Registration Statement No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Belgium | None | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
Brouwerijplein 1,
3000 Leuven, Belgium
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015
Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015
Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015
2020 Dream Incentive Plan
(Full Title of the Plans)
Augusto Lima
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
250 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Tel. No.: (212) 503-2891
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
George H. White
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
1 New Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1AN
United Kingdom
Tel. No.: 011-44-20-7959-8900
Indicate by check mark whether
the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, and smaller reporting
company in
Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | x | Accelerated filer | ¨ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
||||||||
Title of Securities to Be Registered (1) |
Amount to Be
Registered (2) |
Proposed Maximum
Offering Price Per Share |
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering Price |
Amount of
Registration Fee |
||||
Ordinary shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV without nominal value (Ordinary Shares) (granted pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015) |
6,000,000 (3) (of which 700,000 are being newly registered) | $121.89 (4) | $85,323,000 (4) | $8,592.03 (7) | ||||
Ordinary Shares (granted pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015) |
3,980,000 (5) (all of which have been previously registered) | N/A | N/A | $0 | ||||
Ordinary Shares (granted pursuant to the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015) |
510,000 (6) (all of which have been previously registered) | N/A | N/A | $0 | ||||
Ordinary Shares (granted pursuant to the 2020 Dream Incentive Plan) |
6,000,000 (all of which are being newly registered) | $121.89 (4) | $731,340,000 (4) | $73,645.94 (7) | ||||
Total |
$816,663,000 | $82,237.97 | ||||||
|
||||||||
|
(1) | The Ordinary Shares of the Registrant may be represented by the Registrants American Depositary Shares (ADSs), evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, each representing one ordinary share without nominal value. A separate registration statement on Form F-6 was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 26 June 2009, as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1, filed on 14 September 2009 (Registration No. 333-160277) for the registration of ADSs evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issuable upon deposit of Ordinary Shares. |
(2) | The amount being registered also includes an indeterminate number of Ordinary Shares, which may be issuable under the plans as a result of variations in share capital, share splits, share dividends or similar transactions, in accordance with Rule 416. |
(3) | Pursuant to Instruction E to Form S-8 and interpretations of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission), the registration of 6,000,000 Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015 consists of (i) 700,000 Ordinary Shares being newly registered; (ii) 1,480,000 Ordinary Shares previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-201386) filed with the Commission on 7 January 2015; (iii) 1,650,000 Ordinary Shares previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-192806) filed with the Commission on 13 December 2013; (iv) 1,530,000 Ordinary Shares previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-188517) filed with the Commission on 10 May 2013 and (v) 640,000 Ordinary Shares previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-178664) filed with the Commission on 21 December 2011. See Explanatory Statement. |
(4) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The estimate is based on the average of the high and low prices of the Ordinary Shares as reported on Euronext Brussels on 15 December 2015, and converted at the cross rate of 1.00 = $1.0929, as reported by Bloomberg at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on 15 December 2015. |
(5) | Pursuant to Instruction E to Form S-8 and interpretations of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission, the registration of 3,980,000 Ordinary Shares to be represented by ADSs granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015 consists of (i) 490,000 Ordinary Shares to be represented by ADSs previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-201386) filed with the Commission on 7 January 2015; (ii) 600,000 Ordinary Shares to be represented by ADSs previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-192806) filed with the Commission on 13 December 2013; (iii) 170,000 Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-188517) filed with the Commission on 10 May 2013 and (iv) 2,720,000 Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-178664) filed with the Commission on 21 December 2011. See Explanatory Statement. |
(6) | Pursuant to Instruction E to Form S-8 and interpretations of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission, the registration of 510,000 Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to the Registrants Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015 consists of (i) 60,000 Ordinary Shares previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-192806) filed with the Commission on 13 December 2013 and (ii) 450,000 Ordinary Shares previously registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-171231) filed with the Commission on 17 December 2010. See Explanatory Statement. |
(7) | As described in Notes (3), (5) and (6) above and the Explanatory Statement, the registration fees previously paid with respect to 1,480,000 Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2014, 3,180,000 Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev, 640,000 Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev 30 November 2011, 490,000 Ordinary Shares to be represented by ADSs granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2014, 770,000 Ordinary Shares to be represented by ADSs granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev, 2,720,000 Ordinary Shares to be represented by ADSs granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev 30 November 2011, 510,000 Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to the Registrants Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme are being carried forward to this Registration Statement. |
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, a public limited liability company organized and existing under Belgian law (Anheuser-Busch InBev), has filed this Registration Statement to register Anheuser-Busch InBevs ordinary shares without nominal value (Ordinary Shares) for use granted pursuant to four plans: the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015, the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015, the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015 and the 2020 Dream Incentive Plan.
Out of the total of 6,000,000 Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015, 3,980,000 Ordinary Shares to be represented by the Registrants American Depositary Shares (ADSs) granted pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015, 510,000 Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to the Registrants Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015 and 6,000,000 Ordinary Shares granted pursuant to the Registrants 2020 Dream Incentive Plan being registered in this Registration Statement, 5,300,000 Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015, 3,980,000 Ordinary Shares to be represented by ADSs pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015 and 510,000 Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Registrants Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015 (collectively, the Carryover Shares) are being carried over from certain of the Registrants previous registration statements on Form S-8 and 700,000 Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Registrants Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015 and 6,000,000 Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Registrants 2020 Dream Incentive Plan are being newly registered herewith.
1
The Carryover Shares were previously registered for use granted pursuant to the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2014 under (i) the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-201386) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) on 7 January 2015 (the January 2015 Registration Statement); (ii) the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev under the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-192806) filed with the Commission on 13 December 2013 (the December 2013 Registration Statement); (iii) the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev under the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-188517) dated 10 May 2013 (the May 2013 Registration Statement); (iv) the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev 30 November 2011 under the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-178664) filed with the Commission on 21 December 2011 (the 2011 Registration Statement); (v) the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2014 under the January 2015 Registration Statement; (vi) the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev under the December 2013 Registration Statement; (vii) the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev under the May 2013 Registration Statement; (viii) the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev 30 November 2011 under the 2011 Registration Statement; (ix) the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme under the December 2013 Registration Statement and (x) the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme under the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-171231) filed with the Commission on 17 December 2010 (the 2010 Registration Statement and, together with the January 2015 Registration Statement, the December 2013 Registration Statement, the May 2013 Registration Statement and the 2011 Registration Statement, the Prior Registration Statements).
To effect the carryover of the Carryover Shares from the Prior Registration Statements, Anheuser-Busch InBev has contemporaneously filed Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the January 2015 Registration Statement, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the December 2013 Registration Statement, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the May 2013 Registration Statement, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the 2011 Registration Statement and Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the 2010 Registration Statement (collectively, the Amendments). Following the filing of the Amendments, the Carryover Shares will no longer be available for new awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2014, the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev 30 November 2011, the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2014, the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev 30 November 2011 and the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme.
Consequently, pursuant to Instruction E to Form S-8 and in accordance with Interpretation 89 under Section G, Securities Act Forms of the Manual of Publicly Available Telephone Interpretations of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission (July 1997 as supplemented):
1. | Anheuser-Busch InBev is carrying over and reallocating to this Registration Statement 9,790,000 Ordinary Shares from the Prior Registration Statements. Of this total, 5,300,000 Carryover Shares are for use under the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to the Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015, 3,980,000 Carryover Shares are for use under the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015 and 510,000 Carryover Shares are for use under the Exceptional Incentire Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015. In addition, Anheuser-Busch InBev is newly registering a further 700,000 Ordinary Shares for use pursuant to its Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015, for a total of 6,000,000 Ordinary Shares for use pursuant to that Plan; |
2. | The registration fees allocable to the Carryover Shares paid in connection with the Prior Registration Statements are being carried over to this Registration Statement; and |
3. | Contemporaneously with the filing of this Registration Statement, the Prior Registration Statements are being amended on a post-effective basis to effect the transfer of shares to this Registration Statement. |
2
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The document(s) containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants in the plans covered by this registration statement as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). Such documents need not be filed with the Commission either as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424. These documents and the documents incorporated herein by reference pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of this registration statement, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. | Incorporation of Documents by Reference |
The following documents that Anheuser-Busch InBev has filed with the Commission are incorporated in this registration statement by reference and made a part hereof:
| Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2014 filed with the Commission on 24 March 2015 (Annual Report); |
| Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on 29 April 2015 relating to dividend payments by Anheuser-Busch InBev; |
| Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on 6 May 2015 relating to changes to the articles of association of Anheuser-Busch InBev; |
| Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on 6 May 2015 relating to interim financial information of Anheuser-Busch InBev; |
| Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on 30 July 2015 relating to interim financial information of Anheuser-Busch InBev; |
| Current Reports on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on 16 September 2015, 7 October 2015, 8 October 2015, 13 October 2015, 28 October 2015, 4 November 2015, 12 November 2015 (other than exhibits or portions of exhibits to that Report on Form 6-K that are not specifically incorporated by reference into Anheuser-Busch InBevs other Registration Statements) and 3 December 2015 relating to Anheuser-Busch InBevs proposed combination with SABMiller; |
| Current Report on Form 6-K filed with the Commission on 30 October 2015 relating to interim financial information of Anheuser-Busch InBev; and |
| The description of the Ordinary Shares contained under the headings Item 10. Additional Information Share Capital and Item 10. Additional Information - Memorandum and Articles of Association and Other Share Information Description of the Rights and Benefits Attached To Our Shares in the Registrants Registration Statement on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34455) filed with the Commission on 14 September 2009 (Initial Form 20-F), and the description of the American Depositary Shares contained under the heading Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities American Depositary Shares in the Initial Form 20-F, as well as any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such descriptions. |
Each document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such document shall not create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Anheuser-Busch InBev since its date or that the information contained in it is current as of any time subsequent to its date.
All documents filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Reports on Form 6-K that Anheuser-Busch InBev furnishes to the Commission subsequent to the date hereof will only be deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement if such Report on Form 6-K expressly states that it is incorporated by reference herein.
3
Any statement contained in such a document shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purpose of this Registration Statement to the extent that a subsequent statement contained herein or in a subsequently filed or furnished document incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes that statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement. In addition, any statement contained in any such document shall be deemed to be superseded for the purpose of this Registration Statement to the extent that a discussion contained herein covering the same subject matter omits such statement. Any such statement omitted shall not be deemed to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4. | Description of Securities |
Please refer to Item 10. Additional Information Memorandum and Articles of Association and Other Share Information Description of the Rights and Benefits Attached To Our Shares in the Initial Form 20-F for a description of Ordinary Shares.
Please refer to Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities American Depositary Shares in the Initial Form 20-F and the Annual Report for a description of American Depositary Shares.
Item 5. | Interests of Named Experts and Counsel |
Not applicable
Item 6. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers |
Group Coverage and Policy
As the parent company of the Anheuser-Busch InBev Group, Anheuser-Busch InBev has undertaken to indemnify its directors, officers and employees against any and all expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification by Anheuser-Busch InBev), judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred by any such director, officer and employee in connection with the defense or settlement of any proceeding brought (i) by a third party or (ii) by Anheuser-Busch InBev or by shareholders or other third parties in the right of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Such indemnification applies if, with respect to the acts or omissions of such director, officer and employee, he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of Anheuser-Busch InBev and, in the case of a criminal action or proceeding, he or she had no reason to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. For these purposes, proceeding refers to any threatened, pending or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative to which a director, officer or employee is a party or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that he or she was a director or an agent of Anheuser-Busch InBev or of one of its subsidiaries or by reason of anything done or not done by him or her in such capacity.
No determination in any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction or otherwise shall, of itself, create a presumption that such director, officer or employee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of Anheuser-Busch InBev and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, he or she had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
In addition, Anheuser-Busch InBev has a liability insurance policy that covers all past, present and future directors and officers of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries, which are those entities in which it holds more than 50% of the voting rights, or of which it can individually, or under a written shareholders agreement, appoint the majority of the board of directors. The insurance covers defense costs and financial damages such directors or officers are legally obliged to pay as a result of any claim against them. A claim for these purposes includes all requests against the directors and officers, including (i) a civil proceeding; (ii) a criminal proceeding; (iii) a formal administrative or regulatory proceeding and (iv) a written request by a third party.
Item 7. | Exemption from Registration Claimed |
Not applicable.
4
Item 8. | Exhibits |
Exhibit No. |
Description |
|
4.1 | Consolidated Articles of Association of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, dated as of 29 April 2015 (English-language translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NVs Report on Form 6-K (File No. 001-34455) filed with the Commission on 6 May 2015). | |
4.2 | Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, by and among Anheuser-Busch SA/NV and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Depositary and Owners and Holders of American Depositary Shares, dated as of 15 September 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NVs Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-165065) filed with the Commission on 25 February 2010). | |
4.3 | Terms and Conditions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015. | |
4.4 | Terms and Conditions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015. | |
4.5 | Terms and Conditions of the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015. | |
4.6 | Terms and Conditions of the 2020 Dream Incentive Plan. | |
23.1 | Consent of PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BCVBA. | |
24.1 | Power of Attorney of Certain Directors and Officers of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV. | |
24.2 | Power of Attorney of Authorized Representative in the United States. |
Item 9. | Undertakings |
(a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement: |
(i) | to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; |
(ii) | to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; |
(iii) | to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; |
provided however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement.
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; and |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(b) |
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of |
5
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(h) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person against the registrant in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
(i) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that: |
(1) | For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective. |
(2) | For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
6
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Leuven, Belgium on 18 December 2015.
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV | ||
By: |
/s/ Jan Vandermeersch |
|
Name: |
Jan Vandermeersch | |
Title: |
Senior Legal Counsel Corporate Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons, in the capacities indicated, on 18 December 2015.
1
|
Director | |
Marcel Herrmann Telles | ||
* |
Director | |
Alexandre Van Damme | ||
* |
Authorized Representative in the United States | |
Augusto Lima |
*By: |
/s/ Jan Vandermeersch |
|
Jan Vandermeersch | ||
Attorney-in-Fact |
2
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
|
Description |
|
4.1 | Consolidated Articles of Association of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, dated as of 29 April 2015 (English-language translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NVs Report on Form 6-K (File No. 001-34455) filed with the Commission on 6 May 2015). | |
4.2 | Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, by and among Anheuser-Busch SA/NV and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Depositary and Owners and Holders of American Depositary Shares, dated as of 15 September 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NVs Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-165065) filed with the Commission on 25 February 2010). | |
4.3 | Terms and Conditions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015. | |
4.4 | Terms and Conditions of the Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev December 2015. | |
4.5 | Terms and Conditions of the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015. | |
4.6 | Terms and Conditions of the 2020 Dream Incentive Plan. | |
23.1 | Consent of PwC Bedrijfsrevisoren BCVBA. | |
24.1 | Power of Attorney of Certain Directors and Officers of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV. | |
24.2 | Power of Attorney of Authorized Representative in the United States. |
1
Exhibit 4.3
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
Long-Term Incentive Plan
Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev
December 2015
Participants Guide
THE INTRODUCTION SECTION OF THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
1
Anheuser-Busch InBev Long-Term Incentive Plan
relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev
Introduction
You will find in this section a general description of the Anheuser-Busch InBev Long-Term Incentive Plan (relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev) (the Plan ) presented in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs). This description of the Plan is very general and does not purport to be complete.
The Plan is intended to provide certain employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries ( Eligible Employees ) ordinary shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev, which are currently traded on the Euronext Brussels (the Shares ) and to align the interests of the Eligible Employees with those of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
The Plan is subject to the Belgian legal and regulatory provisions that govern stock option grant plans. The Plan is not regarded, in the United States, as a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code ). Further, the Plan is not subject to any of the provisions of the US Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( ERISA ).
The contents of this section are for information purposes only. In any case of discrepancy between the contents of this section and the terms and conditions of the Plan, the provisions of the terms and conditions of the Plan ( Terms and Conditions ) will prevail. Terms beginning with a capital letter have the meaning ascribed to them in the Terms and Conditions.
| How is the Plan administered? |
The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev (the Board of Directors ), but the Board of Directors may delegate part or all powers under the Plan to the Remuneration Committee of Anheuser-Busch InBev (the Committee ). In such a case, the Committee is responsible for the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the Plan rules, under the supervision of the Board of Directors; the Committee is also authorised to establish rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan. The Board of Directors and the Committee may sub-delegate certain powers to any third party they deem appropriate.
The Board of Directors is currently composed of four members nominated by EPS SA, a Luxembourg company that represents Interbrews founding families; four members nominated by BRC S.a.r.l., a Luxembourg company that represents AmBevs founders; four independent directors and two non-executive, non-independent directors. Board members are elected at the shareholders meeting of Anheuser-Busch InBev for 4-year terms. The Board of Directors appoints the members of the Committee from amongst its members.
The Board of Directors can unilaterally modify the practical and/or accessory terms of the Plan at any time. The Board of Directors may also modify the terms and conditions of the Plan when such modifications are required to comply with any change in legislation.
2
However, shareholders approval of any amendment will be obtained to the extent necessary to comply with Section 422 of the Code (relating to Incentive Stock Options) or any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange listing requirements.
If you would like more information about the Plan or its administrators, please contact your local People Director. For US Participants, please contact Rodrigo Pacca De Oliveria or Alicia Dicks at AB InBev Services LLC, 250 Park Avenue, 10123 New York, (212)573-6253 / (212)573-9293.
| What is the duration of the Plan? Can it be terminated early? |
Unless decided otherwise by AB InBev, the Plan will terminate on the date upon which all the Shares underlying the Options have been delivered to Participants. Any Options granted under the Plan prior to its termination will remain in effect until they have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with their terms.
| Who may participate in the Plan? |
The Plan rules allow the Committee to select any employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries in its sole discretion as Eligible Employees to whom Options may be offered. All employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries who have been informed by their local People Department that they are Eligible Employees qualify to participate in the Plan.
| What securities are offered under the Plan? |
A maximum of 6,000,000 Shares can be awarded under the Plan. Such Shares may be issued Shares held in Anheuser-Busch InBevs treasury or acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the purpose of the Plan. The Shares may be in dematerialized or registered form.
| What do I have to do to participate in the Plan? |
There are three main steps in the participation process:
(i) | you receive from Anheuser-Busch InBev an Offer Letter which can take the form of a letter, an e-mail, etc.informing you that you are an Eligible Employee. This letter also indicates the number of Options offered to you by Anheuser-Busch InBev and their Exercise Price; |
(ii) | you decide whether or not you wish to participate in the Planyou have three choices: (i) you accept all the Options, (ii) you accept only part of the Options or (iii) you refuse all the Options; |
(iii) | once you have made your choice, you should complete and return/submit your Acceptance Form (which can, in certain situations, be an on-line form to be completed directly on Anheuser-Busch Intranet or on the secured LTI Website mentioned in the Offer Letter) in accordance with the instructions contained in the Offer Letter. |
| Will I have to pay something to participate in the Plan? |
You do not have to pay anything to Anheuser-Busch InBev to participate in the Plan. Anheuser-Busch InBev will bear the costs related to the set-up of the Plan.
However, participating in the Plan may result in the obligation for you to pay local taxes and social security contributions in accordance with applicable tax and social security legislation.
3
In addition, any costs you incur for the financing of the exercise of your Options (if applicable) will have to be borne by you. Similarly, any costs, fees and taxes and social security contributions that may arise upon the exercise of your Options and subsequent sale of Shares you have purchased from Anheuser-Bush InBev will have to be borne by you.
| What will the Option exercise price be? |
The Exercise Price of the Options is the one indicated in your Offer Letter.
| Do I need to open a securities account to participate in the Plan? |
Participating in the Plan does not require that you open a securities account in your home country or in Belgium. Your Options will be recorded in a register in electronic form maintained by Anheuser-Busch InBev (or by a third party appointed by Anheuser-Busch InBev to that effect).
When you exercise your Options, if you receive Shares in registered form, you do not need to have a securities account and ownership will be evidenced through registration in the electronic shareholders register of Anheuser-Busch InBev. However, if the Shares are delivered to you in book-entry form, you will need to have a securities account to which the Shares can be transferred.
| How can I get information on my portfolio of Options? |
You can have access to your portfolio of Options through the secured LTI Website mentioned in the Offer Letter (or any successor website thereof).
All transactions on your Options (e.g. exercise) will be carried out electronically from the LTI Website.
| When can I exercise my Options? |
You can exercise your Options on any Trading Day during the Exercise Period set forth in your Offer Letter except otherwise provided in the Terms and Conditions.
You can, of course, never exercise your Options during a Prohibited Period (as defined in Anheuser-Busch InBevs Code of Dealing) or in breach of any prohibition of insider dealing applying to you.
| How can I exercise my options? |
The exercise of your Options is in principle fully electronic (no paper exercise) and is managed through the LTI Website. All you need to do to exercise your Options is to log on to the LTI Website and follow the instructions.
You have, in principle, the choice between two methods of exercise:
(i) | Regular exercise |
Under a regular exercise, you pay the Exercise Price to Anheuser-Busch InBev in cash and you subsequently receive the corresponding Shares from Anheuser-Busch InBev.
