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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): May 7, 2020

 

Cadence Bancorporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware

 

001-38058

 

47-1329858

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 3800

Houson, Texas

 

77056

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 871-4000

N/A

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

 

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

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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each

class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Class A Common Stock

 

CADE

 

New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §230.405).      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 standard provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

 

 


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

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Cadence Bancorporation (the “Company”) held on May 7, 2020, upon the recommendation of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), stockholders holding a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock approved amendments to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to (i) declassify the Board of Directors by the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (ii) eliminate the requirement for a supermajority vote in order for the stockholders to amend the Company’s By-laws and (iii) eliminate certain obsolete provisions.

The amendments to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation became effective upon the filing of the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware on May 8, 2020. A copy of the Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is filed as Exhibit 3.1 to this filing and incorporated herein by reference.

In connection with the amendments to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board approved conforming amendments to the Company’s By-laws to (i) declassify the Board of Directors by the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, (ii) eliminate the requirement for a supermajority vote in order for the stockholders to amend the Company’s By-laws and (iii) eliminate certain obsolete provisions. A copy of the Second Amended and Restated By-laws is filed as Exhibit 3.2 to this filing and incorporated herein by reference.

This description is a summary of the amendments and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the amendments to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and related amendments to the By-laws, as described in Proposals 2, 3 and 4 of the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2020.

Item 5.07. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Summarized below are descriptions of the matters voted on at the Annual Meeting and the final results of such voting:

Proposal 1 – Election of Directors. The stockholders elected each of the Class III director nominees to serve as directors for a three-year term expiring at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The result of the vote taken at the Annual Meeting was as follows:

Name

 

Votes For

 

Votes Against

 

Withhold Authority

 

Broker Non-Votes

William B. Harrison, Jr.

 

102,449,290

 

5,074,576

 

200,615

 

11,024,330

Joseph W. Evans

 

102,501,210

 

5,147,321

 

75,950

 

11,024,330

Proposal 2 – Approval of an amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors by the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The stockholders approved the amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors by the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The result of the vote taken at the Annual Meeting was as follows:

Votes For

 

Votes Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

107,305,940

 

361,481

 

57,060

 

11,024,330

Proposal 3 – Approval of an amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to eliminate the requirement for a supermajority vote in order for the stockholders to amend the Company’s By-laws. The stockholders approved the amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to eliminate the requirement for a supermajority vote in order for the stockholders to amend the Company’s By-laws. The result of the vote taken at the Annual Meeting was as follows:

Votes For

 

Votes Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

107,362,806

 

292,435

 

69,240

 

11,024,330


Proposal 4 – Approval of an amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to eliminate certain obsolete provisions. The stockholders approved the amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to eliminate certain obsolete provisions. The result of the vote taken at the Annual Meeting was as follows:

Votes For

 

Votes Against

 

Abstain

118,515,806

 

192,094

 

40,911

Proposal 5 – Advisory Approval of Executive Compensation. The stockholders adopted a resolution approving, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed in the Company’s 2020 proxy statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The result of the vote taken at the Annual Meeting was as follows:

Votes For

 

Votes Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

82,368,811

 

24,965,082

 

390,588

 

11,024,330

Proposal 6 – Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accountants for the Year Ending December 31, 2020. The stockholders ratified the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2020. The result of the vote taken at the Annual Meeting was as follows:

Votes For

 

Votes Against

 

Abstain

118,482,697

 

185,819

 

80,295

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)     Exhibits.

Exhibit
No.

   

Description

         
 

3.1

   

Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

         
 

3.2

   

Second Amended and Restated By-laws.

         
 

104

   

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).


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.

Dated: May 11, 2020

 

 

Cadence Bancorporation

             

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Jerry W. Powell

 

 

Name:

 

Jerry W. Powell

 

 

 

Executive Vice President – General Counsel and
Corporate Secretary

Exhibit 3.1

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

CADENCE BANCORPORATION

Cadence Bancorporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), does hereby certify as follows:

(1)    The name of the Corporation is Cadence Bancorporation. The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 2, 2014. An amended and restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 1, 2015 and April 10, 2017.

(2)    This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) and duly approved by the requisite stockholders of the Corporation.

(3)     Pursuant to Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL, this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation restates, integrates and further amends the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation (as so amended, this “Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation”) to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the corporation is Cadence Bancorporation (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is c/o The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware 19801. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”).

ARTICLE IV

A.    Authorized Capital Stock. The Corporation shall be authorized to issue 650,000,000 shares of capital stock, of which (i) 300,000,000 shares shall be shares of Class A

 

     


Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the “Class A Common Stock”), (ii) 300,000,000 shares shall be shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, $0.01 par value (the “Class B Non-Voting Common Stock” and, together with the Class A Common Stock, the “Common Stock”), and (iii) 50,000,000 shares shall be shares of Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value (the “Preferred Stock”).

B.    Common Stock.

(1)    Except as expressly provided herein, the rights, preferences and privileges of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall be in all respects and for all purposes and in all circumstances absolutely and completely identical.

(2)    The holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall be entitled to receive an equal amount of dividends per share if, as and when declared from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”). In no event shall any stock dividends or stock splits or combinations of stock be declared or made on Class A Common Stock or Class B Non-Voting Common Stock unless the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Non-Voting Common Stock at the time outstanding are treated equally and identically, provided that, subject to Section B of Article V, in the event of a dividend of Common Stock, shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall only be entitled to receive shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock and shares of Class A Common Stock shall only be entitled to receive shares of Class A Common Stock.

