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UNITED STATES 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (date of earliest event reported): September 20, 2021 (September 15, 2021)

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FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

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MT 001-34653 81-0331430

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(Commission 

File No.)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

401 North 31st Street  
Billings,MT 59116-0918
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)

 

 

(406) 255-5390

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not Applicable
(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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

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 exchange on which registered
Class A common stock, no par value FIBK NASDAQ

 

 

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 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Agreement and Plan of Merger

 

Overview

 

On September 15, 2021 (the “Signing Date”), First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., a Montana corporation (“FIBK”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Great Western Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GWB”). The Merger Agreement provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, GWB will merge with and into FIBK (the “Merger”), with FIBK continuing as the surviving corporation in the Merger (the “Surviving Entity”). Immediately following the Merger, GWB’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, Great Western Bank, will merge with and into FIBK’s wholly owned banking subsidiary, First Interstate Bank (the “Bank Merger”), with First Interstate Bank continuing as the surviving bank in the Bank Merger. The Merger Agreement was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of each of FIBK and GWB.

 

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), (i) each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of GWB (“GWB Common Stock”) outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than certain shares held by FIBK or GWB, will be converted into the right to receive 0.8425 shares (such shares, the “Merger Consideration”) of Class A common stock, no par value, of FIBK (“FIBK Class A Common Stock”) and cash in lieu of fractional shares and (ii) each outstanding equity award in respect of shares of GWB Common Stock will vest and be cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive the Merger Consideration (with any performance-based awards vesting at the greater of the target and actual level of performance, as determined by the Board of Directors of GWB or a committee thereof prior to the Effective Time).

 

Representations and Warranties; Covenants

 

The Merger Agreement contains customary representations and warranties from both FIBK and GWB and each party has agreed to customary covenants, including, among others, covenants relating to (1) the conduct of its business during the interim period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the Effective Time, (2) its obligation to call a meeting of its shareholders or stockholders, as applicable, to approve the Merger Agreement (including the issuance of shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement) and the Articles Amendment (as defined below), in the case of FIBK, or the Merger Agreement, in the case of GWB, and, subject to certain exceptions, to recommend that its shareholders or stockholders, as applicable, approve the Merger Agreement and the Articles Amendment, in the case of FIBK, or the Merger Agreement, in the case of GWB, and (3) its non-solicitation obligations related to alternative business combination proposals.

 

Under the Merger Agreement, each of FIBK and GWB has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain as promptly as practicable all consents required to be obtained from any governmental authority or other third party that are necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (including the Merger and the Bank Merger). Notwithstanding such general obligation to obtain such consents of governmental authorities, neither FIBK nor GWB is required to take any action that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Surviving Entity and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after giving effect to the Merger (measured on a scale relative to the size of FIBK and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole) (a “Burdensome Condition”).

 

Governance

 

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity will be comprised of sixteen (16) directors, of which (i) one (1) will be the Chief Executive Officer of FIBK as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) an additional ten (10) will be members of the Board of Directors of FIBK as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, designated by FIBK (the directors referred to in clauses (i) and (ii), the “FIBK Directors”) and (iii) an additional five (5) will be members of the Board of Directors of GWB as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, designated by GWB (the directors referred to in this clause (iii), the “GWB Directors”), with the parties to cooperate in good faith between the Signing Date and the Effective Time to agree on the selection of the GWB Directors and their respective classes and committee appointments; provided that the GWB Directors must meet any applicable requirements or standards that may be imposed by a regulatory agency for service on the Board of Directors of FIBK. The Merger Agreement also provides that the GWB Directors will be apportioned among the three (3) classes of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity as nearly evenly as is possible. In addition, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Surviving Entity, the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity and the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity will take all actions necessary to nominate the GWB Directors for reelection to the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity at the first

 

 

 

annual meeting of shareholders of the Surviving Entity following the Effective Time, and thereafter (provided such directors continue to meet the director qualification and eligibility criteria of the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity) any GWB Director whose class term expires in fewer than three (3) years from the date on which closing of the Merger occurs (the “Closing Date”) will be nominated for reelection to the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity upon the expiration of his or her term, so that each GWB Director will serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity for a minimum of three (3) full years from the Closing Date.

 

The Merger Agreement also provides that (i) the Chairman of GWB as of immediately prior to the Effective Time will be appointed to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity effective as of the Effective Time and (ii) each GWB Director will be given due consideration for committee service to the same extent as the FIBK Directors and will be appointed to at least two (2) standing committees of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity effective as of the Effective Time.

 

In connection with the completion of the Merger, FIBK’s articles of incorporation will be amended to reflect certain governance matters and to increase the number of authorized shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock from 100 million to 150 million (the “Articles Amendment”).

 

Conversion of FIBK Class B Common Stock

 

The Merger Agreement provides that, prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders of the Surviving Entity following the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity will, in accordance with the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Entity and applicable law, adopt any resolutions and take any actions that are necessary or appropriate to determine that the number of shares of Class B common stock, no par value, of FIBK (the “FIBK Class B Common Stock” and, together with the FIBK Class A Common Stock, the “FIBK Common Stock”) outstanding as of the record date for such annual meeting constitutes less than twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate number of shares of FIBK Common Stock then outstanding on such record date, such that each share of FIBK Class B Common Stock as of such record date will be automatically converted as of such record date into one (1) fully paid and non-assessable share of FIBK Class A Common Stock pursuant to the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Entity (the “Conversion”). From the Signing Date until the date of the Conversion, FIBK and the Board of Directors of FIBK will not take any action (including repurchasing FIBK Class A Common Stock or issuing additional shares of FIBK Class B Common Stock) that would prevent the Conversion on such record date. Effective as of the Effective Time, the bylaws of the Surviving Entity will be amended to contain analogous restrictions to the foregoing and to reflect certain other governance matters.

 

Closing Conditions

 

The completion of the Merger is subject to customary conditions, including (1) approval of the Merger Agreement and the Articles Amendment by FIBK’s shareholders and adoption of the Merger Agreement by GWB’s stockholders, (2) authorization for listing on NASDAQ of the shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock to be issued in the Merger, subject to official notice of issuance, (3) the receipt of specified governmental consents and approvals, including from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions, and the Division of Banking of the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, and termination or expiration of all applicable waiting periods in respect thereof, in each case without the imposition of a Burdensome Condition, (4) effectiveness of the registration statement on Form S-4 for the FIBK Class A Common Stock to be issued in the Merger, and (5) the absence of any order, injunction, decree or other legal restraint preventing the completion of the Merger or the Bank Merger or making the completion of the Merger or the Bank Merger illegal. Each party’s obligation to complete the Merger is also subject to certain additional customary conditions, including (i) subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party, (ii) performance in all material respects by the other party of its obligations under the Merger Agreement and (iii) receipt by such party of an opinion from counsel to the effect that the Merger will qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Termination; Termination Fee

 

The Merger Agreement provides certain termination rights for both FIBK and GWB. and further provides that, upon termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances, a termination fee of $105 million will be payable by FIBK to GWB or a termination fee of $70 million will be payable by GWB to FIBK.

 

Important Statement Regarding Merger Agreement

 

 

 

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The representations, warranties and covenants of each party set forth in the Merger Agreement have been made only for the purposes of, and were and are solely for the benefit of the parties to, the Merger Agreement, may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Accordingly, the representations and warranties may not describe the actual state of affairs at the date they were made or at any other time, and investors should not rely on them as statements of fact. In addition, such representations and warranties (1) will not survive consummation of the Merger, and (2) were made only as of the date of the Merger Agreement or such other date as is specified in the Merger Agreement. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the parties’ public disclosures. Accordingly, the Merger Agreement is included with this filing only to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement, and not to provide investors with any factual information regarding FIBK or GWB, their respective affiliates or their respective businesses. The Merger Agreement should not be read alone, but should instead be read in conjunction with the other information regarding FIBK, GWB, their respective affiliates or their respective businesses, the Merger Agreement and the Merger that will be contained in, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy statement of FIBK and GWB and also constitute a prospectus of FIBK, as well as in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings that each of FIBK and GWB make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

Support Agreement

 

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, certain shareholders of FIBK (the “Scott Family Holders”) holding approximately 53.8% of the voting power represented by issued and outstanding shares of FIBK Common Stock entered into a support agreement (the “Support Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, each Scott Family Holder has agreed, subject to the terms of the Support Agreement, to (i) vote the shares of FIBK Common Stock owned by it in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Articles Amendment, and against any competing transaction and (ii) not transfer its shares of FIBK Common Stock, with certain limited exceptions. The Support Agreement will terminate upon termination of the Merger Agreement and certain other specified events, including, among others, if the Board of Directors of FIBK effects a recommendation change under the Merger Agreement. Each of FIBK and GWB is an express third party beneficiary of the Support Agreement and has the right to directly enforce the obligations of the parties thereto.

 

The foregoing description of the Support Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Support Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Stockholders’ Agreement

 

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Scott Family Holders entered into a stockholders’ agreement with FIBK (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), which will become effective as of the closing of the Merger.

 

Under the Stockholders’ Agreement, for so long as the Scott Family Holders and certain other related parties (collectively, the “Stockholders”) hold greater than or equal to 15% of the shares of FIBK Common Stock, the Scott Family Holders will have the right to designate three directors to the Board of Directors of FIBK. If the Stockholders hold greater than or equal to 10% (but less than 15%) of the shares of FIBK Common Stock, the Scott Family Holders will have the right to designate two directors to the Board of Directors of FIBK. If the Stockholders hold greater than or equal to 5% (but less than 10%) of the shares of FIBK Common Stock, the Scott Family Holders will have the right to designate one director to the Board of Directors of FIBK. The Scott Family Holders will not have the right to designate any directors once the Stockholders hold less than 5% of the shares of FIBK Common Stock. For so long as they are entitled to designate at least one director, the Scott Family Holders will also be entitled to certain rights to designate observers on the Board of Directors of FIBK and to designate directors on the Board of Directors of the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation (“FIBK Foundation”). In addition, as promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, FIBK will make a contribution of $21,500,000 to the FIBK Foundation.

 

Under the Stockholders’ Agreement, if the Merger is consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, then FIBK will pay to the Scott Family Holders all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Scott Family Holders in connection therewith, up to a maximum of $8.5 million.

 

 

 

The Stockholders’ Agreement also provides each of the Scott Family Holders party thereto (i) up to two “demand” registrations in the case of a marketed underwritten offering and (ii) up to four underwritten block trades, in any 12-month period and customary “piggyback” registration rights. The Stockholders’ Agreement also provides that FIBK will indemnify the registration rights holders against certain liabilities which may arise under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

 

The foregoing description of the Stockholders’ Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Stockholders’ Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Letter Agreement

 

Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement, the Scott Family Holders entered into a letter agreement with FIBK (the “Letter Agreement”). Under the Letter Agreement, FIBK agrees that, in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement) in a circumstance in which FIBK receives payment of the GWB Termination Fee (as defined in the Merger Agreement), FIBK shall pay to the Scott Family Holders all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Scott Family Holders in connection therewith, up to a maximum of $3.5 million.

 

The foregoing description of the Letter Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Letter Agreement, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No. 

 

Description of Exhibit 

2.1   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September 15, 2021, by and between Great Western Bancorp, Inc. and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.*
10.1   Support Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2021, by and among each of the shareholders of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. listed therein.
10.2   Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2021, by and between the individuals and entities listed therein and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
10.3   Letter Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2021, between First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. and the shareholders listed therein.
104   The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL.

*Pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K, certain schedules and similar attachments have been omitted. The registrant hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or similar attachment to the SEC upon request.

 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Rule 175 promulgated thereunder, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 3b-6 promulgated thereunder, which involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Any statements about FIBK’s, GWB’s or the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, beliefs, or future performance or events constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements are identified as those that include words or phrases such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “trend,” “objective,” “continue,” or similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “may,” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, estimates, and other important factors that change over time and could cause actual results to differ materially from any results, performance, or events expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction between FIBK

 

 

 

and GWB (the “Transaction”), including future financial and operating results, the combined company’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts.

 

These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. In addition to factors previously disclosed in FIBK’s and GWB’s reports filed with the SEC and those identified elsewhere in this document, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the Merger Agreement; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against FIBK or GWB; the possibility that the Transaction does not close when expected or at all because required regulatory, shareholder, or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the Transaction); the risk that the benefits from the Transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, general economic and market conditions, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which FIBK and GWB operate; the ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of FIBK and GWB; the possibility that the Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; reputational risk and potential adverse reactions of FIBK’s or GWB’s customers, employees or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; the dilution caused by FIBK’s issuance of additional shares of its capital stock in connection with the Transaction; the diversion of management’s attention and time from ongoing business operations and opportunities on merger-related matters; and the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic on FIBK’s or GWB’s businesses, the ability to complete the Transaction or any of the other foregoing risks.

 

These factors are not necessarily all of the factors that could cause FIBK’s, GWB’s or the combined company’s actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of the forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could harm FIBK’s, GWB’s or the combined company’s results.

 

All forward-looking statements attributable to FIBK, GWB, or the combined company, or persons acting on FIBK’s or GWB’s behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and FIBK and GWB do not undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of these statements to reflect actual results, new information or future events, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law. If FIBK or GWB update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that FIBK or GWB will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. Further information regarding FIBK, GWB and factors which could affect the forward-looking statements contained herein can be found in FIBK’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, and its other filings with the SEC, and in GWB’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2020, March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, and its other filings with the SEC.

 

Additional Information about the Transaction and Where to Find It

 

In connection with the Transaction, FIBK will file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 to register the shares of FIBK capital stock to be issued in connection with the Transaction. The Registration Statement will include a joint proxy statement of FIBK and GWB that also constitutes a prospectus of FIBK. The definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to the shareholders of FIBK and stockholders of GWB seeking their approval of the Transaction and other related matters.

 

Investors and security holders are urged to read the Registration Statement on Form S-4 and the joint proxy statement/prospectus included within the Registration Statement on Form S-4 when they become available, as well as any other relevant documents filed with the SEC in connection with the transaction or incorporated by reference into the joint proxy statement/prospectus, because they will contain important information regarding FIBK, GWB, the transaction and related matters.

 

Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by FIBK or GWB through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or from FIBK at its website, www.fibk.com, or from GWB at its website, www.greatwesternbank.com. Documents filed with the SEC by FIBK will be available free of charge by accessing the “SEC Filings” page of FIBK’s website at www.fibk.com/sec-filings, or alternatively by directing a request by

 

 

 

mail or telephone to First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., 401 N. 31st Street, Billings, Montana, 59116, Attention: John Stewart, Deputy Chief Financial Officer, telephone: 406-255-5311, and documents filed with the SEC by GWB will be available free of charge by accessing GWB’s website at www.greatwesternbank.com under the tab “Investor Relations” and then under the heading “Financial Info – Documents” or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone or mail to Great Western Bancorp Inc., 225 South Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104, (605) 988-9253.

 

Participants in the Solicitation

 

FIBK, GWB, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of FIBK and stockholders of GWB in connection with the Transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the interests of the directors and executive officers of FIBK and GWB and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of shareholders of FIBK and stockholders of GWB in connection with the Transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus related to the Transaction, which will be filed with the SEC. Additional information about FIBK, the directors and executive officers of FIBK and their ownership of FIBK common stock is also set forth in the definitive proxy statement for FIBK’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A on April 14, 2021, and other documents subsequently filed by FIBK with the SEC. Additional information about GWB, the directors and executive officers of GWB and their ownership of GWB common stock can also be found in GWB’s definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, as filed with the SEC on December 23, 2020, and other documents subsequently filed by GWB with the SEC. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

     
  FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM,  INC.
 
  By: /s/ Kevin P. Riley       
  Name: Kevin P. Riley        
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
         

Date: September 20, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2.1

 

Execution Version

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

by and between

 

Great Western Bancorp, Inc.

 

and

 

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.

 

_____________________

 

Dated as of September 15, 2021

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I THE MERGER 2
     
1.1 The Merger. 2
1.2 Closing. 2
1.3 Effective Time. 2
1.4 Effects of the Merger. 2
1.5 Conversion of GWB Common Stock. 2
1.6 FIBK Stock. 3
1.7 Treatment of GWB Equity Awards. 4
1.8 Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving Entity. 5
1.9 Bylaws of Surviving Entity. 5
1.10 Tax Consequences. 5
1.11 Bank Merger. 5
     
ARTICLE II EXCHANGE OF SHARES 5
     
2.1 FIBK to Make Consideration Available. 5
2.2 Exchange of Shares. 6
     
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF GWB 8
     
3.1 Corporate Organization. 9
3.2 Capitalization. 11
3.3 Authority; No Violation. 12
3.4 Consents and Approvals. 13
3.5 Reports. 14
3.6 Financial Statements. 14
3.7 Broker’s Fees. 16
3.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. 16
3.9 Legal Proceedings. 16
3.10 Taxes and Tax Returns. 17
3.11 Employees. 18
3.12 SEC Reports. 21
3.13 Compliance with Applicable Law. 21
3.14 Certain Contracts. 23
3.15 Agreements with Regulatory Agencies. 24
3.16 Risk Management Instruments. 25
3.17 Environmental Matters. 25
3.18 Investment Securities and Commodities. 26
3.19 Real Property. 26
3.20 Intellectual Property. 26
3.21 Related Party Transactions. 27
3.22 State Takeover Laws. 27
3.23 Reorganization. 28
3.24 Opinion. 28

 

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3.25 GWB Information. 28
3.26 Loan Portfolio. 28
3.27 Insurance. 29
3.28 Investment Advisory and Broker-Dealer Matters. 30
3.29 Insurance Subsidiaries 30
3.30 No Other Representations or Warranties 31
     
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FIBK 31
     
4.1 Corporate Organization. 32
4.2 Capitalization. 32
4.3 Authority; No Violation. 34
4.4 Consents and Approvals. 35
4.5 Reports. 35
4.6 Financial Statements. 36
4.7 Broker’s Fees. 38
4.8 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. 38
4.9 Legal Proceedings. 38
4.10 Taxes and Tax Returns. 38
4.11 Employees. 39
4.12 SEC Reports. 42
4.13 Compliance with Applicable Law. 42
4.14 Certain Contracts. 44
4.15 Agreements with Regulatory Agencies. 45
4.16 Risk Management Instruments. 46
4.17 Environmental Matters. 46
4.18 Investment Securities and Commodities. 46
4.19 Real Property. 47
4.20 Intellectual Property. 47
4.21 Customer Relationships. 47
4.22 Related Party Transactions. 48
4.23 State Takeover Laws. 48
4.24 Reorganization. 48
4.25 Opinions. 48
4.26 FIBK Information. 49
4.27 Loan Portfolio 49
4.28 Investment Advisory and Broker-Dealer Matters. 50
4.29 Insurance Subsidiaries 50
4.30 No Other Representations or Warranties. 50
     
ARTICLE V COVENANTS RELATING TO CONDUCT OF BUSINESS 51
     
5.1 Conduct of Businesses by GWB Prior to the Effective Time. 51
5.2 Forbearances of GWB. 51
5.3 Conduct of Businesses by FIBK Prior to the Effective Time. 55
5.4 Forbearances of FIBK. 55

 

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ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS 56
     
6.1 Regulatory Matters. 56
6.2 Access to Information; Confidentiality. 58
6.3 Stockholder and Shareholder Approvals. 59
6.4 Legal Conditions to Merger. 61
6.5 Stock Exchange Listing. 61
6.6 Employee Matters. 61
6.7 Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance. 63
6.8 Additional Agreements. 64
6.9 Advice of Changes. 64
6.10 Dividends. 64
6.11 Shareholder Litigation. 64
6.12 Corporate Governance. 65
6.13 Acquisition Proposals. 66
6.14 Public Announcements. 67
6.15 Change of Method. 67
6.16 Takeover Statutes. 68
6.17 Treatment of GWB Indebtedness. 68
6.18 Exemption from Liability Under Section 16(b). 68
6.19 Tax Cooperation. 69
6.20 Conversion of FIBK Class B Common Stock. 69
     
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 69
   
7.1 Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger. 69
7.2 Conditions to Obligations of FIBK. 70
7.3 Conditions to Obligations of GWB. 71
     
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT 72
     
8.1 Termination. 72
8.2 Effect of Termination. 73
     
ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS 75
     
9.1 Amendment. 75
9.2 Extension; Waiver. 75
9.3 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. 76
9.4 Expenses. 76
9.5 Notices. 76
9.6 Interpretation. 77
9.7 Counterparts. 78
9.8 Entire Agreement. 78
9.9 Governing Law; Jurisdiction. 78
9.10 Waiver of Jury Trial. 78
9.11 Assignment; Third-Party Beneficiaries. 79

 

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9.12 Specific Performance. 79
9.13 Severability. 79
9.14 Confidential Supervisory Information. 79
9.15 Delivery by Facsimile or Electronic Transmission. 80

 

Exhibit A – Form of FIBK Articles Amendment

Exhibit B – Form of FIBK Bylaws Amendment

Exhibit C – Form of Bank Merger Agreement

 

-iv-

 

 

  

INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

 

  Page
Acquisition Proposal 67
affiliate 77
Agreement 1
Articles of Merger 2
Bank Merger 5
Bank Merger Act 13
Bank Merger Agreement 5
Bank Merger Certificates 5
BHC Act 9
business day 77
CARES Act 22
Chosen Courts 78
Closing 2
Closing Date 2
Code 1
Collective Bargaining Agreement 21
Confidentiality Agreement 59
Continuing Employee 61
Conversion 69
Delaware Secretary 2
DGCL 2
DOL 18
Earned PSUs 4
Effective Time 2
Employee Benefit Plan 18
Enforceability Exceptions 12
Environmental Laws 25
ERISA 18
ERISA Affiliate 18
Exchange Act 15
Exchange Agent 5
Exchange Fund 6
Exchange Ratio 3
FDIC 10
Federal Reserve Board 13
FIBK 1
FIBK Agent 50
FIBK Articles 32
FIBK Articles Amendment 5
FIBK Benefit Plans 39
FIBK Board Recommendation 59
FIBK Bylaws 32
FIBK Bylaws Amendment 5

 

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FIBK Class A Common Stock 3
FIBK Class B Common Stock 3
FIBK Common Stock 3
FIBK Contract 45
FIBK Directors 65
FIBK Disclosure Schedule 31
FIBK Equity Awards 33
FIBK Insurance Subsidiary 50
FIBK Meeting 59
FIBK Option Awards 33
FIBK Owned Properties 47
FIBK Performance Stock Awards 33
FIBK Preferred Stock 33
FIBK Qualified Plan 62
FIBK Qualified Plans 40
FIBK Real Property 47
FIBK Regulatory Agreement 45
FIBK Reports 42
FIBK Restricted Stock Awards 33
FIBK Securities 33
FIBK Subsidiary 32
FIBK Subsidiary Bank 5
FIBK Subsidiary Securities 34
FIBK Termination Fee 74
FINRA 30
GAAP 9
Governmental Entity 13
GWB 1
GWB Agent 30
GWB Benefit Plans 18
GWB Board Recommendation 59
GWB Bylaws 10
GWB Charter 10
GWB Common Stock 3
GWB Contract 24
GWB Directors 65
GWB Disclosure Schedule 8
GWB Equity Awards 4
GWB Indemnified Parties 63
GWB Insiders 69
GWB Insurance Subsidiary 30
GWB Meeting 59
GWB Non-Voting Common Stock 11
GWB Owned Properties 26
GWB Preferred Stock 11
GWB PSU Award 4

 

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GWB PSU Award Consideration 4
GWB Qualified Plans 19
GWB Real Property 26
GWB Regulatory Agreement 25
GWB Reports 21
GWB RSU Award 4
GWB RSU Award Consideration 4
GWB Securities 11
GWB Stock Plan 4
GWB Subsidiary 10
GWB Subsidiary Bank 5
GWB Subsidiary Securities 12
GWB Termination Fee 74
HSR Act 13
Intellectual Property 27
Investment Advisers Act 30
IRS 18
Joint Proxy Statement 13
Key Employee 53
knowledge 77
Liens 11
Loans 28
made available 77
Material Adverse Effect 9
Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition 58
MBCA 2
MDOB 13
Merger 2
Merger Consideration 3
Montana Secretary 2
Multiemployer Plan 18
Multiple Employer Plan 19
NYSE 13
Old Certificate 3
Pandemic 10
Pandemic Measures 10
PBGC 19
Permitted Encumbrances 26
person 77
Personal Data 22
Premium Cap 63
Recommendation Change 60
Regulatory Agencies 14
Representatives 66
Requisite FIBK Vote 34
Requisite GWB Vote 12

 

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Requisite Regulatory Approvals 57
S-4 13
Sarbanes-Oxley Act 15
Scott Family Shareholders 1
SDDB 13
SEC 13
Securities Act 21
Stockholders’ Agreement 2
Subsidiary 10
Support Agreement 1
Surviving Entity 2
Takeover Statutes 27
Tax 17
Tax Return 18
Taxes 17
Termination Date 72
Trust Preferred Indentures 68
Trust Preferred Securities 68

 

 

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

This AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER, dated as of September 15, 2021 (this “Agreement”), is by and between Great Western Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GWB”), and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., a Montana corporation (“FIBK”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of GWB has unanimously (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, are in the best interests of GWB and GWB’s stockholders, and declared that this Agreement is advisable, and (ii) approved the execution, delivery and performance by GWB of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of FIBK has unanimously (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger and the FIBK Articles Amendment, are in the best interests of FIBK and FIBK’s shareholders, and declared that this Agreement is advisable, and (ii) approved the execution, delivery and performance by FIBK of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger and the FIBK Articles Amendment;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of GWB, subject to the terms of this Agreement, has resolved to recommend that GWB’s stockholders approve this Agreement and to submit this Agreement to GWB’s stockholders for approval;

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of FIBK, subject to the terms of this Agreement, has resolved to recommend that FIBK’s shareholders approve this Agreement and the FIBK Articles Amendment and to submit this Agreement and the FIBK Articles Amendment to FIBK’s shareholders for approval;

 

WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of reorganization for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code;

 

WHEREAS, the individuals and entities listed on Section 1.1 of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule (the “Scott Family Shareholders”) are supportive of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, and have determined that it is in their best interests to provide for their collective support for this Agreement and such transactions and, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, are entering into a support agreement (the “Support Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, each of the Scott Family Shareholders is agreeing, subject to the terms of the Support Agreement, to vote all shares of FIBK Common Stock owned by such holders in favor of the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the FIBK Articles Amendment, and the Support Agreement is further a condition and inducement for GWB and FIBK to enter into this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger, FIBK and the Scott Family Shareholders have entered into a stockholders’ agreement (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), to

 

 
 

be effective as of the Effective Time, setting forth certain rights and obligations of FIBK and the Scott Family Shareholders after the Closing; and

 

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

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

 

Article I

THE MERGER

 

1.1              The Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) and the Montana Business Corporation Act (the “MBCA”), at the Effective Time, GWB shall merge with and into FIBK (the “Merger”), with FIBK surviving the Merger (hereinafter sometimes referred to in such capacity as the “Surviving Entity”). The Surviving Entity shall continue its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Montana. Upon consummation of the Merger, the separate corporate existence of GWB shall terminate.

 

1.2              Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) will take place by electronic exchange of documents at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on a date which shall be no later than three (3) business days after the satisfaction or waiver (subject to applicable law) of all of the conditions set forth in ‎Article VII hereof (other than those conditions that by their nature can only be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver thereof), unless another date, time or place is agreed to in writing by GWB and FIBK. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to as the “Closing Date.”

 

1.3              Effective Time. On or (if agreed by GWB and FIBK) prior to the Closing Date, FIBK and GWB, respectively, shall cause to be filed articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Montana (the “Montana Secretary”) and a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Delaware Secretary”) (collectively, the “Articles of Merger”). The Merger shall become effective at such time as specified in the Articles of Merger in accordance with the relevant provisions of the MBCA and the DGCL, or at such other time as shall be provided by applicable law (such time hereinafter referred to as the “Effective Time”).

 

1.4              Effects of the Merger. At and after the Effective Time, the Merger shall have the effects set forth in the applicable provisions of the MBCA and the DGCL.

 

1.5              Conversion of GWB Common Stock. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of FIBK, GWB or the holder of any securities of FIBK or GWB:

 

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(a)               Subject to Section ‎2.2(e), each share of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of GWB issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “GWB Common Stock”), except for shares of GWB Common Stock owned by GWB or FIBK (in each case other than shares of GWB Common Stock (i) held in trust accounts, managed accounts, mutual funds and the like, or otherwise held in a fiduciary or agency capacity that are beneficially owned by third parties or (ii) held, directly or indirectly, by GWB or FIBK in respect of debts previously contracted), shall be converted into the right to receive 0.8425 shares (the “Exchange Ratio” and such shares the “Merger Consideration”) of Class A common stock, no par value, of FIBK (the “FIBK Class A Common Stock”).

 

(b)               All of the shares of GWB Common Stock converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration pursuant to this Section ‎1.5 shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist as of the Effective Time, and each certificate (each, an “Old Certificate,” it being understood that any reference herein to “Old Certificate” shall be deemed to include reference to book-entry account statements relating to the ownership of shares of GWB Common Stock) previously representing any such shares of GWB Common Stock shall thereafter represent only the right to receive (i) the number of whole shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock which such shares of GWB Common Stock have been converted into the right to receive pursuant to this Section ‎1.5, (ii) cash in lieu of fractional shares which the shares of GWB Common Stock represented by such Old Certificate have been converted into the right to receive pursuant to this Section ‎1.5 and Section ‎2.2(e), without any interest thereon and (iii) any dividends or distributions which the holder thereof has the right to receive pursuant to Section ‎2.2, in each case, without any interest thereon. If, prior to the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock or GWB Common Stock shall have been increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities as a result of a reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, stock split or reverse stock split, or there shall be any extraordinary dividend or distribution, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made to the Exchange Ratio to give FIBK and the holders of GWB Common Stock the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event; provided that nothing contained in this sentence shall be construed to permit GWB or FIBK to take any action with respect to its securities or otherwise that is prohibited by the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)               Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, at the Effective Time, all shares of GWB Common Stock that are owned by GWB or FIBK (in each case other than shares of GWB Common Stock (i) held in trust accounts, managed accounts, mutual funds and the like, or otherwise held in a fiduciary or agency capacity that are beneficially owned by third parties or (ii) held, directly or indirectly, by GWB or FIBK in respect of debts previously contracted) shall be cancelled and shall cease to exist and no FIBK Class A Common Stock or other consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

 

1.6              FIBK Stock. At and after the Effective Time, each share of (a) FIBK Class A Common Stock and (b) Class B common stock, no par value, of FIBK (the “FIBK Class B Common Stock” and, together with the FIBK Class A Common Stock, the “FIBK Common Stock”), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain an issued and outstanding share of common stock of the Surviving Entity and shall not be affected by the Merger.

 

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1.7              Treatment of GWB Equity Awards.

 

(a)               At the Effective Time, each time-vesting restricted stock unit award in respect of a share of GWB Common Stock (each a “GWB RSU Award”) granted under the GWB 2014 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, the GWB 2014 Non-Employee Director Plan or the GWB Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (each a “GWB Stock Plan”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any required action on the part of GWB or any holder of such GWB RSU Award, fully vest and be cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, as if such GWB RSU Award had been settled in shares of GWB Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “GWB RSU Award Consideration”).

 

(b)               At the Effective Time, each restricted stock unit award in respect of a share of GWB Common Stock that is earned or vests based in whole or in part on the achievement of performance metrics (each a “GWB PSU Award,” and together with the GWB RSU Awards, the “GWB Equity Awards”) granted under a GWB Stock Plan that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any required action on the part of GWB or any holder of such GWB PSU Award, vest at the greater of the target or actual level of performance, as determined by GWB Board of Directors or a committee thereof prior to the Effective Time (the “Earned PSUs”), and be cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive the Merger Consideration, as if such Earned PSUs had been settled in shares of GWB Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “GWB PSU Award Consideration”). For the avoidance of doubt, any portion of the GWB PSU Awards that are not Earned PSUs shall be forfeited and cancelled at the Effective Time for no consideration.

 

(c)               Prior to the Effective Time, GWB, the Board of Directors of GWB and its compensation committee, as applicable, shall adopt any resolutions and take any actions that are reasonably necessary or appropriate to effectuate the provisions of Section ‎1.7(a) and Section ‎1.7(b).

 

(d)               The GWB RSU Award Consideration and the GWB PSU Award Consideration amounts shall be delivered as soon as reasonably practicable following the Closing Date and in no event no later than two (2) business days following the Closing Date, and shall be reduced by any withholding Taxes required to be paid by or collected on behalf of the recipients of the GWB RSU Award Consideration and the GWB PSU Award Consideration (which withholding Taxes shall be satisfied by retaining a number of shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock having a fair market value (determined by reference to the closing price of a share of FIBK Class A Common Stock on the Closing Date) equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to any GWB RSU Award or GWB PSU Award that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and that GWB determines prior to the Effective Time is not eligible to be terminated in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix)(B), the payment or provision of the GWB RSU Award Consideration and the GWB PSU Award Consideration will be made at the earliest time permitted under the applicable GWB Equity Award that will not trigger a Tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code.

 

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1.8              Certificate of Incorporation of Surviving Entity. At the Effective Time, the articles of incorporation of FIBK, as amended as set forth in Exhibit A (such amendment, the “FIBK Articles Amendment”), shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Entity until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

1.9              Bylaws of Surviving Entity. At the Effective Time, the bylaws of FIBK, as amended as set forth in Exhibit B (such amendment, the “FIBK Bylaws Amendment”), shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Entity until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

1.10          Tax Consequences. It is intended that the Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and that this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of reorganization for the purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.

 

1.11          Bank Merger.

 

(a)               Immediately following the Merger, Great Western Bank, a South Dakota state chartered bank and a wholly owned Subsidiary of GWB (“GWB Subsidiary Bank”), will merge with and into First Interstate Bank, a Montana-chartered bank and a wholly owned Subsidiary of FIBK (“FIBK Subsidiary Bank”) (the “Bank Merger”). FIBK Subsidiary Bank shall be the surviving entity in the Bank Merger and, following the Bank Merger, the separate corporate existence of GWB Subsidiary Bank shall cease. Promptly after the date of this Agreement, GWB Subsidiary Bank and FIBK Subsidiary Bank shall enter into an agreement and plan of merger in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit C (the “Bank Merger Agreement”). The Board of Directors of each of GWB Subsidiary Bank and FIBK Subsidiary Bank shall approve the Bank Merger Agreement, and each of GWB and FIBK shall approve the Bank Merger Agreement and the Bank Merger as the sole shareholder of GWB Subsidiary Bank and FIBK Subsidiary Bank, respectively, and GWB and FIBK shall, and shall cause GWB Subsidiary Bank and FIBK Subsidiary Bank, respectively, to, execute certificates or articles of merger and such other documents and certificates as are necessary to make the Bank Merger effective (“Bank Merger Certificates”) immediately following the Effective Time. The Bank Merger shall become effective at such time and date as specified in the Bank Merger Agreement in accordance with applicable law, or at such other time as shall be provided by applicable law.

 

(b)               It is intended that the Bank Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and that the Bank Merger Agreement is intended to be and will be adopted as a plan of reorganization for the purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.

 

Article II

Exchange of Shares

 

2.1              FIBK to Make Consideration Available. At or prior to the Effective Time, FIBK shall deposit, or shall cause to be deposited, with a bank or trust company mutually agreed upon by FIBK and GWB (the “Exchange Agent”), for exchange in accordance with this ‎Article

 

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II for the benefit of the holders of Old Certificates, evidence in book-entry form representing shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Section ‎1.5, and any cash in lieu of any fractional shares to be paid pursuant to Section ‎2.2(e) (such cash in lieu of any fractional shares to be paid pursuant to Section ‎2.2(e) and shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock to be issued pursuant to Section ‎1.5, together with any dividends or distributions with respect to shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock payable in accordance with Section ‎2.2(b), being referred to herein as the “Exchange Fund”).

 

2.2              Exchange of Shares.

 

(a)               As promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, but in no event later than five (5) days thereafter, the Surviving Entity shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of one or more Old Certificates representing shares of GWB Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time that have been converted at the Effective Time into the right to receive FIBK Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section ‎1.5(a), a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Old Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the Old Certificates to the Exchange Agent) and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Old Certificates in exchange for the number of whole shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock and any cash in lieu of fractional shares which the shares of GWB Common Stock represented by such Old Certificate or Old Certificates shall have been converted into the right to receive pursuant to this Agreement as well as any dividends or distributions to be paid pursuant to Section ‎2.2(b) (such materials and instructions to include customary provisions with respect to delivery of an “agent’s message” with respect to book-entry shares). Upon proper surrender of an Old Certificate or Old Certificates for exchange and cancellation to the Exchange Agent (it being understood that no certificates shall be required to be delivered for shares of GWB Common Stock held in book-entry at the Effective Time), together with such properly completed letter of transmittal, duly executed, the holder of such Old Certificate or Old Certificates shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, (i) that number of whole shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock to which such holder of GWB Common Stock shall have become entitled pursuant to the provisions of Section ‎1.5(a) and (ii) a check representing the amount of (A) any cash in lieu of fractional shares which such holder has the right to receive in respect of the Old Certificate or Old Certificates surrendered pursuant to the provisions of this ‎Article II and (B) any dividends or distributions which the holder thereof has the right to receive pursuant to Section ‎2.2(b), and the Old Certificate or Old Certificates so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. No interest will be paid or accrued on any cash in lieu of fractional shares or dividends or distributions payable to holders of Old Certificates. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section ‎2.2, each Old Certificate shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive, upon surrender, the number of whole shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock which the shares of GWB Common Stock represented by such Old Certificate have been converted into the right to receive and any cash in lieu of fractional shares or in respect of dividends or distributions as contemplated by this Section ‎2.2.

 

(b)               No dividends or other distributions declared with respect to FIBK Class A Common Stock shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Old Certificate until the holder thereof shall surrender such Old Certificate in accordance with this ‎Article II. After the surrender of an Old Certificate in accordance with this ‎Article II, the record holder thereof shall

 

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be entitled to receive any such dividends or other distributions, without any interest thereon, which theretofore had become payable with respect to the whole shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock that the shares of GWB Common Stock represented by such Old Certificate have been converted into the right to receive.

 

(c)               If any share of FIBK Class A Common Stock is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Old Certificate or Old Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor is or are registered, it shall be a condition of the issuance thereof that the Old Certificate or Old Certificates so surrendered shall be properly endorsed (or accompanied by an appropriate instrument of transfer) and otherwise in proper form for transfer, and that the person requesting such exchange shall pay to the Exchange Agent in advance any transfer or other similar Taxes required by reason of the issuance of the shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock in any name other than that of the registered holder of the Old Certificate or Old Certificates surrendered, or required for any other reason, or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such Tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

(d)               After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of GWB of the shares of GWB Common Stock that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Old Certificates representing such shares are presented for transfer to the Exchange Agent, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock and any cash in lieu of fractional shares as provided in this ‎Article II.

 

(e)               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no fractional shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Old Certificates, no dividend or distribution with respect to FIBK Class A Common Stock shall be payable on or with respect to any fractional share, and such fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of a shareholder of FIBK. In lieu of the issuance of any such fractional share, the Surviving Entity shall pay to each former holder of GWB Common Stock who otherwise would be entitled to receive such fractional share an amount in cash (rounded to the nearest cent) determined by multiplying (i) the average of the closing-sale prices of FIBK Class A Common Stock on NASDAQ as reported by The Wall Street Journal for the consecutive period of five (5) full trading days ending on the trading day immediately preceding the Closing Date (or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source mutually agreed upon by FIBK and GWB) by (ii) the fraction of a share (after taking into account all shares of GWB Common Stock held by such holder immediately prior to the Effective Time and rounded to the nearest one-thousandth when expressed in decimal form) of FIBK Class A Common Stock which such holder would otherwise be entitled to receive pursuant to Section ‎1.5. The parties acknowledge that payment of such cash consideration in lieu of issuing fractional shares is not separately bargained-for consideration, but merely represents a mechanical rounding off for purposes of avoiding the expense and inconvenience that would otherwise be caused by the issuance of fractional shares.

