STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT, dated February 16, 2000, between Peekskill
Financial Corporation., a Delaware corporation ("Issuer") and Sound Federal
Bancorp, a federally-chartered corporation ("Grantee"). Capitalized terms used
herein without definition have the meanings specified in the Merger Agreement
(as hereinafter defined).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Grantee and Issuer have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated February 16, 2000 (the "Merger Agreement"), which agreement has
been executed by the parties hereto prior to this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, as a condition to Grantee's entering into the Merger Agreement and
in consideration therefor, Issuer has agreed to grant Grantee the Option (as
hereinafter defined):
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants
and agreements set forth herein and in the Merger Agreement, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. (a) Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an unconditional, irrevocable option
(the "Option") to purchase, subject to the terms hereof, up to 350,684 fully
paid and nonassessable shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share
("Common Stock"), at a price of $12.25 per share (such price, as adjusted if
applicable, the "Option Price"); provided, however, that in the event Issuer
issues or agrees to issue any shares of Common Stock (other than as permitted
under the Merger Agreement) at a price less than $12.25 per share, such Option
Price shall be equal to such lesser price. The number of shares of Common Stock
that may be received upon the exercise of the Option and the Option Price are
subject to adjustment as herein set forth.
(b) In the event that any additional shares of Common Stock are issued or
otherwise become outstanding after the date of this Agreement (other than
pursuant to this Agreement), the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the
Option shall be increased so that, after such issuance, it equals 19.99% of the
number of shares of Common Stock then issued and outstanding without giving
effect to any shares subject or issued pursuant to the Option. Nothing contained
in this Section 1(b) or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to authorize
Issuer or Grantee to breach any provision of the Merger Agreement.
(c) If this Option is exercised by Grantee, in accordance with the terms
hereof, Grantee may become an "interested stockholder" of Issuer for purposes of
Section 203 of the DGCL. Execution of this Option constitutes and evidences
Issuer's approval of the transaction pursuant to which Grantee becomes, through
an exercise of this Option, an "interested stockholder" of Issuer for purposes
of Section 203 of the DGCL.
2. (a) The holder or holders of the Option (including Grantee or any
subsequent transferee(s)) (the "Holder") may exercise the Option, in whole or
part, if, but only if, both an Initial Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined)
and a Subsequent Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined)
shall have occurred prior to the occurrence of an Exercise Termination Event (as
hereinafter defined), provided that the Holder shall have sent the written
notice of such exercise (as provided in subsection (e) of this Section 2) within
180 days following the first such Subsequent Triggering Event. Each of the
following shall be an Exercise Termination Event: (i) the Merger Effective Date
(as defined in the Merger Agreement); (ii) termination of the Merger Agreement
in accordance with the provisions thereof if such termination occurs prior to
the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event; or (iii) the passage of eighteen
months after termination of the Merger Agreement if such termination follows or
occurs at the same time as the occurrence of an Initial Triggering Event.
(b) The term "Initial Triggering Event" shall mean any of the following
events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:
(i) Issuer participates (or authorizes participation in)
negotiations regarding a Superior Proposal, as contemplated in Sections
5.06 and 7.01(c) of the Merger Agreement.
