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):  September 9, 2015

 

Trinity Place Holdings Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

001-8546   22-2465228
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

717 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10022
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

(212) 235-2190
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

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

 

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

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

Investment Agreement with MFP Partners

 

On September 11, 2015, Trinity Place Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) entered into an Investment Agreement (the “MFP Investment Agreement”) with MFP Partners, L.P. (“MFP Partners”), a shareholder of the Company. Pursuant to the MFP Investment Agreement, the Company has agreed to commence a $30.0 million rights offering of its common stock (the “Rights Offering”).  Under the terms of the Rights Offering, the Company will distribute, at no charge to the holders of its common stock as of the record date, 0.248362 non-transferable subscription rights for each share of common stock owned on the record date, and each whole right will entitle the holder to purchase one share of common stock.  The rights, if exercised in full, will provide gross proceeds to the Company of $30.0 million.  In addition, holders of rights who fully exercise their basic subscription rights in full, other than MFP Partners (as discussed below), will be entitled to over subscribe for additional shares of common stock that remain unsubscribed as a result of any unexercised rights.  The subscription price for the rights will be $6.00 per share (the “Subscription Price”).

 

Subject to the terms and conditions of the MFP Investment Agreement, MFP Partners has agreed to purchase from the Company the shares of common stock not subscribed for in the Rights Offering, up to a maximum of 3,333,333 shares less the number of shares purchased by MFP Partners in the Rights Offering, at a price per share equal to the Subscription Price. If the number of unsubscribed shares of common stock purchased by MFP Partners pursuant to the MFP Investment Agreement is less than 1,666,667 shares (the “Minimum Allocation”), the Company will issue and sell to MFP Partners a number of shares of common stock equal to the excess of the Minimum Allocation over the number of shares purchased by MFP Partners pursuant to the MFP Investment Agreement (the “Additional Shares”), at a price per share equal to the Subscription Price. In addition to the investment pursuant to the MFP Investment Agreement, as a stockholder as of the record date, MFP Partners will have the right to subscribe for and purchase shares of the common stock of the Company under its basic subscription privilege, but it has waived its right to exercise its oversubscription privilege.

 

The closing of the transactions contemplated by the MFP Investment Agreement is subject to satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, including, among others, the effectiveness of the registration statement registering shares of common stock pursuant to the Rights Offering (the “Rights Offering Registration Statement”); the absence of any changes or events that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the MFP Investment Agreement); and the absence of certain adverse market events.

 

 

 

 

The MFP Investment Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the closing of the Rights Offering and the issuances contemplated by the MFP Investment Agreement:

 

· by mutual written agreement of the Company and MFP Partners;
· by MFP Partners, under the following circumstances: (i) if there is a breach by the Company of any covenant or representation or warranty that would cause the failure to satisfy a closing condition and is not capable of being cured by February 12, 2016; (ii) if any event results in a failure to satisfy a closing condition that is not capable of being cured by February 12, 2016; (iii) if the closing has not occurred by February 12, 2016; or
· by the Company under the following circumstances: (i) if there is a breach by MFP Partners of any covenant or representation or warranty that would cause the failure to satisfy a closing condition and is not capable of cure by February 12, 2016; or (ii) if any event results in a failure to satisfy a closing condition that is not capable of being cured by February 12, 2016.

 

The Company has agreed to indemnify MFP Partners and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, members, partners, employees, agents, and controlling persons for losses arising out of the Rights Offering, the MFP Investment Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by such agreement, subject to limited exceptions. The Company has also agreed to enter into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “MFP Registration Rights Agreement”) with MFP Partners upon the closing of the Rights Offering and the issuances contemplated by the MFP Investment Agreement, the form of which is attached as an exhibit to the MFP Investment Agreement attached as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.  Pursuant to the MFP Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is required to file, within a specified time period, a shelf registration statement registering offers and sales of the shares acquired by MFP Partners pursuant to the MFP Investment Agreement and the shares owned by MFP Partners as of the date of the execution of the MFP Investment Agreement.

 

The number of shares to be issued and sold pursuant to the MFP Investment Agreement may be reduced by the board of directors of the Company if it determines that such reduction is reasonably necessary in order to preserve the Company’s ability to utilize the full benefits of its net operating loss carryforwards and related tax benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the MFP Investment Agreement. In making such determination, the board of directors and the Company’s tax advisors will evaluate such factors as they deem reasonable and appropriate, including, among others, the need for the Company to maintain an appropriate “cushion”, determined by the Company at its discretion in consultation with its tax advisors, to protect against experiencing an “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

The chairman of the board of directors of the Company, Alexander Matina, is a representative of MFP Partners. Mr. Matina recused himself from the deliberations by the board of directors regarding the approval of the MFP Investment Agreement.

 

Investment Agreement with Third Avenue

 

On September 11, 2015, the Company entered into an Investment Agreement (the “Third Avenue Investment Agreement”, and together with the MFP Investment Agreement, the “Investment Agreements”) with Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund (“Third Avenue”), a shareholder of the Company.  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Third Avenue Investment Agreement, Third Avenue has agreed to exercise all of its rights under its basic subscription privilege in the Rights Offering, representing 836,841 shares. As a stockholder as of the record date, Third Avenue will also have the right to exercise its oversubscription privilege in its sole discretion.

 

The Third Avenue Investment Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the closing of the Rights Offering: (i) by mutual written agreement of the Company and Third Avenue; or (ii) by either Third Avenue or the Company, if the closing of the Rights Offering has not occurred by February 12, 2016 or upon the occurrence of certain adverse market events.

 

The Company has agreed to indemnify Third Avenue and its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, members, partners, employees, agents, and controlling persons for losses arising out of the Rights Offering, the Third Avenue Investment Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated by such agreement, subject to limited exceptions. The Company has also agreed to enter into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Third Avenue Registration Rights Agreement”) with Third Avenue upon the closing of the Rights Offering, the form of which is attached as an exhibit to the Third Avenue Investment Agreement attached as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K.  Pursuant to the Third Avenue Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is required to file, within a specified time period, a shelf registration statement registering offers and sales of the shares acquired by Third Avenue in the Rights Offering.

 

 

 

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Investment Agreements do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Investment Agreements, copies of which are attached as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.02   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

 

Pursuant to the Investment Agreements, the Company is obligated, subject to the limited conditions set forth in the Investment Agreements, to issue unregistered shares of common stock to each of MFP Partners and Third Avenue.  The sale of the shares of common stock in accordance with the Investment Agreements will be made in reliance on the exemption from registration of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. A description of each of the Investment Agreements is set forth above in Item 1.01 and is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.

 

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

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement with Matthew Messinger

 

On September 11, 2015, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Employment Agreement with Matthew Messinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which was originally entered into on October 1, 2013.

 

Pursuant to the Amendment, Mr. Messinger’s annual base salary was increased from $700,000 to $750,000, effective January 1, 2016. The Amendment also provides that the 250,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to be settled in November 2015 (pursuant to an award made when Mr. Messinger commenced employment) will be subject to “net share settlement.” In addition, the Amendment revises the provision for the grant of RSUs to be made in December 2015 (the “2015 RSU Award”) as follows: (i) the settlement dates were changed so that the 2015 RSU Award will be settled between three and seven years after the date of grant; and (ii) the Company may, but is not obligated, to grant the 2015 RSU Award even if the performance goal on which the 2015 RSU Award is conditioned has not been achieved, in the discretion of the board of directors of the Company. The Amendment also provides for an additional grants of RSUs as follows: (x) 250,000 RSUs to be made to Mr. Messinger on December 31, 2015, which will vest on December 31 of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the date of grant and (y) five annual grants of 30,000 RSUs each on December 31, 2015 through 2019, with each grant to vest on the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. The Amendment also delays by five years the settlement of certain RSU grants that were scheduled to be settled in 2017 and 2018.

 

The Amendment revises the severance due to Mr. Messinger as follows. In the event of Mr. Messinger’s death or disability, he will receive accelerated vesting of any RSUs that otherwise would have vested during the 24-month period following the date of termination (in lieu of the 12-month accelerated vesting period in the original employment agreement). In the event that Mr. Messinger’s employment is terminated for Cause (as defined in the employment agreement) or he terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined in the employment agreement), his severance will include 50% of his average annual bonus for the preceding three years multiplied by his years of service (in addition to half of his annual base salary multiplied by his years of service). The Amendment increases the maximum severance payable to Mr. Messinger from $1,400,000 to $2,800,000. The Amendment also reduces the number of shares of common stock of the Company to be granted to Mr. Messinger as part of severance from 363,095 shares to 30,000 shares (unless a termination occurs in 2015, in which case 393,095 shares would be granted).

 

In lieu of a commitment to consider additional RSU awards whenever the Company raises capital through the sale of additional equity securities, the Amendment provides for an additional RSU grant, but only with respect to the first such sale of additional equity securities.  The additional RSU grant will be for a number of RSUs that increases the RSUs previously granted to Mr. Messinger by the same percentage as the outstanding shares of the Company were increased by the sale of equity securities.

 

 

 

 

The Amendment provides that the Company may, but is not obligated to, permit net share settlement of RSU awards that do not otherwise provide for net share settlement, which determination shall take in to account the liquidity of the Company’s stock at the relevant time.

 

The foregoing description of the Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amendment, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

2015 Stock Incentive Plan

 

On September 9, 2015, the board of directors of the Company adopted the Trinity Place Holdings Inc. 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan authorizes the grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units and shares of unrestricted stock (collectively, the “Awards”). Subject to certain adjustment, a maximum of 800,000 shares of Common Stock are available for grants pursuant to Awards under the Plan.  No Awards under the Plan may be granted after September 9, 2025, but Awards outstanding at that time will continue in effect.

 

Officers, non-employee directors, and executive, managerial, professional or administrative employees of, and consultants to, the Company and its subsidiaries, as the Committee in its sole discretion shall select (in each case to the extent permitted under Form S-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.

 

The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the board of directors, or such other committee or subcommittee of the board of directors as the board of directors appoints or as is formed by abstention or recusal of one or more members of the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), consisting of two or more individuals, both of whom meet the definition of a “non-employee director” (as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), and the full board of directors may also serve as the Committee.

 

The board of directors may, at any time, suspend or discontinue or amend the Plan. Amendments will be subject to shareholder approval to the extent required by applicable law or stock exchange rules. In addition, the Committee may amend any Award to (i) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of any Award, (ii)  waive any condition imposed with respect to any Award, or (iii) otherwise adjust any of the terms of any Award. No amendment or modification to the Plan or any Award may reduce the grantee’s rights or materially increase the grantee’s obligations under any previously granted and outstanding Award without the consent of the grantee.

 

The foregoing description of the Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Plan, a copy of which is attached as an exhibit to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)  Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed herewith:

 

10.1 Investment Agreement, by and among MFP Partners, L.P. and the Company, dated as of September 11, 2015 (including the form of Registration Rights Agreement).
10.2 Investment Agreement, by and among Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund and the Company, dated as of September 11, 2015 (including the form of Registration Rights Agreement).
10.3 Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of September 11, 2015, by and between Trinity Place Holdings Inc. and Matthew Messinger
10.4 Trinity Place Holdings Inc. 2015 Stock Incentive Plan

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

  Trinity Place Holdings Inc.
   
   
Date: September 14, 2015 /s/ Richard Pyontek
  Richard Pyontek
  Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS INVESTMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of September 11, 2015, is made by and between Trinity Place Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and MFP Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Investor ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company proposes to conduct a rights offering (the “ Rights Offering ”) by distributing, at no charge, to each holder of record as of the Record Date (as defined below) of shares (“ Shares ”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), 0.248362 non-transferable rights (the “ Rights ”), for each Share held by such shareholder, to purchase Shares;

 

WHEREAS, the Rights will be exercisable for an aggregate of Five Million (5,000,000) Shares (the “ Offered Shares ”) and, if exercised in full by each such holder, will provide gross proceeds to the Company of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000) (the “ Aggregate Offering Amount ”);

 

WHEREAS, each whole Right will entitle the holder to purchase one Share (the “ Basic Subscription Privilege ”) at a price equal to $6.00 per Share (as appropriately adjusted for any stock split, combination, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock distribution or similar event, the “ Exercise Price ”), subject to the Cutback (as defined below);

 

WHEREAS, each holder of Rights (other than the Investor) who exercises all of its Rights will be entitled, on a pro rata basis, to subscribe for additional Shares at the Exercise Price (the “ Over-Subscription Privilege ”), to the extent that other holders of Rights do not exercise all of their respective Basic Subscription Privileges in full, subject to the Cutback;

 

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate the Rights Offering, the Investor has agreed to subscribe for and purchase, at the Exercise Price, upon expiration of the Rights Offering, up to 3,333,333 Offered Shares that are not purchased pursuant to the exercise of Rights in the Rights Offering less the number of Offered Shares purchased by the Investor pursuant to the exercise of its Basic Subscription Privilege, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and subject to the Cutback (the “ Backstop Commitment ”);

 

WHEREAS, in the event the Investor does not purchase at least 1,666,667 Shares in the aggregate pursuant to the Backstop Commitment, the Company has agreed to issue and sell to the Investor at the Exercise Price, and the Investor has agreed to purchase, a number of additional Shares that will result in the Investor having purchased an aggregate of 1,666,667 Shares under this Agreement (the “ Minimum Commitment ”);

 

WHEREAS, at the Closing, the Company will enter into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Investor, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “ Registration Rights Agreemen t”), pursuant to which the Company agrees to register all of the Shares held by the Investor and/or its Affiliates immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all Shares held by the Investor and/or its Affiliates as of the date hereof;

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, in order to preserve the Company’s ability to utilize the full benefits of its net operating losses and related tax benefits, the Company may, in its discretion, reduce the number of Offered Shares issuable to some or all Eligible Holders (as defined below) in the Rights Offering and/or pursuant to this Agreement, as determined by the Board of Directors in consultation with the Company’s advisors following the Expiration Time (as defined below), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has unanimously approved this Agreement, the Rights Offering, each of the other Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, agreements, representations, warranties and covenants contained herein, each of the parties hereto hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Rights Offering .

 

(a)           On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company will distribute, at no charge, 0.248362 Rights to each holder of record of Common Stock (each, an “ Eligible Holder ”) for each share of Common Stock held by such holder as of the close of business on a record date to be determined by the Board of Directors (the “ Record Date ”). Each such Right shall be non-transferable. Each whole Right will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, at the election of the holder thereof, one Share at the Exercise Price, subject to the Cutback, if any. The total number of Rights issued to each Eligible Holder will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

 

(b)           The Rights, including the Basic Subscription Privilege and the Over-Subscription Privilege, may be exercised during a period (the “ Rights Exercise Period ”) commencing on the date on which Rights are issued to Eligible Holders (the “ Rights Offering Commencement Date ”) and ending at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on a Business Day that shall not be less than twenty (20) days after the Rights Offering Commencement Date, subject to extension at the reasonable discretion of the Board of Directors, provided , however , that the Rights Exercise Period shall not be extended by more than thirty (30) days without the prior written consent of the Investor (the “ Expiration Time ”). “ Business Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

(c)           Each holder of Rights who wishes to exercise all or a portion of its Rights under the Basic Subscription Privilege shall (i) during the Rights Exercise Period return a duly executed election form to a subscription agent selected by the Company (the “ Subscription Agent ”) electing to exercise all or a portion of the Rights held by such holder (provided that only whole Rights may be exercised) to purchase one Offered Share for each Right so exercised and (ii) pay an amount equal to the Exercise Price for each Share that the holder elects to purchase pursuant to the instructions filed with the Rights Offering Registration Statement (as defined below), and related materials by the specified date to an escrow account established for the Rights Offering. On the Closing Date or as promptly as practicable thereafter, the Company will issue to each holder of Rights who validly exercised its Rights the number of Shares to which such holder is entitled based on such exercise, subject to the Cutback.

 

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(d)           In the event that all of the Offered Shares are not purchased upon exercise of the Basic Subscription Privilege, each holder of Rights (other than the Investor) who exercises in full its Basic Subscription Privilege will be entitled under the Over-Subscription Privilege to subscribe for additional Shares at the Exercise Price pursuant to the instructions filed with the Rights Offering Registration Statement and related materials, subject to the Cutback. If the number of Offered Shares remaining after the exercise of Rights under the Basic Subscription Privilege (the “ Remaining Offered Shares ”) is not sufficient to satisfy all requests for Shares under the Over-Subscription Privileges, the holders who exercised their Over-Subscription Privileges will be allocated such Remaining Offered Shares in proportion to the product (rounded to the nearest whole number so that the Exercise Price multiplied by the aggregate number of Offered Shares does not exceed the Aggregate Offering Amount) obtained by multiplying the number of Offered Shares such holder subscribed for under the Over-Subscription Privilege by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of Remaining Offered Shares and the denominator of which is the total number of Offered Shares sought to be subscribed for under the Over-Subscription Privilege by all holders participating in such Over-Subscription Privilege. Rights under the Over-Subscription Privilege shall be exercised at the same time as Rights under the Basic Subscription Privilege.

 

(e)           The Company shall notify, or cause the Subscription Agent to notify, the Investor, on each Friday during the Rights Exercise Period and on each Business Day during the five Business Days immediately prior to the Expiration Time (and any extensions thereto), or more frequently if reasonably requested by the Investor, of the aggregate number of Rights known by the Company or the Subscription Agent to have been exercised pursuant to the Rights Offering as of the close of business on the preceding Business Day or the most recent practicable time before such request, as the case may be.

 

(f)           As soon as practicable, and in any event within three (3) Business Days, after the Expiration Time, the Company will give the Investor notice of the number of Offered Shares elected to be purchased by holders of Rights pursuant to validly exercised Rights pursuant to the Basic Subscription Privilege and the Over-Subscription Privilege (the “ Subscribed Shares ”), and the number of Offered Shares issuable pursuant to Rights that were not properly exercised by the holders thereof during the Rights Offering (the “ Unsubscribed Shares ”) and the aggregate Exercise Price therefor (a “ Purchase Notice ”) or, if there were no Unsubscribed Shares, the fact that there are no Unsubscribed Shares (a “ Satisfaction Notice ”) (the date of transmission of a Purchase Notice or a Satisfaction Notice, the “ Determination Date ”).

 

(g)           Subject to the Cutback, on the Closing Date (as defined below), and on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Agreement, the Investor agrees to purchase, and the Company will sell to the Investor, at the Exercise Price, Unsubscribed Shares and, if applicable, additional Shares, as follows:

 

(i)           The Investor shall purchase up to 3,333,333 Unsubscribed Shares at the Exercise Price; provided , that such amount shall be reduced as applicable to give effect to the purchase of any Shares by the Investor under its Basic Subscription Privilege;

 

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(ii)          In the event the Investor does not purchase at least 1,666,667 Shares pursuant to clause (i) above (the “ Minimum Share Allocation ”), the Company shall issue and sell to the Investor at the Exercise Price, and the Investor shall purchase, a number of additional Shares that will result in the Investor having purchased an amount of Shares in the aggregate under this Agreement (and excluding any Offered Shares purchased by the Investor in the Rights Offering) equal to the Minimum Share Allocation; and

 

(iii)         Promptly following the Determination Date, the Investor and the Company shall review and agree on the amount of Shares to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to the calculations set forth in this paragraph (g) (the “ Backstop Shares ”).

 

(h)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Rights Offering Registration Statement or otherwise, as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Time the Company, in its good faith discretion and in consultation with its tax advisors, will determine, to the extent commercially reasonable, whether to effect any reduction in the amount of Subscribed Shares and/or Backstop Shares as is reasonably necessary in order to preserve the Company’s ability to utilize the full benefits of its net operating losses and related tax benefits (such reduction, if any, the “ Cutback ”), subject to the following provisions:

 

(i)           In making such determination, the Company and its tax advisors will evaluate such factors as they deem reasonable and appropriate, including, among others, the need for the Company to maintain an appropriate “cushion”, determined by the Company at its discretion in consultation with its tax advisors, to protect against experiencing an “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”);

 

(ii)          If the Company determines to make a Cutback, it will attempt to do so, as nearly as may be practicable, in the following order of priority:

 

(A)          First, to reduce the number of Shares that would be otherwise issuable under validly exercised Rights pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege; provided , that the application of the Cutback may be different with respect to different holders of Rights, depending on the circumstances;

 

(B)          Second, to reduce the number of Backstop Shares that would be otherwise issuable under Section 1(g)(i), but not below the Minimum Share Allocation;

 

(C)          Third , to reduce the number of Shares that would be otherwise issuable under validly exercised Rights pursuant to the Basic Subscription Privilege; provided , that the application of the Cutback may be different with respect to different holders of Rights, depending on the circumstances; and

 

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(D)          Fourth , to reduce the number of Shares that would be otherwise issuable under Section 1(g)(ii);

 

provided , that prior to making any Cutback with respect to Investor Shares, the Company will consult with the Investor and consider any reasonable suggestions from the Investor regarding the application of the Cutback  to the Investor Shares.

 

(i)           The Investor shall have the right to arrange for one or more of its Affiliates (each, an “ Affiliated Purchaser ”) to purchase any Shares issuable to the Investor pursuant to its Backstop Commitment, by written notice to the Company at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, which notice shall be signed by the Investor and each Affiliated Purchaser, and shall contain a confirmation by the Affiliated Purchaser of the accuracy with respect to it of the representations set forth in Section 4 . In no event will any such arrangement relieve the Investor from its obligations under this Agreement. The term “ Affiliate ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), in effect on the date hereof.

 

(j)           The closing of the purchase of the Shares to be purchased in the Rights Offering and the Shares to be purchased by the Investor hereunder (the “ Closing ”) will occur at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, as soon as practicable following the Expiration Time and after giving effect to the determinations contemplated by paragraphs (f), (g) and (h) above (the “ Closing Date ”). The Company and, to the extent applicable, the Investor, shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Closing Date to occur within seven (7) Business Days following the Expiration Time. Delivery to the Investor of the Shares acquired by the Investor pursuant to this Agreement and the Rights Offering (the “ Investor Shares ”) will be made by the Company to the account of the Investor (or to such other accounts, including the account of an Affiliated Purchaser, as the Investor may designate in accordance with this Agreement). The documents to be delivered on the Closing Date by or on behalf of the parties hereto and certificates representing the Investor Shares will be delivered at the offices of Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP, on the Closing Date.

 

(k)           All Investor Shares will be delivered with any and all issue, stamp, transfer, sales and use, or similar Taxes or duties payable in connection with such delivery duly paid by the Company.

 

2.           Expense Reimbursement . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, and in consideration for the Investor’s Backstop Commitment, the Company will promptly reimburse or pay, as the case may be, on the Closing Date, the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Investor in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the Rights Offering, the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), the Backstop Commitment and the negotiation and execution of the Transaction Agreements) to the extent incurred on or before the Closing Date (and thereafter all post-closing costs and expenses relating to the transactions contemplated hereby to the extent incurred within three months of the Closing Date), including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Investor (collectively, “ Transaction Expenses ”). The provision for the payment of the Transaction Expenses is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without this provision the Investor would not have entered into this Agreement.

 

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3.           Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Investor, as set forth below. Except for representations, warranties and agreements that are expressly limited as to their date, each representation, warranty and agreement is made as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby:

 

(a)           Organization and Qualification . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation, with the requisite power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as currently conducted. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation or organization for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. For the purpose of this Agreement, “ Material Adverse Effect ” means (i) any material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) any material adverse effect on the ability of the Company, subject to the approvals and other authorizations set forth in Section 3(g) , to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided , however, that “ Material Adverse Effect ” shall not include the impact on such business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement arising out of or attributable to, either alone or in combination with any other change, effect, circumstance, occurrence, event, condition or fact (“ Effects ”) (i) Effects that generally affect the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, (ii) general economic conditions, (iii) Effects resulting from changes affecting financial, banking, securities or commodities markets (including in each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, any Effects resulting from an outbreak or escalation of hostilities, acts of war or terrorism, political instability or other national or international calamity, crisis or emergency, or any governmental or other response to any of the foregoing, in each case whether or not involving the United States), (iv) Effects arising from changes in laws, rules, regulations or accounting principles, (v) Effects resulting from the announcement of the transactions contemplated hereby or from taking any action required by the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any of the other agreements or transactions contemplated hereby, (vi) the historical seasonality of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or the failure to meet any projections or forecasts or (vii) any change in the price or trading volume of the Company’s outstanding securities (it being understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such change in stock price or trading volume may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, or will be, a Material Adverse Effect); except if such Effect results from, or is attributable to, any of the matters described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vi) above and disproportionately affects the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate (but taking into account for purposes of determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred only the disproportionate portion of such adverse effect). For the purposes of this Agreement, a “ Subsidiary ” of any person means, with respect to such person, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other legal entity of which such person (either alone or through or together with any other subsidiary), owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the stock or other equity interests, has the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body, or has the power to direct the business and policies.

