<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 21, 1996
-------------------------------
ABC Bancorp
-------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia 0-16181 58-1456434
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Identification
incorporation) Number)
310 First Street, S.E., Moultrie, Georgia 31768
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (912) 890-1111
---------------------
<PAGE>
Item 2. Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
- ---------------------------------------------
ABC Bancorp, a Georgia corporation ("ABC"), and Southland Bancorporation,
an Alabama corporation ("Southland"), entered into an Agreement and Plan of
Merger dated as of December 18, 1995, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Agreement
and Plan of Merger dated as of April 16, 1996 (collectively, the "Merger
Agreement"), pursuant to which Southland was merged with and into ABC (the
"Merger"). The Merger was consummated and became effective as of June 21, 1996
(the "Closing").
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the issued and outstanding shares of
Southland immediately prior to the Merger (the "Southland Shares") were
converted into the right to receive consideration, in the aggregate, of
approximately $12.0 million (the "Merger Consideration") of which approximately
$5.9 million was paid in cash and approximately $6.2 million was paid in the
form of Common Stock, par value $1.00, of ABC.
At the Closing, John E. Meyer, Jr., President of Southland and of its
wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Southland Bank, entered into an Employment
Agreement with Southland Bank, a copy of which is attached to the Merger
Agreement as Exhibit 4.
The Merger consideration was determined as a result of negotiations
between ABC and Southland and was approved by the boards of directors of ABC and
Southland and by the shareholders of Southland. Prior to the Merger, neither
ABC nor any of its affiliates, directors or officers, nor any associate of any
such director or officer had any relationship with Southland.
The description contained herein of the Merger Agreement is qualified in
its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement and the Press Release dated
June 21, 1996 which are attached hereto as Exhibits 2 and 99, respectively, and
incorporated herein by this reference.
The Merger is the first of three mergers that ABC intends to consummate in
1996.
ABC has previously announced a proposed merger transaction with Central
Bankshares, Inc. ("Central"), a Georgia corporation and the sole shareholder of
Central Bank & Trust, a Georgia chartered state bank located in Cordele,
Georgia. Pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between ABC and
Central dated as of December 29, 1995, as amended (the "Central Merger
Agreement"), Central will be merged with and into ABC (the "Central Merger"),
with Central Bank & Trust thereupon becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABC.
The description of the Central Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by
reference to a copy thereof which has been previously filed and is incorporated
herein by reference.
The consummation of the Central Merger is subject to the satisfaction of a
number of conditions, including the receipt of the requisite shareholder
approval by the Central shareholders, and the approval of the Federal Reserve
Board and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance.
ABC also has announced a proposed merger transaction with First National
Financial Corporation ("First National"), a Georgia corporation and the sole
shareholder of First National Bank of South Georgia, a national banking
association located in Albany, Georgia ("First National Bank"). Pursuant to the
Agreement and the Plan of Merger by and between ABC and First National dated as
of April 15, 1996, as amended (the "First National Merger Agreement"), First
National will be merged with and into ABC (the "First National Merger"), with
First National Bank thereupon becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABC. The
description of the First National Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety
by reference to a copy thereof which has been previously filed and is
incorporated herein by reference.
The consummation of the First National Merger is subject to the
satisfaction of a number of conditions, including the requisite shareholder
approval by the First National shareholders, the approval of the Federal Reserve
Board and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, and the registration
under the 1933 Act of the shares of ABC Common Stock to be issued in connection
with the First National Merger.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
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(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired. Financial statements of
-----------------------------------------
Southland are not available as of the date of filing of this Report, and will be
filed by amendment on or before July 31, 1996.
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information. Pro forma financial information
-------------------------------
concerning the Merger is not available as of the date of filing of this report,
and will be filed by amendment on or before July 31, 1996.
2
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(c) Exhibits. The following is a list of the Exhibits attached hereto.
--------
Exhibit No. 2.1 Merger Agreement
Exhibit No. 10.1 Employment Agreement*
Exhibit No. 99 Press Release
* Contained as an exhibit to the Merger Agreement
3
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Company has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
ABC BANCORP
By: /s/ W. Edwin Lane, Jr.
------------------------------------
Name: W. Edwin Lane, Jr.
Title: Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Dated: July 8, 1996
6
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Sequential
Exhibit No. Exhibit Description Page No.
- ----------- ------------------- --------
Exhibit No. 2.1 Merger Agreement
Exhibit No. 10.1 Employment Agreement*
Exhibit No. 99 Press Release
7
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2.1
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND BETWEEN
ABC BANCORP
AND
SOUTHLAND BANCORPORATION
As of December 18, 1995
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
----
<C> <S> <C> <C>
Preamble.................................................................... A-1
ARTICLE 1 TERMS OF MERGER..................................... A-1
1.1 Merger.......................................................... A-1
1.2 Time and Place of Closing....................................... A-2
1.3 Effective Time.................................................. A-2
ARTICLE 2 ARTICLES, BYLAWS, MANAGEMENT........................ A-2
2.1 Articles of Incorporation....................................... A-2
2.2 Bylaws.......................................................... A-2
2.3 Directors and Officers.......................................... A-2
ARTICLE 3 MANNER OF CONVERTING AND EXCHANGING
SHARES.............................................. A-2
3.1 Conversion of Shares............................................ A-2
3.2 Exchange of Shares.............................................. A-6
3.3 Anti-Dilution Provisions........................................ A-6
3.4 Shares Held by TARGET or PURCHASER.............................. A-6
3.5 TARGET Bank..................................................... A-6
3.6 Rights of Former TARGET Shareholders............................ A-7
3.7 Options......................................................... A-7
ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET............ A-7
4.1 Organization, Standing and Power................................ A-7
4.2 Authority; No Breach............................................ A-8
4.3 Capital Stock................................................... A-8
4.4 TARGET Subsidiaries............................................. A-9
4.5 Financial Statements............................................ A-9
4.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities............................. A-10
4.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events........................... A-10
4.8 Tax Matters.................................................... A-10
4.9 TARGET Allowance for Possible Loan Losses...................... A-11
4.10 Assets......................................................... A-11
4.11 Environmental Matters.......................................... A-12
4.12 Compliance with Laws........................................... A-13
4.13 Labor Relations................................................ A-13
4.14 Employee Benefit Plans......................................... A-14
4.15 Material Contracts............................................. A-15
</TABLE>
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4.16 Legal Proceedings............................................. A-16
4.17 Reports....................................................... A-16
4.18 Statements True and Correct................................... A-16
4.19 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters........................ A-17
4.20 Charter Provisions............................................ A-17
ARTICLE 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
PURCHASER......................................... A-17
5.1 Organization, Standing and Power.............................. A-17
5.2 Authority; No Breach.......................................... A-17
5.3 Capital Stock................................................. A-18
5.4 PURCHASER Subsidiaries........................................ A-19
5.5 Financial Statements.......................................... A-19
5.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities............................ A-20
5.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.......................... A-20
5.8 Tax Matters................................................... A-20
5.9 PURCHASER Allowance for Possible Loan Losses.................. A-21
5.10 Assets........................................................ A-21
5.11 Environmental Matters......................................... A-21
5.12 Compliance with Laws.......................................... A-23
5.13 Labor Relations............................................... A-23
5.14 Employee Benefit Plans........................................ A-23
5.15 Legal Proceedings............................................. A-25
5.16 Reports....................................................... A-25
5.17 Statements True and Correct................................... A-26
5.18 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters........................ A-26
5.19 Charter Provisions............................................ A-26
ARTICLE 6 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
PENDING CONSUMMATION.............................. A-27
6.1 Affirmative Covenants of TARGET............................... A-27
6.2 Negative Covenants of TARGET.................................. A-27
6.3 Covenants of PURCHASER........................................ A-29
6.4 Adverse Changes in Condition.................................. A-29
6.5 Reports....................................................... A-29
ARTICLE 7 ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS............................. A-29
7.1 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement; Shareholder Approval. A-29
7.2 Listing....................................................... A-30
7.3 Applications.................................................. A-30
7.4 Filings with State Offices.................................... A-30
7.5 Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate......................... A-30
7.6 Investigation and Confidentiality............................. A-30
7.7 Press Releases................................................ A-31
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7.8 No Solicitation.............................................. A-31
7.9 Tax Treatment................................................ A-33
7.10 Agreement of Affiliates...................................... A-33
7.11 Employee Benefits and Contracts.............................. A-33
7.12 Large Deposits............................................... A-34
7.13 Indemnification Against Certain Liabilities.................. A-34
7.14 Registration flights and Election Agreement.................. A-34
7.15 Irrevocable Proxies.......................................... A-34
7.16 Reserve for Snead Annuity.................................... A-34
ARTICLE 8 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO
CONSUMMATE....................................... A-35
8.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party...................... A-35
8.2 Conditions to Obligations of PURCHASER....................... A-36
8.3 Conditions to Obligations of TARGET.......................... A-37
ARTICLE 9 TERMINATION...................................... A-38
9.1 Termination.................................................. A-38
9.2 Effect of Termination........................................ A-39
ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS.................................... A-39
10.1 Definitions.................................................. A-39
10.2 Expenses..................................................... A-47
10.3 Brokers and Finders.......................................... A-47
10.4 Entire Agreement............................................. A-47
10.5 Amendments................................................... A-48
10.6 Waivers...................................................... A-48
10.7 Assignment................................................... A-48
10.8 Notices...................................................... A-48
10.9 Governing Law................................................ A-49
10.10 Counterparts................................................. A-49
10.11 Captions..................................................... A-49
10.12 Enforcement of Agreement..................................... A-49
10.13 Severability................................................. A-50
10.14 Survival..................................................... A-50
A-iii
<PAGE>
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Description
- -------------- -----------
1. Form of agreement of affiliates of Southland Bancorporation
((S) 7.10).
2. Matters as to which Balch & Bingham will opine ((S) 8.2(d)).
3. Registration Rights and Election Agreement ((S) 7.14).
4. Employment Agreement between PURCHASER and John E. Meyer, Jr.
((S) 8.2(f)).
5. Matters as to which Rogers & Hardin will opine ((S) 8.3(d)).
6. Irrevocable Proxy ((S) 7.15).
A-iv
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
----------------------------
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of December 18, 1995, by and between SOUTHLAND BANCORPORATION
("TARGET"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Alabama, with its principal office located in Dothan, Alabama, and ABC BANCORP
("PURCHASER"), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State
of Georgia, with its principal office located in Moultrie, Georgia.
Preamble
--------
Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 10.1 hereof.
The Boards of Directors of TARGET and PURCHASER are of the opinion that the
transactions described herein are in the best interests of the parties and their
respective shareholders. This Agreement provides for the combination of TARGET
with PURCHASER pursuant to the merger of TARGET with and into PURCHASER, as a
result of which the outstanding shares of the capital stock of TARGET shall be
converted into the right to receive the consideration provided for herein, and
the shareholders of TARGET (other than those shareholders, if any, who exchange
their shares solely for cash) shall become shareholders of PURCHASER. The
transactions described in this Agreement are subject to the approvals of the
shareholders of TARGET, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
the Alabama Banking Department and the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance
and the satisfaction of certain other conditions described in this Agreement.
It is the intention of the parties to this Agreement that the Merger for federal
income tax purposes shall qualify as a "reorganization" within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Following the Closing of the Merger, Southland Bank, a wholly-owned Alabama
state bank subsidiary of TARGET, will be operated as a separate subsidiary of
PURCHASER.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and the mutual warranties,
representations, covenants and agreements set forth herein, the parties agree as
follows:
ARTICLE 1
TERMS OF MERGER
---------------
1.1 Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at
------
the Effective Time, TARGET shall be merged with and into PURCHASER in accordance
with the provisions of Section 14-2-1101 of the GBCC and Section 10-2B-11.05 of
the ABCA and with the effect provided in Section 14-2-1106 of the GBCC (the
"Merger"). PURCHASER shall be the Surviving Corporation resulting from the
Merger. The Merger shall be consummated pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, which has been approved and adopted by the respective Boards of
Directors of TARGET and PURCHASER.
<PAGE>
1.2 Time and Place of Closing. The Closing shall take place at 10:00
-------------------------
a.m. on the date that the Effective Time occurs or at such other time as the
Parties, acting through their chief executive officers or chief financial
officers, may mutually agree (the "Closing Date"). The place of Closing shall
be at the offices of Rogers & Hardin, Atlanta, Georgia, or such other place as
may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
1.3 Effective Time. The Merger and other transactions contemplated by
--------------
this Agreement shall become effective on the date and at the time the Articles
of Merger reflecting the Merger shall become effective with the Secretary of
State of the State of Georgia and the Secretary of State of the State of Alabama
in accordance with the relevant provisions of the GBCC and the ABCA,
respectively. (the "Effective Time"). Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing by the chief executive
officers of each Party, the Parties shall use their reasonable efforts to cause
the Effective Time to occur on (a) the last business day of the month in which
occurs the last to occur of (i) the effective date (including expiration of any
applicable waiting period) of the last required Consent of any Regulatory
Authority having authority over and approving or exempting the Merger and
(ii) the date on which the shareholders of TARGET approve this Agreement to the
extent such approval is required by applicable Law; or (b) such later date as
may be mutually agreed upon in writing by the chief executive officers or chief
financial officers of each Party.
ARTICLE 2
ARTICLES, BYLAWS, MANAGEMENT
----------------------------
2.1 Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation of
-------------------------
PURCHASER in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until otherwise amended
or repealed.
2.2 Bylaws. The Bylaws of PURCHASER in effect immediately prior to the
------
Effective Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until otherwise
amended or repealed.
2.3 Directors and Officers. The directors of PURCHASER in office
----------------------
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall serve as the directors of the
Surviving Corporation from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the
Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation. The officers of PURCHASER in office
immediately prior to the Effective Time, together with such additional persons
as may thereafter be elected, shall serve as the officers of PURCHASER from and
after the Effective Time in accordance with the Bylaws of PURCHASER.
ARTICLE 3
MANNER OF CONVERTING AND EXCHANGING SHARES
------------------------------------------
3.1 Conversion of Shares. Subject to the provisions of this Article 3,
--------------------
at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the
part of the holders thereof, the shares of PURCHASER and TARGET shall be
converted as follows:
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(a) Each share of PURCHASER Common Stock issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding from
and after the Effective Time.
(b) Subject to the remaining provisions of this Section 3.1, each
share of TARGET Common Stock (including any shares currently subject to options
which are exercised prior to the Effective Time, if any) outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time, other than shares with respect to which statutory
dissenters' rights have been perfected (the "Dissenting Shares") and shares held
by TARGET or any of TARGET Subsidiaries or by PURCHASER or any of PURCHASER
Subsidiaries, in each case other than in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of
debts previously contracted (the "Outstanding TARGET Shares"), shall
automatically be converted at the Effective Time into the right to receive cash
and whole shares of PURCHASER Common Stock, plus cash in lieu of fractional
shares pursuant to subparagraph (j) below, if applicable, in an amount equal to
(i) 1.8 multiplied by the Book Value of TARGET as of the close of business on
the day immediately preceding the Closing Date (the "Valuation Date"), divided
(ii) by the aggregate number of Outstanding TARGET Shares (the "Merger
Consideration"). In accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.1 each
TARGET shareholder who does not dissent may elect to receive (i) cash in an
amount equal to the Merger Consideration times the number of Outstanding TARGET
Shares such shareholder holds as of the Effective Time (the "Cash
Consideration"), (ii) the number of shares, or such fractions of a share
(subject to paragraph (j) below), of PURCHASER Common Stock which shall be equal
to the Merger Consideration divided by the Base Period Trading Price (the
"Exchange Ratio"), multiplied by the number of outstanding TARGET Shares such
shareholder holds as of the Effective Time (the "Stock Consideration"), or
(iii) a combination of Cash Consideration and Stock Consideration.
(c) The number of shares of TARGET Common Stock (including fractional
shares) to be converted into the right to receive Cash Consideration (or cash
pursuant to Section 3.1(j) hereof) shall not be less than 35% of the number of
the Outstanding TARGET Shares (the "Minimum Cash Election Number") and, together
with any shares of TARGET Common Stock as to which dissenters' rights have been
perfected as contemplated by Section 3.1(l) hereof, shall not be greater than
49% of the Outstanding TARGET Shares (the "Maximum Cash Election Number"). The
number of shares of TARGET Common Stock to be converted into the right to
receive Stock Consideration shall be not less than 51% of the number of
Outstanding TARGET Shares (the "Minimum Stock Election Number") and not greater
than 65% of the number of Outstanding TARGET Shares (the "Maximum Stock Election
Number").
(d) Subject to the proration and election procedures set forth in this
Section 3.1, each TARGET shareholder will be entitled to elect to receive in
exchange for his or her Outstanding TARGET Shares the applicable amount of
Merger Consideration in the form of (a) Cash Consideration for all such shares
(a "Cash Election"), (b) Stock Consideration for all such shares (a "Stock
Election"), or (c) Cash Consideration and Stock Consideration for such shares in
the relative proportions specified by such TARGET shareholder (a "Combination
Election"). All such elections shall be made on a form designed for that
purpose (a "Form of Election"). TARGET shareholders who hold such shares as
nominees, trustees or in other representative capacities (a "Representative")
may submit multiple Forms of Election, provided that such Representative
certifies that each such
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Form of Election covers all the shares of TARGET Common Stock held by each such
Representative for a particular beneficial owner.
(e) PURCHASER and TARGET shall each use its best efforts to mail the
Form of Election to all Persons who are holders of TARGET Common Stock on the
record date fixed for the Shareholders' Meeting (the "Record Date"). A Form of
Election must be received by the Exchange Agent no later than by the close of
business five (5) days prior to the Effective Date (the "Election Deadline") in
order to be effective. All elections shall be irrevocable.
(f) Prior to the Effective Time, PURCHASER shall select a bank or
trust company reasonably acceptable to TARGET to act as exchange agent (the
"Exchange Agent") to effectuate the delivery of the Merger Consideration to
holders of TARGET Common Stock. Elections shall be made by holders of TARGET
Common Stock by mailing, faxing or otherwise delivering to the Exchange Agent a
Form of Election. To be effective, a Form of Election must be properly
completed, signed and submitted to the Exchange Agent. PURCHASER shall have the
discretion, which it may delegate in whole or in part to the Exchange Agent, to
determine whether Forms of Election have been properly completed, signed and
submitted and to disregard immaterial defects in Forms of Election. The
decision of PURCHASER (or the Exchange Agent) in such matters shall be
conclusive and binding. Neither PURCHASER nor the Exchange Agent will be under
any obligation to notify any Person of any defect in a Form of Election.
(g) A holder of TARGET Common Stock who does not submit a Form of
Election which is received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Election Deadline
shall be deemed to have made a Combination Election to receive 51% of the
applicable amount of the Merger Consideration in the form of Stock Consideration
and 49% of the applicable amount of the Merger Consideration in the form of Cash
Consideration for his or her TARGET Shares. If PURCHASER or the Exchange Agent
shall determine that any purported Cash Election or Stock Election was not
properly made, such purported Cash Election or Stock Election shall be deemed to
be of no force and effect, and the TARGET shareholder making such purported Cash
Election or Stock Election shall for purposes hereof be deemed to have made a
Combination Election to receive 51% of the applicable amount of the Merger
Consideration in the form of Stock Consideration and 49% of the applicable
amount of the Merger Consideration in the form of Cash Consideration for his or
her TARGET Shares.
(h) All shares of TARGET Common Stock which are subject to Cash
Elections or the cash portion of Combination Elections are referred to herein as
"Cash Election Shares". All shares of TARGET Common Stock which are subject to
Stock Elections or the stock portion of Combination Elections are referred to
herein as "Stock Election Shares". If, after the results of the Forms of
Election are calculated, the number of shares of TARGET Common Stock to be
converted into shares of PURCHASER Common Stock exceeds the Maximum Stock
Election Number, then the Exchange Agent shall determine the number of Stock
Election Shares which must be redesignated as Cash Election Shares and all
TARGET Shareholders who have Stock Election Shares (other than any TARGET
Shareholder who has made a Combination Election to receive no more than 65% and
no less than 51% of the applicable Merger Consideration in the form of Stock
Consideration for his or her TARGET Shares) shall, on a prorata basis, have such
number of their Stock Election Shares redesignated as Cash Election Shares so
that the Maximum Stock Election Number and the Minimum
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Cash Election Number are achieved. If, after the result of the Forms of
Election are calculated, the number of shares of TARGET Common Stock to be
converted into cash exceeds the Maximum Cash Election Number, then the Exchange
Agent shall determine the number of Cash Election Shares which must be
redesignated as Stock Election Shares and all TARGET Shareholders who have Cash
Election Shares (other than any TARGET Shareholder who has made a Combination
Election to receive no more than 49% and no less than 35% of the applicable
Merger Consideration in the form of Cash Consideration for his or her TARGET
Shares) shall, on a prorata basis, have such number of their Cash Election
Shares redesignated as Stock Election Shares so that the Maximum Cash Election
Number and Minimum Stock Election Number are achieved. PURCHASER or the
Exchange Agent shall make all computations contemplated by this Section 3.1 and
all such computations shall be conclusive and binding on the holders of TARGET
Common Stock.
