SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-A
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
BEN FRANKLIN FINANCIAL, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware Applied For
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State of incorporation or organization (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
14 N. Dryden Place, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
None
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock par value $.01 per share
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Title of Class)
<PAGE>
Item 1. Description of Registrant's Securities to be Registered.
For a description of the Registrant's securities, reference is made to
"Description of Capital Stock", "Dividends" and "Market for Common Stock" in the
Registrant's Pre-Effective Amendment No. Two to the Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (Registration Number 333-49259) which is hereby incorporated by
reference. For a description of the provisions of the Registrant's Certificate
of Incorporation and By-laws that may render a change in control of the
Registrant more difficult, reference is made to "Restrictions on Acquisitions of
Stock and Related Takeover Defensive Provisions" in the Registrant's
Pre-Effective Amendment No. Two to the Registration Statement on Form S-1
referenced above.
Item 2. Exhibits.
1. Pre-Effective Amendment No. Two to Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (Registration Number 333-49259) dated May 12, 1998 is
hereby incorporated by reference.
2. Certificate of Incorporation
3. Bylaws
4. Specimen Stock Certificate
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
BEN FRANKLIN FINANCIAL, INC.
Date: May 13, 1998 By: /s/ RONALD P. PEDERSEN
-----------------------
Ronald P. Pedersen
President and Chief Executive Officer
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
BEN FRANKLIN FINANCIAL, INC.
FIRST: The name of the Corporation is Ben Franklin Financial, Inc.
(hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Corporation").
SECOND: The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the
State of Delaware is Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, in the City
of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name of the registered agent at that
address is The Corporation Trust Company.
THIRD: The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation
Law of Delaware.
FOURTH:
A. The total number of shares of all classes of stock which the
Corporation shall have the authority to issue is two million six hundred
thousand (2,600,000) consisting of:
1. one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of preferred stock, par
value one cent ($.01) per share (the "Preferred Stock"); and
2. two million five hundred thousand (2,500,000) shares of common
stock, par value one cent ($.01) per share (the "Common Stock").
B. The Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized, subject to
any limitations prescribed by law, to provide for the issuance of the shares of
Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the
applicable law of the State of Delaware (such certificate being hereinafter
referred to as a "Preferred Stock Designation"), to establish from time to time
the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the
designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series
and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The number of
authorized shares of the Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not
below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the Common Stock, without a vote of the holders of
the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders
is required pursuant to the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation.
C. 1. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of
Incorporation, in no event shall any record owner of any outstanding Common
Stock which is beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a person who, as
of any record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote on any
matter, beneficially owns in excess of 10% of the then-outstanding shares of
Common Stock (the "Limit"), be entitled, or permitted to any vote in respect of
the shares held in excess of the Limit. The number of votes which may be cast
1
<PAGE>
by any record owner by virtue of the provisions hereof in respect of Common
Stock beneficially owned by such person owning shares in excess of the Limit
shall be a number equal to the total number of votes which a single record owner
of all Common Stock owned by such person would be entitled to cast, multiplied
by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of such class or
series beneficially owned by such person and owned of record by such record
owner and the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned by such person owning shares in excess of the Limit.
2. The following definitions shall apply to this Section C of
this Article FOURTH:
(a) An "affiliate" of a specified person shall mean a person
that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
the person specified.
(b) "Beneficial ownership" shall be determined pursuant to
Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or any successor rule or
statutory provision), or, if said Rule 13d-3 shall be rescinded
and there shall be no successor rule or statutory provision
thereto, pursuant to said Rule 13d-3 as in effect on March 1,
1998; provided, however, that a person shall, in any event, also
be deemed the "beneficial owner" of any Common Stock:
(1) which such person or any of its affiliates
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; or
(2) which such person or any of its affiliates has (i)
the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to
any agreement, arrangement or understanding (but shall not
be deemed to be the beneficial owner of any voting shares
solely by reason of an agreement, contract, or other
arrangement with this Corporation to effect any transaction
which is described in any one or more of the clauses of
Section A of Article EIGHTH) or upon the exercise of
conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants, or options or
otherwise, or (ii) sole or shared voting or investment power
with respect thereto pursuant to any agreement, arrangement,
understanding, relationship or otherwise (but shall not be
deemed to be the beneficial owner of any voting shares
solely by reason of a revocable proxy granted for a
particular meeting of stockholders, pursuant to a public
solicitation of proxies for such meeting, with respect to
shares of which neither such person nor any such affiliate
is otherwise deemed the beneficial owner); or
(3) which are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by any other person with which such first
mentioned person or any of its affiliates acts as a
partnership, limited partnership, syndicate or other group
pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding for
the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of
any shares of capital stock of this Corporation;
2
<PAGE>
and provided further, however, that (1) no director or
officer of this Corporation (or any affiliate of any such
director or officer) shall, solely by reason of any or all
of such directors or officers acting in their capacities as
such, be deemed, for any purposes hereof, to beneficially
own any Common Stock beneficially owned by any other such
director or officer (or any affiliate thereof), and (2)
neither any employee stock ownership or similar plan of this
Corporation or any subsidiary of this Corporation nor any
trustee with respect thereto (or any affiliate of such
trustee) shall, solely by reason of such capacity of such
trustee, be deemed, for any purposes hereof, to beneficially
own any Common Stock held under any such plan. For purposes
of computing the percentage beneficial ownership of Common
Stock of a person, the outstanding Common Stock shall
include shares deemed owned by such person through
application of this subsection but shall not include any
other Common Stock which may be issuable by this Corporation
pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion
rights, warrants or options, or otherwise. For all other
purposes, the outstanding Common Stock shall include only
Common Stock then outstanding and shall not include any
Common Stock which may be issuable by this Corporation
pursuant to any agreement, or upon the exercise of
conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.
(c) A "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation,
or other entity.
(d) The Board of Directors shall have the power to construe
and apply the provisions of this section and to make all
determinations necessary or desirable to implement such
provisions, including but not limited to matters with respect to
(1) the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by
any person, (2) whether a person is an affiliate of another, (3)
whether a person has an agreement, arrangement, or understanding
with another as to the matters referred to in the definition of
beneficial ownership, (4) the application of any other definition
or operative provision of this Section to the given facts, or (5)
any other matter relating to the applicability or effect of this
Section.
3. The Board of Directors shall have the right to demand that any
person who is reasonably believed to beneficially own Common Stock in
excess of the Limit (or holds of record Common Stock beneficially
owned by any person in excess of the Limit) (a "Holder in Excess")
supply the Corporation with complete information as to (a) the record
owner(s) of all shares beneficially owned by such Holder in Excess,
and (b) any other factual matter relating to the applicability or
effect of this section as may reasonably be requested of such Holder
in Excess. The Board of Directors shall further have the right to
receive from any Holder in Excess reimbursement for all expenses
incurred by the Board in connection with its investigation of any
matters relating to the applicability or effect of this section on
such Holder in Excess, to the extent such investigation is deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors as a result of the Holder in
Excess refusing to supply the Corporation with the information
described in the previous sentence.