The Exercise Price of your Options must be paid to Anheuser-Busch InBev in euros, which is the official currency in Belgium and the currency of your Options. Your Exercise Price in euros must reach the bank account of Anheuser-Busch InBev in Belgium within 10 Banking Days from the date of Exercise. If you pay your
4
Exercise Price from a bank account denominated in US dollars, please make sure that you give the right instructions to your bank so that a net amount in euros that is equal to your Exercise Price effectively reaches the bank account of Anheuser-Busch InBev in due time. All costs related to the transfer of your Exercise Price to Anheuser-Busch InBev in Belgium (e.g. foreign exchange commission, international bank transfer fees) will have to be borne by you.
The Shares you have purchased from Anheuser-Busch InBev under a regular exercise will then be delivered to you in book-entry form on your securities account or in registered form through a registration in the electronic shareholders register of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
(ii) | Cashless exercise |
Anheuser-Busch InBev has set up a mechanism whereby you may finance the exercise of your Options through a cashless exercise.
Under a cashless exercise, the Shares you have purchased will be immediately sold on the market and a portion of the sale price equivalent to your Exercise Price will be transferred to Anheuser-Busch InBev for payment of the Exercise Price of your Options. The rest of the sale price less any brokerage costs and other fees (in other words, your net gain) will be paid to you in euros (or in US dollars after conversion of the amount in euros into US dollars) either directly or through your employer, who will withhold, to the extent required, any applicable local taxes and social security contributions. If payments go through your employer, payments may be made on the same schedule as payroll payments and therefore may occur after a reasonable delay, without accruing any interest.
| What happens if I do not exercise my Options? |
Once your Options have become exercisable, you may exercise your Options at any time up to and including the last day of the Exercise Period. However, your Options may not, in any circumstances, be exercised during any Prohibited Period (as defined in the Anheuser-Busch InBev Dealing Code) or in breach of any applicable laws prohibiting insider dealing. Once the Exercise Period is over, if not yet exercised, all of your Options will lapse and you will no longer have any rights in respect of the Options.
| What happens to my Options and Shares if I leave Anheuser-Busch InBev? |
Depending on the circumstances of your departure, your Options either may become null and void or may survive your departure. A departure from Anheuser-Busch InBev may also affect the period during which you may exercise your Options.
Leaving Anheuser-Busch InBev (for whatever reason) will have no impact on the Shares you have purchased from Anheuser-Busch InBev pursuant to the exercise of your Options.
Subject to the special rules in the Terms and Conditions below, upon your resignation or dismissal, whether or not the dismissal is being challenged by you, the Options which are not yet exercisable on your last day of employment will in principle be automatically void. If the Options are exercisable on your last day of employment, they will remain exercisable for 90 days following the dismissal in case of Dismissal for Serious Cause or for 180 days if the dismissal was for other reasons (e.g., not for Serious Cause or due to outsourcing or divestiture).
5
If your employment terminates (including resignation) after attaining a cumulated age of 70 (other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause), all Options that are not exercisable on the date of termination will be treated as follows:
(i) | If employment ends before the end of the second year following the Offer Date: |
(a) | If you have participated in the SBC in each of the last five years (or as many years in that period in which you were an eligible employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries), a pro-rata portion of your Options will remain in full force and effect, provided that, if requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, you enter into a non-competition agreement. |
(b) | In all other cases, all of your Options will be automatically void. |
(ii) | If employment ends on or after the end of the second year following the Offer Date, a pro-rata portion of your Options will remain in full force and effect, provided that, if requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, you enter into a non-competition agreement. |
If your employment terminates (including resignation) after attaining a cumulated age of 70 (other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause), all Options that were exercisable on the date of termination may be exercised until the end of the Exercise Period.
If your employment terminates (including resignation) after attaining a cumulated age of 80 (other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause), all Options that are not exercisable on the date of termination will remain in full force and effect, provided that, if requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, you enter into a non-competition agreement.
If your employment terminates (including resignation) after attaining a cumulated age of 80 (other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause), all Options that were exercisable on the date of termination may be exercised until the end of the Exercise Period.
If your employment terminates due to your death or permanent disability, your Options that are not exercisable at that time will become immediately exercisable under certain conditions (e.g. if disabled, you may be asked to sign a non-competition agreement, and in the event of your death, your successor must inform Anheuser-Busch InBev of your death). All Options that are exercisable at that time will remain exercisable until the end of the Exercise Period.
| Can I transfer my stock options? |
Your Options may not be transferred or encumbered or otherwise pass to any third party.
| What rights and obligations attach to Anheuser-Busch InBev Shares? |
Upon exercise, your Anheuser-Busch InBev Shares will entitle you to all the rights and benefits generally attached to the ordinary shares. Anheuser-Busch InBev will, at its discretion, deliver Shares in dematerialised form or in registered form. The Shares acquired upon exercise of Options give rights to the dividends paid on such Shares after the date of exercise.
Your Anheuser-Busch InBev Shares acquired upon exercise of Options are not subject to any transfer restrictions under the rules of the Plan.
6
| What does it mean to participate in the Plan? |
Participation in, and the operation of, the Plan will not form part of or affect your contract of employment or your employment relationship, nor will they give you the right to continued employment. Participation in one grant of Options under the Plan does not indicate that you will participate, or be considered for participation, in any later grants. You are not entitled to any compensation or other benefit in respect of the Plan.
You should understand that the value of Anheuser-Busch InBev Shares can go down as well as up and that past performance of Anheuser-Busch InBevs shares is no indication of actual future performance.
| Incorporation of certain documents by reference |
Anheuser-Busch InBev will file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) covering the ordinary shares to be delivered pursuant to the Options.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information filed with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information pertaining to the same subject in this prospectus or in earlier filings with the SEC. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus:
(i) | Anheuser-Busch InBevs Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34455) filed in the US with the SEC on 24 March 2015; and |
(ii) | all documents filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev in the US under Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ) since 31 December 2014. |
To the extent designated therein, certain current reports of Anheuser-Busch InBev in the US on Form 6-K, and all documents filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev in the US under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus, but prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents.
| How can I obtain additional information? |
You may receive copies of the documents described above and any of the documents that we are required to deliver to employees pursuant to Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act free of charge by submitting a request to your local People Director. Some of these documents are also available for viewing in the Investor section of our website at www.ab-inbev.com.
7
Terms and Conditions
1 | Definitions |
When used in this document, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them as indicated below, unless expressly indicated otherwise:
Acceptance Form | the form whereby an Eligible Employee accepts all or part of the Options or refuses the Options, to be completed by the Eligible Employee in paper format and/or in electronic format on the LTI Website or on the Anheuser-Busch Intranet, as indicated in the Offer Letter; | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev | Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, with its registered office at Grand Place 1, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; | |
Banking Day | any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday in Belgium and in the United States, on which banks in Belgium and in the United States are open for business; | |
Board of Directors | the Board of Directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Code | the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; | |
Code of Dealing | the Anheuser-Busch InBev Dealing Code, as amended from time to time; | |
Committee | the Remuneration Committee of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Data Controller | Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Data Processor | any third party designated by the Data Controller to process Personal Data on behalf of the Data Controller in accordance with Section 20 for the implementation, administration and management of the Plan and the Options register in electronic form; | |
Dismissal | termination of employment by Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries. | |
Dismissal for Serious Cause | termination of employment for serious cause (as determined by the Chief People Officeror any other person designated by the Chief People Officerin his sole discretion or, if applicable, as defined in relevant local law) by Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries; | |
Divestiture | a situation whereby Participants employer is no longer a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev following a divestiture through the sale of shares in the said Anheuser-Busch InBev subsidiary or otherwise; |
8
Eligible Employee | an employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its majority-owned subsidiaries who received an Offer Letter; | |
Exercise Form | the form whereby a Participant notifies Anheuser-Busch InBev or any third party designated by Anheuser-Busch InBev to that effect of his/her decision to exercise all or part of his/her Options in accordance with Section 7.4, to be completed by the Participant in paper format and/or in electronic format on the LTI Website, as the case may be; | |
Exercise Period | the period defined as such in the Offer Letter; | |
Exercise Price | the price per Option that a Participant must pay for the exercise of his/her Options, as set out in the Offer Letter; | |
Expiry Date | the last day of the Exercise Period; | |
Fair Market Value | on a particular date shall be (i) the opening sale price per Share during normal trading hours on the national securities exchange on which the Share is principally traded for such date or the closing sale price per Share on the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Share on such exchange or (ii) if the Shares are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the Shares during normal trading hours in such over-the-counter market for such date or the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Shares in such market, or (iii) if the Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine; | |
Incentive Stock Option (ISO) | an Option that is intended to qualify for special federal income tax treatment pursuant to Sections 421 and 422 of the Code (or a successor provision thereof) and which is so designated in the applicable Offer Letter. Under no circumstances shall any Option that is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option be considered an Incentive Stock Option; | |
Leave of Absence | a leave of absence authorised by the Participants employer for any reason; | |
LTI Website | the internet website referred to in the Offer Letter (and any successor thereof) through which a Participant can accept/refuse the Options offered to him/her, monitor his/her portfolio of Options and exercise his/her Options; | |
Non-Qualified Stock Option (NQSO) | an Option that is not designated in the applicable Offer Letter as an Incentive Stock Option and is not intended to qualify for special federal income tax treatment; |
9
Offer Date | the date of the Offer Letter; | |
Offer Letter | the notification, in paper format (letter) and/or in electronic format (e-mail) whereby Anheuser-Busch InBev offers Options to an Eligible Employee; | |
Offer Period | the period defined as such in the Offer Letter; | |
Option | the right to purchase from Anheuser-Busch InBev one existing Share in accordance with these terms and conditions, which has been offered to an Eligible Employee and which has been accepted by the Eligible Employee through the sending of an Acceptance Form to Anheuser-Busch InBev in due time; | |
Outsourcing | a situation whereby (i) a Participant is dismissed by Anheuser-Busch InBev or a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev in the framework of a collective dismissal (in the meaning of the Belgian Law of 13 February 1998 or its equivalent in the jurisdiction of the Participant) and is re-employed, together with the other persons who have been likewise dismissed, by a third-party company which is not an affiliate of Anheuser-Busch InBev and which provides services to Anheuser-Busch InBev; or (ii) a Participant is transferred by Anheuser-Busch InBev or a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev in the framework of the Belgian Collective Bargaining Agreement No 32 bis of 7 June 1985 (or its equivalent in the jurisdiction of the Participant) to a third-party company which is not an affiliate of Anheuser-Busch InBev and which provides services to Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Participant | any Eligible Employee who has completed and returned an Acceptance Form in accordance with Section 5.2 and who has accepted all or part of the Options, or any Successor to whom Options have been transferred in accordance with these terms and conditions; | |
Personal Data | each item of information relating to a Participant including (i) his/her identification data (e.g. name, private or professional contact details), (ii) electronic identification data, (iii) personal characteristics (e.g. date of birth, gender, nationality), (iv) employers entity, (v) preferred language, (vi) financial data (e.g. details regarding bank account), (vii) details of all rights and other entitlement to Shares awarded, cancelled, purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding; | |
Plan | the Anheuser-Busch InBev Long-Term Incentive Plan; | |
Prohibited Period | any period defined as such in the Code of Dealing; |
10
Pro-Rata Formula |
where:
PRO means the number of Options that will remain in full force and effect following the termination of employment
HO means the number of Options held by the Participant immediately prior to the termination of employment
M means the number of full calendar months of employment of the Participant within the AB InBev Group during the period from the Offer Date until the date of termination of employment; |
|
Resignation | termination by a Participant of employment with Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries; | |
SBC | the Share-Based Compensation Plan of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Share | an ordinary share of Anheuser-Busch InBev (ISIN: BE0003793107); | |
Successor | the successor of a Participant as determined under the applicable law of succession and/or the persons designated by a Participant, in accordance with the applicable law of succession, to inherit the rights of the Participant under the Plan after the death of the Participant; | |
Trading Day | any day on which the regulated market of Euronext Brussels and the New York Stock Exchange are open for trading. |
2 | Approval of the Plan Documentation |
The Plan forms part of an agreement between the Participant and Anheuser-Busch InBev. By returning to Anheuser-Busch InBev a duly completed Acceptance Form in accordance with Section 5.2, the Participant unconditionally agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions.
3 | Persons Eligible for Options |
Options under the Plan, including Incentive Stock Options, may be offered to such Eligible Employees as the Committee shall select in its sole discretion.
11
4 | Shares Available for Options |
The total number of Shares which may be transferred pursuant to Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed 6,000,000 Shares. Such Shares may be issued Shares held in Anheuser-Busch InBevs treasury or acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the purposes of the Plan. Any Shares delivered by Anheuser-Busch InBev, any Shares with respect to which Options are granted by Anheuser-Busch InBev and any Shares with respect to which Anheuser-Busch InBev becomes obligated to grant as Options, through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options previously granted by an acquired entity, shall not be counted against the Shares available for Options under this Plan.
5 | Acceptance of the Options |
5.1 | Full or partial acceptance |
An Eligible Employee to whom Options are offered has the possibility of accepting only part of them. To that effect, the Eligible Employee shall mention in the Acceptance Form the exact number of accepted Options. If an Eligible Employee accepts only part of the Options, he/she shall be deemed to have refused the other Options offered to him/her.
5.2 | Mode of acceptance |
5.2.1 | General |
The mode of acceptance of the Options is set out in the Offer Letter and, at the choice of Anheuser-Busch InBev, takes the form of an electronic acceptance or of a paper-form acceptance.
5.2.2 | Electronic acceptance |
In the case of acceptance of the Options in electronic form, the Eligible Employee must confirm and submit his/her choice through the LTI Website or the Anheuser-Bush Intranet, as specified in the Eligible Employees Offer Letter.
The Acceptance Form must be completed online and submitted during the Offer Period and, to the extent applicable, after having accepted the terms of use of the LTI Website.
If the LTI Website or the Anheuser-Busch Intranet, as the case may be, is not accessible (for technical reasons or otherwise) during the Offer Period, the Eligible Employee must ask his/her local People Department for an Acceptance Form in paper format and return it to Anheuser-Busch InBev in accordance with Section 5.2.3 below.
Failure to complete and submit the Acceptance Form as set out above will be deemed to constitute a refusal by the Eligible Employee of all Options offered to him/her.
5.2.3 | Paper-form acceptance |
In the case of acceptance of the Options in paper form, the Eligible Employee must complete, date and sign the Acceptance Form attached to the Offer Letter and return it to the address indicated on it. The completed Acceptance Form must reach Anheuser-Busch InBev, or any third party designated by it to that effect, during the Offer Period.
12
Failure to return the completed, dated and signed Acceptance Form as set out above will be deemed to constitute a refusal by the Eligible Employee of all Options offered to him/her.
6 | Transferability |
Except for transfers as a result of death (see Section 8.4 below), Options may not be transferred or encumbered with any security, pledge or other right, or otherwise pass to any third party.
7 | Exercise of the Options |
7.1 | Exercise Price |
The Exercise Price of the Options is specified in the Offer Letter and will not be less than 100% (or 110%, in the case of ISOs granted to an individual described in Section 422(b)(6) of the Code (relating to certain 10% owners)) of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
7.2 | Exercise Period |
Subject to Sections 7.3 and 8, the Options may be exercised only during the Exercise Period. The Options that are not exercised within the Exercise Period automatically expire and become null and void.
7.3 | Exercise limitations |
The Options may not, in any circumstances, be exercised during a Prohibited Period or in breach of any applicable laws prohibiting insider dealing.
7.4 | Terms of exercise |
7.4.1 | General |
(i) | An Option will be deemed exercised upon receipt by Anheuser-Busch InBev, or any other person designated to that effect by Anheuser-Busch InBev, at any time during the Exercise Period (but not later than 11.59 p.m. Brussels time on the Expiry Date), of the following: |
(a) | a duly completed Exercise Form explicitly mentioning the number of Options being exercised by the Participant; and |
(b) | any other statements and documents that the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Committee or any other person designated to that effect by the Committee deems necessary or desirable in order to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory provisions. |
(ii) | The exercise of the Options will be processed by Anheuser-Busch InBev, or by any person or entity designated for this purpose by Anheuser-Busch InBev, as soon as administratively and/or legally possible. |
7.4.2 | Regular exercise |
(i) | Full payment of the Exercise Price (as well as related costs, taxes and duties, if any) must reach Anheuser-Busch InBev at the latest ten (10) Banking Days after the date of exercise, in the manner indicated on the Exercise Form and/or the LTI Website. Transfer of ownership of the Shares will occur upon receipt by Anheuser-Busch InBev of the Exercise Price (as well as related costs, taxes and duties, if any). |
13
(ii) | If the Participant fails to pay the Exercise Price within the time frame provided in Section 7.4.2(i), Anheuser-Busch InBev will, at its sole discretion, be authorized to cancel the exercise of the Options. |
7.4.3 | Cashless exercise |
(i) | Anheuser-Busch InBev may, at its sole discretion, set up a mechanism of cashless exercise whereby a Participant may elect to simultaneously exercise Options and sell the Shares underlying the exercised Options. In that case, the Exercise Price will be paid to Anheuser-Busch InBev from the proceeds of the sale of the Shares, in accordance with Section 7.4.3(iii). |
(ii) | By opting for a cashless exercise, the Participant irrevocably: |
(a) | where relevant, instructs Anheuser-Busch InBev to appoint a financial intermediary to sell the Shares underlying the exercised Options on the market; and |
(b) | instructs Anheuser-Busch InBev to: (i) deliver, on the Participants behalf, the Shares underlying the exercised Options to such financial intermediary for their sale on the market; and (ii) collect from that financial intermediary the proceeds of the sale of those Shares. |
(iii) | Following the delivery of the Shares by Anheuser-Busch InBev to the financial intermediary, the obligation of Anheuser-Busch InBev to deliver Shares (or the sale proceeds thereof) to the Participant will be set off against the obligation of the Participant to pay the Exercise Price to Anheuser-Busch InBev. Any amount in excess of the Exercise Price collected by Anheuser-Busch InBev, after payment of all applicable costs, fees and taxes due by the Participant as a result of the cashless exercise will be transferred to the Participant after the effective sale of the Shares, without accruing any interest. If payments are processed through your employer, payments may be made on the same schedule as payroll payments and therefore may occur after a reasonable delay, without accruing any interest. |
8 | Situation upon Termination of Service |
8.1 | Before cumulated age of 70 1 |
8.1.1 | Dismissal other than for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
1 | cumulated age is the sum, on the date of the end of employment, of (i) the age of the Participant and (ii) the number of years of employment of the Participant within the Anheuser-Busch InBev Group using full months of service and full months of age to calculate the combined years. |
14
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised but only during a 180-day period starting on the day that employment has ended; |
The above rules shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against the termination of employment.
The above rules also apply in case the termination of employment results from an Outsourcing or a Divestiture.
8.1.2 | Resignation and Dismissal for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below, in the case of Resignation or Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised but only during a 90-day period starting on the day that employment has ended; |
The rules set out above shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against such dismissal.
8.2 | At or after cumulated age of 70 2 |
8.2.1 | Resignation and Dismissal other than for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4. below:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment will be subject to the following regime: |
(a) | if employment ends before the end of the second year following the Offer Date: |
(I) | if the Participant has participated in the SBC in each of the last five years (or as many years in that period in which the Participant has been an eligible employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries), a portion of the Options will remain in full force and effect and subject to these terms and conditions, provided that, if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended. |
(II) | in all other cases, all Options held by the Participant will automatically expire and become null and void; |
(b) | if employment ends on or after the end of the second year following the Offer Date, a portion of the Options will remain in full force and effect and subject to these terms and conditions, provided that, if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended. |
2 | cumulated age is the sum, on the date of the end of employment, of (i) the age of the Participant and (ii) the number of years of employment of the Participant within the Anheuser-Busch InBev Group using full months of service and full months of age to calculate the combined years. |
15
The portion of Options that will remain in full force and effect as indicated above will be calculated by Anheuser-Busch InBev on the basis of the Pro-Rata Formula. The remaining Options will automatically expire and become null and void.
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised until the end of the Exercise Period in accordance with these terms. |
8.2.2 | Dismissal for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below, in the case of Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised but only during a 90-day period starting on the day that employment has ended; |
The rules set out above shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against such dismissal.
8.3 | At or after cumulated age of 80 3 |
8.3.1 | Resignation and Dismissal other than for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment remain exercisable by the Participant in accordance with these terms provided that if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after employment has ended. |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised until the end of the Exercise Period in accordance with these terms. |
8.3.2 | Dismissal for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below, in the case of Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
3 | cumulated age is the sum, on the date of the end of employment, of (i) the age of the Participant and (ii) the number of years of employment of the Participant within the Anheuser-Busch InBev Group using full months of service and full months of age to calculate the combined years. |
16
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised but only during a 90-day period starting on the day that employment has ended; |
The rules set out above shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against such dismissal.