(i) After the redesignation procedure set forth in paragraph (h) above
is completed, all Cash Election Shares shall be converted into the right to
receive the Cash Consideration, and all Stock Election Shares shall be converted
into the right to receive the Stock Consideration. Such certificates previously
evidencing shares of TARGET Common Stock ("Old Certificates") shall be exchanged
for (a) certificates evidencing the Stock Consideration or (b) the Cash
Consideration, multiplied in each case by the number of shares previously
evidenced by the canceled certificate, upon the surrender of such certificates
in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2, without interest.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, no fractional shares of PURCHASER Common
Stock shall be issued, and, in lieu thereof, a cash payment shall be made
pursuant to Paragraph (j) below.
(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, each holder
of shares of TARGET Common Stock exchanged pursuant to the Merger who would
otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a share of PURCHASER
Common Stock (after taking into account all certificates delivered by such
holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash (without interest) in an amount
equal to such fractional part of a share of PURCHASER Common Stock multiplied by
the Base Period Trading Price. No such holder will be entitled to dividends,
voting rights, or any other rights as a shareholder in respect of any fractional
shares.
(k) Each share of the TARGET Common Stock that is not an Outstanding
TARGET Share as of the Effective Time shall be cancelled without consideration
therefor.
(l) Outstanding TARGET Shares held by TARGET shareholders who, prior
to the Effective Time, have met the requirements of Article 13 of the ABCA with
respect to shareholders dissenting from the Merger ("Dissenting TARGET
Shareholders") shall not be converted in the Merger, but all such shares shall
be cancelled and the holders thereof shall thereafter have only such rights as
are granted to dissenting shareholders under Article 13 of the ABCA; provided,
however, that if any such shareholder fails to perfect his or her rights as a
dissenting shareholder with respect to his or her Outstanding TARGET Shares in
accordance with Article 13 of the ABCA, such shares held by such shareholder
shall, upon the happening of that event, be treated the same as all other
holders of TARGET Common Stock who have not dissented as to the Merger.
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<PAGE>
3.2 Exchange of Shares. TARGET shall send or cause to be sent to each
------------------
holder of Outstanding TARGET Shares as of the Record Date a form of letter of
transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal") for use in exchanging Old Certificates
for cash and certificates representing PURCHASER Common Stock which shall be
deposited with the Exchange Agent by PURCHASER as of the Effective Time. The
Letter of Transmittal shall be mailed within five (5) business days following
the date of the Shareholders' Meeting. The Letter of Transmittal will contain
instructions with respect to the surrender of Old Certificates and the
distribution of cash and certificates representing PURCHASER Common Stock. If
any certificates for shares of PURCHASER Common Stock are to be issued in a name
other than that for which an Old Certificate surrendered or exchanged is issued,
the Old Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and otherwise in
proper form for transfer and the person requesting such exchange shall affix any
requisite stock transfer tax stamps to the Old Certificate surrendered or
provide funds for their purchase or establish to the satisfaction of the
Exchange Agent that such taxes are not payable. Unless and until Old
Certificates (or evidence that such certificates have been lost, stolen or
destroyed accompanied by such security or indemnity as shall be requested by
TARGET) are presented to the Exchange Agent, the holder thereof shall not be
entitled to the consideration to be paid in exchange therefor pursuant to the
Merger, to any dividends payable on any PURCHASER Common Stock to which he or
she is entitled, or to exercise any rights as a shareholder of PURCHASER Common
Stock. Subject to applicable law and to the extent that the same has not yet
been paid to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property laws,
upon surrender of his or her Old Certificates, the holder thereof shall be paid
the consideration to which he or she is entitled. All such property, if held by
the Exchange Agent for payment or delivery to the holders of unsurrendered Old
Certificates and unclaimed at the end of one (1) year from the Effective Time,
shall at such time be paid or redelivered by the Exchange Agent to PURCHASER and
after such time any holder of an Old Certificate who has not surrendered such
certificate shall, subject to applicable laws and to the extent that the same
has not yet been paid to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned
property laws, look as a general creditor only to PURCHASER for payment or
delivery of such property. In no event will any holder of TARGET Common Stock
exchanged in the Merger be entitled to receive any interest on any amounts held
by the Exchange Agent or PURCHASER.
3.3 Anti-Dilution Provisions. In the event TARGET or PURCHASER changes
------------------------
the number of shares of TARGET Common Stock or PURCHASER Common Stock,
respectively, issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of
a stock split, stock dividend or similar recapitalization with respect to such
stock and the record date therefor (in the case of a stock dividend) or the
effective date therefor (in the case of a stock split or similar
recapitalization) shall be prior to the Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall
be proportionately adjusted.
3.4 Shares Held by TARGET or PURCHASER. Each of the shares of TARGET
----------------------------------
Common Stock held by any TARGET Company or by any PURCHASER Company, in each
case other than in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts previously
contracted, shall be canceled and retired at the Effective Time and no
consideration shall be issued in exchange therefor.
3.5 TARGET Bank. After consummation of the Merger, TARGET Bank shall be
-----------
a separate subsidiary of PURCHASER.
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3.6 Rights of Former TARGET Shareholders. At the Effective Time, the
------------------------------------
stock transfer books of TARGET shall be closed as to holders of TARGET Common
Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time and no transfer of TARGET Common
Stock by any such holder shall thereafter be made or recognized. Until
surrendered for exchange in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.2 of
this Agreement, each Old Certificate (other than shares to be canceled pursuant
to Section 3.1(f) of this Agreement) shall from and after the Effective Time
represent for all purposes only the right to receive the consideration provided
in Section 3.1 of this Agreement in exchange therefor. To the extent permitted
by Law, former shareholders of record of TARGET shall be entitled to vote after
the Effective Time at any meeting of PURCHASER shareholders the number of whole
shares of PURCHASER Common Stock into which their respective shares of TARGET
Common Stock are converted, regardless of whether such holders have exchanged
their certificates representing TARGET Common Stock for certificates
representing PURCHASER Common Stock in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement. Whenever a dividend or other distribution is declared by PURCHASER
on the PURCHASER Common Stock, the record date for which is at or after the
Effective Time, the declaration shall include dividends or other distributions
on all shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement, but no dividend or other
distribution payable to the holders of record of PURCHASER Common Stock as of
any time subsequent to the Effective Time shall be delivered to the holder of
any certificate representing shares of TARGET Common Stock issued and
outstanding at the Effective Time until such holder surrenders such certificate
for exchange as provided in Section 3.2 of this Agreement. However, upon
surrender of such TARGET Common Stock certificate, both the PURCHASER Common
Stock certificate (together with all such undelivered dividends or other
distributions without interest) and any undelivered cash payments to be paid for
fractional share interests (without interest) shall be delivered and paid with
respect to each share represented by such certificate.
3.7 Options. Each warrant, stock option or other right, if any, to
-------
purchase shares of TARGET Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior
to the Effective Time shall be cancelled (whether or not such warrant, option or
other right is then exercisable), and all rights in respect thereof shall cease
to exist, without any conversion thereof or payment of any consideration
therefor.
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TARGET
----------------------------------------
TARGET hereby represents and warrants to PURCHASER as follows:
4.1 Organization, Standing and Power. TARGET is a corporation duly
--------------------------------
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the State of
Alabama, and is duly registered as a bank holding company under the BHC Act.
TARGET has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. TARGET is duly qualified or
licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in the
States of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its
assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified
or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so
qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
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4.2 Authority; No Breach.
--------------------
(a) TARGET has the corporate power and authority necessary to execute,
deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein,
including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
corporate action in respect thereof on the part of TARGET, subject to the
approval of this Agreement by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
TARGET Common Stock. Subject to such requisite shareholder approval, this
Agreement represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation of TARGET,
enforceable against TARGET in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as
such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding may be brought).
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by TARGET,
nor the consummation by TARGET of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor
compliance by TARGET with any of the provisions hereof will (i) conflict with or
result in a breach of any provision of TARGET's Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws, or (ii) constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent
pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any TARGET
Company under, any Contract or Permit of any TARGET Company, where such Default
or Lien, or any failure to obtain such Consent, is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET, or, (iii)
subject to receipt of the requisite approvals referred to in Section 8.1(b) of
this Agreement, violate any Law or Order applicable to any TARGET Company or any
of their respective Assets.
(c) Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and securities Laws, and other than
Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or
filings with the Internal Revenue Service or the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation with respect to any employee benefit plans, and other than Consents,
filings or notifications which, if not obtained or made, are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
TARGET, no notice to, filing with, or Consent of any public body or authority is
necessary for the consummation by TARGET of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
4.3 Capital Stock.
-------------
(a) The authorized capital stock of TARGET consists of 1,800,000
shares of TARGET Common Stock, of which 488,082 shares are issued and
outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, 360 shares of Class B Common
Stock, $8.50 par value, none of which are issued and outstanding as of the date
of this Agreement, and 6,000 shares of Class A Preferred Stock, $5.00 par value,
none of which are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. All
of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of TARGET are duly and
validly issued and outstanding and are fully paid and nonassessable under the
ABCA. None of the outstanding shares of capital stock of TARGET has been issued
in violation of any preemptive rights of the current or
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<PAGE>
past shareholders of TARGET. TARGET has outstanding options to purchase not
more than 17,461 shares of TARGET Common Stock.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 4.3(a) of this Agreement or as
Previously Disclosed, there are no shares of capital stock or other equity
securities of TARGET outstanding and no outstanding options, warrants, scrip,
rights to subscribe to, calls, or commitments of any character whatsoever
relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for,
shares of the capital stock of TARGET or contracts, commitments, understandings,
or arrangements by which TARGET is or may be bound to issue additional shares of
its capital stock or options, warrants, or rights to purchase or acquire any
additional shares of its capital stock.
4.4 TARGET Subsidiaries. TARGET has Previously Disclosed all of the
-------------------
TARGET Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement. TARGET owns all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of TARGET Bank, and TARGET Bank
owns all of the issued and outstanding stock of each other TARGET Subsidiary.
No equity securities of any TARGET Subsidiary are or may become required to be
issued (other than to a TARGET Company) by reason of any options, warrants,
scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls, or commitments of any character whatsoever
relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for,
shares of the capital stock of any such Subsidiary, and there are no Contracts
by which any TARGET Subsidiary is bound to issue (other than to a TARGET
Company) additional shares of its capital stock or options, warrants, or rights
to purchase or acquire any additional shares of its capital stock or by which
any TARGET Company is or may be bound to transfer any shares of the capital
stock of any TARGET Subsidiary (other than to a TARGET Company). There are no
Contracts relating to the rights of any TARGET Company to vote or to dispose of
any shares of the capital stock of any TARGET Subsidiary. All of the shares of
capital stock of each TARGET Subsidiary held by a TARGET Company are fully paid
and nonassessable under the applicable corporation Law of the jurisdiction in
which such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized and are owned by the TARGET
Company free and clear of any Lien. Each TARGET Subsidiary is either a bank or
a corporation, and is duly organized, validly existing, and (as to corporations)
in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated
or organized, and has the corporate power and authority necessary for it to own,
lease and operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now conducted.
Each TARGET Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a
foreign corporation in good standing in the States of the United States and
foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct
of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such
jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on TARGET. Each TARGET Subsidiary that is a depository institution is an
insured institution as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and
applicable regulations thereunder.
4.5 Financial Statements. TARGET has Previously Disclosed, and
--------------------
delivered to PURCHASER prior to the execution of this Agreement, copies of all
TARGET Financial Statements for periods ended prior to the date hereof and will
deliver to PURCHASER copies of all TARGET Financial Statements prepared
subsequent to the date hereof. The TARGET Financial Statements (as of the dates
thereof and for the periods covered thereby) (a) are or, if dated after the date
of this Agreement, will be in accordance with the books and records of the
TARGET Companies, which
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<PAGE>
are or will be, as the case may be, complete and correct in all material
respects and which have been or will have been, as the case may be, maintained
in accordance with good business practices, and (b) present or will present, as
the case may be, fairly the consolidated financial position of the TARGET
Companies as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations,
changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows of the TARGET Companies for the
periods indicated, in accordance with GAAP (subject to any exceptions as to
consistency specified therein or as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in
the case of interim financial statements, to normal recurring year-end
adjustments that are not material).
4.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as Previously Disclosed,
----------------------------------
no TARGET Company has any Liabilities that are reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET, except
Liabilities which are accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance
sheets of TARGET as of December 31, 1994 and September 30, 1995 included in the
TARGET Financial Statements or reflected in the notes thereto. Except as
Previously Disclosed, no TARGET Company has incurred or paid any Liability since
September 30, 1995, except for such Liabilities incurred or paid in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past business practice and which are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on TARGET.
4.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Except as Previously
------------------------------------
Disclosed, since September 30, 1995, (a) there have been no events, changes or
occurrences which have had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET, and (b) the TARGET Companies
have not taken any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the date of
this Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of this
Agreement, would represent or result in a material breach or violation of any of
the covenants and agreements of TARGET provided in Article 7 of this Agreement.
4.8 Tax Matters.
-----------
(a) All Tax returns required to be filed by or on behalf of any of the
TARGET Companies have been duly filed or requests for extensions have been
timely filed, granted, and have not expired for periods ended on or before
December 31, 1994, and on or before the date of the most recent fiscal year end
immediately preceding the Effective Time, except to the extent that all such
failures to file, taken together, are not reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on TARGET, and all returns filed are complete and accurate to the
Knowledge of TARGET. All Taxes shown on filed returns have been paid. As of
the date of this Agreement, there is no audit examination, deficiency, or refund
Litigation with respect to any Taxes that is reasonably likely to result in a
determination that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on TARGET, except as reserved against in the TARGET Financial
Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement. All Taxes and other
Liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or concluded
Litigation have been paid.
(b) None of the TARGET Companies has executed an extension or waiver
of any statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any Tax due
that is currently in effect, and no unpaid tax deficiency has been asserted in
writing against or with respect to any TARGET
A-10
<PAGE>
Company, which deficiency is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
(c) Adequate provision for any Taxes due or to become due for any of
the TARGET Companies for the period or periods through and including the date of
the respective TARGET Financial Statements has been made and is reflected on
such TARGET Financial Statements.
(d) Deferred Taxes of the TARGET Companies have been provided for in
accordance with GAAP.
(e) Each of the TARGET Companies is in compliance with, and its
records contain all information and documents (including, without limitation,
properly completed IRS Forms W-9) necessary to comply with, all applicable
information reporting and Tax withholding requirements under federal, state and
local Tax Laws, and such records identify with specificity all accounts subject
to backup withholding under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, except
for such instances of noncompliance and such omissions as are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
TARGET.
(f) Effective January 1, 1993, TARGET adopted Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
4.9 TARGET Allowance for Possible Loan Losses. The allowance for
-----------------------------------------
possible loan or credit losses (the "TARGET Allowance") shown on the
consolidated balance sheets of TARGET included in the most recent TARGET
Financial Statements dated prior to the date of this Agreement was, and the
TARGET Allowance shown on the consolidated balance sheets of TARGET included in
the TARGET Financial Statements as of dates subsequent to the execution of this
Agreement will be, maintained in accordance with, and are in the amounts
required by GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements or guidelines as of the
dates thereof except where the failure of such TARGET Allowance to be so
maintained is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
4.10 Assets. Except as Previously Disclosed or as disclosed or reserved
------
against in the TARGET Financial Statements, or where the failure to own good and
marketable title is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on
TARGET, the TARGET Companies have good and marketable title, free and clear of
all Liens, to all of their respective Assets. All material tangible properties
used in the businesses of the TARGET Companies are in good condition, reasonable
wear and tear excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of business
consistent with TARGET's past practices. All Assets which are material to
TARGET's business on a consolidated basis, held under leases or subleases by any
of the TARGET Companies are held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance
with their respective terms (except as enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the
availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive
relief is subject to the discretion of the court before which any proceedings
may be brought), and each such Contract is in full force and effect. The
policies of fire, theft, liability, and other insurance maintained with respect
to the Assets or businesses of the
A-11
<PAGE>
TARGET Companies provide adequate coverage under current industry practices
against loss or Liability, and the fidelity and blanket bonds in effect as to
which any of the TARGET Companies is a named insured are reasonably sufficient.
The Assets of the TARGET Companies include all assets required to operate the
business of the TARGET Companies as presently conducted.
4.11 Environmental Matters. Except as Previously Disclosed:
---------------------
(a) Each TARGET Company, its Participation Facilities and its Loan
Properties are, and have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except
for violations which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
(b) There is no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of TARGET,
threatened before any court, governmental agency or authority or other forum in
which any TARGET Company or any of its Participation Facilities has been or,
with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant (i) for
alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with any Environmental Law
or (ii) relating to the release into the environment of any Hazardous Material
or oil, whether or not occurring at, on, under or involving a site owned, leased
or operated by any TARGET Company or any of its Participation Facilities, except
for such Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of TARGET, threatened that is
not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on TARGET.
(c) There is no Litigation pending which TARGET has received proper
notice or service thereof or, to the Knowledge of TARGET, threatened before any
court, governmental agency or board or other forum in which any of its Loan
Properties (or any TARGET Company in respect of such Loan Property) has been or,
with respect to threatened litigation, may be named as a defendant or
potentially responsible party (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any
predecessor) with any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the release into the
environment of any Hazardous Material or oil, whether or not occurring at, on,
under or involving a Loan Property, except for such Litigation pending or, to
the Knowledge of TARGET, threatened that is not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
(d) To the Knowledge of TARGET, there is no reasonable basis for any
Litigation of a type described in subsections (b) or (c), except such as is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on TARGET.
(e) During the period of (i) any TARGET Company's ownership or
operation of any of their respective current properties, (ii) any TARGET
Company's participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or
(iii) any TARGET Company's holding of a security interest in a Loan Property,
there have been no releases of Hazardous Material or oil in, on, under or
affecting any such property, Participation Facility, or to the Knowledge of
TARGET Loan Property, except such as are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
A-12
<PAGE>
(f) Prior to the period of (i) any TARGET Company's ownership or
operation of any of their respective current properties, (ii) any TARGET
Company's participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or
(iii) any TARGET Company's holding of a security interest in a Loan Property, to
the Knowledge of TARGET, there were no releases of Hazardous Material or oil in,
on, under or affecting any such property, Participation Facility or Loan
Property, except such as are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
4.12 Compliance with Laws.
--------------------
(a) TARGET is duly registered as a bank holding company under the BHC
Act. Each TARGET Company has in effect all Permits necessary for it to own,
lease or operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now conducted,
except for those Permits the absence of which are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET, and there
has occurred no Default under any such Permit, other than Defaults which are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on TARGET.
(b) Except as Previously Disclosed, no TARGET Company:
(i) is in violation of any Laws, Orders or Permits applicable to
its business or employees conducting its business, except for violations
which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET; and
(ii) has received any notification or communication from any
agency or department of federal, state, or local government or any
Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof (A) asserting that any TARGET
Company is not in compliance with any of the Laws or Orders which such
governmental authority or Regulatory Authority enforces, where such
noncompliance is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET, (B) threatening to revoke
any Permits, the revocation of which is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET, or
(C) requiring any TARGET Company to enter into or consent to the issuance
of a cease and desist order, formal agreement, directive, commitment or
memorandum of understanding, or to adopt any Board resolution or similar
undertaking, which restricts materially the conduct of its business, or in
any manner relates to its capital adequacy, its credit or reserve policies,
its management, or the payment of dividends.
