SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): July 30, 1998
FLAG Financial Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia 0-24532 58-2094179
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(State of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
Identification Number)
101 North Greenwood St., P.O. Box 3007
LaGrange, Georgia 30240
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (706) 845-5000
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Item 5. Other Events
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The Registrant executed an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of July
30, 1998 with Empire Bank Corp., pursuant to which Empire Bank Corp. agreed to
merge with and into the Registrant. Attached hereto is a copy of the Agreement
and Plan of Merger and Exbibits thereto.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
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(c) Exhibits. The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger and Exhibits thereto by and between the
Registrant and Empire Bank Corp. dated as of July 30, 1998.
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INDEX OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number Description
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2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger and Exhbits thereto by and between the
Registrant and Empire Bank Corp. dated as of July 30, 1998.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: August 10, 1998
FLAG Financial Corporation
/s/ John S. Holle
-----------------
By John S. Holle
Chairman of the Board
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
BY AND BETWEEN
FLAG FINANCIAL CORPORATION
AND
EMPIRE BANK CORP.
Dated as of July 30, 1998
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF EXHIBITS..........................................................V
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER..............................................1
ARTICLE 1. TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF THE MERGER....................2
1.1 Merger...........................................................2
1.2 Time and Place of Closing........................................2
Effective Time.........................................................2
ARTICLE 2. TERMS OF MERGER.........................................2
2.1 Articles of Incorporation........................................2
2.2 Bylaws...........................................................2
2.3 Directors and Officers...........................................3
ARTICLE 3. MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES.............................3
3.1 Conversion of Shares.............................................3
3.2 Anti-Dilution Provisions.........................................3
3.3 Shares Held by EMPIRE or FLAG....................................3
3.4 Dissenting Shareholders..........................................4
3.5 Fractional Shares................................................4
ARTICLE 4. EXCHANGE OF SHARES......................................4
4.1 Exchange Procedures..............................................4
4.2 Rights of Former Shareholders of EMPIRE..........................5
ARTICLE 5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EMPIRE................6
5.1 Organization, Standing, and Power................................6
5.2 Authority of EMPIRE; No Breach By Agreement......................6
5.3 Capital Stock....................................................7
5.4 EMPIRE Subsidiaries..............................................7
5.5 Financial Statements.............................................8
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5.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities...............................9
5.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events.............................9
5.8 Tax Matters......................................................9
5.9 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses..............................10
5.10 Assets.......................................................11
5.11 Intellectual Property........................................11
5.12 Environmental Matters........................................12
5.13 Compliance with Laws.........................................13
5.14 Labor Relations..............................................13
5.15 Employee Benefit Plans.......................................14
5.16 Material Contracts...........................................16
5.17 Legal Proceedings............................................16
5.18 Reports......................................................17
5.19 Statements True and Correct..................................17
5.20 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters.......................17
5.21 Charter Provisions...........................................17
5.22 Board Recommendation.........................................18
5.23 Y-2K.........................................................18
ARTICLE 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FLAG.................18
6.1 Organization, Standing, and Power...............................18
6.2 Authority of FLAG; No Breach By Agreement.......................18
6.3 Capital Stock...................................................19
6.4 FLAG Subsidiaries...............................................20
6.5 SEC Filings, Financial Statements...............................21
6.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities..............................21
6.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events............................21
6.8 Tax Matters.....................................................22
6.9 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses..............................23
6.10 Assets.......................................................23
6.11 Intellectual Property........................................24
6.12 Environmental Matters........................................24
6.13 Compliance with Laws.........................................25
6.14 Labor Relations..............................................26
6.15 Employee Benefit Plans.......................................26
6.16 Material Contracts...........................................28
6.17 Legal Proceedings............................................28
6.18 Reports......................................................29
6.19 Statements True and Correct..................................29
6.20 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters.......................29
6.21 Charter Provisions...........................................30
6.22 Board Recommendation.........................................30
6.23 Y2K..........................................................30
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ARTICLE 7. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION...............30
7.1 Affirmative Covenants of EMPIRE.................................30
7.2 Negative Covenants of EMPIRE....................................30
7.3 Affirmative Covenants of FLAG...................................32
7.4 Negative Covenants of FLAG......................................33
7.5 Adverse Changes in Condition....................................33
7.6 Reports.........................................................33
ARTICLE 8. ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS..................................33
8.1 Registration Statement..........................................33
8.2 Nasdaq Listing..................................................34
8.3 Shareholder Approval............................................34
8.4 Applications....................................................34
8.5 Filings with State Offices......................................34
8.6 Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate...........................34
8.7 Investigation and Confidentiality...............................35
8.8 Press Releases..................................................35
8.9 Certain Actions.................................................35
8.10 Accounting and Tax Treatment.................................36
8.11 Charter Provisions...........................................36
8.12 Agreements of Affiliates.....................................36
8.13 Employee Benefits and Contracts..............................37
8.14 Indemnification..............................................37
ARTICLE 9. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE......38
9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party.........................38
9.2 Conditions to Obligations of FLAG...............................40
9.3 Conditions to Obligations of EMPIRE.............................41
ARTICLE 10. TERMINATION............................................42
10.1 Termination..................................................42
10.2 Effect of Termination........................................43
10.3 Non-Survival of Representations and Covenants................43
ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS..........................................43
11.1 Definitions..................................................43
11.2 Expenses.....................................................51
11.3 Brokers and Finders..........................................52
11.4 Entire Agreement.............................................52
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11.5 Amendments...................................................52
11.6 Waivers......................................................52
11.7 Assignment...................................................53
11.8 Notices......................................................53
11.9 Governing Law................................................54
11.10 Counterparts.................................................54
11.11 Captions, Articles and Sections..............................54
11.12 Interpretations..............................................54
11.13 Enforcement of Agreement.....................................54
11.14 Severability.................................................54
SIGNATURES TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
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LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number Description
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1. Form of Agreement of Affiliates of EMPIRE BANK CORP. (SS 8.12, SS 9.2(f)).
2. Matters as to which Kilpatrick Stockton LLP will opine. (SS 9.2(d)).
3. Form of Claims Letter (SS 9.2(g)).
4. Matters as to which Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy LLP will opine.
(SS 9.3(d)).
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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER
----------------------------
THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of July 30, 1998, by and between FLAG FINANCIAL CORPORATION ("FLAG"), a
Georgia corporation located in LaGrange, Georgia, and EMPIRE BANK CORP.
("EMPIRE"), a Georgia corporation located in Homerville, Georgia. Preamble
Preamble
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The respective Boards of Directors of EMPIRE and FLAG are of the opinion
that the transactions described herein are in the best interests of the Parties
to this Agreement and their respective shareholders. This Agreement provides for
the acquisition of EMPIRE by FLAG, pursuant to the merger of EMPIRE with and
into FLAG. At the effective time of such merger, the outstanding shares of the
capital stock of EMPIRE shall be converted into the right to receive shares of
the common stock of FLAG (except as provided herein). As a result, shareholders
of EMPIRE shall become shareholders of FLAG, and FLAG shall conduct the business
and operations of EMPIRE. The transactions described in this Agreement are
subject to (a) approval of the shareholders of EMPIRE, (b) approval of the
Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, (c) approval of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve, and (d) satisfaction of certain other
conditions described in this Agreement. It is the intention of the Parties to
this Agreement that the merger, for federal income tax purposes, shall qualify
as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code, and, for accounting purposes, shall qualify for treatment as a
pooling of interests.
Certain terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 11.1 hereof.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above and the mutual warranties,
representations, covenants, and agreements set forth herein, the Parties agree
as follows:
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ARTICLE 1.
TRANSACTIONS AND TERMS OF THE MERGER
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1.1 Merger. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the
Effective Time, EMPIRE will merge with and into FLAG in accordance with the
provisions of Section 14-2-1101 of the GBCC and with the effect provided in
Section 14-2-1106 of the GBCC (the "Merger"). FLAG shall be the Surviving
Corporation resulting from the Merger and shall continue to be governed by the
Laws of the State of Georgia. The Merger shall be consummated pursuant to the
terms of this Agreement, which has been approved and adopted by the respective
Boards of Directors of EMPIRE and FLAG, as set forth herein.
1.2 Time and Place of Closing. The closing of the transactions contemplated
hereby (the "Closing") will take place at 9:00 A.M. on the date that the
Effective Time occurs (or the immediately preceding day if the Effective Time is
earlier than 9:00 A.M.), or at such other time as the Parties, acting through
their authorized officers, may mutually agree. The Closing shall be held at such
location as may be mutually agreed upon by the Parties.
1.3 Effective Time. The Merger and other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall become effective on the date and at the time the Certificate of
Merger reflecting the Merger shall become effective with the Secretary of State
of the State of Georgia (the "Effective Time"). Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing by the
authorized officers of each Party, the Parties shall use their reasonable
efforts to cause the Effective Time to occur on the fifth business day following
the last to occur of (i) the effective date (including expiration of any
applicable waiting period) of the last required Consent of any Regulatory
Authority having authority over and approving or exempting the Merger, and (ii)
the earliest date on which the shareholders of EMPIRE have approved this
Agreement to the extent such approval is required by applicable Law; provided,
however, that the date of the Effective Time shall not extend past the
termination date set forth in SS 10.1(e) hereof.
ARTICLE 2.
TERMS OF MERGER
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2.1 Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation of FLAG in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the Articles of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended or repealed.
2.2 Bylaws. The Bylaws of FLAG in effect immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until duly amended or
repealed.
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2.3 Directors and Officers.
(a) The directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be (i) the directors
of FLAG immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) Leonard H. Bateman,
together with such additional persons as may thereafter be elected. Such persons
shall serve as the directors of the Surviving Corporation from and after the
Effective Time in accordance with the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.
(b) The executive officers of the Surviving Corporation shall be (i) the
executive officers of the Surviving Corporation immediately prior to the
Effective Time and (ii) such additional persons as may thereafter be elected.
Such persons shall serve as the executive officers of the Surviving Corporation
from and after the Effective Time in accordance with the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation.
ARTICLE 3.
MANNER OF CONVERTING SHARES
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3.1 Conversion of Shares. Subject to the provisions of this Article 3, at
the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part
of EMPIRE, or the shareholders of the foregoing, the shares of EMPIRE shall be
converted as follows:
(a) Each share of capital stock of FLAG issued and outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time shall remain issued and outstanding from and after
the Effective Time.
(b) Each share of EMPIRE Common Stock (excluding shares held by any EMPIRE
Entity or any FLAG Entity, in each case other than in a fiduciary capacity or as
a result of debts previously contracted, and excluding shares held by
shareholders who perfect their statutory dissenter' rights as provided in
Section 3.4) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall cease to be outstanding and shall be converted into and exchanged for the
right to receive 42.50 shares of FLAG Common Stock (the "Exchange Ratio").
3.2 Anti-Dilution Provisions. In the event FLAG changes the number of
shares of FLAG Common Stock issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time
as a result of a stock split, stock dividend, or similar recapitalization with
respect to such stock and the record date therefor (in the case of a stock
dividend) or the effective date thereof (in the case of a stock split or similar
recapitalization for which a record date is not established) and prior to the
Effective Time, the Exchange Ratio shall be proportionately adjusted.
3.3 Shares Held by EMPIRE or FLAG. Each of the shares of EMPIRE Common
Stock held by any EMPIRE Entity or by any FLAG Entity, in each case other than
in a fiduciary capacity or as a result of debts previously contracted, shall be
canceled and retired at the Effective Time and no consideration shall be issued
in exchange therefor.
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3.4 Dissenting Shares. Any holder of shares of EMPIRE Common Stock who
perfects his dissenters/ rights in accordance with and as contemplated by
Article 13, Part 2 of Title 14 of the GBCC, shall be entitled to receive the
value of such shares in cash as determined pursuant to such provision of law;
provided, that no such payment shall be made to any dissenting shareholder
unless and until such dissenting shareholder has complied with the applicable
provisions of the GBCC and surrendered to FLAG the certificates or certificates
representing the shares for which payment is being made. In the event that after
the Effective Time, a dissenting shareholder of EMPIRE fails to perfect, or
effectively withdraws or loses, his right to appraisal of and payment for his
shares, FLAG shall issue and deliver the consideration to which such holder of
shares of EMPIRE Common Stock is entitled under this Article 3 (without
interest) upon surrender by such holder of the certificate or certificates
representing shares of EMPIRE Common Stock held by him. If and to the extent
required by applicable Law, EMPIRE will establish (or cause to be established)
an escrow account with an amount sufficient to satisfy the maximum aggregate
payment that may be required to be paid to dissenting shareholders. Upon
satisfaction of all claims of dissenting shareholders, the remaining escrowed
amount, reduced by payment of the fees and expenses of the escrow agent, will be
returned to FLAG.
3.5 Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, each holder of shares of EMPIRE Common Stock exchanged pursuant to
the Merger who would otherwise have been entitled to receive a fraction of a
share of FLAG Common Stock (after taking into account all certificates delivered
by such holder) shall receive, in lieu thereof, cash (without interest) in an
amount equal to such fractional part of a share of FLAG Common Stock multiplied
by the market value of one share of FLAG Common Stock at the Effective Time. The
market value of one share of FLAG Common Stock at the Effective Time shall be
the last sale price of such common stock on the Nasdaq National Market (as
reported by The Wall Street Journal or, if not reported thereby, any other
authoritative source selected by FLAG) on the last trading day preceding the
Effective Time. No such holder will be entitled to dividends, voting rights, or
any other rights as a shareholder in respect of any fractional shares.
ARTICLE 4.
EXCHANGE OF SHARES
------------------
4.1 Exchange Procedures. Promptly after the Effective Time, FLAG shall
cause the exchange agent selected by FLAG (the "Exchange Agent") to mail to each
holder of record of a certificate or certificates which represented shares of
EMPIRE Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time (the "Certificates")
appropriate transmittal materials and instructions (which shall specify that
delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to such Certificates
shall pass, only upon proper delivery of such Certificates to the Exchange
Agent). The Certificate or Certificates of EMPIRE Common Stock so delivered
shall be duly endorsed as the Exchange Agent may require. In the event of a
transfer of ownership of shares of EMPIRE Common Stock represented by
Certificates that are not registered in the transfer records of EMPIRE, the
consideration provided in Section 3.1 may be issued to a transferee if the
Certificates representing such shares are delivered to the Exchange Agent,
accompanied by all documents required to evidence such transfer and by evidence
satisfactory to the Exchange Agent that any applicable stock transfer taxes have
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been paid. If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen, mislaid or
destroyed, upon receipt of (i an affidavit of that fact from the holder
claiming such Certificate to be lost, mislaid, stolen or destroyed, (ii) such
bond, security or indemnity as FLAG and the Exchange Agent may reasonably
require, and (iii) any other documents necessary to evidence and effect the bona
fide exchange thereof, the Exchange Agent shall issue to such holder the
consideration into which the shares represented by such lost, stolen, mislaid or
destroyed Certificate shall have been converted. The Exchange Agent may
establish such other reasonable and customary rules and procedures in connection
with its duties as it may deem appropriate. After the Effective Time, each
holder of shares of EMPIRE Common Stock (other than shares to be canceled
pursuant to Section 3.3 or as to which statutory dissenter' rights have been
perfected as provided in Section 3.4) issued and outstanding at the Effective
Time shall surrender the Certificate or Certificates representing such shares to
the Exchange Agent and shall promptly upon surrender thereof receive in exchange
therefor the consideration provided in Section 3.1, together with all
undelivered dividends or distributions in respect of such shares (without
interest thereon) pursuant to Section 4.2. FLAG shall not be obligated to
deliver the consideration to which any former holder of EMPIRE Common Stock is
entitled as a result of the Merger until such holder surrenders such holder's
Certificate or Certificates for exchange as provided in this Section 4.1. Any
other provision of this Agreement notwithstanding, neither FLAG nor the Exchange
Agent shall be liable to a holder of EMPIRE Common Stock for any amounts paid or
property delivered in good faith to a public official pursuant to any applicable
abandoned property, escheat or similar Law. Approval of this Agreement by the
shareholders of EMPIRE shall constitute ratification of the appointment of the
Exchange Agent.
4.2 Rights of Former Shareholders of EMPIRE. At the Effective Time, the
stock transfer books of EMPIRE shall be closed as to holders of EMPIRE Common
Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time and no transfer of EMPIRE Common
Stock by any such holder shall thereafter be made or recognized. Until
surrendered for exchange in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1, each
Certificate theretofore representing shares of EMPIRE Common Stock (other than
shares to be canceled pursuant to Sections 3.3 and 3.4) shall from and after the
Effective Time represent for all purposes only the right to receive the
consideration provided in Section 3.1 in exchange therefor, subject, however, to
FLAG's obligation to pay any dividends or make any other distributions with a
record date prior to the Effective Time which have been declared or made by
EMPIRE in respect of such shares of EMPIRE Common Stock in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and which remain unpaid at the Effective Time. To the
extent permitted by Law, former shareholders of record of EMPIRE shall be
entitled to vote after the Effective Time at any meeting of FLAG shareholders
the number of whole shares of FLAG Common Stock into which their respective
shares of EMPIRE Common Stock are converted, regardless of whether such holders
have exchanged their Certificates for certificates representing FLAG Common
Stock in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. Whenever a dividend
or other distribution is declared by FLAG on the FLAG Common Stock, the record
date for which is at or after the Effective Time, the declaration shall include
dividends or other distributions on all shares of FLAG Common Stock issuable
pursuant to this Agreement, but no dividend or other distribution payable to the
holders of record of FLAG Common Stock as of any time subsequent to the
Effective Time shall be delivered to the holder of any Certificate until such
holder surrenders such Certificate for exchange as provided in Section 4.1.
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However, upon surrender of such Certificate, both the FLAG Common Stock
certificate (together with all such undelivered dividends or other distributions
without interest) and any undelivered dividends and cash payments payable
hereunder (without interest) shall be delivered and paid with respect to each
share represented by such Certificate. No interest shall be payable with respect
to any cash to be paid under Section 3.1 of this Agreement except to the extent
required in connection with the exercise of dissenters' rights.