8.4 | Death or termination of employment following permanent disability |
Notwithstanding Sections 8.1 to 8.3 above, in the case of death of a participant or termination of employment following permanent disability:
8.4.1 | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of permanent disability or death of the Participant, become immediately and unconditionally exercisable (in the case of death, by the Successors) in accordance with these terms and conditions, to the exclusion of Section 7.2 provided that, in the case of permanent disability and if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after employment has ended. |
8.4.2 | all Options which, on the date of permanent disability or death of the Participant, are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised (in the case of death, by the Successors) until the end of the Exercise Period in accordance with these terms. |
The notion of permanent disability is to be defined by reference to the law governing the employment of the Participant.
8.5 | Treatment of ISOs |
ISOs shall be treated as NQSOs if they are exercised later than three (3) months after a Participants termination of employment. If Section 8.4 applies with respect to ISOs upon the permanent disability of a Participant and the disability is as described in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, such ISOs shall be treated as NQSOs if they are exercised later than one (1) year after termination of employment. If the disability is not as described in Section 22(e)(3), such ISOs shall be treated as NQSOs if they are exercised later than three (3) months after termination of employment.
8.6 | Leave of Absence |
A Participant who is, as of the Offer Date, or following the Offer Date commences, on a Leave of Absence shall be deemed to remain employed by Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries unless the Leave of Absence extends beyond the second anniversary of the date on which the Leave of Absence commenced, in which event the Participant will be deemed to have resigned, in the meaning of Section 8 of the Plan and for the application of the Plan only, on and as of the Leave of Absence expiration date.
Notwithstanding the above, for purposes of the Pro-Rata Formula under Section 8.2.1 (i) (b), the Leave of Absence will only be included in the number of full calendar months of employment provided it has been granted for medical reasons, including maternity leave, or provided the law governing the employment of the Participant would require this.
17
For purposes of ISOs, if a Leave of Absence exceeds three (3) months and Anheuser-Busch InBev is required, either by statute or contract, to reemploy the Participant upon expiration of such leave, Options will continue to be treated as ISOs during such Leave of Absence. If reemployment upon expiration of a Leave of Absence that exceeds three (3) months is not so guaranteed, six (6) months after the first day of such leave any ISOs held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as ISOs and shall be treated for tax purposes as NQSOs.
9 | Special Rules for Incentive Stock Options |
9.1 | To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the stock with respect to which ISOs granted under the Plan and all other plans of Anheuser-Busch InBev are first exercisable by any Participant during any calendar year shall exceed the maximum limit (currently $100,000) imposed from time to time under Section 422 of the Code, such options shall be treated as NQSOs, taking options into account in the order in which they are granted. |
9.2 | Notwithstanding Section 3, to the extent required under Section 422 of the Code, an ISO may not be granted under the Plan to a Participant who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of his or her employer corporation or of its parent or subsidiary corporations (as such ownership may be determined for purposes of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code) unless (i) at the time such ISO is granted the Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject thereto and (ii) the ISO by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date granted. |
9.3 | To the extent that an ISO fails to meet any of the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, it shall cease to be an ISO but shall, from the date of the failure, continue in effect as a NQSO. |
10 | Amendment to the Capital Structure and Anti-dilution Measures |
10.1 | Anheuser-Busch InBev expressly reserves the right to proceed with corporate changes that have an impact on its capital, such as capital increases, including by incorporation of reserves in the capital, capital decreases, issuance of convertible bonds, subscription rights or options, stock splits or reverse stock splits, combinations or reclassifications of the Shares, mergers, (partial) demergers, as well as the right to amend the clauses in the articles of association governing the allocation of profits or liquidation boni. |
10.2 | In the event that such corporate changes would have an unfavourable effect on the Options, the Exercise Price and/or the number of Options and/or the number of Shares to which the Options give rights will be adjusted for the purpose of safeguarding the interests of the holders of Options, as determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, subject to any required action by the Shareholders Meeting of Anheuser-Busch InBev; provided, however, that with respect to ISOs, any such adjustment shall be made in accordance with Section 424 of the Code. The terms of such adjustment will be communicated to the Participants in due time. |
10.3 | In the event that Anheuser-Busch InBev would be merged into another company, the rights and obligations of Anheuser-Busch InBev under the Plan will automatically be transferred to the absorbing company and the Options will no longer give the Participants the right to purchase Shares but instead the right to purchase shares of the absorbing company. The number of shares of the absorbing company to which each Option will give right and the exercise price thereof will be determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and communicated to the Participants in due time; provided, however, that with respect to ISOs, any such assumption shall be made in accordance with Section 424 of the Code. |
18
11 | Nature and characteristics of the Shares |
11.1 | General |
The Shares to be purchased upon exercise of the Options are existing ordinary shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev with all rights and benefits generally attached to such Shares. Anheuser-Busch InBev will, at its discretion, deliver Shares in dematerialised form or in registered form.
11.2 | Dividends |
The Shares acquired upon exercise of Options give right to the dividends paid on such Shares after the date of exercise. No dividends will be paid on the Options.
11.3 | Transferability |
The Shares acquired upon exercise of Options are not subject to any transfer restrictions under the rules of the Plan.
12 | Expenses and Taxes |
All costs related to the attribution of the Options and the delivery of the Shares will be paid by Anheuser-Busch InBev, except taxes on stock exchange transactions, capital gains taxes and income and social security taxes on the income received by the Participants in connection with the offering, the ownership or the exercise of the Options and with the acquisition of the Shares. All financing costs related to the acquisition of the Shares shall be borne by the Participants. In case of a regular exercise, the Participants shall ensure that the bank account of Anheuser-Busch InBev is credited with the net Exercise Price amount in euros. To the extent permitted by law, Anheuser-Busch InBev may withhold from any payment or delivery of Shares any income or social security taxes that are required to be withheld under any applicable law, rule or regulation.
13 | Administration of the Plan |
13.1 | Delegation to the Committee |
13.1.1 | The Board of Directors may delegate part or all powers under the Plan to the Committee. In the case of a delegation of powers, the Committee shall: (i) be responsible for the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the provisions thereof, under the supervision of the Board of Directors; and (ii) be authorised to establish rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and, if necessary, to interpret, amend and cancel these rules, in compliance with these terms and conditions. |
13.1.2 | In the case of a delegation of powers, the Board of Directors will retain full authority to exercise all the rights and obligations of the Committee under the Plan at any time whatsoever, or to delegate them to another committee constituted by the Board of Directors. |
19
13.2 | (Sub-)delegation to any third party |
13.2.1 | The Board of Directors and the Committee may (sub-)delegate certain well-specified powers to any third party they deem appropriate. |
13.2.2 | In the case of a (sub-)delegation of powers, the Board of Directors and the Committee will retain full authority to exercise all the rights and obligations so delegated. |
13.3 | Neither Anheuser-Busch InBev nor any member of the Board of Directors or the Committee shall be liable for: |
(i) | any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan; or. |
(ii) | any action or determination with respect to the Plan or ISOs granted under the Plan that results in the Plan or such ISOs (individually or entirely) failing to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. |
14 | Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition of ISO |
If a Participant disposes of Shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO in a disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, that is, disposes of them less than:
(i) | two years after the ISO Offer Date; or |
(ii) | one year from the issue or transfer of Shares to the Participant upon exercise, |
or in any other disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, the Participant shall notify Anheuser-Busch InBev of the date and terms of such disposition in writing within 15 days thereof.
15 | Electronic Register, Electronic Evidence and Consent to Electronic Delivery |
15.1 | Electronic options register |
The Options may be recorded in an options register in electronic form, the maintenance of which may be outsourced by Anheuser-Busch InBev to a third party.
15.2 | Electronic evidence |
Electronic approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications between a Participant, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the administration of the Plan will have the same legal status as written approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications. The written recording or the written reproduction of electronic approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications received by Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the administration of the Plan, will constitute conclusive evidence between the Participant, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the administration of the Plan, unless evidence to the contrary is provided by the Participant.
20
15.3 | Consent to Electronic Delivery |
As a condition to receiving the Options, each Participant consents to delivery of all subsequent information relating to the Options by electronic means, including e-mails to the Participant and postings on the LTI Website, Anheuser-Busch InBevs website or intranet. Such information may include, among others, financial information concerning Anheuser-Busch InBev and other information relevant to a Participants decision whether or not to exercise the Options. In order to access such information, Participants will be required to access the LTI Website and/or Anheuser-Busch InBevs e-mail system, website and/or intranet. By acceptance of the Options, each Participant is deemed to acknowledge that he/she has such access to the LTI Website, the e-mail system of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its website and intranet and ordinarily uses them in the ordinary course of his/her employment. Participants may obtain paper copies of any such information by submitting a request to receive paper copies to his/her People Department.
16 | Matrimonial Regime |
In the event that the matrimonial regimes of Participants confer ownership or other rights on their spouses with respect to the Options, those Participants undertake that their spouses shall appoint them as their sole representatives for all matters arising in relation to the Options.
17 | Death |
In the event of a Participants death, any Successor acquiring Options shall inform Anheuser-Busch InBev of the Participants death as soon as possible following the date of death.
18 | Modification to the Terms and Conditions |
The Board of Directors may unilaterally modify at any time the practical and/or accessory modalities of the terms and conditions. It may also unilaterally modify the terms and conditions when such modifications are required to comply with any change in legislation. Shareholder approval/confirmation of any amendment shall be obtained to the extent necessary to comply with Section 422 of the Code (relating to Incentive Stock Options) or any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange listing requirements.
19 | Nature of the Plan |
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary included in the terms and conditions, the Offer Letter, the Acceptance Form or any other document relating to the Plan:
(i) | the acquisition of Shares by the Participant is unrelated to his occupational pension rights or pension claims, so that this acquisition cannot affect these occupational pension rights and claims; |
(ii) | the Plan, the Offer Letter and the Acceptance Form or any other document relating to the Plan do not confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries to terminate the Participants employment according to the applicable regulations in respect of termination thereof; and |
(iii) | the grant of Options cannot be considered as a right acquired for the future. |
21
20 | Privacy and processing of Personal Data |
20.1 | The Data Controller is responsible for the collection and processing of Personal Data as is necessary for the setting-up and administration of the Plan and the Options register of Anheuser-Busch InBev in electronic form. |
20.2 | The Personal Data collected, inter alia , by way of the Acceptance Form and the Exercise Form will be used exclusively for the purposes of the administration of the Plan and the maintenance of the Options register of Anheuser-Busch InBev in electronic form. |
20.3 | The Data Controller can transfer the Personal Data to the Data Processor and the employer of the Participant for the above purposes, as well as to regulatory authorities for the purposes of complying with legal obligations in connection with the Plan. Such recipients may be located in jurisdictions outside the European Economic Area that may not provide an adequate level of personal data protection. |
20.4 | The Data Controller and the Data Processor shall abide by the Belgian Law of 8 December 1992 on privacy protection in relation to the processing of personal data, as amended from time to time, and its implementing decrees. |
20.5 | Through his/her signature of the Acceptance Form and/or its submission through the LTI Website, the Participant gives his/her consent to the collection and processing of his/her Personal Data as described in this Section 20. |
20.6 | The Participant has the right to access and correct his/her Personal Data by sending a written and signed request to his/her local People Department. |
21 | Effective Date and Term of Plan |
Unless sooner terminated by the Board of Directors, the Plan, including the provisions respecting the grant of Options, shall terminate on the date upon which all the Shares underlying the Options have been delivered to Participants. All Options made under the Plan prior to its termination shall remain in effect until such Options have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Offer Letter.
22 | Severability |
If any provision in this document is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, under any applicable law, that provision will be deemed not to form part of this document, and the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder of this document will not be affected.
23 | Applicable Law |
The Options, the Shares and these terms and conditions are governed by Belgian law.
22
Exhibit 4.4
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
Long-Term Incentive Plan
Relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev
December 2015
Participants Guide
THE INTRODUCTION SECTION OF THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
Anheuser-Busch InBev Long-Term Incentive Plan
relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev
Introduction
You will find in this section a general description of the Anheuser-Busch InBev Long-Term Incentive Plan (relating to American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev) (the Plan ) presented in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs). This description of the Plan is very general and does not purport to be complete.
The Plan is intended to provide certain employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries ( Eligible Employees ) American Depositary Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev, which are currently traded on the New-York Stock Exchange (the ADSs ) and to align the interests of the Eligible Employees with those of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
The Plan is subject to the Belgian legal and regulatory provisions that govern stock option grant plans. The Plan is not regarded, in the United States, as a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code ). Further, the Plan is not subject to any of the provisions of the US Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( ERISA ).
The contents of this section are for information purposes only. In any case of discrepancy between the contents of this section and the terms and conditions of the Plan, the provisions of the terms and conditions of the Plan ( Terms and Conditions ) will prevail. Terms beginning with a capital letter have the meaning ascribed to them in the Terms and Conditions.
| How is the Plan administered? |
The Plan is administered by the board of directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev (the Board of Directors ), but the Board of Directors may delegate part or all powers under the Plan to the Remuneration Committee of Anheuser-Busch InBev (the Committee ). In such a case, the Committee is responsible for the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the Plan rules, under the supervision of the Board of Directors; the Committee is also authorised to establish rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan. The Board of Directors and the Committee may sub-delegate certain powers to any third party they deem appropriate.
The Board of Directors is currently composed of four members nominated by EPS SA, a Luxembourg company that represents Interbrews founding families; four members nominated by BRC S.a.r.l., a Luxembourg company that represents AmBevs founders; four independent directors and two non-executive, non-independent directors. Board members are elected at the shareholders meeting of Anheuser-Busch InBev for 4-year terms. The Board of Directors appoints the members of the Committee from amongst its members.
The Board of Directors can unilaterally modify the practical and/or accessory terms of the Plan at any time. The Board of Directors may also modify the terms and conditions of the Plan when such modifications are required to comply with any change in legislation.
2
However, shareholders approval of any amendment will be obtained to the extent necessary to comply with Section 422 of the Code (relating to Incentive Stock Options) or any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange listing requirements.
If you would like more information about the Plan or its administrators, please contact your local People Director. For US Participants, please contact Donald Hartmann at Anheuser-Busch Companies, One Busch Place St-Louis, MO, Donald.Hartmann@anheuser-busch.com.
| What is the duration of the Plan? Can it be terminated early? |
Unless decided otherwise by AB InBev, the Plan will terminate on the date upon which all the ADS underlying the Options have been delivered to the Participants. Any Options granted under the Plan prior to its termination will remain in effect until they have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with their terms.
| Who may participate in the Plan? |
The Plan rules allow the Committee to select any employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries in its sole discretion as Eligible Employees to whom Options may be offered. All employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries who have been informed by their local People Department that they are Eligible Employees qualify to participate in the Plan.
| What securities are offered under the Plan? |
A maximum of 3,980,000 ADSs can be awarded under the Plan.
The ADSs are ordinary American Depositary Shares issued in the framework of the Anheuser-Busch InBev American Depositary Receipt facility managed by The Bank of New York Mellon (or any successor thereof). Each ADS represents one ordinary share or the right to receive one ordinary share of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
For additional general information on the ADSs, including on the payment of dividends, please visit The Bank of New York Mellons website (www.adrbnymellon.com) and search for Anheuser-Busch InBevs profile page.
| What do I have to do to participate in the Plan? |
There are three main steps in the participation process:
(i) | you receive from Anheuser-Busch InBev an Offer Letter which can take the form of a letter, an e-mail, etc.informing you that you are an Eligible Employee. This letter also indicates the number of Options offered to you by Anheuser-Busch InBev and their Exercise Price; |
(ii) | you decide whether or not you wish to participate in the Planyou have three choices: (i) you accept all the Options, (ii) you accept only part of the Options or (iii) you refuse all the Options; |
(iii) | once you have made your choice, you should complete and return/submit your Acceptance Form (which can, in certain situations, be an on-line form to be completed directly on the Anheuser-Busch Intranet or on the secured LTI Website mentioned in the Offer Letter) in accordance with the instructions contained in the Offer Letter. |
3
| Will I have to pay something to participate in the Plan? |
You do not have to pay anything to Anheuser-Busch InBev to participate in the Plan. Anheuser-Busch InBev will bear the costs related to the set-up of the Plan.
However, participating in the Plan may result in the obligation for you to pay local taxes and social security contributions in accordance with applicable tax and social security legislation.
In addition, any costs you incur for the financing of the exercise of your Options (if applicable) will have to be borne by you. Similarly, any costs, fees and taxes and social security contributions that may arise upon the exercise of your Options and subsequent sale of ADSs you have purchased from Anheuser-Bush InBev will have to be borne by you.
| What will the Option exercise price be? |
The Exercise Price of the Options is the one indicated in your Offer Letter.
| Do I need to open a securities account to participate in the Plan? |
Participating in the Plan does not require that you open a securities account in your home country or in Belgium. Your Options will be recorded in a register in electronic form maintained by Anheuser-Busch InBev (or by a third party appointed by Anheuser-Busch InBev to that effect).
When you exercise your Options, you will need to have a securities account to which the ADSs can be transferred.
| How can I get information on my portfolio of Options? |
You can have access to your portfolio of Options through the secured LTI Website mentioned in the Offer Letter (or any successor website thereof).
All transactions on your Options (e.g. exercise) will be carried out electronically from the LTI Website.
| When can I exercise my Options? |
You can exercise your Options on any Trading Day during the Exercise Period set forth in your Offer Letter except otherwise provided in the Terms and Conditions.
You can, of course, never exercise your Options during a Prohibited Period (as defined in Anheuser-Busch InBevs Code of Dealing) or in breach of any prohibition of insider dealing applying to you.
| How can I exercise my options? |
The exercise of your Options is in principle fully electronic (no paper exercise) and is managed through the LTI Website. All you need to do to exercise your Options is to log on to the LTI Website and follow the instructions.
You have, in principle, the choice between two methods of exercise:
(i) | Regular exercise |
Under a regular exercise, you pay the Exercise Price to Anheuser-Busch InBev in cash and you subsequently receive the corresponding ADSs from Anheuser-Busch InBev.
4
The Exercise Price of your Options must be paid in USD (which is the currency of your Options) and in accordance with the instructions provided on the LTI Website. Your Exercise Price must reach the bank account of Anheuser-Busch InBev within 10 Banking Days from the date of Exercise. All costs related to the transfer of your Exercise Price to Anheuser-Busch InBev (e.g. foreign exchange commission, international bank transfer fees) will have to be borne by you.
The ADSs you have purchased from Anheuser-Busch InBev under a regular exercise will then be delivered to you in book-entry form on your securities account.
(ii) | Cashless exercise |
Anheuser-Busch InBev has set up a mechanism whereby you may finance the exercise of your Options through a cashless exercise.
Under a cashless exercise, the ADSs you have purchased will be immediately sold on the market and a portion of the sale price equivalent to your Exercise Price will be transferred to Anheuser-Busch InBev for payment of the Exercise Price of your Options. The rest of the sale price less any brokerage costs and other fees (in other words, your net gain) will be paid to you either directly or through your employer, who will withhold, to the extent required, any applicable local taxes and social security contributions. If payments go through your employer, payments may be made on the same schedule as payroll payments and therefore may occur after a reasonable delay, without accruing any interest.
| What happens if I do not exercise my Options? |
Once your Options have become exercisable, you may exercise your Options at any time up to and including the last day of the Exercise Period. However, your Options may not, in any circumstances, be exercised during any Prohibited Period (as defined in the Anheuser-Busch InBev Dealing Code) or in breach of any applicable laws prohibiting insider dealing. Once the Exercise Period is over, if not yet exercised, all of your Options will lapse and you will no longer have any rights in respect of the Options.
| What happens to my Options and ADSs if I leave Anheuser-Busch InBev? |
Depending on the circumstances of your departure, your Options either may become null and void or may survive your departure. A departure from Anheuser-Busch InBev may also affect the period during which you may exercise your Options.
Leaving Anheuser-Busch InBev (for whatever reason) will have no impact on the ADSs you have purchased from Anheuser-Busch InBev pursuant to the exercise of your Options.
Subject to the special rules in the Terms and Conditions below, upon your resignation or dismissal, whether or not the dismissal is being challenged by you, the Options which are not yet exercisable on your last day of employment will in principle be automatically void. If the Options are exercisable on your last day of employment, they will remain exercisable for 90 days following the dismissal in case of Dismissal for Serious Cause or for 180 days if the dismissal was for other reasons (e.g., not for Serious Cause or due to outsourcing or divestiture).
5
If your employment terminates (including resignation) after attaining a cumulated age of 70 (other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause), all Options that are not exercisable on the date of termination will be treated as follows:
(i) | If employment ends before the end of the second year following the Offer Date: |
(a) | If you have participated in the SBC in each of the last five years (or as many years in that period in which you were an eligible employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries), a pro-rata portion of your Options will remain in full force and effect, provided that, if requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, you enter into a non-competition agreement. |
(b) | In all other cases, all of your Options will be automatically void. |
(ii) | If employment ends on or after the end of the second year following the Offer Date, a pro-rata portion of your Options will remain in full force and effect, provided that, if requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, you enter into a non-competition agreement. |
If your employment terminates (including resignation) after attaining a cumulated age of 70 (other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause), all Options that were exercisable on the date of termination may be exercised until the end of the Exercise Period.