(3)    In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding-up of the Corporation, holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall be entitled to receive an equal amount per share of all the assets of the Corporation of whatever kind available for distribution to holders of Common Stock, after the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock have been satisfied.

(4)    Except as otherwise required by law, herein or as otherwise provided in any certificate of designation for any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of Class A Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power and each share of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote, and the holders of the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall have no voting power, and shall not have the right to participate in any meeting of stockholders or to have notice thereof, except as required by applicable law and except that any action that would significantly and adversely affect the rights of the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock with respect to the modification of the terms of the securities or dissolution, shall require the approval of the Class B Non-Voting Common Stock voting separately as a class.

C.    Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of all or any shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more classes or series, and to fix for each such class or series the number of shares thereof, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions

 

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thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such class or series, including, without limitation, the authority to provide that any such class or series may be (i) subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices; (ii) entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative) at such rates, on such conditions, and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or any other series; (iii) entitled to such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Corporation; or (iv) convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock, or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, of the Corporation at such price or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments; all as may be stated in such resolution or resolutions.

ARTICLE V

A.    Conversion of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock Upon Transfer. Each share of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock will be convertible into a share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder, provided, however, that each share of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock will not be convertible in the hands of the initial holder and will only become convertible at the time it is transferred to a third-party unaffiliated with the initial holder, subject to the transfer restrictions described in this paragraph A. Shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock may only be transferred through one or more of the following alternatives: (i) to an affiliate of a holder or to the Corporation, (ii) in a widely dispersed public offering, (iii) in a private sale in which no purchaser (or group of associated purchasers) would acquire Class A Common Stock and/or Class B Non-Voting Common Stock in an amount that, after the conversion of such Class B Non-Voting Common Stock into Class A Common Stock, is (or represents) 2% or more of a class of the Corporation’s voting securities or (iv) to a purchaser that would control a majority of the Corporation’s voting securities notwithstanding such transfer. Such conversion shall be effected in accordance with the following procedures:

(1)    The conversion right provided in this paragraph A shall be exercised by the delivery of a written notice (the “Conversion Notice”) of the election by the holder (the “Converting Holder”) of shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock to be converted to the office of the transfer agent of the Corporation (the “Transfer Agent”) during normal business hours and (if so required by the Corporation or the Transfer Agent) an instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Corporation and to the Transfer Agent, duly executed by such Converting Holder or his duly authorized attorney, and funds in the amount of any applicable transfer tax (unless provision satisfactory to the Corporation is otherwise made therefor), if required pursuant to subparagraph (3). In the case of shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock that are intended to be sold by a holder thereof either (x) in an offering under an effective registration statement filed by the Corporation with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or (y) in a transaction that complies with Rule 144 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and after which such shares shall no longer be restricted securities under the Exchange Act, the participation in such offering or transaction by the transferee of such shares shall serve as such transferee’s Conversion Notice to the Corporation and the transferee shall receive shares of Class A Common Stock in such transfer.

 

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(2)    As promptly as practicable after the delivery of a Conversion Notice and the payment in cash of any amount required by the provisions of subparagraphs (1) and (3), the Corporation will deliver or cause to be delivered at the office of the Transfer Agent to or upon the written order of the Converting Holder (or, in the case of an underwritten offering, the underwriter or the managing underwriter), a confirmation of book-entry transfer of shares representing the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock issuable upon such conversion, issued in such name or names as the Converting Holder may direct. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately prior to the close of business on the date of the delivery of the Conversion Notice, and all rights of the Converting Holder shall cease with respect to such shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock at such time and the person or persons in whose name or names the shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion are to be issued shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock at such time; provided, however, that any delivery of a Conversion Notice and payment on any date when the stock transfer books of the Corporation shall be closed shall constitute the person or persons in whose name or names the shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued as the record holder or holders thereof for all purposes immediately prior to the close of business on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open.

(3)    The issuance of shares of Class A Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock shall be made without charge for any stamp or other similar tax in respect of such issuance. However, if any such shares to be issued upon conversion are to be issued in a name other than that of the holder of the share or shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock converted, the person or persons requesting the issuance thereof shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in such issuance, or shall establish to the satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.

(4)    When shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock have been converted into Class A Common Stock pursuant to this Article V.A, they shall automatically be cancelled and become authorized but unissued shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock.

B.    Transactions Executed on an Exchange. Nothing in this Article V shall preclude the settlement of any transaction entered into through the facilities of any nationally recognized stock exchange (including any such exchange capable of listing securities not registered under the U.S. federal securities laws). Any transferee in such transaction shall be subject to all of the provisions and limitations set forth in this Article V.

ARTICLE VI

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

 

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ARTICLE VII

The following provisions are inserted for the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of its directors and stockholders:

A.    The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors.

B.    The Board of Directors shall consist of that number of members as shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies (the “Whole Board”).

C.    The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class III, until the Corporation’s annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023. Class I directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2021 for a one-year term, and they and any successors shall stand for re-election at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022; Class II directors shall serve out their current three-year terms, and they and any successors shall stand for re-election to a one-year term at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2022; Class III directors shall serve out their current three-year terms, and they and any successors shall stand for re-election to a one-year term at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2023. At each annual meeting of stockholders commencing with the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023, each director shall be elected for a one-year term, and, from that point forward, each director shall have a one-year term and shall hold office until his or her term expires at the next annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. So long as the Board of Directors is classified, if the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes in such a manner as the Board of Directors shall determine so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible.