4.13 Labor Relations. No TARGET Company is the subject of any Litigation
---------------
asserting that it or any other TARGET Company has committed an unfair labor
practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act or comparable
state law) or seeking to compel it or any other TARGET Company to bargain with
any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is there any
strike or other labor dispute involving any TARGET Company, pending or, to its
Knowledge, threatened, or to its Knowledge, is there any activity involving any
TARGET Company's employees seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or
engaging in any other organization activity.
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<PAGE>
4.14 Employee Benefit Plans.
----------------------
(a) TARGET has Previously Disclosed, and delivered or made available
to PURCHASER prior to the execution of this Agreement, copies in each case of
all pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock option,
employee stock ownership, severance pay, vacation, bonus, or other incentive
plans all other written employee programs, arrangements, or agreements, all
medical, vision, dental, or other health plans, all life insurance plans, and
all other employee benefit plans or fringe benefit plans, including, without
limitation, "employee benefit plans," as that term is defined in Section 3(3) of
ERISA, currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part by, or
contributed to by any TARGET Company or Affiliate thereof for the benefit of
employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or
other beneficiaries and under which employees, retirees, dependents, spouses,
directors, independent contractors, or other beneficiaries are eligible to
participate (collectively, the "TARGET Benefit Plans"). Any of the TARGET
Benefit Plans which is an "employee pension benefit plan," as that term is
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, is referred to herein as a "TARGET ERISA
Plan." Each TARGET ERISA Plan which is also a "defined benefit plan" (as
defined in Section 414(j)) of the Internal Revenue Code) is referred to herein
as a "TARGET Pension Plan." No TARGET Pension Plan is or has been a multi-
employer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(b) All TARGET Benefit Plans are, in all material respects, in
compliance with the applicable terms of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and
any other applicable Laws the breach or violation of which are reasonably likely
to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
Each TARGET ERISA Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the
Internal Revenue Service, and TARGET is not aware of any circumstances likely to
result in revocation of any such favorable determination letter. To the
Knowledge of TARGET, no TARGET Company has engaged in a transaction with respect
to any TARGET Benefit Plan that, assuming the taxable period of such transaction
expired as of the date hereof would subject any TARGET Company to a tax or
penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section
502(i) of ERISA in amounts which are reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
(c) No TARGET ERISA Plan which is a defined benefit pension plan has
any "unfunded current liability," as that term is defined in Section
302(d)(8)(A) of ERISA, based on actuarial assumptions set forth for such plan's
most recent actuarial valuation. Since the date of the most recent actuarial
valuation, there has been (i) no material change in the financial position of
any TARGET Pension Plan, (ii) no change in the actuarial assumptions with
respect to any TARGET Pension Plan, and (iii) no increase in benefits under any
TARGET Pension Plan as a result of plan amendments or changes in applicable law,
which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on TARGET or materially adversely affect the funding status of
any such plan. Neither any TARGET Pension Plan nor any "single-employer plan,"
within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or formerly
maintained by any TARGET Company, or the single-employer plan of any entity
which is considered one employer with TARGET under Section 4001 of ERISA or
Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA (whether or not
waived) (an "ERISA Affiliate") has an "accumulated funding deficiency" within
the meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA,
which
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<PAGE>
is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET. No TARGET
Company has provided, or is required to provide, security to a TARGET Pension
Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section
401(a)(29) of the Code.
(d) Within the six-year period preceding the Effective Time, no
Liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV or ERISA has been or is expected to
be incurred by any TARGET Company with respect to any ongoing, frozen or
terminated single-employer plan or the single-employer plan of any ERISA
Affiliate, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on TARGET. Except as Previously Disclosed, no TARGET Company has
incurred any withdrawal Liability with respect to a multi-employer plan under
Subtitle B of Title TV or ERISA (regardless of whether based on contributions of
an ERISA Affiliate), which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on TARGET. No notice of a "reportable event," within the meaning
of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day reporting requirement has not been
waived, has been required to be filed for any TARGET Pension Plan or by any
ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof.
(e) No TARGET Company has any obligations for retiree health and life
benefits under any of the TARGET Benefit Plans and there are no restrictions on
the rights of such TARGET Company to amend or terminate any such Plan without
incurring any Liability thereunder, which Liability is reasonably likely to have
a Material Adverse Effect on TARGET.
(f) Except as Previously Disclosed, neither the execution and delivery
of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
will (i) result in any payment (including, without limitation, severance,
unemployment compensation, golden parachute or otherwise) becoming due to any
director or any employee of any TARGET Company from any TARGET Company under any
TARGET Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase any benefits otherwise payable
under any TARGET Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in any acceleration of the time
of payment or vesting of any such benefit.
(g) The actuarial present values of all accrued deferred compensation
entitlements (including, without limitation, entitlements under any executive
compensation, supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of employees and
former employees of any TARGET Company and their respective beneficiaries, other
than entitlements accrued pursuant to funded retirement plans subject to the
provisions of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA,
have been fully reflected on the TARGET Financial Statements to the extent
required by and in accordance with GAAP.
4.15 Material Contracts. Except as Previously Disclosed or otherwise
------------------
reflected in the TARGET Financial Statements, none of the TARGET Companies, nor
any of their respective Assets, businesses or operations, is a party to, or is
bound or affected by, or receives benefits under, (a) any employment, severance,
termination, consulting or retirement Contract providing for aggregate payments
to any Person in any calendar year in excess of $50,000, (b) any Contract
relating to the borrowing of money by any TARGET Company or the guarantee by any
TARGET Company of any such obligation (other than Contracts evidencing deposit
liabilities, purchases of federal funds, fully secured repurchase agreements,
trade payables, and Contracts relating to borrowings or guarantees made in the
ordinary course of business), and (c) any Contracts between
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or among TARGET Companies (together with all Contracts referred to in Sections
4.10 and 4.14(a) of this Agreement, the "TARGET Contracts"). None of the TARGET
Companies is in Default under any TARGET Contract, other than Defaults which are
not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on TARGET. All of the indebtedness of any TARGET Company for
money borrowed is prepayable at any time by such TARGET Company without penalty
or premium.
4.16 Legal Proceedings. Except as Previously Disclosed, there is no
-----------------
Litigation instituted or pending or, to the Knowledge of TARGET, threatened (or
unasserted but considered probable of assertion and which, if asserted, would
have at least a reasonable probability of an unfavorable outcome) against any
TARGET Company, or against any Asset, interest, or right of any of them, that is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on TARGET, nor are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other
governmental authorities, or arbitrators outstanding against any TARGET Company,
that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on TARGET.
4.17 Reports. Except as Previously Disclosed, since January 1, 1993,
-------
each TARGET Company has timely filed all reports and statements, together with
any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that it was required to
file with all Regulatory Authorities. As of their respective dates, each of
such reports and documents, including the financial statements, exhibits, and
schedules thereto, complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws.
As of their respective dates, none of such reports or documents contained any
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
4.18 Statements True and Correct. No statement, certificate, instrument
---------------------------
or other writing furnished or to be furnished by any TARGET Company or any
Affiliate thereof to PURCHASER pursuant to this Agreement or any other document,
agreement or instrument referred to herein contains or will contain any untrue
statement of material fact or will omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by any
TARGET Company or any Affiliate thereof for inclusion in the Registration
Statement to be filed by PURCHASER with the SEC, will, when the Registration
Statement becomes effective, be false or misleading with respect to any material
fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by
any TARGET Company or any Affiliate thereof for inclusion in the Proxy Statement
to be mailed to TARGET's shareholders in connection with the Shareholders'
Meeting, and any other documents to be filed by any TARGET Company or any
Affiliate thereof with the SEC or any other Regulatory Authority in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the respective time such
documents are filed, and with respect to the Proxy Statement, when first mailed
to the shareholders of TARGET, be false or misleading with respect to any
material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, or, in the case of the Proxy Statement or any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto, at the time of the Shareholders' Meeting, be false or
misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact
necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to
the solicitation of any proxy for the Shareholders' Meeting. All
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<PAGE>
documents that any TARGET Company or any Affiliate thereof is responsible for
filing with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby will comply as to form in all material respects with the
provisions of applicable Law.
4.19 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters. Except as Previously
--------------------------------------
Disclosed, no TARGET Company or any Affiliate thereof has taken any action or
has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that is reasonably likely to (a)
prevent the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, from
qualifying as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code, or (b) materially impede or delay receipt of any Consents
of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 8.1 (b) of this Agreement or
result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of the referred to in
the second sentence of such Section. To the Knowledge of TARGET, there exists
no fact, circumstance, or reason why the requisite Consents referred to in
Section 8.1(b) of this Agreement cannot be received in a timely manner without
the imposition of any condition or restriction of the type described in the
second sentence of such Section 8.1(b).
4.20 Charter Provisions. Each TARGET Company has taken all action so
------------------
that the entering into of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not result
in the grant of any rights to any Person under the Articles of Incorporation,
Bylaws or other governing instruments of any TARGET Company or restrict or
impair the ability of PURCHASER to vote, or otherwise to exercise the rights of
a shareholder with respect to, shares of any TARGET Company that may be acquired
or controlled by it.
ARTICLE 5
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER
-------------------------------------------
PURCHASER hereby represents and warrants to TARGET as follows:
5.1 Organization, Standing and Power. PURCHASER is a corporation duly
--------------------------------
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Georgia, and is duly registered as a bank holding company under the BHC Act.
PURCHASER has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted and to own, lease and operate its Assets. PURCHASER is duly qualified
or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in
the States of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of
its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so
qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be
so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
5.2 Authority; No Breach.
--------------------
(a) PURCHASER has the corporate power and authority necessary to
execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated herein, including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized
by all necessary corporate action in respect thereof on the part of PURCHASER.
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<PAGE>
This Agreement represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation of PURCHASER,
enforceable against PURCHASER in accordance with its terms (except in all cases
as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding may be brought).
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by PURCHASER,
nor the consummation by PURCHASER of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor
compliance by PURCHASER with any of the provisions hereof will (i) conflict with
or result in a breach of any provision of PURCHASER's Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws, or (ii) constitute or result in a Default under, or require any
Consent pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any
PURCHASER Company under, any Contract or Permit of any PURCHASER Company, where
such Default or Lien, or any failure to obtain such Consent, is reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on
PURCHASER, or, (iii) subject to receipt of the requisite approvals referred to
in Section 8.1(b) of this Agreement, violate any Law or Order applicable to any
PURCHASER Company or any of their respective Assets.
(c) Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and securities Laws, and rules of
the NASD, and other than Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, and
other than notices to or filings with the Internal Revenue Service or the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any employee benefit plans,
and other than Consents, filings or notifications which, if not obtained or
made, are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER, no notice to, filing with, or Consent of
any public body or authority is necessary for the consummation by PURCHASER of
the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
5.3 Capital Stock.
-------------
(a) The authorized capital stock of PURCHASER consists of (i)
10,000,000 shares of PURCHASER Common Stock, of which 3,379,192 shares are
issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement and (ii) 5,000,000
shares of Preferred Stock, none of which are issued or outstanding as of the
date of this Agreement. All of the issued and outstanding shares of PURCHASER
Common Stock are, and all of the shares of PURCHASER Common Stock to be issued
in exchange for shares of TARGET Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger,
when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be, duly and
validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable under the GBCC.
None of the outstanding shares of PURCHASER Common Stock has been, and none of
the shares of PURCHASER Common Stock to be issued in exchange for shares of
TARGET Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger will be, issued in violation
of any preemptive rights of the current or past shareholders of PURCHASER.
PURCHASER has reserved 6,667 shares of PURCHASER Common Stock for issuance under
the PURCHASER Stock Plans, pursuant to which options to purchase not more than
6,667 shares of PURCHASER Common Stock are outstanding as of the date of this
Agreement.
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<PAGE>
(b) Except as set forth in Section 5.3(a) of this Agreement, or as
Previously Disclosed, there are no shares of capital stock or other equity
securities of PURCHASER outstanding and no outstanding options, warrants, scrip,
rights to subscribe to, calls, or commitments of any character whatsoever
relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or exchangeable for,
shares of the capital stock of PURCHASER or contracts, commitments,
understandings, or arrangements by which PURCHASER is or may be bound to issue
additional shares of its capital stock or options, warrants, or rights to
purchase or acquire any additional shares of its capital stock.
5.4 PURCHASER Subsidiaries. PURCHASER has Previously Disclosed all of
----------------------
the PURCHASER Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement. PURCHASER owns all
of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each PURCHASER
Subsidiary. No equity securities of any PURCHASER Subsidiary are or may become
required to be issued (other than to a PURCHASER Company) by reason of any
options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe to, calls, or commitments of any
character whatsoever relating to, or securities or rights convertible into or
exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock of any such Subsidiary, and there
are no Contracts by which any PURCHASER Subsidiary is bound to issue (other than
to a PURCHASER Company) additional shares of its capital stock or options,
warrants, or rights to purchase or acquire any additional shares of its capital
stock or by which any PURCHASER Company is or may be bound to transfer any
shares of the capital stock of any PURCHASER Subsidiary (other than to a
PURCHASER Company). There are no Contracts relating to the rights of any
PURCHASER Company to vote or to dispose of any shares of the capital stock of
any PURCHASER Subsidiary. All of the shares of capital stock of each PURCHASER
Subsidiary held by a PURCHASER Company are fully paid and nonassessable under
the applicable corporation Law of the jurisdiction in which such Subsidiary is
incorporated or organized and are owned by the PURCHASER Company free and clear
of any Lien. Each PURCHASER Subsidiary is either a bank or a corporation, and
is duly organized, validly existing, and (as to corporations) in good standing
under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or organized, and
has the corporate power and authority necessary for it to own, lease and operate
its Assets and to carry on its business as now conducted. Each PURCHASER
Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign
corporation in good standing in the States of the United States and foreign
jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its
business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such
jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on PURCHASER. Each PURCHASER Subsidiary that is a depository institution
is an insured institution as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and
applicable regulations thereunder.
5.5 Financial Statements. PURCHASER has Previously Disclosed and
--------------------
delivered to TARGET prior to the execution of this Agreement copies of all
PURCHASER Financial Statements for periods ended prior to the date hereof and
will deliver to TARGET copies of all PURCHASER Financial Statements prepared
subsequent to the date hereof. The PURCHASER Financial Statements (as of the
dates thereof and for the periods covered thereby) (a) are or, if dated after
the date of this Agreement, will be in accordance with the books and records of
the PURCHASER Companies, which are or will be, as the case may be, complete and
correct in all material respects and which have been or will have been, as the
case may be, maintained in accordance with good business practices, and (b)
present or will present, as the case may be, fairly the consolidated financial
position of the PURCHASER Companies as of the dates indicated and the
consolidated
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<PAGE>
results of operations, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows of the
PURCHASER Companies for the periods indicated, in accordance with GAAP (subject
to exceptions as to consistency specified therein or as may be indicated in the
notes thereto or, in the case of interim financial statements, to normal
recurring year-end adjustments that are not material).
5.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. No PURCHASER Company has any
----------------------------------
Liabilities that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER, except Liabilities which are
accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance sheets of PURCHASER as
of December 31, 1994 and September 30, 1995 included in the PURCHASER Financial
Statements or reflected in the notes thereto. No PURCHASER Company has incurred
or paid any Liability since September 30, 1995, except for such Liabilities
incurred or paid in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
business practice and which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
5.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since September 30, 1995,
------------------------------------
except as disclosed in SEC Documents filed by PURCHASER prior to the date of
this Agreement, (a) there have been no events, changes or occurrences which have
had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER, and (b) the PURCHASER Companies have not
taken any action, or failed to take any action, prior to the date of this
Agreement, which action or failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement,
would represent or result in a material breach or violation of any of the
covenants and agreements of PURCHASER provided in Article 7 of this Agreement.
5.8 Tax Matters.
-----------
(a) All Tax returns required to be filed by or on behalf of any of the
PURCHASER Companies have been timely filed or requests for extensions have been
timely filed, granted, and have not expired for periods ended on or before
December 31, 1994, and on or before the date of the most recent fiscal year end
immediately preceding the Effective Time, except to the extent that all such
failures to file, taken together, are not reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect on PURCHASER, and all returns filed are complete and accurate to
the Knowledge of PURCHASER. All Taxes shown on filed returns have been paid.
As of the date of this Agreement, there is no audit examination, deficiency, or
refund Litigation with respect to any Taxes that is reasonably likely to result
in a determination that would have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on PURCHASER, except as reserved against in the PURCHASER
Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement. All Taxes
and other Liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or
concluded Litigation have been paid.
(b) None of the PURCHASER Companies has executed an extension or
waiver of any statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any Tax
due that is currently in effect, and no unpaid tax deficiency has been asserted
in writing against or with respect to any PURCHASER Company, which deficiency is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on PURCHASER.
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<PAGE>
(c) Adequate provision for any Taxes due or to become due for any of
the PURCHASER Companies for the period or periods through and including the date
of the respective PURCHASER Financial Statements has been made and is reflected
on such PURCHASER Financial Statements.
(d) Deferred Taxes of the PURCHASER Companies have been provided for
in accordance with GAAP.
(e) Effective January 1, 1993, PURCHASER adopted Financial Accounting
Standards Board Statement 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes."
5.9 PURCHASER Allowance for Possible Loan Losses. The allowance for
--------------------------------------------
possible loan or credit losses (the "PURCHASER Allowance") shown on the
consolidated balance sheets of PURCHASER included in the most recent PURCHASER
Financial Statements dated prior to the date of this Agreement was, and the
PURCHASER Allowance shown on the consolidated balance sheets of PURCHASER
included in the PURCHASER Financial Statements as of dates subsequent to the
execution of this Agreement will be, as of the dates thereof, adequate (within
the meaning of GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements or guidelines) to
provide for losses relating to or inherent in the loan and lease portfolios
(including accrued interest receivables) of the PURCHASER Companies and other
extensions of credit (including letters of credit and commitments to make loans
or extend credit) by the PURCHASER Companies as of the dates thereof except
where the failure of such PURCHASER Allowance to be so adequate is not
reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
5.10 Assets. Except as Previously Disclosed or as disclosed or reserved
------
against in the PURCHASER Financial Statements, the PURCHASER Companies have good
and marketable title, free and clear of all Liens, to all of their respective
Assets. All material tangible properties used in the businesses of the
PURCHASER Companies are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear excepted,
and are usable in the ordinary course of business consistent with PURCHASER's
past practices. All Assets which are material to PURCHASER's business on a
consolidated basis, held under leases or subleases by any of the PURCHASER
Companies, are held under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with their
respective terms (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of
the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to
the discretion of the court before which any proceedings may be brought), and
each such Contract is in full force and effect. The policies of fire, theft,
liability, and other insurance maintained with respect to the Assets or
businesses of the PURCHASER Companies provide adequate coverage under current
industry practices against loss or Liability, and the fidelity and blanket bonds
in effect as to which any of the PURCHASER Companies is a named insured are
reasonably sufficient. The Assets of the PURCHASER Companies include all assets
required to operate the business of the PURCHASER Companies as presently
conducted.
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<PAGE>
5.11 Environmental Matters.
---------------------
(a) Each PURCHASER Company, its Participation Facilities and its Loan
Properties are, and have been, in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except
for violations which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
(b) There is no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of PURCHASER,
threatened before any court, governmental agency or authority or other forum in
which any PURCHASER Company or any of its Participation Facilities has been or,
with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant (i) for
alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with any Environmental Law
or (ii) relating to the release into the environment of any Hazardous Material
(as defined below) or oil, whether or not occurring at, on, under or involving a
site owned, leased or operated by any PURCHASER Company or any of its
Participation Facilities, except for such Litigation pending or, to the
Knowledge of Purchaser, threatened that is not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
(c) There is no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of Purchaser,
threatened before any court, governmental agency or board or other forum in
which any of its Loan Properties (or any PURCHASER Company in respect of such
Loan Property) has been or, with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named
as a defendant or potentially responsible party (i) for alleged noncompliance
(including by any predecessor), with any Environmental Law or (ii) relating to
the release into the environment of any Hazardous Material or oil, whether or
not occurring at, on, under or involving a Loan Property, except for such
Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of Purchaser, threatened that is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on PURCHASER.
