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Exhibit 10(b)
Stock Option Agreement,
dated as of May 30, 1996,
between Peoples Heritage (as issuer)
and Family (as grantee)
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STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Stock Option Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1996 (the "Agreement"), by
and between Peoples Heritage Financial Group, Inc., a Maine corporation
("Issuer"), and Family Bancorp, a Massachusetts corporation ("Grantee").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Grantee, Issuer and Peoples Heritage Merger Corp. ("PHMC"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Issuer, have entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger, dated as of May 30, 1996 (the "Plan"), providing for, among other
things, the merger of Grantee with and into PHMC (the "Merger"), with PHMC as
the surviving corporation; and
WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to Grantee's execution of the
Plan and Grantee's agreement referred to in the next WHEREAS clause, Grantee has
required that Issuer agree, and Issuer has agreed, to grant to Grantee the
Option (as hereinafter defined); and
WHEREAS, as a condition and inducement to Issuer's execution of the
Plan and this Agreement, Grantee has agreed to grant an option to Issuer on
terms and conditions which are substantially identical to those of the Option
and this Agreement with respect to approximately 19.9% of the common stock of
Grantee;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein and in
the Plan, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Issuer and Grantee agree as
follows:
1. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms which are used but not defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
2. Grant of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, Issuer hereby grants to Grantee an irrevocable option (the "Option") to
purchase up to 1,500,000 shares (as adjusted as set forth herein) (the "Option
Shares," which shall include the Option Shares before and after any transfer of
such Option Shares) of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share ("Issuer Common
Stock"), of Issuer at a purchase price per Option Share (the "Purchase Price")
of $19.75, provided, however, that in no event shall the number of Option Shares
for which the Option is exercisable exceed 6.0% of the issued and outstanding
shares of Issuer Common Stock without giving effect to any shares subject to or
issued pursuant to the Option. Each Option Share issued upon exercise of the
Option shall be accompanied by Acquiror Rights as provided in the Acquiror
Rights Agreement.
3. Exercise of Option.
(a) Provided that (i) Grantee or Holder (as hereinafter defined), as
applicable, shall not be in material breach of the agreements or covenants
contained in this Agreement
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or the Plan, and (ii) no preliminary or permanent injunction or other order
against the delivery of shares covered by the Option issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction in the United States shall be in effect, Holder may
exercise the Option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time
following the occurrence of a Purchase Event (as hereinafter defined); provided
that the Option shall terminate and be of no further force and effect upon the
earliest to occur of (A) the Effective Time of the Merger, (B) termination of
the Plan in accordance with the terms thereof prior to the occurrence of a
Purchase Event or a Preliminary Purchase Event, other than a termination of the
Plan by Grantee pursuant to Section 7.1(b)(i) (a "Default Termination"), (C) 12
months after the termination of the Plan by Grantee pursuant to a Default
Termination, and (D) 12 months after termination of the Plan (other than
pursuant to a Default Termination) following the occurrence of a Purchase Event
or a Preliminary Purchase Event; and provided, further, that any purchase of
shares upon exercise of the Option shall be subject to compliance with
applicable laws, including without limitation the Bank Holding Company Act of
1956, as amended (the "BHC Act"), and the Home Owners' Loan Act, as amended
("HOLA"). The term "Holder" shall mean the holder or holders of the Option from
time to time, and which is initially Grantee. The rights set forth in Section 8
hereof shall terminate when the right to exercise the Option terminates (other
than as a result of a complete exercise of the Option) as set forth above.
(b) As used herein, a "Purchase Event" means any of the following
events:
(i) Without Grantee's prior written consent, Issuer shall have
authorized, recommended or publicly-proposed, or publicly announced an
intention to authorize, recommend or propose, or entered into an
agreement with any person (other than Grantee or any subsidiary of
Grantee) to effect (A) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction
involving Issuer or any of its subsidiaries, (B) the disposition, by
sale, lease, exchange or otherwise, of assets of Issuer or any of its
subsidiaries representing in either case 15% or more of the
consolidated assets of Issuer and its subsidiaries, or (C) the
issuance, sale or other disposition of (including by way of merger,
consolidation, share exchange or any similar transaction) securities
representing 15% or more of the voting power of Issuer or any of its
subsidiaries (any of the foregoing an "Acquisition Transaction"); or
(ii) any person (other than Grantee or any subsidiary of Grantee)
shall have acquired beneficial ownership (as such term is defined in
Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of or the right to
acquire beneficial ownership of, or any "group" (as such term is
defined in Section 13(d)(3) of 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.