If your employment terminates (including resignation) after attaining a cumulated age of 80 (other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause), all Options that are not exercisable on the date of termination will remain in full force and effect, provided that, if requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, you enter into a non-competition agreement.
If your employment terminates (including resignation) after attaining a cumulated age of 80 (other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause), all Options that were exercisable on the date of termination may be exercised until the end of the Exercise Period.
If your employment terminates due to your death or permanent disability, your Options that are not exercisable at that time will become immediately exercisable under certain conditions (e.g. if disabled, you may be asked to sign a non-competition agreement, and in the event of your death, your successor must inform Anheuser-Busch InBev of your death). All Options that are exercisable at that time will remain exercisable until the end of the Exercise Period.
| Can I transfer my stock options? |
Your Options may not be transferred or encumbered or otherwise pass to any third party.
| What rights and obligations attach to ADSs? |
The ADSs delivered to you are ordinary American Depository Shares issued under the deposit agreement with the Bank of New York Mellon in the framework of the Anheuser-Busch InBev American Depository Receipt facility.
Upon exercise, your ADSs will entitle you to all the rights and benefits generally attached to ADSs. The ADSs acquired upon exercise of Options give right to the dividends paid on such ADSs after the date of exercise. ADS holders receive cash dividends in U.S. dollars after the amount paid in euro on the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs is converted to U.S. dollars. Accordingly, exchange-rate fluctuations will affect the U.S. dollar amounts received by holders of ADSs on the conversion from euro into U.S. dollars.
The ADSs you acquire upon the exercise of Options are not subject to any transfer restrictions under the rules of the Plan.
6
| What does it mean to participate in the Plan? |
Participation in, and the operation of, the Plan will not form part of or affect your contract of employment or your employment relationship, nor will they give you the right to continued employment. Participation in one grant of Options under the Plan does not indicate that you will participate, or be considered for participation, in any later grants. You are not entitled to any compensation or other benefit in respect of the Plan.
You should understand that the value of ADSs can go down as well as up and that past performance of ADSs is no indication of actual future performance.
| Incorporation of certain documents by reference |
Anheuser-Busch InBev will file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) covering the ADSs to be delivered pursuant to the Options.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information filed with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information pertaining to the same subject in this prospectus or in earlier filings with the SEC. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus:
(i) | Anheuser-Busch InBevs Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34455) filed in the US with the SEC on 24 March 2015; and |
(ii) | all documents filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev in the US under Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ) since 31 December 2014. |
To the extent designated therein, certain current reports of Anheuser-Busch InBev in the US on Form 6-K, and all documents filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev in the US under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus, but prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents.
| How can I obtain additional information? |
You may receive copies of the documents described above and any of the documents that we are required to deliver to employees pursuant to Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act free of charge by submitting a request to your local People Director. Some of these documents are also available for viewing in the Investor section of our website at www.ab-inbev.com.
7
Terms and Conditions
1 | Definitions |
When used in this document, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them as indicated below, unless expressly indicated otherwise:
Acceptance Form | the form whereby an Eligible Employee accepts all or part of the Options or refuses the Options, to be completed by the Eligible Employee in paper format and/or in electronic format on the LTI Website or on the Anheuser-Busch Intranet, as indicated in the Offer Letter; | |
ADS | an American Depositary Share issued under the deposit agreement with the Bank of New York Mellon (or any successor thereof) traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ISIN: US03524A1088) and representing one ordinary share or the right to receive one ordinary share of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev | Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, with its registered office at Grand Place 1, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; | |
Banking Day | any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday in Belgium and in the United States, on which banks in Belgium and in the United States are open for business; | |
Board of Directors | the Board of Directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Code | the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; | |
Code of Dealing | the Anheuser-Busch InBev Dealing Code, as amended from time to time; | |
Committee | the Remuneration Committee of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Data Controller | Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Data Processor | any third party designated by the Data Controller to process Personal Data on behalf of the Data Controller in accordance with Section 20 for the implementation, administration and management of the Plan and the Options register in electronic form; | |
Dismissal | termination of employment by Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries |
8
Dismissal for Serious Cause | termination of employment for serious cause (as determined by the Chief People Officeror any other person designated by the Chief People Officerin his sole discretion or, if applicable, as defined in relevant local law) by Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries; | |
Divestiture | a situation whereby Participants employer is no longer a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev following a divestiture through the sale of shares in the said Anheuser-Busch InBev subsidiary or otherwise; | |
Eligible Employee | an employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its majority-owned subsidiaries who received an Offer Letter; | |
Exercise Form | the form whereby a Participant notifies Anheuser-Busch InBev or any third party designated by Anheuser-Busch InBev to that effect of his/her decision to exercise all or part of his/her Options in accordance with Section 7.4, to be completed by the Participant in paper format and/or in electronic format on the LTI Website, as the case may be; | |
Exercise Period | the period defined as such in the Offer Letter; | |
Exercise Price | the price per Option that a Participant must pay for the exercise of his/her Options, as set out in the Offer Letter; | |
Expiry Date | the last day of the Exercise Period; | |
Fair Market Value | on a particular date shall be (i) the opening sale price per ADS during normal trading hours on the national securities exchange on which the ADS is principally traded for such date or the closing sale price per ADS on the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such ADS on such exchange or (ii) if the ADSs are then traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the ADSs during normal trading hours in such over-the-counter market for such date or the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such ADSs in such market, or (iii) if the ADSs are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine; | |
Incentive Stock Option (ISO) | an Option that is intended to qualify for special federal income tax treatment pursuant to Sections 421 and 422 of the Code (or a successor provision thereof) and which is so designated in the applicable Offer Letter. Under no circumstances shall any Option that is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option be considered an Incentive Stock Option; | |
Leave of Absence | a leave of absence authorised by the Participants employer for any reason ; |
9
LTI Website | the internet website referred to in the Offer Letter (and any successor thereof) through which a Participant can accept/refuse the Options offered to him/her, monitor his/her portfolio of Options and exercise his/her Options; | |
Non-Qualified Stock Option (NQSO) | an Option that is not designated in the applicable Offer Letter as an Incentive Stock Option and is not intended to qualify for special federal income tax treatment; | |
Offer Date | the date of the Offer Letter; | |
Offer Letter | the notification, in paper format (letter) and/or in electronic format (e-mail) whereby Anheuser-Busch InBev offers Options to an Eligible Employee; | |
Offer Period | the period defined as such in the Offer Letter; | |
Option | the right to purchase from Anheuser-Busch InBev one ADS in accordance with these terms and conditions, which has been offered to an Eligible Employee and which has been accepted by the Eligible Employee through the sending of an Acceptance Form to Anheuser-Busch InBev in due time; | |
Outsourcing | a situation whereby (i) a Participant is dismissed by Anheuser-Busch InBev or a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev in the framework of a collective dismissal (in the meaning of the Belgian Law of 13 February 1998 or its equivalent in the jurisdiction of the Participant) and is re-employed, together with the other persons who have been likewise dismissed, by a third-party company which is not an affiliate of Anheuser-Busch InBev and which provides services to Anheuser-Busch InBev; or (ii) a Participant is transferred by Anheuser-Busch InBev or a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev in the framework of the Belgian Collective Bargaining Agreement No 32 bis of 7 June 1985 (or its equivalent in the jurisdiction of the Participant) to a third-party company which is not an affiliate of Anheuser-Busch InBev and which provides services to Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Participant | any Eligible Employee who has completed and returned an Acceptance Form in accordance with Section 5.2 and who has accepted all or part of the Options, or any Successor to whom Options have been transferred in accordance with these terms and conditions; | |
Personal Data | each item of information relating to a Participant including (i) his/her identification data (e.g. name, private or professional contact details), (ii) electronic identification data, (iii) personal characteristics (e.g. date of birth, gender, nationality), (iv) employers entity, (v) preferred language, (vi) financial data (e.g. details regarding bank account), (vii) details of all rights and other entitlement to ADSs awarded, cancelled, purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding; |
10
Plan | the Anheuser-Busch InBev Long-Term Incentive Plan; | |
Prohibited Period | any period defined as such in the Code of Dealing; | |
Pro-Rata Formula |
where:
PRO means the number of Options that will remain in full force and effect following the termination of employment
HO means the number of Options held by the Participant immediately prior to the termination of employment
M means the number of full calendar months of employment of the Participant within the AB InBev Group during the period from the Offer Date until the date of termination of employment; |
|
Resignation | termination by a Participant of employment with Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries; | |
SBC | the Share-Based Compensation Plan of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Successor | the successor of a Participant as determined under the applicable law of succession and/or the persons designated by a Participant, in accordance with the applicable law of succession, to inherit the rights of the Participant under the Plan after the death of the Participant; | |
Trading Day | any day on which the regulated market of Euronext Brussels and the New York Stock Exchange are open for trading. |
2 | Approval of the Plan Documentation |
The Plan forms part of an agreement between the Participant and Anheuser-Busch InBev. By returning to Anheuser-Busch InBev a duly completed Acceptance Form in accordance with Section 5.2, the Participant unconditionally agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions.
3 | Persons Eligible for Options |
Options under the Plan, including Incentive Stock Options, may be offered to such Eligible Employees as the Committee shall select in its sole discretion.
11
4 | ADSs Available for Options |
The total number of ADSs which may be transferred pursuant to Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed 3,980,000 ADSs. Such ADSs may be issued ADSs held in Anheuser-Busch InBevs treasury or acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the purposes of the Plan. Any ADSs delivered by Anheuser-Busch InBev, any ADSs with respect to which Options are granted by Anheuser-Busch InBev and any ADSs with respect to which Anheuser-Busch InBev becomes obligated to grant as Options, through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options previously granted by an acquired entity, shall not be counted against the ADSs available for Options under this Plan.
5 | Acceptance of the Options |
5.1 | Full or partial acceptance |
An Eligible Employee to whom Options are offered has the possibility of accepting only part of them. To that effect, the Eligible Employee shall mention in the Acceptance Form the exact number of accepted Options. If an Eligible Employee accepts only part of the Options, he/she shall be deemed to have refused the other Options offered to him/her.
5.2 | Mode of acceptance |
5.2.1 | General |
The mode of acceptance of the Options is set out in the Offer Letter and, at the choice of Anheuser-Busch InBev, takes the form of an electronic acceptance or of a paper-form acceptance.
5.2.2 | Electronic acceptance |
In the case of acceptance of the Options in electronic form, the Eligible Employee must confirm and submit his/her choice through the LTI Website or the Anheuser-Bush Intranet, as specified in the Eligible Employees Offer Letter.
The Acceptance Form must be completed online and submitted during the Offer Period and, to the extent applicable, after having accepted the terms of use of the LTI Website.
If the LTI Website or the Anheuser-Busch Intranet, as the case may be, is not accessible (for technical reasons or otherwise) during the Offer Period, the Eligible Employee must ask his/her local People Department for an Acceptance Form in paper format and return it to Anheuser-Busch InBev in accordance with Section 5.2.3 below.
Failure to complete and submit the Acceptance Form as set out above will be deemed to constitute a refusal by the Eligible Employee of all Options offered to him/her.
5.2.3 | Paper-form acceptance |
In the case of acceptance of the Options in paper form, the Eligible Employee must complete, date and sign the Acceptance Form attached to the Offer Letter and return it to the address indicated on it. The completed Acceptance Form must reach Anheuser-Busch InBev, or any third party designated by it to that effect, during the Offer Period.
Failure to return the completed, dated and signed Acceptance Form as set out above will be deemed to constitute a refusal by the Eligible Employee of all Options offered to him/her.
12
6 | Transferability |
Except for transfers as a result of death (see Section 8.4 below), Options may not be transferred or encumbered with any security, pledge or other right, or otherwise pass to any third party.
7 | Exercise of the Options |
7.1 | Exercise Price |
The Exercise Price of the Options is specified in the Offer Letter and will not be less than 100% (or 110%, in the case of ISOs granted to an individual described in Section 422(b)(6) of the Code (relating to certain 10% owners)) of the Fair Market Value of an ADS on the date of grant.
7.2 | Exercise Period |
Subject to Sections 7.3 and 8, the Options may be exercised only during the Exercise Period. The Options that are not exercised within the Exercise Period automatically expire and become null and void.
7.3 | Exercise limitations |
The Options may not, in any circumstances, be exercised during a Prohibited Period or in breach of any applicable laws prohibiting insider dealing.
7.4 | Terms of exercise |
7.4.1 | General |
(i) | An Option will be deemed exercised upon receipt by Anheuser-Busch InBev, or any other person designated to that effect by Anheuser-Busch InBev, at any time during the Exercise Period (but not later than 11:59 p.m. New York time on the Expiry Date), of the following: |
(a) | a duly completed Exercise Form explicitly mentioning the number of Options being exercised by the Participant; and |
(b) | any other statements and documents that the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Committee or any other person designated to that effect by the Committee deems necessary or desirable in order to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory provisions. |
(ii) | The exercise of the Options will be processed by Anheuser-Busch InBev, or by any person or entity designated for this purpose by Anheuser-Busch InBev, as soon as administratively and/or legally possible. |
7.4.2 | Regular exercise |
(i) | Full payment of the Exercise Price (as well as related costs, taxes and duties, if any) must reach Anheuser-Busch InBev at the latest ten (10) Banking Days after the date of exercise, in the manner indicated on the Exercise Form and/or on the LTI Website. |
13
(ii) | Upon receipt of the Exercise Price (as well as related costs, taxes and duties, if any), Anheuser-Busch InBev will deliver ADSs to the Participant. If, for any reason, the ADSs depositary is unable to deliver ADSs to the Participant, Anheuser-Busch InBev can, at its sole discretion, decide to deliver an equivalent number of Anheuser-Busch InBev ordinary shares to the Participant in lieu of ADSs. In such case, all references to ADSs under this Plan shall refer to ordinary shares with respect to such Options. |
(iii) | If the Participant fails to pay the Exercise Price within the time frame provided for in Section 7.4.2(i), Anheuser-Busch InBev will, at its sole discretion, be authorized to cancel the exercise of the Options. |
7.4.3 | Cashless exercise |
(i) | Anheuser-Busch InBev may, at its sole discretion, set up a mechanism of cashless exercise whereby a Participant may elect to simultaneously exercise Options and sell the ADSs underlying the exercised Options. In that case, the Exercise Price will be paid to Anheuser-Busch InBev from the proceeds of the sale of the ADSs, in accordance with Section 7.4.3(iii). |
(ii) | By opting for a cashless exercise, the Participant irrevocably: |
(a) | where relevant, instructs Anheuser-Busch InBev to appoint a financial intermediary to sell the ADSs underlying the exercised Options on the market; and |
(b) | instructs Anheuser-Busch InBev to: (i) deliver, on the Participants behalf, the ADSs underlying the exercised Options to such financial intermediary for their sale on the market; and (ii) collect from that financial intermediary the proceeds of the sale of those ADSs. |
(iii) | Following the delivery of the ADSs by Anheuser-Busch InBev to the financial intermediary, the obligation of Anheuser-Busch InBev to deliver ADSs (or the sale proceeds thereof) to the Participant will be set off against the obligation of the Participant to pay the Exercise Price to Anheuser-Busch InBev. Any amount in excess of the Exercise Price collected by Anheuser-Busch InBev, after payment of all applicable costs, fees and taxes due by the Participant as a result of the cashless exercise will be transferred to the Participant after the effective sale of the ADSs, without accruing any interest. If payments are processed through your employer, payments may be made on the same schedule as payroll payments and therefore may occur after a reasonable delay, without accruing any interest. |
8 | Situation upon Termination of Service |
8.1 | Before cumulated age of 70 1 |
8.1.1 | Dismissal other than for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
1 | cumulated age is the sum, on the date of the end of employment, of (i) the age of the Participant and (ii) the number of years of employment of the Participant within the Anheuser-Busch InBev Group using full months of service and full months of age to calculate the combined years. |
14
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised but only during a 180-day period starting on the day that employment has ended; |
The above rules shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against the termination of employment.
The above rules also apply in case the termination of employment results from an Outsourcing or a Divestiture.
8.1.2 | Resignation and Dismissal for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below, in the case of Resignation or Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised but only during a 90-day period starting on the day that employment has ended; |
The rules set out above shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against such dismissal.
8.2 | At or after cumulated age of 70 2 |
8.2.1 | Resignation and Dismissal other than for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4. below:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment will be subject to the following regime: |
(a) | if employment ends before the end of the second year following the Offer Date: |
(I) | if the Participant has participated in the SBC in each of the last five years (or as many years in that period in which the Participant has been an eligible employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries), a portion of the Options will remain in full force and effect and subject to these terms and conditions, provided that, if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended. |
(II) | in all other cases, all Options held by the Participant will automatically expire and become null and void; |
(b) | if employment ends on or after the end of the second year following the Offer Date, a portion of the Options will remain in full force and effect and subject to these terms and conditions, provided that, if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended. |
2 | cumulated age is the sum, on the date of the end of employment, of (i) the age of the Participant and (ii) the number of years of employment of the Participant within the Anheuser-Busch InBev Group using full months of service and full months of age to calculate the combined years. |
15
The portion of Options that will remain in full force and effect as indicated above will be calculated by Anheuser-Busch InBev on the basis of the Pro-Rata Formula. The remaining Options will automatically expire and become null and void.
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised until the end of the Exercise Period in accordance with these terms. |
8.2.2 | Dismissal for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below, in the case of Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised but only during a 90-day period starting on the day that employment has ended; |
The rules set out above shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against such dismissal.
8.3 | At or after cumulated age of 80 3 |
8.3.1 | Resignation and Dismissal other than for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment remain exercisable by the Participant in accordance with these terms provided that, if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after employment has ended. |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised until the end of the Exercise Period in accordance with these terms. |
8.3.2 | Dismissal for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 8.4 below, in the case of Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant:
(i) | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
3 | cumulated age is the sum, on the date of the end of employment, of (i) the age of the Participant and (ii) the number of years of employment of the Participant within the Anheuser-Busch InBev Group using full months of service and full months of age to calculate the combined years. |
16
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised but only during a 90-day period starting on the day that employment has ended; |
The rules set out above shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against such dismissal.
8.4 | Death or termination of employment following permanent disability |
Notwithstanding Sections 8.1 to 8.3 above, in the case of death of a participant or termination of employment following permanent disability:
8.4.1 | all Options which are not exercisable under Section 7.2 above on the date of permanent disability or death of the Participant, become immediately and unconditionally exercisable (in the case of death, by the Successors) in accordance with these terms and conditions, to the exclusion of Section 7.2 provided that, in the case of permanent disability and if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after employment has ended. |
8.4.2 | all Options which, on the date of permanent disability or death of the Participant, are exercisable according to Section 7.2 above may be exercised (in the case of death, by the Successors) until the end of the Exercise Period in accordance with these terms. |
The notion of permanent disability is to be defined by reference to the law governing the employment of the Participant.
8.5 | Treatment of ISOs |
ISOs shall be treated as NQSOs if they are exercised later than three (3) months after a Participants termination of employment. If Section 8.4 applies with respect to ISOs upon the permanent disability of a Participant and the disability is as described in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, such ISOs shall be treated as NQSOs if they are exercised later than one (1) year after termination of employment. If the disability is not as described in Section 22(e)(3), such ISOs shall be treated as NQSOs if they are exercised later than three (3) months after termination of employment.
8.6 | Leave of Absence |
A Participant who is, as of the Offer Date, or following the Offer Date commences, on a Leave of Absence shall be deemed to remain employed by Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries unless the Leave of Absence extends beyond the second anniversary of the date on which the Leave of Absence commenced, in which event the Participant will be deemed to have resigned, in the meaning of Section 8 of the Plan and for the application of the Plan only, on and as of the Leave of Absence expiration date.
Notwithstanding the above, for purposes of the Pro-Rata Formula under Section 8.2.1 (i) (b), the Leave of Absence will only be included in the number of full calendar months of employment provided it has been granted for medical reasons, including maternity leave, or provided the law governing the employment of the Participant would require this.
17
For purposes of ISOs, if a Leave of Absence exceeds three (3) months and Anheuser-Busch InBev is required, either by statute or contract, to reemploy the Participant upon expiration of such leave, Options will continue to be treated as ISOs during such Leave of Absence. If reemployment upon expiration of a Leave of Absence that exceeds three (3) months is not so guaranteed, six (6) months after the first day of such leave any ISOs held by the Participant shall cease to be treated as ISOs and shall be treated for tax purposes as NQSOs.
