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EX-23.1 - EX-23.1 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-23_1.htm
EX-21.1 - EX-21.1 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-21_1.htm
EX-10.11 - EX-10.11 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_11.htm
EX-10.10 - EX-10.10 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_10.htm
EX-10.9 - EX-10.9 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_9.htm
EX-10.8 - EX-10.8 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_8.htm
EX-10.7 - EX-10.7 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_7.htm
EX-10.6 - EX-10.6 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_6.htm
EX-10.5 - EX-10.5 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_5.htm
EX-10.4 - EX-10.4 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_4.htm
EX-10.3 - EX-10.3 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_3.htm
EX-10.2 - EX-10.2 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_2.htm
EX-10.1 - EX-10.1 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-10_1.htm
EX-5.1 - EX-5.1 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-5_1.htm
EX-4.1 - EX-4.1 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-4_1.htm
EX-3.2 - EX-3.2 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-3_2.htm
EX-3.1 - EX-3.1 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-3_1.htm
EX-2.1 - EX-2.1 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zex-2_1.htm
S-1 - S-1 - Level One Bancorp Inca2234767zs-1.htm

Exhibit 2.2

 

Execution Version

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

BETWEEN

 

LEVEL ONE BANCORP, INC.

 

AND

 

BANK OF MICHIGAN

 

AS OF OCTOBER 21, 2015

 



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PAGE

 

 

Agreement And Plan of Merger

1

 

 

Recitals

1

 

 

Agreements

1

 

 

Article 1 Definitions

1

 

 

Section 1.1

Definitions

1

Section 1.2

Principles of Construction

8

 

 

Article 2 The Merger

9

 

 

Section 2.1

The Merger

9

Section 2.2

Closing; Effective Time

9

Section 2.3

Effects of Merger

10

Section 2.4

Articles of Incorporation

10

Section 2.5

Bylaws

10

Section 2.6

Board of Directors

10

Section 2.7

Officers

11

Section 2.8

Acquiror’s Deliveries at Closing

11

Section 2.9

Seller’s Deliveries at Closing

11

Section 2.10

Alternative Structure

12

Section 2.11

Absence of Control

12

 

 

Article 3 Conversion of Stock in the Merger

12

 

 

Section 3.1

Manner of Merger

12

Section 3.2

Rights as Shareholders; Stock Transfers

13

Section 3.3

Exchange Procedures

13

Section 3.4

Restricted Shares

14

Section 3.5

Dissenter Shares

14

 

 

Article 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

14

 

 

Section 4.1

Seller Organization

15

Section 4.2

Authorization; Enforceability

15

Section 4.3

No Conflict

15

Section 4.4

Seller Capitalization

16

Section 4.5

Financial Statements and Reports

16

 

i



 

Section 4.6

Books and Records

17

Section 4.7

Title to Properties

17

Section 4.8

Condition and Sufficiency of Assets

18

Section 4.9

Loans; Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses

18

Section 4.10

Undisclosed Liabilities; Adverse Changes

18

Section 4.11

Taxes

19

Section 4.12

Compliance with ERISA

19

Section 4.13

Compliance with Legal Requirements

20

Section 4.14

Legal Proceedings; Orders

20

Section 4.15

Absence of Certain Changes and Events

21

Section 4.16

Properties, Contracts and Employee Benefit Plans

23

Section 4.17

No Defaults

25

Section 4.18

Deposit Insurance

25

Section 4.19

Other Insurance

26

Section 4.20

Compliance with Environmental Laws

26

Section 4.21

Regulatory Filings

26

Section 4.22

Fiduciary Accounts

26

Section 4.23

Indemnification Claims

27

Section 4.24

Insider Interests

27

Section 4.25

Brokerage Commissions

27

Section 4.26

Approval Delays

27

Section 4.27

Code Sections 280G, 409A and 4999

27

Section 4.28

Intellectual Property

27

Section 4.29

Disclosure

28

 

 

Article 5 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR

28

 

 

Section 5.1

Acquiror Organization

28

Section 5.2

Bank Organization

28

Section 5.3

Authorization; Enforceability

28

Section 5.4

Compliance with Legal Requirements

29

Section 5.5

No Conflict

30

Section 5.6

Approval Delays

30

Section 5.7

Disclosure

30

Section 5.8

Financial Resources

30

 

ii



 

Article 6 COVENANTS OF SELLER

30

 

 

Section 6.1

Access and Investigation

30

Section 6.2

Operation of Seller

31

Section 6.3

Negative Covenant

32

Section 6.4

Subsequent Financial Statements

33

Section 6.5

Advice of Changes

33

Section 6.6

Other Offers

33

Section 6.7

Voting Agreement

34

Section 6.8

Shareholders’ Meeting

34

Section 6.9

Information Provided to Acquiror

34

Section 6.10

Amendment or Termination of Employee Benefit Plans

34

Section 6.11

Data and Item Processing Agreements

34

Section 6.12

Tax Matters

34

Section 6.13

Accounting and Other Adjustments

35

Section 6.14

Severance Payments

35

 

 

Article 7 ACQUIROR’S COVENANTS

35

 

 

Section 7.1

Advice of Changes

35

Section 7.2

Information Provided to Seller

35

Section 7.3

Indemnification and Insurance

36

Section 7.4

Severance Payment Obligation

36

Section 7.5

Employment Agreement

36

Section 7.6

Acquiror Employment Benefit Plans

36

Section 7.7

Formation of Acquisition Bank

37

 

 

Article 8 COVENANTS OF ALL PARTIES

37

 

 

Section 8.1

Regulatory Approvals

37

Section 8.2

Necessary Approvals

37

Section 8.3

Customer and Employee Relationships

37

Section 8.4

Best Efforts; Cooperation

38

 

 

Article 9 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR

38

 

 

Section 9.1

Accuracy of Representations and Warranties

38

Section 9.2

Seller’s Performance

38

Section 9.3

Documents Satisfactory

38

Section 9.4

No Proceedings

39

 

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Section 9.5

Absence of Material Adverse Effects

39

Section 9.6

Consents and Approvals

39

Section 9.7

No Prohibition

39

Section 9.8

Minimum Seller’s Shareholders’ Equity

39

Section 9.9

Notices of Dissent

39

 

 

Article 10 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER

39

 

 

Section 10.1

Accuracy of Representations and Warranties

39

Section 10.2

Acquiror’s Performance

40

Section 10.3

Documents Satisfactory

40

Section 10.4

No Proceedings

40

Section 10.5

Consents and Approvals

40

Section 10.6

No Prohibition

40

 

 

Article 11 TERMINATION

40

 

 

Section 11.1

Reasons for Termination and Abandonment

40

Section 11.2

Effect of Termination

41

Section 11.3

Expenses

41

 

 

Article 12 MISCELLANEOUS

42

 

 

Section 12.1

Governing Law

42

Section 12.2

Jurisdiction and Service of Process

42

Section 12.3

Assignments, Successors and No Third Party Rights

42

Section 12.4

Waiver

43

Section 12.5

Modification

43

Section 12.6

Publicity

43

Section 12.7

Confidentiality

43

Section 12.8

Notices

43

Section 12.9

Entire Agreement

45

Section 12.10

Severability

45

Section 12.11

Further Assurances

45

Section 12.12

Counterparts; Facsimile or Other Electronic Signatures

45

Section 12.13

Survival

45

 

iv



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit A

 

Form of Voting Agreement

 

 

 

Exhibit B

 

Form of Statutory Consolidation Agreement

 

v



 

SCHEDULE INDEX

 

Schedule 4.1

 

Seller Organization

Schedule 4.3

 

Conflicts

Schedule 4.4

 

Seller Capitalization

Schedule 4.5

 

Financial Statements and Reports

Schedule 4.7

 

Title to Properties

Schedule 4.9

 

Loans; ALLL

Schedule 4.10

 

Undisclosed Liabilities; Adverse Changes

Schedule 4.12

 

Compliance with ERISA

Schedule 4.13

 

Compliance with Legal Requirements

Schedule 4.14

 

Legal Proceedings; Orders

Schedule 4.15

 

Absence of Certain Changes and Events

Schedule 4.16

 

Properties, Contracts and Employee Benefit Plans

Schedule 4.17

 

Defaults

Schedule 4.19

 

Other Insurance

Schedule 4.20

 

Compliance with Environmental Laws

Schedule 4.23

 

Indemnification Claims

Schedule 4.24

 

Insider Interests

Schedule 4.25

 

Brokerage Commissions

Schedule 4.27

 

Code Sections 280G, 409A and 4999

Schedule 4.28

 

Intellectual Property

Schedule 6.2(g)

 

Securities Eligible for Sale

Schedule 7.4

 

Severance Payment Obligation

Schedule 7.5

 

Employment Agreement

 

vi


 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of this 21st day of October, 2015 (the “Agreement Date”), between Level One Bancorp, Inc., a Michigan corporation (“Acquiror”), and Bank of Michigan, a Michigan state chartered bank (“Seller”).

 

RECITALS

 

A.                                    The parties to this Agreement desire to effect a reorganization whereby Acquiror acquires control of Seller through the consolidation (the “Merger”) of a Michigan chartered interim bank that will be formed by Acquiror for purposes of the Merger and will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror (the “Acquisition Bank”) with and into Seller with Seller being the surviving entity as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror (the “Surviving Entity”). Immediately following the Merger, Acquiror intends that Seller, as the surviving entity in the Merger, would be merged with and into Level One Bank with Level One Bank being the surviving entity (the “Second Merger”).

 

B.                                    As a result of the Merger and at the time of the consummation thereof, each outstanding share of the common stock of Seller (“Seller Common Stock”) will be cancelled and converted solely into the right to receive cash in the amount and pursuant to the terms set forth in this Agreement.

 

C.                                    The parties desire to make certain representations, warranties and agreements in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and also agree to certain prescribed conditions to the Merger and the other transactions.

 

AGREEMENTS

 

In consideration of the foregoing premises, which are incorporated herein by this reference, and the mutual promises, covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

Article 1

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1                                   Definitions.

 

In addition to those terms defined throughout this Agreement, the following terms, when used herein, shall have the following meanings.

 

(a)                                 “Acquiror” has the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph.

 

(b)                                 “Acquisition Bank” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals hereof.

 

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(c)                                  “Acquisition Transaction” means the acquisition by a third party of: (i) legal or beneficial ownership (as defined by Rule 13d-4 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of greater than 20% of the then issued and outstanding voting stock of a party hereto or any of their subsidiaries through any transaction to which a party hereto or any Affiliate of a party hereto is a party; or (ii) more than 50% of the assets of a party or any of their subsidiaries hereto.

 

(d)                                 Affiliate” means with respect to:

 

(i)                                     a particular individual: (A) each other member of such individual’s Family; (B) any Person that is directly or indirectly controlled by such individual or one or more members of such individual’s Family; (C) any Person in which such individual or members of such individual’s Family hold (individually or in the aggregate) a Material Interest; and (D) any Person with respect to which such individual or one or more members of such individual’s Family serves as a director, officer, partner or executor (or in a similar capacity); and

 

(ii)                                  a specified Person other than an individual: (A) any Person that directly or indirectly controls, is directly or indirectly controlled by, or is directly or indirectly under common control with such specified Person; (B) any Person that holds a Material Interest in such specified Person; (C) each Person that serves as a director, officer, partner or executor of such specified Person (or in a similar capacity); (D) any Person in which such specified Person holds a Material Interest; (E) any Person with respect to which such specified Person serves as a general partner or a director (or in a similar capacity); and (F) any Affiliate of any individual described in clauses (B) or (C) of this subsection (ii).

 

(e)                                  Aggregate Merger Consideration” means cash in the amount equal to the product of the number of Outstanding Seller Shares as of the Effective Time multiplied by $17.00; provided, only the Outstanding Seller Shares as of the Agreement Date shall be considered to be Outstanding Seller Shares for purposes of this Section 1.1(e).

 

(f)                                   “Agreement” has the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph.

 

(g)                                  “Agreement Date” has the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph.

 

(h)                                 ALLL” means allowance for loan and lease losses.

 

(i)                                     Best Efforts” means the efforts that a prudent Person desirous of achieving a result would use in similar circumstances to ensure that such result is achieved as expeditiously as possible; provided, however, that an obligation to use Best Efforts under this Agreement does not require the Person subject to that obligation to take actions that would result in a materially adverse change in the benefits to such Person of this Agreement and the Merger.

 

(j)                                    BHCA” means the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.

 

(k)                                 Borrowing Affiliate” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6.2(d)(ii).

 

2



 

(l)                                     Breach” means with respect to a representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or other provision of this Agreement or any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement: (i) any inaccuracy in or breach of, or any failure to perform or comply with, such representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or other provision; or (ii) any claim (by any Person) or other occurrence or circumstance that is or was inconsistent with such representation, warranty, covenant, obligation or other provision.

 

(m)                             Business Day” means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day on which Level One Bank is authorized or required by law or other government action to close.

 

(n)                                 Call Reports” means Reports of Condition and Income as filed with the FDIC.

 

(o)                                 Certificates” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.3(a).

 

(p)                                 Closing” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.2(a).

 

(q)                                 Closing Date” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.2(a).

 

(r)                                    Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(s)                                   Confidentiality Agreement” means the letter agreement dated as of June 4, 2015 by and between Level One Bank and Seller (as it may be amended from time to time).

 

(t)                                    Contemplated Transactions” means all of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including: (i) Acquiror’s formation of Acquisition Bank; (ii) the Merger; (iii) the performance by Acquiror and Seller of their respective covenants and obligations under this Agreement; (iv) Acquiror’s acquisition of control of Seller; and (v) Acquiror’s payment of cash in exchange for shares of Seller Common Stock.

