EXHIBIT 3.3
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
E*TRADE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(a Delaware corporation)
as of October 26, 2004
ARTICLE 1
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.01. Time and Place of Meetings.All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware and at such time, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President or, if not so designated, at the registered office of the corporation.
Section 1.02. Annual Meeting.The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held each year beginning in the calendar year 1997 on such date and at such time as the Board of Directors determines. If this date shall fall upon a legal holiday at the place of the meeting, then such meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day at the same hour. If no annual meeting is held in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Board of Directors shall cause the meeting to be held as soon thereafter as convenient.
Section 1.03. Special Meetings.Special meetings of stockholders may be called only in accordance with Article SIXTH of the Certificate of Incorporation as it may be amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).
Section 1.04.Notice of Meetings and Adjourned Meetings; Waivers of Notice.
(a) Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (“Delaware Law”), such notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to another time and to any other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held under these Bylaws by the stockholders present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, although less than a quorum, or, if no stockholder is present, by any officer entitled to preside at or to act as Secretary of such meeting. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place (whether or not a quorum is present), notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.
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(b) A written waiver of any such notice signed by the person entitled thereto, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.
Section 1.05. Quorum.Except as otherwise provided by Delaware Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 1.06. Voting and Proxies. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote held of record by such stockholder and a proportionate vote for each fractional share so held, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or Delaware Law. Each stockholder of record entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may vote in person or may authorize another person or persons to vote or act for him by written proxy executed by the stockholder or his authorized agent and delivered to the Secretary of the corporation. No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from the date of its execution, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period.
Section 1.07. Action at Meeting. In all matters other than the election of directors, when a quorum is present at any meeting, the holders of a majority of the stock present or represented and entitled to vote on the subject matter (or if there are two or more classes of stock entitled to vote as separate classes, then in the case of each such class, the holders of a majority of the stock of that class present or represented and entitled to vote on the subject matter) shall decide any matter to be voted upon by the stockholders at such meeting, except when a different vote is required by express provision of Delaware Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Any election of directors by stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the election. Any share of stock of the corporation held by the corporation shall have no voting rights.
Section 1.08. Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominees and Stockholder Business.
(a) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be: (A) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (B) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (C) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business one hundred and twenty (120) days nor earlier than the close of business one hundred and fifty (150) days prior to the first anniversary of the proxy statement relating to the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business one hundred and fifty (150) days prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to such annual meeting or, in the event public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the corporation fewer than seventy (70) days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public
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announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the corporation. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, and, beginning with the annual meeting held in 2005, the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the corporation, the language of the proposed amendment, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made in such business, (v) beginning with the annual meeting held in 2005, a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business, (vi) beginning with the annual meeting held in 2005, a representation that the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and (vii) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), in his or her capacity as a proponent to a stockholder proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholder’s meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph (a). The chairman of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (a), and, if he or she should so determine, such chairman shall so declare at the meeting that any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
(b) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph (b) shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this paragraph (b). Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice (as set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section 1.08) in writing to the Secretary of the corporation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 1.08. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth (i) as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by such person, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, and (E) any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), and (ii) as to such stockholder giving notice, the information required to be provided pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 1.08. At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of the corporation that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless
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nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph (b). The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and if he or she should so determine, such chairman shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
ARTICLE 2
DIRECTORS
Section 2.01. General Powers.The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors, who may exercise all of the powers of the corporation except as otherwise provided by Delaware Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 2.02. Number; Election; Tenure and Qualification.Subject to amendment in accordance with Article FIFTH of the Certificate of Incorporation, the number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors but shall not be less than six or more than twelve. The Directors shall be classified and their successors elected in accordance with Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation. Subject to the requirement of the Certificate of Incorporation that the classes be as nearly equal in number as possible, the size of each class of Directors shall be as determined from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. Any reduction in the size of any class of Directors shall not shorten the term of office of any incumbent Director. Directors need not be stockholders of the corporation.
