Exhibit 2.1
Execution Version
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
by and between
THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
and
FPB FINANCIAL CORP.
Dated as of November 6, 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article I
THE MERGER | |
Section 1.01 The Merger | 1 |
Section 1.02 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws | 2 |
Section 1.03 Bank Merger | 2 |
Section 1.04 Effective Time; Closing | 2 |
Section 1.05 Additional Actions | 3 |
Section 1.06 Reservation of Right to Revise Structure | 3 |
Article II
MERGER CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
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Section 2.01 Merger Consideration | 3 |
Section 2.02 FPB Stock-Based Awards | 5 |
Section 2.03 Rights as Shareholders; Stock Transfers | 6 |
Section 2.04 Fractional Shares | 6 |
Section 2.05 Plan of Reorganization | 6 |
Section 2.06 Exchange Procedures | 6 |
Section 2.07 Deposit and Delivery of Merger Consideration | 6 |
Section 2.08 Rights of Certificate Holders after the Effective Time | 8 |
Section 2.09 Anti-Dilution Provisions | 8 |
Article III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FPB
| |
Section 3.01 Organization and Standing | 9 |
Section 3.02 Capital Stock | 9 |
Section 3.03 Subsidiaries | 10 |
Section 3.04 Corporate Power; Minute Books | 10 |
Section 3.05 Corporate Authority | 11 |
Section 3.06 Regulatory Approvals; No Defaults | 12 |
Section 3.07 Financial Statements; Internal Controls | 13 |
Section 3.08 Regulatory Reports | 14 |
Section 3.09 Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 14 |
Section 3.10 Legal Proceedings | 14 |
Section 3.11 Compliance With Laws | 15 |
Section 3.12 FPB Material Contracts; Defaults | 15 |
Section 3.13 Agreements with Regulatory Agencies | 16 |
Section 3.14 Brokers; Fairness Opinion. | 17 |
Section 3.15 Employee Benefit Plans | 17 |
Section 3.16 Labor Matters | 20 |
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Section 3.17 Environmental Matters | 20 |
Section 3.18 Tax Matters | 21 |
Section 3.19 Investment Securities | 23 |
Section 3.20 Derivative Transactions | 23 |
Section 3.21 Regulatory Capitalization | 23 |
Section 3.22 Loans; Nonperforming and Classified Assets | 23 |
Section 3.23 Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses | 25 |
Section 3.24 Trust Business; Administration of Fiduciary Accounts | 25 |
Section 3.25 Investment Management and Related Activities | 25 |
Section 3.26 Repurchase Agreements | 25 |
Section 3.27 Deposit Insurance | 25 |
Section 3.28 Community Reinvestment Act, Anti-money Laundering and Customer Information Security | 25 |
Section 3.29 Transactions with Affiliates | 26 |
Section 3.30 Tangible Properties and Assets | 26 |
Section 3.31 Intellectual Property | 27 |
Section 3.32 Insurance | 28 |
Section 3.33 Antitakeover Provisions | 28 |
Section 3.34 FPB Information | 28 |
Section 3.35 Transaction Costs | 28 |
Section 3.36 No Other Representations or Warranties | 29 |
Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FBMS
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Section 4.01 Organization and Standing | 29 |
Section 4.02 Capital Stock | 29 |
Section 4.03 Corporate Power. | 30 |
Section 4.04 Corporate Authority | 30 |
Section 4.05 SEC Documents; Financial Statements | 30 |
Section 4.06 Regulatory Reports | 31 |
Section 4.07 Regulatory Approvals; No Defaults | 32 |
Section 4.08 FBMS Information | 32 |
Section 4.09 Absence of Certain Changes or Events | 33 |
Section 4.10 Compliance with Laws | 33 |
Section 4.11 FBMS Regulatory Matters | 33 |
Section 4.12 Brokers | 34 |
Section 4.13 Legal Proceedings. | 34 |
Section 4.14 Tax Matters | 35 |
Section 4.15 Regulatory Capitalization | 36 |
Section 4.16 No Financing | 36 |
Section 4.17 No Other Representations or Warranties | 36 |
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Article V
COVENANTS | |
Section 5.01 Covenants of FPB | 36 |
Section 5.02 Covenants of FBMS | 41 |
Section 5.03 Commercially Reasonable Efforts | 42 |
Section 5.04 FPB Shareholder Approval | 42 |
Section 5.05 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement-Prospectus; NASDAQ Listing | 42 |
Section 5.06 Regulatory Filings; Consents | 44 |
Section 5.07 Publicity | 44 |
Section 5.08 Access; Current Information | 45 |
Section 5.09 No Solicitation by FPB; Superior Proposals | 46 |
Section 5.10 Indemnification | 49 |
Section 5.11 Employees; Benefit Plans | 51 |
Section 5.12 Notification of Certain Changes | 53 |
Section 5.13 Transition; Informational Systems Conversion | 53 |
Section 5.14 No Control of Other Party’s Business. | 53 |
Section 5.15 Certain Litigation | 54 |
Section 5.16 Director Resignations | 54 |
Section 5.17 Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure Agreement | 54 |
Section 5.18 Claims Letters | 54 |
Section 5.19 Coordination | 54 |
Section 5.20 Transactional Expenses | 55 |
Section 5.21 Confidentiality | 56 |
Section 5.22 Tax Matters | 56 |
Article VI
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER | |
Section 6.01 Conditions to Obligations of the Parties to Effect the Merger | 56 |
Section 6.02 Conditions to Obligations of FPB | 57 |
Section 6.03 Conditions to Obligations of FBMS | 58 |
Section 6.04 Frustration of Closing Conditions | 59 |
Article VII
TERMINATION
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Section 7.01 Termination | 59 |
Section 7.02 Termination Fee. | 60 |
Section 7.03 Effect of Termination | 61 |
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Article VIII
DEFINITIONS
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Section 8.01 Definitions | 61 |
Article IX
MISCELLANEOUS
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Section 9.01 Survival | 70 |
Section 9.02 Waiver; Amendment | 70 |
Section 9.03 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury | 70 |
Section 9.04 Expenses | 71 |
Section 9.05 Notices | 71 |
Section 9.06 Entire Understanding; No Third Party Beneficiaries | 72 |
Section 9.07 Severability | 73 |
Section 9.08 Enforcement of the Agreement | 73 |
Section 9.09 Interpretation | 73 |
Section 9.10 Assignment | 74 |
Section 9.11 Counterparts | 74 |
Exhibit A – Form of FPB Voting Agreement
Exhibit B – Form of Bank Plan of Merger and Merger Agreement
Exhibit C – Form of Director Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure Agreement
Exhibit D – Form of Claims Letter
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this “Agreement”) is dated as of November 6, 2018, by and between The First Bancshares, Inc., a Mississippi corporation (“FBMS”), and FPB Financial Corp., a Louisiana corporation (“FPB” and, together with FBMS, the “Parties” and each a “Party”).
WITNESSETH
WHEREAS, the boards of directors of the Parties have determined that it is in the best interests of their respective companies and their respective shareholders to consummate the business combination transaction provided for in this Agreement in which FPB will, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, merge with and into FBMS (the “Merger”), with FBMS as the surviving company in the Merger (sometimes referred to in such capacity as the “Surviving Entity”);
WHEREAS, as a condition to the willingness of FBMS to enter into this Agreement, certain directors of FPB have entered into voting agreements (each a “FPB Voting Agreement” and collectively, the “FPB Voting Agreements”), substantially in the form attached hereto asExhibit A, dated as of the date hereof, with FBMS, pursuant to which each such director has agreed, among other things, to vote certain of the FPB Common Stock owned by such director in favor of the approval of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, subject to the terms of the FPB Voting Agreements;
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to make certain representations, warranties and agreements in connection with the Merger and also to prescribe certain conditions to the Merger; and
WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the Merger qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Code”), and this Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a “plan of reorganization” for purposes of Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
Article I
THE MERGER
Section 1.01 TheMerger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in accordance with theMississippi Business Corporation Act (the “MBCA”) and the Louisiana Business Corporation Act (the “LBCA”), at the Effective Time, FPB shall merge with and into FBMS pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. FBMS shall be the Surviving Entity in the Merger and shall continue its existence as a corporation under the laws of the State of Mississippi. As of the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of FPB shall cease.
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Section 1.02 Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. At the Effective Time, the articles of incorporation of FBMS in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Entity until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law. The bylaws of FBMS in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Entity until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable Law and the terms of such bylaws.
Section 1.03 Bank Merger. Except as provided below, immediately following the Effective Time and sequentially but in effect simultaneously on the Closing Date, Florida Parishes Bank, a federal savings bank and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of FPB (“Florida Parishes Bank”), shall be merged (the “Bank Merger”) with and into The First, A National Banking Association, a national banking association and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of FBMS (“The First”), in accordance with the provisions of applicable federal banking laws and regulations, and The First shall be the surviving bank (the “Surviving Bank”). The Bank Merger shall have the effects as set forth under applicable federal banking laws and regulations, and the board of directors of the Parties shall cause the board of directors of The First and Florida Parishes Bank, respectively, to approve a separate merger agreement (the “Bank Plan of Merger”) in substantially the form attached hereto asExhibit B, and cause the Bank Plan of Merger to be executed and delivered as soon as practicable following the date of execution of this Agreement. Each of FBMS and FPB shall also approve the Bank Plan of Merger in their capacities as sole shareholders of The First and Florida Parishes Bank, respectively. As provided in the Bank Plan of Merger, the Bank Merger may be abandoned at the election of The First at any time, whether before or after filings are made for regulatory approval of the Bank Merger, but if the Bank Merger is abandoned for any reason, Florida Parishes Bank shall continue to operate under its name;providedthat prior to any such election, FBMS shall (a) reasonably consult with FPB and its regulatory counsel and (b) reasonably determine in good faith that such election will not, and would not reasonably be expected to, prevent, delay or impair any Party’s ability to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 1.04 Effective Time;Closing.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of thisAgreement, thePartieswill make all such filings as may be required to consummate theMergerand theBank Mergerby applicableLaws. TheMergershall become effective as set forth in the articles of merger (the “Articles of Merger”) related to theMerger, which willincludethe plan of merger (the “Plan of Merger”), that shall be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Mississippi and the Secretary of State of the State of Louisiana, as provided in theMBCA and LBCA, on theClosing Date. The “Effective Time” of theMergershall be the later of (i) the date and time of filing of theArticles of Merger,or(ii) the date and time when theMergerbecomes effective as set forth in theArticles of Merger, which shall be no later than three (3) Business Daysafter all of the conditions to theClosingset forth inArticle VI (other than conditions to be satisfied at theClosing, which shall be satisfiedorwaived at theClosing) have been satisfiedorwaived in accordance with the termshereof.
(b) The closing of the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement(the “Closing”) shall take place beginningimmediately prior to the Effective Time(such date, the “Closing Date”) at the offices of Alston & Bird LLP, One Atlantic Center, 1201 West Peachtree Street, Atlanta,
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GA 30309,orsuch other place as thePartiesmay mutually agree. At theClosing, there shall be delivered toFBMSandFPBtheArticles of Mergerand such other certificates and other documents required to be delivered underArticle VI.
Section 1.05 Additional Actions. If, at any time after the Effective Time, any Party shall consider or be advised that any further deeds, documents, assignments or assurances in Law or any other acts are necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement (such Party, the “Requesting Party”), the other Party and its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and directors shall be deemed to have granted to the Requesting Party and its Subsidiaries, and each or any of them, an irrevocable power of attorney to execute and deliver, in such official corporate capacities, all such deeds, assignments or assurances in Law or any other acts as are necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, and the officers and directors of the Requesting Party and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, are authorized in the name of the other Party and its Subsidiaries or otherwise to take any and all such action.
Section 1.06 Reservation ofRightto Revise Structure. FBMS may at any time and without the approval of FPB change the method of effecting the business combination contemplated by this Agreement if and to the extent that it reasonably deems such a change to be necessary;provided,however, that no such change shall (i) alter or change the amount of the consideration to be issued to Holders as Merger Consideration, (ii) reasonably be expected to materially impede or delay consummation of the Merger, (iii) adversely affect the federal income tax treatment of Holders in connection with the Merger, or (iv) require submission to or approval of FPB’s shareholders after the plan of merger set forth in this Agreement has been approved by FPB’s shareholders. In the event that FBMS elects to make such a change, the Parties agree to cooperate to execute appropriate documents to reflect the change.
Article II
MERGER CONSIDERATION; EXCHANGE PROCEDURES
Section 2.01 Merger Consideration. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, automatically by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Parties or any shareholder of FPB:
(a) Each share ofFBMS Common Stockthat is issued and outstanding immediately prior to theEffective Timeshall remain outstanding following theEffective Timeand shall be unchanged by theMerger.
(b) Each share ofFPB Common Stockowned directly byFBMS,FPB orany of their respectiveSubsidiaries(other than shares in trust accounts, managed accounts and the like for the benefit of customersorshares held as collateral for outstanding debt previously contracted) immediately prior to theEffective Timeshall be cancelled and retired at theEffective Timewithout any conversion thereof, and no payment shall be made with respect thereto (the “FPB Cancelled Shares”).
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, all shares of FPB Common Stock that are issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and which
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are held by a shareholder who did not vote in favor of the Merger (or consent thereto in writing) and who is entitled to demand and properly demands the fair value of such shares pursuant to, and who complies in all respects with, the provisions of Title 12, Part 13 of the LBCA, shall not be converted into or be exchangeable for the right to receive the Merger Consideration (the “Dissenting Shares”), but instead the holder of such Dissenting Shares (hereinafter called a “Dissenting Shareholder”) shall be entitled to payment of the fair value of such shares in accordance with the applicable provisions of the LBCA (and at the Effective Time, such Dissenting Shares shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and shall cease to exist and such holder shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the rights provided for pursuant to the applicable provisions of the LBCA and thisSection 2.01(c)), unless and until such Dissenting Shareholder shall have failed to perfect such holder’s right to receive, or shall have effectively withdrawn or lost rights to demand or receive, the fair value of such shares of FPB Common Stock under the applicable provisions of the LBCA. If any Dissenting Shareholder shall fail to perfect or effectively withdraw or lose such Holder’s dissenter’s rights under the applicable provisions of the LBCA, each such Dissenting Share shall be deemed to have been converted into and to have become exchangeable for the right to receive the Merger Consideration, without any interest thereon, in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement. FPB shall give FBMS (i) prompt notice of any written notices to exercise dissenters’ rights in respect of any shares of FPB Common Stock, attempted withdrawals of such notices and any other instruments served pursuant to the LBCA and received by FPB relating to dissenters’ rights and (ii) the opportunity to participate in negotiations and proceedings with respect to demands for fair value under the LBCA. FPB shall not, except with the prior written consent of FBMS, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or settle, or offer or agree to settle, any such demand for payment. Any portion of the Merger Consideration made available to the Exchange Agent pursuant to thisArticle II to pay for shares of FPB Common Stock for which dissenters’ rights have been perfected shall be returned to FBMS upon demand. If the amount paid to a Dissenting Shareholder exceeds such Dissenting Shareholder’s Merger Consideration, such excess amount shall not reduce the amount of Merger Consideration paid to other Holders.
(d) Each share of FPB Stock (excluding Dissenting Shares and FPB Cancelled Shares) issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall cease to be outstanding and shall be converted, in accordance with the terms of this Article II, into and exchanged for the right to receive 0.83 (the “Exchange Ratio”) of a share of FBMS Common Stock (the “Merger Consideration”). The Exchange Ratio is subject to adjustment as set forth below: (i) if the Measurement Price (as defined below) is greater than $43.39 per share, then the Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted to equal the quotient (rounded to the nearest ten thousandth of a share) obtained by dividing $36.01 by the Measurement Price; and (ii) if the Measurement Price is less than $34.61 per share, then the Exchange Ratio shall be adjusted to equal the quotient (rounded to the nearest ten thousandth of a share) obtained by dividing $28.73 by the Measurement Price, subject in each case to the Parties’ respective rights to terminate the Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01(i). As used in this Agreement, the term “Measurement Price” means the average closing price of a share of FBMS Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market over the ten (10) trading days ending five (5) Business Days immediately prior to the Closing Date.
(e) If, between the date hereof and the Effective Time, the outstanding shares of FPB Common Stock or FBMS Common Stock shall have been increased, decreased, changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares or securities as a result of a reorganization,
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stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split or similar change in capitalization, appropriate and proportionate adjustments shall be made to the Merger Consideration.
Section 2.02 FPBStock-Based Awards.
(a) Immediately prior to the Effective Time, each share ofFPB Common Stocksubject to vesting restrictions granted under theFPB Stock Plans (a “FPB Restricted Share”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become fully vested and nonforfeitable and shall be converted automatically into and shall thereafter represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration, less the amount of any required withholding Tax, pursuant toSection 2.01(d).
(b) Between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, FPB shall seek and use its best efforts to obtain from each holder of warrants to purchase FPB Common Stock (each a “FPB Warrant”) a written consent to the termination and cash-out of the holder’s outstanding FPB Warrants in connection with the Merger, as provided in Section 2.02(c). FPB Warrants for which such consent is obtained are referred to herein as the “Consented FPB Warrants,” and FPB Warrants for which such consent is not obtained are referred to herein as the “Unconsented FPB Warrants.”
(c) At the Effective Time, each Consented FPB Warrant that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be cancelled and the holder thereof shall be entitled to receive from FPB immediately prior to the Effective Time an amount in cash, without interest, equal to the product of (i) the total number of shares of FPB Common Stock subject to such Consented FPB Warranttimes (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) the product of the Measurement Price multiplied by the Exchange Ratio (the “Cash-Out Price”),over (B) the exercise price per share of FPB Common Stock under such Consented FPB Warrant, less applicable Taxes required to be withheld with respect to such payment. No holder of a Consented FPB Warrant that has an exercise price per share of FPB Common Stock that is equal to or greater than Cash-Out Price shall be entitled to any payment with respect to such Consented FPB Warrant before, on or after the Effective Time.
(d) At the Effective Time, each Unconsented FPB Warrant that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into and shall become a warrant to purchase shares of FBMS Common stock, and FBMS shall assume each Unconsented FPB Warrant (as so assumed, an “Assumed Warrant”) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the warrant certificate by which it is evidenced, except that (i) each Assumed Warrant may be exercised solely for shares of FBMS Common Stock, (ii) the number of shares of FBMS Common Stock subject to such Assumed Warrant shall be equal to the number of shares of FPB Common Stock subject to the Unconsented FPB Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the Exchange Ratio and rounding down to the nearest share, and (iii) the per share exercise price of such Assumed Warrant shall be adjusted by dividing the per share exercise price of the Unconsented FPB Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio and rounding down the nearest cent. The holder of any Assumed Warrant shall receive cash in lieu of fractional shares of FBMS Common Stock in accordance with thisArticle II.
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(e) Prior to theEffective Time, the board of directors ofFPB(or, if appropriate, any committee thereof administering theFPB Stock Plans) shall adopt such resolutionsortake such other actions,includingobtaining any necessary amendments to the applicable award agreements, warrant agreements and equity plans, as may be required to effectuate the provisions of thisSection 2.02.
Section 2.03 Rightsas Shareholders; Stock Transfers. At the Effective Time, all shares of FPB Common Stock, when converted in accordance withSection 2.01, shall no longer be outstanding and shall automatically be cancelled and retired and shall cease to exist, and each Certificate or Book-Entry Share previously evidencing such shares shall thereafter represent only the right to receive for each such share of FPB Common Stock, the Merger Consideration and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of FBMS Common Stock in accordance with thisArticle II. At the Effective Time, holders of FPB Common Stock shall cease to be, and shall have no rights as, shareholders of FPB, other than the right to receive the Merger Consideration and cash in lieu of fractional shares of FBMS Common Stock as provided under thisArticle II. At the Effective Time, the stock transfer books of FPB shall be closed, and there shall be no registration of transfers on the stock transfer books of FPB of shares of FPB Common Stock.
Section 2.04 Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, no fractional shares of FBMS Common Stock and no certificates or scrip therefor, or other evidence of ownership thereof, will be issued in the Merger. In lieu thereof, FBMS shall pay or cause to be paid to each Holder of a fractional share of FBMS Common Stock or holder of an Assumed Warrant that, as adjusted pursuant to Section 2.02(d), would have resulted in a warrant to purchase a fractional share of FBMS Common Stock, rounded to the nearest one hundredth of a share, an amount of cash (without interest and rounded to the nearest whole cent) determined by multiplying the fractional share interest in FBMS Common Stock to which such Holder or Assumed Warrant holder would otherwise be entitled by the FBMS Closing Price.
Section 2.05 Plan of Reorganization. It is intended that the Merger and the Bank Merger shall each qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and that this Agreement shall constitute a “plan of reorganization” as that term is used in Sections 354 and 361 of the Code.
Section 2.06 Exchange Procedures. FBMS shall cause as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time, but in no event later than three (3) Business Days after the Closing Date, the Exchange Agent to mail or otherwise caused to be delivered to each Holder who has not previously surrendered such Certificate or Certificates or Book Entry Shares, appropriate and customary transmittal materials, which shall specify that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares to the Exchange Agent, as well as instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates or Book-Entry Shares in exchange for the Merger Consideration (including cash in lieu of fractional shares) as provided for in this Agreement (the “Letter of Transmittal”). The Letter of Transmittal shall be subject to the approval of FPB, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
Section 2.07 Deposit and Delivery ofMerger Consideration.
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(a) Prior to theEffective Time,FBMSshall (i) deposit,orshall cause to be deposited, with theExchange Agentstock certificates representing the number of shares ofFBMS Common Stockand cash sufficient to deliver theMerger Consideration(together with, to the extent then determinable, any cash payable in lieu of fractional shares pursuant toSection 2.04, and if applicable, cash in an aggregate amount sufficient to make the appropriate payment to the Holders ofDissenting Shares and the holders of Consented FPB Warrants) (collectively, the “Exchange Fund”), and (ii) instruct theExchange Agentto pay suchMerger Considerationand cash in lieu of fractional shares in accordance with thisAgreement as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time and conditioned upon receipt of a properly completedLetter of Transmittal. TheExchange AgentandFBMS, as the case may be, shall not be obligated to deliver the Merger Consideration to aHolderto which suchHolderwould otherwise be entitled as a result of theMergeruntil suchHoldersurrenders theCertificates or Book-Entry Sharesrepresenting the shares ofFPB Common Stockfor exchange as provided in thisArticle II,or an appropriate affidavit of loss and indemnityagreementand/ora bond in such amount as may be reasonably required in each case byFBMS ortheExchange Agent.
(b) Any portion of the Exchange Fund that remains unclaimed by the shareholders ofFPBfor one (1) year after theEffective Time(as well as any interestorproceeds from any investment thereof) shall be delivered by theExchange AgenttoFBMS. Any shareholders ofFPBwho have not theretofore complied with thisSection 2.07 shall thereafter look only toFBMSfor theMerger Consideration, any cash in lieu of fractional shares of FPB Common Stock to be issued or paid in consideration therefor, and any dividends or distributions to which such Holder is entitled in respect of each share ofFPB Common Stocksuch shareholder held immediately prior to theEffective Time, as determined pursuant to thisAgreement, in each case without any interest thereon. If outstandingCertificates or Book-Entry Sharesfor shares ofFPB Common Stockare not surrenderedorthe payment for them is not claimed prior to the date on which such shares ofFBMS Common Stock orcash would otherwise escheat toorbecome the property of any governmental unitoragency, the unclaimed items shall, to the extent permitted by thelawof abandoned property and any other applicableLaw, become the property ofFBMS(and to the extent not in its possession shall be delivered to it), free and clear of all claimsorinterest of anyPersonpreviously entitled to such property. Neither theExchange Agentnor anyPartyshall be liable to anyHolderrepresented by anyCertificate or Book-Entry Sharefor any amounts delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheatorsimilarLaws.FBMSand theExchange Agentshall be entitled to rely upon the stock transfer books ofFPBto establish the identity of thosePersonsentitled to receive theMerger Considerationspecified in thisAgreement, which books shall be conclusive with respect thereto. In the event of a dispute with respect to ownership of any shares ofFPB Common Stockrepresented by anyCertificate or Book-Entry Share,FBMSand theExchange Agentshall be entitled to tender to the custody of any court of competent jurisdiction anyMerger Considerationrepresented by suchCertificate or Book-Entry Shareand file legal proceedings interpleading allpartiesto such dispute, and will thereafter be relieved with respect to any claims thereto.
(c) FBMS ortheExchange Agent, as applicable, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any amounts otherwise payable pursuant to thisAgreementto anyHoldersuch amounts asFBMSis required to deduct and withhold under applicableLaw. Any amounts so deducted and withheld shall be remitted to the appropriateGovernmental Authorityand upon such remittance shall be treated for all purposes of thisAgreementas having been paid to theHolderin
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respect of which such deduction and withholding was made byFBMS ortheExchange Agent, as applicable.
Section 2.08 Rights of Certificate Holders after the Effective Time.
(a) All shares of FBMS Common Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger shall be deemed issued and outstanding as of the Effective Time and if ever a dividend or other distribution is declared by FBMS in respect of the FBMS Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the Effective Time, that declaration shall include dividends or other distributions in respect of all shares of FBMS Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Agreement. No dividends or other distributions in respect of the FBMS Common Stock shall be paid to any Holder of any unsurrendered Certificate or Book-Entry Share until such Certificate or Book-Entry Share is surrendered for exchange in accordance with thisArticle II. Subject to the effect of applicable Laws, following surrender of any such Certificate or Book-Entry Share, there shall be issued and/or paid to the Holder of the certificates representing whole shares of FBMS Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore payable with respect to such whole shares of FBMS Common Stock and not paid and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the dividends or other distributions payable with respect to such whole shares of FBMS Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time but with a payment date subsequent to surrender.
(b) In the event of a transfer of ownership of a Certificate representing FPB Common Stock that is not registered in the stock transfer records of FPB, the proper amount of cash and/or shares of FBMS Common Stock shall be paid or issued in exchange therefor to a person other than the person in whose name the Certificate so surrendered is registered if the Certificate formerly representing such FPB Common Stock shall be properly endorsed or otherwise be in proper form for transfer and the person requesting such payment or issuance shall pay any transfer or other similar Taxes required by reason of the payment or issuance to a person other than the registered Holder of the Certificate or establish to the satisfaction of FBMS that the Tax has been paid or is not applicable.
Section 2.09 Anti-Dilution Provisions. If the number of shares of FBMS Common Stock or FPB Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time shall be increased or decreased, or changed into or exchanged for a different number of kind of shares or securities, in any such case as a result of a stock split, reverse stock split, stock combination, stock dividend, recapitalization, reclassification, reorganization or similar transaction, or there shall be any extraordinary dividend or distribution with respect to such stock, and the record date therefor shall be prior to the Effective Time, an appropriate and proportionate adjustment shall be made to the Merger Consideration to give holders of FPB Common Stock the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement prior to such event.
Article III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FPB
Except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by FPB to FBMS prior to or concurrently with the execution of this Agreement with respect to each such Section below (the
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“FPB Disclosure Schedule”); provided, that (a) the mere inclusion of an item in the FPB Disclosure Schedule as an exception to a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission by FPB that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect on FPB and (b) any disclosures made with respect to a section ofArticle III shall be deemed to qualify (1) any other section ofArticle III specifically referenced or cross-referenced and (2) other sections ofArticle III to the extent it is reasonably apparent on its face (notwithstanding the absence of a specific cross reference) from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure applies to such other sections, FPB hereby represents and warrants to FBMS as follows:
Section 3.01 Organization and Standing . Each of FPB and its Subsidiaries is (a) an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation and (b) is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction where its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified has not had, and is not reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FPB. A complete and accurate list of all such jurisdictions described in(a) and(b) is set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.01.
Section 3.02 Capital Stock.
(a) The authorized capital stock ofFPBconsists of 5,000,000 shares of FPB Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of FPB Preferred Stock, 3,240 of which are designated as Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, and 162 of which are designated as Fixed Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series B. As ofthe date hereof, there are 2,703,943 shares ofFPB Common Stockissued and outstanding and no shares of FPB Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. As ofthe date hereof, there were FPB Warrants to acquire 198,275 shares of FPBCommon Stockoutstanding. There are no shares ofFPB Common Stockheld by any ofFPB’sSubsidiaries.FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.02(a) sets forth, as ofthe latest practicable date, the name and address, as reflected on the books and records ofFPB, of eachHolder, and the number of shares ofFPB Common Stockheld by each suchHolder. The issued and outstanding shares ofFPB Common Stockareduly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, non-assessableand have not been issued in violation of nor are they subject to preemptiverightsof anyFPBshareholder. All shares ofFPB’s capital stock issued and outstanding have been issued in compliance with and not in violation of any applicable federalorstate securitiesLaws.
