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DELAWARE
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001-34034
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63-0589368
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(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
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(Commission
File Number)
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(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
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☐
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Written communication pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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☐
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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☐
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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☐
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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10.1
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REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
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By:
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/s/ Fournier J. Gale, III
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Name:
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Fournier J. Gale, III
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Title:
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Senior Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
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Trade Date:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Buyer:
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Issuer
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Seller:
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MSCO
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Shares:
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Common Stock, par value USD 0.01 per share, of Issuer (Ticker: RF)
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Forward Price:
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A price equal to (A) the greater of (i) the arithmetic mean (not a weighted average, subject to “Market Disruption Event” below) of the 10b-18 VWAP on each Calculation Date during the Calculation Period and (ii) the Floor Price
minus
(B) the Discount.
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Discount:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Floor Price:
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As specified in Schedule I
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10b-18 VWAP:
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On any Calculation Date, a price per Share equal to the volume-weighted average price of the Rule 10b-18 eligible trades in the Shares for the entirety of such Calculation Date as reported on the Bloomberg screen entitled “RF <Equity> AQR SEC” or any successor page (without regard to pre-open or after-hours trading outside of any regular trading session for such Calculation Date or block trades (as defined in Rule 10b-18(b)(5) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “
Exchange Act
”)) on such Calculation Date), or, if the price displayed on such screen is unavailable or clearly erroneous, as determined by the Calculation Agent in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.
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Calculation Period:
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The period from, and including, the Calculation Period Start Date to, and including, the relevant Valuation Date.
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Calculation Period Start Date:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Calculation Dates:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Initial Shares:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Initial Share Delivery Date:
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As specified in Schedule I. On the Initial Share Delivery Date, Seller shall deliver to Buyer a number of Shares equal to the Initial Shares in accordance with Section 9.4 of the Equity Definitions, with the Initial Share Delivery Date being deemed to be a “Settlement Date” for purposes of such Section 9.4.
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Prepayment:
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Applicable
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Prepayment Amount:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Prepayment Date:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Exchange:
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New York Stock Exchange
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Related Exchange:
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All Exchanges
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Market Disruption Event:
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The definition of “Market Disruption Event” in Section 6.3(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the words “at any time during the one hour period that ends at the relevant Valuation Time, Latest Exercise Time, Knock-in Valuation Time or Knock-out Valuation Time, as the case may be,” starting in the third line thereof.
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Valuation Date(s):
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The earlier of (i) the Scheduled Valuation Date and (ii) any earlier accelerated Valuation Date as a result of MSCO’s election in accordance with the immediately succeeding paragraph.
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Scheduled Valuation Date:
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As specified in Schedule I, subject to postponement in accordance with “Market Disruption Event” above.
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Lock-Out Date:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Potential Adjustment Event:
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In addition to the events described in Section 11.2(e) of the Equity Definitions, the occurrence of two or more consecutive Disrupted Days (including due to the occurrence of a Regulatory Disruption) shall constitute a Potential Adjustment Event. In the case of any event described in the preceding sentence, the Calculation Agent may, in its commercially reasonable judgment, adjust any relevant terms of the Transaction as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate to account for the economic effect on the Transaction of such event.
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Physical Settlement:
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Applicable. On any Valuation Date (including any Acceleration Date, if applicable), the Calculation Agent shall calculate the Settlement Amount for the relevant portion of the Transaction. The “
Settlement Amount
” for the Transaction is a number of Shares equal to (a) (i) the Prepayment Amount
divided by
(ii) the Forward Price
minus
(b) the Initial Shares, rounded to the nearest whole number of Shares.
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Settlement Currency:
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USD
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Settlement Date:
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The date that falls one Settlement Cycle after the relevant Valuation Date or Acceleration Date if prior to the Scheduled
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Other Applicable Provisions:
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The last sentence of Section 9.2, Sections 9.8, 9.9, 9.10 and 9.11 (except that the Representation and Agreement contained in Section 9.11 of the Equity Definitions shall be modified by excluding any representations therein relating to restrictions, obligations, limitations or requirements under applicable securities laws arising as a result of the fact that Buyer is the issuer of the Shares) and Section 9.12 of the Equity Definitions will be applicable to the Transaction.
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Different Dividend:
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For any calendar quarter, any dividend or distribution on the Shares with an ex-dividend date occurring during such calendar quarter (other than any dividend or distribution of the type described in Section 11.2(e)(i) or Section 11.2(e)(ii)(A) of the Equity Definitions) (a “
Dividend
”) the amount or value of which (as determined by the Calculation Agent), when aggregated with the amount or value (as determined by the Calculation Agent) of any and all previous Dividends with ex-dividend dates occurring in the same calendar quarter, differs from the Ordinary Dividend Amount.
