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): December 2, 2015


NCR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 

 
Maryland
001-00395
31-0387920
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
Commission File Number
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
3097 Satellite Boulevard
Duluth, Georgia 30096
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (937) 445-5000

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (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))
 

 

 
Item 1.01.                            Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Investment Agreement

As previously disclosed, on November 11, 2015, NCR Corporation, a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ” or “ NCR ”), entered into an Investment Agreement (the “ Investment Agreement ”) between the Company and funds managed by or affiliated with Blackstone Capital Partners VI, L.P. and Blackstone Tactical Opportunities L.L.C. (collectively, “ Blackstone ”) relating to the issuance and sale to Blackstone of 820,000 shares of the Company’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”), for an aggregate purchase price of $820 million, or $1,000 per share. The Investment Agreement was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2015.

On December 4, 2015, Blackstone assigned its purchase rights for 820,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock to its permitted transferees, Blackstone BCP VI SBS ESC Holdco L.P., Blackstone NCR Holdco L.P., BTO NCR Holdings – ESC L.P. and BTO NCR Holdings L.P. (the “ Purchasers ”).

On December 4, 2015 , the Company and the Purchasers closed the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreement (the “ Closing ”), and the Company issued and sold to the Purchasers 820,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for the purchase price described above.


Articles Supplementary Classifying the Series A Preferred Stock

On December 2 , 2015 , the Company filed with the State Department of Assessment and Taxation of the State of Maryland Articles Supplementary classifying the Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Articles Supplementary ”) and establishing the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock. The Articles Supplementary became effective upon filing.

The Series A Preferred Stock ranks senior to the shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company. The Series A Preferred Stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to a cumulative dividend at the rate of 5.5% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears. If the Company does not declare and pay a dividend, the dividend rate will increase by 2.5% to 8.0% per annum until all accrued but unpaid dividends have been paid in full. Dividends shall be paid in-kind, through the issuance of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock, for the first sixteen dividend payment dates, after which dividends will be payable in cash or in-kind at the option of the Company.

The Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holders at any time into shares of Common Stock at an initial conversion price of $30.00 per share and an initial conversion rate of 33.33 shares of Common Stock per share of Series A Preferred Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. At any time after the third anniversary of the date of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock (the “ Closing Date ”), if the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock exceeds $54.00, as may be adjusted pursuant to the Articles Supplementary, for at least 30 trading days in any period of 45 consecutive trading days, all of the Series A Preferred Stock may be converted, at the election of the Company, into the relevant number of shares of Common Stock.

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote with the holders of the Common Stock on an as-converted basis. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to a separate class vote with respect to amendments to the Company’s organizational documents that have an adverse effect on the Series A Preferred Stock and issuances by the Company of securities that are senior to, or equal in priority with, the Series A Preferred Stock.

On any date during the three months following March 16, 2024 and the three months following every third anniversary of such date, holders of Series A Preferred Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Stock at 100% of the liquidation preference thereof plus all accrued but unpaid dividends. Upon certain change of control events involving the Company, holders of Series A Preferred Stock can require the Company to repurchase all or any portion of the Series A Preferred Stock at the greater of (1) an amount in cash equal to 100% of the liquidation preference thereof plus all accrued but unpaid dividends and (2) the consideration the holders would have received if they had converted their shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately prior to the change of control event. The Company has the right, upon certain change of control events involving the Company, to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock at the greater of (1) an amount in cash equal to the sum of the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock, all accrued but unpaid dividends and the present value, discounted at a rate of 10%, of any remaining scheduled dividends through the fifth anniversary of the first dividend payment date, assuming the Company chose to pay such dividends in cash and (2) the consideration the holders would have received if they had converted their shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock immediately prior to the change of control event.
 

 
The foregoing description of the Articles Supplementary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the full text of the Articles Supplementary, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.


Registration Rights Agreement

On December 4, 2015 , the Company and the Purchasers entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), the form of which was attached as Annex II to the Investment Agreement.  Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide to the Purchasers certain customary registration rights with respect to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock. The Registration Rights Agreement contains customary terms and conditions, including certain customary indemnification obligations.

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


Item 3.02.                            Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information contained in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.

As described in Item 1.01, on December 4, 2015, the Company issued and sold to the Purchasers 820,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $820 million, or $1,000 per share, pursuant to the Investment Agreement. This issuance and sale is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. Blackstone represented to the Company that it is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501 of the Securities Act and that the Series A Preferred Stock is being acquired for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends will be affixed to any certificates evidencing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Conversion Common Stock.


Item 3.03.                            Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information contained in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 5.02.                            Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain    Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
 

 
Election of New Directors

Pursuant to the Investment Agreement, the Company increased the size of its board of directors by two new director seats and elected Chinh E. Chu and Gregory R. Blank to the board of directors, effective as of December 4, 2015, for a term expiring at the Company’s 2016 annual meeting of stockholders (the “ 2016 Annual Meeting ”). At the 2016 Annual Meeting, the Company will nominate Mr. Chu for election as a Class B director with a term expiring at the Company’s 2019 annual meeting of the stockholders, and Mr. Blank for election as a Class C director with a term expiring at the Company’s 2017 annual meeting of the stockholders.

The Company’s board of directors appointed Mr. Chu to the Compensation and Human Resource Committee and the Committee on Directors and Governance of the board and appointed Mr. Blank to the Audit Committee and the Executive Committee of the board.

There are no transactions between each of Messrs. Chu and Blank, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, that would be reportable under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

The Company’s board of directors considered the independence of Messrs. Chu and Blank under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and concluded that each of Messrs. Chu and Blank is an independent director under the applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards and the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines.


Item 5.03.                            Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

The information contained in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 8.01.                            Other Events.

Attached as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the Company’s press release dated December 4, 2015 , announcing the Closing.


Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements use words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “outlook,” “intend,” “believe,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could” and words of similar meaning. Statements that describe or relate to NCR’s plans, goals, intentions, strategies or financial outlook, statements regarding the investment by Blackstone and statements that do not relate to historical or current fact, are examples of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on NCR’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate, and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are out of NCR’s control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and there are a number of important factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements, including: factors relating to the achievement of the potential benefits of the investment by Blackstone; domestic and global economic and credit conditions, including, in particular, market conditions and investment trends in the retail industry, and economic and market conditions in China and Russia; the impact of our indebtedness and its terms on our financial and operating activities; our ability to successfully introduce new solutions and compete in the information technology industry; the transformation of our business model and our ability to sell higher-margin software and services; our ability to improve execution in our sales and services organizations; defects or errors in our products or problems with our hosting facilities; manufacturing disruptions; collectability difficulties in subcontracting relationships in emerging industries; the historical seasonality of our sales; foreign currency fluctuations; the availability and success of acquisitions, divestitures and alliances, including the acquisition of Digital Insight; our pension strategy and underfunded pension obligation; the success of our ongoing restructuring plan; tax rates; compliance with data privacy and protection requirements; reliance on third party suppliers; development and protection of intellectual property; workforce turnover and the ability to attract and retain skilled employees; environmental exposures from our historical and ongoing manufacturing activities; uncertainties with regard to regulations, lawsuits, claims and other matters across various jurisdictions; and the other risks and uncertainties described in NCR’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in NCR’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2015 and in any of NCR’s subsequently filed Form 10-Qs. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. NCR does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 

 
Important Information

As previously disclosed, on November 13, 2015, the Company commenced an offer to purchase for cash up to $1.0 billion of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, dated November 13, 2015 (the “Offer to Purchase”), and the related Letter of Transmittal. This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of NCR. The tender offer by NCR has been made solely by the Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal and other related materials, which NCR has filed with the SEC.  Investors are urged to read these materials, as well as any other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available, carefully and in their entirety because they contain important information, including the terms and conditions of the tender offer.  NCR has filed each of the documents referenced in this paragraph with the SEC, and investors may obtain a free copy of them from the SEC at its website  www.sec.gov , or free of charge from NCR at http://investor.ncr.com or by directing a request to Gavin Bell, Vice President of Investor Relations, at 212-589-8468 or gavin.bell@ncr.com.


Item 9.01.        Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits .

The following exhibits are attached with this Current Report on Form 8-K:
 
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
   
3.1
 
Articles Supplementary Classifying Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
10.1
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2015, by and between NCR Corporation and the affiliates of Blackstone Capital Partners VI, L.P. and Blackstone Tactical Opportunities L.L.C. named therein.
99.1
 
Press Release dated December 4, 2015.
 
 


 
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.
 
 
 
NCR Corporation
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert Fishman  
    Name:
Robert Fishman 
 
    Title:
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
       
Date: December 4, 2015      
       
 

 
Index to Exhibits

The following exhibits are attached with this Current Report on Form 8-K:
 
 
 
Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
   
3.1
 
Articles Supplementary Classifying Series A Convertible Preferred Stock.
10.1
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 4, 2015, by and between NCR Corporation and the affiliates of Blackstone Capital Partners VI, L.P. and Blackstone Tactical Opportunities L.L.C. named therein.
99.1
 
Press Release dated December 4, 2015.
 
 
Exhibit 3.1
 
 
 
ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

CLASSIFYING

SERIES A CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
PAR VALUE $0.01

OF
 
NCR CORPORATION

Pursuant to Section 2-208 of the Maryland General Corporation Law (as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “ MGCL ”), NCR Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland (the “ Company ”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 2-208 thereof, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

That, the charter of the Company (the “ Charter ”), as filed with the State Department of Assessment and Taxation of the State of Maryland (“ SDAT ”), authorizes the issuance of 600,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), and 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (“ Preferred Stock ”);

That, the Charter expressly authorizes the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) by resolution or resolutions, to the maximum extent permitted by the MGCL, to classify, in one or more series, any unissued shares of Preferred Stock and to set the number of shares constituting such series and the designation, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of the shares of Preferred Stock constituting such series;

That, pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board by the Charter, the Board, on November 11, 2015, adopted the following resolution classifying a new series of Preferred Stock as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock”:

RESOLVED, that, pursuant to the authority vested in the Board in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.3 of the Charter and the provisions of Section 2-208 of the MGCL, a series of Preferred Stock of the Company is hereby classified, and the designation, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or terms or conditions of the shares of Preferred Stock constituting such series, shall be as follows:

SECTION 1.  Classification and Number of Shares.   The shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall be classified as “Series A Convertible Preferred Stock” (the “ Series A Preferred Stock ”).  The number of authorized shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock shall be 3,000,000.  That number from time to time may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding) by (a) further resolution duly adopted by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, and (b) the filing of articles supplementary pursuant to the provisions of the MGCL stating that such increase or decrease, as applicable, has been so authorized.  The Company shall not have the authority to issue fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
 
 


 
SECTION 2.  Ranking.   The Series A Preferred Stock will rank, with respect to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company:

(a) on a parity basis with each other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company now existing or hereafter authorized, classified or reclassified, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks on a parity basis with the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company (such Capital Stock, “ Parity Stock ”);

(b) junior to each other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company now existing or hereafter authorized, classified or reclassified, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company (such Capital Stock, “ Senior Stock ”); and

(c) senior to the Common Stock and each other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company now existing or hereafter authorized, classified or reclassified, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks on a parity basis with or senior to the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company (such Capital Stock, “ Junior Stock ”).

SECTION 3.  Definitions.   As used herein with respect to Series A Preferred Stock:

50% Beneficial Ownership Requirement ” has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.

Accrued Dividend Record Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) .

Accrued Dividends ” means, as of any date, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, all Dividends that have accrued on such share pursuant to Section 4(b) , whether or not declared, but that have not, as of such date, been paid.

Affiliate ” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person; provided , however , (i) that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of any Purchaser Party or any of its Affiliates, (ii) portfolio companies in which any Purchaser Party or any of its Affiliates has an investment (whether as debt or equity) shall not be deemed an Affiliate of such Purchaser Party and (iii) the Excluded Blackstone Parties shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of any Purchaser Party, the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries.  For this purpose, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise.
 
 
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Articles Supplementary ” means these Articles Supplementary classifying the Series A Preferred Stock.

Base Amount ” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the Liquidation Preference and (b) the Base Amount Accrued Dividends with respect to such share as of such date.

Base Amount Accrued Dividends ” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date of determination, (a) if a Dividend Payment Date has occurred since the issuance of such share, the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share as of the Dividend Payment Date immediately preceding such date of determination (taking into account the payment of Dividends, if any, on or with respect to such Dividend Payment Date) or (b) if no Dividend Payment Date has occurred since the issuance of such share, zero.

Any Person shall be deemed to “ beneficially own ”, to have “ beneficial ownership ” of, or to be “ beneficially owning ” any securities (which securities shall also be deemed “ beneficially owned ” by such Person) that such Person is deemed to “beneficially own” within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act; provided that any Person shall be deemed to beneficially own any securities that such Person has the right to acquire, whether or not such right is exercisable within sixty (60) days or thereafter (including assuming conversion of all Series A Preferred Stock, if any, owned by such Person to Common Stock).

Board ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.

close of business ” means 5:00 p.m. (New York City time).

Business Day ” means any weekday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to be closed.

Bylaws ” means the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended and as may be amended from time to time.

Capital Stock ” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares of, interests in, rights to purchase, warrants to purchase, options for, participations in or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) stock issued by such Person.

Cash Dividend ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) .

Change of Control ” means (i) prior to the earlier of the (x) Initial Redemption Date or (y) the date that is 91 days after the date of repayment, defeasance, satisfaction, cancellation, termination or other permanent discharge in full of the Credit Agreement and the Indentures (the “ Relevant Change of Control Date ”), the occurrence of one of the following:
 
 
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(a)  any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, other than as a result of a transaction in which (1) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction are substantially the same as the holders of securities that represent a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its Parent Entity immediately after such transaction and (2) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own directly or indirectly Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its Parent Entity in substantially the same proportion to each other as immediately prior to such transaction; or

(b)  the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person, other than a transaction following which (1) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction, and (2) in the case of a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a Subsidiary or a Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company, or

(ii) on or after the Relevant Change of Control Date, the occurrence of one of the following:

(a)  any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of a majority of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, other than as a result of a transaction in which (1) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction are substantially the same as the holders of securities that represent a majority of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its Parent Entity immediately following such transaction and (2) the holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction own directly or indirectly Voting Stock of the surviving Person or its Parent Entity in substantially the same proportion to each other as immediately prior to such transaction;

(b)  the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis), whether in a single transaction or a series of transactions, to another Person, or any recapitalization, reclassification or other transaction in which all or substantially all of the Common Stock is exchanged for or converted into cash, securities or other property, other than a transaction following which (1) in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction, and (2) in the case of a sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a Subsidiary or a Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Company; or
 
 
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(c)  any transaction or series of transactions by which the Company or any successor or Parent Entity thereto is organized outside the United States of America.

Change of Control Effective Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(c) .

Change of Control Purchase Date ” means, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, the date on which the Company makes the payment in full of the Change of Control Purchase Price for such share to the Holder thereof.

Change of Control Purchase Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a) .

Change of Control Put ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(a) .

Change of Control Put Deadline ” has the meaning set forth in Section 9(c)(i) .

Charter ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.

Closing Price ” of the Common Stock on any date of determination means the closing sale price or, if no closing sale price is reported, the last reported sale price, of the shares of the Common Stock on the NYSE on such date.  If the Common Stock is not traded on the NYSE on any date of determination, the Closing Price of the Common Stock on such date of determination means the closing sale price as reported in the composite transactions for the principal United States securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is so listed or quoted, or, if no closing sale price is reported, the last reported sale price on the principal United States securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is so listed or quoted, or if the Common Stock is not so listed or quoted on a United States securities exchange or automated quotation system, the last quoted bid price for the Common Stock in the over-the-counter market as reported by OTC Markets Group Inc. or any similar organization, or, if that bid price is not available, the market price of the Common Stock on that date as determined by an Independent Financial Advisor retained by the Company for such purpose.

