FORM 8-A
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR (G) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 36-2723087
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(State of incorporation (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
or organization)
50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60675
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Name of each exchange on which
to be so registered each class is to be registered
None Not Applicable
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If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to
General Instruction A.(c), check the following box. [ ]
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities
pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to
General Instruction A.(d), check the following box. [X]
Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form
relates: _____ (if applicable)
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
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(Title of class)
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(Title of class)
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
On July 21, 1998, the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Northern
Trust Corporation (the "Corporation") declared a dividend distribution of
one right (each a "New Right") for each outstanding share of the common
stock, par value $1.66 - 2/3 per share, of the Corporation ("Common Stock")
to stockholders of record at the close of business on the earlier of
October 31, 1999, the date on which the Rights Agreement, dated as of
October 17, 1989, between the Corporation and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.,
as successor rights agent (as amended, the "1989 Rights Agreement")
expires, or the date on which the rights issued under the 1989 Rights
Agreement (the "1989 Rights") are exchanged or redeemed in accordance with
the provisions of the 1989 Rights Agreement (such date being referred to as
the "Record Date"). Each New Right will entitle the registered holder to
purchase from the Corporation one one-hundredth of a share of Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value (the "Preferred Stock"),
of the Corporation at an exercise price of $330.00, subject to adjustment
(as adjusted from time to time, the "Purchase Price"). The description and
terms of the New Rights are set forth in a Rights Agreement, dated as of
July 21, 1998 (the "New Rights Agreement"), between the Corporation and
Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Rights Agent.
The New Rights Agreement was adopted by the Board to replace the 1989
Rights Agreement upon the expiration or redemption of the 1989 Rights,
which will occur no later than October 31, 1999. In no event will both the
1989 Rights and the New Rights be exercisable.
Initially following the Record Date, the New Rights will be attached
to all certificates representing shares of Common Stock then outstanding,
and no separate Rights Certificates will be distributed. Unless previously
redeemed by the Board in accordance with the New Rights Agreement, the New
Rights will separate from the Common Stock and a "Distribution Date" will
occur upon the earlier of (i) 20 days following the Stock Acquisition Date
(as defined below) or (ii) 20 days (or such later date as the Board shall
determine, provided that under certain circumstances any decision to defer
such date will require the concurrence of a majority of the Continuing
Directors (as defined below)) after the date a tender or exchange offer
that would result in a person or group beneficially owning 15% or more of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock is first published, sent or given to
the Corporation's stockholders.
The "Stock Acquisition Date" is defined as the twentieth day following
the earlier of (x) the first date of public announcement by the Corporation
that any person or group (other than certain exempt persons or groups) has
acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or
more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding or (y) the date on
which any Offering Person (as defined below) or any affiliate or associate
thereof enters into an agreement with the Corporation providing for an
Acquisition Transaction (as defined below) (any person described in clause
(x) or clause (y) above is referred to as an "Acquiring Person").
Descendants of Corporation founder Byron L. Smith and certain related
trusts and other entities (or a group comprised solely of such persons)
will not be deemed to be an Acquiring Person as long as all such persons
beneficially own less than 23% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.
An "Offering Person" is defined as any person (other than the Corporation
or any of its subsidiaries) who, at the time that a majority of the Board
is elected by stockholder action by written consent or is comprised of
persons who were not nominated by the Board in office immediately prior to
their election, (i) has commenced, or has publicly announced its intent to
commence, a tender or exchange offer if upon consummation thereof such
person, together with its affiliates and associates, would beneficially own
15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding, (ii) has made
by public announcement or by written communication that is or becomes the
subject of a public announcement, or has publicly announced its intent to
make, a proposal to the Corporation or its stockholders for (x) a merger,
consolidation or similar transaction involving the Corporation or any of
its subsidiaries, (y) a purchase or other acquisition of all or a
substantial portion of the assets or deposits of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries, or (z) a purchase or other acquisition of securities
representing 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding
(any transaction of the type described in clauses (x), (y) or (z) above, an
"Acquisition Transaction"), or (iii) has filed an application or notice
with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or any other
federal or state banking regulatory authority, which application or notice
seeks approval to engage in any transaction constituting an Acquisition
Transaction.
"Continuing Director" means a director of the Corporation who (i)
either (a) was a member of the Board prior to the date of the New Rights
Agreement, or (b) subsequently became a director of the Corporation and
whose election or nomination for election subsequent to such date was
approved by a vote of a majority of the Continuing Directors then on the
Board and (ii) is not an Acquiring Person or an affiliate or associate of
an Acquiring Person or a representative of an Acquiring Person or any such
affiliate or associate.
Following the Record Date and until the Distribution Date, (i) the New
Rights will be evidenced by the Common Stock certificates and will be
transferred with and only with such Common Stock certificates, (ii) new
Common Stock certificates issued after the Record Date will contain a
notation incorporating the New Rights Agreement by reference and (iii) the
surrender for transfer of any certificate for Common Stock outstanding will
also constitute the transfer of the New Rights associated with the Common
Stock represented by such certificate.
The New Rights will not be exercisable until the Distribution Date and
will expire at the close of business on October 31, 2009, unless earlier
redeemed by the Corporation as described below.
As soon as practicable after the Distribution Date, Rights
Certificates will be mailed to holders of record of the Common Stock as of
the close of business on the Distribution Date and, thereafter, the
separate Rights Certificates alone will represent the New Rights. Except
as otherwise determined by the Board, only shares of Common Stock issued
prior to the Distribution Date will be issued with New Rights.
In the event (a "Flip-in Event") that any person, at any time after
the date of the New Rights Agreement, becomes an Acquiring Person (except
as a result of an acquisition of shares of Common Stock made pursuant to an
offer for all outstanding shares of Common Stock which a majority of the
members of the Board who are not officers of the Corporation and who are
Continuing Directors determine, after receiving advice from the Board's
financial advisor, to be fair to and otherwise in the best interests of the
Corporation and its stockholders (a "Qualifying Offer")), each holder of a
New Right thereafter will have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof,
Common Stock (or, in certain circumstances, cash, property or other
securities of the Corporation) having a value equal to two times the
Purchase Price. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, following the
occurrence of a Flip-in Event, all New Rights that are, or (under certain
circumstances specified in the New Rights Agreement) were, beneficially
owned by an Acquiring Person, any of its associates or affiliates, and
certain of its transferees, will be null and void. Moreover, the New
Rights will not be exercisable following the first occurrence of a Flip-in
Event until such time as the New Rights are no longer redeemable by the
Corporation as described below.
In the event that, at any time following the Stock Acquisition Date,
(i) the Corporation is acquired in a merger or other business combination
transaction in which the Corporation is not the surviving corporation or in
which the Corporation is the surviving entity but the Common Stock is
changed or exchanged, or (ii) 50% or more of the Corporation's assets or
earning power is sold or transferred (each, a "Flip-over Event"), each
holder of a New Right (except New Rights which previously have been voided
as described above) shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon
exercise thereof, common stock or other securities of the acquiring company
having a value equal to two times the Purchase Price, provided that holders
of New Rights will not be entitled to such right to receive acquiring
company common stock in connection with any transaction described in this
paragraph if such transaction is consummated with a person who acquired
shares of Common Stock pursuant to a Qualifying Offer.
The Purchase Price payable, and the number of shares of Preferred
Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the New
Rights are subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with
customary antidilution provisions. Following the occurrence of a Flip-in
Event or a Flip-over Event, the antidilution provisions will apply to the
Common Stock or other securities for which the New Rights are then
exercisable.
With certain exceptions, no adjustment to the Purchase Price will be
required until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the Purchase
Price. No fractional shares will be issued, other than fractional shares
of Preferred Stock that are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a
share, and a cash payment will be made in lieu thereof based on the market
price of the Preferred or Common Stock on the last trading day prior to the
date of exercise.
At any time after the New Rights become exercisable for Common Stock,
the Board may exchange the unexercised New Rights (other than New Rights
owned by any Acquiring Person which have become void), in whole or in part,
at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock, or one one-hundredth of
a share of Preferred Stock (or of a share of a class or series of the
Corporation's preferred stock having equivalent rights, preferences and
privileges), per New Right (subject to adjustment). Under certain
circumstances, authorization of any such exchange must be by a majority of
the Continuing Directors then in office.
The Board is empowered to redeem the New Rights in whole, but not in
part, at a price of $.01 per New Right (the "Redemption Price") at any time
before the earlier of (i) the expiration of twenty days following the Stock
Acquisition Date or (ii) the final expiration date of the New Rights.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a majority of the Board is
elected by stockholder action by written consent, or is comprised of
persons who were not nominated by the Board in office immediately prior to
their election, then (i) for a period of 180 days following the
effectiveness of such election the New Rights may not be redeemed, and (ii)
thereafter redemption may only be authorized with the concurrence of a
majority of the Continuing Directors. Immediately upon the action of the
Board ordering redemption of the New Rights, the New Rights will terminate
and the only right of the holders of New Rights will be to receive the
Redemption Price.
Until a New Right is exercised, the holder thereof, as such, will have
no rights as a stockholder of the Corporation, including, without
limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the
distribution of the New Rights will not be taxable to stockholders or to
the Corporation, stockholders may, depending upon the circumstances,
recognize taxable income in the event that the New Rights become
exercisable for Common Stock (or other consideration) or for common stock
of an acquiring company as set forth above.
The Rights Agreement may be amended by the Board (a) prior to the
Distribution Date, in any manner (other than an amendment to the Redemption
Price or the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock
purchasable upon exercise of a New Right) and (b) after the Distribution
Date, in order to (i) cure any ambiguity, (ii) correct or supplement
provisions which may be defective or inconsistent, (iii) make changes which
do not adversely affect the interests of holders of New Rights (other than
those held by an Acquiring Person or certain related persons) or (iv)
shorten or lengthen any time period under the New Rights Agreement
(including the time period governing redemption), provided that no
extension or amendment to adjust the time period for redemption may be made
at such time as the New Rights are nonredeemable. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the event that a majority of the Board is elected by
stockholder action by written consent, or is comprised of persons who were
not nominated by the Board in office immediately prior to their election,
then (i) for a period of 180 days following the effectiveness of such
election, the New Rights Agreement may not be amended, and (ii) thereafter
the New Rights Agreement may only be amended with the concurrence of a
majority of the Continuing Directors.
The New Rights Agreement is filed herewith as Exhibit 1 and is
incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing summary description of the
New Rights does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the full text of the New Rights Agreement.
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ITEM 2. EXHIBITS
The following exhibits are filed as a part of this Registration
Statement.
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
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1 Rights Agreement, dated as of July 21, 1998, between
Northern Trust Corporation and Norwest Bank Minnesota,
N.A., as Rights Agent
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly
authorized.
NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION
By: /s/ Perry R. Pero
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Name: Perry R. Pero
Title: Senior Executive Vice
President
Dated: July 24, 1998
EXHIBIT INDEX
1 Rights Agreement, dated as of July 21, 1998,
between Northern Trust Corporation and Norwest
Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Rights Agent
NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION
AND
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
RIGHTS AGENT
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF JULY 21, 1998
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
1. Certain Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Appointment of Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3. Issuance of Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4. Form of Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
5. Countersignature and Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6. Transfer, Split Up, Combination and Exchange of Rights
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights
Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of Rights . . 16
8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights
Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock . . . . . . . . . . 20
10. Preferred Stock Record Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of Shares or Number
of Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares . . . 36
13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets, Cash Flow or
Earning Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
15. Rights of Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
16. Agreement of Rights Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder . . . . . . . 44
18. Concerning the Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent . . . 45
20. Duties of Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
21. Change of Rights Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
23. Redemption and Termination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
24. Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
25. Notice of Certain Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
26. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
27. Supplements and Amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
28. Successors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
29. Determinations and Action by the Board, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . 58
30. Benefits of this Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
31. Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
32. Governing Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
33. Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
34. Descriptive Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A -- Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations
Exhibit B -- Form of Rights Certificates
RIGHTS AGREEMENT
RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated as of July 21, 1998 (the "Agreement"),
between Northern Trust Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., a national banking association (the
"Rights Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, on October 17, 1989, the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Board") (i) approved, adopted and executed a Rights
Agreement, dated as of October 17, 1989 (which Rights Agreement, as
subsequently amended, is referred to herein as the "1989 Rights
Agreement"), between the Company and the rights agent thereunder, (ii)
authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one right (a "1989
Right") for each share of common stock, par value $1.66-2/3 per share, of
the Company (the "Common Stock") outstanding at the close of business on
October 31, 1989 (the "1989 Record Date"), and (iii) authorized the
issuance of one 1989 Right (as such number may have been adjusted pursuant
to the provisions of the 1989 Rights Agreement) for each share of Common
Stock issued after the 1989 Record Date (whether originally issued or
delivered from the Company's treasury) and prior to the "Distribution Date"
(as such term is defined in the 1989 Rights Agreement);
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 7(a) of the 1989 Rights Agreement,
the 1989 Rights will expire not later than October 31, 1999;
WHEREAS, on July 21, 1998, the Board determined it desirable and
in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders for the Company
to extend the benefits afforded by the 1989 Rights Agreement and to
implement such extension by executing this Agreement and declaring the
distribution referred to in the following recital clause;
WHEREAS, on July 21, 1998 (the "Rights Dividend Declaration
Date"), the Board authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one
Right (as hereinafter defined) for each share of Common Stock outstanding
at the close of business on the earliest date upon which all of the 1989
Rights shall have expired or shall have been redeemed or exchanged or are
otherwise no longer outstanding in accordance with the terms of the 1989
Rights Agreement (such date, the "Record Date"), and has authorized the
issuance of one Right (as such number may hereafter be adjusted pursuant to
the provisions of Section 11(i) or Section 11(p) hereof) for each share of
Common Stock issued between the Record Date (whether originally issued or
delivered from the Company's treasury) and the Distribution Date (as
hereinafter defined), and under certain circumstances thereafter, each
Right initially representing the right to purchase one one-hundredth of a
share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, of
the Company having the rights, powers and preferences set forth in the form
of Certificate of Designations attached hereto as Exhibit A, upon the terms
and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth (the "Rights");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement,
the following terms have the meanings indicated:
(a) "Acquiring Person" shall mean (x) any Person who or
which, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be
the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then
outstanding, but shall not include (i) the Company; (ii) any Subsidiary of
the Company; (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company, or of any
Subsidiary of the Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or
established by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan;
(iv) any Person who becomes the Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent (15%)
or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding (or, in the case of
a Person described in subclauses (A) through (F) of the following clause
(vi), 23% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding) as a
result of a reduction in the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
due to the repurchase of shares of Common Stock by the Company unless and
until such Person, after becoming aware that such Person has become the
Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the then outstanding
shares of Common Stock (or, in the case of a Person described in subclauses
(A) through (F) of the following clause (vi), 23% or more of the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock), acquires beneficial ownership of
additional shares of Common Stock constituting one percent (1%) or more of
the shares of Common Stock then outstanding; (v) any such Person who has
reported or is required to report such ownership (but less than 20%) on
Schedule 13G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act") and in effect on the date of this Agreement (or any
comparable or successor report) or on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act
(or any comparable or successor report) which Schedule 13D does not state
any intention to or reserve the right to control or influence the
management or policies of the Company or engage in any of the actions
specified in Item 4 of such schedule (other than the disposition of the
Common Stock) and, within ten Business Days of being requested by the
Company to advise it regarding the same, certifies to the Company that such
Person acquired shares of Common Stock in excess of 14.9% inadvertently or
without knowledge of the terms of the Rights and who, together with all
Affiliates and Associates, thereafter does not acquire additional shares of
Common Stock while the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of
Common Stock then outstanding; provided, however, that if the Person
requested to so certify fails to do so within ten Business Days, then such
Person shall become an Acquiring Person immediately after such ten-
Business-Day period; or (vi) any of the Persons described in the following
subclauses (A) through (F) (or any group comprised solely of such Persons)
who or which would be an Acquiring Person but for this proviso if but only
if all securities of the Company beneficially owned by all such Persons in
the aggregate shall constitute less than 23% of the then outstanding shares
of Common Stock: (A) Byron L. Smith (deceased), any descendant of Byron L.
