The GNCC, having undertaken a review of, and having considered the terms of, the Arrangement, the Arrangement Agreement and a number of other factors, including, without limitation, those described under “Reasons for the Arrangement” below, and after receiving independent advice, including the Formal Valuation and the Fairness Opinion, has unanimously determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of BAM and unanimously recommended that the Board determine that the Arrangement is in the best interests of BAM, approve the Arrangement and recommend that the shareholders of BAM vote for the Arrangement.
The Board, with Mr. Bruce Flatt, CEO of both BAM and BN, abstaining (the “Constituted Board”), based on, among other things, the recommendation of the GNCC, unanimously (i) determined that the Arrangement is in the best interests of BAM, (ii) approved the Arrangement, and, accordingly, (iii) recommends that shareholders of BAM vote for the Arrangement.
In forming its recommendation, the Constituted Board considered a number of factors, including, without limitation, the recommendation of the GNCC and the factors listed below under “Reasons for the Arrangement”. The Constituted Board based its recommendation upon the totality of the information presented to and considered by it in light of the knowledge of members of the Constituted Board of the business, financial condition and prospects of BAM and after taking into account the advice of BAM’s financial, legal and other advisors and the advice and input of management of BAM.
Required Approvals
The Arrangement is subject to both court and shareholder approval. BAM expects to hold the Meeting to consider and vote on the Arrangement on December 20, 2024. If approved at the Meeting, the Arrangement is expected to close in early 2025.
The approval of the Arrangement at the Meeting will require the affirmative vote of: (i) not less than 66 2/3% of the votes cast at the meeting by the holders of Class A Shares, present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting; (ii) not less than 66 2/3% of the votes cast at the meeting by the holder of Class B Limited Voting Shares of BAM (the “Class B Shares”), present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting; and (c) not less than a majority of the votes cast at the meeting by Minority Shareholders.
The Class A Shares owned, directly and indirectly, by BN’s current directors and senior executive officers and all of the Class B Shares will be excluded in determining whether minority approval of the Arrangement is obtained.
Reasons for the Arrangement
With the assistance of their advisors, each of the GNCC and the Constituted Board considered a number of substantive and procedural factors relating to the Arrangement, including, among others, the following:
| • | | Enhancing Corporate Structure and Expanding Shareholder Base: Creating BAM helped simplify BAM’s story and BAM has significantly expanded its shareholder base since. The Arrangement will simplify the structure of the asset management business further by having its ownership consolidated under BAM, rather than being split between BN and BAM. The Arrangement will also result in BAM’s market capitalization reflecting 100% of the value of the asset management business, which management believes will help broaden BAM’s shareholder base and align BAM’s size and structure with its U.S.-based global alternative asset management business peers. |