UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)     April  25, 2018

MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

 

811-09744   04-3291176
(Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification Number)

437 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10022

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code     (212) 328-2100

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

[ ]    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ]    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

                                               ☐


ITEM 5.03. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OR BYLAWS; CHANGE IN FISCAL YEAR.

On April 25, 2018, the Board of Directors of Medallion Financial Corp. (the “Company”) approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s by-laws (the “Amended and Restated By-Laws”), effective immediately, to (i) eliminate references to the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) and requirements of the 1940 Act and (ii) make certain conforming and ministerial changes. Such changes were made as a result of the Company’s withdrawal of its election to be regulated as a business development company under the 1940 Act.

The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated By-Laws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended and Restated By-Laws, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 5.05. AMENDMENTS TO THE REGISTRANT’S CODE OF ETHICS, OR WAIVER OF A PROVISION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS.

For the reasons set forth in Item 5.03 above, on April 25, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy (the “Amended Code of Ethics”), effective immediately, to (i) eliminate references to the 1940 Act and requirements of the 1940 Act and (ii) make certain conforming and ministerial changes.

The foregoing description of the Amended Code of Ethics is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended Code of Ethics, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 14.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  3.1    Amended and Restated By-Laws of Medallion Financial Corp.
14.1    Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy.

 

2


Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.    Description
  3.1    Amended and Restated By-Laws of Medallion Financial Corp.
14.1    Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy.

 

 

3


SIGNATURES

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

MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

 

By:   /s/ Larry D. Hall
  Name: Larry D. Hall
  Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Date: April 27, 2018

 

 

4

Exhibit 3.1

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

of

MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

(a Delaware corporation)

As Amended and Restated on April 25, 2018

 

 

 


MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

(a Delaware corporation)

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

ARTICLE I.        OFFICES

     1

SECTION 1.        Registered Office

     1

SECTION 2.        Other Offices

     1

ARTICLE II.        MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

     1

SECTION 1.        Place of Meeting

     1

SECTION 2.        Annual Meetings

     1

SECTION 3.        Special Meetings

     1

SECTION 4.        Notice

     1

SECTION 5.        Quorum and Adjournments

     2

SECTION 6.        Notice of Stockholder Business

     2

SECTION 7.        Inspectors

     3

SECTION 8.        Voting

     3

ARTICLE III.        NOMINATION OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

     4

SECTION 1.        Notification of Nominees

     4

SECTION 2.        Substitution of Nominees

     4

SECTION 3.        Compliance with Procedures

     5

ARTICLE IV.        DIRECTORS

     5

SECTION 1.        Powers

     5

SECTION 2.        Number, Qualification, Election and Terms

     5

SECTION 3.        Removal

     5

SECTION 4.        Vacancies and New Directorships

     5

SECTION 5.        Meetings

     6

SECTION 6.        Votes

     6

SECTION 7.        Quorum and Adjournment

     6

SECTION 8.        Compensation

     7

SECTION 9.        Action by Consent of Directors

     7

ARTICLE V.        COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

     7

SECTION 1.        Executive Committee

     7

SECTION 2.        Audit Committee

     8

SECTION 3.        Other Committees

     9

SECTION 4.        Term of Office

     9

ARTICLE VI.        OFFICERS

     9

SECTION 1.        Officers

     9

SECTION 2.        Vacancies

   10

 

(i)


SECTION 3.        Chairman of the Board

   10

SECTION 4.        Chief Executive Officer

   10

SECTION 5.         President

   10

SECTION 6.        Executive Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents

   10

SECTION 7.        Secretary

   10

SECTION 8.        Assistant Secretaries

   10

SECTION 9.        Treasurer

   11

SECTION 10.      Assistant Treasurers

   11

SECTION 11.      Controller

   11

SECTION 12.      Assistant Controllers

   11

SECTION 13.      Subordinate Officers

   11

SECTION 14.      Compensation

   11

SECTION 15.      Removal

   11

SECTION 16.      Bonds

   11

ARTICLE VII.        INDEMNIFICATION

   12

SECTION 1.        Indemnification

   12

ARTICLE VIII.        CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

   12

SECTION 1.        Form and Execution of Certificates

   13

SECTION 2.        Transfer of Shares

   13

SECTION 3.        Closing of Transfer Books

   14

SECTION 4.        Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholder of Record

   14

SECTION 5.        Lost or Destroyed Certificates

   14

SECTION 6.        Uncertificated Shares

   15

ARTICLE IX.        EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS

   15

SECTION 1.        Execution of Checks, Notes, etc.

   15

SECTION 2.        Execution of Contracts, Assignments, etc.

   15

SECTION 3.        Execution of Proxies

   15

ARTICLE X.        INSPECTION OF BOOKS

   15

ARTICLE XI.       FISCAL YEAR

   16

ARTICLE XII.      AMENDMENTS

   16

 

(ii)


 

AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

of

MEDALLION FINANCIAL CORP.

(a Delaware corporation)

As Amended and Restated on April 25, 2018

 

 

ARTICLE I. OFFICES

SECTION 1.      Registered Office . The registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is located at 251 Little Falls Drive, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.

SECTION 2.      Other Offices . The Corporation may also have offices at such other places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint or the business of the Corporation may require.

ARTICLE II. MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

SECTION 1.      Place of Meeting . Meetings of the stockholder shall be held either within or without the State of Delaware at such place as the Board of Directors may fix.

SECTION 2.      Annual Meetings . The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held for the election of directors on such date and at such time as the Board of Directors may fix. Any other business properly brought before the annual meeting of stockholders as provided by applicable law and by these By-Laws may be transacted at the annual meeting.

SECTION 3.      Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or pursuant to a resolution approved by a majority of the Whole Board (as defined below), or upon receipt of a written request signed by stockholders owning at least 20 percent of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting. Any such resolution of the Board of Directors or any such request of stockholders shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice. For the purposes of these By-Laws, the term “Whole Board” is defined as the total number of Directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.

SECTION 4.      Notice . Written or printed notice of every meeting of stockholders, annual or special, stating the hour, date and place thereof, and, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called shall, not less than ten (10), or such

 

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longer period as shall be provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws, or otherwise, and not more than sixty (60) days before such meeting, be delivered or mailed to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat, at his address as it appears upon the stock records of the Corporation or, if such stockholder shall have filed with the Secretary of the Corporation a written request that notices intended for him be mailed to some other address, then to the address designated in such request.

SECTION 5.      Quorum and Adjournments . Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the presence in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders of the holders of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, shall be requisite and shall constitute a quorum. If two or more classes of stock are entitled to vote as separate classes upon any question, then, in the case of each such class, a quorum for the consideration of such question shall, except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, consist of a majority in interest of all stock of that class issued, outstanding and entitled to vote. If a majority of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat at, or, where a larger quorum is required, such larger quorum, shall not be represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy and entitled to vote thereat shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another time, or to another time and place, without notice other than announcement of adjournment at the meeting, and there may be successive adjournments for like cause and in like manner until the requisite amount of shares entitled to vote at such meeting shall be represented; provided, however, that if the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the hour, date and place of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat. At any adjourned meeting any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. Subject to the requirements of law and the Certificate of Incorporation, on any issue on which two or more classes of stock are entitled to vote separately, no adjournment shall be taken with respect to any class for which a quorum is present unless the Chairman of the meeting otherwise directs. At any meeting held to consider matters which were subject to adjournment for want of a quorum at which the requisite amount of shares entitled to vote thereat shall be represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

SECTION 6.      Notice of Stockholder Business . At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (a)  specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, (b)  otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of a majority of the Whole Board, or (c)  otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder as provided by and in accordance with applicable law, rules and regulations, and these By-Laws. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed to and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation in accordance with applicable law, rules and regulations and not less than 120 days in advance of the date of the Corporation’s notice of annual meeting released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of

 

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stockholders, except that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 calendar days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s notice of annual meeting of stockholders, then, in that event only, a stockholders’ notice hereunder must be delivered to and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation at least 30 calendar days before the notice of the date of the annual meeting is mailed to stockholders in the current year.

