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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 14D-9
(Rule 14d-101)
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement Under Section 14(d)(4)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Subject Company)
PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
(Name of Person(s) Filing Statement)
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Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of Class of Securities)
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74264 Q 10 8
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
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Mark A. Filler
President and Chief Executive Officer
Prism Financial Corporation
440 North Orleans
Chicago, Illinois 60610
Telephone: (312) 494-0020
(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive
notice and communication on behalf of the person(s) filing statement).
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With a copy to:
Rodd M. Schreiber
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 407-0700
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March 22, 2000
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
We are pleased to inform you that on March 10, 2000, Prism Financial
Corporation ("Prism") entered into a Merger Agreement (the "Merger Agreement")
with Royal Bank of Canada, a Canadian commercial bank ("Parent"), and Prism
Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc. (f/k/a Rainbow Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc.), a
Delaware corporation and a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Parent
("Purchaser"), pursuant to which Purchaser has today commenced a tender offer
(the "Offer") to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Prism common stock,
par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), together with the associated rights
to purchase preferred stock pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of
January 27, 2000, between Prism and LaSalle Bank National Association, as
Rights Agent, for $7.50 per Share in cash. Under the Merger Agreement and
subject to the terms thereof, following the Offer, Purchaser will be merged
with and into Prism (the "Merger") and all Shares not purchased in the Offer
(other than Shares held by Parent, Purchaser or Prism, or Shares held by
dissenting stockholders) will be converted into the right to receive $7.50 per
Share in cash.
Your Board of Directors has (i) determined that the Offer and the Merger
are fair to and in the best interests of Prism's stockholders and (ii)
approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the Offer and the Merger. The Prism Board of Directors recommends
that Prism's stockholders accept the Offer and tender their Shares pursuant to
the Offer.
In arriving at its recommendation, the Prism Board gave careful
consideration to a number of factors described in the attached Schedule 14D-9
which has been filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, among other things, the opinion, dated March 10, 2000, of Friedman,
Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc., Prism's financial advisor, to the effect that,
as of such date, the consideration to be received by holders of Shares
pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair to such stockholders from a
financial point of view.
In addition to the attached Schedule 14D-9 relating to the Offer, also
enclosed is the Offer to Purchase, dated March 22, 2000, of Purchaser,
together with related materials, including a Letter of Transmittal to be used
for tendering your Shares. These documents set forth the terms and conditions
of the Offer and the Merger and provide instructions as to how to tender your
Shares. We urge you to read the enclosed materials carefully.
Sincerely,
Richard L. Wellek
Chairman of the Board
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Item 1. Subject Company Information.
(a) The name of the subject company is Prism Financial Corporation, a
Delaware corporation ("Prism" or the "Company"). The address of the principal
executive offices of Prism is 440 North Orleans, Chicago, Illinois 60610. The
telephone number of the principal executive offices of Prism is (312) 494-
0020.
(b) The title of the class of equity securities to which this statement
relates is the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Prism (the "Common
Stock"), together with the associated rights to purchase preferred stock (the
"Rights" and, together with the Common Stock, "Shares") issued pursuant to the
Rights Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2000 (the "Rights Agreement"),
between Prism and LaSalle Bank National Association, as Rights Agent (the
"Rights Agent"). There were 14,780,250 Shares outstanding as of March 15,
2000.
Item 2. Identity and Background of Filing Person.
(a) Name and Address. The name, address and telephone number of Prism,
which is the person filing the Schedule 14D-9, are set forth in Item 1(a)
above.
(b) Tender Offer. This Statement relates to the tender offer by Prism
Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc. (f/k/a Rainbow Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc.), a
Delaware corporation ("Purchaser") and a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of
Royal Bank of Canada, a Canadian corporation ("Parent" or "Royal Bank"),
disclosed in a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO (the "Schedule TO"),
dated March 22, 2000, to purchase all issued and outstanding Shares at a
purchase price of $7.50 per Share, net to the seller in cash, without interest
(the "Offer Price"), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
the Offer to Purchase dated March 22, 2000 (the "Offer to Purchase") and the
related Letter of Transmittal (which, as may be amended and supplemented from
time to time, together constitute the "Offer").
The Offer is being made pursuant to a Merger Agreement, dated March 10,
2000 (as such agreement may be amended and supplemented from time to time, the
"Merger Agreement"), by and among Prism, Parent and Purchaser. The Merger
Agreement provides, among other things, that as soon as practicable after the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, in
accordance with the relevant provisions of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware (the "DGCL"), Purchaser will be merged with and into Prism
(the "Merger" and, together with the Offer, the "Transaction"). Following
consummation of the Merger, Prism will continue as the surviving corporation
(the "Surviving Entity") and will be a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of
Parent. Capitalized terms used in this Schedule 14D-9 and not defined in this
Schedule 14D-9 have the meanings given such terms in the Merger Agreement. A
copy of the Merger Agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit 1 hereto and is
incorporated by reference herein.
As a condition and inducement to Parent and Purchaser entering into the
Merger Agreement, concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger
Agreement, Purchaser entered into a Stockholders' Agreement, dated March 10,
2000 (the "Stockholders' Agreement"), with certain stockholders of Prism who
beneficially own 9,043,566 issued and outstanding Shares in the aggregate
(excluding Shares underlying stock options exercisable within 60 days of the
date hereof). Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, each of these
stockholders has agreed, among other things, (i) to tender validly pursuant to
the Offer all Shares owned by such stockholder (such shares of all such
stockholders, representing approximately 62% of the issued and outstanding
Shares, collectively, the "Option Shares") and (ii) has granted Purchaser an
option, exercisable in certain circumstances, to acquire such stockholder's
Option Shares. See "Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements--
Stockholders' Agreement."
Purchaser's principal executive offices as set forth in Purchaser's
Schedule TO are located at 200 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5J 2J5.
The telephone number at the principal executive offices of Purchaser is (416)
974-5151.
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Item 3. Past Contacts, Transactions, Negotiations and Agreements.
Except as set forth in the response to this Item 3 or in Schedule I
attached hereto or as incorporated by reference herein, to the knowledge of
Prism, there are no material agreements, arrangements or understandings and no
actual or potential conflicts of interest between Prism or its affiliates and
(1) Prism's executive officers, directors or affiliates, or (2) Parent or
Purchaser, or their respective executive officers, directors or affiliates.
Certain contracts, arrangements or understandings between the Company or
its affiliates and certain of the Company's directors, executive officers and
affiliates are described in the Information Statement of the Company attached
to this statement as Schedule I (the "Information Statement"). The Information
Statement is being furnished to the Company's stockholders pursuant to Section
14(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
and Rule 14f-1 issued under the Exchange Act in connection with Parent's right
(after acquiring a majority of the Shares pursuant to the Offer) to designate
persons to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Prism Board") other
than at a meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The Information
Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Arrangements and Agreements with Executive Officers, Directors and Affiliates
of Prism
Employment Agreements
In connection with the Merger Agreement, on March 10, 2000, the Company and
Parent entered into employment agreements (the "Employment Agreements") with
each of Messrs. Mark A. Filler, David A. Fisher and Eric A. Gurry (each an
"Executive"). The Employment Agreements are filed as Exhibits 10, 11 and 12,
respectively to this Schedule 14D-9 and each is incorporated herein by
reference.
Each Employment Agreement provides that the Company will continue to employ
the Executive, and the Executive will continue in the employ of the Company,
subject to the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreement, for the
period commencing Effective Time (as defined below) and ending on December 31,
2003 (the "Employment Period"). Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, each of
Messrs. Filler, Fisher and Gurry is entitled to receive (i) an annual base
salary equal to $250,000, $150,000 and $150,000, respectively, (ii) unless his
employment with the Company has been terminated for Cause (as defined in the
Employment Agreements) or due to voluntary termination by the Executive (other
than due to Constructive Termination (as defined below), death or disability)
prior to the respective dates of payment, a discretionary annual bonus paid
from a management bonus pool, as described below, and (iv) benefits comparable
to employees in positions of comparable rank with Parent and its wholly owned
subsidiaries. In addition, each of Messrs. Filler, Fisher and Gurry will be
eligible for grants of stock options to purchase common stock of Parent under
Parent's 1999 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). Stock option grants under the
Plan will be subject to approval of the Board of Directors of Parent and all
stock options will be subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan,
including applicable provisions regarding vesting, and expiration of options
upon termination of employment.
In addition to the foregoing, Mr. Filler will be entitled to receive, for
each fiscal year of the Company commencing after December 31, 2000, a profit
sharing bonus equal to 2.5% of the pre-tax net income of the Company.
Certain executive officers of the Company, including Messrs. Filler, Fisher
and Gurry, will be eligible to participate in an annual bonus pool.
Distribution of 50% of the bonus pool will be at the discretion of Mr. Filler,
and the remainder will be distributed at the discretion of the Prism Board.
For the period ended December 31, 2000, a bonus pool of no less than $105,000
will be established, and for the period ended on the first anniversary of the
Effective Time, a bonus pool of no less than $1,825,000 will be established.
Messrs. Filler, Fisher and Gurry will be eligible to receive bonuses from such
pools. Distribution of bonuses from the bonus pools will be subject only to
the condition that the recipient's employment with the Company not have been
terminated for Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreements) or due to
voluntary termination by the Executive (other than due to Constructive
Termination (as defined below), death or disability) prior to the respective
dates of payment.
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The Executive's employment with the Company may be terminated, among other
things, (i) by the Company for Cause or without Cause; (ii) by the Company if
the Company determines in good faith that the Executive has become disabled;
or (iii) by the Executive if, without the Executive's express written consent,
(A) duties or responsibilities materially inconsistent with the Executive's
position and duties as contemplated by the Executive's Employment Agreement,
are assigned to the Executive or the Company takes any other action resulting
in a material diminution in the Executive's position and duties, (B) the
Executive's annual base salary or the annual bonus pool amount is reduced; (C)
the Executive is relocated to a location more than ten miles from the location
where the Executive performed duties immediately prior to the Effective Time,
except for required travel on the Company's business; or (D) if the Company or
Parent breaches the Employment Agreement (each, a "Constructive Termination").
The Employment Agreements also provide that during the term thereof and for
a period of six months after the date the Executive's employment with the
Company terminates for any reason, the Executive may not (i) own, manage,
operate, join, control, be employed by or perform services for or be connected
in any manner with certain competing businesses of the Company described in
the Employment Agreements, without the prior written consent of the Company;
(ii) solicit clients to transact business with competing businesses or reduce
or refrain from doing business with the Company, (iii) interfere with or
damage any relationship between the Company and its clients; and (iv) hire or
solicit any person who is an employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries to resign from the Company or any of its subsidiaries or to apply
for or accept employment with any competing business of the Company.
Each Executive has further agreed (i) not to divulge, reveal or communicate
any confidential information to any person, firm, corporation or entity
whatsoever, or use any confidential information for his own benefit or for the
benefit of others during the term of the Employment Agreement and thereafter;
and (ii) to assign to the Company all of Executive's right, title and interest
in and to, intellectual property made, invented, conceived, reduced to
practice, developed or created (A) during the term of the Employment
Agreement, or (B) using the equipment, supplies, facilities and/or
confidential or proprietary information of the Company.
Treatment of Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards
Reference is made to the Company's 1999 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the
"1999 Stock Plan") and the Company's 2000 Stock Option Plan (the "2000 Stock
Plan"), which are filed as Exhibits 16 and 17 to this Schedule 14D-9 and are
incorporated herein by reference. Under the 1999 Stock Plan, nonqualified and
incentive stock options and restricted stock have been granted to selected
employees, officers, directors, consultants and advisors of the Company.
Additional nonqualified stock options have been granted to selected employees
and officers of the Company under the 2000 Stock Plan.
On January 21, 2000, Messrs. Fisher, Gurry, Laurence E. Katz, Kevin N.
Christopher, Edward C. Ahern, James P. Hayes and Martin E. Francis were
awarded nonqualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 670,000 Shares
under the 1999 Stock Plan or the 2000 Stock Plan, at an exercise price of
$3.375 and with a ten year term.
On January 21, 2000, Messrs. Wellek and Filler were awarded nonqualified
stock options to purchase 20,000 and 100,000 Shares, respectively, under the
2000 Stock Plan, at an exercise price of $3.375 and with a ten year term. The
options awarded to Messrs. Wellek and Filler will become 100% vested and
exercisable upon the occurrence of a change in control, which will occur at
the consummation of the Offer. The stock option agreements of Messrs. Wellek
and Filler are filed as Exhibits 14 and 13, respectively, to this Schedule
14D-9 and are incorporated by reference herein.
The options awarded to Mr. Fisher will become fully vested and exercisable
as to 33.33% of such Shares on April 30, 2000, 33.33% of such Shares on June
30, 2000, and the remaining 33.34% of such Shares on January 20, 2001;
provided that Mr. Fisher is employed with the Company on a full time basis as
of such dates. If, however, Mr. Fisher's employment is terminated by the
Company or any successor without Cause or by Mr. Fisher with Good Reason (in
each case, as defined in his Option Agreement), his options will become fully
vested and exercisable.
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The options awarded to Mr. Gurry will become fully vested and exercisable
as to 60% of the Shares on April 30, 2000 and as to the remaining 40% of the
Shares on June 30, 2000 and Mr. Katz will become fully vested on April 30,
2000; provided that if the optionee's employment or service is terminated by
the Company or any successor without Cause (as defined in his option
agreement), or is terminated with Good Reason (as defined in their option
agreements), then the options become immediately fully vested and exercisable.
The options awarded to Messrs. Christopher, Ahern and Hayes will vest as to
one third of the Shares on each of the first three anniversaries of the date
of grant; provided, however, that in the event of a change in control, if the
optionee is employed on a full-time basis sixty days thereafter, one third of
the Shares subject to his option will vest and become exercisable, and if he
is so employed nine months thereafter, the remaining two thirds of the Shares
subject to his option will vest and become exercisable, and provided, further,
that if the optionee's employment is terminated by the Company after a change
in control without Cause (as defined in the option agreements) or, with
respect to Messrs. Ahern and Hayes, there is any reduction in their current
compensation or they are required to relocate outside a 10 mile radius, then
the option will become fully vested and exercisable as of the date of
termination. The Offer and Merger would constitute a change in control for
purposes of these option agreements.
The option awarded to Mr. Francis will vest as to one third of the Shares
on each of the first three anniversaries of the date of grant. Upon
termination of Mr. Francis' employment, all unvested options terminate.
On May 24, 1999, Messrs. Fisher, Gurry, Katz, Christopher, Ahern, Hayes and
Francis were awarded incentive stock options to purchase an aggregate of
253,000 Shares at an exercise price of $14.00 per Share with various vesting
and change in control acceleration provisions. In addition, in connection with
their joining the Prism Board at the time of the Company's initial public
offering, the non-employee members of the Prism Board were each awarded
nonqualified stock options to purchase 5,000 Shares, at an exercise price of
$14.00 per Share, that vest as to 20% of such Shares on each of the first five
anniversaries of the date of grant.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the consummation of the Merger, each
outstanding option with an exercise price greater than the per Share cash
merger consideration (the "Cash Merger Consideration") will be cancelled.
Consequently, all of the options granted in May 1999 will be cancelled.
Further pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the consummation of the
Merger, all other outstanding options will be cancelled. Of these options,
vested options will become the right to receive a cash amount equal to the
excess, if any, of the Cash Merger Consideration over the exercise price per
Share, less the amount of any tax required to be withheld under applicable
federal, state or local laws and regulations, multiplied by the number of
vested Shares subject to the option. Unvested options will become the right to
be paid a cash amount, without interest, paid at the time the option would
otherwise have vested (provided the optionee is employed by the Company at
such time and has not breached any obligations under his employment agreement,
if applicable) equal to the excess, if any, of the Cash Merger Consideration
over the per Share exercise price for the Shares that would otherwise have
vested at that time.
On February 17, 2000, the Prism Board awarded Mr. Wellek 3,147 Shares of
restricted stock. The Shares become 100% nonforfeitable when Mr. Wellek ceases
to serve as a member of the Board. A copy of Mr. Wellek's restricted stock
agreement is filed as Exhibit 15 to this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Other Transactions and Arrangements
The Company has been advised that Messrs. Fisher, Gurry, Katz, Ahern,
Christopher and Hayes will enter into agreements with the estate of Bruce C.
Abrams pursuant to which such executive officers would be entitled to receive
certain payments from the estate after a sale or transfer by the estate of
some or all of its Shares. These agreements, if executed, would provide that
such executives receive a specified percentage of the proceeds realized by the
estate from the consummation of the Offer and the Merger.
Pursuant to Mr. Filler's stock option agreement dated as of January 21,
2000, upon a Change of Control, a cash payment would be paid to Mr. Filler as
determined and approved by the Prism Board. Mr. Filler has agreed that he will
not be entitled to any payment pursuant to this provision.
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Pursuant to Mr. Fisher's stock option agreement dated as of January 21,
2000, upon a change in control, which would occur upon the consummation of the
Offer, Mr. Fisher will receive a bonus in the amount of $50,000.
Indemnification
Pursuant to Section 5.13 of the Merger Agreement ("Section 5.13"), subject
to the occurrence of the Effective Time (as defined below), the Surviving
Entity shall cause its certificate of incorporation and bylaws to contain the
indemnification provisions set forth in Prism's certificate of incorporation
and bylaws on the date of the Merger Agreement. Section 5.13 provides that
such indemnification provisions shall not be thereafter amended, repealed or
otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of
individuals who at any time prior to the Effective Time were directors,
officers or employees of the Company in respect of actions or omissions
occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement). Parent must also cause the Surviving
Entity to comply with the terms of and maintain in existence the
indemnification agreements for the members of the Prism Board in effect on the
date of the Merger Agreement. In addition, Section 5.13 provides that for at
least five years after the Effective Time, the Surviving Entity must maintain
the current policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance and
fiduciary liability insurance, or provide substantially the same coverage,
with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time (including the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement). In the event of a merger
or sale of assets by the Surviving Entity, the successor or assignee of the
Surviving Entity shall assume the obligations set forth in Section 5.13.
Parent has guaranteed the Surviving Entity's obligations under the Merger
Agreement, including Section 5.13.
The foregoing description of the indemnification provided to the directors
and officers of Prism pursuant to the Merger Agreement is qualified in its
entirety by reference to the complete text of Section 5.13 of the Merger
Agreement. A copy of the Merger Agreement is filed as Exhibit 1 to this
Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Article Sixth of Prism's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
provides that, to the extent permitted under Delaware corporate law as the
same exists or may be amended, no Prism director shall be personally liable to
Prism or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as
a director. A copy of such Article Sixth has been filed as Exhibit 7 to this
Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Article Seventh of Prism's Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation provides that Prism is required to indemnify its directors and
officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law, subject to very
limited exceptions, and such right to indemnification shall continue as to a
person who has ceased to be a director or officer of Prism and shall inure to
the benefit of his or her heirs, executors or personal or legal
representatives. A copy of such Article Seventh has been filed as Exhibit 8 to
this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Article VIII of Prism's Second Amended and Restated By-Laws ("Article
VIII") provides for mandatory indemnification of any person who is, was or is
threatened to be made a party to a proceeding (including a proceeding by or in
the right of Prism) by reason of the fact that such person
. is or was a director or officer of Prism or
. is or was a director or officer of Prism serving at Prisms request as a
director or officer, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise,
against expenses, judgements, fines and amounts paid in settlement in
connection with actions, suits or proceedings, if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of Prism and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, if such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or her
conduct was unlawful. In the case of a proceeding by or in the right of Prism
in which such person is found liable, no indemnification shall be made unless
a court determines that indemnification would be proper under the
circumstances.
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Article VIII further provides for the advancement of expenses and provides
that the indemnification and advancement of expenses shall, unless otherwise
provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased
to be an officer or director and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs,
executors and administrators of such person. A copy of Article VIII is filed
as Exhibit 9 to this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Confidentiality Agreement
The following summary of the Mutual Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of
January 31, 2000, between Prism and Parent (the "Confidentiality Agreement")
is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Confidentiality Agreement, a
copy of which is filed as Exhibit 3 to this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated
by reference herein. The Confidentiality Agreement should be read in its
entirety for a more complete description of the matters summarized below.
The Confidentiality Agreement contains customary provisions pursuant to
which, among other matters, each party agrees to keep confidential all
nonpublic, confidential or proprietary information furnished by the other
party, subject to customary exceptions (the "Confidential Information") and to
use the Confidential Information solely for the purpose of evaluating a
possible transaction involving Prism and Parent. The term of the
Confidentiality Agreement is two years.
Merger Agreement
The following summary of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 1 to
this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated by reference herein. The Merger
Agreement should be read in its entirety for a more complete description of
the matters summarized below. The Merger Agreement should be read in its
entirety for a more complete description of the matters summarized below.
Capitalized terms used in this summary of the Merger Agreement and not
otherwise defined in this Schedule 14D-9 shall have the meanings set forth in
the Merger Agreement.
The Offer. The Merger Agreement provides for the making of the Offer. The
Merger Agreement provides that Purchaser will commence the Offer and that,
upon the terms and subject to prior satisfaction or waiver of the Minimum
Condition and the satisfaction or waiver of the other conditions of the Offer,
Purchaser will purchase all Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant
to the Offer. The Merger Agreement provides that, unless previously approved
by the Company in writing, Purchaser will not make any change in the terms and
conditions of the Offer that (i) decreases the Per Share Amount, (ii) reduces
the number of Shares to be purchased in the Offer, (iii) changes the form of
consideration to be paid in the Offer, (iv) imposes additional conditions on
the Offer, or (v) amends or changes any term or condition of the Offer in a
manner adverse to the holders of Shares.
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Without the consent of the Prism Board, Parent may cause Purchaser to (i)
from time to time extend the Offer, if at the Initial Expiration Date of the
Offer any of the conditions to the Offer have not been satisfied or waived
(other than the Minimum Condition, to which this exception does not apply),
until such time as such conditions are satisfied or waived, (ii) extend the
Offer for any period required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or
position of the SEC applicable to the Offer, or (iii) if all of the conditions
to the Offer are satisfied or waived but the number of Shares validly tendered
and not withdrawn is less than ninety percent (90%) of the then outstanding
number of Shares on a fully diluted basis, Purchaser may include a subsequent
offering period that would extend the Offer for an aggregate period not to
exceed 20 business days (for all such extensions). In the event that Purchaser
includes a subsequent offering period, Purchaser must accept and promptly pay
for all securities tendered prior to the date of such extension and must
otherwise meet the requirements of Rule 14d-11 under the Exchange Act in
connection with each such extension. In addition, Parent and Purchaser have
also agreed pursuant to the Merger Agreement that Purchaser shall from time to
time extend the Offer upon the request of the Company, if at the Initial
Expiration Date (or any extended expiration date of the Offer, if applicable),
any of the conditions to the Offer other than (or in addition to) the Minimum
Condition have been waived or satisfied, until (taking into account all such
extensions) September 30, 2000.
Conditions to the Offer. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Offer,
Purchaser will not be required to accept for payment or, subject to any
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC including Rule 14e-l(c) under the
Exchange Act (relating to Purchaser's obligation to pay for or return tendered
Shares promptly after termination or withdrawal of the Offer), pay for, and
may delay the acceptance for payment of or, subject to the restrictions set
forth in the Merger Agreement, the payment for, any tendered Shares, if (w)
any waiting periods applicable to the Offer under the Hart-Scott-Rodino
Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act") have not been
terminated or have not expired, or any approvals or notices under the Bank
Act, as amended, the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, and
required approvals from governmental entities responsible for regulating, in
the aggregate, 90% of the Company's and its subsidiaries' average mortgage
origination volume for the period 1998 and 1999 have not been obtained, and,
in the case of any approval, is not in full force and effect and all
conditions applicable thereto have not been satisfied; (x) any of the consents
or approvals of any person other than a governmental entity, in connection
with the execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement, have not
been obtained or made, except where the failure to have obtained or made any
such consent or approval would not have a Material Adverse Effect; (y) the
Minimum Condition shall not have been satisfied; or (z) at any time on or
after the date of the Merger Agreement and before the time of acceptance of
tendered Shares pursuant to the Offer, any of the following events shall
occur:
(i) from the date of the Merger Agreement until the Tender Offer
Purchase Time, any governmental entity or court shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive
order, decree, injunction or other order that remains in effect at the
Tender Offer Purchase Time (as defined below) and which (A) makes the
acceptance for payment of, or the payment for, some or all of the Shares
illegal or otherwise prohibits consummation of the Offer, the Merger or any
of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (B)
prohibits Purchaser from operating or deriving benefits from the majority
of the value of the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as
a whole to operate the Company; provided, however, that the parties must
use reasonable efforts to cause any such decree, judgment or other order to
be vacated or lifted prior to September 30, 2000;
(ii) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the
Merger Agreement shall not be true and correct on the date of the Merger
Agreement or the Company shall have breached or failed in any respect to
perform or comply with any material obligation, agreement or covenant
required by the Merger Agreement to be performed or complied with at or
prior to such time except where the failure of representations and
warranties to be true and correct, or the performance of or compliance with
such obligations, agreements or covenants, would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iii) the Merger Agreement shall have been terminated in accordance with
its terms;
(iv) there shall have occurred an acceptance by the Company of a
Superior Proposal;
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(v) the Prism Board shall have withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse
to Parent its approval or recommendation of the Offer, recommended to the
Company's stockholders a Third Party Acquisition or adopted any resolution
to effect any of the foregoing; or
(vi) from the date of the Merger Agreement until the Tender Offer
Purchase Time, there has occurred the commencement of a war having a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
The conditions set forth above (other than the Minimum Condition) are for
the sole benefit of Purchaser and may be asserted by Purchaser regardless of
any circumstances giving rise to any condition and may be waived (other than
the Minimum Condition) by Purchaser, in whole or in part, at any time and from
time to time, in the sole discretion of Purchaser. The failure by Parent or
Purchaser (or any affiliate of Purchaser) at any time to exercise any of the
foregoing rights will not be deemed a waiver of any right and each right will
be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and from time to
time.
Directors. The Merger Agreement provides that promptly after the Tender
Offer Purchase Time, and from time to time thereafter, Purchaser shall be
entitled to designate that number (but no more than that number) of directors
of the Company constituting a majority of the Prism Board, and the Company
shall use its best efforts to, upon request by Purchaser, promptly, at the
Company's election, either increase the size of the Prism Board (subject to
the provisions of Article Fifth of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation)
or secure the resignation of such number of directors as is necessary to
enable Purchaser's designees to be elected to the Prism Board and to cause
Purchaser's designees to be so elected and to constitute at all times after
the Tender Offer Purchase Time a majority of the Prism Board. At such times,
the Company will use its best efforts to cause persons designated by Purchaser
to constitute the same percentage as is on the Prism Board of (i) each
committee of the Prism Board (other than any committee of the Prism Board
established to take action under the Merger Agreement), (ii) each board of
directors of each subsidiary of the Company and (iii) each committee of each
such board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the Effective Time, (x) the
Company shall retain at least three directors who are directors of the Company
on the date of the Merger Agreement (the "Continuing Directors") and (y)
Parent and Purchaser shall not, and shall cause their affiliates not to, (A)
initiate, propose, vote for or solicit others to vote for, any change in the
number of directors of Prism Mortgage Company as of the date of the Merger
Agreement or (B) take any action that would be reasonably likely to result in
any change described in the foregoing clause (A). The Company's obligation to
appoint designees to the Prism Board is subject to Section 14(f) of the
Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated thereunder. From and after the time
that Parent's designees constitute a majority of the Prism Board until the
Effective Time, any amendment, modification or waiver of any term or condition
of the Merger Agreement, any amendment or modification to the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company, any termination of the Merger
Agreement by the Company, any extension of time of performance of any of the
obligations of Parent or Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, any waiver of
any condition or any of the Company's rights under the Merger Agreement or
other action by the Company in connection with the rights of the Company under
the Merger Agreement may be effected only with the concurrence of a majority
of the Continuing Directors.
The Merger. The Merger Agreement provides that Purchaser will be merged
with and into the Company as soon as practicable following the satisfaction or
waiver of each of the conditions to the Merger set forth in the Merger
Agreement. Following the Merger, the Company will continue as the surviving
corporation (the
"Surviving Corporation") and a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Parent,
and the separate corporate existence of Purchaser will cease.
Conditions to Consummation of the Merger. The respective obligations of
each of Parent, Purchaser and the Company to effect the Merger are subject to
the satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing Time (as defined below)
of the following conditions: (i) that the Merger Agreement, the Merger, and
the other transactions contemplated thereby shall have been approved by all
necessary corporate action of the Company, including if necessary, by vote of
the stockholders of the Company, provided that in voting, Parent and Purchaser
shall have complied with their obligations under the Merger Agreement to vote
and cause their affiliates to vote, all Shares owned by them, in favor of the
Merger Agreement, the Merger, and the other transactions contemplated thereby;
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(ii) that no governmental entity or court shall have enacted, issued,
promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive
order, decree, injunction or other order that makes payment of the Cash Merger
Consideration illegal or otherwise prohibits the Merger; (iii) Purchaser shall
have purchased Shares pursuant to the Offer in accordance with the terms of
the Merger Agreement and the Offer, provided that neither Parent nor Purchaser
may invoke this condition if Purchaser shall have failed to purchase, in
violation of the terms of the Merger Agreement or the Offer, Shares validly
tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer.
Stockholders' Meeting. The Company has agreed pursuant to the Merger
Agreement that, if required for the Merger under the Delaware General
Corporation Law ("DGCL"), the Company, acting through the Prism Board, will
(i) duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders,
to be held as soon as practicable after the Tender Offer Purchase Time, for
the purpose of considering and taking action upon the Merger Agreement, using
a record date, to the extent possible, that is a day on which the Shares are
listed on the Nasdaq National Market; (ii) except as otherwise permitted by
the Merger Agreement, include in the proxy statement relating to any meeting
to be held in connection the Merger (the "Proxy Statement") (A) the
recommendation of the Prism Board that stockholders of the Company vote in
favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated thereby, and (B) a statement that the Prism
Board believes that the consideration to be received by the stockholders of
the Company pursuant to the Merger is fair to the stockholders; and (iii)
except as otherwise permitted by the Merger Agreement, use reasonable efforts
(A) to obtain and furnish the information required to be included by it in the
Proxy Statement, if any, and, after consultation with Parent and Purchaser,
cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to its stockholders at the earliest
practicable time following the Tender Offer Purchase Time, and (B) to obtain
the necessary approvals by its stockholders of the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby. At such meeting, Parent and Purchaser will,
and will cause their affiliates to, vote all Shares owned by them in favor of
approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated thereby.
The Merger Agreement further provides that, notwithstanding the foregoing,
if Parent, Purchaser and any other subsidiary of Parent collectively acquire
at least 90% of the issued and outstanding Shares, the parties to the Merger
Agreement will take all steps necessary and appropriate to cause the Merger to
become effective as soon as practicable after the purchase of the Shares
pursuant to the Offer without a meeting of the stockholders of the Company in
accordance with Section 253 of the DGCL.
Conversion of Shares. At the Effective Time, each Share issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding (i) Shares held
by any of the Company's subsidiaries; (ii) Shares held by Parent, Purchaser or
any other subsidiary of Parent or (iii) any Shares held by Stockholders who
properly perfect their dissenters' rights under the DGCL) will, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action on the part of Purchaser, the Company or the
holder thereof, be converted into and become the right to receive Cash Merger
Consideration. At the Effective Time, each Share held by Parent, Purchaser or
any subsidiary of Parent, Purchaser or the Company immediately prior to the
Effective Time will, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of Purchaser, the Company or the holder thereof, be canceled and retired
and will cease to exist and no payment shall be made with respect thereto. At
the Effective Time, each share of common stock of Purchaser issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into and
become one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock
of the Surviving Corporation.
Company Stock Options. At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to
purchase Shares (a "Company Stock Option" or collectively "Company Stock
Options") issued pursuant to the 1999 Stock Plan, whether vested or unvested,
the exercise price of which is greater than the Cash Merger Consideration,
will be canceled and extinguished without consideration and the 1999 Stock
Plan will terminate as of the Effective Date.
At the Effective Time, each outstanding Company Stock Option issued
pursuant to the 1999 Stock Plan or the 2000 Stock Plan that is vested as of
the Effective Time, the exercise price of which is less than the Cash Merger
Consideration, will be canceled and extinguished and will become the right to
receive an amount, without interest, in cash equal to the excess, if any, of
the Cash Merger Consideration over the exercise price per Share of such
Company Stock Option, less the amount of taxes required to be withheld under
applicable federal, state or local laws and regulations, multiplied by the
number of Shares subject to such Company Stock Option.
At the Effective Time, each outstanding Company Stock Option issued
pursuant to the 1999 Stock Plan, the 2000 Stock Plan or any other stock option
arrangement to which the Company is a party that is not vested as of the
Effective Time, the exercise price of which is less than the Cash Merger
Consideration, will be canceled and extinguished in consideration for certain
compensatory payments to be paid to the holder of such Company Stock
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Option at the time the Company Stock Option would otherwise have vested
(provided that the holder is employed with the Company at such time and has
not breached any of its obligations under any applicable employment agreement
with the Company or any subsidiary) equal to an amount in cash, without
interest, equal to the excess, if any, of the Cash Merger Consideration over
the exercise price per Share of such Company Stock Option that would otherwise
have vested at such time.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed, if and to the
extent required by the terms of the 1999 Stock Plan, the 2000 Stock Plan or
any other stock option arrangement to which the Company is a party, program or
arrangement to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or the
terms of any Company Stock Option granted thereunder, to cooperate with Parent
and Purchaser in obtaining the consent of each holder of outstanding Company
Stock Options to the foregoing treatment of such Company Stock Options and to
take any other action necessary to effectuate the foregoing provisions.
Representations and Warranties. The Merger Agreement contains certain
customary representations and warranties of the parties. These include
representations and warranties of the Company with respect to, among other
matters, its organization, capitalization, authority, SEC filings, financial
statements, accounting procedures, licenses and permits, employee benefit
plans, employment and labor matters, and the absence of certain changes or
effects that would have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. When used in
the Merger Agreement in connection with the Company or its subsidiaries, the
term "Material Adverse Effect" means any change or effect (i) that is
materially adverse to the business, properties, financial condition, or
results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as whole, or
(ii) that would materially impair the ability of the Company to perform its
obligations under the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of
the following shall be deemed, either alone or in combination, to constitute a
Material Adverse Effect: (i) changes or effects resulting from general changes
in economic, market, regulatory or political conditions or changes in
conditions or business practices generally applicable to the industries in
which the Company and its subsidiaries operate, including, but not limited to,
changes and effects resulting from a change in interest rates or an industry-
wide decrease in mortgage volume; (ii) changes in the market price or trading
volume of the Shares on the Nasdaq National Market; or (iii) changes or
effects resulting from the announcement or approval of the Offer and the
Merger Agreement or relating to the identity of or facts pertaining to Parent
or Purchaser. Parent and Purchaser also have made certain representations and
warranties with respect to corporate existence and power, corporate
authorization relative to the Merger Agreement, documents relating to the
Offer, the availability of funds to finance the Offer and other matters.
Conduct of Company Business Pending the Merger. The Company has agreed
that, prior to the Tender Offer Purchase Time, unless Parent shall otherwise
agree in writing or as otherwise contemplated in the Merger Agreement, each of
the Company and its subsidiaries will (i) conduct their businesses and
operations only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice; (ii) use reasonable efforts to preserve intact their business,
organization, goodwill, rights, licenses, permits and franchises of the
Company and its Subsidiaries and maintain their existing relationships with
customers, suppliers and other persons having business dealings with them;
(iii) use reasonable efforts to keep in full force and effect adequate
insurance coverage and maintain and keep material assets in good repair,
working order and condition; (iv) not amend or modify its organizational
documents; (v) except for certain stock purchase rights and except for up to
20,000 options that may be issued under the 2000 Stock Plan, not authorize for
issuance, issue, sell, grant, deliver, pledge or encumber any shares of any
class or series of capital stock of the Company or any subsidiaries or any
other equity or voting security or equity or voting interest in the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for any such shares, securities or interests, or any options,
warrants, calls, commitments, subscriptions or rights to purchase or acquire
any such shares, securities or interests (other than issuances of Shares upon
exercise of stock options granted prior to the date of the Merger Agreement);
(vi) not (a) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its stock or issue or
authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in
lieu of, or in substitution for its shares of stock, (b) in the case of the
Company, declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make other
distributions in respect of any of the Company's stock, or (c) repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire, or agree or commit to repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire, any shares of stock or other equity or debt securities or
equity interests of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
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(vii) except as otherwise contemplated by the Merger Agreement, not amend or
otherwise modify the terms of Company Stock Options or Company stock option
plans; (viii) other than normal salary increases in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice, not (a) materially increase
compensation payable or to become payable to any directors, officers or
employees of the Company or any subsidiary except arrangements in connection
with employee transfers and agreements with new employees having a salary
greater than $75,000, (b) grant any severance or termination pay to, or enter
into any employment or severance agreement with, any director or officer or
employee (other than in the ordinary course of business) of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, or (c) establish or amend any material rights or benefits
under any collective bargaining, bonus, profit sharing, thrift compensation,
stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred compensation,
employment, termination, severance or other plan, agreement, trust, fund,
policy or arrangement for the benefit of any director, officer or employee
(other than in the ordinary course of business) of the Company or any
subsidiary; (ix) not acquire or agree to acquire any corporation, partnership,
joint venture association or other business organization or division thereof
or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets outside the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice or any interest in any real
properties (other than in the ordinary course of business); (x) not incur,
assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money (including drawdowns
on letters or lines of credit), or issue any notes, bonds, debentures, debt
instruments, evidences of indebtedness or other debt securities of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries or any options, warrants or rights to purchase or
acquire any of the same, except for (a) renewals of existing bonds and letters
of credit in the ordinary course of business not to excess $1 million in the
aggregate, (b) indebtedness for borrowed money in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$100,000, and (c) advances in the ordinary course pursuant to working capital
lines of credit in an amount not to exceed $15 million and certain warehouse
lines of credit; (xi) not sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose
of any material properties or assets of the Company other than in the ordinary
course of business; (xii) not authorize or make any capital expenditures in
excess of $500,000 in the aggregate for the Company and all of its
subsidiaries other than in the ordinary course of business; (xiii) not make
any material change in any of its accounting or financial reporting except as
may be required by a change in law or in GAAP; (xiv) not make any material tax
election or settle or compromise any material tax liability; (xv) except in
the ordinary course of business, not amend, modify or terminate any material
contract; (xvi) other than in the ordinary course of business, not enter into
contracts that reasonably would involve financial obligations by the Company
exceeding $100,000; (xvii) not adopt a plan of liquidation, dissolution,
merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other
reorganization; (xviii) fail to report any facts that have resulted in
insurance claims that would have a material adverse effect; and (xix) except
as to clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, not agree or commit in
writing or otherwise to do any of the foregoing.
Other Potential Acquirers. The Merger Agreement provides that the Company
and its subsidiaries will and will direct and use their reasonable best
efforts to cause, the Company's affiliates and the respective officers,
directors, employees, representatives and agents of each of them to
immediately cease any discussions or negotiations with any parties with
respect to (i) the acquisition of the Company by merger or otherwise by anyone
other than Parent, Acquisition or any affiliate thereof (a "Third Party") or
by an officer or director of the Company; (ii) the acquisition by a Third
Party of more than 20% of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries
taken as a whole; (iii) the acquisition by a Third Party of Shares which,
together with all other Shares owned by such Third Party and its affiliates,
equal 20% or more of the issued and outstanding Shares; (iv) the adoption by
the Company of a plan of liquidation or the declaration or payment of an
extraordinary dividend; (v) the repurchase by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries of more than 20% of the issued and outstanding Shares; or (vi)
the acquisition by the Company or any subsidiary by merger, purchase of stock
or assets, joint venture or otherwise of a direct or indirect ownership
interest or investment in any business whose annual revenues, net income or
assets attributable to such ownership interest or investment is equal or
greater than 20%
of the annual revenues, net income or assets of the Company (each of the
foregoing, a "Third Party Acquisition").