3
<PAGE>
4. Except as otherwise provided by law or expressly provided in
this Section C, the presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of
record of shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitling the
holders thereof to cast one-third of the votes (after giving effect,
if required, to the provisions of this Section) entitled to be cast by
the holders of shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders,
and every reference in this Certificate of Incorporation to a majority
or other proportion of capital stock (or the holders thereof) for
purposes of determining any quorum requirement or any requirement for
stockholder consent or approval shall be deemed to refer to such
majority or other proportion of the votes (or the holders thereof)
then entitled to be cast in respect of such capital stock.
5. Any constructions, applications, or determinations made by the
Board of Directors, pursuant to this Section in good faith and on the
basis of such information and assistance as was then reasonably
available for such purpose, shall be conclusive and binding upon the
Corporation and its stockholders.
6. In the event any provision (or portion thereof) of this
Section C shall be found to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable
for any reason, the remaining provisions (or portions thereof) of this
Section shall remain in full force and effect, and shall be construed
as if such invalid, prohibited or unenforceable provision had been
stricken herefrom or otherwise rendered inapplicable, it being the
intent of this Corporation and its stockholders that each such
remaining provision (or portion thereof) of this Section C remain, to
the fullest extent permitted by law, applicable and enforceable as to
all stockholders, including stockholders owning an amount of stock
over the Limit, notwithstanding any such finding.
FIFTH: The following provisions are inserted for the management of the
business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and for further
definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation and of
its directors and stockholders:
A. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or
under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers
and authority expressly conferred upon them by Statute or by this
Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of the Corporation, the
directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such
acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation.
B. The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written
ballot unless the By-laws so provide.
C. Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of
Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the
stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or
special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected
by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
D. Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of
Preferred Stock, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be
called only by the Board of Directors
4
<PAGE>
pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of
directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies on
the Board of Directors (the "Whole Board").
E. Stockholders shall not be permitted to cumulate their votes for the
election of directors.
SIXTH:
A. The number of directors shall be fixed from time to time
exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a
majority of the Whole Board. The directors, other than those who may be
elected by the holders of any class or series of Preferred Stock, shall be
divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as reasonably
possible, with the term of office of the first class to expire at the
conclusion of the first annual meeting of stockholders, the term of office
of the second class to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting of
stockholders one year thereafter and the term of office of the third class
to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting of stockholders two years
thereafter, with each director to hold office until his or her successor
shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual meeting of
stockholders following such initial classification and election, directors
elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for
a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of
stockholders after their election, with each director to hold office until
his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
B. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred
Stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the
Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification, removal from office or other cause may be filled only by
a majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum,
and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual
meeting of stockholders at which the term of office of the class to which
they have been elected expires, and until such director's successor shall
have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of
directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any
incumbent director.
C. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of
directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting
of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner
provided in the By-laws of the Corporation.
D. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred
Stock then outstanding, any directors, or the entire Board of Directors,
may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all
of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors (after giving effect to the
provisions of Article FOURTH of this Certificate of Incorporation), voting
together as a single class.
5
<PAGE>
SEVENTH: The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend
or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of
the By-laws of the Corporation by the Board of Directors shall require the
approval of a majority of the Whole Board. The stockholders shall also have
power to adopt, amend or repeal the By-laws of the Corporation. In addition to
any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of this Corporation
required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of
the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding
shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (after giving effect to the provisions of Article FOURTH
hereof), voting together as a single class, shall be required to adopt, amend or
repeal any provisions of the By-laws of the Corporation.
EIGHTH:
A. In addition to any affirmative vote required by law or this
Certificate of Incorporation, and except as otherwise expressly provided in
this Section:
1. any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary (as hereinafter defined) with (a) any Interested
Stockholder (as hereinafter defined) or (b) any other corporation
(whether or not itself an Interested Stockholder) which is, or after
such merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate (as hereinafter
defined) of an Interested Stockholder; or
2. any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other
disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) to or
with any Interested Stockholder, or any Affiliate of any Interested
Stockholder, of any assets of the Corporation or any Subsidiary having
an aggregate Fair Market Value (as hereafter defined) equaling or
exceeding 25% or more of the combined assets of the Corporation and
its Subsidiaries; or
3. the issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary
(in one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of
the Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Stockholder or any
Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder in exchange for cash,
securities or other property (or a combination thereof) having an
aggregate Fair Market Value equaling or exceeding 25% of the combined
assets of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries except pursuant to an
employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary thereof; or
4. the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation proposed by or on behalf of any
Interested Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder;
or
5. any reclassification of securities (including any reverse
stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or
consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any
other transaction (whether or not with or into or otherwise involving
an Interested Stockholder) which has the effect, directly or
indirectly,
6
<PAGE>
of increasing the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any
class of equity or convertible securities of the Corporation or any
Subsidiary which is directly or indirectly owned by any Interested
Stockholder or any Affiliate of any Interested Stockholder (a
"Disproportionate Transaction"); provided, however, that no such
transaction shall be deemed a Disproportionate Transaction if the
increase in the proportionate ownership of the Interested Stockholder
or Affiliate as a result of such transaction is no greater than the
increase experienced by the other stockholders generally;
shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the
voting power of the then-outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote in the election of directors (the "Voting Stock"), voting
together as a single class. Such affirmative vote shall be required
notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or that a lesser
percentage may be specified, by law or by any other provisions of this
Certificate of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation or in any
agreement with any national securities exchange or quotation system or
otherwise.
The term "Business Combination" as used in this Article EIGHTH shall
mean any transaction which is referred to in any one or more of paragraphs
1 through 5 of Section A of this Article EIGHTH.
B. The provisions of Section A of this Article EIGHTH shall not be
applicable to any particular Business Combination, and such Business
Combination shall require only the affirmative vote of the majority of the
outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote, or such vote as is
required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, if, in the case of
any Business Combination that does not involve any cash or other
consideration being received by the stockholders of the Corporation solely
in their capacity as stockholders of the Corporation, the condition
specified in the following paragraph 1 is met or, in the case of any other
Business Combination, either the condition specified in the following
paragraph 1 or all of the conditions specified in of the following
paragraph 2 are met:
1. The Business Combination shall have been approved by a
majority of the Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined).