 

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(b)           Corporate Power and Authority . The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement (together, the “ Transaction Agreements ”), and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the issuance of the Rights, the Offered Shares and the Investor Shares. The Company has taken all necessary corporate action required for the due authorization, execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement, including the issuance of the Rights, the Offered Shares and the Investor Shares.

 

(c)           Execution and Delivery; Enforceability . Each Transaction Agreement has been, or prior to its execution and delivery at the Closing will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company, and each such document constitutes, or will constitute, the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

(d)           Authorized and Issued Capital Stock . The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 79,999,997 shares of Common Stock, one share of Series A preferred stock and one share of Series B preferred stock, each with a par value of $0.01 per share, one share of a class of special stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 40,000,000 shares of a class of designation preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. At the close of business on September 8, 2015 (the “ Capital Structure Date ”), (i) 24,728,471 shares of Common Stock were issued and 20,131,928 shares of Common Stock were outstanding, (ii) one share of Series A preferred stock, one share of Series B preferred stock and one share of special stock were issued and outstanding, (iii) 4,596,543 shares of Common Stock were held by the Company in its treasury, and (iv) 1,602,796 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon settlement of outstanding restricted stock units (each, an “ RSU ” and, collectively, the “ RSUs ”) granted under any stock-based compensation plan of the Company or otherwise (the “ Stock Plans ”). All capital stock or equity interests of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is owned by the Company. The issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to any preemptive rights. Except as set forth in this Section 3(d) , at the close of business on the Capital Structure Date, no shares of capital stock or other equity securities or voting interest in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries were issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. Since the close of business on the Capital Structure Date, no shares of capital stock or other equity securities or voting interest in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been issued or reserved for issuance or become outstanding, other than Shares described in this Section 3(d) that have been issued upon the vesting and settlement of RSUs granted under the Stock Plans and other than the shares to be issued hereunder. Other than as set forth in (i) this Section 3(d), (ii) the Employment Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2013, between the Company and Matthew Messinger (the “ CEO Employment Agreement ”) (iii) Restricted Stock Unit Agreements with other employees of the Company (to the extent not yet settled or terminated), (iv) the Company’s certificate of incorporation and (v) this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to or otherwise bound by or subject to any outstanding option, warrant, call, subscription or other right (including any preemptive right), agreement or commitment which (w) obligates the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver, sell or transfer, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold or transferred, or repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, any shares of the capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any security convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into any capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (x) obligates the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, security, commitment, contract, arrangement or undertaking, (y) restricts the transfer of any shares of capital stock of the Company or (z) relates to the voting of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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(e)           Issuance . The Investor Shares to be issued and sold by the Company to the Investor or any Affiliated Purchaser hereunder, when such Shares are issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms hereof, will be duly and validly authorized, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all Taxes, liens, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal, subscription and similar rights.

 

(f)           No Conflict . The distribution of the Rights, the sale, issuance and delivery of the Offered Shares upon exercise of the Rights, the consummation of the Rights Offering by the Company and the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Agreements and compliance by the Company with all of the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein (including issuance and sale of Investor Shares to the Investor) (i) will not, in any material respect, conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both), or result in the acceleration of, or the creation of any lien under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, (ii) will not result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws or comparable organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) subject to the receipt of the consents and approvals contemplated in Section 3(g) , will not result in any violation of, or any termination or impairment of any rights under, any law, rule or regulation, any license, authorization, injunction, judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties, in each case, that is material to the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(g)           Consents and Approvals . No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, notice, filing, recording or qualification of or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties is required for the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Agreements, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the distribution of the Rights, the sale, issuance and delivery of Offered Shares upon exercise of the Rights and the Investor Shares to the Investor hereunder, except (i) the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), of the issuance of the Rights and the Offered Shares pursuant to the exercise of Rights, and (ii) such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase of the Investor Shares by the Investor or the distribution of the Rights and the sale of Shares to holders of Rights.

 

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(h)           Arm’s Length . The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the Rights Offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person or entity. Additionally, the Investor is not advising the Company or any other person or entity as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Investor shall not have any responsibility or liability to the Company, its Affiliates, or their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, advisors or other representatives with respect thereto. Any review by the Investor of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Investor and shall not be on behalf of the Company, its Affiliates, or their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, advisors or other representatives and shall not affect any of the representations or warranties contained herein or the remedies of the Investor with respect thereto.

 

(i)           Company SEC Documents . Since January 1, 2014, the Company has filed or submitted all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including exhibits and all other information incorporated therein) (“ Company SEC Documents ”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”). As of their respective dates, each of the Company SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder applicable to such Company SEC Documents. The Company has filed with the Commission all “material contracts” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) that are required to be filed as exhibits to the Company SEC Documents and there are no contracts or other documents that are required under the Exchange Act to be described in the Company SEC Documents that are not so described. No Company SEC Document filed after January 1, 2014, when filed, or, in the case of any Company SEC Document amended or superseded prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such amending or superseding filing, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Any Company SEC Documents filed with the Commission prior to the Closing Date, when filed, will not contain any 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, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

 

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(j)           Financial Statements . The financial statements and the related notes of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Documents, and to be included or incorporated by reference in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Rights Offering Prospectus and the Shelf Registration Statement, comply or will comply, as the case may be, in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and for the periods specified, subject, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to absence of disclosure normally made in footnotes and to customary year-end adjustments which shall not be material; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepting accounting principles (“ GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Documents, and to be included or incorporated by reference in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Rights Offering Prospectus and the Shelf Registration Statement, present fairly the information required to be stated therein in all material respects; and the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Documents, and to be included or incorporated by reference in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Rights Offering Prospectus and the Shelf Registration Statement, has been or will be derived from the accounting records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and presents fairly or will present fairly the information shown thereby in all material respects.

 

(k)           Rights Offering Registration Statement, Rights Offering Prospectus and the Shelf Registration Statement . The Rights Offering Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, and the Shelf Registration Statement, will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act, and will not contain any 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; and as of the applicable filing date of the Rights Offering Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date, the Rights Offering Prospectus will not contain any 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. On the date the Rights are distributed to Eligible Holders and the Expiration Date, the Investment Decision Package will not contain 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, at the time of use thereof, when considered together with the other components of the Investment Decision Package, will not contain 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each Preliminary Rights Offering Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and will not contain any 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance on and in conformity with information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by the Investor expressly for use in the Rights Offering Registration Statement and the Rights Offering Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

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For the purposes of this Agreement, (i) the term “ Rights Offering Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed with the Commission relating to the Rights Offering, including all exhibits thereto and any post-effective amendment thereto that becomes effective; (ii) the term “ Rights Offering Prospectus ” means the final prospectus contained in the Rights Offering Registration Statement at the Securities Act Effective Date (including information, if any, omitted pursuant to Rule 430A and subsequently provided pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act), and any amended form of such prospectus provided under Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act or contained in a post-effective amendment to the Rights Offering Registration Statement; (iii) the term “ Investment Decision Package ” means the Rights Offering Prospectus, together with any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus used by the Company to offer the Shares to Eligible Holders pursuant to the Rights Offering, (iv) the term “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means each “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433 of the rules promulgated under the Securities Act) prepared by or on behalf of the Company or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the Rights Offering, and (v) the term “ Preliminary Rights Offering Prospectus ” means each prospectus included in the Rights Offering Registration Statement (and any amendments thereto) before it becomes effective, any prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act and the prospectus included in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, at the time of effectiveness that omits information permitted to be excluded under Rule 430A under the Securities Act.

 

(l)           Absence of Certain Changes . Since January 1, 2014, other than as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents prior to the date hereof, and except for actions to be taken pursuant to the Transaction Agreements:

 

(i)           there has not been any change in the capital stock from that set forth in Section 3(d) or in long-term debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock;

 

(ii)          the Company has not incurred any material liability other than in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(iii)         no event, fact or circumstance has occurred which has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(m)           No Violation or Default; Compliance with Laws . Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in material default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a material default, in the due performance or observance of any material term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or has been at any time since January 1, 2014, in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority that is material to the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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(n)           Legal Proceedings . Except as described in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there are no (i) actions, suits or proceedings (“ Actions ”) pending against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) pending or threatened investigations or audits by any governmental or regulatory authority, in each case that are that required under the Exchange Act to be described in the Company SEC Documents or the Rights Offering Registration Statement or that if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, would be material to the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken together as a whole. Except as described in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there are no outstanding orders, writs, injunctions, decrees, stipulations, determinations or awards entered by or with any governmental entity or addressed to or naming as a party the Company or any Subsidiary, and there are no unsatisfied judgments, penalties or awards against, relating to or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(o)           Employee Benefit Matters .

 

(i)           The Company has made available to the Investor a true, correct and complete copy of each welfare, benefit, retirement, employment, compensation, incentive, stock option, restricted stock, stock appreciation right, phantom equity, deferred compensation, change in control, severance, vacation, paid time off, fringe-benefit and other similar agreement, plan, policy, program and other arrangement (and any amendments thereto), whether or not reduced to writing, in effect and covering one or more directors, officers or employees, former directors, officers or employees and/or the beneficiaries or dependents of any such director, officer or employee or former director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, that is maintained, sponsored, contributed to, or required to be contributed to by Company or any Subsidiary, or under which the Company or any Subsidiary has or may have any liability for premiums or benefits (each, a “ Benefit Plan ”).

 

(ii)          Except as disclosed to the Investor prior to the date hereof or specifically disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, no Benefit Plan provides benefits or coverage in the nature of health, life or disability insurance following retirement or other termination of employment or service with the Company, as a director, officer or employee of the Company.

 

(iii)         Except as disclosed to the Investor prior to the date hereof or specifically disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there have not been, nor are there presently, any benefits or other amounts paid or payable to any current or former director of the Company or any affiliate thereof.

 

(iv)         There is no pending or threatened Action relating to a Benefit Plan, and no Benefit Plan has within the three (3) years prior to the date hereof been the subject of an examination or audit by a governmental entity or is the subject of an application or filing under, or is a participant in, an amnesty, voluntary compliance, self-correction or similar program sponsored by any governmental entity.

 

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(p)           No Broker’s Fees . Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to any brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the Rights Offering or the sale of the Investor Shares.

 

(q)           No Registration Rights . Except as provided for pursuant to this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Investment Agreement entered into between the Company and Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund, dated as of the date hereof, and except as disclosed to the Investor prior to the date hereof or specifically disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, no person has the right to require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act.

 

(r)           Charter; Take-Over Statutes . The Board of Directors and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors have each taken (or shall have taken by the Closing) all necessary action to waive and/or approve the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and for purposes of Article Fourteenth of the Company’s certificate of incorporation. The holder of the Series A preferred stock and the Series A Director (as defined in the Company’s certificate of incorporation) have each taken (or shall have taken by the Closing) all necessary action to approve the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby for purposes of the Company’s certificate of incorporation. No “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition”, “business combination” or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation (a “ Takeover Statute ”) is applicable to the Company, the Common Stock, the sale and issuance of the Offered Shares and the Investor Shares or the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements.

 

(s)           Transactions with Affiliates . Except as disclosed to the Investor in writing prior to the date hereof or specifically disclosed in the Company SEC Documents, (i) there are no contracts, agreements, arrangements, understandings (in each case whether written or oral), liabilities or obligations between the Company or any Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any current or former officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary (or any of their respective affiliates or immediate family members), on the other hand, (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary provides or causes to be provided any assets, services or facilities to any person described in clause (i) of this Section 3(s) , (iii) no person described in clause (i) of this Section 3(s) provides or causes to be provided any assets, services or facilities to the Company or any Subsidiary, or derives any benefit from any assets, services or facilities of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than as explicitly contemplated by the terms of such person’s employment by the Company or any Subsidiary).

 

(t)           No Material Misstatements . No representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated herein or therein or necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading.

 

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(u)           No Solicitation . Neither the Company nor any agent acting on its behalf has solicited or will solicit any offers to sell or has offered to sell or will offer to sell all or any part of the Investor Shares to any Person or Persons so as to bring the sale of such Investor Shares to the Investor within the registration provisions of the Securities Act or any state securities laws.

 

4.           Representations and Warranties of the Investor . The Investor represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Company, as set forth below. Except for representations, warranties and agreements that are expressly limited as to their date, each representation, warranty and agreement is made as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby:

 

(a)           Authority . The Investor has the requisite power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver each Transaction Agreement to which it will be a party as contemplated by this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the subscription for the Investor Shares. The Investor has taken all necessary action required for the due authorization, execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement, including the subscription for the Investor Shares.

 

(b)           Execution and Delivery; Enforceability . Each Transaction Agreement to which the Investor is a party as contemplated by this Agreement has been, or prior to its execution and delivery at the Closing will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Investor, and each such document constitutes, or will constitute, the valid and binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

(c)           No Registration . The Investor understands that the Investor Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act, the availability of which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Investor’s representations as expressed herein or otherwise made pursuant hereto.

 

(d)           Investment Intent . The Investor is acquiring the Investor Shares for investment for its own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with the view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof not in compliance with applicable securities laws, and the Investor has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, except in compliance with applicable securities laws.

 

(e)           Securities Laws Compliance . The Investor Shares will not be offered for sale, sold or otherwise transferred by the Investor except pursuant to a registration statement or in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

 

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(f)           Sophistication . The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Investor Shares being acquired hereunder. The Investor is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act. The Investor understands and is able to bear any economic risks associated with such investment (including, without limitation, the necessity of holding the Investor Shares for an indefinite period of time). Without derogating from or limiting the representations and warranties of the Company, the Investor acknowledges that it has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers concerning the Company and to obtain additional information that it has requested to verify the information contained herein.

 

(g)           Legended Securities . The Investor understands and acknowledges that upon the original issuance thereof, and until such time as the same is no longer required under any applicable requirements of the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws, the Investor Shares shall be represented by a certificate bearing the following legend (the “ Securities Act Legend ”):

 

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING SUCH SECURITIES, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY PURSUANT TO (1) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (2) AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

The Investor further understands and acknowledges that upon the original issuance thereof, and until such time as the Board of Directors of the Company deems it no longer necessary or advisable under the Company’s charter or otherwise, the certificate representing the Investor Shares shall also bear the following legend (the “ NOL Legend ”):

 

“THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED (THE “CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION”), OF THE CORPORATION CONTAINS RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITING THE TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION) OF ANY STOCK OF THE CORPORATION (INCLUDING THE CREATION OR GRANT OF CERTAIN OPTIONS) WITHOUT THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION (THE “BOARD OF DIRECTORS”) IF SUCH TRANSFER AFFECTS THE PERCENTAGE OF STOCK OF THE CORPORATION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 382 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) AND THE TREASURY REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER) THAT IS TREATED AS OWNED BY A HOLDER OF 4.75% OR MORE OF THE OUTSTANDING STOCK, AS DETERMINED UNDER THE CODE AND SUCH TREASURY REGULATIONS (A “SUBSTANTIAL STOCKHOLDER”). IF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE VIOLATED, THEN THE TRANSFER WILL BE VOID AB INITIO AND THE PURPORTED TRANSFEREE OF THE STOCK WILL BE REQUIRED TO TRANSFER EXCESS SECURITIES TO THE CORPORATION’S AGENT. IN THE EVENT OF A TRANSFER WHICH DOES NOT INVOLVE SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW (“INDIRECT SECURITIES”) BUT WHICH WOULD VIOLATE THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS, THE PURPORTED TRANSFEREE (OR THE RECORD OWNER) OF THE INDIRECT SECURITIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO TRANSFER SUFFICIENT INDIRECT SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE TERMS PROVIDED FOR IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO CAUSE THE SUBSTANTIAL STOCKHOLDER TO NO LONGER BE IN VIOLATION OF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS CERTIFICATE A COPY OF THE RELEVANT GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONTAINING THE ABOVE-REFERENCED TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CORPORATION AT ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS.”

 

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The foregoing Securities Act Legend shall be promptly removed from Investor Shares and the Company shall issue, or cause to be issued, to the Investor a certificate for such Investor Shares without such legend or any other legend (other than the NOL Legend), or, if so requested by the Investor, by electronic delivery at the applicable balance account at the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), if one of the following conditions is met: (a) such Investor Shares are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act without regard to any volume limitations; (b) in connection with a sale, assignment or other transfer of such Investor Shares, the Investor provides the Company with an opinion of counsel, in a generally acceptable form to the Company and its transfer agent, to the effect that such sale, assignment or transfer of such Investor Shares may be made without registration under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and that the legend can be removed from the Investor Shares; or (c) the Investor Shares are registered and sold pursuant to an effective registration statement for resale under the Securities Act (including pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement).

 

Any fees (with respect to the transfer agent or otherwise) associated with the removal of such legend shall be borne by the Company. Following the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement, or at such time as a Securities Act Legend is no longer required for any Investor Shares, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to no later than three (3) trading days following the delivery by the Investor to the Company or its transfer agent (with notice to the Company) of a legended certificate representing such Investor Shares (endorsed or with stock powers attached and otherwise in form necessary to effect the reissuance and/or transfer), deliver or cause to be delivered to the Investor a certificate representing such Investor Shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends (other than the NOL Legend). The Company may not make any notation on its records or give instructions to the transfer agent that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 4(g) . Certificates for Investor Shares subject to legend removal hereunder may be transmitted by the transfer agent to such Investor by crediting the account of such Investor’s prime broker with DTC as directed by such Investor.

 

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(h)           No Conflict . The execution and delivery by the Investor of each of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party and the compliance by the Investor with all of the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein (including the subscription for and purchase of the Investor Shares by the Investor) (i) will not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both), or result, in the acceleration of, or the creation of any lien under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Investor is a party or by which the Investor is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Investor is subject, (ii) will not result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws or comparable organizational documents of the Investor and (iii) will not result in any material violation of, or any termination or material impairment of any rights under, any law, rule or regulation, any license, authorization, injunction, judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Investor or any of its properties, except in any such case described in subclause (i) for any conflict, breach, violation, default, acceleration or lien which has not and would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to prohibit, materially delay or materially and adversely impact the Investor’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(i)           Consents and Approvals . No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, notice, filing, recording or qualification of or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Investor or any of its or his properties is required for the execution and delivery by the Investor of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, performance by the Investor of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for any consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification which, if not made or obtained, has not and would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to prohibit, materially delay or materially and adversely impact the Investor’s performance of its or his obligations under this Agreement.

 

(j)           Arm’s Length . The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Company is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Investor with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the Rights Offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to or an agent of, the Investor. Additionally, without derogating from or limiting the representations and warranties of the Company, the Investor is not relying on the Company for any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. Without derogating from or limiting the representations and warranties of the Company, the Investor shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(k)           Share Ownership . As of the date hereof, based on the methodology for calculating shares beneficially owned pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 16a-1 of the Exchange Act, the Investor beneficially owns 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

 

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(l)           Information Furnished . Information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by the Investor expressly for use in the Rights Offering Registration Statement and Shelf Registration Statement will not contain 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.

 

5.           Covenants of the Company . Without derogating from the obligations of the Company set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, the Company agrees with the Investor as set forth below.

 

(a)           Rights Offering Registration Statement .

 

(i)           As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company shall prepare and file a Rights Offering Registration Statement.

 

(ii)          The Rights Offering Registration Statement when filed with the Commission shall be substantially consistent in all material respects with the last form of such document provided to the Investor and its counsel to review prior to the filing thereof. The Company shall: (x) provide the Investor with a reasonable opportunity to review the Rights Offering Registration Statement prior to its filing with the Commission and shall duly consider in good faith any comments of the Investor and its counsel; (y) advise the Investor promptly of the time when the Rights Offering Registration Statement has been filed or when the Rights Offering Registration Statement has become effective or any Rights Offering Prospectus or Rights Offering Prospectus supplement has been filed and shall furnish the Investor with copies thereof; and (z) advise the Investor promptly after it receives notice of any comments or inquiries by the Commission (and furnish the Investor with copies of any correspondence related thereto), of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Rights Offering Registration Statement, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing the Rights Offering Registration Statement or for additional information, and in each such case, provide the Investor with a reasonable opportunity to review any such comments, inquiries, request or other communication from the Commission and to review any amendment or supplement to the Rights Offering Registration Statement before any filing with the Commission, and to duly consider in good faith any comments consistent with this Agreement and any other reasonable comments of the Investor and its counsel and in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Rights Offering Registration Statement or suspending any such qualification, to use promptly its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain its withdrawal.

 

(iii)         The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Rights Offering Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable after such filing. The Company shall take all action as may be reasonably necessary or advisable so that the Rights Offering and the issuance and sale of the Investor Shares and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be effected in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws.

 

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(iv)         If at any time prior to the Expiration Time, any event occurs as a result of which the Investment Decision Package, as then amended or supplemented, would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Investment Decision Package to comply with applicable law, the Company will promptly notify the Investor of any such event and prepare an amendment or supplement to the Investor Decision Package that is reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Investor that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.

 

(b)           Company Expenses . The Company will pay all of its expenses associated with the Rights Offering, issuance of the Investor Shares, preparation, negotiation and execution of all Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, filing and printing fees, fees and expenses of any subscription and information agents, its counsel and accounting fees and expenses, costs associated with the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Shelf Registration Statement and with clearing the Shares offered thereby for sale under applicable state securities laws.

 

(c)           Commercially Reasonable Efforts . The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part under this Agreement and applicable laws to cooperate with the Investor and to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including:

 

(i)           preparing and filing as promptly as practicable all documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports and other filings and to obtain as promptly as practicable all consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations necessary or advisable to be obtained from any third party or governmental entity;

 

(ii)          defending any lawsuits or other actions or proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated by this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other governmental entity vacated or reversed; and

 

(iii)         executing, delivering and filing, as applicable, any additional ancillary instruments or agreements reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

(d)           Rule 144 . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to timely file all reports and other documents required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder (or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of the Investor, make publicly available such information as necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act), and will use commercially reasonable efforts to take such further action as the Investor may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable the Investor to sell Investor Shares without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

 

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(e)           Registration Rights Agreement . At or prior to the Closing, the Company shall enter into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Investor pursuant to which the Company agrees to register all of the Shares held by the Investor and/or its Affiliates immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including all Shares held by the Investor and/or its Affiliates as of the date hereof.

 

6.           Additional Covenants of the Investor . Without derogating from the obligations of the Investor set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, the Investor agrees with the Company:

 

(a)           Information . The Investor shall provide the Company with such information as the Company reasonably requests regarding the Investor for inclusion in the Rights Offering Registration Statement and Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(b)           Cooperation . The Investor shall cooperate with the Company in taking all action necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including executing, delivering and filing, as applicable, any additional ancillary instruments or agreements necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

7.           Conditions to the Obligations of the Parties .

 

(a)           The obligations of the Investor hereunder to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be subject to the satisfaction prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions (which may be waived in whole or in part by the Investor in its sole discretion):

 

(i)           Rights Offering Registration Statement Effectiveness . The Rights Offering Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the Commission and shall continue to be effective and no stop order shall have been entered by the Commission with respect thereto.

 

(ii)          Rights Offering . The Rights Offering shall have been completed by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Rights Offering Registration Statement.

 

(iii)         Purchase or Satisfaction Notice . The Investor shall have timely received either a Purchase Notice from the Company on the Determination Date, certifying the number of Unsubscribed Shares to be purchased pursuant to the Backstop Commitment, or a Satisfaction Notice.

 

(iv)         Consents . All other governmental and third party notifications, filings, consents, waivers and approvals required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been made or received.

 

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(v)          No Legal Impediment to Issuance . No statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority, and no judgment, injunction, decree or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that prohibits the issuance of the Offered Shares in the Rights Offering, the issuance of the Investor Shares to the Investor or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(vi)         Good Standing . The Investor shall have received on and as of the Closing Date satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company in the State of Delaware, in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdiction.

 

(vii)        Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar qualifications) other than representations and warranties contained in Section 3(e) , which shall be true and correct in all respects.

