the case of any holder of stock other than the Series A Preferred Stock on which dividends accrue on a cumulative basis, an amount equal to any unpaid, accrued, cumulative dividends, whether or not declared, as applicable). If the liquidation preference has been paid in full to all holders of Series A Preferred Stock and any Series A Parity Securities, the holders of the Corporation’s Series A Junior Securities shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Corporation according to their respective rights and preferences.
(c) For purposes of this Section B(1)(a)(v), neither the sale, conveyance, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Corporation for cash, securities, or other property, nor the merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other entity, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Series A Preferred Stock receive cash, securities, or property for their shares, shall constitute a liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Corporation.
(vi)Redemption.
(a) Series A Preferred Stock is not subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund, or other similar provision. Series A Preferred Stock is not redeemable prior to March 15, 2027. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding will be redeemable at the option of the Corporation, in whole or in part, from time to time, on March 15, 2027, or on any Dividend Payment Date on or after March 15, 2027, at a redemption price equal to $1,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock will have no right to require the redemption or repurchase of Series A Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, within 90 days following the occurrence of a Regulatory Capital Treatment Event (as defined below), the Corporation, at its option, may redeem, at any time, all (but not less than all) of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, at a redemption price equal to $1,000 per share, plus any declared and unpaid dividends, without accumulation of any undeclared dividends, upon notice given as provided in sub-section (b) below. Any declared but unpaid dividends payable on a redemption date that occurs subsequent to the record date for a Dividend Period shall not be paid to the holder entitled to receive the redemption price on the redemption date, but rather shall be paid to the holder of record of the redeemed shares on such record date relating to the Dividend Payment Date as provided in Section B(1)(a)(iv)(c) above. In all cases, the Corporation may not redeem shares of the Series A Preferred Stock without having received the prior approval of the Federal Reserve or any successor Appropriate Federal Banking Agency if then required under capital rules applicable to the Corporation.
A “Regulatory Capital Treatment Event” means the good faith determination by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board that, as a result of (i) any amendment to, or change in, the laws, rules, or regulations of the United States or any political subdivision of or in the United States (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any agency or instrumentality of the United States, including the Federal Reserve and other federal banking agencies) that is enacted or becomes effective after the initial issuance of any share of the Series A Preferred Stock; (ii) any proposed change in those laws, rules, or regulations that is announced after the initial issuance of any share of the Series A Preferred Stock; or (iii) any official administrative decision or judicial decision or administrative action or other official pronouncement interpreting or applying those laws, rules, or regulations or policies with respect thereto that is announced after
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the initial issuance of any share of the Series A Preferred Stock, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Corporation will not be entitled to treat the full liquidation value of $1,000 per share of the Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding as “Tier 1 Capital” (or its equivalent) for purposes of the capital adequacy rules of the Federal Reserve (or, as and if applicable, the capital adequacy rules or regulations of any successor Appropriate Federal Banking Agency), as then in effect and applicable, for as long as any share of the Series A Preferred Stock is outstanding.
(b) If shares of Series A Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the notice of redemption shall be given to the holders of record of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of such shares to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on the Corporation’s stock register not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption thereof (provided that, if the shares of Series A Preferred Stock are held in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), the Corporation may give such notice in any manner permitted by DTC). Each notice of redemption will include a statement setting forth (i) the redemption date; (ii) the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if less than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (iii) the redemption price; and (iv) that dividends on the shares to be redeemed will cease to accrue on the redemption date. If notice of redemption of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock has been duly given and if the funds necessary for such redemption have been set aside by the Corporation for the benefit of the holders of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption, then, on and after the redemption date, dividends will cease to accrue on such shares of Series A Preferred Stock; such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall no longer be deemed outstanding; and all rights of the holders of such shares will terminate, except the right to receive the redemption price described in sub-section (a) above, without interest.
(c) In case of any redemption of only part of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected (1) pro rata, (2) by lot, or (3) in such other manner as the Corporation may determine to be equitable and permitted by DTC and the rules of any national securities exchange on which the Series A Preferred Stock is listed.
(vii)Voting Rights.
(a) Except as provided below and as determined by the Board or a duly authorized committee of the Board or as expressly required by law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no voting power, and no right to vote on any matter at any time, either as a separate series or class or together with any other series or class of shares of capital stock, and shall not be entitled to call a meeting of such holders for any purpose, nor shall they be entitled to participate in any meeting of the holders of the Common Stock.
(b) So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, voting separately as a class, shall be required to:
1. authorize, create, or issue, or increase the authorized amount of, shares of any class or series of capital stock ranking senior to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to payment of dividends or the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, or issue any obligation or security convertible into or exchangeable
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for, or evidencing the right to purchase, any such class or series of the Corporation’s capital stock;
2. amend, alter, or repeal the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation (including this Articles of Amendment), whether by merger, consolidation, or otherwise, so as to materially and adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges, or rights of Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole; provided, however, that any amendment to authorize, create, or issue, or increase the authorized amount of, any Series A Junior Securities or any Series A Parity Securities, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Series A Junior Securities or Series A Parity Securities will not be deemed to materially and adversely affect the powers, preferences, privileges, or rights of Series A Preferred Stock; or
3. complete a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Series A Preferred Stock, or complete the sale, conveyance, exchange, or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Corporation or consolidate with or merge into any other corporation, unless, in any case, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at the time of such consolidation or merger or sale either (i) remain outstanding or (ii) are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving entity or any entity controlling the surviving entity having such rights, preferences, privileges, and powers (including voting powers), taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges, and powers (including voting powers) of the Series A Preferred Stock, taken as a whole.
The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, at or prior to the time when the act with respect to which such vote would otherwise be required shall be effected, all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed or called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been set aside by the Corporation for the benefit of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock to effect such redemption.
(d) The rules and procedures for calling and conducting any meeting of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock (including, without limitation, the fixing of a record date in connection therewith), the solicitation and use of proxies at such a meeting, the obtaining of written consents, and any other aspect or matter with regard to such meeting or such consents shall be governed by any rules that the Board or any duly authorized committee of the Board, in its discretion, may adopt from time to time, which rules and procedures shall conform to the requirements of the Articles of Incorporation (as then in effect), the Bylaws (as then in effect), and applicable law and the rules of any national securities exchange on which the Series A Preferred Stock is listed or traded at the time.
(viii) Effect of Benchmark Transition Event. If the Calculation Agent determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred on or prior to the Reference Time in respect of any determination of the Benchmark on any date, then the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the Series A Preferred Stock during the Floating Rate Period in respect of such determination on such date and all determinations on all subsequent dates, and the dividend rate on the Series A Preferred Stock for each Dividend Period during the Floating Rate Period will thereafter be an annual rate equal to the sum of the Benchmark Replacement and the spread of
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539 per annum. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Calculation Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time.
(viv) Determinations and Decisions. The Calculation Agent is expressly authorized to make certain determinations, decisions and elections hereunder, including with respect to the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark for the Floating Rate Period and under Section B(1)(a)(viii). Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Calculation Agent hereunder, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection: (i) will be conclusive and binding on the holders of the Series A Preferred stock and the transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Stock absent manifest error; (ii) if made by the Corporation as Calculation Agent, will be made in its sole discretion; (iii) if made by a Calculation Agent other than the Corporation, will be made after consultation with the Corporation, and the Calculation Agent will not make any such determination, decision or election to which the Corporation reasonably objects; and (iv) notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, shall become effective without consent from the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock, the transfer agent or any other party. If the Calculation Agent fails to make any determination, decision or election that it is required to make hereunder, then the Corporation will make that determination, decision or election on the same basis as described above.
(x) Conversion Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not have any rights to convert such shares into shares of any other class or series of securities of the Corporation.