(d) To the Knowledge of PURCHASER, there is no reasonable basis for
any Litigation of a type described in subsections (b) or (c), except such as is
not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
(e) During the period of (i) any PURCHASER Company's ownership or
operation of any of their respective current properties, (ii) any PURCHASER
Company's participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or
(iii) any PURCHASER Company's holding of a security interest in a Loan Property,
there have been no releases of Hazardous Material or oil in, on, under or
affecting such property, Participation Facility or Loan Property, except such as
are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
(f) Prior to the period of (i) any PURCHASER Company's ownership or
operation of any of their respective current properties, (ii) any PURCHASER
Company's participation in the management of any Participation Facility, or
(iii) any PURCHASER Company's holding of a security interest in a Loan Property,
to the Knowledge of PURCHASER, there were no releases of Hazardous Material or
oil in, on, under or affecting any such property, Participation
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<PAGE>
Facility or Loan Property, except such as are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
5.12 Compliance with Laws. PURCHASER is duly registered as a bank
--------------------
holding company under the BHC Act. Each PURCHASER Company has in effect all
Permits necessary for it to own, lease or operate its Assets and to carry on its
business as now conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on PURCHASER, and there has occurred no Default under any such Permit,
other than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
(a) No PURCHASER Company:
(i) is in violation of any Laws, Orders or Permits applicable to
its business or employees conducting its business, except for violations
which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate,
a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER; or
(ii) has received any notification or communication from any
agency or department of federal, state, or local government or any
Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof (A) asserting that any PURCHASER
Company is not in compliance with any of the Laws or Orders which such
governmental authority or Regulatory Authority enforces, where such
noncompliance is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER, (B) threatening to
revoke any Permits, the revocation of which is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER,
or (C) requiring any PURCHASER Company to enter into or consent to the
issuance of a cease and desist order, formal agreement, directive,
commitment or memorandum of understanding, or to adopt any Board resolution
or similar undertaking, which restricts materially the conduct of its
business, or in any manner relates to its capital adequacy, its credit or
reserve policies, its management, or the payment of dividends.
5.13 Labor Relations. No PURCHASER Company is the subject of any
---------------
Litigation asserting that it or any other PURCHASER Company has committed an
unfair labor practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act or
comparable state law) or seeking to compel it or any other PURCHASER Company to
bargain with any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor
is there any strike or other labor dispute involving any PURCHASER Company,
pending or, to its Knowledge, threatened, or to its Knowledge, is there any
activity involving any PURCHASER Company's employees seeking to certify a
collective bargaining unit or engaging in any other organization activity.
5.14 Employee Benefit Plans.
----------------------
(a) PURCHASER has Previously Disclosed and delivered or made
available to TARGET prior to the execution of this Agreement copies in each case
of all pension, retirement, profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock option,
employee stock ownership, severance pay, vacation, bonus, or other incentive
plans, all other written employee programs, arrangements, or
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<PAGE>
agreements, all medical, vision, dental, or other health plans, all life
insurance plans, and all other employee benefit plans or fringe benefit plans,
including, without limitation, "employee benefit plans," as that term is defined
in Section 3(3) of ERISA, currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole
or in part by, or contributed to by any PURCHASER Company or Affiliate thereof
for the benefit of employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors,
independent contractors, or other beneficiaries and under which employees,
retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other
beneficiaries are eligible to participate (collectively, the "PURCHASER Benefit
Plans). Any of the PURCHASER Benefit Plans which is an "employee pension
benefit plan," as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, is referred to
herein as a "PURCHASER ERISA Plan." Each PURCHASER ERISA Plan which is also a
"defined benefit plan" (as defined in Section 414(j)) of the Internal Revenue
Code) is referred to herein as a "PURCHASER Pension Plan." No PURCHASER Pension
Plan is or has been a multi-employer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of
ERISA.
(b) All PURCHASER Benefit Plans are in compliance with the applicable
terms of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and any other applicable Laws the
breach or violation of which are reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER. Each PURCHASER ERISA
Plan which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal
Revenue Service, and PURCHASER is not aware of any circumstances likely to
result in revocation of any such favorable determination letter. To the
Knowledge of PURCHASER, no PURCHASER Company has engaged in a transaction with
respect to any PURCHASER Benefit Plan that, assuming the taxable period of such
transaction expired as of the date hereof would subject any PURCHASER Company to
a tax or penalty imposed by either Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or
Section 502(i) of ERISA in amounts which are reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
(c) No PURCHASER ERISA Plan which is a defined benefit pension plan
has any "unfunded current liability," as that term is defined in Section
302(d)(8)(A) of ERISA, based on actuarial assumptions set forth for such plan's
most recent actuarial valuation. Since the date of the most recent actuarial
valuation, there has been (i) no material change in the financial position of
any PURCHASER Pension Plan, (ii) no change in the actuarial assumptions with
respect to any PURCHASER Pension Plan, and (iii) no increase in benefits under
any PURCHASER Pension Plan as a result of plan amendments or changes in
applicable Law which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER or materially adversely affect
the funding status of any such plan. Neither any PURCHASER Pension Plan nor any
"single-employer plan," within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA,
currently or formerly maintained by any PURCHASER Company, or the single-
employer plan of any ERISA Affiliate has an "accumulated funding deficiency"
within the meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of
ERISA, which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on
PURCHASER. No PURCHASER Company has provided, or is required to provide,
security to a PURCHASER Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA
Affiliate pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.
(d) No Liability under Subtitle C or D of Title IV or ERISA has been
or is expected to be incurred by any PURCHASER Company with respect to any
ongoing, frozen or
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<PAGE>
terminated single-employer plan or the single-employer plan of any ERISA
Affiliate, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on PURCHASER. No PURCHASER Company has incurred any withdrawal Liability
with respect to a multi-employer plan under Subtitle B of Title IV or ERISA
(regardless of whether based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate), which
Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
No notice of a "reportable event" within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA
for which the 30-day reporting requirement has not been waived, has been
required to be filed for any PURCHASER Pension Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate
within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof
(e) Except as Previously Disclosed, (i) no PURCHASER Company has any
obligations for retiree health and life benefits under any of the PURCHASER
Benefit Plans and (ii) there are no restrictions on the rights of such PURCHASER
Company to amend or terminate any such Plan without incurring any Liability
thereunder, which Liability is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse
Effect on PURCHASER.
(f) Except as Previously Disclosed, neither the execution and delivery
of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby
will (i) result in any payment (including, without limitation, severance,
unemployment compensation, golden parachute or otherwise) becoming due to any
director or any employee of any PURCHASER Company from any PURCHASER Company
under any PURCHASER Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase any benefits
otherwise payable under any PURCHASER Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in any
acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefit.
(g) The actuarial present values of all accrued deferred compensation
entitlements (including, without limitation, entitlements under any executive
compensation, supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of employees and
former employees of any PURCHASER Company and their respective beneficiaries,
other than entitlements accrued pursuant to funded retirement plans subject to
the provisions of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of
ERISA, have been fully reflected on the PURCHASER Financial Statements to the
extent required by and in accordance with GAAP.
5.15 Legal Proceedings. There is no Litigation instituted or pending,
-----------------
or, to the Knowledge of PURCHASER, threatened (or unasserted but considered
probable of assertion and which if asserted would have at least a reasonable
probability of an unfavorable outcome) against any PURCHASER Company, or against
any Asset, interest, or right of any of them, that is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on PURCHASER, nor
are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other governmental
authorities, or arbitrators outstanding against any PURCHASER Company, that are
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on PURCHASER.
5.16 Reports. Since January 1, 1993, each PURCHASER Company has timely
-------
filed all reports and statements, together with any amendments required to be
made with respect thereto, that it was required to file with (a) the SEC,
including, but not limited to, Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K, and proxy
statements, (b) other Regulatory Authorities, and (c) any applicable state
securities or banking authorities (except, in the case of state securities
authorities, failures to file which are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect
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<PAGE>
on PURCHASER). As of their respective dates, each of such reports and
documents, including the financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto,
complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws. As of its
respective date, none of such reports and documents contained any untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
5.17 Statements True and Correct. No statement, certificate, instrument
---------------------------
or other writing furnished or to be furnished by any PURCHASER Company or any
Affiliate thereof to TARGET pursuant to this Agreement or any other document,
agreement or instrument referred to herein contains or will contain any untrue
statement of material fact or will omit to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by any
PURCHASER Company or any Affiliate thereof for inclusion in the Registration
Statement to be filed by PURCHASER with the SEC, will, when the Registration
Statement becomes effective, be false or misleading with respect to any material
fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading. None of the information supplied or to be supplied by
any PURCHASER Company or any Affiliate thereof for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement to be mailed to TARGET's shareholders in connection with the
Shareholders' Meeting, and any other documents to be filed by any PURCHASER
Company or any Affiliate thereof with the SEC or any other Regulatory Authority
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the respective
time such documents are filed, and with respect to the Proxy Statement, when
first mailed to the shareholders of TARGET, be false or misleading with respect
to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made,
not misleading, or, in the case of the Proxy Statement or any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto, at the time of the Shareholders' Meeting, be false or
misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact
necessary to correct any statement in any earlier communication with respect to
the solicitation of any proxy for the Shareholders' Meeting. All documents that
any PURCHASER Company or any Affiliate thereof is responsible for filing with
any Regulatory Authority in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby
will comply as to form in all material respects with the provisions of
applicable Law.
5.18 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters. No PURCHASER Company or any
--------------------------------------
Affiliate thereof has taken any action or has any Knowledge of any fact or
circumstance that is reasonably likely to (a) prevent the transactions
contemplated hereby, including the Merger, from qualifying as a reorganization
within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (b)
materially impede or delay receipt of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities
referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this Agreement or result in the imposition of a
condition or restriction of the type referred to in the second sentence of such
Section. To the Knowledge of PURCHASER, there exists no fact, circumstance, or
reason why the requisite Consents referred to in Section 9.1(b) of this
Agreement cannot be received in a timely manner without the imposition of any
condition or restriction of the type described in the second sentence of such
Section 9.1(b).
5.19 Charter Provisions. Each PURCHASER Company has taken all action so
------------------
that the entering into of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and
the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not result
in the grant of any rights to any Person
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<PAGE>
under the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments of
any PURCHASER Company or restrict or impair the ability of any TARGET
shareholder to vote, or otherwise to exercise the rights of a shareholder with
respect to, shares of PURCHASER Common Stock that may be acquired or controlled
by it.
ARTICLE 6
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
----------------------------------------
6.1 Affirmative Covenants of TARGET. Unless the prior written consent
-------------------------------
of PURCHASER shall have been obtained, and except as otherwise contemplated
herein, TARGET shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries: (a) to operate
its business in the usual, regular, and ordinary course; (b) to preserve intact
its business organization and Assets and maintain its rights and franchises; (c)
to use its reasonable efforts to cause its representations and warranties to be
correct at all times; and (d) to take no action which would (i) adversely affect
the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents required for the transactions
contemplated hereby without imposition of a condition or restriction of the type
referred to in the second sentence of Section 8.1(b) of this Agreement or (ii)
adversely affect in any material respect the ability of either Party to perform
its covenants and agreements under this Agreement.
6.2 Negative Covenants of TARGET. From the date of this Agreement until
----------------------------
the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, TARGET
covenants and agrees that it will not do or agree or commit to do, or permit any
of its Subsidiaries to do or agree or commit to do, any of the following without
the prior written consent of the chief executive officer or chief financial
officer of PURCHASER, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld:
(a) amend the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing
instruments of any TARGET Company; or
(b) incur any additional debt obligation or other obligation for
borrowed money (other than indebtedness of a TARGET Company to another TARGET
Company) in excess of an aggregate of $50,000 (for the TARGET Companies on a
consolidated basis) except in the ordinary course of the business of TARGET
Companies consistent with past practices (which shall include, for TARGET
Subsidiaries that are depository institutions, creation of deposit liabilities,
purchases of federal funds, and entry into repurchase agreements fully secured
by U.S. government or agency securities), or impose, or suffer the imposition,
on any share of stock held by any TARGET Company of any Lien or permit any such
Lien to exist, except with regard to Liens on the stock of TARGET Bank
Previously Disclosed; or
(c) repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire or exchange (other than
exchanges in the ordinary course under employee benefit plans), directly or
indirectly, any shares, or any securities convertible into any shares, of the
capital stock of any TARGET Company, or declare or pay any dividend or make any
other distribution in respect of TARGET's capital stock; or
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<PAGE>
(d) except for this Agreement, or pursuant to the exercise of stock
options outstanding as of the date hereof and pursuant to the terms thereof in
existence on the date hereto, or as Previously Disclosed, issue, sell, pledge,
encumber, authorize the issuance of, or enter into any Contract to issue, sell,
pledge, encumber, or authorize the issuance of or otherwise permit to become
outstanding, any additional shares of TARGET Common Stock or any other capital
stock of any TARGET Company, or any stock appreciation rights, or any option,
warrant, conversion, or other right to acquire any such stock, or any security
convertible into any such stock; or
(e) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of any
TARGET Company or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in
respect of or in substitution for shares of TARGET Common Stock or sell, lease,
mortgage or otherwise dispose of or otherwise encumber (i) any shares of capital
stock of any TARGET Subsidiary (unless any such shares of stock are sold or
otherwise transferred to another TARGET Company) or (ii) any Asset having a book
value in excess of $50,000 other than in the ordinary course of business for
reasonable and adequate consideration; or
(f) acquire direct or indirect control over any Person, other than
in connection with (i) internal reorganizations or consolidations involving
existing Subsidiaries, (ii) foreclosures in the ordinary course of business, or
(iii) acquisitions of control by a depository institution Subsidiary in its
fiduciary capacity; or
(g) grant any increase in compensation or benefits to the employees
or officers of any TARGET Company (including such discretionary increases as may
be contemplated by existing employment agreements), except in accordance with
past practice Previously Disclosed or as required by Law; pay any bonus except
in accordance with past practice Previously Disclosed or the provisions of any
applicable program or plan adopted by its Board of Directors prior to the date
of this Agreement; enter into or amend any severance agreements with officers of
any TARGET Company; grant any increase in fees or other increases in
compensation or other benefits to directors of any TARGET Company except in
accordance with past practice Previously Disclosed; or
(h) except with regard to the employment agreements referenced in
Section 6.2(g), enter into or amend any employment Contract between any TARGET
Company and any Person (unless such amendment is required by Law) that the
TARGET Company does not have the unconditional right to terminate without
Liability (other than Liability for services already rendered), at any time on
or after the Effective Time; or
(i) adopt any new employee benefit plan of any TARGET Company or
make any material change in or to any existing employee benefit plans of any
TARGET Company other than any such change that is required by Law or that, in
the opinion of counsel, is necessary or advisable to maintain the tax qualified
status of any such plan; or
(j) make any significant change in any accounting methods or
systems of internal accounting controls, except as may be appropriate to
conform to changes in regulatory accounting requirements or GAAP; or
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<PAGE>
(k) commence any Litigation other than in accordance with past
practice, settle any Litigation involving any Liability of any TARGET Company
for money damages in excess of $50,000 or which involves material restrictions
upon the operations of any TARGET Company; or
(l) except in the ordinary course of business, modify, amend or
terminate any material Contract or waive, release, compromise or assign any
material rights or claims.
6.3 Covenants of PURCHASER. From the date of this Agreement until the
----------------------
earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, PURCHASER
covenants and agrees that it shall continue to conduct its business and the
business of its Subsidiaries in a manner designed in its reasonable judgment, to
enhance the long-term value of the PURCHASER Common Stock and the business
prospects of the PURCHASER Companies and, to the extent consistent therewith, to
use all reasonable efforts to preserve intact the PURCHASER Companies' core
businesses and goodwill with their respective employees and the communities they
serve.
6.4 Adverse Changes in Condition. Each Party agrees to give written
----------------------------
notice promptly to the other Party upon becoming aware of the occurrence or
impending occurrence of any event or circumstance relating to it or any of its
Subsidiaries which (a) is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on it or (b) is reasonably likely to cause
or constitute a material breach of any of its representations, warranties, or
covenants contained herein, and to use its best efforts to prevent or promptly
to remedy the same.
6.5 Reports. Each Party and its Subsidiaries shall file all reports
-------
required to be filed by it with Regulatory Authorities between the date of this
Agreement and the Effective Time and shall deliver to the other Party copies of
all such reports promptly after the same are filed. If financial statements are
contained in any such reports filed with the SEC, such financial statements will
fairly present the consolidated financial position of the entity filing such
statements as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations,
changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the periods then ended in
accordance with GAAP (subject in the case of interim financial statements to
normal recurring year-end adjustments that are not material). As of their
respective dates, such reports filed with the SEC will comply in all material
respects with the Securities Laws and will not contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit 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. Any financial statements contained
in any other reports to another Regulatory Authority shall be prepared in
accordance with Laws applicable to such reports.
ARTICLE 7
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
---------------------
7.1 Registration Statement; Proxy Statement; Shareholder Approval. As
-------------------------------------------------------------
soon as practicable after execution of this Agreement, PURCHASER shall file the
Registration Statement with the SEC, and shall use its best efforts to cause the
Registration Statement to become effective under the 1933 Act and take any
action required to be taken under the applicable state Blue Sky or securities
Laws in connection with the issuance of the shares of PURCHASER Common Stock
upon
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<PAGE>
consummation of the Merger. TARGET shall furnish all information concerning it
and the holders of its capital stock as PURCHASER may reasonably request in
connection with such action. TARGET shall call a Shareholders' Meeting, to be
held as soon as reasonably practicable after the Registration Statement is
declared effective by the SEC, for the purpose of voting upon approval of the
Merger and this Agreement and such other related matters as it deems
appropriate. In connection with the Shareholders' Meeting, (a) PURCHASER shall
prepare and file on TARGET's behalf a Proxy Statement (which shall be included
in the Registration Statement) with the SEC and mail it to its shareholders, (b)
the Parties shall furnish to each other all information concerning them that
they may reasonably request in connection with such Proxy Statement, (c) the
Board of Directors of TARGET shall recommend (subject to compliance with their
fiduciary duties as advised by counsel) to its shareholders that they approve
this Agreement, and (d) the Board of Directors and officers of TARGET shall use
their reasonable efforts to obtain such shareholders' approval (subject to
compliance with their fiduciary duties as advised by counsel).
7.2 Listing. PURCHASER shall use its best efforts to list, prior to the
-------
Effective Time, on the NASDAQ/NMS, the shares of PURCHASER Common Stock to be
issued to the holders of TARGET Common Stock pursuant to the Merger.
7.3 Applications. PURCHASER shall promptly prepare and file, and TARGET
------------
shall cooperate in the preparation and, where appropriate, filing of,
applications with all Regulatory Authorities having jurisdiction over the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement seeking the requisite Consents
necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.4 Filings with State Offices. Upon the terms and subject to the
--------------------------
conditions of this Agreement, PURCHASER shall execute and file the Articles of
Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia in connection with
the Closing.
7.5 Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate. Subject to the terms and
-------------------------------------
conditions of this Agreement, each Party agrees to use, and to cause its
Subsidiaries to use, its best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper, or
advisable under applicable Laws, as promptly as practicable so as to permit
consummation of the Merger at the earliest possible date and to otherwise enable
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and shall cooperate fully
with the other Party hereto to that end (it being understood that any amendments
to the Registration Statement filed by PURCHASER in connection with the
PURCHASER Common Stock to be issued in the Merger or a resolicitation of proxies
as a consequence of an acquisition agreement by PURCHASER or any of its
Subsidiaries shall not violate this covenant), including, without limitation,
using its efforts to lift or rescind any Order adversely affecting its ability
to consummate the transactions contemplated herein and to cause to be satisfied
the conditions referred to in Article 9 of this Agreement. Each Party shall
use, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to use, its best efforts to obtain
all Consents necessary or desirable for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
7.6 Investigation and Confidentiality.
---------------------------------
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, each Party will keep the other
Party advised of all material developments relevant to its business and to
consummation of the Merger and shall
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<PAGE>
permit the other Party to make or cause to be made such investigation of the
business and properties of it and its Subsidiaries and of their respective
financial and legal conditions as the other Party reasonably requests, provided
that such investigation shall be reasonably related to the transactions
contemplated hereby and shall not interfere unnecessarily with normal
operations. No investigation by a Party shall affect the representations and
warranties of the other Party.