(c) As used herein, a "Preliminary Purchase Event" means any of the
following events:
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(i) any person (other than Grantee or any subsidiary of Grantee)
shall have commenced (as such term is defined in Rule 14d-2 under the
Exchange Act), or shall have filed a registration statement under the
Securities Act with respect to, a tender offer or exchange offer to
purchase any shares of Issuer Common Stock such that, upon consummation
of such offer, such person would own or control 10% or more of the then
outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock (such an offer being referred
to herein as a "Tender Offer" and an "Exchange Offer," respectively);
or
(ii) (A) the holders of Issuer Common Stock shall not have
approved the Plan at the meeting of such stockholders held for the
purpose of voting on the Plan, (B) such meeting shall not have been
held or shall have been canceled prior to termination of the Plan or
(C) Issuer's Board of Directors shall have withdrawn or modified in a
manner adverse to Grantee the recommendation of Issuer's Board of
Directors with respect to the Plan, in each case after it shall have
been publicly announced that any person (other than Grantee or any
subsidiary of Grantee) shall have (x) made, or disclosed an intention
to make, a proposal to engage in an Acquisition Transaction, (y)
commenced a Tender Offer or filed a registration statement under the
Securities Act with respect to an Exchange Offer, or (z) filed an
application (or given notice), whether in draft or final form, under
the BHC Act, the HOLA, the Bank Merger Act, as amended, or the Change
in Bank Control Act of 1978, as amended, for approval to engage in an
Acquisition Transaction; or
(iii) Issuer shall have breached any representation, warranty,
covenant or obligation contained in the Plan and such breach would
entitle Grantee to terminate the Plan under Section 7.1(b) thereof
(without regard to the cure period provided for therein unless such
cure is promptly effected without jeopardizing consummation of the
Merger pursuant to the terms of the Plan) after (x) a bona fide
proposal is made by any person (other than Grantee or any subsidiary of
Grantee) to Issuer or its stockholders to engage in an Acquisition
Transaction, (y) any person (other than Grantee or any subsidiary of
Grantee) states its intention to Issuer or its stockholders to make a
proposal to engage in an Acquisition Transaction if the Plan terminates
or (z) any person (other than Grantee or any subsidiary of Grantee)
shall have filed an application or notice with any Governmental Entity
to engage in an Acquisition Transaction.
As used in this Agreement, "person" shall have the meaning specified in
Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
(d) Issuer shall notify Grantee promptly in writing of the occurrence
of any Preliminary Purchase Event or Purchase Event, it being understood that
the giving of such notice by Issuer shall not be a condition to the right of
Holder to exercise the Option.
(e) In the event Holder wishes to exercise the Option, it shall send to
Issuer a written notice (the date of which being herein referred to as the
"Notice Date") specifying
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(i) the total number of Option Shares it intends to purchase pursuant to such
exercise, and (ii) a place and date not earlier than three business days nor
later than 15 business days from the Notice Date for the closing (the "Closing")
of such purchase (the "Closing Date"). If prior notification to or approval of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve
Board"), the Office of Thrift Supervision ("OTS") or any other Governmental
Entity is required in connection with such purchase, Issuer shall cooperate with
Grantee in the filing of the required notice of application for approval and the
obtaining of such approval and the Closing shall occur immediately following
such regulatory approvals (and any mandatory waiting periods).
4. Payment and Delivery of Certificates.
(a) On each Closing Date, Holder shall (i) pay to Issuer, in
immediately available funds by wire transfer to a bank account designated by
Issuer, an amount equal to the Purchase Price multiplied by the number of Option
Shares to be purchased on such Closing Date, and (ii) present and surrender this
Agreement to Issuer at the address of Issuer specified in Section 12(f) hereof.