(xi) Preemptive Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will have no preemptive rights with respect to any shares of the Corporation’s capital stock or any of its other securities convertible into or carrying rights or options to purchase or otherwise acquire any such capital stock or any interest therein, regardless of how any such securities may be designated, issued, or granted.
(xii) Certificates. The Corporation may at its option issue shares of Series A Preferred Stock without certificates.
(xiii) Transfer Agent. The Corporation shall appoint a transfer agent for the Series A Preferred Stock. The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, remove the transfer agent in accordance with the agreement between the Corporation and the transfer agent; provided that the Corporation shall appoint a successor transfer agent who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal.
(xiv) Registrar. The Corporation shall appoint a registrar for the Series A Preferred Stock. The Corporation may, in its sole discretion, remove the registrar in accordance with the agreement between the Corporation and the registrar; provided that the Corporation shall appoint a successor registrar who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal.
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(xv) Transfer; Restricted Legend. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock are “restricted securities” under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and accordingly, may be resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only in compliance with the registration requirements of federal and state securities laws or if exemptions from the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws are available to it. The certificates or other instruments representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock will bear a restrictive legend in substantially the following form:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, HYPOTHECATED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS SHALL HAVE BECOME EFFECTIVE WITH REGARD THERETO, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS IS AVAILABLE IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH OFFER OR SALE.
(xvi) No Other Rights. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not have any rights, preferences, privileges, or voting powers or relative, participating, optional, or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth herein or in the Articles of Incorporation, or as provided by applicable law.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, First Business Financial Services, Inc. has caused these Articles of Amendment to be executed and sealed by its duly authorized officer on this 2nd day of March, 2022.
FIRST BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
By:/s/ Edward G. Sloane, Jr.
Name:Edward G. Sloane, Jr.
Title: Chief Financial Officer
This instrument was drafted by:
Brian D. Anhalt
Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
833 East Michigan Street, Suite 1800
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
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EXHIBIT 4.1
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF SUBORDINATED NOTE
FIRST BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
3.50% FIXED-TO-FLOATING RATE SUBORDINATED NOTE DUE MARCH 15, 2032
THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS SUBORDINATED AND JUNIOR IN RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3 (SUBORDINATION) OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE) OF FIRST BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. (THE “COMPANY”), INCLUDING OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY TO ITS GENERAL CREDITORS AND SECURED CREDITORS, AND IS UNSECURED. IT IS INELIGIBLE AS COLLATERAL FOR ANY EXTENSION OF CREDIT BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES. IN THE EVENT OF LIQUIDATION ALL HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS OF THE COMPANY SHALL BE ENTITLED TO BE PAID IN FULL WITH SUCH INTEREST AS MAY BE PROVIDED BY LAW BEFORE ANY PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE ON ACCOUNT OF PRINCIPAL OF OR INTEREST ON THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE. AFTER PAYMENT IN FULL OF ALL SUMS OWING TO SUCH HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS, THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, TOGETHER WITH THE HOLDERS OF ANY OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY RANKING ON A PARITY WITH THE SUBORDINATED NOTE, SHALL BE ENTITLED TO BE PAID FROM THE REMAINING ASSETS OF THE COMPANY THE UNPAID PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE PLUS ACCRUED AND UNPAID INTEREST THEREON BEFORE ANY PAYMENT OR OTHER DISTRIBUTION, WHETHER IN CASH, PROPERTY OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE MADE (I) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OBLIGATION THAT BY ITS TERMS EXPRESSLY IS JUNIOR IN THE RIGHT OF PAYMENT TO THE SUBORDINATED NOTES OR (II) ON ACCOUNT OF ANY SHARES OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE COMPANY.
ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER IS RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”) PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER (“RULE 144A”) OR ANOTHER EXEMPTION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT. THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SUBORDINATED NOTE MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (I) (A) TO A PERSON WHO IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (B) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A NON-U.S. PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (D) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE COMPANY SO REQUESTS), (II) TO THE COMPANY, OR (III) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT
A-1
HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SUBORDINATED NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN CLAUSE (A) ABOVE. NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144A FOR RESALE OF THE SUBORDINATED NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY.
THE INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED BY THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS NOT A DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION.
THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE WILL BE ISSUED ONLY IN MINIMUM DENOMINATIONS OF $250,000 AND MULTIPLES OF $1,000 IN EXCESS THEREOF. ANY ATTEMPTED TRANSFER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IN A DENOMINATION OF LESS THAN $250,000 SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE VOID AND OF NO LEGAL EFFECT WHATSOEVER. ANY SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED NOT TO BE THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE FOR ANY PURPOSE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE RECEIPT OF PAYMENTS ON THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, AND SUCH PURPORTED TRANSFEREE SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE NO INTEREST WHATSOEVER IN THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE.
THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE MAY BE SOLD ONLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS. NEITHER THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS:
THE HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF OR THEREOF AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER PLAN OR ARRANGEMENT SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OR SECTION 4975 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”), OR A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(32) OF ERISA, A NON-U.S. PLAN OR A CHURCH PLAN AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(33) OF ERISA NOT SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO OTHER SIMILAR LEGAL RESTRICTIONS (“SIMILAR LAWS”) (EACH A PLAN”) OR AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” BY REASON OF ANY PLAN’S INVESTMENT IN THE ENTITY, AND NO PERSON INVESTING “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY PLAN MAY ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, UNLESS SUCH PURCHASER OR HOLDER IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTIVE RELIEF AVAILABLE UNDER U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROHIBITED
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TRANSACTION CLASS EXEMPTION 96-23, 95-60, 91-38, 90-1 OR 84-14 OR ANOTHER APPLICABLE EXEMPTION OR ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE, OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN, ARE NOT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR SIMILAR LAWS. ANY PURCHASER OR HOLDER OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED BY ITS PURCHASE AND HOLDING THEREOF THAT EITHER: (I) IT IS NOT AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR OTHER PLAN TO WHICH TITLE I OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE IS APPLICABLE, A GOVERNMENTAL PLAN AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(32) OF ERISA, A NON-U.S. PLAN OR A CHURCH PLAN AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3(33) OF ERISA NOT SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE, A TRUSTEE OR OTHER PERSON ACTING ON BEHALF OF ANY SUCH EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN OR OTHER PLAN, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY USING THE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH PLAN OR OTHER PLAN TO FINANCE SUCH PURCHASE OR (II) SUCH PURCHASE OR HOLDING WILL NOT RESULT IN A PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A VIOLATION OF SIMILAR LAWS.
ANY FIDUCIARY OF ANY PLAN WHO IS CONSIDERING THE ACQUISITION OF THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN SHOULD CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER LEGAL COUNSEL PRIOR TO ACQUIRING THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE OR ANY INTEREST HEREIN.
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No. 1
FIRST BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
3.50% FIXED-TO-FLOATING RATE SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE MARCH 15, 2032
1.Subordinated Notes. This Subordinated Note is one of a series of notes of FIRST BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., a Wisconsin Corporation (the “Company”) designated as the “3.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due March 15, 2032” (the “Subordinated Notes”) issued pursuant to that Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date upon which this Subordinated Note was originally issued (the “Issue Date”) by and between the Company and each of the purchasers of the Subordinated Notes identified in the signature page thereto (the “Purchase Agreement”).