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Ordinary Dividend Amount:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Extraordinary Dividend:
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The per Share cash dividend or distribution, or a portion thereof, declared by Issuer on the Shares that is classified by the board of directors of Issuer as an “extraordinary” dividend.
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Consequences of Different Dividend:
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The declaration by the Issuer of any Different Dividend, the ex-dividend date for which occurs or is scheduled to occur during the Relevant Dividend Period (as defined below) for the Transaction, shall, at the Calculation Agent’s election, either (x) constitute an Additional Termination Event in respect of such Transaction, with Buyer as the sole Affected Party and such Transaction as the sole Affected Transaction (and any amount payable in respect of such Additional Termination Event shall be determined without regard to the difference between actual dividends declared and expected dividends as of the Trade Date) or (y) result in an adjustment, by the Calculation Agent, to the Floor Price as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate to account for the economic effect on the Transaction of such Different Dividend. Any election to apply clause (x) with respect to a Different Dividend shall be made within ten (10) Local Business Days of the declaration of such Different Dividend.
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Early/Late Ordinary Dividend Payment:
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If an ex-dividend date for any Dividend that is neither (x) a dividend or distribution of the type described in Section 11.2(e)(i) or Section 11.2(e)(ii)(A) of the Equity Definitions nor (y) an Extraordinary Dividend, occurs during any calendar quarter occurring (in whole or in part) during the Relevant Dividend Period and such ex-dividend date is not on the Scheduled Ex-Dividend Date for such calendar quarter, the Calculation Agent shall make such adjustment to the exercise, settlement, payment or any other terms of the Transaction as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate to account for the economic effect on the Transaction of such event.
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Scheduled Ex-Dividend Dates:
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As specified in Schedule I
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Relevant Dividend Period:
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The period from, and including, the Trade Date for the Transaction to, and including, the later of (i) the fifth Scheduled Trading Day following the Scheduled Valuation Date for the Transaction and (ii) the last day of any Buyer Settlement Valuation Period for the Transaction.
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Method of Adjustment:
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Calculation Agent Adjustment
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Share-for-Share:
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Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment
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Share-for-Other:
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Cancellation and Payment
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Share-for-Combined:
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Component Adjustment
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Tender Offer:
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Applicable
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Share-for-Share:
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Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment
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Share-for-Other:
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Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment
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Share-for-Combined:
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Modified Calculation Agent Adjustment
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New Shares:
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In the definition of New Shares in Section 12.1(i) of the Equity Definitions, the text in clause (i) thereof shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with “publicly quoted, traded or listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or their respective successors)”.
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Composition of Combined Consideration:
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Not Applicable
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Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting:
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Cancellation and Payment;
provided
that, in addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it shall constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, The NASDAQ Global Select Market or The NASDAQ Global Market (or their respective successors); if the Shares are immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any such exchange or quotation system, such exchange or quotation system shall thereafter be deemed to be the Exchange.
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Change in Law:
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Applicable;
provided
that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (i) replacing the phrase “the interpretation” in the third line thereof with the phrase “, or announcement or statement of, the formal or informal interpretation”, (ii) replacing the word “Shares” where it appears in clause (X) thereof with the words “Hedge Position”, (iii) immediately following the word “Transaction” in clause (X) thereof, adding the phrase “in the manner contemplated by the Hedging Party on the Trade Date”; and (iv) adding the words “, or holding, acquiring or disposing of Shares or any Hedge Position relating to,” after clause (Y) thereof;
provided
further
that (i) any determination as to whether (A) the adoption of or any change in any applicable law or regulation (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, (x) any tax law or (y) adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute) or (B) the promulgation of or any change in the interpretation by any court, tribunal or regulatory authority with competent jurisdiction of any applicable law or regulation (including any action taken by a taxing authority), in each case, constitutes a “Change in Law” shall be made without regard to Section 739 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 or any similar legal certainty provision in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the Trade Date, and (ii) Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing the parenthetical beginning after the word “regulation” in the second line thereof with the words “(including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, (x) any tax law or (y) adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute)”.
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Failure to Deliver:
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Applicable
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Insolvency Filing:
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Applicable
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Hedging Disruption:
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Applicable;
provided
that any Hedging Disruption that would occur solely due to the deterioration of the creditworthiness of the Hedging Party shall not be deemed a Hedging Disruption.
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Increased Cost of Hedging:
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Not Applicable
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Loss of Stock Borrow:
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Applicable
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Increased Cost of Stock Borrow:
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Applicable;
provided
that any Increased Cost of Stock Borrow that would occur solely due to the deterioration of the creditworthiness of the Hedging Party shall not be deemed an Increased Cost of Stock Borrow.