2. All of the following conditions shall have been met:
(a) The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market
Value as of the date of the consummation of the Business
Combination of consideration other than cash to be received per
share by the holders of Common Stock in such Business Combination
shall at least be equal to the higher of the following:
(1) (if applicable) the Highest Per Share Price,
including any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and
soliciting dealers' fees, paid by the Interested Stockholder
or any of its Affiliates for any shares of Common Stock
acquired by it (i) within the two-year period immediately
prior to the first public announcement of the proposal of
the Business
7
<PAGE>
Combination (the "Announcement Date"), or (ii) in the
transaction in which it became an Interested Stockholder,
whichever is higher.
(2) the Fair Market Value per share of Common Stock on
the Announcement Date or on the date on which the Interested
Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder (such latter
date is referred to in this Article EIGHTH as the
"Determination Date"), whichever is higher.
(b) The aggregate amount of the cash and the Fair Market
Value as of the date of the consummation of the Business
Combination of consideration other than cash to be received per
share by holders of shares of any class of outstanding Voting
Stock other than Common Stock shall be at least equal to the
highest of the following (it being intended that the requirements
of this subparagraph (b) shall be required to be met with respect
to every such class of outstanding Voting Stock, whether or not
the Interested Stockholder has previously acquired any shares of
a particular class of Voting Stock):
(1) (if applicable) the Highest Per Share Price (as
hereinafter defined), including any brokerage commissions,
transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees, paid by the
Interested Stockholder for any shares of such class of
Voting Stock acquired by it (i) within the two-year period
immediately prior to the Announcement Date, or (ii) in the
transaction in which it became an Interested Stockholder,
whichever is higher;
(2) (if applicable) the highest preferential amount per
share to which the holders of shares of such class of Voting
Stock are entitled in the event of any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation; and
(3) the Fair Market Value per share of such class of
Voting Stock on the Announcement Date or on the
Determination Date, whichever is higher.
(c) The consideration to be received by holders of a
particular class of outstanding Voting Stock (including Common
Stock) shall be in cash or in the same form as the Interested
Stockholder has previously paid for shares of such class of
Voting Stock. If the Interested Stockholder has paid for shares
of any class of Voting Stock with varying forms of consideration,
the form of consideration to be received per share by holders of
shares of such class of Voting Stock shall be either cash or the
form used to acquire the largest number of shares of such class
of Voting Stock previously acquired by the Interested
Stockholder. The price determined in accordance with Section B.2
of this Article EIGHTH shall
8
<PAGE>
be subject to appropriate adjustment in the event of any stock
dividend, stock split, combination of shares or similar event.
(d) After such Interested Stockholder has become an
Interested Stockholder and prior to the consummation of such
Business Combination; (i) except as approved by a majority of the
Disinterested Directors, there shall have been no failure to
declare and pay at the regular date therefor any full quarterly
dividends (whether or not cumulative) on any outstanding stock
having preference over the Common Stock as to dividends or
liquidation; (ii) there shall have been (X) no reduction in the
annual rate of dividends paid on the Common Stock (except as
necessary to reflect any subdivision of the Common Stock), except
as approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors, and (Y)
an increase in such annual rate of dividends as necessary to
reflect any reclassification (including any reverse stock split),
recapitalization, reorganization or any similar transaction which
has the effect of reducing the number of outstanding shares of
Common Stock, unless the failure to so increase such annual rate
is approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors; and
(iii) neither such Interested Stockholder nor any of its
Affiliates shall have become the beneficial owner of any
additional shares of Voting Stock except as part of the
transaction which results in such Interested Stockholder becoming
an Interested Stockholder.
(e) After such Interested Stockholder has become an
Interested Stockholder, such Interested Stockholder shall not
have received the benefit, directly or indirectly (except
proportionately as a stockholder), of any loans, advances,
guarantees, pledges or other financial assistance or any tax
credits or other tax advantages provided by the Corporation,
whether in anticipation of or in connection with such Business
Combination or otherwise.
(f) A proxy or information statement describing the proposed
Business Combination and complying with the requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations
thereunder (or any subsequent provisions replacing such Act,
rules or regulations) shall be mailed to stockholders of the
Corporation at least 30 days prior to the consummation of such
Business Combination (whether or not such proxy or information
statement is required to be mailed pursuant to such Act or
subsequent provisions).
C. For the purposes of this Article EIGHTH:
1. A "Person" shall include an individual, a group acting in
concert, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint
venture, a pool, a joint stock company, a trust, an unincorporated
organization or similar company, a syndicate or any other group formed
for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities.
2. "Interested Stockholder" shall mean any Person (other than the
Corporation or any holding company or Subsidiary thereof) who or
which:
9
<PAGE>
(a) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more
than 10% of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock; or
(b) is an Affiliate of the Corporation and at any time
within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in
question was the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10%
or more of the voting power of the then-outstanding Voting Stock;
or
(c) is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to any
shares of Voting Stock which were at any time within the two-year
period immediately prior to the date in question beneficially
owned by any Interested Stockholder, if such assignment or
succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or
series of transactions not involving a public offering within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
3. A Person shall be a "beneficial owner" of any Voting Stock:
(a) which such Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates
(as hereinafter defined) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on March 1, 1998; or
(b) which such Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates
has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable
immediately or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the exercise of
conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or
otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding (but neither such Person nor any
such Affiliate or Associate shall be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of any shares of Voting Stock solely by reason of a
revocable proxy granted for a particular meeting of stockholders,
pursuant to a public solicitation of proxies for such meeting,
and with respect to which shares neither such Person nor any such
Affiliate or Associate is otherwise deemed the beneficial owner);
or
(c) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly
within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as in effect on March 1, 1998, by any other Person
with which such Person or any of its Affiliates or Associates has
any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purposes of
acquiring, holding, voting (other than solely by reason of a
revocable proxy as described in Subparagraph (b) of this
Paragraph 3) or in disposing of any shares of Voting Stock;
provided, however, that, in the case of any employee stock ownership
or similar plan of the Corporation or of any Subsidiary in which the
beneficiaries thereof possess the right to vote any shares of Voting
Stock held by such plan, no such plan nor any trustee with
10
<PAGE>
respect thereto (nor any Affiliate of such trustee), solely by reason
of such capacity of such trustee, shall be deemed, for any purposes
hereof, to beneficially own any shares of Voting Stock held under any
such plan.
4. For the purpose of determining whether a Person is an
Interested Stockholder pursuant to Section C.2., the number of shares
of Voting Stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed
owned through application of this Section C.3. but shall not include
any other shares of Voting Stock which may be issuable pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of
conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise.
5. "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect on
March 1, 1998
6. "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which a majority of any
class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the
definition of Interested Stockholder set forth in this Section C.2.,
the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of which a
majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Corporation.