 

(viii)       Covenants . The Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all of its respective covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and in any other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement (including in any Transaction Agreement) through the Closing Date.

 

(ix)          Certificate . The Company shall have furnished to the Investor a certificate, dated the Closing Date, of an officer of the Company, on behalf of the Company, confirming the matters set forth in subsections (vii) and (viii).

 

(x)           Fees and Expenses . The Company shall have paid all fees, costs and expenses payable to the Investor pursuant to Section 2 .

 

(xi)          No Material Adverse Effect . Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any changes or events that, individually or in the aggregate would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(xii)         No Market Adverse Event . There shall not have occurred (i) a material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, or (ii) a suspension or material limitation on trading, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any securities exchange or by such system or by order of the Commission, the New York Stock Exchange or any other governmental authority, or (iii) a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (iv) a declaration of a banking moratorium by either Federal or New York authorities.

 

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(b)           The obligation of the Company to consummate the Rights Offering and to issue and sell the Investor Shares are subject to the following conditions (which may be waived in whole or in part by the Company in its sole discretion):

 

(i)           No Legal Impediment to Issuance . No statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority, and no judgment, injunction, decree or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that prohibits the issuance of the Offered Shares in the Rights Offering, the issuance of the Investor Shares to the Investor or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

(ii)          Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Investor, each Affiliated Purchaser contained in this Agreement or pursuant to Section 1(h) shall be true and correct in all material respects (disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained therein relating to materiality or similar qualifications).

 

(iii)         Covenants . The Investor shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all of its covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement and in any other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement (including in any Transaction Agreement) through the Closing Date.

 

(iv)         Rights Offering . The Rights Offering shall have been completed by the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Rights Offering Registration Statement.

 

(v)          Rights Offering Registration Statement Effectiveness . The Rights Offering Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by the Commission and shall continue to be effective and no stop order shall have been entered by the Commission with respect thereto.

 

(vi)         No Market Adverse Event . There shall not have occurred (i) a material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, or (ii) a suspension or material limitation on trading, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any securities exchange or by such system or by order of the Commission, the New York Stock Exchange or any other governmental authority, or (iii) a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (iv) a declaration of a banking moratorium by either Federal or New York authorities.

 

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8.           Indemnification and Contribution .

 

(a)           Whether or not the Rights Offering, the issuance of the Investor Shares to the Investor or the other transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company (in such capacity, the “ Indemnifying Party ”) shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investor and each Affiliated Purchaser, their respective Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, members, managers, partners, employees, agents, advisors and controlling persons (each, an “ Indemnified Person ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, joint or several (“ Losses ”) incurred by such Indemnified Person or to which any such Indemnified Person may become subject arising out of or in connection with any claim, challenge, litigation, investigation or proceeding (“ Proceedings ”) arising out of or relating to the Rights Offering, this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements, the Rights Offering Registration Statement, any Preliminary Rights Offering Prospectus, the Rights Offering Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Investment Decision Package, any amendment or supplement thereto or the transactions contemplated by any of the foregoing and shall reimburse such Indemnified Persons for any reasonable legal fees and expenses or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with investigating, responding to or defending any of the foregoing; provided that the foregoing indemnification will not apply to Losses to the extent that they resulted from (i) gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such Indemnified Person or (ii) statements or omissions in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, any Preliminary Rights Offering Prospectus, the Rights Offering Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon or in conformity with information relating to such Indemnified Person furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person expressly for use in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, any Rights Offering Preliminary Prospectus, the Rights Offering Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto. If for any reason the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Indemnified Person (except as set forth in the proviso to the immediately preceding section) or insufficient to hold it harmless, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and such Indemnified Person on the other hand but also the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and such Indemnified Person on the other hand as well as any relevant equitable considerations.

 

(b)           Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person of notice of the commencement of any Proceedings with respect to which the Indemnified Person may be entitled to indemnification hereunder, such Indemnified Person will, if a claim is to be made hereunder against the Indemnifying Party in respect thereof, notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement thereof; provided that the omission so to notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it may have hereunder except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure. In case any such Proceedings are brought against any Indemnified Person and it notifies the Indemnifying Party of the commencement thereof, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate therein, and, to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to such Indemnified Person, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person; provided that if the defendants in any such Proceedings include both such Indemnified Person and the Indemnifying Party and such Indemnified Person shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party, such Indemnified Person shall have the right to select separate counsel, which selection shall be subject to the reasonable approval of the Indemnifying Party (it being understood and agreed that Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is approved), to assert such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such Proceedings on behalf of such Indemnified Person. Upon receipt of notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Person of its election so to assume the defense of such Proceedings and approval by such Indemnified Person of counsel, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Person for expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person thereafter in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation) unless (i) such Indemnified Person shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one firm of counsel, plus local counsel, in any jurisdiction representing the Indemnified Person), (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person to represent such Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the Proceedings or (iii) the Indemnifying Party shall have authorized in writing the employment of counsel for such Indemnified Person.

 

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(c)           The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any Proceedings effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If any settlement of any Proceeding is consummated with the written consent of the Indemnifying Party or if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such Proceedings, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any and all Losses by reason of such settlement or judgment in accordance with, and subject to the limitations of, the provisions of this Section 8 . The Indemnifying Party shall not, without the prior written consent of an Indemnified Person (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened Proceedings in respect of which indemnity has been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person unless (i) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person in form and substance satisfactory to such Indemnified Person from all liability on the claims that are the subject matter of such Proceedings and (ii) such settlement does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

 

(d)           Given that an Indemnified Person may be entitled to indemnification (a “ Jointly Indemnifiable Claim ”) from both the Company, pursuant to this Agreement, and from any other Person, whether pursuant to applicable law, any indemnification agreement, the organizational documents of such Person or otherwise (the “ Indemnitee-Related Entities ”), the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall be fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the Indemnified Person in respect of indemnification and advancement of expenses in connection with any such Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, irrespective of any right of recovery the Indemnified Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities. Under no circumstance shall the Company be entitled to any right of subrogation or contribution by the Indemnitee-Related Entities and no right of recovery the Indemnified Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnified Person or the obligations of the Company hereunder. In the event that any of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall make any payment to the Indemnified Person in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to any Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, the Indemnitee-Related Entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnified Person against the Company, and the Indemnified Person shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the Indemnitee-Related Entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. Each of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 8(d) , entitled to enforce this Section 8(d) against the Company as though each such Indemnitee-Related Entity were a party to this Agreement.

 

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9.           Survival of Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties made in this Agreement will survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby notwithstanding any investigation at any time made by or on behalf of any party hereto until the date that is one year after the Closing Date and the covenants shall survive in accordance with their specific terms; provided, however, the representations and warrants contained in Sections 3(b) , (c) , (d) , (e) and (g) and Sections 4(a) , (b) and (i) shall survive indefinitely.

 

10.          Termination . This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned prior to the Closing Date:

 

(a)           by mutual written consent of the Company and the Investor;

 

(b)           by the Investor, with written notice to the Company:

 

(i)           if there has been a breach of any covenant or a breach of any representation or warranty of the Company, which breach would cause the failure of any condition precedent set forth in Section 7(a)(vii) or (viii) or upon the occurrence of any event which results in a failure to satisfy any of the other conditions set forth in Section 7(a) , provided , that any such breach or failure is not capable of cure on or prior to February 12, 2016;

 

(ii)          if the Rights Offering Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission and the Rights Offering Commencement Date has not occurred by February 12, 2016; or

 

(iii)         after February 12, 2016; provided , that the Closing Date has not occurred by such date other than as a result of a breach by the Investor of any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c)           by the Company, with written notice to the Investor:

 

(i)           if there has been a breach of any covenant or a breach of any representation or warranty of the Investor, which breach would cause the failure of any condition precedent set forth in Section 7(b)(ii) or (iii) , or upon the occurrence of any event which results in a failure to satisfy any of the other conditions set forth in Section 7(b) , provided , that any such breach or failure is not capable of cure on or prior to February 12, 2016;

 

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(ii)          after February 12, 2016; provided , that the Closing Date has not occurred by such date other than as a result of a breach by the Company of any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(d)           If this Agreement is terminated, provided that there was no breach of any representations, warranties or covenants in this Agreement by the Investor at the date of termination which breach had materially delayed or materially adversely impacted the Investor’s or the Company’s performance of their respective obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Investor any Transaction Expenses due and payable hereunder that have not been paid theretofore. Payment of the amounts due under this Section 10(d) will be made no later than the close of business on the third (3rd) Business Day following the date of such termination by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. dollars to an account or accounts specified by the Investor to the Company. The provision for the payment of the Transaction Expenses is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without this provision the Investor would not have entered into this Agreement.

 

(e)           Upon termination under this Section 10 , all rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall terminate without any liability of any party to any other party except that (x) nothing contained herein shall release any party hereto from liability for any willful breach and (y) the covenants and agreements made by the parties herein in Section 2 , and Section 8 and Sections 10 through 16 will survive indefinitely in accordance with their terms.

 

11.          Notices . All notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed given (and will be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) if delivered personally, sent via electronic transmission or facsimile (with confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as will be specified by like notice):

 

(a)           If to the Company:

 

Trinity Place Holdings Inc.
717 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1303
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Fax: (212) 235-2199

Email: matt.messinger@tphs.com and richard.pyontek@tphs.com

 

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

 

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Attention: John Bessonette
Fax: (212) 715-8044
Email: jbessonette@kramerlevin.com

 

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(b)           If to the Investor:

 

MFP Partners, L.P.
c/o MFP Investors LLC
667 Madison Avenue, 25th Floor

New York, NY 10065
Attention: Timothy E. Ladin
Fax: (212) 752-7265
Email: tladin@mfpllc.com

 

12.          Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by any of the parties (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party, except to an Affiliated Purchaser pursuant to Section 1(h) . Except as provided in Section 8 with respect to the Indemnified Persons, this Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to in this Agreement) is not intended to and does not confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies under this Agreement. Any Indemnified Persons shall be entitled to enforce and rely on the provisions listed in the immediately preceding sentence as if they were a party to this Agreement.

 

13.          Prior Negotiations; Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the agreements attached as exhibits to and the documents and instruments referred to in this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements or understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, except that the parties hereto acknowledge that any confidentiality agreements heretofore executed among the parties will continue in full force and effect.

 

14.          GOVERNING LAW; VENUE . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE INVESTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF, AND VENUE IN, THE UNITED STATES COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE BREACH, TERMINATION OR VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. 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) EACH SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 14.

 

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15.          Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement and will become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party (including via facsimile or other electronic transmission), it being understood that each party need not sign the same counterpart.

 

16.          Waivers and Amendments . This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by all the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege pursuant to this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege pursuant to this Agreement, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege pursuant to this Agreement, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege pursuant to this Agreement. The rights and remedies provided pursuant to this Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any party otherwise may have at law or in equity.

 

17.          Adjustment to Shares . If, prior to the Closing Date, the Company effects a reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split), stock dividend or distribution, recapitalization, merger, issuer tender or exchange offer, or other similar transaction with respect to any shares of its capital stock, references to the numbers of such shares and the prices therefore shall be equitably adjusted to reflect such change and, as adjusted, shall, from and after the date of such event, be subject to further adjustment in accordance herewith.

 

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

 

19.          Publicity . The Company and the Investor shall consult with each other prior to issuing any press releases (and provide each other a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon such release prior to its public issuance) or otherwise making public announcements with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall any such press release or other public announcement name the Investor without its prior written consent. The Company shall consult with the Investor prior to making any filings (and provide the Investor a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such filings) with any third party or any governmental entity (including any national securities exchange or interdealer quotation service) with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except as may be required by law or by the request of any governmental entity. Subject to the Company’s foregoing obligations pursuant to this Section 19 , nothing contained in this Section 19 shall be interpreted to preclude the Company from making any filing or disclosing any information in any filing, including with the Commission, that the Company acting reasonably determines is necessary or advisable; provided, however, that, if such filing names the Investor, the Company shall obtain the prior approval of the Investor and take into account any comments it may have thereto unless, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, the filing is legally required to be made as proposed by the Company without making changes to reflect such comments.

 

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[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.

 

  TRINITY PLACE HOLDINGS INC.
   
  By: /s/ Matthew Messinger
  Name: Matthew Messinger
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
   
  MFP PARTNERS, L.P.
  By: MFP Investors LLC,
    its General Partner
     
  By: /s/ Timothy Ladin
  Name: Timothy Ladin
  Title: General Counsel

 

[Signature Page to Investment Agreement]

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”), dated as of [__], 2015, is made by and between Trinity Place Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and MFP Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Investor ”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Investment Agreement dated as of September 11, 2015 (the “ Investment Agreement ”) between the Company and the Investor; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has conducted a rights offering (the “ Rights Offering ”) by distributing, at no charge, to each holder of record (as of a record date determined by the Board (as defined below)) of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), 0.248362 non-transferable rights (the “ Rights ”), for each share of Common Stock held by such shareholder, to purchase shares of Common Stock which Rights, if exercised in full by each holder of record as of such record date, would provide gross proceeds to the Company of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000);

 

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate the Rights Offering and pursuant to the Investment Agreement, (i) the Investor agreed to subscribe for and purchase, at the Exercise Price, upon expiration of the Rights Offering, a specified portion (as specified in the Investment Agreement) of the shares of Common Stock offered in the Rights Offering that were not purchased pursuant to the exercise of Rights in the Rights Offering, and (iii) the Company agreed to issue and sell to the Investor additional shares of Common Stock at the Exercise Price in an amount sufficient to enable the Investor to acquire an aggregate of 1,666,667 shares of Common Stock to the extent that the Investor was not able to acquire such number of shares of Common Stock through its purchases in subsection (i) above, in each case, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Investment Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, in consideration of the Investor’s commitment to purchase certain shares of Common Stock pursuant to, upon the terms, and subject to the conditions set forth in the Investment Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide registration rights to the Investor with respect to all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Investor and/or its Affiliates (as defined below) immediately following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreement, including all shares of Common Stock held by the Investor and/or its Affiliates as of the date of the Investment Agreement (the “ Shares ”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

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Article I

 
Certain Definitions

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)           The term “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person; provided that, for the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

(b)           The term “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(c)           The term “Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

 

(d)           The term “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(e)           The term “Person” (but not “person”) means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

 

(f)           The term “Purchase Price” means $6.00 per Share.

 

(g)           The term “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Any terms used in this Agreement and not defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Investment Agreement.

 

Article II

REGISTRATION OF COMMON STOCK; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 2.01     Registrable Securities . For the purposes of this Agreement, “ Registrable Securities ” means the Shares; provided that (i) any Shares of Common Stock will cease to be Registrable Securities, and (ii) the Company will not be obligated to maintain the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined below), and the Company’s obligations under Section 2.02 will cease, with respect to the Registrable Securities of a holder thereof (a “ Holder ”) following the date on which (a) such securities have been sold or otherwise transferred by the Holder thereof pursuant to an effective registration statement; or (b) such securities are sold in accordance with Rule 144 (or any successor provision) promulgated under the Securities Act. The period of time during which the Company is required to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective is referred to as the “ Effectiveness Period .”

 

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Section 2.02     Registration . Within ten (10) Business Days following the date on which the Company consummates the Rights Offering and the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreement, the Company shall prepare and file a resale registration statement on Form S-3 or another applicable form, if Form S-3 is not then available, registering offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Investor and any Affiliated Purchasers pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (such registration statement together with all exhibits thereto and any post-effective amendment thereto that becomes effective, the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”). The Company may supplement the Shelf Registration Statement from time to time to register securities other than Registrable Securities for sale for the account of any Person; provided , however , that such supplement will be permitted only so long as the Commission rules provide that such supplement does not give the Commission the right to review the Shelf Registration Statement; provided , further, that such supplement does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Article II, if the Company grants registration rights to one or more other holders of its Common Stock that are more favorable to such holders than the registration rights granted hereunder, with respect to underwritten offerings or otherwise, the Company and holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities hereunder shall in good faith amend this Agreement to reflect such more favorable terms as reasonably as practicable.

 

Section 2.03     Registration Procedures . In connection with the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Article II, the Company will use its best efforts to:

 

(a)           cause the Shelf Registration Statement (and any other related registrations, qualifications or compliances as may be reasonably requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all Registrable Securities until the distribution thereof is complete) to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof but not later than 180 days after the Closing Date (the “ Scheduled Effective Date ”);

 

(b)           prepare and file with the Commission the amendments and supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith and take all other actions as may be necessary to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the disposition of all securities in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holder or Holders thereof set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement will be completed, and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act (to the extent applicable to the Company) with respect to the dispositions;

 

(c)           (i) at least five (5) Business Days before filing with the Commission, furnish to each Holder and its counsel (if any) copies of all documents proposed to be filed with the Commission in connection with such registration, which documents will be subject to the review and reasonable comment of such Holder and its counsel; (ii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities a reasonable number of copies of the Shelf Registration Statement, of each amendment and supplement thereto, and of the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the other documents (including exhibits to any of the foregoing), as the Holder may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; and (iii) respond as promptly as practicable to any comments received from the Commission with respect to each Shelf Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and, as promptly as reasonably possible, provide the Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to such Shelf Registration Statement that pertains to the Holders as “Selling Stockholders” but not any comments that would result in the disclosure to the Holders of material and non-public information concerning the Company.

 

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(d)           register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement under the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states as any Holder reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or reasonably advisable to enable a Holder to consummate the disposition in such states of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder, except that the Company will not be required to qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not, but for the requirements of this Section 2.03(d), be obligated to be qualified, or to subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction;

 

(e)           provide a transfer agent and registrar for the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement not later than the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement;

 

(f)           notify the Holders promptly, and confirm such notice in writing, (i)(A) when a prospectus as contained in the Shelf Registration Statement (a “ Prospectus ”) or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and (B) with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) 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, (iv) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such Shelf Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in such Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Shelf Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (v) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Shelf Registration Statement would be appropriate, or (vi) of any request by the Commission or other governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Shelf Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information that pertains to the Holders as “Selling Stockholders” or the “Plan of Distribution”;

 

(g)           enter into customary agreements (including, in the event the Holders elect to engage an underwriter in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, an underwriting agreement containing customary terms and conditions) and take all other actions as may be reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities; provided , however , that the Company will not be liable for any underwriter’s fees, commissions and discounts or similar expenses; and

 

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(h)           make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or any suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest possible time.

 

Section 2.04     Rule 144 . With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that at any time permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees to:

 

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

 

(b)           file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act;

 

(c)           so long as a Holder owns any unregistered Registrable Securities, furnish to the Holder upon any reasonable request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and/or the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and any other reports and documents of the Company as the Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing a Holder to sell any Registrable Securities without registration (excluding any reports or documents of the Company that the Company, in its sole discretion, deems confidential); and

 

(d)           take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request to enable such Holder to sell such Shares without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, including providing any legal opinions relating to such sale pursuant to Rule 144.

 

Section 2.05     Registration and Selling Expenses . All expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Article II, including, without limitation, (i) all Commission registration and filing fees, (ii) blue sky fees and expenses, (iii) all necessary printing and duplicating expenses and (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel and accountants retained on behalf of the Company (all expenses being called “ Registration Expenses ”), will be paid by the Company. Each Holder may, at its election, retain its own counsel and other representatives and advisors as it chooses at its own expense; provided that the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel to the Holders incurred as part of reviewing the Shelf Registration Statement and any Prospectuses and amendments related thereto.

 

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Section 2.06     Registration Statement Not Declared Effective . The Company and the Holders agree that the Holders will suffer damages if (i) the Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the Scheduled Effective Date, or (ii) the length or frequency of Black-Out Periods (as defined below) exceed the limits set forth in Section 2.07(a) hereof. The Company and the Holders further agree that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, (x) if the Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the Scheduled Effective Date and on such date or at any time thereafter the Company is not diligently and in good faith making commercially reasonable efforts to have the Shelf Registration Statement declared effective, the Company shall pay an amount in cash as liquidated damages to each Holder equal to one percent (1%) of the Purchase Price of the Shares held by such Holder for each thirty (30) day period after the Scheduled Effective Date during which the Company is failing to make such efforts, up to a maximum of four percent (4%); and (y) during the continuance of a Black-Out Period beyond the limits set forth in Section 2.07(a) hereof, the Company shall pay an amount in cash as liquidated damages to each Holder equal to one percent (1%) of the Purchase Price of the Shares held by such Holder for each thirty (30) day period during the continuance of a Black-Out Period beyond such limits, pro-rated as applicable for any partial month, up to a maximum of four percent (4%).

 

Section 2.07     Certain Obligations of Holders .

 

(a)           Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of (i) the happening of any event of the kind described in Sections 2.03(f)(i)(A), 2.03(f)(ii), 2.03(f)(iii), 2.03(f)(iv), 2.03(f)(v) or 2.03(f)(vi) hereof, or (ii) a determination by the Board that it is advisable to suspend use of the Prospectus for a discrete period of time due to pending corporate developments such as negotiation of a material transaction which the Company in its sole discretion after consultation with legal counsel, determines it would be obligated to disclose in the Shelf Registration Statement, which disclosure the Company believes would be premature or otherwise inadvisable at such time or would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its stockholders, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 2.03(b) hereof, or until such Holder is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The period of time in which the use of a Prospectus or Shelf Registration Statement is so suspended shall be referred to as a “ Black-Out Period .” The Company agrees to so advise such Holder promptly of the commencement and termination of any such Black-Out Period, and the Purchasers agree to keep the fact of such Black-Out Period confidential. The Company shall not impose a Black-Out Period under this Section 2.07 for more than ninety (90) consecutive days and not more than twice in any given twelve (12) month period; provided, that at least sixty (60) days must pass between Black-Out Periods and the total aggregate length of all Black-Out periods within any twelve (12) month period shall not exceed one hundred and twenty (120) days. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may suspend use of any Shelf Registration Statement if the Commission’s rules and regulations prohibit the Company from maintaining the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement because its financial statements are stale at a time when its fiscal year has ended or it has made an acquisition reportable under Item 2.01 of Form 8-K or any other similar situation until the Company’s Form 10-K has been filed or a Form 8-K, including any required pro forma or historical financial statements, has been filed, respectively (provided that the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cure any such situation as soon as possible so that the Shelf Registration Statement can be used at the earliest possible time).

 

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(b)           As a condition to the closing and to the inclusion of its Registrable Securities, each Holder will furnish to the Company the information regarding the Holder as is legally required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this Article II.

 

(c)           Each Holder hereby covenants with the Company not to make any sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement without effectively causing the prospectus delivery requirements under the Securities Act to be satisfied.

 

(d)           Each Holder acknowledges and agrees that the Registrable Securities sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement are not transferable on the books of the Company unless the stock certificate submitted to the transfer agent evidencing the Registrable Securities, if applicable, is accompanied by a certificate reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that (i) the Registrable Securities have been sold in accordance with this Agreement and the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the requirement of delivering a current prospectus has been satisfied.

 

(e)           Each Holder is hereby advised that the anti-manipulation provisions of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of the Registrable Securities offered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and agrees not to take any action with respect to any distribution deemed to be made pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement that constitutes a violation of Regulation M under the Exchange Act or any other applicable rule, regulation or law.

 

(f)           [Intentionally omitted].

 

(g)           The rights to cause the Company to register Registrable Securities granted to the Holders by the Company under Section 2.02 may be assigned in whole or in part by a Holder in connection with the transfer of such Registrable Securities, provided, that: (i) the transfer of the Registrable Securities and the rights to register such Registrable Securities are effected in accordance with applicable securities laws, (ii) the transfer involves not less than fifty percent (50%) of the Shares, (iii) the Holder gives prior written notice to the Company, and (iv) the transferee agrees to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement in a written instrument reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company and its counsel. Except as specifically permitted by this Section 2.07, the rights of a Holder with respect to Registrable Securities will not be transferable to any other Person, and any attempted transfer will cause all rights of the Holder to registration of Registrable Securities under this Article II to be forfeited, void ab initio and of no further force and effect.

 

(h)           With the written consent of the Company and each Holder affected or potentially affected by such proposed waiver, any provision of Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07 or 2.08 may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance, either retroactively or prospectively and either for a specified period of time or indefinitely). Upon the effectuation of each waiver, the Company will promptly give written notice thereof to such Holders.

 

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Section 2.08     Indemnification .

