AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
THIS AGREEMENT and Plan of Reorganization (“Agreement”) is made on __________, 2007, by and between the Bank of Sun Prairie, a state banking organization (“Bank”), and BOSP Bancshares, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (“Corporation”).
RECITALS
A. The parties consider it advantageous to form a one-bank holding company, which will be the Corporation, to own all of the outstanding stock of the Bank. To form the holding company, the Corporation will organize a wholly-owned subsidiary bank, called the New Bank of Sun Prairie, a state banking organization (“New Bank”). The New Bank will then merge with and into the Bank, leaving the Bank as the survivor, and converting the outstanding stock of the Bank into stock of the Corporation, so that the shareholders of the Bank will become the shareholders of the Corporation.
B. This reorganization is comprised of the organization of the New Bank and the merger of the New Bank into the Bank, as the surviving entity (the “Merger”). Pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and a Merger Agreement between the Bank and the New Bank (to be executed after New Bank is formed), as of the Effective Date of the Merger, each of the then issued and outstanding shares of Bank Common Stock (“Bank Common”) will be converted into one share of the authorized but previously unissued common stock of the Corporation (“Corporation Common”).
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the Recitals and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the parties adopt this plan of reorganization and agree as follows:
1. Merger. Subject to compliance with all requirements of law and the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the New Bank will be merged with and into the Bank.
a. Effective Date; Surviving Bank. The Effective Date of this Merger (the “Effective Date”) shall be the date on which the Articles of Merger relating to the Merger are filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. At the Effective Date, the New Bank shall be merged with and into the Bank, the separate existence of the New Bank shall cease and the Bank, as the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Bank”), shall succeed to and possess all of the properties, rights, privileges, immunities, and powers, and shall be subject to all the liabilities, obligations, restrictions, and duties, of the New Bank and the Bank.
b. Charter Number. The charter number of the Bank prior to the Effective Date shall be the charter number of the Surviving Bank.
c. Articles of Incorporation; Name. From and after the Effective Date and until thereafter amended as provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Bank shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Bank, as amended or restated, and the name of the Surviving Bank shall be that of the Bank.
d. Bylaws. From and after the Effective Date and until thereafter amended as provided by law, the Bylaws of the Bank in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date shall constitute the Bylaws of the Surviving Bank.
e. Directors and Officers. From and after the Effective Date and until their respective successors are elected, the members of the Board of Directors and the officers of the Surviving Bank shall consist of those persons who are serving as directors and officers of the Bank immediately prior to the Effective Date.
f. Conversion of Stock. As of the Effective Date, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the shareholders of the Bank, all of the Bank Common outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date shall cease to exist and shall be converted into Corporation Common, at the rate of one (1) share of
Corporation Common for each one (1) share of Bank Common. As of the Effective Date, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the shareholders of the New Bank, all of the New Bank common stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Date shall cease to exist.
g. Transmittal Procedure. The Bank will close its transfer records on a date twenty (20) days prior to the Effective Date for a period through and including the Effective Date. When the Effective Date is established, the date of closing of the transfer records will also be set, and the shareholders of the Bank will be notified of such. The Bank will make every reasonable effort to have its shareholders of record tender their certificates for the Bank Common to the Exchange Agent at least three (3) days prior to the Effective Date. The Bank will serve as the Exchange Agent for this transaction. On the Effective Date, the Corporation shall provide to the Bank, and the Bank shall mail or deliver to its shareholders, stock certificates of Corporation Common to which those shareholders are entitled by reason of the Merger; provided, however, that no Corporation Common certificate shall be mailed or delivered to a Bank shareholder who is eligible to exercise dissenter’s rights or who has not delivered to the Bank all certificates of Bank Common owned by such shareholder (or if a certificate has been lost, an indemnity bond or other agreement satisfactory to the Corporation).
Until so delivered to the Bank, each outstanding certificate which prior to the Effective Date represented shares of Bank Common will be deemed for all purposes to evidence only the right to receive the ownership of the shares of Corporation Common into which such Bank Common has been converted; provided, however, that until such Bank Common certificates are so delivered to the Bank, no dividend payable on Corporation Common at any time after the Effective Date shall be paid to the holder of such undelivered certificate. Upon the delivery of such certificate after the Effective Date, the Corporation shall pay, without interest, any unpaid dividends by reason of the preceding sentence to the record holder thereof, and the Bank shall deliver the stock certificate for Corporation Common.
h. Dissenting Shares of the Bank. If any shares of Bank Common are dissenting shares, the Bank shall proceed according to applicable law to determine and pay the fair value of those dissenting shares. “Dissenting shares” shall mean each outstanding share of Bank Common as to which the holder has strictly complied with the provisions of applicable law in order effectively to withdraw from the Bank and obtain the right to receive the fair value of his or her shares of Bank Common.
As of the Effective Date or the date that the last action is taken to exercise dissenter’s rights, whichever is later, dissenting shares shall, by virtue of the Merger, cease to represent any ownership interest or ownership rights to the Bank or the Corporation, and shall be converted into the right to receive fair value of those shares as provided by law.
i. Business. From and after the Effective Date, the business of the Surviving Bank shall be that of a state bank, conducted at the offices of the Bank where located immediately prior to the Effective Date.
j. Assets and Liabilities. From and after the Effective Date, the Surviving Bank shall be liable for all liabilities of the New Bank and the Bank; and all deposits, debts, liabilities, and contracts of the New Bank and the Bank, respectively, matured or unmatured, whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether or not reflected or reserved against on balance sheets, books of account or records of the New Bank or the Bank, shall be those of the Surviving Bank and shall not be released or impaired by reason of the Merger; and all rights of creditors and other obligees and all liens on property of either the New Bank or the Bank shall be preserved unimpaired. Further, all rights, franchises and interests of the New Bank and the Bank, respectively, in and to every type of property (real, personal and mixed) and choices in action shall be transferred to and vested in the Surviving Bank by virtue of such Merger without any deed or other transfer, and the Surviving Bank, without any order or other action on the part of any court or otherwise, shall hold and enjoy all rights of property, franchises and interests, including appointments, designations and nominations, and all other rights and interests in every fiduciary capacity, in the same manner and to the same extent as such rights, franchises and interests were held or enjoyed by the New Bank and the Bank, respectively, on the Effective Date.
k. Tax Consequences. The parties intend and desire that the Merger shall be treated for income tax purposes as a reverse triangular merger under Section 368(a)(1)(A) and Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code. The parties shall act in all respects consistently with that intent.
l. Shareholder Approvals. This Agreement and Plan of Reorganization will be submitted to the respective shareholders of the Bank and the New Bank for ratification and confirmation at shareholder meetings to be called and held in accordance with the applicable provisions of law and the respective Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Bank and the New Bank. Each shareholder meeting shall be called as soon as reasonably possible. The Bank and the New Bank will proceed expeditiously and cooperate fully in the procurement of any other consents and approvals and in the taking of any other action, and the satisfaction of all other requirements prescribed by law or otherwise, necessary for consummation of the Merger. The Corporation, as sole shareholder of the New Bank, shall vote its stock in the New Bank to approve the Merger and the transactions set forth in this Agreement.
m. Regulatory Approvals. The parties shall prepare and submit for filing any and all applications, filings, and registrations with, and notifications to, all federal and state authorities required for the Merger to be consummated as contemplated by this Agreement. Thereafter, the parties shall pursue all such applications, filings, registrations, and notifications diligently and in good faith, and shall file such supplements, amendments, and additional information in connection therewith as may be reasonably necessary for the Merger to be consummated.
n. Merger Agreement. The Corporation shall form the New Bank promptly following execution of this Agreement and shall cause the New Bank to execute the Merger Agreement attached as Exhibit A. Within three days after execution by the New Bank, the Bank shall execute the Merger Agreement.
2. Representations and Warranties by Bank. The Bank represents and warrants to the Corporation that this Agreement has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank, and upon approval by the shareholders of the Bank will be fully authorized by all necessary corporation action.
3. Representations and Warranties by the Corporation. The Corporation represents and warrants to the Bank that the shares of the Corporation Common to be delivered to the Bank shareholders pursuant to this Agreement will, upon issuance, be duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable voting shares, except as otherwise required by law, and will constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of the Corporation as of the Effective Date.
4. Closing. Subject to the satisfaction of all closing conditions contained in this Agreement or their waiver, the closing shall occur on the Effective Date, which will be within thirty (30) days after the satisfaction of the last closing condition. The Closing shall take place at the offices of the Bank, or at such other place as the Corporation and the Bank may agree.
5. Conditions to Obligations of Both Parties. The obligations of each party to be performed on the Effective Date shall be subject to the following conditions unless waived in writing by the parties:
a. Regulatory Approval. On or before the Effective Date, the Bank shall have received the approval from those regulatory agencies whose approval of the Merger is required and any mandatory waiting period(s) associated with such approval(s) shall have expired.
b. No Litigation. At the Effective Date, no litigation or governmental investigation shall have been commenced or, to the best knowledge of the Corporation or the Bank, threatened or proposed, which would have a material, adverse effect on the value of the Bank or an adverse effect on the ability of any party to close this transaction, or which arises out of or concerns the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
c. Closing Not Later Than May 31, 2008. The closing of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement shall have occurred on or before May 31, 2008, unless such date is extended by mutual written agreement of the parties.
d. Shareholder Approval. This Agreement shall have been approved and adopted by the shareholders of the Bank and of the New Bank in such manner as required by law.
e. Tax Opinion. The parties shall have received a written opinion of tax counsel that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Merger Agreement will constitute a tax-free reorganization under the provisions of Sections 368(a)(1)(A) and 368(a)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to those shareholders of the Bank who will receive Corporation Common in the Merger.
f. Securities Law Compliance. The Corporation Common stock to be issued in the Merger shall have been registered, qualified or exempted under all applicable federal and state securities laws, and there shall have been no stop order issued or threatened by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state that suspends the effectiveness of any such registration, qualification, or exemption.