 

(f)                Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains unclaimed by the stockholders of GWB for twelve (12) months after the Effective Time shall be paid to the Surviving Entity. Any former holders of GWB Common Stock who have not theretofore complied with this ‎Article II shall thereafter look only to the Surviving Entity for payment of the

 

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shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock, cash in lieu of any fractional shares and any unpaid dividends and distributions on the FIBK Class A Common Stock deliverable in respect of each former share of GWB Common Stock such holder holds as determined pursuant to this Agreement, in each case, without any interest thereon. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of FIBK, GWB, the Surviving Entity, the Exchange Agent or any other person shall be liable to any former holder of shares of GWB Common Stock for any amount delivered in good faith to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by former holders of shares of GWB Common Stock immediately prior to the time at which such amounts would otherwise escheat to, or become property of, any Governmental Entity shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of the Surviving Entity, free and clear of any claims or interest of any such holders or their successors, assigns or personal representatives previously entitled thereto.

 

(g)               The Surviving Entity shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, or cause the Exchange Agent to deduct and withhold, from any cash in lieu of fractional shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock, cash dividends or distributions payable pursuant to this Section ‎2.2 or any other amounts otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of GWB Common Stock or GWB Equity Awards, such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment or distribution under the Code or any provision of state, local or foreign Tax law. To the extent that amounts are so deducted or withheld by the Surviving Entity or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Entity, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of GWB Common Stock or GWB Equity Awards in respect of which the deduction and withholding was made by the Surviving Entity or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be.

 

(h)               In the event any Old Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such Old Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by the Surviving Entity or the Exchange Agent, the posting by such person of a bond in such amount as the Surviving Entity or the Exchange Agent may determine is reasonably necessary as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Old Certificate, the Exchange Agent will issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Old Certificate the shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock and any cash in lieu of fractional shares, as applicable, deliverable in respect thereof pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Article III

Representations And Warranties Of GWB

 

Except (a) as disclosed in the disclosure schedule delivered by GWB to FIBK concurrently herewith (the “GWB Disclosure Schedule”); provided, that (i) no such item is required to be set forth as an exception to a representation or warranty if its absence would not result in the related representation or warranty being deemed untrue or incorrect, (ii) the mere inclusion of an item in the GWB Disclosure Schedule as an exception to a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission by GWB that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) any disclosures made with respect to a section of this ‎Article

 

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III shall be deemed to qualify (1) any other section of this ‎Article III specifically referenced or cross-referenced and (2) other sections of this ‎Article III to the extent it is reasonably apparent on its face (notwithstanding the absence of a specific cross reference) from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure applies to such other sections or (b) as disclosed in any GWB Reports filed by GWB since September 30, 2019, and prior to the date hereof (but disregarding risk factor disclosures contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” or disclosures of risks set forth in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or any other statements that are similarly non-specific or cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), GWB hereby represents and warrants to FIBK as follows:

 

3.1              Corporate Organization.

 

(a)               GWB is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and is a bank holding company duly registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “BHC Act”). GWB has the corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. GWB is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned, leased or operated by it makes such licensing, qualification or standing necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or to be in good standing would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB. As used in this Agreement, the term “Material Adverse Effect” means, with respect to FIBK, GWB or the Surviving Entity, as the case may be, any effect, change, event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or development that, either individually or in the aggregate, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (i) the business, properties, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of such party and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (provided that, with respect to this clause (i), Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the impact of (A) changes, after the date hereof, in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or applicable regulatory accounting requirements, (B) changes, after the date hereof, in laws, rules or regulations (including the Pandemic Measures) of general applicability to companies in the industries in which such party and its Subsidiaries operate, or interpretations thereof by courts or Governmental Entities, (C) changes, after the date hereof, in global, national or regional political conditions (including the outbreak of war or acts of terrorism) or in economic or market (including equity, credit and debt markets, as well as changes in interest rates) conditions affecting the financial services industry generally and not specifically relating to such party or its Subsidiaries (including any such changes arising out of the Pandemic or any Pandemic Measures), (D) changes, after the date hereof, resulting from hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, floods or other natural disasters or from any outbreak of any disease or other public health event (including the Pandemic), (E) public disclosure or consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or actions expressly required by this Agreement or that are taken with the prior written consent of the other party in contemplation of the transactions contemplated hereby (it being understood and agreed that this clause (E) shall not apply with respect to any representation or warranty that is intended to address the consequences of the execution, announcement or performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger), or (F) a decline in the trading price of a party’s common stock or the failure, in and of itself, to meet earnings projections or internal financial forecasts, but not, in either case, including any

 

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underlying causes thereof; except, with respect to subclause (A), (B), (C) or (D), to the extent that the effects of such change are materially disproportionately adverse to the business, properties, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of such party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other companies in the industry in which such party and its Subsidiaries operate) or (ii) the ability of such party to timely consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. As used in this Agreement, the word “Pandemic” means any outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics relating to SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, or any evolutions or mutations thereof, or any other viruses (including influenza), and the governmental and other responses thereto; the word “Pandemic Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place”, “stay at home”, workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester or other laws, directives, policies, guidelines or recommendations promulgated by any Governmental Entity, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, in each case, in connection with or in response to the Pandemic; and the word “Subsidiary” when used with respect to any person, means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, bank or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, or person of which (x) such first person directly or indirectly owns or controls at least a majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions or (y) such first person is or directly or indirectly has the power to appoint a general partner, manager or managing member or others performing similar functions. True and complete copies of the certificate of incorporation of GWB (the “GWB Charter”) and the bylaws of GWB (the “GWB Bylaws”), in each case as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, have previously been made available by GWB to FIBK.

 

(b)               Except as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, each Subsidiary of GWB (a “GWB Subsidiary”) (i) is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) is duly licensed or qualified to do business and, where such concept is recognized under applicable law, in good standing in all jurisdictions (whether federal, state, local or foreign) where its ownership, leasing or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires it to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing and (iii) has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted. There are no restrictions on the ability of GWB or any Subsidiary of GWB to pay dividends or distributions except, in the case of GWB or a Subsidiary that is a regulated entity, for restrictions on dividends or distributions generally applicable to all similarly regulated entities. The deposit accounts of GWB Subsidiary Bank are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) through the Deposit Insurance Fund (as defined in Section 3(y) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act of 1950) to the fullest extent permitted by law, all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due, and no proceedings for the termination of such insurance are pending or, to the knowledge of GWB, threatened. Section ‎3.1(b) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all Subsidiaries of GWB as of the date hereof. No Subsidiary of GWB is in violation of any of the provisions of the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or comparable organizational documents) of such Subsidiary of GWB. There is no person whose results of operations, cash flows, changes in shareholders’ equity or financial position are consolidated in the financial statements of GWB other than the GWB Subsidiaries.

 

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3.2              Capitalization.

 

(a)               The authorized capital stock of GWB consists of 500,000,000 shares of GWB Common Stock, 50,000,000 shares of non-voting common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“GWB Non-Voting Common Stock”) and 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“GWB Preferred Stock”). As of the date of this Agreement, there are (i) 55,116,095 shares of GWB Common Stock issued and outstanding, (ii) zero shares of GWB Non-Voting Common Stock issued and outstanding, (iii) zero shares of GWB Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, (iv) zero shares of GWB Common Stock held in treasury, (v) 332,116 shares of GWB Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the settlement of outstanding GWB RSU Awards, (vi) 251,047 shares of GWB Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the settlement of outstanding GWB PSU Awards assuming performance goals are satisfied at the target level or 373,765 shares of GWB Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the settlement of outstanding GWB PSU Awards assuming performance goals are satisfied at the maximum level, and (vii) no other shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of GWB issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of GWB Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness that have the right to vote on any matters on which stockholders of GWB may vote. Other than the GWB Equity Awards issued prior to the date of this Agreement as described in this Section ‎3.2(a), as of the date of this Agreement there are no outstanding subscriptions, equity or equity-based compensation awards (including options, stock appreciation rights, phantom units or shares, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units, performance awards, profit participation rights, or dividend or dividend equivalent rights or similar awards), warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, puts, calls, commitments or agreements of any character relating to, or securities or rights convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, shares of capital stock or other voting or equity securities of or ownership interest in GWB, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which GWB may become bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities of or ownership interests in GWB, or that otherwise obligate GWB to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any of the foregoing (collectively, “GWB Securities”). No GWB Subsidiary owns any capital stock of GWB. There are no voting trusts, shareholder agreements, proxies or other agreements in effect to which GWB or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of GWB Common Stock, capital stock or other voting or equity securities or ownership interests of GWB or granting any stockholder or other person any registration rights.

 

(b)               Except as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, GWB owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests of each of the GWB Subsidiaries, free and clear of any liens, claims, title defects, mortgages, pledges, charges, encumbrances and security interests whatsoever (“Liens”), and all of such shares or equity ownership interests are duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable (except, with respect to Subsidiaries that are depository institutions, as provided under any provision of applicable state law comparable to 12 U.S.C. § 55) and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. Other than the

 

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shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests described in the previous sentence, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, phantom units, scrip, rights to subscribe to, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, puts, calls, commitments or agreements of any character relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of capital stock or other voting or equity securities of or ownership interests in any GWB Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any GWB Subsidiary may become bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities or ownership interests in such GWB Subsidiary, or otherwise obligating any GWB Subsidiary to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing (collectively, “GWB Subsidiary Securities”).

 

(c)               Section ‎3.2(c) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule sets forth, for each GWB Equity Award as of the date hereof, the holder, type of award and number of shares. Within five (5) days prior to the Closing Date, GWB will provide FIBK with a revised version of Section ‎3.2(c) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule, updated as of the most recent practicable date. Each GWB Equity Award has been granted in compliance with applicable securities laws or exemptions therefrom and all requirements set forth in the applicable GWB Stock Plan and other applicable contracts.

 

3.3              Authority; No Violation.

 

(a)               GWB has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger have been duly and validly approved by the Board of Directors of GWB. The Board of Directors of GWB has determined that the Merger, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, is advisable and in the best interests of GWB and its stockholders, has adopted and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Merger), and has directed that this Agreement be submitted to GWB’s stockholders for approval at a meeting of such stockholders and has adopted a resolution to the foregoing effect. Except for the approval of this Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of GWB Common Stock entitled to vote on this Agreement at a meeting called therefor (the “Requisite GWB Vote”), and subject to the adoption and approval of the Bank Merger Agreement by the Board of Directors of GWB Subsidiary Bank and GWB as GWB Subsidiary Bank’s sole shareholder, no other corporate proceedings on the part of GWB are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by GWB and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by FIBK) constitutes a valid and binding obligation of GWB, enforceable against GWB in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws of general applicability affecting the rights of creditors generally and the availability of equitable remedies (the “Enforceability Exceptions”)).

 

(b)               Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by GWB nor the consummation by GWB of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Merger and the Bank Merger), nor compliance by GWB with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will

 

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(i) violate any provision of the GWB Charter or the GWB Bylaws or the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of any GWB Subsidiary or (ii) assuming that the consents and approvals referred to in Section ‎3.4 are duly obtained, (x) violate any law, statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to GWB or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets or (y) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the respective properties or assets of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which GWB or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or by which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound, except (in the case of clauses (x) and (y) above) for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults that, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB.

 

3.4              Consents and Approvals. Except for (a) the filing of any required applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), (b) the filing of any required applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve Board”) under the BHC Act and the Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1828(c) (the “Bank Merger Act”), and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (c) the filing of any required applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (the “MDOB”) and the Division of Banking of the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation (the “SDDB”), and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (d) the filing of any required applications, filings or notices with any state banking, securities or insurance regulatory authorities listed on Section 3.4 of the GWB Disclosure Schedule or Section 4.4 of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (e) the filing by GWB with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) of a joint proxy statement in definitive form (including any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Joint Proxy Statement”), and the registration statement on Form S-4 in which the Joint Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus, to be filed with the SEC by FIBK in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “S-4”), and the declaration of effectiveness of the S-4, (f) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Delaware Secretary pursuant to the DGCL and the Montana Secretary pursuant to the MBCA, as applicable, and the filing of the Bank Merger Certificates with the applicable Governmental Entities as required by applicable law, (g) if required by the Hart Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), the filing of any applications, filings or notices under the HSR Act and (h) such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance of the shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and the approval of the listing of such FIBK Class A Common Stock on NASDAQ, no consents or approvals of or filings or registrations with any court, administrative agency or commission, Regulatory Agency or other governmental or regulatory authority or instrumentality (each, a “Governmental Entity”) are necessary in connection with (x) the execution and delivery by GWB of this Agreement or (y) the consummation by GWB of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (including the Bank Merger). As of

 

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the date hereof, to the knowledge of GWB, there is no reason why the necessary regulatory approvals and consents will not be received by GWB to permit consummation of the Merger and the Bank Merger on a timely basis.

 

3.5              Reports. GWB and each of its Subsidiaries have timely filed (or furnished) all reports, forms, correspondence, registrations and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file (or furnish, as applicable) since October 1, 2019 with (i) the SDDB and any other state regulatory authority, (ii) the SEC, (iii) the Federal Reserve Board, (iv) the FDIC, (v) any foreign regulatory authority and (vi) any self-regulatory organization (clauses (i) – (vi), collectively, “Regulatory Agencies”), including any report, form, correspondence, registration or statement required to be filed (or furnished, as applicable) pursuant to the laws, rules or regulations of the United States, any state, any foreign entity, or any Regulatory Agency, and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith, except where the failure to file (or furnish, as applicable) such report, form, correspondence, registration or statement or to pay such fees and assessments, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB. As of their respective dates, such reports, forms, correspondence, registrations and statements, and other filings, documents and instruments were complete and accurate and complied with all applicable laws, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB. Subject to Section ‎9.14, except for normal examinations conducted by a Regulatory Agency in the ordinary course of business of GWB and its Subsidiaries, no Regulatory Agency has initiated or has pending any proceeding or, to the knowledge of GWB, investigation into the business or operations of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries since October 1, 2019, except where such proceedings or investigations would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB. Subject to Section ‎9.14, there (i) is no unresolved violation, criticism, or exception by any Regulatory Agency with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations or inspections of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) has been no formal or informal inquiries by, or disagreements or disputes with, any Regulatory Agency with respect to the business, operations, policies or procedures of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries since October 1, 2019, in each case, which would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB.

 

3.6              Financial Statements.

 

(a)               The financial statements of GWB and its Subsidiaries included (or incorporated by reference) in the GWB Reports (including the related notes, where applicable) (i) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of GWB and its Subsidiaries, (ii) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated results of operations, cash flows, changes in stockholders’ equity and consolidated financial position of GWB and its Subsidiaries for the respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates therein set forth (subject in the case of unaudited statements to year-end audit adjustments normal in nature and amount), (iii) complied, as of their respective dates of filing with the SEC, in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, and (iv) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except, in each case, as indicated in such statements or in the notes thereto. The books and records of GWB and its Subsidiaries have been, and are being,

 

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maintained in all material respects in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements. Since September 30, 2019, no independent public accounting firm of GWB has resigned (or informed GWB that it intends to resign) or been dismissed as independent public accountants of GWB as a result of or in connection with any disagreements with GWB on a matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.

 

(b)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due), except for those liabilities that are reflected or reserved against on the consolidated balance sheet of GWB included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021 (including any notes thereto) and for liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since June 30, 2021, or in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(c)               The records, systems, controls, data and information of GWB and its Subsidiaries are recorded, stored, maintained and operated under means (including any electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) that are under the exclusive ownership and direct control of GWB or its Subsidiaries or accountants (including all means of access thereto and therefrom), except for any non-exclusive ownership and non-direct control that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB. GWB (x) has implemented and maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and (f), respectively, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) to ensure that material information relating to GWB, including its Subsidiaries, is made known to the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of GWB by others within those entities as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and to make the certifications required by the Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), and (y) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the date hereof, to GWB’s outside auditors and the audit committee of GWB’s Board of Directors (i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to materially adversely affect GWB’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information, and (ii) any fraud that involves management or senior employees who have a significant role in GWB’s internal controls over financial reporting. These disclosures were made in writing by management to GWB’s auditors and audit committee and true, correct and complete copies of such disclosures have been made available by GWB to FIBK. Neither GWB nor its independent audit firm has identified any unremediated material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures. GWB has no reason to believe that its outside auditors and its chief executive officer and chief financial officer will not be able to give the certifications and attestations required pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, without qualification, when next due.

 

(d)               Since October 1, 2019, (i) neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of GWB, any Representative of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, has received or

 

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otherwise had or obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods (including with respect to loan loss reserves, write-downs, charge-offs and accruals) of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that GWB or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices, and (ii) no employee of or attorney representing GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not employed by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, has reported evidence of a material violation of securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board of Directors of GWB or any committee thereof or the Board of Directors or similar governing body of any GWB Subsidiary or any committee thereof, or to the knowledge of GWB, to any director or officer of GWB or any GWB Subsidiary.

 

3.7              Broker’s Fees. With the exception of the engagement of Piper Sandler & Co., neither GWB nor any GWB Subsidiary nor any of their respective officers or directors has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor or incurred any liability for any broker’s fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with the Merger or related transactions contemplated by this Agreement. GWB has disclosed to FIBK as of the date hereof the aggregate fees provided for in connection with the engagement by GWB of Piper Sandler & Co. related to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

3.8              Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

 

(a)               Since September 30, 2020, there has not been any effect, change, event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or development that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB.

 

(b)               Since September 30, 2020, GWB and its Subsidiaries have carried on their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course.

 

3.9              Legal Proceedings.

 

(a)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to, either individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any, and there are no outstanding or pending or, to the knowledge of GWB, threatened, legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations of any nature against GWB or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their current or former directors or executive officers or challenging the validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b)               There is no material injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed upon GWB, any of its Subsidiaries or the assets of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries (or that, upon consummation of the Merger, would apply to the Surviving Entity or any of its affiliates).

 

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3.10          Taxes and Tax Returns.

 

(a)               Each of GWB and its Subsidiaries has duly and timely filed (including all applicable extensions) all income and other material Tax Returns in all jurisdictions in which Tax Returns are required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns are true, correct, and complete in all material respects. Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries is the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any material Tax Return (other than extensions to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course). All material Taxes of GWB and its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Tax Returns) that are due have been fully and timely paid. Each of GWB and its Subsidiaries has withheld and paid all material Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor, stockholder, independent contractor or other third party. Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has granted any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any material Tax that remains in effect. Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice of assessment or proposed assessment in connection with any material amount of Taxes, and, to the knowledge of GWB, there are no threatened in writing or pending disputes, claims, audits, examinations or other proceedings regarding any material Tax of GWB and its Subsidiaries or the assets of GWB and its Subsidiaries. Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has any deferred payroll Tax Liability under Section 2302 of the CARES Act, Internal Revenue Service Notice 2020-65 or any similar or analogous provision of state, local or non-U.S. applicable law or guidance. GWB has not entered into any private letter ruling requests, closing agreements or gain recognition agreements with respect to a material amount of Taxes requested or executed in the last three (3) years. Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement (other than such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among GWB and its Subsidiaries). Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries (A) has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return for which the statute of limitations is open (other than a group the common parent of which was GWB) or (B) has any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than GWB or any of its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise. Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has been, within the past two (2) years or otherwise as part of a “plan (or series of related transactions)” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code of which the Merger is also a part, a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock intending to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code. Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).

 

(b)               As used in this Agreement, the term “Tax” or “Taxes” means all federal, state, local, and foreign income, excise, gross receipts, ad valorem, profits, gains, property, capital, sales, transfer, use, license, payroll, employment, social security, severance, unemployment, withholding, duties, excise, windfall profits, intangibles, franchise, backup withholding, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated and other taxes, charges, levies or like assessments, in each case, in the nature of a Tax and imposed by a Governmental Entity with jurisdiction over Taxes, together with all penalties and additions to tax and interest thereon.

 

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(c)               As used in this Agreement, the term “Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, claim for refund, or information return or statement relating to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof, supplied or required to be supplied to a Governmental Entity.

 

3.11          Employees.

 

(a)               Section ‎3.11(a) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all material GWB Benefit Plans. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “GWB Benefit Plans” means an Employee Benefit Plan to which GWB, any Subsidiary of GWB or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates (as defined below) is a party or has any current or future obligation or that are maintained, contributed to or sponsored by GWB, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates for the benefit of any current or former employee, officer, director or independent contractor of GWB, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, or for which GWB, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates has any direct or indirect liability, excluding, in each case, any “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA (a “Multiemployer Plan”). For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Employee Benefit Plan” means any (i) employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder (“ERISA”)), whether or not subject to ERISA, and (ii) equity or equity-based compensation, bonus, profit sharing, incentive, deferred compensation, post-employment or retiree benefits, life insurance, supplemental retirement, termination, change in control, retention, compensation, employment, consulting, retirement or similar plan, agreement, arrangement, program or policy, insurance (including any self-insured arrangement), health and welfare, disability or sick leave benefits, vacation benefit, relocation or expatriate benefits, perquisite or other benefit plans, programs, agreements, contracts, policies or arrangements, in each case whether or not written. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ERISA Affiliate” means with respect to an entity, any other entity, trade or business, whether or not incorporated, that together with such first entity would be deemed a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA.

 

(b)               GWB has heretofore made available to FIBK true and complete copies of each material GWB Benefit Plan and the following related documents, to the extent applicable, (i) all summary plan descriptions, material amendments, material modifications or material supplements, (ii) the annual report (Form 5500) filed with the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) for the last two (2) plan years, (iii) the most recently received U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) determination or opinion letter, and (iv) the most recently prepared actuarial report and financial statements for each of the last two (2) years.

 

(c)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, each GWB Benefit Plan has been established, operated and administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and the requirements of all applicable laws, including ERISA and the Code. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action to take corrective action or make a filing under any voluntary correction program of the IRS, DOL or any other Governmental Entity with respect to any GWB Benefit Plan, and neither GWB nor any of its

 

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Subsidiaries has any knowledge of any plan defect that would qualify for correction under any such program.

 

(d)               Section ‎3.11(d) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule identifies each GWB Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code (the “GWB Qualified Plans”). The IRS has, if applicable, issued a favorable determination letter with respect to each GWB Qualified Plan and the related trust, which letter has not expired or been revoked (nor has revocation been threatened), and, to the knowledge of GWB, there are no existing circumstances and no events have occurred that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any GWB Qualified Plan or the related trust. Each trust created under any GWB Qualified Plan is exempt from Tax under Section 501(a) of the Code and has been so exempt since its creation.

 

(e)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, with respect to each GWB Benefit Plan that is subject to Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412, 430 or 4971 of the Code: (i) the minimum funding standard under Section 302 of ERISA and Sections 412 and 430 of the Code has been satisfied and no waiver of any minimum funding standard or any extension of any amortization period has been requested or granted, (ii) no such plan is in “at-risk” status for purposes of Section 430 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, (iii) the present value of accrued benefits under such GWB Benefit Plan, based upon the actuarial assumptions used for funding purposes in the most recent actuarial report prepared by such GWB Benefit Plan’s actuary with respect to such GWB Benefit Plan, did not, as of its latest valuation date, exceed the then current fair market value of the assets of such GWB Benefit Plan allocable to such accrued benefits, (iv) no reportable event within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived has occurred, (v) all premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “PBGC”) have been timely paid in full, (vi) no liability (other than for premiums to the PBGC) under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, and (vii) the PBGC has not instituted proceedings to terminate any such GWB Benefit Plan.

 

(f)                None of GWB, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates (nor any predecessor of any such entity) has, at any time during the last six (6) years, contributed to or been obligated to contribute to a Multiemployer Plan or a plan that has two (2) or more contributing sponsors at least two (2) of whom are not under common control, within the meaning of Section 4063 of ERISA (a “Multiple Employer Plan”), and none of GWB, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred any liability to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal (as those terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA) from a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan.

 

(g)               Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries sponsors, has sponsored or has any current or projected obligation or liability with respect to any employee benefit plan that provides for any post-employment or post-retirement health or medical or life insurance benefits for retired, former or current employees, directors, individual independent contractors or beneficiaries or dependents thereof, except as required by Section 4980B of the Code or similar applicable state or local law.

 

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(h)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, all contributions required to be made to any GWB Benefit Plan by applicable law or by any plan document or other contractual undertaking, and all premiums due or payable with respect to insurance policies funding any GWB Benefit Plan, for any period through the date hereof, have been timely made or paid in full or, to the extent not required to be made or paid on or before the date hereof, have been fully reflected on the books and records of GWB.

 

(i)                 There are no pending or threatened claims (other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course), actions, suits, audits, lawsuits or arbitrations which have been asserted or instituted, and, to GWB’s knowledge, no set of circumstances exists which may reasonably give rise to a claim, action, suit, audit, lawsuit or arbitration against the GWB Benefit Plans, any fiduciaries thereof with respect to their duties to the GWB Benefit Plans or the assets of any of the trusts under any of the GWB Benefit Plans that would reasonably be expected to result in any material liability of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries to the PBGC, the IRS, the DOL, any Multiemployer Plan, a Multiple Employer Plan, any participant in a GWB Benefit Plan, or any other party.

 

(j)                 Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, none of GWB, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates nor any other person, including any fiduciary, has engaged in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which would reasonably be expected to subject any of the GWB Benefit Plans or their related trusts, GWB, any of its Subsidiaries, any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or any person that GWB or any of its Subsidiaries has an obligation to indemnify, to any material Tax or penalty imposed under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA.

 

(k)               Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) (i) result in, cause the vesting, exercisability or delivery of, or increase in the amount or value of, any payment, right or other benefit to any current or former employee, officer, director, or other service provider of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting or trigger any payment or funding (through a grantor trust or otherwise) of compensation or benefits under any GWB Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in any limitation on the right of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries to amend, merge, terminate or receive a reversion of assets from any GWB Benefit Plan or related trust.

 

(l)                 The transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not cause or require GWB or any of its affiliates to establish or make any contribution to a rabbi trust or similar funding vehicle.

 

(m)             No GWB Benefit Plan, individually or collectively, would reasonably be expected to result in the payment of any amount that would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code and neither GWB or any of its Subsidiaries and any obligation to gross-up or reimburse any current or former employee, director or individual independent contractor for any Taxes under Section 409A or 4999 of the Code, or otherwise.

 

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(n)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, there are no pending or, to GWB’s knowledge, threatened labor grievances or unfair labor practice claims or charges against GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, or any strikes, or other labor disputes against GWB or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to or bound by any collective bargaining or similar agreement with any labor organization or employee association (a “Collective Bargaining Agreement”), or work rules or practices agreed to with any labor organization or employee association applicable to service provider of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of GWB, there are no organizing efforts by any union or other group seeking to represent any employees of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(o)               GWB and its Subsidiaries are, and have been since October 1, 2019, in compliance with all applicable laws relating to labor and employment, including those relating to labor management relations, wages, hours, overtime, employee classification, discrimination, sexual harassment, civil rights, affirmative action, work authorization, immigration, safety and health, information privacy and security, workers compensation, continuation coverage under group health plans, wage payment and the related payment and withholding of Taxes, except for failures to comply that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB. Neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action that would reasonably be expected to cause FIBK or any of its affiliates to have any material liability or other obligations following the Closing Date under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act and any comparable state or local law.

 

3.12          SEC Reports. GWB has previously made available to FIBK an accurate and complete copy of each (a) final registration statement, prospectus, report, schedule and definitive proxy statement filed with or furnished to the SEC since September 30, 2019 by GWB pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act (the “GWB Reports”) and (b) communication mailed by GWB to its stockholders since September 30, 2019 and prior to the date hereof, and no such GWB Report or communication, as of the date thereof (and, in the case of registration statements and proxy statements, on the dates of effectiveness and the dates of the relevant meetings, respectively), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except that information filed or furnished as of a later date (but before the date of this Agreement) shall be deemed to modify information as of an earlier date. Since September 30, 2019, as of their respective dates, all GWB Reports filed or furnished under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act complied in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. No executive officer of GWB has failed in any respect to make the certifications required of him or her under Section 302 or 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding comments from or unresolved issues raised by the SEC with respect to any of the GWB Reports.

 

3.13          Compliance with Applicable Law.

 

(a)               GWB and each of its Subsidiaries hold, and have at all times since December 31, 2019, held, all licenses, registrations, franchises, certificates, variances, permits, charters and authorizations necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses and

 

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ownership of their respective properties, rights and assets under and pursuant to each (and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith), except where neither the cost of failure to hold nor the cost of obtaining and holding such license, registration, franchise, certificate, variance, permit, charter or authorization (nor the failure to pay any fees or assessments) would, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, and to the knowledge of GWB, no suspension or cancellation of any such necessary license, registration, franchise, certificate, variance, permit, charter or authorization is threatened. GWB has not elected to be treated as a financial holding company under the BHC Act and GWB and each of its Subsidiaries other than GWB Subsidiary Bank are engaged solely in activities permissible under section 4 of the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. § 1843) for a bank holding company that has not elected to be treated as a financial holding company.

 

(b)               Except as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, GWB and each of its Subsidiaries have complied with and are not in default or violation under any applicable law, statute, order, rule, regulation, policy and/or guideline of any Governmental Entity relating to GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, including all laws related to data protection or privacy (including laws relating to the privacy and security of data or information that constitutes personal data or personal information under applicable law (“Personal Data”)), the USA PATRIOT Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, the Fair Housing Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, any regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Interagency Policy Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit Investment Products, the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation X, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any and all sanctions or regulations enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of Treasury and any other law, policy or guideline relating to bank secrecy, discriminatory lending, financing or leasing practices, consumer protection, money laundering prevention, foreign assets control, U.S. sanctions laws and regulations, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (the “CARES Act”) and all agency requirements relating to the origination, sale and servicing of mortgage and consumer loans.

 

(c)               GWB Subsidiary Bank has a Community Reinvestment Act rating of “satisfactory” or better.

 

(d)               GWB maintains a written information privacy and security program that maintains reasonable measures to protect the privacy, confidentiality and security of all Personal Data against any (i) loss or misuse of Personal Data, (ii) unauthorized or unlawful operations performed upon Personal Data, or (iii) other act or omission that compromises the security or confidentiality of Personal Data. Except as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, to the knowledge of GWB, since December 31, 2019, no third party has gained unauthorized access to any information technology networks controlled by and material to the operation of the business of GWB and its Subsidiaries.

 

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(e)               Without limitation, none of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of GWB, any director, officer, employee, agent or other person acting on behalf of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly, (i) used any funds of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries for unlawful contributions, unlawful gifts, unlawful entertainment or other expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic governmental officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns from funds of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) violated any provision that would result in the violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any similar law, (iv) established or maintained any unlawful fund of monies or other assets of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) made any fraudulent entry on the books or records of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, or (vi) made any unlawful bribe, unlawful rebate, unlawful payoff, unlawful influence payment, unlawful kickback or other unlawful payment to any person, private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property or services, to obtain favorable treatment in securing business, to obtain special concessions for GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, to pay for favorable treatment for business secured or to pay for special concessions already obtained for GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, or is currently subject to any United States sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department, except in each case as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB.

 

(f)                As of the date hereof, GWB, GWB Subsidiary Bank and each other insured depository institution Subsidiary of GWB is “well-capitalized” (as such term is defined in the relevant regulation of the institution’s primary bank regulator) and, as of the date hereof, neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any indication from a Governmental Entity that its status as “well-capitalized” or that GWB Subsidiary Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act rating will change within one (1) year from the date of this Agreement.

 

3.14          Certain Contracts.

 

(a)               Except as set forth in Section ‎3.14(a) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule, as of the date hereof, neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether written or oral), but excluding any GWB Benefit Plan: (i) which is a “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC); (ii) which contains a provision that limits (or purports to limit) in any material respect the ability of GWB (or after the Merger, the ability of the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries) to engage or compete in any business (including geographic restrictions and exclusive or preferential arrangements); (iii) with or to a labor union or guild (including any Collective Bargaining Agreement); (iv) which (other than extensions of credit, other customary banking products offered by GWB or its Subsidiaries, or derivatives issued or entered into in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) creates future payment obligations in excess of $1,000,000 annually and that by its terms does not terminate or is not terminable without penalty upon notice of 60 days or less; (v) that grants any material right of first refusal or right of first offer with respect to any material assets, rights or properties of GWB or its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (vi) which is a merger agreement, asset purchase agreement, stock purchase agreement, deposit assumption agreement, loss sharing agreement or other commitment to a Regulatory Agency in connection with the acquisition of a depository institution, or similar agreement that has indemnification, earnout or other obligations

 

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that continue in effect after the date of this Agreement that are material to GWB and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (vii) that provides for contractual indemnification to any director, officer or employee; (viii) (A) that relates to the incurrence of indebtedness by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, including any sale and leaseback transactions, capitalized leases and other similar financing arrangements (other than deposit liabilities, trade payables, federal funds purchased, advances and loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), or (B) that provides for the guarantee, credit support, indemnification, assumption or endorsement by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries of, or any similar commitment by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to, the obligations, liabilities or indebtedness of any other person, in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), in the principal amount of $5,000,000 or more; (ix) with any record or beneficial owner of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding shares of GWB Common Stock; or (x) which is a settlement, consent or similar agreement with respect to material litigation against GWB or its Subsidiaries and contains continuing obligations of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries that are material to GWB and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Each contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding of the type described in this Section ‎3.14(a) (excluding any GWB Benefit Plan), whether or not set forth in the GWB Disclosure Schedule, is referred to herein as a “GWB Contract.” GWB has made available to FIBK true, correct and complete copies of each GWB Contract in effect as of the date hereof.

 

(b)               (i) Each GWB Contract is valid and binding on GWB or one of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and in full force and effect, except as, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, (ii) GWB and each of its Subsidiaries have in all material respects complied with and performed all obligations required to be complied with or performed by any of them to date under each GWB Contract, except where such noncompliance or nonperformance, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, (iii) to the knowledge of GWB, each third-party counterparty to each GWB Contract has in all material respects complied with and performed all obligations required to be complied with and performed by it to date under such GWB Contract, except where such noncompliance or nonperformance, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, (iv) neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of, or has received notice of, any violation of any GWB Contract by any of the other parties thereto which would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB and (v) no event or condition exists which constitutes or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will constitute, a material breach or default on the part of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of GWB, any other party thereto, of or under any such GWB Contract, except where such breach or default, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB.

 

3.15          Agreements with Regulatory Agencies. Subject to Section ‎9.14, neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any cease-and-desist or other order or enforcement action issued by, or is a party to any written agreement, consent agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or has been ordered to pay any civil money penalty by, or has been since October 1, 2019, a recipient of any supervisory letter from, or since October 1, 2019, has adopted any policies, procedures or board resolutions at the request or suggestion of, any

 

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Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity that currently restricts in any material respect or would reasonably be expected to restrict in any material respect the conduct of its business or that in any material manner relates to its capital adequacy, its ability to pay dividends, its credit or risk management policies, its management or its business (each, whether or not set forth in the GWB Disclosure Schedule, a “GWB Regulatory Agreement”), nor has GWB or any of its Subsidiaries been advised since October 1, 2019, by any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity that it is considering issuing, initiating, ordering or requesting any such GWB Regulatory Agreement.

 

3.16          Risk Management Instruments. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, all interest rate swaps, caps, floors, option agreements, futures and forward contracts and other similar derivative transactions and risk management arrangements, whether entered into for the account of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries or for the account of a customer of GWB or one of its Subsidiaries, were entered into in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and policies of any Regulatory Agency and with counterparties reasonably believed to be financially responsible at the time and are legal, valid and binding obligations of GWB or one of its Subsidiaries enforceable in accordance with their terms (except as may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions), and are in full force and effect. GWB and each of its Subsidiaries have duly performed in all material respects all of their material obligations thereunder to the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued, and, to GWB’s knowledge, there are no material breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any party thereto.

 

3.17          Environmental Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, GWB and its Subsidiaries are in compliance, and have complied, with all federal, state or local law, regulation, order, decree, permit, authorization, common law or agency requirement relating to: (a) the protection or restoration of the environment, health and safety as it relates to hazardous substance exposure or natural resource damages, (b) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or threatened release of, or exposure to, any hazardous substance, or (c) noise, odor, wetlands, indoor air, pollution, contamination or any injury to persons or property from exposure to any hazardous substance (collectively, “Environmental Laws”). There are no legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims or actions or, to the knowledge of GWB, any private environmental investigations or remediation activities or governmental investigations of any nature seeking to impose, or that could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition, on GWB or any of its Subsidiaries of any liability or obligation arising under any Environmental Law pending or threatened against GWB, which liability or obligation would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB. To the knowledge of GWB, there is no reasonable basis for any such proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation that would impose any liability or obligation that would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB. GWB is not subject to any agreement, order, judgment, decree, letter agreement or memorandum of agreement by or with any court, Governmental Entity, Regulatory Agency or other third party imposing any liability or obligation with respect to the foregoing that would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB.

 

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3.18          Investment Securities and Commodities.

 

(a)               Each of GWB and its Subsidiaries has good title to all securities and commodities owned by it (except those sold under repurchase agreements) that are material to GWB’s business on a consolidated basis, free and clear of any Lien, except to the extent such securities or commodities are pledged in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice to secure obligations of GWB or its Subsidiaries. Such securities and commodities are valued on the books of GWB in accordance with GAAP in all material respects.

 

(b)               GWB and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses employ investment, securities, commodities, risk management and other policies, practices and procedures that GWB believes are prudent and reasonable in the context of such businesses. Prior to the date of this Agreement, GWB has made available to FIBK the material terms of such policies, practices and procedures.

 

3.19          Real Property. Except as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, GWB or a GWB Subsidiary (a) has good and marketable title to all the real property reflected in the latest audited balance sheet included in the GWB Reports as being owned by GWB or a GWB Subsidiary or acquired after the date thereof (except properties sold or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary course of business) (the “GWB Owned Properties”), free and clear of all material Liens, except (i) statutory Liens securing payments not yet due, (ii) Liens for real property Taxes not yet due and payable, (iii) easements, rights of way, and other similar encumbrances that do not materially affect the value or use of the properties or assets subject thereto or affected thereby or otherwise materially impair business operations at such properties and (iv) such imperfections or irregularities of title or Liens as do not materially affect the value or use of the properties or assets subject thereto or affected thereby or otherwise materially impair business operations at such properties or the free transferability of such properties (collectively, “Permitted Encumbrances”), and (b) is the lessee of all leasehold estates reflected in the latest audited financial statements included in such GWB Reports or acquired after the date thereof which are material to GWB’s business (except for leases that have expired by their terms since the date thereof) (such leasehold estates, collectively with the GWB Owned Properties, the “GWB Real Property”), free and clear of all material Liens, except for Permitted Encumbrances, and is in possession of the properties purported to be leased thereunder, and each such lease is valid without default thereunder by the lessee or, to the knowledge of GWB, the lessor. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of GWB, threatened condemnation proceedings against the GWB Real Property.

 

3.20          Intellectual Property. GWB and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use (in each case, free and clear of any material Liens), all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB: (a) (i) to the knowledge of GWB, the use of any Intellectual Property by GWB and its Subsidiaries does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the rights of any person and is in accordance with any applicable license pursuant to which GWB or any GWB Subsidiary acquired the right to use any Intellectual Property, and (ii) to the knowledge of GWB, no person has asserted in writing to GWB that GWB or any of its Subsidiaries has infringed,

 

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misappropriated or otherwise violated the Intellectual Property rights of such person, (b) to the knowledge of GWB, no person is challenging, infringing on or otherwise violating any right of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any Intellectual Property owned by and/or licensed to GWB or its Subsidiaries, and (c) neither GWB nor any GWB Subsidiary has received any written notice of any pending claim with respect to any Intellectual Property owned by GWB or any GWB Subsidiary, and GWB and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable actions to avoid the abandonment, cancellation or unenforceability of all Intellectual Property owned or licensed, respectively, by GWB and its Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Agreement, “Intellectual Property” means trademarks, service marks, brand names, internet domain names, logos, symbols, certification marks, trade dress and other indications of origin, the goodwill associated with the foregoing and registrations in any jurisdiction of, and applications in any jurisdiction to register, the foregoing, including any extension, modification or renewal of any such registration or application; inventions, discoveries and ideas, whether patentable or not, in any jurisdiction; patents, applications for patents (including divisions, continuations, continuations in part and renewal applications), all improvements thereto, and any renewals, extensions or reissues thereof, in any jurisdiction; nonpublic information, trade secrets and know-how, including processes, technologies, protocols, formulae, prototypes and confidential information and rights in any jurisdiction to limit the use or disclosure thereof by any person; writings and other works, whether copyrightable or not and whether in published or unpublished works, in any jurisdiction; and registrations or applications for registration of copyrights in any jurisdiction, and any renewals or extensions thereof; and any similar intellectual property or proprietary rights.