D.    Subject to applicable law and the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, and a director so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at which his or her term of office expires and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

E.    Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, (i) any director who, prior to the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, was elected to a three-year term (a “Classified Term”) that continues beyond the date of the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders (a “Classified Director”) may be removed from office during such Classified Term only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders

 

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of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors, and (ii) any director who is not a Classified Director may be removed from office by the stockholders of the Corporation with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares then entitled to vote at an election of directors.

F.    In addition to the powers and authority hereinbefore or by statute expressly conferred upon them, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the DGCL, this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and any by-laws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no by-laws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the directors that would have been valid if such by-laws had not been adopted.

ARTICLE VIII

No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. If the DGCL is amended hereafter to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.

ARTICLE IX

A.    Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was, at any time during which this Article IX is in effect (whether or not such person continues to serve in such capacity at the time any indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant hereto is sought or at the time any proceeding relating thereto exists or is brought), a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was at any such time serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation (hereinafter, an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent, shall be (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to be) indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) incurred or

 

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suffered by such person in connection with such proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, that except as provided in paragraph (D) of this Article IX, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

B.    To obtain indemnification under this Article IX, a claimant shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for indemnification, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimant’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined) even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee consisting of Disinterested Directors designated by majority vote of such Disinterested Directors even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined) selected by the Board of Directors, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the claimant, or (iv) by a majority vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event that there shall have occurred within two years prior to the date of the commencement of the proceeding for which indemnification is claimed a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Cadence Bancorporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan as in effect as of the date hereof), in which case the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the claimant unless the claimant shall request that such selection be made by the Disinterested Directors. If it is so determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination.

C.    To the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater rights to advancement of expenses than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), each indemnitee shall have (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to have) the right, without the need for any action by the Board of Directors, to be paid by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) the expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided, however, that if the DGCL requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or

 

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officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter, the “undertaking”) by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal (a “final disposition”) that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Article IX or otherwise.

D.    If (1) a claim for indemnification under paragraph (A) of this Article IX is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim pursuant to paragraph (B) of this Article IX has been received by the Corporation or (2) a request for advancement of expenses under this Article IX is not paid in full by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after a statement pursuant to paragraph (C) of this Article IX and the required undertaking, if any, have been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim for indemnification or request for advancement of expenses and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action that, under the DGCL, the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed or that the claimant is not entitled to the requested advancement of expenses, but (except where the required undertaking, if any, has not been tendered to the Corporation), the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

E.    If a determination shall have been made pursuant to paragraph (B) of this Article IX that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to paragraph (D) of this Article IX.

F.    The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to paragraph (D) of this Article IX that the procedures and presumptions of this Article IX are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Article IX.

G.    All of the rights conferred in this Article IX, as to indemnification, advancement of expenses and otherwise, shall be contract rights between the Corporation and each indemnitee to whom such rights are extended that vest at the commencement of such indemnitee’s service to or at the request of the Corporation and (x) any amendment or modification of this Article IX that in any way diminishes or adversely affects any such rights shall be prospective only and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any such rights with respect to such person, and (y) all of such rights shall continue as to any such indemnitee

 

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who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation or ceased to serve at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, as described herein, and shall inure to the benefit of such indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

H.    All of the rights conferred in this Article IX, as to indemnification, advancement of expenses and otherwise, (i) shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws of the Corporation, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and (ii) cannot be terminated or impaired by the Corporation, the Board of Directors or the stockholders of the Corporation with respect to a person’s service prior to the date of such termination.

I.    The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL. To the extent that the Corporation maintains any policy or policies providing such insurance, each such current or former director or officer, and each such agent or employee to which rights to indemnification have been granted as provided in paragraph (J) of this Article IX, shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage thereunder for any such current or former director, officer, employee or agent.

J.    The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, grant rights to indemnification, and rights to advancement of expenses incurred in connection with any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any current or former employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article IX with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of current or former directors and officers of the Corporation.

K.    If any provision or provisions of this Article IX shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article IX (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article IX containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article IX (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Article IX containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

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L.    For purposes of this Article IX:

(1)    “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant.

(2)    “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimant’s rights under this Article IX.

M.    Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under this Article IX shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by telecopy, telex, telegram, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the Secretary.

N.    The Corporation hereby acknowledges that a director (a “Director Indemnitee”) may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by a third party as to which the Director Indemnitee serves as a director, officer or employee other than the Corporation (collectively, the “Secondary Indemnitors”). The Corporation hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to such Director Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Secondary Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by such Director Indemnitee is secondary), and (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by such Director Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of the Corporation (or any other agreement between the Corporation and such Director Indemnitee), without regard to any rights such Director Indemnitee may have against the Secondary Indemnitors. The Corporation further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Secondary Indemnitors on behalf of such Director Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which such Director Indemnitee has sought indemnification from the Corporation shall affect the foregoing and the Secondary Indemnitors shall be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such Director Indemnitee against the Corporation.

ARTICLE X

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of Directors shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Whole Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation. The By-laws of the Corporation also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

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ARTICLE XI

Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim for or based on a breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any current or former director or officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the Corporation’s stockholders, including a claim alleging the aiding and abetting of such a breach of fiduciary duty, (c) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any current or former director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (d) any action asserting a claim related to or involving the Corporation that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine or (e) any action asserting an “internal corporate claim” as that term is defined in Section 115 of the DGCL, shall be a state court located within the State of Delaware (or, if no state court located within the State of Delaware has jurisdiction, the federal court for the District of Delaware).