6. Conditions to Obligations of Corporation and the New Bank. The obligations of the Corporation and the New Bank to be performed on the Effective Date shall be subject to the following conditions unless waived in writing by the Corporation and the New Bank:
a. Representations and Warranties True; Covenants and Obligations Performed. All representations and warranties of the Bank shall be true and correct in all material respects on the Effective Date, and the Bank shall have performed all acts required of it under the terms of this Agreement.
b. Dissenting Shares. There shall be not more than ten percent (10%) of the total outstanding shares of the Bank that as of the Effective Date are eligible to elect dissenter’s rights by reason of having complied with the procedures required by applicable law.
c. No Material Adverse Change. The assets, business, operation, and prospects of the Bank shall not have been materially and adversely affected by a loss or destruction not fully compensated by insurance, by any governmental proceeding or action, or by any other event or occurrence, which in the reasonable judgment of the Corporation would defeat or frustrate the purposes of the reorganization or otherwise make the reorganization undesirable.
7. Conditions to Obligations of the Bank. The obligations of the Bank to be performed on the Effective Date shall be subject to the following conditions unless waived in writing by the Bank: All representations and warranties of the Corporation shall be true and correct in all material respects on the Effective Date, and the Corporation and the New Bank shall have performed all acts required of them under the terms of this Agreement.
8. Additional Covenants of the Parties.
a. Cooperation. The parties will fully cooperate with each other in connection with any steps to be taken as part of their obligations under this Agreement, including without limitation, the preparation of financial statements and the supplying of information in connection with the preparation of regulatory applications.
b. Expenses. All costs and expenses and charges incurred by a party shall be borne by such party; provided, however, that if the Merger is not consummated for any reason, all costs and expenses incurred by the Corporation and the New Bank shall be paid by the Bank.
c. Affiliates. The parties acknowledge that (i) shares of Corporation Common received in the reorganization by persons who are affiliates of the parties for purposes of Rule 145, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, are subject to certain restrictions on the public resale of such shares; (ii) certificates evidencing shares of Corporation Common received by affiliates pursuant to the reorganization shall carry a legend referring to Rule 145 and the transfer restrictions imposed thereunder; and (iii) such shares shall be subject to stop-transfer instructions to the Corporation’s transfer agent. For purposes of Rule 145 an “affiliate” means a person who was, as of the date of consummation of the reorganization, an executive officer of the Bank, or a director of the Bank, or a person deemed to control the Bank (including without limitation a Bank shareholder owning more than 10% of the Bank stock outstanding). Neither the Bank nor the Corporation is obligated to register shares of Corporation Common for resale, and any such registration shall be at the expense and instance of any shareholder, including an affiliate, desiring such registration.
9. Termination. This Agreement and Merger may be terminated and abandoned upon prompt written notice to the other party before the Effective Date, notwithstanding authorization and adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of one or both of the Bank and the New Bank:
a. By mutual consent of the Bank and the Corporation through their Boards of Directors;
b. By the Bank at any time after May 31, 2008 (or such later date as shall have been agreed to in writing by the parties) if any of the conditions provided for in Paragraphs 5 or 7 of this Agreement have not been met and have not been waived in writing by the Bank; or
c. By the Corporation at any time after May 31, 2008 (or such later date as shall have been agreed to in writing by the parties) if any of the conditions provided for in Paragraphs 5 or 6 of this Agreement have not been met and have not been waived in writing by the Corporation.
10. Miscellaneous.
a. Assignment. This Agreement and the rights, interests, and benefits under it shall not be assigned, transferred, or pledged in any way, and shall not be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process. Any attempt to assign, transfer, pledge, or make any other disposition of this Agreement or of the rights, interests, and benefits contrary to the foregoing provision, or the levy of any attachment or similar process thereupon, shall be null and void and without effect.
b. Waiver. No failure or delay of any party in exercising any right or power given to it under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof. No waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of any prior, concurrent, or subsequent breach. No waiver of any breach or modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless contained in a writing executed by both parties.
c. Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any other representations or agreement, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by the Corporation, the Bank, the New Bank or by any officer or officers of such parties relating to the acquisition of the Bank, or its assets or business, by the Corporation. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement by the parties, and there are no agreements or commitments except as set forth in this Agreement.
d. Amendment. This Agreement may be modified or amended only by a written agreement executed by duly authorized officers of both parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date and year first above written.
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ATTEST: | | BANK OF SUN PRAIRIE |
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ATTEST: | | BOSP BANCSHARES, INC. |
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Exhibit A
MERGER AGREEMENT
MERGER AGREEMENT (“Merger Agreement”) made this ____ day of _________, 2008, by and between the Bank of Sun Prairie, a state banking organization (“Bank”), and the New Bank of Sun Prairie, a state banking organization (“New Bank”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Bank and BOSP Bancshares, Inc. (“Corporation”) have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated __________, 2007 (“Agreement”), pursuant to which the Bank has agreed to merge with the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, the New Bank, in a reverse triangular merger; and
WHEREAS, the Bank and the New Bank wish to agree on the terms of the Merger now that the New Bank has been formed;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Incorporation of Plan of Reorganization. The terms and conditions of the Agreement are incorporated in this Merger Agreement by reference in their entirety, and made a part of this Merger Agreement with the same effect as if the New Bank had been a party to the Agreement.
2. Cooperation. The New Bank shall cooperate with the Bank to achieve a prompt consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Agreement, and shall perform all actions necessary or convenient to be performed by it for that purpose.
3. Articles of Incorporation. Effective as of the time this Merger shall become effective as specified in the Agreement, the articles of incorporation of that bank resulting from the Merger of the Bank and the New Bank shall read in their entirety as stated in the attached Articles of Incorporation of the Bank.
4. Capital Stock. The amount of capital stock of the New Bank shall be $5,000, divided into 5,000 shares of common stock, each of $1.00 par value. At the time the Merger shall become effective (and after the temporary capitalization of the interim bank has been returned to the Corporation), the resulting bank shall have $____________ in capital, a surplus of $____________, and undivided profits of $____________, adjusted, however, for earnings and expenses between _________, 200__, and the Effective Date of the Merger. At the time the Merger shall become effective, the 5,000 shares of the New Bank stock then outstanding shall no longer exist.
5. Effective Date. The Effective Date of the Merger shall be __________, 2008.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Merger Agreement by their proper corporate officers duly authorized to execute this Merger Agreement, as of the date first above written.
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ATTEST: | | BANK OF SUN PRAIRIE |
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ATTEST: | | NEW BANK OF SUN PRAIRIE |
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EXHIBIT B
MERGER AGREEMENT
MERGER AGREEMENT
MERGER AGREEMENT (“Merger Agreement”) made this ____ day of _________, 2008, by and between the Bank of Sun Prairie, a state banking organization (“Bank”), and the New Bank of Sun Prairie, a state banking organization (“New Bank”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the Bank and BOSP Bancshares, Inc. (“Corporation”) have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated __________, 2007 (“Agreement”), pursuant to which the Bank has agreed to merge with the Corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary, the New Bank, in a reverse triangular merger; and
WHEREAS, the Bank and the New Bank wish to agree on the terms of the Merger now that the New Bank has been formed;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Incorporation of Plan of Reorganization. The terms and conditions of the Agreement are incorporated in this Merger Agreement by reference in their entirety, and made a part of this Merger Agreement with the same effect as if the New Bank had been a party to the Agreement.
2. Cooperation. The New Bank shall cooperate with the Bank to achieve a prompt consummation of the transactions contemplated in the Agreement, and shall perform all actions necessary or convenient to be performed by it for that purpose.
3. Articles of Incorporation. Effective as of the time this Merger shall become effective as specified in the Agreement, the articles of incorporation of that bank resulting from the Merger of the Bank and the New Bank shall read in their entirety as stated in the attached Articles of Incorporation of the Bank.
4. Capital Stock. The amount of capital stock of the New Bank shall be $5,000, divided into 5,000 shares of common stock, each of $1.00 par value. At the time the Merger shall become effective (and after the temporary capitalization of the interim bank has been returned to the Corporation), the resulting bank shall have $____________ in capital, a surplus of $____________, and undivided profits of $____________, adjusted, however, for earnings and expenses between _________, 200__, and the Effective Date of the Merger. At the time the Merger shall become effective, the 5,000 shares of the New Bank stock then outstanding shall no longer exist.
5. Effective Date. The Effective Date of the Merger shall be __________, 2008.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Merger Agreement by their proper corporate officers duly authorized to execute this Merger Agreement, as of the date first above written.
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ATTEST: | | BANK OF SUN PRAIRIE |
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ATTEST: | | NEW BANK OF SUN PRAIRIE |
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EXHIBIT C
TAX OPINION OF BOARDMAN, SUHR, CURRY & FIELD
May 1, 2008
The Board of Directors
BOSP Bancshares, Inc.
228 East Main Street
P.O. Box 29
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin 53590-0028
The Board of Directors
Bank of Sun Prairie
228 East Main Street
P.O. Box 29
Sun Prairie, Wisconsin 53590-0028
You have requested that we render an opinion as to the material tax consequences to BOSP Bancshares, Inc. (“Holding Company”), Bank of Sun Prairie (“Bank”), New Bank of Sun Prairie (“New Bank”), and the shareholders (“Shareholders”) of the Bank of a corporate reorganization to form a one-bank holding company, as described in an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to be executed by the Holding Company and the Bank (“Agreement”) in the form attached to the Prospectus/Proxy Statement dated May 1, 2008, and as described in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.
We acknowledge that this opinion is provided for the benefit and guidance of the Holding Company and Bank. The shareholders of the Holding Company and the Bank may rely on this opinion.
In making this opinion, we have relied on the Agreement, the Prospectus/Proxy Statement, the Merger Agreement (to be executed between the Bank and the New Bank), and on the truth and completeness of the warranties, representations, statements and facts contained in those documents. We have also relied upon the truth and completeness of the following representations of the Holding Company and the Bank:
1. The fair market value of the Holding Company stock received by each Bank shareholder will be approximately equal to the fair market value of the Bank stock surrendered in the exchange.