The Merger Agreement further provides that the Company and its subsidiaries
will, and will direct and use their reasonable best efforts to cause their
respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents to,
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refrain from, directly or indirectly, encouraging, soliciting, participating
in or initiating discussions or negotiations with or providing any non-public
information to anyone (other than Parent, Purchaser or any designees of
either) concerning any Third Party Acquisition; provided, that if prior to the
Tender Offer Purchase Time, the Company receives an unsolicited Superior
Proposal or an unsolicited proposal, offer or indication that the Company in
good faith believes may lead to a Superior Proposal, then, following written
notice to Parent and Purchaser, the Company may, pursuant to the Company
receives a non-disclosure agreement having terms regarding the protection of
confidential information that are at least as restrictive as the
confidentiality provisions of the Mutual Confidentiality Agreement between
Parent and the Company dated as of January 31, 2000 then the Company may,
pursuant to a similar non-disclosure agreement. A "Superior Proposal" is
defined in the Merger Agreement to mean any bona fide proposal to acquire
directly or indirectly for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities
all of the Shares then issued and outstanding or all or substantially all the
assets of the Company and otherwise on terms which the Prism Board by a
majority vote determines in its good faith judgment (consistent with the
advice of a financial adviser of nationally recognized reputation) to be more
favorable to the Company's stockholders than the Merger and the Offer.
The Merger Agreement also requires the Company to notify Parent promptly,
and in any event before furnishing non-public information, in the event the
Company receives any proposal or inquiry concerning a Third Party Acquisition,
including the material terms and conditions thereof and the identity of the
party submitting such proposal.
The Prism Board may not withdraw its recommendation of the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or approve or recommend, or cause the
Company to enter into, any agreement with respect to any Third Party
Acquisition, unless, prior to the Tender Offer Purchase Time, the Prism Board
by a majority vote determines in its good faith judgment, after consultation
with its legal counsel, that failure to do so would be inconsistent with their
fiduciary duties under applicable law. The Company may not enter into any
agreement with respect to a Superior Proposal unless and until the Merger
Agreement is terminated by its terms. At and after the Tender Offer Purchase
Time, the Prism Board may not under any circumstances withdraw its
recommendation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement or
approve or recommend, or cause the Company to enter into any agreement with
respect to, any Third Party Acquisition.
Further Actions. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, each of Parent,
Purchaser and the Company has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to
take all actions and to do all things necessary, proper or advisable under
applicable laws and regulations, and to consult and fully cooperate with and
provide reasonable assistance to each other in order to consummate and make
effective the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including (i)
using commercially reasonable efforts to make all filings, applications,
notifications, reports, submissions and registrations, and to obtain all
consents, approvals, authorizations or permits necessary for the consummation
of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated thereby, and (ii) taking
those actions that any other party to the Merger Agreement may reasonably
request in order to cause any of the conditions to such party's obligation to
consummate the Merger to be fully satisfied.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, each of Parent
and the Company has also agreed to cooperate and use reasonable efforts to
vigorously contest and resist any action, suit, proceeding or claim, and to
have vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any injunction, order, judgment
or decree (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent), that delays, prevents
or otherwise restricts the consummation of the Merger or any other transaction
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, and to take any and all actions (but not
including the disposition of material assets, divestiture of businesses, or
the withdrawal from doing business in particular jurisdictions, if material)
as may be required as a condition to the granting of any approvals or as may
be required to avoid, vacate, lift, reverse or overturn any injunction, order,
judgment, decree or regulatory action.
The Merger Agreement further provides that the Company will take all
necessary action (i) prior to the Effective Time, to cause the dilution
provisions of the Rights Agreement to be inapplicable to the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, without any payment to holders of
Rights; and (ii) promptly after the date of the Merger Agreement, to cause the
Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan to be amended so that no action
thereunder can be taken by the President or any other officer of the Company
without the approval of the Prism Board.
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Employee Benefit Matters. With respect to employee benefit matters, the
Merger Agreement provides that as of the Effective Time and for a period of
one year thereafter, Parent will provide, or cause Purchaser and its
subsidiaries and successors to provide, to those persons who were employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time and who continue
as employees thereafter, with benefits and compensation no less favorable in
the aggregate to the benefits and compensation provided to such employees as
of the date of the Merger Agreement.
The Merger Agreement also provides that, except with respect to accruals
under any defined benefit pension plan, Parent will, or will cause Purchaser
and its subsidiaries to, give such employees full credit for purposes of
eligibility and vesting under any employee benefit plans or arrangements
maintained by Parent, Purchaser or any subsidiary of either for such
employees' service with the Company or any subsidiary of the Company to the
same extent recognized by the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time.
Parent will, or will cause Purchaser and its subsidiaries to waive limitations
as to preexisting conditions (except to the extent that such limitations were
not waived under the Company's then-existing welfare plans), exclusions and
waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements
applicable under any welfare plan that such employees may be eligible to
participate in after the Effective Time, and provide credit for co-payments
and deductibles paid prior to the Effective Time in satisfying any applicable
deductible or out-of-pocket requirements under any welfare plans that such
employees are eligible to participate in after the Effective Time.
Guarantee of Performance. Parent has guaranteed the performance by
Purchaser and, after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation of its
obligations under the Merger Agreement.
Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance. Section 5.13 of the
Merger Agreement provides that the Surviving Corporation shall cause its
certificate of incorporation and bylaws to contain the indemnification
provisions set forth in Prism's certificate of incorporation and bylaws on the
date of the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement provides that such
indemnification provisions shall not be thereafter amended, repealed or
otherwise modified in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of
individuals who at any time prior to the Effective Time were directors,
officers or employees of the Company in respect of actions or omissions
occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including, the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement). Parent must also cause the Surviving
Corporation to comply, and the Surviving Corporation shall comply, with the
terms of and maintain in existence the indemnification agreements for members
of Prism's Board in effect on the date of the Merger Agreement. In addition,
Section 5.13 of the Merger Agreement provides that for at least five years
after the Effective Time, the Surviving Entity must maintain the current
policies of directors' and officers' liability insurance and fiduciary
liability insurance, or provide substantially the same coverage, with respect
to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time (including the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement). In the event of a merger or sale of
assets by the Surviving Entity, the successor or assignee of the Surviving
Entity shall assume the obligations set forth in Section 5.13. Parent has
guaranteed the Surviving Entities obligations under the Merger Agreement,
including Section 5.13.
Termination. The Merger Agreement may be terminated and the Merger
abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Time, whether before or after
approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement by the Company's stockholders:
(i) by mutual written consent of Parent, Purchaser and the Company;
(ii) by Parent or the Company if (A) any governmental entity or court
shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered, any statute,
rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or other order that
is in effect and makes payment of the Per Share Amount or the Cash Merger
Consideration, illegal or otherwise prohibits the Offer or the Merger, or
(B) Purchaser shall not have purchased Shares pursuant to the Offer or the
Merger shall not have occurred on or prior to September 30, 2000, provided
that the right to terminate the Merger Agreement pursuant to this clause
(ii) will not be available to any party whose failure to fulfill its
obligations under the Merger Agreement results in Purchaser's failure to
purchase;
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(iii) by Parent and Purchaser before the Tender Offer Purchase Time if
there shall have been a breach of any covenant or agreement on the part of
the Company resulting in a Material Adverse Effect or a Parent Material
Adverse Effect, if the breach has not been cured prior to the earlier of
ten days following notice of the breach or two business days prior to the
date on which the Offer expires (as such date may be extended);
(iv) by the Company prior to the Tender Offer Purchase Time if (x) the
Company shall have received a Superior Proposal, and (A) the Company shall
have furnished Parent a reasonable written notice of receipt of the
Superior Proposal, specifying the material terms and conditions of the
Superior Proposal and identifying the person making the proposal, and (B)
Parent shall have, within three business days of Parent's receipt of the
notice from Company, made an offer which the Prism Board, by a majority
vote, determines in its good faith judgment (consistent with the advice of
a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation) to be as favorable
to the Company's stockholders as the Superior Proposal, (i) provided that
termination of the Merger Agreement under this clause (x) will not be
effective until Company pays to Purchaser the Breakup Fee discussed below;
(y) there shall have been a breach of any representation or warranty on the
part of Parent or Purchaser that materially adversely affects (or
materially delays) the consummation of the Offer or (z) there shall have
been a material breach of any covenant or agreement on the part of Parent
or Purchaser which materially adversely affects (or materially delays) the
consummation of the Offer, if the breach as not been cured prior to the
earlier of ten days following notice of the breach or two business days
prior to the date on which the Offer expires.
When used in the Merger Agreement, the term "Parent Material Adverse
Effect" means any change or effect that would materially impair the ability of
Parent and/or Purchaser to consummate the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated and (i) the Prism Board shall have
withdrawn or modified in a manner adverse to Parent its approval or
recommendation of the Offer, shall have recommended a Third Party Acquisition
or shall have adopted any resolution to effect the foregoing, and (ii) within
one year after such termination (A) the Company enters into an agreement
involving the acquisition of 50% or more of the issued and outstanding Shares
by another person or entity (other than a merger pursuant to which the
stockholders of the Company will acquire more than 50% of the voting
securities of such surviving corporation) or (B) another person or entity
acquires more than 50% of the issued and outstanding Shares, the Company shall
pay to Acquisition a fee of $3.5 million (the "Fee"). A Fee also shall be
payable if the Company shall have terminated the Merger Agreement before the
Tender Offer Purchase Time if the Company has received a Superior Proposal and
Parent does not, in the good faith judgment of the Prism Board (consistent
with the advice of a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation),
make an offer as favorable to the Company's stockholders as such Superior
Proposal. Purchaser may, in its discretion, waive payment of the Fee in order
to exercise the Option described below under the heading "Stockholders'
Agreement." Other than the circumstances listed above in which the Fee is
payable, the Merger Agreement makes no provision for payments in the event of
termination.
Expenses. Except as described in the following sentence, each party will
bear its own expenses in connection with the Offer and the Merger. Upon
termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances, the Company
has agreed to pay Purchaser the fee as described above under the heading
"Termination."
Amendment. The Merger Agreement may be amended by action taken by the Prism
Board, subject to certain restrictions set forth therein, and by the parties
to the Merger Agreement at any time before or after approval, if necessary, of
the Merger by the stockholders of the Company but, after any such approval, no
amendment that requires the approval of the stockholders under applicable law
may be made without such approval.
Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing Time, each party to the
Merger Agreement may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations or other acts of any other party, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in
the representations and warranties of any other party contained therein or in
any document, certificate or writing delivered pursuant hereto, or (iii) waive
compliance by any other party with any of the agreements or conditions
contained therein.
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Stockholders' Agreement
As a condition and inducement to Parent and Purchaser entering into the
Merger Agreement, concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement,
Parent, Purchaser, Messrs. Filler and Markus and the estate of Bruce C. Abrams
(each a "Stockholder" and collectively the "Stockholders") have entered into a
stockholders' agreement (the "Stockholders' Agreement"). The following summary
of the Stockholders' Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Stockholders' Agreement, copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2 to this
Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated by reference herein. The Stockholders'
Agreement should be read in its entirety for a more complete description of
the matters summarized above.
Tender of Shares. Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, each Stockholder
has agreed to tender the Shares owned by such Stockholder or cause such Shares
to be tendered, into the Offer promptly after Parent causes Purchaser to
commence the Offer, but in no event later than five business days after the
date on which the Stockholder receives the Offer Documents for tendering such
Shares. With respect to the Shares tendered by the Stockholders pursuant to
the Stockholders' Agreement, the Stockholders will receive the same price per
Share with respect to the Offer (but in any event no less than $7.50 per
Share) received by the other stockholders of the Company pursuant to the
Offer. Each Stockholder has further agreed not to withdraw any Shares so
tendered unless and until after the Termination Date. The "Termination Date"
is defined as is the first to occur of the date that Purchaser terminates the
Offer, the Offer expires, or the Merger Agreement is terminated, in each case
in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement and without such Shares
being purchased by Purchaser pursuant to the Offer.
Voting of Shares. Each Stockholder has further agreed that, during the
period commencing on the date of the Stockholders' Agreement and continuing
until the first to occur of the Effective Time or the Termination Date, the
Stockholder will vote (or cause to be voted) its Shares (i) in favor of
approval of the Merger Agreement, all transactions contemplated thereby, and
any actions required in furtherance thereof; (ii) against any action or
agreement that is intended to or could impede, interfere with, or prevent the
Offer or the Merger or result in a breach in any respect of any covenant,
representation or warranty or any other obligation or agreement of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries under the Merger Agreement or the Stockholders'
Agreement; and (iii) except as specifically requested in writing in advance by
Parent, against certain actions specified in the Stockholders' Agreement,
including extraordinary corporate transactions, dispositions of assets outside
the ordinary course of business, any reorganization, recapitalization,
dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates, and any amendment of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws.
Irrevocable Proxy. In order to secure their respective obligations under
the Stockholders' Agreement, each Stockholder has granted to each of James T.
Rager and Robert K. Horton in their respective capacities as officers of
Parent, and any individual who shall hereafter succeed to any such office of
Parent, and any other designee of Parent, an irrevocable proxy to vote the
Stockholder's Shares, or grant a consent or approval in respect of the
Stockholder's Shares, with respect to the matters described above on which the
Shares are entitled to vote from the date that all waiting periods under the
HSR Act applicable to the acquisition of the Shares have been terminated or
have expired and any and all applicable approvals and notices under the Bank
Act and the Bank Holding Company Act and any other required approvals,
notices, authorizations or consents have been filed or obtained, and until the
Tender Offer Purchase Time.
Grant of Options. Each Stockholder has also granted to Purchaser or its
designee, effective on the date of the Stockholders' Agreement, an irrevocable
option (each, an "Option") to purchase all Shares owned by the Stockholder at
a purchase price per Share equal to the Per Share Amount. Purchaser may
exercise the Options at any time and from time to time, following the
occurrence of a Purchase Event (as defined below); provided that the Options
will expire and be of no further force and effect upon the earliest to occur
of (i) the Tender Offer Purchase Time or (ii) at the close of business on the
third business day after the receipt by Parent of a Superior Proposal Notice
or (iii) the 90th day after the exercise of the Options, if the purchase of
the Shares pursuant to the Options has not occurred. In the event of
termination of the Merger Agreement following a Purchase Event,
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Purchaser, at its option, may elect either to exercise the Options or to
accept payment of the Fee, but will not be entitled to exercise the Options
and retain the Fee. A "Purchase Event" means the receipt by Parent of a
Superior Proposal Notice. The purchase of Shares pursuant to the Options is
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) to the extent
necessary, all waiting periods under the HSR Act applicable to the acquisition
of the Shares shall have been terminated or have expired, and all applicable
approvals and notices under the Bank Act and the Bank Holding Company Act and
any other required approvals, notices, authorizaitons or consents have been
filed or obtained and (ii) no preliminary or permanent injunction prohibiting
the exercise of the Options or delivery of the Shares shall be in effect.
Representations and Warranties. Each Stockholder has made in the
Stockholders' Agreement certain customary representations and warranties,
including, without limitation, representations and warranties as to ownership
of Shares, power and authority and consents and approvals.
Other Potential Acquirors. Each Stockholder is prohibited from encouraging,
soliciting, participating in or initiating discussions or negotiations with or
providing non-public information to any party concerning any Third Party
Acquisition.
Restriction on Transfer, Proxies and Non-Interference. Each Stockholder has
agreed not to (i) tender its Shares in any tender offer or exchange offer for
the Shares other than the Offer; (ii) sell, transfer, tender, pledge,
encumber, assign or otherwise dispose of, or enter into any contract for the
sale, transfer, tender, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or other disposition
of, any or all of its Shares; (iii) except as contemplated by the
Stockholders' Agreement, grant any proxies or powers of attorney, deposit any
of its Shares into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement with
respect to any Shares; or (iv) take any action that would make any
representation or warranty of the Stockholder untrue or incorrect or have the
effect of preventing or impairing such Stockholder from performing its
obligations under the Stockholders' Agreement.
Indemnification. Each Stockholder has agreed, subject to certain
limitations, to indemnify Parent and its affiliates for all damages, losses,
costs, expenses, liabilities, judgments, penalties, claims, charges and
amounts paid in settlement as a result of (i) any inaccuracy or
misrepresentation in, or breach of, any representation, warranty or covenant
of such Stockholder in the Stockholders' Agreement; (ii) any inaccuracy or
misrepresentation in, or breach of, any representation, warranty or covenant
of the Company in the Merger Agreement; (iii) violations of law or regulation
by the Company before the Effective Time; and (iv) certain additional
scheduled matters. Any indemnification of Parent and its affiliates is to be
effected solely by disbursement from the escrow account, described below.
Additionally, neither Parent nor its affiliates generally shall be entitled to
make any indemnification claim unless the aggregate amount of all damages
incurred exceeds $500,000, and the Stockholders would be liable only for such
damages that exceed $500,000. For purposes of identification under the
Stockholders' Agreement, the Stockholders' and the Company's representations
and warranties survive for one year after the Tender Offer Purchase Time.
Escrow Account. At the Tender Offer Purchase Time, Purchaser will deposit,
proportionately out of funds otherwise owing to each Stockholder in respect of
the Per Share Amount, an aggregate amount of $7.5 million, to be held in
escrow. With respect to damages incurred due to an inaccuracy or
misrepresentation in, or breach of, a representation, warranty or covenant of
any Stockholder, Parent will be entitled to make a claim only against the
amount deposited in the escrow account (and earnings thereon) on behalf of the
Stockholder responsible for the breach. With respect to damages incurred due
to any other circumstance described above in the section entitled
"Indemnification," Parent will be entitled to make a claim against all funds
held in the escrow account, and the damages will be allocated amount the
Stockholders based on an agreed upon formula.
Item 4. The Solicitation or Recommendation.
(a) Recommendation of the Prism Board.
At a meeting held on March 10, 2000, the Prism Board, (i) determined the
Offer and the Merger were fair to, and in the best interests of, Prism's
stockholders; (ii) approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions
contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Offer and the Merger; and
(iii) recommended that Prism's stockholders accept the Offer and tender their
Shares thereunder and approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the Merger.
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A letter to the stockholders communicating the Prism Board's recommendation
and press releases announcing the Merger Agreement are filed herewith as
Exhibits 4 and 5, respectively, and are incorporated by reference herein.
(b) Background; Reasons for the Recommendation of the Prism Board.
Background of the Transaction
During the second half of 1999, increasing interest rates resulted in an
industry wide reduction in origination volume, particularly refinancing
volume. Reduced volume led to increased competition and accelerated
consolidation in the industry. The Mortgage Bankers Association was predicting
an additional 28% reduction in origination volume for 2000. Commencing in
September 1999 and continuing through February 2000, management of the Company
and the Prism Board conducted a thorough examination of the Company's
operations and business plan in light of current and expected industry
conditions. The examination indicated that while the Company was making
significant progress in reducing its costs and increasing efficiency and
capturing market share, the Company's long-term competitiveness was subject to
uncertainty. As a result, the management of the Company and the Prism Board
determined in October 1999 that Company management should begin to explore and
analyze Prism's strategic and business alternatives in consultation with the
Prism Board. Among other things, Prism's management explored and analyzed the
following: (i) raising additional capital to finance and grow the Company's
operations in a lower origination volume environment; (ii) spinning off or
seeking equity investors for the Company's Internet business; (iii) operating
in accordance with management's existing business plan or making modifications
to account for expected industry conditions; (iv) finding a strategic investor
for the Company; and (v) a possible sale of all or part of Prism.
In connection with this review, the Company engaged Friedman, Billings,
Ramsey & Co. Inc. ("FBR"), to assist management in exploring a possible sale
of all or part of Prism. In November, the Company's management and FBR
identified and reviewed a list of over 40 candidates that might be expected to
have an interest in acquiring or making a strategic investment in the Company.
Over the next three months, members of management and FBR had meetings or
informal discussions with many of these parties regarding potential strategic
transactions with the Company. Ultimately, 10 companies, including Royal Bank,
signed confidentiality agreements and received information regarding the
Company. Six companies met with management and conducted varying levels of due
diligence.
In October 1999, the Company engaged Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc. ("KBW")
and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. ("Blair") to assist the Company in finding
sources of long-term capital. During November and December, KBW and Blair
contacted approximately 20 potential investors.
On February 2, 2000, Prism management met for the first time with
representatives of Royal Bank to discuss the Company's business. Management
and Royal Bank representatives conducted a follow-up telephone conference call
on February 3 to continue the discussions of the previous day.
On February 9, various members of Royal Bank met with the senior management
of Prism at Prism's headquarters in Chicago to discuss their businesses and
various strategic business arrangements that might benefit both Prism and
Royal Bank.
During the week of February 14, at the request of the Prism Board,
representatives of FBR indicated to each party who continued to have an
interest in a strategic transaction involving the Company that although no
decision had been made to sell the Company interested parties should submit a
proposal by February 18.
On February 16 and 17, senior members of Royal Bank met with management of
Prism at Prism's headquarters in Chicago to further discuss how the operations
of their respective businesses could be combined through an acquisition of
Prism by Royal Bank.
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On February 18, Royal Bank submitted a written proposal to acquire the
Company for $100 million in cash, subject to satisfactory completion of their
due diligence and a number of other conditions. At a meeting of the Prism
Board on February 18, the Prism Board reviewed the Royal Bank proposal and the
proposals received from two other interested parties ("Other Parties") with
its financial and legal advisors. No decision was reached by the Prism Board
at the meeting, but it was the consensus of the directors that the Company's
management and legal and financial advisors should continue to negotiate with
Royal Bank and the Other Parties to determine whether or not they would
improve their proposals.
From February 18 to February 25, FBR and Prism's management held numerous
conversations with Royal Bank to review the terms of their February 18
proposal and worked with the other interested parties to increase their
offers. Various members of RBC management and RBC's legal counsel and
financial advisors conducted preliminary due diligence at Prism's headquarters
in Chicago during this period. On February 25, Royal Bank submitted a revised
proposal to acquire Prism for $115 million in cash, subject to completion of
due diligence and a number of other conditions.
On February 26, the Prism Board met to review the revised Royal Bank
proposal and to receive an update from management and FBR on the progress
being made with the Other Parties. FBR indicated that although neither of the
Other Parties had raised their offers, both parties had expressed an interest
in exploring ways to increase their valuation of Prism to justify a higher
offer price. At the meeting, FBR made a detailed presentation to the Prism
Board regarding its preliminary views as to the value of the Company and the
offers presented. Following the meeting, the Prism Board instructed management
and FBR to continue negotiating with Royal Bank and to work with the Other
Parties to see if their offers could be increased.
Beginning the week of February 28 and continuing through March 9, members
of Royal Bank, their legal counsel and financial advisors, met at Prism's
headquarters to conduct a full due diligence review of Prism's operations.
During this time, FBR and Prism's legal counsel continued to negotiate the
terms of Royal Bank's proposal with the senior management of Royal Bank and
its legal counsel. Additionally, FBR continued its discussions with Other
Parties.
On Tuesday, February 29, Messrs. Filler and Fisher and other members of
senior management met with senior management of Royal Bank at their offices in
Toronto, Canada. During the meeting, the Prism and Royal Bank representatives
discussed the Company's product offerings, distribution network, warehouse
credit lines, technology and potential cross-selling opportunities.
On or about March 1, Prism received a draft of a definitive merger
agreement and stockholders' agreement from Royal Bank. Prism's legal counsel
and FBR discussed the terms of the agreement and submitted comments to Royal
Bank and its legal counsel on March 4. From March 5 to March 9, senior
management of Prism, Prism's legal counsel and FBR continued to negotiate the
terms of the definitive merger agreement and the stockholders' agreement with
Royal Bank and its legal counsel.
At a March 5 meeting, the Company's legal advisors provided the Prism Board
with a detailed summary of the proposed terms of the merger agreement,
stockholders' agreement and related agreements and reviewed with the Prism
Board the Company's proposed negotiating position. At the meeting, FBR also
reviewed the status of the discussions with the Other Parties.
On March 9, 2000, a meeting of the Prism Board was held at Prism's
headquarters. The proposed transactions and the Merger Agreement and
Stockholders' Agreement and the related agreements, including the issues
remaining in dispute, were presented to and reviewed by the Prism Board. At
the meeting, FBR indicated that despite their efforts and the efforts of
management, the Other Parties indicated that they were not prepared to
increase their offers to a level comparable to that of Royal Bank's offer. At
the meeting, FBR also made a presentation to the Prism Board and delivered its
opinion as to the fairness of the $7.50 per Share cash consideration to be
received in the Offer and the Merger by the holders of the outstanding Shares.
The Board analyzed and discussed the Offer, the Merger and the related Merger
Agreement and Stockholders' Agreement and reviewed proposed resolutions in
connection therewith.
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After discussion and analysis, the Prism Board authorized Company's management
and legal advisors to complete negotiations with Royal Bank and report back to
the Board at a meeting of the Prism Board to be held the next morning.
Early March 10, the Prism Board met and was presented with the proposed
resolution of the remaining disputed items. Following further discussion, the
Prism Board unanimously recommended that the holders of Shares accept the
offer and tender their Shares pursuant to the offer. With respect to the
Merger, the Prism Board unanimously recommended that if a stockholder vote is
required by applicable law, the stockholders of the Company vote in favor of
approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Merger.
Reasons for the Transaction; Factors Considered by the Prism Board
In approving the Offer, the Merger, the Merger Agreement and the other
transactions contemplated thereby and recommending that all holders of shares
accept the Offer and tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer, the Prism
Board considered a number of factors including:
(i) the presentations and views expressed by management of the Company
regarding, among other things: (a) the financial condition, results of
operations, cash flows, business and prospects of the Company, including if
the Company were to remain independent; (b) the fact that the ability of
the Company to raise the long-term capital needed to grow the Company's
business on terms attractive to the Company was uncertain; (c) the fact
that other available capital raising alternatives were likely to be
dilutive to stockholders; (d) the conditions in the mortgage industry and
risks and opportunities of operating as an independent company; (e) the
fact that the structure of the transaction proposed by Royal Bank should
result in a rapid consummation of the transaction; (f) the fact that no
other party had submitted to the Company a proposal as attractive as the
transaction proposed by Royal Bank, either as to price or as to other terms
and conditions; (g) the competition to attract and retain loan officers;
and (h) the recommendation of the Offer and the Merger by the management of
the Company;
(ii) the fact that in view of the discussions held with various parties
and the number and identity of parties contacted, management of the Company
and FBR believed it was unlikely that in the near term any other party
would propose an acquisition or strategic business combination that would
be more favorable to the Company and its stockholders than the Offer and
the Merger;
(iii) the presentation of FBR at the meeting of the Prism Board held
on March 9, 2000, and the opinion of FBR, dated March 10, 2000, to the
effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to certain matters
stated in such opinion, the cash consideration to be received by the
holders of Shares pursuant to the Offer and the Merger was fair to such
holders from a financial point of view. The full text of the written
opinion dated March 10, 2000 of FBR, which sets forth the assumptions made,
matters considered and limitations on the review undertaken, is included as
Annex A to this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated herein by reference. The
opinion of FBR is directed only to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, of the cash consideration to be received in the Offer and the Merger
by holders of Shares and is not intended to constitute, and does not
constitute, a recommendation as to whether any stockholder should tender
Shares pursuant to the Offer or as to whether to vote to adopt the Merger
Agreement. Holders of Shares are urged to read such opinion carefully in
its entirety;
(iv) the historical market prices, price to earnings ratios, recent
trading activity and trading range of the Shares, including that the Offer
Price represents a premium of approximately 63% over the average closing
price of the Shares on the NASDAQ over the 90 days preceding the public
announcement of the execution of the Merger Agreement;
(v) valuations based on premiums paid in comparable acquisition
transactions and discounted cash flow analysis of Prism's businesses;
(vi) the extensive arms-length negotiations between the Company and FBR
on behalf of the Company and Parent leading to the belief of the Prism
Board that $7.50 per Share represented the highest price per Share that
could be negotiated with Royal Bank;
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(vii) the history and progress of the Company's and FBR's discussions
with other parties regarding a transaction for some or all of the stock or
assets of the Company and the fact that none of such parties made an offer
to the Company or FBR as attractive as the transaction proposed by Royal
Bank, either as to price or as to other terms and conditions;
(viii) a review of the strategic alternatives available to the Company,
none of which the Prism Board or management of the Company believed to be
as favorable to Company stockholders as the Offer and the Merger;
(ix) the Prism Board's recognition that certain members of the Prism
Board and Management have interests in the Offer and the Merger that are in
addition to, and not necessarily aligned with, the interests of other
holders of Shares;
(x) that the Offer and the Merger provide for a prompt cash tender offer
for all Shares to be followed by a merger for the same consideration,
thereby enabling the Company's stockholders to obtain the benefits of the
transaction in exchange for their Shares at the earliest possible time;
(xi) the fact that Royal Bank's and Purchaser's obligations under the
Offer are not subject to any financing condition, and the representation of
Royal Bank and Purchaser that they have sufficient funds available to them
to consummate the Offer and the Merger;
(xii) that pursuant to the Merger Agreement, between the execution of
the Merger Agreement and the closing of the Offer, the Company is required
to obtain Royal Bank's consent before it can take certain actions;
(xiii) the limited ability of Royal Bank and Purchaser to terminate the
Offer or the Merger Agreement;
(xiv) the fact that, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company and
its representatives have a limited ability to (a) furnish to a third party
who has submitted an unsolicited acquisition proposal information
concerning the Company's business properties or assets, and (b) participate
in discussions or negotiations with such a third party concerning an
unsolicited acquisition proposal;
(xv) the fact that, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Prism Board
has the right to terminate the Merger Agreement if, prior to the purchase
of Shares by Royal Bank, the Company has received a Superior Proposal and
the Prism Board has determined, in its good faith judgment, after
consultation with and based upon the advice of legal counsel, to approve or
recommend such Superior Proposal in order to comply with its fiduciary
duties under applicable law;
(xvi) the circumstances upon which the $3.5 million termination fee
becomes payable by the Company to Royal Bank;
(xvii) the regulatory approvals required to consummate the Merger;
(xviii) the vesting and payment on the outstanding Company options under
the 1999 Stock Plan and the 2000 Stock Plan in connection with the
Transactions;
(xix) the conditions to the Offer;
(xx) the other provisions of the Offer and the Merger Agreement;
(xxi) the terms and conditions of the Stockholders' Agreement, including
the option to acquire the Option Shares granted by the parties to Royal
Bank;
(xxii) the consents and approvals required to consummate the Merger and
the favorable prospects for receiving all such consents and approvals; and
(xxiii) that, while the Offer gives the Company's stockholders the
opportunity to realize a premium over the price at which the Shares traded
immediately prior to the public announcement of the Offer and the Merger,
the consummation of the Offer and the Merger would eliminate the
opportunity for stockholders to participate in any future growth and
profits of the Company.
The foregoing discussion of information and factors considered and given
weight by the Prism Board is not intended to be exhaustive, but is believed to
include all of the material factors considered by the Prism Board. In
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view of the variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of
the Offer and the Merger, the Prism Board did not find it practicable to, and
did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors
considered in reaching its determinations and recommendations. In addition,
individual members of the Prism's Board may have given different weights to
different factors.
(c) Intent to Tender.
To Prism's knowledge after reasonable inquiry, all of Prism's executive
officers, directors and affiliates and subsidiaries currently intend to tender
all Shares held of record or beneficially by them pursuant to the Offer or to
vote in favor of the Merger. The foregoing does not include any Shares over
which, or with respect to which, any such executive officer, director or
affiliate acts in a fiduciary or representative capacity or is subject to the
instructions of a third party with respect to such tender. Messrs. Filler and
Markus and the estate of Bruce C. Abrams, which together own approximately 61%
of the outstanding Shares, have entered into a Stockholders' Agreement with
Parent pursuant to which they have agreed to tender their Shares, grant to
Parent a proxy to vote their Shares and grant to Parent an option to purchase
their shares upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained therein.
See "Stockholders' Agreement" under Item 3 of this Schedule 14D-9.
Item 5. Person/Assets, Retained, Employed, Compensated or Used.
Pursuant to an agreement dated as of January 7, 2000 (the "FBR Agreement"),
Prism has agreed to pay FBR the following compensation:
(a) $50,000, which amount will be credited against any fee described in
clauses (b) and (c) below;
(b) in the event a Transaction (as defined in the FBR Agreement) is
agreed to and subsequently consummated by Prism, a fee ("Success Fee")
equal to 0.85% of the consideration received by Prism stockholders (which
is expected to be approximately $977,500); and
(c) in the event a Transaction is agreed to and subsequently consummated
by Prism with certain potential acquirers identified by Prism at the time
of the engagement or any entity not previously approached by FBR and
disclosed to the Prism Board, a Success Fee equal to 0.85% of the value of
the consideration received by Prism stockholders, less 33% of such amount.
Under the FBR Agreement, Prism also agreed to reimburse FBR for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including the fees and reasonable out-of-
pocket expenses of FRB's outside counsel, if any, subject to a maximum amount
of $25,000, and to indemnify FBR and certain related parties against certain
liabilities.
Item 6. Interest in Securities of the Subject Company.
On March 10, 2000, Mark A. Filler individually and as sole general partner
of a family limited partnership, granted to Purchaser an option to purchase
1,866,671 Shares at an exercise price of $7.50 pursuant to the terms of the
Stockholders' Agreement.
On March 10, 2000, Terry A. Markus individually and as sole general partner
of a family limited partnership, granted to Purchaser an option to purchase
1,673,150 Shares at an exercise price of $7.50 pursuant to the terms of the
Stockholders' Agreement.
On March 10, 2000, the estate of Bruce C. Abrams, an affiliate of Prism,
granted to Purchaser an option to purchase 5,503,745 Shares at an exercise
price of $7.50 pursuant to the terms of the Stockholders' Agreement.
Effective March 3, 2000, Mr. Filler gifted 23,334 Shares to his spouse and
contributed 443,335 Shares to a family limited partnership of which he is the
sole general partner.
Effective February 17, 2000, Mr. Markus gifted 41,828 Shares to his spouse
and contributed 794,747 Shares to a family limited partnership of which he is
the sole general partner.
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On January 31, 2000, David A. Fisher acquired 1,480 Shares at a price of
$3.656 per Share under Prism's Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Other than as set forth above, no transactions in Shares have been effected
during the past 60 days by Prism or, to the best of Prism's knowledge, by any
executive officer, director or affiliate of Prism.
Item 7. Purposes of the Transaction and Plans or Proposals.
(1)(i) Except as indicated in Items 3 and 4 above, no negotiations are
being undertaken or are underway by Prism in response to the Offer which
relate to a tender offer or other acquisition of Prism's securities by Prism,
any subsidiary of Prism or any other person.
(ii) Except as indicated below or in Items 3 and 4 above, no negotiations
are being undertaken or are underway by Prism in response to the Offer which
relate to, or would result in, (1) any extraordinary transaction, such as a
merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving Prism or any subsidiary of
Prism, (2) any purchase, sale or transfer of a material amount of assets by
Prism or any subsidiary of Prism, or (3) any material change in the present
dividend rate or policy, or indebtedness or capitalization of Prism.
(2) Except as indicated in Items 3 and 4 above, there are no transactions,
Prism Board resolutions, agreements in principle or signed contracts in
response to the Offer that relate to or would result in one or more of the
matters referred to in this Item 7.
Item 8. Additional Information.
DGCL 203
Section 203 of the DGCL purports to regulate certain business combinations
involving a corporation organized under Delaware law, such as Prism, with a
stockholder beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of
such corporation (an "Interested Stockholder"). Section 203 provides, in
relevant part, that the corporation shall not engage in any business
combination with any Interested Stockholder for a period of three years
following the date such stockholder became an Interested Stockholder unless
(i) prior to such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved
either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the
transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an Interested
Stockholder, the Interested Stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock
of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced; or (iii)
on or subsequent to such date, the business combination is approved by the
board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding
voting stock which is not owned by the Interested Stockholder. The Prism Board
approved the Merger Agreement and the Offer and the Merger prior to Parent
becoming an Interested Stockholder. Therefore, Section 203 of the DGCL is
inapplicable to the Offer and the Merger.
DGCL 253
Under Section 253 of the DGCL, if Purchaser acquires, pursuant to the Offer
or otherwise, at least 90% of the outstanding Shares, Purchaser will be able
to effect the Merger after consummation of the Offer without a vote by Prism's
stockholders. However, if Purchaser does not acquire at least 90% of the
outstanding Shares pursuant to the Offer or otherwise, a vote by Prism's
stockholders will be required under the DGCL in order to affect the merger.
Section 14(f) Information Statement
The Information Statement attached as Schedule I hereto is being furnished
in connection with the possible designation by Parent, pursuant to the Merger
Agreement, of certain persons to be appointed to the Prism Board other than at
a meeting of Prism's stockholders.
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Regulatory Approvals
Antitrust
Under the HSR Act, and the rules that have been promulgated thereunder by
the Federal Trade Commission (the "FTC"), certain acquisition transactions may
not be consummated unless certain information has been furnished to the
Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice (the "Antitrust
Division") and the FTC and certain waiting period requirements have been
satisfied. The acquisition of Shares by Parent pursuant to the Offer is
subject to such requirements.
Pursuant to the requirements of the HSR Act, Purchaser expects to file a
Notification and Report Form with respect to the Offer and the Merger with the
Antitrust Division and the FTC on or about March 27, 2000. The waiting period
applicable to the purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer is scheduled to
expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, 15 days after such filing. However,
prior to such time, the Antitrust Division or the FTC may extend the waiting
periods of such filing by requesting additional information and documentary
material relevant to the Merger. If such a request is made, the waiting period
will be extended until 11:59 P.M., New York City time, on the tenth day after
Parent has substantially complied with such request. Thereafter, such waiting
periods can be extended only by court order or consent. Although Prism is
required to file certain information and documentary material with the
Antitrust Division and the FTC in connection with the Offer, neither Prism's
failure to make such filings nor a request to Prism from the Antitrust
Division for additional information or documentary material will extend the
waiting period. However, if the Antitrust Division or the FTC raises
substantive issues in connection with the Merger, Parent and Prism may engage
in negotiations with the relevant governmental agency concerning possible
means of addressing these issues and may agree to delay consummation of the
Merger while such negotiations continue.
The Antitrust Division and the FTC frequently scrutinize the legality under
the antitrust laws of acquisition transactions. At any time before or after
the consummation of any such transactions, the Antitrust Division or the FTC
could, notwithstanding termination of the waiting period, take such action
under the antitrust laws as it deems necessary or desirable in the public
interest, including, in the case of the Merger, seeking to enjoin the purchase
of Shares pursuant to the Offer or seeking divestiture of Shares so acquired
or divestiture of substantial assets of Parent or Prism or any of their
respective subsidiaries. State attorneys general may also bring legal actions
under the antitrust laws, and private parties may bring such actions under
certain circumstances. While Prism does not believe that the acquisition of
Shares by Parent will violate the antitrust laws, there can be no assurance
that a challenge to the Offer on antitrust grounds will not be made, or if
such a challenge is made, what the result will be.
National Banking Authorities
In connection with the Offer and the Merger, Royal Bank is required to
obtain the prior approval of the Canadian Minister of Finance under the Bank
Act (Canada). In addition, after consummation of the transaction, Royal Bank
will be required to file a post-commencement notice with the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York under the United States Bank Holding Company Act of 1956.
Approvals and Notices Relating to Prism Mortgage Company
As a result of the Merger, there will be an indirect change of control in
Prism Mortgage Company, an Illinois corporation, the subsidiary through which
Prism conducts its mortgage banking and brokerage business and operates
certain subsidiaries. Several of the states that license Prism Mortgage
Company and its affiliates in connection with their residential mortgage
lending activities require notifications and/or approvals, including in
certain instances prior notifications and/or approvals, in connection with
such an indirect change of control. Similar notifications and/or approvals are
required by other entities that have previously approved Prism Mortgage
Company and its affiliates, including the Federal Housing Administration, the
United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Notifications and requests for approvals may
23
<PAGE>
require the submission of detailed information about the indirect change of
control and the nature, identity, qualifications and background of persons and
entities involved therewith. The parties intend to provide such notifications
and seek such approvals promptly.
Appraisal Rights
No appraisal rights are available to holders of Shares in connection with
the Offer. However, if the Merger is consummated, holders of Shares may have
certain rights under Section 262 of the DGCL to dissent and demand appraisal
of, and payment in cash for the fair value of, their Shares. Such rights, if
the statutory procedures are complied with, could lead to a judicial
determination of the fair value (excluding any element of value arising from
accomplishment or expectation of the Merger) required to be paid in cash to
such dissenting holders for their Shares. Any such judicial determination of
the fair value of Shares could be based upon considerations in addition to the
applicable offer price and the market value of Shares, including asset values
and the investment value of Shares. The value so determined could be more or
less than the Offer Price.