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed on its behalf this 7th day of May, 2020.

 

CADENCE BANCORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Jerry W. Powell

Name:   Jerry W. Powell
Title:   Executive Vice President—General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

 

     

Exhibit 3.2

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS

OF

CADENCE BANCORPORATION

Incorporated under the Laws of the State of Delaware

(Effective May 8, 2020)

ARTICLE 1

OFFICES AND RECORDS

SECTION 1.1    Delaware Office. The address of the registered office of Cadence Bancorporation (the “Corporation”) in the State of Delaware shall be c/o The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19801. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

SECTION 1.2    Other Offices. The Corporation may have such other offices, either within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board of Directors”) may from time to time designate or as the business of the Corporation may from time to time require.

SECTION 1.3    Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept inside or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 2

STOCKHOLDERS

SECTION 2.1    Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be held on such date and at such place and time as may be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication.

SECTION 2.2    Special Meeting. Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or an officer at the request of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by the Board of the Directors.

SECTION 2.3    Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors or the Chairperson of the Board, as the case may be, may designate the place of meeting for any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or may designate that the meeting be held by means of remote communication. If no designation is so made, the place of meeting shall be the principal executive offices of the Corporation.

 

     


SECTION 2.4    Notice of Meeting. Written or printed notice, stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting (if such date is different from the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting), the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given by the Corporation not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally, by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (except to the extent prohibited by Section 232(e) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) or by mail, to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail with postage thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation. If notice is given by electronic transmission, such notice shall be deemed to be given at the times provided in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Such further notice shall be given as may be required by law. Meetings may be held without notice if all stockholders entitled to vote are present, or if notice is waived by those not present in accordance with Section 7.4 of these By-laws. Any previously scheduled meeting of the stockholders may be postponed, and (unless the Certificate of Incorporation otherwise provides) any special meeting of the stockholders may be cancelled, by resolution of the Board of Directors upon public notice given prior to the date previously scheduled for such meeting of stockholders.

SECTION 2.5    Quorum and Adjournment. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Voting Stock”), represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of a majority of the shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the President may adjourn the meeting from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum. No notice of the time and place, if any, of adjourned meetings need be given except as required by law. The stockholders present at a duly called meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.

SECTION 2.6    Proxies. At all meetings of stockholders, a stockholder may vote by proxy executed in writing (or in such manner prescribed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) by the stockholder, or by his duly authorized attorney in fact.

SECTION 2.7    Order of Business.

(A)    Annual Meetings of Stockholders. At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors shall be made, and only such other business shall be conducted or considered, as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations to be properly made at an annual meeting, and proposals of other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations and proposals of other business must be: (a) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any

 

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supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly made at the annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) otherwise properly requested to be brought before the annual meeting by a stockholder of the Corporation in accordance with these By-laws. For nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors or proposals of other business to be properly requested by a stockholder to be made at an annual meeting, a stockholder must (i) be a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of such annual meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors and at the time of the annual meeting, (ii) be entitled to vote at such annual meeting and (iii) comply with the procedures set forth in these By-laws as to such business or nomination. The immediately preceding sentence shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or other business proposals (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

(B)    Special Meetings of Stockholders. At any special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted or considered as shall have been properly brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. To be properly brought before a special meeting, proposals of business must be (a) specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (b) otherwise properly brought before the special meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Board of Directors from submitting additional matters to stockholders at any such special meeting.

Nominations of individuals for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting (a) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (b) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who (i) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice of such special meeting and at the time of the special meeting, (ii) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (iii) complies with the procedures set forth in these By-laws as to such nomination. This Section 2.7(B) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or other business proposals (other than matters properly brought under Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting) before a special meeting of stockholders.

(C)    General. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the Chairperson of any annual or special meeting shall have the power to determine whether a nomination or any other business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with these By-laws and, if any proposed nomination or other business is not in compliance with these By-laws, to declare that no action shall be taken on such nomination or other proposal and such nomination or other proposal shall be disregarded.

 

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SECTION 2.8    Advance Notice of Stockholder Business and Nominations.

(A)    Annual Meeting of the Stockholders. Without qualification or limitation, subject to Section 2.8(C)(4) of these By-laws, for any nominations or any other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 2.7(A) of these By-laws, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof (including, in the case of nominations, the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.9 of these By-laws) in proper form, in writing to the Secretary, and such other business must otherwise be a proper matter for stockholder action.

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day and not later than the close of business on the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

Notwithstanding anything in the immediately preceding paragraph to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased by the Board of Directors, and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.8(A) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation.

In addition, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

(B)    Special Meetings of Stockholders. Subject to Section 2.8(C)(4) of these By-laws, in the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of

 

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electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any stockholder may nominate an individual or individuals (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, provided that the stockholder gives timely notice thereof (including the completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.9 of these By-laws) in proper form, in writing, to the Secretary.

To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the date of such special meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such special meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such special meeting, the 10th day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a special meeting of stockholders, or the public announcement thereof, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

In addition, to be considered timely, a stockholder’s notice shall further be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall be true and correct as of the record date for the meeting and as of the date that is ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof, and such update and supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five (5) business days after the record date for the meeting in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of the record date, and not later than eight (8) business days prior to the date for the meeting, any adjournment or postponement thereof in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of ten (10) business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

(C)    Disclosure Requirements.

(1)    To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must include the following, as applicable.