(b) Except as may be required by applicable law or legal process,
and except for such disclosure to those of its directors, officers, employees
and representatives as may be appropriate or required in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, each Party shall hold in confidence all
nonpublic information obtained from the other Party (including work papers and
other material derived therefrom) as a result of this Agreement or in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby (whether so obtained before or after
the execution hereof) until such time as the Party providing such information
consents to its disclosure or such information becomes otherwise publicly
available. Promptly following any termination of this Agreement, each of the
Parties agrees to use its best efforts to cause its respective directors,
officers, employees and representatives to destroy or return to the providing
party all such nonpublic information (including work papers and other material
retrieved therefrom), including all copies thereof. Each Party shall, and shall
cause its advisers and agents to, maintain the confidentiality of all
confidential information furnished to it by the other Party concerning its and
its Subsidiaries' businesses, operations, and financial positions and shall not
use such information for any purpose except in furtherance of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated prior to the
Effective Time, each Party shall promptly return all documents and copies
thereof and all work papers containing confidential information received from
the other Party, except one copy of certain materials that can be retained for
legal files in accordance with the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreements.
(c) Each Party agrees to give the other Party notice as soon as
practicable after any determination by it of any fact or occurrence relating to
the other Party which it has discovered through the course of its investigation
and which represents, or is reasonably likely to represent, either a material
breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the other Party
or which has had or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on
the other Party.
7.7 Press Releases. Prior to the Effective Time, TARGET and PURCHASER
--------------
shall consult with each other as to the form and substance of any press release
or other public disclosure materially related to this Agreement or any other
transaction contemplated hereby; provided, however, that nothing in this Section
7.7 shall be deemed to prohibit any Party from making any disclosure which its
counsel deems necessary or advisable in order to satisfy such Party's disclosure
obligations imposed by Law.
7.8 No Solicitation.
---------------
(a) TARGET shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, nor shall it authorize or permit any officer, director of employee of, or
any investment banker, attorney or other advisor or representative of, TARGET or
any of its Subsidiaries to, (i) solicit or initiate, or encourage the submission
of, any takeover proposal or (ii) participate in any discussions or negotiations
regarding, or furnish to any person any information with respect to, or take any
other
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<PAGE>
action to facilitate any inquiries or the making of any proposal that
constitutes, or may reasonably be expected to lead to, any takeover proposal;
provided, however, that, if in the opinion of its Board of Directors, after
consultation with counsel, such failure to act would be inconsistent with its
fiduciary duties to stockholders under applicable law, TARGET may, in response
to an unsolicited takeover proposal, and subject to compliance with subparagraph
(c) below, (A) furnish information with respect to TARGET to any Person pursuant
to a confidentiality agreement and (B) participate in negotiations regarding
such takeover proposal. Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood that
any violation of the restrictions set forth in the immediately preceding
sentence by any executive officer of TARGET or any of its Subsidiaries or any
investment banker, attorney or other advisor or representative of TARGET or any
of its Subsidiaries, whether or not such person is purporting to act on behalf
of TARGET or any of its Subsidiaries or otherwise, shall be deemed to be a
breach of this Section 7.8 by TARGET. For purposes of this Agreement, "takeover
proposal" means an inquiry, proposal or acquisition or purchase of a substantial
amount of assets of TARGET or any of its Subsidiaries (other than investors in
the ordinary course of business) or of over 20% of any class of equity
securities of TARGET or any of its Subsidiaries or any tender offer or exchange
offer that if consummated would result in any Person beneficially owning 20% or
more of any class of equity securities of TARGET or any of its Subsidiaries, or
any merger, consolidation, business combination, sale of substantially all
assets, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction
involving TARGET or any of its Subsidiaries other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, or any other transaction the consummation of
which would reasonably be expected to impede, interfere with, prevent or
materially delay the Merger or which would reasonably be expected to dilute
materially the benefits to PURCHASER of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Except as set forth herein, neither the Board of Directors of
TARGET nor any committee thereof shall (i) withdraw or modify, or propose to
withdraw or modify, in a manner adverse to PURCHASER, the approval or
recommendation of such Board of Directors or any such committee of this
Agreement or the Merger, (ii) approve or recommend, or propose to approve or
recommend, any takeover proposal or (iii) enter into any agreement with respect
to any takeover proposal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if in the opinion of
the TARGET Board of Directors, after consultation with counsel, failure to do so
would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to TARGET stockholders under
applicable law, then, prior to the Shareholders' Meeting, the TARGET Board of
Directors may (subject to the terms of this and the following sentences)
withdraw or modify its approval or recommendation of this Agreement or the
Merger, approve or recommend a superior proposal, or enter into an agreement
with respect to a superior proposal, in each case at any time after the second
business day following PURCHASER's receipt of written notice (a "Notice of
Superior Proposal") advising PURCHASER that the TARGET Board of Directors has
received a superior proposal, specifying the material terms and conditions of
such superior proposal and identifying the Person making such superior proposal;
provided that TARGET shall not enter into an agreement with respect to a
superior proposal unless TARGET shall have furnished PURCHASER with written
notice no later than 12:00 noon one (1) day in advance of any date that it
intends to enter into such agreement. In addition, if TARGET proposes to enter
into an agreement with respect to any takeover proposal, it shall concurrently
with entering into such agreement pay, or cause to be paid, to PURCHASER the
Expenses (as defined in Section 10.2(a) and to the extent provided by Section
10.2(b)) and the Termination Fee (as defined in Section 10.2(b)). For purposes
of this Agreement, a "superior proposal" means any bona fide takeover proposal
to acquire, directly
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<PAGE>
or indirectly, for consideration consisting of cash and/or securities, more than
50% of the shares of TARGET Common Stock or TARGET Bank then outstanding or all
or substantially all of the assets of TARGET or TARGET Bank and otherwise on
terms which the TARGET Board of Directors determines in its good faith judgment
(based on the advice of a financial advisor of nationally recognized reputation)
to be more favorable to its shareholders than the Merger.
(c) In addition to the obligations of TARGET set forth in paragraph
(b) above, TARGET shall immediately advise PURCHASER orally and in writing of
any request for information or of any takeover proposal, or any inquiry with
respect to or which could lead to any takeover proposal, the material terms and
conditions of such request, takeover proposal or inquiry, and the identity of
the person making any takeover proposal or inquiry. TARGET shall keep PURCHASER
fully informed of the status and details (including amendments or proposed
amendments) of any such request, takeover proposal or inquiry.
(d) Nothing contained in this Section 7.8 shall prohibit TARGET from
making any disclosure to TARGET's shareholders if, in the opinion of the TARGET
Board of Directors, after consultation with counsel, failure to so disclose
would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties to its shareholders under
applicable law; provided that TARGET does not, except as permitted by
subparagraph (b) above, withdraw or modify, or propose to withdraw or modify,
its position with respect to the Merger or approve or recommend, or propose to
approve or recommend, a takeover proposal.
7.9 Tax Treatment. Each of the Parties undertakes and agrees to use its
-------------
reasonable efforts to cause the Merger, and to take no action which would cause
the Merger not, to qualify for treatment as a "reorganization" within the
meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for federal income tax
purposes.
7.10 Agreement of Affiliates. TARGET has Previously Disclosed all
-----------------------
Persons whom it reasonably believes are "affiliates" of TARGET for purposes of
Rule 145 under the 1933 Act. TARGET shall use its reasonable efforts to cause
each such Person to deliver to PURCHASER not later than thirty (30) days after
the date of this Agreement, a written agreement, substantially in the form of
Exhibit 1 hereto, providing that such Person will not sell, pledge, transfer, or
otherwise dispose of the shares of TARGET Common Stock held by such Person
except as contemplated by such agreement or by this Agreement and will not sell,
pledge, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the shares of PURCHASER Common Stock
to be received by such Person upon consummation of the Merger except in
compliance with applicable provisions of the 1933 Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder. Regardless of whether each such affiliate has provided
the written agreement referred to in this Section, PURCHASER shall be entitled
to place restrictive legends upon certificates for shares of PURCHASER Common
Stock issued to affiliates of TARGET pursuant to this Agreement to enforce the
provisions of this Section. PURCHASER shall not be required to maintain the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the 1933 Act for the purposes
of resale of PURCHASER Common Stock by such affiliates, except as may be
expressly set forth herein.
7.11 Employee Benefits and Contracts. Following the Effective Time,
-------------------------------
PURCHASER shall provide generally to officers and employees of the TARGET
Companies employee benefits under employee benefit plans (other than stock
option or other plans involving the potential issuance
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<PAGE>
of PURCHASER Common Stock), on terms and conditions which when taken as a whole
are substantially similar to those currently provided by the PURCHASER Companies
to their similarly situated officers and employees, provided that for a period
of twelve (12) months after the Effective Time, PURCHASER shall provide
generally to officers and employees of TARGET Companies severance benefits in
accordance with the policies of either (i) TARGET as Previously Disclosed, or
(ii) PURCHASER, whichever of (i) or (ii) will provide the greater benefit to the
officer or employee. For purposes of participation and vesting under such
employee benefit plans, the service of the employees of the TARGET Companies
prior to the Effective Time shall be treated as service with a PURCHASER Company
participating in such employee benefit plans. PURCHASER also shall honor in
accordance with their terms all employment, severance, consulting and other
compensation Contracts Previously Disclosed to PURCHASER between any TARGET
Company and any current or former director, officer, or employee thereof and all
provisions for vested benefits or other vested amounts earned or accrued through
the Effective Time under the TARGET Benefit Plans.
7.12 Large Deposits. Prior to the Closing, TARGET will provide PURCHASER
--------------
with a list of all certificates of deposit or checking, savings or other
deposits owned by persons who, to the Knowledge of the TARGET, had deposits
aggregating more than $100,000 and a list of all certificates of deposit or
checking, savings or other deposits owned by directors and officers of TARGET
and the Bank and their affiliates in an amount aggregating more than $100,000 as
of the last day of the calendar month immediately prior to the Closing.
7.13 Indemnification Against Certain Liabilities. PURCHASER agrees that
-------------------------------------------
all rights to indemnification and all limitations of liability existing in favor
of the officers and directors of TARGET and TARGET Bank ("Indemnified Parties")
as provided in their respective articles of incorporation and bylaws as of the
date hereof with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time shall
survive the Merger and shall continue in full force and effect, without any
amendment thereto, for a period of not less than six (6) years from the
Effective Time; provided, however, that all rights to any indemnification in
respect of any claim asserted or made within such period shall continue until
the final disposition of such claim.
7.14 Registration Rights and Election Agreement. Concurrent with the
------------------------------------------
execution hereof, Winn F. Martin shall execute and deliver a Registration Rights
and Election Agreement substantially in the from of Exhibit 3 hereto.
7.15 Irrevocable Proxies. Concurrent with the execution hereof, TARGET
-------------------
shall obtain and deliver to PURCHASER irrevocable proxies in substantially the
form of Exhibit 6 hereto from Affiliates of TARGET holding in the aggregate 51%
of the Outstanding TARGET Shares.
7.16 Reserve for Snead Annuity. Prior to the Closing, PURCHASER shall
-------------------------
cause Mauldin & Jenkins ("M&J") and TARGET shall cause KPMG Peat Marwick ("Peat
Marwick") to determine the amount of the reserve which TARGET should establish
with respect to the annuity payable to Thomas Snead and/or Jacqueline Tew Snead
pursuant to that certain Agreement in Principle by and between TARGET and Mr.
and Mrs. Snead dated as of August 17, 1989 (the "Snead Reserve"). If the amount
of the Snead Reserve determined by M&J and the amount of the Snead Reserve
determined by Peat Marwick are within $25,000 of each other, then the amount of
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the Snead Reserve shall be equal to the average of the amounts so determined.
If the amounts of the Snead Reserve so determined differ by more than $25,000,
then M&J and Peat Marwick shall mutually select and appoint a third independent
accounting firm to determine the amount of the Snead Reserve, in which event the
amount of the Snead Reserve shall be equal to the result obtained by averaging
the two of the three amounts which deviate the least from the average of the
first two amounts so determined. Each party will bear equally the fees and
expenses of the independent accounting firm mutually selected, but each party
shall be solely responsible for the fees and expenses of any independent
accounting firm selected solely by such party. Upon the final determination of
the amount of the Snead Reserve, TARGET shall establish a reserve on its books
in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the amount of the Snead Reserve
determined in accordance herewith.
ARTICLE 8
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
-------------------------------------------------
8.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party. The respective obligations
---------------------------------------
of each Party to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by both Parties pursuant to Section 10.6 of
this Agreement:
(a) Shareholder Approval. The shareholders of TARGET shall have
--------------------
approved this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby, including the Merger, as and to the extent required by Law or by the
provisions of any governing instruments.
(b) Regulatory Approvals. All Consents of, filings and registrations
--------------------
with, and notifications to, all Regulatory Authorities required for consummation
of the Merger shall have been obtained or made and shall be in full force and
effect, and all waiting periods required by Law shall have expired. No Consent
obtained from any Regulatory Authority which is necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be conditioned or restricted in a manner
(including, without limitation, requirements relating to the raising of
additional capital or the disposition of Assets) which, in the reasonable
judgment of the Board of Directors of either Party, would so materially
adversely impact the economic or business benefits of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement so as to render inadvisable the consummation of
the Merger; provided, however, that no such condition or restriction shall be
deemed to be materially adverse unless it materially differs from terms and
conditions customarily imposed by any Regulatory Authority in connection with
similar transactions.
(c) Consents and Approvals. Each Party shall have obtained any and
----------------------
all Consents required for consummation of the Merger (other than those referred
to in Section 8.1(b) of this Agreement) or for the preventing of any Default
under any Contract or Permit of such Party which, if not obtained or made, is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect on such Party.
(d) Legal Proceedings. No court or governmental or regulatory
-----------------
authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated,
enforced or entered any Law or
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Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) or taken any other action
which prohibits, materially restricts or makes illegal consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(e) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall be
----------------------
effective under the 1933 Act, no stop orders suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued, no action, suit, proceeding or
investigation by the SEC to suspend the effectiveness thereof shall have been
initiated and be continuing, and all necessary approvals under state securities
Laws or the 1933 Act or 1934 Act relating to the issuance or trading of the
shares of PURCHASER Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Merger shall have been
received.
(f) NASD Listing. The shares of PURCHASER Common Stock issuable
------------
pursuant to the Merger shall have been approved for listing on the NASDAQ/NMS.
(g) Tax Matters. TARGET shall have received a written opinion of
-----------
counsel from Rogers & Hardin, in form reasonably satisfactory to it,
substantially to the effect that for federal income tax purposes (a) the Merger
will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code, and (b) the exchange in the Merger of TARGET Common Stock
for PURCHASER Common Stock will not give rise to gain or loss to the
stockholders of TARGET with respect to such exchange (except to the extent of
any cash received).
8.2 Conditions to Obligations of PURCHASER. The obligations of
--------------------------------------
PURCHASER to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by PURCHASER pursuant to Section 10.6(a) of
this Agreement:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
------------------------------
warranties of TARGET set forth or referred to in this Agreement shall be true
and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective Time with the same effect as though all such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of the Effective Time (provided that
representations and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall
speak only as of such date), except (i) as expressly contemplated by this
Agreement, or (ii) for representations and warranties (other than the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.3 of this Agreement, which
shall be true in all respects) the inaccuracies of which relate to matters that
are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on TARGET.
(b) Performance of Agreements and Covenants. Each and all of the
---------------------------------------
agreements and covenants of TARGET to be performed and complied with pursuant to
this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby prior to the
Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material
respects.
(c) Certificates. TARGET shall have delivered to PURCHASER (i) a
------------
certificate, dated as of the Effective Time and signed on its behalf by its
chief executive officer, to the effect that the conditions of its obligations
set forth in Sections 8.2(a) and 8.2(b) of this Agreement have been satisfied in
all material respects, and (ii) certified copies of resolutions duly adopted by
TARGET's Board of Directors and shareholders evidencing the taking of all
corporate
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action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, all in
such reasonable detail as PURCHASER and its counsel shall reasonably request.
(d) Opinion of Counsel. TARGET shall have delivered to PURCHASER an
------------------
opinion of Balch & Bingham, counsel to TARGET, dated as of the Closing, in
substantially the form of Exhibit 2 hereto.
(e) Accountant's Letters. PURCHASER shall have received from KPMG
--------------------
Peat Marwick letters dated not more than five (5) days prior to (i) the date of
the Proxy Statement and (ii) the Effective Time, with respect to certain
financial information regarding TARGET, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to PURCHASER, which letters shall be based upon customary specified
procedures undertaken by such firm.
(f) Employment Agreement. John E. Meyer, Jr. shall have executed and
--------------------
delivered an Employment Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 4 hereto,
and TARGET and Mr. Meyer shall have cancelled and terminated, to the
satisfaction of PURCHASER, that certain Employment Agreement between them dated
as of November 17, 1993, as amended.
8.3 Conditions to Obligations of TARGET. The obligations of TARGET to
-----------------------------------
perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions,
unless waived by TARGET pursuant to Section 10.6(b) of this Agreement:
(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and
------------------------------
warranties of PURCHASER set forth or referred to in this Agreement shall be true
and correct in all respects as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective Time with the same effect as though all such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of the Effective Time (provided that
representations and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall
speak only as of such date), except (i) as expressly contemplated by this
Agreement, or (ii) for representations and warranties (other than the
representations and warranties set forth in Section 5.3 of this Agreement, which
shall be true in all respects) the inaccuracies of which relate to matters that
are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect on PURCHASER.
(b) Performance of Agreements and Covenants. Each and all of the
---------------------------------------
agreements and covenants of PURCHASER to be performed and complied with pursuant
to this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby prior to the
Effective Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material
respects.
(c) Certificates. PURCHASER shall have delivered to TARGET (i) a
------------
certificate, dated as of the Effective Time and signed on its behalf by its
chief executive officer and its chief financial officer, to the effect that the
conditions of its obligations set forth in Section 8.3(a) and 8.3(b) of this
Agreement have been satisfied in all material respects, and (ii) certified
copies of resolutions duly adopted by PURCHASER's Board of Directors evidencing
the taking of all corporate action necessary to authorize the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement,
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and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such
reasonable detail as TARGET and its counsel shall reasonably request.
(d) Opinion of Counsel. PURCHASER shall have delivered to TARGET an
------------------
opinion of Rogers & Hardin, counsel to PURCHASER, dated as of the Closing, in
substantially the form of Exhibit 5 hereto.
ARTICLE 9
TERMINATION
-----------
9.1 Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
-----------
and notwithstanding the approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of
TARGET, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time
prior to the Effective Time:
(a) By mutual consent of the Board of Directors of PURCHASER and the
Board of Directors of TARGET; or
(b) By the Board of Directors of either Party (provided that the
terminating Party is not then in material breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant, or other agreement contained in this Agreement) in the event
of a material breach by the other Party of any representation or warranty
contained in this Agreement which cannot be or has not been cured within thirty
(30) days after the giving of written notice to the breaching Party of such
breach and which breach would provide the non-breaching party the ability to
refuse to consummate the Merger under the standard set forth in Section 8.2(a)
of this Agreement in the case of PURCHASER and Section 8.3(a) of this Agreement
in the case of TARGET; or
(c) By the Board of Directors of either Party (provided that the
terminating Party is not then in material breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant, or other agreement contained in this Agreement) in the event
of a material breach by the other Party of any covenant or agreement contained
in this Agreement which cannot be or has not been cured within (30) days after
the giving of written notice to the breaching Party of such breach; or
(d) By the Board of Directors of either Party (provided that the
terminating Party is not then in material breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant, or other agreement contained in this Agreement) in the event
(i) any Consent of any Regulatory Authority required for consummation of the
Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby has been denied by final
nonappealable action of such authority or if any action taken by such authority
is not appealed within the time limit for appeal, or (ii) if the shareholders of
TARGET fail to approve this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
as required by the ABCA at the Shareholders' Meetings where the transactions
were presented to such shareholders for approval and voted upon; or
(e) By the Board of Directors of either Party in the event that the
Merger shall not have been consummated by June 1, 1996, but only if the failure
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on or before such date is not
caused by any breach of this Agreement by the Party electing to terminate
pursuant to this Section 9.1 (e); or
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(f) By the Board of Directors of either Party (provided that the
terminating Party is not then in material breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant, or other agreement contained in this Agreement) in the event
that any of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such Party to
consummate the Merger cannot be satisfied or fulfilled by the date specified in
Section 9.1(e) of this Agreement.
(g) By the Board of Directors of TARGET in connection with entering
into a definitive agreement in accordance with Section 7.8(b), provided that it
has complied with all provisions thereof, including the notice provisions
therein, and that it makes simultaneous payment of the Expenses and the
Termination Fee.