 

(a)           By the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities being sold, its directors, officers, employees, members, managers, partners, agents, and each other Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder) such Holder (each, an “ Indemnified Person ”) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees and expenses and all costs incident to investigation or preparation with respect to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses and to reimburse such Indemnified Person for such costs as incurred) (collectively, the “ Losses ”) caused by, resulting from, or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or a fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder in writing expressly for use therein or by such Holder’s failure to deliver a copy of the Shelf Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such Holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same and notified such Holder of such obligation. In connection with an underwritten offering and without limiting any of the Company’s other obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify such underwriters, their officers, directors, employees, and agents and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder) such underwriters or such other indemnified Person to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders of Registrable Securities being sold.

 

(b)           By the Investor . In connection with any registration statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating pursuant to this Agreement, each such Holder will, if requested, furnish to the Company in writing information regarding such Holder’s ownership of Registrable Securities and, to the extent permitted by law, shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its directors, and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder) the Company against all Losses caused by, resulting from, or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is caused by and contained in such information so furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein; provided , however , that each Holder’s obligation to indemnify the Company hereunder shall be apportioned between each Holder based upon the net amount received by each Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities, as compared to the total net amount received by all of the Holders of Registrable Securities sold pursuant to such registration statement, no such Holder being liable to the Company in excess of such apportionment; and provided , further (i) that each Holder’s obligation to indemnify the Company hereunder shall be apportioned between each Holder as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of such Holder on the one hand, and of each other Holder on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses. The relative fault of each Holder on the one hand, and each other Holder on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Holder and the parties’ relevant intent, knowledge, information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

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(c)           Notice . Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which its seeks indemnification; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not release the indemnifying party from its obligation, except to the extent that the indemnifying party has been materially prejudiced by such failure to provide such notice.

 

(d)           Defense of Actions . In any case in which any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not (so long as it shall continue to have the right to defend, contest, litigate, and settle the matter in question in accordance with this paragraph) be liable to such indemnified party hereunder for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, supervision, and monitoring (unless such indemnified party reasonably objects to such assumption on the grounds that there may be defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to the defenses available to such indemnifying party or if a conflict or potential conflict of interest exists, in either of which event the indemnified party shall be reimbursed by the indemnifying party for the expenses incurred in connection with retaining separate legal counsel). An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of an action or claim effected without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The indemnifying party shall lose its right to defend, contest, litigate, and settle a matter if it shall fail diligently to contest such matter (except to the extent settled in accordance with the next following sentence). No matter shall be settled by an indemnifying party without the consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The indemnifying party shall not, without the prior written consent of an indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceedings in respect of which indemnity has been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless (i) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party in form and substance satisfactory to such indemnified party from all liability on the claims that are the subject matter of such proceedings and (ii) such settlement does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

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(e)           Jointly Indemnifiable Claims . Given that an Indemnified Person may be entitled to indemnification (a “ Jointly Indemnifiable Claim ”) from both the Company, pursuant to this Agreement, and from any other Person, whether pursuant to applicable law, any indemnification agreement, the organizational documents of such Person or otherwise (the “ Indemnitee-Related Entities ”), the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall be fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the Indemnified Person in respect of indemnification and advancement of expenses in connection with any such Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, irrespective of any right of recovery the Indemnified Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities. Under no circumstance shall the Company be entitled to any right of subrogation or contribution by the Indemnitee-Related Entities and no right of recovery the Indemnified Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnified Person or the obligations of the Company hereunder. In the event that any of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall make any payment to the Indemnified Person in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to any Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, the Indemnitee-Related Entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnified Person against the Company, and the Indemnified Person shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the Indemnitee-Related Entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. Each of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 2.08(e) , entitled to enforce this Section 2.08(e) against the Company as though each such Indemnitee-Related Entity were a party to this Agreement.

 

(f)           Survival . The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified Person and will survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(g)           Contribution . If recovery is not available under the foregoing indemnification provisions for any reason or reasons other than as specified therein, any Person who would otherwise be entitled to indemnification by the terms thereof shall nevertheless be entitled to contribution with respect to any Losses with respect to which such Person would be entitled to such indemnification but for such reason or reasons. In determining the amount of contribution to which the respective Persons are entitled, there shall be considered the Persons’ relative knowledge and access to information concerning the matter with respect to which the claim was asserted, the opportunity to correct and prevent any statement or omission, and other equitable considerations appropriate under the circumstances, including the relative fault of such Person, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in Losses. The relative fault of each Person shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Person and the parties’ relevant intent, knowledge, information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. It is hereby agreed that it would not necessarily be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation. 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Investor and any Affiliate of such Investor shall not be required to make a contribution in excess of (i) the net amount received by such Investor (or its Affiliate) from the sale of Registrable Securities.

 

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Article III

 
Miscellaneous

 

Section 3.01     Inconsistent Agreements. Without the prior written consent of the Investor, the Company shall not enter into any registration rights agreement that conflicts, or is inconsistent, with the provisions of Article II hereof.

 

Section 3.02     Specific Performance . Each of the Investor and the Company acknowledge and agree that, in the event of any breach of this Agreement, the non-breaching party or parties would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. The Investor and the Company hereby agree that, in addition to any other remedy to which the Investor may be entitled at law or in equity, the Investor shall be entitled to compel specific performance of this Agreement in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state thereof having subject matter jurisdiction for such action.

 

Section 3.03     Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provisions hereof.

 

Section 3.04     Entire Agreement . Except for the Investment Agreement, this Agreement (a) constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein, and there are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants, conditions, or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein, and (b) amends and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 3.05     Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by next-day courier, by electronic or facsimile transmission, or telecopied with confirmation of receipt to the parties at the addresses specified below (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice; provided that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof). Any such notice shall be effective upon receipt, if personally delivered, delivered by electronic or facsimile transmission, or telecopied, or one day after delivery to a courier for next-day delivery.

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Trinity Place Holdings Inc.
717 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1303
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Fax: (212) 235-2199

Email: matt.messinger@tphs.com and richard.pyontek@tphs.com

 

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

 

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Attention: John Bessonette
Fax: (212) 715-8044
Email: jbessonette@kramerlevin.com

 

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If to the Investor or the Holder(s), to:

 

MFP Partners, L.P.
c/o MFP Investors LLC
667 Madison Avenue, 25th Floor
Attention: Timothy E. Ladin
Fax: (212) 752-7265
Email: tladin@mfpllc.com

 

Section 3.06     Applicable Law . The substantive laws of the State of New York shall govern the interpretation, validity, and performance of the terms of this Agreement, regardless of the law that might be applied under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

 

Section 3.07     Severability . The invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability of one or more of the provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality, or enforceability of this Agreement, including any such provision, in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

Section 3.08     Successors; Assigns . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, and permitted assigns, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment or assumption, any successor in interest to an Investor, whether by a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, merger, consolidation, or otherwise. Neither this Agreement nor the rights or obligations of any party hereunder may be assigned, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. Any such attempted assignment in contravention of this Agreement shall be void and of no effect.

 

Section 3.09     No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement creates in any Person not a party to this Agreement (other than permitted assignees and a Person indemnified pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof with respect to such indemnification rights and any Holders of the Registrable Securities with respect to the rights to which they are entitled hereunder ) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement, and this Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto.

 

Section 3.10     Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended, modified, or supplemented unless such modification is in writing and signed by the Company and each Investor.

 

Section 3.11     Waiver . Any waiver (express or implied) of any default or breach of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other or subsequent default or breach.

 

Section 3.12     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

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[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

  A- 13  
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby agree to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  TRINITY PLACE HOLDINGS INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Matthew Messinger
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
     
  MFP PARTNERS, L.P.
  By: MFP Investors LLC,
    its General Partner
     
  By:  
  Name: Timothy Ladin
  Title: General Counsel

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

INVESTMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS INVESTMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of September 11, 2015, is made by and between Trinity Place Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund (the “ Investor ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company proposes to conduct a rights offering (the “ Rights Offering ”) by distributing, at no charge, to each holder of record as of the Record Date (as defined below) of shares (“ Shares ”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), 0.248362 non-transferable rights (the “ Rights ”), for each Share held by such shareholder, to purchase Shares;

 

WHEREAS, the Rights will be exercisable for an aggregate of Five Million (5,000,000) Shares (the “ Offered Shares ”) and, if exercised in full by each such holder, will provide gross proceeds to the Company of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000) (the “ Aggregate Offering Amount ”);

 

WHEREAS, each whole Right will entitle the holder to purchase one Share (the “ Basic Subscription Privilege ”) at a price equal to $6.00 per Share (as appropriately adjusted for any stock split, combination, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock distribution or similar event, the “ Exercise Price ”), subject to the Cutback (as defined below);

 

WHEREAS, each holder of Rights (other than MFP (as defined below)) who exercises all of its Rights will be entitled, on a pro rata basis, to subscribe for additional Shares at the Exercise Price (the “ Over-Subscription Privilege ”), to the extent that other holders of Rights do not exercise all of their respective Basic Subscription Privileges in full, subject to the Cutback;

 

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate the Rights Offering, the Company has entered into an Investment Agreement with MFP Partners, L.P. (“ MFP ”), dated as of the date hereof (the “ MFP Backstop Agreement ”), pursuant to which MFP has agreed to subscribe for and purchase a specified portion (as specified therein) of the Offered Shares that are not purchased pursuant to the exercise of Rights in the Rights Offering, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein and subject to the Cutback;

 

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate the Rights Offering, the Investor has agreed to exercise all of its Rights under its Basic Subscription Privilege in the Rights Offering, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and subject to the Cutback (the “ Commitment ”);

 

WHEREAS, on the Closing Date (as defined below), the Company will enter into a Registration Rights Agreement with the Investor, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Company agrees to register all of the Shares purchased by the Investor pursuant to the Rights Offering and this Agreement;

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, in order to preserve the Company’s ability to utilize the full benefits of its net operating losses and related tax benefits, the Company may, in its discretion, reduce the number of Offered Shares issuable to some or all Eligible Holders (as defined below) in the Rights Offering and/or pursuant to this Agreement, as determined by the Board of Directors in consultation with the Company’s advisors following the Expiration Time (as defined below), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors has unanimously approved this Agreement, the Rights Offering, each of the other Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, agreements, representations, warranties and covenants contained herein, each of the parties hereto hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Rights Offering .

 

(a)           On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, the Company will distribute, at no charge, 0.248362 Rights to each holder of record of Common Stock (each, an “ Eligible Holder ”) for each share of Common Stock held by such holder as of the close of business on a record date to be determined by the Board of Directors (the “ Record Date ”). Each such Right shall be non-transferable. Each whole Right will entitle the holder thereof to purchase, at the election of the holder thereof, one Share at the Exercise Price, subject to the Cutback, if any. The total number of Rights issued to each Eligible Holder will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

 

(b)           The Rights, including the Basic Subscription Privilege and the Over-Subscription Privilege, may be exercised during a period (the “ Rights Exercise Period ”) commencing on the date on which Rights are issued to Eligible Holders (the “ Rights Offering Commencement Date ”) and ending at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on a Business Day that shall not be less than twenty (20) days after the Rights Offering Commencement Date, subject to extension at the reasonable discretion of the Board of Directors, provided , however , that the Rights Exercise Period shall not be extended by more than thirty (30) days without the prior written consent of the Investor (the “ Expiration Time ”). “ Business Day ” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

(c)           Each holder of Rights who wishes to exercise all or a portion of its Rights under the Basic Subscription Privilege shall (i) during the Rights Exercise Period return a duly executed election form to a subscription agent selected by the Company (the “ Subscription Agent ”) electing to exercise all or a portion of the Rights held by such holder (provided that only whole Rights may be exercised) to purchase one Offered Share for each Right so exercised and (ii) pay an amount equal to the Exercise Price for each Share that the holder elects to purchase pursuant to the instructions filed with the Rights Offering Registration Statement (as defined below), and related materials by the specified date to an escrow account established for the Rights Offering. On the date on which the Company consummates the Rights Offering (the “ Closing Date ”) or as promptly as practicable thereafter, the Company will issue to each holder of Rights who validly exercised its Rights the number of Shares to which such holder is entitled based on such exercise, subject to the Cutback.

 

 

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(d)           In the event that all of the Offered Shares are not purchased upon exercise of the Basic Subscription Privilege, each holder of Rights (other than MFP) who exercises in full its Basic Subscription Privilege will be entitled under the Over-Subscription Privilege to subscribe for additional Shares at the Exercise Price pursuant to the instructions filed with the Rights Offering Registration Statement and related materials, subject to the Cutback. If the number of Offered Shares remaining after the exercise of Rights under the Basic Subscription Privilege (the “ Remaining Offered Shares ”) is not sufficient to satisfy all requests for Shares under the Over-Subscription Privileges, the holders who exercised their Over-Subscription Privileges will be allocated such Remaining Offered Shares in proportion to the product (rounded to the nearest whole number so that the Exercise Price multiplied by the aggregate number of Offered Shares does not exceed the Aggregate Offering Amount) obtained by multiplying the number of Offered Shares such holder subscribed for under the Over-Subscription Privilege by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of Remaining Offered Shares and the denominator of which is the total number of Offered Shares sought to be subscribed for under the Over-Subscription Privilege by all holders participating in such Over-Subscription Privilege. Rights under the Over-Subscription Privilege shall be exercised at the same time as Rights under the Basic Subscription Privilege.

 

(e)           Subject to the Cutback and on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Agreement, the Investor agrees to exercise all of its Rights under its Basic Subscription Privilege in the Rights Offering. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall limit the Investor’s ability to exercise its Over-Subscription Privilege in the Rights Offering, in its sole discretion.

 

(f)           Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Rights Offering Registration Statement or otherwise, as promptly as practicable after the Expiration Time the Company, in its good faith discretion and in consultation with its tax advisors, will determine, to the extent commercially reasonable, whether to effect any reduction in the amount of Offered Shares elected to be purchased by holders of Rights pursuant to validly exercised Rights pursuant to the Basic Subscription Privilege and the Over-Subscription Privilege as is reasonably necessary in order to preserve the Company’s ability to utilize the full benefits of its net operating losses and related tax benefits (such reduction, if any, the “ Cutback ”), subject to the following provisions:

 

(i)           In making such determination, the Company and its tax advisors will evaluate such factors as they deem reasonable and appropriate, including, among others, the need for the Company to maintain an appropriate “cushion”, determined by the Company at its discretion in consultation with its tax advisors, to protect against experiencing an “ownership change” within the meaning of Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”);

 

(ii)          If the Company determines to make a Cutback, it will attempt to do so, as nearly as may be practicable, in the following order of priority:

 

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(A)          First, to reduce the number of Shares that would be otherwise issuable under validly exercised Rights pursuant to the Over-Subscription Privilege; provided , that the application of the Cutback may be different with respect to different holders of Rights, depending on the circumstances;

 

(B)          Second, to reduce the number of Shares that would be otherwise issuable under Section 1(g)(i) of the MFP Backstop Agreement, but not below the Minimum Share Allocation (as defined in the MFP Backstop Agreement);

 

(C)          Third , to reduce the number of Shares that would be otherwise issuable under validly exercised Rights pursuant to the Basic Subscription Privilege (including by the Investor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement); provided , that the application of the Cutback may be different with respect to different holders of Rights, depending on the circumstances; and

 

(D)          Fourth , to reduce the number of Shares that would be otherwise issuable under Section 1(g)(ii) of the MFP Backstop Agreement.

 

2.           Expense Reimbursement . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, and in consideration for the Investor’s Commitment, the Company will promptly reimburse or pay, as the case may be, on the Closing Date, the reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Investor in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the Rights Offering, the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement), the Commitment and the negotiation and execution of the Transaction Agreements) to the extent incurred on or before the Closing Date (and thereafter all post-closing costs and expenses relating to the transactions contemplated hereby to the extent incurred within three months of the Closing Date), including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Investor (collectively, “ Transaction Expenses ”). The provision for the payment of the Transaction Expenses is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without this provision the Investor would not have entered into this Agreement.

 

3.           Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Investor, as set forth below. Except for representations, warranties and agreements that are expressly limited as to their date, each representation, warranty and agreement is made as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby:

 

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(a)           Organization and Qualification . The Company and each of its Subsidiaries has been duly organized and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation, with the requisite power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as currently conducted. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation or organization for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. For the purpose of this Agreement, “ Material Adverse Effect ” means (i) any material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company or its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) any material adverse effect on the ability of the Company, subject to the approvals and other authorizations set forth in Section 3(g) , to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided , however, that “ Material Adverse Effect ” shall not include the impact on such business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations or ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement arising out of or attributable to, either alone or in combination with any other change, effect, circumstance, occurrence, event, condition or fact (“ Effects ”) (i) Effects that generally affect the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, (ii) general economic conditions, (iii) Effects resulting from changes affecting financial, banking, securities or commodities markets (including in each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, any Effects resulting from an outbreak or escalation of hostilities, acts of war or terrorism, political instability or other national or international calamity, crisis or emergency, or any governmental or other response to any of the foregoing, in each case whether or not involving the United States), (iv) Effects arising from changes in laws, rules, regulations or accounting principles, (v) Effects resulting from the announcement of the transactions contemplated hereby or from taking any action required by the terms and conditions of this Agreement or any of the other agreements or transactions contemplated hereby, (vi) the historical seasonality of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary or the failure to meet any projections or forecasts or (vii) any change in the price or trading volume of the Company’s outstanding securities (it being understood that the facts or occurrences giving rise to or contributing to such change in stock price or trading volume may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, or will be, a Material Adverse Effect); except if such Effect results from, or is attributable to, any of the matters described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) or (vi) above and disproportionately affects the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other businesses in the industry in which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate (but taking into account for purposes of determining whether a Material Adverse Effect has occurred only the disproportionate portion of such adverse effect). For the purposes of this Agreement, a “ Subsidiary ” of any person means, with respect to such person, any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other legal entity of which such person (either alone or through or together with any other subsidiary), owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the stock or other equity interests, has the power to elect a majority of the board of directors or similar governing body, or has the power to direct the business and policies.

 

(b)           Corporate Power and Authority . The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement (together, the “ Transaction Agreements ”), and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the issuance of the Rights and the Offered Shares, including the Shares to be issued and sold by the Company to the Investor in the Rights Offering in accordance with this Agreement (the “ Investor Shares ”). The Company has taken all necessary corporate action required for the due authorization, execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement, including the issuance of the Rights and the Offered Shares.

 

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(c)           Execution and Delivery; Enforceability . Each Transaction Agreement has been, or prior to its execution and delivery at the Closing Date will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company, and each such document constitutes, or will constitute, the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

(d)           Authorized and Issued Capital Stock . The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 79,999,997 shares of Common Stock, one share of Series A preferred stock and one share of Series B preferred stock, each with a par value of $0.01 per share, one share of a class of special stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 40,000,000 shares of a class of designation preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. At the close of business on September 8, 2015 (the “ Capital Structure Date ”), (i) 24,728,471 shares of Common Stock were issued and 20,131,928 shares of Common Stock were outstanding, (ii) one share of Series A preferred stock, one share of Series B preferred stock and one share of special stock were issued and outstanding, (iii) 4,596,543 shares of Common Stock were held by the Company in its treasury, and (iv) 1,602,796 shares of Common Stock were reserved for issuance upon settlement of outstanding restricted stock units (each, an “ RSU ” and, collectively, the “ RSUs ”) granted under any stock-based compensation plan of the Company or otherwise (the “ Stock Plans ”). All capital stock or equity interests of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is owned by the Company. The issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and are not subject to any preemptive rights. Except as set forth in this Section 3(d) , at the close of business on the Capital Structure Date, no shares of capital stock or other equity securities or voting interest in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries were issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. Since the close of business on the Capital Structure Date, no shares of capital stock or other equity securities or voting interest in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been issued or reserved for issuance or become outstanding, other than Shares described in this Section 3(d) that have been issued upon the vesting and settlement of RSUs granted under the Stock Plans and other than the shares to be issued hereunder. Other than as set forth in (i) this Section 3(d), (ii) the Employment Agreement, dated as of October 1, 2013, between the Company and Matthew Messinger (the “ CEO Employment Agreement ”) (iii) Restricted Stock Unit Agreements with other employees of the Company (to the extent not yet settled or terminated), (iv) the Company’s certificate of incorporation and (v) this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to or otherwise bound by or subject to any outstanding option, warrant, call, subscription or other right (including any preemptive right), agreement or commitment which (w) obligates the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, deliver, sell or transfer, or repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or cause to be issued, delivered, sold or transferred, or repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, any shares of the capital stock of, or other equity or voting interests in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any security convertible or exercisable for or exchangeable into any capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (x) obligates the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant, call, right, security, commitment, contract, arrangement or undertaking, (y) restricts the transfer of any shares of capital stock of the Company or (z) relates to the voting of any shares of capital stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

  

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(e)           Issuance . The Investor Shares to be issued and sold by the Company to the Investor hereunder, when such Shares are issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the terms hereof, will be duly and validly authorized, fully paid and non-assessable, free and clear of all Taxes, liens, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal, subscription and similar rights.

 

(f)           No Conflict . The distribution of the Rights, the sale, issuance and delivery of the Offered Shares upon exercise of the Rights, the consummation of the Rights Offering by the Company and the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Agreements and compliance by the Company with all of the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein (including issuance and sale of Investor Shares to the Investor) (i) will not, in any material respect, conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both), or result in the acceleration of, or the creation of any lien under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, (ii) will not result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws or comparable organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iii) subject to the receipt of the consents and approvals contemplated in Section 3(g) , will not result in any violation of, or any termination or impairment of any rights under, any law, rule or regulation, any license, authorization, injunction, judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties, in each case, that is material to the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(g)           Consents and Approvals . No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, notice, filing, recording or qualification of or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their properties is required for the execution and delivery by the Company of the Transaction Agreements, the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the distribution of the Rights, the sale, issuance and delivery of Offered Shares upon exercise of the Rights and the Investor Shares to the Investor hereunder, except (i) the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), of the issuance of the Rights and the Offered Shares pursuant to the exercise of Rights, and (ii) such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase of the Investor Shares by the Investor or the distribution of the Rights and the sale of Shares to holders of Rights.

 

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(h)           Arm’s Length . The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the Rights Offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company or any other person or entity. Additionally, the Investor is not advising the Company or any other person or entity as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Investor shall not have any responsibility or liability to the Company, its Affiliates, or their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, advisors or other representatives with respect thereto. Any review by the Investor of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Investor and shall not be on behalf of the Company, its Affiliates, or their respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, advisors or other representatives and shall not affect any of the representations or warranties contained herein or the remedies of the Investor with respect thereto.

 

(i)           Company SEC Documents . Since January 1, 2014, the Company has filed or submitted all required reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents (including exhibits and all other information incorporated therein) (“ Company SEC Documents ”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”). As of their respective dates, each of the Company SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”) and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder applicable to such Company SEC Documents. The Company has filed with the Commission all “material contracts” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act) that are required to be filed as exhibits to the Company SEC Documents and there are no contracts or other documents that are required under the Exchange Act to be described in the Company SEC Documents that are not so described. No Company SEC Document filed after January 1, 2014, when filed, or, in the case of any Company SEC Document amended or superseded prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such amending or superseding filing, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Any Company SEC Documents filed with the Commission prior to the Closing Date, when filed, will not contain any 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, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

 

(j)           Financial Statements . The financial statements and the related notes of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Documents, and to be included or incorporated by reference in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Rights Offering Prospectus and the Shelf Registration Statement, comply or will comply, as the case may be, in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable, and present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and for the periods specified, subject, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to absence of disclosure normally made in footnotes and to customary year-end adjustments which shall not be material; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepting accounting principles (“ GAAP ”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods covered thereby, and the supporting schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Documents, and to be included or incorporated by reference in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Rights Offering Prospectus and the Shelf Registration Statement, present fairly the information required to be stated therein in all material respects; and the other financial information included or incorporated by reference in the Company SEC Documents, and to be included or incorporated by reference in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Rights Offering Prospectus and the Shelf Registration Statement, has been or will be derived from the accounting records of the Company and its Subsidiaries and presents fairly or will present fairly the information shown thereby in all material respects.