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Determining Party:
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For all applicable events, MSCO. When making any determination or calculation as “Determining Party,” MSCO shall be bound by the same obligations relating to required acts of the Calculation Agent as set forth in Section 1.40 of the Equity Definitions and this Confirmation as if the Determining Party were the Calculation Agent.
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Hedging Party:
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For all applicable events, MSCO. When making any determination or calculation as “Hedging Party,” MSCO shall be bound by the same obligations relating to required acts of the Calculation Agent as set forth in Section 1.40 of the Equity Definitions and this Confirmation as if the Hedging Party were the Calculation Agent.
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Non-Reliance:
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Applicable
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Additional Acknowledgments:
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Applicable
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Hedging Adjustments:
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Whenever the Calculation Agent is called upon to make a determination, calculation or adjustment pursuant to the terms of this Confirmation or the Equity Definitions to take into account the effect of an event, the Calculation Agent shall make such determination, calculation or adjustment by reference to the effect of such event on MSCO with the Calculation Agent assuming that MSCO maintains a commercially reasonable Hedge Position in respect of the Transaction.
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3.
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Calculation Agent: MSCO;
provided
that following the occurrence of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5(a)(vii) of the Agreement with respect to which MSCO is the Defaulting Party, Issuer may
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(a)
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Account for delivery of Shares to Issuer:
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(c)
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Account for payments and delivery of Shares to MSCO:
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(d)
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For purposes of this Confirmation:
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(i)
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Address for notices or communications to Issuer:
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(ii)
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Address for notices or communications to MSCO:
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(a)
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Section 11.2(a) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the words “a diluting or concentrative effect on the theoretical value of the relevant Shares” and replacing them with the words “a material economic effect on the Shares or the relevant Transaction”.
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(b)
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The first sentence of Section 11.2(c) of the Equity Definitions, prior to clause (A) thereof, is hereby amended to read as follows: ‘(c) If “Calculation Agent Adjustment” is specified as the Method of Adjustment in the related Confirmation of a Share Option Transaction or Share Forward Transaction, then, following the announcement or occurrence of any Potential Adjustment Event, the Calculation Agent will determine whether such Potential Adjustment Event has a material economic effect on the Transaction and, if so, will (i) make appropriate adjustment(s), if any, to any one or more of:’ and the portion of such sentence immediately preceding clause (ii) thereof is hereby amended by deleting the words “diluting or concentrative” and the words “(
provided
that no adjustments will be made to account solely for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate or liquidity relative to the relevant Share)” and replacing such latter phrase with the words “(including adjustments to account for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate or liquidity relevant to the Shares or to the Transaction)”.
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(c)
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Section 11.2(e)(v) of the Equity Definitions is amended by adding the words “at a premium to the current market price thereof (other than any Permitted OMR Transaction or Permitted Purchase (each as defined below))” after the word “Shares” in such Section.
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(d)
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Section 11.2(e)(vii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the words “any other event that may have a diluting or concentrative effect on the theoretical value of the relevant Shares” and replacing them with the words “any other event related to the Issuer, the Shares or the Transaction that has a material economic effect on the Shares or the relevant Transaction”.
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(e)
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Section 12.6(c)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing the words “the Transaction will be cancelled,” in the first line with the words “MSCO will have the right to cancel the Transaction,”.
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(f)
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Section 12.9(b)(iv) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (A) deleting (1) subsection (A) in its entirety, (2) the phrase “or (B)” following subsection (A) and (3) the phrase “in each case” in subsection (B); and (B) replacing the phrase “neither the Non-Hedging Party nor the Lending Party lends Shares” with the phrase “such Lending Party does not lend Shares” in the penultimate sentence.
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(g)
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Section 12.9(b)(v) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by:
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(i)
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adding the phrase “; provided that the Non-Hedging Party may so elect to terminate the Transaction only if the Non-Hedging Party represents and warrants to the Hedging Party in writing on the date it notifies the Hedging Party of such election that, as of such date, the Non-Hedging Party is not aware of any material non-public information regarding Issuer or the Shares and is making such election in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with the federal securities laws” immediately prior to the period at the end of subsection (C); and
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(ii)
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deleting clause (X) in the final sentence.