 

3.21          Related Party Transactions. There are no transactions or series of related transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings, nor are there any currently proposed transactions or series of related transactions (including any transactions entered into or to be entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby), between GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any current or former director or “executive officer” (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries or any person who beneficially owns (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding GWB Common Stock (or any of such person’s immediate family members or affiliates) (other than Subsidiaries of GWB) on the other hand, of the type required to be reported in any GWB Report pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act that have not been so reported.

 

3.22          State Takeover Laws. The Board of Directors of GWB has approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and has taken all such other necessary actions as required to render inapplicable to such agreements and transactions the provisions of any potentially applicable takeover laws of any state, including any “moratorium,” “control share,” “fair price,” “takeover” or “interested shareholder” law or any similar provisions of the GWB Charter or GWB Bylaws (collectively, with any similar provisions of the FIBK Articles or FIBK Bylaws, “Takeover Statutes”). In accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL, no appraisal or dissenters’ rights will be available to the holders of GWB Common Stock in connection with the Merger.

 

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3.23          Reorganization. GWB has not taken any action and is not aware of any fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

3.24          Opinion. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, GWB has received an opinion (which if initially rendered orally, has been or will be confirmed by written opinion of the same date) from Piper Sandler & Co., to the effect that as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to the matters set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio in the Merger is fair from a financial point of view to the holders of GWB Common Stock. Such opinion has not been amended or rescinded as of the date of this Agreement.

 

3.25          GWB Information. The information relating to GWB and its Subsidiaries or that is provided by GWB or its Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives for inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement and the S-4, or in any other document filed with any Regulatory Agency or Governmental Entity in connection herewith, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. The portion of the Joint Proxy Statement relating to GWB and its Subsidiaries will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The portion of the S-4 relating to GWB or any of its Subsidiaries will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

3.26          Loan Portfolio.

 

(a)               As of the date hereof, neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any written or oral (i) loan, loan agreement, note or borrowing arrangement (including leases, credit enhancements, commitments, guarantees and interest-bearing assets) (collectively, “Loans”) in which GWB or any Subsidiary of GWB is a creditor that, as of June 30, 2021, had an outstanding balance of $1,000,000 or more and under the terms of which the obligor was, as of June 30, 2021 over ninety (90) days or more delinquent in payment of principal or interest, or (ii) Loans with any director, executive officer or five percent (5%) or greater stockholder of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of GWB, any affiliate of any of the foregoing. Set forth in Section ‎3.26(a) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule is a true, correct and complete list of (A) all of the Loans of GWB and its Subsidiaries that, as of June 30, 2021, had an outstanding balance of $1,000,000 and were classified by GWB as “Other Loans Specially Mentioned,” “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” “Doubtful,” “Loss,” “Classified,” “Criticized,” “Credit Risk Assets,” “Concerned Loans,” “Watch List” or words of similar import, together with the principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on each such Loan and the identity of the borrower thereunder, together with the aggregate principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on such Loans, by category of Loan (e.g., commercial, consumer, etc.), together with the aggregate principal amount of such Loans by category and (B) each asset of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries that, as of June 30, 2021, is classified as “Other Real Estate Owned” and the book value thereof.

 

(b)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, each Loan of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries (i) is evidenced by notes, agreements or other evidences of indebtedness that are

 

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true, genuine and what they purport to be, (ii) to the extent carried on the books and records of GWB and its Subsidiaries as secured Loans, has been secured by valid charges, mortgages, pledges, security interests, restrictions, claims, liens or encumbrances, as applicable, which have been perfected and (iii) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor named therein, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

(c)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, each outstanding Loan of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries (including Loans held for resale to investors) was solicited and originated, and is and has been administered and, where applicable, serviced, and the relevant Loan files are being maintained, in all material respects in accordance with the relevant notes or other credit or security documents, the written underwriting standards of GWB and its Subsidiaries (and, in the case of Loans held for resale to investors, the underwriting standards, if any, of the applicable investors) and with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and rules.

 

(d)               None of the agreements pursuant to which GWB or any of its Subsidiaries has sold Loans or pools of Loans or participations in Loans or pools of Loans contain any obligation to repurchase such Loans or interests therein solely on account of a payment default by the obligor on any such Loan.

 

(e)               There are no outstanding Loans made by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries to any “executive officer” or other “insider” (as each such term is defined in Regulation O promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board) of GWB or its Subsidiaries, other than Loans that are subject to and that were made and continue to be in compliance with Regulation O or that are exempt therefrom.

 

(f)                Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries is now nor has it ever been since September 30, 2019 subject to any fine, suspension, settlement or other contract or other administrative agreement or sanction by, or any reduction in any loan purchase commitment from, any Governmental Entity or Regulatory Agency relating to the origination, sale or servicing of mortgage or consumer Loans.

 

(g)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, as to each Loan that is secured, whether in whole or in part, by a guaranty of the United States Small Business Administration or any other Governmental Entity, such guaranty is in full force and effect, and to GWB’s knowledge, will remain in full force and effect following the Effective Time, in each case, without any further action by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries, subject to the fulfillment of their obligations under the agreement with the Small Business Administration or other Governmental Entity that arise after the date hereof and assuming that any applicable applications, filings, notices, consents and approvals contemplated in Section 3.4 and Section 4.4 have been made or obtained.

 

3.27          Insurance. Except as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, (a) GWB and its Subsidiaries are insured with reputable insurers against such risks and in such amounts as the management of GWB reasonably has determined to be prudent and consistent with industry

 

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practice, and GWB and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with their insurance policies and are not in default under any of the terms thereof, (b) each such policy is outstanding and in full force and effect and, except for policies insuring against potential liabilities of officers, directors and employees of GWB and its Subsidiaries, GWB or the relevant Subsidiary thereof is the sole beneficiary of such policies, (c) all premiums and other payments due under any such policy have been paid, and all claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion, (d) there is no claim for coverage by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries pending under any insurance policy as to which coverage has been questioned, denied or disputed by the underwriters of such insurance policy and (e) neither GWB nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice of any threatened termination of, material premium increase with respect to, or material alteration of coverage under, any insurance policies.

 

3.28          Investment Advisory and Broker-Dealer Matters.

 

(a)               No Subsidiary of GWB is required to register with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Advisers Act”).

 

(b)               No Subsidiary of GWB is a broker-dealer or is required to be registered, licensed or qualified as a “broker” or “dealer” in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Act or any other federal or state regulatory or legal requirement or, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or has any other association with (within the meaning of Article I of the Bylaws of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”)) any member firm of FINRA.

 

3.29          Insurance Subsidiaries.

 

(a)               Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, (i) to the knowledge of GWB, since October 1, 2019, at the time each agent, representative, producer, reinsurance intermediary, wholesaler, third-party administrator, distributor, broker, employee or other person authorized to sell, produce, manage or administer products on behalf of any GWB Subsidiary (“GWB Agent”) wrote, sold, produced, managed, administered or procured business for a GWB Subsidiary, such GWB Agent was, at the time the GWB Agent wrote or sold business, duly licensed for the type of activity and business written, sold, produced, managed, administered or produced to the extent required by applicable law, (ii) to the knowledge of GWB, no GWB Agent has been since October 1, 2019, or is currently, in violation (or with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would be in violation) of any law, rule or regulation applicable to such GWB Agent’s writing, sale, management, administration or production of insurance business for any GWB Insurance Subsidiary (as defined below), and (iii) to the knowledge of GWB, each GWB Agent was appointed by GWB or a GWB Insurance Subsidiary in material compliance with applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations and, to the knowledge of GWB, all processes and procedures undertaken with respect to such GWB Agent were undertaken in material compliance with applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations. “GWB Insurance Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of GWB through which insurance operations is conducted.

 

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(b)               Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB, (i) since October 1, 2019, GWB and, to the knowledge of GWB, the GWB Insurance Subsidiaries have made all required notices, submissions, reports or other filings under applicable insurance holding company statutes, (ii) to the knowledge of GWB, all contracts, agreements, arrangements and transactions in effect between any GWB Insurance Subsidiary and any affiliate are in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable insurance holding company statutes, and (iii) to the knowledge of GWB, each GWB Insurance Subsidiary has operated and otherwise been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations.

 

3.30          No Other Representations or Warranties.

 

(a)               Except for the representations and warranties made by GWB in this ‎Article III, neither GWB nor any other person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to GWB, its Subsidiaries, or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects, and GWB hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, neither GWB nor any other person makes or has made any representation or warranty to FIBK or any of its affiliates or Representatives with respect to (i) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospective information relating to GWB, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses or (ii) any oral or written information presented to FIBK or any of its affiliates or Representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of GWB, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated hereby, except in each case for the representations and warranties made by GWB in this ‎Article III.

 

(b)               GWB acknowledges and agrees that neither FIBK nor any other person has made or is making any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in ‎Article IV.

 

Article IV

Representations And Warranties Of FIBK

 

Except (a) as disclosed in the disclosure schedule delivered by FIBK to GWB concurrently herewith (the “FIBK Disclosure Schedule”); provided, that (i) no such item is required to be set forth as an exception to a representation or warranty if its absence would not result in the related representation or warranty being deemed untrue or incorrect, (ii) the mere inclusion of an item in the FIBK Disclosure Schedule as an exception to a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission by FIBK that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) any disclosures made with respect to a section of this ‎Article IV shall be deemed to qualify (1) any other section of this ‎Article IV specifically referenced or cross-referenced and (2) other sections of this ‎Article IV to the extent it is reasonably apparent on its face (notwithstanding the absence of a specific cross reference) from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure applies to such other sections or (b) as disclosed in any FIBK Reports filed by FIBK since December 31, 2019, and prior to the date hereof (but disregarding risk factor disclosures contained under the heading “Risk Factors,” or disclosures of risks set

 

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forth in any “forward-looking statements” disclaimer or any other statements that are similarly non-specific or cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature), FIBK hereby represents and warrants to GWB as follows:

 

4.1              Corporate Organization.

 

(a)               FIBK is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Montana, and is a bank holding company duly registered under the BHC Act that has successfully elected to be treated as a financial holding company under the BHC Act. FIBK has the corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate all of its properties and assets and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. FIBK is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it or the character or location of the properties and assets owned, leased or operated by it makes such licensing, qualification or standing necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified or to be in good standing would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK. True and complete copies of the articles of incorporation of FIBK (the “FIBK Articles”) and the bylaws of FIBK (the “FIBK Bylaws”), in each case as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, have previously been made available by FIBK to GWB.

 

(b)               Except as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, each Subsidiary of FIBK (a “FIBK Subsidiary”) (i) is duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (ii) is duly licensed or qualified to do business and, where such concept is recognized under applicable law, in good standing in all jurisdictions (whether federal, state, local or foreign) where its ownership, leasing or operation of property or the conduct of its business requires it to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing and (iii) has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease or operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as now conducted. There are no restrictions on the ability of FIBK or any Subsidiary of FIBK to pay dividends or distributions except, in the case of FIBK or a Subsidiary that is a regulated entity, for restrictions on dividends or distributions generally applicable to all similarly regulated entities. The deposit accounts of FIBK Subsidiary Bank are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund (as defined in Section 3(y) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act of 1950) to the fullest extent permitted by law, all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due, and no proceedings for the termination of such insurance are pending or, to the knowledge of FIBK, threatened. Section ‎4.1(b) of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all Subsidiaries of FIBK as of the date hereof. No Subsidiary of FIBK is in violation of any of the provisions of the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or comparable organizational documents) of such Subsidiary of FIBK. There is no person whose results of operations, cash flows, changes in shareholders’ equity or financial position are consolidated in the financial statements of FIBK other than the FIBK Subsidiaries.

 

4.2              Capitalization.

 

(a)               As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of FIBK consists of 100,000,000 shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock, 100,000,000 shares of FIBK

 

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Class B Common Stock and 100,000 shares of preferred stock, no par value per share (the “FIBK Preferred Stock”). As of the date of this Agreement, there are (i) 41,716,996 shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding, including 199,990 shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock granted in respect of outstanding time-based restricted stock awards (“FIBK Restricted Stock Awards”), (ii) 356,712 shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock (assuming performance goals are satisfied at the target level) or 713,424 shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock (assuming performance goals are satisfied at the maximum level) reserved for issuance upon the settlement of outstanding performance-based restricted stock awards in respect of shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock (“FIBK Performance Stock Awards”), (iii) 20,515,516 shares of FIBK Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding, (iv) zero shares of FIBK Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, (v) zero shares of FIBK Common Stock held in treasury, (vi) 27,403 shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance upon the exercise and settlement of outstanding stock option awards in respect of shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock (“FIBK Option Awards”), and (vii) no other shares of capital stock or other voting securities or equity interests of FIBK issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. There are no bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness that have the right to vote on any matters on which shareholders of FIBK may vote. Other than FIBK Restricted Stock Awards, FIBK Performance Stock Awards and FIBK Option Awards (collectively, “FIBK Equity Awards”) issued prior to the date of this Agreement as described in this Section ‎4.2(a), as of the date of this Agreement there are no outstanding subscriptions, equity or equity-based compensation awards (including options, stock appreciation rights, phantom units or shares, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units, performance awards, profit participation rights, or dividend or dividend equivalent rights or similar awards), warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, puts, calls, commitments or agreements of any character relating to, or securities or rights convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for, shares of capital stock or other voting or equity securities of or ownership interest in FIBK, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which FIBK may become bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities of or ownership interests in FIBK or that otherwise obligate FIBK to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any of the foregoing (collectively, “FIBK Securities”). No FIBK Subsidiary owns any capital stock of FIBK. There are no voting trusts, shareholder agreements, proxies or other agreements in effect to which FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting or transfer of FIBK Common Stock, capital stock or other voting or equity securities or ownership interests of FIBK or granting any shareholder or other person any registration rights.

 

(b)               Except as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, FIBK owns, directly or indirectly, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests of each of the FIBK Subsidiaries, free and clear of any Liens, and all of such shares or equity ownership interests are duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid, nonassessable (except, with respect to Subsidiaries that are depository institutions, as provided under any provision of applicable state law comparable to 12 U.S.C. § 55) and free of preemptive rights, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof. Other than the shares of capital stock or other equity ownership interests described in the previous sentence, there are no outstanding

 

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subscriptions, options, warrants, stock appreciation rights, phantom units, scrip, rights to subscribe to, preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights, puts, calls, commitments or agreements of any character relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for, shares of capital stock or other voting or equity securities of or ownership interests in any FIBK Subsidiary, or contracts, commitments, understandings or arrangements by which any FIBK Subsidiary may become bound to issue additional shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities or ownership interests in such FIBK Subsidiary, or otherwise obligating any FIBK Subsidiary to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing (“FIBK Subsidiary Securities”).

 

4.3              Authority; No Violation.

 

(a)               FIBK has full corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the consummation of the Merger, the FIBK Articles Amendment and the FIBK Bylaws Amendment have been duly and validly approved by the Board of Directors of FIBK. The Board of Directors of FIBK has determined that the Merger, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, is advisable and in the best interests of FIBK and its shareholders, has adopted and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Merger, the FIBK Articles Amendment and the FIBK Bylaws Amendment), and has directed that this Agreement and the FIBK Articles Amendment be submitted to FIBK’s shareholders for approval at a meeting of such shareholders and has adopted a resolution to the foregoing effect. Except for (i) the approval of this Agreement (including the issuance of shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement) by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of FIBK Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class and (ii) the approval of the FIBK Articles Amendment by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of FIBK Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, voting together as a single class (such approvals in clauses (i) and (ii), collectively, the “Requisite FIBK Vote”), and subject to the approval of the Bank Merger Agreement by the Board of Directors of FIBK Subsidiary Bank and FIBK as FIBK Subsidiary Bank’s sole shareholder, no other corporate proceedings on the part of FIBK are necessary to approve this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by FIBK and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by GWB) constitutes a valid and binding obligation of FIBK, enforceable against FIBK in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions). The shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock to be issued in the Merger will, upon issuance and delivery at the Closing, be validly authorized (subject to the receipt of the Requisite FIBK Vote), and when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and no current or past shareholder of FIBK will have any preemptive right or similar rights in respect thereof.

 

(b)               Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by FIBK, nor the consummation by FIBK of the transactions contemplated hereby (including the Merger and the Bank Merger), nor compliance by FIBK with any of the terms or provisions hereof, will (i) violate any provision of the FIBK Articles or the FIBK Bylaws or the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) of any FIBK Subsidiary or

 

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(ii) assuming that the consents and approvals referred to in Section ‎4.4 are duly obtained, (x) violate any law, statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets or (y) violate, conflict with, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the respective properties or assets of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or by which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound, except (in the case of clauses (x) and (y) above) for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults that either individually or in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK.

 

4.4              Consents and Approvals. Except for (a) the filing of any required applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with NASDAQ or the NYSE, (b) the filing of any required applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the Federal Reserve Board under the BHC Act and the Bank Merger Act, and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (c) the filing of any required applications, filings and notices, as applicable, with the MDOB and SDDB, and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (d) the filing of any required applications, filings or notices with any state banking, securities or insurance regulatory authorities listed on Section 3.4 of the GWB Disclosure Schedule or Section 4.4 of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule and approval of such applications, filings and notices, (e) the filing with the SEC of the Joint Proxy Statement and the S-4 in which the Joint Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus, and the declaration of effectiveness of the S-4, (f) the filing of the Articles of Merger with the Delaware Secretary pursuant to the DGCL and the Montana Secretary pursuant to the MBCA, as applicable, and the filing of the Bank Merger Certificates with the applicable Governmental Entities as required by applicable law, (g) if required by the HSR Act, the filing of any applications, filings or notices under the HSR Act and (h) such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance of the shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and the approval of the listing of such FIBK Class A Common Stock on NASDAQ, no consents or approvals of or filings or registrations with any Governmental Entity are necessary in connection with (x) the execution and delivery by FIBK of this Agreement or (y) the consummation by FIBK of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (including the Bank Merger). As of the date hereof, to the knowledge of FIBK, there is no reason why the necessary regulatory approvals and consents will not be received by FIBK to permit consummation of the Merger and the Bank Merger on a timely basis.

 

4.5              Reports. FIBK and each of its Subsidiaries have timely filed (or furnished) all reports, forms, correspondence, registrations and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that they were required to file (or furnish, as applicable) since January 1, 2019 with any Regulatory Agencies (including the MDOB), including any report, form, correspondence, registration or statement required to be filed (or furnished, as applicable) pursuant to the laws, rules or regulations of the United States, any state, any foreign entity, or any Regulatory Agency, and have paid all fees and assessments due and

 

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payable in connection therewith, except where the failure to file (or furnish, as applicable) such report, form, correspondence, registration or statement or to pay such fees and assessments, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK. As of their respective dates, such reports, forms, correspondence, registrations and statements, and other filings, documents and instruments were complete and accurate and complied with all applicable laws, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK. Subject to Section ‎9.14, except for normal examinations conducted by a Regulatory Agency in the ordinary course of business of FIBK and its Subsidiaries, no Regulatory Agency has initiated or has pending any proceeding or, to the knowledge of FIBK, investigation into the business or operations of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 2019, except where such proceedings or investigations would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK. Subject to Section ‎9.14, there (i) is no unresolved violation, criticism, or exception by any Regulatory Agency with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations or inspections of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) has been no formal or informal inquiries by, or disagreements or disputes with, any Regulatory Agency with respect to the business, operations, policies or procedures of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 2019, in each case, which would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK.

 

4.6              Financial Statements.

 

(a)               The financial statements of FIBK and its Subsidiaries included (or incorporated by reference) in the FIBK Reports (including the related notes, where applicable) (i) have been prepared from, and are in accordance with, the books and records of FIBK and its Subsidiaries, (ii) fairly present in all material respects the consolidated results of operations, cash flows, changes in shareholders’ equity and consolidated financial position of FIBK and its Subsidiaries for the respective fiscal periods or as of the respective dates therein set forth (subject in the case of unaudited statements to year-end audit adjustments normal in nature and amount), (iii) complied, as of their respective dates of filing with the SEC, in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, and (iv) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except, in each case, as indicated in such statements or in the notes thereto. The books and records of FIBK and its Subsidiaries have been, and are being, maintained in all material respects in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements. Since December 31, 2019, no independent public accounting firm of FIBK has resigned (or informed FIBK that it intends to resign) or been dismissed as independent public accountants of FIBK as a result of or in connection with any disagreements with FIBK on a matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure.

 

(b)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due), except for those liabilities that are reflected or reserved against on the consolidated balance sheet of FIBK included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2021 (including any notes thereto) and for liabilities

 

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incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice since June 30, 2021, or in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(c)               The records, systems, controls, data and information of FIBK and its Subsidiaries are recorded, stored, maintained and operated under means (including any electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether computerized or not) that are under the exclusive ownership and direct control of FIBK or its Subsidiaries or accountants (including all means of access thereto and therefrom), except for any non-exclusive ownership and non-direct control that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK. FIBK (x) has implemented and maintains disclosure controls and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and (f), respectively, of the Exchange Act) to ensure that material information relating to FIBK, including its Subsidiaries, is made known to the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of FIBK by others within those entities as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and to make the certifications required by the Exchange Act and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (y) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation prior to the date hereof, to FIBK’s outside auditors and the audit committee of FIBK’s Board of Directors (i) any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) which are reasonably likely to materially adversely affect FIBK’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information, and (ii) any fraud that involves management or senior employees who have a significant role in FIBK’s internal controls over financial reporting. These disclosures were made in writing by management to FIBK’s auditors and audit committee and true, correct and complete copies of such disclosures have been made available by FIBK to GWB. Neither FIBK nor its independent audit firm has identified any unremediated material weakness in internal controls over financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures. FIBK has no reason to believe that its outside auditors and its chief executive officer and chief financial officer will not be able to give the certifications and attestations required pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, without qualification, when next due.

 

(d)               Since January 1, 2019, (i) neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of FIBK, any Representative of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, has received or otherwise had or obtained knowledge of any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim, whether written or oral, regarding the accounting or auditing practices, procedures, methodologies or methods (including with respect to loan loss reserves, write-downs, charge-offs and accruals) of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective internal accounting controls, including any material complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in questionable accounting or auditing practices, and (ii) no employee of or attorney representing FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, whether or not employed by FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, has reported evidence of a material violation of securities laws, breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents to the Board of Directors of FIBK or any committee thereof or the Board of Directors or similar governing body of any FIBK Subsidiary or any committee thereof, or to the knowledge of FIBK, to any director or officer of FIBK or any FIBK Subsidiary.

 

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4.7              Broker’s Fees. With the exception of the engagement of Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., neither FIBK nor any FIBK Subsidiary nor any of their respective officers or directors has employed any broker, finder or financial advisor or incurred any liability for any broker’s fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with the Merger or related transactions contemplated by this Agreement. FIBK has disclosed to GWB as of the date hereof the aggregate fees provided for in connection with the engagement by FIBK of Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc. related to the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

4.8              Absence of Certain Changes or Events.

 

(a)               Since December 31, 2020, there has not been any effect, change, event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or development that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK.

 

(b)               Since December 31, 2020, FIBK and its Subsidiaries have carried on their respective businesses in all material respects in the ordinary course.

 

4.9              Legal Proceedings.

 

(a)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to, either individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any, and there are no outstanding or pending or, to the knowledge of FIBK, threatened, legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims, actions or governmental or regulatory investigations of any nature against FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their current or former directors or executive officers or challenging the validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(b)               There is no material injunction, order, judgment, decree, or regulatory restriction imposed upon FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries or the assets of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries (or that, upon consummation of the Merger, would apply to the Surviving Entity or any of its affiliates).

 

4.10          Taxes and Tax Returns. Each of FIBK and its Subsidiaries has duly and timely filed (including all applicable extensions) all income and other material Tax Returns in all jurisdictions in which Tax Returns are required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns are true, correct, and complete in all material respects. Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries is the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any material Tax Return (other than extensions to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course). All material Taxes of FIBK and its Subsidiaries (whether or not shown on any Tax Returns) that are due have been fully and timely paid. Each of FIBK and its Subsidiaries has withheld and paid all material Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with amounts paid or owing to any employee, creditor, stockholder, independent contractor or other third party. Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has granted any extension or waiver of the limitation period applicable to any material Tax that remains in effect. Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice of assessment or proposed assessment in connection with any material amount of Taxes, and, to the knowledge of FIBK, there are no threatened in writing or pending disputes,

 

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claims, audits, examinations or other proceedings regarding any material Tax of FIBK and its Subsidiaries or the assets of FIBK and its Subsidiaries. Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has any deferred payroll Tax Liability under Section 2302 of the CARES Act, Internal Revenue Service Notice 2020-65 or any similar or analogous provision of state, local or non-U.S. applicable law or guidance. FIBK has not entered into any private letter ruling requests, closing agreements or gain recognition agreements with respect to a material amount of Taxes requested or executed in the last three (3) years. Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or is bound by any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement or arrangement (other than such an agreement or arrangement exclusively between or among FIBK and its Subsidiaries). Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries (A) has been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return for which the statute of limitations is open (other than a group the common parent of which was FIBK) or (B) has any liability for the Taxes of any person (other than FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract or otherwise. Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has been, within the past two (2) years or otherwise as part of a “plan (or series of related transactions)” within the meaning of Section 355(e) of the Code of which the Merger is also a part, a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in a distribution of stock intending to qualify for tax-free treatment under Section 355 of the Code. Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has participated in a “listed transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).

 

4.11          Employees.

 

(a)               Section ‎4.11(a) of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule sets forth a true and complete list of all material FIBK Benefit Plans. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “FIBK Benefit Plans” means an Employee Benefit Plan to which FIBK, any Subsidiary of FIBK or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates is a party or has any current or future obligation or that are maintained, contributed to or sponsored by FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates for the benefit of any current or former employee, officer, director or independent contractor of FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates, or for which FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates has any direct or indirect liability, excluding, in each case, Multiemployer Plan.

 

(b)               FIBK has heretofore made available to GWB true and complete copies of each material FIBK Benefit Plan and the following related documents, to the extent applicable, (i) all summary plan descriptions, material amendments, material modifications or material supplements, (ii) the annual report (Form 5500) filed with the DOL for the last two (2) plan years, (iii) the most recently received IRS determination or opinion letter, and (iv) the most recently prepared actuarial report and financial statements for each of the last two (2) years.

 

(c)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, each FIBK Benefit Plan has been established, operated and administered in accordance with its terms and the requirements of all applicable laws, including ERISA and the Code. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action to take corrective action or make a filing under

 

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any voluntary correction program of the IRS, DOL or any other Governmental Entity with respect to any FIBK Benefit Plan, and neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has any knowledge of any plan defect that would qualify for correction under any such program.

 

(d)               Section ‎4.11(d) of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule identifies each FIBK Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code (the “FIBK Qualified Plans”). The IRS has, if applicable, issued a favorable determination letter with respect to each FIBK Qualified Plan and the related trust, which letter has not expired or been revoked (nor has revocation been threatened), and, to the knowledge of FIBK, there are no existing circumstances and no events have occurred that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any FIBK Qualified Plan or the related trust. Each trust created under any FIBK Qualified Plan is exempt from Tax under Section 501(a) of the Code and has been so exempt since its creation.

 

(e)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, with respect to each FIBK Benefit Plan that is subject to Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Section 412, 430 or 4971 of the Code: (i) the minimum funding standard under Section 302 of ERISA and Sections 412 and 430 of the Code has been satisfied and no waiver of any minimum funding standard or any extension of any amortization period has been requested or granted, (ii) no such plan is in “at-risk” status for purposes of Section 430 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, (iii) the present value of accrued benefits under such FIBK Benefit Plan, based upon the actuarial assumptions used for funding purposes in the most recent actuarial report prepared by such FIBK Benefit Plan’s actuary with respect to such FIBK Benefit Plan, did not, as of its latest valuation date, exceed the then current fair market value of the assets of such FIBK Benefit Plan allocable to such accrued benefits, (iv) no reportable event within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived has occurred, (v) all premiums to the PBGC have been timely paid in full, (vi) no liability (other than for premiums to the PBGC) under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, and (vii) the PBGC has not instituted proceedings to terminate any such FIBK Benefit Plan.

 

(f)                None of FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates (nor any predecessor of any such entity) has, at any time during the last six (6) years, contributed to or been obligated to contribute to a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan, and none of FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has incurred any liability to a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal (as those terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA) from a Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan.

 

(g)               Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries sponsors, has sponsored or has any current or projected obligation or liability with respect to any employee benefit plan that provides for any post-employment or post-retirement health or medical or life insurance benefits for retired, former or current employees, directors, individual independent contractors or beneficiaries or dependents thereof, except as required by Section 4980B of the Code or similar applicable state or local law.

 

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(h)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, all contributions required to be made to any FIBK Benefit Plan by applicable law or by any plan document or other contractual undertaking, and all premiums due or payable with respect to insurance policies funding any FIBK Benefit Plan, for any period through the date hereof, have been timely made or paid in full or, to the extent not required to be made or paid on or before the date hereof, have been fully reflected on the books and records of FIBK.

 

(i)                 There are no pending or threatened claims (other than claims for benefits in the ordinary course), actions, suits, audits, lawsuits or arbitrations which have been asserted or instituted, and, to FIBK’s knowledge, no set of circumstances exists which may reasonably give rise to a claim, action, suit, audit, lawsuit or arbitration against the FIBK Benefit Plans, any fiduciaries thereof with respect to their duties to the FIBK Benefit Plans or the assets of any of the trusts under any of the FIBK Benefit Plans that would reasonably be expected to result in any material liability of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries to the PBGC, the IRS, the DOL, any Multiemployer Plan, a Multiple Employer Plan, any participant in a FIBK Benefit Plan, or any other party.

 

(j)                 Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, none of FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates nor any other person, including any fiduciary, has engaged in any “prohibited transaction” (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which would reasonably be expected to subject any of the FIBK Benefit Plans or their related trusts, FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries, any of their respective ERISA Affiliates or any person that FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries has an obligation to indemnify, to any material Tax or penalty imposed under Section 4975 of the Code or Section 502 of ERISA.

 

(k)               Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (either alone or in conjunction with any other event) (i) result in, cause the vesting, exercisability or delivery of, or increase in the amount or value of, any payment, right or other benefit to any current or former employee, officer, director, or other service provider of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting or trigger any payment or funding (through a grantor trust or otherwise) of compensation or benefits under any FIBK Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in any limitation on the right of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries to amend, merge, terminate or receive a reversion of assets from any FIBK Benefit Plan or related trust.

 

(l)                 The transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not cause or require FIBK or any of its affiliates to establish or make any contribution to a rabbi trust or similar funding vehicle.

 

(m)             No FIBK Benefit Plan, individually or collectively, would reasonably be expected to result in the payment of any amount that would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code and neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to gross-up or reimburse any current or former employee, director or individual independent contractor for any Taxes under Section 409A or 4999 of the Code, or otherwise.

 

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(n)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, there are no pending or, to FIBK’s knowledge, threatened labor grievances or unfair labor practice claims or charges against FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, or any strikes, or other labor disputes against FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to or bound by any Collective Bargaining Agreement, or work rules or practices agreed to with any labor organization or employee association applicable to service provider of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of FIBK, there are no organizing efforts by any union or other group seeking to represent any employees of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

(o)               FIBK and its Subsidiaries are, and have been since January 1, 2019, in compliance with all applicable laws relating to labor and employment, including those relating to labor management relations, wages, hours, overtime, employee classification, discrimination, sexual harassment, civil rights, affirmative action, work authorization, immigration, safety and health, information privacy and security, workers compensation, continuation coverage under group health plans, wage payment and the related payment and withholding of Taxes, except for failures to comply that have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK. Neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action that would reasonably be expected to cause GWB or any of its affiliates to have any material liability or other obligation following the Closing Date under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act and any comparable state or local law.

 

4.12          SEC Reports. FIBK has previously made available to GWB an accurate and complete copy of each (a) final registration statement, prospectus, report, schedule and definitive proxy statement filed with or furnished to the SEC since December 31, 2019 by FIBK pursuant to the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (the “FIBK Reports”) and (b) communication mailed by FIBK to its shareholders since December 31, 2019 and prior to the date hereof, and no such FIBK Report or communication, as of the date thereof (and, in the case of registration statements and proxy statements, on the dates of effectiveness and the dates of the relevant meetings, respectively), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except that information filed or furnished as of a later date (but before the date of this Agreement) shall be deemed to modify information as of an earlier date. Since December 31, 2019, as of their respective dates, all FIBK Reports filed or furnished under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act complied in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto. No executive officer of FIBK has failed in any respect to make the certifications required of him or her under Section 302 or 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding comments from or unresolved issues raised by the SEC with respect to any of the FIBK Reports.

 

4.13          Compliance with Applicable Law.

 

(a)               FIBK and each of its Subsidiaries hold, and have at all times since December 31, 2019, held, all licenses, registrations, franchises, certificates, variances, permits, charters and authorizations necessary for the lawful conduct of their respective businesses and ownership of their respective properties, rights and assets under and pursuant to each (and have

 

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paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith), except where neither the cost of failure to hold nor the cost of obtaining and holding such license, registration, franchise, certificate, variance, permit, charter or authorization (nor the failure to pay any fees or assessments) would, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, and to the knowledge of FIBK, no suspension or cancellation of any such necessary license, registration, franchise, certificate, variance, permit, charter or authorization is threatened.

 

(b)               Except as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, FIBK and each of its Subsidiaries have complied with and are not in default or violation under any applicable law, statute, order, rule, regulation, policy and/or guideline of any Governmental Entity relating to FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, including all laws related to data protection or privacy (including laws relating to the privacy and security of Personal Data), the USA PATRIOT Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Regulation B, the Fair Housing Act, the Community Reinvestment Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z, the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, any regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Interagency Policy Statement on Retail Sales of Nondeposit Investment Products, the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and Regulation X, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any and all sanctions or regulations enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of Treasury and any other law, policy or guideline relating to bank secrecy, discriminatory lending, financing or leasing practices, consumer protection, money laundering prevention, foreign assets control, U.S. sanctions laws and regulations, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the CARES Act, and all agency requirements relating to the origination, sale and servicing of mortgage and consumer loans.

 

(c)               FIBK Subsidiary Bank has a Community Reinvestment Act rating of “satisfactory” or better.

 

(d)               FIBK maintains a written information privacy and security program that maintains reasonable measures to protect the privacy, confidentiality and security of all Personal Data against any (i) loss or misuse of Personal Data, (ii) unauthorized or unlawful operations performed upon Personal Data, or (iii) other act or omission that compromises the security or confidentiality of Personal Data. Except as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, to the knowledge of FIBK, since December 31, 2019, no third party has gained unauthorized access to any information technology networks controlled by and material to the operation of the business of FIBK and its Subsidiaries.

 

(e)               Without limitation, none of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the knowledge of FIBK, any director, officer, employee, agent or other person acting on behalf of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries has, directly or indirectly, (i) used any funds of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries for unlawful contributions, unlawful gifts, unlawful entertainment or other expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic governmental officials or employees or to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns

 

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from funds of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) violated any provision that would result in the violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or any similar law, (iv) established or maintained any unlawful fund of monies or other assets of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) made any fraudulent entry on the books or records of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, or (vi) made any unlawful bribe, unlawful rebate, unlawful payoff, unlawful influence payment, unlawful kickback or other unlawful payment to any person, private or public, regardless of form, whether in money, property or services, to obtain favorable treatment in securing business, to obtain special concessions for FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, to pay for favorable treatment for business secured or to pay for special concessions already obtained for FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, or is currently subject to any United States sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department, except in each case as would not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK.

 

(f)                As of the date hereof, FIBK, FIBK Subsidiary Bank and each other insured depository institution Subsidiary of FIBK is “well-capitalized” (as such term is defined in the relevant regulation of the institution’s primary bank regulator) and, as of the date hereof, neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any indication from a Governmental Entity that its status as “well-capitalized” or that FIBK Subsidiary Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act rating will change within one (1) year from the date of this Agreement.

 

4.14          Certain Contracts.

 

(a)               Except as set forth in Section ‎4.14(a) of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule as of the date hereof, neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding (whether written or oral), but excluding any FIBK Benefit Plan: (i) which is a “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC); (ii) which contains a provision that limits (or purports to limit) in any material respect the ability of FIBK (or after the Merger, the ability of the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries) to engage or compete in any business (including geographic restrictions and exclusive or preferential arrangements) and provides for, or would reasonably be expected to result in, payments by FIBK or its Subsidiaries after the date hereof in excess of $15,000,000 per year; (iii) with or to a labor union or guild (including any Collective Bargaining Agreement); (iv) that grants any material right of first refusal or right of first offer with respect to any material assets, rights or properties of FIBK or its Subsidiaries taken as a whole and provides for, or would reasonably be expected to result in, payments by FIBK or its Subsidiaries after the date hereof in excess of $15,000,000 per year; (v) which is a merger agreement, asset purchase agreement, stock purchase agreement, deposit assumption agreement, loss sharing agreement or other commitment to a Regulatory Agency in connection with the acquisition of a depository institution that continue in effect after the date of this Agreement that are material to FIBK and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (vi) (A) that relates to the incurrence of indebtedness by FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, including any sale and leaseback transactions, capitalized leases and other similar financing arrangements (other than deposit liabilities, trade payables, federal funds purchased, advances and loans from the Federal Home Loan Bank and securities sold under agreements to repurchase, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), or (B) that provides for the guarantee, credit support, indemnification, assumption or endorsement by FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries of, or any similar commitment by

 

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FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to, the obligations, liabilities or indebtedness of any other person, in the case of each of clauses (A) and (B), in the principal amount of $15,000,000 or more; (vii) with any record or beneficial owner of FIBK Class B Common Stock or five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding FIBK Common Stock or voting power thereof in any such owner’s capacity as a shareholder of FIBK (other than contracts or arrangements for financial products or services, including loan agreements, account agreements and other indebtedness agreements) or (viii) which is a settlement, consent or similar agreement with respect to material litigation against FIBK or its Subsidiaries for an amount in excess of $15,000,000. Each contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding of the type described in this Section ‎4.14(a) (excluding any FIBK Benefit Plan), whether or not set forth in the FIBK Disclosure Schedule, is referred to herein as a “FIBK Contract.” FIBK has made available to GWB true, correct and complete copies of each FIBK Contract in effect as of the date hereof.

 

(b)               (i) Each FIBK Contract is valid and binding on FIBK or one of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, and in full force and effect, except as, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, (ii) FIBK and each of its Subsidiaries have in all material respects complied with and performed all obligations required to be complied with or performed by any of them to date under each FIBK Contract, except where such noncompliance or nonperformance, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, (iii) to the knowledge of FIBK, each third-party counterparty to each FIBK Contract has in all material respects complied with and performed all obligations required to be complied with and performed by it to date under such FIBK Contract, except where such noncompliance or nonperformance, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, (iv) neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge of, or has received notice of, any violation of any FIBK Contract by any of the other parties thereto which would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK and (v) no event or condition exists which constitutes or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will constitute, a material breach or default on the part of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of FIBK, any other party thereto, of or under any such FIBK Contract, except where such breach or default, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK.

 

4.15          Agreements with Regulatory Agencies. Subject to Section ‎9.14, neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any cease-and-desist or other order or enforcement action issued by, or is a party to any written agreement, consent agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is subject to any order or directive by, or has been ordered to pay any civil money penalty by, or has been since January 1, 2019, a recipient of any supervisory letter from, or since January 1, 2019, has adopted any policies, procedures or board resolutions at the request or suggestion of, any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity that currently restricts in any material respect or would reasonably be expected to restrict in any material respect the conduct of its business or that in any material manner relates to its capital adequacy, its ability to pay dividends, its credit or risk management policies, its management or its business (each, whether or not set forth in the FIBK Disclosure Schedule, a “FIBK Regulatory Agreement”), nor has FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries been advised since January 1, 2019, by any Regulatory Agency or other

 

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Governmental Entity that it is considering issuing, initiating, ordering or requesting any such FIBK Regulatory Agreement.