ARTICLE 5.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EMPIRE
----------------------------------------
EMPIRE hereby represents and warrants to FLAG as follows:
5.1 Organization, Standing, and Power. EMPIRE is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the State of
Georgia, and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as
now conducted and to own, lease and operate its material Assets. EMPIRE is duly
qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good
standing in the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of
its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so
qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be
so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect. The minute book and other
organizational documents for EMPIRE have been made available to FLAG for its
review and, except as disclosed in Section 5.1 of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, are true and complete in all material respects as in effect as of
the date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material respects all
amendments thereto and all proceedings of the Board of Directors and
shareholders thereof.
5.2 Authority of EMPIRE; No Breach By Agreement
(a) EMPIRE has the corporate power and authority necessary to execute,
deliver, and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery, and performance of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein,
including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
corporate action in respect thereof on the part of EMPIRE, subject to the
approval of this Agreement by the holders of a majority of the outstanding
voting stock of EMPIRE, which is the only shareholder vote required for approval
of this Agreement, and consummation of the Merger by EMPIRE. Subject to such
requisite shareholder approval, this Agreement represents a legal, valid, and
binding obligation of EMPIRE, enforceable against EMPIRE in accordance with its
terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, conservatorship,
moratorium, or similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights
generally and except that the availability of the equitable remedy of specific
performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of the court
before which any proceeding may be brought).
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(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by EMPIRE, nor the
consummation by EMPIRE of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance
by EMPIRE with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in
a breach of any provision of EMPIRE's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, or
the Charter, Articles of Incorporation, or Bylaws of any EMPIRE Subsidiary or
any resolution adopted by the board of directors or the shareholders of any
EMPIRE Entity, or (ii) except as disclosed in Section 5.2 of the EMPIRE
Disclosure Memorandum, constitute or result in a Default under, or require any
Consent pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any
EMPIRE Entity under, any Contract or Permit of any EMPIRE Entity, where such
Default or Lien, or any failure to obtain such Consent, is reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect, or
(iii) subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred to in
Section 9.1(b), constitute or result in a Default under or require any Consent
pursuant to, any Law or Order applicable to any EMPIRE Entity or any of their
respective material Assets (including any FLAG Entity or any EMPIRE Entity
becoming subject to or liable for the payment of any Tax or any of the Assets
owned by any FLAG Entity or any EMPIRE Entity being reassessed or revalued by
any Taxing authority).
(c) Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of
applicable federal banking laws, and other than Consents required from
Regulatory Authorities, and other than notices to or filings with the Internal
Revenue Service or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any
employee benefit plans, or under the HSR Act, and other than Consents, filings,
or notifications which, if not obtained or made, are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect, no
notice to, filing with, or Consent of, any public body or authority is necessary
for the consummation by EMPIRE of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated in this Agreement.
5.3 Capital Stock
(a) As of the date of this Agreement, the authorized capital stock of
EMPIRE consists of 1,000,000 shares of EMPIRE Common Stock, of which 26,450
shares are issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding shares of
capital stock of EMPIRE are duly and validly issued and outstanding and are
fully paid and nonassessable under the GBCC. None of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of EMPIRE has been issued in violation of any preemptive rights of
the current or past shareholders of EMPIRE.
(b) Except as set forth in Section 5.3(a), or as disclosed in
Section 5.3(b) of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum, there are no shares of
capital stock or other equity securities of EMPIRE outstanding and no
outstanding Equity Rights relating to the capital stock of EMPIRE.
5.4 EMPIRE Subsidiaries. EMPIRE has disclosed in Section 5.4 of the EMPIRE
Disclosure Memorandum all of the EMPIRE Subsidiaries that are corporations
(identifying its jurisdiction of incorporation, each jurisdiction in which the
character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to
be qualified and/or licensed to transact business, and the number of shares
owned and percentage ownership interest represented by such share ownership) and
all of the EMPIRE Subsidiaries that are general or limited partnerships, limited
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liability companies, or other non-corporate entities (identifying the Law under
which such entity is organized, each jurisdiction in which the character of its
Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be qualified
and/or licensed to transact business, and the amount and nature of the ownership
interest therein). Except as disclosed in Section 5.4 of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, EMPIRE or one of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries owns all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of
each EMPIRE Subsidiary. No capital stock (or other equity interest) of any
EMPIRE Subsidiary is or may become required to be issued (other than to another
EMPIRE Entity) by reason of any Equity Rights, and there are no Contracts by
which any EMPIRE Subsidiary is bound to issue (other than to another EMPIRE
Entity) additional shares of its capital stock (or other equity interests) or
Equity Rights or by which any EMPIRE Entity is or may be bound to transfer any
shares of the capital stock (or other equity interests) of any EMPIRE Subsidiary
(other than to another EMPIRE Entity). There are no Contracts relating to the
rights of any EMPIRE Entity to vote or to dispose of any shares of the capital
stock (or other equity interests) of any EMPIRE Subsidiary. All of the shares of
capital stock (or other equity interests) of each EMPIRE Subsidiary held by an
EMPIRE Entity are fully paid and (except pursuant to 12 U.S.C. Section 55 in the
case of national banks and comparable, applicable State Law, if any, in the case
of State depository institutions) nonassessable and are owned by the EMPIRE
Entity free and clear of any Lien. Except as disclosed in Section 5.4 of the
EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum, each EMPIRE Subsidiary is either a bank, savings
association or a corporation, and is duly organized, validly existing, and in
good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or
organized, and has the corporate power and authority necessary for it to own,
lease, and operate its Assets and to carry on its business as now conducted.
Each EMPIRE Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to transact business as a
foreign corporation in good standing in the States of the United States and
foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the nature or conduct
of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed, except for such
jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or licensed is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material
Adverse Effect. Each EMPIRE Subsidiary that is a depository institution is an
"insured institution" as defined in the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and
applicable regulations thereunder. The minute book and other organizational
documents for each EMPIRE Subsidiary have been made available to FLAG for its
review, and, except as disclosed in Section 5.4 of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, are true and complete in all material respects as in effect as of
the date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material respects all
amendments thereto and all proceedings of the Board of Directors and
shareholders thereof.
5.5 Financial Statements. Each of the EMPIRE Financial Statements
(including, in each case, any related notes) was prepared in accordance with
GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as
may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements), and fairly
presented in all material respects the consolidated financial position of EMPIRE
and its Subsidiaries as at the respective dates and the consolidated results of
operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited
interim financial statements were or are subject to normal and recurring
year-end adjustments which were not or are not expected to be material in amount
or effect.
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5.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. No EMPIRE Entity has any
Liabilities that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect, except Liabilities which are
accrued or reserved against in the consolidated balance sheets of EMPIRE as of
December 31, 1997 or March 31, 1998, included in the EMPIRE Financial Statements
or reflected in the notes thereto. No EMPIRE Entity has incurred or paid any
Liability since March 31, 1998, except for such Liabilities incurred or paid (i)
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past business practice and
which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an
EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect or (ii) in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
5.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since December 31, 1997, except
as disclosed in the EMPIRE Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of
this Agreement or as disclosed in Section 5.7 of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, (i) there have been no events, changes, or occurrences which have
had, or are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an
EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) EMPIRE Entities have not taken any
action, or failed to take any action, prior to the date of this Agreement, which
action or failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would represent or
result in a material breach or violation of any of the covenants and agreements
of EMPIRE provided in Article 7.
5.8 Tax Matters.
(a) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of any EMPIRE
Entities have been timely filed or requests for extensions have been timely
filed, granted, and, to the Knowledge of EMPIRE, have not expired for such
periods, except to the extent that all such failures to file, taken together,
are not reasonably likely to have an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect, and all Tax
Returns filed are complete and accurate in all material respects. All Taxes
shown on filed Tax Returns have been paid. There is no audit examination,
deficiency, or refund Litigation with respect to any Taxes that is reasonably
likely to result in a determination that would have, individually or in the
aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect, except as reserved against in the
EMPIRE Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement or as
disclosed in Section 5.8 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum. All Taxes and
other Liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or
concluded Litigation have been paid. There are no Liens with respect to Taxes
upon any of the Assets of EMPIRE Entities, except for any such Liens which are
not reasonably likely to have an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect or with respect
to which the Taxes are not yet due and payable.
(b) None of the EMPIRE Entities has executed an extension or waiver of any
statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any Tax due (excluding
such statutes that relate to years currently under examination by the Internal
Revenue Service or other applicable taxing authorities) that is currently in
effect.
(c) The provision for any Taxes due or to become due for any of the EMPIRE
Entities for the period or periods through and including the date of the
respective EMPIRE Financial Statements that has been made and is reflected on
such EMPIRE Financial Statements is sufficient to cover all such Taxes.
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(d) Deferred Taxes of EMPIRE Entities have been provided for in accordance
with GAAP.
(e) Except as disclosed in Section 5.8 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum,
none of the EMPIRE Entities is a party to any Tax allocation or sharing
agreement and none of EMPIRE Entities has been a member of an affiliated group
filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return (other than a group the common
parent of which was EMPIRE) or has any Liability for Taxes of any Person (other
than EMPIRE and its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or
any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law) as a transferee or
successor or by Contract or otherwise.
(f) Each of the EMPIRE Entities is in compliance with, and its records
contain all information and documents (including properly completed IRS Forms
W-9) necessary to comply with, all applicable information reporting and Tax
withholding requirements under federal, state, and local Tax Laws, and such
records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding
under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, except for such instances of
noncompliance and such omissions as are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect.
(g) Except as disclosed in Section 5.8 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum,
none of the EMPIRE Entities has made any payments, is obligated to make any
payments, or is a party to any Contract that could obligate it to make any
payments that would be disallowed as a deduction under Sections 28OG or 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code.
(h) Exclusive of the Merger, there has not been an ownership change, as
defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 382(g), of EMPIRE Entities that
occurred during or after any Taxable Period in which EMPIRE Entities incurred a
net operating loss that carries over to any Taxable Period ending after December
31, 1997.
(i) No EMPIRE Entity has or has had in any foreign country a permanent
establishment, as defined in any applicable tax treaty or convention between the
United States and such foreign country.
(j) All material elections with respect to Taxes affecting EMPIRE Entities
have been or will be timely made.
5.9 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses. The allowance for possible loan or
credit losses (the "Allowance") shown on the consolidated balance sheets of
EMPIRE included in the most recent EMPIRE Financial Statements dated prior to
the date of this Agreement was, and the Allowance shown on the consolidated
balance sheets of EMPIRE included in the EMPIRE Financial Statements as of dates
subsequent to the execution of this Agreement will be, as of the dates thereof,
adequate (within the meaning of GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements or
guidelines) to provide for all known or reasonably anticipated losses relating
to or inherent in the loan and lease portfolios (including accrued interest
receivables) of EMPIRE Entities and other extensions of credit (including
letters of credit and commitments to make loans or extend credit) by EMPIRE
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Entities as of the dates thereof, except where the failure of such Allowance to
be so adequate is not reasonably likely to have an EMPIRE Material Adverse
Effect.
5.10 Assets
(a) Except as disclosed in Section 5.10 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum
or as disclosed or reserved against in the EMPIRE Financial Statements delivered
prior to the date of this Agreement, EMPIRE Entities have good and marketable
title, free and clear of all Liens, to all of their respective Assets, except
for any such Liens or other defects of title which are not reasonably likely to
have an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect. All tangible properties used in the
businesses of the EMPIRE Entities are usable in the ordinary course of business
consistent with EMPIRE's past practices.
(b) All Assets which are material to EMPIRE's business on a consolidated
basis, held under leases or subleases by any of the EMPIRE Entities, are held
under valid Contracts enforceable against EMPIRE in accordance with their
respective terms (except as enforceability may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of
the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to
the discretion of the court before which any proceedings may be brought), and,
assuming the enforceability of such Contract against the third party thereto,
each such Contract is in full force and effect.
(c) EMPIRE Entities currently maintain the insurance policies described in
Section 5.10(c) of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum. None of the EMPIRE Entities
has received written notice from any insurance carrier that (i) any policy of
insurance will be canceled or that coverage thereunder will be reduced or
eliminated, or (ii) premium costs with respect to such policies of insurance
will be substantially increased. There are presently no claims for amounts
exceeding in any individual case $25,000 pending under such policies of
insurance and no written notices of claims in excess of such amounts have been
given by any EMPIRE Entity under such policies.
(d) The Assets of the EMPIRE Entities include all material Assets required
to operate the business of the EMPIRE Entities as presently conducted.
5.11 Intellectual Property. Each EMPIRE Entity owns or has a license to use
all of the Intellectual Property used by such EMPIRE Entity in the ordinary
course of its business. Each EMPIRE Entity is the owner of or has a license to
any Intellectual Property sold or licensed to a third party by such EMPIRE
Entity in connection with such EMPIRE Entity's business operations, and such
EMPIRE Entity has the right to convey by sale or license any Intellectual
Property so conveyed. No EMPIRE Entity is in material Default under any of its
Intellectual Property licenses. No proceedings have been instituted, or are
pending or, to the Knowledge of EMPIRE, threatened, which challenge the rights
of any EMPIRE Entity with respect to Intellectual Property used, sold or
licensed by such EMPIRE Entity in the course of its business, nor has any person
claimed or alleged any rights to such Intellectual Property. To the Knowledge of
EMPIRE, the conduct of the business of the EMPIRE Entities does not infringe any
Intellectual Property of any other person. Except as disclosed in Section 5.11
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of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum, no EMPIRE Entity is obligated to pay any
recurring royalties to any Person with respect to any such Intellectual
Property.
5.12 Environmental Matters.
(a) Except as disclosed in Section 5.12 of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, to the Knowledge of EMPIRE, each EMPIRE Entity, its Participation
Facilities, and its Operating Properties are, and have been, in compliance with
all Environmental Laws, except for violations which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect.
(b) There is no Litigation pending or, to the Knowledge of EMPIRE,
threatened, before any court, governmental agency, or authority or other forum
in which any EMPIRE Entity or any of its Operating Properties or Participation
Facilities (or EMPIRE in respect of such Operating Property or Participation
Facility) has been or, with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a
defendant (i) for alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with any
Environmental Law or (ii) relating to the emission, migration, release,
discharge, spillage, or disposal into the environment of any Hazardous Material,
whether or not occurring at, on, under, adjacent to, or affecting (or
potentially affecting) a site owned, leased, or operated by any EMPIRE Entity or
any of its Operating Properties or Participation Facilities or any neighboring
property, except for such Litigation pending or threatened that is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material
Adverse Effect, nor, to the Knowledge of EMPIRE, is there any reasonable basis
for any Litigation of a type described in this sentence, except such as is not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) Except as disclosed in Section 5.12 of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, during the period of (i) any EMPIRE Entity's ownership or operation
of any of their respective current Assets, or (ii) any EMPIRE Entity's
participation in the management of any Participation Facility or any Operating
Property, to the Knowledge of EMPIRE, there have been no emissions, migrations,
releases, discharges, spillages, or disposals of Hazardous Material in, on, at,
under, adjacent to, or affecting (or potentially affecting) such properties or
any neighboring properties, except such as are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect. Except as
disclosed in Section 5.12 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum, prior to the
period of (i) any EMPIRE Entity's ownership or operation of any of their
respective current properties, (ii) any EMPIRE Entity's participation in the
management of any Participation Facility or any Operating Property, to the
Knowledge of EMPIRE, there were no releases, discharges, spillages, or disposals
of Hazardous Material in, on, under, or affecting any such property,
Participation Facility or Operating Property, except such as are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse
Effect.
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5.13 Compliance with Laws. Each EMPIRE Entity has in effect all Permits
necessary for it to own, lease, or operate its material Assets and to carry on
its business as now conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which are
not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE
Material Adverse Effect, and, to the Knowledge of EMPIRE, there has occurred no
Default under any such Permit, other than Defaults which are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse
Effect. Except as disclosed in Section 5.13 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum,
none of the EMPIRE Entities:
(a) is in Default under any of the provisions of its Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws (or other governing instruments);
(b) is in Default under any Laws, Orders, or Permits applicable to its
business or employees conducting its business, except for Defaults which are not
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material
Adverse Effect; or
(c) since January 1, 1995, has received any written notification or written
communication from any agency or department of federal, state, or local
government or any Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof (i) asserting that
any EMPIRE Entity is not in compliance with any of the Laws or Orders which such
governmental authority or Regulatory Authority enforces, where such
noncompliance is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an
EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits, the
revocation of which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) requiring any EMPIRE
Entity to enter into or consent to the issuance of a cease and desist order,
formal agreement, directive, commitment, or memorandum of understanding, or to
adopt any Board resolution or similar undertaking, which restricts materially
the conduct of its business or in any material manner relates to its capital
adequacy, its credit or reserve policies, its management, or the payment of
dividends. Copies of all material reports, correspondence, notices and other
documents relating to any inspection, audit, monitoring or other form of review
or enforcement action by a Regulatory Authority have been made available to
FLAG.
5.14 Labor Relations. No EMPIRE Entity is the subject of any Litigation
asserting that it or any other EMPIRE Entity has committed an unfair labor
practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act or comparable
state law) or seeking to compel it or any other EMPIRE Entity to bargain with
any labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is any
EMPIRE Entity party to any collective bargaining agreement, nor is there any
strike or other labor dispute involving any EMPIRE Entity, pending or
threatened, or to the Knowledge of EMPIRE, is there any activity involving any
EMPIRE Entity's employees seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or
engaging in any other organization activity.