If any holder of Shares who demands appraisal under Section 262 of the DGCL
fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses his or her right to
appraisal, as provided in the DGCL, each of the Shares of such holder will be
converted into the Offer Price in accordance with the Merger Agreement. A
stockholder may withdraw his or her demand for appraisal by delivering to
Parent a written withdrawal of his or her demand for appraisal and acceptance
of the Merger.
Failure to follow the steps required by Section 262 of the DGCL for
perfecting appraisal rights may result in the loss of such rights.
Stockholder Rights Plan
On January 27, 2000 (the "Rights Dividend Declaration Date"), the Prism
Board declared a dividend of one Right for each outstanding share of Prism
common stock. The dividend was payable on February 7, 2000 (the "Record Date")
to stockholders of record at the close of business on the Record Date. The
Prism Board also authorized the issuance of one Right for each share of Prism
common stock issued after the Record Date and prior to the earliest of the
Distribution Date (as defined below), the redemption of the Rights and the
expiration of the Rights. Except as set forth below and subject to adjustment
as provided in the Rights Agreement, each Right entitles the registered holder
to purchase from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") of the Company, at a
purchase price of $17.00 per Right (the "Purchase Price"). The description and
terms of the Rights are set forth in a rights agreement, dated as of January
27, 2000 between the Company and LaSalle Bank National Association, as Rights
Agent.
The Rights will separate from the Prism common stock and a Distribution
Date will occur upon the earliest of (i) the close of business on the tenth
business day following a public announcement that a person or group of
affiliated or associated persons (an "Acquiring Person") has acquired, or
obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the
outstanding Prism common stock (other then as a result of repurchases of stock
by the Company or certain inadvertent actions by institutions or certain other
stockholders) or the date a person enters into an agreement with the Company
or any subsidiary of the Company providing for an acquisition transaction (the
"Stock Acquisition Date"); (ii) the close of business on the tenth business
day (or such later date as the Prism Board shall determine) following the
commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person
or group beneficially owning 15% or more of such outstanding Prism common
stock; or (iii) the date on which the Prism Board determines that a person or
group who has acquired at least 10% of the outstanding Prism common stock
intends to cause the Company to repurchase such stock or cause the Company to
take action to provide such person short-term financial gain when not in the
best interests of the Company or such ownership is causing or is reasonably
likely to cause a material adverse impact on the Company, its employees,
customers, suppliers or the community in which the Company operates (an
"Adverse Person").
24
<PAGE>
Until the Distribution Date, (i) the Rights will be evidenced by the Prism
common stock certificates and will be transferred with and only with such
certificates; (ii) Prism common stock certificates issued after the Record
Date will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference;
and (iii) the surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of Prism
common stock outstanding will also constitute the transfer of the Rights
associated with the Prism common stock represented by such certificates.
The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date and will expire
at the close of business on January 27, 2010, unless earlier redeemed by the
Company as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights certificates
will be mailed to holders of record of Prism common stock as of the close of
business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the separate Rights
certificates alone will represent the Rights.
In the event that a Person at any time after the Rights Dividend
Declaration Date becomes an Acquiring Person (except pursuant to an offer for
all outstanding shares of Common Stock which the independent directors
determine to be fair to and otherwise in the best interests of the Company and
its stockholders (after receiving advice from one or more investment banking
firms) or the Prism Board declares a Person an Adverse Person, each holder of
a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, Prism common
stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the
Company) having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the Right.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the occurrence of any of the
events set forth in this paragraph, all Rights that are, or (under certain
circumstances specified in the Rights Agreement) were, beneficially owned by
any Adverse Person or Acquiring Person will be null and void. However, Rights
are not exercisable following the occurrence of any of the events set forth
above until such time as the Rights are no longer redeemable by the Company as
set forth below.
For example, at an exercise price of $17.00 per Right, each Right not owned
by an Acquiring Person or an Adverse Person, as the case may be (or by certain
of their related parties), following an event set forth in the preceding
paragraph would entitle its holder to purchase $34.00 worth of Prism common
stock (or other consideration, as noted above) for $17.00. Assuming that the
Prism common stock had a per share value of $2.00 at such time, the holder of
each valid Right would be entitled to purchase 17 shares of Common Stock for
$17.00.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date, (i)
the Company engages in a merger or other business combination transaction in
which the Company is not the surviving corporation (other than a merger which
follows an offer approved by the independent directors in the manner described
in the second preceding paragraph); (ii) the Company engages in a merger or
business combination transaction in which the Company shall be the surviving
entity and in connection with the merger all or a part of Prism's common stock
shall be changed into or exchanged for other securities, cash or other
property; or (iii) 50% or more of the Company's assets or earning power is
sold or transferred, each holder of a Right (except Rights which previously
have been voided as set forth above) shall thereafter have the right to
receive, upon exercise, common stock of the acquiring company having a value
equal to two times the exercise price of the Right.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Preferred Stock or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the Rights are subject
to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution in certain circumstances.
The Company will generally be entitled to redeem the Rights for $0.001 per
Right at any time prior to 10 business days (subject to extension) following
the Stock Acquisition Date. The Company will not be entitled, however, to
redeem the Rights following a determination by the Prism Board that any person
or group is an Adverse Person.
25
<PAGE>
Until a Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the
right to vote or to receive dividends.
At any time prior to the Distribution Date, the Company may, without the
approval of any holder of the Rights, supplement or amend any provision of the
Rights Agreement. Thereafter, the Rights Agreement may be amended only to cure
ambiguities, to correct inconsistent provisions, to shorten or lengthen any
time period thereunder or in ways that do not adversely affect the Rights
holders (other than an Acquiring Person or Adverse Person). From and after the
Distribution Date, the Rights Agreement may not be amended to lengthen (i) a
time period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed at such time as the
Rights are not then redeemable; or (ii) any other time period unless such
lengthening is for the purpose of protecting, enhancing or clarifying the
rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders of Rights (other than an
Acquiring Person or Adverse Person).
The Prism Board approved and adopted the Rights Agreement to assure that
all of Prism's stockholders receive fair and equal treatment in the event of
any proposed takeover of Prism and to guard against partial tender offers,
open market accumulations and other abusive tactics to gain control of Prism
without paying all stockholders a control premium. The Rights will cause
substantial dilution to a person or group that acquires 50% or more of shares
of Prism Common Stock on terms not approved by the Prism Board. The Rights
should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by
the Prism Board at any time prior to the first date that a person or group has
become an Acquiring Person.
On March 10, 2000, in connection with the execution and delivery of the
Merger Agreement and the Stockholders' Agreement, the Prism Board approved an
amendment to the Rights Agreement in order to, among other things, (i) prevent
Parent or Purchaser from becoming or being deemed an Acquiring Person and (ii)
prevent a Stock Acquisition Date or a Distribution Date from occurring, in
each case, as a result of (a) the execution of the Merger Agreement, including
any amendments thereto) by and among the Company, Parent and Purchaser, or (b)
the execution of the Stockholders' Agreement, including any amendments
thereto, or (c) the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by
either the Merger Agreement or the Stockholders' Agreement, including, without
limitation, the public or other announcement of the Offer, the consummation of
the Offer, the public or other announcement of the Merger, the consummation of
the Merger, the public or other announcement of the acquisition by Parent,
Purchaser or any of their affiliates of beneficial ownership of any securities
of the Company pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, and the acquisition by
Parent, Purchaser or any of their affiliates of beneficial ownership of any
securities of the Company pursuant to the Offer, the Merger Agreement or the
Stockholders' Agreement.
The Rights Agreement, specifying the terms of the Rights, and the amendment
to the Rights Agreement are filed as Exhibits 19 and 20, respectively, to this
Schedule 14D-9 and are incorporated by reference herein. The foregoing
description of the Rights is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
exhibits.
26
<PAGE>
Item 9. Exhibits.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
<C> <S> <C>
1 Merger Agreement, dated March 10, 2000 by and among
Prism Financial Corporation, Royal Bank of Canada and
Rainbow Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc.
2 Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2000, by
and among Royal Bank of Canada, Rainbow Acquisition
Subsidiary, Inc. and the stockholders of Prism Financial
Corporation listed on Schedule I thereto
3 Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of January 31, 1999,
between Prism Financial Corporation and Royal Bank of
Canada
4 Letter to Stockholders from Richard L. Wellek, dated
March 22, 2000
5 Joint Press Releases issued by Prism Financial
Corporation and Royal Bank of Canada on March 14 and
March 10, 2000
6 Opinion of Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc. dated
March 10, 2000
7 Article Sixth of the Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Prism Financial Corporation
8 Article Seventh of the Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of Prism Financial Corporation
9 Article VIII of the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws
of Prism Financial Corporation
10 Employment Agreement of Mark A. Filler
11 Employment Agreement of David A. Fisher
12 Employment Agreement of Eric A. Gurry
13 Stock Option Agreement of Mark A. Filler
14 Stock Option Agreement of Richard L. Wellek
15 Restricted Stock Agreement of Richard L Wellek
16 1999 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan
17 2000 Stock Option Plan
18 Registration Rights Agreement
19 Rights Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2000, between
Prism Financial Corporation and LaSalle Bank National
Association, as Rights Agent
20 First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of March
10, 2000, between Prism Financial Corporation and
LaSalle Bank National Association, as Rights Agent
</TABLE>
27
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that
the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
-------------------------------------
Name: Mark A. Filler
Title: President and Chief Executive
Officer
Date: March 22, 2000
28
<PAGE>
[FBR LOGO]
ANNEX A
March 10, 2000
Board of Directors
Prism Financial Corporation
Prism Center
440 North Orleans
Chicago, IL 60610
Board of Directors:
You have requested that Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc. ("FBR")
provide you with its opinion as to the fairness, from a financial point of
view, to the holders of common stock ("Stockholders") of Prism Financial
Corporation ("Prism" or the "Company") of the Consideration (as hereinafter
defined) to be received by them pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger by
and between Prism and Royal Bank of Canada ("Royal Bank"), dated March 10, 2000
(the "Merger Agreement"), pursuant to which a newly-formed acquisition
subsidiary of Royal Bank will be merged with and into Prism (the "Merger"),
following Royal Bank's tender for all of the outstanding common stock of Prism.
The Merger Agreement provides, among other things, that Stockholders of Prism
will receive cash consideration equal to a fixed price of $7.50 per Prism share
(the "Consideration"). As a condition of and inducement to Royal Bank to enter
into the Merger Agreement, certain Stockholders of Prism are entering into a
Stockholder's Agreement, dated March 10, 2000 (the "Stockholder's Agreement"),
pursuant to which such Stockholders have agreed to tender approximately 62% of
the outstanding common stock of Prism to Royal Bank for the Consideration.
Additionally, all outstanding options of Prism common stock scheduled to vest
prior to the close of the Merger or upon a change of control of the Company
will become fully vested and such option holders will receive cash
consideration equal to the amount of the difference between the strike price of
such options and the Consideration (the "Premium"), if any, at the closing of
the Merger. The holders of options that do not become vested prior to the close
of the Merger or a change of control scenario will receive cash consideration
equal to the amount of the Premium, if applicable, in accordance with the
previously established vesting schedule for such options. The Merger Agreement
will be considered at a meeting of the Stockholders of Prism, if required. The
terms of the Merger are more fully set forth in the Merger Agreement.
In delivering this opinion, FBR has completed the following tasks:
1. reviewed the Royal Bank Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal
years ended December 31, 1998 and 1999 and the Royal Bank Report to
Stockholders for the fiscal quarters ended July 31, 1999, April 30, 1999
and January 31, 1999.
2. reviewed the Prism Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 23, 1999 and its
related amendments; reviewed the Prism Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed
with the SEC for the quarters ended June 30, 1999 and September 30, 1999;
3. reviewed and discussed the unaudited financial statements of Prism
for the year ended December 31, 1999 with the management of Prism;
4. discussed the financial condition, results of operations, earnings
projections, business and prospects of Prism with the management of Prism;
ANXA-1
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
Prism Financial Corporation
March 10, 2000
Page 2
5. compared the results of operations and financial condition of Prism
with those of certain publicly-traded financial services organizations (or
their holding companies) that FBR deemed to be reasonably comparable to
Prism, as the case may be;
6. reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of
certain acquisition transactions that FBR deemed to be reasonably
comparable to the Merger;
7. reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of
certain acquisition transactions entered into by Royal Bank;
8. reviewed a copy of the Merger Agreement and Stockholders Agreement;
and
9. performed such other financial analyses and reviewed and analyzed
such other information as FBR deemed appropriate, including an assessment
of general economic, market and monetary conditions.
In rendering this opinion, FBR did not assume responsibility for
independently verifying, and did not independently verify, any financial or
other information concerning Prism or Royal Bank furnished to it by Prism or
Royal Bank, or the publicly available financial and other information
regarding Prism, Royal Bank and other financial services organizations (or
their holding companies) included in our analysis. FBR has assumed that all
such information is accurate and complete and has no reason to believe
otherwise. FBR has further relied on the assurances of management of Prism and
Royal Bank that they are not aware of any facts that would make such financial
or other information relating to such entities inaccurate or misleading. With
respect to financial forecasts for Prism provided to FBR by its management,
FBR has assumed, for purposes of this opinion, that the forecasts have been
reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best available estimates and
judgments of such management at the time of preparation as to the future
financial performance of Prism. FBR has assumed that there has been no
undisclosed material change in Prism's assets, financial condition, result of
operations, business or prospects since December 31, 1999. FBR did not
undertake an independent appraisal of the assets or liabilities of Prism nor
was FBR furnished with any such appraisals. FBR is not an expert in the
evaluation of allowances for loan losses, was not requested to and did not
review such allowances, and was not requested to and did not review any
individual credit files of Prism. FBR's conclusions and opinion are
necessarily based upon economic, market and other conditions and the
information made available to FBR as of the date of this opinion. FBR
expresses no opinion on matters of a legal, regulatory, tax or accounting
nature related to the Merger.
FBR, as part of its institutional brokerage, research and investment
banking practice, is regularly engaged in the valuation of securities and the
evaluation of transactions in connection with mergers and acquisitions of
specialty finance companies, commercial banks, savings institutions and
financial services holding companies, initial and secondary offerings and
mutual-to-stock conversions of savings institutions, as well as business
valuations for other corporate purposes for financial services organizations
and real estate related companies. FBR has experience in, and knowledge of,
the valuation of specialty finance companies in Illinois and the rest of the
United States.
FBR has acted as a financial advisor to Prism in connection with the Merger
and will receive a fee for services rendered which is contingent upon the
consummation of the Merger. In the ordinary course of FBR's business, it may
effect transactions in the securities of Prism or Royal Bank for its own
account and/or for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any
time hold long or short positions in such securities. From time to time,
principals and/or employees of FBR may also have positions in such securities.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, as well as any such other matters
as we consider relevant, it is FBR's opinion, as of the date hereof, that the
Consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Stockholders of
Prism.
ANXA-2
<PAGE>
Board of Directors
Prism Financial Corporation
March 10, 2000
Page 3
This letter is solely for the information of the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Prism and may not be relied upon by any other person or used
for any other purpose, reproduced, disseminated, quoted from or referred to
without FBR's prior written consent; provided, however, this letter may be
referred to and reproduced in its entirety in proxy materials or a
Solicitation/Recommendation Statement sent to the Stockholders in connection
with Royal Bank's tender for Prism common stock or the solicitation of
approval for the Merger.
Very truly yours,
Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co.,
Inc.
ANXA-3
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
440 NORTH ORLEANS
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60610
INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 14(f) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 AND RULE 14f-1 THEREUNDER
General
This information statement (the "Information Statement") is being mailed on
or about March 22, 2000 as part of the Solicitation/Recommendation Statement
on Schedule 14D-9 (the "Schedule 14D-9") to holders of record of shares of
common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"), of Prism Financial
Corporation ("Prism"). You are receiving this Information Statement in
connection with the possible election of persons designated by Prism
Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc. (formerly known as Rainbow Acquisition
Subsidiary, Inc.), a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser") and wholly owned
indirect subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada, a Canadian commercial bank
("Parent"), to a majority of the seats on the Board of Directors of Prism (the
"Prism Board") other than at a meeting of the stockholders of Prism. Such
election would occur pursuant to the Merger Agreement (the "Merger
Agreement"), dated as of March 10, 2000, by and among Prism, Parent and
Purchaser. The Merger Agreement is more fully described under Item 3 of the
Schedule 14D-9, of which this Schedule I is a part. Capitalized terms used and
not defined in this Schedule I have the meanings assigned to them in the
Schedule 14D-9.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (i) Purchaser will commence a cash tender
offer (the "Offer") for all Shares, including the associated preferred share
purchase rights (the "Rights"), of Prism at a price of $7.50 per Share, net to
the seller in cash, without interest, and (ii) Purchaser will be merged with
and into Prism (the "Merger"). As a result of the Offer and the Merger, Prism
will become a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Parent. Hereinafter,
references to Shares shall include the associated Rights.
The Merger Agreement provides that, promptly after the purchase of Shares
pursuant to the Offer, Purchaser shall be entitled to designate such number of
directors to the Prism Board (the "Purchaser Designees") as will constitute a
majority of the Prism Board. The Merger Agreement requires Prism to take such
action as Purchaser may request to cause the Purchaser Designees to be elected
to the Prism Board under the circumstances described therein.
If the Merger Agreement is terminated or if Purchaser does not accept
Shares tendered for payment, then Purchaser will not have any right to
designate directors for election to the Prism Board.
This Information Statement is required by Section 14(f) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and Rule 14f-1
promulgated thereunder. You are urged to read this Information Statement
carefully. You are not, however, required to take any action.
The information contained in this Information Statement concerning Parent
and Purchaser has been furnished to Prism by Parent. Prism assumes no
responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information.
The Purchaser Designees
The Merger Agreement provides that promptly upon the purchase by Purchaser
of Shares, and from time to time thereafter, Purchaser shall be entitled to
designate that number (but no more than that number) of directors to the Prism
Board constituting a majority of the Prism Board, and Prism shall use its best
efforts to, upon request by Purchaser, promptly, at Prism's election, either
increase the size of the Prism Board or secure the resignation of such number
of directors as is necessary to enable the Purchaser Designees to be elected
to the Prism Board and to constitute a majority thereof at all times after the
Tender Offer Purchase Time. At such time, Prism will also use its best efforts
to cause individual directors designated by Purchaser to constitute the number
of members
<PAGE>
on (i) each committee of the Prism Board other than any committee established
to take action under the Merger Agreement and (ii) each board of directors of
each subsidiary of Prism, and each committee thereof, that represents the same
percentage as such individuals represent on the Prism Board. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, until the time the Merger becomes effective (the "Effective
Time"), the Prism Board must have at least three directors who are directors
on the date of the Merger Agreement and who are not officers of Prism (the
"Continuing Directors").
Prism's obligations to appoint Purchaser's designees to the Prism Board
shall be subject to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1
promulgated thereunder. Prism has agreed to promptly take all such actions, as
Section 14(f) and Rule 14f-1 require, in order to fulfill its obligations
under the Merger Agreement to cause the Purchaser Designees to be elected to
the Prism Board.
Following the election or appointment of the Purchaser Designees and until
the Effective Time, the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors is
required to authorize any termination of the Merger Agreement by Prism, any
amendment of the Merger Agreement, any amendment of the certificate of
incorporation or bylaws of Prism, any extension of time for performance of any
obligation of Parent or Purchaser under the Merger Agreement, any waiver of
any condition or any of Prism's rights under the Merger Agreement and any
other action by Prism in connection with Prism's rights under the Merger
Agreement.
Purchaser has informed Prism that it will choose the Purchaser Designees
from the directors and executive officers of Parent and Purchaser listed in
Schedule I to the Offer to Purchase, a copy of which is being mailed to Prism
stockholders together with this Schedule 14D-9. Purchaser has informed Prism
that each of the individuals listed in Schedule I to the Offer to Purchase has
consented to act as a director, if so designated. The information on such
Schedule I is incorporated herein by reference. If necessary, Purchaser may
choose additional or other Purchaser Designees, subject to the requirements of
Rule 14f-1. It is expected that the Purchaser Designees will assume office
promptly upon the purchase by Purchaser, pursuant to the Offer, of the number
of Shares that satisfies the Minimum Condition (as defined in the Merger
Agreement), and that they will thereafter constitute at least a majority of
the Prism Board.
Based solely on the information set forth in the Offer to Purchase, none of
the Purchaser Designees (i) is currently a director of, or holds any position
with, Prism, (ii) has a familial relationship with any directors or executive
officers of Prism, or (iii) to the best knowledge of Parent, beneficially owns
any securities (or any rights to acquire such securities) of Prism. Prism has
been advised by Parent that, to the best of Parent's knowledge, none of the
Purchaser Designees has been involved in any transactions with Prism or any of
its directors, officers or affiliates which are required to be disclosed
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, except as may be disclosed
herein.
2
<PAGE>
CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING PRISM
The Shares constitute the only class of voting securities of Prism. The
holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per Share. As of March 15,
2000, there were 14,780,250 Shares (including restricted stock) issued and
outstanding and approximately 2,014,000 Shares subject to outstanding options
and purchase rights. Currently, the Prism Board consists of five members. The
Prism Board is divided into three classes and each director serves a term of
three years and until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his
earlier death, resignation or removal.
Prism was formed in February 1999 to serve as a holding company for Prism
Mortgage Company ("Prism Mortgage") and its subsidiaries. References herein to
"Prism" or the "Company" include Prism Mortgage and its subsidiaries.
Information About the Prism Board
The names of the current members of the Prism Board, their ages and certain
biographical information about each of them are set forth below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Term
Name Age Director Since Expiration
- ---- --- -------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Richard L. Wellek................................. 61 1999 2001
Mark A. Filler.................................... 39 1999 2002
Terry A. Markus................................... 38 1999 2002
Andrew S. Hochberg................................ 37 1999 2001
Michael P. Krasny................................. 46 1999 2000
</TABLE>
Richard L. Wellek. Mr. Wellek was elected as a director in May 1999 and was
elected to the position of Chairman of the Board in December 1999. Mr. Wellek
was Chairman of Varlen Corporation, a leading manufacturer of precision-
engineered transportation products and petroleum analyzers, from May 1997
until August 1999 when Varlen was acquired by Amsted Industries. He served as
Chief Executive Officer of Varlen Corporation from December 1983 through
January 1999 and as President from December 1983 to May 1997. Mr. Wellek holds
a B.S. in industrial management from the University of Illinois.
Mark A. Filler. Mr. Filler has served as Chief Executive Officer since
December 1999, as President since January 1999 and as a director since
February 1999, when the Company was formed. From June 1994 to January 1999, he
was an Executive Vice President of Prism Mortgage. From mid-1992 to May 1994,
Mr. Filler served as Chief Operating Officer of Uresil Corp., a medical device
business. Prior to 1992, he was employed by The Equity Group, a company
engaged primarily in mergers and acquisitions and associated with Mr. Sam
Zell. Prior to 1990, Mr. Filler was an attorney at the Chicago law firm
Kirkland & Ellis. Mr. Filler holds a B.A. in political science from the
University of Michigan and a J.D. from Harvard University.
Terry A. Markus. Mr. Markus is a co-founder of the Company and has served
as a director since February 1999, when the Company was formed. He has been
President of Prism Illinois, an operating division of Prism Mortgage, since
January 1999. Previously, Mr. Markus served as an Executive Vice President of
Prism Mortgage from April 1994 to January 1999. Mr. Markus holds a B.S. in
accountancy from the University of Illinois and a J.D. from Northwestern
University. Prior to co-founding the Company, Mr. Markus was an attorney at
the Chicago law firm Bell, Boyd & Lloyd.
Andrew S. Hochberg. Mr. Hochberg has been a Principal of Next Realty, LLC,
a commercial real estate development company, since February 1998. He has been
a director of Gart Sports Company ("Gart Sports"), a leading full-line
sporting goods retailer, since April 1998, and served as a director for
Strouds, Inc., a bed and bath retailer, from 1996 to 1997. Prior to
establishing Next Realty, LLC, Mr. Hochberg served in various capacities at
Sportmart, Inc. from 1987 to 1998, including Chief Executive Officer from 1996
through January 1998, when Sportmart, Inc. became a subsidiary of Gart Sports.
Mr. Hochberg holds a B.S. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and
a J.D. from Northwestern University.
Michael P. Krasny. Michael Krasny is the founder of CDW Computer Centers,
Inc., one of the nation's leading direct marketers of microcomputer products.
He currently serves as CDW Computer Centers, Inc.'s
3
<PAGE>
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Michael Krasny holds a B.S.
in finance from the University of Illinois.
Prism Board Meetings and Committees
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 ("fiscal year 1999"), the
Prism Board held eight meetings, two of which were held by telephone
conference call, the Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee")
held one meeting and the Audit Committee held two meetings. During fiscal year
1999, each of the directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of (1) the
total number of meetings of the Prism Board (held during the period that such
director served) and (2) the total number of meetings held by all committees
of the Prism Board on which such director served (during the period that he
served). Prism's directors discharge their responsibilities throughout the
year, not only at the Prism Board's and committee meetings, but also through
personal meetings and other communications, including telephone contacts with
the Chairman of the Board and others.
Prism's Audit Committee is currently composed of Andrew S. Hochberg and
Richard L. Wellek, each of whom is not an officer or employee of Prism or its
subsidiaries. The Audit Committee has the responsibility of recommending
Prism's independent public accountant, monitoring and reviewing the quality
and activities of Prism's internal audit function and those of Prism's
independent auditors and monitoring the adequacy of Prism's operating and
internal controls.
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Andrew S. Hochberg and
Richard L. Wellek. No member or alternate member of the Compensation Committee
is a current or former officer or employee of Prism or any of its
subsidiaries. The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing
salaries, benefits and other compensation of Prism's executive officers,
making recommendations to the Prism Board regarding salaries, benefits and
other compensation, and administering Prism's employee benefit plans.
Prism does not have a nominating committee.
Director Compensation
Under the 1999 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the "1999 Stock Plan"), an
option to acquire 5,000 Shares is granted to each non-employee director upon
his initial election to the Prism Board and an option to purchase 2,500 Shares
is awarded to each non-employee director serving on the Prism Board on the day
immediately following Prism's annual meeting of stockholders, provided that
the non-employee director has served in such capacity for at least the
preceding six months. Directors who are employees of Prism or its affiliates
do not receive additional compensation for services as a director of Prism.
All directors are reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in connection with
attending meetings.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Hochberg and
Wellek. No member of Prism's Compensation Committee is a current or former
officer or employee of Prism or any of its subsidiaries. There are no
compensation committee interlocks between Prism and any other entities
involving any of the executive officers or directors of such other entities.
During fiscal year 1999, Bruce C. Abrams was a member of the Compensation
Committee while serving as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
of Prism.
4
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF PRISM
The names of the executive officers who are not also directors of Prism,
their ages and certain information about them are set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal Occupations
and
Positions And Offices Employment During Past 5
Name Age With Prism Years
---- --- ---------------------------- ------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S>
William D. Osenton...... 55 President of Pacific Mr. Osenton has served
Guarantee Mortgage as President of Pacific
Corporation ("Pacific Guarantee since December
Guarantee"), a wholly owned 1987. Mr. Osenton was
indirect subsidiary of Prism Chairman of the Board of
Pacific Guarantee from
December 1987 to August
1998. Mr. Osenton served
as a member of Prism's
board of directors from
October 1998 until March
1999. From August 1989
until August 1998, he
was President of Pacific
Guarantee Financial
Services, a residential
loan brokerage and loan
servicing company, where
he was responsible for
overall management. Mr.
Osenton holds a B.A. in
history from Boston
College and an M.B.A.
from Loyola College.
Martin D. Francis....... 39 President of Mortgage Mr. Francis is the
Market, Inc. ("Mortgage founder of Mortgage
Market"), a wholly owned Market and has served as
indirect subsidiary of Prism its President since
November 1992. Prior to
founding Mortgage
Market, Mr. Francis was
a loan originator for
several years. Mr.
Francis holds a B.S. in
marketing from Southern
Oregon State University.
David A Fisher.......... 30 Senior Vice President, Mr. Fisher has served as
Chief Financial Officer Senior Vice President,
and Secretary Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary since
January 1999, having
been a Vice President,
General Counsel and
Assistant Secretary
since joining Prism
Financial in October
1997. From September
1994 to October 1997,
Mr. Fisher was an
attorney at the Chicago
law firm Katten Muchin &
Zavis. He holds a B.S.
in finance from the
University of Illinois
and a J.D. from
Northwestern University.
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal Occupations
and
Positions And Offices Employment During Past 5
Name Age With Prism Years
---- --- ------------------------ ------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S>
Edward C. Ahern......... 36 Senior Vice President of Mr. Ahern has served as
Secondary Marketing Senior Vice President of
Secondary Marketing
since January 1999. He
joined Prism Financial
as a Vice President in
June 1997. From 1993 to
June 1997, Mr. Ahern was
employed by LaSalle Home
Mortgage Company in
Secondary Marketing,
with responsibility for
risk management,
investor relations and
operations. Mr. Ahern
holds a B.A. in business
economics from the
University of Illinois
and an M.B.A. from the
University of Chicago.
Kevin N. Christopher.... 34 Senior Vice President of Mr. Christopher has
Production served as Senior Vice
President of Production
since January 1999 and
was a Vice President of
Prism Financial from
June 1995 to January
1999. Prior to joining
Prism Financial, Mr.
Christopher was a Branch
Manager/Level II for
Norwest Mortgage. Mr.
Christopher holds a B.A.
in liberal arts from the
University of Illinois.
James P. Hayes.......... 30 Senior Vice President, Mr. Hayes has served as
Treasurer and Controller Senior Vice President
since January 1999 and
as Treasurer since
January 1998. He joined
Prism Financial as
Controller in October
1995, a position he
currently holds. From
September 1991 to
October 1995, Mr. Hayes
was employed by Arthur
Andersen LLP, where he
managed financial audit
engagements. He holds a
B.S. in accountancy from
Northern Illinois
University. He is a
certified public
accountant.
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal Occupations
and
Positions And Offices Employment During Past 5
Name Age With Prism Years
---- --- ---------------------------- ------------------------
<C> <C> <C> <S>
Laurence E Katz......... 30 Vice President of Electronic Mr. Katz has served as
Commerce Vice President for
Electronic Commerce
since September 1998.
From August 1997 to
August 1998, Mr. Katz
was a Senior Research
Fellow at Harvard
University's Graduate
School of Business,
where he was a student
in the M.B.A. program
beginning in August
1995. From July 1994 to
August 1995, Mr. Katz
served as assistant to
the chief operating
officer of Delray Farms,
Inc., with
responsibility for
business development.
From August 1991 to June
1994, he was a member of
the Corporate Strategic
Planning and Development
Department at The Walt
Disney Company. Mr. Katz
holds a B.A. in
political science from
Yale College and an
M.B.A. from Harvard
University.
</TABLE>
7
<PAGE>
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
Security Ownership of Officers and Directors
According to information furnished to Prism as of March 15, 2000, the
directors of Prism, Prism's "named executive officers" (the "Named Executive
Officers") within the meaning of Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K, and all
directors and executive officers as a group, beneficially owned shares of
Prism common stock as set forth below. Beneficial ownership has been
determined for purposes herein in accordance with Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange
Act under which a person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities if
such person has or shares voting power or investment power in respect of such
securities or has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within 60 days of
March 15, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Common Approximate Percentage of
Name Shares and Share Equivalents Outstanding Common Shares
- ---- ---------------------------- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Mark A. Filler(1)....... 1,966,671 13.2
Terry A. Markus(2)...... 1,673,150 11.3
Martin E. Francis....... 0 *
David A. Fisher(3)...... 86,813 *
Kevin N. Christopher.... 2,000 *
Andrew S. Hochberg(4)... 10,000 *
Michael P. Krasny....... 20,000 *
Richard L. Wellek....... 13,147 *
All directors and execu-
tive officers as a
group
(12 per-
sons)(1)(2)(3)(4)...... 4,426,190 29.3
</TABLE>
- --------
* Represents less than 1%
(1) Includes 100,000 Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of stock
options held by Mr. Filler which vest upon a change of control of the
Company. Also includes 466,669 shares held by the Filler Growth and
Retention Fund I LP, a family limited partnership, of which Mr. Filler is
the sole general partner.
(2) Includes 836,575 Shares held by the Markus Growth and Retention Fund I LP,
a family limited partnership, of which Mr. Markus is the sole general
partner.
(3) Includes 83,333 Shares which may be acquired upon the exercise of stock
options held by Mr. Fisher which vest on April 30, 2000.
(4) Excludes 317,529 Shares owned by Abrams Capital Trust, a trust established
by Mr. Abrams for the benefit of his wife and all of his children, over
which Mr. Hochberg, as trustee, has investment and voting control. Mr.
Hochberg disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares. See "Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners," Footnote (1).
8
<PAGE>
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth information with respect to the persons
other than Named Executive Officers or directors known to Prism to
beneficially own more than five percent (5%) of the Shares, as of March 15,
2000:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Address of Amount and Nature of
Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Percentage of Class
- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Nancy C. Abrams, as executor of the
estate of Bruce C. Abrams(1)......... 5,503,745 37.2
c/o Mayer Brown & Platt
190 S. LaSalle
Chicago, Illinois 60603
Markus Growth and Retention Fund I
LP(2)................................ 836,575 5.7
3448 Dauphine Avenue
Northbrook, Illinois 60062-2264
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Does not include 317,529 shares held by the Abrams Capital Trust.
According to a Schedule 13D filed February 2, 2000, Nancy C. Abrams,
individually, is a beneficiary of the Abrams Capital Trust, which holds
317,529 Shares. The Schedule 13D states that Ms. Abrams does not have
voting or investment power with respect to such Shares and, accordingly,
disclaims beneficial ownership of such Shares.
(2) Mr. Markus, as the sole general partner of Markus Growth and Retention
Fund I LP, has sole voting and investment power with respect to all such
shares.
On March 10, 2000, as a condition and inducement to Parent and Purchaser
entering into the Merger Agreement, Mr. Filler, Mr. Markus and the estate of
Bruce C. Abrams (collectively, the "Principal Stockholders") entered into a
Stockholders' Agreement (the "Stockholders' Agreement") with Parent and
Purchaser. The Principal Stockholders hold, in the aggregate, 9,043,566
Shares, or approximately 62% of the issued and outstanding Shares. Pursuant to
the Stockholders' Agreement, each Principal Stockholder has agreed to, among
other things, (i) vote its Shares in favor of the approval and adoption of the
Merger Agreement and against any competing transaction, (ii) grant to Parent
an irrevocable proxy to vote its Shares and (iii) grant to Purchaser an option
to purchase all of the Shares held by such Principal Stockholder at a price of
$7.50 per share, subject to the terms and conditions therein. Accordingly,
Parent and Purchaser may be deemed to beneficially hold 9,043,566 Shares, or
approximately 62% of the issued and outstanding Shares.
Certain Transactions
In January 1996, the Company loaned $100,000 each to Mr. Filler and Mr.
Markus to purchase outstanding common shares of the Company from another
stockholder. From January 1, 1997, the loans accrued interest at 8.25%
annually. The principal was payable in five annual installments of $20,000,
plus interest, beginning December 31, 1997. Each stockholder repaid the
remaining principal and accrued interest balance of the loans to the Company
in May 1999.
The Company paid management fees for shared services of approximately
$115,000 to LR Development Company in 1999. LR Development Company was
controlled by Bruce C. Abrams, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the
Board of Directors of Prism, until his death in December 1999.
The estate of Bruce C. Abrams owns a one-third equity interest, and Mr.
Hochberg has an indirect equity interest, in Winners Limited Partnership, an
Illinois limited partnership, which is the landlord under the lease of
9
<PAGE>
an office building in Chicago, Illinois that is subleased by Prism. Mr.
Hochberg is also on the board of directors of the company from which Prism
subleases the office space. The Company made sublease payments of
approximately $422,000 to the sublessor during 1999. The sublease, which
extends through August 30, 2004, was negotiated on an arm's-length basis.
Prism acquired 80 percent of the membership interests of Apollo Housing
Capital, L.L.C. ("Apollo"), a tax credit syndication business, in September
1999 for approximately $1.64 million in cash, net of cash acquired in the
acquisition. Fifty percent of the interests in Apollo were owned by Vision
AHC, L.L.C. ("Vision"), an entity formerly controlled by the late Mr. Abrams
and now controlled by Mr. Abrams' estate. Vision did not receive any cash from
the Company upon the closing of the transaction. However, Vision is entitled
to receive initial consideration of up to $3.25 million in cash only if Apollo
satisfies conditions relating to available cash flows of Apollo following the
closing. In addition, Vision will receive a percentage of Apollo's 1999 net
cash flow following the acquisition and contingent consideration equal to a
percentage of Apollo's pre-tax net income in each of the years 2000 through
2007.
At the time of the closing of Prism Financial's acquisition of Apollo,
Apollo had outstanding obligations of $500,000 under a promissory note payable
to Vision. The note was paid in full in the third quarter of 1999.
As of December 31, 1999, the Company, through Apollo, owned limited
partnership interests valued at $18.7 million in two investee partnerships
that were purchased in 1999 from LR Development Company, formerly controlled
by the late Bruce C. Abrams. Additionally, the Company owed capital
contribution notes totaling $17.1 million as of December 31, 1999 in
connection with its acquisition of such limited partnership interest.
On March 6, 1998, prior to its acquisition by Prism, Pacific Guarantee
issued a subordinated promissory note to Mr. Osenton in the amount of $200,000
which, together with interest of 10% per annum, was due on or before March 31,
2000. Interest-only payments were payable monthly on unpaid principal and were
due on the first day of each month beginning on April 30, 1998. This note was
repaid in 1999.
On June 30, 1997, prior to its acquisition by Prism, Pacific Guarantee
issued a subordinated promissory note to Mr. Osenton and his wife in the
amount of $400,000, which, together with interest of 10% per annum, was due on
or before June 30, 2002. Interest-only payments were payable monthly on unpaid
principal and were due on the first day of each month beginning August 1,
1997. This note was repaid in 1999.
Mr. Abrams, Mr. Filler, Mr. Markus, Mr. Osenton, an affiliate of Mr.
Abrams, and affiliates of Penny S. Pritzker, a Prism Board member from May
1999 until January 2000, entered into a registration rights agreement with
Prism in May 1999 pursuant to which they received shelf, demand and piggyback
rights to register their restricted Shares. The registration rights agreement
has been filed as Exhibit 18 to this Schedule 14D-9 and is incorporated herein
by reference.
CDW Computer Centers, Inc., of which Mr. Krasny is Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer, sold $140,778 worth of computer equipment to
Prism in 1999. These purchases were negotiated on an arm's-length basis.
In connection with the termination of the Company's S corporation status
for federal and certain state income tax purposes in conjunction with the
Company's initial public offering, the Company issued promissory notes (the "S
Corporation Distribution Notes") to all of the Company's stockholders prior to
the initial public offering, including Mr. Abrams, an affiliate of Mr. Abrams,
Messrs. Filler and Markus, affiliates of Ms. Penny S. Pritzker and Mr.
Osenton, in the amount of their respective undistributed accumulated S
corporation earnings for the period ending on the termination date. In
accordance with the Company's S Corporation status, all earnings of the
Company during this period were taxed directly to these stockholders rather
than to the Company. The initial amount owed under the S Corporation
Distribution Notes upon issuance was $20.8 million including $10.7 million,
$3.6 million, $3.6 million, $942,842, $944,309 and $564,551 to Mr. Abrams, Mr.
Markus, Mr. Filler, an affiliate of Mr. Abrams, affiliates of Ms. Pritzker and
Mr. Osenton, respectively. As of December 31, 1999, the respective amounts
outstanding under the S Corporation Distribution Notes were $675,574,
$245,663, $245,663, $61,415, $68,708 and $36,771 plus accrued but unpaid
interest.