7. "Disinterested Director" means any member of the Board of
Directors who is unaffiliated with the Interested Stockholder and was
a member of the Board of Directors prior to the time that the
Interested Stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, and any
director who is thereafter chosen to fill any vacancy on the Board of
Directors or who is elected and who, in either event, is unaffiliated
with the Interested Stockholder, and in connection with his or her
initial assumption of office is recommended for appointment or
election by a majority of Disinterested Directors then on the Board of
Directors.
8. "Fair Market Value" means: (a) in the case of stock, the
highest closing sales price of the stock during the 30-day period
immediately preceding the date in question of a share of such stock of
the Nasdaq System or any system then in use, or, if such stock is
admitted to trading on a principal United States securities exchange
registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Fair Market
Value shall be the highest sale price reported during the 30-day
period preceding the date in question, or, if no such quotations are
available, the Fair Market Value on the date in question of a share of
such stock as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith, in
each case with respect to any class of stock, appropriately adjusted
for any dividend or distribution in shares of such stock or in
combination or reclassification of outstanding shares of such stock
into a smaller number of shares of such stock, and (b) in the case of
property other than cash or stock, the Fair Market Value of such
property on the date in question as determined by the Board of
Directors in good faith.
11
<PAGE>
9. Reference to "Highest Per Share Price" shall in each case with
respect to any class of stock reflect an appropriate adjustment for
any dividend or distribution in shares of such stock or any stock
split or reclassification of outstanding shares of such stock into a
greater number of shares of such stock or any combination or
reclassification of outstanding shares of such stock into a smaller
number of shares of such stock.
10. In the event of any Business Combination in which the
Corporation survives, the phrase "consideration other than cash to be
received" as used in Sections B.2.(a) and B.2.(b) of this Article
EIGHTH shall include the shares of Common Stock and/or the shares of
any other class of outstanding Voting Stock retained by the holders of
such shares.
D. A majority of the Disinterested Directors of the Corporation shall
have the power and duty to determine for the purposes of this Article
EIGHTH, on the basis of information known to them after reasonable inquiry,
(a) whether a person is an Interested Stockholder; (b) the number of shares
of Voting Stock beneficially owned by any person; (c) whether a person is
an Affiliate or Associate of another; and (d) whether the assets which are
the subject of any Business Combination have, or the consideration to be
received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation or
any Subsidiary in any Business Combination has an aggregate Fair Market
Value equaling or exceeding 25% of the combined assets of the Corporation
and its Subsidiaries. A majority of the Disinterested Directors shall have
the further power to interpret all of the terms and provisions of this
Article EIGHTH.
E. Nothing contained in this Article EIGHTH shall be construed to
relieve any Interested Stockholder from any fiduciary obligation imposed by
law.
F. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of
Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser
vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of
any particular class or series of the Voting Stock required by law, this
Certificate of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation, the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all
of the then-outstanding shares of the Voting Stock, voting together as a
single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal this Article
EIGHTH.
NINTH: The Board of Directors of the Corporation, when evaluating any
offer of another Person (as defined in Article EIGHTH hereof) to (A) make a
tender or exchange offer for any equity security of the Corporation, (B) merge
or consolidate the Corporation with another corporation or entity or (C)
purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the properties and
assets of the Corporation, may, in connection with the exercise of its judgment
in determining what is in the best interest of the Corporation and its
stockholders, give due consideration to all relevant factors, including, without
limitation, the social and economic effect of acceptance of such offer on the
Corporation's present and future customers and employees and those of its
Subsidiaries (as defined in Article EIGHTH hereof); on the communities in which
the Corporation and its Subsidiaries operate or are located; on the ability of
the Corporation to fulfill its corporate
12
<PAGE>
objectives as a financial institution holding company and on the ability of its
subsidiary financial institution to fulfill the objectives of a federally
insured financial institution under applicable statutes and regulations.
TENTH:
A. Except as set forth in Section B of this Article TENTH, in addition
to any affirmative vote of stockholders required by law or this Certificate
of Incorporation, any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by
the Corporation of any Equity Security (as hereinafter defined) of any
class from any Interested Person (as hereinafter defined) shall require the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the Voting Stock of the
Corporation that is not beneficially owned (for purposes of this Article
TENTH beneficial ownership shall be determined in accordance with Section
C.2(b) of Article FOURTH hereof) by such Interested Person, voting together
as a single class. Such affirmative vote shall be required notwithstanding
the fact that no vote may be required, or that a lesser percentage may be
specified, by law or by any other provisions of this Certificate of
Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation or in any agreement with
any national securities exchange or quotation system, or otherwise. Certain
defined terms used in this Article TENTH are as set forth in Section C
below.
B. The provisions of Section A of this Article TENTH shall not be
applicable with respect to:
1. any purchase or other acquisition of securities made as part
of a tender or exchange offer by the Corporation or a Subsidiary
(which term, as used in this Article TENTH, is as defined in the first
clause of Section C.6 of Article EIGHTH hereof) of the Corporation to
purchase securities of the same class made on the same terms to all
holders of such securities and complying with the applicable
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and
regulations thereunder (or any subsequent provision replacing such
Act, rules or regulations);
2. any purchase or acquisition made pursuant to an open market
purchase program approved by a majority of the Board of Directors,
including a majority of the Disinterested Directors (which term, as
used in this Article TENTH, is as defined in Article EIGHTH hereof);
or
3. any purchase or acquisition which is approved by a majority of
the Board of Directors, including a majority of the Disinterested
Directors, and which is made at no more than the Market Price (as
hereinafter defined), on the date that the understanding between the
Corporation and the Interested Person is reached with respect to such
purchase (whether or not such purchase is made or a written agreement
relating to such purchase is executed on such date), of shares of the
class of Equity Security to be purchased.
C. For the purposes of this Article TENTH:
13
<PAGE>
1. The term Interested Person shall mean any Person (other than
the Corporation, Subsidiaries of the Corporation, pension, profit
sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee benefit plans of
the Corporation and its Subsidiaries, entities organized or
established by the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to
the terms of such plans and trustees and fiduciaries with respect to
any such plan acting in such capacity) that is the direct or indirect
beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Voting Stock of the Corporation,
and any Affiliate or Associate of any such person.
2. The Market Price of shares of a class of Equity Security on
any day shall mean the highest sale price of shares of such class of
Equity Security on such day, or, if that day is not a trading day, on
the trading day immediately preceding such day, on the national
securities exchange or the Nasdaq System or any other system then in
use on which such class of Equity Security is traded.
3. The term Equity Security shall mean any security described in
Section 3(a)(11) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect
on March 1, 1998, which is traded on a national securities exchange or
the Nasdaq System or any other system then in use.