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(a)
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If an Acquisition Transaction Announcement occurs on or prior to the final Valuation Date, then the Calculation Agent shall make such adjustments to the exercise, settlement, payment or any other terms of the Transaction as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate (including, without limitation and for the avoidance of doubt, adjustments that would allow the Settlement Amount to be less than zero), at such time or at multiple times as the Calculation Agent determines appropriate, to account for the economic effect on the Transaction of such event (which adjustments shall be limited to adjustments to account for changes in prices of the Shares, value of any commercially reasonable Hedge Positions, volatility, interest rates, stock loan rate, liquidity and/or any other commercially reasonable option pricing inputs relevant to the Shares or to such Transaction). If an Acquisition Transaction Announcement occurs after the Trade Date but prior to the Lock-Out Date, the Lock-Out Date shall be deemed to be the date of such Acquisition Transaction Announcement.
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(b)
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“
Acquisition Transaction Announcement
” means (i) the announcement of an Acquisition Transaction, (ii) an announcement that Issuer or any of its subsidiaries has entered into an agreement, a letter of intent or an understanding designed to result in an Acquisition Transaction, (iii) the announcement of the intention to solicit or enter into, or to explore strategic alternatives or other similar undertaking that may include, an Acquisition Transaction, (iv) any other announcement that in the reasonable judgment of the Calculation Agent is reasonably likely to result in an Acquisition Transaction (it being understood and agreed that in determining whether such announcement is reasonably likely to result in an Acquisition Transaction, the Calculation Agent may take into consideration the effect of such announcement on the Shares and/or options relating to the Shares) or (v) any announcement subsequent to an Acquisition Transaction Announcement relating to a material amendment, extension, withdrawal or other change to the subject matter of a prior Acquisition Transaction Announcement. For the avoidance of doubt, the term “announcement” as used in the definition of Acquisition Transaction Announcement refers to any public statement and/or any announcement related to an Acquisition Transaction, whether made by Issuer or a third party.
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(c)
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“
Acquisition Transaction
” means (i) any Merger Event (for purposes of this definition, the definition of Merger Event shall be read with the references therein to “100%” being replaced by “30%” and to “50%” by “75%” and without reference to the clause beginning immediately following the definition of Reverse Merger therein to the end of such definition), Tender Offer or Merger Transaction (as defined below) or any other transaction involving the merger of Issuer with or into any third party, (ii) the sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets or liabilities of Issuer, (iii) a recapitalization, reclassification, binding share exchange or other similar transaction, (iv) any acquisition, lease, exchange, transfer, disposition (including by way of spin-off or distribution) of assets or liabilities (including any capital stock or other ownership interests in subsidiaries) or other similar event by Issuer or any of its subsidiaries where the aggregate consideration transferable or receivable by or to Issuer or its subsidiaries exceeds 25% of the market capitalization of Issuer and (v) any transaction with respect to which Issuer or its board of directors has a legal obligation to make a recommendation to its shareholders in respect of such transaction (whether pursuant to Rule 14e-2 under the Exchange Act or otherwise).
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(a)
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Until the end of the Potential Purchase Period (as defined below), neither it nor any of its affiliated purchasers (as defined in Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, “
Rule 10b-18
”) shall directly or indirectly (which shall be deemed to include the writing or purchase of any cash-settled or other derivative transaction which references Shares or structured Share repurchase or other derivative with a hedging period, calculation period or settlement valuation period or similar period that overlaps with the Transaction) purchase, offer to purchase, place any bid or limit order relating to a purchase of or commence any tender offer relating to Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) without the prior written approval of MSCO or take any other action that would cause the purchase by MSCO of any Shares in connection with this Confirmation not to qualify for the safe harbor provided in Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act (assuming for the purposes of this paragraph that such safe harbor were otherwise available for such purchases). “
Potential Purchase Period
” means the period from, and including, the Trade Date to, and including, the latest of (i) the last day of any Buyer Settlement Valuation Period, (ii) the earlier of (A) the date five Exchange Business Days immediately following the last day of the Calculation Period and (B) the Scheduled Valuation Date and (iii) if an Early Termination Date occurs or the Transaction is cancelled pursuant to Article 12 of the Equity Definitions, a date determined by MSCO in its commercially reasonable discretion and communicated to Issuer no later than the Exchange Business Day immediately following such date (or, in the absence of such communication, the date that is five Exchange Business Days immediately following such date).
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(b)
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It will comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to it (including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “
Securities Act
”), and the Exchange Act) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Confirmation.
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(c)
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Without limiting the generality of Section 13.1 of the Equity Definitions, it is not relying, and has not relied, upon MSCO or any of its representatives or advisors with respect to the legal, accounting, tax or other implications of this Confirmation and that it has conducted its own analyses of the legal, accounting, tax and other implications of this Confirmation, and that MSCO and its affiliates may from time to time effect transactions for their own account or the account of customers and hold positions in securities or options on securities of Issuer and that MSCO and its affiliates may continue to conduct such transactions during the term of this Confirmation. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Issuer acknowledges that MSCO is not making any representations or warranties or taking any position or expressing any view with respect to the treatment of the Transaction under any accounting standards including ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, or ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity and ASC 815-40, Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (or any successor issue statements) or under FASB’s Liabilities & Equity Project.