 

(u)                                 Contract” means any agreement, contract, obligation, promise or understanding (whether written or oral and whether express or implied) that is legally binding: (i) under which a Person has or may acquire any rights; (ii) under which such Person has or may become subject to any obligation or liability; or (iii) by which such Person or any of the assets owned or used by such Person is or may become bound.

 

(v)                                 DIFS” means the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services.

 

(w)                               Dissenter Shares” the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1.

 

(x)                                 Effective Time” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.2(c).

 

(y)                                 Environmental Laws” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.20.

 

(z)                                  Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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(aa)                          Expense Fee” has the meaning given to such term in Section 11.3(b).

 

(bb)                          Family” means with respect to an individual: (i) the individual; (ii) the individual’s spouse; (iii) any other natural person who is related to the individual or the individual’s spouse within the second degree; and (iv) any other natural person who resides with such individual.

 

(cc)                            FDI Act” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.

 

(dd)                          FDIC” means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

 

(ee)                            Federal Reserve” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the appropriate Federal Reserve Bank acting under delegated authority.

 

(ff)                              Financial Statements” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.5.

 

(gg)                            GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as applied in the United States.

 

(hh)                          IIPI” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.13(b).

 

(ii)                                  Intellectual Property Assets” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.16(g).

 

(jj)                                Knowledge” with respect to:

 

(iii)                               an individual means that such person will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a particular fact or other matter if: (A) such individual is actually aware of such fact or other matter; or (B) a prudent individual could be expected to discover or otherwise become aware of such fact or other matter in the course of conducting a reasonably comprehensive investigation concerning the existence of such fact or other matter; and

 

(iv)                              a Person (other than an individual) means that such Person will be deemed to have “Knowledge” of a particular fact or other matter if any individual who is serving, or who has served in the past twelve (12) months, as a director, officer, partner or executor of such Person (or in any similar capacity) has, or at any time had, Knowledge of such fact or other matter.

 

(kk)                          Legal Requirement” means any federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, international, multinational or other Order, constitution, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, policy statement, directive, statute or treaty.

 

(ll)                                  Letter of Transmittal” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.3(a).

 

(mm)                  Level One Bank” means Level One Bank, a Michigan state-chartered commercial bank with its main office located in Farmington Hills, Michigan, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror.

 

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(nn)                          Material Adverse Effect” with respect to a Person (other than an individual) means a material adverse effect (whether or not required to be accrued or disclosed under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5) on the condition (financial or otherwise), properties, assets, liabilities, businesses or results of operations of such Person; or on the ability of such Person to perform its obligations under this Agreement on a timely basis; provided, however, that a Material Adverse Effect with respect to any Person that is a party hereto shall not include: (A) a change with respect to, or effect on, that Person and its subsidiaries resulting from a change in law, rule, regulation, GAAP or regulatory accounting principles, as such would apply to the financial statements of such Person; (B) a change with respect to, or effect on, that Person or any of its subsidiaries resulting from any other matter affecting depository institutions generally (including financial institutions and their holding companies) including changes in general economic conditions and changes in prevailing interest and deposit rates; (C) actions or omissions taken by that Person as required hereunder and actions or omissions by such Person with the prior written consent of the other parties hereto; (D) a change arising from or relating to the announcement of the Contemplated Transactions; or (E) the impact on Seller of any Seller Transaction Expenses.

 

(oo)                          Material Interest” means the direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as currently defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of voting securities or other voting interests representing at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding voting power of a Person or equity securities or other equity interests representing at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding equity securities or equity interests in a Person.

 

(pp)                          Maximum Amount” has the meaning given such term in Section 7.3(b).

 

(qq)                          MBC” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1.

 

(rr)                                Merger” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals hereof.

 

(ss)                              Order” means any award, decision, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, extraordinary supervisory letter, policy statement, memorandum of understanding, resolution, agreement, directive, subpoena or verdict entered, issued, made, rendered or required by any court, administrative or other governmental agency, including any Regulatory Authority, or by any arbitrator.

 

(tt)                                Ordinary Course of Business” shall include any action taken by a Person only if such action:

 

(v)                               is consistent with the past customs and practices of such Person, including with respect to quantity and frequency, and is taken in the ordinary course of the normal day-to-day operations of such Person;

 

(vi)                              is not required to be authorized by the board of directors of such Person (or by any Person or group of Persons exercising similar authority), other than loan approvals for customers of a financial institution; and

 

(vii)                             is similar in nature and magnitude to actions customarily taken, without any authorization by the board of directors (or by any Person or group of Persons

 

5



 

exercising similar authority), other than loan approvals for customers of a financial institution, in the ordinary course of the normal day-to-day operations of other Persons that are in the same line of business as such Person.

 

(uu)                          OREO” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.7.

 

(vv)                          Outstanding Seller Shares” means the number of shares of Seller Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, including shares of restricted stock held by employees and board members of Seller (but excluding any shares held as treasury stock).

 

(ww)                      Paying Agent” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.3(a).

 

(xx)                          Per Share Merger Consideration” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.1.

 

(yy)                          Person” means any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, organization, labor union or other entity or any Regulatory Authority.

 

(zz)                            Proceeding” means any action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, litigation or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or informal) commenced, brought, conducted or heard by or before, or otherwise involving, any judicial or governmental authority, including a Regulatory Authority, or arbitrator.

 

(aaa)                   Proxy Statement” has the meaning given such term in Section 6.8.

 

(bbb)                   Regulatory Authority” means any federal, state or local governmental body, agency or authority that, under applicable statutes and regulations: (i) has supervisory, judicial, administrative, police, taxing or other power or authority over Seller, Acquiror, Level One Bank or Acquisition Bank; (ii) is required to approve, or give its consent to, the Contemplated Transactions; or (iii) with which a filing must be made in connection therewith, including the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and DIFS.

 

(ccc)                      Representative” means with respect to a particular Person, any director, officer, manager, employee, agent, consultant, advisor or other representative of such Person, including legal counsel, accountants and financial advisors.

 

(ddd)                   Restricted Share” has the meaning given to such term in Section 3.4(a).

 

(eee)                      Restricted Stock Holder” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.4(b).

 

(fff)                         Schedules” has the meaning given to such term in Section 1.2(b)

 

(ggg)                      “Second Merger” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals hereof.

 

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(hhh)                   Seller” has the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph.

 

(iii)                              Seller Common Stock” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals hereof.

 

(jjj)                            Seller Employee Benefit Plans” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.16(m).

 

(kkk)                   Seller Loans” has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.9.

 

(lll)                              Seller Shareholders” mean the holders of record of Seller Common Stock.

 

(mmm)       Seller’s Shareholders’ Equity” means the Shareholders’ equity of Seller, calculated in accordance with GAAP, but adjusted to exclude (i) Seller Transaction Expenses, (ii) any unrealized gains or losses relating to investment securities attributed to ASC 320 and (iii) the cost or expense directly related to any accounting or other adjustments made pursuant to Section 6.13. For all purposes of this Agreement, Seller’s Shareholders’ Equity shall each be calculated by Seller, in consultation with and as agreed to by Acquiror and Seller’s and Acquiror’s independent auditors, in any case with such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld, as of the close of business on the Closing Date, using reasonable estimates of revenues and expenses through the Closing Date where actual amounts are not available. Such calculation shall be subject to verification and approval prior to the Closing by Acquiror’s independent auditors, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(nnn)                   Seller Transaction Expenses” means all transaction costs of Seller necessary to consummate the Contemplated Transactions, including the aggregate expenses of attorneys, accountants, consultants, financial advisors and other professional advisors incurred by Seller in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions, termination and deconversion costs associated with data processing agreements, costs associated with employee change in control agreements and other severance payments (including but not limited to payments contemplated by Sections 6.14, 7.3(b) and 7.4) and all other non-payroll related costs and expenses in each case incurred or to be incurred by Seller through the Effective Time in connection with this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions.

 

(ooo)                   Severance Payment Obligation” has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.4.

 

(ppp)                   Statutory Consolidation Agreement” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.2(b).

 

(qqq)                   Subsequent Financial Statements” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6.4.

 

(rrr)                           Surviving Entity” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals hereof.

 

(sss)                        Tax” means any tax (including any income, gross receipts, capital gains,

 

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value-added, sales use, property, gift, estate, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, capital stock franchise, withholding, social security, unemployment, disability, transfer, estimated or any other tax), levy, assessment, tariff, duty (including any customs duty), deficiency or other fee, and any related charge or amount (including any fine, penalty, interest or addition to tax), imposed, assessed or collected by or under the authority of any Regulatory Authority or payable pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement or any other Contract relating to the sharing or payment of any such tax, levy, assessment, tariff, duty, deficiency or fee.

 

(ttt)                            Tax Return” means any return (including any informational return), report, statement, schedule, notice, form or other document or information filed with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Regulatory Authority in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement of or compliance with any Legal Requirement relating to any Tax.

 

(uuu)                   Termination Date” has the meaning given such term in Section 11.1(e).

 

(vvv)                   Threatened” means a claim, Proceeding, dispute, action or other matter for which any demand or statement has been made (orally or in writing) or any notice has been given (orally or in writing), or if any other event has occurred or any other circumstances exist, that would lead a prudent Person to conclude that such a claim, Proceeding, dispute, action or other matter is likely to be asserted, commenced, taken or otherwise pursued in the future.

 

(www)             Voting Agreement” means the Voting Agreement by and among Acquiror and the directors of Seller and joined in by Seller, in the form attached as Exhibit A.

 

Section 1.2                                   Principles of Construction.

 

(a)                                 In this Agreement, unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, the following uses apply: (i) actions permitted under this Agreement may be taken at any time and from time to time in the actor’s sole discretion; (ii) references to a statute shall refer to the statute and any successor statute, and to all regulations promulgated under or implementing the statute or successor, as in effect at the relevant time; (iii) in computing periods from a specified date to a later specified date, the words “from” and “commencing on” (and the like) mean “from and including,” and the words “to,” “until” and “ending on” (and the like) mean “to, but excluding”; (iv) references to a governmental or quasi- governmental agency, authority or instrumentality shall also refer to a regulatory body that succeeds to the functions of the agency, authority or instrumentality; (v) indications of time of day mean Farmington Hills, Michigan time; (vi) “including” means “including, but not limited to”; (vii) all references to sections, schedules and exhibits are to sections, schedules and exhibits in or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified; (viii) all words used in this Agreement will be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require; (ix) captions and headings of articles, sections, schedules and exhibits appearing in or attached to this Agreement have been inserted solely for convenience of reference and shall not be considered a part of this Agreement nor shall any of them affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or any of its provisions; and (x) any reference to a document or set of documents in this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of

 

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the parties under any such documents, means such document or documents as amended from time to time, and any and all modifications, extensions, renewals, substitutions or replacements thereof.

 

(b)                                 Unless otherwise specified herein, all references in this Agreement to schedules are to the disclosure schedules of Seller attached to and made part of this Agreement, (the “Schedules”). The Schedules consist of the agreements, lists, instruments and other documentation described or referred to in this Agreement with respect to Seller, which Schedules were delivered by Seller to Acquiror before the Agreement Date. The disclosures in the Schedules, and those in any update or supplement thereto, relate only to the representations and warranties in the sections of this Agreement to which they expressly relate and not to any other representation or warranty in this Agreement. In the event of any inconsistency between the statements in the body of this Agreement and those in the Schedules (other than an exception expressly set forth as such in the Schedules with respect to a specifically identified representation or warranty), the statements in the body of this Agreement will control.

 

(c)                                  All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP.

 

(d)                                 With regard to each and every term and condition of this Agreement and any and all agreements and instruments subject to the terms hereof, the parties hereto understand and agree that the same have or has been mutually negotiated, prepared and drafted, and that if at any time the parties hereto desire or are required to interpret or construe any such term or condition or any agreement or instrument subject hereto, no consideration shall be given to the issue of which party hereto actually prepared, drafted or requested any term or condition of this Agreement or any agreement or instrument subject hereto.

 

Article 2

THE MERGER

 

Section 2.1                                   The Merger. Provided that this Agreement shall not have been terminated in accordance with its express terms, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with applicable Legal Requirements, including the receipt of all requisite regulatory and shareholder approvals, at the Effective Time, Acquisition Bank shall be merged with and into Seller pursuant to the provisions of, and with the effects provided in, the Michigan Banking Code of 1999, as amended (the “MBC”), the separate existence of Acquisition Bank shall thereupon cease, and Seller shall be the Surviving Entity. As a result of the Merger, at the Effective Time, each share of stock of Acquisition Bank issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted into shares of common stock of the Surviving Entity and each of the Outstanding Seller Shares will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration as provided in Article 3. The parties intend that the Second Merger will become effective immediately following the Merger.

 

Section 2.2                                   Closing; Effective Time.

 

(a)                                 Provided that this Agreement shall not have been terminated in accordance with its express terms, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall occur on a date that is mutually agreed upon by the parties, provided that, in the absence of an agreement, the Closing

 

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shall occur as soon as practicable following the date on which the conditions set forth in Article 9 and Article 10 have been satisfied or waived, but in no event later than the tenth (10th) Business Day of the calendar month following the calendar month in which such date occurs (the “Closing Date”). The Closing shall occur electronically or through the mail or at a time and place that is mutually acceptable to Acquiror and Seller. Subject to the provisions of Article 11, failure to consummate the Contemplated Transactions on the date and time and at the place determined pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) will not result in the termination of this Agreement and will not relieve any party of any obligation under this Agreement.