2. There is no plan or intention by the shareholders of the Bank who own one percent (1%) or more of the Bank stock, and to the best of the knowledge of the management of the Bank, there is no plan or intention on the part of the remaining shareholders to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of a number of shares of Holding Company stock received in the transaction that would reduce the shareholders’ ownership of Holding Company stock to a number of shares having a value, as of the date of the transaction, of less than fifty percent (50%) of the value of all of the formerly outstanding Bank stock as of the same date. For purposes of this representation, shares of Bank stock exchanged for cash or other property, surrendered by dissenters or exchanged for cash in lieu of fractional shares of Holding Company stock will be treated as outstanding Bank stock on the date of the transaction. Moreover, shares of Holding Company stock held by Bank shareholders and otherwise sold, redeemed or disposed of prior or subsequent to the transaction will be considered in making this representation.
3. Bank shareholders will receive Holding Company stock in exchange for at least 80% of the Bank stock authorized immediately prior to the transaction.
4. Bank will acquire at least ninety percent (90%) of the fair market value of the net assets and at least seventy percent (70%) of the fair market value of the gross assets held by the New Bank immediately prior to the transaction. For purposes of this representation, amounts paid by the New Bank to dissenters, amounts paid by the New Bank to shareholders who receive cash or other property, New Bank assets used to pay its reorganization expenses, and all redemption and distributions (except for regular, normal dividends) made by the New Bank immediately preceding the transfer, will be included as assets of the Bank held immediately prior to the transaction.
5. Prior to the transaction, the Holding Company will own all of the issued and outstanding stock.
6. Following the transaction, the Bank will not issue additional shares of its stock that would result in the Holding Company’s ownership of less than 80% of the Bank’s common stock.
7. The Holding Company has no plan or intention to reacquire any of its stock issued in the transaction.
8. The Holding Company has no plan or intention to liquidate the Bank; to merge the Bank with and into another bank or corporation; to sell or otherwise dispose of the stock of the Bank; or to cause the Bank to sell or to otherwise dispose of any of the New Bank’s assets acquired in the transaction, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business or transfers.
9. The liabilities of the New Bank assumed by the Bank, and the liabilities to which the transferred assets of the New Bank are subject, were incurred by the New Bank in the ordinary course of its business.
10. Following the transaction, the Bank will continue the historic business of the New Bank or use a significant portion of the New Bank’s business assets in a business.
11. The Holding Company, the New Bank, the Bank, and the shareholders will pay their respective expenses, if any, incurred in connection with the transaction.
12. There is no intercorporate indebtedness existing between the Holding Company and the Bank or between the New Bank and the Bank that was issued, acquired or will be settled at a discount.
13. No two parties to the transaction are investment companies.
14. The New Bank is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 (bankruptcy).
15. The fair market value of the assets of the New Bank transferred to the Bank will equal or exceed the sum of the liabilities assumed by the Bank, plus the amount of liabilities, if any, to which the transferred assets are subject.
16. No stock of the New Bank will be issued in the transaction.
We have not undertaken to verify independently any of the factual matters upon which we rely in providing this opinion. Moreover, we have assumed that no changes have occurred or will occur with respect to the documents described above or the representations set forth in paragraphs 1 through 16 above.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, it is our opinion under current law that for federal and State of Wisconsin income tax purposes:
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| (1) | The proposed merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) by reason of Section 368(a)(2)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Chapter 71 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The reorganization will not be disqualified by reason of the fact that Holding Company common stock is used in the transaction. (Internal Revenue Code Section 368(a)(2)(E).) |
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| (2) | No gain or loss will be recognized to the New Bank on the transfer of substantially all of its assets to the Bank in exchange for Holding Company common stock and the assumption by the Bank of the liabilities of the New Bank. |
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| (3) | No gain or loss will be recognized to the Holding Company or the Bank upon the receipt by the Bank of substantially all of the assets of the new Bank in exchange for Holding Company common stock and the assumption by the Bank of the liabilities of the New Bank. |
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| (4) | The basis of the New Bank assets in the hands of the Bank will be the same as the basis of those assets in the hands of the New Bank immediately prior to the proposed transaction. |
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| (5) | The holding period of the assets of the New Bank in the hands of the Bank will include the period during which such assets were held by the New Bank. |
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| (6) | The basis of the Bank stock in the hands of the Holding Company will be increased by an amount equal to the basis of the New Bank assets acquired by the Bank in the transaction, and will be decreased by the amount of liabilities of the New Bank assumed by the Bank and the amount of liabilities to which the acquired assets of the New Bank are subject. |
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| (7) | No gain or loss will be recognized by the shareholders on the exchange of their Bank common stock for Holding Company common stock; provided, however, that no opinion is expressed with respect to Bank shareholders who dissent from the transaction and receive cash for their Bank stock. |
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| (8) | The income tax basis of the Holding Company common stock to be received by the shareholders will be the same as the basis of the Bank common stock surrendered in exchange. |
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| (9) | The holding period of the Holding Company common stock to be received by the shareholders will include the period during which the Bank common stock surrendered in exchange was held, provided that the Bank common stock is held as a capital asset on the date of the exchange. |
Our opinion is limited to specific issues addressed. We express no opinion and make no representation, and no inference is intended or should be drawn from any statement in this letter, as to any other issues involving the transaction.
We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit C of the Prospectus - Proxy Statement and as Exhibit 8 to the S-4 Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the reorganization, and to the summary discussion of this opinion and the reference to our firm under the captions “Summary – Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “The Reorganization – Tax Considerations” contained in the Prospectus – Proxy Statement.
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| BOARDMAN, SUHR, CURRY & FIELD LLP |
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| /s/ Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP |
EXHIBIT D
SECTION 180.0630 OF THE WISCONSIN STATUTES
180.0630 Preemptive rights. (1) In this section, “other securities” has the meaning given in s. 180.0627 (1) (a).
(2) Except as provided in sub. (7), the shareholders or holders of other securities of a corporation do not have a preemptive right to acquire the corporation’s unissued shares or other securities except to the extent provided in the articles of incorporation. If the articles of incorporation state that “the corporation elects to have preemptive rights”, or words of similar meaning, subs. (3) to (6) govern the preemptive rights, except to the extent that the articles of incorporation expressly provide otherwise.
(3) Except as provided in sub. (5), the shareholders or holders of other securities of the corporation have a preemptive right, granted on uniform terms and conditions prescribed by the board of directors to provide a fair and reasonable opportunity to exercise the right, to acquire proportional amounts of the corporation’s unissued shares or other securities upon the decision of the board of directors to issue the shares or other securities, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Holders of shares or other securities with general voting rights have preemptive rights with respect to shares and other securities of any class with general voting rights.
(b) Holders of shares or other securities without preferential rights to distributions or assets have preemptive rights with respect to shares and other securities of any class without preferential rights to distributions or assets, except that holders of shares or other securities without general voting rights have no preemptive rights with respect to shares or other securities of any class with general voting rights.
(4) A shareholder or holder of other security may waive his or her preemptive right. A written waiver is irrevocable even if it is not supported by consideration.
(5) There is no preemptive right with respect to any of the following:
(a) Shares or other securities issued as compensation to directors, officers or employees of the corporation or its affiliates.
(b) Shares or other securities issued to satisfy conversion or option rights created to provide compensation to directors, officers or employees of the corporation or its affiliates.
(c) Shares or other securities authorized in articles of incorporation that are issued within 6 months from the effective date of incorporation.
(d) Shares or other securities sold for other than money or an obligation to pay money.
(e) Treasury shares.
(6) If shares or other securities subject to preemptive rights are not acquired by shareholders or holders of other securities, the corporation may issue the shares or other securities to any person for one year after being offered to shareholders or holders of other securities, at a consideration set by the board of directors that is not lower than the consideration set for the exercise of preemptive rights. An offer at a lower consideration or after the expiration of one year is subject to the preemptive rights of shareholders or holders of other securities.
(7) The preemptive rights of shares of a preexisting class, as defined in s. 180.1701, are governed by s. 180.1705.
EXHIBIT E
SECTIONS 221.0705 THROUGH 221.0718
OF THE WISCONSIN STATUTES
221.0705 Definitions.
In ss. 221.0705 to 221.0718:
(1) “Bank” means the issuer bank or, if a corporate action giving rise to dissenters’ rights under s. 221.0706 is a merger or share exchange that has been effectuated, the surviving bank of the merger or the acquiring corporation or bank of the share exchange.
(2) “Beneficial shareholder” means a person who is a beneficial owner of shares held by a nominee as the shareholder.
(3) “Dissenter” means a shareholder or beneficial shareholder who is entitled to dissent from corporate action under s. 221.0706 and who exercises that right when and in the manner required by ss. 221.0709 to 221.0716.
(4) “Fair value”, with respect to a dissenter’s shares, means the value of the shares immediately before the effectuation of the corporate action to which the dissenter objects, excluding any appreciation or depreciation in anticipation of the corporate action unless the exclusion would be inequitable.
(5) “Interest” means interest from the effectuation date of the corporate action until the date of payment, at a rate that is fair and equitable under all of the circumstances.
(6) “Issuer bank” means a bank that is the issuer of the shares held by a dissenter before the corporate action.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0706 Right to dissent.
(1) Mandatory dissenters’ rights. A shareholder or beneficial shareholder may dissent from, and obtain payment of the fair value of his or her shares in the event of, any of the following corporate actions:
(a) Consummation of a plan of merger to which the issuer bank is a party.
(b) Consummation of a plan of share exchange if the issuer bank’s shares will be acquired, and the shareholder or the shareholder holding shares on behalf of the beneficial shareholder is entitled to vote on the plan.
(c) Except as provided in sub. (2), any other corporate action taken pursuant to a shareholder vote to the extent that the articles of incorporation, the bylaws or a resolution of the board of directors provides that the voting or nonvoting shareholder or beneficial shareholder may dissent and obtain payment for his or her shares.
(2) Permissive dissenters’ rights. The articles of incorporation may allow a shareholder or beneficial shareholder to dissent from an amendment of the articles of incorporation and obtain payment of the fair value of his or her shares if the amendment materially and adversely affects rights in respect of a dissenter’s shares because it does any of the following:
(a) Alters or abolishes a preferential right of the shares.