(ii) Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries (each an "Issuer
Subsidiary"), without having received Grantee's prior written consent,
shall have entered into an agreement to engage in an Acquisition
Transaction (as hereinafter defined) with any person (the term "person"
for purposes of this Agreement having the meaning assigned thereto in
Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
and the rules and regulations thereunder (the "1934 Act")) other than
Grantee or any of its Subsidiaries (each a "Grantee Subsidiary"). For
purposes of this Agreement, "Acquisition Transaction" shall mean (x) a
merger or consolidation, or any similar transaction, involving Issuer
or any Significant Subsidiary (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation
S-X promulgated by the SEC) of Issuer, (y) a purchase, lease or other
acquisition of all or substantially all of the assets of Issuer or any
Significant Subsidiary of Issuer, or (z) a purchase or other
acquisition (including by way of merger, consolidation, share exchange
or otherwise) of beneficial ownership of securities representing 15% or
more of the voting power of Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary of
Issuer, provided that the term "Acquisition Transaction" does not
include any internal merger or consolidation involving only Issuer
and/or Issuer Subsidiaries;
(iii) (A) Any person other than Grantee, or any Grantee
Subsidiary, or any Issuer Subsidiary acting in a fiduciary capacity
(collectively, "Excluded Persons"), alone or together with such
person's affiliates and associates (as such terms are defined in Rule
12b-2 under the 1934 Act) shall have acquired beneficial ownership or
the right to acquire beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock (the term "beneficial ownership" for
purposes of this Option Agreement having the meaning assigned thereto
in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act, and the rules and regulations
thereunder) or (B) any group (as such term is defined in Section
13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act), other than a group of which only Excluded
Persons are members, shall have been formed that beneficially owns15%
or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding;
(iv) The Board of Directors of Issuer shall have failed to
recommend to its stockholders the adoption of the Merger Agreement or
shall have withdrawn, modified or changed its recommendation in a
manner adverse to Grantee;
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(v) After a proposal is made by a third party (other than an
Excluded Person) to Issuer to engage in an Acquisition Transaction:
Issuer shall have intentionally and knowingly breached any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained in the Merger
Agreement and such breach (x) would entitle Grantee to terminate the
Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i) therein (without regard
to any grace period provided for therein) and (y) shall not have been
cured prior to the Notice Date (as defined below); or the PFC
stockholders shall fail to approve the Merger Agreement.
(vi) Any person other than Grantee or any Grantee Subsidiary,
other than in connection with a transaction to which Grantee has given
its prior written consent, shall have filed an application or notice
with any federal or state bank regulatory authority ("Regulatory
Authority"), for approval to engage in an Acquisition Transaction.
(c) The term "Subsequent Triggering Event" shall mean either of the
following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:
(i) The acquisition by any person other than an Excluded
Person of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the then outstanding
Common Stock; or
(ii) The occurrence of the Initial Triggering Event described
in subparagraph (ii) of
subsection (b) of this Section 2.
(d) Issuer shall notify Grantee promptly in writing of the occurrence of
any Initial Triggering Event or Subsequent Triggering Event (together, a
"Triggering Event"), it being understood that the giving of such notice by
Issuer shall not be a condition to the right of the Holder to exercise the
Option.
(e) In the event the Holder is entitled to and wishes to exercise the
Option, it shall send to Issuer a written notice (the date of which is herein
referred to as the "Notice Date") specifying (i) the total number of shares it
will purchase pursuant to such exercise and (ii) a place and date not earlier
than three business days nor later than 60 business days from the Notice Date
for the closing of such purchase (the "Closing Date"); provided that if prior
notification to or approval of any Regulatory Authority is required in
connection with such purchase, the Holder shall promptly file the required
notice or application for approval and shall expeditiously process the same and
the period of time that otherwise would run pursuant to this sentence shall run
instead from the date on which any required notification periods have expired or
been terminated or such approvals have been obtained and any requisite waiting
period or periods shall have passed. Any exercise of the Option shall be deemed
to occur on the Notice Date relating thereto.
(f) At each closing referred to in subsection (e) of this Section 2, the
Holder shall pay to Issuer the aggregate purchase price for the shares of Common
Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of the Option in immediately available
funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by Issuer, provided that
failure or refusal of Issuer to designate such a bank account shall not preclude
the Holder from exercising the Option.
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(g) At such closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds as provided in subsection (f) of this Section 2, Issuer shall
deliver to the Holder a certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares of Common Stock purchased by the Holder and, if the Option should be
exercised in part only, a new Option evidencing the rights of the Holder thereof
to purchase the balance of the shares purchasable hereunder.