 

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(k)           Rights Offering Registration Statement, Rights Offering Prospectus and the Shelf Registration Statement . The Rights Offering Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, and the Shelf Registration Statement, will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act, and will not contain any 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; and as of the applicable filing date of the Rights Offering Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date, the Rights Offering Prospectus will not contain any 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. On the date the Rights are distributed to Eligible Holders and the Expiration Date, the Investment Decision Package will not contain 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, at the time of use thereof, when considered together with the other components of the Investment Decision Package, will not contain 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Each Preliminary Rights Offering Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, will comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and will not contain any 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, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance on and in conformity with information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by the Investor expressly for use in the Rights Offering Registration Statement and the Rights Offering Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.

 

For the purposes of this Agreement, (i) the term “ Rights Offering Registration Statement ” means the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to be filed with the Commission relating to the Rights Offering, including all exhibits thereto and any post-effective amendment thereto that becomes effective; (ii) the term “ Rights Offering Prospectus ” means the final prospectus contained in the Rights Offering Registration Statement at the Securities Act Effective Date (including information, if any, omitted pursuant to Rule 430A and subsequently provided pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act), and any amended form of such prospectus provided under Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act or contained in a post-effective amendment to the Rights Offering Registration Statement; (iii) the term “ Investment Decision Package ” means the Rights Offering Prospectus, together with any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus used by the Company to offer the Shares to Eligible Holders pursuant to the Rights Offering, (iv) the term “ Issuer Free Writing Prospectus ” means each “issuer free writing prospectus” (as defined in Rule 433 of the rules promulgated under the Securities Act) prepared by or on behalf of the Company or used or referred to by the Company in connection with the Rights Offering, and (v) the term “ Preliminary Rights Offering Prospectus ” means each prospectus included in the Rights Offering Registration Statement (and any amendments thereto) before it becomes effective, any prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act and the prospectus included in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, at the time of effectiveness that omits information permitted to be excluded under Rule 430A under the Securities Act.

 

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(l)           Absence of Certain Changes . Since January 1, 2014, other than as disclosed in the Company SEC Documents prior to the date hereof, and except for actions to be taken pursuant to the Transaction Agreements:

 

(i)           there has not been any change in the capital stock from that set forth in Section 3(d) or in long-term debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any dividend or distribution of any kind declared, set aside for payment, paid or made by the Company on any class of capital stock;

 

(ii)          the Company has not incurred any material liability other than in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(iii)         no event, fact or circumstance has occurred which has had or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(m)           No Violation or Default; Compliance with Laws . Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in material default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a material default, in the due performance or observance of any material term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is subject. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is, or has been at any time since January 1, 2014, in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority that is material to the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(n)           Legal Proceedings . Except as described in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there are no (i) actions, suits or proceedings (“ Actions ”) pending against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) pending or threatened investigations or audits by any governmental or regulatory authority, in each case that are that required under the Exchange Act to be described in the Company SEC Documents or the Rights Offering Registration Statement or that if determined adversely to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, would be material to the operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken together as a whole. Except as described in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there are no outstanding orders, writs, injunctions, decrees, stipulations, determinations or awards entered by or with any governmental entity or addressed to or naming as a party the Company or any Subsidiary, and there are no unsatisfied judgments, penalties or awards against, relating to or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

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(o)           Employee Benefit Matters .

 

(i)           The Company has made available to the Investor a true, correct and complete copy of each welfare, benefit, retirement, employment, compensation, incentive, stock option, restricted stock, stock appreciation right, phantom equity, deferred compensation, change in control, severance, vacation, paid time off, fringe-benefit and other similar agreement, plan, policy, program and other arrangement (and any amendments thereto), whether or not reduced to writing, in effect and covering one or more directors, officers or employees, former directors, officers or employees and/or the beneficiaries or dependents of any such director, officer or employee or former director, officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, that is maintained, sponsored, contributed to, or required to be contributed to by Company or any Subsidiary, or under which the Company or any Subsidiary has or may have any liability for premiums or benefits (each, a “ Benefit Plan ”).

 

(ii)          Except as disclosed to the Investor prior to the date hereof or specifically disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, no Benefit Plan provides benefits or coverage in the nature of health, life or disability insurance following retirement or other termination of employment or service with the Company, as a director, officer or employee of the Company.

 

(iii)         Except as disclosed to the Investor prior to the date hereof or specifically disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, there have not been, nor are there presently, any benefits or other amounts paid or payable to any current or former director of the Company or any affiliate thereof.

 

(iv)         There is no pending or threatened Action relating to a Benefit Plan, and no Benefit Plan has within the three (3) years prior to the date hereof been the subject of an examination or audit by a governmental entity or is the subject of an application or filing under, or is a participant in, an amnesty, voluntary compliance, self-correction or similar program sponsored by any governmental entity.

 

(p)           No Broker’s Fees . Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to any brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the Rights Offering or the sale of the Investor Shares.

 

(q)           No Registration Rights . Except as provided for pursuant to this Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the MFP Backstop Agreement, and except as disclosed to the Investor prior to the date hereof or specifically disclosed in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date hereof, no person has the right to require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act.

 

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(r)           Charter; Take-Over Statutes . The Board of Directors and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors have each taken (or shall have taken by the Closing Date) all necessary action to waive and/or approve the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and for purposes of Article Fourteenth of the Company’s certificate of incorporation. The holder of the Series A preferred stock and the Series A Director (as defined in the Company’s certificate of incorporation) have each taken (or shall have taken by the Closing Date) all necessary action to approve the Transaction Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby for purposes of the Company’s certificate of incorporation. No “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition”, “business combination” or other similar anti-takeover statute or regulation (a “ Takeover Statute ”) is applicable to the Company, the Common Stock, the sale and issuance of the Offered Shares and the Investor Shares or the other transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreements.

 

(s)           Transactions with Affiliates . Except as disclosed to the Investor in writing prior to the date hereof or specifically disclosed in the Company SEC Documents, (i) there are no contracts, agreements, arrangements, understandings (in each case whether written or oral), liabilities or obligations between the Company or any Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any current or former officer or director of the Company or any Subsidiary (or any of their respective affiliates or immediate family members), on the other hand, (ii) neither the Company nor any Subsidiary provides or causes to be provided any assets, services or facilities to any person described in clause (i) of this Section 3(s) , (iii) no person described in clause (i) of this Section 3(s) provides or causes to be provided any assets, services or facilities to the Company or any Subsidiary, or derives any benefit from any assets, services or facilities of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than as explicitly contemplated by the terms of such person’s employment by the Company or any Subsidiary).

 

(t)           No Material Misstatements . No representation or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or any other Transaction Agreement contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated herein or therein or necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading.

 

(u)           No Solicitation . Neither the Company nor any agent acting on its behalf has solicited or will solicit any offers to sell or has offered to sell or will offer to sell all or any part of the Investor Shares to any Person or Persons so as to bring the sale of such Investor Shares to the Investor within the registration provisions of the Securities Act or any state securities laws.

 

4.           Representations and Warranties of the Investor . The Investor represents and warrants to, and agrees with the Company, as set forth below. Except for representations, warranties and agreements that are expressly limited as to their date, each representation, warranty and agreement is made as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby:

 

(a)           Authority . The Investor has the requisite power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver each Transaction Agreement to which it will be a party as contemplated by this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including the subscription for the Investor Shares. The Investor has taken all necessary action required for the due authorization, execution, delivery and performance by it of this Agreement, including the subscription for the Investor Shares.

 

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(b)           Execution and Delivery; Enforceability . Each Transaction Agreement to which the Investor is a party as contemplated by this Agreement has been, or prior to its execution and delivery at the Closing Date will be, duly and validly executed and delivered by the Investor, and each such document constitutes, or will constitute, the valid and binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms subject to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

 

(c)           No Registration . The Investor understands that the Investor Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act, the availability of which depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent and the accuracy of the Investor’s representations as expressed herein or otherwise made pursuant hereto.

 

(d)           Investment Intent . The Investor is acquiring the Investor Shares for investment for its own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with the view to, or for resale in connection with, any distribution thereof not in compliance with applicable securities laws, and the Investor has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, except in compliance with applicable securities laws.

 

(e)           Securities Laws Compliance . The Investor Shares will not be offered for sale, sold or otherwise transferred by the Investor except pursuant to a registration statement or in a transaction exempt from, or not subject to, registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

 

(f)           Sophistication . The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the Investor Shares being acquired hereunder. The Investor is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act or an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act. The Investor understands and is able to bear any economic risks associated with such investment (including, without limitation, the necessity of holding the Investor Shares for an indefinite period of time). Without derogating from or limiting the representations and warranties of the Company, the Investor acknowledges that it has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers concerning the Company and to obtain additional information that it has requested to verify the information contained herein.

 

(g)           Legended Securities . The Investor understands and acknowledges that upon the original issuance thereof, and until such time as the same is no longer required under any applicable requirements of the Securities Act or applicable state securities laws, the Investor Shares shall be represented by a certificate bearing the following legend (the “ Securities Act Legend ”):

 

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“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING SUCH SECURITIES, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH SECURITIES MAY BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY PURSUANT TO (1) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (2) AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

The Investor further understands and acknowledges that upon the original issuance thereof, and until such time as the Board of Directors of the Company deems it no longer necessary or advisable under the Company’s charter or otherwise, the certificate representing the Investor Shares shall also bear the following legend (the “ NOL Legend ”):

 

“THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED (THE “CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION”), OF THE CORPORATION CONTAINS RESTRICTIONS PROHIBITING THE TRANSFER (AS DEFINED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION) OF ANY STOCK OF THE CORPORATION (INCLUDING THE CREATION OR GRANT OF CERTAIN OPTIONS) WITHOUT THE PRIOR AUTHORIZATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION (THE “BOARD OF DIRECTORS”) IF SUCH TRANSFER AFFECTS THE PERCENTAGE OF STOCK OF THE CORPORATION (WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 382 OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) AND THE TREASURY REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER) THAT IS TREATED AS OWNED BY A HOLDER OF 4.75% OR MORE OF THE OUTSTANDING STOCK, AS DETERMINED UNDER THE CODE AND SUCH TREASURY REGULATIONS (A “SUBSTANTIAL STOCKHOLDER”). IF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS ARE VIOLATED, THEN THE TRANSFER WILL BE VOID AB INITIO AND THE PURPORTED TRANSFEREE OF THE STOCK WILL BE REQUIRED TO TRANSFER EXCESS SECURITIES TO THE CORPORATION’S AGENT. IN THE EVENT OF A TRANSFER WHICH DOES NOT INVOLVE SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW (“INDIRECT SECURITIES”) BUT WHICH WOULD VIOLATE THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS, THE PURPORTED TRANSFEREE (OR THE RECORD OWNER) OF THE INDIRECT SECURITIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO TRANSFER SUFFICIENT INDIRECT SECURITIES PURSUANT TO THE TERMS PROVIDED FOR IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO CAUSE THE SUBSTANTIAL STOCKHOLDER TO NO LONGER BE IN VIOLATION OF THE TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. THE CORPORATION WILL FURNISH WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS CERTIFICATE A COPY OF THE RELEVANT GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONTAINING THE ABOVE-REFERENCED TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE CORPORATION AT ITS PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS.”

 

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The foregoing Securities Act Legend shall be promptly removed from Investor Shares and the Company shall issue, or cause to be issued, to the Investor a certificate for such Investor Shares without such legend or any other legend (other than the NOL Legend), or, if so requested by the Investor, by electronic delivery at the applicable balance account at the Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”), if one of the following conditions is met: (a) such Investor Shares are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act without regard to any volume limitations; (b) in connection with a sale, assignment or other transfer of such Investor Shares, the Investor provides the Company with an opinion of counsel, in a generally acceptable form to the Company and its transfer agent, to the effect that such sale, assignment or transfer of such Investor Shares may be made without registration under the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and that the legend can be removed from the Investor Shares; or (c) the Investor Shares are registered and sold pursuant to an effective registration statement for resale under the Securities Act (including pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement).

 

Any fees (with respect to the transfer agent or otherwise) associated with the removal of such legend shall be borne by the Company. Following the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement, or at such time as a Securities Act Legend is no longer required for any Investor Shares, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to no later than three (3) trading days following the delivery by the Investor to the Company or its transfer agent (with notice to the Company) of a legended certificate representing such Investor Shares (endorsed or with stock powers attached and otherwise in form necessary to effect the reissuance and/or transfer), deliver or cause to be delivered to the Investor a certificate representing such Investor Shares that is free from all restrictive and other legends (other than the NOL Legend). The Company may not make any notation on its records or give instructions to the transfer agent that enlarge the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Section 4(g) . Certificates for Investor Shares subject to legend removal hereunder may be transmitted by the transfer agent to such Investor by crediting the account of such Investor’s prime broker with DTC as directed by such Investor.

 

(h)           No Conflict . The execution and delivery by the Investor of each of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party and the compliance by the Investor with all of the provisions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein (including the subscription for and purchase of the Investor Shares by the Investor) (i) will not conflict with, or result in a breach or violation of, any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both), or result, in the acceleration of, or the creation of any lien under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Investor is a party or by which the Investor is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Investor is subject, (ii) will not result in any violation of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws or comparable organizational documents of the Investor and (iii) will not result in any material violation of, or any termination or material impairment of any rights under, any law, rule or regulation, any license, authorization, injunction, judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Investor or any of its properties, except in any such case described in subclause (i) for any conflict, breach, violation, default, acceleration or lien which has not and would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to prohibit, materially delay or materially and adversely impact the Investor’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

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(i)           Consents and Approvals . No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration, notice, filing, recording or qualification of or with any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Investor or any of its or his properties is required for the execution and delivery by the Investor of the Transaction Agreements to which it is a party, performance by the Investor of its obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except for any consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification which, if not made or obtained, has not and would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to prohibit, materially delay or materially and adversely impact the Investor’s performance of its or his obligations under this Agreement.

 

(j)           Arm’s Length . The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Company is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Investor with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the Rights Offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to or an agent of, the Investor. Additionally, without derogating from or limiting the representations and warranties of the Company, the Investor is not relying on the Company for any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. Without derogating from or limiting the representations and warranties of the Company, the Investor shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(k)           Share Ownership . As of the date hereof, based on the methodology for calculating shares beneficially owned pursuant to Rules 13d-3 and 16a-1 of the Exchange Act, the Investor beneficially owns 3,369,444 shares of Common Stock.

 

(l)           Information Furnished . Information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company in writing by the Investor expressly for use in the Rights Offering Registration Statement and Shelf Registration Statement will not contain 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.

 

5.           Covenants of the Company . Without derogating from the obligations of the Company set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, the Company agrees with the Investor as set forth below.

 

(a)           Rights Offering Registration Statement .

 

(i)           As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, the Company shall prepare and file a Rights Offering Registration Statement.

 

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(ii)          The Rights Offering Registration Statement when filed with the Commission shall be substantially consistent in all material respects with the last form of such document provided to the Investor and its counsel to review prior to the filing thereof. The Company shall: (x) provide the Investor with a reasonable opportunity to review the Rights Offering Registration Statement prior to its filing with the Commission and shall duly consider in good faith any comments of the Investor and its counsel; (y) advise the Investor promptly of the time when the Rights Offering Registration Statement has been filed or when the Rights Offering Registration Statement has become effective or any Rights Offering Prospectus or Rights Offering Prospectus supplement has been filed and shall furnish the Investor with copies thereof; and (z) advise the Investor promptly after it receives notice of any comments or inquiries by the Commission (and furnish the Investor with copies of any correspondence related thereto), of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Rights Offering Registration Statement, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing the Rights Offering Registration Statement or for additional information, and in each such case, provide the Investor with a reasonable opportunity to review any such comments, inquiries, request or other communication from the Commission and to review any amendment or supplement to the Rights Offering Registration Statement before any filing with the Commission, and to duly consider in good faith any comments consistent with this Agreement and any other reasonable comments of the Investor and its counsel and in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of the Rights Offering Registration Statement or suspending any such qualification, to use promptly its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain its withdrawal.

 

(iii)         The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Rights Offering Registration Statement declared effective by the Commission as promptly as practicable after such filing. The Company shall take all action as may be reasonably necessary or advisable so that the Rights Offering and the issuance and sale of the Investor Shares and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be effected in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws.

 

(iv)         If at any time prior to the Expiration Time, any event occurs as a result of which the Investment Decision Package, as then amended or supplemented, would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Investment Decision Package to comply with applicable law, the Company will promptly notify the Investor of any such event and prepare an amendment or supplement to the Investor Decision Package that is reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Investor that will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.

 

(b)           Company Expenses . The Company will pay all of its expenses associated with the Rights Offering, issuance of the Investor Shares, preparation, negotiation and execution of all Transaction Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including, without limitation, filing and printing fees, fees and expenses of any subscription and information agents, its counsel and accounting fees and expenses, costs associated with the Rights Offering Registration Statement, the Shelf Registration Statement and with clearing the Shares offered thereby for sale under applicable state securities laws.

 

(c)           Commercially Reasonable Efforts . The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all actions, and do or cause to be done all things, reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part under this Agreement and applicable laws to cooperate with the Investor and to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including:

 

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(i)           preparing and filing as promptly as practicable all documentation to effect all necessary notices, reports and other filings and to obtain as promptly as practicable all consents, registrations, approvals, permits and authorizations necessary or advisable to be obtained from any third party or governmental entity;

 

(ii)          defending any lawsuits or other actions or proceedings, whether judicial or administrative, challenging this Agreement or any other agreement contemplated by this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including seeking to have any stay or temporary restraining order entered by any court or other governmental entity vacated or reversed; and

 

(iii)         executing, delivering and filing, as applicable, any additional ancillary instruments or agreements reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

(d)           Rule 144 . The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to timely file all reports and other documents required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder (or, if the Company is not required to file such reports, it will, upon the request of the Investor, make publicly available such information as necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act), and will use commercially reasonable efforts to take such further action as the Investor may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable the Investor to sell Investor Shares without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

 

(e)           Registration Rights Agreement . At or prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall enter into the Registration Rights Agreement with the Investor pursuant to which the Company agrees to register all of the Shares purchased by the Investor pursuant to the Rights Offering and this Agreement .

 

6.           Additional Covenants of the Investor . Without derogating from the obligations of the Investor set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, the Investor agrees with the Company:

 

(a)           Information . The Investor shall provide the Company with such information as the Company reasonably requests regarding the Investor for inclusion in the Rights Offering Registration Statement and Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(b)           Cooperation . The Investor shall cooperate with the Company in taking all action necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including executing, delivering and filing, as applicable, any additional ancillary instruments or agreements necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to fully carry out the purposes of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

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7.           [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

8.           Indemnification and Contribution .

 

(a)           Whether or not the Rights Offering, the issuance of the Investor Shares to the Investor or the other transactions contemplated hereby are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company (in such capacity, the “ Indemnifying Party ”) shall indemnify and hold harmless the Investor, its Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, members, managers, partners, employees, agents, advisors and controlling persons (each, an “ Indemnified Person ”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, joint or several (“ Losses ”) incurred by such Indemnified Person or to which any such Indemnified Person may become subject arising out of or in connection with any claim, challenge, litigation, investigation or proceeding (“ Proceedings ”) arising out of or relating to the Rights Offering, this Agreement or the other Transaction Agreements, the Rights Offering Registration Statement, any Preliminary Rights Offering Prospectus, the Rights Offering Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Investment Decision Package, any amendment or supplement thereto or the transactions contemplated by any of the foregoing and shall reimburse such Indemnified Persons for any reasonable legal fees and expenses or other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with investigating, responding to or defending any of the foregoing; provided that the foregoing indemnification will not apply to Losses to the extent that they resulted from (i) gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such Indemnified Person or (ii) statements or omissions in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, any Preliminary Rights Offering Prospectus, the Rights Offering Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto made in reliance upon or in conformity with information relating to such Indemnified Person furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person expressly for use in the Rights Offering Registration Statement, any Rights Offering Preliminary Prospectus, the Rights Offering Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto. If for any reason the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Indemnified Person (except as set forth in the proviso to the immediately preceding section) or insufficient to hold it harmless, then the Indemnifying Party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits received by the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and such Indemnified Person on the other hand but also the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and such Indemnified Person on the other hand as well as any relevant equitable considerations. The term “ Affiliate ” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act, in effect on the date hereof.

 

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(b)           Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Person of notice of the commencement of any Proceedings with respect to which the Indemnified Person may be entitled to indemnification hereunder, such Indemnified Person will, if a claim is to be made hereunder against the Indemnifying Party in respect thereof, notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the commencement thereof; provided that the omission so to notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability that it may have hereunder except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure. In case any such Proceedings are brought against any Indemnified Person and it notifies the Indemnifying Party of the commencement thereof, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled to participate therein, and, to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to such Indemnified Person, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person; provided that if the defendants in any such Proceedings include both such Indemnified Person and the Indemnifying Party and such Indemnified Person shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party, such Indemnified Person shall have the right to select separate counsel, which selection shall be subject to the reasonable approval of the Indemnifying Party, to assert such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such Proceedings on behalf of such Indemnified Person. Upon receipt of notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnified Person of its election so to assume the defense of such Proceedings and approval by such Indemnified Person of counsel, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Person for expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person thereafter in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation) unless (i) such Indemnified Person shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one firm of counsel, plus local counsel, in any jurisdiction representing the Indemnified Person), (ii) the Indemnifying Party shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person to represent such Indemnified Person within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of the Proceedings or (iii) the Indemnifying Party shall have authorized in writing the employment of counsel for such Indemnified Person.

 

(c)           The Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any Proceedings effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). If any settlement of any Proceeding is consummated with the written consent of the Indemnifying Party or if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such Proceedings, the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any and all Losses by reason of such settlement or judgment in accordance with, and subject to the limitations of, the provisions of this Section 8 . The Indemnifying Party shall not, without the prior written consent of an Indemnified Person (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened Proceedings in respect of which indemnity has been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person unless (i) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person in form and substance satisfactory to such Indemnified Person from all liability on the claims that are the subject matter of such Proceedings and (ii) such settlement does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

 

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(d)           Given that an Indemnified Person may be entitled to indemnification (a “ Jointly Indemnifiable Claim ”) from both the Company, pursuant to this Agreement, and from any other Person, whether pursuant to applicable law, any indemnification agreement, the organizational documents of such Person or otherwise (the “ Indemnitee-Related Entities ”), the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall be fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the Indemnified Person in respect of indemnification and advancement of expenses in connection with any such Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, irrespective of any right of recovery the Indemnified Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities. Under no circumstance shall the Company be entitled to any right of subrogation or contribution by the Indemnitee-Related Entities and no right of recovery the Indemnified Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnified Person or the obligations of the Company hereunder. In the event that any of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall make any payment to the Indemnified Person in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to any Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, the Indemnitee-Related Entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnified Person against the Company, and the Indemnified Person shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the Indemnitee-Related Entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. Each of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 8(d) , entitled to enforce this Section 8(d) against the Company as though each such Indemnitee-Related Entity were a party to this Agreement.

 

9.           Survival of Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties made in this Agreement will survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby notwithstanding any investigation at any time made by or on behalf of any party hereto until the date that is one year after the Closing Date and the covenants shall survive in accordance with their specific terms; provided, however, the representations and warrants contained in Sections 3(b) , (c) , (d) , (e) and (g) and Sections 4(a) , (b) and (i) shall survive indefinitely.

 

10.          Termination . This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned prior to the Closing Date:

 

(a)           by mutual written consent of the Company and the Investor;

 

(b)           by the Investor, with written notice to the Company:

 

(i)           if the Rights Offering Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission and the Rights Offering Commencement Date has not occurred by February 12, 2016;

 

(ii)          after February 12, 2016; provided , that the Closing Date has not occurred by such date other than as a result of a breach by the Investor of any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement; or

 

(iii)         if, after the date hereof, there shall have occurred (w) a material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, or (x) a suspension or material limitation on trading, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any securities exchange or by such system or by order of the Commission, the New York Stock Exchange or any other governmental authority, or (y) a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (z) a declaration of a banking moratorium by either Federal or New York authorities.

 

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(c)           by the Company, with written notice to the Investor:

 

(i)           after February 12, 2016; provided , that the Closing Date has not occurred by such date other than as a result of a breach by the Company of any of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement; or

 

(ii)          if, after the date hereof, there shall have occurred (w) a material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States, any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, or (x) a suspension or material limitation on trading, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by any securities exchange or by such system or by order of the Commission, the New York Stock Exchange or any other governmental authority, or (y) a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States, or (z) a declaration of a banking moratorium by either Federal or New York authorities.