9.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination and
---------------------
abandonment of this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1 of this Agreement, this
Agreement shall become void and have no effect, except that (i) the provisions
of this Section 9.2 and Sections 7.6(b), 7.8(b) and 10.2 of this Agreement shall
survive any such termination and abandonment, and (ii) a termination pursuant to
Section 9.1 of this Agreement shall not relieve the breaching Party from
Liability for an uncured willful breach of a representation, warranty, covenant,
or agreement giving rise to such termination.
ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
10.1 Definitions. Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized
-----------
terms set forth below (in their singular and plural forms as applicable) shall
have the following meanings:
"ABCA" shall mean the Alabama Business Corporation Act.
"Acquisition Proposal" with respect to a Party shall mean any tender offer
or exchange offer or any proposal for a merger, acquisition of all of the stock
or Assets of, or other business combination involving such Party or any of its
Subsidiaries or the acquisition of a substantial equity interest in, or a
substantial portion of the Assets of, such Party or any of its Subsidiaries.
"Affiliate" of a Person shall mean: (a) any other Person directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by or
under common control with such Person or (b) any officer, director, partner,
employer, or direct or indirect beneficial owner of any 10% or greater equity or
voting interest of such Person.
"Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and Plan of Merger and the Exhibits
delivered pursuant hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
"Assets" of a Person shall mean all of the assets, properties, businesses
and rights of such Person of every kind, nature, character and description,
whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, accrued or contingent,
or otherwise relating to or utilized in such Person's business, directly or
indirectly, in whole or in part, whether or not carried on the books and records
of such
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<PAGE>
Person, and whether or not owned in the name of such Person or any Affiliate of
such Person and wherever located.
"Base Period Trading Price" shall mean (i) $13.88 plus (B) the average of
the daily closing sales price of a share of PURCHASER Common Stock as reported
on NASDAQ/NMS for the twenty (20) consecutive trading days immediately preceding
five (5) consecutive calendar days immediately preceding the Effective Time (the
"Pre-Closing Base Period Trading Price"), divided by (ii) two (2); provided,
--------
however, that for purposes of this calculation, the Pre-Closing Base Trading
- -------
Price shall be deemed to equal (i) $18.00 in the event the Pre-Closing Base
Period Trading Price is greater than $18.00 or (ii) $10.00 in the event the Pre-
Closing Base Period Trading Price is less than $10.00.
"BHC Act" shall mean the federal Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as
amended.
"Book Value" shall mean the book value of TARGET as calculated under GAAP.
"Cash Consideration" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(b) of
this Agreement.
"Cash Election" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(d) of this
Agreement.
"Cash Election Shares" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(h) of
this Agreement.
"Closing" shall mean the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby,
as described in Section 1.2 of this Agreement.
"Closing Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.2 of this
Agreement.
"Combination Election" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(d) of
this Agreement.
"Consent" shall mean any consent, approval, authorization, clearance,
exemption, waiver, or similar affirmation by any Person pursuant to any
Contract, Law, Order, or Permit.
"Contract" shall mean any written or oral agreement, arrangement,
authorization, commitment, contract, indenture, instrument, lease, obligation,
plan, practice, restriction, understanding or undertaking of any kind or
character, or other document to which any Person is a party or that is binding
on any Person or its capital stock, Assets or business.
"Default" shall mean (a) any breach or violation of or default under any
Contract, Order or Permit, (b) any occurrence of any event that with the passage
of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a breach or violation
of or default under any Contract, Order or Permit, or (c) any occurrence of any
event that with or without the passage of or the giving of notice would give
rise to a right to terminate or revoke, change the current terms of, or
renegotiate, or to accelerate, increase, or impose any Liability under, any
Contract, Order or Permit.
"Dissenting Shares" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(b) of
this Agreement.
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<PAGE>
"Dissenting TARGET Shareholders" shall have the meaning provided in Section
3.1(l) of this Agreement.
"Effective Time" shall mean the date and time at which the Merger becomes
effective as defined in Section 1.3 of this Agreement.
"Environmental Laws" shall mean all Laws which are administered,
interpreted or enforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and
state and local agencies with primary jurisdiction over pollution or protection
of the environment.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
"ERISA Plan" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.14 of this
Agreement.
"Exchange Agent" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(f) of this
Agreement.
"Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(b) of this
Agreement.
"Exhibits" 1 through 6, inclusive, shall mean the Exhibits so marked,
copies of which are attached to this Agreement. Such Exhibits are hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof and may be referred to
in this Agreement and any other related instrument or document without being
attached hereto.
"Expenses" shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.2 of this
Agreement.
"Form of Election" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(d) of
this Agreement.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied during the periods involved.
"Georgia Articles of Merger" shall mean the Articles of Merger to be
executed by PURCHASER and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Georgia relating to the Merger as contemplated by Section 1.1 of this Agreement.
"GBCC" shall mean the Georgia Business Corporation Code.
"Hazardous Material" shall mean any pollutant, contaminant, or hazardous
substance within the meaning of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 U.S.C. (S) 9601 et seq.,
or any similar federal, state or local Law.
"Internal Revenue Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service.
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<PAGE>
"Knowledge" as used with respect to a Person shall mean the Knowledge after
reasonable due inquiry of the Chairman, President, Chief Financial Officer,
Chief Accounting Officer, Chief Credit Officer, or any Senior or Executive Vice
President of such Person.
"Law" shall mean any code, law, ordinance, regulation, reporting or
licensing requirement, rule, or statute applicable to a Person or its Assets,
Liabilities or business, including, without limitation, those promulgated,
interpreted or enforced by any of the Regulatory Authorities.
"Letter of Transmittal" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.2 of
this Agreement.
"Liability" shall mean any direct or indirect, primary or secondary,
liability, indebtedness, obligation, penalty, cost or expense (including,
without limitation, costs of investigation, collection and defense), claim,
deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any Person (other than endorsements
of notes, bills, checks, and drafts presented for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business) of any type, whether accrued, absolute or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, matured or unmatured, or otherwise.
"Lien" shall mean any conditional sale agreement, default of title,
easement, encroachment, encumbrance, hypothecation, infringement, lien,
mortgage, pledge, reservation, restriction, security interest, title retention
or other security arrangement, or any adverse right or interest, charge, or
claim of any nature whatsoever of, on, or with respect to any property or
property interest, other than (i) Liens for current property Taxes not yet due
and payable, (ii) for depository institution Subsidiaries of a Party, pledges to
secure deposits and other Liens incurred in the ordinary course of the banking
business, and (iii) Liens which are not reasonably likely to have, individually
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on a Party.
"Litigation" shall mean any action, arbitration, cause of action, claim,
complaint, criminal prosecution, demand letter, governmental or other
examination or investigation, hearing, inquiry, administrative or other
proceeding, or notice (written or oral) by any Person alleging potential
Liability or requesting information relating to or affecting a Party, its
business, its Assets (including, without limitation, Contracts related to it),
or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, but shall not include
regular, periodic examinations of depository institutions and their Affiliates
by Regulatory Authorities.
"Loan Property" shall mean any property owned by the Party in question or
by any of its Subsidiaries or in which such Party or Subsidiary holds a security
interest, and, where required by the context, includes the owner or operator of
such property, but only with respect to such property.
"Material" for purposes of this Agreement shall be determined in light of
the facts and circumstances of the matter in question, provided that any
specific monetary amount stated in this Agreement shall determine materiality in
that instance.
"Material Adverse Effect" on a Party shall mean an event, change or
occurrence which has a material adverse impact on (a) the financial position,
business, or results of operations of such Party and its Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, or (b) the ability of such Party to perform its obligations under this
Agreement or to consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by
this
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Agreement, provided that "material adverse impact" shall not be deemed to
include the impact of (x) changes in banking and similar Laws of general
applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or governmental authorities,
(y) changes in generally accepted accounting principles or regulatory accounting
principles generally applicable to banks and their holding companies, and (z)
the Merger and compliance with the provisions of this Agreement on the operating
performance of the Parties.
"Maximum Cash Election Number" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement.
"Maximum Stock Election Number" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement.
"Merger" shall mean the merger of TARGET with and into PURCHASER referred
to in Section 1.1 of this Agreement.
"Merger Consideration" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(b) of
this Agreement.
"Minimum Cash Election Number" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement.
"Minimum Stock Election Number" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 3.1(c) of this Agreement.
"NASD" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
"NASDAQ/NMS" shall mean the National Market System of the National
Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System.
"1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Old Certificates" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(i) of
this Agreement.
"Order" shall mean any administrative decision or award, decree,
injunction, judgment, order, quasi-judicial decision or award, ruling, or writ
of any federal, state, local or foreign or other court, arbitrator, mediator,
tribunal, administrative agency or Regulatory Authority.
"Outstanding TARGET Shares" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 3.1(b) of this Agreement.
"Participation Facility" shall mean any facility or property in which the
Party in question or any of its Subsidiaries participates in the management
(including any property or facility held in a joint venture) and, where required
by the context, said term means the owner or operator of such facility or
property, but only with respect to such facility or property.
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"Party" shall mean either TARGET or PURCHASER, and "Parties" shall mean
both TARGET and PURCHASER.
"Permit" shall mean any federal, state, local, and foreign governmental
approval, authorization, certificate, easement, filing, franchise, license,
notice, permit, or right to which any, Person is a party or that is or may be
binding upon or inure to the benefit of any Person or its capital stock, Assets,
Liabilities, or business.
"Person" shall mean a natural person or any legal, commercial or
governmental entity, such as, but not limited to, a corporation, general
partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability company,
trust, business association, group acting in concert, or any person acting in a
representative capacity.
"Previously Disclosed" shall mean information (a) delivered in writing
prior to the date of this Agreement in the manner and to the Party and counsel
described in Section 10.8 of this Agreement and describing in reasonable detail
the matters contained therein, provided that in the case of Subsidiaries
acquired after the date of this Agreement, such information may be so delivered
by the acquiring Party to the other Party prior to the date of such acquisition,
or (b) disclosed prior to the date of this Agreement by one Party to the other
in an SEC Document delivered to such other Party in which the specific
information has been identified by the Party making the disclosure.
"Proxy Statement" shall mean the proxy statement used by TARGET to solicit
the approval of its shareholders of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and shall include the prospectus of PURCHASER relating to shares of
PURCHASER Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of TARGET.
"PURCHASER Allowance" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.9 of
this Agreement.
"PURCHASER Benefit Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.14
of this Agreement.
"PURCHASER Common Stock" shall mean the $1.00 par value common stock of
PURCHASER.
"PURCHASER Companies" shall mean, collectively, PURCHASER and all PURCHASER
Subsidiaries.
"PURCHASER Financial Statements" shall mean (i) the consolidated statements
of condition (including related notes and schedules, if any) of PURCHASER as of
September 30, 1995, and as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the related
statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including
related notes and schedules, if any) for the nine months ended September 30,
1995, and for each of the three years ended December 31, 1994, 1993, and 1992,
as filed by PURCHASER in SEC Documents and (ii) the consolidated statements of
condition of PURCHASER (including related notes and schedules, if any) and
related statements of income,
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changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including related notes and
schedules, if any) included in SEC Documents filed with respect to periods ended
subsequent to September 30, 1995.
"PURCHASER Stock Plans" shall mean the existing stock option and other
stock-based compensation plans.
"PURCHASER Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries of PURCHASER.
"Record Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(e) of this
Agreement.
"Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement on Form S-4,
or other appropriate form, filed with the SEC by PURCHASER under the 1933 Act in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
"Regulatory Authorities" shall mean, collectively, the Federal Trade
Commission, the United States Department of Justice, the Board of the Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency,
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, all state banking and other
regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the Parties and their respective
Subsidiaries, the NASD, and the SEC.
"Representative" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(d) of this
Agreement.
"SEC Documents" shall mean all reports and registration statements filed,
or required to be filed, by a Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any
Regulatory Authority pursuant to the Securities Laws.
"Securities Laws" shall mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as
amended, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, state blue sky laws, and
the rules and regulations of any Regulatory Authority promulgated thereunder.
"Shareholders' Meeting" shall mean the meeting of the shareholders of
TARGET to be held pursuant to Section 7.1 of this Agreement, including any
adjournment or adjournments thereof.
"Stock Consideration" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(b) of
this Agreement.
"Stock Election" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(d) of this
Agreement.
"Subsidiaries" shall mean all those corporations, banks, associations, or
other entities of which the entity in question owns or controls 5% or more of
the outstanding equity securities either directly or through an unbroken chain
of entities as to each of which 5 % or more of the outstanding equity securities
is owned directly or indirectly by its parent; provided, however, there shall
not be included any such entity acquired through foreclosure or any such entity
the equity securities of which are owned or controlled in a fiduciary capacity.
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"Surviving Corporation" shall mean PURCHASER as the surviving corporation
resulting from the Merger.
"TARGET Allowance" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.9 of this
Agreement.
"TARGET Bank" shall mean Southland Bank, an Alabama state-chartered bank
and a TARGET Subsidiary.
"TARGET Benefit Plans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.14 of
this Agreement.
"TARGET Common Stock" shall mean the no par value, Class A Common Stock of
TARGET.
"TARGET Companies" shall mean, collectively, TARGET and all TARGET
Subsidiaries.
"TARGET Financial Statements" shall mean (a) the consolidated balance
sheets (including related notes and schedules, if any) of TARGET as of September
30, 1995, and as of December 31, 1994 and 1993, and the related statements of
income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including related notes
and schedules, if any) for the nine months ended September 30, 1995, and for
each of the three fiscal years ended December 31, 1994, 1993, 1992, as
previously furnished by TARGET to Purchaser, and (b) the consolidated balance
sheets of TARGET (including related notes and schedules, if any) and related
statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including
related notes and schedules, if any) with respect to periods ended subsequent to
September 30, 1993.
"TARGET Stock Plans" shall mean the existing stock option and other stock-
based compensation plans of TARGET.
"TARGET Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries of TARGET, which shall
include the TARGET Subsidiaries described in Section 4.4 of this Agreement and
any Person acquired as a Subsidiary of TARGET in the future and owned by TARGET
at the Effective Time.
"Taxes" shall mean any federal, state, county, local, foreign and other
taxes, assessments, charges, fares, and impositions, including interest and
penalties thereon or with respect thereto.
"Termination Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.2 of this
Agreement.
"Valuation Date" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.1(b) of this
Agreement.
A-46
<PAGE>
10.2 Expenses.
--------
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10.2, each of the
Parties shall bear and pay all direct costs and expenses incurred by it or on
its behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including
filing, registration and application fees, printing fees, and fees and expenses
of its own financial or other consultants, investment bankers, accountants, and
counsel (the "Expenses"), except that each of the Parties shall bear and pay
one-half of the filing fees payable in connection with the Registration
Statement and the Proxy Statement and printing costs incurred in connection with
the printing of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement.
(b) TARGET shall pay, or cause to be paid, in same day funds to
PURCHASER the sum of (i) all of PURCHASER's Expenses, not to exceed $100,000,
plus (ii) $350,000 (the "Termination Fee") upon demand if (A) TARGET terminates
this Agreement pursuant to Section 9.1(g) or (B) prior to the termination of
this Agreement (other than by TARGET pursuant to Section 9.1(b)), a takeover
proposal shall have been made and within one (1) year of such termination,
TARGET enters into an agreement with respect to, or approves or recommends or
takes any action to facilitate, such takeover proposal. The amount of Expenses
so payable shall be the amount set forth in an estimate delivered by PURCHASER,
subject to an upward or downward adjustment (not to be in excess of the amount
set forth in clause (i) above) upon delivery of reasonable documentation
therefor.
10.3 Brokers and Finders. Except as Previously Disclosed, each of the
-------------------
Parties represents and warrants that neither it nor any of its officers,
directors, employees, or Affiliates has employed any broker or finder or
incurred any Liability for any financial advisory fees, investment bankers'
fees, brokerage fees, commissions, or finders' fees in connection with this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. In the event of a claim by
any broker or finder based upon its representing or being retained by or
allegedly representing or being retained by TARGET or PURCHASER, each of TARGET
and PURCHASER, as the case may be, agrees to indemnify and hold the other Party
harmless of and from any Liability in respect of any such claim.
10.4 Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
----------------
this Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein)
constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior arrangements or
understandings with respect thereto, written or oral (except, as to Section
8.6(b) of this Agreement, with respect to the Confidentiality Agreements).
Nothing in this Agreement expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any
Person, other than the Parties or their respective successors, any rights,
remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement,
other than as provided in Section 7.13 of this Agreement.
10.5 Amendments. To the extent permitted by Law, this Agreement may be
----------
amended by a subsequent writing signed by each of the Parties upon the approval
of the Boards of Directors of each of the Parties; provided, however, that after
any such approval by the holders of TARGET Common Stock, there shall be made no
amendment decreasing the consideration to be received by TARGET shareholders
without the further approval of such shareholders.
A-47
<PAGE>
10.6 Waivers.
-------
(a) Prior to or at the Effective Time, PURCHASER, acting through its
Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other authorized officer, shall
have the right to waive any Default in the performance of any term of this
Agreement by TARGET, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or
fulfillment by TARGET of any and all of its obligations under this Agreement,
and to waive any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of
PURCHASER under this Agreement, except any condition which, if not satisfied,
would result in the violation of any Law. No such waiver shall be effective
unless in writing signed by a duly authorized officer of PURCHASER.
(b) Prior to or at the Effective Time, TARGET, acting through its
Board of Directors, chief executive officer or other authorized officer, shall
have the right to waive any Default in the performance of any term of this
Agreement by PURCHASER, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or
fulfillment by PURCHASER of any and all of its obligations under this Agreement,
and to waive any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of TARGET
under this Agreement, except any condition which, if not satisfied, would result
in the violation of any Law. No such waiver shall be effective unless in
writing signed by a duly authorized officer of TARGET.
(c) The failure of any Party at any time or times to require
performance of any provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right of such
Party at a later time to enforce the same or any other provision of this
Agreement. No waiver of any condition or of the breach of any term contained in
this Agreement in one or more instances shall be deemed to be or construed as a
further or continuing waiver of such condition or breach or a waiver of any
other condition or of the breach of any other term of this Agreement.
10.7 Assignment. Except as expressly contemplated hereby, neither this
----------
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be
assigned by any Party hereto (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without
the prior written consent of the other Party. Subject to the immediately
preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit
of, and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and
assigns.
10.8 Notices. All notices or other communications which are required or
-------
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered by hand, by
facsimile transmission, by registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid, or by
courier or overnight carrier, to the persons at the addresses set forth below
(or at such other address as may be provided hereunder), and shall be deemed to
have been delivered as of the date so delivered:
PURCHASER: ABC Bancorp
310 First Street, S.E.
Moultrie, Georgia 31768
Telecopy Number: (912) 890-2235
Attention: President
A-48
<PAGE>
Copy to Counsel: Rogers & Hardin
2700 Cain Tower, Peachtree Center
229 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Telecopy Number: (404) 525-2224
Attention: Steven E. Fox
TARGET: Southland Bancorporation
P.O. Box 5676
Dothan, Alabama 36302
Telecopy Number: (334) 671-7814
Attention: President
Copy to Counsel: Balch & Bingham
1901 Sixth Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Telecopy Number: (205) 252-1074
Attention: T. Kurt Miller
10.9 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
-------------
accordance with the Laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to any
applicable conflicts of Laws, except to the extent that the federal laws of the
United States may apply to the Merger.
10.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
10.11 Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are for
--------
reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement.
10.12 Enforcement of Agreement. The Parties hereto agree that irreparable
------------------------
damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached.
It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state
having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they
are entitled at law or in equity.
10.13 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
------------
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of
this Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be
interpreted to be only so broad as is enforceable.
A-49
<PAGE>
10.14 Survival. The respective representations, warranties, obligations,
--------
covenants and agreements of the Parties shall not survive the Effective Time or
the termination and abandonment of this Agreement except that (i) Articles Two,
Three and Ten and Sections 7.6(b), 7.9, 7.10, 7.11, 7.13 and 7.14 of this
Agreement shall survive the Effective Time; and (ii) Sections 7.6(b), 7.8(b),
9.2, 10.2 and 10.14 shall survive the termination and abandonment of this
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and
attested by its officers as of the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: ABC BANCORP
/S/ SARA R. HALL By: /S/ KENNETH J. HUNNICUTT
- ---------------- ------------------------
Secretary President
[CORPORATE SEAL]
ATTEST: SOUTHLAND BANCORPORATION
/S/ PAM H. ADAMS By: /S/ JOHN E. MEYER, JR.
