Table of Contents
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
Michigan
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
|
6022
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
|
38-3360865
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
|
310 Leonard St., N.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
(616) 406-3000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Charles E. Christmas
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer
Mercantile Bank Corporation
310 Leonard St., N.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
(616) 406-3000
(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
With copies to:
Bradley J. Wyatt
Jua T. Tawah
Dickinson Wright PLLC
350 S. Main St., Suite 300
Ann Arbor Michigan 48104
(734) 623-7075
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the securities being registered on this Form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box: ☐
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☑ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging Growth Company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
If applicable, place an X in the box to designate the appropriate rule provision relied upon in conducting this transaction:
| |
Exchange Act Rule 13e-4(i) (Cross-Border Issuer Tender Offer)
|
☐
|
| |
Exchange Act Rule 14d-1(d) (Cross-Border Third-Party Tender Offer)
|
☐
|
The Registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
PRELIMINARY — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION — DATED [●], 2022
PROSPECTUS
Offer to Exchange
Up to $90,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032
that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933
for any and all outstanding unregistered
3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on , 2022, unless extended.
We are offering to exchange 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032 that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), which we refer to in this prospectus as the “New Notes,” for any and all of our outstanding unregistered 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032 that we issued in a private placement on December 15, 2021 and on January 14, 2022, which we refer to in this prospectus as the “Old Notes.” We are making this offer to exchange the New Notes for the Old Notes to satisfy our obligations under certain registration rights agreements that we entered into with the purchasers of the Old Notes in connection with our issuance of the Old Notes to those purchasers.
We will not receive any cash proceeds from this exchange offer. The issuance of the New Notes in exchange for the Old Notes will not result in any increase in our outstanding indebtedness. Old Notes that are not exchanged for New Notes in this exchange offer will remain outstanding. The exchange offer is not subject to any minimum tender condition, but is subject to certain customary conditions.
Upon expiration of the exchange offer, all Old Notes that have been validly tendered and not withdrawn will be exchanged for an equal principal amount of New Notes. The terms of the New Notes are identical in all material respects to the terms of the Old Notes, except that the New Notes are registered under the Securities Act and are generally not subject to transfer restrictions, are not entitled to registration rights under the registration rights agreements that we entered into with the initial purchasers of the Old Notes and do not have the right to additional interest under the circumstances described in that registration rights agreements relating to our fulfillment of our registration obligations. The New Notes evidence the same debt as the Old Notes and are governed by the same subordinated indenture under which the Old Notes were issued.
There is no existing public market for the Old Notes or the New Notes, and we do not expect any public market to develop in the future for either the Old Notes or the New Notes. The Old Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange or quotation system, and we do not intend to list the New Notes on any national securities exchange or quotation system.
You may withdraw your tender of Old Notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer. We will exchange all of the outstanding Old Notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer for an equal principal amount of New Notes.
Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New Notes. A broker-dealer that acquired Old Notes because of market-making or other trading activities may use this prospectus, as supplemented or amended from time to time, in connection with resales of the New Notes for a period of 180 days after the completion of the exchange offer. See “Plan of Distribution.”
Investing in our securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10, as well as the risk factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021 and in the other reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
The securities to be exchanged are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any of our bank or non- bank subsidiaries and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, nor are they obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank or savings association.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor any state securities commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2022.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not complete the exchange offer and issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is a part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement, certain parts of which are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us, the exchange offer and the securities offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement, including the exhibits to the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference.
We are providing this prospectus to holders of Old Notes in connection with our offer to exchange Old Notes for New Notes. We are not making this exchange offer in any jurisdiction where the exchange offer is not permitted.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in the accompanying exchange offer transmittal documents filed by us with the SEC. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with any other information. We take no responsibility for, and provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the applicable document that contains that information. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
You should not consider any information in this prospectus to be investment, legal or tax advice. You should consult your own counsel, accountant and other advisors for legal, tax, business, financial and related advice regarding the exchange offer and ownership of these securities.
Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account in exchange for Old Notes acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New Notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a participating broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes. We have agreed to make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to any such broker-dealer that requests copies of this prospectus for use in connection with any such resale. See “Plan of Distribution.”
References in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Mercantile” refer to Mercantile Bank Corporation Bancshares, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. References in this prospectus to the “Bank” refer to Mercantile Bank of Michigan, a Michigan banking association and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and therefore we file with the SEC annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information. Our SEC filings are available to the public at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov or on our Internet web site mercbank.com. The reference to our web site is not intended to be an active link and the information on our web site is not, and you must not consider the information to be, a part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 relating to the New Notes and the exchange offer. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and, as permitted by SEC rules, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. The registration statement, including the exhibits thereto, contains additional relevant information about us, the New Notes and the exchange offer. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to a contract or other document, the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that form a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You can get a copy of the registration statement and the documents referred to below under “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” from the SEC web site or our web site listed above. You can also obtain these documents from us, without charge (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference), upon written or oral request at the following address and telephone number:
Mercantile Bank Corporation
Attention: Corporate Secretary
310 Leonard St., N.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
Telephone: (616) 406-3000
To ensure timely delivery of any requested information, holders of the Old Notes must make any request no later than , 2022, which is five business days before the expiration date of the exchange offer, or, if we decide to extend the expiration date of the exchange offer, no later than five business days before such extended expiration date.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with it into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC (SEC File No. 000-26719).
| |
•
|
our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2021 (including portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders filed with the SEC on April 8, 2021, to the extent specifically incorporated by reference in such Form 10-K);
|
| |
•
|
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on May 7, 2021, for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on August 6, 2021, and for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, filed with the SEC on November 5, 2021; and
|
| |
•
|
our Current Reports on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on each of January 19, 2021, April 2, 2021, April 20, 2021, May 27, 2021, July 15, 2021, July 20, 2021, October 19, 2021, December 17, 2021, December 30, 2021, January 14, 2022 and January 18, 2022, except to the extent any such information is deemed “furnished” in accordance with SEC rules.
|
We incorporate by reference any additional documents that we may file with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than those furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC), from the date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part until the termination of the offering of the securities. These documents may include annual, quarterly and current reports, as well as proxy statements. Any material that we later file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede, where appropriate, the information previously filed with the SEC. These documents are available to you without charge. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or supersedes such statement in such document.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus, any related prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus and any related prospectus supplement contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of such term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We and our representatives may, from time to time, make written or oral statements that are “forward-looking” and provide information other than historical information. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. These factors include, among other things, the factors listed below. Forward-looking statements, which may be based upon beliefs, expectations and assumptions of our management and on information currently available to management, are generally identifiable by the use of words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plans,” “intend,” “project,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “may” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Additionally, we undertake no obligation to update any statement in light of new information or future events, except as required under federal securities law.
Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors that could have an impact on our ability to achieve operating results, growth plan goals and future prospects include, but are not limited to, the following:
| |
•
|
the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic on our future consolidated financial condition and results of operations;
|
| |
•
|
general (i) political conditions, including, without limitation, governmental action and uncertainty resulting from U.S. and global political trends and (ii) economic conditions, either globally, nationally, in the State of Michigan, or in the specific markets in which we operate, including, without limitation, the deterioration of the commercial real estate, residential real estate, construction and development, energy, oil and gas, credit or liquidity markets, which could cause an adverse change in our net interest margin, or a decline in the value of our assets, which could result in realized losses;
|
| |
•
|
current or future legislation, regulatory changes or changes in monetary or fiscal policy that adversely affect the businesses in which we or our customers or our borrowers are engaged, including the impact of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, the Federal Reserve’s actions with respect to interest rates, the capital requirements promulgated by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, uncertainty relating to calculation of LIBOR and other regulatory responses to economic conditions;
|
| |
•
|
adverse changes in the credit portfolios of other U.S. financial institutions relative to the performance of certain of our investment securities;
|
| |
•
|
economic or other disruptions caused by acts of terrorism in the United States, Europe or other areas;
|
| |
•
|
technological changes, including potential cyber-security incidents and other disruptions, or innovations to the financial services industry, including as a result of the increased telework environment;
|
| |
•
|
our ability to identify and address cyber-security risks such as data security breaches, malware, “denial of service” attacks, “hacking” and identity theft, which could disrupt our business and result in the disclosure of and/or misuse or misappropriation of confidential or proprietary information, disruption or damage of our systems, increased costs, significant losses, or adverse effects to our reputation;
|
| |
•
|
the risk that our enterprise risk management framework, compliance program or our corporate governance and supervisory oversight functions may not identify or address risks adequately, which may result in unexpected losses;
|
| |
•
|
changes in the interest rate yield curve such as flat, inverted or steep yield curves, or changes in the interest rate environment that impact net interest margins and may impact prepayments on our mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) portfolio;
|
| |
•
|
increases in our nonperforming assets;
|
| |
•
|
our ability to maintain adequate liquidity to fund operations and growth;
|
| |
•
|
any applicable regulatory limits or other restrictions on the Bank and its ability to pay dividends to us;
|
| |
•
|
the failure of our assumptions underlying our allowance for credit losses and other estimates;
|
| |
•
|
the failure to maintain an effective system of controls and procedures, including internal control over financial reporting;
|
| |
•
|
the effectiveness of our derivative financial instruments and hedging activities to manage risk;
|
| |
•
|
unexpected outcomes of, and the costs associated with, existing or new litigation involving us, including the costs and effects of litigation related to our participation in government stimulus programs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic;
|
| |
•
|
changes impacting our balance sheet and leverage strategy;
|
| |
•
|
risks related to actual mortgage prepayments diverging from projections;
|
| |
•
|
risks related to actual U.S. agency MBS prepayments exceeding projected prepayment levels;
|
| |
•
|
risks related to U.S. agency MBS prepayments increasing due to U.S. government programs designed to assist homeowners to refinance their mortgage that might not otherwise have qualified;
|
| |
•
|
our ability to monitor interest rate risk;
|
| |
•
|
risks related to fluctuations in the price per barrel of crude oil;
|
| |
•
|
significant increases in competition in the banking and financial services industry;
|
| |
•
|
changes in consumer spending, borrowing and saving habits;
|
| |
•
|
execution of future acquisitions, reorganization or disposition transactions, including the risk that the anticipated benefits of such transactions are not realized;
|
| |
•
|
our ability to increase market share and control expenses;
|
| |
•
|
our ability to develop competitive new products and services in a timely manner and the acceptance of such products and services by our customers;
|
| |
•
|
the effect of changes in federal or state tax laws;
|
| |
•
|
the effect of compliance with legislation or regulatory changes;
|
| |
•
|
the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, including the implementation of the current expected credit loss model;
|
| |
•
|
credit risks of borrowers, including any increase in those risks due to changing economic conditions;
|
| |
•
|
risks related to loans secured by real estate, including the risk that the value and marketability of collateral could decline;
|
| |
•
|
risks related to environmental liability as a result of certain lending activity;
|
| |
•
|
risks associated with our common stock and our other securities, including fluctuations in our stock price and general volatility in the stock market; and
|
| |
•
|
each of the factors and risks identified in the “Risk Factors” section included under Item 1A. of Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, each of the factors and risks identified in the “Risk Factors” section included under Item 1A. of Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarterly periods ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021 and in the “Risk Factors” sections of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.
|
We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by the foregoing cautionary statements. Because of these risks and other uncertainties, our actual future results, performance or achievement, or industry results, may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, our past results of operations are not necessarily indicative of our future results.
SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before deciding to exchange your Old Notes for New Notes. You should read this prospectus carefully, including the “Risk Factors” sections contained in this prospectus, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, each of which are incorporated by reference herein, as updated by our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, our financial statements and the related notes and the other documents incorporated by reference herein, which are described under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” in this prospectus before making a decision about whether to exchange your Old Notes for New Notes.
About Mercantile Bank Corporation
Mercantile Bank Corporation is a registered bank holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the “Bank Holding Company Act”). As a bank holding company, we are subject to regulation by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. We were organized on July 15, 1997, under the laws of the State of Michigan, primarily for the purpose of holding all of the stock of Mercantile Bank of Michigan (the “Bank”), and of such other subsidiaries as we may acquire or establish. The Bank commenced business on December 15, 1997. During the third quarter of 2013, we filed an election to become a financial holding company, which election became effective April 14, 2014.
Our expenses have generally been paid using cash dividends from the Bank. Our principal source of future operating funds is expected to be dividends from the Bank.
Additional information about the Company and its subsidiaries may be found in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Summary of the Exchange Offer
The following provides a summary of certain terms of the exchange offer. Please refer to the section “The Exchange Offer” appearing elsewhere in this prospectus for a more complete description of the exchange offer and the section “Description of the Notes” for a more complete description of the terms of the Old Notes and New Notes.
|
Old Notes
|
$90,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032.
|
| |
|
|
New Notes
|
Up to $90,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032, which have terms that are identical in all material respects to the terms of the Old Notes, except that the New Notes are registered under the Securities Act and are generally not subject to transfer restrictions, are not entitled to registration rights under the registration rights agreements and do not have the right to additional interest under the circumstances described in the registration rights agreements relating to our fulfillment of our registration obligations.
|
| |
|
|
Exchange Offer
|
We are offering to exchange the New Notes for a like principal amount of Old Notes. Subject to the terms of the exchange offer, as soon as reasonably practicable following the expiration date of the exchange offer, we will exchange New Notes for all Old Notes that have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.
|
| |
|
|
Expiration Date
|
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on 2022, unless extended.
|
| |
|
|
Withdrawal Rights
|
You may withdraw the book-entry tender of your Old Notes at any time before the expiration date. For a withdrawal of tendered Old Notes issued in book-entry form to be effective, the exchange agent must receive, on or prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on the expiration date, a computer-generated notice of withdrawal, transmitted by Depository Trust Company, or DTC, on your behalf in accordance with the appropriate procedures of DTC’s “Automated Tender Offer Program,” or ATOP. See “The Exchange Offer — Withdrawal of Tenders.”
|
| |
|
|
Conditions to Exchange Offer
|
This exchange offer is subject to customary conditions, which we may waive. See “The Exchange Offer — Conditions.”
|
|
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes
|
The Old Notes were issued in book-entry form, and are currently represented by global certificates held for the account of DTC, as depositary, or its nominee. Accordingly, DTC is treated as the registered holder of your Old Notes and will be the only entity that can tender your Old Notes for New Notes. In order to participate in the exchange offer, you must follow the procedures established by DTC for tendering your Old Notes held in book-entry form. These ATOP procedures require that, prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer, (i) DTC receive (a) your instructions to exchange your Old Notes and (b) your agreement to be bound by the terms of the accompanying letter of transmittal, and (ii) the exchange agent receive a computer generated message known as an “agent’s message” that is transmitted through ATOP. Please note that by using the ATOP procedures to tender and exchange Old Notes, you will be bound by the terms of the accompanying letter of transmittal, and you will be deemed to have made the acknowledgments and representations it contains.
See “The Exchange Offer — Eligibility; Transferability” and “The Exchange Offer — Representations.”
|
| |
|
|
Material United States Income Tax Considerations
|
The exchange of Old Notes for New Notes in the exchange offer generally should not constitute a taxable event for United States federal income tax purposes. See “Material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations.” You should consult your own tax advisor as to the tax consequences of exchanging your Old Notes for New Notes.
|
| |
|
|
Registration Rights
|
Under the terms of the registration rights agreements that we entered into with the initial purchasers of the Old Notes at the time we issued the Old Notes, we agreed to register the New Notes and undertake this exchange offer. This exchange offer is intended to satisfy the rights of holders of Old Notes under that registration rights agreements. After the exchange offer is completed, we will have no further obligations, except under certain limited circumstances, to provide for any exchange or undertake any further registration with respect to the Old Notes.
|
| |
|
|
Transferability
|
Based upon existing interpretations of the Securities Act by the staff of the SEC contained in several no-action letters issued to third parties, we believe that the New Notes may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by you without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, provided that:
• you are acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of your business;
• you are not participating or engaged in, do not intend to participate or engage in, and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, the distribution of the New Notes issued to you;
• you are not an “affiliate” of ours within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and
• you are not acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully make these statements.
Our belief that transfers of New Notes would be permitted without registration or prospectus delivery under the conditions described above is based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC given to other, unrelated issuers in similar exchange offers. The staff of the SEC has not considered this exchange offer in the context of a no-action letter, and we cannot assure you that the staff of the SEC would make a similar interpretation with respect to our exchange offer.
|
| |
If our belief is not accurate and you transfer a New Note without delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or without an exemption from such requirements, you may incur liability under the Securities Act. We do not and will not assume, or indemnify you against, such liability.
Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account under the exchange offer in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activity must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the New Notes.
See “The Exchange Offer — Eligibility; Transferability” and “Plan of Distribution.”
|
| |
|
|
Exchange Old Notes
|
Any Old Notes that are not exchanged in the exchange offer will continue to be governed by the subordinated indenture relating to the Old Notes and the terms of the Old Notes. Old Notes that are not exchanged will remain subject to the restrictions on transfer described in the Old Notes, and you will not be able to offer or sell the Old Notes except under an exemption from the requirements of the Securities Act or unless the Old Notes are registered under the Securities Act. Upon the completion of the exchange offer, we will have no further obligations, except under limited circumstances, to provide for registration of the Old Notes under the United States federal securities laws. If you do not participate in the exchange offer, the liquidity of your Old Notes could be adversely affected.
See “The Exchange Offer — Consequences of Failure to Exchange.”
|
| |
|
|
Use of Proceeds
|
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the exchange of Old Notes for New Notes as a result of the exchange offer.
|
| |
|
|
Cancellation of Exchanged Old Notes
|
Old Notes that are surrendered in exchange for New Notes will be retired and cancelled by us upon receipt and will not be reissued. Accordingly, the issuance of the New Notes under this exchange offer will not result in any increase in our outstanding indebtedness.
|
| |
|
|
Exchange Agent
|
Wilmington Trust, National Association is serving as the exchange agent for this exchange offer. See “The Exchange Offer-Exchange Agent” for the address and telephone number of the exchange agent.
|
Summary of the New Notes
The following provides a summary of certain terms of the New Notes. The New Notes have terms that are identical in all material respects to the terms of the Old Notes, except that the New Notes are registered under the Securities Act and are generally not subject to transfer restrictions, are not entitled to registration rights under the registration rights agreements and do not have the right to additional interest under the circumstances described in the registration rights agreements relating to our fulfillment of our registration obligations. The New Notes will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes and will be governed by the same subordinated indenture under which the Old Notes were issued. Please refer to the section “Description of the Notes” for a more complete description of the terms of the New Notes. References in this prospectus to the “notes” include both the Old Notes and the New Notes unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.
|
Issuer
|
Mercantile Bank Corporation.
|
| |
|
|
Securities Offered
|
3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032.
|
| |
|
|
Aggregate Principal Amount
|
Up to $90,000,000.
|
| |
|
|
Maturity Date
|
January 30, 2032, unless previously redeemed.
|
|
Form and Denomination
|
The New Notes will be issued only in fully registered form without interest coupons, in minimum denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Unless otherwise required for institutional accredited investors, the New Notes will be evidenced by a global note deposited with the trustee for the New Notes, as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and transfers of beneficial interests will be facilitated only through records maintained by DTC and its participants.
|
| |
|
|
Interest Rate
|
3.25% per annum, from and including the closing date to, but excluding, January 30, 2027 (the “Fixed Rate Period”), payable semi-annually in arrears. From and including January 30, 2027, to, but excluding, the maturity date or early redemption date (the “Floating Rate Period”), the interest rate shall reset quarterly to an interest rate per annum equal to a benchmark rate that is expected to be the then current Three-Month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (provided, however, that in the event Three-Month Term SOFR is less than zero, Three-Month Term SOFR shall be deemed to be zero), plus 212 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears. If Three-Month Term SOFR cannot be determined on a given date, a different index shall be determined and used in accordance with the terms of the New Notes.
|
| |
|
|
Interest Payment Dates
|
Interest on the New Notes will be payable semi-annually on January 30 and July 30 of each year through January 30, 2027 and quarterly thereafter on January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30 of each year through the maturity date or early redemption date.
|
| |
|
|
Day Count Convention
|
30-day month/360-day year to but excluding January 30, 2027, and thereafter, a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed.
|
| |
|
|
Record Dates
|
Each interest payment will be made to the holders of record who held the New Notes at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day (whether or not a Business Day) immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date.
|
| |
|
|
Subordination; Ranking
|
The New Notes will be our general unsecured, subordinated obligations and:
• will rank junior in right of payment and upon our liquidation to our existing and future senior indebtedness (as defined herein);
• will rank equally in right of payment and upon our liquidation with our existing and all future indebtedness the terms of which provide that such indebtedness ranks equally with promissory notes, bonds, debentures and other evidences of indebtedness of types that include the New Notes;
• will rank senior in right of payment and upon our liquidation to any indebtedness the terms of which provide that such indebtedness ranks junior to promissory notes, bonds, debentures and other evidences of indebtedness of types that include the New Notes; and
• will be effectively subordinated to all of the existing and future indebtedness, deposits and other liabilities of the Bank and our other current and future subsidiaries, including without limitation, the Bank’s liabilities to depositors in connection with the deposits in the Bank, as well as to its subsidiary’s liabilities to general creditors and liabilities arising during the ordinary course or otherwise.
|
| |
As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s subsidiaries had, in the aggregate, outstanding debt and deposits of approximately $4.7 billion. In addition, as of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $48 million of indebtedness that would rank senior to the New Notes, no indebtedness that would rank pari passu with the New Notes, and no indebtedness that would rank subordinate to the Subordinated Notes. |
| |
|
|
Optional Redemption
|
The Company may, at its option, beginning with the interest payment date of January 30, 2027 but not prior thereto (except upon the occurrence of certain events specified below) and on any scheduled interest payment date thereafter, redeem the New Notes, in whole or in part, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Federal Reserve to the extent such prior approval is then required under the capital adequacy rules of the Federal Reserve, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Any partial redemption will be in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures among all of the noteholders. The New Notes are not subject to redemption at the option of the noteholders thereof.
|
| |
|
|
Special Event Redemption
|
The New Notes may not be redeemed prior to January 30, 2027, except that the Company may redeem the New Notes at any time, at its option, in whole or in part, subject to obtaining the prior approval of the Federal Reserve to the extent such prior approval is then required under the capital adequacy rules of the Federal Reserve, if (i) a change or prospective change in law occurs that could prevent the Company from deducting interest payable on the New Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (ii) a subsequent event occurs that precludes the New Notes from being recognized as Tier 2 capital for regulatory capital purposes, or (iii) the Company is required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, in each case, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the New Notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date.
|
| |
|
|
No Limitations on Indebtedness
|
The terms of the New Notes do not limit the amount of additional indebtedness the Company, the Bank or any of our respective subsidiaries may incur or the amount of other obligations ranking senior or equal to the New Notes that we may incur.
|
| |
|
|
Limited Subordinated Indenture Covenants
|
The subordinated indenture governing the New Notes contains no financial covenants requiring us to achieve or maintain any minimum financial results relating to our financial position or results of operations or meet or exceed any financial ratios as a general matter or in order to incur additional indebtedness or obligations or to maintain any reserves.
Moreover, neither the subordinated indenture nor the New Notes contain any covenants prohibiting us from, or limiting our right to, grant liens on our assets to secure our indebtedness or other obligations that are senior in right of payment to the New Notes, to repurchase our stock or other securities, including any of the New Notes, or to pay dividends or make other distributions to our shareholders.
|
| |
|
|
Listing; No Public Market
|
The New Notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market, and we do not expect any public market to develop in the future for the New Notes. We do not intend to list the New Notes on any national securities exchange or quotation system.
|
|
Risk Factors
|
See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 10 of this prospectus, as well as in our reports filed with the SEC, and other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should consider carefully before deciding to participate in the exchange offer.
|
| |
|
|
Trustee
|
Wilmington Trust, National Association, or successor if replaced in accordance with the applicable provisions of the subordinated indenture.
|
| |
|
|
Governing Law
|
The New Notes and the subordinated indenture will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
|
RISK FACTORS
In consultation with your own advisors, you should carefully consider, among other matters, the factors set forth below as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus before deciding whether to participate in the exchange offer. In particular, you should carefully consider, among other things, the factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and the factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021, each of which are incorporated herein by reference, as updated by our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. If any of the risks contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus develop into actual events, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects could be materially and adversely affected, the value of the New Notes could decline, our ability to repay the New Notes may be impaired, and you may lose all or part of your investment. Some statements in this prospectus, including statements in the following risk factors, constitute forward-looking statements. See the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” section in this prospectus.
Risks Related to Our Business
For a discussion of certain risks applicable to our business and operations, please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and the section entitled “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2021 and June 30, 2021.
Risks Related to the Exchange Offer
If you do not properly tender your Old Notes, you will continue to hold unregistered Old Notes and your ability to transfer Old Notes will be adversely affected.
We will only issue New Notes in exchange for Old Notes that you timely and properly tender. Therefore, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of the Old Notes and you should carefully follow the instructions on how to tender your Old Notes. Neither we nor the exchange agent are required to tell you of any defects or irregularities with respect to your tender of Old Notes. See “The Exchange Offer — Procedures for Tendering Old Notes.”
If you do not exchange your Old Notes for New Notes in the exchange offer, you will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer of your Old Notes described in the legend on the certificates for your Old Notes. In general, you may only offer or sell the Old Notes if they are registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or you offer and sell under an exemption from these requirements. We do not plan to register any sale of the Old Notes under the Securities Act.
The tender of Old Notes under the exchange offer will reduce the principal amount of the Old Notes outstanding, which may have an adverse effect upon, and increase the volatility of, the market price of the Old Notes due to reduction in liquidity.
You may not receive New Notes in the exchange offer if you do not properly follow the exchange offer procedures.
We will issue New Notes in exchange for your Old Notes only if you properly tender the Old Notes before expiration of the exchange offer. Neither we nor the exchange agent are required to tell you of any defects or irregularities with respect to your tender of Old Notes. If you are the beneficial holder of Old Notes that are held through your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee, and you wish to tender such Old Notes in the exchange offer, you should promptly contact the person through whom your Old Notes are held and instruct that person to tender on your behalf in accordance with the procedures described in this prospectus and the accompanying transmittal letter.
Some holders who exchange their Old Notes may be deemed to be underwriters.
Based on interpretations of the Securities Act by the staff of the SEC contained in certain no-action letters issued to other parties, we believe that you, or any other person receiving New Notes, may offer for resale, resell or otherwise transfer the New Notes without complying with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. Our belief that transfers of New Notes would be permitted without registration or prospectus delivery under the conditions described above is based on interpretations by the staff of the SEC given to other, unrelated issuers in similar exchange offers. The staff of the SEC has not considered the exchange offer in the context of a no-action letter, and we cannot assure you that the staff of the SEC would make a similar interpretation with respect to the exchange offer. Additionally, in some instances described in this prospectus under “Plan of Distribution,” certain holders of New Notes will remain obligated to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to transfer the New Notes. If any such holder transfers any New Notes without delivering a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or without an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, such holder may incur liability under the Securities Act. We do not and will not assume, or indemnify any such holder or other person against, such liability.
