UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 26, 2010
PATRIOT NATIONAL BANCORP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Connecticut   000-29599   06-1559137
         
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
900 Bedford Street,
Stamford, Connecticut
   
06901
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 324-7500
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:
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 


 

Section 5 — Corporate Governance and Management
Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On October 26, 2010, the Board of Directors of Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (“Patriot”), amended and restated its by-laws primarily to restructure the committee structure of the Board of Directors. The amended and restated by-laws are attached to this report as Exhibit 3(ii) and incorporated herein by reference.
Section 9 — Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits.
         
Exhibit No.     Description
       
 
3(ii)    
Amended and Restated by-laws

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  PATRIOT NATIONAL BANCORP, INC.
 
 
Date: November 1, 2010  By:   /s/ Robert F. O’Connell    
    Robert F. O’Connell   
    Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer 
 
 

 

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Exhibit 3(ii)
Patriot National Bancorp, Inc. (the “Corporation”)
Amended and Restated By-Laws
October 26, 2010
Article I.
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1.1. Annual Meeting . The regular annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at the main office of the Corporation or such other place as the board of directors (the “Board”) may designate on such other date in the months of April, May or June of each year as the Board may designate. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed, first-claim mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his/her address appearing on the books of the Corporation. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, or in the event of a legal holiday, on the next following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the Board, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two thirds of the shares. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail.
Section 1.1.1. Special Meetings . Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the Board or by any two (2) or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than twenty (20%) percent of the stock of the Corporation. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, first-class mail, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the Corporation a notice stating the purpose of the meeting. A special meeting may be called by shareholders or the Board to amend the articles of Corporation or bylaws, whether or not such bylaws may be amended by the Board in the absence of shareholder approval.
Section 1.2. Record Date . The Board may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting; provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the Corporation becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date.

 

 


 

Section 1.3. No Written Consent . Unless otherwise set forth herein, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
Section 1.4. Nominations of Directors . Nominations for election to the Board may be made by the Board or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the current directors of the Corporation, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the Corporation, not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors, provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
  (1)   The name and address of each proposed nominee.
 
  (2)   The principal occupation of each proposed nominee.
 
  (3)   The total number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation that will be voted for each proposed nominee.
 
  (4)   The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder.
 
  (5)   The number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation owned by the notifying shareholder.
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.
Section 1.5. Judges of Election . Every election of directors shall be managed by three judges, who shall be appointed from among the shareholders by the Board. The judges of election shall hold and conduct the election at which they are appointed to serve. After the election, they shall file with the secretary of the Corporation a certificate signed by them, certifying the result thereof and the names of the directors elected. The judges of election, at the request of the chairperson of the meeting, shall act as tellers of any other vote by ballot taken at such meeting, and shall certify the result thereof.
Section 1.6. Proxies . Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with rubber stamped facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a confirming telegram from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted. Electronic proxy voting shall be permitted as provided under Connecticut law.

 

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Section 1.7. Quorum . A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Section 8.2, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Section 8.2.
Article II.
Directors
Section 2.1. Board of Directors . The Board shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the Corporation. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the Corporation shall be vested in and may be exercised by the Board.
Section 2.2. Number . The Board shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, the exact number within such minimum and maximum limits to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full Board or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof.
Section 2.3. Organization Meeting . The secretary, upon receiving the certificate of the judges, of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the Corporation to organize the new Board and elect and appoint officers of the Corporation for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable and, in any event, within 30 days thereof. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum, the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.
Section 2.4. Regular Meetings . The regular meetings of the Board shall be held, without notice, on the third Tuesday of each month at the main office or other such place as the Board may designate. When any regular meeting of the Board falls upon a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the Board shall designate another day.
Section 2.5. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President of the Corporation, or at the request of two or more directors. Each member of the Board shall be given notice stating the time and place by telegram, letter, or in person, of each special meeting.
Section 2.6. Quorum . A majority of the director positions on the Board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law, or the bylaws, but a less number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Section 2.7.

 

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If a quorum is present, the Board may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance.
Section 2.7. Vacancies . When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the Board may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the Board, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose, in conformance with Section 1.2 of these by-laws. At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates.
A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
Section 2.8. Resignation . A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the Board, its chairperson or to the Corporation, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
Section 2.9. Removal . A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove him or her, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove him or her is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect him or her under cumulative voting is voted against his or her removal.
Article III.
Committees of the Board
The Board must formally ratify written policies authorized by committees of the Board before such policies become effective. Each committee must have one or more member(s), who serve at the pleasure of the Board. Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws governing place of meetings, notice of meetings, quorum and voting requirements of the Board, apply to committees and their members as well. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the Board. The membership and roles of each committee must conform to applicable Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ listing requirements.
Section 3.1. Executive Committee . There shall be an executive committee composed of the Chairperson of the Board, the President and three other directors, appointed by the Board annually or more often. The executive committee shall have the power and responsibility of monitoring the implementation by management of policies established by the Board, and to exercise, when the Board is not in session, all other powers of the Board that may lawfully be delegated, and shall review for approval any contracts with third parties authorized by the Board prior to execution thereof. The executive committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the Board with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the Board.

 

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Section 3.2. Audit, Credit Review and Compliance Committee . There shall be an audit, credit review and compliance committee composed of not less than three directors, at least one of whom shall be independent, if the Board has an independent director, appointed by the Board annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to (i) review and recommend policies regarding internal audit and credit review, (ii) establish and implement policies to comply with applicable regulations, (iii) cause suitable audits to be made by auditors engaged by the Audit Committee on the Corporation’s behalf, and (iv) pre-approve all audit services and permitted non-audit services provided by the auditors. The Audit Committee or its Chairman also discusses with the independent auditors the auditors’ review of unaudited quarterly financial statements. The Audit, Credit Review and Compliance Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the Board with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the Board.
Section 3.3. Compensation Committee . There shall be a compensation committee composed of not less than three directors, appointed by the Board annually or more often. The Compensation Committee shall have the power and responsibility to determine executive compensation. The Compensation Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the Board with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the Board.
Section 3.4. Nominating and Governance Committee . There shall be a nominating and governance committee composed of not less than three directors, appointed by the Board annually or more often. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall have the power and responsibility to consider and recommend to the full Board nominees for directors of the Corporation and its subsidiary Patriot National Bank. The Nominating and Governance Committee is also responsible for reporting and recommending from time to time to the Board matters relative to corporate governance. The Nominating and Governance Committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the Board with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the Board.
Section 3.5. Other Committees . The Board may appoint, from time to time, from its own members, compensation, special litigation and other committees of one or more persons, for such purposes and with such powers as the Board may determine.
However, a committee may not:
  (1)   Authorize distributions of assets or dividends.
 
  (2)   Approve action required to be approved by shareholders.
 
  (3)   Fill vacancies on the Board or any of its committees.

 

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  (4)   Amend the Certificate of Corporation.
 
  (5)   Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.
 
  (6)   Authorize or approve issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares.
Article IV.
Officers and Employees
Section 4.1. Chairperson of the Board . The Board shall appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the Board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the Board. The chairperson of the Board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the Board; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon, or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.2. President . The Board shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the Corporation. In the absence of the chairperson, the president shall preside at any meeting of the Board. The president shall have general executive powers, and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice, to the office of president, or imposed by these bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred, or assigned by the Board.
Section 4.3. Vice Presidents . The Board may appoint one or more vice presidents, and one or more senior or executive vice presidents, who may also include a chief operating officer, a chief financial officer, a treasurer, and/or a senior credit officer. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the Board. One vice president shall be designated by the Board, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 4.4. Secretary . The Board shall appoint a secretary, cashier, or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the Board and of the Corporation, and shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the Corporation; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the Corporation; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice, to the office of cashier, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the Board.
Section 4.5. Other Officers . The Board may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant cashiers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the Board to be required or desirable to transact the business of the Corporation. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon, or assigned to, them by the Board, the chairperson of the Board, or the president. The Board may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.

 

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Section 4.6. Tenure of Office . The president and all other officers shall hold office for the current year for which the Board was elected, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy occurring in the office of president shall be filled promptly by the Board.
Section 4.7. Resignation . An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the Corporation. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
Article V.
Section 5.1. Transfers . Shares of stock, if certificated, shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation. All transfers of stock shall be recorded on the books of the Corporation kept at an office of the Corporation or by transfer agents designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation. Any or all of the signatures may be made by facsimile. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall, in proportion to his or her shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The Board may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the Corporation with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings, and related makers and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
Section 5.2. Certificates for Stock . The shares of the Corporation’s stock may but need not be represented by a certificate in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut. Any certificates representing shares of stock shall bear the manual or facsimile signature of the president and secretary, assistant secretary, cashier, assistant cashier, or any other officer appointed by the Board for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the Corporation shall be engraved thereon. Any certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the Corporation properly endorsed. Within a reasonable time after the issue or transfer of shares without certificates, the Corporation shall send the shareholder a written statement of the information required on certificates by Connecticut law.
The Board may adopt or use procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.
Article VI.
Corporate Seal
The president, the cashier, the secretary or any assistant cashier or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the Board, shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal, and to attest the same. Such seal shall be substantially in the following form:
(Impression)
(of)
(Seal)

 

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Article VII.
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 7.1. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be the calendar year.
Section 7.2. Execution of Instruments . All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Corporation by the chairperson of the Board, or the president, or any vice president, or the secretary, or the cashier in accordance with the procedures and limitations established by the Board. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the Corporation in such other manner and by such other officers as the Board may from time to time direct. The provisions of this section 7.2 are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.
Section 7.3. Records . The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the Board, and standing committees of the Board, shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, cashier or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 7.4. Governing Law . The laws of the State of Connecticut shall govern the Corporation’s corporate governance procedures.
Article VIII.
Bylaws
Section 8.1. Inspection . A copy of the bylaws, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the Corporation, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 8.2. Amendments . The bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular meeting of the Board, by a vote of a majority of the total number of the directors except as provided below. The Corporation’s shareholders may amend or repeal the bylaws even though the bylaws also may be amended or repealed by its Board.

 

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SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE
I, Philip W. Wolford of Patriot National Bancorp, Inc., hereby certify that the foregoing bylaws are the amended and restated bylaws of the Corporation, and all of them are now lawfully in force and effect.
         
Date: October 26, 2010     
  Philip W. Wolford   
  Secretary   
 

 

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