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425 Filing
HBT Financial (HBT) 425Business combination disclosure
Filed: 23 Aug 22, 4:18pm
EXHIBIT 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BETWEEN
HBT FINANCIAL INC.,
HB-TC MERGER, INC.
AND
TOWN AND COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORPORATION
aUGUST 23, 2022
Article 1THE MERGER2
Section 1.1The Merger2
Section 1.2Effective Time; Closing2
Section 1.3Effects of the Merger2
Section 1.4Organizational Documents, Directors and Officers of the Surviving Entity2
Section 1.5Mid-Tier Merger3
Section 1.6Bank Merger3
Section 1.7Alternative Structure3
Article 2CONVERSION OF SECURITIES IN THE MERGER3
Section 2.1Consideration3
Section 2.2No Fractional Shares5
Section 2.3Election and Proration Procedures5
Section 2.4Exchange of Certificates7
Section 2.5Dissenters’ Shares9
Section 2.6Withholding Rights9
Article 3REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY9
Section 3.1Company Organization10
Section 3.2Company Subsidiary Organizations10
Section 3.3Authorization; Enforceability10
Section 3.4No Conflict11
Section 3.5Company Capitalization12
Section 3.6Company Subsidiary Capitalization13
Section 3.7Financial Statements and Reports; Regulatory Filings13
Section 3.8Books and Records15
Section 3.9Properties15
Section 3.10Loans; Loan Loss Reserve16
Section 3.11Taxes18
Section 3.12Employee Benefits19
Section 3.13Compliance with Legal Requirements23
Section 3.14Legal Proceedings; Orders23
Section 3.15Absence of Certain Changes and Events24
Table of Contents
(continued)
Page
Section 3.16Material Contracts26
Section 3.17No Defaults29
Section 3.18Insurance29
Section 3.19Compliance with Environmental Laws29
Section 3.20Transactions with Affiliates30
Section 3.21Voting Requirements30
Section 3.22Brokerage Commissions30
Section 3.23Approval Delays30
Section 3.24Labor Matters31
Section 3.25Intellectual Property31
Section 3.26Investments32
Section 3.27Fiduciary Accounts33
Section 3.28Deposits33
Section 3.29Customer Information Security33
Section 3.30No Other Representations or Warranties33
Article 4REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR33
Section 4.1Acquiror Organization34
Section 4.2Acquiror Subsidiary Organizations34
Section 4.3Authorization; Enforceability34
Section 4.4No Conflict35
Section 4.5Acquiror Capitalization35
Section 4.6Acquiror Subsidiary Capitalization35
Section 4.7Acquiror SEC Reports; Financial Statements and Reports; Regulatory Filings36
Section 4.8Taxes37
Section 4.9Books and Records37
Section 4.10Loans; Loan Loss Reserve37
Section 4.11Absence of Certain Changes and Events38
Section 4.12Brokerage Commissions38
Section 4.13Approval Delays38
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Table of Contents
(continued)
Page
Section 4.14Financial Capability38
Section 4.15No Other Representations or Warranties38
Article 5THE COMPANY’S COVENANTS39
Section 5.1Access and Investigation39
Section 5.2Operation of the Company and Company Subsidiaries40
Section 5.3Notice of Changes45
Section 5.4Stockholders’ Meeting45
Section 5.5Information Provided to Acquiror46
Section 5.6Operating Functions46
Section 5.7Resignations; Termination of Agreements46
Section 5.8Company Benefit Plans47
Section 5.9Acquisition Proposals47
Section 5.10Third Party Consents48
Section 5.11Conforming Accounting Entries48
Section 5.12Environmental Investigation48
Section 5.13Title and Survey to Real Estate49
Section 5.14Termination of Company ESOP and Company 401(k) Plan50
Section 5.15Dissolution of Certain Company Subsidiaries51
Article 6ACQUIROR’S COVENANTS51
Section 6.1Operation of Acquiror and Acquiror Subsidiaries51
Section 6.2Information Provided to the Company52
Section 6.3Operating Functions52
Section 6.4Notice of Changes52
Section 6.5Indemnification52
Section 6.6Authorization and Reservation of Acquiror Common Stock54
Section 6.7Stock Exchange Listing54
Section 6.8Supplemental Indentures54
Article 7COVENANTS OF ALL PARTIES54
Section 7.1Regulatory Approvals54
Section 7.2SEC Registration55
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Table of Contents
(continued)
Page
Section 7.3Publicity56
Section 7.4Reasonable Best Efforts; Cooperation56
Section 7.5Tax-Free Reorganization56
Section 7.6Employees and Employee Benefits57
Section 7.7Takeover Laws59
Section 7.8Stockholder Litigation59
Article 8CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR59
Section 8.1Accuracy of Representations and Warranties59
Section 8.2Performance by the Company60
Section 8.3Stockholder Approvals60
Section 8.4No Proceedings, Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality60
Section 8.5Regulatory Approvals60
Section 8.6Registration Statement60
Section 8.7Officers’ Certificate60
Section 8.8No Material Adverse Effect60
Section 8.9Tax Opinion60
Section 8.10Dissenting Shares61
Section 8.11Certain Agreements61
Section 8.12Dissolution of Certain Company Subsidiaries61
Section 8.13Other Documents61
Article 9CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY61
Section 9.1Accuracy of Representations and Warranties61