9 | Special Rules for Incentive Stock Options |
9.1 | To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the ADSs or stock with respect to which ISOs granted under the Plan and all other plans of Anheuser-Busch InBev are first exercisable by any Participant during any calendar year shall exceed the maximum limit (currently $100,000) imposed from time to time under Section 422 of the Code, such options shall be treated as NQSOs, taking options into account in the order in which they are granted. |
9.2 | Notwithstanding Section 3, to the extent required under Section 422 of the Code, an ISO may not be granted under the Plan to a Participant who, at the time the Option is granted, owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of his or her employer corporation or of its parent or subsidiary corporations (as such ownership may be determined for purposes of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code) unless (i) at the time such ISO is granted the Exercise Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the ADSs subject thereto and (ii) the ISO by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date granted. |
9.3 | To the extent that an ISO fails to meet any of the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, it shall cease to be an ISO but shall, from the date of the failure, continue in effect as a NQSO. |
10 | Amendment to the Capital Structure and Anti-dilution Measures |
10.1 | Anheuser-Busch InBev expressly reserves the right to proceed with corporate changes that have an impact on its capital, such as capital increases, including by incorporation of reserves in the capital, capital decreases, issuance of convertible bonds, subscription rights or options, stock splits or reverse stock splits, combinations or reclassifications of its shares or ADSs, mergers, (partial) demergers, as well as the right to amend the clauses in the articles of association governing the allocation of profits or liquidation boni. |
10.2 | In the event that such corporate changes would have an unfavourable effect on the Options, the Exercise Price and/or the number of Options and/or the number of ADSs to which the Options give rights will be adjusted for the purpose of safeguarding the interests of the holders of Options, as determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, subject to any required action by the Shareholders Meeting of Anheuser-Busch InBev; provided, however, that with respect to ISOs, any such adjustment shall be made in accordance with Section 424 of the Code. The terms of such adjustment will be communicated to the Participants in due time. |
10.3 | In the event that Anheuser-Busch InBev would be merged into another company, the rights and obligations of Anheuser-Busch InBev under the Plan will automatically be transferred to the absorbing company and the Options will no longer give the Participants the right to purchase ADSs but instead the right to purchase shares of the absorbing company. The number of shares of the absorbing company to which each Option will give right and the exercise price thereof will be determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and communicated to the Participants in due time; provided, however, that with respect to ISOs, any such assumption shall be made in accordance with Section 424 of the Code. |
18
11 | Nature and characteristics of the ADSs |
11.1 | General |
The ADSs delivered to the Participant are ordinary American Depositary Shares issued under the deposit agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon (or any successor thereof) in the framework of the Anheuser-Busch InBev American Depositary Receipt facility managed by The Bank of New York Mellon (or any successor thereof) with all rights and benefits generally attached to such ADSs.
11.2 | Dividends |
The ADSs acquired upon exercise of Options give right to the dividends paid on such ADSs after the date of exercise. ADS holders receive cash dividends in U.S. dollars after the amount paid in euro on the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs is converted to U.S. dollars. No dividends will be paid on the Options.
11.3 | Transferability |
The ADSs acquired upon the exercise of Options are not subject to any transfer restrictions under the rules of the Plan.
12 | Expenses and Taxes |
All costs related to the attribution of the Options and the delivery of the ADSs will be paid by Anheuser-Busch InBev, except taxes on stock exchange transactions, capital gains taxes and income and social security taxes on the income received by the Participants in connection with the offering, the ownership or the exercise of the Options and with the acquisition of the ADSs. All financing costs related to the acquisition of the ADSs shall be borne by the Participants. In case of a regular exercise, the Participants shall ensure that the bank account of Anheuser-Busch InBev is credited with the net Exercise Price amount in US Dollars. To the extent permitted by law, Anheuser-Busch InBev may withhold from any payment or delivery of ADSs any income or social security taxes that are required to be withheld under any applicable law, rule or regulation.
13 | Administration of the Plan |
13.1 | Delegation to the Committee |
13.1.1 | The Board of Directors may delegate part or all powers under the Plan to the Committee. In the case of a delegation of powers, the Committee shall: (i) be responsible for the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the provisions thereof, under the supervision of the Board of Directors; and (ii) be authorised to establish rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and, if necessary, to interpret, amend and cancel these rules, in compliance with these terms and conditions. |
13.1.2 | In the case of a delegation of powers, the Board of Directors will retain full authority to exercise all the rights and obligations of the Committee under the Plan at any time whatsoever, or to delegate them to another committee constituted by the Board of Directors. |
19
13.2 | (Sub-)delegation to any third party |
13.2.1 | The Board of Directors and the Committee may (sub-)delegate certain well-specified powers to any third party they deem appropriate. |
13.2.2 | In the case of a (sub-)delegation of powers, the Board of Directors and the Committee will retain full authority to exercise all the rights and obligations so delegated. |
13.3 | Neither Anheuser-Busch InBev nor any member of the Board of Directors or the Committee shall be liable for: |
(i) | any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan; or. |
(ii) | any action or determination with respect to the Plan or ISOs granted under the Plan that results in the Plan or such ISOs (individually or entirely) failing to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. |
14 | Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition of ISO |
If a Participant disposes of ADSs acquired upon exercise of an ISO in a disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, that is, disposes of them less than:
(i) | two years after the ISO Offer Date; or |
(ii) | one year from the issue or transfer of ADSs to the Participant upon exercise, |
or in any other disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, the Participant shall notify Anheuser-Busch InBev of the date and terms of such disposition in writing within 15 days thereof.
15 | Electronic Register, Electronic Evidence and Consent to Electronic Delivery |
15.1 | Electronic options register |
The Options may be recorded in an options register in electronic form, the maintenance of which may be outsourced by Anheuser-Busch InBev to a third party.
15.2 | Electronic evidence |
Electronic approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications between a Participant, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the administration of the Plan will have the same legal status as written approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications. The written recording or the written reproduction of electronic approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications received by Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the administration of the Plan, will constitute conclusive evidence between the Participant, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the administration of the Plan, unless evidence to the contrary is provided by the Participant.
20
15.3 | Consent to Electronic Delivery |
As a condition to receiving the Options, each Participant consents to delivery of all subsequent information relating to the Options by electronic means, including e-mails to the Participant and postings on the LTI Website, Anheuser-Busch InBevs website or intranet. Such information may include, among others, financial information concerning Anheuser-Busch InBev and other information relevant to a Participants decision whether or not to exercise the Options. In order to access such information, Participants will be required to access the LTI Website and/or Anheuser-Busch InBevs e-mail system, website and/or intranet. By acceptance of the Options, each Participant is deemed to acknowledge that he/she has such access to the LTI Website, the e-mail system of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its website and intranet and ordinarily uses them in the ordinary course of his/her employment. Participants may obtain paper copies of any such information by submitting a request to receive paper copies to his/her People Department.
16 | Matrimonial Regime |
In the event that the matrimonial regimes of Participants confer ownership or other rights on their spouses with respect to the Options, those Participants undertake that their spouses shall appoint them as their sole representatives for all matters arising in relation to the Options.
17 | Death |
In the event of a Participants death, any Successor acquiring Options shall inform Anheuser-Busch InBev of the Participants death as soon as possible following the date of death.
18 | Modification to the Terms and Conditions |
The Board of Directors may unilaterally modify at any time the practical and/or accessory modalities of the terms and conditions. It may also unilaterally modify the terms and conditions when such modifications are required to comply with any change in legislation. Shareholder approval/confirmation of any amendment shall be obtained to the extent necessary to comply with Section 422 of the Code (relating to Incentive Stock Options) or any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange listing requirements.
19 | Nature of the Plan |
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary included in the terms and conditions, the Offer Letter, the Acceptance Form or any other document relating to the Plan:
(i) | the acquisition of ADSs by the Participant is unrelated to his occupational pension rights or pension claims, so that this acquisition cannot affect these occupational pension rights and claims; |
(ii) | the Plan, the Offer Letter and the Acceptance Form or any other document relating to the Plan do not confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries to terminate the Participants employment according to the applicable regulations in respect of termination thereof; and |
(iii) | the grant of Options cannot be considered as a right acquired for the future. |
21
20 | Privacy and processing of Personal Data |
20.1 | The Data Controller is responsible for the collection and processing of Personal Data as is necessary for the setting-up and administration of the Plan and the Options register of Anheuser-Busch InBev in electronic form. |
20.2 | The Personal Data collected, inter alia , by way of the Acceptance Form and the Exercise Form will be used exclusively for the purposes of the administration of the Plan and the maintenance of the Options register of Anheuser-Busch InBev in electronic form. |
20.3 | The Data Controller can transfer the Personal Data to the Data Processor and the employer of the Participant for the above purposes, as well as to regulatory authorities for the purposes of complying with legal obligations in connection with the Plan. Such recipients may be located in jurisdictions outside the European Economic Area that may not provide an adequate level of personal data protection. |
20.4 | The Data Controller and the Data Processor shall abide by the Belgian Law of 8 December 1992 on privacy protection in relation to the processing of personal data, as amended from time to time, and its implementing decrees. |
20.5 | Through his/her signature of the Acceptance Form and/or its submission through the LTI Website, the Participant gives his/her consent to the collection and processing of his/her Personal Data as described in this Section 20. |
20.6 | The Participant has the right to access and correct his/her Personal Data by sending a written and signed request to his/her local People Department. |
21 | Effective Date and Term of Plan |
Unless sooner terminated by the Board of Directors, the Plan, including the provisions respecting the grant of Options, shall terminate on the date upon which all the ADS underlying the Options have been delivered to the Participants. All Options made under the Plan prior to its termination shall remain in effect until such Options have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Plan and the applicable Offer Letter.
22 | Severability |
If any provision in this document is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, under any applicable law, that provision will be deemed not to form part of this document, and the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder of this document will not be affected.
23 | Applicable Law |
The Options and these terms and conditions are governed by Belgian law.
22
Exhibit 4.5
Anheuser-Busch InBev
Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme
Participants Guide
CHAPTER I OF THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE SECURITIES ACT). THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
2015
Chapter I
General description of AB InBev
Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme
You will find in this Chapter a general description of the AB InBev Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme presented in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs). This description of the Programme is very general and does not purport to be complete.
The Programme is intended to provide certain employees of AB InBev and its subsidiaries the opportunity to receive AB InBev Restricted Stock Units as an exceptional incentive.
The Programme is governed by Belgian law. The Programme is not regarded, in the United States, as a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code ). Further, the Programme is not subject to any of the provisions of the US Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( ERISA ).
The contents of this Chapter I are for information purposes only. In any case of discrepancy between the contents of this Chapter I and the rest of the Programme documentation, the provisions of Chapter II, the Offer Letter and the Acceptance Form shall prevail. Terms beginning with a capital letter have the meaning ascribed to them in Chapter II.
1 | Who participates in the Programme? |
Individuals working for AB InBev and its subsidiaries who have received a letter (the Offer Letter ) informing them that they are entitled to receive Restricted Stock Units under the Programme and who have duly completed and returned the Acceptance Form. Two series of Restricted Stock Units, A and B, form part of the Programme, with different vesting schemes.
2 | What do I have to do to participate in the Programme? |
Participants receive from AB InBev (i) an Offer Letter informing them that they are eligible to receive Restricted Stock Units and (ii) an Acceptance Form in which they are invited to confirm their acceptance of the Restricted Stock Units offered to them by AB InBev.
If a Participant does not return a duly completed and executed Acceptance Form within the time frame set out in the Offer Letter, that Participant will be deemed to have refused the Offer and the Restricted Stock Units offered by AB InBev.
The delivery of the AB InBev Shares upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units is automatic. In other words, except for certain practical modalities, a Participant does not need to take any action for the delivery of the AB InBev Shares upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units.
3 | Will I have to pay something to participate in the Programme? |
Participants do not have to pay anything to their AB InBev employer or to AB InBev to participate in the Programme. AB InBev and its subsidiaries will bear the costs related to the setting up of the Programme.
1
However, participating in the Programme may result in the obligation for Participants to pay domestic taxes and social security contributions in accordance with applicable tax and social security legislation.
In addition, all costs, fees and taxes that may arise upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units and the sale/conversion of Shares will have to be borne by the Participants.
4 | Do I need to open a securities/custody account to participate in the Programme? |
No. Participating in the Programme does not require that Participants open a securities/custody account in their home country or in Belgium.
The Shares that Participants will receive upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units that have been granted under the Programme (if any) may be delivered to Participants (at AB InBevs choice) in dematerialised (electronic or book-entry) form or in registered form. If the Shares are in dematerialised form, Participants will need to have a securities/custody account in their home country or in Belgium to which these Shares can be transferred. If the Shares are in registered form, ownership will be evidenced through registration in the electronic Share register of AB InBev.
Furthermore, should a Participant request that American Depositary Shares ( ADSs ) be delivered to him/her in lieu of the Shares to be delivered upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units, the Participant will need to have a securities/custody account to which the ADSs can be transferred.
5 | How can I get information on my portfolio of Restricted Stock Units? |
Participants can have access to and monitor their portfolio of Restricted Stock Units through the secure Website www.abinbev.myleo.com (or any successor thereof).
6 | When and how can I sell my Shares? |
Except as otherwise provided in Chapter II, the Restricted Stock Units A are subject to a 5-year Vesting Period and the Restricted Stock Units B are subject to a 10-year Vesting Period. Upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units, AB InBev will deliver to the Participants one Share per Restricted Stock Unit. During the Vesting Period, the Restricted Stock Units cannot be sold, transferred or pledged.
Unless agreed otherwise between the Participant and AB InBev, the Shares you receive upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units are not subject to any lock-up and are therefore freely transferable immediately after delivery.
The sale of your Shares after the Vesting Period is fully electronic (no paper exercise certificates) and is managed through the secure Website www.abinbev.myleo.com (or any successor thereof). All you need to do to sell your Shares is to access this secure Website and follow the instructions. In consideration for the sale of your Shares, you will have to pay brokerage fees, which are further detailed on the secure Website.
If you are an affiliate of AB InBev as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act ( Rule 144 ), any resale or other disposition of your Shares must be made pursuant to (1) the requirements of Rule 144, without regard to the holding period requirement of such Rule, or (2) another exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
2
7 | What happens to my Restricted Stock Units if I leave AB InBev? |
Depending on the circumstances of a Participants departure, if the Participant leaves AB InBev during the Vesting Period of the Restricted Stock Units, the relevant Restricted Stock Units may partially or entirely become null and void.
The Shares delivered upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units are not subject to any transfer restrictions under the rules of the Programme. As a consequence, leaving AB InBev (for whatever reason) after the Vesting Period will have no impact on the Shares held by a Participant.
8 | How is the Programme administered? |
The Programme is administered by the Board of Directors, but the Board of Directors may delegate part or all powers under the Programme to the Committee. In such a case, the Committee is responsible for the general administration of the Programme in accordance with the Programme rules, under the supervision of Board of Directors; the Committee is also authorised to establish rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Programme. The Board of Directors and the Committee may sub-delegate certain powers to any third party they deem appropriate.
The Board of Directors is currently composed of four members nominated by EPS SA, a Luxembourg company that represents Interbrews founding families; four members nominated by BRC S.a.r.l., a Luxembourg company that represents AmBevs founders; four independent directors and two non-executive, non-independent directors. Board members are elected at the shareholders meeting of Anheuser-Busch InBev for 4-year terms. The Board of Directors appoints the members of the Committee from amongst its members.
The Board of Directors can unilaterally modify the practical and/or accessory terms of the Programme at any time. The Board of Directors may also modify the terms and conditions of the Programme when such modifications are required to comply with any change in legislation.
If you would like more information about the Programme or its administrators, please contact your local People Director or contact Martin Fidalgo or his designee at AB InBev Services LLC, 250 Park Avenue, 10123 New York, (212) 573-4388.
9 | What is the duration of the Programme? |
Unless decided otherwise by AB InBev, the Programme will terminate on the date upon which the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units are delivered to Participants.
10 | What securities are offered under the Programme? |
A maximum of 1,000,000 Shares (including the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units) can be awarded under the Programme. Such Shares may be issued Shares held in AB InBevs treasury or acquired by AB InBev for the purpose of the Programme. The Shares may be in dematerialized or in registered form.
At the request of the Participants, AB InBev may, upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units, deliver ADSs listed on the New York Stock Exchange in lieu of the AB InBev Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units.
3
The ADSs are American Depositary Shares issued in the framework of the AB InBev American Depositary Receipt facility managed by The Bank of New York Mellon (or any successor thereof).
For additional general information on the ADSs, including on the payment of dividends, please visit The Bank of New York Mellons website (www.adrbnymellon.com) and search for AB InBevs profile page.
11 | What does it mean to participate in the Programme? |
Participation in, and the operation of, the Programme will not form part or affect your contract of employment or your employment relationship, nor will it give you the right to continued employment. Participation in the Programme in one year does not indicate that you will participate, or be considered for participation, in any later years. You are not entitled to any compensation or other benefit in respect of the Programme.
Participants should understand that the value of AB InBev Shares can go down as well as up and that past performance of AB InBevs shares is no indication of actual future performance.
12 | Incorporation of certain documents by reference |
AB InBev has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) covering the Shares or ADSs to be delivered pursuant to the Programme.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information filed with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information pertaining to the same subject in this prospectus or in earlier filings with the SEC.
The documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement pursuant to which the securities covered hereby are registered are hereby incorporated in this prospectus by reference.
Each document incorporated by reference is current only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by reference of such document shall not create any implication that there has been no change in the affairs of AB InBev since its date or that the information contained in it is current as of any time subsequent to this date.
To the extent designated therein, certain current reports of AB InBev in the US on Form 6-K, and all documents filed by AB InBev in the US pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ) subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
13 | How can I obtain additional information? |
Participants may receive copies of the documents described above and any of the documents that we are required to deliver to employees pursuant to Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act free of charge by submitting a request to Martin Fidalgo or his designee at AB InBev Services LLC, 250 Park Avenue, 10123 New York, (212) 573-4388. Some of these documents are also available for viewing in the Investor section of our website at www.ab-inbev.com.
4
Chapter II
Terms and conditions relating to the Restricted Stock Units
Definitions
When used in this document, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them as indicated below, unless expressly indicated otherwise:
AB InBev | Anheuser-Busch InBev NV/SA with its registered office at Grand Place 1, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; | |
Acceptance Form | the form in which the Participant confirms, among other things, his acceptance of the Offer of AB InBev and the Restricted Stock Units; | |
ADS | an American Depositary Share issued under the deposit agreement with the Bank of New York Mellon (or any successor thereof) traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ISIN: US03524A1088) and representing one Share or the right to receive one Share of AB InBev; | |
Board of Directors | the board of directors of AB InBev; | |
Code of Dealing | the AB InBev Dealing Code, as amended from time to time; | |
Committee | the Remuneration Committee of AB InBev; | |
Confirmation Period | the period during which a Participant must return the completed Acceptance Form to AB InBev, as indicated in the Offer Letter; | |
Data Controller | AB InBev; | |
Data Processor | any third party designated by the Data Controller to process Personal Data on behalf of the Data Controller in accordance with Clause 13 for the implementation, administration and management of the Programme and the Share register and RSU register in electronic form; | |
Dismissal | termination of employment by AB InBev or its subsidiaries. | |
Dismissal for Serious Cause | termination of employment for serious cause (as determined by the Chief People Officer of AB InBev (or other designee of the Chief People Officer of AB InBev) or, if applicable, as defined in relevant local law) by AB InBev or its subsidiaries; | |
Divestiture | a situation whereby the Participants employer is no longer a subsidiary of AB InBev following a divestiture through the sale of shares in the said AB InBev subsidiary or otherwise; | |
Grant Date | has the meaning given to it in the Offer Letter; |
5
Offer | the offer of Restricted Stock Units by AB InBev to the Participant as set out in the Offer Letter; | |
Offer Letter | the notification, in paper format (letter) and/or in electronic format (e-mail), whereby AB InBev communicates the details of the Offer of Restricted Stock Units made to a Participant under the Programme, together with the Acceptance Form; | |
Outsourcing | a situation whereby (i) a Participant is dismissed by AB InBev or a subsidiary of AB InBev in the framework of a collective dismissal (in the meaning of the Belgian Law of 13 February 1998 or its equivalent in the jurisdiction of the Participant) and is re-employed, together with the other persons who have been likewise dismissed, by a third-party company which is not an affiliate of AB InBev and which provides services to AB InBev; or (ii) a Participant is transferred by AB InBev or a subsidiary of AB InBev in the framework of the Belgian Collective Bargaining Agreement No 32 bis of 7 June 1985 (or its equivalent in the jurisdiction of the Participant) to a third-party company which is not an affiliate of AB InBev and which provides services to AB InBev; | |
Participant | an employee of AB InBev or its subsidiaries who received an Offer Letter, who has duly completed and returned the Acceptance Form, or any Successor to whom Restricted Stock Units have been transferred in accordance with these terms and conditions; | |
Personal Data | each item of information relating to a Participant including (i) his/her identification data (e.g. name, private or professional contact details), (ii) electronic identification data, (iii) personal characteristics (e.g. date of birth, gender, nationality), (iv) employers entity, (v) preferred language, (vi) financial data (e.g. details regarding bank account), (vii) details of all stock options and all other entitlement to shares awarded, cancelled, purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding; | |
Programme | the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme; | |
Prohibited Period | any period defined as such in the Code of Dealing; |
6
Pro-Rata Formula |
where:
PRR means the number of Restricted Stock Units that will remain in full force and effect following the termination of employment
HR means the number of Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant immediately prior to the termination of employment
M means the number of full calendar months of employment of the Participant within the AB InBev Group during the period from the Grant Date until the date of termination of employment; |
|
Resignation | the termination by a Participant of employment with AB InBev or its subsidiaries; | |
RSU or Restricted Stock Unit | the right to receive from AB InBev one existing Share in accordance with these terms and conditions; there are two series of Restricted Stock Units: A and B, for which Vesting Dates and expiry rules differ; | |
Share | an ordinary share of AB InBev (ISIN: BE0003793107); | |
Successor | the successor of a Participant as determined under the applicable law of succession and/or the persons designated by a Participant, in accordance with the applicable law of succession, to inherit the rights of the Participant under the Programme after the death of the Participant; | |
Vesting Date | has the meaning given to it in the Offer Letter; | |
Vesting Period | the period running from the Grant Date to the Vesting Date (inclusive). |
1 | Approval of the Programme documentation |
The Programme forms part of an agreement between the Participant and AB InBev. By returning to AB InBev their duly completed Acceptance Form, Participants unconditionally agree to be bound by the contents of this document, the Offer Letter and the Acceptance Form.