2.Payment. The Company, for value received, promises to pay to , or its registered assigns, the principal sum of Twenty Million Dollars (U.S.) ($20,000,000) plus accrued but unpaid interest on March 15, 2032 (the “Maturity Date”) and to pay interest thereon (i) from and including the Issue Date to but excluding March 15, 2027 or the earlier redemption date contemplated by Section 4 (Redemption) of this Subordinated Note, (the “Fixed Rate Period”), at the rate of 3.50% per annum, computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year (each payment date, a “Fixed Interest Payment Date”), beginning on September 15, 2022, and (ii) from and including March 15, 2027 to but excluding the Maturity Date or the earlier redemption date contemplated by Section 4 (Redemption) of this Subordinated Note, (the “Floating Rate Period”), at the rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to the Floating Interest Rate (as defined below) determined on the Floating Interest Determination Date (as defined below) of the applicable interest period plus 189 basis points, computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed and payable quarterly in arrears (each quarterly period, a “Floating Interest Period”) on March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 of each year, beginning on June 15, 2027. The term “Floating Interest Determination Date” means the date upon which the Floating Interest Rate is determined by the Calculation Agent (as defined herein) pursuant to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions (as defined herein). Any payment of principal of or interest on this Subordinated Note that would otherwise become due and payable on a day which is not a Business Day shall become due and payable on the next succeeding Business Day, with the same force and effect as if made on the date for payment of such principal or interest, and no interest will accrue in respect of such payment for the period after such day; provided, that in the event that any scheduled Floating Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day and the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, such Floating Interest Payment Date will be accelerated to the immediately preceding Business Day, and, in each such case, the amounts payable on such Business Day will include interest accrued to, but excluding, such Business Day. Dollar amounts resulting from interest calculations will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one half cent being rounded upward. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in this Subordinated Note or the Purchase Agreement, (i) in the event the Three-Month Term SOFR (as defined herein) is less than zero, the Three-Month Term SOFR shall be deemed to be zero, and (ii) if a Benchmark Transition Event (as defined herein) and its related Benchmark Replacement Date (as defined herein) have occurred and the Benchmark Replacement (as defined herein) is less than zero, then the Benchmark Replacement shall be deemed to be zero.
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(a)The Company shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure that from the commencement of the Floating Rate Period for so long as any of the Subordinated Notes remain outstanding there will at all times be a Calculation Agent appointed to calculate Three-Month Term SOFR in respect of each Floating Rate Period. The calculation of Three-Month Term SOFR for each applicable Floating Rate Period by the Calculation Agent will (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding. The Calculation Agent’s determination of any interest rate and its calculation of interest payments for any period will be maintained on file at the Calculation Agent’s principal offices, and will be made available to any Noteholder (as defined herein) upon request. The Calculation Agent may be removed by the Company at any time. If the Calculation Agent is unable or unwilling to act as Calculation Agent or is removed by the Company, the Company will promptly appoint a replacement Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent may not resign its duties without a successor having been duly appointed; provided, that if a successor Calculation Agent has not been appointed by the Company and such successor accepted such position within thirty (30) calendar days after the giving of notice of resignation by the Calculation Agent, then the resigning Calculation Agent may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Calculation Agent with respect to such series. For the avoidance of doubt, if at any time there is no Calculation Agent appointed by the Company, then the Company shall be the Calculation Agent.
(b)An “Interest Payment Date” is either a Fixed Rate Interest Payment Date or a Floating Rate Interest Payment Date, as applicable.
(c)A “Floating Interest Period” means:
(i)the period from, and including, each Floating Interest Payment Date to, but excluding, the next succeeding Floating Interest Payment Date,
(ii)except for the initial Floating Interest Period, which will be the period from, and including, March 15, 2027 to, but excluding, the next succeeding Floating Interest Payment Date.
(d)The “Floating Interest Rate” means:
(i)initially Three-Month Term SOFR (as defined below).
(ii)Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (i) of this Section 2(d):
(1)If the Calculation Agent determines prior to the relevant Floating Interest Determination Date that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date (each of such terms as defined below) have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR, then the Company shall promptly provide notice of such determination to the Noteholders and Section 2(e) (Effect of Benchmark Transition Event) will thereafter apply to all determinations, calculations and quotations made or obtained for the purposes of calculating the Floating Interest Rate payable on the Subordinated Notes during a relevant Floating Interest Period.
(2)However, if the Calculation Agent determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR, but for any reason the Benchmark Replacement has not been determined as of the relevant Floating Interest Determination Date, the Floating Interest Rate for the applicable Floating
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Interest Period will be equal to the Floating Interest Rate on the last Floating Interest Determination Date for the Subordinated Notes, as determined by the Calculation Agent (as defined below).
(e)Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.
(i)If the Calculation Agent determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time (as defined below) in respect of any determination of the Benchmark (as defined below) on any date, the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the Subordinated Notes during the relevant Floating Interest Period in respect of such determination on such date and all determinations on all subsequent dates.
(ii)In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Calculation Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time, and such changes shall become effective without consent from the relevant Noteholders (as defined below) or any other party.
(iii)The Calculation Agent is expressly authorized to make certain determinations, decisions and elections under the Subordinated Notes, including with respect to the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark under this Section 2(e). Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Calculation Agent under the terms of the Subordinated Note, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date, and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection:
(1)will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error;
(2)if made by the Company as the Calculation Agent, will be made in the Company’s sole discretion;
(3)if made by the Calculation Agent other than the Company, will be made after consultation with the Company, and the Calculation Agent will not make any such determination, decision or election to which the Company reasonably objects; and
(4)notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subordinated Note or the Purchase Agreement, shall become effective without consent from the relevant Noteholders (as defined below) or any other party.
(iv)If the Calculation Agent fails to make any determination, decision or election that it is required to make under the terms of the Subordinated Notes, then the Company will make such determination, decision or election on the same basis as described above.
(v)For the avoidance of doubt, after a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, interest payable on this Subordinated Note for the Floating Rate Period will be an annual rate equal to the sum of the applicable Benchmark Replacement plus 189 basis points.
(vi)If the then-current Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, the Calculation Agent will have the right to establish the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, and if any of the
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foregoing provisions concerning the calculation of the interest rate and the payment of interest during the Floating Rate Period are inconsistent with any of the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions determined by the Calculation Agent, then the relevant Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions will apply.
(vii)As used in this Subordinated Note:
(1)“Affiliate(s)” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s immediate family members, partners, members or parent and Subsidiary corporations, and any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with said Person and their respective Affiliates.
(2)“Benchmark” means, initially, Three-Month Term SOFR; provided that if the Calculation Agent determines on or prior to the Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement.
(3)“Benchmark Replacement” means the Interpolated Benchmark with respect to the then-current Benchmark; provided that if (a) the Calculation Agent cannot determine the Interpolated Benchmark as of the Benchmark Replacement Date or (b) the then-current Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR (in which event no Interpolated Benchmark with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR shall be determined), then “Benchmark Replacement” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
a.the sum of (i) Compounded SOFR and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
b.the sum of: (i) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
c.the sum of: (i) the ISDA Fallback Rate and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
d.the sum of: (i) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected by the Calculation Agent as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate of interest as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
(4)“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
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a.the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;
b.if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment; or
c.the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Calculation Agent giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time.
(5)“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Floating Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates with respect to each Floating Interest Period and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Calculation Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Calculation Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Calculation Agent determines that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably necessary).
(6)“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
a.in the case of clause (a) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the relevant Reference Time in respect of any determination; or
b.in the case of clause (b) or (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; or
c.in the case of clause (d) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of such public statement or publication of information referenced therein.
For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of the definitions of Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Event, references to the Benchmark also include any reference rate underlying the Benchmark (for example, if the Benchmark becomes Compounded SOFR, references to the Benchmark would include SOFR).
For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for purposes of such determination.
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(7)“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
a.if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, (i) the Relevant Governmental Body has not selected or recommended a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR, (ii) the development of a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR that has been recommended or selected by the Relevant Governmental Body is not complete or (iii) the Company determines that use of a forward-looking rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR is not administratively feasible;
b.a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark;
c.a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark, the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark, which states that the administrator of the Benchmark has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark; or
d.a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative.