Section 2.03. Vacancies.Unless and until filled by the stockholders, any vacancy in the Board of Directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the Board of Directors, may be filled by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided, however, a vacancy created by the removal of a director by the vote of the stockholders or by court order may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute a majority of the required quorum). Any director elected by the Board of Directors in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be presented for stockholder approval at the annual meeting next following such director’s appointment to the Board of Directors and shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section 2.04. Resignation.Any director may resign by delivering his written resignation to the Board of Directors, the President or Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
Section 2.05. Removal.Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, only as permitted by Delaware Law and Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 2.06. Regular Meetings.After the place and time of regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall have been determined and notice thereof shall have been once given to each director, regular meetings may be held without further notice. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.
Section 2.07. Special Meetings.Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, designated in a call by the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, two or more directors, President or the Secretary on the written request of two directors.
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Section 2.08.Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director by the Secretary or by the officer or one of the directors calling the meeting. Notice shall be given to each director in person, by telephone, by facsimile transmission or by telegram sent to his business or home address at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, or by written notice mailed to his business or home address at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. A notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not specify the purposes of the meeting.
Section 2.09. Meetings by Telephone Conference Calls.Directors or any members of any committee designated by the directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.10. Quorum.Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the total number of directors then authorized and serving pursuant to Section 2.02 and Board resolution shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Board of Directors. In the event one or more of the directors shall be disqualified to vote at any meeting, then the required quorum shall be reduced by one for each such director so disqualified; provided, however, that in no case shall less than one-third (1/3) of the number then authorized pursuant to Section 2.02 and Board resolution constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum at any such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 2.11. Action at Meeting.At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of those present shall be sufficient to take any action, unless a different vote is specified by Delaware Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 2.12. Action by Consent.Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing, and the written consents are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.
Section 2.13. Committees.The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members of the committee present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors and subject to Delaware Law, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Each such committee shall keep minutes and make such reports as the Board of Directors may from time to time request. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the same manner as is provided in these Bylaws for the Board of Directors.
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Section 2.14. Compensation for Directors.Directors may be paid such compensation for their services and such reimbursement for expenses of attendance at meetings as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
ARTICLE 3
OFFICERS
Section 3.01. Enumeration.The officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers with such other titles as the Board of Directors shall determine, including a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, and one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers, and Assistant Secretaries. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers as it may deem appropriate.
Section 3.02. Election.The President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders. Other officers may be appointed by the Board of Directors at such meeting or at any other meeting.
Section 3.03. Qualification.The President need not be a director. No officer need be a stockholder. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person, except that no one person shall hold the offices and perform the duties of President and Secretary.
Section 3.04. Tenure.Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, each officer shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the vote choosing or appointing him, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section 3.05. Resignation and Removal.Any officer may resign by delivering his written resignation to the corporation at its principal office or to the President or Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
The Board of Directors, or a committee duly authorized to do so, may remove any officer with or without cause. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, no officer who resigns or is removed shall have any right to any compensation as an officer for any period following his resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal, whether his compensation be by the month or by the year or otherwise, unless such compensation is expressly provided in a duly authorized written agreement with the corporation.
Section 3.06. Vacancies.The Board of Directors may fill any vacancy occurring in any office for any reason in such manner as the Board of Directors shall determine. Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of his predecessor and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section 3.07. Powers and Duties. The Secretary shall have the duty, among other things, to record the proceedings of the meetings of stockholders and directors in a book kept for that purpose. The officers of the corporation shall have such powers and perform such duties incident to each of their respective offices and such other duties as may from time to time be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors.
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Section 3.08. Salaries.Officers of the corporation shall be entitled to such salaries, compensation or reimbursement as shall be fixed or allowed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 4
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 4.01. Certificates of Stock.Every holder of stock of the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, in such form as may be prescribed by Delaware Law and by the Board of Directors, certifying the number and class of shares owned by him in the corporation. Each such certificate shall be signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the Chairman or Vice Chairman, if any, of the Board of Directors, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.