A Participant who fails to return the completed Acceptance Form before the expiry of the Confirmation Period will be deemed to have refused the Offer and the Restricted Stock Units.
7
2 | Nature and characteristics of the Restricted Stock Units |
2.1 | Vesting |
The Restricted Stock Units are subject to a Vesting Period as further described in the Offer Letter.
On or shortly after the Vesting Date, AB InBev will deliver one Share per Restricted Stock Unit held by the Participant, subject to the provisions of these terms and conditions. Unless explicitly set forth otherwise in these terms and conditions, Restricted Stock Units do not confer any shareholders rights.
At the request of the Participant, AB InBev may deliver ADSs listed on the New York Stock Exchange in lieu of Shares upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units. To this end, Participants will need to indicate in writing to optionmanager@inbev.com before the Vesting Date that they want to be delivered ADSs in lieu of Shares. If a Participant requests to receive ADSs, all applicable references to Shares in the Programme, the Offer Letter and the Acceptance Form, shall mean ADSs with respect to such Participant.
2.2 | Dividend protection |
Restricted Stock Units entitle their holder to a dividend equivalent during the Vesting Period, which represents an amount equal to the gross dividend paid by AB InBev on the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units. This dividend equivalent will be granted to the Participants shortly after the payment of the dividend, in the form of additional Restricted Stock Units with the same vesting conditions, including the same Vesting Date, and governed by the same terms and conditions as the original Restricted Stock Units.
The number of additional Restricted Stock Units to which a Participant is entitled upon payment of a dividend on the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units will be calculated by AB InBev. The number will be equal to the amount of the gross dividend divided by the closing share price on Euronext Brussels of the AB InBev Share on the dividend payment date and multiplied by the number of Restricted Stock Units that the Participant holds. The result of this calculation will be rounded down to the closest unit.
2.3 | Transferability |
Except for transfers as a result of death (see Clause 5.6 below), Restricted Stock Units may not be transferred or encumbered with any security, pledge or other right, or otherwise pass to any third party.
3 | Nature and characteristics of the underlying Shares |
3.1 | General |
The Shares to be delivered to the holders of Restricted Stock Units upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units are existing ordinary Shares of AB InBev with all rights and benefits generally attached to such Shares. AB InBev will, at its discretion, deliver Shares in dematerialised (electronic or book-entry) form or in registered form.
3.2 | Dividends |
The Shares delivered upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units give the right to the dividends paid on such Shares decided by AB InBev after the Vesting Date.
8
3.3 | Transferability |
Unless agreed otherwise between the Participant and AB InBev, the Shares delivered upon vesting of the Restricted Stock Units are not subject to any transfer restrictions under the rules of the Programme.
4 | Expenses and taxes |
All costs related to the attribution of the Restricted Stock Units, the attribution of the additional Restricted Stock Units referred to in Clause 2.2 above and the delivery of the underlying Shares will be borne by AB InBev, except capital gain taxes, taxes on stock exchange transactions and income and social security taxes on the income received by the Participants in connection with the delivery or the ownership of the Restricted Stock Units and with the delivery of the underlying Shares or ADSs. To the extent permitted by law, AB InBev may withhold from any payment or delivery of Shares or ADSs any income or social security taxes that are required to be withheld under any applicable law, rule or regulation.
5 | Expiry of the Restricted Stock Units before the Vesting Date and situation upon termination of employment |
5.1 | Termination of employment |
5.1.1 | Restricted Stock Units A |
Without prejudice to Clauses 5.2 to 5.6 below, in the case of termination of employment of a Participant, if employment ends before the Vesting Date, all Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant will automatically expire and become null and void.
5.1.2 | Restricted Stock Units B |
Without prejudice to Clauses 5.2.to 5.6 below, in the case of termination of employment of a Participant:
(i) | if employment ends before the end of the fifth year following the relevant Grant Date, all Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant will automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | if employment ends on or after the end of the fifth year following the relevant Grant Date, a portion of the Restricted Stock Units will remain in full force and effect and subject to these terms and conditions, provided that, if so requested by AB InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended. |
The portion of Restricted Stock Units that will remain in full force and effect as indicated above will be calculated by AB InBev on the basis of the Pro-Rata Formula. The remaining Restricted Stock Units will automatically expire and become null and void.
The rules under this Clause apply notwithstanding any recourse which might be introduced by a dismissed Participant against the termination of employment.
9
5.2 | Resignation and Dismissal for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Clauses 5.4 and 5.5 below, in the case of Resignation or Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant before the Vesting Date, all Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant on the effective date of the end of employment, will automatically expire and become null and void.
The rules under this Clause 5.2 apply notwithstanding any recourse which might be introduced by a dismissed Participant against such dismissal.
5.3 | Outsourcing or Divestiture |
5.3.1 | Restricted Stock Units A |
Without prejudice to Clauses 5.4 and 5.5 below, in the case of Outsourcing or Divestiture, if the effective date of Outsourcing or Divestiture occurs before the Vesting Date, all Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant will automatically expire and become null and void.
5.3.2 | Restricted Stock Units B |
Without prejudice to Clauses 5.4 and 5.5 below, in the case of Outsourcing or Divestiture before the Vesting Date:
(i) | if the effective date of Outsourcing or Divestiture occurs before the end of the fifth year following the relevant Grant Date, all Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant will automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | if the effective date of Outsourcing or Divestiture occurs on or after the end of the fifth year following the relevant Grant Date, a portion of the Restricted Stock Units will remain in full force and effect and subject to these terms and conditions, provided that, if so requested by AB InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended. |
The portion of Restricted Stock Units that will remain in full force and effect as indicated above will be calculated by AB InBev on the basis of the Pro-Rata Formula. The remaining Restricted Stock Units will automatically expire and become null and void.
The rules under this Clause 5.3 apply notwithstanding any recourse which might be introduced by a Participant against the Outsourcing or Divestiture.
5.4 | Termination of employment after cumulated age of 70 |
Notwithstanding Clauses 5.1 to 5.3 above, in the case of termination of employment before the Vesting Date, other than a termination of employment resulting from a Dismissal for Serious Cause, at or after a cumulated age of 70 (i.e. the sum, on the date of the end of employment, of (i) the age of the Participant and (ii) the number of years of employment of the Participant within the AB InBev Group), the rules set forth below will apply.
5.4.1 | Restricted Stock Units A |
All Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant will automatically expire and become null and void.
10
5.4.2 | Restricted Stock Units B |
(i) | If the effective date of termination occurs before the end of the fifth year following the relevant Grant Date, all Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant will automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | if the effective date of termination occurs on or after the end of the fifth year following the relevant Grant Date, a portion of the Restricted Stock Units will remain in full force and effect and subject to these terms and conditions, provided that, if so requested by AB InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended. |
The portion of Restricted Stock Units that will remain in full force and effect as indicated above will be calculated by AB InBev on the basis of the Pro-Rata Formula. The remaining Restricted Stock Units will automatically expire and become null and void.
5.5 | Termination of employment after cumulated age of 80 |
Notwithstanding Clauses 5.1 to 5.3 above, in the case of termination of employment before the Vesting Date, other than a termination of employment resulting from a Dismissal for Serious Cause, at or after a cumulated age of 80 (i.e. the sum, on the date of the end of employment, of (i) the age of the Participant and (ii) the number of years of employment of the Participant within the AB InBev Group), all Restricted Stock Units will remain in full force and effect and subject to these terms and conditions, provided that, if so requested by AB InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended.
5.6 | Death or termination of employment following permanent disability |
5.6.1 | Death |
Notwithstanding Clauses 5.1 to 5.5 above, in the case of death of a Participant before the Vesting Date, a portion of the Restricted Stock Units will remain in full force and effect and subject to these terms and conditions.
The portion of Restricted Stock Units that will remain in full force and effect as indicated above will be calculated by AB InBev on the basis of the Pro-Rata Formula, except that in the case of Restricted Stock Units A, the figure 120 used in the Pro-Rata Formula (as defined) will be replaced by 60. The remaining Restricted Stock Units will automatically expire and become null and void.
5.6.2 | Termination of employment following permanent disability |
Notwithstanding Clauses 5.1 to 5.5 above, in the case of termination of employment following permanent disability of a Participant before the Vesting Date, all Restricted Stock Units A and B held by the Participant will remain in full force and effect and will vest on the Vesting Date subject to these terms and conditions provided that, if so requested by AB InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after employment has ended.
Except as provided in Clause 5.7 below, the notion of permanent disability is to be defined by reference to the law governing the employment in the relevant jurisdiction of the Participant.
11
5.7 | Notwithstanding Clause 5.6 above, for Participants subject to taxation in the United States, permanent disability shall mean at least one of the following: |
5.7.1 | the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; |
5.7.2 | the Participant is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Participants AB InBev employer; or |
5.7.3 | the Participant is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration. |
5.8 | In deviation from Clause 5.6, in the case of termination of employment of a Participant who is subject to taxation in the United States before the Vesting Date following permanent disability that does not meet the definition of permanent disability under Clause 5.7 above, the Restricted Stock Units will remain in full force and effect and will vest on the Vesting Date. |
6 | Administration of the Programme |
6.1 | Delegation to the Committee |
The Board of Directors may delegate part or all powers under the Programme to the Committee. In the case of a delegation of powers, the Committee shall: (i) be responsible for the general administration of the Programme in accordance with the provisions thereof, under the supervision of the Board of Directors; and (ii) be authorised to establish rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Programme and, if necessary, to interpret, amend and cancel these rules, in compliance with these terms and conditions.
In the case of a delegation of powers, the Board of Directors will retain full authority to exercise all the rights and obligations of the Committee under the Programme at any time whatsoever, or to delegate them to another committee constituted by the Board of Directors.
6.2 | (Sub-)delegation to any third party |
The Board of Directors and the Committee may (sub-)delegate certain well-specified powers to any third party they deem appropriate.
In the case of a (sub-)delegation of powers, the Board of Directors and the Committee will retain full authority to exercise all the rights and obligations so delegated.
7 | Amendment to the capital structure and anti-dilution measures |
AB InBev expressly reserves the right to proceed with corporate changes that have an impact on its capital, such as capital increases, including by incorporation of reserves in the capital, capital decreases, issuance of convertible bonds, subscription rights or options, stock splits or reverse stock splits, combinations or reclassifications of the Shares, mergers, (partial) demergers, as well as the right to amend the clauses in the articles of association governing the allocation of profits or liquidation boni.
12
In the event that such corporate changes would have an unfavourable effect on the Restricted Stock Units, the number of Restricted Stock Units and/or the number of Shares to which the Restricted Stock Units give rights will be adjusted for the purpose of safeguarding the interests of the holders of Restricted Stock Units, in the manner determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, subject to any required action by the Shareholders Meeting of AB InBev. The terms of such adjustment will be communicated to the Participants in due time.
In the event that AB InBev would be merged into another company, the rights and obligations of AB InBev under the Programme will automatically be transferred to the absorbing company and the Restricted Stock Units will no longer give the Participants the right to Shares but instead the right to shares of the absorbing company, subject to applicable law and to any applicable corporate approval. The number of shares of the absorbing company to which each Restricted Stock Units will give right will be determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and/or the board of directors of the absorbing company and will be communicated to the Participants in due time.
8 | Electronic register, electronic evidence and electronic delivery |
8.1 | Electronic Share and RSU register |
The Shares and Restricted Stock Units will be recorded in a register, which may be in electronic form and the maintenance of which may be delegated by AB InBev to a third party.
8.2 | Electronic evidence |
Electronic approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications between a Participant, AB InBev, AB InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by AB InBev for the administration of the Programme will have the same legal status as written approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications. The written recording or the written reproduction of electronic approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications received by AB InBev, AB InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by AB InBev for the administration of the Programme, will constitute conclusive evidence between the Participant, AB InBev, AB InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by AB InBev for the administration of the Programme, unless evidence to the contrary is provided by the Participant.
8.3 | Consent to electronic delivery |
As a condition to receiving the Restricted Stock Units, each Participant consents to delivery of all subsequent information relating to the Restricted Stock Units by electronic means, including e-mails to the Participants and postings on AB InBevs website or intranet. Such information may include, amongst others, financial information concerning AB InBev. In order to access such information, Participants will be required to access AB InBevs e-mail system, website and/or intranet. By returning the Acceptance Form, Participants are deemed to acknowledge that they have such access to the e-mail system of AB InBev, to AB InBevs website and intranet and ordinarily use them in the ordinary course of their employment. Participants may obtain paper copies of any such information by submitting a request to receive paper copies to their respective People Department.
13
9 | Matrimonial regime |
In the event that the matrimonial regimes of Participants confer ownership or other rights on their spouses with respect to the Restricted Stock Units, those Participants undertake that their spouses shall appoint them as their sole representatives for all matters arising in relation to the Restricted Stock Units.
10 | Death |
In the event of a Participants death, any Successor acquiring the Restricted Stock Units shall inform AB InBev of the Participants death as soon as possible and at the latest one month following the date of death.
11 | Modification of the terms and conditions |
The Board of Directors may unilaterally modify at any time the practical and/or accessory modalities of the terms and conditions. It may also unilaterally modify the terms and conditions when such modifications are required to comply with any change in legislation.
12 | Nature of the Programme |
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary included in the terms and conditions, the Offer Letter, the Acceptance Form or any other document relating to the Programme:
12.1 | the grant of Shares and/or Restricted Stock Units to the Participant in the framework of the Programme is unrelated to his occupational pension rights or pension claims, so that this grant cannot affect these occupational pension rights and claims; |
12.2 | the Programme, the terms and conditions, the Offer Letter, the Acceptance Form or any other document relating to the Programme do not confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of AB InBev or its subsidiaries to terminate the Participants employment according to the applicable regulations in respect of termination thereof; |
12.3 | the grant of Restricted Stock Units cannot be considered as a right acquired for the future. |
13 | Privacy and processing of Personal Data |
The Data Controller is responsible for the collection and processing of Personal Data as is necessary for the setting-up and administration of the Programme and the Share register of AB InBev in electronic form.
The Personal Data collected, inter alia, by way of the Acceptance Form will be used exclusively for the purposes of the administration of the Programme and the maintenance of the Share register of AB InBev in electronic form.
The Data Controller can transfer the Personal Data to the Data Processor and the employer of the Participant for the above purposes as well as to regulatory authorities for the purpose of complying with legal obligations in connection with the Programme. Such recipients may be located in jurisdictions outside the European Economic Area that may not provide an adequate level of personal data protection.
14
The Data Controller and the Data Processor shall abide by the Belgian law of 8 December 1992 on privacy protection in relation to the processing of personal data, as amended from time to time, and its implementing decrees.
Through their signature of the Acceptance Form, the Participants give their consent to the collection and processing of their Personal Data as described in this Clause 13.
The Participants have the right to access and correct their Personal Data by sending a written and signed request to their local People officer.
14 | Severability |
If any provision in this document is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, under any applicable law, that provision will be deemed not to form part of this document, and the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder of this document will not be affected.
15 | Applicable law |
The Restricted Stock Units and these terms and conditions are governed by Belgian law.
*
* *
15
Exhibit 4.6
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV
2020 Dream Incentive Plan
Relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev
December 2015
Participants Guide
THE INTRODUCTION SECTION OF THIS DOCUMENT CONSTITUTES PART OF A PROSPECTUS COVERING SECURITIES THAT HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
1
Anheuser-Busch InBev 2020 Dream Incentive Plan
relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev
Introduction
You will find in this section a general description of the Anheuser-Busch InBev 2020 Dream Incentive Plan (relating to Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev) (the Plan ) presented in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs). This description of the Plan is very general and does not purport to be complete.
The Plan is intended to provide certain employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries ( Eligible Employees ) ordinary shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev, which are currently traded on Euronext Brussels (the Shares ) and to align the interests of the Eligible Employees with those of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
The Plan is subject to the Belgian legal and regulatory provisions that govern stock option grant plans. The Plan is not regarded, in the United States, as a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code ). Further, the Plan is not subject to any of the provisions of the US Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( ERISA ).
The contents of this section are for information purposes only. In any case of discrepancy between the contents of this section and the terms and conditions of the Plan ( Terms and Conditions ), the provisions of the Terms and Conditions will prevail. Terms beginning with a capital letter have the meaning ascribed to them in the Terms and Conditions.
| How is the Plan administered? |
The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev (the Board of Directors ), but the Board of Directors may delegate part or all powers under the Plan to the Remuneration Committee of Anheuser-Busch InBev (the Committee ). In such a case, the Committee is responsible for the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, under the supervision of the Board of Directors; the Committee is also authorised to establish rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan. The Board of Directors and the Committee may sub-delegate certain powers to any third party they deem appropriate.
The Board of Directors is currently composed of four members nominated by EPS SA, a Luxembourg company that represents Interbrews founding families; four members nominated by BRC S.a.r.l., a Luxembourg company that represents AmBevs founders; four independent directors and two non-executive, non-independent directors. Board members are elected at the shareholders meeting of Anheuser-Busch InBev for 4-year terms. The Board of Directors appoints the members of the Committee from amongst its members.
2
The Board of Directors can unilaterally modify the practical and/or accessory terms of the Plan at any time. The Board of Directors may also modify the Terms and Conditions when such modifications are required to comply with any change in legislation. However, shareholders approval of any amendment will be obtained to the extent necessary to comply with Section 422 of the Code (relating to Incentive Stock Options) or any other applicable law, regulation or stock exchange listing requirements.
If you would like more information about the Plan or its administrators, please contact your local People Director. For US Participants, please contact Martin Fidalgo at AB InBev Services LLC, 250 Park Avenue, 10123 New York, (212)573-4388.
| What is the duration of the Plan? Can it be terminated early? |
Unless decided otherwise by AB InBev, the Plan will terminate on the date upon which all the Shares underlying the Options have been delivered to Participants. Any Options granted under the Plan prior to its termination will remain in effect until they have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.
| Who may participate in the Plan? |
The Terms and Conditions allow the Committee to select any employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries in its sole discretion as Eligible Employees to whom Options may be offered. All employees of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries who have been informed by their local People Department that they are Eligible Employees qualify to participate in the Plan.
| What securities are offered under the Plan? |
A maximum of 6.000.000 Options can be awarded under the Plan. Each Option will give the right to purchase one Share in accordance with the Terms and Conditions. The Shares underlying the Options may be issued Shares held in Anheuser-Busch InBevs treasury or acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the purpose of the Plan. The Shares may be in dematerialised or registered form.
| What do I have to do to participate in the Plan? |
There are three main steps in the participation process:
(i) | you receive from Anheuser-Busch InBev an offer letter which can take the form of a letter, an e-mail, etc.informing you that you are an Eligible Employee (the Offer Letter ). This Offer Letter also indicates the number of options offered to you by Anheuser-Busch InBev ( the Options ) and their exercise price ( the Exercise Price ); |
(ii) | you decide whether or not you wish to participate in the Planyou have three choices: (i) you accept all the Options, (ii) you accept only part of the Options or (iii) you refuse all the Options; |
(iii) | once you have made your choice, you should complete and return/submit your acceptance form (which can, in certain situations, be an on-line form to be completed directly on Anheuser-Busch Intranet or on the secured LTI Website mentioned in the Offer Letter) in accordance with the instructions contained in the Offer Letter. |
| Will I have to pay something to participate in the Plan? |
You do not have to pay anything to Anheuser-Busch InBev to participate in the Plan. Anheuser-Busch InBev will bear the costs related to the set-up of the Plan.
3
However, participating in the Plan may result in the obligation for you to pay local taxes and social security contributions in accordance with applicable tax and social security legislation.