 

(b)                                 The parties hereto agree that concurrently with or as soon as practicable after the formation of Acquisition Bank, Acquisition Bank and the Seller shall enter into a merger agreement (the “Statutory Consolidation Agreement”) (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, with such changes thereto as shall be appropriate to reflect the final structure and regulatory approval process appropriate for the Contemplated Transactions), the terms of which shall be consistent with and subject to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  The Merger shall be effective as specified in the Certified Plan of Consolidation from DIFS (the “Effective Time”).

 

Section 2.3                                   Effects of Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in the MBC. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, at the Effective Time, all rights, franchises, and interests of both Acquisition Bank and Seller in and to every type of property (real, personal, and mixed), and all choses in action of both Acquisition Bank and Seller shall be transferred to and vested in the Surviving Entity without any deed or other transfer. The Surviving Entity, without any Order or other action on the part of any court or otherwise, shall hold and enjoy all rights of property, franchises, and interests, including appointments, designations, and nominations, and all other rights and interests as trustee, executor, administrator, registrar of stocks and bonds, guardian of estates, assignee, receiver, and committee of estates of incompetent persons, and in every other fiduciary capacity, in the same manner and to the same extent as such rights, franchises and interests were held or enjoyed by either Acquisition Bank or Seller at the Effective Time. All liabilities and obligations of both Acquisition Bank and Seller of every kind and description shall be assumed by the Surviving Entity, and the Surviving Entity shall be bound thereby in the same manner and to the same extent that Acquisition Bank and Seller were so bound at the Effective Time.

 

Section 2.4                                   Articles of Incorporation. At the Effective Time, the articles of incorporation of Seller, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Entity until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

Section 2.5                                   Bylaws. At the Effective Time, the bylaws of Seller, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the bylaws of the Surviving Entity until thereafter amended in accordance with applicable law.

 

Section 2.6                                   Board of Directors. At the Effective Time, the directors of Acquisition Bank immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial directors of the Surviving Entity and shall hold office until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified

 

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in the manner provided in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Entity.

 

Section 2.7                                   Officers. At the Effective Time, the officers of Acquisition Bank immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial officers of the Surviving Entity and shall hold office until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified in the manner provided in the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Entity.

 

Section 2.8                                   Acquiror’s Deliveries at Closing. At the Closing, Acquiror shall deliver the following items to Seller:

 

(a)                                 copies of resolutions of the board of directors of Acquiror, authorizing and approving this Agreement and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Acquiror;

 

(b)                                 copies of the resolutions of the board of directors and sole shareholder of Acquisition Bank authorizing and approving the Statutory Consolidation Agreement certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Acquisition Bank;

 

(c)                                  a certificate executed by the President or Chief Executive Officer of Acquiror, dated as the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions set forth in Sections 10.1, 10.2 and 10.5 have been satisfied;

 

(d)                                 evidence that the Aggregate Merger Consideration has been deposited by the Acquiror with the Paying Agent; and

 

(e)                                  such other documents as Seller or Seller’s counsel shall reasonably request.

 

All such items shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Acquiror, Acquisition Bank and their counsel.

 

Section 2.9                                   Seller’s Deliveries at Closing. At the Closing, Seller shall deliver the following items to Acquiror:

 

(a)                                 a good standing certificate for Seller issued by DIFS dated not more than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date;

 

(b)                                 a copy of the articles of incorporation and all amendments thereto of Seller certified by the DIFS dated not more than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date;

 

(c)                                  a certificate of the Secretary of Seller dated the Closing Date certifying a copy of the bylaws of Seller and stating that there have been no further amendments to the articles of incorporation of the Seller delivered pursuant to this Section 2.9;

 

(d)                                 copies of resolutions of the shareholders and the board of directors of Seller authorizing and approving this Agreement, the Statutory Consolidation Agreement and the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Seller;

 

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(e)                                  a list of Seller Shareholders as of the Closing Date and a list of all Persons as of the Closing Date who hold or have the right at any time to acquire shares of Seller Common Stock or any other equity security of Seller certified in each case by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Seller;

 

(f)                                   a certificate of each of Seller’s legal counsel, accountants and financial and investment banker if any representing that all of their respective fees and expenses incurred by Seller prior to and including the Effective Time in connection with the Contemplated Transactions have been paid in full or were fully accrued prior to the close of business on the day immediately preceding the Closing;

 

(g)                                  a certificate executed by the President or Chief Executive of Seller, dated as of the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions set forth Sections 9.1, 9.2, 9.5, 9.6, and 9.8 have been satisfied as to Seller.

 

(h)                                 such other documents as Acquiror or its counsel shall reasonably request.

 

All such items shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Seller and its counsel.

 

Section 2.10                            Alternative Structure. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, Acquiror may request, for any reasonable business, tax or regulatory purpose of Acquiror that Seller enter into transactions other than those described in this Agreement to effect the purposes of this Agreement, and if requested by Acquiror, the parties to this Agreement shall take all action necessary and appropriate to effect, or cause to be effected, such transactions; provided, however, that no such proposed change in the structure of the Contemplated Transactions shall delay the Closing (if such a date has already been firmly established) by more than twenty (20) Business Days or adversely affect the economic benefits or the tax effect of the Merger at the Effective Time to the Seller Shareholders.

 

Section 2.11                            Absence of Control. Subject to any specific provisions of this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties to this Agreement that none of Acquiror, Acquisition Bank or Seller by reason of this Agreement shall be deemed (until consummation of the Contemplated Transactions) to control, directly or indirectly, any other party and shall not exercise, or be deemed to exercise, directly or indirectly, a controlling influence over the management or policies of any such other party.

 

Article 3

CONVERSION OF STOCK IN THE MERGER

 

Section 3.1                                   Manner of Merger. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, automatically by virtue of the Merger, and without any action on the part of any Person, each Outstanding Seller Share that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Seller Common Stock that is owned by shareholders properly exercising their dissenters’ rights pursuant to the MBC (the “Dissenter Shares”)) shall be automatically converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to the quotient of: (i) the Aggregate Merger Consideration; divided by the Outstanding Seller Shares (the “Per Share Merger Consideration”).

 

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Section 3.2                                   Rights as Shareholders; Stock Transfers. At the Effective Time, Seller Shareholders shall cease to be, and shall have no rights as, Seller Shareholders, other than to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration and any Dissenter Shares shall thereafter represent only the right to receive applicable payments as set forth in Section 3.5. All rights to receive the Per Share Merger Consideration and the payments set forth in Section 3.5 for the Dissenter Shares in exchange for each share of Seller Common Stock shall be deemed to have been paid in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to all Outstanding Seller Shares. After the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock transfer books of Seller or the Surviving Entity of shares of Seller Common Stock.

 

Section 3.3                                   Exchange Procedures.

 

(a)                                 Within seven (7) Business Days after the Effective Time, Acquiror shall cause the paying agent selected by Acquiror (which may be Level One Bank) (the “Paying Agent”) to mail to each then current holder of record of Seller Common Stock instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the certificates representing Seller Common Stock (the “Certificates”) in exchange for the Per Share Merger Consideration (the “Letter of Transmittal”). Upon proper surrender of a Certificate for exchange and cancellation to or as directed by Acquiror in the Letter of Transmittal, together with such properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and such documents as may reasonably be required by the Paying Agent, the holder of such Certificates shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefore a check representing the amount of the cash, without interest thereon, that such holder is entitled to receive pursuant to this Article 3, and the Certificates so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled.

 

(b)                                 Neither the Paying Agent nor any party hereto shall be liable to any former holder of Seller Common Stock for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

 

(c)                                  If a check representing any part of the Per Share Merger Consideration is to be issued in a name other than that in which the Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of the issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed, accompanied by all documents required to evidence and effect such transfer and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the Person requesting such exchange shall pay to Acquiror any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a check representing cash in any name other than that of the registered holder of the Certificate surrendered, or otherwise required, or shall establish to the satisfaction of Acquiror that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

(d)                                 Each of Acquiror and the Paying Agent shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to this Agreement to any holder of Seller Common Stock such amounts, if any, as it is required to deduct and withhold with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any provision of any Legal Requirement or by any Regulatory Authority. To the extent that any amounts are so withheld by Acquiror or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the holder of the Seller Common Stock in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made by Acquiror or the Paying Agent, as the case may be.

 

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(e)                                  Adoption of this Agreement by the shareholders of Seller shall constitute ratification of the appointment of the Paying Agent.

 

(f)                                   If any Certificate shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the Person claiming such Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Acquiror, the posting by such Person of a bond, in such reasonable amount as Acquiror ay direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against it with respect to such Certificate, the Paying Agent shall issue, in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate, the Per Share Merger Consideration to be paid in respect of the Outstanding Seller Shares represented by such Certificate as contemplated under this Article 3.

 

Section 3.4                                   Restricted Shares.

 

(a)                                 As of immediately prior to the Effective Time, restrictions related to each restricted share of Seller Common Stock (each a “Restricted Share”) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall lapse.

 

(b)                                 Seller’s board of directors or its compensation committee shall make such adjustments and amendments to or make such determinations with respect to the Restricted Shares necessary to effect the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.4.

 

Section 3.5                                   Dissenter Shares. Any holder of Seller Common Stock who perfects such holder’s dissenters’ rights in accordance with and as contemplated by Section 3706(b) of the MBC shall be entitled to dissent from the Merger and obtain payment in cash of the fair value of such shares of Seller Common Stock; provided, that no such payment shall be made to any dissenting shareholder unless and until such dissenting shareholder has complied with all applicable provisions of the MBC, and surrendered to the Surviving Entity the Certificate or Certificates representing the shares for which payment is being made. Any holder of Seller Common Stock who objects to the Merger and desires to receive payment for his or her Seller Common Stock must either vote against the Merger or deliver notice in writing to Seller at or prior to the Seller Shareholders’ meeting that such shareholder dissents from the Merger shall be entitled to receive in cash from the Surviving Entity the fair value of such shares of Seller Common Stock, if and when the Merger is consummated, upon written request made to the Surviving Entity at any time within thirty (30) days after the Effective Time, accompanied by the surrender of the Certificate or Certificates representing the shares for which payment is being made, in accordance with the MBC. In the event that, after the Effective Time, a dissenting shareholder of Seller fails to perfect, or effectively withdraws or loses such holder’s right to appraisal of and payment for such holder’s Dissenter Shares, Acquiror shall deliver to such holder the Per Share Merger Consideration (without interest) in respect of such shares upon surrender by such holder of the Certificate or Certificates representing such shares of Seller Common Stock held by such holder.

 

Article 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

 

Seller hereby represents and warrants to Acquiror that the following are true and correct as of the Agreement Date, and will be true and correct as of the Effective Time:

 

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Section 4.1                                   Seller Organization. Seller is a commercial bank duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1, Seller has no direct or indirect subsidiaries. Seller has full power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to own, operate and lease its properties as presently owned, operated and leased, and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or the properties or assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary. Copies of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of Seller and all amendments thereto are set forth on Schedule 4.1 and are complete and correct.

 

Section 4.2                                   Authorization; Enforceability.

 

(a)                                 Seller has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Seller, and the consummation by it of its obligations under this Agreement, have been authorized by all necessary corporate action, subject to shareholder approval, and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity.

 

(b)                                 Except for ordinary corporate requirements, no “business combination,” “moratorium,” “control share” or other state anti-takeover statute or regulation or any provisions contained in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of Seller: (i) prohibits or restricts Seller’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, or its ability to consummate the Contemplated Transactions; (ii) would have the effect of invalidating or voiding this Agreement, or any provision hereof; or (iii) would subject Acquiror to any material impediment or condition in connection with the exercise of any of its rights under this Agreement. The board of directors of Seller has unanimously approved the execution of, and performance by Seller of its obligations under, this Agreement.

 

Section 4.3                                   No Conflict. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.3, neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time): (a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the articles of incorporation or bylaws, each as in effect on the Agreement Date, or any currently effective resolution adopted by the board of directors or shareholders of Seller; (b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of, or give any Regulatory Authority or other Person the valid and enforceable right to challenge any of the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Legal Requirement or any Order to which Seller, or any of its assets that are owned or used by it, may be subject, except for any contravention, conflict or violation that is permissible by virtue of obtaining the regulatory approvals necessitated by the Contemplated Transactions, including such approvals under the BHCA, the FDI Act, and the MBC; (c) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of, or give any Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate or modify any material Contract to which Seller is a party or by which any of its assets is bound; or (d) result in the creation of any material lien, charge or encumbrance upon or with respect to

 

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any of the assets owned or used by Seller. Except for the approvals referred to in Section 8.1 and the requisite approval of the Seller Shareholders, Seller is not nor will it be required to give any notice to or obtain any consent from any Person in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions.

 

Section 4.4                                   Seller Capitalization.

 

(a)                                 The authorized capital stock of Seller currently consists, and at the Closing will consist, exclusively of 980,000 shares of capital stock: (i) of which 971,625 shares of Seller Common Stock are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, all of which are duly authorized, validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable; and (ii) no shares are held in the treasury of Seller. To the Knowledge of Seller, none of the shares of Seller Common Stock are, nor on the Closing Date will they be, subject to any claim of right that would prevent or delay the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions, except for any liens that will be released at or prior to the Closing (which liens are disclosed on Schedule 4.4).