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5.15 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) EMPIRE has disclosed in Section 5.15 of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, and has delivered or made available to FLAG prior to the execution
of this Agreement copies in each case of, all pension, retirement,
profit-sharing, deferred compensation, stock option, employee stock ownership,
severance pay, vacation, bonus, or other incentive plan, all other written
employee programs, arrangements, or agreements, all medical, vision, dental, or
other health plans, all life insurance plans, and all other employee benefit
plans or fringe benefit plans, including "employee benefit plans" as that term
is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored
in whole or in part by, or contributed to by any EMPIRE Entity or ERISA
Affiliate (as defined in subparagraph (c) below) thereof for the benefit of
employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or
other beneficiaries and under which employees, retirees, dependents, spouses,
directors, independent contractors, or other beneficiaries are eligible to
participate (collectively, "EMPIRE Benefit Plans"). Each EMPIRE Benefit Plan
which is an "employee pension benefit plan," as that term is defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA, is referred to herein as an "EMPIRE ERISA Plan." Each EMPIRE
ERISA Plan which is also a "defined benefit plan" (as defined in Section 4140 of
the Internal Revenue Code) is referred to herein as an "EMPIRE Pension Plan." No
EMPIRE Pension Plan is or has been a multiemployer plan within the meaning of
Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(b) All EMPIRE Benefit Plans are in compliance with the applicable terms of
ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and any other applicable Laws the breach or
violation of which are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect. Each EMPIRE ERISA Plan which is
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has
received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, and
EMPIRE has no Knowledge of any circumstances likely to result in revocation of
any such favorable determination letter. To the Knowledge of EMPIRE, no EMPIRE
Entity has engaged in a transaction with respect to any EMPIRE Benefit Plan
that, assuming the taxable period of such transaction expired as of the date
hereof, would subject any EMPIRE Entity to a Tax imposed by either Section 4975
of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA in amounts which are
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) No EMPIRE Pension Plan has any "unfunded current liability," as that
term is defined in Section 302(d)(8)(A) of ERISA, based on actuarial assumptions
set forth for such plan's most recent actuarial valuation. Since the date of the
most recent actuarial valuation, there has been (i) no material change in the
financial position of any EMPIRE Pension Plan, (ii) no change in the actuarial
assumptions with respect to any EMPIRE Pension Plan, and (iii) no increase in
benefits under any EMPIRE Pension Plan as a result of plan amendments or changes
in applicable Law which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect or materially adversely affect the
funding status of any such plan. Neither any EMPIRE Pension Plan nor any "single
employer plan," within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, currently or
formerly maintained by any EMPIRE Entity, or the single-employer plan of any
entity which is considered one employer with EMPIRE under Section 4001 of ERISA
or Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA (whether or
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not waived) (an "ERISA Affiliate") has an "accumulated funding deficiency"
within the meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of
ERISA, which is reasonably likely to have an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect. No
EMPIRE Entity has provided, or is required to provide, security to an EMPIRE
Pension Plan or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to
Section 401(a)(29) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(d) Within the six-year period preceding the Effective Time, no Liability
under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be
incurred by any EMPIRE Entity with respect to any ongoing, frozen, or terminated
single-employer plan or the single-employer plan of any ERISA Affiliate, which
Liability is reasonably likely to have an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect. No
EMPIRE Entity has incurred any withdrawal Liability with respect to a
multiemployer plan under Subtitle B of Title IV of ERISA (regardless of whether
based on contributions of an ERISA Affiliate), which Liability is reasonably
likely to have an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect. No notice of a "reportable
event," within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day
reporting requirement has not been waived, has been required to be filed for any
EMPIRE Pension Plan or by any ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month period ending
on the date hereof.
(e) Except as disclosed in Section 5.15 of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, no EMPIRE Entity has any Liability for retiree health and life
benefits under any of the EMPIRE Benefit Plans and there are no restrictions on
the rights of such EMPIRE Entity to amend or terminate any such retiree health
or benefit Plan without incurring any Liability thereunder, which Liability is
reasonably likely to have an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Except as disclosed in Section 5.15 of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any
payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, or
otherwise) becoming due to any director or any employee of any EMPIRE Entity
from any EMPIRE Entity under any EMPIRE Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase
any benefits otherwise payable under any EMPIRE Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in
any acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefit, where
such payment, increase, or acceleration is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect.
(g) The actuarial present values of all accrued deferred compensation
entitlements (including entitlements under any executive compensation,
supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of employees and former
employees of any EMPIRE Entity and their respective beneficiaries, other than
entitlements accrued pursuant to funded retirement plans subject to the
provisions of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA,
have been fully reflected on the EMPIRE Financial Statements to the extent
required by and in accordance with GAAP.
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5.16 Material Contracts. Except as disclosed in Section 5.16 of the EMPIRE
Disclosure Memorandum or otherwise reflected in the EMPIRE Financial Statements,
none of the EMPIRE Entities, nor any of their respective Assets, businesses, or
operations, is a party to, or is bound or affected by, or receives benefits
under, (i) any employment, severance, termination, consulting, or retirement
Contract providing for aggregate payments to any Person in any calendar year in
excess of $50,000, (ii) any Contract relating to the borrowing of money by any
EMPIRE Entity or the guarantee by any EMPIRE Entity of any such obligation
(other than Contracts evidencing deposit liabilities, purchases of federal
funds, fully-secured repurchase agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and
trade payables and Contracts relating to borrowings or guarantees made in the
ordinary course of business), (iii) any Contract which prohibits or restricts
any EMPIRE Entity from engaging in any business activities in any geographic
area, line of business or otherwise in competition with any other Person, (iv)
any Contract between or among the EMPIRE Entities, (v) any Contract relating to
the provision of data processing, network communication, or other technical
services to or by any EMPIRE Entity, (vi) any exchange traded or
over-the-counter swap, forward, future, option, cap, floor, or collar financial
Contract, or any other interest rate or foreign currency protection Contract not
included on its balance sheet which is a financial derivative Contract, and
(vii) any other Contract or amendment thereto that would be required to be filed
as an exhibit to a Form 10-K filed by EMPIRE with the SEC (assuming EMPIRE were
subject to the reporting requirements of the 1934 Act) as of the date of this
Agreement (together with all Contracts referred to in Sections 5.10 and 5.15(a),
the "EMPIRE Contracts"). With respect to each EMPIRE Contract and except as
disclosed in Section 5.16 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum: (i) assuming the
enforceability of such Contract against the third party thereto, each such
Contract is in full force and effect; (ii) no EMPIRE Entity is in Default
thereunder, other than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect; (iii) no
EMPIRE Entity has repudiated or waived any material provision of any such
Contract; and (iv) no other party to any such Contract is, to the Knowledge of
EMPIRE, in Default in any respect, other than Defaults which are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse
Effect, or has repudiated or waived any material provision thereunder. Except as
disclosed in Section 5.16 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum, no officer,
director or employee of any EMPIRE Entity is party to any Contract which
restricts or prohibits such officer, director or employee from engaging in
activities competitive with any Person, including any EMPIRE Entity. All of the
indebtedness of any EMPIRE Entity for money borrowed (excluding deposits
obtained in the ordinary course of business) is prepayable at any time by such
EMPIRE Entity without penalty or premium.
5.17 Legal Proceedings. There is no Litigation instituted or pending or, to
the Knowledge of EMPIRE, threatened (or unasserted but considered probable of
assertion and which if asserted would have at least a reasonable probability of
an unfavorable outcome) against any EMPIRE Entity, or against any director,
employee or employee benefit plan (acting in such capacity) of any EMPIRE
Entity, or against any Asset, interest, or right of any of them, that is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material
Adverse Effect, nor are there any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other
governmental authorities, or arbitrators outstanding against any EMPIRE Entity,
that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE
Material Adverse Effect. Section 5.17 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum
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contains a summary of all Litigation as of the date of this Agreement to which
any EMPIRE Entity is a party and which names an EMPIRE Entity as a defendant or
cross-defendant or for which, to the Knowledge of EMPIRE, any EMPIRE Entity has
any potential Liability.
5.18 Reports. Since January 1, 1995, or the date of organization if later,
each EMPIRE Entity has timely filed all reports and statements, together with
any amendments required to be made with respect thereto, that it was required to
file with Regulatory Authorities, except for such filings which the failure to
so file is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, an
EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect. As of their respective dates, each of such
reports and documents, including the financial statements, exhibits, and
schedules thereto, complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws.
As of its respective date, each such report and document did not, in all
material respects, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
5.19 Statements True and Correct. No statement, certificate, instrument, or
other writing furnished or to be furnished by any EMPIRE Entity to FLAG pursuant
to this Agreement or any other document, agreement, or instrument referred to
herein contains or will contain any untrue statement of material fact or will
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the
information supplied or to be supplied by any EMPIRE Entity for inclusion in the
registration statement to be filed by FLAG with the SEC in accordance with
Section 8.1 will, when such registration statement becomes effective, be false
or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material
fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. All documents that
any EMPIRE Entity is responsible for filing with any Regulatory Authority in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby will comply as to form in
all material respects with the provisions of applicable Law. No documents to be
filed by an EMPIRE Entity with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the respective time such documents
are filed, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
5.20 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters. No EMPIRE Entity has taken or
agreed to take any action or has any Knowledge of any fact or circumstance that
is reasonably likely to (i) prevent the Merger from qualifying for pooling of
interest accounting treatment and as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) materially impede or delay
receipt of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 9.1(b)
or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred
to in the last sentence of such Section.
5.21 Charter Provisions. Each EMPIRE Entity has taken all action so that
the entering into of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the
other transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not result in
the grant of any rights to any Person under the Charter, Articles of
Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing instruments of any EMPIRE Entity or
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restrict or impair the ability of FLAG or any of its Subsidiaries to vote, or
otherwise to exercise the rights of a shareholder with respect to, shares of any
EMPIRE Entity that may be directly or indirectly acquired or controlled by them.
5.22 Board Recommendation.
The Board of Directors of EMPIRE, at a meeting duly called and held, has by
unanimous vote of those directors present (who constituted all of the directors
then in office) (i) determined that this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby are fair to and in the best interests of the shareholders
and (ii) resolved to recommend that the holders of the shares of EMPIRE Common
Stock approve this Agreement.
5.23 Y-2K. EMPIRE has formed a committee to review policies and directives
issued by Regulatory Authorities with respect to preparedness for year 2000 data
processing and other operations, and intends to implement such committee's
recommendations for ensuring compliance with such policies and directives.
ARTICLE 6.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF FLAG
--------------------------------------
FLAG hereby represents and warrants to EMPIRE as follows:
6.1 Organization, Standing, and Power. FLAG is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the Laws of the State of
Georgia, and has the corporate power and authority to carry on its business as
now conducted and to own, lease and operate its material Assets. FLAG is duly
qualified or licensed to transact business as a foreign corporation in good
standing in the States of the United States and foreign jurisdictions where the
character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to
be so qualified or licensed, except for such jurisdictions in which the failure
to be so qualified or licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect. The minute book and other
organizational documents for FLAG have been made available to EMPIRE for its
review and, except as disclosed in Section 6.1 of the FLAG Disclosure
Memorandum, are true and complete in all material respects as in effect as of
the date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material respects all
amendments thereto and all proceedings of the Board of Directors and
shareholders thereof.
6.2 Authority of FLAG; No Breach By Agreement.
(a) FLAG has the corporate power and authority necessary to execute,
deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein,
including the Merger, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
corporate action in respect thereof on the part of FLAG. This Agreement
represents a legal, valid, and binding obligation of FLAG, enforceable against
FLAG in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
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receivership, conservatorship, moratorium, or similar Laws affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of
the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to
the discretion of the court before which any proceeding may be brought).
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by FLAG, nor the
consummation by FLAG of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance by
FLAG with any of the provisions hereof, will (i) conflict with or result in a
breach of any provision of FLAG's Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, or the
Charter, or Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of any FLAG Entity, or any
resolution adopted by the Board of Directors or the shareholders of any FLAG
Entity, or (ii) constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent
pursuant to, or result in the creation of any Lien on any Asset of any FLAG
Entity under, any Contract or Permit of any FLAG Entity, where such Default or
Lien, or any failure to obtain such Consent, is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect, or (iii)
subject to receipt of the requisite Consents referred to in Section 9. 1 (b),
constitute or result in a Default under, or require any Consent pursuant to, any
Law or Order applicable to any FLAG Entity or any of their respective material
Assets (including any FLAG Entity becoming subject to or liable for the payment
of any Tax or any of the Assets owned by any FLAG Entity being reassessed or
revalued by any Taxing authority).
(c) Other than in connection or compliance with the provisions of the
Securities Laws, applicable state corporate and securities Laws, and rules of
the NASD, and other than Consents required from Regulatory Authorities, and
other than notices to or filings with the Internal Revenue Service or the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with respect to any employee benefit plans,
or under the HSR Act, and other than Consents, filings, or notifications which,
if not obtained or made, are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect, no notice to, filing with, or
Consent of, any public body or authority is necessary for the consummation by
FLAG of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated in this Agreement.
6.3 Capital Stock.
(a) The authorized capital stock of FLAG consists of (i) 20,000,000 shares
of FLAG Common Stock, of which 5,174,807 shares are issued and outstanding as of
the date of this Agreement, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of FLAG Preferred Stock,
of which no shares are issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding
shares of FLAG Capital Stock are, and all of the shares of FLAG Common Stock to
be issued in exchange for shares of EMPIRE Common Stock upon consummation of the
Merger, when issued in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be,
duly and validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable under
the GBCC. None of the outstanding shares of FLAG Capital Stock has been, and
none of the shares of FLAG Common Stock to be issued in exchange for shares of
EMPIRE Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger will be, issued in violation
of any preemptive rights of the current or past shareholders of FLAG.
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(b) Except as set forth in Section 6.3(a), or as disclosed in Section 6.3
of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum, there are no shares of capital stock or other
equity securities of FLAG outstanding and no outstanding Equity Rights relating
to the capital stock of FLAG.
6.4 FLAG Subsidiaries. FLAG has disclosed in Section 6.4 of the FLAG
Disclosure Memorandum all of the FLAG Subsidiaries that are corporations
(identifying its jurisdiction of incorporation, each jurisdiction in which the
character of its Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to
be qualified and/or licensed to transact business, and the number of shares
owned and percentage ownership interest represented by such share ownership) and
all of the FLAG Subsidiaries that are general or limited partnerships, limited
liability companies, or other non-corporate entities (identifying the Law under
which such entity is organized, each jurisdiction in which the character of its
Assets or the nature or conduct of its business requires it to be qualified
and/or licensed to transact business, and the amount and nature of the ownership
interest therein). Except as disclosed in Section 6.4 of the FLAG Disclosure
Memorandum, FLAG or one of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries owns all of the issued
and outstanding shares of capital stock (or other equity interests) of each FLAG
Subsidiary. No capital stock (or other equity interest) of any FLAG Subsidiary
are or may become required to be issued (other than to another FLAG Entity) by
reason of any Equity Rights, and there are no Contracts by which any FLAG
Subsidiary is bound to issue (other than to another FLAG Entity) additional
shares of its capital stock (or other equity interests) or Equity Rights or by
which any FLAG Entity is or may be bound to transfer any shares of the capital
stock (or other equity interests) of any FLAG Subsidiary (other than to another
FLAG Entity). There are no Contracts relating to the rights of any FLAG Entity
to vote or to dispose of any shares of the capital stock (or other equity
interests) of any FLAG Subsidiary. All of the shares of capital stock (or other
equity interests) of each FLAG Subsidiary held by a FLAG Entity are fully paid
and nonassessable under the applicable corporation Law of the jurisdiction in
which such Subsidiary is incorporated or organized and are owned by the FLAG
Entity free and clear of any Lien. Each FLAG Subsidiary is either a bank,
savings association or a corporation, and is duly organized, validly existing,
and (as to corporations) in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction in
which it is incorporated or organized, and has the corporate power and authority
necessary for it to own, lease and operate its Assets and to carry on its
business as now conducted. Each FLAG Subsidiary is duly qualified or licensed to
transact business as a foreign corporation in good standing in the States of the
United States and foreign jurisdictions where the character of its Assets or the
nature or conduct of its business requires it to be so qualified or licensed,
except for such jurisdictions in which the failure to be so qualified or
licensed is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
FLAG Material Adverse Effect. Each FLAG Subsidiary that is a depository
institution is an "insured institution" as defined in the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act and applicable regulations thereunder. The minute book and other
organizational documents for each FLAG Subsidiary have been made available to
EMPIRE for its review, and, except as disclosed in Section 6.4 of the FLAG
Disclosure Memorandum, are true and complete in all material respects as in
effect as of the date of this Agreement and accurately reflect in all material
respects all amendments thereto and all proceedings of the Board of Directors
and shareholders thereof.
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6.5 SEC Filings, Financial Statements.
(a) FLAG has timely filed and made available to EMPIRE all SEC Documents
required to be filed by FLAG since December 31, 1993 (the "FLAG SEC Reports").
The FLAG SEC Reports (i) at the time filed, complied in all material respects
with the applicable requirements of the Securities Laws and other applicable
Laws and (ii) did not, at the time they were filed (or, if amended or superseded
by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, then on the date of such
filing) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated in such FLAG SEC Reports or necessary in
order to make the statements in such FLAG SEC Reports, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No FLAG Subsidiary is
required to file any SEC Documents.
(b) Each of the FLAG Financial Statements (including, in each case, any
related notes) contained in the FLAG SEC Reports, including any FLAG SEC Reports
filed after the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time, complied as to
form in all material respects with the applicable published rules and
regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, was prepared in accordance with
GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved (except as
may be indicated in the notes to such financial statements or, in the case of
unaudited interim statements, as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC), and fairly
presented in all material respects the consolidated financial position of FLAG
and its Subsidiaries as at the respective dates and the consolidated results of
operations and cash flows for the periods indicated, except that the unaudited
interim financial statements were or are subject to normal and recurring
year-end adjustments which were not or are not expected to be material in amount
or effect.
6.6 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. No FLAG Entity has any Liabilities
that are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG
Material Adverse Effect, except Liabilities which are accrued or reserved
against in the consolidated balance sheets of FLAG as of December 31, 1997 and
March 31, 1998, included in the FLAG Financial Statements delivered prior to the
date of this Agreement or reflected in the notes thereto. No FLAG Entity has
incurred or paid any Liability since March 31, 1998, except for such Liabilities
incurred or paid (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
business practice and which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or
in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect or (ii) in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
6.7 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. Since December 31, 1997, except
as disclosed in the FLAG Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of
this Agreement or as disclosed in Section 6.7 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum,
(i) there have been no events, changes or occurrences which have had, or are
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material
Adverse Effect, and (ii) the FLAG Entities have not taken any action, or failed
to take any action, prior to the date of this Agreement, which action or
failure, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would represent or result in
a material breach or violation of any of the covenants and agreements of FLAG
provided in Article 7.
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6.8 Tax Matters.
(a) All Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of any of the FLAG
Entities have been timely filed or requests for extensions have been timely
filed, granted, and have not expired for periods ended on or before December 31,
1997, and on or before the date of the most recent fiscal year end immediately
preceding the Effective Time, except to the extent that all such failures to
file, taken together, are not reasonably likely to have a FLAG Material Adverse
Effect, and all Tax Returns filed are complete and accurate in all material
respects. All Taxes shown on filed Tax Returns have been paid. There is no audit
examination, deficiency, or refund Litigation with respect to any Taxes that is
reasonably likely to result in a determination that would have, individually or
in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect, except as reserved against in
the FLAG Financial Statements delivered prior to the date of this Agreement or
as disclosed in Section 6.8 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum. All Taxes and
other Liabilities due with respect to completed and settled examinations or
concluded Litigation have been paid. There are no Liens with respect to Taxes
upon any of the Assets of the FLAG Entities, except for any such Liens which are
not reasonably likely to have a FLAG Material Adverse Effect or with respect to
which the Taxes are not vet due and payable.