(h) Upon the giving by the Holder to Issuer of the written notice of
exercise of the Option provided for under subsection (e) of this Section 2 and
the tender of the applicable purchase price in immediately available funds, the
Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such exercise, notwithstanding that the stock transfer books of
Issuer shall then be closed or that certificates representing such shares of
Common Stock shall not then be actually delivered to the Holder. Issuer shall
pay all expenses, and any and all United States federal, state and local taxes
and other charges that may be payable in connection with the preparation, issue
and delivery of stock certificates under this Section 2 in the name of the
Holder or its assignee, transferee or designee.
3. Issuer agrees: (i) that it shall at all times maintain, free from
preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued or treasury shares of
Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised without additional
authorization of Common Stock after giving effect to all other options,
warrants, convertible securities and other rights to purchase Common Stock; (ii)
that it will not, by charter amendment or through reorganization, consolidation,
merger, dissolution or sale of assets, or by any other voluntary act, avoid or
seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the covenants,
stipulations or conditions to be observed or performed hereunder by Issuer;
(iii) promptly to take all action as may from time to time be required
(including (x) complying with all premerger notification, reporting and waiting
period requirements specified in 15 U.S.C. Section 18a and regulations
promulgated thereunder and (y) in the event, under the Change in Bank Control
Act of 1978, as amended, or any state banking law, prior approval of or notice
to any state regulatory authority is necessary before the Option may be
exercised, cooperating fully with the Holder in preparing such applications or
notices and providing such information to the any Regulatory Authority as they
may require) in order to permit the Holder to exercise the Option and Issuer
duly and effectively to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant hereto; and (iv)
promptly to take all action provided herein to protect the rights of the Holder
against dilution.
4. This Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) are exchangeable, without
expense, at the option of the Holder, upon presentation and surrender of this
Agreement at the principal office of Issuer, for other Agreements providing for
Options of different denominations entitling the holder thereof to purchase, on
the same terms and subject to the same conditions as are set forth herein, in
the aggregate the same number of shares of Common Stock purchasable hereunder.
The terms "Agreement" and "Option" as used herein include any Stock Option
Agreements and related Options for which this Agreement (and the Option granted
hereby) may be exchanged. Upon receipt by Issuer of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this
Agreement, and (in the case of loss, theft or destruction) of reasonably
satisfactory indemnification, and upon surrender and cancellation of this
Agreement if mutilated, Issuer will execute and deliver a new Agreement of like
tenor and date. Any such new Agreement executed and delivered shall
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constitute an additional contractual obligation on the part of Issuer, whether
or not the Agreement so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated shall at any time
be enforceable by anyone.
5. In addition to the adjustment in the number of shares of Common Stock
that are purchasable upon exercise of the Option pursuant to Section 1 of this
Agreement, in the event of any change in Common Stock by reason of stock
dividends, split-ups, mergers, recapitalizations, combinations, subdivisions,
conversions, exchanges of shares, distributions, or the like, the type and
number, and/or the price, of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon exercise
hereof shall be appropriately adjusted, and proper provision shall be made in
the agreements governing such transaction so that the Holder shall receive, upon
exercise of the Option (at the aggregate exercise price calculated in accordance
with Section 1 of this Agreement), the number and class of shares or other
securities or property that Holder would have received in respect of the Common
Stock if the Option had been exercised immediately prior to such event, or the
record date therefor, as applicable.