(b) At each Closing, simultaneously with the delivery of immediately
available funds and surrender of this Agreement as provided in Section 4(a), (i)
Issuer shall deliver to Holder (A) a certificate or certificates representing
the Option Shares to be purchased at such Closing, which Option Shares shall be
free and clear of all liens, claims, charges and encumbrances of any kind
whatsoever and subject to no preemptive rights, and (B) if the Option is
exercised in part only, an executed new agreement with the same terms as this
Agreement evidencing the right to purchase the balance of the shares of Issuer
Common Stock purchasable hereunder, and (ii) Holder shall deliver to Issuer a
letter agreeing that Holder shall not offer to sell or otherwise dispose of such
Option Shares in violation of applicable federal and state law or of the
provisions of this Agreement.
(c) In addition to any other legend that is required by applicable law,
certificates for the Option Shares delivered at each Closing shall be endorsed
with a restrictive legend which shall read substantially as follows:
THE TRANSFER OF THE STOCK REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS
SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ARISING UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED, AND PURSUANT TO THE TERMS OF A STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF MAY 30, 1996. A COPY OF SUCH AGREEMENT WILL BE PROVIDED
TO THE HOLDER HEREOF WITHOUT CHARGE UPON RECEIPT BY ISSUER OF A
WRITTEN REQUEST THEREFOR.
It is understood and agreed that the above legend shall be removed by
delivery of substitute certificate(s) without such legend if Holder shall have
delivered to Issuer a copy of a letter from the staff of the Commission, or an
opinion of counsel in form and substance
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reasonably satisfactory to Issuer and its counsel, to the effect that such
legend is not required for purposes of the Securities Act.
(d) Upon the giving by Holder to Issuer of the written notice of
exercise of the Option provided for under Section 3(e), the tender of the
applicable purchase price in immediately available funds and the tender of this
Agreement to Issuer, Holder shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the
shares of Issuer 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 Issuer Common Stock shall not then be actually
delivered to Holder.
(e) Issuer agrees (i) that it shall at all times maintain, free from
preemptive rights, sufficient authorized but unissued or treasury shares of
Issuer Common Stock so that the Option may be exercised without additional
authorization of Issuer Common Stock after giving effect to all other options,
warrants, convertible securities and other rights to purchase Issuer 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 (A) complying with all premerger notification, reporting and waiting
period requirements and (B) in the event prior approval of or notice to any
Governmental Entity is necessary before the Option may be exercised, cooperating
fully with Holder in preparing such applications or notices and providing such
information to such Governmental Entity as it may require) in order to permit
Holder to exercise the Option and Issuer duly and effectively to issue shares of
Issuer Common Stock pursuant hereto, and (iv) promptly to take all action
provided herein to protect the rights of Holder against dilution.
5. Representations and Warranties of Issuer. Issuer hereby represents
and warrants to Grantee (and Holder, if different than Grantee) as follows:
(a) Due Authorization. Issuer has all requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement, and subject to any approvals 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 Issuer, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Issuer.
(b) No Violations. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and compliance by Issuer
with any of the provisions hereof will not (i) conflict with or result in a
breach of any provision of its Articles of Agreement or Bylaws or a default (or
give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration) under any
of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, debenture, mortgage,
indenture, license, material agreement or other material
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instrument or obligation to which Issuer is a party, or by which it or any of
its properties or assets may be bound, or (ii) violate any order, writ,
injunction, decree, statute, rule or regulation applicable to Issuer or any of
its properties or assets.
(c) Authorized Stock. Issuer has taken all necessary corporate and
other action to authorize and reserve and to permit it to issue, and at all
times from the date hereof until the obligation to deliver Issuer Common Stock
upon the exercise of the Option terminates, will have reserved for issuance upon
exercise of the Option that number of shares of Issuer Common Stock equal to the
maximum number of shares of Issuer Common Stock at any time and from time to
time purchasable upon exercise of the Option, and all such shares, upon issuance
pursuant to the Option, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable, and will be delivered free and clear of all liens, claims,
charges and encumbrances of any kind or nature whatsoever and not subject to any
preemptive rights.