(b) Creates, alters or abolishes a right in respect of redemption, including a provision respecting a sinking fund for the redemption or repurchase, of the shares.
(c) Alters or abolishes a preemptive right of the holder of shares to acquire shares or other securities.
(d) Excludes or limits the right of the shares to vote on any matter or to cumulate votes, other than a limitation by dilution through issuance of shares or other securities with similar voting rights.
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(e) Reduces the number of shares owned by the shareholder or beneficial shareholder to a fraction of a share if the fractional share so created is to be acquired for cash under s. 221.0506.
(3) Rights of dissenter. A shareholder or beneficial shareholder entitled to dissent and obtain payment for his or her shares under ss. 221.0701 to 221.0718 may not challenge the corporate action creating his or her entitlement unless the action is unlawful or fraudulent with respect to the shareholder, beneficial shareholder or issuer bank.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0707 Dissent by shareholders and beneficial shareholders.
(1) Partial exercise of dissenters’ rights. A shareholder may assert dissenters’ rights as to fewer than all of the shares registered in his or her name only if the shareholder dissents with respect to all shares beneficially owned by any one person and notifies the bank in writing of the name and address of each person on whose behalf he or she asserts dissenters’ rights. The rights of a shareholder, who asserts dissenters’ rights under this subsection as to fewer than all of the shares registered in his or her name, are determined as if the shares as to which he or she dissents and his or her other shares were registered in the names of different shareholders.
(2) Rights of beneficial shareholders. A beneficial shareholder may assert dissenters’ rights as to shares held on his or her behalf only if the beneficial shareholder does all of the following:
(a) Submits to the bank the shareholder’s written consent to the dissent not later than the time that the beneficial shareholder asserts dissenters’ rights.
(b) Submits the consent under par. (a) with respect to all shares of which he or she is the beneficial shareholder.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0708 Notice of dissenters’ rights.
(1) Action at shareholder meeting. If proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under s. 221.0706 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders’ meeting, the meeting notice shall state that shareholders and beneficial shareholders are or may be entitled to assert dissenters’ rights under ss. 221.0701 to 221.0718 and shall be accompanied by a copy of those sections.
(2) Action without shareholder vote. If corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under s. 221.0706 is authorized without a vote of shareholders, the bank shall notify, in writing and in accordance with s. 221.0103, all shareholders entitled to assert dissenters’ rights that the action was authorized and send them the dissenters’ notice described in s. 221.0710.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0709 Notice of intent to demand payment.
(1) Method of asserting dissenters’ rights. If proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under s. 221.0706 is submitted to a vote at a shareholders’ meeting, a shareholder or beneficial shareholder who wishes to assert dissenters’ rights shall do all of the following:
(a) Deliver to the issuer bank before the vote is taken written notice that complies with s. 221.0103 of the shareholder’s or beneficial shareholder’s intent to demand payment for his or her shares if the proposed action is effectuated.
(b) Refrain from voting his or her shares in favor of the proposed action.
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(2) Failure to comply. A shareholder or beneficial shareholder who fails to comply with sub. (1) is not entitled to payment for his or her shares under ss. 221.0701 to 221.0718.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0710 Dissenters’ notice.
(1) When required. If a proposed corporate action creating dissenters’ rights under s. 221.0706 is authorized at a shareholders’ meeting, the bank shall deliver a written dissenters’ notice to all shareholders and beneficial shareholders who satisfied s. 221.0709 (1).
(2) Timing and content of notice. The dissenters’ notice shall be sent no later than 10 days after the corporate action is authorized at a shareholders’ meeting or without a vote of shareholders, whichever is applicable, and all necessary regulatory approvals are obtained. The dissenters’ notice shall comply with s. 221.0103 and shall include or have attached all of the following:
(a) A statement indicating where the shareholder or beneficial shareholder must send the payment demand and where and when certificates for certificated shares must be deposited.
(b) For holders of uncertificated shares, an explanation of the extent to which transfer of the shares will be restricted after the payment demand is received.
(c) A form for demanding payment that includes the date of the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action and that requires the shareholder or beneficial shareholder asserting dissenters’ rights to certify whether he or she acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before that date.
(d) A date by which the bank must receive the payment demand, which may not be fewer than 30 days nor more than 60 days after the date on which the dissenters’ notice is delivered.
(e) A copy of ss. 221.0701 to 221.0718.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0711 Duty to demand payment.
(1) Manner of demanding payment. A shareholder or beneficial shareholder who is sent a dissenters’ notice described in s. 221.0710, or a beneficial shareholder whose shares are held by a nominee who is sent a dissenters’ notice described in s. 221.0710, must demand payment in writing and certify whether he or she acquired beneficial ownership of the shares before the date specified in the dissenters’ notice under s. 221.0710 (2) (c). A shareholder or beneficial shareholder with certificated shares must also deposit his or her certificates in accordance with the terms of the notice.
(2) Effect of demand on holders of certificated shares.
A shareholder or beneficial shareholder with certificated shares who demands payment and deposits his or her share certificates under sub. (1) retains all other rights of a shareholder or beneficial shareholder until these rights are canceled or modified by the effectuation of the corporate action.
(3) Effect of failure to demand. A shareholder or beneficial shareholder with certificated or uncertificated shares who does not demand payment by the date set in the dissenters’ notice, or a shareholder or beneficial shareholder with certificated shares who does not deposit his or her share certificates where required and by the date set in the dissenters’ notice, is not entitled to payment for his or her shares under ss. 221.0701 to 221.0718.
History: 1995 a. 336.
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221.0712 Restriction on uncertificated shares.
(1) When transfer restrictions permitted. The issuer bank may restrict the transfer of uncertificated shares from the date that the demand for payment for those shares is received until the corporate action is effectuated or the restrictions released under s. 221.0714.
(2) Effect of demand on holders of uncertificated shares. The shareholder or beneficial shareholder who asserts dissenters’ rights as to uncertificated shares retains all of the rights of a shareholder or beneficial shareholder, other than those restricted under sub. (1), until these rights are canceled or modified by the effectuation of the corporate action.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0713 Payment.
(1) When payment made. Except as provided in s. 221.0715, as soon as the corporate action is effectuated or upon receipt of a payment demand, whichever is later, the bank shall pay each shareholder or beneficial shareholder who has complied with s. 221.0711 the amount that the bank estimates to be the fair value of his or her shares, plus accrued interest.
(2) Material to accompany payment. The payment shall be accompanied by all of the following:
(a) The bank’s latest available financial statements, including a balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal year ending not more than 16 months before the date of payment, an income statement for that year, a statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for that year and the latest available interim financial statements, if any.
(b) A statement of the bank’s estimate of the fair value of the shares.
(c) An explanation of how the interest was calculated.
(d) A statement of the dissenter’s right to demand payment under s. 221.0716 if the dissenter is dissatisfied with the payment.
(e) A copy of ss. 221.0701 to 221.0718.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0714 Failure to take action.
(1) Action not taken.
If an issuer bank does not effectuate the corporate action within 60 days after the date set under s. 221.0710 for demanding payment, the issuer bank shall return the deposited certificates and release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares.
(2) Action taken at a later date. If, after returning deposited certificates and releasing transfer restrictions, the issuer bank effectuates the corporate action, the bank shall deliver a new dissenters’ notice under s. 221.0710 and repeat the payment demand procedure.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0715 After-acquired shares.
(1) Withholding for after-acquired shares. A bank may elect to withhold payment required by s. 221.0713 from a dissenter unless the dissenter was the beneficial owner of the shares before the date specified in the dissenters’ notice
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under s. 221.0710 (2) (c) as the date of the first announcement to news media or to shareholders of the terms of the proposed corporate action.
(2) Payment. To the extent that the bank elects to withhold payment under sub. (1) after effectuating the corporate action, the bank shall estimate the fair value of the shares, plus accrued interest, and shall pay this amount to each dissenter who agrees to accept it in full satisfaction of his or her demand. The bank shall send with its offer a statement of its estimate of the fair value of the shares, an explanation of how the interest was calculated, and a statement of the dissenter’s right to demand payment under s. 221.0716 if the dissenter is dissatisfied with the offer.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0716 Procedure if dissenter is dissatisfied with payment or offer.
(1) Rights of dissenter. A dissenter may, in the manner provided in sub. (2), notify the bank of the dissenter’s estimate of the fair value of his or her shares and the amount of interest due, and demand payment of his or her estimate, less any payment received under s. 221.0713, or reject the offer under s. 221.0715 and demand payment of the fair value of his or her shares and interest due, if any of the following applies:
(a) The dissenter believes that the amount paid under s. 221.0713 or offered under s. 221.0715 is less than the fair value of his or her shares or that the interest due is incorrectly calculated.
(b) The bank fails to make payment under s. 221.0715 within 60 days after the date set under s. 221.0710 for demanding payment.
(c) The issuer bank, having failed to effectuate the corporate action, does not return the deposited certificates or release the transfer restrictions imposed on uncertificated shares within 60 days after the date set under s. 221.0710 for demanding payment.
(2) Waiver of rights. A dissenter waives his or her right to demand payment under this section unless the dissenter notifies the bank of his or her demand under sub. (1) in writing within 30 days after the bank makes or offers payment for his or her shares. The notice shall comply with s. 221.0103.
History: 1995 a. 336.
221.0717 Court action.
(1) When special proceeding required. If a demand for payment under s. 221.0716 remains unsettled, the bank shall bring a special proceeding within 60 days after receiving the payment demand under s. 221.0716 and petition the court to determine the fair value of the shares and accrued interest. If the bank does not bring the special proceeding within the 60-day period, it shall pay each dissenter whose demand remains unsettled the amount demanded.
(2) Where proceeding to be brought. The bank shall bring the special proceeding in the circuit court for the county where its principal office or, if none in this state, its registered office is located. If the bank is a foreign bank without a registered office in this state, it shall bring the special proceeding in the county in this state in which was located the registered office of the issuer bank that merged with or whose shares were acquired by the foreign bank.