6. (a) In the event that prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Issuer
shall enter into an agreement (i) to consolidate with or merge into any person,
other than Grantee or one of its Subsidiaries, and shall not be the continuing
or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (ii) to permit any
person, other than Grantee or one of its Subsidiaries, to merge into Issuer and
Issuer shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, but, in connection with
such merger, the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be changed into
or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other person or cash or any
other property or the then outstanding shares of Common Stock shall after such
merger represent less than 50% of the outstanding shares and share equivalents
of the merged company, or (iii) to sell or otherwise transfer all or
substantially all of its assets to any person, other than Grantee or one of its
Subsidiaries, then, and in each such case, the agreement governing such
transaction shall make proper provision so that the Option shall, upon the
consummation of any such transaction and upon the terms and conditions set forth
herein, be converted into, or exchanged for, an option (the "Substitute
Option"), at the election of the Holder, of either (x) the Acquiring Corporation
(as hereinafter defined) or (y) any person that controls the Acquiring
Corporation.
(b) The following terms have the meanings indicated:
(1) "Acquiring Corporation" shall mean (i) the continuing or
surviving corporation of a consolidation or merger with Issuer (if
other than Issuer), (ii) Issuer in a merger in which Issuer is the
continuing or surviving person, and (iii) the transferee of all or
substantially all of Issuer's assets.
(2) "Substitute Common Stock" shall mean the shares of capital
stock (or similar equity interest) with the greatest voting power with
respect of the election of directors (or other persons similarly
responsible for direction of the business and affairs) of the issuer of
the Substitute Option.
(3) "Assigned Value" shall mean the highest of (i) the price
per share of Common Stock at which a tender offer or exchange offer
therefor has been made, (ii) the price per share of Common Stock to be
paid by any third party pursuant to an agreement with
Issuer,
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or (iii) in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of Issuer's
assets, the sum of the price paid in such sale for such assets and the
current market value of the remaining assets of Issuer as determined by
a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder,
divided by the number of shares of Common Stock of Issuer outstanding
at the time of such sale. In determining the market/offer price, the
value of consideration other than cash shall be determined by a
nationally recognized investment banking firm selected by the Holder.
(4) "Average Price" shall mean the average closing price of a
share of the Substitute Common Stock for the six months immediately
preceding the consolidation, merger or sale in question, but in no
event higher than the closing price of the shares of Substitute Common
Stock on the day preceding such consolidation, merger or sale; provided
that if Issuer is the issuer of the Substitute Option, the Average
Price shall be computed with respect to a share of Common Stock issued
by the person merging into Issuer or by any company which controls or
is controlled by such person, as the Holder may elect.
(c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms and conditions as the
Option, provided, that if any term or condition of the Substitute Option cannot,
for legal reasons, be the same as the Option, such term or condition shall be as
similar as possible and in no event less advantageous to the Holder. The issuer
of the Substitute Option shall also enter into an agreement with the then Holder
or Holders of the Substitute Option in substantially the same form as this
Agreement, which shall be applicable to the Substitute Option.
(d) The Substitute Option shall be exercisable for such number of shares of
Substitute Common Stock as is equal to (i) the product of (A) the Assigned Value
and (B) the number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is then
exercisable, divided by (ii) the Average Price. The exercise price of the
Substitute Option per share of Substitute Common Stock shall then be equal to
the Option Price multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the
number of shares of Common Stock for which the Option is then exercisable and
the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Substitute Common
Stock for which the Substitute Option is exercisable. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary in this Section 6, the Substitute Option shall be subject to the
limitation set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement, as if the Substitute Option
is the Option.
(e) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs, shall the
Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 19.9% of the shares of Substitute
Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the Substitute Option.
(f) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in subsection (a)
of this Section 6 unless the Acquiring Corporation and any person that controls
the Acquiring Corporation assume in writing all the obligations of Issuer
hereunder.
7. The 180-day period for exercise of certain rights under Section 2
shall be extended: (i) to the extent necessary to obtain all regulatory
approvals for the exercise of such rights, and for the expiration of all
statutory waiting periods; and (ii) to the extent necessary to avoid liability
under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act by reason of such exercise.