 

4.16          Risk Management Instruments. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, all interest rate swaps, caps, floors, option agreements, futures and forward contracts and other similar derivative transactions and risk management arrangements, whether entered into for the account of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries or for the account of a customer of FIBK or one of its Subsidiaries, were entered into in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and policies of any Regulatory Agency and with counterparties reasonably believed to be financially responsible at the time and are legal, valid and binding obligations of FIBK or one of its Subsidiaries enforceable in accordance with their terms (except as may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions), and are in full force and effect. FIBK and each of its Subsidiaries have duly performed in all material respects all of their material obligations thereunder to the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued, and, to FIBK’s knowledge, there are no material breaches, violations or defaults or allegations or assertions of such by any party thereto.

 

4.17          Environmental Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, FIBK and its Subsidiaries are in compliance, and have complied, with all Environmental Laws. There are no legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims or actions or, to the knowledge of FIBK, any private environmental investigations or remediation activities or governmental investigations of any nature seeking to impose, or that could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition, on FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries of any liability or obligation arising under any Environmental Law pending or threatened against FIBK, which liability or obligation would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK. To the knowledge of FIBK, there is no reasonable basis for any such proceeding, claim, action or governmental investigation that would impose any liability or obligation that would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK. FIBK is not subject to any agreement, order, judgment, decree, letter agreement or memorandum of agreement by or with any court, Governmental Entity, Regulatory Agency or other third party imposing any liability or obligation with respect to the foregoing that would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK.

 

4.18          Investment Securities and Commodities.

 

(a)               Each of FIBK and its Subsidiaries has good title to all securities and commodities owned by it (except those sold under repurchase agreements) that are material to FIBK’s business on a consolidated basis, free and clear of any Lien, except to the extent such securities or commodities are pledged in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice to secure obligations of FIBK or its Subsidiaries. Such securities and commodities are valued on the books of FIBK in accordance with GAAP in all material respects.

 

(b)               FIBK and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses employ investment, securities, commodities, risk management and other policies, practices and

 

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procedures that FIBK believes are prudent and reasonable in the context of such businesses. Prior to the date of this Agreement, FIBK has made available to GWB the material terms of such policies, practices and procedures.

 

4.19          Real Property. Except as would not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, FIBK or a FIBK Subsidiary (a) has good and marketable title to all the real property reflected in the latest audited balance sheet included in the FIBK Reports as being owned by FIBK or a FIBK Subsidiary or acquired after the date thereof (except properties sold or otherwise disposed of since the date thereof in the ordinary course of business) (the “FIBK Owned Properties”), free and clear of all material Liens, except for Permitted Encumbrances, and (b) is the lessee of all leasehold estates reflected in the latest audited financial statements included in such FIBK Reports or acquired after the date thereof which are material to FIBK’s business (except for leases that have expired by their terms since the date thereof) (such leasehold estates, collectively with the FIBK Owned Properties, the “FIBK Real Property”), free and clear of all material Liens, except for Permitted Encumbrances, and is in possession of the properties purported to be leased thereunder, and each such lease is valid without default thereunder by the lessee or, to the knowledge of FIBK, the lessor. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of FIBK, threatened condemnation proceedings against the FIBK Real Property.

 

4.20          Intellectual Property. FIBK and each of its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use (in each case, free and clear of any material Liens), all Intellectual Property necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK: (a) (i) to the knowledge of FIBK, the use of any Intellectual Property by FIBK and its Subsidiaries does not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the rights of any person and is in accordance with any applicable license pursuant to which FIBK or any FIBK Subsidiary acquired the right to use any Intellectual Property, and (ii) to the knowledge of FIBK, no person has asserted in writing to FIBK that FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated the Intellectual Property rights of such person, (b) to the knowledge of FIBK, no person is challenging, infringing on or otherwise violating any right of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any Intellectual Property owned by and/or licensed to FIBK or its Subsidiaries, and (c) neither FIBK nor any FIBK Subsidiary has received any written notice of any pending claim with respect to any Intellectual Property owned by FIBK or any FIBK Subsidiary, and FIBK and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable actions to avoid the abandonment, cancellation or unenforceability of all Intellectual Property owned or licensed, respectively, by FIBK and its Subsidiaries.

 

4.21          Customer Relationships.

 

(a)               Each trust or wealth management customer of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries has been in all material respects originated and serviced (i) in conformity with the applicable policies of FIBK and its Subsidiaries, (ii) in accordance with the terms of any applicable contract governing the relationship with such customer, (iii) in accordance with any instructions received from such customers and their authorized representatives and authorized signers, (iv) consistent with each customer’s risk profile and (v) in compliance with all applicable laws and FIBK’s and its Subsidiaries’ constituent documents, including any policies

 

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and procedures adopted thereunder. Each contract governing a relationship with a trust or wealth management customer of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries has been duly and validly executed and delivered by FIBK and each Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of FIBK, the other contracting parties, each such contract constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the parties thereto, except as such enforceability may be limited by the Enforceability Exceptions, and FIBK and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of FIBK, the other contracting parties thereto, have duly performed in all material respects their obligations thereunder, and FIBK and its Subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of FIBK, such other contracting parties are in material compliance with each of the terms thereof.

 

(b)               None of FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors, officers or employees has committed any material breach of trust or fiduciary duty with respect to any of the accounts maintained on behalf of any trust or wealth management customer of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries. Since January 1, 2019, none of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries has been, and none are currently, engaged in any material dispute with, or subject to material claims by, any such trust or wealth management customer for breach of fiduciary duty or otherwise in connection with any such account.

 

4.22          Related Party Transactions. There are no transactions or series of related transactions, agreements, arrangements or understandings, nor are there any currently proposed transactions or series of related transactions (including any transactions entered into or to be entered into in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby), between FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any current or former director or “executive officer” (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries or any person who beneficially owns (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the Exchange Act) five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding FIBK Common Stock or voting power thereof (or any of such person’s immediate family members or affiliates) (other than Subsidiaries of FIBK) on the other hand, of the type required to be reported in any FIBK Report pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act that have not been so reported.

 

4.23          State Takeover Laws. The Board of Directors of FIBK has approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and has taken all such other necessary actions as required to render inapplicable to such agreements and transactions the provisions of any potentially applicable Takeover Statutes. In accordance with Section 35-14-1302 of the MBCA, no appraisal or dissenters’ rights will be available to the holders of FIBK Common Stock in connection with the Merger.

 

4.24          Reorganization. FIBK has not taken any action and is not aware of any fact or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

 

4.25          Opinions. Prior to the execution of this Agreement, FIBK has received an opinion (which if initially rendered orally, has been or will be confirmed by written opinion of the same date) from each of Keefe Bruyette & Woods, Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., to the effect that as of the date thereof and based upon and subject to the matters set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio in the Merger is fair from a financial point of view to FIBK. Neither opinion has been amended or rescinded as of the date of this Agreement.

 

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4.26          FIBK Information. The information relating to FIBK and its Subsidiaries or that is provided by FIBK or its Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives for inclusion in the Joint Proxy Statement and the S-4, or in any other document filed with any Regulatory Agency or Governmental Entity in connection herewith, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading. The portion of the Joint Proxy Statement relating to FIBK and its Subsidiaries will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. The S-4 (except for such portions thereof that relate to GWB or any of its Subsidiaries) will comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

4.27          Loan Portfolio.

 

(a)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, each Loan of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries (i) is evidenced by notes, agreements or other evidences of indebtedness that are true, genuine and what they purport to be, (ii) to the extent carried on the books and records of FIBK and its Subsidiaries as secured Loans, has been secured by valid charges, mortgages, pledges, security interests, restrictions, claims, liens or encumbrances, as applicable, which have been perfected and (iii) is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the obligor named therein, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.

 

(b)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, each outstanding Loan of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries (including Loans held for resale to investors) was solicited and originated, and is and has been administered and, where applicable, serviced, and the relevant Loan files are being maintained, in all material respects in accordance with the relevant notes or other credit or security documents, the written underwriting standards of FIBK and its Subsidiaries (and, in the case of Loans held for resale to investors, the underwriting standards, if any, of the applicable investors) and with all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and rules.

 

(c)               None of the agreements pursuant to which FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries has sold Loans or pools of Loans or participations in Loans or pools of Loans contain any obligation to repurchase such Loans or interests therein solely on account of a payment default by the obligor on any such Loan.

 

(d)               There are no outstanding Loans made by FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries to any “executive officer” or other “insider” (as each such term is defined in Regulation O promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board) of FIBK or its Subsidiaries, other than Loans that are subject to and that were made and continue to be in compliance with Regulation O or that are exempt therefrom.

 

(e)               Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, neither FIBK nor any of its Subsidiaries is now nor has it ever been since December 31, 2019 subject to any fine, suspension, settlement or other contract or other administrative agreement or sanction by, or any reduction in any loan

 

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purchase commitment from, any Governmental Entity or Regulatory Agency relating to the origination, sale or servicing of mortgage or consumer Loans.

 

4.28          Investment Advisory and Broker-Dealer Matters.

 

(a)               No Subsidiary of FIBK is required to register with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act.

 

(b)               No Subsidiary of FIBK is a broker-dealer or is required to be registered, licensed or qualified as a “broker” or “dealer” in accordance with the provisions of the Exchange Act or any other federal or state regulatory or legal requirement or, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or has any other association with (within the meaning of Article I of the Bylaws of FINRA) any member firm of FINRA.

 

4.29          Insurance Subsidiaries.

 

(a)               Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, (i) to the knowledge of FIBK, since December 31, 2019, at the time each agent, representative, producer, reinsurance intermediary, wholesaler, third-party administrator, distributor, broker, employee or other person authorized to sell, produce, manage or administer products on behalf of any FIBK Subsidiary (“FIBK Agent”) wrote, sold, produced, managed, administered or procured business for a FIBK Subsidiary, such FIBK Agent was, at the time the FIBK Agent wrote or sold business, duly licensed for the type of activity and business written, sold, produced, managed, administered or produced to the extent required by applicable law, (ii) to the knowledge of FIBK, no FIBK Agent has been since December 31, 2019, or is currently, in violation (or with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would be in violation) of any law, rule or regulation applicable to such FIBK Agent’s writing, sale, management, administration or production of insurance business for any FIBK Insurance Subsidiary (as defined below), and (iii) to the knowledge of FIBK, each FIBK Agent was appointed by FIBK or a FIBK Insurance Subsidiary in material compliance with applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations and all processes and, to the knowledge of FIBK, procedures undertaken with respect to such FIBK Agent were undertaken in material compliance with applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations. “FIBK Insurance Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary of FIBK through which insurance operations is conducted.

 

(b)               Except as would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK, (i) since December 31, 2019, FIBK and, to the knowledge of FIBK, the FIBK Insurance Subsidiaries have made all required notices, submissions, reports or other filings under applicable insurance holding company statutes, (ii) to the knowledge of FIBK, all contracts, agreements, arrangements and transactions in effect between any FIBK Insurance Subsidiary and any affiliate are in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable insurance holding company statutes, and (iii) to the knowledge of FIBK, each FIBK Insurance Subsidiary has operated and otherwise been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable insurance laws, rules and regulations.

 

4.30          No Other Representations or Warranties.

 

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(a)               Except for the representations and warranties made by FIBK in this ‎Article IV, neither FIBK nor any other person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to FIBK, its Subsidiaries, or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects, and FIBK hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties. In particular, without limiting the foregoing disclaimer, neither FIBK nor any other person makes or has made any representation or warranty to GWB or any of its affiliates or Representatives with respect to (i) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospective information relating to FIBK, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses or (ii) any oral or written information presented to GWB or any of its affiliates or Representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of FIBK, the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the transactions contemplated hereby, except in each case for the representations and warranties made by FIBK in this ‎Article IV.

 

(b)               FIBK acknowledges and agrees that neither GWB nor any other person has made or is making any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in ‎Article III.

 

Article V

Covenants relating to conduct of business

 

5.1              Conduct of Businesses by GWB Prior to the Effective Time. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement, except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement (including as set forth in the GWB Disclosure Schedule), required by law (including the Pandemic Measures) or as consented to in writing by FIBK (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), GWB shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice in all material respects, (b) use reasonable best efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization, employees and advantageous business relationships, and (c) take no action that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect or delay the ability of either FIBK or GWB to obtain any necessary approvals of any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity required for the transactions contemplated hereby or to perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section ‎5.1(a), but subject to the other provisions of this Section ‎5.1 and Section ‎5.2, GWB and its Subsidiaries may take any commercially reasonable actions that GWB reasonably determines are necessary or prudent to take in response to the Pandemic or the Pandemic Measures; provided that GWB shall provide prior notice to and consult with FIBK in good faith to the extent such actions would otherwise require consent of FIBK under Section ‎5.1(a).

 

5.2              Forbearances of GWB. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement, except as set forth in the GWB Disclosure Schedule, as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as required by law, GWB shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, without the prior written consent of FIBK (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):

 

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(a)               (i) incur any indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $25,000,000, (A) other than (I) federal funds borrowings and Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, in each case with a maturity not in excess of six (6) months and in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (II) deposits in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (III) indebtedness of GWB or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries to GWB or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, and (B) provided that (I) such indebtedness is on customary and reasonable market terms, (II) such indebtedness is prepayable or redeemable at any time (subject to customary notice requirements) without premium or penalty, (III) none of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall result in any violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any obligation under or any other material right of the lenders (or their agents or trustees) under, or any loss of a material benefit of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries under, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the assets of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries under such indebtedness, or would reasonably be expected to require the preparation or delivery of separate financial statements of GWB, the Surviving Entity or their respective Subsidiaries and (IV) such indebtedness is not comprised of debt securities or calls, options, warrants or other rights to acquire any debt securities, or (ii) assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise as an accommodation become responsible for the obligations of any other individual, corporation or other entity;

 

(b)                

 

(i)                 adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock;

 

(ii)              make, declare, pay or set a record date for any dividend, or any other distribution on, or directly or indirectly redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities or any securities or obligations convertible (whether currently convertible or convertible only after the passage of time or the occurrence of certain events) or exchangeable into or exercisable for any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities, including any GWB Securities or GWB Subsidiary Securities except, in each case, (A) regular quarterly cash dividends at a rate not in excess of the amounts set forth in Section ‎5.2(b)(ii) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule, (B) dividends paid by any of the Subsidiaries of GWB or any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries, (C) regular distributions on outstanding trust preferred securities in accordance with their terms or (D) the acceptance of shares of GWB Common Stock as payment for the exercise price of stock options or warrants or for withholding Taxes incurred in connection with the exercise of stock options or warrants or the vesting or settlement of equity-based awards, in each case, outstanding as of the date hereof or granted after the date hereof to the extent expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the GWB Disclosure Schedule;

 

(iii)            grant any stock options, warrants, restricted stock units, performance stock units, phantom stock units, restricted shares or other equity or equity-based awards or interests, or grant any person any right to acquire any GWB Securities under a GWB Stock Plan or otherwise; or

 

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(iv)             issue, sell, transfer, encumber or otherwise permit to become outstanding any shares of capital stock or voting securities or equity interests or securities convertible (whether currently convertible or convertible only after the passage of time of the occurrence of certain events) or exchangeable into, or exercisable for, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities, including any GWB Securities or GWB Subsidiary Securities, or any options, warrants, or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of capital stock or other equity or voting securities, including any GWB Securities or GWB Subsidiary Securities, except pursuant to the exercise of stock options or the settlement of equity-based awards outstanding as of the date hereof or granted after the date hereof to the extent expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the GWB Disclosure Schedule;

 

(c)               sell, transfer, mortgage, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of its material properties or assets to any individual, corporation or other entity other than a wholly owned Subsidiary, or cancel, release or assign any indebtedness to any such person or any claims held by any such person, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or pursuant to contracts or agreements in force at the date of this Agreement;

 

(d)               except for foreclosure or acquisitions of control in a fiduciary or similar capacity or in satisfaction of debts previously contracted in good faith in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, make any material investment in or acquisition of (whether by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to capital, property transfers, merger or consolidation, or formation of a joint venture or otherwise) any other person or the property or assets of any other person, in each case other than a wholly owned Subsidiary of GWB;

 

(e)               in each case except for transactions in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (i) terminate, materially amend, or waive any material provision of, or waive, release, compromise or assign any material rights or claims under, any GWB Contract, or make any change in any instrument or agreement governing the terms of any of its securities, other than normal renewals of contracts without material adverse changes of terms with respect to GWB, or (ii) enter into any contract that would constitute a GWB Contract, if it were in effect on the date of this Agreement;

 

(f)                except as required by the terms (in effect as of the date hereof) of any GWB Benefit Plan or by applicable law, (i) enter into, adopt, amend or terminate any employment agreement, offer letter, retention agreement, change in control or transaction bonus agreement, severance agreement or similar arrangement, in each case, with respect to any executive officer or any employee reporting directly to an executive officer (a “Key Employee”), (ii) enter into, adopt, materially amend or terminate any other Employee Benefit Plan or any Collective Bargaining Agreement, (iii) increase the compensation or benefits payable to any current or former employee, director or individual consultant, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice up to the percentage set forth in Section ‎5.2(f) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule, (iv) pay or award, or accelerate the vesting of, any non-equity bonuses or incentive compensation, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (v)  grant or accelerate the vesting or payment of any equity-based compensation, (vi) fund any rabbi trust or similar arrangement, (vii) terminate the employment of any Key Employee, other than for cause, or (viii) hire any individual who would be a Key Employee;

 

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(g)               settle any material claim, suit, action or proceeding, except involving solely monetary remedies in an amount, individually and in the aggregate, that is not material to GWB, and that would not impose any material restriction on, or create any adverse precedent that would be material to, the business of it or its Subsidiaries or the Surviving Entity;

 

(h)               take any action or knowingly fail to take any action where such action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code;

 

(i)                 amend its certificate of incorporation, its bylaws or comparable governing documents of its Subsidiaries;

 

(j)                 other than in prior consultation with FIBK, materially restructure or materially change its investment securities or derivatives portfolio or its interest rate exposure, through purchases, sales or otherwise, or the manner in which the portfolio is classified or reported;

 

(k)               implement or adopt any change in its accounting principles, practices or methods, other than as may be required by GAAP or applicable law, regulation or policies imposed by any Governmental Entity;

 

(l)                 enter into any new line of business or, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, change in any material respect its lending, investment, underwriting, risk and asset liability management, interest rate, fee pricing or other material banking or operating policies and other banking and operating, securitization and servicing policies (including any change in the maximum ratio or similar limits as a percentage of its capital exposure applicable with respect to its loan portfolio or any segment thereof), except as required by applicable law, regulation or policies imposed by any Governmental Entity;

 

(m)             other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, make any material changes in its policies and practices with respect to (i) underwriting, pricing, originating, acquiring, selling, servicing, or buying or selling rights to service, Loans or (ii) its investment securities portfolio, hedging practices and policies or its policies with respect to the classification or reporting of such portfolios, in each case except as required by law or requested by a Regulatory Agency;

 

(n)               make or acquire any Loan (except for any Loan for which a commitment to make or acquire was entered into prior to the date of this Agreement) or issue a commitment (including a letter of credit) or renew or extend an existing commitment for any Loan, or amend or modify in any material respect any existing Loan, in each case that involves or results in a total credit exposure to any borrower and its affiliates of $30,000,000 or greater; provided that if FIBK does not respond to a request for consent pursuant to this Section ‎5.2(n) within five (5) business days of having received such request together with the relevant Loan package, such non-response shall be deemed to constitute consent;

 

(o)               make, or commit to make, any capital expenditures that exceed the amounts set forth in GWB’s capital expenditure budget set forth in Section ‎5.2(o) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule;

 

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(p)               make, change or revoke any material Tax election, change an annual Tax accounting period, adopt or change any material Tax accounting method, file any material amended Tax Return, enter into any closing agreement with respect to a material amount of Taxes, or settle any material Tax claim, audit, assessment or dispute or surrender any material right to claim a refund of Taxes; or

 

(q)               agree to take, make any commitment to take, or adopt any resolutions of its Board of Directors or similar governing body in support of, any of the actions prohibited by this Section ‎5.2.

 

5.3              Conduct of Businesses by FIBK Prior to the Effective Time. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement, except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement (including as set forth in the FIBK Disclosure Schedule), required by law (including the Pandemic Measures) or as consented to in writing by GWB (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), FIBK shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) conduct its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice in all material respects, (b) use reasonable best efforts to maintain and preserve intact its business organization, employees and advantageous business relationships, and (c) take no action that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect or delay the ability of either FIBK or GWB to obtain any necessary approvals of any Regulatory Agency or other Governmental Entity required for the transactions contemplated hereby or to perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on a timely basis. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section ‎5.3(a), but subject to the other provisions of this Section ‎5.3 and Section ‎5.4, FIBK and its Subsidiaries may take any commercially reasonable actions that FIBK reasonably determines are necessary or prudent to take in response to the Pandemic or the Pandemic Measures; provided that FIBK shall provide prior notice to and consult with GWB in good faith to the extent such actions would otherwise require consent of GWB under Section ‎5.3(a).

 

5.4              Forbearances of FIBK. During the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time or earlier termination of this Agreement, except as set forth in the FIBK Disclosure Schedule, as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement or as required by law, FIBK shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, without the prior written consent of GWB (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed):

 

(a)               (i)  adjust, split, combine or reclassify any shares of FIBK Common Stock;

 

(ii)  make, declare, pay or set a record date for any dividend, or any other distribution on, or directly or indirectly redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities or any securities or obligations convertible (whether currently convertible or convertible only after the passage of time or the occurrence of certain events) or exchangeable into or exercisable for any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting securities, including any FIBK Securities or FIBK Subsidiary Securities, except, in each case, (A) regular quarterly cash dividends at a rate not in excess of the amounts set forth in Section 5.4(a)(ii) of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule, (B) dividends paid by any of the Subsidiaries of FIBK or any of its

 

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wholly owned Subsidiaries, (C) regular distributions on outstanding trust preferred securities in accordance with their terms or (D) the acceptance of shares of FIBK Common Stock as payment for the exercise price of stock options or warrants or for withholding Taxes incurred in connection with the exercise of stock options or warrants or the vesting or settlement of equity-based awards, in each case, outstanding as of the date hereof or granted after the date hereof to the extent expressly contemplated by this Agreement or the FIBK Disclosure Schedule;

 

(b)               take any action or knowingly fail to take any action where such action or failure to act could reasonably be expected to prevent or impede the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code;

 

(c)               amend the FIBK Articles or the FIBK Bylaws (other than pursuant to the FIBK Articles Amendment and the FIBK Bylaws Amendment);

 

(d)               (A) terminate, amend or waive any provision of the Stockholders’ Agreement, or (B) enter into, terminate, amend, or waive any provision of any other contract or agreement with any shareholder party to the Support Agreement (other than (1) customary arrangements entered into in a person’s capacity as a director of FIBK on terms substantially similar to those entered into with other independent directors of FIBK and (2) contracts or arrangements for financial products or services, including loan agreements, account agreements and other indebtedness agreements, entered into in the ordinary course of business); or

 

(e)               agree to take, make any commitment to take, or adopt any resolutions of its Board of Directors or similar governing body in support of, any of the actions prohibited by this Section ‎5.4.

 

Article VI

Additional Agreements

 

6.1              Regulatory Matters.

 

(a)               Promptly after the date of this Agreement, FIBK and GWB shall prepare and file with the SEC the Joint Proxy Statement, and FIBK shall prepare and file with the SEC the S-4, in which the Joint Proxy Statement will be included as a prospectus, and the parties shall use reasonable best efforts to make such filings as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement. Each of FIBK and GWB shall use its reasonable best efforts to have the S-4 declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filings, and FIBK and GWB shall thereafter mail or deliver the Joint Proxy Statement to their respective shareholders or stockholders, as applicable. FIBK shall also use its reasonable best efforts to obtain all necessary state securities law or “Blue Sky” permits and approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and GWB shall furnish all information concerning GWB and the holders of GWB Common Stock as may be reasonably requested in connection with any such action.

 

(b)               The parties hereto shall cooperate with each other and use their reasonable best efforts to promptly (and in the case of the applications, notices, petitions and filings in

 

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respect of the Requisite Regulatory Approvals, within forty-five (45) days of the date of this Agreement) prepare and file all necessary documentation, to effect all applications, notices, petitions and filings, to obtain as promptly as practicable all permits, consents, orders, approvals, waivers, non-objections and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental Entities which are necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Merger and the Bank Merger), and to comply with the terms and conditions of all such permits, consents, orders, approvals, waivers, non-objections and authorizations of all such third parties and Governmental Entities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, as soon as practicable and in no event later than forty-five (45) days after the date of this Agreement, FIBK and GWB shall, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to, each prepare and file any applications, notices and filings required to be filed with any bank regulatory agency in order to obtain the Requisite Regulatory Approvals. FIBK and GWB shall each use, and shall each cause their applicable Subsidiaries to use, reasonable best efforts to obtain each such Requisite Regulatory Approval as promptly as reasonably practicable. FIBK and GWB shall have the right to review in advance, and, to the extent practicable, each will consult the other on, in each case subject to applicable laws relating to the exchange of information, all the information relating to GWB or FIBK, as the case may be, and any of their respective Subsidiaries, which appears in any filing made with, or written materials submitted to, any third party or any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. In exercising the foregoing right, each of the parties hereto shall act reasonably and as promptly as practicable. The parties hereto agree that they will consult with each other with respect to the obtaining of all permits, consents, orders, approvals, waivers, non-objections and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental Entities necessary or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each party will keep the other apprised of the status of matters relating to completion of the transactions contemplated herein, and each party shall consult with the other in advance of any meeting or conference with any Governmental Entity in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Entity, give the other party and/or its counsel the opportunity to attend and participate in such meetings and conferences, in each case subject to applicable law; and provided that each party shall promptly advise the other party with respect to substantive matters that are addressed in any meeting or conference with any Governmental Entity which the other party does not attend or participate in, to the extent permitted by such Governmental Entity and applicable law. As used in this Agreement, the term “Requisite Regulatory Approvals” shall mean all permits, consents, orders, approvals, waivers, non-objections and authorizations (and the expiration or termination of all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof) (i) from the Federal Reserve Board, the MDOB and the SDDB and, if required by the HSR Act, under the HSR Act and (ii) set forth in Section ‎3.4 or Section ‎4.4 that are necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Merger and the Bank Merger) or those the failure of which to be obtained would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Surviving Entity.

 

(c)               Each party shall use its reasonable best efforts to resolve any objection that may be asserted by any Governmental Entity with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to require FIBK or GWB or any of their respective Subsidiaries, and neither FIBK nor GWB nor any of their respective Subsidiaries shall be permitted (without the written consent

 

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of the other party), to take any action, or commit to take any action, or agree to any condition or restriction, in connection with obtaining the foregoing permits, consents, orders, approvals, waivers, non-objections and authorizations of Governmental Entities that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, assets, liabilities, results of operations or financial condition of the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, after giving effect to the Merger (measured on a scale relative to FIBK and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole) (a “Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition”).

 

(d)               FIBK and GWB shall, upon request, furnish each other with all information concerning themselves, their Subsidiaries, directors, officers and shareholders or stockholders, as applicable, and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with the Joint Proxy Statement, the S-4 or any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of FIBK, GWB or any of their respective Subsidiaries to any Governmental Entity in connection with the Merger and the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(e)               FIBK and GWB shall promptly advise each other upon receiving any communication from any Governmental Entity whose consent or approval is required for consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that causes such party to believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that any Requisite Regulatory Approval will not be obtained, or that the receipt of any such approval will be materially delayed.

 

6.2              Access to Information; Confidentiality.

 

(a)               Upon reasonable notice and subject to applicable laws, each of GWB and FIBK, for the purposes of verifying the representations and warranties of the other and preparing for the Merger and the other matters contemplated by this Agreement, shall, and shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to, afford to the Representatives of the other party, access, during normal business hours during the period prior to the Effective Time, to all its properties, books, contracts, commitments, personnel, information technology systems, and records, provided that such investigation or requests shall not interfere unnecessarily with normal operations of the party, and each shall cooperate with the other party in preparing to execute after the Effective Time the conversion or consolidation of systems and business operations generally, and, during such period, each of GWB and FIBK shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, make available to the other party (i) a copy of each report, schedule, registration statement and other document filed or received by it during such period pursuant to the requirements of federal securities laws or federal or state banking laws (other than reports or documents that GWB or FIBK, as the case may be, is not permitted to disclose under applicable law), and (ii) all other information concerning its business, properties and personnel as such party may reasonably request. Neither FIBK nor GWB nor any of their respective Subsidiaries shall be required to provide access to or to disclose information where such access or disclosure would violate or prejudice the rights of FIBK’s or GWB’s, as the case may be, customers, jeopardize the attorney-client privilege of the institution in possession or control of such information (after giving due consideration to the existence of any common interest, joint defense or similar agreement between the parties) or contravene any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree, fiduciary duty or binding agreement entered into prior to the date of this Agreement. The parties hereto will make

 

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appropriate substitute disclosure arrangements under circumstances in which the restrictions of the preceding sentence apply.

 

(b)               Each of GWB and FIBK shall hold all information furnished by or on behalf of the other party or any of such party’s Subsidiaries or Representatives pursuant to this Agreement in confidence to the extent required by, and in accordance with, the provisions of the confidentiality agreement, dated May 5, 2021, between FIBK and GWB (the “Confidentiality Agreement”).

 

(c)               No investigation by either of the parties or their respective Representatives shall affect or be deemed to modify or waive the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the other set forth herein. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give either party, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of the other party prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each party shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and its Subsidiaries’ respective operations.

 

6.3              Stockholder and Shareholder Approvals. Each of FIBK and GWB shall call, give notice of, establish a record date for, convene and hold a meeting of its shareholders and stockholders, respectively (the “FIBK Meeting” and the “GWB Meeting,” respectively) to be held as soon as reasonably practicable after the S-4 is declared effective, for the purpose of obtaining (i) in the case of GWB, the Requisite GWB Vote, and in the case of FIBK, the Requisite FIBK Vote, and (ii) if so desired and mutually agreed, a vote upon other matters of the type customarily brought before a meeting of shareholders or stockholders, as applicable, in connection with the approval of a merger agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby, and each of GWB and FIBK shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such meetings to occur as soon as reasonably practicable and on the same date. Subject to the remainder of this Section ‎6.3, each of FIBK and GWB and their respective Boards of Directors shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtain from the shareholders of FIBK and the stockholders of GWB, as applicable, the Requisite FIBK Vote and the Requisite GWB Vote, as applicable, including by communicating to the shareholders of FIBK and the stockholders of GWB, as applicable, its recommendation (and including such recommendation in the Joint Proxy Statement) that, in the case of FIBK, the shareholders of FIBK adopt and approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including the issuance of shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement) and approve the FIBK Articles Amendment (the “FIBK Board Recommendation”), and, in the case of GWB, the stockholders of GWB adopt and approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (the “GWB Board Recommendation”). Subject to the remainder of this Section ‎6.3, each of FIBK and GWB and their respective Boards of Directors shall not (i) withhold, withdraw, modify or qualify in a manner adverse to the other party the FIBK Board Recommendation, in the case of FIBK, or the GWB Board Recommendation, in the case of GWB, (ii) fail to make the FIBK Board Recommendation, in the case of FIBK, or the GWB Board Recommendation, in the case of GWB, in the Joint Proxy Statement, (iii) adopt, approve, recommend or endorse an Acquisition Proposal or publicly announce an intention to adopt, approve, recommend or endorse an Acquisition Proposal, (iv) fail to publicly and without qualification (A) recommend against any Acquisition Proposal or (B) reaffirm the FIBK Board Recommendation, in the case of FIBK, or the GWB Board Recommendation, in the case of GWB, in each case within ten (10) business days (or such fewer number of days as remains prior

 

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to the FIBK Meeting or the GWB Meeting, as applicable) after an Acquisition Proposal is made public or any request by the other party to do so, or (v) publicly propose to do any of the foregoing (any of the foregoing a “Recommendation Change”). However, subject to Section ‎8.1 and Section ‎8.2, if the Board of Directors of FIBK or GWB, after receiving the advice of its outside counsel and, with respect to financial matters, its financial advisors, determines in good faith that it would more likely than not result in a violation of its fiduciary duties under applicable law to make or continue to make the FIBK Board Recommendation or the GWB Board Recommendation, as applicable, such Board of Directors may, in the case of FIBK, prior to the receipt of the Requisite FIBK Vote, and in the case of GWB, prior to the receipt of the Requisite GWB Vote, effect a Recommendation Change, including by submitting this Agreement to its shareholders or stockholders, respectively, without recommendation (although the resolutions approving this Agreement as of the date hereof may not be rescinded or amended), in which event such Board of Directors may communicate the basis for such Recommendation Change to its shareholders or stockholders, as applicable, in the Joint Proxy Statement or an appropriate amendment or supplement thereto to the extent required by law; provided that such Board of Directors may not take any actions under this sentence unless it (A) gives the other party at least three (3) business days’ prior written notice of its intention to take such action and a reasonable description of the event or circumstances giving rise to its determination to take such action (including, in the event such action is taken in response to an Acquisition Proposal, the latest material terms and conditions and the identity of the third party in any such Acquisition Proposal, or any amendment or modification thereof, or describe in reasonable detail such other event or circumstances) and (B) at the end of such notice period, takes into account any amendment or modification to this Agreement proposed by the other party and, after receiving the advice of its outside counsel and, with respect to financial matters, its financial advisors, determines in good faith that it would nevertheless more likely than not result in a violation of its fiduciary duties under applicable law to make or continue to make the FIBK Board Recommendation or GWB Board Recommendation, as the case may be. Any material amendment to any Acquisition Proposal will be deemed to be a new Acquisition Proposal for purposes of this Section ‎6.3 and will require a new notice period as referred to in this Section ‎6.3. Neither FIBK nor GWB shall adjourn or postpone the FIBK Meeting or the GWB Meeting, as the case may be, except that FIBK or GWB (1) shall be permitted to adjourn or postpone the FIBK Meeting or the GWB Meeting, as the case may be, to allow reasonable additional time for the filing and mailing of any supplemental or amended disclosure which the Board of Directors of FIBK or the Board of Directors of GWB, as the case may be, has determined in good faith after consultation with outside counsel is necessary under applicable law and for such supplemental or amended disclosure to be disseminated and reviewed by such party’s shareholders or stockholders, as applicable, prior to the FIBK Meeting or the GWB Meeting, as the case may be and (2) shall adjourn or postpone the FIBK Meeting or the GWB Meeting, as the case may be, up to two times, if, as of the time for which such meeting is originally scheduled there are insufficient shares of FIBK Common Stock or GWB Common Stock, as the case may be, represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of such meeting, or if on the date of such meeting GWB or FIBK, as applicable, has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares necessary to obtain the Requisite GWB Vote or the Requisite FIBK Vote; provided that, without the prior written consent of the other party, neither FIBK nor GWB shall adjourn or postpone the FIBK Meeting or the GWB Meeting, as the case may be, under this clause (2) for more than five (5) business days in the

 

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case of any individual adjournment or postponement or more than twenty (20) business days in the aggregate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, (x) the FIBK Meeting shall be convened and this Agreement shall be submitted to the shareholders of FIBK at the FIBK Meeting and (y) the GWB Meeting shall be convened and this Agreement shall be submitted to the stockholders of GWB at the GWB Meeting, and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to relieve either FIBK or GWB of such obligation.

 

6.4              Legal Conditions to Merger. Subject in all respects to Section ‎6.1 of this Agreement, each of FIBK and GWB shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use their reasonable best efforts (a) to take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary, proper or advisable to comply promptly with all legal requirements that may be imposed on such party or its Subsidiaries with respect to the Merger and the Bank Merger and, subject to the conditions set forth in ‎Article VII hereof, to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and (b) to obtain (and to cooperate with the other party to obtain) any material consent, authorization, order or approval of, or any exemption by, any Governmental Entity and any other third party that is required to be obtained by GWB or FIBK or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with the Merger and the Bank Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

6.5              Stock Exchange Listing. FIBK shall cause the shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock to be issued in the Merger to be approved for listing on NASDAQ, subject to official notice of issuance, prior to the Effective Time.

 

6.6              Employee Matters.

 

(a)               For a period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the one year anniversary of the Effective Time, FIBK shall provide, or cause to be provided, to each individual who is employed by GWB or any of its Subsidiaries as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and who continues to be actively employed by the Surviving Entity (or any affiliate thereof) during such period (a “Continuing Employee”), with (i) a base salary or base wage rate that is no less than the base salary or base wage rate in effect for such Continuing Employee as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) short-term incentive compensation opportunities, long-term incentive compensation opportunities and other compensation and employee benefits (in each case of clause (i) and (ii) of this Section ‎6.6(a), excluding defined benefit pension, retiree medical, change in control and severance benefits) that, in each case, are no less favorable than those provided to similarly situated employees of FIBK and its Subsidiaries, and (iii) to any Continuing Employee who experiences an involuntary termination of employment without cause (or other severance-qualifying termination) during such period, severance benefits pursuant to FIBK’s severance policy (the terms of which are described in Section ‎6.6(a) of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule), and which shall apply to Continuing Employees in a manner no less favorable than as applicable to similarly situated employees of FIBK and its Subsidiaries. Nothing in this Section 6.6(a) is intended to limit FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries from taking or continuing to take reasonable actions in response to the COVID-19 related stresses on FIBK after the Closing Date, including reductions in force, furloughs, temporary layoffs, or reduced hours, pay or benefits; provided that no such actions shall

 

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disproportionately adversely affect the Continuing Employees when compared to similarly situated FIBK employees.

 

(b)               With respect to any FIBK Benefit Plans in which any Continuing Employees first become eligible to participate on or after the Closing Date, FIBK or the Surviving Entity shall: (i) waive all preexisting conditions, exclusions and waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to such employees and their eligible dependents under any such FIBK Benefit Plans, except to the extent such pre-existing conditions, exclusions or waiting periods would apply under the analogous GWB Benefit Plan immediately prior to the Closing Date, (ii) provide each such Continuing Employee and his or her eligible dependents with credit for any co-payments and deductibles paid prior to the Closing Date (or, if later, prior to the time such employee commenced participation in such FIBK Benefit Plan) under such FIBK Benefit Plan (to the same extent that such credit was given under the analogous GWB Benefit Plan) in satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements under any such FIBK Benefit Plans, and (iii) recognize all service of such employees with GWB and its respective Subsidiaries, for all purposes to the same extent that such service was taken into account under the analogous GWB Benefit Plan prior to the Closing Date; provided that the foregoing service recognition shall not apply to the extent it would result in duplication of benefits for the same period of services, for purposes of benefit accrual under any FIBK Benefit Plan that is a defined benefit pension plan, for purposes of any FIBK Benefit Plan that provides retiree welfare benefits, or to any FIBK Benefit Plan that is a frozen plan, either with respect to level of benefits or participation, or provides grandfathered benefits.

 

(c)               If directed in writing by FIBK at least ten (10) business days prior to the Effective Time, GWB shall terminate any GWB Qualified Plan effective as of, and contingent upon, the Effective Time. In connection with the termination of such plan, FIBK shall take any and all actions as may be required to permit each affected GWB employee to make rollover contributions of “eligible rollover distributions” (within the meaning of Section 401(a)(31) of the Code, including all participant loans) in cash or notes (in the case of participant loans) in an amount equal to the eligible rollover distribution portion of the account balance distributed to each such affected employee from such plan to an “eligible retirement plan” (within the meaning of Section 401(a)(31) of the Code) of FIBK or any of its Subsidiaries (a “FIBK Qualified Plan”). If a GWB Qualified Plan is terminated as described herein, the affected employees shall be eligible immediately upon the Closing Date to commence participation in a FIBK Qualified Plan.

 

(d)               GWB and FIBK shall cooperate in good faith in structuring any payments or benefits that may be made in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or preparing any reasonable compensation analysis (including valuing applicable noncompetition covenants), to mitigate any negative tax consequences to GWB, FIBK or the applicable service provider that may arise due to any such payments or benefits being subject to Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.