6. Representations and Warranties of Grantee. Grantee hereby
represents and warrants to Issuer that Grantee has all requisite 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, and this Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Grantee.
7. Adjustment upon Changes in Issuer Capitalization, etc.
(a) In the event of any change in Issuer Common Stock by reason of a
stock dividend, stock split, split-up, recapitalization, combination, exchange
of shares or similar transaction, the type and number of shares or securities
subject to the Option, and the Purchase Price therefor, shall be adjusted
appropriately, and proper provision shall be made in the agreements governing
such transactions so that Holder shall receive, upon exercise of the Option, the
number and class of shares or other securities or property that Holder would
have received in respect of Issuer Common Stock if the Option had been exercised
immediately prior to such event, or the record date therefor, as applicable. If
any additional shares of Issuer Common Stock are issued after the date of this
Agreement (other than pursuant to an event described in the first sentence of
this Section 7(a)), the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock subject to the
Option shall be adjusted so that, after such issuance, it, together with any
shares of Issuer Common Stock previously issued pursuant hereto, equals 6.0% of
the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock then issued and outstanding, without
giving effect to any shares subject to or issued pursuant to the Option.
(b) In the event that Issuer shall enter in 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
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outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for
stock or other securities of Issuer or any other person or cash or any other
property or the outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock immediately prior to
such merger 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 provisions 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 Holder, of any of (x) the
Acquiring Corporation (as hereinafter defined), (y) any person that controls the
Acquiring Corporation or (z) in the case of a merger described in clause (ii),
Issuer (such person being referred to as "Substitute Option Issuer").
(c) The Substitute Option shall have the same terms as the Option,
provided that, if the terms of the Substitute Option cannot, for legal reasons,
be the same as the Option, such terms shall be as similar as possible and in no
event less advantageous to Holder. Substitute Option Issuer also shall enter
into an agreement with Holder 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 hereinafter defined) as is equal to the
Assigned Value (as hereinafter defined) multiplied by the number of shares of
Issuer Common Stock for which the Option was theretofore exercisable, divided by
the Average Price (as hereinafter defined). The exercise price of Substitute
Option per share of Substitute Common Stock (the "Substitute Option Price")
shall then be equal to the Purchase Price multiplied by a fraction in which the
numerator is the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock for which the Option
was theretofore exercisable and the denominator is the number of shares of the
Substitute Common Stock for which the Substitute Option is exercisable.
(e) 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, or (iii) the transferee of all or
substantially all of Issuer's assets (or a substantial part of the
assets of its subsidiaries taken as a whole).
(2) "Substitute Common Stock" shall mean the shares of capital
stock (or similar equity interest) with the greatest voting power in
respect of the election of directors (or persons similarly responsible
for the direction of the business and affairs) of the Substitute Option
Issuer.
(3) "Assigned Value" shall mean the highest of (w) the price per
share of Issuer Common Stock at which a Tender Offer or an Exchange
Offer therefor has
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been made, (x) the price per share of Issuer Common Stock to be paid by
any third party pursuant to an agreement with Issuer, (y) the highest
closing price for shares of Issuer Common Stock within the six-month
period immediately preceding the consolidation, merger or sale in
question and (z) in the event of a sale of all or substantially all of
Issuer's assets or deposits, an amount equal to (i) the sum of the
price paid in such sale for such assets (and/or deposits) 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 (ii) the number of shares of Issuer Common Stock outstanding
at such time. In the event that a Tender Offer or an Exchange Offer is
made for Issuer Common Stock or an agreement is entered into for a
merger or consolidation involving consideration other than cash, the
value of the securities or other property issuable or deliverable in
exchange for Issuer Common Stock shall be determined by a
nationally-recognized investment banking firm selected by Holder.
(4) "Average Price" shall mean the average closing price of a share
of Substitute Common Stock for the one year 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 Issuer, the
person merging into Issuer or by any company which controls such
person, as Holder may elect.