(b) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.02(b) sets forth, as ofthe date hereof, for each grantoraward ofFPB Restricted Shares orother outstandingRightsofFPBthe (i) name of the grantee, (ii) date of the grant, (iii)expiration date, (iv) vesting schedule, (v) number of shares ofFPB Common Stock,orany other security ofFPB, subject to such award, (vi) number of shares subject to such award that are exercisableorhave vested as ofthe date of this Agreement, and (vii) name of theFPB Stock Planunder which such award was granted, if applicable. EachFPB Restricted Share and all other outstanding FPB Rightscomplies withoris exempt from Section 409A of theCode and qualifies for the tax treatment afforded thereto inFPB’sTax Returns. Each grant ofFPB Restricted Shares or other outstanding FPB Rightswas appropriately authorized by the board of directors ofFPB orthe compensation committee thereof, was made in accordance with the terms of theFPB Stock Plansand any applicableLawand regulatory rulesorrequirements and has a
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grant date identical to (orlater than) the date on which it was actually grantedorawarded by the board of directors ofFPB orthe compensation committee thereof. There are no outstanding shares of capital stock of any class,orany options, warrantsorother similarrights, convertibleorexchangeable securities, “phantom stock”rights, stock appreciationrights, stock based performance units, agreements, arrangements, commitmentsorunderstandings to whichFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesis aparty, whetherornot in writing, of any character relating to the issuedorunissued capital stockorother securities ofFPB orany ofFPB’sSubsidiaries orobligatingFPB orany ofFPB’sSubsidiariesto issue (whether upon conversion, exchangeorotherwise)orsell any share of capital stock of,orother equity interests inorother securities of,FPB orany ofFPB’sSubsidiariesother than those listed inFPB Disclosure Schedule3.02(b). There are no obligations, contingentorotherwise, ofFPB orany ofFPB’sSubsidiariesto repurchase, redeemorotherwise acquire any shares ofFPB Common Stock orcapital stock of any ofFPB’sSubsidiaries orany other securities ofFPB orany ofFPB’sSubsidiaries orto provide funds toormake any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contributionorotherwise) in any suchSubsidiary orany other entity. Except for the FPBVoting Agreements, there are no agreements, arrangementsorother understandings with respect to the voting ofFPB’s capital stock held by directors or executive officers of FPB and there are no agreementsorarrangements under whichFPBis obligated to register the sale of any of its securities under theSecurities Act.
Section 3.03 Subsidiaries.
(a) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.03(a) sets forth a complete and accurate list of allSubsidiaries of FPB,includingthe jurisdiction of organization and all jurisdictions in which any such entity is qualified to do business and the number of shares or other equity interests in such Subsidiary held by FPB. Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule3.03(a), (i)FPBowns, directlyorindirectly, all of the issued and outstanding equity securities of eachFPB Subsidiary, (ii) no equity securities of any ofFPB’sSubsidiariesareormay become required to be issued (other than toFPB) by reason of any contractual rightorotherwise, (iii) there are no contracts, commitments, understandingsorarrangements by which any of suchSubsidiariesisormay be bound to sellorotherwise transfer any of its equity securities (other than toFPB ora wholly-ownedSubsidiary of FPB), (iv) there are no contracts, commitments, understandingsorarrangements relating toFPB’srightsto voteorto dispose of such securities, (v) all of the equity securities of each suchSubsidiaryheld byFPB, directlyorindirectly, arevalidly issued, fully paid, non-assessableand are not subject to preemptiveorsimilarrights, and (vi) all of the equity securities of eachSubsidiarythat is owned, directlyorindirectly, byFPB oranySubsidiarythereof, are free and clear of allLiens, other than restrictions on transfer under applicable securities or bankingLaws. NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas any trust preferred securitiesorother similar securities outstanding.
(b) NeitherFPBnor any ofFPB’sSubsidiariesowns any stockorequity interest in any depository institution (as defined in12 U.S.C. Section 1813(c)(1)) other thanFlorida Parishes Bank. Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.03(b), neitherFPBnor any ofFPB’sSubsidiariesbeneficially owns, directlyorindirectly (other than in a bona fide fiduciary capacityorin satisfaction of a debt previously contracted), any equity securitiesorsimilar interests of anyPerson,orany interest in a partnershiporjoint venture of any kind.
Section 3.04 Corporate Power; Minute Books.
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(a) FPBand each of itsSubsidiarieshas the corporateorsimilar power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own all of its properties and assets; andFPBhas the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under thisAgreementand to consummatethe transactions contemplated hereby, subject to receipt of all necessary approvals ofGovernmental Authorities, theRegulatory Approvalsand theRequisite FPB Shareholder Approval.
(b) FPBhasmade availableto FBMS a complete and correct copy of its articles of incorporation and bylawsorequivalent organizational documents, each as amended to date, ofFPBand each of itsSubsidiaries, the minute books ofFPBand each of itsSubsidiaries, and the stock ledgers and stock transfer books ofFPBand each of itsSubsidiaries. NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiariesis in violation of any of the terms of its articles of incorporation, bylawsorequivalent organizational documents. The minute books ofFPBand each of itsSubsidiariescontain records of all meetings held by, and all other corporateorsimilar actions of, their respective shareholders and boards of directors (includingcommittees of their respective boards of directors)orother governing bodies, which records are complete and accurate in allmaterialrespects. The stock ledgers and the stock transfer books ofFPBand each of itsSubsidiariescontain complete and accurate records of the ownership of the equity securities ofFPBand each of itsSubsidiaries.
Section 3.05 Corporate Authority. Subject only to the receipt of the Requisite FPB Shareholder Approval at the FPB Meeting, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been authorized by all necessary corporate action of FPB and the board of directors of FPB on or prior to the date hereof. The board of directors of FPB has directed that this Agreement be submitted to FPB’s shareholders for approval at a meeting of the shareholders and, except for the receipt of the Requisite FPB Shareholder Approval in accordance with the LBCA and FPB’s articles of incorporation and bylaws, no other vote or action of the shareholders of FPB is required by Law, the articles of incorporation or bylaws of FPB or otherwise to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. FPB has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by FBMS, this Agreement is a valid and legally binding obligation of FPB, enforceable in accordance with its terms (except to the extent that validity and enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by general principles of equity or by principles of public policy (the “Enforceability Exception’’).
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Section 3.06 Regulatory Approvals; No Defaults.
(a) No consentsorapprovals of,orwaivers by,orfilingsorregistrations with, anyGovernmental Authorityare required to be madeorobtained byFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesin connection with the execution, deliveryorperformance byFPBof thisAgreement orto consummate the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement, except as may be required for(i)filings of applications and notices with, and receipt of consents, authorizations, approvals, exemptionsornon-objections from theSEC,NASDAQ, state securities authorities, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., applicable securities, commodities and futures exchanges, and other industry self-regulatory organizations (each, an “SRO”), (ii) filings of applicationsornotices with, and consents, approvalsorwaivers by theFRB, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”), and other banking, regulatory, self-regulatoryorenforcement authoritiesorany courts, administrative agenciesorcommissionsorotherGovernmental Authoritiesand approval ofornon-objection to such applications, filings and notices (taken together with the items listed in clause(i), the “Regulatory Approvals”), (iii) the filing with theSECof theProxy Statement-Prospectusand theRegistration Statementand declaration of effectiveness of theRegistration Statement, (iv) the filing of theArticles of Merger contemplated bySection 1.04(a) and the filing of documents with the FDIC, theOCC or other applicableGovernmental Authorities to cause theBank Mergerto become effective and (v) such filings and approvals as are required to be madeorobtained under the securitiesor“Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance of the shares ofFBMS Common Stockpursuant to thisAgreementand approval of listing of suchFBMS Common Stockon theNASDAQ. Subject to the receipt of the approvals referred to in the preceding sentence, theRequisite FPB Shareholder Approval and as set forth onFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.06(a), the execution, delivery and performance of thisAgreementandthe consummation of the transactions contemplated herebybyFPBdo not and will not (1) constitute a breachorviolation of,ora default under, the articles of incorporation, bylawsorsimilar governing documents ofFPB orany of its respectiveSubsidiaries, (2) violate any statute,code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ, decreeorinjunction applicable toFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries,orany of their respective propertiesorassets, (3) conflict with, result in a breachorviolation of any provision of,orthe loss of any benefit under,ora default (oran event which, withorwithout noticeorlapse of time,orboth, would constitute a default) under, result in the creation of anyLienunder, result in a right of terminationorthe acceleration of any rightorobligation (which, in each case, would have a material impact on FPB or could reasonably be expected to result in a financial obligation or penalty in excess of $50,000) under any permit, license, creditagreement, indenture, loan, note, bond, mortgage, reciprocal easementagreement, lease, instrument, concession, contract, franchise,agreement orother instrumentorobligation ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries orto whichFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries,ortheir respective propertiesorassets is subjectorbound,or(4) require the consentorapproval of any thirdparty or Governmental Authorityunder any suchLaw, ruleorregulationorany judgment, decree, order, permit, license, creditagreement, indenture, loan, note, bond, mortgage, reciprocal easementagreement, lease, instrument, concession, contract, franchise,agreement orother instrumentorobligation that would have a material impact on FPB or result in a material financial penalty.
(b) As ofthe date hereof,FPBhas noKnowledgeof any reason (i) why theRegulatory Approvalsreferred to inSection 6.01(b) will not be received in customary time frames from the applicableGovernmental Authoritieshaving jurisdiction over the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement or(ii) why anyBurdensome Conditionwould be imposed.
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Section 3.07 Financial Statements; Internal Controls.
(a) FPBhas previously deliveredor made availabletoFBMScopies ofFPB’s (i) audited consolidatedfinancial statements(includingtherelated notes and schedules thereto)for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, accompanied by the unqualified audit reports of Postlethwaite & Netterville, independent registered accountants (collectively, the “Audited Financial Statements”) and (ii) unaudited interim consolidatedfinancial statements(includingtherelated notes and schedules thereto)for thesix months ended June 30, 2018(the “Unaudited Financial Statements” and collectively with theAudited Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”). TheFinancial Statements(includinganyrelated notes and schedules thereto)are accurate and complete in allmaterialrespects and fairly present in allmaterialrespects the financial condition and the results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows ofFPBand its consolidatedSubsidiariesas of the respective dates of and for the periods referred to in suchfinancial statements, all in accordance withGAAP, consistently applied, subject, in the case of theUnaudited Financial Statements, to normal, recurring year-end adjustments (the effect of which has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to have, individuallyorin the aggregate, aMaterial Adverse Effectwith respect toFPB) and the absence of notes and schedules (that, if presented, would not differ materially from those included in theAudited Financial Statements). Nofinancial statementsof any entityorenterprise other thanFPB’sSubsidiariesare required byGAAPto be included in the consolidatedfinancial statementsofFPB. The audits ofFPBhave been conducted in accordance withGAAP. Since December 31, 2017, neitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas any liabilitiesorobligations of a nature that would be required byGAAPto be set forth on its consolidated balance sheetorin the notes thereto except for liabilities reflectedorreserved against in theFinancial Statementsand current liabilities incurred in theOrdinary Course of Businesssince December 31, 2017. True, correct and complete copies of theFinancial Statementsare set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.07(a).
(b) The records, systems, controls, data and information ofFPB and its Subsidiariesare recorded, stored, maintained and operated under means (includingany electronic, mechanicalorphotographic process, whether computerizedornot) that are under the exclusive ownership and direct control ofFPB oritsSubsidiaries oraccountants (includingall means of access thereto and therefrom). FPB and its Subsidiaries have devised and maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation offinancial statementsin accordance withGAAP.FPBhas disclosed based on its most recent evaluations, to its outside auditors and the audit committee of the board of directors ofFPB(i) all significant deficiencies andmaterialweaknesses in the designoroperation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affectFPB’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and (ii) any fraud, whetherornotmaterial, that involves managementorother employees who have a significant role inFPB’s internal control over financial reporting.
(c) Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.07, since January 1, 2015, neitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiariesnor, toFPB’sKnowledge, any director, officer, employee, auditor, accountantorrepresentative ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiarieshas received,orotherwise hadorobtainedKnowledgeof, anymaterialcomplaint,
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allegation, assertionor claimregarding the accountingorauditing practices, procedures, methodologiesormethods ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries ortheir respective internal accounting controls,includinganymaterialcomplaint, allegation, assertionor claimthatFPB orany of itsSubsidiarieshas engaged in questionable accountingorauditing practices.
Section 3.08 Regulatory Reports. Since January 1, 2015, FPB and its Subsidiaries have timely filed with the SEC, FRB, the FDIC, any SRO and any other applicable Governmental Authority, in correct form, the material reports, registration statements and other documents required to be filed under applicable Laws and regulations and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith, and such reports were complete and accurate and in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of applicable Laws and regulations. Other than normal examinations conducted by a Governmental Authority in the Ordinary Course of Business, no Governmental Authority has notified FPB or any of its Subsidiaries that it has initiated any proceeding or, to the Knowledge of FPB, threatened an investigation into the business or operations of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 2015. There is no material and unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any Governmental Authority with respect to any report or statement relating to any examinations or inspections of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 3.09 Absence of Certain ChangesorEvents. Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.09, the Financial Statements or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, since December 31, 2017, (a) FPB and its Subsidiaries have carried on their respective businesses in all material respects in the Ordinary Course of Business, (b) there have been no events, changes or circumstances which have had, or are reasonable likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FPB, and (c) neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action or failed to take any action prior to the date of this Agreement which action or failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would constitute a material breach or violation of any of the covenants and agreements set forth inSection 5.01(a),Section 5.01(b),Section 5.01(c),Section 5.01(e),Section 5.01(g),Section 5.01(h),Section 5.01(j),Section 5.01(k),Section 5.01(u) orSection 5.01(y).
Section 3.10 Legal Proceedings.
(a) There are nomaterialcivil, criminal, administrativeorregulatory actions, suits, demand letters, demands for indemnification, claims, hearings, notices of violation, arbitrations, investigations, orders to show cause, market conduct examinations, notices of non-complianceorother proceedings of any nature pendingor, to theKnowledgeofFPB, threatened againstFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries orto whichFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesis aparty,includingwithout limitation, any such actions, suits, demand letters, demands for indemnification, claims, hearings, notices of violation, arbitrations, investigations, orders to show cause, market conduct examinations, notices of non-complianceorother proceedings of any nature that would challenge the validityorpropriety of the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement.
(b) There is nomaterialinjunction, order, judgmentordecree imposed uponFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries,orthe assets ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries, and neitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas been advised of the threat of any such action, other than any such injunction, order, judgementordecree that is generally applicable to allPersonsin businesses similar to that ofFPB orany ofFPB’sSubsidiaries.
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Section 3.11 Compliance WithLaws.
(a) FPBand each of itsSubsidiariesis, and has been since January 1, 2015, in compliance in allmaterialrespects with all applicable federal, state, local and foreignLaws, rules, judgments, ordersordecrees applicable theretoorto the employees conducting such businesses,including, without limitation,Lawsrelated to data protectionorprivacy, theUSA PATRIOT Act, theBank Secrecy Act, theEqual Credit Opportunity Act, theFair Housing Act, theHome Mortgage Disclosure Act, theCommunity Reinvestment Act, theFair Credit Reporting Act, theTruth in Lending Act, theDodd-Frank Act, Sections 23Aand 23B of theFederal Reserve Act, theSarbanes-Oxley Act ortheregulationsimplementing such statutes, all other applicable anti-money launderingLaws, fair lendingLawsand otherLawsrelating to discriminatory lending, financing, leasingorbusiness practices and all agency requirements relating to the origination, sale and servicing of mortgageloans. NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas been advised of any supervisory concerns regarding their compliance with theBank Secrecy Act orrelated stateorfederal anti-money laundering laws,regulationsand guidelines,includingwithout limitation those provisions of federalregulationsrequiring (i) the filing of reports, such asCurrency Transaction Reports and Suspicious Activity Reports, (ii) the maintenance of records and (iii) the exercise of due diligence in identifying customers.
(b) FPBand each of itsSubsidiarieshave allmaterialpermits, licenses, authorizations, orders and approvals of, and each has made all filings, applications and registrations with, allGovernmental Authoritiesthat are required in order to permit it to ownorlease its properties and to conduct its business as presently conducted. All such permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full force and effect and, toFPB’sKnowledge, no suspensionorcancellation of any of them is threatened.
(c) NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas received, since January 1, 2015, writtenor, toFPB’sKnowledge, oral notification from anyGovernmental Authority(i) asserting that it is materially in non-compliance with any of theLawswhich suchGovernmental Authorityenforcesor(ii) threatening to revoke any license, franchise, permitorgovernmental authorization.
Section 3.12 FPB Material Contracts; Defaults.
(a) Other than theFPB Benefit Plans, neitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiariesis apartyto, bound byorsubject to anyagreement, contract, arrangement, commitmentorunderstanding (whether writtenororal) (i) which would entitle any presentorformer director, officer, employee, consultantoragent ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesto indemnification fromFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries; (ii) which grants any right of first refusal, right of first offerorsimilar right with respect to any assetsorproperties ofFPB orits respectiveSubsidiaries; (iii) related to the borrowing byFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesof money other than those entered into in theOrdinary Course of Businessand any guaranty of any obligation for the borrowing of money, excluding endorsements made for collection, repurchaseorresell agreements, letters of credit and guaranties made in theOrdinary Course of Business; (iv) which provides for payments to be made byFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesupon a change in control thereof; (v) relating to the lease of personal property having a value in excess of $25,000individuallyor$50,000in the aggregate; (vi) relating to any joint venture, partnership, limited liability companyagreement orother similaragreement orarrangement; (vii) which relates to capital expenditures and involves future payments in excess
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of $50,000individuallyor$125,000in the aggregate; (viii) which relates to the dispositionoracquisition of assetsorany interest in any business enterprise outside theOrdinary Course of Business; (ix) which is not terminable on sixty (60) daysorless notice and involving the payment of more than $30,000per annum; (x) which contains a non-competeorclientorcustomer non-solicit requirementorany other provision that restricts the conduct of any line of business byFPB orany of itsAffiliates orupon consummation of theMergerwill restrict the ability of theSurviving Entity orany of itsAffiliatesto engage in any line of business (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any exclusivity provision granted in favor of any third party)orwhich grants any right of first refusal, right of first offerorsimilar rightorthat limitsorpurports to limit the ability ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries(or,following consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,FBMS orany of itsSubsidiaries) to own, operate, sell, transfer, pledgeorotherwise dispose of any assetsorbusiness;or(xi) pursuant to whichFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesmay become obligated to invest inorcontribute capital to any entity. Each contract, arrangement, commitmentorunderstanding of the type described in thisSection 3.12(a) is listed inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.12(a), and is referred tohereinas a “FPB Material Contract.”FPBhas previouslymade availabletoFBMStrue, complete and correct copies of each suchFPB Material Contract,includingany and all amendments and modifications thereto.
(b) EachFPB Material Contractis valid and binding onFPBand any of itsSubsidiariesto the extent suchSubsidiaryis apartythereto, as applicable, and is in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms (assuming the due execution by each other party thereto, provided that FPB hereby represents and warrants that, to its Knowledge, each FPB Material Contract is duly executed by all such parties), subject to the Enforceability Exception and except where the failure to be valid, binding, enforceable and in full force and effect, individuallyorin the aggregate, is not reasonably likely to have aMaterial Adverse Effectwith respect toFPB; and neitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiariesis in default under anyFPB Material Contract orother “material contract”(as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC), to which it is aparty, and there has not occurred any event that, with the lapse of timeorthe giving of noticeorboth, would constitute such a material default. No power of attorneyorsimilar authorization given directlyorindirectly byFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesis currently outstanding.
(c) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.12(c) sets forth a true and complete list of allFPB Material Contractspursuant to which consents, waiversornotices areormay be required to be given thereunder, in each case, prior to the performance byFPBof thisAgreementand the consummation of theMerger, theBank Mergerand the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
Section 3.13 Agreementswith Regulatory Agencies. Neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any cease-and-desist or other order issued by, or is a party to any written agreement, consent agreement or memorandum of understanding with, or is a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to, or is a recipient of any extraordinary supervisory letter from, or is subject to any order or directive by, or has adopted any board resolutions at the request of any Governmental Authority (each a “FPB Regulatory Agreement”) that restricts, or by its terms will in the future restrict, the conduct of FPB’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ business or that in any manner relates to their capital adequacy, credit or risk management policies, dividend policies, management, business or operations, nor has FPB or any of its Subsidiaries been advised by any Governmental Authority that it is considering issuing or requesting (or is considering the
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appropriateness of issuing or requesting) any FPB Regulatory Agreement. To FPB’s Knowledge, there are no investigations relating to any regulatory matters pending before any Governmental Authority with respect to FPB or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 3.14 Brokers; Fairness Opinion. Neither FPB nor any of its officers, directors or any of its Subsidiaries has employed any broker or finder or incurred, nor will it incur, any liability for any broker’s fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except that FPB has engaged, and will pay a fee or commission toSandler O’Neill & Partners, L.P. (“FPB Financial Advisor”), in accordance with the terms of a letter agreement between FPB Financial Advisor and FPB, a true, complete and correct copy of which has been previously delivered by FPB to FBMS. FPB has received the opinion of the FPB Financial Advisor (and, when it is delivered in writing, a copy of such opinion will be promptly provided to FBMS) to the effect that, as of the date of this Agreement and based upon and subject to the qualifications and assumptions set forth therein, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of shares of FPB Common Stock, and, as of the date of this Agreement, such opinion has not been withdrawn, revoked or modified.
Section 3.15 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.15(a) sets forth a true and complete list of eachFPB Benefit Plan. For purposes of thisAgreement, “FPB Benefit Plans” means all benefit and compensation plans, contracts, policiesorarrangements (i) covering currentorformer employees ofFPB, any of itsSubsidiaries orany ofFPB’s related organizations described inCodeSections 414(b), (c)or(m),orany entity which is considered one employer withFPB, any of itsSubsidiaries or Controlled Group Membersunder Section 4001 ofERISA orSection 414 of theCode(“ERISA Affiliates”) (such current employees collectively, the “FPB Employees”), (ii) covering currentorformer directors ofFPB, any of itsSubsidiaries,or ERISA Affiliates,or(iii) with respect to whichFPB orany of itsSubsidiarieshasormay have any liabilityorcontingent liability (includingliability arising fromERISA Affiliates)including, but not limited to, “employee benefit plans” within the meaning ofSection 3(3) of ERISA, health/welfare, employment, severance, change-of-control, fringe benefit, deferred compensation, defined benefit plan, defined contribution plan, stock option, stock purchase, stock appreciationrights, stock based, incentive, bonus plans, retirement plans and other policies, plansorarrangements whetherornot subject toERISA.
(b) With respect to each FPBBenefit Plan,FPBhas provided toFBMStrue and complete copies of suchFPB Benefit Plan, any trust instruments and insurance contracts forming a part of anyFPB Benefit Plansand all amendments thereto, summary plan descriptions and summary ofmaterialmodifications,IRSForm 5500 (for the three (3) most recently completed plan years), the most recentIRSdetermination, opinion, notification and advisory letters, with respect thereto and any correspondence from any regulatory agency. In addition, with respect to theFPB Benefit Plansfor the three (3) most recently completed plan years, any planfinancial statementsand accompanying accounting reports, service contracts, fidelity bonds and employee and participant annual QDIA notice, safe harbor notice,orfee disclosures notices under 29 CFR 2550.404a-5, and nondiscrimination testing data and results under Code Sections 105(h), 125, 129, 401(k), and 401(m), as applicable, have been provided toFBMS.
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(c) AllFPB Benefit Plansare in compliance in allmaterialrespects in form and operation with all applicableLaws,including ERISAand theCode. EachFPB Benefit Planwhich is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of theCode(“FPB 401(a) Plan”) has received a favorable opinion, determinationoradvisory letter from theIRS, and to FPB’s Knowledgethere is notany circumstance that could reasonably be expected to result in revocation of any such favorable determination, opinionoradvisory letterorthe loss of the qualification of suchFPB 401(a) Planunder Section 401(a) of theCode, and nothing has occurred that would be expected to result in theFPB 401(a) Planceasing to be qualified under Section 401(a) of theCode. AllFPB Benefit Planshave been administered in allmaterialrespects in accordance with their terms. There is no pendingor, toFPB’sKnowledge, threatened litigationorregulatory action relating to theFPB Benefit Plans. NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas engaged in a transaction with respect to anyFPB Benefit Plan,includingaFPB 401(a) Planthat could subjectFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesto atax orpenalty under anyLaw including, but not limited to, Section 4975 of theCode orSection 502(i) ofERISA. NoFPB 401(a) Planhas been submitted underorbeen the subject of anIRSvoluntary compliance program submission that is still outstandingorthat has not been fully corrected in accordance with a compliance statement issued by theIRSwith respect to any applicable failures. There are no audits, inquiriesorproceedings pendingor, toFPB’sKnowledge,threatened by theIRS orthe Department of Labor with respect to anyFPB Benefit Plan. To FPB's Knowledge, there are no current, pending, or threatened investigations by the IRS or the Department of Labor with respect to any FPB Benefit Plan.
(d) No liability under Subtitle Cor D of Title IV of ERISAhas beenoris expected to be incurred byFPB, any of itsSubsidiaries oranyERISA Affiliateswith respect to any ongoing, frozenorterminated “single employer plan,” within the meaning ofSection 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currentlyorformerly maintained byFPB, any of itsSubsidiaries oranyERISA Affiliates. NeitherFPBnor anyERISA Affiliatehas ever maintained a plan subject toTitle IV of ERISA orSection 412 of theCode. None ofFPB oranyERISA Affiliatehas contributed to (orbeen obligated to contribute to) a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning ofSection 3(37) of ERISA ora “multiple employer plan” within the meaning ofERISASections 4063or4064orCode Section 413(c) at any time. NeitherFPB nor any of itsSubsidiaries or ERISA Affiliateshave incurred, and there are no circumstances under which they could reasonably be expected to incur, liability underTitle IV of ERISA (regardless of whether based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate). Neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever sponsored, maintained or participated in a multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in ERISA Section 3(40). No notice of a “reportable event” within the meaning ofSection 4043 of ERISAhas been required to be filed for anyFPB Benefit Plan orby anyERISA Affiliate orwill be required to be filed, in either case, in connection with the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement.
(e) All contributions required to be made with respect to allFPB Benefit Planshave been timely made. NoFPB Benefit Plan orsingle employer plan of anERISA Affiliatehas an “accumulated funding deficiency” (whetherornot waived) within the meaning of Section 412 of theCode orSection 3012 of ERISA and no ERISA Affiliate has an outstanding funding waiver.
(f) Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.15(f), noFPB Benefit Planprovides life insurance, medical, surgical, hospitalizationorother employee welfare benefits to any FPB Employee,orany of their affiliates, upon or following hisorher retirementortermination of employment for any reason, except as may be required byLaw.
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(g) AllFPB Benefit Plansthat are group health plans have been operated in allmaterialrespects in compliance with the group health plan continuation requirements of Section 4980B of theCodeand all other applicable sections ofERISAand theCode, and no material liabilities arising under Code Section 4980H have occurred. FPBmay amendorterminate any suchFPB Benefit Planat any time without incurring any liability thereunder for future benefits coverage at any time after such termination.
(h) Except as otherwise provided for in thisAgreement or as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.15(h), neither the execution of thisAgreement, shareholder approval of thisAgreement orconsummation of any of the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement(individuallyorin conjunction with any other event) will (i) entitle any current or former FPB Employee to retention or other bonuses, parachute payments, non-competition payments, or any other payment, (ii) entitle any current or former FPB Employee to unemployment compensation, severance payorany increase in severance pay upon any termination of employment, (iii) accelerate the time of paymentorvesting (except as required byLaw)ortrigger any paymentorfunding (through a grantor trustorotherwise) of compensationorbenefits under, increase the amount payableortrigger any other obligation pursuant to, any of theFPB Benefit Plans, (iv) result in any breachorviolation of,ora default under, any of theFPB Benefit Plans, (v) result in any payment of any amount that would, individually or in combination with any other such payment, be an excess “parachute payment” to a “disqualified individual” as those terms are defined in Section 280G of theCode,or(vi) limitorrestrict the right ofFPB or, afterthe consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,FBMS orany of itsSubsidiaries, to merge, amendorterminate any of theFPB Benefit Plans.