10
<PAGE>
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act ("Section 16(a)") requires Prism's
executive officers and directors and persons who own more than ten percent of
a registered class of Prism's equity securities ("10% Stockholders") to file
reports of ownership on a Form 3 and changes in ownership on a Form 4 or a
Form 5 with the SEC. Such executive officers, directors and 10% Stockholders
are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms that they file. To the best of Prism's knowledge and
belief, during fiscal 1999, its executive officers, directors and 10%
Stockholders complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
11
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The following summary compensation table sets forth certain information
concerning the compensation of Prism's chief executive officer and four most
highly compensated executive officers other than the chief executive officer
as of the end of fiscal 1999 (the "Named Executive Officers") for each of the
two fiscal years during the period ended December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Long-Term
Annual Compensation
Compensation(1) Awards
-------------------- ----------------
Number of Shares
Underlying
Name and Principal Position Year Salary ($) Bonus ($) Options (#)(2)
- --------------------------- ---- ---------- --------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mark A. Filler*.................... 1999 175,000 50,000 --
President and Chief Executive
Officer 1998 150,000 25,000 --
Bruce C. Abrams*................... 1999 154,167 -- --
Chairman of the Board of Directors
and Chief Executive Officer 1998 75,000 -- --
Martin E. Francis.................. 1999 150,000 50,000 8,000
President of Mortgage Market 1998 37,500 50,000 --
Kevin N. Christopher............... 1999 110,000 80,000 50,000
Senior Vice President of Production 1998 93,500 66,500 --
David A. Fisher.................... 1999 107,545 80,000 75,000
Senior Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary 1998 90,000 60,000 --
Terry A. Markus.................... 1999 177,308 -- --
President of Prism Illinois 1998 150,000 -- --
</TABLE>
- --------
*Mr. Filler became Chief Executive Officer of Prism after the death of Mr.
Abrams on December 12, 1999.
(1) The aggregate amount of perquisites and other personal benefits for each
of the Named Executive Officers did not equal or exceed the lesser of
either $50,000 or 10% of the total of such individual's base salary and
bonus, as reported herein for the applicable fiscal years, and is not
reflected in the table.
(2) Stock options granted under the 1999 Stock Plan.
Option Grants Table
The following table provides certain summary information concerning
individual grants of stock options made to Named Executive Officers during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 under the 1999 Stock Plan. Prism had no
stock appreciation rights ("SARs") outstanding and granted no SARs during the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1999. Except as set forth in the table below,
during fiscal year 1999, Prism did not grant any stock options under the 1999
Stock Plan to any of the Named Executive Officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Individual Rights Potential
------------------------------------------------ Realizable Value
Number of Percent of Total at Assumed Rates
Shares Options Granted of Stock Price
Underlying to Employees in Exercise Expiration Appreciation for
Grant (#) Fiscal Year (%) Price ($) Date Option Term(1)
---------- ---------------- --------- ---------- -----------------
5% ($) 10% ($)
------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Martin E. Francis....... 8,000 1.2 14 5/24/09 70,436 178,500
Kevin N. Christopher.... 50,000 7.2 14 5/24/09 440,226 1,115,620
David A. Fisher......... 75,000 10.8 14 5/24/09 660,339 1,673,430
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved from the
exercise of the respective stock options and the subsequent sale of the
Shares underlying such options if the options were exercised at the end of
the option terms. The gains are based upon assumed rates of stock price
appreciation of 5% and 10% compounded annually from the date the
respective options were granted. The rates of appreciation are
12
<PAGE>
mandated by the rules of the Exchange Act and do not represent Prism's
estimate or projection of the future Share price.
(2) The stock options reported were awarded pursuant to the 1999 Stock Plan at
exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the Shares on the date
of grant. The options vest in specified installments over a four- or five-
year period after the grant date and terminate ten years after the grant
date
Fiscal Year-end Option Values
No stock options with respect to Shares were exercised by the Named
Executive Officers in 1999. The following table provides certain summary
information concerning the number of unexercised stock options held by the
Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 1999. No information is included
below as to the value of Named Executive Officers' unexercised options because
the closing price per share of Prism common stock on December 31, 1999 was
less than the exercise price per Share of all such unexercised options.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Unexercised
Options at Fiscal Year
End (#)(1)
-------------------------
Name Exercisable Unexercisable
---- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Martin E. Francis............................... -- 8,000
Kevin N. Christopher............................ -- 50,000
David A. Fisher................................. -- 75,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Represents the aggregate number of stock options held as of December 31,
1999 which could and could not be exercised on that date pursuant to the
terms of the stock option agreements related thereto and the 1999 Stock
Plan.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
Background. The Prism Board established the Compensation Committee in June
1999, in connection with the Company's initial public offering. Prior to the
Company's initial public offering, compensation of Prism's executive officers
was determined by the Company's founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
of the Board of Directors, Bruce C. Abrams, in consultation with Prism Board
members Messrs. Filler and Markus.
General policy. The Compensation Committee's overall compensation policy
applicable to the Company's executive officers is to offer a compensation
package intended to attract and retain qualified executives for the Company
and to provide them with incentives to achieve Company goals and increase
stockholder value. The compensation paid to the Company's executive officers
is composed of three elements: salary, cash bonus and stock options.
Salary. The Compensation Committee's policy is to provide salaries (i) that
are approximately at the median of the salaries paid to similar executive
officers in similar companies, adjusted in the Committee's subjective judgment
to reflect differences in duties of the officers and differences in the size
of the companies, in order to attract and retain qualified executives and (ii)
that compensate individual employees for their individual contributions and
performance. The Compensation Committee determines comparable salaries paid by
other companies similar to the Company through its subjective evaluation of
its members' knowledge of salaries paid by other companies, salary requests of
individuals interviewed by the Company for open positions, recommendations of
management and reviews of public documents of other companies. Salaries of
executive officers for 1999 were determined by the Prism Board prior to the
establishment of the Compensation Committee.
Cash bonus. The Compensation Committee's policy is to recommend bonuses
that compensate executive officers for achieving Company goals and for
individual performance or achievements, all as determined in the Compensation
Committee's subjective judgment after receiving management's recommendations.
The bonuses recommended for 1999 were primarily a reflection of the completion
of Prism's initial public offering in May 1999 and the Company's
implementation of its three-pronged growth strategy of internal growth,
selective acquisitions, and development of its e-commerce platform. The 1999
bonuses also reflect the Compensation Committee's assessment of the relative
performance of management during the second half of fiscal 1999.
Stock options. The Company also compensates its executives in the form of
stock option grants. The purpose of such grants is to align employee interests
with those of stockholders and to promote long term growth and
13
<PAGE>
performance through encouraging long term loyalty to the Company by employees.
In fiscal year 1999, the Company awarded incentive stock options pursuant to
its 1999 Stock Plan. In May 1999, the Company awarded options to acquire
253,000 shares of the Company's common stock to executive officers other than
those who were already principal stockholders of the Company, based primarily
upon the Prism's operating achievements and the successful completion of the
Company's initial public offering.
Chief Executive Officer compensation. Mr. Abrams was Chief Executive
Officer of Prism until his death on December 12, 1999. Mr. Abrams' $175,000
annual salary for fiscal 1999 was determined by the Prism Board prior to the
Company's initial public offering and the formation of the Compensation
Committee. The salary amount reported in the Summary Compensation Table on
page 12 reflects the portion of his annual salary that Mr. Abrams earned
through December 12, 1999. Mr. Abrams requested that he not receive a cash
bonus for 1999 and did not receive any compensation in the form of stock
options. Mr. Filler was appointed to succeed Mr. Abrams as Chief Executive
Officer on December 12, 1999. Because of the brevity of the period during
fiscal 1999 for which Mr. Filler served as Chief Executive Officer, Mr.
Filler's salary for fiscal 1999 reflects that which was established by the
Prism Board for Mr. Filler in his capacity as President of the Company prior
to Prism's initial public offering and prior to the formation of the
Compensation Committee. In determining the amount of Mr. Filler's bonus, the
Compensation Committee considered Prism's financial results during 1999 and
Mr. Filler's role in establishing and executing the Company's strategic
initiatives and operational plans.
Compensation deductibility policy. It is the policy of the Compensation
Committee to have the executive compensation plans of Prism treated as fully
tax deductible under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code") whenever, in the judgment of the Committee, to do so
would be consistent with the business objectives of those plans. All
compensation paid during fiscal year 1999 was, in fact, fully tax deductible.
The Compensation Committee, however, reserves the right to grant future
compensation awards in such amounts as it may deem appropriate in the exercise
of its business judgement, notwithstanding whether those awards are fully tax
deductible.
Compensation Committee
Andrew S. Hochberg
Richard L. Wellek
Employment and Consulting Agreements with Prism
The following is a summary of certain employment and consulting agreements
to which Prism or a subsidiary of Prism is a party. Such summary does not
include any of the arrangements entered into by Prism employees in connection
with Purchaser's acquisition of Prism pursuant to the Offer and the Merger.
For a discussion of these arrangements, see Item 3 under "Arrangements with
Executive Officers, Directors or Affiliates of Prism" in the Schedule 14D-9 of
which this Information Statement forms a part.
Prism's subsidiary Pacific Guarantee has an employment agreement with Mr.
Osenton under which (1) Pacific Guarantee agrees to employ Mr. Osenton as
President through May 31, 2003, provided that Pacific Guarantee may terminate
Mr. Osenton's employment at any time for cause, and provided further that Mr.
Osenton may terminate his employment at any time after July 31, 1999, (2) Mr.
Osenton receives an annual salary of $180,000, is eligible each calendar year
for a bonus of $70,000 if Pacific Guarantee's pre-tax income exceeds $1
million for the calendar year and receives employee benefits which are in
effect from time to time for Pacific Guarantee's management and (3) Mr.
Osenton agrees, during and after his employment with Pacific Guarantee, not to
disclose or use for his own benefit confidential information regarding Pacific
Guarantee and its affiliates.
Prism's subsidiary Mortgage Market has an employment agreement with Mr.
Francis under which (1) Mortgage Market agrees to employ Mr. Francis through
July 31, 2000 as President of Mortgage Market, subject to renewal for one-year
terms by Mr. Francis and Mortgage Market, provided that Mortgage Market may
terminate Mr. Francis' employment for cause, (2) Mr. Francis receives an
annual salary of $150,000, is eligible for a bonus of $50,000 if Mortgage
Market's pre-tax income exceeds $1 million for the calendar year, and receives
health and medical benefits and a company car and (3) Mr. Francis agrees,
during and after his employment with Mortgage Market, not to disclose or use
for his own benefit confidential information regarding Mortgage Market and its
affiliates.
14
<PAGE>
Stock Performance Graph
Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in
Prism's cumulative stockholder return on the Shares since Prism's initial
public offering with the cumulative return during the same period of (i) the
NASDAQ-Total US index and (ii) a peer group [represented by the SNL Securities
LC Mortgage Bank Index]. Prism has a fiscal year corresponding to the calendar
year. Accordingly, for purposes of the line graph, Prism has selected as the
"measurement period" the period beginning on May 25, 1999, the date of
commencement of trading of Shares following Prism's initial public offering,
and ending on December 31, 1999. Cumulative total returns are calculated
assuming that $100 was invested on May 25, 1999 in each of the Shares, the
NASDAQ-Total US index and the Peer Group, and that all dividends were
reinvested.
COMPARISON OF CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
Among Prism Financial Corporation, NASDAQ-Total US Index
and Selected Peer Group Since Prism's Initial Public Offering
Indexed Returns for the Period from May 25, 1999 through December 31, 1999
[Line Graph appears here]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period Ending
--------------------------------------------
Index 05/25/99 06/30/99 08/31/99 10/31/99 12/31/99
- ----- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Prism Financial Corporation........ 100.00 111.99 108.22 70.21 30.82
NASDAQ--Total US*.................. 100.00 113.01 115.64 124.18 167.82
SNL Mortgage Bank Index............ 100.00 100.48 83.71 75.36 60.55
</TABLE>
- --------
*Source: CRSP, Center for Research in Security Prices, Graduate School of
Business, The University of Chicago 1999.
15
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERGER
AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF MARCH 10, 2000
AMONG
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA,
PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND
RAINBOW ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
----
<S> <C> <C>
ARTICLE 1 THE OFFER........................................................2
SECTION 1.1. THE OFFER........................................................2
SECTION 1.2. COMPANY ACTION...................................................3
SECTION 1.3. BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES; SECTION 14(F)................4
ARTICLE 2 THE MERGER.......................................................5
SECTION 2.1. THE MERGER.......................................................5
SECTION 2.2. CLOSING OF THE MERGER............................................6
SECTION 2.3. EFFECTIVE TIME...................................................6
SECTION 2.4. EFFECTS OF THE MERGER............................................6
SECTION 2.5. CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS..........................6
SECTION 2.6. DIRECTORS........................................................6
SECTION 2.7. OFFICERS.........................................................7
SECTION 2.8. CONVERSION OF SHARES.............................................7
SECTION 2.9. PAYMENT OF CASH MERGER CONSIDERATION.............................7
SECTION 2.10. STOCK OPTIONS....................................................9
ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY...................10
SECTION 3.1. ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION; SUBSIDIARIES....................10
SECTION 3.2. CAPITALIZATION OF THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES..............11
SECTION 3.3. AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT; RECOMMENDATION............12
SECTION 3.4. SEC REPORTS; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; ACCOUNTING PROCEDURES........12
SECTION 3.5. INFORMATION SUPPLIED............................................13
SECTION 3.6. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS...........................14
SECTION 3.7. NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES; ABSENCE OF CHANGES..................15
SECTION 3.8. LITIGATION......................................................15
SECTION 3.9 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS............................................15
SECTION 3.10. FORMS; POLICIES AND PROCEDURES..................................16
SECTION 3.11. LICENSES AND PERMITS............................................16
SECTION 3.12. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS, LABOR MATTERS...........................17
SECTION 3.13. ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS..............................19
SECTION 3.14. TAXES...........................................................20
SECTION 3.15. PROPERTIES .....................................................21
SECTION 3.16. MATERIAL CONTRACTS AND COMMITMENTS..............................22
SECTION 3.17. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY...........................................24
SECTION 3.19. STOCK OPTIONS...................................................29
SECTION 3.20. INSURANCE ......................................................30
SECTION 3.21. POOL CERTIFICATIONS.............................................30
SECTION 3.22. BROKERS ........................................................30
ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND ACQUISITION........30
SECTION 4.1. ORGANIZATION....................................................30
SECTION 4.2. AUTHORITY RELATIVE TO THIS AGREEMENT............................31
SECTION 4.3. INFORMATION SUPPLIED............................................31
SECTION 4.4. FINANCING; SHARE OWNERSHIP......................................31
SECTION 4.5. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS; NO VIOLATIONS...........................32
SECTION 4.6. BROKERS AND FINDERS.............................................32
SECTION 4.7. NATURE AND INTERIM OPERATIONS OF ACQUISITION....................32
ARTICLE 5 COVENANT........................................................33
SECTION 5.1. INTERIM OPERATIONS..............................................33
SECTION 5.2. STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING; ACTION BY CONSENT........................35
SECTION 5.3. TERMINATION OF REGISTRATION OF SHARES...........................36
SECTION 5.4. OTHER POTENTIAL ACQUIRERS.......................................36
SECTION 5.5. ACCESS TO INFORMATION...........................................38
SECTION 5.6. FURTHER ACTIONS.................................................38
SECTION 5.7. PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS............................................39
SECTION 5.8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT MATTERS........................................39
SECTION 5.9. EXPENSES........................................................40
SECTION 5.10. NOTIFICATION OF CERTAIN MATTERS.................................40
SECTION 5.11. GUARANTEE OF PERFORMANCE........................................40
SECTION 5.12. EFFECT OF PARENTS KNOWLEDGE.....................................41
SECTION 5.13. INDEMNIFICATION, DIRECTORS' AND OFFICERS' INSURANCE.............41
ARTICLE 6 CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER.........................................42
SECTION 6.1. CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER.........................................42
ARTICLE 7 CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER........................44
SECTION 7.1. CONDITIONS TO EACH PARTY'S OBLIGATIONS TO EFFECT THE MERGER.....44
ARTICLE 8 TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER..................................44
SECTION 8.1. TERMINATION.....................................................44
SECTION 8.2. EFFECT OF TERMINATION...........................................45
SECTION 8.3. FEES AND EXPENSES...............................................45
SECTION 8.4. AMENDMENT.......................................................46
SECTION 8.5. EXTENSION; WAIVER...............................................47
ARTICLE 9 MISCELLANEOUS...................................................47
SECTION 9.1. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ASSIGNMENT....................................47
SECTION 9.2. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................47
SECTION 9.3. VALIDITY........................................................47
SECTION 9.4. NOTICES.........................................................47
SECTION 9.5. GOVERNING LAW...................................................48
SECTION 9.6. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS............................................49
SECTION 9.7. PARTIES IN INTEREST.............................................49
SECTION 9.8. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.............................................49
SECTION 9.9. PERSONAL LIABILITY..............................................49
SECTION 9.10. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE............................................50
SECTION 9.11. WAIVER OF CONDITIONS............................................50
SECTION 9.12. COUNTERPARTS....................................................50
EXHIBIT A .................................................................52
EXHIBIT B .................................................................53
EXHIBIT C .................................................................54
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
TABLE OF DEFINED TERMS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
1999 Option Plan.............................Section 2.10(a)........................................9
2000 Option Plan.............................Section 2.10(b)........................................9
Acquisition..................................Preamble...............................................1
Affiliate....................................Section 9.8(a)........................................49
Agencies.....................................Section 3.9(a)........................................15
Agency and Investor Requirements.............Section 3.4(c)........................................13
Agency.......................................Section 3.9(a)........................................15
Agreement....................................Preamble...............................................1
Bank Act.....................................Section 4.5...........................................32
Bank Holding Company Act.....................Section 4.5...........................................32
Board........................................Recitals...............................................1
Breakup Fee..................................Section 8.3(a)........................................45
Business Day.................................Section 9.8(b)........................................49
Cash Merger Consideration....................Section 2.8(a).........................................7
Certificates.................................Section 2.9(b).........................................8
Closing Time.................................Section 2.2............................................6
Code.........................................Section 3.12(c).......................................17
Company Assets...............................Section 3.15..........................................22
Company Disclosure Schedule..................Article 3.............................................10
Company Employee Plan........................Section 3.12(a).......................................17
Company Marks................................Section 3.17(b).......................................25
Company Option Plans.........................Section 2.10(b)........................................9
Company Personnel............................Section 3.12(a).......................................17
Company SEC Reports..........................Section 3.4(a)........................................13
Company Securities...........................Section 3.2(a)........................................11
Company Stock Options........................Section 2.10(a)........................................9
Company......................................Preamble...............................................1
CompanyTrade Secrets.........................Section 3.17(e).......................................26
Confidentiality Agreement....................Section 5.5...........................................38
Consumer Credit Law..........................Section 3.9(a)........................................16
Continuing Directors.........................Section 1.3(a).........................................5
Continuing Employees.........................Section 5.8(a)........................................39
Contracts....................................Section 3.16(a).......................................22
DGCL.........................................Section 1.2(a).........................................3
Disclosure Statements........................Section 3.5...........................................13
Effective Time...............................Section 2.3............................................6
Environmental Claim..........................Section 3.13(b).......................................20
Environmental Laws...........................Section 3.12(a).......................................20
ERISA Affiliate..............................Section 3.12(a).......................................17
</TABLE>
i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
ERISA........................................Section 3.12(a).......................................17
Exchange Act.................................Section 1.1(a).........................................2
Fannie Mae...................................Section 3.9(a)........................................15
Freddie Mac..................................Section 3.9(a)........................................15
GAAP.........................................Section 3.4(a)........................................13
GNMA.........................................Section 3.9(a)........................................15
Governmental Entity..........................Section 3.6...........................................14
HSR Act......................................Section 3.6...........................................14
HUD..........................................Section 3.9(a)........................................15
Indemnified Parties..........................Section 5.13..........................................41
Initial Expiration Date......................Section 1.1(b).........................................2
Intellectual Property Assets.................Section 3.17(a)(ii)...................................24
Intellectual Property Rights.................Section 3.17(a)(i)....................................24
Invention Disclosures........................Section 3.17(e).......................................26
Investor.....................................Section 3.8...........................................15
Knowledge....................................Section 3.8...........................................15
Licensed Intellectual Property...............Section 3.17(h)(vi)...................................29
Licensed Software Agreements.................Section 3.17(h).......................................28
Licensed Software............................Section 3.17(f).......................................27
Licensed Technology Agreements...............Section 3.17(h).......................................28
Lien.........................................Section 3.2(b)........................................12
Marks........................................Section 3.17(a)(i)(A).................................24
Material Adverse Effect......................Section 3.1(a)........................................10
Merger Certificate...........................Section 2.3............................................6
Merger Fund..................................Section 2.9(a).........................................8
Merger.......................................Section 2.1............................................5
Minimum Condition............................Section 1.1(a).........................................2
Mortgage Loan................................Section 3.9(b)........................................16
Offer Documents..............................Section 1.1(c).........................................3
Offer........................................Recitals...............................................1
Options......................................Section 8.3(c)........................................46
Other Licensed Technology Agreements.........Section 3.17(h).......................................28
Owned Copyrights.............................Section 3.17(d)(i)....................................26
Owned Software...............................Section 3.17(f).......................................27
Parent Material Adverse Effect...............Section 4.1(a)........................................30
Parent.......................................Preamble...............................................1
Patents......................................Section 3.17(a)(i)(B).................................24
Payment Agent................................Section 2.9(a).........................................7
</TABLE>
ii
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Per Share Amount.............................Recitals...............................................1
Person.......................................Section 9.8(d)........................................49
Pools........................................Section 3.21..........................................30
Potential Proposal...........................Section 5.4(a)........................................36
Prism Mortgage...............................Section 1.3(a).........................................5
Proxy Statement..............................Section 3.5...........................................13
Remaining Shares.............................Section 8.3(d)........................................46
Rights Agreement.............................Recitals...............................................1
Rights.......................................Recitals...............................................1
Schedule 14D-9...............................Section 1.2(b).........................................4
SEC..........................................Section 1.1(b).........................................2
Securities Act...............................Section 3.4(a)........................................13
Shares.......................................Section 3.2(a)........................................11
Software.....................................Section 3.17(a)(iii)..................................24
Stock........................................Section 9.8(c)........................................49
Stockholders' Agreement......................Recitals...............................................1
Stockholders' Meeting........................Section 5.2(a)(i).....................................35
Subsidiaries.................................Section 9.8(e)........................................49
Subsidiary...................................Section 9.8(e)........................................49
Superior Proposal Notice.....................Section 8.3(d)........................................46
Superior Proposal............................Section 5.4(b)........................................37
Surviving Corporation........................Section 2.1............................................5
Tax Return...................................Section 3.14(a).......................................20
Tax..........................................Section 3.14(a).......................................20
Taxes........................................Section 3.14(a).......................................20
Tender Offer Purchase Time...................Section 1.3(a).........................................4
Third Party Acquisition......................Section 5.4(b)........................................37
Third Party..................................Section 5.4(b)........................................37
Trade Secrets................................Section 3.17(a)(i)(C).................................24
VA...........................................Section 3.9(a)........................................15
</TABLE>
iii
<PAGE>
MERGER AGREEMENT
THIS MERGER AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of March 10,
2000, is among PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Company"),
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, a Canadian commercial bank("Parent"), and RAINBOW
ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned,
indirect subsidiary of Parent ("Acquisition").
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has,
in light of and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
(i)determined that each of the Offer and the Merger (each as defined below) is
advisable and is fair to the stockholders of the Company and in the best
interests of such stockholders and (ii) approved and adopted this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby and resolved to recommend acceptance of the
Offer and approval and adoption by the stockholders of the Company, if
necessary, of this Agreement;
WHEREAS, in furtherance thereof, it is proposed that Acquisition
shall promptly commence a tender offer (the "Offer") to acquire all of the
issued and outstanding Shares (defined in Section 3.2(a)), at a price of $7.50
per Share together with any associated rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to
the Rights Agreement dated as of January 27, 2000, between the Company and
LaSalle Bank National Association (the "Rights Agreement") (such amount being
hereinafter referred to as the "Per Share Amount"), net to the seller in cash,
less any required withholding of taxes, in accordance with the terms and subject
to the conditions provided herein; and
WHEREAS, as a condition of and inducement to Parent's and
Acquisition's entering into this Agreement and incurring the obligations set
forth herein, certain stockholders of the Company concurrently herewith are
entering into a stockholders' agreement (the "Stockholders' Agreement") dated as
of the date hereof, with Parent and Acquisition, substantially in the form of
Exhibit A to this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements herein contained and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company, Parent and Acquisition hereby
agree as follows,
ARTICLE 1
THE OFFER
SECTION 1.1. The Offer.
(a) Provided that this Agreement shall not have been terminated
in accordance with Section 8.1 and none of the events or conditions set forth in
Article 6 shall have occurred and be existing, as promptly as practicable after
the date hereof (but in no event later than the fifth business day after the
public announcement of the terms of this Agreement, Acquisition shall commence
(within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Offer. The Offer will be made pursuant to the
Offer Documents (as defined below) containing terms
1
<PAGE>
and conditions set forth in this Agreement. Acquisition shall accept for
payment, purchase and pay for all Shares which have been validly tendered and
not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer at the earliest time following expiration of
the Offer that all conditions to the Offer set forth in Article 6 shall have
been satisfied or waived by Acquisition. The obligation of Acquisition to accept
for payment, purchase and pay for Shares tendered pursuant to the Offer shall be
subject only to the condition that at least a majority of the issued and
outstanding Shares be validly tendered (the "Minimum Condition") and the other
conditions set forth in Article 6. Acquisition expressly reserves the right to
waive any such condition (other than the Minimum Condition) to increase the
price per Share payable in the Offer or to make any other changes in the terms
and conditions of the Offer (provided that, unless previously approved by the
Company in writing, no change may be made which decreases the Per Share Amount,
which reduces the number of Shares to be purchased in the Offer, which changes
the form of consideration to be paid in the Offer, which imposes conditions to
the Offer in addition to those set forth in Article 6 or which amends or changes
any term or condition of the Offer in a manner adverse to the holders of
Shares). The Per Share Amount shall be paid net to the seller in cash, less any
required withholding of taxes, upon the terms and subject to such conditions of
the Offer. The Company agrees that no Shares held by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries will be tendered in the Offer.
(b) Subject to the terms and conditions thereof, the Offer
shall expire at midnight, New York City time, on the date that is twenty (20)
business days after the date the Offer is commenced (the "Initial Expiration
Date"); provided, however, without the consent of the Board, Parent may cause
Acquisition to (i) from time to time extend the Offer, if at the Initial
Expiration Date of the Offer any of the conditions to the Offer necessary to
consummate the Offer have not been satisfied or waived (other than the Minimum
Condition, to which this clause does not apply), until such time as such
conditions are satisfied or waived; (ii) extend the Offer for any period
required by any rule, regulation, interpretation or position of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or the staff thereof applicable to the
Offer; or (iii) if all of the conditions to the Offer are satisfied or waived
but the number of Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn is less than ninety
percent (90%) of the then outstanding number of Shares on a fully diluted basis,
for an aggregate period not to exceed twenty (20) business days (for all such
extensions), provided that Acquisition shall accept and promptly pay for all
securities tendered prior to the date of such extension and shall otherwise meet
the requirements of Rule 14d-11 under the Exchange Act in connection with each
such extension. In addition, Parent and Acquisition agree that Acquisition shall
from time to time extend the Offer, if requested by the Company, if at the
Initial Expiration Date (or any extended expiration date of the Offer, if
applicable), any of the conditions to the Offer other than (or in addition to)
the Minimum Condition shall not have been waived or satisfied, until (taking
into account all such extensions) September 30, 2000.
(c) As soon as practicable after the date of commencement of
the Offer, Acquisition shall file with the SEC a Tender Offer Statement on
Schedule TO with respect to the Offer, which shall include an offer to purchase
and form of transmittal letter (together with any amendments thereof or
supplements thereto, collectively the "Offer Documents"). The Offer Documents
will comply in all material respects with the provisions of applicable federal
securities laws. Parent, Acquisition and the Company
2
<PAGE>
each agrees promptly to correct any information provided by it for use in the
Offer Documents if and to the extent that such information shall have become
false or misleading in any material respect, and Acquisition further agrees to
take all steps necessary to cause the Offer Documents as so corrected to be
filed with the SEC and to be disseminated to holders of Shares, in each case as
and to the extent required by applicable federal securities laws. The Company
and its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on
the Offer Documents prior to their being filed with the SEC. Parent and
Acquisition agree to provide to the Company and its counsel any comments or
other communications which Parent, Acquisition or their counsel receives from
the staff of the SEC with respect to the Offer Documents promptly after receipt
thereof.
SECTION 1.2. Company Action.
(a) The Company hereby approves of and consents to the Offer
and the Merger and represents and warrants that the Board, including all of the
independent directors of the Company, at a meeting duly called and held, has,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, adopted resolutions, which
are not conditional and have not been amended or repealed, pursuant to which the
Board (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Offer and the Merger, are fair to, and in the best
interests of, the stockholders of the Company, (ii) declared that the Merger is
advisable and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Offer and the Merger, in all respects and such approval
constitutes prior approval of the Offer, this Agreement and the Merger for
purposes of Section 203(a)(1) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the
"DGCL") and similar provisions of any other similar state statutes that might be
deemed applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) recommended
that the stockholders of the Company accept the Offer, tender their Shares
thereunder to Acquisition and, if required by law, approve and adopt this
Agreement and the Merger; and in addition that the Company consents, subject to
Section 5.4, to the inclusion of such recommendation and approval in the Offer
Documents, and (iv) takes all actions to amend the Company Option Plans and the
Rights Agreements contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) The Company hereby agrees to file with the SEC as soon as
practicable after the date hereof a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on
Schedule 14D-9 pertaining to the Offer (together with any amendments thereof or
supplements thereto, the "Schedule 14D-9") containing the recommendation
described in Section 1.2(a) and to promptly mail the Schedule 14D-9 to the
stockholders of the Company. The Company, Parent and Acquisition each agrees
promptly to correct any information provided by it for use in the Schedule 14D-9
if and to the extent that such information shall have become false or misleading
in any material respect and the Company further agrees to take all steps
necessary to cause the Schedule 14D-9 as so corrected to be filed with the SEC
and disseminated to the holders of Shares, in each case as and to the extent
required by applicable federal securities laws. The Parent, Acquisition and
their counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on
the Schedule 14D-9 prior to it being filed with the SEC. The Company agrees to
provide to Parent, Acquisition and their counsel any comments or other
communications which the Company or its counsel receives from the staff of the
SEC
3
<PAGE>
with respect to the Schedule 14D-9 promptly after receipt thereof.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Board may
withdraw, modify or amend its recommendation under the circumstances set forth
in Section 5.4.
(c) In connection with the Offer, the Company will promptly
furnish Parent and Acquisition with mailing labels, security position listings
and any available listing or computer files containing the names and addresses
of the record holders of the Shares as of a recent date and shall furnish
Acquisition with such additional information and assistance (including, without
limitation, updated lists of stockholders, mailing labels and lists of
securities positions) as Acquisition or its agents may reasonably request in
communicating the Offer to the record and beneficial holders of Shares. Subject
to the requirements of applicable law, and except for such steps as are
necessary to disseminate the Offer Documents and any other documents necessary
to consummate the Merger, Parent, Acquisition and their affiliates, associates,
agents and advisors shall use the information contained in any such labels,
listings and files only in connection with the Offer and the Merger, and, if
this Agreement shall be terminated, will deliver to the Company all copies of
such information then in their possession.
SECTION 1.3. Boards of Directors and Committees; Section 14(f).
(a) Promptly after the purchase by Acquisition of Shares
pursuant to the Offer following the Initial Expiration Date or, if applicable,
the extended expiration date of the Offer (the "Tender Offer Purchase Time") and
from time to time thereafter, and subject to the last sentence of this Section
1.3(a), Acquisition shall be entitled to designate that number (but no more than
that number) of directors of the Company constituting a majority of the Board,
and the Company shall use its best efforts to, upon request by Acquisition,
promptly, at the Company's election, either increase the size of the Board
(subject to the provisions of Article Fifth of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation) or secure the resignation of such number of directors as is
necessary to enable Acquisition's designees to be elected to the Board and to
cause Acquisition's designees to be so elected and to constitute at all times
after the Tender Offer Purchase Time a majority of the Board. At such times, and
subject to the last sentence of this Section 1.3(a), the Company will use its
best efforts to cause persons designated by Acquisition to constitute the same
percentage as is on the Board of (i) each committee of the Board (other than any
committee of the Board established to take action under this Agreement), (ii)
each board of directors of each subsidiary of the Company and (iii) each
committee of each such board. Notwithstanding the foregoing, until the Effective
Time (as defined in Section 2.3 hereof) (x) the Company shall retain at least
three directors who are directors of the Company on the date hereof (the
"Continuing Directors") and (y) Parent and Acquisition shall not, and shall
cause their affiliates not to, (A) initiate, propose, vote for, or solicit
others to vote for, any change in the number of directors of Prism Mortgage
Company, an Illinois corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company
("Prism Mortgage"), as of the date hereof or (B) take any action that would be
reasonably likely to result in any change described in the foregoing clause (A).
(b) The Company's obligation to appoint designees to the Board
shall be subject to Section 14(f) of the Exchange Act and Rule 14f-1 promulgated
thereunder. The Company shall promptly take all action required pursuant to such
Section and Rule
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in order to fulfill its obligations under this Section 1.3 and shall include in
the Schedule 14D-9 such information with respect to the Company and its officers
and directors as is required under such Section and Rule in order to fulfill its
obligations under this Section 1.3. Acquisition will supply to the Company in
writing and be solely responsible for any information with respect to itself and
its nominees, officers, directors and affiliates required by such Section and
Rule.
(c) From and after the time, if any, that Acquisition's
designees constitute a majority of the Board until the Effective Time, any
amendment, modification or waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement,
any amendment or modification to the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of
the Company, any termination of this Agreement by the Company, any extension of
time of performance of any of the obligations of Parent or Acquisition
hereunder, any waiver of any condition or any of the Company's rights hereunder
or other action by the Company in connection with the rights of the Company
hereunder may be effected only with the concurrence of a majority of the
Continuing Directors.
ARTICLE 2
THE MERGER
SECTION 2.1. The Merger. At the Effective Time (as defined below)
and upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in
accordance with the DGCL, Acquisition shall be merged with and into the Company
(the "Merger"). Following the Merger, the Company shall continue as the
surviving corporation (the "Surviving Corporation") and the separate corporate
existence of Acquisition shall cease. Parent, as the sole stockholder of
Acquisition, hereby approves this Agreement, the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Parent and Acquisition agree to cause the Effective Time to occur as
soon as practicable after the Stockholders' Meeting (as defined in Section
5.2(a)) or the purchase by Acquisition of 90% or more of the issued and
outstanding Shares pursuant to the Offer.
SECTION 2.2. Closing of the Merger. The closing of the Merger will
take place at a time (the "Closing Time") and on a date to be specified by the
parties, which shall be no later than the second business day after satisfaction
or waiver (in accordance with this Agreement) of the latest to occur of the
conditions set forth in Article 7 (other than those conditions that, by their
nature, are to be satisfied at the Closing Time, but subject to the satisfaction
or waiver of those conditions) at the offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP,
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, unless another time, date
or place is agreed to in writing by the parties hereto.
SECTION 2.3. Effective Time. Subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement, a Certificate of Merger or Certificate of Ownership
and Merger, (the "Merger Certificate") shall be duly executed and acknowledged
by Acquisition and the Company and thereafter delivered at the Closing Time to
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware for filing pursuant to the DGCL.
The Merger shall become effective at such time as a properly executed and
certified copy of the Merger Certificate is duly
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accepted for record by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware for
filing pursuant to the DGCL, or such later time as Acquisition and the Company
may agree upon and set forth in the Merger Certificate (not exceeding 30 days
after the Merger Certificate is accepted for record; the time the Merger becomes
effective being referred to herein as the "Effective Time").
SECTION 2.4. Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the
effects set forth in the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing
and subject thereto at the Effective Time, all the properties, rights,
privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Acquisition shall vest in
the Surviving Corporation and all debts, liabilities and duties of the Company
and Acquisition shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving
Corporation.
SECTION 2.5. Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. The
Certificate of Incorporation of Acquisition in effect at the Effective Time
shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until
amended in accordance with applicable law. The Bylaws of Acquisition in effect
at the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until
amended in accordance with applicable law.
SECTION 2.6. Directors. The directors of Acquisition at the
Effective Time shall be the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation, each
to hold office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the Surviving Corporation until the next annual meeting of stockholders and
until each such director's successor is duly elected or appointed and qualified.
SECTION 2.7. Officers. The officers of the Company at the
Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Corporation, each
to hold office in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the Surviving Corporation until such officer's successor is duly elected or
appointed and qualified.
SECTION 2.8. Conversion of Shares.
(a) At the Effective Time, each Share, together with any
associated Rights, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time (excluding (i) Shares held by any of the Company's subsidiaries and (ii)
Shares held by Parent, Acquisition or any other subsidiary of Parent) shall, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Acquisition, the
Company or the holder thereof, be converted into and shall become the right to
receive the Per Share Amount in cash, without interest (the "Cash Merger
Consideration"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if between the date of this
Agreement and the Effective Time, the Shares shall have been changed into a
different number of shares or a different class by reason of any stock dividend,
subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange
of shares, then the Cash Merger Consideration contemplated by the Merger shall
be correspondingly adjusted to reflect such stock dividend, subdivision,
reclassification, recapitalization, split, combination or exchange of shares.
(b) At the Effective Time, each Share held by Parent,
Acquisition or any subsidiary of Parent, Acquisition or the Company immediately
prior to the Effective
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Time shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of
Acquisition, the Company or the holder thereof, be canceled and retired and will
cease to exist and no payment shall be made with respect thereto.
(c) At the Effective Time, each share of common stock of
Acquisition issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall
be converted into and shall become one validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.
SECTION 2.9. Payment of Cash Merger Consideration.
(a) As of the Effective Time, Acquisition shall deposit in
trust with such agent or agents as may be appointed by Parent and Acquisition
and reasonably acceptable to the Company (the "Payment Agent") for the benefit
of the holders of issued and outstanding Shares at the Effective Time (excluding
(i) Shares held by any of the Company's subsidiaries and (ii) Shares held by
Parent, Acquisition or any other subsidiary of Parent), an amount in cash equal
to the aggregate amount necessary to pay the Cash Merger Consideration (such
cash is hereinafter referred to as the "Merger Fund") payable pursuant to
Section 2.8 in exchange for such issued and outstanding Shares. The Payment
Agent shall, pursuant to irrevocable instructions, deliver the Cash Merger
Consideration out of the Merger Fund. The Merger Fund shall not be used for any
other purpose.
(b) As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time,
Parent shall cause the Payment Agent to mail to each holder of record of a
certificate or certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time
represented issued and outstanding Shares (the "Certificates") whose Shares were
converted into the right to receive the Cash Merger Consideration pursuant to
Section 2.8: (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify that delivery
shall be effected and risk of loss and title to the Certificates shall pass only
upon delivery of the Certificates to the Payment Agent and shall be in such form
and have such other provisions as Parent and the Company may reasonably specify)
and (ii) instructions on how to surrender the Certificates in exchange for the
Cash Merger Consideration. Upon surrender to the Payment Agent of a Certificate
for cancellation, together with such letter of transmittal duly executed, the
holder of such Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor,
and Parent shall cause the Payment Agent to deliver, a check representing the
Cash Merger Consideration which such holder has the right to receive pursuant to
the provisions of this Article 2 and the Certificate so surrendered shall
forthwith be canceled. In the event of a transfer of ownership of Shares which
is not registered in the transfer records of the Company, payment of the Cash
Merger Consideration may be made to a transferee if the Certificate representing
such Shares is presented to the Payment Agent accompanied by all documents
required to evidence and effect such transfer and by evidence that any
applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid. Until surrendered as
contemplated by this Section 2.9, each Certificate shall be deemed at any time
after the Effective Time to represent only the right to receive upon such
surrender the Cash Merger Consideration as contemplated by this Section 2.9.
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(c) In the event that any Certificate shall have been lost,
stolen or destroyed, Parent shall cause the Payment Agent to issue in exchange
therefor, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof,
such Cash Merger Consideration as may be required pursuant to this Agreement;
provided, however, that Acquisition or the Payment Agent may, in its discretion,
require the delivery of a suitable bond or indemnity.