(f) In no event, pursuant to any of the foregoing paragraphs, shall the
Substitute Option be exercisable for more than 6.0% of the aggregate of the
shares of Substitute Common Stock outstanding prior to exercise of the
Substitute Option. In the event that the Substitute Option would be exercisable
for more than 6.0% of the aggregate of the shares of Substitute Common Stock but
for the limitation in the first sentence of this Section 7(f), Substitute Option
Issuer shall make a cash payment to Holder equal to the excess of (i) the value
of the Substitute Option without giving effect to the limitation in the first
sentence of this Section 7(f) over (ii) the value of the Substitute Option after
giving effect to the limitation in the first sentence of this Section 7(f). This
difference in value shall be determined by a nationally-recognized investment
banking firm selected by Holder.
(g) Issuer shall not enter into any transaction described in Section
7(b) unless the Acquiring Corporation and any person that controls the Acquiring
Corporation assume in writing all the obligations of Issuer hereunder and take
all other actions that may be necessary so that the provisions of this Section 7
are given full force and effect (including, without limitation, any action that
may be necessary so that the holders of the other shares of common stock issued
by Substitute Option Issuer are not entitled to exercise any rights by reason of
the issuance or exercise of the Substitute Option and the shares of Substitute
Common Stock are otherwise in no way distinguishable from or have lesser
economic value (other than any diminution in value resulting from the fact that
the shares of Substitute
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Common Stock are restricted securities, as defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act or any successor provision) than other shares of common stock
issued by Substitute Option Issuer).
8. Repurchase at the Option of Holder.
(a) Subject to the last sentence of Section 3(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 Purchase 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 Issuer Common Stock over (y) the Purchase
Price (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7), multiplied by the
number of shares of Issuer Common Stock with respect to which the
Option has not been exercised; and
(iii) the excess, if any, of the Applicable Price over the Purchase
Price (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7) 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 Issuer 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.
(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 Issuer Common Stock purchased thereunder
with respect to which Holder then has beneficial ownership, and 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, claims, charges and encumbrances of
any kind whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that prior
notification to or approval of the Federal Reserve Board, the OTS or any other
Governmental Entity 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
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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 the Federal Reserve Board, the OTS or any other Governmental
Entity 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 the
Federal Reserve Board, the OTS or any other Governmental Entity 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 the Federal
Reserve Board, the OTS or other Governmental Entity, 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 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 business days of receipt of notice of disapproval of the repurchase.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all of Grantee's
rights under this Section 8 shall terminate on the date of termination of the
Option pursuant to Section 3(a).
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, the "Applicable Price" means the
highest of (i) the highest price per share of Issuer Common Stock paid for any
such share by the person or groups described in Section 8(d)(i), (ii) the price
per share of Issuer Common Stock received by holders of Issuer Common Stock in
connection with any merger or other business combination transaction described
in Section 7(b)(i), 7(b)(ii) or 7(b)(iii), or (iii) the highest closing sales
price per share of Issuer Common Stock quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market's
National Market ("NASDAQ/NMS") (or if Issuer Common Stock is not quoted on
NASDAQ/NMS, 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 60 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 Issuer 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, a "Repurchase Event" shall occur if (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
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beneficial ownership of, or any "group" (as such term is defined in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) shall have been formed which beneficially owns or
has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of, 50% or more of the then
outstanding shares of Issuer Common Stock, or (ii) any of the transactions
described in Section 7(b)(i), Section 7(b)(ii) or Section 7(b)(iii) shall be
consummated.
9. Registration Rights.
(a) Demand Registration Rights. Issuer shall, subject to the conditions
of Section 9(c), if requested by any Holder, as expeditiously as possible
prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act if such
registration is necessary in order to permit the sale or other disposition of
any or all shares of Issuer Common Stock or other securities that have been
acquired by or are issuable to Holder upon exercise of the Option in accordance
with the intended method of sale or other disposition stated by Holder in such
request, including without limitation a "shelf" registration statement under
Rule 415 under the Securities Act or any successor provision, and Issuer shall
use its best efforts to qualify such shares or other securities for sale under
any applicable state securities laws.
