Exhibit 3.8
BYLAWS
OF
ABS FINANCE CO., INC.
a Delaware corporation
December 27, 2002
BYLAWS
OF
ABS FINANCE CO., INC.
a Delaware corporation
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1.Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation shall be at the office of Corporation Service Company, 2711 Centerville Road, Suite 400, the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.
Section 2.Other Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1.Place of Meeting. Meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place, if any, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be designated by or in the manner provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws or, if not so designated, as determined by the Board of Directors. If pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors is authorized to determine the place of a meeting of stockholders, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead be held solely by means of remote communication, subject to the provisions of Section 211 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 2.Meeting by Remote Communication. If authorized by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board of Directors may adopt, stockholders and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication, participate in a meeting of stockholders and shall be deemed present in person and permitted to vote at such meeting of stockholders whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (i) the corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at such meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder, (ii) the corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders a reasonable opportunity to participate in such meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of such meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (iii) if any stockholder votes or takes other action at such meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the corporation.
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Section 3.Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders of the corporation, for the purpose of election of Directors and for such other business as may lawfully come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.Notice of Annual Meeting. Notice of the annual meeting stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which the stockholder may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.
Section 5.Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders of this corporation, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, shall be called by the President or Secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or holders of at least twenty percent (20%) of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of stock of this corporation then entitled to vote, and may not be called absent such a request. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.
Section 6.Notice of Special Meetings. As soon as reasonably practicable after receipt of a request as provided inSection 5of thisArticle II, written notice of a special meeting, stating the place, if any, date (which shall be not less than ten nor more than sixty days from the date of the notice) and hour of the special meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which the stockholder may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such special meeting, and the purpose or purposes for which the special meeting is called, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such special meeting.
Section 7.Scope of Business at Special Meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.
Section 8.Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, or cause a third party to prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
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Section 9.Quorum. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the chairman of the meeting or the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. 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 meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than thirty days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting as provided inSection 6of thisArticle II.
Section 10.Qualifications to Vote. The stockholders of record on the books of the corporation at the close of business on the record date as determined by the Board of Directors and only such stockholders shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof.
Section 11.Record Date. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any stockholders’ meeting and at any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action. The record date shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, and not more than sixty days prior to any other action. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
Section 12.Action at Meetings. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of applicable law or of the Certificate of Incorporation, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.
Section 13.Voting and Proxies. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote in person or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on after three (3) years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Each proxy shall be revocable unless expressly provided therein to be irrevocable and unless it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power.
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Section 14.Action by Stockholders Without a Meeting.
14.1 Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the corporation, or any action which may be taken at any annual or special meeting of such stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted and shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested), to its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded; provided, however, that action by written consent to elect directors, if less than unanimous, shall be in lieu of holding an annual meeting only if all the directorships to which directors could be elected at an annual meeting held at the effective time of such action are vacant and are filled by such action. Prompt notice of the taking of corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the action were delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware (by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested), to its principal place of business, or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings or meetings of stockholders are recorded.
14.2 An electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or by a person authorized to act for a stockholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of thisSection 14, provided that such electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the corporation can determine (i) that the electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or by a person authorized to act for the stockholder and (ii) the date on which such stockholder or authorized person transmitted such electronic transmission. The date on which such electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the books in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded, to the extent and in the manner in which the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.
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ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1.Powers. The business of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of its Board of Directors, which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by applicable law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.
Section 2.Number; Election; Tenure and Qualification. The number of directors which shall constitute the whole board shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders at an annual meeting of the stockholders (unless the directors are elected by written consent in lieu of an annual meeting as provided inArticle II,Section 14). With the exception of the first Board of Directors, which shall be elected by the incorporator, and except as provided in the corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or inSection 3of thisArticle III, the directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of the stockholders by a plurality vote of the shares represented in person or by proxy and each director elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified unless he shall resign, become disqualified, disabled, or otherwise removed. Directors need not be stockholders
Section 3.Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly-created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. The directors so chosen shall serve until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least ten percent of the total number of shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office.