(i) Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.15(i), (i) eachFPB Benefit Planthat is a non-qualified deferred compensation planorarrangement within the meaning of Section 409A of theCode, and any underlying award, is in compliance in all respects with Section 409A of theCode and (ii)no payment or award that has been made to any participant under a FPB Benefit Plan is subject to the interest and penalties specified in Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code. NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiaries(x) has any obligation to reimburseorindemnify any participant in aFPB Benefit Planfor any of the interest or penalties specified in Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of theCodethat may be currently dueortriggered in the future,or(y) except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.15(i), has been required to report to any Government Authority any correctionor taxesdue as a result of a failure to comply with Section 409A of theCode.
(j) NoFPB Benefit Planprovides for the gross-uporreimbursement of anyTaxesimposed by Section 4999 of theCode orotherwise, and neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to reimburse or indemnify any party for such Taxes.
(k) FPB has made available to FBMS copies of any Code Section 280G calculations (whether or not final) with respect to the disqualified individuals referenced in such calculations in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(l) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.15(l) contains a schedule showing the monetary amounts payable or potentially payable, whether individuallyorin the aggregate (includinggood faith estimates of all amounts not subject to precise quantification as ofthe date of this Agreement)
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under any employment, change-in-control, severanceorsimilar contract, planorarrangement withorwhich covers any presentorformer director, officer, employeeorconsultant ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiarieswho may be entitled to any such amount and identifying the types and estimated amounts of the in-kind benefits due under anyFPB Benefit Plans(other than a plan qualified under Section 401(a) of theCode) for each suchPerson, specifying the assumptions in such schedule and providing estimates of other required contributions to any trusts for any related feesorexpenses.
(m) FPB and its Subsidiaries have correctly classified all individuals who directlyorindirectly perform services forFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesfor purposes of eachFPB Benefit Plan,ERISAand theCode.
Section 3.16 Labor Matters. Neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organization, nor is there any proceeding pending or, to FPB’s Knowledge threatened, asserting that FPB or any of its Subsidiaries has committed an unfair labor practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act) or seeking to compel FPB or any of its Subsidiaries to bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is there any strike or other labor dispute against FPB pending or, to FPB’s Knowledge, threatened, nor to FPB’s Knowledge is there any activity involving FPB Employees seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or engaging in other organizational activity. To its Knowledge, FPB and its Subsidiaries have correctly classified all individuals who directly or indirectly perform services for FPB or any of its Subsidiaries for purposes of federal and state unemployment compensation Laws, workers’ compensation Laws and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Labor. To FPB’s Knowledge, no officer of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries is in material violation of any employment contract, confidentiality, non-competition agreement or any other restrictive covenant.
Section 3.17 Environmental Matters. (a) To its Knowledge, FPB and its Subsidiaries have been and are in material compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, including obtaining, maintaining and complying with all permits required under Environmental Laws for the operation of their respective businesses, (b) there is no action or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority relating to or arising under any Environmental Laws that is pending or, to the Knowledge of FPB, threatened against FPB or any of its Subsidiaries or any real property or facility presently owned, operated or leased by FPB or any of its Subsidiaries or any predecessor(includingin a fiduciaryoragency capacity), (c) neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any notice of or is subject to any liability, order, settlement, judgment, injunction or decree involving uncompleted, outstanding or unresolved requirements relating to or arising under Environmental Laws, (d) to the Knowledge of FPB, there have been no releases of Hazardous Substances at, on, under or affecting any of the real properties or facilities presently owned, operated or leased by FPB or any of its Subsidiaries or any predecessor(includingin a fiduciaryoragency capacity)in amount or condition that has resulted in or would reasonably be expected to result in liability to FPB or any of its Subsidiaries relating to or arising under any Environmental Laws, and (e) to the Knowledge of FPB, there are no underground storage tanks on, in or under any property currently owned, operated or leased by FPB or any of its Subsidiaries.
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Section 3.18 TaxMatters.
(a) Each of FPB and its Subsidiaries has duly and timely filed (taking into account all applicable extensions) allmaterial Tax Returnsthat it was required to file under applicableLaws, other thanTax Returnsthat are not yet dueorfor which a request for extension was timely filed consistent with requirements of applicableLaw. All suchTax Returnswere correct and complete in allmaterialrespects and have been prepared in compliance with all Applicable Laws in all material respects. Allmaterial Taxesdue and owing byFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries(whetherornot shown on anyTax Return) have been fully and timely paid. NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiariesis currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file anymaterial Tax Return. NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas ever received written notice of anyclaimby anyGovernmental Authorityin a jurisdiction whereFPB orsuchSubsidiarydoes not fileTax Returnsthat it isormay be subject toTaxesby that jurisdiction. There are nomaterial Liens for Taxes(other thanTaxesnot yet due and payableorthat are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance withGAAP) upon any of the assets ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries.
(b) FPBand each of itsSubsidiarieshave properly withheld and paid over to the appropriateGovernmental Authorityallmaterial Taxesrequired to have been withheld and paid over in connection with any amounts paidorowing to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholderorotherPerson, and have complied in allmaterialrespects with all applicable reporting requirements related to Taxes.
(c) No foreign, federal, stateorlocalTaxauditsoradministrativeorjudicialTaxproceedings are currently being conductedorpendingorthreatened in writing, in each case, with respect to amaterialamount ofTaxesofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries. NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas received from any foreign, federal, stateorlocal taxing authority (includingjurisdictions whereFPB orany of itsSubsidiarieshave not filedTax Returns) any(i) notice indicating an intent to open an auditorother review with respect toTaxes or (ii) notice of deficiencyorproposed adjustment for any amount ofmaterial Taxproposed, assertedorassessed by any taxing authority againstFPB orany of itsSubsidiarieswhich, in either case(i) or (ii), have not been fully paidorsettled.
(d) FPBhas deliveredor made availabletoFBMStrue and complete copies of thematerialforeign, federal, stateorlocalTax Returnsfiled with respect toFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries, and of allmaterialexamination reports and statements of deficiencies assessed againstoragreed to byFPB, in each casewith respect to incomeTaxes, for taxable periods ended onorafter December 31, 2014.
(e) With respect totaxyears open for audit as ofthe date hereof, neitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas waived any statute of limitations in respect ofTaxes oragreed to any extension of time with respect to aTaxassessmentordeficiency.
(f) NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas been aUnited Statesreal property holding corporation within the meaning ofCode Section 897(c)(2) during the applicable period specifiedin Code Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii). NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiariesis apartytooris otherwise bound by anymaterial Taxallocationorsharingagreement(other than such an
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agreement(i) exclusively betweenoramong FPB and its Subsidiaries, (ii) with customers, vendors, lessorsorsimilar thirdpartiesentered into in theOrdinary Course of Businessand not primarily related toTaxes or(iii) that will terminate as of theClosing Datewithout any furthermaterialpayments being required to be made).FPB(i) has not been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal incomeTax Return(other than a group the common parent of which wasFPB), and (ii) has no liability for theTaxesof anyPerson(other than FPB and its Subsidiaries) underRegulationsSection 1.1502-6 (orany similar provision of foreign, stateorlocalLaw), as a transfereeorsuccessor, by contract,orotherwise.
(g) The most recent Financial Statements as of the date hereof reflect an adequate reserve, in accordance with GAAP, for all Taxes payable by FPB and its Subsidiaries for all taxable periods through the date of such Financial Statements. Since December 31, 2016, neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability for Taxes arising from extraordinary gains or losses, as that term is used in GAAP, outside the Ordinary Course of Business.
(h) NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieswill be required toincludeanymaterialitem of income in,orexclude anymaterialitem of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (orportion thereof) ending after theEffective Timeas a result of any: (i) change in method of accounting pursuant to Section 481 of theCode orany comparable provision under foreign, stateorlocalLawfor a taxable period ending onorprior to theClosing Date; (ii) “closing agreement” as described inCode Section 7121 (or any corresponding or similar provision of foreign, state or local Law)executed onorprior to theClosing Date; (iii) intercompany transactionsorany excess loss account described inRegulationsunderCode Section 1502 (or any corresponding or similar provision of foreign, state or local Law); (iv) installment saleoropen transaction disposition made onorprior to theClosing Date;or(v) prepaid amount received onorprior to theClosing Date.
(i) Since January 1, 2015, neitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas distributed stock of anotherPersonnor had its stock distributed by anotherPersonin a transaction that was intended to be nontaxable and governed in wholeorin part by Section 355orSection 361 of theCode.
(j) NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas been apartyto any “listed transaction,” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(2) of theCodeand Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) of theRegulationsin anytaxyear for which the statute of limitations has not expired.
(k) NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiaries(i) is a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in Section 957 of theCode, (ii) is a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of theCode,or(iii) has a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicableTaxtreaty)orotherwise has an officeorfixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized.
(l) NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas takenoragreed to take any action,oris aware of any factorcircumstance, that would be reasonably likely to prevent theMerger ortheBank Mergerfrom qualifying for U.S. federal incometaxpurposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of theCode.
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Section 3.19 Investment Securities.FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.19 sets forth as of June 30, 2018, the FPB Investment Securities, as well as any purchases or sales of FPB Investment Securities between June 30, 2018 to and including August 31, 2018, reflecting with respect to all such securities, whenever purchased or sold, descriptions thereof, CUSIP numbers, designations as securities “available for sale” or securities “held to maturity” (as those terms are used in ASC 320), book values, fair values and coupon rates, and any gain or loss with respect to any FPB Investment Securities sold during such time period between June 30, 2018 and August 31, 2018. Neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries owns any of the outstanding equity of any savings bank, savings and loan association, savings and loan holding company, credit union, bank or bank holding company, insurance company, mortgage or loan broker or any other financial institution other than Florida Parishes Bank.
Section 3.20 Derivative Transactions(a). AllDerivative Transactionsentered into byFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries orfor the account of any of its customers were entered into in accordance in allmaterialrespects with applicableLawsand regulatory policies of anyGovernmental Authority, and in accordance in allmaterialrespects with the investment, securities, commodities, risk management and other policies, practices and procedures employed byFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries, and were entered into with counterparties believed at the time to be financially responsible and able to understand (either aloneorin consultation with its advisers) and to bear the risks of suchDerivative Transactions.FPBand each of itsSubsidiarieshave duly performed, in all material respects, all of their obligations under theDerivative Transactionsto the extent that such obligations to perform have accrued, and there are nomaterialbreaches, violationsordefaultsorallegationsorassertions of such by anypartythereunder.
(b) EachDerivative Transactionis listed inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.20(b), and the financial position ofFPB oritsSubsidiariesunderorwith respect to each has been reflected in the books and records ofFPB oritsSubsidiariesin accordance withGAAP, and nomaterialopen exposure ofFPB oritsSubsidiarieswith respect to any such instrument (orwith respect to multiple instruments with respect to any single counterparty) exists, except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule3.20(b).
(c) NoDerivative Transaction, were it to be aLoanheld by FPBorany of itsSubsidiaries, would be classified as “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” “Doubtful,” “Loss,” “Classified,” “Criticized,” “Credit Risk Assets,” “Concerned Loans,” “Watch List,” as such terms are defined by theFDIC’s uniform loan classification standards,orwords of similar import.
Section 3.21 Regulatory Capitalization. Florida Parishes Bank is “well-capitalized,” as such term is defined in the applicable federal rules and regulations.
Section 3.22 Loans; Nonperforming and Classified Assets.
(a) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.22(a) sets forth all (i) loan, loanagreement, noteorborrowing arrangement and other extensions of credit (including, without limitation,leases, credit enhancements, commitments, guarantees and interest-bearing assets) (collectively, “Loans”) in which FPB or any of its Subsidiaries is a creditor which, as of September 30, 2018, was over sixty (60) days or more delinquent in payment of principal or interest, and (ii) Loans with any director, executive officer or 5% or greater shareholder of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the
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Knowledge of FPB, any affiliate of any of the foregoing. Set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.22(a) is a true, correct and complete list of (A) all of the Loans of FPB and its Subsidiaries that, as of September 30, 2018, were classified as “Special Mention,” “Substandard,” “Doubtful,” “Loss,” “Classified,” “Criticized,” “Credit Risk Assets,” “Concerned Loans,” “Watch List” or words of similar import by Florida Parishes Bank, FPB or any bank examiner, together with the principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on each such Loan and the identity of the borrower thereunder, together with the aggregate principal amount of such Loans by category of Loan (e.g., commercial, consumer, etc.), and (B) each Loan classified by Florida Parishes Bank as a Troubled Debt Restructuring as defined by GAAP.
(b) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.22(b) identifies each asset ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesthat as of August 31, 2018 was classified as other real estate owned (“OREO”) and the book value thereof as ofAugust 31, 2018as well as any assets classified asOREObetween December 31, 2017 andAugust 31, 2018 and any sales ofOREObetween December 31, 2017 andAugust 31, 2018, reflecting any gainorloss with respect to anyOREOsold.
(c) EachLoanheld inFPB’sorany of itsSubsidiaries’ loan portfolio (each a “FPB Loan”) (i) is evidenced by notes, agreementsorother evidences of indebtedness that are true, genuine and what they purport to be, (ii) to the extent secured, is and has been secured by validLienswhich have been perfected and (iii) is a legal, valid and binding obligation ofFPBand the obligor named therein, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by such obligororobligors, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exception.
(d) All currently outstandingFPB Loanswere solicited, originated and currently exist inmaterialcompliance with all applicable requirements ofLawand the notesorother creditorsecurity documents with respect to each such outstandingFPB Loanare complete and correct in all material respects. There are no oral modificationsoramendmentsoradditional agreements related to theFPB Loansthat are not reflected in the written records ofFPB oritsSubsidiary, as applicable. All suchFPB Loansare owned byFPB oritsSubsidiaryfree and clear of anyLiens other than a blanket lien on qualifying loans provided to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. No claims of defense as to the enforcement of anyFPB Loanhave been asserted in writing againstFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesfor which there is a reasonable possibility of amaterialadverse determination, andFPBhas noKnowledgeof any actsoromissions which would give rise to anyclaim orright of rescission, set-off, counterclaimordefense for which there is a reasonable possibility of amaterialadverse determination to itsSubsidiaries. Other than participation loans purchased by FPB from third parties that are described onFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.22(d), noFPB Loansare presently serviced by thirdparties and there is no obligation which could result in anyFPB Loanbecoming subject to any thirdpartyservicing.
(e) NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiariesis apartyto anyagreement orarrangement with (orotherwise obligated to) anyPersonwhich obligatesFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesto repurchase from any suchPersonanyLoan orother asset ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries, unless there is amaterialbreach of a representationorcovenant byFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries, and none of the agreements pursuant to whichFPB orany of itsSubsidiarieshas soldLoans orpools ofLoans orparticipations inLoans orpools ofLoanscontains any obligation to repurchase suchLoans orinterests therein solely on account of a payment default by the obligor on any suchLoan.
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(f) NeitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiariesis now nor has it ever been since January 1, 2015, subject to any fine, suspension, settlementorother contractorother administrativeagreement orsanction by,orany reduction in any loan purchase commitment from, anyGovernmental Authorityrelating to the origination, saleorservicing of mortgageorconsumerLoans.
Section 3.23 Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. FPB’s allowance for loan and lease losses as reflected in each of (a) the latest balance sheet included in the Financial Statements and (b) in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2017 included in the Financial Statements, were, in the opinion of management, as of each of the dates thereof, in compliance in all material respects with FPB’s existing methodology for determining the adequacy of its allowance for loan and lease losses as well as the standards established by applicable Governmental Authority, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and GAAP.
Section 3.24 Trust Business; Administration of Fiduciary Accounts. Neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries has offered or engaged in providing any individual or corporate trust services or administers any accounts for which it acts as a fiduciary, including, but not limited to, any accounts in which it serves as a trustee, agent, custodian, personal representative, guardian, conservator or investment advisor.
Section 3.25 Investment Management and Related Activities. Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.25, none of FPB, any FPB Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees is required to be registered, licensed or authorized under the Laws of any Governmental Authority as an investment adviser, a broker or dealer, an insurance agency, a commodity trading adviser, a commodity pool operator, a futures commission merchant, an introducing broker, a registered representative or associated person, investment adviser, representative or solicitor, a counseling officer, an insurance agent, a sales person or in any similar capacity with a Governmental Authority.
Section 3.26 RepurchaseAgreements. With respect to all agreements pursuant to which FPB or any of its Subsidiaries has purchased securities subject to an agreement to resell, if any, FPB or any of its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, has a valid, perfected first lien or security interest in the government securities or other collateral securing the repurchase agreement, and the value of such collateral equals or exceeds the amount of the debt secured thereby.
Section 3.27 Deposit Insurance. The deposits of Florida Parishes Bank are insured by the FDIC in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (“FDIA”) to the fullest extent permitted by Law, and Florida Parishes Bank has paid all premiums and assessments and filed all reports required by the FDIA. No proceedings for the revocation or termination of such deposit insurance are pending or, to FPB’s Knowledge, threatened.
Section 3.28 Community Reinvestment Act, Anti-money Laundering and Customer Information Security. Neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement with any individual or group regarding Community Reinvestment Act matters, and neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries has Knowledge that any facts or circumstances exist which would cause FPB or any of its Subsidiaries: (i) to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance with the Community Reinvestment Act, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, or to be assigned a rating for
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Community Reinvestment Act purposes by federal or state bank regulators of lower than “satisfactory”; or (ii) to be deemed to be operating in violation of the Bank Secrecy Act and its implementing regulations (31 C.F.R. Part 103), the USA PATRIOT Act, any order issued with respect to anti-money laundering by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any other applicable anti-money laundering statute, rule or regulation; or (iii) to be deemed not to be in satisfactory compliance with the applicable privacy of customer information requirements contained in any federal and state privacy Laws and regulations, including, without limitation, in Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 and regulations promulgated thereunder. Furthermore, the boards of directors of FPB and its Subsidiaries has implemented an anti-money laundering program that contains adequate and appropriate customer identification verification procedures that has not been deemed ineffective by any Governmental Authority and that meets the requirements of Sections 352 and 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act.
Section 3.29 Transactions withAffiliates. Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.29, there are no outstanding amounts payable to or receivable from, or advances by FPB or any of its Subsidiaries to, and neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries is otherwise a creditor or debtor to (a) any director, executive officer, five percent (5%) or greater shareholder of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries or to any of their respective Affiliates or Associates, other than as part of the normal and customary terms of such person’s employment or service as a director with FPB or any of its Subsidiaries and other than deposits held by Florida Parishes Bank in the Ordinary Course of Business, or (b) any other Affiliate of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.29, neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any transaction or agreement with any of its respective directors, executive officers or other Affiliates. All agreements between Florida Parishes Bank and any of its Affiliates (or any company treated as an affiliate for purposes of such Law) comply, to the extent applicable, with Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act and Regulation W of the FRB.
Section 3.30 Tangible Properties and Assets.
(a) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.30(a) sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all real property owned byFPBand each of itsSubsidiaries. Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule3.30(a),FPB oritsSubsidiarieshas good and marketable title to, valid leasehold interests inorotherwise legally enforceablerightsto use all of the real property, personal property and other assets (tangibleorintangible), used, occupied and operatedorheld for use by it in connection with its business as presently conducted in each case, free and clear of anyLien, except for (i) statutoryLiensfor amounts not yet delinquent, and (ii) easements,rightsof way, and other similarLiensthat do not materially affect the valueoruse of the propertiesorassets subject theretooraffected therebyorotherwise materially impair business operations at such properties. There is no pendingor, toFPB’sKnowledge, threatened legal, administrative, arbitralorother proceeding,claim, actionorgovernmentalorregulatory investigation of any nature with respect to the real property thatFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesowns, usesoroccupiesorhas the right to useoroccupy, noworin the future,includingwithout limitation a pendingorthreatened taking of any of such real property by eminent domain. True and complete copies of all deedsorother documentation evidencing ownership of the real properties set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule3.30(a), and complete copies of the titleinsurance policiesand surveys for each property, together with any mortgages, deeds of trust and security agreements to which such property is subject have been furnishedor made availabletoFBMS.
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(b) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.30(b) sets forth a true, correct and complete schedule of allleases, subleases, licenses and other agreements under whichFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesusesoroccupiesorhas the right to useoroccupy, noworin the future, real property (the “Leases”). Each of theLeasesis valid, binding and in full force and effect and neitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas received a written notice of, and otherwise has noKnowledgeof any, defaultortermination with respect to anyLease. To FPB’s Knowledge, there has not occurred any event and no condition exists that would constitute a termination eventora breach byFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesof,ordefault byFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesin, the performance of any covenant,agreement orcondition contained in anyLease. ToFPB’sKnowledge, no lessor under aLeaseis inmaterialbreachordefault in the performance of anymaterialcovenant,agreement orcondition contained in suchLease.FPBand each of itsSubsidiarieshas paid all rents and other charges to the extent due under theLeases. True and complete copies of allleasesfor,orother documentation evidencing ownership ofora leasehold interest in, the properties listed inFPB Disclosure Schedule3.30(b), have been furnishedor made availabletoFBMS.
(c) All buildings, structures, fixtures, building systems and equipment, and all components thereof,includingthe roof, foundation, load-bearing walls and other structural elements thereof, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other building systems, environmental control, remediation and abatement systems, sewer, storm and waste water systems, irrigation and other water distribution systems, parking facilities, fire protection, security and surveillance systems, and telecommunications, computer, wiring and cable installations, included in the owned real propertyorthe subject of theLeasesare in good condition and repair (normal wear and tear excepted) and sufficient for the operation of the business of FPB and its Subsidiaries.
Section 3.31 Intellectual Property.FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.31 sets forth a true, complete and correct list of all FPB Intellectual Property. FPB or its Subsidiaries owns or has a valid license to use all FPB Intellectual Property, free and clear of all Liens, royalty or other payment obligations (except for royalties or payments with respect to off-the-shelf Software at standard commercial rates). The FPB Intellectual Property constitutes all of the Intellectual Property necessary to carry on the business of FPB and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted. The FPB Intellectual Property is valid and enforceable and has not been cancelled, forfeited, expired or abandoned, and neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice challenging the validity or enforceability of FPB Intellectual Property. None of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries is, nor will any of them be as a result of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance by FPB of its obligations hereunder, in violation of any licenses, sublicenses and other agreements as to which FPB or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and pursuant to which FPB or any of its Subsidiaries is authorized to use any third-party patents, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade secrets or computer software, and neither FPB nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice challenging FPB’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ license or legally enforceable right to use any such third-party intellectual property rights. The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not result in the material loss or impairment of the right of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries to own or use any of FPB Intellectual Property.
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Section 3.32 Insurance.
(a) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.32(a) identifies all of theinsurance policies, bindersorbonds currently maintained by FPB and its Subsidiaries (the “Insurance Policies”),includingthe insurer, policy numbers, amount of coverage, effective and termination dates and any pending claims thereunder involving more than $10,000.FPBand each of itsSubsidiariesis insured with reputable insurers against such risks and in such amounts as the management ofFPBreasonably has determined to be prudent in accordance with industry practices. All of theInsurance Policiesare in full force and effect, neitherFPBnor anySubsidiaryhas received notice of cancellation of any of theInsurance Policies oris otherwise aware that any insurer under any of theInsurance Policieshas expressed an intent to cancel any suchInsurance Policies, and neitherFPBnor any of itsSubsidiariesis in default thereunder, and all claims thereunder have been filed in due and timely fashion in allmaterialrespects.
(b) FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.32(b) sets forth a true, correct and complete description of all bank owned life insurance (“BOLI”) owned byFPB oritsSubsidiaries,includingthe value of itsBOLIas of the end of the month prior tothe date hereof. The value of suchBOLIis and has been fairly and accurately reflected in the most recent balance sheet included in theFinancial Statementsin accordance withGAAP. Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.32(b), allBOLIis owned solely byFlorida Parishes Bank, no otherPersonhas any ownership claims with respect to suchBOLI orproceeds of insurance derived therefrom and there is no split dollarorsimilar benefit underFPB’sBOLI. NeitherFPBnor any ofFPB’sSubsidiarieshas any outstanding borrowings secured in wholeorpart by itsBOLI.
Section 3.33 Antitakeover Provisions. No “control share acquisition,” “business combination moratorium,” “fair price” or other form of antitakeover statute or regulation is applicable to this Agreement, the Plan of Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
Section 3.34 FPBInformation. The information relating to FPB and its Subsidiaries that is provided by or on behalf of FPB for inclusion in the Proxy Statement-Prospectus and the Registration Statement will not (with respect to the Proxy Statement-Prospectus, as of the date the Proxy Statement-Prospectus is first mailed to FPB’s shareholders and as of the date of the FPB Meeting, and with respect to the Registration Statement, as of the time the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto is declared effective under the Securities Act) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading;provided,however, that any information contained in any FPB Report as of a later date shall be deemed to modify information as of an earlier date. The portions of the Proxy Statement-Prospectus relating to FPB and FPB’s Subsidiaries and other portions thereof within the reasonable control of FPB and its Subsidiaries will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Section 3.35 Transaction Costs.FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.35 sets forth attorneys’ fees, investment banking fees, accounting fees and other costs or fees of FPB and its Subsidiaries that, based upon reasonable inquiry, are expected to be paid or accrued through the Closing Date in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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Section 3.36 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties made by FPB in this Article III and for the disclosures contained in the FPB Disclosure Schedule, neither FPB nor any other person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to FPB, its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects, and FPB hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties. FPB acknowledges and agrees that neither FBMS nor any other person has made or is making any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in Article IV and in the FBMS Disclosure Schedule.
Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FBMS
Except as set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by FBMS to FPB prior to or concurrently with the execution of this Agreement with respect to each such Section below (the “FBMS Disclosure Schedule”);provided, that (a) the mere inclusion of an item in the FBMS Disclosure Schedule as an exception to a representation or warranty shall not be deemed an admission by FBMS that such item represents a material exception or fact, event or circumstance or that such item is reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect on FBMS, and (b) any disclosures made with respect to a section ofArticle IV shall be deemed to qualify (1) any other section ofArticle IV specifically referenced or cross-referenced and (2) other sections ofArticle IV to the extent it is reasonably apparent on its face (notwithstanding the absence of a specific cross reference) from a reading of the disclosure that such disclosure applies to such other sections, FBMS hereby represents and warrants to FPB as follows:
Section 4.01 Organization and Standing. Each of FBMS and its Subsidiaries is (a) an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation and (b) is duly licensed or qualified to do business and in good standing in each jurisdiction where its ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified has not had, and is not reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FBMS.
Section 4.02 Capital Stock. The authorized capital stock of FBMS consists of 40,000,000 shares of FBMS Common Stock, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. As of the date hereof, 14,837,544 shares of FBMS Common Stock were issued and outstanding and no shares of preferred stock were issued and outstanding. The outstanding shares of FBMS Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and have not been issued in violation of nor are they subject to preemptive rights of any FBMS shareholder. The shares of FBMS Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement, when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to preemptive rights. All shares of FBMS’s capital stock issued and outstanding have been issued in compliance with and not in violation of any applicable federal or state securities Laws.
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Section 4.03 Corporate Power.
(a) FBMS and each of its Subsidiaries has the corporate or similar power and authority to carry on its business as it is now being conducted and to own all of its properties and assets; and FBMS has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, subject to receipt of all necessary approvals of Governmental Authorities and the Regulatory Approvals.
(b) FBMShasmade availableto FPB a complete and correct copy of its articles of incorporation and bylawsorequivalent organizational documents, each as amended to date, of FBMS and each of itsSubsidiaries. Neither FBMS nor any of itsSubsidiariesis in violation of any of the terms of its articles of incorporation, bylawsorequivalent organizational documents.
Section 4.04 Corporate Authority. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby have been authorized by all necessary corporate action of FBMS on or prior to the date hereof. FBMS has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by FPB, this Agreement is a valid and legally binding obligation of FBMS, enforceable in accordance with its terms (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer and similar Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights or by general equity principles).
Section 4.05 SEC Documents;Financial Statements.
(a) FBMShas filed all required reports, forms, schedules, registration statements and other documents with theSECthat it has been required to file since January 1, 2015 (the “FBMS Reports”), and has paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith. As of their respective dates of filing with theSEC(or, if amendedorsuperseded by a subsequent filing prior tothe date hereof, as of the date of such subsequent filing), theFBMS Reportscomplied as to form in allmaterialrespects with the requirements of theSecurities Act ortheExchange Act, as the case may be, and the rules andregulationsof theSECthereunder applicable to suchFBMS Reports, and none of theFBMS Reportswhen filed with theSEC,orif amended prior tothe date hereof, as of the date of such amendment, contained any untrue statement of amaterialfactoromitted to state amaterialfact required to be stated thereinornecessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As of the date of this Agreement, no executive officer of FBMS has failed in any respect to make the certifications required of him or her under Section 302 or 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding comments from or unresolved issues raised by the SEC with respect to any of the FBMS Reports.