(a)    As to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal, as applicable, is made, a stockholder’s notice must set forth: (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of such beneficial owner, if any, and of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (ii) (A) the class or series and number of shares of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (B) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, or any derivative or synthetic arrangement having the characteristics of a long position in any class or series of shares of the Corporation, or any contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions designed to produce economic benefits and risks that correspond substantially to the ownership

 

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of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, including due to the fact that the value of such contract, derivative, swap or other transaction or series of transactions is determined by reference to the price, value or volatility of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument, contract or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of shares of the Corporation, through the delivery of cash or other property, or otherwise, and without regard to whether the stockholder of record, the beneficial owner, if any, or any affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, may have entered into transactions that hedge or mitigate the economic effect of such instrument, contract or right, or any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (C) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith have any right to vote any class or series of shares of the Corporation, (D) any agreement, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, including any repurchase or similar so-called “stock borrowing” agreement or arrangement, involving such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, directly or indirectly, the purpose or effect of which is to mitigate loss to, reduce the economic risk (of ownership or otherwise) of any class or series of the shares of the Corporation by, manage the risk of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith with respect to any class or series of the shares of the Corporation, or which provides, directly or indirectly, the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the price or value of any class or series of the shares of the Corporation (any of the foregoing, a “Short Interest”), (E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation, (F) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner of such general or limited partnership, (G) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith are entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, including, without limitation, any such interests held by members of the immediate family sharing the same household of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, (H) any significant equity interests or any Derivative Instruments or Short Interests in any principal competitor of the Corporation held by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith and (I) any direct or indirect interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith in any contract with the Corporation, any affiliate of the Corporation or any principal competitor of the Corporation (including, in any such case, any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement), (iii) all information that would be required to be set forth in

 

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a Schedule 13D filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(a) or an amendment pursuant to Rule 13d-2(a) if such a statement were required to be filed under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, and (iv) any other information relating to such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement and form of proxy or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for, as applicable, the proposal and/or for the election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

(b)    If the notice relates to any business other than a nomination of a director or directors that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraph (a) above, also set forth: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, in such business, (ii) the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such proposal or business includes a proposal to amend the by-laws of the Corporation, the text of the proposed amendment), and (iii) a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder, such beneficial owner and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert therewith, if any, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder;

(c)    As to each individual, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraph (a) above, also set forth: (i) all information relating to such individual that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for election of directors in a contested election pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such individual’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected) and (ii) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his or her respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation, all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and

(d)    With respect to each individual, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection to the Board of Directors, a stockholder’s notice must, in addition to the matters set forth in paragraphs (a) and (c) above,

 

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also include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement required by Section 2.9 of these By-laws. The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in these By-laws, including, without limitation, Sections 2.7, 2.8 and 2.9 hereof, shall be eligible for election as directors.

(2)    For purposes of these By-laws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(3)    Notwithstanding the provisions of these By-laws, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this By-law; provided, however, that any references in these By-laws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the separate and additional requirements set forth in these By-laws with respect to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered.

(4)    Nothing in these By-laws shall be deemed to affect any rights (i) of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act or (ii) of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock if and to the extent provided for under law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws. Subject to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act, nothing in these By-laws shall be construed to permit any stockholder, or give any stockholder the right, to include or have disseminated or described in the Corporation’s proxy statement any nomination of director or directors or any other business proposal.

SECTION 2.9    Submission of Questionnaire, Representation and Agreement. To be eligible to be a nominee of any stockholder for election or reelection as a director of the Corporation, a person must deliver (in accordance with the time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 2.8 of these By-laws) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation a written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such individual and the background of any other person or entity on whose behalf, directly or indirectly, the nomination is being made (which questionnaire shall be provided by the Secretary upon written request), and a written representation and agreement (in the form provided by the Secretary upon written request) that such individual (A) is not and will not become a party to (1) any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed therein or (2) any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such individual’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such individual’s fiduciary duties under applicable law, (B) is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement or indemnification in connection with

 

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service or action as a director that has not been disclosed therein, (C) in such individual’s personal capacity and on behalf of any person or entity on whose behalf, directly or indirectly, the nomination is being made, would be in compliance, if elected as a director of the Corporation, and will comply, with all applicable corporate governance, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines of the Corporation publicly disclosed from time to time and (D) will be subject to the procedures set forth in Section 2.10 of these By-laws.

SECTION 2.10    Procedure for Election of Directors; Required Vote.

(A)    Election of directors at all meetings of the stockholders at which directors are to be elected shall be by ballot, and, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, a plurality of the votes cast at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present shall elect directors.

(B)    Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these By-laws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter shall be the act of the stockholders.

SECTION 2.11    Inspectors of Elections; Opening and Closing the Polls. The Board of Directors by resolution shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meetings of stockholders and make a written report thereof. One or more persons may be designated as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate has been appointed to act or is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the Chairperson of the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before discharging his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspectors shall have the duties prescribed by law.

The Chairperson of the meeting shall be appointed by the inspector or inspectors to fix and announce at the meeting the date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting.

SECTION 2.12    Stockholder Action by Written Consent. The right of the stockholders to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting shall be as set forth in Article VI of the Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE 3

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 3.1    General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred upon them by these By-laws, the Board of Directors may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these By-laws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

 

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SECTION 3.2    Number, Tenure and Qualifications. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies (the “Whole Board”). No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Whole Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. The directors shall be elected at the annual meetings of stockholders as specified in the Certificate of Incorporation and in these By-laws, and each director of the Corporation shall hold office until such director’s successor is elected and qualified, subject to such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

SECTION 3.3    Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, provide the time and place, if any, for the holding of regular meetings without other notice than such resolution.