A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (a)  a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b)  the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (c)  the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, and (d)  any material interest of the stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding anything in the By-Laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with applicable law, rules and regulations, and in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section  6 of Article II .

The presiding officer of an annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that the business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section  6 of Article II , and if the presiding officer should so determine, the presiding officer shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.

SECTION 7.      Inspectors . The Board of Directors shall appoint inspectors of election to act as judges of the voting and to determine those entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or any adjournment thereof, in advance of such meeting, but if the Board of Directors fails to make such appointments or if an appointee fails to serve, the presiding officer of the meeting of stockholders may appoint substitute inspectors.

SECTION 8.      Voting . Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by a resolution of the Board of Directors adopted in accordance with Section  2 of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall be entitled at every meeting of the stockholders to one vote for each share of stock having voting power standing in the name of such stockholder on the books of the Corporation on the record date for the meeting and such votes may be cast either in person or by written proxy. Every proxy must be duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by filing an instrument in writing revoking the proxy or another duly executed proxy bearing a later date with the Secretary of the Corporation. Every vote taken by written ballot shall be counted by the inspectors of election. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority (or such other percentage as may be specified or required by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by a resolution of the Board of Directors adopted in accordance with Section  2 of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation, by law, or these By-Laws) of the stock which has voting power present in person or represented by proxy and which has actually voted shall decide any question properly brought before such meeting, except the election or removal of Directors or as otherwise provided by law, these By-Laws or the Certificate of Incorporation. With respect to any election or questions required to be decided by any class of stock voting as a

 

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class, the vote of the holders of a majority (or such other percentage as may be specified or required by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by a resolution of the Board of Directors adopted in accordance with Section  2 of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation, or by law, or by these By-Laws) of such class of stock present in person or by proxy and which actually voted shall decide any such election or question.

ARTICLE III. NOMINATION OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

SECTION 1.      Notification of Nominees . Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock as to dividends, upon liquidation, or to elect additional Directors under specified circumstances, nominations for the election of Directors may be made by the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors or by any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of Directors generally. However, any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of Directors generally may nominate one or more persons for election as Directors at a meeting only if written notice of such stockholder’s intent to make such nomination or nominations has been given, either by personal delivery or by United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than 120 days in advance of the date of the Corporation’s notice of annual meeting released to stockholders in connection with the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders, except that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 calendar days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s notice of annual meeting of stockholders, then, in that event only, a stockholders’ notice hereunder must be delivered to and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation at least 30 calendar days before the notice of the date of the annual meeting is mailed to stockholders in the current year.

Each such notice shall set forth: (a)  the name and address of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated; (b)  a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice; (c)  a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder; (d)  such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholders as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors; and (e)  the consent of each nominee to serve as a Director of the Corporation if so elected.

SECTION 2.      Substitution of Nominees . If a person is validly designated as a nominee in accordance with Section 1 of this Article III , and shall thereafter become unable or unwilling to stand for election to the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors or the stockholder who proposed such nominee, as the case may be, may designate a substitute nominee upon delivery, not fewer than five days prior to the date of the meeting for the election of such nominee, of a written notice to the Secretary setting forth such information regarding such substitute nominee as would have been required to be delivered to the Secretary pursuant to Section 1 of this Article III , had such substitute nominee been initially proposed as a nominee.

 

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Such notice shall include a signed consent to serve as a Director of the Corporation, if elected, of each such substitute nominee.

SECTION 3.      Compliance with Procedures . If the presiding officer of the meeting for the election or Directors determines that a nomination for any candidate for election as a Director at such meeting was not made in accordance with the applicable provisions of these By-Laws, such person will not be eligible for election as a Director and such, nomination shall be void.

ARTICLE IV. DIRECTORS

SECTION 1.      Powers . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

SECTION 2.      Number, Qualification, Election and Terms . Except as otherwise fixed by, or pursuant to, the provisions of Section  2 of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock, the number of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, but shall not be less than three nor more than fifteen persons. The Directors shall be classified, with respect to the time for which they severally hold office, into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, as determined by the Board of Directors, with the members of each class to hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. At each succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the successors of the class of Directors whose term expires at that meeting shall be elected by plurality vote by written ballot to hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting for stockholders held in the third year following the year of their election.

SECTION 3.      Removal . Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock, any Director may be removed from office by the stockholders in the manner provided in this Section  3 of Article IV . At any annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation or at any special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the notice of which shall state that the removal of a Director or Directors is among the purposes of the meeting, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75 percent of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock (as defined below), voting together as a single class, may remove such Director or Directors. For the purposes of these By-Laws, “Voting Stock” shall mean the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors.

SECTION 4.      Vacancies and New Directorships . Except as otherwise fixed by or provided for or pursuant to the provisions of Article FOURTH of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the rights of the holders of any class or series of stock having a preference over the Common Stock, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of Directors shall be filled solely by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors then in office though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining Director, except as may be required by law. Any Director so chosen shall hold office for the

 

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remainder of the full term of the class of Directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such Director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. No decrease in the authorized number of Directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director.

SECTION 5.      Meetings . Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may from time to time be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the Chairman of the Board, if there be one, or by the President and as may be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of any meeting. Special meetings may be held at any time upon the call of the Chairman of the Board, if there be one, or the President or any two (2) of the Directors in office by oral, telegraphic, telex, telecopy or other form of electronic transmission, or written notice, duly served or sent or mailed to each Director not less than twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting.

Meetings may be held at any time and place without notice if all the Directors are present and do not object to the holding of such meeting for lack of proper notice or if those not present shall, in writing or by telegram, telex, telecopy or other form of electronic transmission, waive notice thereof. A regular meeting of the Board may be held without notice immediately following the annual meeting of stockholders at the place where such meeting is held. Regular meetings of the Board may also be held without notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board.

Members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and participation in a meeting pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

SECTION 6.      Votes . Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise, the vote of the majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. A majority of the directors shall be present at any meeting of the directors in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, and except as otherwise expressly required by the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws, or applicable law, the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the directors. In the absence of a quorum at any meeting of the directors, a majority of the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting to another time and place until a quorum shall be present thereat. Notice of the time and place of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment and, unless such time and place were announced at the meeting at which adjournment was taken, to the other directors. At any adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted at the meeting as originally called.

SECTION 7.      Quorum and Adjournment . Subject to Section  4 of this Article IV , and except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise, a majority of the Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement of the

 

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adjournment at the meeting, and at such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed.

SECTION 8.      Compensation . Directors shall receive compensation for their services, as such, and for service on any committee of the Board of Directors, as fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors and for expenses of attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board or any committee thereof. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to preclude a Director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor.