Section 4.Location of Meetings. The Board of Directors of the corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.
Section 5.First Meeting of Newly Elected Board of Directors. The first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors shall be held immediately following the annual meeting of stockholders and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. In the event such first meeting is not held at such time, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board of Directors, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the directors.
Section 6.RegularMeetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors; provided that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given notice of such location.
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Section 7.Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President on twenty-four hour’s notice to each director by mail, overnight courier service or facsimile; special meetings shall be called by the President or Secretary in a like manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors unless the Board of Directors consists of only one director, in which case special meetings shall be called by the President or Secretary in a like manner and on like notice on the written request of the sole director. Notice may be waived in accordance with Section 229 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 8.Quorum and Action at Meetings. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section 9.Action Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 10.Telephonic Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors, may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 11.Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the whole board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.
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Section 12.Committee Authority. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (a) approving, adopting or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (b) adopting, amending or repealing any Bylaw of the corporation. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors.
Section 13.Committee Minutes. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of Directors when required to do so by the Board of Directors.
Section 14.Director Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.
Section 15.Resignation. Any director or officer of the corporation may resign at any time. Each such resignation shall be made in writing or by electronic transmission and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by either the Board of Directors, the President or the Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless expressly so provided in the resignation.
Section 16.Removal. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable law, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.
ARTICLE IV
NOTICES
Section 1.Notice to Directors and Stockholders. Whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given (i) by electronic transmission when such director or stockholder has consented to the delivery of notice in such form, and such notice shall be deemed to be given when directed to the proper facsimile number, electronic mail address or other proper electronic destination or (ii) in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail.
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An affidavit of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that the notice has been given shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. Notice to directors may also be given by telephone (with confirmation of receipt).
Section 2.Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. The written or electronic waiver need not specify the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders, directors, or members of a committee of directors. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Attendance at the meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters required by the Delaware General Corporation Law to be included in the notice of the meeting but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the meeting.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1.Enumeration. The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the Board of Directors and may include a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and/or Chief Financial Officer and such other officers with such other titles as the Board of Directors shall determine. The Board of Directors may elect from among its members a Chairman or Chairmen of the Board and a Vice Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may also choose one or more Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents (each referred to as a “Vice President”), Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide.
Section 2.Election. The Board of Directors at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall elect such officers with such titles as the Board of Directors shall determine.
Section 3.Appointment of Other Agents. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary, who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
Section 4.Compensation. The salaries of all officers of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof. The salaries of agents of the corporation shall, unless fixed by the Board of Directors, be fixed by the President or any Vice President of the corporation.
Section 5.Tenure. The officers of the corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors
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may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors of the Board of Directors. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.Chairman of the Board and Vice Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which the Chairman shall be present. The Chairman shall have and may exercise such powers as are, from time to time, assigned to the Chairman by the Board of Directors and as may be provided by law. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders at which the Vice Chairman shall be present. The Vice Chairman shall have and may exercise such powers as are, from time to time, assigned to such person by the Board of Directors and as may be provided by law.
Section 7.President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation unless such title is assigned to another officer of the corporation; in the absence of a Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board, the President shall preside as the chairman of meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors; and the President shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect. The President or any Vice President shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the corporation.
Section 8.Vice President. In the absence of the President or in the event of the President’s inability or refusal to act, the Vice President, if any (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board of Directors, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice President shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
Section 9.Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the corporation and of the Board of Directors in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or President, under whose supervision the Secretary shall be subject. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the corporation and the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary (if any), shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the Secretary’s signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the affixing by such officer’s signature.
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Section 10.Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary, if any, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of the Secretary’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
Section 11.Treasurer and/or Chief Financial Officer. The Treasurer and/or Chief Financial Officer, if any, shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer and/or Chief Financial Officer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, President or Chief Executive Officer, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the President, Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all such transactions as Treasurer and/or Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the corporation.