In addition, any costs you incur for the financing of the exercise of your Options (if applicable) will have to be borne by you. Similarly, any costs, fees and taxes and social security contributions that may arise upon the exercise of your Options and subsequent sale of Shares you have purchased from Anheuser-Bush InBev will have to be borne by you.
| What will the Option exercise price be? |
The Exercise Price of the Options is the one indicated in your Offer Letter.
| Do I need to open a securities account to participate in the Plan? |
Participating in the Plan does not require that you open a securities account in your home country or in Belgium. Your Options will be recorded in a register in electronic form maintained by Anheuser-Busch InBev (or by a third party appointed by Anheuser-Busch InBev to that effect).
When you exercise your Options, if you receive Shares in registered form, you do not need to have a securities account and ownership will be evidenced through registration in the electronic shareholders register of Anheuser-Busch InBev. However, if the Shares are delivered to you in book-entry form, you will need to have a securities account to which the Shares can be transferred.
| How can I get information on my portfolio of Options? |
You can have access to your portfolio of Options through the secured LTI Website mentioned in the Offer Letter (or any successor website thereof).
All transactions on your Options (e.g. exercise) will be carried out electronically from the LTI Website.
| When will my Options be definitively acquired? |
The Options will vest five years after the date of the Offer Letter (the Vesting Date ).
| When can I exercise my Options? |
The Options may only be exercised after the Vesting Date provided the criteria of the performance test set out in the Terms and Conditions (the Performance Test ) have been met on specified observation dates (the Observation Dates ). If such criteria are met in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, you may exercise your Options on any Trading Day during the Exercise Period except otherwise provided in the Terms and Conditions. The Exercise Period will start on the 1 st of March following the first Observation Date on which the criteria of the Performance Test have been met and end on the fifth anniversary of the Vesting Date. The specific start and end dates of the Exercise Period will be communicated to you in due course.
You may never exercise your Options during a Prohibited Period (as defined in Anheuser-Busch InBevs Code of Dealing) or in breach of any prohibition of insider dealing applying to you.
4
| How can I exercise my options? |
The exercise of your Options is in principle fully electronic (no paper exercise) and is managed through the LTI Website. All you need to do to exercise your Options is to log on to the LTI Website and follow the instructions.
You have, in principle, the choice between two methods of exercise:
(i) | Regular exercise |
Under a regular exercise, you pay the Exercise Price to Anheuser-Busch InBev in cash and you subsequently receive the corresponding Shares from Anheuser-Busch InBev.
The Exercise Price of your Options must be paid to Anheuser-Busch InBev in euros, which is the official currency in Belgium and the currency of your Options. Your Exercise Price in euros must reach the bank account of Anheuser-Busch InBev in Belgium within 10 Banking Days (as such term is defined in the Terms and Conditions) from the date of Exercise. If you pay your Exercise Price from a bank account denominated in US dollars, please make sure that you give the right instructions to your bank so that a net amount in euros that is equal to your Exercise Price effectively reaches the bank account of Anheuser-Busch InBev in due time. All costs related to the transfer of your Exercise Price to Anheuser-Busch InBev in Belgium (e.g. foreign exchange commission, international bank transfer fees) will have to be borne by you.
The Shares you have purchased from Anheuser-Busch InBev under a regular exercise will then be delivered to you in book-entry form on your securities account or in registered form through a registration in the electronic shareholders register of Anheuser-Busch InBev.
(ii) | Cashless exercise |
Anheuser-Busch InBev may, at its sole discretion, set up a mechanism whereby you may finance the exercise of your Options through a cashless exercise.
Under a cashless exercise, the Shares you have purchased will be immediately sold on the market and a portion of the sale price equivalent to your Exercise Price will be transferred to Anheuser-Busch InBev for payment of the Exercise Price of your Options. The rest of the sale price less any brokerage costs and other fees (in other words, your net gain) will be paid to you in euros (or in US dollars after conversion of the amount in euros into US dollars) either directly or through your employer, who will withhold, to the extent required, any applicable local taxes and social security contributions. If payments go through your employer, payments may be made on the same schedule as payroll payments and therefore may occur after a reasonable delay, without accruing any interest.
| What happens if I do not exercise my Options? |
Once your Options have vested and become exercisable, you may exercise your Options at any time up to and including the last day of the Exercise Period. However, your Options may not, in any circumstances, be exercised during any Prohibited Period (as defined in the Anheuser-Busch InBev Dealing Code) or in breach of any applicable laws prohibiting insider dealing. Once the Exercise Period is over, if not yet exercised, all of your Options will lapse and you will no longer have any rights in respect of the Options.
5
| What happens to my Options and Shares if I leave Anheuser-Busch InBev? |
Depending on the circumstances of your departure, your Options either may become null and void or may survive your departure. A departure from Anheuser-Busch InBev may also affect the period during which you may exercise your Options.
Leaving Anheuser-Busch InBev (for whatever reason) will have no impact on the Shares you have purchased from Anheuser-Busch InBev pursuant to the exercise of your Options.
Subject to the special rules in the Terms and Conditions below, upon your resignation or dismissal, whether or not the dismissal is being challenged by you, the Options which have not yet vested on your last day of employment will in principle be automatically void. If the Options have vested on your last day of employment, they will remain exercisable for 90 days following the dismissal in case of Dismissal for Serious Cause or for 180 days if the dismissal was for other reasons (e.g., not for Serious Cause or due to outsourcing or divestiture) and in any event no longer than until the end of the Exercise Period. In case the Exercise Period has not yet started on your last day of employment, the period of 90 days or 180 days will run as of the start of the Exercise Period.
If your employment terminates (including resignation but other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause) after attaining a Cumulated Age of 70 (as defined in the Terms and Conditions) but before attaining a Cumulated Age of 80), all Options that have vested on the date of termination may be exercised until the end of the applicable Exercise Period provided they become exercisable in accordance with the Terms and Conditions. In such case, all Options that have not vested on the date of termination will be treated as follows:
(i) | If employment ends before the end of the second year following the date of the Offer Letter (the Offer Date ): |
(a) | If you have participated in the SBC in each of the last five years (or as many years in that period in which you were an eligible employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries), a pro-rata portion of your Options will remain in full force and effect subject to the Terms and Conditions, provided that, if requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, you enter into a non-competition agreement. |
(b) | In all other cases, all of your Options will be automatically void. |
(ii) | If employment ends on or after the end of the second year following the Offer Date, a pro-rata portion of your Options will remain in full force and effect subject to the Terms and Conditions, provided that, if requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, you enter into a non-competition agreement. |
If your employment terminates (including resignation but other than a Dismissal for Serious Cause) after attaining a Cumulated Age of 80, all Options that have vested on the date of termination may be exercised until the end of the applicable Exercise Period provided they become exercisable in accordance with the Terms and Conditions. In addition, all Options that have not vested on the date of termination will remain in full force and effect subject to the Terms and Conditions, provided that, if requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, you enter into a non-competition agreement.
If your employment terminates due to your death or permanent disability, all your Options that have not vested or that have vested but are not exercisable at that time will remain in full force and effect subject to the Terms and Conditions under certain conditions (e.g. if disabled, you may be asked to sign a non-competition agreement, and in the event of your death, your successor must inform Anheuser-Busch InBev of your death). All Options that are exercisable at that time will remain exercisable until the end of the Exercise Period.
6
| Can I transfer my stock options? |
Except for transfers as a result of death in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, your Options may not be transferred or encumbered or otherwise pass to any third party.
| What rights and obligations attach to Anheuser-Busch InBev Shares? |
Upon exercise of your Options, your Anheuser-Busch InBev Shares will entitle you to all the rights and benefits generally attached to the ordinary shares. Anheuser-Busch InBev will, at its discretion, deliver Shares in dematerialised form or in registered form. The Shares acquired upon exercise of Options give rights to the dividends paid on such Shares after the date of exercise. Options are not entitled to dividends or to an equivalent dividend payment.
Your Anheuser-Busch InBev Shares acquired upon exercise of Options are not subject to any transfer restrictions under the Terms and Conditions.
| What does it mean to participate in the Plan? |
Participation in, and the operation of, the Plan will not form part of or affect your contract of employment or your employment relationship, nor will they give you the right to continued employment. Participation in one grant of Options under the Plan does not indicate that you will participate, or be considered for participation, in any later grants. You are not entitled to any compensation or other benefit in respect of the Plan.
You should understand that the value of Anheuser-Busch InBev Shares can go down as well as up and that past performance of Anheuser-Busch InBevs shares is no indication of actual future performance.
| Incorporation of certain documents by reference |
Anheuser-Busch InBev will file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ) covering the ordinary shares to be delivered pursuant to the Options.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information filed with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information pertaining to the same subject in this prospectus or in earlier filings with the SEC. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus:
(i) | Anheuser-Busch InBevs Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-34455) filed in the US with the SEC on 24 March 2015; and |
(ii) | all documents filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev in the US under Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act ) since 31 December 2014. |
7
To the extent designated therein, certain current reports of Anheuser-Busch InBev in the US on Form 6-K, and all documents filed by Anheuser-Busch InBev in the US under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus, but prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, will be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents.
| How can I obtain additional information? |
You may receive copies of the documents described above and any of the documents that we are required to deliver to employees pursuant to Rule 428(b) of the Securities Act free of charge by submitting a request to your local People Director. Some of these documents are also available for viewing in the Investor section of our website at www.ab-inbev.com.
8
Terms and Conditions
1 | Definitions |
When used in this document, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them as indicated below, unless expressly indicated otherwise:
Acceptance Form | the form whereby an Eligible Employee accepts all or part of the Options or refuses the Options, to be completed by the Eligible Employee in paper format and/or in electronic format on the LTI Website or on the Anheuser-Busch Intranet, as indicated in the Offer Letter; | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev | Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, with its registered office at Grand Place 1, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; | |
Banking Day | any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday in Belgium and in the United States, on which banks in Belgium and in the United States are open for business; | |
Board of Directors | the board of directors of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Code | the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; | |
Code of Dealing | the Anheuser-Busch InBev Dealing Code, as amended from time to time; | |
Committee | the Remuneration Committee of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Cumulated Age | the sum, on the date of the end of the employment relationship between a Participant and Anheuser-Busch InBev or one of its majority-owned subsidiaries, of (i) the age of the Participant and (ii) the number of years of employment of the Participant within the Anheuser-Busch InBev Group using full months of service and full months of age to calculate the combined years; | |
Data Controller | Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Data Processor | any third party designated by the Data Controller to process Personal Data on behalf of the Data Controller in accordance with Section 19 for the implementation, administration and management of the Plan and the Options register in electronic form; | |
Dismissal | termination of the employment of a Participant by Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries. |
9
Dismissal for Serious Cause | termination of employment for serious cause (as determined by the Chief People Officeror any other person designated by the Chief People Officerin his sole discretion or, if applicable, as defined in relevant local law) by Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries; | |
Divestiture | a situation whereby Participants employer is no longer a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev following a divestiture through the sale of shares in the said Anheuser-Busch InBev subsidiary or otherwise; | |
Eligible Employee | an employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its majority-owned subsidiaries who received an Offer Letter; | |
ERISA | the US Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 | |
Exercise Form | the form whereby a Participant notifies Anheuser-Busch InBev or any third party designated by Anheuser-Busch InBev to that effect of his/her decision to exercise all or part of his/her Options in accordance with Section 8.4, to be completed by the Participant in paper format and/or in electronic format on the LTI Website, as the case may be; | |
Exercise Period | the period starting on the 1 st of March following the first Observation Date on which the criteria of the Performance Test have been met and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Vesting Date; | |
Exercise Price | the price per Option that a Participant must pay for the exercise of his/her Options, as set out in the Offer Letter; | |
Expiry Date | the last day of the Exercise Period; | |
Fair Market Value | on a particular date shall be (i) the opening sale price per Share during normal trading hours on the national securities exchange on which the Share is principally traded for such date or the closing sale price per Share on the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Share on such exchange or (ii) if the Shares are not listed but traded in an over-the-counter market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices for the Shares during normal trading hours in such over-the-counter market for such date or the last preceding date on which there was a sale of such Shares in such market, or (iii) if the Shares are not then listed on a national securities exchange or traded in an over-the-counter market, such value as the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine; | |
Leave of Absence | a leave of absence authorised by the Participants employer for any reason; |
10
LTI Website | the internet website referred to in the Offer Letter (and any successor thereof) through which a Participant can accept/refuse the Options offered to him/her, monitor his/her portfolio of Options and exercise his/her Options; | |
Observation Date | Each 31 st of December of 2020, 2021 or 2022; | |
Offer Date | the date of the Offer Letter; | |
Offer Letter | the notification, in paper format (letter) and/or in electronic format (e-mail) whereby Anheuser-Busch InBev offers Options to an Eligible Employee; | |
Offer Period | the period defined as such in the Offer Letter; | |
Option | the right to purchase from Anheuser-Busch InBev one existing Share in accordance with these Terms and Conditions, which has been offered to an Eligible Employee and which has been accepted by the Eligible Employee through the sending of an Acceptance Form to Anheuser-Busch InBev in due time. The Options that are offered under the Plan are Non-Qualified Stock Options and do not qualify as Incentive Stock Options for special federal income tax treatment pursuant to Sections 421 and 422 of the Code (or a successor provision thereof); | |
Outsourcing | a situation whereby (i) a Participant is dismissed by Anheuser-Busch InBev or a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev in the framework of a collective dismissal (in the meaning of the Belgian Law of 13 February 1998 or its equivalent in the jurisdiction of the Participant) and is re-employed, together with the other persons who have been likewise dismissed, by a third-party company which is not an affiliate of Anheuser-Busch InBev and which provides services to Anheuser-Busch InBev; or (ii) a Participant is transferred by Anheuser-Busch InBev or a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev in the framework of the Belgian Collective Bargaining Agreement No 32 bis of 7 June 1985 (or its equivalent in the jurisdiction of the Participant) to a third-party company which is not an affiliate of Anheuser-Busch InBev and which provides services to Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Participant | any Eligible Employee who has completed and returned an Acceptance Form in accordance with Section 5.2 and who has accepted all or part of the Options, or any Successor to whom Options have been transferred in accordance with these Terms and Conditions; | |
Performance Test | the determination as to whether the sum of (i) Net Revenue of Anheuser-Busch InBev and (ii) the M&A Net Revenue of Anheuser-Busch InBev equals at least 100 billion USD (nominal value as reported); |
11
Personal Data | each item of information relating to a Participant including (i) his/her identification data (e.g. name, private or professional contact details), (ii) electronic identification data, (iii) personal characteristics (e.g. date of birth, gender, nationality), (iv) employers entity, (v) preferred language, (vi) financial data (e.g. details regarding bank account), (vii) details of all rights and other entitlement to Shares awarded, cancelled, purchased, vested, unvested or outstanding; | |
Plan | the Anheuser-Busch InBev 2020 Dream Incentive Plan; | |
Prohibited Period | any period defined as such in the Code of Dealing; | |
Pro-Rata Formula |
where:
PRO means the Prorated Options
HO means the number of Options held by the Participant immediately prior to the termination of employment
M means the number of full calendar months of employment of the Participant within the AB InBev Group during the period from the Offer Date until the date of termination of employment; |
|
Prorated Options | the number of unvested Options calculated on the basis of the Pro-Rata Formula and that may remain in full force and effect following the termination of employment of a Participant having reached a Cumulated Age of 70 under certain conditions set out in Section 9.2.1 (i); | |
Resignation | termination by a Participant of employment with Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries; | |
SBC | the Share-Based Compensation Plan of Anheuser-Busch InBev; | |
Share | an ordinary share of Anheuser-Busch InBev (ISIN: BE0003793107); | |
Successor | the successor of a Participant as determined under the applicable law of succession and/or the persons designated by a Participant, in accordance with the applicable law of succession, to inherit the rights of the Participant under the Plan after the death of the Participant; | |
Terms and Conditions | the terms and conditions of the Plan set out in this document; |
12
Trading Day | any day on which the regulated market of Euronext Brussels and the New York Stock Exchange are open for trading. | |
Vesting Date | The date falling on the fifth anniversary of the Offer Letter |
2 | Approval of the Plan Documentation |
The Plan forms part of an agreement between the Participant and Anheuser-Busch InBev. By returning to Anheuser-Busch InBev a duly completed Acceptance Form in accordance with Section 5.2, the Participant unconditionally agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
3 | Persons Eligible for Options |
Options under the Plan, including Incentive Stock Option, may be offered to such Eligible Employees as the Committee shall select in its sole discretion.
4 | Shares Available for Options |
The total number of Shares which may be transferred pursuant to Options granted under the Plan shall not exceed 6.000.000 Shares. Such Shares may be issued Shares held in Anheuser-Busch InBevs treasury or acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the purposes of the Plan. Any Shares delivered by Anheuser-Busch InBev, any Shares with respect to which Options are granted by Anheuser-Busch InBev and any Shares with respect to which Anheuser-Busch InBev becomes obligated to grant Options, through the assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding options previously granted by an acquired entity, shall not be counted against the Shares available for Options under this Plan.
5 | Acceptance of the Options |
5.1 | Full or partial acceptance |
An Eligible Employee to whom Options are offered has the possibility of accepting only part of them. To that effect, the Eligible Employee shall mention in the Acceptance Form the exact number of accepted Options. If an Eligible Employee accepts only part of the Options, he/she shall be deemed to have refused the other Options offered to him/her.
5.2 | Mode of acceptance |
5.2.1 | General |
The mode of acceptance of the Options is set out in the Offer Letter and, at the choice of Anheuser-Busch InBev, takes the form of an electronic acceptance or of a paper-form acceptance.
5.2.2 | Electronic acceptance |
In the case of acceptance of the Options in electronic form, the Eligible Employee must confirm and submit his/her choice through the LTI Website or the Anheuser-Bush Intranet, as specified in the Eligible Employees Offer Letter.
The Acceptance Form must be completed online and submitted during the Offer Period and, to the extent applicable, after having accepted the terms of use of the LTI Website.
13
If the LTI Website or the Anheuser-Busch Intranet, as the case may be, is not accessible (for technical reasons or otherwise) during the Offer Period, the Eligible Employee must ask his/her local People Department for an Acceptance Form in paper format and return it to Anheuser-Busch InBev in accordance with Section 5.2.3 below.
Failure to complete and submit the Acceptance Form as set out above will be deemed to constitute a refusal by the Eligible Employee of all Options offered to him/her.
5.2.3 | Paper-form acceptance |
In the case of acceptance of the Options in paper form, the Eligible Employee must complete, date and sign the Acceptance Form attached to the Offer Letter and return it to the address indicated on it. The completed Acceptance Form must reach Anheuser-Busch InBev, or any third party designated by it to that effect, during the Offer Period.
Failure to return the completed, dated and signed Acceptance Form as set out above will be deemed to constitute a refusal by the Eligible Employee of all Options offered to him/her.
6 | Transferability |
Except for transfers as a result of death (see Section 9.4 below), Options may not be transferred or encumbered with any security, pledge or other right, or otherwise pass to any third party.
7 | Vesting of the Options |
The Options will only be definitively acquired by the Participants on the Vesting Date.
8 | Exercise of the Options |
8.1 | Conditions of exercise |
8.1.1 | Performance Test |
The Options may only be exercised after the Vesting Date if the criteria of the Performance Test are met by Anheuser-Busch InBev on one of the Observation Dates. An explanation of the Performance Tests may be obtained by the Participants from their respective local People Officer.
Anheuser-Busch InBev will carry out the Performance Test in the course of the month of February following each Observation Dates until the criteria of the Performance Test will have been met.
Anheuser-Busch InBev shall communicate the outcome of the Performance Test to the Participants at the latest by the end of the month of February following the Observation Dates during which the Performance Test will have been carried out. In case Anheuser-Busch InBev would not yet have published its full year results at that time, the communication to the Participants will be delayed until such full year results have been published.
14
If the criteria of the Performance Test have not been met on the last Observation Date the Options shall automatically become null and void.
8.1.2 | Exercise Period |
Subject to Sections 8.3 and 9, the Options may be exercised only during a period starting on the 1 st of March following the first Observation Date on which the criteria of the Performance Test have been met and ending on the fifth anniversary of the Vesting Date (the Exercise Period ). In case Anheuser-Busch InBev would not yet have published its full year results on the 1 st of March, the start of the Exercise Period will be delayed until such full year results have been published.The Options that are not exercised within the Exercise Period automatically expire and become null and void.
8.2 | Exercise Price |
The Exercise Price of the Options is specified in the Offer Letter and will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
8.3 | Exercise limitations |
The Options may not, in any circumstances, be exercised during a Prohibited Period or in breach of any applicable laws prohibiting insider dealing.