 

(b)                                 None of the shares of Seller Common Stock have been issued in violation of any federal or state securities laws or any other Legal Requirement. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.4, since December 31, 2012, no shares of Seller Common Stock have been purchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly, by Seller, and no dividends or other distributions payable in any equity securities of Seller have been declared, set aside, made or paid to Seller Shareholders. To the Knowledge of Seller, none of the shares of authorized capital stock of Seller are, nor on the Closing Date will they be, subject to any claim of right inconsistent with this Agreement. Schedule 4.4 sets forth the name of each holder of Restricted Shares (each, a “Restricted Stock Holder”) and the number of Restricted Shares held by each such Restricted Stock Holder as well as the applicable vesting terms. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4 or as otherwise contemplated in this Agreement, there are, as of the Agreement Date, no outstanding subscriptions, contracts, conversion privileges, options, warrants, calls or other rights obligating Seller to issue, sell or otherwise dispose of, or to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any shares of capital stock of Seller, and except as provided in this Section 4.4 or as otherwise disclosed in this Agreement, Seller is not a party to any Contract relating to the issuance, purchase, sale or transfer of any equity securities or other securities of Seller. Seller does not own or have any Contract to acquire any equity securities or other securities of any Person or any direct or indirect equity or ownership interest in any other business except as set forth on Schedule 4.4.

 

(c)                                  Seller acknowledges that the Aggregate Merger Consideration was determined based upon the accuracy of the representations and warranties made in this Section 4.4 with respect to the number of Outstanding Seller Shares other rights to purchase additional shares of Seller Common Stock, and acknowledges that any Breach of such representations and warranties shall be deemed to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Section 4.5                                           Financial Statements and Reports. True, correct and complete copies of the following financial statements are included in Schedule 4.5:

 

(a)                                 audited balance sheets for Seller as of December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014

 

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and the related audited statements of income, statements of cash flows and statements of changes in shareholders’ equity for Seller for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and

 

(b)                                 Call Reports for Seller as of the close of business on December 31, 2012, 2013 and 2014, and for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015.

 

The financial statements described above have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except with respect to the absence of footnotes in the case the financial statements described in clause (b) above), and have been prepared on a basis consistent with past accounting practices and as required by applicable Legal Requirements. Taken together, the financial statements described in clauses (a) and (b) (collectively, the “Financial Statements”) are complete and correct and fairly and accurately present the financial position, assets, liabilities and results of operations of Seller at the respective dates of, and for the periods referred to in, the Financial Statements. The Financial Statements do not include any material assets or omit to state any material liabilities, absolute or contingent, or other facts, which inclusion or omission would render the Financial Statements misleading in any material respect.

 

Section 4.6                                   Books and Records. The books of account, minute books, stock record books and other records of Seller are complete and correct in all material respects and have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices and all applicable Legal Requirements, including the maintenance of any adequate system of internal controls required by the Legal Requirements. The minute books of Seller contain accurate and complete records in all material respects of all meetings held of, and corporate action taken by, their respective shareholders, board of directors and committees of the board of directors. At the Closing, all of those books and records will be in the possession of Seller.

 

Section 4.7                                   Title to Properties. Seller has good and marketable title to all assets and properties, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, that it purports to own, including all real property carried by Seller as other real estate owned (“OREO”). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, the ownership interests of Seller in such assets and properties are not subject to any valid liens, mortgages, security interests, encumbrances or charges of any kind except: (a) as noted in the most recent Financial Statements; (b) statutory liens for Taxes not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate Proceedings and for which appropriate reserves have been established and reflected on the Financial Statements; (c) pledges or liens required to be granted in connection with the acceptance of government deposits or granted in connection with repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements or pursuant to borrowings from Federal Home Loan Banks or similar borrowings; and (d) pledges or liens incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, Seller as lessee has the right under valid and existing leases to occupy, use, possess and control any and all of the property leased by it. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7, no consent of any lessor or other Person is required to permit Seller following completion of the Contemplated Transactions to continue to lease or occupy any such leased property on the same terms and conditions as are currently in effect. Except where any failure would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller, all buildings and structures owned by Seller lie wholly within the boundaries of the real property owned or validly leased by it and do not encroach upon the property of, or otherwise conflict with the property rights of, any other Person.

 

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Section 4.8                                   Condition and Sufficiency of Assets. The buildings, structures and equipment of Seller are structurally sound, are in good operating condition and repair, and are adequate for the uses to which they are being put, and none of such buildings, structures or equipment is in need of maintenance or repairs except for ordinary, routine maintenance and repairs that are not material in the aggregate in nature or in cost. The real property, buildings, structures and equipment owned or leased by Seller are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and in material compliance with all other building and development codes and other restrictions, including subdivision regulations, utility tariffs and regulations, conservation laws and zoning laws and ordinances. The assets and properties, whether real or personal, tangible or intangible, that Seller purports to own or lease are sufficient for the continued conduct of the business of Seller after the Closing in substantially the same manner as conducted prior to the Closing.

 

Section 4.9                                   Loans; Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, all loans and loan commitments extended by Seller and any extensions, renewals or continuations of such loans and loan commitments (the “Seller Loans”) were made materially in accordance with the lending policies of Seller in the Ordinary Course of Business or an appropriate exception to the lending policies of Seller was made. The Seller Loans are evidenced by appropriate and sufficient documentation and constitute valid and binding obligations to Seller enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity. All of the Seller Loans are, and at the Closing will be, free and clear of any encumbrance or other charge (except for liens, if any, set forth on Schedule 4.7) and Seller has complied, and at the Closing will have complied with all Legal Requirements relating to the Seller Loans, except where any such failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller. To the Knowledge of Seller: (a) none of the Seller Loans is subject to any material offset or claim of offset; (b) the aggregate loan balances in excess of Seller’s allowance for loan and lease losses are, based on past loan loss experience, collectible in accordance with their terms (except as limited above); and (c) all uncollectible loans have been charged off or Seller has made an appropriate reserve for such uncollectible loans. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.9, as of the Agreement Date, Seller has no loan in excess of $250,000 that has been classified by regulatory examiners or management of Seller as “Substandard,” “Doubtful” or “Loss” or in excess of $250,000 that has been identified by accountants or auditors (internal or external) as having a significant risk of uncollectability. The most recent loan watch list of Seller and a list of all loans in excess of $250,000 that are ninety (90) days or more past due with respect to principal or interest payments or that Seller has placed on nonaccrual status are set forth in Schedule 4.9. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.9, the reserves, the ALLL and the carrying value for OREO which are shown in the latest balance sheet in the Financial Statements are, in the opinion of management of Seller, adequate in all material respects under GAAP to provide for possible losses as of such date on items for which such reserves, allowances and values were established. Set forth in Schedule 4.9 is a true, accurate and complete list of all loans in which Seller has any participation interest or which have been made with or through another financial institution on a recourse basis against Seller.

 

Section 4.10                            Undisclosed Liabilities; Adverse Changes. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10, Seller has no debt, secured or unsecured, or other material liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise), except for debt and other

 

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liabilities or obligations reflected or reserved against in the Financial Statements and current liabilities incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business since the respective dates thereof. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.10, since the date of the latest Financial Statements, there has not been any change in the business, operations, properties, prospects, assets or condition of Seller, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, no event has occurred or circumstance exists, that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller.

 

Section 4.11                            Taxes. Seller has duly filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and each such Tax Return is complete and accurate in all material respects. Seller has paid, or made adequate provision for the payment of, all Taxes (whether or not reflected in Tax Returns as filed or to be filed) due and payable by Seller, or claimed to be due and payable by any Regulatory Authority, and is not delinquent in the payment of any Tax, except such Taxes as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided. There is no claim or assessment pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, Threatened against Seller for any Taxes owed by it. No audit, examination or investigation related to Taxes paid or payable by Seller is presently being conducted or, to the Knowledge of Seller, Threatened by any Regulatory Authority. Seller has delivered or made available to Acquiror true, correct and complete copies of all material Tax Returns filed with respect to the last three fiscal years by Seller and any tax examination reports and statements of deficiencies assessed or agreed to for any such time period. Neither Seller nor any subsidiary of Seller has participated in or been a party to a transaction that, as of the Agreement Date, constitutes a “listed transaction” for purposes of Section 6011 of the Code (or a similar provision of state law).

 

Section 4.12                            Compliance with ERISA. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12, all employee benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA,” and whether or not covered by or subject to ERISA) and all other Seller Employee Benefit Plans established or maintained by Seller or to which Seller contributes or in connection with which Seller has any liability or other obligation, are in compliance with all applicable requirements of ERISA, and are in compliance with all applicable requirements (including qualification and non-discrimination requirements in effect as of the Closing) of the Code for obtaining the tax benefits the Code thereupon permits with respect to such employee benefit plans. No such employee benefit plan has any amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) for which Seller would be liable to any Person under Title IV of ERISA if any such employee benefit plan were terminated as of the Closing. Such employee benefit plans are funded in accordance with Section 412 of the Code (if applicable). There would be no obligations of Seller under Title IV of ERISA relating to any such employee benefit plan that is a multi-employer plan if any such plan were terminated or if Seller withdrew from any such plan as of the Closing. All contributions and premium payments that are due under any such benefit plans have been made. No such employee benefit plan is or has been subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA, and Seller has no liability or other obligation in connection therewith. No such employee benefit plan provides for retiree, post-termination of employment, or other similar health or life or death benefits, except to the extent required under Part 6 of Title I of ERISA or Code Section 4980B. No event has occurred or condition exists that could subject the Seller to any liability or other obligation on account of a violation of the health care requirements of Part 6 or 7 of Title I or ERISA or Section 4980B or 4980D of the Code.

 

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Section 4.13                            Compliance with Legal Requirements.

 

(a)                                 Seller holds all licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and rights from all appropriate Regulatory Authorities necessary for the conduct of its business. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, Seller is, and at all times since December 31, 2012, has been, in compliance with each Legal Requirement that is or was applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of its respective businesses or the ownership or use of any of its respective assets, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time): (i) may constitute or result in a violation by Seller of, or a failure on the part of Seller to comply with, any Legal Requirement; or (ii) may give rise to any obligation on the part of Seller to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of any nature in connection with a failure to comply with any Legal Requirement; except, in either case, where the failure to comply or the violation would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13, Seller has not received, at any time since December 31, 2012, any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) from any Regulatory Authority or any other Person, nor does Seller have any Knowledge regarding: (x) any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any Legal Requirement; or (y) any actual, alleged, possible or potential obligation on the part of Seller to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of any nature in connection with a failure to comply with any Legal Requirement, except, in either case, where any such violation, failure or obligation would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller. The conditions under that certain FDIC Order Conditionally Granting Approval For Waiver of Cross Guarantee Liability (FDIC-12-289kk) were satisfied and it remains in full force and effect.

 

(b)                                 Seller is the sole owner of all individually identifiable personal information relating to identifiable or identified natural person (“IIPI”) relating to customers, former customers, and prospective customers that will be transferred to Acquiror pursuant to this Agreement.

 

(c)                                  Seller’s collection and use of such IIPI, the transfer of such IIPI to Acquiror, and the use of such IIPI by Acquiror as contemplated by this Agreement, complies with Seller’s privacy policy, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and all other applicable privacy laws, and any Seller Contract and industry standards relating to privacy.

 

Section 4.14                            Legal Proceedings; Orders.

 

(a)                                 Schedule 4.14 is a true and correct list of all Proceedings and Orders pending, entered into or, to the Knowledge of Seller, Threatened against, affecting or involving Seller or any of its respective assets or businesses, or the Contemplated Transactions, since December 31, 2013, and there is no fact to the Knowledge of Seller that would provide a basis for any other Proceeding or Order. To the Knowledge of Seller, no officer, director, agent or employee of Seller is subject to any Order that prohibits such officer, director, agent or employee from engaging in or continuing any conduct, activity or practice relating to the businesses of Seller as currently conducted.

 

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(b)                                 Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14, Seller: (i) is not subject to any cease and desist or other Order or enforcement action issued by; (ii) is not a party to any written agreement, consent agreement or memorandum of understanding with; (iii) is not a party to any commitment letter or similar undertaking to; (iv) is not subject to any Order or directive by; (v) is not subject to any supervisory letter from; (vi) has not been ordered to pay any civil money penalty, which has not been paid, by; or (vii) has not adopted any policies, procedures or board resolutions at the request of; any Regulatory Authority that currently restricts in any material respect the conduct of its business, (x) that in any material manner relates to its capital adequacy, (y) restricts its ability to pay dividends, or (z) limits in any material manner its credit or risk management policies, its management or its business; nor has Seller been advised by any Regulatory Authority that it is considering issuing, initiating, ordering or requesting any of the foregoing.

 

Section 4.15                                    Absence of Certain Changes and Events. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.15, since December 31, 2014, Seller has conducted its business only in the Ordinary Course of Business, and without limiting the foregoing, with respect to each, since December 31, 2014, there has not been any:

 

(a)                                 change in its authorized or issued capital stock; grant of any stock option or right to purchase shares of its capital stock; issuance of any security convertible into such capital stock or evidences of indebtedness (except in connection with customer deposits); grant of any registration rights; purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition by it of any shares of any such capital stock; or declaration or payment of any dividend or other distribution or payment in respect of shares of its capital stock; provided, however, a bona fide capital raising transaction is not prohibited pursuant to Section 6.3 as long as there is a proportionate adjustment to the Aggregate Merger Consideration.