4. For purposes of this Article TENTH, all references to the term
Interested Stockholder in the definition of Disinterested Director
shall be deemed to refer to the term Interested Person.
ELEVENTH:
A. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made
a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding,
whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a
"proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or
an officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, including,
without limitation, any Subsidiary (as defined in Article EIGHTH herein),
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service
with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an "indemnitee"),
whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official
capacity as a director or officer or in any other capacity while serving as
a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the
Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in
the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment
permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such
law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against
all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments,
fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement)
reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith;
provided, however, that, except as provided in Section C hereof with
respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the
Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a
proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such
proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of
the Corporation.
14
<PAGE>
B. The right to indemnification conferred in Section A of this Article
shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred
in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition
(hereinafter an "advancement of expenses"); provided, however, that, if the
Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses
incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer
(and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such
indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit
plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking
(hereinafter an "undertaking"), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to
repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final
judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal
(hereinafter a "final adjudication"), that such indemnitee is not entitled
to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise. The
rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in
Sections A and B of this Article shall be contract rights and such rights
shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director or
officer and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee's heirs, executors
and administrators.
C. If a claim under Section A or B of this Article is not paid in full
by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received
by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of
expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the
indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to
recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part
in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an
advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the
indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or
defending such suit. In (1) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a
right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the
indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a
defense that, and (2) in any suit by the Corporation to recover an
advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the
Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final
adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for
indemnification set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law. Neither
the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors,
independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification
of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has
met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General
Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including
its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders)
that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall
create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable
standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the
indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the
indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of
expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of
expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving
that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such
advancement of expenses, under this Article or otherwise shall be on the
Corporation.
D. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses
conferred in this Article shall not be exclusive of any other right which
any person may have or hereafter
15
<PAGE>
acquire under any statute, the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation,
By-laws, agreement, vote of stockholders or Disinterested Directors or
otherwise.
E. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect
itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or
another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise
against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation
would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense,
liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
F. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by
a majority vote of the disinterested directors, grant rights to
indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent
of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article
with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of
directors and officers of the Corporation.
TWELFTH: A director of this Corporation shall not be personally liable
to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (A) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (B) for acts
or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a
knowing violation of law, (C) under Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, or (D) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. If the Delaware General Corporation Law is hereafter
amended to further eliminate or limit the personal liability of directors, then
the liability of a director of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so
amended.
Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the
stockholders of the Corporation shall not adversely affect any right or
protection of a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal
or modification.
THIRTEENTH: The Corporation reserves the right to amend or repeal any
provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner
prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights conferred upon
stockholders are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that,
notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or any
provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in
addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of the stock of this
Corporation required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation, the
affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all of
the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors (after giving effect to the
provisions of Article FOURTH), voting together as a single class, shall be
required to amend or repeal this Article THIRTEENTH, Sections B or C of Article
FOURTH, Sections C or D of Article FIFTH, Article SIXTH, Article SEVENTH,
Article EIGHTH, Article TENTH or Article ELEVENTH.
16
<PAGE>
FOURTEENTH: The name and mailing address of the sole incorporator are
as follows:
NAME MAILING ADDRESS
---- ---------------
Ronald P. Pedersen Ben Franklin Bank of Illinois
14 N. Dryden Place
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004
17
<PAGE>
I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the incorporator, for the purpose of forming
a corporation under the laws of the State of Delaware, do make, file and record
this Certificate of Incorporation, do certify that the facts herein stated are
true, and, accordingly, have hereto set my hand this 31 day of March 1998.
/s/ Ronald P. Pedersen
Ronald P. Pedersen, Sole Incorporator
18
BEN FRANKLIN FINANCIAL, INC.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Annual Meeting.
An annual meeting of the stockholders, for the election of directors to
succeed those whose terms expire and for the transaction of such other business
as may properly come before the meeting, shall be held at such place, on such
date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall each year fix.
Section 2. Special Meetings.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of
preferred stock of the Corporation, special meetings of stockholders of the
Corporation may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a
resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of directors which the
Corporation would have if there were no vacancies on the Board of Directors
(hereinafter the "Whole Board").
Section 3. Notice of Meetings.
Written notice of the place, date, and time of all meetings of the
stockholders shall be given, not less than ten nor more than 60 days before the
date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at
such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law (meaning,
here and hereinafter, as required from time to time by the Delaware General
Corporation Law or the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation).
When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, written
notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the place, date and time
thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken;
provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than 30
days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place,
date and time of the adjourned meeting shall be given in conformity herewith. At
any adjourned meeting, any business may be transacted which might have been
transacted at the original meeting.
Section 4. Quorum.
At any meeting of the stockholders, the holders of at least one-third
of all of the shares of the stock entitled to vote at the meeting, present in
person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for all purposes, unless or except
to the extent that the presence of a larger number may be required by law. Where
a separate vote by a class or classes is required, a majority of the shares
1
<PAGE>
of such class or classes, present in person or represented by proxy, shall
constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that
matter.
If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, the chairman of the
meeting or the holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote who
are present, in person or by proxy, may adjourn the meeting to another place,
date or time.
If a notice of any adjourned special meeting of stockholders is sent to
all stockholders entitled to vote thereat, stating that it will be held with
those present constituting a quorum, then except as otherwise required by law,
those present at such adjourned meeting shall constitute a quorum, and all
matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes cast at such meeting.
Section 5. Organization.
Such person as the Board of Directors may have designated or, in the
absence of such a person, the President of the Corporation or, in his or her
absence, such person as may be chosen by the holders of a majority of the shares
entitled to vote who are present, in person or by proxy, shall call to order any
meeting of the stockholders and act as chairman of the meeting. In the absence
of the Secretary of the Corporation, the secretary of the meeting shall be such
person as the chairman appoints.
Section 6. Conduct of Business.
(a) The chairman of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the
order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such
regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of discussion as seem to
him or her in order.
(b) At any annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business
shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting (i) by or
at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of
the Corporation who is entitled to vote with respect thereto and who
complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 6(b). For
business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder,
the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the
Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be
delivered or mailed to and received at the principal executive offices of
the Corporation not less than 60 days prior to the anniversary of the
preceding year's annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that
the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 20 days, or delayed
by more than 60 days from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder
to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on
the later of the 60th day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth day
following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was
mailed or public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. A
stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter
such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief
description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting
and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii)
the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of the
stockholder who proposed such business, (iii) the class and number of
shares of the Corporation's capital stock that
2
<PAGE>
are beneficially owned by such stockholder and (iv) any material interest
of such stockholder in such business. Notwithstanding anything in these
By-laws to the contrary, no business shall be brought before or conducted
at an annual meeting except in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 6(b). The officer of the Corporation or other person presiding over
the annual meeting shall, if the facts so warrant, determine and declare to
the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(b) and, if he or she
should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such
business so determined to be not properly brought before the meeting shall
not be transacted.