 

(e)               Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon any employee, officer, director or consultant of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates any right to continue in the employ or service of the Surviving Entity, GWB, FIBK or any Subsidiary or affiliate thereof, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Surviving Entity, GWB, FIBK or any Subsidiary or affiliate thereof to discharge or terminate the services of any employee, officer,

 

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director or consultant of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to (i) establish, amend, or modify any GWB Benefit Plan, FIBK Benefit Plan or any other benefit or employment plan, program, agreement or arrangement, or (ii) alter or limit the ability of the Surviving Entity or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates to amend, modify or terminate any particular Employee Benefit Plan or any other benefit or employment plan, program, agreement or arrangement after the Effective Time. Without limiting the generality of Section ‎9.11, except as set forth in Section 6.7, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any person not a party to this Agreement, including any current or former employee, officer, director or consultant of FIBK or GWB or any of their Subsidiaries or affiliates, any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

6.7              Indemnification; Directors’ and Officers’ Insurance.

 

(a)               From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Entity shall indemnify and hold harmless and shall advance expenses as incurred, in each case to the extent (subject to applicable law) such persons are indemnified as of the date of this Agreement by GWB pursuant to the GWB Charter, the GWB Bylaws, the governing or organizational documents of any Subsidiary of GWB and any indemnification agreements in existence as of the date hereof and disclosed in Section ‎6.7(a) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule, each present and former director or officer of GWB and its Subsidiaries (in each case, when acting in such capacity) (collectively, the “GWB Indemnified Parties”) against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with any threatened or actual claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, whether arising before or after the Effective Time, arising out of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of GWB or any of its Subsidiaries and pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, including the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that in the case of advancement of expenses, any GWB Indemnified Party to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that such GWB Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification.

 

(b)               For a period of six (6) years after the Effective Time, the Surviving Entity shall cause to be maintained in effect the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by GWB (provided, that the Surviving Entity may substitute therefor policies with a substantially comparable insurer of at least the same coverage and amounts containing terms and conditions that are no less advantageous to the insured) with respect to claims arising from facts or events which occurred at or before the Effective Time; provided that the Surviving Entity shall not be obligated to expend, on an annual basis, an amount in excess of 300% of the current annual premium paid as of the date hereof by GWB for such insurance (the “Premium Cap”), and if such premiums for such insurance would at any time exceed the Premium Cap, then the Surviving Entity shall cause to be maintained policies of insurance which, in the Surviving Entity’s good faith determination, provide the maximum coverage available at an annual premium equal to the Premium Cap. In lieu of the foregoing, FIBK or GWB, in consultation with, but only upon the consent of FIBK, may (and at the request of FIBK, GWB shall use its reasonable best efforts to) obtain at or prior to the Effective Time a six (6)-year “tail” policy under GWB’s existing directors’ and officers’ insurance policy providing

 

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equivalent coverage to that described in the preceding sentence if and to the extent that the same may be obtained for an amount that, in the aggregate, does not exceed the Premium Cap.

 

(c)               The provisions of this Section ‎6.7 shall survive the Effective Time and are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each GWB Indemnified Party and his or her heirs and representatives. If the Surviving Entity or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other person and is not the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger, or (ii) transfers all or substantially all of its assets or deposits to any other person or engages in any similar transaction, then in each such case, the Surviving Entity will cause proper provision to be made so that the successors and assigns of the Surviving Entity will expressly assume the obligations set forth in this Section ‎6.7.

 

6.8              Additional Agreements. In case at any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement (including any merger between a Subsidiary of FIBK, on the one hand, and a Subsidiary of GWB, on the other hand) or to vest the Surviving Entity with full title to all properties, assets, rights, approvals, immunities and franchises of any of the parties to the Merger, the proper officers and directors of each party to this Agreement and their respective Subsidiaries shall take, or cause to be taken, all such necessary action as may be reasonably requested by FIBK.

 

6.9              Advice of Changes. FIBK and GWB shall each promptly advise the other party of any effect, change, event, circumstance, condition, occurrence or development (i) that has had or would reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on it or (ii) that it believes would or would reasonably be expected to cause or constitute a material breach of any of its representations, warranties, obligations, covenants or agreements contained herein that reasonably could be expected to give rise, individually or in the aggregate, to the failure of a condition in ‎Article VII; provided, that any failure to give notice in accordance with the foregoing with respect to any breach shall not be deemed to constitute a violation of this Section ‎6.9 or the failure of any condition set forth in Section ‎7.2 or ‎7.3 to be satisfied, or otherwise constitute a breach of this Agreement by the party failing to give such notice, in each case unless the underlying breach would independently result in a failure of the conditions set forth in Section ‎7.2 or ‎7.3 to be satisfied; and provided, further, that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section ‎6.9 shall not cure any breach of, or noncompliance with, any other provision of this Agreement or limit the remedies available to the party receiving such notice.

 

6.10          Dividends. After the date of this Agreement, each of FIBK and GWB shall coordinate with the other the declaration of any dividends in respect of FIBK Common Stock and GWB Common Stock and the record dates and payment dates relating thereto, it being the intention of the parties hereto that holders of GWB Common Stock shall not receive two dividends, or fail to receive one dividend, in any quarter with respect to their shares of GWB Common Stock and any shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock any such holder receives in exchange therefor in the Merger.

 

6.11          Shareholder Litigation. Each party shall give the other party prompt notice of any shareholder litigation against such party or its directors or officers relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and GWB shall give FIBK the opportunity to

 

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participate (at FIBK’s expense) in the defense or settlement of any such litigation. Each party shall give the other the right to review and comment on all filings or responses to be made by such party in connection with any such litigation, and will in good faith take such comments into account. GWB shall not agree to settle any such litigation without FIBK’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed; provided, that FIBK shall not be obligated to consent to any settlement which does not include a full release of FIBK and its affiliates or which imposes an injunction or other equitable relief after the Effective Time upon the Surviving Entity or any of its affiliates.

 

6.12          Corporate Governance.

 

(a)               Effective as of the Effective Time, in accordance with the FIBK Bylaws, the number of directors that will comprise the full Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity shall be sixteen (16). Of the members of the initial Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity as of the Effective Time, (i) one (1) shall be the Chief Executive Officer of FIBK as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) an additional ten (10) shall be members of the Board of Directors of FIBK as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, designated by FIBK (the directors referred to in clauses (i) and (ii), the “FIBK Directors”), and (iii) an additional five (5) shall be members of the Board of Directors of GWB as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, designated by GWB (the directors referred to in this clause (iii), the “GWB Directors”); provided that any GWB Director must meet any applicable requirements or standards that may be imposed by a Regulatory Agency for service on the Board of Directors of FIBK. Prior to the Effective Time, the parties (coordinating through the respective Chairman of each of GWB and FIBK) shall cooperate in good faith to mutually agree on the selection of the GWB Directors who will join the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity, their respective classes, and their respective committee appointments, taking into account relevant considerations including skill sets, experience, diversity and inclusion, and the needs of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity; provided, that (i) the GWB Directors shall be apportioned among the three (3) classes of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity as nearly evenly as is possible, (ii) the Chairman of GWB as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be appointed to the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity effective as of the Effective Time and (iii) the GWB Directors shall be eligible and given due consideration for committee service to the same extent as the FIBK Directors, and each GWB Director shall be appointed to at least two (2) standing committees of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity effective as of the Effective Time.

 

(b)               The Surviving Entity, the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity and the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity shall take all actions necessary to nominate the GWB Directors for reelection to the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity at the first annual meeting of shareholders of the Surviving Entity following the Effective Time, and thereafter (provided such directors continue to meet the director qualification and eligibility criteria of the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity) any GWB Director whose class term expires in fewer than three years from the Closing Date shall be nominated for reelection to the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity upon the expiration of his or her term, it being the intent of the parties that each GWB Director shall serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity for a minimum of three full years from the Closing Date.

 

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(c)               Following the date hereof and in preparation for the Conversion, FIBK and GWB shall cooperate in good faith to develop, and make recommendations for approval by the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity with respect to, any advisable changes to the corporate governance guidelines and Board committee charters of the Surviving Entity to comply with applicable law and the listing requirements and corporate governance rules of NASDAQ in anticipation of the Surviving Entity no longer qualifying as a Controlled Company (as such term is used and defined under the NASDAQ corporate governance rules).

 

6.13          Acquisition Proposals.

 

(a)               Each party agrees that it will not, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (collectively, “Representatives”) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate any inquiries or proposals with respect to any Acquisition Proposal, (ii) engage or participate in any negotiations with any person concerning any Acquisition Proposal, (iii) provide any confidential or nonpublic information or data to, have or participate in any discussions with any person relating to any Acquisition Proposal or (iv) unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, approve or enter into any term sheet, letter of intent, commitment, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, acquisition agreement, merger agreement or other agreement (whether written or oral, binding or nonbinding) (other than a confidentiality agreement referred to and entered into in accordance with this Section ‎6.13) in connection with or relating to any Acquisition Proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that after the date of this Agreement and prior to the receipt of the Requisite FIBK Vote, in the case or FIBK, or the Requisite GWB Vote, in the case of GWB, a party receives an unsolicited bona fide written Acquisition Proposal that did not result from or arise in connection with a breach of this Section ‎6.13(a), such party may, and may permit its Subsidiaries and its and its Subsidiaries’ Representatives to, furnish or cause to be furnished confidential or nonpublic information or data and participate in such negotiations or discussions with the person making the Acquisition Proposal if the Board of Directors of such party concludes in good faith (after receiving the advice of its outside counsel, and with respect to financial matters, its financial advisors) that failure to take such actions would be more likely than not to result in a violation of its fiduciary duties under applicable law; provided, that, prior to furnishing any confidential or nonpublic information permitted to be provided pursuant to this sentence, such party shall have entered into a confidentiality agreement with the person making such Acquisition Proposal on terms no less favorable to it than the Confidentiality Agreement, which confidentiality agreement shall not provide such person with any exclusive right to negotiate with such party. Each party will, and will cause its Representatives to, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any activities, discussions or negotiations conducted before the date of this Agreement with any person other than GWB or FIBK, as applicable, with respect to any Acquisition Proposal. Each party will promptly (within twenty-four (24) hours) advise the other party following receipt of any Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry which could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal, and the substance thereof (including the terms and conditions of and the identity of the person making such inquiry or Acquisition Proposal), will provide the other party with an unredacted copy of any such Acquisition Proposal and any draft agreements, proposals or other materials received in connection with any such inquiry or Acquisition Proposal, and will keep the other party apprised of any related developments, discussions and negotiations on a current basis, including any amendments to or revisions of the

 

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terms of such inquiry or Acquisition Proposal. Each party shall use its reasonable best efforts to enforce any existing confidentiality or standstill agreements to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is a party in accordance with the terms thereof. As used in this Agreement, “Acquisition Proposal” shall mean, with respect to FIBK or GWB, as applicable, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any offer, proposal or inquiry relating to, or any third-party indication of interest in, (i) any acquisition or purchase, direct or indirect, of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the consolidated assets of a party and its Subsidiaries or twenty-five percent (25%) or more of any class of equity or voting securities of a party or its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the consolidated assets of the party, (ii) any tender offer (including a self-tender offer) or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in such third party beneficially owning twenty-five percent (25%) or more of any class of equity or voting securities of a party or its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the consolidated assets of the party, or (iii) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, reorganization, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction involving a party or its Subsidiaries whose assets, individually or in the aggregate, constitute twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the consolidated assets of the party.

 

(b)               Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent a party or its Board of Directors from complying with Rule 14d-9 and Rule 14e-2 under the Exchange Act with respect to an Acquisition Proposal; provided, that such rules will in no way eliminate or modify the effect that any action pursuant to such rules would otherwise have under this Agreement.

 

6.14          Public Announcements. GWB and FIBK agree that the initial press release with respect to the execution and delivery of this Agreement shall be a release mutually agreed to by the parties. Thereafter, each of the parties agrees that no public release or announcement or statement concerning this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be issued by any party without the prior written consent of the other party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except (i) as required by applicable law or the rules or regulations of any applicable Governmental Entity or stock exchange to which the relevant party is subject, in which case the party required to make the release or announcement shall consult with the other party about, and allow the other party reasonable time to comment on, such release or announcement in advance of such issuance or (ii) for such releases, announcements or statements that are consistent with other such releases, announcement or statements made after the date of this Agreement in compliance with this Section ‎6.14.

 

6.15          Change of Method. GWB and FIBK shall be empowered, upon their mutual agreement, at any time prior to the Effective Time, to change the method or structure of effecting the combination of GWB and FIBK (including the provisions of ‎Article I), if and to the extent they both deem such change to be necessary, appropriate or desirable; provided that unless this Agreement is amended by agreement of each party in accordance with Section ‎9.1, no such change shall (i) alter or change the Exchange Ratio or the number of shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock received by holders of GWB Common Stock in exchange for each share of GWB Common Stock, (ii) adversely affect the Tax treatment of GWB’s stockholders or FIBK’s shareholders pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) adversely affect the Tax treatment of GWB or FIBK pursuant to this Agreement or (iv) materially impede or delay the consummation of the

 

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transactions contemplated by this Agreement in a timely manner. The parties agree to reflect any such change in an appropriate amendment to this Agreement executed by both parties in accordance with Section ‎9.1.

 

6.16          Takeover Statutes. None of GWB, FIBK or their respective Boards of Directors shall take any action that would cause any Takeover Statute to become applicable to this Agreement, the Merger, or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby, and each shall take all necessary steps to exempt (or ensure the continued exemption of) the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby from any applicable Takeover Statute now or hereafter in effect. If any Takeover Statute may become, or may purport to be, applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby, each party and the members of their respective Boards of Directors will grant such approvals and take such actions as are necessary so that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement may be consummated as promptly as practicable on the terms contemplated hereby and otherwise act to eliminate or minimize the effects of any Takeover Statute on any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, if necessary, challenging the validity or applicability of any such Takeover Statute.

 

6.17          Treatment of GWB Indebtedness. (a) Upon the Effective Time, FIBK shall assume the due and punctual performance and observance of the covenants to be performed by GWB under the indentures set forth on Section ‎6.17(a) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule, and the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on, the notes governed thereby. In connection therewith, (i) FIBK and GWB shall cooperate and use reasonable best efforts to execute and deliver any supplemental indentures and (ii) GWB shall use reasonable best efforts to execute and deliver any officer’s certificates or other documents, and to provide any opinions of counsel to the trustee thereof, in each case, required to make such assumption effective as of the Effective Time.

 

(b)               Upon the agreement of GWB and FIBK, GWB shall use reasonable best efforts to (i) redeem any or all of the trust preferred securities of GWB set forth on Section ‎6.17(b) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule (the “Trust Preferred Securities”) as specified by GWB and FIBK, collectively, at or prior to the Effective Time in accordance with, and pursuant to the terms of, the indentures applicable thereto set forth on Section ‎6.17(b) of the GWB Disclosure Schedule (the “Trust Preferred Indentures”), (ii) timely deliver all notices required to be delivered, and timely take all actions required to be taken, by the Trust Preferred Indentures in connection with the redemption of the Trust Preferred Securities, and (iii) concurrently with the consummation of the redemption of the Trust Preferred Securities, if no Trust Preferred Securities remain outstanding under any Trust Preferred Indentures, take all actions required to be taken by such Trust Preferred Indentures to cause such Trust Preferred Indentures to terminate and be of no further force and effect.

 

6.18          Exemption from Liability Under Section 16(b). GWB and FIBK agree that, in order to most effectively compensate and retain GWB Insiders, both prior to and after the Effective Time, it is desirable that GWB Insiders not be subject to a risk of liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in connection with the conversion of shares of GWB Common Stock into shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock in the Merger and the conversion of GWB Equity Awards into corresponding FIBK Equity Awards in the Merger, and for that compensatory and retentive purposes agree to the provisions

 

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of this Section ‎6.18. GWB shall deliver to FIBK in a reasonably timely fashion prior to the Effective Time accurate information regarding those officers and directors of GWB subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act (the “GWB Insiders”), and the Board of Directors of FIBK and of GWB, or a committee of non-employee directors thereof (as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 16b-3(d) under the Exchange Act), shall reasonably promptly thereafter, and in any event prior to the Effective Time, take all such steps as may be required to cause (in the case of GWB) any dispositions of GWB Common Stock or GWB Equity Awards by the GWB Insiders, and (in the case of FIBK) any acquisitions of FIBK Class A Common Stock or FIBK Equity Awards by any GWB Insiders who, immediately following the Merger, will be officers or directors of the Surviving Entity subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, in each case pursuant to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, to be exempt from liability pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

 

6.19          Tax Cooperation. FIBK and GWB shall cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts in order for (i) FIBK to receive the opinion described in Section ‎7.2(c) and (ii) GWB to receive the opinion described in Section ‎7.3(c).

 

6.20          Conversion of FIBK Class B Common Stock. Prior to the first annual meeting of shareholders of the Surviving Entity following the Effective Time, the Board of Directors of the Surviving Entity shall, in accordance with the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Entity and applicable law, adopt any resolutions and take any actions that are necessary or appropriate to determine that the number of shares of FIBK Class B Common Stock outstanding as of the record date for such annual meeting constitutes less than twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate number of shares of FIBK Common Stock then outstanding on such record date, such that each share of FIBK Class B Common Stock as of such record date shall be automatically converted as of such record date into one (1) fully paid and non-assessable share of FIBK Class A Common Stock pursuant to the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Entity (the “Conversion”). From the date hereof until the date of the Conversion, FIBK and the Board of Directors of FIBK shall not take any action (including repurchasing FIBK Class A Common Stock or issuing additional shares of FIBK Class B Common Stock) that would prevent the Conversion in accordance with the preceding sentence.

 

Article VII

Conditions Precedent

 

7.1              Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of the parties to effect the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

 

(a)               Shareholder and Stockholder Approvals. (i) This Agreement and the FIBK Articles Amendment shall have been approved by the shareholders of FIBK by the Requisite FIBK Vote and (ii) this Agreement shall have been approved by the stockholders of GWB by the Requisite GWB Vote.

 

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(b)               NASDAQ Listing. The shares of FIBK Class A Common Stock that shall be issuable pursuant to this Agreement shall have been authorized for listing on NASDAQ, subject to official notice of issuance.

 

(c)               Regulatory Approvals. (i) All Requisite Regulatory Approvals shall have been obtained and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof shall have expired or been terminated and (ii) no such Requisite Regulatory Approval shall have resulted in the imposition of any Materially Burdensome Regulatory Condition.

 

(d)               S-4. The S-4 shall have become effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the S-4 shall have been issued, and no proceedings for such purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the SEC and not withdrawn.

 

(e)               No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality. No order, injunction or decree issued by any court or Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be in effect. No law, statute, rule, regulation, order, injunction or decree shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or enforced by any Governmental Entity which prohibits or makes illegal consummation of the Merger, the Bank Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

7.2              Conditions to Obligations of FIBK. The obligation of FIBK to effect the Merger is also subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by FIBK, at or prior to the Effective Time, of the following conditions:

 

(a)               Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of GWB set forth in Section ‎3.2(a) and Section ‎3.8(a) (in each case after giving effect to the lead-in to Article ‎III) shall be true and correct (other than, in the case of Section ‎3.2(a), such failures to be true and correct as are de minimis) in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), and the representations and warranties of GWB set forth in Section ‎3.1(a), Section ‎3.1(b) (but only with respect to GWB Subsidiary Bank), Section ‎3.2(b) (but only with respect to GWB Subsidiary Bank), Section ‎3.3(a) and Section ‎3.7 (read without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties but, in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to Article ‎III) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date). All other representations and warranties of GWB set forth in this Agreement (read without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties but, in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to ‎Article III) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date); provided that for purposes of this sentence, such representations and warranties shall be deemed to be true and correct unless the failure or failures of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate,

 

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and without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on GWB or the Surviving Entity. FIBK shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed on behalf of GWB by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of GWB to the foregoing effect.

 

(b)               Performance of Obligations of GWB. GWB shall have performed in all material respects the obligations, covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and FIBK shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed on behalf of GWB by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of GWB to such effect.

 

(c)               Federal Tax Opinion. FIBK shall have received the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP (or, if Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP is unwilling or unable to issue the opinion, a written opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to FIBK, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel may require and rely upon representations contained in certificates of officers of FIBK and GWB, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel.

 

7.3              Conditions to Obligations of GWB. The obligation of GWB to effect the Merger is also subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by GWB, at or prior to the Effective Time of the following conditions:

 

(a)               Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of FIBK set forth in Section ‎4.2(a) and Section ‎4.8(a) (in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to Article ‎IV) shall be true and correct (other than, in the case of Section ‎4.2(a), such failures to be true and correct as are de minimis) in each case as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), and the representations and warranties of FIBK set forth in Section ‎4.1(a), Section ‎4.1(b) (but only with respect to FIBK Subsidiary Bank), Section ‎4.2(b) (but only with respect to FIBK Subsidiary Bank), Section ‎4.3(a) and Section ‎4.7 (read without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties but, in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to Article ‎IV) shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date). All other representations and warranties of FIBK set forth in this Agreement (read without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties but, in each case, after giving effect to the lead-in to ‎Article IV) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date); provided that for purposes of this sentence, such representations and warranties shall be deemed to be true and correct unless the failure or failures of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, either individually or in the aggregate,

 

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and without giving effect to any qualification as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect set forth in such representations or warranties, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on FIBK. GWB shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed on behalf of FIBK by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of FIBK to the foregoing effect.

 

(b)               Performance of Obligations of FIBK. FIBK shall have performed in all material respects the obligations, covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Closing Date, and GWB shall have received a certificate dated as of the Closing Date and signed on behalf of FIBK by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of FIBK to such effect.

 

(c)               Federal Tax Opinion. GWB shall have received the opinion of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz (or, if Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is unwilling or unable to issue the opinion, a written opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to GWB, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that, on the basis of facts, representations and assumptions set forth or referred to in such opinion, the Merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. In rendering such opinion, counsel may require and rely upon representations contained in certificates of officers of FIBK and GWB, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel.

 

Article VIII

Termination and Amendment

 

8.1              Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Effective Time, whether before or after receipt of the Requisite GWB Vote or the Requisite FIBK Vote:

 

(a)               by mutual written consent of FIBK and GWB;

 

(b)               by either FIBK or GWB if any Governmental Entity that must grant a Requisite Regulatory Approval has denied approval of the Merger or the Bank Merger and such denial has become final and nonappealable or any Governmental Entity of competent jurisdiction shall have issued a final and nonappealable order, injunction, decree or other legal restraint or prohibition permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the Merger or the Bank Merger, unless the failure to obtain a Requisite Regulatory Approval shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement to perform or observe the obligations, covenants and agreements of such party set forth herein;

 

(c)               by either FIBK or GWB if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before September 15, 2022 (the “Termination Date”), unless the failure of the Closing to occur by such date shall be due to the failure of the party seeking to terminate this Agreement to perform or observe the obligations, covenants and agreements of such party set forth herein;

 

(d)               by either FIBK or GWB (provided, that the terminating party is not then in material breach of any representation, warranty, obligation, covenant or other agreement

 

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contained herein) if there shall have been a breach of any of the obligations, covenants or agreements or any of the representations or warranties (or any such representation or warranty shall cease to be true) set forth in this Agreement on the part of GWB, in the case of a termination by FIBK, or FIBK, in the case of a termination by GWB, which breach or failure to be true, either individually or in the aggregate with all other breaches by such party (or failures of such representations or warranties to be true), would constitute, if occurring or continuing on the Closing Date, the failure of a condition set forth in Section ‎7.2, in the case of a termination by FIBK, or Section ‎7.3, in the case of a termination by GWB, and which is not cured within forty-five (45) days following written notice to GWB, in the case of a termination by FIBK, or FIBK, in the case of a termination by GWB, or by its nature or timing cannot be cured during such period (or such fewer days as remain prior to the Termination Date);

 

(e)               by GWB, prior to the receipt of the Requisite FIBK Vote, if (i) FIBK or the Board of Directors of FIBK shall have made a Recommendation Change or (ii) FIBK or the Board of Directors of FIBK shall have breached its obligations under Section ‎6.3 or ‎6.13 in any material respect;

 

(f)                by FIBK, prior to the receipt of the Requisite GWB Vote, if (i) GWB or the Board of Directors of GWB shall have made a Recommendation Change or (ii) GWB or the Board of Directors of GWB shall have breached its obligations under Section ‎6.3 or ‎6.13 in any material respect; or

 

(g)               by either FIBK or GWB, if (i) the Requisite FIBK Vote shall not have been obtained upon a vote thereon taken at the FIBK Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof) or (ii) the Requisite GWB Vote shall not have been obtained upon a vote thereon taken at the GWB Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof).

 

8.2              Effect of Termination.

 

(a)               In the event of termination of this Agreement by either FIBK or GWB as provided in Section ‎8.1, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, and none of FIBK, GWB, any of their respective Subsidiaries or any of the officers or directors of any of them shall have any liability of any nature whatsoever hereunder, or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, except that (i) Section ‎6.2(b) (Access to Information; Confidentiality), Section ‎6.14 (Public Announcements), this Section ‎8.2 and ‎Article IX shall survive any termination of this Agreement, and (ii) notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, neither FIBK nor GWB shall be relieved or released from any liabilities or damages arising out of its willful and material breach of any provision of this Agreement.

 

(b)               (i)   In the event that after the date of this Agreement and prior to the termination of this Agreement, a bona fide Acquisition Proposal shall have been communicated to or otherwise made known to the Board of Directors or senior management of GWB or shall have been made directly to the stockholders of GWB or any person shall have publicly announced (and not withdrawn at least two (2) business days prior to the GWB Meeting) an Acquisition Proposal, in each case with respect to GWB and (A) (x) thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either FIBK or GWB pursuant to Section ‎8.1(c) without the Requisite GWB Vote

 

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having been obtained (and all other conditions set forth in Section ‎7.1 and Section ‎7.3 were satisfied or were capable of being satisfied prior to such termination), (y) thereafter this Agreement is terminated by FIBK pursuant to Section ‎8.1(d) as a result of a willful breach or (z) thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either GWB or FIBK pursuant to Section ‎8.1(g) as a result of the Requisite GWB Vote not having been obtained upon a vote taken thereon at the GWB Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof), and (B) prior to the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, GWB enters into a definitive agreement or consummates a transaction with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (whether or not the same Acquisition Proposal as that referred to above), then GWB shall, on the earlier of the date it enters into such definitive agreement and the date of consummation of such transaction, pay FIBK, by wire transfer of same-day funds, a fee equal to $70,000,000 (the “GWB Termination Fee”); provided, that for purposes of this Section ‎8.2(b)(i), all references in the definition of Acquisition Proposal to “twenty-five percent (25%)” shall instead refer to “fifty percent (50%).”

 

(ii)   In the event that this Agreement is terminated by (x) FIBK pursuant to Section ‎8.1(f) or (y) either FIBK or GWB pursuant to Section ‎8.1(g) as a result of the Requisite GWB Vote not having been obtained upon a vote taken thereon at the GWB Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof) and at such time FIBK could have terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section ‎8.1(f), then GWB shall pay FIBK, by wire transfer of same-day funds, the GWB Termination Fee within two (2) business days of the date of termination.

 

(c)             (i)   In the event that after the date of this Agreement and prior to the termination of this Agreement, a bona fide Acquisition Proposal shall have been communicated to or otherwise made known to the Board of Directors or senior management of FIBK or shall have been made directly to the shareholders of FIBK or any person shall have publicly announced (and not withdrawn at least two (2) business days prior to the FIBK Meeting) an Acquisition Proposal, in each case with respect to FIBK and (A) (x) thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either FIBK or GWB pursuant to Section ‎8.1(c) without the Requisite FIBK Vote having been obtained (and all other conditions set forth in Section ‎7.1 and Section ‎7.2 were satisfied or were capable of being satisfied prior to such termination), (y) thereafter this Agreement is terminated by GWB pursuant to Section ‎8.1(d) as a result of a willful breach or (z) thereafter this Agreement is terminated by either GWB or FIBK pursuant to Section ‎8.1(g) as a result of the Requisite FIBK Vote not having been obtained upon a vote taken thereon at the FIBK Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof), and (B) prior to the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such termination, FIBK enters into a definitive agreement or consummates a transaction with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (whether or not the same Acquisition Proposal as that referred to above), then FIBK shall, on the earlier of the date it enters into such definitive agreement and the date of consummation of such transaction, pay GWB a fee equal to $105,000,000 (the “FIBK Termination Fee”) by wire transfer of same-day funds; provided, that for purposes of this Section ‎8.2(c)(i), all references in the definition of Acquisition Proposal to “twenty-five percent (25%)” shall instead refer to “fifty percent (50%).”

 

(ii)   In the event that this Agreement is terminated by (x) GWB pursuant to Section ‎8.1(e), or (y) either FIBK or GWB pursuant to Section ‎8.1(g) as a result of the Requisite FIBK Vote not having been obtained upon a vote taken thereon at

 

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the FIBK Meeting (including any adjournment or postponement thereof) and at such time GWB could have terminated this Agreement pursuant to Section ‎8.1(e), then FIBK shall pay GWB, by wire transfer of same-day funds, the FIBK Termination Fee within two (2) business days of the date of termination.

 

(d)               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, but without limiting the right of any party to recover liabilities or damages to the extent permitted herein, in no event shall either party be required to pay the GWB Termination Fee or the FIBK Termination Fee, as applicable, more than once.

 

(e)               Each of FIBK and GWB acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section ‎8.2 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that, without these agreements, the other party would not enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if FIBK or GWB, as the case may be, fails promptly to pay the amount due pursuant to this Section ‎8.2, and, in order to obtain such payment, the other party commences a suit which results in a judgment against the non-paying party for the GWB Termination Fee or the FIBK Termination Fee, as applicable, or any portion thereof, such non-paying party shall pay the costs and expenses of the other party (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) in connection with such suit. In addition, if FIBK or GWB, as the case may be, fails to pay the amounts payable pursuant to this Section ‎8.2, then such party shall pay interest on such overdue amounts at a rate per annum equal to the “prime rate” published in the Wall Street Journal on the date on which such payment was required to be made for the period commencing as of the date that such overdue amount was originally required to be paid and ending on the date that such overdue amount is actually paid in full.

 

Article IX

General Provisions

 

9.1              Amendment. Subject to compliance with applicable law, this Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto at any time before or after the receipt of the Requisite FIBK Vote or the Requisite GWB Vote; provided that after the receipt of the Requisite FIBK Vote or the Requisite GWB Vote, there may not be, without further approval of the shareholders of FIBK or stockholders of GWB, as applicable, any amendment of this Agreement that requires such further approval under applicable law. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of the parties hereto.

 

9.2              Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Effective Time, each of the parties hereto may, to the extent legally allowed, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other party hereto, (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other party contained herein or in any document delivered by such other party pursuant hereto, and (c) waive compliance with any of the agreements or satisfaction of any conditions for its benefit contained herein; provided that after the receipt of the Requisite FIBK Vote or the Requisite GWB Vote, there may not be, without further approval of the shareholders of FIBK or stockholders of GWB, as applicable, any extension or waiver of this Agreement or any portion thereof that requires such further approval under applicable law. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if

 

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and to the extent set forth in a written instrument signed on behalf of such party, but such extension or waiver or failure to insist on strict compliance with an obligation, covenant, agreement or condition shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any subsequent or other failure.

 

9.3              Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. None of the representations, warranties, obligations, covenants and agreements in this Agreement (or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement) shall survive the Effective Time, except for Section ‎6.7 and for those other obligations, covenants and agreements contained herein which by their terms apply in whole or in part after the Effective Time.

 

9.4              Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such expense; provided that the costs and expenses of printing and mailing the Joint Proxy Statement and all filing and other fees paid to Governmental Entities in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall be borne equally by FIBK and GWB.

 

9.5              Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, by e-mail transmission (with confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

(a)            if to GWB, to:

 

Great Western Bancorp, Inc.
225 S. Main Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Attention: Donald J. Straka, General Counsel
E-mail: donald.straka@greatwesternbank.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019

Attention: Jacob A. Kling
E-mail: JAKling@wlrk.com

 

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and

 

(b)               if to FIBK, to:

 

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
401 North 31st Street
Billings, MT 59101


Attention:
Kirk D. Jensen, EVP & General Counsel

E-mail: kirk.jensen@fib.com

 

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017


Attention:
George R. Bason, Jr.

Margaret E. Tahyar 

Evan Rosen

E-mail: george.bason@davispolk.com

margaret.tahyar@davispolk.com

evan.rosen@davispolk.com

 

9.6              Interpretation. The parties have participated jointly in negotiating and drafting this Agreement. In the event that an ambiguity or a question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provision of this Agreement. When a reference is made in this Agreement to Articles, Sections, Exhibits or Schedules, such reference shall be to an Article or Section of or Exhibit or Schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The word “or” shall not be exclusive. References to “the date hereof” shall mean the date of this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the “knowledge” of GWB means the actual knowledge of any of the officers of GWB listed on Section ‎9.6 of the GWB Disclosure Schedule, and the “knowledge” of FIBK means the actual knowledge of any of the officers of FIBK listed on Section ‎9.6 of the FIBK Disclosure Schedule. As used herein, (i) the term “person” means any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, Governmental Entity or other entity of any kind or nature, (ii) an “affiliate” of a specified person is any person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified person, (iii) the term “made available” means any document or other information that was (a) provided by one party or its Representatives to the other party and its Representatives at least one (1) day prior to the date hereof, (b) included in the virtual data room of a party at least one (1) day prior to the date hereof or (c) filed by a party with the SEC and publicly available on EDGAR at least one (1) day prior to the date hereof and (iv) the term “business day” means any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banks in Billings, Montana or Sioux Falls, South Dakota

 

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are authorized by law or executive order to be closed. The GWB Disclosure Schedule and the FIBK Disclosure Schedule, as well as all other schedules and all exhibits hereto, shall be deemed part of this Agreement and included in any reference to this Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall require any party or person to take any action in violation of applicable law.

 

9.7              Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart.

 

9.8              Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein) together with the Confidentiality Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

9.9              Governing Law; Jurisdiction.

 

(a)               This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any applicable conflicts of law principles (except that matters relating to the fiduciary duties of the Board of Directors of FIBK shall be subject to the laws of the State of Montana).

 

(b)               Each party agrees that it will bring any action or proceeding in respect of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction located in the State of Delaware (the “Chosen Courts”), and, solely in connection with claims arising under this Agreement or the transactions that are the subject of this Agreement, (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in the Chosen Courts, (iii) waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party and (iv) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding will be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section ‎9.5.

 

9.10          Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AT THE TIME OF INSTITUTION OF THE APPLICABLE LITIGATION, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT: (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER,

 

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(II) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (IV) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION ‎9.10.

 

9.11          Assignment; Third-Party Beneficiaries. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned by any of the parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment in contravention hereof shall be null and void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and assigns. Except as otherwise specifically provided in Section ‎6.7, this Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein) is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder, including the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein. The representations and warranties in this Agreement are the product of negotiations among the parties hereto and are for the sole benefit of the parties. Any inaccuracies in such representations and warranties are subject to waiver by the parties hereto in accordance herewith without notice or liability to any other person. In some instances, the representations and warranties in this Agreement may represent an allocation among the parties hereto of risks associated with particular matters regardless of the knowledge of any of the parties hereto. Consequently, persons other than the parties may not rely upon the representations and warranties in this Agreement as characterizations of actual facts or circumstances as of the date of this Agreement or as of any other date.

 

9.12          Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur if any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and, accordingly, that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement or to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions hereof (including the parties’ obligation to consummate the Merger), in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. Each of the parties hereby further waives (a) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement under any law to post security or a bond as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

 

9.13          Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or portion of any provision in such jurisdiction, and this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction such that the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision or portion thereof shall be interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.

 

9.14          Confidential Supervisory Information. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no disclosure, representation or warranty shall be made (or other action taken) pursuant to this Agreement that would involve the disclosure of confidential

 

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supervisory information (including confidential supervisory information as defined in 12 C.F.R. § 261.2(b)(1) and as identified in 12 C.F.R. § 309.5(g)(8)) of a Governmental Entity by any party to this Agreement to the extent prohibited by applicable law. To the extent legally permissible, appropriate substitute disclosures or actions shall be made or taken under circumstances in which the limitations of the preceding sentence apply.

 

9.15          Delivery by Facsimile or Electronic Transmission. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement, and any amendments or waivers hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of a facsimile machine or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party hereto or to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file to deliver a signature to this Agreement or any amendment hereto or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of a facsimile machine or e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file as a defense to the formation of a contract and each party hereto forever waives any such defense.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Great Western Bancorp, Inc. and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above written.

 

  GREAT WESTERN BANCORP, INC.
   
   
  By: /s/ Mark Borrecco
    Name: Mark Borrecco
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

  FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.
   
   
  By: /s/ Kevin P. Riley
    Name: Kevin P. Riley
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A
Form of FIBK Articles Amendment

PROPOSED FIRST AMENDMENT

TO

THE THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.

 

1.        Authorized Shares. Section 1 of Article IV of the Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Articles”) of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., a Montana corporation (the “Corporation”), is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety with the following:

 

Section 1. Authorized Shares. The Corporation is authorized to issue 150,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock, no par value per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), 100,000,000 shares of Class B Common Stock, no par value per share (the “Class B Common Stock”, and together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”) and 100,000 shares of Preferred Stock, no par value per share. The number of authorized shares of any class or classes of stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, voting together as a single class.

 

2.       Board of Directors. Article VI of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation is hereby amended to add the following new Section 6:

 

Section 6. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of Article IV hereof in relation to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the Board of Directors shall be and is divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number of directors as possible, designated: Class I, Class II and Class III. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign to such classes directors already in office at the time the First Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation becomes effective (the “Effective Date”), provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary any directors already in office at the Effective Date and who were elected, or whose appointment was ratified, at any annual or special meeting of shareholders for a term of office to expire at (i) the first annual meeting of shareholders following the Effective Date, shall be assigned to Class I, (ii) the second annual meeting of shareholders following the Effective Date, shall be assigned to Class II, and (iii) the third annual meeting of shareholders following the Effective Date, shall be assigned to Class III. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 6, the term of office of the directors initially assigned to Class I at the Effective Date will expire at the first annual meeting of shareholders following the Effective Date; the term of office of the directors initially assigned to Class II at the Effective Date will expire at the second annual meeting of shareholders following the Effective Date; the term of office of the directors initially assigned to Class III at the Effective Date will expire at the third annual meeting of shareholders following the Effective Date;

 

 

 

and the term of office of any directors appointed by the Board of Directors to fill newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors or any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall expire at the next annual meeting of shareholders after their appointment in accordance with these Third Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and the Bylaws of the Corporation. At each annual meeting of shareholders beginning with the first annual meeting of shareholders following the Effective Date, the successors of the directors whose terms expire at that meeting shall be elected for a term of three years. The directors of each class will hold office until the expiration of the term of such class and until their respective successors shall have been elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Board of Directors is authorized to take appropriate steps, by designation of short terms or otherwise, to return the rotation of election of directors to staggered terms as contemplated by, and established and fixed in accordance with, this Section 6 and the Bylaws of the Corporation; provided that in all cases the Board of Directors shall comply with Section 6.12(b) of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and between Great Western Bancorp, Inc. and the Corporation, dated as of September 15, 2021 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time).

 

 

2

 

EXHIBIT B
Form of FIBK Bylaws Amendment

 

PROPOSED FIRST AMENDMENT

TO THE

FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.

 

This First Amendment (“Amendment”) to the Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., a Montana corporation (the “Corporation”), amends the Bylaws as follows:

 

1.       New Section 3.15. Article III of the Bylaws is hereby amended to add the following new Section 3.15 immediately after Section 3.14 therein:

 

3.15 CLASS B COMMON STOCK CONVERSION. Subject to, and from the effective time (the “Effective Time”) of the merger of Great Western Bancorp, Inc. (“Great Western”) with and into the corporation, with the corporation surviving the merger, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and between Great Western and the corporation, dated as of September 15, 2021 (as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time), until the date on which each share of Class B Common Stock of the corporation as of the record date of the first meeting of shareholders of the corporation following the Effective Time shall be automatically converted as of such record date into one (1) fully paid and non-assessable share of Class A Common Stock of the corporation pursuant to the Articles (the “Conversion”), neither the corporation nor the Board shall take any action (including repurchasing Class A Common Stock or issuing additional shares of Class B Common Stock) that would prevent the Conversion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Section 3.15 of these bylaws shall not be amended or repealed by the Board except by the affirmative vote of at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the directors then in office (which must include the affirmative vote of at least one director of the Board who was a director of Great Western as of immediately prior to the Effective Time). In the event of any inconsistency between any provision of this Section 3.15 and any other provision of these bylaws or the corporation’s other constituent documents, the provisions of this Section 3.15 shall control to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

2.       Amended Section 2.9. Section 2.9 of Article II of the Bylaws is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

 

2.9 VOTING

 

The shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws.