(d) All Cash Merger Consideration paid upon the surrender for
exchange of Shares in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have
been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such Shares; subject,
however, to the Surviving Corporation's obligation to pay any dividends or make
any other distributions with a record date prior to the Effective Time which may
have been declared or made by the Company on such Shares in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, or prior to the date hereof and which remain unpaid at
the Effective Time, and there shall be no further registration of transfers on
the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the Shares which were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If after the Effective Time
Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason they
shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article 2.
(e) Any portion of the Merger Fund which remains undistributed
to the stockholders of the Company for six months after the Effective Time shall
be delivered to Parent upon demand and any stockholders of the Company who have
not theretofore complied with this Article 2 shall thereafter look only to
Parent for payment of their claim for the Cash Merger Consideration.
(f) Neither Acquisition nor the Company shall be liable to any
holder of Shares for cash from the Merger Fund delivered to a public official
pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.
SECTION 2.10. Stock Options.
(a) At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase
Shares (a "Company Stock Option" or collectively "Company Stock Options") issued
pursuant to the Company's 1999 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the "1999 Option
Plan"), whether vested or unvested, the exercise price of which is greater than
the Cash Merger Consideration, shall be canceled and extinguished without
consideration and the 1999 Option Plan shall terminate as of the Effective Date.
(b) At the Effective Time, each outstanding Company Stock
Option issued pursuant to the 1999 Option Plan or the Company's 2000 Stock
Option Plan (the "2000 Option Plan" and, together with the 1999 Option Plan, the
"Company Option Plans") that is vested as of the Effective Time, the exercise
price of which is less than the Cash Merger Consideration shall be canceled and
extinguished and shall become the right to receive an amount, without interest,
in cash paid at the Effective Time equal to the excess, if any of the Cash
Merger Consideration over the exercise price per Share of such Company Stock
Option, less the amount of Taxes (as defined in Section 3.15(a)) required to be
withheld under applicable Federal, state or local laws and regulations
multiplied by the number of Shares subject to such Company Stock Option.
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(c) At the Effective Time, each outstanding Company Stock
Option issued pursuant to the Company Option Plans or any other stock option
plan, program, arrangement or agreement to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party that is not vested as of the Effective Time, the
exercise price of which is less than the Cash Merger Consideration shall be
canceled and extinguished in consideration for certain compensatory payments to
be paid to the holder of such Company Stock Option at the time the Company
Stock Option would otherwise have vested (provided that such holder is employed
with the Company at such time and has not breached any of such holder's
obligations under any applicable employment agreement with the Company or any
Subsidiary) equal to an amount, without interest, in cash equal to the excess,
if any of the Cash Merger Consideration over the exercise price per Share of
such Company Stock Options that would otherwise have vested at such time.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the right to receive such payments shall vest in
accordance with the terms of the applicable option agreement.
(d) If and to the extent required by the terms of the Company
Option Plan, or any other stock option plan, program, arrangement or agreement
to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or the terms of any
Company Stock Option granted thereunder, the Company shall cooperate with Parent
and Acquisition in obtaining the consent of each holder of outstanding Company
Stock Options to the foregoing treatment of such Company Stock Options and to
take any other action necessary to effectuate the foregoing provisions.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
Except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule previously
delivered by the Company to Parent (the "Company Disclosure Schedule"), the
Company hereby represents and warrants to each of Parent and Acquisition as of
the date hereof as follows:
SECTION 3.1. Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.
(a) Each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries is duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, except where the failure to
qualify or to be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect (as
defined below) and has all requisite power and authority to own lease and
operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as now being conducted,
except where the failure to have such power and authority would not have a
Material Adverse Effect. The Company has heretofore made available to Parent
complete and correct copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws (or
similar governing documents), as currently in effect, of the Company and its
subsidiaries. When used in connection with the Company or its subsidiaries, the
term "Material Adverse Effect" means any change or effect (i) that is materially
adverse to the business, properties, financial condition, or results of
operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as whole, or (ii) that
would materially impair the ability of the Company to perform its obligations
hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of
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the following shall be deemed, either alone or in combination, to constitute a
Material Adverse Effect: (i) changes or effects resulting from general changes
in economic, market, regulatory or political conditions or changes in conditions
or business practices generally applicable to the industries in which the
Company and its subsidiaries operate, including, but not limited to, changes and
effects resulting from a change in interest rates or an industry-wide decrease
in mortgage volume; (ii) changes in the market price or trading volume of the
Shares on the Nasdaq National Market; or (iii) changes or effects resulting from
the announcement or approval of the Offer and the Agreement or relating to the
identity of or facts pertaining to Parent or Acquisition.
(b) Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified
or licensed and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which
the property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business
conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in such
jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good
standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
SECTION 3.2. Capitalization of the Company and its Subsidiaries.
(a) The authorized stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000
shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share of the Company (the "Shares"),
of which, as of January 31, 2000, 14,670,560 Shares were issued and outstanding,
and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, no shares of
which are outstanding. All of the outstanding Shares have been validly issued
and are fully paid and nonassessable, and free of preemptive rights granted by
the Company. As of January 31, 2000, approximately 2,040,652 Shares were
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding Company Stock Options
issued pursuant to the Company Option Plans and other stock option plans, or
agreements to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party. Except as
set forth in Section 3.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, since January
31, 2000, no shares of the Company's stock have been issued other than pursuant
to Company Stock Options or other stock-based employee benefit plans of the
Company and no options to acquire Shares have been granted other than pursuant
to the Company Option Plans. Except as set forth above and in Sections 3.2(a) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, and except for the Rights, the Prism Equity
Value Plan-I and the Prism Equity Value Plan-II, as of the date hereof, there
are issued, reserved for issuance, or outstanding (i) no shares of stock or
other voting securities of the Company, (ii) no securities of the Company or its
subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for shares of stock or voting
securities of the Company, (iii) no options or other rights to acquire from the
Company or its subsidiaries and, except as described in Section 3.2(a) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, no obligations of the Company or its subsidiaries
to issue any stock, voting securities or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for stock or voting securities of the Company, (iv) no bonds,
debentures, notes or other indebtedness or obligations of the Company or any of
its subsidiaries entitling the holders thereof to have the right to vote (or
which are convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, securities
entitling the holders thereof to have the right to vote) with the stockholders
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries on any matter, and (v) no equity
equivalent interests in the ownership or earnings of the Company or its
subsidiaries or other similar rights (collectively "Company Securities"). As of
the date
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hereof, there are no outstanding obligations of the Company or its subsidiaries
(absolute, contingent or otherwise) to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire
any Company Securities. There are no Shares outstanding subject to rights of
first refusal of the Company, nor are there any pre-emptive rights granted by
the Company with respect to any Shares. Other than this Agreement, there are no
stockholder agreements, voting trusts or other agreements or understandings to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound relating to the voting or,
except as set forth in Section 3.2(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
registration of any shares of stock of the Company.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.2(b) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, all of the outstanding stock of the Company's subsidiaries
is owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any Lien (as
defined below). There are no securities of the Company or its subsidiaries
convertible into or exchangeable for, no options or other rights to acquire from
the Company or its subsidiaries and no other contract, understanding,
arrangement or obligation (whether or not contingent) providing for the issuance
or sale, directly or indirectly, of any stock or other ownership interests in,
or any other securities, of any subsidiary of, the Company. Except as set forth
in Section 3.2(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding
contractual obligations of the Company or its subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem
or otherwise acquire any outstanding shares of capital stock or other ownership
interests in any subsidiary of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset (including without limitation any
security), any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance
of any kind in respect of such asset (including any restrictions on the right to
vote or sell the same except as may be provided as a matter of law).
(c) The Shares constitute the only class of equity securities
of the Company or its subsidiaries registered or required to be registered under
the Exchange Act.
SECTION 3.3. Authority Relative to this Agreement; Recommendation.
The Company has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by the
Board and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are
necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby except, if required by law, the approval and adoption of
this Agreement and the Merger by the holders of the outstanding Shares. This
Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company and,
assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent and
Acquisition, constitutes a valid, legal and binding agreement of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by any applicable conservator, receivership,
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and except as the
availability of equitable remedies may be limited by the application of general
principles of equity (regardless of whether such equitable principles are
applied in a proceeding at law or in equity).
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SECTION 3.4. SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Accounting
Procedures.
(a) The Company has filed all required forms, reports and
documents ("Company SEC Reports") with the SEC since January 1, 1999, each of
which has complied (as of its respective date) in all material respects with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), and the Exchange Act, each as in effect on the dates such
forms, reports and documents were filed. None of such Company SEC Reports,
including, without limitation, any financial statements or schedules included or
incorporated by reference therein, contained when filed any untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or
incorporated by reference therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. The audited consolidated financial statements of the Company
included in the Company SEC Reports fairly present in all material respects in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as
in effect from time to time and applied on a consistent basis ("GAAP") (except
as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
consolidated quarterly statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC and
subject to normal year-end adjustments) the consolidated financial position of
the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and their
consolidated results of operations and changes in financial position for the
periods then ended.
(b) The Company has heretofore made available or promptly will
make available to Acquisition or Parent a complete and correct copy of any
amendments or modifications which are required to be filed with the SEC but have
not yet been filed with the SEC to agreements, documents or other instruments
which previously had been filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to the
Exchange Act.
(c) The Company and its subsidiaries maintain a system of
internal accounting controls, policies and procedures sufficient to ensure that
all transactions relating to their business are executed in conformity in all
material respects with the applicable rules, regulations, directives and
instructions of governmental and regulatory authorities, the Agencies (as
defined in Section 3.9) and Investors (as defined in Section 3.8) (the "Agency
and Investor Requirements"), and in a manner as to permit preparation of
financial statements in accordance the Agency and Investor Requirements and to
maintain accountability for the Company's assets.
SECTION 3.5. Information Supplied. None of the information
supplied by the Company in writing for inclusion or incorporation by reference
in the Offer Documents, Schedule 14D-9, any other tender offer materials,
Schedule 14A or 14C, or the proxy statement or information statement ("Proxy
Statement") relating to any meeting to be held in connection with the Merger
(all of the foregoing documents, collectively, the "Disclosure Statements")
will, at the date each and any of the Disclosure Statements is mailed to
stockholders of the Company and at the time of the meeting of stockholders of
the Company to be held, if necessary, in connection with the Merger, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
light of the circumstances
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under which they are made, not misleading, except that no representation or
warranty is made by the Company with respect to information supplied in writing
by Parent or Acquisition for inclusion in the Proxy Statement or Schedule 14D-9.
The Proxy Statement, if any, and Schedule 14D-9 will comply as to form in all
material respects with all provisions of applicable law. None of the information
supplied by the Company in writing for inclusion in the Disclosure Statements or
provided by the Company in the Schedule 14D-9 will, at the respective times that
any Disclosure Statement and the Schedule 14D-9 or any amendments thereof or
supplements thereto are filed with the SEC and are first published or sent or
given to holders of Shares, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading.
SECTION 3.6. Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except as set
forth in Section 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and except for filings,
permits, authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required under, and
other applicable requirements of, (a) the Exchange Act, (b) state securities
laws ("Blue Sky Laws") or take-over laws, (c) the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust
Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the "HSR Act"), or (d) state insurance or
mortgage brokerage laws or regulations and the filing and recordation and
acceptance for record of the Merger Certificate as required by the DGCL, no
filing with or notice to, and no permit, authorization, consent or approval of,
any court or tribunal, or administrative governmental or regulatory body, agency
or authority (a "Governmental Entity") is necessary for the execution and
delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of
the transactions contemplated hereby, except where the failure to obtain such
permits, authorizations, consents or approvals or to make such filings or give
such notice would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company nor the consummation
by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) conflict with or
result in any breach of any provision of the respective Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws (or similar governing documents) of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, (ii) except as set forth in Section 3.6 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule result in a violation or breach of or constitute (with or
without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any
right of termination, amendment, cancellation or acceleration or Lien) under any
of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture,
lease, license, contract, agreement or other instrument or obligation to which
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any
of their respective properties or assets may be bound or (iii) except as set
forth in Section 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or in this Section 3.6
violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, law, statute, rule or regulation
applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties or assets except, in the case of (ii) or (iii), for violations,
breaches, defaults or rights of termination, amendment, cancellation or
acceleration or Liens which would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.7. No Undisclosed Liabilities; Absence of Changes.
Except to the extent publicly disclosed in the Company's SEC Reports or as set
forth in Section 3.7 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, as of December 31,
1999, none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries had any liabilities or
obligations of any nature,
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whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise, that would be required by GAAP
to be reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
subsidiaries (including the notes thereto) or which would have a Material
Adverse Effect and since such date, the Company has incurred no such liability
or obligation, which would have a Material Adverse Effect, other than in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.
SECTION 3.8. Litigation. As of the date hereof, except as
disclosed in Section 3.8 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there is no suit,
claim, action, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the Company's
Knowledge (as defined below), threatened against the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets before any
Governmental Entity that (a) involves any Agency or any owner, purchaser or
beneficiary (other than an Agency) of a Mortgage Loan or of any proceeds of, or
interest in or from, a Mortgage Loan ("Investor") or (b) individually or in the
aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed by the
Company in the Company SEC Reports, none of the Company or its subsidiaries nor
any property or asset of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject to
any outstanding order, writ, injunction or decree which would have a Material
Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Knowledge" with
respect to the Company means the actual knowledge of any of the officers and
other employees of the Company identified in Exhibit B hereto.
SECTION 3.9. Compliance with Laws.
(a) The Company and its subsidiaries have complied in all
material respects with all applicable material laws, rules, regulations,
ordinances and codes, whether federal, state, local or foreign and, including,
without limitation, (i) all laws and regulations relating to occupational health
and safety, equal employment opportunities, fair employment practices, and sex,
race, religious, age and other prohibited discrimination, all other labor laws,
including without limitation the Family and Medical Leave Act, and (ii) all
licensure, disclosure, usury and other consumer credit laws and regulations
governing residential mortgage lending and brokering, including, but not limited
to, all applicable rules, regulations, standards and guidelines promulgated by
the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), Freddie
Mac ("Freddie Mac"), the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"),
Fannie Mae ("Fannie Mae"), the Veterans Administration ("VA" and, together with
HUD, Freddie Mac, GNMA and Fannie Mae, each, an "Agency" and, collectively the
"Agencies") and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the state
agencies and all applicable provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures
Act of 1974, the Flood Insurance Protection Act, the Consumer Credit Protection
Act, the Truth-in-Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Fair
Credit Reporting Act, each as amended from time to time, and all regulations
promulgated thereunder (the foregoing statutes and laws described in clause
(ii), collectively, "Consumer Credit Law") and, except as set forth on Section
3.9 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no written notice or correspondence
(whether regarding litigation, regulatory action or otherwise) has been received
by the Company from or on behalf of consumers or from any regulatory agency in
which such consumer or regulatory agency has alleged
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noncompliance with any Consumer Credit Law or other applicable law, except as
would not individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Each loan as to which applications were accepted and
processed by the Company or any subsidiary or which otherwise was originated,
underwritten, closed, funded or brokered by the Company of any subsidiary (each,
a "Mortgage Loan") conforms in to the Agency and Investor Requirements and each
Mortgage Loan is eligible for sale to, insurance by, or pooling to collateralize
securities issued or guaranteed by, the applicable Investor or insurer except,
in the case of any of the foregoing, as would not, individually or in the
aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries have
originated, underwritten, funded, serviced and sold (as applicable) each
Mortgage Loan in compliance with applicable federal, state and local legal and
regulatory requirements (including licensing statutes and regulations) and in
accordance with Agency and Investor Requirements and the related Mortgage Loan
documents except, in the case of any of the foregoing, as would not,
individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.10. Forms; Policies and Procedures. The Company has
provided Parent with a copy of the Company's internal practices and procedures
and the Company, its subsidiaries and their employees have complied and are in
compliance with such practices and procedures except, where the failure to be in
compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect. All such practices and
procedures and all form disclosures, and notices, brokers agreements, notes,
mortgages, instruments and agreements used in the business of the Company and
its Subsidiaries comply in all material respects with (a) all applicable
Consumer Credit Law and (b) any standards imposed by the Agencies, to the extent
applicable, and (c) any other applicable law or regulation.
SECTION 3.11. Licenses and Permits. The Company or the applicable
subsidiary has obtained all material licenses, permits, qualifications,
franchises and other governmental authorizations and approvals, including,
without limitation, all state mortgage broker and mortgage banker licenses and,
as applicable, approvals by the Agencies required in order for it to conduct its
business as presently conducted. Each such license, permit, qualification,
franchise and other authorization is in full force and effect and, except as set
forth in Section 3.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, will remain in full
force and effect immediately after the Effective Time and shall not be violated,
affected or impaired by, or require any further action to remain effective as a
result of the Closing. No material violation exists in respect of any such
material license, permit, qualification, franchise, authorization or approval.
No proceeding is pending, or to the Company's Knowledge, threatened to revoke or
limit any such license, permit, qualification, franchise, authorization or
approval.
SECTION 3.12. Employee Benefit Plans; Labor Matters.
(a) Section 3.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets
forth each plan that is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and each other material agreement, arrangement or
commitment that is an employment or consulting agreement (other than
non-executive employment
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agreements or loan officer agreements), executive or incentive compensation
plan, bonus plan, deferred compensation agreement, employee pension, profit
sharing, savings or retirement plan, employee stock option or stock purchase
plan, group life, health, or accident insurance or other employee benefit plan,
agreement, arrangement or commitment, including, without limitation, severance,
vacation, holiday or other bonus plans, currently maintained by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries (or any entity that is or was at the relevant time
treated as a single employer with the Company or any of its subsidiaries under
Section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Code ("ERISA Affiliate")) for the
benefit of any present or former employees, officers or directors of the
Company, any of its subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates ("Company Personnel") or
with respect to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates
has liability or makes or has an obligation to make contributions (each such
plan, agreement, arrangement or commitment set forth in Section 3.12(a) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule being hereinafter referred to as a "Company Employee
Plan").
(b) The Company has made available to the Parent (i) copies of
all Company Employee Plans or in the case of an unwritten plan, a written
description thereof, (ii) copies of the most recent annual, financial and, if
applicable, actuarial reports and Internal Revenue Service determination letters
relating to such Company Employee Plans and (iii) copies of the most recent
summary plan descriptions relating to such Company Employee Plans and
distributed to Company Personnel.
(c) Except as disclosed in Section 3.12(c) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there are no Company Personnel who are entitled to any
medical, dental or life insurance benefits to be paid under any Company Employee
Plans after termination of employment other than as required by Section 601 of
ERISA, Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), or applicable state law.
(d) Each Company Employee Plan that is an employee welfare
benefit plan under Section 3(1) of ERISA is either (i) funded through an
insurance company contract and is not a "welfare benefit fund" within the
meaning of Section 419 of the Code or (ii) unfunded.
(e) All contributions or payments due with respect to any
periods prior to the Closing Time under any Company Employee Plan have been or
will be timely made or appropriate charges have been made on the financial
statements. Except as disclosed in Section 3.12(e) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, each Company Employee Plan by its terms and operation is in compliance
in all material respects with all applicable laws (including, but not limited
to, ERISA, the Code and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as
amended). The Company has obtained a favorable determination as to the
qualification under Section 401(a) (and 401(k) where applicable) of each Company
Employee Plan that is an employee pension benefit plan from the IRS. To the
Company's Knowledge, nothing has occurred since the date of each such
determination that would adversely affect such tax qualification.
(f) Except as set forth in Section 3.12(f) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there are no actions, suits or claims pending or, to the
Company's Knowledge, threatened (other than routine noncontested claims for
benefits), against any Company
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Employee Plan or, to the Company's Knowledge, any administrator or fiduciary of
any such Company Employee Plan. As to each Company Employee Plan for which an
annual report is required to be filed under ERISA or the Code, all such filings
(including Form 5500s and all schedules) have been made on a timely basis, in
accordance with all applicable requirements. No Company Employee Plan is a
defined benefit plan under Section 3(35) of ERISA.
(g) Except as disclosed in Section 3.12(g) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule neither the Company, any of its subsidiaries nor any ERISA
Affiliate maintains or has maintained, contributes to or has contributed to or
is or has been required to contribute to any plan under which more than one
employer makes contributions (within the meaning of Section 4064(a) of ERISA),
any plan that is a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of
ERISA, or any plan subject to the minimum funding requirements of Section 412 of
the Code.
(h) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (nor, to
the Company's Knowledge, any other Person, including any fiduciary) has engaged
in any "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or
Section 406 of ERISA) or committed any breach of fiduciary duty, which would
subject any of the Company Employee Plans (or their trusts), the Company, any of
its subsidiaries or ERISA Affiliates, to any material tax or penalty or other
material liability imposed under the Code or ERISA.
(i) None of the assets of the Company Employee Plans is
invested in any property constituting employer real property or an employer
security within the meaning of Section 407(d) of ERISA.
(j) Except as disclosed in Section 3.12(k) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule or otherwise provided in this Agreement, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or together with any other
transaction(s) or event(s)) will not (i) entitle any Company Personnel to
severance pay under any Company Employee Plan, (ii) accelerate the time of
payment or vesting or materially increase the amount of benefits due under any
Company Employee Plan or compensation to any Company Personnel, (iii) result in
any payments (including parachute payments) under any Company Employee Plan
becoming due to any Company Personnel, or (iv) terminate or modify or give a
third party a right to terminate or modify the provisions or terms of any
Company Employee Plan. Section 3.12(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets
forth, for each employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries that will
receive any parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, a
preliminary calculation of the base amount for such employee and of the amount
of each such parachute payment, based upon information currently known by the
Company and assuming all circumstances that could give rise to such payment
occur.
(k) Except as set forth in Section 3.12(k) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party
to any collective bargaining or other labor union contract applicable to any
Company Personnel. There is no pending or, to the Company's Knowledge,
threatened labor dispute, strike or work stoppage against the Company or any of
its subsidiaries. There is no labor union
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representing any of the Company's employees or, to the Company's Knowledge, any
organizational effort currently being made on behalf of any labor organization
to organize any such employees. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
nor their respective representatives or employees has committed any unfair labor
practices in connection with the operation of the respective businesses of the
Company or its subsidiaries, and there is no pending or, to the Company's
Knowledge, threatened charge or complaint against the Company or its
subsidiaries by the National Labor Relations Board or any comparable state
governmental agency. To the Company's Knowledge, the Company and its
subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws
and regulations respecting employment, employment practices, labor relations,
employment discrimination, safety and health, wages, hours and terms and
conditions of employment.
(l) All individuals who are performing or have performed
services for the Company or any affiliate thereof, whether as consultants,
contractors, agents or otherwise, and are or were classified by the Company or
any affiliate as "independent contractors" qualify for such classification under
Section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978 or Section 1706 of the Tax Reform Act of
1986, as applicable. The Company has fully complied with and is not in default
or violation of any law, statute, rule, regulation or requirement applicable to
such individual. Except as set forth in Section 3.12(l) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there is no pending or, to the Company's Knowledge,
threatened claim against the Company by or on behalf of any such individual, or
investigation, audit or other proceeding relating to such an individual or
individuals, by any Governmental Entity. To the Company's Knowledge, there is no
labor union representing any such individuals or, to the Company's Knowledge,
any organizational effort currently being made on behalf of any labor
organization to organize any such individuals.
SECTION 3.13. Environmental Laws and Regulations.
(a) Except as publicly disclosed in the Company SEC Reports,
(i) the Company and its subsidiaries are in material compliance with all
applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, orders,
decrees, judgments, permits and licenses relating to public and worker health
and safety and to the protection and clean-up of the natural environment
(including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, land
surface or subsurface strata) and activities or conditions relating thereto,
including, without limitation, those relating to the generation, handling,
disposal, transportation or release of hazardous materials (collectively
"Environmental Laws"), except for non-compliance that would not have a Material
Adverse Effect, which compliance includes but is not limited to, the possession
by the Company and its subsidiaries of all material permits and other
governmental authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws and
compliance with the terms and conditions thereof and; (ii) none of the Company
or its subsidiaries has received written notice of or, to the Company's
Knowledge, is the subject of any Environmental Claim (defined below) that would
have a Material Adverse Effect or, to the Company's Knowledge, against any
Person whose liability for any Environmental Claim the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has or may have retained or assumed either contractually or by
operation of law.
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(b) Except as disclosed in the Company SEC Reports, there is no
action, cause of action, claim, investigation, demand or written notice by any
Person alleging liability under or non-compliance by the Company with any
Environmental Law (an "Environmental Claim") that is pending or, to the
Company's Knowledge, threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries which
would have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.14. Taxes.
(a) For purposes of this Agreement: (i) "Tax" or "Taxes" means
any taxes, charges, fees, levies, or other assessments imposed by any U.S. or
foreign governmental entity, whether national, state, county, local or other
political subdivision, including, without limitation, all net income, gross
income, sales and use, rent and occupancy, value added, ad valorem, transfer,
gains, profits, excise, franchise, real and personal property, gross receipt,
capital stock, business and occupation, disability, employment, payroll,
license, estimated, or withholding taxes or charges imposed by any governmental
entity, and includes any interest and penalties on or additions to any such
taxes (and includes taxes for which the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries,
as the case may be, may be liable in its own right, or as the transferee of the
assets of, or as successor to, any other corporation, association, partnership,
joint venture, or other entity, or under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or
any similar provision of foreign, state or local law), provided, however, that
to the extent that the following representations relate to state and local sales
taxes or lodging taxes, such representations are limited to the Company's
Knowledge; and (ii) "Tax Return" means a report, return or other information
required to be supplied to a governmental entity with respect to Taxes
including, where permitted or required, group, combined or consolidated returns
for any group of entities that includes the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 3.14(b) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the Company and each of its subsidiaries, and any
affiliated or combined group of which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
or was a member for applicable Tax purposes, have (i) filed all federal income
and all other Tax Returns required to be filed by applicable law and all such
federal income and other Tax Returns (A) reflect the liability for Taxes of the
Company and each of its subsidiaries, and (B) were filed on a timely basis and
(ii) within the time and in the manner prescribed by law, paid (and until the
Closing Time will pay within the time and in the manner prescribed by law) all
Taxes that were or are due and payable as set forth in such Tax Returns.
(c) Each of the Company and, where applicable, the Company's
subsidiaries has established (and until the Closing Time will maintain) on its
books and records reserves adequate to pay all Taxes of the Company or such
respective subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP, which are
reflected in the most recent consolidated financial statements of the Company
and its subsidiaries contained in the Company SEC Documents, as applicable, to
the extent required by GAAP.
(d) Except as disclosed in Section 3.14(d) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any subsidiary thereof has
requested any extension of time within which to file any income, franchise or
other Tax Return, which Tax Return has not been filed as of the date hereof.
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(e) Except as disclosed in Section 3.14(d) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any subsidiary thereof has executed
any outstanding waivers or comparable consents that will be in effect after the
Effective Time regarding the application of the statute of limitations with
respect to any income, franchise or other Taxes or Tax Returns.
(f) Except as disclosed in Section 3.14(f) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, no deficiency for any Tax which, alone or in the aggregate
with any other deficiency or deficiencies, would exceed $100,000, has been
proposed, asserted, or assessed in writing against the Company and/or any
subsidiary thereof that has not been resolved and paid in full or otherwise
settled, no audits or other administrative proceedings are presently in progress
or pending or threatened in writing with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of
the Company and/or any subsidiary thereof, and no written claim is currently
being made by any authority in a jurisdiction where any of the Company or any
subsidiary thereof, as the case may be, does not file Tax Returns that it is or
may be subject to Tax in that jurisdiction.
(g) Except as disclosed on Section 3.14(g) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party
to any agreement relating to allocating or sharing of the payment of, or
liability for, Taxes.
(h) The Company does not constitute and for the past five years
has not constituted a "United States real property holding corporation" within
the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code.
SECTION 3.15. Properties. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries owns any real property. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries
has valid title to all properties, assets and rights shown on its balance sheet
or its last Company SEC Report prior to the date hereof as being owned by it
and valid leasehold interests in all material properties and assets (whether
real, personal or mixed) leased by it (collectively, the "Company Assets").
With respect to any leased Company Assets, there are no security deposits or
portions thereof that have been applied in respect of a breach or default under
the applicable lease which has not been redeposited in full and neither the
Company nor any of its subsidiaries has mortgaged, deeded in trust or otherwise
transferred or encumbered such Lease or any interest therein except in the
ordinary course of business. There are no pending or, to the Company's
Knowledge, threatened condemnation proceedings against or affecting any
material Company Assets.
SECTION 3.16. Material Contracts and Commitments.
(a) Section 3.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a
true and complete list as of the date of this Agreement of all of the following
contracts, agreements and commitments, whether oral or written ("Contracts"), to
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them
or any of their material Company Assets is bound, as each such contract or
commitment may have been amended, modified or supplemented:
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(i) any agreement (including all master commitments and
pool purchase contracts) between the Company or any of its subsidiaries
and any Agency or Investor pursuant to which the Company and its
subsidiaries sold more than $175 million in principal amount of Mortgage
Loans during fiscal year 1999, and all insurance or guaranty contracts
(including contracts with any private mortgage insurer or Pool (as
defined herein) insurance provider with respect to the Mortgage Loans;
(ii) any agreement (or group of related agreements) for
the lease of personal property to or from any Person providing for rent
in excess of $100,000 during any twelve-month period;
(iii) any agreement for the lease of real property
providing for the payment of rent in excess of $250,000 during any
twelve-month period;
(iv) any agreement (or group of related agreements) or
indemnity under which the Company or any of its subsidiaries has created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed any debt including without limitation any
indebtedness for borrowed money, warehouse lines of credit, or any
capitalized lease or purchase money obligation (except for intercompany
obligations);
(v) any agreement under which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has granted a lien, pledge, security interest or other
encumbrance upon any of its material assets;
(vi) any agreement under which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries has an obligation to indemnify a director, officer or
employee;
(vii) any agreement for the employment of any individual
on a full-time, part-time, consulting or other basis other than oral
retainers of professionals terminable at will except for employment
agreements of employees with a salary of less than $100,000 who have
signed the Company's or any of its subsidiaries' standard form employment
agreement (excluding commissioned employees);
(viii) any agreement concerning confidentiality or
noncompetition given by the Company other than those agreements (A) with
employees on the Company's standard form employment, (B) related to
Company Stock Options, (C) entered into with any Person in connection
with the proposed sale of the Company and (D) that do not materially
restrict the manner in which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
conduct its business;
(ix) any other plan, contract or arrangement, whether
formal or informal, which involves direct or indirect compensation
(including bonus, stock option, severance, golden parachute, deferred
compensation, special retirement, consulting and similar agreements and
all agreements and arrangements regarding the Company's net branches) for
the benefit of one or more of the current or former directors, officers
or employees of the Company (other than Company Employee Plans described
in Section 3.12(a));
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(x) any guaranty or suretyship, performance bond or
contribution agreement;
(xi) any marketing, sales representative or dealership
agreement with respect to which the fees paid or payable by the Company
are or will be in excess of $100,000; any material agreement relating to
e-commerce or agreements related to the Company's "net branches"; and
(xii) any other material contract or commitment.
(b) The Company has heretofore made available to the Parent
true and complete copies of all of the Contracts required to be set forth in
Section 3.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Each such Contract is a valid
and binding agreement of the Company or one of its subsidiaries in accordance
with its terms, and is in full force and effect (except as set forth in Section
3.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule), except where the failure to be valid
and binding and in full force and effect would not individually or in the
aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries is in default with respect to any such Contract, nor (to the
Company's Knowledge) does any condition exist that with notice or lapse of time
or both would constitute such a default thereunder or permit any other party
thereto to terminate such Contract, except as would not have a Material Adverse
Effect. To the Company's Knowledge, no other party to any such Contract is in
default in any respect with respect to any such Contract, which would have a
Material Adverse Effect. No party has given any written notice (i) of
termination or cancellation of any such Contract or (ii) that it intends to
assert a breach of any such Contract, whether as a result of the transactions
contemplated hereby or otherwise, which would have a Material Adverse Effect.
Each Contract identified in Section 3.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule in
response to any item under this Section 3.16 shall be deemed incorporated by
reference to all other items in this Section 3.16.
SECTION 3.17. Intellectual Property.
(a) Certain Definitions. When used in this Section 3.17, the
following capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:
(i) the term "Intellectual Property Rights" means
intellectual property rights arising from or in respect of the following,
whether protected, created or arising under the laws ofthe United States
or any other jurisdiction:
(A) fictitious business names, trade names,
registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks and logos
(including any Internet domain names), and applications therefor
(collectively, "Marks");
(B) patents, patent rights and all applications
therefor, including any and all continuation, divisional,
continuation-in-part, or reissue patent applications or patents
issuing thereon (collectively, "Patents"); and
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(C) know-how, inventions, discoveries, concepts,
ideas, methods, processes, designs, formulae, technical data,
drawings, specifications, data bases and other proprietary and
confidential information, including customer lists, in each case
to the extent not included in the foregoing subparagraphs (A) or
(B) (collectively, "Trade Secrets");
(ii) the term "Intellectual Property Assets" means all
Intellectual Property Rights owned or licensed by the Company necessary
to the conduct of the Company's business, and all further uses of the
terms Marks, Patents, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets in this Section 3.17
shall mean Marks, Patents, Copyrights, and Trade Secrets that are
Intellectual Property Assets; and
(iii) the term "Software" means any and all (w) computer
programs, including any and all software implementations of algorithms,
models and methodologies, whether in source code or object code, (x)
databases and compilations, including any and all data and collections of
data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (y) descriptions,
flow-charts and other work product used to design, plan, organize and
develop any of the foregoing, and (z) all documentation, including user
manuals and training materials, relating to any of the foregoing, in each
case developed or licensed by the Company necessary for the conduct of
its business as currently conducted, specifically excluding those items
prepared for customers in the operation of the Company's business for
which the customer contractually has vested title.
(b) Marks. Section 3.17(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
sets forth an accurate and complete list of all registered, pending applications
for registration of any Marks and material unregistered Marks, in each case
owned by the Company and used by the Company in its business as presently
conducted ("Company Marks"). Except as may be set forth in Section 3.17(b) of
the Company Disclosure Schedule and would not have an Material Adverse Effect:
(i) the Company owns all right, title and interest in
each of the Company Marks, free and clear of any and all liens and
encumbrances (subject to written licenses granted in the ordinary course
of business), and the Company has not received any written notice or
claim challenging the Company's exclusive and complete ownership of such
Company Marks;
(ii) the Company Marks are valid and enforceable and the
Company has not received any written notice or claim challenging the
validity or enforceability of any such Company Marks;
(iii) to the Company's Knowledge, the Company has not
taken any action (or failed to take any action), that would result in the
forfeiture, relinquishment, or unenforceability of any of the Company
Marks or any of the Company's rights therein;
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(iv) the Company has taken reasonable steps to protect
the Company's rights in and to the Company Marks;
(v) except with respect to licensing arrangements,
business relationships, advertisements or publicity in each case made in
writing in the ordinary course of business, the Company has not granted
to any Person any right, license or permission to use any of the Company
Marks;
(vi) to the Company's Knowledge, there is no trademark or
service mark or application therefor of any other Person that conflicts
with any of the Company Marks;
(vii) none of the Company Marks used by the Company
infringes or to the Company's Knowledge is alleged to infringe any trade
name, trademark, service mark or trade dress right of any other Person,
and there have been no written claims made with respect thereto; and
(viii) to the Company's Knowledge, there has been no prior
use of any Company Marks by any third party which would confer upon such
third party superior rights in such Company Marks.
(c) Owned Patents. The Company does not own any right, title or
interest in any Patents.
(d) Owned Copyrights. Except as may be set forth on Section
3.17(d) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and would not have an Material
Adverse Effect:
(i) the Company is the owner of all right, title and
interest in and to each of the copyrights used by the Company in its
business as presently conducted other than those as to which the rights
being exercised by the Company have been licensed from another Person
(collectively, the "Owned Copyrights"), free and clear of any and all
liens and encumbrances (subject to written licenses granted in the
ordinary course of business), and the Company has not received any
written notice or claim challenging the Company's complete and exclusive
ownership of all Owned Copyrights;
(ii) the Company has not received any written notice or
claim challenging or questioning the validity or enforceability of any of
the Owned Copyrights or indicating an intention on the part of any Person
to bring a claim that any Owned Copyright is invalid, is unenforceable or
has been misused and, to the Company's Knowledge, no Owned Copyright
otherwise has been challenged or threatened in any way;
(iii) to the Company's Knowledge, the Company has not
taken any action (or failed to take any action), that would result in the
unenforceability of any of the Owned Copyrights;
(iv) the Company has taken all reasonable steps to
protect the Company's rights in and to the Owned Copyrights;
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(v) the Company has not granted to any Person any right,
license or permission to exercise any rights under any of the Owned
Copyrights other than non-exclusive licenses of Software granted in the
ordinary course of business of distributors or customers;
(vi) to the Company's Knowledge, no other Person has
infringed or is infringing in any of the Owned Copyrights; and
(vii) none of the subject matter of any Owned Copyrights
nor, to the Company's Knowledge, any other work of authorship fixed in a
tangible medium that is used, copied, modified, displayed or distributed
by the Company, infringes, violates or conflicts with, or is to the
Company's Knowledge, alleged to infringe, violate or conflict with, any
Intellectual Property Right of any other Person.
(e) Trade Secrets. Section 3.17(e) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth an accurate and complete list of all memoranda of invention
or invention disclosures owned and received by the Company (collectively,
"Invention Disclosures"). The Company has taken reasonable precautions to
protect the secrecy, confidentiality and value of all material Invention
Disclosures and all of the Company's other material Trade Secrets ("Company
Trade Secrets"). Except as may be set forth in Section 3.17(e) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule and as would not have an Material Adverse Effect:
(i) the Company has the absolute and unrestricted right
to use all of the Company Trade Secrets and none of the Company Trade
Secrets is subject to any liens or encumbrances (subject to written
licenses granted in the ordinary course of business), and the Company has
not received any written notice or claim challenging the Company's
absolute and unrestricted right to use all of the Company Trade Secrets;
(ii) none of the Company Trade Secrets has been, or is to
the Company's Knowledge, alleged to have been, misappropriated from, any
other Person and to the Company's Knowledge none of the Company Trade
Secrets infringes, violates or conflicts with, or is to the Company's
Knowledge, alleged to infringe, violate or conflict with, any
Intellectual Property Right of any third party; and
(iii) except under appropriate confidentiality obligations
that, to the Company's Knowledge, have been fully observed and performed,
to the Company's Knowledge, there has been no disclosure by the Company
of Company Trade Secrets.
(f) Software. Section 3.17(f) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of all of the material Software
(excluding licensed software that is contained in standard desktop applications
and is available through commercial distributors or in consumer retail stores).
Section 3.17(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule specifically identifies all
material Software that is owned
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exclusively by the Company (the "Owned Software") and all material Software that
is used by the Company in the conduct of their business as currently conducted
that is not exclusively owned by the Company (excluding licensed software that
is contained in standard desktop applications and is available through
commercial distributors or in consumer retail stores) (the "Licensed Software").
Except as may be set forth in Section 3.17(f) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
and as would not have an Material Adverse Effect:
(i) the Company is the owner of all right, title and
interest in and to all Owned Software and Intellectual Property Rights
relating thereto, free and clear of any and all liens and encumbrances
(subject to licenses granted in the ordinary course of business), and the
Company has not received any written notice or claim challenging the
Company's complete and exclusive ownership of all Owned Software and all
such Intellectual Property Rights relating thereto;
(ii) the Company has not assigned, licensed, transferred
or encumbered any of its rights in or to any Owned Software, to any
Person, excluding any non-exclusive licenses granted to distributors or
customers in the ordinary course of business;
(iii) no source code of any Owned Software has been
licensed or otherwise made available to any Person other than the Company
(other than pursuant to standard source code escrow agreements or
independent contractors subject to confidentiality obligations to the
Company), the Company has treated such source code as confidential and
proprietary business information, and has taken all reasonable steps to
protect the same as trade secrets of the Company;
(iv) none of the Owned Software contains any Software
that embody proprietary Intellectual Property Rights of any Person other
than the Company;
(v) the Company has lawfully acquired the right to use
the Licensed Software, as it is used in the conduct of their business as
presently conducted.