(8) “Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday or Sunday and that is not a day on which banks in the State of Wisconsin are generally authorized or required by law or executive order to be closed.
(9)“Calculation Agent” means the agent (which may be the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) appointed by the Company, in its sole discretion, to act as Calculation Agent for the Subordinated Notes prior to the commencement of the Floating Interest Period to act in accordance with Section 2 (Payment).
(10)“Compounded SOFR” means the compounded average of SOFRs for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate being established by the Calculation Agent in accordance with:
a.the rate, or methodology for this rate and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining Compounded SOFR; provided that:
b.if, and to the extent that, the Calculation Agent determines that Compounded SOFR cannot be determined in accordance with clause (a) above, then the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate that have been selected by the Calculation Agent
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giving due consideration to any industry-accepted market practice for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time.
For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of Compounded SOFR will exclude the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment plus 189 basis points.
(11)“control” (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
(12)“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Benchmark Replacement means a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding Business Day adjustment) as the applicable tenor for the then-current Benchmark.
(13)“FRBNY” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
(14)“FRBNY’s Website” means the website of the FRBNY at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
(15)“Interpolated Benchmark” with respect to the Benchmark means the rate determined for the Corresponding Tenor by interpolating on a linear basis between: (1) the Benchmark for the longest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is shorter than the Corresponding Tenor and (2) the Benchmark for the shortest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is longer than the Corresponding Tenor.
(16)“ISDA” means the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto.
(17)“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the ISDA or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.
(18)“ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor.
(19)“ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.
(20)“Noteholders” means the registered holders of the Subordinated Notes from time to time (and each, a “Noteholder”).
(21)“Person” means an individual, a corporation (whether or not for profit), a partnership, a limited liability company, a joint venture, an association, a trust, an unincorporated
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organization, a government or any department or agency thereof (including a Governmental Agency (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement)) or any other entity or organization.
(22)“Reference Time” with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (a) if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, and (b) if the Benchmark is not Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.
(23)“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) and/or the FRBNY, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve and/or the FRBNY or any successor thereto.
(24)“SOFR” means the daily secured overnight financing rate published by the FRBNY, as the administrator of the benchmark, (or a successor administrator) on the FRBNY’s Website (or such successor’s website).
(25)“Subsidiary” means with respect to any Person, any other Person in which a majority of the outstanding voting shares of Equity Interest (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees or equivalent Person or body thereof, is directly or indirectly owned by such Person.
(26)“Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate for the applicable Corresponding Tenor based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.
(27)“Term SOFR Administrator” means any entity designated by the Relevant Governmental Body as the administrator of Term SOFR (or a successor administrator).
(28)“Three-Month Term SOFR” means the rate for Term SOFR for a tenor of three months that is published by the Term SOFR Administrator at the Reference Time for any Floating Interest Period, as determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions. All percentages used in or resulting from any calculation of Three-Month Term SOFR shall be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one-hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with 0.000005% rounded up to 0.00001%.
(29)“Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions” means any determination, decision or election with respect to any technical, administrative or operational matter (including with respect to the manner and timing of the publication of Three-Month Term SOFR, or changes to the definition of “Floating Interest Period”, timing and frequency of determining Three-Month Term SOFR with respect to each Floating Interest Period and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Calculation Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Calculation Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Calculation Agent determines that no market practice
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for the use of Three-Month Term SOFR exists, in such other manner as the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably necessary).
(30)“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
3.Subordination.
(a)The indebtedness of the Company evidenced by this Subordinated Note, including the principal and interest on this Subordinated Note, shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all existing claims of creditors of the Company whether now outstanding or subsequently created, assumed, guaranteed or incurred (collectively, “Senior Indebtedness”), which shall consist of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on: (i) all obligations for borrowed money; (ii) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, securities, notes or other similar instruments; (iii) any deferred obligations of the Company for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets acquired other than in the ordinary course of business; (iv) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of the Company in respect of any letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, security purchase facilities and similar direct credit substitutes; (v) any capital lease obligations of the Company; (vi) all obligations of the Company in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts, commodity contracts and other similar arrangements or derivative products; (vii) any obligation of the Company to its general creditors, as defined for purposes of the capital adequacy regulations of the Federal Reserve applicable to the Company, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time; (viii) all obligations that are similar to those in clauses (i) through (vi) of other persons for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise arising from an off-balance sheet guarantee; (ix) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (vii) of other persons secured by a lien on any property or asset of the Company, and (x) in the case of (i) through (ix) above, all amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of such indebtedness and obligations; except “Senior Indebtedness” does not include (A) the Subordinated Notes, (B) any obligation that by its terms expressly is junior to, or ranks equally in right of payment with, the Subordinated Notes, or (C) any indebtedness to a Subsidiary of the Company . This Subordinated Note is not secured by any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company.
(b)In the event of any liquidation of the Company, holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to be paid in full with such interest as may be provided by law before any payment shall be made on account of principal of or interest on this Subordinated Note. Additionally, in the event of any insolvency, dissolution, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any liquidation or winding up of or relating to the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled to be paid in full before any payment shall be made on account of the principal of or interest on the Subordinated Notes, including this Subordinate Note. In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in full of all sums owing with respect to the Senior Indebtedness, the Noteholders, together with the holders of any obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the Subordinated Notes, shall be entitled to be paid from the remaining assets of the Company the unpaid principal thereof, and the unpaid interest thereon before any payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property or otherwise, shall be made (i) with respect to any obligation that by its terms expressly is junior to in the right of payment to the Subordinated Notes or (ii) on account of any capital stock.
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(c)If there shall have occurred and be continuing (i) a default in any payment with respect to any Senior Indebtedness or (ii) an event of default with respect to any Senior Indebtedness as a result of which the maturity thereof is accelerated, unless and until such payment default or event of default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no payments shall be made by the Company with respect to the Subordinated Notes, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 17 (Absolute and Unconditional Obligation of the Company) hereof. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any payment with respect to which Section 3(b) above would be applicable.
(d)Nothing herein shall act to prohibit, limit or impede the Company from issuing additional debt of the Company having the same rank as the Subordinated Notes or which may be junior or senior in rank to the Subordinated Notes. Each Noteholder, by its acceptance hereof, agrees to and shall be bound by the provisions of this Section 3. Each Noteholder, by its acceptance hereof, further acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration for each holder of any Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Subordinated Notes, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness, and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold or in continuing to hold such Senior Indebtedness.
4.Redemption.