Each certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, applicable securities laws or any agreement among any number of stockholders or among such holders and the corporation shall have conspicuously noted on the face or back of the certificate either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such restriction.
Section 4.02. Transfers.Subject to the restrictions, if any, stated or noted on the stock certificates, shares of stock may be transferred on the books of the corporation by the surrender to the corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate representing such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, and with such proof of authority or the authenticity of signature as the corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Except as may be otherwise required by Delaware Law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, the corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect to such stock, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock until the shares have been transferred on the books of the corporation in accordance with the requirements of these Bylaws.
Section 4.03. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in place of any previously issued certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may prescribe, including the presentation of reasonable evidence of such loss, theft or destruction and the giving of such indemnity as the Board of Directors may require for the protection of the corporation or any transfer agent or registrar.
Section 4.04. Record Date.The Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or to express consent (or dissent) to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action. Such record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action to which such record date relates.
If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the day before the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the day on which the meeting is held. The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such purpose.
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A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
ARTICLE 5
INDEMNIFICATION
The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law, indemnify any director or officer which it shall have power to indemnify under Delaware Law against any expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by Delaware Law. The indemnification provided for in this Article: (i) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to action in another capacity while holding such office; (ii) shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer; and (iii) shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. The corporation’s obligation to provide indemnification under this Article shall be offset to the extent of any other source of indemnification or any otherwise applicable insurance coverage under a policy maintained by the corporation or any other person.
Expenses incurred by a director of the corporation in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was a director of the corporation (or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation) shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized by Delaware Law.
To assure indemnification under this Article of all such persons who are determined by the corporation or otherwise to be or to have been “fiduciaries” of any employee benefit plan of the corporation which may exist from time to time, the provisions of this Article shall be interpreted as follows: an “other enterprise” shall be deemed to include such an employee benefit plan, including, without limitation, any plan of the corporation which is governed by the Act of Congress entitled “Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,” as amended from time to time; the corporation shall be deemed to have requested a person to serve an employee benefit plan where the performance by such person of his duties to the corporation also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, such person to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to such Act of Congress shall be deemed “fines”; and action taken or omitted by a person with respect to an employee benefit plan in the performance of such person’s duties for a purpose reasonably believed by such person to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose which is not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
The corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, provide indemnification and the advancement of expenses, to any agent of the corporation and to any person (other than directors and officers of the corporation, who shall be entitled to indemnification under the first paragraph of this Article 5) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, to the extent and to such effect as the Board of Directors shall determine to be appropriate and permitted by Delaware Law.
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ARTICLE 6
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 6.01. Fiscal Year.Except as from time to time otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the corporation shall end on December 31.
Section 6.02. Corporate Seal.The corporate seal shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.03. Execution of Instruments.The President, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer shall have power to execute and deliver on behalf and in the name of the corporation any instrument requiring the signature of an officer of the corporation, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, or where the execution and delivery of such an instrument shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation.
Section 6.04. Voting of Securities.Except as the directors may otherwise designate, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, the Secretary or Treasurer may waive notice of, and act as, or appoint any person or persons to act as, proxy or attorney-in-fact for this corporation (with or without power of substitution) at, any meeting of stockholders or shareholders of any other corporation or organization (except this corporation), the securities of which may be held by this corporation.
ARTICLE 7
AMENDMENTS
Section 7.01. By the Board of Directors.Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present.
Section 7.02. By the Stockholders.Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any regular meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders, provided notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new bylaws shall have been stated in the notice of such special meeting.
As amended through October 26, 2004.
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Copy marked to show changes.
AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS|
OF|
E*TRADEGROUP, INC.|FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(a Delaware corporation)
as ofJanuary 22, 2001|October 26, 2004
ARTICLE 1— STOCKHOLDERS|
ARTICLE 1|
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.011.1|. Time andPlace of Meetings.All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place within or without the State of Delaware |and at such time, as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the President or, if not so designated, at the registered office of the corporation.