(3) Parties to the proceeding. The bank shall make all dissenters, whether or not residents of this state, whose demands remain unsettled parties to the special proceeding. Each party to the special proceeding shall be served with a copy of the petition as provided in s. 801.14.
(4) Jurisdiction. The jurisdiction of the court in which the special proceeding is brought under sub. (2) is plenary and exclusive. The court may appoint one or more persons as appraisers to receive evidence and recommend a decision on the question of fair value. An appraiser has the power described in the order appointing him or her or in any amendment to the order. The dissenters are entitled to the same discovery rights as parties in other civil proceedings.
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(5) Judgments. Each dissenter made a party to the special proceeding is entitled to judgment for any of the following:
(a) The amount, if any, by which the court finds the fair value of his or her shares, plus interest, exceeds the amount paid by the bank.
(b) The fair value, plus accrued interest, of his or her shares acquired on or after the date specified in the dissenters’ notice under s. 221.0710 (2) (c), for which the bank elected to withhold payment under s. 221.0715.
History: 1995 a. 336; 1999 a. 83.
221.0718 Court costs and counsel fees.
(1) Assessment of and liability for costs.
(a) Notwithstanding ss. 814.01 to 814.04, the court in a special proceeding brought under s. 221.0717 shall determine all costs of the proceeding, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of appraisers appointed by the court and shall assess the costs against the bank, except as provided in par. (b).
(b) Notwithstanding ss. 814.01 and 814.04, the court may assess costs against all or some of the dissenters, in amounts that the court finds to be equitable, to the extent that the court finds the dissenters acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith in demanding payment under s. 221.0716.
(2) When liable for fees and costs. The parties shall bear their own expenses of the proceeding, except that, notwithstanding ss. 814.01 to 814.04, the court may also assess the fees and expenses of counsel and experts for the respective parties, in amounts that the court finds to be equitable, as follows:
(a) Against the bank and in favor of any dissenter if the court finds that the bank did not substantially comply with ss. 221.0708 to 221.0716.
(b) Against the bank or against a dissenter, in favor of any other party, if the court finds that the party against whom the fees and expenses are assessed acted arbitrarily, vexatiously or not in good faith with respect to the rights provided by this chapter.
(3) Payment of counsel and experts from recovery. Notwithstanding ss. 814.01 to 814.04, if the court finds that the services of counsel and experts for any dissenter were of substantial benefit to other dissenters similarly situated, the court may award to these counsel and experts reasonable fees to be paid out of the amounts awarded the dissenters who were benefited.
History: 1995 a. 336.
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EXHIBIT F
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
OF BOSP BANCSHARES, INC.
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION – STOCK FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION
Executed by the undersigned for the purpose of forming a Wisconsin for-profit corporation under Ch.180 of the Wisconsin Statutes:
Article 1. Name of corporation: BOSP Bancshares, Inc.
Article 2. The corporation is organized under Ch. 180 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Article 3. The corporation shall be authorized to issue 1,200,000 shares.
Article 4. Name of the initial registered agent: Alice Hensen.
Article 5. Street address of the initial registered office: 228 E. Main St., P.O. Box 29, Sun Prairie, WI 53590.
Article 6. Other provisions (OPTIONAL):
See additional provisions of Article 6 attached to and made part of these Articles.
Article 7. Name and complete address of each incorporator:
| | |
John E. Knight | | |
Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP | | |
P.O. Box 927 | | |
Madison, Wisconsin 53701-0927 | | |
| | |
| | /s/ John E. Knight |
| | (Incorporator Signature) |
| | |
| | This document was drafted by John E. Knight. |
OPTIONAL – Second choice corporate name if first choice is not available: N/A
DFI CORP FILE ID NO. ______________
Document stamped Received __________, ____ p.m. by State of Wisconsin, Department of Financial Institutions.
Document stamped Filed _____, by State of Wisconsin, Department of Financial Institutions.
BOSP BANCSHARES, INC.
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
Article 6. (Continued):
A. Board of Directors. The names and addresses of the persons who are to serve as directors until the first annual meeting of the shareholders or until their successors are elected and shall qualify are:
| | |
Glenn S. Fenske | | Alice B. Hensen |
1316 Woodgrove Way | | 301 Cannery Square #201 |
Sun Prairie, WI 53590-4326 | | Sun Prairie, WI 53590-2975 |
| | |
Thomas F. Howe | | August J. List |
333 Mac Arthur Street | | 1837 Barrington Drive |
Sun Prairie, WI 53590-1543 | | Sun Prairie, WI 53590-3503 |
| | |
David P. Simon | | Thomas M. Tubbs |
18 Vinje Court | | 108 W. Goodland Street |
Madsion, WI 53716-1887 | | Sun Prairie, WI 53590-1431 |
| | |
W. John Yelk | | |
166 Dewey Street | | |
Sun Prairie, WI 53590-2322 | | |
B. Transfer Restrictions.
1. General Transfer Prohibition. No shareholder may gift, sell, pledge, assign, hypothecate, alienate, encumber, dispose of or otherwise transfer shares of the Corporation’s capital stock (“Stock”) to any person or entity, whether voluntary or by operation of law (collectively, a “transfer”), except as otherwise permitted in this Article 6B.
2. Permitted Transfers. A shareholder or, in the event of the death of a shareholder, the representative of the shareholder’s estate or any trust that owned the shares for the benefit of the shareholder at the time of the shareholder’s death (collectively, the “Shareholder’s Estate”) may transfer the shareholder’s interest in any or all of the shareholder’s shares of Stock to the shareholder’s spouse or children, including stepchildren, or any lineal descendent thereof, his or her parents, and his or her siblings and their spouses and their children or between a shareholder and a trust or similar entity whose sole beneficiaries are such persons described above, or to the Corporation or its successors, provided that such transferee shall receive and hold the shares subject to the provisions and restrictions of this Article 6B.
3. Pledges. A shareholder may pledge shares of Stock only if no transfer of title shall be or could be made to such pledgee at that time or in the future, no voting rights shall be transferred to such pledgee at that time or any time in the future, and prior written consent to such pledge shall be obtained from the Corporation; provided that in the event the pledgor-shareholder defaults upon the obligation to the pledgee, the occurrence of such event of default shall be deemed a transfer (as defined in Article 6B. 1), and the Corporation shall have the redemption rights set forth in Article 6B. 8 with respect to the shares subject to such transfer.
4. Sales to Third Parties. If a shareholder desires to sell all or a portion of the shareholder’s shares of Stock (i) to the Corporation or (ii) to any party other than the Corporation, other than in a transfer permitted by Article 6B. 2, the shareholder (the “Selling Shareholder”) shall comply with the following procedures:
A. Notice of Transfer. The Selling Shareholder shall first have provided written notice (“Sale Notice”) to the Corporation of the proposed sale, setting forth (i) in the case of a proposed sale directly to the Corporation, the number of shares subject to the offer, and the date on or about which the Selling Shareholder desires the sale to be made, and (ii) in the case of a proposed sale to a party other than the Corporation, all of the terms of the proposed sale including, without limitation, the name and address of the prospective purchaser, the purchase price and other terms and conditions of payment, the date on or about which the sale is to be made, the number of shares subject to the offer and also shall provide a copy of the prospective purchaser’s written offer to purchase. Notwithstanding delivery of the Sale Notice, a sale to any party other than the Corporation pursuant to this Article 6B. 4 may only be made if the proposed sale is pursuant to a bona fide written offer involving all cash consideration generated through arm’s length negotiations.
B. Corporation Option. The Corporation shall have the first right to purchase all, but not less than all, of the shares proposed to be sold (the “Offered Shares”) on the terms and conditions set forth in Article 6B. 5. Within 30 days after receipt of the Sale Notice, the Board of Directors shall determine whether or not the Corporation shall exercise its purchase rights; provided that the appropriate officer of the Corporation may exercise the Corporation’s purchase rights within such 30 day period without a Board resolution as long as such exercise is consistent with a previously approved Board policy. Within 30 days after receipt of the Sale Notice, the Corporation shall deliver to the Selling Shareholder in writing, as applicable (i) a notice of its election to purchase 100% of the Offered Shares (“Acceptance Notice”); or (ii) a notice of its election not to purchase the Offered Shares (a “Non-Exercise Notice”).
C. Transfer Permitted to Third Party. In the case of a proposed sale to a purchaser other than the Corporation pursuant to this Article 6B. 4, if the Corporation does not purchase in the aggregate 100% of the Offered Shares identified in the Sale Notice, all, but not less than all, shares identified in the Sale Notice may be sold to the proposed purchaser at no less than the offered price for a period of 30 days after delivery of the Non-Exercise Notice; and that such purchaser shall receive and hold the shares subject to the provisions and restrictions in this Article 6B. If the shares are not sold within such time, the provisions of this Article 6B. 4 shall reattach to the Offered Shares as though the Selling Shareholder had never utilized the above procedures.
5. Terms and Conditions of Sale. Subject to Article 6B. 9, if the Corporation elects to acquire the shares pursuant to Article 6B. 4, the Corporation shall be obligated to consummate its election to purchase the Offered Shares pursuant to such election no later than 90 days following receipt of a properly presented Sale Notice. The price to acquire each share shall be, as applicable (i) in the case of a proposed sale directly to the Corporation, the price mutually agreed upon in writing by the Selling Shareholder and the Corporation; and (ii) in the case of a proposed sale to a party other than the Corporation, the price established by the proposed purchaser set forth in the Sale Notice.
6. Transfer not in Compliance.
A. Attempted Non-Compliant Transfer. In the event of any attempted share transfer (whether voluntary or involuntary) not in compliance with this Article 6B, the attempted transfer shall be invalid, given no effect, and the Corporation shall refuse to recognize such transfer and decline (i) to give effect to such attempted transfer for any purpose, and (ii) to register the shares in the stock transfer book of the Corporation in the name of the purported transferee or to otherwise reflect the transfer of any right, title or interest in the shares from the registered shareholder to any such purported transferee, and shall have the redemption rights provided in Article 6B. 8.
