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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-34070
[PROCARD LOGO]
PROCARD, INC.
1819 Denver West Drive
Building 26, Suite 300
Golden, Colorado 80401
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders
of ProCard, Inc. to be held at the offices of ProCard, Inc. at 1819 Denver West
Drive, Building 26, Suite 300, Golden, Colorado on May 31, 2000 at 9:00 a.m.
local time.
At the special meeting you will be asked to vote upon a proposal to
approve the acquisition of ProCard by Synovus Financial Corp.
In the merger, each share of ProCard capital stock will convert into between
0.174005 and 0.263644 shares of Synovus common stock depending upon the average
closing price of Synovus common stock during the twenty trading day period
ending three days before the closing date of the merger. Holders of all classes
of ProCard capital stock will receive the same number of shares of Synovus
common stock for each share owned. If the average closing price is between
$16.50 and $25.00, you will receive $4.35 worth of Synovus common stock per
share of ProCard capital stock. If this price drops below $16.50 or exceeds
$25.00 you will receive stock worth less than or more than $4.35 per share. The
merger will not proceed if you will receive stock worth less than $4.00 per
share. For example, if the average closing price were $19.1875, the closing
price on April 25, 2000, you would have received 0.226717 shares of Synovus
common stock for each share of ProCard capital stock, a value of $4.35 per
share.
Because the price of Synovus' common stock fluctuates, the value of
the securities you will receive will fluctuate on a day to day basis. In
converting your shares you will generally not recognize a gain or a loss for
tax purposes.
Synovus currently holds proxies to vote enough shares of ProCard
capital stock to complete the merger. ProCard's board of directors still wants
you to vote at the special meeting.
Synovus common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and
Synovus has registered 1,818,182 shares of its common stock for issuance in
connection with the merger, of which 1,086,524 shares of common stock have been
registered for resale by stockholders of ProCard identified in this document.
ProCard has received from its financial advisors, Fox-Pitt, Kelton
Inc., an opinion that the terms of the transaction are fair from a financial
point of view to ProCard's stockholders.
PLEASE READ THE "RISK FACTORS" SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 OF THIS
DOCUMENT, WHICH DESCRIBES VARIOUS RISKS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IN DECIDING WHETHER
TO APPROVE THE MERGER.
A majority of the board of directors urges you to consider the
enclosed material carefully and recommends you vote "FOR" approval of the
merger.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE
SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OF THE SYNOVUS COMMON STOCK TO BE ISSUED IN
THE MERGER OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR ADEQUATE. ANY
REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this document is April 28, 2000, and it is first being
mailed to ProCard stockholders on or about May 1, 2000.
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REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This document incorporates important business and financial
information about Synovus from documents that are not included in or delivered
with this document. The information is available to you without charge upon
your written or oral request. You can obtain documents incorporated by
reference in this document, other than certain exhibits to those documents, by
requesting them in writing or by telephone from Synovus at the following
address:
Synovus Financial Corp.
901 Front Avenue, Suite 301
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Attn: G. Sanders Griffith, III
Senior Executive Vice President,
General Counsel & Secretary
Telephone: (706) 649-2267
If you would like to request documents, please do so by May 21, 2000 in
order to receive them before the special meeting.
Please see "Where You Can Find More Information" on page 58 for
further information.
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PROCARD, INC.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON MAY 31, 2000
To Our Stockholders:
Notice is hereby given that a special meeting of the stockholders of
ProCard, Inc. will be held at the offices of ProCard, Inc. at 1819 Denver West
Drive, Building 26, Suite 300, Golden, Colorado on May 31, 2000, at 9:00 a.m.
local time, for the following purposes:
1. To consider and vote upon a proposal to approve and adopt the merger
agreement, dated as of March 3, 2000, by and among Synovus Financial
Corp., TSYS Acquisition Sub, Inc. and ProCard, Inc. Under the terms of
this merger agreement, TSYS Acquisition Sub will be merged with and
into ProCard, with ProCard as the surviving corporation, and ProCard
stockholders will receive shares of Synovus common stock, as more
fully described in the accompanying proxy statement/prospectus dated
April 28, 2000.
2. To consider and vote upon such other matters as may properly come
before the special meeting or any adjournments of the special meeting.
Only stockholders of record on April 26, 2000 are entitled to receive
notice of the special meeting and to vote at the special meeting. Any
stockholder may examine a list of ProCard stockholders of record for any
purpose related to the special meeting during ordinary business hours at the
offices of ProCard at 1819 Denver West Drive, Building 26, Suite 300, Golden,
Colorado.
Stockholders of ProCard who do not vote in favor of the merger and who
deliver to ProCard a proper written demand for an appraisal of their shares
before the taking of a vote at the special meeting will have the right to seek
an appraisal of the fair value of their shares. To receive an appraisal, the
merger must be completed and the stockholders must comply with the procedures
required by Delaware law and explained in the accompanying proxy
statement/prospectus.
The merger is described in the accompanying proxy
statement/prospectus, which you are urged to read carefully. A copy of the
merger agreement is attached as Appendix "A" to the accompanying proxy
statement/prospectus.
By Order of the Board of Directors
/s/ D. Dale Browning
-------------------------------------
May 1, 2000 D. Dale Browning
President and Chief Executive Officer
Your vote is important.
Please mark, date, sign and promptly return the enclosed proxy card so
that your shares may be voted in accordance with your wishes and so that a
quorum may be assured. The giving of a proxy does not affect your right to vote
in person if you attend the special meeting
You Should Not Send Stock Certificates With Your Proxy Card
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPTION PAGE
- ------- ----
<S> <C>
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER..................................................................... 1
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS......................................................................... 3
SUMMARY.................................................................................................... 4
The Companies......................................................................................... 4
The Merger............................................................................................ 4
ProCard's Reasons for the Merger...................................................................... 4
Opinion of Financial Advisor.......................................................................... 5
ProCard Special Stockholders' Meeting................................................................. 5
Conditions to the Merger.............................................................................. 5
Accounting Treatment as Additional Condition to the Merger............................................ 5
Tax Opinion........................................................................................... 6
Effective Date of Merger.............................................................................. 6
Appraisal Rights...................................................................................... 6
Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation................................................... 6
Termination and Termination Fee....................................................................... 6
No Solicitation; Board Action......................................................................... 7
Effect of Merger on Rights of ProCard Stockholders.................................................... 8
Market Price Information.............................................................................. 8
Selling Shareholders; Plan of Distribution............................................................ 8
RISK FACTORS............................................................................................... 9
Synovus and ProCard are Subject to Risks Arising from Conditions Beyond Their Control................. 9
THE SPECIAL MEETING........................................................................................ 10
Date, Time and Place.................................................................................. 10
Matters to Be Considered at the Special Meeting....................................................... 10
Record Date; Stock Entitled to Vote; Quorum........................................................... 10
Vote Required......................................................................................... 10
Stock Ownership of ProCard Directors, Management and Others........................................... 11
Stock Subject to Voting Agreement..................................................................... 11
Termination of the Voting Agreement................................................................... 11
Voting of Proxies..................................................................................... 11
Revoking Proxies...................................................................................... 11
Proxy Solicitation.................................................................................... 12
Recommendation of the ProCard Board................................................................... 12
THE MERGER................................................................................................. 12
Terms of the Merger................................................................................... 12
Background of the Merger.............................................................................. 15
Recommendation of ProCard Board and Reasons for the Merger............................................ 18
Opinion of Financial Advisor.......................................................................... 20
Conditions to the Merger.............................................................................. 22
No Solicitation; Board Action......................................................................... 24
Conduct of Business of ProCard Pending the Merger..................................................... 25
Regulatory Approvals.................................................................................. 27
Waiver and Amendment.................................................................................. 27
Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation................................................... 27
Directors and Officers of the Surviving Corporation................................................... 27
Termination and Termination Fee....................................................................... 27
Interests of ProCard's Directors and Officers in the Merger........................................... 29
Employee Benefits..................................................................................... 29
Tax Opinion........................................................................................... 29
Accounting Treatment.................................................................................. 30
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Expenses.............................................................................................. 31
New York Stock Exchange Listing....................................................................... 31
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.......................................................... 32
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS....................................................................................... 33
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION....................................................................................... 35
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK AND EFFECT OF MERGER ON RIGHTS OF PROCARD STOCKHOLDERS................................ 36
Synovus Common Stock.................................................................................. 37
ProCard Capital Stock................................................................................. 42
APPRAISAL RIGHTS RELATED TO THE MERGER..................................................................... 45
COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS..................................................................... 49
DESCRIPTION OF SYNOVUS..................................................................................... 50
Business.............................................................................................. 50
Management and Additional Information................................................................. 50
DESCRIPTION OF PROCARD..................................................................................... 50
Business.............................................................................................. 50
Principal Stockholders................................................................................ 51
REGULATORY MATTERS......................................................................................... 52
General............................................................................................... 52
Dividends............................................................................................. 53
Capital Requirements.................................................................................. 53
Commitments to Subsidiary Banks....................................................................... 55
Prompt Corrective Action.............................................................................. 55
Safety and Soundness Standards........................................................................ 56
Depositor Preference Statute.......................................................................... 56
Recent Legislation.................................................................................... 56
Pooling of Interests Accounting....................................................................... 57
LEGAL MATTERS.............................................................................................. 57
EXPERTS.................................................................................................... 57
OTHER MATTERS.............................................................................................. 58
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS...................................................................................... 58
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION........................................................................ 58
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION............................................................................ 59
APPENDIX "A" MERGER AGREEMENT.............................................................................. A-1
APPENDIX "B" FAIRNESS OPINION.............................................................................. B-1
APPENDIX "C" TAX OPINION................................................................................... C-1
APPENDIX "D" SECTION 262 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW........................................... D-1
</TABLE>
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MERGER
Q: WHY IS THE MERGER BEING PROPOSED?
A: A majority of the ProCard board of directors believes the merger is in
the best interests of ProCard and will provide significant benefits to
its stockholders. Synovus' board of directors believes that the
acquisition of ProCard will offer Synovus the opportunity to further
expand the services offered by Total System Services, Inc., an 80.8%
owned subsidiary of Synovus, to clients who want to build their
commercial card portfolios. To review the background and reasons for
the merger in greater detail, see pages 15 through 18.
Q: WHAT WILL I RECEIVE IN THE MERGER?
A: ProCard stockholders will receive between 0.174005 and 0.263644 shares
of Synovus common stock for each share of ProCard capital stock they
hold. Holders of ProCard common stock, series A preferred stock, and
series B preferred stock will receive the same number of shares of
Synovus common stock for each share owned. The precise exchange ratio
will be based upon the average closing price of Synovus common stock
for the 20 day measurement period ending three business days before
the closing date. Furthermore, the number of shares of Synovus common
stock to be exchanged for shares of ProCard capital stock will be
reduced pro rata to pay for ProCard's merger-related expenses that
exceed $800,000.
If the average closing price of Synovus common stock during the
measurement period is between $16.50 and $25.00 per share, the
exchange ratio will be set so that each ProCard stockholder will
receive $4.35 worth of Synovus common stock in exchange for each share
of ProCard capital stock the stockholder owns. If the average closing
price of Synovus common stock during the measurement period is less
than $16.50, the exchange ratio will be fixed at 0.263644 and you will
receive less than $4.35 worth of Synovus common stock for each of your
ProCard shares unless Synovus waives the floor. If the average closing
price of Synovus common stock during the measurement period is greater
than $25.00, the exchange ratio will be fixed at 0.174005 and you will
receive greater than $4.35 worth of Synovus common stock for each of
your ProCard shares unless ProCard waives the ceiling. You will not,
in any event, receive a value of less than $4.00 per share.
Synovus will not issue fractional shares in the merger. Instead,
ProCard stockholders will receive a cash payment, without interest,
for the value of any fraction of a share of Synovus common stock that
they would otherwise be entitled to receive based upon the average
closing price of Synovus common stock during the measurement period.
For Example:
- If the average closing price of Synovus common stock during the
measurement period is $20.00 and you own 100 shares of ProCard
capital stock, then after the merger you will receive 21 shares
of Synovus common stock and a check in the amount of $15.01, a
total per share value of $4.35.
- If (1) the average closing price of Synovus common stock during
the measurement period is $15.69, (2) Synovus does not waive the
floor, (3) ProCard does not terminate the merger agreement, and
(4) you own 100 shares of ProCard capital stock, then after the
merger you will receive 26 shares of Synovus common stock and a
check in the amount of $6.01, a total per share value of $4.14.
- If (1) the average closing price of Synovus common stock during
the measurement period is $20.00, (2) ProCard's expenses related
to the merger are $1,000,000, and (3) you own 100 shares of
ProCard capital stock, then after the merger you will receive 21
shares of Synovus common stock and a check in the amount of
$12.11, a total per share value of $4.32.
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- If (1) the average closing price of Synovus common stock during
the measurement period is $15.69, (2) Synovus does not waive the
floor, (3) ProCard does not terminate the merger agreement, (4)
you own 100 shares of ProCard capital stock, and (5) ProCard's
expenses related to the merger are $1,000,000, then after the
merger you will receive 26 shares of Synovus common stock and a
check in the amount of $3.11, a total per share value of $4.11.
References in this document to the value of consideration received by
you in shares of Synovus common stock or the worth of shares of
Synovus common stock refer to such value or worth based on the average
closing price of Synovus common stock during the 20 trading day period
ending three days prior to the closing date of the merger. The market
price of Synovus common stock fluctuates daily. On any given day,
including the closing date of the merger, the price of a share of
Synovus common stock may be higher or lower than such average closing
price.
Q: WHAT RISKS SHOULD I CONSIDER?
A: You should review "Risk Factors" beginning on page 9.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS AS THE MARKET PRICE OF SYNOVUS COMMON STOCK FLUCTUATES?
A: The exchange ratio floats. Since the market price of Synovus common
stock fluctuates, at the time you vote you will not know what the
shares will be worth when issued in the merger.
Q: WHEN IS THE MERGER EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED?
A: We are working to complete the merger during the second quarter of
2000.
Q: WHAT ARE THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER TO ME?
A: We expect that as a result of the merger ProCard stockholders
generally will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal
income tax purposes. ProCard stockholders will, however, recognize
gain or loss on cash received for fractional shares. To review the tax
consequences to ProCard stockholders in greater detail, see page 29.
Your tax consequences will depend on your personal situation. You
should consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax
consequences of the merger to you.
Q: WHAT AM I BEING ASKED TO VOTE UPON AND WHAT IS THE REQUIRED
STOCKHOLDER VOTE?
A: You are being asked to approve the merger of a subsidiary of Synovus
into ProCard. Following the merger, ProCard will be a wholly owned
subsidiary of Synovus. Approval of the proposal requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding capital stock of
ProCard voting as a single class. Synovus currently holds proxies to
vote enough shares of capital stock to approve the merger. However,
ProCard's board of directors believes that your vote is important and
encourages you to vote at the special meeting.
A majority of the ProCard board of directors has approved and
adopted the merger agreement and recommends that ProCard stockholders
vote "FOR" the approval of the merger.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
A: ProCard stockholders should read this document carefully and determine
whether they desire to receive the Synovus common stock, or whether
they desire to exercise their dissenters' rights under Delaware law.
Q: SHOULD I SEND IN MY STOCK CERTIFICATES NOW?
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A: No. If the merger is completed, we will send you written instructions
for exchanging your ProCard capital stock certificates for Synovus
common stock certificates.
WHO CAN HELP ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
If you want additional copies of this document, or if you want to ask any
questions about the merger, you should contact:
ProCard, Inc.
1819 Denver West Drive
Building 26, Suite 300
Golden, Colorado 80401
Attention: D. Dale Browning, President
Telephone: (303) 216-4016
3
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this document and may not
contain all the information that is important to you. For a more complete
understanding of the merger and for a more complete description of the legal
terms of the merger, you should read this entire document carefully, as well as
the additional documents to which we refer you, including the merger agreement.
THE COMPANIES (page 50)
Synovus Financial Corp.
Suite 301, One Arsenal Place
901 Front Avenue
Columbus, Georgia 31901
(706) 649-2387
Synovus Financial Corp., a Georgia corporation, is a multi-financial
services company whose stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol "SNV." Synovus is registered as a bank holding company under the Bank
Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended. As of December 31, 1999, Synovus had
total assets of $12.5 billion, total deposits of $9.4 billion, shareholders'
equity of $1.2 billion and net loans of $8.9 billion. Synovus and its 38
commercial banking affiliates presently provide banking services at
approximately 200 offices located in the States of Georgia, Alabama, Florida
and South Carolina. Synovus also owns nonbanking subsidiaries, including a full
service brokerage firm and an 80.8% interest in Total System Services, Inc.
Total System Services, Inc. is an information technology processor of credit,
debit, commercial and retail cards whose stock is traded on the New York Stock
Exchange.
ProCard, Inc.
1819 Denver West Drive
Building 26, Suite 300
Golden, Colorado 80401
(303) 279-2255
ProCard, Inc., a Delaware corporation, develops and markets software and
services to support bank commercial card programs. Such software and services
include client server and internet based software solutions that enable the
clients of its licensee banks to manage their commercial card program and
manage commercial card transaction data.
THE MERGER (page 12)
If the merger is approved by ProCard's stockholders, TSYS Acquisition Sub,
Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Synovus, will be
merged with and into ProCard. The merger requires the approval of the holders
of at least a majority of the ProCard capital stock outstanding on the record
date. Synovus currently holds proxies to vote enough shares of capital stock to
approve the merger.
We have attached the merger agreement (Appendix "A") at the back of this
document. We encourage you to read the merger agreement, as it is the legal
document that governs the merger.
PROCARD'S REASONS FOR THE MERGER (page 18)
In reaching its decision to approve and recommend approval of the merger
agreement, the ProCard board of directors considered a number of factors,
including the following:
- Total System's intent to develop a competing alternative to ProCard's
products.
- The numerous synergies that exist between Total System and ProCard.
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<PAGE> 10
- The dependence of ProCard's revenues on two banks, the loss of either
or both of which would have a material adverse affect on ProCard and
the ability of ProCard and Total System acting together to influence
those banks to stay with ProCard.
- The opinion of ProCard's financial advisor, Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc., to
the effect that the consideration to be received by the holders of
ProCard capital stock in the merger was fair from a financial point of
view.
- Synovus common stock is a highly liquid currency that provides
ProCard's stockholders the ability to realize cash or to continue with
their investment with "up side" potential.
- A merger with Synovus would not only protect but enhance ProCard's
stockholder investment.
- A merger will ensure ProCard's on-going competitiveness and enhance
the services that ProCard provides to ProCard's banks and their
corporate clients.
- A merger with Synovus would provide ProCard's employees with the
opportunity to work for a company that is recognized as an outstanding
employer while continuing to work at ProCard as a stand-alone entity
in Golden, Colorado.
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR (page 20)
In deciding to approve the merger, ProCard's board of directors considered
an opinion from its financial advisor, Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc. This opinion
stated that, as of March 2, 2000 and subject to the assumptions and
qualifications stated in the opinion, the exchange ratio in the merger was fair
from a financial point of view to ProCard's stockholders. A copy of the opinion
is attached to this document as Appendix "B". We urge you to read this opinion
in its entirety.
PROCARD SPECIAL STOCKHOLDERS' MEETING (page 10)
The special meeting will be held at the offices of ProCard, Inc., at 1819
Denver West Drive, Building 26, Suite 300, Golden, Colorado, at 9:00 a.m. local
time, on May 31, 2000.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER (page 22)
Consummation of the merger is subject to various conditions, including:
- receipt of ProCard stockholder approval;
- the holders of not more than 5% of the outstanding shares of ProCard
capital stock have elected to exercise their appraisal rights;
- receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals;
- receipt of an opinion from KPMG LLP regarding tax aspects of the
merger;
- receipt of a letter from KPMG LLP that the merger qualifies for
pooling of interests accounting treatment; and
- satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT AS ADDITIONAL CONDITION TO THE MERGER (page 30)
We expect the merger to qualify as a "pooling of interests," which means
that we will treat our companies as if they had always been one company for
accounting and financial reporting purposes. Synovus has the right not to
5
<PAGE> 11
complete the merger if Synovus does not receive a letter from its independent
public accountants stating that the merger will qualify as a "pooling of
interests."
TAX OPINION (pages 29)
The merger is structured so that ProCard stockholders will not recognize
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes for the whole shares of Synovus
common stock they receive in the merger. Synovus' independent public
accountants, KPMG LLP, has issued an opinion to this effect, which is attached
to this document as Appendix "C". ProCard stockholders will be taxed on cash
received instead of any fractional share of Synovus common stock. Tax matters
are complicated, and tax results may vary among stockholders. We urge you to
contact your own tax advisor to understand fully how the merger will affect
you.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF MERGER (page 12)
The merger will become effective when all of the conditions to the merger
have been satisfied and a certificate of merger is filed with the Secretary of
State of Delaware, or on such later date as the certificate of merger may
specify. Subject to the conditions specified in the merger agreement, the
parties anticipate that the merger will become effective in the second quarter
of 2000. There can be no assurances, however, as to whether or when the merger
will occur.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS (pages 10 and 45)
Holders of ProCard capital stock are entitled to appraisal rights under
Delaware law and, if the merger is consummated, to receive payment in cash for
the statutory "fair value" of their shares, upon compliance with the provisions
of Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. Under Delaware law,
"fair value" would exclude any element of value arising from the accomplishment
or expectation of the merger. To preserve these rights, a stockholder must not
vote in favor of the merger and must deliver to ProCard a written demand for
appraisal of such stockholder's shares before the vote on the merger at the
special meeting of ProCard's stockholders. The delivery of a proxy or vote
against the merger is not considered such a demand. Failure to follow any of
these or other procedures may result in the loss of statutory appraisal rights.
Holders of Synovus common stock do not qualify for appraisal rights in the
merger.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION (page 27)
The merger agreement provides that the directors and officers of the
acquisition subsidiary immediately before the effective time will serve as
directors and officers of ProCard following the merger. The officers of ProCard
before the effective time of the merger will be appointed to serve as officers
of the surviving corporation.
TERMINATION AND TERMINATION FEE (page 27)
TERMINATION. Either ProCard or Synovus may terminate the merger under the
following circumstances, among others:
- both parties consent in writing;
- the merger is not completed before June 30, 2000; or
- the other party breaches in a material manner any of the
representations or warranties or any covenant or agreement it has
under the merger agreement and such breach is not cured within the
time frames specified in the merger agreement.
Synovus may terminate the merger agreement under the following additional
circumstances, among others:
- the ProCard stockholders do not approve the merger;
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<PAGE> 12
- the average closing price of Synovus' common stock during the 20
trading days ending on the third business day before the closing date
is greater than $25.00 if ProCard has not waived the application of
the $25.00 ceiling price; or
- the ProCard board of directors shall have modified its approval or
recommendation of the merger in a manner adverse to Synovus or causes
ProCard to enter into or endorses or recommends a competing
acquisition proposal.
ProCard may terminate the merger under the following additional
circumstances, among others:
- the average closing price of Synovus' common stock during the 20
trading days ending on the third business day before the closing date
is less than $16.50 if Synovus has not waived the application of the
$16.50 floor price; or
- the ProCard board receives a superior proposal from another person
offering to merge with ProCard, acquire all or a significant portion
of the assets or equity of ProCard, or any similar transaction, and
the board in good faith believes that its fiduciary duties to the
ProCard stockholders requires the termination of the merger agreement
and Synovus has not proposed adjustments to the merger agreement that
would enable ProCard to continue with the merger.
TERMINATION FEE. The merger agreement provides that ProCard must pay
Synovus a termination fee of $1.2 million if the agreement is terminated
because:
- the ProCard stockholders do not approve the merger;
- the ProCard board of directors shall have modified its approval or
recommendation of the merger in a manner adverse to Synovus or causes
ProCard to enter into an agreement or endorses, approves or recommends
a competing acquisition proposal;
- the ProCard board shall have modified its approval or recommendation of
the merger in a manner adverse to Synovus and the parties to the
voting agreement shall have notified Synovus that they will not vote
their shares in favor of the merger; or
- the ProCard board receives a proposal from another person offering to
merge with ProCard, acquire all or a significant portion of the assets
or equity of ProCard, or any similar transaction, and the board in
good faith believes that such other proposal is a superior proposal,
the receipt of which requires the board to terminate the merger
agreement in accordance with its fiduciary duties under Delaware law.
NO SOLICITATION; BOARD ACTION (page 24)
ProCard has agreed that until the completion of the merger, ProCard will
not directly or indirectly take any specified actions with respect to any
acquisition proposal.
However, notwithstanding these restrictions, ProCard may, if necessary to
comply with its fiduciary obligations and subject to other qualifications and
conditions, furnish information and engage in discussions or negotiations in
response to unsolicited acquisition proposals for business combinations and
acquisitions that ProCard's board of directors determines to be a superior
proposal.
ProCard has agreed to notify Synovus of any superior proposal and to give
Synovus the opportunity to propose adjustments to the terms and conditions of
the merger agreement before abandoning its recommendation of the merger
agreement to the ProCard stockholders.
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EFFECT OF MERGER ON RIGHTS OF PROCARD STOCKHOLDERS (page 36)
ProCard is a Delaware corporation and, therefore, the rights of
stockholders of ProCard currently are determined by reference to the Delaware
General Corporation Law and ProCard's Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws.
At the effective time of the merger, stockholders of ProCard will become
shareholders of Synovus, which is a Georgia corporation. As a result, their
rights as shareholders of Synovus will then be determined by reference to the
Georgia Business Corporation Code and Synovus' Articles of Incorporation and
bylaws. The laws of these jurisdictions vary. There are also various
differences between Synovus' Articles of Incorporation and bylaws and ProCard's
Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws.
MARKET PRICE INFORMATION (page 49)
Synovus common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. ProCard's
capital stock is not publicly traded. The following table presents:
- the last reported sale price of one share of Synovus common stock, as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape,
- the estimated sale price for ProCard capital stock, and
- the market value of one share of ProCard capital stock on an
equivalent per share basis.
On April 26, 2000, there were 92 holders of record of ProCard common
stock, 46 holders of record of ProCard series A preferred stock and 59 holders
of record of ProCard series B preferred stock. No established trading market
for ProCard capital stock exists. Transactions in ProCard capital stock are
infrequent and are negotiated privately between the persons involved in these
transactions. These transactions are not reported on an exchange or other
organized trading system. For these reasons, ProCard lacks reliable data
regarding recent trading activity in ProCard capital stock. To the best
knowledge of management of ProCard, the last transaction in ProCard capital
stock before announcement of the merger was a sale of ProCard series B
preferred stock on January 11, 2000 at a price of $4.00 per share.
In each case it is assumed that the merger had been completed on March 3,
2000, the last full trading day before the public announcement of the proposed
merger, and on April 25, 2000, the last day for which such information could be
calculated before the date of this document. The equivalent price per share
data for ProCard capital stock has been determined by multiplying the last
reported sale price of one share of Synovus common stock on each of these dates
by the exchange ratio assuming that the average closing price equals the
closing price on the date indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUIVALENT
PRICE PER
SHARE OF
SYNOVUS PROCARD PROCARD
COMMON CAPITAL CAPITAL
DATE STOCK STOCK STOCK
---- ----- (ESTIMATED) -----
-----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
March 3, 2000 $ 15.69 $ 4.00 $ 4.14
April 25, 2000 $ 19.18 $ 4.00 $ 4.35
</TABLE>
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS; PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (page 33)
This document also relates to the offer and resale by ProCard stockholders,
identified in this document as the "selling shareholders," of up to
approximately 1,086,524 shares of Synovus common stock issued to them in
connection with the merger. The selling shareholders have not advised Synovus
of any specific plans for the distribution of the resale shares. It is
anticipated that the sale or distribution of all or any portion of the resale
shares offered hereby may be effected from time to time by the selling
shareholders directly, indirectly to or through
8
<PAGE> 14
brokers or dealers or in a distribution by one or more underwriters on a firm
commitment or best efforts basis, on the New York Stock Exchange, in the
over-the-counter market, on any national securities exchange on which the
shares are listed or traded, in privately negotiated transactions, or
otherwise, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related
to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
RISK FACTORS
ProCard stockholders should consider carefully the following factors, in
addition to those factors discussed in the documents that Synovus has filed
with the SEC which we have incorporated by reference into this document, and
the other information included in this prospectus, before voting on the
proposal to approve the merger.
SYNOVUS AND PROCARD ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS ARISING FROM CONDITIONS BEYOND THEIR
CONTROL
Synovus and ProCard make forward-looking statements in this document, and
Synovus makes such statements in its public documents, that are subject to
risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include information
about possible or assumed future results of our operations. Also, when we use
any of the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates" or similar expressions,
we are making forward-looking statements. Many possible events or factors could
affect the financial results and performance of each of our companies. This
could cause results or performances to differ materially from those expressed
in our forward-looking statements. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for such forward-looking statements. In order
to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, we note that a variety of factors
could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the
anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking
statements. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations,
performance, development and results of our businesses include, but are not
limited to, those described below. You should consider these risks when you
vote on the merger. These possible events or factors include the following:
- our cost savings from the merger are less than we expect, or we are
unable to obtain those cost savings as soon as we expect;
- costs or difficulties relating to the integration of ProCard may be
greater than expected;
- we lose more deposits, customers, or business than we expect;
- competition in the banking industry increases significantly;
- our integration costs are higher than we expect or our operating costs
after the merger are greater than we expect;
- the merger does not generate the synergies we expect;
- technological changes and systems integration are harder to make
or more expensive than we expect;
- changes in the interest rate environment reduce our margins;
- general economic or business conditions are worse than we expect;
- legislative or regulatory changes occur which adversely affect our
business;
- changes occur in business conditions and inflation; and
- changes occur in the securities markets.
Management of each of Synovus and ProCard believes the forward-looking
statements about its company are reasonable; however, you should not place
undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The future
results and shareholder values of
9
<PAGE> 15
Synovus following completion of the merger may differ materially from those
expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors
that will determine these results and values are beyond Synovus' and ProCard's
ability to control or predict.
THE SPECIAL MEETING
We are furnishing this document to stockholders of ProCard in connection
with the solicitation of proxies by the board of directors of ProCard for use
at the special meeting of its stockholders.
DATE, TIME AND PLACE
The special meeting will be held at the offices of ProCard, Inc., at 1819
Denver West Drive, Building 26, Suite 300, Golden, Colorado, at 9:00 a.m. local
time, on May 31, 2000.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE SPECIAL MEETING
At the special meeting, the stockholders of ProCard will be asked to
consider and vote upon the approval of the merger, and such other matters as
may properly be brought before the special meeting.
The ProCard board has, by a vote of four in favor and two against,
approved the merger agreement, and the transactions contemplated by the merger
agreement. A majority of the board recommends that you vote "FOR" approval of
the merger.
RECORD DATE; STOCK ENTITLED TO VOTE; QUORUM
Only holders of record of ProCard common stock and ProCard preferred stock
at the close of business on April 26, 2000, the record date for ProCard's
special meeting, are entitled to receive notice of the special meeting and to
vote at the special meeting. Holders of record of shares of ProCard common
stock and ProCard preferred stock on the record date are each entitled to one
vote per share on each matter to be considered at the special meeting.
On the record date:
- 2,996,505 shares of ProCard common stock were issued and outstanding
and were held by 92 holders of record;
- 1,266,299 shares of ProCard series A preferred stock were issued and
outstanding and were held by 46 holders of record;
- 1,592,165 shares of ProCard series B preferred stock were issued and
outstanding and were held by 59 holders of record; and
- ProCard common stock, ProCard series A preferred stock, and ProCard
series B preferred stock, constitute the only outstanding classes of
voting securities of ProCard.
A majority of all the issued and outstanding shares of ProCard common
stock and the ProCard preferred stock, taken together as a single class,
present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the special
meeting. Shares held by ProCard in its treasury do not count toward a quorum.
VOTE REQUIRED
The approval of the merger requires the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of the outstanding shares of ProCard common stock and ProCard
preferred stock voting as a single class. Synovus holds proxies to vote shares
of ProCard capital stock sufficient to approve the merger.
10
<PAGE> 16
The merger does not require the approval of Synovus' shareholders.
Synovus, as the sole stockholder of the acquisition subsidiary, approved the
merger on March 3, 2000.
STOCK OWNERSHIP OF PROCARD DIRECTORS, MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
At the close of business on the record date, the directors and executive
officers of ProCard and their affiliates beneficially owned and were entitled
to vote approximately 1,814,952 shares of ProCard common stock and 592,434
shares of ProCard series A preferred stock and 737,758 shares of ProCard series
B preferred stock. This ownership represents approximately 54% of the combined
shares of ProCard common stock and ProCard preferred stock outstanding on that
date. All directors (including the two directors who voted against the merger)
and several officers have entered into a voting agreement with Synovus. Those
parties to the voting agreement are obligated to vote in favor of the merger.
STOCK SUBJECT TO VOTING AGREEMENT
As an incentive to Synovus to enter into the merger agreement, a number of the
officers and all of the board of directors entered into a voting agreement with
Synovus to vote their shares of ProCard common stock and ProCard preferred
stock in favor of the merger. Under the voting agreement, Synovus holds proxies
to vote shares of ProCard common stock and ProCard preferred stock representing
at least a majority of ProCard's capital stock outstanding on the record date.
TERMINATION OF THE VOTING AGREEMENT
Before the closing date of the merger, the voting agreement may be
terminated and the proxies held by Synovus revoked only if the merger agreement
is terminated.
VOTING OF PROXIES
Shares represented by all properly executed proxies received in time for
the special meeting will be voted at the special meeting according to the
voting instructions of the stockholder who executed the proxy. Properly
executed proxies which do not contain voting instructions will be voted in
favor of the merger.
ProCard intends to count shares of ProCard capital stock present in person
at the special meeting but not voting, and shares of ProCard capital stock for
which we have received proxies but with respect to which holders of shares have
abstained from voting on or voted against any matter, as present at the special
meeting for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the
special meeting.
For voting purposes at the special meeting, only shares voted in favor of
approval of the merger will be counted as favorable votes for such approval and
adoption. A stockholder's failure to submit a proxy, failure to vote in person,
or abstention from voting with respect to the approval of the merger will have
the same effect as if the stockholder voted against approval of the merger.
We do not expect that any matter other than those referred to in this
document will be brought before the special meeting. However, if other matters
are properly presented for a vote, the persons named as proxies will vote in
accordance with their judgment with respect to those matters.
The persons named as proxies by a ProCard stockholder may propose and vote
for one or more adjournments of the special meeting to permit further
solicitations of proxies in favor of approval of the merger. However, the
persons named as proxies will not vote any shares which are voted against the
approval of the merger in favor of such an adjournment.
REVOKING PROXIES
ProCard stockholders of record may revoke their proxies at any time before
the time their proxies are voted at the special meeting. A stockholder may
revoke a proxy by taking any of the following actions:
11
<PAGE> 17
- sending a written notice indicating their intention to revoke the
proxy, including by telegram or facsimile, to the Corporate Secretary
of ProCard;
- submitting a later-dated signed proxy; or
- attending the special meeting and voting or abstaining from voting in
person.
Attendance at the special meeting alone without voting or abstaining from
the vote on the merger will not revoke a proxy. Any written notice of a
revocation of a proxy must be sent so that it will be delivered to the address
below before the voting begins at the special meeting:
ProCard, Inc.
1819 Denver West Drive
Building 26, Suite 300
Golden, Colorado 80401
Attention: Brigid Davidson, Corporate Secretary
Fax: (303) 279-1044
Proxies for stock held by stockholders who are party to the voting
agreement with Synovus may not be revoked at any time or under any
circumstances so long as the voting agreement is not terminated.
PROXY SOLICITATION
Synovus will pay all the costs of filing and printing this document except
that ProCard will assume the cost of mailing this document to its stockholders.
In addition to solicitation by mail, the directors, officers and employees of
ProCard may solicit proxies from stockholders of ProCard by telephone or
telegram or by other means of communication. Such directors, officers and
employees will not be additionally compensated but may be reimbursed for
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection with such solicitation.
RECOMMENDATION OF THE PROCARD BOARD
A majority of the ProCard board has adopted the merger agreement and
believes that the proposed transaction is fair to and in the best interests of
ProCard and its stockholders. A majority of the ProCard board recommends that
ProCard's stockholders vote "FOR" approval of the merger.
THE MERGER
The following is a description of the material information pertaining to
the merger. This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached as Appendix "A"
to this document and is incorporated by reference. All stockholders are urged
to read carefully the merger agreement, as well as the other appendices, in
their entirety.
The boards of directors of Synovus, the acquisition subsidiary, and ProCard
have approved, and the proper officers of Synovus, the acquisition subsidiary,
and ProCard have executed and delivered, the merger agreement.
TERMS OF THE MERGER
On the effective date of the merger, which will be specified in the
certificate to be issued by the Secretary of State of Delaware causing the
merger to become effective, each issued and outstanding share of ProCard
capital stock will be converted into the right to receive between 0.174005 and
0.263644 shares of Synovus common stock.
The exact exchange ratio will be determined based on the average closing
price of Synovus common stock during a 20 day measurement period ending three
business days before the closing date. If the average closing price of Synovus
common stock during the measurement period is between $16.50 and $25.00 per
share, the exchange ratio will be set so that each ProCard stockholder will
receive $4.35 worth of Synovus common stock in exchange for each share of
ProCard capital stock the stockholder owns. The number of shares of Synovus
common stock to be exchanged for shares of ProCard capital stock will be
reduced to pay for ProCard's expenses related to the
12
<PAGE> 18
merger that exceed $800,000. To the extent that such expenses exceed $800,000,
ProCard stockholders will receive less than $4.35 worth of Synovus common stock
for each share of ProCard capital stock held by the stockholder.