At any special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall
be conducted as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the
direction of the Board of Directors.
(c) Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures
set forth in these By-laws shall be eligible for election as directors.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the
Corporation may be made at a meeting of stockholders at which directors are
to be elected only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or
(ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the
election of directors at the meeting who complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this Section 6(c). Such nominations, other than
those made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, shall be made
by timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be
timely, a stockholder's notice shall be delivered or mailed to and received
at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than 70 days
prior to the date of the meeting; provided, however, that in the event that
less than 80 days' notice or public announcement of the date of the meeting
is given or made to stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely
must be so received not later than the close of business on the tenth day
following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was
mailed. Such stockholder's notice shall set forth (x) as to each person
whom such stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a
director, all information relating to such person that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is
otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including such person's
written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to
serving as a director if elected); and (y) as to the stockholder giving the
notice: (A) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's
books, of such stockholder and (B) the class and number of shares of the
Corporation's capital stock that are beneficially owned by such
stockholder. At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated
by the Board of Directors for election as a director shall furnish to the
Secretary of the Corporation that information required to be set forth in a
stockholder's notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person
shall be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless
nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c). The
officer of the Corporation or other person presiding at the meeting shall,
if the facts so warrant, determine that a nomination was not made in
accordance with such provisions and, if he or she should so determine, he
or she shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall
be disregarded.
3
<PAGE>
Section 7. Proxies and Voting.
At any meeting of the stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote
may vote in person or by proxy authorized by an instrument in writing (or as
otherwise permitted under applicable law) by the stockholder or his duly
authorized attorney-in-fact filed in accordance with the procedure established
for the meeting. Proxies solicited on behalf of the management shall be voted as
directed by the stockholder or in the absence of such direction, as determined
by a majority of the Board of Directors. No proxy shall be valid after eleven
months from the date of its execution except for a proxy coupled with an
interest.
Each stockholder shall have one vote for every share of stock entitled
to vote which is registered in his or her name on the record date for the
meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or in the Certificate of
Incorporation of the Corporation or as required by law.
All voting, including on the election of directors but excepting where
otherwise required by law, may be by a voice vote; provided, however, that upon
demand therefore by a stockholder entitled to vote or his or her proxy, a stock
vote shall be taken. Every stock vote shall be taken by ballot, each of which
shall state the name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other
information as may be required under the procedure established for the meeting.
Every vote taken by ballot shall be counted by an inspector or inspectors
appointed by the chairman of the meeting.
All elections shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast, and
except as otherwise required by law or as provided in the Certificate of
Incorporation, all other matters shall be determined by a majority of the votes
cast.
Section 8. Stock List.
The officer who has charge of the stock transfer books of the
Corporation shall prepare and make, in the time and manner required by
applicable law, a list of stockholders entitled to vote and shall make such list
available for such purposes, at such places, at such times and to such persons
as required by applicable law. The stock transfer books shall be the only
evidence as to the identity of the stockholders entitled to examine the stock
transfer books or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
Section 9. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of
preferred stock of the Corporation, any action required or permitted to be taken
by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual
or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by
any consent in writing by such stockholders.
4
<PAGE>
Section 10. Inspectors of Election
The Board of Directors shall, in advance of any meeting of
stockholders, appoint one or more persons as inspectors of election, to act at
the meeting or any adjournment thereof and make a written report thereof, in
accordance with applicable law.
ARTICLE II
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. General Powers, Number and Term of Office.
The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or
under the direction of the Board of Directors. The number of directors shall be
as provided for in the Certificate of Incorporation. The Board of Directors
shall annually elect a Chairman of the Board and a President from among its
members and shall designate, when present, either the Chairman of the Board or
the President to preside at its meetings.
The directors, other than those who may be elected by the holders of
any class or series of preferred stock, shall be divided into three classes, as
nearly equal in number as reasonably possible, with the term of office of the
first class to expire at the conclusion of the first annual meeting of
stockholders, the term of office of the second class to expire at the conclusion
of the annual meeting of stockholders one year thereafter and the term of office
of the third class to expire at the conclusion of the annual meeting of
stockholders two years thereafter, with each director to hold office until his
or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. At each annual
meeting of stockholders, commencing with the first annual meeting, directors
elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a
term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders
after their election, with each director to hold office until his or her
successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 2. Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships.
Subject to the rights of the holders of any class or series of
preferred stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of
Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification,
removal from office or other cause may be filled only by a majority vote of the
directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and directors so chosen
shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders at
which the term of office of the class to which they have been elected expires,
and until such director's successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
No decrease in the number of authorized directors constituting the Board shall
shorten the term of any incumbent director.
5
<PAGE>
Section 3. Regular Meetings.
Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such place
or places, on such date or dates, and at such time or times as shall have been
established by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors. A
notice of each regular meeting shall not be required.
Section 4. Special Meetings.
Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by one-third
(1/3) of the directors then in office (rounded up to the nearest whole number)
or by the President and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such
time as they or he or she shall fix. Notice of the place, date, and time of each
such special meeting shall be given to each director by whom it is not waived by
mailing written notice not less than five days before the meeting or by
telegraphing or telexing or by facsimile transmission of the same not less than
24 hours before the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof,
any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.
Section 5. Quorum.
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the authorized
number of directors then constituting the Board shall constitute a quorum for
all purposes. If a quorum shall fail to attend any meeting, a majority of those
present may adjourn the meeting to another place, date, or time, without further
notice or waiver thereof.
Section 6. Participation in Meetings By Conference Telephone.
Members of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may
participate in a meeting of such Board or committee by means of conference
telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons
participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall
constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section 7. Conduct of Business.
At any meeting of the Board of Directors, business shall be transacted
in such order and manner as the Board may from time to time determine, and all
matters shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the directors present,
except as otherwise provided herein or required by law. Action may be taken by
the Board of Directors without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto
in writing, and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of
proceedings of the Board of Directors.
Section 8. Powers.