(b) The consolidatedfinancial statementsofFBMS(or incorporated by reference) included (or incorporated by reference) in the FBMS Reports (including the related notes, where applicable) complied as to form, as of their respective dates of filing with theSEC(or, if amendedorsuperseded by a subsequent filing prior tothe date hereof, as of the date of such subsequent filing), in allmaterialrespects, with all applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules andregulationsof theSECwith respect thereto (except, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by the rules of theSEC), have been prepared in accordance withGAAPapplied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be disclosed therein), and fairly
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present, in allmaterialrespects, the consolidated financial position ofFBMSand itsSubsidiariesand the consolidated results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of such companies as of the dates and for the periods shown. The books and records of FBMS and its Subsidiaries have been, and are being, maintained in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and accounting requirements, reflect only actual transactions and there are no material misstatements, omissions, inaccuracies or discrepancies contained or reflected therein.
(c) FBMS(x) has established and maintained disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting (as such terms are defined in paragraphs(e)and(f), respectively, of Rule 13a-15 under theExchange Act) as required by Rule 13a-15 under theExchange Act, and (y) has disclosed, based on its most recent evaluation, to its outside auditors and the audit committee ofFBMS’s board of directors (A) all significant deficiencies andmaterialweaknesses in the designoroperation of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of theExchange Act) which are reasonably likely to adversely affectFBMS’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and (B) any fraud, whetherornotmaterial, that involves managementorother employees who have a significant role inFBMS’s internal control over financial reporting. These disclosures were made in writing by management to FBMS’s auditors and audit committee. There is no reason to believe that FBMS’s outside auditors and its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will not be able to give the certifications and attestations required pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, without qualification, when next due.
(d) Since January 1, 2015, neither FBMS nor any of itsSubsidiariesnor, to FBMS’sKnowledge, any director, officer, employee, auditor, accountantorrepresentative of FBMSorany of itsSubsidiarieshas received,orotherwise hadorobtainedKnowledgeof, anymaterialcomplaint, allegation, assertionor claimregarding the accountingorauditing practices, procedures, methodologiesormethods ofFBMS orany of itsSubsidiaries ortheir respective internal accounting controls,includinganymaterialcomplaint, allegation, assertionor claimthat FBMSorany of itsSubsidiarieshas engaged in questionable accountingorauditing practices.
Section 4.06 Regulatory Reports. Except as set forth onFBMS Disclosure Schedule 4.06, since January 1, 2015, FBMS and each of its Subsidiaries has timely filed with the SEC, OCC, FRB, FDIC, any SRO and any other applicable Governmental Authority, in correct form, all reports, registration statements and other documents required to be filed under applicable Laws and regulations and have paid all fees and assessments due and payable in connection therewith, and such reports were complete and accurate and in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of applicable Laws and regulations, except where the failure to file such report or statement or to pay such fees and assessments, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FBMS. Except for normal examinations conducted by a Governmental Authority in the regular course of the business of FBMS and its Subsidiaries, no Governmental Authority has notified FBMS that it has initiated or has pending any proceeding or, to the Knowledge of FBMS threatened an investigation into the business or operations of FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries since January 1, 2015, except where such proceedings or investigation would not reasonably be likely to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FBMS. There is no unresolved violation, criticism or exception by any Governmental Authority with respect to any report filed by, or relating to any examinations or inspections by any such Governmental Authority of FBMS or any
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of its Subsidiaries which would reasonably be likely to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FBMS.
Section 4.07 Regulatory Approvals; No Defaults. No consents or approvals of, or waivers by, or filings or registrations with, any Governmental Authority are required to be made or obtained by FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by FBMS of this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Bank Merger, except for (i) the Regulatory Approvals, (ii) the filing with the SEC of the Proxy Statement and the filing and declaration of effectiveness of the Form S-4, (iii) the filing of the Articles of Merger contemplated bySection 1.04(a) and the filing of documents with the OCC to cause the Bank Merger to become effective, (iv) such other filings and reports as required pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, or applicable stock exchange requirements, (v) any consents, authorizations, approvals, filings or exemptions in connection with compliance with the rules and regulations of any applicable SRO and the rules of the NASDAQ and (vi) such filings and approvals as are required to be made or obtained under the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of various states in connection with the issuance of the shares of FBMS Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and approval of listing of such FBMS Common Stock on the NASDAQ. Subject to the receipt of the approvals referred to in the preceding sentence, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by FBMS do not and will not, (1) constitute a breach or violation of, or a default under, the articles of incorporation and bylaws of FBMS, (2) violate any statute, code, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ, decree or injunction applicable to FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties or assets, (3) violate, result in a breach of any provision of or the loss of any benefit under, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default) under, result in the termination of or a right of termination or cancellation under, accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the respective properties or assets of FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, license, lease, contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, or by which they or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound. As of the date hereof, FBMS has no Knowledge of any reason (i) why the Regulatory Approvals and other necessary consents and approvals will not be received in order to permit consummation of the Merger and Bank Merger on a timely basis and (ii) why a Burdensome Condition would be imposed.
Section 4.08 FBMSInformation. The information relating to FBMS and its Subsidiaries that is supplied by or on behalf of FBMS for inclusion or incorporation by reference in the Proxy Statement-Prospectus and the Registration Statement will not (with respect to the Proxy Statement-Prospectus, as of the date the Proxy Statement-Prospectus is first mailed to FPB shareholders and as of the date of the FPB Meeting, and with respect to the Registration Statement, as of the time the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto is declared effective under the Securities Act) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading;provided,however, that any information contained in any FBMS Report as of a later date shall be deemed to modify information as of an earlier date. The portions of the Proxy Statement-Prospectus relating to FBMS and FBMS’s Subsidiaries and other portions thereof
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within the reasonable control of FBMS and its Subsidiaries will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
Section 4.09 Absence of Certain ChangesorEvents. Except as reflected or disclosed in FBMS’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 or in the FBMS Reports since December 31, 2017, as filed with the SEC, there has been no change or development with respect to FBMS and its assets and business or combination of such changes or developments which, individually or in the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FBMS.
Section 4.10 Compliance withLaws.
(a) FBMSand each of itsSubsidiariesis, and has been since January 1, 2015, in compliance in allmaterialrespects with all applicable federal, state, local and foreignLaws, rules, judgments, ordersordecrees applicable theretoorto the employees conducting such businesses,including, without limitation,Lawsrelated to data protectionorprivacy, theUSA PATRIOT Act, theBank Secrecy Act, theEqual Credit Opportunity Act, theFair Housing Act, theHome Mortgage Disclosure Act, theCommunity Reinvestment Act, theFair Credit Reporting Act, theTruth in Lending Act, theDodd-Frank Act, Sections 23A and 23B of the Federal Reserve Act, theSarbanes-Oxley Act ortheregulationsimplementing such statutes, all other applicable anti-money launderingLaws, fair lendingLawsand otherLawsrelating to discriminatory lending, financing, leasingorbusiness practices and all agency requirements relating to the origination, sale and servicing of mortgageloans. NeitherFBMSnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas been advised of any supervisory concerns regarding their compliance with theBank Secrecy Act orrelated stateorfederal anti-money laundering laws,regulationsand guidelines,includingwithout limitation those provisions of federalregulationsrequiring (i) the filing of reports, such as Currency Transaction Reports and Suspicious Activity Reports, (ii) the maintenance of records and (iii) the exercise of due diligence in identifying customers.
(b) FBMSand each of itsSubsidiarieshave allmaterialpermits, licenses, authorizations, orders and approvals of, and each has made all filings and applications and registrations with, allGovernmental Authoritiesthat are required in order to permit it to ownorlease its properties and to conduct its business as presently conducted. All such permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals are in full force and effect and, toFBMS’sKnowledge, no suspensionorcancellation of any of them is threatened.
(c) Neither FBMS nor any of its Subsidiaries has received, since January 1, 2015, written or, to FBMS’s Knowledge, oral notification from any Governmental Authority (i) asserting that it is not in compliance with any of the Laws which such Governmental Authority enforces or (ii) threatening to revoke any license, franchise, permit or governmental authorization, except where such noncompliance of threatened revocation is not reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FBMS.
Section 4.11 FBMSRegulatory Matters.
(a) FBMS is regulated as a financial holding company under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.
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(b) The deposit accounts of The First are insured by the FDIC through the Deposit Insurance Fund to the fullest extent permitted by Law, and all premiums and assessments required to be paid in connection therewith have been paid when due, and no proceedings for the termination of such insurance are pending or, to FBMS’s Knowledge, threatened. The First received a rating of "satisfactory" in its most recent examination under the Community Reinvestment Act.
(c) Since January 1, 2015, neither FBMS nor any of its Subsidiaries is party to, or the subject of, any cease-and-desist order, consent order, written agreement, order for civil money penalty, refund, restitution, prompt corrective action directive, memorandum of understanding, supervisory letter, individual minimum capital requirement, operating agreement, or any other formal or informal enforcement action issued or required by, or entered into with, any Governmental Authority. Neither FBMS nor any of its Subsidiaries has made, adopted, or implemented any commitment, board resolution, policy, or procedure at the request or recommendation of any Governmental Authority that limits in any material respect the conduct of its business or that in any material manner relates to its capital adequacy, its payment of dividends or distribution of capital, its credit or risk management, its compliance program, its management, its growth, or its business. Neither FBMS nor any of its Subsidiaries has Knowledge that any Governmental Authority is considering issuing, initiating, ordering, requesting, recommending, or otherwise proceeding with any of the items referenced in this paragraph.
(d) Except for examinations of FBMS and its Subsidiaries conducted by their respective primary functional regulators in the Ordinary Course of Business, no Governmental Authority has initiated, threatened, or has pending any proceeding or, to the Knowledge of FBMS, any inquiry or investigation into the business or operations of FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries, except where such proceeding, inquiry, or investigation would not reasonably be likely to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FBMS or to prevent or materially delay receipt of the Regulatory Approvals.
(e) There is no unresolved violation, apparent violation, criticism, matter requiring attention, recommendation, or exception cited, made, or threatened by any Governmental Authority in any report of examination, report of inspection, supervisory letter or other communication with FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries that (i) would reasonably be likely to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FBMS or (ii) would reasonably be likely to prevent or materially delay the receipt of the Regulatory Approvals or result in a Burdensome Condition.
Section 4.12 Brokers. Neither FBMS nor any of its officers, directors or any of its Subsidiaries has employed any broker or finder or incurred, nor will it incur, any liability for any broker’s fees, commissions or finder’s fees in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except that FBMS has engaged, and will pay a fee or commission to Hovde Group LLC.
Section 4.13 Legal Proceedings.
(a) Neither FBMS nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any, and there are no pending or, to FBMS’s knowledge, threatened, legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceedings, claims,
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actions or governmental or regulatory investigations of any nature against FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their current or former directors or executive officers in their capacities as such that is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on FBMS, or challenging the validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) There is no material injunction, order, judgment, decree or regulatory restriction (other than regulatory restrictions of general application to banks and bank holding companies) imposed upon FBMS, any of its Subsidiaries or the assets of FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries (or that, upon consummation of the Merger or the Bank Merger would apply to the Surviving Entity or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates).
Section 4.14 TaxMatters.
(a) Each ofFBMSand itsSubsidiarieshas filed allmaterial Tax Returnsthat it was required to file under applicableLaws, other thanTax Returnsthat are not yet dueorfor which a request for extension was timely filed consistent with requirements of applicableLaw. All suchTax Returnswere correct and complete in allmaterialrespects and have been prepared in substantial compliance with all applicableLaws. Allmaterial Taxesdue and owing byFBMS orany of itsSubsidiaries(whetherornot shown on anyTax Return) have been paid. Since January 1, 2015, neitherFBMSnor any of itsSubsidiarieshas received written notice of anyclaimby anyGovernmental Authorityin a jurisdiction whereFBMS orsuchSubsidiarydoes not fileTax Returnsthat it isormay be subject toTaxesby that jurisdiction. There are nomaterial LiensforTaxes(other thanTaxesnot yet due and payableorthat are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance withGAAP) upon any of the assets ofFBMS orany of itsSubsidiaries.
(b) No foreign, federal, state or local Tax audits or administrative or judicial Tax proceedings are currently being conducted or pending or threatened in writing, in each case, with respect to a material amount of Taxes of FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries. Neither FBMS nor any of its Subsidiaries has received from any foreign, federal, state or local taxing authority (including jurisdictions where FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries have not filed Tax Returns) any (i) notice indicating an intent to open an audit or other review with respect to Taxes or (ii) notice of deficiency or proposed adjustment for any amount of material Tax proposed, asserted or assessed by any taxing authority against FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries which, in either case (i) or (ii), have not been fully paid or settled.
(c) Since December 31, 2017, neither FBMS nor any of its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability for Taxes arising from extraordinary gains or losses, as that term is used in GAAP, outside the ordinary course of business.
(d) Neither FBMS nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a party to any “listed transaction,” as defined in Section 6707A(c)(2) of the Code and Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) of the Regulations in any tax year for which the statute of limitations has not expired.
(e) Neither FBMS nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action, or is aware of any fact or circumstance, that would be reasonably likely to prevent the Merger or the
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Bank Merger from qualifying for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
Section 4.15 Regulatory Capitalization. FBMS and its Subsidiaries are “well-capitalized,” as such term is defined in the applicable state and federal rules and regulations.
Section 4.16 No Financing. FBMS has and will have as of the Effective Time, without having to resort to external sources, sufficient capital to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.17 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties made by FBMS in this Article IV and for the disclosures contained in the FBMS Disclosure Schedule, neither FBMS nor any other person makes any express or implied representation or warranty with respect to FBMS, its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, operations, assets, liabilities, conditions (financial or otherwise) or prospects, and FBMS hereby disclaims any such other representations or warranties. FBMS acknowledges and agrees that neither FPB nor any other person has made or is making any express or implied representation or warranty other than those contained in Article III and in the FPB Disclosure Schedule.
Article V
COVENANTS
Section 5.01 Covenants ofFPB. During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the Effective Time or the earlier termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement (including as set forth in the FPB Disclosure Schedule), required by Law or with the prior written consent of FBMS (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), FPB shall carry on its business, including the business of each of its Subsidiaries, in the Ordinary Course of Business in all material respects and consistent with prudent banking practice. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, FPB will use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) preserve its business organizations and assets intact, (ii) keep available to itself and FBMS the present services of the current officers and employees of FPB and its Subsidiaries, and (iii) preserve for itself and FBMS the goodwill of its customers, employees, lessors and others with whom business relationships exist. Without limiting the generality of and in furtherance of the foregoing, from the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, except (x) as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 5.01, (y) as otherwise expressly required by this Agreement, or (z) consented to in writing by FBMS (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and FBMS shall, when considering the reasonableness of any such request, take into account the preservation of the franchise value of FPB and Florida Parishes Bank as independent enterprises on a going-forward basis and the prevention of substantial deterioration of the properties of FPB and its Subsidiaries), FPB shall not and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to:
(a) Stock. (i) Issue, sell, grant, pledge, dispose of, encumberorotherwise permit to become outstanding,orauthorize the creation of, any additional shares of its stock, anyRights, any new awardorgrant under theFPB Stock Plans orotherwise,orany other securities (includingunits of beneficial ownership interest in any partnershiporlimited liability company),or enter into
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anyagreementwith respect to the foregoing, (ii) except as expressly permitted by thisAgreement, accelerate the vesting of any existingRights,or(iii) except as expressly permitted by thisAgreement (and provided that FPB may repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of FPB Common Stock in connection with the payment of the withholding taxes owed by a holder of a FPB Restricted Share upon the vesting of a FPB Restricted Share), directlyorindirectly change (orestablish a record date for changing), adjust, split, combine, redeem, reclassify, exchange, purchaseorotherwise acquire any shares of its capital stock,orany other securities (includingunits of beneficial ownership interest in any partnershiporlimited liability company) convertible intoorexchangeable for any additional shares of stock, anyRightsissued and outstanding prior to theEffective Time.
(b) Dividends; Other Distributions. Make, declare, payorset aside for payment of dividends payable in cash, stockorproperty onorin respect of,ordeclareormake any distribution on, any shares of its capital stock, except for (i) regular quarterly cash dividends by FPB at a rate not to exceed $0.09 per share of FPB Common Stock payable in the Ordinary Course of Business, and (ii) dividends from wholly ownedSubsidiariestoFPB.
(c) Compensation; Employment Agreements, Etc. Enter intooramendorrenew any employment, consulting, compensatory, severance, retentionorsimilar agreementsorarrangements with any director, officeroremployee ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries,orgrant any salary, wageorfee increaseorincrease any employee benefitorpay any incentiveorbonus payments, except, in each case, (i) normal increases in base salary to employees in theOrdinary Course of Businessand pursuant to policies currently in effect,provided that,such increases shall not result in an annual adjustment in base compensation (whichincludesbase salary and any other compensation other than bonus payments) of more than 5% for any individualor3% in the aggregate for all employees ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries other than annual increases in base compensation and year-end bonuses disclosed inFPB Disclosure Schedule 5.01(c), (ii)as specifically provided for by this Agreement (including, without limitation, as contemplated bySection 5.11 of this Agreement), (iii) as may be required by Law, (iv) to satisfy the contractual obligations existing as of the date hereof set forth onFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.15(l), or (iv) as otherwise set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 5.01(c).
(d) Hiring. Hire anypersonas an employee or officer ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries, except for at-will employment at an annual rate of base salary not to exceed $80,000 to fill vacancies that may arise from time to time in theOrdinary Course of Business.
(e) Benefit Plans. Enter into, establish, adopt, amend, modifyorterminate (except (i) as may be required byorto make consistent with applicableLaw, subject to the provision of prior written notice to and consultation with respect thereto withFBMS, (ii) to satisfy contractual obligations existing as ofthe date hereofand set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 5.01(e), (iii) as previously disclosed toFBMSand set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule5.01(e),or(iv) as may be required pursuant to the terms of thisAgreement) anyFPB Benefit Plan orother pension, retirement, stock option, stock purchase, savings, profit sharing, deferred compensation, consulting, bonus, group insuranceorother employee benefit, incentiveorwelfare contract, planorarrangement,orany trustagreement(orsimilar arrangement) related thereto, in respect of any currentorformer director, officeroremployee ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries.
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(f) Transactions withAffiliates. Except pursuant to agreementsorarrangements in effect onthe date hereofand set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 5.01(f), pay, loanoradvance any amount to,orsell, transferorlease any propertiesorassets (real, personalormixed, tangibleorintangible) to,orenter into anyagreement orarrangement with, any of its officersordirectorsorany of their immediate family membersorany AffiliatesorAssociates of any of its officersordirectors other than compensationorbusiness expense advancementsorreimbursements in theOrdinary Course of Business. This subsection shall not restrict Florida Parishes Bank from (i) making or renewing loans to directors, officers or any of their immediate family members or any Affiliates or Associates that are below the thresholds set forth inSection 5.01(s) and which are in compliance with Regulation O or (ii) enter into deposit agreements or pay out deposits to any of the persons or entities covered by the preceding clause (i).
(g) Dispositions. Except in theOrdinary Course of Business, sell, license, lease, transfer, mortgage, pledge, encumberorotherwise dispose ofordiscontinue any of itsrights, assets, deposits, businessorpropertiesorcancelorrelease any indebtedness owed toFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries.
(h) Acquisitions. Acquire or agree to acquire, by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial equity interest in or a substantial portion of the assets of, or by any other manner, any business or any corporation, partnership, association or other business organization or division thereof or otherwise acquire any assets, which would be material, individually or in the aggregate, to FPB, other than in connection with foreclosures, settlements in lieu of foreclosure or troubled loan or debt restructurings in the Ordinary Course of Business.
(i) Capital Expenditures. Make any capital expenditures in amounts exceeding $50,000 individually,or$250,000 in the aggregate, provided that FBMS shall grant or deny its consent to emergency repairs or replacements necessary to prevent substantial deterioration of the condition of a property within two (2) Business Days of its receipt of a written request from FPB.
(j) Governing Documents. AmendFPB’s articles of incorporationorbylawsorany equivalent documents ofFPB’sSubsidiaries.
(k) Accounting Methods. Implementoradopt any change in its accounting principles, practicesormethods, other than as may be required by applicableLaws or GAAP orapplicable accounting requirements of anyGovernmental Authority, in each case,includingchanges in the interpretationorenforcement thereof.
(l) Contracts. Except as set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 5.01(l), enter into, amend, modify, terminate, extendorwaive anymaterialprovision of, anyFPB material contract, lease or insurance policy,ormake any change in any instrumentor agreementgoverning the terms of any of its securities,or materiallease, licenseorcontract, other than normal renewals of contracts, licenses andleaseswithoutmaterialadverse changes of terms with respect toFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries,orenter into any contract that would constitute aFPB Material Contractif it were in effect onthe date of this Agreement, except for any amendments, modificationsorterminations reasonably requested byFBMS.
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(m) Claims. Other than settlement of foreclosure actions in theOrdinary Course of Business, (i) enter into any settlementorsimilaragreementwith respect to any action, suit, proceeding, orderorinvestigation to whichFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesisorbecomes apartyafterthe date of this Agreement, which settlementor agreementinvolves payment byFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesof an amount which exceeds $75,000 individuallyor$150,000 in the aggregate and/orwould impose anymaterialrestriction on the business ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries or(ii) waiveorrelease anymaterial rights orclaims,oragreeorconsent to the issuance of any injunction, decree, orderorjudgment restrictingorotherwise affecting its businessoroperations.
(n) Banking Operations. (i) Enter into anymaterialnew line of business, introduce anymaterialnew productsorservices, anymaterialmarketing campaignsoranymaterialnew sales compensationorincentive programsorarrangements; (ii) change in anymaterialrespect its lending, investment, underwriting, risk and asset liability management and other banking and operating policies, except as required by applicableLaw, regulationorpolicies imposed by anyGovernmental Authority; (iii) make anymaterialchanges in its policies and practices with respect to underwriting, pricing, originating, acquiring, selling, servicing,orbuyingorsellingrightsto serviceLoans, its hedging practices and policies; and (iv) incur anymaterialliabilityorobligation relating to retail banking and branch merchandising, marketing and advertising activities and initiatives except in theOrdinary Course of Business.
(o) Derivative Transactions. Enter into anyDerivative Transaction.
(p) Indebtedness. Incur any indebtedness for borrowed money other than in theOrdinary Course of Businessconsistent with past practice with a term not in excess of twelve (12) months (other than creation of deposit liabilitiesorsales of certificates of deposit in theOrdinary Course of Business),orincur, assumeorbecome subject to, whether directlyorby way of any guaranteeorotherwise, any obligationsorliabilities (absolute, accrued, contingentorotherwise) of any otherPerson, other than the issuance of letters of credit in theOrdinary Course of Businessand in accordance with the restrictions set forth inSection 5.01(s).
(q) Investment Securities. (i)Other than in accordance with FPB’s investment guidelines, acquire,sellorotherwise dispose of any debt securityorequity investmentorany certificates of deposits issued by other banks, nor (ii) change the classification method for any of theFPB Investment Securitiesfrom “held to maturity” to “available for sale”orfrom “available for sale” to “held to maturity,” as those terms are used inASC 320.
(r) Deposits. Other than in theOrdinary Course of Business, make any changes to deposit pricing.
(s) Loans. Except forloans orextensions of credit approved and/orcommitted as ofthe date hereofthat are listed inFPB Disclosure Schedule 5.01(s), (i) make, renew, renegotiate, increase, extendormodify any (A) unsecured loan, if the amount of such unsecured loan, together with any other outstanding unsecuredloansmade byFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesto such borroweroritsAffiliates,would be in excess of $100,000, in the aggregate, (B) loan secured by other than a first lien in excess of $500,000, (C) loan in excess ofFFIECregulatory guidelines relating to loan to value ratios, (D) loan secured by a first lien residential mortgage and with no loan policy exceptions in excess of $750,000, (E) secured loan over $2,000,000, (F) any loan that
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is not made in conformity withFPB’s ordinary course lending policies and guidelines in effect as ofthe date hereof,or(G) loan, whether securedorunsecured, if the amount of such loan, together with any other outstandingloans(without regard to whether such otherloanshave been advancedorremain to be advanced), would result in the aggregate outstandingloansto any borrower ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries(without regard to whether such otherloanshave been advancedorremain to be advanced) to exceed $2,000,000, (ii) sell any loanorloan pools in excess of $1,000,000 in principal amountorsale price (other than residential mortgage loan pools sold in theOrdinary Couse of Business),or(iii) acquire any servicingrights,orsellorotherwise transfer any loan whereFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesretains any servicingrights. Any loan in excess of the limits set forth in thisSection 5.01(s) shall require the prior written approval of the PresidentorChief Credit Officeror Credit AdministratorofThe First, which approval or rejection shall be given in writing within one (1) Business Day after the loan package is delivered to such individual.
(t) Investments or Developments in Real Estate. Make any investmentorcommitment to invest in real estateorin any real estate development project other than by way of foreclosureordeed in lieu thereoformake any investmentorcommitment to develop,orotherwise take any actions to develop any real estate owned byFPB oritsSubsidiaries.
(u) Taxes. Except as required by applicableLaw orin theOrdinary Course of Business, makeorchange anymaterial Taxelection, file anymaterialamendedTax Return, enter into anymaterial closing agreementwith respect toTaxes, settleorcompromise anymaterialliability with respect toTaxes, agree to anymaterialadjustment of anyTaxattribute, file anyclaimfor amaterialrefund ofTaxes,orconsent to any extensionorwaiver of the limitation period applicable to anymaterial Tax claim orassessment,provided that, for purposes of thisSection 5.01(u), “material” means affectingorrelating to $75,000ormore inTaxes or$150,000ormore of taxable income.
(v) Compliance with Agreements. Commit any act or omission which constitutes a material breach or default by FPB or any of its Subsidiaries under any agreement with any Governmental Authority or under any FPB Material Contract, material Lease or other material agreement or material license to which FPB or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or their respective properties are bound or under which any of them or their respective assets, business, or operations receives benefits.
(w) Environmental Assessments. Foreclose on or take a deed or title to any real estate other than single-family residential properties without first conducting an ASTM International (“ASTM”) E1527-13 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (or any applicable successor standard) of the property that satisfies the requirements of 40 C.F.R. Part 312 (“Phase I”), or foreclose on or take a deed or title to any real estate other than single-family residential properties if such environmental assessment indicates the presence or likely presence of any Hazardous Substances under conditions that indicate an existing release, a past release, or a material threat of a release of any Hazardous Substances into structures on the property or into the ground, ground water, or surface water of the property.
(x) Adverse Actions. Take any actionorknowingly fail to take any action not contemplated by this
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Agreementthat is intendedoris reasonably likely to (i) prevent, delayorimpairFPB’s ability to consummate theMerger orthe transactions contemplated by thisAgreement or(ii) agree to take, make any commitment to take,oradopt any resolutions of its board of directors in support of, any of the actions prohibited by thisSection 5.01.
(y) Capital Stock Purchase. Directlyorindirectly repurchase, redeemorotherwise acquire any shares of its capital stockorany securities convertible intoorexercisable for any shares of its capital stock, except that FPB may repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of FPB Common Stock in connection with the payment of the withholding taxes owed by a holder of a FPB Restricted Share upon the vesting of a FPB Restricted Share.
(z) Facilities. Except as required byLaw, file any applicationormake any contractorcommitment for the opening, relocationor closingof any,oropen, relocateorclose any, branch office, loan productionorservicing facilityorautomated banking facility, except for any change that may be requested byFBMS.
(aa) Restructure. Mergeorconsolidate itselforany of itsSubsidiarieswith any otherPerson,orrestructure, reorganizeorcompletelyorpartially liquidateordissolve itorany of itsSubsidiaries.
(bb) Commitments. (i) Enter into any contract with respect to,orotherwise agreeorcommit to do,oradopt any resolutions of its board of directorsorsimilar governing body in support of, any of the foregoingor(ii) take any action that is intendedorexpected to result in any of its representations and warranties set forth in thisAgreementbeingorbecoming untrue in anymaterialrespect at any time prior to theEffective Time,orin any of the conditions to theMergernot being satisfied in any material respectorin a violation of any provision of thisAgreement, except, in every case, as may be required by applicableLaw.
Section 5.02 Covenants ofFBMS.
(a) Affirmative Covenants. Fromthe date hereofuntil theEffective Time,FBMSwill carry on its business consistent with prudent banking practices and in compliance in allmaterialrespects with all applicableLaws and will use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve its business organizations and assets intact.