- ---------------- ----------------------
Secretary President
[CORPORATE SEAL]
A-50
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 1
---------
AFFILIATE AGREEMENT
-------------------
ABC Bancorp
310 First Street, S.E.
Moultrie, Georgia 31768
Attention: President
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned is a shareholder of Southland Bancorporation ("Target"), a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Alabama and located in
Dothan, Alabama, and will become a shareholder of ABC Bancorp ("Purchaser")
pursuant to the transactions described in the Agreement and Plan of Merger,
dated as of December 18, 1995 (the "Agreement"), by and between Target and
Purchaser. Under the terms of the Agreement, Target will be merged into and
with Purchaser (the "Merger"), and the shares of the no par value, Class A
common stock of Target ("Target Common Stock") will be converted into and
exchanged for a combination of shares of the $1.00 par value common stock of
Purchaser ("Purchaser Common Stock") and cash. This Affiliate Agreement
represents an agreement between the undersigned and Purchaser regarding certain
rights and obligations of the undersigned in connection with the shares of
Purchaser to be received by the undersigned as a result of the Merger.
In consideration of the Merger and the mutual covenants contained herein,
the undersigned and Purchaser hereby agree as follows:
1. Affiliate Status. The undersigned understands and agrees that as to
----------------
Target the undersigned is an "affiliate" under Rule 145(c) as defined in Rule
405 of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), and the
undersigned anticipates that the undersigned will be such an "affiliate" at the
time of the Merger.
2. Covenants and Warranties of Undersigned. The undersigned
---------------------------------------
represents, warrants and agrees that:
(a) The Purchaser Common Stock received by the undersigned as a
result of the Merger will be taken for his or her own account and not for
others, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part.
(b) Purchaser has informed the undersigned that any distribution by
the undersigned of Purchaser Common Stock has not been registered under the 1933
Act and that shares of Purchaser Common Stock received pursuant to the Merger
can only be sold by the undersigned (i) following registration under the 1933
Act, or (ii) in conformity with the volume and other
<PAGE>
requirements of Rule 145(d) promulgated by the SEC as the same now exist or may
hereafter be amended, or (iii) to the extent some other exemption from
registration under the 1933 Act might be available. The undersigned understands
that Purchaser is under no obligation to file a registration statement with the
SEC covering the disposition of the undersigned's shares of Purchaser Common
Stock.
3. Restrictions on Transfer.
------------------------
(a) The undersigned understands and agrees that stop transfer
instructions with respect to the shares of Purchaser Common Stock received by
the undersigned pursuant to the Merger will be given to Purchaser's Transfer
Agent and that there will be placed on the certificates for such shares, or
shares issued in substitution thereof, a legend stating in substance:
"The shares represented by this certificate may not be sold,
transferred or otherwise disposed of except or unless (i) covered by
an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, (ii) in accordance with (x) Rule 145(d) (in the
case of shares issued to an individual who is not an affiliate of
---
Purchaser) or (y) Rule 144 (in the case of shares issued to an
individual who is an affiliate of Purchaser) of the Rules and
Regulations of such Act, or (iii) in accordance with a legal opinion
satisfactory to counsel for Purchaser that such sale or transfer is
otherwise exempt from the registration requirements of such Act."
(b) Such legend will also be placed on any certificate representing
Purchaser securities issued subsequent to the original issuance of the Purchaser
Common Stock pursuant to the Merger as a result of any stock dividend, stock
split, or other recapitalization as long as the Purchaser Common Stock issued to
the undersigned pursuant to the Merger has not been transferred in such manner
to justify the removal of the legend therefrom. In addition, if the provisions
of Rules 144 and 145 are amended to eliminate restrictions applicable to the
Purchaser Common Stock received by the undersigned pursuant to the Merger, or at
the expiration of the restrictive period set forth in Rule 145(d), Purchaser,
upon the request of the undersigned, will cause the certificates representing
the shares of Purchaser Common Stock issued to the undersigned in connection
with the Merger to be reissued free of any legend relating to the restrictions
set forth in Rules 144 and 145(d) upon receipt by Purchaser of an opinion of its
counsel to the effect that such legend may be removed.
4. Understanding of Restrictions on Dispositions. The undersigned has
---------------------------------------------
carefully read the Agreement and this Affiliate Agreement and discussed their
requirements and impact upon his or her ability to sell, transfer, or otherwise
dispose of the shares of Purchaser Common Stock received by the undersigned in
connection with the Merger, to the extent he or she believes necessary, with his
or her counsel or counsel for Target.
5. Filing of Reports by Purchaser. Purchaser agrees for a period of
------------------------------
three years after the effective date of the Merger, to file on a timely basis
all reports required to be filed by it
2
<PAGE>
pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, so
that the public information provisions of Rule 145(d) promulgated by the SEC as
the same are presently in effect will be available to the undersigned in the
event the undersigned desires to transfer any shares of Purchaser Common Stock
issued to the undersigned pursuant to the Merger.
6. Transfer Under Rule 145(d). If the undersigned desires to sell or
--------------------------
otherwise transfer the shares of Purchaser Common Stock received by him or her
in connection with the Merger at any tine during the restrictive period set
forth in Rule 145(d), the undersigned will provide the necessary representation
letter to the Transfer Agent for Purchaser Common Stock, together with such
additional information as the Transfer Agent may reasonably request. If
Purchaser's counsel concludes that such proposed sale or transfer complies with
the requirements of Rule 145(d), Purchaser shall cause such counsel to provide
such opinions as may be necessary to Purchaser's Transfer Agent so that the
undersigned may complete the proposed sale or transfer.
7. Acknowledgments. The undersigned recognizes and agrees that the
---------------
foregoing provisions also apply with respect to Target Common Stock held by, and
Purchaser Common Stock issued in connection with the Merger to, (a) the
undersigned's spouse, (b) any relative of the undersigned or of the
undersigned's spouse who has the same home as the undersigned, (c) any trust or
estate in which the undersigned, the undersigned's spouse, and any such relative
collectively own at least a 10% beneficial interest or of which any of the
foregoing serves as trustee, executor or in any similar capacity, and (d) any
corporation or other organization in which the undersigned, the undersigned's
spouse and any such relative collectively own at least 10% of any class of
equity securities or of the equity interest. The undersigned further recognizes
that, in the event that the undersigned is a director or executive officer of
Purchaser or becomes a director or executive officer of Purchaser upon
consummation of the Merger, among other things, any sale of Purchaser Common
Stock by the undersigned within a period of less than six months following the
effective time of the Merger may subject the undersigned to liability pursuant
to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
8. Miscellaneous. This Affiliate Agreement is the complete agreement
-------------
between Purchaser and the undersigned concerning the subject matter
hereof. Any notice required to be sent to any party hereunder shall be sent by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, using the addresses set
forth herein or such other address as shall be furnished in writing by the
parties. This Affiliate Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Georgia.
(Signatures on Next Page)
3
<PAGE>
This Affiliate Agreement is executed as of the _____ day of __________________,
199__.
Very truly yours,
_________________________________
Signature
_________________________________
Print Name
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Address
_________________________________
Telephone No.
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED as of
_____________________, 199__
ABC BANCORP
By: __________________________
Its: ________________________
4
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 2
---------
MATTERS AS TO WHICH
BALCH & BINGHAM WILL OPINE
[Subject to standard assumptions, limitations, restrictions and matters
disclosed in the Agreement and its schedules, including principles of equity and
remedies, such as specific performance and fiduciary out provisions.]
1. Target is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Georgia with corporate power and
authority (a) to conduct its business as described in the proxy statement used
to solicit the approval by the stockholders of Target of the transactions
contemplated by the Agreement ("Proxy Statement"), and (b) to own and use its
Assets.
2. Target Bank is an Alabama chartered state bank duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Alabama with all requisite power
and authority to conduct its business as described in the Proxy Statement, and
to own and use its Assets. The deposits of Target Bank are insured by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the extent provided by law.
3. Target's authorized shares consist of 1,800,000 shares of Class A
Common Stock, of which ________ shares were outstanding as of ________________,
________ shares of Class B Common Stock, $8.50 par value, none of which were
outstanding as of ______________, and _______ shares of Class A Preferred Stock,
none of which were outstanding as of _____________. The outstanding shares of
Target Common Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, were not
issued in violation of any statutory preemptive rights of shareholders, and are
fully paid and nonassessable. To our Knowledge, except as Previously Disclosed,
there are no options, subscriptions, warrants, calls, rights or commitments
obligating Target to issue equity securities or acquire its equity securities.
4. Target owns directly or indirectly all the issued and outstanding
shares of the capital stock of Target Bank. To our knowledge, there are no
options, subscriptions, warrants, calls, rights or commitments obligating Target
Bank to issue equity securities or acquire its equity securities.
5. The execution and delivery by Target of the Agreement do not, and if
Target were now to perform its obligations under the Agreement such performance
would not, result in any violation of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Target or the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of Target Bank or, to our
Knowledge, result in any breach of, or default or acceleration under, any
material Contract or Order to which Target or Target Bank is a party or by which
Target or Target Bank is bound.
6. Target has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the
Agreement and all performance by Target thereunder and has duly executed and
delivered the Agreement.
7. Assuming that the Agreement is governed by and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama, the Agreement is enforceable
against Target.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3
---------
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND ELECTION AGREEMENT
THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AND ELECTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as
of December 18, 1995, is between WINN F. MARTIN, an individual resident of the
State of Alabama ("Martin"), and ABC BANCORP, a Georgia corporation ("Company").
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, Martin is a major shareholder of Southland Bancorporation
("Southland"), which has agreed to merge with and into the Company (the
"Merger") pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement")
dated even herewith;
WHEREAS, as a result of his position with Southland, any sale by Martin of
the shares of the Company's common stock, $1.00 par value per share, acquired by
Martin (if any) pursuant to the Merger (the "Merger Shares") will be subject to
the provisions of Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Company requires that this Agreement be made as a condition
precedent to the Merger;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
covenants and agreements set forth herein and for other good and valuable
consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 1.1 Representations and Warranties of Martin. Martin hereby
----------------------------------------
represents and warrants to the Company as follows:
(a) Martin has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform
this Agreement. This Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of Martin
enforceable against Martin in accordance with its terms, except that such
enforcement may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar law now or hereafter in effect
relating to creditors' rights generally and (ii) general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity
or at law).
<PAGE>
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Martin nor the
consummation by Martin of the transactions contemplated hereby conflicts with or
constitutes a violation of or default under any statute, law, regulation, order
or decree applicable to Martin, or any contract, commitment, agreement,
arrangement or restriction of any kind to which Martin is a party or by which
Martin is bound.
Section 1.2 Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company
---------------------------------------------
hereby represents and warrants to Martin as follows:
(a) The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter
into and perform this Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on behalf of the Company. This Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of
the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except
that such enforcement may be subject to (i) bankruptcy, fraudulent conveyance,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in
effect relating to creditors's rights generally and (ii) general principles of
equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law).
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company
nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby
conflicts with or constitutes a violation of or default under the charter or
bylaws of the Company, any statute, law, regulation, order or decree applicable
to the Company, or any contract, commitment, agreement, arrangement or
restriction of any kind to which the Company is a party or by which the Company
is bound.
ARTICLE II
AGREEMENT WITH RESPECT TO CASH ELECTION
In connection with the Merger, Martin agrees to make a Cash Election (as
defined in the Merger Agreement).
ARTICLE III
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 3.1 Certain Definitions. The following terms shall have the
-------------------
meanings set forth below:
(a) The terms "register," "registered" and "registration" shall refer
to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in
compliance with the Securities Act, and applicable rules and regulations
thereunder and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such
registration statement.
(b) "Registration Expenses" shall mean all expenses incurred in
effecting any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including, without
limitation, all registration, qualification,
2
<PAGE>
and filing fees, printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company, blue sky fees and expenses, expenses of any regular or
special audits incident to or required by any such registration, all
underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable
to the sale of the Merger Shares upon any registration as contemplated hereby
and fees and disbursements of counsel for Martin, but shall not include the
compensation of regular employees of the Company, which shall be paid in any
event by the Company.
(c) "Rule 145" shall mean Rule 145 as promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be
promulgated by the SEC.
Section 3.2 Demand Registration Rights. From and after the effective date
--------------------------
of the Merger and for so long as any sale of the Merger Shares by Martin remains
subject to the provisions of Rule 145, Martin may require the Company to
register the Merger Shares under the Securities Act on any form available to the
Company (a "Demand Registration"); provided, however, that Martin shall only be
-------- -------
entitled to one such Demand Registration and the Merger Shares shall not be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis. Upon written demand by Martin
delivered to the Company, the Company will use its best efforts to effect the
registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws of
the Merger Shares which the Company has been so requested to register by Martin.
Section 3.3 Expenses of Registration. All Registration Expenses incurred
------------------------
in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to
this Agreement shall be borne by Martin.
Section 3.4 Indemnification.
---------------
(a) The Company will indemnify Martin, each of his legal counsel and
accountants and each person controlling Martin within the meaning of Section 15
of the Securities Act, with respect to which registration, qualification, or
compliance has been effected pursuant to this Article III, and each underwriter,
if any, and each person who controls within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act any underwriter, against all expenses, claims, losses, damages
and liabilities (or actions, proceedings, or settlements in respect thereof)
arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of
a material fact contained in any prospectus, offering circular, or other
document (including any related registration statement, notification, or the
like) incident to any such registration, qualification, or compliance, or based
on any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
or any violation by the Company of the Securities Act or any rule or regulation
thereunder applicable to the Company or relating to action or inaction required
of the Company in connection with any such registration, qualification, or
compliance, and will reimburse Martin and each such legal counsel and
accountants and each person controlling Martin, each such underwriter, and each
person who controls any such underwriter, for any legal and any other expenses
reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling
any such claim, loss, damage, liability, or action, provided that the Company
will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such claim, loss,
damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based on any untrue statement
or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by
3
<PAGE>
Martin or underwriter and stated to be specifically for use therein; provided,
however, that the obligations of the Company hereunder shall not apply to
amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action
if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent
has not been unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(b) Martin will indemnify the Company, each of its directors, officers,
partners, legal counsel, and accountants and each underwriter, if any, of the
Company's securities covered by such a registration statement, each person who
controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act, against all claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged
untrue statement) of a material fact contained in any such registration
statement, prospectus, offering circular, or other document, or any omission (or
alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse
the Company and such directors, officers, partners, legal counsel, and
accountants, persons, underwriters, or control persons for any legal or any
other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending
any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, in each case to the extent,
but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement)
or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration statement,
prospectus, offering circular or other document in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by Martin and
stated to be specifically for use therein, provided, however, that the
obligations of Martin hereunder shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of
any such claims, losses, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
if such settlement is effected without the consent of Martin (which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
(c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this Article III (the
"Indemnified Party") shall give notice to the party required to provide
indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") promptly after such Indemnified Party
has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought, and shall
permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of such claim or any
litigation resulting therefrom, provided that counsel for the Indemnifying
Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting
therefrom, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not
unreasonably be withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate in such
defense at such party's expense, and provided further that the failure of any
Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the
Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Article III, to the extent such
failure is not prejudicial. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such
claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party,
consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not
include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff
to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such
claim or litigation. Each Indemnified Party shall furnish such information
regarding itself or the claim in question as an Indemnifying Party may
reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection
with defense of such claim and litigation resulting therefrom.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Article III is held by
a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Party with
respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to therein,
then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party
hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
4
<PAGE>
indemnified Party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the
indemnifying Party on the one hand and of the Indemnified Party on the other in
connection with the conduct, statements or omissions that resulted in such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and of the
Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Indemnifying Party or by the Indemnified Party and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the provisions
on indemnification and contribution contained in the underwriting agreement
entered into by the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party in connection
with the underwritten public offering are in conflict with the foregoing
provisions, the provisions in the underwriting agreement shall control.
Section 3.5 Information by Martin. Martin shall furnish to the Company
---------------------
such information regarding Martin and the distribution proposed by him as the
Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in
connection with any registration, qualification, or compliance referred to in
this Article III.
Section 3.6 Delivery of Prospectus to Martin. In the case of a
--------------------------------
registration of the Merger Shares effected by the Company pursuant to this
Article III, the Company will furnish to Martin such number of authorized copies
of a prospectus, including copies of any preliminary prospectus and amendments
or supplements to any prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the
Securities Act, and such other documents as Martin may reasonably request in
order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Merger Shares.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.1 Enforcement.
-----------
(a) Martin, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other, acknowledges and
agrees that irreparable damage would occur if any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. Accordingly, the parties will be entitled to an
injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce
specifically its provisions in any court of the United States or any state
having jurisdiction, without the necessity of furnishing a bond of any type, and
the other party hereto will not oppose the granting of such relief on the
grounds that an adequate remedy at law exists, this being in addition to any
other remedy to which they may be entitled to law in equity.
(b) No failure or delay on the part of either party in the exercise of any
power, right or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall
any single or partial exercise of
5
<PAGE>
any such power, right or privilege, preclude other or further exercise thereof
or of any other right, power or privilege.
Section 4.2 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the documents
----------------
expressly referred to herein, constitute the entire understanding of the parties
with respect to the subject matter contained herein. This Agreement may be
amended only by an agreement in writing executed by Martin and the Company.
Section 4.3 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held by a
------------
court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions
shall remain in full force and effect. It is declared to be the intention of
the parties that they would have executed the remaining provisions without
including any that may be held unenforceable.
Section 4.4 Headings. Descriptive headings are for convenience only and
--------
will not control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this
Agreement.
Section 4.5 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
------------
counterparts, and each such executed counterpart will be an original instrument.
Section 4.6 Notices. Any notices, consents, requests, instructions,
-------
approvals and other communications required or permitted to be given, served or
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given, served
or delivered (a) on the second business day after being deposited in the United
States mail, registered or certified and with proper postage prepaid, (b) on the
first business day after being deposited with any recognized overnight courier
service with proper fees prepaid or (C) on the business day on which it is sent
and received by fax,
if to the Company; ABC Bancorp
310 First Street, S.E.
Moultrie, Georgia
Attn: Mr. Kenneth J. Hunnicutt
Fax: (912) 890-2235
with a copy to: Rogers & Hardin
2700 Cain Tower
229 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Attn: Steven E. Fox, Esq.
Fax: (404) 525-2224
if to Martin: Mr. Winn F. Martin
________________________
________________________
Fax: ___________________
6
<PAGE>
with a copy to: ____________________
____________________
____________________
Attn:_______________
Fax:________________
or to such other address or fax number as any party may, from time to time,
designate in a written notice given in a like manner.
Section 4.7 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall bind, and inure
----------------------
to the benefit of, the respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors,
administrators and other legal representatives of the parties; provided,
however, that no party may assign this Agreement without the other party's prior
written consent.
Section 4.8 Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and
-------------
construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
Georgia, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
Section 4.9 Further Assurances. Each of the parties hereto agrees to use
------------------
all reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all action, and to do, or
cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and
make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If any further
action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement,
the Company or Martin, as the case may be, shall take all such necessary action.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Martin has executed, sealed and delivered this
Agreement, and the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed, sealed and
delivered, all as of the date first referenced to above.
ABC BANCORP
By:___________________________
Its: ________________________
________________________(SEAL)
WINN F. MARTIN
7
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 4
---------
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
--------------------
THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is effective as of ___________,
1996, by and between SOUTHLAND BANK, an Alabama bank (the "Bank"), and JOHN E.