SECTION 9.      Action by Consent of Directors . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board, or committee. Such consent shall be treated as a vote adopted at a meeting for all purposes. Such consents may be executed in one or more counterparts and not every Director or committee member need sign the same counterpart.

ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1.      Executive Committee . The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the Whole Board, appoint an Executive Committee of two (2) or more members, to serve at the pleasure of the Board, to consist of such directors as the Board may from time to time designate. The Board of Directors shall designate the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

(a)      Procedure . The Executive Committee shall, by a vote of a majority of its members, fix its own times and places of meeting, determine the number of its members constituting a quorum for the transaction of business, and prescribe its own rules of procedure, no change in which shall be made save by a majority vote of its members.

(b)      Responsibilities . During the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in establishing such Committee or otherwise, the Executive Committee shall possess and may exercise all the powers of the Board in the management and direction of the business and affairs of the Corporation which are legally delegable to a committee; provided, however, that the Executive Committee shall not, except to the extent the Certificate of Incorporation or the resolution providing for the issuance of shares of stock adopted by the Board of Directors as provided in Section  151(a) of the Delaware General Business Corporation Law, have the power:

(i)       to amend or authorize the amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws;

(ii)      to authorize the issuance of stock;

(iii)     to authorize the payment of any dividend;

 

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(iv)     to adopt an agreement of merger or consolidation of the Corporation or to recommend to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all the property and business of the Corporation;

(v)      to recommend to the stockholders a dissolution, or a revocation of a dissolution, of the Corporation; or

(vi)     to adopt a certificate of ownership and merger pursuant to Section  253 of the Delaware Business Corporation Law.

(c)      Reports . The Executive Committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings, and all action by the Executive Committee shall be reported promptly to the Board of Directors. Such action shall be subject to review, amendment and repeal by the Board, provided that no rights of third parties shall be adversely affected by such review, amendment or repeal.

(d)      Appointment of Additional Members . In the absence or disqualification of any member of the Executive Committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

SECTION 2.      Audit Committee . The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the Whole Board, appoint an Audit Committee of two (2) or more members who shall not be officers or employees of the Corporation to serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Board of Directors shall designate the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

(a)      Procedure . The Audit Committee, by a vote of a majority of its members, shall fix its own times and places of meeting, shall determine the number of its members constituting a quorum for the transaction of business, and shall prescribe its own rules of procedure, no change in which shall be made save by a majority vote of its members.

(b)      Responsibilities . The Audit Committee shall review the annual financial statements of the Corporation prior to their submission to the Board of Directors, shall consult with the Corporation’s independent auditors, and may examine and consider such other matters in relation to the internal and external audit of the Corporation’s accounts and in relation to the financial affairs of the Corporation and its accounts, including the selection and retention of independent auditors, as the Audit Committee may, in its discretion, determine to be desirable.

(c)      Reports . The Audit Committee shall keep regular minutes of its proceedings, and all action by the Audit Committee shall, from time to time, be reported to the Board of Directors as it shall direct. Such action shall be subject to review, amendment and repeal by the Board, provided that no rights of third parties shall be adversely affected by such review, amendment or repeal.

(d)      Appointment of Additional Members . In the absence or disqualification of any member of the Audit Committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously

 

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appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

SECTION 3.      Other Committees . The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the Whole Board, at any time appoint one or more other committees, including a compensation committee, from and outside of its own number. Every such committee must include at least one member of the Board of Directors. The Board may from time to time designate or alter, within the limits permitted by law, the Certificate of Incorporation and this Article V , if applicable, the duties, powers and number of members of such other committees or change their membership, and may at any time abolish such other committees or any of them.

(a)      Procedure . Each committee, appointed pursuant to this Section  3 , shall, by a vote of a majority of its members, fix its own times and places of meeting, determine the number of its members constituting a quorum for the transaction of business, and prescribe its own rules of procedure, no change in which shall be made save by a majority vote of its members.

(b)      Responsibilities . Each committee, appointed pursuant to this Section  3 , shall exercise the powers assigned to it by the Board of Directors in its discretion.

(c)      Reports . Each committee appointed pursuant to this Section  3 shall keep regular minutes of proceedings, and all action by each such committee shall, from time to time, be reported to the Board of Directors as it shall direct. Such action shall be subject to review, amendment and repeal by the Board, provided that no rights of third parties shall be adversely affected by such review, amendment or repeal.

(d)      Appointment of Additional Members . In the absence or disqualification of any member of each committee, appointed pursuant to this Section  3 , the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not constituting a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors (or, to the extent permitted, another person) to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.

SECTION 4.      Term of Office . Each member of a committee shall hold office until the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of stockholders (or until such other time as the Board of Directors may determine, either in the vote establishing the committee or at the election of such member or otherwise) and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until he sooner dies, resigns, is removed, is replaced by change of membership or becomes disqualified by ceasing to be a Director (where membership on the Board is required), or until the committee is sooner abolished by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS

SECTION 1.      Officers . The Board of Directors shall elect a Chief Financial Officer, President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and, in their discretion, may elect a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, a Controller, and one or more Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Controllers as they deem necessary or appropriate. Such officers shall be elected annually by the

 

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Board of Directors at its first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders (or at such other meeting as the Board of Directors determines), and each shall hold office for the term provided by the vote of the Board, except that each will be subject to removal from office in the discretion of the Board as provided herein. The powers and duties of more than one office may be exercised and performed by the same person.

SECTION 2.      Vacancies . Any vacancy in any office may be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the Board of Directors, at any regular or special meeting.

SECTION 3.      Chairman of the Board . The Chairman of the Board of Directors, if elected, shall be a member of the Board of Directors and shall preside at its meetings. He shall advise and counsel with the Chief Executive Officer and the President, and shall perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4.      Chief Executive Officer . Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors unless a Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board is elected by the Board, empowered to preside, and present at such meeting, shall have general and active management of the business of the Corporation and general supervision of its officers, agents and employees, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. The Chief Executive Officer may but need not be a member of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5.      President . Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have and exercise direct charge of and general supervision over the operations of the Corporation and shall perform all duties incident to the office of the President of a corporation and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. The President may but need not be a member of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 6.      Executive Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents . Each Executive Vice President and Vice President shall have and exercise such powers and shall perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

SECTION 7.      Secretary . The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors in books provided for the purpose; he shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of law and these By-Laws; he may sign, with the President, an Executive Vice President or a Vice President, certificates of stock of the Corporation; and, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of secretary of a corporation, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 8.      Assistant Secretaries . The Assistant Secretaries in order of their seniority shall, in the absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe or as from time to time may be assigned by the Secretary.

 

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SECTION 9.      Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have charge of and be responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the Corporation, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the Corporation, all monies or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall, from time to time, be selected by the Board of Directors; he may endorse for collection on behalf of the Corporation checks, notes and other obligations; he may sign receipts and vouchers for payments made to the Corporation; he may sign checks of the Corporation, singly or jointly with another person as the Board of Directors may authorize, and pay out and dispose of the proceeds under the direction of the Board; he shall render to the President and to the Board of Directors, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the Corporation; he may sign, with the President, or an Executive Vice President or a Vice President, certificates of stock of the Corporation; and in general, shall perform all the duties incident to the office of treasurer of a corporation, and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 10.      Assistant Treasurers . The Assistant Treasurers in order of their seniority shall, in the absence or disability of the Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe or as from time to time may be assigned by the Treasurer.