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(d)
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Neither it nor any affiliates shall take any action that would cause a restricted period (as defined in Regulation M under the Exchange Act (“
Regulation M
”)) to be applicable to any purchases of Shares, or of any security for which Shares is a reference security (as defined in Regulation M), by Issuer or any affiliated purchasers (as defined in Regulation M) of Issuer during the Potential Purchase Period.
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(e)
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It will not during the term of the Transaction make, or, to the extent within its control, permit to be made, any public announcement (as defined in Rule 165(f) under the Securities Act) of any Merger Transaction or potential Merger Transaction unless such public announcement is made prior to the open or after the close of the regular trading session on the Exchange for the Shares. “
Merger Transaction
” means any merger, acquisition or similar transaction involving a recapitalization of Issuer as contemplated by Rule 10b-18(a)(13)(iv) under the Exchange Act. Issuer acknowledges that any such public announcement may trigger the provision set forth in Section 8 above.
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(f)
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Not later than 7:00 AM New York City time on the day following the announcement of a Merger Transaction, Issuer shall provide MSCO with written notice, which notice shall specify (i) the nature of such announcement; (ii) Issuer’s average daily “Rule 10b-18 purchases” as defined in Rule 10b-18 during the three full calendar months immediately preceding such announcement and (iii) the number of Shares purchased pursuant to the block purchase proviso in Rule 10b-18(b)(4) under the Exchange Act for the three full calendar months preceding the date of such announcement. Such written notice shall be deemed to be a certification by Issuer to MSCO that such information is true and correct. Issuer understands that MSCO will use this information in calculating the trading volume for purposes of Rule 10b-18. In addition, Issuer shall promptly provide written notice to MSCO of the occurrence of the completion of such transaction or the completion of the vote by target shareholders related to such transaction. Issuer acknowledges that its delivery of such notices must comply with the standards set forth in Section 10(c) below.
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(g)
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(A) Any Shares or Alternative Delivery Units delivered to MSCO may be transferred by and among MSCO and its affiliates and Issuer shall effect such transfer without any further action by MSCO and (B) after the period of 6 months from the date that Issuer elects to deliver any Shares or Alternative Delivery Units pursuant to the terms of this Transaction (or no later than 1 year from such date, if at the time of MSCO’s or its affiliate’s request, informational requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act are not satisfied with respect to Issuer) has elapsed in respect of any such election to deliver Shares or Alternative Delivery Units to MSCO, Issuer shall promptly remove, or cause the transfer agent for such Shares or Alternative Delivery Units to remove, any legends referring to any restrictions or requirements related to any applicable securities laws upon request by MSCO (or such affiliate of MSCO) to Issuer or such transfer agent, without any requirement for the delivery of any certificate, consent, agreement, opinion of counsel, notice or any other document, any transfer tax stamps or payment of any other amount or any other action by MSCO (or such affiliate of MSCO). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent the provisions of Rule 144 of the Securities Act or any successor rule are amended, or the applicable interpretation thereof by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any court change after the Trade Date, the agreements of Issuer herein shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary, as determined by MSCO, to comply with Rule 144 of the Securities Act, as in effect at the time of delivery of the relevant Shares or Alternative Delivery Units.
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(a)
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Issuer hereby represents and warrants to MSCO on the date hereof and on and as of the Initial Share Delivery Date that:
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(i)
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The Issuer is not aware of any material nonpublic information regarding Issuer or the Shares, and the Issuer is entering into the Transaction in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade the prohibitions of federal securities laws, including, without limitation, Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act and (B) Issuer agrees not to alter or deviate from the terms of this Confirmation or enter into or alter a corresponding or hedging transaction or position with respect to the Shares (including, without limitation, with respect to any securities convertible or exchangeable into the Shares) during the term of this Confirmation. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, all reports and other documents filed by Issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act when considered as a whole (with the more recent such reports and documents deemed to amend inconsistent statements contained in any earlier such reports and documents) do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.
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(ii)
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The transactions contemplated by this Confirmation have been authorized under Issuer’s publicly announced program to repurchase Shares prior to the Trade Date.
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(iii)
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Issuer is not entering into the Transaction or making any election hereunder to facilitate a distribution of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) or in connection with a future issuance of securities.