(a)Redemption Prior to Fifth Anniversary. This Subordinated Note shall not be redeemable by the Company in whole or in part prior to the fifth anniversary of the Issue Date, except in the event of: (i) a Tier 2 Capital Event (as defined herein); (ii) a Tax Event (as defined herein); or (iii) an Investment Company Event (as defined herein). Upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event, a Tax Event or an Investment Company Event, the Company may redeem this Subordinated Note, subject to Section 4(f) (Regulatory Approvals) hereof, in whole, but not in part, at any time, upon giving not less than ten (10) calendar days’ notice to the Noteholders at an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest, to but excluding the redemption date. “Tier 2 Capital Event” means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel to the effect that, as a result of (a) any amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations thereunder of the United States or any rules, guidelines or policies of an applicable regulatory authority for the Company or (b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which amendment or change is effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of original issuance of the Subordinated Notes, there is a material risk that the Subordinated Notes do not constitute, or within 90 days of the date of such opinion will not constitute, Tier 2 capital (or its equivalent if the Company were subject to such capital requirement) for purposes of capital adequacy guidelines of the Federal Reserve (or any successor regulatory authority with jurisdiction over bank holding companies), as then in effect and applicable to the Company that would preclude the Subordinated Notes from being included as Tier 2 capital. “Tax Event” means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of counsel to the effect that, as a result of (a) an amendment to, or change (including any announced prospective change) in, the laws or any regulations of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority, or (b) any official administrative pronouncement or judicial decision interpreting or applying such laws or regulations, which change or amendment becomes effective or which pronouncement or decision is announced on or after the date of the issuance of the Notes, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the interest payable on the Subordinate Note is not, or within 120 calendar days
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after the receipt of such opinion will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes. “Investment Company Event” means the receipt by the Company of an opinion of independent counsel to the Company to the effect that there exist a material risk that the Company is or, within one hundred twenty (120) calendar days after the receipt of such opinion will be, required to register as an investment company pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(b)Redemption on or after Fifth Anniversary. On or after the fifth anniversary of the Issue Date, subject to the provisions of Section 4(f) (Regulatory Approvals) hereof, this Subordinated Note shall be redeemable at the option of and by the Company, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time upon any Interest Payment Date, at an amount equal to 100% of the outstanding principal amount being redeemed plus accrued but unpaid interest, to but excluding the redemption date, but in all cases in a principal amount with integral multiples of $1,000. In addition, on or after the fifth anniversary of the Issue Date, subject to Section 4(f) (Regulatory Approvals), the Company may redeem all or a portion of the Subordinated Notes, at any time upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event, Tax Event or an Investment Company Event.
(c)Partial Redemption. If less than the then outstanding principal amount of this Subordinated Note is redeemed, (i) a new Subordinated Note shall be issued representing the unredeemed portion without charge to the applicable Noteholder, and (ii) such redemption shall be effected on a pro rata basis as to the Noteholders. For purposes of clarity, upon a partial redemption, a like percentage of the principal amount of every Subordinated Note held by every Noteholder shall be redeemed.
(d)No Redemption at Option of Noteholder. This Subordinated Note is not subject to redemption at the option of any Noteholder.
(e)Effectiveness of Redemption. If notice of redemption has been duly given and notwithstanding that this Subordinated Note has been called for redemption but has not yet been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the date fixed for redemption interest shall cease to accrue on the portion of this Subordinated Note called for redemption; this Subordinated Note shall no longer be deemed outstanding with respect to the portion called for redemption and all rights with respect to the portion of this Subordinated Note called for redemption shall forthwith on such date fixed for redemption cease and terminate unless the Company shall default in the payment of the redemption price, subject only to the right of the Noteholder to receive the amount payable on such redemption, without interest.
(f)Regulatory Approvals. Any such redemption shall be subject to receipt of any and all required federal and state regulatory approvals or non-objections, as applicable, including, but not limited to, the consent of the Federal Reserve to the extent then required by applicable law. In the case of any redemption of this Subordinated Note pursuant to paragraphs (b) or (c) of this Section 4, the Company will give the Noteholder notice of redemption, which notice shall indicate the aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes to be redeemed, not less than thirty (30) nor more than forty-five (45) calendar days prior to the proposed redemption date.
(g)Purchase and Resale of the Subordinated Notes. Subject to any required federal and state regulatory approvals and the provisions of this Subordinated Note, the Company shall have the right to
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purchase any of the Subordinated Notes at any time in the open market, private transactions or otherwise. If the Company purchases any Subordinated Notes, it may, in its discretion, hold, resell or cancel any of the purchased Subordinated Notes.
5.Events of Default; Acceleration. Each of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:
(a)the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, and such decree or order will have continued unstayed and in effect for a period of ninety (90) consecutive calendar days;
(b)the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any such law;
(c)the Company (i) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts as they mature, (ii) makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature, or (iv) ceases to be a bank holding company or financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended;
(d)the failure of the Company to pay any installment of interest on any of the Subordinated Notes as and when the same will become due and payable, and the continuation of such failure for a period of thirty (30) calendar days;
(e)the failure of the Company to pay all or any part of the principal of any of the Subordinated Notes as and when the same will become due and payable;
(f)the liquidation of the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, “liquidation” does not include any merger, consolidation, sale of equity or assets or reorganization (exclusive of a reorganization in bankruptcy) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries);
(g)the failure of the Company to perform any other covenant or agreement on the part of the Company contained in the Subordinated Notes, and the continuation of such failure for a period of thirty (30) calendar days after the date on which notice specifying such failure, stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder and demanding that the Company remedy the same, will have been given, in the manner set forth in Section 21 (Notices), to the Company by a Noteholder; and
(h)the default by the Company under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least $5,000,000, whether such indebtedness now exists or is created or incurred in the future, which default (i) constitutes a failure to pay any portion of the principal of such indebtedness when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period or (ii) results in such indebtedness becoming due or being declared due and payable prior to the date on which it otherwise would have become due and payable without, in the case of clause (i), such indebtedness having been discharged
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or, in the case of clause (ii), such indebtedness having been discharged or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled.
Unless the principal amount of this Subordinated Note already shall have become due and payable, if an Event of Default set forth in Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) shall have occurred and be continuing, Noteholders holding not less than twenty percent (20%) in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Notes at the time outstanding, by notice in writing to the Company, may declare the principal amount of all outstanding Subordinated Notes to be due and payable immediately and, upon any such declaration, the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable. The Company waives demand, presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, notice of protest, and all other notices. Notwithstanding the foregoing, because the Company will treat the Subordinated Notes as Tier 2 Capital, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default other than an Event of Default described in Section 5(a) or Section 5(b), the Noteholders may not accelerate the Maturity Date of the Subordinated Notes and make the principal of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, the Subordinated Notes, immediately due and payable. The Company, within thirty (30) calendar days after the receipt of written notice from any Noteholder of the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to this Subordinated Note, shall mail to all Noteholders, at their addresses shown on the Security Register (as defined in Section 13 (Registration of Transfer, Security Register) below), such written notice of Event of Default, unless such Event of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice as certified by the Company in writing to the Noteholder or Noteholders who provided written notice of such Event of Default.
6.Failure to Make Payments. In the event of any failure by the Company to make any required payment of principal or interest on this Subordinated Note (and in the case of payment of interest, such failure to pay shall have continued for thirty (30) calendar days), the Company will, upon demand of the Noteholders, pay to the Noteholders the amount then due and payable on this Subordinated Note for principal and interest (without acceleration of the Subordinated Note in any manner), with interest on the overdue principal and interest at the rate per annum borne by the Subordinated Note, to the extent permitted by applicable law. If the Company fails to pay such amount upon such demand, the Noteholders may, among other things, institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company and collect the amounts adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company.
Upon the occurrence of a failure by the Company to make any required payment of principal or interest on this Subordinated Note, or an Event of Default until such Event of Default is cured by the Company, or waived by the Noteholders in accordance with Section 16 (Waiver and Consent) hereof, except as may be required by any federal or state bank regulatory agency, the Company shall not: (a) declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, purchase, acquire, or make a liquidation payment with respect to, any of the Company’s capital stock; (b) make any payment of principal or interest or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any indebtedness of the Company that ranks equal with or junior to the Subordinated Notes; or (c) make any payments under any guarantee of indebtedness, which guarantee ranks equal with or junior to the Subordinated Notes, other than (i) any dividends or distributions in shares of, or options, warrants or rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of, any class of the Company’s common stock; (ii) any declaration of a non-cash dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights plan, or the issuance of stock under any such plan in the future, or the redemption or repurchase of any such rights pursuant thereto; (iii) as a result of a
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reclassification of the Company’s capital stock or the exchange or conversion of one class or series of the Company’s capital stock for another class or series of the Company’s capital stock; (iv) the purchase of fractional interests in shares of the Company’s capital stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such capital stock or the security being converted or exchanged; or (v) purchases of any class of the Company’s common stock related to the issuance of common stock or rights under any benefit plans for the Company’s directors, officers or employees or any of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plans (the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) are collectively referred to as the “Permitted Dividends”).