 

(b)                                 amendment to its articles of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational documents) or adoption of any resolutions by its board of directors or shareholders with respect to the same;

 

(c)                                  payment or increase of any bonus, salary or other compensation to any of its shareholders, directors, officers or employees, except for normal increases made in the Ordinary Course of Business or in accordance with any then existing Seller Employee Benefit Plan disclosed in the Schedules, or entry by it into any employment, consulting, non-competition, change in control, severance or similar Contract with any shareholder, director, officer or employee;

 

(d)                                 adoption, amendment (except for any amendment necessary to comply with any Legal Requirement) or termination of, or increase in the payments to or benefits under, any Seller Employee Benefit Plan;

 

(e)                                  damage to or destruction or loss of any of its assets or property, whether or not covered by insurance and where the resulting diminution in value individually or in the aggregate is greater than $25,000;

 

(f)                                   entry into, termination or extension of, or receipt of notice of termination of

 

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any joint venture or similar agreement pursuant to any Contract or any similar transaction;

 

(g)                                  except for this Agreement, entry into any new, or modification, amendment, renewal or extension (through action or inaction) of the terms of any existing, lease, Contract or license that has a term of more than one year or that involves the payment by Seller of more than $25,000 in the aggregate;

 

(h)                                 Seller Loan or commitment to make any Seller Loan other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(i)                                     Seller Loan or commitment to make, renew, extend the term or increase the amount of any Seller Loan to any Person if such Seller Loan or any other Seller Loans to such Person or an Affiliate of such Person is on the “watch list” or similar internal report of Seller, or has been classified by Seller or by a Regulatory Authority as “substandard,” “doubtful,” “loss,” or “other loans specially mentioned” or listed as a “potential problem loan”; provided, however, that, for purposes of Section 6.3, nothing in this Section 4.15(i) shall prohibit Seller from honoring any contractual obligation in existence on the Agreement Date;

 

(j)                                    sale (other than any sale in the Ordinary Course of Business), lease or other disposition of any of its assets or properties, or mortgage, pledge or imposition of any lien or other encumbrance upon any of its material assets or properties, except for tax and other liens that arise by operation of law and with respect to which payment is not past due, and except for pledges or liens: (i) required to be granted in connection with the acceptance by Seller of government deposits; (ii) granted in connection with repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements; (iii) pursuant to borrowings from Federal Home Loan Banks or similar borrowings; or (iv) otherwise incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(k)                                 cancellation or waiver by it of any claims or rights with a value in excess of $10,000;

 

(l)                                     any investment by it of a capital nature exceeding $25,000 or aggregate investments of a capital nature exceeding $25,000;

 

(m)                             except for the Contemplated Transactions, merger or consolidation with or into any other Person, or acquisition of any stock, equity interest or business of any other Person;

 

(n)                                 transaction for the borrowing or loaning of monies, or any increase in any outstanding indebtedness, other than in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(o)                                 material change in any policies and practices with respect to liquidity management and cash flow planning, marketing, deposit origination, lending, budgeting, profit and tax planning, accounting or any other material aspect of its business or operations, except for such changes as may be required in the opinion of the management of Seller to respond to then current market or economic conditions or as may be required by any Regulatory Authorities;

 

(p)                                 filing of any applications for additional branches, opening of any new office or branch, closing of any current office or branch, or relocation of operations from existing locations;

 

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(q)                                 discharge or satisfaction of any material lien or encumbrance on its assets or repayment of any material indebtedness for borrowed money, except for obligations incurred and repaid in the Ordinary Course of Business;

 

(r)                                    entry into any Contract or agreement to buy, sell, exchange or otherwise deal in any assets or series of assets in a single transaction in excess of $25,000 in aggregate value, except for sales by Seller of (i) any Seller Loan, (ii) OREO and (iii) other repossessed properties or the acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure;

 

(s)                                   purchase or other acquisition of any investments, direct or indirect, in any derivative securities, financial futures or commodities or entry into any interest rate swap, floors and option agreements, or other similar interest rate management agreements;

 

(t)                                    hiring of any employee with an annual salary in excess of $50,000, except for employees at will who are hired to replace employees who have resigned or whose employment has otherwise been terminated; or

 

(u)                                 agreement, whether oral or written, by it to do any of the foregoing in this Section 4.15.

 

Section 4.16                            Properties, Contracts and Employee Benefit Plans. Except for Contracts evidencing Seller Loans made by Seller in the Ordinary Course of Business, Schedule 4.16 lists or describes the following with respect to Seller:

 

(a)                                 all real property owned by it and the principal buildings and structures located thereon, together with the address of such real estate, and each lease of real property to which it is a party, identifying the parties thereto, the annual rental payable, the expiration date thereof and a brief description of the property covered, and in each case of either owned or leased real property, the proper identification, if applicable, of each such property as a branch or main office or other office;

 

(b)                                 all loan and credit agreements, conditional sales contracts or other title retention agreements or security agreements relating to money borrowed by it, exclusive of deposit agreements with customers of the Seller entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business, agreements for the purchase of federal funds and repurchase agreements;

 

(c)                                  each Contract that involves performance of services or delivery of goods or materials by it of an amount or value in excess of $25,000 in one year;

 

(d)                                 each Contract that was not entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business and that involves expenditures or receipts of it in excess of $25,000 in one year;

 

(e)                                  each Contract not referred to elsewhere in this Section 4.16 that:

 

(viii)                        relates to the future purchase of goods or services that materially exceeds the requirements of its respective business at current levels or for normal operating purposes; or

 

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(ix)                              has a Material Adverse Effect on Seller;

 

(f)                                   each lease, rental, license, installment and conditional sale agreement and other Contract affecting the ownership of, leasing of, title to or use of, any personal property (except personal property leases and installment and conditional sales agreements having a value per item or aggregate payments of less than $25,000 or with terms of less than one year);

 

(g)                                  each licensing agreement or other Contract with respect to patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property (collectively, “Intellectual Property Assets”), including agreements with current or former employees, consultants or contractors regarding the appropriation or the non-disclosure of any of its Intellectual Property Assets;

 

(h)                                 each collective bargaining agreement and other Contract to or with any labor union or other employee representative of a group of employees;

 

(i)                                     each joint venture, partnership and other Contract (however named) involving a sharing of profits, losses, costs or liabilities by it with any other Person;

 

(j)                                    each Contract containing covenants that in any way purport to restrict the business activity of Seller, or limit the ability of Seller to engage in any line of business or to compete with any Person;

 

(k)                                 each Contract providing for payments to or by any Person based on sales, purchases or profits, other than direct payments for goods;

 

(l)                                     the name and annual salary of each director, officer or employee of Seller, and actual or planned profit sharing, bonus or other form of compensation (other than salary) paid or payable by Seller to or for the benefit of each such person in question for the year ended December 31, 2014, and for the current fiscal year, and any employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-competition, severance or change in control agreement or similar arrangement or plan with respect to each such person;

 

(m)                             each profit sharing, group insurance, hospitalization, stock option, pension, retirement, bonus, severance, change of control, deferred compensation, stock bonus, stock purchase, employee stock ownership or other employee welfare or benefit agreements, plans or arrangements established, maintained, sponsored or undertaken by Seller for the benefit of the officers, directors or employees of Seller, including each trust or other agreement with any custodian or any director for funds held under any such agreement, plan or arrangement, and all other Contracts or arrangements under which pensions, deferred compensation or other retirement benefits are being paid or may become payable by Seller for the benefit of the employees of Seller (collectively, the “Seller Employee Benefit Plans”), and, in respect to any of them, the latest reports or forms, if any, filed with the Department of Labor and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation under ERISA, any current financial or actuarial reports and any currently effective Internal Revenue Service private rulings or determination letters obtained by or for the benefit of Seller;

 

(n)                                 the name of each Person who is or would be entitled pursuant to any Contract or Seller Employee Benefit Plan to receive any payment from Seller as a result of the

 

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consummation of the Contemplated Transactions (including any payment that is or would be due as a result of any actual or constructive termination of a Person’s employment or position following such consummation, but excluding any payment from a qualified retirement plan of Seller) and the maximum amount of such payment;

 

(o)                                 each Contract entered into other than in the Ordinary Course of Business that contains or provides for an express undertaking by Seller to be responsible for consequential damages;

 

(p)                                 each Contract for capital expenditures in excess of $25,000;

 

(q)                                 each written warranty, guaranty or other similar undertaking with respect to contractual performance extended by Seller other than in the Ordinary Course of Business; and

 

(r)                                    each amendment, supplement and modification in respect of any of the foregoing in this Section 4.16.

 

Copies of each document, plan or Contract listed and described on Schedule 4.16 are appended to such Schedule.

 

Section 4.17                            No Defaults. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.17, each Contract identified or required to be identified on Schedule 4.16 is in full force and effect and is valid and enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity. Seller is, and at all times since December 31, 2012, has been, in full compliance with all applicable terms and requirements of each Contract under which Seller has or had any obligation or liability or by which Seller or any asset owned or used by it is or was bound, except where the failure to be in full compliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller. To the Knowledge of Seller, each other Person that has or had any obligation or liability under any such Contract under which Seller has or had any rights is, and at all times since December 31, 2012, has been, in full compliance with all applicable terms and requirements of such Contract, except where the failure to be in full compliance would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller. No event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time) may contravene, conflict with or result in a material violation or breach of, or give Seller or other Person the right to declare a default or exercise any remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel, terminate or modify, any Contract. Except in the Ordinary Course of Business with respect to any Seller Loan, Seller has not given to or received from any other Person, at any time since December 31, 2012, any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) regarding any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation or breach of, or default under, any Contract, that has not been terminated or satisfied prior to the Agreement Date. Other than in the Ordinary Course of Business in connection with workouts and restructured loans, there are no renegotiations of, attempts to renegotiate, or outstanding rights to renegotiate, any material amounts paid or payable to Seller under current or completed Contracts with any Person and no such Person has made written demand for such renegotiation.

 

Section 4.18                            Deposit Insurance. The deposits of Seller are insured by the FDIC up to

 

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applicable limits and in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, as amended, and Seller has paid or properly reserved or accrued for all current premiums and assessments with respect to such deposit insurance, if any.

 

Section 4.19                            Other Insurance. Schedule 4.19 lists the policies and material terms of insurance (including bankers’ blanket bond and insurance providing benefits for employees) owned or held by Seller on the Agreement Date. Each policy is in full force and effect (except for any expiring policy which is replaced by coverage at least as extensive). All premiums due on such policies have been paid in full.

 

Section 4.20                            Compliance with Environmental Laws. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.20, there are no actions, suits, investigations, liabilities, inquiries, Proceedings or Orders involving Seller or any of its respective assets that are pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, Threatened, nor to the Knowledge of Seller is there any factual basis for any of the foregoing, as a result of any asserted failure of Seller, or any predecessor thereof, to comply with any federal, state, county and municipal law, including any statute, regulation, rule, ordinance, Order, restriction and requirement, relating to underground storage tanks, petroleum products, air pollutants, water pollutants or process waste water or otherwise relating to the environment or toxic or hazardous substances or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, recycling, generation, treatment, handling, storage, disposal or transport of any hazardous or toxic substances or petroleum products (including polychlorinated biphenyls, whether contained or uncontained, and asbestos-containing materials, whether friable or not), including, the Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments, the Federal Clean Air Act, the Federal Clean Water Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, all as amended, and regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Agency and any state department of natural resources or state environmental protection agency now or at any time hereafter in effect (collectively, the “Environmental Laws”). No environmental clearances or other governmental approvals are required for the conduct of the business of Seller or the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions. To the Knowledge of Seller, Seller is not the owner of any interest in real estate on which any substances have been used, stored, deposited, treated, recycled or disposed of, which substances if known to be present on, at or under such property, would require clean-up, removal or some other remedial action under any Environmental Law.

 

Section 4.21                            Regulatory Filings. Seller has filed in a timely manner all required filings with all Regulatory Authorities, including the FDIC and the DIFS. All such filings were accurate and complete in all material respects as of the dates of the filings, and no such filing has made any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

Section 4.22                            Fiduciary Accounts. Seller has properly administered in all material respects all accounts for which it acts as fiduciary, including accounts for which it serves as director, agent, custodian or investment advisor, in accordance with the material terms of the governing documents and applicable Legal Requirements and common law. None of Seller or any of its directors, officers or employees, has committed any breach of trust with respect to any

 

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such fiduciary account, and the accountings for each such fiduciary account are true and correct in all material respects and accurately reflect the assets of such fiduciary account.

 

Section 4.23                            Indemnification Claims. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.23, no action or failure to take action by any director or executive officer or, to the Knowledge of Seller, any employee or agent of Seller has occurred that may give rise to a claim or a potential claim by any such Person for indemnification against Seller under any Contract with, or the corporate indemnification provisions of, Seller, or under any Legal Requirements.

 

Section 4.24                            Insider Interests. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24, no officer or director of Seller, or any member of the Family of any such Person, and no entity that any such Person “controls” within the meaning of Regulation O of the Federal Reserve, has any loan, deposit account or any other agreement with Seller, or any interest in any material property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, used in or pertaining to the business of Seller.

 

Section 4.25                            Brokerage Commissions. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.25, none of Seller or any of its Representatives has incurred any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokerage or finders’ fees or agents’ commissions or other similar payment in connection with this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions.

 

Section 4.26                            Approval Delays. To the Knowledge of Seller, there is no reason why the granting of any of the regulatory approvals referred to in Section 8.1 would be denied or unduly delayed. Seller’s most recent CRA rating is “satisfactory” or better.

 

Section 4.27                            Code Sections 280G, 409A and 4999. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.27, no payment that is owed or may become due to any director, officer, employee or agent of Seller will be non-deductible to Seller (or, following the Merger, Acquiror) or subject to tax under Section 280G, Section 409A or Section 4999 of the Code, nor will Seller (or, following the Merger, Acquiror) be required to “gross up” or otherwise compensate any such person because of the imposition of any tax or excise tax on a payment to such person. Except to the extent required under Section 601 et seq. of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code, and except as set forth on Schedule 4.27, Seller provides no health or welfare benefits to any active employee following such employee’s retirement or other termination of service.