Section 1.021.2|.Annual Meeting.The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held each year beginning in the calendar year 1997 on such date and at such time as the Board of Directors determines. If this date shall fall upon a legal holiday at the place of the meeting, then such meeting shall be held on the next succeeding business day at the same hour. If no annual meeting is held in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Board of Directors shall cause the meeting to be held as soon thereafter as convenient.
Section 1.031.3|.Special Meetings.Special meetings of stockholders may be called only in accordance with Article SIXTH of the Certificate of Incorporation as it may be amended from time to time (the``|“Certificate of Incorporation”|”).
1.4Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, written notice of each meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The notices of all meetings shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting. The notice of a special meeting shall state, in addition, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation.
1.5Voting List.The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time of the meeting, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
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1.6 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.|
Section 1.04|. Notice of Meetings and Adjourned Meetings; Waivers of Notice.
(a)1.7Adjournments|Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a written notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Unless otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (“Delaware Law”), such notice shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such meeting. Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to another time and to any other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held under these Bylaws by the stockholders present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, although less than a quorum, or, if no stockholder is present, by any officer entitled to preside at or to act as Secretary of such meeting.It shall not be necessary to notify any stockholder of any adjournment of less than 30 days if the time and place of the adjourned meeting|When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place (whether or not a quorum is present), notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, are announced at the meeting at which |theadjournment is taken, unless after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.| If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.|
(b) |A written waiver of any such notice signed by the person entitled thereto, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.|
Section 1.05|.Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by Delaware Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Section 1.061.8|.Voting and Proxies. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote held of record by such stockholder and a proportionate vote for each fractional share so held, unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation| or Delaware Law. Each stockholder of record entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may vote in person or may authorize another person or persons to vote or act for him by written proxy executed by the stockholder or his authorized agent and delivered to the Secretary of the corporation. No such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from the date of its execution, unless the proxy expressly provides for a longer period.
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Section 1.071.9|.Action at Meeting. In all matters other than the election of directors, when a quorum is present at any meeting, the holders of a majority of the stock present or represented and entitled to vote on the subject matter (or if there are two or more classes of stock entitled to vote as separate classes, then in the case of each such class, the holders of a majority of the stock of that class present or represented and entitled to vote on the subject matter) shall decide any matter to be voted upon by the stockholders at such meeting, except when a different vote is required by express provision oflaw|Delaware Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. Any election of directors by stockholders shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the election.| Any share of stock of the corporation held by the corporation shall have no voting rights.
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Section 1.08|.Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominees and Stockholder Business.
(a)(a)At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be: (A) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (B) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (C) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business one hundred and twenty (120) days nor earlier than the close of business one hundred and fifty (150) days prior to the first anniversary of the proxy statement relating to the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty (30) days from the date contemplated at the time of the previous year’s proxy statement, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received not earlier than the close of business one hundred and fifty (150) days prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to such annual meeting or, in the event public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the corporation fewer than seventy (70) days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the corporation. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting:(i)|(i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting,(ii)|and, beginning with the annual meeting held in 2005, the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend the bylaws of the corporation, the language of the proposed amendment, |(ii) the name and address, as they appear on the corporation’s books, of the stockholder |and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is madeproposing such business,(iii)|(iii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder|and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is made,(iv)|(iv) any material interest of the stockholder |and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the proposal is madein such businessand (v|, (v) beginning with the annual meeting held in 2005, a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business, (vi) beginning with the annual meeting held in 2005, a representation that the stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends to deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or
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adopt the proposal or otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal and (vii) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the``|“1934 Act”), in his or her capacity as a proponent to a stockholder proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholder’s meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at any annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph (a). The chairman of the annual meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting and in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph (a), and, if he or she should so determine, such chairman shall so declare at the meeting that any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
(b) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph (b) shall be eligible for election as directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by any stockholder of the corporation entitled to vote in the election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this paragraph (b). Such nominations, other than those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice (as set forth in paragraph (a) of this Section1.10|1.08) in writing to the Secretary of the corporation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section1.10.|1.08. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth(i)|(i) as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (C) the class and number of shares of the corporation which are beneficially owned by such person, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder, and (E) any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the 1934 Act (including without limitation such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), and(ii)|(ii) as to such stockholder giving notice, the information required to be provided pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section1.10.|1.08. At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by a stockholder for election as a director shall furnish to the Secretary of the corporation that information required to be set forth in the stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this paragraph (b). The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare at the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws, and if he or she should so determine, such chairman shall so declare at the meeting, and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
(c) For purposes of this Section 1.10, ``public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.