(b) Negative Covenants. Fromthe date hereofuntil theEffective Time,FBMSshall not and shall not permit any of itsSubsidiariesto take any actionorknowingly fail to take any action not contemplated by thisAgreementthat is intendedoris reasonably likely to (i) prevent, delayorimpairFBMS’s ability to consummate theMerger orthe transactions contemplated by thisAgreement or(ii) agree to take, make any commitment to take,oradopt any resolutions of its board of directors in support of, any of the actions prohibited by thisSection 5.02. Except as expressly permitted or contemplated by this Agreement, or as required by applicable law or a Governmental Authority, or with the prior written consent of FPB during the period from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, FBMS shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:
(i) Take any action that is intended or is reasonably likely to result in the Merger or the Bank Merger failing to qualify as a "reorganization" under Section 368(a) of the Code;
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(ii) Take any action that is likely to materially impair FBMS’s ability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or The First to perform any of its obligations under the Bank Plan of Merger; or
(iii) Agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.
Section 5.03 Commercially Reasonable Efforts. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of the Parties agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts in good faith to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Laws, so as to permit consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby as promptly as practicable, including the satisfaction of the conditions set forth inArticle VI, and shall reasonably cooperate with the other Party to that end.
Section 5.04 FPB Shareholder Approval.
(i) Following the execution of thisAgreement,FPBshall take, in accordance in all material respects with applicableLawand the articles of incorporation and bylaws ofFPB, all action necessary to convene a special meeting of its shareholders as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC to consider and vote upon the approval of thisAgreementandthe transactions contemplated hereby(includingtheMerger) and any other matters required to be approved byFPB’s shareholders in order to permit consummation of theMergerandthe transactions contemplated hereby(includingany adjournmentorpostponement thereof, the “FPB Meeting”). Subject toSection 5.09 hereof,FPB shall use its reasonable best efforts to obtaintheRequisite FPB Shareholder Approvalto consummate theMergerand the other transactions contemplated hereby, and shall ensure that theFPB Meetingis called, noticed, convened, held and conducted, and that all proxies solicited byFPBin connection with theFPB Meetingare solicited in compliance in all material respects with the LBCA, the articles of incorporation and bylaws ofFPB, and all other applicable legal requirements. Except with the prior approval ofFBMS, no other matters shall be submitted for the approval ofFPBshareholders at theFPB Meeting.
(ii) Except to the extent provided otherwise inSection 5.09, the board of directors ofFPBshall at all times prior to and during theFPB Meetingrecommend approval of thisAgreementby the shareholders ofFPBandthe transactions contemplated hereby(includingtheMerger) and any other matters required to be approved byFPB’s shareholders for consummation of theMergerandthe transactions contemplated hereby(the “FPB Recommendation”) and shall not withhold, withdraw, amend, modify, changeorqualify such recommendation in a manner adverse in any respect to the interests ofFBMS ortake any other actionormake any other public statement inconsistent with such recommendation and theProxy Statement-ProspectusshallincludetheFPB Recommendation. In the event that there is present at such meeting, inperson orby proxy, sufficient favorable voting power to secure theRequisite FPB Shareholder Approval,FPBwill not adjournorpostpone theFPB MeetingunlessFPBis advised by counsel that failure to do so would result in a breach of the fiduciary duties of the board of directors ofFPB.FPBshall keepFBMSupdated with respect to the proxy solicitation results in connection with theFPB Meetingas reasonably requested byFBMS.
Section 5.05 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement-Prospectus;NASDAQListing.
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(a) FBMSandFPBagree to cooperate in the preparation of theRegistration Statementto be filed byFBMSwith theSECin connection with the issuance ofFBMS Common Stockin the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement(includingtheProxy Statement-Prospectusand all related documents).FPB shall use its reasonable best efforts to delivertoFBMSsuchfinancial statementsand related analysis ofFPB,including“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” ofFPB, as may be required in order to file theRegistration Statement, and any other report required to be filed byFBMSwith theSEC, in each case, in compliance in all material respects with applicableLaws, and shall, as promptly as practicable following execution of thisAgreement, prepare and deliver drafts of such information toFBMSto review. Within forty-five (45) days of the date of this Agreement, FBMS shall file with the SEC the Registration Statement. Each ofFBMSandFPBagree to use their respectivecommercially reasonable efforts to causetheRegistration Statementto be declared effective by theSECas promptly as reasonably practicable after the filing thereof and to maintain such effectiveness for as long as necessary to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.FBMSalso agrees touse commercially reasonable efforts to obtainany necessary state securitiesLaw or“blue sky” permits and approvals required to carry out the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement.FPBagrees to cooperate withFBMSandFBMS’s counsel and accountants in requesting and obtaining appropriate opinions, consents and letters fromFPB’s independent auditors in connection with theRegistration Statementand theProxy Statement-Prospectus. After theRegistration Statementis declared effective under theSecurities Act,FPB, at its own expense, shall promptly mailorcause to be mailed theProxy Statement-Prospectusto its shareholders.
(b) FBMSwill adviseFPB, promptly afterFBMSreceives notice thereof, of the time when theRegistration Statementhas become effectiveorany supplementoramendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop orderorthe suspension of the qualification ofFBMS Common Stockfor offeringorsale in any jurisdiction, of the initiationorthreat of any proceeding for any such purpose,orof any request by theSECfor the amendmentorsupplement of theRegistration Statement orupon the receipt of any comments (whether writtenororal) from theSEC orits staff.FBMSwill provideFPBand its counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on theRegistration Statementand theProxy Statement-Prospectus, and all responses to requests for additional information by and replies to comments of theSECprior to filing such with,orsending such to, theSEC, andFBMSwill provideFPBand its counsel with a copy of all such filings made with theSEC. If at any time prior to the Effective Time there shall occur any event that should be disclosed in an amendmentorsupplement to theProxy Statement-Prospectus ortheRegistration Statement so that either such document would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading,FBMS shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to promptlyprepare and file such amendmentorsupplement with theSEC(if required under applicableLaw) and cooperate withFPBto mail such amendmentorsupplement toFPBshareholders (if required under applicableLaw).
(c) FBMS will use its commercially reasonable efforts to causethe shares ofFBMS Common Stockto be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by thisAgreementto be approved for listing onNASDAQ, subject to official notice of issuance, prior to theEffective Time.
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Section 5.06 Regulatory Filings; Consents.
(a) Each of FBMS and FPB and their respective Subsidiaries shall cooperate and use their respective reasonable best efforts (i) to promptly prepare all documentation (including the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement-Prospectus), and to effect all filings, to obtain all permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of all third parties and Governmental Authorities necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Regulatory Approvals and all other consents and approvals of a Governmental Authority required to consummate the Merger in the manner contemplated herein, (ii) to comply with the terms and conditions of such permits, consents, approvals and authorizations and (iii) to cause the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated as expeditiously as practicable;provided,however, notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing contained herein shall be deemed to require FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries or FPB or any of its Subsidiaries to take any non-standard action, or commit to take any such action, or agree to any non-standard condition or restriction, in connection with obtaining the foregoing permits, consents, approvals and authorizations of any Governmental Authority that would reasonably be likely to have a material and adverse effect (measured on a scale relative to FPB) on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, liquidity, assets or deposit liabilities, properties or business of FBMS, FPB, the Surviving Entity or the Surviving Bank, after giving effect to the Merger (“Burdensome Condition”). FBMSandFPBwill furnish each other and each other’s counsel with all information concerning themselves, theirSubsidiaries, directors, trustees, officers and shareholders and such other matters as may be necessaryoradvisable in connection with any application, petitionorany other statementorapplication made byoron behalf ofFBMS or FPBto any Governmental Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement. EachPartyshall have the right to review and approve in advance all characterizations of the information relating to suchpartyand any of itsSubsidiariesthat appear in any filing made in connection with the transactions contemplated by thisAgreementwith anyGovernmental Authority. In addition,FBMSandFPBshall each furnish to the other for review a copy of each such filing made in connection with the transactions contemplated by thisAgreementwith anyGovernmental Authorityprior to its filing.
(b) FPB will use its commercially reasonable efforts, andFBMSshall reasonably cooperate withFPBatFPB’s request, to obtain all consents, approvals, authorizations, waiversorsimilar affirmations described onFPB Disclosure Schedule3.12(c). EachPartywill notify the otherPartypromptly and shall promptly furnish the otherPartywith copies of noticesorother communications received by suchParty orany of itsSubsidiariesof any communication from anyPersonalleging that the consent of suchPerson(oranotherPerson) isormay be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement(and the response thereto from suchParty, itsSubsidiaries orits representatives).FPBwill consult withFBMSand its representatives as often as practicable under the circumstances so as to permitFPBandFBMSand their respective representatives to cooperate to take appropriate measures to obtain such consents and avoidormitigate any adverse consequences that may result from the foregoing.
Section 5.07 Publicity. FBMS and FPB shall consult with each other before issuing any press release with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement without the prior consent of the other Party, which shall not be unreasonably delayed or withheld;provided,however, that a party
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may, without the prior consent of the other party (but after such consultation, to the extent practicable in the circumstances), issue such press release or make such public statements as may upon the advice of counsel be required by Law or the rules and regulations of any stock exchanges. It is understood that FBMS shall assume primary responsibility for the preparation of joint press releases relating to this Agreement, the Merger and the othder transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 5.08 Access; Current Information.
(a) For the purposes of verifying the representations and warranties of the other and preparing for theMergerand the other matters contemplated by thisAgreement, upon reasonable notice and subject to applicableLaws,FPBagrees to affordFBMSand its officers, employees, counsel, accountants and other authorized representatives such access during normal business hours at any time and from time to time throughout the period prior to theEffective TimetoFPB’s and itsSubsidiaries’ books, records (including, without limitation,Tax Returnsand work papers of independent auditors), information technology systems, business, properties and personnel and to such other information relating to them asFBMSmay reasonably request andFPB shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provideany appropriate notices to employees and/orcustomers in accordance with applicableLawandFPB’s privacy policy and, during such period,FPBshall furnish toFBMS, uponFBMS’s reasonable request, all such other information concerning the business, properties and personnel of FPB and its Subsidiaries that is substantially similar in scope to the information provided toFBMSin connection with its diligence review prior tothe date of this Agreement.
(b) For the purposes of verifying the representations and warranties of the other and preparing for theMergerand the other matters contemplated by thisAgreement, during the period of time from the date of this Agreement to the Effective Time, upon reasonable notice and subject to applicableLaws, FBMS agrees to furnish to FPB such information as FPB may reasonably request concerning the business of FBMS and its Subsidiaries that is substantially similar in scope to the information provided to FPB in connection with its diligence review prior tothe date of this Agreement.
(c) As promptly as reasonably practicable after they become available,FPBwill furnish toFBMScopies of the board packages distributed to the board of directors ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries, and minutes from the meetings thereof, copies of any internal management financial control reports showing actual financial performance against plan and previous period, and copies of any reports provided to the board of directors ofFPB orany committee thereof relating to the financial performance and risk management ofFPB.
(d) During the period fromthe date of this Agreementto theEffective Time, at the reasonable request of eitherParty, the otherPartywill cause oneormore of its designated representatives to confer with representatives of the requestingPartyand to report the general status of the ongoing operations of the otherPartyand itsSubsidiaries. Without limiting the foregoing,FPBagrees to provide toFBMS(i) a copy of each report filed byFPB orany of itsSubsidiarieswith a Governmental Authority, (ii) a copy ofFPB’s monthly loan trial balance, and (iii) a copy ofFPB’s monthly statement of condition and profit and loss statement and, if requested byFBMS, a copy ofFPB’s daily statement of condition and daily profit and loss statement, in each case, which shall be provided as promptly as reasonably practicable after it is filedorprepared, as
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applicable. FPB further agrees to provide FBMS, no later than ten (10) Business Days following the end of each calendar month following the date hereof, any supplements toFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.19,FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.22(a), andFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.22(b) that would be required if the references to August 31, 2018 in each corresponding representation and warranty of FPB were changed to the date of the most recently ended calendar month.
(e) No investigation bya Party orits representatives shall be deemed to modifyorwaive any representation, warranty, covenantor agreementofthe other Partyset forth in thisAgreement,orthe conditions to the respective obligations ofFBMSandFPBto consummatethe transactions contemplated hereby.
(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in thisSection 5.08,FPBshall not be required to copyFBMSon any documents that disclose confidential discussions of thisAgreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, that contain competitively sensitive businessorother proprietary information filed under aclaimof confidentiality (includingany confidential supervisory information)orany other matter thatFPB’s board of directors has been advised by counsel that such distribution toFBMSmay violate a confidentiality obligationorfiduciary dutyoranyLaw orregulation,ormay result in a waiver ofFPB’s attorney-client privilege. In the event any of the restrictions in thisSection 5.08(f) shall apply,FPB shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provideappropriate consents, waivers, decrees and approvals necessary to satisfy any confidentiality issues relating to documents preparedorheld by thirdparties(includingwork papers), thePartieswill make appropriate alternate disclosure arrangements,includingadopting additional specific procedures to protect the confidentiality of sensitivematerialand to ensure compliance with applicableLaws.
Section 5.09 No Solicitation byFPB;Superior Proposals.
(a) Except as permitted bySection 5.09(b), FPBshall not, and shall cause itsSubsidiariesand each of their respective officers, directors and employees not to, and will not authorize any investment bankers, financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, consultants, affiliatesorother agents ofFPB orany ofFPB’sSubsidiaries(collectively, the “FPB Representatives”) to, directlyorindirectly, (i) initiate, solicit, induceorknowingly encourage,ortake any action to facilitate the making of, any inquiry, offerorproposal which constitutes,orcould reasonably be expected to lead to, anAcquisition Proposal; (ii) participate in any discussionsornegotiations regarding anyAcquisition Proposal orfurnish,orotherwise afford access, to anyPerson(other thanFBMS) any informationordata with respect toFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries orotherwise relating to anAcquisition Proposal; (iii) release anyPersonfrom, waive any provisions of,orfail to enforce any confidentialityagreement orstandstillagreementto whichFPBis aparty;or(iv) enter into anyagreement, confidentiality agreement,agreementin principleorletter of intent with respect to anyAcquisition Proposal orapproveorresolve to approve anyAcquisition Proposal oranyagreement,agreementin principleorletter of intent relating to anAcquisition Proposal. Any violation of the foregoing restrictions by any of theFPB Representatives, whetherornot suchFPB Representativeis so authorized and whetherornot suchFPB Representativeis purporting to act on behalf ofFPB orotherwise, shall be deemed to be a breach of thisAgreementbyFPB. FPB and its Subsidiaries shall, and shall cause each of theFPB Representativesto, immediately cease and cause to be terminated any and all existing discussions, negotiations, and communications with anyPersonswith respect to any existingorpotentialAcquisition Proposal.
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For purposes of this Agreement, “Acquisition Proposal” means any inquiry, offer or proposal (other than an inquiry, offer or proposal from FBMS), whether or not in writing, contemplating, relating to, or that could reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Transaction.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Acquisition Transaction” means (A) any transaction or series of transactions involving any merger, consolidation, recapitalization, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving FPB or any of its Subsidiaries; (B) any transaction pursuant to which any third party or group acquires or would acquire (whether through sale, lease or other disposition), directly or indirectly, a significant portion of the assets of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries; (C) any issuance, sale or other disposition of (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange or any similar transaction) securities (or options, rights or warrants to purchase or securities convertible into, such securities) representing 20% or more of the votes attached to the outstanding securities of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries; (D) any tender offer or exchange offer that, if consummated, would result in any third party or group beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of equity securities of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries; or (E) any transaction which is similar in form, substance or purpose to any of the foregoing transactions, or any combination of the foregoing.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Superior Proposal” means a bona fide, unsolicited Acquisition Proposal (i) that if consummated would result in a third party (or in the case of a direct merger between such third party and FPB or any of its Subsidiaries, the shareholders of such third party) acquiring, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the outstanding FPB Common Stock or more than 50% of the assets of FPB and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities and (ii) that the board of directors of FPB reasonably determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside financial advisor and outside legal counsel, (A) is reasonably capable of being completed, taking into account all financial, legal, regulatory and other aspects of such proposal, including all conditions contained therein and the person making such Acquisition Proposal, and (B) taking into account any changes to this Agreement proposed by FBMS in response to such Acquisition Proposal, as contemplated bySection 5.09(c), and all financial, legal, regulatory and other aspects of such takeover proposal, including all conditions contained therein and the person making such proposal, is more favorable to the shareholders of FPB from a financial point of view than the Merger.
(b) NotwithstandingSection 5.09(a)orany other provision of thisAgreement, prior to the date of theFPB Meeting,FPBmay take any of the actions described inSection 5.09(a)if, but only if, (i)FPBhas received a bona fide unsolicited writtenAcquisition Proposalthat did not result from a breach ofSection 5.09(a); (ii) the board of directors ofFPBreasonably determines in good faith, after consultation with and having considered the advice of its outside financial advisor and outside legal counsel, that (A) suchAcquisition Proposalconstitutesoris reasonably likely to lead to aSuperior Proposaland (B) the failure to take such actions more likely than not would cause it to violate its fiduciary duties toFPB’s shareholders under applicableLaw; (iii)FPBhas providedFBMSwith at least two (2) Business Days’ prior notice of such determination; and (iv) prior to furnishingoraffording access to any informationordata with respect toFPB orany of itsSubsidiaries orotherwise relating to anAcquisition Proposal,FPBreceives from suchPersona confidentialityagreementwith terms no less favorable toFPBthan those contained in the confidentialityagreementwithFBMS.FPBshall promptly provide toFBMSany non-public
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information regardingFPB oritsSubsidiariesprovided to any otherPersonwhich was not previously provided toFBMS, such additional information to be provided no later than the date of provision of such information to such otherparty.
(c) FPBshall promptly (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) notifyFBMSin writing if any proposalsoroffers are received by, any information is requested from,orany negotiationsordiscussions are sought to be initiatedorcontinued with,FPB ortheFPB Representatives, in each case in connection with anyAcquisition Proposal, and such notice shall indicate the name of thePersoninitiating such discussionsornegotiationsormaking such proposal, offerorinformation request and thematerialterms and conditions of any proposalsoroffers (and, in the case of written materials relating to such proposal, offer, information request, negotiationsordiscussion, providing copies of such materials (includinge-mailsorother electronic communications) except to the extent that such materials constitute confidential information of thepartymaking such offerorproposal under an effective confidentialityagreement).FPBagrees that it shall keepFBMSinformed, on a reasonably current basis, of the status and terms of any such proposal, offer, information request, negotiationsordiscussions (includingany amendmentsormodifications to such proposal, offerorrequest).
(d) Neither the board of directors ofFPBnor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw, qualify, amendormodify,orpropose to withdraw, qualify, amendormodify, in a manner adverse toFBMSin connection with the transactions contemplated by thisAgreement(includingtheMerger), the FPB Recommendation, fail to reaffirm theFPB Recommendationwithin three (3) Business Daysfollowing a request byFBMS,ormake any statement, filingorrelease, in connection with theFPB Meeting orotherwise, inconsistent with theFPB Recommendation(it being understood that taking a neutral positionorno position with respect to anAcquisition Proposalshall be considered an adverse modification of theFPB Recommendation); (ii) approveorrecommend,orpropose to approveorrecommend, anyAcquisition Proposal;or(iii) enter into (orcauseFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesto enter into) any letter of intent,agreementin principle, acquisitionagreement orotheragreement(A) related to anyAcquisition Transaction(other than a confidentialityagreemententered into in accordance with the provisions ofSection 5.09(b))or(B) requiringFPBto abandon, terminateorfail to consummate theMerger orany other transaction contemplated by thisAgreement.
(e) NotwithstandingSection 5.09(d), prior to the date of theFPB Meeting, the board of directors ofFPBmay withdraw, qualify, amendormodify the FPB Recommendation (a “FPB Subsequent Determination”) after the third (3rd)Business DayfollowingFBMS’s receipt of a notice (the “Notice of Superior Proposal”) fromFPBadvisingFBMSthat the board of directors ofFPBhas decided that a bona fide unsolicited writtenAcquisition Proposalthat it received (that did not result from a breach ofSection 5.09(a)) constitutes aSuperior Proposalif, but only if,(i)the board of directors ofFPBhas determined in good faith, after consultation with and having considered the advice of outside legal counsel and its financial advisor, that the failure to take such actions more likely than not would cause it to violate its fiduciary duties toFPB’s shareholders under applicableLaw, (ii) during the four (4)Business Dayperiod after receipt of theNotice of Superior ProposalbyFBMS(the “Notice Period”),FPBand the board of directors ofFPBshall have cooperated and negotiated in good faith withFBMSto make such adjustments, modificationsoramendments to the terms and conditions of thisAgreementas would enableFPBto proceed with theFPB Recommendationwithout aFPB Subsequent Determination;provided,however, that
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FBMSshall not have any obligation to propose any adjustments, modificationsoramendments to the terms and conditions of thisAgreementand (iii) at the end of theNotice Period, after taking into account any such adjusted, modifiedoramended terms as may have been proposed byFBMSsince its receipt of suchNotice of Superior Proposal, the board of directors ofFPBhas again in good faith made the determination (A) in clause(i)of thisSection 5.09(e) and (B) that suchAcquisition Proposalconstitutes aSuperior Proposal. In the event of anymaterialrevisions to theSuperior Proposal,FPBshall be required to deliver a newNotice of Superior ProposaltoFBMSand again comply with the requirements of thisSection 5.09(e), except that theNotice Periodshall be reduced to three (3) Business Days.
(f) Notwithstanding anyFPB Subsequent Determination, thisAgreementshall be submitted toFPB’s shareholders at theFPB Meetingfor the purpose of voting on the approval of thisAgreementandthe transactions contemplated hereby(includingtheMerger) and nothing containedhereinshall be deemed to relieveFPBof such obligation;provided,however, that if the board of directors ofFPBshall have made aFPB Subsequent Determinationwith respect to aSuperior Proposal, then the board of directors ofFPBmay recommend approval of suchSuperior Proposalby the shareholders ofFPBand may submit thisAgreementtoFPB’s shareholders without recommendation, in which event the board of directors ofFPBshall communicate the basis for its recommendation of suchSuperior Proposaland the basis for its lack of a recommendation with respect to thisAgreementandthe transactions contemplated herebytoFPB’s shareholders in theProxy Statement-Prospectus oran appropriate amendmentorsupplement thereto.
(g) Nothing contained in thisSection 5.09 shall prohibitFPB orthe board of directors ofFPBfrom complying withFPB’s obligations required under Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under theExchange Act (as if such rule was applicable to FPB);provided,however, that any such disclosure relating to anAcquisition Proposal(other than a “stop, look and listen”orsimilar communication of the type contemplated by Rule 14d-9(f) under theExchange Act) shall be deemed a change in theFPB Recommendationunless the board of directors ofFPBreaffirms theFPB Recommendationin such disclosure.
Section 5.10 Indemnification.
(a) For a period of six (6) years from and after theEffective Time, and in any event subject to the provisions ofSection 5.10(c)(iv),FBMSshall indemnify and hold harmless the present and former directors, officers, employees and agents of FPB and its Subsidiaries (each an “Indemnified Party”), against all costs, expenses (including reasonableattorney’s fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damagesorliabilities or amounts that are paid in settlement (which settlement shall require the prior written consent of FBMS, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) of or in connection with anyclaim, action, suit, proceedingorinvestigation, whether civil, criminal, administrativeorinvestigative (each a “Claim”), arising out of actions or omissions of such persons in the course of performing their duties for FPB or any of its Subsidiaries occurring at or before the Effective Time (including the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby), regardless of whether such Claim is asserted or claimed before, or after, the Effective Time, to the same extent permitted under the organizational documents of FPB and its Subsidiaries in effect onthe date of this Agreement to the extent permitted by applicableLaw.
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(b) In connection with the indemnification provided pursuant toSection 5.10, FBMS and/or an FBMS Subsidiary will advance expenses, promptly after statements therefor are received, to each FPB Indemnified Party, to the same extent permitted under the organizational documents of FPB and its Subsidiaries in effect onthe date of this Agreement to the extent permitted by applicableLaw (provided the individual to whom expenses are advanced provides an undertaking to repay such advance if it is ultimately determined that such individual is not entitled to indemnification), including the payment of the fees and expenses of one counsel with respect to a matter, and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, if necessary or appropriate, selected by such FPB Indemnified Party or multiple Indemnified Parties, it being understood that they collectively shall only be entitled to one counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction where necessary or appropriate (unless a conflict shall exist between them in which case they may retain separate counsel), all such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to FBMS.
(c) AnyIndemnified Partywishing toclaimindemnification under thisSection 5.10 shall promptly notifyFBMSupon learning of any Claim,provided that, failure to so notify shall not affect the obligation ofFBMSunder thisSection 5.10, unless, and only to the extent that,FBMSis materially prejudiced in the defense of such Claim as a consequence. In the event of any such Claim (whether assertedorclaimed prior to, atorafter theEffective Time), (i)FBMSshall have the right to assume the defense thereof andFBMSshall not be liable to suchIndemnified Partiesfor any legal expensesorother counselorany other expenses subsequently incurred by suchIndemnified Partiesin connection with the defense thereof, (ii) theIndemnified Partieswill cooperate in the defense of any such matter, (iii) FBMSshall not be liable for any settlement effected without its prior written consent and(iv) FBMSshall have no obligationhereunderto anyIndemnified Partyif such indemnification would be in violation of any applicable federalorstate bankingLaws or regulations,orin the event that a federalorstate banking agencyora court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that indemnification of anIndemnified Partyin the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by applicableLawsandregulations, whetherornot related to bankingLaws.
(d) For a period of six (6) years following theEffective Time,FBMS will maintaindirector’s and officer’s liability insurance (herein, “D&O Insurance”) that serves to reimburse the present and former officers and directors ofFPB oritsSubsidiaries(determined as of theEffective Time) with respect to claims against such directors and officers arising from factsorevents occurring before theEffective Time(including the transactions contemplated hereby), which insurance will contain at least the same coverage and amounts, and contain terms and conditions no less advantageous to theIndemnified Party, as that coverage currently provided byFPB;provided that, ifFBMSis unable to maintainorobtain the insurance called for by thisSection 5.10,FBMSwill provide as much comparable insurance as is reasonably available (subject to the limitations described below in thisSection 5.10(d)); andprovided,further, that officers and directors ofFPB oritsSubsidiariesmay be required to make application and provide customary representations and warranties to the carrier of theD&O Insurancefor the purpose of obtaining such insurance. In no event shallFBMSbe required to expend for such tail insurance a premium amount in excess of an amount equal to 250% of the annual premiums paid byFPBforD&O Insurancein effect as ofthe date of this Agreement(the “Maximum D&O Tail Premium”). If the cost of such tail insurance exceeds theMaximum D&O Tail Premium,FBMSshall obtain tail insurance coverageora separate tail insurance policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding theMaximum D&O Tail Premium.
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(e) Nothing contained in this Section 5.10 or any other provision of this Agreement shall limit any right to indemnification which any current or former director, officer, employee or agent of FPB or Florida Parishes Bank may have under applicable law or regulation or FPB’s articles of incorporation, bylaws or the equivalent documents of Florida Parishes Bank, as applicable, in each case as in effect on the date hereof, which FBMS agrees to honor in accordance with their terms.
(f) ThisSection 5.10 shall survive the Effective Time, is intended to benefit each FPB Indemnified Party (each of whom shall be entitled to enforce this Section against FBMS), and shall be binding on all successors and assigns of FBMS.
(g) IfFBMS orany of its successors and assigns (i) shall consolidate withormerge into any other corporationorentity and shall not be the continuingorsurviving corporationorentity of such consolidationor merger,or(ii) shall transfer allorsubstantially all of its property and assets to any individual, corporationorother entity, then, in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns ofFBMSand itsSubsidiariesshall assume the obligations set forth in thisSection 5.10.
Section 5.11 Employees; Benefit Plans.
(a) Following the Effective Time, FBMS shall maintain or cause to be maintained employee benefit plans for the benefit of employees who are full time employees of FPB on the Closing Date and who become employees of FBMS (“Covered Employees”) that provide employee benefits which, in the aggregate, are substantially comparable to the employee benefits and cash-based compensation opportunities that are made available on a uniform and non-discriminatory basis to similarly situated employees of FBMS;provided,however, that in no event shall any Covered Employee be eligible to participate in any closed or frozen plan of FBMS. FBMS shall give the Covered Employees credit for their prior service with FPB (i) for purposes of eligibility (including initial participation and eligibility for current benefits) and vesting under any qualified or non-qualified employee benefit plan maintained by FBMS and in which Covered Employees may be eligible to participate and (ii) for all purposes under any welfare benefit plans, vacation plans, severance plans and similar arrangements maintained by FBMS.