 

(d)           If this Agreement is terminated, provided that there was no breach of any representations, warranties or covenants in this Agreement by the Investor at the date of termination which breach had materially delayed or materially adversely impacted the Investor’s or the Company’s performance of their respective obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Investor any Transaction Expenses due and payable hereunder that have not been paid theretofore. Payment of the amounts due under this Section 10(d) will be made no later than the close of business on the third (3rd) Business Day following the date of such termination by wire transfer of immediately available funds in U.S. dollars to an account or accounts specified by the Investor to the Company. The provision for the payment of the Transaction Expenses is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without this provision the Investor would not have entered into this Agreement.

 

(e)           Upon termination under this Section 10 , all rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall terminate without any liability of any party to any other party except that (x) nothing contained herein shall release any party hereto from liability for any willful breach and (y) the covenants and agreements made by the parties herein in Section 2 , and Section 8 and Sections 10 through 16 will survive indefinitely in accordance with their terms.

 

11.          Notices . All notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement will be in writing and will be deemed given (and will be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) if delivered personally, sent via electronic transmission or facsimile (with confirmation), mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or delivered by an express courier (with confirmation) to the parties at the following addresses (or at such other address for a party as will be specified by like notice):

 

(a)           If to the Company:

 

Trinity Place Holdings Inc.
717 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1303
New York, New York 10022
Attention:  Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Fax: (212) 235-2199

Email:  matt.messinger@tphs.com and richard.pyontek@tphs.com

 

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

 

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Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Attention: John Bessonette
Fax: (212) 715-8044
Email:  jbessonette@kramerlevin.com

 

(b)           If to the Investor:

 

Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund

c/o Third Avenue Management LLC
622 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10017
Attention: General Counsel
Email:  jhall@thirdave.com

 

12.          Assignment; Third Party Beneficiaries . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by any of the parties (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other party. Except as provided in Section 8 with respect to the Indemnified Persons, this Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to in this Agreement) is not intended to and does not confer upon any person other than the parties hereto any rights or remedies under this Agreement. Any Indemnified Persons shall be entitled to enforce and rely on the provisions listed in the immediately preceding sentence as if they were a party to this Agreement.

 

13.          Prior Negotiations; Entire Agreement . This Agreement (including the agreements attached as exhibits to and the documents and instruments referred to in this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements or understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, except that the parties hereto acknowledge that any confidentiality agreements heretofore executed among the parties will continue in full force and effect.

 

14.          GOVERNING LAW; VENUE . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE GOVERNED AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE INVESTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF, AND VENUE IN, THE UNITED STATES COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION BASED ON FORUM NON CONVENIENS. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE BREACH, TERMINATION OR VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. 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) EACH SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 14.

 

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15.          Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement and will become effective when counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party (including via facsimile or other electronic transmission), it being understood that each party need not sign the same counterpart.

 

16.          Waivers and Amendments . This Agreement may be amended, modified, superseded, cancelled, renewed or extended, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement may be waived, only by a written instrument signed by all the parties or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance. No delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or privilege pursuant to this Agreement will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any waiver on the part of any party of any right, power or privilege pursuant to this Agreement, nor will any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege pursuant to this Agreement, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege pursuant to this Agreement. The rights and remedies provided pursuant to this Agreement are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any party otherwise may have at law or in equity.

 

17.          Adjustment to Shares . If, prior to the Closing Date, the Company effects a reclassification, stock split (including a reverse stock split), stock dividend or distribution, recapitalization, merger, issuer tender or exchange offer, or other similar transaction with respect to any shares of its capital stock, references to the numbers of such shares and the prices therefore shall be equitably adjusted to reflect such change and, as adjusted, shall, from and after the date of such event, be subject to further adjustment in accordance herewith.

 

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

 

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19.          Publicity . The Company and the Investor shall consult with each other prior to issuing any press releases (and provide each other a reasonable opportunity to review and comment upon such release prior to its public issuance) or otherwise making public announcements with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that in no event shall any such press release or other public announcement name the Investor without its prior written consent. The Company shall consult with the Investor prior to making any filings (and provide the Investor a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such filings) with any third party or any governmental entity (including any national securities exchange or interdealer quotation service) with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except as may be required by law or by the request of any governmental entity. Subject to the Company’s foregoing obligations pursuant to this Section 19 , nothing contained in this Section 19 shall be interpreted to preclude the Company from making any filing or disclosing any information in any filing, including with the Commission, that the Company acting reasonably determines is necessary or advisable; provided, however, that, if such filing names the Investor, the Company shall obtain the prior approval of the Investor and take into account any comments it may have thereto unless, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, the filing is legally required to be made as proposed by the Company without making changes to reflect such comments.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, all as of the date first written above.

 

  

TRINITY PLACE HOLDINGS INC.
   
  By: /s/ Matthew Messinger
  Name:   Matthew Messinger
  Title:     President and Chief Executive Officer
   
  THIRD AVENUE TRUST, ON BEHALF OF THIRD AVENUE REAL ESTATE VALUE FUND
  By: Third Avenue Management LLC,
    its investment advisor
   
  By: /s/ W. James Hall
  Name:   W. James Hall
  Title:   General Counsel

 

[Signature Page to Investment Agreement]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”), dated as of [__], 2015, is made by and between Trinity Place Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “ Company ”) and Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund (the “ Investor ”).

 

WITNESSETH

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Investment Agreement dated as of September 11, 2015 (the “ Investment Agreement ”) between the Company and the Investor; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has conducted a rights offering (the “ Rights Offering ”) by distributing, at no charge, to each holder of record (as of a record date determined by the Board (as defined below)) of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), 0.248362 non-transferable rights (the “ Rights ”), for each share of Common Stock held by such shareholder, to purchase shares of Common Stock which Rights, if exercised in full by each holder of record as of such record date, would provide gross proceeds to the Company of Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000);

 

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate the Rights Offering and pursuant to the Investment Agreement, the Investor agreed to exercise all of its Rights under its Basic Subscription Privilege in the Rights Offering, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Investment Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, in consideration of the Investor’s commitment to purchase certain shares of Common Stock pursuant to, upon the terms, and subject to the conditions set forth in the Investment Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide registration rights to the Investor with respect to all of the Shares purchased by the Investor pursuant to the Rights Offering and the Investment Agreement (the “ Shares ”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

 

Article I

 

Certain Definitions

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a)           The term “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, such Person; provided that, for the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

  A- 1  

 

 

(b)           The term “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(c)           The term “Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor agency.

 

(d)           The term “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(e)           The term “Person” (but not “person”) means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other entity, and shall include any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

 

(f)           The term “Purchase Price” means $6.00 per Share.

 

(g)           The term “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Any terms used in this Agreement and not defined herein shall have the meanings given such terms in the Investment Agreement.

 

Article II

 

REGISTRATION OF COMMON STOCK; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 2.01     Registrable Securities . For the purposes of this Agreement, “ Registrable Securities ” means the Shares; provided that (i) any Shares of Common Stock will cease to be Registrable Securities, and (ii) the Company will not be obligated to maintain the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined below), and the Company’s obligations under Section 2.02 will cease, with respect to the Registrable Securities of a holder thereof (a “ Holder ”) following the date on which (a) such securities have been sold or otherwise transferred by the Holder thereof pursuant to an effective registration statement; or (b) such securities are sold in accordance with Rule 144 (or any successor provision) promulgated under the Securities Act. The period of time during which the Company is required to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective is referred to as the “ Effectiveness Period .”

 

Section 2.02    Registration . Within ten (10) Business Days following the date on which the Company consummates the Rights Offering and the transactions contemplated by the Investment Agreement, the Company shall prepare and file a resale registration statement on Form S-3 or another applicable form, if Form S-3 is not then available, registering offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by the Investor pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (such registration statement together with all exhibits thereto and any post-effective amendment thereto that becomes effective, the “ Shelf Registration Statement ”). The Company may supplement the Shelf Registration Statement from time to time to register securities other than Registrable Securities for sale for the account of any Person; provided , however , that such supplement will be permitted only so long as the Commission rules provide that such supplement does not give the Commission the right to review the Shelf Registration Statement; provided , further, that such supplement does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Article II, if the Company grants registration rights to one or more other holders of its Common Stock that are more favorable to such holders than the registration rights granted hereunder, with respect to underwritten offerings or otherwise, the Company and holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities hereunder shall in good faith amend this Agreement to reflect such more favorable terms as reasonably as practicable.

 

  A- 2  

 

 

Section 2.03    Registration Procedures . In connection with the registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this Article II, the Company will use its best efforts to:

 

(a)           cause the Shelf Registration Statement (and any other related registrations, qualifications or compliances as may be reasonably requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all Registrable Securities until the distribution thereof is complete) to become effective as soon as practicable following the filing thereof but not later than 180 days after the Closing Date (the “ Scheduled Effective Date ”);

 

(b)           prepare and file with the Commission the amendments and supplements to the Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith and take all other actions as may be necessary to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective until the disposition of all securities in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Holder or Holders thereof set forth in the Shelf Registration Statement will be completed, and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act (to the extent applicable to the Company) with respect to the dispositions;

 

(c)           (i) at least five (5) Business Days before filing with the Commission, furnish to each Holder and its counsel (if any) copies of all documents proposed to be filed with the Commission in connection with such registration, which documents will be subject to the review and reasonable comment of such Holder and its counsel; (ii) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities a reasonable number of copies of the Shelf Registration Statement, of each amendment and supplement thereto, and of the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the other documents (including exhibits to any of the foregoing), as the Holder may reasonably request, in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder; and (iii) respond as promptly as practicable to any comments received from the Commission with respect to each Shelf Registration Statement or any amendment thereto and, as promptly as reasonably possible, provide the Holders true and complete copies of all correspondence from and to the Commission relating to such Shelf Registration Statement that pertains to the Holders as “Selling Stockholders” but not any comments that would result in the disclosure to the Holders of material and non-public information concerning the Company.

 

  A- 3  

 

 

(d)           register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement under the securities or “blue sky” laws of the various states as any Holder reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or reasonably advisable to enable a Holder to consummate the disposition in such states of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder, except that the Company will not be required to qualify generally to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not, but for the requirements of this Section 2.03(d), be obligated to be qualified, or to subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction;

 

(e)           provide a transfer agent and registrar for the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement not later than the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement;

 

(f)           notify the Holders promptly, and confirm such notice in writing, (i)(A) when a prospectus as contained in the Shelf Registration Statement (a “ Prospectus ”) or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and (B) with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of the issuance by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) 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, (iv) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement made in such Shelf Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in such Shelf Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Shelf Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, (v) of the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to a Shelf Registration Statement would be appropriate, or (vi) of any request by the Commission or other governmental authority for amendments or supplements to a Shelf Registration Statement or related Prospectus or for additional information that pertains to the Holders as “Selling Stockholders” or the “Plan of Distribution”;

 

(g)           enter into customary agreements (including, in the event the Holders elect to engage an underwriter in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, an underwriting agreement containing customary terms and conditions) and take all other actions as may be reasonably required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities; provided , however , that the Company will not be liable for any underwriter’s fees, commissions and discounts or similar expenses; and

 

(h)           make every reasonable effort to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or any suspension of the qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction, at the earliest possible time.

 

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Section 2.04      Rule 144 . With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that at any time permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees to:

 

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

 

(b)           file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act;

 

(c)           so long as a Holder owns any unregistered Registrable Securities, furnish to the Holder upon any reasonable request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act and/or the Exchange Act, a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and any other reports and documents of the Company as the Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing a Holder to sell any Registrable Securities without registration (excluding any reports or documents of the Company that the Company, in its sole discretion, deems confidential); and

 

(d)           take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request to enable such Holder to sell such Shares without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, including providing any legal opinions relating to such sale pursuant to Rule 144.

 

Section 2.05      Registration and Selling Expenses . All expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Article II, including, without limitation, (i) all Commission registration and filing fees, (ii) blue sky fees and expenses, (iii) all necessary printing and duplicating expenses and (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel and accountants retained on behalf of the Company (all expenses being called “ Registration Expenses ”), will be paid by the Company. Each Holder may, at its election, retain its own counsel and other representatives and advisors as it chooses at its own expense; provided that the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel to the Holders incurred as part of reviewing the Shelf Registration Statement and any Prospectuses and amendments related thereto.

 

Section 2.06      Registration Statement Not Declared Effective . The Company and the Holders agree that the Holders will suffer damages if (i) the Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the Scheduled Effective Date, or (ii) the length or frequency of Black-Out Periods (as defined below) exceed the limits set forth in Section 2.07(a) hereof. The Company and the Holders further agree that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, (x) if the Shelf Registration Statement is not declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the Scheduled Effective Date and on such date or at any time thereafter the Company is not diligently and in good faith making commercially reasonable efforts to have the Shelf Registration Statement declared effective, the Company shall pay an amount in cash as liquidated damages to each Holder equal to one percent (1%) of the Purchase Price of the Shares held by such Holder for each thirty (30) day period after the Scheduled Effective Date during which the Company is failing to make such efforts, up to a maximum of four percent (4%); and (y) during the continuance of a Black-Out Period beyond the limits set forth in Section 2.07(a) hereof, the Company shall pay an amount in cash as liquidated damages to each Holder equal to one percent (1%) of the Purchase Price of the Shares held by such Holder for each thirty (30) day period during the continuance of a Black-Out Period beyond such limits, pro-rated as applicable for any partial month, up to a maximum of four percent (4%).

 

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Section 2.07      Certain Obligations of Holders .

 

(a)           Each Holder agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of (i) the happening of any event of the kind described in Sections 2.03(f)(i)(A), 2.03(f)(ii), 2.03(f)(iii), 2.03(f)(iv), 2.03(f)(v) or 2.03(f)(vi) hereof, or (ii) a determination by the Board that it is advisable to suspend use of the Prospectus for a discrete period of time due to pending corporate developments such as negotiation of a material transaction which the Company in its sole discretion after consultation with legal counsel, determines it would be obligated to disclose in the Shelf Registration Statement, which disclosure the Company believes would be premature or otherwise inadvisable at such time or would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its stockholders, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 2.03(b) hereof, or until such Holder is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. The period of time in which the use of a Prospectus or Shelf Registration Statement is so suspended shall be referred to as a “ Black-Out Period .” The Company agrees to so advise such Holder promptly of the commencement and termination of any such Black-Out Period, and the Purchasers agree to keep the fact of such Black-Out Period confidential. The Company shall not impose a Black-Out Period under this Section 2.07 for more than ninety (90) consecutive days and not more than twice in any given twelve (12) month period; provided, that at least sixty (60) days must pass between Black-Out Periods and the total aggregate length of all Black-Out periods within any twelve (12) month period shall not exceed one hundred and twenty (120) days. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may suspend use of any Shelf Registration Statement if the Commission’s rules and regulations prohibit the Company from maintaining the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement because its financial statements are stale at a time when its fiscal year has ended or it has made an acquisition reportable under Item 2.01 of Form 8-K or any other similar situation until the Company’s Form 10-K has been filed or a Form 8-K, including any required pro forma or historical financial statements, has been filed, respectively (provided that the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cure any such situation as soon as possible so that the Shelf Registration Statement can be used at the earliest possible time).

 

(b)           As a condition to the closing and to the inclusion of its Registrable Securities, each Holder will furnish to the Company the information regarding the Holder as is legally required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance referred to in this Article II.

 

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(c)           Each Holder hereby covenants with the Company not to make any sale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement without effectively causing the prospectus delivery requirements under the Securities Act to be satisfied.

 

(d)           Each Holder acknowledges and agrees that the Registrable Securities sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement are not transferable on the books of the Company unless the stock certificate submitted to the transfer agent evidencing the Registrable Securities, if applicable, is accompanied by a certificate reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that (i) the Registrable Securities have been sold in accordance with this Agreement and the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the requirement of delivering a current prospectus has been satisfied.

 

(e)           Each Holder is hereby advised that the anti-manipulation provisions of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of the Registrable Securities offered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement and agrees not to take any action with respect to any distribution deemed to be made pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement that constitutes a violation of Regulation M under the Exchange Act or any other applicable rule, regulation or law.

 

(f)           [Intentionally omitted.]

 

(g)           The rights to cause the Company to register Registrable Securities granted to the Holders by the Company under Section 2.02 may be assigned in whole or in part by a Holder in connection with the transfer of such Registrable Securities, provided, that: (i) the transfer of the Registrable Securities and the rights to register such Registrable Securities are effected in accordance with applicable securities laws, (ii) the transfer involves not less than fifty percent (50%) of the Shares, (iii) the Holder gives prior written notice to the Company, and (iv) the transferee agrees to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement in a written instrument reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Company and its counsel. Except as specifically permitted by this Section 2.07, the rights of a Holder with respect to Registrable Securities will not be transferable to any other Person, and any attempted transfer will cause all rights of the Holder to registration of Registrable Securities under this Article II to be forfeited, void ab initio and of no further force and effect.

 

(h)           With the written consent of the Company and each Holder affected or potentially affected by such proposed waiver, any provision of Sections 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07 or 2.08 may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance, either retroactively or prospectively and either for a specified period of time or indefinitely). Upon the effectuation of each waiver, the Company will promptly give written notice thereof to such Holders.

 

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Section 2.08      Indemnification .

 

(a)           By the Company . The Company agrees to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities being sold, its directors, officers, employees, members, managers, partners, agents, and each other Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder) such Holder (each, an “ Indemnified Person ”) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees and expenses and all costs incident to investigation or preparation with respect to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses and to reimburse such Indemnified Person for such costs as incurred) (collectively, the “ Losses ”) caused by, resulting from, or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or a fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder in writing expressly for use therein or by such Holder’s failure to deliver a copy of the Shelf Registration Statement or prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto after the Company has furnished such Holder with a sufficient number of copies of the same and notified such Holder of such obligation. In connection with an underwritten offering and without limiting any of the Company’s other obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall indemnify such underwriters, their officers, directors, employees, and agents and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder) such underwriters or such other indemnified Person to the same extent as provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders of Registrable Securities being sold.

 

(b)           By the Investor . In connection with any registration statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating pursuant to this Agreement, each such Holder will, if requested, furnish to the Company in writing information regarding such Holder’s ownership of Registrable Securities and, to the extent permitted by law, shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify the Company, its directors, and each Person who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder) the Company against all Losses caused by, resulting from, or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in the Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, or preliminary prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is caused by and contained in such information so furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein; provided , however , that each Holder’s obligation to indemnify the Company hereunder shall be apportioned between each Holder based upon the net amount received by each Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities, as compared to the total net amount received by all of the Holders of Registrable Securities sold pursuant to such registration statement, no such Holder being liable to the Company in excess of such apportionment; and provided , further (i) that each Holder’s obligation to indemnify the Company hereunder shall be apportioned between each Holder as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of such Holder on the one hand, and of each other Holder on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses. The relative fault of each Holder on the one hand, and each other Holder on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Holder and the parties’ relevant intent, knowledge, information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

 

  A- 8  

 

 

(c)           Notice . Any Person entitled to indemnification hereunder shall give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which its seeks indemnification; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not release the indemnifying party from its obligation, except to the extent that the indemnifying party has been materially prejudiced by such failure to provide such notice.

 

(d)           Defense of Actions . In any case in which any such action is brought against any indemnified party and it notifies an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party will not (so long as it shall continue to have the right to defend, contest, litigate, and settle the matter in question in accordance with this paragraph) be liable to such indemnified party hereunder for any legal or other expense subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, supervision, and monitoring (unless such indemnified party reasonably objects to such assumption on the grounds that there may be defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to the defenses available to such indemnifying party or if a conflict or potential conflict of interest exists, in either of which event the indemnified party shall be reimbursed by the indemnifying party for the expenses incurred in connection with retaining separate legal counsel). An indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of an action or claim effected without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The indemnifying party shall lose its right to defend, contest, litigate, and settle a matter if it shall fail diligently to contest such matter (except to the extent settled in accordance with the next following sentence). No matter shall be settled by an indemnifying party without the consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The indemnifying party shall not, without the prior written consent of an indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceedings in respect of which indemnity has been sought hereunder by such indemnified party unless (i) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party in form and substance satisfactory to such indemnified party from all liability on the claims that are the subject matter of such proceedings and (ii) such settlement does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

 

(e)           Jointly Indemnifiable Claims . Given that an Indemnified Person may be entitled to indemnification (a “ Jointly Indemnifiable Claim ”) from both the Company, pursuant to this Agreement, and from any other Person, whether pursuant to applicable law, any indemnification agreement, the organizational documents of such Person or otherwise (the “ Indemnitee-Related Entities ”), the Company acknowledges and agrees that the Company shall be fully and primarily responsible for the payment to the Indemnified Person in respect of indemnification and advancement of expenses in connection with any such Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, irrespective of any right of recovery the Indemnified Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities. Under no circumstance shall the Company be entitled to any right of subrogation or contribution by the Indemnitee-Related Entities and no right of recovery the Indemnified Person may have from the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall reduce or otherwise alter the rights of the Indemnified Person or the obligations of the Company hereunder. In the event that any of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall make any payment to the Indemnified Person in respect of indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to any Jointly Indemnifiable Claim, the Indemnitee-Related Entity making such payment shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of the Indemnified Person against the Company, and the Indemnified Person shall execute all papers reasonably required and shall do all things that may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents as may be necessary to enable the Indemnitee-Related Entities effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights. Each of the Indemnitee-Related Entities shall be third-party beneficiaries with respect to this Section 2.08(e) , entitled to enforce this Section 2.08(e) against the Company as though each such Indemnitee-Related Entity were a party to this Agreement.

 

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(f)           Survival . The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified Person and will survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(g)           Contribution . If recovery is not available under the foregoing indemnification provisions for any reason or reasons other than as specified therein, any Person who would otherwise be entitled to indemnification by the terms thereof shall nevertheless be entitled to contribution with respect to any Losses with respect to which such Person would be entitled to such indemnification but for such reason or reasons. In determining the amount of contribution to which the respective Persons are entitled, there shall be considered the Persons’ relative knowledge and access to information concerning the matter with respect to which the claim was asserted, the opportunity to correct and prevent any statement or omission, and other equitable considerations appropriate under the circumstances, including the relative fault of such Person, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in Losses. The relative fault of each Person shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any untrue or any alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such Person and the parties’ relevant intent, knowledge, information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. It is hereby agreed that it would not necessarily be equitable if the amount of such contribution were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation. 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Investor and any Affiliate of such Investor shall not be required to make a contribution in excess of (i) the net amount received by such Investor (or its Affiliate) from the sale of Registrable Securities.

 

Article III

 

Miscellaneous

 

Section 3.01      Inconsistent Agreements. Without the prior written consent of the Investor, the Company shall not enter into any registration rights agreement that conflicts, or is inconsistent, with the provisions of Article II hereof.

  

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Section 3.02      Specific Performance . Each of the Investor and the Company acknowledge and agree that, in the event of any breach of this Agreement, the non-breaching party or parties would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. The Investor and the Company hereby agree that, in addition to any other remedy to which the Investor may be entitled at law or in equity, the Investor shall be entitled to compel specific performance of this Agreement in any action instituted in any court of the United States or any state thereof having subject matter jurisdiction for such action.

 

Section 3.03      Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provisions hereof.

 

Section 3.04      Entire Agreement . Except for the Investment Agreement, this Agreement (a) constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein, and there are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties, covenants, conditions, or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof, other than those expressly set forth or referred to herein, and (b) amends and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

Section 3.05      Notices . All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, by next-day courier, by electronic or facsimile transmission, or telecopied with confirmation of receipt to the parties at the addresses specified below (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by like notice; provided that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt thereof). Any such notice shall be effective upon receipt, if personally delivered, delivered by electronic or facsimile transmission, or telecopied, or one day after delivery to a courier for next-day delivery.

 

If to the Company, to:

 

Trinity Place Holdings Inc.
717 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1303
New York, New York 10022
Attention: Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Fax: (212) 235-2199

Email:  matt.messinger@tphs.com and richard.pyontek@tphs.com

 

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

 

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Attention: John Bessonette
Fax: (212) 715-8044
Email:  jbessonette@kramerlevin.com

 

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If to the Investor or the Holder(s), to:

 

Third Avenue Trust, on behalf of Third Avenue Real Estate Value Fund

c/o Third Avenue Management LLC
622 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10017
Attention: General Counsel
Email:  jhall@thirdave.com

 

Section 3.06      Applicable Law . The substantive laws of the State of New York shall govern the interpretation, validity, and performance of the terms of this Agreement, regardless of the law that might be applied under applicable principles of conflicts of laws.