Smith (including descendants by adoption and their descendants), or any
spouse, former spouse or surviving spouse of Byron L. Smith or any such
descendants (collectively defined as the "Family Members"); (B) any trust
which is in existence on the date of this Agreement and which has been
established by one or more Family Members and any estate of a Family Member
who died on or before the date of this Agreement (collectively defined as
the "Family Entities"); (C) any estate of a Family Member who dies after
the date of this Agreement, or any trust established after the date of this
Agreement by one or more Family Members or Family Entities, provided that
one or more Family Members, Family Entities or charitable organizations
which qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Charitable Organizations"),
collectively, are the beneficiaries of at least 50% of the actuarially-
determined beneficial interests in such estate or trust; (D) any Charitable
Organization which is established by one or more Family Members or Family
Entities (a "Family Charitable Organization"); (E) any corporation of which
a majority of the voting power is held, directly or indirectly, by or for
the benefit of one or more Family Members, Family Entities, estates or
trusts described in clause (C) above, or Family Charitable Organizations;
and (F) any partnership or other entity or arrangement of which a majority
of the voting interest is held, directly or indirectly, by or for the
benefit of one or more Family Members, Family Entities, estates or trusts
described in clause (B) or (C) above or Family Charitable Organizations, or
(y) any Offering Person and any Affiliate or Associate of such Offering
Person, if such Offering Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof has
entered into any agreement or arrangement providing for an Acquisition
Transaction (as defined in Section 1(r) hereof).
(b) "Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(c) "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act.
(d) A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and
shall be deemed to "beneficially own," any securities:
(i) which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, owns or has the
right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately
or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) or upon
the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights,
warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a
Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to
"beneficially own," (A) securities tendered pursuant to a tender
or exchange offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any of
such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered
securities are accepted for purchase or exchange, or (B)
securities issuable upon exercise of Rights at any time prior to
the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined), or
(C) securities issuable upon exercise of Rights from and after
the occurrence of a Triggering Event which Rights were acquired
by such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
prior to the Distribution Date (as hereinafter defined) or
pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22 hereof (the "Original
Rights") or pursuant to Section 11(i) or Section 11(p) hereof in
connection with an adjustment made with respect to any Original
Rights;
(ii) which such Person or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right
to vote or dispose of or has "beneficial ownership" of (as
determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act), including pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding, whether or not in
writing; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the
"Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any security
under this subparagraph (ii) as a result of an agreement,
arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) to vote
such security if such agreement, arrangement or understanding:
(A) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in
response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant
to, and in accordance with, the applicable provisions of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, and (B) is
not also then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D under the
Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report); or
(iii) which are beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate
thereof) with which such Person (or any of such Person's
Affiliates or Associates) has any agreement, arrangement or
understanding (whether or not in writing), for the purpose of
acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy
as described in the proviso to subparagraph (ii) of this
paragraph (d)) or disposing of any voting securities of the
Company; provided, however, that nothing in this paragraph (d)
shall cause a Person engaged in business as an underwriter of
securities to be the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially
own," any securities acquired or which such Person has the right
to acquire through such Person's participation in good faith in a
firm commitment underwriting until the expiration of forty days
after the date of such acquisition.
(e) "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a
Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the State of
Illinois are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.
(f) "Close of business" on any given date shall mean 5:00
P.M., Chicago, Illinois time, on such date; provided, however, that if such
date is not a Business Day, it shall mean 5:00 P.M., Chicago, Illinois
time, on the next succeeding Business Day.
(g) "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value
$1.66-2/3 per share, of the Company, except that "Common Stock" when used
with reference to any Person other than the Company shall mean the capital
stock of such Person with the greatest voting power, or the equity
securities or other equity interest having power to control or direct the
management, of such Person.
(h) "Common Stock Equivalents" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.
(i) "Continuing Director" shall mean (i) any member of the
Board, while such Person is a member of the Board, who is not an Acquiring
Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or a
representative of an Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or
Associate, and who was a member of the Board prior to the date of this
Agreement, or (ii) any Person who subsequently becomes a member of the
Board, while such Person is a member of the Board, who is not an Acquiring
Person, or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person, or a
representative of an Acquiring Person or of any such Affiliate or
Associate, if such Person's nomination for election or election to the
Board is recommended or approved by a vote of a majority of the Continuing
Directors.
(j) "Current Market Price" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 11(d)(i) hereof.
(k) "Current Value" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.
(l) "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3(a) hereof.
(m) "Equivalent Preferred Stock" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 11(b) hereof.
(n) "Exchange Act" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 1(a) hereof.
(o) "Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 24 hereof.
(p) "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 7(a) hereof.
(q) "Final Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 7(a) hereof.
(r) "Offering Person" shall mean any Person (other than the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the
Company or of any Subsidiary of the Company or any Person appointed as
trustee by the Company or such Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any such
plan in such Person's capacity as trustee) who, at the time of the first
occurrence of either of the circumstances described in clauses (i) and (ii)
of Section 23(c) hereof, (i) has commenced, or has publicly announced its
intent to commence, a tender or exchange offer if upon consummation thereof
such Person, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person,
would be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock
then outstanding, (ii) has made by public announcement or by written
communication that is or becomes the subject of a public announcement, or
has publicly announced its intent to make, a proposal to the Company or its
stockholders for (x) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction
involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (y) a purchase or other
acquisition of all or a substantial portion of the assets or deposits of
the Company and its Subsidiaries, or (z) a purchase or other acquisition of
securities representing 15% or more of the shares of Common Stock then
outstanding (any transaction of the type described in clauses (x), (y) or
(z) of this paragraph (ii), an "Acquisition Transaction"), or (iii) has
filed an application or notice with the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, or any other federal or state banking regulatory authority,
which application or notice seeks approval to engage in any transaction
constituting an Acquisition Transaction.
(s) "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership,
trust, syndicate or other entity and includes, without limitation, an
unincorporated group of persons who, by formal or informal agreement or
arrangement (whether or not in writing), have embarked on a common purpose
or act.
(t) "Preferred Stock" shall mean shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, of the Company, and, to the
extent that there is not a sufficient number of shares of Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock authorized to permit the full exercise of the
Rights, any other series of preferred stock of the Company designated for
such purpose containing terms substantially similar to the terms of the
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
(u) "Principal Party" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13(b) hereof.
(v) "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4(a) hereof.
(w) "Qualifying Offer" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(x) "Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the
fourth WHEREAS clause at the beginning of this Agreement.
(y) "Rights" shall have the meaning set forth in the fourth
WHEREAS clause at the beginning of this Agreement.
(z) "Rights Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the
parties clause at the beginning of this Agreement.
(aa) "Rights Certificate" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3(a) hereof.
(bb) "Rights Dividend Declaration Date" shall have the
meaning set forth in the fourth WHEREAS clause at the beginning of this
Agreement.
(cc) "Section 11(a)(ii) Event" shall mean any event
described in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(dd) "Section 13 Event" shall mean any event described in
clauses (x), (y) or (z) of Section 13(a) hereof.
(ee) "Spread" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
11(a)(iii) hereof.
(ff) "Stock Acquisition Date" shall mean the earlier of (i)
the first date of public announcement by the Company that any Person has
become an Acquiring Person pursuant to clause (x) of the definition of
Acquiring Person, and (ii) the date on which an Offering Person and/or any
Affiliate or Associate thereof has entered into an agreement or arrangement
with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company providing for an
Acquisition Transaction.
(gg) "Subsidiary" shall mean, with reference to any Person,
any corporation or other entity of which an amount of voting securities (or
other ownership interests having ordinary voting power) sufficient to elect
at least a majority of the directors (or other persons performing similar
functions) of such corporation or other entity is directly or indirectly
beneficially owned or otherwise controlled by such Person.
(hh) "Substitution Period" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 11(a)(iii) hereof.
(ii) "Trading Day" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(d)(i) hereof.
(jj) "Triggering Event" shall mean any Section 11(a)(ii)
Event or any Section 13 Event.
Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby
appoints the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company and the holders
of the Rights (who, in accordance with Section 3 hereof, shall prior to the
Distribution Date also be the holders of the Common Stock) in accordance
with the terms and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts
such appointment. The Company may from time to time appoint such co-rights
agents as it may deem necessary or desirable.
Section 3. Issuance of Rights Certificates.
(a) Until the earlier of (i) the close of business on the
twentieth day after the Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the twentieth day
after the Stock Acquisition Date occurs before the Record Date, the close
of business on the Record Date), or (ii) the close of business on the
twentieth day (or such specified or unspecified later date as the Board
shall determine (provided, however, that if any deferral of a Distribution
Date by the Board pursuant to this clause (ii) is authorized at any time on
or after the earliest of (x) the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring
Person or (y) the first occurrence of either of the circumstances described
in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 23(c) hereof, such authorization shall
be effective only if there is at least one Continuing Director then in
office and only if a majority of Continuing Directors then in office
concurs with such authorization)) after the date that a tender or exchange
offer by any Person (other than the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company,
any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any Subsidiary of the
Company, or any Person or entity organized, appointed or established by the
Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) is first published
or sent or given within the meaning of Rule 14d-2(a) of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Exchange Act, if upon consummation thereof, such
Person would be the Beneficial Owner of 15% or more of the shares of Common
Stock then outstanding, in either instance other than pursuant to a
Qualifying Offer (the earlier of (i) and (ii) being herein referred to as
the "Distribution Date"), (x) the Rights will be evidenced (subject to the
provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c)of this Section 3) by the certificates
for the Common Stock registered in the names of the holders thereof (which
certificates for Common Stock shall be deemed also to be certificates for
Rights) and not by separate certificates, and (y) the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of the underlying shares
of Common Stock (including a transfer to the Company). As soon as
practicable after the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will send by
first-class, insured, postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of the
Common Stock as of the close of business on the Distribution Date, at the
address of such holder shown on the records of the Company, one or more
right certificates, substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto (the
"Rights Certificates"), evidencing one Right for each share of Common Stock
so held, subject to adjustment as provided herein. In the event that an
adjustment in the number of Rights per share of Common Stock has been made
pursuant to Section 11(i) or Section 11(p) hereof, at the time of
distribution of the Rights Certificates, the Company shall not be required
to issue Rights Certificates evidencing fractional rights, but may, in lieu
thereof, make the necessary and appropriate rounding adjustments (in
accordance with Section 14(a) hereof) so that Rights Certificates
representing only whole numbers of Rights are distributed and cash is paid
in lieu of any fractional Rights. As of and after the Distribution Date,
the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Rights Certificates.