Risks Related to the Notes
The notes are unsecured and subordinated to our existing and future senior indebtedness.
Although the New Notes will rank on par with the Old Notes, the notes will be unsecured, subordinated obligations of Mercantile and, consequently, will rank junior in right of payment to all of our secured and unsecured “senior indebtedness” now existing or that we incur in the future, as described under “Description of the Notes — Subordination.” As a result, upon any payment or distribution of assets to creditors in the case of liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding, the holders of the senior indebtedness will be entitled to have the senior indebtedness paid in full prior to the holders of the notes receiving any payment of principal of, or interest on, the notes.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s subsidiaries had, in the aggregate, outstanding debt and deposits of approximately $4.7 billion, which would rank senior to the notes. In addition, as of December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $48 million of indebtedness that would rank senior to the notes, no indebtedness that would rank pari passu with the notes, and no indebtedness that would rank subordinate to the notes. The notes do not limit the amount of additional indebtedness or senior indebtedness that we or any of our subsidiaries, including the Bank, may incur. Accordingly, in the future, we and our subsidiaries may incur other indebtedness, which may be substantial in amount, including senior indebtedness, indebtedness ranking equally with the notes and indebtedness ranking effectively senior to the notes, as applicable. Any additional indebtedness and liabilities that we and our subsidiaries incur may adversely affect our ability to pay our obligations on the notes.
As a consequence of the subordination of the notes to our existing and future senior indebtedness, an investor in the notes may lose all or some of its investment upon our liquidation, dissolution, winding up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding. In such an event, our assets would be available to pay the principal of, and any accrued and unpaid interest on, the notes only after all of our senior indebtedness had been paid in full. In such an event, any of our other general, unsecured obligations that do not constitute senior indebtedness, depending upon their respective preferences, will share pro rata in our remaining assets after we have paid all of our senior indebtedness in full.
The notes are obligations only of Mercantile Bank Corporation and not obligations of the Bank or any of our other subsidiaries and will be effectively subordinated to the existing and future indebtedness of the Bank, deposits of the Bank, and other liabilities of the Bank and our other subsidiaries.
The notes are obligations solely of Mercantile Bank Corporation and are not obligations of the Bank or any of our other subsidiaries, and are not insured by any government or private agency. The Bank and our other subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities from Mercantile Bank Corporation. Because we are a holding company, the rights of Mercantile Bank Corporation and the rights of its creditors, including the holders of the notes, to participate in any distribution of the assets of the Bank or any other subsidiary (either as a shareholder or as a creditor) upon an insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or similar proceeding of the Bank or such other subsidiary (and the consequent right of the holders of the notes to participate in those assets after repayment of our existing or future senior indebtedness), will be subject to the claims of the creditors of the Bank, including depositors of the Bank, or such other subsidiary. Accordingly, the notes are effectively subordinated to all of the existing and future indebtedness, deposits and other liabilities of the Bank and our other subsidiaries, to the extent that those liabilities, including deposit liabilities, equal or exceed their respective assets.
The notes do not limit the amount of indebtedness or other liabilities that the Bank or any of our other subsidiaries may incur, all of which would rank structurally senior to the notes. Any additional indebtedness and liabilities that our subsidiaries incur may adversely affect our ability to pay our obligations on the notes.
The notes include limited covenants and do not restrict our ability to incur additional debt.
The notes do not contain any financial covenants that would require us to achieve or maintain any minimum financial results relating to our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations or meet or exceed certain financial ratios as a general matter or to incur additional indebtedness or obligations or to maintain any reserves. Moreover, the notes do not contain any covenants prohibiting us or our subsidiaries from, or limiting our or our subsidiaries’ right to, grant liens on assets to secure indebtedness or other obligations, to repurchase our stock or other securities, including any of the notes, or to pay dividends or make other distributions to our shareholders. The notes do not contain any provision that would provide protection to the holders of the notes against a material decline in our credit quality.
In addition, the notes do not limit the amount of additional indebtedness the Company, the Bank or any of our other subsidiaries may incur or the amount of other obligations that the Company or the Bank may incur ranking senior or equal to the indebtedness evidenced by the notes. The issuance or guarantee of any such securities or the incurrence of any such other liabilities may reduce the amount, if any, recoverable by holders of the notes in the event of our insolvency, bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, winding up or similar proceeding, and may limit our ability to meet our obligations under the notes.
To service our debt, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors.
Our ability to make payments on or to refinance our indebtedness, including our ability to meet our obligations under the notes, and to fund our operations depends on our ability to generate cash and our access to the capital markets in the future. These will depend on our financial and operating performance, which, to a certain extent, are subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, capital market conditions and other factors that are beyond our control. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be unable to obtain new financing or to fund our obligations to our customers and business partners, implement our business plans, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the notes. As a result, we may be unable to meet our obligations under the notes. In the absence of sufficient capital resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet debt service and other obligations. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions of assets or to obtain the proceeds that they could realize from them and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due, including obligations under the notes. Additionally, as a holding company, our ability to service our debt is dependent, in part, on the receipt of dividends, fees, and interest paid to us by the Bank. The Bank is a separate legal entity that is legally distinct from us and has no obligation to make funds available to us for payments of principal of or interest on the notes. While we expect these payments to continue in the future, there are regulatory limits under federal law on the amount of dividends and distributions that the Bank can pay to us without regulatory approval. Accordingly, we can provide no assurance that we will receive dividends or other distributions from the Bank in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of or interest on the notes. For additional information, see “Business — Regulation and Supervision” in Part I, Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.
Payments on the notes will depend on receipt of dividends and distributions from our subsidiaries.
We are a bank holding company, and we conduct substantially all of our operations through subsidiaries, including the Bank. We depend on dividends, distributions and other payments from our subsidiaries to meet our obligations, including to fund payments on the notes. Our primary source of funds to make payments of principal and interest on the notes and to satisfy any other financial obligations are dividends from the Bank. Our ability to receive dividends from the Bank is contingent on a number of factors, including the Bank’s ability to meet applicable regulatory capital requirements, the Bank’s profitability and earnings, and the general strength of its balance sheet.
Various federal and state laws and regulations limit the amount of dividends that the Bank may pay to the Company. Moreover, the Federal Reserve and the FDIC have issued policy statements stating that insured banks and financial and bank holding companies generally should pay dividends only out of current operating earnings. Also, the Company’s right to participate in a distribution of assets upon a subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization is subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors. In the event the Bank is unable to pay dividends to us, we may not be able to service any debt we may incur, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects.
The Bank also may not pay dividends if payment would cause it to become undercapitalized or if it is already undercapitalized and must maintain a common equity Tier 1 capital conservation buffer of greater than 2.5% to avoid becoming subject to restrictions on capital distributions, including dividends. Further, contractual or other restrictions may also limit our subsidiaries’ abilities to pay dividends or make distributions, loans or advances to us. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 20 – Regulatory Matters” in Part IV, Item 16 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 for additional information.
In addition, state and federal banking regulators have broad authority to restrict the payment of dividends, including in circumstances where a bank under such regulator’s jurisdiction engages in (or is about to engage in) unsafe or unsound practices. Such regulators have the authority to require that the bank cease and desist from unsafe and unsound practices and to prevent a bank from paying a dividend if its financial condition is such that the regulator views the payment of a dividend to constitute an unsafe or unsound practice.
For these reasons, we may not have access to any assets or cash flow of our subsidiaries to make principal or interest payments on the notes.
The notes are subject to limited rights of acceleration.
Payment of principal of the notes may be accelerated only in the case of certain bankruptcy-related events with respect to us. As a result, you have no right to accelerate the payment of principal of the notes if we fail to pay principal of or interest on the notes or if we fail in the performance of any of our other obligations under the notes.
You should not rely on indicative or historical data concerning SOFR.
The interest rate during the Floating Rate Period will be determined using Three-Month Term SOFR (unless a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date occur with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR, in which case the rate of interest will be based on the next-available Benchmark Replacement).
In the following discussion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, or “SOFR,” when we refer to SOFR-linked Notes, we mean the notes at any time when the interest rate on the notes is or will be determined based on SOFR, including Three-Month Term SOFR.
SOFR is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”) and is intended to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities. FRBNY reports that SOFR includes all trades in the Broad General Collateral Rate, plus bilateral U.S. Treasury repurchase agreement (“repo”) transactions cleared through the delivery-versus-payment service offered by the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation (the “FICC”), a subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). SOFR is filtered by FRBNY to remove a portion of the foregoing transactions considered to be “specials.” According to FRBNY, “specials” are repos for specific-issue collateral which take place at cash-lending rates below those for general collateral repos because cash providers are willing to accept a lesser return on their cash in order to obtain a particular security.
FRBNY reports that SOFR is calculated as a volume-weighted median of transaction-level tri-party repo data collected from The Bank of New York Mellon, which currently acts as the clearing bank for the tri-party repo market, as well as general collateral finance repo transaction data and data on bilateral U.S. Treasury repo transactions cleared through the FICC’s delivery-versus-payment service.
FRBNY states that it obtains information from DTCC Solutions LLC, an affiliate of DTCC. FRBNY currently publishes SOFR daily on its website at https://apps.newyorkfed.org/markets/autorates/sofr. FRBNY states on its publication page for SOFR that use of SOFR is subject to important disclaimers, limitations and indemnification obligations, including that FRBNY may alter the methods of calculation, publication schedule, rate revision practices or availability of SOFR at any time without notice. The foregoing Internet website is an inactive textual reference only, meaning that the information contained on the website is not part of this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein.
FRBNY started publishing SOFR in April 2018. FRBNY has also started publishing historical indicative SOFRs dating back to 2014, although this historical indicative data inherently involves assumptions, estimates and approximations. You should not rely on this historical indicative data or on any historical changes or trends in SOFR as an indicator of the future performance of SOFR.
SOFR may be more volatile than other benchmark or market rates.
Since the initial publication of SOFR, daily changes in the rate have, on occasion, been more volatile than daily changes in comparable benchmark or market rates, and SOFR over time may bear little or no relation to the historical actual or historical indicative data. In addition, the return on and value of the SOFR-linked Notes may fluctuate more than floating rate securities that are linked to less volatile rates.
Changes in SOFR could adversely affect the amount of interest that accrues on the SOFR-linked Notes and the trading prices for the SOFR-linked Notes.
Because SOFR is published by FRBNY based on data received from other sources, we have no control over its determination, calculation or publication. There can be no assurance that SOFR will not be discontinued or fundamentally altered in a manner that is materially adverse to the interests of investors in the SOFR-linked Notes. If the manner in which SOFR is calculated is changed, that change may result in a change in the amount of interest that accrues on the SOFR-linked Notes, which may adversely affect the trading prices of the SOFR-linked Notes. In addition, the interest rate on the SOFR-linked Notes for any day will not be adjusted for any modification or amendment to SOFR for that day that FRBNY may publish if the interest rate for that day has already been determined prior to such publication. Further, if the Benchmark rate on the SOFR-linked Notes during the Floating Rate Period for any interest period declines to zero or becomes negative, interest will only accrue on the SOFR-linked Notes at a rate equal to the spread of 212 basis points per annum with respect to that interest period. There is no assurance that changes in SOFR could not have a material adverse effect on the yield on, value of and market for the SOFR-linked Notes.
SOFR differs fundamentally from, and may not be a comparable substitute for, U.S. dollar LIBOR.
In June 2017, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (the “ARRC”) convened by the Federal Reserve and FRBNY announced SOFR as its recommended alternative to the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR. However, because SOFR is a broad U.S. Treasury repo financing rate that represents overnight secured funding transactions, it differs fundamentally from U.S. dollar LIBOR. For example, SOFR is a secured overnight rate, while U.S. dollar LIBOR is an unsecured rate that represents interbank funding over different maturities. In addition, because SOFR is a transaction-based rate, it is backward-looking, whereas U.S. dollar LIBOR is forward- looking. Because of these and other differences, there can be no assurance that SOFR will perform in the same way as U.S. dollar LIBOR would have done at any time, and there is no guarantee that it is a comparable substitute for U.S. dollar LIBOR.
SOFR may be modified or discontinued.
SOFR is a relatively new rate, and the FRBNY or any successor, as administrator of SOFR, may make methodological or other changes that could change the value of SOFR, including changes related to the methodology by which SOFR is calculated, eligibility criteria applicable to the transactions used to calculate SOFR or timing related to the publication of SOFR. If the manner in which SOFR is calculated is changed, that change may result in a reduction of the amount of interest payable on the notes, which may adversely affect the market price of the notes. The administrator of SOFR may withdraw, modify, amend, suspend or discontinue the calculation or dissemination of SOFR in its sole discretion and without notice and has no obligation to consider the interests of holders of the notes in calculating, withdrawing, modifying, amending, suspending or discontinuing SOFR.
Any failure of SOFR to gain market acceptance could adversely affect the trading prices of the SOFR-linked Notes.
SOFR may fail to gain market acceptance. SOFR was developed for use in certain U.S. dollar derivatives and other financial contracts as an alternative to U.S. dollar LIBOR in part because it is considered to be a good representation of general funding conditions in the overnight U.S. Treasury repo market. However, as a rate based on transactions secured by U.S. Treasury securities, it does not measure bank-specific credit risk and, as a result, is less likely to correlate with the unsecured short-term funding costs of banks. This may mean that market participants would not consider SOFR to be a suitable substitute or successor for all of the purposes for which U.S. dollar LIBOR historically has been used (including, without limitation, as a representation of the unsecured short-term funding costs of banks), which may, in turn, lessen its market acceptance. Any failure of SOFR to gain market acceptance could adversely affect the return on, value of and market for SOFR-linked Notes.
Any market for the SOFR-linked Notes may be illiquid or unpredictable.
Since SOFR is a relatively new market index, SOFR-linked debt securities likely will have no established trading market when issued, and an established trading market for the SOFR-linked Notes may never develop or may not be very liquid. Market terms for securities that are linked to SOFR, such as the spread over the base rate reflected in the interest rate provisions, may evolve over time, and as a result, trading prices of the SOFR-linked Notes may be lower than those of later-issued securities that are linked to SOFR. Similarly, if SOFR does not prove to be widely used in securities that are similar or comparable to the SOFR-linked Notes, the trading price of the SOFR-linked Notes may be lower than those of securities that are linked to rates that are more widely used. You may not be able to sell the SOFR-linked Notes at all or may not be able to sell the SOFR-linked Notes at prices that will provide you with a yield comparable to similar investments that have a developed secondary market, and may consequently suffer from increased pricing volatility and market risk. The manner of adoption or application of reference rates based on SOFR in the bond and equity markets may differ materially compared with the application and adoption of SOFR in other markets, such as the derivatives and loan markets. You should carefully consider how any potential inconsistencies between the adoption of reference rates based on SOFR across these markets may impact any hedging or other financial arrangements which you may put in place in connection with any acquisition, holding or disposal of the SOFR-linked Notes.
The interest rate for the notes during the Floating Rate Period may be determined based on a rate other than Three-Month Term SOFR.
Under the terms of the notes, the interest rate on the notes for each interest period during the Floating Rate Period will be based on Three-Month Term SOFR, a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months that will be based on SOFR. On July 29, 2021, the ARRC formally recommended the use of the CME Group’s forward-looking SOFR term rate. Uncertainty surrounding the development of forward-looking term rates based on SOFR could have a material adverse effect on the return on, value of and market for the notes. If, at the commencement of the Floating Rate Period for the notes the calculation agent determines that the use of a forward-looking rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR is not administratively feasible, then the next-available Benchmark Replacement under the benchmark transition provisions will be used to determine the interest rate on the notes during the Floating Rate Period (unless a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date occur with respect to that next-available Benchmark Replacement).
Under the terms of the notes, the calculation agent is expressly authorized to make determinations, decisions or elections with respect to technical, administrative or operational matters that it decides may be appropriate to reflect the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the interest rate basis for the notes in a manner substantially consistent with market practice, which are defined in the terms of the notes as “Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions.” The calculation agent’s determination and implementation of any Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions could result in adverse consequences to the amount of interest that accrues on the notes during the Floating Rate Period, which could adversely affect the return on, value of and market for the notes.
Any Benchmark Replacement may not be the economic equivalent of Three-Month Term SOFR.
Under the benchmark transition provisions of the notes, if the calculation agent determines that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR, then the interest rate on the notes during the Floating Rate Period will be determined using the next-available Benchmark Replacement (which may include a related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment). However, the Benchmark Replacement may not be the economic equivalent of Three-Month Term SOFR. For example, Compounded SOFR, the first available Benchmark Replacement, is the compounded average of the daily Secured Overnight Financing Rates calculated in arrears, while Three-Month Term SOFR is intended to be a forward- looking rate with a tenor of three months. In addition, very limited market precedent exists for securities that use Compounded SOFR as the rate basis, and the method for calculating Compounded SOFR in those precedents varies. Further, the ISDA Fallback Rate, which is another Benchmark Replacement, has not yet been established and may change over time.
The terms “Benchmark Replacement Adjustment,” “Compounded SOFR,” and “ISDA Fallback Rate” have the meanings set forth below under “Description of the Notes – Principal, Maturity and Interest.”
A modification of the notes could occur for tax purposes in the event that a Benchmark Replacement is not a “qualified rate” under applicable Treasury Regulations.
Recently finalized Treasury Regulations provide guidance on the tax consequences on the use of a reference rate other than SOFR (or another interbank offered rate) in debt instruments. The final Treasury Regulations explain a significant modification of a debt instrument would not result in the event that a “qualified rate” is used (rather than Three-Month Term SOFR). A “qualified rate” is a rate that includes, among other things, a rate selected, endorsed or recommended by a central bank (or similar authority) as a replacement for SOFR (or another interbank offered rate) in that jurisdiction. In light of the final Treasury Regulations, we expect that the notes would include a “qualified rate” in lieu of Three-Month Term SOFR such that a significant modification of the notes would not result from the new rate, but cannot guarantee that a “qualified rate” could be used for the notes or that a significant modification would not occur.
The implementation of Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes could adversely affect the amount of interest that accrues on the notes and the trading prices for the notes.
Under the benchmark transition provisions of the notes, if a particular Benchmark Replacement or Benchmark Replacement Adjustment cannot be determined, then the next-available Benchmark Replacement or Benchmark Replacement Adjustment will apply. These replacement rates and adjustments may be selected or formulated by: (i) the Relevant Governmental Body (such as the ARRC), (ii) the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., otherwise referred to herein as ISDA, or (iii) in certain circumstances, the calculation agent. In addition, the benchmark transition provisions expressly authorize the calculation agent to make certain changes, which are defined in the terms of the notes as “Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes,” with respect to, among other things, the determination of interest periods, and the timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest. The application of a Benchmark Replacement and Benchmark Replacement Adjustment, and any implementation of Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, could result in adverse consequences to the amount of interest that accrues on the notes during the Floating Rate Period, which could adversely affect the return on, value of and market for the notes. Further, there is no assurance that the characteristics of any Benchmark Replacement will be similar to the then-current Benchmark that it is replacing, or that any Benchmark Replacement will produce the economic equivalent of the then-current Benchmark that it is replacing.
The calculation agent (which may be us or another entity we appoint) will make certain determinations with respect to the notes.
We will act as the initial calculation agent. The calculation agent will make certain determinations with respect to the notes during the Floating Rate Period, including with respect to the determination of the applicable interest rates during the interest periods during the Floating Rate Period. Any of these determinations may adversely affect the payout to investors. Moreover, certain determinations may require the exercise of discretion and the making of subjective judgments. These potentially subjective determinations may adversely affect the payout to you on the notes.
The amount of interest payable on the notes will vary beginning January 30, 2027, and interest after that date may be less than the initial fixed annual rate of 3.25% in effect until January 30, 2027.
During the Fixed Rate Period, the notes will bear interest at an initial rate of 3.25% per annum. Thereafter, the notes will bear interest at a floating rate per annum equal to the benchmark rate, which is expected to be Three-Month Term SOFR, plus 212 basis points, subject to the provisions under “Description of the Notes — Principal, Maturity and Interest.” The per annum interest rate that is determined at the Reference Time for each interest period will apply to the entire quarterly interest period following such determination date even if the Benchmark rate increases during that period.
Floating rate notes bear additional risks not associated with fixed rate debt securities. These risks include fluctuation of the interest rates and the possibility that you will receive an amount of interest that is lower than expected. We have no control over a number of matters that may impact prevailing interest rates, including, without limitation, economic, financial, and political events that are important in determining the existence, magnitude, and longevity of market volatility, and other risks and their impact on the value of, or payments made on, the notes. In recent years, interest rates have been volatile, and that volatility may be expected in the future.
The notes may be redeemed at our option under certain circumstances, which limits the ability of holders of the notes to accrue interest over the full stated term of the notes.
We may, at our option, redeem the notes (i) in whole or in part, beginning with the interest payment date of January 30, 2027 and on any interest payment date thereafter and (ii) in whole or in part, at any time upon the occurrence of a Tier 2 Capital Event, Tax Event or an Investment Company Event (each of such terms as defined below in “Description of the Note — Redemption”), in each case at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued but unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Any redemption of the notes will be subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve, to the extent such approval is then required. There can be no assurance that the Federal Reserve will approve any redemption of the notes that we may propose. In addition, the redemption of the notes may be subject to prior approval of the holders of our senior indebtedness, and there is no assurance that such holders of our senior indebtedness will approve any redemption of the notes. Furthermore, you should not expect us to redeem any notes when they first become redeemable or on any particular date thereafter. The Company may be more likely to redeem the notes on or after January 30, 2027 if the interest rate applicable to the notes is higher than that which would be payable on one or more other forms of borrowing. If the Company redeems the notes prior to their maturity date, holders may not be able to invest in other securities that yield as much interest as the notes. If we redeem the notes for any reason, you will not have the opportunity to continue to accrue and be paid interest to the stated maturity date and you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds you receive in a similar security or in securities bearing similar interest rates or yields.
An active trading market for the notes may not develop.
The notes constitute a new issue of securities for which there is no existing trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the notes in any automated dealer quotation system. We cannot provide you with any assurance regarding whether a trading market for the notes will develop, the ability of holders of the notes to sell their notes or the prices at which holders may be able to sell their notes. You should also be aware that there may be a limited number of buyers when you decide to sell your notes. This may affect the price you receive for your notes or your ability to sell your notes at all. Investors in the notes may not be able to sell the notes at all or may not be able to sell the notes at prices that will provide them with a yield comparable to similar investments that have a developed secondary market, and may consequently suffer from increased pricing volatility and market risk. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the notes and the market price quoted for the notes may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for this type of security and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the prospects for companies in our industry generally.
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial results and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.
In addition to our currently outstanding indebtedness, we may be able to borrow substantial additional indebtedness in the future. If new indebtedness is incurred in addition to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could increase. Our indebtedness, including the indebtedness we may incur in the future, could have important consequences for the holders of the notes, including:
| |
•
|
limiting our ability to satisfy our obligations with respect to the notes;
|
| |
•
|
increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic industry conditions;
|
| |
•
|
limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements;
|
| |
•
|
requiring a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations for the payment of principal of and interest on our indebtedness and thereby reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate requirements;
|
| |
•
|
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry; and
|
| |
•
|
putting us at a disadvantage compared to competitors with less indebtedness.
|
Changes in our credit ratings may adversely affect your investment in the notes.
The credit ratings on the notes are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. These ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the notes, inasmuch as the ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor, are limited in scope, and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the notes, but rather reflect only the view of each rating agency at the time the rating is issued. The ratings are based on current information furnished to the ratings agencies by us and information obtained by the ratings agencies from other sources. An explanation of the significance of such rating may be obtained from such rating agency. There can be no assurance that such credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that such ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies, if, in each rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant.
Any ratings of our long-term debt are based on a number of factors, including our financial strength as well as factors not entirely within our control, including conditions affecting the financial services industry generally. There can be no assurance that we will not receive adverse changes in our ratings in the future, which could adversely affect the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain funding and the way in which we are perceived in the capital markets. Actual or anticipated changes or downgrades in our credit ratings, including any announcement that our ratings are under review for a downgrade, could affect the market value and liquidity of the notes and increase our borrowing costs.
As a holder of the notes, you are not entitled to any rights with respect to our capital stock.
If you hold a note, you are not entitled to any rights with respect to our capital stock (including, without limitation, voting rights and rights to receive any dividends or other distributions on our capital stock) by virtue of holding a note.
Holders of the notes have no say over our management and affairs.
Our officers and directors will make all decisions with respect to our management. Holders of the notes have no right or power to take part in our management. Holders of the notes are entirely reliant on our officers and directors to effectively manage our business so that we may meet our debt obligations when they fall due.
Your right to receive payments on the notes is effectively subordinated to those lenders who have a security interest in our assets.
Our obligations under the notes are unsecured and we may be able to obtain indebtedness from time to time that is secured by all or substantially all of our assets. If we are declared bankrupt or insolvent, or if we default under such secured indebtedness, the lenders could declare all of the funds borrowed thereunder, together with accrued interest, immediately due and payable. If we were unable to repay such indebtedness, the lenders could foreclose on the pledged assets to the exclusion of holders of the notes, even if an event of default exists under the notes. In any such event, because the notes are not secured by any of our assets, it is possible that there would be no assets remaining from which your claims could be satisfied or, if any assets remained, they might be insufficient to satisfy your claims fully.
We have increased debt service obligations as a result of the issuance of the notes.
Upon issuance of the notes, we have incurred additional debt service in addition to normal operating expenses and planned capital expenditures. Our increased level of indebtedness may have several important effects on our future operations including, without limitation, a portion of our cash flow must be dedicated to the payment of interest and principal on the notes, reducing funds available for distribution to shareholders and our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and general corporate and other purposes may be limited. Our ability to meet our debt service obligations and to reduce our total indebtedness will be dependent upon the future performance of the Bank and its ability to pay dividends to us, which will be subject to regulatory restrictions, general economic, industry and competitive conditions and to financial, business and other factors affecting us and the Bank, many of which are beyond our control. We cannot assure you that the Bank will be able to continue to generate cash flow at or above its current level and that we will be able to pay principal and interest on the notes as it becomes due.
An investment in the notes is not an FDIC insured deposit.
The notes are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of any of our bank or non-bank subsidiaries and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency or instrumentality. Your investment will be subject to investment risk and you may experience loss with respect to your investment.