 

Section 4.28                            Intellectual Property. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.28, Seller owns or has a license to use all of the Intellectual Property Assets used by Seller in the course of its business. Seller is the owner of or has a license, with the right to sublicense, to any Intellectual Property Assets sold or licensed to a third party by it in connection with its business operations, and Seller has the right to convey by sale or license any Intellectual Property so conveyed. Seller is not is in material default under any of its Intellectual Property Assets. No proceedings have been instituted, or are pending or to the Knowledge of Seller threatened, which challenge the rights of Seller with respect to Intellectual Property Assets, nor has any Person claimed or alleged any rights to such Intellectual Property Assets. To the Knowledge of Seller, the conduct of the business of Seller does not infringe any intellectual property of any other Person in any material respect. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.28, Seller is not obligated to pay any recurring royalties to any Person with respect to any Intellectual Property Assets. To the Knowledge of Seller, no officer, director, or employee of Seller is party to any confidentiality, nonsolicitation,

 

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noncompetition, or other Contract which restricts or prohibits such officer, director, or employee from engaging in activities competitive with any Person, including Seller.

 

Section 4.29                            Disclosure. Neither any representation nor warranty of Seller in, nor any Schedule to, this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No notice given pursuant to Section 6.6 will contain any untrue statement or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein or in this Agreement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

Article 5

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ACQUIROR

 

Acquiror hereby represents and warrants to Seller that the following are true and correct as of the Agreement Date, and will be true and correct as of the Effective Time:

 

Section 5.1                                   Acquiror Organization. Acquiror: (a) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan and in each other jurisdiction in which the nature of business conducted or the properties or assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary; (b) is registered with the Federal Reserve as a bank holding company under the BHCA; and (c) has full power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to operate as a bank holding company and to own, operate and lease its properties as presently owned, operated and leased, and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted.

 

Section 5.2                                   Bank Organization.

 

(a)                                 Level One Bank is a commercial bank duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan. Level One Bank has full power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to own, operate and lease its properties as presently owned, operated and leased, and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or the properties or assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary.

 

(b)                                 Upon the formation of Acquisition Bank and at the Effective Time, Acquisition Bank will be duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Michigan, with full power and authority, corporate and otherwise to carry on its business as conducted as of the Effective Time, and will be duly qualified to do business and will be in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted or the properties or assets owned or leased by it makes such qualification necessary.

 

Section 5.3                                   Authorization; Enforceability.

 

(a)                                 Acquiror has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement. Upon the formation of Acquisition Bank, Acquisition Bank will have the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform

 

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its obligations under the Statutory Consolidation Agreement. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Acquiror, and the consummation by it of its obligations under this Agreement, have been authorized by all necessary actions, and this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity. Upon the formation of Acquisition Bank, the execution, delivery and performance of the Statutory Consolidation Agreement by Acquisition Bank, and the consummation by it of its obligations thereunder, will have been authorized by all necessary actions, and the Statutory Consolidation Agreement will constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquisition Bank enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity.

 

(b)                                 Except for ordinary corporate requirements, no “business combination,” “moratorium,” “control share” or other state anti-takeover statute or regulation or any provisions contained in the articles of incorporation or bylaws or similar organizational documents of Acquiror or, upon the formation of Acquisition Bank, Acquisition Bank: (i) prohibits or restricts Acquiror’s or, upon the formation of Acquisition Bank, Acquisition Bank’s ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, or its ability to consummate the Contemplated Transactions; (ii) would have the effect of invalidating or voiding this Agreement, or any provision hereof; or (iii) would subject Seller to any material impediment or condition in connection with the exercise of any of its rights under this Agreement. The board of directors of Acquiror has unanimously approved the execution of, and performance by Acquiror of its obligations under, this Agreement.

 

Section 5.4                                   Compliance with Legal Requirements. Each of Acquiror and Level One Bank holds all licenses, certificates, permits, franchises and rights from all appropriate Regulatory Authorities necessary for the conduct of its respective business. As of the Agreement Date, each of Acquiror and Level One Bank is in compliance with each Legal Requirement that is or was applicable to it or to the conduct or operation of its respective businesses or the ownership or use of any of its respective assets, except where the failure to comply would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror on a consolidated basis. As of the Agreement Date, no event has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of time): (a) may constitute or result in a violation by Acquiror or Level One Bank of, or a failure on the part of Acquiror or Level One Bank to comply with, any Legal Requirement; or (b) may give rise to any obligation on the part Acquiror or Level One Bank to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of any nature in connection with a failure to comply with any Legal Requirement; except, in either case, where the failure to comply or the violation would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror on a consolidated basis. As of the Agreement Date, neither Acquiror nor Level One Bank is in receipt of any notice or other communication (whether oral or written) from any Regulatory Authority or any other Person, nor does Acquiror have any Knowledge regarding: (x) any actual, alleged, possible or potential violation of, or failure to comply with, any Legal Requirement; or (y) any actual, alleged, possible or potential obligation on the part of Acquiror or Level One Bank to undertake, or to bear all or any portion of the cost of, any remedial action of any nature in connection with a failure to comply with any Legal Requirement, except, in either case, where any such violation, failure or obligation would not reasonably be expected to have a Material

 

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Adverse Effect on Acquiror on a consolidated basis.

 

Section 5.5                                   No Conflict. To the Knowledge of Acquiror, neither the execution nor delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions will, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time): (a) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of any provision of the articles of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organization documents), each as in effect on the Agreement Date, or any currently effective resolution adopted by the board of directors or shareholders of, Acquiror; or (b) contravene, conflict with or result in a violation of, or give any Regulatory Authority or other Person the valid and enforceable right to challenge any of the Contemplated Transactions or to exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Legal Requirement or any Order to which Acquiror, or any of its assets that are owned or used by it, may be subject, except for any contravention, conflict or violation that is permissible by virtue of obtaining the regulatory approvals necessitated by the Contemplated Transactions, including any such approvals under the BHCA, the FDI Act and the MBC. Neither Acquiror nor any subsidiary of Acquiror is or will be required to give any notice to or obtain any consent from any Person in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions except such approvals of the Federal Reserve, the FDIC and DIFS that are required by law or regulation to consummate the Contemplated Transactions.

 

Section 5.6                                   Approval Delays. To the Knowledge of Acquiror, after consultation with applicable Regulatory Authorities, there is no reason why the granting of any of the regulatory approvals referred to in Section 8.1 would be denied or unduly delayed. Level One Bank’s most recent CRA rating is “satisfactory” or better.

 

Section 5.7                                   Disclosure. Neither any representation nor warranty of Acquiror in this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. No notice given pursuant to Section 7.1 will contain any untrue statement or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein or in this Agreement, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

Section 5.8                                   Financial Resources. Acquiror will have sufficient cash available on the Closing Date to enable it to comply with its obligation to fund the Aggregate Merger Consideration and to otherwise perform its other obligations under this Agreement.

 

Article 6

COVENANTS OF SELLER

 

Section 6.1                                   Access and Investigation. Subject to the Confidentiality Agreement, Acquiror and its Representatives shall, at all times during normal business hours and with reasonable advance notice prior to the Closing, have full and continuing access to the facilities, operations, records, employees and properties of Seller in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.1. Acquiror and its Representatives may, prior to the Closing, make or cause to be made such reasonable investigation of the operations, records, employees and properties of Seller and of its financial and legal condition as Acquiror shall deem necessary or advisable to familiarize itself with such operations, records, employees, properties and other matters; provided,

 

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however, that such access or investigation shall not interfere unnecessarily with the normal operations of Seller. Upon request, Seller will furnish Acquiror or its Representatives, attorneys’ responses to auditors’ requests for information regarding Seller, and such financial and operating data and other information reasonably requested by Acquiror (provided that, with respect to attorneys, such disclosure would not result in the waiver by Seller of any claim of attorney-client privilege), and will permit Acquiror and its Representatives to discuss such information directly with any individual or firm performing auditing or accounting functions for Seller, and such auditors and accountants shall be directed to furnish copies of any reports or financial information as developed to Acquiror or its Representatives. No investigation by Acquiror or any of its Representatives shall affect the representations and warranties made by Seller. This Section 6.1 shall not require the disclosure of any information the disclosure of which to Acquiror would be prohibited by any Legal Requirement.

 

Section 6.2                                   Operation of Seller. Except with the prior written consent of the Acquiror, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, between the Agreement Date and the Closing, Seller will:

 

(a)                                 conduct its business only in the Ordinary Course of Business and in material compliance with all Legal Requirements;

 

(b)                                 use its Best Efforts to preserve intact its current business organization, keep available the services of its current officers, employees and agents, and maintain the goodwill of its suppliers, customers, landlords, creditors, employees, agents and others who have business relationships with it;

 

(c)                                  confer with Acquiror concerning operational matters of a material nature;

 

(d)                                 enter into loan transactions only in accordance with sound credit practices and only on terms and conditions that are not materially more favorable than those available to the borrower from competitive sources in arm’s-length transactions, and in that connection, from the date hereof to the Closing, shall not:

 

(i)                                     enter into any new credit or new lending relationships in excess of $1,000,000 with any Person and such Person’s Borrowing Affiliate (as defined below); or

 

(ii)                                  other than incident to a reasonable loan restructuring, extend additional credit to any Person and any director or officer of, or any owner of a ten percent (10%) or greater equity interest in, such Person (any of the foregoing with respect to a Person being referred to as a “Borrowing Affiliate”) if such Person or such Borrowing Affiliate is the obligor under any indebtedness to Seller which constitutes a non-performing loan or against any part of such indebtedness Seller has established specific loss reserves or any part of which has been charged-off by Seller or which is included on Seller’s watch list.

 

provided, however, that Seller shall be permitted to make any loan that is otherwise prohibited by this subsection if Seller has made a written request to Acquiror for permission to make an otherwise prohibited loan and has provided the Acquiror with sufficient information to make an

 

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informed decision with respect to such request, and the Acquiror has failed to respond to such request within three (3) Business Days after his receipt of such request and such information;

 

(e)                                  maintain an ALLL which is adequate in all material respects under the requirements of GAAP or any Legal Requirement to provide for possible losses, net of recoveries relating to loans previously charged off, on loans outstanding (including accrued interest receivable), and charge-off any loans or leases that would be deemed uncollectible in accordance with GAAP or any Legal Requirements and place on non-accrual any loans or leases that are past due greater than ninety (90) days;

 

(f)                                   maintain all of its assets necessary for the conduct of its business in good operating condition and repair, reasonable wear and tear and damage by fire or unavoidable casualty excepted, and maintain policies of insurance upon its assets and with respect to the conduct of its business in amounts and kinds comparable to that in effect on the date hereof and pay all premiums on such policies when due;

 

(g)                                  not buy or sell any security held, or intended to be held, for investment; provided, however, that such restriction shall not affect the buying and selling by Seller of Federal Funds or the securities set forth on Schedule 6.2(g) or the reinvestment of dividends paid on any securities owned by Seller as of the Agreement Date;

 

(h)                                 except as set forth on subsection (c) to Schedule 4.15, not declare or pay any dividends or make any other distributions of cash or property to any of Seller’s directors, officers, employees or shareholders, other than regular salary or other earned compensation;

 

(i)                                     not incur any financial obligation to any financial advisor, valuation expert or similar consultant if Seller will be liable for the fees payable to any such consultant; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall prevent the retention by Seller of any such consultant which is currently engaged by Seller so long as any fees or expenses associated therewith are paid by Seller on or before the Closing Date and are included in the Seller Transaction Expenses;

 

(j)                                    file in a timely manner all required filings with all Regulatory Authorities and cause such filings to be true and correct in all material respects;

 

(k)                                 record and carry on its books and records the net realizable value of OREO, with such value to be supported by reasonable documentation of the same;

 

(l)                                     maintain its books, accounts and records in the Ordinary Course of Business, on a basis consistent with prior years; and

 

(m)                             comply with all material Legal Requirements and material Contracts.

 

Section 6.3                                   Negative Covenant. Except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement, between the Agreement Date and the Closing, Seller will not, without the prior written consent of Acquiror, take any affirmative action, or fail to take any reasonable action within its control, as a result of which any of the changes or events listed in Section 4.15 is likely to occur. Except as set forth on subsection (c) to Schedule 4.15, between the Agreement Date

 

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and the Closing Seller will not increase the fees, salaries or other payments to Seller’s directors, officers or shareholders. For purposes of this Section 6.3, Acquiror’s consent shall be deemed to be given if Seller has made a written request to Acquiror for permission to take any action otherwise prohibited by this Section 6.3 and has provided Acquiror with sufficient information to make an informed decision with respect to such request, and the Acquiror has failed to respond to such request within ten (10) Business Days after his receipt of such request and such information.

 

Section 6.4                                   Subsequent Financial Statements. As soon as reasonably available after the date hereof, Seller will deliver to Acquiror copies of: (a) monthly unaudited financial statements of Seller that are provided to the management and directors of Seller; (b) Call Reports of Seller for each quarterly or annual period completed after the Agreement Date; and (c) all other financial reports or statements submitted after the date hereof by Seller to any Regulatory Authority, to the extent permitted by law (collectively, the “Subsequent Financial Statements”). Except as may be required by changes in any Legal Requirements effective after the date hereof, the Subsequent Financial Statements shall be prepared on a basis consistent with past accounting practices and shall fairly present in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Seller for the dates and periods presented. The Subsequent Financial Statements will not include any material assets or omit to state any material liabilities, absolute or contingent, or other facts, which inclusion or omission would render such Subsequent Financial Statements misleading in any material respect.