Section 9.2Performance by Acquiror62
Section 9.3Stockholder Approvals62
Section 9.4No Proceedings; No Injunctions or Restraints; Illegality62
Section 9.5Regulatory Approvals62
Section 9.6Registration Statement62
Section 9.7Officers’ Certificate62
Section 9.8Tax Opinion62
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Table of Contents
(continued)
Page
Section 9.9FIRPTA Certificate63
Section 9.10Stock Exchange Listing63
Section 9.11No Material Adverse Effect63
Section 9.12Other Documents63
Article 10TERMINATION63
Section 10.1Termination of Agreement63
Section 10.2Effect of Termination or Abandonment64
Section 10.3Fees and Expenses65
Article 11MISCELLANEOUS66
Section 11.1Survival66
Section 11.2Governing Law; Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial66
Section 11.3Assignments, Successors and No Third-Party Rights66
Section 11.4Modification67
Section 11.5Extension of Time; Waiver67
Section 11.6Notices67
Section 11.7Entire Agreement69
Section 11.8Severability69
Section 11.9Further Assurances69
Section 11.10Specific Performance69
Section 11.11Counterparts69
Article 12DEFINITIONS70
Section 12.1Definitions70
Section 12.2Principles of Construction78
EXHIBITS
A-1List of Parties Entering into Voting and Support Agreements
A-2Form of Voting and Support Agreement
B-1List of Parties Entering into Restrictive Covenant Agreements
B-2Form of Restrictive Covenants Agreement
CMid-Tier Merger Agreement
DStatutory Bank Merger Agreement
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INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
Page
Acquiror1
Acquiror Bank70
Acquiror Benefit Plan70
Acquiror Board70
Acquiror Bylaws70
Acquiror Capital Stock70
Acquiror Capitalization Date35
Acquiror Certificate of Incorporation70
Acquiror Common Stock70
Acquiror Disclosure Schedules79
Acquiror ERISA Affiliate71
Acquiror Financial Statements36
Acquiror Preferred Stock35
Acquiror SEC Reports71
Acquiror Stock Issuance71
Acquisition Proposal71
Affiliate71
Agreement1
Bank71
Bank Merger71
Borrowing Affiliate42
Business Day72
Call Report72
Cash Consideration4
Cash Designated Shares7
Cash Election5
Cash Election Shares6
Certificate of Merger2
CIC Payment58
Closing2
Closing Acquiror Common Stock Price72
Closing Date2
Code72
Company1
Company 401(k) Plan50
Company Adverse Recommendation46
Company Benefit Plan72
Company Board72
Company Bylaws72
Company Capital Stock72
Company Capitalization Date12
Company Certificate of Incorporation72
Company Common Stock72
Company Disclosure Schedules79
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Company Employees43
Company ERISA Affiliate72
Company ESOP21
Company Financial Statements14
Company Investment Securities32
Company Loans16
Company Material Contract27
Company Permitted Exceptions16
Company Preferred Stock73
Company Real Estate73
Company Stock Certificates8
Company Stockholder Approval73
Company Stockholders’ Meeting46
Confidentiality Agreement40
Constituent Documents73
Contemplated Transactions73
Contract73
Control, Controlling or Controlled73
Conversion Fund7
Covered Employees57
CRA73
Deposit Insurance Fund73
Derivative Transactions73
DGCL74
Dissenters’ Shares9
DOL74
Effective Time2
Election Deadline6
Election Form5
Environment74
Environmental Laws74
ERISA74
ESOP Trust23
Exchange Act74
Exchange Agent5
Exchange Ratio4
Existing D&O Policy53
FDIC74
Federal Reserve74
GAAP74
Hazardous Materials74
Holder Representative5
Immediate Family Member74
Indemnified Party53
IRS74
IRS Guidelines57
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Knowledge75
Legal Requirement75
Letter of Transmittal8
Lien75
Mailing Date5
Material Adverse Effect75
Merger1
Merger Consideration4
MergerCo1
Mid-Tier Merger1
Mid-Tier Merger Agreement3
Mixed Consideration4
Mixed Election5
Mortgage Agency76
Mortgage Loan76
NASDAQ Rules76
New Plans58
Non-Election5
Non-Election Shares6
Old Plans58
Order76
Ordinary Course of Business76
OREO76
Outstanding Company Shares76
Pandemic76
Pandemic-Related Measures76
PBGC77
Person77
Phase I48
Phase II48
Previously Disclosed79
Proceeding77
Proxy Statement77
Registration Statement77
Regulatory Authority77
Remediation Cost77
Representative77
Requisite Regulatory Approvals77
Restrictive Covenant Agreements1
Schedules79
SEC77
Securities Act77
Stock Consideration4
Stock Election5
Stock Election Shares6
Subsidiary78
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Superior Proposal78
Surviving Entity1
Tax78
Tax Return78
Termination Date64
Termination Fee65
Third Party Consents12
Total Payments59
Transition Date78
Treasury Regulations78
U.S.78
Unaudited Monthly Financial Statements40
Voting and Support Agreements1
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (together with all exhibits and schedules, this “Agreement”) is entered into as of August 23, 2022, by and among HBT Financial, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Acquiror”), HB-TC MERGER, INC., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror (“MergerCo”), and Town and Country Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).