Government regulation may affect the priority of the notes in the case of a bankruptcy or liquidation.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) created a new resolution regime known as the “orderly liquidation authority,” which may apply to us as a bank holding company. Under the orderly liquidation authority, the FDIC may be appointed as receiver for an entity for purposes of liquidating the entity if the Secretary of the Treasury determines that the entity is in severe financial distress and that the entity’s failure would have serious adverse effects on the U.S. financial system.
If the FDIC is appointed as receiver under the orderly liquidation authority, then the Dodd-Frank Act, rather than applicable insolvency laws, would determine the powers of the receiver, and the rights and obligations of creditors and other parties who have dealt with the institution. There are substantial differences in the rights of creditors under the orderly liquidation authority compared to those under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, including the right of the FDIC to disregard the strict priority of creditor claims in some circumstances, the use of an administrative claims procedure to determine creditors’ claims (as opposed to the judicial procedure utilized in bankruptcy proceedings) and the right of the FDIC to transfer claims to a “bridge” entity. As a consequence of the rights of the FDIC under the orderly liquidation authority, the holders of the notes may be fully subordinated to interests held by the U.S. government in the event that we enter into a receivership, insolvency, liquidation or similar proceeding. While the FDIC has issued regulations to implement the orderly liquidation authority, not all aspects of how the FDIC might exercise this authority are known and additional rulemakings are likely. Further, it is uncertain how the FDIC might exercise its discretion under the orderly liquidation authority in a particular case.
The notes are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC, any other governmental agency or any of our subsidiaries. The notes will be structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, which means that creditors of our subsidiaries generally will be paid from those subsidiaries’ assets before holders of the notes would have any claims to those assets.
The notes are not savings accounts, deposits or other obligations of the Bank or any of our non-bank subsidiaries and are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other governmental agency or public or private insurer. The notes are obligations of the Company only and are neither obligations of, nor guaranteed by, any of our subsidiaries. The notes are ineligible and may not be used as collateral for loans made by the Company or the Bank. The notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, which means that creditors of our subsidiaries (including, in the case of the Bank, its depositors) generally will be paid from those subsidiaries’ assets before holders of the notes would have any claims to those assets. Even if we become a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor would be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of that subsidiary and any debt of that subsidiary senior to that held by us, and our rights could otherwise be subordinated to the rights of other creditors and depositors of that subsidiary. Furthermore, none of our subsidiaries is under any obligation to make payments to us, and any payments to us would depend on the earnings or financial condition of our subsidiaries and various business considerations. Statutory, contractual or other restrictions also limit our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends or make distributions, loans or advances to us. For these reasons, we may not have access to any assets or cash flows of our subsidiaries to make interest and principal payments on the notes.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any cash proceeds from the exchange offer. In consideration for issuing the New Notes as contemplated by this prospectus, we will receive in exchange Old Notes in like principal amount. We intend to cancel all Old Notes received in exchange for New Notes in the exchange offer.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
General
In connection with the issuance of the Old Notes on December 15, 2021 and on January 14, 2022, we entered into registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers of the Old Notes, which provides for the exchange offer we are making pursuant to this prospectus. The exchange offer will permit eligible holders of Old Notes to exchange their Old Notes for New Notes that are identical in all material respects with the Old Notes, except that:
| |
•
|
the New Notes have been registered with the SEC under the Securities Act and, as a result, will not bear any legend restricting their transfer;
|
| |
•
|
the New Notes bear different CUSIP numbers from the Old Notes;
|
| |
•
|
the New Notes generally will not be subject to transfer restrictions;
|
| |
•
|
the New Notes will not be entitled to registration rights under the registration rights agreements or otherwise; and
|
| |
•
|
because the New Notes will not be entitled to registration rights, holders of the New Notes will not have the right to additional interest under the circumstances described in the registration rights agreements relating to our fulfillment of our registration obligations.
|
The New Notes will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes. Holders of the New Notes will be entitled to the benefits of the subordinated indenture. Accordingly, the New Notes and the Old Notes will be treated as a single series of subordinated debt securities under the subordinated indenture. Old Notes that are not tendered for exchange in the exchange offer will remain outstanding, and interest on those Old Notes will continue to accrue at the applicable interest rate and be subject to the terms of the subordinated indenture.
The exchange offer does not depend on any minimum aggregate principal amount of Old Notes being tendered for exchange.
We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions of the registration rights agreements and the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and the related rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to transactions of this type.
We will be deemed to have accepted validly tendered Old Notes when and if we have given oral or written notice to the exchange agent of our acceptance of such Old Notes. Subject to the terms and conditions of this exchange offer, delivery of New Notes will be made by the exchange agent promptly after receipt of our notice of acceptance. The exchange agent will act as agent for the holders of Old Notes tendering their Old Notes for the purpose of receiving New Notes from us in exchange for such tendered and accepted Old Notes. If any tendered Old Notes are not accepted for exchange because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of other events described in this prospectus or otherwise, we will return or cause to be returned the Old Notes not exchanged, at our expense, to the tendering holder promptly after the expiration of the exchange offer.
If a holder of Old Notes validly tenders Old Notes in the exchange offer, the tendering holder will not be required to pay us brokerage commissions or fees. In addition, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal and certain limited exceptions described in this prospectus, the tendering holder will not have to pay transfer taxes for the exchange of Old Notes. Subject to certain exceptions described in this prospectus, we will pay all of the expenses in connection with the exchange offer, other than certain applicable taxes. See “— Fees and Expenses.”
Holders of outstanding Old Notes do not have any appraisal, dissenters’ or similar rights in connection with the exchange offer. Outstanding Old Notes which are not tendered, or are tendered but not accepted, in connection with the exchange offer will remain outstanding. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to the Exchange Offer — If you do not properly tender your Old Notes, you will continue to hold unregistered Old Notes and your ability to transfer Old Notes will be adversely affected.”
NEITHER WE NOR THE EXCHANGE AGENT ARE MAKING ANY RECOMMENDATION TO THE HOLDERS OF THE OUTSTANDING OLD NOTES AS TO WHETHER TO TENDER OR REFRAIN FROM TENDERING ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THEIR OUTSTANDING OLD NOTES IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER. IN ADDITION, NEITHER WE NOR THE EXCHANGE AGENT HAVE AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO MAKE ANY SUCH RECOMMENDATION. HOLDERS OF THE OUTSTANDING OLD NOTES MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISION WHETHER TO TENDER PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER, AND, IF SO, THE AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING OLD NOTES TO TENDER AFTER READING THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND CONSULTING WITH THEIR ADVISERS, IF ANY, BASED ON THEIR FINANCIAL POSITION AND INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS.
Registration Rights Agreements
The following provides a summary of certain terms of the registration rights agreements. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete version of the form of registration rights agreement, which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Under the terms of the registration rights agreements that we entered into with the purchasers of the Old Notes at the time we issued the Old Notes, we agreed to register the New Notes and undertake this exchange offer. This exchange offer is intended to satisfy the rights of holders of Old Notes under such registration rights agreements. After the exchange offer is completed, we will have no further obligations, except under the limited circumstances described below, to provide for any exchange or undertake any further registration with respect to the Old Notes.
Under the terms of the registration rights agreements, we agreed, among other things, to:
| |
•
|
file a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act with respect to a registered offer to exchange the Old Notes for substantially identical notes that do not contain transfer restrictions and will be registered under the Securities Act; and
|
| |
•
|
use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause that registration statement to become effective no later than April 14, 2022, which is the date that is 120 days after December 15, 2021.
|
The registration rights agreements also require us to commence the exchange offer promptly after the effectiveness of the registration statement and to keep the exchange offer open for not less than 20 business days, or longer if required by applicable law, after the date on which notice of the exchange offer is mailed to the holders of the Old Notes.
We also agreed to issue and exchange New Notes for all Old Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn before the expiration of the exchange offer. We are sending this prospectus, together with a letter of transmittal, to all the holders of the Old Notes known to us. For each Old Note validly tendered to us in the exchange offer and not validly withdrawn, the holder will receive a New Note having a principal amount equal to the principal amount of the tendered Old Note. Old Notes may be exchanged, and New Notes will be issued, only in minimum denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
We further agreed that under certain circumstances we would either file a shelf registration statement with the SEC or designate an existing effective shelf registration statement of ours that would allow resales by certain holders of the Old Notes in lieu of such holders participating in the exchange offer.
Eligibility; Transferability
We are making this exchange offer in reliance on interpretations of the staff of the SEC set forth in several no- action letters provided to other parties. We have not sought our own no-action letter from the staff of the SEC with respect to this particular exchange offer. However, based on these existing SEC staff interpretations, we believe that you, or any other person receiving New Notes, may offer for resale, resell or otherwise transfer the New Notes without complying with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the U.S. federal securities laws, if:
| |
•
|
you are, or the person receiving the New Notes is, acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of business;
|
| |
•
|
you do not, nor does any such person, have an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in any distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the New Notes;
|
| |
•
|
you are not, nor is any such person, our “affiliate” as such term is defined under Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and
|
| |
•
|
you are not acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully make these statements.
|
To participate in the exchange offer, you must represent as a holder of Old Notes that each of these statements is true.
In addition, in order for broker-dealers registered under the Exchange Act to participate in the exchange offer, each such broker-dealer must also (i) represent that it is participating in the exchange offer for its own account and is exchanging Old Notes acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and (ii) acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of the New Notes. The letter of transmittal to be delivered in connection with a tender of the Old Notes states that by acknowledging that it will deliver, and by delivering, a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resale of the New Notes received in exchange for the Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 180 days following the expiration date, we will amend or supplement this prospectus to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any New Notes by such broker-dealers.
Any holder of Old Notes (i) who is our affiliate, (ii) who does not acquire the New Notes in the ordinary course of business, (iii) who intends to participate in the exchange offer for the purpose of distributing the New Notes, or (iv) who is a broker-dealer who purchased the Old Notes directly from us:
| |
•
|
will not be able to rely on the interpretation of the staff of the SEC set forth in the no-action letters described above;
|
| |
•
|
will not be able to tender Old Notes in the exchange offer; and
|
| |
•
|
must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any sale or transfer of the New Notes, unless the sale or transfer is made pursuant to an exemption from those requirements.
|
The exchange offer is not being made to, nor will we accept tenders for exchange from, holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which the exchange offer or the acceptance of the exchange offer would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction.
Expiration of the Exchange Offer; Extensions; Amendments
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on , 2022, which we refer to as the “expiration date,” unless we extend the exchange offer. If we extend the exchange offer, the expiration date will be the latest date and time to which the exchange offer is extended. To extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent and each registered holder of the Old Notes of any extension before 9:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date. During any such extension, all Old Notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer and may be accepted for exchange by us.
We reserve the right to extend the exchange offer, delay accepting any tendered Old Notes or, if any of the conditions described below under the heading “— Conditions” have not been satisfied, to terminate the exchange offer. We also reserve the right to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner. We will give oral or written notice of any delay, extension, termination or amendment to the exchange agent. We will keep the exchange offer open for not less than 20 business days, or longer if required by applicable law, after the date on which notice of the exchange offer is mailed to holders of the Old Notes.
If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we consider material, we will disclose that amendment by means of a prospectus supplement, and we will extend the exchange offer so that at least five business days remain in the exchange offer following notice of the material change.
If we determine to make a public announcement of any delay, extension, amendment or termination of the exchange offer, we will do so by making a timely release through an appropriate news agency.
If we terminate or withdraw the exchange offer, we will promptly pay the consideration offered, or return any Old Notes deposited, under the exchange offer as required by Rule 14e-1(c) under the Exchange Act.
Conditions
The exchange offer is not conditioned on any minimum aggregate principal amount of Old Notes being tendered or accepted for exchange. Notwithstanding any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or issue any New Notes for, any Old Notes, and may terminate or amend the exchange offer before the acceptance of the Old Notes, if:
| |
•
|
such Old Notes are tendered to us other than in accordance with the terms and conditions of the exchange offer;
|
| |
•
|
we determine that the exchange offer violates any law, statute, rule, regulation or interpretation by the staff of the SEC; or
|
| |
•
|
any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court or by or before any governmental agency relating to the exchange offer which, in our judgment, could reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with the exchange offer.
|
The conditions listed above are for our sole benefit and may be asserted by us regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any of these conditions. We may waive these conditions in our absolute discretion in whole or in part at any time and from time to time prior to the expiration date. Our failure at any time to exercise any of the above rights will not be considered a waiver of that right, and that right will be considered an ongoing right which we may assert at any time and from time to time.
In addition, we will not accept for exchange any Old Notes tendered, and no New Notes will be issued in exchange for those Old Notes, if at any time any stop order is threatened or issued by the SEC with respect to the registration statement for the exchange offer and the New Notes or the qualification of the subordinated indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). In any such event, we must use our commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any stop order as soon as practicable.
Further, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the Old Notes of any holder that has not made to us the representations described under “— Eligibility; Transferability” and “Plan of Distribution.”
Procedures for Tendering Old Notes
In order to participate in the exchange offer, you must validly tender your Old Notes to the exchange agent, as described below, by the expiration date. It is your responsibility to validly tender your Old Notes. We have the right to waive any defects. However, we are not required to waive defects and are not required to notify you of defects in your tender.
If you have any questions or need help in exchanging your Old Notes, please call the exchange agent, whose address and phone number are set forth in “— Exchange Agent.”
Old Notes Issued in Book-Entry Form
All of the Old Notes were issued in book-entry form and are currently represented by global certificates held for the account of DTC. Accordingly, DTC, as depositary, or its nominee is treated as the registered holder of the Old Notes and will be the only entity that can tender your Old Notes for New Notes. Therefore, to validly tender Old Notes and to obtain New Notes, you must comply with the procedures described below to initiate the exchange agent’s book-entry transfer of the Old Notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC using DTC’s ATOP procedures. To comply with those procedures, you must cause:
| |
•
|
a properly transmitted “agent’s message” (as defined below) to be received by the exchange agent through ATOP prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the expiration date; and
|
| |
•
|
a timely confirmation of a book-entry tender of the Old Notes into the exchange agent’s account at DTC through ATOP pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below to be received by the exchange agent prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on the expiration date.
|
Following receipt of a properly transmitted “agent’s message,” the exchange agent will establish an ATOP account with DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly after the commencement of the exchange offer. Any financial institution that is a DTC participant, including your broker or bank, may make a book-entry tender of outstanding Old Notes by causing the book-entry transfer of such Old Notes into the exchange agent’s ATOP account in accordance with DTC’s procedures for such transfers. In connection with the transfer, the exchange agent must receive a properly transmitted “agent’s message,” as well as a timely confirmation of a book-entry tender of the Old Notes into its account at DTC through ATOP, prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the expiration date. Subject to the terms of the exchange offer, following the expiration or termination of the exchange offer, the exchange agent will exchange Old Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to such expiration or termination for an equal principal amount of New Notes by credit to the holder’s account at DTC. If the entire principal amount of all Old Notes held by a holder is not tendered, then Old Notes for the principal amount of the Old Notes not tendered and accepted will be returned by credit to the holder’s account at DTC following the expiration date.
The term “agent’s message” means a message transmitted by a DTC participant to DTC, and thereafter transmitted by DTC to the exchange agent, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgement from the participant stating that such participant and beneficial holder agree to be bound by the terms of the exchange offer, including the letter of transmittal, and that such agreement may be enforced against such participant.
Each agent’s message must include the following information:
| |
•
|
name of the beneficial owner tendering such Old Notes;
|
| |
•
|
account number of the beneficial owner tendering such Old Notes;
|
| |
•
|
principal amount of Old Notes tendered by such beneficial owner; and
|
| |
•
|
a confirmation that the beneficial owner of the Old Notes has agreed to be bound by the terms of the accompanying letter of transmittal.
|
The delivery of the Old Notes through DTC, and any transmission of an agent’s message through ATOP, is at the election and risk of the person tendering Old Notes. If we do not accept any tendered Old Notes for exchange or if Old Notes are submitted for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, the unaccepted or non-exchanged Old Notes will be returned, without expense, to their tendering holder by crediting the holder’s account at DTC, following the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.
The tender by a holder of Old Notes that is not validly withdrawn prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer and that is accepted by us will constitute a binding agreement between us and the holder in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal. By using the ATOP procedures to exchange Old Notes, you will not be required to deliver a letter of transmittal to the exchange agent. However, by using the ATOP procedures to tender and exchange Old Notes, you will be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and you will be deemed to have made the acknowledgements and the representations and warranties it contains, just as if you had signed it. Each tendering holder, by delivery of an agent’s message, waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.
There is no procedure for guaranteed late delivery of the Old Notes in connection with the exchange offer.
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), and acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes in our sole discretion, and our determination will be final and binding on all parties. We reserve the absolute right, in our sole and absolute discretion, to reject any and all Old Notes not validly tendered or any Old Notes whose acceptance by us would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also reserve the absolute right, in our sole discretion subject to applicable law, to waive or amend any of the conditions of the exchange offer or to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender as to any particular Old Notes, either before or after the expiration date. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer (including the instructions in the accompanying letter of transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes must be cured within a time period we will reasonably determine. We are not required to waive defects and are not required to notify you of defects in your tender. Although we intend to request the exchange agent to notify holders of defects or irregularities relating to tenders and withdrawals of Old Notes, neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will have any duty or incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of Old Notes will not be considered to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. If we waive any terms or conditions with respect to a noteholder, we will extend the same waiver to all noteholders with respect to that term or condition. Any Old Notes received by the exchange agent that are not validly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the exchange agent, without expense, to the tendering holders following the expiration date of the exchange offer. Each tendering holder, by delivery of an agent’s message, waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.
Representations
By tendering Old Notes, each holder is deemed to have represented to us that:
| |
•
|
any New Notes that you receive will be acquired in the ordinary course of business;
|
| |
•
|
you have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the New Notes in violation of the provisions of the Securities Act;
|
| |
•
|
you are not an “affiliate” (within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act);
|
| |
•
|
you are not acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully make the foregoing representations; and
|
| |
•
|
if you are a broker-dealer that will receive New Notes for your own account in exchange for Old Notes, you acquired those New Notes as a result of market-making or other trading activities and you will deliver a prospectus (or to the extent permitted by law, make available a prospectus to purchasers) in connection with any resale of such New Notes.
|
Withdrawal of Tenders
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, you may validly withdraw your book-entry tender of Old Notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the expiration date of the exchange offer. For a withdrawal of book-entry tendered Old Notes to be effective, the exchange agent must receive, prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on the expiration date, a computer-generated notice of withdrawal, transmitted by DTC on your behalf in accordance with the appropriate procedures of DTC’s ATOP system prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the expiration date. Any such notice of withdrawal must:
| |
•
|
specify the name of the tendering holder of Old Notes;
|
| |
•
|
specify the principal amount of the Old Notes delivered for exchange;
|
| |
•
|
specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Old Notes;
|
| |
•
|
include a statement that such holder is withdrawing its election to have such Old Notes exchanged; and
|
| |
•
|
otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC.
|
We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such withdrawal notices. Any Old Notes so withdrawn will be considered not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the applicable exchange offer, and no New Notes will be issued in exchange for such Old Notes unless the Old Notes withdrawn are validly re-tendered. Any Old Notes which have been tendered but which are not accepted for exchange or which are withdrawn will be returned to the holder, without expense to such holder, promptly after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of the applicable exchange offer. Validly withdrawn Old Notes may be re-tendered by following one of the procedures described above under “— Procedures for Tendering Old Notes” at any time prior to the expiration date of the exchange offer.
Exchange Agent
Wilmington Trust, National Association has been appointed the exchange agent for this exchange offer. The letters of transmittal and all correspondence in connection with this exchange offer should be sent or delivered by each holder of Old Notes, or a beneficial owner’s commercial bank, broker, dealer, trust company or other nominee, to the exchange agent as follows:
|
By Mail or Hand Delivery:
|
Wilmington Trust, National Association
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890
Attention: Workflow Management – 5th Floor
|
| |
|
|
Facsimile:
|
(302) 636-4139
|
| |
|
|
Email:
|
DTC@wilmingtontrust.com
|
Delivery to an address other than as listed above or transmission of instructions via facsimile other than as listed above does not constitute a valid delivery. We will pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will reimburse it for its reasonable, out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this exchange offer.
Fees and Expenses
We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders of the Old Notes and issuance of the New Notes. The principal solicitation is being made through ATOP. However, we may make additional solicitations by mail, email, telephone or in person by our officers and employees and those of our affiliates.
We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. As indicated above, we will, however, pay the exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. We will also pay any other cash expenses that we incur in connection with the exchange offer.
Except as described below, we will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Old Notes under the exchange offer. The tendering holder will be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person, if:
| |
•
|
New Notes and/or substitute Old Notes not exchanged are to be delivered to, or registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Notes so exchanged;
|
| |
•
|
tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing the letter of transmittal; or
|
| |
•
|
a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes under the exchange offer.
|
If satisfactory evidence of payment of transfer taxes is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of any transfer taxes will be billed to the tendering holder.
Accounting Treatment
We will record the New Notes at the same carrying value as the Old Notes reflected in our accounting records on the date of the exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes upon completion of the exchange offer.
Consequences of Failure to Exchange
Old Notes that are not exchanged will remain “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act.
Accordingly, they may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred except:
| |
•
|
to us or to any of our subsidiaries;
|
| |
•
|
under a registration statement which has been declared effective under the Securities Act;
|
| |
•
|
for so long as the Old Notes are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person the holder of the Old Notes and any person acting on its behalf reasonably believes is a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A, that purchases for its own account or for the account of another qualified institutional buyer, in each case to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A; or
|
| |
•
|
under any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (in which case we and the trustee shall have the right to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel (at the holder’s sole cost), certifications and/or other information satisfactory to us and the trustee);
|
in each case subject to compliance with any applicable foreign, state or other securities laws.
Upon completion of the exchange offer, due to the restrictions on transfer of the Old Notes and the absence of such restrictions applicable to the New Notes, it is likely that the market, if any, for Old Notes will be relatively less liquid than the market for New Notes. Consequently, holders of Old Notes who do not participate in the exchange offer could experience significant diminution in the value of their Old Notes, compared to the value of the New Notes. The holders of Old Notes not tendered will have no further registration rights, except that, under limited circumstances specified in the registration rights agreements, we may be required to file a shelf registration statement for a continuous offer of Old Notes.
Additional Information Regarding the Registration Rights Agreements
As noted above, we are effecting the exchange offer to comply with the registration rights agreements. The registration rights agreements require us to cause an exchange offer registration statement to be filed with the SEC under the Securities Act, to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective, and to satisfy certain other obligations, within certain time periods.
In the event that:
| |
•
|
the registration statement is not filed with the SEC on or prior to February 13, 2022, which is the 60th day after December 15, 2021;
|
| |
•
|
the registration statement has not been declared effective by the SEC on or prior to April 14, 2022, which is the 120th day after December 15, 2021; or
|
| |
•
|
the exchange offer is not completed on or prior to the 45th day following the effective date of the registration statement;
|
the interest rate on the Old Notes will be increased by a rate of 0.25% per annum immediately following such registration default and will increase by 0.25% per annum immediately following each 90-day period during which additional interest accrues, but in no event will such increase exceed 0.50% per annum. Following the cure of all such registration defaults, the accrual of additional interest will cease and the interest rate will be immediately reduced to the original interest rate borne by the Old Notes.
Our obligation to register the New Notes will terminate upon completion of the exchange offer. However, under certain limited circumstances specified in the registration rights agreements, we may be required to file a shelf registration statement for a continuous offer in connection with the Old Notes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
On December 15, 2021 and on January 14, 2022, we issued a total of $90,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of our 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032, which we have referred to in this prospectus as the Old Notes. The Old Notes were issued in a private placement transaction to certain institutional accredited investors and qualified institutional buyers, and as such, were not registered under the Securities Act. The Old Notes were issued under a first supplemental indenture dated December 15, 2021 to a subordinated indenture dated December 15, 2021, each between Mercantile Bank Corporation, as issuer, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, and collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “indenture.” The term “notes” refers collectively to the Old Notes and the New Notes, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires.
The New Notes will be issued under the indenture and will evidence the same debt as the Old Notes. The terms of the New Notes are identical in all material respects to those of the Old Notes, except that:
| |
•
|
the New Notes have been registered with the SEC under the Securities Act and, as a result, will not bear any legend restricting their transfer;
|
| |
•
|
the New Notes bear different CUSIP numbers from the Old Notes;
|
| |
•
|
the New Notes generally will not be subject to transfer restrictions;
|
| |
•
|
the New Notes will not be entitled to registration rights under the registration rights agreements or otherwise; and
|
| |
•
|
because the New Notes will not be entitled to registration rights, holders of the New Notes will not have the right to additional interest under the circumstances described in the registration rights agreements relating to our fulfillment of our registration obligations.
|
The New Notes will be issued only in fully registered form without interest coupons, in minimum denominations of $100,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. Unless otherwise required for institutional accredited investors, the New Notes will be evidenced by a global note deposited with the trustee for the New Notes, as custodian for DTC, and transfers of beneficial interests will be facilitated only through records maintained by DTC and its participants.
The terms of the New Notes include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act.
The following provides a summary of certain terms of the indenture and the New Notes. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete version of the indenture, which is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and to the form of New Notes, which is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read the indenture and the form of New Notes because those documents, not this summary description, define your rights as holders of the New Notes. Whenever we refer to the defined terms of the indenture in this prospectus without defining them, the terms have the meanings given to them in the indenture. You must look to the indenture for the most complete description of the information summarized in this prospectus.
General
The exchange offer for the New Notes will be for up to $90,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Old Notes. The New Notes, together with any Old Notes that remain outstanding after the exchange offer, will be treated as a single class for all purposes of the indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, consents, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase.
Principal, Maturity and Interest
The New Notes have materially identical interest terms as the Old Notes except with respect to additional interest that may be earned on the Old Notes under circumstances relating to our registration obligations under the registration rights agreements. Interest on the notes will accrue from and including December 15, 2021. The notes will mature and become payable, unless earlier redeemed, on January 30, 2032.
From and including December 15, 2021, to but excluding January 30, 2027, or earlier redemption date, the New Notes will bear interest at a fixed rate equal to 3.25% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on January 30 and July 30 of each year, beginning on July 30, 2022 and interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
From and including January 30, 2027, to but excluding the maturity date or earlier redemption date, the New Notes will bear interest at an annual floating rate, reset quarterly, equal to a benchmark rate (which is expected to be Three-Month Term SOFR) plus 212 basis points, payable quarterly in arrears on January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30 of each year commencing on April 30, 2027.