Common Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.

Company ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.

 “ Constituent Person ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(a) .
 
 
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Conversion Agent ” means the Transfer Agent acting in its capacity as conversion agent for the Series A Preferred Stock, and its successors and assigns.

Conversion Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) .

Conversion Notice ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8(a) .

Conversion Price ” means, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, a dollar amount equal to $1,000 divided by the Conversion Rate.

Conversion Rate ” means, for each share of Series A Preferred Stock, 33.333 shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment as set forth herein.

Credit Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.

Current Market Price ” per share of Common Stock, as of any date of determination, means the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days ending on the Trading Day immediately preceding such day, appropriately adjusted to take into account the occurrence during such period of any event described in Section 11 .

Designated Redemption Date ” means (i) any date within the three (3) month period commencing on and immediately following the Initial Redemption Date and (ii) any date within the three (3) month period commencing on and immediately following each successive third anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date.

Distributed Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iv) .

Distribution Transaction ” means any transaction by which a Subsidiary of the Company ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company by reason of the distribution of such Subsidiary’s equity securities to holders of Common Stock, whether by means of a spin-off, split-off, redemption, reclassification, exchange, stock dividend, share distribution, rights offering or similar transaction.

Dividend ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a) .

Dividend Payment Date ” means March 10, June 10, September 10 and December 10 of each year, commencing on the later of (i) March 10, 2016 and (ii) the first such date to occur following the Original Issuance Date (the “ Initial Dividend Payment Date ”); provided that if any such Dividend Payment Date is not a Business Day, then the applicable Dividend shall be payable on the next Business Day immediately following such Dividend Payment Date, without any interest.
 
Dividend Payment Period ” means (i) in respect of any share of Series A Preferred Stock issued on the Original Issuance Date, the period from and including the Original Issuance Date to but excluding the Initial Dividend Payment Date and, subsequent to the Initial Dividend Payment Date, the period from and including any Dividend Payment Date to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date, and (ii) for any share of Series A Preferred Stock issued subsequent to the Original Issuance Date, the period from and including the Issuance Date of such share to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date and, subsequently, in each case the period from and including any Dividend Payment Date to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date.
 
 
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Dividend Rate ” means 5.5%, or, to the extent and during the period with respect to which such rate has been adjusted as provided in Sections 4(d) , Section 9(i) or Section 10(e) , such adjusted rate.

Dividend Record Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(e) .

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Exchange Property ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(a) .

Excluded Blackstone Parties ” has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.

Expiration Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(iii) .

Fair Market Value ” means, with respect to any security or other property, the fair market value of such security or other property as reasonably determined in good faith by a majority of the Board, or an authorized committee thereof, (i) after consultation with an Independent Financial Advisor, as to any security or other property with a Fair Market Value of less than $50,000,000, or (ii) otherwise using an Independent Financial Advisor to provide a valuation opinion.

Fall-Away of Purchaser Board Rights ” has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.

Governmental Authority ” means any government, court, regulatory or administrative agency, commission, arbitrator or authority or other legislative, executive or judicial governmental entity (in each case including any self-regulatory organization), whether federal, state or local, domestic, foreign or multinational.

Holder ” means a Person in whose name the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are registered, which Person shall be treated by the Company, Transfer Agent, Registrar, paying agent and Conversion Agent as the absolute owner of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock for the purpose of making payment and settling conversions and for all other purposes; provided that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, no Person that has received shares of Series A Preferred Stock in violation of the Investment Agreement shall be a Holder, the Transfer Agent, Registrar, paying agent and Conversion Agent, as applicable, shall not, unless directed otherwise by the Company, recognize any such Person as a Holder and the Person in whose name the shares of the Series A Preferred Stock were registered immediately prior to such transfer shall remain the Holder of such shares.

Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount ” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date, the product of (a) the Base Amount of such share on the first day of the applicable Dividend Payment Period (or in the case of the first Dividend Payment Period for such share, as of the Issuance Date of such share) multiplied by (b) one fourth of the Dividend Rate applicable on such date.
 
 
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Indebtedness ” means (a) all obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all letters of credit and letters of guaranty in respect of which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is an account party, (d) all securitization or similar facilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (e) all guarantees by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any of the foregoing.

Indebtedness Agreement ” means any agreement, document or instrument governing or evidencing any Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Indentures ” has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.

Independent Financial Advisor ” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant of nationally recognized standing; provided , however , that such firm or consultant is (i) not an Affiliate of the Company and (ii) so long as the Purchasers meet the 50% Beneficial Ownership Requirement, is reasonably acceptable to the Purchasers.

Initial Redemption Date ” means March 16, 2024.

Investment Agreement ” means that certain Investment Agreement between the Company and the Purchasers dated as of November 11, 2015, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, with respect to certain terms and conditions concerning, among other things, the rights of and restrictions on the Holders.

Issuance Date ” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, the date of issuance of such share.

Junior Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c) .

Liquidation Preference ” means, with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock, as of any date, $1,000 per share.

Mandatory Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) .

Mandatory Conversion Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) .

Mandatory Conversion Price ” means $54.00, as adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Section 11(a) .

Market Disruption Event ” means any of the following events:

(a) any suspension of, or limitation imposed on, trading of the Common Stock by any exchange or quotation system on which the Closing Price is determined pursuant to the definition of the term “Closing Price” (the “ Relevant Exchange ”) during the one-hour period prior to the close of trading for the regular trading session on the Relevant Exchange (or for purposes of determining the VWAP per share of Common Stock, any period or periods aggregating one half-hour or longer during the regular trading session on the relevant day) and whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the Relevant Exchange as to securities generally, or otherwise relating to the Common Stock or options contracts relating to the Common Stock on the Relevant Exchange; or
 
 
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(b) any event that disrupts or impairs (as determined by the Company in its reasonable discretion) the ability of market participants during the one-hour period prior to the close of trading for the regular trading session on the Relevant Exchange (or for purposes of determining the VWAP per share of Common Stock, any period or periods aggregating one half-hour or longer during the regular trading session on the relevant day) in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, the Common Stock on the Relevant Exchange or to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, options contracts relating to the Common Stock on the Relevant Exchange.

MGCL ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.

Notice of Mandatory Conversion ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b) .

Notice of Redemption ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(b) .

NYSE ” means the New York Stock Exchange.

Officer’s Certificate ” means a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary of the Company.

open of business ” means 9:00 a.m. (New York City time).

Original Issuance Date ” and “ Original Issuance Time ” mean the date and time, respectively, of closing pursuant to the Investment Agreement.

Parent Entity ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person of which such first Person is a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary.

Parity Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(a) .

Permitted Transferee ” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any Affiliate of such Person, (ii) any successor entity of such Person and (iii) with respect to any Person that is an investment fund, vehicle or similar entity, any other investment fund, vehicle or similar entity of which such Person or an Affiliate, advisor or manager of such Person serves as the general partner, manager or advisor.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, estate, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity.
 
 
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PIK Dividend ” has the meaning set forth in Section 4(c) .

Preferred Stock ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.

Purchasers ” has the meaning set forth in the Investment Agreement.

Purchaser Designee ” means an individual nominated by the Board as a “Purchaser Designee” for election to the Board pursuant to Section 5.10(a) or Section 5.10(d) of the Investment Agreement.

Purchaser Parties ” means the Purchasers and each Permitted Transferee of the Purchasers to whom shares of Series A Preferred Stock or Common Stock are transferred pursuant to Section 5.08(b)(i) of the Investment Agreement.

Record Date ” means, with respect to any dividend, distribution or other transaction or event in which the holders of the Common Stock have the right to receive any cash, securities or other property or in which the Common Stock is exchanged for or converted into any combination of cash, securities or other property, the date fixed for determination of holders of the Common Stock entitled to receive such cash, securities or other property (whether such date is fixed by the Board or by statute, contract or otherwise).

Redemption Date ” means, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, the date on which the Company makes the payment in full in cash of the Redemption Price for such share to the Holder of such share.

Redemption Right ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a) .

Redemption Price ” has the meaning set forth in Section 10(a) .

Registrar ” means the Transfer Agent acting in its capacity as registrar for the Series A Preferred Stock, and its successors and assigns.

Relevant Exchange ” has the meaning set forth in the definition of the term “Market Disruption Event”.

Reorganization Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 12(a) .

 “ Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations ” means, in connection with any Change of Control, (i) the payment in full in cash of all principal, interest, fees and all other amounts due or payable in respect of any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including in respect of any penalty or premium) that is required to be prepaid, repaid, redeemed, repurchased or otherwise retired as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as “indebtedness”, “disqualified stock”, “disqualified capital stock”, “disqualified equity interests”, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement, (ii) the cancellation or termination, or if permitted by the terms of such Indebtedness, cash collateralization, of any letters of credit or letters of guaranty that are required to be cancelled or terminated or cash collateralized as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as “indebtedness”, “disqualified stock”, “disqualified capital stock”, “disqualified equity interests”, or similar instruments, however denominated, under
 
 
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the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement, (iii) compliance with any requirement to effect an offer to purchase any bonds, debentures, notes or other instruments of Indebtedness as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as “indebtedness”, “disqualified stock”, “disqualified capital stock”, “disqualified equity interests”, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement, and the purchase of any such instruments tendered in such offer and the payment in full of any other amounts due or payable in connection with such purchase and (iv) the termination of any lending commitments required to be terminated as a result of or in connection with such Change of Control or in order for the Series A Preferred Stock not to constitute or be deemed as “indebtedness”, “disqualified stock”, “disqualified capital stock”, “disqualified equity interests”, or similar instruments, however denominated, under the terms of any Indebtedness Agreement.
 
SDAT ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals above.

Senior Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) .

Series A Preferred Stock ” has the meaning set forth in Section 1 .

Specified Contract Terms ” means the covenants, terms and provisions of any indenture, credit agreement or any other agreement, document or instrument evidencing, governing the rights of the holders of or otherwise relating to any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Subsidiary ”, when used with respect to any Person, means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, trust or other entity of which (i) securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the ordinary voting power (or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests) or (ii) sufficient voting rights to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body are, as of such date, owned by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

Trading Day ” means a Business Day on which the Relevant Exchange is scheduled to be open for business and on which there has not occurred a Market Disruption Event.

Transfer Agent ” means the Person acting as Transfer Agent, Registrar and paying agent and Conversion Agent for the Series A Preferred Stock, and its successors and assigns.  The Transfer Agent initially shall be Wells Fargo Bank, N. A.

Trigger Event ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11(a)(vii) .

Voting Stock ” means (i) with respect to the Company, the Common Stock, the Series A Preferred Stock and any other Capital Stock of the Company having the right to vote generally in any election of directors of the Board and (ii) with respect to any other Person, all Capital Stock of such Person having the right to vote generally in any election of directors of the board of directors of such Person or other similar governing body.
 
 
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VWAP ” per share of Common Stock on any Trading Day means the per share volume-weighted average price as displayed under the heading Bloomberg VWAP on Bloomberg (or, if Bloomberg ceases to publish such price, any successor service reasonably chosen by the Company) page “NCR <equity> AQR” (or its equivalent successor if such page is not available) in respect of the period from the open of trading on the relevant Trading Day until the close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market price of one share of Common Stock on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by an Independent Financial Advisor retained for such purpose by the Company).

SECTION 4.  Dividends.   (a)  Holders shall be entitled to receive dividends of the type and in the amount determined as set forth in this Section 4 (such dividends, “ Dividends ”).

(b)  Accrual of Dividends.   Dividends on each share of Series A Preferred Stock (i) shall accrue on a daily basis from and including the Issuance Date of such share, whether or not declared and whether or not the Company has assets legally available to make payment thereof, at a rate equal to the Dividend Rate as further specified below and (ii) shall be payable quarterly in arrears, if, as and when authorized by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, and declared by the Company, to the extent not prohibited by law, on each Dividend Payment Date, commencing on the first Dividend Payment Date following the Issuance Date of such share. The amount of Dividends accruing with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for any day shall be determined by dividing (x) the Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount as of such day by (y) the actual number of days in the Dividend Payment Period in which such day falls; provided that if during any Dividend Payment Period any Accrued Dividends in respect of one or more prior Dividend Payment Periods are paid, then after the date of such payment the amount of Dividends accruing with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for any day shall be determined by dividing (x) the Implied Quarterly Dividend Amount (recalculated to take into account such payment of Accrued Dividends) by (y) the actual number of days in such Dividend Payment Period. The amount of Dividends payable with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for any Dividend Payment Period shall equal the sum of the daily Dividend amounts accrued in accordance with the prior sentence of this Section 4(b) with respect to such share during such Dividend Payment Period. For the avoidance of doubt, for any share of Series A Preferred Stock with an Issuance Date that is not a Dividend Payment Date, the amount of Dividends payable with respect to the initial Dividend Payment Period for such share shall equal the product of (A) the daily accrual determined as specified in the prior sentence, assuming a full Dividend Payment Period in accordance with the definition of such term, and (B) the number of days from and including such Issuance Date to but excluding the next Dividend Payment Date.

(c)  Payment of Dividend.   (x) With respect to the first sixteen (16) Dividend Payment Dates, the Company will issue, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as a dividend in kind, additional duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable shares of Series A Preferred Stock (any Dividend or portion of a Dividend paid in the manner provided in this clause, a “ PIK Dividend ”) having value (as determined in accordance with the immediately following sentence) equal to the amount of Accrued Dividends during such Dividend Payment Period and (y) with respect to any Dividend Payment Date occurring after the sixteenth (16th) Dividend Payment Date, the Company will pay, to the extent permitted by applicable law, in its sole discretion, Dividends (i) in cash (any Dividend or portion of a Dividend paid in cash, a “ Cash Dividend ”), if, as and when authorized by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, and declared by the Company, (ii) as a PIK Dividend or (iii) through a combination of either of the foregoing; provided that (A) Cash Dividend payments shall be aggregated per Holder and shall be made to the nearest cent (with $.005 being rounded upward) and (B) if the Company pays a PIK Dividend, no fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be issued to any Holder (after taking into account all shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder) and in lieu of any such fractional share, the Company shall pay to such Holder, at the
 
 
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Company’s option, either (1) an amount in cash equal to the applicable fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock multiplied by the Liquidation Preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock or (2) one additional whole share of Series A Preferred Stock. In the event that the Company pays a PIK Dividend, each share of Series A Preferred Stock paid in connection therewith shall have a deemed value for such purpose equal to the Liquidation Preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock, and the number of additional shares of Series A Preferred Stock issuable to Holders in connection with the payment of a PIK Dividend will be, with respect to each share of Series A Preferred Stock, and without limiting the proviso above concerning fractional shares, the number (or fraction) obtained from the quotient of (1) the amount of the applicable PIK Dividend per share of Series A Preferred Stock divided by (2) the Liquidation Preference per share of Series A Preferred Stock. Accrued Dividends in respect of any prior Dividend Payment Periods may be paid on any date (whether or not such date is a Dividend Payment Date) if, as and when authorized by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof as declared by the Company.

(d)  Arrearages.   If the Company fails to declare and pay a full Dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date, then any Dividends otherwise payable on such Dividend Payment Date on the Series A Preferred Stock shall continue to accrue and cumulate at a Dividend Rate of 8.0% per annum, payable quarterly in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date, for the period from and including the first Dividend Payment Date (or the Issuance Date, as applicable) upon which the Company fails to pay a full Dividend on the Series A Preferred Stock through but not including the latest of the day upon which the Company pays in accordance with Section 4(c) all Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock that are then in arrears. Dividends shall accumulate from the most recent date through which Dividends shall have been paid, or, if no Dividends have been paid, from the Issuance Date.