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(iv)
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Issuer is not entering into the Transaction or making any election hereunder to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) or to raise or depress the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for Shares) in violation of the federal securities laws.
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(v)
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Except as previously disclosed to MSCO in writing, there have been no purchases of Shares in Rule 10b-18 purchases of blocks pursuant to the once-a-week block exception contained in Rule 10b-18(b)(4) by or for Issuer or any of its affiliated purchasers during each of the four calendar weeks preceding the Trade Date and during the calendar week in which the Trade Date occurs (“Rule 10b-18 purchase”, “blocks” and “affiliated purchaser” each as defined in Rule 10b-18).
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(vi)
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Issuer is as of the date hereof, the Prepayment Date, any Buyer Election Date and any Buyer Cash Settlement Payment Date, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby will be, Solvent. As used in this paragraph, the term “
Solvent
” means, with respect to a particular date, that on such date (A) the present fair market value (or present fair saleable value) of the assets of Issuer is not less than the total amount required to pay the liabilities of Issuer on its total existing debts and liabilities (including contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured, (B) Issuer is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and commitments as they mature and become due in the normal course of business, (C) assuming consummation of the transactions as contemplated by this Confirmation, Issuer is not incurring debts or liabilities beyond its ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, (D) Issuer is not engaged in any business or transaction, and does not propose to engage in any business or transaction, for which its property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which Issuer is engaged, (E) Issuer is not a defendant in any civil action that could reasonably be expected to result in a judgment that Issuer is or would become unable to satisfy, (F) Issuer is not “insolvent” (as such term is defined under Section 101(32) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Title 11 of the United States Code) (the “
Bankruptcy Code
”)) and (G) Issuer would be able to purchase Shares with an aggregate purchase price equal to the Prepayment Amount in compliance with the corporate laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.
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(vii)
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Issuer is not, and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby will not be, required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
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(viii)
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No state or local (including non-U.S. jurisdictions) securities or blue sky law, rule, regulation or regulatory order applicable to the Shares would give rise to any reporting, consent, registration or other requirement (including without limitation a requirement to obtain prior approval from any person or entity) as a result of MSCO or its affiliates owning or holding (however defined) Shares.
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(ix)
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Issuer (A) is capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities; (B) will exercise independent judgment in evaluating the recommendations of any broker-dealer or its associated persons, unless it has otherwise notified the broker-dealer in writing; and (C) has total assets of at least USD 50,000,000 as of the date hereof.
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(b)
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Issuer acknowledges and agrees that the Initial Shares may be sold short to Issuer. Issuer further acknowledges and agrees that MSCO may purchase Shares in connection with the Transaction, which Shares may be used to cover all or a portion of such short sale or may be delivered to Issuer. Such purchases and any other market activity by MSCO will be conducted independently of Issuer by MSCO as principal for its own account. All of the actions to be taken by MSCO in connection with the Transaction shall be taken by MSCO independently and without any advance or subsequent consultation with Issuer.
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(c)
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It is the intent of the parties that the Transaction comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5‑1(c)(1)(i)(B) of the Exchange Act, and the parties agree that this Confirmation shall be interpreted to comply with
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(d)
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In addition to the representations, warranties and covenants in this Agreement, MSCO represents, warrants and covenants to Issuer that:
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(i)
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In addition to the covenants in the Agreement and herein, MSCO agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts, during the Calculation Period and any Buyer Settlement Valuation Period, to make all purchases of Shares in connection with the Transaction in a manner that would comply with the limitations set forth in clauses (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3) and (b)(4) and (c) of Rule 10b-18, as if such rule were applicable to such purchases and taking into account any applicable Securities and Exchange Commission no-action letters as appropriate, and subject to any delays between the execution and reporting of a trade of the Shares on the Exchange and other circumstances beyond MSCO’s control;
provided
that, during the Calculation Period, the foregoing agreement shall not apply to purchases made to dynamically hedge for MSCO’s own account or the account of its affiliate(s) the optionality arising under a Transaction (including, for the avoidance of doubt, timing optionality);
provided further
that, without limiting the
generality of the first sentence of this Section 10(d)(i), MSCO shall not be responsible for any failure to comply with (i) Rule 10b‑18(b)(1) to the extent that Issuer has failed to comply with Section 9(a) hereof or (ii) Rule 10b-18(b)(3) to the extent any transaction that was executed (or deemed to be executed) by or on behalf of Issuer or an “affiliated purchaser” (as defined under Rule 10b-18) pursuant to a separate agreement is not deemed to be an “independent bid” or an “independent transaction” for purposes of Rule 10b-18(b)(3).