(b) The Company delivered a copy of a Summary of Rights,
substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C to the 1989 Rights
Agreement (the "Summary of Rights"), by first-class, postage prepaid mail,
to each record holder of Common Stock as of the close of business on
October 31, 1989, at the address of such holder then shown on the records
of the Company. With respect to certificates for the Common Stock
outstanding as of the Record Date, as set forth in paragraph (a) above,
until the earlier of the Distribution Date or the Expiration Date, the
Rights will be evidenced by (i) such certificates for the Common Stock with
or without a copy of the Summary of Rights attached or (ii) certificates
for the Common Stock as legended pursuant to the terms of the 1989 Rights
Agreement, and the registered holders of the Common Stock shall also be the
registered holders of the associated Rights. Until the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date, the transfer of any certificates
representing shares of Common Stock in respect of which Rights have been
issued shall also constitute the transfer of the Rights associated with
such shares of Common Stock.
(c) Rights shall be issued in respect of all shares of
Common Stock which are issued (whether originally issued or from the
Company's treasury) after the Record Date but prior to the earlier of the
Distribution Date or the Expiration Date, and to the extent provided in
Section 22 hereof, in respect of shares of Common Stock issued after the
Distribution Date and prior to the Expiration Date. Certificates
representing such shares of Common Stock shall also be deemed to be
certificates for Rights, and shall, as promptly as practicable following
the Record Date, bear the following legend:
This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder
hereof to certain Rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement
between Northern Trust Corporation (the "Company") and the Rights
Agent thereunder, dated as of July 21, 1998, as the same may be
amended, restated, renewed or extended from time to time (the
"Rights Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the
principal offices of the Company. Under certain circumstances,
as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be
evidenced by separate certificates and will no longer be
evidenced by this certificate. The Company will mail to the
holder of this certificate a copy of the Rights Agreement, as in
effect on the date of mailing, without charge, promptly after
receipt of a written request therefor. Under certain
circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement, Rights issued
to, or beneficially owned by, any Person who is, was or becomes
an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate thereof (as
such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), whether
currently held by or on behalf of such Person or by any
subsequent holder, may become null and void.
With respect to such certificates containing the foregoing legend, until
the earlier of (i) the Distribution Date or (ii) the Expiration Date, the
Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such certificates
shall be evidenced by such certificates alone and registered holders of
Common Stock shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights,
and the transfer of any of such certificates shall also constitute the
transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented by such
certificates.
Section 4. Form of Rights Certificates.
(a) The Rights Certificates (and the forms of election to
purchase and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall each
be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and may have such
marks of identification or designation and such legends, summaries or
endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate and as are
not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be
required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation
made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange
on which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to
usage. Subject to the provisions of Section 11 and Section 22 hereof, the
Rights Certificates, whenever distributed, shall be dated as of the Record
Date and on their face shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such
number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock as shall be set
forth therein at the price set forth therein (such exercise price per one
one-hundredth of a share, as adjusted from time to time hereunder, the
"Purchase Price"), but the amount and type of securities purchasable upon
the exercise of each Right and the Purchase Price thereof shall be subject
to adjustment as provided herein.
(b) Any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a),
Section 11(i) or Section 22 hereof that represents Rights beneficially
owned by: (i) an Acquiring Person or any Associate or Affiliate of an
Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person
becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such
Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently
with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant
to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the
Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring Person or
to any Person with whom such Acquiring Person has any continuing agreement,
arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) regarding the
transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board, in its sole
discretion, has determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding
which has as a primary purpose or effect avoidance of the provisions of
Section 7(e) hereof, and any Rights Certificate issued pursuant to Section
6 or Section 11 hereof upon transfer, exchange, replacement or adjustment
of any other Rights Certificate referred to in this sentence, shall contain
(to the extent feasible) the following legend:
The Rights represented by this Rights Certificate are or were
beneficially owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring
Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as
such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement). Accordingly,
this Rights Certificate and the Rights represented hereby may
become null and void in the circumstances specified in Section
7(e) of the Rights Agreement.
Section 5. Countersignature and Registration.
(a) The Rights Certificates shall be executed on behalf of
the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or any Vice
President, either manually or by facsimile signature, and shall have
affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be
attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, either
manually or by facsimile signature. The Rights Certificates shall be
countersigned by an authorized signatory of the Rights Agent, either
manually or by facsimile signature, and shall not be valid for any purpose
unless so countersigned. In case any officer of the Company who shall have
signed any of the Rights Certificates shall cease to be such officer of the
Company before countersignature by an authorized signatory of the Rights
Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company, such Rights Certificates,
nevertheless, may be countersigned by an authorized signatory of the Rights
Agent and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and
effect as though the person who signed such Rights Certificates had not
ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Rights Certificates may
be signed on behalf of the Company by any person who, at the actual date of
the execution of such Rights Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the
Company to sign such Rights Certificate, although at the date of the
execution of this Agreement any such person was not such an officer.
(b) Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will
keep, or cause to be kept, at its principal office or offices designated as
the appropriate place for surrender of Rights Certificates upon exercise or
transfer, books for registration and transfer of the Rights Certificates
issued hereunder. Such books shall show the names and addresses of the
respective holders of the Rights Certificates, the number of Rights
evidenced on its face by each of the Rights Certificates and the date of
each of the Rights Certificates.
Section 6. Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of
Rights Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Rights
Certificates.
(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b), Section 7(e)
and Section 14 hereof, at any time after the close of business on the
Distribution Date, and at or prior to the close of business on the
Expiration Date, any Rights Certificate or Certificates (other than Rights
Certificates representing Rights that may have been exchanged pursuant to
Section 24 hereof) may be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged for
another Rights Certificate or Certificates, entitling the registered holder
to purchase a like number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock (or, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock,
other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as the Rights
Certificate or Certificates surrendered then entitled such holder (or
former holder in the case of a transfer) to purchase. Any registered
holder desiring to transfer, split up, combine or exchange any Rights
Certificate or Certificates shall make such request in writing delivered to
the Rights Agent, and shall surrender the Rights Certificate or
Certificates to be transferred, split up, combined or exchanged, with the
forms of assignment and certificate contained therein duly executed, at the
principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for such
purpose. Neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to
take any action whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any such
surrendered Rights Certificate until the registered holder shall have
completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment on
the reverse side of such Rights Certificate and shall have provided such
additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former
Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall
reasonably request. Thereupon the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section
4(b), Section 7(e), Section 14 hereof and Section 24 hereof, countersign
and deliver to the Person entitled thereto a Rights Certificate or Rights
Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require
payment from the holder of a Rights Certificate of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with
any transfer, split up, combination or exchange of Rights Certificates.
(b) Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of
evidence reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of a Rights Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or
destruction, of indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and
reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable
expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and
cancellation of the Rights Certificate if mutilated, the Company will
execute and deliver a new Rights Certificate of like tenor to the Rights
Agent for countersignature and delivery to the registered owner in lieu of
the Rights Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.
Section 7. Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date
of Rights.
(a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof, the registered holder of any
Rights Certificate may exercise the Rights evidenced thereby (except as
otherwise provided herein including, without limitation, the restrictions
on exercisability set forth in Section 9(c), Section 11(a)(iii) and Section
23(a) hereof) in whole or in part at any time after the Distribution Date
upon surrender of the Rights Certificate, with the form of election to
purchase and the certificate contained therein duly executed, to the Rights
Agent at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent designated for
such purpose, together with payment of the aggregate Purchase Price with
respect to the total number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock (or, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock,
other securities, cash or other assets, as the case may be) as to which
such surrendered Rights are then exercisable, at or prior to the earliest
of (i) 5:00 P.M., Chicago, Illinois time, on October 31, 2009 (such date,
the "Final Expiration Date"), (ii) the time at which all of the Rights are
redeemed or exchanged as provided in Section 23 or Section 24 hereof,
respectively, or (iii) the time at which the Rights expire pursuant to
Section 13(d) hereof (the earliest of (i), (ii) and (iii) being herein
referred to as the "Expiration Date").
(b) The Purchase Price for each one one-hundredth of a
share of Preferred Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall
initially be $330.00, and shall be subject to adjustment from time to time
as provided in Section 11 and Section 13(a) hereof and shall be payable in
accordance with paragraph (c) below.
(c) Upon receipt of a Rights Certificate representing
exercisable Rights, with the form of election to purchase and the
certificate duly executed, accompanied by payment, with respect to each
Right so exercised, of the Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced
pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof) per one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock (or Common Stock, other securities, cash or other assets,
as the case may be) to be purchased as set forth below and an amount equal
to any applicable transfer tax, the Rights Agent shall, subject to Section
20(k) hereof, thereupon promptly (i) (A) requisition from any transfer
agent of the shares of Preferred Stock (or make available, if the Rights
Agent is the transfer agent for such shares) certificates for the total
number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock to be purchased,
and the Company hereby irrevocably authorizes its transfer agent to comply
with all such requests, or (B) if the Company shall have elected to deposit
the total number of shares of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the
Rights hereunder with a depositary agent, requisition from the depositary
agent depositary receipts representing such number of one one-hundredths of
a share of Preferred Stock as are to be purchased (in which case
certificates for the shares of Preferred Stock represented by such receipts
shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent), and
the Company will direct the depositary agent to comply with such request,
(ii) requisition from the Company the amount of cash, if any, to be paid in
lieu of fractional shares in accordance with Section 14 hereof, (iii) after
receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be
delivered to or, upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights
Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such
holder, and (iv) after receipt thereof, deliver such cash, if any, to or
upon the order of the registered holder of such Rights Certificate. The
payment of the Purchase Price (as such amount may be reduced pursuant to
Section 11(a)(iii) hereof) shall be made in cash or by certified bank check
or bank draft payable to the order of the Company. In the event that the
Company is obligated to issue other securities (including Common Stock) of
the Company, pay cash and/or distribute other property pursuant to Section
11(a) hereof, the Company will make all arrangements necessary so that such
other securities, cash and/or other property are available for distribution
by the Rights Agent, if and when appropriate. The Company reserves the
right to require prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event that, upon
any exercise of Rights, a number of Rights be exercised so that only whole
shares of Preferred Stock would be issued.
(d) In case the registered holder of any Rights Certificate
shall exercise less than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Rights
Certificate evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining
unexercised shall be issued by the Rights Agent and delivered to, or upon
the order of, the registered holder of such Rights Certificate, registered
in such name or names as may be designated by such holder, subject to the
provisions of Section 14 hereof.
(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, from and after the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event,
any Rights beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person
(or of any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee after the
Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person
(or of any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee prior to
or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such
Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration)
from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring
Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing)
regarding the transferred Rights or (B) a transfer which the Board has
determined is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a
primary purpose or effect the avoidance of this Section 7(e), shall become
null and void without any further action and no holder of such Rights shall
have any rights whatsoever with respect to such Rights, whether under any
provision of this Agreement or otherwise. The Company shall use all
reasonable efforts to ensure that the provisions of this Section 7(e) and
Section 4(b) hereof are complied with, but shall have no liability to any
holder of Rights Certificates or any other Person as a result of its
failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or
its Affiliates, Associates or transferees hereunder.
(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to
undertake any action with respect to a registered holder of a Rights
Certificate upon the occurrence of any purported assignment or exercise as
set forth in this Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i)
completed and signed the certificate contained in the form of assignment or
election to purchase set forth on the reverse side of the Rights
Certificate surrendered for such assignment or exercise, and (ii) provided
such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former
Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company shall
reasonably request.
Section 8. Cancellation and Destruction of Rights Certificates.
All Rights Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise, transfer,
split-up, combination or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Company or
any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights Agent for cancellation or in
cancelled form, or, if surrendered to the Rights Agent, shall be cancelled
by it, and no Rights Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as
expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Agreement. The
Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for cancellation and retirement,
and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire, any other Rights
Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company otherwise than upon the
exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver all cancelled Rights
Certificates to the Company.
Section 9. Reservation and Availability of Capital Stock.
(a) The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to
be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued shares of
Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, out
of its authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock and/or other
securities or out of its authorized and issued shares held in its
treasury), the number of shares of Preferred Stock (and, following the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other securities, as
the case may be) that, as provided in this Agreement including Section
11(a)(iii) hereof, will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all
outstanding Rights.
(b) So long as the shares of Preferred Stock (and,
following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) issuable and deliverable upon the exercise
of the Rights may be listed on any national securities exchange, the
Company shall use all reasonable efforts to cause, from and after such time
as the Rights become exercisable, all shares reserved for such issuance to
be listed on such exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such
exercise.
(c) The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to
(i) file, as soon as practicable following the earliest date after the
first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event on which the consideration to
be delivered by the Company upon exercise of the Rights has been determined
in accordance with Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, or as soon as is required by
law following the Distribution Date, as the case may be, a registration
statement on an appropriate form under the Act, with respect to the Common
Stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, (ii)
cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as
practicable after such filing, and (iii) cause such registration statement
to remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the
requirements of the Act) until the earlier of (A) the date as of which the
Rights are no longer exercisable for such securities, and (B) the date of
the expiration of the Rights. The Company will also take such action as
may be appropriate under, or to ensure compliance with, the securities or
"blue sky" laws of the various states in connection with the exercisability
of the Rights. The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time
not to exceed ninety (90) days after the date set forth in clause (i) of
the first sentence of this Section 9(c), the exercisability of the Rights
in order to prepare and file such registration statement and permit it to
become effective. Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue a
public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been
temporarily suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the
suspension is no longer in effect. In addition, if the Company shall
determine that a registration statement is required in other circumstances
following the Distribution Date, the Company similarly may temporarily
suspend the exercisability of the Rights until such time as a registration
statement has been declared effective. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Agreement to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any
jurisdiction if the requisite qualification in such jurisdiction shall not
have been obtained, or the exercise thereof shall not be permitted under
applicable law, or a registration statement shall not have been declared
effective.