(b) None of the FLAG Entities has executed an extension or waiver of any
statute of limitations on the assessment or collection of any Tax due (excluding
such statutes that relate to veers currently under examination by the Internal
Revenue Service or other applicable taxing authorities) that is currently in
effect.
(c) The provision for any Taxes due or to become due for any of the FLAG
Entities for the period or periods through and including the date of the
respective FLAG Financial Statements that has been made and is reflected on such
FLAG Financial Statements is sufficient to cover all such Taxes.
(d) Deferred Taxes of the FLAG Entities have been provided for in
accordance with GAAP.
(e) None of the FLAG Entities is a party to any Tax allocation or sharing
agreement and none of the FLAG Entities has been a member of an affiliated group
filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return (other than a group the common
parent of which was FLAG) or has any Liability for Taxes of any Person (other
than FLAG and its Subsidiaries) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or
any similar provision of state, local or foreign, Law) as a transferee or
successor or by Contract or otherwise.
(f) Each of the FLAG Entities is in compliance with, and its records
contain all information and documents (including properly completed IRS Forms
W-9) necessary to comply with, all applicable information reporting and Tax
withholding requirements under federal, state, and local Tax Laws, and such
records identify with specificity all accounts subject to backup withholding
under Section 3406 of the Internal Revenue Code, except for such instances of
noncompliance and such omissions as are not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect. (g) Except as
disclosed in Section 6.8 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum, none of the FLAG
Entities has made any payments, is obligated to make any payments, or is a party
to any Contract that could obligate it to make any payments that would be
disallowed as a deduction under Sections 28OG or 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
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(h) There has not been an ownership change, as defined in Internal Revenue
Code Section 382(g), of the FLAG Entities that occurred during or after any
Taxable Period in which the FLAG Entities incurred a net operating loss that
carries over to any Taxable Period ending after December 31, 1997.
(i) No FLAG Entity has or has had in any foreign country a permanent
establishment, as defined in any applicable tax treaty or convention between the
United States and such foreign country.
(j) All material elections with respect to Taxes affecting the FLAG
Entities have been or will be timely made.
6.9 Allowance for Possible Loan Losses. The Allowance shown on the
consolidated balance sheets of FLAG included in the most recent FLAG Financial
Statements dated prior to the date of this Agreement was, and the Allowance
shown on the consolidated balance sheets of FLAG included in the FLAG Financial
Statements as of dates subsequent to the execution of this Agreement will be, as
of the dates thereof, adequate (within the meaning of GAAP and applicable
regulatory requirements or guidelines) to provide for all known or reasonably
anticipated losses relating to or inherent in the loan and lease portfolios
(including accrued interest receivables) of the FLAG Entities and other
extensions of credit (including letters of credit and commitments to make loans
or extend credit) by the FLAG Entities as of the dates thereof, except where the
failure of such Allowance to be so adequate is not reasonably likely to have a
FLAG Material Adverse Effect.
6.10 Assets.
(a) Except as disclosed in Section 6.10 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum
or as disclosed or reserved against in the FLAG Financial Statements delivered
prior to the date of this Agreement, the FLAG Entities have good and marketable
title, free and clear of all Liens, to all of their respective Assets, except
for any such Liens or other defects of title which are not reasonably likely to
have a FLAG Material Adverse Effect. All tangible properties used in the
businesses of the FLAG Entities are in good condition, reasonable wear and tear
excepted, and are usable in the ordinary course of business consistent with
FLAG's past practices.
(b) All Assets which are material to FLAG's business on a consolidated
basis, held under leases or subleases by any of the FLAG Entities, are held
under valid Contracts enforceable in accordance with their respective terms
(except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, or other Laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors' rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion
of the court before which any proceedings may be brought), and each such
Contract is in full force and effect.
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(c) The FLAG Entities currently maintain insurance similar in amounts,
scope and coverage to that maintained by other peer banking organizations. None
of the FLAG Entities has received notice from any insurance carrier that (i) any
policy of insurance will be cancelled or that coverage thereunder will be
reduced or eliminated, or (ii) premium costs with respect to such policies of
insurance will be substantially increased. There are presently no claims for
amounts exceeding in any individual case $25,000 pending under such policies of
insurance and no notices of claims in excess of such amounts have been given by
any FLAG Entity under such policies.
(d) The Assets of the FLAG Entities include all Assets required to operate
the business of the FLAG Entities as presently conducted.
6.11 Intellectual Property. Each FLAG Entity owns or has a license to use
all of the Intellectual Property used by such FLAG Entity in the course of its
business. Each FLAG Entity is the owner of or has a license to any Intellectual
Property sold or licensed to a third party by such FLAG Entity in connection
with such FLAG Entity's business operations, and such FLAG Entity has the right
to convey by sale or license any Intellectual Property so conveyed. No FLAG
Entity is in Default under any of its Intellectual Property licenses. No
proceedings have been instituted, or are pending or to the Knowledge of FLAG
threatened, which challenge the rights of any FLAG Entity with respect to
Intellectual Property used, sold or licensed by such FLAG Entity in the course
of its business, nor has any person claimed or alleged any rights to such
Intellectual Property. The conduct of the business of the FLAG Entities does not
infringe any Intellectual Property of any other person. Except as disclosed in
Section 6.11 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum, no FLAG Entity is obligated to
pay any recurring royalties to any Person with respect to any such Intellectual
Property. Except as disclosed in Section 6.11 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum,
no officer, director or employee of any FLAG Entity is party to any Contract
which restricts or prohibits such officer, director or employee from engaging in
activities competitive with any Person, including any FLAG Entity.
6.12 Environmental Matters.
(a) To the Knowledge of FLAG, each FLAG Entity, its Participation
Facilities, and its Operating Properties are, and have been, in compliance with
all Environmental Laws, except for violations which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect.
(b) To the Knowledge of FLAG, there is no Litigation pending or threatened
before any court, governmental agency, or authority or other forum in which any
FLAG Entity or any of its Operating Properties or Participation Facilities (or
FLAG in respect of such Operating Property or Participation Facility) has been
or, with respect to threatened Litigation, may be named as a defendant (i) for
alleged noncompliance (including by any predecessor) with any Environmental Law
or (ii) relating to the emission, migration, release, discharge, spillage, or
disposal into the environment of any Hazardous Material, whether or not
occurring at, on, under, adjacent to, or affecting (or potentially affecting) a
site owned, leased, or operated by any FLAG Entity or any of its Operating
Properties or Participation Facilities or any neighboring property, except for
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such Litigation pending or threatened that is not reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect, nor is there
any reasonable basis for any Litigation of a type described in this sentence,
except such as is not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect.
(c) During the period of (i) any FLAG Entity's ownership or operation of
any of their respective current properties, (ii) any FLAG Entity's participation
in the management of any Participation Facility or any Operating Property, there
have been no emissions, migrations, releases, discharges, spillages, or
disposals of Hazardous Material in, on, at, under, adjacent to, or affecting (or
potentially affecting) such properties or any neighboring properties, except
such as are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
FLAG Material Adverse Effect. Prior to the period of (i) any FLAG Entity's
ownership or operation of any of their respective current properties, (ii) any
FLAG Entity's participation in the management of any Participation Facility or
any Operating Property, to the Knowledge of FLAG, there were no releases,
discharges, spillages, or disposals of Hazardous Material in, on, under, or
affecting any such property, Participation Facility or Operating Property,
except such as are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect.
6.13 Compliance with Laws. Each FLAG Entity has in effect all Permits
necessary for it to own, lease or operate its material Assets and to carry on
its business as now conducted, except for those Permits the absence of which are
not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material
Adverse Effect, and there has occurred no Default under any such Permit, other
than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in Section 6.13
of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum, none of the FLAG Entities:
(a) is in Default under any of the provisions of its Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws (or other governing instruments); or
(b) is in Default under any Laws, Orders or Permits applicable to its
business or employees conducting its business, except for Defaults which are not
reasonably likely to, have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material
Adverse Effect; or
(c) since January 1, 1995, has received any notification or communication
from any agency or department of federal, state, or local government or any
Regulatory Authority or the staff thereof (i) asserting that any FLAG Entity is
not in compliance with any of the Laws or Orders which such governmental
authority or Regulatory Authority enforces, where such noncompliance is
reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material
Adverse Effect, (ii) threatening to revoke any Permits, the revocation of which
is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material
Adverse Effect, or (iii) requiring any FLAG Entity to enter into or consent to
the issuance of a cease and desist order, formal agreement, directive,
commitment or memorandum of understanding, or to adopt any Board resolution or
similar undertaking, which restricts materially the conduct of its business, or
in any manner relates to its capital adequacy, its credit or reserve policies,
its management, or the payment of dividends. Copies of all material reports,
correspondence, notices and other documents relating to any inspection, audit,
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monitoring or other form of review or enforcement action by a Regulatory
Authority have been made available to EMPIRE.
6.14 Labor Relations. No FLAG Entity is the subject of any Litigation
asserting that it or any other FLAG Entity has committed an unfair labor
practice (within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act or comparable
state law) or seeking to compel it or any other FLAG Entity to bargain with any
labor organization as to wages or conditions of employment, nor is any FLAG
Entity party to any collective bargaining agreement, nor is there any strike or
other labor dispute involving any FLAG Entity, pending or threatened, or to the
Knowledge of FLAG, is there any activity involving any FLAG Entity's employees
seeking to certify a collective bargaining unit or engaging in any other
organization activity.
6.15 Employee Benefit Plans.
(a) FLAG has disclosed in Section 6.15 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum
and has delivered or made available to EMPIRE prior to the execution of this
Agreement copies in each case of all pension, retirement, profit-sharing,
deferred compensation, stock option, employee stock ownership, severance pay,
vacation, bonus, or other incentive plan, all other written employee programs,
arrangements, or agreements, all medical, vision, dental, or other health plans,
all life insurance plans, and all other employee benefit plans or fringe benefit
plans, including "employee benefit plans" as that term is defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA, currently adopted, maintained by, sponsored in whole or in part
by, or contributed to by any FLAG Entity or ERISA Affiliate thereof for the
benefit of employees, retirees, dependents, spouses, directors, independent
contractors, or other beneficiaries and under which employees, retirees,
dependents, spouses, directors, independent contractors, or other beneficiaries
are eligible to participate (collectively, the "FLAG Benefit Plans"). Each FLAG
Benefit Plan which is an "employee pension benefit plan," as that term is
defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, is referred to herein as a "FLAG ERISA Plan."
Each FLAG ERISA Plan which is also a "defined benefit plan" (as defined in
Section 4140) of the Internal Revenue Code) is referred to herein as a "FLAG
Pension Plan." No FLAG Pension Plan is or has been a multiemployer plan within
the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA.
(b) All FLAG Benefit Plans are in compliance with the applicable terms of
ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and any other applicable Laws the breach or
violation of which are reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect. Each FLAG ERISA Plan which is
intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has
received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service, and
FLAG is not aware of any circumstances likely to result in revocation of any
such favorable determination letter. To the Knowledge of Flag, no FLAG Entity
has engaged in a transaction with respect to any FLAG Benefit Plan that,
assuming the taxable period of such transaction expired as of the date hereof,
would subject any FLAG Entity to a Tax imposed by either Section 4975 of the
Internal Revenue Code or Section 502(i) of ERISA in amounts which are reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse
Effect.
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(c) No FLAG Pension Plan has any "unfunded current liability," as that term
is defined in Section 302(d)(8)(A) of ERISA, based on actuarial assumptions set
forth for such plan's most recent actuarial valuation. Since the date of the
most recent actuarial valuation, there has been (i) no material change in the
financial position of a FLAG Pension Plan, (ii) no change in the actuarial
assumptions with respect to any FLAG Pension Plan, and (iii) no increase in
benefits under any FLAG Pension Plan as a result of plan amendments or changes
in applicable Law which is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect or materially adversely affect the
funding status of any such plan. Neither any FLAG Pension Plan nor any
"single-employer plan," within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA,
currently or formerly maintained by any FLAG Entity, or the single-employer plan
of any ERISA Affiliate has an "accumulated funding deficiency" within the
meaning of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA,
which is reasonably likely to have a FLAG Material Adverse Effect. No FLAG
Entity has provided, or is required to provide, security to a FLAG Pension Plan
or to any single-employer plan of an ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Section 40 1
(a)(29) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(d) Within the six-year period preceding the Effective Time, no Liability
under Subtitle C or D of Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be
incurred by any FLAG Entity with respect to any ongoing, frozen or terminated
single-employer plan or the single-employer plan of any ERISA Affiliate, which
Liability is reasonably likely to have a FLAG Material Adverse Effect. No FLAG
Entity has incurred any withdrawal Liability with respect to a multiemployer
plan under Subtitle B of Title IV of ERISA (regardless of whether based on
contributions of an ERISA Affiliate), which Liability is reasonably likely to
have a FLAG Material Adverse Effect. No notice of a "reportable event," within
the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day reporting requirement
has not been waived, has been required to be filed for any FLAG Pension Plan or
by any ERISA Affiliate within the 12-month period ending on the date hereof.
(e) Except as disclosed in Section 6.15 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum,
no FLAG Entity has any Liability for retiree health and life benefits under any
of the FLAG Benefit Plans and there are no restrictions on the rights of such
FLAG Entity to amend or terminate any such retiree health or benefit Plan
without incurring any Liability thereunder, which Liability is reasonably likely
to have a FLAG Material Adverse Effect.
(f) Except as disclosed in Section 6.15 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby will (i) result in any payment (including
severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, or otherwise) becoming
due to any director or any employee of any FLAG Entity from any FLAG Entity
under any FLAG Benefit Plan or otherwise, (ii) increase any benefits otherwise
payable under any FLAG Benefit Plan, or (iii) result in any acceleration of the
time of payment or vesting of any such benefit, where such payment, increase, or
acceleration is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
FLAG Material Adverse Effect.
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(g) The actuarial present values of all accrued deferred compensation
entitlements (including entitlements under any executive compensation,
supplemental retirement, or employment agreement) of employees and former
employees of any FLAG Entity and their respective beneficiaries, other than
entitlements accrued pursuant to funded retirement plans subject to the
provisions of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA,
have been fully reflected on the FLAG Financial Statements to the extent
required by and in accordance with GAAP.
6.16 Material Contracts. Except as disclosed in Section 6.16 of the FLAG
Disclosure Memorandum or otherwise reflected in the FLAG Financial Statements,
none of the FLAG Entities, nor any of their respective Assets, businesses, or
operations, is a party to, or is bound or affected by, or receives benefits
under, (i) any employment, severance, termination, consulting or retirement
Contract providing for aggregate payments to any Person in any calendar year in
excess of $50,000, (ii) any Contract relating to the borrowing of money by any
FLAG Entity or the guarantee by any FLAG Entity of any such obligation (other
than Contracts evidencing deposit liabilities, purchases of federal funds,
fully-secured repurchase agreements, and Federal Home Loan Bank advances of
depository institution Subsidiaries, trade payables and Contracts relating to
borrowings or guarantees made in the ordinary course of business), (iii) any
Contract which prohibits or restricts any FLAG Entity from engaging in any
business activities in any geographic area, line of business or otherwise in
competition with any other Person, (iv) any Contract between or among FLAG
Entities, (v) any Contract relating to the provision of data processing, network
communication, or other technical services to or by any FLAG Entity, (vi) any
exchange-traded or over-the-counter swap, forward, future, option, cap, floor,
or collar financial Contract, or any other interest rate or foreign currency
protection Contract not included on its balance sheet which is a financial
derivative Contract, or (vii) any other Contract or amendment thereto that would
be required to be filed as an exhibit to a Form 10-K filed by FLAG with the SEC
as of the date of this Agreement that has not been filed as an exhibit to FLAG's
Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, or in an SEC
Document and identified to Empire (together with all Contracts referred to in
Sections 6.10 and 6.15(a), the "FLAG Contracts"). With respect to each FLAG
Contract and except as disclosed in Section 6.16 of the FLAG Disclosure
Memorandum: (i) the Contract is in full force and effect; (ii) no FLAG Entity is
in Default thereunder, other than Defaults which are not reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect; (iii) no
FLAG Entity has repudiated or waived any material provision of any such
Contract; and (iv) no other party to any such Contract is, to the Knowledge of
FLAG, in Default in any respect, other than Defaults which are not reasonably
likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse
Effect, or has repudiated or waived any material provision thereunder. All of
the indebtedness of any FLAG Entity for money borrowed is prepayable at any time
by such FLAG Entity without penalty or premium.
6.17 Legal Proceedings. There is no Litigation instituted or pending or, to
the Knowledge of FLAG, threatened (or unasserted but considered probable of
assertion and which if asserted would have at least a reasonable probability of
an unfavorable outcome) against any FLAG Entity, or against any director,
employee or employee benefit plan of any FLAG Entity, or against any Asset,
interest, or right of any of them, that is reasonably likely to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect, nor are there
any Orders of any Regulatory Authorities, other governmental authorities, or
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arbitrators outstanding against any FLAG Entity, that are reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material Adverse Effect. Section
6.17 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum contains a summary of all Litigation as
of the date of this Agreement to which any FLAG Entity is a party and which
names a FLAG Entity as a defendant or cross-defendant or for which any FLAG
Entity has any potential Liability.
6.18 Reports. Since January 1, 1993, each FLAG Entity has timely filed all
reports and statements, together with any amendments required to be made with
respect thereto, that it was required to file with Regulatory Authorities
(except, in the case of state securities authorities, failures to file which are
not reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a FLAG Material
Adverse Effect). As of their respective dates, each of such reports and
documents, including the financial statements, exhibits, and schedules thereto,
complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws. As of its respective
date, each such report and document did not, in all material respects, contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
6.19 Statements True and Correct. No statement, certificate, instrument or
other writing furnished or to be furnished by any FLAG Entity to EMPIRE pursuant
to this Agreement or any other document, agreement or instrument referred to
herein contains or will contain any untrue statement of material fact or will
omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. None of the
information supplied or to be supplied by any FLAG Entity for inclusion in the
Registration Statement to be filed by FLAG with the SEC, will, when such
Registration Statement becomes effective, be false or misleading with respect to
any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading. None of the documents to be filed by any FLAG
Entity with the SEC or any other Regulatory Authority in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the respective time such documents
are filed, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to
state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. All documents that
any FLAG Entity thereof is responsible for filing with any Regulatory Authority
in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby will comply as to form
in all material respects with the provisions of applicable Law.