SECTION 11.      Controller . The Controller, if elected, shall be the chief accounting officer of the Corporation, in general, he shall perform all duties incident to the office of a controller of a corporation, and, in the absence of or disability of the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe or as from time to time may be assigned by the President or the Treasurer.

SECTION 12.      Assistant Controllers . The Assistant Controllers in order of their seniority shall, in the absence or disability of the Controller, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Controller and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors shall prescribe or as from time to time may be assigned by the Controller.

SECTION 13.      Subordinate Officers . The Board of Directors may appoint such subordinate officers as it may deem desirable. Each such officer shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, authorize any officer to appoint and remove subordinate officers and to prescribe the powers and duties thereof.

SECTION 14.      Compensation . The Board of Directors, or a duly authorized executive compensation committee of the Board of Directors, shall fix the compensation of all officers of the Corporation. It may authorize any officer, upon whom the power of appointing subordinate officers may have been conferred, to fix the compensation of such subordinate officers.

SECTION 15.      Removal . Any officer of the Corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by action of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 16.      Bonds . The Board of Directors may require any officer of the Corporation to give a bond to the Corporation, conditional upon the faithful performance of his

 

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duties, with one or more sureties and in such amount as may be satisfactory to the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII. INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 1.     Indemnification .

The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time, indemnify each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was, or has agreed to become, a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving, or has agreed to serve, at the request of the Corporation, as a director, officer or trustee of, or in a similar capacity with, another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom.

Indemnification may include payment by the Corporation of expenses in defending an action or proceeding in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of any undertaking by the person indemnified to repay such payment if it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification under this Article VII , which undertaking may be accepted without reference to the financial ability of such person to make such repayments.

The Corporation shall not indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless the initiation thereof was approved by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

The indemnification rights provided in this Article VII (i) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any law, agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, and (ii) shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such persons. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by its Board of Directors, grant indemnification rights to other employees or agents of the Corporation or other persons serving the Corporation and such rights may be equivalent to, or greater or less than, those set forth in this Article VII .

Any person, seeking indemnification under this Article VII shall be deemed to have met the standard of conduct required for such indemnification unless the contrary shall be established.

Any amendment or repeal of the provisions of this Article VII shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director or officer of this Corporation with respect to any act or omission of such director or officer occurring prior to such amendment or repeal.

ARTICLE VIII. CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

 

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SECTION 1.      Form and Execution of Certificates . The interests of each stockholder of the Corporation shall be evidenced by a certificate or certificates for shares of stock in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe. The certificates of stock of each class shall be consecutively numbered and signed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, or the President, or an Executive Vice President or a Vice President and by the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the Corporation, and may be countersigned and registered in such manner as the Board of Directors may by resolution prescribe, and shall bear the corporate seal or a printed or engraved facsimile thereof. Where any such certificate is signed by a transfer agent or transfer clerk acting on behalf of the Corporation, the signatures of any such Chairman, Vice Chairman, President, Executive Vice President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary or Assistant Secretary may be facsimiles, engraved or printed. In case any officer or officers, who shall have signed, or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used on, any such certificate or certificates, shall cease to be such officer or officers, whether because of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates shall have been delivered by the Corporation, such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be issued and delivered by the Corporation as though the person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer or officers.

Every certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer pursuant to law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws, or any agreement to which the Corporation is a party, shall have the restriction noted conspicuously on the certificate, and shall also set forth, on the face or back, either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such restriction and (except if such restriction is imposed by law) a statement that the Corporation will furnish a copy thereof to the holder of such certificate upon written request and without charge.

Every certificate issued when the Corporation is authorized to issue more than one class or series of stock shall set forth on its face or back either the full text of the preferences, voting powers, qualifications, and special and relative rights of the shares of each class and series authorized to be issued, or a statement of the existence of such preferences, powers, qualifications and rights, and a statement that the Corporation will furnish a copy thereof to the holder of such certificate upon written request and without charge.

SECTION 2.      Transfer of Shares . The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof in person or by his attorney lawfully constituted, upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof or guaranty of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, save as expressly provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation. It shall be the duty of each stockholder to notify the Corporation of his post office address.

 

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SECTION 3.      Closing of Transfer Books . The stock transfer books of the Corporation may, if deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors, be closed for such length of time not exceeding fifty (50) days as the Board may determine, preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for the payment of any dividend or the date for the allotment of rights or the date when any issuance, change, conversion or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, during which time no transfer of stock on the books of the Corporation may be made.

SECTION 4.      Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholder of Record . In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date: (a)  in the case of determination of stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or adjournment thereof, shall, unless otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or otherwise, not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting; and (b)  in the case of any other action, shall not be more than sixty (60) days prior to such other action. If no record date is fixed: (a)  the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held; and (b)  the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

SECTION 5.      Lost or Destroyed Certificates . In case of the loss or destruction of any certificate of stock, a new certificate may be issued under the following conditions:

(a)     The owner of said certificate shall file with the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Corporation an affidavit giving the facts in relation to the ownership, and in relation to the loss or destruction of said certificate, stating its number and the number of shares represented thereby; such affidavit shall be in such form and contain such statements as shall satisfy the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Vice President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, that said certificate has been accidentally destroyed or lost, and that a new certificate ought to be issued in lieu thereof. Upon being so satisfied, any such officer may require such owner to furnish the Corporation a bond in such sum and in such form as he may deem advisable, and with a surety or sureties approved by him, to indemnify and save harmless the Corporation from any claim, loss, damage or liability which may be occasioned by the issuance of a new certificate in lieu thereof. Upon such bond being so filed, if so required, a new certificate for the same number of shares shall be issued to the owner of the certificate so lost or destroyed; and the transfer agent and registrar, if any, of stock shall countersign and register such new certificate upon receipt of a written order signed by any such officer, and thereupon the Corporation will save harmless said transfer agent and registrar. In case of the surrender of the original certificate,

 

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in lieu of which a new certificate has been issued, or the surrender of such new certificate, for cancellation, the bond of indemnity given as a condition of the issue of such new certificate may be surrendered; or

(b)     The Board of Directors of the Corporation may by resolution authorize and direct any transfer agent or registrar of stock of the Corporation to issue and register respectively from time to time without further action or approval by or on behalf of the Corporation new certificates of stock to replace certificates reported lost, stolen or destroyed upon receipt of an affidavit of loss and bond of indemnity in form and amount and with surety satisfactory to such transfer agent or registrar in each instance or upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may determine.

SECTION 6.      Uncertificated Shares . The Board of Directors of the Corporation may by resolution provide that one or more of any or all classes or series of the stock of the Corporation shall be uncertificated shares, subject to the provisions of Section  158 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

ARTICLE IX. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS

SECTION 1.      Execution of Checks, Notes, etc . All checks and drafts on the Corporation’s bank accounts and all bills of exchange and promissory notes, and all acceptances, obligations and other instruments for the payment of money, shall be signed by such officer or officers, or agent or agents, as shall be thereunto authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, which may in its discretion authorize any such signatures to be by facsimile.

SECTION 2.      Execution of Contracts, Assignments, etc . Unless the Board of Directors shall have otherwise provided generally or in a specific instance, all contracts, agreements, endorsements, assignments, transfers, stock powers, or other instruments shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, any Vice President, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer. The Board of Directors may, however, in its discretion, require any or all such instruments to be signed by any two or more of such officers, or may permit any or all of such instruments to be signed by such other officer or officers, agent or agents, as it shall thereunto authorize from time to time.