B. Absence of Voting Rights. No individual, trust, partnership, corporation, or other entity shall be entitled to vote with respect to any invalidly transferred share of Stock, regardless of physical custody or other purported claim or ownership. No individual or entity may vote with respect to any share except to the extent the shares in question were (i) initially issued or subsequently validly transferred to such individual or entity pursuant to this Article 6B, and (ii) the shares are properly registered to such individual or entity in the stock transfer
books of the Corporation on the applicable record date for establishing ownership of shares for the purpose of determining the right to vote with respect to the matter or matters at issue.
7. Prohibited Transfers. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article 6B, no transfer of Stock shall be permitted which would have the effect of causing the Corporation to register shares of the Corporation’s Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder (a “Prohibited Transfer”).
8. Redemption. In the event that a shareholder or, as applicable, a Shareholder’s Estate, as determined by the Corporation in its sole discretion, fails to take any action, the effect of which is or could be to cause a Prohibited Transfer or transfers or attempts to transfer shares in violation of this Article 6B, the Corporation shall have the right to redeem all, but not less than all, of the shares of Stock held by the shareholder on the terms and conditions provided in this Article 6B. 8. For purposes of this Article 6B. 8, “shareholder” shall include, as applicable, a Shareholder’s Estate.
Upon the exercise of its redemption right, as provided in this Article 6B. 8, the Corporation shall give written notice of the redemption to the shareholder. A copy of the notice shall be delivered to the shareholder not less than 30 days prior to the date fixed for such redemption at its address appearing on the books of the Corporation. From and after the date fixed in the notice as the redemption date, all rights of the shareholder with respect to the shares subject to the redemption notice (except the right to receive payment of the redemption price) shall cease and terminate. The notice of redemption shall state the payment date of the redemption price by the Corporation to the shareholder, which date shall be immediately after the redemption date and delivery of the stock certificates endorsed by the shareholder to the Corporation and execution by Corporation and the shareholder of a stock purchase agreement for the shares, which agreement shall include standard warranties and representations by the shareholder regarding the shares satisfactory to the Corporation, or such later date as the shareholder may request and is agreeable to the Corporation.
Subject to Article 6B. 9, on the payment date, Corporation shall make payment to the shareholder of cash or immediately available funds of the fair market value of the shares. The fair market value shall be any value mutually agreed upon by the shareholder and the Corporation within fifteen (15) days after delivery of the redemption notice to the shareholder, otherwise shall be the fair market value of the shares to be redeemed as determined in the most recent valuation of the Stock determined by a qualified independent appraiser engaged by the Corporation, provided that such valuation has occurred within twelve (12) months of the redemption date. For example, if the Corporation has independently engaged a qualified independent appraiser to provide one or more valuations of the Stock within the twelve (12) month period, the most recent valuation shall be used. If no valuation has occurred within twelve (12) months of the redemption date, the purchase price shall be the fair market value of the shares to be redeemed as determined by a qualified independent appraiser selected by the Corporation and with the cost of such appraisal to be borne by the Corporation. The shareholder shall not have the right to require the Corporation to redeem all or part of the shares of Stock held by the shareholder.
9. Regulatory Approval for Transfer. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 6B to the contrary: (i) closing on any transfer of Stock made pursuant to this Article 6B by the Corporation is contingent upon receipt by the Corporation of all necessary regulatory approvals for such sale; (ii) closing for any such transfer will be delayed as needed by the Corporation to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals and for the expiration of all waiting periods relating to such regulatory approvals; and (iii) the Corporation shall be under no obligation to consummate any transfer for which regulatory approval has not been received.
Any attempted or purported transfer of any shares of Stock by a shareholder in violation of this Article 6B of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation shall be null, void and ineffectual, and shall not operate to transfer any right, title or interest whatsoever in or to such shares of the Stock and shall not be entered upon the stock records books of the Corporation.
10. Stock Certificates. Each certificate representing shares of the Stock shall have endorsed thereon a legend in substantially the following form:
|
Transfer of the shares represented by this certificate, and certain other actions, are restricted by, and subject to, the terms and conditions contained in Article 6B of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. A copy of the Articles of Incorporation is on file with the President of the Corporation. |
11. Amendment. The provisions of this Article 6B may not be amended, altered or repealed except by the affirmative vote of holders of at least seventy five percent (75%) of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders if notice of the proposed amendment, alteration or repeal be contained in the notice of meeting.
C. Preemptive Rights. The Corporation elects to have preemptive rights.
BYLAWS OF BOSP BANCSHARES, INC.
ARTICLE I. OFFICES
The principal office of the Corporation shall be located in Sun Prairie, Dane County, Wisconsin.
ARTICLE II. SHAREHOLDERS
SECTION l. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the Shareholders shall be held in the City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall each year fix for the purposes of electing Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting. If the election of Directors is not held on the day designated for any annual meeting of the Shareholders, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the Shareholders as soon thereafter as may be convenient.
SECTION 2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Shareholders, for any purpose, unless otherwise prescribed by statute, may be called by the President or the Board of Directors, and shall be called by the President at the request of Shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than ten percent (10%) of all the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, provided that such Shareholders deliver a signed and dated written demand to the Corporation, describing the purpose(s) for which the meeting is to be held.
SECTION 3. Place of Meeting. The President may designate any place in the City of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, as the place of meeting for any annual meeting or for any special meeting called by the Board of Directors. If no designation is made, or if a special meeting is otherwise called, the place of meeting shall be the principal office of the Corporation in the State of Wisconsin. Any meeting may be adjourned to reconvene at any place designated by vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting.
SECTION 4. Notice of Meeting. Written notice stating the place, day and hour of the meeting, and, in case of a special meeting, the purpose for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered not less than ten (10) days (unless a longer period is required by law) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the President or the Secretary, to each Shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If mailed, the notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail, addressed to the Shareholder at his or her address as it appears on the stock record books of the Corporation, postage prepaid.
SECTION 5. Quorum; Manner of Acting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Shareholders and a majority of votes cast at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be decisive of any motion, except that each Director shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote. Though less than a quorum of the outstanding shares are represented at a meeting, a majority of the shares so represented may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting.
SECTION 6. Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing of Record Date. For the purpose of determining Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of Shareholders or any adjournment thereof, or Shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of Shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board of Directors may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not to exceed, in any case, sixty (60) days. If the stock transfer books shall be closed for the purpose of determining Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Shareholders, such books shall be closed for at least ten (10) days immediately preceding such meeting. In lieu of closing the stock transfer books, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a date as the record date for any such determination of Shareholders, such
date in any case to be not more than sixty (60) days and, in case of a meeting of Shareholders, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date on which the particular action, requiring such determination of Shareholders, is to be taken. If the stock transfer books are not closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Shareholders, or Shareholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend, the close of business on the date next preceding the date on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the Board of Directors declaring such dividend is adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Shareholders. When a determination of Shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of Shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall be applied to any adjournment thereof except where the determination has been made through the closing of the stock transfer books and the stated period of closing has expired.
SECTION 7. Proxies. At all meetings of Shareholders, a Shareholder entitled to vote may vote by proxy appointed in writing by the Shareholder or by his or her duly authorized attorney in fact. Proxies shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No proxy shall be valid after eleven (11) months from the date of its execution, unless otherwise provided in the proxy. A proxy may be revoked at any time before it is voted, either by written notice filed with the Secretary of the Corporation or the acting secretary of the meeting, or by oral notice given by the Shareholder to the presiding officer during the meeting. The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make rules establishing presumptions as to the validity and sufficiency of proxies. Proxies may be subject to the examination by any Shareholder at the meeting, and all proxies shall be filed and preserved.
SECTION 8. Voting of Shares. Each outstanding share entitled to vote shall be entitled to one (l) vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of Shareholders, except to the extent that the voting rights of the shares of any class or classes are limited or denied by the Articles of Incorporation.
SECTION 9. Voting of Shares by Certain Shareholders. Shares standing in the name of another corporation may be voted either in person or by proxy, by the president of such corporation or any other officer appointed by such president. A proxy executed by any principal officer of such other corporation or assistant thereto shall be conclusive evidence of the signer’s authority to act, in the absence of express notice to this Corporation, given in writing to the Secretary of this Corporation, of the designation of some other person by the board of directors or the bylaws of such other corporation. A Shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares until the shares have been transferred into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.
SECTION 10. Waiver of Notice by Shareholders. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any Shareholder of the Corporation under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or any provision of law, a waiver of such notice, in writing, signed at any time (whether before or after the time of meeting) by the Shareholder entitled to such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. A waiver with respect to any matter of which notice is required under any provision of Chapter 180, Wisconsin Statutes, shall contain the same information as would have been required to be included in the notice, except the time and place of meeting.
ARTICLE III. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION l. General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors.
SECTION 2. Number of Directors. The number of Directors shall be seven (7) until otherwise determined by resolution adopted annually by the Shareholders at the annual meeting of Shareholders.
SECTION 3. Election and Term. The Directors shall be elected by the Shareholders at the annual meeting of Shareholders. The persons receiving the greatest number of votes, up to the number of Directors then to be elected, shall be the persons elected. Each Director shall hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and until his or her successor has been elected or until his or her death, resignation or removal in the manner provided in this Article.
SECTION 4. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors may provide, by resolution, the time and place, either within or without the State of Wisconsin, for the holding of regular meetings of the Board of Directors without other notice than such resolution.
SECTION 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time by or at the request of the President, and shall be called at the request of four or more directors. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may fix any place, either within or without the State of Wisconsin, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them.
SECTION 6. Notice. Notice of any special meeting shall be given at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the meeting by written notice delivered personally or mailed to each Director at his or her business address, or by facsimile or other electronic means. If mailed, the notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed with postage prepaid. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any Director of the Corporation under the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws or any provision of law, a waiver of such notice, in writing, signed at any time (whether before or after the time of meeting) by the Director entitled to such notice, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. The attendance of a Director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting, except where a Director attends a meeting and at the meeting objects to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.
SECTION 7. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a majority of the number of Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, but a majority of the Directors present (though less than such quorum) may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice.