SECTION 3.4    Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called at the request of the Chairperson of the Board, the President or a majority of the Board of Directors then in office. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix the place, if any, and time of the meetings.

SECTION 3.5    Notice. Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director at his or her business or residence in writing by hand delivery, first-class or overnight mail or courier service, telegram, email or facsimile transmission, or orally by telephone. If mailed by first-class mail, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least five (5) days before such meeting. If by telegram, overnight mail or courier service, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company, or the notice is delivered to the overnight mail or courier service company at least twenty-four (24) hours before such meeting. If by email, facsimile transmission, telephone or by hand, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the notice is transmitted at least twelve (12) hours before such meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to these By-laws, as provided under Section 9.1 of these By-laws. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 7.4 of these By-laws.

SECTION 3.6    Action by Written Consent of Board 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 of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

SECTION 3.7    Conference Telephone Meetings. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

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SECTION 3.8    Quorum. Subject to Section 3.9 of these By-laws, a whole number of directors equal to at least a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. The act 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. The directors present at a duly organized meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough directors to leave less than a quorum.

SECTION 3.9    Vacancies. Subject to applicable law and the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, and unless the Board of Directors otherwise determines, vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors, may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors, though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of the stockholders at which his or her term of office expires and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, subject to such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

SECTION 3.10    Executive and Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, designate an Executive Committee to exercise, subject to applicable provisions of law, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation when the Board of Directors is not in session, and may, by resolution similarly adopted, designate one or more other committees.

The Board of Directors may designate any such other committee as appropriate, which shall consist of one or more directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any such committee, other than the Executive Committee (the powers of which are expressly provided for herein), may to the extent permitted by law exercise such powers and shall have such responsibilities as shall be specified in the designating resolution. In the absence or disqualification of any member of such committee or committees, 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 the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Each committee shall keep written minutes of its proceedings and shall report such proceedings to the Board of Directors when required.

A majority of any committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each member of the committee in the manner provided for in Section 3.5 of these By-laws. The Board of Directors shall have power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve, any such committee. Nothing herein shall be deemed

 

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to prevent the Board of Directors from appointing one or more committees consisting in whole or in part of persons who are not directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that no such committee shall have or may exercise any authority of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3.11    Removal. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to such series of Preferred Stock, (i) any director who, prior to the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, was elected to a three-year term (a “Classified Term”) that continues beyond the date of the 2020 annual meeting of stockholders (a “Classified Director”) may be removed from office during such Classified Term by the stockholders of the Corporation only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of all of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, and (ii) any director who is not a Classified Director may be removed from office by the stockholders of the Corporation with or without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of all of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.

SECTION 3.12    Records. The Board of Directors shall cause to be kept a record containing the minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders, appropriate stock books and registers, and such books of records and accounts as may be necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 4

OFFICERS

SECTION 4.1    Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairperson of the Board of Directors, a Chief Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers as the Board of Directors from time to time may deem proper. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall be chosen from among the directors. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. All officers elected by the Board of Directors shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article 4. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof. The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may from time to time elect, or the Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President may appoint, such other officers (including one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, and Assistant Treasurers) and such agents, as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers and agents shall have such duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as shall be provided in these By-laws or as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or such committee or by the Chairperson of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be.

SECTION 4.2    Election and Term of Office. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until such officer’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified or until such officer’s earlier death, resignation or removal.

SECTION 4.3    Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of the Board. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors.

 

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The Board of Directors may elect, or the Chairperson of the Board may appoint, a Vice Chairperson of the Board. The Vice Chairperson shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to such Vice Chairperson by the Board of Directors or the Chairperson.

SECTION 4.4    Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Corporation and shall perform all duties incidental to his or her office which may be required by law and all such other duties as are properly required of him or her by the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall make reports to the Board of Directors and the stockholders, and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors and of any committee thereof are carried into effect. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation may also serve as President, if so elected by the Board.

SECTION 4.5    President. The President shall act in a general executive capacity and shall assist the Chief Executive Officer in the administration and operation of the Corporation’s business and general supervision of its policies and affairs. The President shall, in the absence of or because of the inability to act of the Chairperson of the Board, perform all duties of the Chairperson of the Board and preside at all meetings of stockholders and of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4.6    Vice Presidents. Each Vice President shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to such Vice President by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4.7    Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall be a Vice President and act in an executive financial capacity. The Chief Financial Officer shall assist the Chairperson of the Board and the President in the general supervision of the Corporation’s financial policies and affairs.

SECTION 4.8    Treasurer. The Treasurer shall exercise general supervision over the receipt, custody and disbursement of corporate funds. The Treasurer shall cause the funds of the Corporation to be deposited in such banks as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or in such banks as may be designated as depositaries in the manner provided by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall have such further powers and duties and shall be subject to such directions as may be granted or imposed upon him or her from time to time by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board or the President.

SECTION 4.9    Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept, in one or more books provided for that purpose, the minutes of all meetings of the Board of Directors, the committees of the Board of Directors and the stockholders; the Secretary shall see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these By-laws and as required by law; the Secretary shall be custodian of the records and the seal of the Corporation and affix and attest the seal to all stock certificates of the Corporation (unless the seal of the Corporation on such certificates shall be a facsimile, as hereinafter provided) and affix and attest the seal to all other documents to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal; the Secretary shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and other documents and records required by law to be kept and filed are properly kept and filed; and, in general, the Secretary shall perform all the

 

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duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned to such Secretary by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board or the President.