MEYER, JR., a resident of the State of Alabama (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, ABC Bancorp, a Georgia corporation ("ABC"), has acquired all of
the equity interest of the Bank by means of a merger pursuant to a Merger
Agreement dated as of December 18, 1995 the ("Merger Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Bank is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of ABC;
WHEREAS, the Executive is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Bank and desires to continue his employment with the Bank in such capacity;
WHEREAS, ABC desires that the Executive continue to serve in the capacity
of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank; and
WHEREAS, the Bank and the Executive, in conjunction with and pursuant to
the terms of the Merger Agreement, desire to set forth in writing the terms and
conditions of the Executive's continued employment with the Bank.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants
and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby
agree as follows:
1. Employment and Duties.
---------------------
(a) The Bank hereby agrees to continue to employ the Executive and
the Executive agrees to continue employment in his capacity as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Bank to act in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth herein. The Executive also consents to serve, if elected,
as a director of the Bank without additional compensation therefor for the first
twelve (12) months of such service and thereafter at the rate then in effect for
directors of the Bank. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive agrees
that this position will be his principal employment, that he will serve the Bank
faithfully and to the best of his ability and that he will devote his full
business time, attention and skills to the operation of the business of the
Bank, subject to reasonable absences for vacation and illness, and that he will
perform such duties, functions and responsibilities in connection with such
position and consistent with the foregoing as are from time to time delegated to
the Executive by the Board of Directors of the Bank (the "Board"); provided,
--------
however, that the foregoing shall not be deemed to restrict the Executive from
- -------
devoting a reasonable amount of time and attention to the management of his
personal affairs and investments, so long as
<PAGE>
such activities do not interfere with the responsible performance of the
Executive's duties hereunder. The Executive shall provide the Board with
periodic reports on, and keep them informed on a current basis concerning, the
business and affairs of the Bank.
(b) The Bank shall provide the Executive with a private office,
secretarial and administrative assistance, office equipment, supplies and other
facilities and services suitable to the Executive's position to be located at
3299 Ross Clark Circle, N.W., Dothan, Alabama 36303, or at a comparable location
within Houston County Alabama.
2. Term. The term ("Term") of this Agreement shall commence on the
----
date hereof and shall continue until the second anniversary of the date hereof.
3. Compensation. In consideration of the services to be rendered by
------------
the Executive to the Bank hereunder, the Bank hereby agrees to pay or otherwise
provide the Executive the following compensation and benefits, it being
understood that the Bank shall have the right to deduct therefrom all taxes
which may be required to be deducted or withheld under any provision of
applicable law (including, without limitation, Social Security payments, income
tax withholding and other required deductions now in effect or which may become
effective by law any time during the Term):
(a) Salary. The Executive shall receive an annual salary of
------
("Salary") of $90,000.00 to be paid in equal installments in accordance with the
Bank's salary payment practices in effect from time to time for executives of
the Bank. The Bank may consider and declare from time to time increases in the
Salary it pays Executive, and shall consider and declare Salary increases
based upon the following standards:
a. Inflation;
b. Adjustments to the salaries of other senor management personnel;
and
c. Past performance of Executive and the contribution which Executive
makes to the business and profits of the Bank during the Term.
(b) Bonus Payment. In addition to Salary, the Executive shall be
-------------
entitled to receive an annual bonus pursuant to any annual incentive
compensation plan adopted by the Board; provided, however, that if (i) no such
-----------------
plan is adopted or (ii) such plan is adopted with terms materially less
favorable to the Executive than those contained in the Bank's 1995 Annual
Incentive Compensation Plan (the "1995 Plan"), then the bonus payable to the
Executive (if any) shall be determined by reference to the 1995 Plan less the
value of any compensation received by or accrued for the benefit of the
Executive pursuant to the Executive's participation in any employee benefit,
retirement and compensation plans as specified in Section 3(c) hereof.
(c) Compensation Pursuant to Plans. During the Term, the
------------------------------
Executive shall be included as a participant in all present and future employee
benefit, retirement and compensation plans generally available to employees of
the Bank, consistent with his Salary and his position with
-2-
<PAGE>
the Bank, including, without limitation, Employer's pension plan and
hospitalization, major medical, disability and group life insurance plans.
(d) Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to receive
--------
reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the
fulfillment of his duties hereunder, upon receipt of appropriate vouchers
therefor, provided that the Executive has complied with all reasonable policies
and procedures relating to the reimbursement of such expenses as shall, from
time to time, be established by the Bank.
4. Termination.
-----------
(a) This Agreement shall terminate on the earliest to occur of the
following events: (i) on the mutual agreement of the Bank and the Executive;
(ii) the death of the Executive or Executive's voluntary retirement; (iii)
the Executive becoming unable to perform a substantial portion of his duties as
described herein due to injury, illness or disability (mental or physical) as
determined by an independent physician selected by the Bank and reasonably
satisfactory to the Executive for a period of three (3) consecutive months or
any aggregate period of six (6) months in any eighteen (18) month period
("Disability"); or (iv) immediately upon the Bank giving written notice to the
Executive of termination for Cause (as defined herein).
(b) The Bank may terminate the Executive's employment under this
Agreement at any time for Cause. The termination shall be evidenced by written
notice to the Executive, which shall specify the cause for termination. "Cause"
shall exist if: (i) the Executive is convicted of (from which no appeal may be
taken), or pleads guilty to, any act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement,
or any felony; (ii) in the reasonable determination of the Board, the Executive
has engaged in conduct or activity materially damaging to the business of the
Bank (it being understood, however, that unintentional physical damage to any
property of the Bank by the Executive shall not be a ground for such a
determination by the Board); or (iii) the Executive has failed, without
reasonable cause, to devote his full business time and best efforts to the
business of the Bank as provided in Section 1(a) hereof and, after written
notice from the Bank of such failure, the Executive at any time thereafter again
so fails.
5. Representations and Warranties.
------------------------------
(a) The Executive represents and warrants to the Bank that: (i) he has
the full power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, and
that he has taken all actions necessary to secure all approvals required in
connection herewith and therewith; (ii) this Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by him and constitutes his valid and binding agreement,
enforceable against him in accordance with its terms; and (iii) the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not, with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both, violate or conflict with, constitute a breach of or
default under, result in the loss of any material benefit under, or permit the
acceleration of or entitle any party to accelerate any obligation under or
pursuant to, any material mortgage, lien, leases, agreement, instrument, order,
arbitration award, judgment or decree to which he is a party or by which he or
any of his assets are bound.
-3-
<PAGE>
(b) The Bank hereby represents and warrants to the Executive that:
(i) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it, and
constitutes the valid and binding agreement of it, enforceable against it in
accordance with its terms; (ii) it has the full power authority to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement and has taken all necessary action to secure
all approvals required in connection herewith; and (iii) the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby will not, with the passage of time or the giving of notice
or both, violate or conflict with, constitute a breach of or default under,
result in the loss of any material benefit under, or permit the acceleration of
or entitle any party to accelerate any obligation under or pursuant to, its
charter or bylaws or any material mortgage, lien, lease, agreement, instrument,
order, arbitration award, judgment or decree to which it is a party or by which
it or any of its assets are bound.
6. Restrictive Covenants. Acknowledging that (i) he has intimate
---------------------
knowledge of the business of the Bank which, if exploited by him, in
contravention of this Agreement, would seriously adversely and irreparably
affect the value of the Bank and the ability of ABC to continue to operate the
Bank following the consummation of the merger contemplated by the Merger
Agreement; (ii) the provisions of this Section 6 are reasonable and necessary to
protect the legitimate interests of ABC; (iii) the provisions of this Section 6
are reasonable and necessary to protect the goodwill of the Bank acquired by ABC
pursuant to the Merger Agreement; (iv) any violation of this Section 6 will
result in irreparable injury to ABC and the Bank and that damages at law would
not be reasonable or adequate compensation to ABC and the Bank for a violation
of this Section 6; and (v) that in the course of his employment with the Bank,
as contemplated by this Agreement, and as a result of the position of trust that
he will hold under this Agreement, he will obtain private and confidential
information and proprietary data relating to ABC, the Bank and other affiliates
of ABC, including, without limitation, financial information, product
information and other data that are valuable assets and property rights of the
Bank and ABC and its affiliates (collectively referred to as "Confidential
Information"), the Executive hereby agrees as follows:
(a) The Executive shall not, during the Term of this Agreement or any
time after the termination of this Agreement, either directly or indirectly,
disclose or use any Confidential Information acquired during his employment with
the Bank, unless (1) the Confidential Information has been made public through
no action or fault of the Executive, or (ii) its disclosure is requested or
compelled by applicable law or regulatory agency. The Executive further agrees
that after the termination of this Agreement, or at such other time as the Bank
requests, the Executive will return to the Bank all documents, papers and
records constituting Confidential Information, and all copies of same in the
Executive's possession and control.
(b) For a period of two (2) years after termination of the Executive's
employment hereunder for any reason, the Executive shall not directly or
indirectly provide banking or bank-related services to, or solicit the banking
or bank-related business of, any customer of the Bank at the time of such
provision of services or solicitation which the Executive served either alone or
with others while employed by the Bank in any city, town, borough, township,
village or other place in which the Executive performed services for the Bank
while employed by it, or assist any actual or potential competitor of the Bank
to provide banking or bank-related services to or solicit any such customer's
banking or bank-related business in any such place.
-4-
<PAGE>
(c) While the Executive is employed by the Bank and for a period of
two (2) years after termination of the Executive's employment hereunder for any
reason, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, as principal, agent, or
trustee, or through the agency of any corporation, partnership, trade
association, agent or agency, engage in any banking or bank-related business or
venture which competes with the business of the Bank as conducted during the
Executive's employment by the flank within a radius of fifty (50) miles of the
Bank's main office.
(d) In addition to all other remedies provided at law or at equity,
the Bank may petition and obtain from a court of law or equity both temporary
and permanent injunctive relief without the necessity of proving actual damages
and without posting bond or other security to prevent a breach by the Executive
of any covenant contained in this Section 6, as well as to an equitable
accounting of all earnings and profits and other benefits arising out of any
such violations.
7. Notices. Any notice or other communication required or permitted to
-------
be given hereunder shall be in writing and deemed to have been given when
delivered in person or when dispatched by telegram or electronic facsimile
transfer (confirmed in writing by mail, registered or certified, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, simultaneously dispatched) to the addresses
specified below.
If to the Executive: John E. Meyer, Jr.
_______________________
Dothan, Alabama 36303
Facsimile: (___) ____-_______
If to the Bank: Southland Bank
c/o ABC Bancorp
310 First Street, S.E.
Moultrie, Georgia 31768
Facsimile: (912) 890-2235
Attn: President
or to such other address or fax number as either party may from time to time
designate in writing to the other.
8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
----------------
between the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes
all prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, with respect
to the same, including, without limitation, that certain employment agreement by
and between the Bank and the Executive dated as of November 17, 1993, as
amended, which is hereby terminated and shall be of no further force or effect.
No modification, alteration, amendment or recision of or supplement to this
Agreement shall be valid or effective unless the same is in writing and signed
by both parties hereto.
9. Governing Law. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the
-------------
parties hereunder shall be governed by, construed under and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State Alabama.
-5-
<PAGE>
10. Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
----------
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, personal
representatives, successors and permitted assigns. The rights, duties and
obligations under this Agreement are assignable by the Bank to a successor of
all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Bank. The rights,
duties and obligations of the Executive under this Agreement shall not be
assignable .
11. Survival. The respective obligations of the parties under Section 6
--------
hereof shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Bank has caused this Agreement to be executed and
delivered, and the Executive has executed and delivered this Agreement, all as
of the day and year first above written.
SOUTHLAND BANK
By:______________________________________
Its: ________________________________
______________________________________(SEAL)
JOHN E. MEYER, JR.
-6-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 5
---------
MATTERS AS TO WHICH
ROGERS & HARDIN WILL OPINE
[Subject to standard assumptions, limitations, restrictions and matters
disclosed in the Agreement and its schedules, including principles of equity and
remedies, such as specific performance.]
1. Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Georgia with corporate power and
authority (a) to conduct its business as described in the proxy statement used
to solicit the approval by the stockholders of Target of the transactions
contemplated by the Agreement ("Proxy Statement"), and (b) to own and use its
Assets.
2. Purchaser's authorized shares consist of 10,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, no par value, of which __________ shares were outstanding as of
_____________, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, none of which were
outstanding as of ____________. The outstanding shares of Purchaser Common
Stock have been duly authorized and validly issued, were not issued in violation
of any statutory preemptive rights of shareholders, and are fully paid and
nonassessable. To our Knowledge, except as Previously Disclosed, there are no
options, subscriptions, warrants, calls, rights or commitments obligating
Purchaser to issue equity securities or acquire its equity securities. The
shares of Purchaser Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of Target upon
consummation of the Merger have been registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, and when issued in accordance with the Agreement, will be
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. The execution and delivery by Purchaser of the Agreement do not, and
if Purchaser were now to perform its obligations under the Agreement such
performance would not, result in any violation of the Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws of Purchaser or, to our knowledge, result in any breach of, or default
or acceleration under, any material Contract or Order to which Purchaser is a
party or by which Purchaser is bound.
4. Purchaser has duly authorized the execution and delivery of the
Agreement and all performance by Purchaser thereunder and has duly executed and
delivered the Agreement.
5. The Agreement is enforceable against Purchaser.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 6
---------
IRREVOCABLE PROXY
-----------------
This Irrevocable Proxy is given by the undersigned, [ ]
("Shareholder"), in favor of ABC Bancorp, a Georgia corporation ("ABC"), as of
the 18th day of December, 1995.
WHEREAS, ABC and Southland Bancorporation, an Alabama corporation
("Southland"), have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of
December 18, 1995 (the "Merger Agreement") (capitalized terms used but not
defined herein shall have the same meaning assigned to such terms in the Merger
Agreement), pursuant to which ABC proposes to acquire the entire equity interest
in Southland by means of a merger (the "Merger") of Southland with and into ABC
in which (a) each issued and outstanding share of common stock, $.01 par value,
of Southland (the "Southland Common Stock"), other than shares of Southland
Common Stock with respect to which statutory dissenters' rights have been
perfected and shares held by Southland (or any of its subsidiaries) or by ABC
(or any of its subsidiaries), in each case other than in a fiduciary capacity or
as a result of debt previously contracted, shall automatically be converted into
the right to receive cash and whole shares of ABC's common, $1.00 par value,
plus cash in lieu of fractional shares, in an amount equal to (i) 1.8 multiplied
by the Book Value of Southland (as defined in the Merger Agreement) as of the
close of business immediately preceding the consummation of the Merger divided
by (ii) the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Southland Common Stock;
and (b) each outstanding option to purchase Southland Common Stock not
theretofore exercised shall be cancelled;
WHEREAS, Shareholder owns, as of the date hereof, 225,968 shares of
Southland Common Stock (the "Existing Shares", together with any shares of
Southland Common Stock acquired after the date hereof and prior to the
termination hereof, hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Shares"); and
WHEREAS, ABC has entered into the Merger Agreement in reliance on
Shareholder's agreement to support the Merger, including the granting of
Shareholder's Irrevocable Proxy hereunder.
NOW, THEREFORE, with respect to the Merger Agreement and the
transactions contemplated thereby and in accordance with Section (S) 10-2B-7.22
of the Alabama Business Corporation Act, Shareholder hereby irrevocably makes,
constitutes and appoints ABC to act as Shareholder's true and lawful proxy and
attorney-in-fact in the name and on behalf of Shareholder, with full power to
appoint a substitute or substitutes. Shareholder further directs ABC, and ABC
hereby agrees, to vote all of the Shares which are entitled to vote at any
meeting of the shareholders of Southland (whether annual or special and whether
or not an adjourned meeting), or by written consent in the place and stead of
Shareholder, in favor of the Merger as set forth in the Merger Agreement. By
giving this proxy, Shareholder hereby revokes any other proxy granted by
Shareholder at any time with respect to the Shares and no subsequent proxies
will be given with
-1-
<PAGE>
respect thereto by Shareholder. THE PROXY GRANTED HEREBY IS COUPLED WITH AN
INTEREST AND IS IRREVOCABLE. The proxy granted hereby shall not be terminated
by any act of Shareholder or by operation of law, by lack of appropriate power
of authority, or by the occurrence of any other event or events and shall be
binding upon all beneficiaries, heirs at law, legatees, distributees,
successors, assigns and legal representatives of Shareholder. Shareholder
agrees to use all good faith efforts to cause any record owner of the Shares of
which Shareholder is the beneficial owner to grant to ABC a proxy of the same
effect as that contained herein. Shareholder shall perform such further acts
and execute such further documents as may be required to vest in ABC the sole
power to vote the Shares during the term of the proxy granted herein. The proxy
granted herein shall expire on the earlier of (i) the date on which ABC and
Shareholder mutually consent in writing to terminate this Irrevocable Proxy,
(ii) the date of the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement), or (iii) the
termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the proxy granted hereby and
power herein conferred upon ABC (or any substitute or substitutes) may not be
exercised prior to the receipt by ABC and Southland of the Consents of the
Regulatory Authorities (as contemplated by the Merger Agreement).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Shareholder has executed and delivered this
Irrevocable Proxy as of the date set forth above.
SHAREHOLDER
---------------------------
(Name)
---------------------------
(Signature)
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
-----------------------------------------------
THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this "Amendment") is
entered into as of April 16, 1996, by and among ABC BANCORP, a Georgia
corporation, and SOUTHLAND BANCORPORATION, an Alabama corporation.
W I T N E S S E T H:
- - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, the parties hereto have entered into that certain Agreement and
Plan of Merger (THE "Merger Agreement"), dated as of December 18, 1995; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto have determined that it is desirable to amend
the Merger Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the provisions set
forth below, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Amendment of Section 9.1(e). Section 9.1 (e) of the Merger
---------------------------
Agreement is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:
"(e) By the Board of Directors of either Party in the event that
the Merger shall not have been consummated by August 1, 1996, but only
if the failure to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby on
or before such date is not caused by any breach of this Agreement by
the Party electing to terminate pursuant to this Section 9.1 (e) ; or"
Section 2. Ratification. Except as expressly amended by the terms
------------
hereof, the Merger Agreement is hereby reaffirmed by each of the parties hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment
to be executed on its behalf and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and
attested by its officers as of the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: ABC BANCORP
/s/ Sara R Hall By: /s/ Kenneth J. Hunnicutt
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Secretary President
(CORPORATE SEAL)
ATTEST: SOUTHLAND BANCORPORATION
/s/ Pamela H. Adams By: /s/ John E. Meyer, Jr.
- ------------------- --------------------------
Secretary President
(CORPORATE SEAL)
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99
NEWS RELEASE
For more information contact:
W. Edwin Lane, Jr., CPA
Chief Financial Officer
ABC BANCORP COMPLETES
MERGER WITH SOUTHLAND BANCORPORATION
June 24, 1996
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ABC BANCORP (Nasdaq: ABCB), Moultrie, Georgia, completed its merger with
Southland Bancorporation, Dothan, Alabama, on June 21, 1996. The total merger
consideration in connection with the acquisition amounts to approximately $12
million, or 1.8 times the book value of Southland Bancorporation. Approximately
49% of the merger consideration will be paid in cash, with approximately 403,000
shares of ABC Bancorp Common Stock being issued for the remaining 51%.
As a result of the acquisition, Southland Bancorporation was merged into ABC
Bancorp, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Southland Bank, became a wholly-owned
subsidiary of ABC Bancorp. Southland Bank is headquartered in Dothan, Alabama,
and has branches in the southern Alabama cities of Abbeville, Clayton, Dothan,
Eufaula and Headland.
With the southland merger, ABC Bancorp's assets total approximately $450
million.
Southland Bank's name will remain the same following the merger. No
staffing changes are anticipated as a result of the merger. John E. Meyer, Jr.
will continue as president and chief executive officer of Southland Bank.
Jack Hunnicutt, President and Chief Executive Officer of ABC Bancorp, said,
"Interacting with the staff of Southland to prepare for this merger convinced me
that we have a very capable group of bankers in place to carry Southland
forward. Southland has historically focused more on wholesale banking markets
than on local, retail customers. We have determined that south Alabama is an
open market for an aggressive, community-oriented bank. We are confident that we
will be able to expand Southland's focus by availing them of the
community-banking expertise and culture that has made our Georgia subsidiaries
successful."
<PAGE>
ABC Bancorp
June 24, 1996
ABC Bancorp has entered into definitive merger agreements to acquire
Central Bankshares, Inc., which is located in Cordele, Georgia, and First
National Financial Corporation, which is located in Albany, Georgia. Both of
these pending acquisitions are expected to be consummated during the third
quarter of 1996. Assuming the completion of these two mergers, ABC Bancorp
projects total assets in excess of $600 million by the end of 1996.
ABC Bancorp is headquartered in Moultrie, Georgia, and, in addition to
Southland Bank, has five banking subsidiaries with 11 branches in and around the
southern Georgia cities of Cairo, Moultrie, Quitman, Thomasville and Tifton. ABC
Bancorp Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"ABCB".