 

Each shareholder shall be entitled to that number of votes applicable to each share of capital stock held by such shareholder as set forth in the Articles.

 

 

 

In all matters, except as otherwise required by law, the Articles or these bylaws, if a quorum exists, action on a matter (other than election of directors) is approved if the votes cast favoring the action by shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter exceed the votes cast opposing the action by shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter. If a quorum exists, directors shall be elected by a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.

 

The shareholders of the corporation shall not have the right to cumulate their votes for the election of directors of the corporation.

 

3.       Scott Family Director Nominations. Section 2.15 of Article II of the Bylaws is hereby amended to add the following new paragraph immediately following the last paragraph currently in Section 2.15 of Article II of the Bylaws:

 

Subject to, and from the effective time of that certain Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2021, by and between the corporation and certain members of the Scott family and certain related parties that are shareholders of the corporation (collectively, the “Specified Scott Family Stockholders”) (as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified from time to time) (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any advance notice requirements for nominations for the election of directors in these bylaws shall not apply to the nominations of directors by the Specified Scott Family Stockholders pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Stockholders’ Agreement.

 

4.       Miscellaneous. Except to the extent expressly amended pursuant to this Amendment, the Bylaws shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

2

 

EXHIBIT C
Form of Bank Merger Agreement

 

FORM OF AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

GREAT WESTERN BANK

with and into

FIRST INTERSTATE BANK

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) is made this _____ day of ______, 202_, between Great Western Bank (“GWB Bank”), a South Dakota-chartered bank that is not a member of the Federal Reserve System, with its main office located at 225 South Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57104; and First Interstate Bank (“FIBK Bank” or the “Resulting Bank”), a Montana-chartered bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System, with its main office located at 401 North 31st Street, Billings, Montana 59116. Collectively, GWB Bank and FIBK Bank are referred to as the “Banks”.

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of GWB Bank has unanimously approved this Agreement and authorized its execution pursuant to the authority given by and in accordance with the provisions of the Bank Merger Act, 12 U.S.C. § 1828(c) (the “Bank Merger Act”) and the laws of the State of South Dakota;

 

WHEREAS, the board of directors of FIBK Bank has unanimously approved this Agreement and authorized its execution pursuant to the authority given by and in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act, the Bank Merger Act and the laws of the State of Montana (such laws, together with the laws of the State of South Dakota and their respective implementing regulations, the “Bank Merger Laws”);

 

WHEREAS, Great Western Bancorp, Inc. (“GWB”), which owns all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of GWB Bank, and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc. (“FIBK”), which owns all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of FIBK Bank, have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Holding Company Agreement”), dated as of September 15, 2021, which, among other things, provides for the merger of GWB with and into FIBK, all subject to the terms and conditions of such Holding Company Agreement (the “HC Merger”);

 

WHEREAS, GWB, as the sole shareholder of GWB Bank, and FIBK, as the sole shareholder of FIBK Bank, have approved this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, each of the Banks is entering into this Agreement to provide for the merger of GWB Bank with and into FIBK Bank, with FIBK Bank being the surviving bank of such merger transaction (the “Bank Merger”), subject to, and immediately following, the closing of the HC Merger; and

 

WHEREAS, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Bank Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of reorganization for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.

 

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

 

SECTION 1

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined below) and pursuant to the Bank Merger Laws, GWB Bank shall be merged with and into FIBK Bank in the Bank Merger. FIBK Bank shall continue its existence as the Resulting Bank under the charter of the Resulting Bank, and the separate corporate existence of GWB Bank shall cease. The closing of the Bank Merger shall become effective at the date and time specified in the articles of merger filed with the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (the “Montana Division”) as the date and time at which the Bank Merger shall be effective, or such later date as specified by the Montana Division; provided that in no event shall the Effective Time be earlier than, or at the same time as, the effective time of the HC Merger (such time when the Bank Merger becomes effective, the “Effective Time”). It is intended that the Bank Merger shall qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the

 

 

Code, and that this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of reorganization for the purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.

 

SECTION 2

 

The name of the Resulting Bank at the Effective Time shall be “First Interstate Bank”. The Resulting Bank will exercise trust powers.

 

SECTION 3

 

The business of the Resulting Bank from and after the Effective Time shall be that of a Montana-chartered bank. This business of the Resulting Bank shall be conducted at its main office, which shall be located at 401 North 31st Street, Billings, Montana 59116, as well as at its legally established branches, including the main office and each of the legally established branches of GWB Bank existing at the Effective Time, at the officially designated address of each such office or branch, in each case without limiting the authority under applicable law of the Resulting Bank to close, relocate or otherwise make any change regarding any such branch. The deposit accounts of the Resulting Bank will be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

 

SECTION 4

 

At the Effective Time, each share of capital stock of FIBK Bank issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding and unaffected by the Bank Merger.

 

SECTION 5

 

All assets of GWB Bank and FIBK Bank, as they exist at the Effective Time, shall pass to and vest in the Resulting Bank without any conveyance or other transfer; the Resulting Bank shall be considered the same business and corporate entity as each constituent bank with all the rights, powers and duties of each constituent bank; and the Resulting Bank shall be responsible for all of the liabilities of every kind and description, of GWB Bank and FIBK Bank existing as of the Effective Time, all in accordance with the provisions of the Bank Merger Laws.

 

SECTION 6

 

By virtue of the Bank Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any capital stock of GWB Bank, at the Effective Time, each outstanding share of capital stock of GWB Bank shall be cancelled with no consideration being paid therefor.

 

By virtue of the Bank Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of any capital stock of GWB Bank, outstanding certificates representing shares of the capital stock of GWB Bank shall, at the Effective Time, be cancelled.

 

SECTION 7

 

Upon the Effective Time, the then outstanding shares of FIBK Bank’s common stock shall continue to remain outstanding shares of FIBK Bank’s common stock, all of which shall continue to be owned by FIBK.

 

SECTION 8

 

Effective as of the Effective Time, the number of directors that will comprise the full Board of Directors of the Resulting Bank shall be seven (7). Of the members of the initial Board of Directors of the Resulting Bank as of the Effective Time, (i) six (6) shall be those members of the Board of Directors of FIBK Bank as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) one (1) shall be the Chief Executive Officer of GWB Bank immediately prior to the Effective Time. Effective as of the Effective Time, each director of the Resulting Bank shall serve until their

 

C-2

 

respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Resulting Bank.

 

SECTION 9

 

This Agreement has been approved by GWB, which owns all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of GWB Bank, and by FIBK, which owns all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of FIBK Bank.

 

SECTION 10

 

The Bank Merger is also subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

(a)The HC Merger shall have closed and become effective.

 

(b)The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Montana Division and the Division of Banking of the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation shall have approved this Agreement and the Bank Merger and shall have issued all other necessary authorizations and approvals for the Bank Merger, and any statutory waiting period shall have expired.

 

(c)This Agreement may be amended or terminated, and the Bank Merger may be abandoned, only by the mutual written agreement of GWB Bank and FIBK Bank at any time, whether before or after filings are made for regulatory approval of the Bank Merger and notwithstanding the prior approval of this Agreement and the Bank Merger by the sole shareholder of GWB Bank or FIBK Bank.

 

SECTION 11

 

Effective as of the Effective Time, the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Resulting Bank shall consist of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of FIBK Bank as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided that the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws shall be amended effective at or prior to the Effective Time to the extent necessary to give effect to Section 8 of this Agreement.

 

SECTION 12

 

This Agreement shall automatically terminate if and at the time of any termination of the Holding Company Agreement.

 

SECTION 13

 

This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the Banks with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and supersedes all other prior commitments, arrangements or understandings, both oral and written, among the Banks with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be interpreted and construed in a manner so as to make such provisions valid, binding and enforceable. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is determined to be partially or wholly invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be modified or restricted to the extent necessary to make such provision valid, binding and enforceable, or, if such provision cannot be modified or restricted in a manner so as to make such provision valid, binding and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be excised from this Agreement and the validity, binding effect and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or impaired in any manner.

 

No waiver, amendment, modification or change of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless and until made in writing and signed by the Banks. No waiver, forbearance or failure by any Bank of its rights to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver or estoppel of such Bank’s right to enforce any other provision of this Agreement or a continuing waiver by such Bank of compliance with any provision hereof.

 

C-3

 

Except to the extent Federal law is applicable, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Montana without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

 

This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Banks’ respective successors and permitted assigns. Unless otherwise expressly stated herein, this Agreement shall not benefit or create any right of action in or on behalf of any person or entity other than the Banks.

 

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including by facsimile or optically-scanned electronic mail attachment), each of which shall be deemed to be original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

C-4

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Great Western Bank and First Interstate Bank have entered into this Agreement as of the date and year first set forth above.

 

  GREAT WESTERN BANK
   
   
  By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

 

[Signature Page to Bank Merger Agreement]

 

 

  FIRST INTERSTATE BANK
   
   
  By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Bank Merger Agreement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

SUPPORT AGREEMENT

 

This Support Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of September 15, 2021, is entered into by and among each of the undersigned shareholders (each, a “Shareholder”, and collectively, the “Shareholders”) of First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., a Montana corporation (“FIBK”). The obligations of each Shareholder hereunder shall be several and not joint.

 

WHEREAS, certain Shareholders are members of the Scott Family FIBK Shareholder Group and in such capacity have adopted a committee charter for the purposes of formalizing the efforts of the members to reach consensus on matters of importance to them with respect to FIBK, including matters requiring the vote of the shareholders of FIBK;

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (as the same may be amended, supplemented or modified, the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, between FIBK and Great Western Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GWB”), GWB will be merged with and into FIBK, with FIBK as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”);

 

WHEREAS, as of the date of this Agreement, each Shareholder owns beneficially or of record, and has the power to vote or direct the voting of, the shares of Class A common stock, no par value per share, of FIBK (the “Class A Common Stock”) and the shares of Class B common stock, no par value per share, of FIBK (the “Class B Common Stock” and together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”) set forth next to such Shareholder’s name on Schedule B hereto (all such shares, the “Existing Shares”);

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of FIBK has unanimously determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, are in the best interests of FIBK and FIBK’s shareholders and declared the Merger Agreement advisable, and has resolved to recommend that FIBK’s shareholders approve the Merger Agreement and the FIBK Articles Amendment and submit the Merger Agreement and the FIBK Articles Amendment to FIBK’s shareholders for approval; and

 

WHEREAS, the Shareholders are supportive of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger, and have determined that it is in their best interests to enter into this Agreement to provide for their collective support for the Merger Agreement and such transactions and this Agreement is intended to be for the benefit of each of FIBK and GWB, and each of FIBK and GWB is an express third party beneficiary of this Agreement and shall have the right to directly enforce the obligations of the parties hereto, and this Agreement is further a condition and inducement for GWB and FIBK to enter into the Merger Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement have the meanings assigned to those terms in the Merger Agreement.

 

 

2. Effectiveness; Termination. This Agreement shall be effective upon signing. This Agreement shall automatically terminate and be null and void and of no effect upon (and may only be terminated upon) the earliest to occur of the following: (a) termination of the Merger Agreement for any reason in accordance with its terms, (b) FIBK or the Board of Directors of FIBK having made a Recommendation Change in accordance with Section 6.3 of the Merger Agreement (provided that such Recommendation Change is approved by the Board of Directors of FIBK, including the vote of a majority of the independent directors then serving on the Board of Directors of FIBK) or (c) any amendment, modification or waiver of the Merger Agreement that either (i) changes the amount of the Merger Consideration or (ii) changes Section 6.12 (Corporate Governance) or Section 6.20 (Conversion of FIBK Class B Common Stock) of the Merger Agreement, or the FIBK Articles Amendment or the FIBK Bylaws Amendment, in each case of this clause (ii) in a manner that is material and adverse to the Shareholders and, in each case, without the consent of the Shareholders; provided that (i) this Section 2 and Sections 10 through 16 hereof shall survive any such termination and (ii) such termination shall not relieve any party of any liability or damages resulting from any willful or material breach of any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements set forth herein.

 

3. Support Agreement. From the date hereof until the earlier of (a) the Closing or (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms (the “Support Period”), each Shareholder irrevocably and unconditionally hereby agrees that at any meeting (whether annual or special and each postponement, recess, adjournment or continuation thereof) of FIBK’s shareholders, however called, and in connection with any written consent of FIBK’s shareholders, each Shareholder shall (i) appear at such meeting or otherwise cause all of such Shareholder’s Existing Shares and all other shares of Common Stock or voting securities over which such Shareholder has acquired, after the date hereof, beneficial or record ownership and the power to vote or direct the voting thereof (including any shares of Common Stock acquired by means of purchase, dividend or distribution, or issued upon the exercise of any stock options to acquire Common Stock or the conversion of any convertible securities, or pursuant to any other equity awards or derivative securities (including any FIBK Equity Awards) or otherwise) (together with the Existing Shares, the “Shares”), as of the applicable record date, to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum, and (ii) vote or cause to be voted (including by proxy or written consent, if applicable) all such Shares (A) in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Merger Agreement (collectively, the “Transactions”), (B) in favor of the FIBK Articles Amendment, (C) in favor of any proposal to adjourn or postpone such meeting of FIBK’s shareholders to a later date if there are not sufficient votes to approve the Merger Agreement, the Transactions or the FIBK Articles Amendment, (D) against any Acquisition Proposal, and (E) against any action, proposal, transaction, agreement or amendment of the FIBK Articles of Incorporation or FIBK Bylaws, in each case of this clause (E), which would reasonably be expected to (1) result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of FIBK contained in the Merger Agreement, or of a Shareholder contained in this Agreement, or (2) prevent, impede, delay, interfere with, postpone, discourage or frustrate the purposes of or adversely affect the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger. Each Shareholder agrees to exercise all voting or

 

 

other determination rights such Shareholder has in any trust or other legal entity to carry out the intent and purposes of such Shareholder’s obligations in this paragraph and otherwise set forth in this Agreement. Each Shareholder represents, covenants and agrees that, except for this Agreement, such Shareholder (x) has not entered into, and shall not enter into during the Support Period, any support or voting agreement or voting trust or similar agreement with respect to the Shares that would be inconsistent with such Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement and (y) has not granted, and shall not grant during the Support Period, a proxy, consent or power of attorney with respect to the Shares except any proxy to carry out the intent of and the Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement and any revocable proxy granted to officers or directors of FIBK at the request of the FIBK Board of Directors in connection with election of directors or other routine matters at any annual or special meeting of the FIBK shareholders. Each Shareholder represents, covenants and agrees that it has not entered into and will not enter into any agreement or commitment with any person the effect of which would be inconsistent with or otherwise violate any of the provisions and agreements set forth herein.

 

4. Transfer Restrictions Prior to the Merger. Each Shareholder hereby agrees that such Shareholder will not, from the date hereof until the earlier of (a) the end of the Support Period or (b) approval of the Merger Agreement and the FIBK Articles Amendment by the shareholders of FIBK by the Requisite FIBK Vote, directly or indirectly, offer for sale, sell, transfer, assign, give, convey, tender in any tender or exchange offer, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or dispose of (by merger, by testamentary disposition, by operation of law or otherwise), either voluntarily or involuntarily, enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of, or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, conveyance, hypothecation or other transfer or disposition of, any of the Shares, or any legal or beneficial interest therein, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law (any of the foregoing, a “Transfer”); provided, that each Shareholder may Transfer Shares (i) for bona fide estate planning purposes to a Permitted Transferee (as defined in the FIBK Articles) of such Shareholder so long as the transferee, prior to the date of Transfer, agrees in a signed writing to be bound by and comply with the provisions of this Agreement with respect to such Transferred Shares, and such Shareholder provides at least three (3) Business Days’ prior written notice (which shall include the written consent of the transferee agreeing to be bound by and comply with the provisions of this Agreement) to FIBK and GWB, in which case such Shareholder shall remain responsible for any breach of this Agreement by such transferee and (ii) to the extent set forth on Schedule A hereto.

 

5. Representations of each Shareholder. Each Shareholder represents and warrants as follows: (a) such Shareholder has full legal right, capacity and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform such Shareholder’s obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; (b) this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Shareholder and constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of such Shareholder, enforceable against such Shareholder in accordance with its terms, and no other action is necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Shareholder or the performance of such Shareholder’s obligations hereunder; (c) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such

 

 

Shareholder does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and the compliance with the provisions hereof will not, conflict with or violate any law or result in any breach of or violation of, or constitute a default (or an event that with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in the creation of a Lien on any of the Shares pursuant to, any agreement or other instrument or obligation binding upon such Shareholder or the Shares, nor require any authorization, consent or approval of, or filing with, any Governmental Entity (other than an amendment to such Shareholder’s Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission); (d) such Shareholder beneficially owns and has the power to vote or direct the voting of the Shares, including all of such Shareholder’s Existing Shares as set forth on, and in the amounts set forth on, Schedule B hereto, which as of the date hereof constitute all of the shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Shareholder and represent the number of shares and voting power indicated on Schedule B hereto; (e) such Shareholder beneficially owns the Shares free and clear of any proxy, voting restriction, adverse claim or other Lien (other than (i) any restrictions created by this Agreement or under applicable federal or state securities laws or disclosed on such Shareholder’s Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or (ii) Liens arising out of pledges of Shares to secure outstanding amounts under existing credit facilities as set forth on Schedule A hereto); and (f) such Shareholder has read and is familiar with the terms of the Merger Agreement and the other agreements and documents contemplated herein and therein. Each Shareholder agrees that such Shareholder shall not take any action that would make any representation or warranty of such Shareholder contained herein untrue or incorrect or have the effect of preventing, impairing, delaying or adversely affecting the performance by such Shareholder of such Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, the terms “beneficial owner,” “beneficially own” and “beneficial ownership” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

6. Publicity. Each Shareholder hereby authorizes GWB and FIBK to publish and disclose in any announcement or disclosure in connection with the Merger, including in the S-4, the Joint Proxy Statement or any other filing with any Governmental Entity made in connection with the Merger, each Shareholder’s identity and ownership of the Shares and the nature of each Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement; provided that, prior to any such announcement or disclosure, as well as any other disclosure that references the Shareholders (individually or as a group), GWB and FIBK shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Shareholders (through their counsel, Latham & Watkins LLP) with the opportunity to review and comment on any references to any individual Shareholder or the Shareholders generally in such announcement or disclosure and consider such comments in good faith. Each Shareholder agrees to notify GWB as promptly as practicable of any inaccuracies or omissions in any information relating to such Shareholder that is so published or disclosed. The applicable Shareholders shall promptly and in accordance with applicable law amend their Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to disclose this Agreement and shall provide a draft of such amendment to GWB and FIBK for their review and comment.

 

 

7. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Merger Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.  Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any person not a party to this Agreement any right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement.  Nothing in this Agreement shall, or shall be construed or deemed to, constitute a Transfer of any Shares or any legal or beneficial interest in or voting or other control over any of the Shares or as creating or forming a “group” for purposes of the Exchange Act, and all rights, ownership and benefits of and relating to the Shares shall remain vested in and belong to each Shareholder, subject to the agreements of the parties set forth herein. This Agreement is intended to create, and creates, a contractual relationship and is not intended to create, and does not create, any agency, partnership, joint venture or other like relationship between the parties.

 

8. Assignment; Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise and, except as provided herein, shall be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that each of FIBK and GWB is an express third party beneficiary of this Agreement, this Agreement is intended to be for the benefit of each of FIBK and GWB and each of FIBK and GWB shall have the right to directly enforce the obligations of the parties hereto (including by seeking any remedy available pursuant to Section 9), and each may rely on the representations and warranties of the parties hereto set forth in Section 5; provided, further, that any action by FIBK or GWB to enforce this Agreement shall be subject to the provisions with respect to governing law, jurisdiction, venue, and waiver of jury trials set forth in Sections 10 and 14.

 

9. Remedies/Specific Enforcement. Each of the parties hereto agrees that this Agreement is intended to be legally binding and specifically enforceable pursuant to its terms and that each party would be irreparably harmed if any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms and that monetary damages would not provide an adequate remedy in such event.  Accordingly, in the event of any breach or threatened breach by any party of any provision contained in this Agreement, in addition to any other remedy to which the other parties may be entitled whether at law or in equity (including monetary damages), each other party shall be entitled to injunctive relief to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce the terms and provisions hereof, and each party hereby waives any defense in any action for specific performance or an injunction or other equitable relief that a remedy at law would be adequate.  Each party further agrees that no party shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this paragraph, and each party irrevocably waives any right such party may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument.

 

10. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to any applicable

 

 

conflict of law principles (except that matters relating to the corporate laws of the State of Montana shall be governed by such laws). Each of the parties hereto agrees that it will bring any action or proceeding in respect of any claim arising out of or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, only if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal or state court of competent jurisdiction located in the State of Delaware) (the “Chosen Courts”), and, solely in connection with claims arising under this Agreement or the transactions that are the subject of this Agreement, (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such action or proceeding in the Chosen Courts, (iii) waives any objection that the Chosen Courts are an inconvenient forum or do not have jurisdiction over any party and (iv) agrees that service of process upon such party in any such action or proceeding will be effective if notice is given in accordance with Section 11.

 

11. Notice. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, by e-mail transmission (with confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation), if to a Shareholder, to its address set forth on Schedule B hereto.

 

12. Severability. Whenever possible, each provision or portion of any provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such provision will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto. The parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such void or unenforceable provision.

 

13. Amendments; Waivers.  Any provision of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived if, and only if, such amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and signed (a) in the case of an amendment or modification, by each Shareholder, and (b) in the case of a waiver, by the party against whom the waiver is to be effective; provided, that this Agreement may not be amended or modified and no provision may be waived without the prior written consent of each of FIBK and GWB. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

14. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AT THE TIME OF INSTITUTION OF THE APPLICABLE LITIGATION, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY

 

 

ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT: (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (II) THE PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER; (III) THE PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY; AND (IV) THE PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 14.

 

15. No Representative Capacity. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this Agreement applies solely to each Shareholder in such Shareholder’s capacity as a shareholder of FIBK, and, to the extent a Shareholder serves as a member of the board of directors or as an officer of FIBK, nothing in this Agreement shall limit or affect any actions or omissions taken by such Shareholder in such Shareholder’s capacity as a director or officer and not as a shareholder.

 

16. Counterparts. The parties may execute this Agreement in one or more counterparts, including by facsimile or other electronic signature. All the counterparts will be construed together and will constitute one Agreement.

 

[Signature pages follow]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the parties and is effective as of the date first set forth above:

 

SHAREHOLDERS:

 

  RISA KAE SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K Scott, as an individual
       
  NBAR5 S
   
  By: /s/ Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K Scott
    Title: Authorized Signatory
       
  RISA K. SCOTT & JOHN HEYNEMAN JR., TTEES FBO RISA K SCOTT EXEMPTION TRUST UNDER THE SCOTT FAMILY 1996 TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  RISA K SCOTT TRUST AGENCY
   
  By: /s/ Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  RISA K SCOTT TTEE RISA K SCOTT TRUST DTD 12/4/15
   
  By: /s/ Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       

[Support Agreement Signature Page]

 

 

  JAMES R. SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott, as an individual
       
  FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY VITALITY
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Director
       
  JAMES F HEYNEMAN CONSERVATORSHIP, JAMES SCOTT, CONSERVATOR
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Conservator
       
  JAMES R SCOTT TRUST
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  JAMES R AND CHRISTINE M SCOTT FOUNDATION
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: President
       

  JS INVESTMENTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Managing Partner

 

[Support Agreement Signature Page]

 

 

  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE JAMES R SCOTT TRUST, JAMES R SCOTT & FIB CO-TTEEs
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE JAMES F HEYNEMAN TRUST, JAMES SCOTT & FIRST INTERSTATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO-TTEEs
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  JOHN HEYNEMAN
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr., as an individual
       
  JOHN HEYNEMAN JR.
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr., as an individual
       
  RAE ANN MORSS & JOHN HEYNEMAN JR., TRUSTEES FBO RAE ANN MORSS EXEMPTION TRUST UNDER THE SCOTT FAMILY 1996 TRUST
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Title: Co-Trustee

 

[Support Agreement Signature Page]

 

 

  RIKI RAE SCOTT DAVIDSON & JOHN HEYNEMAN JR., TRUSTEES FBO RIKI SCOTT DAVIDSON EXEMPTION TRUST UNDER THE SCOTT FAMILY 1996 TRUST
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Title: Co-Trustee
       
  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE JOHN M HEYNEMAN JR. TRUST
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Title: Trustee
       
  TOWANDA INVESTMENTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Title: Managing Partner
       
  JULIE SCOTT ROSE
   
  By: s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose, as an individual
       
  ELIZABETH LAUREN SCOTT ROSE TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trust Advisor

 

 

[Support Agreement Signature Page]

 

 

  FIRST INTERSTATE BANK & JULIE SCOTT ROSE, CO-TTEES OF THE JOAN D SCOTT TRUST DTD 10/16/12
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       

  HARPER GRACE SCOTT TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  HARRISON WILLIAM SCOTT TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  HOLLAND ELIZABETH SCOTT TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  IXL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Designated member
       

  JULIANA SARAH SCOTT ROSE TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trust Advisor

 

[Support Agreement Signature Page]

 

 

  JULIE A SCOTT ROSE TRUSTEE OF THE JULIE A SCOTT ROSE TRUST DATED 5-14-2002
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  THOMAS W SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       

  THOMAS W SCOTT TRUST DTD 8/22/95, THOMAS W SCOTT TRUSTEE
   
  By: s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  HOMER SCOTT JR.
   
  By: /s/ Homer Scott Jr.
    Name: Homer Scott Jr., as an individual
       
  HOMER SCOTT JR. TRUST DTD 12/4/78
   
  By: /s/ Homer Scott Jr.
    Name: Homer Scott Jr.
    Title: Trustee
       

  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE SEVENTH AMENDMENT & RESTATEMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT OF HOMER SCOTT JR DTD 5/21/10, HOMER SCOTT JR & FIB CO-TTEES
   
  By: /s/ Homer Scott Jr.
    Name: Homer Scott Jr.
    Title: Trustee

 

[Support Agreement Signature Page]

 

 

  SHERIDAN STADIUM FOUNDATION
   
  By: /s/ Homer Scott Jr.
    Name: Homer Scott Jr.
    Title: Board President
       
  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE SUSAN SCOTT HEYNEMAN 2008 REVOCABLE TRUST, SUSAN HEYNEMAN & FIB CO-TTEES
   
  By: /s/ Susan Scott Heyneman
    Name: Susan Heyneman
    Title: Trustee
       
  JAMES R SCOTT JR.
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott Jr.
    Name: James R. Scott Jr., as an individual
       
  FIRST INTERSTATE BANK TTEE FOR DANA S ANDERSSON GST EXEMPT TRUST NO 1 DTD 12/11/2020
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott Jr.
    Name: James R. Scott Jr.
    Title: Authorized Signatory
       
  FIRST INTERSTATE BANK TTEE FOR JAMES R SCOTT JR. GST EXEMPT TRUST NO 1 DTD 12/11/2020
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott Jr.
    Name: James R. Scott Jr.
    Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Support Agreement Signature Page]

 

 

  JONATHAN SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ Jonathan Scott
    Name: Jonathan Scott, as an individual
     
  JONATHAN SCOTT AS TRUSTEE OF THE JONATHAN R SCOTT TRUST DATED AS OF 4/21/04
   
  By: /s/ Jonathan Scott
    Name: Jonathan Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  JEREMY PAUL SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ Jeremy Paul Scott
    Name: Jeremy Paul Scott, as an individual
       
  JEREMY SCOTT TTEE, JEREMY SCOTT REVOCABLE TRUST DTD 6/25/15
   
  By: /s/ Jeremy Paul Scott
    Name: Jeremy Paul Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  NBAR5 Limited Partnership
   
  By: /s/ Jeremy Paul Scott
    Name: Jeremy Scott
    Title: Managing Member

 

[Support Agreement Signature Page]

 

 

Schedule A

 

Permitted Transfers

 

1) Shares to be transferred for charitable gifts and estate tax payments

 

Family Member B Shares to be Converted and Contributed Existing A Shares to be Contributed Existing A Shares to be Sold B Shares to be Transferred Pursuant to Estate Administration Total Shares Impacted
Risa Scott 11,500 - - - 11,500
Foundation for Community Vitality* 13,000 - - - 13,000
James R. Scott 13,000 - - - 13,000
Homer Scott, Jr. - 13,000 - - 13,000
Homer Scott, Jr. - - 8,000 - 8,000
Thomas Scott Trust (Julie Rose – Trustee) - - - 89,500 89,500
          148,000
*James R. Scott – Board Member          
       

Total Family

 

B Shares

 

19,549,126
        Percentage Impacted 0.76%

 

2) Shares pledged pursuant to existing revolving credit facilities

 

Entity Class A Class B Shares Pledged
Setru & Co., Custodian for the James R Scott Trust, James R Scott & FIB Co-TTEEs -                   1,057,496 395,000
John Heyneman Jr. -                        30,000 11,700
Thomas W Scott Trust Dtd 8/22/95, Thomas W Scott Trustee -                   1,758,995 105,000
Setru & Co., Custodian for the Seventh Amendment & Restatement of Trust Agreement of Homer Scott Jr Dtd 5/21/10, Homer Scott Jr & FIB Co-TTEEs -                   1,737,084 1,737,084
Setru & Co., Custodian for the Susan Scott Heyneman 2008 Revocable Trust, Susan Heyneman & FIB Co-TTEE -                      646,756 322,500
Jonathan Scott as Trustee of the Jonathan R Scott Trust Dated as of 4/21/04 -                      380,000 380,000

 

Schedule B

 

Shareholder Information

 

Name of Shareholder Existing Shares Total Voting Power Percentage Represented by Shareholder’s Existing Shares Address for Notices
Class A Class B
Risa K Scott TTEE Risa K Scott Trust Dtd 12/4/15 - 264,308 0.916% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Risa Kae Scott - 587 0.002% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
NBAR5 S - 135,776 0.470% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Risa K. Scott & John Heyneman Jr., TTEEs FBO Risa K Scott Exemption Trust Under the Scott Family 1996 Trust - 85,836 0.297% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Risa K Scott Trust Agency 85 - 0.000% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
NBar5 Limited Partnership - 3,416,108 11.837% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Setru & Co., Custodian for the James R Scott Trust, James R Scott & FIB Co-TTEEs - 1,985,462 6.880% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
James R Scott Trust 35,723 - 0.025% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
James R. Scott 28,839 - 0.020% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
James R and Christine M Scott Foundation - 35,240 0.122% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103

 

JS Investments Limited Partnership - 1,901,036 6.587% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
John Heyneman Jr. 6,814 - 0.005% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Foundation for Community Vitality 16,598 322,641 1.129% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
James F Heyneman Conservatorship, James Scott, Conservator - 73,002 0.253% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Setru & Co., Custodian for the James F Heyneman Trust, James Scott & First Interstate Wealth Management Co-TTEEs - 7,096 0.025% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Setru & Co., Custodian for the John M Heyneman Jr. Trust - 139,921 0.485% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
John Heyneman - 15,000 0.052% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Riki Rae Scott Davidson & John Heyneman Jr., Trustees FBO Riki Scott Davidson Exemption Trust Under the Scott Family 1996 Trust - 85,836 0.297% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Rae Ann Morss & John Heyneman Jr., Trustees FBO Rae Ann Morss Exemption Trust Under the Scott Family 1996 Trust - 85,836 0.297% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Towanda Investments Limited Partnership - 1,085,792 3.762% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Julie Scott Rose - 1,933 0.007% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103

 

Julie A Scott Rose Trustee of the Julie A Scott Rose Trust Dated 5-14-2002 - 397,210 1.376% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
First Interstate Bank & Julie Scott Rose, Co-TTEEs of the Joan D Scott Trust Dtd 10/16/12 - 10,424 0.036% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
IXL Limited Liability Company - 222,528 0.771% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Juliana Sarah Scott Rose Trust 131,731 - 0.091% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Elizabeth Lauren Scott Rose Trust 131,731 - 0.091% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Holland Elizabeth Scott Trust 94,863 - 0.066% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Harper Grace Scott Trust 94,863 - 0.066% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Harrison William Scott Trust 94,863 - 0.066% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Thomas W Scott Trust Dtd 8/22/95, Thomas W Scott Trustee - 1,758,995 6.095% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Thomas W Scott   205 - 0.000% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Setru & Co., Custodian for the Seventh Amendment & Restatement of Trust Agreement of Homer Scott Jr Dtd 5/21/10, Homer Scott Jr & FIB Co-TTEEs - 1,961,232 6.796% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Homer Scott Jr. Trust Dtd 12/4/78 21,500 - 0.015% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103

 

Sheridan Stadium Foundation 5,960 - 0.004% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Homer Scott Jr. 26,193 - 0.018% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Setru & Co., Custodian for the Susan Scott Heyneman 2008 Revocable Trust, Susan Heyneman & FIB Co-TTEEs - 646,756 2.241% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
First Interstate Bank TTEE for Dana S Andersson GST Exempt Trust No 1 Dtd 12/11/2020 - 25,642 0.089% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
First Interstate Bank TTEE for James R Scott Jr. GST Exempt Trust No 1 Dtd 12/11/2020 - 25,642 0.089% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Jonathan Scott as Trustee of the Jonathan R Scott Trust Dated as of 4/21/04 - 540,731 1.874% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Jonathan Scott   4,160 265 0.004% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Jeremy Paul Scott - 14,024 0.049% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
Jeremy Scott TTEE, Jeremy Scott Revocable Trust Dtd 6/25/15 - 42,918 0.149% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103
James R Scott Jr. 7,583 97,853 0.344% Attn: Tim Leuthold, c/o Scott Family Services, PO Box 7113, Billings, MT 59103

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

 

This STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT, dated as of September 15, 2021 (this “Agreement”) and, except as otherwise set forth in Section 5.1, effective as of the Closing (the “Effective Time”), is by and between those individuals and entities listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively referred to as the “Stockholders” and each, a “Stockholder”) and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., a Montana corporation (the “Company” and together with the Stockholders, the “Parties” and each, a “Party”).

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (the “Merger Agreement”), among the Company and Great Western Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GWB”), among other things, at the Effective Time, GWB will merge with and into the Company with the Company surviving (the “Merger”) (for the avoidance of doubt, from and after the Effective Time, all references in this Agreement to the “Company” shall be understood as referring to the surviving corporation in the Merger). Defined terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, as a condition to the willingness of the Company and GWB to enter into the Merger Agreement, and as a condition to the willingness of the Stockholders to enter into the Support Agreement, the Parties are entering into this Agreement, which sets forth certain terms and conditions regarding, among other things, post-Closing governance and other matters.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

Article I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1            Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms will have the following respective meanings:

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first Person, where “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, 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, as trustee or executor or otherwise; provided, however, that in no event shall the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or any of the Company’s other controlled Affiliates (in each case after giving effect to the Merger) be deemed to be Affiliates of any Stockholder or any of such Stockholder’s Affiliates for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Aggregate Offering Price” means the aggregate offering price of Registrable Securities in any offering, calculated based upon the Fair Market Value of the Registrable Securities, in the case of a Minimum Amount, as of the date that the applicable Demand Registration Request is delivered, and in the case of an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, as of the date that the applicable Underwritten Shelf Takedown Notice is delivered.

 

 

Beneficial Ownership,” “Beneficially Owned” and “Beneficially Owns” have the meanings specified in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, including the provision that any member of a “group” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities beneficially owned by other members of the group, and a Person’s beneficial ownership of securities will be calculated in accordance with the provisions of such Rule; provided, however, that a Person will be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any security which may be acquired by such Person whether within sixty (60) days or thereafter, upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of any rights, options, warrants or similar securities to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire (x) capital stock of any Person or (y) securities directly or indirectly convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, such capital stock of such Person.

 

Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Bylaws” means the bylaws of the Company as in effect immediately following the Effective Time, as amended, supplemented or restated or otherwise modified from time to time thereafter.

 

Charter” means the Articles of Incorporation of the Company as in effect immediately following the Effective Time, as amended, supplemented or restated or otherwise modified from time to time thereafter.

 

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Committee” means a committee of the Board.

 

Common Stock” means (i) the common stock of the Company, no par value per share, (ii) any securities of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company into which such stock is reclassified or reconstituted or into which such stock is converted or otherwise exchanged in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, sale of assets, consolidation or other reorganization or otherwise or (iii) any securities received as a dividend or distribution in respect of the securities described in clauses (i) and (ii) above.

 

Confidential Information” means all non-public information (irrespective of the form of communication, and irrespective of whether obtained prior to or after the Effective Time or whether pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise) concerning the Company or its Affiliates that may be furnished to any Person by or on behalf of the Company, its Affiliates or its or their respective Representatives, other than information which (a) becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement, (b) becomes available to such Person on a non-confidential basis from a source other than the Company, its Affiliates or its or their respective Representatives; provided, that the source thereof is not known by such Person or such of its Affiliates or its or their respective Representatives to be bound by an obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information, or (c) is independently developed by such Person, its Affiliates or its or their respective Representatives without the use of or reference to any information that would otherwise be Confidential Information hereunder.  

 

Director” means a member of the Board.

 

 

Eligible Designee” means (a) any lineal descendant (including any descendant by legal adoption prior to age 18) of Homer A. Scott (a “Scott Family Descendant”), (b) any spouse by marriage through solemnization or declaration (excluding a spouse by common law marriage) of a Scott Family Descendant (a “Scott Family Spouse”), (c) any stepchild of a Scott Family Descendant whose parent, at the applicable time of designation by the Stockholders as a Stockholder Nominee, Stockholder Board Observer or FIBK Foundation Designee, as the case may be, is a Scott Family Spouse of such Scott Family Descendant, or (d) any other person approved by the Company’s Nominating and Governance Committee in its sole discretion.

 

Equity Securities” means (a) Voting Securities, (b) any securities of the Company that are convertible, exchangeable or exercisable (whether presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable or not) into or for Voting Securities (including within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-4(d)(9)), (c) any options, warrants and rights issued by the Company (whether presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable or not) to purchase Voting Securities or convertible, exchangeable or exercisable (whether presently convertible, exchangeable or exercisable or not) into Voting Securities (including within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-4(d)(9)), and (d) any other interests that would be treated as “stock” of the Company pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-2T(f)(18).

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

 

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any Registrable Securities, the average closing sales price, calculated for the five (5) trading days immediately prior to the date of a determination.

 

FIBK Foundation” means First Interstate BancSystem Foundation.

 

FIBK Foundation Board” means the board of directors of FIBK Foundation.

 

Governmental Entity” means any federal, state, local or foreign government or subdivision thereof or any other governmental, administrative, judicial, arbitral, legislative, executive, regulatory or self-regulatory authority (including the Nasdaq), instrumentality, agency, commission or body.

 

Initiating Holder(s)” means the Stockholder(s) requesting an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 4.1(e) or a Demand Registration pursuant to Section 4.2(a).

 

Law” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, regulation, order, award, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Entity.

 

Lock-Up Period” means the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date.

 

Minimum Amount” means an amount of Registrable Securities that has an Aggregate Offering Price of at least $50,000,000.

 

 

Participating Holder” means any Scott Family Stockholder participating in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or Demand Registration that such Scott Family Stockholder did not initiate.

 

Permissible Withdrawal” means a withdrawal (i) based on the reasonable determination of the Stockholder who made the Demand Registration Request that there has been, since the date of the applicable Demand Registration Request, a material adverse change in the business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Company, in general market conditions or in market conditions for online brokerage businesses generally, or (ii) in which each of the withdrawing Stockholders shall have paid or reimbursed on a pro rata basis the Company for all of the reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the withdrawn Demand Registration.

 

Person” means an association, a corporation, an individual, a partnership, a joint venture, a limited liability company, an estate, a trust or any other entity or organization, including a governmental authority, a group (with the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), or an “entity” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.382-3 (including any group of Persons treated as a single entity under such regulation); provided, however, that for purposes of Article III a Person shall not be deemed to include a Public Group (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.382–2T(f)(13)).

 

Prospectus” means the prospectus or prospectuses (whether preliminary or final) included in any Registration Statement and relating to Registrable Securities, as amended or supplemented and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus or prospectuses.