(b) Additional Registration Rights. If Issuer at any time after the
exercise of the Option proposes to register any shares of Issuer Common Stock
under the Securities Act in connection with an underwritten public offering of
such Issuer Common Stock, Issuer will promptly give written notice to Holder of
its intention to do so and, upon the written request of Holder given within 30
days after receipt of any such notice (which request shall specify the number of
shares of Issuer Common Stock intended to be included in such underwritten
public offering by Holder), Issuer will cause all such shares for which a Holder
shall have requested participation in such registration to be so registered and
included in such underwritten public offering; provided, however, that Issuer
may elect to not cause any such shares to be so registered (i) if the
underwriters in good faith object for valid business reasons, or (ii) in the
case of a registration solely to implement an employee benefit plan or a
registration filed on Form S-4 under the Securities Act or any successor form;
provided, further, however, that such election pursuant to clause (i) may only
be made one time. If some but not all the shares of Issuer Common Stock with
respect to which Issuer shall have received requests for registration pursuant
to this Section 9(b) shall be excluded from such registration, Issuer shall make
appropriate allocation of shares to be registered among Holders permitted to
register their shares of Issuer Common Stock in connection with such
registration pro rata in the proportion that the number of shares requested to
be registered by each such Holder bears to the total number of shares requested
to be registered by all such Holders then desiring to have Issuer Common Stock
registered for sale.
(c) Conditions to Required Registration. Issuer shall use all
reasonable efforts to cause each registration statement referred to in Section
9(a) to become effective and to obtain all consents or waivers of other parties
which are required therefor and to keep such registration statement effective;
provided, however, that Issuer may delay any registration of Option Shares
required pursuant to Section 9(a) for a period not exceeding 90 days if
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Issuer shall in good faith determine that any such registration would adversely
affect an offering or contemplated offering of other securities by Issuer, and
Issuer shall not be required to register Option Shares under the Securities Act
pursuant to Section 9(a):
(i) prior to the earliest of (A) termination of the Plan pursuant
to Article VII thereof, and (B) a Purchase Event or a Preliminary
Purchase Event;
(ii) on more than one occasion during any calendar year and on
more than two occasions in total;
(iii) within 90 days after the effective date of a registration
referred to in Section 9(b) pursuant to which the Holder or Holders
concerned were afforded the opportunity to register such shares under
the Securities Act and such shares were registered as requested; and
(iv) unless a request therefor is made to Issuer by the Holder or
Holders of at least 25% or more of the aggregate number of Option
Shares (including shares of Issuer Common Stock issuable upon exercise
of the Option) then outstanding.
In addition to the foregoing, Issuer shall not be required to maintain
the effectiveness of any registration statement after the expiration of nine
months from the effective date of such registration statement. Issuer shall use
all reasonable efforts to make any filings, and take all steps, under all
applicable state securities laws to the extent necessary to permit the sale or
other disposition of the Option Shares so registered in accordance with the
intended method of distribution for such shares, provided, however, that Issuer
shall not be required to consent to general jurisdiction or to qualify to do
business in any state where it is not otherwise required to so consent to such
jurisdiction or to so qualify to do business.
(d) Expenses. Issuer will pay all expenses (including without
limitation registration fees, qualification fees, blue sky fees and expenses,
accounting expenses, legal expenses and printing expenses incurred by it) in
connection with each registration pursuant to Section 9(a) or (b) and all other
qualifications, notifications or exemptions pursuant to Section 9(a) or (b).
Underwriting discounts and commissions relating to Option Shares, fees and
disbursements of counsel to the Holder(s) of Option Shares being registered and
any other expenses incurred by such Holder(s) in connection with any such
registration shall be borne by such Holder(s).
(e) Indemnification. In connection with any registration under Section
9(a) or (b), Issuer hereby indemnifies each Holder, and each underwriter
thereof, including each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against all expenses,
losses, claims, damages and liabilities caused by any untrue, or alleged untrue,
statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement or
prospectus or notification or offering circular (including any amendments or
supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused by any omission,
or alleged
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omission, to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such
expenses, losses, claims, damages or liabilities of such indemnified party are
caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement that was included by
Issuer in any such registration statement or prospectus or notification or
offering circular (including any amendments or supplements thereto) in reliance
upon, and in conformity with, information furnished in writing to Issuer by such
indemnified party expressly for use therein, and Issuer and each officer,
director and controlling person of Issuer shall be indemnified by such Holder,
or by such underwriter, as the case may be, for all such expenses, losses,
claims, damages and liabilities caused by any untrue, or alleged untrue,
statement that was included by Issuer in any such registration statement or
prospectus or notification or offering circular (including any amendments or
supplements thereto) in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information
furnished in writing to Issuer by such Holder or such underwriter, as the case
may be, expressly for such use.