(d) The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all
such action as may be necessary to ensure that all one one-hundredths of a
share of Preferred Stock (and, following the occurrence of a Triggering
Event, Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be) delivered
upon exercise of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates
for such shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and
validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
(e) The Company further covenants and agrees that it will
pay when due and payable any and all federal and state transfer taxes and
charges which may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the
Rights Certificates and of any certificates for a number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company
shall not, however, be required to pay any transfer tax which may be
payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of Rights Certificates to a
Person other than, or the issuance or delivery of a number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) in a name other than that of the registered
holder of the Rights Certificates evidencing Rights surrendered for
exercise or to issue or deliver any certificates for a number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) in a name other than that of the registered
holder upon the exercise of any Rights until such tax shall have been paid
(any such tax being payable by the holder of such Rights Certificate at the
time of surrender) or until it has been established to the Company's
satisfaction that no such tax is due.
Section 10. Preferred Stock Record Date. Each person in whose
name any certificate for a number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may
be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed
to have become the holder of record of such fractional shares of Preferred
Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities, as the case may be)
represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date upon
which the Rights Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered
and payment of the Purchase Price (and all applicable transfer taxes) was
made; provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is
a date upon which the Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other
securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company are closed,
such Person shall be deemed to have become the record holder of such shares
(fractional or otherwise) on, and such certificate shall be dated, the next
succeeding Business Day on which the Preferred Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other securities, as the case may be) transfer books of the Company
are open. Prior to the exercise of the Rights evidenced thereby, the
holder of a Rights Certificate, as such, shall not be entitled to any
rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to shares for which the
Rights shall be exercisable, including, without limitation, the right to
vote, to receive dividends or other distributions or to exercise any
preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of any
proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.
Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number and Kind of
Shares or Number of Rights. The Purchase Price, the number and kind of
shares, or fractions thereof, purchasable upon exercise of each Right and
the number of Rights outstanding are subject to adjustment from time to
time as provided in this Section 11.
(a)(i) In the event the Company shall at any time after
the date of this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the
Preferred Stock payable in shares of Preferred Stock, (B)
subdivide or split the outstanding Preferred Stock, (C) combine
or consolidate the outstanding Preferred Stock into a smaller
number of shares, or (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in
a reclassification of the Preferred Stock (including any such
reclassification in connection with a consolidation or merger in
which the Company is the continuing or surviving corporation),
except as otherwise provided in this Section 11(a) and Section
7(e) hereof, the Purchase Price in effect at the time of the
record date for such dividend or of the effective date of such
subdivision, split, combination, consolidation or
reclassification, and the number and kind of shares of Preferred
Stock (or other capital stock, as the case may be,) issuable on
such date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder
of any Right exercised after such time shall be entitled to
receive, upon payment of the Purchase Price then in effect, the
aggregate number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or capital
stock, as the case may be, which, if such Right had been
exercised immediately prior to such date (whether or not such
Right was then exercisable) and at a time when the transfer books
for the Preferred Stock (or other capital stock, as the case may
be) of the Company were open, such holder would have owned upon
such exercise and been entitled to receive by virtue of such
dividend, subdivision, split, combination, consolidation or
reclassification. If an event occurs which would require an
adjustment under both this Section 11(a)(i) and Section 11(a)(ii)
hereof, the adjustment provided for in this Section 11(a)(i)
shall be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any
adjustment required pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii) hereof.
(ii) In the event any Person shall, at any time
after the Rights Dividend Declaration Date, become an Acquiring
Person, unless the event causing such Person to become an
Acquiring Person is a transaction set forth in Section 13(a)
hereof, or is an acquisition of shares of Common Stock pursuant
to a tender offer or an exchange offer for all outstanding shares
of Common Stock at a price and on terms determined by at least a
majority of the members of the Board who are not officers of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and who are Continuing
Directors, after receiving advice from one or more investment
banking firms, to be (a) at a price which is fair to the
Company's stockholders and not inadequate (taking into account
all factors which such members of the Board deem relevant,
including, without limitation, prices which could reasonably be
achieved if the Company or its assets were sold on an orderly
basis designed to realize maximum value) and (b) otherwise in the
best interests of the Company and its stockholders (a "Qualifying
Offer"), then, promptly following the occurrence of such event,
proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right
(except as provided below and in Section 7(e) hereof) shall
thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof at
the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement, in lieu of a number of one one-hundredths of a
share of Preferred Stock, such number of shares of Common Stock
of the Company as shall equal the result obtained by (x)
multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the then number of
one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock for which a
Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence
of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (whether or not such Right was then
issued or exercisable), and (y) dividing that product (which,
following such first occurrence, shall thereafter be referred to
as the "Purchase Price" for each Right and for all purposes of
this Agreement) by 50% of the Current Market Price (determined
pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Common Stock on
the date of such first occurrence (such number of shares, the
"Adjustment Shares").
(iii) In the event that the number of shares of
Common Stock which are authorized by the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, but which are not outstanding or
reserved for issuance for purposes other than upon exercise of
the Rights, is not sufficient to permit the exercise in full of
the Rights in accordance with the foregoing subparagraph (ii) of
this Section 11(a), the Company, acting by resolution of the
Board, shall (A) determine the value of the Adjustment Shares
issuable upon the exercise of a Right (the "Current Value"), and
(B) with respect to each Right (subject to Section 7(e) hereof),
make adequate provision to substitute for the Adjustment Shares,
upon the exercise of such Right and payment of the applicable
Purchase Price, (1) cash, (2) a reduction in the Purchase Price,
(3) Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company
(including, without limitation, shares or units of shares of
preferred stock, such as the Preferred Stock, which the Board has
deemed to have essentially the same value or economic rights as
shares of Common Stock (such shares of preferred stock being
referred to as "Common Stock Equivalents")), (4) debt securities
of the Company, (5) other assets, or (6) any combination of the
foregoing, having an aggregate value equal to the Current Value,
where such aggregate value has been determined by the Board based
upon the advice of a nationally recognized investment banking
firm selected by the Board; provided, however, that if the
Company shall not have made adequate provision to deliver value
pursuant to clause (B) above within thirty (30) days following
the later of (x) the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii)
Event and (y) the date on which the Company's right of redemption
pursuant to Section 23(a) hereof expires (the later of (x) and
(y) being referred to herein as the "Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger
Date"), then the Company shall be obligated to deliver, upon the
surrender for exercise of a Right and without requiring payment
of the Purchase Price, shares of Common Stock (to the extent
available) and then, if necessary, cash, which shares and/or cash
have an aggregate value equal to the Spread. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, the term "Spread" shall mean the excess of
(i) the Current Value over (ii) the Purchase Price. If the Board
determines in good faith that it is likely that sufficient
additional shares of Common Stock could be authorized for
issuance upon exercise in full of the Rights, the thirty (30) day
period set forth above may be extended to the extent necessary,
but not more than ninety (90) days after the Section 11(a)(ii)
Trigger Date, in order that the Company may seek stockholder
approval for the authorization of such additional shares (such
thirty (30) day period, as it may be extended, is herein called
the "Substitution Period"). To the extent that action is to be
taken pursuant to the first and/or third sentences of this
Section 11(a)(iii), the Company (1) shall provide, subject to
Section 7(e) hereof, that such action shall apply uniformly to
all outstanding Rights, and (2) may suspend the exercisability of
the Rights until the expiration of the Substitution Period in
order to seek such stockholder approval for such authorization of
additional shares and/or to decide the appropriate form of
distribution to be made pursuant to such first sentence and to
determine the value thereof. In the event of any such
suspension, the Company shall issue a public announcement stating
that the exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily
suspended, as well as a public announcement at such time as the
suspension is no longer in effect. For purposes of this Section
11(a)(iii), the value of each Adjustment Share shall be the
Current Market Price (as defined in Section 11(d) hereof) per
share of the Common Stock on the Section 11(a)(ii) Trigger Date,
and the per share or per unit value of any Common Stock
Equivalent shall be deemed to equal the Current Market Price per
share of the Common Stock on such date. Notwithstanding the
foregoing provisions of this subparagraph (iii), in the event
that, pursuant to this subparagraph (iii), upon the exercise of
the Rights the Company shall be required to deliver value in any
form other than shares of Common Stock, such value shall be
delivered only to the extent and at the time that, if required,
the approval by appropriate financial regulatory authorities with
supervisory jurisdiction over the Company or its financial
institution Subsidiaries of such delivery of such value shall
have been obtained.
(b) In case the Company shall fix a record date for the
issuance of rights, options or warrants to all holders of Preferred Stock
entitling them to subscribe for or purchase (for a period expiring within
forty-five (45) calendar days after such record date) Preferred Stock (or
shares having the same rights, privileges and preferences as the shares of
Preferred Stock ("Equivalent Preferred Stock")) or securities convertible
into Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock at a price per share of
Preferred Stock or per share of Equivalent Preferred Stock (or having a
conversion price per share, if a security convertible into Preferred Stock
or Equivalent Preferred Stock) less than the Current Market Price (as
determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock
on such record date, the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record
date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the numerator of which
shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on such record
date, plus the number of shares of Preferred Stock which the aggregate
subscription or offering price of the total number of shares of Preferred
Stock and/or Equivalent Preferred Stock so to be offered (and/or the
aggregate initial conversion price of the convertible securities so to be
offered) would purchase at such Current Market Price, and the denominator
of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred Stock outstanding on
such record date, plus the number of additional shares of Preferred Stock
and/or Equivalent Preferred Stock to be offered for subscription or
purchase (or into which the convertible securities so to be offered are
initially convertible). In case such subscription price may be paid by
delivery of consideration, part or all of which may be in a form other than
cash, the value of such consideration shall be as determined in good faith
by the Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed
with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and the
holders of the Rights. Shares of Preferred Stock owned by or held for the
account of the Company shall not be deemed outstanding for the purpose of
any such computation. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever
such a record date is fixed, and in the event that such rights or warrants
are not so issued, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase
Price which would then be in effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(c) In case the Company shall fix a record date for a
distribution to all holders of Preferred Stock (including any such
distribution made in connection with a consolidation or merger in which the
Company is the continuing corporation) of evidences of indebtedness, cash
(other than a regular periodic cash dividend out of the earnings or
retained earnings of the Company), assets (other than a dividend payable in
Preferred Stock, but including any dividend payable in stock other than
Preferred Stock) or subscription rights or warrants (excluding those
referred to in Section 11(b) hereof), the Purchase Price to be in effect
after such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the Current Market Price (as determined
pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock on such
record date, less the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the
Board, whose determination shall be described in a statement filed with the
Rights Agent and shall be conclusive for all purposes) of the portion of
the cash, assets or evidences of indebtedness so to be distributed or of
such subscription rights or warrants applicable to a share of Preferred
Stock, and the denominator of which shall be such Current Market Price (as
determined pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) per share of Preferred Stock.
Such adjustments shall be made successively whenever such a record date is
fixed, and in the event that such distribution is not so made, the Purchase
Price shall be adjusted to be the Purchase Price which would have been in
effect if such record date had not been fixed.
(d)(i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder, other
than computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the
Current Market Price per share of Common Stock on any date shall be
deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of such
Common Stock for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (as such
term is hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date, and for
purposes of computations made pursuant to Section 11(a)(iii) hereof,
the "Current Market Price" per share of Common Stock on any date shall
be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices per share of
such Common Stock for the ten (10) consecutive Trading Days
immediately following such date; provided, however, that in the event
that the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock is
determined during a period following the announcement by the issuer of
such Common Stock of (A) a dividend or distribution on such Common
Stock payable in shares of such Common Stock or securities convertible
into shares of such Common Stock (other than the Rights), or (B) any
subdivision, combination, consolidation, reverse stock split or
reclassification of such Common Stock, and the ex-dividend date for
such dividend or distribution, or the record date for such
subdivision, combination, consolidation, reverse stock split or
reclassification shall not have occurred prior to the commencement of
the requisite thirty (30) Trading Day or ten (10) Trading Day period,
as set forth above, then, and in each such case, the Current Market
Price shall be properly adjusted to take into account ex-dividend
trading. The closing price for each day shall be the last sale price,
regular way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way, in either
case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting
system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the
New York Stock Exchange or, if the shares of Common Stock are not
listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system or
as quoted by the Nasdaq National Market with respect to securities
listed or admitted to trading on another national securities exchange
or quoted by the Nasdaq National Market, respectively, or if the
shares of Common Stock are not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange or quoted by the Nasdaq National Market,
the last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high
bid and low asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported
by The Nasdaq Stock Market or such other quotation system then in use,
or, if on any such date the shares of Common Stock are not quoted by
any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices
as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in the
Common Stock selected by the Board. If on any such date the Common
Stock is not publicly held and is not so listed, admitted to trading
or quoted, and no market maker is making a market in the Common Stock,
Current Market Price shall mean the fair value of such shares on such
date as determined in good faith by the Board, which determination
shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and
shall be conclusive for all purposes. The term "Trading Day" shall
mean a day on which the principal national securities exchange on
which the shares of Common Stock are listed or admitted to trading is
open for the transaction of business or, if the shares of Common Stock
are not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange, a Business Day.