Section 12.Assistant Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer, if any, or if there be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of the Treasurer’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE VI
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 1.Certificates. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by a certificate, unless and until the Board of Directors adopts a resolution permitting shares to be uncertificated. Certificates shall be signed by, or in the name of the corporation by, (a) the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and (b) the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by such stockholder in the corporation.
Section 2.Class or Series. If the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate which the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating,
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optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to Sections 151, 156, 202(a) or 218(a) of the Delaware Corporation Law or a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge, to each stockholder who so requests, the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.
Section 3.Signature. Any of or all of the signatures on a certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 4.Lost Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or such owner’s legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 5.Transfer of Stock. Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books. Upon receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner of uncertificated shares such uncertificated shares shall be canceled and issuance of new equivalent uncertificated shares or certificated shares shall be made to the person entitled thereto and the transaction shall be recorded upon the books of the corporation.
Section 6.Record Date. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholder or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.
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Section 7.Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1.Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the applicable provisions, if any, of the Certificate of Incorporation, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purposes as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interest of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
Section 2.Checks. All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Section 3.Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 4.Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal having inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware”. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.
Section 5.Loans. The Board of Directors of this corporation may, without stockholder approval, authorize loans to, or guaranty obligations of, or otherwise assist, including, without limitation, the adoption of employee benefit plans under which loans and guarantees may be made, any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiary, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiary, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guaranty or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guaranty or other assistance may be with or without interest, and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation.
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ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1.Scope. The corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as that Section may be amended and supplemented from time to time, indemnify any director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and/or other matters referred to in or covered by that Section, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
Section 2.Advancing Expenses. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by a present or former director or officer of the corporation in defending a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation (or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized by relevant provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law; provided, however, the corporation shall not be required to advance such expenses to a director (i) who commences any action, suit or proceeding as a plaintiff unless such advance is specifically approved by a majority of the Board of Directors, or (ii) who is a party to an action, suit or proceeding brought by the corporation and approved by a majority of the Board of Directors which alleges willful misappropriation of corporate assets by such director, disclosure of confidential information in violation of such director’s fiduciary or contractual obligations to the corporation, or any other willful and deliberate breach in bad faith of such director’s duty to the corporation or its stockholders.
Section 3.Liability Offset. The corporation’s obligation to provide indemnification under thisArticle VIII shall be offset to the extent the indemnified party is indemnified by any other source including, but not limited to, any applicable insurance coverage under a policy maintained by the corporation, the indemnified party or any other person.
Section 4.Continuing Obligation. The provisions of thisArticle VIII shall be deemed to be a contract between the corporation and each director of the corporation who serves in such capacity at any time while this bylaw is in effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.
Section 5.Nonexclusive. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for in thisArticleVIII shall (i) not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, (ii) continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director and (iii) inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
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Section 6.Other Persons. In addition to the indemnification rights of directors, officers, employees, or agents of the corporation, the Board of Directors in its discretion shall have the power on behalf of the corporation to indemnify any other person made a party to any action, suit or proceeding who the corporation may indemnify under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section 7.Definitions. The phrases and terms set forth in thisArticle VIII shall be given the same meaning as the identical terms and phrases are given in Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as that Section may be amended and supplemented from time to time.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS
Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new Bylaws may be adopted, by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting shares or by the Board of Directors, when such power is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new Bylaws be contained in the notice of such special meeting. If the power to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws is conferred upon the Board of Directors by the Certificate of Incorporation, it shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws.
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CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY
OF
ABS FINANCE CO., INC.
The undersigned hereby certifies:
1. That the undersigned is the duly elected and acting Secretary of ABS Finance Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”); and
2. That the foregoing Bylaws constitute the Bylaws of the Corporation as duly adopted by the Action by Unanimous Written Consent in Lieu of the Organizational Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, dated the 27th day of December, 2002.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name as of this 27th day of December, 2002.
/s/ Kaye L. O’Riordan |
| Kaye L. O’Riordan |
| Secretary |
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