SECTION 3.      Execution of Proxies . The Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, or any Vice President, and the Secretary, the Treasurer, any Assistant Secretary or any Assistant Treasurer, or any other officer designated by the Board of Directors, may sign on behalf of the Corporation proxies to vote upon shares of stock of other companies standing in the name of the Corporation.

ARTICLE X. INSPECTION OF BOOKS

The Board of Directors shall determine from time to time whether, and if allowed, to what extent and at what time and places and under what conditions and regulations, the accounts and books of the Corporation (except such as may by law be specifically open to inspection) or any of them, shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders, and no stockholder shall have

 

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any right to inspect any account or book or document of the Corporation, except as conferred by law, unless and until authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

ARTICLE XI. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined from time to time by vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENTS

Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws may be amended, altered, changed or repealed, and a provision or provisions inconsistent with the provisions of these By-Laws as they exist from time to time may be adopted, only by the majority vote of the Whole Board or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of the voting stock, voting together as a single class.

 

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Exhibit 14.1

 

LOGO

Medallion Financial Corp.

 

 

Code of Ethical Conduct and

Insider Trading Policy

(as amended on April 25, 2018)

 

 

 

I. Code of Conduct and Ethics

 

  1. PURPOSE

It is vital to the financial success of Medallion Financial Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, the “Company”) that we conduct our business with honesty and integrity and in compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. This Code of Conduct and Ethics sets out the fundamental standards to be followed by employees in their everyday actions on behalf of the Company and seeks to promote honest and ethical conduct. Further guidance on the Company’s standards in specific areas will be provided through related corporate policies and guidelines.

 

  2. SCOPE

This policy applies to all Company employees.

 

  3. POLICY

Each Company employee must:

Conduct the Company’s business with honesty and integrity and in a professional manner that protects the Company’s good public image and reputation.

Build relationships with customers, vendors, and fellow employees based on trust and treat every individual with respect and dignity in the conduct of Company business.

Become familiar with and comply with legal requirements and Company policy and procedures.

 

1


Avoid any activities that could involve or lead to involvement in any unlawful practice or any harm to the Company’s reputation or image.

Avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest with the Company, or the appearance thereof, in all transactions. See the Conflicts of Interest Policy for further guidance.

Provide accurate and reliable information in records submitted, safeguard the Company’s confidential information, and respect the confidential information of other parties with whom the Company does business or competes.

Promptly report to the Company any violations of law or ethical principles or Company policies that come to the employees’ attention, and cooperate fully in any audit, inquiry, review or investigation by the Company.

 

  4. RESPONSIBILITY

All employees must uphold these standards in the conduct of Company business and the Company must handle, in a manner consistent with these standards and related policies, all actual and apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships and all other matters governed by this Code of Conduct and Ethics and such related policies. If a decision about a particular action is not covered specifically by this Code or related corporate policies, employees are required to seek guidance from their supervisor or appropriate internal resources, such as Human Resources, Legal Department or Chief Compliance Officer.

Senior management should be a role model for these standards by visibly demonstrating support and by regularly encouraging adherence by managers. Managers should ensure all their employees receive guidance, training, and communication on ethical behavior and legal compliance relevant to their duties for the Company.

Failure by any employee to comply with this or any other Company policy will subject employees, including supervisors who ignore prohibited conduct, or have knowledge of the conduct and fail to correct it, to disciplinary action up to and including separation from employment with the Company.

 

2


II. Conflicts of Interest Policy

 

1. PURPOSE

A conflict of interest occurs whenever an employee permits the prospect of direct or indirect personal gain to influence his or her judgment or actions in the conduct of corporate business. This policy establishes requirements for employees to avoid an actual or perceived conflict of interest with the interests of Medallion Financial Corp. or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, the “Company”).

 

2. SCOPE

This policy applies to all Company employees.

 

3. POLICY

 

  3.1. The Company expects all its employees to be free from actual or potential conflicts of interest when dealing with other persons or business entities on behalf of the Company. While the Company desires that its employees be free to make personal investments and to enjoy social and normal business relations, they must not have any personal interest that conflicts with those of the Company, or which might influence or appear to influence their judgment or actions in performing their corporate duties. The key to addressing any conflicts of interests is full disclosure. Often, with prior disclosure, a potential conflict may be resolved.

 

  3.2. This policy acknowledges the general principles that employees: (i) owe a fiduciary obligation to the Company; (ii) have the duty at all times to place the interest of the Company shareholders first; (iii) must conduct all personal securities transactions in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or abuse of an individual’s position of trust and responsibility; and (iv) should not take inappropriate advantage of their positions in relation to the Company.

 

  3.3 While it is not practical to describe every circumstance that might lead an employee into

conflict with the aims and interest of the Company, the following examples highlight areas in which conflicts may arise. In other cases, employees should seek guidance from the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

  3.3.1 The holding by an employee or any member of his or her immediate family of any substantial financial interest in any enterprise which engages competitively in any field of activity engaged in by the Company or which has, or is seeking, business dealings (e.g. as suppliers or customers) with the Company without the written approval described in Section 4 below.

 

  3.3.2 Acting as a director, officer, employee, consultant, advisor or in any other capacity for any business or other organization with which the Company currently (or potentially) has a competitive or business relationship without the written approval as described in Section 4 below.

 

  3.3.3

Engaging in any outside activity with an individual, business or organization which currently (or potentially) has a competitive or business relationship with the Company where such activity is likely to decrease the impartiality, judgment,

 

3


  effectiveness, or productivity expected from such employee in his or her job without the written approval as described in Section 4 below.

 

  3.3.4 Acceptance, directly or indirectly, from an individual, business or organization which currently (or potentially) has a competitive or business relationships with the Company by an employee or any member of an employee’s immediate family of any vacations, cash, cash equivalents, service, payment, loan, discount, gifts, or entertainment except as provided in the Company’s Acceptance of Gifts and Entertainment Policy .

 

  3.3.5 Knowingly competing with the Company in the purchase or sale of any kind of property – tangible or intangible; or diversion from the Company, for the employee’s own direct or indirect benefit, of a business opportunity in which the Company has, or is likely to have, and interest.

 

  3.3.6 Recommending any securities transactions by the Company without having disclosed his or her interest, if any, in such securities or the issuer thereof, including without limitation (i) any direct or indirect ownership of any securities of such issuer, (ii) any contemplated transaction by such person in such securities, (iii) any position with such issuer or its affiliates, and (iv) any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer or its affiliates and such person or any party in which such person has a significant interest.

 

4. PROCEDURE

 

  4.1 If an employee has any doubt about whether a conflict of interest exists, the employee must promptly disclose the situation to their supervisor or the Chief Compliance Officer and seek appropriate guidance before taking any action. This includes situations where members of the employee’s immediate family hold or assume positions in any business or other organization which may cause the employee to have a conflict with the aims and interests of the Company.

 

  4.2 If there is any question or concern regarding a potential conflict of interest, prior review and written approval should be obtained from the Chief Compliance Officer or the Chief Legal Officer.

 

5. RESPONSIBILITY

 

  5.1 All employees are responsible for compliance with this policy.

 

  5.2 Senior management of the Company and the Company business units are ultimately responsible for ensuring this policy is communicated to all of their employees and their employees comply with this policy.