Promptly upon receipt by a party indemnified under this Section 9(e) of
notice of the commencement of any action against such indemnified party in
respect of which indemnity or reimbursement may be sought against any
indemnifying party under this Section 9(e), such indemnified party shall notify
the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of such action, but,
except to the extent of any actual prejudice to the indemnifying party, the
failure so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it of any
liability which it may otherwise have to any indemnified party under this
Section 9(e). In case notice of commencement of any such action shall be given
to the indemnifying party as above provided, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate in and, to the extent it may wish, jointly with any
other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense of such
action at its own expense, with counsel chosen by it and reasonably satisfactory
to such indemnified party. The indemnified party shall have the right to employ
separate counsel in any such action and participate in the defense thereof, but
the fees and expenses of such counsel (other than reasonable costs of
investigation) shall be paid by the indemnified party unless (i) the
indemnifying party agrees to pay the same, (ii) the indemnifying party fails to
assume the defense of such action with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
indemnified party, or (iii) the indemnified party has been advised by counsel
that one or more legal defenses may be available to the indemnifying party that
may be contrary to the interest of the indemnified party, in which case the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to assume the defense of such action
notwithstanding its obligation to bear fees and expenses of such counsel. No
indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement entered into without its
consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld.
If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9(e) is unavailable
to a party otherwise entitled to be indemnified in respect of any expenses,
losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, then the indemnifying
party, in lieu of indemnifying such party otherwise entitled to be indemnified,
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such party to be indemnified
as a result of such expenses, losses, claims, damages or liabilities in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by
Issuer, the
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selling Holders and the underwriters from the offering of the securities and
also the relative fault of Issuer, the selling Holders and the underwriters in
connection with the statement or omissions which results in such expenses,
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the
expenses, losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to above shall be
deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by
such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim;
provided, however, that in no case shall the selling Holders be responsible, in
the aggregate, for any amount in excess of the net offering proceeds
attributable to its Option Shares included in the offering. No person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(g) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Any obligation by any Holder to
indemnify shall be several and not joint with other Holders.
In connection with any registration pursuant to Section 9(a) or (b)
above, Issuer and each selling Holder (other than Grantee) shall enter into an
agreement containing the indemnification provisions of this Section 9(e).
(f) Miscellaneous Reporting. Issuer shall comply with all reporting
requirements and will do all such other things as may be necessary to permit the
expeditious sale at any time of any Option Shares by the Holder(s) in accordance
with and to the extent permitted by any rule or regulation permitting
nonregistered sales of securities promulgated by the Commission from time to
time, including, without limitation, Rule 144A. Issuer shall at its expense
provide the Holder with any information necessary in connection with the
completion and filing of any reports or forms required to be filed by them under
the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, or required pursuant to any state
securities laws or the rules of any stock exchange.
(g) Issue Taxes. Issuer will pay all stamp taxes in connection with the
issuance and the sale of the Option Shares and in connection with the exercise
of the Option, and will save any Holder harmless, without limitation as to time,
against any and all liabilities, with respect to all such taxes.
10. Quotation; Listing. If Issuer Common Stock or any other securities
to be acquired upon exercise of the Option are then authorized for quotation or
trading or listing on NASDAQ/NMS or any securities exchange, Issuer, upon the
request of Holder, will promptly file an application, if required, to authorize
for quotation or trading or listing the shares of Issuer Common Stock or other
securities to be acquired upon exercise of the Option on NASDAQ/NMS or such
other securities exchange and will use its best efforts to obtain approval, if
required, of such quotation or listing as soon as practicable.