7.Affirmative Covenants of the Company.
(a)Notice of Certain Events. To the extent permitted by applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Company shall provide written notice to the Noteholder of the occurrence of any of the following events as soon as practicable, but in no event later than fifteen (15) Business Days following the Company becoming aware of the occurrence of such event:
(i)The total risk-based capital ratio, Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, common equity Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio or leverage ratio of the Company (but only to the extent the Company is required to measure and report such ratios on a consolidated basis under applicable law) or any of the Company’s banking Subsidiaries becomes less than eight percent (8.0%), six percent (6.0%), four and one-half percent (4.5%) or four percent (4.0%), respectively, as of the end of any fiscal quarter;
(ii)The Company, or any of the Company’s subsidiaries, or any officer of the Company (in such capacity), becomes subject to any formal, written regulatory enforcement action (as defined by the applicable state or federal bank regulatory authority);
(iii)The ratio of non-performing assets to total assets of First Business Bank (the “Bank”), as calculated by the Company in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, becomes greater than four percent (4.0%);
(iv)The appointment, resignation, removal or termination of the chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief credit officer, chief lending officer or any director of the Company or a Bank, provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 7(a)(iv), timely disclosure of any such event by the Company on a current report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission shall constitute sufficient notice; or
(v)There is a change in ownership of 25.0% or more of the outstanding securities of the Company, entitled to vote for the election of directors.
(b)Payment of Principal and Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Noteholders that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of, and interest on, this Subordinated Note, in accordance with the terms hereof.
(c)Maintenance of Office. The Company will maintain an office or agency in the State of Wisconsin, unless the Company has provided due notice to the Noteholders of such change in office or agency location, where the Subordinated Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Subordinated Note may be served. The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies
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where the Subordinated Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in Wisconsin, unless the Company has provided due notice to the Noteholders of such change in office or agency location. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Noteholders of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
(d)Corporate Existence. The Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect: (i) the corporate existence of the Company; (ii) the existence (corporate or other) of Subsidiary of the Company; and (iii) the rights (constituent governing documents and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company will not be required to preserve the existence (corporate or other) of any of its subsidiaries or any such right, license or franchise of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries if the Board of Directors of the Company determines that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and that the loss thereof will not be disadvantageous in any material respect to the Noteholders.
(e)Maintenance of Properties. The Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, cause all its properties used or useful in the conduct of its business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section will prevent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from discontinuing the operation and maintenance of any of their respective properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, desirable in the conduct of its business.
(f)Compliance Certificate. The Company will deliver to the Noteholders, within 120 calendar days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officer’s Certificate covering the preceding fiscal year, stating whether or not, to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Subordinated Note (without regard to notice requirements or periods of grace) and if the Company will be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which he or she may have knowledge.
(g)Tier 2 Capital. Whether or not the Company is subject to consolidated capital requirements under applicable regulations of the Federal Reserve, if all or any portion of the Subordinated Notes ceases to be eligible, or there is a material risk that the Subordinated Note will cease to be eligible, to qualify as Tier 2 Capital, other than due to the limitation imposed on the capital treatment of subordinated debt during the five (5) years immediately preceding the Maturity Date of the Subordinated Notes, the Company will promptly notify the Noteholder and thereafter, subject to the Company’s right to redeem the Subordinated Notes under such circumstances pursuant to the terms of the Subordinated Notes, if requested by the Company, the Company and the Noteholder will work together in good faith to execute and deliver all agreements as reasonably necessary in order to restructure the applicable portions of the obligations evidenced by the Subordinated Notes to be eligible to qualify as Tier 2 Capital; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section 7(g) shall limit the Company’s right to redeem the Subordinated Notes upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event
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pursuant to Section 4(a) (Redemption Prior to Fifth Anniversary) or Section 4(b) (Redemption on or after Fifth Anniversary).
(h)Compliance with Laws. The Company shall comply with the requirements of all laws, regulations, orders and decrees applicable to it or its properties, except for such noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (as such term is defined in the Purchase Agreement).
(i)Taxes and Assessments. The Company shall punctually pay and discharge all material taxes, assessments, and other governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or upon any of its properties; provided, that no such taxes, assessments or other governmental charges need be paid if they are being contested in good faith by the Company.
(j)Financial Statements; Access to Records.
(i)Not later than forty-five (45) calendar days following the end of each fiscal quarter for which the Company has not submitted a Consolidated Financial Statements for Holding Companies Reporting Form FR Y-9C to the Federal Reserve, upon request, the Company shall provide the Noteholders with a copy of the Company’s unaudited parent company only balance sheet and statement of income (loss) for and as of the end of such immediately preceding fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with past practice. Quarterly financial statements, if required herein, shall be unaudited and need not comply with GAAP.
(ii)Not later than ninety (90) calendar days from the end of each fiscal year, upon request the Company shall provide the Noteholder with copies of the Company’s audited financial statements consisting of the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of the fiscal year end and the related statements of income (loss) and retained earnings, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended. Such financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the period involved.
8.Negative Covenants of the Company.
(a)Limitation on Dividends. The Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on capital stock or other equity securities of any kind of the Company if the Company is not “well capitalized” for regulatory purposes immediately prior to the declaration of such dividend or distribution, except for Permitted Dividends.
(b)Merger or Sale of Assets. The Company shall not merge into another entity, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any person, unless:
(i)the continuing entity into which the Company is merged or the person which acquires by conveyance or transfer or which leases all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company shall be a corporation, association or other legal entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and expressly assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the Subordinated Notes according to their terms, and the due and punctual performance of all covenants and conditions hereof on the part of the Company to be performed or observed; and
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(ii)immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default (as defined above), and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.
(c)Change in Bank Control. The Company shall not effect a Change in Bank Control. “Change in Bank Control” means the sale, transfer, lease or conveyance by the Company, or an issuance of stock by the Bank, in either case resulting in ownership by the Company of securities that provides it with less than 80% of the Bank’s outstanding voting equity securities, calculated on the basis of voting power.
(d)Affiliate Indebtedness. The Company shall not incur any indebtedness to any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates unless such indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Company’s obligations with respect to this Note.
“indebtedness” means (i) all obligations for borrowed money; (ii) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, securities, notes or other similar instruments; (iii) any deferred obligations for the payment of the purchase price of property or assets acquired other than in the ordinary course of business; (iv) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, in respect of any letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, security purchase facilities and similar direct credit substitutes; (v) any capital lease obligations; and (vi) all obligations in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or option contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts, commodity contracts and other similar arrangements or derivative products.
9.Denominations. The Subordinated Notes are issuable only in registered form without interest coupons in minimum denominations of $250,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
10.Charges and Transfer Taxes. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of this Subordinated Note, or any redemption or repayment of the Subordinated Note, or any conversion or exchange of this Subordinated Note for other types of securities or property, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with the transfer or exchange of this Subordinated Note from the Noteholder requesting such transfer or exchange.
11.Payment Procedures.
(a)Payments of the principal and interest payable on the Maturity Date will be made by (i) check mailed to the registered Noteholder, as such person’s address appears on the Security Register (as defined herein), or (ii) wire transfer or Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfer in immediately available funds to a bank account in the United States designated by the Noteholder if such Noteholder shall have previously provided wire instructions to the Company, upon presentation and surrender of this Subordinated Note at the Payment Office (as defined herein) or at such other place or places as the Company shall designate by notice to the Noteholders as the Payment Office. Payments of interest (other than interest payable on the Maturity Date) shall be made by (x) check mailed to the registered Noteholder, as such person’s address appears on the Security Register (as defined herein) or (y) wire transfer or ACH transfer in immediately available funds to an account at an institution in the United
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States designated by such Noteholder if the Noteholder shall have previously provided wire instructions to the Company.