SECTION 4.10    Removal. Any officer elected, or agent appointed, by the Board of Directors may be removed from office with or without cause by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Whole Board. Any officer or agent appointed by the Chairperson of the Board or the President may be removed by him or her with or without cause. No elected officer shall have any contractual rights against the Corporation for compensation by virtue of such election beyond the date of the election of his or her successor or his or her death, resignation or removal, whichever event shall first occur, except as otherwise provided in an employment contract or under an employee deferred compensation plan.

SECTION 4.11    Vacancies. A newly created elected office and a vacancy in any elected office because of death, resignation, or removal may be filled by the Board of Directors. Any vacancy in an office appointed by the Chairperson of the Board or the President because of death, resignation or removal may be filled by the Chairperson of the Board or the President.

ARTICLE 5

STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFERS

SECTION 5.1    Certificated and Uncertificated Stock; Transfers. The interest of each stockholder of the Corporation may be evidenced by certificates for shares of stock in such form as the appropriate officers of the Corporation may from time to time prescribe or be uncertificated.

The shares of the stock of the Corporation shall be transferred on the books of the Corporation, in the case of certificated shares of stock, by the holder thereof in person or by such holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, upon surrender for cancellation of certificates for at least the same number of shares, with an assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require; and, in the case of uncertificated shares of stock, upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered holder of the shares or by such person’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and upon compliance with appropriate procedures for transferring shares in uncertificated form. No transfer of stock shall be valid as against the Corporation for any purpose until it shall have been entered in the stock records of the Corporation by an entry showing from and to whom transferred.

The certificates of stock shall be signed, countersigned and registered in such manner as the Board of Directors may by resolution prescribe, which resolution may permit all or any of the signatures on such certificates to be in facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these By-laws, at all times that the Corporation’s stock is listed on a stock exchange, the shares of the stock of the Corporation shall comply with all direct registration system eligibility requirements established by such exchange, including any requirement that shares of the Corporation’s stock be eligible for issue in book-entry form. All issuances and transfers of shares of the Corporation’s stock shall be entered on the books of the Corporation with all information necessary to comply with such direct registration system eligibility requirements, including the name and address of the person to whom the shares of stock are issued, the number of shares of stock issued and the date of issue. The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or proper concerning the issue, transfer and registration of shares of stock of the Corporation in both certificated and uncertificated form.

SECTION 5.2    Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. No certificate for shares of stock of the Corporation shall be issued in place of any certificate alleged to have been lost, destroyed or stolen, except on production of such evidence of such loss, destruction or theft and on delivery to the Corporation of a bond of indemnity in such amount, upon such terms and secured by such surety, as the Board of Directors or any financial officer may in its, his or her discretion require.

SECTION 5.3    Record Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and 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, except as otherwise required by law.

SECTION 5.4    Transfer and Registry Agents. The Corporation may from time to time maintain one or more transfer offices or agencies and registry offices or agencies at such place or places as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 6

INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 6.1    Indemnification.

(A)    Each person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was, at any time during which this By-law is in effect (whether or not such person continues to serve in such capacity at the time any indemnification or advancement of expenses pursuant hereto is sought or at the time any Proceeding relating thereto exists or is brought), a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was at any such time serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans maintained or sponsored by the Corporation (hereinafter, a “Covered Person”), whether the basis of such Proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent,

 

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shall be (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to be) indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) to the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide greater indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) incurred or suffered by such person in connection with such Proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful. Such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, that except as provided in paragraph (A) of Section 6.3, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

(B)    To obtain indemnification under this Bylaw, a claimant shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for indemnification, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimant’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined) even though less than a quorum, or (ii) by a committee consisting of Disinterested Directors designated by majority vote of such Disinterested Directors even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no Disinterested Directors or, if, such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined) selected by the Board of Directors, in a written opinion to the Board of Directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to the claimant, or (iv) by a majority vote of the stockholders of the Corporation. In the event that there shall have occurred within two (2) years prior to the date of the commencement of the proceeding for which indemnification is claimed a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Cadence Bancorporation 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan as in effect as of the date hereof), in which case the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the claimant unless the claimant shall request that such selection be made by the Disinterested Directors. If it is so determined that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within ten (10) days after such determination.

SECTION 6.2    Mandatory Advancement of Expenses. To the fullest extent authorized by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same exists or may hereafter be amended or modified from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment or modification, only to the extent that such amendment or modification permits the Corporation to provide

 

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greater rights to advancement of expenses than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment or modification), each Covered Person shall have (and shall be deemed to have a contractual right to have) the right, without the need for any action by the Board of Directors, to be paid by the Corporation (and any successor of the Corporation by merger or otherwise) the expenses incurred in connection with any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided, that if the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware requires, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter, the “Undertaking”) by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right of appeal (a “final disposition”) that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this By-law or otherwise.

SECTION 6.3    Claims.

(A)    (1) If a claim for indemnification under this Article 6 is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim pursuant to Section 6.1(B) of these By-laws has been received by the Corporation, or (2) if a request for advancement of expenses under this Article 6 is not paid in full by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after a statement pursuant to Section 6.2 of these By-laws and the required Undertaking, if any, have been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim for indemnification or request for advancement of expenses and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action that, under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed or that the claimant is not entitled to the requested advancement of expenses, but (except where the required Undertaking, if any, has not been tendered to the Corporation) the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Disinterested Directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(B)    If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 6.1(B) of these By-laws that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to paragraph (A) of this Section 6.3.

 

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(C)    The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to paragraph (A) of this Section 6.3 that the procedures and presumptions of this By-law are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this By-law.