6.20 Accounting, Tax and Regulatory Matters. No FLAG Entity has taken or
agreed to take any action or has any knowledge of any fact or circumstance that
is reasonably likely to (i) prevent the Merger from qualifying for pooling of
interests accounting treatment and as a reorganization within the meaning of
Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) materially impede or delay
receipt of any Consents of Regulatory Authorities referred to in Section 9.l(b)
or result in the imposition of a condition or restriction of the type referred
to in the last sentence of such Section.
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6.21 Charter Provisions. Each FLAG Entity has taken all action so that the
entering into of this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement do not and will not result in the
grant of any rights to any Person under the Charter, Articles of Incorporation,
Bylaws or other governing instruments of any FLAG Entity or restrict or impair
the ability of FLAG or any of its Subsidiaries to vote, or otherwise to exercise
the rights of a shareholder with respect to, shares of any FLAG Entity that may
be directly or indirectly acquired or controlled by them.
6.22 Board Recommendations. The Board of Directors of FLAG, at a meeting
duly called and held, has by unanimous vote of those directors present (who
constituted all of the directors then in office) determined that this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger, taken together,
are fair to and in the best interests of the FLAG shareholders.
6.23 Y-2K. Each FLAG Entity is in compliance with all policies and
directives issued by Regulatory Authorities with respect to preparedness for
year 2000 data processing and other operations. Section 6.23 of the FLAG
Disclosure Memorandum sets forth a summary of the steps taken by FLAG to ensure
such compliance. FLAG has entered into an agreement with Phoenix International
Ltd., Inc. ("Phoenix") to license the Phoenix Retail Banking System, and FLAG is
scheduled to convert each of the existing FLAG Entities, as well as the EMPIRE
Subsidiaries, to the Phoenix Retail Banking System prior to March 31, 1999.
Phoenix has represented to FLAG that the Phoenix Retail Banking System is year
2000 compliant.
ARTICLE 7.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS PENDING CONSUMMATION
----------------------------------------
7.1 Affirmative Covenants of EMPIRE. From the date of this Agreement until
the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, unless
the prior written consent of FLAG shall have been obtained, and except as
otherwise expressly contemplated herein, EMPIRE shall, and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to (a) operate its business only in the usual, regular, and
ordinary course, (b) preserve intact its business organization and Assets and
maintain its rights and franchises, and (c) take no action which would (i)
materially adversely affect the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents
required for the transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a
condition or restriction of the type referred to in the last sentences of
Section 9.1(b) or 9.1(c), or (ii) materially adversely affect the ability of any
Party to perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement.
7.2 Negative Covenants of EMPIRE. From the date of this Agreement until the
earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, unless the
prior written consent of FLAG shall have been obtained, and except as otherwise
expressly contemplated herein, EMPIRE covenants and agrees that it will not do
or agree or commit to do, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do or agree or
commit to do, any of the following:
(a) amend the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other governing
instruments of any EMPIRE entity, or
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(b) incur any additional debt obligation or other obligation for borrowed
money (other than indebtedness of an EMPIRE Entity to another EMPIRE Entity) in
excess of an aggregate of $100,000 (for EMPIRE Entities on a consolidated basis)
except in the ordinary course of the business of the EMPIRE Subsidiaries
consistent with past practices (which shall include, for the EMPIRE Subsidiaries
that are depository institutions, creation of deposit liabilities, purchases of
federal funds, advances from the Federal Reserve Bank or Federal Home Loan Bank,
and entry into repurchase agreements fully secured by U.S. government or agency
securities), or impose, or suffer the imposition, on any Asset of any EMPIRE
Entity of any Lien or permit any such Lien to exist (other than in connection
with deposits, repurchase agreements, bankers acceptances, "treasury tax and
loan" accounts established in the ordinary course of business, the satisfaction
of legal requirements in the exercise of trust powers, and Liens in effect as of
the date hereof that are disclosed in Section 7.2(b) of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum); or
(c) repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire or exchange (other than
exchanges in the ordinary course under employee benefit plans), directly or
indirectly, any shares, or any securities convertible into any shares, of the
capital stock of any EMPIRE Entity, or declare or pay any dividend or make any
other distribution in respect of EMPIRE's capital stock; or
(d) except for this Agreement, or pursuant to the exercise of stock options
outstanding as of the date hereof and pursuant to the terms thereof in existence
on the date hereof, or as disclosed in Section 7.2(d) of the EMPIRE Disclosure
Memorandum, issue, sell, pledge, encumber, authorize the issuance of, enter into
any Contract to issue, sell, pledge, encumber, or authorize the issuance of, or
otherwise permit to become outstanding, any additional shares of EMPIRE Common
Stock or any other capital stock of any EMPIRE Entity, or any stock appreciation
rights, or any option, warrant, or other Equity Right; or
(e) adjust, split, combine or reclassify any capital stock of any EMPIRE
Entity or issue or authorize the issuance of any other securities in respect of
or in substitution for shares of EMPIRE Common Stock, or sell, lease, mortgage
or otherwise dispose of or otherwise encumber any Asset having a book value in
excess of $100,000 other than in the ordinary course of business for reasonable
and adequate consideration or any shares of capital stock of any EMPIRE
Subsidiary (unless any such shares of stock are sold or otherwise transferred to
another EMPIRE Entity); or
(f) except for loans made in the ordinary course of its business, make any
material investment, either by purchase of stock or securities, contributions to
capital, Asset transfers, or purchase of any Assets, in any Person other than a
wholly owned EMPIRE Subsidiary, or otherwise acquire direct or indirect control
over any Person, other than in connection with (i) foreclosures in the ordinary
course of business, (ii) acquisitions of control by a depository institution
Subsidiary in its fiduciary capacity, or (iii) the creation of new wholly owned
Subsidiaries organized to conduct or continue activities otherwise permitted by
this Agreement; or
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(g) grant any increase in compensation or benefits to the employees or
officers of any EMPIRE Entity, except in accordance with past practice
specifically disclosed in Section 7.2(g) of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum or
as required by Law; pay any severance or termination pay or any bonus other than
pursuant to written policies or written Contracts in effect on the date of this
Agreement and disclosed in Section 7.2(g) of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum;
and enter into or amend any severance agreements with officers of any EMPIRE
Entity; grant any material increase in fees or other increases in compensation
or other benefits to directors of any EMPIRE Entity except in accordance with
past practice disclosed in Section 7.2(g) of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum;
or voluntarily accelerate the vesting of any stock options or other stock-based
compensation or employee benefits or other Equity Rights; or
(h) enter into or amend any employment Contract between any EMPIRE Entity
and any Person having a salary thereunder in excess of $50,000 per year (unless
such amendment is required by Law) that the EMPIRE Entity does not have the
unconditional right to terminate without Liability (other than Liability for
services already rendered), at any time on or after the Effective Time; or
(i) adopt any new employee benefit plan of any EMPIRE Entity or terminate
or withdraw from, or make any material change in or to, any existing employee
benefit plans of any EMPIRE Entity other than any such change that is required
by Law or that, in the opinion of counsel, is necessary or advisable to maintain
the tax qualified status of any such plan, or make any distributions from such
employee benefit plans, except as required by Law, the terms of such plans or
consistent with past practice; or
(j) make any significant change in any Tax or accounting methods or systems
of internal accounting controls, except as may be appropriate to conform to
changes in Tax Laws or regulatory accounting requirements or GAAP; or
(k) commence any Litigation other than in accordance with past practice or
except as set forth in Section 7.2(k) of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum,
settle any Litigation involving any Liability of any EMPIRE Entity for material
money damages or restrictions upon the operations of any EMPIRE Entity; or
(l) except in the ordinary course of business, enter into, modify, amend or
terminate any material Contract (including any loan Contract with an unpaid
balance exceeding $50,000) or waive, release, compromise or assign any material
rights or claims.
7.3 Affirmative Covenants of FLAG. From the date of this Agreement until
the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, unless
the prior written consent of EMPIRE shall have been obtained, and except as
otherwise expressly contemplated herein, FLAG shall and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to (a) operate its business only in the usual, regular, and
ordinary course, (b) preserve intact its business organization and Assets and
maintain its rights and franchises, and (c) take no action which would (i)
materially adversely affect the ability of any Party to obtain any Consents
required for the transactions contemplated hereby without imposition of a
condition or restriction of the type referred to in the last sentences of
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Section 9.1(b) or 9.1(c), or (ii) materially adversely affect the ability of any
Party to perform its covenants and agreements under this Agreement.
7.4 Negative Covenants of FLAG. From the date of this Agreement until the
earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of this Agreement, unless the
prior written consent of EMPIRE shall have been obtained, and except as
otherwise expressly contemplated herein, FLAG covenants and agrees that it will
not amend the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of FLAG in any manner adverse
to the holders of EMPIRE Common Stock, or take any action which will materially
adversely impact the ability of FLAG Entities to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
7.5 Adverse Changes in Condition. Each of FLAG and EMPIRE agrees to give
written notice promptly to the other upon becoming aware of the occurrence or
impending occurrence of any event or circumstance relating to it or any of its
Subsidiaries which (i) is reasonably likely to have, individually or in the
aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect or a FLAG Material Adverse Effect,
as applicable, or (ii) would cause or constitute a material breach of any of its
representations, warranties, or covenants contained herein, and to use its
reasonable efforts to prevent or promptly to remedy the same.
7.6 Reports. Each of FLAG and EMPIRE and their Subsidiaries shall file all
reports required to be filed by it with Regulatory Authorities between the date
of this Agreement and the Effective Time and shall deliver to the other copies
of all such periodic reports promptly after the same are filed. If financial
statements are contained in any such reports filed with the SEC, such financial
statements will fairly present the consolidated financial position of the entity
filing such statements as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of
operations, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for the periods then
ended in accordance with GAAP (subject in the case of interim financial
statements to normal recurring year-end adjustments that are not material). As
of their respective dates, such reports filed with the SEC will comply in all
material respects with the Securities Laws and will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Any financial
statements contained in any other reports to another Regulatory Authority shall
be prepared in accordance with Laws applicable to such reports.
ARTICLE 8.
ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS
---------------------
8.1 Registration Statement. As soon as practicable after execution of this
Agreement, FLAG shall prepare and file the Registration Statement with the SEC,
and shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to
become effective under the 1933 Act and take any action required to be taken
under the applicable state Blue Sky or Securities Laws in connection with the
issuance of the shares of FLAG Common Stock upon consummation of the Merger.
EMPIRE shall cooperate in the preparation and filing of the Registration
Statement and shall furnish all information concerning it and the holders of its
capital stock as FLAG may reasonably request in connection with such action.
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FLAG and EMPIRE shall make all necessary filings with respect to the Merger
under the Securities Laws.
8.2 Nasdaq Listing. FLAG shall use its reasonable efforts to list, prior to
the Effective Time, on the Nasdaq National Market the shares of FLAG Common
Stock to be issued to the holders of EMPIRE Common Stock pursuant to the Merger,
and FLAG shall give all notices and make all filings with the NASD required in
connection with the transactions contemplated herein.
8.3 Shareholder Approval. EMPIRE shall call a Shareholders' Meeting, to be
held as soon as reasonably practicable after the Registration Statement is
declared effective by the SEC, for the purpose of voting upon approval of this
Agreement and such other related matters as it deems appropriate. In connection
with the Shareholders' Meeting, the Board of Directors of EMPIRE shall recommend
to its shareholders, subject to the conditions in such authorization and
recommendation by the Board of Directors, the approval of the matters submitted
for approval (subject to the Board of Directors of EMPIRE, after having
consulted with and considered the advice of outside counsel, reasonably
determining in good faith that the making of such recommendation, or the failure
to withdraw or modify its recommendation, would constitute a breach of fiduciary
duties of the members of such Board of Directors to EMPIRE's shareholders, under
applicable law), and the Board of Directors and officers of EMPIRE shall use
their reasonable efforts to obtain such shareholders' approval (subject to the
Board of Directors of EMPIRE, after having consulted with and considered the
advice of outside counsel, reasonably determining in good faith that the taking
of such actions would constitute a breach of fiduciary duties of the members of
such Board of Directors to the EMPIRE shareholders, under applicable law).
8.4 Applications. FLAG shall promptly prepare and file, and EMPIRE shall
cooperate in the preparation and, where appropriate, filing of, applications
with all Regulatory Authorities having jurisdiction over the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation, the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Georgia Department of Banking
and Finance, seeking the requisite Consents necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Parties shall deliver to each
other copies of all filings, correspondence and orders to and from all
Regulatory Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.5 Filings and State Offices. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions
of this Agreement, FLAG shall cause to be filed the Certificate of Merger with
the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia.
8.6 Agreement as to Efforts to Consummate. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, each Party agrees to use, and to cause its
Subsidiaries to use, its reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all
actions, and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper, or
advisable under applicable Laws to consummate and make effective, as soon as
reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, including using its reasonable efforts to lift
or rescind any Order adversely affecting its ability to consummate the
transactions contemplated herein and to cause to be satisfied the conditions
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referred to in Article 9; provided, that nothing herein shall preclude either
Party from exercising its rights under this Agreement. Each Party shall use, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to use, its reasonable efforts to obtain
all Consents necessary or desirable for the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
8.7 Investigation and Confidentiality.
(a) Prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall keep the other Party
advised of all material developments relevant to its business and to
consummation of the Merger and shall permit the other Party to make or cause to
be made such investigation of the business and properties of it and its
Subsidiaries and of their respective financial and legal conditions as the Party
reasonably requests, provided that such investigation shall be reasonably
related to the transactions contemplated hereby, and shall not interfere
unnecessarily with normal operations. No investigation by a Party shall affect
the representations and warranties of any other Party.
(b) Each Party shall, and shall cause its advisers and agents to, maintain
the confidentiality of all confidential information furnished to it by the other
Party concerning its and its Subsidiaries' businesses, operations, and financial
positions and shall not use such information for any purpose except in
furtherance of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. If this
Agreement is terminated prior to the Effective Time, each Party shall promptly
return or certify the destruction of all documents and copies thereof, and all
work papers containing confidential information received from the other Party.
(c) Each Party shall use its reasonable efforts to exercise its rights
under confidentiality agreements entered into with Persons which were
considering an Acquisition Proposal with respect to such Party to preserve the
confidentiality of the information relating to such Party and its Subsidiaries
provided to such Persons and their Affiliates and Representatives.
(d) Each Party agrees to give the other Party notice as soon as practicable
after any determination by it of any fact or occurrence relating to the other
Party which it has discovered through the course of its investigation and which
represents, or is reasonably likely to represent, either a material breach of
any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of the other Party or which
has had or is reasonably likely to have an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect or a
FLAG Material Adverse Effect, as applicable.
8.8 Press Releases. Prior to the Effective Time, EMPIRE and FLAG shall
consult with each other as to the form and substance of any press release or
other public disclosure materially related to this Agreement or any other
transaction contemplated hereby; provided, that nothing in this Section 8.8
shall be deemed to prohibit any Party from making any disclosure which its
counsel deems necessary or advisable in order to satisfy such Party's disclosure
obligations imposed by Law.
8.9 Certain Actions. Except with respect to this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, no EMPIRE Entity nor any Representatives
thereof retained by any EMPIRE Entity shall directly or indirectly solicit any
Acquisition Proposal by any Person. Except to the extent the Board of Directors
of EMPIRE, after having consulted with and considered the advice of outside
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counsel, reasonably determines in good faith that the failure to take such
actions would constitute a breach of fiduciary duties of the members of such
Board of Directors to EMPIRE's shareholders, under applicable Law, no EMPIRE
Entity or Representative thereof shall furnish any non-public information that
it is not legally obligated to furnish, negotiate with respect to, or enter into
any Contract with respect to, any Acquisition Proposal, but EMPIRE may
communicate information about such an Acquisition Proposal to its shareholders
if and to the extent that it is required to do so in order to comply with its
legal obligations. EMPIRE shall promptly advise FLAG following the receipt of
any Acquisition Proposal and the details thereof, and advise FLAG of any
developments with respect to such Acquisition Proposal promptly upon the
occurrence thereof. EMPIRE shall (i) immediately cease and cause to be
terminated any existing activities, discussions or negotiations with any Persons
conducted heretofore with respect to any of the foregoing, and (ii) direct and
use its reasonable efforts to cause its Representatives not to engage in any of
the foregoing.
8.10 Accounting and Tax Treatment. Each of the Parties undertakes and
agrees to use its reasonable efforts to cause the Merger to, and to take no
action which would cause the Merger not to, qualify for pooling of interests
accounting treatment and as a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section
368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code for federal income tax purposes.
8.11 Charter Provisions. Each Party shall take, and shall cause its
Subsidiaries to take, all necessary action to ensure that the entering into of
this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby do not and will not result in the grant of any rights to any
Person under the charter, articles of incorporation, bylaws or other governing
instruments of such Party or any of its Subsidiaries or restrict or impair the
ability of FLAG or any of its Subsidiaries to vote, or otherwise to exercise the
rights of a shareholder with respect to, shares of any EMPIRE Entity that may be
directly or indirectly acquired by them.