 

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III. Acceptance of Gifts and Entertainment Policy

 

1. PURPOSE

This policy provides the standards and limitations governing the acceptance of entertainment and gifts from any person, organization or agency related to, or associated with the business activities of Medallion Financial Corp. or any of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, the “Company”). Inappropriate entertainment and gifts can create conflicts of interest or at least the appearance that employees’ business judgments in decisions on behalf of the Company are being improperly influenced by what they receive from third parties. This can harm the Company’s good reputation and its relationships with external parties.

 

2. SCOPE

This policy applies to all Company employees.

 

3. POLICY

 

  3.1. The Company’s reputation and the respect of those with whom it deals are among its most vital assets. These assets must not be jeopardized by acceptance of any entertainment, gift or other favor intended to or perceived by others to influence the business judgment of the recipient. This requires:

 

   

Adherence to high standards of ethical conduct, integrity and legal compliance; and

 

   

Avoidance of conflicts of interest and the perception of impropriety

 

  3.2. Entertainment:

 

  3.2.1 Employees may accept entertainment when it is:

 

   

Lawful and ethical;

   

Occasional;

   

Customary and reasonable in value; and

   

In support of the Company’s business and not just for the employee’s well-being or use.

 

  3.2.2 Costs of travel and overnight accommodation should not be accepted, as these are not considered entertainment, which is reasonable in value.
 
  3.2.3 If you are in doubt, follow the procedure in Section 4, disclose the situation to your supervisor or the Chief Compliance Officer and seek appropriate guidance.

 

  3.3 Gifts:

 

  3.3.1 Employees may not accept any gift of more than a de minimus value (e.g., pens, mugs, calendars, etc.) from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Company.

 

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  3.3.2 Gifts of greater than de minimus value should be politely declined and returned to the sender in a timely manner. In the rare circumstance where it would be awkward to return such a gift, the gift should be handed over to Human Resources for appropriate disposition.

 

  3.3.3 Employees may accept frequent flyer miles awarded by airlines for business travel for the Company, provided that the travel option selected is in accordance with the corporate travel policy and is solely based on the best interest of the Company in terms of cost, timing, and good procurement practices.

 

  3.4 Except as permitted under sections 3.2 and 3.3 above, employees (and members of their immediate family) must not accept or solicit, directly or indirectly, from any vendor or supplier of the Company, current or potential, any entertainment or gifts, including, but not limited to:

 

   

Vacations;

   

Cash payments;

   

Cash equivalents (e.g., gift certificate);

   

Services;

   

Loans (except as private individuals from banks or other financial institutions); or

   

Discounts (except those offered to employees of the Company generally).

4. PROCEDURE

 

  4.1. If an employee has any doubt about whether it is appropriate to accept entertainment or a gift, you must promptly disclose the situation to your supervisor or the Chief Compliance Officer and seek appropriate guidance before taking any action.

 

5. RESPONSIBILITY

 

  5.1 All employees are responsible for compliance with this policy.

 

  5.2 Senior management of the Company is ultimately responsible for ensuring that this policy is communicated to all of their employees and that their employees comply with this policy.

 

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IV. Insider Trading Policy

As a public company, the Company is subject to various federal and state laws and regulations governing trading in its securities. It is the Company’s policy to comply fully, and to assist its employees in complying fully with these laws and regulations. The Company depends upon the conduct and diligence of its employees, in both their professional and personal capacities, to ensure full compliance with this Policy. This Policy provides procedures and guidelines with respect to transactions in the Company’s securities and the securities of Target Companies (as defined below), the protection of material, non-public information and the standard of conduct expected of the Company’s employees in this highly sensitive area. It is the personal obligation and responsibility of each employee to act in a manner consistent with this Policy.

The administration of this Insider Trading Policy shall be responsibility of the Chief Compliance Officer. Any questions concerning this Policy should be addressed to the Company’s Legal Department.

 

A. DEFINITIONS

(1)        “ Access Person ” means an officer, director or employee of the Company and its subsidiaries that has investment decision-making power over publicly traded securities and is designated by the Chief Compliance Officer from time to time as an Access Person.

(2)        “ Control ” means the power to exercise a controlling influence over the management or policies of a company (unless such power is the sole result of an official position with such company). Any person who owns beneficially, directly or through one of more controlled companies, more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting securities of a company shall be presumed to control such company. Natural persons shall be presumed not to be controlled persons.

(3)        “ Covered Person ” includes any officers or directors of the Company or its subsidiaries, its other employees, consultants, contractors and investment advisors, as well as members of such persons’ immediate families and personal households.

(4)        “ Independent Director ” means any Director of the Company who is an “independent director” as defined in NASDAQ Marketplace Rule 4200(a)(15).

(5)        “ Security ” includes all stock, debt obligations and other instruments, including any warrant or option to acquire or sell a security and financial futures contracts, but excludes securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies, bankers, acceptance, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and shares of a mutual fund.

(6)        “ Target Company ” means a company that the Company is considering acquiring or in which it is considering making an investment.

(7)        “ Trading Day ” shall mean a day on which the NASDAQ National Market is open for trading. A Trading Day begins at the time trading begins on such day.

 

B. RULE 10b-5 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

  1. LEGAL BACKGROUND

“Insider trading” is a top enforcement priority of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) and the Department of Justice. Criminal prosecutions for insider trading are commonplace and may result in fines and/or imprisonment.

 

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What is insider trading? While the term “insider trading” is not specifically defined in federal statutes, the prohibition against such trading generally is understood to prohibit any person from (1) trading on the basis of material, non-public information, (2) tipping such information to others or recommending the purchase or sale of securities on the basis of such information or (3) assisting someone who is engaged in any of the above activities.

Who is an insider? The term “insider” applies to anyone who, by virtue of a special relationship with a company, possesses material, non-public information regarding the business of that company.

An individual can be considered an insider for a limited time with respect to certain material, non-public information even though he or she is not a director or officer. For example, an executive assistant who knows that an acquisition is about to occur may be regarded as an insider with respect to that information until the news of such acquisition has been fully disclosed to the public.

What is material, non-public information? An occurrence of “insider trading” involves a breach of a fiduciary duty with respect to, or misappropriation of, information that is both material and non-public. Information is generally deemed to be “material” if a “reasonable investor” would rely on it in deciding to purchase, sell or hold a security to which the information relates. As a practical matter, materiality often is determined after the fact, when it is known that someone has traded on the information and after the information itself has been made public and its effects upon the market are more certain. Examples of information that is generally regarded as material are:

 

   

Financial results;

   

Major proposed or pending acquisitions, investments or divestitures;

   

Significant project or product developments;

   

Changes in key personnel;

   

Changes in dividends;

   

Stock splits;

   

New equity or debt offerings;

   

Positive or negative developments in outstanding litigation;

   

Significant litigation exposure due to actual or threatened litigation; and

   

Any other facts which might cause the Company’s financial results to be substantially affected.

“Non-public” information is any information that has not been previously disclosed and is not otherwise available to investors generally. Filings with the SEC, press reports and analyst reports are generally regarded as public information. Information about undisclosed financial results or a possible merger, acquisition or other material development, whether concerning the Company or otherwise, and obtained in the normal course of employment or through a rumor, tip or just “loose talk”, is not public information. Information should be considered “non-public” until at least two Trading Days after such information has been disseminated widely to the general public through press releases, news tickers, newspaper items, quarterly or annual reports or other widely disseminated means.

Potential Criminal and Civil Liability

 

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The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and specifically Rule 10b-5 of the 1934 Act, makes it unlawful for any person to make false statements or omit to state material facts in connection with the purchase or sale of any security. There are no limits on the size of a transaction that will trigger insider trading liability. In the past, relatively small trades have resulted in SEC investigations and lawsuits.