(b)Interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be payable to the Noteholder in whose name this Subordinated Note is registered at the close of business on the fifteenth (15th) calendar day prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date, without regard to whether such date is a Business Day, except that interest not paid on the Interest Payment Date, if any, will be paid to the Noteholder in whose name this Subordinated Note is registered at the close of business on a special record date fixed by the Company (a “Special Record Date”), notice of which shall be given to the Noteholder not less than ten (10) calendar days prior to such Special Record Date.
(c)To the extent permitted by applicable law, interest shall accrue, at the rate at which interest accrues on the principal of this Subordinated Note, on any amount of principal or interest on this Subordinated Note not paid when due. All payments on this Subordinated Note shall be applied first against interest due hereunder; and then against principal due hereunder. The Noteholder acknowledges and agrees that the payment of all or any portion of the outstanding principal amount of this Subordinated Note and all interest hereon shall be pari passu in right of payment and in all other respects to the other Subordinated Notes. In the event that the Noteholder receives payments in excess of its pro rata share of the Company’s payments to the Noteholders of all of the Subordinated Notes, then the Noteholder shall hold in trust all such excess payments for the benefit of the holders of the other Subordinated Notes and shall pay such amounts held in trust to such other Noteholders upon demand by such Noteholders.
12.Form of Payment. Payments of principal of and interest on this Subordinated Note shall be made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
13.Registration of Transfer, Security Register. Except as otherwise provided herein, or in the Purchase Agreement, and subject to limitations set forth under applicable state and federal securities laws, this Subordinated Note is transferable in whole or in part, and may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Subordinated Notes of other authorized denominations, by the Noteholder in person, or by its attorney duly authorized in writing, at the Payment Office (as defined in Section 21). The Company or, if applicable, the Company’s registrar and transfer agent (the “Registrar”), shall maintain a register providing for the registration of the Subordinated Notes and any exchange or transfer thereof (the “Security Register”). Upon surrender or presentation of the Subordinated Note for exchange or registration of transfer, the Company, or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall execute and deliver in exchange therefor a Subordinated Note or Subordinated Notes of like aggregate principal amount, each in a minimum denomination of $250,000 or any amount in excess thereof which is an integral multiple of $1,000 (and, in the absence of an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company to the contrary, bearing the restrictive legend(s) set forth on the face of this Subordinated Note) and that is or are registered in such name or names requested by the Noteholder. Any Subordinated Note presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall be duly endorsed and accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in such form as is attached hereto and incorporated herein, duly executed by the Noteholder or its attorney duly authorized in writing, with such tax identification number or other information for each person in whose name a Subordinated Note is to be issued, and accompanied by evidence of compliance with any restrictive legend(s) appearing on such Subordinated Note or Subordinated Notes as the Company may reasonably request
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to comply with applicable law. No exchange or registration of transfer of this Subordinated Note shall be made on or after (i) the fifteenth (15th) calendar day immediately preceding the Maturity Date or (ii) the due delivery of notice of redemption.
14.Priority. The Subordinated Notes ranks pari passu among themselves and, in the event of any insolvency proceeding, dissolution, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, restructuring of debt, marshaling of assets and liabilities or similar proceeding or any liquidation or winding up of the Company with all other present or future unsecured subordinated debt obligations of the Company, except any unsecured subordinated debt that, pursuant to its express terms, is senior or subordinate in right of payment to the Subordinated Notes (including all Senior Indebtedness).
15.Ownership. Prior to due presentment of this Subordinated Note for registration of transfer, the Company may treat the Noteholder in whose name this Subordinated Note is registered in the Security Register as the absolute owner of this Subordinated Note for receiving payments of principal and interest on this Subordinated Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not this Subordinated Note be overdue, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary.
16.Waiver and Consent.
(a)Any consent or waiver given by the Noteholders or otherwise in accordance with the terms hereof shall be conclusive and binding upon such Noteholder and upon all subsequent holders of this Subordinated Note and of any Subordinated Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Subordinated Note. No delay or omission of the Noteholder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default. Any insured depository institution which shall be a Noteholder or which otherwise shall have any beneficial ownership interest in this Subordinated Note shall, by its acceptance of this Subordinated Note (or beneficial interest therein), be deemed to have waived any right of offset with respect to the repayment of the indebtedness evidenced thereby.
(b)No waiver or amendment of any term, provision, condition, covenant or agreement in the Subordinated Notes shall be effective except with the consent of the Noteholders holding more than fifty percent (50%) in aggregate principal amount (excluding any Subordinated Notes held by the Company or any of its Affiliates) of the Subordinated Notes at the time outstanding; provided, however, that without the consent of each Noteholder of an affected Subordinated Note, no such amendment or waiver may: (i) reduce the principal amount of such Subordinated Note; (ii) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on such Subordinated Note; (iii) extend the maturity of such Subordinated Note; (iv) change the currency in which payment of the obligations of the Company under the Subordinated Notes are to be made; (v) lower the percentage of aggregate principal amount of outstanding Subordinated Notes required to approve any amendments of the Subordinated Notes; (vi) make any changes to Section 5 (Events of Default; Acceleration); Section 6 (Failure to Make Payments); Section 7 (Affirmative Covenants of the Company); Section 8 (Negative Covenants of the Company) or Section 16 (Waiver and Consent) of the Subordinated Notes that adversely affects the rights of any Noteholder; or (vii) disproportionately affect any of the Noteholders of the then outstanding Subordinated Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may amend or supplement the Subordinated Notes without the consent of the Noteholder to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to provide for uncertificated Subordinated Note in addition to or in place of
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certificated Subordinated Note, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Noteholder of any of the Subordinated Notes. No failure to exercise or delay in exercising, by any Noteholder of the Subordinated Notes, of any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right or remedy provided by law, except as restricted hereby. The rights and remedies provided in this Subordinated Note are cumulative and not exclusive of any right or remedy provided by law or equity. No notice or demand on the Company in any case shall, in itself, entitle the Company to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the Noteholders to any other or further action in any circumstances without notice or demand. No consent or waiver, expressed or implied, by the Noteholders to or of any breach or default by the Company in the performance of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance of the same or any other obligations of the Company hereunder. Failure on the part of the Noteholders to complain of any acts or failure to act or to declare an Event of Default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by the Noteholders of their rights hereunder or impair any rights, powers or remedies on account of any breach or default by the Company.
17.Absolute and Unconditional Obligation of the Company. No provisions of the Subordinated Note shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal and interest on this Subordinated Note at the times, places and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
18.Successors and Assigns. This Subordinated Note shall be binding upon the Company and inure to the benefit of the Noteholder and its respective successors and permitted assigns. The Noteholder may, subject to the terms set forth in the restrictive legend(s) set forth on the face of this Subordinated Note, assign all, or any part of, or any interest in, the Noteholder’s rights and benefits hereunder. To the extent of any such assignment, such assignee shall have the same rights and benefits against the Company and shall agree to be bound by and to comply with the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement as it would have had if it were the Noteholder hereunder.
19.No Sinking Fund; Convertibility. This Subordinated Note is not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. The Subordinated Note is not convertible into or exchangeable for any of the equity securities, other securities or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
20.No Recourse Against Others. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Subordinated Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, will be had against any past, present or future shareholder, employee, officer, or director, as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor, either directly or through the Company or any predecessor or successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of this Subordinated Note by the Noteholder and as part of the consideration for the issuance of this Subordinated Note.