8.4 | Terms of exercise |
8.4.1 | General |
(i) | An Option will be deemed exercised upon receipt by Anheuser-Busch InBev, or any other person designated to that effect by Anheuser-Busch InBev, at any time during the Exercise Period (but not later than 11.59 p.m. Brussels time on the Expiry Date), of the following: |
(a) | a duly completed Exercise Form explicitly mentioning the number of Options being exercised by the Participant; and |
(b) | any other statements and documents that the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Committee or any other person designated to that effect by the Committee deems necessary or desirable in order to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory provisions. |
(ii) | The exercise of the Options will be processed by Anheuser-Busch InBev, or by any person or entity designated for this purpose by Anheuser-Busch InBev, as soon as administratively and/or legally possible. |
8.4.2 | Regular exercise |
(i) | Full payment of the Exercise Price (as well as related costs, taxes and duties, if any) must reach Anheuser-Busch InBev at the latest ten (10) Banking Days after the date of exercise, in the manner indicated on the Exercise Form and/or the LTI Website. Transfer of ownership of the Shares will occur upon receipt by Anheuser-Busch InBev of the Exercise Price (as well as related costs, taxes and duties, if any). |
(ii) | If the Participant fails to pay the Exercise Price within the time frame provided in Section 8.4.2(i), Anheuser-Busch InBev will, at its sole discretion, be authorised to cancel the exercise of the Options. |
15
8.4.3 | Cashless exercise |
(i) | Anheuser-Busch InBev may, at its sole discretion, set up a mechanism of cashless exercise whereby a Participant may elect to simultaneously exercise Options and sell the Shares underlying the exercised Options. In that case, the Exercise Price will be paid to Anheuser-Busch InBev from the proceeds of the sale of the Shares, in accordance with Section 8.4.3 (iii). |
(ii) | By opting for a cashless exercise, the Participant irrevocably: |
(a) | where relevant, instructs Anheuser-Busch InBev to appoint a financial intermediary to sell the Shares underlying the exercised Options on the market; and |
(b) | instructs Anheuser-Busch InBev to: (i) deliver, on the Participants behalf, the Shares underlying the exercised Options to such financial intermediary for their sale on the market; and (ii) collect from that financial intermediary the proceeds of the sale of those Shares. |
(iii) | Following the delivery of the Shares by Anheuser-Busch InBev to the financial intermediary, the obligation of Anheuser-Busch InBev to deliver Shares (or the sale proceeds thereof) to the Participant will be set off against the obligation of the Participant to pay the Exercise Price to Anheuser-Busch InBev. Any amount in excess of the Exercise Price collected by Anheuser-Busch InBev, after payment of all applicable costs, fees, social security contributions and taxes due by the Participant as a result of the cashless exercise will be transferred to the Participant after the effective sale of the Shares, without accruing any interest. If payments are processed through your employer, payments may be made on the same schedule as payroll payments and therefore may occur after a reasonable delay, without accruing any interest. |
9 | Situation upon Termination of Service |
9.1 | Before Cumulated Age of 70 |
9.1.1 | Dismissal other than for Serious Cause |
Without prejudice to Section 9.4 below:
(i) | all Options which have not vested under Section 7 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment have vested according to Section 7 above may be exercised but only during a 180-day period starting on the day that employment has ended and in any event no later than by the end of the Exercise Period. In case the Options have not yet become exercisable in accordance with Section 8.1. on the date of the end of employment, the period of 180 days will run as of the start of the Exercise Period; |
The above rules shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against the termination of employment.
16
The above rules also apply in case the termination of employment results from an Outsourcing or a Divestiture.
9.1.2 | Dismissal for Serious Cause and Resignation |
In the case of Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant or, without prejudice to Section 9.4 below, in the case of Resignation:
(i) | all Options which have not vested under Section 7 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment have vested according to Section 7 above may be exercised but only during a 90-day period starting on the day that employment has ended and in any event no later than by the end of the Exercise Period. In case the Options have not yet become exercisable in accordance with Section 8.1. on the date of the end of employment, the period of 90 days will run as of the start of the Exercise Period; |
The rules set out above shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against such dismissal.
9.2 | At or after Cumulated Age of 70 and before Cumulated Age of 80 |
9.2.1 | Dismissal other than for Serious Cause and Resignation |
In the case of Dismissal other than for Serious Cause of a Participant or, without prejudice to Section 9.4 below, in the case of Resignation:
(i) | all Options which have not vested under Section 7 above on the date of the end of employment will be subject to the following regime: |
(a) | if employment ends before the end of the second year following the Offer Date, the following rules shall apply: |
(I) | if the Participant has participated in the SBC in each of the last five years (or as many years in that period in which the Participant has been an eligible employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries), Anheuser-Busch InBev shall calculate the number of Options of such Participant that may remain in full force and effect subject to these Terms and Conditions on the basis of the Pro-Rata Formula (the Prorated Options ) , provided that Anheuser-Busch InBev may require the Participant to enter into a non-competition agreement in order to be entitled to benefit from the Prorated Options; the modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended; |
Options that are not Prorated Options will automatically expire and become null and void;
(II) | if the Participant has not participated in the SBC in each of the last five years (or as many years in that period in which the Participant has been an eligible employee of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries), all Options held by the Participant will automatically expire and become null and void; |
17
(b) | if employment ends on or after the end of the second year following the Offer Date, the Prorated Options will remain in full force and effect and subject to these Terms and Conditions, provided that Anheuser-Busch InBev may require the Participant to enter into a non-competition agreement in order to be entitled to benefit from the Prorated Options; the modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after the employment has ended; |
Options that are not Prorated Options will automatically expire and become null and void;
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment have vested according to Section 7 above may be exercised until the end of the applicable Exercise Period provided they become exercisable in accordance with Section 8.1. |
9.2.2 | Dismissal for Serious Cause |
In the case of Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant:
(i) | all Options which have not vested under Section 7 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment have vested according to Section 7 above may be exercised but only during a 90-day period starting on the day that employment has ended and in any event no later than by the end of the Exercise Period. In case the Options have not yet become exercisable in accordance with Section 8.1. on the date of the end of employment, the period of 90 days will run as of the start of the Exercise Period; |
The rules set out above shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against such dismissal.
9.3 | At or after Cumulated Age of 80 |
9.3.1 | Dismissal other than for Serious Cause and Resignation |
In the case of Dismissal other than for Serious Cause of a Participant or, without prejudice to Section 9.4 below, in the case of Resignation:
(i) | all Options which have not vested under Section 7 above on the date of the end of employment remain exercisable by the Participant in accordance with these Terms and Conditions provided that if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement in order to be entitled to benefit from such Options. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after employment has ended. |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment have vested according to Section 7 above may be exercised until the end of the applicable Exercise Period provided they become exercisable in accordance with Section 8.1. |
18
9.3.2 | Dismissal for Serious Cause |
In the case of Dismissal for Serious Cause of a Participant:
(i) | all Options which have not vested under Section 7 above on the date of the end of employment automatically expire and become null and void; |
(ii) | all Options which, on the date of the end of employment have vested according to Section 7 above may be exercised but only during a 90-day period starting on the day that employment has ended and in any event no later than by the end of the Exercise Period. In case the Options have not yet become exercisable in accordance with Section 8.1. on the date of the end of employment, the period of 90 days will run as of the start of the Exercise Period; |
The rules set out above shall apply notwithstanding any recourse that might be introduced by a Participant against such dismissal.
9.4 | Death or termination of employment following permanent disability |
Notwithstanding Sections 9.1 to 9.3 above, in the case of death of a participant or termination of employment following permanent disability:
9.4.1 | all Options which have not vested under Section 7 or are not exercisable under Section 8.1 above on the date of permanent disability or death of the Participant, become exercisable (in the case of death, by the Successors) in accordance with these Terms and Conditions provided that, in the case of permanent disability and if so requested by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the Participant enters into a non-competition agreement in order to be entitled to benefit from such Options. The modalities of the non-competition agreement will be agreed upon after employment has ended. |
9.4.2 | all Options which, on the date of permanent disability or death of the Participant, are exercisable according to Section 8.1 above may be exercised (in the case of death, by the Successors) until the end of the Exercise Period in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. |
The notion of permanent disability is to be defined by reference to the law governing the employment of the Participant.
9.5 | Leave of Absence |
A Participant who is, as of the Offer Date, or following the Offer Date commences, on a Leave of Absence shall be deemed to remain employed by Anheuser-Busch InBev and its subsidiaries unless the Leave of Absence extends beyond the second anniversary of the date on which the Leave of Absence commenced, in which event the Participant will be deemed to have resigned, in the meaning of Section 9 of the Plan and for the application of the Plan only, on and as of the second anniversary of the date on which the Leave of Absence commenced.
Notwithstanding the above, for purposes of the Pro-Rata Formula under Section 9.2.1 (i) (b), the Leave of Absence will only be included in the number of full calendar months of employment provided it has been granted for medical reasons, including maternity leave, or provided the law governing the employment of the Participant would require this.
19
10 | Amendment to the Capital Structure and Anti-dilution Measures |
10.1 | Anheuser-Busch InBev expressly reserves the right to proceed with corporate changes that have an impact on its capital, such as capital increases, including by incorporation of reserves in the capital, capital decreases, issuance of convertible bonds, subscription rights or options, stock splits or reverse stock splits, combinations or reclassifications of the Shares, mergers, (partial) demergers, as well as the right to amend the clauses in the articles of association governing the allocation of profits or liquidation boni. |
10.2 | In the event that such corporate changes would have an unfavourable effect on the Options, the Exercise Price and/or the number of Options and/or the number of Shares to which the Options give rights will be adjusted for the purpose of safeguarding the interests of the holders of Options, as determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors, subject to any required action by the Shareholders Meeting of Anheuser-Busch InBev. The terms of such adjustment will be communicated to the Participants in due time. |
10.3 | In the event that Anheuser-Busch InBev would be merged into another company, the rights and obligations of Anheuser-Busch InBev under the Plan will automatically be transferred to the absorbing company and the Options will no longer give the Participants the right to purchase Shares but instead the right to purchase shares of the absorbing company. The number of shares of the absorbing company to which each Option will give right and the exercise price thereof will be determined at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and communicated to the Participants in due time. |
11 | Nature and characteristics of the Shares |
11.1 | General |
The Shares to be purchased upon exercise of the Options are existing ordinary shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev with all rights and benefits generally attached to such Shares. Anheuser-Busch InBev will, at its discretion, deliver Shares in dematerialised form or in registered form.
11.2 | Dividends |
The Shares acquired upon exercise of Options give right to the dividends paid on such Shares after the date of exercise. No dividends will be paid on the Options.
11.3 | Transferability |
The Shares acquired upon exercise of Options are not subject to any transfer restrictions under these Terms and Conditions.
12 | Expenses and Taxes |
All costs related to the attribution of the Options and the delivery of the Shares will be paid by Anheuser-Busch InBev, except taxes on stock exchange transactions, capital gains taxes and income and social security taxes on the income received by the Participants in connection with the offering, the ownership or the exercise of the Options and with the acquisition of the Shares. All financing costs related to the acquisition of the Shares shall be borne by the Participants. In case of a regular exercise, the Participants shall ensure that the bank account of Anheuser-Busch InBev is credited with the net Exercise Price amount in euros. To the extent permitted by law, Anheuser-Busch InBev may withhold from any payment or delivery of Shares any income or social security taxes that are required to be withheld under any applicable law, rule or regulation.
20
13 | Administration of the Plan |
13.1 | Delegation to the Committee |
13.1.1 | The Board of Directors may delegate part or all powers under the Plan to the Committee. In the case of a delegation of powers, the Committee shall: (i) be responsible for the general administration of the Plan in accordance with the provisions thereof, under the supervision of the Board of Directors; and (ii) be authorised to establish rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and, if necessary, to interpret, amend and cancel these rules, in compliance with these Terms and Conditions. |
13.1.2 | In the case of a delegation of powers, the Board of Directors will retain full authority to exercise all the rights and obligations of the Committee under the Plan at any time whatsoever, or to delegate them to another committee constituted by the Board of Directors. |
13.2 | (Sub-)delegation to any third party |
13.2.1 | The Board of Directors and the Committee may (sub-)delegate certain well-specified powers to any third party they deem appropriate. |
13.2.2 | In the case of a (sub-)delegation of powers, the Board of Directors and the Committee will retain full authority to exercise all the rights and obligations so delegated. |
13.3 | Neither Anheuser-Busch InBev nor any member of the Board of Directors or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan. |
14 | Electronic Register, Electronic Evidence and Consent to Electronic Delivery |
14.1 | Electronic options register |
The Options may be recorded in an options register in electronic form, the maintenance of which may be outsourced by Anheuser-Busch InBev to a third party.
14.2 | Electronic evidence |
Electronic approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications between a Participant, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the administration of the Plan will have the same legal status as written approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications. The written recording or the written reproduction of electronic approvals, instructions, orders, statements and communications received by Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the administration of the Plan, will constitute conclusive evidence between the Participant, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Anheuser-Busch InBev affiliates and any third party to which powers have been sub-delegated by Anheuser-Busch InBev for the administration of the Plan, unless evidence to the contrary is provided by the Participant.
21
14.3 | Consent to Electronic Delivery |
As a condition to receiving the Options, each Participant consents to delivery of all subsequent information relating to the Options by electronic means, including e-mails to the Participant and postings on the LTI Website, Anheuser-Busch InBevs website or intranet. Such information may include, among others, financial information concerning Anheuser-Busch InBev and other information relevant to a Participants decision whether or not to exercise the Options. In order to access such information, Participants will be required to access the LTI Website and/or Anheuser-Busch InBevs e-mail system, website and/or intranet. By acceptance of the Options, each Participant is deemed to acknowledge that he/she has such access to the LTI Website, the e-mail system of Anheuser-Busch InBev and its website and intranet and ordinarily uses them in the ordinary course of his/her employment. Participants may obtain paper copies of any such information by submitting a request to receive paper copies to his/her People Department.
15 | Matrimonial Regime |
In the event that the matrimonial regimes of Participants confer ownership or other rights on their spouses with respect to the Options, those Participants undertake that their spouses shall appoint them as their sole representatives for all matters arising in relation to the Options.
16 | Death |
In the event of a Participants death, any Successor acquiring Options shall inform Anheuser-Busch InBev of the Participants death as soon as possible following the date of death.
17 | Modification to the Terms and Conditions |
The Board of Directors may unilaterally modify at any time the practical and/or accessory modalities of the Terms and Conditions. It may also unilaterally modify the Terms and Conditions when such modifications are required to comply with any change in legislation. Shareholder approval/confirmation of any amendment shall be obtained to the extent necessary to comply with any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange listing requirements.
18 | Nature of the Plan |
Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary included in the Terms and Conditions, the Offer Letter, the Acceptance Form or any other document relating to the Plan:
(i) | the acquisition of Shares by the Participant is unrelated to his occupational pension rights or pension claims, so that this acquisition cannot affect these occupational pension rights and claims; |
(ii) | the Plan, the Offer Letter and the Acceptance Form or any other document relating to the Plan do not confer upon the Participant any right to continued employment for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of Anheuser-Busch InBev or its subsidiaries to terminate the Participants employment according to the applicable regulations in respect of termination thereof; and |
(iii) | the grant of Options cannot be considered as a right acquired for the future. |
22
19 | Privacy and processing of Personal Data |
19.1 | The Data Controller is responsible for the collection and processing of Personal Data as is necessary for the setting-up and administration of the Plan and the Options register of Anheuser-Busch InBev in electronic form. |
19.2 | The Personal Data collected, inter alia , by way of the Acceptance Form and the Exercise Form will be used exclusively for the purposes of the administration of the Plan and the maintenance of the Options register of Anheuser-Busch InBev in electronic form. |
19.3 | The Data Controller can transfer the Personal Data to the Data Processor and the employer of the Participant for the above purposes, as well as to regulatory authorities for the purposes of complying with legal obligations in connection with the Plan. Such recipients may be located in jurisdictions outside the European Economic Area that may not provide an adequate level of personal data protection. |
19.4 | The Data Controller and the Data Processor shall abide by the Belgian Law of 8 December 1992 on privacy protection in relation to the processing of personal data, as amended from time to time, and its implementing decrees. |
19.5 | Through his/her signature of the Acceptance Form and/or its submission through the LTI Website, the Participant gives his/her consent to the collection and processing of his/her Personal Data as described in this Section19. |
19.6 | The Participant has the right to access and correct his/her Personal Data by sending a written and signed request to his/her local People Department. |
20 | Effective Date and Term of Plan |
Unless sooner terminated by the Board of Directors, the Plan, including the provisions respecting the grant of Options, shall terminate on the date upon which all the Shares underlying the Options have been delivered to Participants. All Options made under the Plan prior to its termination shall remain in effect until such Options have been satisfied or terminated in accordance with the Terms and Conditions and the applicable Offer Letter.
21 | Severability |
If any provision in this document is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, under any applicable law, that provision will be deemed not to form part of this document, and the legality, validity or enforceability of the remainder of this document will not be affected.
22 | Applicable Law |
The Options, the Shares and these Terms and Conditions are governed by Belgian law.
23
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated 24 March 2015 relating to the financial statements, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Anheuser-Bush InBev SA/NVs Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2014. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading Experts in such Registration Statement.
Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, 18 December 2015
PricewaterhouseCoopers Bedrijfsrevisoren BCVBA
Represented by
/s/ Koen Hens |
Koen Hens |
Bedrijfsrevisor |
Exhibit 24.1
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Reference is hereby made to the proposed registration by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV ( ABI ) under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ), of ordinary shares of ABI, without nominal value, and American Depositary Shares, evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, each representing one ordinary share without nominal value, in each case to be offered and sold by ABI (the Securities ) pursuant to the following plans: Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of ABI December 2015, Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of ABI December 2015, the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015, the 2020 Dream Incentive Plan and any future employee share plans established for the benefit of employees of ABI and its subsidiaries. Such Securities have or will be registered on one or more registration statements on Form S-8 (each such registration statement, a Registration Statement ) filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ).
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints any Vice President of ABI, the Corporate Secretary of ABI, any Assistant Corporate Secretary of ABI, the Secretary of Anheuser-Busch InBev Services, LLC, any Assistant Secretary of Anheuser-Busch InBev Services, LLC, Ms. Sabine Chalmers, Mr. Augusto Lima, Ms. Maria Fernanda Lima da Rocha Barros, Mr. Thomas Larson, Mr. Benoit Loore, Ms. Ann Randon, Ms. Patricia Frizo, Ms. Christine Delhaye and Mr. Jan Vandermeersch, and each of them, with full power to act alone, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statements, any and all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) and any subsequent registration statement in respect of the Securities that is to be effective upon filing by ABI pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but which taken together, shall constitute one instrument.
[ Remainder of this page left intentionally blank. ]
Date: 10 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Carlos Brito |
||||
Carlos Brito | ||||||
Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 10 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Felipe Dutra |
||||
Felipe Dutra | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 14 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Olivier Goudet |
||||
Olivier Goudet | ||||||
Chairman of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 14 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart |
||||
Paul Cornet de Ways Ruart | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 14 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Stéfan Descheemaeker |
||||
Stéfan Descheemaeker | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 14 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ M. Michele Burns |
||||
M. Michele Burns | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 14 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Paulo Alberto Lemann |
||||
Paulo Alberto Lemann | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 14 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Grégoire de Spoelberch |
||||
Grégoire de Spoelberch | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: | By: |
|
||||
Marcel Herrmann Telles | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 14 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Alexandre Van Damme |
||||
Alexandre Van Damme | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 14 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Carlos Alberto Sicupira |
||||
Carlos Alberto Sicupira | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: | By: |
|
||||
Kasper Rorsted | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: 14 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Alexandre Behring |
||||
Alexandre Behring | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: | By: |
|
||||
Elio Leoni Sceti | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: | By: |
|
||||
Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Date: | By: |
|
||||
Valentin Diez Morodo | ||||||
Member of the Board of Directors | ||||||
Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV |
Exhibit 24.2
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Reference is hereby made to the proposed registration by Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV ( ABI ) under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ), of ordinary shares of ABI, without nominal value, and American Depositary Shares, evidenced by American Depositary Receipts, each representing one ordinary share without nominal value, in each case to be offered and sold by ABI (the Securities ) pursuant to the following plans: Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to Shares of ABI December 2015, Long-Term Incentive Plan Relating to American Depositary Shares of ABI December 2015, the Exceptional Incentive Restricted Stock Units Programme 2015, the 2020 Dream Incentive Plan and any future employee share plans established for the benefit of employees of ABI and its subsidiaries. Such Securities have or will be registered on one or more registration statements on Form S-8 (each such registration statement, a Registration Statement ) filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC ).
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints any Vice President of ABI, the Corporate Secretary of ABI, any Assistant Corporate Secretary of ABI, the Secretary of Anheuser-Busch InBev Services, LLC, any Assistant Secretary of Anheuser-Busch InBev Services, LLC, Ms. Sabine Chalmers, Ms. Maria Fernanda Lima da Rocha Barros, Mr. Thomas Larson, Mr. Benoit Loore, Ms. Ann Randon, Ms. Patricia Frizo, Ms. Christine Delhaye and Mr. Jan Vandermeersch, and each of them, with full power to act alone, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statements, any and all amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) and any subsequent registration statement in respect of the Securities that is to be effective upon filing by ABI pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
[ Remainder of this page left intentionally blank .]
Date: 15 December 2015 | By: |
/s/ Augusto Lima |
||||
Name: | Augusto Lima | |||||
Title: | Authorized Representative in the United States and | |||||
Global Legal Director, Anheuser-Busch InBev Services, LLC |