 

Section 3.07      Severability . The invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability of one or more of the provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality, or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality, or enforceability of this Agreement, including any such provision, in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

Section 3.08      Successors; Assigns . The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, and permitted assigns, including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment or assumption, any successor in interest to an Investor, whether by a sale of all or substantially all of its assets, merger, consolidation, or otherwise. Neither this Agreement nor the rights or obligations of any party hereunder may be assigned, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. Any such attempted assignment in contravention of this Agreement shall be void and of no effect.

 

Section 3.09      No Third-Party Beneficiaries . Nothing in this Agreement creates in any Person not a party to this Agreement (other than permitted assignees and a Person indemnified pursuant to Section 2.08 hereof with respect to such indemnification rights and any Holders of the Registrable Securities with respect to the rights to which they are entitled hereunder ) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement, and this Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto.

 

Section 3.10      Amendments . This Agreement may not be amended, modified, or supplemented unless such modification is in writing and signed by the Company and each Investor.

 

Section 3.11      Waiver . Any waiver (express or implied) of any default or breach of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of any other or subsequent default or breach.

 

Section 3.12      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby agree to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

 

 

TRINITY PLACE HOLDINGS INC.
   
  By:  
  Name:  Matthew Messinger
  Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

  THIRD AVENUE TRUST, ON BEHALF OF THIRD AVENUE REAL ESTATE VALUE FUND
  By: Third Avenue Management LLC,
    its investment advisor
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

AmenDment to eMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) is entered into and effective as of this 11 th day of September, 2015 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between Trinity Place Holdings Inc. (“the Company ”) and Matthew Messinger (“ Executive ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive entered into that certain Employment Agreement dated October 1, 2013 (the “ Agreement ”) governing Executive’s employment relationship with the Company; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive desire to amend the Agreement as set forth below;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Executive agree to amend the Agreement by this Amendment as follows:

 

1.            Section 3.1(a) of the Agreement is amended by adding the following sentence to the end thereof:

 

Effective January 1, 2016, the Base Salary shall be $750,000.

 

2.            Section 3.2(a)(i) of the Agreement is amended by adding the following to the end thereof:

 

Executive’s withholding tax obligations shall be satisfied through Net Share Settlement, as defined below.

 

3.            The second, third, fourth and fifth sentences of Section 3.2(a)(vi) of the Agreement shall be amended in their entirety to read as follows:

 

If granted, 125,000 shares of the 12/31/2015 RSU Award shall vest in three equal annual installments beginning December 31, 2016 and ending December 31, 2018, subject to Executive’s continued employment on the applicable vesting dates other than as stated herein and, subject to Executive’s satisfaction in full of all applicable withholding taxes, the vested portion of the 125,000 shares of the 12/31/2015 RSU Award will be distributed to Executive upon the earlier of (i) the fourth anniversary of the applicable vesting date and (ii) subject to Sections 4.6 and 8.1, Executive’s termination of employment for any reason. The remaining 238,095 shares of the 12/31/2015 RSU Award shall vest in three equal annual installments beginning December 31, 2016 and ending December 31, 2018, subject to Executive’s continued employment on the applicable vesting dates other than as stated herein and the vested portion of the 238,095 shares of the 12/31/2015 RSU Award will be distributed to Executive upon the earlier of (i) the second anniversary of the applicable vesting date and (ii) subject to Sections 4.6 and 8.1, Executive’s termination of employment for any reason. Executive’s withholding tax obligations with respect to these 238,095 shares of the 12/31/2015 RSU Award shall be satisfied through Net Share Settlement. In the event the performance condition applicable to the 12/31/2015 RSU Award is not achieved by December 31, 2015, Executive shall not be entitled to the grant of the 12/31/2015 RSU Award, unless the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors determines that it is in the best interests of the Company to grant the 12/31/2015 RSU Award notwithstanding the failure to achieve the performance condition.

 

 
 

  

4. A new Section 3.2(a)(viii) is added to the Agreement read as follows:

 

(viii)    On or prior to December 31, 2015, Executive shall be granted a restricted stock unit award covering 250,000 shares (the “12/31/15-2 RSU Award”). The 12/31/15-2 RSU Award shall vest with respect to 83,333 shares on each of December 31, 2018 and 2019, and with respect to 83,334 shares on December 31, 2020, subject to Executive’s continued employment on each of the vesting dates other than as stated herein. Shares with respect to the 12/31/15-2 RSU Award shall be distributed to Executive within thirty (30) days (or on the sixtieth (60 th ) day in connection with the acceleration of vesting of any RSU Award upon a termination of employment) following each applicable vesting date, including any accelerated vesting date, subject to Executive’s satisfaction in full of all applicable withholding taxes, provided that the Executive may elect to satisfy all or part of such withholding obligations through Net Share Settlement.

 

5. New Sections 3.2(a)(ix)-(xiii) are added to the Agreement to read as follows:

 

(ix)       On or prior to December 31, 2015, Executive shall be granted a restricted stock unit award covering 30,000 shares (the “12/31/15-3 RSU Award”). The 12/31/15-3 RSU Award shall vest with respect to 10,000 shares on each of December 31, 2016, 2017 and 2018, subject to Executive’s continued employment on each of the vesting dates other than as stated herein. The 12/31/2015-3 RSU Award, to the extent vested, will be distributed to Executive on the earlier of (i) the thirty (30) day period following December 31, 2018 and (ii) subject to Sections 4.6 and 8.1, Executive’s termination of employment for any reason. Executive’s withholding tax obligations with respect to the 12/31/2015-3 RSU Award shall be satisfied through Net Share Settlement.

 

(x)        On or prior to December 31, 2016, Executive shall be granted a restricted stock unit award covering 30,000 shares (the “12/31/16 RSU Award”). The 12/31/16 RSU Award shall vest with respect to 10,000 shares on each of December 31, 2017, 2018 and 2019, subject to Executive’s continued employment on each of the vesting dates other than as stated herein. The 12/31/2016 RSU Award, to the extent vested, will be distributed to Executive on the earlier of (i) the thirty (30) day period following December 31, 2019 and (ii) subject to Sections 4.6 and 8.1, Executive’s termination of employment for any reason. Executive’s withholding tax obligations with respect to the 12/31/2016 RSU Award shall be satisfied through Net Share Settlement.

 

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(xi)       On or prior to December 31, 2017, Executive shall be granted a restricted stock unit award covering 30,000 shares (the “12/31/17 RSU Award”). The 12/31/17 RSU Award shall vest with respect to 10,000 shares on each of December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020, subject to Executive’s continued employment on each of the vesting dates other than as stated herein. The 12/31/2017 RSU Award, to the extent vested, will be distributed to Executive on the earlier of (i) the thirty (30) day period following December 31, 2020 and (ii) subject to Sections 4.6 and 8.1, Executive’s termination of employment for any reason. Executive’s withholding tax obligations with respect to the 12/31/2017 RSU Award shall be satisfied through Net Share Settlement.

 

(xii)      On or prior to December 31, 2018, Executive shall be granted a restricted stock unit award covering 30,000 shares (the “12/31/18 RSU Award”). The 12/31/18 RSU Award shall vest with respect to 10,000 shares on each of December 31, 2019, 2020 and 2021, subject to Executive’s continued employment on each of the vesting dates other than as stated herein. The 12/31/2018 RSU Award, to the extent vested, will be distributed to Executive on the earlier of (i) the thirty (30) day period following December 31, 2021 and (ii) subject to Sections 4.6 and 8.1, Executive’s termination of employment for any reason. Executive’s withholding tax obligations with respect to the 12/31/2018 RSU Award shall be satisfied through Net Share Settlement.

 

(xiii)     On or prior to December 31, 2019, Executive shall be granted a restricted stock unit award covering 30,000 shares (the “12/31/19 RSU Award”). The 12/31/19 RSU Award shall vest with respect to 10,000 shares on each of December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, subject to Executive’s continued employment on each of the vesting dates other than as stated herein. The 12/31/2019 RSU Award, to the extent vested, will be distributed to Executive on the earlier of (i) the thirty (30) day period following December 31, 2022 and (ii) subject to Sections 4.6 and 8.1, Executive’s termination of employment for any reason. Executive’s withholding tax obligations with respect to the 12/31/2019 RSU Award shall be satisfied through Net Share Settlement.

 

6. A new Section 3.2(a)(xiv) is added to the Agreement to read as follows:

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, with the consent of Executive and the Board of Directors of the Company, which determination shall take into account the liquidity of the Company’s stock, Net Share Settlement shall be applied to satisfy all or part of the withholding obligations for RSU Awards that are not otherwise entitled to Net Share Settlement hereunder.

 

7. A new Section 3.2(a)(xv) is added to the Agreement to read as follows:

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, shares with respect to the following RSU Awards shall be distributed to Executive on the dates set forth below. All other terms of the applicable RSU Awards, including, without limitation, the settlement dates of the other shares with respect thereto, are as set forth above.

 

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Grant Number of Shares Original Settlement Date New Settlement Date
12/31/2014 41,667 Within 30 days after 12/31/17 Within 30 days after 12/31/22
12/31/2014 41,667 Within 30 days after 12/31/18 Within 30 days after 12/31/23
3/31/2015 41,667 Within 30 days after 3/31/18 Within 30 days after 3/31/23

 

8.            Section 4.2 of the Agreement is amended by replacing “12-month period” with “24-month period.”

 

9. The first sentence of Section 4.4 of the Agreement is amended to read as follows:

 

In the event the Company terminates Executive’s employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or if Executive terminates employment for “Good Reason”, subject to Section 4.6, Executive shall be entitled to (a) a lump sum payment (the “Severance Amount”) equal to (1) the number of full twelve month periods Executive was employed hereunder multiplied by (2) the sum of (i) six months Base Salary and (ii) 50% of the average bonus paid to Executive pursuant to Section 3.1(b) for the 3 calendar years (or lesser number of years that Executive was employed as of the date of termination) preceding the termination of employment, provided that the minimum Severance Amount shall be $350,000 and the maximum Severance Amount shall be $2,800,000, payable on the 60th day following termination of employment, (b) acceleration of vesting of any unvested RSU Awards that have been granted as of the date of termination and acceleration of vesting of any other equity awards that have been granted as of the date of termination, (c) to the extent Executive has not been granted all the RSU Awards set forth in Section 3.2, the grant and immediate vesting of restricted stock units covering (x) 30,000 shares of Common Stock and (y) if the date of termination is before January 1, 2016 and the 12/31/2015 RSU Award has not been granted prior to the termination of employment, 363,095 shares of Common Stock, and (d) for eighteen (18) months after the date of termination, payment of an amount equal to the monthly premium for COBRA continuation coverage under the Company’s health, dental and vision plans.

 

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9. Section 7.2 of the Agreement is amended to read as follows:

 

7.2        Executive Equity Award . Upon the closing of a Future Equity Sale, the Company shall grant RSU Awards (the “Future Awards”) to the Executive with respect to an aggregate number of shares that is the same percentage (the “Grant Percentage”) of the aggregate number of shares subject to the RSU Awards previously granted to Executive (“Original RSU Awards”) as the Future Equity Sale is of then outstanding shares of Common Stock. A Future Award will be granted with respect each Original RSU Award. Each Future Award shall be with respect to a number of shares ‎equal to the Grant Percentage of the applicable Original RSU Award and shall vest and be settled in the same proportions and on the same dates as the applicable Original RSU Award, provided that if all or part of the applicable Original RSU Award has been settled, the corresponding portion of the applicable Future Award shall be settled in three equal annual installments on the first three anniversaries of the Future Award grant date. Each Future Award shall be subject to Net Share Settlement to the same extent as the applicable Original RSU Award to which such Future Award corresponds.

 

This Section 7.2 only shall apply to the first Future Equity Sale after July 31, 2015.

 

Other than as set forth in this Amendment, the terms and conditions of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment to be effective as of the date identified above.

 

This Amendment may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

 

This Amendment is entered into and effective as of the date first written above.

 

  /s/ Matthew Messinger
  Matthew Messinger
   
  Trinity Place Holdings Inc.
   
  By: /s/ Alexander Matina
  Name: Alexander Matina
  Title: Chairman of the Board

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

TRINITY PLACE HOLDINGS INC.

2015 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

 

Article I

General

 

1.1           Purpose

 

The Trinity Place Holdings Inc. 2015 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is designed to provide certain key persons, on whose initiative and efforts the successful conduct of the business of Trinity Place Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) depends, and who are responsible for the management, growth and protection of the business of the Company, with incentives to: (a) enter into and remain in the service of the Company or a Company subsidiary, (b) acquire a proprietary interest in the success of the Company, (c) maximize their performance and (d) enhance the long-term performance of the Company (whether directly or indirectly through enhancing the long-term performance of a Company subsidiary).

 

1.2           Administration

 

(a)           Administration by Committee; Constitution of Committee . The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or such other committee or subcommittee as the Board may designate or as shall be formed by the abstention or recusal of a non-Qualified Member (as defined below) of such committee (the “Committee”). The members of the Committee shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board. While it is intended that at all times that the Committee acts in connection with the Plan, the Committee shall consist solely of two or more Qualified Members, the fact that the Committee is not so comprised will not invalidate any grant hereunder that otherwise satisfies the terms of the Plan. A “Qualified Member” is an individual who is a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”). If the Committee does not exist, or for any other reason determined by the Board, the Board may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee. The term “Committee” as used herein shall refer to the Board to the extent that the Board is acting in place of the Committee.

 

(b)           Committee’s Authority . The Committee shall have the authority to (i) exercise all of the powers granted to it under the Plan, (ii) construe, interpret and implement the Plan and any Grant Certificates executed pursuant to Section 2.1, (iii) prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules governing its own operations, (iv) make all determinations necessary or advisable in administering the Plan, (v) correct any defect, supply any omission and reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, and (vi) amend the Plan to reflect changes in applicable law.

 

(c)           Committee Action; Delegation . Actions of the Committee shall be taken by the vote of a majority of its members. To the extent permitted by applicable law, any action may be taken by a written instrument signed by a majority of the Committee members, and action so taken shall be fully as effective as if it had been taken by a vote at a meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of the Plan, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 157 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (or any successor provision thereto), the Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to designate the individuals (other than such officer(s)), among those eligible to receive awards pursuant to the terms of the Plan, who will receive rights or options under the Plan and the size of each such grant, provided that the Committee shall itself grant awards to those individuals who could reasonably be considered to be subject to the insider trading provisions of section 16 of the 1934 Act.

 

(d)           Determinations Final . The determination of the Committee on all matters relating to the Plan or any Grant Certificate shall be final, binding and conclusive.

 

(e)           Limit on Committee Members’ Liability . No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any award thereunder.

 

 

 

 

1.3           Persons Eligible for Awards

 

The persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan are those officers, directors (whether or not they are employed by the Company), and executive, managerial, professional or administrative employees of, and consultants to, the Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, “key persons”) as the Committee in its sole discretion shall select, in each case to the extent permitted under Form S-8 under the 1934 Act.

 

1.4           Types of Awards Under Plan

 

Awards may be made under the Plan in the form of (a) stock options, (b) stock appreciation rights, (c) restricted stock, (d) restricted stock units and (e) unrestricted stock, all as more fully set forth in Article II. The term “award” means any of the foregoing.

 

1.5           Shares Available for Awards

 

(a)           Aggregate Number of Shares .  Subject to Section 1.5(d), awards under the plan may be granted with respect to an aggregate of 800,000 shares of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”).  Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued Common Stock, authorized and issued Common Stock held in the Company’s treasury or Common Stock acquired by the Company for the purposes of the Plan.

 

(b)           Certificate Legends . The Committee may direct that any stock certificate evidencing shares issued pursuant to the Plan shall bear a legend setting forth such restrictions on transferability as may apply to such shares, and if such shares are in book entry form, that they be subject to electronic coding or stop order reflecting the applicable restrictions.

 

(c)           Certain Shares to Become Available Again . The following shares of Common Stock shall again become available for awards under the Plan: any shares that are subject to an award under the Plan and that remain unissued upon the cancellation or termination of such award for any reason whatsoever; any shares of restricted stock forfeited pursuant to Section 2.6(e), provided that any dividends paid on such shares are also forfeited pursuant to such Section 2.6(e); and any shares in respect of which a stock appreciation right or restricted stock unit award is settled for cash.

 

(d)           Adjustment Upon Changes in Common Stock . Upon certain changes in Common Stock, the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 1.5(a) shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 3.6(a).

 

1.6           Definitions of Certain Terms

 

(a)           The term “cause” in connection with a termination of employment or other service for cause shall mean:

 

(i)           with respect to a member of the Board, cause shall consist of any acts or omissions that would constitute “cause” under the by-laws of the Company, as they may be amended from time to time;

 

(ii)          with respect to an employee or consultant, to the extent that there is an employment, severance or other agreement governing the relationship between the grantee and the Company or a Company subsidiary, which agreement contains a definition of “cause,” cause shall consist of those acts or omissions that would constitute “cause” under such agreement; and otherwise,

 

(iii)         any one or more of the following:

 

(A)          any failure by the grantee substantially to perform the grantee’s employment or other duties;

 

(B)          any excessive unauthorized absenteeism by the grantee;

 

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(C)          any refusal by the grantee to obey the lawful orders of the Board or any other person or committee to whom the grantee reports;

 

(D)          any act or omission by the grantee that is or may be injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise;

 

(E)          any act by the grantee that is inconsistent with the best interests of the Company;

 

(F)          the grantee’s material violation of any of the Company’s policies, including, without limitation, those policies relating to discrimination or sexual harassment;

 

(G)          the grantee’s unauthorized (a) removal from the premises of the Company or an affiliate of any document (in any medium or form) relating to the Company or an affiliate or the customers or clients of the Company or an affiliate or (b) disclosure to any person or entity of any of the Company’s, or its affiliates’, confidential or proprietary information;

 

(H)          the grantee’s commission of any felony, or any other crime involving moral turpitude; and

 

(I)          the grantee’s commission of any act involving dishonesty or fraud.

 

Any rights the Company may have hereunder in respect of the events giving rise to cause shall be in addition to the rights the Company may have under any other agreement with a grantee or at law or in equity. Any determination of whether a grantee’s employment is (or is deemed to have been) terminated for cause shall be made by the Committee in its sole discretion. If, subsequent to a grantee’s voluntary termination of employment or involuntary termination of employment without cause, it is discovered that the grantee’s employment could have been terminated for cause, the Committee may deem such grantee’s employment to have been terminated for cause. A grantee’s termination of employment for cause shall be effective as of the date of the occurrence of the event giving rise to cause, regardless of when the determination of cause is made.

 

(b)           The term “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(c)           The term “director” shall mean a member of the Board and a member of the board of directors of any subsidiary of the Company and a member of the governing body of any subsidiary of the Company that is a partnership, limited liability company or other form of entity.

 

(d)           The term “employment” and “employed” shall be deemed to mean an employee’s employment with, or a consultant’s provision of services to, the Company or any Company subsidiary and each director’s service as a director.

 

(e)           The “Fair Market Value” of a share of Common Stock on any day shall be the closing price on any stock exchange on which Common Stock is listed, as reported for such day in The Wall Street Journal or, if no such price is reported for such day, the average of the high bid and low asked price of Common Stock as reported for such day. If no quotation is made for the applicable day, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on such day shall be determined in the manner set forth in the preceding sentence using quotations for the next preceding day for which there were quotations, provided that such quotations shall have been made within the ten (10) business days preceding the applicable day. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on any day shall be determined by the Committee. In no event shall the Fair Market Value of any share of Common Stock be less than its par value.

 

(f)           The terms “termination of employment,” “terminated employment” and related terms or usages shall mean (i) the grantee ceasing to be employed by, or to provide consulting services for, the Company or any Company subsidiary, or any corporation (or any of its subsidiaries) which assumes the grantee’s award in a transaction to which section 424(a) of the Code applies; (ii) the grantee ceasing to be a director; or (iii) in the case of a grantee who is, at the time of reference, both an employee or consultant and a director, the later of the events set forth in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) above. For purposes of clauses (i) and (ii) above, a grantee who continues his employment, consulting relationship or service as a director with a Company subsidiary subsequent to its sale by the Company, shall have a termination of employment upon the date of such sale. The Committee may in its sole discretion determine whether any leave of absence constitutes a termination of employment for purposes of the Plan and the impact, if any, of any such leave of absence on awards theretofore made under the Plan. A person whose status changes from consultant, employee, or director to any other of such positions without interruption shall not be considered to have had a termination of employment by reason of such change.

 

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Article II

Awards Under The Plan

 

2.1           Certificates Evidencing Awards

 

Each award granted under the Plan (except an award of unrestricted stock) shall be evidenced by a written certificate (“Grant Certificate”) which shall contain such provisions as the Committee may in its sole discretion deem necessary or desirable. By accepting an award pursuant to the Plan, a grantee thereby agrees that the award shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Grant Certificate.

 

2.2           Grant of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

 

(a)           Stock Option Grants . The Committee may grant stock options (“options”) to purchase shares of Common Stock from the Company, to such key persons, in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan. Options granted under the Plan shall not be incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

(b)           Stock Appreciation Right Grants; Types of Stock Appreciation Rights . The Committee may grant stock appreciation rights to such key persons, in such amounts and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in connection with all or any part of, or independently of, any option granted under the Plan. A stock appreciation right granted in connection with an option may be granted at or after the time of grant of such option.

 

(c)           Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights . The grantee of a stock appreciation right shall have the right, subject to the terms of the Plan and the applicable Grant Certificate, to receive from the Company an amount equal to (i) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over an amount determined by the Committee at the time of grant, which may not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant (or over the option exercise price if the stock appreciation right is granted in connection with an option), multiplied by (ii) the number of shares with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. Payment upon exercise of a stock appreciation right shall be in cash or in shares of Common Stock (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise) or both, as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation right granted in connection with an option, the number of shares subject to the option shall be reduced by the number of shares with respect to which the stock appreciation right is exercised. Upon the exercise of an option in connection with which a stock appreciation right has been granted, the number of shares subject to the stock appreciation right shall be reduced by the number of shares with respect to which the option is exercised.

 

(d)           Option Exercise Price . Each Grant Certificate with respect to an option shall set forth the amount (the “option exercise price”) payable by the grantee to the Company upon exercise of the applicable option. The option exercise price shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the option exercise price shall be at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date the option is granted, and provided, further, that the option exercise price per share shall be not less than the par value of a share of Common Stock.

 

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(e)           Exercise Period .

 

(i)           The Committee shall determine the periods during which an option or stock appreciation right shall be exercisable, whether in whole or in part. Such periods shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion; provided, however, that no stock option (or a stock appreciation right granted in connection with a stock option) shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date of grant. The Committee may provide that a stock option or stock appreciation right will be automatically exercised on specific dates or upon the occurrence of a specified event.

 

(ii)          Unless the applicable Grant Certificate provides otherwise, the following terms shall apply:

 

(A)          An option or stock appreciation right shall become exercisable with respect to a number of shares as close as possible to 25% of the shares subject to such option or stock appreciation right on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.  A stock appreciation right granted in connection with an option may be exercised at any time when, and to the same extent that, the related option may be exercised.

 

(B)          The option or stock appreciation right may be exercised from time to time as to all or part of the shares as to which such award is then exercisable.

 

(C)          The option or stock appreciation right shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of grant or (ii) the expiration, cancellation or termination of the award, as set forth in Section 2.4 or otherwise.

 

2.3           Exercise of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

 

Subject to the other provisions of this Article II, each option or stock appreciation right granted under the Plan shall be exercisable as follows:

 

(a)           Notice of Exercise . An option or stock appreciation right shall be exercised by the filing of a written notice with the Company or the Company’s designated exchange agent (the “exchange agent”), on such form and in such manner as the Committee shall in its sole discretion prescribe.

 

(b)           Payment of Exercise Price . Any written notice of exercise of an option shall be accompanied by payment for the shares being purchased. Such payment shall be made by one or more of the following methods: (i) certified or official bank check (or the equivalent thereof acceptable to the Company or its exchange agent); (ii) with the consent of the Committee, delivery of shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value (determined as of the exercise date) equal to all or part of the option exercise price; or (iii) at the sole discretion of the Committee and to the extent permitted by law and consistent with the terms of the Plan, such other provision as the Committee may from time to time prescribe.