The Board of Directors may, except as otherwise required by law,
exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or
done by the Corporation, including, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the unqualified power:
6
<PAGE>
(i) To declare dividends from time to time in accordance with law;
(ii) To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, rights or
privileges on such terms as it shall determine;
(iii) To authorize the creation, making and issuance, in such form as
it may determine, of written obligations of every kind, negotiable or
non-negotiable, secured or unsecured, and to do all things necessary in
connection therewith;
(iv) To remove any officer of the Corporation with or without cause,
and from time to time to devolve the powers and duties of any officer upon
any other person for the time being;
(v) To confer upon any officer of the Corporation the power to
appoint, remove and suspend subordinate officers, employees and agents;
(vi) To adopt from time to time such stock, option, stock purchase,
bonus or other compensation plans for directors, officers, employees and
agents of the Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine;
(vii) To adopt from time to time such insurance, retirement, and other
benefit plans for directors, officers, employees and agents of the
Corporation and its subsidiaries as it may determine; and,
(viii) To adopt from time to time regulations, not inconsistent with
these By-laws, for the management of the Corporation's business and
affairs.
Section 9. Compensation of Directors.
Directors, as such, may receive, pursuant to resolution of the Board of
Directors, fixed fees and other compensation for their services as directors,
including, without limitation, their services as members of committees of the
Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Committees of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors, by a vote of a majority of the Board of
Directors, may from time to time designate committees of the Board, with such
lawfully delegable powers and duties as it thereby confers, to serve at the
pleasure of the Board and shall, for those committees and any others provided
for herein, elect a director or directors to serve as the member or members,
designating, if it desires, other directors as alternate members who may replace
any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Any committee
so designated may exercise
7
<PAGE>
the power and authority of the Board of Directors to declare a dividend, to
authorize the issuance of stock or to adopt a certificate of ownership and
merger pursuant to Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law if the
resolution which designated the committee or a supplemental resolution of the
Board of Directors shall so provide. In the absence or disqualification of any
member of any committee and any alternate member in his or her place, the member
or members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from
voting, whether or not he or she or they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous
vote appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in
the place of the absent or disqualified member.
Section 2. Conduct of Business.
Each committee may determine the procedural rules for meeting and
conducting its business and shall act in accordance therewith, except as
otherwise provided herein or required by law. Adequate provision shall be made
for notice to members of all meetings; one-third (1/3) of the members shall
constitute a quorum unless the committee shall consist of one or two members, in
which event one member shall constitute a quorum; and all matters shall be
determined by a majority vote of the members present. Action may be taken by any
committee without a meeting if all members thereof consent thereto in writing,
and the writing or writings are filed with the minutes of the proceedings of
such committee.
Section 3. Nominating Committee.
The Board of Directors may appoint a Nominating Committee of the Board,
consisting of not less than three members, one of which shall be the President
if, and only so long as, the President remains in office as a member of the
Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall have authority (i) to review
any nominations for election to the Board of Directors made by a stockholder of
the Corporation pursuant to Section 6(c)(ii) of Article I of these By-laws in
order to determine compliance with such By-law and (ii) to recommend to the
Whole Board nominees for election to the Board of Directors to replace those
directors whose terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders next ensuing.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
Section 1. Generally.
(a) The Board of Directors as soon as may be practicable after the
annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a President, a Secretary and a
Treasurer and from time to time may choose such other officers as it may
deem proper. The President shall be chosen from among the directors. Any
number of offices may be held by the same person.
8
<PAGE>
(b) The term of office of all officers shall be until the next annual
election of officers and until their respective successors are chosen, but
any officer may be removed from office at any time by the affirmative vote
of a majority of the authorized number of directors then constituting the
Board of Directors.
(c) All officers chosen by the Board of Directors shall each have such
powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject
to the specific provisions of this Article IV. Such officers shall also
have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the
Board of Directors or by any committee thereof.
Section 2. President.
The President shall be the chief executive officer and, subject to the
control of the Board of Directors, shall have general power over the management
and oversight of the administration and operation of the Corporation's business
and general supervisory power and authority over its policies and affairs. The
President shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors
and of any committee thereof are carried into effect.
Each meeting of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors shall be
presided over by such officer as has been designated by the Board of Directors
or, in his or her absence, by such officer or other person as is chosen at the
meeting. The Secretary or, in his or her absence, the General Counsel of the
Corporation or such officer as has been designated by the Board of Directors or,
in his or her absence, such officer or other person as is chosen by the person
presiding, shall act as secretary of each such meeting.
Section 3. Vice President.
The Vice President or Vice Presidents, if any, shall perform the duties
of the President in the President's absence or during his or her disability to
act. In addition, the Vice Presidents shall perform the duties and exercise the
powers usually incident to their respective offices and/or such other duties and
powers as may be properly assigned to them from time to time by the Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
Section 4. Secretary.
The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary shall issue notices of
meetings, shall keep their minutes, shall have charge of the seal and the
corporate books, shall perform such other duties and exercise such other powers
as are usually incident to such offices and/or such other duties and powers as
are properly assigned thereto by the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the
Board or the President.
9
<PAGE>
Section 5. Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall have charge of all monies and securities of the
Corporation, other than monies and securities of any division of the Corporation
which has a treasurer or financial officer appointed by the Board of Directors,
and shall keep regular books of account. The funds of the Corporation shall be
deposited in the name of the Corporation by the Treasurer with such banks or
trust companies or other entities as the Board of Directors from time to time
shall designate. The Treasurer shall sign or countersign such instruments as
require his or her signature, shall perform all such duties and have all such
powers as are usually incident to such office and/or such other duties and
powers as are properly assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the
Chairman of the Board or the President, and may be required to give bond,
payable by the Corporation, for the faithful performance of his duties in such
sum and with such surety as may be required by the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Assistant Secretaries and Other Officers.
The Board of Directors may appoint one or more assistant secretaries
and one or more assistants to the Treasurer, or one appointee to both such
positions, which officers shall have such powers and shall perform such duties
as are provided in these By-laws or as may be assigned to them by the Board of
Directors, the Chairman of the Board or the President.
Section 7. Action with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations
Unless otherwise directed by the Board of Directors, the President, or
any officer of the Corporation authorized by the President, shall have power to
vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, at
any meeting of stockholders of or with respect to any action of stockholders of
any other corporation in which this Corporation may hold securities and
otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which this Corporation may
possess by reason of its ownership of securities in such other Corporation.
ARTICLE V
STOCK
Section 1. Certificates of Stock.
Each stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate signed by, or in
the name of the Corporation by, the President or a Vice President, and by the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer,
certifying the number of shares owned by him or her. Any or all of the
signatures on the certificate may be by facsimile.
10
<PAGE>
Section 2. Transfers of Stock.
Transfers of stock shall be made only upon the transfer books of the
Corporation kept at an office of the Corporation or by transfer agents
designated to transfer shares of the stock of the Corporation. Except where a
certificate is issued in accordance with Section 4 of Article V of these
By-laws, an outstanding certificate for the number of shares involved shall be
surrendered for cancellation before a new certificate is issued therefore.
Section 3. Record Date.