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(ii)
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MSCO hereby represents and covenants to Issuer that it has implemented policies and procedures, taking into consideration the nature of its business, reasonably designed to ensure that individuals making investment decisions related to the Transaction do not have access to material nonpublic information regarding Issuer or the Shares.
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(e)
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Each of Issuer and MSCO represents and warrants to the other that it is an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1a(18) of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, as amended.
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(f)
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Each of Issuer and MSCO acknowledges that the offer and sale of the Transaction is intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) thereof. Accordingly, each of Issuer and MSCO represents and warrants to the other party that (i) it has the financial ability to bear the economic risk of its investment in the Transaction and is able to bear a total loss of its investment, (ii) it is an
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(a)
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During the period from (and including) the Trade Date to (and including) the Settlement Date, MSCO and its Affiliates may buy or sell Shares or other securities or buy or sell options or futures contracts or enter into swaps or other derivative transactions in order to establish, maintain or adjust its Hedge Position with respect to the Transaction.
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(b)
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MSCO and its Affiliates also may be active in the market for the Shares or options, futures contracts, swaps or other derivative transactions relating to the Shares other than in connection with hedging activities in relation to the Transaction.
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(c)
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MSCO shall make its own determination as to whether, when and in what manner any hedging or market activities in Issuer’s securities or other securities or transactions shall be conducted and shall do so in a manner that it deems appropriate to hedge its price and market risk with respect to the Transaction.
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(d)
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Any such market activities of MSCO and its Affiliates may affect the market price and volatility of the Shares, including the 10b-18 VWAP, the Forward Price, and the Buyer Settlement Price, each in a manner that may be adverse to Issuer.
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(a)
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Issuer agrees and acknowledges that MSCO is a “financial institution,” “financial participant” and “swap participant” within the meaning of Sections 101(22), 101(22A) and 101(53C) of the Bankruptcy Code. The parties hereto further agree and acknowledge that it is the intent of the parties that (A) this Confirmation is a “securities contract,” as such term is defined in Section 741(7) of the Bankruptcy Code, with respect to which each payment and delivery hereunder or in connection herewith is a “termination value,” “payment amount,” “offset or net out” or “other transfer obligation” within the meaning of Section 362(b) of the Bankruptcy Code and a “settlement payment,” within the meaning of Section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code, (B) this Confirmation is a “swap agreement,” as such term is defined in Section 101(53B) of the Bankruptcy Code, with respect to which each payment and delivery hereunder or in connection herewith is a “transfer” within the meaning of Section 546(g) of the Bankruptcy Code, (C) the rights given to MSCO under this Confirmation and under the Agreement upon the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect Issuer constitute “contractual rights” to cause the liquidation, termination or acceleration of or the offset or net out termination values under or in connection with a “securities contract” and a “swap agreement”, (D) this Confirmation is a “master netting agreement’ as defined in 101(38A) of the Bankruptcy Code and (E) MSCO is entitled to the protections afforded by, among other sections, Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(17), 362(o), 546(e), 546(g), 548(d)(2), 555, 560, and 561 of the Bankruptcy Code.
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(b)
|
MSCO acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement or this Confirmation, this Confirmation is not intended to convey to MSCO rights against Issuer with respect to the Transaction that are senior to the claims of common stockholders of Issuer in any United States bankruptcy proceedings of Issuer;
provided
that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit MSCO’s right to pursue remedies in the event of a breach by Issuer of its obligations and agreements with respect to the Transaction;
provided further
that nothing herein shall limit or shall be deemed to limit MSCO’s rights in respect of any transactions other than this Transaction.
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(c)
|
Notwithstanding any provision of this Confirmation or any other agreement between the parties to the contrary, neither the obligations of Issuer nor the obligations of MSCO hereunder are secured by any collateral, security interest, pledge or lien.
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(d)
|
Each party waives any and all rights it may have to set off obligations arising under the Agreement and the Transaction against other obligations between the parties, whether arising under any other agreement, applicable law or otherwise.
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(e)
|
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, MSCO may, other than with respect to the Initial Share Delivery Date, by prior notice to Issuer, satisfy its obligation to deliver any Shares or other securities on any date due (an “
Original Delivery Date
”) by making separate deliveries of Shares or such securities, as the case may be, at more than one time on or prior to such Original Delivery Date, so long as the aggregate number of Shares and other securities so delivered on or prior to such Original Delivery Date is equal to the number required to be delivered on such Original Delivery Date. Any Shares delivered pursuant to this provision shall be included in the calculation of the Settlement Amount.