8.12 Agreements of Affiliates. EMPIRE has disclosed in Section 8.12 of the
EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum each Person whom it reasonably believes is an
"affiliate" of EMPIRE for purposes of Rule 145 under the 1933 Act. EMPIRE shall
use its reasonable efforts to cause each such Person to deliver to FLAG not
later than 30 days after the date of this Agreement a written agreement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit 1, providing that such Person will not
sell, pledge, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the shares of the EMPIRE Common
Stock held by such Person except as contemplated by such agreement or by this
Agreement and will not sell, pledge, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the
shares of FLAG Common Stock to be received by such Person upon consummation of
the Merger except in compliance with applicable provisions of the 1933 Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder and until such time as financial results
covering at least 30 days of combined operations of FLAG and EMPIRE have been
published within the meaning of Section 201.01 of the SEC's Codification of
Financial Reporting Policies, except that transfers may be made in compliance
with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 76 issued by the SEC. Except for transfers
made in compliance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 76, shares of FLAG Common
Stock issued to such affiliates of EMPIRE shall not be transferable until such
time as financial results covering at least 30 days of combined operations of
FLAG and EMPIRE have been published within the meaning of Section 201.01 of the
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SEC's Codification of Financial Reporting Policies, regardless of whether each
such affiliate has provided the written agreement referred to in this Section
8.12. FLAG shall be entitled to place restrictive legends upon certificates for
shares of FLAG Common Stock issued to affiliates of EMPIRE pursuant to this
Agreement to enforce the provisions of this Section 8.12. FLAG shall not be
required to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the
1933 Act for the purposes of resale of FLAG Common Stock by such affiliates.
8.13 Employee Benefits and Contracts. Following the Effective Time, FLAG
shall either (i) continue to provide to officers and employees of the EMPIRE
Entities employee benefits under EMPIRE's existing employee benefit and welfare
plans or, (ii) if FLAG shall determine to provide to officers and employees of
the EMPIRE Entities employee benefits under other employee benefit plans and
welfare plans, provide generally to officers and employees of the EMPIRE
Entities employee benefits under employee benefit and welfare plans, on terms
and conditions which when taken as a whole are substantially similar to those
currently provided by the FLAG Entities to their similarly situated officers and
employees. For purposes of participation and vesting (but not accrual of
benefits) under FLAG's employee benefit plans, (i) service under any qualified
defined benefit plan of EMPIRE shall be treated as service under FLAG's defined
benefit plan, if any, (ii) service under any qualified defined contribution
plans of EMPIRE shall be treated as service under FLAG's qualified defined
contribution plans, and (iii) service under any other employee benefit plans of
EMPIRE shall be treated as service under any similar employee benefit plans
maintained by FLAG. With respect to officers and employees of the EMPIRE
Entities who, at or after the Effective Time, become employees of a FLAG Entity
and who, immediately prior to the Effective Time, are participants in one or
more employee welfare benefit plans maintained by the EMPIRE Entities, FLAG
shall cause each comparable employee welfare benefit plan which is substituted
for an EMPIRE welfare benefit plan to waive any evidence of insurability or
similar provision, to provide credit for such participation prior to such
substitution with regard to the application of any pre-existing condition
limitation, and to provide credit towards satisfaction of any deductible or
out-of-pocket provisions for expenses incurred by such participants during the
period prior to such substitution, if any, that overlaps with the then current
plan year for each such substituted employee welfare benefit plans. FLAG also
shall cause the Surviving Bank and its Subsidiaries to honor in accordance with
their terms all employment, severance, consulting and other compensation
Contracts disclosed in Section 8.13 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum to FLAG
between any EMPIRE Entity and any current or former director, officer, or
employee thereof, and all provisions for vested benefits or other vested amounts
earned or accrued through the Effective Time under the EMPIRE Benefit Plans.
8.14 Indemnification.
(a) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b) below, for a
period of six years after the Effective Time, FLAG shall indemnify, defend and
hold harmless each person entitled to indemnification from an EMPIRE Entity
(each, an "Indemnified Party") against all Liabilities arising out of actions or
omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time (including the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement) to the fullest extent permitted
under Georgia Law and by EMPIRE's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as in
effect on the date hereof, including provisions relating to advances of expenses
incurred in the defense of any Litigation. Without limiting the foregoing, in
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any case in which approval by FLAG is required to effectuate any
indemnification, FLAG shall direct, at the election of the Indemnified Party,
that the determination of any such approval shall be made by independent counsel
mutually agreed upon between FLAG and the Indemnified Party.
(b) Any Indemnified Party wishing to claim indemnification under paragraph
(a) of this Section 8.14, upon learning of any such Liability or Litigation,
shall promptly notify FLAG thereof. In the event of any such Liability or
Litigation (whether arising before or after the Effective Time), (i) FLAG shall
have the right to assume the defense thereof (provided FLAG acknowledges
responsibility for such indemnification) and FLAG shall not be liable to such
Indemnified Parties for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other
expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Parties in connection with
the defense thereof, except that if FLAG elects not to assume such defense or
counsel for the Indemnified Parties advises that there are substantive issues
which raise conflicts of interest between FLAG and the Indemnified Parties, the
Indemnified Parties may retain counsel satisfactory to them, and FLAG shall pay
all reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel for the Indemnified Parties
promptly as statements therefor are received; provided, that FLAG shall be
obligated pursuant to this paragraph (b) to pay for only one firm of counsel for
all Indemnified Parties in any jurisdiction, (ii) the Indemnified Parties will
cooperate in the defense of any such Litigation, and (iii) FLAG shall not be
liable for any settlement effected without its prior written consent; and
provided further that FLAG shall not have any obligation hereunder to any
Indemnified Party when and if a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine,
and such determination shall have become final, that the indemnification of such
Indemnified Party in the manner contemplated hereby is prohibited by applicable
Law.
ARTICLE 9.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS TO CONSUMMATE
-------------------------------------------------
9.1 Conditions to Obligations of Each Party. The respective obligations of
each Party to perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the
following conditions, unless waived by both Parties pursuant to Section 11.6:
(a) Shareholder Approval. The shareholders of EMPIRE shall have approved
this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby,
including the Merger, as and to the extent required by Law or by the provisions
of any governing instruments. The shareholders of FLAG shall have approved the
issuance of shares of FLAG Common Stock pursuant to the Merger, as and to the
extent required by Law, by the provisions of any governing instruments, or by
the rules of the NASD.
(b) Regulatory Approvals. All Consents of, filings and registrations with,
and notifications to, all Regulatory Authorities required for consummation of
the Merger shall have been obtained or made and shall be in full force and
effect and all waiting periods required by Law shall have expired. No Consent
obtained from any Regulatory Authority which is necessary to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby shall be conditioned or restricted in a manner
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(including requirements relating to the raising of additional capital or the
disposition of Assets) which in the reasonable judgment of the Board of
Directors of any Party would so materially adversely impact the economic or
business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that, had
such condition or requirement been known, such Party would not, in its
reasonable judgment, have entered into this Agreement.
(c) Consents and Approvals. Each Party shall have obtained any and all
Consents required for consummation of the Merger (other than those referred to
in Section 9.1 (b)) or for the preventing of any Default under any Contract or
Permit of such Party which, if not obtained or made, is reasonably likely to
have, individually or in the aggregate, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect or a
FLAG Material Adverse Effect, as applicable. No Consent so obtained which is
necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
conditioned or restricted in a manner which in the reasonable judgment of the
Board of Directors of any Party would so materially adversely impact the
economic or business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
that, had such condition or requirement been known, such Party would not, in its
reasonable judgment, have entered into this Agreement.
(d) Legal Proceedings. No court or governmental or regulatory authority of
competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or
entered any Law or Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) or taken
any other action which prohibits, restricts, makes illegal or, in good faith,
inadvisable, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
(e) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall be effective
under the 1933 Act, and no stop orders suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement shall have been issued, no action, suit, proceeding or
investigation by the SEC to suspend the effectiveness thereof shall have been
initiated and be continuing, and all necessary approvals under state securities
laws or the 1933 Act or 1934 Act relating to the issuance or trading of the
shares of FLAG Common Stock issuable pursuant to the Merger shall have been
received.
(f) Nasdaq Listing. The shares of FLAG Common Stock issuable pursuant to
the Merger shall have been approved for listing on the Nasdaq National Market.
(g) Tax Matters. Each Party shall have received a written opinion of
counsel from Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy LLP, in form reasonably
satisfactory to such Parties (the "Tax Opinion"), to the effect that (i) the
Merger will constitute a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of
the Internal Revenue Code, (ii) the exchange in the Merger of EMPIRE Common
Stock for FLAG Common Stock will not give rise to gain or loss to the
shareholders of EMPIRE with respect to such exchange (except to the extent of
any cash received), and (iii) neither EMPIRE nor FLAG will recognize gain or
loss as a consequence of the Merger (except for amounts resulting from any
required change in accounting methods and any income and deferred gain
recognized pursuant to Treasury regulations issued under Section 1502 of the
Internal Revenue Code). In rendering such Tax Opinion, such counsel shall be
entitled to rely upon representations of officers of EMPIRE and FLAG reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to such counsel.
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(h) Employment Matters. Leonard H. Bateman, Rhonda R. Robbins, and Daniel
G. Morris shall have negotiated a mutually satisfactory employment relationship
with FLAG, and the agreements between each of Mr. Bateman, Ms. Robbins, and Mr.
Morris and EMPIRE concerning post termination payments subsequent to a change in
ownership shall have been terminated.
9.2 Conditions to Obligations of FLAG. The obligations of FLAG to perform
this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, unless
waived by FLAG pursuant to Section 11.6(a):
(a) Representations and Warranties. For purposes of this Section 9.2(a),
the accuracy of the representations and warranties of EMPIRE set forth in this
Agreement shall be assessed as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective Time with the same effect as though all such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of the Effective Time (provided that
representations and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall
speak only as of such date). The representations and warranties set forth in
Section 5.3 shall be true and correct (except for inaccuracies which are de
minimus in amount). The representations and warranties set forth in Sections
5.20 and 5.21 shall be true and correct in all material respects. There shall
not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of EMPIRE set forth
in this Agreement (including the representations and warranties set forth in
Sections 5.3, 5.20 and 5.21) such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies
has, or is reasonably likely to have, an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect;
provided that, for purposes of this sentence only, those representations and
warranties which are qualified by references to "material" or "Material Adverse
Effect" or to the "Knowledge" of any Person shall be deemed not to include such
qualifications.
(b) Performance of Agreements and Covenants. Each and all of the agreements
and covenants of EMPIRE to be performed and complied with pursuant to this
Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby prior to the Effective
Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.
(c) Certificates. EMPIRE shall have delivered to FLAG (i) a certificate,
dated as of the Effective Time and signed on its behalf by its chief executive
officer and its secretary, to the effect that to the best of their Knowledge the
conditions set forth in Section 9.1 as relates to EMPIRE and in Section 9.2(a)
and 9.2(b) have been satisfied; provided, however, that the representations,
warranties and covenants to which such certificate relates shall not been deemed
to have survived the Closing, and (ii) certified copies of resolutions duly
adopted by EMPIRE's Board of Directors and shareholders evidencing the taking of
all corporate action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as FLAG and its counsel shall
request.
(d) Opinion of Counsel. FLAG shall have received an opinion of Kilpatrick
Stockton L.L.P., counsel to EMPIRE, dated as of the Closing Date, in form
reasonably satisfactory to FLAG, as to the matters set forth in Exhibit 2.
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(e) Pooling Letters. FLAG shall have received an opinion of Porter Keadle
Moore, LLP, dated as of the date of filing of the Registration Statement with
the SEC and as of the Closing Date, addressed to FLAG and in form and substance
reasonably acceptable to FLAG, to the effect that the Merger, for accounting
purposes, shall qualify for treatment as a pooling of interests.
(f) Affiliates Agreements. FLAG shall have received from each affiliate of
EMPIRE the affiliates letter referred to in Section 8.12 and Exhibit 1.
(g) Claims Letters. Each of the directors and officers of EMPIRE shall have
executed and delivered to FLAG letters in substantially the form of Exhibit 3.
9.3 Conditions to Obligations of EMPIRE. The obligations of EMPIRE to
perform this Agreement and consummate the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions,
unless waived by EMPIRE pursuant to Section 11.6(b):
(a) Representations and Warranties. For purposes of this Section 9.3(a),
the accuracy of the representations and warranties of FLAG set forth in this
Agreement shall be assessed as of the date of this Agreement and as of the
Effective Time with the same effect as though all such representations and
warranties had been made on and as of the Effective Time (provided that
representations and warranties which are confined to a specified date shall
speak only as of such date). The representations and warranties set forth in
Section 6.3 shall be true and correct (except for inaccuracies which are de
minimus in amount). The representations and warranties of FLAG set forth in
Section 6.16 and 6.17 shall be true and correct in all material respects. There
shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of FLAG set
forth in this Agreement (including the representations and warranties set forth
in Sections 6.3, 6.16 and 6.17) such that the aggregate effect of such
inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a FLAG Material Adverse
Effect; provided that, for purposes of this sentence only, those representations
and warranties which are qualified by references to "material" or "Material
Adverse Effect" or to the "Knowledge" of any Person shall be deemed not to
include such qualifications.
(b) Performance of Agreements and Covenants. Each and all of the agreements
and covenants of FLAG to be performed and complied with pursuant to this
Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby prior to the Effective
Time shall have been duly performed and complied with in all material respects.
(c) Certificates. FLAG shall have delivered to EMPIRE (i) a certificate,
dated as of the Closing Date and signed on its behalf by its chief executive
officer and its chief financial officer, to the effect that to the best of their
knowledge the conditions set forth in Section 9.1 as relates to FLAG and in
Section 9.3(a) and 9.3(b) have been satisfied, provided, however, that the
representations, warranties and covenants to which such certificate relates
shall not been deemed to have survived the Closing, and (ii) certified copies of
resolutions duty adopted by FLAG's Board of Directors and shareholders
evidencing the taking of all corporate action necessary to authorize the
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execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby, all in such reasonable detail as EMPIRE
and its counsel shall request.
(d) Opinion of Counsel. EMPIRE shall have received an opinion of Powell,
Goldstein, Frazer & Murphy LLP, counsel to FLAG, dated as of the Closing Date,
in form reasonably acceptable to EMPIRE, as to the matters set forth in Exhibit
4.
ARTICLE 10.
TERMINATION
-----------
10.1 Termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement,
and notwithstanding the approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of
EMPIRE, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned at any time
prior to the Effective Time:
(a) By mutual consent of FLAG and EMPIRE; or
(b) By either Party (provided that the terminating Party is not then in
material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or other agreement
contained in this Agreement) in the event of a material breach by the other
Party of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement which cannot
be or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving of written notice to
the breaching Party of such breach and which breach is reasonably likely, in the
opinion of the non-breaching Party, to have, individually or in the aggregate,
an EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect or a FLAG Material Adverse Effect, as
applicable, on the breaching Party; or
(c) By either Party (provided that the terminating Party is not then in
material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or other agreement
contained in this Agreement) in the event of a material breach by the other
Party of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement which cannot be
or has not been cured within 30 days after the giving of written notice to the
breaching Party of such breach; or
(d) By either Party (provided that the terminating Party is not then in
material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or other agreement
contained in this Agreement) in the event (i) any Consent of any Regulatory
Authority required for consummation of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby shall have been denied by final non-appealable action of
such authority or if any action taken by such authority is not appealed within
the time limit for appeal, or (ii) the shareholders of EMPIRE fail to vote their
approval of the matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby at the Shareholders' Meeting where such matters were
presented to such shareholders for approval and voted upon; or
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(e) By either Party in the event that the Merger shall not have been
consummated by December 31, 1998, if the failure to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby on or before such date is not caused by any breach of this
Agreement by the Party electing to terminate pursuant to this Section 10.1(e).
10.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination and abandonment
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1, this Agreement shall become void and
have no effect, except that (i) the provisions of this Section 10.2 and Article
11 and Section 8.7(b) shall survive any such termination and abandonment, and
(ii) a termination pursuant to Sections 10.1(b), 10.1(c) or 10.1(e) shall not
relieve the breaching Party from Liability for an uncured willful breach of a
representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement giving rise to such
termination.
10.3 Non-Survival of Representations and Covenants. The respective
representations, warranties, obligations, covenants, and agreements of the
Parties shall not survive the Effective Time except this Section 10.3 and
Articles 1, 2, 3, 4 and 11 and Section 8.10.
ARTICLE 11.
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
11.1 Definitions.
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the capitalized terms set forth
below shall have the following meanings:
"1933 Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"1934 Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Acquisition Proposal" with respect to a Party shall mean any tender offer
or exchange offer or any proposal for a merger, acquisition of all of the stock
or assets of, or other business combination involving the acquisition of such
Party or any of its Subsidiaries or the acquisition of a substantial equity
interest in, or a substantial portion of the assets of, such Party or any of its
Subsidiaries.
"Affiliate" of a Person shall mean: (i) any other Person directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by or
under common control with such Person; (ii) any officer, director, partner,
employer, or direct or indirect beneficial owner of any 10% or greater equity or
voting interest of such Person; or (iii) any other Person for which a Person
described in clause (ii) acts in any such capacity.
"Agreement" shall mean this Agreement and Plan of Merger, including the
Exhibits, the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum and the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum
delivered pursuant hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
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"Assets" of a Person shall mean all of the assets, properties, businesses
and rights of such Person of every kind, nature, character and description,
whether real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, accrued or contingent,
or otherwise relating to or utilized in such Person's business, directly or
indirectly, in whole or in part, whether or not carried on the books and records
of such Person, or any Affiliate of such Person and wherever located.
"Certificate of Merger" shall mean the Certificate of Merger to be executed
by FLAG and EMPIRE and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Georgia
relating to the Merger as contemplated by Section 1.1.
"Closing Date" shall mean the date on which the Closing occurs.
"Consent" shall mean any consent, approval, authorization, clearance,
exemption, waiver, or similar affirmation by any Person pursuant to any
Contract, Law, Order, or Permit.
"Contract" shall mean any written or oral agreement (provided such oral
agreement is, in any one year period, in excess of $5,000 individually, or
$25,000 in the aggregate), arrangement, authorization, commitment, contract,
indenture, instrument, lease, obligation, plan, practice, restriction,
understanding, or undertaking of any kind or character, or other document to
which any Person is a party or that is binding on any Person or its capital
stock, Assets or business.
"Default" shall mean (i) any breach or violation of, default under,
contravention of, or conflict with, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit, after
failing to cure any such breach, violation, default, contravention or conflict
within any applicable grace or cure period (ii) any occurrence of any event that
with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a
breach or violation of, default under, contravention of, or conflict with, any
Contract, Law, Order, or Permit, or (iii) any occurrence of any event that with
or without the passage of time or the giving of notice would give rise to a
right of any Person to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, terminate
or revoke, suspend, cancel, or modify or change the current terms of, or
renegotiate, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to increase or
impose any Liability under, any Contract, Law, Order, or Permit.
"EMPIRE Common Stock" shall mean the $1.00 par value common stock of
EMPIRE.
"EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum" shall mean the written information entitled
"EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum" delivered prior to execution of this Agreement to
FLAG describing in reasonable detail the matters contained therein and, with
respect to each disclosure made therein, specifically referencing each Section
of this Agreement under which such disclosure is being made. Information
disclosed with respect to one Section shall not be deemed to be disclosed for
purposes of any other Section not specifically referenced with respect thereto,
unless it is clear from the disclosure of such information that it applies to
other Sections.
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"EMPIRE Entities" shall mean, collectively, EMPIRE and all EMPIRE
Subsidiaries.
"EMPIRE Financial Statements" shall mean (i) the consolidated balance
sheets (including related notes and schedules, if any) of EMPIRE as of June 30,
1998, and as of December 31, 1997 and the related statements of income, changes
in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules,
if any) for the six months ended June 30, 1998, and for the Fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997, and (ii) the consolidated balance sheets of EMPIRE (including
related notes and schedules, if any) and related statements of income, changes
in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules,
if any) with respect to periods ended subsequent to June 30, 1998.
"EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect" shall mean an event, change or occurrence
which, individually or together with any other event, change or occurrence, has
a material adverse impact on (i) the financial position, business, or results of
operations of EMPIRE and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability
of EMPIRE to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the
Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, provided that
an "EMPIRE Material Adverse Effect" shall not be deemed to include the impact of
(a) changes in banking and similar Laws of general applicability or
interpretations thereof by courts or governmental authorities, (b) changes in
generally accepted accounting principles or regulatory accounting principles
generally applicable to banks and their holding companies, and (c) actions and
omissions of EMPIRE (or any of its Subsidiaries) taken with the prior informed
written Consent of FLAG in contemplation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
"EMPIRE Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries of EMPIRE, which shall
include the EMPIRE Subsidiaries described in Section 5.4 and any corporation,
bank, savings association, or other organization acquired as a Subsidiary of
EMPIRE in the future and held as a Subsidiary by EMPIRE at the Effective Time.
"Environmental Laws" shall mean all Laws relating to pollution or
protection of human health or the environment (including ambient air, surface
water, ground water, land surface, or subsurface strata) and which are
administered, interpreted, or enforced by the United States Environmental
Protection Agency and other federal, state and local agencies with jurisdiction
over, and including common law in respect of, pollution or protection of the
environment, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and
Liability Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq. ("CERCLA"), the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. ("RCRA"), and
other Laws relating to emissions, migrations, discharges, releases, or
threatened releases of any Hazardous Material, or otherwise relating to the
manufacture, processing, distribution use, treatment, storage, disposal,
generation, recycling, transport, or handling of any Hazardous Material.
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"Equity Rights" shall mean all arrangements, calls, commitments, Contracts,
options, rights to subscribe to, scrip, understandings, warrants, or other
binding obligations of any character whatsoever relating to, or securities or
rights convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of the capital stock of a
Person or by which a Person is or may be bound to issue additional shares of its
capital stock or other Equity Rights.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.
"Exhibits 1 through 4," inclusive, shall mean the Exhibits so marked,
copies of which are attached to this Agreement. Such Exhibits are hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof, and may be referred to
in this Agreement and any other related instrument or document without being
attached hereto.
"FLAG Capital Stock" shall mean, collectively, the FLAG Common Stock, the
FLAG Preferred Stock and any other class or series of capital stock of FLAG.
"FLAG Common Stock" shall mean the $1.00 par value common stock of FLAG.
"FLAG Disclosure Memorandum" shall mean the written information entitled
"FLAG Financial Corporation Disclosure Memorandum" delivered prior to execution
of this Agreement to EMPIRE describing in reasonable detail the matters
contained therein and, with respect to each disclosure made therein,
specifically referencing each Section of this Agreement under which such
disclosure is being made. Information disclosed with respect to one Section
shall not be deemed to be disclosed for purposes of any other Section not
specifically referenced with respect thereto, unless it is clear from the
disclosure of such information that it applies to other Sections.
"FLAG Entities" shall mean, collectively, FLAG and all FLAG Subsidiaries.
"FLAG Financial Statements" shall mean (i) the consolidated balance sheets
(including related notes and schedules, if any) of FLAG as of June 30, 1998 and
as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statements of income, changes
in shareholders' equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules,
if any) for the six months ended June 30, 1998, and for each of the three fiscal
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, as filed by FLAG in SEC Documents,
and (ii) the consolidated balance sheets of FLAG (including related notes and
schedules, if any) and related statements of income, changes in shareholders'
equity, and cash flows (including related notes and schedules, if any) included
in SEC Documents filed with respect to periods ended subsequent to June 30,
1998.
"FLAG Material Adverse Effect" shall mean an event, change or occurrence
which, individually or together with any other event, change or occurrence, has
a material adverse impact on (i) the financial position, business, or results of
operations of FLAG and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability
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of FLAG Entities to perform their obligations under this Agreement or to
consummate the Merger or the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
provided that "Material Adverse Effect" shall not be deemed to include the
impact of (a) changes in banking and similar Laws of general applicability or
interpretations thereof by courts or governmental authorities, (b) changes in
generally accepted accounting principles or regulatory accounting principles
generally applicable to savings associations, banks, and their holding
companies, and (c) actions and omissions of FLAG (or any of its Subsidiaries)
taken with the prior informed written Consent of EMPIRE in contemplation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
"FLAG Preferred Stock" shall mean the shares of preferred stock of FLAG.
"FLAG Subsidiaries" shall mean the Subsidiaries of FLAG, which shall
include the FLAG Subsidiaries described in Section 6.4 and any corporation,
bank, savings association, or other organization acquired as a Subsidiary of
FLAG in the future and held as a Subsidiary by FLAG at the Effective Time.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles, consistently
applied during the periods involved.
"GBCC" shall mean the Georgia Business Corporation Code.
"Hazardous Material" shall mean (i) any hazardous substance, hazardous
constituent, hazardous waste, solid waste, special waste, regulated substance,
or toxic substance (as those terms are listed, defined or regulated by any
applicable Environmental Laws) and (ii) any chemicals, pollutants, contaminants,
petroleum, petroleum products, or oil (and specifically shall include asbestos
requiring abatement. removal, or encapsulation pursuant to the requirements of
governmental authorities and any polychlorinated biphenyls).
"HSR Act" shall mean Section 7A of the Clayton Act, as added by Title II of
the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Intellectual Property" shall mean copyrights, patents, trademarks, service
marks, service names, trade names, applications therefor, and licenses, computer
software (including any source or object codes therefor or documentation
relating thereto), trade secrets, franchises, inventions, and other intellectual
property rights.
"Internal Revenue Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
"Knowledge" as used with respect to a FLAG Entity (including references to
being aware of a particular matter) shall mean those facts that are known or
should reasonably have been known after due inquiry by the chairman, president,
chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, chief operating officer,
chief credit officer, general counsel, any assistant or deputy general counsel,
or any senior, executive or other vice president of such FLAG Entity.
"Knowledge" as used with respect to an EMPIRE Entity (including references to
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being aware of a particular matter) shall mean those facts that are actually
known (with no obligation of inquiry) by the president and chief executive
officer of such EMPIRE Entity.
"Law" shall mean any code, law (including common law), ordinance,
regulation, decision, judicial interpretation, reporting or licensing
requirement, rule, or statute applicable to a Person or its Assets, Liabilities,
or business, including those promulgated, interpreted or enforced by any
Regulatory Authority.
"Liability" shall mean any direct or indirect, primary or secondary,
liability, indebtedness, obligation, penalty, cost or expense (including costs
of investigation, collection and defense), claim, deficiency, guaranty or
endorsement of or by any Person (other than endorsements of notes, bills,
checks, and drafts presented for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business) of any type, whether accrued, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, matured or unmatured, or otherwise.
"Lien" shall mean any conditional sale agreement, default of title,
easement, encroachment, encumbrance, hypothecation, infringement, lien,
mortgage, pledge, reservation, restriction, security interest, title retention
or other security arrangement, or any adverse right or interest, charge, or
claim of any nature whatsoever of, on, or with respect to any property or
property interest, other than (i) Liens for current property Taxes not yet due
and payable, (ii) for depository institution Subsidiaries of a Party, pledges to
secure deposits and other Liens incurred in the ordinary course of the banking
business, and (iii) Liens which do not materially impair the use of or title to
the Assets subject to such Lien.
"Litigation" shall mean any action, arbitration, cause of action. claim,
complaint investigation hearing, criminal prosecution, governmental or other
examination or other administrative or other proceeding relating to or affecting
a Party, its business. its Assets (including Contracts related to it), or the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. but shall not include regular.
periodic examinations of depository institutions and their Affiliates by
Regulatory Authorities.
"NASD" shall mean the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
"Nasdaq National Market" shall mean the National Market System of the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System.
"Operating Property" shall mean any property owned, leased, or operated by
the Party in question or by any of its Subsidiaries and, where required by the
context, includes the owner or operator of such property, but only with respect
to such property.
"Order" shall mean any administrative decision or award, decree,
injunction, judgment, order, quasi-judicial decision or award, ruling, or writ
of any federal, state, local or foreign or other court, arbitrator, mediator,
tribunal, administrative agency, or Regulatory Authority.
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"Participation Facility" shall mean any facility or property in which the
Party in question or any of its Subsidiaries participates in the management and,
where required by the context, said term means the owner or operator of such
facility or property, but only with respect to such facility or property.
"Party" shall mean either EMPIRE or FLAG, and "Parties" shall mean EMPIRE
and FLAG.
"Permit" shall mean any federal, state, local, and foreign governmental
approval, authorization, certificate, easement, filing, franchise, license,
notice, permit, or right to which any Person is a party or that is or may be
binding upon or inure to the benefit of any Person or its securities, Assets, or
business.
"Person" shall mean a natural person or any legal, commercial or
governmental entity, such as, but not limited to, a corporation, general
partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability company,
trust, business association, group acting in concert, or any person acting in a
representative capacity.
"Registration Statement" shall mean the Registration Statement on Form S-4,
or other appropriate form, including any pre-effective or post-effective
amendments or supplements thereto, filed with the SEC by FLAG under the 1933 Act
with respect to the shares of FLAG Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders
of EMPIRE in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
"Regulatory Authorities" shall mean, collectively, the SEC, the NASD, the
Federal Trade Commission, the United States Department of Justice, the Board of
the Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of Thrift Supervision
(including its predecessor, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board), the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance,
and all other federal, state, county, local or other governmental or regulatory
agencies, authorities (including self-regulatory authorities),
instrumentalities, commissions, boards or bodies having jurisdiction over the
Parties and their respective Subsidiaries.
"Representative" shall mean any investment banker, financial advisor,
attorney, accountant, consultant, or other representative engaged by a Person.
"SEC Documents" shall mean all forms, proxy statements, registration
statements, reports, schedules, and other documents filed, or required to be
filed, by a Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any Regulatory Authority
pursuant to the Securities Laws.
"Securities Laws" shall mean the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, as
amended, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of any Regulatory Authority promulgated thereunder.
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"Shareholders Meeting" shall mean the meeting of the shareholders of EMPIRE
to be held pursuant to Section 8. 3, including any adjournment or adjournments
thereof.
"Subsidiaries" shall mean all those corporations, associations, or other
business entities of which the entity in question either (i) owns or controls
50% or more of the outstanding equity securities either directly or through an
unbroken chain of entities as to each of which 50% or more of the outstanding
equity securities is owned directly or indirectly by its parent (provided, there
shall not be included any such entity the equity securities of which are owned
or controlled in a fiduciary capacity), (ii) in the case of partnerships, serves
as a general partner, (iii) in the case of a limited liability company, serves
as a managing member, or (iv) otherwise has the ability to elect a majority of
the directors, trustees or managing members thereof.
"Surviving Corporation" shall mean FLAG as the surviving corporation
resulting from the Merger.
"Tax Return" shall mean any report, return, information return, or other
information required to be supplied to a taxing authority in connection with
Taxes, including any return of an affiliated or combined or unitary group that
includes a Party or its Subsidiaries.
"Tax" or Taxes" shall mean any federal, state, county, local, or foreign
taxes, charges, fees, levies, imposts, duties, or other assessments, including
income, gross receipts, excise, employment, sales, use, transfer, license,
payroll, franchise, severance, stamp, occupation, windfall profits,
environmental, federal highway use, commercial rent, customs duties, capital
stock, paid-up capital, profits, withholding, Social Security, single business
and unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, registration, ad
valorem, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, estimated, or other tax or
governmental fee of any kind whatsoever, imposed or required to be withheld by
the United States or any state, county, local or foreign government or
subdivision or agency thereof, including any interest, penalties, and additions
imposed thereon or with respect thereto.
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(b) The terms set forth below shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in
the referenced sections:
Allowance Section 5.9
Certificates Section 4.1
Closing Section 1.2
Effective Time Section 1.3
EMPIRE Benefit Plans Section 5.15(a)
EMPIRE Contracts Section 5.16
EMPIRE ERISA Plan Section 5.15(a)
EMPIRE Pension Plan Section 5.15(a)
ERISA Affiliate Section 5.15(c)
Exchange Agent Section 4.1
Exchange Ratio Section 3.1(b)
FLAG Benefit Plans Section 6.15(a)
FLAG ERISA Plan Section 6.15(a)
FLAG Pension Plan Section 6.15(a)
FLAG SEC Reports Section 6.5(a)
Indemnified Party Section 8.14(a)
Merger Section 1.1
Tax Opinion Section 9.1(g)
(c) Any singular term in this Agreement shall be deemed to include the
plural, and any plural term the singular. Whenever the words "include,"
"includes" or "including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed
followed by the words "without limitation."
11.2 Expenses.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 11.2, each Party shall
bear and pay all direct costs and expenses incurred by it or on its behalf in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, including filing,
registration and application fees, printing fees, and fees and expenses of its
own financial or other consultants, investment bankers, accountants, and
counsel.
(b) If this Agreement is terminated by FLAG pursuant to Sections 10.1(b),
(c) or (d)(ii), EMPIRE shall pay to FLAG an amount equal to the lesser of
$100,000 or FLAG's actual out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c) If this Agreement is terminated by EMPIRE pursuant to Sections 10.1(b)
or (c), FLAG shall pay to EMPIRE an amount equal to the lesser of $100,000 or
EMPIRE's actual out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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(d) Nothing contained in this Section 11.2 shall constitute or shall be
deemed to constitute liquidated damages for the willful breach by a Party of the
terms of this Agreement or otherwise limit the rights of the nonbreaching Party.
11.3 Brokers and Finders. Except as disclosed in Section 11.3 of the FLAG
Disclosure Memorandum, and except as disclosed in Section 11.3 of the Empire
Disclosure Memorandum, each of the Parties represents and warrants that neither
it nor any of its officers, directors, employees, or Affiliates has employed any
broker or finder or incurred any Liability for any financial advisory fees,
investment bankers' fees, brokerage fees, commissions, or finders' fees in
connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. In the
event of a claim by any broker or finder based upon his or its representing or
being retained by or allegedly representing or being retained by EMPIRE or by
FLAG, each of EMPIRE and FLAG, as the case may be, agrees to indemnify and hold
the other Party harmless of and from any Liability in respect of any such claim.
11.4 Entire Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, this
Agreement (including the documents and instruments referred to herein)
constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties with respect to the
transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all prior arrangements or
understandings with respect thereto, written or oral. Nothing in this Agreement,
expressed or implied, is intended to confer upon any Person, other than the
Parties or their respective successors, any rights, remedies, obligations, or
liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
11.5 Amendments. To the extent permitted by Law, this Agreement may be
amended by a subsequent writing signed by each of the Parties upon the approval
of each of the Parties, whether before or after shareholder approval of this
Agreement has been obtained; provided, that after any such approval by the
holders of EMPIRE Common Stock, there shall be made no amendment that, pursuant
to the GBCC, requires further approval by such shareholders without the further
approval of such shareholders; and further provided, that after any such
approval by the holders of FLAG Common Stock, the provisions of this Agreement
relating to the manner or basis in which shares of EMPIRE Common Stock will be
exchanged for shares of FLAG Common Stock shall not be amended after the
Shareholders' Meeting in a manner adverse to the holders of FLAG Common Stock
without any requisite approval of the holders of the issued and outstanding
shares of FLAG Common Stock entitled to vote thereon.
11.6 Waivers.
(a) Prior to or at the Effective Time, FLAG, acting through its Board of
Directors, chief executive officer or other authorized officer, shall have the
right to waive any Default in the performance of any term of this Agreement by
EMPIRE, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by EMPIRE
of any and all of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all
of the conditions precedent to the obligations of FLAG under this Agreement,
except any condition which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of
any Law. No such waiver shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly
authorized officer of FLAG.
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(b) Prior to or at the Effective Time, EMPIRE, acting through its Board of
Directors, chief executive officer or other authorized officer, shall have the
right to waive any Default in the performance of any term of this Agreement by
FLAG, to waive or extend the time for the compliance or fulfillment by FLAG, of
any and all of its obligations under this Agreement, and to waive any or all of
the conditions precedent to the obligations of EMPIRE under this Agreement,
except any condition which, if not satisfied, would result in the violation of
any Law. No such waiver shall be effective unless in writing signed by a duly
authorized officer of EMPIRE.
(c) The failure of any Party at any time or times to require performance of
any provision hereof shall in no manner affect the right of such Party at a
later time to enforce the same or any other provision of this Agreement. No
waiver of any condition or of the breach of any term contained in this Agreement
in one or more instances shall be deemed to be or construed as a further or
continuing waiver of such condition or breach or a waiver of any other condition
or of the breach of any other term of this Agreement.
11.7 Assignment. Except as expressly contemplated hereby, neither this
Agreement nor any of the rights, interests or obligations hereunder shall be
assigned by any Party hereto (whether by operation of Law or otherwise) without
the prior written consent of the other Party. Subject to the preceding sentence,
this Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.
11.8 Notices. All notices or other communications which are required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered by hand, by
facsimile transmission, by registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid, or by
courier or overnight carrier, to the persons at the addresses set forth below
(or at such other address as may be provided hereunder), and shall be deemed to
have been delivered as of the date so delivered:
EMPIRE: Empire Bank Corp.
115 E. Dame Avenue
Homerville, GA 31634-1934
Telecopy Number: (912) 487-2471
Attention: Leonard H. Bateman
Copy to Counsel: Kilpatrick Stockton LLP
Suite 2800
1100 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309-4530
Telecopy Number: (404) 815-6555
Attention: Richard R. Cheatham, Esq.