In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled
to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or to receive payment of
any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or to exercise any
rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the
purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record
date, which record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution
fixing the record date is adopted and which record date shall not be more than
60 nor less than ten days before the date of any meeting of stockholders, nor
more than 60 days prior to the time for such other action as hereinbefore
described; provided, however, that if no record date is fixed by the Board of
Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or
to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the
day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at
the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is
held, and, for determining stockholders entitled to receive payment of any
dividend or other distribution or allotment of rights or to exercise any rights
of change, conversion or exchange of stock or for any other purpose, the record
date shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of
Directors adopts a resolution relating thereto.
A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to
vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.
Section 4. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates.
In the event of the loss, theft or destruction of any certificate of
stock, another may be issued in its place pursuant to such regulations as the
Board of Directors may establish concerning proof of such loss, theft or
destruction and concerning the giving of a satisfactory bond or bonds of
indemnity.
Section 5. Regulations.
The issue, transfer, conversion and registration of certificates of
stock shall be governed by such other regulations as the Board of Directors may
establish.
11
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VI
NOTICES
Section 1. Notices.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by law,
all notices required to be given to any stockholder, director, officer, employee
or agent shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by
hand delivery to the recipient thereof, by depositing such notice in the mail,
postage paid, by sending such notice by prepaid telegram or mailgram or by
sending such notice by facsimile machine or other electronic transmission. Any
such notice shall be addressed to such stockholder, director, officer, employee
or agent at his or her last known address as the same appears on the books of
the Corporation. The time when such notice is received, if hand delivered or
dispatched, if delivered through the mail, by telegram or mailgram or by
facsimile machine or other electronic transmission, shall be the time of the
giving of the notice.
Section 2. Waivers.
A written waiver of any notice, signed by a stockholder, director,
officer, employee or agent, whether before or after the time of the event for
which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to the notice required
to be given to such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent. Neither
the business nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. Facsimile Signatures.
In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere
specifically authorized in these By-laws, facsimile signatures of any officer or
officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board
of Directors or a committee thereof.
Section 2. Corporate Seal.
The Board of Directors may provide a suitable seal, containing the name
of the Corporation, which seal shall be in the charge of the Secretary. If and
when so directed by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, duplicates of
the seal may be kept and used by the Treasurer or by an Assistant Secretary or
Assistant Treasurer.
12
<PAGE>
Section 3. Reliance upon Books, Reports and Records.
Each director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of
Directors, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his
or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of
account or other records of the Corporation and upon such information, opinions,
reports or statements presented to the Corporation by any of its officers or
employees, or committees of the Board of Directors so designated, or by any
other person as to matters which such director or committee member reasonably
believes are within such other person's professional or expert competence and
who has been selected with reasonable care by or on behalf of the Corporation.
Section 4. Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of
Directors.
Section 5. Time Periods.
In applying any provision of these By-laws which requires that an act
be done or not be done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an
act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event,
calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded
and the day of the event shall be included.
ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS
The By-laws of the Corporation may be adopted, amended or repealed as
provided in Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation.
13
NUMBER ____
COMMON STOCK
CUSIP No. _____________
BEN FRANKLIN FINANCIAL, INC.
INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
This Certifies that
is the owner of
FULLY PAID AND NONASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE OF
BEN FRANKLIN FINANCIAL, INC. (the "Corporation"), a Delaware corporation. The
shares represented by this certificate are transferable only on the stock
transfer books of the Corporation by the holder of record hereof, or by his duly
authorized attorney or legal representative, upon the surrender of this
certificate properly endorsed. This certificate is not valid until countersigned
and registered by the Corporation's transfer agent and registrar. This security
is not a deposit or account and is not federally insured or guaranteed.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this certificate to be
executed by the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers and has
caused a facsimile of its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed.
DATED________________________
_____________________________ _____________________________
Bernadine Dziedzic, Corporate Secretary Ronald P. Pederson, President
and Chief Executive Officer
[Seal]
Countersigned and Registered
____________________________
Transfer Agent and Registrar
<PAGE>
BEN FRANKLIN FINANCIAL, INC.
The shares represented by this certificate are issued subject to all
the provisions of the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Corporation
as from time to time amended (copies of which are on file at the principal
executive offices of the Corporation).
The Corporation's certificate of incorporation provides that no
"person" (as defined in the certificate of incorporation) who "beneficially
owns" (as defined in the certificate of incorporation) in excess of 10% of the
outstanding shares of the Corporation shall be entitled to vote any shares held
in excess of such limit. This provision of the certificate of incorporation
shall not apply to an acquisition of securities of the Corporation by an
employee stock purchase plan or other employee benefit plan of the Corporation
or any of its subsidiaries.
The Corporation's certificate of incorporation also includes a
provision the general effect of which is to require the affirmative vote of the
holders of 80% of the outstanding voting shares of the Corporation to approve
certain "business combinations" (as defined in the certificate of incorporation)
between the Corporation and a stockholder owning in excess of 10% of the
outstanding shares of the Corporation. However, only the affirmative vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares or such vote as is otherwise required by law
(rather than the 80% voting requirement) is applicable to the particular
transaction if it is approved by a majority of the "disinterested directors" (as
defined in the certificate of incorporation) or, alternatively, the transaction
satisfies certain minimum price and procedural requirements. The Corporation's
certificate of incorporation also contains a provision which requires the
affirmative vote of holders of at least 80% of the outstanding voting shares of
the Corporation which are not beneficially owned by the "interested person" (as
defined in the certificate of incorporation) to approve the direct or indirect
purchase or other acquisition by the Corporation of any "equity security" (as
defined in the certificate of incorporation) from such interested person.
The Corporation will furnish to any stockholder upon request and
without charge a full statement of the powers, designations, preferences and
relative participating, optional or other special rights of each authorized
class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or
restrictions of such preferences and/or rights, to the extent that the same have
been fixed, and of the authority of the board of directors to designate the same
with respect to other series. Such request may be made to the Corporation or to
its transfer agent and registrar.
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
TEN COM - as tenants in common UNIF GIFT MIN ACT ______ Custodian ________
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entirety (Cust) (Minor)
JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of Under Uniform Gift to Minors Act - ____________
survivorship and not as tenants (State)
in common. UNIF TRANS MIN ACT ______ Custodian ________
(Cust) (Minor)
Under Uniform Transfers to Minors Act - _________
(State)
</TABLE>
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
For Value Received,_____________________ hereby sell, assign and transfer unto
PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE
______________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE)
____________________ Shares of Common Stock represented by the within
certificate, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ________________
Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within named
Association with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated _______________________ ________________________________________
NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE TO THIS ASSIGNMENT MUST
CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON
THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY
PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR
ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.