21.Notices. All notices to the Company under this Subordinated Note shall be in writing and addressed to the Company at: 401 Charmany Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, Attention: Corey A. Chambas (with a copy to: Peter J. Wilder, Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., 833 East Michigan Street, Suite
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1800, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53072) or to such other address as the Company may provide to the Noteholders (the “Payment Office”). All notices to the Noteholders shall be deemed to have been given if in writing and if delivered personally, or if mailed, postage prepaid, by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or if delivered by a responsible overnight commercial courier promising next business day delivery. Any notice given in accordance with the foregoing shall be deemed given when delivered personally or, if mailed, three (3) Business Days after it shall have been deposited in the United States mails as aforesaid or, if sent by overnight courier, the Business Day following the date of delivery to such courier (provided next Business Day delivery was requested).
22.Further Issues. The Company may, without the consent of the Noteholders, create and issue additional notes having the same terms and conditions of the Subordinated Notes (except for the Issue Date) so that such further notes shall be consolidated and form a single series with the Subordinated Notes.
23.Governing Law; Interpretation. THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE WILL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW). THIS SUBORDINATED NOTE IS INTENDED TO MEET THE CRITERIA FOR QUALIFICATION OF THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AS TIER 2 CAPITAL UNDER THE REGULATORY GUIDELINES OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE, AND THE TERMS HEREOF SHALL BE INTERPRETED IN A MANNER TO SATISFY SUCH INTENT.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Subordinated Note to be duly executed and attested.
| FIRST BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
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| By: |
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| Name: | Corey A. Chambas |
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| Title: | Chief Executive Officer |
ATTEST:
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Name: Edward G. Sloane, Jr. |
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Title: Chief Executive Officer |
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[Signature Page to Subordinated Note]
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign the Subordinated Note, fill in the form below: (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Subordinated Note to:
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Print or type assignee’s social security or tax identification number)
and irrevocably appoint _______________________ as agent to transfer this Subordinated Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for it.
Date: Your signature:
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Subordinated Note)
Tax identification no:
Signature guarantee:
(Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to Rule 17Ad-15 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)).
The undersigned certifies that it [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company and that, to its knowledge, the proposed transferee [is / is not] an Affiliate of the Company.
In connection with any transfer or exchange of this Subordinated Note occurring prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issuance of this Subordinated Note and the last date, if any, on which this Subordinated Note was owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that this Subordinated Note is being:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:
[ ](1)acquired for the undersigned’s own account, without transfer;
[ ](2)transferred to the Company;
[ ](3)transferred in accordance and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”);
[ ](4)transferred under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act;
[ ](5)transferred in accordance with and in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act;
[ ](6)transferred to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act);
[ ](7)transferred to an “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(4) under the Securities Act), not referred to in item (6) that has been provided with the information designated under Section 4(d) of the Securities Act of 1933; or
[ ](8)transferred in accordance with another available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Company will refuse to register this Subordinated Note in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6), (7) or (8) is checked, the Company may require, prior to registering any such transfer of this Subordinated Note, in its sole discretion, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company may reasonably request to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.
Assignee’s signature:
Signature guarantee:
(Signatures must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor institution (banks, stockbrokers, savings and loan associations and credit unions with membership in an approved signature guarantee medallion program), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 17Ad-l5.
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF BOX (1) OR (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Subordinated Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.
Date: Assignee’s Signature:
EXHIBIT 99.1
First Business Bank Completes $32.5 Million Capital Raise and Announces $5.0 Million Buyback Program
MADISON, Wis. – March 4, 2022 -- First Business Financial Services, Inc. (the “Company”, the “Bank”, or “First Business Bank”) (Nasdaq: FBIZ) announced the successful private placement to institutional investors of $32.5 million in new capital consisting of $20.0 million of subordinated notes and $12.5 million of preferred stock (both more fully described below) and the redemption of $19.4 million of higher cost trust preferred securities and subordinated notes.
The Company issued 7.00% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Series A Non-Cumulative Perpetual, Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) with an aggregate offering price of $12.5 million. The Series A Preferred Stock will pay quarterly dividends, if declared, at an initial annual rate of 7.00% for five years. Thereafter, the annual dividend rate, if declared, will reset quarterly to a floating rate equal to the benchmark rate (expected to be the three-month Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR)) plus 539 basis points. In addition, the Company issued 3.50% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes (the “Subordinated Notes”) with a principal amount of $20.0 million. The Notes will initially bear interest at a rate of 3.50% per annum for five years. Thereafter through maturity on March 15, 2032, the interest rate will reset quarterly to a floating rate equal to the benchmark rate (expected to be SOFR) plus 189 basis points.
The Company intends to use a portion of the net proceeds from these offerings to redeem its $10.3 million 10.50% Fixed Rate Trust Preferred Securities maturing September 2038, and its $9.1 million Subordinated Notes bearing a Fixed-to-Floating interest rate of 6.00% and maturing April 2027.
Remaining net proceeds from the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Subordinated Notes are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including support of the Bank’s growth strategy.
“We believe First Business Bank’s record of performance and proven ability to execute the Company’s growth strategy are key factors in successfully securing attractively priced capital,” President and Chief Executive Officer Corey Chambas said. “With our strengthened capital position, we’re focused on enhancing shareholder returns through the redemption of higher cost trust preferred securities and subordinated notes, while continuing to support our strategy for achieving double-digit annual loan growth in 2022.”
The Series A Preferred Stock and the Subordinated Notes qualify as Tier I and Tier II capital, respectively, for regulatory risk-based capital purposes.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, served as exclusive placement agent for the Series A Preferred Stock and the Subordinated Notes. Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. served as legal counsel to the Company. Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP served as legal counsel to the placement agent.
New Repurchase Authorization & Shelf Registration
Effective March 4, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase by the Company of shares of its common stock with a maximum aggregate purchase price of $5.0 million, in such quantities, at such prices and on such other terms and conditions as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer determine in their discretion to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, any time from the effective date through March 4, 2023.
Additionally, the Company recently filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3. The purpose of the shelf registration statement was to renew the previously filed shelf registration, which expired in November 2020. The shelf registration was not used in connection with the sale of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Subordinated Notes.
About First Business Financial Services, Inc.
First Business Financial Services, Inc., (Nasdaq: FBIZ) is the parent company of First Business Bank. First Business Bank specializes in Business Banking, including Commercial Banking and Specialized Lending, Private Wealth, and Bank Consulting services, and through its refined focus, delivers unmatched expertise, accessibility, and responsiveness. Specialized Lending solutions are delivered through First Business Bank’s wholly owned subsidiary First Business Specialty Finance, LLC. For additional information, visit firstbusiness.bank.
This press release may include forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which reflect First Business Bank’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information, but rather are related to future operations, strategies, financial results, or other developments. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations as well as certain assumptions and estimates made by, and information available to, management at the time the statements are made. Those statements are based on general assumptions and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the views, beliefs, and projections expressed in such statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including among other things: (i) adverse changes in the economy or business conditions, either nationally or in our markets, including, without limitation, inflation, supply chain issues, labor shortages, and the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global, national, and local economy, which may affect the Company’s credit quality, revenue, and business operations; (ii) competitive pressures among depository and other financial institutions nationally and in our markets; (iii) increases in defaults by borrowers and other delinquencies; (iv) management’s ability to manage growth effectively, including the successful expansion of our client service, administrative infrastructure, and internal management systems; (v) fluctuations in interest rates and market prices; (vi) changes in legislative or regulatory requirements applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries; (vii) changes in tax requirements, including tax rate changes, new tax laws, and revised tax law interpretations; (viii) fraud, including client and system failure or breaches of our network security, including the Company’s internet banking activities, or (ix) failure to comply with the applicable SBA regulations in order to maintain the eligibility of the guaranteed portion of SBA loans. For further information about the factors that could affect the Company’s future results, please see the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Investor Contact
Edward G. Sloane, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer
First Business Financial Services, Inc.
608-232-5970
esloane@firstbusiness.bank