 

Registrable Securities” means, at any time, (i) any shares of Common Stock held or beneficially owned by any Scott Family Stockholder, (ii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to any Scott Family Stockholder upon the conversion, exercise or exchange, as applicable, of any other Equity Securities held or beneficially owned by any Scott Family Stockholder and (iii) any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to any Scott Family Stockholder with respect to any shares described in clauses (i) and (ii) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in exchange for or upon conversion of such shares or otherwise in connection with a combination of shares, share subdivision, distribution, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, other reorganization or other similar event (it being understood that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Scott Family Stockholder shall be deemed to be a holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Securities whenever such Person in its sole discretion has the right to then acquire or obtain from the Company any Registrable Securities, whether or not such acquisition has actually been effected), provided, that any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable provided in clauses (i) through (iii) above shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (A) they have been disposed of pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act, (B) they have been sold or distributed pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 145 under the Securities Act, or (C) they have ceased to be outstanding.

 

Registration Statement” means any registration statement of the Company under the Securities Act which covers any of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus, all amendments and supplements to such Registration

 

 

Statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits and all documents incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement.

 

Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, the directors, officers, employees, investment bankers, accountants, attorneys or other advisors, agents or representatives of such Person.

 

Scott Family Stockholder” means (a) any Scott Family Descendant, (b) any Scott Family Spouse, (c) any stepchild of a Scott Family Descendant whose parent, at the applicable time of determination for purposes of this Agreement, is a Scott Family Spouse of such Scott Family Descendant, (d) any estate, trust, account (including an individual retirement account), plan, conservatorship, custodianship or other fiduciary arrangement for the sole benefit of any one or more individuals described in the foregoing clauses (a), (b) or (c) hereof, (e) any “charitable remainder trust” within the meaning of Section 664 of the Code, provided the “noncharitable beneficiary” is one or more individuals or fiduciary arrangements described in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) hereof, and (f) any corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which, at the applicable time of determination for purposes of this Agreement, each class of stock, partnership interest, membership interest or other ownership interest, as the case may be, is owned solely by one or more individuals or fiduciary arrangements described in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c) or (d) hereof.

 

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

 

Selling Expenses” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities.

 

Similar Securities” means, in connection with any registration of securities of the Company, all securities of the Company which are (i) the same as or similar to those being registered, (ii) convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for the securities being registered, or (iii) the same as or similar to the securities into which the securities being registered are convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for.

 

Subsidiary” of any Person shall mean any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or other form of legal entity (whether incorporated or unincorporated) of which (or in which) more than 50% of the Beneficial Ownership of the stock or other equity interests of such entity is, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or more of its other Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Person’s other Subsidiaries.

 

Treasury Regulation” means any Treasury regulation, in effect from time to time, promulgated under the Code.

 

 

underwritten offering” means a registered offering of securities conducted by one or more underwriters pursuant to the terms of an underwriting agreement.

 

Voting Securities” means the Common Stock and any other securities of the Company of any kind or class having power generally to vote for the election of Directors.

 

Article II

COVENANTS

 

Section 2.1     Stockholder Nominees.  

 

(a)    The Stockholders shall initially have the right to designate three (3) individuals to be nominated as Directors (the “Stockholder Nominees” and each, a “Stockholder Nominee”), and the total number of Stockholder Nominees that the Stockholders are entitled to so designate shall be subsequently adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 2.1(b). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, and without limiting the generality of Section 2.1(c), each designee of the Stockholders to be nominated as Directors must be an Eligible Designee.

 

(b)    

 

(i)     If, on the record date for any meeting of stockholders of the Company following the Effective Time (the “Applicable Meeting”) at which Directors are to be elected, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Scott Family Stockholders, as a percentage of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding (the “Common Ownership Percentage”), constitutes less than the then applicable Stockholder Nominee Ownership Threshold, then the number of Stockholder Nominees shall be reduced, to the total number set forth opposite the Stockholder Nominee Ownership Threshold which represents the Common Ownership Percentage of the Scott Family Stockholders at such time; provided that the Stockholders shall deliver, no later than three business days prior to the Applicable Meeting, a report that sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Scott Family Stockholders individually and in the aggregate, as of the date of delivery of such report (the “Annual Report”); provided, further (x) the Stockholders shall provide prior written notice to the Company of any changes in the number of shares held by the Scott Family Stockholders after delivery of the Annual Report and before the record date for the Applicable Meeting and (y) such written notice shall provide the number of shares of Common Stock held by the Scott Family Stockholders individually and in the aggregate taking into account any such change provided in clause (x).

 

(ii)     Upon any reduction in the number of Stockholder Nominees required by Section 2.1(b)(i), effective at and after the Applicable Meeting, the number of Stockholder Nominees to which the Stockholders are entitled to designate under this Section 2.1 shall be the total number set forth opposite the Stockholder Nominee Ownership Threshold which represents the Common Ownership Percentage of the Scott Family Stockholders at such time. In the case that the number of Stockholder Nominees is

 

 

so reduced, and the existing term in office of Stockholder Nominees extends beyond the date of the Applicable Meeting (such that, absent resignation on the Applicable Meeting, the Stockholder Nominees remaining on the Board would exceed the number of Stockholder Nominees to which the Stockholders are entitled), then at the request of the Company the Stockholders shall cause one or more of the Stockholder Nominees (as designated by the Stockholders in the case that the number of Stockholder Nominees is reduced to one (1) or to two (2)) to resign from the Board effective at the Applicable Meeting, and all rights under this Section 2.1 in respect of such Stockholder Nominee(s) shall be terminated and be of no further force and effect; provided that Section 2.6 shall survive any such termination. As a condition to any Stockholder Nominee’s appointment or election to the Board, such Stockholder Nominee shall deliver to the Board an irrevocable resignation letter which may be accepted by the Board upon the date on which the number of Stockholder Nominees is reduced pursuant to the preceding sentence (and subject to the ability of the Stockholders to designate which Stockholder Nominee or Stockholder Nominees to remove in the case that the number of Stockholder Nominees is reduced to one (1) or to two (2)). Once the number of Stockholder Nominees has been reduced, it will not subsequently be increased even if the Stockholders acquire Beneficial Ownership of additional Common Stock such that the number of Stockholder Nominees then serving on the Board is less than the number of Stockholder Nominees set forth opposite the Stockholder Nominee Ownership Threshold which represents the Stockholders’ Common Ownership Percentage at such time.

 

(iii)     Subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall include each Stockholder Nominee to which the Stockholders are entitled to designate under this Section 2.1 on the Company’s slate of nominees for election as Directors at any applicable meeting of stockholders at which Directors are to be elected and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, use its reasonable best efforts (and in any event at least the same level of efforts used for the Company’s other Director nominees) to cause each such Stockholder Nominee to be elected and maintained in office as a Director (including, without limitation, using its reasonable best efforts to solicit from the stockholders of the Company eligible to vote for the election of Directors proxies in favor of the election of each such Stockholder Nominee at any meeting of stockholders held to elect Directors). Subject to Section 2.1(c) and to the Company’s required efforts set forth in this Section 2.1(b)(iii) with respect to Stockholder Nominees, if a Stockholder Nominee resigns or is otherwise unavailable to serve as a Director, the Stockholders shall have the exclusive right to designate the replacement for such Stockholder Nominee for so long as the Stockholders have the right to designate such Stockholder Nominee and the Company shall, consistent with its obligations set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, cause any such replacement Stockholder Nominee to be promptly appointed or elected to the Board.

 

(iv)      For purposes of this Agreement, the “Stockholder Nominee Ownership Thresholds” shall be as follows:

 

 

Common Ownership Percentage Total Number of Stockholder Nominees
Greater than or equal to 15% 3
Greater than or equal to 10% but less than 15% 2
Greater than or equal to 5% but less than 10% 1
Less than 5% 0

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the Company nor the Board shall be under any obligation to nominate or appoint to the Board, or solicit votes for, any Person pursuant to Section 2.1, in event that: (i)  the election of such Person to the Board would cause the Company to not be in compliance with applicable Law, (ii) such Person has been the subject of any event required to be disclosed pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act or Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding bankruptcies) involving an act of moral turpitude by such individual or is subject to any order, decree or judgment of any Governmental Entity prohibiting service as a director of any public company, (iii) such Person fails to satisfy the mandatory director qualification and eligibility criteria required by any applicable SEC rules, rules of any exchange on which the Company’s securities are then traded, or other binding legal requirements of the Company, or otherwise fails to be reasonably acceptable to the Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board applying standards consistent with past practice in evaluating Scott family director nominees or (iv) such Person does not qualify as an Eligible Designee. In the event a Person nominated by the Stockholders as a Stockholder Nominee is not nominated or appointed to the Board as a result of a failure to satisfy any of the requirements described in clauses (i) through (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Stockholders will be permitted to designate a replacement Stockholder Nominee (which replacement Stockholder Nominee will also be subject to the requirements of this Section 2.1(c)). 

 

(d)     The Stockholder Nominees shall be entitled to attend meetings of any Committee on a non-voting basis, in each case, in a manner consistent with the existing practice of the Board as of prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 2.2     Board Observers.

 

(a)     For so long as the Stockholders are entitled to designate one or more Stockholder Nominees pursuant to Section 2.1, at any time following the Effective Time, the Stockholders shall have the right to designate an equal number of representatives to act as a non-voting observer of meetings of the Board and any Committee (in each case, except to the extent excluded therefrom pursuant to Section 2.2(d)) (each, a “Stockholder Board Observer”), as the number of Stockholder Nominees to which the Stockholders are so entitled to designate at such time, and the total number of Stockholder Board Observers shall be subsequently adjusted from time to time concurrently with any adjustment to the number of Stockholder Nominees that the Stockholders are entitled to so designate pursuant to Section 2.1(b). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, and without limiting the generality of Section 2.2(f), each designee

 

 

of the Stockholders to act as a non-voting observer of meetings of the Board and any Committee must be an Eligible Designee.

 

(b)     The Company agrees that each Stockholder Board Observer shall be entitled to attend, in a non-voting observer capacity, all meetings of the Board and any Committees (in each case, except to the extent excluded therefrom pursuant to Section 2.2(d)) for the purposes of permitting such Stockholder Board Observer to: (i) have current information with respect to the affairs of the Stockholders and the actions taken by the Board, (ii) provide, when requested, input and advice to the Board or Committee at such time with respect thereto, and (iii) consider and discuss, in his or her capacity as a stockholder of the Company, all Confidential Information received from the Company with the Stockholders. As a non-voting observer, any Stockholder Board Observer shall be provided with (concurrently with delivery to the Directors and in the same manner delivery is made to them) copies of all notices, minutes, consents, and all other materials or information (financial or otherwise) that are provided to the Directors with respect to a meeting or any written consent in lieu of meeting (except to the extent such Stockholder Board Observer has been excluded therefrom pursuant to Section 2.2(d)).

 

(c)     In no event shall any Stockholder Board Observer (i) be deemed to be a member of the Board or such Committees, (ii) have the right to vote on any matter under consideration by the Board or such Committees or otherwise have any power to cause the Company to take, or not to take, any action, or (iii) have or be deemed to have, or otherwise be subject to, any duties (fiduciary or otherwise) to the Company or its stockholders or any duties (fiduciary or otherwise) otherwise applicable to the Directors of the Company.

 

(d)     Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled, and does hereby expressly reserve the right, to withhold any materials or information and to exclude any Stockholder Board Observer from all or any portion of any meeting if and solely to the extent:

 

(i)     access to such materials or information or attendance at such meeting would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the attorney-client privilege between the Company and its counsel;

 

(ii)     access to such materials or information or attendance at such meeting would reasonably be expected to result in disclosure of confidential supervisory information to the Stockholder Board Observer;

 

(iii)     the Stockholder Board Observer is a competitor of the Company, owns a material interest in a competitor of the Company or the Stockholder Board Observer has a material business or financial interest in the matter to be discussed by the Board or Committee; or

 

(iv)      such meeting is an executive session limited solely to independent director members or other directors of the Board, independent auditors, and/or legal counsel, as the Board may designate, or such Stockholder Board Observer would not meet the applicable standards for independence adopted by The NASDAQ Stock Market, or such other exchange on which the Company’s securities are then traded (assuming for

 

 

purposes of the analysis that such Stockholder Board Observer were a member of the Board).

 

(e)     Upon any reduction in the number of Stockholder Nominees required by Section 2.1(b)(i) at any time following the Effective Time, the number of Stockholder Board Observers that the Stockholders have a right to designate under this Section 2.2 shall be reduced by the same number of Stockholder Nominees that are required to resign pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(ii) (and the Stockholders shall designate which Stockholder Board Observers to remove in the case that the number of Stockholder Board Observers is reduced to one (1) or to two (2)), and all rights under this Section 2.2 in respect of such Stockholder Board Observer(s) shall be terminated and be of no further force and effect, provided that Section 2.6 shall survive any such termination. Once the number of Stockholder Board Observers has been reduced as a result in a reduction to the number of Stockholder Nominees, it will not subsequently be increased even if the Stockholders acquire Beneficial Ownership of additional Common Stock such that the number of Stockholder Nominees then serving on the Board is less than the number of Stockholder Nominees set forth opposite the Stockholder Nominee Ownership Threshold which represents the Stockholders’ Common Ownership Percentage at such time.  

 

(f)      Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Board shall not be obligated to accept or recognize a Person as a Stockholder Board Observer for purposes of this Agreement if (i) such Person’s role as a Stockholder Board Observer would cause the Company to not be in compliance with applicable Law, (ii) such Person has been the subject of any event required to be disclosed pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act or Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding bankruptcies) involving an act of moral turpitude by such individual or is subject to any order, decree or judgment of any Governmental Entity prohibiting service as a director of any public company, (iii)  such Person fails to complete reasonable and customary onboarding documentation, including providing reasonably required information to the Company, and executing a Board Observer and Confidentiality Agreement or other confidentiality agreement, in each case to the extent such requirements are consistent with those applicable to the other observers of the board of directors of the Company or (iv) such Person does not qualify as an Eligible Designee. In the event the Stockholders designate a Person that is not entitled to be designated as a Stockholder Board Observer as a result of a failure to satisfy any of the requirements described in clauses (i) through (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Stockholders will be permitted to designate a replacement Stockholder Board Observer (which replacement Stockholder Board Observer will also be subject to the requirements of this Section 2.2(f)).

 

Section 2.3     FIBK Foundation Designees.  

 

(a)     Effective as of the Effective Time, the number of directors that will comprise the FIBK Foundation Board shall be eight (8). Of the members of the FIBK Foundation Board as of the Effective Time, (i) two (2) shall be designated by the Stockholders (“FIBK Foundation Designees”), (ii) four (4) shall be designated by the Company, provided that such designees are members of the executive management of the Company and (iii) the remaining two (2) shall be independent directors of the Company that are mutually determined by the Company and the Stockholders.

 

 

(b)     Subject to Section 2.3(c), if a FIBK Foundation Designee resigns or is otherwise unavailable to serve as a director of the FIBK Foundation Board, the Stockholders shall have the exclusive right to designate the replacement for such FIBK Foundation Designee for so long as the Stockholders have the right to designate such FIBK Foundation Designee and the Company shall, and shall cause the FIBK Foundation, to cause any such replacement FIBK Foundation Designee to be promptly appointed or elected to the FIBK Foundation Board. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Stockholders shall no longer have a right to designate any FIBK Foundation Designees, and the rights under this Section 2.3 shall terminate, upon the first date that the Scott Family Stockholders no longer have a Common Ownership Percentage of at least 5%. At such time the Scott Family Stockholders no longer have a Common Ownership Percentage of at least 5%, at the request of the Company each FIBK Foundation Designee shall, and the Stockholders shall cause any such FIBK Foundation Designee to, promptly resign from the FIBK Foundation Board.

 

(c)     Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither the FIBK Foundation nor the FIBK Foundation Board shall be under any obligation to nominate or appoint to the FIBK Foundation Board any Person as a FIBK Foundation Designee pursuant to Section 2.3, in event that: (i)  the election of such Person to the FIBK Foundation Board would cause the FIBK Foundation to not be in the compliance with applicable Law, (ii) such Person has been the subject of any event required to be disclosed pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) of Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act or Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding bankruptcies) involving an act of moral turpitude by such individual or is subject to any order, decree or judgment of any Governmental Entity prohibiting service as a director of any public company, (iii)  such Person fails to complete reasonable and customary onboarding documentation, including providing reasonably required information to the FIBK Foundation, in each case to the extent such requirements are consistent with those applicable to the other members of the FIBK Foundation Board, or (iv) such Person does not qualify as an Eligible Designee. In the event a Person nominated by the Stockholders as a FIBK Foundation Designee is not nominated or appointed to the FIBK Foundation Board as a result of a failure to satisfy any of the requirements described in clauses (i) through (iv) of the immediately preceding sentence, the Stockholders will be permitted to designate a replacement FIBK Foundation Designee (which replacement FIBK Foundation Designee will also be subject to the requirements of this Section 2.3(c)).  

 

(d)     As promptly as practicable following the Effective Time, the Company shall make a contribution of $21,500,000 to the FIBK Foundation.

 

Section 2.4     Delivery of Agreement to Vote. As a condition to the Company’s obligation to nominate Stockholder Nominees at any applicable meeting of stockholders at which Directors will be elected from and after the Closing Date, each of the Stockholders who then holds shares of Common Stock shall have executed and delivered to the Company a voting agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Voting Agreement”).

 

Section 2.5     [Intentionally Omitted].

 

Section 2.6     Confidentiality. Each Stockholder shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates and its and their Representatives that receive Confidential Information on such

 

 

Stockholder’s behalf to, (a) keep confidential all Confidential Information received by it from the Company or any of its Affiliates (including pursuant to Section 2.8), (b) not disclose any such information to any Person without the prior written consent of the Company other than to such Stockholder’s or its Affiliates’ and its and their Representatives who such Stockholder determines in good faith need to know such information for the purpose of evaluating, monitoring or taking any other action with respect to the investment by such Stockholder in the Company, and (c) not knowingly use such information other than for the purpose of evaluating, monitoring or taking any other action with respect to the investment by such Stockholder in the Company; provided, that such Stockholder shall be responsible for any breach by any such Representative of this Section 2.6 as if such Representative was bound hereby. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, in the event that such Stockholder or any of its Affiliates is requested pursuant to, or is required by, applicable Law or by legal process, or with regard to Representatives which are auditing or accounting firms, applicable professional standards or obligations thereunder, to disclose any Confidential Information, such Stockholder or such Affiliate or such Representative shall (i) to the extent permitted by applicable Law, provide prior written notice to the Company of such required disclosure, (ii) reasonably cooperate with any efforts by the Company to seek confidential treatment of, or obtain a protective order with respect to, the applicable Confidential Information, and (iii) disclose only the portion of the Confidential Information that is required to be disclosed.

 

Section 2.7     Charter and Bylaws to be Consistent. The Company shall take or cause to be taken all lawful action necessary or appropriate to ensure that at all times the Charter and the Bylaws and the corresponding constituent documents of the Company’s Subsidiaries contain provisions consistent with the terms of this Agreement and do not contain any provisions inconsistent therewith or which would in any way nullify or impair the terms of this Agreement or the rights provided hereunder to any of the parties hereto. None of the Company, the Board, any committee thereof, or the Stockholders shall take or cause to be taken any action inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the rights provided hereunder to any of the parties hereto.

 

Section 2.8     Information Rights. Subject to applicable Law, the Company shall meet with the Stockholders to provide quarterly management presentations as are regularly prepared by the Company and its Subsidiaries in a manner consistent with the Company’s practice prior to the date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, nothing in this Section 2.8 shall require the Company to produce any information that is not readily available or to prepare any statement or reports that are not prepared by the Company in the ordinary course of business for purposes other than complying with this Section 2.8. All information provided to the Stockholders under this Section 2.8 shall be subject to Section 2.6. The Company and the Stockholders shall agree on protocols and procedures with regard to the handling of information provided to the Stockholders under this Section 2.8 and maintaining the confidentiality thereof, including with respect to cybersecurity matters. This Section 2.8 shall terminate upon the first date that the Stockholders no longer have a Common Ownership Percentage of at least 5%.

 

Section 2.9     Securities Laws. Each Stockholder acknowledges that it is aware, and will advise each Stockholder Nominee, Stockholder Board Observer and FIBK Foundation Designee and any other entity or Person who receives Confidential Information pursuant to Section 2.6 or otherwise, that applicable securities Laws prohibit any Person who has received material, non-

 

 

public information from purchasing or selling securities on the basis of such information or from communicating such information to any other Person unless in compliance with such Laws.

 

Article III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

Section 3.1     Representations and Warranties of the Stockholders. Each Stockholder hereby represents and warrants to the Company as of the date hereof and as of the Effective Time that:

 

(a)     The execution, delivery and performance by such Stockholder of this Agreement and the consummation such Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the Stockholder’s full legal capacity, right and authority. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such Stockholder and assuming due execution and delivery by the Company, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding Agreement with such Stockholder enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. In the case of a Stockholder that is a trust, such Stockholder has all necessary trust power and authority to enter into, and be bound by the terms of, this Agreement, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by such Stockholder.

 

(b)     The execution, delivery and performance by such Stockholder of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) violate any applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree, (ii) require any consent or other action by any Person under, constitute a default under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration or to a loss of any benefit to which such Stockholder is entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument binding on such Stockholder or (iii) result in the imposition of any lien (other than pursuant to this Agreement) on any asset of such Stockholder (including the Common Stock). In the case of any Stockholder that is a trust, there are no consents of any beneficiary of such trust that have not already been obtained and are required in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 3.2     Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Stockholders as of the date hereof and as of the Effective Time that:

 

(a)     As of the date hereof, the Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Montana. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby are within the powers of the Company and have been duly authorized by all necessary action. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and assuming due execution and delivery by the Stockholders, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding Agreement of the Company enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

 

(b)     The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (i)

 

 

violate the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) materially violate any applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, injunction, order or decree, (iii) require any consent or other action by any Person under, constitute a default under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration or to a loss of any benefit to which the Company or its Subsidiaries are entitled under any provision of any agreement or other instrument binding on the Company or (iv) result in the imposition of any lien (other than pursuant to this Agreement) on any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including the Common Stock).

 

Article IV

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

 

Section 4.1     Shelf Registration.

 

(a)     Following demand by any Stockholder after expiration of the Lock-Up Period, the Company shall as promptly as practicable (i) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or the then appropriate form for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto that covers all Registrable Securities then outstanding for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto (a “Shelf Registration”), (ii) amend an existing registration statement so that it is usable for Shelf Registration and an offering on a delayed or continuous basis of Registrable Securities, or (iii) file a prospectus supplement that shall be deemed to be a part of an existing registration statement in accordance with Rule 430B under the Securities Act that is usable for Shelf Registration and an offering on a delayed or continuous basis of Registrable Securities (as applicable, a “Shelf Registration Statement”). If permitted under the Securities Act, such Shelf Registration Statement shall be an “automatic shelf registration statement” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

 

(b)     Effective Registration Statement. The Company shall use its best efforts to (i) cause the Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to Section 4.1(a) to be declared effective by the SEC or otherwise become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof and (ii) keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and in compliance with the Securities Act and useable for the resale of Registrable Securities until such time as there are no Registrable Securities remaining, this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, or the Company is no longer eligible to maintain a Shelf Registration Statement, including by filing successive replacement or renewal Shelf Registration Statements upon the expiration of such Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(c)     Additional Registrable Securities; Additional Selling Stockholders. At any time and from time to time that a Shelf Registration Statement is effective, if a Scott Family Stockholder holding Registrable Securities requests (i) the registration under the Securities Act of additional Registrable Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement or (ii) that such Scott Family Stockholder be added as a selling stockholder in such Shelf Registration Statement, the Company shall as promptly as practicable amend or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement to cover such additional Registrable Securities and/or Stockholder.

 

 

(d)      Right to Effect Shelf Takedowns. Each Scott Family Stockholder shall be entitled, at any time and from time to time when a Shelf Registration Statement is effective, to sell any or all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement (a “Shelf Takedown”); provided, that any Shelf Takedown that is an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall be subject to Section 4.1(e). A Scott Family Stockholder shall give the Company prompt written notice of the consummation of a Shelf Takedown. 

 

(e)     Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. A Stockholder intending to effect a Shelf Takedown, shall be entitled to request, by written notice to the Company (an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown Notice”), that the Shelf Takedown be an underwritten offering (an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”). The Underwritten Shelf Takedown Notice shall specify the number of Registrable Securities intended to be offered and sold by such Stockholder pursuant to the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the intended method of distribution. Promptly after receipt of an Underwritten Shelf Takedown Notice (but in any event within two (2) business days), the Company shall give written notice of the requested Underwritten Shelf Takedown to all other Scott Family Stockholders and shall include in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, subject to Section 4.3, all Registrable Securities that are then covered by the Shelf Registration Statement and with respect to which the Company has received a written request for inclusion therein from one or more Scott Family Stockholders no later than five (5) business days (or, in the case of an Underwritten Shelf Takedown structured as a block trade, two (2) business days) after the date of the Company’s notice. The Company shall not be required to facilitate an Underwritten Shelf Takedown (i) unless the Aggregate Offering Price from such offering is at least $50,000,000, (ii) in the case of a marketed underwritten offering (and, for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any underwritten block trade), more than two (2) times in the aggregate in any 12-month period, and (iii) in the case of an underwritten block trade, more than four (4) times in the aggregate in any 12-month period.

 

(f)      Selection of Underwriters. The Initiating Holder of an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to select the investment banking firm(s) and manager(s) to administer such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (including which such underwriters will serve as lead or co-lead), subject to the approval of the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

Section 4.2     Demand Registrations.

 

(a)     Right to Demand Registrations. If the Company is not eligible under applicable Law to register Registrable Securities by way of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 pursuant to Section 4.1, any Stockholder after expiration of the Lock-Up Period may, by providing written notice to the Company, request to sell all or part of its Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement separate from a Shelf Registration Statement (a “Demand Registration”). Each request for a Demand Registration (a “Demand Registration Request”) shall specify the number of Registrable Securities intended to be offered and sold by such Stockholder pursuant to the Demand Registration and the intended method of distribution thereof, including whether it is intended to be an underwritten offering. Promptly (but in any event within two (2) business days) after receipt of a Demand Registration Request, the Company shall give written notice of the Demand Registration Request to all other Scott Family Stockholders that hold Registrable Securities. As promptly as practicable after receipt of a Demand Registration Request, the Company shall register all Registrable Securities (i) that have been requested to be registered in

 

 

the Demand Registration Request and (ii) subject to Section 5.3, with respect to which the Company has received a written request for inclusion in the Demand Registration from one or more Scott Family Stockholders no later than fifteen (15) days after the date on which notice was given to Scott Family Stockholders of the Demand Registration Request. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 4.2(a) to be declared effective by the SEC or otherwise become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after the filing thereof. The Company shall not be required to effect a Demand Registration unless the Demand Registration includes Registrable Securities in an amount not less than the Minimum Amount.

 

(b)     Number of Demand Registrations. The Stockholders shall be entitled to request up to two (2) Demand Registrations in the aggregate (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be in addition to any Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 4.1, other than any Underwritten Shelf Takedown, which shall be deemed a Demand Registration for these purposes and count towards such maximum number of Demand Registrations) during any 12-month period.

 

(c)     Withdrawal. A Scott Family Stockholder may, by written notice to the Company, withdraw its Registrable Securities from a Demand Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement. Upon receipt of notices from all applicable Scott Family Stockholders to such effect, or if such withdrawal shall reduce the Aggregate Offering Price for the offering of the Registrable Securities to be registered in connection with such Demand Registration below the Minimum Amount, the Company shall cease all efforts to seek effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement, unless the Company intends to effect a primary offering of securities pursuant to such Registration Statement, provided that such Demand Registration Request shall not count against the limitation on the number of such Stockholder’s Demand Registrations set forth in Section 4.2(b). In the event that all applicable Scott Family Stockholders withdraw their Registrable Securities from a Demand Registration and the withdrawal is a Permissible Withdrawal, such Demand Registration Request shall not count against the limitation on the number of Demand Registrations set forth in Section 4.2(b).

 

(d)     Selection of Underwriters. If a Demand Registration is an underwritten offering, the Initiating Holder shall have the right to select the investment banking firm(s) to act as the managing underwriter(s) in connection with such offering (including which such managing underwriters will serve as lead or co-lead), subject to the approval of the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

Section 4.3     Inclusion of Other Securities; Priority. The Company shall not include in any Demand Registration or Shelf Takedown any securities that are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the Stockholder(s) holding the Registrable Securities participating in such Demand Registration or Shelf Takedown. If a Demand Registration or Shelf Takedown involves an underwritten offering and the managing underwriters of such offering advise the Company and the Scott Family Stockholders in writing that, in their opinion, the number of Equity Securities proposed to be included in such Demand Registration or Underwritten Shelf Takedown, including all Registrable Securities and all other Equity Securities proposed to be included in such offering, exceeds the number of Equity Securities that can reasonably be expected to be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the success of the offering (including the price, timing or distribution of the securities to be sold in such offering), the Company shall include

 

 

in such Demand Registration or Underwritten Shelf Takedown: (i) first, the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Initiating Holder and the Participating Holders pro rata based on the number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Initiating Holder and each Participating Holder, and (ii) second, any Equity Securities proposed to be included therein by any other Persons (including Equity Securities to be sold for the account of the Company and/or any other holders of Equity Securities), allocated, in the case of this clause (ii), among such Persons in such manner as the Company may determine. If more than one Participating Holder is participating in such Demand Registration or Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the managing underwriters of such offering determine that a limited number of Registrable Securities may be included in such offering without reasonably being expected to adversely affect the success of the offering (including the price, timing or distribution of the securities to be sold in such offering), then the Registrable Securities that are included in such offering shall be allocated pro rata among the Participating Holders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities initially requested to be sold by each such Participating Holder in such offering.

 

Section 4.4     Piggyback Registrations.  

 

(a)     Whenever the Company proposes to register any Equity Securities under the Securities Act (other than a registration (i) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other registration solely relating to an offering or sale to employees or directors of the Company pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit arrangement), (ii) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), (iii) in connection with any dividend or distribution reinvestment or similar plan or (iv) that is a Demand Registration or Shelf Takedown hereunder), whether for its own account or for the account of one or more stockholders of the Company (a “Piggyback Registration”), the Company shall give prompt written notice to each Scott Family Stockholder of its intention to effect such a registration (but in no event less than ten (10) days prior to the proposed date of filing of the applicable Registration Statement, or, in the case of a previously effective Registration Statement, the applicable prospectus supplement) and, subject to Section 4.4(b) and Section 4.4(c), shall include in such Registration Statement and in any offering of Equity Securities to be made pursuant to such Registration Statement that number of Registrable Securities requested to be sold in such offering by such Scott Family Stockholder for the account of such Scott Family Stockholder, provided that the Company has received a written request for inclusion therein from such Scott Family Stockholder no later than three (3) days after the date on which the Company has given notice of the Piggyback Registration to Scott Family Stockholders. The Company may terminate or withdraw a Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of such registration at any time in its sole discretion, subject to any other contractual obligations between the Company and any other holders of Equity Securities with respect to such Piggyback Registration. If a Piggyback Registration is effected pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-3 or the then appropriate form for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto (a “Piggyback Shelf Registration Statement”), the Scott Family Stockholders shall be notified by the Company of and shall have the right, but not the obligation, to participate in any offering pursuant to such Piggyback Shelf Registration Statement (a “Piggyback Shelf Takedown”), subject to the same limitations that are applicable to any other Piggyback Registration as set forth above. A Scott Family Stockholder may, by written notice to the

 

 

Company, withdraw its Registrable Securities from a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of the applicable Registration Statement.

 

(b)     Priority on Primary Piggyback Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration or Piggyback Shelf Takedown is initiated as a primary underwritten offering on behalf of the Company and the managing underwriters of the offering advise the Company in writing that, in their opinion, the number of Equity Securities proposed to be included in such offering, including all Registrable Securities and all other Equity Securities proposed to be included in such offering, exceeds the number of Equity Securities that can reasonably be expected to be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the success of the offering (including the price, timing or distribution of the securities to be sold in such offering), the Company shall include in such Piggyback Registration or Piggyback Shelf Takedown: (i) first, the Equity Securities that the Company proposes to sell in such offering; (ii) second, any Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by any Scott Family Stockholders, allocated, in the case of this clause (ii), pro rata among such Scott Family Stockholders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities initially proposed to be included by each such Scott Family Stockholder in such offering, up to the number of Registrable Securities, if any, that the managing underwriters determine can be included in the offering without reasonably being expected to adversely affect the success of the offering (including the price, timing or distribution of the securities to be offered in such offering); and (iii) third, any Equity Securities proposed to be included in such offering by any other Person to whom the Company has a contractual obligation to facilitate such offering, allocated, in the case of this clause (iii), pro rata among such Persons on the basis of the number of Equity Securities initially proposed to be included by each such Person in such offering, up to the number of Equity Securities, if any, that the managing underwriters determine can be included in the offering without reasonably being expected to adversely affect the success of the offering (including the price, timing or distribution of the securities to be offered in such offering).

 

(c)     Priority on Secondary Piggyback Registrations. If a Piggyback Registration or a Piggyback Shelf Takedown is initiated as an underwritten offering on behalf of a holder of Equity Securities to whom the Company has a contractual obligation to facilitate such offering, other than the Stockholders, and the managing underwriters of the offering advise the Company in writing that, in their opinion, the number of Equity Securities proposed to be included in such offering, including all Registrable Securities and all other Equity Securities requested to be included in such offering, exceeds the number of Equity Securities which can reasonably be expected to be sold in such offering without adversely affecting the success of the offering (including the price, timing or distribution of the securities to be sold in such offering), the Company shall include in such Piggyback Registration or Piggyback Shelf Takedown: (i) first, the Equity Securities that the Person demanding the offering pursuant to such contractual right proposes to sell in such offering; (ii) second, any Registrable Securities requested to be included therein by any Scott Family Stockholders, allocated, in the case of this clause (ii), pro rata among such Scott Family Stockholders on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities initially proposed to be included by each such Scott Family Stockholder in such offering, up to the number of Registrable Securities, if any, that the managing underwriters determine can be included in the offering without reasonably being expected to adversely affect the success of the offering (including the price, timing or distribution of the securities to be offered in such offering); and (iii) third, any Equity Securities proposed to be sold for the account of the Company in such offering and any Equity Securities proposed to be included in such offering by any other Person to whom

 

 

the Company has a contractual obligation to facilitate such offering, allocated, in the case of this clause (iii), pro rata among the Company and such Persons on the basis of the number of Equity Securities initially proposed to be included by the Company and each such other Person in such offering, up to the number of Equity Securities, if any, that the managing underwriters determine can be included in the offering without reasonably being expected to adversely affect the success of the offering (including the price, timing or distribution of the securities to be offered in such offering).

 

(d)     Selection of Underwriters. If a Piggyback Registration or Piggyback Shelf Takedown is initiated as a primary underwritten offering on behalf of the Company, the Company shall have the right to select the investment banking firm(s) to act as the managing underwriter(s) in connection with such offering. If a Piggyback Registration or a Piggyback Shelf Takedown is initiated as an underwritten offering on behalf of a holder of Equity Securities to whom the Company has a contractual obligation to facilitate such offering, the right to select the investment banking firm(s) to act as the managing underwriter(s) in connection with such offering shall be governed by such applicable contractual arrangement between the Company and such holder of Equity Securities, provided that such managing underwriter shall be reasonably acceptable to the Scott Family Stockholder or Scott Family Stockholders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities proposed to be included in such Piggyback Registration or Piggyback Shelf Takedown (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, further, that such Scott Family Stockholder or Scott Family Stockholders may designate a co-managing underwriter to participate in the Piggyback Registration or Piggyback Shelf Takedown, in each case to the extent permitted by such applicable contractual arrangement between the Company and such holder of Equity Securities.

 

Section 4.5     Holdback Agreements.

 

(a)     Stockholders of Registrable Securities. Each Initiating Holder and Participating Holder agrees that in connection with any underwritten Demand Registration, Underwritten Shelf Takedown or a registered underwritten offering of shares of Common Stock by the Company in a primary offering for its own account, and upon written request from the managing underwriter(s) for such offering, such Stockholder shall not, without the prior written consent of such managing underwriter(s), during such period as is reasonably requested by the managing underwriter(s) (which period shall in no event be longer than seven (7) days prior to and sixty (60) days after the pricing of such offering), effect any public sale or distribution of any Similar Securities to those being registered, including any sale under Rule 144. The foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5(a) shall not apply to offers or sales of Registrable Securities that are included in an offering pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 4.2 or Section 4.4 of this Agreement and shall be applicable to the Stockholders only if, for so long as and to the extent that the Company, the directors and executive officers of the Company, and each selling stockholder included in such offering are subject to the same restrictions if requested by the managing underwriter(s) for such offering, and the Company uses its reasonable best efforts to ensure that each other holder of at least 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock is subject to the same restrictions if requested by the managing underwriter(s) for such offering. Each Stockholder agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the managing underwriter(s) that are consistent with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5(a) and are necessary to give further effect thereto. Any discretionary waiver or termination of the requirements under the foregoing

 

 

provisions made by the Company or the applicable managing underwriter(s) shall apply to each Stockholder that holds or Beneficially Owns Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such offering on a pro rata basis. Without limiting the foregoing, if after the date hereof the Company grants any Person (other than a Stockholder) any rights to demand or participate in a registration, the Company agrees that it shall include in such Person’s agreement a covenant consistent with the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5(a).

 

(b)     The Company. To the extent requested by the managing underwriter(s) for the applicable offering, the Company shall not effect any sale registered under the Securities Act or other public distribution of Equity Securities for its own account during the period commencing seven (7) days prior to and ending sixty (60) days after the pricing of an underwritten offering pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 4.2, or Section 4.4 of this Agreement, other than a registration (i) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (or other registration solely relating to an offering or sale to employees or directors of the Company pursuant to any employee stock plan or other employee benefit arrangement), (ii) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) or (iii) in connection with any dividend or distribution reinvestment or similar plan.

 

Section 4.6     Suspensions. Up to two (2) times in any twelve (12) month period, and for no more than ninety (90) days in the aggregate, upon giving prompt written notice to the Scott Family Stockholders, the Company shall be entitled to delay or suspend the filing, effectiveness or use of a Registration Statement or Prospectus (a “Suspension”) if the Company determines in good faith that proceeding with the filing, effectiveness or use of such Registration Statement or Prospectus would require the Company to publicly disclose material non-public information in such Registration Statement or Prospectus so that it would not be materially misleading, the disclosure of which (i) would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing, effectiveness or use of such Registration Statement or Prospectus and (ii) would, in the good faith judgment of the Company, have a material adverse effect on the Company or on any pending negotiation or plan of the Company to effect a merger, acquisition, disposition, financing, reorganization, recapitalization or other similar transaction. Each Scott Family Stockholder who is notified by the Company of a Suspension pursuant to this Section 4.6 shall keep the existence of such Suspension confidential and shall immediately discontinue (and direct any other Person making offers or sales of Registrable Securities on behalf of such Stockholder to immediately discontinue) offers and sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement or Prospectus and any other use of such Registration Statement or Prospectus until such time as it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Registration Statement or Prospectus may be resumed and, if applicable, is furnished by the Company with a supplemented or amended Prospectus as contemplated by Section 4.7(g). If the Company delays or suspends a Demand Registration, the Initiating Holder of such Demand Registration shall be entitled to withdraw its Demand Registration Request and, if it does so, such Demand Registration Request shall not count against the limitation on the number of such Initiating Holder’s Demand Registrations set forth in Section 4.2(b). The Company shall promptly notify the Scott Family Stockholders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section. The Company agrees that, in the event it exercises its rights under this Section, it shall, within sixty (60) days following the Stockholders’ receipt of the notice of suspension, update the suspended Registration Statement as

 

 

may be necessary to permit the Scott Family Stockholders to resume use thereof in connection with the offer and sale of their Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law.