(g) [reserved]
(h) Agreements in Respect of Licensed Technology. Section
3.17(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate
specific list of all material agreements and arrangements pertaining to the
Licensed Software (excluding licensed software that is contained in standard
desktop applications and available through commercial distributors or in
consumer retail stores) (collectively, "Licensed Software Agreements") and a
complete and accurate specific list of all material agreements and arrangements
pertaining to any other technology used or practiced by the Company as to which
a Person other than the Company owns the applicable Intellectual Property Rights
(collectively, "Other Licensed Technology Agreements" and, together with
Licensed Software Agreements, the "Licensed Technology Agreements"). Section
3.17(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate
list of all royalty
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obligations of the Company under any Licensed Technology Agreements. Except as
may be set forth in Section 3.17(h) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and as
would not have a Material Adverse Effect:
(i) all Licensed Technology Agreements are in full force
and effect, and the Company is not in material breach thereof, nor to the
Company's Knowledge is there any claim or information to the contrary;
(ii) all Licensed Technology Agreements will be
maintained by the Company to the extent within the Company's control in
full force and effect through the Closing;
(iii) there are no pending and, to the Company's
Knowledge, no threatened disputes or disagreements with respect to any
Licensed Technology Agreement;
(iv) [reserved]
(v) [reserved]
(vi) to the Company's Knowledge, the Licensed Technology
Agreements together expressly confer on the Company valid and enforceable
rights under or in respect of all of the Intellectual Property Rights
that are not owned exclusively by Company and that are necessary in the
Company's business as currently conducted (collectively, the "Licensed
Intellectual Property"); and
(vii) neither the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
will result in a breach of any of the material terms, conditions or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the material
impairment of any rights under, any Licensed Technology Agreement.
(i) Agreements Involving Distribution or Other Rights Granted
to Third Parties in Respect of Software. The Company does not have any
agreements and arrangements involving the grant by the Company to any Person of
any right to distribute, prepare derivative works based on, support or maintain
or otherwise commercially exploit any owned Software.
(j) Sufficiency of Owned and Licensed Intellectual Property.
Except as set forth in Section 3.17(j) of the Company Disclosure Schedule and as
would not have an Material Adverse Effect, the Company has all of the
Intellectual Property Rights necessary for the conduct of the Company's business
as presently conducted and all of the Intellectual Property Rights necessary to
operate such business after the Closing in substantially the same manner as such
business heretofore has been operated by the Company.
(k) [reserved]
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(l) Employee Confidentiality Agreements. Except as set forth in
Section 3.17(l) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all current and former
employees, contractors and consultants of the Company have entered into
confidentiality, invention assignment and proprietary information agreements
with the Company where appropriate, except as would not have an Material Adverse
Effect. The carrying on of the Company's business as currently conducted by the
employees, contractors and consultants of the Company does not, to the Company's
Knowledge, conflict with or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or
provisions of, or to the Company's Knowledge, constitute a default under, any
contract, covenant or instrument under which any of such employees, contractors
or consultants or the Company is now obligated.
SECTION 3.18. [reserved]
SECTION 3.19 Stock Options. Section 3.19 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule sets forth the following information concerning each of the Company
Personnel that has been granted Company Stock Options, the date of each such
grant, the total number of Shares for which the Company Stock Options are
exercisable, the number of Shares for which unvested options are exercisable and
the exercise price of all vested and unvested Company Stock Options.
SECTION 3.20. Insurance. The Company and its subsidiaries have
obtained and maintained in full force and effect insurance with responsible and
reputable insurance companies or associations in such amounts, on such terms and
covering such risks, as is customarily carried by reasonably prudent persons
conducting business or owning or leasing assets similar to those conducted,
owned or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries, except where the failure to
obtain or maintain such insurance would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 3.21. Pool Certifications. All pools consisting of
Mortgage Loans that have been aggregated pursuant to the requirements of the
applicable Investor and assigned to collateralize securities ("Pools") are
properly balanced reconciled, fully funded and certified by the applicable
Investor or Agency.
SECTION 3.22. Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker
(other than Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc., the Company's financial
adviser, a true and correct copy of whose entire engagement agreement has been
provided to Acquisition or Parent) is entitled to any brokerage, finder's or
other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company.
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF PARENT AND ACQUISITION
Parent and Acquisition hereby represent and warrant to the Company
as follows:
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SECTION 4.1. Organization.
(a) Each of Parent and Acquisition is duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation, and has all requisite power and authority to own, lease and
operate its properties and to carry on its businesses as now being conducted,
except in such jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or
licensed and in good standing would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
The term "Parent Material Adverse Effect" means any change or effect that would
materially impair the ability of Parent and/or Acquisition to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Each of Parent and Acquisition is duly qualified or
licensed and in good standing to do business in each jurisdiction in which the
property owned, leased or operated by it or the nature of the business conducted
by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except in such
jurisdictions where the failure to be so duly qualified or licensed and in good
standing would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.2. Authority Relative to this Agreement. Each of Parent
and Acquisition has all necessary corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement and the Stockholders' Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Stockholders' Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly
authorized by the boards of directors of Parent and Acquisition and by Parent as
the sole stockholder of Acquisition and no other corporate proceedings on the
part of Parent or Acquisition are necessary to authorize this Agreement and the
Stockholders' Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby. This Agreement and the Stockholders' Agreement each have been duly
and validly executed and delivered by each of Parent and Acquisition and each
constitutes a valid, legal and binding agreement of each of Parent and
Acquisition enforceable against each of Parent and Acquisition in accordance
with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable
conservator, receivership, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, and
except as the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by the
application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
equitable principle are applied in a proceeding at law or in equity).
SECTION 4.3. Information Supplied. None of the information
supplied by Parent or Acquisition in writing for inclusion in the Disclosure
Statements will, at the respective times that the Proxy Statement (if necessary)
and the Schedule 14D-9 and any amendments of or supplements to any of the
foregoing are filed with the SEC and are first published or sent or given to
holders of Shares, and in the case of any required Proxy Statement, at the time
that it or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto is mailed to the
Company's stockholders, at the time of the Stockholders' Meeting or the written
consent of the stockholders, if either is required, or at the Effective Time,
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading except that no representation or warranty is
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made by Parent or Acquisition with respect to information supplied by the
Company for inclusion in the 14D-1. The Offer Documents shall comply in all
material respects as to form with applicable federal securities laws.
SECTION 4.4. Financing; Share Ownership. Parent has and will have
sufficient funds available to purchase all of the Shares that Parent agrees,
subject to the terms and conditions hereof, to purchase hereunder and to pay all
related fees and expenses, and will make such funds available to Acquisition
when required for the performance of its obligations hereunder. As of the date
hereof, Parent and Acquisition do not beneficially own any Shares.
SECTION 4.5. Consents and Approvals; No Violations. Except for
filings, permits, authorizations, consents and approvals as may be required
under, and other applicable requirements of, the Securities Act, the Bank Act,
as amended (the "Bank Act"), the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended
(the "Bank Holding Company Act"), state insurance and mortgage brokerage laws or
regulations, and the filing and acceptance for record or recordation of the
Merger Certificate as required by the DGCL, no filing with or notice to, and no
permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity is
necessary for the execution and delivery by Parent or Acquisition of this
Agreement and the Stockholders' Agreement or the consummation by Parent or
Acquisition of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, except where
the failure to obtain such permits, authorizations, consents or approvals or to
make such filings or give such notice would not have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect. Neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and
the Stockholders' Agreement by Parent or Acquisition nor the consummation by
Parent or Acquisition of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will
(i) conflict with or result in any breach of any provision of the respective
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws (or similar charter or organizational
documents) of Parent or Acquisition, (ii) result in a violation or breach of or
constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or
give rise to any right of termination, amendment, cancellation or acceleration
or Lien) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any note, bond,
mortgage, indenture, lease, license, contract, agreement or other instrument or
obligation to which Parent or Acquisition or any of Parent's other subsidiaries
is a party or by which any of them or any of their respective properties or
assets may be bound or (iii) violate any order, writ, injunction, decree, law,
statute, rule or regulation applicable to Parent or Acquisition or any of
Parent's other subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets
except, in the case of (ii) or (iii), for violations, breaches or defaults which
would not have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 4.6. Brokers and Finders. Each of Parent and Acquisition
represents, as to itself and its affiliates, that no agent, broker, investment
banker, financial advisor or other firm or person is or will be entitled to any
brokers' or finders' fee or any other commission or similar fee in connection
with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 4.7. Nature and Interim Operations of Acquisition.
Acquisition is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of the Parent and was formed
on March 9, 2000 solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions
contemplated
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hereby, has engaged in no other business activities and has conducted its
operations only as contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE 5
COVENANTS
SECTION 5.1. Interim Operations. From the date of this Agreement
until the Tender Offer Purchase Time, except as set forth in Section 5.1 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule or as expressly contemplated by any other provision
of this Agreement, unless the Parent has consented in writing thereto, the
Company shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries to:
(a) conduct its business and operations only in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;
(b) use reasonable efforts to preserve intact the business,
organization, goodwill, rights, licenses, permits and franchises of the Company
and its subsidiaries and maintain their existing relationships with customers,
suppliers and other Persons having business dealings with them;
(c) use reasonable efforts to keep in full force and effect
adequate insurance coverage and maintain and keep its material Company Assets in
good repair, working order and condition, normal wear and tear excepted;
(d) not amend or modify its respective Certificate of
Incorporation, Bylaws, partnership agreement or other charter or organizational
documents;
(e) other than pursuant to the stock purchase right identified
as Item 1 in Section 3.2(a) of the Disclosure Schedule and other than up to
20,000 Company Stock Options that may be issued under the 2000 Stock Option Plan
in connection with the Company's fair share plan, not authorize for issuance,
issue, sell, grant, deliver, pledge or encumber or agree or commit to issue,
sell, grant, deliver, pledge or encumber any shares of any class or series of
capital stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any other equity or
voting security or equity or voting interest in the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
any such shares, securities or interests, or any options, warrants, calls,
commitments, subscriptions or rights to purchase or acquire any such shares,
securities or interests (other than issuances of Shares upon exercise of Company
Stock Options granted prior to the date of this Agreement to directors,
officers, employees and consultants of the Company in accordance with the
Company Stock Plan as currently in effect);
(f) not (i) split, combine or reclassify any shares of its
stock or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in
respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for, shares of its stock or (ii) in
solely the case of the Company, declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or
make other distributions in respect of, any of the Company's stock, repurchase,
redeem or otherwise acquire, or agree or commit to repurchase, redeem or
otherwise acquire, any shares of stock or other equity or debt securities or
equity interests of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
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(g) except as contemplated by Section 2.10, not amend or
otherwise modify the terms of any Company Stock Options or the Company Option
Plans, the effect of which shall be to make such terms more favorable to the
holders thereof or Persons eligible for participation therein;
(h) other than normal salary increases in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice, not (i) materially increase
the compensation payable or to become payable to any directors, officers or
employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries except arrangements in
connection with employee transfers and agreements with new employees having a
salary of greater than $75,000, (ii) grant any severance or termination pay to,
or enter into any employment or severance agreement with any director or officer
or employee (other than in the ordinary course of business) of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, or (iii) establish, adopt, enter into or amend in any
material respect or take action to accelerate any material rights or material
benefits under any collective bargaining, bonus, profit sharing, thrift,
compensation, stock option, restricted stock, pension, retirement, deferred
compensation, employment, termination, severance or other plan, agreement,
trust, fund, policy or arrangement for the benefit of any director or officer or
employee (other than in the ordinary course of business) of the Company or any
of its subsidiaries;
(i) not acquire or agree to acquire (including, without
limitation, by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of stock, equity securities
or interests, or assets) any corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association or other business organization or division thereof or otherwise
acquire or agree to acquire any assets of any other Person outside the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice or any interest in any real
properties (other than in the ordinary course of business);
(j) not incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for
borrowed money (including draw-downs on letters or lines of credit) or issue any
notes, bonds, debentures, debt instruments, evidences of indebtedness or other
debt securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any options,
warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any of the same, except for (i)
renewals of existing bonds and letters of credit in the ordinary course of
business not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate; (ii) incurring indebtedness
for borrowed money in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000 or (iii) advances in the
ordinary course pursuant to (A) working capital lines of credit in an amount not
to exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate and (B) warehouse lines of credit set
forth in Section 3.16(a)(v) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or any renewal
or replacement thereof;
(k) not sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of,
or agree to sell, lease, license, encumber or otherwise dispose of, any material
properties or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than in
the ordinary course of business;
(l) not authorize or make any capital expenditures (including
by lease) in excess of $500,000 in the aggregate other than the ordinary course
of business for the Company and all of its subsidiaries;
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(m) not make any material change in any of its accounting or
financial reporting (including tax accounting and reporting) methods, principles
or practices, including with respect to the method of accounting for loans held
for sale or premiums for risk management instruments, or recognizing loan
origination income, net premium income, or gains or losses on risk management
instruments, except as may be required by a change in law or in GAAP;
(n) not make any material tax election or settle or compromise
any material United States or foreign tax liability;
(o) except in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice, not amend, modify or terminate any material Contract or waive,
release or assign any material rights or claims thereunder;
(p) other than in the ordinary course of business, not enter
into contracts that reasonably would involve financial obligations by the
Company exceeding $100,000;
(q) not adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation,
dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other
reorganization of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
(r) fail to report any facts, circumstance or events that has
resulted in any insurance claims that, individually or in the aggregate, would
have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(s) except as to subsections (a), (b) and (c) of Section 5.1,
not agree or commit in writing or otherwise to do any of the foregoing.
SECTION 5.2. Stockholders' Meeting; Action by Consent.
(a) The Company, acting through the Board, shall, if required
for the Merger under the DGCL:
(i) duly call, give notice of, convene and hold a
meeting of its stockholders (the "Stockholders' Meeting"), to be held as
soon as practicable after the Tender Offer Purchase Time for the purpose
of considering and taking action upon this Agreement using a record date,
to the extent possible, that is a day on which the Shares are listed on
the Nasdaq National Market;
(ii) except as otherwise permitted under Section 5.4,
include in the Proxy Statement (A) the recommendation of the Board that
stockholders of the Company vote in favor of the approval and adoption of
this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby
(including the Plan and Agreement of Merger attached hereto as Exhibit
C), and (B) a statement that the Board believes that the consideration to
be received by the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Merger is
fair to such stockholders; and
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(iii) except as otherwise permitted under Section 5.4, use
reasonable efforts (A) to obtain and furnish the information required to
be included by it in the Proxy Statement, if any, and, after consultation
with Parent and Acquisition, cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to
its stockholders at the earliest practicable time following the Tender
Offer Purchase Time, and (B) to obtain the necessary approvals by its
stockholders of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.
At such meeting, Parent and Acquisition will, and will cause their
affiliates to, vote all Shares owned by them in favor of approval and
adoption of this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a), if Parent, Acquisition and
any other subsidiary of Parent collectively acquire at least 90% of the issued
and outstanding Shares, the parties shall take all necessary and appropriate
action to cause the Merger to become effective as soon as practicable after the
purchase of the Shares pursuant to the Offer without a Stockholders' Meeting in
accordance with Section 253 of the DGCL.
SECTION 5.3. Termination of Registration of Shares. The Company,
acting through its Board, at the earliest practicable time following the Tender
Offer Purchase Time (but in no event prior to the record date for the
Stockholders' Meeting, if necessary, called for the purpose of approving the
Merger), if the number of holders of record of the Shares at such time is
smaller than 300, take all steps necessary or appropriate to terminate
registration of the Shares under the Exchange Act, including without limitation
the filing of Exchange Act Form 15 with the SEC and of a notice to the Nasdaq
National Market to delist the Shares.
SECTION 5.4. Other Potential Acquirers.
(a) The Company and its subsidiaries shall and shall direct
and use their reasonable best efforts to cause, its affiliates and their
respective officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents to
immediately cease any discussions or negotiations with any parties with respect
to any Third Party Acquisition (as defined below). The Company and its
subsidiaries shall and shall direct and use their reasonable best efforts to
cause their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives or
agents not to, directly or indirectly, encourage, solicit, participate in or
initiate discussions or negotiations with or provide any non-public information
to any Person or group (other than Parent and Acquisition or any designees of
Parent and Acquisition) concerning any Third Party Acquisition; provided,
however, that nothing herein shall prevent the Board from taking and disclosing
to the Company's stockholders a position contemplated by Rules 14d-9 and 14e-2
promulgated under the Exchange Act with regard to any tender offer; and
provided further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if, prior to the Tender
Offer Purchase Time, the Company receives a "Potential Proposal" (defined as an
unsolicited Superior Proposal (defined below) or an unsolicited proposal, offer
or indication that the Company in good faith believes may lead to a Superior
Proposal), then, following written notice to Parent and Acquisition, the
Company may, pursuant to a non-disclosure agreement with terms regarding the
protection of confidential information at least as restrictive as such terms in
the Confidentiality Agreement, provide the Person making the Potential Proposal
with the same non-public information that the Company supplied to
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Parent and consider and negotiate a Potential Proposal. The Company shall
promptly, and in any event before furnishing non-public information to any such
Person, notify the Parent in the event it receives any proposal or inquiry
concerning a Third Party Acquisition, including the material terms and
conditions thereof and the identity of the party submitting such proposal.
(b) Except as set forth in this Section 5.4(b), the Board shall
not withdraw its recommendation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
approve or recommend, or cause the Company to enter into any agreement with
respect to, any Third Party Acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if prior
to the Tender Offer Purchase Time the Board by a majority vote determines in its
good faith judgment, after consultation with its legal counsel, that failure to
do so would be inconsistent with their fiduciary duties under applicable law,
the Board may withdraw its recommendation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or approve or recommend a Superior Proposal; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be entitled to enter into any agreement with respect to a
Superior Proposal unless and until this Agreement is terminated by its terms
pursuant to Section 8.1. For the purposes of this Agreement, "Third Party
Acquisition" means the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) the
acquisition of the Company by merger or otherwise by any Person (which includes
a "person" as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act)
other than Parent, Acquisition or any affiliate thereof (a "Third Party") or by
an officer or director of the Company; (ii) the acquisition by a Third Party of
more than 20% of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a
whole; (iii) the acquisition by a Third Party of Shares which, together with all
other Shares owned by such Third Party and its affiliates, equal 20% or more of
the issued and outstanding Shares; (iv) the adoption by the Company of a plan of
liquidation or the declaration or payment of an extraordinary dividend; (v) the
repurchase by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of more than 20% of the
issued and outstanding Shares; or (vi) the acquisition by the Company or any
subsidiary by merger, purchase of stock or assets, joint venture or otherwise of
a direct or indirect ownership interest or investment in any business whose
annual revenues, net income or assets attributable to such ownership interest or
investment is equal or greater than 20% of the annual revenues net income or
assets of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement a "Superior Proposal"
means any bona fide proposal to acquire directly or indirectly for consideration
consisting of cash and/or securities all of the Shares then issued and
outstanding or all or substantially all the assets of the Company and otherwise
on terms which the Company Board by a majority vote determines in its good faith
judgment (consistent with the advice of a financial adviser of nationally
recognized reputation) to be more favorable to the Company's stockholders than
the Merger and the Offer. At and after the Tender Offer Purchase Time, the
Company shall not under any circumstances withdraw its recommendation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or approve or recommend, or cause the Company
to enter into any agreement with respect to, any Third Party Acquisition.
SECTION 5.5 Access to Information. From the date of this Agreement
until the Closing Time, upon reasonable prior notice, the Company shall (and
shall cause each of its subsidiaries to) (a) give the Parent and its
representatives full access, during normal business hours and at other
reasonable times without disruption to the Company's normal business affairs, to
the books, records, contracts, commitments, properties, offices
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and other facilities of it and its subsidiaries, (b) arrange for Parent and its
representatives reasonable access, during normal business hours, to the
officers, employees and agents of it and its subsidiaries, and (c) furnish
promptly to the Parent and its representatives such financial and operating data
and other information concerning the business, operations, properties,
contracts, records and personnel of the Company and its subsidiaries as the
Parent may from time to time reasonably request. Parent agrees that it will not,
and will cause its representatives not to, use any information or access
obtained pursuant to this Section 5.5 for any purpose not reasonably related to
the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. All
information obtained by the Parent pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall be kept
confidential in accordance with the confidentiality provisions of the Letter
Agreement between Parent and the Company dated as of January 31, 2000 (the
"Confidentiality Agreement").
SECTION 5.6. Further Actions.
(a) Each of the parties hereto shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or
cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable
laws and regulations, and consult and fully cooperate with and provide
reasonable assistance to each other party hereto and their respective
representatives in order, to consummate and make effective the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement as promptly as practicable hereafter, including,
without limitation, (i) using commercially reasonable efforts to make all
filings, applications, notifications, reports, submissions and registrations
with, and to obtain all consents, approvals, authorizations or permits of,
Governmental Entities or other Persons as are necessary for the consummation of
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby (including, without
limitation, pursuant to the HSR Act, the Bank Act, the Bank Holding Company Act,
state insurance or mortgage broker laws, the Home Owners' Loan Act, the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act, Blue Sky Laws, Delaware law and other
applicable laws and regulations in effect in the United States or any other
jurisdiction), and (ii) taking such actions and doing such things as any other
party hereto may reasonably request in order to cause any of the conditions to
such other party's obligation to consummate the Merger as specified in Article 7
of this Agreement to be fully satisfied. Prior to making any application to or
filing with any Governmental Entity or other Person in connection with this
Agreement, the Company, on the one hand, and the Parent, on the other hand,
shall provide the other with drafts thereof and afford the other a reasonable
opportunity to comment on such drafts.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each of
the Parent and the Company agrees to cooperate and use reasonable efforts to
vigorously contest and resist any action, suit, proceeding or claim, and to have
vacated, lifted, reversed or overturned any injunction, order, judgment or
decree (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent), that delays, prevents or
otherwise restricts the consummation of the Merger or any other transaction
contemplated by this Agreement, and to take any and all actions (but not
including the disposition of material assets, divestiture of businesses, or the
withdrawal from doing business in particular jurisdictions, if material) as may
be required by Governmental Entities as a condition to the granting of any such
necessary approvals or as may be required to avoid, vacate, lift, reverse or
overturn any injunction, order, judgment, decree or regulatory action (provided,
however, that in no event shall any party
36
<PAGE>
hereto take, or be required to take, any action that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or that, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse
Effect).
(c) The Company shall take all necessary action prior to the
Effective Time to cause the dilution provisions of the Rights Agreement to be
inapplicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, without any
payment to holders of Rights.
(d) The Board shall administer the Company's Employee Stock
Purchase Plan such that no action thereunder would be permitted to be taken by
the President or any other officer of the Company without the approval of the
Board.
SECTION 5.7. Public Announcements. Parent, Acquisition and the
Company, as the case may be, will consult with one another and mutually agree
upon the content and timing of any press releases or public statements with
respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the Offer and the Merger, and shall not issue any such press release
or make any such public statement prior to such consultation and agreement
except to the extent that such disclosure may be required by applicable law or
by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with the Toronto Stock
Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market as
determined by Parent, Acquisition or the Company, as the case may be.
SECTION 5.8. Employee Benefit Matters.
(a) Parent agrees that, effective as of the Effective Time and
for a one year period following the Effective Time, Parent shall provide, or
cause Acquisition and its subsidiaries and successors to provide, those persons
who, immediately prior to the Effective Time, were employees of the Company and
its subsidiaries and who continue in such employment ("Continuing Employees"),
with benefits and compensation no less favorable in the aggregate to benefits
and compensation that are provided to the Continuing Employees as of the date of
this Agreement.
(b) Except with respect to accruals under any defined benefit
pension plan, at such time as a Continuing Employee is provided benefits under
the benefit plans or arrangements of Parent or the Surviving Corporation, or any
subsidiary of Parent or the Surviving Corporation, Parent will, or will cause
the Surviving Corporation and its subsidiaries to, give such Continuing Employee
full credit for purposes of eligibility and vesting under such employee benefit
plans or arrangements maintained by Parent, Acquisition or any subsidiary of
Parent or Acquisition for such Continuing Employees' service with the Company or
any subsidiary of the Company to the same extent recognized by the Company at
such time. Parent will, or will cause the Surviving Corporation and its
subsidiaries to, (i) waive all limitations as to preexisting conditions (except
to the extent that such limitations were not waived under the Company's
then-existing welfare plans), exclusions and waiting periods with respect to
participation and coverage requirements applicable to the Continuing Employees
under any welfare plan that such employees may be eligible to participate in
after the Effective Time, and (ii) provide each Continuing Employee with credit
for any co-payments and deductibles paid prior to the Effective Time in
satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket
37
<PAGE>
requirements under any welfare plans that such employees are eligible to
participate in after the Effective Time to the same extent as if those
deductibles or co-payments had been paid under the welfare plans for which such
employees are eligible after the Effective Time.
(c) Parent and Acquisition (i) to cause Acquisition after
consummation of the Merger contemplated by this Agreement to assume, honor, and
pay all amounts provided under, all Company Employee Plans in accordance with
their terms, and (ii) to honor and to cause Acquisition to honor, all rights,
privileges and modifications to or with respect to any such Company Employee
Plans that become effective as a result of any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.9. Expenses. Whether or not the Merger is consummated,
subject to Section 8.3 hereof, all costs and expenses incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of representatives) shall be borne by the
party which incurs such cost or expense.
SECTION 5.10. Notification of Certain Matters. The Company shall
give prompt notice to Parent and Acquisition, and Parent and Acquisition shall
give prompt notice to the Company, of (a) the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any
event the occurrence or nonoccurrence of which would be likely to cause any
covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement not to be complied
with or satisfied in all material respects prior to the Tender Offer Purchase
Time and (b) any material failure of the Company, Parent or Acquisition, as the
case may be, to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to
be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder; provided, however, that the
delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 5.10 shall not cure such breach
or non-compliance or limit or otherwise affect the remedies available hereunder
to the party receiving such notice.
SECTION 5.11. Guarantee of Performance. Parent hereby guarantees
the performance by Acquisition and, after the Effective Time, the Surviving
Corporation of its obligations under this Agreement, including but not limited
to the Surviving Corporation's obligations under Section 5.13.
SECTION 5.12. Effect of Parent's Knowledge. If Parent or any
director, officer, employee, counsel, accountant, advisor or other
representative has obtained, prior to the execution of this Agreement, actual
knowledge of any information relevant to accuracy of the representation and
warranties of the Company under this Agreement, then for purposes of determining
whether the condition set forth in Section 6.1(a)(iv) has been satisfied, such
information shall be deemed to have been disclosed by the Company in the Company
Disclosure Schedule.
SECTION 5.13. Indemnification; Directors' and Officers' Insurance.
Subject to the occurrence of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation
shall cause its Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws to contain the
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indemnification provisions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws of the Company on the date of this Agreement, which provisions
thereafter shall not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified after the
Effective Time in any manner that would adversely affect the rights thereunder
of individuals who at any time prior to the Effective Time were directors,
officers or employees of the Company in respect of actions or omissions
occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including, without limitation, the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement). Parent shall cause the Surviving
Corporation to comply with the terms of and maintain in existence the
indemnification agreements in effect on the date of this Agreement. In the
event the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors or assigns (a)
consolidates with or merges into any other Person and the Surviving Corporation
shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
consolidation or merger or (b) transfers all or substantially all of its
properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper
provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of the Surviving
Corporation shall assume the obligations set forth in this Section 5.13. The
Surviving Corporation shall obtain and maintain in effect for not less than
five years after the Effective Time, the current policies of directors' and
officers' liability insurance and fiduciary liability insurance maintained by
the Company and the Company's subsidiaries with respect to matters occurring at
or prior to the Effective Time (including, without limitation, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement), provided, that Parent may, with no lapse in
coverage, substitute therefore policies of substantially the same coverage
containing terms and conditions which are no less advantageous, in any material
respect, to the Company's present or former directors, officers, employees,
agents or other individuals otherwise covered by such insurance policies prior
to the Effective Time (the "Indemnified Parties"). This Section 5.13 is
intended to benefit the Indemnified Parties and shall be binding on all
successors and assigns of Parent, Acquisition, the Company and the Surviving
Corporation.
ARTICLE 6
CONDITIONS TO THE OFFER
SECTION 6.1. Conditions to the Offer.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Offer,
Acquisition shall not be required to accept for payment or, subject to any
applicable rules and regulations of the SEC including Rule 14e-l(c) under the
Exchange Act (relating to Acquisition's obligation to pay for or return
tendered Shares promptly after termination or withdrawal of the Offer), pay
for, and may delay the acceptance for payment of or, subject to the
restrictions referred to above, the payment for, any tendered Shares, if (w)
any waiting periods applicable to the Offer under the HSR Act shall not have
been terminated or shall not have expired and any required approvals or notices
under the Bank Act, the Bank Holding Company Act and required approvals from
state Governmental Entities responsible for regulating, in the aggregate,
ninety percent (90%) of the Company's and its subsidiary's average mortgage
origination volume for the period 1998 and 1999 shall not have been obtained,
and, in the case of any approval, authorization or consent, shall not be in full
force and effect and all conditions applicable thereto shall not have been
satisfied; (x) any of the consents or approvals of any Person other than a
Governmental Entity, in connection with the execution, delivery and performance
of this Agreement shall not have been obtained; except where the failure to
have obtained any such consent or approval would not have a Material Adverse
Effect; (y) the Minimum Condition shall not have been satisfied or (z) at any
time on or after the date of this Agreement and before the time of acceptance
of such Shares for payment pursuant to the Offer, any of the following events
shall occur:
(i) [reserved];
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(ii) from the date of this Agreement until the Tender
Offer Purchase Time, any Governmental Entity or court of competent
jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered
any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or
other order which is in effect at the Tender Offer Purchase Time and
which (A) makes the acceptance for payment of, or the payment for, some
or all of the Shares illegal or otherwise prohibits consummation of the
Offer, the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby,
or (B) prohibits Acquisition from operating or deriving benefits from the
majority of the value of the operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries taken as a whole to operate the Company; provided, however,
that the parties shall use reasonable efforts (subject to the proviso in
Section 5.6(b)) to cause any such decree, judgment or other order to be
vacated or lifted prior to September 30, 2000;
(iii) [reserved];
(iv) the representations and warranties of the Company
set forth in this Agreement shall not be true and correct on the date of
this Agreement or the Company shall have breached or failed in any
respect to perform or comply with any material obligation, agreement or
covenant required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by
it at or prior to such time except, where the failure of representations
and warranties (without regard to materiality qualifications therein
contained) to be true and correct, or the performance or compliance with
such obligations, agreements or covenants, would not, individually or in
the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect;
(v) this Agreement shall have been terminated in
accordance with its terms;
(vi) there shall have occurred an acceptance by the
Company of a Superior Proposal;
(vii) [reserved];
(viii) the Board shall have withdrawn or modified in a
manner adverse to Parent its approval or recommendation of the Offer,
shall have recommended to the Company's stockholders a Third Party
Acquisition or shall have adopted any resolution to effect any of the
foregoing;
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(ix) [reserved];
(x) [reserved];
(xi) [reserved];
(xii) from the date of this Agreement until the Tender
Offer Purchase Time, there shall have occurred the commencement of a war
having a Material Adverse Effect on the Company;
which, in the reasonable judgment of Parent and Acquisition, in any such case,
and regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such condition, makes it
inadvisable to proceed with the Offer and/or with such acceptance for payment or
payments.
(b) The conditions set forth in Section 6.1(a) (other than the
Minimum Condition) are for the sole benefit of Acquisition and may be asserted
by Acquisition regardless of any circumstances giving rise to any condition and
may be waived (other than the Minimum Condition) by Acquisition, in whole or in
part, at any time and from time to time, in the sole discretion of Acquisition.
The failure by Parent or Acquisition (or any affiliate of Acquisition) at any
time to exercise any of the foregoing rights will not be deemed a waiver of any
right and each right will be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at
any time and from time to time.
ARTICLE 7
CONDITIONS TO CONSUMMATION OF THE MERGER
SECTION 7.1. Conditions to Each Party's Obligations to Effect the
Merger. The respective obligations of each party hereto to effect the Merger are
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing Time of the following
conditions:
(a) this Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been approved by all necessary corporate action
of the Company, including, if necessary, adoption by vote of the stockholders of
the Company provided that Parent and Acquisition shall have complied with their
obligations in respect of the voting of Shares set forth in Section 5.2(a)(iii);
(b) no Governmental Entity or court of competent jurisdiction
shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any statute, rule,
regulation, executive order, decree, injunction or other order which is in
effect and which makes the payment of the Cash Merger Consideration illegal or
otherwise prohibits the Merger; and
(c) [reserved]
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(d) Acquisition shall have purchased Shares pursuant to the
Offer in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Offer; provided,
that neither Parent nor Acquisition may invoke this condition if Acquisition
shall have failed to purchase, in violation of the terms of this Agreement or
the Offer, Shares validly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer.
ARTICLE 8
TERMINATION; AMENDMENT; WAIVER
SECTION 8.1. Termination. This Agreement may be terminated and the
Merger may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing Time whether before or
after approval and adoption of this Agreement by the Company's stockholders:
(a) by mutual written consent of Parent, Acquisition and the
Company;
(b) by Parent or the Company if (i) any Governmental Entity or
court of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated,
enforced or entered any statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree,
injunction or other order which is in effect and which makes payment of the Per
Share Amount or the Cash Merger Consideration illegal or otherwise prohibits
the Offer or the Merger or (ii) Acquisition shall not have purchased Shares
pursuant to the Offer or the Merger shall not have occurred on or prior to
September 30, 2000, provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to this Section 8.1(b) shall not be available to any party whose
failure to fulfill any of its obligations under this Agreement results in such
failure to purchase;
(c) by Parent and Acquisition prior to the Tender Offer
Purchase Time if there shall have been a breach of any covenant or agreement on
the part of the Company resulting in a Material Adverse Effect or a Parent
Material Adverse Effect which shall not have been cured prior to the earlier of
(A) 10 days following notice of such breach and (B) two business days prior to
the date on which the Offer expires as such date may be extended;
(d) by the Company prior to the Tender Offer Purchase Time if
(i) the Company shall have received a Superior Proposal, shall have furnished
Parent a reasonable written notice advising Parent that the Board has received a
Superior Proposal, specifying the material terms and conditions of such Superior
Proposal and identifying the Person making such Superior Proposal and Parent
shall not, within three business days of Parent's receipt of the Notice of
Superior Proposal, have made an offer which the Company Board, by a majority
vote, determines in its good faith judgment (consistent with the advice of a
financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation) to be as favorable to the
Company's stockholders as such Superior Proposal, provided, however, that such
termination under this clause (i) shall not be effective until payment of the
fee required by Section 8.3(b); (ii) there shall have been a breach of any
representation or warranty on the part of Parent or Acquisition which materially
adversely affects (or materially delays) the
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consummation of the Offer or (iii) there shall have been a material breach of
any covenant or agreement on the part of Parent or Acquisition and which
materially adversely affects (or materially delays) the consummation of the
Offer which shall not have been cured prior to the earlier of (A) 10 days
following notice of such breach and (B) two business days prior to the date on
which the Offer expires.
SECTION 8.2. Effect of Termination. In the event of the
termination and abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1, this
Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect without any liability
on the part of any party hereto or its affiliates, directors, officers or
stockholders other than the provisions of this Section 8.2 and the last sentence
of Sections 5.5 and Sections 8.3, and 9.1 through 9.12 hereof. Nothing contained
in this Section 8.2 shall relieve any party from liability for any willful
breach of this Agreement.
SECTION 8.3. Fees and Expenses.
(a) In the event this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
certain provisions, as set forth in Section 8.3(b) below, subject to the
provisions of Section 8.3(c), the Company shall pay to Acquisition the amount of
$3,500,000 (the "Breakup Fee") immediately upon such a termination.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.3(c), the Breakup
Fee shall be payable
(i) if the Offer is terminated pursuant to Section
6.1(a)(viii) and within one year after such termination either (x)the
Company enters into an agreement to merge with another company (other
than a merger pursuant to which the stockholders of the Company will
acquire more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of such
surviving corporation) or enters into an agreement pursuant to which more
than 50% of the issued and outstanding Shares are acquired by another
person or pursuant to which new voting securities are issued to another
person or to the stockholders of another company which will aggregate
more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting securities of the
Company after such issuance or (y) another person acquires more than
fifty percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding Shares, in which case
the Company shall promptly, but in no event later than two days after the
date of any of the events in (x) or (y), pay Parent the Breakup Fee; or
(ii) the Company shall have terminated this Agreement
pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(i).
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b)
above, Acquisition may, at its sole option, but subject to Section 8.3(d), waive
payment of the Breakup Fee in order to exercise its options to purchase certain
Shares pursuant to Section 3 of the Stockholders' Agreement (the "Options"). In
the event of such exercise, the Breakup Fee shall no longer be payable.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
in the event that the Company gives Parent the notice specified in Section
8.1(d) (the "Superior Proposal Notice") and Acquisition or its designee
exercises its Options under Section 3 of the Stockholders' Agreement within the
applicable three-day period, then at Acquisition's or such designee's election
(made in writing within such three-day exercise period) (i) the Agreement shall
not be terminated
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and Parent shall purchase or cause to be purchased the Shares not subject to
the Option ("Remaining Shares") at a per Share price in cash equal to the per
Share value of the consideration payable pursuant to the applicable Superior
Proposal, or (ii) the Agreement shall be terminated and Parent shall sell or
cause Acquisition or its designee to sell the Shares acquired pursuant to the
exercise of the Option or shall assign its right to acquire such Shares
pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement on the terms and conditions and to the
person specified in the Superior Proposal pursuant to the related agreement;
provided that neither Parent nor Acquisition shall have the right to make the
election specified above in the event that either Parent or Acquisition accepts
the Breakup Fee. The acquisition of the Remaining Shares shall be made pursuant
to a merger conducted in accordance with Article 2 and Section 5.2 as if the
exercise of the Option constituted the closing of the Offer after satisfaction
of the applicable conditions. The Parent and Acquisition shall take all actions
necessary to effect such acquisition, including without limitation, causing
their Shares to be voted in favor of such merger.
SECTION 8.4. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by action
taken by the Board subject to Section 1.3(c), and by the parties hereto at any
time before or after approval, if necessary, of the Merger by the stockholders
of the Company but, after any such approval, no amendment shall be made which
requires the approval of such stockholders under applicable law without such
approval. This Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing
signed on behalf of the parties hereto.
SECTION 8.5. Extension; Waiver. At any time prior to the Closing
Time, each party hereto may (i) extend the time for the performance of any of
the obligations or other acts of the other party, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in
the representations and warranties of the other party contained herein or in any
document certificate or writing delivered pursuant hereto or (iii) waive
compliance by the other party with any of the agreements or conditions contained
herein. Any agreement on the part of any party hereto to any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument, in writing, signed on
behalf of such party. The failure of any party hereto to assert any of its
rights hereunder shall not constitute a waiver of such rights.
ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 9.1. Entire Agreement; Assignment. This Agreement, the
Confidentiality Agreement and the Stockholders' Agreement together (a)
constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all other prior agreements and
understandings both written and oral among the parties or any of them with
respect to the subject matter hereof and (b) shall not be assigned by operation
of law or otherwise.
SECTION 9.2. Survival of Representations and Warranties. The
representations and warranties made herein shall not survive beyond the earlier
of (i) termination of this Agreement or (ii) the Tender Offer Purchase Time, in
the case of the representations and warranties of Parent or Acquisition or the
purchase of Shares by Acquisition pursuant to the Offer, in the case of the
representations and warranties of the Company. This Section 9.2 shall not limit
any covenant or agreement of the parties
44
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hereto which by its terms contemplates performance after the Tender Offer
Purchase Time.
SECTION 9.3. Validity. If any provision of this Agreement or the
application thereof to any Person or circumstance is held invalid or
unenforceable the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such
provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and to
such end the provisions of this Agreement are agreed to be severable.
SECTION 9.4. Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and
other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall
be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by
facsimile or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt
requested) to each other party as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
if to Parent or Acquisition: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
200 Bay Street,
14th Floor, North Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5J2J5 Canada
Telecopier: 416-974-9344
Attention: Robert K. Horton
Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
with copies to: RBC Head Office Law Department
1 Place Ville Marie
4th Floor, East Wing
Montreal, Quebec
H3C3A0 Canada
Telecopier (514) 874-0241
Attention: Sarah J. Azzarello
Vice President and Associate General Counsel
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Telecopier: (212) 351-4035
Attention: Lawrence J. Hohlt, Esq.
if to the Company to: PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
440 N. Orleans
Chicago, IL 60610
Telecopier (312) 494-0184
Attention: Mark A. Filler
President
</TABLE>
45
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
with a copy to: Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
(Illinois)
333 West Wacker Drive, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606
Telecopier: (312) 407-0411
Attention: Rodd M. Schreiber, Esq.