During this period, interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed. With regard to Three-Month Term SOFR:
| |
•
|
“SOFR” means the daily Secured Overnight Financing Rate published by the FRBNY, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator), on the FRBNY’s Website.
|
| |
•
|
“SOFR” means the daily Secured Overnight Financing Rate provided by the FRBNY, as the administrator of the benchmark (or a successor administrator), on the FRBNY’s Website.
|
| |
•
|
“Term SOFR” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.
|
| |
•
|
“Term SOFR Administrator” means any entity designated by the Relevant Governmental Body as the administrator of Term SOFR (or a successor administrator).
|
| |
•
|
“Three-Month Term SOFR” means the rate for Term SOFR for a tenor of three months that is published by the Term SOFR Administrator at the Reference Time for any Floating Rate Period, as determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions. All percentages used in or resulting from any calculation of Three-Month Term SOFR shall be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one-hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with 0.000005% rounded up to 0.00001%.
|
| |
•
|
“Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions” means any determination, decision or election with respect to any technical, administrative or operational matter (including with respect to the manner and timing of the publication of Three-Month Term SOFR, or changes to the definition of “interest period,” timing and frequency of determining Three-Month Term SOFR with respect to each interest period and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Calculation Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the use of Three-Month Term SOFR as the Benchmark in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Calculation Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Calculation Agent determines that no market practice for the use of Three-Month Term SOFR exists, in such other manner as the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably necessary).
|
If, at the commencement of the Floating Rate Period for the notes, the Relevant Governmental Body (as defined below) has not selected or recommended a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR, the development of a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR that has been recommended or selected by the Relevant Governmental Body is not complete or we determine that the use of a forward-looking rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR is not administratively feasible, then the next-available Benchmark Replacement under the benchmark transition provisions will be used to determine the interest on the notes during the floating-rate interest period (unless a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date occur with respect to that next-available Benchmark Replacement).
For purposes of determining a Benchmark Replacement, if necessary, under the terms of the notes:
| |
•
|
“Benchmark” means, initially, Three-Month Term SOFR; provided that if the Calculation Agent determines on or prior to the Reference Time that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement.
|
| |
•
|
“Benchmark Replacement” means the Interpolated Benchmark with respect to the then-current Benchmark; provided that if (a) the Calculation Agent cannot determine the Interpolated Benchmark as of the Benchmark Replacement Date or (b) the then-current Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR (in which event no Interpolated Benchmark with respect to Three-Month Term SOFR shall be determined), then “Benchmark Replacement” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
|
| |
b)
|
the sum of: (i) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
|
| |
c)
|
the sum of: (i) the ISDA Fallback Rate and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;
|
| |
d)
|
the sum of: (i) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected by the Calculation Agent as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate of interest as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time and (ii) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
|
| |
•
|
“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Calculation Agent as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:
|
| |
a)
|
the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;
|
| |
b)
|
if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment; and
|
| |
c)
|
the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Calculation Agent giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate notes at such time.
|
| |
•
|
“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “interest period,” timing and frequency of determining rates with respect to each interest period and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenors, and other administrative matters) that the Calculation Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Calculation Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Calculation Agent determines that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as the Calculation Agent determines is reasonably necessary).
|
| |
•
|
“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
|
| |
a)
|
in the case of clause (a) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the relevant Reference Time in respect of any determination;
|
| |
b)
|
in the case of clause (b) or (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; or
|
| |
c)
|
in the case of clause (d) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of such public statement or publication of information referenced therein.
|
For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for purposes of such determination.
| |
•
|
“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:
|
| |
a)
|
if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, (i) the Relevant Governmental Body has not selected or recommended a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR, (ii) the development of a forward-looking term rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR that has been recommended or selected by the Relevant Governmental Body is not complete or (iii) the Company determines that the use of a forward-looking rate for a tenor of three months based on SOFR is not administratively feasible;
|
| |
b)
|
a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark;
|
| |
c)
|
a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark, the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark, which states that the administrator of the Benchmark has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark; or
|
| |
d)
|
a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative.
|
| |
•
|
“Calculation Agent” means such bank or other entity (which may be the Company or an affiliate of the Company) as may be appointed by the Company to act as Calculation Agent for the Subordinated Notes during the Floating Rate Period. If no Calculation Agent has been appointed, the Company shall be deemed the Calculation Agent. The Company shall initially act as the Calculation Agent.
|
| |
•
|
“Compounded SOFR” means the compounded average of SOFRs for the applicable Corresponding Tenor, with the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate being established by the Calculation Agent in accordance with:
|
| |
a)
|
the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining Compounded SOFR; provided that;
|
| |
b)
|
if, and to the extent that, the Company or its designee determines that Compounded SOFR cannot be determined in accordance with clause (a) above, then the rate, or methodology for this rate, and conventions for this rate that have been selected by the Calculation Agent giving due consideration to any industry-accepted market practice for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate securities at such time.
|
For the avoidance of doubt, the calculation of Compounded SOFR will exclude the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
| |
•
|
“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Benchmark Replacement means a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as the applicable tenor for the then-current Benchmark.
|
| |
•
|
“FRBNY” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
|
| |
•
|
“FRBNY’s Website” means the website of the FRBNY at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.
|
| |
•
|
“Interpolated Benchmark” with respect to the Benchmark means the rate determined for the Corresponding Tenor by interpolating on a linear basis between: (1) the Benchmark for the longest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is shorter than the Corresponding Tenor, and (2) the Benchmark for the shortest period (for which the Benchmark is available) that is longer than the Corresponding Tenor.
|
| |
•
|
“ISDA” means the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor.
|
| |
•
|
“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the ISDA, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.
|
| |
•
|
“ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor.
|
| |
•
|
“ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.
|
| |
•
|
“Reference Time” with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means (1) if the Benchmark is Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Three-Month Term SOFR Conventions, and (2) if the Benchmark is not Three-Month Term SOFR, the time determined by the Calculation Agent after giving effect to the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.
|
| |
•
|
“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) and/or the FRBNY, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve and/or the FRBNY or any successor thereto.
|
| |
•
|
“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.
|
Interest Payments
We will make each interest payment to the holders of record of the notes at the close of business on the fifteenth calendar day prior to the applicable interest payment date. Principal of and interest on the notes will be payable, and the notes will be exchangeable and transferable, at the office or agency that we have designated and maintain for such purposes, which, initially, will be the corporate trust office of the trustee located at Wilmington Trust, National Association, Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890, Attention: Mercantile Bank Corporation Administrator; except that payment of interest may be made at our option by check mailed or to the person entitled thereto as shown on the security register or by wire transfer to an account appropriately designated by the person entitled thereto.
Subordination
The indenture will govern the extent to which payment on the notes will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all of our senior indebtedness. The notes also are effectively subordinated to all debt and other liabilities, including trade payables and lease obligations, if any, of our subsidiaries.
Upon any distribution of our assets upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of principal and interest on the notes will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of such senior indebtedness. If the notes are accelerated because of an event of default, the holders of any senior indebtedness would be entitled to payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to such holders of all senior indebtedness obligations before the holders of the notes are entitled to receive any payment or distribution. The indenture requires us or the trustee to promptly notify holders of designated senior indebtedness of any acceleration of payment of the notes.
We may not make any payment on the notes, including upon redemption (whether at the holder's or our option) if:
| |
•
|
a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, interest, rent or other obligations in respect of any senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing beyond any applicable grace period (called a “payment default”); or
|
| |
•
|
a default (other than a payment default) with respect to designated senior indebtedness occurs and is continuing that permits holders of designated senior indebtedness to accelerate its maturity, and the trustee receives a notice of such default (called a “payment blockage notice”) from us or any other person permitted to give such notice under the indenture (called a “non-payment default”).
|
We may resume payments and distributions on the notes, in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist; and, in the case of a non-payment default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived and 179 days after the date on which the payment blockage notice is received, if the maturity of the designated senior indebtedness has not been accelerated, unless the indenture otherwise prohibits such payment or distribution at the time of such payment or distribution.
No new payment blockage notice may be given unless and until 365 days have elapsed since the initial effectiveness of the immediately prior payment blockage notice and all scheduled payments, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities that have come due have been paid in full in cash. A non-payment default existing or continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice cannot be the basis for any later payment blockage notice.
If the trustee or any holder of the notes receives any payment or distribution of our assets in contravention of the foregoing subordination provisions, then such payment or distribution will be held in trust for the benefit of holders of senior indebtedness or their representatives to the extent necessary to make payment in full in cash or payment satisfactory to the holders of senior indebtedness of all unpaid senior indebtedness.
As a result of the subordination of the notes in favor of the holders of our senior indebtedness, in the event of our bankruptcy, dissolution or reorganization, holders of senior indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and holders of the notes may receive less, ratably, than our other creditors (including our trade creditors). This subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any event of default under the indenture.
The indenture does not prohibit us from incurring debt, including senior indebtedness. We may from time to time incur additional debt, including senior indebtedness.
We are obligated to pay compensation to the trustee, reimburse the trustee for reasonable expenses and to indemnify the trustee against certain losses, liabilities or expenses it incurs in connection with its duties relating to the notes. The trustee's claims for these payments will generally be senior to those of noteholders in respect of all funds collected or held by the trustee and will not be subject to subordination.
The term “senior indebtedness” means any obligation of the Company to its creditors, whether now outstanding or subsequently incurred, other than any obligation where, in the instrument creating or evidencing the obligation or pursuant to which the obligation is outstanding, it is provided that the obligation is not “senior indebtedness”; including without limitation:
| |
•
|
the principal and any premium or interest for money borrowed or purchased by the Company;
|
| |
•
|
any capital lease obligation of the Company;
|
| |
•
|
any obligation of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and all obligations of the Company under any conditional sale or title retention agreement, but excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business;
|
| |
•
|
any obligation arising from off-balance sheet guarantees and direct credit substitutes, including obligations in respect of any letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, security purchase facilities and similar credit transactions;
|
| |
•
|
any obligation of the Company associated with derivative products such as interest and foreign exchange rate contracts, commodity contracts and similar arrangements;
|
| |
•
|
all obligations of the type referred to in the preceding clauses above of other persons or entities for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, whether or not classified as a liability on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States;
|
| |
•
|
all obligations of the type referred to in the preceding clauses above of other persons or entities secured by any lien on any property or asset of the Company whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company; and
|
| |
•
|
any deferrals, renewal or extensions of any obligations of the type referred in the preceding clauses above.
|
in each case, whether outstanding on the date the indenture became effective, or created, assumed or incurred after that date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, “senior indebtedness” excludes:
| |
•
|
trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business; and
|
| |
•
|
any indebtedness that by its terms ranks on an equal basis with, or is subordinated to, the notes.
|
All liabilities of the Bank and our other subsidiaries, including deposits and liabilities to general creditors arising during the ordinary course of business or otherwise, will be effectively senior in right of payment to the notes to the extent of the assets of the subsidiary because, as a shareholder of the subsidiary, we do not have any rights to the assets of the subsidiary except if the subsidiary declares a dividend payable to us or if there are assets of the subsidiary remaining after it has discharged its liabilities to its creditors in connection with its liquidation. As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s subsidiaries had, in the aggregate, outstanding debt and deposits of $4.7 billion, which would rank senior to the notes. Over the term of the notes, we will need to rely primarily on dividends paid to us by the Bank, which is a regulated and supervised depository institution, for the funds necessary to pay the interest on our outstanding debt obligations and to make dividends and other payments on our other securities outstanding now or in the future. With respect to the payment of the principal of the notes at their maturity, we may rely on the funds we receive from dividends paid to us by the Bank, but may have to rely on the proceeds of borrowings and/or the sale of other securities to pay the principal amount of the notes.
Regulatory rules may restrict the Bank’s ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us or provide funds to us by other means. As a result, with respect to the assets of the Bank, our creditors (including the holders of the notes) are structurally subordinated to the prior claims of creditors of the Bank, including its depositors, except to the extent that we may be a creditor with recognized claims against the Bank.
Redemption
We may, at our option, redeem the notes, in whole or in part, on any interest payment date on or after January 30, 2027. In addition, at our option, we may redeem the notes at any time upon the occurrence of:
| |
•
|
a “Tier 2 Capital Event,” which is defined in the indenture to mean the Company’s good faith determination that, as a result of (i) any amendment to, or change in, the laws, rules or regulations of the United States (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any agency or instrumentality of the United States, including the Federal Reserve and other federal bank regulatory agencies) or any political subdivision of or in the United States that is enacted or becomes effective after the original issue date of the notes, (ii) any proposed change in those laws, rules or regulations that is announced or becomes effective after December 15, 2021, or (iii) any official administrative decision or judicial decision or administrative action or other official pronouncement interpreting or applying those laws, rules, regulations, policies or guidelines with respect thereto that is announced after December 15, 2021, there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company will not be entitled to treat the notes as Tier 2 Capital for so long as any notes are outstanding;
|
| |
•
|
a “Tax Event,” which is defined in the indenture to mean the receipt by the Company of an opinion of independent tax counsel experienced in such matters to the effect that as a result of (i) an amendment to or change (including any announced prospective amendment or change) in any law or treaty, or any regulation thereunder, of the United States or any of its political subdivisions or taxing authorities, (ii) a judicial decision, administrative action, official administrative pronouncement, ruling, regulatory procedure, regulation, notice or announcement, including any notice or announcement of intent to adopt or promulgate any ruling, regulatory procedure or regulation (any of the foregoing, an “Administrative or Judicial Action”), or (iii) an amendment to or change in any official position with respect to, or any interpretation of, an Administrative or Judicial Action or a law or regulation of the United States that differs from the previously generally accepted position or interpretation, in each case, which change or amendment or challenge becomes effective or which pronouncement, decision or challenge is announced on or after December 15, 2021, there is more than an insubstantial risk that interest payable by the Company on the notes is not, or, within 120 days of the date of such opinion, will not be, deductible by the Company, in whole or in part, for United States federal income tax purposes; or
|
| |
•
|
an “Investment Company Event,” which means that the Company has determined that there is more than an insubstantial risk that the Company is or will be, considered an “investment company” that is required to be registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
|
Any redemption of the New Notes will be subject to prior approval of the Federal Reserve, to the extent such approval is then required. If less than the then outstanding principal amount of a New Note is redeemed, (i) a new note shall be issued representing the unredeemed portion without charge to the holder thereof and (ii) such redemption shall be effected in accordance with DTC’s applicable procedures among all of the noteholders. Any redemption of the notes will be at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued but unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Any redemption of the notes will be subject to any required regulatory approvals.
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed, the trustee will select the notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on a pro rata basis, unless otherwise required by law or applicable depositary requirements.
Notices of redemption will be mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, at least 30 but no more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to that note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original note, if any, will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the original note. Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on notes or portions of them called for redemption.
Repurchases
We may purchase notes at any time on the open market or otherwise. If we purchase notes in this manner, we have the discretion to hold, resell or surrender the notes to the trustee under the indenture for cancellation.
No Sinking Fund; Non-Convertible
The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. This means that we will not deposit money on a regular basis into any separate custodial account to repay the notes. The notes are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, any of our equity securities.
Form, Denomination, Transfer, Exchange and Book-Entry Procedures
The notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without interest coupons, and in minimum denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Unless otherwise required for institutional accredited investors, the notes will be evidenced by a global note which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, or any successor thereto, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., or Cede, as nominee of DTC. Except as set forth below, record ownership of the global note may be transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. If New Notes are issued to institutional accredited investors in certificated form, the New Notes will be transferable only on the records of the trustee and may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in the global note unless the exchange occurs in connection with a transfer where the transferor and transferee provide evidence satisfactory to the trustee and DTC that the transferee is eligible to hold a beneficial interest in the global note.
The global note will not be registered in the name of any person, or exchanged for notes that are registered in the name of any person, other than DTC or its nominee, unless one of the following occurs:
| |
•
|
DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue acting as the depositary for the global note, or DTC has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and in either case we fail to appoint a successor depositary; or
|
| |
•
|
an event of default with respect to the notes represented by the global note has occurred and is continuing.
|
In those circumstances, DTC will determine in whose names any securities issued in exchange for the global note will be registered. Any such notes in certificated form will be issued in minimum denominations of $100,000 and multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and may be transferred or exchanged only in such minimum denominations.
DTC or its nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the global note for all purposes, and as a result:
| |
•
|
you cannot get notes registered in your name if they are represented by the global note;
|
| |
•
|
you cannot receive certificated (physical) notes in exchange for your beneficial interest in the global note;
|
| |
•
|
you will not be considered to be the owner or holder of the global note or any note it represents for any purpose; and
|
| |
•
|
all payments on the global note will be made to DTC or its nominee.
|
The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain kinds of purchasers (for example, certain insurance companies) can only own securities in definitive (certificated) form. These laws may limit your ability to transfer your beneficial interests in the global note to these types of purchasers.
Only institutions (such as a securities broker or dealer) that have accounts with DTC or its nominee (called “participants”) and persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants (including through Euroclear Bank SA/NV or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, as DTC participants) can own a beneficial interest in the global note. The only place where the ownership of beneficial interests in the global note will appear and the only way the transfer of those interests can be made will be on the records kept by DTC (for their participants’ interests) and the records kept by those participants (for interests of persons held by participants on their behalf).
Secondary trading in bonds and notes of corporate issuers is generally settled in clearinghouse (that is, next-day) funds. In contrast, beneficial interests in a global note usually trade in DTC’s same-day funds settlement system, and settle in immediately available funds. We make no representations as to the effect that settlement in immediately available funds will have on trading activity in those beneficial interests.
Cash payments of interest on and principal of the global note will be made to Cede, the nominee for DTC, as the registered owner of the global note. These payments will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds on each payment date.
You may exchange or transfer the notes at the corporate trust office of the trustee for the notes or at any other office or agency maintained by us for those purposes. We will not require payment of a service charge for any transfer or exchange of the notes, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any applicable tax or other governmental charge.
We have been informed that, with respect to any cash payment of interest on or principal of the global note, DTC’s practice is to credit participants’ accounts on the payment date with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the notes represented by the global note as shown on DTC’s records, unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on that payment date. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in notes represented by the global note held through participants will be the responsibility of those participants, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.”
We also understand that neither DTC nor Cede will consent or vote with respect to the notes. We have been advised that under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an “omnibus proxy” to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede’s consenting or voting rights to those participants to whose accounts the notes are credited on the record date identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.
Because DTC can only act on behalf of participants, who in turn act on behalf of indirect participants, the ability of a person having a beneficial interest in the principal amount represented by the global note to pledge the interest to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC book-entry system, or otherwise take actions in respect of that interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing its interest.
DTC has advised that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of notes (including the presentation of notes for exchange) only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account with DTC interests in the global note are credited and only in respect of such portion of the principal amount of the notes represented by the global note as to which such participant has, or participants have, given such direction.
DTC has also advised as follows: DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code, as amended, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations and may include certain other organizations. Certain of such participants (or their representatives), together with other entities, own DTC. Indirect access to the DTC system is available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the SEC.
The policies and procedures of DTC, which may change periodically, will apply to payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in the global note. We and the trustee and our or its agents have no responsibility or liability for any aspect of DTC’s or any participants’ records relating to beneficial interests in the global note, including for payments made on the global note, and we and the trustee are not responsible for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of those records.
Indenture Covenants
The indenture contains no covenants or restrictions restricting the incurrence of indebtedness or other obligations by us or by a subsidiary of ours, including the Bank. The indenture contains no financial covenants requiring us to achieve or maintain any minimum financial results relating to our financial position or results of operations or meet or exceed any financial ratios as a general matter or in order to incur additional indebtedness or obligations or to maintain any reserves. Moreover, neither the indenture nor the notes contain any covenants limiting our right to incur additional indebtedness or obligations, grant liens on our assets to secure our indebtedness or other obligations that are senior in right of payment to the notes, repurchase our stock or other securities, including any of the notes, or pay dividends or make other distributions to our shareholders. In addition, neither the indenture nor the notes contain any provision that would provide protection to the holders of the notes against a sudden and dramatic decline in our credit quality resulting from a merger, takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring or any other event involving us or our subsidiaries that may adversely affect our credit quality.
Events of Default; Right of Acceleration; Failure to Pay Principal or Interest
The following are events of default under the indenture:
| |
•
|
the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company by a court having jurisdiction in the premises in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, and such decree or order will have continued unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days;
|
| |
•
|
the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization law, now or hereafter in effect of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or the consent by the Company to the entry of a decree or order for relief in an involuntary case or proceeding under any such law;
|
| |
•
|
the appointment of a receiver of the Bank (or any Major Constituent Bank) by a competent government agency having primary regulatory authority over the Bank (or any Major Constituent Bank) under any applicable federal or state banking, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, or the entry of a decree or order in any case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state banking, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect appointing any receiver of the Bank (or any Major Constituent Bank). by a competent government agency having prim
|
“Major Constituent Bank” means any subsidiary of the Company which is organized as a banking organization under federal or state law and which represents 50% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company determined as of the date of the most recent audited financial statements of the Company.
If an event of default with respect to the notes occurs, the principal amount of all the notes will be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of the notes.
Under the indenture, if the Company fails to make any payment of interest on any note when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or if the Company fails to make any payment of the principal of any note when such principal becomes due and payable, or if the Company fails to perform any other covenant or agreement contained in the indenture and such failure is not remedied for a period of 90 days after written notice of such failure has been given to the Company by the trustee or holders of 25% or more in aggregate principal of the outstanding notes, the trustee may, subject to certain limitations and conditions, demand, for the benefit of the holders of the notes, that the Company pay to the trustee, for the benefit of the holders of the notes, the whole amount then due and payable with respect to the notes, with interest upon the overdue principal, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, upon any overdue installments of interest at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, provided for or with respect to the notes or, if no such rate or rates are so provided, at the rate or respective rates, as the case may be, of interest borne by the notes. Any such rights to receive payment of such amounts under the notes remain subject to the subordination provisions of the notes as discussed above under “— Subordination.” Neither the trustee nor the holders of the notes will have the right to accelerate the maturity of the notes in the case of our failure to pay the principal of, or interest on, the notes or our non-performance of any other covenant or warranty under the notes or the indenture.
Amendment, Supplement and Waiver
Without the consent of any holder of notes, we and the trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the indenture for any of the following purposes:
| |
•
|
to evidence the succession of another person to the Company, and the assumption by any such successor of our covenants contained in the indenture and the notes;
|
| |
•
|
to add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders, or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us with respect to the notes;
|
| |
•
|
to permit or facilitate the issuance of notes in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of the notes in uncertificated form;
|
| |
•
|
to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the indenture by a successor trustee and to add to or change any provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee;
|
| |
•
|
to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision that may be defective or that may be inconsistent with any other provision, provided that such action will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the notes;
|
| |
•
|
to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture that will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the notes;
|
| |
•
|
to add any additional events of default;
|
| |
•
|
to establish the form or terms of a new series of subordinated debt securities of the Company under the indenture;
|
| |
•
|
to implement any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes; or
|
| |
•
|
to make any change that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the indenture of any holder.
|
With the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes, we and the trustee may enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental to the indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the indenture or the notes or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders of the notes under the indenture, except that no such supplemental indenture will, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note affected thereby:
| |
•
|
make any change to the stated maturity of or the time for payment of interest on any note;
|
| |
•
|
reduce the principal of, or interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any note;
|
| |
•
|
reduce the principal which would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity of any note;
|
| |
•
|
make any note payable in money other than dollars;
|
| |
•
|
make any change to provisions of the indenture protecting the right of a holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such note on or after the due date thereof or to bring suit to enforce payment;
|
| |
•
|
modify the provisions of the indenture with respect to the subordination of the notes in a manner adverse to any holders;
|
| |
•
|
reduce the percentage in principal amount of the outstanding notes, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences); or
|
| |
•
|
modify any of the provisions of the section of the indenture governing supplemental indentures with the consent of holders, or those provisions relating to waiver of defaults or certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage required for such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of the indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note affected thereby.
|
The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes may on behalf of the holders of all notes waive any past default under the indenture and its consequences, except a default in any payment in respect of the principal of or interest on any note, or in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture under which the indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding note.
Satisfaction and Discharge of the Indenture; Defeasance
We may terminate our obligations under the indenture when:
| |
•
|
either: (1) all notes that have been authenticated and delivered have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation, or (2) all notes that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or (iii) if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee, and in the case of the foregoing clause 2(i), 2(ii) or 2(iii), we have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee immediately available funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the outstanding notes;
|
| |
•
|
we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable by us under the indenture with respect to the notes; and
|
| |
•
|
we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent under the indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture have been satisfied.
|
We may elect, at our option and at any time, to have our obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding notes, which we refer to as legal defeasance. Legal defeasance means that we will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the outstanding notes, except for:
| |
•
|
the rights of the holders of such notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of and interest on such notes when payments are due;
|
| |
•
|
our obligations and the obligations of the trustee with respect to such notes concerning registration of notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for payments on the notes to be held in trust;
|
| |
•
|
the rights, powers, trust, indemnities and immunities of the trustee under the indenture; and
|
| |
•
|
the defeasance provisions and the application of trust money provisions of the indenture.
|
In addition, we may elect, at our option, to have our obligations released with respect to certain covenants contained in the indenture, which is also called covenant defeasance. In the event covenant defeasance occurs, certain events (not including non-payment, bankruptcy and insolvency events) will no longer constitute an event of default with respect to the notes.
In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to outstanding notes:
| |
•
|
we must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefits of the holders of such notes, (1) an amount in dollars, (2) U.S. government obligations that through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment on the notes, money in an amount, or (3) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient to pay and discharge, and which will be applied by the trustee to pay and discharge, the entire indebtedness in respect of the principal of and interest on the notes on the stated maturity thereof or, with respect to notes called for redemption, on the redemption date thereof;
|
| |
•
|
in the case of legal defeasance, we will have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or since the date of the indenture there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion will confirm that, the holders of the notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such legal defeasance to be effected with respect to such notes and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such legal defeasance had not occurred;
|
| |
•
|
in the case of covenant defeasance, we will have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance to be effected with respect to the notes and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred;
|
| |
•
|
no event of default, or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an event of default with respect to the outstanding notes will have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit referred to in the first bullet point above and will have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on the 90th day after the date of such deposit;
|
| |
•
|
such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the indenture or any other material agreement or material instrument to which we are a party or by which we are bound;
|
| |
•
|
we will have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such legal defeasance or covenant defeasance have been satisfied; and
|
| |
•
|
in the case of legal defeasance, we will have delivered to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the holders of the notes over any other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Company.
|
In connection with a discharge or defeasance, in the event the trustee is unable to apply the moneys deposited as contemplated under the satisfaction and discharge provisions of the indenture for any reason, our obligations under the indenture and the notes will be revived as if the deposit had never occurred.
Regarding the Trustee
Wilmington Trust, National Association is acting as the trustee under the indenture and the initial paying agent and registrar for the notes. From time to time, we and some of our subsidiaries may maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions, including lending transactions, with the trustee in the ordinary course of business.
Except during the continuance of an event of default under the indenture, the trustee will perform only such duties as are specifically set forth in the indenture. During the continuance of an event of default that has not been cured or waived, the trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances.