SECTION 6.4    Contract Rights; Amendment and Repeal; Non-exclusivity of Rights.

(A)    All of the rights conferred in this Article 6, as to indemnification, advancement of expenses and otherwise, shall be contract rights between the Corporation and each Covered Person to whom such rights are extended that vest at the commencement of such Covered Person’s service to or at the request of the Corporation and (x) any amendment or modification of this Article 6 that in any way diminishes or adversely affects any such rights shall be prospective only and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any such rights with respect to such Covered Person, and (y) all of such rights shall continue as to any such Covered Person who has ceased to be a director or officer of the Corporation or ceased to serve at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, as described herein, and shall inure to the benefit of such Covered Person’s heirs, executors and administrators.

(B)    All of the rights conferred in this Article 6, as to indemnification, advancement of expenses and otherwise, (i) shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or otherwise both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office and (ii) cannot be terminated or impaired by the Corporation, the Board of Directors or the stockholders of the Corporation with respect to a person’s service prior to the date of such termination.

SECTION 6.5    Insurance, Other Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

(A)    The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any current or former director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. To the extent that the Corporation maintains any policy or policies providing such insurance, each such current or former director or officer, and each such agent or employee to which rights to indemnification have been granted as provided in paragraph (B) of this Section 6.5, shall be covered by such policy or policies in accordance with its or their terms to the maximum extent of the coverage thereunder for any such current or former director, officer, employee or agent.

(B)    The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, grant rights to indemnification and rights to advancement of expenses incurred in connection with any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any current or former employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this By-law with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of current or former directors and officers of the Corporation.

 

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SECTION 6.6    Definitions. For purposes of this By-law:

(1)    “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Corporation who is not and was not a party to the matter in respect of which indemnification is sought by the claimant.

(2)    “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimant’s rights under this By-law.

SECTION 6.7    Any notice, request or other communication required or permitted to be given to the Corporation under this By-law shall be in writing and either delivered in person or sent by telecopy, telex, telegram, overnight mail or courier service, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Secretary of the Corporation and shall be effective only upon receipt by the Secretary.

SECTION 6.8    The Corporation hereby acknowledges that a director (a “Director Indemnitee”) may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by a third party as to which the Director Indemnitee serves as a director, officer or employee other than the Corporation (collectively, the “Secondary Indemnitors”). The Corporation hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to such Director Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Secondary Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by such Director Indemnitee is secondary), and (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by such Director Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws (or any other agreement between the Corporation and such Director Indemnitee), without regard to any rights such Director Indemnitee may have against the Secondary Indemnitors. The Corporation further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Secondary Indemnitors on behalf of such Director Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which such Director Indemnitee has sought indemnification from the Corporation shall affect the foregoing and the Secondary Indemnitors shall be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such Director Indemnitee against the Corporation.

SECTION 6.9    Severability. If any provision or provisions of this By-law shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (1) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this By-law (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this By-law containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (2) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this By-law (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this By-law containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

 

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ARTICLE 7

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 7.1    Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the first day of January and end on the thirty-first day of December of each year.

SECTION 7.2    Dividends. The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and the Certificate of Incorporation.

SECTION 7.3    Seal. The corporate seal, if any, shall be in such form as shall be approved from time to time by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 7.4    Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any stockholder or director of the Corporation under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any annual or special meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors or committee thereof need be specified in any waiver of notice of such meeting.

SECTION 7.5    Audits. The accounts, books and records of the Corporation shall be audited upon the conclusion of each fiscal year by an independent certified public accountant selected by the Board of Directors, and it shall be the duty of the Board of Directors to cause such audit to be done annually.

SECTION 7.6    Resignations. Any director or any officer, whether elected or appointed, may resign at any time by giving written notice of such resignation to the Chairperson of the Board, the President or the Secretary, and such resignation shall be deemed to be effective as of the close of business on the date said notice is received by the Chairperson of the Board, the President or the Secretary, or at such later time as is specified therein. No formal action shall be required of the Board of Directors or the stockholders to make any such resignation effective.

ARTICLE 8

CONTRACTS, PROXIES, ETC.

SECTION 8.1    Contracts. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any contracts or other instruments may be executed and delivered in the name and on the behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may from time to time direct. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chairperson of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President may execute bonds, contracts, deeds, leases and other instruments to be made or executed for or on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board of Directors or the Chairperson of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President of the Corporation may delegate contractual powers to others under his or her jurisdiction, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power.

 

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SECTION 8.2    Proxies. Unless otherwise provided by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors, the Chairperson of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer or any Vice President may from time to time appoint an attorney or attorneys or agent or agents of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to cast the votes which the Corporation may be entitled to cast as the holder of stock or other securities in any other corporation, any of whose stock or other securities may be held by the Corporation, at meetings of the holders of the stock or other securities of such other corporation, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such other corporation, and may instruct the person or persons so appointed as to the manner of casting such votes or giving such consent, and may execute or cause to be executed in the name and on behalf of the Corporation and under its corporate seal or otherwise, all such written proxies or other instruments as he or she may deem necessary or proper in the premises.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENTS

SECTION 9.1    By the Stockholders. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new By-Laws enacted, at any special meeting of the stockholders if duly called for that purpose (provided that in the notice of such special meeting, notice of such purpose shall be given), or at any annual meeting, by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of all of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class.

SECTION 9.2    By the Board of Directors. Subject to the laws of the State of Delaware, the Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws, these By-Laws may also be altered, amended or repealed, or new By-Laws enacted, by the Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

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