</TABLE>
or to such other address as the Person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.
SECTION 9.5. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without
regard to the principles of conflicts of law thereof.
SECTION 9.6. Descriptive Headings. The descriptive headings herein
are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part
of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
SECTION 9.7. Parties in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and its successors and
permitted assigns and nothing in this Agreement express or implied is intended
to or shall confer upon any other Person any rights, benefits or remedies of any
nature whatsoever under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, that
the provisions of Section 5.12 shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Indemnified Parties.
SECTION 9.8. Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this
Agreement the term:
(a) "affiliate" means a Person that, directly or indirectly,
through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common
control with the first-mentioned Person;
(b) "business day" means any day other than a day on which the
New York Stock Exchange is closed;
(c) "stock" means common stock, preferred stock, partnership
interests, limited liability company interests or other ownership interests
entitling the holder thereof to vote with respect to matters involving the
issuer thereof;
(d) "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated organization or
other legal entity; and
(e) "subsidiary" or "subsidiaries" of the Company, Parent, the
Surviving Corporation or any other Person means any corporation, partnership,
limited liability company, association, trust, unincorporated association or
other legal entity of which the Company, Parent, the Surviving Corporation or
any such other Person, as the case may be, (either alone or through or together
with any other subsidiary) (i) owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the
capital stock the holders of which are generally
46
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entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors or other governing
body of such corporation or other legal entity, (ii) has the right to appoint a
majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such corporation
or other legal entity or (iii) otherwise controls.
SECTION 9.9. Personal Liability. This Agreement shall not create
or be deemed to create or permit any personal liability or obligation on the
part of any direct or indirect stockholder of the Company or Parent or any
officer, director, employee, agent or representative of any party hereto.
SECTION 9.10. Specific Performance. The parties hereby acknowledge
and agree that the failure of any party to perform its agreements and covenants
hereunder, including its failure to take all actions as are necessary on its
part to the consummation of the Merger, will cause irreparable injury to the
other parties for which damages, even if available, will not be an adequate
remedy. Accordingly, each party hereby consents to the issuance of injunctive
relief by any court of competent jurisdiction to compel performance of such
party's obligations and to the granting by any court of the remedy of specific
performance of its obligations hereunder; provided, however, that if Parent
receives the Breakup Fee pursuant to Section 8.3 it shall not also be entitled
to specific performance to compel the consummation of the Merger.
SECTION 9.11. Waiver of Conditions. The conditions to each of the
parties' obligations to consummate the Merger are for the benefit of such party
and may be waived by such party in whole or in part to the extent permitted by
applicable law.
SECTION 9.12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of
which shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Merger
Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above
written.
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
By: /s/ ROBERT K. HORTON
------------------------------------------
Name: Robert K. Horton
----------------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
---------------------------------------
By: /s/ JAMES T. RAGER
------------------------------------------
Name: James T. Rager
----------------------------------------
Title: Vice Chairman
---------------------------------------
PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ MARK A. FILLER
------------------------------------------
Name: Mark A. Filler
----------------------------------------
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
---------------------------------------
RAINBOW ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
By: /s/ ROBERT K. HORTON
------------------------------------------
Name: Robert K. Horton
----------------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President, Strategic
---------------------------------------
Initiatives
48
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EXHIBIT A
FORM OF STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
(SEE EXHIBIT 12(d)(3))
49
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
KNOWLEDGE GROUP
MARK FILLER
DAVID FISHER
LARRY KATZ
ERIC GURRY
TERRY MARKUS
50
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF MERGER
51
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PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF MERGER
THIS PLAN AND AGREEMENT OF MERGER, dated as of ______________ , 2000
("Agreement"), is entered into by and between Prism Financial Corporation
("Prism") and Prism Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc. ("Acquisition"), each a
Delaware corporation. Prism and Acquisition are hereinafter sometimes
collectively referred to as the "Constituent Corporations."
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, each of Prism and Acquisition is a corporation duly organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware;
WHEREAS, on the date of this Agreement, Prism has authority to issue
110,000,000 shares of capital stock, consisting of 100,000,000 shares of common
stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), of which, as of January 31,
2000, 14,670,560 Shares were issued and outstanding, and of these ______________
are owned by Acquisition; and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value
$.01 per share, no shares of which are outstanding;
WHEREAS, on the date of this Agreement, Acquisition has authority to
issue 1000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Acquisition Common
Stock"), of which 100 shares are issued and outstanding and owned by RBC
Holdings (Delaware) Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Parent");
WHEREAS, the respective Boards of Directors of Prism and Acquisition have
determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of each of such
corporations that Acquisition be merged with and into Prism upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement dated as of March
10, 2000 among Royal Bank of Canada, a Canadian commercial bank and the indirect
parent of Acquisition, Prism and Acquisition (the "Merger Agreement") and this
Agreement for the purpose of completing the acquisition of Prism by Parent;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Acquisition has, by resolutions duly
adopted, approved, certified, executed and acknowledged this Agreement;
WHEREAS, Parent has approved this Agreement as the sole stockholder of
Acquisition; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Prism has approved this Agreement, and
directed that this Agreement be submitted to a vote of its stockholders, if such
a vote is necessary under Delaware law. Capitalized terms used and not defined
herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants
set forth herein, Prism and Acquisition hereby agree as follows:
<PAGE>
1. Merger. Acquisition shall be merged with and into Prism (the
"Merger"), and Prism shall be the surviving corporation (hereinafter sometimes
referred to as the "Surviving Corporation"). The Merger shall become effective
at such time as a properly executed and certified copy of the Merger Certificate
is duly accepted for record by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
for filing pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, or such later time
as Acquisition and Prism may agree upon and set forth in the Merger Certificate
(not exceeding 30 days after the Merger Certificate is accepted for record; the
time the Merger becomes effective being referred to herein as the "Effective
Time").
2. Governing Documents. The Certificate of Incorporation of Acquisition
in effect at the Effective Time shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the
Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with applicable law. The
Bylaws of Acquisition in effect at the Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation until amended in accordance with applicable law.
3. Succession. At the Effective Time, the separate corporate existence of
Acquisition shall cease, and Prism shall possess all the assets, rights,
privileges, powers and franchises, of a public and private nature and be subject
to all the restrictions, disabilities and duties of each of the Constituent
Corporations, and all and singular, the assets, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises of each of the Constituent Corporations, and all property, real,
personal and mixed, and all debts due to each of the Constituent Corporations on
whatever account, shall be transferred to, vested in and devolved on the
Surviving Corporation; and all property, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises, and all and every other interest shall be thereafter as effectually
the property of the Surviving Corporation as they were of the respective
Constituent Corporations, and the title to any real estate vested by deed or
otherwise, in either of such Constituent Corporations shall not revert or be in
any way impaired by reason of the Merger; but all rights of creditors and all
liens upon any property of Acquisition shall be preserved unimpaired. To the
extent permitted by law, any claim existing or action or proceeding pending by
or against either of the Constituent Corporations may be prosecuted as if the
Merger had not taken place. All debts, liabilities and duties of the respective
Constituent Corporations shall thenceforth attach to the Surviving Corporation
and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if such debts, liabilities
and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
4. Directors and Officers. The directors and officers of Acquisition at
the Effective Time shall be the initial directors and officers, holding the same
titles and positions, of the Surviving Corporation, and after the Effective Time
shall serve in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of
the Surviving Corporation.
5. Further Assurances. From time to time, as and when required by the
Surviving Corporation or by its successors or assigns, there shall be executed
and delivered on behalf of Acquisition such deeds and other instruments, and
there shall be taken or caused to be taken by it all such further and other
action, as shall be appropriate, advisable or necessary in order to vest,
perfect or confirm, of record or otherwise, in the Surviving Corporation the
title to and possession of all property, interests, assets, rights, privileges,
immunities, powers, franchises and authority of Acquisition, and otherwise to
carry out the purposes of this Agreement, and the officers and directors of the
Surviving Corporation are fully authorized in the name and on
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behalf of Acquisition or otherwise, to take any and all such action and to
execute and deliver any and all such deeds and other instruments.
6. Conversion of Shares. At the Effective Time, each Share (together with
any associated rights to purchase preferred stock issued pursuant to the Rights
Agreement dated as of January 27, 2000 between the Company and LaSalle Bank
National Association) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time (excluding (i) Shares held by any of Prism's subsidiaries and (ii) Shares
held by Parent, Acquisition or any other subsidiary of Parent) shall, by virtue
of the Merger and without any action on the part of Acquisition, Prism or the
holder thereof, be converted into and shall become the right to receive [$7.50]
in cash, without interest (the "Cash Merger Consideration"), provided, however,
that each such Share held by Parent, Acquisition or any subsidiary of Parent,
Acquisition or Prism immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, by virtue of
the Merger and without any action on the part of Acquisition, Prism or the
holder thereof, be canceled and retired and will cease to exist and no payment
shall be made with respect thereto. At the Effective Time, each share of
Acquisition Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted into and shall become one validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.
7. Conditions to Merger. The Merger shall have received the approval, if
such is required by law, of the holders of Shares pursuant to the Delaware
General Corporation Law and to the other conditions set forth in Article 7 of
the Merger Agreement.
8. Stock Certificates. At and after the Effective Time, all of the
outstanding certificates which, immediately prior to the Effective Time,
represented Shares shall, respectively, without further action by any party, be
deemed for all purposes to evidence the right to receive the Cash Merger
Consideration as herein provided. The registered owner on the books and records
of the Surviving Corporation or its transfer agents of any such outstanding
stock certificate shall not have exercised nor be entitled to exercise any
voting or other rights with respect to, or to receive any dividends or other
distributions upon, the shares of Acquisition Common Stock or any other
securities whatsoever.
9. Options. At the Effective Time, each outstanding option to purchase
Shares issued pursuant to Prism's 1999 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the "1999
Option Plan"), Prism's 2000 Stock Option Plan or any other stock option plan,
program, arrangement or agreement to which Prism is a party shall be treated as
set forth in the Merger Agreement. The 1999 Option Plan shall terminate as of
the Effective Time.
10. Amendment. Subject to applicable law, this Agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented by written agreement of the parties hereto at any time
prior to the Effective Time with respect to any of the terms contained herein.
11. Abandonment. At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement
may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned by the Board of Directors of
Prism, notwithstanding approval of this Agreement by the stockholder of
Acquisition or, if such was required, by the stockholders of Prism, or both, (a)
if the conditions to consummation of the Merger set forth in Article 7 of the
Merger Agreement are not satisfied or waived or (b) by mutual agreement of the
Boards of Directors of the parties.
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11. Amendment. At any time prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement
may be amended by the Boards of Directors of the parties hereto to the extent
permitted by applicable law, notwithstanding approval of this Agreement by the
stockholder of Acquisition or, if such was required, by the stockholders of
Prism, or both.
12. Counterparts. In order to facilitate the filing and recording of this
Agreement, the same may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original and the same agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Prism and Acquisition have caused this Agreement to
be signed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first
above written.
PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
PRISM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
By:
-----------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------
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<PAGE>
CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY
OF
PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
I, the Secretary of Prism Financial Corporation, hereby certify that the
Plan and Agreement of Merger to which this certificate is attached, after having
been first duly signed on behalf of the corporation by the President and
Secretary under the corporate seal of the corporation, was duly approved and
adopted.
WITNESS my hand and seal of Prism Financial Corporation this ____ day of
________ 2000.
---------------------------
Secretary
<PAGE>
CERTIFICATE OF THE SECRETARY
OF
PRISM ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY, INC.
I, the Secretary of Prism Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc., hereby certify
that the Plan and Agreement of Merger to which this certificate is attached,
after having been first duly signed on behalf of the corporation by the
President and Secretary under the corporate seal of the corporation, was duly
approved and adopted by written consent of the sole stockholder of the
corporation, dated ________, 2000.
WITNESS my hand and seal of Prism Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc. this
____ day of ________ 2000.
---------------------------
Secretary
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of March 10,
2000, by and among Royal Bank of Canada, a Canadian commercial bank ("Parent"),
Rainbow Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned
subsidiary of Parent ("Acquisition"), and the Stockholders listed on Schedule I
hereto (each, a "Stockholder," and collectively, the "Stockholders") of Prism
Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"). Capitalized terms
used and not defined herein have the meanings given them in the Merger
Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and among Parent, Acquisition and the
Company (as amended from time to time, the "Merger Agreement").
WHEREAS, concurrently herewith, Parent, Acquisition and the Company
are entering into the Merger Agreement, a copy of which in the form to be
executed has been delivered to each Stockholder, pursuant to which, among other
things, Acquisition will make a cash tender offer (the "Offer") for all of the
issued and outstanding shares of common stock, par value $.01, of the Company
(each, a "Share," and one or more, the "Shares"), and Acquisition will
subsequently be merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"), in each case
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement;
WHEREAS, each Stockholder Beneficially Owns (as defined in Section
2(a)) the number of Shares set forth opposite such Stockholder's name in column
3 of Schedule I hereto; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce Parent and Acquisition to enter into the
Merger Agreement and to perform their obligations thereunder and as a condition
thereof, the Stockholders are entering into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
premises, representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained
herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. TENDER OF SHARES.
Each Stockholder hereby agrees to tender the Shares owned by such
Stockholder, or cause such Shares to be tendered, into the Offer promptly after
Parent causes Acquisition to commence the Offer, but in no event later than five
(5) Business Days after the date on which Stockholder receives the Offer
Documents for tendering such Shares. Each Stockholder further agrees that such
Stockholder shall not withdraw any Shares so tendered unless and until after the
Termination Date occurs. With respect to the Shares tendered pursuant to this
Section 1, each Stockholder will receive the same price per Share (but in any
event not less than $7.50 per Share) received by the other stockholders of the
Company pursuant to the Offer. For purposes of this Agreement, the "Termination
Date" shall be the first to occur of (a) the date that Acquisition terminates
the Offer in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, (b) the date the
Offer expires in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, or (c) the
date the Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article 8 of the Merger
Agreement, in each case without such Shares being purchased by Acquisition
pursuant to the Offer.
<PAGE>
SECTION 2. AGREEMENT TO VOTE; IRREVOCABLE PROXY.
(a) Each Stockholder hereby agrees that during the period commencing
on the date of this Agreement and continuing until the first to occur of the
Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or the Termination Date, at
any meeting of the holders of the Shares, however called, or in connection with
any written consent of the holders of Shares, such Stockholder shall vote (or
cause to be voted) the Shares held of record or Beneficially Owned by such
Stockholder, whether owned on the date hereof or hereafter acquired, (i) in
favor of approval of the Merger Agreement, all transactions contemplated
thereby, and any actions required in furtherance thereof and hereof (including
election of such directors of the Company as Parent is entitled to designate
pursuant to Section 1.3(a) of the Merger Agreement); (ii) against any action or
agreement that is intended, or could reasonably be expected, to impede,
interfere with, or prevent the Offer or the Merger or result in a breach in any
respect of any covenant, representation or warranty or any other obligation or
agreement of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under the Merger Agreement
or this Agreement; and (iii) except as specifically requested in writing in
advance by Parent, against any of the following actions (other than the Merger
and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and this Agreement)
that are submitted to a vote of the holders of the Shares: (A) any extraordinary
corporate transaction, such as a merger, consolidation or other business
combination involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; (B)
any sale, lease, transfer or disposition by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries of any assets outside the ordinary course of business or any assets
which in the aggregate are material to the Company and its subsidiaries taken as
a whole, or a reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution or liquidation of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; (C)(1) any change in the
present capitalization of the Company or any amendment of the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws; (2) any other material change in the
corporate structure or business of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or
(3) any other action or agreement that is intended, or could reasonably be
expected, to impede, interfere with or prevent the Offer, the Merger or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement. None of the
Stockholders shall enter into any agreement or understanding with any Person,
the effect of which would be inconsistent with or violative of the provisions
and agreements contained in Section 1 or 2 hereof.
As used in this Agreement, the term "Beneficially Own" or
"Beneficial Ownership" with respect to any securities means having "beneficial
ownership" of such securities as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act, including pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding,
whether or not in writing, except that the term shall not include Shares which a
Stockholder has the right to acquire under any of the Company Stock Options
unless such Shares have been acquired upon exercise of such Company Stock
Options. Without duplicative counting of the same securities by the same holder,
securities Beneficially Owned by a Stockholder shall include securities
Beneficially Owned by all other Persons with whom a Stockholder would constitute
a "group" within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.
(b) Effective on the date that all waiting periods under the HSR Act
applicable to the acquisition of the Shares pursuant to the Offer or to Section
3 of this Agreement have been terminated or shall have expired and all
applicable approvals or notices under the Bank Act and the Bank Holding Company
Act and any other notices to or approvals, authorizations or consents
<PAGE>
of any other Governmental Entity (including any Agency) and to or of any
Investor required in respect thereto shall have been filed or obtained and until
the Termination Date, and in order to secure its obligations hereunder, each
Stockholder hereby grants to, and appoints James T. Rager and Robert K. Horton,
in their respective capacities as officers of Parent, and any individual who
shall hereafter succeed to any such office of Parent, and any other designee of
Parent, and each of them individually, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, such Stockholder's true and lawful irrevocable proxy to vote
such Stockholder's Shares, or grant a consent or approval in respect of such
Stockholder's Shares, on such matters and as indicated in Section 2(a) above.
Each Stockholder (i) agrees to take such further action and execute such other
instruments as may be necessary to effectuate the intent of this proxy, (ii)
hereby represents that any proxy heretofore given in respect of the
Stockholder's Shares is not irrevocable, and (iii) hereby revokes any proxy
previously granted by such Stockholder with respect to its Shares. Each
Stockholder understands and acknowledges that Parent and Acquisition are
entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance on such Stockholder's execution
and delivery of this irrevocable proxy. Each Stockholder hereby affirms that
this irrevocable proxy is given in connection with the execution of this
Agreement and the Merger Agreement, and further affirms that this irrevocable
proxy is coupled with an interest in this Agreement for the term stated herein
and may under no circumstances be revoked prior to the Termination Date. Each
Stockholder hereby ratifies and confirms all that this irrevocable proxy may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. This proxy is executed and
intended to be irrevocable in accordance with the provisions of Section 212(e)
of the DGCL. This proxy shall terminate automatically on the Termination Date.
SECTION 3. GRANT OF OPTION.
(a) Subject to the terms of this Section 3, each Stockholder hereby
grants to Acquisition (or its designee), effective on the date hereof, an
irrevocable option (each, an "Option") to purchase all Shares held of record or
Beneficially Owned by such Stockholder at a purchase price per Share equal to
the Per Share Amount.
(b) Acquisition may exercise the Options, in whole, at any time and
from time to time, following the occurrence of a Purchase Event (as defined
below); provided that the Options shall expire and be of no further force and
effect upon the earliest to occur (the "Expiration Date") of (i) the Tender
Offer Purchase Time or (ii) at the close of business on the third business day
after the receipt by Parent of a Superior Proposal Notice pursuant to Section
8.1(d)(i) of the Merger Agreement or (iii) the ninetieth (90th) day after the
exercise of the Options, if the Option Closing shall not have occurred.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary Acquisition, at its option, may
elect, pursuant to this Section 3(b) and Section 8.3(d) of the Merger Agreement,
either to exercise the Options or to accept payment of the Breakup Fee provided
for in Section 8.3 of the Merger Agreement, but shall not be entitled to
exercise the Options and retain the Breakup Fee. In the event Acquisition
determines to exercise the Options, Acquisition shall notify the Company of its
waiver of receipt of the Breakup Fee pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
(c) As used herein, a "Purchase Event" shall mean the receipt by
Parent of a Superior Proposal Notice pursuant to Section 8.1(d)(i) of the
Merger Agreement.
<PAGE>
(d) To exercise the Options, Acquisition shall, prior to the
Expiration Date, give written notice to the Stockholder who granted such Option
specifying the time for the closing (the "Option Closing") of such purchase. The
Option Closing shall be held at the office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, at
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20036 on the date that is no later
than three business days after the date on which each of the conditions set
forth in Section 3(e) below has been satisfied or waived by Acquisition.
(e) The occurrence of the Option Closing shall be subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(i) to the extent necessary, all waiting periods under
the HSR Act applicable to the purchase of the Shares pursuant to
Section 3 of this Agreement have been terminated or shall have
expired and all required approvals or notices under the Bank Act and
the Bank Holding Company Act and any other notices to or approvals,
authorizations or consents of any other Governmental Entity
(including any Agency) and to or of any Investor required in respect
thereto shall have been filed or obtained; and
(ii) no preliminary or permanent injunction or other
order, decree or ruling issued by any court of governmental or
regulatory authority, domestic or foreign, of competent jurisdiction
prohibiting the exercise of an Option or the delivery of Shares
shall be in effect.
(f) At the Option Closing, (i) Acquisition (or its designee) shall
pay, by wire transfer, an amount equal to the product of (A) the Per Share
Amount and (B) the number of Shares owned by such Stockholder; and (ii) each
Stockholder whose Shares are being purchased shall deliver or shall cause to be
delivered to Acquisition a certificate or certificates evidencing such
Stockholder's Shares, and such Stockholder agrees that such Shares shall be
transferred free and clear of all liens. All such certificates representing
Shares shall be duly endorsed in blank, or with appropriate stock powers, duly
executed in blank, attached thereto, in proper form for transfer, with the
signature of such Stockholder thereon guaranteed, and with all applicable taxes
paid or provided for.
SECTION 4. AFTER-ACQUIRED SHARES.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Shares acquired
by such Stockholder after the date hereof, whether by exercise of Company Stock
Options, by purchase, by exchange or by inheritance or bequeath or otherwise,
shall be subject to all of the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements of such Stockholder contained herein. In the event of a share
dividend or distribution, or any change in the Shares by reason of any share
dividend, split-up, recapitalization, combination, exchange of shares or the
like, the term "Shares" shall be deemed to refer to and include the Shares as
well as all such share dividends and distributions and any shares into which or
for which any or all of the Shares may be changed or exchanged.
<PAGE>
SECTION 5. OTHER COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
Each Stockholder, severally and not jointly, hereby represents,
warrants and covenants to Parent and Acquisition as of the date hereof and as of
the Tender Offer Purchase Time as follows:
(a) On the date hereof, such Stockholder is the record and
Beneficial Owner of the number of Shares set forth opposite such Stockholder's
name in column 3 of Schedule I hereto. On the date hereof, the Shares set forth
opposite such Stockholder's name in column 3 of Schedule I hereto constitute all
of the Shares owned of record or Beneficially Owned by such Stockholder. Such
Stockholder owns such Shares free and clear of all liens, claims, charges,
security interests, mortgages or other encumbrances, and such Shares are not
subject to any rights of first refusal, put rights, other rights to purchase or
encumber such Shares, or to any restrictions other than this Agreement as to the
encumbrance, disposition or voting of such Shares. Such Stockholder has
controlling voting power and sole power to issue instructions with respect to
the matters set forth in Section 2 hereof, sole power of disposition, sole power
of conversion, sole power to demand dissenters' rights and sole power to agree
to all of the matters set forth in this Agreement, in each case with respect to
all of the Shares set forth opposite such Stockholder's name in column 3 of
Schedule I hereto, without limitations, qualifications or restrictions on such
rights, except those arising under marital property laws or general fiduciary
principles applicable to such Stockholder.
(b) Such Stockholder has the legal capacity, power and authority to
enter into and perform all of such Stockholder's obligations under this
Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such
Stockholder will not violate any other agreement to which such Stockholder is a
party including, without limitation, any voting agreement, stockholder agreement
or voting trust. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered
by such Stockholder and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery
by Parent and Acquisition, constitutes a valid, legal and binding agreement of
such Stockholder, enforceable against such Stockholder in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by marital property
laws applicable to such Stockholder, and except as the availability of equitable
remedies may be limited by the application of general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such equitable principles are applied in a proceeding at
law or in equity). There is no beneficiary or holder of a voting trust
certificate or other interest of any trust of which such Stockholder is trustee
who is not a party to this Agreement and whose consent is required for the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation by any Stockholder
of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) (i) No filing with or notice to, and no permit, authorization,
consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity is necessary on the part of such
Stockholder for the execution of this Agreement by such Stockholder or the
consummation by such Stockholder of the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(ii) none of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by such
Stockholder, the consummation by such Stockholder of the transactions
contemplated hereby nor compliance by such Stockholder with any of the
provisions hereof will (A) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute
(with or without notice or lapse of time or
<PAGE>
both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, amendment,
cancellation or acceleration or Lien) under any of the terms, conditions or
provisions of any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, license, contract,
agreement, understanding or other instrument or obligation to which such
Stockholder is a party or by which such Stockholder or any of such Stockholder's
properties or assets may be bound; or (B) conflict with or violate any order,
writ, injunction, decree, law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the
Stockholder or any of such Stockholder's properties or assets.
(d) No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any
brokerage, finder's or other fee or commission in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement based upon arrangements made
by or on behalf of such Stockholder.
(e) Such Stockholder shall not, in its capacity as a Stockholder,
directly or indirectly, encourage, solicit, participate in or initiate
discussions or negotiations with or provide any non-public information to any
Person or group (other than Parent and Acquisition or any designees or Parent
and Acquisition) concerning any Third Party Acquisition. In addition, such
Stockholder will not, in its capacity as a Stockholder, and will instruct his
agents and affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, make or authorize any
public statement, recommendation or solicitation in support of any Acquisition
Proposal made by any Person or group (other than Parent or Acquisition).
(f) Such Stockholder shall not, directly or indirectly: (i) tender
its Shares in any tender offer or exchange offer for the Shares other than the
Offer; (ii) except as contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger Agreement,
otherwise offer for sale, sell, transfer, tender, pledge, encumber, assign or
otherwise dispose of, or enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or
understanding with respect to or consent to the offer for sale, transfer,
tender, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or other disposition of, any or all of
its Shares; (iii) except as contemplated by this Agreement, grant any proxies or
powers of attorney, deposit any of its Shares into a voting trust or enter into
a voting agreement with respect to any Shares; or (iv) take any action that
would make any representation or warranty of such Stockholder contained herein
untrue or incorrect or have the effect of preventing or impairing such
Stockholder from performing its obligations under this Agreement.
(g) Such Stockholder hereby acknowledges that such Stockholder has
received a true and correct copy of the Merger Agreement, that such Stockholder
has read and understands the provisions thereof (including, but not limited to,
the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article 3 of the
Merger Agreement (the "Company's Representations and Warranties"). Such
Stockholder acknowledges that it shall be responsible for indemnifying,
reimbursing and holding harmless the Parent Indemnitees (as defined in Section
10(a) below) for breaches of the Company's Representations and Warranties to the
extent provided in Section 10 notwithstanding the expiration of the Company's
Representations and Warranties pursuant to the Merger Agreement.
(h) Such Stockholder understands and acknowledges that Parent and
Acquisition are relying upon the foregoing representations, warranties and
covenants by such Stockholder, and on such Stockholder's execution and delivery
of this Agreement in entering into the Merger Agreement.
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SECTION 6. CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PARENT AND ACQUISITION.
Such Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that the obligations of
Parent and Acquisition to consummate the Offer and the Merger are subject to the
satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) each of the conditions set forth
in the Merger Agreement and (ii) compliance by such Stockholder with the
provisions of Section 1 of this Agreement.
SECTION 7. FURTHER ASSURANCES.
From time to time, at Parent's request and without further
consideration, each Stockholder agrees to execute and deliver such additional
documents and take all such further lawful action as may be necessary or
desirable to consummate and make effective, and to cause the Company to
consummate and make effective, in the most expeditious manner practicable, the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 8. STOP TRANSFER; FORM OF LEGEND.
Each Stockholder agrees and covenants to Parent that such
Stockholder shall not (a) transfer or encumber or agree to transfer or encumber
any of such Stockholder's Shares prior to the Effective Time or (b) request that
the Company register the transfer (book-entry or otherwise) of any certificate
or uncertificated interest representing any of such Stockholder's Shares, in
either case without the consent of the Parent. If reasonably requested by
Parent, any certificates representing the Stockholders' Shares shall contain the
following legend:
"The securities represented by this certificate are
subject to certain restrictions on transfer and other
terms of a Stockholders' Agreement, dated as of March
10, 2000, among Royal Bank of Canada, Rainbow
Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc., and the parties listed on
the signature pages thereto, a copy of which is on file
in the principal office of Royal Bank of Canada."
SECTION 9. ESCROW ACCOUNT.
At the Tender Offer Purchase Time, Acquisition shall deposit, out of
funds otherwise owing to each Stockholder in respect of the Per Share Amount
immediately upon payment thereof, an amount equal to the product of (a) Seven
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000) multiplied by (b) the
Indemnification Percentage set forth opposite such Stockholder's name in column
4 of Schedule I (with respect to each Stockholder, such Stockholder's
"Indemnification Percentage") in immediately available funds by a wire transfer
to an interest-bearing account (the "Escrow Account") designated by the escrow
agent (the "Escrow Agent") pursuant to an Escrow Agreement, substantially in the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A, to be executed by Parent, each Stockholder
and such Escrow Agent (the "Escrow Agreement"), to be held pursuant to the terms
and conditions hereof and thereof. Each of the parties agrees that (i) the
amounts so deposited in the Escrow Account constitute contingent purchase price
the fair market value of which cannot reasonably be ascertained until the
termination of the Escrow Agreement and (ii) for income tax purposes each
Stockholder's amount realized from the sale of its Shares shall not include
amounts deposited in the Escrow Account but shall include amounts (other than
earnings on amounts held in the Escrow Account)
<PAGE>
paid from the Escrow Account to such Stockholder (which amounts shall be
treated as realized by the Stockholder in his tax year in which such payment is
received). No party shall take a position that is inconsistent with the previous
sentence in any Tax Return, audit or other proceeding.
SECTION 10. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) After the Tender Offer Purchase Time, subject to the limitations
set forth in this Section 10, the Parent and its affiliates (collectively, the
"Parent Indemnitees") shall each be indemnified and reimbursed and held harmless
to the extent set forth in this Section 10 by each of the Stockholders severally
in respect of any and all damages, losses, costs, expenses, liabilities,
judgments, awards, fines, sanctions, penalties, claims, charges and amounts paid
in settlement, including, without limitation, the reasonable costs, fees and
expenses of attorneys, accountants and other agents and representatives, in each
case net of any proceeds of insurance policies received by such Parent
Indemnitee in connection therewith ("Damages") incurred by any Parent Indemnitee
as a result of any inaccuracy or misrepresentation in or breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of such Stockholder in this
Agreement.
(b) After the Tender Offer Purchase Time, subject to the limitations
set forth in this Section 10, each Parent Indemnitee shall be indemnified and
reimbursed and held harmless to the extent set forth in this Section 10 by the
Stockholders in respect of any and all Damages incurred by any Parent Indemnitee
as a result of (i) any inaccuracy or misrepresentation in or breach of any of
the Company's Representations and Warranties, or (ii) whether or not resulting
from any inaccuracy or misrepresentation in or breach of any of the Company's
Representations and Warranties, (A) any fines, orders, judgments or penalties
imposed on the Company or any of its subsidiaries as a result of any violation
of any law or regulation by the Company or any of its subsidiaries prior to the
Effective Time other than any of the foregoing related to the matters set forth
on Schedule II, (B) the matters set forth in Schedule II or (C) to the extent
that an additional payment is due under the agreement listed on Schedule III to
this Agreement solely as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement.
(c) Any indemnification of the Parent Indemnitees shall be limited
to and effected solely by disbursement from the Escrow Account in accordance
with the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the Escrow Agreement.
Payments of indemnification from such Escrow Account shall be deemed to be made
first from the principal or corpus of the Escrow Account and thereafter from the
accumulated earnings, if any, on funds held in the Escrow Account. For the
avoidance of doubt, the sole recourse of any Parent Indemnitee for any breach of
any representation or warranty by any Stockholder hereunder or pursuant to
paragraph (b) above shall be limited to the actual funds deposited by such
Stockholder in the Escrow Account and any interest thereon.
(d) With respect to Damages incurred by Parent Indemnitees pursuant
to (a) Section 10(a) above, Parent shall only be entitled to make a claim
against the funds deposited in the Escrow Account (and accumulated earnings
thereon) by the Stockholder responsible for the breach or (b) Section 10(b)
above, Parent shall be entitled to make a claim against all funds deposited in
the Escrow Account (including accumulated earnings thereon) by all Stockholders
and the obligation to indemnify, reimburse and hold harmless the Parent
Indemnitees with
<PAGE>
respect to such Damages shall be allocated among the Stockholders on the
basis of their Stockholders' Indemnification Percentage.
(e) If any Parent Indemnitee shall believe that such Parent
Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 10 in respect
of any Damages, such Parent Indemnitee shall give to the Escrow Agent and to
each relevant Stockholder or to all Stockholders, as the case may be, written
notice thereof in such form and manner specified in the Escrow Agreement. The
failure of such Parent Indemnitee to give notice of any claim for
indemnification promptly shall not adversely affect such Parent Indemnitee's
right to indemnity hereunder except to the extent the relevant Stockholder or
the Stockholders are prejudiced by such failure. All such claims for
indemnification must be made not later than midnight on the date that is one
year after the Tender Offer Purchase Time.
(f) For purposes of determining the breach of any of the Company's
Representations or Warranties and the amount of Damages for which
indemnification shall be available hereunder, (i) references to "Material
Adverse Effect" and "material" (and other forms of materiality qualifiers) in
the Company's Representations and Warranties shall not be applicable and (ii)
each of the Company's Representations and Warranties shall be deemed to have
been made as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Tender Offer Purchase
Time, except to the extent any of the Company's Representations and Warranties
is expressly made as of a specific date, in which case it shall be deemed to
have been made as of the date specified.
(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 10, (i) no
Parent Indemnitee shall be entitled to make a claim under Section 10(a) or
clause (i) of Section 10(b) against any Stockholder in respect of Damages unless
the aggregate amount of all Damages incurred by the Parent Indemnitees for which
the Stockholders would but for this Section 10(g), be liable exceeds, on a
cumulative basis $500,000, in which case the Stockholders shall be liable for
all such Damages that exceed such amount and such Parent Indemnitee may assert
its right to indemnification hereunder to the full extent of such excess,
subject to Section 10(d); and (ii) no Parent Indemnitee shall be entitled to
make a claim under Section 10(b)(ii)(B) against any Stockholder in respect of
Damages unless the aggregate amount of all Damages incurred by the Parent
Indemnitees for which the Stockholders would but for this Section 10(g), be
liable exceeds, on a cumulative basis $500,000, in which case the Stockholders
shall be liable for all such Damages that exceed such amount, provided that, for
purposes of calculating Damages under this clause (ii), only 60% of actual
Damages shall be included as Damages subject to Section 10(d).
(h) Parent Indemnitees shall, in good faith, defend against any
claim, suit or proceeding that could result in a claim for Damages under this
Section 10 and shall use reasonable efforts to minimize the extent of such
Damages. No Parent Indemnitee shall settle any claim, suit or proceeding without
the consent of each indemnifying Stockholder, which consent shall not be
unreasonably be held; provided that the Parent Indemnitee need not obtain the
consent of any Stockholder who denies any indemnification obligation with
respect to such claim, suit or proceeding.
(i) If Parent or any director, officer, employee, counsel,
accountant, advisor or other representative of Parent has obtained, prior to the
date of this Agreement, actual knowledge of
<PAGE>
any information relevant to the accuracy of the representations and
warranties of any Stockholder or the Company's Representations and Warranties,
then for purposes of this Section 10, such information shall be deemed to have
been contained in the applicable representation and warranty such Stockholder as
of the date of this Agreement and to have been disclosed by the Company in the
Company Disclosure Schedule.
SECTION 11. TERMINATION; SURVIVAL.
The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained
herein with respect to the Shares shall terminate on and shall not survive the
Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Tender Offer Purchase
Time shall have occurred, the representations and warranties of the
Stockholders, the Company's Representations and Warranties (solely for purposes
of Section 10 hereof) and the provisions of Sections 9, 10 and 13 of this
Agreement shall be deemed to survive for a period of one year after the Tender
Offer Purchase Time.
SECTION 12. STOCKHOLDER CAPACITY.
No Person executing this Agreement who is or becomes during the term
hereof a director or executive officer of the Company makes any agreement or
understanding herein in his or her capacity as such director or executive
officer. Each Stockholder signs solely in its capacity as the record and/or
Beneficial Owner of its Shares.
SECTION 13. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
(a) Any dispute or difference between any one or more Stockholders,
on the one hand, and Parent or Acquisition, on the other hand, arising out of
this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Merger
Agreement, including, without limitation, any dispute between a Parent
Indemnitee and any one or more Stockholders under Section 10 but excluding any
suit for specific performance as provided in Section 14(l), which the parties
are unable to resolve themselves shall be submitted to and resolved by
arbitration as provided herein. Any disputing party may request the American
Arbitration Association (the "AAA") to designate one arbitrator, who shall be
qualified as an arbitrator under the standards of the AAA, who shall be a
retired or former judge of any appellate or trial court of the State of
Illinois, any United States appellate court or the United States District Court
for any Illinois District, who is, in any such case, not affiliated with any
party in interest to such arbitration, and who has substantial professional
experience with regard to legal matters.
(b) The arbitrator shall consider the dispute at issue in Chicago,
Illinois at a mutually agreed upon time within 60 calendar days (or such longer
period as may be acceptable to the parties to the arbitration or as directed by
the arbitrator) after the designation of the arbitrator. The arbitration
proceeding shall be held in accordance with the rules for commercial arbitration
of the AAA in effect on the date of the initial request by the disputing party
that gave rise to the dispute to be arbitrated (as such rules are modified by
the terms of this Agreement or may be further modified by mutual agreement of
the disputing parties) and shall include an opportunity for the parties to
conduct discovery in advance of the proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the disputing parties shall agree that they will attempt, and they intend that
they and the arbitrator should use its best efforts in that attempt, to conclude
the arbitration proceeding
<PAGE>
and have a final decision from the arbitrator within 120 calendar days
after the designation of the arbitrator; provided, however, that the arbitrator
shall be entitled to extend such 120 calendar day period for a total of two 120
calendar day periods. The arbitrator shall deliver a written award with respect
to the dispute to each of the parties to the arbitration, who shall promptly act
in accordance therewith. Each party to such arbitration agrees that any award of
the arbitrator shall be final, conclusive and binding and that it will not
contest any action by any other party thereto in accordance with the award of
the arbitrator. It is specifically understood and agreed that any party may
enforce any award rendered pursuant to the arbitration provisions of this
Section 13 by bringing suit in any court of competent jurisdiction.
SECTION 14. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement and the Merger Agreement constitute the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral,
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement
may not be assigned by any Stockholder except in connection with a transfer of
its Shares. Parent or Acquisition may assign, in its sole discretion, its rights
and obligations hereunder to any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of
Parent.
(b) All rights, powers and remedies provided under this Agreement or
otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity shall be cumulative
and not alternative, and the exercise of any thereof by any party shall not
preclude the simultaneous or later exercise of any other such right, power or
remedy by such party.
(c) The failure of any party hereto to exercise any right, power or
remedy provided under this Agreement or otherwise available in respect hereof at
law or in equity, or to insist upon compliance by any other party hereto with
its obligations hereunder, and any custom or practice of the parties at variance
with the terms hereof, shall not constitute a waiver by such party of its right
to exercise any such or other right, power or remedy or to demand such
compliance.
(d) This Agreement may not be amended, changed, supplemented, waived
or otherwise modified or terminated, with respect to any Stockholder, except
upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement executed by Parent,
Acquisition and such Stockholder; provided that Schedule I hereto may be
supplemented by Parent by adding the name and other relevant information
concerning any Stockholder of the Company who agrees to be bound by the terms of
this Agreement (by executing a counterpart signature page hereof) without the
agreement of any other party hereto, and thereafter such added Stockholder shall
be treated as a "Stockholder" for all purposes of this Agreement.
(g) If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to
any Person or circumstance is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of
this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or
circumstances shall not be affected thereby and to such end the provisions of
this Agreement are agreed to be severable.
(h) All notices, requests, claims, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and shall be deemed to have
been duly given upon receipt) by
<PAGE>
delivery in Person, by facsimile or by registered or certified mail
(postage prepaid, return receipt requested) to the respective parties as
follows:
if to any Stockholder: At the address set forth
opposite such Stockholder's
name in column 2 of
Schedule I hereto.
if to Parent or Acquisition: 200 Bay Street
14th Floor, North Tower
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Telecopier: 416-974-9344
Attention: Robert K. Horton
with a copies to: RBC Head Office Law Department
1 Place Ville Marie
4th Floor, East Wing
Montreal, Quebec
M5J2J5 Canada
Telecopier: (514) 874-0241
Attention: Sarah J. Azzarello
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10166
Telecopier: 212-351-4035
Attention: Lawrence J. Hohlt,
Esq.
or to such other address as the Person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.
(i) This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to the principles of
conflicts of laws thereof.
(j) The descriptive headings used herein are inserted for
convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(k) Each Stockholder agrees that this Agreement and the obligations
hereunder shall attach to such Stockholder's Shares and shall be binding upon
any Person to which record or Beneficial Ownership of such Shares shall pass,
whether by operation of law or otherwise, including, without limitation, such
Stockholder's heirs, guardians, administrators or successors. Notwithstanding
any transfer of Shares, the transferor shall remain liable for the performance
of all obligations of the transferor under this Agreement. This Agreement shall
be binding upon and inure solely to the benefit of each party hereto and its
successors and permitted assigns and nothing in this Agreement express or
implied is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any rights,
benefits or remedies of any nature whatsoever under or by reason of this
Agreement.
(l) Each of the Stockholders hereby acknowledges and agrees that its
failure to perform its agreements and covenants hereunder will cause irreparable
injury to Parent
<PAGE>
and Acquisition for which damages, even if available, will not be an adequate
remedy. Accordingly, each Stockholder hereby consents to the issuance of
injunctive relief by any court of competent jurisdiction to compel performance
of such Stockholder's obligations and to the granting by any court of the remedy
of specific performance of its obligations hereunder.
(m) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which shall constitute one
and the same agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent and Acquisition have caused this
Stockholders' Agreement to be duly executed, and each Stockholder has duly
executed this Agreement, as of the day and year first above written.
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
By: /s/ ROBERT K. HORTON
-------------------------------
Name: Robert K. Horton
Title: Senior Vice President
RAINBOW ACQUISITION
SUBSIDIARY, INC.
By: /s/ ROBERT K. HORTON
-------------------------------
Name: Robert K. Horton
Title: Senior Vice President
STOCKHOLDERS
/s/ MARK A. FILLER
-------------------------------------
Mark A. Filler, individually and as
controlling general partner of Filler
Growth and Retention Fund I L.P.
/s/ TERRY A. MARKUS
-------------------------------------
Terry A. Markus, individually and as
controlling general partner of Markus
Growth and Retention Fund I L.P.
ESTATE OF BRUCE C. ABRAMS
By: /s/ NANCY C. ABRAMS
--------------------------
Nancy C. Abrams, Executor
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SCHEDULE I
column 1 column 2 column 3 column 4
NUMBER OF SHARES INDEMNIFICATION
STOCKHOLDER ADDRESS OWNED PERCENTAGE
_____________________ ________________________ ________________________ ________________________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Mark A. Filler, 226 Prospect 1,966,671 20%
individually and Highland Park,
as controlling general Illinois 60035
partner of Filler
Growth and Retention
Fund I L.P.
Terry A. Markus, 3448 Dauphine Avenue 1,673,150 18%
individually and as Northbrook, Illinois 60062
controlling general
partner of Markus
Growth and Retention
Fund I L.P.
Estate of Bruce C. c/o Louis S. Harrison 5,503,745 62%
Abrams Lord, Bissell & Brook
115 South LaSalle
Chicago, Illinois 60603
</TABLE>
[Schedules II and III intentionally ommitted. Such schedules will be supplied
supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request.]
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF ESCROW AGREEMENT
A-1
FORM OF
ESCROW AGREEMENT
This ESCROW AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is entered into this ___ day of
___________ 2000 by and among the individuals named on SCHEDULE A hereto
(each a "Stockholder," and collectively, the "Stockholders"), Royal Bank of
Canada, a Canadian commercial bank ("RBC"), and
__________________________________________ (the "Escrow Agent").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, pursuant to a Merger Agreement dated as of March 10, 2000 (the
"Merger Agreement"), among RBC, Rainbow Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc., a Delaware
corporation and a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of RBC ("Acquisition"), and
Prism Financial Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), Acquisition
will merge with and into the Company, with the Company as the surviving
corporation; and
WHEREAS, as a condition of and inducement to Parent's and Acquisition's
entering into the Merger Agreement and incurring the obligations set forth
therein, the Stockholders have entered into a stockholders' agreement dated as
of March 10, 2000 (the "Stockholders' Agreement"), pursuant to which, among
other things, the Stockholders will indemnify, reimburse and hold harmless RBC
and its affiliates (the "RBC Indemnitees") against Damages (as defined in the
Stockholders' Agreement) incurred by such RBC Indemnitees under the
circumstances, and subject to the limitations, set forth in the Stockholders'
Agreement and this Agreement (the "Indemnity Obligations").
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing recitals and the
covenants, terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. Appointment of the Escrow Agent; Deposit of Escrow Amount. The
Stockholders and RBC hereby constitute and appoint the Escrow Agent as, and the
Escrow Agent hereby agrees to assume and perform the duties of, the escrow agent
under and pursuant to this Agreement. The Escrow Agent acknowledges receipt of
an executed copy of the Stockholders' Agreement and the amount set forth
opposite each Stockholder's name under the "Initial Escrow Deposit" column of
Schedule A hereto (with respect to each Stockholder, such Stockholder's "Initial
Escrow Deposit") from or on behalf of the Stockholders as provided in Section 9
of the Stockholders' Agreement. The aggregate amount of the Initial Escrow
Deposits of all Stockholders is equal to Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($7,500,000) (the "Escrow Amount").
2. The Escrow Fund. The Escrow Amount and all earnings thereon (the
Escrow Amount and all such earnings being referred to herein together as the
"Escrow Fund") shall be held by the Escrow Agent as a trust fund in a separate
account maintained for the purpose, on the terms and subject to the conditions
of this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided in Section 10 hereof, amounts
held in the Escrow Fund shall not be available to, and shall not be
1
<PAGE>
used by, the Escrow Agent to set off any obligations of either RBC or the
Stockholders owing to the Escrow Agent in any capacity.
3. Investment of the Escrow Fund; Taxes.
(a) Investment of the Escrow Fund. The Escrow Agent shall invest
and reinvest all cash funds held from time to time in the Escrow Fund in
any one or more of the following kinds of investments: (i) bonds or other
obligations of, or guaranteed by, the government of the United States of America
having maturities of not greater than thirty (30) days (and, in any event, not
maturing after the Release Date); (ii) commercial paper rated, at the time of
the Escrow Agent's investment therein or contractual commitment providing for
such investment, at least P-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and A-1 by
Standard & Poor's Corporation and having maturities of not greater than thirty
(30) days (and, in any event, not maturing after the Release Date); (iii)
corporate obligations rated, at the time of the Escrow Agent's investment
therein or contractual commitment providing for such investment, among the two
highest ratings by any nationally recognized statistical ratings organization
and having maturities of not greater than 180 days; (iv) demand or time deposits
in, certificates of deposit of, or bankers' acceptances issued by, a depository
institution or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States of
America or any State thereof if, in any such case, the depository institution
or, trust company has combined capital and surplus of not less than One Hundred
Million Dollars ($100 million) (any such institution being herein called a
"Permitted Bank"), having maturities of not greater than thirty (30) days (and,
in any event, not maturing after the Release Date); or (v) a Money Market
Account at the Escrow Agent, fully insured up to the maximum extent permitted by
law by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
(b) Taxes; Back-up Withholding. Each of the Stockholders and RBC
acknowledges that the payment of any interest earned on funds invested in
the Escrow Fund will be subject to back-up withholding unless a properly
completed Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 certification is submitted to
the Escrow Agent. All taxes in respect of earnings on the Escrow Fund shall be
the obligation of and shall be paid when due by, the Stockholders, who shall
indemnify and hold RBC and the Escrow Agent harmless from and against all such
taxes.
4. Claims Against the Escrow Fund.
(a) Concurrently with the delivery of a written notification to the
relevant Stockholder of a claim for indemnity under Section 10(a) of the
Stockholders' Agreement (or, in the case of a claim for indemnity under Section
10(b) of the Stockholders' Agreement, to each of the Stockholders), RBC will
deliver to the relevant Stockholder or to each of the Stockholders, as the case
may be, and the Escrow Agent a certificate in substantially the form of ANNEX I
attached hereto (a "Certificate of Instruction"). The Escrow Agent shall give
written notice to the relevant Stockholder or to each of the Stockholders, as
the case may be, of its receipt of a Certificate of Instruction not later than
the second (2nd) business day next following receipt thereof, together with a
copy of such Certificate of Instruction.
(b) If the Escrow Agent (i) shall not, within thirty (30) calendar
days following receipt by the relevant Stockholders of a Certificate of
Instruction (the "Objection Period"), have received a certificate in
substantially the form of ANNEX II attached hereto (an "Objection Certificate")
signed by the relevant Stockholder with respect to a claim for indemnification
under Section 10(a) of the Stockholders' Agreement or any of the Stockholders
2
<PAGE>
with respect to a claim for indemnification under Section 10(b) of the
Stockholders' Agreement, as the case may be, disputing the relevant
Stockholder's or the Stockholders', as the case may be, obligation to pay the
amount of the Damages referred to in such Certificate of Instruction, or (ii)
shall have received such an Objection Certificate within the Objection Period
and shall thereafter have received either (x) a certificate substantially in the
form of ANNEX III attached hereto (a "Resolution Certificate") signed by RBC and
the relevant Stockholder or each of the Stockholders, as the case may be,
stating that RBC and the relevant Stockholder or Stockholders, as the case may
be, have agreed that the amount of the Damages referred to in such Resolution
Certificate is payable to one or more of the RBC Indemnitees or (y) a copy of
the final award rendered by the arbitrator pursuant to Section 13 of the
Stockholders' Agreement accompanied by a certificate substantially in the form
of ANNEX IV attached hereto (an "Arbitration Certificate") signed by RBC stating
that the amount of the Damages referred to in such Arbitration Certificate is
payable to one or more of the RBC Indemnitees by the relevant Stockholder or the
Stockholders, as the case may be, then the Escrow Agent shall, subject to
Section 5, on the tenth (10th) business day next following (A) the expiration of
the Objection Period or (B) the Escrow Agent's receipt of a Resolution
Certificate or an Arbitration Certificate, as the case may be, (or as soon
thereafter as the appropriate amount of funds in the Escrow Account may be
withdrawn from investments made pursuant to Section 3(a) without penalty) pay
over to RBC from the Escrow Fund, by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to a bank account of RBC's designation, the amount set forth in the
Certificate of Instruction or, if the related Resolution Certificate or
Arbitration Certificate specifies that a lesser amount than the amount set forth
in the Certificate of Instruction is payable, such lesser amount.
(c) Any certificate or notice to be delivered to the Escrow
Agent pursuant to paragraph (b) by RBC or any of the Stockholders shall
be concurrently delivered to the relevant Stockholder or to each of the other
Stockholders, as the case may be, or RBC, respectively. The Escrow Agent shall
give written notice to RBC and each Stockholder of its receipt of an Objection
Certificate not later than the second (2nd) business day next following receipt
thereof, together with a copy of such Objection Certificate. The Escrow Agent
shall give written notice to the relevant Stockholder or to each of the
Stockholders, as the case may be, of its receipt of an Arbitration Certificate
not later than the second (2nd) business day next following receipt thereof,
together with a copy of such Arbitration Certificate.
(d) Upon RBC's determination that it has no claim or has
released its claim with respect to any Damages referred to in a
Certificate of Instruction (or a specified portion thereof), RBC will promptly
deliver to the relevant Stockholder or to each of the Stockholders, as the case
may be, and to the Escrow Agent a certificate substantially in the form of ANNEX
V attached hereto (an "RBC Cancellation Certificate") canceling such Certificate
of Instruction (or such specified portion thereof, as the case may be), and such
Certificate of Instruction (or portion thereof) shall thereupon be deemed
canceled. The Escrow Agent shall give written notice to the relevant Stockholder
or to each of the Stockholders, as the case may be, of its receipt of an RBC
Cancellation Certificate not later than the second (2nd) business day next
following receipt thereof, together with a copy of such RBC Cancellation
Certificate.
(e) Upon receipt of a copy of the final award rendered by the
arbitrator pursuant to Section 13 of the Stockholders' Agreement stating
that none of the Damages referred to in a Certificate of Instruction as to which
the relevant Stockholder or the Stockholders, as the case may be, delivered an
Objection Certificate within the Objection Period is payable to any
3
<PAGE>
RBC Indemnitee by the relevant Stockholder or the Stockholders, as the
case may be, will promptly deliver to RBC and the Escrow Agent a copy of such
order (accompanied by a certificate substantially in the form of ANNEX VI
attached hereto (a "Stockholder Cancellation Certificate")) signed by, the
relevant Stockholder or each of the Stockholders, as the case may be, canceling
such Certificate of Instruction, and such Certificate of Instruction shall
thereupon be deemed canceled. The Escrow Agent shall give written notice to RBC
of its receipt of a Stockholder Cancellation Certificate not later than the
second (2nd) business day next following receipt thereof, together with a copy
of such Stockholder Cancellation Certificate.
(f) Upon the payment by the Escrow Agent of the amount referred
to in a Certificate of Instruction, Resolution Certificate or Arbitration
Certificate (or a lesser amount pursuant to Section 5(e)), such Certificate of
Instruction, Resolution Certificate or Arbitration Certificate, as the case may
be, shall be deemed canceled. Upon the receipt by the Escrow Agent of a
Resolution Certificate, an Arbitration Certificate, an RBC Cancellation
Certificate or a Stockholder Cancellation Certificate, the related Certificate
of Instruction shall be deemed canceled.
5. Allocation of Damages to and among Stockholders.
(a) The Escrow Agent shall establish and maintain separate books
of account with respect to each Stockholder's Initial Escrow Deposit, all
earnings thereon, all payments in respect of Damages allocated to such
Stockholder pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Stockholders' Agreement and all
payments in respect of Damages allocated to such Stockholder pursuant to Section
10(b) of the Stockholders' Agreement in proportion to such Stockholder's
Indemnification Percentage, all as if the portion of the Escrow Fund
attributable to such Stockholder were held in a separate account. At the request
of any Stockholder, the Escrow Agent shall promptly provide such Stockholder
with a statement showing all deposits, earning and disbursements of funds
attributable to such Stockholder and the balance of the funds held in the Escrow
Account attributable to such Stockholder.
(b) Any Damages paid by the Escrow Agent pursuant to any
Certificate of Instruction, Resolution Certificate or Arbitration
Certificate shall be allocated entirely to a Stockholder or allocated among all
Stockholders in accordance with their respective Indemnification Percentages as
indicated in the Certificate of Instruction, Resolution Certificate or
Arbitration Certificate as the case may be. In making any allocation in
accordance with a Certificate of Instruction, Resolution Certificate or
Arbitration Certificate, the amount allocated to any Stockholder shall be equal
to (i) in the case of Damages allocated entirely to such Stockholder pursuant to
Section 10(a) of the Stockholders' Agreement, the lesser of (x) the amount of
the Damages set forth in the Certificate of Instruction, Resolution Certificate
or Arbitration Certificate, as the case may be, and (y) the balance of the funds
held in the Escrow Account attributable to such Stockholder as determined by the
books of account maintained by the Escrow Agent pursuant to clause (a); and (ii)
in the case of Damages allocated among the Stockholders in accordance with their
respective Indemnification Percentages pursuant to Section 10(b) of the
Stockholders' Agreement, the lesser of (x) the amount of the Damages set forth
in the Certificate of Instruction, Resolution Certificate or Arbitration
Certificate, as the case may be, multiplied by such Stockholder's
Indemnification Percentage and (y) the balance of the funds held in the Escrow
Account attributable to such Stockholder as determined by the books of account
maintained by the Escrow Agent pursuant to clause (a).
4
<PAGE>
(c) In the event that the Escrow Agent determines, based on the
books of account maintained by the Escrow Agent pursuant to clause (a),
that the balance of the funds held in the Escrow Account attributable to any
Stockholder equals zero, the Escrow Agent shall promptly deliver to RBC and to
such Stockholder a notice substantially in the form of ANNEX VII attached hereto
(the "Zero Balance Notice") signed by the Escrow Agent stating that the balance
of the funds held in the Escrow Account attributable to any Stockholder equals
zero. From and after the receipt by RBC of a Zero Balance Notice with respect to
any Stockholder, neither RBC nor any other RBC Indemnitee shall assert any claim
for indemnification or Damages against such Stockholder and, notwithstanding any
other provision of this Agreement or of the Stockholders' Agreement, the
Indemnification Obligation of such Stockholder shall terminate.
6. Release of Escrow Fund. The Escrow Agent shall pay over to each of the
Stockholders from the Escrow Fund, by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to a bank account designated by each of the Stockholders, the amount of
any funds remaining in the Escrow Fund upon the earlier to occur of:
(a) the termination of the Indemnification Obligation pursuant
to Section 10(e) of the Stockholders' Agreement (the "Release Date"); or
(b) the receipt by the Escrow Agent of a certificate
substantially in the form of ANNEX VIII attached hereto (a "Release
Certificate") signed by RBC and each of the Stockholders stating that no
further claims shall be made against the Escrow Fund in respect of the Indemnity
Obligation.
7. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon distribution of
all of the Escrow Fund pursuant to Section 5 or 6.
8. Duties and Obligations of the Escrow Agent. The duties and obligations
of the Escrow Agent shall be limited to and determined solely by the provisions
of this Agreement and the certificates delivered in accordance herewith and the
Escrow Agent is not charged with knowledge of or any duties or responsibilities
in respect of any other agreement or document. In furtherance and not in
limitation of the foregoing:
(a) No Liability with Respect to Investments. The Escrow Agent
shall not be liable for any loss of earning sustained as a result of
investments made hereunder in accordance with the terms hereof;
(b) Reliance on Certificates. The Escrow Agent shall be fully
protected in relying in good faith upon any written certification,
notice, direction, request, waiver, consent, receipt or other document that the
Escrow Agent reasonably believes to be genuine and duly authorized, executed and
noticed as provided herein;
(c) Limited Liability for Certain Actions. The Escrow Agent
shall not be liable for any error of judgment or calculation (including
any calculations made pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement), or for any act
done or omitted by it, or for any mistake in fact or law, or for anything that
it may do or refrain from doing in connection herewith; provided, however, that
notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall be
liable for its willful misconduct or gross negligence or breach of this
Agreement;
5
<PAGE>
(d) Reliance on Advice of Counsel. The Escrow Agent may seek the
advice of legal counsel selected with reasonable care in the event of any
dispute or question as to the construction of any of the provisions of this
Agreement or its duties hereunder, and it shall incur no liability and shall be
fully protected in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it in
good faith in accordance with the opinion of such counsel;
(e) Refraining from Action. In the event that the Escrow Agent
shall in any instance, after seeking the advice of legal counsel pursuant
to the immediately preceding clause, in good faith be uncertain as to its duties
or rights hereunder, it shall be entitled to refrain from taking any action in
that instance and its sole obligation, in addition to those of its duties
hereunder as to which there is no such uncertainty, shall be to keep safely all
property held in the Escrow Fund until it shall be directed otherwise in writing
by each of the parties hereto or by the final award rendered by the arbitrator
pursuant to Section 13 of the Stockholders' Agreement; provided, however, in the
event that the Escrow Agent has not received such written direction or order
within 180 calendar days after requesting the same, it shall have the right to
interplead RBC and the Stockholders in any court of competent jurisdiction and
request that such court determine its rights and duties hereunder; and
(f) Acting though Agents. The Escrow Agent may execute any of
its powers or responsibilities hereunder and exercise any rights
hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys selected with
reasonable care. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to impose upon the
Escrow Agent any duty to qualify to do business or to act as fiduciary or
otherwise in any jurisdiction other than the Escrow Agent's primary place of
business and the Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for and shall not be
under a duty to examine into or pass upon the validity, binding effect,
execution or sufficiency of this Agreement or of any amendment or supplement
hereto.
9. Cooperation. RBC and the Stockholders shall provide to the Escrow
Agent all certificates, instruments and other documents within their respective
powers that are necessary for the Escrow Agent to perform its duties and
responsibilities hereunder.
10. Fees and Expenses; Indemnity. RBC shall pay all of the fees (as set
forth on the Fee Schedule attached hereto as SCHEDULE B) of the Escrow Agent for
its services hereunder as and when billed by the Escrow Agent, and each shall
reimburse and indemnify the Escrow Agent for, and hold it harmless against, any
loss, damages, cost or expense, including but not limited to reasonable
attorneys' fees, reasonably incurred by the Escrow Agent in connection with the
Escrow Agent's performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement,
as well as the reasonable costs and expenses of defending against any claim or
liability relating to this Agreement; provided that notwithstanding the
foregoing, RBC shall not be required to indemnify the Escrow Agent for any such
loss, liability, cost or expense arising as a result of the Escrow Agent's
willful misconduct or gross negligence or breach of this Agreement. Any such
fees, expenses or indemnification obligations of RBC shall be paid directly to
the Escrow Agent by RBC and shall not be paid out of the Escrow Fund; provided,
however, that the Escrow Agent shall be entitled to withhold from any amount
payable to RBC pursuant to Section 5 the amount of any such fees, expenses or
indemnity payments due and unpaid by RBC.
11. Resignation and Removal of the Escrow Agent.
6
<PAGE>
(a) Resignation or Removal. The resignation of the Escrow Agent
shall be effective as such 30 days following the giving of written notice
thereof to the Stockholders and RBC. In addition, the Escrow Agent may be
removed and replaced on a date designated in a written instrument signed by a
majority-in-interest of the Stockholders (or their authorized representative or
attorney-in-fact) and RBC and delivered to the Escrow Agent. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no such resignation or removal shall be effective until a successor
escrow agent has acknowledged its appointment as such as provided in paragraph
(c) below. In either event, upon the effective date of such resignation or
removal, the Escrow Agent shall deliver the property comprising the Escrow Fund
to such successor escrow agent, together with such records maintained by the
Escrow Agent in connection with its duties hereunder and other information with
respect to the Escrow Fund as such successor may reasonably request.
(b) Appointment of Successor Escrow Agent. If a successor
escrow agent shall not have acknowledged its appointment as such as
provided in paragraph (c) below, in the case of a resignation, prior to the
expiration of thirty (30) days following the date of a notice of resignation or,
in the case of a removal, on the date designated for the Escrow Agent's removal,
as the case may be, because the Stockholders and RBC are unable to agree on a
successor escrow agent, or for any other reason, the Escrow Agent may select a
successor escrow agent and any such resulting appointment shall be binding upon
all of the parties to this Agreement, provided that any such successor selected
by the Escrow Agent shall be a Permitted Bank (as defined in Section 3(a))
qualified to do business in the State of Illinois.
(c) Acknowledgment by Successor Escrow Agent; Release of Escrow
Agent. Upon written acknowledgment by a successor escrow agent appointed
in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 11 of its Agreement
to serve as escrow agent hereunder and the receipt of the property then
comprising the Escrow Fund, the Escrow Agent shall be fully released and
relieved of all duties, responsibilities and obligations under this Agreement,
subject to the proviso contained in Section 8(c), and such successor escrow
agent shall for all purposes hereof be the Escrow Agent.
(d) Automatic Succession. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Section 11, any Permitted Bank into which the Escrow Agent is
merged or with which it is consolidated, or any Permitted Bank to which the
Escrow Agent transfers a substantial portion of its escrow business shall be the
successor escrow agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any
further act on the part of any party hereto.
12. Specific Performance. Each of the Stockholders hereby acknowledges
that its failure to perform its agreements and covenants hereunder will cause
irreparable injury to RBC and the RBC Indemnitees for which damages, even if
available, will not be an adequate remedy. Accordingly, each Stockholder hereby
consents to the issuance of injunctive relief by a court of competent
jurisdiction to compel performance of such Stockholder's obligations and to the
granting by any court of the remedy of specific performance of its obligations
hereunder.
13. General Provisions.
(e) Notices. All notices, requests, claims, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given (and
shall be deemed to have been duly given upon receipt) by delivery in person, by
facsimile or by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt
requested) to each other party as follows:
7
<PAGE>
(i) if to RBC, to:
200 Bay Street
14th Floor, North Tower
Toronto, Ontario
M5J2J5 Canada
Telecopier: (416) 974-9344
Attention: Robert K. Horton
with a copies to:
RBC Head Office Law Department
1 Place Ville Marie
4th Floor, East Wing
Montreal, Quebec
M5J2J5 Canada
Telecopier: (514) 874-0241
Attention: Sarah J. Azzarello
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
200 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10166
Telecopier: (213) 229-7520
Attention: Lawrence J. Hohlt, Esq.
(ii) if to the Stockholders or any Stockholder:
to the address set forth opposite such
Stockholder's name on Schedule A [with a
copy to any party designated thereon].
(iii) if to the Escrow Agent, to:
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
___________________________
Telecopier: ________________
Attention: _________________
or to such other address as the Person to whom notice is given may have
previously furnished to the others in writing in the manner set forth above.
(b) Waiver of Breach. The failure of any party hereto to
exercise any right, power or remedy provided under this Agreement or
otherwise available in respect hereof at law or in equity, or to insist upon
compliance by any other party hereto with its obligations hereunder, and any
custom or practice of the parties at variance with the terms hereof, shall not
constitute a waiver by such party of its right to exercise any such or other
right, power or remedy or to demand such compliance.
(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Stockholders'
Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersede all other prior agreements and
understandings, both written and oral, among the parties
8
<PAGE>
with respect to the subject matter hereof. Any modification of this Agreement
shall be effective only if it is in writing and signed by the parties to this
Agreement. This Agreement may not be assigned by any Stockholder. This Agreement
is personal to the Escrow Agent and, except as otherwise provided in Section 11,
shall not be assignable by the Escrow Agent without the written consent of a
majority-in-interest of the Stockholders and RBC.
(e) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
regard to the principles of conflicts thereof.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of
which shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(c) Amendments. This agreement may not be amended, changed,
supplemented, waived or otherwise modified or terminated, with respect to
any Stockholder, except upon the execution and delivery of a written agreement
executed by RBC, Acquisition and such Stockholder; provided that Schedule A
hereto may be supplemented by RBC after notice to the Escrow Agent and each of
the Stockholders by adding the name and other relevant information concerning
any Stockholder of the Company who becomes a party to the Stockholders'
Agreement (by executing a counterpart signature page hereof) without the
agreement of any other party hereto, and thereafter such added Stockholder shall
be treated as a "Stockholder" for all purposes of this Agreement.
(d) Validity. If any provision of this Agreement or the
application thereof to any Person or circumstance is held invalid or
unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such
provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and to
such end the provisions of this Agreement are agreed to be severable.
(f) Descriptive Headings. The descriptive heading used herein
are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be
part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
9
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of RBC and the Escrow Agent has caused this
Escrow Agreement to be duly executed, and each Stockholder has duly executed
this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
By:
________________________________
Name:
Title:
By:
_________________________________
Name:
Title:
ESCROW AGENT
___________________________
By:
________________________
Name:
Title:
RAINBOW ACQUISITION SUBSIDIARY,
INC.
By:
_________________________________
Name:
Title:
STOCKHOLDERS
_______________________________________________
Mark A. Filler, individually and as controlling
general partner of Filler Growth and Retention
Fund I L.P.
________________________________________________
Terry A. Markus, individually and as controlling
general partner of Markus Growth and Retention
Fund I L.P.
ESTATE OF BRUCE C. ABRAMS
By:
____________________________________________
Nancy C. Abrams, Executor
10
<PAGE>
Dated: ____________, 200_
11
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Initial Indemnification
Stockholder Address Escrow Deposit Percentage
___________ _______ ______________ _______________
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Mark A. Filler
Terry A. Markus
Nancy C. Abrams, as
Executor of the Estate
of Bruce C. Adams
</TABLE>
1
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
Escrow Depository Services
Fee Schedule for Holding (Depository) Escrows
I. ACCEPTANCE FEE: ESCROW
II. ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION FEE:
III. INVESTMENT PROCESSING FEES:
IV. ACTIVITY FEES:
V. OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES:
VI. EXTRAORDINARY SERVICES AND EXPENSES:
1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Royal Bank Plaza
MUTUAL CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT 200 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5J 2J5 Canada
(416) 974-9878
CONFIDENTIAL
as of January 31, 2000
Prism Financial Corporation
440 North Orleans
Chicago, Illinois 60610
Attention: Mark Filler
President & CEO
Dear Sirs:
Re: Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Covenants
In connection with a possible transaction (the "Transaction") between Royal
Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates and Prism Financial Corporation
(hereinafter individually referred to as the "Party", the "Disclosing Party" or
the "Recipient Party", as the case may be, and collectively referred to as the
"Parties") the Parties are providing to each other certain information that is
non-public, confidential and/or proprietary in nature concerning their
respective business, operations and assets. In consideration of the Parties
providing such information to each other, each Party agrees, for a period of
two years from the date of this agreement, to treat any confidential
information concerning the other Party, whether prepared by or on behalf of
such Party or otherwise identified as confidential information at the time of
disclosure, in accordance with the provisions of this agreement and to take or
abstain from taking certain other actions hereinafter set forth.
1. The term "Confidential Information" includes all information of the
Disclosing Party provided under this agreement provided, however, that
it does not include information which (i) is or becomes generally
available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by the
Recipient Party, (ii) was within the Recipient Party's possession on a
non-confidential basis prior to its being provided to the Recipient
Party by or on behalf of the Disclosing Party, (iii) is or becomes
available to the Recipient party on a non-confidential basis from a
source other than the Disclosing Party or its Representatives (as
defined below) which source, to the best of the Recipient Party's
knowledge, is not prohibited from disclosing such information by a
legal, contractual or fiduciary obligation, or (iv) is independently
developed by the Recipient Party without the use of the Disclosing
Party's information.
<PAGE>
March 22, 2000
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
We are pleased to inform you that on March 10, 2000, Prism Financial
Corporation ("Prism") entered into a Merger Agreement (the "Merger Agreement")
with Royal Bank of Canada, a Canadian commercial bank ("Parent"), and Prism
Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc. (f/k/a Rainbow Acquisition Subsidiary, Inc.), a
Delaware corporation and a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Parent
("Purchaser"), pursuant to which Purchaser has today commenced a tender offer
(the "Offer") to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Prism common stock,
par value $.01 per share (the "Shares"), together with the associated rights
to purchase preferred stock pursuant to the Rights Agreement, dated as of
January 27, 2000, between Prism and LaSalle Bank National Association, as
Rights Agent, for $7.50 per Share in cash. Under the Merger Agreement and
subject to the terms thereof, following the Offer, Purchaser will be merged
with and into Prism (the "Merger") and all Shares not purchased in the Offer
(other than Shares held by Parent, Purchaser or Prism, or Shares held by
dissenting stockholders) will be converted into the right to receive $7.50 per
Share in cash.
Your Board of Directors has (i) determined that the Offer and the Merger
are fair to and in the best interests of Prism's stockholders and (ii)
approved the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby,
including the Offer and the Merger. The Prism Board of Directors recommends
that Prism's stockholders accept the Offer and tender their Shares pursuant to
the Offer.
In arriving at its recommendation, the Prism Board gave careful
consideration to a number of factors described in the attached Schedule 14D-9
which has been filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including, among other things, the opinion, dated March 10, 2000, of Friedman,
Billings, Ramsey & Co., Inc., Prism's financial advisor, to the effect that,
as of such date, the consideration to be received by holders of Shares
pursuant to the Merger Agreement was fair to such stockholders from a
financial point of view.
In addition to the attached Schedule 14D-9 relating to the Offer, also
enclosed is the Offer to Purchase, dated March 22, 2000, of Purchaser,
together with related materials, including a Letter of Transmittal to be used
for tendering your Shares. These documents set forth the terms and conditions
of the Offer and the Merger and provide instructions as to how to tender your
Shares. We urge you to read the enclosed materials carefully.
Sincerely,
Richard L. Wellek
Chairman of the Board
<PAGE>
Exhibit 5
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA AND PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
ANNOUNCED AGREEMENT FOR ACQUISITION OF PRISM FINANCIAL
CORPORATION
CHICAGO--March 14, 2000 - Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE, TSE: RY) and Prism
Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:PRFN) announced on Friday, March 10, that
they had entered into a definitive agreement for Royal Bank to acquire
Prism.
Royal Bank's cash offer to purchase all outstanding shares of Prism for
US$7.50 per share is valued at approximately US$115 million.
The terms of the agreement provide for Royal Bank to commence a cash tender
offer in the near future for all outstanding shares of Prism. The three
major stockholders, representing more than 60% of outstanding shares, and
key members of management, have agreed to tender their shares. The
transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.
All stockholders should read the tender offer statement concerning the
tender offer that will be filed by Royal Bank, and the
solicitation/recommendation statement that will be filed by Prism, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and mailed to stockholders. These
statements will contain important information that stockholders should
consider before making any decision regarding tendering their shares.
Stockholders will be able to obtain these statements, as well as other
filings containing information about Prism, without charge, at the SEC's
Internet site (www.sec.gov http://www.sec.gov). Filings containing
information about Royal Bank, without charge, at the Internet site of the
System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval, developed by the
Canadian Securities Administrators (www.sedar.com http://www.sedar.com).
Copies of the tender offer and the solicitation/recommendation statements
and other SEC filings can also be obtained, without charge, from Royal
Bank's Corporate Secretary. In addition, copies of the
solicitation/recommendation may also be obtained without charge from
Prism's Corporate Secretary.
ABOUT ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) is a diversified global financial services group
and a leading provider of personal and commercial banking, investment and
trust services, insurance, corporate and investment banking, on-line
banking and transaction-based services including custody. The group's main
business units include Royal Bank, RBC Dominion Securities, Royal
Investment Services, RBC Insurance, Global Integrated Solutions, Security
First Network Bank and Bull & Bear Securities. The group has 50,000
employees who serve 10 million personal, business and public sector
customers in 30 countries. For more information, visit Royal Bank's Web
site at www.royalbank.com.
ABOUT PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Prism Financial Corporation is a leading national retail mortgage banking
company that originated approximately $8 billion in loans in 1999. Based in
Chicago, Prism is licensed nationally, with more than 1,100 loan officers
in 27 states. Prism operates through more than 150 retail branches as well
as through partnerships with major Internet companies. Prism Financial's
common stock trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol PRFN.
CONTACT:
Royal Bank Media Relations Prism Financial Corporation:
Jeff Keay, 416/974-5506 Lisa Morrell, Media Relations
or (312) 410-8662
Royal Bank Investor Relations David Fisher, Chief Financial Officer
Nabanita Merchant, 416/955-7803 (312) 410-8488
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA MAKES OFFER
TO ACQUIRE PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
A LEADING U.S. RETAIL MORTGAGE BANKING COMPANY
TO BECOME INDEPENDENT OPERATING UNIT OF ROYAL BANK
CHICAGO, MARCH 10, 2000 - Prism Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:PRFN) today
announced that it has agreed to be acquired by Royal Bank of Canada (NYSE,
TSE: RY). Royal Bank's cash offer to purchase all outstanding shares of
Prism for US$7.50 per share is valued at approximately US$115 million.
The terms of the agreement provide for Royal Bank to commence a
cash tender offer in the near future for all outstanding shares of Prism.
The three major stockholders, representing more than 60% of outstanding
shares, and key members of management, have agreed to tender their shares.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals.
Founded in 1992, Chicago-based Prism Financial Corporation is the
largest independent mortgage broker in the United States. The company
operates as both a mortgage banker -- underwriting, closing and funding
loans -- and as a mortgage broker -- selling the loan products of over 100
different lenders. Prism is one of the fastest growing mortgage originators
in the U.S. with total mortgage originations of nearly US$8 billion in
1999, up 53% from 1998. It is licensed nationally and has 2,000 employees
located in 27 states. Prism Financial Corporation operates through 159
retail branches and is a leader in e-commerce affinity marketing.
"The planned transaction will provide us with new business
opportunities through Royal Bank's extensive product portfolio, capital
resources and marketing expertise," said Mark Filler, President and CEO of
Prism Financial Corporation. "Our customers and employees will benefit from
our ability to offer additional innovative products and services and to
enhance our investment in technology and in ongoing retail growth."
"Royal Bank and Prism Financial Corporation are leading providers
of residential mortgages in their domestic markets," said John Cleghorn,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Bank of Canada. "This
acquisition will give us a distribution network in the U.S.
and continue to strengthen our online presence."
Prism Financial Corporation will operate as a stand-alone business
unit under existing management, and will continue to offer its strong value
proposition to clients. Prism's customers will also benefit from access to
Royal Bank's suite of services in the United States through Atlanta-based
Security First Network Bank, the world's first and #1 rated Internet bank,
and Bull & Bear Securities, a discount brokerage operation based in New
York.
Royal Bank intends to expand Prism's business by building on the
company's expertise in the mortgage origination business, its experience in
acquisitions, its talented employees and its established relationships with
leading Internet web sites and financial services companies.
"This deal fits nicely with our strategy of leveraging our
Canadian competencies on a niche basis in the United States to create
strong North American lines of business," added Mr. Cleghorn. "We want to
be among the leading North American banks in selected high-growth markets
and in selected business lines. Prism, with its mortgage expertise and
reputation, is a building block in implementing this strategy. We have
every confidence in the track record of Prism's management team to continue
its impressive growth."
"Royal Bank and Prism share a vision of ambitious growth in the
United States," Mr. Filler said. "We will contribute to Royal Bank's
expansion plans by aggressively pursuing our three-pronged strategy of
internal growth, selective acquisitions and Internet alliances. Through the
synergies between our two companies, we expect to be an even stronger
competitor. Our ability to leverage Royal Bank's lower cost of capital and
array of products will help fuel our growth, particularly in today's
challenging mortgage environment."
ABOUT ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Royal Bank of Canada (RY) is a diversified global financial
services group and a leading provider of personal and commercial banking,
investment and trust services, insurance, corporate and investment banking,
on-line banking and transaction-based services including custody. The
group's main business units include Royal Bank, RBC Dominion Securities,
Royal Investment Services, RBC Insurance, Global Integrated Solutions,
Security First Network Bank and Bull & Bear Securities. The group has
50,000 employees who serve 10 million personal, business and public sector
customers in 30 countries. For more information, visit Royal Bank's Web
site at www.royalbank.com.
<PAGE>
ABOUT PRISM FINANCIAL CORPORATION
Prism Financial Corporation is a leading national retail mortgage
banking company that originated approximately $8 billion in loans in 1999.
Based in Chicago, Prism is licensed nationally, with more than 1,100 loan
officers in 27 states. Prism operates through more than 150 retail branches
as well as through partnerships with major Internet companies. Prism
Financial's common stock trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol PRFN.
SAFE HARBOR PROVISION
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a
"safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. This business release
may contain forward-looking statements that reflect PRISM AND ROYAL BANK'S
current views with respect to future events and financial performance.
These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties, including those identified below, which could cause future
results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated.
The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "goals,"
"would," "could," "should" and other expressions which indicate future
events and trends identify forward-looking statements. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of their dates, and if no date is provided, then such
statements speak only as of today. Neither Prism, nor Royal Bank,
undertakes any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise. The following factors, as well as those disclosed in each of
Prism and Royal Bank's prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, could cause future results and business plans to differ
materially from historical results and current plans: (1) the level of
demand for mortgage credit and ancillary services, which is affected by
such external factors as the level of interest rates; (2) the direction of
interest rates; (3) the relationship between mortgage interest rates and
the cost of funds; (4) federal and state regulation of mortgage banking,
Prism's ancillary service operations, and affordable housing and historic
tax credits; and (5) competition within the mortgage banking, affordable
housing and historic tax credits, and various ancillary service industries.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Prism Financial Corporation, contact: Lisa Morrell, Media Relations
(312) 410-8662
David Fisher, CFO (312) 410-8488
Royal Bank Media Relations, contact Jeff Keay, (416) 974-5506
Royal Bank Investor Relations, contact: Nabanita Merchant, (416) 955-7803