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8. Repurchase at the Option of Holder. (a) At the request of Holder at any
time commencing upon the first occurrence of a Repurchase Event (as defined in
Section 8(d)) and ending 12 months immediately thereafter, Issuer shall
repurchase from Holder (i) the Option and (ii) all shares of Issuer Common Stock
purchased by Holder pursuant hereto with respect to which Holder then has
beneficial ownership. The date on which Holder exercises its rights under this
Section 8 is referred to as the "Request Date". Such repurchase shall be at an
aggregate price (the "Section 8 Repurchase Consideration") equal to the sum of:
(i) the aggregate Option Price paid by Holder for any shares
of Issuer Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Option with respect to which
Holder then has beneficial ownership;
(ii) the excess, if any, of (x) the Applicable Price (as
defined below) for each share of Common Stock over (y) the Option Price (subject
to adjustment pursuant to Sections 1 and 5), multiplied by the number of shares
of Common Stock with respect to which the Option has not been exercised; and
(iii) the excess, if any, of the Applicable Price over the
Option Price (subject to adjustment pursuant to Sections 1 and 5) paid (or, in
the case of Option Shares with respect to which the Option has been exercised
but the Closing Date has not occurred, payable) by Holder for each share of
Common Stock with respect to which the Option has been exercised and with
respect to which Holder then has beneficial ownership, multiplied by the number
of such shares.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 8 to the contrary, the payment of
the Repurchase Consideration to the Holder shall be subject to the limitation
set forth in Section 9 of this Agreement.
(b) If Holder exercises its rights under this Section 8,
Issuer shall, within 10 business days after the Request Date, pay the Section 8
Repurchase Consideration to Holder in immediately available funds, and
contemporaneously with such payment, Holder shall surrender to Issuer the Option
and the certificates evidencing the shares of Common Stock purchased thereunder
with respect to which Holder then has beneficial ownership, and Holder shall
warrant that it has sole record and beneficial ownership of such shares and that
the same are then free and clear of all liens. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to
the extent that prior notification to or approval of any federal or state
regulatory authority is required in connection with the payment of all or any
portion of the Section 8 Repurchase Consideration, Holder shall have the ongoing
option to revoke its request for repurchase pursuant to Section 8, in whole or
in part, or to require that Issuer deliver from time to time that portion of the
Section 8 Repurchase Consideration that it is not then so prohibited from paying
and promptly file the required notice or application for approval and
expeditiously process the same (and each party shall cooperate with the other in
the filing of any such notice or application and the obtaining of any such
approval). If any federal or state regulatory authority disapproves of any part
of Issuer's proposed repurchase pursuant to this Section 8, Issuer shall
promptly give notice of such fact to Holder. If any federal or state regulatory
authority prohibits the repurchase in part but not in whole, then Holder shall
have the right (i) to revoke the repurchase request or (ii) to the extent
permitted by such regulatory authority, determine whether the repurchase should
apply to the Option and/or Option Shares and to what extent to each, and Holder
shall thereupon have the right to exercise the Option as to the number of Option
Shares for which the Option was exercisable at
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the Request Date less the sum of the number of shares covered by the Option in
respect of which payment has been made pursuant to Section 8(a)(ii) and the
number of shares covered by the portion of the Option (if any) that has been
repurchased. Holder shall notify Issuer of its determination under the preceding
sentence within five (5) business days of receipt of notice of disapproval of
the repurchase.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all of Holder's rights
under this Section 8 shall terminate on the date of termination of this Option
pursuant to Section 2(a).