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(f)
|
It shall constitute an Additional Termination Event with respect to which the Transaction is the sole Affected Transaction and Issuer is the sole Affected Party if, at any time on or prior to the final Valuation Date, the price per Share on the Exchange, as determined by the Calculation Agent, is at or below the Threshold Price (as specified in Schedule I).
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(g)
|
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Confirmation shall be interpreted as requiring Issuer to deliver cash in respect of the settlement of the Transaction following payment by Issuer of the Prepayment Amount, except in circumstances where the required cash settlement thereof is permitted for classification of the contract as equity by ASC 815-40,
Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity
, as in effect on the Trade Date (including, without limitation, where Issuer so elects to deliver cash or fails timely to elect to deliver Shares or Alternative Delivery Units in respect of the settlement of the Transaction or in those circumstances in which holders of the Shares would also receive cash).
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REGIONS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
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MORGAN STANLEY & CO. LLC
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By:
/s/ Deron Smithy
|
By:
/s/ Darren McCarley
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Name: Deron Smithy
|
Name: Darren McCarley
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Title: Executive Vice President and Treasurer
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Title: Managing Director
|
Trade Date:
|
August 27, 2018
|
Prepayment Date:
|
August 27, 2018
|
Initial Share Delivery Date:
|
August 27, 2018
|
Calculation Period Start Date:
|
August 27, 2018
|
Calculation Dates:
|
Each Scheduled Trading Day during the Calculation Period.
|
Scheduled Valuation Date:
|
[*]
|
Lock-Out Date:
|
[*]
|
Prepayment Amount:
|
USD 700,000,000
|
Discount:
|
USD [*]
|
Initial Shares:
|
29,075,805 Shares; 80% of Prepayment Amount / Closing Stock Price on the Exchange Business Day immediately prior to the Prepayment Date. All Shares delivered to Issuer in respect of the Transaction pursuant to this paragraph shall be the “Initial Shares” for purposes of “Settlement Amount.”
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Ordinary Dividend Amount:
|
USD 0.14
For any Dividend with an ex-dividend date occurring on or after the Scheduled Valuation Date: USD 0.00 |
Scheduled Ex-Dividend Dates:
|
[*]
|
Threshold Price:
|
USD [*]
|
Specified ADTV Percentage:
|
In respect of any Calculation Date on or before [*]: 0%
|
Floor Price:
|
USD [*]
|
Initial Stock Loan Rate:
|
[*] bps.
|
Maximum Stock Loan Rate:
|
[*] bps.
|
Share Cap:
|
As of any date, [*] Shares
|
Maximum Number of Shares:
|
551,250,000
|
Settlement Currency:
|
USD
|
Settlement Method Election:
|
Applicable;
provided
that (i) Section 7.1 of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by deleting the word “Physical” in the sixth line thereof and replacing it with the words “Net Share” and (ii) the Electing Party may make a settlement method election only if the Electing Party represents and warrants to MSCO in writing on the date it notifies MSCO of its election that, as of such date, the Electing Party is not aware of any material nonpublic information concerning Issuer or the Shares and is electing the settlement method in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with the federal securities laws.
|
Electing Party:
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Buyer
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Buyer Election Date:
|
In respect of any Valuation Date, the earlier of (i) the Scheduled Valuation Date and (ii) the second Exchange Business Day immediately following the relevant Acceleration Date (if any) (in which case the election under Section 7.1 of the Equity Definitions shall be made no later than 10 minutes prior to the open of trading on the Exchange on such second Exchange Business Day), as the case may be.
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Default Settlement Method:
|
Cash Settlement
|
Amount:
|
The Settlement Amount multiplied by the Buyer Settlement Price.
|
Buyer Settlement Price:
|
The average of the 10b-18 VWAPs for the Calculation Dates in the Buyer Settlement Valuation Period, subject to the provisions opposite the caption “Market Disruption Event” in the Confirmation.
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Valuation Period:
|
A number of Scheduled Trading Days selected by MSCO in a commercially reasonable manner to unwind a commercially reasonable Hedge Position, beginning on the Scheduled Trading Day immediately following the earlier of (i) the Scheduled Valuation Date or (ii) the Exchange Business Day immediately following the Valuation Date.
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Cash Settlement:
|
If Cash Settlement is applicable, then Buyer shall pay to Seller the absolute value of the Forward Cash Settlement Amount on the Buyer Cash Settlement Payment Date.
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Payment Date:
|
The date one Settlement Cycle following the last day of the Buyer Settlement Valuation Period.
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Procedures:
|
If Net Share Settlement is applicable, Net Share Settlement shall be made in accordance with paragraphs 2 through 8 below.
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Where
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A = the number of authorized but unissued shares of Buyer that are not reserved for future issuance on the date hereof; and
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