(b) With respect to any employee benefit plan of FBMS that is a health, dental, vision or other welfare plan in which any Covered Employee is eligible to participate, for the plan year in which such Covered Employee is first eligible to participate, FBMS shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause any pre-existing condition limitations, eligibility waiting periods or evidence of insurability requirements under such FBMS plan to be waived with respect to such Covered Employee and his or her covered dependents to the extent such condition was or would have been covered under the FPB Benefit Plan in which such Covered Employee participated immediately prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) recognize any health, dental, vision or other welfare expenses incurred by such Covered Employee and his or her covered dependents in the year that includes the Closing Date (or, if later, the year in which such Covered Employee is first eligible to participate) for purposes of any applicable copayment, deductibles and annual out of pocket expense requirements under any such health, dental, vision or other welfare plan.
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(c) Following the Effective Time, The First shall credit each Covered Employee with an amount of paid time off equal to such Covered Employee’s accrued but unused paid time off at Florida Parishes Bank (“Carryover PTO”), provided that The First may allocate the Carryover PTO and between vacation leave and sick leave in its discretion.
(d) FPB shall cause Florida Parishes Bank to take all necessary actions to terminate the Florida Parishes Bank 401(k) Plan, effective as the date immediately preceding the Effective Time of the Merger, subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time. FPB shall provide FBMS with evidence that the Florida Parishes Bank 401(k) plan has been terminated and provide copies of the appropriate resolutions terminating the plan (the form and substance of which shall be subject to review and approval by FBMS, which will not be unreasonably withheld) not later than the day immediately preceding the Effective Time. The accounts of all participants and beneficiaries in the Florida Parishes Bank 401(k) Plan shall become fully vested upon termination of such plan.
(e) Prior to the Effective Time, FPB shall take, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to take, all actions requested by FBMS that may be necessary or appropriate to, conditioned on the occurrence of the Effective Time, (i) cause one or more FPB Benefits Plans not covered above to terminate as of the Effective Time, or as of the date immediately preceding the Effective Time, (ii) cause benefit accruals and entitlements under any FPB Benefit Plan to cease as of the Effective Time, or as of the date immediately preceding the Effective Time, (iii) cause the continuation on and after the Effective Time of any contract, arrangement or insurance policy relating to any FPB Benefit Plan for such period as may be requested by FBMS, or (iv) facilitate the merger of any FPB Benefit Plan into any employee benefit plan maintained by FBMS. Additionally, FPB and Florida Parishes Bank will take any and all actions reasonably requested by FBMS related to ensuring the compliance of all FPB Benefit Plans with applicable law, including but not limited to filing any necessary “top hat” filings or corrections. All resolutions, notices, or other documents issued, adopted or executed in connection with the implementation of this Section 5.11(e) shall be subject to FBMS’s reasonable prior review and approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.
(f) Any employee of FPB or Florida Parishes Bank that becomes an employee of FBMS or The First at the Effective Time who is terminated within one year following the Effective Time (other than for cause, death, disability, normal retirement or voluntarily resignation) shall receive a severance payment calculated in accordance with the policy set forth on FBMS Disclosure Schedule 5.11(f), except with respect to any employees who will enter into Termination Agreements with FBMS in accordance with Section 5.11(g).
(g) FBMS shall take all actions necessary to irrevocably terminate (in accordance with Section 409A of the Code) and liquidate those portions of the employment and change in control agreements listed on FPB Disclosure Schedule 3.15(a) providing for cash severance or deferred compensation in respect of a separation from service. In connection with such termination and liquidation, immediately following the Effective Time, FMBS will enter into Termination Agreements in the form set forth inFBMS Disclosure Schedule 5.11(g) with the individuals listed thereon.
(h) Nothing in this Section 5.11 shall be construed to limit the right of FBMS (including, following the Closing Date, FPB) to amend or terminate any FPB Benefit Plan or other
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employee benefit plan, to the extent such amendment or termination is permitted by the terms of the applicable plan, nor shall anything in this Section 5.11 be construed to require FBMS (including, following the Closing Date, FPB) to retain the employment of any particular Covered Employee for any fixed period of time following the Closing Date, and the continued retention (or termination) by FBMS of any Covered Employee subsequent to the Effective Time shall be subject in all events to FBMS’s normal and customary employment procedures and practices, including customary background screening and evaluation procedures, and satisfactory employment performance.
(i) For purposes of this Section 5.10, (i) “employees of FPB” shall include employees of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) “employees of FBMS” shall include employees of FBMS or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) all references to FPB shall include each of the Subsidiaries of FPB, and (iv) all references to FBMS shall include each of the Subsidiaries of FBMS.
Section 5.12 Notification of Certain Changes. FBMS and FPB shall promptly advise the other Party of any change or event having, or which could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect or which it believes would, or which could reasonably be expected to, cause or constitute a material breach of any of its or its respective Subsidiaries’ representations, warranties or covenants contained herein and FPB shall provide on a periodic basis written notice to FBMS of any matters that FPB becomes aware of that should be disclosed on a supplement or amendment to the FPB Disclosure Schedule;provided, that any failure to give notice in accordance with the foregoing shall not be deemed to constitute a violation of thisSection 5.12or the failure of any condition set forth inSection 6.01,Section 6.02 orSection 6.03 to be satisfied, or otherwise constitute a breach of this Agreement by the party failing to give such notice, in each case unless the underlying breach would independently result in a failure of the conditions set forth inSection 6.01,Section 6.02orSection 6.03 to be satisfied.
Section 5.13 Transition;Informational Systems Conversion. From and after the date hereof, FBMS and FPB will use their commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate the integration of FPB with the business of FBMS following consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, and shall meet on a regular basis to discuss and plan for the conversion of the data processing and related electronic informational systems of FPB and each of its Subsidiaries (the “Informational Systems Conversion”) to those used by FBMS, which planning shall include, but not be limited to, (a) discussion of third-party service provider arrangements of FPB and each of its Subsidiaries; (b) non-renewal or changeover, after the Effective Time, of personal property leases and software licenses used by FPB and each of its Subsidiaries in connection with the systems operations; (c) retention of outside consultants and additional employees to assist with the conversion; (d) outsourcing, as appropriate after the Effective Time, of proprietary or self-provided system services; and (e) any other actions necessary and appropriate to facilitate the conversion, as soon as practicable following the Effective Time. FBMS shall promptly reimburse FPB on request for any reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, expenses or charges that FPB may incur as a result of taking, at the request of FBMS, any action prior to the Effective Time to facilitate the Informational Systems Conversion.
Section 5.14 No Control of OtherParty’s Business. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give FBMS, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of FPB or its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time, and nothing contained in this Agreement shall give FPB,
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directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of FBMS or its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each of FPB and FBMS shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, control and supervision over its and its Subsidiaries’ respective operations.
Section 5.15 Certain Litigation. Each Party shall promptly advise the other Party orally and in writing of any actual or threatened shareholder litigation against such Party and/or the members of the board of directors of FPB or the board of directors of FBMS related to this Agreement or the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement. FPB shall: (i) permit FBMS to review and discuss in advance, and consider in good faith the views of FBMS in connection with, any proposed written or oral response to such shareholder litigation; (ii) furnish FBMS’s outside legal counsel with all non-privileged information and documents which outside counsel may reasonably request in connection with such shareholder litigation; (iii) consult with FBMS regarding the defense or settlement of any such shareholder litigation, shall give due consideration to FBMS’s advice with respect to such shareholder litigation and shall not settle any such litigation prior to such consultation and consideration;provided,however, that FPB shall not settle any such shareholder litigation if such settlement requires the payment of money damages, without the written consent of FBMS (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) unless the payment of any such damages by FPB is reasonably expected by FPB, following consultation with outside counsel, to be fully covered (disregarding any deductible to be paid by FPB) under FPB’s existing director and officer insurance policies, including any tail policy.
Section 5.16 Director Resignations. FPB will cause to be delivered to FBMS resignations of all the directors of FPB and its Subsidiaries, such resignations to be effective as of the Effective Time.
Section 5.17 Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure Agreement. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and effective upon Closing, FPB has caused each director of FPB and Florida Parishes Bank other than Ronnie Fugarino to execute and deliver the Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure Agreement in the form attached hereto asExhibit C (collectively, the “Director Restrictive Covenant Agreements”).
Section 5.18 Claims Letters. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and effective upon the Closing, FPB has caused each director of FPB and Florida Parishes Bank to execute and deliver the Claims Letter in the form attached hereto asExhibit D.
Section 5.19 Coordination.
(a) Prior to theEffective Time, subject to applicableLaws, FPB and its Subsidiaries shall take any actionsFBMSmay reasonably request from time to time to better prepare thepartiesfor integration of the operations of FPB and its Subsidiaries withFBMSand itsSubsidiaries, respectively. Without limiting the foregoing, senior officers ofFPBandFBMSshall meet from time to time asFBMSmay reasonably request, and in any event not less frequently than monthly, to review the financial and operational affairs of FPB and its Subsidiaries, andFPBshall give due consideration toFBMS’s input on such matters, with the understanding that, notwithstanding any other provision contained in thisAgreement, neitherFBMSnorThe Firstshall under any
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circumstance be permitted to exercise control ofFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesprior to theEffective Time.FPBshall permit representatives ofThe Firstto be onsite atFPBto facilitate integration of operations and assist with any other coordination efforts as necessary, provided such efforts shall be done without undue disruption to Florida Parishes Bank’s business, during normal business hours and at the expense of FBMS or The First (not to include Florida Parishes Bank’s regular employee payroll).
(b) Prior to theEffective Time, subject to applicableLaws, FPB and its Subsidiaries shall take any actionsFBMSmay reasonably request in connection with negotiating any amendments, modificationsorterminations of anyLeases or FPB Material ContractsthatFBMSmay request,including, but not limited to, actions necessary to cause any such amendments, modificationsorterminations to become effective prior to (to the extent that the conditions set forth in Article VI of this Agreement have already been satisfied),orimmediately upon, theClosing, and shall cooperate withFBMS and will use its commercially reasonable efforts to negotiatespecific provisions that may be requested byFBMSin connection with any such amendment, modificationortermination.
(c) From and afterthe date hereof, subject to applicableLaws, thepartiesshall reasonably cooperate (provided that the parties shall cooperate to reasonably minimize disruption to FPB’s or Florida Parishes Bank’s business) with the other in preparing for the prompt conversionorconsolidation of systems and business operations promptly after theEffective Time(includingby entering into customary confidentiality, non-disclosure and similar agreements with the otherpartyand appropriate service providers) andFPBshall, uponFBMS’s reasonable request, introduceFBMSand its representatives to suppliers of FPB and its Subsidiaries for the purpose of facilitating the integration ofFPBand its business into that ofFBMS. In addition, after satisfaction of the conditions set forth inSection 6.01(a) andSection 6.01(b), subject to applicableLaws,FPBshall, uponFBMS’s reasonable request, introduceFBMSand its representatives to customers of FPB and its Subsidiaries for the purpose of facilitating the integration ofFPBand its business into that ofFBMS. Any interaction betweenFBMSandFPB’s and any of itsSubsidiaries’ customers and suppliers shall be coordinated byFPB.FPBshall have the right to participate in any discussions betweenFBMSandFPB’s customers and suppliers.
(d) FBMSandFPBagree to take all action necessary and appropriate to causeFlorida Parishes Bankto merge withThe Firstin accordance with applicableLawsand the terms of thePlanofBank Mergerimmediately following theEffective Time oras promptly as practicable thereafter.
Section 5.20 Transactional Expenses. FPB has provided inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.35 a reasonable good faith estimate of costs and fees that FPB and its Subsidiaries expect to pay to retained representatives in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, exclusive of any costs that may be incurred by FPB as a result of any litigation which may arise in connection with this Agreement (collectively, “FPB Expenses”). FPB shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the aggregate amount of all FPB Expenses to not exceed the total expenses disclosed inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.35. FPB shall promptly notify FBMS if or when it determines that it expects to exceed its total budget for FPB Expenses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in thisSection 5.20, FPB shall not incur any investment banking, brokerage, finders
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or other similar financial advisory fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement other than those expressly set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 3.35.
Section 5.21 Confidentiality. Prior to the execution of this Agreement and prior to the consummation of the Merger, subject to applicable Laws, each of FBMS and FPB, and their respective Subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, agents, employees, consultants and advisors have provided, and will continue to provide one another with information which may be deemed by the party providing the information to be non-public, proprietary and/or confidential, including, but not limited to, trade secrets of the disclosing party. Each Party agrees that it will, and will cause its representatives to, hold any information obtained pursuant to thisArticle V in accordance with the terms of the confidentiality and non-disclosure letter agreement, dated as of July 16, 2018 between FBMS and FPB.
Section 5.22 TaxMatters. The Parties intend that the Merger and the Bank Merger shall each qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and that this Agreement constitute a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Section 1.368-2(g) of the Regulations. Except as expressly contemplated or permitted by this Agreement, from and after the date of this Agreement, each of FBMS and FPB shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to cause each of the Merger and the Bank Merger to qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and will not take any action, cause any action to be taken, fail to take any action or cause any action to fail to be taken which action or failure to act is intended or is reasonably likely to prevent either the Merger or the Bank Merger from qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
Article VI
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
Section 6.01 Conditions to Obligations of thePartiesto Effect theMerger. The respective obligations of the Parties to consummate the Merger are subject to the fulfillment or, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, written waiver by the Parties prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:
(a) Shareholder Vote. ThisAgreementandthe transactions contemplated hereby, as applicable,shall have received theRequisite FPB Shareholder Approvalat theFPB Meeting.
(b) Regulatory Approvals; No Burdensome Condition. AllRegulatory Approvalsrequired to consummate theMergerand theBank Mergerin the manner contemplatedhereinshall have been obtained and shall remain in full force and effect and all statutory waiting periods in respect thereof, if any, shall have expiredorbeen terminated, and no suchRegulatory Approval includes orcontains,orshall have resulted in the imposition of, anyBurdensome Condition.
(c) No InjunctionsorRestraints; Illegality. No judgment, order, injunctionordecree issued by any courtoragency of competent jurisdictionorother legal restraintorprohibition preventingthe consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herebyshall be in effect. No statute, rule, regulation, order, injunctionordecree shall have been enacted, entered,
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promulgatedorenforced by anyGovernmental Authoritythat prohibitsormakes illegalthe consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(d) EffectiveRegistration Statement. TheRegistration Statementshall have become effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of theRegistration Statementshall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiatedorthreatened by theSEC orany otherGovernmental Authority.
(e) TaxOpinions Relating to theMerger.FBMSandFPB, respectively, shall have received opinions from Alston & Bird LLP and Silver, Freedman Taff & Tiernan LLP, respectively, each dated as of theClosing Date, in substance and form reasonably satisfactory toFBMSandFPB, respectively, to the effect that, on the basis of the facts, representations and assumptions set forth in such opinions, theMergerwill be treated for federal incometaxpurposes as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of theCode. In rendering their opinions, Alston & Bird LLP and Silver, Freedman Taff & Tiernan LLP may require and rely upon representations as to certain factual matters contained in certificates of officers of each ofFBMS andFPB, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to such counsel.
Section 6.02 Conditions to Obligations ofFPB. The obligations of FPB to consummate the Merger also are subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by FPB prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of FBMS (i) set forth inSection 4.09 shall be true and correct in all respectsas of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of the Closing Date, (ii)Section 4.01,Section 4.02,Section 4.03,Section 4.04,Section 4.08, andSection 4.12 shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of the Closing Date (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date) and (iii) set forth in this Agreement, other than those sections specifically identified in clauses (i) or (ii) of thisSection 6.02(a), shall be true and correct (disregarding all qualifications or limitations as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” and words of similar import set forth therein) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of the Closing Date (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date), except, in the case of this clause (iii), where the failure to be true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FBMS.FPB shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of FBMS by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of FBMS to the foregoing effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations ofFBMS.FBMSshall have performed and complied with all of its obligations under thisAgreementin allmaterialrespects atorprior to theClosing Dateexcept where the failure of the performance of,orcompliance with, such obligation has not had and does not have aMaterial Adverse EffectonFBMS, andFPBshall have received acertificate, dated theClosing Date, signed on behalf ofFBMSby its Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer to such effect.
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(c) NoMaterial Adverse Effect. Sincethe date of this Agreement(i) no changeorevent has occurred which has resulted inFBMS or The First being subject to aMaterial Adverse Effectand (ii) no condition, event, fact, circumstanceorother occurrence has occurred that may reasonably be expected to haveorresult in suchpartiesbeing subject to aMaterial Adverse Effect.
Section 6.03 Conditions to Obligations ofFBMS. The obligations of FBMS to consummate the Merger also are subject to the fulfillment or written waiver by FBMS prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of FPB (i) set forth inSection 3.02(a) andSection 3.09(b) shall be true and correct in all respects (with respect toSection 3.02(a), other than de minimis inaccuracies, it being agreed that for purposes ofSection 3.02(a), any inaccuracy in which the applicable amounts as of a date of determination exceed the amounts set forth inSection 3.02(a) by no more than 1% shall be deemed de minimis) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date as though made as of the Closing Date, (ii) the first sentence ofSection 3.01,Section 3.04(a),Section 3.05,Section 3.14 andSection 3.34 shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of the Closing Date (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date) and (iii) set forth in this Agreement, other than those sections specifically identified in clauses (i) or (ii) of thisSection 6.03(a), shall be true and correct (disregarding all qualifications or limitations as to “materiality”, “Material Adverse Effect” and words of similar import set forth therein) as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as though made as of the Closing Date (except to the extent expressly made as of an earlier date, in which case as of such date), except, in the case of this clause (iii), where the failure to be true and correct would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect with respect to FPB. FBMS shall have received a certificate signed on behalf of FPB by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of FPB to the foregoing effect.
(b) Performance of Obligations ofFPB.FPBshall have performed and complied with all of its obligations under thisAgreementin allmaterialrespects atorprior to theClosing Date, andFBMSshall have received acertificate, dated theClosing Date, signed on behalf ofFPBbyFPB’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to such effect.
(c) NoMaterial Adverse Effect. Sincethe date of this Agreement(i) no changeorevent has occurred which has resulted inFPB orany of itsSubsidiariesbeing subject to aMaterial Adverse Effectand (ii) no condition, event, fact, circumstanceorother occurrence has occurred that may reasonably be expected to haveorresult in suchpartiesbeing subject to aMaterial Adverse Effect.
(d) Plan ofBank Merger. Except as otherwise contemplated bySection 1.03, thePlanofBank Mergershall have been executed and delivered.
(e) Dissenting Shares.Dissenting Sharesshall be less than ten percent (10%) of the issued and outstanding shares ofFPB Common Stock.
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(f) Consents and Approvals. FPB has received, in form and substance satisfactory to FPB and FBMS, all consents, approvals, waivers and other assurances from all non-governmental third parties which are required to be obtained under the terms of any contract, agreement or instrument to which FPB or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective properties is bound in order to prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement from constituting a default under such contract, agreement or instrument or creating any lien, claim or charge upon any of the assets of FPB or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 6.04 Frustration ofClosingConditions. Neither FBMS nor FPB may rely on the failure of any condition set forth inSection 6.01,Section 6.02 orSection 6.03, as the case may be, to be satisfied if such failure was caused by such Party’s failure to use its reasonable best efforts to consummate any of the transactions contemplated hereby, as required by and subject toSection 5.03.
Article VII
TERMINATION
Section 7.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned:
(a) Mutual Consent. At any time prior to theEffective Time, by the mutual consent, in writing, ofFBMSandFPBif the board of directors ofFBMSand the board of directors ofFPBeach so determines by vote of a majority of the members of its entire board.
(b) NoRegulatory Approval. ByFBMS or FPB, if either of their respective boards of directors so determines by a vote of a majority of the members of its entire board, in the event anyRegulatory Approvalrequired for consummation of the transactions contemplated by thisAgreementshall have been denied by final, non-appealable action by suchGovernmental Authority oran application therefor shall have been permanently withdrawn at the request of aGovernmental Authority.
(c) No Shareholder Approval. By eitherFBMS or FPB(provided, in the case ofFPB, that it shall not be in breach of any of its obligations underSection 5.04), if theRequisite FPB Shareholder Approvalat theFPB Meetingshall not have been obtained by reason of the failure to obtain the required vote at a duly held meeting of such shareholdersorat any adjournmentorpostponement thereof.
(d) Breach of Representations and Warranties. By eitherFBMS or FPB(provided that the terminatingpartyis not then inmaterialbreach of any representation, warranty, covenantorotheragreementcontainedhereinin a manner that would entitle the otherpartyto not consummate thisAgreement) if there shall have been (i) with respect to representations and warranties set forth in thisAgreementthat are not qualified by the term “material”ordo not contain terms such as “Material Adverse Effect,” amaterialbreach of any of such representationsorwarranties by the otherpartyand (ii) with respect to representations and warranties set forth in thisAgreementthat are qualified by the term “material”orcontain terms such as “Material Adverse Effect,” any breach of any of such representationsorwarranties by the otherParty; which breach is not cured prior to
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the earlier of (y) thirty (30) days following written notice to thePartycommitting such breach from the otherParty or(z) two (2) Business Daysprior to theExpiration Date,orwhich breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to theClosing.
(e) Breach of Covenants. By eitherFBMS or FPB(provided that the terminatingpartyis not then inmaterialbreach of any representation, warranty, covenantorotheragreementcontainedhereinin a manner that would entitle the otherPartynot to consummate theagreement) if there shall have been amaterialbreach of any of the covenantsoragreements set forth in thisAgreementon the part of the otherParty, which breach shall not have been cured prior to the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days following written notice to thePartycommitting such breach from the otherParty or(ii) two (2) Business Daysprior to theExpiration Date,orwhich breach, by its nature, cannot be cured prior to theClosing.
(f) Delay. By either FBMS or FPB if the Merger shall not have been consummated on or before June 30, 2019,provided,however, that such date will be automatically extended to September 30, 2019, if the only outstanding condition to Closing underArticle VI is the receipt of all Regulatory Approvals (the “Expiration Date”), unless the failure of the Closing to occur by such date shall be due to a material breach of this Agreement by the Party seeking to terminate this Agreement.
(g) Failure to Recommend; Etc. In addition to and not in limitation ofFBMS’s terminationrightsunderSection 7.01(e), byFBMSif (i) there shall have been amaterialbreach ofSection 5.09 by FPB,or(ii) the board of directors ofFPB(A) withdraws, qualifies, amends, modifiesorwithholds theFPB Recommendation,ormakes any statement, filingorrelease, in connection with theFPB Meeting orotherwise, inconsistent with theFPB Recommendation(it being understood that taking a neutral positionorno position with respect to anAcquisition Proposalshall be considered an adverse modification of theFPB Recommendation), (B) materially breaches its obligation to call, give notice of and commence theFPB MeetingunderSection 5.04(a), (C) approvesorrecommends anAcquisition Proposal, (D) fails to publicly recommend against a publicly announcedAcquisition Proposalwithin three (3) Business Daysof being requested to do so byFBMS, (E) fails to publicly reconfirm theFPB Recommendationwithin three (3) Business Daysof being requested to do so byFBMS,or(F) resolvesorotherwise determines to take,orannounces an intention to take, any of the foregoing actions.
(h) Acceptance of Superior Proposal. By FPB in connection with entering into a definitive agreement to effect a Superior Proposal after making an FPB Subsequent Determination in accordance withSection 5.09(e).
(i) Change in Stock Price. Either Party may terminate this Agreement by written notice to other Party no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date in the event that the Measurement Price is either less than $33.15 or more than $44.85.
Section 7.02 Termination Fee.
(a) In recognition of the efforts, expenses and other opportunities foregone byFBMSwhile structuring and pursuing theMerger,FPBshall pay toFBMSa termination fee equal to $3,600,000 (“Termination Fee”), by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account
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specified byFBMSin the event of any of the following: (i) in the eventFBMSterminates thisAgreementpursuant toSection 7.01(g),FPBshall payFBMStheTermination Feewithin one (1)Business Dayafter receipt ofFBMS’s notification of such termination;(ii)in the event that afterthe date of this Agreementand prior to the termination of thisAgreement, anAcquisition Proposalshall have been made known to senior management ofFPB orhas been made directly to its shareholders generallyoranyPersonshall have publicly announced (and not withdrawn) anAcquisition Proposalwith respect toFPBand (A) thereafter thisAgreementis terminated (x) by eitherFBMS or FPBpursuant toSection 7.01(c) because theRequisite FPB Shareholder Approvalshall not have been obtainedor(y) byFBMSpursuant toSection 7.01(d)orSection 7.01(e) and (B) prior to the date that is twelve (12) months after the date of such termination,FPBenters into anyagreement orconsummates a transaction with respect to anAcquisition Proposal(whetherornot the sameAcquisition Proposalas that referred to above), thenFPBshall, on the earlier of the date it enters into suchagreementand the date of consummation of such transaction, payFBMStheTermination Fee,provided, that for purposes of thisSection 7.02(a)(ii), all references in the definition of Acquisition Proposal to “20%” shall instead refer to “50%,” and (iii) in the event FPB terminates this Agreement pursuant toSection 7.01(h), FPB shall pay FBMS the Termination Fee within one (1) Business Day after FPB’s notification of such termination.
(b) FPB and FBMS each agree that the agreements contained in thisSection 7.02 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and that, without these agreements, FBMS would not enter into this Agreement; accordingly, if FPB fails promptly to pay any amounts due under thisSection 7.02, FPB shall pay interest on such amounts from the date payment of such amounts were due to the date of actual payment at the rate of interest equal to the sum of (i) the rate of interest published from time to time in The Wall Street Journal, Eastern Edition (or any successor publication thereto), designated therein as the prime rate on the date such payment was due, plus (ii) 200 basis points, together with the costs and expenses of FBMS (including reasonable legal fees and expenses) in connection with such suit.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in thisAgreement, thePartiesagree that ifFPBpaysorcauses to be paid toFBMStheTermination Feein accordance withSection 7.02(a),FPB(orany successor in interest ofFPB) will not have any further obligationsorliabilities toFBMSwith respect to thisAgreement orthe transactions contemplated by thisAgreement.
Section 7.03 Effect of Termination. Except as set forth inSection 7.02(c), termination of this Agreement will not relieve a breaching party from liability for any breach of any covenant, agreement, representation or warranty of this Agreement (a) giving rise to such termination and (b) resulting from fraud or any willful and material breach.
Article VIII
DEFINITIONS
Section 8.01 Definitions. The following terms are used in this Agreement with the meanings set forth below:
“Acquisition Proposal” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.09.
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“Acquisition Transaction” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.09.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person controlling, controlled by or under common control with such Person. As used in this definition, “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“Articles of Merger” has the meaning set forth inSection 1.04(a).
“ASC 320” means GAAP Accounting Standards Codification Topic 320.
“Associate” when used to indicate a relationship with any Person means (1) any corporation or organization (other than FPB or any of its Subsidiaries) of which such Person is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10% or more of any class of equity securities, (2) any trust or other estate in which such Person has a substantial beneficial interest or serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity, or (3) any relative or family member of such Person.
“Bank Merger” has the meaning set forth inSection 1.03.
“Bank Plan of Merger” has the meaning set forth inSection 1.03.
“Bank Secrecy Act” means the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970, as amended.
“BOLI” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.32(b).
“Book-Entry Shares” means any non-certificated share held by book entry in FPB’s stock transfer book, which immediately prior to the Effective Time represents an outstanding share of FPB Common Stock.
“Burdensome Condition” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.06(a).
“Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except a legal holiday recognized as such by the U.S. government or any day on which banking institutions in the State of Mississippi are authorized or obligated to close.
“Certificate” means any outstanding certificate, which immediately prior to the Effective Time, represents an outstanding share of FPB Common Stock.
“Claim” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.10(a).
“Closing” and “Closing Date” have the meanings set forth inSection 1.05(c).
“Code” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
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“Community Reinvestment Act” means the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, as amended.
“Controlled Group Members” means any of FPB’s related organizations described in Code Sections 414(b), (c) or (m).
“Covered Employees” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.11(a).
“D&O Insurance” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.10(c).
“Derivative Transaction” means any swap transaction, option, warrant, forward purchase or sale transaction, futures transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction or collar transaction relating to one or more currencies, commodities, bonds, equity securities, loans, interest rates, catastrophe events, weather-related events, credit-related events or conditions or any indexes, or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or combination of any of these transactions, including collateralized mortgage obligations or other similar instruments or any debt or equity instruments evidencing or embedding any such types of transactions, and any related credit support, collateral or other similar arrangements related to any such transaction or transactions.
“Director Restrictive Covenant Agreements” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.17.
“Dissenting Shareholder” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.01(c).
“Dissenting Shares” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.01(c).
“Dodd-Frank Act” means the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
“Effective Time” has the meaning set forth inSection 1.05(a).
“Election Deadline” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.02(a)(iv).