Individuals found liable for insider trading face penalties of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, a criminal fine of up to $1 million and up to ten years in jail. In addition to the potential criminal and civil liabilities mentioned above, in certain circumstances the Company may be able to recover all profits made by an insider who traded illegally, plus collect other damages. In addition, the Company (and its executive officers and directors) could itself face penalties of the greater of $1 million or three times the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of an employee’s violation and/or a criminal penalty of up to $2.5 million for failing to take steps to prevent insider trading.

The procedures regarding securities trading outlined below are designed to deter and, where possible, to prevent such improper trading.

 

  2. POLICIES REGARDING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMPANY’S SECURITIES

The following policies apply to all transactions, direct or indirect, in all of the Company’s securities, including the Company’s common stock and those shares of common stock that may be held in any Company 401(k) retirement savings plan, pension plan, retirement plan or other similar plan.

No Trading on Material, Non-Public Information . No Covered Person who is aware of any material, non-public information concerning the Company or a third-party with whom the Company does business, shall engage in any transaction involving a purchase or sale of the Company’s or such third-party’s securities, including any offer to purchase or sell, during any period commencing with the date that he or she obtains such material, non-public information and ending at the beginning of the third Trading Day following the date of public disclosure of that information, or at such time as the non-public information is no longer material.

No Tipping . No Covered Person shall disclose (“tip”) material, non-public information to any other person (including family members) where such information may be used by such person to his or her profit by trading in the securities of the company to which such information relates, nor shall an employee make any recommendations or express any opinions on the basis of material, non-public information as to trading the Company’s securities.

No Trading During Black-Out Periods. Covered Persons are subject to a black-out period during which they are prohibited from conducting any transaction involving the purchase or sale of the Company’s securities. The black-out period typically begins at the close of the market on the fourteenth (14th) day prior to the close of any fiscal quarter and ends at the open of the market on the third Trading Day following the release of the Company’s quarterly or annual financial results for that particular quarter (the “Black-Out Period”). The Chief Compliance Officer will send out e-mails alerting the Company’s directors, officers and employees to the start and the end of each Black-Out Period. The prohibition against trading during the Black-Out Period also prohibits the fulfillment of “limit orders” by any broker for such Covered Person, and the brokers with whom any such “limit order” is placed must be informed of such prohibition at the time such “limit order” is placed.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction may be exempt from this prohibition if it is made pursuant to a written trading plan that has been approved in advance in writing by the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer and that meets all of the requirements of the SEC’s rules and regulations, including Rule 10b5-1 of the 1934 Act.

The Black-Out Period restriction may be waived in individual cases at the discretion of the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer.

No Short Sales . No Covered Person shall engage in the short sale of the Company’s securities. A short sale is a sale of securities not owned by the seller or, if owned, not delivered against such sale within twenty days thereafter (a “short against the box”).

No Investments in Derivatives of the Company’s Securities . No Covered Person shall invest in Company-based derivative securities. “Derivative Securities” are options, warrants, stock appreciation rights or similar rights whose value is derived from the value of an equity security, such as the Company’s common stock. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, trading in Company-based put or call option contracts, trading in straddles and the like. However, holding and exercising stock options or other derivative securities granted under the Company’s stock option plans is not prohibited by this Policy.

No Margin Purchases . No Covered Person shall purchase the Company’s securities on margin. This means such persons are prohibited from borrowing from a brokerage firm, bank or other entity in order to purchase the Company’s securities (other than in connection with exercises of stock options under the Company’s equity compensation plans).

Pre-Clearance of Trading by Covered Persons

If a Covered Person is contemplating a transaction in the Company’s securities, the proposed transaction must be pre-cleared with either the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer or his or her designee, even if the proposed transaction is to take place outside of the Black-Out Period.

It should be noted that any person who possesses material, non-public information, regardless of whether or not it is within the Black-Out Period or not, should not engage in any transaction involving the Company’s securities.

Exceptions to the Prohibitions on Trading

The only exceptions to this Policy’s prohibitions of trading in the Company’s securities as outlined above are the following:

 

  1) Stock Option Exercises – Exercises in stock options granted under the Company’s stock option plans; however, this exception does not include the subsequent sale of the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a stock option; and

 

  2)

Bona Fide Gifts – Bona fide gifts of securities are not deemed to be transactions for the purposes of this Policy. Whether a gift is truly bona fide will depend on the circumstances surrounding a specific gift. The more unrelated the donee is to the donor, the more likely the gift would be considered “bona fide” and not a “transaction.” For example, gifts to charities, churches or non-profit organizations would not be deemed to be “transactions.” However, gifts to dependent children followed by a sale of the “gifted securities” in close proximity to

 

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  the time of the gift may imply some economic benefit to the donor and, therefore, may be deemed to be a “transaction” and not a “bona fide gift.”

Supervisory Personnel

Any person with supervisory authority over any Company personnel promptly shall report to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer any securities trading by supervised personnel which he or she knows violates this Policy.

Prohibition Against All Trading

From time to time, in unusual circumstances, the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer may issue an advisory prohibiting all trading by all Covered Persons in the securities of the Company or other securities of a company with which the Company has a material relationship.

 

  3. POLICIES REGARDING THE USE, DISCLOSURE AND PROTECTION OF MATERIAL, NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION

All Covered Persons have ethical and legal responsibilities to maintain the confidentiality of material, non-public information.

Use and Disclosure of Material, Non-Public Information. Under no circumstances may a Covered Person use material, non-public information about the Company for his or her personal benefit, or, except as specifically authorized, release to others information that might affect the Company’s securities. Therefore, it is important that a Covered Person not disclose material, non-public information to anyone, including other employees of the Company, unless the other employee has a clear right and need to know such information in order to fulfill his or her job responsibilities. Under no circumstances should such information be disclosed to family, relatives or business or social acquaintances. In maintaining the confidentiality of the information, the individual in possession of such information shall not affirm or deny statements made by others, either directly or through electronic means, if such affirmation or denial would result in the disclosure of material, non-public information.

If a Covered Person has any doubt about whether certain information is non-public or material, such doubt should be resolved in favor of not trading or communicating such information. Questions concerning what is or is not material, non-public information should be directed to the Company’s Legal Department.

Material, Non-Public Information Regarding Other Companies. In the ordinary course of doing business, employees may come into the possession of material, non-public information with respect to other companies. An individual receiving material, non-public information in such a manner has the same duty not to disclose the information to others or to use that information in connection with securities transactions of such other company as such individual has with respect to material, non-public information about the Company.

If the Company is in the process of negotiating a significant transaction or joint venture with another company, employees are cautioned not to trade in the stock of that company if they are in possession of material, non-public information concerning such company.

If an employee is not certain whether it is permissible to trade in the stock of such company, the employee should contact the Company’s Legal Department before making any trades.

 

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Unauthorized Disclosure of Internal Information. Unauthorized disclosure of internal information about the Company may create serious problems for the Company whether or not the information is used to facilitate improper trading in securities of the Company. Therefore, it shall be the duty of each person employed or affiliated with the Company to maintain the confidentiality of information relating to the Company or obtained through a relationship of confidence. Company personnel should not discuss internal Company matters or developments with anyone outside the Company, except in the performance of regular corporate duties.