ARTICLE 2 - DIRECTORS|
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ARTICLE 2|
DIRECTORS
Section 2.012.1|.General Powers.The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors, who may exercise all of the powers of the corporation except as otherwise provided bylaw|Delaware Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.In the event of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by law, may exercise the powers of the full Board of Directors until the vacancy is filled.
Section 2.022.2|.Number; Election; Tenure and Qualification.The number of Directors of the Corporation shall be nine (9), subject|Subject to amendment in accordance with Article FIFTH of the Certificate of Incorporation| , the number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors but shall not be less than six or more than twelve. The Directors shall be classified and their successors elected in accordance with Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation. Subject to the requirement of the Certificate of Incorporation that the classes be as nearly equal in number as possible, the size of each class of Directors shall be as determined from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. Any reduction in the size of any class of Directors shall not shorten the term of office of any incumbent Director. Directors need not be stockholders of the corporation.
2.3Enlargement of the Board of Directors. The authorized number of directors on the Board of Directors may be increased in accordance with Article FIFTH of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 2.032.4|.Vacancies.Unless and until filled by the stockholders, any vacancy in the Board of Directors, however occurring, including a vacancy resulting from an enlargement of the Board of Directors, may be filled by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; provided, however, a vacancy created by the removal of a director by the vote of the stockholders or by court order may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present (which shares voting affirmatively also constitute a majority of the required quorum). Any director elected |by the Board of Directorsin accordance with the preceding sentence shall |be presented for stockholder approval at the annual meeting next following such director’s appointment to the Board of Directors and shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which the new directorship was created or the vacancy occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section 2.042.5|.Resignation.Any director may resign by delivering his written resignation to thecorporation at its principal office or to|Board of Directors, the President or Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
Section 2.052.6|.Removal.Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, only as permitted byapplicable law|Delaware Law and Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 2.062.7|.Regular Meetings.Regular|After the place and time of regular meetings of the Board of Directorsmay be held without notice at such time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; provided that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given notice of the determination|shall have been determined and notice thereof shall have been once given to each director, regular meetings may be held without further notice. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.
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Section 2.072.8|.Special Meetings.Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place, within or without the State of Delaware, designated in a call by the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, two or more directors, President or the Secretary|on the written request of two directors.
Section 2.082.9|.Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director by the Secretary or by the officer or one of the directors calling the meeting. Notice shall be given to each director in person, by telephone, by facsimile transmission or by telegram sent to his business or home address at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting, or by written notice mailed to his business or home address at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. A noticeorwaiver of noticeof a meeting of the Board of Directors need not specify the purposes of the meeting.
Section 2.092.10|.Meetings by Telephone Conference Calls.Directors or any members of any committee designated by the directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 2.102.11|.Quorum.A|Except as otherwise provided by the Certificate of Incorporation, a majority of the |total number of directorsfixed|then authorized and serving pursuant to Section2.2|2.02and Board resolution shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Board of Directors. In the event one or more of the directors shall be disqualified to vote at any meeting, then the required quorum shall be reduced by one for each such director so disqualified; provided, however, that in no case shall less than one-third (1/3) of the numberso fixed|then authorized pursuant to Section 2.02 and Board resolution constitute a quorum. In the absence of a quorum at any such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 2.112.12|.Action at Meeting.At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of those present shall be sufficient to take any action, unless a different vote is specified bylaw|Delaware Law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
Section 2.122.13|.Action by Consent.Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing, and the written consents are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.