(ii) For the purpose of any computation hereunder,
the Current Market Price per share of Preferred Stock shall be
determined in the same manner as set forth above for the Common
Stock in clause (i) of this Section 11(d) (other than the
penultimate sentence thereof). If the Current Market Price
per share of Preferred Stock cannot be determined in the manner
provided above or if the Preferred Stock is not publicly held or
listed or admitted to trading or quoted in a manner described in
clause (i) of this Section 11(d), the Current Market Price per share
of Preferred Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be an amount equal
to 100 (as such number may be appropriately adjusted for such events
as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with respect to
the Common Stock occurring after the date of this Agreement)
multiplied by the Current Market Price per share of the Common Stock.
If neither the Common Stock nor the Preferred Stock is publicly held
or so listed or admitted to trading or quoted, the Current Market
Price per share of the Preferred Stock shall mean the fair value per
share as determined in good faith by the Board, whose determination
shall be described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent and
shall be conclusive for all purposes. For all purposes of this
Agreement, the Current Market Price of one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock shall be equal to the Current Market Price of one
share of Preferred Stock divided by 100.
(e) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, no
adjustment in the Purchase Price shall be required unless such adjustment
would require an increase or decrease in the Purchase Price of at least one
percent (1%); provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of
this Section 11(e) are not required to be made shall be carried forward and
taken into account in any subsequent adjustment. All calculations under
this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest cent or to the nearest ten-
thousandth of a share of Common Stock or other share or one-millionth of a
share of Preferred Stock, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the first
sentence of this Section 11(e), any adjustment required by this Section 11
shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three (3) years from the
date of the transaction which mandates such adjustment, or (ii) the
Expiration Date.
(f) If as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to
Section 11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right
thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital
stock other than Preferred Stock, thereafter the number of such other
shares so receivable upon exercise of any Right and the Purchase Price
thereof (or the number of Rights) shall be subject to adjustment from time
to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as practicable to the
provisions with respect to the Preferred Stock contained in Sections 11(a),
(b), (c), (e), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k) and (m) hereof, and the provisions
of Sections 7, 9, 10, 13 and 14 hereof with respect to the Preferred Stock
shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.
(g) All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent
to any adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall evidence the
right to purchase, at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock purchasable from time to time
hereunder upon exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as
provided herein.
(h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as
provided in Section 11(i) hereof, upon each adjustment of the Purchase
Price as a result of the calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c)
hereof, each Right outstanding immediately prior to the making of such
adjustment shall thereafter evidence the right to purchase, at the adjusted
Purchase Price, that number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock (calculated to the nearest one-millionth) obtained by (i) multiplying
(x) the number of one one-hundredths of a share covered by a Right
immediately prior to this adjustment, by (y) the Purchase Price in effect
immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price, and (ii)
dividing the product so obtained by the Purchase Price in effect
immediately after such adjustment of the Purchase Price.
(i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any
adjustment of the Purchase Price to adjust the number of Rights, in lieu of
any adjustment in the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock purchasable upon the exercise of a Right. Each of the Rights
outstanding after the adjustment in the number of Rights shall be
exercisable for the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock for which a Right was exercisable immediately prior to such
adjustment. Each Right held of record prior to such adjustment of the
number of Rights shall become that number of Rights (calculated to the
nearest one-ten-thousandth of a Right) obtained by dividing the Purchase
Price in effect immediately prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price by
the Purchase Price in effect immediately after adjustment of the Purchase
Price. The Company shall make a public announcement of its election to
adjust the number of Rights, indicating the record date for the adjustment,
and, if known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This
record date may be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any
day thereafter, but, if the Rights Certificates have been issued, shall be
at least ten (10) days later than the date of the public announcement. If
Rights Certificates have been issued, upon each adjustment of the number of
Rights pursuant to this Section 11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as
practicable, cause to be distributed to holders of record of Rights
Certificates on such record date Rights Certificates evidencing, subject to
Section 14 hereof, the additional Rights to which such holders shall be
entitled as a result of such adjustment, or, at the option of the Company,
shall cause to be distributed to such holders of record in substitution and
replacement for the Rights Certificates held by such holders prior to the
date of adjustment, and upon surrender thereof, if required by the Company,
new Rights Certificates evidencing all the Rights to which such holders
shall be entitled after such adjustment. Rights Certificates so to be
distributed shall be issued, executed and countersigned in the manner
provided for herein (and may bear, at the option of the Company, the
adjusted Purchase Price) and shall be registered in the names of the
holders of record of Rights Certificates on the record date specified in
the public announcement.
(j) Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the
Purchase Price or the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights, the Rights Certificates
theretofore and thereafter issued may continue to express the Purchase
Price per one one-hundredth of a share and the number of one one-hundredths
of a share which were expressed in the initial Rights Certificates issued
hereunder.
(k) Before taking any action that would cause an adjustment
reducing the Purchase Price below the then stated value, if any, of the
number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Rights, the Company shall use all reasonable efforts to
take any corporate action which may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
necessary in order that the Company may validly and legally issue, fully
paid and nonassessable, such number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock at such adjusted Purchase Price.
(l) In any case in which this Section 11 shall require that
an adjustment in the Purchase Price be made effective as of a record date
for a specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence
of such event the issuance to the holder of any Right exercised after such
record date of the number of one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred
Stock and other capital stock or securities of the Company, if any,
issuable upon such exercise over and above the number of one one-hundredths
of a share of Preferred Stock and other capital stock or securities of the
Company, if any, issuable upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase
Price in effect prior to such adjustment; provided, however, that the
Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate
instrument evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional shares
(fractional or otherwise) or securities upon the occurrence of the event
requiring such adjustment.
(m) Anything in this Section 11 to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such adjustments in
the Purchase Price, in addition to those adjustments expressly required by
this Section 11, as and to the extent that in its good faith judgment the
Board shall determine to be advisable in order that any (i) consolidation
or subdivision of the Preferred Stock, (ii) issuance wholly for cash of any
shares of Preferred Stock at less than the Current Market Price, (iii)
issuance wholly for cash of shares of Preferred Stock or securities which
by their terms are convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Preferred
Stock, (iv) stock dividends or (v) issuance of rights, options or warrants
referred to in this Section 11, hereafter made by the Company to holders of
its Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders.
(n) The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, at
any time after the Distribution Date, (i) consolidate with any other Person
(other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies
with Section 11(o) hereof), (ii) merge with or into any other Person (other
than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with
Section 11(o) hereof), or (iii) sell or transfer (or permit any Subsidiary
to sell or transfer), in one transaction, or a series of related
transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the
assets or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a
whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than the Company and/or any of
its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each of which complies with
Section 11(o) hereof), if (x) at the time of or immediately after such
consolidation, merger, sale or transfer there are any rights, warrants or
other instruments or securities outstanding or agreements in effect which
would substantially diminish or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended
to be afforded by the Rights or (y) prior to, simultaneously with or
immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale or transfer, the
stockholders of the Person who constitutes, or would constitute, the
"Principal Party" for purposes of Section 13(a) hereof shall have received
a distribution of Rights previously owned by such Person or any of its
Affiliates and Associates.
(o) The Company covenants and agrees that, after the
Distribution Date, it will not, except as permitted by Section 23 or
Section 27 hereof, take (or permit any Subsidiary to take) any action if at
the time such action is taken it is reasonably foreseeable that such action
will diminish substantially or otherwise eliminate the benefits intended to
be afforded by the Rights.
(p) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event that the Company shall at any time after the
Rights Dividend Declaration Date and prior to the Distribution Date (i)
declare a dividend on the outstanding shares of Common Stock payable in
shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common
Stock, or (iii) combine or consolidate the outstanding shares of Common
Stock into a smaller number of shares, the number of Rights associated with
each share of Common Stock then outstanding, or issued or delivered
thereafter but prior to the Distribution Date (or issued or delivered on or
after the Distribution Date pursuant to Section 22), shall be
proportionately adjusted so that the number of Rights thereafter associated
with each share of Common Stock following any such event shall equal the
result obtained by multiplying the number of Rights associated with each
share of Common Stock immediately prior to such event by a fraction the
numerator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of the event and the
denominator of which shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately following the occurrence of such event.
Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of
Shares. Whenever an adjustment is made as provided in Section 11 and
Section 13 hereof, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a certificate
setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts accounting
for such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Rights Agent, and with each
transfer agent for the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, a copy of such
certificate, and (c) if a Distribution Date has occurred, mail or cause the
Rights Agent to mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Rights
Certificate in accordance with Section 26 hereof. The Rights Agent shall
be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on any adjustment
therein contained and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such
adjustment unless and until it shall have received such certificate.
Section 13. Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets
or Earning Power.
(a) In the event that, on or after the Stock Acquisition
Date, directly or indirectly, (x) the Company shall consolidate with, or
merge with and into, any other Person or Persons (other than a Subsidiary
of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section 11(o) hereof),
and the Company shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of
such consolidation or merger, (y) any Person or Persons (other than a
Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which complies with Section
11(o) hereof) shall consolidate with, or merge with or into, the Company,
and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving corporation of such
consolidation or merger and, in connection with such consolidation or
merger, all or part of the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be
changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any other Person
or Persons or cash or any other property, or (z) the Company shall sell or
otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell or
otherwise transfer), in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, assets or earning power aggregating 50% or more of the assets
or earning power of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole and
calculated on the basis of the Company's most recent regularly prepared
financial statements) to any Person or Persons (other than the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company in one or more transactions each of which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), then, and in each such case (except as
may be contemplated by Section 13(d) hereof), proper provision shall be
made so that: (i) each holder of a Right, except as provided in Section
7(e) hereof, shall, from and after the later of (A) the date of the first
occurrence of any such Section 13 Event or (B) the date of the expiration
of the period within which the Rights may be redeemed pursuant to Section
23 hereof (as the same may be amended), have the right to receive, upon the
exercise thereof at the then current Purchase Price in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, such number of validly authorized and issued,
fully paid, nonassessable and freely tradeable shares of Common Stock of
the Principal Party (as such term is hereinafter defined), not subject to
any liens, encumbrances, rights of first refusal or other adverse claims,
as shall be equal to the result obtained by (1) multiplying the then
current Purchase Price by the number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable immediately prior to the
first occurrence of a Section 13 Event (or, if a Section 11(a)(ii) Event
has occurred prior to the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event,
multiplying the number of such one one-hundredths of a share for which a
Right was exercisable immediately prior to the first occurrence of a
Section 11(a)(ii) Event by the Purchase Price in effect immediately prior
to such first occurrence), and (2) dividing that product (which, following
the first occurrence of a Section 13 Event, shall be referred to as the
"Purchase Price" for each Right and for all purposes of this Agreement) by
50% of the Current Market Price (determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i)
hereof) per share of the Common Stock of such Principal Party on the date
of consummation of such Section 13 Event; (ii) such Principal Party shall
thereafter be liable for, and shall assume, by virtue of such Section 13
Event, all the obligations and duties of the Company pursuant to this
Agreement; (iii) the term "Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to
such Principal Party, it being specifically intended that the provisions of
Section 11 hereof shall apply only to such Principal Party following the
first occurrence of a Section 13 Event; (iv) such Principal Party shall
take such steps (including, but not limited to, the reservation of a
sufficient number of shares of its Common Stock) in connection with the
consummation of any such transaction as may be necessary to assure that the
provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably
may be, in relation to its shares of Common Stock thereafter deliverable
upon the exercise of the Rights; and (v) the provisions of Section
11(a)(ii) hereof shall be of no effect following the first occurrence of
any Section 13 Event.
(b) "Principal Party" shall mean:
(i) in the case of any transaction described in
clause (x) or (y) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the
Person that is the issuer of any securities into which shares of
Common Stock of the Company are converted, changed or exchanged
in such merger or consolidation, or if no securities are so
issued, the Person that is the other party to such merger or
consolidation, or if the other party to the merger does not
survive the merger, the Person that does survive the merger
(including the Company, if it survives); and
(ii) in the case of any transaction described in
clause (z) of the first sentence of Section 13(a), the Person
that is the party receiving the greatest portion of the assets or
earning power transferred pursuant to such transaction or
transactions;
provided, however, that in any such case, (1) if the Common Stock of such
Person is not at such time and has not been continuously over the preceding
twelve (12) month period registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act,
and such Person is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of another Person the
Common Stock of which is and has been so registered, "Principal Party"
shall refer to such other Person; and (2) if the Common Stock of such
Person is not and has not been so registered and such Person is a
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person, the Common
Stocks of two or more of which are and have been so registered, "Principal
Party" shall refer to whichever of such Persons is the issuer of the Common
Stock having the greatest aggregate market value.
(c) The Company shall not consummate any such Section 13
Event unless the Principal Party shall have a sufficient number of
authorized shares of its Common Stock which have not been issued or
reserved for issuance to permit the exercise in full of the Rights in
accordance with this Section 13 and unless prior thereto the Company and
such Principal Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights Agent
a supplemental agreement confirming that the requirements of Section 13(a)
and Section 13(b) hereof shall promptly be performed in accordance with
their terms and further providing that, as soon as practicable after the
date of any such Section 13 Event, the Principal Party will
(i) prepare and file a registration statement
under the Act, with respect to the Rights and the securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form,
and will use its best efforts to cause such registration
statement to (A) become effective as soon as practicable after
such filing and (B) remain effective (with a prospectus at all
times meeting the requirements of the Act) until the Expiration
Date; and
(ii) take all such other action as may be
necessary to enable the Principal Party to issue the securities
purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, including but not
limited to the registration or qualification of such securities
under all requisite securities laws of jurisdictions of the
various states and the listing of such securities on such
exchanges and trading markets as may be necessary or appropriate;
and
(iii) deliver to holders of the Rights historical
financial statements for the Principal Party and each of its
Affiliates which comply in all respects with the requirements for
registration on Form 10 (or any successor form) under the
Exchange Act.
The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive
mergers or consolidations or sales or other transfers. In the event that a
Section 13 Event shall occur at any time after the occurrence of a Section
11(a)(ii) Event, the Rights which have not theretofore been exercised shall
thereafter become exercisable in the manner described in Section 13(a).
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, Section 13 shall not be applicable to a transaction described in
subparagraph (x) or (y) of Section 13(a) if (i) such transaction is
consummated with a Person or Persons, or a wholly owned subsidiary of any
such Person or Persons, who acquired shares of Common Stock pursuant to a
Qualifying Offer (as such term is defined in Section 11(a)(ii) hereof),
(ii) the price per share of Common Stock offered in such transaction is not
less than the price per share of Common Stock paid to all holders of shares
of Common Stock whose shares were purchased pursuant to such Qualifying
Offer and (iii) the form of consideration being offered to the remaining
holders of shares of Common Stock pursuant to such transaction is the same
as the form of consideration paid pursuant to such Qualifying Offer. Upon
consummation of any such transaction contemplated by this Section 13(d),
all Rights hereunder shall expire.
Section 14. Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.
(a) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
Rights, except prior to the Distribution Date as provided in Section 11(i)
and Section 11(p) hereof, or to distribute Rights Certificates which
evidence fractional Rights. In lieu of any such fractional Rights, there
shall be paid to the registered holders of the Rights Certificates with
regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be issuable, an
amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a
whole Right. For purposes of this Section 14(a), the current market value
of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights for the Trading
Day immediately prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would
have been otherwise issuable. The closing price of the Rights for any
Trading Day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such
sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked
prices, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal
consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed
or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Rights are
not listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange, as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system or the
Nasdaq National Market with respect to securities listed on another
national securities exchange or quoted by the Nasdaq National Market,
respectively, or if the Rights are not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange or quoted by the Nasdaq National Market, the
last quoted price or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low
asked prices in the over-the-counter market, as reported by The Nasdaq
Stock Market or such other quotation system then in use or, if on any such
date the Rights are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the
closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker
making a market in the Rights, selected by the Board. If on any such date
no such market maker is making a market in the Rights, the fair value of
the Rights on such date as determined in good faith by the Board shall be
used.
(b) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at
the option of the Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts) upon
exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence
fractional shares of Preferred Stock (other than fractions which are
integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock). In
lieu of fractional shares of Preferred Stock that are not integral
multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, the Company
may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates at the time such
Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal to the same
fraction of the current market value of one one-hundredth of a share of
Preferred Stock. For purposes of this Section 14(b), the current market
value of one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock shall be one one-
hundredth of the closing price of a share of Preferred Stock, or if
unavailable, the appropriate alternative price (in each case, as determined
pursuant to Section 11(d)(ii) hereof) for the Trading Day immediately prior
to the date of such exercise.
(c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering Event, the
Company shall not be required to issue fractions of shares of Common Stock
upon exercise of the Rights or to distribute certificates which evidence
fractional shares of Common Stock. In lieu of fractional shares of Common
Stock, the Company may pay to the registered holders of Rights Certificates
at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash
equal to the same fraction of the current market value of one (1) share of
Common Stock. For purposes of this Section 14(c), the current market value
of one share of Common Stock shall be the closing price of one share of
Common Stock, or if unavailable, the appropriate alternative price (in each
case, as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for the Trading
Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.
(d) The holder of a Right by the acceptance of that Right
expressly waives such holder's right to receive any fractional Rights or
any fractional shares upon exercise of a Right, except as permitted by this
Section 14.
Section 15. Rights of Action. All rights of action in respect
of this Agreement, other than rights of action vested in the Rights Agent
pursuant to Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective registered
holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date,
the registered holders of the Common Stock); and any registered holder of
any Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common
Stock), without the consent of the Rights Agent or of the holder of any
other Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common
Stock), may, in such holder's own behalf and for such holder's own
benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or
proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of,
such holder's right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Rights
Certificate in the manner provided in such Rights Certificate and in this
Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the
holders of Rights, it is specifically acknowledged that the holders of
Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law for any breach of this
Agreement and shall be entitled to specific performance of the obligations
hereunder and injunctive relief against actual or threatened violations of
the obligations hereunder of any Person subject to this Agreement.
Section 16. Agreement of Rights Holders. Every holder of a
Right by accepting the same consents and agrees with the Company and the
Rights Agent and with every other holder of a Right that:
(a) prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
transferable only in connection with the transfer of shares of Common
Stock;
(b) after the Distribution Date, the Rights Certificates
are transferable only on the registry books of the Rights Agent if
surrendered at the principal office or offices of the Rights Agent
designated for such purposes, duly endorsed or accompanied by a proper
instrument of transfer and with the appropriate forms and certificates
contained therein duly executed;
(c) subject to Section 6(a) and Section 7(f) hereof, the
Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name a
Rights Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the associated
Common Stock certificate) is registered as the absolute owner thereof and
of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of ownership
or writing on the Rights Certificates or the associated Common Stock
certificate made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for
all purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent,
subject to the last sentence of Section 7(e) hereof, shall be required to
be affected by any notice to the contrary; and
(d) notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, neither the Company nor the Rights Agent shall have any liability
to any holder of a Right or other Person as a result of its inability to
perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by reason of any
preliminary or permanent injunction or other order, decree or ruling issued
by a court of competent jurisdiction or by a governmental, regulatory or
administrative agency or commission, or any statute, rule, regulation or
executive order promulgated or enacted by any governmental authority,
prohibiting or otherwise restraining performance of such obligation;
provided, however, that the Company must use its reasonable best efforts to
have any such order, decree or ruling lifted or otherwise overturned as
soon as possible.
Section 17. Rights Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Stockholder.
No holder, as such, of any Rights Certificate shall be entitled to vote,
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the number of
one one-hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock or any other securities of
the Company which may at any time be issuable upon the exercise of the
Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein or in any
Rights Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Rights
Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or
any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter
submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold
consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other
actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in Section 25 hereof),
or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the
Right or Rights evidenced by such Rights Certificate shall have been
exercised in accordance with the provisions hereof.
Section 18. Concerning the Rights Agent.
(a) The Company agrees to pay to the Rights Agent
reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder and, from
time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent, reimbursement for its
reasonable expenses and counsel fees and disbursements and other
disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this
Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder. The
Company also agrees to indemnify the Rights Agent for, and to hold it
harmless against, any loss, liability, or expense, incurred without
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Rights
Agent, for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection with
the acceptance and administration of this Agreement, including the costs
and expenses of defending against any claim of liability in the premises.
(b) The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no
liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it
in good faith in connection with its administration of this Agreement in
reliance upon any Rights Certificate or certificate for Common Stock or for
other securities of the Company, or any instrument of assignment or
transfer, power of attorney, endorsement, affidavit, letter, notice,
direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other paper or document
reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and,
where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.
Section 19. Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights
Agent.
(a) Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated,
or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the
Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to the corporate trust, stock transfer or other
shareholder services business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent, shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Agreement
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part
of any of the parties hereto, but only if such corporation would be
eligible for appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions
of Section 21 hereof. If at the time such successor Rights Agent shall
succeed to the agency created by this Agreement, any of the Rights
Certificates shall have been countersigned but not delivered, any such
successor Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature of a predecessor
Rights Agent and deliver such Rights Certificates so countersigned; and in
case at that time any of the Rights Certificates shall not have been
countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may countersign such Rights
Certificates either in the name of the predecessor or in the name of the
successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Rights Certificates
shall have the full force provided in the Rights Certificates and in this
Agreement.
(b) If at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be
changed and at such time any of the Rights Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the
countersignature under its prior name and deliver Rights Certificates so
countersigned; and in case at that time any of the Rights Certificates
shall not have been countersigned, the Rights Agent may countersign such
Rights Certificates either in its prior name or in its changed name; and in
all such cases such Rights Certificates shall have the full force provided
in the Rights Certificates and in this Agreement.
Section 20. Duties of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent undertakes
the duties and obligations imposed by this Agreement upon the following
terms and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Rights
Certificates, by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:
(a) The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel (who
may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel
shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent
as to any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance
with such opinion.
(b) Whenever in the performance of its duties under this
Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any
fact or matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any
Acquiring Person and the determination of Current Market Price) be proved
or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action
hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be
herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and
established by a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice
Chairman, the President, any Senior Executive, Executive or Senior Vice
President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or any
Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights Agent; and
such certificate shall be full authorization to the Rights Agent for any
action taken or suffered in good faith by it under the provisions of this
Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.
(c) The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its
own negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct.
(d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason
of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or
in the Rights Certificates, nor shall it be required to verify the same
(except as to its countersignature on such Rights Certificates), but all
such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by
the Company only.
(e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility
in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery
hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect
of the validity or execution of any Rights Certificate (except its
countersignature thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by
the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in
any Rights Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment
required under the provisions of Section 11, Section 13 or Section 24
hereof or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such
adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require
any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights
evidenced by Rights Certificates after receipt of a certificate describing
any such adjustment); nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make
any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of
any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock to be issued pursuant to this
Agreement or any Rights Certificate or as to whether any shares of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock will, when so issued, be validly authorized and
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
(f) The Company agrees that it will perform, execute,
acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged
and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments and assurances
as may reasonably be required by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or
performing by the Rights Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.
(g) The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to
accept instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder
from the Chairman of the Board, the Vice Chairman, the President, any
Senior Executive, Executive or Senior Vice President, the Secretary, any
Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the
Company, and to apply to such officers for advice or instructions in
connection with its duties, and it shall not be liable for any action taken
or suffered to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with instructions
of any such officer.
(h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, director, officer
or employee of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights
or other securities of the Company, or become pecuniarily interested in any
transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or
lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it
were not Rights Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude
the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for
any other legal entity.
(i) The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the
rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either
itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall
not be answerable or accountable for any act, default, neglect or
misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company
resulting from any such act, default, neglect or misconduct; provided,
however, reasonable care was exercised in the selection and continued
employment thereof.
(j) No provision of this Agreement shall require the Rights
Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder (other than
internal costs incurred by the Rights Agent in providing services to the
Company in the ordinary course of its business as Rights Agent) or in the
exercise of its rights if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing
that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk
or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
(k) If, with respect to any Rights Certificate surrendered
to the Rights Agent for exercise or transfer, the certificate attached to
the form of assignment or form of election to purchase, as the case may be,
has either not been completed or indicates an affirmative response to
clause 1 and/or 2 thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further
action with respect to such requested exercise or transfer without first
consulting with the Company.
Section 21. Change of Rights Agent. The Rights Agent or any
successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under
this Agreement upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing mailed to the
Company, and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock and Preferred
Stock, by registered or certified mail, and, if such resignation occurs
after the Distribution Date, to the registered holders of the Rights
Certificates by first-class mail. The Company may remove the Rights Agent
or any successor Rights Agent upon thirty (30) days' notice in writing,
mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case may be,
and to each transfer agent of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock, by
registered or certified mail, and, if such removal occurs after the
Distribution Date, to the holders of the Rights Certificates by first-class
mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or shall otherwise
become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a successor to the
Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a
period of thirty (30) days after giving notice of such removal or after it
has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the
resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Rights
Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Rights Certificate for
inspection by the Company), then any registered holder of any Rights
Certificate may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for the
appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether
appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be (a) a legal business
entity organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or
of any state of the United States, in good standing, which is authorized
under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to
supervision or examination by a federal or state authority and which has at
the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a combined capital and surplus
of at least $100,000,000 or (b) an Affiliate of a legal business entity
described in clause (a) of this sentence. After appointment, the successor
Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers, rights, duties and
responsibilities as if it had been originally named as Rights Agent without
further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and
transfer to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it
hereunder, and shall execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance,
act or deed necessary for that purpose. Not later than the effective date
of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice thereof in writing
with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of the Common
Stock and the Preferred Stock, and, if such appointment occurs after the
Distribution Date, mail a notice thereof in writing to the registered
holders of the Rights Certificates. Failure to give any notice provided
for in this Section 21, however, or any defect therein, shall not affect
the legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent
or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.
Section 22. Issuance of New Rights Certificates.
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Rights to
the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Rights Certificates
evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by the Board to reflect
any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price and the number or kind or
class of shares or other securities or property purchasable under the
Rights Certificates made in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of shares
of Common Stock following the Distribution Date and prior to the redemption
or expiration of the Rights, the Company (a) shall, with respect to shares
of Common Stock so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options
or under any employee plan or arrangement, granted or awarded as of the
Distribution Date, or upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of
securities hereafter issued by the Company, and (b) may, in any other case,
if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board, issue Rights Certificates
representing the appropriate number of Rights in connection with such
issuance or sale; provided, however, that (i) no such Rights Certificate
shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company shall be advised by
counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk of material
adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such Rights
Certificate would be issued, and (ii) no such Rights Certificate shall be
issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise
have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.
Section 23. Redemption and Termination.
(a) The Board may, at its option, at any time prior to the
earlier of (i) the close of business on the twentieth day following the
Stock Acquisition Date (or, if the Stock Acquisition Date shall have
occurred prior to the Record Date, the close of business on the twentieth
day following the Record Date), or (ii) the Final Expiration Date, direct
the Company to, and if directed, the Company shall, redeem all but not less
than all of the then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $.01 per
Right, as such amount may be appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock
split, stock dividend or similar transaction occurring after the date
hereof (such redemption price being hereinafter referred to as the
"Redemption Price"). Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement
to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable after the first
occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event until such time as the Company's
right of redemption hereunder has expired. The Company may, at its option,
pay the Redemption Price in cash, shares of Common Stock (based on the
Current Market Price, as defined in Section 11(d)(i) hereof, of the Common
Stock at the time of redemption) or any other form of consideration deemed
appropriate by the Board.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board directing the
Company to make the redemption of the Rights, evidence of which shall have
been filed with the Rights Agent and without any further action and without
any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the only
right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the
Redemption Price for each Right so held. Promptly after the action of the
Board directing the Company to make the redemption of the Rights, the
Company shall give notice of such redemption to the Rights Agent and the
holders of the then outstanding Rights by mailing such notice to each such
holder at such holder's last address as it appears upon the registry books
of the Rights Agent, or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry
books of the transfer agent for the Common Stock. Any notice which is
mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not
the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of redemption will state
the method by which the payment of the Redemption Price will be made.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 23(a) hereof,
in the event that either (i) a majority of the Board is elected by
stockholder action by written consent (including where such election occurs
pursuant to more than one consent solicitation or stockholder action by
written consent), or (ii) a majority of the Board is comprised of persons
elected at a meeting or meetings of stockholders which persons were not
nominated by the Board in office immediately prior to such meeting or, if
more than one meeting, each of such meetings, then for a period of one
hundred and eighty (180) days following the effectiveness of such election
the Rights shall not be redeemable under any circumstances.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 23(a) hereof,
if the Board authorizes a redemption of the Rights at any time following
the expiration of the one-hundred-and-eighty-day period under Section 23(c)
above, then there must be at least one Continuing Director in office at the
time of such authorization and such authorization shall require the
concurrence of a majority of the Continuing Directors then in office.
Section 24. Exchange.
(a) The Board may, at its option, at any time after the
first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event, exchange all or part of the
then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include Rights
that have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof)
for Common Stock at an exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock per
Right, appropriately adjusted to reflect any stock split, stock dividend or
similar transaction occurring after the date hereof (such exchange ratio
being hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange Ratio"); provided, however,
that if the Board authorizes such exchange of the Rights at any time on or
after the earliest of (x) the time that any Person becomes an Acquiring
Person or (y) the first occurrence of either of the circumstances described
in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 23(c) hereof, there must be at least one
Continuing Director then in office and such authorization shall require the
approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors then in office.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board shall not be empowered to effect
such exchange at any time after any Person (other than the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any
such Subsidiary, or any entity holding Common Stock for or pursuant to the
terms of any such plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates of
such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner of 50% or more of the Common
Stock then outstanding.
(b) Immediately upon the action of the Board ordering the
exchange of any Rights pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section 24 and
without any further action and without any notice, the right to exercise
such Rights shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of
such Rights shall be to receive that number of shares of Common Stock equal
to the number of such Rights held by such holder multiplied by the Exchange
Ratio. The Company shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange;
provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice
shall not affect the validity of such exchange. The Company promptly shall
mail a notice of any such exchange to all of the holders of such Rights at
their last addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights
Agent. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such
notice of exchange will state the method by which the exchange of the
Common Stock for Rights will be effected and, in the event of any partial
exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged. Any partial
exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights (other
than Rights which have become void pursuant to the provisions of Section
7(e) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.
(c) In any exchange pursuant to this Section 24, the
Company, at its option, may substitute Preferred Stock (or Equivalent
Preferred Stock, as such term is defined in paragraph (b) of Section 11
hereof) for Common Stock exchangeable for Rights, at the initial rate of
one one-hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock (or Equivalent Preferred
Stock) for each share of Common Stock, as appropriately adjusted to reflect
stock splits, stock dividends and other similar transactions after the date
hereof.
(d) In the event that the number of shares of Common Stock
which are authorized by the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation
but which are not outstanding or reserved for issuance for purposes other
then upon exercise of the Rights is not sufficient to permit any exchange
of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section 24, the Board
shall take all such action as may be necessary to authorize additional
shares of Common Stock for issuance upon exchange of the Rights.
(e) The Company shall not be required to issue fractions of
shares of Common Stock or to distribute certificates which evidence
fractional shares of Common Stock. In lieu of such fractional shares of
Common Stock, there shall be paid to the registered holders of the Rights
Certificates with regard to which such fractional shares of Common Stock
would otherwise be issuable, an amount in cash equal to the same fraction
of the current market value of a whole share of Common Stock. For the
purposes of this subsection (e), the current market value of a whole share
of Common Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Common Stock (as
determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof) for
the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of exchange pursuant to this
Section 24.
Section 25. Notice of Certain Events.
(a) In case the Company shall propose, at any time after
the Distribution Date, (i) to pay any dividend payable in stock of any
class to the holders of Preferred Stock or to make any other distribution
to the holders of Preferred Stock (other than a regular periodic cash
dividend out of earnings or retained earnings of the Company), or (ii) to
offer to the holders of Preferred Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for
or to purchase any additional shares of Preferred Stock or shares of stock
of any class or any other securities, rights or options, or (iii) to effect
any reclassification of its Preferred Stock (other than a reclassification
involving only the subdivision or split of outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock), or (iv) to effect any consolidation or merger into or with any
other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction which
complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or to effect any sale or other
transfer (or to permit one or more of its Subsidiaries to effect any sale
or other transfer), in one transaction or a series of related transactions,
of 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company and/or its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any other Person or Persons (other than
the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries in one or more transactions each
of which complies with Section 11(o) hereof), or (v) to effect the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, then, in each such
case, the Company shall give to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the
extent feasible and in accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of such
proposed action, which shall specify the record date for the purposes of
such stock dividend, distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on
which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up is to take place and the date of
participation therein by the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock, if
any such date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case
of any action covered by clause (i) or (ii) above at least twenty (20) days
prior to the record date for determining holders of the shares of Preferred
Stock for purposes of such action, and in the case of any such other
action, at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the taking of such
proposed action or the date of participation therein by the holders of the
shares of Preferred Stock whichever shall be the earlier.
(b) In case any Section 11(a)(ii) Event shall occur, then,
in any such case, (i) the Company shall as soon as practicable thereafter
give to each holder of a Rights Certificate, to the extent feasible and in
accordance with Section 26 hereof, a notice of the occurrence of such
event, which shall specify the event and the consequences of the event to
holders of Rights under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof, and (ii) all references
in the preceding paragraph to Preferred Stock shall be deemed thereafter to
refer to Common Stock and/or, if appropriate, other securities.
Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this
Agreement to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of any
Rights Certificate to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given or made
if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another
address is filed in writing with the Rights Agent by the Company) as
follows:
Northern Trust Corporation
50 South LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60675
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Subject to the provisions of Section 21, any notice or demand authorized by
this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of any
Rights Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or
made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another
address is filed in writing by the Rights Agent with the Company) as
follows:
Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A.
Shareowner Services
161 North Concord Exchange Street
South St. Paul, Minnesota 55075-1138
Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to be given or
made by the Company or the Rights Agent to the holder of any Rights
Certificate (or, if prior to the Distribution Date, to the holder of any
certificate representing shares of Common Stock) shall be sufficiently
given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to
such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of
the Company.
Section 27. Supplements and Amendments.
(a) Prior to the Distribution Date, and subject to the
penultimate sentence of this Section 27(a) and the provisions of Sections
27(b) and 27(c) hereof, the Company and the Rights Agent shall, if the
Company so directs, supplement or amend any provision of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, any extension of the period in which the
Rights may be redeemed, any increase in the Purchase Price and any
extension of the Final Maturity Date) without the approval of any holders
of certificates representing shares of Common Stock. From and after the
Distribution Date, and subject to the penultimate sentence of this Section
27(a) and the provisions of Sections 27(b) and 27(c) hereof, the Company
and the Rights Agent shall, if the Company so directs, supplement or amend
this Agreement without the approval of any holders of Rights Certificates
in order (i) to cure any ambiguity, (ii) to correct or supplement any
provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any
other provisions herein, (iii) to shorten or lengthen any time period
hereunder, or (iv) to change or supplement the provisions hereunder in any
manner which the Company may deem necessary or desirable and which shall
not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Rights Certificates
(other than an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an
Acquiring Person); provided, that this Agreement may not be supplemented or
amended to lengthen, pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence, (A) a time
period relating to when the Rights may be redeemed, or to modify the
ability (or inability) of the Board (with, where required, the concurrence
of a majority of the Continuing Directors) to redeem the Rights, in either
case at such time as the Rights are not then redeemable, or (B) any other
time period unless such lengthening is for the purpose of protecting,
enhancing or clarifying the rights of, and/or the benefits to, the holders
of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of
an Acquiring Person). Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement
to the contrary, no supplement or amendment shall be made which changes the
Redemption Price or the number of one one-hundredths of a share of
Preferred Stock for which a Right is exercisable. Prior to the
Distribution Date, the interests of the holders of Rights shall be deemed
coincident with the interests of the holders of Common Stock.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to
the contrary, for a period of one hundred and eighty (180) days following
the first occurrence of either of the circumstances described in clause (i)
and clause (ii) of Section 23(c) hereof, no supplement or amendment shall
be made to this Agreement under any circumstances.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to
the contrary, at any time following the expiration of the one-hundred-and-
eighty-day period under Section 27(b) above, this Agreement may be amended
or supplemented only if there is at least one Continuing Director then in
office and only if a majority of the Continuing Directors then in office
concurs with such amendment or supplement.
(d) Upon the delivery of a certificate from an appropriate
officer of the Company which states that the proposed supplement or
amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 27, the Rights
Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment.
Section 28. Successors. All the covenants and provisions of this
Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall
bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns
hereunder.
Section 29. Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors,
etc. For all purposes of this Agreement, any calculation of the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding at any particular time, including for
purposes of determining the particular percentage of such outstanding
shares of Common Stock of which any Person is the Beneficial Owner, shall
be made in accordance with the last sentence of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act. The Board (with,
where specifically provided for herein, the concurrence of the Continuing
Directors) shall have the exclusive power and authority to administer this
Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers specifically granted to the
Board (with, where specifically provided for herein, the concurrence of the
Continuing Directors) or to the Company, or as may be necessary or
advisable in the administration of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the right and power to (i) interpret the provisions of this
Agreement, and (ii) make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable
for the administration of this Agreement (including a determination to
redeem or not redeem the Rights or to amend this Agreement). All such
actions, calculations, interpretations and determinations (including, for
purposes of clause (y) below, all omissions with respect to the foregoing)
which are done or made by the Board (with, where specifically provided for
herein, the concurrence of the Continuing Directors) in good faith, shall
(x) be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Rights Agent, the
holders of the Rights and all other parties, and (y) not subject the Board,
any of the directors on the Board or the Continuing Directors to any
liability to the holders of the Rights.
Section 30. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement
shall be construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights
Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to
the Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock) any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Agreement; but this Agreement
shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights
Agent and the registered holders of the Rights Certificates (and, prior to
the Distribution Date, registered holders of the Common Stock).
Section 31. Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction
or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of
the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired
or invalidated; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, if any such term, provision, covenant or
restriction is held by such court or authority to be invalid, void or
unenforceable and the Board determines in its good faith judgment that
severing the invalid language from this Agreement would adversely affect
the purpose or effect of this Agreement, the right of redemption set forth
in Section 23 hereof shall be reinstated and shall not expire until the
close of business on the fifteenth day following the date of such
determination by the Board. Without limiting the foregoing, if any
provision of this Agreement requiring that a determination be made by, or
with the concurrence of, less than the entire Board is held by any court of
competent jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, such determination shall then be made by the Board in
accordance with applicable law and the Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws.
Section 32. Governing Law. This Agreement, each Right and each
Rights Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made
under the laws of the State of Delaware and for all purposes shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of such State
applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within such
State.
Section 33. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes
be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.
Section 34. Descriptive Headings. Descriptive headings of the
several sections of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and
shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the
provisions hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed and attested as of the day and year first above
written.
Attest: NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION
By /s/ Rose A. Ellis By /s/ Perry R. Pero
--------------------------- -------------------------------
Name: Rose A. Ellis Name: Perry R. Pero
Title: Secretary Title: Senior Executive Vice
President
Attest: NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
By /s/ Barbara M. Novak By /s/ Susan J. Roeder
-------------------------- -------------------------------
Name: Barbara M. Novak Name: Susan J. Roeder
Title: Assistant Secretary Title: Assistant Vice President
Exhibit A
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS OF
SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK
of
NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION
Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware
We, the undersigned officers of Northern Trust Corporation, a
corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, in accordance with the provisions of Section 103
thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That the Corporation filed a Certificate of Designations
on November 6, 1989 creating a series of 350,000 shares of preferred stock
designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock."
SECOND: That pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board
of Directors by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the said
Corporation, the said Board of Directors on July 21, 1998, adopted a
resolution amending and restating the Certificate of Designations of the
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in its entirety as follows:
1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be
designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock" (the "Series
A Preferred Stock") and the number of shares constituting the Series A
Preferred Stock shall be 1,500,000. Such number of shares may be increased
or decreased by resolution of the Board; provided, that no decrease shall
reduce the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to a number less
than the number of shares then outstanding plus the number of shares
reserved for issuance upon the exercise of outstanding options, rights or
warrants or upon the conversion of any outstanding securities issued by the
Corporation convertible into Series A Preferred Stock.