11. Division of Option. Upon the occurrence of a Purchase Event or a
Preliminary Purchase Event, this Agreement (and the Option granted hereby) are
exchangeable, without expense, at the option of Holder, upon presentation and
surrender of this Agreement at the
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principal office of the Issuer for other Agreements providing for Options of
different denominations entitling the holder thereof to purchase in the
aggregate the same number of shares of Issuer Common Stock purchasable
hereunder. The terms "Agreement" and "Option" as used herein include any other
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 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.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Expenses. Except as otherwise provided in Section 9, 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.
(b) Waiver and Amendment. Any provision of this Agreement may be waived
at any time by the party that is entitled to the benefits of such provision.
This Agreement may not be modified, amended, altered or supplemented except upon
the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by the parties
hereto.
(c) Entire Agreement; No Third Party Beneficiaries; Severability. This
Agreement, together with the Plan and the other documents and instruments
referred to herein and therein, between Grantee and Issuer (i) constitutes the
entire agreement and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both
written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof,
and (ii) is not intended to confer upon any person other than the parties hereto
(other than the indemnified parties under Section 9(e) and any transferee of the
Option Shares or any permitted transferee of this Agreement pursuant to Section
12(h)) any rights or remedies hereunder. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction or a
federal or state regulatory agency to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of 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 Option does not permit Holder to acquire, or does not require Issuer to
repurchase, the full number of shares of Issuer Common Stock as provided in
Sections 3 and 8 (as adjusted pursuant to Section 7), it is the express
intention of Issuer to allow Holder to acquire or to require Issuer to
repurchase such lesser number of shares as may be permissible without any
amendment or modification hereof.
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(d) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Maine without regard to any applicable
conflicts of law rules.
(e) Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings contained herein are
for convenience of reference only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.
(f) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed given if delivered personally, telecopied (with
confirmation) or sent by overnight mail service or mailed by registered or
certified mail (return receipt requested) postage prepaid, to the parties at the
following address (or at such other address for a party as shall be specified by
like notice):
If to Grantee:
Family Bancorp
153 Merrimack Street
Haverhill, Massachusetts 01830
Attn: David D. Hindle
President and Chief Executive Officer
Fax: 508-374-5319
With a required copy to:
Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP
One Post Office Square
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Attn: Peter W. Coogan, Esq.
Fax: 617-832-7000
If to Issuer:
Peoples Heritage Financial Group, Inc.
One Portland Square
Portland, Maine 04112-9540
Attn: William J. Ryan
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Fax: 207-761-8587
With a required copy to:
Elias, Matz, Tiernan & Herrick L.L.P.
734 15th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20005
Attn: Gerard L. Hawkins, Esq.
Fax: 202-347-2172
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(g) Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be
executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be considered one and the same
agreement and shall become effective when both counterparts have been signed, it
being understood that both parties need not sign the same counterpart.
(h) Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, interests
or obligations hereunder or under the Option shall be assigned by any of the
parties hereto (whether by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior
written consent of the other party, except that Holder may assign this Agreement
to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holder and Holder may assign its rights
hereunder in whole or in part after the occurrence of a Purchase Event. Subject
to the preceding sentence, this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the
benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective successors and
assigns.
(i) Further Assurances. In the event of any exercise of the Option by
Holder, Issuer and Holder shall execute and deliver all other documents and
instruments and take all other action that may be reasonably necessary in order
to consummate the transactions provided for by such exercise.
(j) Specific Performance. The parties hereto agree that this Agreement
may be enforced by either party through specific performance, injunctive relief
and other equitable relief. Both parties further agree to waive any requirement
for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with the obtaining of any
such equitable relief and that this provision is without prejudice to any other
rights that the parties hereto may have for any failure to perform this
Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Issuer and Grantee have caused this Stock Option
Agreement to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
all as of the day and year first written above.
PEOPLES HERITAGE
FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Attest:
/s/ Peter J. Verrill By: /s/ William J. Ryan
- - --------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
Name: Peter J. Verrill Name: William J. Ryan
Title: Executive Vice President, Title: Chairman, President
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive
and Chief Financial Officer Officer
Attest: FAMILY BANCORP
/s/ George E. Fahey By: /s/ David D. Hindle
- - --------------------------------------------- ----------------------------
Name: George E. Fahey Name: David D. Hindle
Title: Executive Vice President, Treasurer Title: President and Chief
and Chief Financial Officer Executive Officer
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