“Election Form” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.02(a)(iii).
“Enforceability Exception”has the meaning set forth inSection 3.05.
“Environmental Law” means any federal, state or local Law, regulation, order, decree, permit, authorization, opinion or agency requirement relating to: (a) pollution, the protection or restoration of the indoor or outdoor environment, human health and safety, or natural resources, (b) the handling, use, presence, disposal, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance, or (c) any injury or threat of injury to persons or property in connection with any Hazardous Substance. The term Environmental Law includes, but is not limited to, the following statutes, as amended, any successor thereto, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and any state or local statutes, ordinances, rules, regulations and the like addressing similar issues: (a) Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 6901, et seq.; the Clean
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Air Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 7401, et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, 33 U.S.C. § 1251, et seq.; the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, 15 U.S.C. § 2601, et seq.; the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1101, et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act; 42 U.S.C. § 300f, et seq.; the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 651, et seq.; (b) common Law that may impose liability (including without limitation strict liability) or obligations for injuries or damages due to the presence of or exposure to any Hazardous Substance.
“Equal Credit Opportunity Act” means the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as amended.
“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
“ERISA Affiliate” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.15(a).
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Exchange Agent” means such exchange agent as may be designated by FBMS (which shall be FBMS’s transfer agent), and reasonably acceptable to FPB, to act as agent for purposes of conducting the exchange procedures described inArticle II.
“Exchange Fund” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.08(a).
“Exchange Ratio” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.01(d).
“Expiration Date” has the meaning set forth inSection 7.01(f).
“Fair Credit Reporting Act” means the Fair Credit Reporting Act, as amended.
“Fair Housing Act” means the Fair Housing Act, as amended.
“FBMS” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“FBMS Closing Price” means the average the average of the daily closing prices for shares of FBMS Common Stock for the 20 consecutive full Trading Days ending on the trading day prior to the Closing Date on which such shares are actually traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market (as reported by Bloomberg L.P. or, if not reported therein, in another authoritative source mutually selected by FBMS and FPB).
“FBMS Common Stock” means the common stock, $1.00 par value per share, of FBMS.
“FBMS Disclosure Schedule” has the meaning set forth inArticle IV.
“FBMS Ratio”shall have the meaning as set forth inSection 7.01(h).
“FBMS Reports” has the meaning set forth inSection 4.05(a).
“FDIA” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.27.
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“FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
“FFIEC” means the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council.
“Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.07(b).
“FOFR” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.06.
“FPB” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
“FPB 401(a) Plan” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.15(c).
“FPB Benefit Plans” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.15(a).
“FPB Cancelled Shares” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.01(b).
“FPB Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of FPB.
“FPB Disclosure Schedule” has the meaning set forth inArticle III.
“FPB Employees” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.15(a).
“FPB Expenses” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.20.
“FPB Financial Advisor” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.14.
“FPB Intellectual Property” means the Intellectual Property used in or held for use in the conduct of the business of FPB and its Subsidiaries.
“FPB Investment Securities” means the investment securities of FPB and its Subsidiaries.
“FPB Loan” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.22(d).
“FPB Material Contracts” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.12(a).
“FPB Meeting” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.04(a)(i).
“FPB Preferred Stock” means the serial preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of FPB.
“FPB Recommendation” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.04(a)(ii).
“FPB Regulatory Agreement” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.13.
“FPB Representatives” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.09(a).
“FPB Restricted Share” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.01(a).
“FPB Stock Plans” means all equity plans of FPB or any Subsidiary, each as amended to date.
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“FPB Subsequent Determination” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.09(e).
“FPB Voting Agreement” or “FPB Voting Agreements” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
“FPB Warrants” shall have the meaning set forth inSection 2.02(b).
“FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, applied consistently with past practice, including with respect to quantity and frequency.
“Governmental Authority” means any U.S. or foreign federal, state or local governmental commission, board, body, bureau or other regulatory authority or agency, including, without limitation, courts and other judicial bodies, bank regulators, insurance regulators, applicable state securities authorities, the SEC, the IRS or any self-regulatory body or authority, including any instrumentality or entity designed to act for or on behalf of the foregoing.
“Hazardous Substance” means any and all substances (whether solid, liquid or gas) defined, listed, or otherwise regulated as pollutants, hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, extremely hazardous wastes, flammable or explosive materials, radioactive materials or words of similar meaning or regulatory effect under any present or future Environmental Law or that may have a negative impact on human health or the environment, including, but not limited to, petroleum and petroleum products, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, lead, radon, radioactive materials, flammables and explosives, mold, mycotoxins, microbial matter and airborne pathogens (naturally occurring or otherwise). Hazardous Substance does not include substances of kinds and in amounts ordinarily and customarily used or stored for the purposes of cleaning or other maintenance or operations.
“Holder” means the holder of record of shares of FPB Common Stock.
“Home Mortgage Disclosure Act” means Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, as amended.
“Indemnified Parties” and “Indemnifying Party” have the meanings set forth inSection 5.10(a).
“Informational Systems Conversion” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.13.
“Initial Notice Period” shall have the meaning as set forth inSection 7.01(h).
“Insurance Policies” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.32(a).
“Intellectual Property” means (a) trademarks, service marks, trade names, Internet domain names, designs, logos, slogans, and general intangibles of like nature, together with all goodwill, registrations and applications related to the foregoing; (b) patents and industrial designs (including any continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, renewals, reissues, and applications for any of the
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foregoing); (c) copyrights (including any registrations and applications for any of the foregoing); (d) Software (excluding off-the-shelf Software); and (e) technology, trade secrets and other confidential information, know-how, proprietary processes, formulae, algorithms, models, and methodologies.
“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
“Knowledge” means, with respect to FPB, the actual knowledge, of the Persons set forth inFPB Disclosure Schedule 8.01, after due inquiry of their direct subordinates who would be likely to have knowledge of such matter, and with respect to FBMS, the actual knowledge of the Persons set forth inFBMS Disclosure Schedule 8.01, after due inquiry of their direct subordinates who would be likely to have knowledge of such matter.
“Law” means any federal, state, local or foreign Law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, judgment, order, injunction, decree, arbitration award, agency requirement, license or permit of any Governmental Authority that is applicable to the referenced Person.
“Leases” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.30(b).
“Letter of Transmittal” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.07.
“Liens” means any charge, mortgage, pledge, security interest, restriction, claim, lien or encumbrance, conditional and installment sale agreement, charge, claim, option, rights of first refusal, encumbrances, or security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any limitation on voting, sale, transfer or other disposition or exercise of any other attribute of ownership).
“Loans” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.22(a).
“Mailing Date” has the meaning set forth inSection 2.02(a).
“Material Adverse Effect” with respect to any party means (i) any change, development or effect that individually or in the aggregate is, or is reasonably likely to be, material and adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, liquidity, assets or deposit liabilities, properties, or business of such party and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) any change, development or effect that individually or in the aggregate would, or would be reasonably likely to, materially impair the ability of such party to perform its obligations under this Agreement or otherwise materially impairs, or is reasonably likely to materially impair, the ability of such party to consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby;provided,however, that, in the case of clause (i) only, a Material Adverse Effect shall not be deemed to include the impact of (A) changes after the date of this Agreement in banking and similar Laws of general applicability or interpretations thereof by Governmental Authorities (except to the extent that such change disproportionately adversely affects FPB and its Subsidiaries or FBMS and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, compared to other companies of similar size operating in the same industry in which
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FPB and FBMS operate, in which case only the disproportionate effect will be taken into account), (B) changes after the date of this Agreement in GAAP or regulatory accounting requirements applicable to banks or bank holding companies generally (except to the extent that such change disproportionately adversely affects FPB and its Subsidiaries or FBMS and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, compared to other companies of similar size operating in the same industry in which FPB and FBMS operate, in which case only the disproportionate effect will be taken into account), (C) changes after the date of this Agreement in global, national or regional political conditions (including the outbreak of war or acts of terrorism) or in economic or market (including equity, credit and debt markets, as well as changes in interest rates) conditions affecting the financial services industry generally (except to the extent that such change disproportionately adversely affects FPB and its Subsidiaries or FBMS and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, compared to other companies of similar size operating in the same industry in which FPB and FBMS operate, in which case only the disproportionate effect will be taken into account), (D) public disclosure of the transactions contemplated hereby or actions expressly required by this Agreement or actions or omissions that are taken with the prior written consent of the other party, or as otherwise expressly permitted or contemplated by this Agreement, (E) any failure by FPB or FBMS to meet any internal or published industry analyst projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues or earnings for any period (it being understood and agreed that the facts and circumstances giving rise to such failure that are not otherwise excluded from the definition of Material Adverse Effect may be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Material Adverse Effect), (F) changes in the trading price or trading volume of FBMS Common Stock, and (G) the impact of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby on relationships with customers or employees (including the loss of personnel subsequent to the date of this Agreement).
“Maximum D&O Tail Premium” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.10(d).
“Measurement Price” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d).
“Merger” has the meaning set forth in the recitals.
“Merger Consideration” shall have the meaning set forth inSection 2.01(d).
“LBCA” has the meaning set forth inSection 1.01.
“NASDAQ” means The NASDAQ Global Select Market.
“National Labor Relations Act” means the National Labor Relations Act, as amended.
“Notice of Superior Proposal” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.09(e).
“OCC” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.06.
“Ordinary Course of Business” means the ordinary, usual and customary course of business of FPB and FPB’s Subsidiaries consistent with past practice, including with respect to frequency and amount.
“OREO” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.22(c).
“Party” or “Parties” have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
“Person” means any individual, bank, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, business trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or other organization or firm of any kind or nature.
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“Plan of Merger” has the meaning set forth inSection 1.04.
“Proxy Statement-Prospectus” means the proxy statement and prospectus and other proxy solicitation materials of FBMS and FPB relating to the FPB Meeting.
“Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC by FBMS in connection with the issuance of shares of FBMS Common Stock in the Merger (including the Proxy Statement-Prospectus constituting a part thereof).
“Regulations” means the final and temporary regulations promulgated under the Code by the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Regulatory Approval” has the meaning set forth inSection 3.06.
“Requisite FPB Shareholder Approval” means approval of this Agreement by a vote (in person or by proxy) of the majority of the outstanding shares of FPB Common Stock entitled to vote thereon at the FPB Meeting.
“Rights” means, with respect to any Person, warrants, options, rights, convertible securities and other arrangements or commitments which obligate the Person to issue or dispose of any of its capital stock or other ownership interests.
“Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Software” means computer programs, whether in source code or object code form (including any and all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies), databases and compilations (including any and all data and collections of data), and all documentation (including user manuals and training materials) related to the foregoing.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any party, any corporation or other entity of which a majority of the capital stock or other ownership interest having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such party. Any reference in this Agreement to a Subsidiary of FPB means, unless the context otherwise requires, any current or former Subsidiary of FPB.
“Florida Parishes Bank” has the meaning set forth inSection 1.03.
“Superior Proposal” has the meaning set forth inSection 5.09.
“Surviving Bank” has the meaning set forth inSection 1.03.
“Surviving Entity” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
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“Tax” and “Taxes” mean all federal, state, local or foreign income, gross income, gains, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem, goods and services, capital, production, transfer, franchise, windfall profits, license, withholding, payroll, employment, disability, employer health, excise, estimated, severance, stamp, occupation, property, environmental, custom duties, unemployment or other taxes of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, additions or penalties thereto and any interest in respect of such interest and penalties.
“Tax Returns” means any return, amended return, declaration or other report (including elections, declarations, schedules, estimates and information returns) required to be filed with any taxing authority with respect to any Taxes.
“Termination Fee” has the meaning set forth inSection 7.02(a).
“The date hereof” or “the date of this Agreement” means the date first set forth above in the preamble to this Agreement.
“The First” has the meaning set forth inSection 1.03.
“Trading Day” means any day on which the NASDAQ Stock Market is open for trading; provided that a “Trading Day” only includes those days that have a scheduled closing time of 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time).
“Truth in Lending Act” means the Truth in Lending Act of 1968, as amended.
“USA PATRIOT Act” means the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Article IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.01 Survival. No representations, warranties, agreements or covenants contained in this Agreement shall survive the Effective Time other than thisSection 9.01 and any other agreements or covenants contained herein that by their express terms are to be performed after the Effective Time, including, without limitation,Section 5.10.
Section 9.02 Waiver; Amendment. Prior to the Effective Time and to the extent permitted by applicable Law, any provision of this Agreement may be (a) waived by the Party benefited by the provision, provided such waiver is in writing and signed by such Party, or (b) amended or modified at any time, by an agreement in writing among the Parties executed in the same manner as this Agreement, except that after the FPB Meeting no amendment shall be made which by Law requires further approval by the shareholders of FBMS or FPB without obtaining such approval. The waiver by any Party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.
Section 9.03 GoverningLaw; Jurisdiction; Waiver ofRightto Trial by Jury.
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(a) ThisAgreementshall be governed by, and interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the internal, substantive laws of the State ofMississippi, without regard for conflict oflawprovisions.
(b) EachPartyagrees that it will bring any actionorproceeding in respect of anyclaimarising out oforrelated to thisAgreement or the transactions contemplated herebyexclusively in any federalorstate court of competent jurisdiction located in the State of Mississippi (the “Mississippi Courts”), and, solely in connection with claims arising under thisAgreement orthe transactions that are the subject of thisAgreement, (i) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of theMississippi Courts, (ii) waives any objection to laying venue in any such actionorproceeding in theMississippi Courts, (iii) waives any objection that theMississippi Courtsare an inconvenient forumordo not have jurisdiction over anypartyand (iv) agrees that service of process upon suchpartyin any such actionorproceeding will be effective if notice is given in accordance withSection 9.05.
(c) EachPartyacknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may arise under thisAgreementis likely to involve complicated and difficult issues, and therefore each suchPartyhereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right suchPartymay have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation directlyorindirectly arising out oforrelating to thisAgreement,orthe transactions contemplated by thisAgreement. EachPartycertifies and acknowledges that (i) no representative, agentorattorney of any otherpartyhas represented, expresslyorotherwise, that such otherpartywould not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, (ii) eachPartyunderstands and has considered the implications of this waiver, (iii) eachPartymakes this waiver voluntarily, and (iv) eachPartyhas been induced to enter into thisAgreementby, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in thisSection 9.03.
Section 9.04 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided inSection 7.02, each Party will bear all expenses incurred by it in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including fees and expenses of its own financial consultants, accountants and counsel. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit either Party’s rights to recover any liabilities or damages arising out of the other Party’s willful breach of any provision of this Agreement.
Section 9.05 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder to a Party, shall be in writing and shall be deemed properly given if delivered (a) personally, (b) by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), with adequate postage prepaid thereon, (c) by properly addressed electronic mail delivery (with confirmation of delivery receipt), or (d) by reputable courier service to such Party at its address set forth below, or at such other address or addresses as such Party may specify from time to time by notice in like manner to the Parties. All notices shall be deemed effective upon delivery.
(a) if toFBMS, to:
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The First Bancshares, Inc.
6480 U.S. Highway 98 West
Hattiesburg, MS 39404-5549
Attn: M. Ray Cole, Jr., President & CEO
E-mail: hcole@thefirstbank.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to FBMS) to:
Alston & Bird LLP
One Atlantic Center
1201 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
Attn: Mark Kanaly
E-mail: mark.kanaly@alston.com
(b) if toFPB, to:
FPB Financial Corp.
1300 W. Morris Ave.
Hammond, LA 70403
Attn: Fritz W. Anderson II, Chairman of the Board and CEO
E-mail: fritzw2@bankfpb.com
with a copy (which shall not constitute notice to FPB) to:
Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP
3299 K Street, N.W. Suite 100
Washington, DC 20007-4444
Attn. Gerald F. Heupel, Jr.
E-mail: jerry@sfttlaw.com
Section 9.06 Entire Understanding; No ThirdPartyBeneficiaries. This Agreement represents the entire understanding of the Parties and thereto with reference to the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement supersedes any and all other oral or written agreements heretofore made. Except for the Indemnified Parties’ rights underSection 5.10, FBMS and FPB hereby agree that their respective representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein are solely for the benefit of the other Party, in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement, and this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, confer upon any Person (including any person or employees who might be affected bySection 5.11), other than the Parties, any rights or remedies hereunder, including, the right to rely upon the representations and warranties set forth herein. The representations and warranties in this Agreement are the product of negotiations between the Parties and are for the sole benefit of the Parties. Consequently, Persons other than the Parties may not rely upon the representations and warranties in this Agreement as characterizations of actual facts or circumstances as of the date of this Agreement or as of any other date.
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Section 9.07 Severability. In the event that any one or more provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement and the Parties will use their commercially reasonable efforts to substitute a valid, legal and enforceable provision which, insofar as practical, implements the purposes and intents of this Agreement.
Section 9.08 Enforcement of theAgreement. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction without having to show or prove economic damages and without the requirement of posting a bond, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.
Section 9.09 Interpretation.
(a) When a reference is made in thisAgreementto sections, exhibitsorschedules, such reference shall be to a section of,orexhibitorschedule to, thisAgreementunless otherwise indicated. The table of contents and captions and headings contained in thisAgreementare included solely for convenience of reference; if there is any conflict between a captionorheading and the text of thisAgreement, the text shall control. Whenever the words “include,” “includes”or“including” are used in thisAgreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.”
(b) ThePartieshave participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of thisAgreementand the other agreements and documents contemplatedherein. In the event an ambiguityorquestion of intentorinterpretation arises under any provision of thisAgreement orany otheragreement ordocument contemplatedherein, thisAgreementand such other agreementsordocuments shall be construed as if drafted jointly by theParties, and no presumptionorburden of proof shall arise favoringordisfavoring anypartyby virtue of authorizing any of the provisions of thisAgreement orany other agreementsordocuments contemplatedherein.
(c) TheFPB Disclosure Scheduleand theFBMS Disclosure Schedule, as well as all other schedules and all exhibits to thisAgreement, shall be deemed part of thisAgreementand included in any reference to thisAgreement. Any matter disclosed pursuant to any section of eitherDisclosure Scheduleshall be deemed disclosed for purposes of any other section ofArticle IIIorArticle IV, respectively, to the extent that applicability of the disclosure to such other section is reasonably apparent on the face, notwithstanding the absence of a specific cross-reference, of such disclosure. No item is required to be set forth in eitherDisclosure Scheduleas an exception to a representationorwarranty if its absence would not result in the related representationorwarranty being deemed untrueorincorrect. The mere inclusion of an item in eitherDisclosure Scheduleas an exception to a representationorwarranty shall not be deemed an admission by eitherpartythat such item represents amaterialexceptionorfact, eventorcircumstanceorthat such item is reasonably likely to result in aMaterial Adverse Effect,orthat any breachorviolation of applicableLaws orany contract existsorhas actually occurred. ThisAgreementshall not be
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interpretedorconstrued to require anypersonto take any action,orfail to take any action, if to do so would violate any applicableLaw.
(d) Any reference contained in thisAgreementto specific statutoryorregulatory provisionsorto any specificGovernmental Authorityshallincludeany successor statuteorregulation,orsuccessorGovernmental Authority, as the case may be. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the masculine, feminine, and neuter genders will be deemed to be interchangeable, and the singularincludesthe plural and vice versa. As usedherein, (i) the term “made available” means any documentorother information that was (a) provided by oneparty orits representatives to the otherparty orits representatives prior tothe date hereof or(b) included in the virtual data room of apartyprior tothe date hereof, and (ii) the word “or” is not exclusive.
(e) Unless otherwise specified, the references to “Section” and “Article” in thisAgreementare to the Sections and Article of thisAgreement. When used in thisAgreement, words such as “herein”, “hereinafter”, “hereof”, “hereto”, and “hereunder” refer to thisAgreementas a whole, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
Section 9.10 Assignment. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other Party, and any purported assignment in violation of thisSection 9.10 shall be void. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Section 9.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile or by electronic data file and in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Party, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. Signatures delivered by facsimile or by electronic data file shall have the same effect as originals.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in counterparts by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written.
THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. | ||
By: | /s/ M. Ray Cole, Jr. | |
Name: | M. Ray Cole, Jr. | |
Title: | Vice Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | |
FPB FINANCIAL CORP. | ||
By: | /s/ Fritz W. Anderson, II | |
Name: | Fritz W. Anderson, II | |
Title: | Chairman of the Board and CEO |
[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]
Exhibit A
FORM OF VOTING AGREEMENT
THIS VOTING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of November 6, 2018, by and between the undersigned holder (“Shareholder”) of common stock of FPB Financial Corp., a Louisiana corporation (“FPB”), and The First Bancshares, Inc., a Mississippi corporation (“FBMS”). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement (defined below).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, FBMS and FPB are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as such agreement may be subsequently amended or modified, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which (i) FPB will merge with and into FBMS, with FBMS as the surviving entity, and (ii) Florida Parishes Bank, a federal savings bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of FPB, will merge with and into The First, A National Banking Association, a national banking association and direct wholly-owned subsidiary of FBMS (“The First Bank”), with The First Bank as the surviving bank (collectively, the “Merger”), and in connection with the Merger, each outstanding share of common stock of FPB, $0.01 par value per share (“FPB Common Stock”), will be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration and cash in lieu of fractional shares of FBMS Common Stock;
WHEREAS, Shareholder “beneficially owns” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and is entitled to dispose of (or direct the disposition of) and to vote (or direct the voting of) directly or indirectly the number of shares of FPB Common Stock indicated on the signature page of this Agreement under the heading “Total Number of Shares of FPB Common Stock Subject to this Agreement;” provided, that such shares do not include shares beneficially owned by Shareholder but subject to the voting direction of a third party with regard to voting on the Merger (such shares, together with any additional shares of FPB Common Stock subsequently acquired by Shareholder during the term of this Agreement, including through the exercise of any stock option or other equity award, warrant or similar instrument, being referred to collectively as the “Shares”); and
WHEREAS, it is a material inducement to the willingness of FBMS to enter into the Merger Agreement that Shareholder execute and deliver this Agreement.
AGREEMENT:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of, and as a material inducement to, FBMS entering into the Merger Agreement and proceeding with the transactions contemplated thereby, and in consideration of the expenses incurred and to be incurred by FBMS in connection therewith, Shareholder and FBMS agree as follows:
Section 1.Agreement to Vote Shares. Shareholder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a shareholder of FPB, agrees that, while this Agreement is in effect, at any meeting of shareholders of FPB, however called, or at any adjournment thereof, or in any other circumstances in which
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Shareholder is entitled to vote, consent or give any other approval in his, her or its capacity as a shareholder of FPB, except as otherwise agreed to in writing in advance by FBMS, Shareholder shall:
(a) appear at each such meeting in person or by proxy or otherwise cause the Shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum; and
(b) vote (or cause to be voted), in person or by proxy, all the Shares as to which the Shareholder has, directly or indirectly, the right to vote or direct the voting, (i) in favor of adoption and approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including any amendments or modifications of the terms thereof approved by the board of directors of FPB and adopted in accordance with the terms thereof); (ii) in favor of any proposal to adjourn or postpone such meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies to approve the Merger Agreement; (iii) against any action or agreement that would result in a breach of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of FPB contained in the Merger Agreement or of Shareholder contained in this Agreement; and (iv) against any Acquisition Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or any other action, agreement or transaction that is intended, or could reasonably be expected, to impede, interfere or be inconsistent with, delay, postpone, discourage or materially and adversely affect consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or this Agreement.
Shareholder further agrees not to vote or execute any written consent to rescind or amend in any manner any prior vote or written consent, as a shareholder of FPB, to approve or adopt the Merger Agreement unless this Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with its terms.
Section 2.No Transfers. Until the earlier of (i) the termination of this Agreement pursuant toSection 6 and (ii) receipt of the Requisite FPB Shareholder Approval, Shareholder agrees not to, directly or indirectly, sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any contract option, commitment or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, pledge, assignment or other disposition of, any of the Shares, except the following transfers shall be permitted: (a) transfers by will or operation of Law, in which case this Agreement shall bind the transferee, (b) transfers pursuant to any pledge agreement, subject to the pledgee agreeing in writing, prior to such transfer, to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, (c) transfers in connection with estate and tax planning purposes, including transfers to relatives, trusts and charitable organizations, subject to each transferee agreeing in writing, prior to such transfer, to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, (d) transfers or the surrender of Shares in connection with the payment of any withholding taxes owed by the holder of an FPB Restricted Share upon the vesting of an FPB Restricted Share, and (e) such transfers as FBMS may otherwise permit in its sole discretion. Any transfer or other disposition in violation of the terms of thisSection 2 shall be null and void.
Section 3.Representations and Warranties of Shareholder. Shareholder represents and warrants to and agrees with FBMS as follows:
(a) Shareholder has all requisite capacity and authority to enter into and perform his, her or its obligations under this Agreement.
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(b) This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Shareholder, and assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by FBMS, constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Shareholder enforceable against Shareholder in accordance with its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles.
(c) The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Shareholder does not, and the performance by Shareholder of his, her or its obligations hereunder and the consummation by Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, violate or conflict with, or constitute a default under, any agreement, instrument, contract or other obligation or any order, arbitration award, judgment or decree to which Shareholder is a party or by which Shareholder is bound, or any statute, rule or regulation to which Shareholder is subject or, in the event that Shareholder is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity, any charter, bylaw or other organizational document of Shareholder.
(d) Shareholder is the record and beneficial owner of, or is the trustee that is the record holder of, and whose beneficiaries are the beneficial owners of, and has good title to all of the Shares, and the Shares are owned free and clear of any liens, security interests, charges or other encumbrances. The Shares do not include shares over which Shareholder exercises control in a fiduciary capacity for any other person or entity that is not an Affiliate of Shareholder, and no representation by Shareholder is made with respect thereto. Shareholder has the right to vote the Shares, and none of the Shares is subject to any voting trust or other agreement, arrangement or restriction with respect to the voting of the Shares, except as contemplated by this Agreement. Shareholder does not own, of record or beneficially, any shares of capital stock of FPB other than the Shares or any other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for such capital stock, other than any FPB Restricted Shares.
Section 4.No Solicitation. From and after the date hereof until the termination of this Agreement pursuant toSection 6, Shareholder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a shareholder of FPB, shall not, nor shall such Shareholder authorize any partner, officer, director, advisor or representative of, such Shareholder or any of his, her or its Affiliates to, directly or indirectly (and, to the extent applicable to Shareholder, such Shareholder shall use commercially reasonable efforts to prohibit any of his, her or its representatives or Affiliates to), (a) initiate, solicit, induce or knowingly encourage, or take any action to facilitate the making of, any inquiry, offer or proposal which constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal, (b) except in his capacity as a director or officer of FPB and under circumstances for which such actions are permitted for FPB under the Merger Agreement, participate in any discussions or negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal or furnish, or otherwise afford access, to any person (other than FBMS) any information or data with respect to FPB or otherwise relating to an Acquisition Proposal, (c) enter into any agreement, agreement in principle or letter of intent with respect to an Acquisition Proposal or approve or resolve to approve any Acquisition Proposal or any agreement, agreement in principle or letter of intent relating to an Acquisition Proposal, (d) solicit proxies with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (other than the Merger Agreement) or otherwise encourage or assist any party in taking or planning any action that would compete with, restrain or otherwise serve to interfere with or inhibit the timely consummation of the Merger in accordance with the
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terms of the Merger Agreement, or (e) initiate a shareholders’ vote or action by consent of FPB’s shareholders with respect to an Acquisition Proposal.
Section 5.Specific Performance; Remedies; Attorneys’ Fees. Shareholder acknowledges that it is a condition to the willingness of FBMS to enter into the Merger Agreement that Shareholder execute and deliver this Agreement and that it will be impossible to measure in money the damage to FBMS if Shareholder fails to comply with the obligations imposed by this Agreement and that, in the event of any such failure, FBMS will not have an adequate remedy at law or in equity. Accordingly, Shareholder agrees that injunctive relief or other equitable remedy is the appropriate remedy for any such failure and will not oppose the granting of such relief on the basis that FBMS has an adequate remedy at Law. Shareholder further agrees that Shareholder will not seek, and agrees to waive any requirement for, the securing or posting of a bond in connection with FBMS’ seeking or obtaining such equitable relief. In addition, after discussing the matter with Shareholder, FBMS shall have the right to inform any third party that FBMS reasonably believes to be, or to be contemplating, participating with Shareholder or receiving from Shareholder assistance in violation of this Agreement, of the terms of this Agreement and of the rights of FBMS hereunder, and that participation by any such persons with Shareholder in activities in violation of Shareholder’s agreement with FBMS set forth in this Agreement may give rise to claims by FBMS against such third party.