The indenture and the Trust Indenture Act contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of our organization, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any “conflicting interest” (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The indenture provides that in case an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances. The trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders under the indenture, unless such holders will have provided to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the losses, liabilities and expenses which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
No Personal Liability of Shareholders, Employees, Officers or Directors, or Exchange Agent
No past, present or future director, officer, employee or shareholder of our company or any of our predecessors or successors, as such or in such capacity, nor the exchange agent will have any personal liability for any of our obligations under the notes or the indenture by reason of his, her or its status as such director, officer, employee or shareholder. Each holder of notes by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the notes. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
Governing Law
The notes and the indenture are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a general summary of the material United States federal income tax considerations of the exchange of outstanding Old Notes for New Notes in the exchange offer. It is not a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating to the exchange of outstanding Old Notes for New Notes. This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations under the Code, and administrative and judicial interpretations, all as currently in effect. These authorities are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. We cannot assure you that the Internal Revenue Service will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described in this discussion, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel with respect to the United States federal income tax consequences described herein.
The tax treatment of a holder of notes may vary depending on the holder’s particular situation. This discussion is limited to the United States federal income tax consequences applicable to holders that purchased their Old Notes from us in the initial offering and at the initial offering price for cash and who held the Old Notes, and will hold the New Notes, as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code for United States federal income tax purposes. This discussion does not address all United States federal income tax considerations that may be applicable to holders’ particular circumstances or to holders that may be subject to special tax rules under United States federal income tax laws, including, but not limited to, banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, dealers or traders in securities, commodities or currencies, United States expatriates, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, holders subject to the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, United States holders whose functional currency is not the United States dollar, persons that will hold the New Notes as a position in a hedging transaction, straddle, conversion transaction or other integrated transactions or risk reduction transaction, persons deemed to sell the New Notes under the constructive sale provisions of the Code, persons that will hold the New Notes in an individual retirement account, 401(k) plan or similar tax-favored account, an accrual method taxpayer who is required to recognize income for United States federal income tax purposes no later than when such income is taken into account for financial accounting purposes, a person that purchases or sells notes as part of a wash sale for tax purposes, or entities or arrangements classified as partnerships for United States federal income tax purposes or other pass-through entities, or investors in such entities. If a partnership or other pass-through entity holds Old Notes or New Notes, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership or owner of an equity interest in the pass-through entity will generally depend on the status of the partner or owner and the activities of the partnership or other pass-through entity. This discussion does not address the tax considerations arising under the laws of any foreign, state or local jurisdiction, or any non-income tax consequences of the exchange of Old Notes for New Notes.
The exchange of Old Notes for New Notes in the exchange offer should not constitute a taxable exchange for United States federal income tax purposes. Consequently, (1) holders of Old Notes should not recognize gain or loss upon the receipt of New Notes in the exchange offer, (2) a holder’s basis in the New Notes received in the exchange offer should be the same as such holder’s basis in the Old Notes surrendered in exchange therefor immediately before the exchange, and (3) a holder’s holding period in the New Notes should include such holder’s holding period in the Old Notes surrendered in exchange therefor.
This discussion of material United States Federal Income Tax Considerations is for general information only and may not be applicable depending upon a holder’s particular situation. Holders of Old Notes considering the exchange offer are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences to them of exchanging Old Notes for New Notes, including the tax consequences under state, local, estate, foreign and other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in United States or other tax laws.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives New Notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it may be a statutory underwriter and that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such New Notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes where such Old Notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities provided that such broker-dealer notifies the Company to that effect by so indicating on the letter of transmittal. To the extent that any notifying broker-dealer participates in the exchange offer, we will use our commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of this prospectus.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of New Notes by broker-dealers or any other persons. New Notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of options on the New Notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer and/or the purchasers of any New Notes. Any broker-dealer that receives New Notes in exchange for Old Notes acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and resells such New Notes, and any broker-dealer that participates in a distribution of such New Notes may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of New Notes and any commission or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
We will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that reasonably requests such documents. We have agreed to pay certain expenses in connection with the exchange offer and will indemnify the holders of the Old Notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the New Notes will be passed upon for us by Dickinson Wright PLLC.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Indemnification
Sections 561-571 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as amended, grant Mercantile broad powers to indemnify any person in connection with legal proceedings brought against that person by reason of their present or past status as an officer or director of Mercantile, provided that the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to Mercantile's best interests, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. The Michigan Business Corporation Act also gives Mercantile broad powers to indemnify defined persons against expenses and reasonable settlement payments in connection with any action by or in the right of Mercantile, provided the person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to Mercantile's best interests, except that no indemnification may be made if that person is adjudged to be liable to Mercantile unless and only to the extent the court in which that action was brought determines upon application that, despite the adjudication, but in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for reasonable expenses as the court deems proper. In addition, to the extent that any specified person is successful in the defense of any defined legal proceeding, Mercantile is required by the Michigan Business Corporation Act to indemnify him or her against expenses, including attorneys' fees, that are actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the proceeding.
Mercantile's Articles of Incorporation provide that it shall indemnify its present and past directors, officers, and such other persons as the Board of Directors may authorize to the full extent permitted by law.
Mercantile's Bylaws contain indemnification provisions concerning third party actions as well as actions in the right of Mercantile. The Bylaws provide that Mercantile shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of Mercantile) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Mercantile or while serving as such a director or officer, is or was serving at the request of Mercantile as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses (including attorney's fees), judgments, penalties, fees and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Mercantile or its shareholders and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation regulations impose limitations on indemnification payments which could restrict, in certain circumstances, payments by Mercantile or its bank subsidiaries to their respective directors or officers otherwise permitted under the Michigan Business Corporation Act or the Michigan Banking Code.
With respect to derivative actions, the Bylaws provide that Mercantile shall indemnify any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of Mercantile to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Mercantile, or while serving as such a director or officer, is or was serving at the request of Mercantile as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, whether for profit or not, against expenses (including attorney's fees) and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of Mercantile or its shareholders. No indemnification is provided in the Bylaws in respect of any claim, issue or matter in which such person has been found liable to Mercantile except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court shall deem proper.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Mercantile pursuant to the provisions discussed above or otherwise, Mercantile has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
The Michigan Business Corporation Act permits Mercantile to purchase insurance on behalf of its directors and officers against liability arising out of their positions with Mercantile (or positions held with another entity at the request of Mercantile), whether or not the liabilities would be within the indemnification provisions described above. Under an insurance policy maintained by Mercantile, its directors and officers are insured within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policy, against specified expenses in connection with the defense of specified claims, actions, suits or proceedings, and specified liabilities which might be imposed as a result of claims, actions, suits or proceedings, which may be brought against them by reason of being or having been directors and officers of Mercantile.
Limitation of Director Liability
Section 209(1)(c) of the Michigan Business Corporation Act permits corporations to limit the personal liability of their directors in certain circumstances. However, under the Michigan Business Corporation Act, a corporation may not eliminate or limit a director's liability to the corporation or its shareholders for money damages for any action taken or any failure to take any action as a director for any of the following: (1) the amount of a financial benefit received by a director to which he or she is not entitled; (2) intentional infliction of harm on the corporation or its shareholders; (3) a violation of Section 551 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act; and (4) an intentional criminal act.
Mercantile's Articles of Incorporation provide that its directors shall not be personally liable to it or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty, except for liability (1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to Mercantile or its shareholders; (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (3) for a violation of Section 551(1) of the Michigan Business Corporation Act; or (4) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. Under the Michigan Business Corporation Act, if prior to October 24, 1997 the articles of incorporation of a corporation contained a provision which, subject to exceptions, eliminated liability of a director as Mercantile's does, that provision is considered to eliminate liability of a director to the extent permitted in Section 209(1)(c) of the Michigan Business Corporation Act.
Pursuant to Mercantile's Articles of Incorporation, if the Michigan Business Corporation Act is amended after the date of the Articles of Incorporation to authorize corporate action eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of Mercantile shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as so amended.
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statements
The exhibits listed below in the “Exhibit Index” are part of this Registration Statement and are numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
|
Exhibit
No.
|
|
Description
|
| |
|
|
|
3.1*
|
|
Articles of Incorporation of Mercantile Bank Corporation, including all amendments thereto, as certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Michigan on December 13, 2021.
|
| |
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Mercantile Bank Corporation (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 26, 2015).
|
| |
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
Subordinated Indenture, dated December 15, 2021, by and between Mercantile Bank Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021).
|
| |
|
|
|
4.2
|
|
First Supplemental Indenture to Subordinated Indenture, dated December 15, 2021, by and between Mercantile Bank Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021).
|
| |
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
Form of 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note due 2032 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021).
|
| |
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
Form of Subordinated Note Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 2021, by and among Mercantile Bank Corporation and the Purchasers (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021).
|
| |
|
|
|
4.5
|
|
Form of Registration Rights Agreement dated December 15, 2021, by and among Mercantile Bank Corporation and the Purchasers (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 17, 2021).
|
| |
|
|
|
5.1*
|
|
Opinion of Dickinson Wright PLLC.
|
| |
|
|
|
23.1*
|
|
Consent of BDO USA, LLP.
|
| |
|
|
|
23.2*
|
|
Consent of Dickinson Wright PLLC (included in Exhibit 5.1).
|
| |
|
|
|
24.1*
|
|
Power of Attorney (included on original signature page to this registration statement).
|
| |
|
|
|
25.1*
|
|
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wilmington Trust, National Association, with respect to the Indenture, dated as of December 15, 2021, between Mercantile Bank Corporation and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, regarding 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032.
|
| |
|
|
|
99.1*
|
|
Form of Global Note Letter of Transmittal relating to the 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032.
|
| |
|
|
| 107* |
|
Filing Fee Table |
* Filed herewith.
All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted because they are not required, amounts which would otherwise be required to be shown with respect to any item are not material, are inapplicable or the required information has already been provided elsewhere or incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
Item 22. Undertakings
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Items 4, 10(b), 11, or 13 of this Form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Grand Rapids, State of Michigan, on February 16, 2022.
| |
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
By:
|
/s/ Robert B. Kaminski, Jr.
|
|
| |
|
Robert B. Kaminski, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
By:
|
/s/ Charles E. Christmas
|
|
| |
|
Charles E. Christmas
Executive Vice President
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Robert B. Kaminski, Jr. and Charles E. Christmas as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments and registration statements filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act) to this registration statement and to file the same, with all relevant exhibits and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
Date
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ David M. Cassard
|
|
Director
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
David M. Cassard
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Charles E. Christmas
|
|
Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
Charles E. Christmas
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael S. Davenport
|
|
Director
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
Michael S. Davenport
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michelle L. Eldridge
|
|
Director
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
Michelle L. Eldridge
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jeff A. Gardner
|
|
Director
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
Jeff A. Gardner
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert B. Kaminski, Jr.
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
Robert B. Kaminski, Jr.
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Michael H. Price
|
|
Chairman
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
Michael H. Price
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ David B. Ramaker
|
|
Director
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
David B. Ramaker
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Raymond E. Reitsma
|
|
Executive Vice President, Chief
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
Raymond E. Reitsma
|
|
Operating Officer |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Lonna L. Wiersma
|
|
Senior Vice President and Human Resource Director
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
Lonna L. Wiersma
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
/s/ Robert T. Worthington
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, Secretary and General Counsel
|
February 16, 2022
|
|
Robert T. Worthington
|
|
|
|
Exhibit 3.1
Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services
Filing Endorsement
This is to Certify that the ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION - PROFIT
for
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
ID NUMBER: 478801
received by facsimile transmission on July 15, 1997 is hereby endorsed
Filed on July 15, 1997 by the Administrator.
| |
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the Seal of the Department,
in the City of Lansing, this 16th day of July, 1997.
|
|
|
|
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY SERVICES –
CORPORATION, SECURITIES & LAND DEVELOPMENT BUREAU
Date Received Effective Date
Corporation Identification Number
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
These Articles of Incorporation are signed by the incorporator for the purpose of forming a profit corporation pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972, as amended, as follows:
ARTICLE I
Name
The name of the corporation is Mercantile Bank Corporation.
ARTICLE II
Corporate Purpose
The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is formed are to serve as a bank holding company registered under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, being 12 U.S.C. Sections 1841 to 1850 (as amended from time to time, and including any successor statutes) and to engage in any activity within the purposes for which corporations may be formed under the Business Corporation Act of Michigan.
ARTICLE III
Capital Stock
The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is 10,000,000 shares which shall be divided into two classes as follows;
| |
(1)
|
1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (Preferred Stock); and
|
| |
(2)
|
9,000,000 shares of Common Stock (Common Stock).
|
The designations and the powers, preferences and relative, participating optional or other special rights, and the qualifications limitations or restrictions of the above classes of stock shall be as follows:
1. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series at such time or times and for such consideration or considerations as the Board of Directors may determine.
2. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized at any time, and from time to time, to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, with such voting powers, full or limited, but not to exceed one vote per share, or without voting powers and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restriction thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue thereof adopted by the Board of Directors, and as are not stated and expressed in these Articles of Incorporation, or any amendment thereto, including (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) the following:
(a) The designation of such series and number of shares comprising such series, which number may (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in creating such series) be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time by action of the Board of Directors.
(b) The dividend rate or rates on the shares of such series and the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any other class of capital stock or on any other series of Preferred Stock, the terms and conditions upon which and the periods in respect of which dividends shall be payable, whether and upon what condition such dividends shall be cumulative and, if cumulative, the date or dates from which dividends shall accumulate.
(c) Whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable, and, if redeemable, whether redeemable for cash, property or rights, including securities of any other corporations, at the option of either the holder or the corporation or upon the happening of a specified event, the limitations and restrictions with respect to such redemption, the time or times when, the price or prices or rate or rates at which, the adjustments with which and the manner in which such shares shall be redeemable, including the manner of selecting shares of such series for redemption if less than all shares are to be redeemed.
(d) The rights to which the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled, and the preferences, if any, over any other series (or of any other series over such series), upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution or winding up of the corporation, which rights may vary depending on whether such liquidation, dissolution, distribution or winding up is voluntary or involuntary, and, if voluntary, may vary at different dates.
(e) Whether the shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a purchase, retirement or sinking fund, and, if so, whether and upon what conditions such purchase, retirement or sinking fund shall be cumulative or noncumulative, the extent to which and the manner in which such fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of such series for retirement or to other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof.
(f) Whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, at the option of either the holder or the corporation or upon the happening of a specified event, shares of any other class or of any other series of any class of capital stock of the corporation, and, if so convertible or exchangeable, the times, prices, rates, adjustments, and other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange.
(g) The voting powers, full and/or limited, if any, of the shares of such series, and whether and under what conditions the shares of such series (alone or together with the shares of one or more other series having similar provisions) shall be entitled to vote separately as a single class, for the election of one or more directors, or additional directors of the corporation in case of dividend arrearages or other specified events, or upon other matters.
(h) Whether the issuance of any additional shares of such series, or of any shares of any other series, shall be subject to restrictions as to issuance, or as to the powers, preferences or rights of any such other series.
(i) Any other preferences, privileges and powers and relative, participating, option or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series, as the Board of Directors may deem advisable and as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of these Articles of Incorporation.
3. Unless and except to the extent otherwise required by law or provided in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors creating any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section A, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have no voting power with respect to any matter whatsoever. In no event shall the Preferred Stock be entitled to more than one vote in respect of each share of stock.
4. Shares of Preferred Stock redeemed, converted, exchanged, purchased, retired or surrendered to the corporation, or which have been issued and reacquired in any manner, may, upon compliance with any applicable provisions of the Business Corporation Act of the State of Michigan, be given the status of authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued by the Board of Directors as part of the series of which they were originally a part or may be reclassified into and reissued as part of a new series or as a part of any other series, all subject to the protective conditions or restrictions of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock.
1. Except as otherwise required by law or by any amendment to these Articles of Incorporation, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote for each share of stock held by him of record on the books of the corporation on all matters voted upon by the shareholders.
2. Subject to the preferential dividend rights, if any, applicable to shares of Preferred Stock and subject to applicable requirements, if any, with respect to the setting aside of sums for purchase, retirement or sinking funds for Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, to the extent permitted by Law, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by time Board of Directors.
3. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of the corporation, after distribution in full of the preferential amounts, if any, to be distributed to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the corporation of whatever kind available for distribution to shareholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively. The Board of Directors may distribute in kind to the holders of Common Stock such remaining assets of the corporation or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of such remaining assets to any other corporation, trust or entity, or any combination thereof, and may sell all or any part of the consideration so received and distribute any balance thereof in kind to holders of Common Stock. The merger or consolidation of the corporation into or with any other corporation, or the merger of any other corporation into it, or any purchase or redemption of shares of stock of the corporation of any class, shall not be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation of winding up of the corporation for the purposes of this paragraph.
4. Such numbers of shares of Common Stock as may from time to time be required for such purpose shall be reserved for issuance (i) upon conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock or any obligation of the corporation convertible into shares of Common Stock which is at the time outstanding or issuable upon exercise of any options or warrants at the time outstanding and (ii) upon exercise of any options, warrants or rights at the time outstanding to purchase shares of Common Stock.
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors
A. Number, Election and Term of Director. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors. The number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the corporation, except that the minimum number of directors shall be fixed at no less than 6 and the maximum number of directors shall be fixed at no more than 15. The directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and Class Ill. Each class shall consist, as nearly equal in number as possible, of one-third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors. Initially, Class I directors shall be elected for a one-year term, Class II directors for a two-years term and Class III directors for a three-year term. At each succeeding annual meeting of shareholders, beginning in 1998, successors of the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term. If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible.
B. Shareholder Nomination of Director Candidates. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation at a meeting of shareholders may be made by the Board of Directors, on behalf of the Board of Directors by any nominating committee appointed by the Board of Directors, or by any shareholder of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the Board of Directors, shall be made by notice in writing delivered to or mailed, postage prepaid, and received by the Secretary of the corporation at least 60 days but no more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The notice shall set forth (i) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination; (ii) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee; (iii) the principal occupation or employment of each nominee; (iv) the number of shares of stock of the corporation which are beneficially owned by each nominee and by the nominating shareholder; (v) any other information concerning the nominee that must be disclosed by nominees in a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or any subsequent provisions replacing such Regulation); and (vi) the executed consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the corporation, if elected. The chairman of the meeting of shareholders may, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, and if the chairman should so determine, the chairman shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
C. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director of any class chosen to fill a vacancy in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director. A director shall hold office until the next annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until such director's successor shall have been elected and qualified.
D. Removal. Any director may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all the shares of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
E. Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraphs, whenever the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the corporation shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the Articles of Incorporation applicable thereto. The then authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be increased by the number of additional directors to be elected, and such directors so elected shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this Article unless expressly provided by such terms.
F. Amendment or Repeal. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles of Incorporation or the By-laws of the corporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the shares of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with the purpose and intent of this Article.
ARTICLE V
Director’s Liability
A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) a violation of Section 551(1) of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. If the Michigan Business Corporation Act is amended after the date of these Articles of Incorporation to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Michigan Business Corporation Act, as so amended.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the shareholders of the corporation shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification.
ARTICLE VI
Indemnification
Directors and officers of the corporation shall be indemnified as of right to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law in connection with any actual or threatened civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding (whether brought by or in the name of the corporation, a subsidiary, or otherwise) arising out of their service to the corporation or a subsidiary, or to another organization at the request of the corporation or a subsidiary. Persons who are not directors or officers of the corporation may be similarly indemnified in respect of such service to the extent authorized at any time by the Board of Directors of the corporation. The corporation may purchase and maintain insurance to protect itself and any such director, officer or other person against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in respect of such service whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability by law or under the provision of this paragraph. The provisions of this paragraph shall be applicable to directors, officers and other persons who have ceased to render such service, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of the directors, officers and other persons referred to in this paragraph.
ARTICLE VII
Shareholder Action
Except as otherwise required by law, any action required or permitted to be taken on or after September 30, 1997 by any shareholders of the corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of such shareholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such shareholders. Except as may be otherwise required by law, special meetings of shareholders of the corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors or the Chairman of the Board. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles of Incorporation or the By-laws of the corporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the shares of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or adopt any provision inconsistent with the purpose and intent of this Article.
ARTICLE VIII
Registered Office and Agent
The address of the initial registered office of the corporation is: 500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 4000, Detroit, Michigan 48226. The name of the resident agent is: Jerome M. Schwartz.
ARTICLE IX
Incorporator
The name and address of the incorporator of the corporation is as follows:
Jerome M. Schwartz
Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen & Freeman
500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 4000
Detroit, Michigan 48226
I, the incorporator, sign my name this 15th day of July, 1997.
| |
/s/ Jerome M. Schwartz |
| |
Incorporator, Jerome M. Schwartz |
Fees remitted by and document to be returned to:
Jerome M. Schwartz
Dickinson, Wright, Moon, Van Dusen and Freeman
500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 4000
Detroit, Michigan 48226
This is to Certify that the annexed copy has been compared by me with the record on file in this Department and that the same is a true copy thereof.
This certificate is in due form, made by me as the proper officer, and is entitled to have full faith and credit given it in every court and office within the United States.
|
|
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the
City of Lansing, this 13th day of December, 2021.
Linda Clegg, Director
|
| |
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau |
| Certificate Number: 21120462703 |
|
Verify this certificate at: URL to eCertificate Verification Search http://www.michigan.gov/corpverifycertificate.
|
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & ECONOMIC GROWTH
BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES
|
|
Date Received
July 7, 2004
|
(FOR BUREAU USE ONLY)
|
| |
This document is effective on the date filed, unless a subsequent effective date within 90 days after received date is stated in the document.
|
FILED
July 7, 2004
|
|
Name
Jerome M. Schwartz
|
|
|
Address
Dickinson Wright PLLC, 500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 4000
|
|
|
City State Zip Code
Detroit Michigan 48226
|
EFFECTIVE DATE:
|
Document will be returned to the name and address you enter above.
If left blank document will be mailed to the registered office.
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972, (profit corporations), the undersigned corporation executes the following Certificate:
| 1. |
The present name of the corporation is: Mercantile Bank Corporation |
| |
|
|
2.
|
The identification number assigned by the Bureau is: 478801
|
| |
|
|
3.
|
Article III of the Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read as follows:
Please see Exhibit A attached hereto which sets forth Article III of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended.
|
| |
|
|
4.
|
The foregoing amendment to the Articles of Incorporation was duly adopted on the 22nd day of April, 2004 by the shareholders at a meeting where the necessary votes were cast in favor of the amendment.
|
|
Signed this 12th day of May, 2004
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
By: /s/ Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.
Name: Gerald R. Johnson, Jr.
Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
| Name of organization remitting fees: |
Preparer's name and business telephone number: |
| |
|
| Mercantile Bank Corporation |
Jerome M. Schwartz |
| |
Dickinson Wright PLLC
(313) 223-3500
|
EXHIBIT A
ARTICLE III
Capital Stock
The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is 21,000,000 shares which shall be divided into two classes as follows:
| |
(1)
|
1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (Preferred Stock); and
|
| |
(2)
|
20,000,000 shares of Common Stock (Common Stock).
|
The designations and the powers, preferences and relative, participating optional or other special rights, and the qualifications limitations or restrictions of the above classes of stock shall be as follows:
1. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series at such time or times and for such consideration or considerations as the Board of Directors may determine.
2. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized at any time, and from time to time, to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, with such voting powers, full or limited, but not to exceed one vote per share, or without voting powers and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restriction thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue thereof adopted by the Board of Directors, and as are not stated and expressed in these Articles of Incorporation, or any amendment thereto, including (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) the following:
(a) The designation of such series and number of shares comprising such series, which number may (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in creating such series) be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time by action of the Board of Directors.
(b) The dividend rate or rates on the shares of such series and the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any other class of capital stock or on any other series of Preferred Stock, the terms and conditions upon which and the periods in respect of which dividends shall be payable, whether and upon what condition such dividends shall be cumulative and, if cumulative, the date or dates from which dividends shall accumulate.
(c) Whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable, and, if redeemable, whether redeemable for cash, property or rights, including securities of any other corporations, at the option of either the holder or the corporation or upon the happening of a specified event, the limitations and restrictions with respect to such redemption, the time or times when, the price or prices or rate or rates at which, the adjustments with which and the manner in which such shares shall be redeemable, including the manner of selecting shares of such series for redemption if less than all shares are to be redeemed.
(d) The rights to which the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled, and the preferences, if any, over any other series (or of any other series over such series), upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution or winding up of the corporation, which rights may vary depending on whether such liquidation, dissolution, distribution or winding up is voluntary or involuntary, and, if voluntary, may vary at different dates.
(e) Whether the shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a purchase, retirement or sinking fund, and, if so, whether and upon what conditions such purchase, retirement or sinking fund shall be cumulative or noncumulative, the extent to which and the manner in which such fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of such series for retirement or to other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof
(f) Whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, at the option of either the holder or the corporation or upon the happening of a specified event, shares of any other class or of any other series of any class of capital stock of the corporation, and, if so convertible or exchangeable, the times, prices, rates, adjustments, and other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange.
(g) The voting powers, full and/or limited, if any, of the shares of such series, and whether and under what conditions the shares of such series (alone or together with the shares of one or more other series having similar provisions) shall be entitled to vote separately as a single class, for the election of one or more directors, or additional directors of the corporation in case of dividend arrearages or other specified events, or upon other matters.
(h) Whether the issuance of any additional shares of such series, or of any shares of any other series, shall be subject to restrictions as to issuance, or as to the powers, preferences or rights of any such other series.
(i) Any other preferences, privileges and powers and relative, participating, option or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series, as the Board of Directors may deem advisable and as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of these Articles of Incorporation.
3. Unless and except to the extent otherwise required by law or provided in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors creating any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section A, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have no voting power with respect to any matter whatsoever. In no event shall the Preferred Stock be entitled to more than one vote in respect of each share of stock.
4. Shares of Preferred Stock redeemed, converted, exchanged, purchased, retired or surrendered to the corporation, or which have been issued and reacquired in any manner, may, upon compliance with any applicable provisions of the Business Corporation Act of the State of Michigan, be given the status of authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued by the Board of Directors as part of the series of which they were originally a part or may be reclassified into and reissued as part of a new series or as a part of any other series, all subject to the protective conditions or restrictions of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock.
1. Except as otherwise required by law or by any amendment to these Articles of Incorporation, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote for each share of stock held by him of record on the books of the corporation on all matters voted upon by the shareholders.
2. Subject to the preferential dividend rights, if any, applicable to shares of Preferred Stock and subject to applicable requirements, if any, with respect to the setting aside of sums for purchase, retirement or sinking funds for Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, to the extent permitted by law, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.
3. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of the corporation, after distribution in full of the preferential amounts, if any, to be distributed to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the corporation of whatever kind available for distribution to shareholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively. The Board of Directors may distribute in kind to the holders of Common Stock such remaining assets of the corporation or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of such remaining assets to any other corporation, trust or entity, or any combination thereof, and may sell all or any part of the consideration so received and distribute any balance thereof in kind to holders of Common Stock. The merger or consolidation of the corporation into or with any other corporation, or the merger of any other corporation into it, or any purchase or redemption of shares of stock of the corporation of any class, shall not be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation of winding up of the corporation for the purposes of this paragraph.
4. Such numbers of shares of Common Stock as may from time to time be required for such purpose shall be reserved for issuance (i) upon conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock or any obligation of the corporation convertible into shares of Common Stock which is at the time outstanding or issuable upon exercise of any options or warrants at the time outstanding and (ii) upon exercise of any options, warrants or rights at the time outstanding to purchase shares of Common Stock.
This is to Certify that the annexed copy has been compared by me with the record on file in this Department and that the same is a true copy thereof.
This certificate is in due form, made by me as the proper officer, and is entitled to have full faith and credit given it in every court and office within the United States.
|
|
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the
City of Lansing, this 13th day of December, 2021.
Linda Clegg, Director
|
| |
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau |
| Certificate Number: 21120463003 |
Verify this certificate at: URL to eCertificate Verification Search http://www.michigan.gov/corpverifycertificate.
|
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & ECONOMIC GROWTH
BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL SERVICES
|
|
Date Received
|
(FOR BUREAU USE ONLY)
|
| |
This document is effective on the date filed, unless a subsequent effective date within 90 days after received date is stated in the document.
|
FILED
May 2, 2008
|
|
Name
Jerome M. Schwartz
|
|
|
Address
Dickinson Wright PLLC, 500 Woodward Avenue, Suite 4000
|
|
|
City State Zip Code
Detroit Michigan 48226
|
EFFECTIVE DATE:
|
Document will be returned to the name and address you enter above.
If left blank document will be mailed to the registered office.
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972, (profit corporations), the undersigned corporation executes the following Certificate:
| 1. |
The present name of the corporation is: Mercantile Bank Corporation |
| |
|
|
2.
|
The identification number assigned by the Bureau is: 478801
|
| |
|
|
3.
|
Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation is hereby amended to read as follows:
Please see Appendix A attached hereto which sets forth Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended.
|
| |
|
| 4. |
The foregoing amendment to the Articles of Incorporation proposed by the board was duly adopted on the 24th day of April, 2008 by the shareholders at a meeting in accordance with Section 611(3) of the Act.
|
|
|
|
Signed this 24th day of April, 2008
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
By: /s/ Michael H. Price
Michael H. Price
Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
| Name of organization remitting fees: |
Preparer's name and business telephone number: |
| |
|
| Dickinson Wright PLLC |
Jerome M. Schwartz |
| |
Dickinson Wright PLLC
(313) 223-3500
|
Appendix A
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors
A. Number, Election and Term of Directors. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors. The number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed from time to time by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors of the corporation, except that the minimum number of directors shall be fixed at no less than 6 and the maximum number of directors shall be fixed at no more than 15. Commencing with the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders, directors shall be elected annually to hold office until the succeeding annual meeting of shareholders. Directors elected at the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders shall hold office until the 2009 annual meeting of shareholders; directors elected at the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders shall hold office until the 2010 annual meeting of shareholders; and directors elected at the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders shall hold office until the 2011 annual meeting of shareholders. A director shall hold office for the term for which the director is elected and until the director's successor is elected and qualified, or until the director's resignation or removal.
B. Shareholder Nomination of Director Candidates. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation at a meeting of shareholders may be made by the Board of Directors, on behalf of the Board of Directors by any nominating committee appointed by the Board of Directors, or by any shareholder of the corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the Board of Directors, shall be made by notice in writing delivered to or mailed, postage prepaid, and received by the Secretary of the corporation at least 60 days but no more than 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The notice shall set forth (i) the name and address of the shareholder who intends to make the nomination; (ii) the name, age, business address and, if known, residence address of each nominee; (iii) the principal occupation or employment of each nominee; (iv) the number of shares of stock of the corporation which are beneficially owned by each nominee and by the nominating shareholder; (v) any other information concerning the nominee that must be disclosed by nominees in a proxy solicitation pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or any subsequent provisions replacing such Regulation); and (vi) the executed consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the corporation, if elected. The chairman of the meeting of shareholders may, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures, and if the chairman should so determine, the chairman shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
C. Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. Any director chosen to fill a vacancy shall hold office for a term that expires at the next election of directors and until the director's successor is elected and qualified. In no case will a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director
D. Removal. Any director may be removed from office only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all the shares of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
E. Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraphs, whenever the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the corporation shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the Articles of Incorporation applicable thereto. The then authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be increased by the number of additional directors to be elected.
F. Amendment or Repeal. Notwithstanding anything contained in these Articles of Incorporation or the By-laws of the corporation to the contrary, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all the shares of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with the purpose and intent of this Article.
This is to Certify that the annexed copy has been compared by me with the record on file in this Department and that the same is a true copy thereof.
This certificate is in due form, made by me as the proper officer, and is entitled to have full faith and credit given it in every court and office within the United States.
|
|
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the
City of Lansing, this 13th day of December, 2021.
Linda Clegg, Director
|
| |
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau |
| Certificate Number: 21120463207 |
|
Verify this certificate at: URL to eCertificate Verification Search http://www.michigan.gov/corpverifycertificate.
CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS
OF
FIXED RATE CUMULATIVE PERPETUAL PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES A
OF
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
Mercantile Bank Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Michigan (the "Corporation"), in accordance with the provisions of Section 302 of the Michigan Business Corporation Act, does hereby certify:
The board of directors of the Corporation (the "Board of Directors") or an applicable committee of the Board of Directors, in accordance with the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Corporation and applicable law, adopted the following resolution on May 7, 2009 creating a series of 21,000 shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation designated as "Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A".
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the provisions of the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the Corporation and applicable law, a series of Preferred Stock, no par value per share, of the Corporation be and hereby is created, and that the designation and number of shares of such series, and the voting and other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, of the shares of such series, are as follows:
Part 1. Designation and Number of Shares. There is hereby created out of the authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock of the Corporation a series of Preferred Stock designated as the "Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A" (the "Designated Preferred Stock"). The authorized number of shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall be 21,000.
Part 2. Standard Provisions. The Standard Provisions contained in Annex A attached hereto are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall be deemed to be a part of this Certificate of Designations to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein.
Part. 3. Definitions. The following terms are used in this Certificate of Designations (including the Standard Provisions in Annex A hereto) as defined below:
(a) "Common Stock" means the common stock (no par value per share) of the Corporation.
(b) "Dividend Payment Date'' means February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year.
(c) "Junior Stock" means the Common Stock, and any other class or series of stock of the Corporation the terms of which expressly provide that it ranks junior to Designated Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
(d) "Liquidation Amount" means $1,000 per share of Designated Preferred Stock.
(e) "Minimum Amount" means $5,250,000.
(f) "Parity Stock" means any class or series of stock of the Corporation (other than Designated Preferred Stock) the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior or junior to Designated Preferred Stock as to dividend rights and/or as to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation (in each case without regard to whether dividends accrue cumulatively or non-cumulatively).
(g) "Signing Date" means the Original Issue Date.
Part. 4. Certain Voting Matters. Holders of shares of Designated Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each such share on any matter on which holders of Designated Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, including any action by written consent.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mercantile Bank Corporation has caused this Certificate of Designations to be signed by Robert B. Kaminski, Jr., its Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary, this 8th day of May, 2009.
|
|
Mercantile Bank Corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Robert B. Kaminski, Jr.
|
|
|
|
Robert B. Kaminski, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Title: Executive Vice President, Chief
Operating Officer and Secretary
|
ANNEX A
STANDARD PROVISIONS
Section 1. General Matters. Each share of Designated Preferred Stock shall be identical in all respects to every other share of Designated Preferred Stock. The Designated Preferred Stock shall be perpetual, subject to the provisions of Section 5 of these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Certificate of Designations. The Designated Preferred Stock shall rank equally with Parity Stock and shall rank senior to Junior Stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation.
Section 2. Standard Definitions. As used herein with respect to Designated Preferred Stock:
(a) "Applicable Dividend Rate" means (i) during the period from the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the first day of the first Dividend Period commencing on or after the fifth anniversary of the Original Issue Date, 5% per annum and (ii) from and after the first day of the first Dividend Period commencing on or after the fifth anniversary of the Original Issue Date, 9% per annum.
(b) “Appropriate Federal Banking Agency" means the "appropriate Federal banking agency" with respect to the Corporation as defined in Section 3(q) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C Section 1813(q)), or any successor provision.
(c) "Business Combination" means a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange or similar transaction that requires the approval of the Corporation's stockholders.
(d) "Business Day" means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which banking institutions in the State of New York generally are authorized or required by law or other governmental actions to close.
(e) “Bylaws" means the bylaw of the Corporation, as they may be amended from time to time.
(f) “Certificate of Designations" means the Certificate of Designations or comparable instrument relating to the Designated Preferred Stock, of which these Standard Provisions form a part, as it may be amended from time to time.
(g) "Charter" means the Corporation's certificate or articles of incorporation, articles of association, or similar organizational document.
(h) “Dividend Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
(i) ''Dividend Record Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(a).
(j) “Liquidation Preference" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).
(k) “Original Issue Date" means the date on which shares of Designated Preferred Stock are first issued.
(l) “Preferred Director" has the meaning set forth in Section 7(b).
(m) ''Preferred Stock" means any and all series of preferred stock of the Corporation, including the Designated Preferred Stock.
(n) "Qualified Equity Offering'' means the sale and issuance for cash by the Corporation to persons other than the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries after the Original Issue Date of shares of perpetual Preferred Stock, Common Stock or any combination of such stock, that, in each case, qualify as and may be included in Tier I capital of the Corporation at the time of issuance under the applicable risk-based capital guidelines of the Corporation's Appropriate Federal Banking Agency (other than any such sales and issuances made pursuant to agreements or arrangements entered into, or pursuant to financing plans which were publicly announced, on or prior to October 13, 2008).
(o) “Share Dilution Amount" has the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).
(p) “Standard Provisions" mean these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Certificate of Designations relating to the Designated Preferred Stock.
(q) “Successor Preferred Stock" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(a).
(r) “Voting Parity Stock" means, with regard to any matter as to which the holders of Designated Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as specified in Sections 7(a) and 7(b) of these Standard Provisions that form a part of the Certificate of Designations, any and all series of Parity Stock upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable with respect to such matter.
Section 3. Dividends.
(a) Rate. Holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, on each share of Designated Preferred Stock if, as and when declared by the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors, but only out of assets legally available therefor, cumulative cash dividends with respect to each Dividend Period (as defined below) at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Dividend Rate on (i) the Liquidation Amount per share of Designated Preferred Stock and (ii) the amount of accrued and unpaid dividends for any prior Dividend Period on such share of Designated Preferred Stock, if any. Such dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from the Original Issue Date, shall compound on each subsequent Dividend Payment Date (i.e., no dividends shall accrue on other dividends unless and until the first Dividend Payment Date for such other dividends has passed without such other dividends having been paid on such date) and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date, commencing with the first such Dividend Payment Date to occur at least 20 calendar days after the Original Issue Date. In the event that any Dividend Payment Date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day, the dividend payment due on that date will be postponed to the next day that is a Business Day and no additional dividends will accrue as a result of that postponement. The period from and including any Dividend Payment Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date is a "Dividend Period", provided that the initial Dividend Period shall be the period from and including the Original Issue Date to, but excluding, the next Dividend Payment Date.
Dividends that are payable on Designated Preferred Stock in respect of any Dividend Period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The amount of dividends payable on Designated Preferred Stock on any date prior to the end of a Dividend Period, and for the initial Dividend Period, shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months, and actual days elapsed over a 30-day month.
Dividends that are payable on Designated Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date will be payable to holders of record of Designated Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock register of the Corporation on the applicable record date, which shall be the 15th calendar day immediately preceding such Dividend Payment Date or such other record date fixed by the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors that is not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to such Dividend Payment Date (each, a "Dividend Record Date"). Any such day that is a Dividend Record Date shall be a Dividend Record Date whether or not such day is a Business Day.
Holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends, whether payable in cash, securities or other property, other than dividends (if any) declared and payable on Designated Preferred Stock as specified in this Section 3 (subject to the other provisions of the Certificate of Designations).
(b) Priority of Dividends. So long as any share of Designated Preferred Stock remains outstanding, no dividend or distribution shall be declared or paid on the Common Stock or any other shares of Junior Stock (other than dividends payable solely in shares of Common Stock) or Parity Stock, subject to the immediately following paragraph in the case of Parity Stock, and no Common Stock, Junior Stock or Parity Stock shall be, directly or indirectly, purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired for consideration by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries unless all accrued and unpaid; dividends for all past Dividend Periods, including the latest completed Dividend Period (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount), on all outstanding shares of Designated Preferred Stock have been or are contemporaneously declared and paid in full (or have been declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof has been set aside for the benefit of the holders of shares of Designated Preferred Stock on the applicable record date). The foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of shares of Common Stock or other Junior Stock in connection with the administration of any employee benefit plan in the ordinary course of business (including purchases to offset the Share Dilution Amount (as defined below) pursuant to a publicly announced repurchase plan) and consistent with past practice, provided that any purchases to offset the Share Dilution Amount shall in no event exceed the Share Dilution Amount; (ii) purchases or other acquisitions by a broker-dealer subsidiary of the Corporation solely for the purpose of market-making, stabilization or customer facilitation transactions in Junior Stock or Parity Stock in the ordinary course of its business; (iii) purchases by a brokerdealer subsidiary of the Corporation of capital stock of the Corporation for resale pursuant to an offering by the Corporation of such capital stock underwritten by such broker-dealer subsidiary; any dividends or distributions of rights or Junior Stock in connection with a stockholders rights plan or any redemption or repurchase of rights pursuant to any stockholders' rights plan; the acquisition by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries of record ownership in Junior Stock or Parity Stock for the beneficial ownership of any other persons (other than the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries), including as trustees or custodians; and (vi) the exchange or conversion of Junior Stock for or into other Junior Stock or of Parity Stock for or into other Parity Stock (with the same or lesser aggregate liquidation amount) or Junior Stock, in each case, solely to the extent required pursuant to binding contractual agreements entered into prior to the Signing Date or any subsequent agreement for the accelerated exercise, settlement or exchange thereof for Common Stock. "Share Dilution Amount" means the increase in the number of diluted shares outstanding (determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, and as measured from the date of the Corporation's consolidated financial statements most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the Original Issue Date) resulting from the grant, vesting or exercise of equity-based compensation to employees and equitably, adjusted for any stock split, stock dividend, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar transaction.
When dividends are not paid (or declared and a sum sufficient for payment thereof set aside for the benefit of the holders thereof on the applicable record date) on any Dividend Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Stock having dividend payment dates different from the Dividend Payment Dates, on a dividend payment date falling within a Dividend Period related to such Dividend Payment Date) in full upon Designated Preferred Stock and any shares of Parity Stock, all dividends declared on Designated Preferred Stock and all such Parity Stock and payable on such Dividend Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Stock having dividend payment dates different from the Dividend Payment Dates, on a dividend payment date falling within the Dividend Period related to such Dividend Payment Date) shall be declared pro rata so that the respective amounts of such dividends declared shall bear the same ratio to each other as all accrued and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of Designated Preferred Stock (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount) and all Parity Stock payable on such Dividend Payment Date (or, in the case of Parity Stock having dividend payment dates different from the Dividend Payment Dates, on a dividend payment date falling within the Dividend Period related to such Dividend Payment Date) (subject to their having been declared by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors out of legally available funds and including, in the case of Parity Stock that bears cumulative dividends, all accrued but unpaid dividends) bear to each other. If the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors determines not to pay any dividend or a full dividend on a Dividend Payment Date, the Corporation will provide written notice to the holders of Designated Preferred Stock prior to such Dividend Payment Date.
Subject to the foregoing, and not otherwise, such dividends (payable in cash, securities or other property as may be determined by the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors may be declared and paid on any securities, including Common Stock and other Junior Stock, from time to time out of any funds legally available for such payment, and holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to participate in any such dividends.
Section 4. Liquidation Rights.
(a) Voluntary or Involuntary Liquidation. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive for each share of Designated Preferred Stock, out of the assets of the Corporation or proceeds thereof (whether capital or surplus) available for distribution to stockholders of the Corporation, subject to the rights of any creditors of the Corporation, before any distribution of such assets or proceeds is made to or set aside for the holders of Common Stock and any other stock of the Corporation ranking junior to Designated Preferred Stock as to such distribution, payment in full in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Amount per share and (ii) the amount of any accrued and unpaid dividends (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount), whether or not declared, to the date of payment (such amounts collectively, the "Liquidation Preference").
(b) Partial Payment. If in any distribution described in Section 4(a) above the assets of the Corporation or proceeds thereof are not sufficient to pay in full the amounts payable with respect to all outstanding shares of Designated Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable with respect of any other stock of the Corporation ranking equally with Designated Preferred Stock as to such distribution, holders of Designated Preferred Stock and the holders of such other stock shall share ratably in any such distribution in proportion to the full respective distributions to which they are entitled.
(c) Residual Distributions. If the Liquidation Preference has been paid in full to all holders of Designated Preferred Stock and the corresponding amounts payable with respect of any other stock of the Corporation ranking equally with Designated Preferred Stock as to such distribution has been paid in full, the holders of other stock of the Corporation shall be entitled to receive all remaining assets of the Corporation (or proceeds thereof) according to their respective rights and preferences.
(d) Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets Not Liquidation. For purposes of this Section 4, the merger or consolidation of the Corporation with any other corporation or other entity, including a merger or consolidation in which the holders of Designated Preferred Stock receive cash, securities or other property for their shares, or the sale, lease or exchange (for cash, securities or other property) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, shall not constitute a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation.
Section 5. Redemption.
(a) Optional Redemption. Except as provided below, the Designated Preferred Stock may not be redeemed prior to the first Dividend Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date. On or after the first Dividend Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date, the Corporation, at its option, subject to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, out of funds legally available therefor, the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, upon notice given as provided in Section 5(c) below, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Amount per share and (ii) except as otherwise provided below, any accrued and unpaid dividends (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount) (regardless of whether any dividends are actually declared) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the first Dividend Payment Date falling on or after the third anniversary of the Original Issue Date, the Corporation, at its option, subject to the approval of the Appropriate Federal Banking Agency, may redeem, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, upon notice given as provided in Section 5(c) below, at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the Liquidation Amount per share and (ii) except as otherwise provided below, any accrued and unpaid dividends (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount) (regardless of whether any dividends are actually declared) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption; provided that (x) the Corporation (or any successor by Business Combination) has received aggregate gross proceeds of not less than the Minimum Amount (plus the "Minimum Amount" as defined in the relevant certificate of designations for each other outstanding series of preferred stock of such successor that was originally issued to the United States Department of the Treasury (the "Successor Preferred Stock") in connection with the Troubled Asset Relief Program Capital Purchase Program) from one or more Qualified Equity Offerings (including Qualified Equity Offerings of such successor), and (y) the aggregate redemption price of the Designated Preferred Stock (and any Successor Preferred Stock) redeemed pursuant to this paragraph may not exceed the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Corporation (or any successor by Business Combination) from such Qualified Equity Offerings (including Qualified Equity Offerings of such successor).
The redemption price for any shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall be payable on the redemption date to the holder of such shares against surrender of the certificate(s) evidencing such shares to the Corporation or its agent. Any declared but unpaid dividends payable on a redemption date that occurs subsequent to the Dividend Record Date for a Dividend Period shall not be paid to the holder entitled to receive the redemption price on the redemption date, but rather shall be paid to the holder of record of the redeemed shares on such Dividend Record Date relating to the Dividend Payment Date as provided in Section 3 above.
(b) No Sinking Fund. The Designated Preferred Stock will not be subject to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or other similar provisions. Holders of Designated Preferred Stock will have no right to require redemption or repurchase of any shares of Designated Preferred Stock
(c) Notice of Redemption. Notice of every redemption of shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall be given by first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the holders of record of the shares to be redeemed at their respective last addresses appearing on the books of the Corporation. Such mailing shall be at least 30 days and not more than 60 days before the date fixed for redemption. Any notice mailed as provided in this Subsection shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the holder receives such notice, but failure duly to give such notice by mail, or any defect in such notice or in the mailing thereof, to any holder of shares of Designated Preferred Stock designated for redemption shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other shares of Designated Preferred Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if shares of Designated Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company or any other similar facility, notice of redemption may be given to the holders of Designated Preferred Stock at such time and in any manner permitted by such facility. Each notice of redemption given to a holder shall state: (1) the redemption date: (2) the number of shares of Designated Preferred Stock to be redeemed and, if less than all the shares held by such holder are to be redeemed, the number of such shares to be redeemed from such holder; (3) the redemption price; and (4) the place or places where certificates for such shares are to be surrendered for payment of the redemption price.
(d) Partial Redemption. In case of any redemption of part of the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares to be redeemed shall be selected either pro rata or in such other manner as the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof may determine to be fair and equitable. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof shall have full power and authority to prescribe the terms and conditions upon which shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall be redeemed from time to time. If fewer than all the shares represented by any certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares without charge to the holder thereof.
(e) Effectiveness of Redemption. If notice of redemption has been duly given and if on or before the redemption date specified in the notice all funds necessary for the redemption have been deposited by the Corporation, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares called for redemption, with a bank or trust company doing business in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and having a capital and surplus of at least $500 million and selected by the Board of Directors, so as to be and continue to be available solely therefor, then, notwithstanding that any certificate for any share so called for redemption has not been surrendered for cancellation, on and after the redemption date dividends shall cease to accrue on all shares so called for redemption, all shares so called for redemption shall no longer be deemed outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith on such redemption date cease and terminate, except only the right of the holders thereof to receive the amount payable on such redemption from such bank or trust company, without interest. Any funds unclaimed at the end of three years from the redemption date shall, to the extent permitted by law, be released to the Corporation, after which time the holders of the shares so called for redemption shall look only to the Corporation for payment of the redemption price of such shares.
(f) Status of Redeemed Shares. Shares of Designated Preferred Stock that are redeemed, repurchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation shall revert to authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock (provided that any such cancelled shares of Designated Preferred Stock may be reissued only as shares of any series of Preferred Stock other than Designated Preferred Stock).
Section 6. Conversion. Holders of Designated Preferred Stock shares shall have no right to exchange or convert such shares into any other securities.
Section 7. Voting Rights.
(a) General. The holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall not have any voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise from time to time required by law.
(b) Preferred Stock Directors. Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on the shares of Designated Preferred Stock have not been paid for an aggregate of six quarterly Dividend Periods or more, whether or not consecutive, the authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall automatically be increased by two and the holders of the Designated Preferred Stock shall have the right, with holders of shares of any one or more other classes or series of Voting Parity Stock outstanding at the time, voting together as a class, to elect two directors (hereinafter the "Preferred Directors" and each a "Preferred Director") to fill such newly created directorships at the Corporation's next annual meeting of stockholders (or at a special meeting called for that purpose prior to such next annual meeting) and at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders until all accrued and unpaid dividends for all past Dividend Periods, including the latest completed Dividend Period (including, if applicable as provided in Section 3(a) above, dividends on such amount), on all outstanding shares of Designated Preferred Stock have been declared and paid in full at which time such right shall terminate with respect to the Designated Preferred Stock, except as herein or by law expressly provided, subject to revesting in the event of each and every subsequent default of the character above mentioned; provided that it shall be a qualification for election for any Preferred Director that the election of such Preferred Director shall not cause the Corporation to violate any corporate governance requirements of any securities exchange or other trading facility on which securities of the Corporation may then be listed or traded that listed or traded companies must have a majority of independent directors. Upon any termination of the right of the holders of shares of Designated Preferred Stock and Voting Parity Stock as a class to vote for directors as provided above, the Preferred Directors shall cease to be qualified as directors, the term of office of all Preferred Directors then in office shall terminate immediately and the authorized number of directors shall be reduced by the number of Preferred Directors elected pursuant hereto. Any Preferred Director may be removed at any time, with or without cause, and any vacancy created thereby may be filled, only by the affirmative vote of the holders a majority of the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding voting separately as a class together with the holders of shares of Voting Parity Stock, to the extent the voting rights of such holders described above are then exercisable. If the office of any Preferred Director becomes vacant for any reason other than removal from office as aforesaid, the remaining Preferred Director may choose a successor who shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such vacancy occurred.
(c) Class Voting Rights as to Particular Matters. So long as any shares of Designated Preferred Stock are outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent of stockholders required by law or by the Charter, the vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares of Designated Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, voting as a separate class, given in person or by proxy, either in writing without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose, shall be necessary for effecting or validating:
(i) Authorization of Senior Stock. Any amendment or alteration of the Certificate of Designations for the Designated Preferred Stock or the Charter to authorize or create or increase the authorized amount of, or any issuance of, any shares of, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of, any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior to Designated Preferred Stock with respect to either or both the payment of dividends and/or the distribution of assets on any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation;
(ii) Amendment of Designated Preferred Stock. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any provision of the Certificate of Designations for the Designated Preferred Stock or the Charter (including, unless no vote on such merger or consolidation is required by Section 7(c)(iii) below, any amendment, alteration or repeal by means of a merger, consolidation or otherwise) so as to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers of the Designated Preferred Stock; or
(iii) Share Exchanges, Reclassifications, Mergers and Consolidations. Any consummation of a binding share exchange or reclassification involving the Designated Preferred Stock, or of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation with another corporation or other entity, unless in each case (x) the shares of Designated Preferred Stock remain outstanding or, in the case of any such merger or consolidation with respect to which the Corporation is not the surviving or resulting entity, are converted into or exchanged for preference securities of the surviving or resulting entity or its ultimate parent, and (y) such shares remaining outstanding or such preference securities, as the case may be, have such rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, taken as a whole, as are not materially less favorable to the holders thereof than the rights, preferences, privileges and voting powers, and limitations and restrictions thereof, of Designated Preferred Stock immediately prior to such consummation, taken as a whole;
provided, however, that for all purposes of this Section 7(c), any increase in the amount of the authorized Preferred Stock, including any increase in the authorized amount of Designated Preferred Stock necessary to satisfy preemptive or similar rights granted by the Corporation to other persons prior to the Signing Date, or the creation and issuance, or an increase in the authorized or issued amount, whether pursuant to preemptive or similar rights or otherwise, of any other series of Preferred Stock, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any other series of Preferred Stock, ranking equally with and/or junior to Designated Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of dividends (whether such dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative) and the distribution of assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation will not be deemed to adversely affect the rights, preferences, privileges or voting powers, and shall not require the affirmative vote or consent of, the holders of outstanding shares of the Designated Preferred Stock.