SECTION 8. Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone. Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee of the Board, may participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference telephone or similar communication equipment by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. All participating Directors shall be informed that a meeting is taking place at which official business may be transacted by conference telephone or similar communication equipment.
SECTION 9. Manner of Acting. The act of the majority of the Directors then in office shall be the act of the Board of Directors, unless the act of a greater number is required by law, the Articles of Incorporation, or these Bylaws.
SECTION 10. Removal and Resignation. Any Director may be removed, with or without cause, at any meeting of the Shareholders by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote for the election of such Director, taken at a special meeting of Shareholders called for that purpose. A Director may resign at any time by filing his or her written resignation with the Secretary of Corporation.
SECTION 11. Vacancies. If the office of any Director becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause, a majority of the Directors remaining in office, although less than a quorum, may elect a successor for the unexpired term and until his or her successor is elected and qualified.
SECTION 12. Compensation. The Board of Directors, irrespective of any personal interest of any of its members, may establish reasonable compensation of all Directors for services to the Corporation as Directors, officers or otherwise, or may delegate such authority to an appropriate committee. The Board of Directors also shall have authority to provide for, or to delegate authority to, an appropriate committee to provide for reasonable pensions, disability or death benefits, and other benefits or payments, to Directors, officers and employees and to their estates, families, dependents, or beneficiaries on account of prior services rendered to the Corporation.
SECTION 13. Presumption of Assent. A Director of the Corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be presumed to have assented to the action taken unless the dissent or abstention of the Director shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless the Director shall file a written dissent to such action with the person acting as the Secretary of the meeting before adjournment or shall forward such dissent by certified mail to the Secretary of the Corporation immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall not apply to a Director who voted in favor of such action.
SECTION 14. Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of three or more Directors elected by the Board of Directors, which to the extent provided in said resolution shall have and may exercise, when the Board of Directors is not in session, the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, except action in respect to dividends to Shareholders, election of the principal officers, action under or pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation, amendment, alteration or repeal of these Bylaws, or the removal or filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors or committees created pursuant to this section. The Board of Directors may elect one or more of its members as alternate members of any such committee who may take the place of any absent member or members at any meeting of such committee, upon request by the President or upon request by the chairman of such meeting. Each such committee shall fix its own rules governing the conduct of its activities and shall make such reports to the Board of Directors of its activities as the Board of Directors may request.
SECTION 15. Informal Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted by the Articles of Incorporation, these Bylaws, or any provision of law to be taken by the Board of Directors at a meeting or by resolution may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all of the Directors then in office.
ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS
SECTION l. Number, Election and Term of Office. The principal Officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board, a President, one (1) or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each of whom shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The appointment of a Chairman of the Board and a Treasurer shall be optional with the Board of Directors. The President may appoint one (1) or more officers or assistant officers except as provided above. Each Officer shall hold office until the next annual meeting of Shareholders and his or her successor shall have been duly elected or until his or her death or until he or she resigns or is removed in the manner provided below.
SECTION 2. Removal. Any Officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or by the Officer who appointed that Officer notwithstanding the contract rights, if any, of the Officer removed. The appointment of an Officer does not itself create contract rights. Any such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person being removed.
SECTION 3. Vacancies. A vacancy in any principal office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. The Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if one is elected by the Board of Directors, shall preside at all meetings of the Shareholders and the Board of Directors and shall have such other powers and duties as may from time to time be prescribed by these Bylaws or by resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5. President. The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation and, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, shall in general supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Shareholders and of the Board of Directors, unless a Chairman of the Board of Directors shall have been elected in which case the Chairman shall preside. Subject to the control of the Board of Directors, the President shall have general active management of the business
of the Corporation, conform to the orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors, and see that they are carried into effect. The President shall perform all the usual duties incident to the office and shall have such other powers and duties as may from time to time be prescribed by these Bylaws or by resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 6. The Vice President. In the case of the removal of the President from office, or death or resignation, the powers and duties of the office shall devolve upon the Vice President, who shall perform all duties of the office until a meeting of the Directors is held and a President is elected. The Board of Directors shall empower a Vice President to discharge the duties of the President in the event of absence or disability of the President. In general, the Vice President shall perform all duties incident to the office of Vice President, the duties of the office of Treasurer unless a Treasurer shall have been elected by the Board of Directors, and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors and the President from time to time.
SECTION 7. The Secretary. The Secretary shall: (a) keep the minutes of the Shareholders’ and of the Board of Directors’ meetings in one or more books provided for that purpose; (b) see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or as required by law; (c) be custodian of the corporate records; (d) keep a register of the post office address of each Shareholder which shall be furnished to the Secretary by such Shareholder; (e) sign with the President, or Vice President, certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors; (f) have general charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and (g) in general, perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and have such other duties and exercise such authority as from time to time may be designated or assigned to the Secretary by the President or by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 8. The Treasurer. The Treasurer, if one is elected by the Board of Directors, shall: (a) have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation; receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the Corporation from any source whatsoever; and deposit all such monies in the name of the Corporation, in such banks or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of ARTICLE V of these Bylaws; and (b) in general, perform all of the duties incident to the office of Treasurer and have such other duties and exercise such other authority as from time to time may be delegated or assigned to the Treasurer by the President or by the Board of Directors.
SECTION 9. Compensation. The compensation of the Officers shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors and no Officer shall be prevented from receiving such compensation by reason of the fact that he or she is also a Director of the Corporation.
ARTICLE V. CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS
SECTION l. Contracts. The Board of Directors may authorize any Officer or Officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 2. Loans. No loans may be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no evidences of indebtedness may be issued in its name unless authorized by or under the authority of a resolution of the Board of Directors. Such authorization may be general or confined to specific instances.
SECTION 3. Checks, Drafts, Etc. All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation shall be signed by such Officer or Officers, agent or agents of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by or under the authority of a resolution of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 4. Deposits. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies, or other depositories as may be selected by or under the authority of the Board of Directors.
SECTION 5. Voting of Securities Owned by this Corporation. Subject always to the specific directions of the Board of Directors, (a) any shares or other securities issued by any other corporation and owned or controlled by this Corporation may be voted at any meeting of security holders of such other corporation by the President of this Corporation if he or she be present, or, in his or her absence, by the Vice President of this Corporation, and (b) whenever, in the judgment of the President, or in his or her absence, the Vice President, it is desirable for this Corporation to execute a proxy or written consent in respect to any shares or other securities issued by any other corporation and owned by this Corporation, such proxy or consent shall be executed in the name of this Corporation by the President or Vice President of this Corporation, without necessity of any authorization by the Board of Directors, affixation of corporate seal or countersignature or attestation by another officer. Any person or persons designated in the manner above stated as the proxy or proxies of this Corporation shall have full right, power, and authority to vote the shares or other securities issued by such other corporation and owned by this Corporation the same as such shares or other securities might be voted by this Corporation.
ARTICLE VI. CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES AND THEIR TRANSFER
SECTION l. Certificates for Shares. Certificates representing shares of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Each certificate shall be signed by the President and by the Secretary. All certificates for shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified. The name and address of the person to whom the shares represented thereby are issued, with the number of shares and date of issue, shall be entered on the stock transfer books of the Corporation. All certificates surrendered to the Corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new certificates shall be issued until the former certificates for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and canceled, except that in case of a lost, destroyed, or mutilated certificate a new one may be issued therefor upon such terms and indemnity to the Corporation as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
SECTION 2. Transfer of Shares. Transfer of shares of the Corporation shall be made only on the stock transfer books of the Corporation by the holder of record or by his or her legal representative, who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by the holder’s attorney authorized by power of attorney duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, and on surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares. The person in whose name shares stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed by the Corporation to be the owner thereof for all purposes.
SECTION 3. Restriction Upon Transfer. The face or reverse side of each certificate representing shares shall bear a conspicuous notation of any restriction imposed by the Corporation upon the transfer of such shares.
SECTION 4. Lost, Destroyed or Stolen Certificates. Where the owner claims that his or her certificate for shares has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, a new certificate shall be issued in place thereof if the owner (a) so requests before the Corporation has notice that such shares have been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, (b) files with the Corporation a sufficient indemnity bond, if required by the Corporation, and (c) satisfies such other reasonable requirements as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
SECTION 5. Consideration for Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be issued for such consideration as shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors. The consideration to be paid for shares may be paid in whole or in part in money, or in labor or services actually performed for the Corporation. When payment of the consideration for which shares are to be issued shall have been received by the Corporation, such shares shall be deemed to be fully paid and nonassessable by the Corporation, except as required by law. No certificate shall be issued for any share until such share is fully paid.
SECTION 6. Stock Regulations. The Board of Directors shall have the power and authority to make all such further rules and regulations not inconsistent with the statutes of the State of Wisconsin as it may deem expedient concerning the issue, transfer and registration of certificates representing shares of the Corporation.
ARTICLE VII. LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION OF
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS; INSURANCE
SECTION 1. Liability of Directors. No Director shall be liable to the Corporation, its Shareholders, or any person asserting rights on behalf of the Corporation or its Shareholders, for damages, settlements, fees, fines, penalties, or other monetary liabilities arising from a breach of, or a failure to perform, any duty resulting solely from his or her status as a Director of the Corporation (or from his or her status as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member of any governing or decision-making committee, employee or agent of another corporation or foreign corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service to an employee benefit plan, which capacity the Director is or was serving in at the Corporation’s request while a Director of the Corporation) to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the Corporation to further limit or eliminate the liability of a Director than the law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment); provided, however, that this limitation on liability shall not apply where the breach or failure to perform constitutes (a) a willful failure to deal fairly with the Corporation or its Shareholders in connection with a matter in which the Director has a material conflict of interest; (b) a violation of criminal law, unless the Director had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was lawful or no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; (c) a transaction from which the Director derived an improper personal benefit; or (d) willful misconduct.