RECITALS
A.The boards of directors of the Company, Acquiror and MergerCo have determined that it is in the best interests of their respective companies and their stockholders to consummate the strategic business combination transaction provided for herein, pursuant to which MergerCo will, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company as the surviving entity in the Merger (sometimes referred to in such capacity as the “Surviving Entity”) and as a result of such Merger, the Company shall become a wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror.
B.Immediately after the effectiveness of the Merger, the Company, as the Surviving Entity of the Merger and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror following the effectiveness of the Merger, shall merge with and into Acquiror, with the Acquiror as the surviving corporation (the “Mid-Tier Merger”).
C.The parties intend that the Merger together with the Mid-Tier Merger qualify as a “reorganization” under the provisions of Section 368(a) of the Code, and that this Agreement be and hereby is adopted as a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.
D.As an inducement to Acquiror to enter into this Agreement, certain of the directors, executive officers and stockholders of the Company, listed on Exhibit A-1 have, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, entered into a Voting and Support Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-2 (the “Voting and Support Agreements”), pursuant to which, among other things, such persons have agreed to vote in favor of the adoption of this Agreement.
E.As an inducement of Acquiror’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, certain of the Company’s directors and executive officers have, listed on Exhibit B-1 hereto, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, entered into a confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition agreement, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B-2 (the “Restrictive Covenant Agreements”), pursuant to which, among other things, such persons are prohibited from competing with the business conducted by the Acquiror and its Subsidiaries.
F.The parties desire to make certain representations, warranties and agreements in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the parties also agree to certain prescribed conditions to the Merger and other transactions.
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AGREEMENTS
In consideration of the foregoing premises and the following mutual promises, covenants and agreements, the parties hereby agree as follows:
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Except as Previously Disclosed, the Company hereby represents and warrants to Acquiror as follows:
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Except as Previously Disclosed, Acquiror hereby represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
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The obligations of Acquiror to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and to take the other actions required to be taken by Acquiror at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by Acquiror in whole or in part):
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The obligations of the Company to consummate the Contemplated Transactions and to take the other actions required to be taken by the Company at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by the Company, in whole or in part):
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If to Acquiror, to: HBT Financial, Inc. 401 N. Hershey Road Bloomington, Illinois 61704 |
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with copies, which shall not constitute notice, to: Vedder Price P.C. 222 North LaSalle Street Suite 2600 Chicago, Illinois 60601 Telephone:(312) 609-7533 Attention:James M. Kane |
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If to the Company, to: Town and Country Financial Corporation E-Mail: mbartlett@townandcountrybank.com |
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with copies, which shall not constitute notice, to: Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg LLP 200 West Madison St. Suite 3900 Telephone:(312) 847-3000 Attention:Bill Fay Nicholas M. Brenckman Email:bill.fay@bfkn.com |
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or to such other Person or place as the Company shall furnish to Acquiror or Acquiror shall furnish to the Company in writing. Except as otherwise provided herein, all such notices, consents, waivers and other communications shall be effective: (a) if delivered by hand, when delivered; (b) if delivered by overnight delivery service, on the next Business Day after deposit with such service; (c) if mailed in the manner provided in this Section 11.6, three (3) Business Days after deposit with the U.S. Postal Service; and (d) if delivered by facsimile or electronic mail, on the next Business Day.
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[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers on the day and year first written above.
ACQUIROR: HBT FINANCIAL, INC. | COMPANY: TOWN AND COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORPORATION By: |
MERGERCO: HB-TC MERGER, INC. By: | |
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| [Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger] | |