FLAG: FLAG Financial Corporation
101 North Greenwood St.
LaGrange, GA 30240
Telecopy Number: (706) 845-5155
Attention: J. Daniel Speight, Jr.
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Copy to Counsel: Powell Goldstein Frazer & Murphy LLP
Sixteenth Floor
191 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30303
Telecopy Number: (404) 572-5958
Attention: Walter G. Moeling IV, Esq.
11.9 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the Laws of the State of Georgia, without regard to any
applicable conflicts of Laws.
11.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
11.11 Captions, Articles and Sections. The captions contained in this
Agreement are for reference purposes only and are not part of this Agreement.
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to particular Articles or Sections
shall mean and refer to the referenced Articles and Sections of this Agreement.
11.12 Interpretations. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or
ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against any party, whether under
any rule of construction or otherwise. No party to this Agreement shall be
considered the draftsman. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement
has been reviewed, negotiated, and accepted by all parties and their attorneys
and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the
words used so as fairly to accomplish the purposes and intentions of all parties
hereto.
11.13 Enforcement of Agreement. The Parties hereto agree that irreparable
damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement was
not performed in accordance with its specific terms or was otherwise breached.
It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or
injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically
the terms and provisions hereof in any court of the United States or any state
having jurisdiction, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they
are entitled at law or in equity.
11.14 Severability. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms and provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction. If any provision of this
Agreement is so broad as to be unenforceable, the provision shall be interpreted
to be only so broad as is enforceable.
[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON NEXT PAGE]
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[SIGNATURES TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be
executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officers as of the day and year
first above written.
FLAG FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: /s/ J. Daniel Speight, Jr.
-----------------------------------
J. Daniel Speight, Jr.
President & Chief Executive Officer
EMPIRE BANK CORP.
By: /s/ Leonard H. Bateman
-------------------------------------
Leonard H. Bateman
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Exhibit 1
AFFILIATE AGREEMENT
FLAG Financial Corporation
101 North Greenwood Street
LaGrange, GA 30240
Attention: J. Daniel Speight, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer
Gentlemen:
The undersigned is a shareholder of Empire Bank Corp. ("EMPIRE"), a Georgia
Corporation, and will become a shareholder of FLAG Financial Corporation
("FLAG"), a Georgia corporation, pursuant to the transactions described in the
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 1998 (the "Agreement"), by
and between FLAG, and EMPIRE. Under the terms of the Agreement, EMPIRE will be
merged with and into FLAG (the "Merger"), and the shares of the $10.00 par value
common stock of EMPIRE ("EMPIRE Common Stock") will be converted into and
exchanged for shares of the $1.00 par value common stock of FLAG ("FLAG Common
Stock"). This Affiliate Agreement represents an agreement between the
undersigned and FLAG regarding certain rights and obligations of the undersigned
in connection with the shares of FLAG to be received by the undersigned as a
result of the Merger.
In consideration of the Merger and the mutual covenants contained herein,
the undersigned and FLAG hereby agree as follows:
1. Affiliate Status. The undersigned understands and agrees that as to
EMPIRE he is an "affiliate" under Rule 145(c) as defined in Rule 405 of the
Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act"), and the undersigned
anticipates that he will be such an "affiliate" at the time of the Merger.
2. Initial Restrictions on Disposition. The undersigned agrees that he will
not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of his interests in, or reduce his risk
relative to, any of the shares of FLAG Common Stock into which his shares of
EMPIRE Common Stock are converted upon consummation of the Merger until such
time as FLAG notifies the undersigned that the requirements of SEC Accounting
Series Release Nos. 130 and 135 ("ASR 130 and 135") have been met except that
transfers may be made in compliance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 76 issued
by the SEC. The undersigned understands that ASR 130 and 135 relate to
publication of financial results of post-Merger combined operations of FLAG and
EMPIRE. FLAG agrees that it will publish such results within 45 days after the
end of the first fiscal quarter of FLAG containing the required period of
post-Merger combined operations and that it will notify the undersigned promptly
following such publication.
<PAGE>
3. Covenants and Warranties of Undersigned. The undersigned represents,
warrants and agrees that:
(a) At any meeting of shareholders of EMPIRE called to vote upon the Merger
and the Merger Agreement or at any adjournment thereof or in any other
circumstances upon which a vote, consent or other approval with respect to the
Merger and the Merger Agreement is sought (the "Shareholders' Meeting"), the
undersigned shall, to the extent that the Shareholder has the power, vote (or
cause to be voted) the Shareholder's Shares in favor of the Merger, the
execution and delivery by EMPIRE of the Merger Agreement, and the approval of
the terms thereof and each of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement, provided that the terms of the Merger Agreement shall not have been
amended to reduce the consideration payable in the Merger to a lesser amount of
FLAG Common Stock or otherwise to materially and adversely impair the
Shareholder's rights or increase the Shareholder's obligations thereunder. The
undersigned hereby waives any rights of appraisal, or rights to dissent from the
Merger, that the undersigned may have.
(b) The FLAG Common Stock received by the undersigned as a result of the
Merger will be taken for his own account and not for others, directly or
indirectly, in whole or in part.
(c) FLAG has informed the undersigned that any distribution by the
undersigned of FLAG Common Stock has not been registered under the 1933 Act and
that shares of FLAG Common Stock received pursuant to the Merger can only be
sold by the undersigned (1) following registration under the 1933 Act, or (2) in
conformity with the volume and other requirements of Rule 145(d) promulgated by
the SEC as the same now exist or may hereafter be amended, or (3) to the extent
some other exemption from registration under the 1933 Act might be available.
The undersigned understands that FLAG is under no obligation to file a
registration statement with the SEC covering the disposition of the
undersigned's shares of FLAG Common Stock or to take any other action necessary
to make compliance with an exemption from such registration available.
(d) The undersigned will, and will cause each of the other parties whose
shares are deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned pursuant to
Section 9 hereof, have all shares of EMPIRE Common Stock beneficially owned by
the undersigned registered in the name of the undersigned or such parties, as
applicable, prior to the effective date of the Merger and not in the name of any
bank, broker-dealer, nominee or clearinghouse.
(e) During the thirty (30) days immediately preceding the Effective Time of
the Merger, the undersigned has not sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of
his interests in, or reduced his risk relative to, any of the shares of EMPIRE
Common Stock beneficially owned by the undersigned as of the record date for
determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the Shareholders' Meeting of
EMPIRE held to approve the Merger.
(f) The undersigned is aware that FLAG intends to treat the Merger as a
tax-free reorganization under Section 368 of the Code for federal income tax
purposes. The undersigned agrees to treat the transaction in the same manner as
FLAG for federal income tax purposes.
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4. Restrictions on Transfer. The undersigned understands and agrees that
stop-transfer instructions with respect to the shares of FLAG Common Stock
received by the undersigned pursuant to the Merger will be given to FLAG's
Transfer Agent and that there will be placed on the certificates for such
shares, or shares issued in substitution thereof, a legend stating in substance:
The shares represented by this certificate were issued pursuant to a
business combination which is accounted for as a "pooling of interests" and may
not be sold, nor may the owner thereof reduce his risks relative thereto in any
way, until such time as FLAG Financial Corporation ("FLAG") has published the
financial results covering at least 30 days of combined operations after the
effective date of the merger through which the business combination was
effected. In addition, the shares represented by this certificate may not be
sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of except or unless (1) covered by an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
(2) in accordance with (i) Rule 145(d) (in the case of shares issued to an
individual who is an affiliate of FLAG) of the Rules and Regulations of such
Act, or (3) in accordance with a legal opinion satisfactory to counsel for FLAG
that such sale or transfer is otherwise exempt from the registration
requirements of such Act.
Such legend will also be placed on any certificate representing FLAG
securities issued subsequent to the original issuance of FLAG Common Stock
pursuant to the Merger as a result of any transfer of such shares or any stock
dividend, stock split, or other recapitalization as long as the FLAG Common
Stock issued to the undersigned pursuant to the Merger has not been transferred
in such manner as to justify the removal of the legend therefrom. Upon the
request of the undersigned, FLAG shall cause the certificates representing the
shares of FLAG Common Stock issued to the undersigned in connection with the
Merger to be reissued free of any legend relating to restrictions on transfer by
virtue of ASR 130 and 135 as soon as practicable after the requirements of ASR
130 and 135 have been met. In addition, if the provisions of Rules 144 and 145
are amended to eliminate restrictions applicable to the FLAG Common Stock
received by the undersigned pursuant to the Merger, or at the expiration of the
restrictive period set forth in Rule 145(d), FLAG, upon the request of the
undersigned, will cause the certificates representing the shares of FLAG Common
Stock issued to the undersigned in connection with the Merger to be reissued
free of any legend relating to the restrictions set forth in Rules 144 and
145(d) upon receipt by FLAG of an opinion of its counsel to the effect that such
legend may be removed.
5. Understanding of Restrictions on Disposition. The undersigned has
carefully read the Agreement and this Affiliate Agreement and has discussed
their requirements and impact upon his ability to sell, transfer or otherwise
dispose of the shares of FLAG Common Stock received by the undersigned, to the
extent he believes necessary, with his counsel or counsel for EMPIRE.
6. Filing of Reports by FLAG. FLAG agrees, for a period of three years
after the effective date of the Merger, to file on a timely basis all reports
required to be filed by it pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, so that the public information provisions of Rule 145(d)
promulgated by the SEC as the same are presently in effect will be available to
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<PAGE>
the undersigned in the event the undersigned desires to transfer any shares of
FLAG Common Stock issued to the undersigned pursuant to the Merger.
7. Transfer Under Rule 145(d). If the undersigned desires to sell or
otherwise transfer the shares of FLAG Common Stock received by him in connection
with the Merger at any time during the restrictive period set forth in Rule
145(d), the undersigned will provide the necessary representation letter to the
transfer agent for FLAG Common Stock, together with such additional information
as the transfer agent may reasonably request. If FLAG's counsel concludes that
such proposed sale or transfer complies with the requirements of Rule 145(d),
FLAG shall cause such counsel to provide such opinions as may be necessary to
FLAG's transfer agent so that the undersigned may complete the proposed sale or
transfer.
8. Certain Actions. The undersigned covenants and agrees with FLAG that,
for a period of two (2) years after the effective time of the Merger, the
undersigned shall not, without the prior written consent of FLAG, directly or
indirectly serve as a consultant to, serve as a management official of, or be or
become a major shareholder of any financial institution having an office in
Clinch, Ware and Pierce Counties, Georgia. It is expressly understood that the
covenants contained in this paragraph 8 do not apply to (i) "management
official" positions which the undersigned holds with financial institutions
(other than FLAG, EMPIRE, and their subsidiaries) as of the date of this
Agreement, (ii) securities holdings which cause the undersigned to be deemed a
major shareholder of a financial institution (other than FLAG, EMPIRE, and their
subsidiaries) as of the date of this Agreement, or (iii) advisory relationships
with a financial institution which the undersigned has as of the date of this
Agreement or may have after the date hereof solely in the capacity as legal
counsel. For the purposes of the covenants contained in this paragraph 8, the
following terms shall have the following respective meanings:
(a) The term "management official" shall refer to service of any type which
gives the undersigned the authority to participate, directly or indirectly, in
policy-making functions of the financial institution. This includes, but is not
limited to, service as an organizer, officer, director, or advisory director of
the financial institution. It is expressly understood that the undersigned may
be deemed a management official of the financial institution whether or not he
holds any official, elected, or appointed position with such financial
institution.
(b) The term "financial institution" shall refer to any bank, bank holding
company, savings and loan association, savings and loan holding company,
banking-related company, or any other similar financial institution which
engages in the business of accepting deposits or making loans or which owns or
controls a company which engages in the business of accepting deposits or making
loans. It is expressly understood that the term "financial institution" shall
include any financial institution as defined herein that, after the date of this
Agreement, makes application for an appropriate federal or state regulatory
authority for approval to organize.
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(c) The term "major shareholder" shall refer to the beneficial ownership of
five percent (5%) or more of any class of voting securities or the ownership of
five percent (5%) of the total equity interest in such company, however
denominated.
The provisions of this paragraph 8 shall be of no further force and effect
if the undersigned is not offered employment as a director of FLAG or any of its
subsidiaries (to include the subsidiaries of EMPIRE acquired at the Effective
Time of the Merger) at the Effective Time of the Merger or, if the undersigned
is so employed, the undersigned's employment is terminated by FLAG after the
Effective Time of the Merger.
9. Acknowledgments. The undersigned recognizes and agrees that the
foregoing provisions also apply to all shares of the capital stock of EMPIRE and
FLAG that are deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned pursuant to
applicable federal securities laws, which the undersigned agrees may include,
without limitation, shares owned or held in the name of (i) the undersigned's
spouse, (ii) any relative of the undersigned or of the undersigned's spouse who
has the same home as the undersigned, (iii) any trust or estate in which the
undersigned, the undersigned's spouse and any such relative collectively own at
least a ten-percent (10%) beneficial interest or of which any of the foregoing
serves as trustee, executor, or in any similar capacity, and (iv) any
corporation or other organization in which the undersigned, the undersigned's
spouse and any such relative collectively own at least ten-percent (10%) of any
class of equity securities or of the equity interest. The undersigned further
recognizes that, in the event that the undersigned is a director or officer of
FLAG or becomes a director or officer of FLAG upon consummation of the Merger,
among other things, any sale of FLAG Common Stock by the undersigned within a
period of less than six (6) months following the Effective Time of the Merger
may subject the undersigned to liability pursuant to Section 16(b) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
10. Miscellaneous. This Affiliate Agreement is the complete agreement
between FLAG and the undersigned concerning the subject matter hereof. Any
notice required to be sent to any party hereunder shall be sent by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, using the addresses set forth herein
or such other address as shall be furnished in writing by the parties. This
Affiliate Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Georgia.
SIGNATURES CONTAINED ON NEXT PAGE
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This Affiliate Agreement is executed as of the _________ day of
________________, 1998.
Very truly yours,
__________________________________________
Signature
__________________________________________
Print Name
Address:__________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
[add below the signatures of all registered
owners of shares deemed beneficially owned
by the affiliate]
__________________________________________
Name
__________________________________________
Name
__________________________________________
Name
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED as of
the _______ day of _____________________, 1998.
FLAG FINANCIAL CORPORATION
By: ____________________________________
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Exhibit 2
MATTERS AS TO WHICH KILPATRICK STOCKTON, LLP WILL OPINE
1. Empire Bank Corp. ("EMPIRE") is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Georgia with full
corporate power and authority to carry on the business in which it is engaged,
and to own and use its Assets.
2. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and compliance with its
terms do not and will not violate or contravene any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of EMPIRE or, to our knowledge but without any
independent investigation, result in any conflict with, breach of, or default or
acceleration under any Contract disclosed in the Agreement, Law, Order or Permit
(subject to the approval of Regulatory Authorities) to which EMPIRE is a party
or by which EMPIRE is bound.
3. The Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by EMPIRE
and, assuming valid authorization, execution and delivery by FLAG, constitutes a
valid and binding agreement of EMPIRE enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally; provided,
however, that we express no opinion as to the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance.
4. The authorized capital stock of EMPIRE consists of 1,000,000 shares of
the EMPIRE Common Stock, of which 26,450 shares were issued and outstanding as
of _______________________, 1998. The shares of the EMPIRE Common Stock that are
issued and outstanding were not issued in violation of any statutory preemptive
rights of shareholders, were duly issued, and are fully paid and nonassessable
under the GBCC. To our knowledge, except as set forth above, or as disclosed in
Section 5.3 of the EMPIRE Disclosure Memorandum, as of ______________, 1998,
there were no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of EMPIRE
outstanding and no outstanding Equity Rights relating to the capital stock of
EMPIRE.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 3
____________________, 1998
FLAG Financial Corporation
101 North Greenwood Street
LaGrange, GA 30240
RE: Empire Bank Corp. ("EMPIRE")
Homerville, Georgia
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter is delivered pursuant to Section 9.2(g) of the Agreement and
Plan of Merger, dated as of July 30, 1998, by and between FLAG Financial
Corporation and EMPIRE.
In my capacity as an officer or a director of EMPIRE, and as of the date of
this letter, I do not, to the best of my knowledge, have any claims, and I am
not aware of any facts or circumstances that I believe are likely to give rise
to any claim, for indemnification under EMPIRE's Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws as existing on the date hereof or as may be afforded by the laws of the
State of Georgia or the United States.
Very truly yours,
______________________________________
Signature of Officer or Director
______________________________________
Name of Officer or Director
______________________________________
Position at EMPIRE
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4
MATTERS AS TO WHICH POWELL, GOLDSTEIN, FRAZER & MURPHY LLP
WILL OPINE
1. FLAG Financial Corporation ("FLAG") is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Georgia
with full corporate power and authority to carry on the business in which it is
engaged, and to own and use its Assets.
2. The execution and delivery of the Agreement and compliance with its
terms do not and will not violate or contravene any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of FLAG or, to our knowledge but without any independent
investigation, result in any conflict with, breach of, or default under any
Contract disclosed in the Agreement, Law, Order or Permit (subject to the
approval of Regulatory Authorities) to which FLAG is a party or by which FLAG is
bound.
3. The Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by FLAG,
and assuming valid authorization, execution and delivery by Empire Bank Corp.,
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of FLAG enforceable in accordance with
its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, provided,
however, that we express no opinion as to the availability of the equitable
remedy of specific performance.
4. The authorized capital stock of FLAG consists of 20,000,000 shares of
FLAG Common Stock, of which 5,174,807 shares are issued and outstanding as of
____________ 1998, and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of FLAG Preferred Stock, of which
no shares are issued and outstanding as of _____________________ 1998. The
shares of FLAG Common Stock that are issued and outstanding were not issued in
violation of any statutory preemptive rights of shareholders, were duly issued
and are fully paid and nonassessable under the Georgia Business Corporation
Code. To our knowledge, except as set forth above, or as disclosed in Section
6.3 of the FLAG Disclosure Memorandum, as of _________________________, 1998,
there were no shares of capital stock or other equity securities of FLAG
outstanding and no outstanding Equity Rights relating to the capital stock of
FLAG. The shares of FLAG Common Stock to be issued to the shareholders of Empire
Bank Corp. as contemplated by the Agreement have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and when properly issued and delivered
following consummation of the Merger will be fully paid and non-assessable under
the Georgia Business Corporation Code.
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