 

Section 6.5                                   Advice of Changes. Between the Agreement Date and the Closing Date, Seller shall promptly notify Acquiror in writing if Seller becomes aware of any fact or condition that causes or constitutes a Breach of any of Seller’s representations and warranties as of the Agreement Date, or if Seller becomes aware of the occurrence after the Agreement Date of any fact or condition that would (except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement) cause or constitute a Breach of any such representation or warranty had such representation or warranty been made as of the time of occurrence or discovery of such fact or condition. If any such fact or condition would require any change in the Schedules if the Schedules were dated the date of the occurrence or discovery of any such fact or condition, Seller will promptly deliver to Acquiror a supplement to the Schedules specifying such change. During the same period, Seller will promptly notify Acquiror of the occurrence of any Breach of any covenant of Seller in this Agreement or of the occurrence of any event that might reasonably be expected to make the satisfaction of the conditions in Article 9 impossible or unlikely.

 

Section 6.6                                   Other Offers. Until such time, if any, as this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article 11, Seller will not, and will cause its Representatives not to, directly or indirectly solicit, initiate or encourage any inquiries or proposals from, discuss or negotiate with, provide any non-public information to, or consider the merits of any inquiries or proposals from, any Person (other than Acquiror) relating to any Acquisition Transaction or a potential Acquisition Transaction involving Seller. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller may provide information at the request of, or enter into negotiations with, a third party with respect to an Acquisition Transaction if the board of directors of Seller determines, in good faith, that the exercise of its fiduciary duties to Seller’s shareholders under applicable law, as advised by its counsel, requires it to take such action, and, provided further, that Seller may not, in any event, provide to such third party any information which it has not provided to Acquiror. Seller shall promptly notify Acquiror orally, confirmed in writing, in the event it receives any such inquiry or

 

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proposal and shall provide reasonable detail of all relevant facts relating to such inquiries.

 

Section 6.7                                   Voting Agreement. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Seller has delivered the Voting Agreement signed by Seller and each of the directors of Seller.

 

Section 6.8                                   Shareholders’ Meeting. Seller shall cause a meeting of its shareholders for the purpose of acting upon this Agreement to be held not later than ninety (90) days after the Agreement Date. Seller shall mail to its shareholders, at least twenty (20) Business Days prior to such meeting, notice of such meeting together with a proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”), which shall include a copy of this Agreement. Subject to its fiduciary duties, Seller and its board of directors shall recommend to shareholders the approval of this Agreement and shall solicit proxies voting only in favor thereof from the shareholders of Seller. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties acknowledge that the failure of Seller to cause a meeting of its shareholders to be held for the purposes set forth in the Agreement or otherwise to make the recommendations required by or to withdraw, modify or change such recommendation as provided in the provisions of this Section 6.8 shall be deemed to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller and on Acquiror’s and its shareholders’ rights under this Agreement.

 

Section 6.9                                   Information Provided to Acquiror. Seller agrees that the information concerning Seller that is provided or to be provided by Seller to Acquiror for inclusion in any documents to be filed with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, at the respective times such documents are filed, will not be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall have no responsibility for the truth or accuracy of any information with respect to Acquiror or any of its Affiliates contained in any document submitted to, or other communication with, any Regulatory Authority.

 

Section 6.10                            Amendment or Termination of Employee Benefit Plans. To the extent permitted by applicable Legal Requirements, upon the written request of Acquiror, Seller shall take such action as may be necessary to amend or terminate any Seller Employee Benefit Plan on or before the Closing Date on terms reasonably acceptable to Acquiror; provided, however, that Seller shall not be obligated to take any such requested action that is irrevocable until immediately prior to the Closing Date.

 

Section 6.11                            Data and Item Processing Agreements. Seller agrees to consult with Acquiror prior to the entry by it, either through action or inaction, into any new, or any extension of any existing, data or item processing agreements. Seller agrees to coordinate with Acquiror the negotiation of any new or extension of any existing data or item processing agreement, with the purpose of achieving the best possible economic and business result in light of the Merger.

 

Section 6.12                            Tax Matters. Seller shall not make any election inconsistent with prior Tax Returns or elections or settle or compromise any liability with respect to Taxes without prior written notice to Acquiror. Seller shall timely file all Tax Returns required to be filed prior to the Closing; provided, however, that each such Tax Return shall be delivered to Acquiror for its review at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior to the anticipated date of filing of such Tax

 

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Return.

 

Section 6.13                            Accounting and Other Adjustments. Subject to applicable Legal Requirements, Seller agrees that it shall: (a) make any accounting adjustments or entries to its books of account and other financial records; (b) make additional provisions to any allowance for loan and lease losses; (c) sell or transfer any investment securities held by it; (d) charge-off any loan or lease; (e) create any new reserve account or make additional provisions to any other existing reserve account; (f) make changes in any accounting method; (g) accelerate, defer or accrue any anticipated obligation, expense or income item; and make any other adjustments that would affect the financial reporting of Acquiror, on a consolidated basis after the Effective Time, in any case as Acquiror shall reasonably and in good faith request; provided, however, that Seller shall not be obligated to take any such requested action until immediately prior to the Closing and at such time as Acquiror shall confirm in writing that all conditions precedent to Seller’s obligations under this Agreement (except for the completion of actions to be taken at the Closing) have been satisfied and that there are no facts or circumstances which would prevent Acquiror from consummating the Contemplated Transactions; provided further, that Seller shall not be obligated to take any such requested action if the primary purpose of such action is to reduce the Aggregate Merger Consideration pursuant to the adjustments in Section 3.3; and, provided further, that Seller shall not be obligated to take any such requested action if it would cause, or reasonably be expected to cause, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 6.14                            Severance Payments. If requested by Acquiror, Seller shall satisfy the Severance Payment Obligation on or before the Closing Date with respect to any employee of Seller identified by Acquiror who will not be retained by Acquiror or Level One Bank on and after the Effective Time.

 

Article 7

ACQUIROR’S COVENANTS

 

Section 7.1                                   Advice of Changes. Between the Agreement Date and the Closing Date, Acquiror shall promptly notify Seller in writing if Acquiror becomes aware of any fact or condition that causes or constitutes a Breach of any of Acquiror’s representations and warranties as of the Agreement Date, or if Acquiror becomes aware of the occurrence after the Agreement Date of any fact or condition that would (except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement) cause or constitute a Breach of any such representation or warranty had such representation or warranty been made as of the time of occurrence or discovery of such fact or condition. During the same period, Acquiror will promptly notify Seller of the occurrence of any Breach of any covenant of Acquiror in this Agreement or of the occurrence of any event that might reasonably be expected to make the satisfaction of the conditions in Article 10 impossible or unlikely.

 

Section 7.2                                   Information Provided to Seller. Acquiror agrees that none of the information concerning Acquiror that is provided or to be provided by Acquiror or Acquisition Bank to Seller for inclusion or that is included in any documents to be filed with any Regulatory Authority in connection with the Contemplated Transactions will, at the respective times such documents are filed, be false or misleading with respect to any material fact, or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Acquiror shall have no responsibility for the truth or accuracy of any information

 

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with respect to Seller or any of its Affiliates contained in any document submitted to, or other communication with, any Regulatory Authority.

 

Section 7.3                                   Indemnification and Insurance.

 

(a)                                 Except as may be limited by applicable Legal Requirements, including applicable banking regulations, Acquiror shall honor any of Seller’s obligations in respect of indemnification and advancement of expenses currently provided by Seller in its articles of incorporation or bylaws in favor of the current and former directors and officers of Seller for five (5) years from the Effective Time with respect to matters occurring prior to the Effective Time.

 

(b)                                 Acquiror shall maintain in effect for not less than one (1) year from the Effective Time the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by Seller prior to the Effective Time with respect to matters occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, including the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Alternatively, Acquiror may substitute therefor policies of substantially the same coverage containing terms and conditions that, taken as a whole, are no less advantageous to the current and former directors and officers of Seller. After the Effective Time, Acquiror shall not be required to pay premiums for insurance coverages in excess of 150% of the last annual premium (such 150% threshold, the “Maximum Amount”) paid by Seller prior to the Agreement Date in respect of the coverages required to be obtained pursuant to this Section 7.3(b), but in such case shall purchase the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding the Maximum Amount. Alternatively, Acquiror may purchase at or after the Effective Time, at a total aggregate cost not exceeding the Maximum Amount, a one-year prepaid “tail” policy on terms and conditions providing substantially equivalent benefits as the current policies of directors’ and officers’ liability insurance maintained by Seller with respect to matters occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, including the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 7.4                                   Severance Payment Obligation. Acquiror covenants and agrees to pay severance payments (the “Severance Payment Obligation”) to any full-time employee of Seller whose employment is terminated by Acquiror or Level One Bank other than for cause within six months after the Closing Date. The Severance Payment Obligation as to any such terminated employee (other than employees subject to employment agreements existing on the date hereof as identified on Schedule 7.5, for which the severance obligation is set forth on Schedule 7.4), shall equal one (1) week of salary for each year of service with Seller, subject, in each case, to a minimum of two (2) weeks and a maximum of twelve (12) weeks pay. No officer or employee of Seller is, or shall be, entitled to receive duplicative severance payments and benefits under (i) an employment or severance agreement; (ii) this section; or (iii) any other program or arrangement.

 

Section 7.5                                   Employment Agreement. Acquiror agrees to cause Level One Bank to honor the terms of those employment agreements identified on Schedule 7.5.

 

Section 7.6                                   Acquiror Employment Benefit Plans. Acquiror covenants and agrees that each Continuing Employee shall receive credit for years of service at Seller for all purposes, including, without limitation, for purposes of eligibility to participate, entitlement to benefits, and levels of benefits of any Acquiror employee benefit plan (including, but not limited to, Acquiror’s 401(k) plan and vacation leave policy) or any other employee benefit plan of the Surviving Entity

 

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commencing after the Effective Time, except to the extent that credit would result in duplication of benefits. At such time as Seller employees become eligible to participate in a medical, dental or health plan of Acquiror, Acquiror shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause each such plan to (i) provide full credit under such plans for any deductibles, co-payment and out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the employees of Seller and their beneficiaries during the portion of the calendar year prior to such participation as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with such plan of Acquiror; and (ii) waive any waiting period limitation, evidence of insurability or actively-at-work requirement which would otherwise be applicable to such employee on or after the Effective Time to the extent such employee had satisfied any similar limitation or requirement under an analogous Acquiror Plan.

 

Section 7.7                                   Formation of Acquisition Bank. As soon as practicable after the Agreement Date, and in any event prior to the Effective Time, Acquiror shall take all action necessary to (i) cause Acquisition Bank to be duly and validly formed, and (ii) to cause the Acquisition Bank to perform its obligations under the Statutory Consolidation Agreement and to consummate the Merger.

 

Article 8

COVENANTS OF ALL PARTIES

 

Section 8.1                                   Regulatory Approvals. By no later than thirty (30) days after the Agreement Date, Acquiror and Acquisition Bank shall make all appropriate filings with Regulatory Authorities for approval of the Contemplated Transactions, including the preparation of an application or any amendment thereto or any other required statements or documents filed or to be filed by any party with: (a) the Federal Reserve pursuant to the BHCA; (b) DIFS pursuant to the MBC; (c) the FDIC pursuant to the FDI Act; and (d) any other Person or Regulatory Authority pursuant to any applicable Legal Requirement, for authority to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. Acquiror shall pursue in good faith the regulatory approvals necessary to consummate the Contemplated Transactions. In advance of any filing made under this Section 8.1, Seller and its counsel shall be provided with the opportunity to comment upon all non-confidential portions thereof, and Acquiror agrees promptly to advise Seller and its counsel of, and share with them, any material communication received by Acquiror or its counsel from any Regulatory Authorities with respect to the non-confidential portions of such filings.

 

Section 8.2                                   Necessary Approvals. Each of Acquiror and Seller agree to fully and promptly cooperate with each other and their respective counsels and accountants in connection with any steps to be taken as part of their obligations under this Agreement.

 

Section 8.3                                   Customer and Employee Relationships. Each of Acquiror and Seller agrees that its respective Representatives may jointly:

 

(a)                                 participate in meetings or discussions with officers and employees of Seller and Acquiror in connection with continuing employment opportunities with Level One Bank after the Effective Time; and

 

(b)                                 contact Persons having dealings Seller for the purpose of informing such Persons of the services to be offered by Seller after the Effective Time.

 

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Section 8.4                                   Best Efforts; Cooperation. Each of Acquiror and Seller agrees to exercise good faith and use its Best Efforts to satisfy the various covenants and conditions to Closing in this Agreement, and to consummate the Contemplated Transactions as promptly as possible. In furtherance, and not in limitation, of the foregoing, Seller agrees to use its Best Efforts to obtain: (a) the release of any change in control rights or similar rights relating to any employee of Seller or any other Person under any other agreement by which Seller is bound; and (b) the consent of any lessor or other Person whose consent is required to permit Acquiror or Seller to continue to lease its properties or continue its existing agreements in effect. None of Acquiror or Seller will intentionally take or intentionally permit to be taken any action that would be a Breach of the terms or provisions of this Agreement. Between the Agreement Date and the Closing, each of Acquiror and Seller will, and will cause all of their respective Affiliates and Representatives to, cooperate with respect to all filings that any party is required by Legal Requirements to make in connection with the Contemplated Transactions.