If the average closing price of Synovus common stock during the
measurement period is less than $16.50 per share, the board of directors of
ProCard may terminate the merger agreement. If the average closing price of
Synovus common stock is less than $16.50 and the merger is consummated, ProCard
stockholders will receive 0.263644 shares of Synovus common stock for each
share of ProCard capital stock owned, unless Synovus waives the floor.
The ProCard board has resolved to terminate the merger agreement if the
per share consideration received for each share of ProCard capital stock is
less than $4.00 after giving effect to the $16.50 floor and the expense sharing
requirements. This does not prevent the ProCard board, however, from deciding
to terminate the merger agreement if the average closing price is less than
$16.50. Assuming that expenses do not exceed $800,000 the consideration
received for each share of ProCard capital stock would be less than $4.00 if
the average closing price of Synovus common stock during the measurement period
is less than $15.18 and Synovus does not waive the $16.50 floor. ProCard's
merger-related expenses as of April 25, 2000 are approximately $770,000.
If the average closing price of Synovus common stock during the
measurement period is greater than $25.00 per share, the board of directors of
Synovus may terminate the merger agreement. If the average closing price of
Synovus common stock is more than $25.00 and the merger is consummated, ProCard
stockholders will receive 0.174005 shares of Synovus common stock for each
share of ProCard capital stock owned, unless ProCard waives the ceiling.
The following table provides examples of the operation of the exchange
ratio. The first column shows various possible average closing prices of
Synovus common stock. The second column shows the exchange ratio which would be
applicable based on the corresponding price of Synovus common stock assuming
that the $16.50 floor is not waived by Synovus and that the $25.00 ceiling is
not waived by ProCard and that in each instance, the merger agreement is not
terminated. The exchange ratio is the number of shares of Synovus common stock
which will be issued in exchange for each share of ProCard capital stock. The
third column shows the dollar value of the Synovus common stock, valued at the
average closing price of Synovus common stock during the measurement period,
which ProCard stockholders will be entitled to receive in exchange for each
share of ProCard capital stock owned. Because the market price of Synovus
common stock fluctuates, you will not know when you vote on the merger
precisely what the shares of Synovus common stock will be worth when issued in
the merger.
13
<PAGE> 19
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average Closing Price
of Synovus Equivalent
Stock during Price Per
Measurement Period Exchange Ratio ProCard Share
------------------ -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
$ 14.00 .263644 $ 3.69
15.00 .263644 3.95
16.00 .263644 4.22
16.50 .263644 4.35
17.00 .255890 4.35
18.00 .241674 4.35
19.00 .228954 4.35
20.00 .217507 4.35
21.00 .207149 4.35
22.00 .197733 4.35
23.00 .189136 4.35
24.00 .181256 4.35
25.00 .174005 4.35
26.00 .174005 4.52
27.00 .174005 4.70
</TABLE>
The following table provides examples of the operation of the exchange
ratio assuming that the $16.50 floor is waived by Synovus and that the $25.00
ceiling is waived by ProCard.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average Closing Price
of Synovus Equivalent
Stock during Price Per
Measurement Period Exchange Ratio ProCard Share
------------------ -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
$ 14.00 .310724 $ 4.35
15.00 .290009 4.35
16.00 .271883 4.35
16.50 .263644 4.35
20.00 .217507 4.35
24.00 .181256 4.35
25.00 .174005 4.35
26.00 .167313 4.35
27.00 .161116 4.35
</TABLE>
You should obtain current stock price quotations for Synovus common stock.
The market price of Synovus common stock will fluctuate before and after
completion of the merger. No assurance can be given that the market price of
Synovus common stock at or after the effective date of the merger will be equal
to the average closing price during the measurement period.
After the effective date of the merger, outstanding certificates representing
shares of ProCard capital stock will represent shares of Synovus common stock.
Certificates representing shares of ProCard capital stock will be surrendered
to Synovus by the ProCard stockholders on or after the effective date of the
merger for new certificates representing shares of Synovus common stock. Until
so surrendered to Synovus, the certificates which previously represented shares
of ProCard capital stock will be deemed for all corporate purposes to evidence
the ownership of the respective number of shares of Synovus common stock which
the holders are entitled to receive upon their surrender to Synovus except for
the payment of dividends, which is subject to the exchange of stock
certificates.
14
<PAGE> 20
Until the stock certificates nominally representing shares of ProCard
capital stock are surrendered to Synovus in exchange for certificates
representing shares of Synovus common stock, no dividends payable as of any
date after the effective date of the merger on the shares of Synovus common
stock represented by the ProCard capital stock certificates will be paid.
However, forms 1099 reporting the payment of such dividends will be filed with
the Internal Revenue Service and mailed to each shareholder. Upon the surrender
to Synovus of the ProCard capital stock certificates, Synovus will pay to the
record holders the amount of dividends which previously had become payable,
without interest, upon the shares of Synovus common stock represented by the
outstanding ProCard capital stock certificates.
Synovus will not issue fractional shares of Synovus common stock in the
merger. Instead, Synovus will pay cash, without interest, in lieu of fractional
shares, in an amount equal to such fractional part of a share of Synovus common
stock multiplied by the average closing price per share of Synovus common stock
during the measurement period.
The delivery of Synovus stock certificates and other amounts may be
subject to forfeiture under applicable escheat laws if ProCard stock
certificates are not surrendered for exchange within the legally specified
periods of time, which vary with the state of residence of the certificate
holder. Therefore, we urge all ProCard stockholders to surrender their ProCard
stock certificates at the earliest possible date after consummation of the
merger in accordance with instructions provided to you by Synovus in the letter
of transmittal described in the following paragraph.
As soon as practicable following consummation of the merger, Synovus will
send each stockholder of ProCard capital stock a letter of transmittal
explaining the procedure to be followed in exchanging certificates representing
shares of ProCard capital stock for certificates representing shares of Synovus
common stock. Until the letter of transmittal is received, stockholders of
ProCard should continue to hold their certificates representing shares of
ProCard capital stock. Do not send any ProCard stock certificates with your
proxy card.
After the effective date of the merger, each outstanding ProCard stock
option will be converted into an option to acquire shares of Synovus common
stock. The exercise price of the converted options and the number of shares
subject to the converted options will be adjusted in accordance with the
exchange ratio. All unvested ProCard stock options will immediately vest and
become exercisable at the effective time of the merger.
BACKGROUND OF THE MERGER
ProCard and Total System Services, Inc., an 80.8% owned subsidiary of
Synovus, have a long-standing business relationship. Total System is the
transaction processor for Citibank and Bank One, customers of ProCard that
accounted for more than 80% of ProCard's 1999 revenue. ProCard's software
provides to a bank's commercial customers the ability to generate various
reports and provides accounting functionality, allocation capability and
electronic posting to the customer's general ledger. In 1990 ProCard designed
enhanced card transaction authorization software and engaged Total System to
develop the software. This authorization module was installed at Total System
to function in conjunction with Total System's transaction processing software.
The enhanced authorization controls provided by this software are the base
technology that makes purchasing card programs viable. ProCard had a period of
exclusive ownership of the authorization module; however, in accordance with
the terms agreed with Total System, Total System later gained rights to
unrestricted use of the module. Additionally, one of ProCard's licensee banks
requested that the transaction data be provided electronically to the end user
which resulted in Total System and ProCard developing direct communication
links that permitted the transmission of transaction data directly from Total
System to ProCard.
By 1994, that initial generation of processing software had become
obsolete and Total System began the development of its own enhanced proprietary
processing software. ProCard converted to Total System's new processing
software in 1995.
As a result of the foregoing, ProCard and Total System have had a strong
working relationship for over ten years. ProCard personnel and Total System
personnel have worked closely together in coordinating their software
applications to serve mutual customers. ProCard and Total System each possess
in-depth knowledge of the software
15
<PAGE> 21
systems of the other. As a result, the software solutions developed by ProCard
are fully compatible with the transaction processing services provided by Total
System.
Beginning in 1998, Total System embarked on a program to develop software
in conjunction with a third party developer that would provide a comprehensive
Internet solution for a bank's commercial card customers, providing real time
access to data and to administrative and cardholder functions for purchase,
travel and entertainment and fleet transactions. Many of those functions are
provided by ProCard's software. Synovus viewed the acquisition of ProCard as a
logical alternative to achieve Total System's objectives rather than continuing
their development efforts.
In April 1999 Synovus management expressed to senior management of ProCard
an interest in a strategic partnership with ProCard and discussed a variety of
alternatives including a merger with ProCard. ProCard management requested that
Synovus set forth a written proposal.
In May and June 1999, Synovus and ProCard management met on various
occasions to discuss the synergies between the two companies and to discuss a
possible relationship. By letter dated July 1, 1999, Synovus submitted a
preliminary offer to acquire ProCard for Synovus common stock valued in the
range of $15 to $20 million, the exact price to depend on the results of due
diligence. In early July 1999, ProCard and Synovus entered into a
confidentiality agreement and the Synovus management team performed two days of
due diligence at ProCard's offices and made a presentation to the ProCard board
of directors at a board meeting on July 8, 1999. Thereafter, ProCard management
provided Synovus additional information including projected financial
statements.
By letter dated July 29, 1999, Synovus submitted a revised preliminary
proposal of $24.5 million. This proposal was contingent on satisfactory due
diligence, on the retention of key ProCard personnel and on the ability to
account for the transaction as a pooling of interests.
On August 3, 1999, the ProCard board met to discuss the Synovus proposal.
The ProCard board decided to retain an investment banking firm and to interview
two investment banking firms known to members of the ProCard board. On August
4, 1999, the ProCard board again met by conference telephone call to discuss
the results of the interviews. On August 9, 1999, the ProCard board engaged the
services of Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc.
At a ProCard board meeting on August 20, 1999, Fox-Pitt reported the
results of the limited market check that ProCard had requested Fox-Pitt to
perform. Fox-Pitt reported that approximately 20 companies had been contacted
on a no-name basis to determine if there was any interest in a possible
acquisition of a company like ProCard. Four had expressed a preliminary
interest. Of these, two were large public companies involved in credit card
transaction processing, one was a small public company involved in e-commerce
and the fourth was a small private company.
At the August 20 ProCard board meeting, the ProCard board expressed
reluctance to accept the $24.5 million proposal but authorized management to
continue negotiations with Synovus in an effort to elicit an offer at the
highest price possible for the purpose of presenting a formal proposal to the
ProCard board. The ProCard board authorized the continuation of the market
check.
In late August ProCard management and Fox-Pitt held further discussions
with Synovus management and further information was submitted to Synovus. On
August 26, 1999, Synovus faxed a revised proposal of $28 million, subject to
management approvals. By letter dated August 27, 1999, Synovus confirmed the
$28 million proposal.
On August 26, 1999, the ProCard board met to discuss the latest Synovus
proposal. The ProCard board discussed the contingencies to the proposal,
including satisfactory discussions with ProCard's largest banks, Bank One and
Citibank, with a commitment from each of those banks to maintain its
relationship with ProCard for three years. Fox-Pitt reported that the market
check had resulted in no additional indications of interest other than those
stated at the August 20 board meeting. The ProCard board discussed the four
companies that had expressed preliminary interest. The ProCard board believed
that neither of the two large public data processing companies would have the
same synergies as a Synovus/ProCard combination and that neither was likely to
pay as much for ProCard as Synovus. The other public company was an e-commerce
company with a very high valuation based on earnings and revenue multiples and
whose stock was exposed, as a result, to downside risk. The fourth was a
private
16
<PAGE> 22
company whose stock was illiquid. The ProCard board concluded, therefore, that
none was as attractive a merger candidate as Synovus. The ProCard board then
voted to accept the Synovus $28 million offer subject to the execution of a
definitive agreement, and Fox-Pitt indicated that it would be willing to render
a fairness opinion on the transaction.
From August 26, 1999 until September 30, 1999, representatives of Synovus
and ProCard negotiated the merger agreement. On September 29, 1999, the ProCard
board met to approve the merger agreement subject to the resolution of
outstanding issues. The ProCard board approved the merger agreement as
submitted, subject to the changes recommended by ProCard counsel. As so
approved, the merger agreement contained a collar on the price of Synovus
common stock of $17.50 to $25. If the price were to fall below $17.50 the
number of shares received in the merger by owners of ProCard capital stock
would be determined by dividing $28 million by $17.50. In such event, the
ProCard board would have the right to terminate the merger. Likewise, if the
price were to exceed $25, the number of shares received in the merger would be
determined by dividing $28 million by $25, and Synovus could terminate the
merger if the average price exceeded $25 per share. In addition, the ProCard
board adopted a resolution committing to terminate the merger if the average
closing price of Synovus common stock was less than $15.31 per share.
At the same meeting, the ProCard board approved a proposal from Citibank
to license the ProCard Pathway(TM) software for a $1 million upfront license
fee and annual minimum transaction fees of $1.6 million for four years. On
September 29, 1999, Mr. Browning advised Synovus of the financial arrangement
that had been negotiated with Citibank. On September 30, 1999, Synovus advised
ProCard that it was terminating merger discussions until ProCard and Citibank
had executed a definitive license agreement that permitted Synovus to evaluate
the impact of the license agreement on ProCard's financial projections.
On January 11, 2000, the ProCard board met and was advised by management
that a final agreement with Citibank was expected soon and that management had
furnished to Synovus revised financial projections in anticipation of renewing
the merger discussions. On January 14, 2000, Synovus advised ProCard that
Synovus would propose $24.5 million.
On January 20, 2000, the ProCard board approved the software license
agreement with Citibank and discussed Synovus' view that ProCard's value was
only $24.5 million. The individual board members indicated their view that such
a value was not acceptable and authorized board members Browning, Summerville
and Hoagland to meet with Synovus to discuss the possible merger and valuation.
In December 1999, a member of the ProCard board became aware of a
privately held company in connection with the privately held company's effort
to secure venture capital financing. The ProCard board member perceived
potential synergies between ProCard and the privately held company. Three
members of ProCard's board met with management of the privately held company on
February 3, 2000. As a result of that meeting, arrangements were made for
management of the privately held company to meet with ProCard management and
the ProCard board in ProCard's offices.
On February 9, 2000, Messrs. Browning, Hoagland and Summerville met with
senior management of Total System and Synovus in Columbus, Georgia to negotiate
the valuation. At the meeting, Synovus increased its proposal to $28 million.
On February 11, 2000, Synovus increased the offer to $30 million.
On February 14, 2000, the senior management of the privately held company
met with the senior management of ProCard in Golden, Colorado to discuss the
business of the two companies and a potential merger and made a presentation to
the ProCard board on February 15, 2000. ProCard management evaluated the
business prospects of the privately held company and its financial condition.
On February 15, 2000, the ProCard board met to evaluate the possibilities of a
merger with the privately held company and to act on the Synovus $30 million
proposal. ProCard's investment banker, Fox-Pitt, was included in the meeting by
conference telephone. ProCard senior management gave a presentation of the
privately held company's business plan, financial condition, competitive
situation and possible synergies with ProCard. Management concluded that the
privately held company was underestimating the competition, that their possible
success in the near term was questionable, that they had a history of
significant operating losses, that they were attempting to manage a very
significant amount of debt and
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that there were no real synergies between the two companies. The board
discussed in detail the lack of liquidity of the privately held company's stock
and the effect that would have on ProCard's stockholders.
Mr. Summerville reported on the meeting held with management
representatives of Synovus and Total System on February 9 where Synovus
presented its method of valuation of ProCard. Mr. Hoagland reported that
Synovus presented plans which indicate that a merger of Synovus and ProCard,
given all the synergies of the two companies, would enhance the abilities of
the combined entity to compete in the marketplace. Discussion was held on the
collar on the number of Synovus shares to be issued in the merger. That issue
remained open. Synovus requested a response to its offer within two weeks.
The ProCard board concluded that, because of the risks involved and the
lack of synergies between ProCard and the privately held company, a decision on
the offer from Synovus should not be postponed. The ProCard board then approved
the merger agreement with Synovus subject to receipt of a fairness opinion from
Fox-Pitt and further approval by the ProCard board of any change in the floor
price of the collar. The ProCard board's vote was four in favor and two
against.
On February 22, 2000, the ProCard board approved a floor price of $16.50
per share and was advised that the material open issues had been resolved. The
ProCard board adopted a resolution recommending that the merger be submitted
for vote at a special meeting of stockholders.
On February 24, 2000, a meeting of the ProCard board was held at which
Fox-Pitt presented a draft written and oral report on its fairness opinion and
read its draft fairness opinion to the ProCard board.
On March 3, 2000, the parties executed and delivered the merger agreement
and Fox-Pitt delivered its signed written opinion to the ProCard board that, as
of March 2, 2000 and based upon and subject to assumptions described in the
opinion, the merger consideration was fair from a financial point of view to
the holders of ProCard capital stock, provided that the value of the Synovus
common stock received by the holders of the ProCard capital stock was not less
than $4.00 for each share of ProCard capital stock. See "Fairness Opinion of
Financial Advisor to the ProCard Board." The merger agreement was publicly
announced on March 6, 2000.
On March 31, 2000, the ProCard board adopted a resolution committing to
terminate the merger agreement if the per share consideration received for each
share of ProCard capital stock is less than $4.00 after giving effect to the
$16.50 floor and the requirement that expenses in excess of $800,000 be borne
pro rata by the holders of ProCard capital stock and options. This does not
prevent the ProCard board, however, from deciding to terminate the merger
agreement if the average closing price of Synovus common stock is less than
$16.50. Assuming that expenses do not exceed $800,000 the consideration
received for each share of ProCard capital stock would be less than $4.00 if
the average closing price of Synovus common stock during the measurement period
is less than $15.18 and Synovus does not waive the $16.50 floor. ProCard's
merger-related expenses as of April 25, 2000 are approximately $770,000.
RECOMMENDATION OF PROCARD BOARD AND REASONS FOR THE MERGER
On February 15, 2000, the board of directors of ProCard approved and
adopted the merger agreement subject to receipt of a fairness opinion from
Fox-Pitt and further approval by the board of any change in the floor price of
the collar. The vote was four in favor and two against. A majority of the board
of directors of ProCard believes that the merger and the terms and provisions
of the merger agreement, including the $30 million consideration, are fair to
and in the best interests of ProCard's stockholders. A majority of the board of
directors of ProCard recommends that you vote to approve the merger.
In reaching its decision to approve and recommend approval of the merger
agreement, the board of directors of ProCard considered a number of factors,
including the following:
- Total System's intent to develop a competing alternative to ProCard's
products. If ProCard should fail to reach an agreement with Synovus,
Total System will aggressively move ahead with its development effort
and will be a formidable competitor for ProCard. Total System could be
expected to differentiate its product from other competitive options
in the marketplace through pricing incentives, proprietary technical
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enhancements and service level commitments that would be difficult, if
not impossible, for others, including ProCard, to match.
- There are numerous synergies that exist between Total System and
ProCard that would not exist with any other potential partner. A
merger with ProCard would allow Total System to accelerate the
deployment of a Total System-branded product within nine months.
ProCard currently has in place the technical capability for data
transmission with Total System. ProCard and Total System serve mutual
bank customers. There is in-depth expertise on the ProCard staff
regarding Total System technology, data content and technical
architecture.
- ProCard's revenue stream continues to be dependent on two banks, Bank
One and Citibank, which contribute over 80 percent of ProCard's gross
revenue. ProCard's contract with Citibank expires in four years. It is
possible that if Citibank is unable to complete the development of its
proprietary solution within two years, it may consider the Total
System software as an alternative to ProCard. ProCard's future
relationship with Bank One remains at risk, in that Bank One may be
forced to use alternative software. Even if this does not happen, Bank
One may decide to proceed with its own proprietary solution given Bank
One's growth potential, transaction volumes and the resulting economic
advantages. ProCard on its own has only a limited ability to influence
Bank One's decision. Total System, using its own proprietary product
or in the event of a merger using ProCard products, could have a
substantial influence on this decision. If these events occur and
ProCard has not merged with Synovus, ProCard risks the loss of both
Citibank and Bank One, ProCard's two largest and most significant
partners, and the resulting revenue stream.
- At the present time, a majority of the commercial card market is
controlled by Bank of America, US Bank, Bank One and Citibank. Bank of
America, US Bank and Citibank are developing their own proprietary
solutions that will be competitive with ProCard's products. As a
result, ProCard's market potential is substantially reduced. A merger
between ProCard and Synovus would help to compromise some of those
initiatives. It would be difficult, if not impossible, for ProCard
acting alone to discourage the development of proprietary
alternatives.
- The opinion of ProCard's financial advisor, Fox-Pitt, to the effect
that the consideration to be received by the holders of ProCard
capital stock in the merger was fair from a financial point of view.
- No investment banker or underwriter has advised ProCard that an
initial public offering is a viable strategy. Given the nature of
ProCard's market and business model, ProCard would be unlikely to
attract the extreme valuations and multiples indicative of some
recently announced e-commerce public offerings. For example, ProCard,
while offering an Internet product, lacks some of the key
characteristics possessed by some of these recently announced Internet
start-up companies. ProCard is card-centric, not enterprise-centric;
it sublicenses its products to banks, not to end users; it has no
relationship with a buyer or seller; its technology is incapable of
conducting and consummating transactions between parties; and it
offers only a reporting and accounting mechanism for corporate end
points for transactions conducted on a plastic card.
- Synovus common stock is a highly liquid currency that provides
ProCard's stockholders the ability to realize cash or to continue with
their investment with "up side" potential.
- A merger with Synovus would not only protect but enhance ProCard's
stockholder investment. A merger will ensure ProCard's on-going
competitiveness and enhance the services that ProCard provides to
ProCard's banks and their corporate clients.
- A merger with Synovus would provide ProCard's employees with the
opportunity to work for a company that is recognized as an outstanding
employer while continuing to work at ProCard as a stand-alone entity
in Golden, Colorado.
- The other terms and conditions of the merger agreement, which provides
that the ProCard board can terminate the merger agreement, upon
payment of a $1.2 million "break-up fee," to accept a bona fide
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unsolicited proposal reasonably expected to lead to an acquisition,
merger or business combination or similar transaction, so long as the
ProCard board determines in good faith after consultation with and
based in part on the advice of its independent financial advisors to
be more favorable to ProCard and its stockholders than the merger with
Synovus.
The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by the
ProCard board is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes the material
factors considered. In view of the variety of factors considered in connection
with its evaluation of the merger and the offer price, the ProCard board did
not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative
weight to the specific factors considered in reaching its determinations and
recommendations, and individual directors may have given differing weight to
different factors.
OPINION OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
ProCard has retained Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc. to act as its financial advisor
in connection with the merger. Fox-Pitt is an investment banking and financial
services firm located in New York City, New York. As part of its investment
banking business, Fox-Pitt is regularly engaged in the valuation of the
securities of financial technology companies in connection with acquisitions,
negotiated underwritings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted
securities, private placements and valuations for various other purposes. As
specialists in the securities of financial technology companies, Fox-Pitt has
experience in, and knowledge of, the valuation of such enterprises. ProCard's
board of directors selected Fox-Pitt based upon Fox-Pitt's familiarity with and
knowledge of these enterprises.
Neither Fox-Pitt nor any of its affiliates has a material financial
interest in ProCard or Synovus. However, in the normal course of its business,
Fox-Pitt may trade equity securities of Synovus and Total System for its own
account and for the accounts of customers and may at any time hold a long or
short position in such securities. Fox-Pitt has received a fee of $300,000 from
ProCard for its engagement as ProCard's financial advisor and will receive an
additional fee of $170,000 upon the closing of the merger. Fox-Pit will also be
reimbursed for its out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this engagement.
Before ProCard entered into the merger agreement, Fox-Pitt worked with
senior management at ProCard to develop a list of alternative potential
acquirors to contact to determine their level of interest in a transaction with
ProCard. On August 20, 1999, Fox-Pitt gave a preliminary report to the ProCard
board on the status of this market check. Fox-Pitt reported that of the
companies contacted, four had indicated preliminary interest in learning more
about ProCard and receiving any information that was available. On September
13, 1999, the ProCard board and its Chief Executive Officer determined that for
separate reasons applicable to each of the four companies no further
information should be sent to them. The ProCard board elected not to pursue any
of the companies that expressed preliminary interest. Since September 13, 1999,
Fox-Pitt has had no further contact, with respect to ProCard, with any of the
companies involved in the market check. Senior management and the ProCard board
have also not requested Fox-Pitt to make any contact with these companies.
As part of its role as financial advisor, Fox-Pitt rendered its written
opinion to the ProCard board of directors in a letter dated March 3, 2000, that
as of March 2, 2000, and subject to the factors and assumptions set forth in
that opinion letter, the consideration to be offered to the holders of ProCard
preferred stock and ProCard common stock by Synovus in the merger is fair from
a financial point of view to such stockholders. The form and amount of
consideration to be offered by Synovus to the ProCard stockholders in the
merger was determined through arm's length negotiations between the two
parties. The full text of the Fox-Pitt opinion is attached hereto as Appendix
"B". ProCard's stockholders should read the Fox-Pitt opinion for a discussion
of assumptions made, matters considered and limits on the review undertaken by
Fox-Pitt in rendering its opinion. The summary of the opinion of Fox-Pitt set
forth in this prospectus is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full
text of the Fox-Pitt opinion attached hereto.
Except for the discontinuation of the market check referenced above, no
limitations were imposed by ProCard on the scope of Fox-Pitt's investigation or
the procedures to be followed by Fox-Pitt in rendering its opinion. The
Fox-Pitt opinion is for the use and benefit of the ProCard board of directors
and was rendered to the ProCard board of directors in connection with its
consideration of the merger. The Fox-Pitt opinion is not intended to be and
does not constitute a recommendation to any stockholder of ProCard as to how
such stockholder should vote with respect to the merger.
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In arriving at its opinion, Fox-Pitt:
- reviewed and analyzed publicly available financial statements for
ProCard, Synovus and Total System and internal financial information
made available to Fox-Pitt by the management of ProCard;
- analyzed internal financial statements, including financial
projections, and other financial and operating data prepared by the
management of ProCard;
- discussed the past, present and future operations, financial
condition and prospects of ProCard, Synovus and Total System with the
management of ProCard, Synovus and Total System;
- reviewed the stock price performance and trading activity of Synovus
common stock and Total System common stock;
- compared the financial performance and condition of ProCard, Synovus
and Total System with that of other comparable publicly traded
companies;
- reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of
merger and acquisition transactions comparable, in whole or in part,
to the merger;
- reviewed and discussed with the management of ProCard, Synovus and
Total System the strategic objectives of the merger and other benefits
of the merger;
- performed a market check to gauge the level of interest among other
potential buyers of ProCard;
- reviewed the merger agreement; and
- performed such other analyses as it deemed appropriate.
In addition, Fox-Pitt had discussions with the senior management of each
of ProCard, Synovus and Total System concerning their respective businesses,
operations, assets, financial conditions and prospects and have undertaken such
other studies, analyses and investigations as it deemed appropriate.
In particular, Fox-Pitt reviewed ProCard's audited financial statements
for the years ended December 31, 1994 through 1998 and the unaudited results
for 1999, and Synovus' audited financial statements for the years ended
December 31, 1994 through December 31, 1999. Fox-Pitt discussed the results of
its review with the senior management of ProCard and Synovus, respectively.
Fox-Pitt reviewed the reported weekly price, trading level and volume of
Synovus common stock during the period from February 1999 through March 2,
2000. Fox-Pitt reviewed the institutional shareholder base of Synovus as well
as publicly-disclosed analyst earnings estimates for the years 2000 and 2001.
Fox-Pitt also compared the financial performance of Synovus, and the
performance of its common stock, to a select group of United States banking
companies.
Fox-Pitt reviewed Total System's audited financial statements for the
years ended December 31, 1994 through 1998. Fox-Pitt reviewed the publicly
available quarterly statements for 1999 and other publicly available
information. Fox-Pitt discussed the results of its review with the management
of ProCard, Synovus and Total System. Fox-Pitt also reviewed the ownership
profile and existing research coverage of Total System.
Fox-Pitt reviewed the reported weekly price, trading level and volume of
Total System common stock during the period from February 1999 through March 2,
2000. Fox-Pitt reviewed the institutional shareholder base of Total System as
well as publicly-disclosed analyst earnings estimates for 2000 and 2001.
Fox-Pitt also compared the financial performance of Total System and the
performance of its common stock relative to a select group of publicly traded
financial technology companies.
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Fox-Pitt conducted analyses of selected United States publicly traded
software and technology providers to financial institutions. None of the
companies in the analyses are identical to ProCard. As such, the results of
these analyses are purely financial calculations used to make general
comparisons rather than analyses of the differences in operating
characteristics, business mixes, management quality and capital structures of
the various companies and transactions. Any comparisons made should be regarded
in light of other considerations.
Fox-Pitt performed a review of selected merger and acquisition
transactions involving software and technology companies in the United States
during 1999 and 2000. Not all of the transactions reviewed involved software
and technology providers to financial institutions. None of the transactions
are identical to this transaction. As such, the results of the transaction
analyses were purely financial calculations used to make general comparisons
rather than analyses of the differences in operating characteristics, business
mixes, management quality and capital structures of the various companies and
transactions. Any comparisons made should be regarded in light of other
considerations.
Using financial projections provided by management of ProCard, Fox-Pitt
performed a discounted cash flow analysis to determine a range of values as of
January 1, 2000. Fox-Pitt assumed and relied upon, without independent
verification, the accuracy and completeness of all such projections. Fox-Pitt
reviewed this discounted cash flow analysis with the senior management of
ProCard.
Fox-Pitt did not attribute any particular weight to any analysis or factor
considered by it, but rather made qualitative judgments as to the significance
and relevance of each analysis and factor. Fox-Pitt believes that its analyses
must be considered as a whole and that considering any portion of such analyses
and factors, without considering all analyses and factors, could create a
misleading or incomplete view of the process underlying its opinion. In its
analyses, Fox-Pitt made numerous assumptions with respect to industry
performance, general business and economic conditions and other matters, many
of which are beyond the control of ProCard, Synovus and Total System. Any
estimates contained in these analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual
values or predictive of future values or results, which may be significantly
more or less favorable than as set forth in the opinion. In addition, analyses
relating to the value of businesses do not purport to be appraisals or to
reflect the prices at which businesses may actually be sold.
CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER
Each party's obligation to effect the merger is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of conditions which include, in addition to other
closing conditions, the following:
- approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by
that agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding shares of ProCard capital stock;
- each of the representations, warranties and covenants of the other
party contained in the merger agreement will be true on, or complied
with by, the closing date in all material respects as if made on such
date, or on the date when made in the case of any representation or
warranty which specifically relates to an earlier date, and each of
the parties will have received a certificate signed by the appropriate
officer of the other party, dated the closing date, to such effect;
- there will be no suit, action or other proceeding by any third party
pending before any court or governmental body, agency or authority
seeking to restrain or prohibit, or to obtain damages or other relief
in connection with, the merger agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby or which is likely to materially
adversely affect the value of the assets or business of ProCard;
- receipt of an opinion from KPMG LLP to the effect that the merger will
be treated for federal income tax purposes as a tax-free
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal
Revenue Code;
- approval for the listing of Synovus common stock to be issued in the
merger on the New York Stock Exchange, subject only to official notice
of issuance by Synovus;
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- the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will
have become effective and no stop order suspending the effectiveness
of the registration statement will have been issued and no proceedings
for that purpose will have been initiated or threatened by the SEC or
any other regulatory authority; and
- neither party will have learned of the occurrence of any material
adverse change in the financial condition, business or results of
operations or prospects of the other party.
The obligation of Synovus to effect the merger is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of conditions, which include, in addition to other
closing conditions, the following:
- approval of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by
the merger agreement by the Federal Reserve Board and the Georgia
Department of Banking and Finance;
- receipt of consent to assignment of all ProCard contracts or written
waivers of the provisions of such contracts requiring the consents of
third parties;
- delivery of a certificate by the Secretary of ProCard certifying that
the ProCard board of directors and the holders of ProCard capital
stock have taken all action necessary to authorize the execution,
delivery and performance of the merger agreement and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated thereby;
- delivery of the minute books, stock transfer books and corporate seal
of ProCard;
- receipt of a legal opinion from ProCard's legal counsel;
- execution and delivery to Synovus of a voting agreement granting
Synovus an irrevocable proxy to vote more than 50% of the outstanding
shares of ProCard capital stock in favor of the merger;
- all holders of ProCard capital stock will pay in full all amounts of
any kind owed to ProCard, or such amount shall have been offset on a
dollar-for dollar basis against any indebtedness for borrowed money
owed by ProCard to such stockholder;
- the holders of not more than 5% of the outstanding shares of ProCard
capital stock shall have elected to exercise appraisal rights;
- each of the rule 145 affiliates of ProCard will have executed letters
relating to the disposition of shares of Synovus common stock received
in the merger in a form reasonably acceptable to Synovus;
- all warrants to purchase ProCard stock that have not been exercised
before the closing date will have been terminated by ProCard; and
- receipt by Synovus of a letter dated as of the effective date of the
merger from KPMG LLP to the effect that the merger will qualify for
pooling of interests accounting treatment.
The obligation of ProCard to effect the merger is subject to the
satisfaction or waiver of conditions, which include, in addition to other
closing conditions, the following:
- delivery of a certificate by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary
of Synovus certifying that the Synovus board of directors and the
acquisition subsidiary board of directors have adopted all required
corporate resolutions necessary to authorize the execution, delivery
and performance of the merger agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby;
- ProCard shall have received from Synovus' Senior Vice President and
Senior Deputy General Counsel a legal opinion; and
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- the holders of less than 10% of the outstanding shares of ProCard
capital stock shall have elected to exercise appraisal rights.
NO SOLICITATION; BOARD ACTION
In the merger agreement, ProCard has agreed that it will not, nor will it
authorize or permit any of its officers, directors, employees, auditors,
attorneys, financial advisors, lenders or other agents to, directly or
indirectly:
- solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of any acquisition
proposal, as described below; or
- participate in or encourage, including by way of furnishing any
non-public information, any discussions or negotiations regarding any
acquisition proposal.
However, if, at any time before the closing date, the board of directors of
ProCard determines in good faith, after consultation with independent outside
legal counsel, that to do otherwise would be inconsistent with its fiduciary
obligations, ProCard and its representatives may, in response to an acquisition
proposal which did not result from a breach of the foregoing covenants and
which could reasonably be expected to constitute, based upon the written advice
of its independent financial advisor, if consummated, a superior proposal, as
described below:
- furnish information regarding ProCard to any person making an
acquisition proposal after entering into a customary confidentiality
agreement; and
- participate in discussions or negotiations regarding the acquisition
proposal.
The merger agreement provides that:
- the term "acquisition proposal" means any bona fide proposal with
respect to a merger, consolidation, share exchange, tender offer or
similar transaction involving ProCard, or any purchase or other
acquisition of all or any significant portion of the assets of ProCard
or any equity interest in ProCard.
- the term "superior proposal" means any unsolicited proposal, on its
most recently amended or modified terms, made by a third party to
enter into an alternative transaction which ProCard's board of
directors determines in its good faith judgment to be more favorable
to ProCard's stockholders than the merger, taking into account all
relevant factors, including whether, in the good faith judgment of
ProCard's board of directors, after obtaining the written advice of
ProCard's independent financial advisor, the third party is reasonably
able to finance the transaction, the potential impact of a delay in
closing the alternative transaction rather than the merger, the likely
due diligence period for the alternative transaction and costs
associated therewith, the likelihood of obtaining all required
regulatory approvals for the alternative transaction, any other
contingencies impacting the closing of the alternative transaction and
any proposed changes to the merger agreement that may be proposed by
Synovus in response to such alternative transaction.
ProCard has further agreed that neither its board of directors nor any
board committee may, except as provided below:
- withdraw, qualify or modify, or propose publicly to withdraw, qualify
or modify, in a manner adverse to Synovus, its approval or
recommendation of the merger or the merger agreement;
- approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any
transaction involving an alternative transaction; or
- cause ProCard to enter into any letter of intent, agreement in
principle, acquisition agreement or other similar agreement related to
any alternative transaction.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the merger agreement contains a "fiduciary out"
clause that provides that upon receipt of a superior proposal ProCard's board
of directors, before the closing date, may inform ProCard's stockholders that
it no longer believes that the merger is advisable and no longer recommends
approval and enter into an acquisition agreement with respect to a superior
proposal. ProCard has agreed to provide an opportunity for Synovus to propose
such adjustments to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement as would
enable ProCard to proceed with its recommendation to its stockholders;
provided, however, that any such proposed adjustment shall be at the discretion
of Synovus and ProCard at the time.
Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the merger agreement, ProCard is
obligated to submit the merger agreement, whether or not terminated, to the
ProCard stockholders whether or not ProCard's board of directors determines
that it no longer believes that the merger is advisable and no longer
recommends approval; provided, however, that if ProCard's board of directors
makes such a determination, ProCard will not be obligated to submit the merger
agreement to ProCard's stockholders if all of the stockholders who signed the
voting agreement notify Synovus promptly in writing that they will not vote
their ProCard capital stock in favor of the merger.
In connection with the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement,
ProCard's independent financial advisor performed a limited market check. In
addition, ProCard conducted discussions with other prospective partners
described in the merger agreement. None of such prospective partners made an
offer to ProCard and ProCard has made no offer to any such entity. Such efforts
by ProCard's independent financial advisor and discussions by ProCard with such
entities have ceased and such activities occurring before the execution date of
the merger agreement will not be construed, in any circumstances, to be a
violation of the prohibition against solicitation of an alternative
transaction, even if such entity subsequently submits an acquisition proposal.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS OF PROCARD PENDING THE MERGER
The merger agreement provides that before the effective date of the
merger, ProCard will conduct its business only in the ordinary course and will:
- carry on its business in a manner consistent with prior practice and
only in the usual and ordinary course, and use reasonable efforts to
preserve its business organization intact and conserve the goodwill
and relationships of its customers, suppliers and others having
business relations with it;
- maintain its existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of
organization plus in each jurisdiction in which the ownership or
leasing of its property or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification;
- duly and timely file or cause to be filed all reports and returns
required to be filed with any governmental body, agency or authority
and promptly pay or cause to be paid when due all taxes, assessments
and governmental charges, including interest and penalties levied or
assessed, unless diligently contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings;
- give Synovus and Synovus' employees, counsel, accountants and advisors,
full access upon reasonable notice during normal business hours to all
of the properties, personnel, financial and operating data, books, tax
returns, contracts, commitments, and records of ProCard in connection
with reviewing ProCard and its properties and operations;
- maintain in full force and effect all existing policies of insurance
except for replacements or renewals in the ordinary course of
business;
- use its reasonable best efforts to permit ProCard to retain the
material benefits provided by all existing contracts and licenses to
which ProCard is a party under arrangements similar to those in effect
before the closing date;
- not amend its charter documents or bylaws;
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- except for issuances of shares of ProCard common stock before the
closing date upon the exercise of options and warrants, not authorize
for issuance, issue or deliver any additional shares of ProCard
capital stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for
shares of its capital stock, or issue or grant any right, option or
other commitment for the issuance of shares of its capital stock or of
such securities, or split, combine or reclassify any shares of its
capital stock, or not take any action to cause shares of any series of
ProCard stock to be convertible into more than one share of ProCard
common stock;
- not incur any liability, commitment or obligation, except unsecured
current and trade liabilities and other unsecured liabilities incurred
in the ordinary course of business;
- not borrow, or agree to borrow, any funds other than under its
existing loan agreements or otherwise than in the ordinary course of
business;
- not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets, except for (1) the
sale or disposition of obsolete or damaged tangible personal property
and (2) the sale of assets in the ordinary course of business that are
not material to ProCard's business;
- not make any material capital commitments;
- not mortgage, pledge or encumber any of its assets or guaranty the
obligations of any party except in the ordinary course of business;
- not make any adjustments in the salary or wage rate of, or make or
authorize any bonus payments to or consulting arrangements with, any
officer or employee or amend, terminate or adopt any employee benefit
plan;
- not take any action with the intention of causing any of the
representations and warranties made in the merger agreement to be
inaccurate on the closing date;
- not dispose of or permit to lapse any rights to the use of any
patent, trademark, trade name, license or copyright, or dispose of or
disclose to any person, any trade secret, formula, process, technology
or know-how not heretofore a matter of public knowledge;
- not declare, pay or set aside for payment any dividend or other
distribution in respect of the capital stock or other equity
securities of ProCard and not redeem, purchase or, except for
issuances of shares of ProCard common stock before the closing date
upon the exercise of options and warrants, issue any shares of ProCard
capital stock or other securities of ProCard or rights or obligations
convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the capital stock
or other securities of ProCard or obligations convertible into such,
or any options, warrants or other rights to purchase or subscribe to
any of the foregoing;
- deliver to Synovus on or before the 15th business day of each month a
balance sheet as of the end of the prior month and an income statement
for such month in each case accompanied by a certificate executed by
the chief financial officer on behalf of ProCard that such statements
have been prepared in conformity with GAAP and in a manner consistent
with ProCard's historic accounting practices on a consistent basis,
subject to the lack of full footnote presentations; and
- not take any action outside the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice.
26
<PAGE> 32
REGULATORY APPROVALS
As indicated above, consummation of the merger and the transactions
contemplated by the merger agreement is subject to, and conditioned upon,
receipt of the approvals from the Federal Reserve and the Georgia Banking
Department. Both the Federal Reserve and the Georgia Banking Department have
approved the merger.
Synovus and ProCard are not aware of any governmental approvals or actions
that are required to consummate the merger except as described above. Should
such other approval or action be required, it is contemplated that Synovus and
ProCard would seek the approval or action. There can be no assurance as to
whether or when any other approval or action, if required, could be obtained.
WAIVER AND AMENDMENT
Before the effective date of the merger, any provision of the merger
agreement may be waived in writing by the party entitled to the benefits of
such provision or by both parties, to the extent allowed by law. In addition,
the merger agreement may be amended at any time, to the extent allowed by law,
by an agreement in writing between Synovus and ProCard after approval of their
respective boards of directors.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE SURVIVING CORPORATION
The merger agreement provides that the directors and officers of the
acquisition subsidiary immediately before the effective time of the merger will
serve as the directors and officers of ProCard following the merger. Upon
completion of the merger, the officers of ProCard before the effective time of
the merger will be appointed to serve as officers of the surviving corporation.
TERMINATION AND TERMINATION FEE
The merger agreement may be terminated by Synovus:
- in writing by mutual consent of Synovus and ProCard;
- if (1) ProCard breaches or fails to perform in any material
respect any of its agreements contained in the merger
agreement to be performed by it on or before the closing
date, (2) any of the representations and warranties of
ProCard contained in the merger agreement are inaccurate in
any material respect, which breach, failure or inaccuracy is
not cured within 10 days after Synovus notifies ProCard of
its intent to terminate the merger agreement; provided,
however, that if any such breach, failure or inaccuracy is
not reasonably capable of cure within such 10 day period and
ProCard uses its good faith efforts to effect such cure at
the earliest practicable time, Synovus will not be permitted
to terminate the merger agreement unless such breach, failure
or inaccuracy is not cured within 30 days after Synovus
notifies ProCard of its intent to terminate the merger
agreement;
- if ProCard's board of directors (1) modifies in a manner
adverse to Synovus its approval or recommendation of the
merger, (2) causes ProCard to enter into an agreement with
respect to a competing acquisition proposal, (3) endorses,
approves or recommends a competing acquisition proposal or
(4) resolves to do any of the foregoing;
- if the merger is not approved by ProCard's stockholders at
the special meeting of ProCard's stockholders;
- if the closing has not occurred by June 30, 2000, for any
reason other than delay or nonperformance of Synovus;
- if the average closing price of Synovus common stock for the
20 day measurement period ending three business days before
the closing date is more than $25.00 unless ProCard waives
the ceiling.
27
<PAGE> 33
The merger agreement may be terminated by ProCard:
- in writing by mutual consent of Synovus and ProCard;
- if (1) Synovus breaches or fails to perform in any material
respect any of its agreements contained in the merger
agreement to be performed by it on or before the closing date
or (2) any of the representations and warranties of Synovus
contained in the merger agreement are inaccurate in any
material respect, which breach, failure or inaccuracy is not
cured within 10 days after ProCard notifies Synovus of its
intent to terminate the merger agreement; provided, however,
that if any such breach, failure or inaccuracy is not
reasonably capable of cure within such 10 day period and
Synovus uses its good faith efforts to effect such cure at
the earliest practicable time, ProCard will not be permitted
to terminate the merger agreement unless such breach, failure
or inaccuracy is not cured within 30 days after ProCard
notifies Synovus of its intent to terminate the merger
agreement;
- if the closing has not occurred by June 30, 2000, for any
reason other than delay or nonperformance of ProCard;
- if the board of directors of ProCard modifies in a manner
adverse to Synovus or the acquisition subsidiary its approval
or recommendation of the merger in accordance with the terms
of the merger agreement and all of the parties to the voting
agreement notify Synovus in writing that they will not vote
their shares of ProCard capital stock in favor of the merger
in reliance upon the fiduciary out contained in the merger
agreement as described under "THE MERGER - No Solicitation;
Board Action" on page 24;
- if the average closing price of Synovus common stock for the
20 day measurement period ending three business days before
the closing date is less than $16.50 unless Synovus waives
the floor;
- if, after the ProCard special stockholder meeting and before
the closing date, the ProCard board of directors determines
in good faith, that there is a superior proposal, the receipt
of which, in the good faith judgment as to its fiduciary
duties to its stockholders under Delaware law after
consultation with outside counsel, requires that the merger
agreement be terminated; provided, however, that ProCard's
board of directors may not terminate the merger agreement
until after the 10th business day following Synovus' receipt
of written notice advising Synovus that ProCard's board of
directors has received a superior proposal. During the 10
business day period, the closing date will be postponed, and
ProCard will provide an opportunity for Synovus to propose
such adjustments to the terms and conditions of the merger
agreement as would enable ProCard to continue with the
merger.
The ProCard board has resolved to terminate the merger agreement if the
per share consideration received for each share of ProCard capital stock is
less than $4.00 after giving effect to the $16.50 floor and the expense sharing
requirements in the merger agreement. This does not prevent the ProCard board,
however, from deciding to terminate the merger agreement if the average closing
price of Synovus common stock is less than $16.50.
ProCard must pay Synovus a $1.2 million termination fee if:
- the merger agreement is not approved by the ProCard
stockholders at the special meeting;
- the merger agreement is terminated by Synovus because the
ProCard board of directors (1) modifies in a manner adverse
to Synovus its approval or recommendation of the merger, (2)
causes ProCard to enter into an agreement with respect to a
competing acquisition proposal, (3) endorses, approves or
recommends a competing acquisition proposal or (4) resolves
to do any of the foregoing;
- the merger agreement is terminated by ProCard because
ProCard's board of directors modifies in a manner adverse to
Synovus or the acquisition subsidiary its approval or
recommendation of the merger in accordance with the terms of
the merger agreement and all of the parties to the voting
agreement
28
<PAGE> 34
notify Synovus in writing that they will not vote their
shares of ProCard capital stock in favor of the merger in
reliance upon the fiduciary out contained in the merger
agreement; or
- if, before the closing date, the merger agreement is
terminated by ProCard because the ProCard board of directors
determines in good faith that there is a superior proposal,
the receipt of which, in the good faith judgment as to its
fiduciary duties to its stockholders under Delaware law after
consultation with outside counsel, requires that the merger
agreement be terminated.
INTERESTS OF PROCARD'S DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THE MERGER
Some members of the ProCard board of directors and management have
interests in the merger in addition to their interests generally as
stockholders of ProCard. The ProCard board of directors was aware of these
interests and considered them, in addition to other matters, in approving the
merger agreement.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
It is a condition to the merger that the following key employees of
ProCard: D. Dale Browning, Kirby Slunaker, Sue Bishop, Frederick J. Waugh,
Arthur Horecki, Judd Watts, Scott Hatch, Russ Pulling, Kevin Wirth, Scott Webb,
and Doug Kramer each enter into an employment agreement with Synovus before the
effective time of the merger.
INDEMNIFICATION AND DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The merger agreement provides that Synovus shall cause the surviving
corporation to indemnify each person who is or was a director or officer of
ProCard as of the date of the merger for events occurring before the effective
time of the merger or to liabilities arising out of the merger agreement. Such
indemnification obligation includes advancement of expenses by the surviving
corporation to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law if the person
agrees to repay the advances if such person was not entitled to be indemnified.
VOTING AGREEMENT
In connection with the merger agreement, Synovus and a number of the
officers and all of the board of directors of ProCard have entered into a
voting agreement dated March 3, 2000. Under the voting agreement, the holders
of record of a majority of ProCard capital stock have agreed to vote their
shares in favor of the merger, and have granted irrevocable proxies to the
officers of Synovus to vote their shares for this purpose. Such stockholders
also have agreed not to directly or indirectly solicit or encourage any offer
from any other party concerning the possible disposition of any portion of
ProCard's business, assets or capital stock, except if such stockholder is
acting in his capacity as a director of ProCard and the other offer meets the
requirements described in the voting agreement. The voting agreement will
remain in effect until the termination of merger agreement or the closing of
the merger.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Synovus has agreed in the merger agreement that, following the effective
date of the merger, Synovus will provide to employees of ProCard employee
benefits, including without limitation pension benefits, health and welfare
benefits, life insurance and vacation and severance arrangements, on terms and
conditions that are comparable to those currently provided by ProCard. As soon
as administratively practicable following the effective time of the merger, and
in accordance with Synovus' past practice, including annual financial
performance criteria established by Synovus and the Chief Executive Officer of
the company surviving the merger, Synovus will provide to employees of ProCard
employee benefits which are substantially similar to those provided by Synovus
and its subsidiaries to their similarly situated officers and employees.
TAX OPINION
The following is a summary description of the material anticipated federal
income tax consequences of the transaction generally applicable to the
stockholders of ProCard and to Synovus and ProCard. This summary is not
intended to be a complete description of all of the federal income tax
consequences of the transaction. No
29
<PAGE> 35
information is provided with respect to the tax consequences of the
transaction under any other tax laws, including applicable state, local and
foreign tax laws. In addition, the following discussion may not be applicable
with respect to specific categories of stockholders, including but not limited
to persons who are corporations, trusts, dealers in securities, financial
institutions, insurance companies or tax exempt organizations; persons who are
not United States citizens or resident aliens or domestic entities
(partnerships or trusts); persons who are subject to alternative minimum tax
(to the extent that tax affects the tax consequences of the merger) or are
subject to the "golden parachute" provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (to
the extent that tax affects the tax consequences of the merger); persons who
acquired ProCard capital stock with employee stock options or otherwise as
compensation if such shares are subject to any restriction related to
employment; persons who do not hold their shares as capital assets; or persons
who hold their shares as part of a "straddle" or "conversion transaction." No
ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS with respect to the tax
effects of the merger. The federal income tax laws are complex, and a
stockholder's individual circumstances may affect the tax consequences to the
stockholder.
Synovus and ProCard have received an opinion from KPMG LLP, to the effect
that:
- the merger of Sub, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus, with
and into ProCard will qualify as a tax-free reorganization
under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and that no
gain or loss will be recognized by the stockholders of
ProCard upon their receipt of shares of Synovus common stock;
- the basis of Synovus common stock received by each ProCard
stockholder will be the same as the basis of ProCard capital
stock being surrendered;
- the holding period of Synovus common stock received by each
ProCard stockholder will include the holding period of the
ProCard capital stock being exchanged, provided that the
ProCard capital stock is held as a capital asset at the
effective date of the merger;
- any cash payments received by ProCard stockholders in lieu of
their receipt of fractional shares of Synovus common stock
will be treated as if such fractional shares were redeemed by
Synovus and taxed under Section 302 of the Code as an
exchange or dividend; and
- the share purchase rights, which are described on pages 39
through 41 of this document, should be treated as an
attribute of the Synovus common stock and no gain or loss
should be recognized by stockholders of ProCard upon receipt
of such share purchase rights.
The tax opinion was issued on April 24, 2000. The tax opinion is based
upon assumptions and representations by the management of Synovus and/or
ProCard, including, in general, the absence of any plan or intention of
ProCard's stockholders to sell or otherwise dispose of any amount of Synovus
common stock received in the merger that would violate continuity of interest
requirements. KPMG LLP serves Synovus as its independent public accountants.
All ProCard stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to
the specific consequences to them of the merger under federal, state, local and
any other applicable income tax laws.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
It is anticipated that the merger will be accounted for as a pooling of
interests for financial reporting purposes. Under such accounting method,
holders of ProCard capital stock will be deemed to have combined their existing
voting common stock interest with that of holders of Synovus common stock by
exchanging their shares for shares of Synovus common stock. The book value of
the assets, liabilities and stockholders' equity of ProCard, as reported on its
balance sheet, will be carried over to the consolidated balance sheet of
Synovus, and no goodwill will be created. Synovus will be able to include in
its consolidated income the consolidated income of ProCard for the entire
fiscal year in which the merger occurs; however, certain expenses incurred to
effect the merger must be treated by Synovus as current charges against income
rather than adjustments to its balance sheet. The merger agreement provides
that consummation of the merger is subject to the receipt by Synovus of a
letter from KPMG
30
<PAGE> 36
LLP to the effect that the merger will qualify as a pooling of interests under
generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules of the SEC.
EXPENSES
The merger agreement provides that each of Synovus and ProCard will pay
its own expenses in connection with the merger and related transactions,
including, but not limited to, the fees and expenses of its own investment
advisors, brokers, legal counsel, accountants and other outside experts to
conduct due diligence. Expenses of ProCard exceeding $800,000 will, however, be
borne pro rata by the holders of ProCard capital stock and options by
withholding an amount necessary to pay such expenses from the Synovus common
stock to be distributed under the merger agreement. For example, $100,000 of
expenses in excess of such $800,000 will result in $.014500 allocated to each
share of ProCard capital stock or option thereon held by a ProCard stockholder
or optionholder. ProCard's merger-related expenses as of April 25, 2000 are
approximately $770,000.
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
Synovus common stock is listed on the NYSE. The Synovus common stock
issued to the stockholders of ProCard in the merger will be listed on the NYSE.
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<PAGE> 37
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA OF SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
The following table shows selected historical financial data for Synovus.
The information in the following table was derived from historical financial
information contained in annual and quarterly reports and other information
Synovus has filed with the SEC. Balance sheet data is presented as of the end
of the periods reflected in the following table. When you read the summary
financial information provided in the following table, you should also read the
historical financial information contained in annual and quarterly reports and
other information Synovus has filed with the SEC. See "WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
INFORMATION" on page 58.
SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996(b) 1995
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Income Statement:
Total revenues (a) .................... $ 1,251,857 $1,035,979 $ 927,398 $ 821,793 $ 702,412
Net interest income ................... 513,294 455,065 425,920 386,350 352,355
Provision for losses on loans ......... 34,007 26,882 32,485 32,411 26,841
Non-interest income ................... 739,765 582,213 501,412 435,443 350,057
Non-interest expense .................. 869,737 706,371 627,834 563,496 460,367
Net income ............................ 225,307 196,465 170,829 144,174 118,338
Per share data:
Net income - basic .................... 0.80 0.72 0.63 0.54 0.45
Net income - diluted .................. 0.80 0.71 0.63 0.53 0.44
Cash dividends declared ............... 0.36 0.29 0.24 0.19 0.16
Book value ............................ 4.35 3.99 3.50 3.02 2.68
Balance Sheet:
Investment securities ................. 1,993,957 1,877,473 1,702,681 1,685,672 1,527,039
Loans, net of unearned income ......... 9,068,239 7,603,605 6,752,154 6,188,882 5,620,384
Deposits .............................. 9,440,087 8,797,412 7,928,211 7,395,732 6,900,943
Long-term debt ........................ 318,620 131,802 131,492 100,415 109,299
Shareholders' equity .................. 1,226,669 1,111,917 937,222 812,296 718,408
Average total shareholders' equity .... 1,165,426 1,013,334 865,232 757,302 662,458
Average total assets .................. 11,438,696 9,827,925 9,067,237 8,355,951 7,692,029
Performance ratios and other data:
Return on average assets .............. 1.97% 2.00% 1.88% 1.73% 1.54%
Return on average equity .............. 19.33 19.39 19.74 19.04 17.86
Net interest margin ................... 5.07 5.23 5.28 5.19 5.15
Efficiency ratio (c) .................. 58.15 58.01 56.45 58.36 60.95
Dividend payout ratio (d) ............. 43.78 41.52 38.10 36.62 36.69
Average shareholders' equity to
average assets........................ 10.19 10.31 9.54 9.06 8.61
Average shares outstanding, basic ..... 280,016 272,416 269,285 268,271 265,546
Average shares outstanding, diluted ... 283,355 277,223 273,152 272,594 268,395
</TABLE>
(a) Consists of net interest income and non-interest income, excluding
securities gains (losses).
(b) 1996 selected financial data reflects the impact of the special FDIC
assessment. Without the special FDIC assessment, net income would have
been $146,970 and diluted net income per share would have been $.57.
(c) For the banking operations segment.
(d) Determined by dividing dividends declared (excluding pooled subsidiaries)
by consolidated net income.
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<PAGE> 38
SELLING SHAREHOLDERS
The shares of Synovus common stock issued in the merger will be freely
transferable under the Securities Act, except for shares issued to persons who
may be deemed to be "affiliates" of ProCard for purposes of Rule 145 under the
Securities Act as of the date of the ProCard special meeting. Affiliates may
not sell their shares of Synovus common stock acquired in connection with the
merger except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act covering such shares or in compliance with Rule 145 promulgated
under the Securities Act or another applicable exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act. Persons who may be deemed to be affiliates
of ProCard generally include individuals or entities that control, are
controlled by or are under common control with ProCard and may include officers
and directors of ProCard as well as principal stockholders of ProCard.
Synovus will receive an "affiliate letter" from persons deemed to be
"affiliates" of ProCard under Section 2(11) of the Securities Act and Rule
145(c) thereunder. An affiliate letter will constitute an agreement by each
affiliate of ProCard with Synovus to the effect that such affiliate will not
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares of Synovus common stock
issued to such a person in connection with the merger (1) except in compliance
with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder; and (2) during the periods when any such sale, pledge,
transfer or other disposition would, under generally accepted accounting
principles or the rules, regulations or interpretations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, disqualify the merger for pooling of interests accounting
treatment. Such periods in general encompass the period commencing 30 days
before the merger and ending at the time of publication of financial results
covering at least 30 days of combined operations of Synovus and ProCard.
Because the selling shareholders listed in the table below may be deemed to be
affiliates of ProCard, this document will also cover any offers or sales of the
resale shares sold by the selling shareholders.
The registration of theses shares does not necessarily mean that a
particular selling shareholder will sell any or all of his shares of Synovus
common stock. The 1,086,524 shares offered for resale through this prospectus
represent less than 1% of the shares of Synovus common stock outstanding on
February 11, 2000.
The following table sets forth information with respect to the selling
shareholders. Because each holder of ProCard capital stock will receive a
number of shares dependent upon the average closing price of Synovus common
stock over a twenty day trading period, the column relating to the securities
owned by the selling shareholders before the offering sets forth the minimum
and maximum number of shares each selling shareholder will receive in the
merger in exchange for their ProCard capital stock assuming that the
shareholders exercise all warrants held by them. The notes to the table
describe the relationship of the selling shareholder to ProCard.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECURITIES
OFFERED FOR
SECURITIES OWNED THE SECURITY SECURITIES
NAME OF SECURITY RELATIONSHIP BEFORE THE HOLDER'S OWNED AFTER
HOLDER WITH PROCARD OFFERING ACCOUNT THE OFFERING
------ ------------ -------- ------- ------------
MINIMUM (12) MAXIMUM (13)
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Susan Bishop Senior Vice President 217 329 329 0
DDB Investment (1) 156,604 237,279 237,279 0
Company, LLLP
D. Dale Browning Director/CEO 30,472 46,170 46,170 0
Brigid Davidson Vice President and 4,587 6,951 6,951 0
Corporate
Secretary
LGH Limited (2) 4,350 6,591 6,591 0
Partnership
Laurance R. Hoagland Director 43,480 65,880 65,880 0
Jr.
Arthur A. Horecki Vice President 69 105 105 0
David M. Kirr (3) 52,275 79,205 79,205 0
</TABLE>
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<PAGE> 39
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECURITIES
OFFERED FOR
SECURITIES OWNED THE SECURITY SECURITIES
NAME OF SECURITY RELATIONSHIP BEFORE THE HOLDER'S OWNED AFTER
HOLDER WITH PROCARD OFFERING ACCOUNT THE OFFERING
------ ------------ -------- ------- ------------
MINIMUM (12) MAXIMUM (13)
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Marbach, Constance Director (4) 54,794 83,022 83,022 0
and/or Terry
JTWROS
Terry B. Marbach, Director 19,817 30,025 30,025 0
Nom & Co. F/A/O (5) 1,252 1,898 1,898 0
KM & Co. EPS &
IP, Gregg T.
Summerville
Nom. & Co.- Kirr, (3) 1,305 1,977 1,977 0
Marbach & Co
Employees Profit
Sharing and
Investment Plan-
David M. Kirr
Nom. & Co.- Kirr, (6) 478 725 725 0
Marbach & Co
Employees Profit
Sharing and
Investment Plan-
Terry Marbach
B. LaRae Orullian Director 43,501 65,911 65,911 0
Quest Ventures (7) 30,917 46,844 46,844 0
International
Quest Ventures II (7) 45,232 68,534 68,534 0
Fred W. Reams (8) 64,567 97,829 97,829 0
Strafe & Co F/A/O (5) 4,350 6,591 6,591 0
Gregg T. Summerville
FBO Adam James
Summerville
Strafe & Co F/A/O (5) 4,350 6,591 6,591 0
Gregg T.
Summerville FBO
Amy Lynn
Summerville
Strafe & Co FAO (5) 10,875 16,477 16,477 0
KM & Co. EPS - G.
Summerville
Strafe & Co FAO KM & (3) 7,252 10,989 10,989 0
Co. EPS - David
Kirr
Strafe & Co FAO KM & (6) 15,265 23,129 23,129 0
Co. EPS - Terry
Marbach
Strafe & Co FBO (5) 6,525 9,886 9,886 0
Gregg Summerville
Gregg T. Summerville Director 109,764 166,310 166,310 0
</TABLE>
34
<PAGE> 40
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECURITIES
OFFERED FOR
SECURITIES OWNED THE SECURITY SECURITIES
NAME OF SECURITY RELATIONSHIP BEFORE THE HOLDER'S OWNED AFTER
HOLDER WITH PROCARD OFFERING ACCOUNT THE OFFERING
------ ------------ -------- ------- ------------
MINIMUM (12) MAXIMUM (13)
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jerry H. and Sharon Executive Vice 1,044 1,581 1,581 0
K. Wagner President (9)
Washington (10) 2,610 3,954 3,954 0
Securities
Judson A. Watts Vice President 44 68 68 0
The Waugh/Carr (11) 1,104 1,673 1,673 0
Family Trust
DTD 11/1/96
</TABLE>
- -------------------------
(1) D. Dale Browning, a director of ProCard, is deemed to be the beneficial
owner of any shares owned by DDB Investment Company LLLP because Mr.
Browning is the general partner.
(2) Laurance R. Hoagland, Jr., a director of ProCard, is the beneficial owner
of any shares owned by LGH Limited Partnership of which Mr. Hoagland is a
limited partner.
(3) David M. Kirr owns 10.10% of ProCard series B preferred stock and is the
beneficial owner of these shares.
(4) Constance Marbach is married to Terry B. Marbach, a director of ProCard.
(5) Gregg T. Summerville, a director of ProCard, is the beneficial owner of
these shares.
(6) Terry B. Marbach, a director of ProCard, is the beneficial owner of these
shares.
(7) Lucien Ruby, a director of ProCard, may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of any shares held by Quest Ventures International and Quest
Ventures II. Mr. Ruby may be deemed to beneficially own such shares as the
general partner of Foray Partners, the general partner of both Quest
entities. Mr. Ruby disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares.
(8) Fred W. Reams owns 20.04% of the ProCard series A preferred stock.
(9) Sharon K. Wagner is married to Jerry H. Wagner.
(10) Gregg T. Summerville, a director of ProCard, is the beneficial owner of
shares held by Washington Securities, a limited partnership, for which Mr.
Summerville is a general partner.
(11) Frederick J. Waugh, a Vice President and the CFO of ProCard, is a
beneficial owner of shares held by The Waugh/Carr Family Trust.
(12) If ProCard exercises its right to waive the $25.00 ceiling price the
selling shareholders will receive less shares than the minimum amount
listed. In addition, to the extent that the costs incurred by ProCard in
the merger exceed $800,000, the number of shares of each holder of ProCard
capital stock will be reduced on a pro rata basis and the selling
shareholders will receive less than the minimum number of shares listed.
(13) If Synovus exercises its right to waive the $16.50 floor price the selling
shareholders will receive more shares than the maximum amount listed.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Synovus will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the resale shares.
The selling shareholders and their donees, pledgees and other
successors-in-interest may offer their shares of Synovus common stock at
various times in one or more of the following transactions:
- on any of the United States securities exchanges where our stock is
listed, including the New York Stock Exchange;
- in the over-the-counter market;
- in privately negotiated transactions;
- in connection with short sales of shares of Synovus common stock;
- by pledge to secure debts and other obligations;
- in connection with the writing of non-traded and exchange-traded call
options, in hedge transactions
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and in settlement of other transactions in standardized or
over-the-counter options; or
- in a combination of any of the above transactions.
The selling shareholders may sell their shares of Synovus common stock at
any of the following prices:
- at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
- at prices related to such prevailing market prices;
- at negotiated prices; or
- at fixed prices.
The selling shareholders may use broker-dealers to sell their shares of
Synovus common stock. If this happens, broker-dealers may either receive
discounts or commissions from the selling shareholders, or they may receive
commissions from purchasers of shares of Synovus common stock for whom they
acted as agents.
The selling shareholders and the broker-dealers they use to sell their
shares of Synovus common stock may be deemed to be "underwriters" under the
Securities Act and any commission the broker-dealers receive and any profits
they may make in resale of shares of Synovus common stock while acting as
principals may be deemed "underwriting discounts or commissions" under the
Securities Act. If the broker-dealers purchase shares of Synovus common stock
from the selling shareholders for their own accounts as principals, they may
make a profit by reselling the shares of Synovus common stock.
The registration effected hereby is being effected under the merger
agreement. Synovus will pay substantially all of the expenses incident to the
registration of the shares of Synovus common stock including all costs incident
to the offering and sale of the shares by the selling shareholders to the
public other than (1) any commissions and discounts of underwriters, dealers or
agents and any transfer taxes and (2) any expenses that, in the opinion of KPMG
LLP, would cause the merger to be accounted for on any basis other than a
pooling of interests. Synovus has agreed to keep the registration statement of
which this prospectus is a part effective until the earlier of April 28, 2002
or such time as the selling shareholders no longer hold shares of Synovus
common stock covered by this prospectus.
DESCRIPTION OF STOCK AND EFFECT OF MERGER ON RIGHTS
OF PROCARD STOCKHOLDERS
If the merger is completed, all holders of ProCard's common stock,
preferred stock and options will become holders of shares of Synovus common
stock or holders of options for shares of Synovus common stock. The rights of a
holder of Synovus common stock are similar in some respects and different in
other respects from the rights of a holder of ProCard common stock or ProCard
preferred stock. The rights of ProCard stockholders are currently governed by
the Delaware General Corporation Law and the Certificate of Incorporation and
bylaws of ProCard. The rights of Synovus stockholders are currently governed by
the Georgia Business Corporation Code and the Articles of Incorporation and
bylaws of Synovus. The following are summaries of the material differences
between the current rights of ProCard stockholders and the rights they will
have as Synovus shareholders following the merger.
The following comparison of stockholders' rights is necessarily a summary,
is not intended to be complete or to identify all differences that may, under
given situations, be material to stockholders and is subject, in all respects,
and is qualified by reference, to the Delaware General Corporation Law,
ProCard's Certificate of Incorporation, ProCard's bylaws, the Georgia Business
Corporation Code, Synovus' Articles of Incorporation and Synovus' bylaws.
Copies of Synovus' Articles of Incorporation and bylaws and ProCard's
Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws are incorporated by reference into this
document.
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SYNOVUS PROCARD
------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
- - Ten votes for each share held, except in limited - One vote for each share held
circumstances described below
- - No cumulative voting rights in the election of - Cumulative voting rights - same as Synovus
directors, meaning that the holders of a
plurality of the shares elect the entire board
of directors
- - Dividends may be paid from funds legally - Neither the Series A preferred stockholders
available, subject to contractual and nor the Series B preferred stockholders are
regulatory restrictions entitled to receive cash dividends; common
stockholders have the same dividend rights as
Synovus common stockholders
- - Right to participate pro rata in distribution of - Series B preferred stockholders have a $4.00
assets upon liquidation per share liquidation preference over the series
A preferred stockholders, who in turn have a $3.00
per share liquidation preference over the common
stockholders
- - No pre-emptive or other rights to subscribe for - Pre-emptive rights - same as Synovus
any additional shares or securities
- - No conversion rights - Both the series A and series B preferred
stockholders may convert their stock into common
stock currently on a 1:1 ratio, subject to
adjustment
- - Directors serve staggered 3-year terms - Directors serve one-year terms
- - Corporate actions, including business - Corporate actions, including business
combinations, require the affirmative action or combinations, require the affirmative action or
vote of 66-2/3% of the votes entitled to be cast vote of a majority of the outstanding shares
by the shareholders of all voting stock capital stock
- - No preferred stock is authorized - 8,000,000 shares of preferred stock is
authorized
- - Common Stock Purchase Rights trade with shares - No comparable provision
as described below
</TABLE>
SYNOVUS COMMON STOCK
Synovus is incorporated under the Georgia Business Corporation Code, and
Synovus is authorized to issue 600,000,000 shares of Synovus common stock, of
which 282,014,161 shares were outstanding on December 31, 1999. Synovus has no
preferred stock authorized. Synovus' board of directors may at any time,
without additional approval of the holders of Synovus common stock, issue
authorized but unissued shares of Synovus common stock.
As described below, Synovus' Articles of Incorporation and bylaws
presently contain several provisions which may make Synovus a less attractive
target for an acquisition of control by an outsider who lacks the support of
Synovus' board of directors.
VOTING RIGHTS; ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS; THE VOTING AMENDMENT
Under an amendment to Synovus' Articles of Incorporation and bylaws which
became effective on April 24, 1986, referred to in this document as the "voting
amendment," shareholders of Synovus common stock are entitled to ten votes on
each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders for each share of
Synovus common stock which:
- has had the same beneficial owner since April 24, 1986;
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<PAGE> 43
- was acquired by reason of participation in a dividend reinvestment
plan offered by Synovus and is held by the same beneficial owner for
whom it was acquired under such plan;
- is held by the same beneficial owner to whom it was issued as a
result of an acquisition of a company or business by Synovus where
the resolutions adopted by Synovus' board of directors approving such
issuance specifically reference and grant such rights, including
shares of Synovus common stock to be issued to the former
stockholders of ProCard upon consummation of the merger;
- was acquired under any employee, officer and/or director benefit plan
maintained for one or more employees, officers and/or directors of
Synovus and/or its subsidiaries, and is held by the same beneficial
owner for whom it was acquired under such plan;
- is held by the same beneficial owner to whom it was issued by
Synovus, or to whom it was transferred by Synovus from treasury
shares, and the resolutions adopted by Synovus' board of directors
approving such issuance and/or transfer specifically reference and
grant such rights;
- has been beneficially owned continuously by the same shareholder for
a period of 48 consecutive months before the record date of any
meeting of shareholders at which the share is eligible to be voted;
- was acquired as a direct result of a stock split, stock dividend or
other type of share distribution if the share as to which it was
distributed has had the same beneficial owner for a period of 48
consecutive months before the record date of any meeting of
shareholders at which the share is eligible to be voted; or
- is owned by a holder who, in addition to shares which are
beneficially owned under any of the other requirements set forth
above, is the beneficial owner of less than 1,139,063 shares of
Synovus common stock, which amount has been appropriately adjusted to
reflect the stock splits which have occurred subsequent to April 24,
1986 and with such amount to be appropriately adjusted to properly
reflect any other change in Synovus common stock by means of a stock
split, a stock dividend, a recapitalization or otherwise occurring
after April 24, 1986.
Shareholders of shares of Synovus common stock not described above are entitled
to one vote per share for each such share. A shareholder may own both ten-vote
shares and one-vote shares, in which case he or she will be entitled to ten
votes for each ten-vote share and one vote for each one-vote share.
In connection with various meetings of Synovus' shareholders, shareholders
are required to submit to Synovus' board of directors satisfactory proof
necessary for it to determine whether such shareholders' shares of Synovus
common stock are ten-vote shares. If such information is not provided to
Synovus' board of directors, shareholders who would, if they had provided such
information, be entitled to ten votes per share, are entitled to only one vote
per share.
As Synovus common stock is registered with the SEC and is listed on the
NYSE, Synovus common stock is subject to the provisions of an NYSE rule, which,
in general, prohibits a company's common stock and equity securities from being
authorized or remaining authorized for listing on the NYSE if the company
issues securities or takes other corporate action that would have the effect of
nullifying, restricting or disparately reducing the voting rights of existing
shareholders of the company. However, such rule contains a "grandfather"
provision, under which Synovus' voting amendment qualifies, which, in general,
permits grandfathered disparate voting rights plans to continue to operate as
adopted. Synovus' management believes that all current shareholders of Synovus
common stock are entitled to ten votes per share, and as such, the further
issuance of any ten-vote shares would not disenfranchise any existing
shareholders. In the event it is determined in the future that Synovus cannot
continue to issue ten-vote shares in mergers and acquisitions, Synovus will
consider repealing the voting amendment and restoring the principle of one
share/one vote.
If the merger is approved, present stockholders of ProCard capital stock,
as future shareholders of Synovus common stock, will, under the voting
amendment described above, be entitled to ten votes per share for each share
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<PAGE> 44
of Synovus common stock received by them on the effective date of the merger.
Such persons may also acquire by purchase, stock dividend or otherwise, up to
1,139,063 additional shares of Synovus common stock which will also be entitled
to ten votes per share. However, if ProCard stockholders acquire by purchase,
stock dividend or otherwise, more than 1,139,063 additional shares of Synovus
common stock, they will be entitled to only receive one vote per share for each
of such shares in excess of 1,139,063 shares until they have been held for four
years.
Except with respect to voting, ten-vote shares and one-vote shares are
identical in all respects and constitute a single class of stock, i.e., Synovus
common stock. Neither the ten-vote shares nor the one-vote shares have a
preference over the other with regard to dividends or upon liquidation. Synovus
common stock does not carry any pre-emptive rights enabling a holder to
subscribe for or receive shares of Synovus common stock.
THE RIGHTS PLAN
Synovus has adopted a shareholder rights plan under which holders of
shares of Synovus common stock also hold rights to purchase securities that may
be exercised upon the occurrence of "triggering events." Shareholder rights
plans such as Synovus' plan are intended to encourage potential hostile
acquirors to negotiate with the board of directors of the target corporation to
avoid occurrence of the "triggering events" specified in such plans.
Shareholder rights plans are intended to give the directors of a target
corporation the opportunity to assess the fairness and appropriateness of a
proposed transaction to determine whether or not it is in the best interests of
the corporation and its shareholders. Notwithstanding these purposes and
intentions of shareholder rights plans, such plans, including that of Synovus,
could have the effect of discouraging a business combination that shareholders
believe to be in their best interests. The provisions of Synovus' shareholder
rights plan are discussed below.
On April 27, 1999, the board of directors of Synovus adopted a rights plan and
authorized and declared a dividend of one common stock purchase right with
respect to each outstanding share of Synovus common stock outstanding on May 4,
1999, and to each holder of common stock issued thereafter until the date the
rights become exercisable or the expiration or earlier redemption of the
rights. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from Synovus one
share of common stock at a price of $225.00 per share, subject to adjustment,
ones rights become exercisable. The description and terms of the rights are set
forth in the rights agreement between Synovus and State Street Bank and Trust
Company, as the rights agent.
Initially, the rights will attach to all certificates of outstanding
shares of common stock, and no separate right certificates will be distributed.
The rights will become exercisable and separate from the shares of common stock
upon the earlier to occur of:
- ten days after the date of a public announcement that a person or
group of affiliated or associated persons has acquired beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common stock, such date
being referred to in this document as the "stock acquisition date"
and such person or group as an "acquiring person"; or
- ten business days, or such later date as the board may determine,
following the commencement of, or announcement of an intention to
make, a tender offer or exchange offer, the consummation of which
would result in a person or group becoming the beneficial owner of
15% or more of the outstanding common stock, the earlier of such date
and the stock acquisition date being the "distribution date".
Shares of common stock beneficially owned by Synovus or any subsidiary of
Synovus will not be considered outstanding for purposes of calculating the
percentage ownership of any person.
Each of the following persons will not be deemed to be an acquiring person
even if they have acquired, or obtained the right to acquire beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common stock:
- Synovus, any subsidiary of Synovus, or any employee benefit plan of
Synovus or of any subsidiary of Synovus;
- any shareholder who is a descendant of D. Abbott Turner, any
shareholder who is affiliated or associated with the Turner family
and any person who would otherwise become an acquiring person as a
result of the
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<PAGE> 45
receipt of common stock or a beneficial interest in common stock from
one or more members of the Turner family by way of gift, devise,
descent or distribution, but not by way of sale, unless any such
person, together with his affiliates and associates, becomes the
beneficial owner of more than 30% of the outstanding shares of common
stock;
- any person who would otherwise become an acquiring person solely by
virtue of a reduction in the number of outstanding shares of common
stock unless and until such person becomes the beneficial owner of
any additional shares of common stock; and
- any person who as of the record date was the beneficial owner of 15%
or more of the outstanding common stock unless and until such person
shall become the beneficial owner of any additional shares of common
stock.
Until the distribution date or earlier redemption or expiration of the
rights:
- the rights will be evidenced by the certificates for the common
stock;
- the rights will be transferred with, and only with, the shares of
common stock,
- new common stock certificates issued after the record date upon
transfer or new issuance of shares of common stock will contain a
notation incorporating the rights agreement by reference, and
- the surrender for transfer of any certificates for shares of common
stock outstanding as of the record date, even without such notation,
will also constitute the transfer of the rights associated with the
shares of common stock represented by such certificate.
As soon as practicable following the distribution date, separate certificates
evidencing the rights will be mailed to holders of record of the shares of
common stock as of the close of business on the distribution date, and such
separate right certificates alone will evidence the rights. The rights are not
exercisable until the distribution date. The rights will expire at the close of
business on May 5, 2009, unless earlier redeemed by Synovus.
If any person becomes an acquiring person, each holder of a right will
thereafter have the "flip-in right" to receive, upon payment of the purchase
price of the right, shares of common stock, or in some circumstances, cash,
property or other securities of Synovus, having a value equal to two times the
purchase price of the right. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all rights that
are, or were, beneficially owned by an acquiring person or any affiliate or
associate of an acquiring person will be null and void and not exercisable.
If, at any time following the stock acquisition date: (1) Synovus is
acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction in which the
holders of all of the outstanding shares of common stock immediately before the
consummation of the transaction are not the holders of all of the surviving
corporation's voting power, or (2) more than 30% of Synovus' assets, cash flow
or earning power is sold or transferred other than in the ordinary course of
Synovus' business, then each holder of a valid right shall thereafter have the
"flip-over right" to receive, in lieu of shares of common stock and upon
exercise and payment of the purchase price, common shares of the acquiring
company having a value equal to two times the purchase price of the right. If a
transaction would otherwise result in a holder's having a flip-in as well as a
flip-over right, then only the flip-over right will be exercisable. if a
transaction results in a holder's having a flip-over right after a transaction
resulting in a holder's having a flip-in right, a holder will have flip-over
rights only to the extent such holder's flip-in rights have not been exercised.
The purchase price payable, and the number of shares of common stock or
other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the rights are subject
to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution (1) in the event of a stock
dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the common
stock, (2) upon the grant to holders of the common stock of rights or warrants
to subscribe for common stock or convertible securities at less than the
current market price of the common stock or (3) upon the distribution to
holders of the common stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets, excluding
dividends payable in common stock, or of subscription rights or warrants, other
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<PAGE> 46
than those referred to above. However, no adjustment in the purchase price will
be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1%.
The number of outstanding rights and the number of shares of common stock
issuable upon exercise of each right are also subject to adjustment in the
event of a stock split of the common stock or a stock dividend on the common
stock payable in common stock or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations
of the common stock occurring, in any such case, before the distribution date.
At any time after a person becomes an acquiring person and before the
acquisition by a person of 50% or more of the outstanding common stock of
Synovus, the board of directors may, at its option, issue common stock or
common stock equivalents of Synovus in mandatory redemption of, or in exchange
for, all or part of the then outstanding exercisable rights, other than rights
owned by such acquiring person which would become null and void, at an exchange
ratio of one share of common stock, or common stock equivalents equal to one
share of common stock, per right, subject to adjustment.
To the extent that, after the triggering of flip-in rights, insufficient
shares of common stock are available for the exercise in full of the rights,
holders of rights will receive upon exercise shares of common stock to the
extent available and then cash, property or other securities of Synovus, in
proportions determined by Synovus, so that the aggregate value received is
equal to twice the purchase price.
Synovus is not required to issue fractional shares of common stock.
Instead, a payment in cash will be made to the holder of such rights equal to
the same fraction of the current value of share of common stock. Following the
triggering of the flip-in rights, Synovus will not be required to issue
fractional shares of common stock upon exercise of the rights. Instead, a
payment in cash will be made to the holder of such rights equal to the same
fraction of the current market value of a share of common stock.
At any time before the distribution date, the board of directors of
Synovus may redeem all, but not less than all, of the then outstanding rights
at a price of $.001 per right. The redemption of the rights may be made
effective at such time, on such basis and with such conditions as the board of
directors in its sole discretion may establish. Immediately upon the action of
the board of directors ordering redemption of the rights, the right to exercise
the rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of rights will be
to receive the redemption price.
Until a right is exercised, the holder of the right, as such, will have no
rights as a shareholder of Synovus, including, without limitation, the right to
vote or to receive dividends.
The issuance of the rights is not taxable to Synovus or to shareholders
under presently existing federal income tax law, and will not change the way in
which shareholders can presently trade Synovus' shares of common stock. If the
rights should become exercisable, shareholders, depending on then existing
circumstances, may recognize taxable income.
Before the stock acquisition date, the rights agreement generally may be
amended by Synovus without the consent of the holders of the rights or the
common stock. On or after the stock acquisition date, Synovus may amend the
rights agreement only to (1) cure any ambiguity, (2) correct or supplement any
provision which may be defective or inconsistent with the other provisions of
the rights agreement, or (3) change or supplement the rights agreement in any
other manner which Synovus may deem necessary or desirable, provided that no
amendment shall adversely affect the interests of the holders of rights, other
than an acquiring person and its affiliates and associates.
A copy of the rights agreement has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit
to Synovus' Registration Statement on Form 8-A with respect to the rights filed
with the SEC. This Registration Statement and the rights agreement are
incorporated by reference in this document, and reference is made to them for
the complete terms of the rights agreement and the rights. This summary
description of the rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the rights agreement. If the merger is approved,
rights will attach to Synovus common stock issued to the present stockholders
of ProCard.
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STAGGERED BOARD OF DIRECTORS; SUPERMAJORITY APPROVALS
Under Synovus' Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, Synovus' board of
directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered 3-year
terms, with the terms of each class of directors to expire each succeeding
year. Also under Synovus' Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, the vote or
action of shareholders possessing 66-2/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by
the shareholders of all the issued and outstanding shares of Synovus common
stock is required to:
- call a special meeting of Synovus' shareholders;
- fix, from time to time, the number of members of Synovus' board of
directors;
- remove a member of Synovus' board of directors;
- approve any merger or consolidation of Synovus with or into any other
corporation, and the sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of
all, or substantially all, of Synovus' assets to or with any other
corporation, person or entity, with respect to which the approval of
Synovus' shareholders is required by the provisions of the corporate
laws of the State of Georgia; and
- alter, delete or rescind any provision of Synovus' Articles of
Incorporation.
This allows directors to be removed only for cause by 66-2/3% of the votes
entitled to be cast at a shareholders' meeting called for that purpose.
Vacancies or new directorships can only be filled by a majority vote of the
directors then in office. Synovus' staggered board of directors, especially
when combined with the voting amendment, makes it more difficult for its
shareholders to force an immediate change in the composition of the majority of
the board. A potential acquiror with shares recently acquired, and not entitled
to 10 votes per share under the voting amendment, may be discouraged or
prevented from soliciting proxies for the purpose of electing directors other
than those nominated by current management for the purpose of changing the
policies or control of Synovus.
EVALUATION OF BUSINESS COMBINATIONS
Synovus' Articles of Incorporation also provide that in evaluating any
business combination or other action, Synovus' board of directors may consider,
in addition to the amount of consideration involved and the effects on Synovus
and its shareholders, the interests of the employees, customers, suppliers and
creditors of Synovus and its subsidiaries, the communities in which offices of
the corporation or its subsidiaries are located, and any other factors the
board of directors deems pertinent.
PROCARD CAPITAL STOCK
AUTHORIZED SHARES
The total number of authorized shares of capital stock of ProCard is
25,000,000, consisting of 17,000,000 shares of common stock with a par value of
$.001 per share, 8,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $.001
per share, of which there are 2,000,000 shares of series A preferred stock and
2,000,000 shares of series B preferred stock. ProCard's Certificate of
Incorporation authorizes the ProCard board of directors to issue shares of
preferred stock in one or more series, the terms of which will be determined by
the board.
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
The ProCard bylaws provides that the number of directors on the ProCard
board shall be determined from time to time by resolution of the board of
directors. The current board of directors consists of six members. Under
ProCard's Certificate of Incorporation, the holders of the series A preferred
stock, voting as a separate class, are entitled to elect two directors; the
holders of the series B preferred stock, voting as a separate class, are
entitled to elect two directors; and the holders of the series A and series B
preferred stock and the holders of the common stock,
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<PAGE> 48
voting together as a class, are entitled to elect two directors. Directors are
elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their
successors are elected and qualified.
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAW AMENDMENTS
Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation. Under Delaware law, the board
of directors must propose an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation and
a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote on the amendment must
approve it. Under Delaware law, amendments which will change the capital stock
by increasing or decreasing the par value or the aggregate number of authorized
shares of a class, or otherwise adversely affecting the rights of a class, must
be approved by the majority vote of each class or series of stock affected,
even if such stock would not otherwise have such voting rights.
Amendment of Bylaws. Under Delaware law and the ProCard Certificate of
Incorporation and bylaws, the ProCard bylaws can be amended or repealed by the
affirmative vote of either the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of capital stock entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy at the
meeting or a majority of the members of the ProCard board of directors.
CUMULATIVE VOTING AND PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
The ProCard Certificate of Incorporation does not allow cumulative voting
for directors or preemptive rights for stockholders.
STOCKHOLDER MEETING PROCEDURES
Special Meetings of Stockholders. Under Delaware law, special meetings of
stockholders may be called by the board of directors or by such person or
persons as may be authorized by the Certificate of Incorporation or bylaws.
Under the ProCard Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws, a special meeting of
the stockholders may be called only by the ProCard chairman, its president, or
upon a written request of a majority of the ProCard board of directors or the
holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding stock of ProCard entitled
to vote at such meeting.
Stockholder Action Without a Meeting. Under ProCard's Certificate of
Incorporation, no action shall be taken by the written consent of all
stockholders in lieu of an annual or special meeting of the stockholders.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS
Under Delaware law, the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares entitled to vote is required to approve mergers, consolidations,
dissolutions and sales of all or substantially all of a corporation's assets.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL
Under Delaware law, an "interested stockholder" is defined as a holder of
15% or more of the outstanding voting stock. An interested stockholder may
engage in a business combination transaction with ProCard only under one of the
following three scenarios:
- ProCard's board of directors approved the transaction before the
stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the
transaction in which the stockholder became an interested
stockholder;
- the interested stockholder acquired at least 85% of the voting stock
in the transaction in which it became an interested stockholder; or
- ProCard's board of directors approve the transaction and the holders
of shares entitled to cast two-thirds of the votes entitled to be
cast by all of the outstanding voting shares held by all
disinterested stockholders approve the transaction at a meeting.
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LIMITATION ON DIRECTORS' LIABILITY
As permitted by Delaware law, ProCard's Certificate of Incorporation
eliminates or limits the personal liability of a director of ProCard to ProCard
or its stockholders for money damages based upon his or her breach of fiduciary
duty. However, a director's liability is not eliminated or limited for:
- any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to ProCard or its
stockholders;
- any acts or omissions made not in good faith;
- any acts which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation
of law;
- any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit; or
- any liability arising under Delaware law relating to unlawful payment
of dividends or unlawful stock purchase or redemption.
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Delaware law permits a corporation's board of directors to indemnify any
person against expenses, including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement, actually incurred by him or her in connection with
any threatened, pending or completed action suit or proceeding in which such
person is made a party by reason of his or her being or having been a director,
officer, employee or agent of the company, in terms sufficiently broad to
permit such indemnification for liabilities, including reimbursement for
expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act. This indemnification
excludes expenses incurred in connection with settlements or judgments in
derivative suits. Delaware law provides that its statutory indemnification
provisions are not exclusive of other rights of indemnification to which a
person may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors, or otherwise.
ProCard's Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws provide for
indemnification of ProCard's directors and officers to the fullest extent
permitted by law.
DISSENTERS' RIGHTS
Generally, stockholders of a Delaware corporation who object to certain
mergers or a consolidation of the corporation and who comply with the
requirements under Delaware law, are entitled to appraisal rights, requiring
the surviving corporation to pay the fair value of the dissenting shares. There
are, however, no statutory rights of appraisal with respect to stockholders of
a Delaware corporation whose shares of stock are either:
- listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national
market system by the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.; or
- held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders.
However, appraisal rights will be available to holders of shares if they are
required by the merger terms to accept anything other than shares of the
survivor, listed or quoted shares or cash in lieu of fractional shares.
In addition, no appraisal rights are available for any shares of stock of
a surviving corporation in a merger if the merger did not require the approval
of the stockholders of such corporation. Further, Delaware law does not provide
appraisal rights to stockholders who dissent from the sale of all or
substantially all of the corporation's assets unless the certificate of
incorporation provides otherwise. ProCard's Certificate of Incorporation does
not provide for appraisal rights upon the sale of all or substantially all of
its assets.
Under Delaware law, the meaning of "fair value" in payment for shares upon
exercise of dissenters' rights excludes any element of value arising from the
completion or expectation of the transaction.
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RIGHT TO EXAMINE STOCKHOLDER LIST; RIGHT TO INSPECT CORPORATE RECORDS
Under Delaware law, each stockholder has the right during normal business
hours, for a period of at least ten days before any stockholder meeting and
during such meeting, to examine an alphabetical list of stockholders for any
purpose germane to the meeting. The list must show the address of each
stockholder and the number of shares held by each stockholder. Each stockholder
also has the right, following a written request, to inspect for any proper
purpose, a corporation's books and records, including the stockholder list,
during usual business hours.
INTERESTED DIRECTOR TRANSACTIONS
Under Delaware law, certain contracts or transactions in which a director
has an interest are not void or voidable solely by reason of that interest if
the contract or transaction is either (1) approved by the stockholders or by a
majority of the disinterested directors if the material facts are disclosed in
good faith or known, or (2) was fair to the corporation at the time of
approval.
ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF SERIES A AND SERIES B PREFERRED STOCKHOLDERS
Liquidation Rights. In the event of any liquidation or dissolution or
winding up of ProCard, the holders of the series B preferred shares shall
receive a liquidation value of $4.00 per share before any distribution is made
to any class of common stock or any other series of preferred stock. After the
series B preferred stockholders have received their liquidation distribution,
the holders of the series A preferred stock shall receive the next level of
distributions up to a value equal to $3.00 per share. After the series B
stockholders and the series A stockholders have been paid their liquidation
value, then the holders of common stock shall receive the remainder of the
assets of ProCard.
Conversion Rights. The holders of series A and series B preferred stock
each have the rights to convert their shares into common stock of ProCard. The
current conversion ratio for both the series A and the series B preferred stock
is 1:1, subject to adjustment. Both the series A and the series B preferred
stock shall be converted automatically upon the consummation of a sale of
shares of common stock by ProCard in an underwritten offering registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Redemption Rights. Both the series A and the series B preferred shares are
subject to an optional redemption right which is exercisable by ProCard at any
time after December 31, 2005.
Registration Rights. The holders of the ProCard series A and series B
preferred stock each have one demand registration right and unlimited piggyback
registration rights. Such registration rights are effective only after such
preferred stock have been converted into common stock of ProCard and after the
expiration of 24 months after the ProCard common stock has begun public
trading. These registration rights expire on the fourth anniversary after the
ProCard common stock has begun public trading.
APPRAISAL RIGHTS RELATED TO THE MERGER
THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF SECTION 262 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION
LAW IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SECTION 262, THE COMPLETE TEXT
OF WHICH IS ATTACHED HERETO AS APPENDIX "D". THIS SUMMARY CONTAINS ALL OF THE
MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF SECTION 262.
Upon consummation of the merger, holders of record of shares of ProCard
capital stock on the record date will be entitled to have the "fair value" of
their shares as of the effective time, exclusive of any element of value
arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, judicially
determined and paid to them by complying with the provisions of Section 262.
Holders of record of ProCard capital stock who desire to exercise their
appraisal rights must satisfy all of the conditions contained in Section 262.
To exercise rights of appraisal, you must satisfy all of the following
five conditions:
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<PAGE> 51
- you must be a stockholder of record on the date you demand your
appraisal rights and you must continue to be stockholder of record
until the merger is completed;
- you must either vote against the merger or abstain from voting on the
merger; in other words, you may not vote in favor of the merger and
retain your rights to an appraisal;
- you must deliver a written demand for appraisal of your shares before
the vote on the merger is held at the special meeting;
- within 120 days after the completion of the merger, you must file a
petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery for a determination of the
fair value of your stock; and
- if the Delaware Court of Chancery requests, you must send to the
court your stock certificates so that the court can note on each
certificate that a demand for appraisal has been made.
A written demand for appraisal of shares of ProCard capital stock must be
delivered to ProCard by a ProCard stockholder seeking appraisal before the
taking of the vote of the merger agreement. The written demand must be separate
from any proxy or vote abstaining from or voting against approval of the
merger. Voting against approval of the merger, abstaining from voting or
failing to vote with respect to approval of the merger will not constitute a
demand for appraisal within the meaning of Section 262. By voting against
approval of the merger or by abstaining from voting in favor of the merger, a
ProCard stockholder may preserve his rights of appraisal as a dissenting
stockholder.
PROCARD STOCKHOLDERS ELECTING TO EXERCISE THEIR APPRAISAL RIGHTS UNDER
SECTION 262 MUST NOT VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER. A VOTE BY A PROCARD
STOCKHOLDER AGAINST APPROVAL OF THE MERGER IS NOT REQUIRED IN ORDER FOR SUCH
PROCARD STOCKHOLDER TO EXERCISE APPRAISAL RIGHTS. HOWEVER, IF A PROCARD
STOCKHOLDER RETURNS A SIGNED PROXY BUT DOES NOT SPECIFY A VOTE AGAINST APPROVAL
OF THE MERGER OR A DIRECTION TO ABSTAIN, THE PROXY, IF NOT REVOKED, WILL BE
VOTED FOR APPROVAL OF THE MERGER, WHICH WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF WAIVING SUCH
PROCARD STOCKHOLDER'S APPRAISAL RIGHTS.
A demand for appraisal will be sufficient if it reasonably informs ProCard
of the identity of the ProCard stockholder and that the ProCard stockholder
intends to demand appraisal. If the ProCard capital stock is owned of record in
a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian, or custodian, such demand
must be executed by the fiduciary. If the ProCard capital stock is owned of
record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common,
such demand must be executed by all joint owners. An authorized agent,
including an agent for two or more joint owners, may execute the demand for
appraisal for a ProCard stockholder of record; however, the agent must identify
the record owner or owners and expressly disclose the fact that, in exercising
the demand, he or she is acting as agent for the record owner or owners.
A record owner, such as a broker, who holds ProCard capital stock as a
nominee for others, may exercise his or her right of appraisal with respect to
the shares for all or less than all beneficial owners of shares as to which he
or she is the record owner. In such case, the written demand must set forth the
number of shares covered by such demand. Where the number of shares is not
expressly stated, the demand will be presumed to cover all shares of ProCard
capital stock outstanding in the name of such record owner.
A ProCard stockholder who elects to exercise appraisal rights should
mail or deliver his or her written demand to ProCard at the following address
before the vote on the merger:
ProCard, Inc.
1819 Denver West Drive
Building 26, Suite 300
Golden, Colorado 80401
Attention: Brigid Davidson, Corporate Secretary
The demand must specify such ProCard stockholder's name and mailing address and
the number of shares of ProCard capital stock owned. It is the responsibility
of each ProCard stockholder electing to exercise appraisal
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<PAGE> 52
rights to ensure that the written demand is received by ProCard before the
taking of the vote at the special meeting of ProCard's stockholders.
Within 10 days after the effective date of the merger, the surviving
corporation must provide notice as to the effective time of the merger to all
ProCard stockholders who have complied with Section 262(d), summarized above,
and have not voted for approval of the merger agreement.
Within 120 days after the effective time, any ProCard stockholder who has
complied with the provisions of Sections 262(a) and (d), summarized above, is
entitled, upon written request, to receive from the surviving corporation a
statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares of ProCard capital stock
not voted in favor of approval and adoption of the merger and with respect to
which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of
holders of such shares. Such statement must be mailed within 10 days after the
written request therefor has been received by the surviving corporation or
within 10 days after expiration of the time for delivery of demand for
appraisal under Section 262(d), whichever is later.
Within 120 days after the effective time, either the surviving corporation
or any holder of ProCard capital stock who has complied with the required
conditions of Sections 262(a) and (d) and who is otherwise entitled to
appraisal rights may file a petition in the Court of Chancery of the State of
Delaware demanding a determination of the fair value of the shares of any
dissenting ProCard stockholders. If a petition for an appraisal is timely
filed, at a hearing on such petition, the Court will determine which ProCard
stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights and will appraise the shares of
ProCard capital stock owned by such ProCard stockholders, determining the fair
value of such shares, exclusive of any element of value arising from the
accomplishment or expectation of the merger, together with a fair rate of
interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value.
In determining fair value, the Court is to take into account all relevant
factors. In Weinberger v. UOP, Inc., decided in 1983, the Delaware Supreme
Court, in the context of litigation involving holders of common stock of a
Delaware corporation, expanded the factors that could be considered in
determining fair value in an appraisal proceedings, stating that "proof of
value by any techniques or methods which are generally considered acceptable in
the financial community and otherwise admissible in court" should be
considered, and that "[f]air price obviously requires consideration of all
relevant factors involving the value of a company." The Delaware Supreme Court
stated that in making this determination of fair value the Court must consider
market value, asset value, dividends, earnings prospects, the nature of the
enterprise and any other facts which could be ascertained as of the date of the
relevant merger which throw any light on future prospects of the merged
corporation. In Weinberger, the Delaware Supreme Court held that "elements of
future value, including the nature of the enterprise, which are known or
susceptible of proof as of the date of the merger and not the product of
speculation, may be considered."
ProCard stockholders considering seeking appraisal should be aware that
the fair value of their shares determined under Section 262 could be more than,
the same as or less than the value of the consideration they are to receive
under the merger agreement if they do not seek appraisal of their shares.
Both fairness opinions and appraisal proceedings review many different
aspects of a company's financial and business circumstances under accepted
valuation techniques, but the perspectives differ. A determination that a
transaction is fair from a financial point of view may be based on a finding
that the price term of a transaction falls within a range of values that would
be fair for other companies involved in similar types of transactions and
circumstances. Such a finding does not determine what the best possible price
would be but looks at the transaction as a whole and determines whether
entering the transaction is a reasonable business decision. In reaching the
determination that an offered price is fair from a financial point of view,
consideration is given to the fact that a purchaser of an entire company may be
willing to pay a "control premium" in excess of the fair market value of the
stock. A determination of fair value in an appraisal proceeding attempts to
reduce all of the elements of value of a company to a set amount rather than
focusing on the range of values in similar transactions. A judicial
determination of the fair value attempts to ensure that each dissenting
shareholder receives the substantial equivalent of his proportionate interest
in a company before the merger occurred. An appraisal proceeding does not
attempt to consider the effects, if any, of the merger transaction itself on
the value of the stock of a company.
The cost of the appraisal proceeding may be determined by the Court of
Chancery and taxed against the parties as the Court of Chancery deems equitable
in the circumstances. Upon application of a dissenting ProCard stockholder, the
Court of Chancery may order that all or a portion of the expenses incurred by
any dissenting
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<PAGE> 53
stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including without
limitation reasonable attorneys' fees and the fees and expenses of experts, be
charged against the value of shares of ProCard capital stock entitled to
appraisal. In the absence of such a determination or assessment, each party
bears its own expenses.
A ProCard stockholder who has duly demanded appraisal in compliance with
Section 262 will not, after the effective time, have any rights in respect of
shares subject to such demand except for appraisal rights and the right to
receive payment of dividends or other distributions, if any, on such shares
payable to ProCard stockholders of record as of a date before the effective
time.
At any time within 60 days after the effective time, a ProCard stockholder
shall have the right to withdraw his or her demand for appraisal and to accept
the terms of the merger; after this period, the ProCard stockholder may
withdraw his or her demand for appraisal only with the consent of Synovus. Any
such withdrawal must be made in writing. If no petition for appraisal is filed
with the Court of Chancery within 120 days after the effective time, the
ProCard stockholder's rights to appraisal shall cease. Inasmuch as the
surviving corporation has no obligation to file such a petition, a ProCard
stockholder who desires such a petition to be filed is advised to file it on a
timely basis. No petition timely filed in the Court of Chancery demanding
appraisal may be dismissed as to a ProCard stockholder without the approval of
the Court of Chancery, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as
the Court of Chancery deems just.
Your right to an appraisal of your common stock will terminate if:
- for any reason the merger is not completed;
- you fail to make a timely written demand on ProCard;
- you fail to file a timely petition with the Court of Chancery;
- you do not, upon request of the court, timely surrender certificates
for notation that demand for appraisal has been made;
- you withdraw your demand in writing within 60 days after the
completion of the merger;
- you withdraw your demand in writing after 60 days after the
completion of the merger and with Synovus' written approval.
If your right to an appraisal is terminated, you will receive the same
consideration that you would have received if you had not dissented and sought
an appraisal of your shares.
The provisions of Section 262 are technical in nature and complex. ProCard
stockholders desiring to exercise their appraisal rights and obtain appraisal
of the fair value of their ProCard capital stock should consult counsel, since
failure to comply strictly with the provisions of Section 262 may defeat their
appraisal rights.
If holders of 5% or more of the total amount of outstanding ProCard stock
and ProCard preferred stock exercise their appraisal rights, Synovus will have
the right to terminate the merger agreement.
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<PAGE> 54
COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS
Synovus common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "SNV." The
table below shows the high and low closing prices of Synovus common stock and
cash dividends declared per share for the periods indicated. Prices have been
adjusted to account for a three-for-two stock split on May 21, 1998. The table
below also shows the cash dividends declared per share for the periods
indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SYNOVUS PROCARD
------------------------------- ---------
CASH CASH
HIGH LOW DIVIDENDS DIVIDENDS
---- --- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2000 $19.19 $14.50 $.1100 -0-
Quarter Ended
March 31, 1999 25.00 20.50 .0900 -0-
June 30, 1999 23.56 19.13 .0900 -0-
September 30, 1999 20.31 17.50 .0900 -0-
December 31, 1999 22.13 18.44 .0900 -0-
For year 1999 25.00 17.50 .3600 -0-
Quarter Ended
March 31, 1998 25.81 20.75 .0733 -0-
June 30, 1998 25.81 21.94 .0733 -0-
September 30, 1998 25.00 18.06 .0733 -0-
December 31, 1998 24.06 20.19 .0733 -0-
For year 1998 25.81 18.06 .2932 -0-
</TABLE>
There is no trading market for ProCard common stock, series A preferred
stock, or series B preferred stock. Holders of ProCard series A preferred stock
and series B preferred stock are not entitled to receive any cash dividends. In
the two most recent fiscal years no cash dividends for ProCard common stock
have been declared. ProCard does not anticipate that dividends will be paid on
ProCard common stock in the foreseeable future.
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<PAGE> 55
DESCRIPTION OF SYNOVUS
BUSINESS
The disclosures made in this document, together with the following
information which is specifically incorporated by reference into this document,
describe the business of Synovus:
1. Synovus' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1999 (which incorporates certain portions of
Synovus' 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders and its Proxy
Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held
on April 20, 2000), as amended by Synovus' Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
2. Synovus' Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 2000.
MANAGEMENT AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Information relating to executive compensation, various benefit plans,
voting securities and the principal holders of voting securities, relationships
and related transactions and other related matters as to Synovus is
incorporated by reference or set forth in Synovus' Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1999 which is incorporated into this document
by reference. See "WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION." Shareholders desiring
copies of such documents may contact Synovus at its address or phone number
indicated under "WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION."
DESCRIPTION OF PROCARD
BUSINESS
ProCard, Inc. is a Delaware corporation formed in July 1989. It supports
bank commercial card programs by providing all necessary technology and
back-room support services, thus eliminating the need for a bank to create and
maintain its own infrastructure. ProCard's software and services are currently
marketed exclusively through financial institutions which have entered into
license agreements with ProCard. These financial institutions then sublicense
the software and services to their corporate clients. ProCard's licensee banks
issue credit cards to their clients and manage the overall program, while
ProCard provides the software and services described below to assist the banks'
clients in managing their commercial card program and in controlling the
commercial card transaction data.
ProCard has developed client server and internet based software solutions
that enable the clients of its licensee banks to manage their commercial card
program and manage the commercial card transaction data. ProCard's software
solutions enable such client using the software, among other things, to import
transaction data, split and allocate transactions, generate standard and ad hoc
reports based on the data, generate mapped files and electronically post the
transaction data to general ledger or other systems, create and maintain card
and reporting hierarchies, and perform card management functions.
ProCard's principal executive offices are located at 1819 Denver West
Drive, Building 26, Suite 300, Golden, Colorado 80401 and its telephone number
is 303-279-2255.
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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, as of March 3, 2000, information on a
fully diluted basis regarding (1) persons known by ProCard to own 5% or more of
the common stock of ProCard, (2) directors of ProCard, (3) named officers of
ProCard, and (4) executive officers and directors of ProCard as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SERIES A SERIES B
COMMON STOCK PREFERRED STOCK PREFERRED STOCK
NAME OF PRINCIPAL PERCENT OF PERCENT OF PERCENT OF
STOCKHOLDER AMOUNT(1) CLASS(2) AMOUNT CLASS AMOUNT CLASS
----------- --------- -------- ------ ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Gregg T. Summerville(3)(16) 803,013 21.78% 196,566 15.52% 406,859 25.55%
Terry Marbach(4)(16) 519,271 15.46% 151,072 11.93% 130,084 8.17%
David M. Kirr(5) 349,607 10.64% 119,548 9.44% 160,797 10.10%
Laurance R. Hoagland, Jr.(6)(16) 274,883 8.82% 63,787 5.04% 53,392 3.35%
Fred W. Reams(7) 371,067 11.29% 253,763 20.04% 27,116 1.70%
Lucien Ruby(8)(16) 437,634 13.19% 135,544 10.70% 103,381 6.49%
B. LaRae Orullian(9)(16) 250,000 8.21% 40,166 3.17% 9,792 +
D. Dale Browning(10)(16) 1,075,125 35.58% 0 + 25,000 1.57%
Jerry Wagner(11)(16) 112,250 3.61% 0 + 6,000 +
Kirby Slunaker(12)(16) 25,000 + 0 + 0 +
Scott Webb(13) 5,000 + 0 + 0 +
Russ Pulling(14) 5,000 + 0 + 0 +
All Executive Officers and
Directors as a group (15)(16) 3,717,150 75.88% 592,434 46.78% 737,758 46.34%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
+ Indicates percentage values of less than 1.00%.
(1) A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of voting securities that can
be acquired by such person within 60 days from the date of this document
upon the exercise of options, warrants or convertible securities. Common
stock amount assumes the conversion of ProCard series A preferred stock and
series B preferred stock into common stock, which shares are convertible
into common stock on a one-for-one basis. The common stock amount also
includes options and warrants, currently exercisable or exercisable within
60 days, to the extent indicated in notes 3 through 16 below. The amounts
included in the common stock column do not include currently unvested
options that will become vested upon consummation of the merger.
(2) Each beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that
convertible securities, options or warrants held by such person (but not
those held by any other person) and which are exercisable within 60 days
from the date of this document have been exercised.
(3) Mr. Summerville's address is 621 Washington Street, Columbus, Indiana
47201. Common stock amount includes (1) warrants to purchase 87,388 shares
of common stock, (2) 50,000 shares of common stock held in trust for Mr.
Summerville's children, (3) 7,200 shares of common stock held by Nom. & Co.
for the benefit of Mr. Summerville, and (4) 15,000 shares of common stock
held by Washington Securities, a limited partnership, for which Mr.
Summerville is a general partner. Series B preferred stock amount includes
100,000 shares of series B preferred stock held by Strafe & Co. for the
benefit of Mr. Summerville.
(4) Mr. Marbach's address is 621 Washington St., Columbus, Indiana 47201.
Common stock amount includes (1) warrants to purchase 48,281 shares of
common stock held by Mr. Marbach, (2) warrants to purchase 2,750 shares of
common stock held by Nom. & Co. for the benefit of Mr. Marbach, (3)
warrants to purchase 16,563 shares of common stock held by Terry B. and
Constance Marbach as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, (4) 141,400
shares of common stock owned by Terry B. and Constance Marbach as joint
tenants with rights of survivorship and (5) warrants to purchase 14,521
shares of common stock held by Strafe & Co. for the benefit of Mr. Marbach.
Series A preferred stock amount includes (1) 29,042 shares of series A
preferred stock held by Strafe & Co. for the benefit of Mr. Marbach, and
(2) 116,251 shares of series A preferred stock held by Terry B. and
Constance Marbach as joint tenants with rights of survivorship. Series B
preferred stock amount includes
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<PAGE> 57
(1) 44,166 shares of series B preferred stock held by Strafe & Co. for the
benefit of Mr. Marbach, and (2) 40,690 shares of series B preferred stock
held by Terry B. and Constance Marbach as joint tenants with rights of
survivorship.
(5) Mr. Kirr's address is 621 Washington Street, Columbus, Indiana 47201.
Common stock amount includes warrants to purchase 1,562 shares of common
stock held by Mr. Kirr, and warrants to purchase 7,500 of common stock held
by held by Nom. & Co. for the benefit of Mr. Kirr.
(6) Mr. Hoagland's address is 115 Fox Hollow Road, Woodside, California 94062.
Common stock amount includes warrants to purchase 3,344 shares of common
stock. Series B preferred stock amount includes 25,000 shares held by LGH
Limited Partnership, for which Mr. Hoagland is a limited partner.
(7) Mr. Reams' address is 2639 Riverside Drive, Columbus, Indiana 47201. Common
stock amount includes warrants to purchase 10,188 shares of common stock.
(8) Mr. Ruby's address is 333 Bush Street, Suite 1750, San Francisco,
California 94104. The shares listed are held by Quest Ventures
International and Quest Ventures II in the following amounts: (1) Quest
Ventures International holds 177,682 shares of common stock (assuming full
conversion of its series A preferred stock, series B preferred stock and
warrants to purchase common stock), 55,029 shares of series A preferred
stock, 41,972 shares of series B preferred stock and 33,519 warrants to
purchase common stock, (2) Quest Ventures II holds 259,952 shares of common
stock (assuming full conversion of its series A preferred stock and series
B preferred stock and warrants to purchase common stock), 80,515 shares of
series A preferred stock, 61,409 shares of series B preferred stock and
warrants to purchase 49,040 shares of common stock. Mr. Ruby may be deemed
to beneficially own such shares as the general partner of Foray Partners,
the general partner of both Quest entities. Mr. Ruby disclaims beneficial
ownership of these shares.
(9) Ms. Orullian's address is 35 South Ammons Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80226.
(10) Mr. Browning's address is 79 South Eldridge Way, Golden, Colorado 80401.
Common stock amount includes 900,000 shares owned by DDB Investment
Company, LLLP of which Mr. Browning is a General Partner.
(11) Mr. Wagner's address is 7800 Fox Creek Trail, Franktown, Colorado 80116.
Common stock amount includes options to purchase 106,250 shares of common
stock.
(12) Mr. Slunaker's address is 143 Grey Squirrel Way, Franktown, Colorado
80116. Common stock amount includes options to purchase 25,000 shares of
common stock.
(13) Mr. Webb's address is 1585 Bluebird Drive, Bailey, Colorado 80421. Common
stock amount includes options to purchase 5,000 shares of common stock.
(14) Mr. Pulling's address is 10066 South Deer Creek Street, Highlands Ranch,
Colorado 80126. Common stock amount includes options to purchase 5,000
shares of common stock.
(15) Common stock amount includes warrants to purchase 255,406 shares of common
stock and options to purchase 316,600 shares of common stock. If all of the
ProCard series A preferred and series B preferred shares were converted
into common stock, and if all options and warrants to purchase common stock
were exercised, the directors and officers of ProCard would own 54% of
the issued and outstanding shares of ProCard capital stock.
(16) Shares are subject to a voting agreement between Synovus and several
officers and all the directors of ProCard. Only 272,559 of the shares
beneficially owned by Mr. Marbach are subject to the voting agreement.
REGULATORY MATTERS
GENERAL
As a bank holding company, Synovus is subject to regulation under the Bank
Holding Company Act, and to inspection, examination and supervision by the
Federal Reserve. Under the Bank Holding Company Act, bank holding companies
generally may not acquire the ownership or control of more than 5% of the
voting shares or substantially all the assets of any company, including a bank,
without the Federal Reserve's prior approval. In addition, bank holding
companies generally may engage, directly or indirectly, only in banking and
such other activities expressly found by the Federal Reserve, before November
11, 1999, to be closely related to banking.
Synovus' affiliate national banking associations are subject to regulation
and examination primarily by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and,
secondarily, by the FDIC and the Federal Reserve. Synovus' state-chartered
banks are subject to primary federal regulation and examination by the FDIC
and, in addition, are regulated and examined by their respective state banking
departments.
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Numerous other federal and state laws, as well as regulations promulgated
by the Federal Reserve, the state banking regulators, the OCC and the FDIC
govern almost all aspects of the operations of the banks.
DIVIDENDS
Under the laws of the State of Georgia, Synovus, as a business
corporation, may declare and pay dividends in cash or property unless the
payment or declaration would be contrary to restrictions contained in its
Articles of Incorporation, and unless, after payment of the dividend, it would
not be able to pay its debts when they become due in the usual course of its
business or its total assets would be less than the sum of its total
liabilities. Synovus is also subject to regulatory capital restrictions that
limit the amount of cash dividends that it may pay. Additionally, Synovus is
subject to contractual restrictions that limit the amount of cash dividends it
may pay.
The primary sources of funds for Synovus' payment of dividends to its
shareholders are dividends and fees to Synovus from its banking and nonbanking
affiliates. Various federal and state statutory provisions and regulations
limit the amount of dividends that the subsidiary banks of Synovus may pay.
Under the regulations of the Georgia Banking Department, a Georgia bank must
have approval of the Georgia Banking Department to pay cash dividends if, at
the time of such payment:
- the ratio of such banking affiliate's equity capital, which includes
the aggregate par value of all outstanding common stock, paid-in
surplus, retained earnings, capital resources, reserves for loan
losses, aggregate par value of outstanding preferred stock which is
not redeemable and other outstanding instruments which are required
to be converted into common stock, to its adjusted total assets is
less than 6%;
- the aggregate amount of dividends to be declared or anticipated to be
declared during the current calendar year exceeds 50% of its net
after-tax profit for the previous calendar year; or
- its total classified assets in its most recent regulatory examination
exceeded 80% of its equity capital, as defined above, as reflected in
such examination.
In general, the approval of the Alabama Banking Department and the Florida
Banking Department is required if the total of all dividends declared by an
Alabama or Florida bank, as the case may be, in any year would exceed the total
of its net profits for that year combined with its retained net profits for the
preceding two years less any required transfers to surplus. In addition, the
approval of the OCC is required for a national bank to pay dividends in excess
of the bank's retained net income for the current year plus retained net income
for the preceding two years.
Some of Synovus' banking affiliates have in the past been required to
secure prior regulatory approval for the payment of dividends to Synovus in
excess of regulatory limits and may be required to seek approval for the
payment of dividends to Synovus in excess of such limits in the future. If such
prior regulatory approvals are sought, there is no assurance that any such
regulatory approvals will be granted.
Federal and state banking regulations applicable to Synovus and its
banking subsidiaries require minimum levels of capital which limit the amounts
available for payment of dividends. Synovus' objective is to pay out at least
one-third of prior year's earnings in cash dividends to its shareholders.
Synovus and its predecessors have paid cash dividends on their common
stock in every year since 1891. Under restrictions imposed under federal and
state laws, Synovus' subsidiary banks could declare aggregate dividends to
Synovus of approximately $109.7 million during 2000 without obtaining
regulatory approval.
Holders of ProCard series A preferred and series B preferred stock are not
entitled to receive any dividends. In the two most recent fiscal years no cash
dividends for ProCard common stock have been declared. ProCard does not
anticipate that dividends will be paid on ProCard common stock in the
foreseeable future.
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CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
Synovus is required to comply with the capital adequacy standards
established by the Federal Reserve and its banking subsidiaries must comply with
similar capital adequacy standards established by the OCC and FDIC, as
applicable. There are two basic measures of capital adequacy for bank holding
companies and their banking subsidiaries that have been promulgated by the
Federal Reserve, the FDIC and the OCC: a risk-based measure and a leverage
measure. All applicable capital standards must be satisfied for a bank holding
company or a bank to be considered in compliance.
The risk-based capital standards are designed to make regulatory
capital requirements more sensitive to differences in risk profile among banks
and bank holding companies, to account for off-balance-sheet exposure, and to
minimize disincentives for holding liquid assets. Assets and off-balance-sheet
items are assigned to broad risk categories, each with appropriate weights. The
resulting capital ratios represent capital as a percentage of total
risk-weighted assets and off-balance-sheet items.
The minimum guideline for the ratio of total capital to risk-weighted
assets (including certain off-balance-sheet items, such as standby letters of
credit) is 8.0%. At least half of total capital must comprise common stock,
minority interests in the equity accounts of consolidated subsidiaries,
noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, and a limited amount of cumulative
perpetual preferred stock, less goodwill and certain other intangible assets,
referred to as Tier 1 Capital. The remainder may consist of subordinated debt,
other preferred stock, and a limited amount of loan loss reserves, referred to
as Tier 2 Capital. The Federal Reserve also requires certain bank holding
companies that engage in trading activities to adjust their risk-based capital
to take into consideration market risk that may result from movements in market
prices of covered trading positions in trading accounts, or from foreign
exchange or commodity positions, whether or not in trading accounts, including
changes in interest rates, equity prices, foreign exchange rates or commodity
prices. Any capital required to be maintained under these provisions may consist
of new Tier 3 Capital consisting of certain short term subordinated debt. In
addition, the Federal Reserve has issued a policy statement, under which a bank
holding company that is determined to have weaknesses in its risk management
processes or a high level of interest rate risk exposure may be required to hold
additional capital.
The Federal Reserve has also established minimum leverage ratio
guidelines for bank holding companies. These guidelines provide for a minimum
leverage ratio of Tier 1 Capital to average assets, less goodwill and certain
other intangible assets, of 3.0% for bank holding companies that meet certain
specified criteria, including having the highest regulatory rating. All other
bank holding companies generally are required to maintain a leverage ratio of at
least 4.0%. Bank holding companies are expected to maintain higher-than-minimum
capital ratios if they have supervisory, financial, operational, or managerial
weaknesses, or if they are anticipating or experiencing significant growth.
Synovus has not been advised by the Federal Reserve of any specific minimum
leverage ratio applicable to it.
At December 31, 1999, Synovus' total capital ratio was 13.77%, its Tier
1 Capital ratio was 12.51% and its Tier 1 leverage ratio was 10.52%. Assuming
the merger had been consummated on December 31, 1999, the total capital ratio of
Synovus would have been 13.75%, its Tier 1 Capital ratio would have been 12.50%
and its Tier 1 leverage ratio would have been 10.54%. Each of these ratios
exceeds the current requirements under the Federal Reserve's capital guidelines.
Each of Synovus' banking subsidiaries is subject to similar risk-based
and leverage capital requirements adopted by its applicable federal banking
agency, and each was in compliance with the applicable minimum capital
requirements as of December 31, 1999.
Failure to meet capital guidelines could subject a bank to a variety of
enforcement remedies, including issuance of a capital directive, the termination
of deposit insurance by the FDIC, a prohibition on the taking of brokered
deposits, and certain other restrictions on its business. As described below,
substantial additional restrictions can be imposed upon FDIC-insured depository
institutions that fail to meet applicable capital requirements. See "Prompt
Corrective Action."
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COMMITMENTS TO SUBSIDIARY BANKS
Under the Federal Reserve's policy, Synovus is expected to act as a
source of financial strength to its subsidiary banks and to commit resources to
support its subsidiary banks in circumstances when it might not do so absent
such policy. In addition, any capital loans by Synovus to any of its subsidiary
banks would also be subordinate in right of payment to depositors and to certain
other indebtedness of such bank.
In the event of Synovus' bankruptcy, any commitment by Synovus to a
federal bank regulatory agency to maintain the capital of a banking subsidiary
will be assumed by the bankruptcy trustee and entitled to a priority of payment.
In addition, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act provides that any financial
institution whose deposits are insured by the FDIC generally shall be liable for
any loss incurred by the FDIC in connection with the default of, or any
assistance provided by the FDIC to, a commonly controlled financial institution.
PROMPT CORRECTIVE ACTION
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act of 1991 establishes a
system of prompt corrective action to resolve the problems of undercapitalized
institutions. Under this system the federal banking regulators are required to
rate supervised institutions on the basis of five capital categories as
described below. The federal banking regulators are also required to take
certain mandatory supervisory actions, and are authorized to take other
discretionary actions, with respect to institutions in the three
undercapitalized categories, the severity of which will depend upon the capital
category in which the institution is placed. Generally, subject to a narrow
exception, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act requires the banking
regulator to appoint a receiver or conservator for an institution that is
critically undercapitalized. The federal banking agencies have specified by
regulation the relevant capital level for each category.
Under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, the Federal
Reserve, the FDIC, the OCC and the Office of Thrift Supervision have adopted
regulations setting forth a five-tier scheme for measuring the capital adequacy
of the financial institutions they supervise. Under the regulations, an
institution would be placed in one of the following capital categories:
- Well Capitalized-an institution that has a total capital ratio
of at least 10%, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of at least 6% and a
Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 5%;
- Adequately Capitalized-an institution that has a total capital
ratio of at least 8%, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of at least 4%
and a Tier 1 leverage ratio of at least 4%;
- Undercapitalized-an institution that has a total capital ratio
of under 8%, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of under 4% or a Tier 1
leverage ratio of under 4%;
- Significantly Undercapitalized-an institution that has a total
capital ratio of under 6%, a Tier 1 Capital ratio of under 3%
or a Tier 1 leverage ratio of under 3%; and
- Critically Undercapitalized-an institution whose tangible
equity is not greater than 2% of total tangible assets.
The regulations permit the appropriate federal banking regulator to downgrade an
institution to the next lower category if the regulator determines (1) after
notice and opportunity for hearing or response, that the institution is in an
unsafe or unsound condition or (2) that the institution has received and not
corrected a less-than-satisfactory rating for any of the categories of asset
quality, management, earnings or liquidity in its most recent examination.
Supervisory actions by the appropriate federal banking regulator depend upon an
institution's classification within the five categories. Synovus' management
believes that Synovus and its bank subsidiaries have the requisite capital
levels to qualify as well capitalized institutions under the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Act regulations.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act generally prohibits a
depository institution from making any capital distribution, including payment
of a dividend, or paying any management fee to its holding company if the
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depository institution would thereafter be undercapitalized. Undercapitalized
depository institutions are subject to restrictions on borrowing from the
Federal Reserve System. In addition, undercapitalized depository institutions
are subject to growth limitations and are required to submit capital restoration
plans. A depository institution's holding company must guarantee the capital
plan, up to an amount equal to the lesser of 5% of the depository institution's
assets at the time it becomes undercapitalized or the amount of the capital
deficiency when the institution fails to comply with the plan. Federal banking
agencies may reject a capital plan without determining, among other things, that
the plan is based on realistic assumptions and is likely to succeed in restoring
the depository institution's capital. If a depository institution fails to
submit an acceptable plan, it is treated as if it is significantly
undercapitalized.
Significantly undercapitalized depository institutions may be subject
to a number of requirements and restrictions, including orders to sell
sufficient voting stock to become adequately capitalized, requirements to reduce
total assets and cessation of receipt of deposits from correspondent banks.
Critically undercapitalized depository institutions are subject to appointment
of a receiver or conservator.
SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS STANDARDS
The Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Act and the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory
Improvement Act of 1994, requires the federal bank regulatory agencies to
prescribe standards, by regulations or guidelines, relating to internal
controls, information systems and internal audit systems, loan documentation,
credit underwriting, interest rate risk exposure, asset growth, asset quality,
earnings, stock valuation and compensation, fees and benefits and such other
operational and managerial standards as the agencies deem appropriate. The
federal bank regulatory agencies have adopted a set of guidelines prescribing
safety and soundness standards under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Act. The guidelines establish general standards relating to internal controls
and information systems, internal audit systems, loan documentation, credit
underwriting, interest rate exposure, asset growth and compensation, fees and
benefits. In general, the guidelines require, among other things, appropriate
systems and practices to identify and manage the risks and exposures specified
in the guidelines. The guidelines prohibit excessive compensation as an unsafe
and unsound practice and describe compensation as excessive when the amounts
paid are unreasonable or disproportionate to the services performed by an
executive officer, employee, director or principal stockholder. The federal
banking agencies determined that stock valuation standards were not appropriate.
In addition, the agencies adopted regulations that authorize, but do not
require, an agency to order an institution that has been given notice by an
agency that it is not satisfying any of such safety and soundness standards to
submit a compliance plan. If, after being so notified, an institution fails to
submit an acceptable compliance plan, the agency must issue an order directing
action to correct the deficiency and may issue an order directing other actions
of the types to which an undercapitalized institution is subject under the
prompt correction action provisions of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Act. See "Prompt Corrective Action." If an institution fails to comply with such
an order, the agency may seek to enforce such order in judicial proceedings and
to impose civil money penalties.
DEPOSITOR PREFERENCE STATUTE
Legislation has been enacted providing that deposits and certain claims
for administrative expenses and employee compensation against an insured
depository institution would be afforded a priority over other general unsecured
claims against such an institution, including federal funds and letters of
credit, in the "liquidation or other resolution" of such an institution by any
receiver.
RECENT LEGISLATION
On November 12, 1999, President Clinton signed into law legislation
which allows bank holding companies to engage in a wider range of non-banking
activities, including greater authority to engage in securities and insurance
activities. Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, a bank holding company that elects
to become a financial holding company may engage in any activity that the
Federal Reserve, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, determines
by regulation or order is: (1) financial in nature; (2) incidental to any such
financial activity; or (3) complementary to any such financial activity and does
not pose a substantial risk to the safety or soundness of depository
institutions or the financial system generally. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act makes
significant changes in United States banking law, principally by repealing
restrictive provisions of the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley
Act specifies certain activities that are deemed to be financial in nature,
including lending,
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exchanging, transferring, investing for others, or safeguarding money or
securities; underwriting and selling insurance; providing financial, investment,
or economic advisory services; underwriting, dealing in or making a market in,
securities; and any activity currently permitted for bank holding companies by
the Federal Reserve under Section 4(c)(8) of the Bank Holding Company Act. The
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act does not authorize banks or their affiliates to engage in
commercial activities that are not financial in nature. A bank holding company
may elect to be treated as a financial holding company only if all depository
institution subsidiaries of the holding company are well-capitalized,
well-managed and have at least a satisfactory rating under the Community
Reinvestment Act.
National banks are also authorized by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to
engage, through "financial subsidiaries," in any activity that is permissible
for a financial holding company and any activity that the Secretary of the
Treasury, in consultation with the Federal Reserve, determines is financial in
nature or incidental to any such financial activity, except: (1) insurance
underwriting; (2) real estate development or real estate investment activities,
unless otherwise permitted by law; (3) insurance company portfolio investments;
and (4) merchant banking. The authority of a national bank to invest in a
financial subsidiary is subject to a number of conditions, including, among
other things, requirements that the bank must be well-managed and
well-capitalized, after deducting from the bank's capital outstanding
investments in financial subsidiaries. The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act provides that
state banks may invest in financial subsidiaries, assuming they have the
requisite authority under applicable state law, subject to the same conditions
that apply to national bank investments in financial subsidiaries.
The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act also contains a number of other provisions
that will affect Synovus' operations and the operations of all financial
institutions. One of the new provisions relates to the financial privacy of
consumers, authorizing federal banking regulators to adopt rules that will limit
the ability of banks and other financial entities to disclose non-public
information about consumers to non-affiliated entities. These limitations will
likely require more disclosure to consumers, and in some circumstances, will
require consent by the consumer before information is allowed to be provided to
a third party.
On March 29, 2000, Synovus filed a declaration with the Federal Reserve
to become a financial holding company. It is anticipated that Synovus'
declaration will become effective on May 1, 2000, although there are no
assurances that such will be the case.
At this time, it is not possible to predict the impact of the
Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act on Synovus' financial condition or results of operations.
POOLING OF INTERESTS ACCOUNTING
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has published The FASB
Exposure Draft on Business Combinations and Intangible Assets that would, if
adopted, eliminate the availability of pooling of interest accounting treatment
for most, if not all, mergers and acquisitions. Under purchase accounting, an
amount equal to the difference between the value of the consideration paid and
the value of the net assets acquired is characterized as "goodwill," recorded as
an asset of the acquiring company, and amortized as a charge against earnings
over a period of years. If adopted as presently proposed, this change in
accounting standards would be effective for acquisitions agreed to and announced
after the end of 2000 or earlier in some circumstances.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Synovus common stock to be issued in connection
with the merger will be passed upon by Kathleen Moates, Senior Vice President
and Senior Deputy General Counsel of Synovus. Ms. Moates beneficially owns
shares of Synovus common stock and options to purchase additional shares of
Synovus common stock. As of the date of this document, the number of shares Ms.
Moates owns or has the right to acquire upon exercise of her options is, in the
aggregate, less than 0.1% of the outstanding shares of Synovus common stock.
EXPERTS
The consolidated balance sheets of Synovus and its subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of income,
changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1999, all of which are incorporated by
reference in this document, have
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been audited by KPMG LLP, independent public accountants, whose report thereon
is incorporated into this document by reference. These financial statements have
been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP and
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
OTHER MATTERS
ProCard's board of directors does not know of any matters to be
presented at the special meeting other than those set forth above. If any other
matters are properly brought before the special meeting or any adjournment of
the special meeting, the enclosed proxy will be deemed to confer discretionary
authority on the individuals named as proxies to vote the shares represented by
the proxy as to any such matters.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Synovus' 2001 annual meeting of shareholders will be held in April
2001. Any shareholder satisfying the Securities and Exchange Commission
requirements and wishing to submit a proposal to be included in the proxy
statement for the 2001 annual meeting of shareholders should submit the proposal
in writing to the Secretary, Synovus Financial Corp., 901 Front Avenue, Suite
301, Columbus, Georgia 31901. Synovus must receive a proposal by November 16,
2000 to consider it for inclusion in the proxy statement for the 2001 annual
meeting of shareholders.
If the merger is not consummated, ProCard will inform its stockholders
of the date and time of the 2000 annual meeting of stockholders of ProCard.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
Synovus files annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements
and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read
and copy any reports, statements or other information that Synovus files with
the SEC at the SEC's public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New
York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on the public reference rooms. These SEC filings are also available
to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the Internet
world wide web site maintained by the SEC at "http://www.sec.gov." Reports,
proxy statements and other information should also be available for inspection
at the offices of the NYSE.
Synovus filed a registration statement to register with the SEC the
Synovus common stock to be issued to ProCard stockholders in the merger. This
document is a part of that registration statement and constitutes a prospectus
of Synovus. As allowed by SEC rules, this document does not contain all the
information you can find in Synovus' registration statement or the exhibits to
that registration statement.
The SEC allows Synovus to "incorporate by reference" information into
this document, which means that Synovus can disclose important information to
you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The
information incorporated by reference is considered part of this document,
except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this
document or in later filed documents incorporated by reference in this document.
This document incorporates by reference the documents set forth below
that Synovus has previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain
important information about Synovus and its business.
Synovus SEC Filings (File No. 1-10312)
(1) Synovus' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1999, as amended by Synovus' Annual Report on
Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999;
(2) Synovus' Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 12, 2000;
(3) the description of Synovus common stock contained in Synovus'
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on
August 21, 1989; and
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(4) the description of the shareholder rights plan of Synovus
contained in Synovus' Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed
with the SEC on April 28, 1999.
Synovus also incorporates by reference additional documents that may be
filed with the SEC between the date of this document and the date that the
reoffering or resale of securities acquired under this registration is
completed. These include periodic reports, such as Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as proxy
statements.
Synovus has supplied all information contained or incorporated by
reference in this document relating to Synovus, ProCard has supplied all
information contained in this document relating to ProCard and the selling
shareholders have supplied all information contained in this document relating
to the selling shareholders.
You can obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference from
Synovus, the SEC or the SEC's Internet web site as described above. Documents
incorporated by reference are available from the companies without charge,
excluding all exhibits, except that if the companies have specifically
incorporated by reference an exhibit in this document, the exhibit will also be
available without charge. You may obtain documents incorporated by reference in
this document by requesting them in writing or by telephone from the appropriate
company at the following addresses:
Synovus Financial Corp.
901 Front Avenue, Suite 301
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Attn: G. Sanders Griffith, III
Senior Executive Vice President,
General Counsel & Secretary
Telephone: (706) 649-2267
ProCard, Inc.
1819 Denver West Drive
Building 26, Suite 300
Golden, Colorado 80401
Attn: Brigid Davidson
Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (303) 279-2255
If you would like to request documents from us, please do so by May 21,
2000 to receive them before the ProCard special meeting.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by
reference in this document. Synovus and ProCard have not authorized anyone to
provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this
document. This document is dated April 28, 2000. You should not assume that the
information contained in this document is accurate as of any date other than
that date. Neither the mailing of this document to shareholders nor the issuance
of Synovus common stock in the merger creates any implication to the contrary.
PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Pro forma financial information reflecting the acquisition of ProCard
by Synovus is not presented in this document since the pro forma effect is not
significant.
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APPENDIX "A"
MERGER AGREEMENT
MERGER AGREEMENT
by and among
SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.,
TSYS ACQUISITION SUB, INC.
and
PROCARD, INC.
As of March 3, 2000
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EXHIBITS
--------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Exhibit 2.1 Conversion Ratio Table
Exhibit 4.1(c) Independent Advisor Opinion
Exhibit 7.1(e)(iv) Opinion of Counsel for the Company
Exhibit 7.1(g) Voting Agreement
Exhibit 8.1(c)(iii) Opinion of Counsel for Parent and Sub
</TABLE>
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MERGER AGREEMENT
THIS MERGER AGREEMENT, dated as of March 3, 2000 (the "Agreement"),
by and among SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP., a Georgia corporation ("Parent"), TSYS
ACQUISITION SUB, INC., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of
Parent ("Sub"), and PROCARD, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Parent and Sub each have approved this Agreement and the
merger (the "Merger") of Sub with and into the Company on the terms and
conditions contained herein and in accordance with the Delaware General
Corporation Law (the "DGCL");
WHEREAS, Parent, as the sole stockholder of Sub, has approved this
Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby pursuant to
action taken by written consent in accordance with the requirements of the
Georgia Business Corporation Code (the "GBCC"), the DGCL and the Articles of
Incorporation and the Bylaws of Sub;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has approved this
Agreement and the Merger pursuant to action taken at a meeting in accordance
with the requirements of the DGCL and the Articles of Incorporation and the
Bylaws of the Company, and has directed that this Agreement and the Merger be
submitted to the stockholders of the Company (the "Stockholders") for their
approval;
WHEREAS, certain of the stockholders of the Company have duly executed
and delivered to Parent a voting agreement and irrevocable proxy (the "Voting
Agreement") relating to the shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to
vote on the Merger owned by such stockholder;
WHEREAS, the Merger will be effected by the filing of a certificate of
merger (the "Certificate of Merger") with the Secretary of State of Delaware;
and
WHEREAS, the parties to this Agreement intend that the Merger qualify
as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 (the "Code").
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1
The Merger
1.1 Surviving Corporation. Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement and the DGCL, at the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined), Sub
shall be merged with and into the Company, and the separate corporate existence
of Sub shall cease. The Company shall be the surviving corporation in the Merger
(hereinafter sometimes called the "Surviving Corporation") and shall continue
its corporate existence under the laws of the State of Delaware.
1.2 Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation of
Sub shall be the Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation.
1.3 Bylaws. The Bylaws of Sub shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation.
1.4 Directors. The directors of the Surviving Corporation shall
consist of the directors of Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time, such
directors to keep their positions on the Board of Directors of the Surviving
Corporation until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
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1.5 Officers. The officers of the Surviving Corporation shall
consist of the officers of Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time, such
officers to hold office from the Effective Time until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified.
1.6 Effective Time. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions
set forth in Articles 7 and 8 hereof, and if this Agreement shall not have been
terminated in accordance with Article 9 hereof, the parties hereto shall cause
the Certificate of Merger to be properly executed and filed with the Secretary
of State of Delaware on the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined). The Merger
shall become effective as of the time of filing of a properly executed
Certificate of Merger or at such later date and time as is specified in the
Certificate of Merger. The date and time when the Merger becomes effective is
herein referred to as the "Effective Time."
1.7 Tax-Free Reorganization. The Merger is intended to be a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368 of the Code, and this Agreement
is intended to be a "plan of reorganization" within the meaning of the
regulations promulgated under Section 368 of the Code.
1.8 Registration Statement and Proxy Statement.
(a) The shares of voting common stock, par value $1.00
per share, of Parent ("Parent Common Stock") to be issued in the Merger
will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
Act") pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-4 (the
"Registration Statement"). The Registration Statement shall be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and each of Parent
and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
respond to the comments of the SEC and to cause the Registration
Statement to be declared effective and the definitive proxy statement
that will form a part of the Registration Statement (the "Proxy
Statement") to be mailed to the Stockholders as soon as reasonably
practicable. Parent and the Company shall each provide any information
for inclusion in the Registration Statement or Proxy Statement which
may be required under applicable law and which is reasonably requested
by such other party. Parent and the Company shall promptly notify the
other of the receipt of the comments of the SEC and of any request from
the SEC for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or
for additional information, and will promptly supply the other with
copies of all correspondence between it or its representatives, on the
one hand, and the SEC or members of its staff, on the other hand, with
respect to the Registration Statement. If (i) at any time prior to the
Stockholders' Meeting (as hereinafter defined), any event should occur
relating to the Company which should be set forth in an amendment of,
or a supplement to, the Proxy Statement, the Company will promptly
inform Parent and (ii) at any time prior to the Stockholders' Meeting,
any event should occur relating to Parent or Sub or any of their
respective affiliates that should be set forth in an amendment of, or a
supplement to, the Registration Statement, Parent will promptly inform
the Company, and in the case of (i) or (ii) the Company and Parent,
will, upon learning of such event, promptly prepare, and Parent shall
file and, if required, the Company shall mail such amendment or
supplement to the Stockholders; provided, however, that prior to such
filing or mailing, the Company and Parent shall consult with each other
with respect to such amendment or supplement and shall incorporate the
other's comments thereto. The Company will notify Parent at least 24
hours prior to the mailing of the Proxy Statement, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, to the Stockholders.
(b) The Company hereby consents to the inclusion in the
Proxy Statement of the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the
Company described in Section 6.7, subject to any modification,
amendment or withdrawal thereof, and represents that the Independent
Advisor (as hereinafter defined) has, subject to the terms of its
engagement letter with the Company and the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Independent Advisor Engagement Letter"), consented to the
inclusion of references to its opinion in the Proxy Statement.
(c) The Registration Statement (or at the discretion of
Parent, an additional registration statement on Form S-3) shall also
register under the Securities Act the resale of shares of Parent Common
Stock received in the Merger by affiliates of the Company, and Parent
shall use its reasonable efforts to keep such resale registration
statement effective for a period of two (2) years after the Effective
Time. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent and such Company affiliates
shall use their reasonable efforts to enter into a
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registration rights agreement relating to such resale registration
statement, in form satisfactory to the parties thereto.
ARTICLE 2
Conversion of Shares
2.1 Manner of Converting of Shares. As of the Effective Time, by
virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of any holder thereof,
the shares of the constituent corporations shall be converted as follows:
(a) Subject to Section 2.2, each share of (i) common
stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company ("Company Common
Stock"), (ii) Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per
share, of the Company ("Company Series A Stock"), and (iii) Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per share, of the Company
("Company Series B Stock" and, together with the Company Common Stock
and the Company Series A Stock collectively referred to herein as the
"Company Capital Stock"), issued and outstanding immediately prior to
the Effective Time (except for Dissenting Shares (as defined below) and
treasury shares) shall automatically be converted into the right to
receive such number of shares of Parent Common Stock as determined by
multiplying each such share by the conversion ratio, as the same may be
revised, as set forth on Exhibit 2.1 hereto (the "Conversion Ratio").
For the purposes of calculating the Conversion Ratio, each share of
Parent Common Stock shall be valued at the arithmetic average of the
closing price per share of Parent Common Stock, as reported on a
consolidated basis on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") for each
of the twenty (20) consecutive trading days ending with the trading day
which occurs three (3) trading days prior to the Closing Date (the
"Average Closing Price"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the
purposes of this Agreement, if the preceding sentence results in an
Average Closing Price (i) less than $16.50 per share of Parent Common
Stock, then the Average Closing Price shall equal $16.50 (the "Floor
Price") per share, unless Parent waives such requirement (by written
notice to Company) that the Average Closing Price equal the Floor
Price, in which event the Average Closing Price shall equal the amount
determined in the preceding sentence or (ii) greater than $25.00 per
share of Parent Common Stock, then the Average Closing Price shall
equal $25.00 (the "Ceiling Price") per share, unless Company waives
such requirement (by written notice to Parent) that the Average Closing
Price equal the Ceiling Price, in which event the Average Closing Price
shall equal the amount determined in the preceding sentence. The shares
of Parent Common Stock issued in the Merger shall have ten (10) votes
per share, in accordance with Parent's Articles of Incorporation. If,
between the date hereof and the Closing Date (as defined below), Parent
effects any stock split, stock combination, stock dividend or similar
transaction with respect to the outstanding shares of Parent Common
Stock, the dollar amounts in the preceding sentence shall be adjusted
simultaneously with the effectiveness of such transaction by
multiplying such dollar amounts by a fraction, the numerator of which
shall equal the number of outstanding shares of Parent Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of such transaction,
and the denominator of which shall equal the number of outstanding
shares of Parent Common Stock outstanding immediately following the
effectiveness of such transaction.
(b) Each share of Company Capital Stock that is held in
the Company's treasury immediately prior to the Effective Time (if any)
shall be cancelled and retired and all rights in respect thereof shall
cease to exist, without any conversion thereof or payment of any
consideration therefor.
(c) Each share of common stock, par value $.01 per share,
of Sub that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall be converted into one share of common stock, par
value $.01 per share, of the Surviving Corporation.
2.2 Fractional Shares. No scrip or fractional shares of Parent
Common Stock shall be issued in the Merger. All fractional shares of Parent
Common Stock to which a Stockholder immediately prior to the Effective Time
would otherwise be entitled at the Effective Time shall be aggregated. If a
fractional share results from such aggregation, such Stockholder shall be
entitled, after the later of (a) the Effective Time or (b) the surrender of such
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Stockholder's Certificate(s) (as defined below) that represent such shares of
Company Capital Stock, to receive from Parent an amount in cash in lieu of such
fractional share, based on the Average Closing Price.
2.3 Exchange of Company Capital Stock.
(a) As promptly as practicable following the Closing,
Parent shall make available to each record holder who, as of the
Effective Time, was a holder of an outstanding certificate or
certificates which immediately prior to the Effective Time represented
shares of the Company Capital Stock (the "Certificate" or
"Certificates"), a form of letter of transmittal and instructions for
use in effecting the surrender of the Certificates for payment therefor
and conversion thereof. Delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss
and title to the Certificates shall pass, only upon proper delivery of
the Certificates to Parent and the form of letter of transmittal shall
so reflect. Upon surrender to Parent of a Certificate, together with
such letter of transmittal duly executed, the holder of such
Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor (i) one
or more certificates as requested by the holder (properly issued,
executed and countersigned, as appropriate) representing that number of
whole shares of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Parent Common
Stock to which such holder of Company Capital Stock shall have become
entitled pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1 hereof, (ii) as to
any fractional share of Parent Common Stock, a check representing the
cash consideration to which such holder shall have become entitled
pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) any dividend or other
distribution to which such holder is entitled pursuant to Section
2.3(b) hereof, and the Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be
cancelled. No interest will be paid or accrued on the cash payable upon
the surrender of the Certificates. If any portion of the consideration
to be received pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3(b) upon exchange
of a Certificate (whether a certificate representing shares of Parent
Common Stock or by check representing cash for a fractional share) is
to be issued or paid to a person other than the person in whose name
the Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it
shall be a condition of such issuance and payment that the Certificate
so surrendered shall be properly endorsed or otherwise in proper form
for transfer and that the person requesting such exchange shall pay in
advance any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance
of a Certificate representing cash for a fractional share to such other
person, or established to the satisfaction of Parent that such tax has
been paid or that such tax is not applicable. From the Effective Time
until surrender in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.3,
each Certificate shall represent for all purposes only the right to
receive the consideration provided in Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3(b). All
payments of respective shares of Parent Common Stock that are made upon
surrender of Certificates in accordance with the terms hereof shall be
deemed to have been made in full satisfaction of rights pertaining to
the shares of Company Capital Stock evidenced by such Certificates.
(b) No dividends or other distributions with respect to
Parent Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time shall
be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate with respect to
the shares of Parent Common Stock, and no cash payment in lieu of
fractional shares shall be paid to any such holder pursuant to Section
2.2, in each case until the surrender of such Certificate in accordance
with this Article 2. Following surrender of any such Certificate, there
shall be paid to the holder of the certificate representing whole
shares of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without
interest, (i) at the time of such surrender, the amount of any cash
payable in lieu of a fractional share of Parent Common Stock to which
such holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.2 and the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective
Time theretofore paid with respect to such whole shares of Parent
Common Stock and (ii) at the appropriate payment date, the amount of
dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective
Time but prior to such surrender and with a payment date subsequent to
such surrender payable with respect to such whole shares of Parent
Common Stock.
(c) In the case of any lost, mislaid, stolen or destroyed
Certificates, the holder thereof may be required, as a condition
precedent to delivery to such holder of the consideration described in
Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3(b) hereof, to deliver to Parent a bond in
such reasonable sum as indemnity against any claim that may be made
against Parent or the Surviving Corporation with respect to the
Certificate alleged to have been lost, mislaid, stolen or destroyed.
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(d) After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers
on the stock transfer books of the Surviving Corporation of the shares
of Company Capital Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the
Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates are
presented to the Surviving Corporation for transfer, they shall be
cancelled and exchanged for the consideration described in Sections
2.1, 2.2 and 2.3(b) hereof.
(e) Any shares of Parent Common Stock or cash due former
stockholders of the Company pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3(b)
hereof that remain unclaimed by such former stockholders for six (6)
months after the Effective Time shall be held by Parent, and any former
holder of Company Capital Stock who has not theretofore complied with
Section 2.3(a) shall thereafter look only to Parent for issuance of the
number of shares of Parent Common Stock and other consideration to
which such holder has become entitled pursuant to the provisions of
Sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3(b) hereof; provided, however, that neither
Parent nor any party hereto shall be liable to a former holder of
shares of Company Capital Stock for any amount required to be paid to a
public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat
or similar law.
(f) To the extent that appraisal rights are available
under the DGCL, shares of Company Capital Stock that are issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and that have not
been voted for adoption of the Merger and with respect to which
appraisal rights have been properly demanded in accordance with the
DGCL ("Dissenting Shares") shall not be converted into the right to
receive the consideration provided for in this Article 2 at or after
the Effective Time unless and until the holder of such shares becomes
ineligible for such appraisal rights. If a holder of Dissenting Shares
becomes ineligible for appraisal, then, as of the Effective Time or the
occurrence of such event, whichever later occurs, such holder's
Dissenting Shares shall cease to be Dissenting Shares and shall be
converted into and represent the right to receive the consideration
provided for in this Article 2 (subject to all of the rights and
obligations of the Stockholders hereunder). If any Stockholder asserts
the right to be paid for the fair value of such Company Capital Stock
as described above, the Company shall give Parent notice of such
assertion and Parent shall have the right to participate in all
negotiations and proceedings with respect to any such demands. The
Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent,
voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to
settle, any such demand for payment. Payment for Dissenting Shares
shall be made as required by the DGCL.
2.4 Treatment of the Company's Employee Stock Options. Parent, at
the Effective Time, and by operation of this Agreement, shall:
(a) assume the Company's 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") as in effect at such time and each stock option granted
under the Plan which remains outstanding at such time (an "Option")
and, as for each such Option:
(b) (A) substitute a number of shares of Parent Common
Stock for the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to each
such Option by multiplying the number of shares of such Company Common
Stock by the Conversion Ratio, rounding down to the nearest whole
share, and (B) convert the option price for the Company Common Stock
subject to each such Option to an option price for the Parent Common
Stock by dividing the option price for a each share of Company Common
Stock by the Conversion Ratio, rounding up to the nearest cent.
(c) Within thirty (30) days after the Effective Time,
Parent shall notify each holder of an Option of the assumption,
substitution and conversion effected pursuant to this Section 2.4 and
the revisions to the Options shall be effected thereby. No changes
shall be made to the terms and conditions of each Option except for
such substitution and conversion and for such changes as required to
give full effect to such substitution and conversion and except that
all unvested shares will immediately vest upon consummation of the
Merger, and an Option holder shall be entitled to exercise the Option
as to 100% of the shares covered by the Option. No payment shall be
made as compensation for the rounding down with respect to shares or
the rounding up with respect to option prices called for in this
Section 2.4. The Company agrees that no option shall be granted to
purchase Company Common Stock on or after the date of this Agreement
and that no Option which is outstanding on such date thereafter shall
be modified, amended or extended in any manner whatsoever.
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(d) Parent shall take all corporate action necessary to
reserve for issuance a sufficient number of shares of Parent Common
Stock for delivery upon exercise of the Options. In the event that
Options in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) of those outstanding as
of the date of this Agreement remain outstanding and unexercised at the
Effective Time, at or as promptly as practicable following the
Effective Time, Parent shall file a registration statement on Form S-8
(or any successor or other appropriate form) with respect to the shares
of Parent Common Stock subject to the Options and shall use its best
efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement
for so long as the Options remain outstanding or otherwise register
such shares of Parent Common Stock for issuance.
ARTICLE 3
The Closing
The consummation of the transactions contemplated by this agreement is
referred to as the "Closing." The "Closing Date" is the date on which the
Closing occurs. The Closing shall occur within five (5) business days after
satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Articles 7 and 8
hereof. The Closing shall take place at 10:00 a.m. (local time) at the offices
of King & Spalding, 191 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia, or at such other
time and place as the parties may mutually agree.
ARTICLE 4
Representations and Warranties
The Company represents and warrants to Parent that:
4.1 Corporate Organization; Authorization.
(a) The Company has the requisite power and authority to
execute and deliver this Agreement and all agreements, documents and
instruments executed and delivered by the Company in connection with
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the "Company Ancillary
Agreements") and to fully perform its obligations hereunder and
thereunder, and the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Company Ancillary Agreements by the Company, and the Company's
performance of the transactions contemplated herein and therein have
been duly authorized by action of the Board of Directors of the Company
and, if approved by the Stockholders of the Company at the
Stockholders' Meeting, will have been authorized by all requisite
corporate and stockholder action.
(b) The Company is a corporation validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all
requisite corporate power and authority to own, operate and lease its
property and to carry on its business as now being conducted. The
Company is qualified to conduct business as a foreign corporation in
each jurisdiction in which the ownership or leasing of its properties
or the conduct of its business requires such qualification. Schedule
4.1(b) sets forth (i) a list of all jurisdictions in which the Company
is qualified to do business and (ii) a list of all jurisdictions in
which the Company is operating under a trade name, and each
jurisdiction in which any such trade name is registered.
(c) Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc., as independent advisor to the
Company (the "Independent Advisor") has delivered to the Board of
Directors of the Company its written opinion, dated as of the date of
this Agreement, that, as of such date and based on the assumptions,
qualifications and limitations contained therein, the consideration to
be received by the holders of Company Capital Stock in the Merger is
fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. A copy of such
opinion is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.1(c).
4.2 No Violation. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.2, neither the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the Company Ancillary
Agreements by the Company nor the consummation of the transactions
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contemplated hereby or thereby by the Company shall (a) violate or result in a
breach of or constitute a default under any provision of the Company's charter
documents or bylaws, (b) violate any order, arbitration award, judgment, decree,
law, ordinance, regulation or any other restriction of any kind or character to
which the Company is a party or is bound or to which any property of the Company
is subject or is bound, (c) violate or result in a breach of or constitute a
default (or would result in or constitute such a breach or default with notice
or lapse of time or both) under any provision of any Company Contract (as
defined below), (d) require the consent of any other party to any of the items
described in this subsection, other than the approval of the Stockholders of the
Company or (e) require the consent or approval of any governmental body, agency
or authority.
4.3 Enforceability. The Company has duly executed and delivered
this Agreement and each of the Company Ancillary Agreements, and this Agreement
and each of the Company Ancillary Agreements constitutes a valid and binding
agreement, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its respective
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by laws of general application
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and debtors' relief, and by general
principles of equity.
4.4 Ownership Interests.
(a) The authorized capital stock of the Company consists
of (i) 17,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, of which 2,996,505
shares have been issued and are outstanding, (ii) 2,000,000 shares of
Company Series A Stock, of which 1,266,299 shares have been issued and
are outstanding, and (iii) 2,000,000 shares of Company Series B Stock,
of which 1,592,165 shares have been issued and are outstanding (the
"Shares"). The Shares constitute all of the issued and outstanding
shares of the capital stock of the Company. All of the Shares are
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, free of pre-emptive
rights, and no such Shares have been issued in violation of any federal
or state securities law.
(b) (i) Each share of Company Series A Stock is
convertible into not more than one share of Company Common Stock; and
(ii) each share of Company Series B Stock is convertible into not more
than one share of Company Common Stock.
(c) No person has given notice to the Company that he has
nor could any person be reasonably expected to have any valid claim or
action that is enforceable against any of the Company, Parent, the
Surviving Corporation or any of their affiliates, and no fact or
circumstance exists which could give rise to any such right, claim or
action on behalf of any person, arising out of any prior offer, issue,
redemption, call, transfer or transaction of any nature with respect to
any capital stock or equity interest of the Company, or any corporation
or organization which has been merged into the Company. The Company
does not own an equity interest in any corporation, limited liability
company, partnership or other entity.
(d) Except as set forth in this Section 4.4 and on
Schedule 4.4(d) hereto, there are no shares of capital stock of the
Company outstanding, and there are no subscriptions, options,
convertible securities, calls, rights, warrants or other agreements,
claims or commitments of any nature whatsoever (collectively,
"Rights"), obligating the Company to issue, transfer, deliver or sell,
or cause to be issued, transferred, delivered or sold, additional
shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company or
obligating the Company to grant, extend or enter into any such
agreement or commitment. Schedule 4.4(d) sets forth a true and complete
summary of all Rights, including the name, registered address and tax
identification number of the holder thereof, the class and number of
shares of Company Capital Stock to which each holder is entitled upon
the valid exercise, conversion or redemption thereof, and a summary of
all material terms thereof. Since the date of this Agreement, there has
been no increase in the number of shares of Company Capital Stock to
which any holder of Rights is entitled. The Company has previously
provided Parent with true and complete copies of all agreements
relating to the Rights.
(e) All outstanding and unexercised Options will,
pursuant to the terms thereof, immediately vest at the Effective Time.
All outstanding and unexercised warrants to acquire shares of Company
Capital Stock will, pursuant to the terms thereof, expire at the
Effective Time.
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4.5 Financial Statements. The Company's balance sheet as of the
end of, and related audited statements of income, retained earnings and cash
flow for, the fiscal years ended December 31, 1999 (unaudited) and 1998
(audited) (December 31, 1999 being hereinafter referred to as the "Financial
Statement Date"), are attached hereto as Schedule 4.5 and are referred to herein
as the "1999 Financial Statements." The 1999 Financial Statements (i) present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position, results of operations
and changes in cash flows, as the case may be, of the Company as of and for the
periods reflected therein, and (ii) were prepared in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") in a manner consistent with the
Company's historic accounting practices applied on a consistent basis, except as
otherwise indicated in the text of such statements. The Company's balance sheet
as of December 31, 1999 is referred to herein as the "1999 Balance Sheet."
4.6 Unreported and Contingent Liabilities. Except as set forth (a)
on Schedule 4.6 or (b) in the 1999 Balance Sheet, the Company has no liabilities
or obligations, whether accrued, absolute, fixed, known or unknown, contingent
or otherwise, existing, arising out of or relating to any transaction entered
into, or state of facts existing, on or prior to the date of this Agreement,
except unsecured trade payables and other unsecured liabilities incurred in the
ordinary course of business, and capital expenditures or contracts and
commitments for capital expenditures made or entered into in the ordinary course
of business and except for the Company's obligations under the engagement letter
with the Independent Advisor attached as Exhibit 4.1(c) hereto and legal,
accounting and out-of-pocket expenses relating to the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement.
4.7 Absence of Certain Changes. Since the Financial Statement
Date, the business of the Company has been conducted only in the ordinary
course, and except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, there has not been (a) any
material adverse change (or any event that is reasonably likely to result in a
material adverse change) in the condition (financial or otherwise), assets,
liabilities, earnings, business or operations of the Company; (b) any damage,
destruction, casualty or other similar occurrence or event (whether or not
insured against), which either singly or in the aggregate materially adversely
affects the assets, liabilities, earnings, business or operations of the
Company; (c) any mortgage or pledge of or encumbrance attached to any of the
properties or assets of the Company not in the ordinary course of business; (d)
any incurrence or creation of any liability, commitment or obligation in excess
of $10,000 by the Company, except unsecured trade payables and other unsecured
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business, and capital
expenditures or contracts and commitments for capital expenditures made or
entered into in the ordinary course of business and except for the Company's
obligations under the engagement letter with the Independent Advisor attached as
Exhibit 4.1(c) hereto and legal, accounting and out-of-pocket expenses relating
to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (e) any sale, transfer or
other disposition by the Company of any of its assets in excess of $10,000 in
the aggregate, except for inventory and equipment sold by the Company in the
ordinary course of business.
4.8 Licenses and Permits. The Company possesses all material
licenses or permits necessary to conduct its business as now operated. Such
licenses and permits are valid and in full force and effect. No action or claim
is pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, to revoke or
terminate any such licenses or permits or declare any of them invalid in any
respect and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in
the revocation or termination of any such licenses or permits. A list of all
such licenses and permits is attached as Schedule 4.8.
4.9 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, there is not
pending against the Company or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against
the Company any claim, action, suit, arbitration proceeding, governmental
proceeding or investigation or other proceeding of any character (a) demanding
money damages from the Company, or (b) demanding a temporary restraining order,
preliminary injunction or a permanent injunction or order of specific
performance against the Company. All pending suits, actions, claims, proceedings
or investigations relating to or involving the Company (or any of its officers
or directors as such) are adequately provided for in the 1999 Balance Sheet in
accordance with GAAP. The Company is not subject to any judgment, decree,
injunction, rule or order of any court, nor is the Company subject to any
governmental restriction which is reasonably likely (i) to have a material
adverse effect on the assets, liabilities, results of operations, financial
condition, business or prospects of the Company or (ii) to cause a material
limitation on Parent's ability to operate the business of the Company after the
Closing.
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4.10 Environmental Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.10:
(a) the Company is not subject to any claim, obligation,
liability, loss, damage or expense of whatever kind or nature,
contingent or otherwise, incurred or imposed or based upon any
provision of any local, state or federal law or regulation relating to
the protection of the environment, pollution control, product
registration or hazardous materials (as defined below) and arising out
of any act or omission of the Company or their respective employees,
agents or representatives or arising out of the ownership, use, control
or operation by the Company of any plant, facility, site, area or
property (including, without limitation, any plant, facility, site,
area or property currently or previously owned or leased by the
Company) from which any hazardous materials were released into the
environment (the term "release" meaning any spilling, leaking, pumping,
pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping,
leaching, dumping or disposing into the environment, and the term
"environment" meaning any surface or ground water, drinking water
supply, soil, surface or subsurface strata or medium, or the ambient
air);
(b) the Company has heretofore provided Parent with true,
correct and complete copies of all files of the Company relating to
environmental matters, and Schedule 4.10(b) sets forth the amount of
all fines, penalties or assessments paid within the last five years by
the Company with respect to environmental matters, including the date
of payment and the basis for the assertions of liability; and
(c) none of the real property owned or leased by the
Company nor improvements or equipment included within such real
property contains any asbestos, PCBs or underground storage tanks.
As used in this Section 4.10, the term "hazardous materials" means any
pollutant, hazardous substance, toxic, ignitable, reactive or corrosive
substance, hazardous waste, special waste, industrial substance, by-product,
process intermediate product or waste, petroleum or petroleum-derived substance
or waste, chemical liquids or solids, liquid or gaseous products, or any
constituent of any such substance or waste, the use, handling or disposal of
which by the Company is in any way governed by or subject to any applicable law,
rule or regulation of any governmental or regulatory authority.
4.11 Compliance With Laws Generally. Except as set forth in
Schedule 4.11, the Company has complied and is in current compliance in all
material respects with all laws, rules, regulations and ordinances to which it
is subject or by which it is bound, including, but not limited to applicable
federal and state securities laws. Except for laws, rules, regulations or
ordinances that are or are to be of general applicability, there are no existing
or, to the knowledge of the Company, proposed laws, rules, regulations or
ordinances of such a nature as could reasonably be expected to materially
adversely affect the continued conduct of the Company's business in the manner
presently conducted.
4.12 Employee Benefit Plans. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12:
(a) There are no plans, programs, policies or
arrangements (whether written or oral) providing cash or other
compensation or benefits of any kind or description whatsoever (whether
current or deferred) to, or on behalf of, any current or former
officer, employee or director of the Company or any or any of their
dependents under which the Company has any liability, duty or
obligation whatsoever, whether fixed or contingent, including but not
limited to, any employment, consulting or severance agreement and any
"employee benefit plan" as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")
(individually an "Employee Benefit Plan" and collectively the "Employee
Benefit Plans").
(b) The Company has furnished to Parent: (i) a correct,
complete and current copy of (A) each written Employee Benefit Plan and
all amendments to such plan together with any trust agreements or other
contracts or agreements which are a part of such plan, and (B) all
Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor and Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation rulings or determinations, annual reports, summary
plan descriptions, actuarial and other financial reports for all
periods ending on or after December 31, 1995, with respect to each such
Employee Benefit Plan, (ii) an accurate written summary of all material
provisions of
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each unwritten Employee Benefit Plan; and (iii) such other
documentation with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan as is
reasonably requested by Parent.
(c) All of the assets which have been set aside in a
trust or insurance company separate account to satisfy any obligations
under any Employee Benefit Plan are shown on the books and records of
each such trust and each such account at their current fair market
value as of the most recent valuation date for such trust or account,
the fair market value of all such assets as of each such valuation date
equals or exceeds the present value of any obligation under any
Employee Benefit Plan, and the liabilities for all other obligations
under any Employee Benefit Plan are accurately set forth in the
Company's 1999 Balance Sheet.
(d) Each Employee Benefit Plan has been established,
maintained and administered in compliance with all applicable laws, and
all applicable reporting and disclosure requirements with respect to
each Employee Benefit Plan have been satisfied on a timely basis,
including all such requirements under the Code and ERISA. No Employee
Benefit Plan is described in ERISA Sections 3(37), 4 (b)(4), 4063 or
4064 or is subject to Code Section 412, and the Company has never
maintained or contributed directly or indirectly to (or had an
obligation to contribute directly or indirectly to) such a plan. No
Employee Benefit Plan which is described in ERISA Section 3(1) provides
any benefits after a termination of employment except to the extent
such benefits are required to satisfy the minimum requirements under
Part 6 of Title I of ERISA.
(e) There are no pending or threatened claims with
respect to an Employee Benefit Plan (other than routine and reasonable
claims for benefits made in the ordinary course of the plan's
operations) or with respect to the terms and conditions of employment
or termination of employment of any employee or former employee of the
Company, which claims could reasonably be expected to result in any
liability to the Company, and no audit or investigation by any domestic
or foreign governmental or other law enforcement agency is pending or,
to the Company's knowledge, has been proposed with respect to any
Employee Benefit Plan.
(f) Each Employee Benefit Plan which the Company has
treated as satisfying the requirements of Code Section 401 and each
trust which the Company has treated as satisfying the requirements of
Code Section 501 at all times have in fact satisfied such requirements.
(g) There have been no prohibited transactions or
breaches of fiduciary duty under ERISA or prohibited transactions under
the Code for which the Company has any liability or, to the Company's
knowledge, for which the Company has any indemnification obligation to
any other person.
(h) The Company has the right pursuant to the terms of
each Employee Benefit Plan and all agreements related to such plan
unilaterally to terminate such plan (or its participation in such plan)
or to amend the terms of such plan at any time without triggering a
penalty or an obligation to make any additional contributions to such
plan, and the Parent immediately after the Closing shall have exactly
the same rights as the Company unilaterally to take such action without
triggering any penalty or any obligation to make any additional
contributions to such plan.
(i) The transactions contemplated by this Agreement will
not result in any additional payments to or benefit accruals for, or
any increase the vested interest of, any current or former officer,
employee or director or their dependents under any Employee Benefit
Plan. The transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result
in any payments to any current or former officer, employee or director
of the Company which will be subject to Section 280G of the Code.
(j) The term "Company" under this Section 4.12 shall
include any organization whose employees are treated as employees of
the Company under Code Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o), and the Plan
described in Section 2.4 was timely approved by the Company's
Stockholders to the extent required for options granted under such Plan
to meet the requirements for an "incentive stock option" under Section
422 of the Code.
4.13 Intellectual Property. Attached hereto as Schedule 4.13 is a
list of all copyrights, trade names and trademarks, trade secrets, service marks
or patents which are used in the business of the Company or as to which the
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Company claims an ownership interest or as to which the Company is a licensee or
licensor (the "Intellectual Property") and jurisdictions where registered (if
any). The Company has good and marketable title to or possesses adequate
licenses or other valid rights to use the Intellectual Property, free and clear
of all liens, charges, claims and other encumbrances. To the knowledge of the
Company, the use of the Intellectual Property does not misappropriate, infringe
upon or conflict with any patent, copyright, trade name, trade secret or
trademark of any third party. No party has filed a claim (or, to the knowledge
of Company, threatened to file a claim) against the Company alleging that it has
violated, infringed on or otherwise improperly used the intellectual property
rights of such party and, to the knowledge of Company, the Company has not
violated or infringed any patent, trademark, trade name, service mark, service
name, copyright or trade secret held by others.
4.14 Tax Matters. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.14(a):
(a) The Company has timely filed, including applicable
extensions, all federal, state, local and foreign Tax returns required
to be filed by it, all such returns are accurate and complete in all
material respects, and the Company has paid or made adequate provision
on its books and records for the payment of all Taxes (as defined in
Section 4.14(c)) (including any interest, penalties and additions to
Tax) required to be paid by the Company for all tax periods ending on
or prior to the Closing Date, whether or not in connection with such
returns. All deficiencies asserted against the Company as a result of
any examinations by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing
authority have been paid, fully settled or adequately provided for in
the 1999 Balance Sheet. The liability for Taxes reflected in the 1999
Balance Sheet (excluding any reserve for deferred Taxes or portion
thereof which is attributable to differences between the timing of
income or deductions for tax and financial accounting purposes) is or
will be sufficient for the payment of all unpaid Taxes which are owed
by the Company (including interest, penalties and additions to Tax),
whether or not disputed, that are accrued or applicable for the period
ended December 31, 1999 (as applicable) and for all years and periods
ended prior thereto. There are no pending claims asserted for Taxes of
the Company or outstanding agreements or waivers extending the
statutory period of limitation applicable to any Tax return of the
Company for any period. The Company has complied for all prior periods
with the Tax withholding provisions of all applicable federal, state,
local and other laws. All accounting periods and methods used by the
Company for Tax reporting purposes are permissible periods and methods
under applicable law. The Company has not been a member of an
affiliated group of corporations filing a consolidated federal income
tax return. The Company has made available to Parent true, complete and
correct copies of its federal income tax returns for the last three (3)
taxable years and made available such other tax returns requested by
Parent.
(b) Schedule 4.14(b) sets forth a true and complete list
of each jurisdiction in which the Company has filed sales or use tax
returns prior to the date hereof.
(c) "Taxes" means all state, federal, and foreign taxes,
levies, duties, assessments, reassessments and other charges of any
nature whatsoever including income tax, profits tax, gross receipts
tax, franchise tax, corporation tax, sales and use tax, wage tax,
payroll tax, worker's compensation levy, capital tax, stamp duty, real
and personal property tax, land transfer tax, customs or excise duty,
excise tax, turnover or value added tax on goods sold or services
rendered, withholding tax, social security, unemployment insurance
charges or retirement contributions.
(d) "Income Taxes" means all state, federal, and foreign
taxes measured on the income of the Company, but shall not include
other items contained in the definition of Taxes.
4.15 No Broker Involved. Neither the Stockholder Parties nor the
Company have engaged any broker, finder or agent with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or with respect to the Company's
sale or merger or any other transaction relating to the disposition of the
Company's assets, except for the Independent Advisor.
4.16 Contracts. Schedule 4.16 contains a true and complete list of
the following (hereinafter referred to as the "Company Contracts"):
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(a) all bonds, debentures, notes, mortgages, indentures
or guarantees to which the Company is a party or by which any of its
properties or assets (real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible)
is bound pursuant to which any indebtedness of the Company in the
aggregate principal amount in excess of $10,000 is outstanding;
(b) all leases to which the Company is a party or by
which any of its properties or assets (real, personal or mixed,
tangible or intangible) is bound involving an annual rental payment in
excess of $10,000 individually;
(c) all loans and credit commitments to the Company which
are outstanding and pursuant to which any indebtedness of the Company
in the aggregate principal amount in excess of $10,000 is outstanding,
together with a brief description of such commitments and the name of
each financial institution granting the same;
(d) all contracts or agreements which limit or restrict
in any material respect the Company from engaging in any business in
any jurisdiction; and
(e) all existing agreements, contracts and commitments,
written or oral (other than those described in subparagraph (a), (b),
(c), or (d) of this Section 4.16) to which the Company is a party or by
which the Company or any of its properties or assets may be bound (i)
involving an annual commitment or annual payment by any party thereto
of more than $10,000 individually, (ii) which cannot be terminated by
the Company without penalty or further obligations on not more than 90
days' notice or (iii) which is otherwise material to the Company.
True and complete copies of all Company Contracts, including all amendments
thereto, have been made available to Parent. The Company Contracts are valid and
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms with respect to the
Company and valid and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms with
respect to any other party thereto, except as the enforceability may be limited
by laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, and debtor's
relief and by the general principles of equity. The Company has physical
possession of all equipment and other assets which are covered by leases set
forth on Schedule 4.16. There is not under any of the Company Contracts any
existing breach, default or event of default by the Company or event that with
notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a breach, default or event of
default by the Company, nor does the Company know of, and the Company has not
received notice of, or made a claim with respect to, any breach or default by
any other party thereto.
4.17 Officers and Employees. Schedule 4.17 contains a true and
complete list of all of the officers and managers of the Company, specifying
their title and annual rate of compensation, bonus eligibility and a true and
complete list of all of the employees of the Company as of the date hereof with
whom the Company has a written employment agreement or to whom the Company has
made verbal commitments which are binding on the Company under applicable law.
4.18 Insurance. Schedule 4.18 sets forth a true and complete list
of the current insurance coverages for the Company, including names of carriers,
amounts of coverage and premiums therefor. The Company has made available to
Parent true and complete copies of all such insurance policies.
4.19 Title to Property and Related Matters. The Company has good
and valid title to or valid leasehold interest in its personal property, as
reflected in the 1999 Balance Sheet or acquired after the date thereof (other
than property sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business
since such date), and all of such properties are held free and clear of all
title defects, liens, encumbrances, security interests and restrictions
whatsoever, except, with respect to all such properties, (a) liens securing debt
reflected as liabilities on the 1999 Balance Sheet and (b) (i) liens for current
taxes and assessments not in default or which are being contested in good faith,
and (ii) mechanics', carriers', workmen's, repairmen's, statutory or common law
liens relating to payments that are not delinquent and which are being contested
in good faith.
4.20 Computer Hardware and Software.
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(a) Schedule 4.20 sets forth a true and complete list of:
(i) all software owned by the Company or licensed to or used in
connection with the business of the Company (the "Company Proprietary
Software"); and (ii) all software (other than the Company Proprietary
Software) used in connection with the business of the Company (the
"Company Licensed Software" and together with the Company Proprietary
Software, the "Company Software"); (iii) all technical and restricted
materials other than inventory relating to the acquisition, design,
development, use or maintenance of computer code program documentation
and materials used in connection with the business of the Company (the
"Technical Documentation"); and (iv) all Company Hardware (as defined
below). The Technical Documentation includes the source code, metadata,
systems documentation, statements of principles of operation and
schematics for all software programs, as well as any pertinent
commentary or explanation that may be necessary to render such
materials understandable and usable by a trained computer programmer.
The Technical Documentation also includes any program (including
compilers), "workbenches," tools and higher level (or "proprietary")
language used for the development, maintenance and implementation of
the software program. The Company employs individuals who are familiar
with the business of the Company and who are qualified to maintain the
Company Software and the related computer hardware used by the Company
in its operations (the "Computer Hardware").
(b) Except for rights granted pursuant to the license
agreements and related agreements listed on Schedule 4.16, the Company
has all right, title and interest in and to all intellectual property
rights in the Company Proprietary Software, and the Company Proprietary
Software is free and clear of all liens, claims and encumbrances. The
use of the Company Licensed Software and the use and distribution of
the Company Proprietary Software does not breach any terms of any
license or other contract between the Company and any third party. The
Company is in compliance in all material respects with the terms and
conditions of all license agreements in favor of the Company relating
to the Company Licensed Software (the "Company License Agreements").
(c) The Company Proprietary Software, the Company's
distribution thereof and its customers' use thereof do not infringe any
United States patent, copyright or trade secret or any other
intellectual property right of any third party. The source code for the
Company Proprietary Software has been maintained in confidence in a
manner sufficient to maintain such source code a trade secret under
applicable laws.
(d) The Company Proprietary Software was: (i) developed
by the Company employees working within the scope of their employment
at the time of such development; (ii) developed by agents, consultants,
contractors or others who have executed appropriate instruments of
assignment in favor of the Company as assignee that have conveyed to
the Company ownership of all of their intellectual property rights in
the Company Proprietary Software; or (iii) acquired by the Company in
connection with acquisitions in which the Company obtained appropriate
representations, warranties and indemnities from the transferring party
relating to the title to such Company Proprietary Software. The Company
has not received notice from any third party claiming any right, title
or interest in the Company Proprietary Software.
(e) The Company has not granted rights in the Company
Software to any third party except as set forth in the license
agreements and related agreements listed on Schedule 4.16.
(f) The Company Software and the Company Hardware are
adequate in all material respects, together with the other assets of
the Company, for the current operations of the Company's business.
4.21 Year 2000 Compliance. To the best of the Company's knowledge,
the software, hardware and other computer and information technology
(collectively, "Information Technology") owned or controlled and used by Company
(the "Company Information Technology") did not suffer any material failure to
process information as a result of the calendar change from the year 1999 to
year 2000, and, to the best of the Company's knowledge, will, in all material
respects, continue to accurately receive, provide and process data, including
time data, (including calculating, comparing and sequencing) from, into and
between the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, including the years 1999 and
2000, and leap year calculations and will not, in any material respects,
malfunction, cease to function, or provide invalid or incorrect results as a
result of data, including time data, to the extent that other Information
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Technology, used in combination with the Company's Information Technology,
properly exchanges data, including time data, with it.
4.22 Customer Relations. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.22, the
Company has not received any notice (oral or written) that any single supplier,
client or customer of Company during calendar year 1999 may terminate or
materially alter its level of business with the Company in 2000 or thereafter
or intends to put its business out to bid or for requests for proposals during
2000 or thereafter.
4.23 Transactions with Affiliates. Except as disclosed on Schedule
4.23(a), Schedule 4.16 or Schedule 4.4(d), no Stockholder or officer of the
Company, or any person with whom any such Stockholder or officer has any direct
or indirect relation by blood, marriage or adoption, or any entity (other than
the Company) in which any such person owns any beneficial interest (other than a
publicly held corporation whose stock is traded on a national securities
exchange or in the over-the-counter market and less than 1% of the stock of
which is beneficially owned by all such persons) (in any such case, an
"Affiliate") has any interest in: (i) any contract, arrangement or understanding
with, or relating to, the business or operations of the Company; (ii) any loan,
arrangement, understanding, agreement or contract for or relating to
indebtedness of the Company; or (iii) any property (real, personal or mixed),
tangible or intangible, used or currently intended to be used in, the business
or operations of the Company. Following the Closing, the Company will not have
any obligations of any kind to any Stockholder or any Affiliate of a Stockholder
except for (i) accrued salary for the pay period commencing immediately prior to
the Closing Date, (ii) Options listed on Schedule 4.4(d) or (iii) the
obligations set forth on Schedule 4.23(b) (collectively, the "Related Party
Obligations").
4.24 Accounts Receivable. All the Company's accounts receivable
which are reflected on the 1999 Balance Sheet (a) are valid, existing and fully
collectible within ninety (90) days following the Effective Time without resort
to legal proceedings or collection agencies, (b) represent monies due for goods
sold and delivered or services rendered in the ordinary course of business and
(c) are not subject to any refunds or adjustments or any defenses, rights of set
off, assignment, restrictions, security interests or other encumbrances. Except
for reserves specified and allocated to specific accounts receivable, as shown
on Schedule 4.24, all such accounts receivable are current, and there are no
disputes regarding the collectibility of any such accounts receivable.
4.25 Nondisclosed Payments. Neither the Company nor any of the
Company's officers or directors, nor anyone acting on behalf of any of them, has
made or received any payments not correctly categorized and fully disclosed in
the Company's books and records in connection with or in any way relating to or
affecting the Company or its business.
4.26 Securities Matters.
(a) None of the information with respect to the Company,
the Stockholders or the Merger (or any of the officers or directors of
the Company) to be included in the Proxy Statement will, on the date
the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Stockholders or on the date
of the Stockholders' Meeting referred to in Section 6.8, 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 are
made, not misleading.
(b) None of the information with respect to the Company,
the Stockholders or the Merger (or any of the officers or directors of
the Company) to be included in the Registration Statement will, at the
time it becomes effective and on the Effective Date, 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 are
made, not misleading.
(c) Schedule 4.26(c) lists each Stockholder who is an
"affiliate" of the Company for the purposes of Rule 145 under the
Securities Act (the "Rule 145 Affiliates").
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ARTICLE 5
Representations and Warranties of Parent and Sub
Parent and Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to the
Company that:
5.1 Corporate Organization. Parent is a corporation validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of Georgia. Sub is a corporation
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware.
5.2 Authorization and Approval of Agreement. Parent and Sub have
all requisite corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this
Agreement and the other agreements, documents and instruments executed and
delivered by Parent or Sub in connection with the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement (the "Parent Ancillary Agreements"), and to fully perform the
obligations required to be performed by them hereunder and thereunder. All
corporate proceedings required by Parent's and Sub's respective charter
documents or otherwise required by law for the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Parent Ancillary Agreements and for the consummation of the
transactions provided for herein and therein have been duly taken. This
Agreement and each of the Parent Ancillary Agreements has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by Parent and Sub and is enforceable against Parent and
Sub in accordance with its respective terms, except as the enforceability may be
limited by laws of general application relating to bankruptcy, insolvency and
debtors' relief, and by the general principles of equity.
5.3 Ability to Carry Out Agreement. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the Parent Ancillary Agreements by Parent and Sub and the
performance by Parent and Sub of their obligations hereunder and thereunder will
not conflict with, violate or result in any breach of or constitute a default
under any provisions of Parent's and Sub's charter documents or of any of the
provisions of any material indenture, mortgage, lease, agreement, license,
permit, instrument, order, arbitration award, judgment, decree, law, ordinance,
regulation or any other restriction of any kind or character to which Parent or
Sub is a party or by which either of them is bound. Except for compliance with
the applicable requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act
of 1976 (the "HSR Act"), if any, and the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, (the "Exchange Act"), applicable state securities laws and the
rules of the NYSE and approvals required from the Federal Reserve Board and the
Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, no consent of any governmental
authority or other third party is required to be obtained on the part of Parent
in connection with Parent's execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement
or the Parent Ancillary Agreements.
5.4 No Broker Involved. Parent and Sub have not expressly or
impliedly engaged any broker, finder or agent with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
5.5 Parent Common Stock. The shares of Parent Common Stock to be
issued in the Merger will be validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free
of pre-emptive rights.
5.6 Parent SEC Reports. Parent has provided to Company true and
complete copies of each report and proxy statement filed by Parent with the SEC
since January 1, 1999, (collectively, the "Parent SEC Reports"), all of which,
as of their respective filing dates, complied in all material respects with all
applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. None of such Parent SEC Reports,
as of the respective dates they were filed, contained any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a 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. Each of the audited
consolidated financial statements of Parent (including any related notes and
schedules) included (incorporated by reference) in its Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998, fairly present, in conformity
with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes
thereto), the consolidated financial position of Parent and its subsidiaries as
of the date thereof and the consolidated results of their operations and their
cash flows for the periods there ended.
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5.7 Securities Matters.
(a) None of the information with respect to Parent or Sub
to be included (or incorporated by reference) in the Proxy Statement
will, on the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the
Stockholders, or on the date of the Stockholders' Meeting referred to
Section 6.8, 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 are made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement will
comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of the
Securities Act, except that no representation is made with respect to
information supplied in writing by the Company or the Stockholder
Parties specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement.
(b) None of the information with respect to Parent or Sub
to be included (or incorporated by reference) in the Registration
Statement will, at the time it becomes effective or on 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 are made, not misleading. The Registration Statement will
comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of the
Securities Act, except that no representation is made with respect to
information supplied in writing by the Company or the Stockholder
Parties specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement.
ARTICLE 6
Covenants
6.1 Conduct of Business. The Company covenants and agrees that
from the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, the Company shall (except
as otherwise consented to in writing by Parent):
(a) carry on its business in a manner consistent with
prior practice and only in the usual and ordinary course, and use
reasonable efforts to preserve its business organization intact and
conserve the good will and relationships of its customers, suppliers
and others having business relations with it;
(b) maintain its existence and good standing in its
jurisdiction of organization plus in each jurisdiction in which the
ownership or leasing of its property or the conduct of its business
requires such qualification;
(c) duly and timely file or cause to be filed all reports
and returns required to be filed with any governmental body, agency or
authority and promptly pay or cause to be paid when due all taxes,
assessments and governmental charges, including interest and penalties
levied or assessed, unless diligently contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings;
(d) give Parent and Parent's employees, counsel,
accountants and advisors, full access upon reasonable notice during
normal business hours to all of the properties, personnel, financial
and operating data, books, tax returns, contracts, commitments, and
records of the Company in connection with reviewing the Company and its
properties and operations;
(e) maintain in full force and effect all existing
policies of insurance except for replacements or renewals in the
ordinary course of business;
(f) use its reasonable best efforts to permit the Company
to retain the material benefits provided by all existing contracts and
licenses to which the Company is a party under arrangements similar to
those in effect prior to the Closing Date;
(g) not amend its charter documents or bylaws;
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(h) (i) except for issuances of shares of Common Stock
between the date hereof and the Closing Date upon the exercise of
Rights, not authorize for issuance, issue or deliver any additional
shares of its capital stock or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of its capital stock, or issue or grant any
right, option or other commitment for the issuance of shares of its
capital stock or of such securities, or split, combine or reclassify
any shares of its capital stock, or (ii) not take any action to cause
the representation and warranty contained in Section 4.4(b) hereof
become inaccurate;
(i) not incur any liability, commitment or obligation,
except unsecured current and trade liabilities and other unsecured
liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(j) not borrow, or agree to borrow, any funds other than
pursuant to its existing loan agreements or otherwise than in the
ordinary course of business;
(k) not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets,
including without limitation any Company Software, except for (i) the
sale or disposition of obsolete or damaged tangible personal property;
and (ii) the sale of assets in the ordinary course of business that are
not material to the Company's business;
(l) not make any material capital commitments;
(m) not mortgage, pledge or encumber any of its assets or
guaranty the obligations of any party except in the ordinary course of
business;
(n) not make any adjustments in the salary or wage rate
of, or make or authorize any bonus payments to or consulting
arrangements with, any officer or employee or amend, terminate or adopt
any employee benefit plan;
(o) take any action with the intention of causing any of
the representations and warranties made herein to be inaccurate on the
Closing Date;
(p) not dispose of or permit to lapse any rights to the
use of any patent, trademark, trade name, license or copyright, or
dispose of or disclose to any person, any trade secret, formula,
process, technology or know-how not heretofore a matter of public
knowledge;
(q) not declare, pay or set aside for payment any
dividend or other distribution in respect of the capital stock or other
equity securities of the Company and not redeem, purchase or, except
for issuances of shares of Common Stock between the date hereof and the
Closing Date upon the exercise of Rights, issue any shares of the
capital stock or other securities of the Company or rights or
obligations convertible into or exchangeable for any shares of the
capital stock or other securities of the Company or obligations
convertible into such, or any options, warrants or other rights to
purchase or subscribe to any of the foregoing;
(r) deliver to Parent on or prior to the fifteenth (15th)
business day of each month a balance sheet of the Company in the form
of the balance sheet attached as Schedule 4.5 hereto as of the end of
the prior month and an income statement for such month in each case
accompanied by a certificate executed by the chief financial officer on
behalf of the Company that such statements have been prepared in
conformity with GAAP and in a manner consistent with the Company's
historic accounting practices on a consistent basis, subject to
year-end closing adjustments and the lack of full footnote
presentations; and
(s) not take any action outside the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice (unless contemplated by this
Agreement).
6.2 Public Announcements. The timing and content of all
announcements regarding any aspect of this Agreement or the Merger to the
financial community, government agencies, employees or the general public shall
be mutually agreed upon in advance (unless Parent determines that any such
announcement or other disclosure not mutually agreed upon in advance is required
to be made by law or applicable rule of the NYSE, and then only after consulting
the other party and making reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions of
this Section).
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6.3 Supplements to Schedules. From time to time prior to the
Closing Date, the Company and Parent will each promptly supplement or amend the
respective disclosure schedules which they have delivered pursuant to this
Agreement with respect to any matter hereafter arising which, if existing or
occurring at or prior to the date of this Agreement, would have been required to
be set forth or described in the disclosure schedule or which is necessary to
correct any information in any such disclosure schedule which has been rendered
inaccurate thereby. No supplement or amendment to any such disclosure schedule
shall have any effect for the purpose of determining satisfaction of the
conditions set forth in Sections 7.1(a) or 8.1(a) of this Agreement.
6.4 The NYSE Additional Shares Listing Application. Parent will
file an additional shares listing application with the NYSE to approve for
listing, subject to official notice of issuance, the shares of Parent Common
Stock to be issued in the Merger. Parent shall exercise reasonable efforts to
cause its shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger to be
approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, prior
to the Closing Date.
6.5 Regulatory Filings. As soon as practicable following the
execution of this Agreement, Parent and the Company, as applicable, shall make
the necessary filings, if any, relating to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement with the Federal Reserve Board, the Georgia Department of Banking and
Finance, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice. Parent and
the Company, as applicable, shall use their respective reasonable efforts to
cause the approval, if necessary, of such filings by such governmental
authorities to be issued as soon as possible.
6.6 No Solicitation of Transactions. The Company shall not, nor
shall it authorize or permit any of its officers, directors, employees,
auditors, attorneys, financial advisors, lenders or other agents (collectively,
"Representatives") to, directly or indirectly, (a) solicit, initiate or
encourage the submission of any Acquisition Proposal (as hereinafter defined) or
(b) participate in or encourage any discussion or negotiations regarding, or
furnish to any person any non-public information with respect to, or take any
other action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of, any proposal that
constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit the Board of Directors
of the Company from furnishing information to, or entering into discussions or
negotiations with, any person or entity that makes an unsolicited Acquisition
Proposal prior to the Closing Date if, and to the extent that, (i) the Board of
Directors of the Company, after consultation with independent outside legal
counsel, determines in good faith that such action is required for the Board of
Directors of the Company to comply with its fiduciary obligations to the
Stockholders under applicable Delaware law, (ii) prior to taking such action,
the Company receives from such person or entity an executed agreement in
reasonably customary form relating to the confidentiality of information to be
provided to such person or entity and (iii) the Board of Directors of the
Company concludes in good faith, based upon written advice from its independent
financial advisor, that the Acquisition Proposal is a Superior Proposal (as
hereinafter defined). The Company shall provide immediate oral notice and
written notice within 24 hours to Parent of (a) the receipt of any such
Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry which could reasonably be expected to lead
to any Acquisition Proposal, (b) the material terms and conditions of such
Acquisition Proposal or inquiry, (c) the identity of such person or entity
making any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry and (d) the Company's intention
to furnish information to, or enter into discussions or negotiations with, such
person or entity. The Company shall continue to keep Parent informed of the
status and details of any such Acquisition Proposal or inquiry. For purposes of
this Agreement, "Acquisition Proposal" means any bona fide proposal with respect
to a merger, consolidation, share exchange, tender offer or similar transaction
involving the Company, or any purchase or other acquisition of all or any
significant portion of the assets of the Company or any equity interest in the
Company. In connection with the services performed by the Independent Advisor in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Independent
Advisor performed a limited market check. In addition, the Company or certain of
its directors have conducted discussions with Cardsystems Solutions, Inc. and
Extensity.com. Neither entity has made an offer to the Company and the Company
has made no offer to either entity. Such efforts by the Independent Advisor and
discussions by the company with such entities have ceased and such activities
occurring prior to the date hereof shall not be construed, in any circumstances,
to be a violation of this Section, whether or not any entity or person
referenced above or contacted by the Independent Advisor shall submit an
Acquisition Proposal.
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6.7 Stockholder Approval.
(a) The Company shall call a meeting (the "Stockholders'
Meeting") of the Stockholders to be held no later than the 20th
business day after the mailing of the Proxy Statement (subject to
adjournment to accommodate Parent's proposed adjustments to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement during the ten (10) business day
period specified in Section 6.7(b)) for the purpose of voting upon the
approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. In connection with the Merger and the Stockholders' Meeting,
the Board of Directors of the Company shall (i) subject to Section
6.7(b), recommend to the holders of the Company Capital Stock to vote
in favor of the Merger and use all commercially reasonable efforts to
obtain the necessary approvals by the Stockholders of this Agreement
and (ii) otherwise comply with all legal requirements applicable to
such meeting.
(b) Neither the Board of Directors of the Company nor any
committee thereof shall, except as expressly permitted by this Section
6.7(b), (i) withdraw, qualify or modify, or propose publicly to
withdraw, qualify or modify, in a manner adverse to Parent, the
approval or recommendation of such Board of Directors or such committee
of the Merger or this Agreement, (ii) approve or recommend, or propose
publicly to approve or recommend, any transaction involving an
Acquisition Proposal from a third party (an "Alternative Transaction"),
or (iii) cause the Company to enter into any letter of intent,
agreement in principle, acquisition agreement or other similar
agreement (each, an "Acquisition Agreement") related to any Alternative
Transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, prior to the Closing
Date, the Board of Directors of the Company determines in good faith,
after it has received a Superior Proposal in compliance with Section
6.6 and after consultation with outside counsel, that it is required to
do so by its fiduciary duties to the Stockholders under applicable law,
the Board of Directors of the Company may (subject to this and the
following sentences) inform the Stockholders that it no longer believes
that the Merger is advisable and no longer recommends approval thereof
(a "Subsequent Determination") and enter into an Acquisition Agreement
with respect to a Superior Proposal, but only at a time that is after
the tenth (10th) business day following Parent's receipt of written
notice advising Parent that the Board of Directors of the Company has
received a Superior Proposal. Such written notice shall specify the
material terms and conditions of such Superior Proposal (and include a
copy thereof with all accompanying documentation, if in writing),
identify the person making such Superior Proposal and state that the
Board of Directors of the Company intends to make a Subsequent
Determination. During such ten (10) business day period, the Company
shall provide an opportunity for Parent to propose such adjustments to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable the Company
to proceed with its recommendation to the Stockholders without a
Subsequent Determination; provided, however, that any such proposed
adjustment shall be at the discretion of the parties hereto at the
time. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Superior Proposal" means any
unsolicited proposal (on its most recently amended or modified terms,
if amended or modified) made by a third party to enter into an
Alternative Transaction which the Board of Directors of the Company
determines in its good faith judgment (based on, among other things,
the written advice of an independent financial advisor) to be more
favorable to the Stockholders than the Merger, taking into account all
relevant factors (including whether, in the good faith judgment of the
Board of Directors of the Company, after obtaining the advice of such
independent financial advisor, the third party is reasonably able to
finance the transaction, the potential impact of a delay in closing the
Alternative Transaction rather than the Merger, the likely due
diligence period for the Alternative Transaction and costs associated
therewith, the likelihood of obtaining all required regulatory
approvals for the Alternative Transaction, any other contingencies
impacting the closing of the Alternative Transaction and any proposed
changes to this Agreement that may be proposed by Parent in response to
such Alternative Transaction). Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Agreement, the Company shall submit this Agreement (whether or not
terminated) to the Stockholders whether or not the Board of Directors
of the Company makes a Subsequent Determination; provided, however,
that in the event that the Board of Directors of the Company makes a
Subsequent Determination, the Company shall not be obligated to submit
this Agreement to the Stockholders in the event that all of the
Stockholder Parties have notified Parent promptly in writing that they
will not vote their Company Capital Stock in favor of the Merger and
this Agreement.
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6.8 Company Stockholders' Meeting.
(a) The Company shall cause the Stockholders' Meeting to
be duly called and held as soon as practicable for the purpose of
voting on the approval and adoption of this Agreement and the Merger.
The Company shall take all action necessary in accordance with
applicable law and the Company's charter documents and bylaws to duly
call, give notice of, and convene the Stockholders' Meeting.
(b) The Company shall, at the direction of Parent,
solicit from holders of shares of Company Capital Stock entitled to
vote at the Stockholders' Meeting proxies in favor of such approval and
shall take all other action necessary or, in the reasonable judgment of
Parent, helpful to secure the vote or consent of such holders required
by the DGCL or this Agreement to effect the Merger.
6.9 Reasonable Efforts; Further Assurances; Cooperation. Subject
to the other provisions of this Agreement, the parties hereto shall each use
their reasonable good faith efforts to perform their obligations herein and to
take, or cause to be taken or do, or cause to be done, all things necessary,
proper or advisable under applicable law to obtain all regulatory approvals and
satisfy all conditions to the obligations of the parties under this Agreement
and to cause the Merger and the other transactions contemplated herein to be
effected on or prior to May 31, 2000 in accordance with the terms hereof and
shall cooperate fully with each other and their respective officers, directors,
employees, agents and other representatives in connection with any steps
required to be taken as a part of their respective obligations under this
Agreement.
6.10 Exercise, Conversion and Termination of Warrants. Except for
Options which shall be converted to options to acquire shares of Parent Common
Stock pursuant to Section 2.4 hereof, all outstanding warrants will be duly and
validly exercised, converted or shall terminate on or prior to the Closing Date
and there will be no such warrants outstanding as of the Closing.
6.11 Employee Benefits. From and after the Effective Time, Parent
shall or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to provide the employees of the
Company employee benefits, including without limitation pension benefits, health
and welfare benefits, life insurance and vacation and severance arrangements (a)
comparable in the aggregate to those to which such employees received from the
Company prior to execution of this Agreement, and (b) as soon as
administratively practicable following the Effective Time and in accordance with
Parent's past practice, including annual financial performance criteria
established by Parent and the Chief Executive Officer of the Surviving
Corporation, substantially similar to those provided by Parent and its
subsidiaries to their similarly situated officers and employees.
6.12 Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
(a) From and after the Effective Time, Parent shall cause
the Surviving Corporation to indemnify and hold harmless each present
and former director and officer of the Company, determined as of the
Effective Time, against any claims, losses, liabilities, damages,
judgments, fines, fees, costs or expenses, including, without
limitation, attorneys' fees and disbursements incurred by them in their
capacities as such officers or directors and in connection with any
claim, action, suit, proceeding or investigation, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining
to such matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time
(including, without limitation, the Merger, the preparation, filing and
mailing of the Proxy Statement and the other transactions and actions
contemplated by this Agreement) whether asserted or claimed prior to,
at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent permitted under
applicable law (and the Surviving Corporation shall also advance
expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable
law provided the person to whom expenses are advanced provides an
undertaking to repay such advances if it is ultimately determined that
such person is not entitled to indemnification).
(b) Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to
maintain (to the extent available in the market) in effect directors'
and officers' liability insurance tail coverage covering those
directors and officers of the Company who are currently covered by the
Company's directors' and officers' liability insurance policy (a copy
of which has been heretofore delivered to Parent) for a period of three
(3) years after the Effective Time.
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6.13 Pooling of Interests Accounting. From and after the date
hereof and until the Closing Date, each of the Parent and the Company shall not,
and each of them shall use its best efforts to ensure that none of its
affiliates, takes any action that would jeopardize the treatment of the Merger
as a "pooling of interests" for accounting purposes.
6.14 Invoices. Company shall use its reasonable efforts to deliver
on or prior to the Closing Date all invoices relating to the Expenses (as herein
defined) of Company.
6.15 Affiliate Letters. Company shall use its best efforts to cause
each director, executive officer and other person who is an "affiliate" (for
purposes of Rule 145 under the Securities Act and for purposes of qualifying for
"pooling of interests" treatment as described below) to deliver to Parent as
soon as practicable after the date hereof, but in no event after the date of the
Company Stockholders meeting called to act upon the approval of the Merger, a
written agreement providing that such person will not sell, pledge, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Company Capital Stock held by such
"affiliate" and the shares of Parent Common Stock to be received by such
"affiliate" in the Merger: (1) in the case of shares of Parent Common Stock
only, except in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act
and the rules and regulations thereunder; and (2) during the periods during
which any such sale, pledge, transfer or other disposition would, under
generally accepted accounting principles or the rules, regulations or
interpretations of the SEC, disqualify the Merger for "pooling of interests"
accounting treatment, except as permitted by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 76
issued by the SEC. The certificates of Parent Common Stock issued to affiliates
of Company will bear an appropriate legend reflecting the foregoing. The parties
understand that such periods in general encompass the period commencing 30 days
prior to the Merger and ending at the time of the publication of financial
results covering at least 30 days of combined operations of Parent and Company
within the meaning of Section 201.01 of the SEC's Codification of Financial
Reporting Policies.
6.16 December 31, 1999 Audited Financial Statements. On or prior to
the close of business on the tenth (10) day after the date hereof, Company shall
deliver to Parent Company's audited balance sheet as of, and related audited
statements of income, retained earnings and cash flow for, the year ended
December 31, 1999, which audited financial statements shall be the same in all
material respects as the unaudited financial statements attached as Schedule 4.5
hereto.
ARTICLE 7
Conditions Precedent To Obligations Of Parent and Sub
7.1 Conditions Precedent. Parent's and Sub's obligation to
consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is
subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing Date of each of the
following conditions:
(a) Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The
representations and warranties of the Company set forth herein shall be
accurate in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date as if
made on and as of such date (or any date, including the date of this
Agreement, at which a representation or warranty is expressly made),
and the Company shall have complied in all material respects with or
performed in all material respects all agreements, covenants and
conditions on their part to be performed or complied with on or prior
to the Closing Date.
(b) Legal Actions. No suit, action or other proceeding by
any third party shall be pending before any court or governmental body,
agency or authority seeking to restrain or prohibit, or to obtain
damages or other relief in connection with, this Agreement or the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or which is likely
to materially adversely affect the value of the assets or business of
the Company.
(c) Regulatory Approval. All authorizations and approvals
of the Federal Reserve Board and the Georgia Department of Banking and
Finance required in connection with the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement shall have been obtained and remain in
full force and effect.
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(d) Consents. Parent shall have received consents to
assignment of all Company Contracts or written waivers of the
provisions of any Company Contracts requiring the consents of third
parties as set forth in Schedule 7.1(d).
(e) Deliveries. The Company shall have delivered to
Parent:
(i) A certificate executed by the Company
certifying to the accuracy on the Closing Date of the
Company's representations and warranties set forth in Article
4;
(ii) A certificate by the Secretary of the
Company as to the Board of Directors and Stockholders of the
Company having taken all actions necessary to authorize the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby;
(iii) The minute books, stock transfer books
(containing canceled stock certificates representing all
transfers of its capital stock prior to the Closing Date) and
corporate seal of the Company which are in the Company's
possession;
(iv) The opinion of counsel for the Company in
the form of Exhibit 7.1(e)(iv) hereto;
(v) The audited financial statements referenced
in Section 6.16 hereof; and
(vi) Such other documents and items as are
contemplated by this Agreement or the Voting Agreement or as
Parent may reasonably request.
(f) Listing of Parent Common Stock. The Parent Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger shall have been approved for
listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance by
Parent.
(g) Voting Agreement. Each Company stockholder reflected
as a party to the Voting Agreement attached as Exhibit 7.1(g) hereto
shall have executed and delivered to Parent such Voting Agreement,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 7.1(g).
(h) No Material Adverse Change. There shall not have
occurred after the date hereof any material adverse change in the
financial condition, business or results of operations or prospects of
the Company.
(i) Related Party Obligations. Each Stockholder shall
have paid in full all amounts of any kind owed by such Stockholder or
its Affiliate to the Company, or such amount shall have been offset on
a dollar-for-dollar basis against any indebtedness for borrowed money
owed by the Company to such Stockholder or its Affiliate and the
Company shall have no Related Party Obligations.
(j) Dissenting Shares. The holders of not more than five
percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of the Company Capital Stock
shall have elected to exercise appraisal rights pursuant to the DGCL.
(k) Stockholder Approval. The Merger and the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been approved at the
Stockholders' Meeting referred to in Section 6.8 by the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of the Company Capital Stock.
(l) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement
shall be effective under the Securities Act and no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in
effect and no proceedings for such purpose, or under the proxy rules of
the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act and with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, shall be pending before or
threatened by the SEC. All applicable state securities laws shall have
been complied with in connection with the issuance of Parent Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger, and no stop order suspending
the effectiveness of
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any qualification or registration of such Parent Common Stock under
such state securities laws shall have been issued and pending or
threatened by the authorities of any such state.
(m) Employment Agreements. Each of the employees of the
Company listed on Schedule 7.1(m) hereto (the "Key Employees") shall
have executed and delivered employment agreements in the form and
substance reasonably acceptable to Parent.
(n) Due Diligence. Parent shall have performed such due
diligence of the Company as it, in its sole discretion deems
appropriate, and Parent shall not have discovered any facts or
circumstances which in Parent's sole discretion may have a material
effect on the assets, liabilities, results of operations, financial
condition, business or prospects of the Company or the Surviving
Corporation; provided, however, that in order to exercise its right to
terminate this Agreement for failure of this condition, Parent must
terminate this Agreement on or before the close of business the
fourteenth (14th) day after the date hereof. Failure to give such
notice shall constitute a waiver of this condition.
(o) Affiliate Letters. Each of the Rule 145 Affiliates
shall have executed and delivered to Parent letters in form reasonably
acceptable to Parent (the "Affiliate Letters").
(p) Rights. The transactions contemplated by Section 6.10
hereof shall have been completed.
(q) Tax Opinion. Parent shall have received an opinion
(the "Tax Opinion") from KPMG LLP, as tax advisor to Parent, dated the
Effective Time, substantially to the effect that on the basis of facts,
representations and assumptions set forth in such opinion which are
consistent with the state of facts existing as of the Effective Time,
for federal income tax purposes:
(i) the Merger will constitute a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Code, and the Company, Sub and Parent will each be a party to
that reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(b) of
the Code;
(ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by
Parent, Sub or the Company as a result of the Merger; and
(iii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the
Stockholders upon the conversion of the Company Capital Stock
into shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to the Merger.
(r) Pooling. Parent shall have received a letter dated as
of the Closing Date from KPMG LLP, its independent certified public
accountants, to the effect that the Merger will qualify for pooling of
interests accounting treatment. Prior to the receipt of said letter,
Company shall have received a letter from Arthur Andersen LLP,
Company's certified public accountants, stating that Company meets the
criteria for pooling of interests accounting treatment and a copy of
such letter shall have been received by Parent.
7.2 Waiver. Parent shall have the right to waive the foregoing
conditions, or any of them, wholly or in part; provided, however, that no such
waiver shall be deemed to have occurred unless the same is set out in writing
and executed by Parent. Any waiver made by Parent hereunder shall also
constitute a waiver with respect to any rights or remedies that Parent may
otherwise have in respect of or relating to the specific conditions waived.
ARTICLE 8
Conditions Precedent to Obligations of the Company
8.1 Conditions Precedent. The obligation of the Company to
consummate the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is
subject to the fulfillment, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the
following conditions:
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(a) Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The
representations and warranties made by Parent and Sub herein shall be
accurate in all material respects on and as of the Closing Date to the
same extent as if made on and as of such date, and Parent and Sub shall
have complied in all material respects with or performed in all
material respects all agreements, covenants and conditions on their
part to be performed or complied with on or prior to the Closing Date.
(b) Legal Actions. No suit, action or other proceeding by
any third party shall be pending before any court or governmental
agency seeking to restrain or prohibit, or to obtain damages or other
relief in connection with, this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(c) Deliveries. Parent shall have delivered to the
Company:
(i) A certificate executed by Parent and Sub
certifying to the accuracy on the Closing Date of Parent's and
Sub's representations and warranties set forth in Article 5;
(ii) A certificate by the Secretary or any
Assistant Secretary of Parent and Sub as to the due adoption
by the Board of Directors of Parent and the Board of Directors
and stockholders of Sub of the required corporate resolutions
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Parent and Sub and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby; and
(iii) The opinion of counsel for Parent and Sub in
the form of Exhibit 8.1(c)(iii) hereto.
(d) Listing of Parent Common Stock. The Parent Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger shall have been approved for
listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance by
Parent.
(e) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement
shall be effective under the Securities Act and no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in
effect and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or
threatened by the SEC. All applicable state securities laws shall have
been complied with in connection with the issuance of Parent Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to the Merger, and no stop order suspending
the effectiveness of any qualification or registration of such Parent
Common Stock under such state securities laws shall have been issued
and pending or threatened by the authorities of any such state.
(f) Stockholder Approval. The Merger, this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been approved at the
Stockholders meeting by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Company Capital Stock.
(g) No Material Adverse Change. There shall not have
occurred after the date hereof any material adverse change in the
financial condition, business or results of operations or prospects of
Parent.
(h) Tax Opinion. The Company shall have received the Tax
Opinion (addressed to Parent and Company) contemporaneously with the
mailing of the Proxy Statement for the Stockholders' Meeting and
reaffirmed at the Closing.
(i) Dissenting Shares. The holders of less than ten
percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of the Company Capital Stock
shall have elected to exercise appraisal rights pursuant to the DGCL.
8.2 Waiver. The Company shall have the right to waive the
foregoing conditions, or any of them, wholly or in part; provided, however, that
no such waiver shall be deemed to have occurred unless the same is set out in
writing and executed by the Company. Any waiver made by the Company hereunder
shall also constitute a waiver with respect to any rights or remedies that the
Company may otherwise have against Parent in respect of or relating to the
specific conditions waived.
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Article 9
Termination
9.1 Termination. Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 9.1,
this Agreement may be terminated at any time at or prior to the Closing (the
"Termination Date"):
(a) in writing by mutual consent of Parent and the Company;
(b) by written notice from the Company to Parent if (i) Parent
or Sub shall breach or fail to perform in any material respect any of
its agreements contained herein required to be performed by it on or
prior to the Closing Date or (ii) any of the representations and
warranties of Parent and Sub contained herein shall be inaccurate in
any material respect, which breach, failure or inaccuracy is not cured
within ten (10) days after the Company has notified Parent of its
intent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph (b);
provided, however, that if any such breach, failure or inaccuracy is
not reasonably capable of cure within such 10-day period and Parent is
using its good faith efforts to effect such cure at the earliest
practicable time, the Company shall not be permitted to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph (b) unless such breach, failure
or inaccuracy is not cured within thirty (30) days after the Company
has notified Parent of its intent to terminate this Agreement pursuant
to this subparagraph (b);
(c) by written notice from Parent to the Company, if (i) the
Company shall breach or fail to perform in any material respect any of
its agreements contained herein to be performed by it on or prior to
the Closing Date, (ii) any of the representations and warranties of the
Company contained herein shall be inaccurate in any material respect,
which breach, failure or inaccuracy is not cured within ten (10) days
after Parent has notified the Company of its intent to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph (c); provided, however, that if
any such breach, failure or inaccuracy is not reasonably capable of
cure within such 10-day period and the Company is using its good faith
efforts to effect such cure at the earliest practicable time, Parent
shall not be permitted to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this
subparagraph (c) unless such breach, failure or inaccuracy is not cured
within thirty (30) days after Parent has notified the Company of its
intent to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this subparagraph (c);
(d) by written notice from either Parent or the Company to the
other, if the Closing has not occurred by June 30, 2000, for any reason
other than delay or nonperformance of the party seeking such
termination;
(e) by written notice from Parent to the Company if (i) the
Board of Directors of the Company (A) shall have modified in a manner
adverse to Parent or Sub its approval or recommendation of the Merger
or this Agreement, (B) causes the Company to enter into an agreement
with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, (C) shall have endorsed,
approved or recommended any Acquisition Proposal or (D) shall have
resolved to do any of the foregoing or (ii) this Agreement and the
Merger shall fail to be approved and adopted by the Stockholders at the
Stockholders' Meeting;
(f) by written notice from the Company to Parent if the Board
of Directors of the Company shall have modified in a manner adverse to
Parent or Sub its approval or recommendation of the Merger or this
Agreement in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and all of the
parties to the Voting Agreement (other than Parent) have notified
Parent in writing that they will not vote their shares of Company
Capital Stock in favor of the Merger and this Agreement pursuant to
Section 6.7(b) hereof;
(g) by written notice from the Company to Parent, which shall
be delivered no less than two (2) days after determination of the
Average Closing Price, if the Average Closing Price is less than
sixteen and 50/100 dollars ($16.50) per share of Parent Common Stock
and if the Parent shall not have waived the application of the Floor
Price;
(h) by written notice from Parent to the Company, which shall
be delivered no less than two (2) days after determination of the
Average Closing Price, if the Average Closing Price is greater than
twenty-
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five dollars ($25.00) per share of Parent Common Stock and if the
Company shall not have waived the application of the Ceiling Price; or
(i) after the Stockholders' Meeting and prior to the Closing,
by written notice from the Company to Parent, if the Board of Directors
of the Company determines in good faith, that there is a Superior
Proposal (as defined in Section 6.6), the receipt of which, in the good
faith judgment as to its fiduciary duties to its stockholders under
Delaware law (after consultation with outside counsel), requires that
this Agreement be terminated; provided, however, that the Board will
not terminate this Agreement until after the tenth (10th) business day
following Parent's receipt of written notice advising Parent that the
Board of Directors of the Company has received a Superior Proposal.
Such written notice shall specify the material terms and conditions of
such Superior Proposal (and include a copy thereof with all
accompanying documentation, if in writing), identify the person making
such Superior Proposal and state that the Board of Directors of the
Company intends to terminate this Agreement. During such ten (10)
business day period, the Closing shall be postponed, and the Company
shall provide an opportunity for Parent to propose such adjustments to
the terms and conditions of this Agreement as would enable the Company
to continue with the Merger.
9.2 Specific Performance and Other Remedies. The parties hereto each
acknowledge that the rights of each party to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby are special, unique and of extraordinary character, and
that, in the event that any party violates or fails or refuses to perform any
covenant or agreement prior to the Closing Date made by it herein, the
non-breaching party may be without an adequate remedy at law. The parties each
agree, therefore, that in the event that either party violates or fails or
refuses to perform any covenant or agreement made by such party herein, the
non-breaching party or parties may, subject to the terms of this Agreement and
in addition to any remedies at law for damages or other relief, institute and
prosecute an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce specific
performance of such covenant or agreement or seek any other equitable relief.
9.3 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this
Agreement pursuant to this Article 9, this Agreement shall forthwith become void
and there shall be no liability on the part of any party or its respective
officers, directors or stockholders, except for obligations under Sections 6.2,
9.4, Article 10 and this Section, all of which shall survive the Termination
Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained herein shall relieve any
party from liability for any breach of this Agreement, except as provided in
Section 9.4(b).
9.4 Termination Fee.
(a) If this Agreement is terminated by Parent or the
Company, as applicable, pursuant to Sections 9.1(e), 9.1(f),
or 9.1(i), the Company shall pay to Parent within two (2)
business days following such termination (by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to an account designated by
Parent) the amount of one million two hundred thousand dollars
($1,200,000.00) (the "Termination Fee"). If such Termination
Fee is not paid when due, the Termination Fee shall accrue
simple interest at the prime rate as set forth in the Wall
Street Journal on the date of termination of this Agreement
from the due date until paid in full.
(b) The payment of the Termination Fee pursuant to
Section 9.4(a) shall be treated as liquidated damages and
shall relieve the Company from any liability to Parent and Sub
with respect to any breach of this Agreement that occurs prior
to the payment of the Termination Fee. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing contained herein shall relieve the Company
from any liability for any breach of Section 6.6 of this
Agreement.
Article 10
Expenses
The Company, on the one hand, and Parent, on the other hand, shall each
pay its own expenses in connection with the negotiations leading up to and the
preparation of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions provided
for herein (collectively, "Expenses"), including without limitation fees and
expense of their respective investment advisors, brokers, legal counsel,
accountants and other outside experts retained to conduct due diligence;
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provided, however, that Expenses of the Company in excess of eight hundred
thousand dollars ($800,000) shall be borne solely by the Stockholders and the
holders of Options, which amount shall be provided for by withholding from the
Parent Common Stock to be distributed an amount necessary to pay such excess
Expenses.
Article 11
Miscellaneous
11.1 Cooperation Following the Closing. Following the Closing, the
Company and Parent shall execute and deliver to the other such further
information and documents as the other shall reasonably request in order to
consummate or confirm the transactions provided for herein, to accomplish the
purpose of this Agreement or to assure to the other the benefits of this
Agreement.
11.2 Benefits and Burdens; Third Party Beneficiaries; Assignment. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company,
Sub and Parent, and the respective successors and permitted assigns of the
Company, Sub and Parent. No party to this Agreement may assign its rights or
delegate its obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each of
the other parties hereto; provided, however, that this Agreement may be assigned
by Parent to any of its affiliates without the consent of any party hereto. The
directors and officers of the Company are intended third party beneficiaries of
the provisions of Section 6.12 of this Agreement, and the employees of the
Company are intended third party beneficiaries of Section 6.11 of this
Agreement; provided that such employees shall be employees at will and nothing
herein shall be construed as giving any such employee a right to employment or
any employment contract and, as a result, any such employee (except as may
otherwise be provided in the Employment Agreements referenced in Section 7.1(m)
hereof) may be terminated after the Effective Time in Parent's and Surviving
Corporation's sole and absolute discretion.
11.3 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in
writing signed by the Company and Parent.
11.4 Notices. All notices, communications and deliveries hereunder
shall be made in writing signed by or on behalf of the party making the same,
shall specify the Section hereunder pursuant to which it is given or being made,
and shall be delivered personally or by telecopy transmission or sent by
registered or certified mail (return receipt requested) or by any national
overnight courier service (with postage and other fees prepaid) as follows:
If to Parent or, after the Closing, the Company:
Synovus Financial Corp.
901 Front Avenue, Suite 301
One Arsenal Place
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Attention: G. Sanders Griffith, III
Telecopy: (706) 649-2479
With a copy to:
King & Spalding
191 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1763
Attention: Alan J. Prince, Esq.
Telecopy: (404) 572-5135
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If to the Company, prior to Closing:
ProCard, Inc.
1819 Denver West Drive
Bldg. 26, Suite 300
Golden, Colorado 80401
Attention: D. Dale Browning
Telecopy: (303) 279-1044
With a copy to:
Baker & Hostetler LLP
303 East 17th Avenue, Suite 1100
Denver, Colorado 80203-1264
Attention: Alfred C. Chidester, Esq.
Telecopy: (303) 861-2307
or to such other address or to such other person or persons designated in
writing by such party or counsel, as the case may be. Any such notice,
communication or delivery shall be deemed given or made (a) on the date of
delivery if delivered in person, (b) on the date after delivery to a national
overnight courier service, (c) upon transmission by facsimile or electronic mail
if receipt is confirmed by telephone or (d) on the fifth (5th) business day
after it is mailed by registered or certified mail.
11.5 Non-Survival of Representations and Warranties. None of the
representations and warranties of the parties hereto in this Agreement shall
survive the Merger nor shall their respective stockholders, directors or
officers have any liability to the other after the Effective Time on account of
any breach of any representation or warranty or the incorrectness of any other
representations or warranties contained herein; provided, however, the foregoing
shall not apply to any claim based on a representation or warranty actually
known on the date hereof or the Closing Date by the representing person or
entity to be untrue.
11.6 Entire Understanding. This Agreement, the Voting Agreement and
that certain Reciprocal Non-Disclosure Agreement, dated July 8, 1999, by and
between Total System Services, Inc. and the Company and the Schedules and
Exhibits referred to herein represent the entire understanding of the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all correspondence,
memoranda, conversations or other communications with respect thereto.
11.7 Headings. The section headings in this Agreement are intended
solely for convenience and shall be given no effect in the construction and
interpretation hereof.
11.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and, when signed by all
of the parties hereto, shall become legally binding on such parties effective as
of the date set forth at the beginning of this Agreement.
11.9 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted
under the laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be
performed entirely within such State and without giving effect to the choice of
law principles of such State.
11.10 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
11.11 Time. Time is of the essence under this Agreement.
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11.12 Knowledge. The phrase "to the knowledge of the Company" or its
equivalent as used herein shall mean to the actual knowledge, after reasonable
inquiry, of the following persons: D. Dale Browning, Kirby Slunaker, Jerry
Wagner, Art Horecki and Fred Waugh.
11.13 Statutes. Any reference herein to any federal, state or local
statute shall include all amendments to such statute through the date of this
Agreement or the Effective Time, as applicable.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed or caused to be executed
this Agreement effective as of the day and year first above written.
SYNOVUS FINANCIAL CORP.
Name: /s/ Thomas J. Prescott
------------------------------
Title: Executive Vice President
------------------------------
TSYS ACQUISITION SUB, INC.
Name: /s/ Thomas J. Prescott
------------------------------
Title: President
-----------------------------
PROCARD, INC.
Name: /s/ D. Dale Browning
------------------------------
Title: President
-----------------------------
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Exhibit 2.1
Conversion Ratio Table
The Conversion Ratio of shares of Parent Common Stock for Company
Capital Stock to be issued upon consummation of the Merger shall be computed in
accordance with the following principles:
1. On the date hereof, there are a total of 6,896,339 shares of
outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted basis, consisting of:
(a) 2,996,505 outstanding shares of Common Stock;
(b) Outstanding warrants to purchase 311,295 shares of
Common Stock. Any such warrants that are unexercised at the Closing Date expire
by their terms;
(c) Options under the Company's 1995 Incentive Stock
Option Plan to purchase 730,075 shares of Common Stock. Any Options remaining
unexercised at the Closing Date will be treated in accordance with Section 2.4
of the Agreement. All such unexercised options will become fully vested on the
Closing Date; and
(d) Outstanding shares of Series A Stock (1,266,299
shares) and Series B Stock (1,592,165 shares).
2. The aggregate number of shares of Parent Common Stock (the
"Aggregate Shares) to be issued or made subject to outstanding but unexercised
Options on the Closing Date shall be the number obtained by dividing thirty
million dollars ($30,000,000) (the "Total Value") by the Average Closing Price,
provided that the Total Value shall be reduced on a dollar for dollar basis by
the amount Expenses of the Company exceed eight hundred thousand dollars
($800,000).
3. The Conversion Ratio shall be determined by dividing the
Aggregate Shares by the sum of the number of shares outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time of Common Stock, Series A Stock, Series B Stock and
shares of Common Stock (both vested and unvested) subject to outstanding and
unexercised Options.
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APPENDIX "B"
FAIRNESS OPINION
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL
March 3, 2000
The Board of Directors
ProCard, Inc.
Building 26, Suite 300
1819 Denver West Drive
Golden, CO 80401
Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc. ("Fox-Pitt, Kelton") understands that ProCard Inc.
("ProCard") and Synovus Financial Corporation ("Synovus") propose to enter into
an agreement and plan of merger dated as of March 3, 2000 (the "Merger
Agreement"), which provides, among other things, for the merger of ProCard with
and into Synovus (the "Merger"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and subject to
certain exceptions set forth therein, at the effective time of the Merger, each
issued and outstanding share of Common Stock (par value $0.001) of ProCard
("ProCard Common Stock") and each share of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
(par value $0.001) and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (par value $0.001)
(collectively "ProCard Capital Stock"), shall be converted into the right to
receive such number of shares of Synovus common stock as determined in
accordance with the Merger Agreement (the "Merger Consideration"). Each share of
each class of ProCard Capital Stock will receive the same number of shares of
Synovus common stock in the Merger. Fox-Pitt, Kelton has assumed, with the
permission of the Board, that the per share Merger Consideration on the closing
date as defined in the Merger Agreement will not be less than $4.00 per share of
ProCard Capital Stock. Fox-Pitt, Kelton expresses no opinion as to market price
at which the Merger Consideration will trade before or after the Merger. The
terms and conditions of the Merger are more fully set forth in the Merger
Agreement.
You have requested the opinion of Fox-Pitt, Kelton as to whether the
consideration is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of ProCard
Capital Stock. In arriving at the opinion set forth below, Fox-Pitt, Kelton has,
among other things:
a) reviewed and analyzed certain publicly available financial statements
for ProCard, Synovus and Total System Services Inc. ("Total System")
and internal financial information made available to us by the
management of ProCard;
b) analyzed certain internal financial statements, including financial
projections, and other financial and operating data prepared by the
management of ProCard;
c) discussed the past, present and future operations, financial condition and
prospects of ProCard, Synovus and Total System with the management of
ProCard, Synovus and Total System;
d) reviewed the stock price performance and trading activity of Synovus common
stock and Total System common stock;
e) compared the financial performance and condition of ProCard, Synovus and
Total System with that of certain other comparable publicly traded
companies;
f) reviewed the financial terms, to the extent publicly available, of certain
merger and acquisition transactions comparable, in whole or in part, to the
Merger;
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g) reviewed and discussed with the management of ProCard, Synovus and Total
System the strategic objectives of the Merger and certain other benefits of
the Merger;
h) performed a market check to gauge the level of interest among other
potential buyers of ProCard;
i) reviewed the Merger Agreement; and
j) performed such other analyses as we have deemed appropriate.
With respect to paragraph (h), Fox-Pitt, Kelton reported the results of
the market check to the Board, including the fact that several potential buyers
were interested on a preliminary basis. The Board and senior management,
however, decided not to pursue further any communication with these potential
buyers, and Fox-Pitt, Kelton at the direction of the Board and senior management
did not contact any potential buyers.
Fox-Pitt, Kelton has assumed and relied upon, without independent
verification, the accuracy and completeness of all of the financial and other
information it has reviewed for the purposes of providing this opinion, and has
not assumed any responsibility for independent verification of such information.
Fox-Pitt, Kelton has not assumed any responsibility for any independent
valuation or appraisal of the assets and liabilities of ProCard and has not been
furnished with any such valuation or appraisal.
Fox-Pitt, Kelton is not an expert in valuation of allowances for loan
losses. Fox-Pitt, Kelton has not assumed responsibility for the independent
valuation of the adequacy of allowances for loan losses for Synovus or Total
System. Fox-Pitt, Kelton has assumed that loan losses are adequate.
With respect to the financial projections, Fox-Pitt, Kelton has assumed
that they have been reasonably prepared by the management of ProCard on bases
reflecting the best currently available estimates and judgments of the future
financial performance of ProCard. Fox-Pitt, Kelton expresses no view as to such
projections or the assumptions on which they are based. Fox-Pitt, Kelton has
assumed that the Merger described in the Merger Agreement will be consummated on
the terms set forth therein without material waiver or modification. Fox-Pitt,
Kelton's opinion is necessarily based upon economic, market and other conditions
as they exist and can be evaluated on March 2, 2000.
In the normal course of its investment banking business, Fox-Pitt, Kelton
is regularly engaged in the valuation of the securities of financial technology
companies in connection with acquisitions, negotiated underwritings, secondary
distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and
valuations for various other purposes. As specialists in the securities of
financial technology companies, Fox-Pitt, Kelton has experience in, and
knowledge of, the valuation of such enterprises.
In the normal course of its business, Fox-Pitt, Kelton may trade equity
securities of Synovus and Total System for its own account and for the accounts
of customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in
such securities. We have acted as financial advisor to ProCard in connection
with the Merger, have received a fee in connection with our engagement and will
receive an additional fee upon the closing of the Merger.
It is understood that this letter is solely for the information of the
Board of Directors of ProCard and is not intended to confer any rights or
remedies upon any other entity or persons, and may not be used for any other
purpose without our prior written consent, except for inclusion in a proxy or
information statement related to the Merger that we have had an opportunity to
review. This opinion does not constitute a recommendation to any holder of
ProCard as to how such shareholder should vote on the Merger.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, Fox-Pitt, Kelton is of the opinion
that, as of March 2, 2000, the Merger Consideration is fair, from a financial
point of view, to the holders of ProCard Capital Stock.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Fox Pitt, Kelton Inc.
- -----------------------------
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APPENDIX "C"
TAX OPINION
April 24, 2000
PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL
Board of Directors Board of Directors
Synovus Financial Corp ProCard, Inc.
P.O. Box 120 1819 Denver West Drive
Columbus, GA 31902 Building 26, Suite 300
Golden, CO 80401
Board Members:
You have requested the opinion of KPMG LLP ("KPMG") regarding certain Federal
income tax consequences relating to the merger (the "Merger") of TSYS
Acquisition Sub, Inc. ("SUB"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Synovus Financial
Corp. ("Synovus") with and into ProCard, Inc. ("ProCard"). Specifically, you
have requested us to opine that the form and substance of the Merger constitutes
a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(A) and Section 368(a)(2)(E) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (hereinafter all
section references are to the Code unless otherwise indicated) and that under
the Code no gain or loss will be recognized by the stockholders of ProCard upon
receipt of the Synovus common stock in exchange for their ProCard capital stock
upon consummation of the merger. ALL AFFECTED PROCARD CAPITAL STOCKHOLDERS
SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS ON THESE MATTERS.
FACTS
Synovus is a bank holding company organized and existing under the laws of
Georgia and having its principal office in Muscogee County, Georgia. It has
authorized 600,000,000 shares of $1.00 par value common stock of which
282,193,668 were outstanding at December 31, 1999. Synovus common stock is
widely held, is publicly traded and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
SUB, a wholly owned subsidiary of Synovus, is organized and existing under the
laws of Delaware and having its principal office in Columbus, Georgia. SUB has
authorized 1,000 shares of $1.00 par value common stock. As of February 29,
2000, 100 shares of SUB common stock were issued and outstanding.
Synovus common stock carries ten votes per share unless the shares do not meet
certain ownership tests, in which case each share is entitled to only one vote.
In accordance with the amendment to Synovus' Articles of Incorporation which was
adopted by the shareholders of Synovus and became effective on April 24, 1986, a
holder of Synovus common stock will be entitled to ten votes on each matter
submitted to a vote of shareholders for each share of Synovus common stock
beneficially owned on the record date for any meeting of shareholders which: (1)
has had the same beneficial owner since April 24, 1986; (2) was acquired by
reason of participation in a dividend reinvestment plan offered by Synovus and
is held by the same beneficial owner for whom it was acquired under such plan;
(3) is held by the same beneficial owner to whom it was issued as a result of an
acquisition of a company or business by Synovus where the resolutions adopted by
Synovus' Board of Directors approving such issuance specifically reference and
grant such rights; (4) was acquired under any employee, officer and/or director
benefit plan maintained for one or more employees, officers and/or directors of
Synovus and/or its subsidiaries, and is held by the same beneficial owner for
whom it was acquired under any such plan; (5) is held by the same beneficial
owner to whom it was issued by Synovus, or to whom it was transferred by Synovus
from treasury shares, and the
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resolutions adopted by Synovus' Board of Directors approving such issuance
and/or transfer specifically reference and grant such rights; (6) was acquired
as a direct result of a stock split, stock dividend or other type of share
distribution if the share as to which it was distributed has been held by the
same beneficial owner for a period of 48 consecutive months prior to the record
date of any meeting of shareholders at which the share is eligible to be voted;
(7) has been beneficially owned continuously by the same shareholder for a
period of 48 consecutive months prior to the record date of any meeting of
shareholders at which the share is eligible to be voted; or (8) is owned by a
holder who, in addition to shares that are beneficially owned under the
provisions of (1)-(7) above, is the beneficial owner of less than 1,139,063
shares of Synovus common stock (which amount has been appropriately adjusted to
reflect the stock splits which have occurred subsequent to April 24, 1986, and
with such amount to be appropriately adjusted to properly reflect any other
change in Synovus common stock by means of a stock split, a stock dividend, a
recapitalization or otherwise occurring after April 24, 1986). There are no
other classes of stock authorized. Ten-vote shares will be issued to the ProCard
shareholders in the proposed transaction.
Effective April 7, 1999, the Board of Directors of Synovus adopted a plan that
provides the common shareholders of Synovus with Common Stock Purchase Rights
("poison pill rights"), i.e., rights to acquire the stock of Synovus or its
successor.
Under the terms of the plan, holders of Synovus common stock received a poison
pill right for each share of Synovus common stock held by them. A shareholder's
ability to exercise his poison pill rights is contingent upon the occurrence of
either a tender offer for 15% or more, or the actual acquisition of 10% or more,
of Synovus common stock by a corporation or individual (the "acquiring person")
without the approval of the Synovus' Board of Directors.
In general, the poison pill rights become exercisable on the earlier of (1) ten
days following a public announcement that, without prior approval of Synovus, a
person or group of affiliated persons has acquired, or obtained the right to
acquire, beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding common stock of
Synovus, or (2) ten days following the commencement or announcement of an
intention to make a tender offer or exchange offer, without the prior written
consent of Synovus, for 15% or more of the outstanding shares of Synovus common
stock. Until the poison pill rights become exercisable, they cannot be
transferred separately from the underlying common stock on which they were
distributed, nor are the rights represented by any certificate other than the
underlying stock certificate itself. Additionally, Synovus may redeem the poison
pill rights for 1 cent per right until the date that specified events occur. The
poison pill rights expire on May 5, 2009.
Once they become exercisable, the poison pill rights entitle the holder to
purchase from Synovus one share of common stock. No fractional shares of common
stock will be issued upon exercise of the poison pill right. In lieu thereof, a
payment in cash will be made to the holder of such poison pill right equal to
the same fraction of the current market value of a share of common stock.
If, after the poison pill rights become exercisable, a "flip-in" or "flip-over"
event occurs, all holders of such rights, except the acquiring person, are
entitled to purchase, at a 50 percent discount, the stock of either Synovus or
the acquiring corporation (whichever is applicable). A "flip-in" event is either
(1) the acquisition by the acquiring person of 15% or more of the outstanding
stock of Synovus, or (2) the conduct of certain self-dealing transactions
between an acquiring person or any of its affiliates or associates and Synovus.
A "flip-over" event is either (1) a merger or other business combination in
which Synovus is not the surviving corporation, or (2) a sale or transfer of
more than 30% of the assets or earning power of Synovus and its subsidiaries
(taken as a whole) in one or a series of transactions.
ProCard is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Delaware and
having its principal office in Golden, Colorado. The authorized capital stock of
ProCard consists of (i) 17,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per
share, of which 2,996,505 shares have been issued and are outstanding, (ii)
2,000,000 shares of Series A convertible preferred stock, par value $.001 per
share, of which 1,266,299 shares have been issued and are outstanding, and (iii)
2,000,000 shares of Series B convertible preferred stock, par value $.001 per
share, of which 1,592,165 shares have been issued and are outstanding (the
"capital stock"). ProCard shares are not listed on an exchange and are not
publicly traded. At the time of the Merger, there will be no outstanding
securities or debt obligations of ProCard convertible into shares of ProCard
capital stock.
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PROPOSED TRANSACTION
For what has been represented to be valid business purposes, SUB and ProCard
want to combine their businesses. In order to reach that result, the following
transaction is proposed:
1. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement dated March 3, 2000 (the "Merger
Agreement"), by and among Synovus, SUB and ProCard , SUB will merge with
and into ProCard in accordance with Delaware state law. ProCard will
survive the merger and the separate corporate existence of SUB will cease.
2. As a result of the Merger and on its effective date, ProCard stockholders
will be entitled to receive from Synovus a certain number of shares of
Synovus common stock for each share of ProCard capital stock (the "Per
Share Exchange Ratio") as specified in the Merger Agreement. The maximum
number of shares of Synovus common stock to be issued in the Merger is
specified in the Merger Agreement.
3. No fractional shares of Synovus common stock will be issued in the Merger.
Instead, ProCard stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to a
fractional share of Synovus common stock will be paid in cash for the
fractional shares to be determined based upon the average of the closing
price per share of Synovus common stock on the NYSE for each of the twenty
consecutive trading days ending with the trading day which occurs three
trading days prior to the closing date.
4. Each ProCard stockholder has the right, pursuant to the state laws of
Delaware, to dissent from the Merger. Each dissenting stockholder will be
entitled to receive from ProCard, the fair value of his or her shares in
cash as established by Delaware law.
5. Effective on the effective date of the Merger, Synovus will enter into
employment agreements with certain key employees. The agreements will
provide for key employees to continue to receive substantially the same
base salary and benefits which they presently receive, and certain
severance benefits and participation in various Synovus incentive, welfare
and benefit plans.
The following assumptions of fact have been made in regard to the proposed
merger (and they form an integral part of the opinions contained herein). Each
of you has confirmed the accuracy of the assumptions as they relate to you.
a) The fair market value of the Synovus voting common stock and cash to
be received by each of the ProCard stockholders as a result of the
Merger will be approximately equal, in each instance, to the fair
market value of the ProCard capital stock exchanged therefor.
b) None of (i) Synovus, (ii) any member of Synovus's affiliated group
as defined in Section 1504 of the Code without regard to Section
1504(b) of the Code (iii) any corporation in which at least fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock entitled to vote or at least fifty percent (50%) of the value
of all classes of stock outstanding is owned directly or indirectly
by Synovus, or (iv) any entity that is treated as a partnership for
federal income tax purposes and has as an owner a corporation
described in (i), (ii) or (iii) of this paragraph has acquired or
will acquire, in a transaction that may be considered in connection
with the Merger, acquire or redeem (directly or indirectly) any
shares of Synovus common stock issued pursuant to the Merger for
consideration other than Synovus common stock, except for
repurchases, if any, by Synovus of a small percentage of its stock in
the open market as part of any ongoing stock repurchase program not
created or modified in any way in connection with the Merger. For
purposes hereof, any entity described in (ii), (iii), or (iv) shall
be referred to as a Synovus Related Party. An entity will be treated
as a Synovus Related Party if the requisite relationship exists
immediately before or immediately after the acquisition or
redemption. In addition, an entity (other than ProCard or any ProCard
Related Party) will be treated as a Synovus Related Party if the
requisite relationship is created in connection with the Merger. A
ProCard Related Party means any corporation in which at least fifty
percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock entitled to vote or at least fifty percent (50%) of the value
of all classes of stock
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outstanding is owned directly or indirectly by ProCard. Neither
ProCard nor any ProCard Related Party has acquired or will acquire,
in a transaction that may be considered in connection with the
Merger, any shares of ProCard capital stock. An entity will be
treated as a ProCard Related Party if the requisite relationship
exists immediately before or immediately after the acquisition. In
addition, any entity that is treated as a partnership for federal
income tax purposes and as an owner that is a ProCard Related Party
will be treated as a ProCard Related Party.
c) ProCard will hold at least 90 percent of the fair market value of
SUB's and its net assets and at least 70 percent of the fair market
value of the SUB's and its gross assets held by ProCard and SUB
immediately prior to the transaction. For purposes of this
representation, amounts paid by ProCard to stockholders who receive
cash or other property, ProCard assets used to pay its reorganization
expenses, and all redemptions and distributions (except for "regular,
normal" dividends) made by ProCard immediately preceding the
transfer, will be included as assets of ProCard held immediately
prior to the transaction.
d) Prior to the Merger, Synovus will be in control of SUB within the
meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code.
e) Following the Merger, Synovus will cause ProCard not to issue
additional shares of its capital stock that would result in Synovus
losing control of ProCard within the meaning of Section 368(c).
f) Synovus has no plan or intention to liquidate ProCard, to merge
ProCard with and into another corporation, to sell or otherwise
dispose of the stock of ProCard, or to cause to sell or otherwise
dispose of any assets of ProCard acquired in the transaction, except
for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business or transfers
described in Section 368(a)(2)(C).
g) SUB will have no liabilities assumed by ProCard and will not transfer
to ProCard any assets subject to liabilities.
h) Following the Merger, ProCard will continue its historic business or
use a significant portion of its historic assets in a business.
i) Synovus, SUB, ProCard, and the shareholders of ProCard will each pay
their own fees, expenses, and disbursements in connection with the
Merger.
j) There is no intercorporate debt existing between Synovus and ProCard
or between SUB and ProCard that was issued, acquired, settled or will
be settled at a discount.
k) No parties to the Merger (i.e., Synovus, SUB and ProCard) are
investment companies within the meaning of such term as used in
Section 368(a)(2)(F)(iii) and (iv).
l) ProCard is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a Title 11 or
similar case within the meaning of 368(a)(3)(A).
m) On the effective date of the Merger, the fair market value of the
assets of SUB transferred to ProCard will exceed the sum of its
liabilities, if any, assumed by ProCard plus the amount of
liabilities to which the assets are subject.
n) None of the Synovus common stock being issued to the ProCard
stockholders will represent compensation for past or future services.
The compensation to be paid to ProCard directors, officers, and
employees who are stockholders of ProCard and who will be employed
following the Merger will not be part of the consideration paid for
their ProCard capital stock but will be commensurate, in each
instance, with past or future services.
o) No distributions were made by ProCard prior to the Merger.
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p) The maximum amount of cash to be paid in lieu of fractional shares
of Synovus voting common stock will, in the aggregate, be less than
one percent of the total consideration paid to the ProCard
stockholders in the transaction. The payment of cash in lieu of
fractional shares of Synovus common stock is solely for the purpose
of avoiding the expense and inconvenience of issuing fractional
shares and does not represent separately bargained-for consideration.
q) No event has occurred which would make the poison pill rights
exercisable.
r) At the time of Merger, each option to purchase with respect to
shares of ProCard capital stock pursuant to stock options granted by
ProCard, which are outstanding at the time of the Merger, whether or
not exercisable, shall be converted into and become rights with
respect to Synovus common stock, and Synovus shall assume each
ProCard option, in accordance with the terms of the ProCard stock
plan by which it is evidenced in substantially the same terms and
conditions.
s) ProCard shareholders will receive Synovus common stock in exchange
for an amount of ProCard capital stock constituting Code Section
368(c) control (i.e., stock possessing at least 80% of voting power
and at least 80% of each class of nonvoting stock) of ProCard.
The opinions expressed in this letter are rendered only with respect to the
specific matters discussed herein and we express no opinion with respect to any
other legal, federal, or state income tax aspect of this transaction. Therefore,
no inference should be drawn on any matter not expressly opined on.
The opinions contained herein are based on the facts, circumstances, and
assumptions stated above. If any of the above-stated facts, circumstances or
assumptions are not entirely complete or accurate, it is imperative that we be
informed immediately, as the incompleteness or inaccuracy could have a material
effect on our conclusions and we have not independently verified each of the
above facts or assumptions.
In rendering our opinion, we are relying upon the relevant provisions of the
Code; the regulations thereunder; and judicial and administrative
interpretations thereof, all of which are subject to change or modification by
subsequent legislative, regulatory, administrative or judicial decisions. Such
change could be retroactive in effect and therefore could have an effect on our
conclusions. We undertake no responsibility to update our opinions in the event
of any such change.
DISCUSSION
MERGER
CLASSIFICATION AS A REORGANIZATION
Section 368(a)(1)(A) provides that the term "reorganization" includes a
statutory merger. The term statutory merger refers to a merger effected pursuant
to the corporate laws of the United States, a state or territory, or the
District of Columbia, Treasury Regulation Section 1.368-2(b).
Section 368(a)(2)(E) provides that a transaction otherwise qualifying as a
statutory merger under Section 368(a)(1)(A) will not be disqualified if the
stock of a corporation (the "controlling corporation"), which before the merger
was in control of the merged corporation, is used to acquire substantially all
of the properties of another corporation if no stock of the merged corporation
is used in the transaction. Control for this purpose is defined in Section
368(c) as the direct ownership of stock possessing at least 80 percent of the
total combined voting power and at least 80 percent of the total number of
shares of all other classes of stock.
The term "substantially all" as used in Section 368(a)(2)(E) has the same
meaning as does the phrase when used in Section 368(a)(1)(C) and in Regulation
Section 1.368-2(b)(2). Section 368(a)(1)(C) and the regulations promulgated
thereunder do not define what constitutes substantially all of the properties of
a corporation. The Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") has established a
quantitative test as to the amount of assets of a corporation that will satisfy
the "substantially all" properties requirement for purposes of obtaining a
private letter
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ruling. Under Revenue Procedure 77-37, 1977-2 C.B. 568, the "substantially all"
requirement is satisfied if the acquiring corporation acquired properties of the
transferor corporation representing at least 90 percent of the fair market value
of the net assets and at least 70 percent of the fair market value of the gross
assets held by the transferor corporation immediately prior to the
reorganization. In the case of a forward triangular reorganization under Section
368(a)(2)(D), the transferor corporation is the disappearing corporation.
The "ninety/seventy" guidelines are arbitrary percentages selected by the
Service that do not necessarily represent judicial interpretations of the
meaning of the phrase "substantially all of the properties" under the various
subdivisions of Section 368. See Louis F. Viereck v. United States, 83-2
U.S.T.C. para. 9664 (Cl. Cts.), Ralph C. Wilson, Sr., 46 T.C. 334 (1966), John
G. Moffar, 42 T.C. 558, 363 F2d 860 (9th Cir. 1966)(Aff'g T.C.) 66-2 U.S.T.C.
para 9498, James Armour, Inc., 43 T.C. 295 (1964), Smothers v. United States,
642 f. 2d 894 (5th Cir. 1981) (Affg DC), 79-1 U.S.T.C. para. 9216 and American
Manufacturing Company, Inc. 55 T.C. 204 (1970).
What constitutes "substantially all of the properties" in a situation other than
a request for a ruling from the Service depends upon the facts and circumstances
in each case rather than upon any particular percentage, Revenue Ruling 57-518,
1957-2 C.B. 253. The Service is of the view that the "substantially all"
properties requirement applies separately to each trade or business of the
transferor corporation. In this transaction, however, it has been assumed as a
fact that the ninety/seventy test will be met, thus, based on that assumption,
the substantially all requirement should clearly be met.
Requisite to all reorganizations under Section 368(a)(1) are (1) a valid
business purpose; (2) a continuity of the business enterprise under the modified
corporate form; and (3) a continuity of interest in the corporation surviving
the merger on the part of those persons who directly or indirectly were the
owners of the merged corporation prior to the reorganization, Regulation Section
1.368-1(b). The term "reorganization" does not embrace the mere purchase by one
corporation of the properties of another, Regulation Section 1.368-2(a). These
regulations reflect well-developed judicial interpretation of the statutory
definition of a reorganization, the purpose of which is to exclude from the
scope of the reorganization provisions those transactions that are in fact
sales.
Continuity of business enterprise requires that the transferee corporation
either continue the transferor corporation's historic business or use a
significant portion of the transferor corporation's historic business assets,
Regulation Section 1.368-1(d)(2). It is assumed that this will be satisfied in
this transaction as per assumption "h" above.
The regulations under Section 368(a) do not establish the amount of qualifying
consideration necessary to satisfy the continuity of shareholder interest
requirement. However, the Service has promulgated a definite test as to the
requirement for purposes of obtaining a private letter ruling. Under Revenue
Procedure 77-37, 1977-2 C.B. 568, the continuity of interest requirement of
Regulation Section 1.368-1(b) is satisfied if:
[T]here is continuing interest through stock ownership in the acquiring or
transferee corporation.... on the part of the former shareholders of the
acquired or transferor corporation which is equal in value, as of the effective
date of the reorganization, to at least 50 percent of the value of all the
formerly outstanding stock of the acquired or transferor corporation as of the
same date. It is not necessary that each shareholder of the acquired or
transferor corporation receive in the exchange, stock of the acquiring of
transferor corporation... which is equal in value to at least 50 percent of the
value of his former stock interest in the acquired or transferor corporation, so
long as one or more of the shareholders of the acquired or transferor
corporation have a continuing interest through stock ownership in the acquiring
or transferee corporation... which is, in the aggregate, equal in value to at
least 50 percent of the value of all of the formerly outstanding stock of the
acquired or transferor corporation.
The 50 percent definitive test of this revenue procedure does not as a matter of
law establish the amount of qualifying consideration necessary to meet the
continuity of interest requirement of Regulation Section 1.368-1(b). In other
words, the continuation of a capital stock ownership in the acquiring
corporation equal to less than 50 percent of the value of the stock of the
acquired corporation does not itself mark a discontinuity of interest. The
Supreme Court in John A. Nelson Co. v. Helvering, 296 U.S. 374 (1935), 36-1
U.S.T.C. para 9019, held that there was a reorganization even though the
shareholders of the acquired corporation received less than half of their total
consideration in the form of stock of the acquiring corporation and received
nonvoting preferred stock. It is only necessary that the shareholders continue
to have a definite and
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substantial equity interest in the assets of the acquiring corporation,
Revenue Ruling 61-156, 1961-2 C.B. 62. This requirement should be met in this
transaction as per representation "b" above.
In addition to the foregoing, it has been assumed that this transaction is being
undertaken for a bona fide corporate business reason, thus satisfying the first
requirement stated above.
The merger of SUB with and into ProCard will constitute a reorganization within
the meaning of Section 368(a)(1)(A) and Section 368(a)(2)(E) provided that (1)
the merger of SUB with and into ProCard qualified as a statutory merger under
the applicable federal and state laws and is undertaken for a valid business
purpose as stated in the above facts; (2) after the transaction ProCard
continues its historic business; (3) ProCard stockholders exchange for Synovus
voting common stock an amount of the ProCard capital stock meeting the
continuity of shareholder interest test; (4) ProCard stockholders receive
Synovus common stock in exchange for an amount of ProCard capital stock
constituting Code Section 368(c) control; and (5) ProCard ends up with
substantially all of its and SUB's assets. Synovus, SUB and ProCard will each be
"a party to a reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(b). As discussed
above, each of the foregoing will be complied with in this transaction.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO EXCHANGING SHAREHOLDERS
Section 354(a)(1) provides that no gain or loss will be recognized if stock of a
corporation which is a party to a reorganization is, pursuant to the plan or
reorganization, exchanged solely for stock of such corporation or of another
corporation which is a party to the reorganization. Section 356(a)(1) in
relevant part provides that if money or other property is received in an
exchange to which section 354 would otherwise apply, then gain, if any, to the
recipient will be recognized to the extent of the sum of the money and fair
market value of the property received. If the exchange has the effect of the
distribution of a dividend, then the amount of gain recognized that is not in
excess of each distributee shareholder's ratable share of the undistributed
earnings and profits of the acquired corporation will be treated as a dividend,
Section 356(a)(2). No loss will be recognized on the exchange, Section 356(c).
Section 358 provides that, generally, shareholders are entitled to a carryover
basis for stock received in a reorganization transaction qualifying under
Section 354 or 356.
The ProCard capital stockholders who receive solely Synovus common stock in
exchange for their ProCard capital stock will not recognize any gain or loss
pursuant to Section 354(a)(1). The tax basis which these ProCard shareholders
will have in their newly received Synovus common stock will be the same as their
tax basis in the ProCard capital stock immediately prior to the Merger under
Section 358(a).
If the property received in an exchange (i.e., Synovus common stock) has the
same (i.e., carryover) basis as the property given up, then Section 1223(1)
applies to determine the holding period for the property received. Section
1223(1) provides that the period during which the taxpayer held the property
surrendered in the exchange is added to the period he or she holds the property
received in the exchange in order to determine the holding period of the
property received.
This tacking of the previous holding period applies only if the property
exchanged (i.e., ProCard capital stock) was a capital asset in the taxpayer's
hands at the time of the exchange, Section 1223(1). The status of the property
as a capital asset is determined under Section 1221, which defines "capital
asset" as any property of a taxpayer other than property within specified
classifications. As a general rule, stock of a corporation would be treated as a
capital asset under this section. Provided that his or her ProCard capital stock
is a capital asset, then each ProCard stockholder will be able to include his or
her respective ownership period of the ProCard capital stock in determining the
holding period of the Synovus common stock received in the proposed transaction.
POISON PILL RIGHTS
The shares of Synovus common stock to be issued to the ProCard stockholders
entitle such stockholders to receive the poison pill rights which will become
exercisable upon the happening of future events as described above. An issue
with respect to the poison pill rights is whether the rights should be
considered separable from the Synovus common stock and therefore "other
property" within the meaning of Section 356(a) or rather as an attribute of the
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Synovus common stock, that is, a right to a future dividend inseparable from the
other rights inherent in the stock and not personal to the shareholders.
Presently, the Service has not published any direct authoritative position
regarding the treatment of poison pill rights in the context of a corporate
reorganization that can be cited as precedent. Nor are there any judicial
opinions specifically addressing poison pill rights in the context of a
corporate reorganization.
The only available guidance consists of Private Letter Rulings ("PLRs") that
address the shareholder tax consequences upon the receipt of capital stock
incorporating a poison pill rights plan in the context of a corporate
reorganization. Under Section 6110(j)(3), PLRs may not be used or cited as
precedent. If the Service issues further authority, such authority could be
prospective only in accordance with the provisions of Section 7805.
In PLR 8808081, the Service ruled that poison pill rights incorporated in the
terms of capital stock issued in a corporate reorganization constituted "other
property" within the meaning of Section 356(a). Accordingly, the filing held
that the acquired corporation's shareholders recognized gain, to the extent of
the fair market value of the poison pill rights, in the exchange for capital
stock of the acquiring corporation.
Subsequently, however, the Service reversed its position and ruled in PLR
8925087, PLR 8925088, PLR 9040069, PLR 9040042, PLR 9120006, and PLR 199904013
(among others) that poison pill rights did not constitute other property within
the meaning of Section 356(a).
Indirect support for the proposition that poison pill rights do not constitute
"other property" can also be found in Revenue Ruling 90-11, 1990-1 C.B. 10.
Although not in the context of a corporate reorganization, the Service concluded
that the initial issuance of poison pill rights is not a distribution of
property which would give rise to current tax to the shareholders. The terms of
the poison pill plan described in the ruling are comparable to the terms of the
Synovus plan. This ruling is a published ruling, and therefore may be cited as
precedent. This published ruling indicates that the more recent private letter
rulings cited immediately above reflect the current thinking of the Service,
i.e., that poison pill rights do not constitute other property when associated
with stock received in a corporate reorganization. Should the Service
successfully maintain that the poison pill rights are other property, then gain,
if any, realized by a ProCard shareholder receiving such rights would be
recognized to the extent of the fair market value of such rights.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, it is the opinion of KPMG that:
1. The merger of SUB, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Synovus, with and into
ProCard, provided it is in accordance with Delaware state law, will be
treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(A) and Section
368(a)(2)(E), and that Synovus, SUB and ProCard will each be a party to the
reorganization as defined in Section 368(b).
2. No gain or loss will be recognized by the stockholders of ProCard upon the
receipt of shares of Synovus voting common stock for their ProCard capital
stock upon consummation of the Merger. The basis of the Synovus shares
received by such ProCard shareholders will be the same as the basis of the
ProCard capital stock surrendered in the exchange. Provided that the
ProCard capital stock was a capital asset in the stockholder's hands, the
holding period of the Synovus common stock will include the holding period
of the ProCard capital stock.
3. The payment by Synovus of cash in lieu of fractional share interests in its
common stock will, for federal income tax purposes, be treated as if
Synovus actually issued the fractional share interests to the ProCard
common shareholders and then Synovus redeemed such fractional shares for
cash. See Revenue Ruling 66-365, 1966-2 C.B. 116. Each affected ProCard
stockholder should consult their own tax advisor for the tax effect to them
of such redemption (i.e., exchange treatment or dividend).
4. No gain or loss will be recognized by ProCard pursuant to the exchange of
ProCard capital stock for shares of Synovus common stock.
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5. Based on the discussion above under Poison Pill Rights, the Synovus poison
pill rights plan adopted on April 27, 1999 should be treated as an
attribute of the Synovus common stock, a right that is inseparable from
other rights inherent in the stock and does not constitute other property
received by the ProCard stockholders in exchange for their ProCard capital
stock. However, in view of the lack of precedent, there can be no assurance
that the Service will agree with this conclusion. In the event the Service
ultimately establishes that such poison pill rights constitute other
property, then the ProCard stockholders, who realize gain on the exchange
of their shares for Synovus common stock, will recognize such gain to the
extent of the value of the poison pill rights received.
6. Where a ProCard stockholder elects to receive cash by exercising statutory
dissenter's rights, such cash will be treated as having been received by
the shareholder as a distribution in redemption of his or her ProCard
capital stock subject to the provisions and limitations of Section 302 of
the Code.
We are furnishing this opinion to you solely in connection with Section 7.1(q)
and 8.1(h) of the Merger Agreement. This opinion is solely for your benefit and
is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise referred to for any purpose
without our express written permission.
/s/ KPMG LLP
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APPENDIX "D"
SECTION 262 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS.
(a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of
stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this
section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through
the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied
with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the
merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to ss.228 of
this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the
fair value of the stockholder's shares of stock under the circumstances
described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section,
the word "stockholder" means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation
and also a member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words "stock" and
"share" mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words and also
membership or membership interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and the
words "depository receipt" mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a
depository representing an interest in one or more shares, or fractions thereof,
solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository.
(b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or
series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be
effected pursuant to ss.251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to ss.251(g)
of this title), ss.252, ss.254, ss.257, ss.258, ss.263 or ss.264 of this title:
(1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this
section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which
stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to
determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the
meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation,
were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a
national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held of record by more
than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be
available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a
merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the
stockholders of the surviving corporation as provided in subsection (f) of
ss.251 of this title.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection,
appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any
class or series of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are
required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to
ss.ss.251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for such
stock anything except:
a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or
resulting from such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect
thereof;
b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or
depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository
receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the
merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange
or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation
system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record
by more than 2,000 holders;
c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional
depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this
paragraph; or
d. Any combination of the shares of stock,
depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional
depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of
this paragraph.
(3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware
corporation party to a merger effected under ss.253 of this title is not owned
by the parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights
shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation.
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(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation
that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of
any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate
of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a
constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision,
the procedures of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and
(e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable.
(d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows:
(1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal
rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a
meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the
meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date
for such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available
pursuant to subsections (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights are available
for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall include
in such notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder electing to demand the
appraisal of such stockholder's shares shall deliver to the corporation, before
the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for
appraisal of such stockholder's shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it
reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that
the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such stockholder's
shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation shall not constitute
such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a
separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective
date of such merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation
shall notify each stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied
with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger or
consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has become effective;
or
(2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to
ss.228 or ss.253 of this title, each constituent corporation, either before the
effective date of the merger or consolidation or within ten days thereafter,
shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such
constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of
the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for any or
all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent corporation, and
shall include in such notice a copy of this section; provided that, if the
notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
such notice shall be given by the surviving or resulting corporation to all such
holders of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation that are
entitled to appraisal rights. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the
effective date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such
stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any
stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of
mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting
corporation the appraisal of such holder's shares. Such demand will be
sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the
stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of
such holder's shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the
effective date of the merger or consolidation, either (i) each such constituent
corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger
or consolidation notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock
of such constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the
effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting
corporation shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10
days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is
sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second
notice need only be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights
and who has demanded appraisal of such holder's shares in accordance with this
subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the
transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either notice that
such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie
evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the
stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation may
fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the
date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on or after the
effective date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be such
effective date. If no record date is fixed and the notice is given prior to the
effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the day next
preceding the day on which the notice is given.
(e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has
complied with subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled
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to appraisal rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a
determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective
date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to
withdraw such stockholder's demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered
upon the merger or consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of
the merger or consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the
requirements of subsections (a) and (d) hereof, upon written request, shall be
entitled to receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from
the consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not
voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which demands
for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such
shares. Such written statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days
after such stockholder's written request for such a statement is received by the
surviving or resulting corporation or within 10 days after expiration of the
period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) hereof,
whichever is later.
(f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a
copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which
shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in
Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the
names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their
shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been
reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be
filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be
accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so
ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the
hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or
resulting corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses
therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by 1 or more publications at
least 1 week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of general
circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as
the Court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication
shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the
surviving or resulting corporation.
(g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the
stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to
appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who have demanded an
appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to
submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation
thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder
fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to
such stockholder.
(h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the
Court shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any
element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or
consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon
the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the
Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate
of interest, the Court may consider all relevant factors, including the rate of
interest which the surviving or resulting corporation would have had to pay to
borrow money during the pendency of the proceeding. Upon application by the
surviving or resulting corporation or by any stockholder entitled to participate
in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, permit discovery
or other pretrial proceedings and may proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior
to the final determination of the stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any
stockholder whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting
corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and who has submitted
such stockholder's certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is
required, may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally
determined that such stockholder is not entitled to appraisal rights under this
section.
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares,
together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the
stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or compound, as the Court
may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case of
holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of holders of shares
represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the
certificates representing such stock. The Court's decree may be enforced as
other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving
or resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state.
(j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and
taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon
application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the
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expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal
proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and the
fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all
the shares entitled to an appraisal.
(k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation,
no stockholder who has demanded appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d)
of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to
receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except
dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date
which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided,
however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time
provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver
to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of such
stockholder's demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or
consolidation, either within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or
consolidation as provided in subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with
the written approval of the corporation, then the right of such stockholder to
an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding
in the Court of Chancery shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the
approval of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as
the Court deems just.
(l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the
shares of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they
assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and
unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation. (Last amended by Ch.
339, L. '98, eff. 7-1-98.)
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