SECTION 2. Liability of Officers. No Officer shall be liable to the Corporation for any loss or damage suffered by it on account of any action taken or omitted to be taken by him or her as an officer of the Corporation (or as an officer, director, partner, trustee, member of any governing or decision-making committee, employee or agent of another corporation or foreign corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service to an employee benefit plan, which capacity the Officer is or was serving in at the Corporation’s request while being an Officer of the Corporation) in good faith, if such person (a) exercised and used the same degree of care and skill as a prudent person would have exercised or used under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs, or (b) took or omitted to take such action in reliance upon information, opinions, reports or statements prepared or presented by: (1) an officer or employee of the Corporation whom the officer believed in good faith to be reliable and competent in the matters presented, or (2) legal counsel, public accountants and other persons as to matters the officer believed in good faith were within the person’s professional or expert competence.
SECTION 3. Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Agents.
(a) Right of Directors and Officers to Indemnification. Any person shall be indemnified and held harmless to the fullest extent permitted by law, as the same may exist or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than the law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), from and against all reasonable expenses (including fees, costs, charges, disbursements, attorney fees and any other expenses) and liability (including the obligation to pay a judgment, settlement, penalty, assessment, forfeiture or fine, including an excise tax assessed with respect to an employee benefit plan) asserted against, incurred by or imposed on him or her in connection with any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (“proceeding”) to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her being or having been a Director or Officer of the Corporation (or by reason of, while serving as a Director or Officer of the Corporation, having served at the Corporation’s request as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member of any governing or decision-making committee, employee or agent of another corporation or foreign corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service to an employee benefit plan); provided, however, in situations other than a successful defense of a proceeding, the Director or Officer shall not be indemnified where he or she breached or failed to perform a duty to the Corporation and the breach or failure to perform constitutes (a) a willful failure to deal fairly with the Corporation or its Shareholders in connection with the matter in which the Director or Officer has a material conflict of interest; (b) a violation of criminal law, unless the Director or Officer had reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was lawful or no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful; (c) a transaction from which the Director or Officer derived an improper personal benefit; or (d) willful misconduct. Such rights to indemnification shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation reasonable expenses as incurred in defending such proceeding; provided, however, that payment of
such expenses as incurred shall be made only upon such person delivering to the Corporation (a) a written affirmation of his or her good faith belief that he or she has not breached or failed to perform his or her duties to the Corporation, and (b) a written undertaking, executed personally or on his or her behalf, to repay the allowance to the extent it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification under this provision. The Corporation may require that the undertaking be secured and may require payment of reasonable interest on the allowance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that such person is not entitled to indemnification.
(b) Right of Director or Officer to Bring Suit. If a claim under subsection (a) is not paid in full by the Corporation within 30 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the reasonable expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct under this Section which make it permissible for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation.
(c) Indemnification For Intervention, Etc. The Corporation shall not, however, indemnify a Director or Officer under this Section for any liability incurred in a proceeding otherwise initiated (which shall not be deemed to include counter-claims or affirmative defenses) or participated in as an intervenor by the person seeking indemnification unless such initiation of or participation in the proceeding is authorized, either before or after its commencement, by the affirmative vote of the majority of the Directors in Office.
(d) Right of Employees and Agents to Indemnification. The Corporation by its Board of Directors may on such terms as the Board of Directors deems advisable indemnify and allow reasonable expenses of any employee or agent of the Corporation with respect to any action taken or failed to be taken in his or her capacity as such employee or agent.
SECTION 4. Contract Rights; Amendment or Repeal. All rights under this Article shall be deemed a contract between the Corporation and the Director or Officer pursuant to which the Corporation and the Director or Officer intend to be legally bound. Any repeal, amendment or modification of this Article shall be prospective only as to conduct of a Director or Officer occurring thereafter, and shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing.
SECTION 5. Scope of Article. The rights granted by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a Director, Officer, employee or agent may be entitled under any statute, agreement, vote of Shareholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by or granted pursuant to this Article shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director or Officer in respect to matters arising prior to such time, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators and personal representatives of such a person.
SECTION 6. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is a Director, Officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner, trustee, member of any governing or decision-making committee, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service to an employee benefit plan, against any liability asserted against that person or incurred by that person in any such capacity, or arising out of that person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under this Article.
SECTION 7. Prohibited Indemnification and Insurance. Notwithstanding any other Section in this Article, the Corporation shall not be required to indemnify and may not purchase and maintain insurance if such indemnification or insurance is prohibited under applicable federal law or regulation, but shall indemnify and may purchase and maintain insurance in accordance with this Article to the extent such indemnification and insurance is not prohibited under applicable federal law or regulation.
ARTICLE VIII. TRANSACTIONS WITH
CORPORATION; DISALLOWED EXPENSE
SECTION 1. Transactions with the Corporation. Any contract or other transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its Directors, or between the Corporation and any firm of which one or more of its Directors are members or employees, or in which they are interested, or between the Corporation and any corporation or association of which one or more of its Directors are Shareholders, members, directors, officers, or employees, or in which they are interested, shall be valid for all purposes, notwithstanding the presence of such Director or Directors at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, which acts upon, or in reference to, such contract or transaction, and notwithstanding his or her or their participation in such action, if the fact of such interest shall be disclosed or known to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors shall, nevertheless, authorize, approve and ratify such contract or transaction by a vote of a majority of the Directors present, such interested Director or Directors to be counted in determining whether a quorum is present, but not counted in calculating the majority of such quorum necessary to carry such vote. This Section shall not be construed to invalidate any contract or other transaction which would otherwise be valid under the common and statutory law applicable thereto.
SECTION 2. Reimbursement of Disallowed Expenses. In the event any payment (either as compensation, interest, rent, expense reimbursement or otherwise) to any Officer, Director or Shareholder which is claimed as a deduction by this Corporation for federal income tax purposes shall subsequently be determined not to be deductible in whole or in part by this Corporation, the recipient shall reimburse the Corporation for the amount of the disallowed payment, provided that this provision shall not apply to any expense where the Board, in its sole discretion, determines such disallowance (including any concession of such issue by the Corporation in connection with the settlement of other issues in a disputed case) is manifestly unfair and contrary to the facts. For purposes of this provision, any such payment shall be determined not to be deductible when and only when either (a) the same may have been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction and either the Corporation shall not have appealed from such determination or the time for perfecting an appeal shall have expired or (b) such disallowed deduction shall constitute or be contained in a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service which settlement may have been authorized by the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE IX. FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the 1st day of January and end on the 31st day of December in each year.
ARTICLE X. DIVIDENDS
The Board of Directors may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and its Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE XI. SEAL
The Corporation shall not have a corporate seal, and all formal corporate documents shall carry the designation “No Seal” along with the signature of the Officers.
ARTICLE XII. AMENDMENT
SECTION 1. By Shareholders. These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by the Shareholders by affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote.
SECTION 2. Implied Amendments. Any action taken or authorized by the Shareholders which would be inconsistent with the Bylaws then in effect but is taken or authorized by affirmative vote of not less than the number
of shares required to amend the Bylaws so that the Bylaws would be consistent with such action shall be given the same effect as though the Bylaws had been temporarily amended or suspended so far, but only so far, as is necessary to permit the specific action so taken or authorized.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 20. Indemnification of Officers and Directors.
Sections 180.0850 through 180.0859 of the Wisconsin Statutes permit and in some cases require indemnification of directors, officers, employees, and agents of a Wisconsin corporation. In general, such indemnification is required unless the person violates a duty of loyalty or a duty of care as specifically set forth in the statutes. Section 180.0851, Wis. Stats.
Article VII of the registrant’s bylaws provide for indemnification of officers and directors under terms and conditions that follow the statutory language cited above. A complete copy of the bylaws is included in Exhibit 3 hereto.
Item 21. Exhibits and Financial Statement.
Schedules
(a) Exhibits. The following exhibits are submitted:
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Exhibit No. | Description |
2 | Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (set forth as an exhibit to the Prospectus) |
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3 | Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of BOSP Bancshares, Inc. (set forth as an exhibit to the Prospectus) |
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4 | Specimen stock certificate of BOSP Bancshares, Inc. |
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5 | Opinion of Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP |
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8 | Tax Opinion of Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP (set forth as an exhibit to the Prospectus) |
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23 | Consent of Boardman, Suhr, Curry & Field LLP (included in opinion |
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99 | Form of Proxy for shareholders of Bank of Sun Prairie |
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| (b) | No financial statement schedules are required to be filed with regard to BOSP Bancshares, Inc. or Bank of Sun Prairie. |
Item 22. Undertakings.
(1) The registrant will file, during any period in which it offers or sells securities, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to:
(a) Include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Act”);
(b) Reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or together, represent a fundamental change in the information in the registration statement; and
(c) Include any additional or changed material information on the plan of distribution.
(2) For determining liability under the Act, the registrant will treat each post-effective amendment as a new registration statement of the securities offered, and the offering of the securities at that time to be the initial bona fide offering.
(3) The registrant will file a post-effective amendment to remove from registration any of the securities that remain unsold at the end of the offering.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Act 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 SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against liability arising under the Act (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.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Sun Prairie, State of Wisconsin, on the 2nd day of January, 2008.
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| BOSP Bancshares, Inc. |
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| By: |
| | /s/ Alice Hensen |
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| Alice Hensen, President |
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement was signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 2nd day of January, 2008.
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Signature | | Title(s) |
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|
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/s/ Alice Hensen | | President/Director |
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Alice Hensen | | |
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/s/ Alan Sebranek | | Vice President/Secretary |
| | (principal financial officer and principal accounting |
Alan Sebranek | | officer) |
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/s/ Thomas Tubbs | | Chairman of the Board, Director |
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Thomas Tubbs | | |
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/s/ Glen Fenske | | Director |
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Glen Fenske | | |
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/s/ Thomas Howe | | Director |
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Thomas Howe | | |
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/s/ August List | | Director |
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August List | | |
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/s/ David Simon | | Director |
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David Simon | | |
| | |
/s/ W. John Yelk | | Director |
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W. John Yelk | | |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
BOSP Bancshares, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
E X H I B I T S
INDEX TO EXHIBITS