(e)  Record Date.   The record date for payment of Dividends that are declared and paid on any relevant Dividend Payment Date will be the close of business on the first (1st) day of the calendar month which contains the relevant Dividend Payment Date (each, a “ Dividend Record Date ”), and the record date for payment of any Accrued Dividends that were not declared and paid on any relevant Dividend Payment Date will be the close of business on the date that is established by the Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof, as such, which will not be more than forty-five (45) days prior to the date on which such Dividends are paid (each, an “ Accrued Dividend Record Date ”), in each case whether or not such day is a Business Day.

(f)  Priority of Dividends .   So long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, unless full dividends on all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock have been declared and paid, including any accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock that are then in arrears, or have been or contemporaneously are declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of those dividends has been or is set aside for the benefit of the Holders, the Company may not declare any dividend on, or make any distributions relating to, Junior Stock or Parity Stock, or redeem, purchase, acquire (either directly or through any Subsidiary) or make a liquidation payment relating to, any Junior Stock or Parity Stock, other than:
 
 
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(i) purchases, redemptions or other acquisitions of shares of Junior Stock in connection with any employment contract, benefit plan or other similar arrangement with or for the benefit of current or former employees, officers, directors or consultants;

(ii) purchases of Junior Stock through the use of the proceeds of a substantially contemporaneous sale of other shares of Junior Stock;

(iii) as a result of an exchange or conversion of any class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock for any other class or series of Parity Stock (in the case of Parity Stock) or Junior Stock (in the case of Parity Stock or Junior Stock);

(iv) purchases of fractional interests in shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock pursuant to the conversion or exchange provisions of such Parity Stock or Junior Stock or the security being converted or exchanged;

(v) payment of any dividends in respect of Junior Stock where the dividend is in the form of the same stock or rights to purchase the same stock as that on which the dividend is being paid;

(vi) distributions of Junior Stock or rights to purchase Junior Stock;

(vii) any dividend in connection with the implementation of a shareholders’ rights or similar plan, or the redemption or repurchase of any rights under any such; or

(viii) purchases of shares of Common Stock by the Company in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000,000 to be consummated within 9 months following the Original Issuance Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for so long as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock remain outstanding, if dividends are not declared and paid in full upon the shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, all dividends declared upon shares of Series A Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock will be declared on a proportional basis so that the amount of dividends declared per share will bear to each other the same ratio that all accrued and unpaid dividends as of the end of the most recent Dividend Payment Period per share of Series A Preferred Stock and accrued and unpaid dividends as of the end of the most recent dividend period per share of any Parity Stock bear to each other.

Subject to the provisions of this Section 4 , dividends may be authorized by the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, and declared and paid by the Company, or any duly authorized committee thereof, on any Junior Stock and Parity Stock from time to time and the Holders will not be entitled to participate in those dividends (other than pursuant to the adjustments otherwise provided under Section 11(a) or Section 12(a) , as applicable).
 
 
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(g)  Conversion Following a Record Date.   If the Conversion Date for any shares of Series A Preferred Stock is prior to the close of business on a Dividend Record Date or an Accrued Dividend Record Date, the Holder of such shares will not be entitled to any dividend in respect of such Dividend Record Date or Accrued Dividend Record Date, as applicable, other than through the inclusion of Accrued Dividends as of the Conversion Date in the calculation under Section 6(a) or Section 7(a) , as applicable.  If the Conversion Date for any shares of Series A Preferred Stock is after the close of business on a Dividend Record Date or an Accrued Dividend Record Date but prior to the corresponding payment date for such dividend, the Holder of such shares as of such Dividend Record Date or Accrued Dividend Record Date, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive such dividend, notwithstanding the conversion of such shares prior to the applicable Dividend Payment Date; provided that the amount of such dividend shall not be included for the purpose of determining the amount of Accrued Dividends under Section 6(a) or Section 7(a) , as applicable, with respect to such Conversion Date.

SECTION 5.  Liquidation Rights.   (a)  Liquidation.   In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, the Holders shall be entitled, out of assets legally available therefor, before any distribution or payment out of the assets of the Company may be made to or set aside for the holders of any Junior Stock, and subject to the rights of the holders of any Senior Stock or Parity Stock and the rights of the Company’s existing and future creditors, to receive in full a liquidating distribution in cash and in the amount per share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to the greater of (i) the sum of (A) the Liquidation Preference plus (B) the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the date of such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company and (ii) the amount such Holders would have received had such Holders, immediately prior to such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, converted such shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock (pursuant to Section 6 without regard to any of the limitations on convertibility contained therein). Holders shall not be entitled to any further payments in the event of any such voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company other than what is expressly provided for in this Section 5 and will have no right or claim to any of the Company’s remaining assets.

(b)  Partial Payment.   If in connection with any distribution described in Section 5(a) above, the assets of the Company or proceeds therefrom are not sufficient to pay in full the aggregate liquidating distributions required to be paid pursuant to Section 5(a) to all Holders and the liquidating distributions payable all holders of any Parity Stock, the amounts distributed to the Holders and to the holders of all such Parity Stock shall be paid pro rata in accordance with the respective aggregate liquidating distributions to which they would otherwise be entitled if all amounts payable thereon were paid in full.

(c)  Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Not Liquidation.   For purposes of this Section 5 , the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company shall not be deemed a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company, nor shall the merger, consolidation, statutory exchange or any other business combination transaction of the Company into or with any other Person or the merger, consolidation, statutory exchange or any other business combination transaction of any other Person into or with the Company be deemed to be a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company.
 
 
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SECTION 6.  Right of the Holders to Convert.

(a)  Each Holder shall have the right, at such Holder’s option, subject to the conversion procedures set forth in Section 8 , to convert each share of such Holder’s Series A Preferred Stock at any time into (i) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (A) the sum of the Liquidation Preference and the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the applicable Conversion Date divided by (B) the Conversion Price as of the applicable Conversion Date plus (ii) cash in lieu of fractional shares as set out in Section 11(i) . The right of conversion may be exercised as to all or any portion of such Holder’s Series A Preferred Stock from time to time; provided that, in each case, no right of conversion may be exercised by a Holder in respect of fewer than 1,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock (unless such conversion relates to all shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder).

(b)  The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized and unissued Common Stock, solely for issuance upon the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be issuable upon the conversion of all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding. Any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

SECTION 7.  Mandatory Conversion by the Company.   (a)  At any time after the third anniversary of the Original Issuance Date, if the VWAP per share of Common Stock was greater than the Mandatory Conversion Price for at least thirty (30) Trading Days in any period of forty-five (45) consecutive Trading Days, the Company may elect to convert (a “ Mandatory Conversion ”) all, but not less than all, of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock (the date selected by the Company for any Mandatory Conversion pursuant to this Section 7(a) , the “ Mandatory Conversion Date ”).  In the case of a Mandatory Conversion, each share of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding shall be converted into (i) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (A) the sum of the Liquidation Preference and the Accrued Dividends with respect to such share of Series A Preferred Stock as of the Mandatory Conversion Date divided by (B) the Conversion Price of such share in effect as of the Mandatory Conversion Date plus (ii) cash in lieu of fractional shares as set out in Section 11(i) .

(b)  Notice of Mandatory Conversion.   If the Company elects to effect Mandatory Conversion, the Company shall, within ten (10) Business Days following the completion of the applicable forty-five (45) day Trading Period referred to in Section 7(a) above, provide notice of Mandatory Conversion to each Holder (such notice, a “ Notice of Mandatory Conversion ”). The Mandatory Conversion Date selected by the Company shall be no less than ten (10) Business Days and no more than twenty (20) Business Days after the date on which the Company provides the Notice of Mandatory Conversion to the Holders. The Notice of Mandatory Conversion shall state, as appropriate:
 
 
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(i) the Mandatory Conversion Date selected by the Company; and

(ii) the Conversion Rate as in effect on the Mandatory Conversion Date, the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such Holder upon conversion of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder and, if applicable, the amount of Accrued Dividends to be paid to such Holder upon conversion of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holder.

SECTION 8.  Conversion Procedures and Effect of Conversion.   (a)  Conversion Procedure.   A Holder must do each of the following in order to convert shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 8(a) :

(i) in the case of a conversion pursuant to Section 6(a) , complete and manually sign the conversion notice provided by the Conversion Agent (the “ Conversion Notice ”), and deliver such notice to the Conversion Agent; provided that a Conversion Notice may be conditional on the completion of a Change of Control or other corporate transaction;

(ii) deliver to the Conversion Agent the certificate or certificates (if any) representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted;

(iii) if required, furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents; and

(iv) if required, pay any stock transfer, documentary, stamp or similar taxes not payable by the Company pursuant to Section 21 .

The foregoing clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) shall be conditions to the issuance of shares of Common Stock to the Holders in the event of a Mandatory Conversion pursuant to Section 7 (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not to the Mandatory Conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock on the Mandatory Conversion Date).

The “ Conversion Date ” means (A) with respect to conversion of any shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the option of any Holder pursuant to Section 6(a) , the date on which such Holder complies with the procedures in this Section 8(a) (including the satisfaction of any conditions to conversion set forth in the Conversion Notice) and (B) with respect to Mandatory Conversion pursuant to Section 7(a) , the Mandatory Conversion Date.

(b)  Effect of Conversion.   Effective immediately prior to the close of business on the Conversion Date applicable to any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Dividends shall no longer accrue or be declared on any such shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall cease to be outstanding.

(c)  Record Holder of Underlying Securities as of Conversion Date.   The Person or Persons entitled to receive the Common Stock and, to the extent applicable, cash, securities or other property issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Stock on a Conversion Date shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder(s) of such shares of Common Stock and/or cash, securities or other property as of the close of business on such Conversion Date.  As promptly as practicable on or after the Conversion Date and compliance by the applicable Holder with the relevant procedures contained in Section 8(a) (and in any event no later than three (3) Trading Days thereafter), the Company shall issue the number of whole shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion (and deliver payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares as set out in Section 11(i) ) and, to the extent applicable, any cash, securities or other property issuable thereon.  Such delivery of shares of Common
 
 
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Stock, securities or other property shall be made, at the option of the Company, in certificated form or by book-entry.  Any such certificate or certificates shall be delivered by the Company to the appropriate Holder on a book-entry basis or by mailing certificates evidencing the shares to the Holders at their respective addresses as set forth in the Conversion Notice (in the case of a conversion pursuant to Section 6(a) ) or in the records of the Company (in the case of a Mandatory Conversion).  In the event that a Holder shall not by written notice designate the name in which shares of Common Stock (and payments of cash in lieu of fractional shares) and, to the extent applicable, cash, securities or other property to be delivered upon conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock should be registered or paid, or the manner in which such shares, cash, securities or other property should be delivered, the Company shall be entitled to register and deliver such shares, securities or other property, and make such payment, in the name of the Holder and in the manner shown on the records of the Company.

(d)  Status of Converted or Reacquired Shares.   Shares of Series A Preferred Stock converted in accordance with these Articles Supplementary, or otherwise acquired by the Company in any manner whatsoever, shall return to the status of and constitute authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, without classification as to series until such shares are once more classified as a particular series by the Board pursuant to the provisions of the Charter.

SECTION 9.  Change of Control.   (a)  Repurchase at the Option of the Holder.   Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the option to require the Company to purchase (a “ Change of Control Put ”) any or all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price per share of Series A Preferred Stock, payable in cash (in the case of clause (i)) or the applicable consideration (in the case of clause (ii)), equal to the greater of (i) the Liquidation Preference of such share of Series A Preferred Stock plus the Accrued Dividends in respect of such share of Series A Preferred Stock, in each case as of the applicable Change of Control Purchase Date and (ii) the amount of cash and/or other assets such Holder would have received had such Holder, immediately prior to such Change of Control, converted such share of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock (pursuant to Section 6 without regard to any of the limitations on convertibility contained therein) (the “ Change of Control Purchase Price ”); provided that, in each case (but, for purposes of clarity, not in the event where such holder actually converts its shares of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock), the Company shall only be required to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price after (i) the Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations and to the extent permitted by the Specified Contract Terms and (ii) to the extent such purchase can be made out of funds legally available therefor.

(b)  Initial Change of Control Notice.   On or before the twentieth (20th) Business Day prior to the date on which the Company anticipates consummating a Change of Control (or, if later, promptly after the Company discovers that a Change of Control may occur), a written notice shall be sent by or on behalf of the Company to the Holders as they appear in the records of the Company, which notice shall contain the date on which the Change of Control is anticipated to be effected (or, if applicable, the date on which a Schedule TO or other schedule, form or report disclosing a Change of Control was filed).
 
 
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(c)  Final Change of Control Notice.   Within 10 days following the effective date of the Change of Control (the “ Change of Control Effective Date ”) (or if the Company discovers later than such date that a Change of Control has occurred, promptly following the date of such discovery), a final written notice shall be sent by or on behalf of the Company to the Holders as they appear in the records of the Company, which notice shall contain:

(i) the date by which the Holder must elect to exercise a Change of Control Put (which shall be no earlier than 30 days before the purchase date) (the “ Change of Control Put Deadline ”);

(ii) the amount of cash and/or other consideration payable per share of Series A Preferred Stock, if such Holder elects to exercise a Change of Control Put;

(iii) a description of the payments and other actions required to be made or taken in order to effect the Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations;

(iv) the purchase date for such shares (which shall be the later of (A) 61 days from the date such notice is mailed or (B) the day the Satisfaction of Indebtedness Obligations has occurred); and

(v) the instructions a Holder must follow to exercise a Change of Control Put in connection with such Change of Control.

(d)  Change of Control Put Procedure.   To exercise a Change of Control Put, a Holder must, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Change of Control Put Deadline, surrender to the Conversion Agent the certificates representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be repurchased by the Company or lost stock affidavits therefor.

(e)  Delivery upon Change of Control Put.   Upon a Change of Control Put, after the Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations and subject to Section 9(i) below, the Company (or its successor) shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Holder by mail or wire transfer the Change of Control Purchase Price of such Holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

(f)  Treatment of Shares.   If a Holder does not elect to effect a Change of Control Put pursuant to this Section 9 with respect to all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by it and not surrendered for purchase by the Company will remain outstanding until otherwise subsequently converted, redeemed, reclassified or canceled in accordance with the terms of these Articles Supplementary. From and after the Change of Control Purchase Date with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for which a Holder elected to effect a Change of Control Put and that the Company has repurchased in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9 , (i) Dividends shall cease to accrue on such share, (ii) such share shall no longer be deemed outstanding and (iii) all rights with respect to such share shall cease and terminate. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, until a share of Series A Preferred Stock is purchased by the payment in full of the applicable Change of Control Purchase Price, such share of Series A Preferred Stock will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the powers, designations,  preferences and other rights provided herein, including that such share (x) may be converted pursuant to Section 6 and, if not so converted, (y) shall (A) accrue Dividends and (B) entitle the Holder thereof to the voting rights provided in Section 13 ; provided that any such shares that are converted prior to or on the Change of Control Purchase Date in accordance with these Articles Supplementary shall not be entitled to receive any payment of the Change of Control Purchase Price.
 
 
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(g)  Partial Exercise of Change of Control Put.   In the event that a Change of Control Put is effected with respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such Change of Control Put, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver to such Holder, at the expense of the Company, a certificate evidencing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by the Holder as to which a Change of Control Put was not effected (or book-entry interests representing such shares).

(h)  Redemption by the Company.   In the case of a Change of Control (other than pursuant to clause (ii)(c) of the definition of such term) ( provided that for purposes of this Section 9(h) , the references to “a majority” in the definition of Change of Control shall be deemed to be references to “80%”), any shares of Series A Preferred Stock as to which a Change of Control Put was not exercised may be redeemed, at the option of the Company (or its successor or the acquiring or surviving Person in such Change of Control), upon not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days’ notice, which notice must be received by the affected Holders within thirty (30) days of the Change of Control Put Deadline, at a redemption price per share, payable in cash (in the case of clause (i)) or the applicable consideration (in the case of clause (ii)), equal to the greater of (i) (x) the Liquidation Preference as of the date of redemption plus (y) Accrued Dividends as of the date of redemption, plus (z) if the applicable redemption date is prior to the fifth anniversary of the first Dividend Payment Date, the amount equal to the net present value (computed using a discount rate of 10%) of the sum of all Dividends that would otherwise be payable on such share of Series A Preferred Stock on and after the applicable redemption date to and including the fifth anniversary of the first Dividend Payment Date and assuming the Company chose to pay such Dividends in cash and (ii) the amount of cash and/or other assets a Holder would have received had such Holder, immediately prior to such Change of Control, converted such share of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock (pursuant to Section 6 without regard to any of the limitations on convertibility contained therein).  Unless the Company (or its successor or the acquiring or surviving Person in such Change of Control) defaults in making the redemption payment on the applicable redemption date, on and after the redemption date, (A) Dividends shall cease to accrue on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption, (B) all shares of Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption shall no longer be deemed outstanding and (C) all rights with respect to such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall on such redemption date cease and terminate, except only the right of the Holders thereof to receive the amount payable in such redemption.

(i)  Specified Contract Terms.   If the Company (A) shall not have sufficient funds legally available under the MGCL to purchase all shares of Series A Preferred Stock that Holders have requested to be purchased under Section 9(a) (the “ Required Number of Shares ”) or (B) will be in violation of Specified Contract Terms if it purchases the Required Number of Shares, the Company shall (i) purchase, pro rata among the Holders that have requested their shares be purchased pursuant to Section 9(a) , a number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock with an aggregate Change of Control Purchase Price equal to the lesser of (1) the amount legally available for the purchase of shares of Series A Preferred Stock under the MGCL and (2) the largest amount that can be used for such purchase not prohibited by Specified Contract Terms and (ii) purchase any shares of Series A Preferred Stock not purchased because of the foregoing limitations at the applicable Change of Control Purchase Price as soon as practicable after the Company is able to make such purchase out of assets legally available for the purchase of such share of Series A Preferred Stock and without violation of Specified Contract Terms. The inability of the Company (or its successor) to make a purchase payment for any reason shall not relieve the Company (or its successor) from its obligation to effect any required purchase when, as and if permitted by applicable law and Specified Contract Terms. If the
 
 
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Company fails to pay the Change of Control Purchase Price in full when due in accordance with this Section 9 in respect of some or all of the shares or Series A Preferred Shares to be repurchased pursuant to the Change of Control Put, the Company will pay Dividends on such shares not repurchased at a Dividend Rate equal to 8.0% per annum, accruing daily from such date until the Change of Control Purchase Price, plus all Accrued Dividends thereon, are paid in full in respect of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Holder elects to exercise a Change of Control Put pursuant to this Section 9 at a time when the Company is restricted or prohibited (contractually or otherwise) from redeeming some or all of the Series A Preferred Stock subject to the Change of Control Put, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the requisite consents to remove or obtain an exception or waiver to such restrictions or prohibition. Nothing herein shall limit a Holder’s right to pursue any other remedies available to it hereunder, at law or in equity, including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or injunctive relief with respect to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations under this Section 9 .

(j)  Change of Control Agreements.   The Company shall not enter into any agreement for a transaction constituting a Change of Control unless (i) such agreement provides for or does not interfere with or prevent (as applicable) the exercise by the Holders of their Change of Control Put in an manner that is consistent with and gives effect to this Section 9 , and (ii) the acquiring or surviving Person in such Change of Control represents or covenants, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Board acting in good faith, that at the closing of such Change of Control that such Person shall have sufficient funds (which may include, without limitation, cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s balance sheet, the proceeds of any debt or equity financing, available lines of credit or uncalled capital commitments) to consummate such Change of Control and effect the Satisfaction of the Indebtedness Obligations and the payment of the Change of Control Put Price in respect of shares of Series A Preferred Stock that have not been converted into Common Stock prior to the Change of Control Effective Date pursuant to Section 6 or 7 , as applicable.

SECTION 10.  Redemption at the Option of the Holder.   (a)  On each Designated Redemption Date, each Holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the right (a “ Redemption Right ”) to require the Company to redeem any or all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock of such Holder outstanding on such Designated Redemption Date, in each case to the extent not prohibited by law, at a redemption price, in cash, equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Preference of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed plus (ii) the Accrued Dividends with respect to such shares of Series A Preferred Stock as of the applicable Redemption Date (such price, the “ Redemption Price ”).
 
 
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(b)  To exercise its Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 10 in respect of any Designated Redemption Date, a Holder must, no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is 120 days prior to the Designated Redemption Date, deliver written notice thereof (a “ Notice of Redemption ”) to the Company and the Transfer Agent and surrender to the Transfer Agent the certificates representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be redeemed by the Company. On each Designated Redemption Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered to each Holder that has exercised its Redemption Right with respect to such Designated Redemption Date, by mail or wire transfer, the Redemption Price of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in respect of which such Holder has delivered a Notice of Redemption in accordance herewith.

(c)  If a Holder does not elect to exercise its Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 10 with respect to all of its shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by it and not surrendered for redemption by the Company will remain outstanding until otherwise subsequently converted, redeemed, reclassified or canceled. From and after the Redemption Date with respect to any share of Series A Preferred Stock for which a Holder elected to effect a Redemption Right and the Company has redeemed in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10 , (i) Dividends shall cease to accrue on such share, (ii) such share shall no longer be deemed outstanding and (iii) all rights with respect to such share shall cease and terminate. For the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, until a share of Series A Preferred Stock is redeemed by the payment in cash in full of the applicable Redemption Price, such share of Series A Preferred Stock will remain outstanding and will be entitled to all of the powers, designations, preferences and other rights provided herein.

(d)  In the event that a Redemption Right is exercised with respect to shares of Series A Preferred Stock representing less than all the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by a Holder, upon such redemption, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver to such Holder, at the expense of the Company, a certificate representing the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by the Holder as to which a Redemption Right was not exercised (or book-entry interests representing such shares).

(e)  If the Company shall not have sufficient funds legally available under the MGCL to redeem, as of any Designated Redemption Date, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to which Holders have exercised a Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 10 , the Company shall redeem on such Designated Redemption Date, pro rata among the Holders that have exercised their Redemption Right, a number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock with an aggregate Redemption Price equal to the amount legally available for the redemption of shares of Series A Preferred Stock under the MGCL on such Designated Redemption Date. At such time, as soon as practicable thereafter, that the Company has sufficient funds legally available under the MGCL to redeem such shares of Series A Preferred Stock not redeemed because of the foregoing limitation at the applicable Redemption Price, the Company shall provide notice to the Holders of the availability of such funds and the Holders at that time may elect to invoke their Redemption Right pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10 . In addition, if the Company does not make the redemption payment as of any Designated Redemption Date relating to all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock with respect to which Holders have exercised a Redemption Right pursuant to this Section 10 , the Company will pay Dividends on such shares not redeemed at a Dividend Rate equal to 8.0% per annum, accruing daily from the Designated Redemption Date until the Redemption Price, plus all Accrued Dividends thereon, are paid in full in respect of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock.  The inability of the Company to make a redemption payment for any reason shall not relieve the Company from its obligation to effect any required redemption when, as and if permitted by applicable law.
 
 
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SECTION 11.  Anti-Dilution Adjustments.   (a)  Adjustments.   The Conversion Rate will be subject to adjustment, without duplication, upon the occurrence of the following events, except that the Company shall not make any adjustment to the Conversion Rate if Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock participate, at the same time and upon the same terms as holders of Common Stock and solely as a result of holding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in any transaction described in this Section 11(a) , without having to convert their Series A Preferred Stock, as if they held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate multiplied by the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by such Holders:

(i)  The issuance of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock, or a subdivision or combination of Common Stock or a reclassification of Common Stock into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, in which event the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

     
CR 1 = CR 0 x (OS 1 / OS 0 )

   
CR 0
=
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on (i) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or (ii) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification
         
   
CR 1
=
the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on (i) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or (ii) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification
         
   
OS 0
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on (i) the Record Date for such dividend or distribution or (ii) the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification
         
   
OS 1
=
the number of shares of Common Stock that would be outstanding immediately after, and solely as a result of, the completion of such event

Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (i) shall be effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution, or the effective date of such subdivision, combination or reclassification. If any such event is announced or declared but does not occur, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board announces that such event shall not occur, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such event had not been declared.
 
 
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(ii)  The dividend, distribution or other issuance to all or substantially all holders of Common Stock of rights (other than rights, options or warrants distributed in connection with a stockholder rights plan (in which event the provisions of Section 11(a)(vii) shall apply), options or warrants entitling them to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock for a period expiring forty-five (45) days or less from the date of issuance thereof, at a price per share that is less than the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such issuance, in which event the Conversion Rate will be increased based on the following formula:

     
CR 1 = CR 0 x [(OS 0 +X))] / (OS 0 +Y)

   
CR 0
=
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance
         
   
CR 1
=
the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately following the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance
         
   
OS 0
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance
         
   
X
=
the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to such rights, options or warrants
         
   
Y
 =
the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate price payable to exercise such rights, options or warrants divided by the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance.

For purposes of this clause (ii), in determining whether any rights, options or warrants entitle the holders to purchase the Common Stock at a price per share that is less than the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance, there shall be taken into account any consideration the Company receives for such rights, options or warrants, and any amount payable on exercise thereof, with the value of such consideration, if other than cash, to be the Fair Market Value thereof.

Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (ii) shall become effective immediately following the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend, distribution or issuance. In the event that such rights, options or warrants are not so issued, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board publicly announces its decision not to issue such rights, options or warrants, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend, distribution or issuance had not been declared. To the extent that such rights, options or warrants are not exercised prior to their expiration or shares of Common Stock are otherwise not delivered pursuant to such rights, options or warrants upon the exercise of such rights, options or warrants, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the dividend, distribution or issuance of such rights, options or warrants been made on the basis of the delivery of only the number of shares of Common Stock actually delivered.
 
 
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(iii)  The Company or one or more of its Subsidiaries purchases Common Stock pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer (other than an exchange offer that constitutes a Distribution Transaction subject to Section 11(a)(v) ) by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company for all or any portion of the Common Stock, or otherwise acquires Common Stock (except in an open market purchase in compliance with Rule 10b-18 promulgated under the Exchange Act or through an “accelerated share repurchase” on customary terms) (a “ Covered Repurchase ”), if the cash and value of any other consideration included in the payment per share of Common Stock validly tendered, exchanged or otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase exceeds the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the last day on which tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (as it may be amended) or shares of Common Stock are otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase (the “ Expiration Date ”), in which event the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

     
CR 1 = CR 0 x [(FMV + (SP 1 x OS 1 ))] / (SP 1 x OS 0 )

   
CR 0
=
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date
         
   
CR 1
=
the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Expiration Date
         
   
FMV
=
the Fair Market Value, on the Expiration Date, of all cash and any other consideration paid or payable for all shares validly tendered or exchanged and not withdrawn, or otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase, as of the Expiration Date
         
   
OS 0
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the last time tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (including the shares to be purchased in such tender or exchange offer) or shares are otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase
         
   
OS 1
=
the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the last time tenders or exchanges may be made pursuant to such tender or exchange offer (after giving effect to the purchase of shares in such tender or exchange offer) or shares are otherwise acquired through a Covered Repurchase
         
   
SP 1
=
the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing on, and including, the Trading Day next succeeding the Expiration Date

Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the close of business on the Expiration Date.  If an adjustment to the Conversion Rate is required under this Section 11(a)(iii) , delivery of any additional shares of Common Stock that may be deliverable upon conversion as a result of an adjustment required under this Section 11(a)(iii) shall be delayed to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 11(a)(iii) .
 
 
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In the event that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is obligated to purchase Common Stock pursuant to any such tender offer, exchange offer or other commitment to acquire shares of Common Stock through a Covered Repurchase but is permanently prevented by applicable law from effecting any such purchases, or all such purchases are rescinded, then the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to be the Conversion Rate that would have been then in effect if such tender offer, exchange offer or Covered Repurchase had not been made.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate shall be made pursuant to this Section 11(a)(iii) as a result of purchases of shares of Common Stock by the Company in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000,000 to be consummated within 9 months following the Original Issuance Date.

(iv)  The Company shall, by dividend or otherwise, distribute to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock (other than for cash in lieu of fractional shares), shares of any class of its Capital Stock, evidences of its indebtedness, assets, other property or securities, but excluding (A) dividends or distributions referred to in Section 11(a)(i) or Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, (B) Distribution Transactions as to which Section 11(a)(v) shall apply, (C) dividends or distributions paid exclusively in cash as to which Section 11(a)(vi) shall apply and (D) rights, options or warrants distributed in connection with a stockholder rights plan as to which Section 11(a)(vii) shall apply (any of such shares of its Capital Stock, indebtedness, assets or property that are not so excluded are hereinafter called the “ Distributed Property ”), then, in each such case the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

     
CR 1 = CR 0 x [SP 0 / (SP 0 - FMV)]

   
CR 0
=
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
         
   
CR 1
=
the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
         
   
SP 0
=
the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
         
   
FMV
=
the Fair Market Value of the portion of Distributed Property distributed with respect to each outstanding share of Common Stock on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution; provided that, if FMV is equal or greater than SP 0 , then in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, the Company shall distribute to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock on the date the applicable Distributed Property is distributed to holders of Common Stock, but without requiring such holder to convert its shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in respect of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder, the amount of Distributed Property such holder would have received had such holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
 
 
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Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (iv) shall be effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution.  If any such dividend or distribution is declared but does not occur, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board announces that such dividend or distribution shall not occur, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such dividend or distribution had not been declared.

(v)  The Company effects a Distribution Transaction, in which case the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the effective date of the Distribution Transaction shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

     
CR 1 = CR 0 x [(FMV + MP 0 ) / MP 0 ]

   
CR 0
=
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the effective date of the Distribution Transaction
         
   
CR 1
=
the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the effective date of the Distribution Transaction
         
   
FMV
=
the arithmetic average of the volume-weighted average prices for a share of the capital stock or other interest distributed to holders of Common Stock on the principal United States securities exchange or automated quotation system on which such capital stock or other interest trades, as reported by Bloomberg (or, if Bloomberg ceases to publish such price, any successor service chosen by the Company) in respect of the period from the open of trading on the relevant Trading Day until the close of trading on such Trading Day (or if such volume-weighted average price is unavailable, the market price of one share of such capital stock or other interest on such Trading Day determined, using a volume-weighted average method, by an Independent Financial Advisor retained for such purpose by the Company), for each of the ten consecutive full Trading Days commencing with, and including, the effective date of the Distribution Transaction
         
   
MP 0
=
the arithmetic average of the VWAP per share of Common Stock for each of the ten (10) consecutive full Trading Days commencing on, and including, the effective date of the Distribution Transaction

Such adjustment shall become effective immediately following the close of business on the effective date of the Distribution Transaction.  If an adjustment to the Conversion Rate is required under this Section 11(a)(v) , delivery of any additional shares of Common Stock that may be deliverable upon conversion as a result of an adjustment required under this Section 11(a)(v) shall be delayed to the extent necessary in order to complete the calculations provided for in this Section 11(a)(v) .

(vi)  The Company makes a cash dividend or distribution to all or substantially all holders of the Common Stock, the Conversion Rate shall be adjusted based on the following formula:

     
CR 1 = CR 0 x [SP 0 / (SP 0 – C)]
 
 
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CR 0
=
the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
         
   
CR 1
=
the new Conversion Rate in effect immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
         
   
SP 0
=
the Current Market Price as of the Record Date for such dividend or distribution
         
   
C
=
the amount in cash per share of Common Stock the Company distributes to all or substantially all holders of its Common Stock; provided that, if C is equal or greater than SP 0 , then in lieu of the foregoing adjustment, the Company shall pay to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock on the date the applicable cash dividend or distribution is made to holders of Common Stock, but without requiring such holder to convert its shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in respect of each share of Series A Preferred Stock held by such holder, the amount of cash such holder would have received had such holder owned a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Conversion Rate on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution

Any adjustment made pursuant to this clause (vi) shall be effective immediately after the close of business on the Record Date for such dividend or distribution.  If any dividend or distribution is declared but not paid, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted, effective as of the date the Board announces that such dividend or distribution will not be paid, to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect if such had dividend or distribution not been declared.

(vii)  If the Company has a stockholder rights plan in effect with respect to the Common Stock on any Conversion Date, upon conversion of any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, Holders of such shares will receive, in addition to the applicable number of shares of Common Stock, the rights under such rights plan relating to such Common Stock, unless, prior to such Conversion Date, the rights have (i) become exercisable or (ii) separated from the shares of Common Stock (the first of such events to occur, a “ Trigger Event ”), in which case, the Conversion Rate will be adjusted, effective automatically at the time of such Trigger Event, as if the Company had made a distribution of such rights to all holders of the Company Common Stock as described in Section 11(a)(ii) (without giving effect to the forty-five (45) day limit on the exercisability of rights, options or warrants ordinarily subject to such Section 11(a)(ii) ), subject to appropriate readjustment in the event of the expiration, termination or redemption of such rights prior to the exercise, deemed exercise or exchange thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent any such stockholder rights are exchanged by the Company for shares of Common Stock or other property or securities, the Conversion Rate shall be appropriately readjusted as if such stockholder rights had not been issued, but the Company had instead issued such shares of Common Stock or other property or securities as a dividend or distribution of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Section 11(a)(i) or Section 11(a)(iv ), as applicable.

To the extent that such rights are not exercised prior to their expiration, termination or redemption, the Conversion Rate shall be readjusted to the Conversion Rate that would then be in effect had the adjustments made upon the occurrence of the Trigger Event been made on the basis of the issuance of, and the receipt of the exercise price with respect to, only the number of shares of Common Stock actually issued pursuant to such rights.
 
 
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11(a)(vii) , no adjustment shall be required to be made to the Conversion Rate with respect to any Holder which is, or is an “affiliate” or “associate” of, an “acquiring person” under such stockholder rights plan or with respect to any direct or indirect transferee of such Holder who receives Series A Preferred Stock in such transfer after the time such Holder becomes, or its affiliate or associate becomes, such an “acquiring person”.

(b)  Calculation of Adjustments.   All adjustments to the Conversion Rate shall be calculated by the Company to the nearest 1/10,000th of one share of Common Stock (or if there is not a nearest 1/10,000th of a share, to the next lower 1/10,000th of a share).  No adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least one percent of the Conversion Rate; provided , however , that any such adjustment that is not required to be made will be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment; provided , further that any such adjustment of less than one percent that has not been made will be made upon any Conversion Date.

(c)  When No Adjustment Required.   (i) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11 , the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted for the issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing, or for the repurchase of Common Stock.

(ii) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11 , the Conversion Rate will not be adjusted as a result of the issuance of, the distribution of separate certificates representing, the exercise or redemption of, or the termination or invalidation of, rights pursuant to any stockholder rights plans.

(iii) No adjustment to the Conversion Rate will be made:

(A) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any present or future plan providing for the reinvestment of dividends or interest payable on securities of the Company and the investment of additional optional amounts in Common Stock under any plan in which purchases are made at market prices on the date or dates of purchase, without discount, and whether or not the Company bears the ordinary costs of administration and operation of the plan, including brokerage commissions;

(B) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock or options or rights to purchase such shares pursuant to any present or future employee, director or consultant benefit plan or program of or assumed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or of any employee agreements or arrangements or programs;

(C) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to any option, warrant, right, or exercisable, exchangeable or convertible security; or
 
 
29


 
(D) for a change in the par value of the Common Stock.

(d)  Successive Adjustments.   After an adjustment to the Conversion Rate under this Section 11 , any subsequent event requiring an adjustment under this Section 11 shall cause an adjustment to each such Conversion Rate as so adjusted.

(e)  Multiple Adjustments.   For the avoidance of doubt, if an event occurs that would trigger an adjustment to the Conversion Rate pursuant to this Section 11 under more than one subsection hereof, such event, to the extent fully taken into account in a single adjustment, shall not result in multiple adjustments hereunder; provided , however , that if more than one subsection of this Section 11 is applicable to a single event, the subsection shall be applied that produces the largest adjustment.

(f)  Reserved.

(g)  Notice of Adjustments.   Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as provided under this Section 11 , the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an event that requires such adjustment (or if the Company is not aware of such occurrence, as soon as reasonably practicable after becoming so aware):

(i) compute the adjusted applicable Conversion Rate in accordance with this Section 11 and prepare and transmit to the Conversion Agent an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the applicable Conversion Rate, the method of calculation thereof, and the facts requiring such adjustment and upon which such adjustment is based; and

(ii) provide a written notice to the Holders of the occurrence of such event and a statement in reasonable detail setting forth the method by which the adjustment to the applicable Conversion Rate was determined and setting forth the adjusted applicable Conversion Rate.

(h)  Conversion Agent.   The Conversion Agent shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder to determine whether any facts exist that may require any adjustment of the Conversion Rate or with respect to the nature or extent or calculation of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed in making the same.  The Conversion Agent shall be fully authorized and protected in relying on any Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to this Section 11(h) and any adjustment contained therein and the Conversion Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any adjustment unless and until it has received such certificate.  The Conversion Agent shall not be accountable with respect to the validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of any securities or property, that may at the time be issued or delivered with respect to any Series A Preferred Stock and the Conversion Agent makes no representation with respect thereto.  The Conversion Agent shall not be responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock or to comply with any of the duties, responsibilities or covenants of the Company contained in this Section 11 .

(i)  Fractional Shares.   No fractional shares of Common Stock will be delivered to the Holders upon conversion.  In lieu of fractional shares otherwise issuable, the Holders will be entitled to receive, at the Company’s sole discretion, either (i) an amount in cash equal to the fraction of a share of Common Stock multiplied by the Closing Price of the Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the applicable Conversion Date or (ii) one additional whole share of Common Stock.  In order to determine whether the number of shares of Common Stock to be delivered to a Holder upon the conversion of such Holder’s shares of Series A Preferred Stock will include a fractional share, such determination shall be based on the aggregate number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of such Holder that are being converted on any single Conversion Date.
 
 
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SECTION 12.  Adjustment for Reorganization Events.

(a)  Reorganization Events.   In the event of:

(i) any reclassification, statutory exchange, merger, consolidation or other similar business combination of the Company with or into another Person, in each case, pursuant to which at least a majority of the Common Stock (but not the Series A Preferred Stock) is changed or converted into, or exchanged for, cash, securities or other property of the Company or another Person;

(ii) any sale, transfer, lease or conveyance to another Person of all or a majority of the property and assets of the Company, in each case pursuant to which the Common Stock (but not the Series A Preferred Stock) is converted into cash, securities or other property; or

(iii) any statutory exchange of securities of the Company with another Person (other than in connection with a merger or acquisition) or reclassification, recapitalization or reorganization of the Common Stock (but not the Series A Preferred Stock) into other securities;

(each of which is referred to as a “ Reorganization Event ”), each share of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to such Reorganization Event will, without the consent of the Holders and subject to Section 12(d) , remain outstanding but shall become convertible into, out of funds legally available therefor, the number, kind and amount of securities, cash and other property (the “ Exchange Property ”) (without any interest on such Exchange Property and without any right to dividends or distribution on such Exchange Property which have a record date that is prior to the applicable Conversion Date) that the Holder of such share of Series A Preferred Stock would have received in such Reorganization Event had such Holder converted its shares of Series A Preferred Stock into the applicable number of shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the effective date of the Reorganization Event using the Conversion Rate applicable immediately prior to the effective date of the Reorganization Event and the Liquidation Preference applicable at the time of such subsequent conversion; provided that the foregoing shall not apply if such Holder is a Person with which the Company consolidated or into which the Company merged or which merged into the Company or to which such sale or transfer was made, as the case may be (any such Person, a “ Constituent Person ”), or an Affiliate of a Constituent Person, to the extent such Reorganization Event provides for different treatment of Common Stock held by such Persons.  If the kind or amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such Reorganization Event is not the same for each share of Common Stock held immediately prior to such Reorganization Event by a Person (other than a Constituent Person or an Affiliate thereof), then for the purpose of this Section 12(a) , the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon conversion following such Reorganization Event will be deemed to be the weighted average of the types and amounts of consideration received by the holders of Common Stock.
 
 
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(b)  Successive Reorganization Events.   The above provisions of this Section 12 shall similarly apply to successive Reorganization Events and the provisions of Section 11 shall apply to any shares of Capital Stock received by the holders of the Common Stock in any such Reorganization Event.

(c)  Reorganization Event Notice.   The Company (or any successor) shall, no less than thirty (30) days prior to the anticipated effective date of any Reorganization Event, provide written notice to the Holders of such occurrence of such event and of the kind and amount of the cash, securities or other property that constitutes the Exchange Property.  Failure to deliver such notice shall not affect the operation of this Section 12 .

(d)  Reorganization Event Agreements.   The Company shall not enter into any agreement for a transaction constituting a Reorganization Event unless (i) such agreement provides for or does not interfere with or prevent (as applicable) conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into the Exchange Property in a manner that is consistent with and gives effect to this Section 12 , and (ii) to the extent that the Company is not the surviving corporation in such Reorganization Event or will be dissolved in connection with such Reorganization Event, proper provision shall be made in the agreements governing such Reorganization Event for the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock into stock of the Person surviving such Reorganization Event or such other continuing entity in such Reorganization Event.

SECTION 13.  Voting Rights.

(a)  General.   Except as provided in Section 13(b) and Section 14 , Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote as a single class with the holders of the Common Stock and the holders of any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company then entitled to vote with the Common Stock on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of Common Stock (and, if applicable, holders of any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company).  Each Holder shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the largest number of whole shares of Common Stock into which all shares of Series A Preferred Stock held of record by such Holder could then be converted pursuant to Section 6 at the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote or consent on such matters or, if no such record date is established, at the date such vote or consent is taken or any written consent of stockholders is first executed.  The Holders shall be entitled to notice of any meeting of holders of Common Stock in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company.

(b)  Adverse Changes.   The vote or consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at such time, voting together as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be necessary for effecting or validating any of the following actions, whether or not such approval is required pursuant to the MGCL:
 
 
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(i) any amendment, alteration or repeal (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) of any provision of the Charter (including these Articles Supplementary) or Bylaws that would have an adverse effect on the rights, preferences,  privileges or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock or the Holder thereof; and

(ii) any amendment or alteration (whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise) of, or any supplement (whether by articles supplementary or otherwise) to, the Charter or any provision thereof, or any other action to authorize, create or classify, or increase the number of authorized or issued shares of, or any securities convertible into shares of, or reclassify any security into, or issue, any Parity Stock or Senior Stock or any other class or series of Capital Stock of the Company ranking senior to, or on a parity basis with, the Series A Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights on the distribution of assets on any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Company;
 
provided , however , (A) that, with respect to the occurrence of any of the events set forth in clause (i) above, so long as (1) the Series A Preferred Stock remains outstanding with the terms thereof materially unchanged, or (2) the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock receive equity securities with rights, preferences, privileges and voting power substantially the same as those of the Series A Preferred Stock, then the occurrence of such event shall not be deemed to adversely affect such rights, preferences, privileges or voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock, and in such case such holders shall not have any voting rights with respect to the occurrence of any of the events set forth in clause (i) above and (B) that the authorization, creation or classification of, or the increase in the number of authorized or issued shares of, or any securities convertible into shares of, or the reclassification of any security (other than the Series A Preferred Stock) into, or the issuance of, Junior Stock will not require the vote the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.

For purposes of this Section 13 , the filing in accordance with applicable law of articles supplementary or any similar document setting forth or changing the designations, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends and other distributions, qualifications or other terms of any class or series of stock of the Company shall be deemed an amendment to the Charter.
 
(c)  Each Holder of Series A Preferred Stock will have one vote per share on any matter on which Holders of Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to vote separately as a class, whether at a meeting or by written consent.

(d)  The vote or consent of the Holders of a majority of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding at such time, voting together as a single class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, will be sufficient to waive or amend the provisions of Section 9(j) of these Articles Supplementary, and any amendment or waiver of any of the provisions of Section 9(j) approved by such percentage of the Holders shall be binding on all of the Holders.

(e)  For the avoidance of doubt, the Holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive consent and voting rights set forth in Sections 13(b) and 14 and may take action or consent to any action with respect to such rights without a meeting by delivering a consent in writing or by electronic transmission of the Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock entitled to cast not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize, take or consent to such action at a meeting of stockholders.
 
 
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SECTION 14.  Election of Directors. Provided that the Fall-Away of Purchaser Board Rights has not occurred, at each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which the Company has agreed to nominate one or more Purchaser Designee for election to the Board pursuant to and in accordance with the Investment Agreement, the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right, voting separately as a class, to elect such Purchaser Designee(s) to the Board, irrespective of whether the Company has nominated such Purchaser Designee(s).

SECTION 15.  Appraisal Rights; Preemptive Rights.   Holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to exercise any rights of an objecting stockholder provided for under Title 3, Subtitle 2 of the MGCL or any successor statute unless the Board, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board and upon such terms and conditions as specified by the Board, shall determine that such rights apply, with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which Holders would otherwise be entitled to exercise such rights. Except for the right to participate in any issuance of new equity securities by the Company, as set forth in the Investment Agreement, the Holders shall not have any preemptive rights.

SECTION 16.  Term.   Except as expressly provided in these Articles Supplementary, the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be redeemable or otherwise mature and the term of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be perpetual.

SECTION 17.  Creation of Capital Stock.   Subject to Section 13(b)(ii) , the Board, or any duly authorized committee thereof, without the vote of the Holders, may authorize and issue additional shares of Capital Stock of the Company.

SECTION 18.  No Sinking Fund.   Shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject to or entitled to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund.

SECTION 19.  Transfer Agent, Conversion Agent, Registrar and Paying Agent.   The duly appointed Transfer Agent, Conversion Agent, Registrar and paying agent for the Series A Preferred Stock shall be Wells Fargo Bank, N. A.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, appoint any other Person to serve as Transfer Agent, Conversion Agent, Registrar or paying agent for the Series A Preferred Stock and thereafter may remove or replace such other Person at any time.  Upon any such appointment or removal, the Company shall send notice thereof by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holders.

SECTION 20.  Replacement Certificates.   (a)  Mutilated, Destroyed, Stolen and Lost Certificates.   If physical certificates evidencing the Series A Preferred Stock are issued, the Company shall replace any mutilated certificate at the Holder’s expense upon surrender of that certificate to the Transfer Agent.  The Company shall replace certificates that become destroyed, stolen or lost at the Holder’s expense upon delivery to the Company and the Transfer Agent of satisfactory evidence that the certificate has been destroyed, stolen or lost, together with any indemnity that may be required by the Transfer Agent and the Company.
 
 
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(b)  Certificates Following Conversion.   If physical certificates representing the Series A Preferred Stock are issued, the Company shall not be required to issue replacement certificates representing shares of Series A Preferred Stock on or after the Conversion Date applicable to such shares.  In place of the delivery of a replacement certificate following the applicable Conversion Date, the Transfer Agent, upon receipt of the satisfactory evidence and indemnity described in clause (a) above, shall deliver the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock formerly evidenced by the physical certificate.

SECTION 21.  Taxes.   (a)  Transfer Taxes.   The Company shall pay any and all stock transfer, documentary, stamp and similar taxes that may be payable in respect of any issuance or delivery of shares of Series A Preferred Stock or shares of Common Stock or other securities issued on account of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant hereto or certificates representing such shares or securities.  The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any such tax that may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance or delivery of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, shares of Common Stock or other securities to a beneficial owner other than the beneficial owner of the of Series A Preferred Stock immediately prior to such conversion, and shall not be required to make any such issuance, delivery or payment unless and until the Person otherwise entitled to such issuance, delivery or payment has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

(b)  Withholding.   All payments and distributions (or deemed distributions) on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock (and on the shares of Common Stock received upon their conversion) shall be subject to withholding and backup withholding of taxes to the extent required by law, subject to applicable exemptions, and amounts withheld, if any, shall be treated as received by the Holders.

SECTION 22.  Notices.   All notices referred to herein shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specified herein, all notices hereunder shall be deemed to have been given upon the earlier of receipt thereof or three (3) Business Days after the mailing thereof if sent by registered or certified mail (unless first class mail shall be specifically permitted for such notice under the terms of these Articles Supplementary) with postage prepaid, addressed:  (i) if to the Company, to its office at NCR Corporation, 7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich Street, New York, NY, 10007 (Attention:  General Counsel), (ii) if to any Holder, to such Holder at the address of such Holder as listed in the stock record books of the Company (which may include the records of the Transfer Agent) or (iii) to such other address as the Company or any such Holder, as the case may be, shall have designated by notice similarly given.

SECTION 23.  Facts Ascertainable.   When the terms of these Articles Supplementary refer to a specific agreement or other document to determine the meaning or operation of a provision hereof, the Secretary of the Company shall maintain a copy of such agreement or document at the principal executive offices of the Company and a copy thereof shall be provided free of charge to any Holder who makes a request therefor.  The Secretary of the Company shall also maintain a written record of the Issuance Date, the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued to a Holder and the date of each such issuance, and shall furnish such written record free of charge to any Holder who makes a request therefor.
 
 
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SECTION 24.  Waiver.   Notwithstanding any provision in these Articles Supplementary to the contrary, any provision contained herein and any right of the Holders of Series A Preferred Stock granted hereunder may be waived as to all shares of Series A Preferred Stock (and the Holders thereof) upon the vote or written consent of the Holders of a majority of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding.

SECTION 25.  Severability.   If any term of the Series A Preferred Stock set forth herein is invalid, unlawful or incapable of being enforced by reason of any rule of law or public policy, all other terms set forth herein which can be given effect without the invalid, unlawful or unenforceable term will, nevertheless, remain in full force and effect, and no term herein set forth will be deemed dependent upon any other such term unless so expressed herein.

[ Signature Page Follows ]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board in the manner and by the vote required by law.

The undersigned acknowledges these Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Company and, as to all matters or facts required to be verified under oath, the undersigned acknowledges that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, these matters and facts are true in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for perjury.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Chief Financial Officer and attested to by its Assistant Secretary on this 2nd day of December, 2015.
 
 
ATTEST:      NCR CORPORATION 
           
           
/s/ Justin B. Heineman
    By:
/s/ Robert P. Fishman
 
Name:  Justin B. Heineman
     
Name:  Robert P. Fishman
 
Title:    Assistant Secretary
     
Title:    Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37
Exhibit 10.1




 
 


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

by and among

NCR CORPORATION,

and

EACH OF THE INVESTORS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO

Dated as of December 4, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page

 
ARTICLE I

Resale Shelf Registration

Section 1.1
Resale Shelf Registration Statement
1
Section 1.2
Effectiveness Period
1
Section 1.3
Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement
2
Section 1.4
Supplements and Amendments
2
Section 1.5
Subsequent Holder Notice
2
Section 1.6
Underwritten Offering
3
Section 1.7
Take-Down Notice
4
Section 1.8
Piggyback Registration
4

ARTICLE II

Additional Provisions Regarding Registration Rights

Section 2.1
Registration Procedures
5
Section 2.2
Suspension
8
Section 2.3
Expenses of Registration
9
Section 2.4
Information by Holders
9
Section 2.5
Rule 144 Reporting
10
Section 2.6
Holdback Agreement
10

ARTICLE III

Indemnification

Section 3.1
Indemnification by Company
11
Section 3.2
Indemnification by Holders
12
Section 3.3
Notification
12
Section 3.4
Contribution
13

ARTICLE IV

Transfer and Termination of Registration Rights

Section 4.1
Transfer of Registration Rights
14
Section 4.2
Termination of Registration Rights
14

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

Section 5.1
Amendments and Waivers
14
Section 5.2
Extension of Time, Waiver, Etc
14
Section 5.3
Assignment
14
 

 
i



Section 5.4
Counterparts
15
Section 5.5
Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiary
15
Section 5.6
Governing Law; Jurisdiction
15
Section 5.7
Specific Enforcement
15
Section 5.8
Waiver of Jury Trial
16
Section 5.9
Notices
17
Section 5.10
Severability
18
Section 5.11
Expenses
18
Section 5.12
Interpretation
18
Section 5.13
Purchasers
18


ii


REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into as of December 4, 2015, by and among NCR CORPORATION, a Maryland corporation (the “ Company ”), and each of the investors listed on the signature pages hereto (collectively, together with their respective successors and assigns, the “ Purchasers ” and each, a “ Purchaser ”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined elsewhere herein are defined in Exhibit A .  The Purchasers and any other party that may become a party hereto pursuant to Section 4.1 are referred to collectively as the “ Investors ” and individually each as an “ Investor ”.

WHEREAS, the Company and the Purchasers are parties to the Investment Agreement, dated as of November 11, 2015 (as amended from time to time, the “ Investment Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Company is selling to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers are purchasing from the Company, an aggregate of 820,000 shares of the Series A Preferred Stock, which is convertible into shares of Common Stock;

WHEREAS, as a condition to the obligations of the Company and the Purchasers under the Investment Agreement, the Company and the Purchasers are entering into this Agreement for the purpose of granting certain registration and other rights to the Investors.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement hereby agree as follows:


ARTICLE I

Resale Shelf Registration

Section 1.1  Resale Shelf Registration Statement .  Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file within 120 days after the date hereof a registration statement covering the sale or distribution from time to time by the Holders, on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act, of all of the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 (except if the Company is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, then such registration shall be on another appropriate form and shall provide for the registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by the Holders in accordance with any reasonable method of distribution elected by the Purchasers) (the “ Resale Shelf Registration Statement ”) and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Resale Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the SEC as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Resale Shelf Registration Statement shall be an automatic shelf registration statement that shall become effective upon filing with the SEC pursuant to Rule 462(e) if Rule 462(e) is available to the Company).

Section 1.2  Effectiveness Period .  Once declared effective, the Company shall, subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Resale Shelf Registration Statement to be continuously effective and usable until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities (the “ Effectiveness Period ”).
 
 


Section 1.3  Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement .  If any Shelf Registration Statement ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Shelf Registration Statement to again become effective under the Securities Act (including obtaining the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend such Shelf Registration Statement in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or file an additional registration statement (a “ Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement ”) for an offering to be made on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act registering the resale from time to time by the Holders thereof of all securities that are Registrable Securities as of the time of such filing.  If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (a) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be an automatic shelf registration statement that shall become effective upon filing with the SEC pursuant to Rule 462(e) if Rule 462(e) is available to the Company) and (b) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective and usable until the end of the Effectiveness Period.  Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be a registration statement on Form S-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form.  Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on another appropriate form and shall provide for the registration of such Registrable Securities for resale by the Holders in accordance with any reasonable method of distribution elected by the Purchasers.

Section 1.4  Supplements and Amendments .  The Company shall supplement and amend any Shelf Registration Statement if required by the Securities Act or the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement.

Section 1.5  Subsequent Holder Notice .  If a Person entitled to the benefits of this Agreement becomes a Holder of Registrable Securities after a Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, the Company shall, as promptly as is reasonably practicable following delivery of written notice to the Company of such Person becoming a Holder and requesting for its name to be included as a selling securityholder in the prospectus related to the Shelf Registration Statement (a “ Subsequent Holder Notice ”):

(a)  if required and permitted by applicable law, file with the SEC a supplement to the related prospectus or a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement so that such Holder is named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver a prospectus to purchasers of the Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to file more than one post-effective amendment or a supplement to the related prospectus for such purpose in any 30-day period;
 
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(b)  if, pursuant to Section 1.5(a) , the Company shall have filed a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement that is not automatically effective, use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such post-effective amendment to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable; and

(c)  notify such Holder as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the effectiveness under the Securities Act of any post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Section 1.5(a) .

Section 1.6  Underwritten Offering .

(a)  Subject to any applicable restrictions on transfer in the Investment Agreement or otherwise, the Purchasers may, after the Resale Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective, deliver a written notice to the Company (the “ Underwritten Offering Notice ”) specifying that the sale of some or all of the Registrable Securities subject to the Shelf Registration Statement, is intended to be conducted through an underwritten offering (the “ Underwritten Offering ”); provided , however , that the Holders of Registrable Securities may not, without the Company’s prior written consent, (i) launch an Underwritten Offering the anticipated gross proceeds of which shall be less than $80,000,000 (unless the Holders are proposing to sell all of their remaining Registrable Securities), (ii) launch more than three Underwritten Offerings at the request of the Holders within any three-hundred sixty-five (365) day-period or (iii) launch an Underwritten Offering within the period commencing fourteen (14) days prior to and ending two (2) days following the Company’s scheduled earnings release date for any fiscal quarter or year.

(b)  In the event of an Underwritten Offering, the Investor shall select the managing underwriter(s) to administer the Underwritten Offering; provided that the choice of such managing underwriter(s) shall be subject to the consent of the Company, which is not to be unreasonably withheld.  In making the determination to consent to the Investor’s choice of managing underwriter(s), the Company may take into account its business and strategic interests. The Company, the Purchasers and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in an Underwritten Offering will enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the managing underwriter or underwriters selected for such offering.

(c)  The Company will not include in any Underwritten Offering pursuant to this Section 1.6 any securities that are not Registrable Securities without the prior written consent of the Purchasers.  If the managing underwriter or underwriters advise the Company and the Purchasers in writing that in its or their good faith opinion the number of Registrable Securities (and, if permitted hereunder, other securities requested to be included in such offering) exceeds the number of securities which can be sold in such offering in light of market conditions or is such so as to adversely affect the success of such offering, the Company will include in such offering only such number of securities that can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, which securities will be so included in the following order of priority:  (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Holders that have requested to participate in such Underwritten Offering, allocated pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the percentage of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such offering by such Holders, and (ii) second, any other securities of the Company that have been requested to be so included.
 
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Section 1.7  Take-Down Notice .  Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, at any time that any Shelf Registration Statement is effective, if the Purchasers deliver a notice to the Company (a “ Take-Down Notice ”) stating that it intends to effect a sale or distribution of all or part of its Registrable Securities included by it on any Shelf Registration Statement (a “ Shelf Offering ”) and stating the number of the Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Offering, then the Company shall amend, subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement or supplement the Shelf Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to enable such Registrable Securities to be sold and distributed pursuant to the Shelf Offering.

Section 1.8  Piggyback Registration .

(a)  If the Company proposes to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of Common Stock or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Common Stock, whether or not for sale for its own account (other than a registration statement (i) on Form S-4, Form S-8 or any successor forms thereto or (ii) filed to effectuate an exchange offer or any employee benefit or dividend reinvestment plan), then the Company shall give prompt written notice of such filing, which notice shall be given, to the extent reasonably practicable, no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the filing date (the “ Piggyback Notice ”) to the Purchasers on behalf of the Holders of Registrable Securities. The Piggyback Notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to include (or cause to be included) in such registration statement the number of shares of Registrable Securities as each such Holder may request (each, a “ Piggyback Registration Statement ”). Subject to Section 1.8(b) , the Company shall include in each Piggyback Registration Statement all Registrable Securities with respect to which the Company has received written requests for inclusion therein (each, a “ Piggyback Request ”) within five (5) Business Days after the date of the Piggyback Notice but in any event not later than one (1) Business Day prior to the filing date of a Piggyback Registration Statement. The Company shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of a Piggyback Registration Statement beyond the earlier of (x) 180 days after the effective date thereof and (y) consummation of the distribution by the Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such registration statement.

(b)  If any of the securities to be registered pursuant to the registration giving rise to the rights under this Section 1.8 are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing underwriter or underwriters of a proposed underwritten offering to permit Holders of Registrable Securities who have timely submitted a Piggyback Request in connection with such offering to include in such offering all Registrable Securities included in each Holder’s Piggyback Request on the same terms and subject to the same conditions as any other shares of capital stock, if any, of the Company included in the offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such underwritten offering advise the Company in writing that in its or their good faith opinion the number of securities exceeds the number of securities which can be sold in such offering in light of market conditions or is such so as to adversely affect the success of such offering, the Company will include in such offering only such number of securities that can be sold without adversely affecting the marketability of the offering, which securities will be so included in the following order of priority: (i) first, the securities proposed to be sold by the Company for its own account; (ii) second, the Registrable Securities of the Holders that have requested to participate in such underwritten offering, allocated pro rata among such Holders on the basis of the percentage of the Registrable Securities requested to be included in such offering  by such Holders; (iii) third, any other securities of the Company that have been requested to be included in such offering; provided that Holders may, prior to the earlier of the (a) effectiveness of the registration statement and (b) the time at which the offering price or underwriter’s discount is determined with the managing underwriter or underwriters, withdraw their request to be included in such registration pursuant to this Section 1.8 .
 
 
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ARTICLE II

Additional Provisions Regarding Registration Rights

Section 2.1  Registration Procedures .  Subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, in the case of each registration of Registrable Securities effected by the Company pursuant to Article I , the Company will:

(a)  prepare and promptly file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to such securities and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become and remain effective for the period of the distribution contemplated thereby, in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement;

(b)  prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective for the period specified in paragraph (a) above and comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement in accordance with the Purchasers’ indented method of distribution set forth in such registration statement for such period;

(c)  furnish to the Purchasers’ legal counsel copies of the registration statement and the prospectus included therein (including each preliminary prospectus) proposed to be filed and provide such legal counsel a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such registration statement;

(d)  if requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or the Purchasers, promptly include in any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or the Purchasers may reasonably request in order to permit the intended method of distribution of such securities and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received such request; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required to take any actions under this Section 2.1(d) that are not, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, in compliance with applicable law;

(e)  in the event that the Registrable Securities are being offered in an Underwritten Offering, furnish to the Purchasers and to the underwriters of the securities being registered such reasonable number of copies of the registration statement, preliminary prospectus and final prospectus as the Purchasers or such underwriters may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public offering or other disposition of such securities;
 
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(f)  as promptly as reasonably practicable notify the Purchasers at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act or of the Company’s discovery of the occurrence of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in the light of the circumstances then existing, and, subject to Section 2.2 , at the request of the Purchasers, prepare as promptly as is reasonably practicable and furnish to the Purchasers a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or an amendment of such prospectus as may be necessary so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such securities, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in the light of the circumstances then existing;

(g)  use commercially reasonable efforts to register and qualify (or exempt from such registration or qualification) the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as shall be reasonably requested in writing by the Purchasers; provided , however , that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (i) qualify to do business in any jurisdictions where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this subsection or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdictions;

(h)  in the event that the Registrable Securities are being offered in an underwritten public offering, enter into an underwriting agreement in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement;

(i)  in connection with an Underwritten Offering, the Company shall cause its officers to use their commercially reasonable efforts to support the marketing of the Registrable Securities covered by such offering (including participation in “ road shows ” or other similar marketing efforts);

(j)  use commercially reasonable efforts to furnish, on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, (i) an opinion dated such date of the legal counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, (ii) a “negative assurances letter”, dated such date of the legal counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering and (iii) a letter dated such date from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters;
 
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(k)  in the event that the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement are shares of Common Stock, use commercially reasonable efforts to list the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement with any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;

(l)  provide a transfer agent and registrar for all such Registrable Securities not later than the effective date of such registration statement;

(m)  in connection with a customary due diligence review, make available for inspection by the Purchasers, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Registrable Securities, if any, and any counsel or accountants retained by the Purchasers or underwriter (collectively, the “ Offering Persons ”), at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries to supply all information and participate in customary due diligence sessions in each case reasonably requested by any such representative, underwriter, counsel or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement; provided , however , that any information that is not generally publicly available at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by such Offering Persons unless (i) disclosure of such information is required by court or administrative order or in connection with an audit or examination by, or a blanket document request from, a regulatory or self-regulatory authority, bank examiner or auditor, (ii) disclosure of such information, in the reasonable judgment of the Offering Persons, is required by law or applicable legal process (including in connection with the offer and sale of securities pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC), (iii) such information is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a non-permitted disclosure or failure to safeguard by such Offering Persons in violation of this Agreement or (iv) such information (A) was known to such Offering Persons (prior to its disclosure by the Company) from a source other than the Company when such source, to the knowledge of the Offering Persons, was not bound by any contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company with respect to such information, (B) becomes available to the Offering Persons from a source other than the Company when such source, to the knowledge of the Offering Persons, is not bound by any contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality to the Company with respect to such information or (C) was developed independently by the Offering Persons or their respective representatives without the use of, or reliance on, information provided by the Company.  In the case of a proposed disclosure pursuant to (i) or (ii) above, such Person shall be required to give the Company written notice of the proposed disclosure prior to such disclosure (except in the case of (ii) above when a proposed disclosure was or is to be made in connection with a registration statement or prospectus under this Agreement and except in the case of clause (i) above when a proposed disclosure is in connection with a routine audit or examination by, or a blanket document request from, a regulatory or self-regulatory authority, bank examiner or auditor);
 
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(n)  cooperate with the Purchasers and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with FINRA, including the use of commercially reasonable efforts to obtain FINRA’s pre-clearance or pre-approval of the registration statement and applicable prospectus upon filing with the SEC; and

(o)  as promptly as is reasonably practicable notify the Purchasers (i) when the prospectus or any prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed and, with respect to such registration statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to such registration statement or related prospectus or to amend or to supplement such prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or the initiation of any proceedings for such purpose, (iv) if at any time the Company has reason to believe that the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any agreement contemplated by Section 2.1(f) above relating to any applicable offering cease to be true and correct or (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.

The Purchasers agree that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.1(f) , 2.1(o)(ii) or 2.1(o)(iii) , the Purchasers shall discontinue, and shall cause each Holder to discontinue, disposition of any Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement or the related prospectus until receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus, which supplement or amendment shall, subject to the other applicable provisions of this Agreement, be prepared and furnished as soon as reasonably practicable, or until the Purchasers are advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, and have received copies of any amended or supplemented prospectus or any additional or supplemental filings which are incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference in such prospectus (such period during which disposition is discontinued being an “ Interruption Period ”) and, if requested by the Company, the Purchasers shall use commercially reasonable efforts to return, and cause the Holders to return, to the Company all copies then in their possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such request.  As soon as practicable after the Company has determined that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed, the Company will notify the Purchasers thereof.  In the event the Company invokes an Interruption Period hereunder and in the reasonable discretion of the Company the need for the Company to continue the Interruption Period ceases for any reason, the Company shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, provide written notice to the Purchasers that such Interruption Period is no longer applicable.

Section 2.2  Suspension .  (a)    The Company shall be entitled, on one (1) occasion in any one-hundred eighty (180) day period, for a period of time not to exceed seventy-five (75) days in the aggregate in any  twelve (12) month period, to (x) defer any registration of Registrable Securities and shall have the right not to file and not to cause the effectiveness of any
 
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registration covering any Registrable Securities, (y) suspend the use of any prospectus and registration statement covering any Registrable Securities and (z) require the Holders of Registrable Securities to suspend any offerings or sales of Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement, if the Company delivers to the Purchasers a certificate signed by an executive officer certifying that such registration and offering would (i) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or (ii) materially interfere with any bona fide material financing, acquisition, disposition or other similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries then under consideration. Such certificate shall contain a statement of the reasons for such suspension and an approximation of the anticipated length of such suspension. The Purchasers shall keep the information contained in such certificate confidential subject to the same terms set forth in Section 2.1(m) If the Company defers any registration of Registrable Securities in response to a Underwritten Offering Notice or requires the Purchasers or the Holders to suspend any Underwritten Offering, the Purchasers shall be entitled to withdraw such Underwritten Offering Notice and if they do so, such request shall not be treated for any purpose as the delivery of an Underwritten Offering Notice pursuant to Section 1.6 .

Section 2.3  Expenses of Registration .  All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration pursuant to Article I shall be borne by the Company.  All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the Holders shall be borne by the Holders of the Registrable Securities included in such registration.

Section 2.4  Information by Holders .  The Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities included in any registration shall, and the Purchasers shall cause such Holder or Holders to, furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder or Holders and their Affiliates, the Registrable Securities held by them and the distribution proposed by such Holder or Holders and their Affiliates as the Company or its representatives may reasonably request and as shall be required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this Agreement.  It is understood and agreed that the obligations of the Company under Article I are conditioned on the timely provisions of the foregoing information by such Holder or Holders and, without limitation of the foregoing, will be conditioned on compliance by such Holder or Holders with the following:

(a)  such Holder or Holders will, and will cause their respective Affiliates to, cooperate with the Company in connection with the preparation of the applicable registration statement and prospectus and, for so long as the Company is obligated to keep such registration statement effective, such Holder or Holders will and will cause their respective Affiliates to, provide to the Company, in writing and in a timely manner, for use in such registration statement (and expressly identified in writing as such), all information regarding themselves and their respective Affiliates and such other information as may be required by applicable law to enable the Company to prepare or amend such registration statement, any related prospectus and any other documents related to such offering covering the applicable Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders and to maintain the currency and effectiveness thereof;

(b)  during such time as such Holder or Holders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a distribution of the Registrable Securities, such Holder or Holders will, and they will cause their Affiliates to, comply with all laws applicable to such
 
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distribution, including Regulation M promulgated under the Exchange Act, and, to the extent required by such laws, will, and will cause their Affiliates to, among other things (i) not engage in any stabilization activity in connection with the securities of the Company in contravention of such laws; (ii) distribute the Registrable Securities acquired by them solely in the manner described in the applicable registration statement and (iii) if required by applicable law, cause to be furnished to each agent or broker-dealer to or through whom such Registrable Securities may be offered, or to the offeree if an offer is made directly by such Holder or Holders or their respective Affiliates, such copies of the applicable prospectus (as amended and supplemented to such date) and documents incorporated by reference therein as may be required by such agent, broker-dealer or offeree;

(c)  such Holder or Holders shall, and they shall cause their respective Affiliates to, (i) permit the Company and its representatives to examine such documents and records and will supply in a timely manner any information as they may be reasonably requested to provide in connection with the offering or other distribution of Registrable Securities by such Holder or Holders and (ii) execute, deliver and perform under any agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Company or its representatives to effectuate such registered offering, including opinions of counsel and questionnaires; and

(d)  on receipt of any notice from the Company of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.1(f) or clauses (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.1(o) , or that otherwise requires the suspension by such Holder or Holders and their respective Affiliates of the offering, sale or distribution of any of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders, such Holders shall, and they shall cause their respective Affiliates to, cease offering, selling or distributing the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders until the offering. sale and distribution of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders may recommence in accordance with the terms hereof and applicable law.

Section 2.5  Rule 144 Reporting .  With a view to making available the benefits of Rule 144 to the Holders, the Company agrees that, for so long as a Holder owns Registrable Securities, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to:

(a)  make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, at all times after the date of this Agreement; and

(b)  so long as a Holder owns any Restricted Securities, furnish to the Holder upon written request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act.

Section 2.6  Holdback Agreement .  If during the Effectiveness Period, the Company shall file a registration statement (other than in connection with the registration of securities issuable pursuant to an employee stock option, stock purchase or similar plan or pursuant to a merger, exchange offer or a transaction of the type specified in Rule 145(a) under the Securities Act) with respect to an underwritten public offering of Common Stock or
 
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securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, such securities or otherwise informs the Purchasers that it intends to conduct such an offering utilizing an effective registration statement or pursuant to an underwritten Rule 144A and/or Regulation S offering and provides the Purchasers and each Holder the opportunity to participate in such offering in accordance with and to the extent required by Section 1.8 , the Purchasers and each Holder shall, if requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters, enter into a customary “lock-up” agreement relating to the sale, offering or distribution of Registrable Securities, in the form reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters,  covering the period commencing on the date of the prospectus pursuant to which such offering may be made and continuing until 90 days from the date of such prospectus.


ARTICLE III

Indemnification

Section 3.1  Indemnification by Company .  To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will, with respect to any Registrable Securities covered by a registration statement or prospectus, or as to which registration, qualification or compliance under applicable “blue sky” laws has been effected pursuant to this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, each Holder’s current and former officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees, and each Person controlling such Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and such Holder’s current and former officers, directors, partners, members, managers, shareholders, accountants, attorneys, agents and employees, and each underwriter thereof, if any, and each Person who controls any such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (collectively, the “ Company Indemnified Parties ”), from and against any and all expenses, claims, losses, damages, costs (including costs of preparation and reasonable attorney’s fees and any legal or other fees or expenses actually incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding), judgments, fines, penalties, charges, amounts paid in settlement and other liabilities, joint or several, (or actions in respect thereof) (collectively, “ Losses ”) to the extent arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, offering circular, “issuer free writing prospectus” (as such term is defined in Rule 433 under the Securities Act) or other document, in each case related to such registration statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law or any rules or regulations thereunder applicable to the Company and (without limiting the preceding portions of this Section 3.1 ), the Company will reimburse each of the Company Indemnified Parties for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket legal expenses and any other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred in connection with investigating, defending or, subject to the last sentence of this Section 3.1 , settling any such Losses or action, as such expenses are incurred; provided that the Company’s indemnification obligations shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any Losses or action if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), nor shall the Company be liable to a Holder in
 
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any such case for any such Losses or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a violation or alleged violation of any state or federal law (including any claim arising out of or based on any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission in the registration statement or prospectus) which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder or its authorized representatives expressly for use in connection with such registration by or on behalf of any Holder.

Section 3.2  Indemnification by Holders .  To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by such Holder are included in the securities as to which registration or qualification or compliance under applicable “blue sky” laws is being effected, indemnify, severally and not jointly with any other Holders of Registrable Securities, the Company, each of its representatives, each Person who controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act (collectively, the “ Holder Indemnified Parties ”), against all Losses (or actions in respect thereof) to the extent arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, preliminary prospectus, offering circular, “issuer free writing prospectus” or other document, in each case related to such registration statement, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or based on any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, and will reimburse each of the Holder Indemnified Parties for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket legal expenses and any other reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred in connection with investigating, defending or, subject to the last sentence of this Section 3.2 , settling any such Losses or action, as such expenses are incurred, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular, “issuer free writing prospectus” or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information regarding such Holder furnished to the Company by such Holder or its authorized representatives and stated to be specifically for use therein; provided , however , that in no event shall any indemnity under this Section 3.2 payable by the Purchasers and any Holder exceed an amount equal to the net proceeds received by such Holder in respect of the Registrable Securities sold pursuant to the registration statement. The indemnity agreement contained in this Section 3.2 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the applicable Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

Section 3.3  Notification .  If any Person shall be entitled to indemnification under this Article III (each, an “ Indemnified Party ”), such Indemnified Party shall give prompt notice to the party required to provide indemnification (each, an “ Indemnifying Party ”) of any claim or of the commencement of any proceeding as to which indemnity is sought.  The Indemnifying Party shall have the right, exercisable by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party as promptly as reasonably practicable after the receipt of written notice from such Indemnified Party of such claim or proceeding, to assume, at the Indemnifying Party’s expense, the defense of any such claim or litigation, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party and, after notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnifying Party will not (so long as it shall continue to have the right to defend,
 
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contest, litigate and settle the matter in question in accordance with this paragraph) be liable to such Indemnified Party hereunder for any legal expenses and other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof; provided , however , that an Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such claim or litigation, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party unless the Indemnifying Party shall have failed within a reasonable period of time to assume such defense and the Indemnified Party is or would reasonably be expected to be materially prejudiced by such delay.  The failure of any Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall relieve an Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article III only to the extent that the failure to give such notice is materially prejudicial or harmful to such Indemnifying Party’s ability to defend such action.  No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the prior written consent of each Indemnified Party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.  The indemnity agreements contained in this Article III shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any claim, loss, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  The indemnification set forth in this Article III shall be in addition to any other indemnification rights or agreements that an Indemnified Party may have.  An Indemnifying Party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim will not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such Indemnifying Party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any Indemnified Party a conflict of interest may exist between such Indemnified Party and any other Indemnified Parties with respect to such claim.

Section 3.4  Contribution .  If the indemnification provided for in this Article III is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Party, other than pursuant to its terms, with respect to any Losses or action referred to therein, then, subject to the limitations contained in this Article III , the 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 Losses or action in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other, in connection with the actions, statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses or action, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party, on the one hand, and the Indemnified Party, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made (or omitted) by, or relates to information supplied by such Indemnifying Party or such Indemnified Party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent any such action, statement or omission.  The Company and the Holders agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 3.4 was determined solely upon pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding sentence of this Section 3.4 .  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amount each Purchaser or any Holder will be obligated to contribute pursuant to this Section 3.4 will be limited to an amount equal to the net proceeds received by such Purchaser or Holder in respect of the Registrable
 
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Securities sold pursuant to the registration statement which gives rise to such obligation to contribute. No Person guilty 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.


ARTICLE IV

Transfer and Termination of Registration Rights

Section 4.1  Transfer of Registration Rights .  Any rights to cause the Company to register securities granted to a Holder under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned to any Investor in connection with a Transfer (as defined in the Investment Agreement) of Series A Preferred Stock to such Person in a Transfer permitted by Section 5.08(b)(i) of the Investment Agreement; provided , however , that (i) prior written notice of such assignment of rights is given to the Company and (ii) such Investor agrees in writing to be bound by, and subject to, this Agreement as a “Holder” pursuant to a written instrument in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company.

Section 4.2  Termination of Registration Rights .  The rights of any particular Holder to cause the Company to register securities under Article I shall terminate with respect to such Holder upon the date upon which such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities.


ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

Section 5.1  Amendments and Waivers .  Subject to compliance with applicable law, this Agreement may be amended or supplemented in any and all respects by written agreement of the Company and the Purchasers.

Section 5.2  Extension of Time, Waiver, Etc.   The parties hereto may, subject to applicable law, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or acts of the other party or (b) waive compliance by the other party with any of the agreements contained herein applicable to such party or, except as otherwise provided herein, waive any of such party’s conditions.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no failure or delay by the parties hereto in exercising any right 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 hereunder.  Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party; provided that the Purchasers may execute such waivers on behalf of any Investor.

Section 5.3  Assignment .  Except as provided in Section 4.1 , neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, in whole or in part, by operation of law or otherwise, by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto; provided , however , that the Purchasers may provide any such consent on behalf of the Investors.
 
14


Section 5.4  Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail), each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to the other parties hereto.

Section 5.5  Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiary .  This Agreement, including the Transaction Documents (as defined in the Investment Agreement), constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties and their Affiliates, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.  No provision of this Agreement shall confer upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their permitted assigns any rights or remedies hereunder.

Section 5.6  Governing Law; Jurisdiction .

(a)  This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed entirely within that State, regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under any applicable conflict of laws principles, except that the provisions of the laws of the State of Maryland are mandatorily applicable.

(b)  All legal or administrative proceedings, suits, investigations, arbitrations or actions (“ Actions ”) arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be heard and determined in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware (or, if the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over any Action, any state or federal court within the State of Delaware) and the parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of such courts in any such Action and irrevocably waive the defense of an inconvenient forum or lack of jurisdiction to the maintenance of any such Action.  The consents to jurisdiction and venue set forth in this Section 5.6 shall not constitute general consents to service of process in the State of Delaware and shall have no effect for any purpose except as provided in this paragraph and shall not be deemed to confer rights on any Person other than the parties hereto.  Each party hereto agrees that service of process upon such party in any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be effective if notice is given by overnight courier at the address set forth in Section 5.9 of this Agreement.  The parties hereto agree that a final judgment in any such Action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable law; provided , however , that nothing in the foregoing shall restrict any party’s rights to seek any post-judgment relief regarding, or any appeal from, a final trial court judgment.

Section 5.7  Specific Enforcement.   The parties acknowledge and agree that (a) the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof  in the courts described in Section 5.6 without proof of damages or otherwise, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under this Agreement and (b) the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of this Agreement and without that right, neither the Company nor the Purchasers would have entered into this Agreement.  The parties hereto agree not to assert that a remedy of specific enforcement is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to law or inequitable for any reason, and agree not to assert that a remedy of monetary damages would provide an adequate remedy or that the parties otherwise have an adequate remedy at law.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 5.7 shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such order or injunction.
 
15


Section 5.8  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 IT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY OF THE AGREEMENTS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.  EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) 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, (B) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH WAIVER, (C) IT MAKES SUCH WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (D) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 5.8 .
 
16


Section 5.9  Notices .  All notices, requests and other communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, by facsimile (which is confirmed), emailed (which is confirmed) or sent by overnight courier (providing proof of delivery) to the parties at the following addresses:

(a)  If to the Company, to it at:

NCR Corporation
250 Greenwich Street
New York, NY 10007
Attention: General Counsel
Email: law.notices@ncr.com

and

NCR Corporation
Law Department
3097 Satellite Blvd.
Duluth, GA 30096
Attention: Chief Corporate Counsel

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

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
Worldwide Plaza
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Attention:        Scott A. Barshay, Esq.
                         O. Keith Hallam III, Esq.
Facsimile:        212-474-3700
Email:                sbarshay@cravath.com
                         khallam@cravath.com

(b)  If to the Investors or the Purchasers, to the Purchasers at:

Blackstone Capital Partners VI L.P.
c/o The Blackstone Group
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
Attn: Greg Blank
Fax: 646-253-8902
Email: blank@blackstone.com
 
17



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

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Attention:       Daniel E. Wolf, Esq.
                         Joshua N. Korff, Esq.
                         Leo M. Greenberg, Esq.
Facsimile:         212-446-4900
Email:                daniel.wolf@kirkland.com
                          jkorff@kirkland.com
                          lgreenberg@kirkland.com

or such other address, email address or facsimile number as such party may hereafter specify by like notice to the other parties hereto.  All such notices, requests and other communications shall be deemed received on the date of actual receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5:00 p.m. local time in the place of receipt and such day is a Business Day in the place of receipt.  Otherwise, any such notice, request or communication shall be deemed not to have been received until the next succeeding Business Day in the place of receipt.

Section 5.10  Severability .  If any term, condition or other provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.  Upon such determination that any term, condition or other provision is invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced, the parties hereto shall 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.

Section 5.11  Expenses .  Except as provided in Section 2.3 , all costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of counsel, financial advisors and accountants, incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses.

Section 5.12  Interpretation .  The rules of interpretation set forth in Section 8.12 of the Investment Agreement shall apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis .

Section 5.13  Purchasers .

(a)  Each Holder hereby consents to (i) the appointment of the Purchasers, acting together, as the attorneys-in-fact for and on behalf of such Holder and (ii) the taking by the Purchasers, acting together, of any and all actions and the making of any decisions required or permitted by, or with respect to, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, (A) the exercise of the power to agree to execute any consents under this Agreement and all other documents contemplated hereby and (B) to take all actions necessary in the judgment of the Purchasers for the accomplishment of the foregoing and all of the other terms, conditions and limitations of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.  Any reference to any action by the Purchasers in this Agreement shall require an instrument in writing signed by each of the Purchasers.
 
18



(b)  Each Holder shall be bound by the actions taken by the Purchasers exercising the rights granted to them by this Agreement or the other documents contemplated by this Agreement, and the Company shall be entitled to rely on any such action or decision of the Purchasers.
 

 
[ Signature pages follow ]
 
19


 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first above written.
 
 
COMPANY:
 
   
 
NCR CORPORATION
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Robert Fishman  
    Name: Robert Fishman  
    Title:   Senior Vice President & CFO  
       

 
 
 
 
Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement

 

 
  BLACKSTONE BCP VI SBS ESC HOLDCO L.P.  
     
  By:  BCP VI Side-by-Side GP L.L.C., its General Partner  
       
By:
/s/ Chinh Chu  
    Name: Chinh Chu  
    Title:   Senior Managing Director  
       


 
BLACKSTONE NCR HOLDCO L.P.
 
     
  By:  Blackstone Management Associates VI L.L.C., its General Partner  
     
  By:  BMA VI L.L.C., its Sole Member  
       
 
By:
/s/ Chinh Chu  
    Name: Chinh Chu  
    Title:   Senior Managing Director  
       


 
 
 
Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement
 

 
  BTO NCR HOLDINGS – ESC L.P.  
     
  By: BTO Holdings Manager L.L.C., its General Partner  
     
  By: Blackstone Tactical Opportunities Associates L.L.C., its Managing Member  
     
  By: BTOA L.L.C., its Sole Member  
       
 
By:
/s/ Christopher J. James  
    Name: Christopher J. James  
    Title:   Authorized Person  
       

 
 

 
 
Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement
 

 
 
 
  BTO NCR HOLDINGS  L.P.  
     
  By: BTO Holdings Manager L.L.C., its General Partner  
     
  By: Blackstone Tactical Opportunities Associates L.L.C., its Managing Member  
     
  By: BTOA L.L.C., its Sole Member  
       
 
By:
/s/ Christopher J. James  
    Name: Christopher J. James  
    Title:   Authorized Person  
       

 

Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement
 


 
EXHIBIT A

DEFINED TERMS

1.  The following capitalized terms have the meanings indicated:

Adverse Disclosure ” means public disclosure of material non-public information that, in the good faith judgment of the Company (after consultation with legal counsel): (i) would be required to be made in any registration statement filed with the SEC by the Company so that such registration statement would not be materially misleading; (ii) would not be required to be made at such time but for the filing, effectiveness or continued use of such registration statement; and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not disclosing publicly.

Affiliates ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Articles Supplementary.

Articles Supplementary ” means the Articles Supplementary classifying the Series A Preferred Stock.

Business Day ” means any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which the SEC or banks in the City of New York are authorized or required by law to be closed.

Common Stock ” means all shares currently or hereafter existing of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Exchange Act ” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

FINRA ” means the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

Holder ” means any Investor holding Registrable Securities.

Person ” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or any other entity, including a governmental authority.

register ”, “ registered ” and “ registration ” refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement or the automatic effectiveness of such registration statement, as applicable.

Registration Expenses ” means all (a) expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Article I , including all registration, qualification, listing and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, and fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses and (b) reasonable, documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses of one outside legal counsel to the Purchasers and all Holders retained in connection with registrations contemplated hereby; provided , however , that Registration Expenses shall not be deemed to include any Selling Expenses.
 
A-1


Registrable Securities ” means, as of any date of determination, any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock issued to the Purchasers pursuant to the Investment Agreement (whether or not subsequently transferred to any Investor) and any shares of Common Stock hereafter acquired by any Investor pursuant to the conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock, and any other securities issued or issuable with respect to any such shares of Common Stock or Series A Preferred Stock by way of share split, share dividend, distribution, recapitalization, merger, exchange, replacement or similar event or otherwise.  As to any particular Registrable Securities, once issued, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i) such securities are sold or otherwise transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (ii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding, (iii) such securities have been transferred in a transaction in which the Holder’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of the securities, (iv) such securities are sold in a broker’s transaction under circumstances in which all of the applicable conditions of Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then in force) under the Securities Act are met or (v) the stock certificates or evidences of book-entry registration relating to such securities have had all restrictive legends removed.

Restricted Securities ” means any Common Stock required to bear the legend set forth in Section 5.09(a) of the Investment Agreement.

Rule 144 ” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and any successor provision.

Rule 462(e) ” means Rule 462(e) promulgated under the Securities Act and any successor provision.

Selling Expenses ” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the securities registered by the Holders, and the fees and expenses of any counsel to the Holders (other than such fees and expenses expressly included in Registration Expenses).

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

Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

Shelf Registration Statement ” means the Resale Shelf Registration Statement or a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable.

2.  The following terms are defined in the Sections of the Agreement indicated:

INDEX OF TERMS


Term
Section
Actions
Section 5.6(b)
Agreement
Preamble
Company
Preamble
Company Indemnified Parties
Section 3.1
 
 
 
A-2


 
Effectiveness Period
Section 1.2
Holder Indemnified Parties
Section 3.2
Indemnified Party
Section 3.3
Indemnifying Party
Section 3.3
Interruption Period
Section 2.1(o)
Investment Agreement
Recitals
Investor
Preamble
Investors
Preamble
Losses
Section 3.1
Offering Persons
Section 2.1(m)
Piggyback Notice
Section 1.8(a)
Piggyback Registration Statement
Section 1.8(a)
Piggyback Request
Section 1.8(a)
Purchasers
Preamble
Resale Shelf Registration Statement
Section 1.1
Shelf Offering
Section 1.7
Subsequent Holder Notice
Section 1.5
Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement
Section 1.3
Take-Down Notice
Section 1.7
Underwritten Offering
Section 1.6(a)
Underwritten Offering Notice
Section 1.6(a)
 
 
A-3
Exhibit 99.1
 
 
 
NCR ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF BLACKSTONE STRATEGIC INVESTMENT

DULUTH, Ga.—December 4, 2015 – NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) today announced that it has closed the previously announced transaction with Blackstone (NYSE: BX), one of the world's leading investment firms, pursuant to which affiliates of Blackstone invested $820 million in NCR in the form of perpetual convertible preferred shares. In connection with the closing of the transaction, the NCR board of directors expanded from 9 to 11 directors and NCR elected two new members to the board, Chinh Chu and Greg Blank.

NCR intends to use the net proceeds from the Blackstone investment, together with cash on hand and borrowings under NCR’s revolving facilities, to fund the repurchase of up to $1.0 billion of shares of NCR common stock pursuant to NCR’s previously announced tender offer.  As a result of the closing of the Blackstone investment, NCR has deemed the Strategic Investment Condition (as defined in the tender offer documentation) satisfied.  The tender offer, which remains subject to certain other conditions, is scheduled to expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on December 11, 2015, unless extended.

Additional information regarding the closing of the investment will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed today by NCR with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

J.P. Morgan, Atlas Strategic Advisors and BofA Merrill Lynch acted as placement agents to NCR, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP served as NCR’s legal advisor, in connection with the transaction.
 
Citi, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and RBC Capital Markets acted as financial advisors to Blackstone and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is Blankstone's legal advisor in the transaction.

About Blackstone
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. It seeks to create positive economic impact and long-term value for its investors, the companies it invests in, and the communities in which it works. Blackstone does this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Its asset management businesses, with over $330 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

About NCR Corporation
NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is the global leader in consumer transaction technologies, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware, and portfolio of services, NCR enables nearly 550 million transactions daily across the financial, retail, hospitality, travel, telecom and technology industries. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier.

NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia with over 30,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries. NCR encourages investors to visit its web site which is updated regularly with financial and other important information about NCR.

Web site: www.ncr.com
Twitter: @NCRCorporation
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ncrcorp
LinkedIn: http://linkd.in/ncrgroup
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation
 
 


 
News Media Contact
NCR Corporation
Lou Casale, 212-589-8415
lou.casale@ncr.com

Investor Contact
NCR Corporation
Gavin Bell, 212-589-8468
gavin.bell@ncr.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements use words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “outlook,” “intend,” “believe,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could” and words of similar meaning. Statements that describe or relate to NCR’s plans, goals, intentions, strategies or financial outlook, statements regarding the investment by Blackstone and statements that do not relate to historical or current fact, are examples of forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on NCR’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions, which may not prove to be accurate, and involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are out of NCR’s control. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and there are a number of important factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements, including factors relating to: the achievement of the potential benefits of the investment by Blackstone; the price at which we ultimately determine to purchase shares in the Tender Offer and the number of shares tendered in the Tender Offer; the price and time at which we may make any additional share repurchases following completion of the Tender Offer, the number of shares acquired in such repurchases and the terms, timing, costs and interest rate on any indebtedness incurred to fund such repurchases; domestic and global economic and credit conditions, including, in particular, market conditions and investment trends in the retail industry, and economic and market conditions in China and Russia; the impact of our indebtedness and its terms on our financial and operating activities; our ability to successfully introduce new solutions and compete in the information technology industry; the transformation of our business model and our ability to sell higher-margin software and services; our ability to improve execution in our sales and services organizations; defects or errors in our products or problems with our hosting facilities; manufacturing disruptions; collectability difficulties in subcontracting relationships in emerging industries; the historical seasonality of our sales; foreign currency fluctuations; the availability and success of acquisitions, divestitures and alliances, including the acquisition of Digital Insight; our pension strategy and underfunded pension obligation; the success of our ongoing restructuring plan; tax rates; compliance with data privacy and protection requirements; reliance on third party suppliers; development and protection of intellectual property; workforce turnover and the ability to attract and retain skilled employees; environmental exposures from our historical and ongoing manufacturing activities; uncertainties with regard to regulations, lawsuits, claims and other matters across various jurisdictions; and the other risks and uncertainties described in NCR’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in NCR’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed with the SEC on February 27, 2015 and in any of NCR’s subsequently filed Form 10-Qs. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. NCR does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
 
 


 
Important Information
As previously disclosed, on November 13, 2015, NCR commenced an offer to purchase for cash up to $1.0 billion of shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of NCR pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, dated November 13, 2015 (the “Offer to Purchase”), and the related Letter of Transmittal. This release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to buy or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities of NCR. The tender offer by NCR has been made solely by the Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal and other related materials, which NCR has filed with the SEC.  Investors are urged to read these materials, as well as any other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available, carefully and in their entirety because they contain important information, including the terms and conditions of the tender offer.  NCR has filed each of the documents referenced in this paragraph with the SEC, and investors may obtain a free copy of them from the SEC at its website www.sec.gov, or free of charge from NCR at http://investor.ncr.com or by directing a request to Gavin Bell, Vice President of Investor Relations, at 212-589-8468 or gavin.bell@ncr.com.