(d) Changes after Provision for Redemption. No vote or consent of the holders of Designated Preferred Stock shall be required pursuant to Section 7(c) above if, at or prior to the time when any such vote or consent would otherwise be required pursuant to such Section, all outstanding shares of the Designated Preferred Stock shall have been redeemed, or shall have been called for redemption upon proper notice and sufficient funds shall have been deposited in trust for such redemption, in each case pursuant to Section 5 above.
(e) Procedures for Voting and Consents. The rules and procedures for calling and conducting any meeting of the holders of Designated Preferred Stock (including, without limitation, the fixing of a record date in connection therewith), the solicitation and use of proxies at such a meeting, the obtaining of written consents and any other aspect or matter with regard to such a meeting or such consents shall be governed by any rules of the Board of Directors or any duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may adopt from time to time, which rules and procedures shall conform to the requirements of the Charter, the Bylaws, and applicable law and the rules of any national securities exchange or other trading facility on which Designated Preferred Stock is listed or traded at the time.
Section 8. Record Holders. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Corporation and the transfer agent for Designated Preferred Stock may deem and treat the record holder of any share of Designated Preferred Stock as the true and lawful owner thereof for all purposes, and neither the Corporation nor such transfer agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 9. Notices. All notices or communications in respect of Designated Preferred Stock shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in this Certificate of Designations in the Charter or Bylaws or by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if shares of Designated Preferred Stock are issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company or any similar facility, such notices may be given to the holders of Designated Preferred Stock in any manner permitted by such facility.
Section 10. No Preemptive Rights. No share of Designated Preferred Stock shall have any rights of preemption whatsoever as to any securities of the Corporation, or any warrants, rights or options issued or granted with respect thereto, regardless of how such securities, or such warrants, rights or options, may be designated, issued or granted.
Section 11. Replacement Certificates. The Corporation shall replace any mutilated certificate at the holder's expense upon surrender of that certificate to the Corporation. The Corporation shall replace certificates that, become destroyed, stolen or lost at the holder's expense upon delivery to the Corporation of reasonably satisfactory evidence that the certificate has been destroyed, stolen or lost, together with any indemnity that may be reasonably required by the Corporation.
Section 12. Other Rights. The shares of Designated Preferred Stock shall not have any rights. preferences, privileges or voting powers or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth herein or in the Charter or as provided by applicable law.
This is to Certify that the annexed copy has been compared by me with the record on file in this Department and that the same is a true copy thereof.
This certificate is in due form, made by me as the proper officer, and is entitled to have full faith and credit given it in every court and office within the United States.
|
|
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the
City of Lansing, this 13th day of December, 2021.
Linda Clegg, Director
|
| |
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau |
| Certificate Number: 21120463401 |
|
Verify this certificate at: URL to eCertificate Verification Search http://www.michigan.gov/corpverifycertificate.
Michigan Department of
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Filing Endorsement
This is to Certify that the
CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
for
MERCANTILE BANK CORPORATION
ID Number: 478801
received by facsimile transmission on May 29, 2014, is hereby endorsed filed on
May 29, 2014, by the Administrator.
The document is effective on the date filed, unless a subsequent effective date within 90 days after received date is stated in the document.
Effective Date: June 1, 2014
|
|
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Department, in the City of Lansing, this 11th day of July, 2014. |
| |
|
|
, Director |
| |
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau |
CLCS/CD-550m (Rev. 09/21)
|
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS
CORPORATIONS, SECURITIES & COMMERCIAL LICENSING BUREAU
|
|
Date Received ☐
|
|
|
| |
This document is effective on the date filed, unless a subsequent effective date within 90 days after received date is stated in the document. |
| |
|
|
|
Name
Daniel C. Persinger, Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
|
|
|
|
Address
900 Fifth Third Center, 111 Lyon Street NW
|
|
|
|
City State ZIP Code
Grand Rapids Michigan 49503
|
|
EFFECTIVE DATE:
|
|
 Document will be returned to the name and address you enter above. 
If left blank, document will be returned to the registered office.
|
|
Expiration date for new assumed names:
December 31,
|
| |
|
Expiration date for transferred assumed names appear in item 6
|
CERTIFICATE OF MERGER
Cross Entity Merger for use by Corporations, Limited Liability Companies,
and Limited Partnerships
Pursuant to the provisions of Act 284, Public Acts of 1972 (profit corporations), Act 23, Public Acts of 1993 (limited liability companies) and Act 213, Public Acts of 1982 (limited partnerships), the undersigned entities execute the following Certificate of Merger:
| |
|
|
|
| 1. |
The Plan of Merger (Consolidation) is as follows: |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| a. |
The name of each constituent entity and its identification number is: |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Mercantile Bank Corporation |
478801 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Firstbank Corporation |
296389 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| b. |
The name of the surviving (new) entity and its identification number is: |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Mercantile Bank Corporation |
478801 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Corporations and Limited Liability Companies provide the street address of the survivor's principal place of business: |
|
| |
310 Leonard Street NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| 2. |
(Complete only if a later effective date is desired other than the date of filing. The date must be no more than 90 days after the receipt of this document in this office.) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
The merger (consolidation) shall be effective on the 1st day of June, 2014 at , 12:01 am |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Complete for Profit Corporations Only
| For each constituent stock corporation, state: |
|
|
| Name of corporation |
Designation and
number of outstanding
shares in each class
or series
|
Indicate class oi
series of shares
entitled to vote
|
Indicate class or
series entitled
to vote as a class
|
|
Mercantile Bank Corporation
|
Common Stock, no par value, 8,741,453 shares outstanding
Preferred Stock, 0 shares outstanding
|
Common Stock |
None |
|
Firstbank Corporation
|
Common Stock, no par valve, 8,087,921.7276 shares outstanding
Preferred Stock, 0 shares outstanding
|
Common Stock |
None |
|
If the number of shares is subject to change prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the manner in which the change may occur is as follows:
Mercantile Bank Corporation may issue additional shares of Mercantile Bank
Corporation Common Stock pursuant the exercise of stock options awarded under any stock incentive plans of Mercantile Bank Corporation, and may accept shares for cancellation in connection with the payment of any tax withholding obligation or stock option exercise price,
Firstbank Corporation may issue additional shares of Firstbank Corporation Common Stock
pursuant to the exercise of stock options awarded under any stock incentive plans of Firstbank Corporation; and may accept shares for cancellation in connection with the payment of any tax withholding obligation or stock option exercise price.
|
The manner and basis of converting shares are as follows: Upon completion of the merger, each share of Firstbank Corporation common stock outstanding immediately prior to the effective time will, without any action on the part of any Shareholder, be converted automatically into the right to receive 1.00 validly issues, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Mercantile Bank Corporation common stock. Attached as Exhibit A is Article 11 of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, which is here incorporated by reference. All capitalized terms in the attached Exhibit A not defined in such exhibit have the meanings set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger.
The amendments to the Articles, or a restatement of the Articles, of the surviving corporation to be effected by the merger are as follows: Please see Exhibit B attached hereto which, sets forth Article Ill of the Articles of Incorporation, as amended.
| The Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving profit corporation, on request and without cost, to any shareholder of any constituent profit corporation. |
| The merger is permitted by the state or country under whose law it is incorporated and each foreign corporation has complied with that law in effecting the merger. |
| |
| Complete either Section (a) or (b) for each corporation) |
| a) |
The Plan of Merger was approved by unanimous consent of the incorporators of , a Michigan corporation which has not commenced business, has not issued any shares, and has not elected a Board of Directors. |
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
(Signature of lncorporator) |
(Type or Print Name) |
|
(Signature of lncorporator) |
(Type or Print Name) |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
(Signature of lncorporator) |
(Type or Print Name) |
|
(Signature of lncorporator) |
(Type or Print Name) |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| b) |
The plan of merger was approved by: |
|
| |
the Board of Directors of , the surviving Michigan corporation, without approval of the shareholders in accordance with Section 703a of the Act. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
x the Board of Directors and the shareholders Of the following Michigan corporation(s) in accordance with Section703a of the Act. |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Mercantile Bank Corporation
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Firstbank Corporation |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| By: |
/s/ Michael H. Price |
By: |
/s/ Thomas R. Sullivan |
|
| |
(Signature of Authorized Officer or Agent) |
|
(Signature of Authorized Officer or Agent) |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Michael H. Price |
|
Thomas R. Sullivan |
|
| |
(Type or Print Name) |
|
(Type or Print Name) |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Mercantile Bank Corporation |
|
Firstbank Corporation |
|
| |
(Name of Corporation) |
|
(Name of Corporation) |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Name of person or organization remitting fees |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Preparer’s Name Daniel C. Persinger |
|
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Business telephone number: (616) 752-2000 |
|
|
|
EXHIBIT A
ARTICLE II
Effect of Merger on Capital Stock
2.1 Conversion of Securities. At the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Firstbank, Mercantile or any other Person:
2.1.1 Cancellation of Excluded Shares. Each share of Firstbank Common Stock that is owned by Firstbank (or by any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries) or Mercantile (or by any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries) (collectively, the "Excluded Shares") immediately before the Effective Time will automatically be canceled and cease to exist without delivery of any consideration in exchange for or in respect of any Excluded Share.
2.1.2 Conversion of Common Stock. Each share of Firstbank Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the Excluded Shares) shall be converted into the right to receive 1.00 (the “Exchange Ratio”) fully paid and nonassessable share of Mercantile Common Stock (the “Merger Consideration”), where upon such shares of Firstbank Common Stock will no longer be outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares of Firstbank Common Stock will cease to exist, except the right to receive the Merger Consideration, any cash in lieu of fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.7, and any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4, upon surrender of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, in accordance with Section 2.3. No interest shall be paid or will accrue on any payment to holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares pursuant to the provisions of this Article II.
2.2 Stock Plans.
2.2.1 Firstbank and Mercantile shall take all requisite action so that, as of the Effective Time, each Firstbank Stock Option and share of Firstbank Restricted Stock (each, an "Award''), whether vested or unvested, that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to represent an Award with respect to Firstbank Common Stock, and shall be converted by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder of that Award, into an award with respect to a number of shares of Mercantile Common Stock equal to the product of (a) the aggregate number of shares of Firstbank Common Stock subject to such Award, multiplied by (b) the Exchange Ratio (as converted, a “Converted Stock-Based Award”). The value of any fractional shares related to any Converted Stock-Based Award shall be paid in cash at the time such Converted Stock-Based Award is otherwise settled pursuant to its terms. As of the Effective Time, Mercantile will assume each of the Firstbank Stock plans.
2.2.2 All Converted Stock-Based Awards shall continue to have, and be subject to, the same terms and conditions set forth in the applicable Firstbank Stock Plan (or any other agreement to which such Converted Stock-Based Award was subject immediately prior to the Effective Time), except as otherwise provided in this Plan of Merger. The exercise or strike price (if any) per share of Mercantile Common Stock applicable to any Converted Stock-Based Award which was a Firstbank Stock Option shall be equal to (a) the per share exercise price of such Award immediately prior to the Effective Time divided by (b) the Exchange Ratio. Prior to the Effective Time, Firstbank shall make such amendments and take such other actions with respect to the Firstbank Stock Plans as shall be necessary to effect the adjustment referred to in this Section 2.2, including notifying all participants in the Firstbank Stock Plans of such adjustment.
2.2.3 Mercantile shall take all corporate action necessary to reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Mercantile Common Stock for delivery upon exercise or settlement of the Converted Stock-Based Awards in accordance with this Section 2.2. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, if and to the extent necessary to cause a sufficient number of shares of Mercantile Common Stock to be registered and issuable under Converted StockBased Awards, Mercantile shall file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or one or more registration statements on Form S-8 (or any successor or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares of Mercantile Common Stock subject to Converted Stock-Based Awards and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement or registration statements (and maintain the current status of the prospectus or prospectuses contained therein) for so long as such Converted Stock-Based Awards remain outstanding.
2.2.4 Each share of Firstbank Restricted Stock shall vest as of the Effective Time and be converted into a share of Mercantil e Common Stock on the same basis as other shares of Firstbank Common Stock pursuant to this Section 2.2. Each holder of Firstbank Restricted Stock which is converted pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be permitted to surrender shares of Mercantile Common Stock in satisfaction of applicable Tax withholding obligations.
2.3 Surrender of Shares
2.3.1 Exchange Agent; Exchange Fund. Prior to or at the Effective Time, Mercantile shall deposit with a bank or trust company designated by Mercantile and reasonably satisfactory to Firstbank (the “Exchange Agent”), for the benefit of the holders of Firstbank Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether represented by Certificates or held at Book-Entry Shares, shares of Mercantile Common Stock, in the aggregate amount equal to the number of shares of Mercantile Common Stock to which holders of Firstbank Common Stock are entitled based on the Exchange Ratio pursuant to Section 2.1.2. In addition, Mercantile shall deposit with the Exchange Agent, prior to or at the Effective Time and as necessary from time to time after the Effective Time, cash in an amount sufficient to make payment in lieu of any fractional shares pursuant to Section 2.7 and payment of any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4. All such shares of Mercantile Common Stock and cash deposited with the Exchange Agent pursuant to this Section 2.3.1 is referred to as the “Exchange Fund.”
2.3.2 Exchange Procedure. As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, Mercantile shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each holder of record of shares of Firstbank Common Stock (other than the Excluded Shares), as of the Effective Time, a form of letter of transmittal (which shall be in customary form and shall specify that delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and title to Certificates or Book-Entry Shares will pass, only upon proper delivery of such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares to the Exchange Agent upon adherence to the procedures set forth in the letter of transmittal) and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares in exchange for the Merger Consideration, any cash in lieu of fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.7 and any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4.
Upon surrender of a Certificate or of Book-Entry Shares for cancellation to the Exchange Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and such other documents as may reasonably be required by the Exchange Agent, each holder of a Certificate or of Book-Entry Shares shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (a) book-entry shares representing the number of whole shares of Mercantile Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.1.2, (b) cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.7, and (c) any dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4. and such Certificates and Book-Entry Shares so surrendered shall forthwith be canceled.
In the event of a transfer of ownership of Firstbank Common Stock that is not registered in the transfer records of Firstbank, payment of the Merger Consideration may be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares so surrendered are registered if properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form for transfer and the Person requesting such payment shall pay any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the transfer or establish, to the reasonable satisfaction of Mercantile, that such Taxes have been paid or are not applicable. Until surrendered as contemplated by this Section 2.3.2, each Certificate and Book-Entry Share shall be deemed at any time after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such surrender the Merger Consolidation, any cash in lieu of fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.7 and any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4.
2.4 Distributions with Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other distributions with respect to Mercantile Common Stock with a record date on or after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate or Book-Entry Share with respect to the shares of Mercantile Common Stock that the holder of such unsurrendered Certificate or Book-Entry Share has the right to receive upon the surrender of such unsurrendered Certificate or Book-Entry Share, and no cash payment in lieu of fractional shares of Mercantile Common Stock shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section 2.7 until the holder of such Certificate or Book-Entry Share shall have surrendered such Certificate or Book-Entry Share in accordance with this Article II. Subject to escheat or other applicable law, following the surrender of any Certificate or Book-Entry Share, there shall be paid to the record holder of whole shares of Mercantile Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, with respect to such whole shares of Mercantile Common Stock (a) at the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date and a payment date on or after the Effective Time and on or prior to the date of such surrender and the amount of any cash payable in lieu of a fractional share of Mercantile Common Stock to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.7 and (b) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date on or after the Effective Time but prior to such surrender and a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Mercantile Common Stock
2.5 Termination of Exchange Fund. Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains undistributed to holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares for one year after the Effective Time shall be delivered to Mercantile, upon demand, and any holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares who have not then complied with this Article II shall thereafter look only to Mercantile for, and Mercantile shall remain liable for, payment of their claims for the Merger Consideration, any cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.7, and any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4, in accordance with this Article II.
2.6 No Further Ownershlip Rights in Firstbank Common Stock. The Merger Consideration, any cash in lieu of any fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.7, and any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4 upon the surrender of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares in accordance with the terms of this Article II shall be deemed to have been in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Firstbank Common Stock formerly represented by such Certificates or Book-Entry Shares. At the close of business on the Closing Date, the share transfer books of Firstbank shall be closed, and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the share transfer books of Firstbank of shares of Firstbank Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. From and after the Effective Time, the holders of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares shall cease to have any rights with respect to shares of Firstbank Common Stock, except as otherwise provided in this Plan of Merger or by applicable law.
2.7 No Fractional Shares. No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Mercantile Common Stock shall be issued upon the surrender for exchange of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares, no dividends or other distributions of Mercantile shall be paid with respect to such fractional share interests, and such fractional share interests will not entitle the owner to vote or to have any rights of a holder of shares of Mercantile Common Stock. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan of Merger, each holder of Certificates or Book-Entry Shares who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a share of Mercantile Common Stock (determined after taking into account all Certificates and Book-Entry Shares delivered by such holder) shall receive, in lieu of such fractional part of a share of Mercantile Common Stock, cash (without interest) in an amount equal to the product of (a) such fractional part of a share of Mercantile Common Stock multiplied by (b) the closing price for a share of Mercantile Common Stock as reported on NASDAQ on the Trading day immediately before the date on which the Effective Time occurs.
2.8 No Liability. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, none of Firstbank, Mercantile, the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent will be liable to any Firstbank Shareholder or any other Person in respect to any cash properly delivered to a Governmental Entity pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Laws. Any portion of the Exchange Fund remaining unclaimed by Firstbank Shareholders as of the date that is immediately prior to such time as such amounts would otherwise escheat to or become property of any Governmental Entity will, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of Mercantile free and clear of any claims or interest of any Person previously entitled thereto.
2.9 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event that any Certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, Mercantile or the Exchange Agent will, upon the receipt of an affidavit of that fact by the holder of such Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Mercantile or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, pay in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the Merger Consideration, any cash in lieu of fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.7 and any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4 payable in respect of the shores of Firstbank Common Stock previously evidenced by such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate. Mercantile or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the payment of the Merger Consideration, any cash in lieu of fractional shares payable pursuant to Section 2.7 and any dividends or other distributions payable pursuant to Section 2.4, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate to deliver a bond in such sum as Mercantile or the Exchange Agent, as the case may be, may reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against Mercantile of the Exchange Agent with respect to such Certificate.
2.10 Withholding Rights. Mercantile shall be entitled to deduct and withhold, or cause to be deducted or withheld, from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Plan of Merger such amounts as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code, or any provision of state, local or foreign tax law. To the extent that amounts are so withheld or paid over to or deposited with the relevant Governmental Entity by Mercantile, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Plan of Merger as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by Mercantile.
2.11 Investment of Exchange Fund. The Exchange Agent shall invest any cash included in the Exchange Fund as directed by Mercantile from time to time provided that no gain or loss thereon shall affect the amounts payable or the timing of the amounts payable to Firstbank Shareholders pursuant to this Article II. The Exchange Fund shall not be used for any purpose except as set forth herein. Any interest and other income resulting from such investments shall be for Mercantile's account.
2.12 Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article II, if, between the date of this Plan of Merger and the Effective Time, there is declared (with an effective time prior to the Effective Time) or effected a reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a reverse stock split), split-up, stock dividend or stock distribution (including any dividend or distribution of securities convertible into Mercantile Common Stock or Firstbank Common Stock), combination, exchange, or readjustment of shares with respect to, or rights issued in respect of, Mercantile Common Stock or Firstbank Common Stock, the Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately adjusted accordingly to provide to the holders of Firstbank Common Stock the same economic effect as contemplated by this Plan of Merger prior to such event.
EXHIBIT B
ARTICLE III
Capital Stock
The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the corporation shall have authority to issue is 41,000,000 shares which shall be divided into two classes as follows:
| |
(1)
|
1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (Preferred Stock); and
|
| |
(2)
|
40,000,000 shares of Common Stock (Common Stock).
|
The designations and the powers, preferences and relative, participating optional or other special rights, and the qualifications and limitations or restrictions of the above classes of stock shall be as follows:
A. Preferred Stock
1. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more series at such time or times and for such consideration or considerations as the Board of Directors may determine.
2. The Board of Directors is expressly authorized at any time, and from time to time, to provide for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, with such voting powers, full or limited, but not to exceed one vote per share, or without voting powers and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restriction thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issues thereof adopted by the Board of Directors, and as are not stated and expressed in these Articles of Incorporation, or any amendment thereto, including (but without limiting the generality of the foregoing) the following:
(a) The designation of such series and number of shares comprising such series, which number may (except where otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in creating such series) be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares then outstanding) from time to time by action of the Board of Directors.
(b) The dividend rate or rates on the shares of such series and the preference or relation which such dividends shall bear to the dividends payable on any other class of capital stock or on any other series of Preferred Stock, the terms and conditions upon which and the periods in respect of which dividends shall be payable, whether and upon what condition such dividends shall be cumulative and, if cumulative, the date or dates from which dividends shall accumulate.
(c) Whether the shares of such series shall be redeemable, and, if redeemable, whether redeemable for cash, property or rights, including securities of any other corporations, at the option of either the holder or the corporation or upon the happening of a specified event, the limitations and restrictions with respect to such redemption, the time or times when, the price or prices or rate or rates at which, the adjustments with which and the manner in which such shares shall be redeemable, including the manner of selecting shares of such series for redemption if less than all shares are to be redeemed.
(d) The rights to which the holders of shares of such series shall be entitled, and the preferences, if any, over any other series (or of any other series over such series), upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution or winding up of the corporation, which rights may vary depending on whether such liquidation, dissolution, distribution or winding up is voluntary or involuntary, and, if voluntary, may vary at different dates.
(e) Whether the shares of such series shall be subject to the operation of a purchase, retirement, or sinking fund, and, if so, whether and upon what conditions such purchase, retirement or sinking fund shall be cumulative or noncumulative, the extent to which and the manner in which such fund shall be applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of such series for retirement or to other corporate purposes and the terms and provisions relative to the operation thereof.
(f) Whether the shares of such series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, at the option of either the holder or the corporation or upon the happening of a specified event, shares of any other class or of any other series of any class of capital stock of the corporation, and, if so convertible or exchangeable, the times, prices, rates, adjustments, and other terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange.
(g) The voting powers, full and/or limited, if any, of the shares of such series, and whether and under what conditions the shares of such series (alone or together with the shares of one or more other series having similar provisions) shall be entitled to vote separately as a single class, for the election of one or more directors, or additional directors of the corporation in case of dividend arrearages or other specified events, or upon other matters.
(h) Whether the issuance of any additional shares of such series, or of any shares of any other series, shall be subject to restrictions as to issuance, or as to the powers, preferences or rights of any such other series.
(i) Any other preferences, privileges and powers and relative, participating, option or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series, as the Board of Directors may deem advisable and as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of these Articles of Incorporation.
3. Unless and except to the extent otherwise required by law or provided in the resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors creating any series of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section A, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have no voting power with respect to any matter whatsoever. In no event shall the Preferred Stock be entitled to more than one vote in respect of each share of stock.
4. Shares of Preferred Stock redeemed, converted, exchanged, purchased, retired or surrendered to the corporation, or which have been issued and reacquired in any manner, may, upon compliance with any applicable provisions of the Business Corporation Act of the State of Michigan, be given the status of authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued by the Board of Directors as part of the series of which they were originally a part or may be reclassified into and reissued as part of a new series or as a part of any other series, all subject to the protective conditions or restrictions of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock.
B. Common Stock
1. Except as otherwise required by law or by any amendment to these Articles of Incorporation, each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote for each share of stock held by him of record on the books of the corporation on all matters voted upon by the shareholders.
2. Subject to the preferential dividend rights, if any, applicable to shares of Preferred Stock and subject to applicable requirements, if any, with respect to the setting aside of sums for purchase, retirement or sinking funds for Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, to the extent permitted by law, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors.
3. In the event of the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, distribution of assets or winding up of the corporation, after distribution in full of the preferential amounts, if any, to be distributed to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all of the remaining assets of the corporation of whatever kind available for distribution to shareholders ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them respectively. The Board of Directors may distribute in kind to the holders of Common Stock such remaining assets of the corporation or may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any part of such remaining assets to any other corporation, trust or entity, or any combination thereof, and may sell all or any part of the consideration so received and distribute any balance thereof in kind to holders of Common Stock. The merger or consolidation of the corporation into or with any other corporation, or the merger of any other corporation into it, or any purchase or redemption of shares of stock of the corporation of any class, shall not be deemed to be dissolution, liquidation of winding up of the corporation for the purposes of this paragraph.
4. Such numbers of shares of Common Stock as may from time to time be required for such purpose shall be reserved for issuance (i) upon conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock or any obligation of the corporation convertible into shares of Common Stock which is at the time outstanding or issuable upon exercise of any options or warrants at the time outstanding and (ii) upon exercise of any options, warrants or rights at the time outstanding to purchase shares of Common Stock.
This is to Certify that the annexed copy has been compared by me with the record on file in this Department and that the same is a true copy thereof.
This certificate is in due form, made by me as the proper officer, and is entitled to have full faith and credit given it in every court and office within the United States.
|
|
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the
City of Lansing, this 13th day of December, 2021.
Linda Clegg, Director
|
| |
Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau |
| Certificate Number: 21120463702 |
|
Verify this certificate at: URL to eCertificate Verification Search http://www.michigan.gov/corpverifycertificate.
Exhibit 25.1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM T-1
☐ Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2)
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)
16-1486454
(I.R.S. employer identification no.)
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)
Karin Meis
Vice President
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19890-0001
(302) 651-8311
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Mercantile Bank Corporation
|
(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)
|
|
Michigan
|
38-3360865
|
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
|
310 Leonard St., N.W.
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032
(Title of the indenture securities)
|
ITEM 1.
|
GENERAL INFORMATION.
|
Furnish the following information as to the trustee:
| |
(a)
|
Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.
|
| |
|
Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.
|
| |
|
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
|
| |
(b)
|
Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
|
| |
|
The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.
|
|
ITEM 2.
|
AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
|
If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:
Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and information available to the trustee, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
|
ITEM 3 – 15.
|
Not applicable.
|
|
ITEM 16.
|
LIST OF EXHIBITS.
|
Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.
| |
1.
|
A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association.
|
| |
2.
|
The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above.
|
| |
3.
|
The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 above.
|
| |
4.
|
A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4of this Form T-1.
|
| |
6.
|
The consent of Wilmington Trust, National Association as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, attached hereto as Exhibit 6 of this Form T-1.
|
| |
7.
|
Current Report of the Condition of Wilmington Trust, National Association, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached hereto as Exhibit 7 of this Form T-1.
|
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 16th day of February, 2022.
|
|
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
/s/ Michael H. Wass
|
|
|
|
Name:
|
Michael H. Wass
|
|
|
|
Title: |
Vice President
|
|
EXHIBIT 1
CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:
FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.
SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.
THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.
Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:
| |
1)
|
exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or
|
| |
2)
|
exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit.
|
Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director's term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.
Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.
FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.
In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.
Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| |
1)
|
The name and address of each proposed nominee.
|
| |
2)
|
The principal occupation of each proposed nominee.
|
| |
3)
|
The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee.
|
| |
4)
|
The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder.
|
| |
5)
|
The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder.
|
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.
A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director's removal.
FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.
No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.
Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.
Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.
Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.
If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association's stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.
The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.
SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors' and shareholders' meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.
A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.
The board of directors shall have the power to:
| |
1)
|
Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association.
|
| |
2)
|
Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association.
|
| |
3)
|
Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law.
|
| |
4)
|
Dismiss officers and employees.
|
| |
5)
|
Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof.
|
| |
6)
|
Ratify written policies authorized by the association's management or committees of the board.
|
| |
7)
|
Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital.
|
| |
8)
|
Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association.
|
| |
9)
|
Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association
|
| |
10)
|
Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders.
|
| |
12)
|
Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform.
|
SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.
EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.
NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.
TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.
ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association's board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.
EXHIBIT 4
BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
(Effective as of April 17, 2018)
ARTICLE I
Meetings of Shareholders
Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the main office of the association, Rodney Square North, 1100 Market Street, City of Wilmington, State of Delaware, at 1:00 o'clock p.m. on the first Tuesday in March of each year, or at such other place and time as the board of directors may designate, or if that date falls on a legal holiday in Delaware, on the next following banking day. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his/her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, or in the event of a legal holiday, on the next following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.
Section 2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the board of directors or by any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than fifty percent of the stock of the association. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.
The board of directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.
A special meeting may be called by shareholders or the board of directors to amend the articles of association or bylaws, whether or not such bylaws may be amended by the board of directors in the absence of shareholder approval.
If an annual or special shareholders' meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.
Section 3. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association and the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days' notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:
| |
(1)
|
The name and address of each proposed nominee;
|
| |
(2)
|
The principal occupation of each proposed nominee;
|
| |
(3)
|
The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee;
|
| |
(4)
|
The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and
|
| |
(5)
|
The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder.
|
Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.
Section 4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.
Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.
ARTICLE II
Directors
Section 1. Board of Directors. The board of directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the board of directors.
Section 2. Number. The board of directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof.
Section 3. Organization Meeting. The secretary or treasurer, upon receiving the certificate of the judges of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the association, or at such other place in the cities of Wilmington, Delaware or Buffalo, New York, to organize the new board of directors and elect and appoint officers of the association for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within 30 days thereof. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum, the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.
Section 4. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution designate the place, date and hour for the holding of a regular meeting, but in the absence of any such designation, regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held, without notice, on the first Tuesday of each March, June and September, and on the second Tuesday of each December at the main office or other such place as the board of directors may designate. When any regular meeting of the board of directors falls upon a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the board of directors shall designate another day.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of the association, or at the request of two or more directors. Each member of the board of directors shall be given notice by telegram, first class mail, or in person stating the time and place of each special meeting.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the entire board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 7. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance.
Section 7. Meetings by Conference Telephone. Any one or more members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such board or committees by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 8. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the board of directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.
Section 9. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the stockholders. Any director may be removed without cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of the directors notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.
Section 10. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, according to the laws of the United States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the board of directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.
ARTICLE III
Committees of the Board
The board of directors has power over and is solely responsible for the management, supervision, and administration of the association. The board of directors may delegate its power, but none of its responsibilities, to such persons or committees as the board may determine.
The board of directors must formally ratify written policies authorized by committees of the board of directors before such policies become effective. Each committee must have one or more member(s), and who may be an officer of the association or an officer or director of any affiliate of the association, who serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. Provisions of the articles of association and these bylaws governing place of meetings, notice of meeting, quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors, apply to committees and their members as well. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the board of directors.
Section 1. Loan Committee. There shall be a loan committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The loan committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have power to discount and purchase bills, notes and other evidences of debt, to buy and sell bills of exchange, to examine and approve loans and discounts, to exercise authority regarding loans and discounts, and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors that may lawfully be delegated. The loan committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 2. Investment Committee. There shall be an investment committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The investment committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have the power to ensure adherence to the investment policy, to recommend amendments thereto, to purchase and sell securities, to exercise authority regarding investments and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors regarding investment securities that may be lawfully delegated. The investment committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.
Section 3. Examining Committee. There shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 3, the responsibility and authority of the Examining Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association's parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.
Section 4. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a trust audit committee in conformance with Section 1 of Article V.
Section 5. Other Committees. The board of directors may appoint, from time to time, from its own members, compensation, special litigation and other committees of one or more persons, for such purposes and with such powers as the board of directors may determine.
However, a committee may not:
| |
(1)
|
Authorize distributions of assets or dividends;
|
| |
(2)
|
Approve action required to be approved by shareholders;
|
| |
(3)
|
Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its committees;
|
| |
(5)
|
Amend articles of association;
|
| |
(6)
|
Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; or
|
| |
(6)
|
Authorize or approve issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares.
|
Section 6. Committee Members' Fees. Committee members may receive a fee for their services as committee members and traveling and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any meeting of a committee of which they are a member. The fee may be a fixed sum to be paid for attending each meeting or a fixed sum to be paid quarterly, or semiannually, irrespective of the number of meetings attended or not attended. The amount of the fee and the basis on which it shall be paid shall be determined by the board of directors.
ARTICLE IV
Officers and Employees
Section 1. Officers. The board of directors shall annually, at the Annual Reorganization Meeting of the board of directors following the annual meeting of the shareholders, appoint or elect a Chairperson of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer and a President, and one or more Vice Presidents, a Corporate Secretary, a Treasurer, a General Auditor, and such other officers as it may determine. At the Annual Reorganization Meeting, the board of directors shall also elect or reelect all of the officers of the association to hold office until the next Annual Reorganization Meeting. In the interim between Annual Reorganization Meetings, the board of directors may also elect or appoint a Chief Executive Officer, a President or such additional officers to the rank of Vice President, including (without limitation as to title or number) one or more Administrative Vice Presidents, Group Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and Executive Vice Presidents, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate. The Chief Executive Officer of M&T Bank, the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, and any one executive Vice Chairman of M&T Bank, acting jointly, may appoint one or more officers to the rank of Executive Vice President or Senior Vice President. The head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank or his or her designee or designees, may appoint other officers up to the rank of Group Vice President, including (without limitation as to title or number) one or more Administrative Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and Assistant Auditors, and any other officer positions as they deem necessary and appropriate. Each such person elected or appointed by the board of directors, the Chief Executive Officer of M&T Bank, the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank, and an executive Vice Chairman of M&T Bank, acting jointly, or the head of the Human Resources Department of M&T Bank or his or her designee or designees, in between Annual Reorganization Meetings shall hold office until the next Annual Reorganization Meeting unless otherwise determined by the board of directors or such authorized officers.
Section 2. Chairperson of the Board. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. The chairperson of the board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the board of directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the board of directors.
Section 3. President. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. In the absence of the chairperson, the president shall preside at any meeting of the board of directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the board of directors.
Section 4. Vice President. The board of directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the board of directors. One vice president shall be designated by the board of directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.
Section 5. Secretary. The board of directors shall appoint a secretary, treasurer, or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the board of directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice to the office of treasurer, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the board of directors.
Section 6. Other Officers. The board of directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the board of directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the board of directors, the chairperson of the board, or the president. The board of directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.
Section 7. Tenure of Office. The president and all other officers shall hold office for the current year for which the board of directors was elected, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy occurring in the office of president shall be filled promptly by the board of directors.
Section 8. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.
ARTICLE V
Fiduciary Activities
Section 1. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the bank or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the bank’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the board of directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.
Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 1, the responsibility and authority of the Trust Audit Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.
Section 2. Fiduciary Files. There shall be maintained by the association all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.
Section 3. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and applicable law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made, but does vest in the association investment discretion, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under applicable law.
ARTICLE VI
Stock and Stock Certificates
Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder's shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The board of directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.
Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually or by facsimile process by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the board of directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed.
The board of directors may adopt or use procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.
The association may establish a procedure through which the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee may be recognized by the association as the shareholder. The procedure may set forth:
| |
(1)
|
The types of nominees to which it applies;
|
| |
(2)
|
The rights or privileges that the association recognizes in a beneficial owner;
|
| |
(3)
|
How the nominee may request the association to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder;
|
| |
(4)
|
The information that must be provided when the procedure is selected;
|
| |
(5)
|
The period over which the association will continue to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder;
|
| |
(6)
|
Other aspects of the rights and duties created.
|
ARTICLE VII
Corporate Seal
Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the board of directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.
Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by the chairperson of the board, or the president, or any vice president, or the secretary, or the treasurer, or, if in connection with the exercise of fiduciary powers of the association, by any of those offices or by any trust officer. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the board of directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.
Section 3. Records. The articles of association, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the board of directors, and standing committees of the board of directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.
Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).
Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.
Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution- affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these bylaws and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.
In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.
The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s articles of association, these bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.
If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.
The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution- affiliated parties.
ARTICLE IX
Inspection and Amendments
Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.
Section 2. Amendments. The bylaws of the association may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular meeting of the board of directors, by a vote of a majority of the total number of the directors except as provided below, and provided that the following language accompany any such change.
I, , certify that: (1) I am the duly constituted (secretary or treasurer) of and secretary of its board of directors, and as such officer am the official custodian of its records; (2) the foregoing bylaws are the bylaws of the association, and all of them are now lawfully in force and effect.
I have hereunto affixed my official signature on this day of .
(Secretary or Treasurer)
The association's shareholders may amend or repeal the bylaws even though the bylaws also may be amended or repealed by the board of directors.
EXHIBIT 6
Section 321(b) Consent
Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.
|
|
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dated: February 16, 2022
|
By:
|
/s/ Michael H. Wass
|
|
|
|
|
Name: Michael H. Wass
|
|
|
|
|
Title: Vice President
|
|
EXHIBIT 7
R E P O R T O F C O N D I T I O N
WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As of the close of business on September 30, 2021
|
ASSETS
|
|
Thousands of Dollars
|
|
|
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
|
|
|
9,603,463 |
|
|
Securities:
|
|
|
5,982 |
|
|
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell:
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Loans and leases held for sale:
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance:
|
|
|
96,024 |
|
|
Premises and fixed asset
|
|
|
25,601 |
|
|
Other real estate owned:
|
|
|
348 |
|
|
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies:
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures:
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Intangible assets:
|
|
|
202 |
|
|
Other assets:
|
|
|
69,334 |
|
|
Total Assets:
|
|
|
9,800,954 |
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
Thousands of Dollars
|
|
|
Deposits
|
|
|
9,005,595 |
|
|
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Other borrowed money:
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
Other Liabilities:
|
|
|
83,299 |
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
|
|
9,088,894 |
|
|
EQUITY CAPITAL
|
|
Thousands of Dollars
|
|
|
Common Stock
|
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
Surplus
|
|
|
462,585 |
|
|
Retained Earnings
|
|
|
248,572 |
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income
|
|
|
(97 |
) |
|
Total Equity Capital
|
|
|
712,060 |
|
|
Total Liabilities and Equity Capital
|
|
|
9,800,954 |
|
Exhibit 99.1
THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. If you are in any doubt as to the action to be taken, you should immediately consult your broker, bank manager, lawyer, accountant, investment advisor or other professional advisor.
Mercantile Bank Corporation
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
For Tender of All Unregistered Outstanding
3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032
in Exchange for Registered
3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032
The Exchange Offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on ____, 2022, unless extended (the “Expiration Date”). Old Notes (defined below) tendered in the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the Expiration Date, but not thereafter.
Pursuant to the Prospectus
Dated ________, 2022
The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
Deliver to:
By Hand, Overnight Delivery or Mail:
Wilmington Trust, National Association
Attention: Workflow Management – 5th Floor
Rodney Square North
1100 North Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19890-1626
By Facsimile Transmission (Eligible Institutions Only):
(302) 636-4139
Confirm by Telephone:
(302) 636-6470
For Information Call:
(302) 636-6470
The instructions accompanying this letter of transmittal should be read carefully before you tender your Old Notes (as defined below). A defective tender of your Old Notes will not constitute valid delivery. We may waive defects and irregularities with respect to your tender of Old Notes, but we are not required to do so and may not do so.
Each tendering holder is a holder of an unregistered, issued and outstanding 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Note due 2032 (Accredited Investor CUSIP: 587376 AC8; QIB CUSIP: 587376 AB0) (an “Old Note”) issued by Mercantile Bank Corporation (the “Issuer”) under that certain indenture, dated as of December 15, 2021 (as supplemented, amended and modified, the “Indenture”), between the Issuer and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.
Each tendering holder hereby acknowledges receipt and review of the prospectus, dated as of , 2022 (the “Prospectus”), of the Issuer and this letter of transmittal. These two documents together constitute the offer by the Issuer to exchange its 3.25% Fixed-to-Floating Rate Subordinated Notes due 2032 (the “New Notes”), the issuance of which has been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for a like principal amount of the Issuer's Old Notes. The offer to exchange the New Notes for the Old Notes is referred to as the “Exchange Offer.”
Capitalized terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Prospectus.
The Issuer reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, to extend the period of time during which the Exchange Offer is open, at its discretion, in which event the term “Expiration Date” shall mean the latest date to which the Exchange Offer is extended. The Issuer shall notify the Exchange Agent and each registered holder of the Old Notes of any such extension by oral or written notice no later than 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.
Tender of the Old Notes is to be made by book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent’s account at the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), by executing the tender through the DTC “Automated Tender Offer Program” (“ATOP”). DTC participants that are tendering Old Notes pursuant to an Exchange Offer must transmit their acceptance through ATOP to DTC, which will edit and verify the acceptance and send a computer generated message known as an “agent’s message” to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance. Accordingly, this letter of transmittal need not be completed by holders tendering through ATOP. However, each holder will be bound by the terms of this letter of transmittal and the terms of the Exchange Offer, as described in the Prospectus, and this letter of transmittal, and will be deemed to have made the acknowledgements and the representations and warranties contained in this letter of transmittal. Delivery by a holder of documents to DTC or Issuer does not constitute valid delivery to the Exchange Agent.
There is no procedure for guaranteed late delivery of the Old Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer.
The Exchange Offer is not being directed to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of Old Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance of the Exchange Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction.
The term “holder” with respect to the Exchange Offer means any person in whose name Old Notes are registered on the books of the registrar for the Old Notes or any person who holds Old Notes and has obtained a properly completed bond power from the registered holder of such Old Notes.
Please read this entire letter of transmittal and the Prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference therein, carefully before tendering your Old Notes. The instructions included with this letter of transmittal must be followed. Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus and this letter of transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent. See Instruction 9 of this letter of transmittal.
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, each tendering holder hereby tenders to the Issuer for exchange the principal amount of Old Notes credited by such tendering holder to the Exchange Agent's account at DTC using ATOP. Subject to and effective upon the acceptance for exchange of the principal amount of Old Notes tendered in accordance with this letter of transmittal, each tendering holder hereby exchanges, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Issuer all right, title and interest in and to such Old Notes tendered for exchange hereby. Each tendering holder hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Exchange Agent as the true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact for such tendering holder (with full knowledge that such Exchange Agent also acts as the agent for the Issuer in connection with the Exchange Offer and as trustee under the Indenture) with respect to the tendered Old Notes with full power of substitution to:
| |
●
|
deliver such Old Notes to the Issuer and deliver all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity; and
|
| |
●
|
present such Old Notes for transfer on the books of the Issuer and receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such Old Notes, all in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer.
|
The power of attorney granted in this paragraph shall be deemed to be irrevocable and coupled with an interest.
Each tendering holder hereby represents and warrants that such tendering holder has full power and authority to tender, exchange, assign and transfer the Old Notes tendered hereby and to acquire the New Notes issuable upon the exchange of such tendered Old Notes, and that the Issuer will acquire good and unencumbered title to such Old Notes, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim or right, when the same are accepted for exchange by the Issuer.
Each tendering holder acknowledges that the Exchange Offer is being made in reliance upon interpretations set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (available June 5, 1991), Mary Kay Cosmetics, Inc. (available June 5, 1991), Shearman & Sterling (available July 2, 1993) and other similar no-action letters (the “Prior No-Action Letters”), and that the New Notes issued in exchange for the Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by a holder thereof (other than any holder that is a broker-dealer who purchased Old Notes directly from the Issuer for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act or another exemption under the Securities Act and any holder that is an “affiliate” of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act (except for prospectus delivery obligations applicable to certain broker-dealers), provided that such New Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder’s business and such holder is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in, a distribution of such New Notes. The SEC has not, however, considered the Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as it has in other circumstances.
Each tendering holder hereby further represents to the Issuer that (i) any New Notes received in exchange for Old Notes are being acquired in the ordinary course of business of the person receiving such New Notes, whether or not such tendering holder, (ii) neither such tendering holder nor any such other person has any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the Old Notes or the New Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act and (iii) neither such tendering holder nor any such other person is an “affiliate” of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, or if any such person is an “affiliate,” such person will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable.
Each tendering holder represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of New Notes. If a tendering holder is a broker-dealer, such tendering holder represents that it will receive New Notes in exchange for Old Notes that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and it acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale of such New Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, such tendering holder will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act. If such tendering holder is a broker-dealer, such tendering holder represents that it did not purchase the Old Notes to be exchanged for the New Notes from the Issuer. Additionally, each tendering holder represents that it is not acting on behalf of any person who could not truthfully and completely make the foregoing representations and the representations in the immediately preceding paragraph.
Each tendering holder acknowledges that if such tendering holder is tendering Old Notes in the Exchange Offer with the intention of participating in any manner in a distribution of the New Notes:
| |
●
|
such tendering holder cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC set forth in the Prior No-Action Letters and, in the absence of an exemption therefrom, must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction of the New Notes, in which case the registration statement must contain the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or Item 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC; and
|
| |
●
|
failure to comply with such requirements in such instance could result in such tendering holder incurring liability for which such tendering holder is not indemnified by the Issuer.
|
Each tendering holder will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or the Issuer to be necessary or desirable to complete the exchange, assignment and transfer of the Old Notes tendered hereby.
For purposes of the Exchange Offer, the Issuer shall be deemed to have accepted for exchange validly tendered Old Notes when, as and if the Issuer gives oral or written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent. Any tendered Old Notes that are not accepted for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer for any reason will be returned, without expense, to applicable tendering holder promptly after the Expiration Date or the Issuer's withdrawal of the Exchange Offer, as applicable.
All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred by this letter of transmittal shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death, incapacity or dissolution of such tendering holder, and every obligation of the tendering holder under this letter of transmittal shall be binding upon such tendering holder’s successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offer - Withdrawal of Tenders.”
Each tendering holder acknowledges that the acceptance by the Issuer of properly tendered Old Notes pursuant to the procedures described in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offer - Procedures for Tendering Old Notes” and in the instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between such tendering holder, on the one hand, and the Issuer, on the other hand, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer.
The Exchange Offer is subject to certain conditions set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offer - Conditions.” Each tendering holder recognizes that as a result of these conditions (which may be waived, in whole or in part, by the Issuer), the Issuer may not be required to exchange any of the Old Notes tendered hereby.
New Notes and Old Notes not tendered or accepted for exchange will be issued in the name of the tendering holder. Similarly, New Notes and Old Notes not tendered or accepted for exchange will be delivered, without expense, to the tendering holder’s account at DTC or such other account as designated herein, pursuant to the book-entry transfer procedures described in the Prospectus, after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer.
By crediting the Old Notes to the Exchange Agent’s account at DTC using ATOP and by complying with applicable ATOP procedures with respect to the Exchange Offer, the DTC participant confirms and agrees to be bound by, on behalf of itself and the beneficial owners of such Old Notes, all provisions of this letter of transmittal (including all acknowledgements, representations and warranties contained herein) applicable to it and such beneficial owner as fully as if it had completed the information required herein and executed and transmitted this letter of transmittal to the Exchange Agent.
INSTRUCTIONS TO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. Book Entry Confirmations. For a holder to properly tender Old Notes in book-entry form pursuant to the Exchange Offer and to obtain New Notes, (1) the Exchange Agent must receive a properly transmitted “agent’s message” (as defined in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer-Procedures for Tendering Old Notes”) through ATOP prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on the Expiration Date and (2) the Exchange Agent must receive a timely confirmation of a book-entry tender of such Old Notes into its account at DTC through ATOP pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer through DTC described in the Prospectus under “The Exchange Offer-Procedures for Tendering Old Notes” prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time on the Expiration Date. Upon expiration or termination of the exchange offer, the Exchange Agent will exchange all Old Notes validly tendered and accepted and not validly withdrawn for an equal principal amount of New Notes.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT THE ELECTION AND SOLE RISK OF THE HOLDER AND DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED TO BE MADE ONLY IF AND WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. INSTEAD OF DELIVERY BY MAIL, HOLDERS SHOULD USE AN OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES, HOLDERS SHOULD ALLOW FOR SUFFICIENT TIME TO ENSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE AND PROPER INSURANCE SHOULD BE OBTAINED. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR BROKER, DEALER, COMMERCIAL BANK, TRUST COMPANY OR NOMINEE TO EFFECT THESE TRANSACTIONS ON THEIR BEHALF. HOLDERS SHOULD NOT SEND ANY DOCUMENTS TO THE ISSUER.
2. Tender by Holder. Only a registered holder of Old Notes (or the legal representative or attorney-in-fact of such registered holder) may tender such Old Notes in the Exchange Offer. Any beneficial holder of Old Notes who is not the registered holder and who wishes to tender should promptly arrange with the registered holder to tender the Old Notes on his, her or its behalf or must, prior to tendering his, her or its Old Notes, either make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the Old Notes in such holder's name or obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder.
3. Partial Tender. Tenders of Old Notes will be accepted only in principal amounts equal to at least $100,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The “agent’s message” described above must include the principal amount of Old Notes held by the holder to be tendered. The entire principal amount of Old Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise indicated in the “agent’s message.” If less than the entire principal amount of any Old Notes is tendered, then Old Notes for the principal amount of the Old Notes not tendered will be returned by credit to the holder’s account at DTC, following the Expiration Date.
4. Transfer Taxes. The Issuer will pay or cause to be paid all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. If, however, New Notes or Old Notes for principal amounts not tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be registered or issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Old Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Old Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person tendering the Old Notes, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Old Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, then the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other person) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted with this letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder and the Exchange Agent will retain possession of an amount of New Notes with a face amount at least equal to the amount of such transfer taxes due by such tendering holder pending receipt by the Exchange Agent of the amount of such taxes.
5. Important Tax Information. Under U.S. federal income tax law, a holder of New Notes may be subject to backup withholding on reportable payments received in respect of the New Notes unless the holder provides the Exchange Agent with its correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”) and certain other information on Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN or an adequate basis for an exemption, a holder may be subject to a penalty imposed by the IRS, and backup withholding may apply to any reportable payments made to such holder. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of a person subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained, provided that the required information is timely provided to the IRS.
To prevent backup withholding on reportable payments in respect of the New Notes, each holder that is a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes must provide such holder’s correct TIN by completing IRS Form W-9, certifying that (i) the TIN provided on the IRS Form W-9 is correct (or that the holder is awaiting a TIN), (ii) the holder is not subject to backup withholding because (x) the holder is exempt from backup withholding, (y) the holder has not been notified by the IRS that he or she is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (z) the IRS has notified the holder that he or she is no longer subject to backup withholding, (iii) the holder is a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including a U.S. resident alien), and (iv) the FATCA code entered on the IRS Form W-9, if any, to indicate that the holder is exempt from FATCA reporting, is correct.
Certain holders (including, among others, corporations and certain non-U.S. persons) are not subject to backup withholding. Exempt U.S. holders should indicate their exempt status on IRS Form W-9 by entering the appropriate exempt payee code. Please see the instructions to the enclosed IRS Form W-9 for more detailed information about how to complete the IRS Form W-9, including information regarding the exempt payee codes.
A non-U.S. holder may qualify as an exempt recipient by submitting to the Exchange Agent a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or other appropriate IRS Form W-8, signed under penalties of perjury, attesting to that holder’s exempt status. Non-U.S. holders are urged to consult with their tax advisors to determine which IRS Form W-8 is appropriate. The applicable IRS Form W-9 for U.S. persons or Form W-8 for non-U.S. holders can be obtained from the Exchange Agent or the IRS website at www.irs.gov.
6. Validity of Tenders. All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), acceptance and withdrawal of tendered Old Notes will be determined by the Issuer in its sole discretion, which determination will be conclusive, final and binding. The Issuer reserves the absolute right to reject any and all Old Notes not properly tendered or any Old Notes the Issuer’s acceptance of which would, in the opinion of the Issuer’s counsel, be unlawful. The Issuer also reserves the right to waive any conditions of the Exchange Offer or defects or irregularities of tenders as to particular Old Notes. The Issuer’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions in this letter of transmittal) shall be conclusive, final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of Old Notes must be cured within such time as the Issuer shall determine. Neither the Issuer, the Exchange Agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of Old Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Each tendering holder, by delivery of an agent's message, waives any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of such tender.
7. Waiver of Conditions. The Issuer reserves the absolute right to waive, in whole or in part, any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus.
8. No Conditional Tender. No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tender of Old Notes will be accepted.
9. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies. Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus or this letter of transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent at the address or facsimile number set forth on the cover page of this letter of transmittal. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer.
10. Withdrawal. Tenders may be withdrawn only pursuant to the limited withdrawal rights set forth in the Prospectus under the caption “The Exchange Offer - Withdrawal of Tenders.” For a withdrawal of tendered Old Notes to be effective, the Exchange Agent must receive, prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the Expiration Date, a computer generated notice of withdrawal, transmitted on behalf of the holder in accordance with the appropriate procedures of DTC's ATOP system. Any such notice of withdrawal must (1) specify the name of the tendering holder of Old Notes to be withdrawn, (2) specify the principal amount of the Old Notes delivered for exchange, (3) specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Old Notes, (4) include a statement that such holder is withdrawing its election to have the Old Notes exchanged, and (5) otherwise comply with the procedures of DTC.
IMPORTANT: The Old Notes must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on the Expiration Date. Further, by using DTC's ATOP procedures to tender and exchange Old Notes, you will not be required to deliver this letter of transmittal to the Exchange Agent. However, you will be bound by its terms, and you will be deemed to have made the acknowledgments and the representations and warranties it contains, just as if you had signed it.