Section 6.Term of Agreement; Termination. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement by the mutual written agreement of the parties hereto, and shall be automatically terminated upon the earlier to occur of (a) the Effective Time, (b) the amendment of the Merger Agreement in any manner that materially and adversely affects any of Shareholder’s rights set forth therein (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any reduction to the Merger Consideration), (c) termination of the Merger Agreement or (d) two (2) years from the date hereof. Upon such termination, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities hereunder;provided, however, that such termination shall not relieve any party from liability for any breach of this Agreement prior to such termination.
Section 7.Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire understanding of the parties hereto with reference to the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement supersedes any and all other oral or written agreements heretofore made.
Section 8.Modification and Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by each party. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or any prior subsequent time.
Section 9.Severability. In the event that any one or more provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement and the parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to
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substitute a valid, legal and enforceable provision which, insofar as practical, implements the purposes and intents of this Agreement.
Section 10.Capacity as Shareholder. This Agreement shall apply to Shareholder solely in his, her or its capacity as a shareholder of FPB, and it shall not apply in any manner to Shareholder in his, her or its capacity as a director or officer of FPB, if applicable. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to apply to, or limit in any manner, the obligations of Shareholder to comply with his, her or its fiduciary duties as a director or officer of FPB, if applicable.
Section 11.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the internal, substantive laws of the State of Mississippi, without regard for conflict of law provisions.
Section 12.Jurisdiction. Any civil action, counterclaim, proceeding or litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought in the courts of record of the State of Mississippi in Forrest County or the United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi. Each party consents to the jurisdiction of such Mississippi court in any such civil action, counterclaim, proceeding or litigation and waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such civil action, counterclaim, proceeding or litigation in such Mississippi court. Service of any court paper may be effected on such party by mail, as provided in this letter, or in such other manner as may be provided under applicable Laws.
Section 13.WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THISSECTION 13.
Section 14.Waiver of Appraisal Rights; Further Assurances. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Shareholder hereby waives any rights of appraisal or rights to dissent from the Merger or demand fair value for his, her or its Shares in connection with the Merger, in each case, that Shareholder may have under applicable law. From time to time prior to the termination of this Agreement, at FBMS’s request and without further consideration, Shareholder shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take all such further action as may be reasonably necessary or desirable to effect the actions and consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Shareholder further agrees not to commence or participate in, and to take all actions
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necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any claim, derivative or otherwise, against FBMS, The First Bank, FPB, Florida Parishes Bank or any of their respective successors relating to the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement or the Merger Agreement or the consummation of the Merger.
Section 15.Disclosure. Shareholder hereby authorizes FPB and FBMS to publish and disclose in any announcement or disclosure required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and in the Proxy Statement-Prospectus such Shareholder’s identity and ownership of the Shares and the nature of Shareholder’s obligations under this Agreement;provided,however, that FBMS shall provide Shareholder written drafts of any such disclosure and consider in good faith Shareholder’s comments thereto.
Section 16.Ownership. Nothing in this Voting Agreement shall be construed to give FBMS any rights to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power as owner of the Shares or to vest in FBMS any direct or indirect ownership or incidents of ownership of or with respect to any of the Shares. All rights, ownership and economic benefits of and relating to the Shares shall remain vested in and belong to the Shareholder, notwithstanding the provisions of this Voting Agreement, and FBMS shall have no authority to manage, direct, superintend, restrict, regulate, govern or administer any of the policies or operations of FPB or to exercise any power or authority to direct the Shareholder in voting any of the Shares, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
Section 17.Fiduciary Duty. No provision of this Agreement shall preclude or in any way limit the Shareholder (or any representative of the Shareholder) from exercising his or her fiduciary duties as a member of the Board of Directors or an officer of FPB.
Section 18.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile or by electronic data file and in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Signatures delivered by facsimile or by electronic data file shall have the same effect as originals.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.
THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | M. Ray Cole, Jr. | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
SHAREHOLDER | ||
Printed Name: | ||
Total Number of Shares of FPB Common Stock Subject to this Agreement: | ||
Signature Page – Voting Agreement
Execution Version
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF PLAN OF MERGER AND MERGER AGREEMENT
FLORIDA PARISHES BANK
with and into
THE FIRST, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION
under the charter of
THE FIRST, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION
under the title of
“THE FIRST, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION”
(“Resulting Bank”)
THIS PLAN OF MERGER AND MERGER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of November 6, 2018, by and between The First, A National Banking Association (“The First”), a national banking association, with its main office located at 6480 U.S. Highway 98 West, Hattiesburg, MS 39404-5549, and Florida Parishes Bank, a Federal savings bank, with its main office located at 1300 W. Morris Ave., Hammond, LA 70403 (“Florida Parishes Bank,” together with The First, the “Banks”).
WHEREAS, at least a majority of the entire Board of Directors of The First has approved this Agreement and authorized its execution pursuant to the authority given by and in accordance with the provisions of The National Bank Act (the “Act”);
WHEREAS, at least a majority of the entire Board of Directors of Florida Parishes Bank has approved this Agreement and authorized its execution in accordance with the provisions of the HomeOwners’ Loan Act, as amended (“HOLA”);
WHEREAS, The First Bancshares, Inc. (“FBMS”), which owns all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of The First, and FPB Financial Corp. (“FPB”), which owns all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of Florida Parishes Bank, have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Holding Company Agreement”) which, among other things, contemplates the merger of FPB with and into FBMS, all subject to the terms and conditions of such Holding Company Agreement (the “Holding Company Merger”)
WHEREAS, FBMS, as the sole shareholder of The First, and FPB, as the sole shareholder of Florida Parishes Bank, have approved this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, each of the Banks is entering into this Agreement to provide for the merger of Florida Parishes Bank with and into The First, with The First being the surviving bank of such merger transaction (the “Bank Merger”) subject to, and as soon as practicable following, the closing of the Holding Company Merger.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time (as defined below) and pursuant to the Act and the provisions of Section 18(c) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1828(c)) , Florida Parishes Bank shall be merged with and into The First. The First shall continue its existence as the surviving bank (the “Resulting Bank”) under the charter of the Resulting Bank and the separate corporate existence of Florida Parishes Bank shall cease. The Bank Merger shall become effective at the time specified in the certificate of merger issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”) in connection with the Bank Merger. (such date and time when the Bank Merger becomes effective, the “Effective Time”).
SECTION 2
The name of the Resulting Bank shall be “The First, A National Banking Association” or such other name as such bank may adopt prior to the Effective Time. The Resulting Bank will exercise trust powers.
SECTION 3
The business of the Resulting Bank from and after the Effective Time shall be that of a national banking association. The business of the Resulting Bank shall be conducted from its main office which shall be located at 6480 U.S. Highway 98 West, Hattiesburg, MS 39404-5549, as well as at its legally established branches and at the banking offices of Florida Parishes Bank that are acquired in the Bank Merger (which such banking offices are set forth onExhibit A to this Agreement and shall continue to conduct operations after the closing of the Bank Merger as branch offices of The First). The savings accounts of the Resulting Bank will be issued by the Resulting Bank in accordance with the Act.
SECTION 4
At the Effective Time, the amount of issued and outstanding capital stock of the Resulting Bank shall be the amount of capital stock of The First issued and outstanding immediately prior to Effective Time. Preferred stock shall not be issued by the Resulting Bank.
SECTION 5
All assets of Florida Parishes Bank and the Resulting Bank, as they exist at the Effective Time, shall pass to and vest in the Resulting Bank without any conveyance or other transfer; and the Resulting Bank shall be considered the same business and corporate entity as each constituent bank with all the rights, powers and duties of each constituent bank and the Resulting Bank shall be responsible for all the liabilities of every kind and description, of each of Florida Parishes Bank and the Resulting Bank existing as of the Effective Time, all in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
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SECTION 6
The Banks shall contribute to the Resulting Bank acceptable assets having a book value, over and above liability to its creditors, in such amounts as set forth on the books of The First and Florida Parishes Bank at the Effective Time.
SECTION 7
At the Effective Time, each outstanding share of common stock of Florida Parishes Bank shall be cancelled with no consideration being paid therefor.
Outstanding certificates representing shares of the common stock of Florida Parishes Bank shall, at the Effective Time, be cancelled.
SECTION 8
Upon the Effective Time, the then outstanding shares of The First’s common stock shall continue to remain outstanding shares of The First’s common stock, all of which shall continue to be owned by FBMS.
SECTION 9
The directors of the Resulting Bank following the Effective Time shall consist of those directors of The First as of the Effective Time, who shall serve until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. The executive officers of the Resulting Bank following the Effective Time shall consist of those executive officers of The First as of the Effective Time, who shall serve until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal.
SECTION 10
This Agreement and consummation of the Bank Merger in accordance with the terms hereof is also subject to the following terms and conditions:
a) | The Holding Company Merger shall have closed and become effective. |
b) | The OCC shall have approved this Agreement and the Bank Merger and shall have issued all other necessary authorizations and approvals for the Bank Merger, and any statutory waiting period shall have expired. |
c) | The Bank Merger may be abandoned at the election of The First at any time, whether before or after filings are made for regulatory approval of the Bank Merger. |
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SECTION 11
Each of the Banks hereby invites and authorizes the OCC to examine each of the Bank’s records in connection with the Bank Merger.
SECTION 12
Effective as of the Effective Time, the articles of association and bylaws of the Resulting Bank shall consist of the articles of association and bylaws of The First as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.
SECTION 13
This Agreement shall terminate if and at the time of any termination of the Holding Company Agreement.
SECTION 14
This Agreement embodies the entire agreement and understanding of the Banks with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and supersedes all other prior commitments, arrangements or understandings, both oral and written, among the Banks with respect to the subject matter hereof.
The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be interpreted and construed in a manner so as to make such provisions valid, binding and enforceable. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is determined to be partially or wholly invalid, illegal or unenforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be modified or restricted to the extent necessary to make such provision valid, binding and enforceable, or, if such provision cannot be modified or restricted in a manner so as to make such provision valid, binding and enforceable, then such provision shall be deemed to be excised from this Agreement and the validity, binding effect and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected or impaired in any manner.
No waiver, amendment, modification or change of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective unless and until made in writing and signed by the Banks. No waiver, forbearance or failure by any Bank of its rights to enforce any provision of this Agreement shall constitute a waiver or estoppel of such Bank’s right to enforce any other provision of this Agreement or a continuing waiver by such Bank of compliance with any provision hereof.
Except to the extent federal law is applicable, this Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.
This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Banks’ respective successors and permitted assigns. Unless otherwise expressly stated herein, this Agreement shall not benefit or create any right of action in or on behalf of any person or entity other than the Banks.
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This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (including by facsimile or optically-scanned electronic mail attachment), each of which shall be deemed to be original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
[Signatures on Following Page]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Florida Parishes Bank and The First have entered into this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.
FLORIDA PARISHES BANK | ||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
THE FIRST, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION | ||
By: | ||
Name: M. Ray Cole, Jr. | ||
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page to Bank Plan of Merger and Merger Agreement]
Exhibit A
Banking Offices of the Resulting Bank
[To be completed prior to filing.]
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EXHIBIT C
FOrm OF NON-COMPETITION AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT
This Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure Agreement (the “Agreement”), is dated as of November 6, 2018, by and between ____________________________, an individual resident of the State of Louisiana (“Director”), and The First Bancshares, Inc., a Mississippi corporation (“FBMS”). All capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Merger Agreement (defined below).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, FBMS and FPB Financial Corp., a Louisiana corporation (“FPB”), are entering into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as such agreement may be subsequently amended or modified, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which (i) FPB will merge with and into FBMS, with FBMS as the surviving entity, and (ii) Florida Parishes Bank, a federal savings bank and wholly-owned subsidiary of FPB, will merge with and into The First, National Association, a national banking association and wholly-owned subsidiary of FBMS (“The First”), with The First as the surviving bank (collectively, the “Merger”);
WHEREAS, Director is a shareholder of FPB and, as a result of the Merger and pursuant to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, Director is expected to receive significant consideration in exchange for the shares of FPB Common Stock held by Director;
WHEREAS, as of and prior to the date hereof, Director serves and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of FPB or Florida Parishes Bank, and, therefore, Director has knowledge of the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets (each as hereinafter defined);
WHEREAS, as a result of the Merger, FBMS will succeed to all of the Confidential Information and Trade Secrets, for which FBMS as of the Effective Time will have paid valuable consideration and desires reasonable protection; and
WHEREAS, it is a material prerequisite to the consummation of the Merger that each director of FPB and Florida Parishes Bank, including Director, enter into this Agreement.
AGREEMENT:
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the mutual covenants and undertakings herein contained, FBMS and Director, each intending to be legally bound, covenant and agree as follows:
Section 1.Restrictive Covenants.
(a) Director acknowledges that (i) FBMS has separately bargained for the restrictive covenants in this Agreement; and (ii) the types and periods of restrictions imposed by the
covenants in this Agreement are fair and reasonable to Director and such restrictions will not prevent Director from earning a livelihood.
(b) Having acknowledged the foregoing, solely in the event that the Merger is consummated, Director covenants and agrees with FBMS as follows:
(i) From and after the Effective Time, Director will not disclose or use any Confidential Information or Trade Secrets for so long as such information remains Confidential Information or a Trade Secret, as applicable, for any purpose, except for any disclosure that is required by applicable Law. In the event that Director is required by Law to disclose any Confidential Information, Director will: (A) if and to the extent permitted by such Law, provide FBMS with prompt notice of such requirement prior to the disclosure so that FBMS may waive the requirements of this Agreement or seek an appropriate protective order at FBMS’s sole expense; and (B) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain assurances that any Confidential Information disclosed will be accorded confidential treatment. If, in the absence of a waiver or protective order, Director is nonetheless, in the opinion of his or her counsel, required to disclose Confidential Information, disclosure may be made only as to that portion of the Confidential Information that counsel advises Director is required to be disclosed. Nothing contained in this Agreement limits the Director’s ability to file a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state or local governmental agency or commission that has jurisdiction over FPB or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (the “Government Agencies”). The Director further understands that this Agreement does not limit his ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any Government Agency, including providing documents or other information, without notice to FPB or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. This Agreement does not limit the Director’s right to receive an award for information provided to any Government Agencies. In addition, pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, the Director understands that an individual may not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (i) is made (A) in confidence to a federal, state or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (B) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (ii) is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding. Further, an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the employer's trade secrets to the attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the individual (y) files any document containing the trade secret under seal; and (z) does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.
(ii) Except as expressly provided on Schedule I to this Agreement, for a period beginning at the Effective Time and ending two (2) years after the Effective Time, Director will not (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of FBMS), on Director’s own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, solicit or attempt to solicit any customer of FBMS, The First, FPB or Florida Parishes Bank (each a “Protected Party”), including actively sought prospective customers of Florida Parishes Bank as of the Effective Time, for the purpose of providing products or services that are Competitive (as hereinafter defined) with those offered or provided by any Protected Party.
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(iii) Except as expressly provided on Schedule I to this Agreement, for a period beginning at the Effective Time and ending two (2) years after the Effective Time, Director will not (except on behalf of or with the prior written consent of FBMS), either directly or indirectly, on Director’s own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, act as a director, manager, officer or employee of any business which is the same as or essentially the same as the business conducted by any Protected Party and which has an office located within the Restricted Territory.
(iv) For a period beginning at the Effective Time and ending two (2) years after the Effective Time, Director will not, on Director’s own behalf or in the service or on behalf of others, solicit or recruit or attempt to solicit or recruit, directly or by assisting others, any employee of any Protected Party, whether or not such employee is a full-time employee or a temporary employee of such Protected Party, whether or not such employment is pursuant to a written agreement and whether or not such employment is for a determined period or is at will, to cease working for such Protected Party; provided that the foregoing will not prevent the placement of any general solicitation for employment not specifically directed towards employees of any Protected Party or hiring any such person as a result thereof.
(c) For purposes of this Section 1, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
(i) “Competitive,” with respect to particular products or services, means products or services that are the same as or similar to the products or services of any Protected Party.
(ii) “Confidential Information” means data and information:
(A) relating to the business of FPB and its Subsidiaries, including Florida Parishes Bank, regardless of whether the data or information constitutes a Trade Secret;
(B) disclosed to Director or of which Director became aware as a consequence of Director’s relationship with FPB and/or Florida Parishes Bank;
(C) having value to FPB and/or Florida Parishes Bank and, as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, FBMS and/or The First; and
(D) not generally known to competitors of FPB or FBMS (including competitors to Florida Parishes Bank or The First).
Confidential Information shall include Trade Secrets, methods of operation, names of customers, price lists, financial information and projections, personnel data and similar information; provided, however, that the terms “Confidential Information” and “Trade Secrets” shall not mean data or information that (x) has been disclosed to the public, except where such public disclosure has been made by Director without authorization from FPB or FBMS, (y) has been independently developed and disclosed by others, or (z) has otherwise entered the public domain through lawful means.
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(iii) “Restricted Territory” means each parish in Louisiana where Florida Parishes Bank operates a banking office at the Effective Time and each parish contiguous to each of such parishes.
(iv) “Trade Secret” means information, without regard to form, including technical or nontechnical data, a formula, a pattern, a compilation, a program, a device, a method, a technique, a drawing, a process, financial data, financial plans, product plans or a list of actual or potential customers or suppliers, that is not commonly known by or available to the public and which information:
(A) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by, other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and
(B) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.
(d) Director acknowledges that irreparable loss and injury would result to FBMS upon the breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 1 and that damages arising out of such breach would be difficult to ascertain. Director hereby agrees that, in addition to all other remedies provided at law or in equity, FBMS may petition and obtain from a court of law or equity, without the necessity of proving actual damages and without posting any bond or other security, both temporary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent a breach by Director of any covenant contained in this Section 1, and shall be entitled to an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising out of any such breach. In the event that the provisions of this Section 1 should ever be determined to exceed the time, geographic or other limitations permitted by applicable Law, then such provisions shall be modified so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by Law. If such provision(s) cannot be modified to be enforceable, the provision(s) shall be severed from this Agreement to the extent unenforceable. The remaining provisions and any partially enforceable provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 2.Term;Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by the written consent of the parties hereto, and this Agreement shall be automatically terminated upon the earlier of (i) termination of the Merger Agreement; (ii) two (2) years following the Effective Time or (iii) upon a Change in Control of FBMS (as defined in Schedule I). For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of Section 1 shall only become operative upon the consummation of the Merger but, in such event, shall survive the consummation of the Merger until the earlier of (a) two (2) years after the Effective Time or (b) upon a Change in Control of FBMS. Upon termination of this Agreement, no party shall have any further obligations or liabilities hereunder, except that termination of this Agreement will not relieve a breaching party from liability for any breach of any provision of this Agreement occurring prior to the termination of this Agreement.
Section 3.Notices. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder to a party shall be in writing and shall be deemed properly given if delivered (a) personally, (b) by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), with adequate postage prepaid thereon, (c) by properly addressed electronic mail delivery (with confirmation of delivery receipt), or (d) by reputable courier service to such party at its address set forth below, or at such other address or
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addresses as such party may specify from time to time by notice in like manner to the parties hereto. All notices shall be deemed effective upon delivery.
If to FBMS: | The First Bancshares, Inc. | |
6480 U.S. Highway 98 West | ||
Hattiesburg, MS 39404-5549 | ||
Attn: M. Ray Cole, Jr., President & CEO | ||
E-mail: hcole@thefirstbank.com | ||
If to Director: | The address of Director’s principal residence as it appears in FPB’s records as of the date hereof, as subsequently modified by Director’s provision of notice regarding the same to FBMS. |
Section 4.Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the internal, substantive laws of the State of Mississippi, without regard for conflict of law provisions. Any civil action, counterclaim, proceeding or litigation arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought in the courts of record of the State of Mississippi in Forrest County or the United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi. Each party consents to the jurisdiction of such Mississippi court in any such civil action, counterclaim, proceeding or litigation and waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such civil action, counterclaim, proceeding or litigation in such Mississippi court. Service of any court paper may be effected on such party by mail, as provided in this letter, or in such other manner as may be provided under applicable Laws.
Section 5.Modification and Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by Director and FBMS. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or any prior subsequent time.
Section 6.Severability. In the event that any one or more provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement and the parties shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to substitute a valid, legal and enforceable provision which, insofar as practical, implements the purposes and intents of this Agreement.
Section 7.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed and delivered by facsimile or by electronic data file and in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other party, it being understood that all parties need not
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sign the same counterpart. Signatures delivered by facsimile or by electronic data file shall have the same effect as originals.
Section 8.Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire understanding of the parties hereto with reference to the transactions contemplated hereby, and this Agreement supersedes any and all other oral or written agreements heretofore made.
Section 9.Construction; Interpretation. Whenever the singular number is used in this Agreement and when required by the context, the same shall include the plural and vice versa, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa. Whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are in no way intended to describe, interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any of its provisions.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first written above.
THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | M. Ray Cole, Jr. | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
DIRECTOR | ||
Printed Name: |
Signature Page – Non-Competition and Non-Disclosure Agreement
Schedule I
For avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge and agree that the restrictions set forth in Sections 1(b) (ii) and (iii) shall not apply to any of the following activities of Director:
1. | The provision of legal services by Director to any Person. |
2. | The offer and sale of insurance products by Director to any Person. |
3. | The provision of investment advisory and brokerage services by Director to any Person. |
4. | The provision of private equity/venture capital financing by Director to any Person. |
5. | The provision of accounting services by Director to any Person. |
6. | The ownership of 5% or less of any class of securities of any Person. |
7. | The provision of automobile financing in connection with the operation of auto dealerships. |
8. | Obtaining banking-related services or products for entities owned or controlled by the Director. |
9. | Referrals of clients or obtaining banking-related services in connection with the conduct of real estate or mortgage broker businesses. |
10. | Activities that are incidental to the Director’s performance of his or her profession so long as such activities are not a scheme to circumvent the restrictions contained in this Agreement. |
For the purposes of this agreement, “Change in Control of FBMS” means (a) any person or group of persons within the meaning of §13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of FBMS or The First, or (b) individuals serving on the board of directors of FBMS as of the date of this Agreement cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of FBMS
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF CLAIMS LETTER
November 6, 2018
The First Bancshares, Inc.
6480 U.S. Highway 98 West
Hattiesburg, MS 39404-5549
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter is delivered pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 6, 2018 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and between The First Bancshares, Inc., a Mississippi corporation (“FBMS”), and FPB Financial Corp., a Louisiana corporation (“FPB”).
Concerning any claims which the undersigned may have against FPB or any of its subsidiaries, including Florida Parishes Bank (each, a “FPB Entity”), in his or her capacity as an officer, director or employee of any FPB Entity, and in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants contained herein and in the Merger Agreement and the mutual benefits to be derived hereunder and thereunder, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, hereby agrees as follows:
Section 1.Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this letter, capitalized terms used in this letter have the meanings given to them in the Merger Agreement.
Section 2.Release of Certain Claims.
(a) The undersigned hereby releases and forever discharges, effective upon the consummation of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each FPB Entity, and each of their respective directors and officers (in their capacities as such), and their respective successors and assigns, and each of them (hereinafter, individually and collectively, the “Released Parties”) of and from any and all liabilities, claims, demands, debts, accounts, covenants, agreements, obligations, costs, expenses, actions or causes of action of every nature, character or description (collectively, “Claims”), which the undersigned, solely in his or her capacity as an officer, director or employee of any FPB Entity has or claims to have, or previously had or claimed to have, in each case as of the Effective Time, against any of the Released Parties, whether or not in law, equity or otherwise, based in whole or in part on any facts, conduct, activities, transactions, events or occurrences known or unknown, matured or unmatured, contingent or otherwise (individually a “Released Claim,” and collectively, the “Released Claims”), except for (i) compensation for services that have accrued but have not yet been paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or other contract rights relating to severance, employment, stock options and restricted stock grants which have been disclosed in writing to FBMS on or prior to the date of the Merger Agreement, and (ii) the items listed inSection 2(b) below.
(b) For avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge and agree that the Released Claims do not include any of the following:
(i) any Claims that the undersigned may have in any capacity other than as an officer, director or employee of any FPB Entity, including, but not limited to, (A) Claims as a borrower under loan commitments and agreements between the undersigned and Florida Parishes Bank, (B) Claims as a depositor under any deposit account with Florida Parishes Bank, (C) Claims as the holder of any Certificate of Deposit issued by Florida Parishes Bank, (D) Claims on account of any services rendered by the undersigned in a capacity other than as an officer, director or employee of any FPB Entity; (E) Claims in his or her capacity as a shareholder of FPB, and (F) Claims as a holder of any check issued by any other depositor of Florida Parishes Bank;
(ii) the Claims excluded inSection 2(a)(i) above;
(iii) any Claims that the undersigned may have under the Merger Agreement;
(iv) any right to indemnification that the undersigned may have under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of any FPB Entity, under Louisiana law or the Merger Agreement;
(v) any Claims that are (A) based upon facts and circumstances arising after the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, and (B) have been asserted in writing to FPB and FBMS prior to the Closing Date;
(vi) any Claims that arise on or after the Closing Date; or
(vii) any rights or Claims listed onSchedule I to this Agreement.
Section 3.Forbearance. The undersigned shall forever refrain and forebear from commencing, instituting or prosecuting any lawsuit, action, claim or proceeding before or in any court, regulatory, governmental, arbitral or other authority to collect or enforce any Released Claims which are released and discharged hereby.
Section 4.Miscellaneous.
(a) This letter shall be governed by, and interpreted and enforced in accordance with, the internal, substantive laws of the State of Mississippi, without regard for conflict of law provisions.
(b) This letter contains the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Released Claims released hereby, and the release of Claims contained in this letter supersedes all prior agreements, arrangements or understandings (written or otherwise) with respect to such Released Claims and no representation or warranty, oral or written, express or implied, has been made by or relied upon by any party hereto, except as expressly contained herein or in the Merger Agreement.
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(c) This letter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the undersigned and the Released Parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
(d) This letter may not be modified, amended or rescinded except by the written agreement of the undersigned and the Released Parties, it being the express understanding of the undersigned and the Released Parties that no term hereof may be waived by the action, inaction or course of delaying by or between the undersigned or the Released Parties, except in strict accordance with this paragraph, and further that the waiver of any breach of the terms of this letter shall not constitute or be construed as the waiver of any other breach of the terms hereof.
(e) The undersigned represents, warrants and covenants that the undersigned is fully aware of the undersigned’s rights to discuss any and all aspects of this matter with any attorney chosen by him or her, and that the undersigned has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this letter, and that the undersigned is voluntarily entering into this letter.
(f) This letter shall become effective upon the consummation of the Merger, and its operation to extinguish all of the Released Claims released hereby is not dependent on or affected by the performance or non-performance of any future act by the undersigned or the Released Parties. If the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason, this letter shall be of no force or effect.
(g) If any civil action, arbitration or other legal proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this letter, or because of an alleged dispute, breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with any provision of this letter, the successful or prevailing party or parties shall be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, sales and use taxes and all expenses even if not taxable as court costs (including, without limitation, all such fees, taxes, costs and expenses incident to arbitration, appellate, bankruptcy and post-judgment proceedings), incurred in that proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which such party or parties may be entitled. Attorneys’ fees shall include, without limitation, paralegal fees, investigative fees, administrative costs, sales and use taxes and all other charges billed by the attorney to the prevailing party (including any fees and costs associated with collecting such amounts).
(h) Each party acknowledges and agrees that any controversy which may arise under this letter is likely to involve complicated and difficult issues, and therefore each such party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives any right such party may have to a trial by jury in respect of any litigation directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to this letter, or the transactions contemplated by this letter. Each party certifies and acknowledges that (i) no representative, agent or attorney of any other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of litigation, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver, (ii) each party understands and has considered the implications of this waiver, (iii) each party makes this waiver voluntarily, and (iv) each party has been induced to enter into this letter by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section.
(i) Any civil action, counterclaim, proceeding or
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litigation arising out of or relating to this letter shall be brought in the courts of record of the State of Mississippi in Forrest County or the United States District Court, Southern District of Mississippi. Each party consents to the jurisdiction of such Mississippi court in any such civil action, counterclaim, proceeding or litigation and waives any objection to the laying of venue of any such civil action, counterclaim, proceeding or litigation in such Mississippi court. Service of any court paper may be effected on such party by mail, as provided in this letter, or in such other manner as may be provided under applicable laws, rules of procedure or local rules.
[Signature Page Follows]
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Sincerely, | ||
Signature of Director | ||
Name of Director |
Signature Page – Claims Letter
On behalf of The First Bancshares, Inc., I hereby acknowledge receipt of this letter as of this 6th day of November, 2018.
THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC. | ||
By: | ||
Name: | M. Ray Cole, Jr. | |
Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer |
Signature Page – Claims Letter
Schedule I
Additional Excluded Claims
None.