2. Dividends and Distributions.
(A) Subject to the rights of the holders of any shares of any
series of Preferred Stock (or any similar stock) ranking prior and superior
to the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends, the holders of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of Common
Stock, par value $1.66-2/3 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the
Corporation, and of any other junior stock, shall be entitled to receive,
when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally
available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the first
day of March, June, September and December in each year (each such date
being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"),
commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first
issuance of a share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, in
an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of
(a) $21.00 or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, 100 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and
100 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash
dividends or other distributions, other than a dividend payable in shares
of Common Stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
(by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the
immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with respect to
the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any
share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time after July 21, 1998 (the "Rights Dividends
Declaration Date") declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock payable
in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or
consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of
Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock,
then in each such case the amount to which holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause
(b) of the preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount
by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which
is the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately
prior to such event.
(B) The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on
the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph (A) of this Section
immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common
Stock (other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided
that, in the event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on
the Common Stock during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment
Date and the next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of
$21.00 per share on the Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be
payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.
(C) Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares, unless the
date of issue of such shares is prior to the record date for the first
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case dividends on such shares
shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such shares, or unless the
date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a date after the
record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and before such
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends
shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest.
Dividends paid on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock in an amount less
than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on
such shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all
such shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a
record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution
declared thereon, which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to
the date fixed for the payment thereof.
3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall have the following voting rights:
(A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set
forth, each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder
thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders
of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after
the Rights Dividend Declaration Date (i) declare or pay any dividend on the
Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or
combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of
Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock,
then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior to such
event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
event.
(B) Except as otherwise provided herein, in any Certificate of
Designations creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock, or
by law, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders
of shares of Common Stock and any other capital stock of the Corporation
having general voting rights shall vote together as one class on all
matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Corporation.
(C) Except as set forth herein, or as otherwise provided by law,
holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and
their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are entitled
to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth herein) for taking any
corporate action.
4. Certain Restrictions.
(A) Whenever quarterly dividends or other dividends or
distributions payable on the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in
Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid
dividends and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of Series A
Preferred Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation
shall not:
(i) declare or pay dividends, or make any other
distributions, on any shares of stock ranking junior (either as
to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to
the Series A Preferred Stock;
(ii) declare or pay dividends, or make any other
distributions, on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either
as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
with the Series A Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably
on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on
which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the
total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
entitled;
(iii) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to
dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the
Series A Preferred Stock, provided that the Corporation may at
any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any such
junior stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the
Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Preferred
Stock; or
(iv) redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
consideration any shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any
shares of stock ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred
Stock, except in accordance with a purchase offer made in writing
or by publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to
all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of
Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend
rates and other relative rights and preferences of the respective
series and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in
fair and equitable treatment among the respective series or
classes.
(B) The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares
of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under paragraph
(A) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such shares at such
time and in such manner.
5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever
shall be retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All
such shares shall upon their cancellation become authorized but unissued
shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of
Preferred Stock subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set
forth in this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or in any Certificate
of Designations creating a series of Preferred Stock or any similar stock
or as otherwise required by law.
6. Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
(A) Upon any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or winding
up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of
shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior
thereto, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall have
received an amount equal to $100 per share of Series A Preferred Stock,
plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions
thereon, whether or not declared, to the date of such payment (the "Series
A Liquidation Preference"). Following the payment of the full amount of
the Series A Liquidation Preference, no additional distributions shall be
made to the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock unless, prior
thereto, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have received an
amount per share (the "Common Adjustment") equal to the quotient obtained
by dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii) 100 (as
appropriately adjusted as set forth in subparagraph (C) below to reflect
such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with
respect to the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii), the "Adjustment
Number"). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series A
Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment in respect of all
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Common Stock,
respectively, holders of Series A Preferred Stock and holders of shares of
Common Stock shall receive their ratable and proportionate share of the
remaining assets to be distributed in the ratio of the Adjustment Number to
1 with respect to such Preferred Stock and Common Stock, on a per share
basis, respectively.
(B) In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets
available to permit payment in full of the Series A Liquidation Preference
and the liquidation preferences of all other series of preferred stock, if
any, which rank on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, then such
remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the holders of such parity
shares in proportion to their respective liquidation preferences. In the
event, however, that there are not sufficient assets available to permit
payment in full of the Common Adjustment, then such remaining assets shall
be distributed ratably to the holders of Common Stock.
(C) In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the
Rights Dividend Declaration Date declare or pay any dividend on the Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or
combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of
Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock,
then in each such case the Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to
such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a
fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is
the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately
prior to such event.
7. Consolidation, Merger, etc. In case the Corporation shall
enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in
which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other
stock or securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case
the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly
exchanged or changed in an amount per share, subject to the provision for
adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 100 times the aggregate amount
of stock, securities, cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as
the case may be, into which or for which each share of Common Stock is
changed or exchanged. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after
the Rights Dividend Declaration Date declare or pay any dividend on the
Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or
combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise than by payment of a dividend in shares of
Common Stock) into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock,
then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with
respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator
of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately
after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares of
Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.
8. No Redemption. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall
not be redeemable.
9. Rank. The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank, with respect
to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, junior to all
series of any other class of the Corporation's Preferred Stock, unless the
terms of any such series shall provide otherwise.
10. Amendment. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall
not be amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the
powers, preferences or special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock so as
to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of at
least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock,
voting together as a single class.
11. Fractional Shares. Series A Preferred Stock may be issued
in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to
such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive
dividends, participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all
other rights of holders of Series A Preferred Stock.
THIRD: That none of the shares of the Corporation's Series A
Junior Participating Preferred Stock have been issued as of the date set
forth below.
FOURTH: That said Amended and Restated Certificate of
Designations has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of
Section 151 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have executed and subscribed this
Certificate and do affirm the foregoing as true under the penalties of
perjury this day of , 199[ ].
_____________________________________
Chairman of the Board
Attest:
___________________________
Secretary
Exhibit B
[Form of Rights Certificate]
Certificate No. R- ________ Rights
NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER OCTOBER 31, 2009, SUBJECT TO EARLIER REDEMPTION OR
EXPIRATION PURSUANT TO THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO
REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF THE COMPANY, AT $.01 PER RIGHT ON THE TERMS
SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS
BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF
ANY SUCH PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND ANY
SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME NULL AND VOID. [THE RIGHTS
REPRESENTED BY THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY A
PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE
OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT).
ACCORDINGLY, THIS RIGHTS CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY
BECOME NULL AND VOID IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SPECIFIED IN SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH
AGREEMENT.]1
____________________________
1 The portion of the legend in brackets shall be inserted only if
applicable and shall replace the preceding sentence.
Rights Certificate
NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION
This certifies that , or registered assigns,
is the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of
which entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, dated as of July 21, 1998_(as amended,
restated, renewed or extended from time to time, the "Rights Agreement"),
between Northern Trust Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., a national banking corporation (the
"Rights Agent"), to purchase from the Company at any time prior to 5:00
P.M. (Chicago, Illinois time) on October 31, 2009 at the office or offices
of the Rights Agent, or its successors as Rights Agent, designated for such
purpose, one one-hundredth of a fully paid, non-assessable share of Series
A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the Company (the "Preferred
Stock"), at a purchase price of $330.00 per one one-hundredth of a share
(the "Purchase Price"), upon presentation and surrender of this Rights
Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase and related Certificate
duly completed and executed. The number of Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate (and the number of shares which may be purchased upon exercise
thereof) set forth above, and the Purchase Price set forth above, are the
number and Purchase Price as of July 21, 1998, based on the Preferred Stock
as constituted at such date. The Company reserves the right to require
prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event (as such term is defined in
the Rights Agreement) that a number of Rights be exercised so that only
whole shares of Preferred Stock will be issued.
As more fully set forth in the Rights Agreement, from and after
the first occurrence of a Section 11(a)(ii) Event (as such term is defined
in the Rights Agreement), if the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate are beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person (as such terms are
defined in the Rights Agreement), (ii) a transferee of any such Acquiring
Person, Associate or Affiliate, or (iii) under certain circumstances
specified in the Rights Agreement, a transferee of such Acquiring Person
(or of any such Affiliate or Associate) who becomes a transferee prior to
or concurrently with such Acquiring Person becoming such, such Rights shall
become null and void without any further action, and no holder hereof shall
have any right with respect to such Rights from and after the occurrence of
such Section 11(a)(ii) Event.
As provided in the Rights Agreement, the Purchase Price and the
number and kind of shares of Preferred Stock or other securities which may
be purchased upon the exercise of the Rights evidenced by this Rights
Certificate are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening
of certain events, including Triggering Events.
This Rights Certificate is subject to all of the terms,
provisions and conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions
and conditions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part
hereof and to which Rights Agreement reference is hereby made for a full
description of the rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and
immunities hereunder of the Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of
the Rights Certificates, which limitations of rights include the temporary
suspension of the exercisability of such Rights under the specific
circumstances set forth in the Rights Agreement. Copies of the Rights
Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the Rights Agent and
are also available upon written request to the Rights Agent.
This Rights Certificate, with or without other Rights
Certificates, upon surrender at the office or offices of the Rights Agent
designated for such purpose, may be exchanged for another Rights
Certificate or Rights Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights
entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number of one one-
hundredths of a share of Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the
Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates surrendered shall have entitled
such holder to purchase. If this Rights Certificate shall be exercised in
part, the holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another
Rights Certificate or Rights Certificates for the number of whole Rights
not exercised.
Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights
evidenced by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option
at a redemption price of $.01 per Right at any time prior to the earlier of
(i) the close of business on the twentieth day following the Stock
Acquisition Date, and (ii) the Final Expiration Date. The foregoing
notwithstanding, the Rights generally may not be redeemed for one hundred
eighty (180) days following a change in a majority of the Board as a result
of a proxy contest, and thereafter, the decision to redeem shall require
the concurrence of a majority of the Continuing Directors. In addition,
under certain circumstances following the Stock Acquisition Date, the
Rights may be exchanged, in whole or in part, for shares of the Common
Stock, or shares of preferred stock of the Company having essentially the
same value or economic rights as such shares. Immediately upon the action
of the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing any such exchange, and
without any further action or any notice, the Rights (other than Rights
which are not subject to such exchange) will terminate and the Rights will
only enable holders to receive the shares issuable upon such exchange.
If the Company so determines, no fractional shares of Preferred
Stock will be issued upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced
hereby (other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-
hundredth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the election of the
Company, be evidenced by depositary receipts), but in lieu thereof, a cash
payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement. The Company, at
its election, may require that a number of Rights be exercised so that only
whole shares of Preferred Stock would be issued.
No holder of this Rights Certificate, as such, shall be entitled
to vote or receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of
shares of Preferred Stock or of any other securities of the Company which
may at any time be issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything
contained in the Rights Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the
holder hereof, as such, any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company
or any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter
submitted to stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give consent to or
withhold consent from any corporate action, or, to receive notice of
meetings or other actions affecting stockholders (except as provided in the
Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or
otherwise, until the Right or Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate
shall have been exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.
This Rights Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.
WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the
Company and its corporate seal.
Dated as of _________ __, ____
ATTEST: NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION
________________________ By_________________________________
Secretary Title:
Countersigned:
NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
By______________________
Authorized Signature
[Form of Reverse Side of Rights Certificate]
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
(To be executed by the registered holder if such
holder desires to transfer the Rights Certificate.)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED _________________________________________
hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto __________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address of transferee)
___________________________________________________________________________
this Rights Certificate, together with all right, title and interest
herein, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
__________________ Attorney, to transfer the within Rights Certificate on
the books of the within-named Company, with full power of substitution.
Dated: __________________, _____
_______________________________________
Signature
Signature Medallion Guaranteed:
Certificate
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate
boxes that:
(1) this Rights Certificate [ ] is [ ] is not being sold,
assigned and transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person
(as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the
undersigned, the undersigned [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or
subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an
Acquiring Person.
Dated: _______________, _____ _______________________________________
Signature
Signature Medallion Guaranteed:
NOTICE
The signature(s) to the foregoing Assignment and Certificate must
correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Rights Certificate
in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
(To be executed if holder desires to exercise
Rights represented by the Rights Certificate.)
To NORTHERN TRUST CORPORATION:
The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise __________
Rights represented by this Rights Certificate to purchase the shares of
Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such other
securities of the Company or of any other Person which may be issuable or
such other assets which may be deliverable upon the exercise of the Rights)
and requests that certificates for any such shares or securities be issued
in the name of and delivered to:
____________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Please insert social security
or other identifying number:
If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by
this Rights Certificate, a new Rights Certificate for the balance of such
Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:
____________________________________________________________________________
(Please print name and address)
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Please insert social security
or other identifying number:
Dated: _______________, _____
_____________________________________________
Signature
Signature Medallion Guaranteed:
Certificate
The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate
boxes that:
(1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate [ ] are [ ]
are not being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an
Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of any such Acquiring Person
(as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement);
(2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the
undersigned, the undersigned [ ] did [ ] did not acquire the Rights
evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any Person who is, was or became
an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person.
Dated: ______________, _____ ________________________________________
Signature
Signature Medallion Guaranteed:
NOTICE
The signature to the foregoing Election to Purchase and
Certificate must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this
Rights Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement
or any change whatsoever.