Precautions to Prevent Misuse or Unauthorized Disclosure of Sensitive Information. When an employee is involved in a matter or transaction which is sensitive and, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to have an effect on the market price of the securities of the Company or any other company involved in the transaction, that individual should consider taking extraordinary precautions to prevent misuse or unauthorized disclosure of such information. Such measures include the following:

 

  (1) Maintaining the files in a secure (preferably locked) room or office to which access is restricted;
  (2) Avoiding the storage of information on computer systems that can be accessed by other individuals;
  (3) Avoiding the discussion of confidential matters in areas where the conversation could possibly be overheard;
  (4) Not gossiping about Company affairs; and
  (5) Restricting the copying and distribution of sensitive documents within the Company.

Internet Chat Rooms. Because any statement you make in an Internet chat room regarding the Company may be seen as a recommendation to buy or sell the Company’s securities, the Company’s policy is that none of its employees may participate in Internet chat rooms regarding the Company.

Inadvertent Disclosure of Material, Non-Public Information. If material, non-public information regarding the Company is inadvertently disclosed, no matter what the circumstances, by any employee, the person making or discovering that disclosure should immediately report the facts to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer.

Inquiries Regarding Material, Non-public Information. When an inquiry is received regarding information that may be material, it should be referred to the Company’s Legal Department.

 

C. PERSONAL TRADING

The Company primarily invests in securities of Target Companies which are not publicly traded. From time to time, the Company may invest in securities of Target Companies which may have a class of securities which are publicly traded. This section of the Insider Trading Policy primarily addresses situations involving those officers, directors or employees of the Company who have knowledge of the Company’s potential and actual investments in Target Companies.

 

  1. GENERAL PROHIBITIONS

 

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No Covered Person shall use any information concerning the investments or investment intentions of the Company, or his or her ability to influence such investments or investment intentions, for personal gain or in a manner detrimental to the interests of the Company.

In addition, no Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, in connection with the purchase or sale of a security held or to be acquired by the Company: (i) employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Company; (ii) make to the Company any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state to the Company a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; (iii) engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Company; or (iv) engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Company.

 

  2. PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS

General Prohibition . A Covered Person may not enter into a personal securities transaction without prior approval from the Chief Compliance Officer if he or she knows or should have known at the time of entering into the transaction that the Company has engaged in a transaction in the same security within the last fifteen (15) days, or is engaging in a transaction or is going to engage in a transaction in the same security in the next fifteen (15) days.

Service as a Director. Officers and employees of the Company may not serve on the board of directors of any publicly traded company without prior written approval from the Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer may approve service on the board of directors of a publicly traded company if it is determined that such service is consistent with the interests of the Company and its shareholders. In the event such board service is approved, officers and employees of the Company must be excluded from making investment decisions on behalf of the Company involving the subject company through the implementation of appropriate procedures.

Interested Transaction. A Covered Person shall not recommend any securities transactions by the Company without having disclosed his or her interest, if any, in such securities or the issuer thereof, including without limitation:

(1) any direct or indirect ownership of any securities of such issuer;

(2) any contemplated transaction by such person in such securities;

(3) any position with such issuer or its affiliates; and

(4) any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer or its affiliates and such person or any party in which such person has a significant interest.

 

  3. EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS

No Influence or Control. Neither the prohibitions nor the preclearance reporting requirements shall apply to purchases, sales or other acquisitions or dispositions of securities for an account over which the Covered Person has no direct influence or control and does not exercise indirect influence or control.

 

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Involuntary Transaction. Neither the prohibitions nor the preclearance requirements shall apply to involuntary purchases or sales made by a Covered Person.

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plans. Neither the prohibitions nor the preclearance requirements shall apply to purchases which are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment plan.

Issuer Distributions. Neither the prohibitions nor the preclearance requirements shall apply to purchases or other acquisitions or dispositions resulting from the exercise of rights acquired from an issuer as part of a pro rata distribution to all holders of a class of securities of such issuer and the sale of such rights.

Approved Transactions. The prohibitions shall not apply to purchases, sales or other acquisitions or dispositions which receive the prior approval of the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

D. ADMINISTRATION AND RECORDKEEPING

Review by the Board of Directors. At least annually, the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer shall provide a written report to the Board of Directors containing:

 

  (1) Any changes made to existing procedures concerning Access Person’s personal trading activities made during the past year;

 

  (2) Any recommended changes to the Company’s Policy or procedures;

 

  (3) A summary of issues arising under the Policy or procedures since the last report, including information about any material violations with respect to the Policy which occurred during the past year and any sanctions imposed in response to such material violations; and

 

  (4) A certification that the Company has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Policy.

Duties of the Chief Compliance Officer. The duties of the Chief Compliance Officer shall include the following:

 

  (1) Maintaining a list of Access Persons;

 

  (2) Providing each Covered Person with a copy of this Insider Trading Policy and informing them of their duties and obligations hereunder;

 

  (3) Maintaining or supervising the maintenance of all records and reports required by this Insider Trading Policy;

 

  (4) Preparing listings of all transactions effected by any Access Person within fifteen (15) days of the date on which the same Security was held, purchased or sold by the Company;

 

  (5) Determining whether any particular securities transaction should be exempted;

 

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  (6) Issuing either personally or with the assistance of counsel as may be appropriate, any interpretation of this Insider Trading Policy which may appear consistent with the objectives of this Insider Trading Policy;

 

  (7) Conducting such inspections or investigations as shall reasonably be required to detect and report, with his or her recommendations, any apparent violations of this Insider Trading Policy to the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee appointed by them to deal with such information; and

 

  (8) Submitting an annual report to the Board of Directors of the Company.

Recordkeeping Requirements. The Chief Compliance Officer shall maintain, at the Company’s principal place of business, the following:

 

  (1) A copy of each Insider Trading Policy which has been in effect during the past five (5) years;

 

  (2) A record of any violation of any such Insider Trading Policy and of any action taken as a result of such violation must be maintained in an easily accessible place for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurs; and

 

  (3) A copy of each report made by the Chief Compliance Officer to the Board of Directors must be maintained for at least five (5) years after the end of the fiscal year in which the report is made, the first two (2) years in an easily accessible place.

 

E. CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE

Each director, officer, and employee of the Company is required to certify annually that he or she has read and understood the Company’s Policy and recognizes that he or she is subject to such Policy. Further, each director, officer, and employee of the Company is required to certify annually that he or she has complied with all the requirements of the Policy and that he or she has disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Policy.

 

F. SANCTIONS

Any violation of this Insider Trading Policy shall be subject to the imposition of such sanctions as the Company may deem appropriate under the circumstances to achieve the purposes of Rule 10b-5 of the 1934 Act, and this Insider Trading Policy, which sanctions may include suspension or termination of employment, a letter of censure and/or restitution of an amount equal to the difference between the price paid or received by the Company and the more advantageous price paid or received by the offending person. Any profits realized on trades in violation of this Insider Trading Policy must be disgorged to the Company. Sanctions for violation of this Insider Trading Policy by a director of the Company will be determined by a majority vote of its Independent Directors.

 

G. AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATION

 

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This Insider Trading Policy may not be amended or modified except in a written form which is specifically approved by majority vote of the Company’s Independent Directors.

 

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This Code of Ethical Conduct and Insider Trading Policy was amended by the Board of Directors of the Company, including a majority of such Directors who are independent directors of the Company, at a meeting held on April 25, 2018.

 

/s/ Marisa T. Silverman
Marisa T. Silverman
Chief Compliance Officer

 

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