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the "Applicable Price"
means the highest of (i) the highest price per share of Common Stock paid for
any such share by the person or groups described in Section 8(d)(i), (ii) the
price per share of Common Stock received by holders of Common Stock in
connection with any merger or other business combination transaction described
in Section 6(a)(i), 6(a)(ii) or 6(a)(iii), or (iii) the highest closing bid
price per share of Issuer Common Stock quoted on the Nasdaq System (or if Issuer
Common Stock is not quoted on the Nasdaq System, the highest bid price per share
as quoted on the principal trading market or securities exchange on which such
shares are traded as reported by a recognized source chosen by Holder) during
the 40 business days preceding the Request Date; provided, however, that in the
event of a sale of less than all of Issuer's assets, the Applicable Price shall
be the sum of the price paid in such sale for such assets and the current market
value of the remaining assets of Issuer as determined by a nationally recognized
investment banking firm selected by Holder, divided by the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding at the time of such sale. If the consideration to be
offered, paid or received pursuant to either of the foregoing clauses (i) or
(ii) shall be other than in cash, the value of such consideration shall be
determined in good faith by an independent nationally recognized investment
banking firm selected by Holder and reasonably acceptable to Issuer, which
determination shall be conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) As used herein, "Repurchase Event" shall occur if, prior
to an Exercise Termination Event, (i) any person (other than Grantee or any
subsidiary of Grantee) shall have acquired beneficial ownership of (as such term
is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act), or the right to
acquire beneficial ownership of, or any "group" (as such term is defined under
the Exchange Act) shall have been formed which beneficially owns or has the
right to acquire beneficial ownership of, 25% or more of the then outstanding
shares of Issuer Common Stock, or (ii) any of the transactions described in
Section 6(a)(i), 6(a)(ii) or 6(a)(iii) shall be consummated.
9. Limitation on Value of Option. (a) Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, this Option may not be exercised (nor Repurchase
Consideration paid to a Holder) for a number of shares as would, as of the date
of exercise, result in a Notional Total Profit (as defined below) of more than
$2,350,000; provided that nothing in this sentence shall restrict any exercise
of the Option permitted hereby on any subsequent date, as long as the Notional
Total Profit from all such exercises (and Repurchase Consideration paid) does
not exceed $2,350,000.
(b) As used herein, the term "Notional Total Profit" with
respect to any number of shares as to which Grantee may propose to exercise this
Option shall be the Total Profit (as
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defined below) determined as of the date of such proposed exercise assuming that
this Option were exercised on such date for such number of shares and assuming
that such shares, together with all other Option Shares held by Grantee and its
affiliates as of such date, were sold for cash at the closing market price for
the Issuer Common Stock as of the close of business on the preceding trading day
(less customary brokerage commissions).
(c) As used herein, the term "Total Profit" shall mean the
aggregate amount (before taxes) of the following: (i) the amount received by
Grantee pursuant to Issuer's repurchase of the Option (or any portion thereof)
pursuant to Section 8, (ii) (x) the amount received by Grantee pursuant to
Issuer's repurchase of Option Shares (or any portion thereof) pursuant to
Section 8, less (y) the Grantee's purchase price for such Option Shares, (iii)
the net cash amounts received by Grantee pursuant to the sale of Option Shares
(or any other securities into which such Option Shares are converted or
exchanged) to any unaffiliated party, less (y) the Grantee's purchase price of
such Option Shares, (iv) any amounts received by Grantee on the transfer of the
Option (or any portion thereof) to any unaffiliated party, and (v) any amount
equivalent to the foregoing with respect to the Substitute Option.
10. Issuer hereby represents and warrants to Grantee as follows:
(a) Issuer has full corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the
Board of Directors of Issuer and no other corporate proceedings on the part of
Issuer are necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the
transactions so contemplated. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by Issuer. This Agreement is the valid and legally binding
obligation of Issuer.
(b) Issuer has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize and
reserve and to permit it to issue, and at all times from the date hereof through
the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms will have
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Option, that number of shares of
Common Stock equal to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock at any time
and from time to time issuable hereunder, and all such shares, upon issuance
pursuant hereto, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid,
nonassessable, and will be delivered free and clear of all claims, liens,
encumbrance and security interests and not subject to any preemptive rights.
(c) Issuer has taken all necessary action to exempt this Agreement, and
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby from, and this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are exempt from, (i) any
applicable state takeover laws, (ii) any state laws limiting or restricting the
voting rights of stockholders and (iii) any provision in its certificate of
incorporation, or bylaws restricting or limiting stock ownership or the voting
rights of stockholders.