Section 2.132.14|.Committees.The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole Board of Directors, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members of the committee present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors and subject tothe provisions of the General Corporation Law ofDelaware|Law, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the
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Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Each such committee shall keep minutes and make such reports as the Board of Directors may from time to time request. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by the directors or in such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the same manner as is provided in these Bylaws for the Board of Directors.
Section 2.142.15|.Compensation for Directors.Directors may be paid such compensation for their services and such reimbursement for expenses of attendance at meetings as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation or any of its parent or subsidiary corporations in any other capacity and receiving compensation for such service.
ARTICLE 3 - OFFICERS|
ARTICLE 3|
OFFICERS
Section 3.013.1|.Enumeration.The officers of the corporation shall consist of a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other officers with such other titles as the Board of Directors shall determine, including a Chairman of the Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, and one or more Vice Presidents, Assistant Treasurers, and Assistant Secretaries. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers as it may deem appropriate.
Section 3.023.2|.Election.The President, Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected by the Board of Directors at its first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders. Other officers may be appointed by the Board of Directors at such meeting or at any other meeting.
Section 3.033.3|.Qualification. The Chairman must be an officer of the corporation.The President need not be a director. No officer need be a stockholder. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person|, except that no one person shall hold the offices and perform the duties of President and Secretary.
Section 3.043.4|.Tenure.Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, each officer shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the vote choosing or appointing him, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
Section 3.053.5|.Resignation and Removal.Any officer may resign by delivering his written resignation to the corporation at its principal office or to the President or Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
The Board of Directors, or a committee duly authorized to do so, may remove any officer with or without cause. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, no officer who resigns or is removed shall have any right to any compensation as an officer for any period following his resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal, whether his compensation be by the month or by the year or otherwise, unless such compensation is expressly provided in a duly authorized written agreement with the corporation.
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Section 3.063.6|.Vacancies. The Board of Directors may fill any vacancy occurring in any office for any reasonand may, in its discretion, leave unfilled for such period as it may determine any offices other than those of President, Treasurer and Secretary|in such manner as the Board of Directors shall determine. Each such successor shall hold office for the unexpired term of his predecessor and until his successor is elected and qualified, or until his earlier death, resignation or removal.
3.7 Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of the Board. If the Board of Directors appoints a Chairman of the Board, he shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are usually vested in the office of the Chairman of the Board or as may be vested in him|
Section 3.07|.Powers and Duties. The Secretary shall have the duty, among other things, to record the proceedings of the meetings of stockholders and directors in a book kept for that purpose. The officers of the corporation shall have such powers and perform such duties incident to each of their respective offices and such other duties as may from time to time be conferred upon or assigned to them by the Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors appoints a Vice Chairman of the Board, he shall, in the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of the Board and shall perform such other duties and possess such other powers as may from time to time be vested in him by the Board of Directors.
3.8President. The President shall be the chief operating officer of the corporation. He shall also be the chief executive officer of the corporation unless such title is assigned to a Chairman of the Board. The President shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general supervision and control of the business of the corporation. Unless otherwise provided by the directors, he shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors (except as provided in Section 3.7 above). The President shall perform such other duties and shall have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
3.9 Vice Presidents. Any Vice President shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the President, the Vice President (or if there shall be more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties of the President and when so performing shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Board of Directors may assign to any Vice President the title of Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or any other title selected by the Board of Directors.