 

Section 4.7     Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect and facilitate the registration, offering and sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method of disposition thereof as promptly as is practicable and, pursuant thereto, the Company shall as expeditiously as possible and as applicable:

 

(a)     prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities, make all required filings required in connection therewith and (if the Registration Statement is not automatically effective upon filing) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as promptly as practicable;

 

(b)     prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to any Registration Statement and the Prospectus used in connection therewith as may be (i) reasonably requested by any selling Scott Family Stockholder (to the extent such request relates to information relating to such Scott Family Stockholder), or (ii) necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective until all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been disposed of and comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement;

 

(c)     before filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendments or supplements thereto and in connection therewith, furnish to the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, and to each Scott Family Stockholder participating in the registration, without charge, such number of copies of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus) and any supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein) and such other documents as such Stockholder may reasonably request, including in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Scott Family Stockholder, which documents will be subject to the review of such underwriters and such Stockholders and their respective counsel, and not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or amendments or supplements thereto to which the Scott Family Stockholders covered by the same or the underwriter or underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object;

 

(d)     use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky Laws of such U.S. jurisdiction(s) as any Scott Family Stockholder participating in the registration or any managing underwriter reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or reasonably advisable to enable such Stockholder and each underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition of such Scott Family Stockholder’s Registrable Securities in such jurisdiction(s); provided, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business, subject itself to taxation or consent or subject itself to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to do so but for its obligations pursuant to this Section 4.7(d);

 

(e)     use its reasonable best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities covered by any Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other Governmental Entities

 

 

or self-regulatory bodies as may be necessary or reasonably advisable in light of the business and operations of the Company to enable each Scott Family Stockholder participating in the registration to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of disposition thereof; provided, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business, subject itself to taxation or consent or subject itself to general service of process in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to do so but for its obligations pursuant to this Section 4.7(e);

 

(f)      promptly notify each Scott Family Stockholder participating in the registration and the managing underwriters of any underwritten offering:

 

(i)     each time when the Registration Statement, any pre-effective amendment thereto, the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or any post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed and, with respect to the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective;

 

(ii)     of any oral or written comments by the SEC or of any request by the SEC or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for any additional information regarding such Stockholder;

 

(iii)     of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any such purpose; and

 

(iv)      of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky Laws of any jurisdiction;

 

(g)     notify each Scott Family Stockholder participating in such registration, at any time when a Prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any event that would cause the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement to contain an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit any fact necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made, and, as promptly as practicable, prepare, file with the SEC and furnish to such Stockholder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement or amendment to such Prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made;

 

(h)     in the event of the issuance of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, any order suspending or preventing the use of any related Prospectus or any suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, use its best efforts to promptly obtain the withdrawal or lifting of any such order or suspension;

 

 

(i)     not file or make any amendment to any Registration Statement with respect to any Registrable Securities, or any amendment of or supplement to the Prospectus used in connection therewith, that refers to any Scott Family Stockholder covered thereby by name or otherwise identifies such Scott Family Stockholder as the holder of any securities of the Company without the consent of such Scott Family Stockholder (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), unless and to the extent such disclosure is required by Law; provided, that (i) each Stockholder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information regarding itself and the distribution proposed by it as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with a Registration Statement or Prospectus and (ii) each Scott Family Stockholder agrees to notify the Company as promptly as practicable of any inaccuracy or change in information previously furnished to the Company by such Scott Family Stockholder (including with respect to any inaccuracy in any representations or warranties made by such Stockholder in any underwriting agreement) or of the occurrence of any event that would cause the Registration Statement or the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement to contain an untrue statement of a material fact regarding such Stockholder or the distribution of such Registrable Securities or to omit to state any material fact regarding such Scott Family Stockholder or the distribution of such Registrable Securities required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made and to furnish to the Company, as promptly as practicable, any additional information required to correct and update the information previously furnished by such Stockholder such that such Registration Statement and Prospectus shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact regarding such Scott Family Stockholder or the distribution of such Registrable Securities or omit to state a material fact regarding such Scott Family Stockholder or the distribution of such Registrable Securities necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made;

 

(j)     cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or, if the Common Stock is not then listed on any securities exchange, use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable Securities to be listed on a national securities exchange selected by the Company after consultation with the Stockholders participating in such registration;

 

(k)     provide a transfer agent and registrar (which may be the same entity) for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

(l)     make available for inspection by any Scott Family Stockholder participating in the registration, upon reasonable notice at reasonable times and for reasonable periods, any underwriter participating in any underwritten offering pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such Scott Family Stockholder or underwriter, all corporate documents, financial and other records relating to the Company and its business reasonably requested by such Scott Family Stockholder or underwriter, cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Scott Family Stockholder, underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration or offering and make senior management of the Company and the Company’s independent accountants available for customary due diligence and drafting sessions; provided, that any Person gaining access to information or personnel of the Company pursuant to this Section 4.7(l) shall (i) reasonably cooperate with the Company to limit

 

 

any resulting disruption to the Company’s business and (ii) protect the confidentiality of any information regarding the Company which the Company determines in good faith to be confidential and of which determination such Person is notified, pursuant to customary confidentiality agreements reasonably acceptable to the Company;

 

(m)      otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its stockholders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement (in a form that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full fiscal quarter after the effective date of the applicable Registration Statement, which requirement shall be deemed satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto;

 

(n)     in the case of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, promptly incorporate in a supplement to the Prospectus or a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement such information as is reasonably requested by the managing underwriter(s) or any Scott Family Stockholder participating in such underwritten offering to be included therein, the purchase price for the securities to be paid by the underwriters and any other applicable terms of such underwritten offering (and the Scott Family Stockholders shall promptly supply any such information within their possession), and promptly make all required filings of such supplement or post-effective amendment;

 

(o)     in the case of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, enter into such customary agreements (including underwriting and lock-up agreements in customary form) and take all such other customary actions as any Scott Family Stockholder participating in such offering or the managing underwriter(s) of such offering reasonably requests in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

(p)     in the case of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, furnish to each underwriter, if any, participating in an offering of Registrable Securities (i) (A) all legal opinions of outside counsel to the Company required to be included in the Registration Statement and (B) a written legal opinion of outside counsel to the Company, dated the closing date of the offering, in form and substance as is customarily given in opinions of outside counsel to the Company to underwriters in underwritten registered offerings; and (ii) (A) obtain all consents of independent public accountants required to be included in the Registration Statement and (B) on the date of the execution of the applicable underwriting agreement and at the closing of the offering, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof, a “comfort letter” signed by the Company’s independent public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given in accountants’ letters to underwriters in underwritten registered offerings;

 

(q)     in the case of an underwritten offering of Registrable Securities, make senior management of the Company available, to the extent requested by the managing underwriter(s), to assist in the marketing of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such underwritten offering, including the participation of such members of senior management of the Company in “road show” presentations and other customary marketing activities, including “one-

 

 

on-one” meetings with prospective purchasers of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such underwritten offering (with an understanding that these shall be scheduled in a collaborative manner so as not to unreasonably interfere with the conduct of business of the Company), and otherwise facilitate, cooperate with, and participate in such underwritten offering and customary selling efforts related thereto, in each case to the same extent as if the Company were engaged in a primary underwritten registered offering of its Common Stock;

 

(r)      cooperate with the Scott Family Stockholders to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant to such Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and representing such number of shares of Common Stock and registered in such names as the Scott Family Stockholders may reasonably request a reasonable period of time prior to sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided, that the Company may satisfy its obligations hereunder without issuing physical stock certificates through the use of The Depository Trust Company’s Direct Registration System;

 

(s)      not later than the effective date of such Registration Statement, provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities covered thereby and provide the applicable transfer agent with printed certificates for the Registrable Securities in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; provided, that the Company may satisfy its obligations hereunder without issuing physical stock certificates through the use of The Depository Trust Company’s Direct Registration System;

 

(t)     upon the request of any Scott Family Stockholder, promptly amend any Shelf Registration Statement or take such other action as may be necessary to de-register, remove or withdraw all or a portion of such Scott Family Stockholder’s shares of Common Stock from a Shelf Registration Statement, as requested by such Stockholder; and

 

(u)     otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to take or cause to be taken all other actions necessary or reasonably advisable to effect the registration, marketing and sale of such Registrable Securities contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(v)     Each Stockholder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 4.7(g) or Section 4.7(h), such Stockholder shall use its best efforts to discontinue (and direct any other Person making offers or sales of Registrable Securities on behalf of such Stockholder to discontinue) offers and sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement or Prospectus and any other use of such Registration Statement or Prospectus until such time as it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Registration Statement or Prospectus may be resumed. If the Company gives any such notice in respect of a Demand Registration, the Initiating Holder shall be entitled to withdraw its Demand Registration Request and, if it does so, such Demand Registration Request shall not count against the limitation on the number of such Initiating Holder’s Demand Registrations set forth in Section 4.2(b).

 

Section 4.8     Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No Person may participate in any underwritten offering pursuant to this Agreement unless such Person (i) agrees to sell such Person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements in customary form

 

 

approved by the Persons entitled under this Agreement to approve such arrangements (which shall contain such terms and conditions as are generally prevailing in agreements of that type, including indemnities no more burdensome to the indemnifying party and no less favorable to the recipient thereof than those provided in Section 4.10 hereof) and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements; provided, that no Scott Family Stockholder that holds or Beneficially Owns any Registrable Securities included in any underwritten offering hereunder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to the Company or the underwriters (other than representations and warranties regarding (A) such Scott Family Stockholder’s identity and ownership of its Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering, (B) such Scott Family Stockholder’s power and authority to effect such transfer, (C) such Scott Family Stockholder’s intended method of disposition, (D) information furnished by such Scott Family Stockholder expressly for inclusion in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, and (E) such matters pertaining to such Scott Family Stockholder’s compliance with securities Laws as may be reasonably requested by the managing underwriter(s)) or to undertake any indemnification obligations to the Company or the underwriters with respect thereto, other than indemnities that are no more burdensome to the indemnifying party and no less favorable to the recipient thereof than those provided in Section 4.10 hereof.

 

Section 4.9     Registration Expenses.

 

(a)     The Company shall pay directly or promptly reimburse all costs, fees and expenses (other than Selling Expenses) incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Agreement in connection with the registration of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, (i) all SEC, FINRA and other registration and filing fees; (ii) all fees and expenses associated with filings to be made with, or the listing of any Registrable Securities on, any securities exchange or over-the-counter trading market on which the Registrable Securities are to be listed or quoted; (iii) all fees and expenses of complying with securities and blue sky Laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of one counsel in connection therewith); (iv) all printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses (including the cost of distributing Prospectuses in preliminary and final form as well as any supplements thereto); (v) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with any “road show” for underwritten offerings, including all costs of travel, lodging and meals; (vi) all transfer agent’s and registrar’s fees; (vii) all fees and expenses of counsel to the Company and up to $50,000 of the fees and expenses of one counsel to the Scott Family Stockholders; and (viii) all fees and expenses of the Company’s independent public accountants (including any fees and expenses arising from any special audits or “comfort letters”) and any other Persons retained by the Company (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding underwriters) in connection with or incident to any registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement (all such costs, fees and expenses, “Registration Expenses”). Each Scott Family Stockholder shall bear its respective Selling Expenses associated with a registered sale of its Registrable Securities pursuant to this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, neither Registration Expenses nor Selling Expenses shall include the fees or expenses of any underwriters’ counsel.

 

(b)     The obligation of the Company to bear and pay the Registration Expenses shall apply irrespective of whether a registration, once properly demanded or requested, becomes effective or is withdrawn or suspended; provided, that the Registration Expenses for any Registration Statement withdrawn at the request of one or more Scott Family Stockholder(s)

 

 

(unless withdrawn following commencement of a Suspension) shall be borne by such Scott Family Stockholder(s).

 

Section 4.10     Indemnification; Contribution.

 

(a)     The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, indemnify and hold harmless each Scott Family Stockholder, any Person who is a “controlling person” of such Stockholder or any of its subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (each such Person, a “Controlling Person”), their respective direct and indirect general and limited partners, advisory board members, directors, officers, trustees, managers, members, employees, agents, Affiliates and shareholders, and each other agent, if any, who acts on behalf of or controls any such Stockholder or Controlling Person (each of the foregoing, a “Covered Person”) against any losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Covered Person is a party thereto) and expenses (including reasonable costs of investigation and legal expenses), joint or several, to which such Covered Person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state blue sky securities Laws, any equivalent non-U.S. securities Laws or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus, free writing prospectus (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) (a “Free Writing Prospectus”) or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein or (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and the Company shall reimburse each Covered Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Covered Person in connection with investigating, defending or settling any such loss, claim, action, damage or liability; provided, that the Company shall not be so liable in any such case to the extent that any loss, claim, action, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission, made or incorporated by reference in any such Registration Statement, Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information prepared and furnished to the Company by such Covered Person expressly for use therein or arises out of or based upon such Covered Person’s failure to deliver a copy of the Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto to a purchaser (if so required) after the Company has furnished such Covered Person with a sufficient number of copies of the same. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the Company may otherwise have.

 

(b)     In connection with any registration in which a Stockholder is participating, each such Stockholder shall (severally and not jointly), to the fullest extent permitted by Law, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, any Person who is a Controlling Person of the Company, their respective direct and indirect general and limited partners, advisory board members, directors, officers, trustees, managers, members, employees, agents, Affiliates and shareholders, and each other agent, if any, who acts on behalf of or controls the Company or Controlling Person (each of the foregoing, a “Company Covered Person”) against any losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities (or actions or proceedings in respect thereof, whether or not such Company Covered Person is a party thereto) and expenses (including reasonable costs of

 

 

investigation and legal expenses), joint or several, to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state blue sky securities Laws, any equivalent non-U.S. securities Laws or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, actions, damages, liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein or (ii) any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) solely to the extent that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement, or omission or alleged omission, is made in such Registration Statement, Prospectus, preliminary Prospectus, Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference therein in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information regarding such Stockholder prepared and furnished to the Company by such Stockholder expressly for use therein; provided, that the obligation to indemnify pursuant to this Section 4.10(b) shall be individual and several, not joint and several, for each participating Stockholder and shall not exceed an amount equal to the net proceeds (after deducting its portion of Selling Expenses) actually received by such Stockholder in the sale of Registrable Securities to which such Registration Statement or Prospectus relates; provided, further, that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall the Stockholders or any other Covered Person be deemed a Company Covered Person. This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability which such Stockholder may otherwise have.

 

(c)     Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification; provided, that any failure or delay to so notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations hereunder, except to the extent that the indemnifying party is actually and materially prejudiced by reason of such failure or delay. In case a claim or an action that is subject or potentially subject to indemnification hereunder is brought against an indemnified party, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and shall have the right, exercisable by giving written notice to the indemnified party as promptly as practicable after receipt of written notice from such indemnified party of such claim or action, to assume, at the indemnifying party’s expense, the defense of any such claim or action, with counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party; provided, that any indemnified party shall continue to be entitled to participate in the defense of such claim or action, with counsel of its own choice, but the indemnifying party shall not be obligated to reimburse the indemnified party for any fees, costs and expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with such defense unless (A) the indemnifying party has agreed in writing to pay such fees, costs and expenses, (B) the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense of such claim or action within a reasonable time after receipt of notice of such claim or action, (C) having assumed the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party fails to employ counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party, (D) in the reasonable judgment of any such indemnified party, based upon advice of its counsel, a conflict of interest exists or may potentially exist between such indemnified party and the indemnifying party with respect to such claims or (E) the indemnified party has reasonably concluded that there may be one or more legal or equitable defenses available to it and/or other any other indemnified party which are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party. Subject to the proviso in the foregoing sentence, no indemnifying party shall,

 

 

in connection with any one claim or action or separate but substantially similar or related actions arising out of the same general circumstances or allegations, be liable for the fees, costs and expenses of more than one firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified parties. The indemnifying party shall not have the right to settle a claim or action for which any indemnified party is entitled to indemnification hereunder without the consent of the indemnified party (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), and the indemnifying party shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into or agree to any settlement relating to such claim or action unless in either case such judgment or settlement does not impose any admission of wrongdoing or injunctive or equitable relief binding on any indemnified party and includes as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff therein to such indemnified party of a full and final release from all liability in respect of such claim or action. The indemnifying party shall not be liable hereunder for any amount paid or payable or incurred pursuant to or in connection with any judgment entered or settlement effected with the consent of an indemnified party unless the indemnifying party has also consented to such judgment or settlement (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

 

(d)     If the indemnification provided for in this Section 4.10 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to, or unenforceable by, or is for any reason insufficient to hold harmless as contemplated by this Section 4.10 an indemnified party in respect of any loss, claim, action, damage, liability or expense referred to herein, then the applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, action, damage, liability or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and of the indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, action, damage, liability or expense as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and of the indemnified party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant hereto were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method or allocation that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 4.10(d). In no event shall the amount which a Stockholder may be obligated to contribute pursuant to this Section 4.10(d) exceed an amount by which the net proceeds (after deducting its portion of Selling Expenses) actually received by such Stockholder in the sale of Registrable Securities that gives rise to such obligation to contribute exceeds the amount of any damages which such indemnifying party has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue statement or omission. No indemnified party guilty or liable of fraudulent misrepresentation within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(e)     The provisions of this Section 4.10 shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of any Registrable Securities by any Stockholder.

 

 

Section 4.11     Rule 144 Compliance. With a view to making available to the Stockholders of Registrable Securities the benefits of Rule 144 and any other rule or regulation of the SEC that may at any time permit a Scott Family Stockholder to sell securities of the Company to the public without registration, the Company shall:

 

(a)     make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144;

 

(b)     use reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;

 

(c)     furnish to any Stockholder, promptly upon request, a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act;

 

(d)     take such further action as any Scott Family Stockholder may reasonably request, to the extent required from time to time to enable such Scott Family Stockholder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 or 144A or Regulations S under the Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.

 

Section 4.12     Scott Family Stockholders. As a condition to participating in any registration pursuant to this Article IV, any Scott Family Stockholder that is not already party to this Agreement (or has not already executed and delivered a joinder to this Agreement) shall be required to agree in writing to be bound by this Agreement and the Voting Agreement (if then in effect), which such joinder shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto. For purposes of furnishing notices under this Article IV to Scott Family Stockholders who are not already party to this Agreement (or have not already executed and delivered a joinder to this Agreement), the Company shall only be obligated to notify such Scott Family Stockholders, if any, for whom the Stockholders have provided names and addresses to the Company in advance of such notice period.

 

Article V

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 5.1     Effectiveness; Termination. Other than with respect to Sections 5.4 and 5.5 (including Sections 5.7 and 5.9 with respect to the foregoing sections), which shall be effective as of the date hereof, this Agreement will be effective as of the Effective Time and this Agreement will automatically terminate and be null and void if the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to the Effective Time in accordance with its terms. In addition, (a) Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this Agreement shall terminate upon consummation of a Change in Control Transaction (as defined in the Charter) if, as a result of such Change in Control Transaction, the holders of Voting Securities of the Company as of immediately prior to such Change in Control Transaction do not hold a majority of the Voting Securities of the surviving entity in such Change in Control Transaction immediately after consummation of such Change in Control Transaction and (b) this Agreement

 

 

shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the first date that the Stockholders no longer have a Common Ownership Percentage of at least 2%.

 

Section 5.2     Notice. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications under this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed given if delivered personally, sent via email (receipt confirmed), sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier (providing proof of delivery), or mailed in the United States by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, to the Parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for any Party as may be specified by like notice):

 

If to the Company:

 

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.
401 North 31st Street
Billings, MT 59101
Email: kirk.jensen@fib.com
Attention: Kirk D. Jensen, EVP & General Counsel

 

With a copy (which will not constitute notice hereunder) to:

 

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

 

450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017

Email: george.bason@davispolk.com
  margaret.tahyar@davispolk.com
  evan.rosen@davispolk.com
Attention: George R. Bason, Jr.
  Margaret E. Tahyar
  Evan Rosen

If to the Stockholders:

 

Scott Family Services,

PO Box 7113,

Billings, MT 59103
Email: timothy.leuthold@scottfamily.org
Attention: Tim Leuthold

 

With a copy (which will not constitute notice hereunder) to:

 

Latham & Watkins LLP

330 North Wabash Avenue, Suite 2800

Chicago, IL 60611 

Email: mark.gerstein@lw.com
  bradley.faris@lw.com
Attention: Mark D. Gerstein
  Bradley Faris

 

Section 5.3     Enforcement. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur and that the Parties would not have any adequate remedy at law in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached by the other Party. It is accordingly agreed that each of the Parties will be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches and/or threatened breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement, in each case without the necessity of providing any bond or other security, in any federal court located in the State of Delaware or in Delaware state court, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

 

Section 5.4     Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each Party and its successors and permitted assigns. Except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence, nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to or will confer upon any Person that is not a Party any rights, benefits or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that (a) the Scott Family Stockholders shall be express third party beneficiaries of and shall be entitled to directly enforce Article IV (subject to the requirement under Section 4.12 for a Scott Family Stockholder to be party to, or execute and deliver a joinder to, this Agreement in order to participate in any registration pursuant to Article IV) and (b) prior to the Effective Time, GWB shall be an express third party beneficiary of and shall be entitled to directly enforce Section 5.5.  Nothing in this Agreement shall, or shall be construed or deemed to, constitute a transfer of any Equity Securities or any legal or beneficial interest in or voting or other control over any Equity Securities or as creating or forming a “group” for purposes of the Exchange Act, and all rights, ownership and benefits of and relating to the Equity Securities shall remain vested in and belong to each Stockholder, subject to the agreements of the parties set forth herein.  

 

Section 5.5     Amendments; Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived unless (a) in the case of any amendment or waiver prior to the Effective Time, GWB has provided its prior written consent thereto and (b) such amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by the Parties, or in the case of a waiver, by the Party or Parties against whom the waiver is to be effective. No failure or delay by any Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by applicable Law. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein with respect to the exercise of rights of a Stockholder pursuant to Article IV, any action to be taken by the Stockholders under this Agreement, or any amendment or waiver of this Agreement by the Stockholders, may be taken by one or more Stockholders holding two-thirds of the Equity Securities then held by all the Stockholders.

 

 

Section 5.6     Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned, in whole or in part, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties; provided, however, that any Scott Family Stockholder shall be entitled to transfer Equity Securities of the Company to any other Scott Family Stockholder and, in connection therewith, assign the rights, interests and obligations applicable to a Scott Family Stockholder under this Agreement to any such transferee. Any assignment in violation of the preceding sentence will be void. Subject to the preceding two sentences, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and assigns. This Section 5.6 shall not be deemed to prevent the Company from engaging in any merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction. For the avoidance of doubt, no transferee of Equity Securities of the Company who is not a Scott Family Stockholder shall acquire any rights under, or be deemed to have the benefit of, any of the provisions contained in this Agreement. If the Company or any of its successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or surviving entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) engages in any transaction as a result of which the Company or any of its successors or assigns is not the publicly traded parent company of the corporate group that includes the Company or any of its successors or assigns, then in each such case, the Company will cause proper provision to be made so that the successors and assigns of the Company, or the publicly traded parent company of the corporate group that includes the Company or any of its successors or assigns, will expressly assume the obligations of the Company set forth in this Agreement.

 

Section 5.7     Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related thereto, the relationship of the Parties, and/or the interpretation and enforcement of the rights and duties of the Parties, whether arising at law or in equity, in contract, tort or otherwise, will be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its rules regarding conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the laws of another jurisdiction would be required thereby.

 

Section 5.8     Expenses. If and only if the Merger is consummated in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, then, at the Closing and following the Effective Time, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Stockholders all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Stockholders in connection with therewith, up to a maximum of $8,500,000.

 

Section 5.9     Interpretation. Unless otherwise expressly provided, for the purposes of this Agreement, the following rules of interpretation shall apply:

 

(a)     The article and section headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation hereof.

 

(b)     When a reference is made in this Agreement to an article or a section, paragraph, such reference will be to an article or a section, paragraph hereof unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary.

 

 

(c)     Unless it would be duplicative, whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they will be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

 

(d)     The words “hereof,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import will, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.

 

(e)     The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” will mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase will not mean simply “if.”

 

(f)      The meaning assigned to each term defined herein will be equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of such term, and words denoting any gender will include all genders. Where a word or phrase is defined herein, each of its other grammatical forms will have a corresponding meaning.

 

(g)     A reference to any period of days will be deemed to be to the relevant number of calendar days, unless otherwise specified.

 

(h)     All terms defined in this Agreement will have the defined meanings when used in any certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto unless otherwise defined therein.

 

(i)     A holder of any Voting Securities held in trust shall be deemed to be the relevant trust and/or trustee thereof acting in his or her capacities as such trustees, in each case as the context may require to be most protective of the Company, including for purposes of such trustee’s representations and warranties as to the proper organization of the trust, their power and authority as trustees and the non-contravention of the trust’s governing documents.

 

(j)     The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement will be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof will arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions hereof.

 

(k)     Any statute or rule defined or referred to herein or in any agreement or instrument that is referred to herein means such statute or rule as from time to time amended, modified or supplemented, including by succession of comparable successor statutes or rules and references to all attachments thereto and instruments incorporated therein.

 

Section 5.10     Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties agrees that any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement, or for recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect of this Agreement and obligations arising hereunder brought by any other Party or its successors or assigns, will be brought and determined exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Delaware Court of Chancery declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware). Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably submits with regard to any such action or proceeding for itself and in respect of its property, generally and unconditionally,

 

 

to the personal jurisdiction of the aforesaid courts and agrees that it will not bring any action relating to this Agreement in any court other than the aforesaid courts. Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably waives, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, counterclaim or otherwise, in any action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement (a) any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts for any reason other than the failure to serve in accordance with this Section 5.10, (b) any claim that it or its property is exempt or immune from jurisdiction of any such court or from any legal process commenced in such courts (whether through service of notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of judgment, execution of judgment or otherwise), and (c) to the fullest extent permitted by the applicable law, any claim that (i) the suit, action or proceeding in such court is brought in an inconvenient forum, (ii) the venue of such suit, action or proceeding is improper, or (iii) this Agreement or the subject matter hereof, may not be enforced in or by such courts.

 

Section 5.11     Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF ANY OF THE PARTIES IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT.

 

Section 5.12     Severability. If any term or other provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy by a court of competent jurisdiction, all other conditions and provisions of this Agreement will nevertheless remain in full force and effect, insofar as the foregoing can be accomplished without materially affecting the economic benefits anticipated by the Parties. Upon such determination that any term or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the Parties will negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as to effect the original intent of the Parties as closely as possible to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law in an acceptable manner to the end that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are fulfilled to the extent possible.

 

Section 5.13     Headings. The descriptive headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and will not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

Section 5.14     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which when executed will be deemed to be an original, and all of which together will be considered one and the same agreement and will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties. For purposes of this Agreement, facsimile signatures or signatures by other electronic form of transfer will be deemed originals, and the Parties agree to exchange original signatures as promptly as possible.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the day and year first above written.

 

  FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.
   
   
   
  By: /s/ Kevin P. Riley
    Name: Kevin P. Riley
       
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date and year first written.

 

STOCKHOLDERS:

 

  RISA KAE SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K Scott, as an individual
       
  NBAR5 S
   
  By: /s/ Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K Scott
    Title: Authorized Signatory
       
  RISA K. SCOTT & JOHN HEYNEMAN JR., TTEES FBO RISA K. SCOTT EXEMPTION TRUST UNDER THE SCOTT FAMILY 1996 TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  RISA K. SCOTT TRUST AGENCY
   
  By: Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  RISA K SCOTT TTEE RISA K SCOTT TRUST DTD 12/4/15
   
  By: Risa K. Scott
    Name: Risa K. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]

 

 

  JAMES R. SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott, as an individual
     
  FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITY VITALITY
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Director
       
  JAMES F. HEYNEMAN CONSERVATORSHIP, JAMES SCOTT, CONSERVATOR
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Conservator
       
  JAMES R. SCOTT TRUST
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  JAMES R. AND CHRISTINE M. SCOTT FOUNDATION
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: President
       
  JS INVESTMENTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Managing Partner

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]

 

 

  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE JAMES R. SCOTT TRUST, JAMES R. SCOTT & FIB CO-TTEEs
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE JAMES F. HEYNEMAN TRUST, JAMES SCOTT & FIRST INTERSTATE WEALTH MANAGEMENT CO-TTEEs
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott
    Name: James R. Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  JOHN HEYNEMAN
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr., as an individual
       
  JOHN HEYNEMAN JR.
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr., as an individual
       
  RAE ANN MORSS & JOHN HEYNEMAN JR., TRUSTEES FBO RAE ANN MORSS EXEMPTION TRUST UNDER THE SCOTT FAMILY 1996 TRUST
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Title: Co-Trustee

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]

 

 

  RIKI RAE SCOTT DAVIDSON & JOHN HEYNEMAN JR., TRUSTEES FBO RIKI SCOTT DAVIDSON EXEMPTION TRUST UNDER THE SCOTT FAMILY 1996 TRUST
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Title: Co-Trustee
       
  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE JOHN M. HEYNEMAN JR. TRUST
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Title: Trustee
       
  TOWANDA INVESTMENTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
   
  By: /s/ John M. Heyneman Jr.
    Name: John M. Heyneman
    Title: Managing Partner
       
  JULIE SCOTT ROSE
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose, as an individual
       
  ELIZABETH LAUREN SCOTT ROSE TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trust Advisor

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]

 

 

  FIRST INTERSTATE BANK & JULIE SCOTT ROSE, CO-TTEES OF THE JOAN D SCOTT TRUST DTD 10/16/12
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  HARPER GRACE SCOTT TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  HARRISON WILLIAM SCOTT TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  HOLLAND ELIZABETH SCOTT TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  IXL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Designated member
       
  JULIANA SARAH SCOTT ROSE TRUST
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trust Advisor

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]

 

 

  JULIE A SCOTT ROSE TRUSTEE OF THE JULIE A SCOTT ROSE TRUST DATED 5-14-2002
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  THOMAS W SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  THOMAS W SCOTT TRUST DTD 8/22/95, THOMAS W SCOTT TRUSTEE
   
  By: /s/ Julie Scott Rose
    Name: Julie Scott Rose
    Title: Trustee
       
  HOMER SCOTT JR.
   
  By: /s/ Homer Scott Jr.
    Name: Homer Scott Jr., as an individual
       
  HOMER SCOTT JR. TRUST DTD 12/4/78
   
  By: /s/ Homer Scott Jr.
    Name: Homer Scott Jr.
    Title: Trustee
   
  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE SEVENTH AMENDMENT & RESTATEMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT OF HOMER SCOTT JR DTD 5/21/10, HOMER SCOTT JR & FIB CO-TTEES
   
  By: /s/ Homer scott Jr.
    Name: Homer Scott Jr.
    Title: Trustee

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]

 

 

  SHERIDAN STADIUM FOUNDATION
   
  By: /s/ Homer scott Jr.
    Name: Homer Scott Jr.
    Title: Board President
       

  SETRU & CO., CUSTODIAN FOR THE SUSAN SCOTT HEYNEMAN 2008 REVOCABLE TRUST, SUSAN HEYNEMAN & FIB CO-TTEES
   
  By: /s/ Susan Heyneman
    Name: Susan Heyneman
    Title: Trustee
       
  JAMES R SCOTT JR.
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott Jr.
    Name: James R. Scott Jr., as an individual
       
  FIRST INTERSTATE BANK TTEE FOR DANA S ANDERSSON GST EXEMPT TRUST NO 1 DTD 12/11/2020
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott Jr.
    Name: James R. Scott Jr.
    Title: Authorized Signatory
       
  FIRST INTERSTATE BANK TTEE FOR JAMES R SCOTT JR. GST EXEMPT TRUST NO 1 DTD 12/11/2020
   
  By: /s/ James R. Scott Jr.
    Name: James R. Scott Jr.
    Title: Authorized Signatory
       
  JONATHAN SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ Jonathan Scott
    Name: Jonathan Scott, as an individual
       

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]

 

 

  JONATHAN SCOTT AS TRUSTEE OF THE JONATHAN R SCOTT TRUST DATED AS OF 4/21/04
   
  By: /s/ Jonathan Scott
    Name: Jonathan Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  JEREMY PAUL SCOTT
   
  By: /s/ Jeremy Paul Scott
    Name: Jeremy Paul Scott, as an individual
       
  JEREMY SCOTT TTEE, JEREMY SCOTT REVOCABLE TRUST DTD 6/25/15
   
  By: /s/ Jeremy Paul Scott
    Name: Jeremy Paul Scott
    Title: Trustee
       
  NBAR5 Limited Partnership
   
  By: /s/ Jeremy Paul Scott
    Name: Jeremy Scott
    Title: Managing Member

 

[Signature Page to Stockholder’s Agreement]

 

 

Exhibit A

 

1. Risa K Scott TTEE Risa K Scott Trust Dtd 12/4/15
2. Risa Kae Scott
3. NBAR5 S
4. Risa K. Scott & John Heyneman Jr., TTEEs FBO Risa K Scott Exemption Trust Under the Scott Family 1996 Trust
5. Risa K Scott Trust Agency
6. NBar5 Limited Partnership
7. Setru & Co., Custodian for the James R Scott Trust, James R Scott & FIB Co-TTEEs
8. James R Scott Trust
9. James R. Scott
10. James R and Christine M Scott Foundation
11. JS Investments Limited Partnership
12. John Heyneman Jr.
13. Foundation for Community Vitality
14. James F Heyneman Conservatorship, James Scott, Conservator
15. Setru & Co., Custodian for the James F Heyneman Trust, James Scott & First Interstate Wealth Management Co-TTEEs
16. Setru & Co., Custodian for the John M Heyneman Jr. Trust
17. John Heyneman
18. Riki Rae Scott Davidson & John Heyneman Jr., Trustees FBO Riki Scott Davidson Exemption Trust Under the Scott Family 1996 Trust
19. Rae Ann Morss & John Heyneman Jr., Trustees FBO Rae Ann Morss Exemption Trust Under the Scott Family 1996 Trust
20. Towanda Investments Limited Partnership
21. Julie Scott Rose
22. Julie A Scott Rose Trustee of the Julie A Scott Rose Trust Dated 5-14-2002
23. First Interstate Bank & Julie Scott Rose, Co-TTEEs of the Joan D Scott Trust Dtd 10/16/12
24. IXL Limited Liability Company
25. Juliana Sarah Scott Rose Trust
26. Elizabeth Lauren Scott Rose Trust
27. Holland Elizabeth Scott Trust
28. Harper Grace Scott Trust
29. Harrison William Scott Trust
30. Thomas W Scott Trust Dtd 8/22/95, Thomas W Scott Trustee
31. Thomas W Scott  
32. Setru & Co., Custodian for the Seventh Amendment & Restatement of Trust Agreement of Homer Scott Jr Dtd 5/21/10, Homer Scott Jr & FIB Co-TTEEs
33. Homer Scott Jr. Trust Dtd 12/4/78
34. Sheridan Stadium Foundation
35. Homer Scott Jr.
36. Setru & Co., Custodian for the Susan Scott Heyneman 2008 Revocable Trust, Susan Heyneman & FIB Co-TTEEs
37. First Interstate Bank TTEE for Dana S Andersson GST Exempt Trust No 1 Dtd 12/11/2020
38. First Interstate Bank TTEE for James R Scott Jr. GST Exempt Trust No 1 Dtd 12/11/2020

 

39. Jonathan Scott as Trustee of the Jonathan R Scott Trust Dated as of 4/21/04
40. Jonathan Scott  
41. Jeremy Paul Scott
42. Jeremy Scott TTEE, Jeremy Scott Revocable Trust Dtd 6/25/15
43. James R Scott Jr.

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Joinder to Stockholders’ Agreement

 

The undersigned is executing and delivering this joinder pursuant to that certain Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of [·], 2021 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Stockholders’ Agreement”) by and between those individuals and entities listed on Exhibit A attached thereto (collectively referred to as the “Stockholders” and each, a “Stockholder”) and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., a Montana corporation (the “Company”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in the Stockholders’ Agreement.

 

By executing and delivering this joinder to the Stockholders’ Agreement, the undersigned hereby adopts and approves the Stockholders’ Agreement and agrees, effective commencing on the date hereof and as a condition to participating in any registration pursuant to Article IV of the Stockholders’ Agreement, to become a party to, and to be bound by and comply with the provisions of, the Stockholders’ Agreement and the Voting Agreement (if currently in effect) in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Stockholders’ Agreement and the Voting Agreement (if currently in effect). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the undersigned hereby makes the representations and warranties of the Stockholders set forth in Article III as of the date hereof and, if the date hereof is prior to the Effective Time, as of the Effective Time.

 

  [NAME OF STOCKHOLDER]
   
   
  By:  
    Name:  
    Title:  

 

  Address for Notices:
  [                        ]
[                        ]
[                        ]
 
  Email: [                        ]
  Attention: [                        ]

 

Exhibit C

 

Form of Joinder to Voting Agreement

 

˜ ], 2021

 

First Interstate BancSystem, Inc.

401 North 31st Street

Bilings, MT 59101

Email: kirk.jensen@fib.com

Attention: Kirk D. Jensen, EVP & General Counsel

 

Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Stockholders’ Agreement, dated [ ˜ ], 2021 (as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), by and between the Stockholders (as defined in the Stockholders’ Agreement) party thereto and First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., a Montana corporation (the “Company”).  Pursuant to the Agreement, among other things, each of the Stockholders that holds Common Stock is required to enter into this Voting Agreement (this “Voting Agreement”) as a condition to the Company’s obligation to nominate Stockholder Nominees at any applicable meeting of stockholders at which Directors will be elected from and after the Closing Date (in each case, as defined in the Stockholders’ Agreement).  Defined terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Stockholders’ Agreement.

 

Accordingly, with respect to any vote or consent in respect of the election of any candidate nominated by the Board for election or appointment as a Director (other than to the extent relating to the election or appointment of a Stockholder Nominee), but only if the Stockholders have designated one or more Stockholder Nominees who are then serving on the Board or have designated one or more Stockholder Nominees for election as a director at the applicable meeting pursuant to this Agreement, Stockholder shall (a) in the case of any vote, cause all shares of Common Stock that it Beneficially Owns (and which are entitled to vote on the election of Directors) to be counted as present for purposes of calculating a quorum and (b) vote, or cause to be voted, or execute written consents with respect to, all shares of Common Stock that it Beneficially Owns (and which are entitled to vote on such matter) at its election either (i) in accordance with the recommendation of the Board as to the election of Directors or (ii) in the same proportions as the votes cast on the election of Directors in respect of all shares of Common Stock not Beneficially Owned by such Stockholder; provided that such Stockholder shall only be required to vote, or cause to be voted, or execute written consents, pursuant to this clause (b) to the extent such matter is not inconsistent with any provision of the Stockholders’ Agreement.

 

This Voting Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Voting Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of, the State of Delaware without regard to its choice of law provisions.  

 

This Voting Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same Voting Agreement.  Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and

 

 

Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Voting Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Voting Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  [STOCKHOLDER]

 

Confirmed and accepted:

 

fIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.  
By:    
  Name:    
  Title:    

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

LETTER AGREEMENT

 

September 15, 2021

 

Scott Family Services, Inc.

401 N. 31st Street, STE 700

Billings, MT 59101

Attn: Mr. Timothy Leuthold, President

 

Scott Family FIBK Shareholder Group

c/o: Scott Family Services, Inc.

Attn: James R. Scott, Chair

 

Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to (i) the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated September 15, 2021 (as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”), by and between First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., a Montana corporation (the “Company”), and Great Western Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GWB”) and (ii) the Support Agreement, dated September 15, 2021 (as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Support Agreement”), between and among the Shareholders (as defined in the Support Agreement) party thereto.  Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, among other things, at the Effective Time, GWB will merge with and into the Company, with the Company surviving.  The Shareholders are members of the Scott Family FIBK Shareholder Group and, in such capacity, have agreed to enter into the Support Agreement.  Defined terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Merger Agreement.

 

In consideration of the foregoing, the Company hereby agrees that, in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to the Closing in a circumstance in which the Company or its Subsidiaries receives payment of the GWB Termination Fee pursuant to the Merger Agreement, then promptly following receipt of such GWB Termination Fee, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid to the Shareholders all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Shareholders in connection therewith, up to a maximum of $3,500,000.

 

This Letter Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Letter Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of, the State of Delaware without regard to its choice of law provisions.  

 

This Letter Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same Letter Agreement.  Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

Expense Reimbursement Letter

 

 

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Letter Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

Expense Reimbursement Letter

 

 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Letter Agreement by signing in the space provided below.

 

 

Very truly yours,

   
  FIRST INTERSTATE BANCSYSTEM, INC.
   
   
  By: /s/ Kevin P. Riley
    Name: Kevin P. Riley
    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Expense Reimbursement Letter]

 

 

Confirmed and accepted:

 

Scott family services, Inc.  
   
   
By: /s/ Timothy Leuthold  
  Name: Timothy Leuthold  
  Title: President  

 

 

THE SCOTT FAMILY FIBK SHAREHOLDER GROUP  
   
   
By: /s/ James R. Scott  
  Name: James R. Scott, Chair, on behalf of the Shareholders  

 

 

[Signature Page to Side Letter]