(d) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not
or will not, and the consummation by Issuer of any of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not, constitute or result in (i) a breach or violation
of, or a default under, its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or
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the comparable governing instruments of any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) a
breach or violation of, or a default under, any agreement, lease, contract,
note, mortgage, indenture, arrangement or other obligation of it or any of its
subsidiaries (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both)
or under any law, rule, ordinance or regulation or judgment, decree, order,
award or governmental or nongovernmental permit or license to which it or any of
its subsidiaries is subject, that would, in any case referred to in this clause
(ii), give any other person the ability to prevent or enjoin Issuer's
performance under this Agreement in any material respect.
11. Grantee hereby represents and warrants to Issuer that:
(a) Grantee has full corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and, subject to any approvals or consents referred to herein, to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Grantee.
This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Grantee.
(b) This Option is not being acquired with a view to the public
distribution thereof and neither this Option nor any Option Shares will be
transferred or otherwise disposed of except in a transaction registered or
exempt from registration under applicable federal and state securities laws
and regulations.
12. Neither of the parties hereto may assign any of its rights or
obligations under this Option Agreement or the Option created hereunder to any
other person, without the express written consent of the other party, except (i)
to any wholly-owned Subsidiary or (ii) that in the event a Subsequent Triggering
Event shall have occurred prior to an Exercise Termination Event, Grantee,
subject to the express provisions hereof, may assign in whole or in part its
rights and obligations hereunder to one or more transferees.
13. Each of Grantee and Issuer will use its best efforts to make all
filings with, and to obtain consents of all third parties and governmental
authorities necessary to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement.
14. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in the event that the
Holder or any Related Person thereof is a person making an offer or proposal to
engage in an Acquisition Transaction (other than the transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement), then in the case of a Holder or any Related Person
thereof, the Option held by it shall immediately terminate and be of no further
force or effect. A Related Person of a Holder means any Affiliate (as defined in
Rule 12b-2 of the rules and regulations under the 1934 Act) of the Holder and
any person that is the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the voting power of
the Holder.
15. The parties hereto acknowledge that damages would be an inadequate
remedy for a breach of this Agreement by either party hereto and that the
obligations of the parties hereto shall be enforceable by either party hereto
through injunctive or other equitable relief.
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16. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this
Agreement is held by a court or a federal or state regulatory agency of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of
the terms, provisions and covenants and restrictions contained in this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated. If for any reason such court or regulatory agency determines
that the Holder is not permitted to acquire the full number of shares of Common
Stock provided in Section 1(a) hereof (as adjusted pursuant to Section 1(b) or
Section 5 hereof), it is the express intention of Issuer to allow the Holder to
acquire such lesser number of shares as may be permissible, without any
amendment or modification hereof.
17. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered in person, by
cable, telegram, telecopy or telex, or by registered or certified mail (postage
prepaid, return receipt requested) at the respective addresses of the parties
set forth in the Merger Agreement.
18. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the laws that might
otherwise govern under applicable principles
of conflicts of laws thereof.
19. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one
and the same agreement.
20. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, each of the parties
hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including fees and
expenses of its own financial consultants, investment
bankers, accountants and counsel.
21. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, or in the Merger
Agreement, this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior
arrangements or understandings with respect thereof, written or oral. The terms
and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any
party, other than the parties hereto, and their respective successors and, as
permitted herein, assignees, any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities
under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided herein.
22. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not defined herein
shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Merger Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its officers, all as of the date first above written.
PEEKSKILL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
BY: /s/ Eldorus Maynard
------------------------------------
Eldorus Maynard
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer
SOUND FEDERAL BANCORP
BY: /s/ Richard P. McStravick
------------------------------------
Richard P. McStravick
President and Chief Executive Officer