 

(c)           Delivery of Shares Upon Exercise . Promptly after receiving payment of the full option exercise price or after receiving notice of the exercise of a stock appreciation right with respect to which payment will be made partly or entirely in shares, the Company or its exchange agent shall, subject to the provisions of Section 3.2, deliver to the grantee or to such other person as may then have the right to exercise the award, a certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock for which the award has been exercised or shall establish an account evidencing ownership of such shares in uncertificated form. If the method of payment employed upon option exercise so requires, and if applicable law permits, a grantee may direct the Company or its exchange agent, as the case may be, to deliver the stock certificate(s) to the grantee’s stockbroker.

 

(d)           No Shareholder Rights . No grantee of an option or stock appreciation right (or other person having the right to exercise such award) shall have any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to shares subject to such award until the issuance of a stock certificate to such person for such shares or the establishment of an account to record such stock ownership in uncertificated form. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.6, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights (whether ordinary or extraordinary, and whether in cash, securities or other property) for which the record date is prior to the date such stock certificate is issued or such account is established.

 

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2.4           Termination of Employment; Death Subsequent to a Termination of Employment

 

Except to the extent otherwise provided by the Committee in a Grant Certificate or otherwise, the following rules shall apply to options and stock appreciation rights in the event of the grantee’s termination of employment.

 

(a)           General Rule .  Except to the extent otherwise provided in this Section 2.4, a grantee whose employment terminates may exercise any outstanding option or stock appreciation right (i) only to the extent that the award was exercisable on (or became exercisable in connection with) the effective date of the termination of employment and (ii) only during the three-month period following the termination of employment, but in no event after the original expiration date of the award.  The option or stock appreciation right, to the extent not exercisable on the effective date of the termination of employment or not exercised during the three-month period following the termination of employment, shall terminate.

 

(b)           Termination for Cause . If a grantee’s employment is terminated for cause, all options and stock appreciation rights not theretofore exercised shall terminate as of the commencement of business on the effective date of the grantee’s termination of employment.

 

(c)           Disability .  A grantee whose employment terminates by reason of a disability (as defined below), may exercise any outstanding option or stock appreciation right (i) only to the extent that the award was exercisable on (or became exercisable in connection with) the effective date of the termination of employment; and (ii) only during the period ending on the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of the grantee’s termination of employment and (B) the original expiration date of the award.  The option or stock appreciation right, to the extent not exercisable on the effective date of the termination of employment or not exercised during the one-year period following the termination of employment, shall terminate. For this purpose “disability” shall mean any physical or mental condition that would qualify a grantee for a disability benefit under the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company or, if there is no such plan, a physical or mental condition that prevents the grantee from performing the essential functions of the grantee’s position (with or without reasonable accommodation) for a period of six consecutive months. The existence of a disability shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

(d)           Death.

 

(i)           Termination of Employment as a Result of Grantee’s Death . If a grantee dies while employed, then any outstanding option or stock appreciation right may be exercised (i) only to the extent that the award was exercisable on (or became exercisable in connection with) the grantee’s death; and (ii) only during the period ending on the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of the grantee’s death and (B) the original expiration date of the award. The option or stock appreciation right, to the extent not exercisable on the date of death or not exercised during the one-year period following death, shall terminate.

 

(ii)          Death Subsequent to a Termination of Employment . If a grantee dies subsequent to terminating employment but prior to the expiration of a stock option or a stock appreciation right (as provided by paragraphs (a) or (c) above), the award shall remain exercisable until the earlier to occur of (A) the first anniversary of the grantee’s death or (B) the original expiration date of the award. The option or stock appreciation right, to the extent not exercised during the one-year period following death, shall terminate.

 

(iii)         Restrictions on Exercise Following Death . Any such exercise of an award following a grantee’s death shall be made only by the grantee’s executor or administrator or other duly appointed representative reasonably acceptable to the Committee, unless the grantee’s will specifically disposes of such award, in which case such exercise shall be made only by the recipient of such specific disposition. If a grantee’s personal representative or the recipient of a specific disposition under the grantee’s will shall be entitled to exercise any award pursuant to the preceding sentence, such representative or recipient shall be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Grant Certificate which would have applied to the grantee including, without limitation, the provisions of Sections 3.2 hereof.

 

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2.5           Transferability of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights

 

Except as otherwise provided in an applicable Grant Certificate evidencing an option or stock appreciation right, during the lifetime of a grantee each option or stock appreciation right granted to a grantee shall be exercisable only by the grantee and no option or stock appreciation right shall be assignable or transferable otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. The Committee, in any applicable Grant Certificate evidencing an option or a stock appreciation right, may permit a grantee to transfer all or some of the options or stock appreciation rights, as applicable, to (A) the grantee’s spouse, children or grandchildren (“Immediate Family Members”), (B) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, or (C) other parties approved by the Committee in its sole discretion. Following any such transfer, any transferred options and stock appreciation rights shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to the transfer.

 

2.6           Grant of Restricted Stock

 

(a)           Restricted Stock Grants . The Committee may grant restricted shares of Common Stock to such key persons, in such amounts, and subject to such vesting and forfeiture provisions and other terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan. Restricted stock awards may be made independently of or in connection with any other award under the Plan. A grantee of restricted stock shall have no rights with respect to such award unless such grantee accepts the award within such period as the Committee shall specify by accepting delivery of a Grant Certificate in such form as the Committee shall determine and, in the event the restricted shares are newly issued by the Company, makes payment to the Company or its exchange agent as required by the Committee and in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

(b)           Issuance of Shares . Promptly after a grantee accepts a restricted stock award, the Company or its exchange agent shall issue to the grantee a stock certificate or certificates for the shares of Common Stock covered by the award or shall establish an account evidencing ownership of the stock in uncertificated form. Upon the issuance of such stock certificate(s) or establishment of such account, the grantee shall have the rights of a shareholder with respect to the restricted stock, subject to: (i) the further provisions of this Section 2.6 and (ii) any other restrictions and conditions contained in the applicable Grant Certificate.

 

(c)           Custody of Stock Certificate(s) . Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, any stock certificates issued evidencing shares of restricted stock shall remain in the possession of the Company or another custodian designated by the Company until such shares are free of any restrictions specified in the applicable Grant Certificate. The Committee may direct that such stock certificate(s) bear a legend setting forth the applicable restrictions on transferability, and if such shares are in book entry form, that they be subject to electronic coding or stop order reflecting the applicable restrictions.

 

(d)           Nontransferability/Vesting . Shares of restricted stock may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as otherwise specifically provided in this Plan or the applicable restricted stock agreement. The Committee at the time of grant shall specify the date or dates (which may depend upon or be related to a period of continued employment with the Company, the achievement of performance goals or other conditions or a combination of such conditions) on which the shares of restricted stock vest, at on which date or dates the nontransferability of the restricted stock shall lapse.

 

(e)           Consequence of Termination of Employment .  Except as may be otherwise provided by the Committee in a Grant Certificate or otherwise, a grantee’s termination of employment for any reason shall cause the immediate forfeiture of all shares of restricted stock that did not vest prior to, and do not vest on account of, such termination of employment.  All dividends paid on such shares also shall be forfeited, whether by termination of any arrangement under which such dividends are held, by the grantee’s repayment of dividends he received directly, or otherwise, unless the Board or the Committee determines otherwise.

 

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2.7          Grant of Restricted Stock Units

 

(a)           Restricted Stock Unit Grants . The Committee may grant restricted stock units to such key persons, in such amounts, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion, subject to the provisions of the Plan. Restricted stock units may be awarded independently of or in connection with any other award under the Plan. A grantee of a restricted stock unit shall have no rights with respect to such award unless such grantee accepts the award within such period as the Committee shall specify by accepting delivery of a Grant Certificate in such form as the Committee shall determine. A grant of a restricted stock unit entitles the grantee to receive a share of Common Stock or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, the value of a share, on a date specified in the Grant Certificate.  If no date is specified, the grantee shall receive such share or value on the date that the restricted stock unit vests.

 

(b)           Vesting/Nontransferability.   The Committee shall specify at the time of grant the date or dates (which may depend upon or be related to a period of continued employment with the Company, the achievement of performance goals or other conditions or a combination of such conditions) on which the restricted stock units shall vest.  Restricted stock units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as otherwise specifically provided in the applicable Grant Certificate.

 

(c)           Consequence of Termination of Employment . Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee in a Grant Certificate or otherwise, a grantee’s termination of employment for any reason shall cause the immediate forfeiture of all restricted stock units that did not vest prior to, and do not vest on account of, such termination of employment.

 

(d)           Shareholder Rights.   The grantee of a restricted stock unit will have the rights of a shareholder only as to shares for which, pursuant to the award, a stock certificate has been issued or an account has been established evidencing ownership of the stock in uncertificated form, and not with respect to any other shares subject to the award.

 

2.8           Grant of Unrestricted Stock

 

The Committee may grant (or sell at a purchase price at least equal to par value) shares of Common Stock free of restrictions under the Plan, to such key persons and in such amounts and subject to such forfeiture provisions as the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion. Shares may be thus granted or sold in respect of past services or other valid consideration.

 

2.9           Right of Recapture

 

(a)           If a grantee has been granted or become vested in an award pursuant to the achievement of performance goals under this Article II, and the Committee subsequently determines that the earlier determination as to the achievement of the performance goals was based on incorrect data and that in fact the performance goals had not been achieved or had been achieved to a lesser extent than originally determined, then (i) any award or portion of an award granted based on such incorrect determination shall be forfeited or returned to the Company, (ii) any option or stock appreciation right that was exercised shall be deemed not exercised and any shares issued upon such exercise shall be returned to the Company and, in the case of an option, the Company shall return the exercise price paid, (iii) any award or portion of an award that became vested based on such incorrect determination shall be deemed to be not vested, and (iv) any amounts paid to the grantee based on such incorrect determination shall be paid by the grantee to the Company upon notice from the Company.

 

(b)           All awards under the Plan shall be subject to any clawback policies adopted by the Company.

 

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Article III

Miscellaneous

 

3.1           Amendment of the Plan; Modification of Awards

 

(a)           Amendment of the Plan .

 

(i)           General .  Subject to Section 3.1(a)(ii), the Board may from time to time suspend, discontinue, revise or amend the Plan in any respect whatsoever, except that no such amendment shall materially impair any rights or materially increase any obligations under any award theretofore made under the Plan without the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the person having the right to exercise the award). For purposes of this Section 3.1, any action of the Board that in any way alters or affects the tax treatment of any award or that in the sole discretion of the Board is necessary to prevent the grantee from being subject to tax with respect to an award under section 409A of the Code shall not be considered to materially impair any rights of any grantee.

 

(ii)          Shareholder Approval Requirement .  Shareholder approval shall be required with respect to any amendment to the Plan to the extent (i) required by applicable law or stock exchange rules or (ii) that the Board determines that shareholder approval is desirable or necessary.

 

(b)           Modification of Awards .  The Committee may cancel any award under the Plan.  Subject to the limitations in this Section 3.1(b), the Committee also may amend any outstanding award and the applicable Grant Certificate, including, without limitation, by amendment which would: (i) accelerate the time or times at which the award becomes unrestricted or may be exercised; (ii) waive or amend any goals, restrictions or conditions set forth in the Agreement; or (iii) waive or amend the operation of Section 2.4. Any such cancellation or amendment (other than an amendment pursuant to Section 3.6) that materially impairs the rights or materially increases the obligations of a grantee under an outstanding award shall be made only with the consent of the grantee (or, upon the grantee’s death, the person having the right to exercise the award).

 

3.2           Consent Requirement

 

(a)           No Plan Action without Required Consent . If the Committee shall at any time determine that any Consent (as hereinafter defined) is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the granting of any award under the Plan, the issuance or purchase of shares or other rights thereunder, or the taking of any other action thereunder (each such action being hereinafter referred to as a “Plan Action”), then such Plan Action shall not be taken, in whole or in part, unless and until such Consent shall have been effected or obtained to the full satisfaction of the Committee.

 

(b)           Consent Defined . The term “Consent” as used herein with respect to any Plan Action means (i) any and all listings, registrations or qualifications in respect thereof upon any securities exchange or under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation, (ii) any and all written agreements and representations by the grantee with respect to the disposition of shares, or with respect to any other matter, which the Committee shall deem necessary or desirable to comply with the terms of any such listing, registration or qualification or to obtain an exemption from the requirement that any such listing, qualification or registration be made and (iii) any and all consents, clearances and approvals in respect of a Plan Action by any governmental or other regulatory bodies.

 

3.3           Nonassignability

 

Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, (a) no award or right granted to any person under the Plan or under any Grant Certificate shall be assignable or transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, in accordance with the terms of such awards and to the extent not forfeited upon death; and (b) all rights granted under the Plan or any Grant Certificate shall be exercisable during the life of the grantee only by the grantee or the grantee’s legal representative.

 

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3.4           Requirement of Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code

 

If any grantee shall, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan, make the election permitted under section 83(b) of the Code (i.e., an election to include in gross income in the year of transfer the amounts specified in section 83(b)), such grantee shall notify the Company of such election within 10 days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Code section 83(b).

 

3.5           Withholding Taxes

 

(a)           Cash Payments . Whenever cash is to be paid pursuant to an award under the Plan, the Company shall be entitled to deduct therefrom an amount sufficient in its opinion to satisfy all federal, state and other governmental tax withholding requirements related to such payment.

 

(b)           Delivery of Common Stock . Whenever shares of Common Stock are to be delivered pursuant to an award under the Plan, the Company shall be entitled to require as a condition of delivery that the grantee remit to the Company an amount sufficient in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all federal, state and other governmental tax withholding requirements related thereto. With the approval of the Committee, which the Committee shall have sole discretion whether or not to give, the grantee may satisfy the foregoing condition by surrendering restricted shares or electing to have the Company withhold from delivery shares, in each case having a value equal to the amount of tax to be withheld. Such shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. Fractional share amounts shall be settled in cash. Such a withholding election may be made with respect to all or any portion of the shares to be delivered pursuant to an award.

 

3.6           Adjustment Upon Changes in Common Stock

 

(a)           Corporate Events .  In the event of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding by reason of any stock dividend or split, reverse stock split, recapitalization, consolidation, combination or exchange of shares or similar corporate change (collectively referred to as “corporate events”), the Committee shall make the following adjustments, subject to Sections 3.6(b) and (c):

 

(i)           Shares Available for Grants .  The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Committee may grant awards under Article II hereof, as described in Section 1.5(a), shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee.  In the event of any change in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding by reason of any event or transaction other than a corporate event, the Committee may, but need not, adjust the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Committee may grant awards under Article II hereof, as described in Section 1.5(a), with respect to the number and class of shares of Common Stock, in each case as the Committee may deem appropriate.

 

(ii)          Restricted Stock.   Unless the Committee in its sole discretion otherwise determines, any securities or other property (including dividends paid in cash) received by a grantee with respect to a share of restricted stock as a result of a corporate event will not vest until such share of restricted stock vests, and shall be promptly deposited with the Company or another custodian designated by the Company.

 

(iii)         Restricted Stock Units .  The Committee shall adjust outstanding grants of restricted stock units to reflect any corporate event as the Committee may deem appropriate to prevent the enlargement or dilution of rights of grantees.

 

(iv)         Options and Stock Appreciation Rights .  Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, in the event of any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock or a change in the class of shares of Common Stock resulting from a corporate event or any other increase or decrease in the number of such shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Committee shall proportionally adjust the number or class of shares of Common Stock subject to each outstanding option and stock appreciation right and the exercise price-per-share of Common Stock of each such option and stock appreciation right.

 

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(b)           Outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock Units – Certain Mergers.   Subject to any required action by the shareholders of the Company, in the event that the Company shall be the surviving corporation in any merger or consolidation (except a merger or consolidation as a result of which the holders of shares of Common Stock receive securities of another corporation), each option, stock appreciation right and restricted stock unit outstanding on the date of such merger or consolidation shall pertain to and apply to the securities which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such option, stock appreciation right or restricted stock unit would have received in such merger or consolidation.

 

(c)           Outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock Units – Certain Other Transactions.   In the event of (i) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, (iii) a merger or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or (iv) a merger or consolidation involving the Company in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the holders of shares of Common Stock receive securities of another corporation and/or other property, including cash, the Committee shall, in its sole discretion, have the power to:

 

(i)           cancel, effective immediately prior to the occurrence of such event, each option, stock appreciation right and restricted stock unit outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then vested or exercisable), and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the grantee (A) to whom such option or stock appreciation right was granted an amount (whether in cash or, to the extent holders of Common Stock receive securities in the applicable transaction and the Committee so elects, securities), for each share of Common Stock subject to such option or stock appreciation right, respectively, equal to the excess of (x) the value, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, of the property (including cash) received by the holder of a share of Common Stock as a result of such event over (y) the exercise price of such option or stock appreciation right and (B) to whom such restricted stock unit was granted, for each share of Common Stock subject to such award, the value, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, of the property (including cash) received by the holder of a share of Common Stock as a result of such event; or

 

(ii)          (1) provide that each option and stock appreciation right outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not otherwise vested and exercisable) (a) may be exercised during a period of not less than 30 days prior to the occurrence of such event and (b) shall expire upon the occurrence of such event, and (2) cancel, effective immediately prior to the occurrence of such event, each restricted stock unit outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then vested), and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the grantee to whom such restricted stock unit was granted, for each share of Common Stock subject to such award, the value, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, of the property (including cash) received by the holder of a share of Common Stock as a result of such event; or

 

(iii)         provide, in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, for the exchange of each option, stock appreciation right and restricted stock unit outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then exercisable) for an option on, stock appreciation right and restricted stock unit with respect to, as appropriate, some or all of the property which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such option, stock appreciation right or restricted stock unit would have received and, incident thereto, make an equitable adjustment as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion in the exercise price of the option or stock appreciation right, or the number of shares or amount of property subject to the option, stock appreciation right or restricted stock unit or, if the Committee so determines in its sole discretion, provide for a cash payment to the grantee to whom such option, stock appreciation right or restricted stock unit was granted in partial consideration for the exchange of the option, stock appreciation right or restricted stock unit.

 

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(d)           Outstanding Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock Units – Other Changes .  In the event of any change in the capitalization of the Company or a corporate change other than those specifically referred to in Sections 3.7(a), (b) or (c) hereof, the Committee may, in its sole discretion and in a manner consistent with Section 409A of the Code, make such adjustments in the number and class of shares or other property subject to options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units outstanding on the date on which such change occurs and in the per-share exercise price of each such option and stock appreciation right as the Committee may consider appropriate to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.  In addition, if and to the extent the Committee, in its sole discretion, determines it is appropriate, the Committee may elect to cancel each or any option, stock appreciation right and restricted stock unit outstanding immediately prior to such event (whether or not then exercisable), and, in full consideration of such cancellation, pay to the grantee to whom such award was granted an amount in cash, (A) for each share of Common Stock subject to such option or stock appreciation right, respectively, equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the date of such cancellation over (ii) the exercise price of such option or stock appreciation right (B) for each share of Common Stock subject to such restricted stock unit equal to the Fair Market Value of Common Stock on the date of such cancellation.

 

(e)           No Other Rights . Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no grantee shall have any rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend, any increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class or any dissolution, liquidation, merger or consolidation of the Company or any other corporation. Except as expressly provided in the Plan, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number of shares of Common Stock subject to an award or the exercise price of any option or stock appreciation right.

 

3.7           Limitations Imposed with respect to Section 162(m)

 

Notwithstanding any other provision hereunder, if and to the extent that the Committee determines the Company’s federal tax deduction in respect of an award may be limited as a result of section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee may take the following actions:

 

(i)           With respect to options or stock appreciation rights, the Committee may delay the exercise or payment, as the case may be, in respect of such options or stock appreciation rights until a date that is within 30 days after the date that compensation paid to the grantee no longer is subject to the deduction limitation under section 162(m) of the Code. In the event that a grantee exercises an option or stock appreciation right at a time when the grantee is a covered employee within the meaning of Section 162(m)(3), and the Committee determines to delay the exercise or payment, as the case may be, in respect of any such award, the Committee shall credit cash or, in the case of an amount payable in Common Stock, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, payable to the grantee to a book account. The grantee shall have no rights in respect of such book account and the amount credited thereto shall not be transferable by the grantee other than by will or laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may credit additional amounts to such book account as it may determine in its sole discretion. Any book account created hereunder shall represent only an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to pay the amount credited thereto to the grantee in the future.

 

(ii)          With respect to restricted stock, unrestricted stock or restricted stock units, the Committee may require the grantee to surrender to the Committee any shares of restricted stock and unrestricted stock (whether by surrender of the applicable stock certificates or cancellation of any account evidencing such stock ownership) and any restricted stock units, by surrendering the applicable Grant Certificates, in order to cancel the awards of such restricted stock, unrestricted stock and restricted stock units. In exchange for such cancellation, the Committee shall credit to a book account a cash amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock subject to such awards. The amount credited to the book account shall be paid to the grantee within 30 days after the date that compensation paid to the grantee no longer is subject to the deduction limitation under section 162(m) of the Code. The grantee shall have no rights in respect of such book account and the amount credited thereto shall not be transferable by the grantee other than by will or laws of descent and distribution. The Committee may credit additional amounts to such book account as it may determine in its sole discretion. Any book account created hereunder shall represent only an unfunded, unsecured promise by the Company to pay the amount credited thereto to the grantee in the future.

 

3.8           Right of Discharge Reserved

 

Nothing in the Plan or in any Grant Certificate shall confer upon any grantee the right to continue his employment or affect any right which the Company may have to terminate such employment or change the terms of such employment.

 

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3.9           Nature of Payments

 

(a)           Consideration for Services Performed . Any and all grants of awards and issuances of shares of Common Stock under the Plan shall be in consideration of services performed for the Company by the grantee.

 

(b)           Not Taken into Account for Benefits . All such grants and issuances shall constitute a special incentive payment to the grantee and shall not be taken into account in computing the amount of salary or compensation of the grantee for the purpose of determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, profit-sharing, bonus, life insurance or other benefit plan of the Company or under any agreement between the Company and the grantee, unless such plan or agreement specifically otherwise provides.

 

3.10         Deferred Compensation

 

The Plan is intended to be exempt form, and to the extent not exempt, to comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code so as not to be subject to tax under Section 409A, and shall be interpreted accordingly.  Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, any payment scheduled to be made to a grantee after the grantee’s termination of employment shall not be made until the date six months after the date of the termination of employment, to the extent necessary to comply with Code Section 409A(a)(B)(i) and applicable Treasury Regulations.  Following any such six-month delay, all such delayed payments will be paid in a single lump sum on the date six months after such termination of employment.

 

3.11         Non-Uniform Determinations

 

The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among persons who receive, or who are eligible to receive, awards under the Plan (whether or not such persons are similarly situated). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled, among other things, to make non-uniform and selective determinations, and to enter into non-uniform and selective Grant Certificates, as to (a) the persons to receive awards under the Plan, (b) the terms and provisions of awards under the Plan, and (c) the treatment of leaves of absence pursuant to Section 1.6(f).

 

3.12         Other Payments or Awards

 

Nothing contained in the Plan shall be deemed in any way to limit or restrict the Company from making any award or payment to any person under any other plan, arrangement or understanding, whether now existing or hereafter in effect.

 

3.13         Headings

 

Any section, subsection, paragraph or other subdivision headings contained herein are for the purpose of convenience only and are not intended to expand, limit or otherwise define the contents of such subdivisions.

 

3.14         Effective Date and Term of Plan

 

(a)           Adoption . The Plan was adopted by the Board on September 9, 2015.

 

(b)           Termination of Plan . Unless sooner terminated by the Board, the Plan shall terminate on September 9, 2025, the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Plan by the Board.  No awards shall be made under the Plan after such date. All such awards made under the Plan prior to its termination shall remain in effect until such awards have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Grant Certificates.

 

3.15         Restriction on Issuance of Stock Pursuant to Awards

 

The Company shall not permit any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to awards granted under the Plan unless such shares of Common Stock are fully paid and non-assessable under applicable law.

 

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3.16         Governing Law

 

Except to the extent preempted by any applicable federal law, the Plan will be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.

 

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