3.10 Secretary and Assistant Secretary. The Secretary shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as the Board of Directors or the President may from time to time prescribe. In addition, the Secretary shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of the secretary, including without limitation the duty and power to give notices of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, to attend all meetings of stockholders and the Board of Directors and keep a record of the proceedings, to maintain a stock ledger and prepare lists of stockholders and their addresses as required, to be custodian of corporate records and the corporate seal and to affix and attest to the same on documents.
Any Assistant Secretary shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary.
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In the absence of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary at any meeting of stockholders or directors, the person presiding at the meeting shall designate a temporary secretary to keep a record of the meeting.
3.11 Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer and the chief accounting officer of the corporation. The Treasurer shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors or the President. In addition, the Treasurer shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of treasurer, including without limitation the duty and power to keep and be responsible for all funds and securities of the corporation, to deposit funds of the corporation in depositories selected in accordance with these Bylaws, to disburse such funds as ordered by the Board of Directors, to make proper accounts of such funds, and to render as required by the Board of Directors statements of all such transactions and of the financial condition of the corporation.
Any Assistant Treasurers shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the President or the Treasurer may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Treasurer, the Assistant Treasurer (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer.
3.12 Bonded Officers. The Board of Directors may require any officer to give the corporation a bond in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board of Directors upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may specify, including without limitation a bond for the faithful performance of his duties and for the restoration to the corporation of all property in his possession or under his control belonging to the corporation.
Section 3.083.13|.Salaries.Officers of the corporation shall be entitled to such salaries, compensation or reimbursement as shall be fixed or allowed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE 4 - CAPITAL STOCK
4.1 Issuance of Stock. Unless otherwise voted by the stockholders and subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the whole or any part of any unissued balance of the authorized capital stock of the corporation held in its treasury may be issued, sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by vote of the Board of Directors in such manner, for such consideration and on such terms as the Board of Directors may determine.|
ARTICLE 4|
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 4.014.2|.Certificates of Stock.Every holder of stock of the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, in such form as may be prescribed bylaw|Delaware Law and by the Board of Directors, certifying the number and class of shares owned by him in the corporation. Each such certificate shall be signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, the Chairman or Vice Chairman, if any, of the Board of Directors, or the President or a Vice President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile.
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Each certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws, applicable securities laws or any agreement among any number of stockholders or among such holders and the corporation shall have conspicuously noted on the face or back of the certificate either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such restriction.
Section 4.024.3|.Transfers.Subject to the restrictions, if any, stated or noted on the stock certificates, shares of stock may be transferred on the books of the corporation by the surrender to the corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate representing such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, and with such proof of authority or the authenticity of signature as the corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require. Except as may be otherwise required bylaw|Delaware Law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, the corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect to such stock, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock until the shares have been transferred on the books of the corporation in accordance with the requirements of these Bylaws.
Section 4.034.4|.Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.The corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in place of any previously issued certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may prescribe, including the presentation of reasonable evidence of such loss, theft or destruction and the giving of such indemnity as the Board of Directors may require for the protection of the corporation or any transfer agent or registrar.
Section 4.044.5|.Record Date.The Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or to express consent (or dissent) to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action. Such record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action to which such record date relates.
If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be the close of business on the day before the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the day on which the meeting is held.The record date for determining stockholders entitled to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is necessary, shall be the day on which the first written consent is expressed.The record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such purpose.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
ARTICLE 5 - INDEMNIFICATION|
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ARTICLE 5|
INDEMNIFICATION
The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted bySection 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, as that Section may be amended and supplemented from time to time|Delaware Law, indemnify any director or officer which it shall have power to indemnify underthe Section|Delaware Law against any expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered bythat Section|Delaware Law. The indemnification provided for in this Article:(i)|(i) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to action in another capacity while holding such office;(ii)|(ii) shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer; and(iii)|(iii) shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. The corporation’s obligation to provide indemnification under this Article shall be offset to the extent of any other source of indemnification or any otherwise applicable insurance coverage under a policy maintained by the corporation or any other person.
Expenses incurred by a director of the corporation in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he is or was a director of the corporation (or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation) shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized byrelevant sections of the General Corporation Law of Delaware| Law.
To assure indemnification under this Article of all such persons who are determined by the corporation or otherwise to be or to have been``|“fiduciaries”|” of any employee benefit plan of the corporation which may exist from time to time,such Section 145 shall, for the purposes|the provisions of this Article,| shall be interpreted as follows: an “other enterprise” shall be deemed to include such an employee benefit plan, including, without limitation, any plan of the corporation which is governed by the Act of Congress entitled``|”Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,”|” as amended from time to time; the corporation shall be deemed to have requested a person to serve an employee benefit plan where the performance by such person of his duties to the corporation also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, such person to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to such Act of Congress shall be deemed``|”fines”|”; and action taken or omitted by a person with respect to an employee benefit plan in the performance of such person’s duties for a purpose reasonably believed by such person to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose which is not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.
ARTICLE 6 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
|The corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, provide indemnification and the advancement of expenses, to any agent of the corporation and to any person (other than directors and officers of the corporation, who shall be entitled to indemnification under the first paragraph of this Article 5) who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, to the extent and to such effect as the Board of Directors shall determine to be appropriate and permitted by Delaware Law.|
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ARTICLE 6|
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 6.016.1|.Fiscal Year.Except as from time to time otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the corporation shall end on December 31.
Section 6.026.2|.Corporate Seal.The corporate seal shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.036.3|.Execution of Instruments.The President, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer shall have power to execute and deliver on behalf and in the name of the corporation any instrument requiring the signature of an officer of the corporation, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, or where the execution and delivery of such an instrument shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation.
6.4 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be given by law, by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws, a waiver of such notice either in writing signed by the person entitled to such notice or such person’s duly authorized attorney, or by telegraph, cable or any other available method, whether before, at or after the time stated in such waiver, or the appearance of such person or persons at such meeting in person or by proxy, shall be deemed equivalent to such notice.
Section 6.046.5|.Voting of Securities.Except as the directors may otherwise designate, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, any Vice President, the Secretary or Treasurer may waive notice of, and act as, or appoint any person or persons to act as, proxy or attorney-in-fact for this corporation (with or without power of substitution) at, any meeting of stockholders or shareholders of any other corporation or organization| (except this corporation), the securities of which may be held by this corporation.
6.6 Evidence of Authority. A certificate by the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, or a temporary Secretary, as to any action taken by the stockholders, directors, a committee or any officer or representative of the corporation shall as to all persons who rely on the certificate in good faith be conclusive evidence of such action.
6.7 Certificate of Incorporation. All references in these Bylaws to the Certificate of Incorporation shall be deemed to refer to the Certificate of Incorporation of the corporation, as amended and in effect from time to time. These Bylaws are subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.
6.8 Transactions with Interested Parties. No contract or transaction between the corporation and one or more of the directors or officers, or between the corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of the directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial interest, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely because the director or officer is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors which authorizes the contract or transaction or solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if:
(a) The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum;
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(b) The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or
(c) The contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee of the Board of Directors, or the stockholders.
Common or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the contract or transaction.
6.9 Severability. Any determination that any provision of these Bylaws is for any reason inapplicable, illegal or ineffective shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of these Bylaws.
6.10 Pronouns. All pronouns used in these Bylaws shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or persons may require.
ARTICLE 7 - AMENDMENTS|
ARTICLE 7|
AMENDMENTS
Section 7.017.1|.By the Board of Directors.Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present.
Section 7.027.2|.By the Stockholders.Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares of the capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at any regular meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders, provided notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new bylaws shall have been stated in the notice of such special meeting.
As amended throughJanuary 22, 2001 (date of change of fiscal year by CEO who was delegated such authority on October 25, 2000)|October 26, 2004.
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