 

Article 9

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF ACQUIROR

 

The obligations of Acquiror to cause Acquisition Bank to consummate the Merger and to take the other actions required to be taken by Acquiror or Acquisition Bank at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by Acquiror, in whole or in part):

 

Section 9.1                                   Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. For purposes of this Section 9.1, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the Agreement Date 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 Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3(a), 4.4 and 4.25 shall be true and correct (except for inaccuracies which are de minimis in amount or effect). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in this Agreement (including the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3(a), 4.4 and 4.25) such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect on Seller; 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.

 

Section 9.2                                   Seller’s Performance. Each and all of the agreements and covenants of Seller 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.

 

Section 9.3                                   Documents Satisfactory. All proceedings, corporate or other, to be taken by Seller in connection with the Contemplated Transactions, and all documents incident thereto, shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Acquiror and its counsel, and Seller shall have made available to Acquiror for examination the originals or true and correct copies of all records and documents relating to the business and affairs of Seller which Acquiror may

 

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reasonably request in connection with the Contemplated Transactions.

 

Section 9.4                                   No Proceedings. No 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, or makes illegal consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 9.5                                   Absence of Material Adverse Effects. From June 30, 2015, to the Closing, there shall be and have been no change in the financial condition, assets or business of Seller that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on Seller.

 

Section 9.6                                   Consents and Approvals. Any consents or approvals required to be secured by any party by the terms of this Agreement or otherwise reasonably necessary in the opinion of Acquiror to consummate the Merger or the Second Merger, including (a) the approval of Regulatory Authorities and (b) the approval of the Seller Shareholders, shall have been obtained and shall be reasonably satisfactory to Acquiror, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired. No consent obtained from any Regulatory Authority which is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall be conditioned or restricted in a manner (including requirements relating to the raising of additional capital or the disposition of assets) which in the reasonable judgment of the board of directors of Acquiror would so materially adversely affect the economic or business benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that, had such condition or requirement been known, the Acquiror would not, in its reasonable judgment, have entered into this Agreement.

 

Section 9.7                                   No Prohibition. The consummation of the Merger will not, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time), materially contravene, or conflict with or result in a material violation of, or cause Acquiror, Acquisition Bank or any of Acquiror’s Affiliates to be required to make any material change in its operations as a result of: (a) any applicable Legal Requirement or Order; or (b) any Legal Requirement or Order that has been published, introduced or otherwise proposed by or before any Regulatory Authority.

 

Section 9.8                                   Minimum Seller’s Shareholders’ Equity. Seller’s Shareholders’ Equity shall not be less than the Seller’s Shareholders’ Equity at September 30, 2015.

 

Section 9.9                                   Notices of Dissent. Not more than five percent (5%), in the aggregate, of the outstanding shares of Seller Common Stock shall have voted against the Merger or provided timely written notice to Seller of their intent to exercise their statutory right to dissent.

 

Article 10

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLER

 

Seller’s obligation to consummate the Merger and to take the other actions required to be taken by Seller at the Closing are subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by Seller, in whole or in part):

 

Section 10.1                            Accuracy of Representations and Warranties. For purposes of this

 

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Section 10.1, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of Acquiror set forth in this Agreement shall be assessed as of the Agreement Date 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 Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3(a) shall be true and correct (except for inaccuracies which are de minimis in amount or effect). There shall not exist inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of Seller set forth in this Agreement (including the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3(a)) such that the aggregate effect of such inaccuracies has, or is reasonably likely to have, a Material Adverse Effect on Acquiror; 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.

 

Section 10.2                            Acquiror’s Performance. Each and all of the agreements and covenants of Acquiror 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.

 

Section 10.3                            Documents Satisfactory. All proceedings, corporate or other, to be taken by Acquiror in connection with the Merger, and all documents incident thereto, shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Seller and its counsel.

 

Section 10.4                            No Proceedings. No 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, or makes illegal consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 10.5                            Consents and Approvals. Any consents or approvals required to be secured by any party by the terms of this Agreement or otherwise reasonably necessary for Seller to consummate the Merger, including the approval of the Seller Shareholders, shall have been obtained, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired.

 

Section 10.6                            No Prohibition. The consummation of the Merger will not, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse of time), materially contravene, or conflict with or result in a material violation of, or cause Seller to violate any applicable Legal Requirement or Order.

 

Article 11

TERMINATION

 

Section 11.1                            Reasons for Termination and Abandonment. This Agreement may, by prompt written notice given to the other parties prior to or at the Closing, be terminated:

 

(a)                                 by mutual consent of the board of directors of Seller and Acquiror;

 

(b)                                 by Acquiror or Seller (provided, that the terminating party is not then in

 

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material Breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or other agreement contained in this Agreement) in the event of a Breach by the other party of any representation or warranty contained in this Agreement which cannot be or has not been cured within thirty (30) days after the giving of written notice to the breaching party of such Breach and which Breach is reasonably likely, in the opinion of the non-breaching party, to permit such party to refuse to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to Articles 9 or 10, as applicable;

 

(c)                                  by Acquiror or Seller in the event (i) any approval of any Regulatory Authority required for consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby shall have been denied by final nonappealable action of such authority or if any action taken by such authority is not appealed within the time limit for appeal, (ii) any Legal Requirement or Order permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the Merger shall have become final and nonappealable, or (iii) the meeting for Seller Shareholders (including any postponements or adjournments) shall have concluded and been finally adjourned and the Seller Shareholders did not approve the Merger;

 

(d)                                 by Acquiror or Seller, if in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, the board of directors of Seller determines to (i) enter into negotiations with a third party for an Acquisition Transaction as contemplated by Section 6.6 hereof or (ii) not recommend to Seller Shareholders that they approve this Agreement in the manner contemplated by Section 6.8 hereof; or

 

(e)                                  by Acquiror or Seller if the Closing has not occurred (other than through the failure of any party seeking to terminate this Agreement to comply fully with its obligations under this Agreement) on or before May 1, 2016 (the “Termination Date”); provided, however, that the Termination Date shall be extended by two (2) months if the primary reason the Closing has not occurred is that the parties have not obtained the approval of Regulatory Authorities described in Section 8.1.

 

Section 11.2                            Effect of Termination. Except as provided in Section 11.3, if this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 11.1, all further obligations of the parties under this Agreement will terminate, and there shall be no liability under this Agreement to or on the part of any party (or such party’s respective officers, directors, shareholders and Affiliates), and all rights and obligations of each party shall cease, except that the obligations in Section 11.2 (Effective of Termination), Section 11.3 (Expenses) and Article 12 will survive; provided, however, that, subject to Section 11.3, nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for fraud of the willful and material Breach of any provision of this Agreement, in which case the aggrieved party shall be entitled to all rights and remedies available at law or in equity.

 

Section 11.3                            Expenses.

 

(a)                                 Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, each party to this Agreement will bear its own respective expenses incurred in connection with the preparation, execution, and performance of this Agreement and the Merger, including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, counsel, and accountants. If any of the parties hereto files suit to enforce this Section 11.3 or a suit seeking to recover costs and expenses or damages for Breach of this Agreement, the costs, fees, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) of the prevailing party in such litigation (and any related litigation) shall be borne by

 

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the non-prevailing party.

 

(b)                                 If this Agreement is terminated:

 

(i)                                       pursuant to Section 11.1(b), the breaching party shall pay to the terminating party, within five (5) business days of such termination, a fee equal to (1) the amount of the terminating party’s reasonable costs and expenses (including financial advisor, consultant, accountant and counsel fees) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, up to a maximum of Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000) (the “Expense Fee”), plus (2) One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000); or

 

(ii)                                    pursuant to Section 11.1(b) as a result of a Breach by Seller of Section 11.(d) and, either at or prior to the date of termination, or within eighteen (18) months after such termination, Seller enters into a Contract with any party other than Acquiror (or any Affiliate of Acquiror) which constitutes an Acquisition Transaction with such other party, then, Seller shall pay Acquiror, upon its written demand in same day funds, the sum of (1) the Expense Fee (if not previously paid) plus (2) Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000); provided, however, that in such case, the provisions of this Section shall in no way limit Acquiror’s rights against such third party.

 

(c)                                  The amounts payable pursuant to Section 11.3(b) constitute liquidated damages and the receipt thereof shall be the sole and exclusive remedy of Acquiror and Seller, as applicable, under this Agreement for all Breaches of this Agreement by Acquiror and Seller, as applicable.

 

Article 12

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 12.1                            Governing Law. All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement and the performance of the obligations imposed by this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of Michigan applicable to Contracts made and wholly to be performed in such state without regard to conflicts of laws.

 

Section 12.2                            Jurisdiction and Service of Process. Any action or proceeding seeking to enforce, challenge or avoid any provision of, or based on any right arising out of, this Agreement shall be brought only in the courts of the State of Michigan, County of Oakland or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States District Court serving the County of Oakland, and each of the parties consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts) in any such action or proceeding and waives any objection to jurisdiction or venue laid therein. Process in any action or proceeding referred to in the preceding sentence may be served on any party anywhere in the world.

 

Section 12.3                            Assignments, Successors and No Third Party Rights. No party may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to any other Person without the prior written consent of the other parties, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided,

 

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however, that Acquiror may assign its respective rights under this Agreement to any wholly-owned subsidiary of Acquiror without the consent of Seller so long as Acquiror continues to guarantee the performance of all of its covenants set forth in this Agreement. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement and every representation, warranty, covenant, agreement and provision hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement, other than Sections 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 which are intended to be for the benefit of the individuals covered thereby.

 

Section 12.4                            Waiver. Except as provided in Article 11, rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or privilege, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law: (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other parties; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of such party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement.

 

Section 12.5                            Modification. This Agreement may not be amended except by a written agreement signed by each of Acquiror and Seller.

 

Section 12.6                            Publicity. Prior to the Closing and except as required by law, the parties hereto will consult with each other before issuing any press releases or otherwise making any public statements with respect to this Agreement or the Merger and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement without the prior consent of the other parties, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. Unless consented to by each of Acquiror and Seller in advance or except as required by law, prior to the Closing, the parties shall keep this Agreement strictly confidential and not make any disclosure of this Agreement to any Person. Seller and Acquiror will consult with each other concerning the means by which Seller’s employees, customers and suppliers and others having dealings with Seller will be informed of the Merger.

 

Section 12.7                            Confidentiality. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the obligations of the parties contained in the Confidentiality Agreement, all of which obligations shall survive the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. If the Contemplated Transactions are not consummated, each party will return or destroy as much of such written information as any other party may reasonably request.

 

Section 12.8                            Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications under

 

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this Agreement must be in writing (which shall include facsimile communication) and will be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand or by nationally recognized overnight delivery service (receipt requested), mailed by certified mail (return receipt requested) with postage prepaid or faxed or sent by electronic mail if confirmed immediately thereafter by also mailing a copy of any notice, request or other communication by mail as required in this Section 12.8:

 

(a)                                 If to Acquiror, to:

 

Level One Bancorp, Inc.

32991 Hamilton Court

Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334

Telephone:                                   (248) 737-6903

Facsimile:                                         (248) 536-5060

Email:            dwalker@levelonebank.com

Attention:                                         David C. Walker

 

with a copy to:

 

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP

Atlantic Station

201 17th Street NW, Suite 1700

Atlanta, GA 30363

Telephone:                                   (404) 322-6218

Facsimile:                                         (404) 322-6041

Email:            brennan.ryan@nelsonmullins.com

Attention:                                         Brennan Ryan, Esq.

 

(b)                                 if to Seller, to:

 

Bank of Michigan

 

30095 Northwestern Highway

Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Telephone:                                   (248) 865-1307

Facsimile:                                         (248) 865-0355

Email:            mike.sarafa@bankofmi.com

Attention:                                         Michael G. Sarafa

 

with a copy to:

 

Howard and Howard Attorneys PLLC

200 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 200

Chicago, Illinois 60604

Telephone:                                   (312) 456-3444

Facsimile:                                         (312) 939-5617

Email:            jhemker@howardandhoward.com

 

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Attention:                                         Joseph B. Hemker, Esq.

 

or to such other Person or place as any party shall furnish to the other parties hereto in writing. Except as otherwise provided herein, all such notices, consents, waivers and other communications shall be effective: (a) if delivered by hand, when delivered; (b) if mailed in the manner provided in this Section 12.8, five (5) Business Days after deposit with the United States Postal Service; (c) if delivered by overnight express delivery service, on the next Business Day after deposit with such service; and (d) if by facsimile or other electronic means, on the next Business Day if also confirmed by mail in the manner provided in this Section 12.8.

 

Section 12.9                            Entire Agreement. This Agreement and any documents executed by the parties pursuant to this Agreement and referred to herein constitute a complete and exclusive statement of the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto with respect to their subject matter and supersede all other prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, relating to such subject matter between the parties.

 

Section 12.10                     Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement unless the consummation of the Merger is adversely affected thereby.

 

Section 12.11                     Further Assurances. The parties agree: (a) to furnish upon request to each other such further information; (b) to execute and deliver to each other such other documents; and (c) to do such other acts and things, as any party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this Agreement and the documents referred to in this Agreement.

 

Section 12.12                     Counterparts; Facsimile or Other Electronic Signatures. This Agreement and any amendments thereto may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed and accepted by facsimile or other electronic signature and any such signature shall be of the same force and effect as an original signature.

 

Section 12.13                     Survival. Except for covenants that are expressly to be performed after the Closing, the representations, warranties and covenants set forth in this Agreement shall not survive beyond the Closing.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers as of the day and year first written above.

 

 

BANK OF MICHIGAN

 

LEVEL ONE BANCORP, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Michael G. Sarafa

 

By:

/s/ Patrick J. Fehring

Name: Michael G. Sarafa

 

Name: Patrick J. Fehring

Title: President

 

Title: President and CEO

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER